I woke to the sound of rifle shots.
My eyelids were heavy, as if I had not lifted them in days. When I finally was able to open my eyes, that there was nearly no light, wherever I was. The occasional sound of gunfire shattered the otherwise silent scene. The ground was rough and pebbly beneath me, and the sky above was dotted with dim stars. Faintly, I heard the crackling of fires nearby. Suddenly, I forced myself to sit up, aware that I had no idea where I was or, worse, where MOMO was. With my sudden movement, my head swam violently, and I grabbed my forehead with my human hand, wishing only for this unfamiliar world to stop its spinning. Momentarily, the short wave of nausea subsided, and it was then that I heard a meek voice come from behind me.
"Are you okay, Ziggy?" I heard it ask. I turned, and there she sat nervously, with her legs crossed in front of her, on a pile of rubble not far from where I sat. Relief washed over me with a suddenness to rival the earlier attack of dizziness. For one, brief moment, I felt the corners of my mouth lift slightly.
"MOMO!" I nearly cried, overwhelmed with the joy that she was here and not lost in some other place. She saw the sudden change in my demeanor, and she seemed taken aback by the look on my face. I quickly erased it as I stood, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Err..." I started, trying to find the words I knew were there, "Yes, I'm fine. What about you? Are you hurt?" MOMO shook her head, but I saw her wince slightly. Immediately, I was at her side, her right arm in my hands. I touched her elbow gently, and I heard her take a quick, painful intake of breath. As if trying to nullify her reaction, MOMO started to withdraw her arm.
"It's nothing, really," she tried to tell me. Meeting her eyes, I let her know that it was definitely not nothing. We both looked at her arm once again.
"Do you have any nanospray?" I asked lightly, letting her arm rest again on her lap. Slowly, MOMO nodded.
"There's only a little bit left, but I can't put it on with my left hand..." she said as if she had already tried to heal the wound. I took whatever was left of the nanospray and I applied it to her injured elbow. Almost immediately, it began to heal. She sighed in relief.
"Is that better?" I asked, tucking the now empty nanospray away.
"Yes, it's much better," she said, moving her elbow around, then she looked up to me, her eyes telling me that it was not fully healed. So much for the great advances in nanotechnology...
MOMO's eyes then glanced over my shoulder, and I could hear what had attracted her attention. Jr. lay on his back, his face contorted in pain, unconscious. He had been knocked out good by something. It looked like he would be out for at least another hour or so. Another sound caught my ear, but this one was not a natural sound. It came from above. Without warning, I scooped MOMO up from her spot and grabbed Jr. roughly by the collar, taking them both out of the open to behind a wrecked vehicle. Just as we moved, a large, black helicopter moved overhead, its bright searchlight scouring the ground where Jr. had just been sprawled. It joined a large fleet of similar-looking helicopters, which were all quiet and hovering low to the ground. Searchlights darted here and there, though in search of what I was not sure.
In our hasty dash for cover, I had brought MOMO close to me, wanting to shield her if by any chance we were discovered. It was at that moment that I felt her curl herself into me, her body racking with quiet sobs. Surprised, I looked down to see her golden eyes spilling hot tears onto my chest as she pulled herself closer.
"Ziggy," she choked through the tears. I felt a surge of compassion well up inside me. Her thin voice came through again, "I'm... I'm scared," she told me. Slowly, I lifted my hand from my side, and I started running my hand over her hair softly. I made a quiet shushing sound as I smoothed her hair under my human hand.
"Don't cry, MOMO," I whispered, almost pleadingly. She sniffled in return. For minutes on end we sat there, MOMO's tears wetting my shoulder and me trying futilely to comfort her. After I thought that I could never make her tears go away, and my hand fell from her hair, she took my hand in hers, her eyes closed still.
"Please don't stop, Ziggy," she said, her voice full of hidden tears. "I don't know why, but it helps. Please, don't stop." More, new tears slid down her pale face. Once again, I passed my hand through her soft, pink hair. After only a few minutes, she relaxed in my arms. She was asleep. But I didn't stop running my hand through her hair. As much as it had helped her, it helped me as well. The feeling of someone small and shivering in my arms brought back so many fevered memories from my past. The feel of his hair in my hands... The shaking of his body as he cried...
