Arcadias Conquest

Act 4: Sweet Freedom

"Stop screaming so I can explain!" Asher says as he materializes.

"WHAT ARE YOU!" Meruje yells.

"Just calm down; I'll try my best to explain it. I'm an Accursed, and I've been vapor-stung," Asher explains.

"What are you saying?! What is that?!" Meruje asks.

"Okay, so I was stung by this type of bee called an Accursed Bee that changes a person; apparently, each bee is different, but the one that stung me made me into a vapor person, so my whole body is vapor," Asher explains.

"If that's the case, how can you be alive? Shouldn't you dissipate or something?" Meruje asks.

"That's what the bracer is for; it keeps me together," Asher says as he finishes materializing.

"Wait a minute, was it you who was making the graffiti move on the ground earlier?" Meruje asks.

"Graffiti? No way. Once stung with one type of Accursed bee, you can't be stung again, which means you can only have one ability, and that's it," Asher explains.

"Okay good explanation; now put some clothes on," Meruje says disgustedly.

While Asher turns into a cloud of vapor and gets clothes, Meruje switches off the emergency switch and walks out of the institution. Asher returns and sees Meruje walking to the head warden with his sword in hand, and just as he is about to impale the Warden, Asher grabs his arm.

"Let go," Meruje says intently.

"We're done, he's done, it's all done. Don't go further," Asher says with equal intensity.

"You don't know what I've been through because of this jerk, so don't tell me we're done. I'm done after I kill him," Meruje responds.

"I may not know what you've been through, but I know what you'll go through if you do this," Asher replies.

"And what's that?" Meruje asks.

"Regret," Asher answers.

"Why would I regret killing this idiot?" Meruje asks as he takes back his hand.

"Cause, no one takes a life and feels nothing," Asher replies.

"Why are you so bothered with me? Let me live my life; I don't even know you!" Meruje says.

"Because you're a total badass, and I would like to be friends with you. But I can't hang out with people who carry unnecessary baggage," Asher says with a smile.

Meruje turns away.

"Hey, so listen, do you mind waiting for me for a minute? I have to take care of something real quick," Asher states.

"Why should I wait for you?" Meruje asks.

"Because I heard most of the stuff the Warden said to you, and I think I can help you out," Asher replies.

Asher goes into the secretary's office, yanks the microphone from the secretary, and announces, "Go back to your homes; you're all free!"

The loud announcement wakes Dulie and the other boys up as all the juvie's rush out of the institution.

Asher walks to solitary confinement even though police sirens are being heard.

"Hey Asher!" Dulie calls out but, after seeing his face, is taken aback.

"Gods! Are you alright? What happened to your face?!" Dulie yells.

"I'm fine; nothing's wrong with my face," Asher responds.