Talents Beyond Talents

A hammering headache and a discomfort on one of her sides awoke Red.

As her eyes opened ever so slightly, a sight of a beautiful lady sitting at a desk, with her face half showing, came into view. She seemed straight out of one of those beauty magazines being so well proportioned. The fact that she was in casual wear didn't do anything to hinder her beauty, but instead brought out her features.

(I must be dreaming...)

Red closed her blurry eyes, then quickly opening them again to try to clear her vision.

The lady was still there, and it took a while to take in her surroundings. The room was brightly lit, and well furnished with a desk and a cushioned swivel chair. The bed she was lying on wasn't that great, but then again it was probably better than having none at all. The slightly greenish wallpaper made the room feel a little like one of those newer hospitals, though the small but cozy size of the room suggested otherwise.

As Red's mind became less fuzzy, a panic arose in her heart.

The lady was the same lady at the school.

The difference in demeanor and outfit had her temporarily confused, but the face was unmistakable. Despite her lack of make-up now, the familiar facial features couldn't avoid Red's eyes.

"Um~!"

"Oh, you're awake?"

The lady turned her head and smiled.

That same smile.

Red felt a chill down her spine. She knew the lady had some sort of persuasive aura, or perhaps it was a skill.

Red also knew she couldn't escape so easily.

"Where am I?"

"Our house. Have you forgotten?"

(What...?)

"Oh dear, you don't look well."

The lady quickly came over and held the back of her hand to Red's forehead.

"No fever... Are you alright?"

"Um... who are you?"

The lady's eyes widened. Red couldn't tell if it was feigned or genuine shock, but she was ready to bet the former.

The lady had a trace of sadness come over her face, before returning to that smile.

"You're joking right? I'm Shadow, your sister."

(Sister? She looks nothing like me, and I had no sister...? And Shadow is such a made up name...)

"I don't trust you."

The lady sighed, shaking her head as if Red really was playing a joke on her.

"Just call me Shadow, Miss Shadow, Madam Shadow or whatever is fine then."