Once Upon The Night Of Death
By: Moonlit Love
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing but I own (most) of this story line.
(Important author's note at end. Please read note!)
Chapter Four: Heartache Leads To Trouble
Relena had been working on making her peace talk perfect. It had been so long
since she had done anything of the sort. Her first month back had proved to be just paper
work, no meetings or anything. Now she was getting into the conferences once again.
She jotted down a few words, but quickly edited them out. "Nothing I write is any
good anymore. Peace is nothing without someone to share it with!" Relena said, angry at
her inability to do anything.
She stood and crumpled up what little words she had managed to put down. She
pressed the button on the intercom and connected with her secretary, Martah Andres.
"Martah, I'm going home. I'll be back tomorrow morning," she told her.
"All right, Miss Foreign Minister. I'll cancel your the interviews for this
afternoon and make them for tomorrow," Martah replied.
"Thank you, Martah. And please call me Relena," Relena graciously thanked her
secretary.
She took her briefcase and placed a few papers inside. She swiftly clasped the
locks and grabbed her coat. She was out of her office like a breeze drifting in. She
walked through the office until she reached the elevator. Then she rode down the six
floors and reached the main entrance and waiting room.
Relena proceeded as she had done before, only she stopped when she passed a
man in a trench coat and large hat. She just shook her head, though, and continued on out
to her car. She threw her briefcase into the passenger seat and started her car. She drove
home listening to the soft notes of classical music from her favorite tape.
She pulled into her garage and turned off her car. She took her briefcase and
dragged it out of the car. She trudged to the door leading into her mansion. She pulled
out a silver key and placed it into the lock. She twisted the lock until it opened. She
gratefully stepped inside.
Relena threw her briefcase off to the side and kicked off her heels. She tossed her
jacket onto the mahogany bench. She then walked up a flight of stairs and walked to her
room. There she collapsed on the bed.
Her heart was heavy with pain and tears still unshed. She thought the pain would
have eased up by now, but it still lingered as if a knife had become embedded in her heart
and every now and then, as she began to remember the past, it sliced another piece of her
heart. A sob was beginning to build in the back of her throat.
Relena pressed her hand to her throat. She swallowed with difficulty. She
clenched her teeth together, willing herself not to cry, not to cry for what she had, not to
cry for the past of which she could not change. "I have to be strong, everyone wants me
to be the symbol of peaceful strength and bravery," Relena mumbled to herself.
A cool tear slipped from the corner of her eye. She brushed it away with the back
of her hand. She would not cry. Another tear slowly began to descend from her eye. She
once again wiped it away. She would not, could not cry.
She blinked and two tears made salty trails on her cheeks. She furiously swiped at
them. She would not, could not, should not cry. She took a shaky breath in. She was
strong, she had no need to cry.
No need except for the fact she was missing a part of her heart. That part of her
heart belonged to Heero, and she knew she would never get it back, ever. Two more tears
bravely began to descend from her aquamarine eyes. She would not, could not, should
not cry.
She started to think about Heero once again. Her heart hurt so badly. She would
not, could not, should not cry. She remembered his soft half smile, his soft kiss, his dark
eyes. She would not, could not, should not cry. She blinked once again and tears fell
from her eyes.
She gritted her teeth, clenching her jaw together so tight she felt as if her teeth
would shatter. She wouldn't cry. She was strong, she didn't need anyone, including
Heero Yuy, to be by her side. She was never going to shed another tear over him.
She blinked once more. This time the tears flowed as only rivers could. Her heart
broke and released tears she didn't know she had, tears over everything she could not
change. She was not strong. She needed him by her side. He had the other half of her
heart and she could not function without it.
~*~
Hilde sat behind her gray-partitioned desk. She had a small chestnut desk with a
computer and printer plus a few drawers. Four bins sat on the desk; one on each side of
the computer, one on top of the computer, and one by her briefcase. Inbox, outbox,
assignments, and developed pictures.
She sighed as she threw a stack of pictures into the garbage. 'Can I not get a
decent picture?!? They wanted a simple picture of the blooming flowers, instead I get
everything else but the stupid flowers!' Hilde mentally shouted at herself as she threw up
her arms and leaned back in the chair.
"Miss Hilde?" a young girl asked.
Hilde turned to see her boss's daughter, Jessalyn, standing at the entrance of her
cubicle. "Yes, Jessalyn?" Hilde returned.
"Mommy was wondering if you could watch me tonight. She said she had some
finalists for your partner," Jessalyn whispered.
Hilde smiled. "Of course I can watch you. Just make sure to tell your mom I
want a final say in who she picks," Hilde told the little girl.
Jessalyn nodded before she ran off. Hilde loved the little girl, she was so cute and
perfect. Hilde wanted children with the right man someday, her only fear was she had
lost the only man who had ever been right for her.
"Hilde, could you please report to Mrs. Wolf's office? She would like to see
you," a voice announced over the intercom.
Hilde stood and nodded. She took the little packet of photos she thought might
work with her. She popped her head into Mrs. Wolf's office and inquired, "You wanted
to see me Mrs. Wolf?"
"Yes, and call me Anna," Mrs. Wolf, er Anna, replied, "Take a seat. It is about
Friday night and your possible new partner," Anna waited for Hilde to nod before she
continued, "I'll need you at six o'clock tonight, you know the regular routine for Jezzy.
