Chapter Four: The Key
The building was empty. A strange calm had settled in every corner. What light was available filtered in through half-covered windows making it difficult for Shion to judge her surroundings. She moved through the dark halls slowly, letting instinct guide her and being careful not to disturb what may be lurking in the shadows. But neither the shadows nor the silence could urge her forward any faster.
Shion paused as she came upon a sign. The words Acute Neurosis Treatment Facility hung from the ceiling. The facility had been the last resort for numerous families like hers, but the name was misleading. Very few people, if any at all, received treatment. In all honesty, the facility was where they transferred patients who were beyond recovery, transferred for observation and study. It was where patients spent the remainder of their days. In quiet solitude. The facility was nothing more than a mausoleum of breathing corpses. It was a hard truth that her father had never accepted. Her mother, although technically alive, was as good as dead.
She passed beneath the sign and turned left. Whispers of the past rose up from the shadows and swirled around her. She could remember, with absolute clarity, holding her father's hand and looking up at him as he led her through the halls. He seemed impossibly tall to her. Tall and proud. But while she could remember the touch of his hand, the details of his face were a blur. She did, however, recall that he had kind eyes. They were kind but sad, even when he smiled. The warmth never seemed to reach those eyes.
Voices echoed all around, sudden and incoherent. And then silence. A sound drifted towards her... the laughter of a child, delicate and clear like the tinkling of bells. A distant memory floated up from the depths of nurses smiling sadly as father and daughter passed by. They were heading towards the room at the end of the hall. A dull ache began to throb in Shion's chest. She placed a hand over her heart and paused, trying to still the turmoil of emotions stirring inside.
Something flitted past her ear causing her to jump. She raised her eyes as the ghost of something large trailed past her line of sight and faded. Shion took a step back and froze. She couldn't run. It was too late for running. Something compelled her to move forward, but she fought her steps the entire way.
A short distance behind stood KOS-MOS, watching Shion's struggle with infinite patience. There was no hint in the android's eyes, no indication of whether she understood what she was witnessing, but her expression seemed to soften just a little.
This is it, whispered Shion, breathlessly. They had arrived at the end of the hall and were standing in front of an ordinary looking door. Shion cringed away from it as if she were standing in front of an evil presence.
This was my mother's room. This was where she stayed.
A dark look entered her eyes. She frowned, shaking her head to clear her thoughts.
It's only a dream, she said. Only a dream.
Shion took a shaky breath and leaned forward.
The door slid open in response and a bright light spilled forth, swallowing everything up.
*****
Shion lowered the hand that was shielding her eyes to find herself in the middle of the room. The first thing she noticed was the silence. It was a peaceful, lonely kind of silence that Shion recognized instantly. Most of her nights felt like this, quiet and empty, but she was too stubborn to admit there was something missing in her life.
Light poured in through large windows, bathing the walls in orange and red. The room was otherwise devoid of warmth. Bodies lay beneath clean white sheets, asleep or sedated. Shion didn't have the courage to take a closer look. The thought of seeing another glassy eyed stare gave her chills. By the bed in the far corner sat a man. Although his back was turned, she knew him immediately.
Daddy.
As she moved closer, she saw a girl perched on his knee. Shion almost didn't recognize herself. Had she really been that young? She had never thought of herself as naive, but as she watched herself, it was hard not to wince. There was something annoyingly innocent about the expression on that girl's face.
Shion's eyes shifted to the woman lying in bed. The face of her mother was pale and hard. It was a face that had lost its youthfulness long ago. The skin was pulled taut over protruding bones, smooth and white like a porcelain mask, but there was no beauty in her features. All trace of life had faded. All that was warm and human.
Shion frowned as she saw her mother's brow crease. It seemed that her mother could not find peace even in sleep. In the last six months, her illness had gone from severe to worse. The strange disease that had ravished her mind was now destroying her body. The woman that lay before them was nothing more than a shell. Her father refused to believe there was nothing more they could do. And so, they came and sat and waited, hoping, perhaps, for a miracle.
A foolish hope, thought Shion, bitterly.
The sound of her father's whispers echoed loudly in the silence of the room. Shion's eyes darted towards his slumped figure. He looks so tired. Her heart broke at the sight of him. The little girl on his lap stirred and buried her face in his collar.
When she wakes up, will she remember me, daddy? she said, sleepily.
Her father stiffened. He placed an arm around her, tucking her close to his side.
Only silence answered her. It was as if he was paralyzed.
Shion's hand reached towards him, wanting to comfort him. She wanted to tell him that everything would be all right, but she knew it was a lie.
