Hey there!

So, as always, thank you so much for the reviews.
Always so happy to hear your thoughts.
I love to share this world with you, to escape reality, if only for a moment.
A world I call my safe space, even with all the drama that is going on, hehe.

Okay, so...
Next chapter.
It's different, this one.
Differently written, at least, the first part.
Hard to write, too.

You see, I always picture the scenes in my head, kind of like a movie.
Including sounds, sensations, emotions... everything, actually.
But sometimes it's just so hard to turn it into words and then there's the language barrier... -_-

I really did the best I could, and I think it's close enough.
At least close enough to just throw it online.
I can only hope that you'll like it.
But hey, go see for yourself! ^^

Chapter 29

'In sleep she sang to me…
In dreams she came…'

Darkness.
Darkness came in many forms.
There's a soothing one.
Like a blanket.
Warm.

There's a silent one.
Like a bubble.
Peaceful.

There's a mysterious one.
Like a wormhole.
Elusive.

But there's a frightening one as well.
One that wasn't warm like a blanket.
Or peaceful like a bubble.
Or elusive like a wormhole.

No, this one was cold.
Like a frozen lake.
Like being caught under the ice.
Paralyzed by the cold.
Silence pressing against your eardrums, whispering.
Making you, once again, aware of how lonely you actually are.

Kind of like this darkness.
The one that was here now.
A darkness where fear ruled with an iron fist.
A scary place to be.
Especially for those who were young and innocent.

"Mommy…"

A child's voice echoed through the veils of loneliness.
Fragile.
Vulnerable.

"Mommy, I'm scared…"

A small red light in the distance.
Like a red firefly, buzzing through a dark forest.
At first, there was only one.
But as it slowly came closer, it suddenly split into two.
Two red fireflies, buzzing through a dark forest.

As they came even closer, a warm white light appeared below them.
It was bigger.
Round.
Like the moon.
Two red fireflies, buzzing above the moon.

A voice broke the silence.
It was a different one.
It didn't belong to a child.
It wasn't infused with fear.
It was warm.
Soothing.
Like the three lights, dancing through the darkness.

A female voice.
It didn't speak.
It sang.
Heartbreakingly beautiful.

"Nothing's gonna harm you…
Not while I'm around…"

The words were somehow familiar.
So was the melody.
A memory.
A twin, boy and girl.
A mother, loving and caring.
A song to ease their fear.
To tell them she was watching over them.

The darkness became less thick.
Like a fog that lifted.
The lights came closer.
As they did, they changed.
The lake wasn't frozen anymore.
It was water now.
Still cold, but not as solid as ice.
Fluid like only water could be.

The sound of trickling water.
A drop landing in the lake.
One causing ripples in the water.
Ripples that slowly transformed the moon into a face.
White fur.
Red eyes.
The two red fireflies were still dancing above her head as she came closer.

"Ssshhh... I'm here…"

The red light became brighter.
It absorbed the fireflies.
Turning them into two glowing antennas.
Antennas belonging to the loving face.
A familiar face.
One that simply couldn't be forgotten.

A mother.
Younger, but caring and loving.
Just like hers.
All Mireya did was pass it on.
To ease her daughter's fear in this cold and frightening darkness that was their home.
Using the song her mother used to sing whenever she and Vinnie were scared.
To help Zevvi sleep.

"No one's gonna hurt you…
No one's gonna dare…"

Antennas making contact with those of a child.
An electric shock.
The darkness changed.
The image of Mireya's face slowly faded.
To make place for a younger version.
A male version.
Her brother.
White fur.
Red eyes.

A four-year-old boy.
Standing in a big yard with a red ball in his small hands.
Like he was posing for a photo.
A wide smile on his young and unharmed face.
Ruby-red eyes, confident.
Lovingly.
Looking into the camera that wasn't a camera, but his sister's eyes.
A memory.
One of many.

Slowly, the image faded to make place for another one.
Again, the white-furred boy came into view.
He was older now.
Around ten years old.
Sitting on a child's bike.
A child's bike without training wheels.
Glancing over his shoulder at his sister, with that same genuine smile.
Pride readable in his twinkling red eyes.

Again, the image changed.
The boy was back.
Younger, this time.
And not so white.
Lying in a pool of mud.
Mud that turned his fur red.
The color of Mars.
The red planet.
And there was that smile again.
A smile that seemed to define him.

