In The Dark Once More

Prelude:

Putting a hand on the rock above him, Dillon pulled himself upward. He couldn't believe that his sister had climbed all the way up here. Now that he no longer could morph he had to climb hand over hand. Good thing that he was strong, and didn't tire easily. But; he hated that his sister climbed the mountain. Alone. What the hell was she thinking? Even if he had been by her side – he wouldn't have wanted her to climb the mountain.

Summer sighed from her spot on the forest floor. She wanted to be climbing along side Dillon. But; she knew that she truly wouldn't be welcomed on the top of the mountain. Not with the brother, and sister. She stared up past Dillon to where Tenaya was standing straight and tall. The brunette woman was just staring out in front of her.

"Tenaya what the hell were you thinking?" He asked as he pulled himself up onto the top of the mountain. "You know you shouldn't be climbing mountains."

Tenaya rolled her eyes. "I'm my own person brother. I don't always need you too protect me." Her eyes didn't leave the sight before her. Not like you could have protected me the time that Venjix stolen me from you. Oh; where you older brother of mine when Venjix officially turned me into a machine? Do you even realize how much pain was involved in transforming me from a human into a machine?

Dillon walked up to stand next to his sister. "I'm just trying to make up for my failure."

Tenaya turned to face the side of her brother's face. "You didn't fail, Dillon. There was no way that you could have stopped Venjix. He was too strong at the time. He kept us very weak."

"Still doesn't take away that I should have protected you. That it should have been me he took; and not you." Dillon's head whipped to face his sister's. "I promised mom and dad that I would protect you with my life."

"You did." Tenaya nodded. "You almost died saving me."

"I should have protected you from Venjix from the very beginning. You should never have been taken to be transformed into a machine." Dillon grounded out. "I shouldn't have allowed you to come with me in the first place."

"Then I would be dead. Along with mom and dad." Tenaya shrugged her shoulders.

"We don't know if mom and dad are dead. We don't even remember what they look like." Dillon said. With tears in his eyes, "They can still be out there. Waiting for us."

"Waiting for you. Not me. After everything I had done; they wouldn't wait for a disappointment like me. I'm lost to them for good." Sniffing Tenaya tried to get control of her voice, "You, and Summer so locate them. Find out if they are alive or not. I don't mind going on my own."

"I'm never leaving you again." Dillon swore.

"Summer wants to marry you. She doesn't want her sister-in-law in her face the entire time. Go be a family with Summer, and our parents." Tenaya felt tears roll down her cheeks.

"Summer loves you. She understands that you, and I need to be together for the next few years. The rest of our lives if need." Dillon shrugged his shoulders. He sniffed. "She would understand if you live in our basement, or attic. Or better yet; we can have an apartment above the garage."

"I'm not a burden." Tenaya replied in a hard voice.

"I'm not going to leave you." Dillon said.

Then I'll leave you. Tenaya silently promised.

End Prelude