Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“Yes, darling. I’m proud of this project. Surely it will make many of our communities have the power they need.” said Doctor Sobeck to her offspring, little Alondra Yolanda, or, as people called her, Aloy.

“Is it completely safe, Mama?” Aloy inquired, her big green eyes focusing on the flyers next to the posthouse. It was a hot May Day, just after Mother’s Day. A Sunday, in which, like many others, the Sobecks weren’t at church. They were simply not that kind of people, knowing about the common blackouts in the state of Nora. Plus, many people there were Irish Catholic, or Latine. As for Aloy, she had both heritages, as well as a bit of Dutch. Both European countries made her a pale, green eyed, ginger little lass, who was sweating profusely in the midday sun, even though the vending machine at Faro Inc. had provided her with some berry juice, which, in the little one’s mind, were “berry delicious”.

“It’s not, darling.” whispered Elisabet, confessing to her, putting a hand over the kid’s shoulder, crouching down to reach the 9-year-old. “But we’ll fight like we’re gonna win, right?”

“Right!” Aloy exclaimed, nodding as people started to enter the complex, just next to Lake Fuil, meaning “blood” in Irish. Mr Rodrigo Sobeck, called “Rost” by everyone in town, thought “futile” was a better name, at least now with the Zero Dawn Dam project. He knew Ted Faro, the owner of the company, who had passed away, possibly by suicide, wasn’t a man with the best intentions. He had said many horrible stuff about Puerto Ricans like Rost, he had pressured Elisabeth into marrying him against what her heart desired, he had said horrible stuff about Irish Catholics, and even confused the Danish with the Dutch, saying that “they should just give Greenland to American people”. As if America wasn’t a continent. As if the name wasn’t as colonial as Puerto Rico. Rost still had Borikén in his heart.

“Dear, why Don't You go to the park near the River? Your mother has got some interviews to attend.” Said Rost. Aloy nodded, and off she went. Despite the sad circumstances of her birth, and the bullying she suffered at school, because, Even with her white-passing gestures, she still had a bit of a Puerto Rican accent; she was an independent young lady. She thought to herself that Maybe, just maybe, that day she would make a friend somehow.

So off went Little Aloy, and, at Madre de Todos Park, which translated, if You interpreted it poetically, to All-Mother’s Park; she went to a Little part of the park, covered with grass and native flowers, Sat down, and opened her lunchbox, full of Quesitos that Rost had Made.

“Hey…” she heard the voice of another Child. And it Made her leap.

“Jesus!” she managed to Say. Forward she went, in a motion akin to the one a rugby player does to tackle an opponent. And what followed, was painful. A little plastic, covered in glitter, stung her chest.

“Woah, woah, woah. Slow down, girl. You’re hurting my ponies.” said the other kid.

“Your… ponies?” Aloy repeated. She wasn’t expecting a boy of all people playing with ponies.

“Yeah. My ponies.” said the boy. “I assure you: they have very interesting stories. Twilight Sparkle, for example, has to send reports to Princess Celestia, or she might never return home, not with honor.”

“What?!” Aloy listened, stumping on the floor with a hand, almost trying to scratch the kid or his ponies. She didn’t know how to react! She wanted to have a friend, but, at the same time, she didn’t know what to do with that information.

“Yes. I am Varl, by the way.” said the boy.

“Aloy.” was the only thing the little girl managed to say.

“Hey, Aloy. What are you eating?” inquired Varl.

“They are Quesitos. My dad is Puerto Rican. Want some?” answered Aloy, starting to trust her new friend a bit more.

“Sure!” Varl exclaimed, his jet-black hair being moved by an Oh-so-sudden breeze.

That was scary. Aloy turned her head up. The sky was dark as night, clouds rolling over the hills.

“Gotta go!” Aloy excused herself, packing her Quesitos as fast as she could.

“Aloy, wait!” Wailed Varl. “You didn't give me a Quesito!”

But the girl was too far away. She would try to warn her family of incoming doom.

Sadly, no one heard her.

