Hello again! Can barely believe all the feedback I got! Thanks a million to you all, I appreciate it greatly, I never expected this story to take such interest, but I'm glad people like it. Hope this chap is okay, a bit of jumping around, but I'm not used to multiple pairings, so forgive me, and thanks a lot. So happy, and now here are my replies to the lovely reviewers who told me their thoughts, love you all loads!
Dark White Wolf: You are right in a sense, I do like creating suspense! Also there are many secrets and surprises to come, so hope you enjoy it. Thanks, I'm glad I can move in such a way, and more on Kai in this chapter to explain things. I will contact you if I need assistance, and reply to my mail anytime.
Galux Kitty: I like Ray/Mariah stories as well (Rei/Mao, if you prefer to call it, the characters are still great!) Bio-Volt are in control, but I promise the teams won't give in yet. There is too much at steak (hint of secret being kept) Thanks for the support!
Paris Super Girls: Thanks a lot, I appreciate it, I needed the reassurance with the rating as things are quite dark and brutal at the moment, and more to come, still hope of course. You will learn about Kai in the chapter, as well as other mysteries. I love romance as well, though things are difficult now, there will be sweetness later on, promise you that! I knew that name was wrong! Sorry about that, I felt it wasn't right, but the spell check changed it! I'll call her Mariam from now on; I understand why you would tell me, and thanks a lot. Hope you enjoy the story.
Princess Shadowcat: Thanks a lot, glad you like it, and Kai will make his appearance this chapter! What will become of the team in this development!
Jezza-jay: Happy that you like it, and hope you continue to do so.
Fluffy Kitty Aley Cat: Not to worry, some of them will have a change of heart, just wait and see. Thanks a lot for the encouragement.
Summary AU: In the war zone in the battle between Biovolt and BBA revolutionaries, many young bladers are taken captive in prison camps. They are desperate to escape, but can they trust supposed enemies, and let love develop in a place of hatred and deceit? KaixOC and other pairings.
Tormented Souls
Chapter 3: Desires and Destiny
Gold and amber curls soared in the icy winds that were picking up. It was days like this she envied those who worked their shift in the factory or workhouse, instead of toiling in the open fields. Winter was fast approaching, yet the continued the task of labouring in the soil to produce extra food for the army near the boarders. Couldn't they see the land wouldn't produce food in freezing temperatures? She had spent a lot of her life farming and knew things wouldn't grow in the winter. However speaking up would lead a worse punishment than ploughing the land.
"Dais, are you all right?" a kind voice broke her out of her thoughts. She turned to see Mariah, returned from collecting water with Ray.
"Sure, I'm fine. Just slightly spaced out, plus freezing my ass off." she murmured, rubbing her arms to cause some warmth.
"You're not kidding, this has to be one of the coldest winters yet. I just hope we're not out here when the temperature really drops!"
"Girls, better hush, slave driver's coming this way!" Ray called over, noticing Spencer marching over in their direction. Flinching, both of them hurried back to work, Daisy ploughing the ground and Mariah and Ray dumping water into a trough. Pretty difficult to obtain, seeing as the had to pry through the ice of the frozen river to retrieve any, then lug the heavy buckets back up the hill to the fields.
Luckily the blonde Russian just passed them with a trademark scowl before heading back towards the main compound out of the cold. He would probably be back at the end of the day for them. Sighing deeply, the violet-eyed girl scraped the ground forcefully, trying not to cause her arms to drop off. Her constant shivering got the attention of her working companion who finished sowing new seeds. Noticing how pale she was, he walked over to her.
"You okay Daisy, you don't seem that great. I know this isn't really the best work shift, but you're shivering terribly." he remarked, as the girl turned her head and purple orbs clashed with amber.
"It's fine Lee, just, it's never been this cold before...Man, I better stitch up these old clothes again when I get a shift at the workhouse." she trembled.
"There certainly isn't a way you can survive in freezing weather like this in that." he notions to the shabby silver and indigo top with slashed sleeves, ¾ leg black flared jeans and strap sandals. It wasn't like their captor's would waste time with new clothes for slaves. Another violent gust made both of them cringe, Daisy trying to cling to the tattered blue shawl around her shoulders for warmth.
"Don't worry about me, a few alterations to these clothes will keep me going through the season..."
