The loading dock of the ship opened and a dim light poured through.
Several other ships were docked at a sort of port, all mostly looking the same; dark hovercrafts
Genesis stood next to Ghost who was holding a large bag slung over his shoulder, like the rest of the crew.
She was terrified. She was going to be left there, in a place she didn't know, with people she didn't know. Alone.
She was used to being alone, but not in a highly unfamiliar place.
She found herself squeezing Ghosts arm.
A tall black man approached them, followed by a dark haired man and woman.
"Morpheus" Niobe said, "I'm surprised to see you here."
He smiled.
Niobe nodded to the other two, "Neo, Trinity. Always a pleasure. Nice to meet you in a calmer environment." she said.
Neo.. Trinity.. Morpheus...All names she'd heard.
"This is the Prophet, Genesis." Niobe said.
"Its an honor to finally meet you" Morpheus said.
Trinity walked up to Genesis, who was still unconsciously clinging to Ghosts arm.
"Why don't you come with me." She said, taking Genesis's hand without question, pulling her from Ghost.
She turned around and looked at Ghost with a scared look on her face.
Neo walked off with them, leaving the others at the ship.
Genesis still had her hood on, as she slowly walked between Trinity and Neo.
She felt really uncomfortable between the two, it felt like being between two magnets.
"It really is an honor to meet you, Genesis." Neo said, holding out his hand.
She looked up at him, hesitantly shaking it.
"Your.. the other" she said quietly.
He chuckled. "Yes, I guess you could say that."
She looked back down at the ground, feeling really nervous.
Neo turned to walk down a separate corridor, but not without a look back to Trinity.
Genesis tried to ignore it.
Her and Trinity continued to walk towards an endless amount of stacked apartments, going to what looked like the 111th story.
"How are you, now?" Trinity asked. "You were in quite a predicament when I last saw you."
Genesis looked at her. "um... fine" she said.
There was a pause. Then Genesis felt like telling her everything, all that had happened, all that she thought was going to happen.
She guessed it was just that female-to-female thing.
"Feeling a little... left." Genesis said, looking at her feet.
Trinity looked at her confused.
"They're just going to leave me here.. With a bunch of people I'm suppose to save, people I don't even know. In a place I don't even know. Suddenly my presence has cost the lives of a lot of people, people I don't know, but its suppose to save a lot, also..." she paused, "Its a lot to take in the course of a few days."
Trinity smiled. "I'm sure it is. But you can't be selfish. I know it's hard to take, but just your existence means the freeing and saving of hundreds of thousands."
She was right, no matter how much Genesis wanted to deny it.
"Sometimes.. I'm just tired of being left alone." she said, more to herself.
Trinity looked at her.
"You won't always be." she said.
They came to one of many of the same looking doors, and stopped.
"This is your room" Trinity said, handing her a small black bag. "Mine is up a floor, second from the end, in case you need anything. In about an hour, come down for the speech."
Genesis looked down at the bag as Trinity pushed open the door for her.
She went in side and closed it.
It was very plain, nothing less than her other cell... room.
She stood for a second, taking it in. She'd be there for a long, long time. Alone.
She threw the bag in the corner and plopped down on her bed, lying on her side.
* * * * * * *
Ghost stood next to Niobe who were soon joined by Trinity and Neo.
"Morpheus's speech is in 5 minutes, we should go now." Trinity said, turning to leave.
Neo followed, as did Niobe. But Ghost caught Trinity's arm as she went by.
"Did she ever come down?" He asked.
Trinity shook her head. "She was supposed to be here an hour ago. I knocked on her door but she didn't answer. I think she was sleeping, I figured she needed it."
Ghost nodded, and followed them.
After the speech, or update on what had been going on, and that Zion's Prophet had been returned, Niobe stood alone with Ghost as the music started.
"Check on the Prophet, see if she hasn't run away again." Niobe said, leaning over to Ghost.
He nodded, turned, and left.
Walking up the long flight of stairs, he came to her door and knocked.
There wasn't an answer, but he knew she wasn't sleeping.
He opened the door and stuck his head in.
She was just lying on her side with her head on her hand, in her same clothes.
"You didn't come down." He said, letting himself in.
She didn't say anything, she just slowly blinked, as if she were bored.
He stood by the bed and looked down at her.
"You haven't left me yet." she asked, not turning.
He paused. "No. We haven't left yet." He said, taking a seat in a chair opposite the bed.
She looked at him, turning to sit on the edge of her bed in front of him.
She looked down, "I never told you, but I had a dream." she said.
"About what?" He asked.
