By Chustang Sundust
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Prologue
June 14.
A lanky boy latched his eyes to the starry sky, a shiver of fear
telling a thousand stories of horror and despair that could be awaiting
him in that cosmic abyss. A few gentle strands of his short, bristling
red hair blew in the wind, his gaze unwavering under them. He had only
been fourteen for a few hours. This was the best birthday present he could
ask for, the chance to chase down his dreams.
"Gene?"
He turned, as a wind kicked up the grass around him. In the light
of the nearby spaceport, the field was an eerie bluish-white. Yet that
didn't hinder the star's brilliance overhead. A man was walking over
to the boy, who was sitting quietly in the field. "What are you doing out
here, Gene? You should be in bed, getting rested up. It's three the morning!"
he reprimanded, sitting down next to his son.
"I couldn't sleep," he simply replied, curling his knees up to
his chin and wrapping his arms around them. His newly received tattoo had
been part of a Space Forces tradition, when a boy first heads into space,
and the red and magenta star was worn proudly on his left shoulder. Gene
stared at the ships that were being polished and equipped for launch. "Too
much to think about."
His father smiled, ruffling his red hair playfully. "Hey. Don't
break your head worrying over stuff like that."
The boy replied with a smile, his dark blue eyes alight with
a curious and scared light. They seemed old beyond years with thoughts,
but alive and pulsing with youth that would never die. Lips pursed happily
in consideration of his father's words, Gene looked back at the stars.
"It'll be okay. I'll teach you the ropes, everything. Maybe you'll
grow up to be a legendary pilot. How would you like that?" he asked encouragingly.
"Gene Starwind: Fighter pilot…" He liked the way it rolled of his lips,
and the man beamed down at his flame-red haired son. "Tomorrow's the big
day. How about we go in and have some of your mother's apple pie as celebration?"
Gene smiled. "Yeah!"
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My image no longer is me
My friends and family can no longer see
That the smiles really hold tears
That my dreams are just my fears
Tell me
That I'll be
Okay
Just for today
Tell me
That she
Isn't really crying
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Gene Starwind glared at himself in the mirror. The same, roguish
red hair; the same, fiery steel blue eyes; the same scars. But it wasn't
him. He was a prisoner, one that roamed the streets freely but still remained
locked up horribly.
He saw… a lie.
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Author's Notes
That poem I wrote myself, and there will usually be one in each
chapter. Remember this is only a prologue, and it'll get more exciting.
I'm a big believer in Gene/Melfina, even though I dislike Mel… ^_^=
Please read and review! Email me at chustang@nativestar.net
Chustang