For the first time in a long time, Alairi felt troubled by her double life. Sitting on her bed and staring out the window as the moon and stars illuminated the night sky, she found herself wondering. Wondering if Charonite and Nealite had truly been traitors. Wondering if the cause she’d been so devoted to was rotting from within. She was still devoted, wasn’t she? Alairi wasn’t sure anymore.

Giving her head an irritable shake, the young officer sighed and chewed on her lower lip. All they’d wanted was for Beryl to come back. And now she was back, but... But. She thought back to the last meeting. The one where Beryl had produced three unknown officers. The one where Beryl claimed that the senshi were killing families. Alairi had never heard of senshi going after innocent people. In fact, the senshi were often trying very hard to SAVE those people. The only people going out and killing people is us, she thought sourly. We’re the ones who steal starseeds and turn people into monsters.

For the first time in a long time, Alairi found herself questioning her devotion to the Negaverse. Or more precisely, questioning some of the methods used. What is wrong with me? I never worried about this before. And yet, the more she thought, the more concerned she became. She thought of her sister, their parents. Saw, for the first time, a mental image of them all lying dead because of her. Because she’d let monsters into their lives. And the thought made her feel sick. I can’t stay here.... Alairi was already off her bed and moving as the thought slowly formed. She couldn’t leave the Negaverse. But she could leave home and keep her family safe.

Grabbing a dufflebag from her closet, she began cramming clothes into it. None of her unique creations though. She couldn’t let anyone see her wearing something they’d recognize as Alairi. Once her bag was packed and she’d dug the money she’d been saving out of her dresser, Alairi took a good, sharp look at herself in the mirror. Her hair was entirely too recognizable. She’d have to do something about that. Grabbing her sewing scissors from the caddy by her craft table, Alairi ruthlessly chopped away at the silky, rainbow hued hair that framed her face. She’d buy some dye later and cover up what was left of the streaks. Once she was finished, she studied the spiky crop she’d given herself. Not terribly flattering, but it would do. Now time for the note. Grabbing a pen and sheet of stationary, she scribbled off a quick note.

“Please don’t worry. I’m okay. But I can’t stay here anymore. I’m on to bigger things and chasing my dream. I’ll call when I can. Love you all.”

Chasing my dream... Alairi snorted and left a lock of her hair taped to the note. More like trying to escape a nightmare. But if they thought that she’d left to follow her dream of being a famous ballerina, so much the better.

Alairi made sure to cram the rest of her shorn hair into the trash can before she crept from the sleeping house, bag in hand. She’d worry about where to stay later. Right now, she just wanted as much distance between herself and her family as possible. She had to keep them safe.