incubus8

I begin to cry, my little red bike smothering me. He comes over and helps me up.

I'm sorry I let you down daddy.

He leans over and picks me up. I feel so secure in his arms.

I'm never gonna learn to ride!

Don't give up son. I know that you can. You'll never let me down Taichi. I will always be proud of you. You are my son, and nothing can change that.

I love you daddy.

I love you too Taichi. Why don't you show Kari that you won't quit until you learn how? I'll be right here if you need me Taichi.
****




I open my bleary eyes. My entire body throbing with agony. My little sister's face hovers over mine. She smiles, but I can see the unshed tears in her eyes.

Don't cry Kari. I'm okay. I close my eyes. Where was I? What had happened. Those Guys! MATT! I bolt upright and and bite my lip to keep from screaming in pain as bolts of agony sear my head.

Where's Matt?

He's not here. But he's not hurt. She adds, seeing the fear etched into my eyes.

Where's mom at? I ask my sister. Her face is more serioua than ever.

Down the hall. She regards me seriously. Kari is debating about telling me something.

Whatever it is Kari, you can tell me!



Tell me.

Daddy died.

I yell.

Crying, Kari hugs me.

Whoever, or whatever attacked you, must of killed daddy.

How did I end up here then?

Dad called 911 before he died.

Where is Matt at? I ask. I have to see him, make sure he's okay.

He went home. Why don't you go back to sleep Tai? You need your rest.

I didn't have the strength to argue. I fell asleep before I could say another word.

The nurse brings in my mail with lunch. Or what they call lunch. I don't consider reconsituted potatos, gray meat, and limp orange things that might have been carrots 200 years ago food. And I can eat almost anything. But this isn't food, its trash. The sooner I get out of here, the better. I flip through the envelops casually, but one stops my heart. Fimilar handwriting was scrawled across the envelop.

Matt! With a sinking feeling I rip up the envelop and begin to read.

Dear Tai:

I'm sorry for all the pain that I've caused you. Everything is all my fault. If you haven't guessed already, I've been turning into that wolf. So I don't hurt you or anyone else anymore, I'm leaving this world forever. If I ever find a cure, I'll come back and face what I did last night. The only thing I know for sure anymore is that I love you, and will love you for the rest of my life.

Love, Matt.

I crumple the note between shaky fingers. Tears slide down my cheeks. I know he didn't do it! He couldn't have. Yamato was a kind and gentle person. I had to find him, convince him that it wasn't his fault. He probably saved both of our lives. I swallowed the last of my tears. Matt needed me.

A familiar red head peaks around the door.

Hi Tai! Are you up for a visit?

If its you Izzy!

He sits down on the chair.

Wow, these are comfortable. I'm going to get a set of these for my birthday. He says sarcastically.

Did you ever find out about that water? I ask him cautiously.

A little bit.

I fix him with one of Matt's famous stares. It always worked on me, so why not Izzy.

Basically, the water is an unconcious digital inhancer. Contact with it creates a very powerful Id drive that manifests its self in different ways. Ken came into contact with it. And we all know what happened. Kari too.

Not my baby sister. She was so sweet.

Kari seems to have good control over it, although she occasionally slips. Her subconcious wants to be a queen.

How did they come in contact with it then?

I don't know Tai, but here is the tricky part. It needs to enter the blood stream in order to be effective.

I guess that settles it. I had to get to Matt. He went to the digital world. Where else could he have gone?

Tai, what are you doing?

Go get my sister. I'm going to need her D3.

I ignore pain raging in my leg. And start throwing on my clothes. Wincing the entire time.



Are you going to help me or not? I ask.

All right. Are you sure that you're up to this?

No. but I have to go. Matt needs me.



I look him in the eyes.

Please Izzy. I know he didn't do it. He needs help.

You need help too Kamiya. The big nurse forces me back down.

Let me go!

You need bed rest. No going anywhere.



I'll be watching you, so stay put! I can only watch as she inserts a needle into my arm.

What did you do that for? Izzy asks. His voice is so far away now.

He can't move around so much or his injuries will get worse. I had to sedate him.

It's pitch black when I wake up. How long was I out of it? Matt! I sit up slowly and grin. At least I won't have to undergo the torturous pain that putting on my clothes brought.
I pick up a piece of notebook paper under my sister's D3 terminal marked by Izzy's squarish letters.

Tai-

I know that after you wake up, your going to want to find Matt in the digital world. There is an empty room down the hall on the left with a computer. I suggest that you use that one.

Good luck

Your friend

Izzy

I limp slowly down the hall. Don't worry Matt. I'm coming.

to be continued real soon!