There was silence. She was afraid to tell him, but more afraid to remind herself of it.
"It was so real, I wasn't sure what to think..." she paused. "I saw you take a bullet for Niobe, in the Matrix. You were fighting the Agents, but I couldn't do anything about it. All I could do was watch." she looked at him, his expression serious.
"Then everything that could happen, did. Sparks got killed, and Sentinels broke into the ship. Every one was dieing, and I couldn't do anything about it."
He leaned forward and put his hand on her face, lifting her chin to look at him.
"But it didn't happen." he said.
She looked back at him. She swore it did, it felt so real, she couldn't explain.
They were going to leave her there.
He stood to leave but she stopped him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I don't want to be left here." she said, holding onto him. the only friend she had in a world she didn't know.
He paused, and pulled her arms off him, pulling her to stand up.
She was desperate, she didn't want them to go and leave her.
He held her face in his hands and wiped off her tears, which she hadn't realized left her eyes.
"You'll never be alone. All these people need your help, and its your fate to do so, whether you want to admit it or not." He said, turning to leave.
She just stood there, staring at the wall in front of her, hot tears rolling down her face.
She heard the door slam, and it made her want to cry harder.
The only friend she had, would leave her. And she'd be stuck there.
* * * * * * *
After a few hours, her stomach felt like it was going to turn her inside out. After trying to ignore it, she knew she'd have to eat something.
Reluctantly, she sat up in her bed, looking at the door.
Maybe she could be in and out and not be noticed, just grab something to eat... somewhere. At this point, she had no clue were she was, let alone were to eat.
She looked at the black bag that was sitting on the floor.
Reaching for it, she opened it to find clean clothes. And for a change, they didn't have holes in them. And they also smelt a lot better than hers.
Shuffling through them, they were all kind of weird. Looked like they had been around for a long time, but tried to be repaired... some kind of hippy thing going on, before she finally found something that was decent.
She pulled the old torn sweater over her head and put on the black tank top. Leaving on her pants and boots, that weren't so bad.
Pulling open the heavy steal door, she looked both ways to see if anyone was on the walkway. Luckily not.
She pulled the door shut quietly behind her and continued down the steal walkway.
Peering down over the cold metal balcony as she walked, she marveled at the immense structures that all held little apartments, all in a huge cylinder shape.
Looking back down the long walkway, she saw Neo walking towards her.
Immediately looking down at her feet, she kept walking to keep from meeting his gaze.
Luckily, though, he didn't say anything, and she just took the stairs two at a time, down.
So much for going unnoticed.
Coming to the ground floor (or at least what she thought it to be), it was pretty empty, for the size that it was.
She looked to her right were there was, what looked like, a bar. A long narrow table ran the length of the little structure, with small chairs in front of it.
Taking a seat, a tall black woman appeared on the other side of the table.
"What can I get for you, dear?"
"uhh...." not sure what to say, and not feeling hungry now that she was there, she wasn't sure what to ask for.
Before she could speak again, the woman put a dark glass in front of her. "You look thirsty."
Genesis offered half a smile, still not sure what to think.
Taking a drink, trying not to be rude, she almost coughed it up.
The bitter yet satisfying taste left in her mouth could only be one thing. Alcohol. Or some other form of it.
"To strong?" The woman asked with a smile, going to take the glass.
Genesis reached for it and took it back. "No, I'm good, thanks."
Two or so hours later, she was still sitting in the same spot, only now with a few empty glasses around her.
Just thinking, and drinking, it kind of numbed her thoughts. Helping her forget what was inevitably her responsibility.
She circled her finger on the rim of her fifth half empty glass, head resting on her other hand.
"Most people can't keep down one, let alone five."
Genesis turned abruptly to see Neo standing behind her.
She immediately blushed, not realizing someone was there.
He took a seat next to her and ordered himself a drink.
"So.. how are you doing?" He asked casually, as if he had known her for years.
She kept staring at her drink. "How did you take it." she asked.
There was a pause. "It took awhile, for the reality to set in. And more for me to actually believe it myself, and stop denying the truth." he said, looking at her.
She looked down at her lap.
"If I had a choice, I'd just go back."
He smiled. "We all think that at one point or another." he said.
"I don't want to be stuck here... I guess I'm just being selfish though, right?" Why was she telling him this? They were in the same position.. she guessed.
"It won't be for too long." He said, catching her by surprise.
"What do you mean?" she said looking up at him.
"I came to tell you what was suppose to happen, but you've been running away from me." he said with a smile.
