Chapter Seven: Rage

Aqua was always amazed at how no one could see beneath her mask. No one knew how afraid she was. Maybe it was all the pain she saw that led her to hide it, like when she would put on a brave face for Naminé after Aqua was rescued and the news of their brother arrived. She had to be strong for her sister.

And Vanitas… he put on a mask too. Perhaps it took one with a mask to see one without theirs. Inside, he trembled like a small child in a thunderstorm. She couldn't let him see her so broken.

The day the mask shattered, Vanitas was away for therapy. Aqua was on her way to the dining room. Alone. There was a creak. Aqua jumped and turned.

"Hey, Aq." A familiar redhead slung an arm over her shoulder. "How's it hanging?" He was so relaxed. Had she ever really been that relaxed before?

"Axel," She greeted, "you scared me."

A flash of worry breezed across his face, but it was gone in a hurry, replaced by a trademark smirk. "Heh. Scaredy-cat."

Aqua brushed his arm away. "I'm not in the mood, Axel."

"Why? Unable to do things without your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend, you stupid anorexic!"

It was Axel's turn to jump. He touched his too-skinny torso. "Aqua? Are you…"

"I—I'm sorry. I don't know what that was about." She knew she needed to be careful. The mask was starting to crack, like old plaster.

Axel sped up slightly. "How about you go sit by Zex and Demyx?"

Translation: Don't sit with me, please. Aqua froze in her place. Axel walked on, not looking back at the blue-haired girl. Get a grip, Aqua! It's not Hollow Bastion. You're at the Center, not far from Radiant Garden. You're safe. There's—

"Run, Aqua." Aqua jerked. "Run, Aqua! Run! Our family…they need you. Go!" She could feel it. The pain of separation. The fast pitter-patter of her heart as she ran, panting. And then she saw it: the image from her nightmares, the one image that was burned into her eyes since the day she saw it. Her big brother, riddled with bullets, blood trickling from his mouth. His once warm blue eyes glazed over, dead.

"Aq—" Someone touched her shoulder. Surprised, she jumped, turned, and threw a punch into the person's jaw. "Ow!"

She blinked. It was a dark-haired boy with bright yellow eyes. "Van? Van! Oh my god, I'm so sorry!"

Vanitas rubbed his jaw, where a red mark was forming. "…You hit hard."

Aqua flinched at the sight. "I'm sorry…"

"Are you okay?" Vanitas asked. "You were standing in the middle of the hall like a statue… Are you crying?"

Aqua raised a hand to touch her eyes. Indeed, they were wet with cold, salty tears. "It would appear so."

"Aqua? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." The response was too quick, sharp. Vanitas noticed.

"Aqua, you can tell me. What's the matter?"

"Run, Aqua!" Aqua stiffened.

"Aqua?"

"Aqua! Don't trust anyone! Go! Save yourself!"

"Aqua. Tell me. Please."

"I… can't." She began to turn away.

Vanitas caught her arm. "Water-girl." Aqua flinched at the name. "Please."

"No."

"Aqua—"

"I said NO!" Vanitas jumped. "Why don't you understand this? I say no! I don't want to talk to you! I don't want to talk to anyone! My mom said I'd be able to find my own personal asylum here. I haven't!"

And with that she turned and returned to her room, where she collapsed on her bed and cried. I've ruined it.