And I have about five people left to interview, but have already interviewed a few. Come
in at Five a.m. tomorrow and I'll give you their portfolios."
"Thank you, Mrs. Wo- er Anna. I'll get there on time. Until tonight," Hilde
nodded as she exited the office.
She went back to her desk and looked her pictures over. She finally decided on
the one with the lavender lilacs with a few magenta roses at its base. She secured the
picture in a small envelop and put it in her outbox. She could go home now, and prepare
for tonight.
Hilde took her coat as her mind reeled with thoughts. 'I am glad I have to watch
Jez. I won't be thinking about him tonight. I'll have something else on my mind.
'I won't think about how much I miss him. I won't think about how much I yearn
to see his face. I won't think about how much I need him in my life. At least not tonight.
Tomorrow night, maybe, but tonight I won't think about him.' Hilde thought.
She was still deep in thought as she went down to her car. She wouldn't be
thinking about him tonight, but what about now? All she could think about was him. It
had almost caused her to lose her job. She wouldn't think about him tonight, though.
She would be strong.
Her eyes began to well up with tears as her heart kept her mind thinking about
him. Her hand shook as she tried to unlock her car door. She managed to after a few
moments. She climbed into her car and started it up. A few brave tears slipped from her
eyes. She was going to make it home and then cry her heart out before she watched
Jezzy.
~*~
Catherine sat in her dressing room. Tonight was the circus's last show before they
took a three week break. During the break, the ring master would begin to hire some
more performers for the show. But the current performers got a one and a half week visit.
They would then have final say in the performers.
She was excited and nervous. The ring master, Charles, had long since ended the
target game after Catherine insisted she had enough costume jewelry and he began to lose
money. Her new feat to perform was to throw daggers, blindfolded, at Charles while she
was being twirled around on a spinning target. She was quite nervous, but she had
manage to pull it off the other times: Charles had never been hurt, as of.
She pulled on her feathered tiara and got out her golden daggers. She would be on
soon, and she had to do her best not to hurt him. She let the pale backstage light glisten
off her newly polished daggers. "And now, for our star attraction, Miss Catherine
Bloom!" Charles announced.
Catherine took a deep breath. She arranged her knives to make them look like
they were but one dagger. She pasted on a dazzling smile as she stepped out into the
rings. She went to the one where her things were set up and turned to face the audience.
She struck a pose, having her knife in front of her. Music began to softly play
before she fanned the seven knives out in front of her. She turned around and a board
with apples stood in front of her. She took one knife and threw it at the center apple, but
along with the one knife, she also threw three other knives, staking each apple directly in
the core.
Catherine faced the crowd and turned her microphone on. "Good evening,
Blensli. I know you have all seen most of my act before and just want me to throw these
daggers at Charles, but I do believe that is him over there. Is he trying to leave and not go
through with his stunt?" Catherine asked, provoking the crowd for a response.
The crowd rippled out multiple boos. Charles turned to look, but once he saw
Catherine, he turned back and disappeared into the back. "I think we should coax him out
here, what do you think?" Catherine asked.
The crowd sent its approval. "Charles, Charles, CHARLES!" the crowd shouted.
"Come on Mr. Black. I won't hurt you!" Catherine smiled.
She turned to the crowd and winked at them, her glittery eyeshadow sparkled
under the lights. Charles slowly came out from the back. "Take your place, Charles. The
people want you to help me with my ever so painless act," Catherine requested in a voice
as sweet as sugar.
Charles complied. A blindfold was tied around her eyes and she was placed on a
circular board. Two men began spinning the board. "Count off for me. At the count of
three I throw three daggers at Charles. I should hit the three apples around him, or at least
I hope to hit those," Catherine told them.
"ONE! TWO! THREE!" the crowd shouted.
When they said three, Catherine waited until she felt herself falling to the left and
threw the knives. They all were aimed at one place, but at the last second split and
pierced the apples in the center. The crowd clapped, and Catherine was released from the
wheel.
She took Charles's hand and bowed before the crowd. She searched the crowd for
_his_ face. He had been there a few nights, but it didn't look like he was there tonight.
She smiled once more before she waved and headed off stage. The crowd was still
clapping as Catherine changed out of her costume.
She hated her life sometimes, she wished she could be freer sometimes. Then
there were the times she couldn't get enough of her life. Now was one of the times she
wished she could be freer. She was remembering a time when she wanted to stay in the
safe confines of _his_ arms.
She took off her feathered tiara and stared at it, hoping it would somehow become
him. She wanted him to be in her life. She wanted to be freer so she could find him. She
knew she wasn't allowed to be with him where he lived, and he could never leave his life.
He was a protector of lives, and he couldn't do his job if he was away from what made
him so damn good at it.
She shook head. Maybe she was just meant to be a star-crossed person in love. It
didn't seem as if she could get what she wanted. All she wanted was the thing she
couldn't have: the person she loved.
~*~
Relena had cried for hours. She had fallen asleep a long time ago, but now she
was wide awake. She looked at her alarm clack and glared at the red letters glaring back
at her. '6:21. Only two hours and nine minutes until interviews start. How will I be able
to last?' she asked herself as she rolled out of bed.
She pulled on her jogging sweats and splashed some cool water over her face.