No. I wouldn't let the past rule my present. And at the present, I had no idea where we were. All I knew was the faint rifle shot far in the distance and the muted sound of helicopter blades whipping the air in the darkness. The rising and falling of MOMO's chest against my own and the steady sound of her breathing calmed me, despite the ominous surrounding. Long minutes passed while I waited for the two of them to wake. On the occasion, I would see Jr.'s face contort in pain, maybe because he was having some sort of nightmare. Every once and a while, I would stroke MOMO's hair again, usually when she stirred or once when she whimpered softly in her sleep. She deserved her rest. It had been one hell of a day.
The steady sound of marching feet awoke both of my sleeping wards. Jr. grunted loudly as he shoved himself to his feet, while MOMO could only blink, the redness of tears still in her eyes. I motioned for the two of them to duck as whatever was marching moved past our hiding spot. As they did, I felt my jaw drop involuntarily.
Children. A whole platoon of blonde-haired, bright-eyed children. They all carried rifles over their shoulders, marching in union. This so much was not was surprised me, but the fact that they all were eerily reminiscent of Jr. that sent a chill down my spine. Just as I thought this, Jr. approached at my side, rubbing his head in pain.
"No way..." he whispered in awe. "It can't be..."
"Jr.?" MOMO asked, her voice cracking slightly. He paused, keeping silent as the child soldiers passed. When they were just out of hearing range, he continued.
"No doubt about it... They're U.R.T.V." He said quietly. U.R.T.V.? The name triggered some sort of memory, but I couldn't grasp its meaning.
"I see," I muttered, "It would appear that this is more than just a hallucination," I turned to Jr., "What is this place? Do you recognize it?" He knew the soldiers... Surely he would know where we were...? He kept silent, introspective. "Jr...."I said again, trying to coax him into speaking.
"What?!" he shouted, making his voice echo off of the rubble around us. MOMO gasped slightly, but I sat unmoved. Even though he had not phased me, I felt the beginnings of ire rising within me. This was no time to act immature.
"I'm asking you if you recognize this place," I said, hoping the slight anger didn't show in my voice. Jr. must have hinted my tone of voice though, for he exhaled and looked to his feet.
"Yeah, I do." His blue eyes traveled to where the U.R.T.V. has disappeared, "If this isn't an illusion, and my memory's correct, this is...Miltia." He paused just long enough for this to hit me like a slap to the face. Miltia?! I felt my knees go weak, and I staggered slightly. Thankfully no one seemed to notice, because Jr. continued, "From fourteen years ago." He looked to MOMO, then, without warning, he dashed out from behind our hiding spot and ran as fast as he could away from us in the direction the U.R.T.V. had been heading. I stood and moved to go after him.
"Where are you going?" I tried to call. But he was gone. I stopped my pursuit, watching his form recede into darkness. What was going on? I knew that Jr. was rash, but to be so rash as to dash out into enemy territory without first analyzing the situation? He had said this was Miltia... I looked around me, my eyes finally adjusted to the dim light; I saw large buildings dotting the horizon that looked oddly familiar. Pain shot through my heart as I saw the once new skyscraper that had been built near our home. Our home. MOMO looked out to where Jr. had gone as she walked up next to me.
"I wonder what's troubling him? It looks as though he's trying to chase after those people..." Her comments brought me back to the present. I shook my head.
"I'm sure he has his reasons." I was almost ready to leave him to his own devices, but my conscience took over, and I sighed, "Nonetheless, we don't know what's going on and we can't let him go off alone." Looking down to the little Realian, who I had been cradling in my arms only minutes ago, and motioned for her to follow me.
As we chased after Jr. in the darkness, dodging the searchlights from the black helicopters I know found to be from the U-TIC, I tried not to think of where I was. I tried to tell myself that we had most likely been pulled into Shion's Encephalon dive... but my heart was telling me, 'This is Miltia. You remember Miltia, don't you?' Yes, I thought bitterly, I remembered Miltia. Though this Miltia was many years after the Miltia I had known. But even though many years had passed, I knew this world. I knew the street that MOMO and I were now traveling. It had been the street my stepson and I had taken so many times to get the new subway. He had laughed as we passed all the shops he wished to get into. Now those stores were nothing but rubble and fire.
I was then reminded of the look in Jr.'s eyes just before he had run off. It was the look I was so familiar with. He remembered this pace, Miltia from fourteen years ago, and whatever had happened here to make the color drain from his face and his eyes dilate with fear. Whatever I had experienced on Miltia, he must have seen something of the same caliber. Something made him question himself, just as I had. I had failed my test, I thought, frowning. Perhaps... I trailed off in my thoughts, almost failing to notice that we had come upon Jr. MOMO reached him first, and she reached for his shoulder.
