Mali rested all night and all the next morning. They had put her in a new room, which wasn't underground. It didn't actually look like a cell, which was a plus. It had a large window exactly opposite the door that looked out onto the campus. Besides that everything was the same: white walls, white sheets, white tile, white white white. It seemed that everyone here never got tired of white. Outside the window, Mali could see little blurry forms of people running in lines down on paths. The weather outside was raining; it was a thick downpour that rattled against her pane. Her pack had been returned to her and she had the normal guard outside her door, all in all it was a far cry better than what she had had. Also she got three meals a day that were not slid under a slot but brought in by smiling nurses who checked her leg every once in a while. Every few hours they had been slapping fresh coats of medi-gel on her bullet wound, it hardly hurt anymore. Apparently, saving someone's butt meant that now Mali wasn't seen as dangerous anymore, or at least cold-blooded.
Then noon of the next day came, and Mali was woken from her catnap by a knock on her door. Mali yawned and then said in her yawney voice: "Come in." She situated her sheets so that she wouldn't look like a messy sleeper, which she was. A man she hadn't met yet walked in and stood by the door, as if scared that Mali would jump out at him and he would have no place to run. He cleared his throat, obviously awkward at seeing a girl in her own bedroom.
"Hello, I'm Captain Corwin. I'm here to escort you to your appointment." He said. So that's why he looked familiar.
"Ok," Mali swung out of her bed and the captain hurriedly averted his eyes, even though she was fully dressed, "just give me a second." He waited awkwardly while Mali washed her face and dressed in the bathroom. "Ok" she said, coming out, "I'm ready." With two days of the medi-gel treatment Mali no longer needed her crutch; but she did walk with a slight limp. To her, she was amazed at the medi-gels powers—what would have taken a few weeks to heal now only took a couple of days.
"Follow me then." He said and they walked out the door. Mali did and they set off down the hall and into an elevator, a guard following behind; apparently Clint was out of action for a while. They stepped off the elevator and out into the lobby of the building and then out into the downpour. Since Mali didn't have a coat she just hugged herself tightly as they set out over squishy grass. The rain was worse than it had looked from her window and wind, unnoticed by her while she had been in her nice warm room, could now not be ignored as it clawed through her hair. They travelled for about ten minutes until a small group of trees were visible; the buildings had been lost in obscurity for a long time now. They entered the trees, and they stood so close together that the torrent of rain was virtually lessened. Soon they came to a small knot of people waiting for them under the bows. An icy wind blew in through the trunks and Mali shivered, she was soaked to the bone. Her limp t-shirt clung to her and her pants and shoes squelched every time she took a step.
Between the trunks of the trees five people stood, waiting; through the misty rain they kept travelling. Above and beyond the canopy the great grey clouds rolled on, pushed on by the same wind that had its icy claws at her shirt. The procession was as somber as a funeral as they trekked along; there was no happy greeting as melded with the awaiting group. Dickens, Liara, and Commander Shepard were there along with a strange man that was introduced as an observer for the council. He would be documenting and reporting her activation. Also there was Dr. Tracy, the man from Mali's exam; he was carrying a small briefcase.
"I'm Dooney, George Dooney." He held out his hand, and out of politeness Mali took it. Shepard raised an eyebrow, remembering his own rejected handshake. The corner of Mali's mouth turned up into a faint smile as they exchanged glances.
"Somali Avon." She returned. "What exactly are you going to do?" She asked out of curiosity, peering at a contraption hanging around his neck by a black strap. He held it up for closer examination as he explained.
"This little device will record everything that will go on during your activation. Air temperature, conversation, energy levels, film—everything. Along with my own personal recount to the council, we will have a very thorough understanding of whatever may happen today."
"Sounds important." Mali commented. Dooney puffed up his chest in pride. Dickens interjected.
