(A/N) Hey there! Sorry you had to wait so long for this, but I've only just finished settling in after moving back to Canada. Anyway, the wait is over!
Let the chapter begin! Jingle
Disclaimer: a) I do not, nor will I ever own Trigun (despite great hopes) and its characters. b) I do not make any money off of this. I don't have any either.
I do however own certain characters and places. All of which should be blatantly obvious.
Redemption
By Neko Suzu
Edited by...(In dire need of a Beta)
I need a Beta!
Part 3: A Terrible Thing to Lose
Everyone is sitting in the chapel. Milly and Meryl are seated furthest from Knives and looking unsure of the situation. Vash wears his sunglasses in an attempt to hiding his confusion and doubt. While Father Baldwin carefully examines Knives.
"So, you can't remember a thing?" Asks father Baldwin.
"Not exactly." His voice is calm. "If I didn't remember anything I'd be unable to function properly. I can recall general information, from books and such. However my name, my life and who all of you are, is lost on me." He gestures around the room.
"Interesting." The Father is looking intently at the back of his head. "Tell me Knives, is there any tenderness when I press here." He applies pressure to the back of Knives' skull.
"Owe!" he quickly moves his head away.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"So what's the diagnosis?" Vash asks.
"Well, often memory loss is associated with sharp blows to the head. More than likely when our other guest defended herself, his head connected rather hard with the wall. And based on the structural integrity of the human skull compared to solid rock, well, let's just say the wall won." He sits down.
"So your saying his memory is toast."
"No, not entirely. The fact that he still can remember his ABC's would suggest only partial damage, or selective memory loss. With that comes the possibility for its' retrieval. Familiar things would likely jog his memory."
"Knives..." everyone looks at him "...what a strange name." He is lost in his thoughts, pondering the life he can no longer remember. Silence fills the room, every one of them forming their own opinions about this new development. The slight movement of Knives head toward a nearby hall then breaks the thick stillness of the room. They follow his gaze, and see a foot slowly emerge, followed by a bandaged leg. The girl Laina is slowly making her way into the room. She has her right had on the wall for support. She moves softly and quietly, stepping gently on the balls of her feet before putting the whole foot down. It seems as if she is testing the floor, afraid it is not quite as solid as it seems. Once fully visible, she lowers her hand, allowing it to rest at her side. She then rotates her hips, torso and head toward the group. Her eyes quickly, but thoroughly study each of them in turn.
"Hello." Her voice is barley audible.
"Good to see you up and about young lady." The Father moves toward her a friendly smile on his face. As he does this Laina shifts her weight onto her back foot leaning slightly away from him, carefully eyeing him up. Vash and Knives seem to be the only ones who notice this.
"Come, sit down you shouldn't strain yourself with too much activity. You've been through quiet a lot." He gestures with his right arm toward an empty chair, placing his left out for her to take. She gently grips it with her right allowing him to lead the way.
"Thank you." she says settling into the chair.
"I must say I'm quiet amazed and glad to see you up and about so soon. You were hurt rather badly I'm afraid. I was worried you would have difficulty getting back on your feet again." He is crouched in front of her, a look of concern covering his aged features.
"What happened?"
"You can't remember?"
"No...Not really. It's all so fuzzy." She covers her face with her right hand. "I remember it was late and I was running away from something. But I can't remember what." She shakes her head slightly as if hoping to defog the shadowed memory.
"Oh dear. Can you remember who you are? Where you're from? What year it is?"
"My name is Laina..." She closes her eyes in concentration. "My last name starts with a C or maybe a K. I'm not sure. I remember a small town, with maybe thirty people. I can't remember any names, but I can see most of their faces. I think the year is star date 0133."
"Well, don't stress over it too much. It's probably just a side effect of what happened. I sure you'll remember soon enough." He gives her a reassuring smile. "I'll also need to inspect you wounds later and see how you're coping with the infection."
"I don't mean to be rude but, could you tell me where I am? Not to mention who you are?"
"Oh, dear me I'd forgotten to mention that. Please forgive me. I am Father Baldwin, this is Vash, Milly, Meryl, and Knives." He gestures toward each of them as he speaks their names. "And we are about 400 iles outside the city of December."
Thump Thump She stands alone, the darkness around her is consuming, the air dank and heavy. Grrrrrrrr Thump Thump The darkness moves quickly striking out at the lone figure. Teeth gnash, flesh tares, blood flies, bones crack, and death screams.