“Darling… I know You're scared.” Said Elizabeth. “But I’ve planned for this. We all have planned for this. You’ll be fine. We all Will be fine.”

Aloy bit her lip. She knew they were in for some trouble.

Then it all happened. Rain started pouring down the sky, just like tears from a God they didn't believe in much.

“The River… The River!” Wailed Elizabeth. Her darling was right! She rushed to it.

Too late.

Aloy was already there. Aloy was already in there. She probably wanted to Review the situation.

“My curious child, I won't let You drown! Survive!” Elizabeth screamed, almost to the winds, as she dove into the dam, reaching for the girl’s hip, which, that day, was adorned with a beautiful golden belt adorned with jade jewelry that, sadly, was weighing the girl down. She then went up, and carried Aloy to safety.

“Mom, are you ok?” wailed Aloy, the tears in her eyes getting confused with both the water from the rain and the dam.

“No… Darling, I am not. I won’t be able to survive for much longer… But, please, my love, be curious… wilful, unstoppable, and with enough compassion to change the world… Even if just a little.”

Then, her hand slipped. She plummeted towards the water.

“Mamá!” was the only thing that slipped out of Aloy’s mouth before she passed out. Maybe it was shock, maybe she didn’t have enough breath due to inhaling the dam’s water… She didn’t quite know.

All she knew is that a beep woke her up. And there was a social worker, giving her a beautiful doll, with dark skin, hair and eyes, a chubby complexion, and a huge smile with a tooth gap. She wore a gorgeous golden dress, and a green necklace that made a beeping noise that made the hospital funnier, even if just a bit.
“Hello. You must be Aloy.” said an unfamiliar voice.

“Jesus!” exclaimed Aloy. She saw him then: dark skin, dark eyes, bald head, and tattoos as blue as the water that took her mother away.

“Shhh… You’ll wake the whole hospital. My name is Sylens.” said the man.

“Sylens you’re anything but!” answered back Aloy.

“Anyways, girl, here’s a gift for you.” Sylens continued, ignoring the girl.

“I’ve never liked dolls. Besides, her necklace is ugly.” Whined Aloy.

“Her name’s GAIA. And the necklace… It is special. The beep that’s the last thing You heard from your mother… You’ll hear it at a Random Moment of the day. And the necklace Will Shine a bright green. You know why, Aloy?” Sylens continued ignoring her.

“No… but I’m not sure I wanna know.” Aloy continued complaining as she rolled her eyes.

“In this town, and many others… green means hope.” Sylens confessed finally.

“Hope I have anything but!” continued the girl, just about to cry.

“Anyways. I leave you with the doll, Aloy. Goodbye, little kid.” said the mysterious man, as he left the girl, with the sorrow, and the broken heart, to cry alone, next to her mother’s corpse, to cry herself to sleep in that hospital.

Chapter Text

“Wake up, Aloy.” Rost’s voice whispered to the sleeping girl. “Time to go to Teersa’s soup kitchen- before school.”

Aloy sighed, but she woke up anyway. Her father had trouble holding a job since Elisabeth died, so she and he had to go to Teersa's most of the time.

When they arrived, the smell of pancakes filled the air. Inside the small, and barely lit room, was the elderly lady, long hair, White as snow, who reached out for the prepubescent girl.

“Ah, Aloy, I know how much pain You suffer, My dear. But that pain only Will help You reach Mother Mary and Jesús faster.”
She said, with unclear kindness.

“Funny You should Say that, as someone four-five minutes from Dying.” Answered the young lady.

“Aloy!” Reprimended Teersa.

“Yoohoo!” A loud voice, oddly familiar, sounded through the kitchen, interrupting the elderly woman.

“Varl? Why are You here?” Aloy asked.

“I brought millet porridge. Trust me, You'll love it! Mom brought this recipe from Ghana. Her ancestors are from there!” Answered Varl with a smile.

“Welcome, Little man.” Greeted Teersa, trying to forget Aloy's trespassing. She served the porridge pot, which was huge, to everyone.

Aloy tasted the porridge, and grinned, Even if just a bit.

