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Chap 4
It's dark and raining-thunder storming. He sits on top of the highest tower of an abandoned cathedral. His head hangs low, hair dripping, and he is enclosed by his giant wings. He is still. His red eyes are partly open, emitting a faint glow into the mist. Below, there are a few people walking about. Looking at them causes his mouth to water, and he thinks of how hungry he's becoming-hungrier than he's ever been. The conflict within him is happening again, and he cannot decide on what to do; whether to eat, or starve for just a little longer. There's another hunger within him, one that doesn't hurt as much. If he can satisfy that hunger then maybe the other will disappear for a while. Maybe.
"Many groups are forming, but the prevalent one to date is the group, Minerva, named after the ancient PLANT platoon. Minerva is a group formed by ZAFT's Chief Gilbert Durandal with the objective of protecting Seed Republic citizens from the Cursed One. Many of the group members are of the ZAFT forces, and other military groups in the country, but the group opens arms to anyone willing to put an early end to the cursed year.
The groups central location is the ZAFT base on the outskirt city Aprilus. Two small bases are located in Orb and Heliopolis. If any members want to sign up they can do so at the main base. Serious members only. Members willing to one day face the beast. This is urgent and Chief Durandal will not settle for less.
Fortunately the Cursed One is still in hiding and hasn't made any public appearances, giving time for preparation. But the safe period is coming to an end. The moon will be back to normal and soon we'll be in danger. Even if you're not apart of any protection group or agency stay vigilant."
I turn the news program off. I look at my wrist watch and it's 12 in the morning. I turn to look at Cagalli who is asleep on my shoulder. She looks so peaceful. Her lips are parted...they look soft...soft enough to….I shake the thoughts. She's Kira's sister. She's Kira's sister. She's Kira's sister.
I had invited her over earlier in the evening to watch movies. She fell asleep halfway through the last one. This past month she's been on edge...way on edge. I know she's worried about her brother and misses him, but it's getting worse. Lately she's been acting scared-paranoid. I'm worried about her.
I'm glad she came over tonight. It's rare that we are truly alone. Most of the time we're surrounded by others, or someone is close by. But tonight was nice, just the two of us. I brush a dangling strand of hair off of her cheek. I think of waking her, driving her home, but it's late and the way she's been acting lately I vote against it. I pick her up and take her to my room instead. My room is small, filled with my twin sized mattress, tall drawer and study desk. I walk over to my bed and gently lay her down. Before leaving I tuck her in. She stirs a little and moans. Cute, I think.
Once I'm back in the living room I turn on my laptop. I search Minerva, and Cursed Year Rebels on the News National Search Engine. Numerous links appear. I skim through the summaries of each, and immediately know that this can't end well. Many groups are forming and there's news on outside help. The only way to get outside help is if the government is involved. If the government is involved then that means President Atha is involved.
I click on a link about Minerva and Orb:
Seed Republic councilmen will hold a meeting with Chief Durandal of ZAFT, and Leader Azrael of the EA army this upcoming monday January 5th, on getting military support from neighboring country Kanida in order to stop the Cursed One.
No signs of the Cursed One as of yet, but as history told the safe period is no more than a few months into the year. Sight of the beast is expected to manifest soon. The military will provide…
This is bad. They may get to Kira before we do, and there still hasn't been any word from that lady or her grandson. There has to be someone else who knows how to truly save the Cursed One.
I start to read some more but stop once I hear screaming. Cagalli. Before I can head to my room she is running out of it. Her eyes are watery and her face is broken up. She abruptly wraps her arms around my neck, squeezing me, desperately holding on. My shoulder is instantly soaked, and I hear muffled sobs coming from her.
"Athrun...Athrun," she repeatedly says, "I'm scared, I'm scared...Athrun...he's…"
"Shh...shh," I hold her. One hand at the back of her head and the other rubbing her back. "Calm down, Cagalli. Calm down, alright?"
Her sobs subside and her body relaxes. I put my hands on her shoulders, gently push her off of me to get a good look at her. She's looking down, a mix of panic and grief. I grip her chin and maneuver her head so that she is staring at me. Her pitiful expression stays.
"Athrun…" she cracks.
"Cagalli...calm down then tell me what's wrong."
Her shoulders rise and fall as she breaths. She then abrasively wipes her face with the back of her hands. Once done she stares at me with a blank face, but by looking in her eyes I can tell the feeling is still there.
"Ok...now…" I say.
Her face is breaking up again, but she's trying hard to fight the tears threatening her eyes.
"Athrun," her voice cracks,"I saw him again. He keeps coming."
He? I think. Who is she talking about. I stare at her questionably before asking "who?"
"Kira," she says.
"What are you talking about, Cagalli?"
"He keeps coming! He keeps watching me. For weeks now. He started off by just watching-watching outside of my room, staring at me through the window...and then...then he'd be in my room! He'd be in there by my bed, hovering over me, staring at me. WIth those eyes. He keeps staring at me as if he wants something from me."
She stops, her breathing is heavy, her eyes are wide. I look at her not saying anything-not knowing what to say. Not even able to move with this information.
