"Tai told me you were having night terrors again." The calm voice of Sora had broken me out whatever daze I was in. I hadn't even realized I spaced out. The last thing I remember was sitting on the swings, listening to the faint voices of Tai, TK, Matt, and Davis from the basketball court. I looked to my right to see the boys were still playing, and I was still on the swing set. I met Sora's gaze.
Any thought of trying to lie was blown away. Sora had her 'Mother Look' on. Nobody could lie to her when she had that look.
I sighed heavily, looking at my feet. I should've known Tai would tell her. Sora, Tai, and Matt have been the best of friends for years, probably beginning before I was born. Hell, probably before they were born. Their friendship with each other was like something planned by the stars.
Like TK and I.
I finally nodded in reply. The squeak of her swing echoed around me.
"I'm not going to ask you what it was about." She finally said. I looked at her shocked. I guess I was just so used to being asked, I wasn't expecting her of all people to not to. "I'm not saying I'm not curious. However, I respect you. You're very mature Kari. You always have been. Very independent too, much to Tai's dislike. I know whatever it is, you're strong enough to beat it."
I just continued to gaze at Sora. She has always been one person I have looked up to in my life, others including my brother and Matt. To hear she believed in me so much, meant the world to me.
"But don't you dare think you're alone in this, because you aren't. You have Tai, me, Matt, TK, and everyone else. Just know, that I do respect your strength, but I'm always right here when you need me. Anytime, any day."
It was silent between us for a long period of time. Just us gazing at each other, ignoring the shouts from the guys.
Then she stood up, stretching her arms above her head. When she was done she looked back at me and smiled. She reached out her hand. I stared for a brief moment before taking it.
"Let's go get some ice cream, okay?" I smiled brightly. I chanced one look to the guys. They were sweaty and laughing. By the look of it, Matt and TK were winning. I knew Tai's losing face, even from a distance, but he still looked like he was fun.
I then looked back to Sora.
I knew my brother was in love with her… but so was Matt. They knew it too. It caused some awkward moments, but they were still best friends. No matter what, those two will always be there for each other. Still, I must be rough. I couldn't blame them though. Sora was beautiful, inside and out.
I wonder if she knew about their feelings and if she did, I wonder if it troubles her. Knowing that picking one of them would cause a shift in their trio that may never heal. They would always be friends, but it would never be the same. At least not until someone moved on.
"The same goes for you too." I finally said out loud. Sora hesitated in her footing and looked back at me. Curiosity shined bright in her eyes. "I don't tell Tai everything. So, if you wanted to talk about how much of a dunderhead he is, I would listen." I smiled humorlessly. She knew what I meant. That I was offering to listen about her relationship troubles.
"You know, I'm glad I met your brother. Because then I met you." She smiled sweetly and laughed. It warmed my heart. Then we continued to walk.
"Kari… You have to… get out of… here."
I jumped.
Sora stopped, noticing my grip to her hand had tightened. She looked at me with concern. When I met her eyes, I gasped.
It was Sora. Her face. It was her. But… it wasn't. She… she… she had blood all over her face. It was in her hair. It was coming out of her mouth. Her eyes were black. There was nothing in them. Her kindness. Her love. Her joy. It was all blackened.
Then her lips moved. Her dried, chapped, and covered in blood lips had started to form words.
"Save yourself."
I was backing away. Her normal face came in through flickers of reality. She looked scared and worried. She was yelling something, but I couldn't hear her. All I could hear was the raspy whispers.
"I love you… please… live for me."
"SORA!" I screamed.
"I love you…"
"SORA! Please someone! Save Sora!" I was running around somewhere. I don't know where. I couldn't think straight. I couldn't even see anything around. It was pitch black.
"Please! She's hurt! There's so much blood!" Tears were coming down my face. My throat felt like it was closing, but I had to find help. If I didn't… If I couldn't find help… Sora… Sora could…
"Die." I froze. The voice was sickening. It was laced with a twisted confidence.
"H-hello." I asked fearing the voice would answer back.