He had it all.
Happiness.
Security.
Safety.
Family.
Love.

The image soon transformed into another one.
One where the boy was stuffing food into his mouth while keeping a close eye on his surroundings.
The mischievous look on his face said it all.
He was clearly doing something that wasn't allowed.
Like the little rascal he was.
Just like his sister.

Twins.
They were one, her and him.
They were like the earth and sky.
One family under the red sun.
Mireya and Vincent.

The images kept following up on each other.
Steadily.
Calmly.
It was like watching a slideshow.
A slideshow that was Mireya's memory.

Memories used to ease her daughter's fear.
To let her meet her family.
To keep them alive.
To let her be part of it.
To show her how happiness looked like.

To let her know that there was so much more in life than this.
Than living in captivity.
Forced to see horrible things.
Forced to do horrible things.
A life where every day was a struggle to survive.
A life without freedom.
A life Zevvi didn't deserve.

Some mothers told their children stories before they'd go to sleep.
Fairytales.
This was Mireya's version.
Her childhood had been a fairytale, once.
Without a happy ending.
But a fairytale nevertheless.
And it worked.
Like always.

The images changed the darkness.
It wasn't scary anymore.
No, it was warm.
Like a blanket.
Peaceful.
Like a bubble.
But above all else, there was safety.
And that voice.
That soothing voice.

"Sleep, little one. Dream, for dreams is all we have…"

Everything faded.
The voice.
The lights.
The face.
The memories.
The feeling of security.
Everything.

Another image took its place.
An image a lot sharper than the ones before, for this was a memory of Zevvi's and Zevvi's alone.
Nothing to disturb the frequency.
No static from the calming images from her mother's childhood, planted in her brain by Mireya herself to help her sleep.
No voice singing to calm her nerves.
It was still a bit blurry though.
A memory clouded by trauma.
Jerky movements.
Like it was still buffering.

There was a tent.
Their home.
A bunk bed.
Wind howling outside.
Cold.
Humid.

There was a rat, too.
A rat, working for the fish.
A rat that had turned his back on Mars.
A rat with piercing blue eyes, reaching out his greedy hands.
Piercing blue eyes that gave away his intentions.
So did his words.

"Lemme show you what grown up's do to have a little fun…"

His voice was raw.
Lust marking the edges.
A rat, evil to the core.
A monster.
Like the ones under the bed.
Where they belonged.

But here he was.
Threatening the innocence only a child could have.
Planning on taking it away.
A mortal sin.

Small white-furred hands that tried to push him away.
A heart, beating loud and erratic.
Short, rapid breaths.
A child's voice.

"No. Stay away from me."

Fear.
Almost dripping off the voice like water.
Soaking Zevvi's body with sweat.
Making the monster only more aroused.
A rat licking his lips.
Revealing rotten teeth.
Rotten like his soul.

"Feisty, just like your mom. And just the way I like it. Now come here, it will be over before you know it."

It weren't really spoken words.
It was more like panting.
Like a nightmare.
Like a monster that lived under the bed.
Whispering.

Out of nowhere, another pair of hands grabbing small and fragile shoulders.
Zevvi's shoulders.
Piercing blue eyes that now looked at something behind her.
Or someone.
A friend.
But not hers.
No, his.
Just as bad.
Another monster.

"Right on time. Hold her."

Fear.
Such a powerful emotion.
But a paralyzing one as well.
Locking bodies and minds within seconds before throwing away the key.
Hands, belonging to a rat with piercing blue eyes, touching her.
Tears that made her vision blurry and thus the memory.
A memory, meant to be forgotten.
One that was never meant to be made.

But then another voice.
Female.
Familiar.
It was that soothing one.
But not now.
Now it was low.
Trembling with anger.
Primal instinct.

"Keep your filthy hands away from my child."

A woman came into view.
A mother.
White fur.
Red eyes.
Pushing the rat with the piercing blue eyes away.
Away from her daughter.
A rat that didn't like contradiction.
A greedy hand lashing out to Mireya.
Grabbing her by the throat.

"You don't get to tell me what to do."

A mother.
Devoted.
Laying her hand on the one that was holding her.
That was almost choking her.
Willing to do anything to keep her daughter safe.
Determination.
Resignation.
Maternal love.

"Take me. Take everything you want, like you always do but please… leave my daughter alone."

