Disclaimer: I solely own Lila/Istra the rest of the character are true copyrights to the creators of the Mummies Alive series. I do not intend on making money off of my fiction, so pleeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaassssssseeeeeeeeee don't sue. I'm just borrowing them for awhile ^.^'
1 A Past, Reawakened
1.1 By: Josie Danger
*~ ~*= Dreams
( ) = Notes
The dreams had been happening for two years, or further. Lila was no longer sure of the time, as it slipped away at night. Almost always the same dream, with always the same theme..
*~Istra found she was barefoot, but warm. Her hair much longer, her skin rough, exposed to the sun. She could feel the tears burn down her face. She did not care; no one cared if she wept. Sand coated her. There was nothing that could be done. She was to be sold. Sold. She fell to her knees and wondered what true fate had in store. Shadows covered her body, she was not alone. Never alone, not anymore..~*
Lila stirred in her sleep. Her blond hair messy and tangled as she turned from side to side. Little whimpers escaped her lips. Reality was no longer present in her mind. She must remember..
*~The shadows cruelly shoved her down then dragged her up by her hair. They barked out orders to stand in line and wait for the fate they had brought on themselves. A foreigner in a foreign barbarous world. Gods. What had she done to deserve this fate? Istra stood in line, shaking as people passed her, breathing a sigh of relief as they did. But one shadow stopped in front of her. She looked up. A very skinny, tight boned woman stood in front of her. Taking Istra's face in her hands, the woman turned it from side to side. Then ordered her to turn around. Lila did so, but was surprised she did not fall from the effort.
"How much?" The woman spoke to the soldiers.
Looking her over a guard spoke evenly. "One hundred gold pieces"
"That is too much for a slave like her." The women tapped her foot, "I offer sixty-three gold pieces. No more no less. I'm sure I'll be the only one willing to even pay that much for this slave."
Istra sighed. Slave, that's all she was now. A simple servant.
The guard grumbled. "Very well. Sixty-three gold pieces. Take her. She is your responsibility."
The exchange took place. He handed papers while the woman filed out coins. She was not the only slave the woman had bought. Two more slaves accompanied her.
Istra looked around. She was the only one. A true foreigner. The other slaves all were dark skinned, dark haired, and many dark eyed. But she, she was fair skinned, light haired, and..green eyed..~*
The alarm sounded cruel as it went off. Lila rolled over and slammed her fist into the button to silence the noise, even for a bit. Rubbing her eyes she tried to recall what she dreamed about. Vague images flash through her head as she wiped sweat from her brow. The images, the dreams, had been coming more vivid in detail. She felt like crying. She felt so alone, and she didn't know why.
A knock sounded on her door. It creaked ever so slightly as it opened to revel her aunt ready for the day. "Lila, now you don't want to be late. It's your first day at a new school."
Lila yawned and rolled off the bed. "Do I really need to go to school today? Can I have one more day of peace before I start at the new school, please?"
"You know that Paul wouldn't like that. Just try your best, and be strong. That's what counts."
Lila sighed. Of course aunt Sue was right. She always was. She was glad that she lived with her aunt Sue and uncle Paul after her parents had died. The car wreck ruined her life, devastated the person she thought she was. For over a month she withdrew from all things around her. She wouldn't go outside and she rarely ate and when she did eat she was mostly forced. She had wanted to die. Then it started. The dreams, the coyly surreal dreams. Her life took on a meaning, and as she was told she must move, she did so with confidence and did not ask many questions.
"Alright, alright. I'll get up."
Sue looked over at her with softened eyes. "I'm glad. I'm taking you to school since Paul already left for work. I hope you don't mind."
Lila shook her head and scampered to the bathroom. "I'll be out in 15 minutes. Can you make my lunch today? I don't feel like trying out new food before I know what it is."
Lila could hear her aunt chuckle softly. "Of course. Of course."
~*~*~
So this was the school that everyone thought was so cool. Lila sighed. It wasn't as grand as her aunt and uncle made it out to be. Sure, it looked big, and probably was. That also posed the problem. Getting to class on time, when she had no idea where to go. Berkley Junior High, located in San Francisco, California. She looked at her neatly blue printed schedule as the first bell rang to start the day. People passed her in the hall, bumping into her to try and get to class. She didn't try to ask for directions. She felt she was strong enough to do it herself. She walked from hall to hall trying to find the room T-215. It posed a problem. Finally she looked around and found a group of girls lounging around the floor with backpacks open, and papers in disarray.
