Half-Life: Cat and Mouse
Chapter 9
A few hours later Eraed awoke uncertain what had happened, and why he was lying down. Hadn't he been fighting? How did he get here? He sat up quickly and the world around him swam as it is liable to do to one who has been lying down for long periods of time.
Kyasarin was curled up asleep on the sofa in the other room
Eraed sighed, getting up quickly. He hurried out to the kitchen, but fell silent as he saw Kya sleeping.
"Up already?" Kumiko sat in the shadows, reading a thickly bound novel, "For someone who was that exhausted I expected you to be out the entire night."
Eraed went red, so that's what happened. He had passed out. "I-I'm fine." Was all he could think to say. How stupid was he?
"That's good to hear," Kumiko placed the book carefully back on its shelf, tugging at her pants as she stood. "Everyone else is either sleeping or in their own little world right now...do you want to go for a walk?"
Eraed swallowed, then nodded. "Yeah sure. How do we get outta here? Did he show you?"
"The same way we came in," She replied logically, "Right now he's working on improving the system, some computer babble, so its temporarily down. We can get out easily if we leave now."
Eraed nodded. "Alright."
A shadowed figure sat on a building near by. He had tracked the SU's this far but was unable to pursue any farther, not that it mattered, they would come out soon enough. One by one would be best. He stopped, sensing something. Or two by two...
Ki still sat totally unaware he stopped sensing something, but it hid its' emanations quickly. He shrugged
Probably Kumiko let her mental defense down momentairely after all this... he hoped it was.
Slipping out of the facility unnoticed, undetected, Kumiko led Eraed into the frosty late autumn air. The breeze sent chills down her spine and she smiled darkly, loving the feeling of forbidden contentment. They walked along, through the crowds of mindless soldiers. No one really paid attention, going about performing the duties their government assigned them for life. She sighed.
Eraed liked the cold, it chilled, then the numbness set in. He smiled at Kumiko. "So, how bad was I?" He said laughing. His head pounded slightly, but he ignored it.
The Shadowed figure watched intently.
Late night stroll? He smiled wickedly, one last SU, plus a few other rogue experiments as a bonus.
Kumiko's gaze wavered for a moment, before she shook her head clear.
I need to stop thinking about him! "Not too bad, you didn't gut yourself like I expected."
"Thanks for the faith." He said laughing. "Are you alright?" Eraed looked at her she was pale. He felt a slight filling up, and realized someone was in his mind. He froze. "Did Ki follow us?"
She froze, paling further. "So you felt it too? No...he--"
She paused as the wind screamed louder. "Its...of god I hope its not.."
He grinned. As he jumped from the building fearlessly heading towards them. So close. He came to the ground, kicking Eraed to the side. "Here little SU..."
Kumiko growled, teeth clenched to that she'd keep from screaming. She stared face to face with him, the face that no longer held traces of its deep sympathy and forgiveness. Her form stood stable in the nightly bluster, as she cursed herself for leaving her tonfas inside.
"SU 226 without weapons?" He said laughing. "So unlike your programming." He spat out the last word. He took out own weapons, two long, double sided blades. "Time to play." he lunged at her, going for her throat and abdomen.
"You used to call me Kumiko," She dodged, leaping high into the air, flipping as she did. She didn't want to kill him...why was he doing this to her? "What happened to you!"
She kicked down, knocking one blade from his grip. Taking it for her own, Kumiko stood between him and Eraed, tears welling. "What happened to you Rurik!"
He laughed. "I died." He said simply as he swung at her again. This time more control, more consentration. Feet, now firmly planted on the ground, he did not let up his attack for a moment. He kept swinging as she blocked his blows. He was just warming up, his intense strength knocking her backward.
Eraed was back on his feet again, he was confused and Kumiko's emotions surged through him.
Pain. He struggled to keep control of himself, he had to help, but how?
"I wanted it to be me."
She charged forwards skillfully, now on the offensive.
Kumiko pressed against him, body to body their hilts raging on one another. Not favourable position. Two inhuman creatures, locking in battle. Only the strongest would survive. Kumiko bolted, crashing him into the apartment's wall, knocking Rurik hard in the stomach, though winced not wanting to harm him part of her mind screamed out.
Just kill me now! Only her programming for survival kept her going.
Rurik grinned. He pushed against her weapon with his, knocking her back. He was faster and knew it, making a blow for her side but she blocked it and he caught her on the leg, blood oozing from the new wound. He whirled around, and forced her to block his next blow with two hands, and kicked her square in the stomach. He smashed her against the wall, holding her there. His sword was unfortunately still locked with hers and he could not make a killing blow.
Eraed took his chance, he had brought the dagger Dustin had let him borrow. He hurled himself on the man's back, ripping him off Kumiko with his own strength. Time to use the skill of making people feel. He poured depression into Rurik trying to slow him down, anything, as Rurik threw him off of him and he landed against a building with a sickening
thud
Kumiko slumped there, bleeding deeply from the surprise wound. Bone showed, the slash long and deep. She grimaced, gaping as Eraed infered, gripping her ribs. At least one was broken, still not completely healed from their earlier battle. Tears blurring her gold vision, Kumiko lunged, pinning Rurik and rendering him defenseless as she stripped his weapons.
"Eraed what are you doing?! You're going to get killed!!" She screamed, almost desperately.
I don't want to lose you too..
Rurik clenched his teeth. "I wouldn't worry about your little friend." Rurik kicked her upwards and off of him. He didn't have weapons but he didn't need them. What could she do, kill him? The thought made him laugh. Suddenly he felt a pang of...what? He shook his head, trying to remove it, but it stuch there, bothering him, making him lose some of his concentration. He hurled himself at Kumiko grabbing her hand and the sword in it. He clenched his fist squeezing tightly.
Eraed lifted his head as he heard his name. He blinked back the fog that clouded his vision. He had to help her. He forced himself up, his own depression ebbing out of him and into the man. He got up, and lunged back at the man, only to have a fist come out at him from nowhere. He took it in the stomach, but grabbed the man's hand, trying to at least distract him. Rurik's grip tightened, crushing her fingers.
She screamed, knocking her free fist into his beautifully sculptured nose, rupturing the bones within it. Her fingers jabbed painfully into his eyes, blinding him. His grip loosened, Kumiko freeing herself, left hand impaired. Striking out, her heel impacted with the assaliant's kneecaps, causing Rurik to propel to uncaring cement.
