Hey all! Guess what…I AM STILL ALIVE! I cannot apologize enough for the cliffhanger I left you with in this story, however, I do intend to finish this story even if it takes me years, haha. I've missed hearing from you all so much! You are all depending on me!

If you are new to this story, hello! I hope you aren't too confused! Those of you who know me also know I endorse certain stories that I'm fond of in my opening spiel. This update, I highly recommend, "Of Gangs and Groceries" written by GwydionAE and her friend T4, "A Beautiful Love" by Starry Eyed Wonder, and "And Along Came Prince Charming" by Dahee Fanel. Give them a try! P.S. I miss you MT!

To those of you wondering about "Ink Stained Hands," the next chapter is in the planning stages. Look for an update soon. Also, if you're new to my work, you may want to check out "Desperation", a fic of mine that is ACTUALLY COMPLETE!

Well, enough about me Casanova…On with the show!

Previously on 'Whispers of the Mind'

'Well well…what have we here?' Millerna sighed as she glared at a flashing red light coming from the printer. "Out of paper? Come on, just my luck," she grumbled and refilled the machine. "There…Ya happy now?" The printer lurched to life and began processing the first scan. "Might as well start the coffee," the tired woman muttered to herself. 'This is going to be a long day, I can feel it.'

"Oh Amano, I thought I was a goner when my Honda broke down! I'm glad you had your cell on ya, or I might not have made it to work," Yukari smiled brightly, pausing to fix her patchwork skirt and check her hair in the car window. "My buns even?" The engineer blushed immediately, his mind interpreting the situation in entirely the wrong way.

"Uhh…umm…"

"My HAIR, ya perv!" the quirky girl winked, gently taking the poor guys hand into her own. Upon feeling her touch, Amano relaxed slightly. With his free hand, he slowly brushed the bangs from her eyes.

"Perfect."

"What happened, Millerna?"

"I got in early this morning, hoping to get a head start on analyzing Jayda's new scans, when I realized that the printer was out of paper. I refilled it, left the room to fill the coffee pot, ended up chatting with some guy down the hall, and when I got back, there were papers everywhere! The machine was spitting them out so fast; it's a wonder that I was able to keep them in order. The others arrived and started to help, but the scans just kept coming…" she paused to glance at Jayda's floating figure. "She's become so restless mentally, I hope everything's alright."

Click. Whirrrrrr. Click.

"Would you shut off those cameras already?! I hate knowing he's watching," the feminine voice hissed at her male coconspirator.

"Can't. Orders."

"What are you good for, anyway?" With gloved hands the two trespassers thumbed through several files, took photographs, and downloaded all the new Project Dreamer information from the main computer onto a disk. Luckily, none of the data had been encoded.

"We got what we came for, let's go."

'Wake me up inside.

Call my name and save me from the dark.

Bid my blood to run,

Before I come undone.

Save me from the nothing I've become…'

"Jayda…? Is that you?" Millerna spoke, her voice trembling. The whispers stopped. The images ceased. "Jayda???"

'Millerna…

Help me, Please.'

"Calm down Millerna. Wha…Jayda contacted you? How?" Dryden mumbled.

"In my thoughts…I think. Something like telepathy. I know it sounds crazy, but I heard her, I know I did!"

"But-…"

"No buts!! This is serious! I'm already in your driveway. Please Dryden, you won't regret it," the blonde begged, clutching her cell phone.

'I doubt that…' Fassa thought to himself. 'This had better be good…'

Chapter 3: 'The Good Samaritan'

12:45am- Lab 139, D.I.D.C.- Uptown Manhattan, NY

"Millerna…Help me, please…"

'She's not coming …' Jayda's pulse quickened as her mind reeled with uncertainty. 'It's dark…cold…I can feel it now.' Her body remained still within its glass cage while the young woman struggled to wake her physical self. Her toes slowly came to life, as her fingertips grazed the tank wall. Panic shook her being as her heart beat faster with every second that expired. 'Hurry,' she urged her body, the claustrophobia setting in. The numbness passed from her limbs as corporal awareness crept up her spine. Jayda willed her eyes to open only to cry in agony as chemicals washed over them. Adrenaline was pumping through her veins; her pulse pounding in her ears…the pressure was almost too much to bear. In desperation, the terrified captive began pushing on the glass walls around her. 'No…' she whispered inwardly. 'I can't give in…'

