And he's still singing, but it sounds different, and I see things now as I open my eyes. I'm back in the medical bay of Zion. What in the words of the Prophecy is going on?
"Awake again sleeping beauty?"
"Yes Mercury. What news?" He smiles and comes sits nearby. Somehow I am certain there is not good news.
"The Shadow is leaving today, but Maralah has promised to come and say hello, she has a friend she wants you to meet. He's taking my place on the Shadow, name starts with A or R or something." He shrugs and a sense of foreboding fills me.
"Arcane?" I offer, hoping that I am wrong.
"Yes, that's it, however did you know?"
"Must have heard it in my sleep." Muttering doesn't mask the words but he just shrugs and smiles, he wants to sing some more.
"What one do you want to hear today?"
"Anything new from the Matrix?"
"Sure, I know one you'll like. But a girl sings it so please forgive me if it sounds terrible." I laugh, he is a tenor so he can sing most female parts.
"Alright, just sing."
"Perfect by nature
Icons of self-indulgence
Just what we all need
More lies about a world that
Never was and never will be
Have you no shame don't you see me
You know you've got everybody fooled."
I like this song, but something about it makes me frown, he is singing the next verse and a shudder runs up my spine, the chorus is the same but what about the bridge?
"Without the mask
Where will you hide?
Can't find yourself
Lost in your lies
I know the truth now
I know who you are
And I don't love you anymore it…"
And the chorus again, the second time with slightly different words. But I know where I've heard it from now, and I don't like it. Someone knocks on the door.
"Come in." I call, somehow I've been moved o my own little room. It's a nice change. Maralah pops her head around the door.
"Hey there Hers, can I introduce you to our new crewmember since you're taking Merc from us?" She is laughing of course and I nod. The door opens and it's him, the boy from my dream, he is standing next to my best friend and he recognises me. He lifts a finger to his lips to indicate that we shouldn't mention the nightmare.
"This is Arcane. Arcane, this is my best friend ever Herse, she's going to be on the Shadow sometime soon. Right Hers?" I nod and mumble a greeting. He has a nice smile and seems like a very nice person but I don't know if I should trust him but then I don't have much of a choice in that, after all, he is my best friend's friend, so I suppose he must be alright. And he is suffering the same nightmare I am, although for what reason I don't know.
"Would the crew of the Shadow please report to the dock, crew of the Shadow to the dock, thank you." Maralah seems sad to go, but the one she has brought with her seems more nervous than anything else. I wonder if he fears the same thing I do. How does he escape Her? And how does she capture Mercury? There are so many questions, oh, good bye my friend, I hope to see you soon, under happy circumstances.
"Take care." He is very quiet as he goes, and Mercury wants to see off the others, so do I.
"You're not allowed to leave yet. Here, drink this and I'll talk to you when I get back." I glare at him but take the drink anyway. It's the nice one the lady gives me so often. I never noticed before how sleepy it makes me though. Ever so sleepy…
A/N: Things are not always as they seem, are they my friend?
AbsolutelyNoSolicting: Wow, I'm flattered! Glad you like and don't worry, I can't kill off all the good guys can I? No story that way :P Enjoy!
LiMiYa: Hmm, you like tension hey? Ok, I'll keep that in mind. I hope this was up to your tension-o-meter standards. :P