New (long) upload for the sake of keeping up with the Christmas spirit. Have a merry one, reader!

Chapter 2: Connections

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“I’ll remain here forever . . . you and I are one. Yin and Yang.”

Those words kept on ringing back to her memory again and again, as if saying them loud wasn’t enough to give her another head-splitting migraine.

Groaning helplessly, she gathered another clump of snow and threw it at the cliff edge, feeling numb and totally helpless, like the twelve-year-old child that she is.

God, how she hate that feeling. That kind of feeling where helplessness and despair clings to her like a fish would cling itself forever to the ocean.

Attachment is needed to make a connection, Daphne. You can never survive this harsh, cruel word without ever making a connection. Just a single one would do.

Something ignited within her that quick second.

Yes, that’s a very good girl.

She felt stupid at what she’s about to do, but she has to seek her alter ego, if this is the only way for her to live away from the Mistress. It would be her eternal guide, always there to decide things for her and all. What? Is she saying that crap?

She closed her eyes in full concentration, trying to think things throughout. Would it be better if she went along with the flow? Better if she let her alter ego be her living conscience inside?

I’m glad you opted for that, Daphne. Smart girl, as always. Glad you’ve been learning from the Mistress herself. Go along with the flow. Let things come into you. Never resist them. Like the way you’re resisting me.

She calmed herself for a while, quite grateful that her alter ego had a brain also. Never knew that.

Okay, what about making connections? You reciting from a piece of a fortune cookie? Cause I don’t have an effing clue about these making connections crap.

She waited for her alter ego to answer, hopefully, in more comprehensive terms other than using wise men words.

Daph, humans have their powerful tool for making connections.

Playing with the falling snowflakes upon her shoulders, she pondered for a while, letting the words sink deep to her.

“What about it?” came her sudden reply.

Think about it Daph.

She hated it when her alter ego calls her ‘Daph’ for no apparent reason she knows. Probably to display some false affection, which she is certain that’s what the alter ego’s primary purpose is. She smirked at the idea of it.

A lone young woman who is about fifteen came walking down the snow-covered area, wrapped in comfortable fur clothing, carrying a small dainty purse along with her.

She looked somehow intimidating to Daphne, after years of being secluded from the real world. She could no longer remember what her real mom had looked like.

Mom.

The mellow sound of it came rolling down her tongue easily, like a sweet piece of candy desired to eat in eternal. Too bad the Mistress gave her bitter candies as a prize for winning the Mistress’ mischievous game.

Daph, focus. Making connections are what we are doing, right?

She inwardly rolled her eyes. Oh. Right. Making ‘connections.’ How fun.

Her gaze followed the young woman intently. Maybe her alter ego would tell her when to strike. And what? Beat the young woman to death? Smashed her and snatch her purse?

Cause she ain’t doing that.

No, Daph. Remember what I’ve told you a while ago. Humans have their own powerful tool for making connections. There are several of them, but this one is the most powerful of them all.

She was practically boring her eyes at the young woman walking innocently. This time, another young woman of her age appeared from North, waving her arms eagerly. Daphne fought back tears when the two reunited by giving each other a warm embrace.

She could’ve scold herself for being too emotional, but maybe after years of seeing people impaled, beaten, bruised and burned in the Mistress’ cold presence, this was pretty normal. And pretty sentimental too.

She could now here some faint talking. Instinct told her to crouch low and come closer.

“How are you, Eleanor?” the young woman from the North asked in a cheery voice.

“I’ve seen better days. Nick’s been off running with his sweetheart in Miami,” the young woman with the dainty purse replied.

Daphne could’ve stayed longer to hear the whole conservation beforehand but her alter ego seems to be thinking a different thing.

See? What are they using to connect to each other?

More faint murmurings followed. Words. They’re using words.

Grateful you’ve learned, Daph.

“So, you’re saying is that I should at least talk to one of those young women and make connections to survive from the Mistress?” she asked, noiselessly backing away from the two.

Yes. Pretty hard for someone like you. But take it as another challenge, just like what the Mistress plays with you.

How she hated it when the alter ego kept on reminding her of being under the Mistress’ cold ruling iron fist. Those were past. She promised herself to turn over a new leaf and start things over fresh. Without any psychotic Mistress following her every move.

“So, you mean to say, I gotta talk to them?”

Yes, dear Daphne. Like they’re your friends.

But she never had a real friend in her life. Exhaling for some confidence booster, she walked towards the two young women busily chatting away in their own world.

“You sure about this?” she asked hesitantly, rubbing her sweating hands to her jeans.

The alter ego didn’t reply back. Meaning her questioning should stop. She should just obey, like what the Mistress wants her to do.

Well, here goes. She felt foolish as if she’ll be interacting to humans the first time ever. On with socializing. Good luck. She’s not really comfortable speaking to people outside the Mistress’ own realm. The Mistress called them ‘savages’ or ‘impure souls.’

“Well, hello there. My name’s Daphne and could you help me find the nearest food store or whatever they call it? I’m so freaking hungry; I could eat a whole zebra, you know?”

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Haha. I’m crazy about Daphne’s first sentence to humans outside the Mistress’ realm. Imagine hearing that from a worn-out twelve-year-old stranger? Well, here’s my gift for those who’ll review. Lots of grammatical error may appear from time to time.

Silver Snowberry