Diana Ladris knew she shouldn't be thinking about what had happened in the FAYZ. The term most people used for the FAYZ now, was PBA. Diana scowls, she would never resort to calling the FAYZ something other than what it was. It would always be the FAYZ and that was never going to change. For her anyways. The scowl slides off her face as she remembers the numerous, horrid events that had taken place when she had been trapped in the dome. Diana bites her lip as the thought that she had been the reason so many had died, starts to creep back into her head. Diana shakes her head, wishing she could banish the thought out of her mind. It wasn't my fault! I never knew that my daughter would turn out to be a monster! Diana pauses in her musings to consider what her conscious had labeled Gaia. It that really what that monster was? My daughter? Her fingernails dig into her palm as Diana continues to turn this thought over. Yes, she had given birth to Gaia. But, she hadn't felt any connection with her. That feeling had been shared on both sides. At least, that's what Diana thought. She is pulled away from her thoughts when she feels something warm, and sticky in her palms. Glancing down, she sees scarlet blood dripping between her fingers.
Diana curses upon seeing the mess. "Shit!"
She opens her hands, and can just make out the shape of nail marks on her palm amidst all of the blood. Diana sighs heavily as she wipes her hands on her clean, pale jeans. Leaving dark smeared marks on them. I suppose I should head home. It's no use to walk around now with my jeans like this.
O-O-O
Diana pushes open her front door, and takes a deep breath. The familiar smell of her house never failed to calm down her nerves. She closes the door behind her, and surveys the space around her. Everything was as it had been when she had left. Neat, and very tidy. If there was one thing Diana couldn't stand, it was a messy living space. She takes off her coat, and hangs it on the coat rack, smiling at the thought that she could finally relax after a long day working. Diana flops down onto the couch, sighing at the soft feeling. She reaches out for the TV remote, wondering if she could get in a couple episodes of her favorite show. Just as she's about to turn the TV on, Diana hears her phone ring. Diana groans, and reluctantly gets up off of the couch and walks over to where her phone is sitting. There's a sharp intake of breath from Diana as she sees who the caller is. Dekka had not spoken to her since the dome had come down. What could she want now? She sighs, and picks up her phone.
Diana: What do you want, Dekka?
Dekka: You answered.
Diana: Obviously.
Dekka: I'm just going to get straight to the point. I need your help with something.
Diana: Why do you need my help?
Dekka: You're the person who will understand it the best.
Diana: That's a shock to hear that coming from you.
Dekka: Now isn't the time for smart remarks. Can you just help me? Please.
Diana: I suppose. What do you need me to do?
Dekka: I'll explain everything tomorrow. I'll pick you up at 6:00.
Diana: At night?
Dekka: No. In the morning.
Diana feels a smile form on her face. Dekka had never been her favorite person, but she was a familiar face. Her smile fades away, and a frown replaces it. What could Dekka possibly need her help for? As far as she knew, Dekka would have gone to Sam first. Then again, Sam wasn't in the most stable position right now, no matter what anyone said. There was only one reason Diana could think of that would require her help. And she didn't like the thought of it at all.
O-O-O
"Where are we going?"
"You've asked me that already."
"And you haven't given an answer."
Dekka sighs, "We're going back to Perdido Beach."
"What! Dekka. I can't go back there. You know what that place has done to me."
"I'm sorry. But, we have to go there."
Diana glares at Dekka, willing tears not to form in her eyes. "This isn't what I agreed to!"
Dekka spares a quick glance at Diana, and the look is full of pity. Diana clenches her hands, shoving down the urge to punch Dekka. No one pitied her! She isn't the type that likes to recieve pity. She saw it as insulting. Diana huffs, and slumps back into her seat, and stares out the window, watching the area speed by in a blur of colors.
"Diana. I promise. I won't let anything hurt you at Perdido Beach. You know that right?" Dekka says gently.
Diana doesn't look away from the window. "You're already hurting me by making me go back there. Which means you've already broken your promise."
There's silence from Dekka, and Diana feels a small bit of triumph at that. Let her think about that for awhile! Diana leans against the window, feeling the coldness of it touch her face. It was soothing almost. It helped clear her thoughts. Diana glances over to where Dekka is driving, and is shocked by the sad look on her face. Diana looks back out the window, biting her lip. Maybe I shouldn't have said those things. It isn't like Dekka is intentionally hurting me. She sighs, and watches as the glass fogs up from her breath.
"Dekka?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry."
There's a pause, and Diana turns away from the window to look at Dekka's face. "...What are you sorry for?" Dekka finally says.
"For...saying those things. I know you would never intentionally hurt me. I'm just...scared to go back there. I don't want to cause more people to die."
