14: Intertwined Destinies
The world seemed so bleak. So utterly out of context. Nothing was what it seemed anymore. Why couldn't the world just right itself from its state of disposition? The media was no help either, giving commentary on subjects to which they had no knowledge. They blew everything totally out of context that it had become an ordinary habit of life now. It all seemed as though, however hard they tried, however far they got in life, nothing would ever change the world's outlook on zoanthropes. They feared that which they could not comprehend, that which they could not control. They all were doubtful of their own position in the world, but they failed to realize that zoanthropes were human also, housing all the same emotions and feelings, bones and muscles, mental and physical strength that they held within their boundaries as well. The only difference between zoanthropes and Man was that zoanthropes had released what had lain dormant for so many years, the inner beast that once illuminated their being. But with all the changes in the world, with all the advancements and technology that existed in the world, they had locked away the now infernal nuisance that had once partook in their lives.
But that was so long ago, and now that they had released the beast within the inner core of their being, they had been in a state of exile, in a sense. The world had shunned them into the darkest corners of the world, causing them to fear anyone around them, fearing that they would be imprisoned, tortured, or killed for their natural abilities. Why couldn't they just realize that they were not to blame, but the corporations that existed around the world that was exploiting and using their abilities for their own dark deeds? The world of Man had once again become plunged into a hunger for power. They seethed with the thought that zoanthropes could be used as tools, the next genome soldier, the next weapon of war.
They viewed them as expendible. They thought that by conforming the world into thinking of zoanthropes as nothing but destructive and chaotic animals that exhibited massive amounts of power and rage, then they could be used for more menial tasks, reducing the once proud people into nothing but drones used for war. But they were human too! They wanted to live just like everyone else, only using their powers when needed; for the greater good. But they couldn't possibly understand… Not in this world, or possibly any other. Man feared what he could not control, and sought to find means of using it for his own purposes. But they wouldn't allow it. They wouldn't let Man control them, for they were Man too. Man's greatest enemy was Man himself, there was no denying it. But soon, soon, they would realize that maybe their enemy would become, for a short while, the evolved Man. They would change the world, no matter what the cost, for truly it would be for the greater good…
* * *
"No… That can't be Yugo… But… but how could it happen? I thought that he erased his past?" In the ill-lighted hallway, Alice leaned against the wall, trying to suppress the sickness in her heart that stung so painfully throughout her body. Kenji…Not again, we can't have this on our hands too…
They had all met once more, planning out what they would introduce into the world, trying to eliminate at least one of the dark establishments that made residence in their city. They wished to erase its cloud of darkness that had loomed overhead, leaving in its path only pain and chaos. They wanted to restore their name, change the stereotype that had so wrongfully been planted on their kind.
"So what do you think we should do? I mean… about Kenji and what we've been planning?" She asked of the wolf, hoping the silence he let hang would fall.
A heavy sigh came through the reciever. She couldn't possibly know what was racing through his mind. Finally his voice came, almost monotonous; very dark and sullen. "We should put off our plan for now, not indefinetely, but for a short while. I don't mean to do this purely for finding Kenji, but…. Well… we really don't know what Bakuryu is going to do right now. He's been cooped up in Kenji's mind for what? Three, four years now? He must have some plan, we just need to figure out what it is and stop it."
"Yea, we should do that. Yugo… I…" She wanted to tell him her true feelings at that very moment. She knew both had a strong attraction for the other, though he didn't show it as often as she would have liked.
"What is it Alice?" His voice had moved from dark to an almost soothing tone.
"Yugo… I really do love you."
"I-"
Before he could start, she cut him off. "I don't mean to say that just because of our situation, or because I feel you need comforting, though you know I will always be there when you need me. I just really do love you. More than you can imagine. And if anything were to ever happen to you, I don't know how I could hold myself together." Tears started forming in her eyes, her throat starting to close.
Hearing her light sobbing, he knew that she truly meant what she said. "Alice… I do love you too. For all the times that I've nearly gotten myself killed, even though you are a nurse, you have always been there for me. For that I thank you. I'm am truly happy to have such a caring and loving friend. But I know that we both would like to take this relationship further, but I hope you understand that this might not be the greatest of times to start it…" He let his sentence hang, not really knowing how to finish it, yet, kind of waiting to hear her response.
