No rights to Digimon

XXX

My room was soaked because of what happened last night so I slept on the sofa in the living room.

I wasn't able to get much sleep actually. I dozed off here and there but I probably only got a total of half an hour of sleep.

The sun wasn't up yet but I sat up on the sofa and looked around the dark room with my stinging eyes. I really didn't want to cry but I couldn't help it.

Every minute that passed by was filled of thoughts about the guys and The Digital World.

Takuya was right.

I should be going with them because I am part of the team.

He really believed in me and I couldn't even tell him a decent excuse of why I didn't want to go with them.

The way he figured out my fear was through my eyes. He stared into my soul and knew immediately that something was wrong.

I pulled my legs to my chest and rested my head on my knees.

Takuya…

Whenever I was around him last night, I felt safe.

I closed my eyes and imagined him in the apartment with me so I could feel protected once more.

It was only my imagination but the thought of him being with me was enough for me to relax. I didn't feel as tired as I was a moment ago.

I stayed like that for awhile.

The sun was up and I could tell from the light through my eyelids but I didn't move.

Knock, Knock

I thought it was probably my mind playing tricks on so I didn't open my eyes.

Knock, Knock, Knock

There it was again… I opened my eyes and lifted my head from my knees. I heard it again and wondered who it was.

I got up from the sofa and walked to the door. Like last night, I didn't want to open it because I was afraid.

My eyes stared at the door as I clenched my hands.

"Zoe… It's me."

The voice belonged to Takuya…

I slowly unlocked the door and opened it at a crack. It wasn't enough for him to see me.

"Zoe it's okay. Open up, it's me."

I was surprised because I didn't expect him to be so gentle after of what happened last night. I opened the door a little bit more.

"Hey…" He said softly. I couldn't bring myself to look at him so I looked away.

From the corner of my eye, I could tell that he was looking at my face. He was noticing how tired I physically looked.

"Can I come in?"

I nodded and left the door opened as I went back to stand in the living room.

Takuya closed the door behind him and followed me. I stood with my back to him.

He kept his distance. "Zoe, I came here to apologize. I was too harsh last night."

Apologize…? He didn't need to be sorry for anything since it wasn't his fault. I didn't know what to say to that.

"I pushed you too hard last night and I'm sorry."

I sighed silently to myself and turned around slowly. "Takuya…?"

The look in his eyes made me forget what I was saying. He didn't say anything but came closer and reached out his hand. His fingertips touched the side of my face lightly and I flinched out of reflex.

"You didn't sleep last night." He dropped his hand. "Why?"

"Takuya…" I said his name again and tried my best to start an explanation. "I wish I could go back with you. I want to be able to-"

"Then what's stopping you?" Takuya looked into my eyes.

I glanced away.

"Zoe, are you scared? If you are, then tell me what you're scared of."

My eyes stayed away.

He stepped closer and held my shoulders, "Is that it? You're scared?"

"I-I"

I wasn't afraid of the danger or anything like that…. I was afraid of their disappointment if I would let them down.

When I told them that I wouldn't go back with them the night before, the look on their faces was excruciating. It made me feel like I was a failure.

"You weren't scared back then Zoe. You were fearless so why are you acting this way now? I don't understand it. Y-You're-" His sentence started to become an ongoing rant. "You're not Zoe anymore."

I knew that but he didn't have to remind me…

He didn't have to remind me of my fears.

He didn't have to remind me of my weakness.

He didn't need to remind me that I wasn't Zoe anymore!

I pushed him away from me and stepped back. The brim of my eyes was lined with heated tears, "So why do you need me anymore if you know that you're right. Why would you need someone that has absolutely 'no fire'?"

Takuya immediately realized that I had heard in on their conversation from last night.

"You don't need me at all so don't try to stand there and tell me that you do!"

"I DO! We all do!" He yelled back. "No matter how much you change, you will always be a part of the team. I just want to know why you're so different because I just don't understand it!"

I sniffed back the tears and tried to be tough, "You will never understand!"

"That's right I don't! I don't get why you're so scared or why you're keeping things from me when I'm your friend." Takuya took my arms and shook me. "Zoe, tell me what's wrong! Just tell me what's wrong!"

I shoved him back and yelled in the heat of the moment, "YOU'RE WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME! You won't leave me alone! I don't need you or anyone else. I was doing just fine until you all showed up!"

Takuya stood his ground and glared at me. "Fine." He turned around to leave. "I'm done with you."

Oh no…

What happened…

It wasn't supposed to happen like that.

I watched him walked to the door and wondered how could I possible lose myself in a fit of frustration. It wasn't who I was and I knew that it was just another symptom from what happened that terrible night.

I couldn't let what that monster did to me ruin every aspect of my life.

"Takuya, wait."

He stopped a foot from the door. "What? You're not done blaming us for interrupting your perfect life?"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Takuya." I answered right away.

Takuya turned around and looked at me skeptically, "What did you say?"

I looked down and bit my lip in embarrassment.

He sighed and came back to me. "Hey… It's okay…" His hand brushed away the hair from the face, "I'm sorry… I just…" He sighed again, "I just miss you, that's all."

I held my arms and avoided his eyes, "I didn't mean it when I said I didn't need you. I-I…just don't know if I can go back there and help. I'm scared that I'll be in the way."

"Zoe…" Takuya said softly and brought my face back to his by my chin. "We believe in you."

He tipped my chin up and gazed into my eyes. "We need you."

XXX