Dizziness overcame her. 'I can't…give…in…'

Her breathing slowed, and blackness enveloped her mind. 'I…'

bum-bump

'I won't…'

bum-bump

'…can't let them…'

Suddenly, Jayda's body lurched to life; a white, hot, light burst from within the tank causing the watery prison to shatter. The blinding flash sent shockwaves throughout the lab, destroying everything in its path. The young woman was thrown to the ground, glass and debris falling around her. Her lungs retched for air as they adapted to the unfamiliar form of oxygen, while violent coughing racked her entire body. Then, as suddenly as the light had appeared, it vanished without a trace.

Jayda labored to sit up and struggled to focus herself, taking in what had just occurred. Electric wires had been severed, causing sparks to pop and crackle bits of light in the darkness. The sound of water dripping echoed off of the tiled floor. Adjusting her eyes, Jayda squinted to see her surroundings. Lying next to her was a desk that had been smashed against the wall, its bottom drawer slightly open. The woman dragged her figure over to it and cautiously reached inside. She pulled out a faded envelope and gently dumped its contents into her palm.

FLASHBACK

"Here you are darling, it's your favorite color!"

END OF FLASHBACK

Jayda blinked hard at the shiny pendant in her hands. "It's…mine," she whispered, closing her fist around the thin chain. A tear slid down her scratched cheek as she slowly fastened the tiny, rose-colored jewel around her neck. Dropping the envelope onto the floor, the young woman stood up painfully amongst the wreckage that had been a laboratory. Her left leg bore a deep gash that stung horribly, but Jayda managed to limp carefully out of the room, and into the hallway. She gasped at the sight before her, bracing herself against the doorway. The explosion had not only destroyed the lab; it had demolished the entire first floor, blasting the front doors wide open. The sprinkler system had been activated, and the security alarm was screaming terribly. Refusing to dwell on the situation, the trembling young woman gingerly made her way to the front entrance and stepped out onto the sidewalk. While black storm clouds loomed above, Jayda smiled weakly to herself and continued stumbling forward, away from D.I.D.C.

1:05am- Central Manhattan, NY

"Jane Street, please," a tired, young man instructed his cab driver. It had been a long day for Van Fanel. The twenty-four year old, a freelance photographer for the New York Times, had spent his night taking pictures of prominent social figures sipping expensive champagne at the annual "Christmas in July" charity event. The mayor, along with many celebrities and wealthy locals, contributed generously to the cause, which benefited the less fortunate of New York City. Overall, the night had been a success, but Van was glad to finally head home.

As the cab pulled away, a heavy rain erupted from the storm clouds above, the drops drumming on the roof of the car. 'At least I made it to the cab in time,' Van thought to himself as he loosened his bow tie and unbuttoned his tuxedo jacket. The weary photographer glanced at his watch and grimaced. 'Folken will want the prints as soon as possible. If the office opens at 8…looks like another all-nighter for me. Man, developing those pictures are going to be a pain in the'-

And then he saw her; a woman, struggling to walk amidst the pouring rain. Time seemed to slow as the cab approached her. She was barely dressed, with skin so pale it emitted a ghostly glow. Her long hair clung to her frail figure, giving her a pathetic, helpless appearance. Van watched as the woman tripped on the uneven sidewalk, causing her to loose her balance and fall to the ground awkwardly. He felt guilt tug at his heart as the vehicle drove quickly past her. On an impulse, he ordered the cab driver to stop and pull over.

"What do you think you're doing, buddy? I've got a business to run," the cabby complained as he pulled to the curb.

"I'll only be a minute." Van removed his tux jacket and placed it on the back seat before venturing out into the downpour. The woman was still sprawled on the ground, trying to regain her senses. He approached her cautiously, afraid that he might frighten her.