“Hey, it tastes really Nice! Thanks!” She said.

“You're welcome. It's the least I can do for You.” Said Varl. “By the way… You don't owe me money for this.”

“I'd rather not.” Said Aloy, eating the rest of her pancakes.

Then, it was time for school.

“Didn't find good shoes today, Motherless?” Teased the voice of a kid: Bast. He loved to make fun of Aloy for her accent, for having no Mother, and for being poor. He was right in something: Aloy's shoes were quite worn out.

Before Aloy could Say something, Bast Threw a paper ball at her.

“Can I know what's happening?” A kind, yet Strict voice said. It was a dark skinned Woman, strong, but beautiful, eyes as the night sky. Somehow, she looked a Lot like Varl.

“Who are You?” Said Bast.

“Your new teacher. Sona Walker.” The Woman said, hands on her hips.

Bast just turned scared and ran away.

“Thank You.” Aloy said, happy to have someone to count on.

“You're welcome, dear. Varl has told me wonderful stuff about You, by the way.”

That Made Aloy smile. Widely.

“Alright, class, today We'll learn about The Civil Rights Movement.” Said Mrs. Walker.
“Does anyone know why the Movement started?”

“Because they were discriminating against African-American people?” Interrupted Bast.

“Raise your hands to speak, Bast. But You're correct. That doesn't eliminate the actions You did towards a fellow classmate, by the way. Thing is, during the decade of the 60’s, numerous people protested, because Black and White people couldn't be together until then. People fought, because they knew, only if they came together, the world would change.” Explained Mrs Walker. She took a long tiene telling the story of the Movement, everything from Martin Luther King Jr. To the power of Motown music. When the story ended, she played some Motown songs for the class, and everyone danced.

Aloy was very happy. Nothing could go wrong! Except…

Beep. Beep. Beep.

“What's that?” Inquired Mrs. Walker. “Aloy… It comes from your backpack.”

“I can explain, Mrs. Walker.” Pleaded Aloy.

“You know that toys and phones are Forbidden in this school.” Reprimended Sona.

“This doll is special.” Aloy continued holding on to her, after she got it out of her bag.

“I see. Does it remind You of your mother?” Inquired Mrs. Walker.

“Motherless!” Bast teased again.

“You Will have consequences for this too, Bast.” Explained Mrs. Walker. “Anyways, Aloy, if it's therapeutic… You can keep it. But if it beeps again, You may have to go to the bathroom until it stops.”

“It only beeps once a day, Mrs. Walker.” Aloy explained. “At Random.”

“Then It's ok, dear. Speaking of the bathroom… You're gonna clean it, Bast. As a punishment for your actions.” Indicated Sona.

“Mrs. Walker!” He complained.

“That Will teach You humility, Bast. And I’m glad this school has gender neutral bathrooms. It helps combat gender discrimination.” Sona explained.

After school, all that Aloy could hear was curses about her from Bast’s Mouth. It Made her a bit sad, but she tried not to care, as she Walked back Home to Rost’s cabin, where her mother used to live as well.

“There's something I want to talk about with You, Aloy.” Said Rost.

“As long as it doesn't involve taking My doll away, I'm ok.” Aloy confessed.

“Listen up, Child: You know that, in our Town, there's a contest for university admission called The Proving. It's a mental and physical contest, and, if You succeed, You might earn a scholarship.” Rost commented.

“We're gonna train, right?” Aloy said, with a tiny pout.

“Yes we are. Mainly in the physical part… If your mother was here, She'd help You with the intellectual part…” Answered Rost.

“Don't worry, Papá. I Will study the intellectual part myself.” Aloy declares, trying to hold a smile. However, she began to cry.

“I’ll let You have your tears, Aloy. Meanwhile, I have to go to a job interview. Goodbye.” Said Rost, as he left the cabin.

Aloy was left alone with her tears again-. She cried. Painfully.

“Focus activated.” Said a voice.

“Jesus!” Wailed the Little girl.