"Let's get on with it. We didn't come here to dawdle in the rain." He said gruffly. "Everyone please make your way to behind the protection shield. Shepard, Dooney, and Corwin all obeyed. They walked about twenty yards away from them, and then as Mali watched curiously, stepped through a slightly shimmering wall to the other side; the movement of the shield reminded her of a jell-o-y bubble.
"What is that?" She asked in amazement. The shield was completely see through except for the shimmer and had the consistency of a thin layer of jelly, yet obviously was strong, or they wouldn't be using it as a shield.
"It's one of many types of shields that are at the council's disposal," Dickens answered, "this type, the calmira, is useful for observation without being in harm's way because of its transparency; however it isn't completely indestructible, it was designed more to absorb shock than anything else really."
"Cool." Mali answered. She found that the more she learned about outside technology the more she liked the outside world. Stuff like that were never in her wildest dreams, yet here they were, living and breathing—figuratively speaking. With the diversion of the shield wearing off the real reason why they were all here pressed on Mali's mind. Anxiety, and also a little excitement, gripped her stomach. Dr. Tracy stepped up to stand next to Dickens; a familiar body stepped up to stand close behind Mali—she found Liara's presence to be surprisingly steadying.
"Hello again, Somali." Dr. Tracy greeted quietly.
"Hello, Doctor," Mali tried for a smile through her nervousness," it seems you'll be getting your wish after all." She said.
"It seems so." He answered, grim. Mali had the distinct impression that when he had made the offer he had thought that he would never be taken up on it, and was now disappointed. He knelt down on the wet leaves of the ground and popped open his briefcase; inside was a smooth metal saucer about as thick as a thumb and as big as a round dinner plate. Soft plinks emanated from it as small raindrops from above fell and hit its surface
"How is this going to work?" Mali asked. Dickens answered for Dr. Tracy, who was busy prying the disk from the taught padding around it.
"That is a drone. It is highly skilled and trained for what it is about to do, so you have nothing to worry about. It will hover next to you and quickly implant the amplifier at the base of your skull; it will only prick a little. But I must warn you of something." He paused, then continued, "because of the unknown extent of your power the sudden act of activating your biotics might be violent, which is why we have taken precautions. The amp that we are putting into you is not like the normal ones that we put into regular biotics—it is a design that scientists and engineers have been working on for decades. However it has never been tested because there has never been a biotic powerful enough to attune to it, but do not worry, with your powers, you will be. It's called the I0T7, and you will be the first to use it—not even Jack (the most powerful human biotic to date) has ever come close to possessing it." He clapped his hands together. "Well, let's get on with it." He said.
Dr. Tracy had been waiting for Dickens to finish his speech, and without further invitation he stepped forward again, the drone tucked under his arm. Dickens turned away but then hesitated and turned back. "Good luck, kid." Mali thought that his usually gruff voice might have sounded a tad bit fond, but then again, her ears could be mistaken.
"Thanks." Mali quietly returned. Dickens gruffly nodded, and then turned and walked to the shield. Dr. Tracy came and leaned forward, close to Mali, in the hand that wasn't holding the drone he carried a small tube, which he held up between their faces.
"When I was a boy, I hated not knowing what doctors where sticking into me, so, well, I thought I would show you your amplifier before we put it in you." He raised it higher and they both looked down into the tube. Nestled snugly on a pillow of foam was a small faintly glowing thing. As Mali leaned in closer and focused her eyes the shape came to resemble the basic form of the body of a small spider minus the legs. "Here." Tracy put up a magnifying glass and the chip was expanded. It did indeed resemble a spider's body, with a smaller oval connected to a slightly bigger bulb on the end.
The smaller part shined a coppery color and minuscule parts could be seen, all connected to one another. Mali's eyes travelled up to the bulb, which was the glowing part. It shined out a small but strong shade of silvery blue, like the sky on a fair day. All together it was almost an inch in length. Tracy made a low whistle.
"That right there is some of the most advanced technology in the galaxy. If you sold this on the black market, not saying you would, but if you did you would have enough dough to buy a small planet—and you're getting it put inside your body, lucky duck." He said.
