The announcer's voice was blaring over the loud speaker and into her ears.
The sun was blaring down on her body. She was already exhausted from lack
of sleep the previous night. Disturbing images keep her up until early
this morning. As Angela prepared her mind and body for another race she
cleared her mind of everything except the finish line. She was determined
to set this record. The announcer signaled for the race to begin so she
ignored her weaknesses. Then all of a sudden bang!
Chapter 2: Hospital Visits and Babies
Angela's body shot out of the starting block like a sling shot. She ignored the runners on either side of her as she pumped her legs to go faster and faster. As she ran she thought of the teasing, the loneliness, and the cruel treatment she had to endure because she was different. She thought of Amano and Yukari and how they befriended her regardless of everything else. She thought of the other people she knew like her and how they could have opportunities like this. She wanted to be an inspiration to them most importantly. With this thought Angela's adrenaline began to work overtime as her quadriceps and hamstrings pushed her farther into the lead. Her muscles seemed like they were on fire but she was not going to give up everything that she had worked so hard for in the past nine years. As Angela neared the finish lined things seemed to go in slow motion. A woman holding a child appeared before her and held out her hand like she wanted Angela to stop. As the thought crossed Angela's mind she noticed that the person in the lane next to her was catching up and ignoring the mirage in front of her pushed her way across the finish line. When Angela's body came to a stop and her heart rate had returned to normal that was when she heard it. The crowd was cheering for her.
"Wow, everyone did you see that? Angela Blackstone has just set a new record for the University of Tokyo. This young lady came in first in her previous races and came in first today to prove that she is the best of the best." As the announcer continued with his praise; her team members came over to give Angela congratulations and help her to the bench. Everyone knew that it was a strain running back to back in races like that.
"Amano, did you see her?! She was amazing, I can't believe she could run that fast. I can't believe anyone could run that fast." said Yukari.
"I saw it Yukari and it was amazing." said Amano. To Amano Angela winning this race made him wonder if Hitomi's spirit was reincarnated into Angela.
"Come on Amano. We should go and see her." shouted Yukari. Just as the red head would have hopped off the bench Amano grabbed her.
"We will, but first give her room to breath. Look at everyone surrounding her. I'll be surprised if she doesn't pass out."
Angela was excited that she'd won, but she was having trouble catching her breath. She wanted to tell everyone to stand back, but she couldn't form the words. As Angela tried to stand up straight the world became dizzy and everything began taking on different shades of darkness. She heard people calling her name and asking her something, but it wasn't getting through to her mind. She felt her body falling and the world in front of her disappeared into darkness.
As Amano watched he saw the track team suddenly crowding Angela some more. One the team members began running in the direction of the emergency station. Amano hopped of the bench and ran to investigate what was going on. When he got there he pushed everyone aside and told them to stand back. He saw Angela lying there oblivious as to what was going on. As Yukari approached an EMT was already there with his emergency kit. He began asking questions and checking Angela's pulse. The EMT used his radio to contact someone else and soon an ambulance was on the track. As the people lifted Angela's body onto the stretcher the man asked if anyone was riding with her.
Yukari yelled loudly, "I am. I am." As Yukari pushed her way through the crowd of on lookers she hopped in the back and told Amano to meet her at the hospital. Amano agreed and watched the ambulance speed off with Angela and Yukari inside.
meanwhile in Gaea
As Hitomi finished feeding her baby she buttoned her dress back up just as Van came in. As he walked towards Hitomi and their son he felt his heart swell with joy. He never knew that he could know such happiness. He and Hitomi had been married a year and now they had a son to share their happiness with. As Van knelt by Hitomi's rocking chair she handed him their son, Stephen Fanel.
"There's my handsome son. How have the both of you been today?" said Van.
"I've felt better and Stephen's fine. I'm able to walk around now but Chantra says I shouldn't over do it." said Hitomi as she got up out of the rocking chair and sat down on the bed. While Van listened to Hitomi he played with his son and tried to get him to smile, but only succeeded in getting him fussy.
"I honestly have no idea why whenever you feed him and I hold him afterwards he decides to start crying?" said Van. As he looked at Hitomi he saw her laughing at him. "What, Hitomi, is so funny may I ask?" She continued laughing and he waited for her to calm down before she answered him.