“Aloy, it's GAIA. Your mother developed this Interactive Artificial Intelligence called Focus in case something happened to her. And it did. I am here for You.” The doll said, with a voice almost as motherly as Elisabeth’s once was.

“Mom told me to beware of AI.” Confessed Aloy.

“Your mother Made sure all data compiled here was under Creative Commons or similar copyright legislations. She linked good resources and stuff that is free to use. Stuff she knew about. I sense, via your heart rate and other vital signs, that You are in trouble.” GAIA continued.

“Duuuuhhh…” The girl rolled her eyes.

“Remember, Aloy. You're not alone. You're got Varl, and his mother, Sona. You're got me.” GAIA tried to reassure the girl.

“You're just a dumb doll!” Aloy yelled.

“Maybe I am, Aloy.” GAIA accepted her Fate. “But your mother loved You. And I AM a gift from her.”

“A faulty one. You almost Made it imposible to concentrate at school!” Aloy reprimended.

“I’ll make sure the beep doesn't happen at midday again. Would it be of use if it's done at 01:00 P.M.?” the AI asked.

“What? No! That's gonna cause a food fight at the school canteen!” Aloy Warned.

“Right. And we Don't want it to end as deadly as it happens so many times in other schools”. Answered GAIA. Aloy gulped. She knew what GAIA was refering to.

“Anyways, Aloy. Back to My point. Your mother built me to help You. Let me do it. It's My life purposes, if this can be called life.” Asked GAIA.

“Ugh, Fine! You’ll help me. Just, try not to beep when I'm at school.” Aloy surrendered.

“I’ll do My Best. Now, tell me: have You got Any plans to win The Proving? Plans of your own? You said You'd study the intellectual part yourself. Any help I can bring?” Asked GAIA.

“We have to know a bit of computer science. I don't know a Lot. I’ve never had a computer!” Complained Aloy.

“Let me see…” asked GAIA. “According to My research, there's a cybercafé on Heaven's Boulevard. It's a bit far from here, but You could learn a Lot there. Plus, your mother has a chest, with clothes from her childhood, which You could use in case of an emergency.” GAIA commented.

“And where is such Chest, can You tell me?” Asked Aloy, a bit rudely.

“Didn't You wonder why there was a fireplace in your house, Even though it had a heating system?” Asked GAIA.

“Oh. So that's why it was never lit. I thought Mamá still believer in Santa Claus.” Aloy said.

“She didn't, Aloy. But she Believed in You. Go to the fireplace. You’ll find the Chest there.” Instructed GAIA.

Aloy went right to the fireplace. There were no Ashes there, only dust, which Made her sneeze. But, actually, there it was: A beautiful Chest, Made of Woods as red as her hair, and adorned with many colors.

The girl opened the Chest carefully, and the first thing she saw was a blouse with shoulder pads.

“Guess this will make me feel important!” exclaimed the kid.

“You are important, Aloy. You matter to me.” GAIA answered. The Focus necklace, then, did something amazing. It opened a hologram of Elisabet, who was smiling and waving at her little girl.

“Mamá…” was all that Aloy could say.

“I’m proud of you, little one. No matter where you go… You’ll always be my daughter.” The hologram said before popping out.

Aloy decided to find courage within herself. She dug deeper into the chest. She found a pair of leggins.

“That fits!” Aloy squealed, happily. She carefully put on the clothes, and went towards the cybercafé. She didn’t care about being “retro”. Somehow, it felt comfortable.

However, when she arrived, something, or rather, someone caught her eye. It was a girl her age, hair as red as hers, skin fair and eyes a similar hue of green. Maybe she had shorter hair, and was paler. She looked a bit too thin for her age, but Rost always told Aloy not to judge, so she didn’t.

“Hi!” Aloy greeted the girl.

“Good evening, miss.” The girl greeted back, in a tone that was way too formal and old-fashioned. She continued what she was doing: cleaning the entrance of the cybercafé. That’s when Aloy looked at what she was wearing: A simple cotton shirt, which was quite deinked; and some ripped jeans that looked as if they were for someone bigger. She was barefoot, and her feet had lots of scratches and bruises. It was getting harder not to judge.