"What's the glowey end for?" Mali asked.
"It's for receiving upgrades and bio-amps—stuff that make you stronger and even more powerful, if you need it. The great part about this tech is that even after its put inside you it can still be upgraded and made better, all without doing a messy and risky surgery to take it out and implant it with a newer, better one. Think of it as the brain of the amp."
"That doesn't really inspire much confidence," Mali answered. Tracy shrugged and they both straightened. Tracy slid the tube into a small hole in the drone's body.
"Now don't freak out when it gets behind you, just stay stock still and everything will be fine. Good luck Mali." He said. He let go of the drone and instead of it falling to the ground, like Mali had thought it would, small hover jets powered up from beneath it, letting out small triangles of blue flame. Mali turned to Liara who was still standing behind her, a shiver ran through her body, and it wasn't necessarily because of the cold.
"You'd better get to the shield." Mali said, her teeth slightly chattering. Rain dripped down her skin, glimmering like diamonds, reflecting the hover jets faint blue light.
"Yes, I'd better." Liara said, but she didn't move. Liara slowly looked her up and down, "Mali, in the short time I've known you, I have come to consider myself lucky. You are a brave and strong girl, and an even better friend. So whatever happens, just know that you can always count on me." She said. Mali stood there, shivering, and shocked. Her hair was plastered to her face, and her skin was pale and wet. She certainly didn't feel strong or brave, mostly just cold and scared, and that counted for all the other times too.
"I don't know, Liara. I think that description better fits you." Mali said.
"No," Liara said resolutely, "it fits you—perfectly." She bent down and pulled Mali into a quick hug, and then jogged toward the shield. Mali stood there alone in the rain, in the middle of the forest—cold, wet, and tired—but above all, scared. She didn't know what was going to happen, she was trusting the words of people whom she barely knew. A strange machine was going to dive into her skull and implant a chip in her head that would activate who knows what, and she was just going to sit there and let it happen. Her fists clenched, raindrops ran between the grooves of her tightly clamped fingers and dripped off onto the ground. The drone slowly moved passed her ear, it seemed, with all the arrogance of a queen bee. Mali planted her feet, and readied herself for whatever was coming. A million devastating scenarios flashed through her brain, but she pushed them all away. Liara crossed through the shield, and it was if the drone had been waiting for it, for immediately it sped up, coming up behind Mali quickly. She could hear its faint hum bore into her heightened senses. Her breathing quickened and the hairs on the back of her neck plastered. Slowly, Mali reached and pulled her hair out of the way, exposing her hairline, and also the base of her skull.
Pressure compressed her chest as out of her peripheral vision she could see the drone move in. Stock still, stock still, stock still Mali repeated over and over in her head. The drone was only an inch away when it stopped. Mali froze up, her body tense, her eyes wide in fright, waiting—and with a flash a small dart jabbed out and into her skin with a small prick and then retracted just as fast. The chip was in.
At first nothing happened. From behind the shield confused looks were being traded. "What?" Dooney exclaimed, "Isn't something supposed to happen?" Liara, being a biotic herself, answered.
"Most often there is a brief explosion of power, but it doesn't happen always. Maybe she is one of those rare cases." Liara said. Dr. Tracy went to step out from the shield.
"Maybe I should check that it went in right." He said. Dickens stopped him. The entire time they had been talking her had been closely watching her, and he knew something was up.
"Don't. Look at her face, it's all screwed up, something's going on." He said. Mali could feel something going on, something inside her. It was like a fierce electrical charge was starting to go through her body. Her fingers and toes crackled with it, her hair shivered from their roots. Without orders, her muscles started trembling, Mali fell to her knees; her hands shook at her sides.