Running at full speed, the SU seized Eraed by his collar, forcing him to his feet. They charged back to their haven.
I hope Dustin has that security back up!
Rurik clenched his fists, and ran after them gaining on the SU.
She half pulled, half dragged Eraed towards the entrance losing strength as it bled a trail around them. Her vision blurred, reaching it just before a hollow buzzing was heard..
Now it was Eraed's turn he lifted Kumiko, and hurried her into Dustin's. Rurik stopped just short of the place. Not wishing to die again, despare gripped him.
Why?
Rurik sighed, self doubt gripping him. He would never make it anyway? What was the use? Even as Rurik thought this he knew the thoughts were not his own but he could not fight them. "Damn you insolent empath!" Rurik roared as he came to a halt.
As a thick, steel door separated them from Rurik, Kumiko's tears streamed down her face. It was the first time she had cried since the day he was killed, one year ago. "Don't..." she whispered, "....forget me...I love.."
It slammed shut, desolate echooing pounding her thoughts. Twenty inches of pure steel alloy separated them, though it seemed like so much more. She held her breath as the bleeding spread.
Ki rushed in to the room hearing her scream,"He died they killed his morality, and love off." he sighed solemnly
just like me he thought.
"Where's Dustin?" Eraed boomed, his voice deep and urgent.
"Shut up Ki," Kumiko snapped with laden fury, she pressed a hand to her open wound keeping silent and fighting sorrow.
Eraed said nothing, but winced as if she had yelled at him. Hadn't she? No, he shook his head, in his pain and frantic demeanor, he had mistaken Ki's emotions for his own. He set Kumiko down, and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around her wound. He felt a coughing fit grip him and wiped blood from his lip, hoping no one noticed. "How are you feeling, Kumiko?"
"Let's see, I've been attacked, bruised, cracked my ribs, been shot, ended up in an explosion and kicked the shit out of all in the last few days," she drawled, allowing him to dress her wound, "Never better."
Eraed smiled despite himself. "Sorry I asked." That hadn't been what he meant, he meant emotionally but he let it go. He already knew anyways. She loved that man who had attacked them.
He finished dressing the wound and stood up. "How about something to drink, huh?" He coughed again and had to swallow blood.
Kyasarin murmured and woke up. She looked at the SUs blearily, "Do you have to be so loud?" She mumbled, then looked at Kumiko's wounds "And so messy? What happened?"
"Nothing. You know how this city is, took a wrong turn an ended up in a turf war with some kids," She lied, rubbing her ribs absently. They would heal in a day or so, but she couldn't keep getting so many hits to her lower body. Or her heart. It was too much. "Eraed, are you alright? You took some pretty bad hits."
"Huh?" Eraed had been lost in thought, thinking about everything he had felt and seen over the last little bit. "Who me? Never better." He lied. "So, something to drink? Open invitation to anyone."
"Water please," That's all she ever had. Kumiko eased droplets of blood that stained her snowy hair, wiping the cut. She sat at the table, observing the makeshift bandage binding her. When would she tell him? About Rurik, about everything? She sighed, shaking her head.
Eraed forced himself out of her heart. He would not spy. He went over getting her a glass of water, he handed it to her. "Anyone else?" He had that same half-smile on again. He smiled at Kumiko. "Hungry? Fighting always makes me hungr-" He coughed again, more blood. Some made it's way onto his lips, but he wiped it away quickly. "Hungry." He smiled again.
"Eraed, sit down and stop trying to make everyone else comfortable." Kumiko put all other thoughts to the back of her mind, glaring. "You aren't well, don't even try to cover it up. I won't believe you."
Eraed winced at her glare. "I was just..." He trailed off, looking like a wounded puppy. He sat down, falling silent.
Her eyes caved in a bit with a sigh, Kumiko rubbing her temples. She sat down beside Eraed, slight smile on her face. "You need to start looking out for yourself too. Now...let me have a look."
He looked at her confused. "At what?"
"At
you to see if you've broken anything!" She snapped, "Wow you can be thick sometimes....N
ow off with the shirt."
Eraed's eyes grew wide, and his ears went red. "But..." After another glare from Kumiko, he sighed. "Alright." he took of his shirt and flinched once despite himself. His arm hurt. He went even more red, and couldn't meet her eyes.
She ran her fingers expertly along his toned skin, gently checking for cracked/bruised ribs as she inspected Eraed's chest. Finding it in fine working condition, she moved on, her hands sliding from shoulder to wrist. Kumiko paused, noting a parital roughness in the upper arm. She pressed with slightly more intensity and frowned. "He cracked the bone, and depending on how badly it is, and how fast you heal it might put you out of order for a while." Kumiko grinned, "Almost everything else seems alright, except for your breathing being a bit uneven."
Eraed tried to hold perfectly still, but a shiver went up his spine as her fingers glided along his skin. "Uh, thanks." He said, his face was very red now, and he found it hard to announciate. He coughed up more blood, but again swallowed it.
She smiled; how could she not? He was always so shy. Nodding, the Saiba-Ukiyo caught sight of red liquid creasing softened corners of his lips. Fresh blood. Eyes narrowing, she wiped it away and looked him over once more. "It may be more serious then I thought."
Her fingers on his lips made his heart stop momentarily. "It's uh, it's fine. Really..." He trailed off, looking anywhere but at her, could he put his shirt on now?
"I'm not so sure. If its internal bleed it could be...serious. Hopefully, you just have a blood clot in your lungs." Kumiko leaned in cautiously, not wanted to embarrass Eraed further. But she had to make that sacrifice to be sure he was truly in one piece. Placing one hand on his good arm, Kumiko pulled herself in, connecting an ear to his chest and listening carefully to his breathing patterns. Her matted silk hair tickled his skin, her acute hearing picking up stifled noises. Separating herself from him, she nodded sheepishly, "I'm pretty sure its only a clot...but if you feel any different we should get you to a hospital. Oh, and you can put your shirt back on now if you'd like."
Eraed swallowed hard and nodded. His face was tomatoe red. He put on his shirt, and didn't meet her eyes. His finger nails had never been more interesting.
Kumiko grinned, shaking her head. "You know...maybe the blood just rushed to your head."
She nearly smacked herself for making the comment. It was wrong to pick on Eraed about such things. On the other hand though..
Eraed grinned. "That might be my most serious problem." He looked around the room, looking for an escape. "So, um...hungry?" Finally her looked up at her, hoping she didn't yell.