“What’s your name?” Aloy inquired.

“Betty. But please, call me Beta, Miss.” The girl answered.

“Can I enter, Beta?” Aloy asked.

“I guess so. Miss Tilda is not here now, though.” Beta whispered.

“Oh, but I am!” a voice screamed. A lady with fair skin, short blonde hair, quite slender, albeit athletic complexion and very luxurious clothes pushed Beta aside. She signaled Aloy to come in. Aloy did, albeit with a bit of fear.

“I’m Tilda Van der Meer, owner of Hollywood Coffee. Now, what do you need?” asked the lady.

“I need to study for the Proving, learn the basics of a computer…” Aloy confessed. “But, honestly, coming to think of it, I don’t understand why Beta is cleaning all, and not you.”

“She’s my daughter. I decide what’s best for her.” said Tilda bluntly.

“She doesn't Even look like You…” mumbled Aloy.

“I’ll pretend I didn't hear that. Find a computer, and start learning.” Said Tilda.

Aloy Sat in front of a computer. Suddenly, Beta came near her.

“Do You want a sandwich, Miss?” She asked.

“A grilled cheese one. Here. Have five dollars. All I have for now.” Aloy answered.

“M'lady, it costs just one dollar.” Beta commented.

“Shhh… We both deserve better!” Aloy whisper-yelled. She Was curious about how Beta was being treated. And she was also sad that her dad was unemployed. However, she concentrated in her computer-learning.

When she learnt the basics of Word, all on her own, she wrote a diary.

“Dear diary: I am mad that My dad is unemployed. I am mad at how they treat Beta. Besides… Why doesn't she look like Tilda?”

After the day was over, she went Home. Little did she know, somebody was following her.

“Hey…” said the voice of another girl.

“Jesus!” Aloy yelled, getting out of her bed.

“I followed You because I wanna learn to read and write. For The Proving.” Beta said.

“How do You plan to pay me?” Asked Aloy, still shocked.

Beta gave Aloy something that looked like a bar of chocolate. Except it was green. And hardly the size of Aloy's Pinky.

“What's this?” Asked Aloy, examinating the object.

“A USB. If You put your diary there, Tilda won't read it.” Answered Beta.

“I’ll have to trust You on that. But wait, if You can't read or write… How do You navigate the world?” Aloy Inquired.

“Well, it’s not that I don’t know how to read and write. Let’s say I am a 30% fluent. I just… Read slowly, and sometimes get stuck. Same with writing.” admitted Betta, scratching her head.
“I’ve got an idea! What if you practice with my childhood picture books?” Suggested Aloy.

“That’s a great idea, Aloy. Helping someone in need.” interrupted GAIA.

“Jesus!” screamed Beta. “What’s that… Is it a robot? You have a robot?”

“In a way, I am, Beta. Aloy has told me your name. I’ll let both of you study, and correct if needed. Good luck. I am GAIA, by the way.” she introduced herself.

And so, it happened. Day by day, the girls helped each other study: Aloy took charge of the physical training, every day after Rost trained her; and Beta took charge of the intellectual part, after Tilda was sleeping. Nobody noticed, somehow.

Time passed, and Rost told Aloy he had gotten a job. Aloy was happy! He said he’d start in October. However, the last weeks of September, Rost was always away, supposedly having his “introduction sessions”. Luckily, that meant both Aloy and Beta would have more time alone together.

“Can I ask you a question, Beta?” Aloy asked.

“You can ask me anything, Miss… I mean, Aloy. And I shall answer.” Beta accepted.

“Why… don’t you look like Tilda?” Aloy asked.

“I… am not sure.” confessed Beta. “I’ve been with her for… as far as I can remember. But she was never nice to me. I don’t love my mother. I fear her. All she has done… Is treat me like I’m second-to-nothing. Because of her, I… have never felt like a child. I haven’t felt like an adult, either… I feel empty. And, maybe if it wasn’t thanks to you… I would have become a child forever. Or worse, I’d have died.”

