Author's Note: Well…I've managed to catch a really, really bad cold that's kept me down and out for a while. I'm honestly not sure how this chapter is going to turn out since I'm half drugged out of my mind with cold medicine, lol. Hopefully it isn't too bad. I'm posting this chapter a day early because tomorrow I'll be gone all day on a fun-filled college field trip to Cincinnati, Ohio to visit a theatre Tech expo. Reviews are most appreciated!!
Thanks to: Rose Aarac, Ayame1313, Insane Writer of Chaos, potterfan2006, LisaRosa, Spidey2, and blue-eyed-wondergirl for reviewing!!
Chapter 10
The adults were currently together, one of them fixing KITT while Sarah related what happened between sobs of heart-broken sorrow.
"He just…he handed me this envelope and…told me to tell Mikah he loved her. That STUPID man! I warned him not to go alone!"
Eyeliner and mascara ran down her cheeks mixing with her tears as Zoe sat comforting her on the couch situated in the KITT cave. Billy volunteered to fix the mustang and got to it immediately the moment Sarah arrived. The distraught woman had called in earlier to see if they could track KARR in the hopes of finding him again once KITT was repaired and ready for action. The two techs attempted it but all traces of KARR were gone. They had no leads to follow…
Sarah currently clutched the envelope within her fist, unable to read, let alone open it. Partly because she was afraid of what it would say. She knew Mike was dead…KITT had confirmed this during the battle. Her eyes dimmed at the memory.
Flashback
"KITT, Turbo boost"
My Turbo Boost modulators are inoperable.
"What about Ski mode?"
KITT did as she requested and they dodged two missiles. Sarah shouted more directions and the AI readily obeyed, fishtailing on purpose in order to miss one of KARR's swiping hands, sending his bumper crashing into KARR's unsuspecting legs. KARR was sent crashing to the ground, leaving him vulnerable and exposed.
"SHOOT HIM KITT!"
Firing now…
KITT's dual machine guns opened up on the fallen KARR but most of the shots were deflected by what appeared to be some sort of energy shield…
"NO WAY…he has nano-skin too?"
It would appear so.
"He's getting back up…what do we do?"
Sarah desperately wracked her brain for an answer but came up empty. Then it hit her. The craziest idea she'd ever had…maybe even crazier than the ones Michael usually came up with.
"KITT, let him charge us…reverse and deploy black ice!"
Sarah there is a 78% possibility that KARR will slip before falling on top of us.
"JUST DO IT!!"
Sarah knew the odds. But like it or not…this was the last available move they had left. They had tried everything else. With some of KITT's other functions and gadgets offline or damaged, it didn't really leave them much room for textbook moves.
He hit full reverse and sped backwards away from KARR as the evil AI clambered awkwardly back up. Sparks flew from severed wires where some of KITT's bullets had ruptured through a vulnerable area in his right arm and smoke poured out of his left leg, thanks in part to KITT's take-down maneuver. KITT was not looking much better since his repair module had been taken out earlier on in the battle. He was moving more sluggishly, making him an easier target for long range weapons.
Just then one of KARR's missiles fired straight and true, hitting him point blank, nearly rupturing his nano-skin that acted as a protective shield, sending warnings flashing on the HUD.
Sarah we will not be able to sustain another direct hit.
"You are doing just fine, KITT"
Sarah patted the dashboard in reassurance. Black ice sprayed from the front of his grill, creating a smooth, shiny black pathway as KITT continued to reverse away from the now enraged KARR.
"I think the plan's working!"
KARR began to slip and slide on the black ice and fell backwards, although his massive bulk continued to slide right for them.
"KITT watch out!"
KITT swerved away from the icy path he just made dodging KARR's uncontrollable slide, when suddenly, his sensors went haywire for a moment. The AI couldn't believe it…didn't want to believe it. Maybe his sensors had been damaged during the fight?
Sarah, Michael's bio signs are no longer registering on my sensors.
"KITT…we have to go back there!"
End Flashback
But they didn't go back. KARR personally made sure that they were unable to reach him, forcing both Sarah and an injured KITT to watch him carry Mike's lifeless body away while they remained helpless to stop him.
Zoe handed Sarah more Kleenexes from a box of tissues and rubbed soothing circles on the sobbing woman's back.
"Sarah…there is nothing you could have done."
"YES THERE WAS!" Sarah all but screamed back as she stood up and began to pace frantically.
"I should have ordered him to take KITT! If they had been together from the start…this NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED! I can't believe I listened to Mike…its' MY FAULT. I LET HIM GO!"
While Billy continued to silently repair KITT, Zoe sat patiently listening to Sarah regardless if she was screaming at her or not.
"First my father…and now Mike…"
Sarah sagged to her knees on the floor finding herself right in front of KITT's red scanner. She leaned against the mustang for support, nearly hyperventilating. The pain of another loved one's loss was almost too much to bear.
Sarah…please breathe, your oxygen levels are far too low.