Piercing blue eyes.
Dead and empty.
A smile.
Dirty and vicious.
A mouth that answered.
One that only told lies.

"Fine by me."

Fear.
Such a powerful emotion.
A great motivator to fight.
Unlocking the body and mind within seconds.
Awaking a fighting spirit.
To fight for those one cared for.
Like a child cared for its mother.
A child's love.
Pure.
Genuine.

"No! Leave my mommy alone!"

A child's voice.
One in panic.
Small white-furred feet stirring the dust on the floor.
Trying to get a grip.
All to get to her mother.
To protect her.
To stop the monster from hurting her.

A monster, haunting their lives for years now.
A monster she hated to the core.
A monster she couldn't defeat.
But a child could try.
And so she did.
Just as devoted.

But the same hands on her shoulders stopped her.
Without any effort.
Growing panic.
Panic fed by watching the rat throwing Mireya on the floor, smiling.
A smile Zevvi knew all too well.
A monster's smirk.

"No, stay away from her!"

Ruby-red eyes, filled with tears.
A child's body, now fighting to get free.
A body, running on fear.
Powered by panic.

"No, mommy!"

A child.
Screaming in terror.
Watching a monster hurt her mother.
Her mother, that was her world.
But it was all in vain.
The hands were too strong.

But then, suddenly, like an angel falling from the sky.
A man's voice.
Calm.
Authoritative.
Compelling.

"Let her go. Now."

A rat with piercing blue eyes, looking up from his prey.
Lust that changed into fear by looking at the third rat.
A rat that just came in.
A rat he respected.
A rat high in the food chain.
A right hand (or fin) of the fish who ruled this place.
A rat who could punish him.
Hurt him.
Even kill him.

Self-preservation.
Stronger than any other instinct.
Hands that let go of Zevvi's shoulders.
The warmth soon replaced by cold.
A welcome cold.

A gust of wind.
A flapping tent cloth.
A sudden feeling of relief.
Of freedom.
The monsters were gone.
Leaving only angels behind.

A rat with black fur, reaching out his hand.
A rat with a heart of gold.
A rare creature.

"Are you okay?"

A white-furred hand.
Trembling.
Taking the black-furred hand.
Gratitude.
Relief.
Perhaps even love.

"I'm fine. Thanks, Bear."

Red eyes.
Green eyes.
Looking at each other.
A small smile.
A shy one.

"Always."

A guardian angel.
One that made living in captivity a bit more bearable.
Doing all he could between the borders of safety.
To not raise suspicions.
Treason carried the death penalty.

A rat could only be a guardian angel while breathing.
A prisoner could only be protected with a heart still beating.
The dead didn't need protection.
It was already too late for them.
But not for a mother.
Not for a child.

Bear.
A friend.
Mireya.
A mother.
Holding hands.
Zevvi.
A daughter.
Joining them.
Trembling bodies that relaxed.
All safe.
For now.

Shadows clouded the memory.
Ended it.
Made it vanish into nothingness.
Like eyes closing.
And there was that darkness again.
The frightening one.
One that gave goosebumps all over.

It felt even more intense than with the first memory.
A child's mind.
A mind ruled by fear.
A mind knowing it was about to be abandoned.
A final goodbye.

'No one's gonna hurt you...
No one's gonna dare.
Other's can desert you...
Not to worry, whistle and I'll be there.'

Promises.
Promises a mother couldn't keep.
Not because she didn't want to, for she did.
It was all she ever wanted.
To keep her daughter safe.
But safety carried a price.

A mother's sacrifice.
One that shattered a mother's heart.
One that kept a child's heart beating.
Maternal love.
Just as elusive as a wormhole.

'You didn't ask me to be born, you...
Why should you learn of war or pain?
To be sure you're not hurt again...
I swear I'll give my life for you.'

Voices.
Voices in the dark.

"Get up. You're coming with us."

Another monster.
A fish, this time.
A mortal enemy.
Not just one.
Three.
Guards.
Following orders.
Orders that didn't make sense.
Orders that created confusion.

"What? Come to where? It's the middle of the night, for fuck sake."

No answer.
Just a blurry image.
A mother.
Already being dragged towards the exit of the cold tent.
Away from her child.
Her child, that was her world.

Mireya.
Looking over her shoulder at her daughter.
Fear and confusion written upon her face.
Heels, digging in.
To stop a fish from following orders.
Knowing something was very wrong.
A final goodbye.

