The clock's ticking had its moment after the room fell silent. Its arrows were the only visible motion within the striking mute. However, my mind was in a turmoil of thoughts, and what stood out most was about my work colleagues involvement with HEROIN.

From curiosity, my whole was replaced by worry. These women were at war with men in the past, so what would the outcome be with them knowing my Alfie? Were they on to me this whole time?

"Dump into a time where we shouldn't have existed, and no IDs, the FOS took us into custody. We spent years in confine until we managed to break the system. Like you, Beatrice suggested Peyrel to us. We had been helping her with her business ever since, " April continued her explanation.

"But that doesn't answer how you know about Al--"

Before I finished my question, July cut in, "I put a bug on your phone. I'd been listening to your conversation with him this whole time."

Anger would be my first reaction if nothing happened between Alfie and me the day before. Alas, I was abashed at the recollection of delicate moments spent with my Alfie; it was the only time my phone was present between us after July tempered with it.

Thankfully the gloomy air was still surrounding us, or I would have to face the embarrassment. Straightening myself, I frowned. "Why would you do that? I trusted you with my phone." In truth, I was already beginning to think she was my friend, so I was disappointed. At the same time, I felt stupid; how could I not notice it. She had been setting a lot of alarm along the way.

July sighed and sat next to me on the bed. "I did it to protect Peyrel. She'd lost so much, and she grew so fond of you, Charis. When I ran a check on you, I couldn't find anything relating to you for the past five years. It was odd. The last time you appear was at your birth district checkpoint. There weren't any criminal records about you too. I had no choice than to do it."

In an instant, the revelation about my somewhat mysterious disappearance from the system piqued my attention. How could it be? I was dragged into court, and I was sure they'd taken all my details for it.

"After hearing your conversation with Alfie, I did a little digging about Amy, and one connects. The barn you are staying at now was once under Amry's name."

I gasped, "You mean, Amy's mother?"

Nodding, July caressed my back gently. "Yes, Amy was your friend, wasn't she? I'm sorry."

Although, I didn't have it in me to feel any sadness for Amy nor her mother anymore. I tried to fight the eerie sentiment that they were who plotted for my capture, but I couldn't. The dogs, the appearance of FOS that night was too precise for something out of coincidence.

Everting the issue, I drew the matter back to what was dearly important to me. "What are you planning to do now that you know about Alfie?" I held my gaze firm as I peered towards all three women attending my room.

"Nothing. If its plan you ask, it's up to you," Ember answered, chuckling like what I just asked was funny.

"But you said you were at war with men?"

The trio looked at each other in one of their inner conversations which only they could understand.

"The ones we fought against didn't have any pity in them. They took women as they like, even the young ones. They killed our men first because they defended us. That's why the X-Trex was our only hope. But you know how that ended, " April explained.

Relieved about Alfie, the main issue now held the standing. Alone I didn't have a chance to save my mother, but with them and their ability, putting some sense into HEROIN wasn't something impossible anymore. They said it themselves; they were the original HEROINE.

"Help me save my mother," I implored.

Ember's face lit up, almost looking as if she was asking for it. Howbeit, April was in contrast entirely, and July looked in between. I knew she would be the one who had to put the deciding vote.

April was first to comment. "Us being here was already risking a tear on the space continuum. We cannot easily meddle with any events, Charis. Why do you think the time machine didn't exist? It was a matter of not letting it be than managing to invent it."

Alas, dejected crept up to me, but I refused to give up. "What if this is the reason you are here? There must be a reason why. Those men they kept saying as a mere vessel, they are the same ones who have defended you in the past. Now when they are the one who got mistreated, who's to defend them?"

The tears I didn't realise holding, broke free. I was simply spent, exhausted from the fight alone. Growing up, I was taught to abide by the rules for the best of everything. But looking back, if I did, I would have lost Alfie long before knowing he was human. Some rules were meant to be broken for another outcome; nevertheless, it was still risky.

"She's right! We can't just sit here and do nothing. This is our chance to redeem ourselves. I say we help her, " Ember voiced out, airing her determination. She got up and squeezed between July and April. "July, you're with me, right?"

July looked at her with concern, "Ember, you know how crazy this world had become... I don't think we should." When she turned towards me, her face held remorse, "I'm sorry, Charis. Like I told you, coincidence happens all the time. I couldn't deduct the fact we are here as mere luck."