"Still trying to make everyone else happy," Kumiko shook her head once more with smile, "I'll find myself something, you take it easy. I don't know how fast you heal."
Rummaging through the fridge, Kumiko called back, "Nice four-pack though."
Eraed's face which had gone back to a shade of pink, quickly reddened. "It came with the package." He mumbled, laughing slightly.
Kumiko grinned, knowing she was enjoyin herself a bit too much with the subject. But it made her happy, even if for only a moment. Her smile always had an undertone of sadness; she sarcastically thanked society for that. Throwing Eraed a coke, she crashed down on the floor and gestured for him to follow her lead.
Eraed nodded, and sat down, if not a little gingerly. He smiled at her, happy to see her happy. He was actually surprised, her emotions a few moments before still hurt him slightly, how could they not hurt her? They did, he knew. Far worse. "Thanks." He said belatedly, gesturing towards the coke.
Ki just stood there swallowing tears until he couldn't take it anymore he went of over to Kumiko,"Just thought you might want to know why he's like that. I would know they used it on me to make me kill my own sister." he half ran out of the room because he knew he thought about his sister too much and he was going to get visions. Visions Eraed didn't need to see again. He flopped down on the bed he'd been sleeping on and cried tears of sorrow and joy. Happy and sad that he finally told someone. He was about to think about it but the visions came and he couldn't.
Eraed sighed looking in after Ki. He looked over at Kumiko as if to apologize and set his coke down, and walked slowly into the room. He put his hand on Ki's shoulder. "It's alright."
Ki looked him in the eyes,"They made me kill her..." he really had never told anyone ever.
"The Necromancer's have done horrible things. I am so sorry you had to be a victim of that. But they killed your sister not you. You know that right?" He looked down at Ki, wondering if he should hug the boy.
"Worst part is, they proggramed me with a perefect memory I remember it all."
Kumiko watched from a distance, always from a distance. She felt something twinge inside of her. Guilt maybe? "At least you were under their control when it happened," she shook her head, "I was always in the right state of mind when I killed..."
15 years old, with the blood of many, Kumiko flamed uncontrollably, barraging the twin steel doors. Her white hair was stained strawberry, features twisted by rage and corruption. Insanity twined the face of one so young.
"You..killed..him!!" She screamed tearing the place apart. Her over grown nails were claws, digging into the features of her creators. "YOU KILLED HIM YOU BASTARDS!!!"
It took ten minutes before the floor flooded red. Up to her ankles in the viscous liquid, she licked the blood of her enemies savoring the taste like the savage she was.
Kumiko then sunk to her knees, splashing a nearby corpse. "They took him from me..."
Shaking visibly, griefstricken, SU226 lie dormant in the red river, drowning all sanity that remained...
Her eyes watered, as she turned to leave. She missed him so much. And now, seeing his face again, she missed him even more..
Eraed blinked back tears for a man he had never loved. He shuddered violently. HIs heart was torn, he longed to go and comfort Kumiko, but the boy obviously needed it. He sighed, and hugged Ki. "It'll be alright, we will make them pay for their crimes." He turned looking out at Kumiko. "All of their crimes."
"Death is such a complicated business...I've caused enough." he smiled at Eraed.
Eraed sighed. "Death, is perhaps, not the worst punishment." He winked at Ki. "Come on, lets get you something to eat."
"Thanks." Ki heard Kumiko's thoughts. He projected a thought to hopefully to Eraed Help her she needs it.
Eraed nodding, wishing suddenly he could send thoughts in stead of just recieve. "I know. Come on, though. We'll all eat." He got up, and gave Ki his hand, then remembered quickly and gave him his other hand.
Kumiko looked at them oddly, sensing the thought exchange and projecting herself to catch a bit of Ki-Rule's. Help her. That's all she had caught. Shifting nervously, a thought occured to her. Kumiko didn't want to be a handicap to anyone. Especially not Eraed, she was causing him enough pain, she knew, but couldn't stop herself. She cared for him, but by doing so her pleasure was his pain. The floorboards suddenly became a beautiful thing.
Eraed came out with Ki. "They aren't that nice." He said laughing, gesturing to Kumiko's apparent interest in the floor boards. "I was gunna get Ki something to eat, and myself as well, join us?" He asked, smiling at her.
Kumiko nodded meekly. She wouldn't burden them with her troubles anymore tonight. Rurik's image crossed her mind and she quickly stomped it away. Not now. She was silent, still staring at the floor, trudging once more to the table.
Eraed grabbed something quick from the fridge. "There we are." He nodded, he went over and grabbed his coke from the floor, and got Ki one. He made sure Kumiko had water and then sat down. He was about to ask how everyone was out of habit then stopped himself after a small silence he looked up. "So...how 'bout them blue jays, eh?" He said in his most Canadian, hick voice.
Ki looked at him like he just spoke Japanese and said,"You keep talking like that and I'll start talking like an Israelly."
Eraed laughed. "I actually used to talk like that. I guess england has changed that a bit, eh?" He smiled. "Sorry, had to break the silence with something better than, how is everyone?" He gave a half smile, sighing a little.
"And people say I'm asking obvious questions...Nim'aslie." he said the last half a little Hebrew.
Eraed glanced over at Kumiko, longing to see her laugh again. He wished he knew how. He sighed, and became very interested in his food. Suddenly, he coughed involuntarily, turning from the table and swallowed blood again. If he kept this up he would make himself sick. He wiped his mouth.
Again Kumiko looked sharply at him with the gurgling noise. More blood. She could smell it. Such a familar scent. Frowning, she stood quickly, nearly knocking the chair aside. Kumiko began pulling Eraed by the arm, "You're going to the hospital right now."
Eraed grimanced painfully. Not the arm! He said nothing though. "I am fine, really. I don't need to go to a hospital." He tried to make a joke out of it, half laughing as if she was over reacting.
"No you're going even if I have to carry you my self." he paused,"Where's Dustin." he looked around.
Kumiko shoved Eraed up against the wall, meeting his eye with a hard glare. "You're going. We don't want anything to happen to you. I don't want anything to happen. So just please go. We'll find a way to get you there will out being ....ambushed."
Eraed flinched and his stomach knotted. How could he say no to that? He sighed. "Alright, I'll go, but, they'll just tell you nothing's wrong. 'Cept my arm, which you have already said." He looked into her eyes, and saw the pain as she said ambush. Why had she lied? Why couldn't he make that pain go away? He realized with a pang he could. He shook his head, it wasn't right. He nodded once. "I'll go, alright?"