"You'll be here for a few months, until the Nebekenezer comes back to get you. Then, you'll be aiding me in the fulfilling of the prophecy." he said, as if it were that simple.
"The Neb.... your ship?"
He chuckled. "Well, Morpheus's, but I'm a member, yes"
"How long?" she asked, fearing the response.
"18 months. That will give us the time we need to fix some things, then get back to Zion"
"You said a few!"
"At least it isn't a few years." he replied, stirring his drink.
She looked back at her drink, "What about.. the Logos?"
"They get credit for finding the prophet, then they leave. They have other things to do."
'figures' Genesis thought, resting her head on her hand again.
He sighed, and patted her on the back. "It won't be that bad. Promise."
Then he got up and left, leaving her with more to think about.
She looked over at his untouched drink.
Looking around, as if someone would stop her, she pulled it over and drank it... She was going to need it.
That night, she slept. But not for very long, she woke up again, in a cold sweat from the same dream.
She sat straight up, and looked towards her door.
They were leaving.
Some how, she knew it.
Pulling herself out of bed, and throwing open the door, she stumbled as the light made her migraine worse.
She ran down the walkway as her boots clanked on the steal.
Tripping down the stairs, she ran back the way she first came, towards the ship docks.
Just as she knew, they were packing the last of their stuff into the ship.
She ran up to Niobe who was accompanied by both Ghost and Sparks.
"Don't..go" she said, catching her breath.
"We don't have time for this, we need to leave in 3 minutes." Niobe said, beginning to walk away, but Genesis tightened her grip on Niobe's arm.
"I'm serious, you can't go. The ship is going to be attacked, and there's no way to defend yourself."
Niobe picked up her last bag and started to walk towards the ship again, breaking from Genesis's grip.
"What's the point of me being here if your not going to listen to me!" Genesis called after her.
Niobe stopped, and slowly turned to face her.
"She's got a point" Sparks said.
"Shut up Sparks." Niobe said, walking towards Genesis.
For once, Genesis stood her ground and looked straight at Niobe.
Ghost looked at the two, not sure what was going to happen. He felt like he should prepare himself to break up a fight or something in proportion to one.
Niobe just stared back at Genesis, then grabbed her shirt and pulled her down the walkway. "Sparks, finish loading the ship." Niobe called back.
"What are you doing?!" Genesis asked, struggling to loosen her grip.
"Needs to be verified." Niobe said, dragging her stumbling down the catwalk, Ghost quickly followed.
They came to a small building with only two apartments, which was oddly secluded from the rest.
Niobe threw open the door and shoved in Genesis who rubbed her shoulder, scowling back at Niobe. Ghost came in shortly after, shutting the door behind him.
The room was a lot different, not all steal and industrial looking, like the rest. But more earthy.
The inside looked like it was carved out of rock, and there were several candles instead of lights around the room, yet it was still brightly lit.
A light skinned woman walked through a door frame, that lacked a door, and smiled.
She was old, but it looked like her years had been kind to her, she still had some brightness left in her face.
"You have finally brought her to me." The woman said, holding out her hands.
They all followed the woman into the next room that had a small slab and, what seemed to be, the only electricity in the house.
It was a huge black box with several flashing green lights, and wires strung all around.
Before she knew it, she was laying on the cold slab of rock, with the same plug on the ship hooked into her neck.
The woman sat next to her with a screen on the other side.
Niobe and Ghost stood at the back watching the woman who stared down at the screen.
Genesis's eyes flinched, which were now closed.
There was just darkness at first, then it came into view. First it was her old house, one she hadn't been in sense she was 5, sense she lived with her father.
She was sitting on the lumpy coach, looking over the back into the kitchen.
At first all she could recognize was the heat, the heat in which she hated so much. The heat in which reminded her of so much.
Her father was yelling at her mom, and flung his hand out, slapping her across the face. She was so young, she was there, but she couldn't do anything. What was this?
Then she was at a funeral, holding her fathers hand, staring at her mother's coffin being lowered into the ground. No one came, no one but her grandmother.
Now she was in a strangely familiar dimmed lit room with her father, it was so cold. He loaded the shotgun in his lap, and looked at her. He said something, but she couldn't understand, then he raised it just as everything went black. She felt hot blood splatter on her face, and everything came back. He was laying on the ground, in a pool of blood, half of his head missing, with his skull covered in a bloody pile of flesh.
The woman sat staring at the screen, a serious expression forming.
"Well?" Niobe asked, being impatient.
"Be patient, there is a lot to go through."
Genesis laid on the thick slab of rock, her eyes wet at the corners.