"I still wish I could help a bit, so here." he gestured, removing his yellow overcoat and draping it around her, leaving his torso bare. "Trade, the shawl for my jacket."
"What! Lee, at least I have a shirt, you don't. It's not a fair swap, you'll catch your death..."
"Look, I already lost Kevin and Gary a while back, and I don't want to lose anyone else close. From now on I refuse to let anyone else I care about get hurt."
'He thinks of me as someone close? Oh my God! Maybe...no, can't be. I have to realise I don't have a chance with him, not here or anywhere. Then again, he does have a point. He isn't the only one fuelled to keep fighting...'
Flashback
Poor Skyla had to be helped along as she staggered with the other girl's back the female quarters. The guys were not allowed there of course, and even attempting to get in would set off security alarms. Huddling in the cabin shared by Skyla, Mariah, Mariam and Hilary, the nine young women settled down to try and sort matters. They needed to see what was on their friend's mind. She may be a rebel, but still didn't usually let her temper get the better of her. Something must have been gnawing at her to cause her to spit in Tala's face, even if the bastard did deserve it.
"Okay, what is with you? You never fly off the handle unless something set you off, so what's up?" Hilary inquired as Rioko and Tammy helped the sapphire-eyed teen onto a mattress.
Daisy rummaged under the bunk to find some bandages and ointment which the managed to steal from the supply trucks while Bonnie and Jessie propped her to sit up and Mariam and Mariah helped her remove her top so they could tend to her wounds. Knowing Sky's frequent punishments, they knew exactly where to look for injuries.
The determined look on her face said it all, orbs now glittering despite the sting of the antiseptic on her back, where old scars trailed her skin. It was her thoughtful look. The strange but alluring smile and spark that showed she had new ideas in her head. It could seem quite sinister and dark at times, even to the friends who knew her so well. Still as Daisy saw the light shining within the girl, no words were needed. They had failed to break her. She would try again. She would make sure they all escaped.
End Flashback
"Are you okay? Dais, don't go out on me again." Lee called.
"What? Oh right, let's just get back to work." she mumbled, and started ploughing the ground. Confused, the Chinese was about to turn back to his job, but she felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Thanks Lee...I'll make it up to you. When I get a turn in the workhouse, I'll stitch up a new jacket for you, it's the least I can do." Daisy offered, then trudged back to continue labouring.
'The coat would help, but...there is one thing that could keep me warm. Too bad I can never tell her about it.'
"Is it just me, or do these buckets get heavier after the first fifty you carry?" the pink-haired girl muttered, dumping more icy water into the trough, closely followed by Ray.
"No, it's not you, I'm pretty sure my arms are going numb. However I'm sure it's the buckets or the cold that's doing it."
"Probably a mixture of both." she panted, trudging back down the slop to draw more freezing liquid form the hole in the ice. Bending down, she scooped the pail into the pit, filling it before walking back, trying not to skid on the slope or spill the water. Both would have caused great pain, though not in the same sense.
"How many more of these do we have to get? This is becoming a literally pain in the neck, not to mention in the arms and legs." Mariah puffed, making her friend laugh despite himself.
"I know, unfortunately we still have till sunset before we finish up, so at least four more hours to go."
"Christ! I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm looking forward to getting back to that fucking mattress to sleep tonight."
The older boy smirked to himself. He had known this girl since childhood and she had never seized to amaze him. She was a marvel, always finding someway to brighten the matter, no matter how scared and panicked she was. Probably why he felt so strongly for her, and couldn't wait to be free; not only from the cages of the camp, but the ones barring his emotions. Once he had a life going for himself, he promised to tell her his true feelings.
"We'll get out of here one day, won't we Ray?" she asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"You bet we will. We can go home, live again, just like it used to be..."
"Only the memories may never fade. Always the torment and angst, still lingering."
"Don't worry, we'll manage, as long as we all stick by each other we can remember the good times, the loyalty and companionship." he reassured, holding her around the shoulders, as they crouched down on the icy ground to rest for a moment.
"I suppose, I mean, let's face it. As long as Sky's here, she'll never let us give anyway, just like she said before..."
Flashback
"What is on your mind hun? You can tell us." Rioko persuaded, all still gathered in the hut cleaning Skyla up after her brush with her latest tortures. The bandages had been secured tightly around her stomach and back, due to whiplash marks and scorches of a red-hot poker. Amazing how she always never let the agony shine through her calm demeanour.
