Welcome to my take on Project Diva. I hope you enjoy.
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Blind-Sightless
"You're special, Miku. I don't want you to ever forget that."
The world was made up of nothing but blurred chaos and confusion pouring into her ears and then reverberating in her mind. Miku's hands twitched slightly on the bench as her senses leaked out around her, stretching out to the farthest edges of the playground. The sun was warm on her face, she could feel it's golden glow as she sat there in contentment and peace even though the play area was anything but tranquil.
Another screech of joy hit the tiny girl's ears as she perched there on the bench, leaning forward slightly in anticipation.
"No no, Miku. You can't play today."
"Why?" The school aide had to strain to hear the six year old's voice. "Why can't I?"
The aide didn't answer right away as she stared at the child, her green hair swept up in two small pigtails. Miku only stood like a ballerina on her toes, poised for take-off as her arms drifted behind her.
"You're not like the other kids. You can't play with them."
"Why?" Miku's curiosity was getting the best of her as she continued to stare straight ahead, her fingers still curled under the brown bench.
"Because you can't."
"Why?"
"Because it would be to dangerous."
"Why? I have friends to play with."
"Because you're different. Too different. You're not the same as the other kids. It would be unsafe."
"Why?" Miku was making the aide's anger a game now, seeing how many more times the small word could escape her lips till the adult's irritation morphed into vexation and boiled over.
"Because you're crippled, Miku! You're too weak, too different to play safely!"
These words stung Miku as she slowly plopped back down, her feet firmly planted on the ground. The aide was huffing, her breathing hard. Miku could sense the aide's chest heaving, her fingers tingling with the slight rage and exasperation the teacher's assistant was feeling.
"I'm sorry I lost my temper." The aide muttered, squeezing Miku's hand. The tiny girl flinched away, her cloudy green eyes pained as they flickered over the aide's face, unable to comprehend her looks.
"Just because I'm blind, doesn't make me different." Miku whispered, hurt. "It doesn't make me weird."
The bell rang, and Miku heard feet skidding around in the wood chips as her class lined back up to head into class. The green haired girl continued to sit, unwilling to get to her feet.
"Miku? Let's go."
Miku shook her head. "I like it better out here I can-" she bit her lip, not wanting to continue. Miss Andy thought she was a big enough freak as it was.
"C'mon," the aide pulled Miku grudgingly to her feet, Miku's tiny black buckle shoes crunching in the gravel placed around the bench. Miku's hands slipped across the bench again, taking in the texture and the color before smoothing her dress.
'Black feels cold.' Miku thought as her hand traveled up to her white sleeves. 'Maybe Mommy will buy me a yellow dress. Like the sun.'
"Stuck in thought again, Miku?" Miss Andy chuckled as she took Miku's hand and guiding her across the playground to the line.
'Don't make me leave, Miss Andy. I can hear much better out here.' Miku bit back these words as her tiny hand clutched the back of her friend's dress, the blue fabric feeling nice under her touch. Miku could feel her friend beaming at her.
'See, I'm not that much different, Miss Andy.' Miku thought quietly, a small smile gracing the child's lips. 'I can tell where I'm going. I just need someone to give me a little push before I can lift my feet off the ground.'
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Mute-Speechless
"Love is expressed from the heart-not from any audible saying."
People were milling about the subway station, jostling each other about, their mouths moving in a constant stream of chatter. Two small, yellow haired children stood in the center of the crowd, linked to their mother who stood between them. The small girl's yellow hair was in a braid and flowing down her back, her brother's hair windblown and his knuckles white as he gripped his mother's hand. Their mother, Ankia, was a larger replica of the two-the same yellow hair and soulful blue eyes.
"You excited Rinny?" the mother inquired with a smile, looking down at her daughter. Rin beamed and nodded. The boy's confused eyes found his mother's as he tugged on her hand, wanting to know what she had said. Rin turned to her brother, and with her free hand made a few quick gestures. Her brother nodded, turning back to gaze into the mob.
"You don't like big crowds, do you Len?" Ankia muttered, her wide smile shrinking to a weak one. Len paid no attention, his eyes still searching the crowd. He flinched as his sister poked the side of his head. Len glanced over at his sister who was making more motions with her hand, and then pointed to their mother. Len shook his head, finally responding to his mother's question.
"Didn't think so." she sighed, shooting another smile at her daughter who continued to beam.
The size of the crowd was slowly shrinking, the babble quieting down till only a few men and the mother and her children were left.
"I wonder when our sub will be here." Ankia sighed, Rin now playing with her mother's hand. She laughed, smoothing Rin's hair. "Can't wait to see your father?"
"Hey." the two men were approaching them now, one of them digging into his pocket.