Then it was 15 years or so later, she was walking down the familiar streets of New York. There was a man in a suit ahead of her, and all the blood left her head. Terrified, she ran. Turning the corner to run into another suited man.
She was suddenly sitting on her bathroom floor, looking down at her mangled wrists.
Then, it was the dream again. She watched it all happen again, unable to do anything, watching them all die. She cried out but nothing happened.
She opened her eyes to find herself on the uncomfortable slab again, the plug from her neck being removed by the woman.
Leaning forward, she rubbed the back of her head.
There was a heavy pressure on her mind, and she was reminded of the sitting in the office building, the same men around her, her mind being pried into.
"Then we will wait." Niobe said, turning to leave, the woman followed her out.
They could hear them talking in the next room, and Ghost walked over to her and helped her up.
She stood and turned to walk out, but this time Ghost stopped her.
"Thank you" he said.
She turned to look at him. "For what"
"For going through that, to save us."
She paused. "Its what I'm suppose to do.. right?" she asked, walking through the door.
* * * * * * *
Later that night, there was a knock on the door. She sat up and stared at it.
Not sure who it was, she opened it a little and peered through.
Trinity stood on the other side, looking back at her.
"Are you coming down this time?" She asked.
Genesis opened the door a little more and looked back at her.
"Why.. what's happening."
"Just a gathering. A celebration for the saving of Zion." she said.
"No thank--"
"Great, be down in 10 minutes, and put on something a little nicer." Trinity said, walking away.
She stared after her, "damnit" Genesis said, slamming the door.
Procrastinating, she slowly walked down the stairs, thinking of something she could say to get out of it.
The only thing nice she could find was a light blue netted over shirt, that went over her black tank top, and a black knee length skirt with slits up the side that went up higher than she liked. Definitely not something she would have picked.
She had already wasted half an hour or so walking down the stairs, trying to think of something she had forgotten so she could run back up to her apartment to get it.
Too late.
Trinity greeted her with Neo at the bottom of the stairs.
"Your here. 40 minutes late, but here none the less." she said as she passed her walking up the stairs, Neo close behind.
"What am I suppose to do?" Genesis asked, a desperate look on her face.
"uhhh... enjoy yourself?" she said, turning onto another flight.
"right.." Genesis said, continuing around the corner.
It was the same place she had been the other night for drinks, at least that's what she thought. It was hard to tell with the amount of people that where packed in it.
Tons were dancing on the other side, and the bar was filled with people as well. It looked like a bad rave.
Hating social situations, and crowded rooms, she scratched her arm nervously and turned to make her desperate escape.
Ghost stood on the other side of the bar without, surprisingly, the company of Niobe. He watched as Trinity and Neo left, just as Genesis walked in.
He could barely recognize her, with her hair down and different clothes on.
She looked so different, in a light blue shirt, and not to mention a skirt, that looked a little off with her boots on, yet it fit.
He watched as she looked around and left.
Turning to leave himself, he followed her.
He caught her at the end of the walkway, but she had already passed her door.
She was looking over the railing, at the bright lights below; her blonde hair hung loosely around her face.
"You didn't stay very long" he said, walking up next to her.
"Judging by the fact that your here proves neither were you." she said, some how not surprised he was there.
It was quiet for awhile, before she spoke again. "It was like reliving my life. All over again. All of the bad parts, at least. But that's what 90% of my life is anyway" she said, looking down.
"I don't think I can take that again... yet, I'll have to to save people."
He looked over at her. She was strong, she could pull through, but she carried such a heavy burden.
"Your strong. I don't know anyone more fit"
"heh.. right." she smirked.
"The Nebekenezer is a good ship. You should be just fine." he said.
Her heart sank, but she stopped him..
"I wanted to tell you something." she said, looking up at him. "before you leave and I never see you again."
He stared back at her, who looked away again.
"I just wanted to say.. thank you... for unplugging me and all."
He paused. "Your welcome."
"And that..." she paused, how could she say it? Just say it, get it over with. Before she knew what she as doing, she leaned forward and kissed him.
She immediately blushed, pulling away and looking down over the balcony. "I mean, thank you for being my friend, and taking me onto your ship."
She said, quickly walking past him, and pushing open her door.
"Genesis" he said, turning towards her.
She didn't turn back, embarrassed, she couldn't believe what she had just done.
"I hope your still alive and well when we come back."
She paused, and turned around to find him gone.
Pushing through her door, she slammed it behind her and collapsed on her bed. What did she just do?! She didn't mean it. She was just so upset about them leaving. He was her only friend, what was she suppose to do? "Not kiss him!" she said, inwardly kicking herself.
