Thanks to grace-the-fangirl for betaing.
Day 0
- Apollo's POV -
I was warm. I was safe. I was loved.
I snuggled into the soft green cloth. Nothing bad could happen now. Everything would be fine.
I felt myself being carried around. It was nice. Someone was protecting me.
We crossed through... something. I didn't know what. But I was fine and so was my protector, so I didn't care.
What I DID care about, were all the weird presences I could feel around me. One drew my attention. It was familiar. I knew this presence. I'd always known her.
My protector unwrapped the cloth near my face. I looked at the presence.
A young girl was running towards us, auburn hair streaming out behind her. Her silver eyes were bloodshot, her cheeks stained with tears. She looked frantic, almost manic.
My sister. This was my sister! She was here! I hadn't seen her since... since... I gave up that line of thought. My sister was here!
I cooed and reached out my arms to her. I'd missed her so much!
My sister gently held me in her arms. She murmured softly, "Ἀπόλλων".
My name.
That was my name!
I felt some small piece of myself return. I knew my name now. I was Ἀπόλλων, also known as Apollon or Apollo. How could I have forgotten that?
What else had I forgotten? What else had I lost.
My sister.
I'd forgotten my sister.
I hadn't seen her since... since... I hadn't seen her in ages!
I grabbed onto her shirt. If I let go, she might disappear again.
I memorized every detail of her face. If I looked away, I might forget her again. I couldn't do that. I couldn't lose her!
As she looked at me, her face twisted. I didn't like that face. That look meant bad things. Painful things. I whimpered.
Her face softened again. I relaxed.
Then the yelling started.
An awful, angry noise, one that promised pain and suffering. I looked towards the source of the sound.
A wild-eyed man stared back at me, yelling and screaming. Golden liquid glistened on his shirt, leaking from the many, MANY sticks poking out of him. He looked like he wanted to hurt me... no... worse. He looked like he wanted to hurt the people AROUND me.
For a moment, I saw that angry face again. But this time, he didn't have that wet gold stuff on him. He raised his arm. My world erupted into pain, searing white-hot through my body.
I broke out of the memory. I looked back at the man and recoiled, trying to get away. He- he might hurt me. Have to stay quiet. If I make noise, it'll be worse. Be quiet and take the punishment.
My sister adjusted her grip on me.
My sister! He might hurt her! He might... He... might...
My eyes drooped.
I fell asleep.