Relief overtook a portion of the stress on Kumiko's sullen face as she touched his kindly. Thank you. She projected the thought, then hesitated for a moment. Bringing her arms around Eraed's waist she succumbed to embrace. "Don't lie," she said soothingly, "You know something's wrong. They'll find out what. Humans are still good for something you know."
Eraed gulped, butterflies overtaking his stomach. "I, um..." He went slightly red. "It's just a clot, like you said." He fumbled.
"Hmm, leave it to you to underestimate a situtation." Kumiko released him, and began looking around for Dustin, knowing he was the only one who could get them there safely. You have to stop doing that, her mind chastised Kumiko, No matter how good your intentions are.
Eraed sighed, realizing he had been holding his breath. He caught part of her thought, something about good intentions. He sighed, why did he have to like her? He scolded himself. She is your friend, Friend. "How about I just go, it will be safer, and no one else will be endanger. I am sure the depression and self doubt would have worn off by now." He gulped, wincing, He had to learn to keep his mouth shut. Ambush, he scolded himself again. Keep with the story. Plus he realized, they didn't know he could make people feel things. He would rather it stayed that way.
"No, you're not going alone. It's too dangerous and we need to find a safe way out anyways." Kumiko ducked back in the room, untying her bandage. It had healed smoothly. She pulled him into a corner where none of the others could hear. " What are you talking about? Depression? Self-Doubt? Mind explaining Eraed?"
"Yes." Eraed said. "I do mind." He sighed, looking at her. "Alright, but you can't be mad, and you can't suspect me for things, because you have to know I would never use it on my friends. I just found out about it when we did that search thing, but..." He sighed, looking at her pleadingly. "Not only can I feel other people's emotions I can make people feel my emotions. Or...well I can make them feel anything actually, but so far I have only figured out how to transfer my emotions to others, but I lose them in the process. When um...Rurik, was attacking us I used the only defensive power I had. It is why he didn't pursue us, he doubted he would make it anyways, its why he was so slow to do things, he doubted himself first." He shrugged. "I had to help..."
"It's alright, I'm not mad," she sighed, leaning against the wall. A thought suddenly occurred to her. It was wrong to ask, but she had to. It was something she had to know. "If you could make him feel that, could you...could you make me forget? Could you make me...happy again?"
But that wasn't what she wanted most, but that was something Eraed didn't need to know. she barricaded her mind. Could he make Rurik love me again?
"Make you forget him?" Eraed shook his head. "I am afraid not. That's not an emotion. I could make you not love him, but I don't think you want that, or that I would-" He coughed again, wiping his lips. "I don't think that's a good idea..." He trailed off. She had no idea how much he wished he could help her.
"So that's who I sensed." said Ki musing aloud.
Kumiko looked over defensively. Damn that kid and his telepathy. Sometimes it was irritatingbeing around those like her. It was hard to keep a secret. She sighed, while they were waiting for Dustin to set up a safe escape for them she might as well just tell them. "His name was Rurik," Kumiko started slowly, "It's NecroS1 now. The prototype. I knew him once...but things are different now...We have to kill him. He knows where we are."
Eraed sighed, knowing how much this was killing her, to take that away...He shook his head, No. Eraed just nodded once. He took her hand and squeezed it gently, reassuringly, then let it go. He pulled himself back into the room with a sigh.
Kumiko looked at her hand a moment. Warm to the touch. She shook her head and went to gather some gauge to find Eraed's splintered arm. What was taking Dustin so long?
Eraed sat down, and took a look at his arm. He sighed, why did he always have to get hurt? Eraed looked around the room, looking for something to occupy the time. Perhaps he would just go to the hospital and be done with it. He turned around looking to see if Kumiko was around.
She came to the room, immediately banadaging his arm. Grabbing one of Dustin's jackets she threw it to him. "Put this on. Dustin left instruction in his bedroom about how to get out safely. He's probably somewhere in his shadow form right now with our luck. Let's go, its almost midnight."
Eraed sighed, can't escape that one for a minute. "It would be safer if I just went you know." He said posing the idea again, as he hurried out after her.
Kyasarin groaned and fell back asleep, once the exhaustion hit her it took hours of sleep to get her back to herself
"Not an option," she replied as they left the others alone.
They took the shortest route, though it seemed to take hours. After being tracked through bus cameras a first time, they didn't risk it happening once more. Kumiko and Eraed roamed the streets of London cautiously, avoiding dark alleys where enemies may lay.
Eraed sighed. "Why don't you run on ahead, get yerself out of the danger and all come along behind you?" He tried again, glancing behind him.
Dustin dragged himself out of the shadows and into the path of Eraed and Kumiko. He collapsed to the ground, blood spilling out of his head and mouth. "Its not safe... we're... we're.. going to be the end... recent events show... more attacks on street roamers... some force... death to the freaks." He lost consiousness.
Kyasarin grumbled and hauled herself up off the sofa, She couldn't sleep properly now. She moved over to her laptop, perhaps she could track down who had attacked the SUs through the CCTV footage. As she called up the footage the live feed streamed onto the monitor, she barely paid any attention except for one street nearby where she spotted Kumiko and Eraed, with a bleeding body before them. She quickly blocked the feed, putting on a loop of empty street, slamming the laptop shut and racing after the SUs
Eraed jumped back as Dustin came out of the shadows. "Holy Christ!" He breathed. He picked Dustin up, and twinged at the pain in his arm. "Come on, lets get out of here, we have to get him to the hospital. If he is concious, he can heal himself." Eraed didn't wait, but started running, knowing Kumiko would follow him. The pain in his knee slowed him but he ignored it.
Rurik smiled a twisted grin. They were back. So soon? He hadn't expected that. He hurled himself from roof top to roof top waiting to take them. He could easily pick off the boy, but SU 226 would be more difficult.
Kyasarin looked up sharply, hearing a noise above her. She pulled her gun from it's holster "Go now! Get him to out of here!" She ordered the SUs as she pointed the gun upwards, scanning the roofs intently her pale eyes taking in every detail.
Dustins eyelid flickered. Then his entire body burst into Blue flame. The blood hardened and fell off, the wounds healed. Opening his eyes fully Dustin forced himself out of Eraed's arms. "Nice to know someone cares for me" He spat out some blood onto the floor, where it instantly congealed. He looked up and saw a pair of eyes above the roof tops. "We meet again" He placed both his katana onto wrist bangels and prepared for a fight.