"Are you alright, miss? Let me help you, give me your hand." He reached for her, rain soaking his body, streaking down his face. She looked up slowly and gazed at him with large, green eyes, curious yet calm. Her questioning gaze compelled him to speak, but no words came. He'd never before seen a woman who radiated such inner strength in an obvious time of weakness. They studied each other silently, frozen in place as the raindrops pounded around them. The weather was no longer Van's concern; all he could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his chest. The girl's mystic presence captivated him, as the mists from the street seemed to surround her. She broke the trance and gently took his hand, accepting his aid. He willingly helped her to her feet, allowing her to lean on him for strength. She looked into his dark eyes as he continued to hold her carefully.

"Who are you?" he whispered, his tone hushed. The woman gave him a small smile, rain trickling down her lips.

"Hitomi…my name is Hitomi," she breathed, relief filling her body. She could say it now…her own name would no longer be a lie. She gazed intently into the young man's face, trying to recognize him. He was so familiar, and yet so new.

"I'm Van," he spoke softly, and allowed her to take in his appearance. By now, his white dress shirt was completely soaked, while his raven hair surrendered to the elements. As he held her, he could feel her breathing, slow and shallow. 'What is this feeling…this utter helplessness, and yet-'

HONK-HONK! "Come on, pal, I haven't got all night!" the cab driver yelled, irritated by his clientele. Van snapped back to reality and released his hold on the girl.

"So…do you need a lift somewhere?" he offered, running a hand through his drenched locks. She smiled sadly and looked down the street.

"I have nowhere to go," she stated quietly.

"Oh…" 'What could that mean?' He looked again at the shabby, dirty nightgown she was wearing; the dark smudges and cuts on her skin; her bare feet. Was she homeless? Perhaps she was avoiding an abusive situation…'

"Thank you for your help," she spoke and continued on her way. Van watched her go, indecision on his face. The cabby honked the horn again and threatened to leave. 'I can't just leave her here…can I?'

"Hold on," he instructed the driver, and ran towards the woman he'd just met. "Hitomi!" She turned, confusion in her eyes as Van caught up to her. "Look…I know we're strangers, and you have no reason to trust me…but, I have an extra couch at my place if you need somewhere to stay for the night…it's better then staying out here, isn't it?" he asked, catching his breath. The girl seemed to wrestle with the idea, her face unreadable. The cabby honked again, revving his engine for effect. "Hitomi?" She raised her eyes to his, a smile forming at the corners of her mouth.

"I trust you," she said softly. Van grinned slightly and let out the breath he had been holding.

"So that's a yes?" Hitomi nodded slowly, and walked toward him. Van opened the cab door and helped her in.

"Look kid, I'm not running a charity here…you either pay me double, or leave your woman on the street," the cab driver stated defiantly, glaring at his passengers from the rear view mirror. Van clenched his jaw firmly, refusing to let anger get the best of him. He breathed out slowly and reached into his wallet, pulling out several bills.

"I'll pay double, just take me to Jane Street, alright?" The driver seemed content with the cash offered and pulled onto the road. Van sighed and looked at the woman beside him. She was gazing intently out the window, trembling slightly. "Here," he said gently, clumsily draping his tux coat around her shoulders. Hitomi looked down at the jacket, running her fingers over the lapel.

"Thank you," she whispered, gratitude shining in her eyes.

"Your welcome."

1:20am- D.I.D.C. Uptown Manhattan, NY

"What in the world…?" Dryden uttered, as he pulled into the D.I.D.C. parking lot. There were at least five patrol cars surrounding the building. Yellow caution tape sealed the front entrance, while several officers could be seen investigating the area. Millerna stiffened in the passenger seat, eyeing all of the broken glass and debris that cluttered the sidewalk. Something was wrong…I just knew it…but...what about Jayda?

"What about Jayda?" the woman spoke aloud, her voice wavering slightly. Dryden simply shook his head in shock. All of the windows and doors on the first floor had been blown out, as if an explosion had occurred from within, and yet there was no fire, no smoke; nothing that indicated a bomb.

"Come on," he sighed, reaching for his umbrella. "Let's get some answers."

To Allen Schezar, this was just another crime scene, albeit a rainy one. Being a detective with the NYPD Major Case Squad meant unusual hours and a high tolerance for the bizarre. The twenty-eight year old was tall with strikingly handsome features; a lean, athletic body, keen blue eyes, and a smile that had charmed many. Long, blond hair was kept in a low ponytail, giving him a roguish appearance. In addition to his good looks, Schezar was ambitious, graduating from college at the top of his class. He had a passion for law enforcement and eagerly jumped at the chance to serve as a police officer in his community. Eventually, he worked his way through the ranks and, with the urging of his co-workers, accepted the promotion to detective. This was now his third year in the position.