"Mali!" Liara yelled, but she didn't dare step out from the shield. Whatever was happening was irrevocable, there was nothing any of them could do. The electricity was building up inside of Mali, she could barely contain it, and yet it grew. Her teeth clamped together, Mali set her face in a fierce snarl as it climbed her limbs; her head jerked to one side as a muscle in her neck spasemed. Whatever was going on Mali was set on controlling it, but it was beyond her too. The power grew and grew, it felt like Mali was being split in two. It demanded release, yet Mali held on.
"No." Mali grunted, heaving with exertion; but it was like wrestling with a tiger—hopeless from the beginning. Despite the cold rain sweat broke out across her searing skin. There was just too much to contain, and there was no room left in her body. With a jerk, the power broke out of her, pushing her into the ground. Silvery light crackled and exploded from her skin on all sides, engulfing her. Like a snake striking at prey, it arched jaggedly into the sky with a loud clap, burning with fierce joy and then started to pulse out from her in all directions. As the power surged out of her it broke upon the shield, wave after wave engulfing it and beating against it. Cracks appeared on its once flawless surface, getting wider and wider.
"Everyone duck down!" Liara yelled over the thunderous noise, "The shield's gunna break!" They all crouched in a small group in the middle of the remnants of the shield. Pure energy broke across its surface like waves on rock, all emanating from Mali, who lay spread-eagle, stunned in the grass. Liara crouched down in front of them, and spread her arms wide. Blue fire erupted from her skin and crawled across her torso. She closed her eyes and extended her biotics to cover the rest of the group, creating a smaller shield within the bigger, deteriorating one. Energy started to break against her defenses as the shield above seemed to melt away, and soon the only thing keeping them from being fried was her. But just as Liara felt she couldn't hold on much longer, the energy stopped. And then it was all over—everything became still. All was quiet, everyone remained crouched, too stunned to move.
For Mali's part, she tried to lay still. The grass around her was burned, and parts of her clothes had been singed. The smell of ozone and electricity was in the air. Everything hurt, from her eyeballs to her toenails. Mali groaned as her muscles untightened from their clenched position; rain from above fell silently and kissed her face. The adults finally willed their limbs to move, getting over their shock, and quickly walked over to her. A small spasm raked Mali's body, and then another. Electrical charge was still running through her, it seemed. A particular buzz filled Mali's ears, like one hundred tiny whispers all speaking at once. Mali rolled over onto her stomach in the wet leaves and grass, relaxing her body to fit into the knolls and small hills of the ground, as the cold rain fell on top of her—it was the most comfortable she could ever remember being.
I
Liara reached her first, and knelt down a foot away, making a squelching noise as her knees hit the wet dirt. "Mali?" She asked tentatively. Behind her Dooney and Dickens were looking over the readings of the activation.
"A small prick they said, that was all I was gunna feel." Mali groaned, her face in the dirt. Startled at her sarcasm, Liara laughed out loud.
"I see your sense of humor hasn't left you yet." Shepard also knelt down. He reached out to help Mali up but Liara's voice cracked like a whip.
"Don't!" She said.
"What?" Shepard asked.
"Don't touch her." Liara looked down on Mali's confused face.
"Why?" Mali asked.
"During powerful use, energy builds up inside your body." A small spasm from Mali seemed to prove her words, "After it is all over, it is still in there. If you touch something or someone close after, the energy will be released and you will shock them. The more powerful the discharge, the more energy built up. You need to give it time to dissipate before you can touch anyone." She looked kindly into Mali's face.
"Oh." Both her and Shepard replied.
"Well then, it looks like I'll have to fend for myself." Mali said, and worked her muscles. It took her three tries to get on her hands and knees, and then two more to get on her feet. The entire time the two adults stayed hovering over her, not touching her, but still trying to help. Finally Mali was on her feet—precariously—but still up. Dooney and Dickens had finally caught up and Dooney broke into a bright grin.
"Wow! I have never seen a spike that powerful in all my years." He said, "It even broke our shield apart!" Mali looked stunned.
"You mean I almost killed all of you?" She asked, dumbfounded.
