Disclaimer: The Witchblade Movie, Series, Comics, and characters belong to Top Cow Productions. I own nothing but the idea here.
Thanks for the ego boosts, guys! ^_^ And Jady, it's so sad to see 'Unmerciful Queen' end, but I'm dying to see the sequel come out. I'm not a Kenneth/Sara shipper, but I guess it's alright if well-written. And please don't hurt Ian! Yarvarni's been abusing him terribly, but I'm sure it'll all turn out right in the end...right, Y? And where has Divamercury gone? Haven't heard from her lately. You there, girl? Hope I don't sound demanding...hehe... And Rob1, I sure as hell want to hear more from you! Great follow-up to the first chapter. ^_^ ...Btw, this is the last of 'The Heart Remembers', but I'm already planning a sequel if you guys are interested. I first chose the chapter with the idea of past flashbacks in mind, but now, it seems appropriate for another reason... Anyway, I'm babbling. Read on. I hope you guys like how this thing goes down! ^_^ And now, I'm off to sunnier and sandier shores! Be back in a few days!
The Heart Remembers
Chapter 10
It's been a week since Sara left.
Considering the chaos Irons regained consciousness in, I don't think he knows what part I played in it. There were so many broken tubes and syringes that one couldn't figure out what was what. Dr. Immo isn't any help either. He's lying unconscious in the room of a nearby sanitarium. Of course, it's also a good thing that my master had been knocked out during the exchange between Sara and me.
So, I'm safe - and alive. I've often wondered why the Blade let me live. It was really in its hands at that moment. Sara might have released me even after what I'd done, but the Blade is another matter entirely. I've never claimed to understand how it works and this latest spin on things hasn't helped me. I'd like to think it's because it saw how Sara wanted, more than needed, me alive. But, that's just me and I don't think I'll ever know why it does the things it does. What is important is that the Blade thinks I'm better off alive. That means I still have a purpose to fulfill...and that in some small way, the Wielder still needs me.
Irons is truly bedridden now. Without the good doctor around, he's hired someone with as little a conscience and as much skill as his predecessor. Under that man's treatment, my master should be up and about in a few days. Still, whatever damage the Blade has done to his body, his mind seems to be as sharp as ever - and his tongue even sharper. And so, it was with little reluctance that I set forth into the cold to watch Sara today. Behind me, the sun starts its leisurely ascent above to the heavens. A stray ray shines upon a mirror shard left scattered on the roof floor.
I look down and watch as my image looks back at me. The features are familiar, but the scar that cuts across from right eyebrow down to right ear is not. It is the only lasting mark left by the Blade. It is a reminder of who I truly serve. No man may have two masters and the Blade has shown me that the Wielder is mine. Never again will I forget that. True, Irons still has some hold on me, but that is fast fading. And once what I owe him is paid, I will move on to serve Sara if she's willing to take me back. If she refuses, I will still serve her even if I must do so from afar, unseen and unacknowledged as I've done so in the past.
As I swear that personal vow, I see her appear at the window. Only her faint silhouette is seen through the fogged up glass. Then, she presses her hand against the glass and clears a rough circle. She peers outside and for a moment, I think she sees me. But, when she continues to stand there without looking my way, I lose hope and start to turn away. Yet, something makes me look back and I watch her breath onto the glass to mist it once more. Then, a finger traces words for me to read.
-I remember.-
I smile as the sun takes its place in the sky.
It's going to be a beautiful day.
*****
The man stared broodingly at the fire on his hearth, clearly deep in thought. Several photos were held loosely by one hand as he rested his arms on the sides of his wheelchair. He could sense his doctor hovering in the background, but he chose to ignore the other man as he considered what to do now that matters had changed.
He shook himself out of his stupor and held up the pictures again. The images on them were already imprinted on his mind, but he could not resist taking another look. All had the same subjects, a young man and woman. The series seemed to show a soap opera - or the slow, hesitant dance of fools sharing unrequited love.
Then, he abruptly hurled the stack of security camera shots into the fire. They slowly burned, the edges curling in and then crumbling into dark ash until each photo was consumed by the flames. He watched them, his eyes hard and cold as he clasped his hands before him. He rested his chin on them for a moment, then he drew them away and stretched his fingers out to press fingertip against fingertip. As he did so, a slow, cruel smile curled up on his lips.
"I'm disappointed in you, Sara," he whispered softly to himself. "I'm not surprised by my servant. I'd actually be surprised if he still felt nothing for you. But, I expected better of you. ...Oh well," he sighed melodramatically, "I have other plans - plans that unfortunately don't include you. Such a waste of a woman. But, it can't be helped. Mistakes must be eliminated."
