Emerald finally had a moment to herself and decided to use this opportunity to rest. She sat on the ground, took off her grey backpack, and poured out its contents: her gun, a notebook, pen, and the hair clip she was wearing before The Sleep. The events of the past two months had taken a toll on her. Just write it all down and it’ll feel better, she thought. She lifted the black spiral bound notebook and blue pen, and began to write. 

Dear Diary...? No that’s not good enough. Okay, let’s start over. Hey Journal, I don’t think we’ve met. Anyway, you’re gonna have to brace yourself because, boy, do I have a lot of crap to tell you. First off, um, Ham died. Ya. It was his sister, Marie, who burned down Pigtails. God, this is why you should never trust someone with the power of Fear Inducement.... Anyway, on a lighter note Seth and Cal got married!...until Hinder interfered, of course. Let’s try something else.... OH! I met Lady Green! She’s the Mother of the Rebellion. I’m glad we have someone who wants change here. 

Everyone seems to want to take a backseat and let Hinder drive. It bothers me so much! Part of me wishes I never got involved with Irasurgo, you know. I’ve been taking charge a lot recently, or at least trying to. I’ve become a lot more cold, too. I mean I won’t take no for an answer anymore - evidently shown by the bruise on my neck that the king left. He shoved me against the wall with his forearm when I said I would help find Cleo. I basically told him he may be the king, but I’m the Princess of Irasurgo. Speaking of which, I’ve been trying to work with the hardheaded Prince of Irasurgo, Asher Blackwell. I think the reason he bugs me so much is because, throughout the past two months, I’ve grown to be like him. 

I find myself standing up for myself more, rather than giving in instantly. I don’t want people forcing me into anything, and I want my voice to be heard. Also, I’ve stopped worshipping people just to get them to like me. I’m still friendly, but I’ve realized what the reality here is - Hinder still controls Dilabor and Irasurgo needs to stop them. My friends were taken hostage and I think they were used as test subjects or something... I still don’t really know.... This was the fist time, though, that I wanted to fight. I felt this drive in me that pushed me forward to protect my friends, versus just tagging along with someone else. I am my own driver, no longer a passenger.