She then strapped on a designer watch. She was ready to make her mind, and heart,
forget H...h...H...ee...ee...r...ro Y...yu...yu...Yuy even existed. Her mind strained to pull
out his name.
Relena braced herself for the tears she knew were threatening to spill over. She
didn't want to cry over him, over something she knew was too good to be true. She
didn't need anyone but herself. The Foreign Minister did not need a man, what she
needed was all the concentration she could muster to be the best thing for the universe.
Relena quietly crept out of her house and began to jog down the darkened streets.
Orange streetlights lit her path off and on. She rubbed her arms against the bitter cold of
the early morning. Her eyes slowly became accustomed to the lonely, black, chilly early
morning darkness surrounding her. She looked up at the full moon, glad she had some, if
little, light to use as a reference.
She continued her pace as she passed from the rich, upper-neighborhood into the
regular part of town. Where she was, she had not a single clue, but it did not matter. She
was free from the restraints tied onto her life, she was free from his ghostly presence, but
most of all she was free from heart-breaking thoughts.
She continued to jog, having not a clue where she was headed to. She just wanted
to feel the soft wind ruffle her hair and the cool morning air flow over her slightly flushed
skin. She loved the way the sound of leaves mimicked the sound of footsteps.
She stumbled forward, but caught herself before she fell to the gravel below.
'Wait? Was that gravel? Why would there be gravel in town? The only place there is
gravel is three miles out of town. Why would I be there?' Relena asked herself as she
began to run rather than jog.
Relena didn't contemplate turning back or figuring out where she was. She
wanted to run and she didn't care what else happened. Bitterly cold winds struck her
arms and face. Her eyes watered at the frigid breeze which was whipping at her.
She was suddenly very cold. She wanted the sun to come up and warm her. She
should wait and try to warm up. But she couldn't stop running. Running was keeping her
sane. Running was keeping her mind free from thoughts of Heero. She had to keep
moving. She couldn't stop.
Her foot suddenly twisted beneath her. She fell to the ground on top of her tender
foot. Relena looked down and saw it was a small hole she had tripped over. She just
shrugged her shoulders and stood up.
She ignored the biting pain in her right ankle as she continued to run as fast as she
could. She had no idea how long she had been running, but the sun had found its place in
the sky and was beginning to warm the cool breeze. Now, Relena didn't want to sun to
warm everything up.
Her body temperature began to rise. Hot sweat trickled from her forehead. thin
lines of sweat rolled between her shoulder blades. She was hot, she was so very, very
hot. Her mind was becoming a confusing haze of thoughts. She had to keep running. It
would help her out. She could last.
She found the sun slowly disappear. She was glad for the cool air touching her
skin. Relena began to run faster, hoping to make the cool breeze sting her skin once
more. She was too hot and needed to cool down. She would keep on running until she
could run no more.
She looked around her and saw trees. Many, many trees. The trees were so green,
so comforting, and the shade they offered was a slice of heaven for Relena. She looked
for something she could sit on when she would go back to town.
She didn't see any places, so she kept on jogging. She suddenly fell forward. Her
face hit the pine needles below her. The sweet scent of pines filled her nostrils. Relena
shook her head. She didn't want to be on the ground. She tried to stand, but her ankle
was too weak to stand up on.
She sat on the ground, hot, delirious, and lonely. She needed something. She
needed water, she needed air conditioning. No, she needed _him_. She saw someone
approach her. She wanted to crawl away. She backed away from the figure.
She tried to clear her mind so she could think clearly. Pain, heat, and exhaustion
were beginning to take over. She couldn't think anymore. She couldn't stay awake for
any longer. All she saw before she fell into the sweet bliss of unconsciousness was the
figure disappear like smoke.
~*~
Hilde tried to steer her car in the right direction. She was having trouble seeing
with the tears blurring her vision. She knew she shouldn't be driving, but she needed to
think about him in the sanctuary of her home.
She jerked the wheel to the right when she saw the headlights of an oncoming car
come at her. She was in no condition to be driving, but now what could she do? She had
already started on her way home, and she would make it home.
But wait, tonight she had to grab some pictures of the garden out in the country.
She turned off the interstate as her tears began to lessen. She made it to the spot with
little effort. She snapped a few choice photos before she got back into her car. She
decided to drive out a little further, see if there were any other good pictures out there.
She drove until she reached a look-out point. She took her camera and began to
take a few shots. The sun was in the perfect spot for taking pictures, there was no back
light or shadows, just the right amount of light.
Then, she knew where to get the perfect picture for her collage. She got into her
car and began driving once again. She drove until she reached the opening of the forest.
She parked her car and began to walk on foot.
The forest was eerily quiet as she entered. A light breeze ruffled the branches
overhead and the sunlight streaming down through the branches swayed back and forth
on the forest floor. Hilde took a small step into the forest. The forest was so quiet. She
thought it was as if she was intruding on something important.
Hilde just shrugged her shoulders. She had to get this assignment done. She was
supposed to celebrate summer and all the beautiful scenery there was. She readied her
camera and ventured further in.
It had been at least half an hour since she had come into the forest, and she did
have a few pictures taken. She was suddenly overcome with thoughts of Duo, his goofy
smile, his long braid, his beautiful eyes. She sat down on the floor, her heart breaking
once more.