Thanks for the ego boosts, guys! ^_^ And Jady, it's so sad to see 'Unmerciful Queen' end, but I'm dying to see the sequel come out. I'm not a Kenneth/Sara shipper, but I guess it's alright if well-written. And please don't hurt Ian! Yarvarni's been abusing him terribly, but I'm sure it'll all turn out right in the end...right, Y? And where has Divamercury gone? Haven't heard from her lately. You there, girl? Hope I don't sound demanding...hehe... And Rob1, I sure as hell want to hear more from you! Great follow-up to the first chapter. ^_^ ...Btw, this is the last of 'The Heart Remembers', but I'm already planning a sequel if you guys are interested. I first chose the chapter with the idea of past flashbacks in mind, but now, it seems appropriate for another reason... Anyway, I'm babbling. Read on. I hope you guys like how this thing goes down! ^_^ And now, I'm off to sunnier and sandier shores! Be back in a few days!
The Heart Remembers
Chapter 10
It's been a week since Sara left.
Considering the chaos Irons regained consciousness in, I don't think he knows what part I played in it. There were so many broken tubes and syringes that one couldn't figure out what was what. Dr. Immo isn't any help either. He's lying unconscious in the room of a nearby sanitarium. Of course, it's also a good thing that my master had been knocked out during the exchange between Sara and me.
So, I'm safe - and alive. I've often wondered why the Blade let me live. It was really in its hands at that moment. Sara might have released me even after what I'd done, but the Blade is another matter entirely. I've never claimed to understand how it works and this latest spin on things hasn't helped me. I'd like to think it's because it saw how Sara wanted, more than needed, me alive. But, that's just me and I don't think I'll ever know why it does the things it does. What is important is that the Blade thinks I'm better off alive. That means I still have a purpose to fulfill...and that in some small way, the Wielder still needs me.
Irons is truly bedridden now. Without the good doctor around, he's hired someone with as little a conscience and as much skill as his predecessor. Under that man's treatment, my master should be up and about in a few days. Still, whatever damage the Blade has done to his body, his mind seems to be as sharp as ever - and his tongue even sharper. And so, it was with little reluctance that I set forth into the cold to watch Sara today. Behind me, the sun starts its leisurely ascent above to the heavens. A stray ray shines upon a mirror shard left scattered on the roof floor.
I look down and watch as my image looks back at me. The features are familiar, but the scar that cuts across from right eyebrow down to right ear is not. It is the only lasting mark left by the Blade. It is a reminder of who I truly serve. No man may have two masters and the Blade has shown me that the Wielder is mine. Never again will I forget that. True, Irons still has some hold on me, but that is fast fading. And once what I owe him is paid, I will move on to serve Sara if she's willing to take me back. If she refuses, I will still serve her even if I must do so from afar, unseen and unacknowledged as I've done so in the past.
As I swear that personal vow, I see her appear at the window. Only her faint silhouette is seen through the fogged up glass. Then, she presses her hand against the glass and clears a rough circle. She peers outside and for a moment, I think she sees me. But, when she continues to stand there without looking my way, I lose hope and start to turn away. Yet, something makes me look back and I watch her breath onto the glass to mist it once more. Then, a finger traces words for me to read.
-I remember.-
I smile as the sun takes its place in the sky.
It's going to be a beautiful day.
*****
The man stared broodingly at the fire on his hearth, clearly deep in thought. Several photos were held loosely by one hand as he rested his arms on the sides of his wheelchair. He could sense his doctor hovering in the background, but he chose to ignore the other man as he considered what to do now that matters had changed.
He shook himself out of his stupor and held up the pictures again. The images on them were already imprinted on his mind, but he could not resist taking another look. All had the same subjects, a young man and woman. The series seemed to show a soap opera - or the slow, hesitant dance of fools sharing unrequited love.
Then, he abruptly hurled the stack of security camera shots into the fire. They slowly burned, the edges curling in and then crumbling into dark ash until each photo was consumed by the flames. He watched them, his eyes hard and cold as he clasped his hands before him. He rested his chin on them for a moment, then he drew them away and stretched his fingers out to press fingertip against fingertip. As he did so, a slow, cruel smile curled up on his lips.
"I'm disappointed in you, Sara," he whispered softly to himself. "I'm not surprised by my servant. I'd actually be surprised if he still felt nothing for you. But, I expected better of you. ...Oh well," he sighed melodramatically, "I have other plans - plans that unfortunately don't include you. Such a waste of a woman. But, it can't be helped. Mistakes must be eliminated."