"N-no…c-can't…do-don't want to!! H-hurts…"
KITT understood about the hurt…very well. His next response was soft and full of tenderness. His promise full of strength…
We will find Michael again. I swear it.
-Meanwhile-
Little legs kicked beneath the blankets and sheets as Mikah's peaceful sleep shifted dramatically as she began to dream.
The little girl found herself standing next to a lot of rubble in a smoke filled place. The sun was bright overhead making everything feel hot. She coughed and struggled to find somewhere where she could breathe better. A familiar voice caught her attention.
"It's easier to breathe down here…"
She peered closely into a deep crater in the ground and saw a sooty and dirt covered man at the bottom. He was partially propped against the wall of the crater and looked to be extremely underfed and tired. He was half-smiling at her and beckoned her with a small wave.
"I won't bite…I promise."
She hesitantly slid down the edge until she was down in the crater and cautiously approached the man, feeling wary. The little girl couldn't shake the feeling that she knew this man somehow. He looked and sounded vaguely familiar. She sat down next to him but never took her eyes off of his gaunt face.
He continued to smile warmly back at her and sighed with contentment.
"There…that's better now, isn't it?"
"Yes…thank you."
"You're welcome"
They sat together in companionable silence until a thought occurred to her.
"Do…do you know my daddy?"
The man looked at her a moment before leaning his head back to look up at the sky. A heavy sigh escaped his dry and cracking lips.
"I used to know him. I can't say that I still do…"
"You look kinda' like him…"
He chuckled good-naturedly before choking on some of the smoke that wafted into the crater. When the smoke cleared, Mikah gasped to see her father instead of the grimy, pale, thin, sickly looking man, now in his place. His eyes were full of love and warmth and the landscape changed around them until they were standing together in a beautiful field full of flowers.
"Mikah"
"Daddy"
He laughed and nodded his head before sitting down with her in the field, his expression turning serious.
"Listen very carefully Mikah…what I'm about to tell you is very important."
"Okay, daddy"
"When you wake up, tell KITT that I'm alive."
She furrowed her brows in confusion. She knew what dead and alive meant. Why would he say that he was alive…when he already was alive? And what did "when you wake up mean?" It made no sense and the four year old hated being confused.
"A very bad, mean robot named KARR has captured me, baby…my sweet baby…"
Mike pulled her into his arms and held her against his chest while stroking her soft, brown hair that was blowing gently in a breeze. Mikah could feel and hear her father's heartbeat against her ear and it chased away her earlier confusion. She snuggled into his embrace, savoring the moment.
"This might be the last time you ever see daddy…so I want you to know how much I love you…I love you so…so much Mikah. More than words could ever say."
"I love you too, daddy."
He suddenly stiffened and sat upright. His eyes were wide and frightened.
"Oh no…he's coming."
He turned fearful, tear-filled eyes on his daughter and planted a kiss on her cheek.
"I have to go now, Mikah…be a good, strong girl. Remember to tell KITT!"
Mike began to jog away, off into the distance. Mikah struggled to run after him but it was as if she was simply running in place. She screamed reaching out to his retreating back.
"DADDY! DON'T LEAVE ME!!"
Just then the landscape shifted again and she found herself back in the crater with the grimy man. The man she now recognized as her father…he was her father but at the same time he wasn't. It was odd.
Her breathing and heart rate picked up in intensity and she shook her head in disbelief when he continued to stare with glassy, un-seeing eyes up at the sky, his chest no longer rising or falling with every breath.
She tentatively reached forward to touch him.
"D-daddy?"
"No kid…your daddy is dead."
The man uttered as he turned sad, dull eyes on her, appearing to have come back to life.
"I'm so sorry, Mikah. But he isn't here. I'm all that's left of him."
"What…what happened to my daddy?"
A dark shadow loomed over the pit just then, blocking out the sunlight in the dream-world, sending cold chills racing down the child's back as something big, scary, and monstrous stomped in behind her. She followed the man's arm and pointing index finger up behind her.
"THAT is what happened…"
I am KARR. You can't escape me, child. You will be next!!
Mikah screamed as one of his metallic claws reached down and grabbed her.
Mikah sat up in bed screaming, soaked in sweat. She sobbed and struggled to pull one of the twisted blankets that had managed to snake around her waist…reminding her all too vividly of the evil KARR's hand gripping her waist.
"KITT…KITT!!"
She whimpered as she finally freed herself and scampered towards the door but found that it was locked. She couldn't open it unless one of the adults accessed the room. Mikah yelped again when KITT's voice filled the room and an image appeared on the wall behind her.
Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I heard your distressed vocal tones. Did you have another bad dream?
She nodded with tear filled eyes on him. The door light turned from red to green signaling that the lock had been over-ridden, granting the child access to the outside world.
Mikah wasted no time bolting from the room and within moments, found her-self back in the KITT cave. She ignored the adults and made a beeline straight for KITT. Before she could get too close to him however, Sarah stopped her. She struggled and began to cry until she noticed her mother crying as well.