"Can I help-" Ankia was cut off as a pistol was held to her skull. Her eyes widened, and she shut her mouth. Len hugged his mother's leg.
"Gimmie ya purse!" the guy in sweats said, twisting the gun threateningly. Anika quickly did as she was told, letting go of Rin's hand to shrug off her purse before handing it to the gunman.
"That's better." the second man chuckled darkly. "C'mon."
The gunman lowered his gun just as the train pulled up. The two men got on, but Ankia didn't dare move as her eyes flickered over ear face, muttering under her breath as she tried to memorize the robber's faces. The gunman forced open the door, his lip curling, took aim and fired.
Rin's eyes were the size of saucer plates as she watched her mother crumple to the ground, her eyes glazing over. She opened her mouth in a scream she couldn't produce, but let out a raspy whisper instead. Tears poured down Len's cheeks as he signed frantically to his sister, his eyes never leaving the blossom of blood growing around the fatal wound in his mother's chest. Rin left her mother's side, motioning for Len to stay put.
Up the stairs the six year old ran, her braid trailing behind her and her bright yellow dress bouncing and rippling. Into the light and out of the dimness on the underground, she finally emerged in the city, her mouth moving in words that would never come, her cheeks tear stained and pink. Rin tugged on the hand of a stranger, pointing to the tunnel, her eyes wide with fear. What if they came back? What if the men hurt Len while she was gone?
Rin begged and pleaded soundlessly. Why wouldn't someone help her? Why didn't she realize she wasn't trying to waste their time?
Her mother was dead. And she couldn't tell anyone about it.
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Disabled-Standless
"It takes a strong person to walk. It takes a stronger person to walk with his soul."
"When will I be able to walk, Mommy?"
"When we can afford the surgery, Luka-Bear."
The frail girl didn't pull her eyes away from the children playing out in the sprinkler across the street. Luka tried to move her feet, to get up and run with them and actually play, but her legs were heavy. As hard as she tried her legs still wouldn't budge.
"When will we have money, Mommy?" Luka asked softly.
"When Daddy finds a job."
Luka pivoted her torso, reaching for her red piggy bank. Once it was secured in her grip, the tiny girl tried to hand it to her mother.
"Oh no, Luka-Bear. You've got to keep saving." her mother brushed a strand of her daughter's pink hair back behind her ear before leaving the room.
Luka rattled her piggy bank, listening to the many coins rattle around inside. The young girl sighed, pulling her covers further up into her lap and leaning back against her pillow so she could watch the two siblings run around in their front year. A small blue haired boy was dashing through the sprinkler, a smaller brow haired girl running after him. The siblings played, smiling and laughing words she couldn't hear.
Luka closed her eyes, remembering the fire that dreadful night. Her house burning and herself stuck inside, wailing for her mom and dad-
Luka remembered the pain as the house started to collapse. The pain when she tripped and fell, only to have a two-by-four fall onto her lower back, paralyzing her forever. She could remember screaming, drowning in rubbled and flames and the sick feeling she felt when she couldn't move her legs. Choking on smoke, and her tears evaporating as soon as they fell. The face of the firefighter that pulled her out and carried her to safety. The pain...the agonizing pain...
Luka was pulled out of her daydream as the door slammed. Luka looked up, watching her father walk into the kitchen.
"How did the search go?" her mother questioned, pecking her husband on the lips.
"Terrible." Luka's dad sighed. His eyes grew wet as he continued, "Esme, I don't think Im ever going to find a job. We need money. How are we going to keep this roof over our head? How are we going to fix Luka's back?"
Luka sat in silence, her mid whirling with thoughts. She stroked her piggy bank absentmindedly, wondering how she could help.
Of course! Her piggy bank! There was plenty of money in there! Maybe that could pay for the house. Maybe that could pay for her to get her legs fixed.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Luka called, hoping to gain her parent's attention. They came running, their eyes dull with worry.
"Yes Luka?" her father asked, sitting on the edge of her bed. Luka put the piggy bank in his lap.
"You need to save up, Luka-Bear." her father muttered. Luka felt a twinge of irritation.
"It's worth it if I help pay for the house!" Luka tried to smile.
"I can't take this." her father shook his head. "Sorry."
"Why?" Luka felt tear pricking the back of her eyes. "Why can't I help?"
"Your money is important, Luka. You can't use it yet."
Luka didn't understand. Why couldn't she use her money? It was her money! Her thoughts flickered back to the blue haired boy.
"B-But I want to run! It's my money and...and..." she was crying for some unknown reason, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her father pulled her close, wrapping her in his warmth.
"It's okay, honey. Things will get better. I promise."
'I will be able to run again.' Luka thought, hugging her father. 'Even if it's the last thing I do.'
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Hope you can spare a review~