"Run, Neophyte" and the general concept of "Run, Neophyte" is completely copyright Orin Drake 2006. All characters contained within and terms like "Organization XIII" are owned by Square-Enix and Disney.
Background: Just kinda "happened" between other things I was writing. I think you can figure out whose thoughts they are.
Run, Neophyte
by Orin Drake
He wondered if it was always the same for all Nobodies. Feeling their bodies fall away, torn to shreds as their hearts were wrest from them--but what followed was not death. Was not peace. Was only darkness and cold without familiar sensation... and vast, hollow memories.
He wondered if they all felt like they were trapped in a nightmare world of nothingness for millennia before they woke. And, even then... Even then.
He wondered if anyone else, oh so secretly, felt... lonely. Not just alone, but... alone in the kind of way that made your heart ache.
He wondered if the others weren't secretly uncertain. What made a heart..? And even though it was gone, even though his emotions were fogged and far away... why could he still feel? Were the other members all hiding something..?
He wondered if anyone had ever caught him rolling his eyes. It was hard to play dumb when one was caught rolling their eyes.
He wondered where the music came from if not his heart. They weren't all from memory...
He wondered if anyone else ever got punished as harshly. As constantly. Really, he wouldn't be surprised... though either answer to his question wouldn't have made him feel any better.
He wondered if any of the other members, upon seeing a new one in their midst, had the innate desire to scream at them, "Run! Run away! Don't listen! Don't trust them!"
He wondered if, even if he could allow himself to scream the words, anyone would listen.