Her silence loomed overhead for long moments, the only sound that emanated from the receiver was her soft breathing. I'm sorry Alice… I'm sorry to have dragged you into this mess. I wish I could turn back time and stop whatever happened to Kenji, stop the evil creature within his soul…
His train of thought was suddenly shattered with her soft voice, its tattered sound barely audible, even to his sensitive ears.
"I understand…" Through sobbing and heartache, he heard her words. He too felt her pain, yet she continued. "I'll do whatever I can to help you and Kenji. And if it means sacrificing my own life to save his, or yours, then so be it. I just want everything to be back to normal." Her sobs drowned out her voice, her true love for him showing through every fiber of her being, giving him strength and confidence.
With a soothing tone, he replied to her statement. "Thank you Alice, you don't know how much that means to me. Good night…" With her answer of thanks and a wish of good night, he slowly replaced the receiver back to its cradle, his hand shaking slightly. With eyes turning from focused to not, he ran his shaky hands through his tussled hair, edging backward until he hit a wall, allowing his body to slide to the floor. Sitting in the darkness he dropped his head to his knees, arms wrapped around his ankles, as he thought about his little brother. I will help you, no matter what it takes…
* * *
Rummaging through half-filled cans, a ragged form searched for sustenance. He moved with the darkness, wishing that the world not know he exist. Although he had become somewhat of friends with the others, he still wished to be left alone. Jenny Burtory seemed to be the only one who truly wanted to help him, for what reasons he did not know. She appeared when he lost hope, and disappeared just as suddenly.
His body had become more stable, though it still had intense cravings that he tried not to ignore. He had heard of a new member in their little group, another man-made zoanthrope, though nothing like his deformed self. Walking through the alleyway, his hands in his pockets, he stared at the dull ground, its resilient surface never changing. It had survived through countless years barely changing at all, only becoming duller, less rough, and perhaps cracking. This world is too different. They think only of themselves and how to better their lives. If they thought about others, perhaps we wouldn't be the outcasts we are forced to be…
His thoughts wandering, he noticed a breeze making its presence known, the cool air tingling his rough shell-like skin. Peering up at the near black sky, clouds hiding the brilliant stars that he had often gazed at, he noticed the dark forms moving across the sky slowly, their form moving from blotch to blob, a near-identifiable shape to nothing. From behind he heard soft footsteps, though he sensed the person attached had tried not to make much noise.
"Whooo coommesssss neaarr meee?" He hissed aloud, hearing the footsteps stop suddenly. The form was closer to him, and he heard soft breathing emanating from it as well.
"I thought I might find you around here. I've come here to see how your doing, nothing more." The person answered. From the first word spoken, he recognized the person standing near him. Jenny had returned once more. She has come again, but why?
"How are you doing Stephen?" She asked. He noticed her breath coming out as whisps. She didn't seem to mind the cold weather though.
He merely grumbled his response. I need something to sustain my form. There seems to be nothing of use here…
"Hmm… I'm assuming your looking for something to keep your body from collapsing, from the way you look now, and the fact that your going through garbage cans." A smirk developed on her soft features. Closing her eyes halfway, she continued. "Well, heres something to help you for the time being. I hope it helps."
Walking closer to him, she extended his clawed hand, opening the closed palm. Placing a small paper bag into his hand, she suddenly tipped her head back and peered into his eyes. He sensed her searching for something, though he didn't know what in particular. He opened his mouth to ask her, but she put a hand to his mouth, silencing it. She then stepped back a few steps and turned around, walking away from him, disappearing from view.
After her form had vanished, he peered down at the bag. It was slightly crumbled, creases marring the once perfect form, a piece of tape holding the top in place, preventing it from opening. Cautiously removing the tape, he opened it slowly, not knowing what to expect. However, to his surprise, inside its depths lay another smaller bag, its transparency revealing a red liquid contained within. She is full of surprises… I guess she does care for me, in ways I cannot comprehend… Giving his silent thanks, he continued his walk through the darkness, now feeling glad that someone in the world cared about his life…