"Hello, Child of Light. I'm so glad I can finally meet you myself. You see, you're always kept at a distance from me." Her voice was all around me. I felt so sick. Fear was starting to consume me. The air felt like ice.
"W-who… Who are you?" I finally got out. My head snapped all around, looking for anything, or anyone.
"You know who I am." This time it sounded like it was coming from right behind me. But when I looked, I was met with more darkness. "Just think about it, Sweetheart. You most certainly know who I am, just like I know who you are… Kari."
A cold chill ran down my spine as my name reached my ears. It was tainted by whatever sadistic feeling she was trying to convey.
"Gehenna…" The name fell from my lips in a whisper. She laughed-more like cackled- loudly. The abrupt loudness of it made me jump.
Then it was no longer dark. Instead it was too bright. White walls surrounded me. Well that's what I thought was around me, but the light shone directly in my eyes. I felt a slight drift pass by me. Then total stillness. The light dimmed and I was finally allowed to see my surroundings.
It looked to be a room. A young girl's room. And right in the middle of said room, was a small brunette with big, blue, doe eyes. They stared up at me long and hard. Almost as if they were looking into my soul. I was completely enthralled and couldn't look away.
Behind her, something stirred. A cat… A white cat… A white cat with the ability to stand on two feet and wore two gloves with a ring around her tale. It only took me seconds of seeing the cat's big blue eyes to know just who she was.
"Gatomon!" But she couldn't hear me. Instead she wrapped herself around the girl. However, the girl's focus was still on me. Then she smiled at me… mouthing a few words.
Right as a spear penetrated her mid-section. I gasped in horror, seeing the girl's blood splatter all over Gatomon's fur…
"Oh poor soul. She didn't even have a chance. At least she died happily with her pet near her." Gehenna laughed. I felt like I was going to puke. "The cat will make a nice pair of boots…" She whispered. Tears pooled from my eyes. "Though its' fur isn't as pretty as your kitty's."
"No!" I screamed. Pain started to course through my body.
"Looks like our time together is running out. I will see you soon, Dear Child of Light. To snuff you and make you my own little jewel. I can hardly wait."
"No! Stop! Please! Gatomon! Sora! Please dear god!" I awoke screaming. I shot up from my laying position.
"Kari! It's okay. You're okay." I heard Tai comfort me. In an instant, I felt my whole world become comfortable again. My brother was holding me tight. I deeply exhaled and smelled the familiar mixture of his cologne and his natural scent. I could hear his heart beat beating rapidly.
"Tai?" I choked out, relieved. His arms only got tighter.
"Dear god, Kari. Please let me help you." He whispered desperately. I could tell from the rasp that he had been crying. It made my heart break.
"I don't think you can…" I spoke softly, clinging to him.
Then I heard a sniffle from the other side of me. I looked over Tai's head and saw Sora, Matt, Davis, and TK. Sora was leaning against Matt crying. Matt, could only stare at me with fear, not for himself, but for me. Davis looked absolutely devastated and concerned.
The look on TK's face is what made my body freeze however. Complete despair. He looked so helpless and upset. He looked like he had been crying for hours. His hair was so out of place. It looked as if he had been pulling on it.
A weight shifted behind me. From my peripheral I could see Gatomon. Agumon and Patamon were not far behind, gripping onto the sheet. They looked confused. Gabumon, Biyomon, and Veemon looked as if they were torn between worrying about me or their partners.
Gatomon rested herself between me and the back of the couch. She gazed up at me, so many emotions swirling in her eyes. But… instead of seeing her eyes, I saw the eyes of the small girl.
She had known… She knew she was going to die right there…
"I know you will save us all…"
A sob ripped through my body as I buried my head into Tai.
How was I going to save everyone, when I can't even save myself?
"Stay strong, Bearer of Light. With your warrior, you will prevail. Do not let your fear overcome you. Embrace your courage and you will find your strength. And remember…
Nothing is what it seems…"
Thank you for reading. I hope you liked it. Please review. :)
