Reliving the Nightmare
By Kuro Kin'youbi
Chapter 8
Torn wondered what he had gotten himself into as he listened to the Shadow talk about this mission that he had to do.He had done missions for the Guard, yes he would admit that, but nothing this intense. For a start, he had to run around the slums every morning at dawn to get fit and help heal his wounds, and he recieved training in Karate, Gun use, Kendo and other martial arts. It was tiring, but he was beginning to feel the changes. He was more lean and didn't feel as groggy, and he actually had something to spend his excess energy on! He felt really good about himself compared to when he had been with or around Ashelin.
This morning was no different. 4:30am. Alarm. Torn opened his eyes. Ready for another day. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and sat up. But, something that wasn't usual occured. He felt like he was being watched. It didn't matter - he had things to do, anyway. So he dressed and went out to run.
Torn was puffing when he came back. The sun was rising and people were coming out of their houses to walk around aimlessly like they did, or maybe work if they were that lucky. He leaned against the wall and took a deep breath.
"You're 1 and a half minutes faster than yesterday."
Torn nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of Harmonys voice. He turned around slowly. Yep, she was there. Holding a flask. She handed it to him.
"Don't tell the Shadow." She said. "I'm not supposed to talk to his second-in-commands."
He looked at her for a moment, wondering why the Shadow was so... strict, and took the bottle.
"Thank you." He said, taking a drink.
She watched him recover from running all that way. A small smile was evident on her face, yet she couldn't tell. He looked at her after finishing the drink. The smile was gone. Harmony took the flask from him and shrugged.
"Well, see you around, KG."
She walked off away from the Underground. Torn watched her for a moment. Harmony... she reminded him of someone he knew and yet... he couldn't place it. It was driving him insane! He grumbled something and walked back inside. The Shadow was there, shaking his head.
"Tsk tsk... I keep telling Harmony not to be so kind, and she always disobeys me." He muttered, turning around and leaving the room. "Rest up, Torn."
Torn watched Samos leave the room. It was bothering him how everyone was so short on him. He told himself firmly... he WOULD find out why they were doing this... after gun practice.
"After gun practice?" I said, smiling.
Torn snorted and crossed his arms. He fidgeted for a while, before saying:
"You were with me when most of this happened." He growled. "Why do you want to know it again?"
I smiled and got up off my seat. I moved over to where he sat on the couch, and sat on his lap. He smiled cos I knew no matter how much I angered him, he would still love me as much as before.
"Because... some of these things I didn't know before." I said, kissing him.
He nodded. He understood. After all, I had told him that countless times.
"And now we are up to one of my worst parts." Torn said.
I nodded - I knew what happened next. The wall with the tally marks was the proof.
It was evening. Torn was lying on his bunk, looking up at the top bunk, thinking about his life and where he would go from here. The Shadow still hadn't let him go on any missions yet. He had been training for so long! Gun use, running around the slums, martial arts! What else did he need to do to prove himself?
"Oooh! There's someone here!" Harmony called out.
Torn didn't move. Harmony got up from her place on the floor and walked up to the door. She looked through the peep hole and saw Ashelin standing outside. She bit her lip - tell Torn the girl who nearly killed him was standing out there, or not? Not. She slid open the door and Ashelin faced her.
"Harrmony?" She asked. "What are you doing here?"
Harmony looked at Ashelin - they had been old friends because... (can you guess why?)
"I live here now." She said. "I'm helping a Sage."
"A sage? I never knew about any sage living in Haven City. Errol didn't tell me about any sages."
Harmony grinned, and said: "Errol doesn't tell anyone anything. You should know, you work with him."
Ashelin nodded. Inside, Torn wondered why Harmony was taking so long. He didn't want to imagine who was at the door. But, his curiosity got the better of him, so he got off the bed and walked up the hall to the door. Harmony was there, talking to...
Ashelin.
Torn backed away, but Harmony turned around and cried "Torn!" and he stopped.
"Oh, hey Harmony." He said, then added: "... Ashelin. Anyway, I was just... leaving..."
Ashelin rolled her eyes and walked up to Torn. She held a frim grip on his shoulder and said: "I know you're trying to run from me, Torn. Just because I pushed you off a balcony - accidentally - doesn't mean you can ignore me."
Torn smiled slightly. All that time of training had - or was going to - pay off. He grabbed her arm with his, and held a firmer grip on that. She opened her mouth to complain about hoe much pain she was in, but decided it was no good.
"I have been getting on with my life since you pushed me off the Palace." He said. "And I think I am much more happy now that you are out of my life."
Ashelin whimpered, and tears formed in her eyes. Harmony was watching all this, horrified.
"Torn - you're hurting me." Ashelin sobbed.
Torn released his grip and sneered at her. "I don't want you back - not now at least. Come back when I'm in a better mood."
He stomped out of the room. Ashelin rubbed her bruised arm, and as Harmony rushed to comfort her it occured to Ashelin... it was going to be very hard, if not impossible, to get Torn back.
... Same as usual. Please tell me what you think, and what I can do to make it better. Thanks.