"No, wait, what about my daughter?"

A fish.
Clenching his teeth.
Using more strength.
All to get the now struggling mother with him.
A fish that only followed orders.

A mother who thwarted his attempt to be obedient.
Like the guard he was.
One that didn't ask questions.
And most certainly not answered one.
Loyal to his kind.
Cruel to anyone else.

"Stop struggling, rodent. Or we have to do this the hard way."

A child.
Brutally awoken.
Seeing her mother being dragged away from her.
Ruby-red eyes, big and shocked.
A heart skipping a beat.
And another one.
Fear pumping adrenaline through veins.

A child's body, coming into movement.
Jumping off the bed.
Totally panicked.
Only wanting just one thing.
A mother.

"No, mommy, where are you going?!"

Another fish.
Number two.
Catching Zevvi right before she reached her mother.
Her mother, who was now fighting to get free.
Using both hands, feet and tail.
Even teeth.
All to stop the fish from taking her.
From taking her away from her child.

From Zevvi.
Her reason and her life.
Her flesh and blood.
The thought alone was enough to make her go ballistic.
A mother's worst nightmare.
Losing a child.
A final goodbye.

"Let me go, you reeking piece of shit! She needs me! Can't you see that?! Haven't you taken enough already?! Jesus, she's just a child! I'm all she has, goddammit! You can't do this!"

Fish number three.
Helping his fellow guard.
Helping him to get a white-furred mother out of the tent.
To get her away from her child.
Her crying child, held by number two.
Her child, that was afraid of the dark.
Her child, that was screaming in terror.

"Mommy! Mommy, please don't leave me!"

Chaos.
Panic.
Disaster.

A mother.
A daughter.
About to be ripped apart.
Forever.

Both somehow knowing that this was the end.
The end of their journey together.
Inevitable, considering the world they lived in.
But cruel nevertheless.

Cruel that they didn't even get the chance to say a final goodbye.
To hold each other just one last time.
One last kiss.
To bless their journey.

A fighting mother.
A white-furred hand.
Stretched out to her daughter.
Trying to reach her.
Tears streaming down her face.
Red eyes, bewildered.
A mother's final call.

"No, Zevvi!

A crying child.
About to be abandoned.
Almost suffocating in her heartache.
Dangling in the arms of a fish.
Breathing heavily.
Also reaching out her hand.
Grabbing into nothingness.
A child's last cry for help.

"Mommy!"

A flash of light.
A moon, shining through the entrance of the tent.
Illuminating the darkness.
Sharpening the memory.

A demon, drawn by trauma.
Nestling in Zevvi's brain.
Recording everything.
Every single detail.
So he could replay it for the rest of her life.
Over and over again.

All to make sure that she would never forget.
That she would never forget what she'd lost that night.
But thank God for the moon, sharing its light.
For where there's light — there are angels.

"What on Mars is going on here?"
Bear's voice overruled the sounds of fear and grief as the black-furred rat popped up behind the two fish that tried to get Mireya out of the tent.
They might have succeeded if Bear hadn't shown up, but there he was.
Looking at the two guards with a face like thunder, tail twitching,
"Let her go", he ordered with an ice-cold voice, his greenish eyes fuming.
"Now."

Guard number one shared a confused look with number three before he looked back at Bear.
"But they want her at the HQ asap. Someone…"
"... has bought her like she's some goddamn slave, yes, I know!", the black-furred rat snapped, lips trembling in agitation.
"I was there when they gave the order, remember?! Now let them go. Both of them."

Now it was guard number three who gave him a mixed-up look and not because of the slave part.
After all, that's what she was.
No, what he didn't understand was why Bear cared.
"Why? As you know, since you were there, the order came from upstairs, Bear. Not even you have the authority to ignore it. And, to be honest, I'm not sure why you would even want to in the first place…", the fish added with narrowed eyes, suspicion clearly readable in his blue eyes.
"Come to think of it, it's not the first time that you're trying to protect her. And I can't stop myself from wondering… why? Are you fuc…"

"You really don't wanna finish that sentence, Bargo", Bear cut him off, authoritative and unflappable as always.
"Who knows what might happen if you do."
His green eyes darted from Mireya to Zevvi before he let his burning gaze land on the suspicious guard again.
"And I'm not here to ignore a direct order. It hurts my feelings that you're even implying that…"
The guard visibly paled by hearing the threatening tone of voice, knowing all too well what Bear was trying to say here and he quickly lowered his eyes.
Bear's lips twitched in amusement for a moment before he looked at the other two guards.
"No, I'm only here to make sure that these two get some time to say goodbye."

