Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Kingdom Hearts characters. They belong to Square Enix, Disney, and I'm sure a host of other people of whom I don't feel like mentioning. Don't sue me. You'll nothing. I do own the other characters thought. So at least I have something.
WARNING: This is not a nice chapter. It contains blood, character death, and some very bad language. There is more to come. Please, I'm warning you in advance so you won't get….. I don't know…. 'upset'. I don't want to be responsible for 8 and 9 year olds who can't sleep at night because they read this and got scared. So….. fair warning.
It was everywhere. She could not shield her eyes nor ears from the horrible sights and sounds. Screams of terror filled the night air as blood was shed, the thick crimson fluid forming an ocean. A man. A man with a wicked smile dancing across his lips. A woman crying over a lifeless body sprawled over the floor. And a girl. She was behind the sofa and love seat, hiding no doubt, peaking through the cracks of the two closely placed pieces of furniture. It was a horrible sight. Two, no, three more bodies lay motionless in a pool of their own blood and each others. The woman, still crying, looked up at the man.
"Please, go from here!" she pleaded.
"You owe me……. Remember?" came a calm reply.
"I have nothing to give you! You've taken everything away from me already!"
"Have I? Something is missing..." he looked around.
The woman stole a quick glance towards the sofa and for a split second, locked eyes with the girl. The woman drew in a deep breath and stared backed at the man defiantly.
"I know not what you speak of." poison dripping off every word from her mouth.
"Tsk, that's not the right answer." his voice still deadly calm.
A shiny silver object came into the girl's view. Her little eyes bulged and she had to restrain a shriek. It was the blade of a knife. The woman, also seeing it, tensed. With lighting movement he placed the blades' tip at the woman's throat. A bleeding black heart was engraved on the blade. The man gave a sick laugh and began to move the blade down her throat to her chest and then to her side. Hot, angry tears flowed down the girls face. Please, don't. DON'T HURT HER! she begged him silently. But her plea was a futile one. The woman let out an ear splitting scream as the blade was driven into her side. Blood poured from the wound and onto the woman's white dress. She instinctively placed her hands over her wound and slumped forward. Blood leaked through her fingers and onto the floor, mingling with the others blood.
More tears came, flowing faster. She couldn't control them. She asked him not to hurt her but he did. He hurt her bad. The man loomed darkly over the woman, seeming to revel in her agony. He knelt down in front of the woman, his stone, icy blue eyes daring her revolt against him. Eyes the girl will never forget. He cupped her chin in his hand and gave her a quick kiss.He violently released her and stood up.
"What a waste of beauty. Or is it? Doesn't matter. But this is your last chance."
He walked behind her and forcefully grabbed her hair, making her look up at him.
"Well?" he questioned, sounding a bit bored.
The woman said nothing. She stared back at him with the most hateful eyes. The man shook his head and sighed.
"I tired to save you. Goodnight, love." he whispered.
With icy indifference, he placed the blade on the left side of her neck and deftly slit her throat. Her body landed with a sickthump on the other body.
"Mommy?"
She shot upright in her bed. Her dark brown locks clinging to her soaked face. Her breath was heavy and short. It had happened again. After almost a month of peaceful sleeping, it came back. Had she screamed? She didn't know. She gripped the bed sheets as she fought back tears. No way I' m letting this rule my life. Or….. Am I too late? Breathing slowly, she regained control of her emotions. She stole a quick glance at her night stand clock. 5:09am.
"Damnit! Might as well get ready for school"
She pushed back her plush purple confuter and climbed out of bed. She trudged to her bathroom and flipped on the light. She examined herself in the mirror. Looking over her features, she became disappointed with her appearance. Her normally clear brown eyes now red and puffy from the lack of sleep. Her straight brown hair now tangled and stringy.
"And I've gained weight." she murmured, looking at her backside. In the midst of her examination, she noticed the tiny golden locket that stayed around her neck had been twisted to the back. She pulled it around to the front and held the amulet in her hand. She let out an worn sigh. Daring herself not to open it, she reached over and turned on the shower.