"Because Van you always pick him up before he burps. If you place him on your shoulder and pat his back I'm sure he'll be a lot happier." Van followed Hitomi's advice and a few minutes later Stephen released a very loud burp along with some dribble onto Van's shirt. At that Stephen cooed and Hitomi got him from Van while he changed another shirt that day. Hitomi smiled and thought poor Van. He changes his shirt at least three times a day. While Van removed his shirt and placed it in a pile by the floor Hitomi became acutely aware of how long it had been since she and Van had been able to make love to one another. In her last trimester Van just held her and after the birth they had to wait at least a whole month before she could assume her wifely duties. As much as she wanted Van she knew that he wouldn't jeopardize her or their having future children.
As Van placed his shirt over his head he turned around and noticed Hitomi staring at him in a very seductive manner. As he walked near her he noticed that she didn't recognize that he'd even moved from his previous spot until he sat down beside her. As her weight shifted, because Van sat on the bed, she blushed at what was running though her mind.
While Van looked at her he lifted an eyebrow and asked her, "What were you thinking about?"
"Nothing much. I was just thinking about how this month will fly by."
"I hope so. I can't wait to feel you against me again."
"Really." said Hitomi. With that said Hitomi placed herself directly in front of Van and kissed him chastely on the lips. As she began to back away Van placed a hand behind her head so he could kiss her more fully. Soon Van was begging entrance into Hitomi's mouth. As she gave it the kiss went wild. Hitomi sighed as her and Van's tongue slithered lightly over each other like silk. As Van pulled Hitomi closer to him a knock sounded on the door. When Hitomi and Van pulled apart her eyes darkened to the color of a deep pond. As Van smiled and went to answer the door Hitomi picked up Stephen when she noticed that he'd fallen asleep. She'd had her chamber turned into a nursery but let the bed remain for those nights when Van was away on business and she wanted to be closer to the baby. When Van answered the door a young servant girl was on the other side.
"Your Majesty, someone requests your presence in the main hall."
"Who is it?" Van asked.
"I don't know. I was just told to come and inform you." replied the girl.
"Alright I'm coming." said Van. He closed the door and turned around to notice that Hitomi was not in their room. He walked into the next room and saw Hitomi watching Stephen's sleeping form. As he walked towards them he placed his arms around Hitomi and looked over her shoulder at there son. It was times like this that made him grateful for everything that he went through; the good and the bad.
"Who was at the door?" asked Hitomi.
"A servant who said that someone wanted to see me in main hall." replied Van.
"I guess you'd better go. I'll join you once Melissa gets in here." said Hitomi. With that said Van placed a kiss on Hitomi's cheek and left her with Stephen. As he walked to the main hall he wondered who would request him without giving their name. As he entered the main hall he was very surprised to meet the guest who didn't give his name.
"It's been a long time Your Majesty." said the person before him.
back on Earth
Amano and Yukari sat in the waiting room trying to understand what the doctor had told them. It seems like poor nutrition, lack of rest, and dehydration was the cause of Angela passing out after the meet. When Yukari heard this she was extremely mad at her young friend. It seemed so unlike her to do this sort of damage to her body. Amano was surprised upon hearing this news because every time he saw Angela she was eating or drinking something. He knew something was wrong he just never thought that whatever it was would go this far. As Amano thought about it he could tell Yukari was mad the minute the doctors told us what was wrong. He knew she was upset because Yukari knew people who seemed to be the same case as Angela. They were great runners, but because of the stress from work and school were unable to keep up the fast paced life of a student, runner, and after school worker. When the nurse came out she told Yukari and Amano that they could go in and see her. As Yukari and Amano stood up they walked into the room and saw Angela lying on the bed. As they walked towards the bed they noticed tubes going into her arms; one for food and another for fluids. Angela wouldn't be awake until later; probably tomorrow afternoon. The doctor figured it was best if she got her rest. Yukari and Amano sat down in the chairs near the bed. They were unsure of what to say. Yukari had seen this happen before and the end result was never good. She just hoped that Angela was strong enough to overcome whatever was causing this.