"Every single one of them is infected!" I heard him whisper under his breath, and I saw what he was speaking about. All the children I had seen pass us earlier were using their rifles now, and they were using them on innocent bystanders. The only different factor I noticed was a single black-haired U.R.T.V that was among them, but not with them. Jr. seemed to recognize this one, for he tried to step forward toward him. MOMO's hand clasped on his shoulder before he could chase the U.R.T.V., which were moving on slowly.
"Are you all right?" MOMO asked. Jr. shoved his hands in his pockets.
"I-I'm fine..." he muttered. MOMO knew this wasn't true.
"Jr...?"
"I said I'm fine!!" He shouted, making her jump back, gasping. That was it. My temper flared. There was no reason for him to yell at her. She had done nothing. I clenched my fists. But it seemed Jr. had seen his error as well, for his face flushed with embarrassment.
"S...Sorry... I didn't mean to..." He turned away from MOMO, looking to street below his feet. "Damn it...what the hell is this? What's going on here?" He took a deep breath and sniffed slightly. My temper dropped suddenly. Had he been... crying? After a few moments of silence, he turned to me, a sad smile trying to form on his face. "You think we should look for Shion and the others?" he asked. I nodded, looking down the street to where I knew the subway to be. It was brand new when I was living on Miltia, so it may still be standing.
"That would be the best course of action," I said, "The subway is the best way to get through the city is Shion and the others are here." Jr. looked up sharply, alarmed.
"How'd you know there was a subway here?" Jr. asked. I stiffened, trying not to make eye contact with him. Could I tell them? Could I tell them about my stepson's shining face whenever he watch the subway cars arrive? How his laughter filled the otherwise empty car we took home from his school? I felt my fists clench together again involuntarily, and my eyes fell to the pavement.
"Ziggy?" MOMO's timid voice came. There was no way I could tell them. I couldn't burden them with my past. I was troubled enough when it was only on my shoulders. I didn't need to weigh them down as well. I shook my head, looking back to MOMO and Jr.
"It doesn't matter. We should get moving." I headed for the entrance to the subway station, but Jr. blocked my way.
"Hey, old man, I asked you a question," he said under his breath. I glared at him silently, then moved around him. He was about to object, but I interjected my words loudly.
"Let's just say... that I'd rather forget everything I've experienced on Miltia," I told him. I expected a witty retort, but instead, he gave a short grunt.
"I can agree with you that much, cyborg." Jr. shoved his hands deep into his pockets, brooding.
Miltia.... It meant something to the both of us, though neither of us knew the others' plight. I would soon learn that each and every one of us had ties to that miserable planet. So many things... tied back to Miltia.
When the three of us took the stairs to the underground, my memories only increased. The new terminal, while mostly piles of rubble now, must have been built over the original, or even simply added onto the terminal I had known. Whispers of the past were everywhere in that abandoned place. Names I did not know and some that I recognized were whispered everywhere... In the halls, between the columns, even from the very walls. I knew it would come, but that didn't soften the blow for me. The faintest whisper of my stepson's name echoed in the back of my mind. For only a second was it there, but that was all it needed to do its damage. I fell behind Jr. and MOMO, my steps slowing until they came to a stop. Everything around me was so familiar and yet so alien. I felt an emotion trying to rise from deep inside of my heart. I pushed it back stubbornly. I heard it cry out with a tiny voice from within me.
'How long has it been since you cried for him, Jan?' It cried. This only caused me to push it farther away. That wasn't who I was anymore. I wasn't who I used to be. I didn't need to... I didn't need to cry anymore, I told myself. But unwillingly the languid feeling of sadness spread through me. Distracted by my unwanted feelings, I failed to notice that MOMO had approached me and was staring at me intently. Before I had noticed her presence, she took my hand in hers. It startled me, and I jumped slightly. But her face held such a warm, sad smile that all of the sadness that had been inside me dispersed as if it had never been there. Still holding my hand, the Realian pulled me into the darkness of the subway.
"If you know your way around here, Ziggy," she said in her sweet undertone, "then we'll have no problem finding Shion and the others." I wanted to tell her the truth. I wanted to tell her why I knew my way through this new version of an old, old city. I wanted to tell her how low the probability was that Shion would even be in this city. But I couldn't. I couldn't hurt her. I could only nod, feeling the weight of her hand in mine, bringing back hidden memories of a haunting past.