"This will be a long day"
"Hato! Hey Hato! Wait up!" screamed the girl running to catch up with her.
Hato stopped in the middle of the street to give Pyra, the girl chasing her, time to catch up. Hato took a minute to examine her friend. Total opposites, Pyra had short black hair that suited her well and playful brown eyes that could cheer up even the most depressed person on the world. Unfortunately that was Hato. Pyra was in better shape than Hato so it took no time for her catch up.
"Hey…you know… to wait for me!" Pyra chastised breathlessly to Hato. Pyra, being a bit shorter than Hato laid her head down on her friends' shoulder. Hato stood still, allowing her friend time to catch her breath. About a minute later Pyra stood upright and took a deep breath. Here it comes. Hato cringed.
"You know you were supposed to wait on me, didn't you? Didn't you? But you didn't. Did you? No. You just had to keep walking, didn't you? Yep. Just had to. Walk, walk, walk. Your avoiding me, aren't you? Did you have another dream?"
There is was. When something was bothering Hato, Pyra automatically pulled out the "Dream" card. Hato instantly became annoyed and it must have showed because Pyra lowered her head.
"I'm sorry. It's just that you're so distant today and I thought it was because of..."
"Don't apologize. You're right. I did have that dream last night. No need for apologies if you're right."
Pyra looked up at her friend with sympathetic eyes. No one should go through what she went through. This reoccurring nightmare about unspeakable horrors no child should see, being passed from foster home to foster home, and not to even mention…
Hato glanced over at her friend and noticed she was deep in thought. About me I bet. Well forget it, Pyra. You can't save me. No one can. Tears blurred her vision. That's the last thing she wanted. Hato never let her emotions get control of her. That was a taboo to her. She quickly blinked them away and never gave them a second thought.
A few minutes later the two girls arrived at Hato's house. Hato hesitated. What if he was here? She didn't want Pyra coming in. That would kill her. Hato was about to bid a farewell to Pyra when the door was flung open. There he stood, shirtless in blue jeans, with a bottle of Jack Daniels gripped in his left hand. Hatos' heart skipped at the very sight of him. He stood there 6' 3" his shaggy blond hair covering his face save his steel gray eyes, the one thing she wished his hair would cover. Those cold, uncaring eyes, stroke fear into her heart and shook her verysoul. And here he was already drunk and ready to abuse her.
"Where the hell have you been?" his speech slightly slurred.
Hato flushed. No, not this. I've had a bad night. Please, let me rest.
"I went to school, remember? I-I told you this morning"
He took a swig of his drink and took a step toward Hato. She cringed and started to run but stayed put. She knew the punishment for disobeying him. She just closed her eyes. Please, not out here. Not in front of Pyra. He stood in front of her and pulled her close to him. Hato and Pyra both flushed and remained still.
"School isn't a place for whores. You belong to me, got it"
Hato squirmed. Let me go. Let me go. Let me go. Tears threatened to fall as he played in her hair. Pyra shifted uncomfortably and blushed. Why was he doing this? In public? This was sick, even for him. And know, here he was, verbally abusing Hato in front of someone that could report him. But I know why he's doing it. He's knows we're afraid.
"I miss you, you know that right? I've been lonely all day and I need you now. Get in the house. You know the drill." he said, shoving her towards the door.
"I h-h-have homework, Taro. I can't today."
"I said no more school. That means no homework. Which means," he yanked her hair back roughly, "We have a lot of play time."
Not fighting them any more, Hato allowed the tears to fall freely. She hated him. Everyday it was like this, but can I stop it?
"I-I-I can't p-play. I have a test in P-psychology. I g-g-g-gotta study."
Pyra looked up and over to Hato in disbelief. Did she just…stand up to him? Oh no…Taro's face frowned and he gripped Hato's hair tighter, making her squeal and reel backwards.
"What the fuck did you say to me, bitch?" he growled.
"Let me go! You're hurting me!"
"No, you the rules! Get in the fucking house NOW!"
"No! LET ME GO!"