Laina sits up fast, her body laced with sweat. Breathing heavily, she places her hand over her racing heart. She glances around the room at every shadow, searching for the unknown threat. She gets out of the bed and moves to the door. Stepping out into the dark hall she moves quickly and silently into the chapel. Still clutching her racing heart and lost in her thoughts she carelessly disregards her surroundings, never noticing the lonely figure sitting in the shadows. Once across the room she wrenches open the oak doors stepping out onto the porch, where she leans her shaking body on the wooden railing.
Inside the darkness shifts, draping the lone figure in moonlight. He contemplates leaving her alone, thinking of trying to sleep once again. But he's curious, he knows so little of such an odd woman. He moves slowly toward the open doors, peering out into the night.
She stands so still gazing into the moon lit sky. Eyes shining in the light, sleek black hair shimmering in the night, body posed with grace...The very image of serenity.
'Beautiful' a single thought, just enough to compel a body into action. He moves forward on nothing more than impulse to understand what has been set before him. A need to know...Creeeeeek Her head snaps back. He freezes as her luminous eyes bore into him. After a moment that seems like ages she shifts back.
"Hello Knives." Her tone is even and emotionless, giving nothing to him. He is at loss, should he go or should he stay. Is he welcome or unwanted? He searches through his mind, looking for some common thread to grasp, and in that late night world he finds it.
"You couldn't sleep?" He says adopting a more casual position.
"No."
"Me neither. There's just too much to contemplate when you can't remember who you are." With every word she seems to become more accustomed to his presence, her rigid composure becoming more and more relaxed.
"I suppose so." She turns around sitting on the rail. Taking this as an invitation, he goes and sits down next to her.
"Though, I'd say by the way came out here, that that's not what's keeping you awake." It's only a statement. From what had occurred between them in the last few minutes he could tell she was an introvert and he didn't want to push.
She softly sighs. "Not really."
"Care to share?"
"It's sort of silly."
"Doesn't matter."
"It was a nightmare."
He mentally raises an eyebrow. "What about?"
"I'm not exactly sure. But I think it maybe about when I was attacked."
"So, you've found your answer to what happened to you then?"
"I don't know, the memory is slowly fading away. Now, all I can remember is pain and fear."
"Well there's no doubt that what happened to you must have been horrible. Your wounds alone are evidence enough of that." He gestures slightly toward the large bandage on her right thigh. "But why worry about it. You're safe now. With people who want to help you and won't allow you to come to harm."
"Yeah, I guess I am."
Knock Knock
"Hmm" Laina rolls over in bed.
"Miss Laina?" Comes Milly's voice from the other side of the door.
'I guess I better get up.' She thinks. Sitting up in the bed she calls back. "Yes Milly?"
"The Father and Mr. Vash asked me to help you change your bandages this morning." Laina opens the door. "Oh, and I have a change of clothes for you. Were going into town to do some shopping and The Father thought it would be good if you went with us." She smiles brightly as always.
"Alright." Laina sits back down on the bed. Milly moves the wooden chair over setting the medical supplies on it and draping the clothes over the back.
"Milly." Comes Meryl's voice "Can you come here a sec.?"
"Ok Meryl." Milly calls back. She turns to Laina. "I'll be back in a minute."
"I'll get started."
"Ok." Milly Disappears around the corner.
Laina rummages inside the box. She pulls out a pair metal scissors, and putting them to the bandage on her thigh she snips it free. Setting down the scissors she begins to roll the bandage back. Setting aside the dirty bandage. She carefully pulls back the bloodied dressing.
"Oh God."
"Ok I'm back!" Chirps Milly. She stops smiling when she sees Laina nervous expression.
"Um, you know Milly I think I can look after this myself." She gives a shaky smile.
"Are you sure, because-"
"I'll be fine." Laina says cutting her off.
"O...Ok." says Milly not too sure about this.
"Thanks." Calls Laina as Milly closes the door behind her.
Turning back to the dressing she pulls it away once again. 'How is this possible?' The sizable wound that was there only yesterday, a wound that should have taken near a month to heal is now nothing more than a small amount of scar tissue.
"Milly I thought you were helping Laina." Meryl says.
"I was going to but she decided to do it herself."
"That's odd. She certainly didn't seem like the unremitting type."
"I don't think it's that Meryl. She probably just shy." Meryl shrugs.
The Tarp covered Jeep comes speeding over a large sand dune "AAAAAAHHHH!" THUD The Jeep hits the ground and speeds on ward.
"JESUS CHRIST VASH!! JUST WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Meryl screams. "SLOW DOWN DAMNIT!!"
"Sheesh! First you're mad 'cause I'm driving to slow, now your mad 'cause I'm driving to fast. Make up your mind already!" He whines.
