Yes, I have sorely neglected updating… I'm sorry. But I have good reasons! Like right now, the only computer I have access to is one in the library in my school… How humiliating… Mine died from some random virus, and now it's gone for good. On the other hand, I got to see Invader Zim, and "I love this show…" lol. I'm really sorry for not updating… and I'm not sure which one I'm going to… I think this one is Fake Smile… lol. And I'm not at my mom's anymore, so no more art. But visit my home page and go to Latest Comic, you'll see some random art. I'm also on Deviant Art as Duet Maoim. Just check the links on my profile, click the second link for Deviant to get to my page. My court went extremely well, yet extremely bad at the same time… I won, and the 'offender' has 6 months in jail with 2 years probation. He needs more. Anyhow, just read, and maybe I should stop Duet from channeling me…

-

Duet sat at the dinner table with his hands folded under his chin, and his elbows on the table. The woman sat across from him and had a sort of smile adorning her elfin features.

"So, why did you come back?" Duet's voice held ice so cold it scared the others around him.

"My dear boy, I did think you would be more happy to see me." Mort replied, her expression not changing.

"Excuse me, but the woman who sold me into slavery isn't on my 'nice person' list." His eyes narrowed.

"Honey, I had no choice in the matter. And look at how strong you've become!" Her voice was sweet in a bitter scowl of an expression, pink lips pursed in agitation.

"I owe all thanks to myself. I survived it, not you. I was hurt, not you."

Duet stood up so quickly that his chair fell backwards with a slam. His eyes seemed deeper for all his sorrow and the woman sitting at the table only shrugged, her red eyes gleaming.

"I guess I should have expected this, but you know, I at least tried to find you. It was only after I met Mr. Karnel here that I was able to really look. He found you first, and told me how you were doing."

The raven-haired boy scowled and turned from Mort, his hair swinging gracefully behind him. He looked over his shoulder and his bangs hid most of his face.

"I still want to know why you did it."

"And I will tell you."

Mort cleared her throat and took a deep breath. Her eyes became extremely sad, as did the regretful smile that adorned her lips. She folder her hands on her lap and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her expression was neutral and she smiled.

"When I was about 12 years old, I was in much the same predicament as you were. I'd been kicked out of my parent's house because they couldn't afford me with their drug addictions on the side. I became a prostitute of my own choice." She sighed. "I know you didn't. So, after about a month, after a violent encounter with a man, I became pregnant. I decided to keep the child, and went to a women's shelter until I gave birth. I'd made friends there, but I still couldn't find work. When I was about 14, and my child was 2, I started working the streets again, in hope of getting money for my baby. Unfortunately for me, I got pregnant again. I took my baby and myself to the women's shelter once more."

Mort sat for a moment in silence and thought of what to say next.

"One of the women there took my child when I was giving birth to his brother. She wanted to give him a better life. I see she did an excellent job."

Duet blinked.

"What happened to my brother?"

"Oh, he's alive, and he goes to school… He's 16 now, and looks almost exactly like you. You don't have the same father though, so it's rather puzzling." Mort's voice trailed off.

"What's his name?"

"His name is Shi."

-

Holy crap this is short… but I at least got something out… Hope it's not that bad guys. I'll try for more later.

Shinimegami7