Bionicle Mara's Story
Chapter 6
The next day Mara was again on the hill overlooking the camp, she thought to herself that she was free from Cryrax but he was still in her life tormenting her. She sighed in despair and didn't brother turning when Takanuva walked up behind her. "Thought I'd find you up here," he said stopping a few feet from where she stood. He frowned when she didn't turn, "Mara everyone's worried about you."
"I'll bet," she answered with a snip.
Takanuva grabbed her shoulders and spun her around to face him. "I'm serious, their your friends, they. . . I. . . we care about you." Mara looked at him stunned as he continued. "I can't imagine what you going through but I want you to know you're not alone. I'm here."
Mara stared at him, tears burst from her eyes as she took Takanuva in a tight embrace crying into his chest. Takanuva was stunned but he didn't pull away, she needed a friend. He put his arms around her and held Mara close as she cried. "It was horrible," she said between sobs. "I still have nightmares. I remember the sounds he made, how he held me down, made me feel powerless, the look in his eyes." She shuddered at the memories. "I thought that if I got free everything would be fine. But it never will be, and now I learn that I'm caring the child of that monster, its. . . it's too much."
She cried again and it tore at Takanuva, she was in pain and he didn't know how to help her. "Mara," he said softly, "It will be alright."
"How will it be alright!" She cried. "This. . . thing is in me now!"
Takanuva took her by the shoulders so she would look at him, his eyes were hard but not unkind. "Mara this child is a gift, yes its part of the Skrall who attacked you but its part you as well."
Mara looked at him in several moments of stunned silence, suddenly she put her arms around him and before Takanuva could move kissed him. Slowly pulling away Mara looked at the stunned Toa of light, "Even with all that's happened I'm glad you're here."
Takanuva looked at her at first to stunned for words. As they gazed at each other he put his arms around Mara drawing her close he looked into her eyes and replied, "I'm glad to." and returned the kiss. They stayed like that for several long moments when a twig snapping causing them to turn. Ackar stood on the path starring at them, his face frozen in shock.
"Ackar!" Mara said in embarrassment.
Shacking his head like he still couldn't believe what he had seen Ackar looked at Mara, "I. . . well. . . Are you okay?" he asked concerned.
Mara looked at Takanuva and smiled, she turned back to Ackar, "I am now." She walked to the Glatorian who had been like a father to her and hugged him, "I guess we should talk."
"Only if you're ready."
"I'm ready." Ackar put a arm around her shoulders and led her down the path. Before they were out of sight Mara looked back and smiled, Takanuva smiled back but noticed that Ackar was frowning at him. The two walked out of view and Takanuva shook his head amused, what a day he thought to himself as he watched the red star pass overhead.
(Break)
In her shelter Mara curled up by Ackar's side and he put a arm around her shoulders, neither spoke for several long moments. Finally Mara turned to him, "His name was Cryrax. He-He was an Elite Skrall." Ackar pulled Mara close and made a mental note to keep an eye out for this Cryrax if he had survived.
"Why didn't you tell anyone. . . why didn't you tell me?"
Mara looked down, "I don't know, I guess I felt ashamed. I-I felt that I was worthless."
Ackar put both his arms around her and held her close, "You're not worthless, you never were and you never will be!" He put his hand under her chin and lifted her head so she looked him in the eye, "Always remember I care about you. And so does Raanu, Kiina, Gresh, Gelu, Perditus, Kyry, Croterius, everyone. We all care about you."
Mara though back to when she had been rescued from Roxtus, she hadn't known what to expect from Raanu. When he saw her he looked frozen in place, she kneeled down so they were eye to eye. "Hello Raanu," she had said oddly casual.
He stared at her a moment then pulled her into a hug, he cried not caring that everyone was there. "I thought I lost you!" She hadn't realized how much he cared.
"Mara," Ackar said softly bringing her out of her train of thought's, "You know you don't have to keep this child. We can find someone else to raise it."
"NO!" Ackar almost jumped with surprise at her shout, she gave him a determine look, "If I do that Cryrax wins. This child is mine!"
"Are you sure," Mara nodded, suddenly she became very tired. It had been a long day. Ackar pulled a blanket over her, "You should rest." Before she closed her eyes Ackar ask, "This Takanuva fellow do you. . . are you," he couldn't finish.
Mara looked up at him and smiled, "That right now is none of your business." Ackar could only watch her as she fell asleep, he smiled as he pulled her close. It reminded him of when she first arrived at Vulcanus after the Shattering, she had been so young it was a miracle she had survived in the desert. He had stayed with her that first night as well. He laid back against the wall, before he fell asleep he made another mental note to keep an eye on this Takanuva as well.