She had tried so many times to rid herself of the pain. It just didn't seem to want
to leave her alone. She stood up and took a few shy steps forward. She wandered around
a little bit, tears hiding where she was truly going.
She came to the edge of a cliff. Hilde carefully leaned over to see how far down it
really was. She saw it was quite a way down. She took a step back, but the ground
beneath her feet crumbled. She could do nothing to stop her down fall, only hope she
wouldn't die.
The earth below slowly became closer and closer. Hilde's mind raced with
thoughts as she continued down. Her life didn't flash before her eyes. She looked up and
saw a wolf run by in a blur.
She tried to think straight. She needed to try find a way to stop her imminent
death. Nothing came to mind. She continued to fall; the rock beneath her crumbling, the
speed of her plummet picked up. The earth was getting dangerously close to her. She
didn't want to die. Not without seeing him once again.
She was scared. She was very scared. She was scared she was going to die all
alone. She didn't want to die, at least not alone. But there was nothing she could do.
Her head began to pulse with a terrible beat. She shook it to clear her mind, but it
only gave way to a shattering pain. She was going to die, and there was nothing she
could do to change it. The ground rushed up to meet her.
She felt blinding pain as rocks fell onto her back. She tried to stay awake,
knowing it was her only hope of staying alive. She had to stay awake. Her thoughts
began to dim. Her vision blurred. Then she fell into a disturbed blackness. The
blackness clouded her mind, if help didn't come soon, Hilde would die.
~*~
Catherine sighed as she entered her trailer. The show had gone pretty well, but
she still felt as if she had crashed and burned. She dragged her feet along the carpet as
she slowly made her way to her bed. She fell onto the bed, costume and all.
She grabbed her pillow and buried her face into it. She let out and anguished cry
and threw a balled fist into the pillow. 'Why can't I be free of him or at least my pain?'
Catherine wondered, 'My life has taken a different course from when I met him. I have
got to be free of him and his spirit before I can no longer be part of the circus. The circus
is my life, not him. I have to get a grip and forget him!'
She shook her head and sat up. She was furious at herself. How could she have
let him get to her? She had never needed anyone in her life before, so why did she have
to start now?
Catherine took off her costume and changed into tight jeans and a low cut top.
She was going to take Hilde's advice, 'If you feel down or upset, just go out and party and
you'll be fine. Knock twice on any back door and you can get in free. Just say my name
and you're in.' Catherine was glad she had gotten to see Hilde for a while. Their lives
had taken such different paths that they almost were alienated from one another.
She fashioned her auburn hair into a small, loose knot at the base of her head. She
sprayed some glitter into her hair and threw on an array of stunning make-up. She
puckered her lips and smiled. Now she was ready for a night on the town.
She stepped out into the brisk night. She rubbed her arms to warm them up before
she went on her way. She was going to the club Hilde had especially recommended, The
Race From Reality. The club was open to everyone. Drinks, food, and games were
offered there.
She went through a dark alley filled with the putrid smells of urine, rotting
garbage, and filthy clothes. She held her head down as she walked into the alley. Her
shoes stuck to the sticky filth below.
She went to the back door and knocked twice. After a few moments, the door
swung open. A tall blond looked skeptically at her. "I'm a friend of Hilde's," Catherine
assured.
The girl smiled and let Catherine in. "I'm Emerald. Welcome to Race," the girl
greeted.
Catherine took a look around her. The atmosphere was warm and friendly. She
walked up to the bar and ordered a cola. The bartender served one up to her and
Catherine quickly drank it.
Time flew by as Catherine danced, talked, and partied the night away. It was three
a.m. before she was out of there. She took her time walking back to the tents. Her mind
was no longer full of thoughts about him, but now of how much fun she had just had.
She was in a happy mood as she made her way down the dark highway. She
hummed softly to herself as she kept her pace light and crisp. She gasped as a hand
suddenly grabbed her.
The person behind her took possession of her waist and placed something thin,
cool, and sharp across her neck. Catherine gasped. The person behind her was going to
slit her throat!
The person led her off the side of the road. The terrain in the ditches was slippery
and muddy. Catherine hoped she didn't slip. "I'll tell you this once, girlie. I don't like
you. You took the job that rightfully should belong to me. Now you will pay," a harsh
voice hissed into her ear.
He led her into the forest nearby. She occasionally tripped over roots and
branches, but he had removed the knife from her throat so she no longer had to worry
about self-inflicting the knife on herself. He stopped her as they reached about halfway
into the forest.
"I want you to suffer long and hard before you die, just like you have made me
suffer," he said.
He raised the knife high above his head. The blade gleamed in the pale
moonlight. The knife began its downward arc. It was coming closer and closer to her.
She held her arm up to try and block the blow's force. She was going to die. The only
thing she saw good was the fact she would never have to spend another lonely night on
her own. 'Good-bye, Trowa' Catherine whispered.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
How was it? Good? Bad? Glad I finally got out another chapter? At least it is a longer
chapter, right? Sorry it took so long to get out.
I have decided not to do a sequel to this story, as it will not most likely need one.
I may add a few extra chapters to I Loved You Too Late, though. I am coming out with
Snowflakes, (a romance) and then my Chapter Story White Dove, Black Hawk, (an
action/adventure/romance). Please review.