Guard number two looked at the still crying child in his hands with a frown on his face.
"Say goodbye? Why on Mars…"
"Because it's the right thing to do, that's why", Bear interrupted him, his voice as sharp as a knife as he folded his arms, not able to hide his disgust.
"And unlike most sick-minded people here, including you three misfits, I always do the right thing. Or well, what I think is right. That gives some room for movement and oh, how I love my personal space…"

After dropping a meaningful and unsettling silence, Bear gave the three guards a little smile that was everything but friendly.
A smile that was his trademark.
A smile that revealed he was very close to losing his patience.
And if he did, one could better run.
"I'm curious, though. You're accusing me of disobeying orders and yet, here you are, still holding them, even though I specifically told you to let them go. That and me outranking you makes me come to the conclusion that I just gave you an order. Twice, even…", he mused out loud, rubbing his chin with an allegedly confused look on his face, though his eyes almost spat fire.
"So tell me — why are you still holding them?"

The guards shared a nervous look, one of them even opened his mouth.
"Well, we ah…"
"Before you continue, here's a word of advice. Buy a dictionary and look up the word 'rhetorical'. Could be a life-saver", the black-furred rat already interrupted him again, shaking his head with his mouth in a tight line, giving away his annoyance.
"Now let them go, or there will be consequences and I can assure you — you really won't like them."
And so the Plutarkian guards did.
Self-preservation.
Such a beautiful thing.
"That's what I thought", Bear nodded satisfied as he held open the tent, his back as straight as an arrow.
"Out."

Again, the three fish immediately obeyed and left the tent in a great hurry, though number three was softly cursing under his breath, clearly not happy to be treated this way.
Not that Bear cared about that.
As soon as the last one stepped outside, he shot Mireya an almost compelling look, a look used to help her understand the gravity of the situation.
Green eyes telling a white-furred mother with red eyes that her instinct had been right all along.
This was the end.

"You don't have much time. I'll try to stall them as long as I can, but you need to hurry", he told her sternly but regretfully, his green eyes giving away his frustration and despair.
Despair that came with being powerless.
An angel could only do so much.
It wasn't God.
Just an angel in the Devil's pit.

But when he tried to step outside the tent, a white-furred hand taking his ankle into an iron grip stopped him.
A desperate mother.
"No, please don't walk away, Bear, not now. I have no idea what's going on but there has to be a way. There has to be. It can't end like this, it just can't… Please, Bear…-", Mireya breathed, sitting on her knees close to his feet, her tone of voice matching her pleading eyes that looked up at him.
One last attempt.
"-...help us."

But Bear already shook his head, his usual cold eyes sadder than sad.
"There's nothing I can do. I tried, but they're this close to finding out about us and when they do, blood will be spilled…"
"I would never ask you to give your life for me, but Zevvi… Jesus, Bear, I can't just leave her here…"
"It's not my blood I'm worried about!", Bear hissed at her as he took a quick look outside, only to see the guards waiting for him to come outside as well, arms folded and suspicion still written upon their ugly faces.
Time was, as always, not in their favor.

Still, he turned around and knelt down next to the broken white-furred mouse before he gently took her chin between his fingers.
"They will kill her, Mireya. I can't let that happen. We both swore an oath on the day she was born, remember? We swore we would do everything within our power to keep her safe. An oath I intend to follow at all costs…"
Even if that meant he needed to sacrifice the life of the woman he loved with all his heart.
One could say a lot about guardian angels, but never question their loyalty and devotion.
"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry, but as long as she has a chance, I need to take it. I know you want the same, no matter how painful. All I can give you is a chance to say goodbye…"

When Mireya didn't respond, Bear took her head in his hands and kindly forced her to look at him.
All to keep her on point.
To get through to her.
To stop her from falling into the dark pit that was already there, ready to consume her.
"Say goodbye to your daughter, Mireya. It's the only way to save her."
Mireya still just stared at him, breathing heavily, clearly needing time to process his words.
To process what life was asking from her.
A sacrifice…

But time was the one thing they didn't have and so, Bear leaned forward and pressed his lips on her forehead with his eyes shut tight.
One last kiss.
One single tear rolled down his cheek, one he quickly wiped away when he scrambled back on his feet.
Not able to look at her, to see her pain, his hand reached out to open the tent, but, again, Mireya grabbed his leg.
"Take care of her, okay? As long as you can."

