'Sam?'
Her words echoed back at her, a
cascade of whispers that sent ripples through the lengthening shadows.
The failing light played tricks on her eyes, hinting at half-formed
faces peering out at her from the gloom. She could feel their eyes
boring into her back, sending shivers down the length of her spine, yet
when she turned to face her accusers they melted back into the
landscape, leaving her alone once more.
Taking a hesitant step forward,
Kathryn brushed her hand against one of the massive pillars of stone to
steady herself.
'Is somebody there?'
The absurdity of her situation
began to penetrate the haze that had descended on her mind. Surveying
her surroundings, overflowing with dramatic angles and ominous shadows,
Kathryn was reminded of one of those monochromatic 'movies' from the
early twentieth century that Tom was so fond of. If the plot ran true to
course a handsome warrior, mounted on a gleaming white war-horse, would
appear from the shadows and sweep her into his arms. Her enemies
vanquished, they would race off into the sunset to live happily ever
after.
If only life imitated art.
Instead it mocked her, reminding her once again that for her there would
be no saviour, no 'knight in shining armour'. She was alone.
Soaked to the skin, Kathryn
found herself unable to control the shivering that began somewhere at
the base of her spine, radiating out along her back. Reaching down she
rubbed at her legs in an attempt to defy the numbness that had crept up
them while she wasn't looking.
She needed to sleep and think,
in that order. Experience should have taught her that wallowing in
self-pity only ever succeeded in dragging her deeper into the mire.
'Computer … end program'
There was no answer…the wind
howled at her, tugging at her skirt. She tried again.
'Computer…show arch.'
Still nothing
'Janeway to Chakotay…'
She was about to attempt to
raise the bridge when she heard it.
'Kathryn…'
The voice reached out to her, a
gentle caress in a sea of darkness. At first she thought it was her mind
playing tricks on her. It wasn't until the sound was repeated that she
realised it wasn't Chakotay's voice she was hearing.
'Justin!'
Slowly a figured materialised,
each curve and angle embedded in her memory. His eyes smiled at her in a
way his lips never could, drawing her to him. Taking first one step,
then another she reached out to him…only to watch his image melt away
at her touch as the trap was sprung.
The pain caught her by
surprise, dragging a scream from her lips. Struggling against the arms
that imprisoned her, Kathryn's dazed gaze met that of Seska's.
'How nice of you to drop in
Captain, you have no idea how dull things were getting around here. '