Hello everyboy:) I'm sorry, I've been quite busy, and I wasn't able to reply my reviewers back in Hear Me Out (I'll do that now). I've started this 'writing group' on the Tomb Raider Forums, and the theme chosen was: "What goes around, comes around" - Yes, the Justin Timberlake song... Anyway, I interpreted it differently, and here is my contribution to it, renamed "Solitude". Hope you enjoy it and review it:)
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Solitude
'So this is how it all works, isn't it?' thought Lara, moving her fingers in the holes provided on the weapon, wondering about the fate of it's owner for the millionth time. 'von Croy betrayed me, then he got betrayal in return from his client. I got pain from him back in Egypt, he got pain from me when I turned back. This is how it is all supposed to go…'
The Chirugaii had been dead and motionless ever since the Strahov, where it had lead Lara hopefully into the darkness – "I had to face myself," Lara muttered slowly as she recalled her dark memories.
She had called out his name numerous times, wanting to hear a single whisper. The weapon belonged to him, it was his right; Lara would never hold down anyone's right like that. Weary, scarred, and dirty, Lara glanced in every single room, searching the massive Strahov complex twice, just to find her lost comrade – to know he wasn't dead.
However, to no avail. There was no sign of him – alive or dead. It was almost like he had vanished altogether, leaving behind a shocking amount of blood. But the determined raider was still fighting. Lara checked in every hotel in Prague, a man in his thirties, first name of Kurtis; tall, dark, American, with piercing blue eyes. No one remembered anything about him… When she went to sleep that night, she drowned herself in the memory of his azure orbs, savoring their color; savoring their life…
A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, the Louvre… She remembered how he had thrown his disk weapon, tearing the ropes that held a large gong, then placed it on her neck: Yes… the feeling of the harsh blade against her hot skin was entirely refreshing… dangerously refreshing. And his smile – the lopsided proud grin, who knew death was so near?
Lara stood up from her bed, the weapon still in her hands. Lara became sad again. Every time she saw this cold blade, without it's golden glow or orange flame, she felt herself fall. How many times would she have to put up with this ever-growing loss, loss of friends, of family, comrades… partners. Always finding herself, savior of the world, cold and alone – face among the ashes of people that meant to her.
CRASH!
Lara awoke with a start, immediately drawing out her pistols from beneath the pillow. The noise had come from her bathroom – the danger already inside her room. She stealthily moved forward, guns ready, to kill the interruption. She glanced in the bathroom through the partially open door.
The drawer in which she kept Kurtis' chirugaii was hanging open.
Forgetting everything, she rushed inside, throwing the door open and taking in the serene environment. No one.
As orange glow, erupted from behind the shower area, and rushed sideways, coming dangerously close to Lara's neck – hovering golden.
Two hands slipped down her arms, taking away her pistols. Lara froze. It was him.
"Thanks for keeping my blade safe, Lara. Pleasure seeing you again."
Do let me know how it was. Enjoy:)