* * * * * * *
Several other ships were docked at a sort of port, all mostly looking the same; dark hovercrafts
Genesis stood next to Ghost who was holding a large bag slung over his shoulder, like the rest of the crew.
She was terrified. She was going to be left there, in a place she didn't know, with people she didn't know. Alone.
She was used to being alone, but not in a highly unfamiliar place.
She found herself squeezing Ghosts arm.
A tall black man approached them, followed by a dark haired man and woman.
"Morpheus" Niobe said, "I'm surprised to see you here."
He smiled.
Niobe nodded to the other two, "Neo, Trinity. Always a pleasure. Nice to meet you in a calmer environment." she said.
Neo.. Trinity.. Morpheus...All names she'd heard.
"This is the Prophet, Genesis." Niobe said.
"Its an honor to finally meet you" Morpheus said.
Trinity walked up to Genesis, who was still unconsciously clinging to Ghosts arm.
"Why don't you come with me." She said, taking Genesis's hand without question, pulling her from Ghost.
She turned around and looked at Ghost with a scared look on her face.
Neo walked off with them, leaving the others at the ship.
Genesis still had her hood on, as she slowly walked between Trinity and Neo.
She felt really uncomfortable between the two, it felt like being between two magnets.
"It really is an honor to meet you, Genesis." Neo said, holding out his hand.
She looked up at him, hesitantly shaking it.
"Your.. the other" she said quietly.
He chuckled. "Yes, I guess you could say that."
She looked back down at the ground, feeling really nervous.
Neo turned to walk down a separate corridor, but not without a look back to Trinity.
Genesis tried to ignore it.
Her and Trinity continued to walk towards an endless amount of stacked apartments, going to what looked like the 111th story.
"How are you, now?" Trinity asked. "You were in quite a predicament when I last saw you."
Genesis looked at her. "um... fine" she said.
There was a pause. Then Genesis felt like telling her everything, all that had happened, all that she thought was going to happen.
She guessed it was just that female-to-female thing.
"Feeling a little... left." Genesis said, looking at her feet.
Trinity looked at her confused.
"They're just going to leave me here.. With a bunch of people I'm suppose to save, people I don't even know. In a place I don't even know. Suddenly my presence has cost the lives of a lot of people, people I don't know, but its suppose to save a lot, also..." she paused, "Its a lot to take in the course of a few days."
Trinity smiled. "I'm sure it is. But you can't be selfish. I know it's hard to take, but just your existence means the freeing and saving of hundreds of thousands."
She was right, no matter how much Genesis wanted to deny it.
"Sometimes.. I'm just tired of being left alone." she said, more to herself.
Trinity looked at her.
"You won't always be." she said.
They came to one of many of the same looking doors, and stopped.
"This is your room" Trinity said, handing her a small black bag. "Mine is up a floor, second from the end, in case you need anything. In about an hour, come down for the speech."
Genesis looked down at the bag as Trinity pushed open the door for her.
She went in side and closed it.
It was very plain, nothing less than her other cell... room.
She stood for a second, taking it in. She'd be there for a long, long time. Alone.
She threw the bag in the corner and plopped down on her bed, lying on her side.
* * * * * * *
Ghost stood next to Niobe who were soon joined by Trinity and Neo.
"Morpheus's speech is in 5 minutes, we should go now." Trinity said, turning to leave.
Neo followed, as did Niobe. But Ghost caught Trinity's arm as she went by.
"Did she ever come down?" He asked.
Trinity shook her head. "She was supposed to be here an hour ago. I knocked on her door but she didn't answer. I think she was sleeping, I figured she needed it."
Ghost nodded, and followed them.
After the speech, or update on what had been going on, and that Zion's Prophet had been returned, Niobe stood alone with Ghost as the music started.
"Check on the Prophet, see if she hasn't run away again." Niobe said, leaning over to Ghost.
He nodded, turned, and left.
Walking up the long flight of stairs, he came to her door and knocked.
There wasn't an answer, but he knew she wasn't sleeping.
He opened the door and stuck his head in.
She was just lying on her side with her head on her hand, in her same clothes.
"You didn't come down." He said, letting himself in.
She didn't say anything, she just slowly blinked, as if she were bored.
He stood by the bed and looked down at her.
"You haven't left me yet." she asked, not turning.
He paused. "No. We haven't left yet." He said, taking a seat in a chair opposite the bed.
She looked at him, turning to sit on the edge of her bed in front of him.
She looked down, "I never told you, but I had a dream." she said.
"About what?" He asked.
There was silence. She was afraid to tell him, but more afraid to remind herself of it.