Despite his fear of seeing her pain, Bear looked down, straight into a pair of ruby-red eyes.
Eyes filled with resignation.
A mother.
Knowing what to do.
He gave her a firm nod, somehow relieved that he had managed to get through to her, even though it had broken her heart.
And his.
"I will. Or I'm gonna die trying. She'll be free, one day. I'll make sure of that."

A hand letting go.
Another flash of light.
A gust of wind.
Gone was the guardian angel.
But not without one last gift.
A final goodbye.

'As long as you can have your chance...
I swear I'll give my life for you.'

Not wanting to waste any second of the precious time that had been given to them, Mireya turned around and crawled to her trembling and crying daughter, still breathing heavily.
Red eyes sparkling with anguish, but there was a certain determination as well.
Or maybe a certain calmness.
Calmness from a mother.
To ease her child's fears.
To make saying a final goodbye a little bit more bearable.
At least they had a final goodbye.

As soon as she reached her, Mireya took Zevvi into her arms, warm and safe.
"Sssshhh… hush, love hush… Everything will be okay", she whispered while silent tears streamed down her face, her chin resting on Zevvi's head.
"How can it be okay if you won't be here?", Zevvi managed to bring out between sobbing.
Her nose buried into her mother's neck.
Sniffing up her scent.
Forcing her brain to remember it.
To keep it somewhere safe.
Forever.
"You promised you'd always be here…"

Mireya closed her eyes for a moment before she let out her breath and gently took Zevvi's head in her hands.
"Zevvi… My sweetest Zevvi… I need you to listen to me, very carefully…"
Her voice broke and so she took a quick and deep breath to pull herself together before she gave her daughter a reassuring yet sad smile.
"Our journey together ends here. But please, don't be sad, little one. My brother is still out there. I just know he is. He will come for you, Zevvi. All I dreamed for you, he'll do…"
"I don't want you to go, mommy…", Zevvi whispered, completely heartbroken.
A memory soaked in anguish.
A final goodbye.
"Can't you stay just right here? Right where you are now?"
Another tear in an already broken heart.

"I wish I could. But I can't. I have to go. To save you…", the white-furred mother breathed sadly as she gently rested her right hand on Zevvi's chest at the level of her heart.
"To keep your heart beating. And that's where I will be, little one. I'll be right here. Watching over you. Supporting you. For the rest of your life."
After wiping away a tear, Mireya laid both hands on Zevvi's cheeks again.
"Do you remember his face?", she asked softly yet a bit compellingly, studying her daughter's face, taking in every detail.
A flashing image of a teenage boy.
White fur.
Red eyes.
An image burned into a child's brain.
"Yes."

"Good. Now, remember what I've told you…"
"Trust him and him alone. Never tell anyone about him. Just picture his face and wait", Zevvi whispered while another tear left her eye.
Mireya gave her a sad but proud smile.
"That's right. All good things come to those who wait…"
She then trailed off as a frown appeared on her face.
"Can you promise me one thing?"
Zevvi nodded, having that same sad frown on her face.
"When you see him, tell him it isn't his fault. None of this is his fault. He'll think it is. But it's not. He simply didn't know. If he did, he would've been here. Tell him that. That I never stopped believing in him. He'll need it."

"But what if he never comes? ", Zevvi asked with a small voice.
Mireya smiled lovingly while tucking a brand of hair behind her daughter's ear.
"Oh, he will. I just don't know when. But he will. He's a good guy. Always doing the right thing. He'll find you. And when he does, you'll be free, little one. He'll take care of you. He'll keep you safe. But most importantly, he will love you, unconditionally. He's your goal, okay? Keep him in mind, day and night. Fight for him. And never give up. Love is the key, Zevvi. Only love can heal wounds that are too deep to heal…"

While tears still streamed down her face, Mireya looked at her daughter with eyes burning with pain.
A mother.
Being hunted by time, without mercy.
A final goodbye.
"Look at me, one last time…", she breathed, hardly able to speak.
"Don't forget what you see…"

Zevvi swallowed with difficulty as she reached out her hand, already knowing she would never be able to forget the face that belonged to the person that was her world.
But, as her mother had taught her, life could be unpredictable.
One was never able to be sure of anything.
And so, she let her fingers slide through the soft fur on her mother's cheek.
She took a deep breath to smell her scent one last time.
She listened carefully to her mother's voice, that soothing one.
All to ensure herself that she would never, ever forget who her mother was.
Her hero.
Her home.