"Hey Dustin, hate to be a pain, but...can you heal internal bleeding." Eraed swallowed more blood. He was definitely going to be sick.
Rurik grinned. So they wanted more did they? He threw himself from the building allowing himself to free fall. He landed next to Kya, and kicked her feet from under her, grabbing one of the guns as it flew from her hand. "Play nice now little Techno Mutation."
Kyasarin immediately flipped up to her feed, and kicked Rurik in the chest, "Oh I'm always nice." She replied, as she spun around aiming a kick at his kneecap
Rurik grabbed her foot and hurled her against the building. "No more games, I have had it with you freaks. If you believe in a god, I suggest you get praying. You'll be meeting him soon." He flipped towards Dustin catching him in the side with his boot, then he aimed the gun at SU 226.
Dustin hit the concrete hard. He jumped up, and placed a single, ultra sharp blade underneath Rurick's throat. With the other he sliced the gun in two. Then he cast blue flames over Eraed, healing him to perfect health, but when it had finished, the flames did not disappear. Then he cast blue flames on everyone else except for Rurick. "You may have some trouble winning this time" He said, smiling sardonically. "You see, under normal circumstances, we would seem to be an easy pick, but, concidering you beat me one before, these are not normal. Are they"
Kyasarin got to her feet slightly disoriented, one minute she had been winded and possible with a broken rib, the next she was fine. She pulled a dagger from her boot and threw it in Rurik's direction, pinning it in his shoulder
Rurik Kicked Dustin in the chest, the blade going back with him. He ripped the dagger from his shoulder and hurled it back at her, aiming for her heart. He hurled himself at Dustin, taking out his swords he block Dustin's blow and hurled him backwards, then took his sword and made blow at his side.
Rurick's blade left a deep gash In Dustin's side. Blood began to pour from the wound. But as soon as he stood up, the flames healed it. "Is that the best you can do? I remeber you used to be one of us Rurick. You had feelings, friends, and you where nice. But now, you at you. You have more augmentations than us lot put together." Dustin began to swirl his blades, then he lunged forward, cutting open Ruricks stomache, then with the other wrist blade, he cleaved at his head.
Ki saw the fight going on clearly in his head. Enough he thought and left the place carefully avoiding the traps he flew to a nearby roof top. He waited Now! Dustin had there blades interlocked he fired a stream of ice,fire, and wind just like to the agent. Rurik froze unable to move except just a little he threw a dagger at Ki. Ki hadn't suspected it since he was holding him immobile the dagger plunged into his stomach. Can't stop holding him Ki pulled the dagger out and, put in on the ground still holding Rurik immobile. He fell to his knees gasping for breath and clutching his wound.
Kyasarin crumpled to the floor as the dagger connected with her chest, she pressed her hands to her wound to try and stop the blood pouring out
Dustin saw the ice grip Rurick, then e saw Kyasarin fall to the ground. He stopped flailling his weapons and ran to her. "Hay, look at me" He held her head up, her eyes where crossed. He forced more blue flame onto her body, making the wound heal. He then turned back to Rurick, but as he did, his body convulsed and he fell to the ground in a fit.
As it subsided he began to climb to his feet. He knew what had happened. "NEVER HURT MY FRIENDS!" He screamed. He ran at Rurick twisting and weaving around him, spinning his blades. He made a lethal jab to the back of his head.
"Nice...shot." whispered Ki. He realized he had the wound,"Shit." he said then fell to the ground clutching his wound.
Rurik finally broke from the boys trap, just in time to block Dustin's sword. He used his strength to knock Dustin back then hurled himself into the air. "I would love to stay but I must get back and heal this wound, not good to fight on an empty stomach after all." With that he flitted off through the buildings, and made his way back to head quarters. It was SU 226 he was after, he would do best to get her alone.
Eraed sighed, his head hurting from the strain of what he had tried to do. He told no one and remained silent. "The boy his hurt Dustin, he has a stomach wound." Was all he could say, he hurried over to Kya. "You alright?" She had lost alot of blood even if the wound had healed.
Dustin looked up to the top of a building and saw the kid. "Leave her Eread I will help her in a minute" He ran to the building, planting a foot on the glass window and forcing himself up. As he passed the kid, he grabbed him, falling back down to earth he began to glow blue, windows breaking, as he sped past. he grabbed Eraed and, Kumiko and Kyasarin as he flew past them he soared up, then plummeted they hit the concrete, but disappeared. When they re-emerged they where at the beach. He put Them all down, then bent over Kyasarin. "Remember that energy i told you about?"
Kyasarin nodded woozily, she was finding it hard to keep concentrating "Y-yeah," she mumbled
"Good, then i want you to take some of mine." He pulled out a dagger and cut open his hand, letting the blood drip. he placed it on Kyasarin's chest, letting the blood run over her heart. "Just feel the energy in it. Then feel the energy going into your body. Hang with us a bit" He smiled at her. "Come on." He let power run down his own arms, then forced it into her chest.
Kumiko sat in silence. With all of the others fighting she'd made it through unscathed. But that wasn't why she hadn't fought. Something had taken over her, something that left her frozen as the others moved about risking their being. She hung her head, looking back in Rurik's direction. Could she kill him? Kumiko sighed in frustration, watching the exchange between Dustin and Kyasarin. Eraed was still choking, deep in his chest. She could hear it, knowing his condition was fading. Ki had been injured. She'd let an eleven year old fight in her place. Her hard eyes filled in shame. "Is everyone...ok?"
Eraed turned. And whispered so only she could hear. "The question is, are you?"
"We will be. Kyasarin should be if this works" Dustin turned back to her and placed an ear to kyasarin's chest, listening for a heart beat. "Its slowing, her heart beat is slowing down" A tear ran down his cheak. There was only one thing he had left. He lowerd his face to hers, sealing his lips over her's and breathed out letting parts of his life seep into Kyasarin's. He pulled away, then placed his hand on her heart again. "Its becoming stable again" He breathed a sigh of reliefe, then collapsed next to her.
Kumiko's spine chilled at Dustin's question, one she did not know the answer too. But her problems were not of the greatest importance at that moment. She bolted up Dustin's side, taking his pulse. What had he done? Given part of his life to her? She recalled seeing their lips connect, the momentary bliss and serenity surrounding them. Her mind grew dark, knowning such tranquility, such love, could never be hers again. Kumiko pulled Dustin's upper body onto her lap. So like SU118 he was; the same eyes, the same soul. She sighed.