"It was so real, I wasn't sure what to think..." she paused. "I saw you take a bullet for Niobe, in the Matrix. You were fighting the Agents, but I couldn't do anything about it. All I could do was watch." she looked at him, his expression serious.
"Then everything that could happen, did. Sparks got killed, and Sentinels broke into the ship. Every one was dieing, and I couldn't do anything about it."
He leaned forward and put his hand on her face, lifting her chin to look at him.
"But it didn't happen." he said.
She looked back at him. She swore it did, it felt so real, she couldn't explain.
They were going to leave her there.
He stood to leave but she stopped him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I don't want to be left here." she said, holding onto him. the only friend she had in a world she didn't know.
He paused, and pulled her arms off him, pulling her to stand up.
She was desperate, she didn't want them to go and leave her.
He held her face in his hands and wiped off her tears, which she hadn't realized left her eyes.
"You'll never be alone. All these people need your help, and its your fate to do so, whether you want to admit it or not." He said, turning to leave.
She just stood there, staring at the wall in front of her, hot tears rolling down her face.
She heard the door slam, and it made her want to cry harder.
The only friend she had, would leave her. And she'd be stuck there.
* * * * * * *
After a few hours, her stomach felt like it was going to turn her inside out. After trying to ignore it, she knew she'd have to eat something.
Reluctantly, she sat up in her bed, looking at the door.
Maybe she could be in and out and not be noticed, just grab something to eat... somewhere. At this point, she had no clue were she was, let alone were to eat.
She looked at the black bag that was sitting on the floor.
Reaching for it, she opened it to find clean clothes. And for a change, they didn't have holes in them. And they also smelt a lot better than hers.
Shuffling through them, they were all kind of weird. Looked like they had been around for a long time, but tried to be repaired... some kind of hippy thing going on, before she finally found something that was decent.
She pulled the old torn sweater over her head and put on the black tank top. Leaving on her pants and boots, that weren't so bad.
Pulling open the heavy steal door, she looked both ways to see if anyone was on the walkway. Luckily not.
She pulled the door shut quietly behind her and continued down the steal walkway.
Peering down over the cold metal balcony as she walked, she marveled at the immense structures that all held little apartments, all in a huge cylinder shape.
Looking back down the long walkway, she saw Neo walking towards her.
Immediately looking down at her feet, she kept walking to keep from meeting his gaze.
Luckily, though, he didn't say anything, and she just took the stairs two at a time, down.
So much for going unnoticed.
Coming to the ground floor (or at least what she thought it to be), it was pretty empty, for the size that it was.
She looked to her right were there was, what looked like, a bar. A long narrow table ran the length of the little structure, with small chairs in front of it.
Taking a seat, a tall black woman appeared on the other side of the table.
"What can I get for you, dear?"
"uhh...." not sure what to say, and not feeling hungry now that she was there, she wasn't sure what to ask for.
Before she could speak again, the woman put a dark glass in front of her. "You look thirsty."
Genesis offered half a smile, still not sure what to think.
Taking a drink, trying not to be rude, she almost coughed it up.
The bitter yet satisfying taste left in her mouth could only be one thing. Alcohol. Or some other form of it.
"To strong?" The woman asked with a smile, going to take the glass.
Genesis reached for it and took it back. "No, I'm good, thanks."
Two or so hours later, she was still sitting in the same spot, only now with a few empty glasses around her.
Just thinking, and drinking, it kind of numbed her thoughts. Helping her forget what was inevitably her responsibility.
She circled her finger on the rim of her fifth half empty glass, head resting on her other hand.
"Most people can't keep down one, let alone five."
Genesis turned abruptly to see Neo standing behind her.
She immediately blushed, not realizing someone was there.
He took a seat next to her and ordered himself a drink.
"So.. how are you doing?" He asked casually, as if he had known her for years.
She kept staring at her drink. "How did you take it." she asked.
There was a pause. "It took awhile, for the reality to set in. And more for me to actually believe it myself, and stop denying the truth." he said, looking at her.
She looked down at her lap.
"If I had a choice, I'd just go back."
He smiled. "We all think that at one point or another." he said.
"I don't want to be stuck here... I guess I'm just being selfish though, right?" Why was she telling him this? They were in the same position.. she guessed.
"It won't be for too long." He said, catching her by surprise.
"What do you mean?" she said looking up at him.
"I came to tell you what was suppose to happen, but you've been running away from me." he said with a smile.
"You'll be here for a few months, until the Nebekenezer comes back to get you. Then, you'll be aiding me in the fulfilling of the prophecy." he said, as if it were that simple.
