Disclaimer: All charecters are owned by Mr. Jhonen Vasquez

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Chapter 2

"...but don't ever lose your clarity."

Amber eyes counted tiny dots on the ceiling as a troubled mind silently grudged against an aching

body. Dib lay sprawled out on the long-worn couch in the downstairs living room, both TV and radio

silenced in his presence. The quietness echoed in Dib's ears as he pondered what'd happend not

more then five minutes ago.

After much toil, Dib had decided to confront his sister on her recent emotions towards him. It

took courage on his part to come down the stairs and bring himself infront of her. She'd

been listening to the TV and playing her Gameslave 9 at the same time, not even raising her head

to aknowledge his presence. He stood silent for moments before his voice came into action.

"G-gaz...we need to talk..." he started slowly, stuttering, fearing the sound of her voice

harshly stopping him. "...about w-what happend the other night...I..."

A sudden pause came from the sound of her game. She looked up at him, daggers of annoyance

showing from her glaring eyes as she slid off the couch and crept to her room. Dib's body slunk

in disapointment, any hopes of a fast fix to the problem were leaving with Gaz's retreating form.

Now he lay with sadness, resting on the couch. Again and again, the words he'd wanted to

say came into his mind. They sounded so strong and sincere in there, but when brought into reality

by his voice, they became weak. Dib rolled over, pressing his face into the texture of one of the

pillows. Her scent was here, making its way to his nose from the soft fabric. Its presence was no

real surprise though, she spent so much time placed upon cushions. It was semi-sweet but not strong,

it relaxed Dib despite the mood that'd been set. Disheartening thoughts of recent slowly dissolved,

his mind wandered into the more comforting ideas of success. Not even the type of success that he

lust for, but the thought of her trusting him again. Just for her to talk to him again, or to meet

with his eyes and lack the look of hatred. Anything of that nature would satisfy Dib, it'd release

him from the guilt that bittered his home-life ever since that day.

Part of him, though, thought differently. Something in the back of Dib's mind didn't just want

her forgivness or friendly comfort. Another more feral part of him wanted her in a sexual way.

The rest of Dib's mind and nature opposed and argued against the desires of that one part. That

part, though, fought harder and stronger then any of the others at times, powered by a vicious

strength birthed before the creation of morals.

Dib wasn't sure which part of his warring mind forced him to raise up from the couch and

to ascend the staircase. He did so in a haze, thoughts blurred as his feet carried him up the

stairs and brought him down the eerily silent hallway to pause infront of his sister's closed door.

The boy listened closely, no sounds came from the room, not even the quiet electronic music of a

Gameslave. Dib's body stood idle as his mind worked out which options and impsulses it felt like

acting on this time. When it finally came to a conclusion, Dib's hand met the cool metal knob on

the door and turned it slowly.

Timidly, soft brown eyes peered into the darkened room of his younger sibling. The room was

fairly organized, it had a pile of paper, pencils and other art supplies in one corner upon a desk.

There was a theme of black and purple throughout it, on the other side of the room sat a small bed

on which Gaz lay. As Dib carefully crept further inwards, he watched her and came to the realization

that she was sleeping. The deactivated Gameslave rested silently beside her form, protected by one of the

hands of its owner. Dib's heart sped up, beating loud in his ears, and he worked to keep lull as he

approached the sleeping form of his half-sibling. Gaz lay with her eyes closed, dark lips parted slightly,

arms and legs lax in a pleasant and undefensive manner.

Dib cautiously took another step forward, kneeling down beside the bed, bringing his face close

to Gaz's. He watched her, a feeling of dejectedness coming over him. He wanted so badly to see her

happy around him again, like that one night. At the same time though, his body and a part of his

mind raged for the actions that'd make her sad and fearful. Hesitantly, Dib slid one of his pale

hands up to the cool sheets of Gaz's bed. From there, they went to her face, carefully pushing aside

strands of fuschia hair that'd fallen over her beautiful features. Tender fingers ran through the

hair as clouded eyes traced the peacefully sleeping soul, petting her as one would pet a newly born

kitten. Dib wanted to do more, he wanted to hug her and bring her close and look into her eyes. He

wanted to hear her voice revealing thoughts to him and expressing her mind. He wanted to kiss her

again.

Something tugged at the back of Dib's mind suddenly, letting his hand drift away from the soft

fibers. Just as voicelessly as he'd entered, he left again, shutting the door behind him.

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