Fallen Horses
Chapter 3: Betrayal and Connection
By Panny
Warning: Adult situations, cursing, severe OOCness.
Blinded by the whiteness
Staring at the sun
I'm wishing that I had wings
So that I could become one.
Excuse me sir. I'm looking for a book on psychology.
Goten looked up for a moment and pointed to a back section. Once the woman left Goten resumed reading his magazine. Not long after another person came to ask for his help. Hi. I'm looking for a book on love.
Sorry. We don't carry dating books. Try the public library. Goten answered without lifting his head.
The voice complained, getting his attention. Standing in front of the desk was Bra, smiling brightly. Hey Bra. He said, stepping around his desk to pull her into a hug. What are you doing here?
I came to see you of course. She answered, hugging back. I heard from Trunks that you were working here so I figured I might as well stop by.
Goten smiled at her but jumped away as he saw someone coming. Bra turned around and saw Gohan come into view. She smiled as he walked over to them. Hi there Gohan. Working hard or hardly working? she joked. Gohan stared at her blankly for a second then answered Working hard of course. Why wouldn't I be? Bra just shook her head as Goten tried not to laugh at his brothers ignorance to humor.
What are you doing here Bra? Pan's not here, she's out somewhere.
Oh, I know. Actually I came to see Goten.
Goten? Why?
Because we're dating.
If someone had captured the look on Gohan and Goten's faces at that moment they could have black mailed them for life. Fortunately that area of the library was fairly empty so no one noticed their reaction. Snapping out of his state of shock, Gohan pulled Goten around a podium and began whispering.
Are you crazy Goten? She's 14 years younger than you! You can't date her! What will Mom think? Or Trunks? Or Vegeta?!
Yeah, I know man, but still. She's fun, she's cute and she likes me.
She's cute' because she's 16 years old. Think about it. Would you want Trunks going out with Pan?
no but, still. I like her and I have to at least give it a chance, you know.
I understand that but I just don't like the idea of it.
I understand Bro. Just trust me.
Gohan and Goten nonchalantly stepped out from behind the podium to where Bra stood looking puzzled. Gohan walked over to her and cleared his throat. I consent to you to dating. Then he walked away, leaving Bra even more puzzled.
I wonder if it's gonna be like this with everyone we tell. Goten thought as he watched his brother leave.
* * * * *
Pan sat uncomfortably in the back of Trunks' car. He hadn't bother to get her any more clothes, so she held her T-shirt down to cover her underwear. Trunks looked at her through the rearview mirror and she quickly looked away from him, hoping that if she didn't see him he wouldn't see her and what she had become.
After pulling her out, Trunks had dumped her in the back seat and taken off down the road. He hadn't said anything since and Pan had no idea where they were going. She only wished he would say something to tell her what was hiding in his eyes. That emotion she couldn't quite put to place. Not quite anger, something else.
They drove in silence for awhile longer till Trunks pulled the car to a stop on the edge of a cliff. He motioned for Pan to get out and they both sat on the rocky ground.
So, do you want to tell me about this? Trunks asked. Pan remained silent. Letting out a deep sigh, Trunks turned to her. Look, we can both sit here doing nothing, or you can explain to me what you were doing in your room with that ... well, you know. That last word he couldn't, because until that point he hadn't admit to himself that that was what had actually happened. He left room open for some other possibility but apparently there was none. The sweet innocent girl he once knew was reduced to someone... unstable.
I don't know. She answered sullenly. She still wasn't looking at him. Still waiting to wake up from her nightmare that she knew she couldn't escape. He asked her again and she stayed silent. The truth was she still wasn't sure herself. She just wanted something to help forget the life she had. Her parents fights were a daily event, growing more and more serious. She knew it was only a matter of time before they both got tired of it and she didn't want to be there when it happened. She wanted to be able to leave and go somewhere to escape it all. That's it.
I just want to escape. She finally answered.
Escape what? he asked.
Life, home, everything. I'm just tired of it all. All Mom and Dad do is argue. Grandma tries to act like everythings okay and all me and Goten can do is go out all the time. He's got friends to hang out with, but me I needed to do something. When I saw that pamphlet, I guess I just saw it as a way to get away and punish my parents at the same time.
Trunks shifted closer to Pan to put his arm around her. I understand that Pan, but this is NOT the answer. You have to find something else. I was worried about you when I saw you with that guy the other night, that's why I went to see you today; because I knew something was wrong. And when I found out what you were doing there, it broke my heart to see you like that. You're like family to me, and I don't want to see your life go the wrong way.
He could feel Pan shuddering so he pulled her against him as she began to whimper. It's okay. He whispered, stroking her hair. It's okay, let it out.
* * * * *
There came a knock at the Son household, and Chichi set her rag down to go answer it. Opening the door she was faced with a tall blond haired man. Can I help you? She asked.
Yes. I'm looking for Videl Satan.
Oh. You mean Videl Son. Come on in, I'll get her.
Sharpener nodded and stepped into the house. He looked around the quaint settings, comparing it to his vast estate, and smiled. Then he heard her voice from behind him. Sharpener, is that you?
He turned to face Videl. She had aged a bit, but then again so had he. She was still beautiful, perhaps even more so than he had remembered. Her hair was longer now. He always hated Gohan for making her cut it. When she had worn it in pig tails it always seemed to suit her perfectly, whereas the short hair was constant reminder of who had taken her from him. But that was different now. So, do you want to get going? He asked.
Videl nodded. Just let me get my coat. In moments she was back, with Chichi following her with worry. Don't be back too late. She reminded her. Oh, I won't. Videl answered. Adding Just long enough for Gohan to worry in her mind.
* * * * *