"Darkness Approaches"

"Darkness Approaches"

Creeping nearer every moment,

Reaching with crooked hands,

With a hooded robe bent,

To give its commands.

Falling, falling deep,

And the shadow comes to wake,

Nearer it will creep,

Until it is I it comes to take.

* * * * * * * * * * *

SHATTERING OF A BROKEN SOUL

CHAPTER TEN

It was all the surgeons could do. They had done all that could be laid in their hands. It was decided that the injured patient had only a twenty percent chance of survival. Of course, at the deluded hopes of the doctors, this was not entirely accurate. In other words, they were out of their minds at giving such a generous percentage. In fact the change of living was about ten percent; the chances of living and having a normal life were about five percent…

The poor woman was wrapped almost entirely in surgical bandages. Only parts of her face were visible. She was once a beautiful Saiyajin, but now she was reduced nearly to ashes. But that didn't matter to her. For she was much too engrossed in an unbearable state of pain. She would, under normal circumstances, been placed in a regenatory healing tank, where her DNA code would save her. Unfortunately, due to mysterious happenings, the tanks were offline. So were communications for that matter. The ship was lucky to have electricity, it was said.

:: I'm going to die, aren't I? Aren't I?! And there's nothing anyone can do! I am going to die… but I want to see my baby! Just a glance! Please! Only one more time! Let me stay alive long enough for that… please… ::

I dreadfully feel and fear,

I am about to disappear.

Oh, breath of life, let me be!

Just long enough to once more see,

Those big dark eyes, staring back at me!

* * * * * * * * * *

The recovery ship sped down the stream of space. Pilots pushed the speed on turbo; to its maximum rate. It was absolutely imperative that they arrive back in time to save to Queen. Her outlook was definitely not good at the moment.

The young warrior rated at first class was on duty. He was a medium sized nineteen-year-old Saiyajin. He turned down the hall to the infirmary. It was time that he checked on the Queen.

He opened the door the find the Queen straining her head and neck to look at a calendar on the wall.

"W-What… day is … it?" she whispered. Her voice was strained and rough; hard to listen to.

The young boy felt very inferior to the Queen, and he was afraid to speak a word. Carefully he took down the calendar and held it above her head. This way she could see clearly what day it was.

She smiled slightly.

"Thank…you…" she whispered.

The young boy took it as his cue to depart. With heavy steps, he shuffled out the door. He felt a deep pity for The Queen of Vegetasei. She would probably pass away any day now…

"Bejita…" the Queen mumbled, "It's your birthday… today… Y-you're… two…" she breathed wistfully.

:: This is it…:: The Queen silently braced herself for a death that was sure to come. It would be a fierce battle. Possibly the fiercest she had ever fought, but she would not go down easily.

Her mind searched desperately for something to cling to; something to think about; something to live for. Slowly a sweet image formed in her mind. Bejita… her child… She could see him clearly.

"Dark… eyes… staring… child…. my … child…" she uttered deliriously.

Salty tears bled from her red, swollen eyes and slid down her raw, puffy cheeks. Unconsciously, she allowed a few to slip into her mouth, and she tasted her own bitterness of life. How could one such as she shed tears?

Breathing became harder and harder. How ridiculous she was to have taken it for granted before! It was extremely difficult to stay awake… She was so sleepy… Her roughened lips forced a small smile. As she neared the blackness, she clung to the vision of her son: an image of a bright, little toddler who barely knew how to speak correctly… She would grip this picture for as long as possible.

:: This is it… ::

'BEEP'BEEP'BEEP'BEEP'BEEEEEP'!' The monitor on her bedside shrieked.

The doors burst open and a group of medics thundered in.

"She's leavin' us! Hurry! Get the other docs in here, pronto!" shouted the lead doctor.

"1, 2, Clear!"

"Do something!"

"Prepare to operate!"

"Ready for operation!"

All the sounds melted away to the Queen. She only heard the laughter of a young child… the image of the prince toddled before her… so close… she could reach out and…

"She's passed out! Oh, gods, no!"

The life signs gradually weakened. The Queen no longer responded. She had lost a lot of blood, and the bleeding began to flow again. The medical wrap was soaked deep red in many areas. Things were not going very smoothly.

After the stress of trying various medical procedures, the doctors trudged out the doors. No hope… Spirits were low and faces were grim. At questions, the team members only shook their heads.

There was little hope left…

The Queen had fallen into a coma…

* * * * *