"Nearly!" Dooney replied, but Dickens shook his head.
"Liara had it under control. We were never in harm's way." He said. Liara made to say how close of a call it had been, but thought better about it when she saw Mali's face scrunch up in self-disgust.
"It's ok Mali, you couldn't control it." Liara sympathized.
"It still would have been my fault." Mali said.
"Oh no," Dr. Tracy was knelt on the grass and was quietly bending over the charred remains of the drone, "it's all gone. Irreparable." All stood silently around it, watching as he picked up the burned shards and placed them back into the briefcase. "It was supposed to be almost unbreakable—impenetrable; and it's torn to shreds." He looked up at Mali with wonder in his eyes.
"The shield was meant to be invincible too—but she melted like butter. A whole asari squadron couldn't have taken it down faster," Dooney said, equally impressed, "And this is just the start—she hasn't even been trained yet." He clapped his hands in glee, "the council is going to be very happy when I tell them about this." He said.
For Mali, what they were saying was both scary and exciting at the same time. No one should have been able to do what they were saying that she did. Once again her mind was blown: her having these powers, ending up here being trained—they were too coincidental. Somehow she felt like Yane had known—which was impossible—but still, who else could have known? How badly she wished to talk to him right then, for him to explain things; but she would never know, because he was dead. A pang hit her, but she pushed it down, she couldn't mourn here. Then an idea hit her—maybe if she activated her omni-tool (which she hadn't done since Liara's house), she would get a message. A message that might explain things. "I think I'm going to go back." Mali suddenly said, startling everyone. "I don't feel so well."
"I'll go with you." Liara said, half-asking half-telling.
"No, that's ok, I'm just going to lie down for a bit." Mali answered. A curious look came over Liara as Mali pushed her away secretively. "Bye everyone." Mali waved a bit, and then started squelching away in the mud.
"Shouldn't someone go with her?" Liara asked the men, who were bent over the small reader around Dooney's neck.
"Nah," Corwin said, distracted, "she knows the way back. What could happen?" Liara watched carefully as Mali trotted between the trees, disappearing.
"Well, I think I'll go too." Liara said after a while, growing bored of the constant exclamations of "it's off the charts!" and "amazing!" "See you everyone." She had only walked a few yards into the trees when Shepard came trotting up from behind.
"Wait!" he called, "I'll walk with you." Liara stiffened at his voice. He had been waiting for a chance to talk alone with Liara since the orientation breakfast, and finally, here was his chance. They set out at an even pace, trekking through the mud. "How have you been?" He asked cautiously.
"Good." Was her curt and neutral reply. She did not turn her face to look at him as they walked on, refusing to meet his eyes. There was an uncomfortable silence.
"I have been meaning to apologize." Shepard said. Liara's eyebrows shot up.
"About what?" She asked sarcastically.
"Well, we didn't exactly part on the best of terms, and I want to apologize for any uncomfortableness you may have been feeling." He said awkwardly. "I didn't know you were here until the night I got here." He said.
"What, did Dickens warn you? What did he say about me?" Liara's voice became slightly hard; Shepard did not take this as a good sign.
"Liara, please stop." He sighed exasperatedly. "I just want to talk—relieve some of the tension." He said. She did not, so Shepard was forced to trot up from behind to catch up.
"You were never good at peace talks between enemies while we on the Normandy—I don't think that skill has improved." Liara derided.
"At least I've got you talking." He returned. Liara walked faster, pulling ahead of him, he had to skip to keep up. "I know things were probably hard…after. I just want to apologize." He said.
"Hard?" Liara scoffed. "You think dealing with all you had done was hard? Please." Anger tinged her words. He was practically jogging to keep up with her.
"Please Liara, stop." He said. She didn't, she walked even faster. "Liara, please." He grabbed her arm. She froze under him, and for the first time she looked his dead on.