My eyelids were heavy, as if I had not lifted them in days. When I finally was able to open my eyes, that there was nearly no light, wherever I was. The occasional sound of gunfire shattered the otherwise silent scene. The ground was rough and pebbly beneath me, and the sky above was dotted with dim stars. Faintly, I heard the crackling of fires nearby. Suddenly, I forced myself to sit up, aware that I had no idea where I was or, worse, where MOMO was. With my sudden movement, my head swam violently, and I grabbed my forehead with my human hand, wishing only for this unfamiliar world to stop its spinning. Momentarily, the short wave of nausea subsided, and it was then that I heard a meek voice come from behind me.
"Are you okay, Ziggy?" I heard it ask. I turned, and there she sat nervously, with her legs crossed in front of her, on a pile of rubble not far from where I sat. Relief washed over me with a suddenness to rival the earlier attack of dizziness. For one, brief moment, I felt the corners of my mouth lift slightly.
"MOMO!" I nearly cried, overwhelmed with the joy that she was here and not lost in some other place. She saw the sudden change in my demeanor, and she seemed taken aback by the look on my face. I quickly erased it as I stood, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Err..." I started, trying to find the words I knew were there, "Yes, I'm fine. What about you? Are you hurt?" MOMO shook her head, but I saw her wince slightly. Immediately, I was at her side, her right arm in my hands. I touched her elbow gently, and I heard her take a quick, painful intake of breath. As if trying to nullify her reaction, MOMO started to withdraw her arm.
"It's nothing, really," she tried to tell me. Meeting her eyes, I let her know that it was definitely not nothing. We both looked at her arm once again.
"Do you have any nanospray?" I asked lightly, letting her arm rest again on her lap. Slowly, MOMO nodded.
"There's only a little bit left, but I can't put it on with my left hand..." she said as if she had already tried to heal the wound. I took whatever was left of the nanospray and I applied it to her injured elbow. Almost immediately, it began to heal. She sighed in relief.
"Is that better?" I asked, tucking the now empty nanospray away.
"Yes, it's much better," she said, moving her elbow around, then she looked up to me, her eyes telling me that it was not fully healed. So much for the great advances in nanotechnology...
MOMO's eyes then glanced over my shoulder, and I could hear what had attracted her attention. Jr. lay on his back, his face contorted in pain, unconscious. He had been knocked out good by something. It looked like he would be out for at least another hour or so. Another sound caught my ear, but this one was not a natural sound. It came from above. Without warning, I scooped MOMO up from her spot and grabbed Jr. roughly by the collar, taking them both out of the open to behind a wrecked vehicle. Just as we moved, a large, black helicopter moved overhead, its bright searchlight scouring the ground where Jr. had just been sprawled. It joined a large fleet of similar-looking helicopters, which were all quiet and hovering low to the ground. Searchlights darted here and there, though in search of what I was not sure.
In our hasty dash for cover, I had brought MOMO close to me, wanting to shield her if by any chance we were discovered. It was at that moment that I felt her curl herself into me, her body racking with quiet sobs. Surprised, I looked down to see her golden eyes spilling hot tears onto my chest as she pulled herself closer.
"Ziggy," she choked through the tears. I felt a surge of compassion well up inside me. Her thin voice came through again, "I'm... I'm scared," she told me. Slowly, I lifted my hand from my side, and I started running my hand over her hair softly. I made a quiet shushing sound as I smoothed her hair under my human hand.
"Don't cry, MOMO," I whispered, almost pleadingly. She sniffled in return. For minutes on end we sat there, MOMO's tears wetting my shoulder and me trying futilely to comfort her. After I thought that I could never make her tears go away, and my hand fell from her hair, she took my hand in hers, her eyes closed still.
"Please don't stop, Ziggy," she said, her voice full of hidden tears. "I don't know why, but it helps. Please, don't stop." More, new tears slid down her pale face. Once again, I passed my hand through her soft, pink hair. After only a few minutes, she relaxed in my arms. She was asleep. But I didn't stop running my hand through her hair. As much as it had helped her, it helped me as well. The feeling of someone small and shivering in my arms brought back so many fevered memories from my past. The feel of his hair in my hands... The shaking of his body as he cried...