"We know that look, you've got something concocting in you head." Tammy replied.
"Maybe...you should rest this time before you try another attempt..." Daisy whispered meekly while cleaning the dressing.
"Let your self recover before you act out again" Jessie suggested.
Mariah was caught off guard when the sapphire orbs of her friend began to gleam, creating a stormy outcast in her eyes. It was determination all right. Some she knew all to well.
"We won't give up...I refuse to let this die. They haven't broken me yet...and they won't, because as long as I'm breathing I refuse to rest till we are out of this Hellhole!"
A minuscule grin crept up on the golden eyed girl's face; she couldn't help but be motivated. Same old same old, Skyla was never willing to let anything Bio-Volt do affect her. She just wouldn't quit, no matter how many were pitted against her in odds. This was their fight, an epic battle for freedom.
End Flashback
"Man, she said all that stuff?" Ray asked in disbelief, as she nodded.
"Well...if she won't give up, I don't think I can. How about you?"
He pondered on it for a moment, exposing his fangs in though, which Mariah though so sweet. She of course could things of another reason to find a way out of camp; to be with Ray. It was her dream, something that couldn't be accomplished here. But back home, things would be different and unique. To be recognised as more than friend's was what she wanted. She didn't realise, Ray was thinking along the exact same lines.
"You can be sure I won't. We'll be out of here someday, and when it comes we'll..." he stopped realising he nearly slipped with his secret.
"We'll what? What were you going to say?"
"Well, it's that...I wanted to say..."
"Where are you two insolent brats?! Move your asses, I want this trough full by the time I get back!" Spencer hollered from the top of the slope, before he could be heard trudging back towards the fields to check on Lee and Daisy.
"Don't worry," Mariah replied, standing again and picking up a bucket. "You can tell me later," she said, walking back up the hill. Ray smiled, but inside he was fuming.
'Damn Spencer! He had to ruin the moment, when I could have told her... I'll kill that son of a...'
"Ray, hurry up, I need a hand with filling the trough!" Mariah called from the top of the mound.
"Coming." he replied, gathering more water as he walked back up to the slope, still cursing the Russian in his mind.
"This is unbelievable!" Tammy spluttered, pushing the presser down on the new rifle mould, so a lot of steam rose up in her face. "How can it be so fucking freezing outside, and like a fucking oven in here?!" she yelled over the machinery, wiping the sweat off her forehead.
"Will you quit complaining! You're giving me a sore skull. I don't know what's worse, the clanking of these pieces of scrap metal, or your harpy screeching!" Michael bellows, adding a trigger and shot programmer to the firearm.
"Oh and you don't complain whatsoever! I never knew anyone could have a mouth the size of a continent, and an ego to match!"
The arguing went on at a steady pace, with the two onlookers shaking their heads on their friends. They were busy connecting the wires for new BV 1000 artillery shell, having to tweak the timer and new detonators, not an easy task.
"All this fiddling with different wires and crap, I don't see what fascinates Chief so much about machines and computer junk. It's all too complicated for me!" Max complained tightening loose missile pins.
"You're not kidding, I never had to deal with technology at all at home, I can't even set my VCR timer correctly, how the Hell am I supposed to set the clock for an explosive weapon? I'll blow us sky high!" Mariam cursed, setting the microchips into the home system, yet her friend laughed.
"Still, these guys are the real nitwits, not even putting in an air conditioner in when it's clearly a sauna in her."
"True, I feel like I'm about to melt..." she moaned, breathing heavily as she fanned herself. Seeing how bad she was, Max remembered what he had brought in the even of such an emergency.
"Let me give you a hand, you look sweltered" he said, fiddling under the squeaky floorboard, where he had stashed it last time.
"Max, what are you..."
"Check for me, is Bryan boot-ass around?" he asked, as the blue haired girl glanced around for a sign of the Russian watching over them on duty, seeing he was no where in sight.
"He must have gone to get away from the heat in here, but why..."
"Tada!" he grinned in triumph, revealing an old glass bottle, dusty from being hidden under the floorboards. He presented it to Mariam, who noticed it was half full of...
"Water! And it's nice and cold too! How did you..."
