Talysmin, a few answers for you: please do remember that the chapters in italics are all in memory, also, (though I know it was a vague reference) please note that the memories are not in order (it said that in chapter one…though I don't blame you for being confused). The reason that they are all at Capsule Corp. is, as of yet, unexplained, you'll just have to wait. Any other questions will (probably) be answered later in the story.
Misty: Thank you very much…yes you will get an explanation for Gohan's behavior, just not yet. As for your final question…I'll be the first one to admit here that I dropped the ball…no I have no clear reason for Mirai Trunks to be hanging around (Gohan certainly isn't eleven) sorry, I'll see if I can fix that in later chapters.
For the rest of you: Thank you very much for your questions and comments…. and always remember that I promised you that this wasn't your usual story, just wait and you'll see.
-Niamh
P.S. I'm sorry these chapters are so short, that's just how they turned out.
"If your mind is attuned to beauty, you find beauty in everything." Jean Cook
I sat alone in my room, still trembling. If ever I find myself able to laugh again, I think I will laugh at my own naiveté. I had been happy there, despite the cold lump of fear that had always lain in my stomach, in spite of the fist of foreboding that had always clutched at my heart, I had been happy. Even now, knowing what I know, having seen what I have seen, being what they made me, I still find comfort in the memories I have of Capsule Corp., in the dreams of the last period of happiness I can recall. But I was quickly running out of happy times to remember. Soon these memories would fade into those filled only with pain and tears, soon the happiness I knew at Capsule Corp. would be torn from me.
I went to the window for the first time since I'd arrived back here. This was the first time I'd seen the sun since I'd escaped, nearly the first time I'd ventured out of my corner. I hadn't left this room in nearly six months, and, aside from my family, my caretakers were the only ones to come in. If I had learned anything while I'd been held prisoner it was that seeing beauty hurts most of all. Flowers, birds, nature, all of it hurt, mostly because, in my self pity, I knew that I would never be beautiful again. Nevertheless I ventured to my window, opened it to the night and looked out. It was spring and the scent of flowers hung thickly in the heat-heavy air. I sighed softly as tears coursed down my hideous face; I reached up and gently brushed them away, though I had not felt them. My face didn't hurt anymore; it had gone numb nearly two days ago. My whole body seemed to be going numb, perhaps soon I would just fade away, perhaps soon I would not exist at all.
I looked out on the full moon, this was my last chance, the only Goddess I had yet to pray to, Selene, my ancestor. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and murmured my prayer to the night, begging someone to hear it. Selene did not spare me from my memories that night.
I woke up in a cold sweat one night. For a moment I wasn't sure what it was that had woken me, but then I felt it again. Panic. Everything in me screamed fear. Quickly I got up and dressed as silently as I could. My heart was racing and my mind screamed in my head. 'Run!' it screeched, 'get out now!'
I raced down the stairs and out the front door and for a moment I thought I might get away from whatever it was I was running from, but then I slammed straight into someone's chest. He caught me by the neck and lifted me up so that only the tips of my toes touched the ground. If I'd had the breath I would have screamed in terror, but his hand cut off my windpipe.
"Come on sweetheart," he hissed, "it's time to go." Spots swam in front of my eyes, but I could still see his blue ones glinting back at me, the brutal inhumanity never more apparent, then everything went black.
Hey everyone, I just wanted to warn you that I'm not sure when the next time I will be able to update will be. I'm taking the SATs really soon and I only got a 1260 on my most recent practice test so I will, in all likelihood, be holed up in my room studying like crazy for a while, sorry. Never fear however, I give my solemn oath to complete this story.
-Niamh
