After Koji part 10- Despair

Jun sat in the dark, musty cell with chains holding her to the wall. A million thoughts swirled around in her head, making it impossible for her to maintain clarity.

Groaning in agony, the walls felt as though they were closing in on her.

She felt as though she were being watched…perhaps this place was haunted. Was she hearing things? She had enough ghosts in her past; she didn't need any more.

Jun, Jun…Please forgive me… She kept hearing those words echoing through the empty cells. Were those really Koji's last words? Or was Katse playing more mind games? What will Ken think? What about the rest of the team? Will they think I've lost my mind? Maybe I have lost my mind. I should probably quit the team…I just can't take any more…

Jun's sanity began to slip away. She had been repulsed by Katse's evil trick. But she was even more repulsed with herself. Regret weighed heavy on her as if sandbags had been tied to her shoulders. Koji's face flashed before her. Why didn't I save him? I should've saved him…Jun shivered in the darkness.

More regrets began to take over her mind. Jinpei will be better off without me…I'm too unstable to be a sister to him. And Ken…why didn't I express my feelings for him? I could've been happy, maybe even had the life I dreamed of…but it's too late now.

Ken must think I'm crazy. I was so stupid.

I wanted so desperately for Koji to survive. Doctor Nambu always warned us not to let emotions get in the way…some ninja I turned out to be…and now I have become a detriment to the team. They should just let me die here…it would serve me right…

Despair had her in its icy grip. She no longer felt anything, pushing past the pain into numbness. She stared shamefully at the floor, not daring to look up. She didn't care what happened to her any more. She just wanted it to end quickly.

"I'm requesting permission to leave immediately, Doctor."

"Ken, what has you so agitated?" Dr. Nambu looked up from his desk.

"I have reason to believe that Koji is an imposter, and that he has abducted Jun. They're both missing."

"Any idea where they've gone?" Nambu rubbed his chin and stared at the Commander.

"A few…we're going to check them out. Jinpei mentioned that they used to go to the beach together. We thought we might start there."

"Go then…find Jun …and stay safe…" Nambu watched Ken gather the team to head for the God Phoenix.