Part 4.
Guilt
It took quite some time for Sagat to fall asleep that night. He didn't know how much longer he'd be able to stall for. M. Bison wasn't exactly a patient man.
He felt a light vibration on his hip, taking a cell phone out of his side pocket while stepping outside. He knew a call was inevitable. It had nearly been three days after all.
"Where is she? Both her and the boy."
"I need less than 24 hours. They'll both be brought back to you before nightfall."
"For your sake, they better had. Hmph, how pitiful that you can barely manage children yet you're fully capable of slaughtering an entire army base. See to it there are no more delays. If so then your life will make for compensation."
The call came to an abrupt end. He sat down on the porch step, putting his head in both hands. Perhaps dying would be better than continuing to live this way.
When sunrise came the ground still had been drenched with rain since that's what happened all night. Naia woke up and stretched, finding Haru still fast asleep. She decided against waking him stepping outside instead. Surprise came over when finding Sagat asleep on the porch swing. She shrugged, slowly approaching him. Her hand almost touched a shoulder until it was grabbed tightly. She winced in slight pain pausing as he quickly realized who stood over him.
"I didn't mean to disturb you. I'm just surprised you slept out here."
He still kept a tight hold onto her hand, almost tight enough to cut off circulation.
"Sagat, that hurts..."
He couldn't look away from her overwhelming beauty. The fresh rose pink and warm orange sunlight brightened her features as wind swayed wavy hair. He grimaced, pulling her close. If this was to be done in less than 24 hours it had to be now. He had no other choice.
"Naia, forgive me."
She would have asked what he meant by that. Before she could, he snapped her neck, rendering her unconscious.
Both she and Haru woke while riding in the back seat of some car. An unfamiliar man drove them. He had a stoic expression, looked pale as snow and wore sunglasses and a black suit.
Naia woke first then Haru minutes later. She silenced him by hugging the boy close only saying "Shh, shh.". He almost cried out til she did this, patting his back soothingly while the car drove them further and further away. He held tightly around her, resting his face against her beating heart. All they could do was comfort each other in the meantime.
After nearly an hour the driver parked the vehicle at what appeared to be a standard facility. Just then a platform lowered the car into the ground, metallic pieces with some sort of logo across it closing swiftly afterwards. The car lowered for a minute til stopping. It seemed like they were in some type of parking garage. The garage looked standard enough, nothing out of place.
"Get out. Keep silent. Follow me."
No beating around the bush here. Things were going to be one way or the other. She kept an arm around Haru when he in turn, clutched onto her skirt. There was obviously no use trying to run away. They'd easily get recaptured. Whatever dwelt within Naia now wasn't exactly keeping its end of the deal. She wondered if it only stayed for amusement purposes or if it even cared to help Haru and her at all.
The small group passed through many winding corridors and doors, waiting for their current captor to unlock each one with various codes. Each code must have been ten digits or more. At last and what seemed like an eternity they arrived at his intended destination. He gave a swift bow upon entering a large, spacious throne-like room, an enormous masculine statue placed in the back. A large chair sat in its center, an equally large figure sitting on it.
"Very well."
His cheek rested on a balled fist, ankle crossed over a knee. His clothing almost reminded her of what a classical villain might wear. He wore a beret, mostly red clothing, cape, black boots...and his eyes reminded her of Sagat's. Those white, hollow lifeless looking eyes.
The guard dismissed himself with one look from his superior. The sinister looking figure beckoned them closer, voicing his thoughts.
"Come closer, the both of you."
The lighting wasn't exactly that bright but they could still make out each others basic features. Haru couldn't stand looking at him, clutching onto Naia even tighter.
"I don't like this Naia...He really scares me."
"It's all right Haru. I won't leave you. We still have each other."
He whimpered while she reassured him with a whisper, slowly approaching the stranger.
"Ah, Naia May Hale. Your deceased sister and father's names were Nana Lee Hale and Hazaiah Hale. You must now be wondering how I knew this information along with why you are both currently here, no?"
She gave a soft, barely audible hesitant reply.
"Yes."
"Such a well behaved girl you are, only speaking when spoken to. I'll very much enjoy our time spent together. Well then, I knew your father at one time, Naia. He and I were rather...close one might say. I feel as though I owe him a favor by now looking after his lovely daughter; not to mention his only remaining child."
He waited a moment for her to process this before continuing his explanation.
"When I heard about both of your mothers disappearances from Sagat, I knew I had to take immediate action. In order for you to remain calm while coming here he put you both to sleep for a short while. We didn't want to worry you, my dear."
She asked a rather unexpected question, followed by a brief silence.
"What are your intentions in regards to Haru and I now?"
"To provide for you of course, silly girl. Hadn't I already explained this?"
