Author Notes: The name Ghar is pronounced like the first syllable in the name Gary.

Chapter 2

Pain & Recollection

"So then, this guy is just asking for it. I mean, he thinks he knows everything and that he can just push me around, or anyone for that matter… so I tell him to shut up, and he doesn't like that, but then again who would, because it's just one of those things that people really seem to get cheesed over and it's just—Rend, you are listening, right?"

"Yes, Ghar, I'm listening," Came the mundane response.

Ghar, Rend's messy brown-haired friend, then continued to run his mouth. A rather apathetic look across his face, Rend just slouched back in the chair, an uncommon luxury when the hospital was as crowded as it was. Rend and Ghar had left work early to get the important new vaccine that was needed for the Z-Virus, and they were waiting for their names to be called.

As his friend continued to ramble, Rend lifted his hand to push his shades up so they wouldn't fall from his face. As he did this, he took note of the Bioframe that was on his arms in gauntlet form. Similar technological plating was found on his shins and chest, a belt wrapped around his waist, and a band that curved around his head, stopping short at the eyes. Thanks to this, humanity lived on.

A nurse called for his friend, so Ghar was pulled into the back to chew another person's ear off for the time being. Rend grimaced; admittedly, he preferred the incessant chatter of his friend to the white noise of a crowd's colliding babble-fest. He let his hand slip down over the energy dagger sheathed on his belt. He gripped it firmly, as if he was trying to seize something more than the dagger itself. Slowly, his head drifted back and he tried to relax…

He failed, however, because within seconds he heard his name float across the room from another nurse.

The nurse greeted him cordially and began to lead him through the weaving halls of the hospital. Finally she took him into an empty room where she requested he take a seat.

"I have your vaccine ready." She stated, a smile on her face. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah, of course." Rend didn't even bother to look at her when he talked.

"My, you certainly aren't the social type, are you?" Apparently unhindered by his cold mannerisms, she pulled out her syringe and carefully placed it on Rend's arm. The white-haired male barely even twitched. "There. All done!"

At least she wasn't giving flak back to him. Deciding not to be completely void of common courtesy, Rend turned his head and nodded. "Thank you. May I leave?"

"Oh yes, please do. I have so many other people to get to today. I already feel so tired."

"Good day then." Barely acknowledging anything past her first two words, he rose and exited as blankly as he had entered.

"Really, I think it's just a notion most people have. I mean, why on earth would people do something like that? I've thought hard enough about it, and after much consideration, what possesses people to put their necks out like that and just totally and utterly—"

"Ghar."

Rend and his friend were now walking down the hall of their apartment complex. It was located near the southeast corner of Topias, the moderately energetic city in which both resided.

Ghar caught the typical raised eyebrow. "You know you talk way too much sometimes, right? It's gets to be too much when all you talk about is your misguided opinions."

"Well fine. Just ignore me. See if I ever speak to you again."

"You will. Why you bother saying something so stupid is beyond me. Then again, this kind of speech is customary for you."

Ghar was accustomed to his friend's blunt honesty, so he just rolled it off himself just like every other time. "Well, whatever." The two stopped in front of a door marked with the number 0217. "See you tomorrow?"

"We ride the same means of transportation and work in the same complex. That, and you cling to me like a sweat-soaked overcoat. What do you think?"

"You never have a lack of poignant words to say, do you?" Chuckling to himself, he cast a glance over at the door across the hall. "Hey, you think the codger went for a vaccine?"

"How should I know? He locks himself in his room twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. He could wear a circus performer's outfit all year round and I wouldn't know it... nor would I really care."

"Hey, I put up with your trash, but others may not appreciate your taste of speech so much, yeah?" Ghar, without hesitation, patted Rend on his right shoulder, brushing his shoulder-length hair slightly. Then, trying to make a cool-guy exit, threw up the collar on his bright white coat and spun around. "Later dude."