"The Neb.... your ship?"
He chuckled. "Well, Morpheus's, but I'm a member, yes"
"How long?" she asked, fearing the response.
"18 months. That will give us the time we need to fix some things, then get back to Zion"
"You said a few!"
"At least it isn't a few years." he replied, stirring his drink.
She looked back at her drink, "What about.. the Logos?"
"They get credit for finding the prophet, then they leave. They have other things to do."
'figures' Genesis thought, resting her head on her hand again.
He sighed, and patted her on the back. "It won't be that bad. Promise."
Then he got up and left, leaving her with more to think about.
She looked over at his untouched drink.
Looking around, as if someone would stop her, she pulled it over and drank it... She was going to need it.
That night, she slept. But not for very long, she woke up again, in a cold sweat from the same dream.
She sat straight up, and looked towards her door.
They were leaving.
Some how, she knew it.
Pulling herself out of bed, and throwing open the door, she stumbled as the light made her migraine worse.
She ran down the walkway as her boots clanked on the steal.
Tripping down the stairs, she ran back the way she first came, towards the ship docks.
Just as she knew, they were packing the last of their stuff into the ship.
She ran up to Niobe who was accompanied by both Ghost and Sparks.
"Don't..go" she said, catching her breath.
"We don't have time for this, we need to leave in 3 minutes." Niobe said, beginning to walk away, but Genesis tightened her grip on Niobe's arm.
"I'm serious, you can't go. The ship is going to be attacked, and there's no way to defend yourself."
Niobe picked up her last bag and started to walk towards the ship again, breaking from Genesis's grip.
"What's the point of me being here if your not going to listen to me!" Genesis called after her.
Niobe stopped, and slowly turned to face her.
"She's got a point" Sparks said.
"Shut up Sparks." Niobe said, walking towards Genesis.
For once, Genesis stood her ground and looked straight at Niobe.
Ghost looked at the two, not sure what was going to happen. He felt like he should prepare himself to break up a fight or something in proportion to one.
Niobe just stared back at Genesis, then grabbed her shirt and pulled her down the walkway. "Sparks, finish loading the ship." Niobe called back.
"What are you doing?!" Genesis asked, struggling to loosen her grip.
"Needs to be verified." Niobe said, dragging her stumbling down the catwalk, Ghost quickly followed.
They came to a small building with only two apartments, which was oddly secluded from the rest.
Niobe threw open the door and shoved in Genesis who rubbed her shoulder, scowling back at Niobe. Ghost came in shortly after, shutting the door behind him.
The room was a lot different, not all steal and industrial looking, like the rest. But more earthy.
The inside looked like it was carved out of rock, and there were several candles instead of lights around the room, yet it was still brightly lit.
A light skinned woman walked through a door frame, that lacked a door, and smiled.
She was old, but it looked like her years had been kind to her, she still had some brightness left in her face.
"You have finally brought her to me." The woman said, holding out her hands.
They all followed the woman into the next room that had a small slab and, what seemed to be, the only electricity in the house.
It was a huge black box with several flashing green lights, and wires strung all around.
Before she knew it, she was laying on the cold slab of rock, with the same plug on the ship hooked into her neck.
The woman sat next to her with a screen on the other side.
Niobe and Ghost stood at the back watching the woman who stared down at the screen.
Genesis's eyes flinched, which were now closed.
There was just darkness at first, then it came into view. First it was her old house, one she hadn't been in sense she was 5, sense she lived with her father.
She was sitting on the lumpy coach, looking over the back into the kitchen.
At first all she could recognize was the heat, the heat in which she hated so much. The heat in which reminded her of so much.
Her father was yelling at her mom, and flung his hand out, slapping her across the face. She was so young, she was there, but she couldn't do anything. What was this?
Then she was at a funeral, holding her fathers hand, staring at her mother's coffin being lowered into the ground. No one came, no one but her grandmother.
Now she was in a strangely familiar dimmed lit room with her father, it was so cold. He loaded the shotgun in his lap, and looked at her. He said something, but she couldn't understand, then he raised it just as everything went black. She felt hot blood splatter on her face, and everything came back. He was laying on the ground, in a pool of blood, half of his head missing, with his skull covered in a bloody pile of flesh.
The woman sat staring at the screen, a serious expression forming.
"Well?" Niobe asked, being impatient.
"Be patient, there is a lot to go through."
Genesis laid on the thick slab of rock, her eyes wet at the corners.
