His hand crept along the windowsill as he neared the small bird. It pounced around, pecking at the tiny crumbs in front of its toes. He slowly moved it directly in front of the two hind legs, almost covered by the layers of vibrant red feathers. The bird spread its wings and took flight.
Ty grunted and frowned in frustration. He spun around in the chair and faced the group, crowded around a neatly made bed. He hopped off his chair and made his way to the seated people.
"At least it healed alright." Merle studied the intricate scar, and shook her head. "It's strange. I don't have the slightest idea of what it might be."
Hitomi rotated her fingers across the area. "Just by feeling it I can tell it's some type of symbol. This is really stupid, but it feels as if it has a familiar pattern." She glanced around the room. "Is there a mirror around here?"
"I'll get one from the wardrobe down the hall. Be back in a second." Merle vanished into the halls.
Ty climbed onto the bed and sat next to Hitomi. He looked at the scar with mild interest.
"That's worse than the scar I got from falling off the fence," he commented.
Hitomi chuckled. "It's that bad, huh?"
"It's gross." He began to poke it. "It pops out of your neck!"
"Well, thank you, Mr. Observant! As if I'm not worried enough about the stupid thing!" She laughed and linked her arms around his tiny waist, flipping him into her lap. Ty giggled, his black hair covering his eyes.
He parted the strands from his eyes and leaned back against her chest. Hitomi kissed the top of his head and wrapped her arms around his petite body.
Allen watched them with delight, and smiled as he turned to see Merle entering the room. She waved a mirror in her hand.
"I never knew I had so many mirrors!" she exclaimed. "But of course, they for a good cause." She tossed her hair behind her shoulders, and grinned.
Hitomi picked up the mirror and searched for the scar.
"Where is it?" she muttered.
Ty rotated the mirror slightly.
Hitomi smirked in delight of her own silliness. "Thanks, bud." She scowled. "Ugh! It's hideous!"
"I could've told you that," Ty muttered, and luckily Hitomi didn't hear. He glanced at Merle. "What happened to the freaky lady that fell?"
Merle grinned at his comment. "She's in the room across the hall, resting."
"Don't be too sure," he said.
Allen chuckled. "He's got an interesting kind of honesty."
"He sure does," Hitomi said. She studied the healed wound carefully, moving the brass knob to see a different perspective each time. "…I think I know what it is…" she squinted.
"It's a big ugly pink thing."
Hitomi laughed and nudged Ty. "Get outta here, you!"
Ty grinned and ran out of the room.
"As I was saying," she continued," I think it looks a lot like the motif of Fried, only an incomplete version."
"And I believe the crest of Freid represents the symbol of Atlantis," Allen added.
"What's the point of it?" Hitomi asked, still staring at the scar with disgust.
"And how do you know that?" Merle asked.
"I just do."
"Nice answer."
"I'd like an answer to my question please! I'm not going to have this ugly thing on my neck, not knowing what the hell it is!"
Suddenly, Ty came running into the room, his voice at its highest pitch.
"She's coming! She's coming!" he yelled, leaping into the path of Hitomi's long legs.
"Who?" everyone asked in unison.
Hallandia entered the room, her dark hair matted down, her matching eyes drained, and her entire face pale and feverish.
"Her!" Ty shrieked.
Merle stood up instantly. "Are you sure you want to be walking around—oh my gosh, you don't look so good."
"There's more," Hallandia said weakly. She started walking on her own to the large bed, until Merle helped her. "I haven't told the fullest of my story." She pointed to the scar on Hitomi's neck. "That," she started, "is the reason they can't take over you."
"What do you mean?" Hitomi asked, not understanding.
"If it was completed, they would have full control over your mind. They would know your destinations, your thoughts. They would even have the power to destroy you." She stopped and coughed. Merle placed her hands on Hallandia's shoulders worriedly, but she shook her head.
She pulled her long hair back, revealing a similar scar on her neck. "They're destroying me. I won't be alive for very long."
"That can't be!" Hitomi exclaimed. "They can't do this to you!"
"They've already begun," she choked out. She stood up from the bed and was escorted by Merle to her room across the hall.
"Allen!" Hitomi grasped his arm. "We have to do something! We need to help her!"
"I'm not sure there's anything we can do for her, Hitomi. I'm sorry."
"But she risked her life to help Van!"
He got to his feet and walked out the doorway. Hitomi stood up instantly and grabbed Ty's hand, carrying him into the hallways with her.
"Please Allen! We can help her. There's got to be something we can do, besides just letting her die like this!"
Verona appeared in the halls, followed by two Fanelian soldiers. Allen stopped.
"The scouts are in position along the border," she concluded.
"Good," Allen replied. He glanced at Hitomi, and then at Ty, who had an identical plead on his face as Hitomi. Allen hesitated, and then faced Verona. "Gather as many troops as possible. I'll contact Queen Millerna at once, and request back-up troops."
"Fanelia may not have enough units-"
"Then dismiss the scouts."
Verona nodded, and set off in the opposite direction.
Hitomi's face was beaming with joy.
"Allen, thank you."
"Of course, Hitomi. You're always right. I could learn from that wisdom and courage of yours." He smiled and left the corner alone.
Hitomi sighed. "Guess it's just you and me, bud."
Ty nodded. "You, me, and that ugly thing on your neck."
"Argh! You're terrible!" she laughed, and lifted him upside-down, carrying him through the bright hallway.
***
Well, only a couple chapters left! It kinda blows right now, but It's gonna be improved by FAR! Sorry if lotsa other characters weren't included too much in this story, but I'll try and fill you all in during the next chapter. Reviews are good! *hint hint*