A Name

Norman, Kavoc's bartender, was startled to hear the noise outside. He didn't know of any drunks who'd left the bar, it was too early for that. Yet, there was the sound of a trashcan hitting the ground outside as if someone had knocked into it when they fell down. It was best to go out and investigate.

After donning a raincoat and grabbing a lantern, Norman left his tavern and took a peek outside. At first, he saw nothing. But before he chalked it up to being just a cat or dog running around, he found blood spattered against his wall. And, right below the blood, was the injured girl. She was out cold and breathing heavily. Luckily, her wings had vanished so Norman could not see them.

"Poor girl," he said, "Must have been attacked by a monster on the way into town. Can't just leave her like this though." With that, he picked her up in his arms and began heading towards the house above the bar. It was a small place he'd rented to Galgazits when they came through town, but right now it was the only shelter for the poor, wounded child from this terrible storm.

S...S

-Lita…Awaken! You must…protect the Ruby Prism…- a woman's voice called to her.

The girl replied, "Lita…Is that my name? And is this strange gem I have with me what you call the Ruby Prism?" She grasped the stone in between her hands and held it up for the voice to see more clearly. Suddenly, the jewel began to glow a bright red, almost blinding the teenager who held it.

There was silence until the light cleared. -That is…my gift to you. Protect it…it is your life.-

"What do you mean?" she called back, "My life, how can a gem be my life? Just where in the world do I come from anyway? Who am I?" The girl ran forward as if to search for the source of the voice. However, all that she could see was a black void that stretched out around her in all directions.

-You are Lita…my….- the voice began to tell her. But just then, the dream began to fade. White hot light washed over the girl as the void began to take shape. However, just before she woke from her sleep, she saw the serene face of a woman dressed in ornate robes. The figure had just enough time to smile at her, a smile of both happiness and sorrow, before the girl felt herself begin to wake up.

S...S

When the girl came to, the first thing she saw was Norman putting his cool hand against her forehead. He stated, "Well, at least your fever is down now. I'd just not move too quickly for some time or else you might aggravate the wounds I bandaged up. Now then, how in the world did you get into such a horrible predicament? Where did you come from anyway, young one?" His face shined with a fatherly concern, a concern for those who needed help. He would do her no harm while in his care.

She thought a little while before answering; things were still not so clear for her at this time. "I…came here because it was the first town I saw. There was…a monster on the road and I was injured when it got the drop on me. The rest of it, I don't really want to talk about at this time." That, she believed, was the best answer to give. It gave him all the information he needed at this time, while still kept the secret of her problems. This was not the person to tell them to; the girl didn't believe anybody needed to know that she was an amnesiac who woke up in some sort of strange atelier and had grown wings to protect herself from falling off a cliff. Just the knowledge of what happened gave her cause to fear.

"I see," Norman replied, "Then I won't pry. But what's your name? I need to call you something."

She paused for a moment again. After all, it still confused her as to who exactly she was. But the vision, that woman, seemed to refer to her by a name. It was as good as anything else at the moment. "You can call me Lita then. Hey, do you have anything to eat? I'm starving," she inquired. After all, "Lita" didn't know when she'd eaten last. It could have been long before she'd woken up in that building.

Norman smiled and told her, "I run a restaurant and bar downstairs. You're still injured and I wouldn't want you to move, but I'll bring something up for you in a little bit. After all you've been through; you deserve a nice, hot meal and something cold to drink. See you in a little while, Lita." Then, he left.

S...S

It wasn't long before Norman returned with an order of Buffalo Wings and some Lando Juice. Lita was salivating just looking at the meal. Not only did she get food in her empty belly, but something told her that both the meal and the drink were favorites from long ago. The bartender set a small bed table upon her lap, and lay the dish on top of it. "Here you go Lita. I'll come back to check on you later; the lunch rush is about to start and I need to get back to the bar. But please, enjoy the meal."

"I will, sir," Lita replied, "And thank you for all you've done for me so far. You saved my life."

"You can call me Norman. Please, don't think anything of it. I was just doing what any decent person would do for someone in your situation. Now eat your meal and get some rest," he told her.

Lita said, "Well, no matter what the circumstances, the fact of the matter is you still saved my life. And for that, I thank you. Take care of yourself out there, Mr. Norman." The bartender smiled at her words and left to take care of his patrons. In the meantime, Lita began eating her meal, feeling a lot better with every bite of food that went into her belly. Afterwards, she lay down and went to sleep again.

S...S

The woman was crying, that much was certain. She was the only person Lita could see in the void besides herself. Her hair was as black as the air around them, her eyes as blue as her tears. The clothes she wore consisted of a purple robe with a white and blue piece over it, and a white and purple hat. At her side was a beautifully decorated cane, used for magic, and in her hands was a charm.

Looking up, she wiped away a tear and stared Lita right in the eyes. -You should not be here. This is a place for those that have passed on. Your place is back with the living. Things are as you found them because it is for the best. Let free your heart and don't live in a past you cannot remember.-

"I want to know what you know," Lita begged, "Why do you call out to me? Who am I exactly?"

-The time is not yet for those answers. Just remember…never lose the Ruby Prism. It is important that you keep it with you at all times. Without that gem, you will…- she began. But before Lita could hear why she needed to protect the jewel, the woman began to fade away. Once more, Lita was left all alone. She sunk to her knees and began to cry. This feeling, it was the worst thing in the world.

She whispered, through her sobs, "Why can't you tell me who I really am…?"

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words...

Drama in the form of dreams…my specialty. Lita's got to go through a lot of pain before things get better. After all, she told Veola she was afraid of being hurt again so I have to write about how her visions bring out more of her loneliness. Anyway, next chapter should see Lita getting better and heading more towards her target job.