Stone Hearts
He shrieked in terror as the ground split beneath him. The clown stood over him laughing. This is the end! Everything goes black, his whole body hurts but then strong arms tenderly held him close. The strangers heartbeat matches his own. He has never felt so secure. I swear I'll never let anything come between us again. He tries in vain to see the face before him, but all he can make out is a concerned pair of blue eyes. He awoke with a jerk, his eyes flying across their new apartment. In the distance the wail of sirens announced more trouble in the town of Odabia. He sighed. It had only been a dream. He shifted, trying to find a semi-comfortable spot on the sagging sofa bed. Trying to ignore the sounds in the streets below, he losed his eyes and tried to bring back the feelings of security and warmth the dream had brought him. If only it were real.
******
meanwhile, in another building in Odabia
*********
The desert streched out infiniately in all directions, the sun merciless upon him. He had to keep walking, trying to ignore the waves of dizziness. He collapses, the hot sand rough on his pale skin. Everything goes black. Concerned brown eyes smiled down at him.
Drink up.
The stranger lifts a canister, and helps him to drink. Plain water had never tasted so good.
I've been saving it. I knew that you were going to need it.
Matt closes his eyes and smiles. Thank you.
You're going to be allright. The stranger promises, cradling him in his arms protectively. Matt smiles up at the stranger. How long has it been since he felt this safe?
*****
15 year old Taichi Yagami impatiently ran his fingers through his wild hair.
Hurry up Kari, or I'll leave without you! He threatens his 11 year old sister.
She runs down the hall, shutting their apartment door behind them.
Sorry Tai.
We don't want to be late, do we? Tai teases his little sister. He was the one usually late for everthing. But whether it was nerves, or that strange dream, Tai had been up since 4 am.
She looked up at him nervously. We'll be okay, won't we?
Tai smiled kindly down at his little sister, and took her hand. Sure we will Kari. This school will be the start of our new lives. Its going to be great. Although inside he is scared to death, Tai puts on a completely carefree attitude about all the changes that they have undergone the past few months. A look of disgust passes over his normally handsome face as he guides his sister past a crack addict passed out on the sidewalk. I know one thing, I'm not ever letting Kari walk to or from school by herself.
See Kari, our schools are right next to each other! Tai offered encouraingly. Kari clung onto his hand tighter. Tai sighs, then kneels down, and directs Kari's attention to a bench at the edge of the schoolyard.
I'll wait for you over by the bench, and then we'll go home together, okay Kari?
She smiles at him. You mean, I'll wait for you. Kari walks through the doors of her new school, only looking back once.
He continued to watch Kari, and began walking backwards. It wasn't exactly the smartest thing to do. He collides with somebody. They collapse on the sidewalk, their notebooks flying across the yard. Tai got to his feet. The person he collided with glared up at him, a navy blue shirt peeked out from the leather jacket he was wearing. The boy was about his age, although he was slighter taller than Taichi. His spikey hair was the color of 14 karot gold, except for the tips which were dyed ink black, like his jeans. The blonde glared at him menaicingly.
Watch where you're going idiot! The boy growled.
Tai reached down to help the boy up. I'm really sorry. He flashes the blond an apolegetic smile. Are you okay?
Tai's apoligy is met with a refusual, and an icey stare. I'm fine.
Another shrill voice breaks into their conversation.
What did you do to him Jerk face? A redheaded girl yelled. She was dressed in black, a blue bandana held her hair back.
It was an accident Sora! The blondes says forcefully. He picks up his blue notebook, and stalks off, the redhead at his side.
Tai sighs, and picks up his notebook. I hope at least Kari's having a better first day.
Wow, I thought for sure that you were done for. A tall boy with glasses comments, falling into step by Taichi.
It was an accident. Tai explains weakly, glad for a friendly face finally.
I'm sure it was, but that is one guy you shouldn't mess with. Yamato Ishida is one bad apple. The boy stuck out his hand. I'm Jyou Kido.
Taichi Kamiya, but my friends call me Tai.
You must be new here?
Tai nods. My mother changed jobs. He doesn't bother to eleberate.
Jyous glasses gleam in the artifical light of Odabia High P. S. 51. I can show you around if you want? He makes the offer hesitantly.
That would be great! Tai grins at him. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.
******
Yamato sprawls into his seat, waiting for the bell to ring. Homeroom was a complete waste of time as far as he was concerned. Matt flips through his notebook.
What the? He stares amazed at the strange bold writing flilling everypage. He yells, and then notices that everyone in his home room is staring at him.
The teacher glares at him, but he glares back. Nobody intimidates Yamato Ishida.
What were you saying Mr. Ishida?
Matt squares back his shoulders. I said you look like shit.
The class gasps in unison.
GO TO THE OFFICE! Mr. Friendlich bellows, pointing to the door.
Matt saunters out the door, to collect another detention. Not that it mattered. Nobody cared.
Tai glanced aprhensively around the lunch room. Jyou waved at him from a corner table. Tai grinned and joined his new friend. A girl in a pink sundress, and a short kid with red hair were introuced to Tai as Mimi and Izzy. They chatted and laughed. Tai felt the aprhensision and the strange feeling from his run in with Yamato Ishida disapear. This guys were like his old friends.
Izzy turns white.
Izzy, whats wrong? Tai asks concerned.
We're in trouble. Yamato's heading this way.
Matt glowers at the group, and then addresses Tai. We need to talk. ALONE.