***

My journey home never felt this long before. Ember who sat next to me caressed my arm softly. She refused to say no even after her sisters quarrelled with each other.

"We will think of something, Charis. Don't worry." The caramel skin beauty said, smiling fondly. I nodded at her, lost for words.

If not from April's story, I couldn't have guessed the trio was sisters. All of them have different skin tones, hair colour too. July was a brunette, April was a redhead, and Ember had striking black hair. But no differences in features could break their bond. I sneaked a glimpse on the other two sitting at the front of the bus. Because of Ember alone, they relented.

Once we arrived at the bus stop leading to the barn, my stomach clenched. Still, I didn't know these women thoroughly, but I had to risk bringing them back to my home. They suggested checking there just in case before we move on to planning anything. After knowing Amy's mother once owned the place, I thought the proposed idea was permissible.

The elements quickened our pacing towards the barn. It wasn't the cold we were escaping from, but the light of day. At the moment, nothing was allowed to be overlooked, including the suspicion of me being watched. So we hurried before the surrounding turned bright.

Arriving at the house, we didn't waste a second more and entered. I didn't get the chance to start looking for Alfie when I was grabbed, separated from the trio in what seemed to be less than a second. Only after registering the familiar scent, I knew it was my Alfie. He protectively put me behind him, making a stand against the three who looked at him in shock.

"It's okay, Alfie, " I announced.

July placed her index finger on her lips, signalling her request for mute cooperation. It was too late for Alfie and me if they found out the place was indeed on surveillance. But for them, avoiding the entailing was still an option.

Closing the door, all three immediately spread, checking each room. Alfie gave me a questioning look, but I was engulfed into his hug first before managing the answer. His tense body relaxed instantly.

"This place is clear, " July began, plopping on a sofa. "So this is the famous Alfie I see."

Ember and April sat beside her, freeing themselves from their heavy disguise undercoats and scarfs.

Ignoring them, Alfie turned to me."I was so worried, Charis. Where were you yesterday?" He asked, the evident concern was laced on each word.

"I was at the hospital. I fainted after hearing about Ma in the news, " I told Alfie truthfully. My eyes started burning with hot tears at the thought about my mother. "She's going... To... Going to be executed soon." As hard it was to say, it needed to be. I had to let him know.

Still holding me, Alfie shifted towards the trio. "Who are you and why are you here?" His voice turned authoritative.

"Wow, he's fascinating!" July blurted, confusing me all at once. "6'8, sensory heightened at 0.1 seconds, stealth level 8. He's an alpha for sure."

"Don't mind her, she did that most of the time in the past, " Ember butted in. "And uh, we're from the past. We're here to help. Nice to meet you."

After explaining the whole ordeal of our plan to go to the Capital and save my mother, we were left with the small details.

"It's best if we tell Peyrel, " Ember suggested.

April sighed in disagreement, "She's been through enough. We shouldn't."

"But I think we should at least tell her. She would be upset if we just disappear. The chances of coming back to this are indefinite, " July said. Her eyes drifted to Alfie, "And she's the only one we can trust to look after--"

Alfie hissed, almost scaring me. "I'm not staying here if that's what you're thinking. I'm going with Charis!"

"Alfie, please--"

"No, Charis, I won't let you do this without me. I was the cause of all this. I'll find a way to enter the Capital."

Without the microchip like the ones planted on our arms, Alfie couldn't leave the district. Even if he could, there were too many checkpoints on the way to the Capital. I knew he was in a tight spot, he didn't argue with the idea of saving my mother, but he wanted to keep me safe.

"Maybe I can replicate an ID for him if only I can get my hands on one of the integrated biochips the trans is using. They have a different module than what we have. And I doubt we could disguise him as a woman--" July trailed off when all eyes gaped at her. "I mean, look at him. He's fume with testosterone. You do the math."

A state of mute loomed over us for what felt like a minute before July snapped her fingers. "I think I know how, " she emitted, drawing her eyes at me with a sideways smirk.

"July, what are you suggesting?" April questioned, lifting an eyebrow at her sister.

"Thalaa."

To be continued...

***

Thank you for reading and staying with me to this episode. I'm sorry for the late update. I'd messed with the original plot again to make it longer. The next one will be in 3 days, pinky promise.

Above photo is how I image Ember. She's a badass with a soft heart. Does anyone recognise her?

Take care everyone.