The Death of a Hero
Kyoko was an actress. Not initially what she had chose to be but something she would never regret.
Until today.
Watching the myriad of white coats rush past her and into the one area she wasn't permitted in the hospital, made her burn with a desire for a medical degree. Or least a white coat and a badge that would allow her to see the only thing that was keeping her heart beating right now.
Sighing and placing her face in her hands, Kyoko recalled her first attempt to walk through the ICU doors...and it's failure and then the next three attempts one ending in her almost getting tranquilized. Quietly she sat in the seats outside the doors that only spelled failure for her and heartbreak if things didn't go well inside.
She sat back and pulled her knees into her body. She didn't want to close her eyes because all she saw were images that would haunt her for a lifetime.
Kyoko had arrived at the shoot for 'Death Race' right as the race had begun. Ren had invited after he told her about his most recent project and its stunts.
When Kyoko had first started acting, doing stunts was irrational in her mind and she thought Ren was a tad crazy for participating in them. However the longer she admired him the more she desired to understand what made stunt actors different. She wasn't quite at the point of volunteering to do her own, but she had become fascinated by the art since seeing Ren do stunts on the set of Black Jack.
Slowly she made her way through the maze of cords and car equipment to find Ren's car or least one that looked like the picture he showed her.
"1, 2, 3..." Kyoko heard the director call out a count in the distance and realized she might just make the car chase scene.
Hurriedly she weaved through the set and to the road, standing behind several feet of barricades and cameras. She saw Ren's car zoom past and her heart beat picked up. Her eyes followed his car right to his risky turn. She remembered him discussing the details of this hairpin turn over a dinner she had cooked him, her amazement at his calm despite the danger.
She saw him begin the turn and then panic set in when the car started spinning. Her heart felt like it was going to be ripped from her chest when the car started to roll. She didn't know when but at some point she had started to run toward the ongoing crash. Somehow she found herself on the other side of the barriers and nearing Ren's crumpled mass of metal and yelling his name. She knew that couldn't stop the crash but for some reason she thought it could slow it down, like Ren could gain control of the crashing car and make it run straight again.
Her feet moved faster as the car slowed down and nearly took off when smoke began to erupt from it. She called his name again. In her head she knew he nor she could do anything at this point. But it didn't quite place well with her.
Not only because accidents are not supposed to happen but because he was Ren. He always made what seemed horrible, better. He was an amazing actor, incredible performer and inspiring mentor.
He was a friend, first true love and ...
Kyoko came out her reverie and began to sob silently.
...he was her hero.
