Amaya

After - what seemed like hours - of wading quickly through dense woodland, they saw an opening in the trees ahead. On the ground a few yards away, curled up, was what appeared to be a little girl, the human equivalent of a five or six year old. Long blond hair fell over what was otherwise a naked body. A growl emitted from their left. There, upon a rock, was a large black panther. The animal was glaring at the child with an unmistakably predatory look in her eyes. With a steady hand, Chakotay aimed his phaser at the animal and fired. Instantly, the panther fell to the ground unconscious.

Kathryn then hurried over to the little girl. Tears stained her cheeks and her snow white body was painfully thin and covered in bruises.

"Janeway to transporter room one, three to beam directly to sick bay," with that they were gone.


"Multiple fractures and bruises and malnutrition."

"Is she going to be alright?" Kathryn asked.

"Yes, but there's one more thing. She's deaf. When I tried to create a suitable hearing aid, she woke up and ran."

Kathryn eyes grew wide with worry, "Where is she now?"

"Follow me," The Doctor walked to the farthest edge of sickbay, and there, right under a small desk, was the little girl. Her arms were wrapped around her knees and her face in the cave her legs made. "Every time I go near her, she runs."

Kathryn sighed, "Let me try."

"Go right ahead," he said and backed away. Kathryn slowly approached the girl and squatted down to her size. They young girl, sensing a presence, raised her head and back further into the wall.

'I hope this works," Kathryn thought and held up her hands.

"Hello. Do not be afraid, we will not harm you. I am Kathryn Janeway. What is your name?" Kathryn easily signed to the girl.

The girl made no sign of understanding, but after a few minutes, the girl replied, "Amaya."

"Night rain, such a beautiful name."

"Kathryn. Pure. I like it."

"Thank you. Is it alright if I ask you questions?"

Amaya nodded.

"Our Doctor, the bald guy over there, was healing you and wanted to heal your deafness, but you ran away every time he tried, why is that?"

"I want to be deaf, it is who I am. I was born this way and I have accepted it. It created my personality."

"Your very smart sweetheart."

Amaya smiled, "Thank you."

Kathryn turned to the EMH. "Is she mute Doctor?"

"No Captain, she is fully able to speak. I think it is the traumatic experience so cause her not to speak."

Kathryn nodded and turned back to Amaya, "Amaya, what happened to your people?"

"They kept us in a prison, treated us badly, and then took people week by week to the planet. We were the last ones. No more after us. They took us to the planet, beat us, and then abandoned us." Tears welled in her eyes. "Mama died trying to save our people." Tears not fell freely from her eyes and she sobbed. Kathryn scooped her up in her arms and comforted the little girl. She rocked the girl back and forth and hummed a song she knew by heart, even as she knew the girl could not hear. The crying soon turned into hiccups which turned into silence. Kathryn looked down at Amaya and found she was asleep.

Carefully, with ought waking her, Kathryn got up from the floor and went over to the Doctor.

"Is it alright.." The EMH put up his hand to stop the Captain in mid speech.

"Its alright. She is better suited in an environment with people she trusts Captain." Kathryn nodded her thanks and headed out of sickbay, carrying the sleeping Amaya all the way.


i know its short and im sorry. every since ive been back in school things have been further and further behind. but dont worry. review and everything will be just fine!!

hugs and kisses

Sammy