Nothing was all right after that day.
She turned away from the scene, unable to bear the sadness in her father's eyes. The window caught her attention at that moment. She walked over and looked down at the property next door. A look of pure disgust entered her eyes. The Song. Who would have guessed that it was right there, under their noses the whole time?
Behind her, the door slid open and a nurse entered. Shion paid very little attention to the woman until she came to stand at the foot of her mother's bed.
Why does she just stand there? wondered Shion, turning her head slightly to look at the woman. Her eyes widened.
Febronia.
Her mouth opened, but she closed it without speaking.
No, this is just a memory. She can't hear or see me.
Still, Shion felt a ridiculous urge to warn the Realian, as if she could change the future by changing the events that were unfolding now.
Febronia, you need to get out of here.
They all had to get out, before...
She didn't allow herself to finish the thought.
Shion watched the little girl lift her head from her father's shoulder to peek at the Realian. Febronia smiled. The little girl returned her smile.
I hate to disturb you, Mr. Uzuki, but visiting hours are almost over.
Just a while longer, said her father without lifting his head.
Febronia smiled.
A strange look passed between her and the little girl.
She knows me... from somewhere else, but where?
Shion stiffened as whispers filled the room.
The patients.
They were awake.
No, not awake.
But their lips were moving.
All of them, at once. Muttering something too quiet to hear. Words that were meaningless, but leaving a chill in the hearts of the shocked witnesses.
Shion watched her father jump to his feet, nearly knocking his chair backwards. He clutched his daughter to him as if preparing to flee. His eyes were transfixed on his wife's pale face and her lips which seemed to be moving by the will of some mysterious force.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it...
Shion turned to stare at Febronia who had just spoken. She was still standing at the foot of the bed, although her thoughts seemed to be elsewhere.
That is what they are saying, explained the Realian, to no one in particular.
The whispers continued around them, still as quiet as before, but now Shion could also hear the words...
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it.
Death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them.
And they were judged every man according to their works.
And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Shion's eyes widened. Who's words were these? They were ghastly. She strained her ears to hear the rest of the mad ramblings, but caught nothing more except one last phrase which she uttered along with Febronia.
Rejoice, all ye. The time for feasting has come.
The whispers of the possessed abruptly died off.
A slight pressure began building in her ear. A sound penetrated her consciousness that was neither shrill or loud, yet was completely unsettling and unavoidable. While she stood in the middle of the room, frozen in denial, the sound grew steadily in volume and intensity.
No.
Shion's fingers dug into the palms of her hands. She glanced nervously at Febronia, but if the Realian heard the Song, she didn't show it.
Shion's head swiveled to the corner. She watched the little girl look around the room.
I hear something... it sounds... like a song...
The sound had reached full volume now. The little girl pressed her hands over her ears, looking frantically at her father.
What is it, Shion?
It's starting.
Daddy, run. Get out of here!
Her father turned to Febronia. The Realian was no longer smiling. He glanced back at his daughter and frowned.
What is it? he demanded.
Something is... wrong, Febronia answered, her brow furrowing in confusion.
There was a commotion outside. A scream pierced through the air. Her father set down the little girl next to Febronia and went to the window. His face blanched and he staggered backwards.
What is happening out there? he gasped. He turned to the Realian, who was now staring blindly at the door.
Shion's knees began to shake. She hugged herself and bowed her head wanting to cry out of pure frustration, but the tears would not come. Someone walked past her. Shion's head snapped up.
Stay here, Shion.
Where are you going?
I'll be back shortly. Stay here with the nurse.
When he was gone, the little girl seemed to crumble.
Don't be afraid, Shion.
The little girl looked at the nurse, her doll like features twisting into a frown.
I don't understand.
Don't be afraid, the Realian repeated. Your father will protect you.
Febronia's smile was kind and patient.
He promised to always take care of you.
The little girl shook her head, confused. The Realian's words made no sense to her and they didn't make sense to Shion.
Why would daddy promise otherwise?
Of course he would take care of her. He was her father.
Before Febronia could reveal more, the door opened and her father rushed in, his eyes full of concern.
he said, then paused and glanced nervously at her mother's unconscious form. He seemed torn between the two of them.
The little girl ran into his arms.
he whispered, his eyes filling with emotion, but a decision was made and the moment of weakness quickly passed. He knelt in front of her and took her shoulders in his hands. Listen to me, Shion, and listen carefully. You must go. You must leave now.
But, daddy--
There's no time. I don't know what is happening, but you can't stay here. You have to go. He glanced at the Realian and nodded. Febronia will take you somewhere safe.