"I collected it the last time I was in the fields, then hid it down there since this is where you need it most, and it's away from the heat, so it's still cool, not warm at all. You looked like you need it."
Delighted, Mariam unscrewed the cap and took a large sip, licking her lips divinely. It was simply too hot in the factory, and this was a lifesaver. Once finished she hugged Max, making him blush greatly.
"Oh thank you so much Maxie! I'll have to repay you for this, you have no idea how thirsty I was...Hey why is your face all red?" she questioned, on seeing the blush.
"Just...the heat! Yeah, it's boiling in here."
"Take some of this then, you need it too." Mariam suggested, handing him the vial, and leaned into his face as he swigged it. "And maybe this will help." she said, lightly pecking him on the cheek, making Max flush up again, but she grinned in a goofy way, truthfully he was ecstatic. His crush had just kissed him after all! Too bad the sound of Tammy and Michael's arguing broke the bliss.
"Maybe we should offer them something to drink." Mariam suggested, but max shook his head playfully.
"No amount water will cool them down." he teased, making her giggle. It was something she loved about him; he could make her laugh all the time. Squeezing there hands in the others, they got back to work, thinking on the other, and how obvious it was Tammy and Michael were playing hard to get with each other.
"Go to Hell McGregor!"
"Make me punk bitch!"
"All right, break it up, time out, for the love of God!" Bonnie screamed, grabbing Rioko around the waist to pull her away from doing bodily harm to Johnny. "We won't get work done like this, you two will be separated, my ears need to be spared this torture!"
"I can't take this either, now why don't you both act your age and stop this nonsense. You do realise what will happen if we don't get this work done, so move it!" Robert shouted while pulling Johnny backwards towards the motor pool so they could start repairing the ruptured truck engines, while Bonnie shoved Rioko into the kitchens to start cooking.
"Get started, just cool down by the time I come back." the blue eyed girl commanded as her friend went into the warehouse kitchen. She turned to see Robert giving the Scot a similar talk before sending him to the garage to collect spare parts. This gave the pair a chance to talk.
"Are we going to be able to survive this torment?"
"That is extremely questionable Bonnie, but if we keep them apart for now it will mean less chance of migraines for us. Best try and calm them down."
"But it's ridiculous! Can't those two see the reason they fight so often is that they're too stubborn to tell they like each other?!" she moaned, frustrated, clawing her head, causing the tidy bun to fall down so blue locks fell over her eyes and down her back. She blushed profoundly.
"Sorry, not very civilised of me, I'll fix this..." she responded reaching back to retie it before Roberts hands stopped her by holding her wrists gently.
"No need, I think it suits you. You must wear it down more often." he spoke softly, before turning around and heading for the motor pool, only to see Johnny snickering.
"Oh Robert, you lady killer. Had to go for the little posh chick, then again you two fit well..." he smirked, making the proud German go slightly red.
"Bit your tongue, because I'm not the only one here with secret feelings, am I correct Jonathan?" he regained composure on seeing Johnny looked down embarrassed, no way could he say who he liked! He just growled and continued wrenching the engine block. It was clear he was seriously mad, he didn't even object to his real name being used.
Meanwhile Bonnie hoped the little hint of rouge she put on this morning hid the tint of pink in her face. Unfortunately Rioko was more than willing to point it out.
"Oh my Bonnie, what is becoming of our sophisticated little lady? Flirting with young men, now really." she taunted.
"Go back to scrubbing the pots or I'll see to it that your fancy will be made aware to all!" she threatened, seeing her friend turn back to the pots to scour them, trying not to think of an annoying redhead.
The dust gathered in their lungs and four boys continued to mine the chunks of coal, all to provide Bio-Volt officers with warm fires tonight. It was enough to make them all seethe in hate and disgust.
"Sure! We mine the stuff and they warm up to it! What do we get, nothing but sillycosus...."
"That's silicosis Tyson, due to all this coal dust we're inhaling." Kenny corrected.
"Or more commonly known as black spit, I'll be choking all night." Ozuma coughed.
"Whatever, the point is it isn't fair!" the bluenette complained.
"Don't tell me you just figured that out!" Zeo chuckled, putting down the pick and loading the black lumps into the coal cart. "We've been working down in the damp and dark for years and you just suss that's it's wrong. You're a wonder Ty."