Dekka's eyebrows raise up, showing her confusion. "Why do you say that? You aren't the reason those kids are dead."
"But I am! I gave birth to Gaia! Which lead to the Gaiaphage taking control over her, and murdering all those innocent people!" Diana breathes heavily, and sees shock written all over Dekka's face.
"You blame yourself for what happened with the Gaiaphage. Don't you?" Dekka asks quietly.
Diana nods numbly, and avoids looking at Dekka's face. Unable to bear seeing a pitying look.
"It wasn't your fault. You know that."
"But it was." Diana whispers.
She sits up when she feels the car come to a stop. Diana turns to ask Dekka why they've stopped, and sees the other girl already looking at her.
"You did not create the Gaiaphage. You had a beautiful baby girl. Who would have been just as brave, strong and smart as you are. You never got to be her mother, but I know that girl was incredibly lucky to have you."
Diana closes her eyes, and feels wet, salty tears start to slide down her cheeks. She is also dimly aware of the feeling of Dekka's arms hugging her, and pulling her close.
O-O-O
Diana blinks rapidly, momentarily confused on where she is. She sits up, and winces at the feeling of stiffness in her limbs.
"Have a nice nap?"
Diana looks over to where Dekka is driving, and sees a playful smile on her face.
"Yes. It was nice." Diana replies.
Dekka grins, "Good, because we're here."
Diana's playfulness immediately vanishes to be replaced with nervousness, and a small bit of fear. She peers outside the car window, and is shocked by how little the town has changed. The abandoned streets, and the same shops give it an almost eerie feel. Diana shivers, and shifts away from the window, unable to bear looking out at the place she never wanted to return to. Diana looks instead at Dekka, and is impressed by how calm and collected she seems to be. Then again this is Dekka, she's always calm and collected. Dekka parks the car, then faces Diana.
"There's some people I would like you to meet. They're going to be helping us."
Diana nods, "Okay. Anything I should be worried about?"
Dekka smiles, "No. They're good people."
Diana waits for Dekka to open her door and get out of the car, before she follows suite. She glances around the area where they are parked, and notes that there is a small group of people lingering around.
"Come over here! I wanna introduce you."
Diana's eyes narrow in suspicion as the group of four gets closer. Although Dekka still seems to be calm and relaxed.
"This is Shade." Dekka nods to the tall, auburn haired girl. Diana looks at the scar on the right side of Shade's face, curiosity getting the better of her.
Shade notices her staring, "What?"
Diana looks away awkwardly, cursing inwardly about how rude that probably seemed. "Nothing."
Dekka ignores the tense interaction between Shade and Diana and continues, "That's Armo."
Diana raises an elegant eyebrow upon hearing the blond guy's name. "Armo? What kind of name is that?"
"It's my name. Got a problem with that?" Armo glares at her.
Diana opens her mouth, prepared to reply with a stinging response. But Dekka cuts her off. "Can I continue? Thanks. And try not to rip each others heads off yet."
Dekka motions to the tall, black boy. "This is Malik."
Diana spares a glance to him, trying to come up with something to say, but stops when she sees Dekka give her a warning glare. The last person takes a step closer to Diana, and introduces herself.
"I'm Cruz."
"Pleased to meet you." Diana replies, a smile on her face.
O-O-O
Diana nervously clenches and unclenches her hands, trying to push away the dread that's working it's way into her gut. She looks over to Dekka, but the taller girl doesn't seem bothered at all.
"Did you really give birth to the Gaiaphage?" Diana jumps when she hears Shade.
She looks behind her, and sees Shade looking at her expectantly. "Umm…"
"Well? Did you?" Shade asks again.
Diana looks down at the ground, "I supposed in a way, I did."
"That's so cool!"
"No, it isn't!" Diana snaps, losing her patience with Shade.
Shade ignores her, "What was it like? Did you know that you were dooming most people in the FAYZ?"
"I did not doom people!" Diana says exasperated.
Shade rolls her eyes, "Whatever. Can you tell me more about what it was like?"
"No! It wasn't something good! I don't know why you're acting like it was!"
"Maybe it wasn't good. But you did give life to one of the most powerful beings on Earth."
Diana glares at Shade, "I'm not talking with you about this. You're just some fanatic who needs to get over the FAYZ. It's over."
Now it's Shade's turn to glare at Diana, "I'm closer to the FAYZ than you could know."
Diana scoffs, "I doubt that."
"Do you wanna see?"
"You mean see nothing?"
Shade clenches her hands into fists, and starts to approach Diana, but Malik steps between them. Effectively stopping Shade.
"Shade. Don't. She's not ready to know."
Shade seems to be having a silent battle, and then sighs. "Fine. But now she'll want to know either way."