I keep my feet under me as he leads me down the hall towards my living quarters. Tired and weary I struggle to keep up with his pace while holding my head high. The only sign to those waiting at the end of the hall is our echoing footsteps. The hall is round and white, leaving no corners or shadows for someone to hide behind. My left knee buckles and I start to drop but my hands don't even get a chance to feel the floor as a hand grabs my elbow and lifts me back up. Back on my feet I jerk my arm away from him and back up towards the wall.
"Don't touch me." I no longer try to put anger into my voice whenever I address him. Every emotion I should have is gone, buried with my family. I just stare at him with dry eyes.
"You still continue to treat me with such hostility. After everything I have done for you." He closes his eyes in a sigh but cracks them open to gaze at me.
"You expect anything else in return for all that you have done for me." Pushing a strand of hair out of my face I continue the walk down the hall. I keep my senses behind me however as I monitor his movements.
"Was that sarcasm?"
"I don't know Aizen you tell me." The words drop out of my mouth as I pause in front of the only door in the entire corridor. "After all, that is what you have been doing these past nine years." Not waiting watch him react I open the door. Once in I close it just as fast as I had opened it.
"Mother!"
"Mom!"
I drop to my knees and embrace the two angels that are my tethers to this life. I feel their tears on my neck. Yet they too will be gone in a short while.