"That's because you were only driving a hundred! I actually want to get to December some time during this century!"
"Yeah, and now I'm doing two hundred miss impatient! So what's the problem?"
"If you screw up your gonna kill us!"
"Then stop distracting me and let me drive!"
"Why you!" The two continue to bicker in the front.
Meanwhile in the back...
"Uh oh. Miss Laina are you alright?" A concerned Milly asks seeing how pale Laina has become. At the question Knives who is reclined trying to block out the bickering opens his eyes.
"I don't think so." She says quietly.
"You probably have motion sickness." Knives gently takes her left hand, "Apply pressure her," he points to an area just below her wrist. "Put your head between your legs and close your eyes."
"Ok" she follows his instructions. He then places his hand on her back and begins to rub in circles.
"Breathe deeply and slowly." He says in a comforting tone. Then turning his attention to the two still bickering in the front, "Sorry to interrupt." He says firmly and the two stop. "But unless you want a mess back here, I would suggest you drive at a more comfortable speed Vash. Say maybe a hundred and fifty."
"Uh, yeah, sure." Vash is completely dumfounded. 'Is Knives actually being nice to someone? Is that concern in his eyes real? Or is this all some elaborate ruse?' Vash wonders.
Some time later... The Jeep rolls into the city of December. It stops in front of a large building labeled with a sign that reads "Stargazer: Bar & Grill". Everyone exits the Jeep and stretches their aching muscles.
"Well we made it!" Vash is dressed in blue jeans and a white button down shirt.
"I'm amazed we're all still in one piece." Meryl has on gray Capri pants and a purple long sleeved shirt with a Sand Racers logo on the front.
"Now I can buy pudding!" Milly is wearing kacky overalls and a three-quarter-sleeve turquoise shirt with a matching headscarf.
"Which way do we go to get to the market?" Knives has on a pair of white jeans and a deep-blue button down shirt.
"Judging by the noise I'd says it's that way." Laina points down a side street directly across from the bar. She is dressed in a pair of fairly loose black pants and button down shirt. All the clothing she has on belongs to Milly, and although they are a little too big for her they can't hide her shapely frame.
"Shall we?" Knives asks addressing everyone.
They go down the side street following Laina's directions. They pass through several allies following the ever-growing noise of the market. They pass stuffed garbage cans and gratified walls, running into the occasional stray animal. One particular black cat lets out a loud "Niyaaaaa" as they pass by. Coming to the end of an exceptionally long ally they reach the open market. The city's main street is lined on both sides with little stalls. The road is loaded with people buying and selling the wide variety of wares.
"Wow! Look at all this stuff!" Milly giggles with delight. They begin to move out into the crowd each one of them setting out with their lists of needed supplies. Meryl and Milly had been paired together, Vash was going on his own, and Knives had offered to help Laina get around. Laina hesitates out of nervousness; there are just so many people. From the ally behind her comes a deep growling noise from a large stray dog, looking ready to kill. She shifts her body and glares deeply into the animal's eyes. It lets out a yelp, and whining pathetically backs off into the shadows.
"Are you coming?" Knives calls.
"Yes." She calls back walking out of the ally giving no second thoughts to the stray animal.
Several hours later Meryl and Milly have arrive back at the Jeep, their groceries in hand.
"Where are they? Didn't Vash say we'd meet here at five?" Meryl asks.
"Don't worry Meryl, they'll be here soon." Milly reassures, "Hey Ms. Laina, Mr. Knives!" She waves at the duo as they walk out of the side street.
"Did you find everything?" Knives asks placing his their bags in the back of the Jeep.
"Yep! We even found my pudding." Milly chirps.
"How about you?" Meryl inquires.
"Yes, we even had time left to look at a few other stalls on our way back." Laina states.
"Where's Vash?"
"We don't know." Meryl replies.
"He shouldn't be to long." Milly puts in.
After fifteen minutes of waiting...
"That idiot! He probably got lost. He is so going to get an ear full when he gets here." Meryl jumps off the hood of the car. "Come on lets go look for him."
"Why don't we give him a few more minutes?" Knives suggests.
"No way! He's kept us waiting for nearly twenty minutes! I'm not going to put up with this." Meryl rants, "If he thinks he can just-"
"Hey there!" Meryl whirls around to find a glowing Vash walking towards them.
"And just what are you so happy about?" Meryl asks icily.
"Oh, not much," He says looking into a large paper bag. "Want one?"
"Donuts! I should have know." Meryl says exasperatedly, throwing up her hands. "Do you have any idea how long you've kept us waiting you numbskull?!"
