Chapter 13: Lost and Found

Miko ran on, for once in her life, feeling lost and desperate. She didn't know where she was going until she finally stopped to catch her breath. Ignoring the people around her, she sat down tiredly, blinking the last few tears out of her eyes, she tried not to think anything that happened, but she failed miserably.

'hey girl! Get outta the way for Christ's sake!' a biker yelled, shooting past her. She ignored him and climbed up slowly. Trudging along the busy streets, she walked and walked until she got to the old park. Hardly anyone ever came here anymore. Sighing, the girl sat herself at the base of a red brick wall. The feeling of it against her back jolted her memories and she sprang up. Backing away from the wall, she decided to go home, at least there, she was alone. But no sooner had she taken a few steps, she found her way blocked. Looking up her eyes met a stranger. He looked to be about mid-twenties. Tall, lean and he was leering at her.

'what's a girl like you doing here all alone?' he said, taking a step towards her. She backed up but he grabbed her arms, preventing her from doing so,

'L-Let go of me!'

'I don't think so.' He slammed her against the brick wall and she cried out. From the pain……and the fear. Memories came rushing back to her, the feeling was so eerily familiar. The incident had happened so long ago…

FLASHBACK

'thanks so much for tonight, Will.' Miko said, beaming.

'no probs, babe, anytime.'

It was a clear night, the weather was nice and there weren't much people around. Miko was out on a 'stroll' with Will, her boyfriend at that time. It took him so long to ask her out but it was worth it.

'I guess I'll be going now.' She said.

'aw come on, stay out here for a while more, its so nice.'

'hmm…okay.' She said, laughing. 'you really know how to persuade me.'

'oh I know.' he smirked, stealing a kiss from her.

'Will!'

'oops. Accident.'

'you liar.' She pouted.

But then suddenly she was against the wall, Will grinned. She loved that smile of his. There was nothing wrong with him kissing her right there and then. And she loved it. But she became fully aware of his hand that was suddenly trailing under her shirt, continuing upwards. She broke off.

'I don't think we should do this.' She said, breathless.

'don't be scared.' He whispered, still keeping a grip on her. 'it'll be fine.'

That's when she became worried.

'look, Will, I just don't think I want to do this, I mean, its great being with you and all, but could you at least wait until later on?'

he glared and it scared her.

He didn't say anything but his mouth covered hers again; this time he maneuvered her further down the wall, towards the outskirts of the flooding lights, towards the dark alleys.

She struggled but he was too strong for her. She started yelling when he broke off. Angry, he slapped her, hard. And that made her crumble in pain. She was horrified as he ripped open her shirt and slipped his hand slowly down he waistline of her cargos. Helpless, tears streamed out of her eyes as she tried not to feel the way she was being treated. The next she knew, she was on her back on the ground. Looking frantically to both sides, her eyes met the wall on either side of her, what looked like an alley was where she was trapped and she squeezed her eyes shut, praying it would all end soon.

The next morning, it was the garbage men who found the girl, clothes torn and somewhat bloody, her breathing was shallow and fast. The immediately transported her to a hospital. She had no family so the hospital contacted the school. Minutes later, her teacher and her friends came stampeding up to her room. She could only smile weakly and told them everything was fine. In the end, it was Misha and Deseara who stayed by her side day in and day out, refusing to relax until they were sure she was fine. When she got back to school a few days later, Miko heard the news that Will had transferred school, reason was the family was moving. She knew it wasn't true.

END FLASHBACK

She snapped back to reality as she felt a pair of hands around her waist. She started screaming and the man punched her in the side of her mouth. She groaned in pain and tried to hold her self up. Struggling fiercely, she felt her strength waning, today's events had taken a toll on her. When she felt the man's mouth on hers, she bit down as hard as she could. He let out a yelp of pain and wiped the blood off his mouth. Now angry, he released another punched and it landed on her cheek, snapping her head to the side. When he pulled her from the wall and down deeper into the park, she took the opportunity and aimed a kick at his stomach, it hit its mark perfectly. He doubled over and spat out more blood. But he quickly straightened and dealt a few more blows. She couldn't fight back, due to the fact she had used most of her remaining strength for that kick. Finally toppling to the ground in exhaustion and pain, she waited in horrified anticipation but felt no more. The man had stopped to catch his breath, she got up slowly and gingerly, wincing slightly at the cuts. Realizing he wasn't oign to start attacking, she immediately bolted away from him, ignoring the throbbing pain on her arms and legs.

'hey! Get back here you little bitch!' he started after her.

Weaving in and out of the people with quick painful steps, she headed towards the direction of the school. No matter how much she resented going back, it was the closest place to get help and for safety. Stumbling along, she caught a few glances from the passersby, probably due to the fact that she was cut, bruised and her clothes were wrinkled and dirty. Quickening her pace even more in fear of losing consciousness, she finally saw the school gate, relieved, she ran towards it.

'Are you sure this is a good idea?' Tyson asked.

'Of course it's a good idea, you moron, now shush.' Deseara snapped.

'But if you don't want to wait, you can go home.' Misha said airily.

Taking the hint, Tyson headed home, grumbling all the way.

Hearing the doors opening, the two girls turned around and glared.

'What are you still doing here?' Deseara and Ray said in unison.

'What do you think?' Misha and Johnny replied. The girls glared.

'We're still wondering what happened to Miko,' Kai replied casually. 'and they just thought maybe we'll wait to see if she shows up.'

'It doesn't matter if it does, it has nothing to do with you.' De snapped.

Kai opened his mouth to retort but Bryan nudged him, nodding behind him. they turned to see Tala walking slowly towards them.

'well?' Deseara demanded.

'dude, give the guy some time, some of us actually are worried about the whereabouts and safety of your friend, don't go biting our heads off.' Johnny scowled.

'yeah, well it was his fault in the first place.' She retorted.

'duuude!'

'Deseara!' Misha suddenly screamed, grabbing her friend's arms. Deseara whipped around and followed Misha's outstretched fingers, so did the boys.

A figure stumbled through the front gate. They looked back anxiously, as if they were being chased. They could tell the person was weak and in much pain. As the figure drew near, they saw why, they had cuts and bruises on their face, arms and legs. But they also saw the navy hair and desperate expression.

'MIKO!' the two friends screamed, pelting down the front steps, the boys behind them. Miko started to slow down until she stopped completely. Then she crumbled as she fell unconscious, just as they reached her. Instinctively, the redhead reached out and caught her as she fell, sending them both onto the ground.

'Miko!'

'Tala you alright?'

he didn't answer, instead, he looked at the girl in his arms, apparently horrified.

'oh my god…' Deseara whispered, knelting down beside him, Misha following suit.

'I can't believe it…' Misha said, brushing the hair out of Miko's eyes, examining the injury, a frown deepening. 'how did it happen?'

'Who cares what happened! We need to fix her up!' Deseara said, distressed.

'Why?' Misha whispered, a tear rolling down her cheek. Ray hesitantly pulled her into a warm hug and tried to comfort her.

'it isn't fair, its always her! It could've been anybody else! why does this happen to her? She doesn't deserve this!' She sobbed quietly into the neko-jin's shirt. Meanwhile, Johnny was trying to calm down the furious Deseara. Tala lifted Miko up and walked to where the cars were. Upon realizing it, they hurried after him. In that moment, they forgot about the fact that they were near-enemies, that the girls hated them. They were all hoping for the blue-haired's recovery so that they may see her smile again, and hear her insults again.

'please hang on.' Tala whispered desperately. 'I wouldn't know what to do. Please, stay strong for me I know I've broken your heart but……I need you Miko Kiwatashi…'