Snakes in my hair? It’s more likely than you think. - Chapter 26：I Accept You!

Juno never, ever, expected to hear that, not from Eve!

Ignoring her surprised face, Eve continues, “I’m going to get us out of here, somehow. I’m going to help you because I want to. I want to forge my own path in life. I’m going to find a way!”

“Eve, I-”

A low growling coming from the other end of the hall interrupts her.

It can’t be.

While Juno has lived a very sheltered life, even she knows what a *Shadow Beast is.

She just never wished to see one so up close.

The nightmare inducing, grotesque Shadow Beast’s beady red eyes are locked on the both of them.

It charges forward in a flash!

Juno is one of the fastest runners in the whole school, if not the fastest.

She wants to run.

She wants to run away!

It’s the only thing she’s good at.

But she can’t.

Eve is the one who runs for the both of them and Juno’s never felt any more useless than in this very moment.

Eve does her best, she really does but there’s no way they’re going to outrun it.

Not while she’s also pushing Juno.

Not while Juno’s holding her back.

The beast wastes no time in catching up. It grabs a hold of Eve causing her to let go of the wheelchair. The force causes both to fall onto the ground but the only difference is that it’s Eve who’s being dragged away!

“Eve!”

She tries to reach out, grasping at empty air. But since she still can’t move the rest of her body, she’s forced to watch helplessly as the Shadow Beast continues to drag Eve away!

If only she could run to her side and, and!?

And what!?

Juno’s never fought anyone, much less a monster in her life!

Meanwhile, Eve desperately reaches for her pocket.

She will not go down without a fight!

She throws something directly into the beast’s eyes!

It cries out in pain and halts its movement but still doesn’t let go of Eve’s leg.

“What a mess.”

That voice.

Her heart stops.

“Juno, I understand. It was her who made everything so difficult. Oh well, she’s that beast’s problem now. Come on.”

Nurse Pures picks her up and throws her over his shoulder this time.

“Let me go! I won’t go with you!”

“No? Do you want to watch her die with your own eyes?”

He turns around and begins to walk away, slowly, as if making sure Juno can see the beast tear apart Eve.

Juno can see everything.

She can’t look away.

The Shadow Beast snarls and looks angrier than before. Whatever it was that was thrown in its eyes, only irritated it more!

This time it holds no mercy as it brings down its torture.

It brings one of its sharp claws upon her, intending to slice her open.

Eve reacts quick enough and blocks them with her arms.

Juno screams at the same time she does.

She struggles in the Nurse’s grip but there’s no use.

He has an iron grip, he’s not letting go, “This will be a good lesson.”

“NO! PLEASE! LET ME GO!”

This time the beast opens it’s horrific and wide mouth, showing off its numerous fangs.

It doesn’t hesitate to bite down on Eve’s shoulder.

Eve’s scream pierces right through her heart.

The horrible sound of bones breaking, shakes her to the core.

It’s all just too much.

All Juno sees is blood.

All Juno smells is blood.

There’s only so much a person can take before they break.

Juno has passed that, tenfold.

A choked sob, “Eve!”

With the threat in front of her and with the pain, she still turns her head slightly at the sound of her name.

Her mouth moves but no sound is made.

Although, it’s obvious that what Eve wanted to say was “I’m sorry.”

Something snaps inside of her.

There’s no time left, the beast will attack again!

She whispers, “I accept.”

Nurse Pures stops walking when he hears her.

“What did you just say?”

A little louder, a little braver, “I accept you. With my whole heart and-”

In a fash Nurse Pures pushes her against a wall, grabbing her throat, “Stop speaking!”

Her throat is being crushed, she may die here but she still stares him down.

//And with my entire being! I accept you… Is… this enough? Is this the end?//

Everything is painful.