A/N: I seem to have dropped from the fan fiction scene for a while. Real life, work, plus working on original works have been eating up a lot of my brain power. But, I've kind of hit a dead end and I wanted to write something...anything, really. And, in my darkest hour I stumbled across the 100 Theme Challenge. That, coupled together with my latest obsession with Linkin Park and their song Powerless kind of brought life to this piece. Hope you all enjoy it. And hopefully this will help get the gears turning again for my other projects, too.
This story takes place in the future of the 2012 universe. The guys are in their late twenties to early thirties.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Maybe an OC or two if they happen to pop up, but that's it.
Lying on the bed, body covered in bandages, left arm and right leg in casts, he wondered how he got this far. How was he still alive? By the laws of nature, he should have been dead. He concentrated on moving the fingers of his left hand. Good. Those still worked. He tried wiggling the toes of his right foot. Those worked, too. It hurt to move them, but at least he could.
He couldn't remember much; only bits and pieces, and most of those pieces had been filled in by his family. Unfortunately, they knew next to nothing about what had happened before they found him, beaten, broken and almost lifeless; his arm and leg shattered, his chest ripped in two, and his shell so cracked they feared it was unrepairable. A part of him wished that they had just let him die. It would have been more merciful than letting him live. But, he knew his family and they wouldn't give up if there was any shred of hope of saving him.
A door creaked open, but he willed himself to remain still. Footsteps padded over to the bed and he could feel a concerned gaze on him, but he never stirred. Calloused, yet gentle hands searched for a pulse before pulling away. Sounds drifted all around him, yet still he remained silent. Deep down, he had to admit that he was angry with his brothers for pulling him back. He would have been just fine passing away peacefully in his sleep after all the damage that had been done.
The footsteps shuffled out of the room again and the door closed. He could hear voices outside, concerned whispers. They were worried; it was only natural. He listened to their voices, managing to pick out some words. One word jumped out at him: Slash.
His heart began to race, breathing becoming more laboured. Why such a violent reaction to his former pet? Weren't they allies, now? Hadn't they worked out their differences and made amends? Clearly not. Not judging by his reaction when he heard Slash's name.
What had happened? What was so horrifying that he would go into a panic just by hearing a name? He tried to remember; forcing himself to think back. Horrific scenes flashed through his memories, almost making him cry out. But, he held his tongue. Then, one memory that wasn't full of pain and despair. One that actually seemed normal. How long ago was it?
If he only knew.
Reviews are welcome, flames are not