"Let—go—of—my—arm." She spoke with deadly calm. Her eyes bored into his, daring him for a challenge. Shepard slowly lifted his hand off of her and replaced it at his side.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry, and I hope that our past," he hesitated, "….can be forgotten for a little while, so that we can work peacefully together. Just for while I'm here." He said. Liara turned away.
"Consider it forgotten." Her voice was clipped and sharp; it didn't instill much confidence in Shepard that his words had made any effect on the situation. "See you at work." Liara said irritably, and then strode off, away from him and in another direction—fading away into the rain.
I
When Mali could no longer see the trees behind her, she veered off to the right of her course for a few minutes until she felt that no one would accidentally stumble upon her. It was too dangerous to activate Vic near any buildings were there might be surveillance, so out where she was was a good a place as she could ever find. As she had been walking the rain had begun to pour down hard from above. The ground could no longer soak in any more water, and so small rivers and lakes were now forming around her as she squatted down above her arm. She clenched her fist, and the familiar silver glow activated from her arm. "Vic." Mali said, surprised to hear fondness in her voice, "it's good to see you again." She said.
"Seeing as I have no body Somali, I take that as an insult." Victoria replied.
"Well, I meant it figuratively," Mali laughed. "I'm sorry I couldn't activate you for a while. They might've caught us. They have cameras everywhere." She said.
"And probably out here." Vic answered. Mali looked over her shoulder instinctively, crouching a little further over Vic.
"You think so?" Mali asked.
"Whatever the case, it really is too late now. If they've seen us, they've seen us." Vic answered. "You need to get inside soon, your body temperature is dropping."
"Well, the fact is, I didn't just open you up to say hi." Mali said, feeling a little guilty.
"If I could have feelings I would be hurt." Vic answered sarcastically.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry," Mali said, "but the thing is I'm wondering if a message from Yane might come."
"Actually Mali, I have one to show you." Vic answered.
"What?!" Mali exclaimed.
"My internal memory was built by Yane; you just installed it. He left me with certain messages that I am supposed to show you if they ever happen. One message fits his pre-requisites. You passing your N7 tests, and getting the I0T7 chip implanted which, by the way, I have linked up to my network so we can monitor, and make adjustments to if needed." Mali was so stunned that for a moment she couldn't speak.
"You mean all this time you've been storing messages for me? From Yane?" She asked. "Show me all of them!" She demanded.
"I'm sorry, but this action is impossible. It would override my programming, which I cannot do." Vic answered. "However, I may show you the one I have described."
"Do it then." Mali commanded, sitting back on her heels. On her arm, her omni-tool morphed and projected, and there floated Yane's head a few inches above her arm, just as usual. Rain from above fell right through the hologram.
"So, you've made it into the program," he said with a smile, "well done, I never doubted you'd get in. You could probably—and knowing you—, probably will, kick the butt of most of the instructors there to teach you. I do have a few words to say." He paused, gathering his "breath," "I know you must be thinking things, and may have already realized a few of them. That you are not all of what you seem, and that neither am I." he stopped, and rustled something around on the table, it sounded like paper. "There are things you need to know—about your past. Things that might scare you." He grimaced. "Here come's the hard part—the time for answers."
"Where to begin? Well, me meeting you all those years ago was no accident Mali. I was put through extensive training, and then sent to look for you; I had been searching a year. Somehow when you were born, they lost track of you. Something happened, and you were taken from their control, that's why I was sent to find you. You see, you were special, and certain people knew that. I had to take you away, into hiding, because some of those people would have hurt you. I went against my orders and took you away to live secretly—to give you a chance to decide for your own who you were. Meeting you and taking you in was not coincidence or compassion, it was my job. I did my best at hiding you, but eventually they caught up. That's why we had to run. Finnick was working for someone bigger than himself, for a boss higher up—taking and giving silverware."