No. I wouldn't let the past rule my present. And at the present, I had no idea where we were. All I knew was the faint rifle shot far in the distance and the muted sound of helicopter blades whipping the air in the darkness. The rising and falling of MOMO's chest against my own and the steady sound of her breathing calmed me, despite the ominous surrounding. Long minutes passed while I waited for the two of them to wake. On the occasion, I would see Jr.'s face contort in pain, maybe because he was having some sort of nightmare. Every once and a while, I would stroke MOMO's hair again, usually when she stirred or once when she whimpered softly in her sleep. She deserved her rest. It had been one hell of a day.
The steady sound of marching feet awoke both of my sleeping wards. Jr. grunted loudly as he shoved himself to his feet, while MOMO could only blink, the redness of tears still in her eyes. I motioned for the two of them to duck as whatever was marching moved past our hiding spot. As they did, I felt my jaw drop involuntarily.
Children. A whole platoon of blonde-haired, bright-eyed children. They all carried rifles over their shoulders, marching in union. This so much was not was surprised me, but the fact that they all were eerily reminiscent of Jr. that sent a chill down my spine. Just as I thought this, Jr. approached at my side, rubbing his head in pain.
"No way..." he whispered in awe. "It can't be..."
"Jr.?" MOMO asked, her voice cracking slightly. He paused, keeping silent as the child soldiers passed. When they were just out of hearing range, he continued.
"No doubt about it... They're U.R.T.V." He said quietly. U.R.T.V.? The name triggered some sort of memory, but I couldn't grasp its meaning.
"I see," I muttered, "It would appear that this is more than just a hallucination," I turned to Jr., "What is this place? Do you recognize it?" He knew the soldiers... Surely he would know where we were...? He kept silent, introspective. "Jr...."I said again, trying to coax him into speaking.
"What?!" he shouted, making his voice echo off of the rubble around us. MOMO gasped slightly, but I sat unmoved. Even though he had not phased me, I felt the beginnings of ire rising within me. This was no time to act immature.
"I'm asking you if you recognize this place," I said, hoping the slight anger didn't show in my voice. Jr. must have hinted my tone of voice though, for he exhaled and looked to his feet.
"Yeah, I do." His blue eyes traveled to where the U.R.T.V. has disappeared, "If this isn't an illusion, and my memory's correct, this is...Miltia." He paused just long enough for this to hit me like a slap to the face. Miltia?! I felt my knees go weak, and I staggered slightly. Thankfully no one seemed to notice, because Jr. continued, "From fourteen years ago." He looked to MOMO, then, without warning, he dashed out from behind our hiding spot and ran as fast as he could away from us in the direction the U.R.T.V. had been heading. I stood and moved to go after him.
"Where are you going?" I tried to call. But he was gone. I stopped my pursuit, watching his form recede into darkness. What was going on? I knew that Jr. was rash, but to be so rash as to dash out into enemy territory without first analyzing the situation? He had said this was Miltia... I looked around me, my eyes finally adjusted to the dim light; I saw large buildings dotting the horizon that looked oddly familiar. Pain shot through my heart as I saw the once new skyscraper that had been built near our home. Our home. MOMO looked out to where Jr. had gone as she walked up next to me.
"I wonder what's troubling him? It looks as though he's trying to chase after those people..." Her comments brought me back to the present. I shook my head.
"I'm sure he has his reasons." I was almost ready to leave him to his own devices, but my conscience took over, and I sighed, "Nonetheless, we don't know what's going on and we can't let him go off alone." Looking down to the little Realian, who I had been cradling in my arms only minutes ago, and motioned for her to follow me.
As we chased after Jr. in the darkness, dodging the searchlights from the black helicopters I know found to be from the U-TIC, I tried not to think of where I was. I tried to tell myself that we had most likely been pulled into Shion's Encephalon dive... but my heart was telling me, 'This is Miltia. You remember Miltia, don't you?' Yes, I thought bitterly, I remembered Miltia. Though this Miltia was many years after the Miltia I had known. But even though many years had passed, I knew this world. I knew the street that MOMO and I were now traveling. It had been the street my stepson and I had taken so many times to get the new subway. He had laughed as we passed all the shops he wished to get into. Now those stores were nothing but rubble and fire.
I was then reminded of the look in Jr.'s eyes just before he had run off. It was the look I was so familiar with. He remembered this pace, Miltia from fourteen years ago, and whatever had happened here to make the color drain from his face and his eyes dilate with fear. Whatever I had experienced on Miltia, he must have seen something of the same caliber. Something made him question himself, just as I had. I had failed my test, I thought, frowning. Perhaps... I trailed off in my thoughts, almost failing to notice that we had come upon Jr. MOMO reached him first, and she reached for his shoulder.
