Chapter Thirty-Five: Inside Hell
88888888
'dia was only aware of herself. For the last two and half years there had always been more in her thoughts than just herself. Only in the short time after the birth of her daughter when she had nearly unjoined had she known the loneliness of one mind after Ona had become part of her.
Then as time passed she became aware of others. There was Trey, Cephron and Nexa, but there was also Nikal, Zanje, Mira... Not hosts that had been, but hosts that would be. Parts of her that she had known at that brief moment before Trey had died. In that moment Trey had known her as well...
"This is not your time young one." said a voice both booming and soft. "You have much to do before the pools may claim you."
She both saw Trey and was Trey. "You were my future before I was your past."
88888888
Krendrar had watched each of those in the Commissary fade until some chose to end their own suffering while others in their insanity did away with alias as if they were monsters. Only he and one other remained. A woman who's mother was human, but who's father he wouldn't care to guess at.
When it was done he would be the last one standing and his daughter's death would mean nothing. His tears came to his cheeks now, and he was ashamed. He was a man with no hope, and no future. He looked down at the locket that held the Ambassador's daughter's photograph in it. The child would perish like his own, and with the Trill now catatonic he doubted there would be a mother to mourn her.
The woman raised her phaser and pointed it at the still form of Ona. "If I am to die I will see her end first."
Krendrar moved to shield Ona without thinking. She was not his beloved, but she did not deserve death any more than his wife or there dear Dania. Before blacking out he heard the phaser fire again and knew that his last companion had ended her own suffering before the fever could claim her as well.
88888888
Ona felt the weight of someone on top of her. It had to be Krendrar, something had transpired that only half of her was aware of.
She tried to open her eyes, but she was not ready yet. She did not know when she would wake, but she knew that when she did, she would be whole.
88888888