"It's your wonder that you're not so bad down here Zeo, if I do recall." Chief put out.
"True, when you get out and start spitting up, Jessie gives you tonic she took, if I'm correct."
"Cut it out guys, we're just friends." the purple eyed boy exclaimed, thankful the dark hid his burning face.
"All I know is this guys, if I could use this coal for a fire, I would waste no time! I'll tell you the joy of curling up in the warmth with..." he ceased, shaking the thought.
With Hilary!" Ozuma mocked, getting a glare from his friend. "You are obvious about how much you..."
"No! I don't even like her, she is always on my case!"
"K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Zeo and Kenny chorused, but ran for cover as Tyson came after them with a shovel. Ozuma merely sighed, another day in paradise!
"I have to say, I can't wait to get someone else in here with us...not that I hope some poor person is caught and brought to this death trap! It's just..."
"Yeah Hil, my fingers are aching too. Like they've been through acupuncture." Jessie cringed at her swollen stubs. "It would be good to have someone else working to lighten the load."
"Or better yet let these sexist pigs stitch their own uniforms! I think my fingers will bleed if they're pierced with another needle." Hilary moaned, looking towards the broken window, which her friend was staring out of to the snowy wastelands. She now turned to them, smirking.
"Don't worry girls, I'm sure you can get Tyson and Zeo to kiss you fingers better." she joked.
"Skyla!" both of them shouted, Jessie blushing, and Hilary infuriated that she could ever end up with that slacker.
Shaking her head, Sky turned back to the window staring out once more. Her dreams soared to the heavens above, and she hoped for something to come that way. Some great salvation, as it was unclear in the future. She was worried how much longer it would be before those evil perverted swine's grew tired of letting her off easy for her attempts, and would simply dispose of her. Whether they killed her or sent hr to the city, it would all end in eternal damnation. Little did Skyla know, things would change, help was on the way, and in the most unlikely form.
The luxurious automobile skidded slightly on the slush of the road. The temperature drop was effecting the engine, but at least it was a clear area. All the battles were on the other end of the landscape, trying to push through the boarders, never breaking a stalemate. The driver looked at his lone passenger in the back seat, sitting in silence eyes closed in focus.
"Don't worry Mr Hiwatari, we'll arrive in another hour or so. No fighting up this way so things should be clear. Still pretty deselect but you should be comfortable at the camp area. You can live well in the generals compound, just be grateful at not being one of those pathetic prisoners. Then again they deserve to be in the cold." the man sniggered.
The teen didn't reply, but he didn't like the man's tone at all. Sure, he was enlisted in the army, but only for fucking family honour, at least that was his grandfather had said, without the fucking part of course. He had been made to do this, supposedly the tradition in his heritage. It all was pointless to him he wasn't really considered family by that bastard, just a tool of destruction. He could see that clearly, which was why he despised the whole damn war secretly. There was no point it whatsoever, just stupid killing of innocent people. Not that he ever showed it mattered to him.
Looking out of the window, he brushed a few slate bangs out of his eyes. His two-toned hair flicked over crimson eyes, a few resting on the blue triangles painted on his face. He was in his comfortable clothes; he despised all that class A uniform crap. Tight black muscle shirt and indigo jacket, baggy blue trousers and white scarf around his neck.
Thinking on seeing his grandfather, Boris and the Demolition boys again made him shudder inwardly. He never really liked them; they took too much pleasure in the work. Seeing others suffer, it was quite enough to make you sick at times. He had heard stories of what they did at these places. Now he would probably see first hand what they did.
Glaring coldly at the land passing by, fire burned in his orbs, wondering what could possibly make this stupid journey worthwhile. The hospital he had recovered at wasn't the best, but it was quiet at least. So much better than any duty, it was his grandfathers fault he got wounded after all. The mission he sent him on to retrieve bitbeast's was practically suicide! Did he want him dead so badly or something?! It was simply ridiculous.
' What is the point of all this? Bloody death everywhere and no one gives a damn. Blind asses! What do I care, it's not my concern...still, wonder if all those stories are true. There is no purpose in me being at this dump, but something seems to be jolting me towards it none the less. There has always been the stupid annoyance in my mind telling me something was to come for me, and now it's getting stronger. I don't believe in all that destiny crap, but, what's calling me...or even, who.'