Moments in Time

By: wolf demoness

Chapter Thirteen: Dreams of the Winter

Demon Palace (dungeons, east wing, cellblock 895) Prisoner's POV:

It was cold. It was so cold. It was dark too. I could handle the dark I liked it. The darkness had been my friend more than once in my life. But it was so cold here. I hated the cold more than anything, more than the bars, more than the chains, and definitely more than the dark. It cut through you and settled in your bones. It hurt and burned inside of you.

Sometimes it would be so cold I would sleep and sleep for what I think was days. I couldn't tell. It was always dark, but the guards would be different when I woke. They didn't change often. I could tell time was passing by watching them. I don't know how long I've been here, but there's one guard that came in, I don't know how long ago, awhile I think. He was young when I was first brought in, but he's grown. When he came down, years ago, I think, I haven't seen him in awhile, he was older. He looked middle aged, graying hair receding from his forehead, a gut. Some demons age faster than others, I hope he was from a race that aged a year for every day that passed. It scares me to think how long I've been here.

When I'm not feeling weak I test the links on the chains. I don't think I'll find a weak point anymore, but I do it all the same. The chains start to rust sometimes. At first I was excited I knew that if the guards forgot to check the chains long enough they would weaken and before long I could snap the chains. Then I'd have a chance to escape. I'd scrub the chains against the walls and floor when the guards slept. That kept them shiny and I hoped they wouldn't notice how quickly they were rusting away. But they did and they do. They come in groups, hit me until I can't move, then change the chains. It's happened four times. I heal quickly though, weak as I am. Bones set themselves, skin knits together, internal bleeding slows then stops, and the scars fade, slower than they should, but they always do. Sometimes I wish they wouldn't.

The cell is wide, long, and generally large. There's not much in it though. Me, the chains, a bucket in the corner, a tray with food appears occasionally, and a smaller bucket containing tepid, slightly fetid water. I can tell when winter's coming on though because the bucket starts to freeze over. When I see that thin layer of ice I have to remember to drink all the water when they bring it. Otherwise it will freeze solid and the guards won't change it for days. I used to count, or try to, but there's really nothing here to track the passage of time. They forget sometimes, often.

It was so cold. I had nothing to do. I couldn't even move unhindered, the chains were heavy. I was weakening. I knew it. I could see my ribs through my clothes, what was left of them. Reality was so depressing.

Lately I've been dreaming. I like to think of the past, my past, before this timeless void that I've fallen into. I had a great friend. We'd do everything together. I miss him. He died. They told me he died when I first woke here. I believe them. We were so far into enemy territory. I didn't really think he'd escape. It hurts to remember. I led him to his death and I never told him why. I lied to him. I did it to protect him, but he deserved better. He deserved to know. I see that now. I've had time to think. More time than I ever thought possible. Sometimes I think I deserve all this for bringing him here. My penance for my sins. I just hope that he can forgive me, undeserving of that forgiveness as I am.

It's so cold in here.

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A/N:

1) I know this is a bit fragmented, but I imagine that after so long in near solitary confinement anyone would be a bit disoriented and maybe a little unhinged.

2) Sorry everybody, I tried to get this up before FF.net started their maintenance, but I couldn't log on.

3) I'm feeling a little sentimental here; we just passed the halfway point. I can't believe it! It's been so much fun. I love you guys! Okay, I'll shut up now before I embarrass myself.

evilchild2: Thanks! I know the Point of Views can get a bit confusing when two of the main characters have the same name. If you keep in mind the POV I list at the top of each chapter, when you see Shuichi refer to Shuichi he means Kurama, and when Kurama refers to Shuichi he means the human Shuichi. I've tried to keep it as clear as possible. Sorry if I caused anyone any confusion.

Minamoto Miyuki: "Japanese Words Not Used In Civil Conversation"? Well, don't keep it to yourself. Share, Miyuki! Share!

Rei Akita: Does that actually work? If it does, could you stare at Artemis Luna Diana's Blood for me? I WANNA UPDATE!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH! :::Sniffle, Sob, Sniffle::: I'm okay. :::Sob:::