Disclaimer: I don't own Legacy of Kain or any other identifiable pop culture references.
Kain cautiously stepped into the darkened room. The mysterious girl was curled into a tight ball on the couch. She seemed so small and childlike, but Kain knew that she must be a few years older than she appeared. His mind flashed back to when he had found her unconscious in the Sarafan dungeon. She had been naked and chained to the wall. Bloody and smeared lash marks criss-crossed her back, and a milky trail down her thigh spoke of a deeper torture.
Now the girl had been cleaned up and dressed in an oversized shift. Her startlingly blue eyes were red-rimmed from crying, and she stared vacantly into space.
Kain stood in front of the girl. She silently looked in Kain's direction, but her eyes did not focus. Kain knew that he would have to be gentle with this one if he wanted any chance of receiving the answers he sought.
"What is your name?" Kain quietly purred. He didn't actually care about her name, but he thought that it might be a useful way to start.
"Sarah," the girl croaked. She shifted her gaze to stare straight in front of her again, but this time her eyes were focused so that she could see Kain's movements.
"Sarah," Kain repeated, letting a trace of warmth creep into his voice. "I am Kain, and I do not intend to hurt you."
Sarah shuddered a little bit. Kain sensed that the girl would not speak unless prompted, so he began to gently question her. "Why did you tell Janos that Raziel would kill him?"
"Because he did."
Kain marshaled all the self-control he had. He couldn't risk his usual forceful methods; he might lose whatever information the girl could provide him with. "Do not speak in riddles. You've prevented things that were destined to happen. How did you do it?"
Sarah shook her head and huddled more tightly around herself. "I don't belong here," she quietly whined. "I want to go home."
Kain considered the girl for a moment. It was clear that she believed what she was saying. If it was true that she did come from someplace else, she might not be bound to fate. Kain suddenly realized that if the prime mover hadn't even considered her presence, then this girl might have more choice than even Raziel.
"Where do you come from?" Kain asked, still keeping his voice low. He sat in the chair opposite Sarah.
Sarah trembled a little. After a moment, she began to speak hesitantly. "I came from a world known as Earth. There are people and cities, and vampires are only a legend. Your life is a story, made up to amuse some people."
Sarah stopped, unsure of how Kain would react. Kain was careful to keep his pose relaxed, even though it was unnatural for him. He languidly extended his claw, indicating that Sarah should continue.
Bolstered by Kain's calm interest, Sarah continued. Her voice did not quaver as much, but she still hesitated between sentences. "I know how it was supposed to turn out. Janos was supposed to die, and then Raziel was going to kill…" Sarah gritted her teeth and broke down crying. "This isn't supposed to be real."
Kain waited for the hysterical girl to calm down. After a moment, he slowly stood up and laid a gentle talon on the back of her shoulder. Sarah's head snapped up. There was something angry and primal behind her eyes. It was only there for a moment, to be replaced by the dull hopelessness that had been there before.
Kain had drawn back his hand the moment that Sarah had moved. Now he stepped away and asked, "How did you get here?"
"I don't know," Sarah moaned. "If this was a dream, I would have woken long ago, or gone someplace else." A choking sob wracked her body. Sarah calmed again and said with cold certainty, "Those lashes hurt; they still do. This is isn't a dream."
Kain nodded. "This is real, and you are going to help me."
"But I'm…"
Kain silenced the girl with a stern glare. "You're able to redirect the flow of destiny. You will help me."
Sarah cringed. This time, Kain's voice had conveyed his intolerance for any argument, as well as numerous unnamed threats if Sarah refused to cooperate.