Thank you,
~~*Moonlit*~~
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
By: Moonlit Love
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing but I own (most) of this story line.
(Important author's note at end. Please read note!)
Chapter Four: Heartache Leads To Trouble
Relena had been working on making her peace talk perfect. It had been so long
since she had done anything of the sort. Her first month back had proved to be just paper
work, no meetings or anything. Now she was getting into the conferences once again.
She jotted down a few words, but quickly edited them out. "Nothing I write is any
good anymore. Peace is nothing without someone to share it with!" Relena said, angry at
her inability to do anything.
She stood and crumpled up what little words she had managed to put down. She
pressed the button on the intercom and connected with her secretary, Martah Andres.
"Martah, I'm going home. I'll be back tomorrow morning," she told her.
"All right, Miss Foreign Minister. I'll cancel your the interviews for this
afternoon and make them for tomorrow," Martah replied.
"Thank you, Martah. And please call me Relena," Relena graciously thanked her
secretary.
She took her briefcase and placed a few papers inside. She swiftly clasped the
locks and grabbed her coat. She was out of her office like a breeze drifting in. She
walked through the office until she reached the elevator. Then she rode down the six
floors and reached the main entrance and waiting room.
Relena proceeded as she had done before, only she stopped when she passed a
man in a trench coat and large hat. She just shook her head, though, and continued on out
to her car. She threw her briefcase into the passenger seat and started her car. She drove
home listening to the soft notes of classical music from her favorite tape.
She pulled into her garage and turned off her car. She took her briefcase and
dragged it out of the car. She trudged to the door leading into her mansion. She pulled
out a silver key and placed it into the lock. She twisted the lock until it opened. She
gratefully stepped inside.
Relena threw her briefcase off to the side and kicked off her heels. She tossed her
jacket onto the mahogany bench. She then walked up a flight of stairs and walked to her
room. There she collapsed on the bed.
Her heart was heavy with pain and tears still unshed. She thought the pain would
have eased up by now, but it still lingered as if a knife had become embedded in her heart
and every now and then, as she began to remember the past, it sliced another piece of her
heart. A sob was beginning to build in the back of her throat.
Relena pressed her hand to her throat. She swallowed with difficulty. She
clenched her teeth together, willing herself not to cry, not to cry for what she had, not to
cry for the past of which she could not change. "I have to be strong, everyone wants me
to be the symbol of peaceful strength and bravery," Relena mumbled to herself.
A cool tear slipped from the corner of her eye. She brushed it away with the back
of her hand. She would not cry. Another tear slowly began to descend from her eye. She
once again wiped it away. She would not, could not cry.
She blinked and two tears made salty trails on her cheeks. She furiously swiped at
them. She would not, could not, should not cry. She took a shaky breath in. She was
strong, she had no need to cry.
No need except for the fact she was missing a part of her heart. That part of her
heart belonged to Heero, and she knew she would never get it back, ever. Two more tears
bravely began to descend from her aquamarine eyes. She would not, could not, should
not cry.
She started to think about Heero once again. Her heart hurt so badly. She would
not, could not, should not cry. She remembered his soft half smile, his soft kiss, his dark
eyes. She would not, could not, should not cry. She blinked once again and tears fell
from her eyes.
She gritted her teeth, clenching her jaw together so tight she felt as if her teeth
would shatter. She wouldn't cry. She was strong, she didn't need anyone, including
Heero Yuy, to be by her side. She was never going to shed another tear over him.
She blinked once more. This time the tears flowed as only rivers could. Her heart
broke and released tears she didn't know she had, tears over everything she could not
change. She was not strong. She needed him by her side. He had the other half of her
heart and she could not function without it.
~*~
Hilde sat behind her gray-partitioned desk. She had a small chestnut desk with a
computer and printer plus a few drawers. Four bins sat on the desk; one on each side of
the computer, one on top of the computer, and one by her briefcase. Inbox, outbox,
assignments, and developed pictures.
She sighed as she threw a stack of pictures into the garbage. 'Can I not get a
decent picture?!? They wanted a simple picture of the blooming flowers, instead I get
everything else but the stupid flowers!' Hilde mentally shouted at herself as she threw up
her arms and leaned back in the chair.
"Miss Hilde?" a young girl asked.
Hilde turned to see her boss's daughter, Jessalyn, standing at the entrance of her
cubicle. "Yes, Jessalyn?" Hilde returned.
"Mommy was wondering if you could watch me tonight. She said she had some
finalists for your partner," Jessalyn whispered.
Hilde smiled. "Of course I can watch you. Just make sure to tell your mom I
want a final say in who she picks," Hilde told the little girl.
Jessalyn nodded before she ran off. Hilde loved the little girl, she was so cute and
perfect. Hilde wanted children with the right man someday, her only fear was she had
lost the only man who had ever been right for her.
"Hilde, could you please report to Mrs. Wolf's office? She would like to see
you," a voice announced over the intercom.
Hilde stood and nodded. She took the little packet of photos she thought might
work with her. She popped her head into Mrs. Wolf's office and inquired, "You wanted
to see me Mrs. Wolf?"
"Yes, and call me Anna," Mrs. Wolf, er Anna, replied, "Take a seat. It is about
Friday night and your possible new partner," Anna waited for Hilde to nod before she
continued, "I'll need you at six o'clock tonight, you know the regular routine for Jezzy.