But time really was one's worst enemy.
Then again, was there ever enough time for a final goodbye?
Probably not.
Not that the Plutarkians cared about that.
All they cared about was themselves.
And so here they were again.
Three guards.
Already entering the tent again.
Rubbing their hands.
All ready to rip another family apart.
For that's what they did.

The memory became a bit more blurry again.
Not even the demon was able to fully catch this moment.
A final goodbye.

A hand on Mireya's shoulder.
Slimy.
Compellingly.

"Time's up, vermin. On your feet."

A mother.
Closing her eyes.
Pressing her lips on a child's forehead.
One last kiss.
One last whisper in the wind.

"I love you…"

Before Zevvi knew it, her mother was gone.
Taking everything with her.
Leaving only a void behind.
Warmth got replaced by cold.
Love got replaced by hate.

No more arms, holding her tightly.
No more scent, calming her down.
No, just cold and scary loneliness.
A child in pain.

Pain that was too much.
Too much to comprehend.
Too much to bear.
Paralyzing her.
Suffocating her.

But then, out of nowhere, panic grabbing her by the throat.
His name.
She suddenly couldn't remember his name.
A child jumping on her feet.
Running after her mother who was already outside.
Out of reach.

"Mommy, wait, I…-"

But it was too late.
She was gone.
A black-furred hand, stopping her.
A child, whispering to herself.

"-...can't remember his name… No…"

Bear's voice.
Giving another order.
Playing his role.

"You take her to the HQ. I'm right behind you, once I've taught this child what obedience is."

A guard.
Number three.
The last one to leave.
Smiling meaningful before he did.
Thinking he knew what was going to happen once he's gone.
Not knowing he couldn't be more wrong.

A child.
Falling on her knees.
Not able to carry her weight.
Tears.
So many tears.
She almost drowned in them.
His name.
What was his name?

"No, mommy, please, come back..."

Warm hands.
A familiar scent.
Green eyes.
Green.
Not red.

"Zevvi, look at me…"

His voice was so familiar.
An angel's voice.
If only she could understand what he said.
But she couldn't.
All she could think of was that name.
She needed to know his name.
She didn't want to let her mother down.
It felt like she did.

All the Mind Walks she had with her mother.
All to get to know him.
To make him part of her memories.
Part of her life.
All to prepare her for the inevitable moment that just happened.
The moment they would be ripped apart.

To give her a plan.
A goal.
Something to fight for.
Knowing she wasn't alone.
Was it all for nothing?
What was his name?

"You'll be together again, one day…"

Bear's words didn't make sense.
All but echoes.
Black fur.
Green eyes.
Fading.
Just like his voice.

"...one day…"

Just like the memory.
The darkness changed again.
It turned back into that soothing one.
The one that was there before the connection was made.
The one that was so peaceful.
The one that was supposed to be silent.

But there was a voice.
That soothing one.
A mother's voice.
Whispering in the dark.

"Vincent..."

Zevvi gasped and her eyes flew open.
"Vincent. Your name is Vincent."

*Dum dum dum*
And that includes the Mind Walk.

I already made a good start with the next chapter, where you will find out how Vinnie is going to react on all this.
I'm curious about what you think he'll do.
Run away?
Break down and cry?
Get real angry?
Something else?

And what about Kiwi?
What's her part in this heartbreaking family reunion?
Will she be able to remain true to herself to make the right decision about their future together or is this whole thing with Zevvi clouding her judgment?
In other words, is she going to forgive her beloved white-furred macho mouse for everything he has put her through or not?

Well, I hope it all made sense, this chapter.
If not, feel free to send me a PM with your questions.
I'm more than happy to answer them.

Before I say goodbye, here's a small update on my other two stories.
Shadow of the Day: still on hold for now, but plenty ideas of how to continue. All I need is time.
Somewhere I Belong: Halfway through the next chapter. :D

Well, thanks again for reading my story.
Your support means the world.
Till next time, my friends.
And stay safe out there.

Ta-Ta!

PS: Bear is not Zevvi's father.