"Hey, I couldn't just leave these scrumptious cakes all alone!"
"Is food all you ever think about?!" Meryl continues to berate a now cowering Vash.
"She's awfully high strung isn't she?" Knives ask no one in particular.
"Just a little." Milly replies.
"What a wimp." Laina comments. "Perhaps we should save him?"
"It's really best not to get involved when they're like this." Milly says, "Lets go in and get a table." Knives and Laina nod their consent and the three of them enter the bar, leaving Meryl to drag Vash in by the ear.
Finding an empty table in the far corner of the bar the groups seats themselves waiting for acknowledgement from one of the waitresses. A few minutes later a girl in a dark brown dress comes over to them and takes their orders. After about twenty minutes of mindless chatter about the day their food arrives.
"Yes! The infamous mountain of pasta!" Vash gestures dramatically at the large mound in front of him. "It has never been conquered by mere mortal men, until today!" He points a fork and spoon threateningly at the mound.
"What the hell are you going on about now, Vash?" Meryl asks, her eyes blank.
"Oh, sorry just giving myself the pasta pep talk." Vash smiles then dives into his food. Everyone looks at him for a moment and then shaking their heads begin to eat their own food.
The next table over... "So the Cavalry is going to give a thousand double dollars per hide? That's a killing for doing some off hand hunting."
"Yeah, only problem is they have no idea where these things are, or even what they look like. It won't be as easy as it sounds. We still have to find out where to start."
"I think the two of you are nuts. These things have killed off over fifty people and no one knows what they look like. This is suicide! At least one of those people had to have been armed and they're all dead. All the people in those two towns are dead! I'm not going to throw my life away running after some phantom predator with ability to tear me limb from limb."
"Your scared, Ernie? That's something I never expected of you."
"It's not that, I just got a bad felling about this."
This short conversation grabbed the attention of most people around the table. The three men upon noticing they had an audience immediately left the bar.
"What was that all about?" Vash wonders.
"You mean you don't know stranger?" The waitress had returned with their drinks. "A lot of people have gone missing lately over near November. Two towns worth of people have been found dead. Torn apart and, and half eaten." Her voice quivered. "No one knows what's going on. The Cavalry has put a bounty out on the heads of any suspicious animals in and around November. It's been going on for nearly a month now. Not even the caravans are safe." She then walked off leaving an eerie silence at the table.
'I wonder if that has anything to do with me?' Laina wonders to herself staring into her soup.
Soon afterwards the tired group pile into the old Jeep and drive back to the orphanage under the dying light of the twin suns.
Deep in the desert night stretching out over the sand dunes only iles away from the city of November, dark masses of fur and fangs wonder towards an unsuspecting town. Minds consumed with thoughts of the kill and fresh meat. All fourteen fang laden jaws salivating with anticipation, as their newfound human buffet comes into view.
Farther off in the desert night, deep below the sandy earth a stressed and overtired Coronel Mannick looks over vague and disturbing reports.
"Damn it! Can this get any worse?" He questions.
"I'm afraid it can Coronel. We've discovered number twelve is no longer with the pack." Replies Dr. Pierce.
"WHAT?! That monster is on its' own some where?" The Coronel has a look of horror on his face. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, we haven't found anything to indicate the anomaly is still with the rest of the pack."
"This is bad." He rubs his eyes in exasperation, "We can't cover this up for much longer. The Cavalry already knows people are missing, it won't be long before they realize just how many." He sighs deeply rubbing his eyes. "Do we have an accurate count of the dead?"
"At present we've counted a hundred-sixty-seven dead and another twenty-one unaccounted for."
"God, it's barely been a month, how can they eat that many people?"
"Their not eating all of them, and not being hungry doesn't stop them from killing people. They were made to be killers remember?"
"We're in deep here. Is this everything the team has turned up?"
"Yes."
"Shit, were running in circles. We don't even know where they're headed."
"Actually Coronel, I took another look at their movements, and although I can't be sure, I have reason to believe that they're headed towards December."
"Well, at least it's a start. I'll have the team set up perimeter around the nearby towns. I just pray to God we find them before this gets anymore out of hand."
Next: Knives. At a young age we form patterns in our behavior that determine who we are. But if we cannot remember who we are, do our patterns change? Or can we change them to become someone new?
Find out next time in Part Four: The Simple Things
(A/N) Hey look! I didn't leave you with a nasty cliffhanger this time. I hope this chapter was worth the wait. And guess what! I'm half done this fic! Yes! Does a little happy dance!
As always don't forget to leave a review.
Oh, and tell me how I did with the comic relief.