“Beta, you deserve better. You deserve a good life. We all do. You will grow up, and we will have a good life. We will.” Aloy declared, hugging Beta, who started to cry in her arms.

After Beta was done crying, Aloy went to the fireplace, to gather her mother’s chest.

“Is that a fireplace? Do you celebrate Christmas? Miss Tilda says it has pagan origins. And that paganism is evil…” Beta started asking.

“Oh, we do celebrate Christmas. But it’s just an opportunity to eat yummy stuff as a family, really. We don’t go to church or anything.” Aloy confessed.

“That would make Miss Tilda really furious!” Beta shrieked. “Hey, what are you doing? You’ll burn yourself!”

Before Beta could say anything else, Aloy got Elisabet’s chest out. She looked at everything it had. She found something curious: a diary.

“Dear diary:

Today Tilda and I went to watch a movie. At least, I watched it. It was beautiful! About some fairies that want to save a great rainforest. Tilda slept all through it. I tried to tell her my thoughts about the movie, but she just yelled at me and made me promise to not make her see something as cheesy ever again.

I don’t think that’s how love is supposed to be. But then, again, people already discriminate against girls like us… So I will just accept what I’ve got.

Oh, Lis… What have you gotten into? Anyways, mom would keep on loving me, right?”

Aloy was shocked. She knew what that meant.

“Our mothers were… Together.” Beta concluded, before the longer-haired redhead could say the same.

Aloy continued reading.

“Dear diary:

I got a job at Faro Industries! I feel both nervous and excited. I will have access to so many incredible resources… However, something feels off. Mr. Ted Faro says I should marry anytime soon, or else, he’ll fire me. He says women who are married are less tempting for him. And he wants me married with a man.

Well, time for a lavender marriage. Tilda will be furious!”

“Ew!” both girls said, cringing very hard, as they continued reading.

“Dear diary:
I have met a guy, his name is Rodrigo, but everyone calls him Rost. He is gay, and Puerto Rican. He is actually very Nice. Guess now we Will be stuck in a lavender Marriage, forever and ever… That's the Best I’ll get, I Guess.

By the way, when Tilda knew about this, she broke up with me. She said I'd regret it. I already do, and I'm scared about her next action.

Oh, Lis, what have You gotten yourself into?”

 

Aloy was shocked. Beta was too.

“Could it be…?” Aloy mumbled. She knew she had to keep reading.

“Dear diary:
Even despite everything, I have the Best daughter and Best husband. Alondra Yolanda, or Aloy, as she likes to be called, is the most amazing Little girl ever. I am proud of her. As much as we hate to have to do it, me and Rost plan to have anothef Child. I hope She's a girl, so I can pass My name to her. Rost doesn't want to pass his name to a child. Before he died by suicide, Mr. Faro said horrible stuff about Puerto Rican like him.”

Beta knew. She just did.

“Keep on reading, Aloy!” She wailed.

“Dear diary:

I’ve Lost her! I've Lost Little Betty! I was giving birth to her, and She's gone! It was painfully, the birth was painful, she was just a year and a bit apart from Aloy, and I thought they would look so alike… And, after I woke from all the pain… She Was gone. I don't know where she is. I am in so much pain. I think this diary Will end here. Goodbye… You’ll be forever in My heart and memory, just like Betty. I’ll put the Memory Box in the fireplace. Maybe I’ll burn it…”

“We are sisters… Almost twins! Technically not, because they were different periods… But we’re sisters, Aloy!” Screamed Beta, hugging Aloy.

“Welcome Home, Beta. I'M afraid Elisabet erased the rest of the información about You. But You're safe.” Interrupted GAIA. “Now, go Home. It's getting late.”

Before Aloy could Say something, Beta rushed to the door. She went Home.

That week, Beta was, somehow, not in the cybercafé. Tilda told Aloy that the girl “had gotten very sick”. Which was suspicious to Aloy…

Time passed. The bullying continued. Soon, the Girls knew where The Proving contest would take place: Mother's Heart University.