"Mommy…why are you sad"
Sarah sniffled and held Mikah in a tight embrace and whispered soothing things to her daughter.
"Sweetheart…something bad has happened."
"What?"
"Daddy has gone away for a while"
Mikah cocked her head to the side in silent contemplation and looked at her mother with pure innocence, the dream momentarily forgotten.
"Daddy will be back later?"
Sarah shook her head as her bottom lip quivered.
"No baby…daddy is gone. He died, sweetheart. In a bad accident"
Mikah shook her head, her eyes wide with fear and hurt.
"NO! Daddy's still alive!"
Sarah broke down into sobs as she held Mikah close to her chest again.
"I'm sorry baby…I miss him too."
"I wanna' talk to KITT now…"
Sarah nodded in silent affirmation and watched her daughter run up to KITT. She was slightly baffled however when Mikah didn't leap into the AI's interior as she usually did. Instead, the four year old ran right up to his red scanner.
"KITT…I saw daddy in my dream."
Did you really? What did he say?
The AI was genuinely curious. This had to be the first time she had ever dreamt of her father that he was aware of. The other nightmares she had were either about KARR or about her previous encounters with unsavory people that wished to do her harm in some way.
Mikah looked back at him with honest sincerity…with all of the seriousness a four year old can muster.
"He told me to tell you…"
Her eyes widened with surprise when the message she remembered with perfect clarity vanished a second later. Mikah's childish features shifted into a pained expression as she struggled to remember the important message her father told her. KITT needed to know! It was really, really important!
Tears threatened to fall again and she brought a small hand to her forehead as if she had a headache and she groaned.
"I forgot it."
Its' okay, Mikah. It was just a dream.
She shook her head vehemently, tears leaking out of her eyes again.
"NO! He was really there!"
KITT was at a loss of what to say to that…as were the rest of the team.
It was common knowledge that children, especially children her age had trouble separating fiction from reality. This dream was probably no exception.
I'm sure that you will remember it later.
Mikah shook her head again seriously panicking. Billy, Zoe, and Sarah moved in to try to see about calming her down but she refused to let them near her.
"Mikah, why don't you talk with KITT for a while?"
She agreed after a minute of silent debating and went to sit in the passenger's seat. KITT shut the door of his own accord and waited patiently for her to speak.
"There was a dirty man there…but he was daddy…but then me and daddy were in a place with lots of flowers. And he told me to tell you…"
The child growled in frustration when the dream was slowly slipping away from her memory.
I have an idea, Mikah. Close your eyes…now think back to the very first thing you remember. We are going to go through the entire dream from the beginning…okay?
"Okay, KITT"
She related the dream step by step until they got to the part where she was with him in the field. At last part of her memory was jogged as KITT guided her through remembering it.
She grinned happily while clapping her hands excitedly together.
"I remember now!!"
Very good…now, what did he want you to tell me?
"Daddy said that he is still alive!"
KITT's processor nearly short circuited when he heard this. How could this be possible? The child did not learn of her father's death until after she woke up. Was it true then? Was Michael still alive? A newfound hope was restored within the AI's central core and he knew Sarah had to hear of this…however illogical it sounded right now.
KITT was nearly positive that Mikah had some sort of unique gift. Her previous dreams about KARR proved to be quite true. She had seen KARR without ever having met him in real life.
I believe you, Mikah. We will find your daddy.
"No, KITT."
This threw him for a loop.
You do not want us to find your daddy?
"You can't find my daddy. Can you feel him?"
No, I can't. I do not understand, Mikah.
"I can find him…'cause I can feel him!"
Mikah patted her chest, indicating herself.
You mean you 'think' you feel him.
Her happy face reversed into a frown and she shook her head, looking quite insulted.
"No. I feel daddy."
This was quite unexpected and for a moment, KITT didn't know what to do. Perhaps they should test this theory. If Sarah found out that he was going to be driving her four-year-old daughter, her only child, into possible danger…she would dismantle him and sell him for spare parts.
Mikah, are you sure?
She nodded her head vigorously, eyes wide with innocence. That's right…she still has yet to learn what a lie is, the AI mused to himself. This meant, that at the current moment…Mikah was incapable of lying or making this stuff up.
Mikah was telling the truth.
Mikah, you must listen very carefully…we are going to go for a drive later tonight. No one else can know so we have to keep this a secret, okay?
"Yep…I keep secrets good."
I know you do.
That settled it then. KITT was going to take Mikah out for a late night drive after everyone else retired for the night. They were going to investigate…and see if the connection she claimed existed between her-self and her father was real or not.
If it was…and Michael Knight was still alive…they were going to get him back, whatever the cost.
TO BE CONTINUED!!
Author's Note: Sorry this chapter wasn't as long as it usually is…I am going to pass out now thanks to all the cold medicine. *faints*