Left Behind: Chapter 1
Episode 28: It's All In the Cards
The news of another Chosen Child was such a shock to us. None of us had thought about the possibility of other kids like us before, since we had been so alone here. I, especially, began to ponder the thought that we weren't all that special. I didn't have time to linger on that, though, as we all started off towards the flashing searchlight. We wandered into the Old Man's home and he explained a lot of things that still didn't make any sense nor matter to me... until he pointed out Hikarigoaka on a map.
I had lived there once, when my family was still together. I had this weird mix of hatred and love for the place and when I said the name aloud it sounded strange to me. Taichi just thought I was surprised to recognize that that was where Vamdemon was, but no. That was fear leaping out of my throat. So many things I didn't want to well up inside me, things I had put behind me.
"Show us how to open the gate, already!" Taichi demanded, anxious to get the ball rolling. We all followed Gennai into a room. I found Jyou standing closer to me each time we moved from one place to another. I wasn't annoyed, really, just worried someone might notice.
Taichi and Takeru were the only ones that had been there during the whole event at the diner, but only the Digimon, to an extent, and Jyou and I really knew what had transpired there and we hadn't really the chance to talk about it since. We had to split up and I couldn't leave Takeru again. Honestly, by that point I was fucking sick of Jyou's face, even though I was beginning to realize that friendship wasn't the only emotion unlocked inside of me that afternoon. Standing next to him now, I could hear the faint memories of his whispers in my ear, telling me everything was okay. He knew my darkest secret now and that scared me. Was I sweating because I feared he would tell at the next opportunistic moment or because I just felt his hand brush against mine?
Later, when we finally got a chance to sleep, I was happy to have Takeru next to me. Jyou slept across the room. Niether of us really was sure about our feelings right now and I was still trying to fill the hole left in me from all those months without my little brother around. He gave me purpose. I just didn't realize how much until much later.
Needless to say, I slept soundly, but I could tell by Jyou's exhausted look the next morning that he hadn't slept much at all. He was probably worrying about the outcome of the cards. I didn't really care. For all I cared, I never made it back home. My brother and I could stay here, together, forever, not living a life of fear. Loneliness.
Not soon after, we raided Vamdemon's fortress. I would soon be entering my future tomb, of sorts. We had all gathered and talked for a long while about how to affix the cards. "Weak, average, strong one?" I wondered aloud.
"Even if we decide, we can't be sure," Jyou reminded everyone. He was good at that- reminding us of the reality of things. I hated that.
"Yeah, but..." I started. He glanced over at me. I glanced back at him. No one else seemed to notice.
"The castle... The castle is falling down!" Patamon cried behind us.
"Then, there's no way out," someone said.
"Taichi," Jyou stated. The goggle-head stared blankly back. "I think you should decide."
"Eh? Why me?" he retorted, crossing his arms.
Really, Taichi? I thought.
"I trust you," Jyou explained.
"Yeah, me too," I said. "We need a leader. Without you, we fell apart!"
"But... well," Taichi wanted to weasel out of it on the surface, but we all reminded him that we were a team and all supported his decision. His courage truly showed as he put his faith in us. We figured out more of the puzzle as the rumbling became more frequent and eventually, Taichi still weaseled out of it by putting Koushiro in charge. It was a smart move, though. I couldn't say I wouldn't want the most knowledgable one making this kind of decision. Koushiro deducted where all the cards fit, save Agumon and Gomamon.
Sometimes, looking back, I wondered what would happen if we had chosen that Agumon card. What if the world we entered wasn't bad? Why did everyone have to be so negative? I mean, they all had such great things to go back to, but me... Anything would be better than going home. Well, that's what I thought at the time.
Then, a rumbling different from before. We all turned: a huge monster- Vamdemon's guardian: Dokugumon. As Taichi struggled, we all fought. I watched as that twisted spider put Garurumon, Togemon, and Ikkakumon in slings. Mine was the only Digimon capable of moving further: "Garurumon!"
He quickly evolved and began to take down the evil monster. I turned back to Taichi, "There's no time, hurry up and decide!" I demanded.
Then, Taichi finally listened to me and the gate began to open. Everyone was already halfway through when I turned back to WereGarurumon. He was still struggling with the giant arachnid. "We have to go, too!" I cried. I could see Mimi's silhoutte. I didn't see Jyou. He had probably been one of the first to go. I made sure Takeru was and I figured that Jyou was protecting him. Jyou had faith in me that I would catch up. They all did.
"I'm taking you all to Hell with me!" the Digimon cried. WereGarurumon destroyed him before he could utter another word, but when we turned back... the door was closed.