I want to stay with you! cried the little girl.
No, Shion. You can't. You're too important.
Come with me, she whined. Don't leave me alone!
Her father's resolve nearly shattered then, but he hardened himself against her cries and stood, turning around to look at his wife.
Your mother... needs me. I can't leave her here unprotected.
Shion watched the scene feeling bile rise in her throat. Had this really happened? Had he chosen her mother over her? She didn't remember. She didn't want to remember.
I needed you, too, daddy, she thought, feeling the tears spilling down her cheeks.
The sound of screams were just outside their door.
Shion froze. A chill went down her spine. She kept her eyes averted, staring at the sky outside the window. The sun had disappeared completely beneath the horizon now, but traces of red still lingered in the growing darkness. Red that streaked the sky like blood.
As the last rays of light faded, something came through the walls.
It was too late now. Too late for the little girl to leave. Too late for Febronia to take her someplace safe. It was too late.
*****
The room was cloaked in a shroud of silence. Shion could hear the sound of her father's breathing. There was a sudden scuffle. Something tipped over and clattered. A soft thud, next. Then, the sound of something heavy being dragged along the floor. Shion clamped her hands over her ears as a sickening wet sound filled the room.
Somebody was crying.
A muffled shriek.
Shion! Get back!
Her father.
Stay away from her!
Shion sank to the floor and clutched her stomach, feeling long buried emotions wakening. Fear and pain. Anger and guilt.
I said, stay away!
Her breath hitched in her throat.
Her father's holler was abruptly cut off. A strangled gurgle escaped his lips before he hit the floor next to her. Shion closed her eyes and cringed away from his limp form.
Febronia.
Run. Now!
The Realian put up more of a struggle, but she too was tossed to the ground moments later. Shion could see her out of the corner of her eye. Febronia was looking directly at her. No, it was just her mind playing tricks on her. She was dead. Dead and gone. Shion turned away from her blank stare, shivering.
Something scurried past her and slipped under her mother's bed. Shion looked up and saw the little girl, crouching in the corner, clawing desperately at the wall as if she could escape by some hidden exit.
The sky above their heads rumbled.
Shion swallowed a groan.
Thunder.
Lightening flashed.
The room lit up briefly, sending shadows jumping and then the room plunged into darkness again. Something was coming her way. Shion scurried much like the little girl had done and pressed her back against the wall, trembling. She saw Febronia's body being snatched away and shut her eyes tight, but she couldn't block out the gruesome sounds that followed.
The bed next to her was suddenly pushed aside. She crawled out of the way as her mother's bed was next to be knocked over. She could hear the little girl's whimpers. Or maybe it was her own.
Stay away! cried a tiny voice.
Something snapped inside. Shion lifted her head in the direction of the voice. She looked past her mother's crumpled form to see the little girl backed against the corner.
Stay away!!!
Shion's heart skipped a beat as she struggled to remember what happened next.
How? How did she survive? How was she the only one left?
There was a light.
Shion didn't know where it was coming from. It was too dim to tell. But as it gradually grew in intensity, her eyes widened. Eyes that mirrored the shock in the little girl's.
The shadows in the room had all stilled. They were now watching the little girl who's hands were glowing brightly. She rubbed her hands furiously, as if she could wipe away the glow. When that didn't work, she hid them behind her back, but it was useless. They could see her clearly now. They could find her in the dark because of the light.
Shadows converged towards her.
Don't touch her! shouted Shion, jumping to her feet. Leave her alone! She's just a little girl!
They continued to crowd around her. Shion's heart was racing. She could see the fear in the girl's eyes. Shion watched as the girl raised her glowing hands in front of her and screamed. A burst of light exploded through the darkness.
*****
Shion sat upright in bed, clutching her sheets to her chest. She was covered in a light sheen of sweat and breathing as if she had just run a marathon. Her cheeks were wet with tears. She reached over and turned on the lights, sitting numbly while the nightmare replayed in her mind.
Shion stared down at her hands, trying to see the hands of the little girl.
Was it real?
She wasn't sure. She didn't understand any of it. If anything, she had even more questions. She let out a long, shaky breath, wondering if there would ever be an end to the mystery.
Tossing the sheets aside, she swung her legs over and got out of bed, but she had misjudged the strength in her limbs. Her knees buckled beneath her, sending her tumbling to the floor. A wave of nausea washed over her next. The room swirled before her eyes and then she knew nothing but darkness.
=====
A/N:
Woah! that was a long chapter!.
As always, thanks for the reviews!
Next chapter: Shion goes hunting for answers and comes face to face with a very unexpected person