Melody

The room was dimly lit by the two candles sitting in the center. I stared at the flickering flame as I pondered my next movements. Slowly, I pulled my right hand beside the flame, and let it hover slowly through it. It burned, but not enough to make me retreat.

"Melody, are you ready for dinner?" hearing my mother's voice, I retreated my hand quickly.

"I'm not hungry." I said flatly as I stared into the flame once more.

"Melody, you need to eat, you are worrying Jaime and me." She said scolding me. I shrugged and turned to look at her. Her vivid, emerald green eyes danced in the light of the swaying flame. Her full lips, now scarred, smiled tenderly at me. Her white skin seemed a faded orange from the dimness of the room.

I took the plate she handed, and she sat down across from me. My brother, Jaime, ran to us, smiling. He let himself fall at my side as he reached for a loaf of bread on my plate.

"Jaime! Come have some of my food, don't take your sister's."

I stood slowly, handing him the plate "It's okay, mom, I did tell you I wasn't hungry."

Jaime took the plate, but didn't eat anymore. I could feel his questioning gaze.

"Melody, you need to eat now that we do have food. We don't have meals like this every day." She said with a bit of concern in her voice.

I shook my head at her."No, it's really alright. I'll go get more."

My mother grabbed me before I jumped through the small opening in the wall.

"Melody, don't go. I know what I told you earlier was a lot to handle, but you need to calm down." She whispered strictly to me.

"Mom, I'm sorry, I just need to get some fresh air." I said to her, trying to sound composed.

"Just be careful, sweetie." She touched my shoulder, and went back inside.

I didn't pay much attention to the rubble at my feet, or the smoke in the air. I usually tried to ignore it. It hurt to see how many buildings and cars where turned into rubble, making up what was left of West City. The night was cold, and I rubbed my hands together as I walked mindlessly to the remains of a grocery store across the town.

I usually did this during the day, but I needed to get out of the house. I normally was very observant of everything around me when I was out of the house, but tonight, I let my mind wonder. I breathed in the cold damp air is I looked up at the starry sky. I didn't care anymore. There was no use. They wouldn't stop until we were all dead. I don't know why they would want this, but I knew they smiled at death as they watched the pain consume us, drive us mad with hurt. I knew they would get me someday, but I didn't care, not at this moment.

I walked thoughtlessly into the night.

Trunks

The time machine hummed softly. It was dark, and damp, and very cold. I shivered as I opened the glass, letting myself out. It had been a safe journey.

I had defeated Frieza and his father, and I had given Goku the Antidote. Needless to say, my mission had been completed….for now.

I sat down on what remained of an old park bench. I looked up at the sky, and focused my mind on what would come in THIS future. I thought of the androids, and if I could really defeat them. After a few minutes, it hit me. I felt it, it was intense, more intense than any power I had sensed in a long time. I turned around, not knowing what to expect.

"Oh my God." I said breathlessly to myself. I quickly lowered my ki, and ducked behind the old bench. It was a girl; a really pretty girl from what I could make out in the dark. She had long dark hair the hung just below her waist; and the rays of the moon accentuated her figure. I quickly pulled my lavender hair from my face. I hadn't seen many people since the androids attacked, let alone an attractive female. She looked up into the sky as she walked carelessly past the front of the park gate. Her ki was way too strong to be completely human. Maybe she was a Sayian? No, they all died when the planet exploded. She knew I was here. How could she? No human could know that. Maybe she was a descendant from Goku. But Goku only had Gohan, and he died four years ago. Maybe she was related to my father, but my mother would have said something. I don't know, but I was completely sure she wasn't fully human. She couldn't be.

Melody

I walked carelessly past the front of the park gate. I looked, but suddenly, I froze. Someone was there, and whoever it was, didn't want me to know they were there. I listened, but it was silent. Freaking out, I ran full speed to the rubble of the grocery, and I didn't stop until I was behind a fallen shelf of canned foods.

Trunks

I saw her run into the old super market. I decided this was my chance to escape. I put the time machine in it's capsle, and flew home, with as little use of my ki could take me there.

I entered the living room, where I saw my mother working on what I believe was a car engine.

"Stupid contraption…" she muttered to herself, as I entered the room.

"If you call it stupid, it'll just get mad, and not listen to you at all." I said quietly. My mother turned around quickly, and sprinted to me.

"Trunks! Thank God you are alright!" she said as she embraced me. Her turquoise hair filled my vision.

"I missed you, mom." I hugged her back tightly.

"Did you find Goku?" her deep blue eyes looked at mine.

"Yah. He seems like a true fighter. I'm glad I had the honor of meeting him."

"And you gave him the antidote…." She looked curiously at me.

"Yes, mom; and I also met dad…." I trailed off.

"Well, you can't expect much from him." She said flatly.

"Well, you were right about the arrogant and proud part. He seems really…tense." I tried choosing my words carefully.

"He was. Oh, that man…" She looked off into the distance.

I changed the subject. "I also told Goku about the androids, and I plan on returning to help them fight them."

"Yes, that is perfect Trunks. If we can't change our timeline, we should at least attempt to save theirs."

"Mom, I will defeat Androids 17 and 18. I will, even if it's the last thing I do." I said coldly.

She looked at me with caring eyes.

"You silly goose, I know you will. I'm sure Gohan is with you, protecting you." She smiled and stood up stiffly. She reached for the towel, and wiped her hands. "You have to; I would re-kill you, if you got killed."

I chuckled lightly for a moment, and I remembered how happy I could be.

Melody

After my trip, I walked home quietly, a bit more aware of my surroundings than I was earlier. It was foggy, and slightly drizzling. I kept a firm hold on the preserved foods I held. I heard a male chuckle behind me. It was him, the cause of all my problems and fears. It was HIM.