Chapter 9: The Guardian

Jaffa had been following KC and Alice; he knew they were his only chance for survival.

He was having a hard time piecing reality from fantasy. His mind was always playing tricks on him, and with him not being all there he was reliant on others to sustain his life.

All he ever wanted was acceptance. He wanted to fit in and be noticed. Martin had given him that notoriety, the very day they stood up on the school desks chanting, "Power and Chaos".

But it got his brain all twisted. He couldn't find love let alone his place in the world. Not until the Technos put him on the same level as the virts. Being around other humans made him realize he was human as well.

Now after listening to The Mallrats bicker and fight, they set a plan into motion in his head.

The rusted, web-covered wheels began to turn once again and Jaffa's brilliance was returning.

"I'll be a stowaway, and these 'peace' addicts will have no choice, but to 'nurse' me back to health."

Salene tossed and turned all night. She kept having a nightmare about Ryan. Every time she closed her eyes she could see his face. But he wasn't himself. He had thinned out a bit and he bore the red T of the Techno upon his forehead.

She'd run towards him in the dream, but he'd zap her with the laser, laughing and saying, "I could never love a two-timing virt."

Then she'd wake up with a start, face wet with tears. She didn't understand it. How could she dream something so horrible? She had loved Ryan. Even through their trials, even with Pride sharing her bed, she dreamed of Ryan.

"Trudy, I just don't understand it," she could be seen telling the other woman, their feet in the cold, wet sand.

Trudy took a long hard look at her daughter splashing in the shallow aqua-blue water.

"I fear I'm not much help Sal, not unless you're feeling guilty that you stopped looking for Ryan and fell in love with Pride."

"But it's eerie, you know? Him as a Techno, if I didn't know any better, I would say Ryan's alive."

"You're starting to sound like Tai-San," Trudy smiled, "but Sal," she tried to be reassuring, "If Alice says the Guardian is alive and nabbed by Technos, it's possible anyone of his prisoners could be alive and with the Technos themselves."

"You're right. Maybe it is a guilt trip I'm on."

Trudy leaned over and hugged the woman, "If you have the dream again, we'll look further into it."

Salene laughed, "What are you, a shrink?"

"A friend with a open ear."

"Thanks Trude."

The Guardian knew if Trudy saw him, she'd kill him, Tai-San too, but not Salene. Sal was a different story. She would want him alive for questioning.

That is perhaps why he waited until she was alone to show himself.

Salene was deep in her thoughts when the Guardian collapsed at her feet.

"Oh my word!" She exclaimed, calling for help.

It was Bray who came running.

"Bray he just collapsed at my feet, like he fell out the sky, who is it?" she asked as he lifted the dirty man off his face and onto his back.

They both took five steps backwards. "It can' be..."

Bray looked at her, "Oh but it is."

"Perhaps there is some higher power who still answers prayers."

"You prayed for the Guardian to fall out the sky half-dead at your feet?" Ebony asked.

Neither Bray nor Salene had seen her appear.

"I'll explain later," Salene couldn't help but smile, "Right now we need to get him some water and clean clothes, and bandages," she examined his badly damaged left hand.

"She's gone cuckoo Bray, the man that took life away from her is lying before her feet, half-dead, and she wants to nurse him back to health."

Bray didn't know what to say," I don't understand either Ebs, but I'm going to do as she asks."

Ebony could not find her voice, but she did manage to say, "I'll send Slade to help. I think he's the only person who'd help, regardless of the man's sick, sadistic past."

Salene smiled, "Thank you Ebony."