Sitting in the middle wasn't such a bad idea when two of the people on each side kept offering for a shoulder to lean on-convenience for my expected road drowsiness. However, adamant on keeping my focus, I finally relented to July's hand out aid.

"What is this again? Is it safe?" Alfie snatched the capsule-shaped medicine before my hand got to it. His hostility wavered, but he hadn't said a word to them since our drive started.

Putting a surprised look, July answered him. "It's bismuth sub salicylate. I made it myself." She kicked the driver seat in front of her, making April threw a huff. "Baby, tell this man."

April who gripped harder on the steering wheel looked at July from the rearview mirror. "Do that again, and I'll make you walk to the capital."

July's jaw dropped even lower. Her left cheek tingled from the strain she put on the lopsided glower. "Well, I... " she muttered, some words unheard as she mouthed it without sound.

"Yes its a chemical composition of-- Nevermind, but its safe, don't worry."

Waking from meditating, Ember spun to me. Her unsuspected black sclera sent creep down my spine on the instant. But seconds later, the colour morphed back to normal. July's slight tight grasp on my wrist relieved at the same pace. I contemplated if it was my sight playing tricks on me since my head was throbbing furiously.

A smile crossed Ember's face. "It's safe, but I don't think Charis should consume it." She took the tablet and put it into her mouth instead, dawning it in a single gulp.

Alfie was scrutinising her. His hazel iris shone greener. "What have they done to you?" He mumbled.

Ember smile faltered. "I wish I know." She swivelled back to face the road ahead.

The matter piqued my curiosity, but I couldn't concentrate fully due to the bile pushing up my throat. I covered my mouth, swallowing my saliva, which didn't so much help.

"Why can't she?" July absence mindedly questioned, looking to me while patting April on her back.

"I told you not to disturb me!" April gushed.

Squeezing between the driver and front passenger seat, July snapped. "Stop the da*n car! Charis is about to blow."

"Sh*t, why didn't you say so? Hold on!" April let out. Her gentle drive felt like it was suddenly hit by hurricane.

No more argument aired, the sound of the wheels screeching took over until the four-wheeler stopped on the side of the highway. Alfie flung his door open, carefully helping me out. I waited to throw up, but the adrenaline from April's drift show put an obstruction on my throat.

Ember however, was calm. I didn't hear any sound of frantic from her until suddenly she spoke. "The little bun inside her might not be okay with the medicine."

It took only a millisecond for those words to boost my nausea. My breakfast this morning sloped on the dirt in a mush of combined stomach acid.

"She's pregnant?" July words registered.

"Yes, I saw the little nub, " Ember replied, voice giving away her excitement. "I had the same feeling about him with the man I saw in the void."

"We have to protect him at all cost. This mission is a no go, " April joined in the conversation.

Confusion and worry forced into me, urging my vomit to hustle. My heart drummed under my chest, unsure whether it was because of my nausea or the blend of emotions. When I finally felt ease, I swivelled to Alfie, meeting his concern face. "You knew?"

"I wasn't sure at first. But, yes. I could feel him. I'm sorry, Charis. I didn't know it's possible. Because with Amy-" He stopped, knitting his eyebrows with pressed lips.

"Amy what!" I seethed.

"I'm with her for years. Do you think nothing happened between us? Yes, I fuc*ed her, if that was what you're about to ask. I thought you were dead and I- I let myself be affected by her." The confession was clear as day, uncaring the three pairs of eyes spectating us. "Let's send you back. I'll go with them to rescue ma, " he suggested, pulling me into his arms to secure me as if something terrible could get me at any moment.

Deep down, I already knew, but it still hurt to hear it from him. Nevertheless, I let him hug me, forgiving him for the irreversible past. In his embrace, my tears pooled. News of the pregnancy permitted me only worry and sad due to the word they kept uttering to address the growing life.

Him...

"Let's continue. Enough wasting time." I pulled back from Alfie and hurried back into the car.

All four of them settled in their seat, eying me as if they were still waiting for a change in my mind.

"If you saw him, then he's alive." I placed my gaze to Ember. When I everted my eyes to Alfie, he was tight-lipped. None of them was siding with me.

"Please! Let's just go, " I pleaded.

"Yes. She's right. The future couldn't be changed. I tried, " Ember muttered, looking in the distance. "I saw Xax die. I couldn't stop it."

Silent loomed over us as the journey resumed. July was flicking with the image on her phone, of what I recognised as a blueprint. Ember was again closing her eyes in a state of tranquil. And April focused on the driveway, sometimes peering to us through the mirrors around her. The border post came one by one with regular scanning and car inspection. I noticed more trans were among the FOS, so the appearance of Alfie wasn't something unusual to them.

Lady Liberty finally made her appearance, majestic as I remember her. The exhibition and bridge I once only had the chance to witness half done were now illuminating, growing visible as the night eliminated its rival sunlight.

Alfie squeezed my hand, lifting the corner of his lips when I spun to him. Promise me you won't push yourself, " he said.

I palmed his face, returning a smile. "I won't. Besides, I'm sure you will protect me."

July who sat on my other side made a hush gagging sound before snickering. "I'm not surprised how'd she got pregnant so fast, " she teased.

"July!" April and Ember simultaneously emitted.

***

Organza lined the dark taffeta body-hugging jumpsuit I had on. The front split under a bronze merge pattern joined on the chest, cascading to make a train on the backside. It was utterly and undeniably beautiful; a fashion piece worth recognition. Through the mirror, my eyes skimmed to the trio who was busy beautifying themselves too. Alas, far too late disagreeing after wearing all fancy. Not to mention we were already expected upon arrival at the hotel.

It turned out, the two ladies I'd once served on table 5 at Reypal Brew were talent agents. Being the sneaky July, she contacted them and arranged me for the show, only if they could also come. They were my so-called beauty team.

"How do you suppose I walk on a runway without any experience?" I began.

"Easy, just walk, " July replied with a shrug. She grabbed a bunch of my hair and started working on it.

I sighed, head bobbing following her pull. "Why are we even doing this?"

"Among those people sitting outside are important people. They had access to the capital prison. What, do you expect me to have some superpower to walk through walls?"

April chuckled, something was tickling her bone. "So here we are, July in a dress, me in a dress. Which by the way, cost a month of our salary. We are ready to mingle and snavel some IDs."

Ember rolled her eyes. "Have you forgot about me? I'm in this blasted dress too!" She complained, fixing the strap on her shoulder for the umpteenth time. "They better serve good food."

The threesome laughed their guts out while I was still nervous to the core. When a knock resonated, I jumped.

"Get ready. The show is about to start." A voice from outside announced.

As if their minds we linked, the trio swarmed me. July hurrying with my hair, April put makeup on me, and Ember was adjusting my dress. In no time, they finished.

April touched my exposed shoulder, smiling at me. "Do you feel any better?" She questioned.

I shook my head, the knot on my stomach told me nothing had changed.

"It's the baby, " she said with a sullen face. While having a moment of staring at her palms, she muttered, "It never worked with you because of him."

Under the tense atmosphere, Ember curled a hand around my arm. "Charis can do this. She doesn't need hypnosis, " she said without falter. Somehow her words enlightened my spirit.

With a nod from me, April opened the door. A lady in high heels and afro hair ran towards us when she saw me surfacing from the private room.

"Se belle! Come! You are wearing our main couture!" She clasped her hand after speaking with such a high pitch tone.

Before I knew it, she pulled me towards a direction.

To be continued...

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Thank you for reading everyone. I know I've been late on the update, please forgive me. The next one will come in 3 days.

I love you all.