Eraed sighed. She had ignored him, but then, he had expected it. He went over to Kya, seeing there was nothing he could do for Dustin. He coughed, but held it down. The last thing they needed was another injured person.
"How are you holding up Eraed?" She hoisted Dustin over her shoulder, an odd looking image with her build. She grabbed Ki-Rule with her free arm; they had to get to the hospital. With so many out of commision, Rurik would have them cooked. Luckily he was injured as well. He never liked pain..
"I am fine, all healed." He said lying. HIs arm and knee were fine now, but the internal bleeding, if thats what it was, was not. He picked up Kya. "I'll take Ki, it's easy for me." He looked up at her, pleading her to just let him.
"Eraed...god, you aren't well." She handed him the child reluctantly. "I could easily carry him you know...just so you could stop bleeding so much."
"Ahh, I'm fine. No worries." He gave her a half smile, knowing she could see right through him. How did she do that? No one else ever could except his sister. He sighed. "Come on."
"You can stop lying," she murmured and pushed ahead, leaping onto the nearest building top. She headed towards the community hopspital. They'd have to be careful there. It was owned by the Necromancers; just like everything else.
Eraed sighed and hurried after her. He had never been able to 'leap'. They soon made it there and he stopped outside. "Alright, what's our story, I think most of our wounds are healed enough to come up with something believable."
"Why not give them what they want?" She smirked, "Attacked by rogue experiments."
Eraed laughed despite himself. "Alright, lead the way My Lady." he said in his most chivilary tone.
Hardly anyone paid attention to them as they were hushed into the overcrowded waiting room, the nurses taking Ki-Rule and Kyasarin to the emergency room. Kumiko had taken Dustin down from his resting place, leaning him between her and Eraed. So she wouldn't look suspicious; appearacne was everything there. Upon entrance Kumiko sensed at least one more experiment. She guessed it was the young pregnant woman having a miscarriage in the middle of the floor. Taking a seat, she tried not to touch anything. Nothing was sterile. Ironic, a place of health so blanketed in sickness.
Eraed sighed, sitting down wearily. He coughed, but tried to hide it from Kumiko. The emotions in this place blocked out his ability to do anything with his powers which was good. Thoughts and emotions flooded through them, and he let them pass not risking using the energy to stop them. He was feeling very tired. He looked over, that woman was loosing her father, that little boy over there couldn't stop throwing up. He sighed, he hated public places.
Kumiko glanced towards him worriedly. This was her fault. Everything always was. She was stupid to suggest taking a walk when the prototype was nearby. And she had know Rurik was there; she had seen him as they climbed into the new livingspace and said nothing. It's my fault.
Her fist clenched, Kumiko storming up to the receptionist's desk.
"Hello?!" She pounded on the glass, careful not to break it. "Hello! We need to see a doctor out here!"
"Join the club honey," she replied, through the circular steel screen, "You see him when you see him."
"You don't get it! My friend has internal bleeding. Do you know what that is? Fatal! Tell the doctor to get his ass down here!"
Eraed stood up blushing. "Kumiko, calm down, it's alright. The doctors are busy, they'll see us when they can." He coughed again, wiping blood from his lips.
"You see!" She grabbed Eraed's sleeve and dragged him forwards. "They aren't that busy!"
The receptionist stared at her boredly, flipping a page in her magazine. "Get him a glass of water hun, he'll be fine."
Kumiko stood there, flaberghasted. How could she deny him, how could she deny any of them. There were people throwing up blood while those with bruises were in seeking help. Out of frustration, she slammed the window once more. "That's not good enough!"
It shattered on impact, silencing all but the miscarriaging teen.
Eraed winced. "Kumiko, come on. It's fine." He gritted his teeth. "You have to fix those desks ma'am, they are set in such a way that a small impact can cause a terrible vibration. With that glass there it is very dangerous." He shook his head. "My dad is an engineer, perhaps he could do something about that. Here is his card." he handed her a small card. "We will just wait silently over here. I am sorry for the disturbance, my sister doesn't know when to keep her temper." He said looking at kumiko warningly, his eyes flashing. "Sorry for the trouble, you have a nice-" He coughed again. "Day, Ma'am." He dragged Kumiko back to her seat.
"You need to see a doctor," she grumbled, pulling from his grip as she sat once more. "I fostered a little girl along time ago. She was only about six, a homeless kid. She died of internal bleeding."
Eraed sighed. "I am not six, and I am fine. Just calm down." Besides he thought, if I die, I die. He sighed slightly, waiting. "We can't afford to draw attention to ourselves, especially with all these innocent people around." He whispered.
Ki walked in to the room half-smiling out of light headedness,"Hi Kumiko." he sat down. "Give this to Eraed." he handed her a vile,"It'll help. I don't know if it'll cure him."
he sighed.
"I'm fine." He growled. Why did everyone have to fuss over him? He hated this, being the one everyone had to 'look after'.
"Don't try that. Remember when I met you I acted like "I'm mister loner don't need anyone." and I have news for you, I look back and think of myself as a total fool for acting that way." he said.
"Thanks for that kid." Eraed said harshly. He was loosing grip of himself. The world seemed to grow foggy and he fought it off. "Sorry, I just...really there is no need to fuss. I'm doing fine, if it is internal bleeding it's minor." He sighed, and watched his vision blur again. So much for minor.
"Your eyes are out of wack. So stop." he said in a level tone.
Eraed blocked out his mind hurriedly. "Stay outta my head Ki. I mean it." He glared at him, his eyes flashing again. What was wrong with him? This wasn't like him.
"Your pupils are uneven, I can't read eyes through minds anyway." he replied his voice still totally level.
Eraed tried to shake his head clear, his vision blurring again. His voice sounded far away. He blinked a few times, but his vision only blurred further, and then the world went dark.
Kyasarin blinked and opened her eyes, she quinted - it was white everywhere. Propping herself up on one elbow she saw she was lying on a crash cart, covered by a thin blanket. She pushed her hair back from her face and opened her eyes fully - she was in a curtained off area. "Why am I here?" She mumbled, then it came flooding back to her. She moved to get out of bed, but felt something pull her back - the drip. With a slight wince she pulled it out of her arm and slid out of bed, tottering slightly on her shaking legs.