And yet in all this Rend's expression remained nearly unchanged, save a short sigh and a slight shift of the eyes upwards. Already with the key in the door, he quickly stepped into his apartment. Closing the door behind him, he saw the door across the hall one more time.

Truth was, he'd heard things about the guy. There had been a massive conflict a decade ago, known by most simply as the "Insurrection". There had been a massive surge of Mavericks that had threatened the stability of man and reploid society. That was pretty much the basic gist of what he knew.

Then, through the gossiping tongues of his coworkers and the general public, he'd heard this guy next door was an unparalleled war veteran. He'd been through countless tight spots and had escaped with most of his skin in tact every time. But ever since the conflict ended, he'd retreated into solitude. No one was exactly sure why.

But it didn't matter much to Rend. He really could care less. He didn't care too much about much of anything these days. The only person who could be considered anything of a friend to him would be Ghar. Ghar was nothing more than a cocky loud-mouth, yet somehow Rend found himself able to tolerate him. His frequent conversations about nothing were actually what helped Rend stay sane. It was simply the fact that someone was giving him the time of day. He wasn't a people person, but he was not interested in being a hermit either. He just hadn't gotten too close to anyone since…

Shaking his head as if to loose some painful memory from his thoughts. Hanging his long, dark-violet coat in the closet, he walked over to the window. The neon signs of Topias created the familiar spectrum of colors that reflected the prosperity at which the city operated. Down below, it was clearly noticeable that many were far from done with their nights. Whether they were off to some high-end restaurant or just seeing what would come their way, life seemed good. The neon bounced off the dark blue and gray colors of the myriad buildings, creating a vibrant blaze that seemed to fuel the energy of those below.

Rend had no taste for the nightlife, however. He slipped the curtains over his second story window, partially blotting out the radiance coming from without. He took a seat on his bed and took a deep, tense breath. Again, he found his hand grasping the dagger at his side. His gaze shifted to the small table at the bed's side, where a framed picture sat neatly in place. In it, there was a small boy, with the hand of a teenage girl resting on his frame… a picture of him and his older sister.

Never in his life had he known someone so dedicated as her. Not just in her duties as a military apprentice, for that was her position, but as a family member. She had participated in the "Insurrection", and had fought tooth and nail for that which she considered important to her. For one so young, her superiors were impressed. She was not invincible, however; in one of the final bouts of the ordeal, she sustained an incredibly severe injury. Fortunately, after four months of exhaustive care, she was released, even if not in the best of shape. Nonetheless, she was alive.

Given the circumstances, she took her leave of the military to focus on rearing Rend. Both of their parents had died shortly after Rend had been born, and she had taken it upon herself to give him the best she could. She kept the apartment in top condition, helped him with his schooling, and even taught him some basic combat skills; the dagger had been a gift from her following the hospital visit. Rend had valued so deeply the bond the two had shared. She poured herself fully into giving him a passionate upbringing.

But then an unknown complication arose pertaining to her war injury. After a long, struggle-filled fight, it claimed her life… leaving Rend alone.

That was four years ago. He was now eighteen and taking care of himself. Supplying the means of life was not an issue. Yet, it was of little consolation. He'd lost the one most precious to him on this earth, the one who understood him most.

Was he really that much different from those around him? Was he so different that he found himself lacking in the desire for a social life? True, he could work harder at associating with people. But ultimately, his personality was one of dogged devotion to that which he held dear. Despite his frigid exterior, he would take to such a duty with all his being.

But what was left in his life that held such precious value to him? He wasn't finding it in other people, even Ghar, and those that encountered him certainly didn't view him as an ideal acquaintance. And so he was trapped in a perpetual cycle of misunderstanding and, though sealed deep within himself, unsettling confusion.

Kicking off his heavy brown shoes and pulling off his black fingerless gloves, he laid back on his bed. As he stared at the nothingness of the ceiling, he wondered at everything and nothing. So what now? Obviously the past was behind; history had been written. So what of tomorrow? Could possibly one more sunrise be all that was needed to expose what he'd been looking for? Although clouded with doubt, time marched him forward anyway.