"Excuse me, do you know how to get to room T-215?" Lila held out her schedule to the group.
The group stared at her. "It's to the left two rows and up the stairs. Sixth door on the right."
Lila sighed in relief. "Thanks." She started to say something more, but the group already turned away from her. Besides she needed to get to class.
Lila slowed down as she reached the door, she realized she was late. She knocked softly and to her surprise the door swung open.
"Well, well, well. Another LATE student. May I ask why you even bothered to come? If you plan to waste my time, I don't want you here." The old woman looked down at Lila. Shaking a ruler in her face.
"Um, I.. I'm a new student.. I transferred here just yesterday. I haven't memorized my schedule or the halls. I had to ask for directs.. I'm.. I'm sorry."
The woman pierced her with a firm look. "Let me see your schedule." The woman said, extending a bony hand.
Lila handed over her schedule nervously.
The grumpy teacher looked at it and nodded. "Very well. You may sit in row three desk number six. I expect you will be here on time tomorrow, are we clear?" The woman gave Lila another sharp look that left no room for argument.
Lila just nodded and looked around the room. Students stared at her, some smiled, some whispered, and some completely ignored her. She felt so alone.
Scanning the room quickly she found her seat and slipped into it. She didn't want to make a fool of herself any more than what the teacher had already done. She opened her bag to grab out a sheet of paper and pencil.
"As I was saying before.." the old woman cleared her throat "the fundamentals of Science are symbolic and essential to everyday LIFE." She tapped the ruler against the white board and continued to speak. "Can anyone tell me WHY science is essential for life?"
Hands shot up as Lila ignored the teacher, taking her time writing down the notes that were on the board.
The woman looked down at the attendance schedule and read off Lila's name. Lila looked up from what she was doing.
"Yes?" Lila asked, as she was concerned about what she was suppose to be writing down.
"Please enlighten the class and myself with why science is important in life." The old woman smirk, she felt she had the right to ask since Lila was late to class.
Lila sighed and put down her pencil. "Because.." Lila started "Everything in life can be considered science." With this the teacher looked at her approvingly. "Consider this pencil for example, it is made from wood and graphite, which are common compounds that are made from single elements. You use it to write on paper, which again, is a processed piece of wood, which is a compound, made from the elements that come from the periodic table. Everywhere you look, there is science." Lila stated in a matter of fact way. All the students just stared at her and the teacher seemed surprised by her response.
The teacher cleared her throat again. "What a wonderful answer. You are quite correct my dear. I expect to learn more of what you have to offer to the this class later on."
Lila just shrugged and picked up her pencil to begin writing again. A note was placed on her desk during that moment. She looked around and saw that a girl smiled, nodded, and indicated to open it. Lila smiled a bit and unwrapped the note.
(Hi! That was a nice speech you gave to Mrs. Pendergrass. She can be mean, but don't let that phase you. Anyway, my name's Elaine Setter and it's nice to meet you. Would you like to have lunch together, so I can pick you mind? I'd also like to try and be friends if that's alright with you.)
Lila took up a pencil and began writing. (Pick my mind? Hmm, odd, but I guess a lot of things are going to be a little strange around here. Anyway, sure, I wouldn't mind eating lunch with you. Thanks for offering.) Lila sighed it and put a little character face next to her writing. She handed it to the person that put it on her desk and left it up to the rest of the class to hand it back.
The bell rang and everyone shuffled out as Lila started to exit the room Elaine ran up to her and formally introduced herself. "Hi, I'm the one that sent the note. It's great to see new students at our school. I'm Elaine Setter." She switched her binder to the other hand and extended her hand.
Lila shook the girl's hand and smiled. "It's nice to meet you. Yeah, I can tell this school is going to be interesting."
"Don't worry, everything's going to be fine as long as you stick with me. I know my way around this school front to back. You kind of have to be when you're the president of the school newspaper."
Lila raised an eyebrow at that. "Well, I'll see you later I still need to find my next class."
"Alright, see you during lunch."
~*~*~
Author's Note: Please any comments, corrections, and criticism are really appreciated. I hope you like the story so far; it's an idea that has been turning in my head for a LONG time now. If you want to learn more about this just go to the Mummies Alive section on my website: http://www.oddworldz.com/josiedanger/mummiesalive.html