And yet, she felt like everything would change the moment she did it.
Frustrated, she threw the phone on the bed next to her, and flipped over to bury her face in the pillow, groaning in annoyance and frustration.
A small part of her knew she wasn’t being fair to herself, but she couldn’t help the crushing depression threatening to suffocate her.
She was worthless.
She had no value.
Rose still needed her, at least a little, but the little girl had been fine before Heidi came into her life, and she would be fine even if Heidi wasn’t around all the time. Plus, once Rose was in school, she’d make normal friends, and probably wouldn’t have much time for the person she currently considered to be her best friend.
And as for Sam?
She now had nothing to offer him.
Sure, she’d been hesitant to use her abilities to keep Lily alive, but she never really had a problem with just healing her in general, in the event she ever got seriously hurt. And honestly, Heidi knew that she took comfort in that fact, even though she was resistant to using her power. She liked it that everyone knew she could fix people if they got broken.
But not now.
If Lily could really self-heal, which Heidi knew must be the case since Freya made a big deal about it just a little bit ago, then not now.
Heidi had no purpose in this family anymore. She didn’t have a superpower that could defend others like her older sister did, and now her capacity to heal was no longer needed either.
She was worthless.
Feeling like she was going to drown in her depression and spiraling thoughts, she unexpectedly had a rush of irritability that prompted her to groan in frustration as she flopped onto her side and grabbed her phone.
Staring at the image displayed with anger, she held up her finger, and just did it.
She just did it.
Just like that, it was done.
And she suddenly felt a lot better afterward too. It really wasn’t so hard after all. Just a single swipe of her finger.
She swiped right.
❖ ❖ ❖
Sam Archer
April 10, 2735 – Current Day – Late Morning
The moment the mystery man left the room, the General hot on his heels, Jackie collected herself and focused on me. “Very well. That ends the meeting for today, Mr. Archer. If you have any additional concerns, we can discuss them in my office later this week. In the meantime, I’ll let Ms. Stockton know to come get you, assuming you have no further reservations regarding signing with us.”
I was confused as hell. She’d mentioned only minutes ago that she couldn’t have me sign if I was Politically Sovereign, but now that obstacle had mysteriously vanished?
Was it because she was being allusive by saying the CDS couldn’t have me sign this particular contract – essentially, making it sound like they couldn’t sign at all if I was sovereign, when in reality it would just require a different type of contract?
I definitely needed some clarity here.
“Just to make sure I understand. Am I going to receive Political Sovereignty and access to my evaluation?”
Her response was short. “Yes.”
“And is it possible to add people to my ‘country’ essentially, or however that’s viewed?”
She hesitated, glancing at the others still seated, before clearing her throat. “I’ll need a full list of those you wish to include, as well as–”
Pennington abruptly interrupted her. “Now, just so we’re clear, Mr. Archer. Being Politically Sovereign doesn’t mean you can do whatever the hell you want. And just like a separate nation, we can still wage war on anyone we view as a threat. Furthermore, if you become Politically Sovereign, then there’s a certain level of clearance you’ll never be able to achieve.”
Unexpectedly, Liz scoffed behind me, prompting him to look at her in outrage. Without another word, appearing as if he was going to blow a head gasket, he abruptly stood to his feet and began marching out of the room, cursing under his breath as he did so.
Damn, he was acting like someone had pissed in his cereal, irritated just because he didn’t get his way in a negotiation that probably didn’t actually affect him much on a personal level.
So really, he was angry because he didn’t get to piss in my cereal.
Jackie cleared her throat as she stood up, her papers and tablet in hand. “We’ll talk later. Please remain here until Ms. Stockton comes to get you.”
I nodded, watching as everyone else got up to leave too.
Finally, it was just Winter and Liz, with the short blonde sprite moving to take a seat where Mrs. Dolan had been on my left, while Winter remained exactly where she was, staring ahead at the wall in silence. She didn’t look very happy, and I had zero idea why.
“Thanks, by the way,” I whispered quietly to Liz.
She leaned forward on the table, stretching her arms out, before sighing. “You’re welcome. And no one can hear us again.”
“Why did you help?” I wondered.
She rested her cheek in her palm, looking a little bored as she also stared at the wall, before answering. “Simple. When you’re dealing with people like us, it’s best to try to keep things peaceful. I helped you because I was able to do so, and all I ask in return is that you do the same if the opportunity ever presents itself.”
“Of course,” I agreed adamantly.
Her blue gaze focused on me. “And we’re not keeping score or anything,” she clarified. “If you’re never in a position where you can help me, which honestly is unlikely to begin with, that doesn’t mean I still won’t help you with simple things like this.”
I nodded. “So, what is the Grimoires
