Well everyone, I'm sorry for not being too timely. My internet has been down for about a week. Anyway, this a short chapter, but I do have the next couple of chapters written, so more should come soon, should my compy continue to comply. I'll stop talking now and let y'all get to the story; hope you enjoy.
I couldn't see a thing. The darkness clawed its way closer to me, enveloping everything. My perfect dream of a sunset with him was being eaten away by this darkness, bit by bit. He held on to my arm, swearing he would protect me; that was until the darkness took him too. "Athrun!" I cried. "Come back!" Where did you go? His smile just faded away, and soon he was no longer there. I stood alone in the darkness. I had to stay strong, for Athrun, and Kira, and Lacus, and Orb. I could stand strong.
I thought I could, but it was just so black, and I was all alone. Doubt came first, and then fear. Finally, the tears came. I was a scared little girl again. I ducked down and cradled my legs up to my chest. I was utterly alone, in the darkest of nights. Tears flowed freely.
"Cagalli, I'm here." I heard Athrun say, as tenderly as if he was lying beside me, holding me in his arms.
"Then, why can't I find you?" I cried, tears mixing with my words.
"Cagalli, it's okay, I'm here."
"No! Athrun, where are you?" I began to get hysterical. "Athrun! Where'd you go? Athrun, come back! ATHRUN!"
I opened me eyes to find Kira sitting beside me, telling me it was alright, and he was here. It was Kira talking all along. Athrun had never come.
The realization hit me pretty hard. Athrun was still missing. That means he's still in danger.
"Cagalli, are you all right?" Lacus inquired, kneeling next to where I laid on the couch.
I surveyed the scene. Kira was sitting on the couch and leaning over me, protectively. Lacus knelt beside me and was looking up at Kira and me. Dearka stood, groggily, in the middle of the room. No one else was here.
"I'm fine, just a bad dream, I guess." I sat up, realizing how extremely close it put me to my brother.
"Cagalli," he placed his hands on my shoulders. "Do you want to talk?" He looked very concerned. I was still recovering from the shock of the dream, but I didn't really want to say anything in front of Dearka and Lacus. So, I shook my head in answer. Kira gave me a half-hearted smile that said he'd let me have the benefit of the doubt.
"Dearka, is the lab open yet?" I asked, remembering the plans for today. Dearka nodded, and I put on my bravado. "Well then, what are we waiting for?" I leapt up and urged everyone to edge towards the door. When I looked back to make sure everyone was coming, I saw that they all just stared at me blankly. "Come on, why are you waiting?"
A sullen mood settled over my friends and me. "Did something happen? What's wrong with you guys?"
Kira stood up and walked over to me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders as he led me outside. "Cagalli," he began, once we were safely outside. "There was a phone call this morning, from Miss Joule."
"Yzak's mother?"
"Yeah. It was not good news. Yzak's now in critical condition, and is in the local hospital's emergency room. She has a friend who is a nurse there. She said that he was drugged almost to the point of death. He was entered and diagnosed as to have severely overdosed on common painkillers." Kira paused to let his words sink in. They did.
"Was there any word of Athrun?"
"No, but both the Hawke girls are signed in to the same hospital." Kira looked off to the distance, staring at nothing.
"Painkillers?" It seemed odd. "What would Yzak need painkillers for?" I mused aloud. Kira shrugged. "Why are the Hawke sisters there?"
"I don't know." He said, shrugging again.
Lacus opened the door, Dearka following close behind. "Are we ready?" Dearka asked no one in particular.
"Yeah. Where should we visit first?" Kira asked. Everyone looked at me. I was supposed to answer? Figures. I want to see Athrun, but Yzak may need us more. How was I supposed to answer?
In the voice of Cagalli the Head Representative, I answered, "We will go to the hospital first." Kira nodded in approval. Lacus gave me a half-hearted smile while Dearka almost jumped.
We took off walking, Dearka leading the way. Athrun, please be okay.
Kira asked for the room of "Mr. Joule" and soon we were at his door. Dearka walked in first, the rest of us following closely. Yzak lay on a white-sheeted bed. He had needles in both of his arms and he connected to an oxygen tap to keep him breathing. This was his lowest moment, but still I couldn't help think that he has never looked more peaceful or serene. Once Dearka had sat down, I walked over to the silver-haired coordinator.
I stood at his bedside. He was completely helpless now. "Yzak," I knew he couldn't hear me, but I had to try. "What happened to you?" The fire was gone from his expression. His features were limp and lifeless, but I still wanted an answer: anything but silence. "Yzak, what's going on? Who's done this?" I fought back my fear.
"Ath-." The boy opened his lips ever so slightly. "Athrun," his speech was so soft I could barely hear it. "Run." His muscles visibly tightened. His heart rate quickened.
"Yzak," Lacus gasped in surprise.
"Hurry, Ath- run." With a long breath, his mouth closed. He was unconscious again.
"Arigato, thank you, Yzak." I gave him a nod, in thanks. Athrun was in danger, serious danger. I stood and walked out of his room.
"We should let him rest." Lacus tried to explain to Dearka, who refused to leave with us.
"If he wakes up, someone should be here. I'll stay." It was a good idea. If he had any information, we would need to know as soon as possible.
"Then you stay, Dearka. I'm going to find out what's going on." I said, mostly to myself as Kira and Lacus followed me down the hall and back outside.
Athrun, what are they doing to you? Don't end up like Yzak. I know you're stronger than that. Hold out, I'm almost there.
Kira led us to this large gray building in the middle of nowhere. "Here we are, PLANT Research Facility number 41."
There was nothing extraordinary about the building, itself. But, I felt a connection to it somehow. It sent cold chills down my body. I could hear cries for help in my mind. Hundreds of little children were crying for comfort. I could see Athrun too. He just stood there, taking every kind of torture I could imagine. I had to get him out.
We walked in casually, like nothing was wrong. I don't believe I've ever showed so much restraint. Kira could tell it was taking its toll on me; I knew because he placed hand on my shoulder in a comforting gesture.
"May I help you?" a squat man asked from behind a desk positioned carefully in front of the main door asked.
"Yes," Lacus answered. "My name is Lacus Clyne and I am looking for a friend of mine."
I'm not a big fan of Yzak, truthfully; but that's beside the point. I would like to thank my reviewers for putting up with my absence. The next chapter will be up in a day or two, I promise!