However, Tilda had other plans:

“You know University is sinful, You won't go!” She screamed, raising her hand to slap Beta.

However, Beta chose courage. And she grabbed her “mother”’s hand.

“I don't like when You slap me or make me work a Lot. I want to be an independent young adult. I Will go to The Proving, Even if You hate it.” She declared. Then she rushed to the door, before Tilda could Say anything else.

When Aloy arrived to Mother’s Heart University, she saw a man cleaning the entrance.

“Good morning, young lady.” said the man.

It was Rost.

Aloy had to hold back tears. She knew how much pain Rost had endured. How much pain Elisabet had to endure. How much pain Tilda and Mr. Faro made both endure.

She chose courage. She entered the building. And there was Beta, dressed in a modest and still deinked t-shirt, a long denim skirt and some boots that made even Aloy sweat.

“Hey…” she said.

“I’m glad you came…” sighed Aloy, smirking slightly, trying to forget what the other girl had to endure.

“Yes… Tilda has become more demanding with what I wear.” Beta admitted, scratching her head. “Anyways, The Proving will start soon. We better hurry.”

So they went to the University’s sport court. Aloy saw Bast there!

“Motherless has a clone!” he teased, making a face that he thought was fun. For him.

“Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I can’t roundhouse you, Bast!” answred Aloy, clenching her fist, while Beta tried to hide.

Just then, they heard the whistle. It was time to race!

Aloy leaped forward. While running, she signaled Beta to follow her. It was very hard for Beta to move with her maxi skirt, though.

“I’m coming through, Aloy!” Beta said, as she tried to rush past the millions of teenagers trying to reach the end of the race. She was almost 1 feet apart from Aloy, which, in her mind, was a miracle, when she tripped. Her instincts made her curl into a ball, which allowed her to check her own knee.

It was bleeding.

“Nothing that’s different to what Tilda does to me.” She mumbled.

“Beta!” Aloy screamed, rushing to her sister’s side. “Are You ok?”

“Tilda has done me much worse…” Beta admitted, smirking with a sarcasm that Made Aloy proud.

“That's My girl. Let's go!” Complimented Aloy.

But before they could take one step further, they heard a shot in the distance.

“Everyone on the floor, everyone on the floor!” Teachers commanded.

Teens were scared. They started running to the opposite side of the finish line. They hid in classrooms- Even the one where the intellectual part of The Proving would be done. Everyone was screaming.

“Nice job, Helis!” they heard a voice through a phone. It was a familiar one.

“No… It can’t be…” Beta mumbled, trying not to cry. “What do I do? She would tell me to pray… Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with You…”

Beta started praying, and then, she got a tiny bottle out of her backpack.

“Her essential oils will surely help…” she whispered.

“No, they won’t” Aloy affirmed. “What we actually need is to stay quiet and not move, until we know everything is safe.”

“I’ll shut up, I’m sorry!” Beta whined.

They both waited in silence, below a table… And then, the shots stopped. And came steps.

“Well, well, well… If it's the Separated Sisters…” a Manly voice was heard.

“You won’t touch me or my sister!” Aloy screamed.
“She’s right.” Another manly voice agreed.

It was Rost, again.

“You won’t touch them. You’ll touch me.” he said, quite calmly. “Girls, run!” he screamed.

So they did. Even through the pain, the fear, the tears… They ran. And ran. And ran. Pools of blood surrounded them.

“The field… It's covered with blood!” Beta cried.

Then, they saw it.

It was Bast’s corpse.

“What do we do?” Asked Beta.

No more shots were heard.

“The campus is clear. Now, we go for Rost. Regarding Bast, I’m sorry he died. But I won’t pretend he was a great person when he was not. Let’s go, Beta.” indicated Aloy.

And there was Rost. Still breathing, wincing in pain.

“Papá!!” screamed Aloy, very worried.

“It is too late, My Little one…” Rost whispered. “But You'll survive. I just know. And, despite all… I'm proud of You, and your sister. Welcome Home, Betty.”

He rolled back his eyes, and then, he closed them, never to Open them again.