"Should we not return your kindness-"
"Of course you both will in due time. As of now, you should both rest. Nightfall is swiftly approaching."
She noticed Haru was becoming extremely exhausted despite having already slept. It felt strange that she didn't feel the same, now curious as to why this might be.
"Sagat, show these kind individuals to their new rooms."
Just then a familiar face arrived. She quickly pieced together what happened. He betrayed them. She didn't want to believe it while riding in the car but that was reality. He couldn't have said it any better himself. Don't trust others or love them and you won't get hurt. If that's truly what it took to survive then she'd rather be dead.
"Wait, tell us where our mothers are, please! We want to see them if only for a moment!"
"Ahh, but you wouldn't wish to wake them at this late hour would you? You can see them tomorrow since they're sleeping just as you should be. Off you go now."
Naia looked away sorrowfully, shuffling to wherever Sagat led them. Before they left the room the sinister man gave them a few more parting words.
"I shall make certain that you are tucked in bed tonight, my dear Naia."
A wicked grin spread wide across his face. Neither she nor Haru looked back. They kept going wishing this were only a dream. A long, nightmare of a dream.
He clearly felt guilty while leading the pair to wherever their new rooms would be. It reminded her of a lamb being led to its own slaughter. The very thought caused a violent shiver down her already tense back, making her hug Haru even closer if that were possible. Surprisingly enough while thinking dreaded possible scenarios, they were already at their rooms, two beds side by side. It looked exactly like both hers and Haru's rooms back at their own homes. Both stared in disbelief almost unable to move at first.
Sagat just walked off, not even looking back once. She gave a cold look his way for a second then refocused, walking along with Haru as the little one tugged on her hand. Without thinking the two impulsively stepped out of their shoes before walking very far, leaving them beside the door out of habit.
"Woah! This room looks like my room at my mom's house! There's my Totoro poster, stuffed animals, video games, movies...That's even the same toy box with all my toys inside!"
He ran over to the chest and started pulling out vehicles, helicopters and action figures. Naia leaned against the wall closest to her pink and yellow bed. She too saw the same plushee toys, fashion and cartoon posters along with the closet and dresser on her side. The room was even divided with different colors; Haru's wall being a Navy blue color and Naia's a lime green. She shook her head while slowly sliding down the wall, covering her mouth with a trembling hand. This couldn't be happening now. None of it.
"Naia! What's wrong?"
Haru ran over with a panicked expression.
"Don't worry, we'll see our moms tomorrow and everything will be-"
"What? All right? Don't you understand Haru?! Nothing is going to be all right! He made our rooms this way so we could feel more at home! He wants to keep us here for his own twisted amusement! Who knows how long it will be until we have the chance to even hear our mothers voices!"
He tried hugging and comforting her at first but shrank away upon hearing her raised voice. She had never raised her voice to him before.
"Naia, you can't say something so awful! We will to get to see them! Didn't you tell me to keep smiling no matter how bad things got?"
He pouted while still making some effort to provide what little reassurance he could.
"Haru, I have no idea how to feel about anything anymore. I am however sorry for raising my voice at you. I'm just scared is all...Scared of what could happen."
"You told me to think happy thoughts when things get bad!"
He balled his tiny fists at his side then pointed a finger at her while assertively saying "Start thinking happy or I'll...I'll tickle you!"
"Haru, I just need a minute of quiet, okay? I need a minute...I don't feel well."
"Hm, okay! But just one."
He went to sit down on his bed, crossing both hands beneath his head and two scrawny legs. She wasn't for certain how but she had to try something...Anything.
'If you can hear me now- well, whatever you are- we desperately need your help.'
A few seconds went by. No answer.
'Please, I have no idea what else we could do.'
'Allowing me sleep is a start! You shall have your assistance tomorrow!'
She let out a huff then joined Haru on his bed. A scowl painted her face while storming over and plopping down. Haru opened his eyes with a gasp, nearly falling asleep.
"Geez Naia, what's got you upset now?"
"Oh, just a pesky thought is all. I'm sure some sleep might do us good. The only problem is, I'm not all that tired."
"Huh, that's weird. I feel real tired even though I slept for all that time. You did too didn't you?"
"Yes...I did however waiver in and out of consciousness. Despite this, we both should be wide awake."
Just then a heaviness came over the pair causing their vision to blur and minds to feel foggy. Haru shook his head while Naia clutched both hands against hers.
"Ugghh, what's happening?"
"Whatever it is, we'll get through it together somehow. We have to."
Just then Haru fell against her, fast asleep. She leaned against his pillow vaguely making out the door opening. A figure stepped through, closing the door. Darkness enveloped her sight putting the girl in a deep trance as well. That same dreadful feeling came over again- Numbness. A feeling she never cared to experience again if they made it out of this hell.