And I have about five people left to interview, but have already interviewed a few. Come
in at Five a.m. tomorrow and I'll give you their portfolios."
"Thank you, Mrs. Wo- er Anna. I'll get there on time. Until tonight," Hilde
nodded as she exited the office.
She went back to her desk and looked her pictures over. She finally decided on
the one with the lavender lilacs with a few magenta roses at its base. She secured the
picture in a small envelop and put it in her outbox. She could go home now, and prepare
for tonight.
Hilde took her coat as her mind reeled with thoughts. 'I am glad I have to watch
Jez. I won't be thinking about him tonight. I'll have something else on my mind.
'I won't think about how much I miss him. I won't think about how much I yearn
to see his face. I won't think about how much I need him in my life. At least not tonight.
Tomorrow night, maybe, but tonight I won't think about him.' Hilde thought.
She was still deep in thought as she went down to her car. She wouldn't be
thinking about him tonight, but what about now? All she could think about was him. It
had almost caused her to lose her job. She wouldn't think about him tonight, though.
She would be strong.
Her eyes began to well up with tears as her heart kept her mind thinking about
him. Her hand shook as she tried to unlock her car door. She managed to after a few
moments. She climbed into her car and started it up. A few brave tears slipped from her
eyes. She was going to make it home and then cry her heart out before she watched
Jezzy.
~*~
Catherine sat in her dressing room. Tonight was the circus's last show before they
took a three week break. During the break, the ring master would begin to hire some
more performers for the show. But the current performers got a one and a half week visit.
They would then have final say in the performers.
She was excited and nervous. The ring master, Charles, had long since ended the
target game after Catherine insisted she had enough costume jewelry and he began to lose
money. Her new feat to perform was to throw daggers, blindfolded, at Charles while she
was being twirled around on a spinning target. She was quite nervous, but she had
manage to pull it off the other times: Charles had never been hurt, as of.
She pulled on her feathered tiara and got out her golden daggers. She would be on
soon, and she had to do her best not to hurt him. She let the pale backstage light glisten
off her newly polished daggers. "And now, for our star attraction, Miss Catherine
Bloom!" Charles announced.
Catherine took a deep breath. She arranged her knives to make them look like
they were but one dagger. She pasted on a dazzling smile as she stepped out into the
rings. She went to the one where her things were set up and turned to face the audience.
She struck a pose, having her knife in front of her. Music began to softly play
before she fanned the seven knives out in front of her. She turned around and a board
with apples stood in front of her. She took one knife and threw it at the center apple, but
along with the one knife, she also threw three other knives, staking each apple directly in
the core.
Catherine faced the crowd and turned her microphone on. "Good evening,
Blensli. I know you have all seen most of my act before and just want me to throw these
daggers at Charles, but I do believe that is him over there. Is he trying to leave and not go
through with his stunt?" Catherine asked, provoking the crowd for a response.
The crowd rippled out multiple boos. Charles turned to look, but once he saw
Catherine, he turned back and disappeared into the back. "I think we should coax him out
here, what do you think?" Catherine asked.
The crowd sent its approval. "Charles, Charles, CHARLES!" the crowd shouted.
"Come on Mr. Black. I won't hurt you!" Catherine smiled.
She turned to the crowd and winked at them, her glittery eyeshadow sparkled
under the lights. Charles slowly came out from the back. "Take your place, Charles. The
people want you to help me with my ever so painless act," Catherine requested in a voice
as sweet as sugar.
Charles complied. A blindfold was tied around her eyes and she was placed on a
circular board. Two men began spinning the board. "Count off for me. At the count of
three I throw three daggers at Charles. I should hit the three apples around him, or at least
I hope to hit those," Catherine told them.
"ONE! TWO! THREE!" the crowd shouted.
When they said three, Catherine waited until she felt herself falling to the left and
threw the knives. They all were aimed at one place, but at the last second split and
pierced the apples in the center. The crowd clapped, and Catherine was released from the
wheel.
She took Charles's hand and bowed before the crowd. She searched the crowd for
_his_ face. He had been there a few nights, but it didn't look like he was there tonight.
She smiled once more before she waved and headed off stage. The crowd was still
clapping as Catherine changed out of her costume.
She hated her life sometimes, she wished she could be freer sometimes. Then
there were the times she couldn't get enough of her life. Now was one of the times she
wished she could be freer. She was remembering a time when she wanted to stay in the
safe confines of _his_ arms.
She took off her feathered tiara and stared at it, hoping it would somehow become
him. She wanted him to be in her life. She wanted to be freer so she could find him. She
knew she wasn't allowed to be with him where he lived, and he could never leave his life.
He was a protector of lives, and he couldn't do his job if he was away from what made
him so damn good at it.
She shook head. Maybe she was just meant to be a star-crossed person in love. It
didn't seem as if she could get what she wanted. All she wanted was the thing she
couldn't have: the person she loved.
~*~
Relena had cried for hours. She had fallen asleep a long time ago, but now she
was wide awake. She looked at her alarm clack and glared at the red letters glaring back
at her. '6:21. Only two hours and nine minutes until interviews start. How will I be able
to last?' she asked herself as she rolled out of bed.
She pulled on her jogging sweats and splashed some cool water over her face.