A team of nursed wheeled into the room, chastising her for getting up. "After an attack by those things you're lucky to be alive!" The head nurse fumbled with the I.V, sticking it into the arm of another patient.
They lay Dustin down in the bed beside her.
"About time!" Kumiko growled, helping the doctor to cart the unconscious Eraed to the next floor, Ki-Rule in tow. "The service here sucks."
Kyasarin moved to sit by Dustin's bed and took his hand, absent mindedly interlocking her fingers with his "Thank you..." She whispered, "God that doesn't sound enough," She sighed, "But really... thank you Dustin."
Now that Eraed was unconcious he faded fast as the Doctors worked on him frantically.
A woman ran through the streets with a small child in her arms. A shadow flitted near her right, and she ran faster, rearing to her left. She had to hurry, they would come for her and kill the child. She rushed through the streets and saw the shadowed figure coming for her. She lay the always silent child on the door step of the Orphanage and ran.
She was cut down in the streets, but the child escaped from the figure, as a young man came out and took the child, looking around. No one.
The figure stood in the shadows cursing.
Kumiko watched the movements of fluttering underneath Eraed's eyelids. At least it told her he was still alive. His breathing was paced slowly; too slow. She tried to block the strangling sounds of air and blood from her mind.
"I'm not so sure. If its internal bleed it could be...serious. Hopefully, you just have a blood clot in your lungs."
She'd told him that even though she had known. Why? Not to worry him? Maybe. Her pushed back strands of stained rusty hair and sighed. Anxiety held her prisoner, all that she hoped was that he would wake up. Eraed had been the first person Kumiko had held since Rurik's death. The first one she could talk to; trust. Watching the rise and fall of his chest she heard the sound of a familiar song in the back of her mind.
".....So tell that someone that you love
Just what you're thinking of
If tomorrow never comes'
Kumiko swallowed hard. The song she and Eraed had listened to after returning from the nightclub. Why was she remembering it now. Her eyes closed in thought just as a male nurse entered the room.
Eraed was rolled out of the room and into surgery. A young looking doctor came over to Kumiko. "You brought the boy in?"
"Yeah. How is he?"
The doctor nodded remaining silent for a long time. "He has internal bleeding." he looked at her, sadness in his eyes, yet his voice was calm. "It does not look good. He has been taken into surgery, they want to try and stop the bleeding that way. That's all we know right now." He waited letting the news sink in. "Miss, we will have you escorted to a waiting room in the surgery wing. Your his...sister, then?" He asked looking at her skeptically.
"Shit," Kumiko ran her fingers through her hair again, sure to tear it from the roots. Her hands shook. She'd lost so many...not him. She couldn't lose him too. It's not fair... She glared at the doctore defiantly. "Yeah, adopted. And I'm not going."
"But Miss, he will be in the surgery wing, he is being taken there as we speak, do you not want to be there?" He shook his head not understanding. "And where are your parents, there are a few forms we need filled out, about allergies and that, you understand."
"No I don't want to be in the damn waiting room. I want to be in the surgery room. Right there with him, do you understand that?" She glared, then lied, "They're out of town. In Japan. I'll fill them out."
The Doctor sighed. "Miss, I assure you he is being well cared for, and the doctors can do a much better job if you stay in the waiting room, besides I don't think that is any place for you to be." He didn't go into the fact that seeing her brothers insides may not be the best idea. "That's fine, come along to the waiting room and fill out the forms."
"I have a strong stomach," She retorted stubbornly, standing her ground. Kumiko stared at him with yellow eyes. He had no idea she'd once ripped the limbs from a man just to hear him scream. "They'll do a good job no matter where I am. you want the forms filled out? Let me do them in surgery."
The doctor sighed. "If you don't fill out thr forms there won't be a surgery. We have to have the information before we put him under. I know your worried about your brother Miss, but let me be frank, He is dying. We are trying to save his life, each moment you sit here, is a moment it becomes harder to do that. Now please, follow me down to the waiting room to fill out the forms." He turned, no longer waiting. And headed toward the surgery wing.
Kumiko growled. Damn humans and their paperwork. Only hearing that Eraed was actually dying made her move. She shoved past the docter, nearly knocking him into a wall. She ran. Down the hall. Past all of the patients fading, screaming. All around her. She blocked out the sound, darting for the swinging doors up ahead.
And there he was.
Lying there, half covered in white sheets to give false colour to his cheeks, was Eraed. She stood, leaning on the glass that separated them. Tracing his outline with blood-dried fingers, she felt a tear escape onto the sill.
He's dying.
The doctor's words echooed in her conscienceness. She watched for a moment longer as the frantic medical man caught up to her. Scientists playing God brought us into this world, she thought as the tears sheared all calmness, Another scientist is going to stand between the chance if bringing you back. A monster, a lifesaver.
She pinched the skin at the bridge of her nose and sniffled, allowing the docter to lead her into the waiting room. "GIVE ME THOSE DAMN FORMS! NOW!"
The man hurried off, actually scared. He brought back the forms with a pen. "Thank you for your cooperation Miss, when your done, give them too one of the nurses over there." With that he hurried off toward the surgery room.
Glaring, Kumiko ignored the others around her, not caring if they were here for similar reasons. She filled out all the forms with phony information as quickly as possible and threw them at the nurses. "There's people dying in there and you want fricken PAPERWORK!" Kumiko screamed, knocking a chair, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
"Well, Miss." Said the older Lady. "We can't put him under until we know if he is allergic to anything, otherwise he could die. We try to reduce suck accidents with this paper work." He hurriedly sent the forms to where they needed to be. "Now sit down miss, and please try to be calm, all your doing is making a scene, and distressing the other people. Just sit down in your seat and a Doctor will be out when he can. Thank you." With that she turned to help the man beside Kumiko.
"If everyone else wasn't brainwashed by this fricken system they'd be yelling to!" She shouted, "You really think they care about it either when their friends are dying!?!"
She clenched a fist, still standing in the middle of the room. If they killed him, she'd make sure they paid in blood. All of them.
"Miss, please sit down, your distressing others. Hopefully no one is dying. But God works in mysterious ways. Now please, Miss sit down." Her voice became firm for a moment. Then she sighed. "This out burst isn't helping your friend, what would they think?" She looked at her a moment, then gestured toward the chairs. "Please take a seat."