As Yukari continued thinking of why Angela would do this she began to get drowsy and soon fell asleep. Amano waited for Yukari to go to sleep before he picked her up and carried her out of the hospital. Regardless of the fact that Angela was their friend they were not excused from classes tomorrow. As Amano placed Yukari in the passenger's side he hopped into the driver's side and drove back to the university.
Chapter 2: Hospital Visits and Babies
Angela's body shot out of the starting block like a sling shot. She ignored the runners on either side of her as she pumped her legs to go faster and faster. As she ran she thought of the teasing, the loneliness, and the cruel treatment she had to endure because she was different. She thought of Amano and Yukari and how they befriended her regardless of everything else. She thought of the other people she knew like her and how they could have opportunities like this. She wanted to be an inspiration to them most importantly. With this thought Angela's adrenaline began to work overtime as her quadriceps and hamstrings pushed her farther into the lead. Her muscles seemed like they were on fire but she was not going to give up everything that she had worked so hard for in the past nine years. As Angela neared the finish lined things seemed to go in slow motion. A woman holding a child appeared before her and held out her hand like she wanted Angela to stop. As the thought crossed Angela's mind she noticed that the person in the lane next to her was catching up and ignoring the mirage in front of her pushed her way across the finish line. When Angela's body came to a stop and her heart rate had returned to normal that was when she heard it. The crowd was cheering for her.
"Wow, everyone did you see that? Angela Blackstone has just set a new record for the University of Tokyo. This young lady came in first in her previous races and came in first today to prove that she is the best of the best." As the announcer continued with his praise; her team members came over to give Angela congratulations and help her to the bench. Everyone knew that it was a strain running back to back in races like that.
"Amano, did you see her?! She was amazing, I can't believe she could run that fast. I can't believe anyone could run that fast." said Yukari.
"I saw it Yukari and it was amazing." said Amano. To Amano Angela winning this race made him wonder if Hitomi's spirit was reincarnated into Angela.
"Come on Amano. We should go and see her." shouted Yukari. Just as the red head would have hopped off the bench Amano grabbed her.
"We will, but first give her room to breath. Look at everyone surrounding her. I'll be surprised if she doesn't pass out."
Angela was excited that she'd won, but she was having trouble catching her breath. She wanted to tell everyone to stand back, but she couldn't form the words. As Angela tried to stand up straight the world became dizzy and everything began taking on different shades of darkness. She heard people calling her name and asking her something, but it wasn't getting through to her mind. She felt her body falling and the world in front of her disappeared into darkness.
As Amano watched he saw the track team suddenly crowding Angela some more. One the team members began running in the direction of the emergency station. Amano hopped of the bench and ran to investigate what was going on. When he got there he pushed everyone aside and told them to stand back. He saw Angela lying there oblivious as to what was going on. As Yukari approached an EMT was already there with his emergency kit. He began asking questions and checking Angela's pulse. The EMT used his radio to contact someone else and soon an ambulance was on the track. As the people lifted Angela's body onto the stretcher the man asked if anyone was riding with her.
Yukari yelled loudly, "I am. I am." As Yukari pushed her way through the crowd of on lookers she hopped in the back and told Amano to meet her at the hospital. Amano agreed and watched the ambulance speed off with Angela and Yukari inside.
meanwhile in Gaea
As Hitomi finished feeding her baby she buttoned her dress back up just as Van came in. As he walked towards Hitomi and their son he felt his heart swell with joy. He never knew that he could know such happiness. He and Hitomi had been married a year and now they had a son to share their happiness with. As Van knelt by Hitomi's rocking chair she handed him their son, Stephen Fanel.
"There's my handsome son. How have the both of you been today?" said Van.
"I've felt better and Stephen's fine. I'm able to walk around now but Chantra says I shouldn't over do it." said Hitomi as she got up out of the rocking chair and sat down on the bed. While Van listened to Hitomi he played with his son and tried to get him to smile, but only succeeded in getting him fussy.
"I honestly have no idea why whenever you feed him and I hold him afterwards he decides to start crying?" said Van. As he looked at Hitomi he saw her laughing at him. "What, Hitomi, is so funny may I ask?" She continued laughing and he waited for her to calm down before she answered him.