With all her strength Hato pulled away from him and slapped him across his face. Pyra gasped and Hato stood frozen in place with her hand still out stretched. Taro stumbled backwards and caught the door frame to steady himself. He looked utterly shocked at first and then it mutated into pure fury. He lunged forward and his fist caught Hato on the right side of her face. She fell down and he stumbled past her. Pyra grabbed Hato's arm and helped her up, blood already pouring from her nose.
"Come on Hato! Run!" Pyra screamed, pulling her friend behind her.
"That's right, run you little bitch! The only thing you'll ever be good for is sucking my dick!" he yelled after them, throwing the half empty bottle behind them.
"I can't believe you hit him, Hato."
"But I can believe he hit me back"
Pyra held out a wet cloth for Hato to wipe her nose with. The blood had dried and caked up around her nose and upper lip. Hato was sure her nose was broken. Blood was all over her shirt and hands and know she had no where to live. She felt like crying, like hiding away forever, ending it all. She took the cloth from Pyra and began to clean herself up. Pyra walked over to the window sill and sat down. She loved looking out at the stars.They always cleared her mind and put her at ease about everything. How can I help Hato? She gasped and called Hato over to the window. Crawling, Hato made it over to her friend and sat down next to Pyra. Pyra pointed out into the sky and Hato spotted a shooting star. It was the first time Hato had seen one and she had to admit, it was beautiful.
"My mom says that shooting stars are lucky and that when you wish one, you'll become lucky, too." Pyra said softly, still staring out the window. "Make your wish, Hato. Become lucky."
Hato smiled and closed her eyes. I want adventure. I want answers to my questions. I want to fly. I want... a new life. As Hato opened her eyes, Pyra gasped.
"Hato. Look!"
More and more stars began to fall. Pyra looked at Hato and Hato shrugged. Pyra grinned wide and Hato began to pretest but Pyra had her up and outside the door. Pyra fling open the front door and drug Hato outside. Even more stars were falling now but…
"Pyra…?" was all Hato could get out before they were showered in golden light. Pyra sqeaked and covered her head. Hato held out her hand to touch one. It fell right through her hand and drifted to the ground. Hato looked over to Pyra who was already staring at Hato's hand.
"Did it?
"Go through my hand? Yea, Pyra. I think we need to run. Like right now."
Hato reached out and grabbed Pyra's hand who gladly obliged and started for the house but they could no longer see it. The stars were falling so quickly now that the golden rain was competently blocking their view of everything.
"Pyra," Hato said panicking, "I can't see the house!"
"Me either!"
The two girls hurled together and squatted down close to the ground. The stars were covering them now. All they could see was the bright golden light.
Pyra was the first to awaken. She laid still with her eyes closed and listened to the sounds around her. Bird gawks filled the air as did the calming sound of water lapping at a shore. It was warm and a nice breeze floated around her. The smell of ocean water and peacefulness filled the air. Pyra panicked and sat up. She slowly opened her eyes and gasped. She was sitting on the shore of what looked like a beach. She looked down and grabbed a handful of the white sand and let it fall through her fingers. Her eyes darted around and spotted Hato laying a few feet away from her, unconscious.
"Hato?" Pyra's voice cracked. She crawled over to her friend and looked down at her motionless body. Fearing the worse, Pyra began to shake Hato fiercely.
"Hato? Hato! Wake up!" Pyra cried.
Hato stirred and stared up at her friend, dazed and confused. Pyra let out a sigh of relief and pulled a disoriented Hato to her feet. Looking around, Hato looked around and then to Pyra.
"W-where are we?"
Pyra shrugged. There really was no answer. They looked around and around but nothing seemed familiar. Coconut trees, really big trees, huts, and seagulls, but nothing was the same. Just then, one of the hut doors opened and out walked a red-headed girl with soft blue eyes. She stretched and turnedin Pyra's directionand squealed happily. Hato jumped and turned to face the girl who just scared her beyond all belief. She ran over to them and flashed them a big warm smile.
"Hiya! Welcome to Destiny's Island! I'm Kairi! What's your name? Are you guys new? Oh My God! This is GREAT!"
Hato and Pyra just stared blankly at her.
"Hato, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore…"