No matter how much time passed, nor the amount of pain he'd suffered while in that arena, there had always been one memory that stuck in this doomed mans mind. Her laughter, it had always remained in the back of his mind, at times comforting him and in his darkest moments... Haunting him. When he had first escaped from hell, he'd lain in pain, not even the most effective medicines could have possibly soothed him... That is, until he heard her voice. In a flicker of clarity, he latched onto the remnants of his sanity and climbed up from there, using that comforting voice as the foundation. It wasn't until he managed to mask himself that the true nightmare began. The laughter turned into screeches of pain, cries for help. The god forsaken man didn't know how to make it go away, to stop this incurable malady of his. It was then that he found his purpose, his raison d'être. If he could not gather up his own memories, then he would make sure no one else would suffer the same fate as he did. Even as the fragments of his life together this doomed mans goal still took priority. It was easier now though... Now he could see her face and hear her laughter ring through loud and clear, instead of the ghostly whispers that stalked him all those years ago. "So please... My beautiful little girl... Hide..."
Jasmine kneeled beside her father, comforting him as he tossed and turned in his sleep. "You're getting worse..." She murmured to herself worriedly, trying to keep the man in one spot so she could apply the medicinal ointment.
The wild girl still couldn't believe it. Doom, Doom, her father? The same man she'd detested for the vast majority of their quest? When she had first discoverd it, she felt enormous guilt overcome her, after all Jasmine had said and done to him, did she deserve him? The question remained unanswered by anymore, least of all Jasmine herself.
"Ja... Jas...mine..." Doom was finally still, his hands reaching out for his daughter, crying out for her.
"I'm here Father. Please don't cry. I'm right here," she clutched his hand tightly, trying to ease some his pain.
"Hide... Hide Jasmine... They won't catch you in there..." He moaned, his grip almost hurting her.
"There's no need to hide anymore Father. They're gone–" Jasmine had to cut herself short.
What she'd just spouted was complete and utter nonsense, a lie. They were currently in the basement of a burnt down bookstore, hiding from the Shadow Lord and Fallow's Grey Guards. It was her childhood all over again, except this time...
"...This time we have each other..." Jasmine didn't know where the others were and at this stage, didn't really care.
After the battle, everyone in the Resistance had dispersed and seperared, including Lief, Barda and Jasmine. Lief had been so downtrodden and depressed about the loss he'd retreated to his old home, not talking to anyone but his mother, Barda had disappeared off the face of the planet, doing who knows what and everyone else was skulking in the shadows, trying to find an opportunity to run home. Jasmine thought of them as weak, the only reason she wasn't holding a knife against Fallow's neck was because she had her father to take care of. What reason did they have, the weak fools?! What worried her the most though was Fili and Kree. She hadn't seen them ever since the battle and it was seriously troubling her. What if someone had taken them? What if someone had killed them?
"This is why I never trusted humans. At the first sign of trouble they turn tail and run for the hills... They're all such idiots," she sighed, placing a hand on her father's cheek. "How did you and Mother ever put up with them Father?" As if hearing her question, Doom started moaning once again, having only just become silent.
"Jas...mine..." His eyes fluttered open, causing Jasmine to sigh in relief.
"It's alright Father, I'm right here..." The girl sobbed into her father's hand until suddenly, she felt her tears being gently wiped away.
"Why're... You... Crying?" Although his speech was disjointed and slurred, his eyes showed the sharpness that Jasmine had come to identify with Doom.
She gave him a small smile, quickly rubbing her eyes. "Crying? I don't know what you're talking about," she stood up and stretched. "I dunno about you but I'm thirsty. I'm going to get us some water, kay?"
Doom nodded but his expression was solemn. "Be... Careful..." Was all he could say before falling asleep.
Even so, Jasmine understood the message and gave him a peck on the cheek before heading out. Treading lightly up the stairs to the surface, Jasmine notes any unfamiliar activity and ventured outwards.
"I hope this won't take too long... It's be easier if we'd all decided to stick together," she muttered to herself, her expression scrunched up in frustration.
It was then a single droplet splashed onto her nose.
"What..?" She peered up into the sky. "It's raining..."
How long will the storm last for this time I wonder..?
Doom heard the rain cascade onto the building and lifted his head ever so slightly. "Run..."