"Athrun!"
I'm still quiet. Now I'm scared. What's he planning to do? Why is watching her?
"Maybe it's because...because he's worried. Maybe he's watching over you before he truly loses it."
I try to sound optimistic, but my voice is shakey and filled with uncertainty. Great. She looks at me astound and shakes her head.
"No!" she's gripping my shirt. I feel her breath on my lips. Her nose is flaring and her eyes pleading. "He was on top of me!"
"What!"
Her shoulders shake and she's once again staring at the carpet. I try to make her look at me but she shakes her head away.
"He was on top...of me...a couple of times. He made his way to my bed and...and…"
Her eyes tighten and she bites her lip. Tears race down her face. She continues to look away. I try to get her to look at me once more but she steps back.
"Cagalli," I keep coming to her, but she's acting like she's afraid for me to touch her. "What did he do, Cagalli?"
She mumbles something incoherent.
"Is he...is he trying to eat you?" I ask.
She shakes her head.
"Cagalli tell me," my voice is stern now.
"It's like he's coming on to me," she whispers. "He touches me all over, and then he tries to bite my neck, but doesn't. He always stops, but always comes back."
She looks at me, tears dripping from her jaw. She puts her hands out, motioning as she speaks.
"I can't scream. I can't move. I don't know what he'll do if I do anything. He may not let me live next time."
She wraps her hands around her in a tight embrace as she sobs silently. I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her, and we slowly fall to the ground. We rock back and forth as I whisper comforting words to her. Telling her things I'm unsure of myself, such as, it'll be ok, or Kira won't hurt you. That I will protect her, but that one I am sure of. I will protect her.
She's quiet now. We're quiet, sitting on my floor leaning on the hall wall. I'm holding her as she lays her head on my chest, she clings on to my wet shirt. I stroke her hair slow and gentle as I look at her. Her red, puffy eyes look away.
"I'm sorry," she says.
"For what?"
"I'm a mess," she replies. "I know I must've annoyed you with my emotional episode. But you've been so kind. I am sorry."
"You're scared I get that. Don't apologize, and don't worry because I'll protect you."
She looks up at me. Her eyes bright, cheeks rosy with wet strands of hair clinging to them. Her lips, pink and parted...I could just dip my head and seize them now, but she's Kira's sister. I place a hand on her cheek, bring her head closer and peck her forehead. She looks disappointed, but smiles anyhow.
I help her up. "It's late, Cagalli, do you want to stay here for the night or…"
"I don't want to be left alone."
"You can continue to sleep in my bed. I'll stay out-"
"No! Please," she squeezes my shoulder. "Please stay in the room with me. He may come again...and…."
I place my hands on her shoulders, gripping them. "He won't touch you. I'll make sure of it."
She nods. As she lays down in my bed I tuck her in once more. She whispers "thank you." I grab a spare blanket from my closet and spread it on the floor by my bed. I hear her toss and turn as we lay. She grunts. Suddenly my phone rings and I'm wondering who could be calling me so late. I search around for it, but then I realize it's on my desk.
"Do you want me to get it?" Cagalli asks.
It stops ringing before she even answers. She's quiet and hasn't returned to the bed. Or, at least I didn't hear my bed squeek.
"Cagalli?" nothing. "Did you see who it was? Cagalli?"
Before I know it something hard hits my back. My phone. I look up and Cagalli is quickly making her way out of my room. I grab my phone and follow suit. She hurriedly puts on her boots, and grabs her coat from the rack. She is about to go out the door before I grab her. She looks mad.
"What's up?" I say concerned.
She pulls away. "Didn't know you two were still doing booty calls." She pushes me away and slams the door.
I stare at it dumbfounded for too long, because by the time I open the door she's gone. I look at my phone to see what she's talking about and Meer's number is on the small screen. I run down the hall and open the main entrance door, but she's gone. Her car isn't in the parking lot anymore. Only mine and two others.
She was really upset that Meer called. But I haven't done anything with Meer in months. Why does she care-she's jealous. I want to smile, jump in the air, but there's no time for that. Cagalli is out there alone and after what she told me I can't let her be. But first. What could Meer want?
I decide to call her as I go grab my coat and car keys. In one ring she answers.
"Athrun!" she sounds worried.
"Yeah, Meer, what is it?"
"It's Lacus who wants to talk to you!"
Damn. I should've guessed that was the reason. Me and Cagalli have been avoiding Lacus ever since we found out about Kira. Of course Meer contacted me for her cousin.
"Is everything alright with her?"
"Athrun?" It is Lacus now. "Athrun? Athrun, I haven't heard anything from you in a while. You or Kira. I've been trying to though. Kira hasn't contacted me at all, Athrun."
I remain silent.
"But recently I've seen him."
My phone almost drops. "What?" I shout.
"He's been watching me...Athrun...he's cursed. I know now. I think I've known when no one-you, him, Cagalli-would talk to me anymore, but these last few nights it's been confirmed. He comes to my room."
I hold my phone tight as I listen. Her voice is shaking, and I can picture her crying. It aches.
"Athrun...Kira...my Kira is gone, isn't he?"
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