Throughout the many cycles Ash had lived, much of it was spent in hiding. Ashamed over her creation of a virus, she stayed away from anyone she saw. But as the cycles passed, she realized the virus too had passed. Still, she feared it would return, so she stayed away from others. She found herself in Cetus, where she hadn't seen many others in some time. She could just live her life here. She didn't need anyone else; she was fine here.

But it all seemed so, so lonely. Could she really live here the rest of her life with no one else? Was she doomed to a life of loneliness and misery? She'd already done it for many cycles...Surely the rest of her life wouldn't be any different.

Still, she couldn't stop thinking about how terrible it would be. She already missed seeing others. But she had to stay away! She'd made a virus that hurt her, and while it seemed to be gone, what if she ended up making a new one? One that was even worse, and she ends up infecting someone? Ends up hurting them? She wasn't sure she could stand it.

"Speech."
Thoughs