"Every single one of them is infected!" I heard him whisper under his breath, and I saw what he was speaking about. All the children I had seen pass us earlier were using their rifles now, and they were using them on innocent bystanders. The only different factor I noticed was a single black-haired U.R.T.V that was among them, but not with them. Jr. seemed to recognize this one, for he tried to step forward toward him. MOMO's hand clasped on his shoulder before he could chase the U.R.T.V., which were moving on slowly.
"Are you all right?" MOMO asked. Jr. shoved his hands in his pockets.
"I-I'm fine..." he muttered. MOMO knew this wasn't true.
"Jr...?"
"I said I'm fine!!" He shouted, making her jump back, gasping. That was it. My temper flared. There was no reason for him to yell at her. She had done nothing. I clenched my fists. But it seemed Jr. had seen his error as well, for his face flushed with embarrassment.
"S...Sorry... I didn't mean to..." He turned away from MOMO, looking to street below his feet. "Damn it...what the hell is this? What's going on here?" He took a deep breath and sniffed slightly. My temper dropped suddenly. Had he been... crying? After a few moments of silence, he turned to me, a sad smile trying to form on his face. "You think we should look for Shion and the others?" he asked. I nodded, looking down the street to where I knew the subway to be. It was brand new when I was living on Miltia, so it may still be standing.
"That would be the best course of action," I said, "The subway is the best way to get through the city is Shion and the others are here." Jr. looked up sharply, alarmed.
"How'd you know there was a subway here?" Jr. asked. I stiffened, trying not to make eye contact with him. Could I tell them? Could I tell them about my stepson's shining face whenever he watch the subway cars arrive? How his laughter filled the otherwise empty car we took home from his school? I felt my fists clench together again involuntarily, and my eyes fell to the pavement.
"Ziggy?" MOMO's timid voice came. There was no way I could tell them. I couldn't burden them with my past. I was troubled enough when it was only on my shoulders. I didn't need to weigh them down as well. I shook my head, looking back to MOMO and Jr.
"It doesn't matter. We should get moving." I headed for the entrance to the subway station, but Jr. blocked my way.
"Hey, old man, I asked you a question," he said under his breath. I glared at him silently, then moved around him. He was about to object, but I interjected my words loudly.
"Let's just say... that I'd rather forget everything I've experienced on Miltia," I told him. I expected a witty retort, but instead, he gave a short grunt.
"I can agree with you that much, cyborg." Jr. shoved his hands deep into his pockets, brooding.
Miltia.... It meant something to the both of us, though neither of us knew the others' plight. I would soon learn that each and every one of us had ties to that miserable planet. So many things... tied back to Miltia.
When the three of us took the stairs to the underground, my memories only increased. The new terminal, while mostly piles of rubble now, must have been built over the original, or even simply added onto the terminal I had known. Whispers of the past were everywhere in that abandoned place. Names I did not know and some that I recognized were whispered everywhere... In the halls, between the columns, even from the very walls. I knew it would come, but that didn't soften the blow for me. The faintest whisper of my stepson's name echoed in the back of my mind. For only a second was it there, but that was all it needed to do its damage. I fell behind Jr. and MOMO, my steps slowing until they came to a stop. Everything around me was so familiar and yet so alien. I felt an emotion trying to rise from deep inside of my heart. I pushed it back stubbornly. I heard it cry out with a tiny voice from within me.
'How long has it been since you cried for him, Jan?' It cried. This only caused me to push it farther away. That wasn't who I was anymore. I wasn't who I used to be. I didn't need to... I didn't need to cry anymore, I told myself. But unwillingly the languid feeling of sadness spread through me. Distracted by my unwanted feelings, I failed to notice that MOMO had approached me and was staring at me intently. Before I had noticed her presence, she took my hand in hers. It startled me, and I jumped slightly. But her face held such a warm, sad smile that all of the sadness that had been inside me dispersed as if it had never been there. Still holding my hand, the Realian pulled me into the darkness of the subway.
"If you know your way around here, Ziggy," she said in her sweet undertone, "then we'll have no problem finding Shion and the others." I wanted to tell her the truth. I wanted to tell her why I knew my way through this new version of an old, old city. I wanted to tell her how low the probability was that Shion would even be in this city. But I couldn't. I couldn't hurt her. I could only nod, feeling the weight of her hand in mine, bringing back hidden memories of a haunting past.