"Those people are still after you, Mali, they are tracking your every move. They want you because you have great power beyond belief, and they would use it to their own ends. I'm sorry I didn't tell you this sooner, but as they say, ignorance is bliss. All I ever cared about was your safety Mali; all I wanted to do was protect you. Forgive me for not telling you all these years. Goodbye." The hologram shut off so suddenly Mali was too stunned to move. Her mouth hung open and her brain had stopped working from shock. Their meeting had been planned? She was being tracked? Mali thought. Her whole world came crashing down on her in one moment. Yane had been sent to find her. He had been sent. Someone, or something, had been pulling her strings form the very beginning. It just made Mali feel like her entire life was a joke.
Could she ever believe in anything again? Had everything been choreographed? Been fake? Where she was now, was this part of a plan? A plan that had prodded and poked her, almost gotten her killed multiple times, and had torn her world apart. And Yane! He was just a joke too! He was never what he had said he was. I had extensive training, and then I was sent to find you. So his story about living with mercs and learning all those gunman tricks had been crap too. Mali just couldn't believe it. He had been everything to her, and he was dishonest. The Yane she had known wasn't Yane at all. Was that even his real name? She thought. Now he wasn't just dead, but he was false too. A joke. A lie. A play.
And she had been hoodwinked, right from the start. To think that a stranger would have so much compassion as to take her in. That only happened in storybooks. Something happened, and you were taken from their control, that's why I was sent to find you. A tear trickled from one eye, and then another. Soon they were as numerous as the rain around her. Mali shook and gasped as she cried, and then when she couldn't bare the pain of living a lie anymore, she collapsed to the muddy ground; the rain falling silently around her. Right then and there, she just wanted to die. To die and get it over with. She wanted to be done. To be done with everything. Mali closed her eyes, and wished herself away.
I
Liara had decided to take the longer way back to her office, to avoid any more forced conversation with Shepard. As she walked the rain pelted harder and harder, and soon she could barely see more than a few feet ahead. To think, that Shepard would dare ask her to forget! After all he had put her through, he expected her to just forget everything and move on? Was that even possible for her? When the war had ended, and so too her dream, it was like her life took a giant leap backward. And now, with it just starting to pick up again, he came back into her life. It was just more than she could deal with today. She strode angrily along, practically steaming from the ears.
Suddenly a low moan sounded not far in front of her. It sounded like a wounded animal—whom are always dangerous when hurt. She crouched down, cautious and ready to fight or flee at a moment's notice. The thick rain obscured her vision and hid all detail, but she could vaguely see a small shape lying in the mud and small rivulets of water in front of her. A sob made its way through, and Liara saw the body twitch. A sob? No animal could cry. Liara was confused; she inched closer for a better look. As she got closer things became clearer: a soaked T-shirt, a familiar pair of sneakers. "No!" Liara exclaimed, shock filling her—she dove to Mali's side. "Mali? Are you ok? Goddess, I knew someone should have gone with her! Mali?" Liara turned her over from her side and pressed her ear to Mali's chest. A slow but strong heartbeat sounded through. Liara cupped Mali's cheeks and gave one of them a few little slaps, her skin was ice cold. "Mali can you hear me?" Liara asked. Mali responded with a bleary-eyed stare; panic coursed through her.
"I have to get you out of this rain." Liara spoke to the semi-conscious Mali. She slid her arms underneath the teen's neck and knees and lifted her up. She could not run carrying her like this, but she went as fast as was possible. Weak and out of it as she was, Mali knew she was being picked up.
"No!" She croaked, "Leave me here!"
"What? Of course not! What are you thinking?" Liara asked, "You could die from cold!"
"Put me down." Mali blearily insisted. "It was all a lie, everything was a lie. I don't want to go back, I want to stay here." Liara walked faster, in the distance she could see lights. She had to get there in time. "Nothing is worth it anymore."
"What was a lie? Mali, what was a lie?" Liara asked, trying to keep her awake. Mali's head lolled groggily, her body was shutting down from cold.
"My life. My entire life." Mali distantly responded, and then she slipped away.