"Because Van you always pick him up before he burps. If you place him on your shoulder and pat his back I'm sure he'll be a lot happier." Van followed Hitomi's advice and a few minutes later Stephen released a very loud burp along with some dribble onto Van's shirt. At that Stephen cooed and Hitomi got him from Van while he changed another shirt that day. Hitomi smiled and thought poor Van. He changes his shirt at least three times a day. While Van removed his shirt and placed it in a pile by the floor Hitomi became acutely aware of how long it had been since she and Van had been able to make love to one another. In her last trimester Van just held her and after the birth they had to wait at least a whole month before she could assume her wifely duties. As much as she wanted Van she knew that he wouldn't jeopardize her or their having future children.
As Van placed his shirt over his head he turned around and noticed Hitomi staring at him in a very seductive manner. As he walked near her he noticed that she didn't recognize that he'd even moved from his previous spot until he sat down beside her. As her weight shifted, because Van sat on the bed, she blushed at what was running though her mind.
While Van looked at her he lifted an eyebrow and asked her, "What were you thinking about?"
"Nothing much. I was just thinking about how this month will fly by."
"I hope so. I can't wait to feel you against me again."
"Really." said Hitomi. With that said Hitomi placed herself directly in front of Van and kissed him chastely on the lips. As she began to back away Van placed a hand behind her head so he could kiss her more fully. Soon Van was begging entrance into Hitomi's mouth. As she gave it the kiss went wild. Hitomi sighed as her and Van's tongue slithered lightly over each other like silk. As Van pulled Hitomi closer to him a knock sounded on the door. When Hitomi and Van pulled apart her eyes darkened to the color of a deep pond. As Van smiled and went to answer the door Hitomi picked up Stephen when she noticed that he'd fallen asleep. She'd had her chamber turned into a nursery but let the bed remain for those nights when Van was away on business and she wanted to be closer to the baby. When Van answered the door a young servant girl was on the other side.
"Your Majesty, someone requests your presence in the main hall."
"Who is it?" Van asked.
"I don't know. I was just told to come and inform you." replied the girl.
"Alright I'm coming." said Van. He closed the door and turned around to notice that Hitomi was not in their room. He walked into the next room and saw Hitomi watching Stephen's sleeping form. As he walked towards them he placed his arms around Hitomi and looked over her shoulder at there son. It was times like this that made him grateful for everything that he went through; the good and the bad.
"Who was at the door?" asked Hitomi.
"A servant who said that someone wanted to see me in main hall." replied Van.
"I guess you'd better go. I'll join you once Melissa gets in here." said Hitomi. With that said Van placed a kiss on Hitomi's cheek and left her with Stephen. As he walked to the main hall he wondered who would request him without giving their name. As he entered the main hall he was very surprised to meet the guest who didn't give his name.
"It's been a long time Your Majesty." said the person before him.
back on Earth
Amano and Yukari sat in the waiting room trying to understand what the doctor had told them. It seems like poor nutrition, lack of rest, and dehydration was the cause of Angela passing out after the meet. When Yukari heard this she was extremely mad at her young friend. It seemed so unlike her to do this sort of damage to her body. Amano was surprised upon hearing this news because every time he saw Angela she was eating or drinking something. He knew something was wrong he just never thought that whatever it was would go this far. As Amano thought about it he could tell Yukari was mad the minute the doctors told us what was wrong. He knew she was upset because Yukari knew people who seemed to be the same case as Angela. They were great runners, but because of the stress from work and school were unable to keep up the fast paced life of a student, runner, and after school worker. When the nurse came out she told Yukari and Amano that they could go in and see her. As Yukari and Amano stood up they walked into the room and saw Angela lying on the bed. As they walked towards the bed they noticed tubes going into her arms; one for food and another for fluids. Angela wouldn't be awake until later; probably tomorrow afternoon. The doctor figured it was best if she got her rest. Yukari and Amano sat down in the chairs near the bed. They were unsure of what to say. Yukari had seen this happen before and the end result was never good. She just hoped that Angela was strong enough to overcome whatever was causing this.
As Yukari continued thinking of why Angela would do this she began to get drowsy and soon fell asleep. Amano waited for Yukari to go to sleep before he picked her up and carried her out of the hospital. Regardless of the fact that Angela was their friend they were not excused from classes tomorrow. As Amano placed Yukari in the passenger's side he hopped into the driver's side and drove back to the university.