She then strapped on a designer watch. She was ready to make her mind, and heart,
forget H...h...H...ee...ee...r...ro Y...yu...yu...Yuy even existed. Her mind strained to pull
out his name.
Relena braced herself for the tears she knew were threatening to spill over. She
didn't want to cry over him, over something she knew was too good to be true. She
didn't need anyone but herself. The Foreign Minister did not need a man, what she
needed was all the concentration she could muster to be the best thing for the universe.
Relena quietly crept out of her house and began to jog down the darkened streets.
Orange streetlights lit her path off and on. She rubbed her arms against the bitter cold of
the early morning. Her eyes slowly became accustomed to the lonely, black, chilly early
morning darkness surrounding her. She looked up at the full moon, glad she had some, if
little, light to use as a reference.
She continued her pace as she passed from the rich, upper-neighborhood into the
regular part of town. Where she was, she had not a single clue, but it did not matter. She
was free from the restraints tied onto her life, she was free from his ghostly presence, but
most of all she was free from heart-breaking thoughts.
She continued to jog, having not a clue where she was headed to. She just wanted
to feel the soft wind ruffle her hair and the cool morning air flow over her slightly flushed
skin. She loved the way the sound of leaves mimicked the sound of footsteps.
She stumbled forward, but caught herself before she fell to the gravel below.
'Wait? Was that gravel? Why would there be gravel in town? The only place there is
gravel is three miles out of town. Why would I be there?' Relena asked herself as she
began to run rather than jog.
Relena didn't contemplate turning back or figuring out where she was. She
wanted to run and she didn't care what else happened. Bitterly cold winds struck her
arms and face. Her eyes watered at the frigid breeze which was whipping at her.
She was suddenly very cold. She wanted the sun to come up and warm her. She
should wait and try to warm up. But she couldn't stop running. Running was keeping her
sane. Running was keeping her mind free from thoughts of Heero. She had to keep
moving. She couldn't stop.
Her foot suddenly twisted beneath her. She fell to the ground on top of her tender
foot. Relena looked down and saw it was a small hole she had tripped over. She just
shrugged her shoulders and stood up.
She ignored the biting pain in her right ankle as she continued to run as fast as she
could. She had no idea how long she had been running, but the sun had found its place in
the sky and was beginning to warm the cool breeze. Now, Relena didn't want to sun to
warm everything up.
Her body temperature began to rise. Hot sweat trickled from her forehead. thin
lines of sweat rolled between her shoulder blades. She was hot, she was so very, very
hot. Her mind was becoming a confusing haze of thoughts. She had to keep running. It
would help her out. She could last.
She found the sun slowly disappear. She was glad for the cool air touching her
skin. Relena began to run faster, hoping to make the cool breeze sting her skin once
more. She was too hot and needed to cool down. She would keep on running until she
could run no more.
She looked around her and saw trees. Many, many trees. The trees were so green,
so comforting, and the shade they offered was a slice of heaven for Relena. She looked
for something she could sit on when she would go back to town.
She didn't see any places, so she kept on jogging. She suddenly fell forward. Her
face hit the pine needles below her. The sweet scent of pines filled her nostrils. Relena
shook her head. She didn't want to be on the ground. She tried to stand, but her ankle
was too weak to stand up on.
She sat on the ground, hot, delirious, and lonely. She needed something. She
needed water, she needed air conditioning. No, she needed _him_. She saw someone
approach her. She wanted to crawl away. She backed away from the figure.
She tried to clear her mind so she could think clearly. Pain, heat, and exhaustion
were beginning to take over. She couldn't think anymore. She couldn't stay awake for
any longer. All she saw before she fell into the sweet bliss of unconsciousness was the
figure disappear like smoke.
~*~
Hilde tried to steer her car in the right direction. She was having trouble seeing
with the tears blurring her vision. She knew she shouldn't be driving, but she needed to
think about him in the sanctuary of her home.
She jerked the wheel to the right when she saw the headlights of an oncoming car
come at her. She was in no condition to be driving, but now what could she do? She had
already started on her way home, and she would make it home.
But wait, tonight she had to grab some pictures of the garden out in the country.
She turned off the interstate as her tears began to lessen. She made it to the spot with
little effort. She snapped a few choice photos before she got back into her car. She
decided to drive out a little further, see if there were any other good pictures out there.
She drove until she reached a look-out point. She took her camera and began to
take a few shots. The sun was in the perfect spot for taking pictures, there was no back
light or shadows, just the right amount of light.
Then, she knew where to get the perfect picture for her collage. She got into her
car and began driving once again. She drove until she reached the opening of the forest.
She parked her car and began to walk on foot.
The forest was eerily quiet as she entered. A light breeze ruffled the branches
overhead and the sunlight streaming down through the branches swayed back and forth
on the forest floor. Hilde took a small step into the forest. The forest was so quiet. She
thought it was as if she was intruding on something important.
Hilde just shrugged her shoulders. She had to get this assignment done. She was
supposed to celebrate summer and all the beautiful scenery there was. She readied her
camera and ventured further in.
It had been at least half an hour since she had come into the forest, and she did
have a few pictures taken. She was suddenly overcome with thoughts of Duo, his goofy
smile, his long braid, his beautiful eyes. She sat down on the floor, her heart breaking
once more.