Allen stood at the buildings entrance, taking in the damage. He flicked on his flashlight and peered closely at the front doors, examining the hinges and frame. 'Strange…' "Hey Gaddes, over here," Schezar motioned to his colleague. "I need an opinion."

"Whatever it is, my answer is no," the man said sarcastically, smirking at his friend as he strolled up next to him. Gaddes Himoto was a forensic scientist specializing in crime scene analysis, who also happened to be Allen's former college roommate. As freshman, the two had become fast friends and shared many of the same interests: beer, women, and law enforcement. As time passed, the pair moved on from the party scene and immersed themselves in their studies. Gaddes was usually fairly laid back, but Allen's academic success pushed him to work hard. Himoto graduated along side his friend, and was honored for his excellence in science. Upon graduation, the two parted ways with high career goals, each promising to stay in touch. Allen went on to join the NYPD, while Gaddes dabbled in several dead-end jobs. After three years of frustration, Himoto also enrolled with the NYPD, hoping to find his calling. It was during his work with the police force that a love for forensic investigation took root. Allen, as his co-worker, encouraged Gaddes to pursue his passion. With a little effort and determination, Himoto successfully earned a position on the forensic team. He was tall, with a dark, rugged appearance sporting tanned skin and jet-black hair. His casual style and attitude served him well, allowing him to make friends easily. Now the twenty-seven year old embraced his career, and was becoming the pride of the department.

Gaddes inspected the front entrance carefully, wiping the rain from his eyes.

"It was blown from the inside, see the doorframe? It's bent, plus the hinges have been warped."

"Yeah, that's what I figured. But isn't it strange? There doesn't seem to be any kind of adhesive or residue left on the frame from a bomb or entry device. Plus, the glass was broken away completely. Couldn't the perpetrators have just walked through the hole? Why go through the trouble?" Gaddes rubbed the stubble on his cheek.

"Beats me. Maybe there'll be more answers inside." The two stepped carefully into the building, their flashlights probing the darkness.

"Wow, talk about a rough clean up job," Schezar muttered under his breath.

"Tell me about it," Himoto sighed. "My team is gonna have a heck of a time looking for clues. Check out the debris, it seems to all be laying the same direction…like it was all knocked over from the hallway."

"What? I don't get it."

"Let me explain. You see the hallway straight in front of us?"

"Yeah…so?"

"That's just it. There's a cleared section right in front of it. The explosion, or whatever it was, seems to have originated over in that area and then forced all of the desks and cubicles towards the front door, see?"

"Oh, ok, I get it now. I guess that also explains the huge hole blown at the corner there?" Allen was surprised he hadn't noticed it earlier; the darkness must have thrown off his vision. A large hole had been made where the hallway ended and branched into the back wall of the room they were standing in.

"Bingo, that hole supports my theory. It looks like half of the doorframe is still in tact. I bet the room on the other side will help explain a few things." As the pair entered the room, several officers were already carefully inspecting the area.

"Gaddes, sir, I think you may want to come look at this," one of the policemen called to them. Among the mess, a yellowing envelope was seen lying on the floor.

"You didn't touch it did you…"

"No sir. I just found it here out in the open, thought it may be of interest to you."

"Good man. Let's see what we've got." The forensic specialist pulled on rubber gloves and picked up the object with a sterilized pair of tweezers. "It's wet, we may not find much," he sighed turning it over. "Wait a minute…is that writing?" Blue ink was smudged on the surface of the paper. "It's unclear, I can't read it. Let's bag it, hopefully something will turn out," he said, nodding to the officer.

"What do you make of this? It seems to be the only thing not damaged," Allen asked aloud. His flashlight was focused on a machine of some sort. The odd thing was, there wasn't a scratch on it, even though it was surrounded by glass.