Then it was 15 years or so later, she was walking down the familiar streets of New York. There was a man in a suit ahead of her, and all the blood left her head. Terrified, she ran. Turning the corner to run into another suited man.
She was suddenly sitting on her bathroom floor, looking down at her mangled wrists.
Then, it was the dream again. She watched it all happen again, unable to do anything, watching them all die. She cried out but nothing happened.
She opened her eyes to find herself on the uncomfortable slab again, the plug from her neck being removed by the woman.
Leaning forward, she rubbed the back of her head.
There was a heavy pressure on her mind, and she was reminded of the sitting in the office building, the same men around her, her mind being pried into.
"Then we will wait." Niobe said, turning to leave, the woman followed her out.
They could hear them talking in the next room, and Ghost walked over to her and helped her up.
She stood and turned to walk out, but this time Ghost stopped her.
"Thank you" he said.
She turned to look at him. "For what"
"For going through that, to save us."
She paused. "Its what I'm suppose to do.. right?" she asked, walking through the door.
* * * * * * *
Later that night, there was a knock on the door. She sat up and stared at it.
Not sure who it was, she opened it a little and peered through.
Trinity stood on the other side, looking back at her.
"Are you coming down this time?" She asked.
Genesis opened the door a little more and looked back at her.
"Why.. what's happening."
"Just a gathering. A celebration for the saving of Zion." she said.
"No thank--"
"Great, be down in 10 minutes, and put on something a little nicer." Trinity said, walking away.
She stared after her, "damnit" Genesis said, slamming the door.
Procrastinating, she slowly walked down the stairs, thinking of something she could say to get out of it.
The only thing nice she could find was a light blue netted over shirt, that went over her black tank top, and a black knee length skirt with slits up the side that went up higher than she liked. Definitely not something she would have picked.
She had already wasted half an hour or so walking down the stairs, trying to think of something she had forgotten so she could run back up to her apartment to get it.
Too late.
Trinity greeted her with Neo at the bottom of the stairs.
"Your here. 40 minutes late, but here none the less." she said as she passed her walking up the stairs, Neo close behind.
"What am I suppose to do?" Genesis asked, a desperate look on her face.
"uhhh... enjoy yourself?" she said, turning onto another flight.
"right.." Genesis said, continuing around the corner.
It was the same place she had been the other night for drinks, at least that's what she thought. It was hard to tell with the amount of people that where packed in it.
Tons were dancing on the other side, and the bar was filled with people as well. It looked like a bad rave.
Hating social situations, and crowded rooms, she scratched her arm nervously and turned to make her desperate escape.
Ghost stood on the other side of the bar without, surprisingly, the company of Niobe. He watched as Trinity and Neo left, just as Genesis walked in.
He could barely recognize her, with her hair down and different clothes on.
She looked so different, in a light blue shirt, and not to mention a skirt, that looked a little off with her boots on, yet it fit.
He watched as she looked around and left.
Turning to leave himself, he followed her.
He caught her at the end of the walkway, but she had already passed her door.
She was looking over the railing, at the bright lights below; her blonde hair hung loosely around her face.
"You didn't stay very long" he said, walking up next to her.
"Judging by the fact that your here proves neither were you." she said, some how not surprised he was there.
It was quiet for awhile, before she spoke again. "It was like reliving my life. All over again. All of the bad parts, at least. But that's what 90% of my life is anyway" she said, looking down.
"I don't think I can take that again... yet, I'll have to to save people."
He looked over at her. She was strong, she could pull through, but she carried such a heavy burden.
"Your strong. I don't know anyone more fit"
"heh.. right." she smirked.
"The Nebekenezer is a good ship. You should be just fine." he said.
Her heart sank, but she stopped him..
"I wanted to tell you something." she said, looking up at him. "before you leave and I never see you again."
He stared back at her, who looked away again.
"I just wanted to say.. thank you... for unplugging me and all."
He paused. "Your welcome."
"And that..." she paused, how could she say it? Just say it, get it over with. Before she knew what she as doing, she leaned forward and kissed him.
She immediately blushed, pulling away and looking down over the balcony. "I mean, thank you for being my friend, and taking me onto your ship."
She said, quickly walking past him, and pushing open her door.
"Genesis" he said, turning towards her.
She didn't turn back, embarrassed, she couldn't believe what she had just done.
"I hope your still alive and well when we come back."
She paused, and turned around to find him gone.
Pushing through her door, she slammed it behind her and collapsed on her bed. What did she just do?! She didn't mean it. She was just so upset about them leaving. He was her only friend, what was she suppose to do? "Not kiss him!" she said, inwardly kicking herself.
* * * * * * *