She had tried so many times to rid herself of the pain. It just didn't seem to want
to leave her alone. She stood up and took a few shy steps forward. She wandered around
a little bit, tears hiding where she was truly going.
She came to the edge of a cliff. Hilde carefully leaned over to see how far down it
really was. She saw it was quite a way down. She took a step back, but the ground
beneath her feet crumbled. She could do nothing to stop her down fall, only hope she
wouldn't die.
The earth below slowly became closer and closer. Hilde's mind raced with
thoughts as she continued down. Her life didn't flash before her eyes. She looked up and
saw a wolf run by in a blur.
She tried to think straight. She needed to try find a way to stop her imminent
death. Nothing came to mind. She continued to fall; the rock beneath her crumbling, the
speed of her plummet picked up. The earth was getting dangerously close to her. She
didn't want to die. Not without seeing him once again.
She was scared. She was very scared. She was scared she was going to die all
alone. She didn't want to die, at least not alone. But there was nothing she could do.
Her head began to pulse with a terrible beat. She shook it to clear her mind, but it
only gave way to a shattering pain. She was going to die, and there was nothing she
could do to change it. The ground rushed up to meet her.
She felt blinding pain as rocks fell onto her back. She tried to stay awake,
knowing it was her only hope of staying alive. She had to stay awake. Her thoughts
began to dim. Her vision blurred. Then she fell into a disturbed blackness. The
blackness clouded her mind, if help didn't come soon, Hilde would die.
~*~
Catherine sighed as she entered her trailer. The show had gone pretty well, but
she still felt as if she had crashed and burned. She dragged her feet along the carpet as
she slowly made her way to her bed. She fell onto the bed, costume and all.
She grabbed her pillow and buried her face into it. She let out and anguished cry
and threw a balled fist into the pillow. 'Why can't I be free of him or at least my pain?'
Catherine wondered, 'My life has taken a different course from when I met him. I have
got to be free of him and his spirit before I can no longer be part of the circus. The circus
is my life, not him. I have to get a grip and forget him!'
She shook her head and sat up. She was furious at herself. How could she have
let him get to her? She had never needed anyone in her life before, so why did she have
to start now?
Catherine took off her costume and changed into tight jeans and a low cut top.
She was going to take Hilde's advice, 'If you feel down or upset, just go out and party and
you'll be fine. Knock twice on any back door and you can get in free. Just say my name
and you're in.' Catherine was glad she had gotten to see Hilde for a while. Their lives
had taken such different paths that they almost were alienated from one another.
She fashioned her auburn hair into a small, loose knot at the base of her head. She
sprayed some glitter into her hair and threw on an array of stunning make-up. She
puckered her lips and smiled. Now she was ready for a night on the town.
She stepped out into the brisk night. She rubbed her arms to warm them up before
she went on her way. She was going to the club Hilde had especially recommended, The
Race From Reality. The club was open to everyone. Drinks, food, and games were
offered there.
She went through a dark alley filled with the putrid smells of urine, rotting
garbage, and filthy clothes. She held her head down as she walked into the alley. Her
shoes stuck to the sticky filth below.
She went to the back door and knocked twice. After a few moments, the door
swung open. A tall blond looked skeptically at her. "I'm a friend of Hilde's," Catherine
assured.
The girl smiled and let Catherine in. "I'm Emerald. Welcome to Race," the girl
greeted.
Catherine took a look around her. The atmosphere was warm and friendly. She
walked up to the bar and ordered a cola. The bartender served one up to her and
Catherine quickly drank it.
Time flew by as Catherine danced, talked, and partied the night away. It was three
a.m. before she was out of there. She took her time walking back to the tents. Her mind
was no longer full of thoughts about him, but now of how much fun she had just had.
She was in a happy mood as she made her way down the dark highway. She
hummed softly to herself as she kept her pace light and crisp. She gasped as a hand
suddenly grabbed her.
The person behind her took possession of her waist and placed something thin,
cool, and sharp across her neck. Catherine gasped. The person behind her was going to
slit her throat!
The person led her off the side of the road. The terrain in the ditches was slippery
and muddy. Catherine hoped she didn't slip. "I'll tell you this once, girlie. I don't like
you. You took the job that rightfully should belong to me. Now you will pay," a harsh
voice hissed into her ear.
He led her into the forest nearby. She occasionally tripped over roots and
branches, but he had removed the knife from her throat so she no longer had to worry
about self-inflicting the knife on herself. He stopped her as they reached about halfway
into the forest.
"I want you to suffer long and hard before you die, just like you have made me
suffer," he said.
He raised the knife high above his head. The blade gleamed in the pale
moonlight. The knife began its downward arc. It was coming closer and closer to her.
She held her arm up to try and block the blow's force. She was going to die. The only
thing she saw good was the fact she would never have to spend another lonely night on
her own. 'Good-bye, Trowa' Catherine whispered.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~
How was it? Good? Bad? Glad I finally got out another chapter? At least it is a longer
chapter, right? Sorry it took so long to get out.
I have decided not to do a sequel to this story, as it will not most likely need one.
I may add a few extra chapters to I Loved You Too Late, though. I am coming out with
Snowflakes, (a romance) and then my Chapter Story White Dove, Black Hawk, (an
action/adventure/romance). Please review.
Thank you,
~~*Moonlit*~~
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~