"Actually, it was damaged…it looks like it was a large tank or something. See, that's the top of it over in the corner. That would also explain all of the glass; check it out, the glass is at least two inches thick." Gaddes held up a piece for his friend to see. "You're right though, the base should have been wrecked too. This appears to be the site of the explosion: it came from within the tank."

"Great…you know what that means, don't you?"

"It mean's I've got a huge puzzle to put together," the scientist groaned, staring at the glass. "We need to find the point of entry…Hey guys," He called to his team. "I need all, and I mean ALL of the glass in this room bagged and ticketed together."

After surveying the rest of the first floor, the team came up with nothing promising; no motive, no suspects, no reason for all of the damage. All of the security cameras had been destroyed, and the sprinkler system had washed away any hope of DNA. Some of the liquid from Lab 139 was taken to be analyzed, and photographs were taken of the damage. It was well passed two in the morning before Schezar and Himoto were finally able to leave the site.

"You want some coffee? I'm buying," Allen offered to his friend as they went to the squad car.

"Definitely. I'm gonna need an extra strong blend to get me through these next few days."

"You got it." Just then, an attractive blonde female came walking quickly towards them.

"Excuse me, officers? Please, if I could just ask you a couple of questions"—

"Sorry, no comments for the press," Schezar stated wearily. She's gorgeous, he thought to himself. Too bad, if only—

"No, you don't understand, I'm not with the press. I work here; I'm just worried about…a friend of mine. Was anyone found inside?" The officers looked at each other, their attention held.

"No," Gaddes remarked quickly. "Why, should we have found someone?" The woman's eyes filled with tears.

"I knew it, I just knew she was in danger…" she whispered, her gaze fixed on D.I.D.C. Taking his cue, Allen walked closer to the blonde.

"Calm down miss, take a deep breath. I need you to focus here." Schezar placed a hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eye. "Who was in the building?"

"Jayda," she breathed. "Jayda Riley. She was a coma victim…but that's all I can say."

"Is there more to the story?" Gaddes interjected.

"Yes, but I'm afraid that's classified information. I'd have to get government clearance to discuss it." Allen sighed and shook his head.

"Great…just what I need, Feds. Thanks ma'am, would you mind talking with us a little more? We'd appreciate anything you have to offer."

"Umm, sure. In fact Dryden Fassa, my boss, is sleeping in my car over there. We've been waiting for a while, and he just couldn't handle it," the woman smiled weakly. "Oh, and I'm Millerna Aston."

"I'm detective Allen Schezar and this is Gaddes Himoto, our forensic specialist. We're headed to the 24-hour Starbucks on the corner. Would you two care to join us?"

"Coffee would be great."

A slim figure emerged from the shadows as it watched the last of the NYPD pull away from D.I.D.C. A cell phone rang once, and was answered.

"How bad is it?"

"We've got trouble, Dornkirk," the woman relayed coldly. "NYPD. And Ms. Aston, along with Dr. Fassa, are leaving with them."

"How did this happen…"

"She wanted out, sir," she snapped sharply. "We've been warning you for weeks that there might be an escape attempt."

"Did you cover your trail tonight?"

"Yeah, like always. Both of us did. We're fortunate. It happened right after we left." The figure slipped back into the shadows. "What now?"

"Keep an eye on all members of the Project Dreamer team, past and present. Make sure they keep their mouths shut."

"Anything else?"

"You may want to make a visit to the forensics lab sometime in the near future. We can't let them know everything."

"Consider it done, sir."

"Oh, and one more thing. Find Miss Kansaki. We wouldn't want history to repeat itself now, would we?"

The woman clicked off her phone and signaled to a driver across the street. Her accomplice pulled to the curb and unlocked the doors.

"This one's going to be a hard one to clean up," the man said softly as his passenger stepped inside.

"Don't worry, we faked the files. Everything will turn out. The NYPD aren't exactly America's finest," she sassed. "That blonde Barbie-doll detective probably bought his way through the department, not to mention the scruffy scientist that hangs around him."

"Schezar and Himoto are good, and you know it. I just hope we get them off the case quickly."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Well?? How do you like it??? I know it's been a little over a year since I updated this story, BUT have faith! I will continue, and it won't take as long this time: PROMISE! I am looking forward to your reviews, and already have the first part of the next chapter planned out. I love you all!

Esca-lover