"Well he IS dying!" She threw another chair, this time down the hall before taking a seat. Do I even have a soul? Does He ever look after me? Does He care? Man created her, she was brought into the world without God's consent. Did she still have his grace? I can only hope. For Eraed's sake...
"Please sit down Miss." The nurse said tiredly.
"Shut-up, I am sitting already." She hissed, breathing out heavily, "Dumbass."
4 hours later a Doctor came out to her, slightly scared. "Miss? You came in with the boy names...Eraed?" When she nodded he continued. "You'll be pleased to know, he made it through the surgery fine, and is now sleeping in a room. Would you like to be taken to him?" He asked gingerly.
Kumiko lept out of her sleepy state...nearly through the celing. When the others stared at her, she shrugged, shoving the doctor ahead.
"Alright, come along this way Miss." He took her to the door of a room labeled. 308. "He is in there, just go and sit down, we'll sign you in and allow you to stay the night as if you life. Since your family we can sign you in as a guest rather than a visitor. How does that sound?" He was a short, elderly Doctor and he had a kind smile.
"That sounds perfect," She smiled back, relieved. And to think I would have had to kill him. She followed and sat at the bedside, gripping Eraed's hand. It was warm. The colour had returned to his face as well. Her smile broadened. She hadn't lost him afterall.
The man nodded, and closed the door. poor kid, what she must have been through, attacked by those experiments. He shook his head, I guess its true what the government says about them being killers. And he had always had his doubts.
Eraed's eyelids flickered as joy flowed through him. His joy? Somehow he doubted it. His eyelids opened reluctantly, as the anestetic wore off. "Kumiko?" He still couldn't see anything his vision blurred from sleep, but he knew that presence. He smiled, small, but still a smile.
Kumiko smiled infectiously at the sound of his voice. Saying her name. She squeezed his hand. "I told you it was serious. Idiot."
he closed his eyes, a smirk crawling over his face. "Well I am fine now." He said sarcastically, but jokingly. "Miss me?" he asked, half laughing, but his voice was still thin.
Such a simple question. Yet it held so much meaning. Kumiko's eyes watered, she'd been crying so much lately. She whispered, "More then you know."
The butterflies in Eraed's stomach did back flips. The smile on his face disappeared then widened, then he got it under control again. "Well I sure missed you." he added into the silence. "I mean, I went hours without blushing, I was starting to get worried." He said jokingly, his voice still thin.
She laughed aloud, it was so good to hear his voice again. Even if it was raspy. She hugged him briskly, still grinning. He didn't have to use his powers to make her happy. It happened naturally.
He grinned. "There's that beautiful smile I remember." He said laughing. He sighed a moment, feeling tired, but quickly stifled it. "So, what did you do while I was wisked away into those little rooms? You know when your on the other side, you think they must be awefully exciting, but they are just white, same as the rest of the place." He grinned, looking at her, waiting for her response.
"Fought with the doctor, scared the nurses, threw some chairs, made a scene; the usual." She gestured casually with a grin.
Eraed sighed playfully. "We'll have to work on they, eh?" He smiled at her. "You have to learn to control that temper of yours. After all, if we are gunna be together," he stopped himself his ears going red. "I m-mean like hang out together, and live work together..." He trailed off, trying to remember what he was trying to say. "Then um, I am probably going to annoy you, so you'll have to learn to control yer temper." He finished finally. His face was pink now.
Be together? Kumiko's face grew warmer. But...she shook the thought of him from her mind. She didn't want to think of Rurik now. Not ever again. Sighing, she grinned and shook her head, "Well you'll just have to learn not to annoy me then, won't you? Or get very good at dodging things..."
Eraed looked down at himself. "Well we both know I am not good at dodging things, and I annoy everyone. You wait and see." He smiled at her, glad she hadn't commented on his blunder. "Nope, it's your temper that has to go." He said laughing slightly. "Although not too much, I wouldn't want to change you, I think I like you just this way." He nodded once, confirming this thought.
"You'll get better. Living with me will definately give you practice." She winked with a soft laugh, "Wouldn't want to change me? You see how much you regret that the first time you piss me off."
She paused, ruffling his hair, "And you know you don't annoy everyone. I do a better job with that."
Eraed shook his head. "You don't annoy me, and I doubt you could do anything to make me want to change you. I am the kinda guy that would sit and watch as a man took my wife, and my lively hood, everything I had, then shake his hand when it was over and congradulate him." Eraed couldn't help but laugh at himself, realizing just how true that statement was.
Kumiko smiled, a tad sadly. She and Eraed were so different, yet she admired him for being the way he was. "I doubt it, if it actually came down to it," she decided to take the risk and add, "I saw the look in your eyes when..Rurik came after me the first time."
Eraed's stomach felt like it had fallen into his knees. She knew. He felt like hitting himself. Of course she knew!. He gulped, his face going tomatoe red. "I um...well, I mean..." He looked around the room, anywhere but at her. "I couldn't just let him hurt you..." He mumbled finally.
"Of course," Her smile hinted understanding, golden oculars gazing at the window beside them. It was nearly dawn. "First light."
He looked over, thankful for the interruption. "Yeah..." He turned back to see her gazing out into the rising sun. "Beautiful ain't it?" He was still looking at her, despite himself.
Ki moved quickly to the room where death records where kept. He found his family's file Dead bull they were killed and expiremented on. he stole back out in to the hallway ready to cry. He found Eraed's room didn't take long he found his thoughts. Kumiko was talking with him they stopped probably knew he was there.
"Hey your awake! You should've listened." he wagged his finger jokingly. Then he sat down and covered his face in his hands.
Eraed turned quickly to see Ki. "Hey, how are you feeling?" He asked, his voice was thin, but sounded more his own. He blocked his thoughts quickly. God he was tired. He sighed, he hated this, why couldn't he just have privacy. But he couldn't trust Ki to stay out of his head, not that it mattered, if Kumiko could tell what he was thinking without Telepathy, so could Ki.
Eraed turned back to Kumiko, smling.
Kumiko turned to acknowledge Ki, eyes softened by the gentle daylight. It was just past 6 AM. She leaned against the sill, the metal's coolness soothing her. Out of the corner of her sights she caught Eraed's gaze and smiled.
Eraed nodded once, then lay back his head, not to sleep, but just so he didn't have to strain as much. "It is going to be a beautiful day." He said to break the silence.
"I hope so," Kumiko moved away from the sun and closer to Eraed. I hope it will be...
Half-Life
Stumble!