I am Clara

Preparing For the End

Birds chirping, and sun shining, it was a beautiful day. You'd never guess it was my potential death day. On second thought, this is exactly what I should have expected, it was God mocking me. Beautiful world, isn't it? Now get ready to be impaled by a silver blade.

     At least I got to sleep in. Andrews and I even went to our favourite restaurants for breakfast and lunch, also making an important stop for Charlie's famous ice cream. On our way to the movies, I even stopped at a payphone to inform the police about tonight's attack. Whether they took me seriously or not, I had at least done something. I was no longer responsible. If there were any casualties, it would not be my fault...Though I told myself that the blame didn't rest in my hands, I was feeling monumentally guilty. It was seven o'clock at night, and I was pacing my bedroom. I couldn't get Mimpi' words out of my head. People are going to die... But that didn't mean I also had to. I'd only make things worse.

     I was not fighting.

     No way.

     There was no fighter in Clara Molino...

     Damn my good conscious! Call me an idiot, but I made a last-minute decision, and went to the park. I still wasn't going to fight. I'd watch from afar, remain hidden, and make sure everything went well. I was only going to observe. What would I do if I observed things to be going badly? Well, I didn't think that far. I didn't want to think that far.

     Hovering by the window before leaving, I groaned. I watched the Sphere, having a record-breaking internal debate. To touch or not to touch? Did I dare to lay my hand upon it? Would I gain more power, or simply be strangled by a rude piece of rock? Although Mimpi was off her rocker, she seemed to want me to live. She wouldn't purposely harm me, though she was responsible for the injections that may very well lead to my death. My hand hovered above the Sphere, still unsure of my choice. Turns out I didn't need to make a decision. The Sphere made it for me. Hand a couple inches from its surface, the Sphere expanded to reach my fingertips.

      "Well... shit." I stumbled backwards, staring at my hand in horror.

      The Sphere attacked me as it did the first time, I touched it. Chaos broke; wind swirled around me, despite being indoors. I shut my eyes in attempt to remain calm. I was really trying to trust Mimpi, but it was proving to be quite difficult. Metal growing around me, I willed myself to stay still unless it caused me pain. The transformation was painless. No superhero moment of ripping clothes and muscles or throaty cries of agony.

      Once the noise and movement quieted down, I opened my eyes. One eye at the time, I snuck a glance in the mirror. A dress? My warrior suit was a dress. Not that I was going too, but how was I expected to fight in a dress? It was a body length, two-piece, white dress. And it really did not serve as much coverage. The light material split from the top of my ankle all the way up to my hip, revealing my entire right leg except for the parts covered by the short golden spandex. Much to my dismay, half of my stomach was also on display. Thin spirals of gold swirled around my neck, wrists, and ankles, serving no use other than that of an accessory. Even my hair had been braided and plastered with tiny golden flowers.

      None of it was practical. I looked more like Disney princess, than a warrior. A princess with a sword, at least. A hidden sheath on the left side of the dress contained the long sword. I had to admit that the blade was beautiful. With a white hilt, the lengthy golden blade was etched with the same intrinsic designs that I had seen on the wall of the cave in which I first met Mimpi. As beautiful as it was, I didn't like its proximity to my leg. It was a disaster waiting to happen.

      I was so preoccupied with criticizing my outfit in the mirror, that I didn't hear the footsteps coming my way.

      "What was—" The door creaked open.

     "Get out!" I shrieked, throwing an old shoe at the door.

      Andrews left without another word, embarrassed, or confused, probably both. I wrapped myself from head to toe in a blanket and stepped into the hall. I was about to do something so stupid that my death was likely, and he was my best friend... I owed him somewhat of a goodbye. Not the cheesy kind, just something that would be better than throwing a shoe at his head.

      "Sorry about that... I was changing," I made up. Andrews turned around; a small smirk carved on his face from my choice of blanket wear.

      "Sorry. I'll knock next time." He scratched his head awkwardly.

     If there is a next time, I thought morbidly. Dear God, I was depressing. I was not fighting, and the cops would be there. I had no reason to think I was going to die. Well, no reason other than the fact that a dead woman's army was searching for me with a death warrant.

     "Just wanted to let you know that Colton called. He needs my help with something, so I'll be out the rest of the night. There's leftover spaghetti if you're hungry."

     I smiled gratefully, watching him head back downstairs. "Thank you," I added uneasily, Andrews already halfway down the staircase.

     "You're welcome?" He turned with pinched brows.

     I laughed. "For letting me know and letting me stay here."

    "Are you feeling ok?" Amused curiosity transformed into concern.

      Why was he so surprised that I was thanking him? I'm a fucking polite person. I thanked people all the time.

      "I'm fine." I nodded weakly. "Goodnight." I shot him one last forced smile, before shutting the door. I was almost certain Andrews was still standing on the staircase, frowning at my door, but woefully, I had places to go.