Enter Harley Kinomoto

[Scarlette]

Chptr 1: The Scar

Harley: Mama! Ikimashou! Haiyaku, haiyaku! (Mama! Let’s go! Hurry, hurry!)

Mother: Hai, hai. Chotto matte ne. (Okay, okay. Just wait up, okay?)

The little 5 year-old Harley Kinomoto is anxious as she scurries about hand-in-hand with her mother, Sayaka Kinomoto. Out for a walk & a delightful picnic in the mountains, she kneels down to her daughter to calm her energetic hopping & cheering.

Sayaka Kinomoto: Chichi wa doko ni iru ka. (Do you know where your father is?)

Harley: Soko ni! (Over there!)

Sayaka: Eh. (Huh?)

Sayaka follows Harley’s little finger pointing toward the long horizon of the Desert of the Dead. Sayaka immediately stops. Her smile is quickly replaced with a look of shock as she slowly stands as if to avoid alerting their position.

Sayaka: Maseka... (This can’t be...)

Harley begins to squirm & stomps.

Harley: Mama, nani mo. (Mama, what is it?)

Snapping out of her shock, she shakes her head & kneels down to Harley again, looking her square in the face.

Sayaka: Harley Kinomoto, return to your aunt & uncle.

Harley looks back to see the car & her relatives not much farther from where they stand. From her mother’s tone & speaking fluent English, she knows something is wrong & she’s being dead serious. She shakes her head.

Harley: Demo... (But...)

Sayaka: Do I have to repeat myself?

Harley fastens her little hands together & nods. She turns to run to her relatives feeling bare without her mother. Sayaka turns toward the Desert of the Dead without hesitation. With great agility, she leaps beyond from sight. Watching Harley making her way toward the car, her aunt & uncle catch sight of Sayaka’s maneuver. It’s been years since their training & they get the hint of danger.

Aunt: “Harley, hurry & get in the car!”

Upon arrival, Harley takes a moment to catch her breath, but manages to gasp out.

Harley: D-Doushite, obachan? (W-Why, auntie?)

Uncle: “Do as your aunt says.”

With a frustrated sigh, she lifts her little body into the back seat. Locked & sealed safe in the car, Harley looks on as her aunt & uncle turn toward the Desert of the Dead. Also without hesitation, they move with great agility down the pass & beyond from sight following Sayaka. Not a minute passes when Harley unlocks the door with her little hands & hops out. With emptiness & fear in her heart, she runs as fast as her little legs could will. Picking up speed running down the pass, her legs can’t keep up & she tumbles down to her knees & onto her face. Automatically, she cries out & slowly picks herself up. Checking her little palms & her little knees, they’re scuffed red, but she sucks up her little tears & little boogers & continues to run.

Harley: “Mama! Papa!”

She gulps in a little breath & continues to shout out as she too disappears beyond from sight.

~~~~

[Scarlette]

Running into a clearing, she stops to gain her breath. With only tall mountains & dead trees surrounding her, she begins to whimper. She seats her little bottom on a little log & calls out once more. No reply. She doesn’t give up & thinks to herself that if she stays put, they’d be able to find her soon. Not moments later, a man’s shrill scream echoes throughout the walls of the mountains. Harley jumps from the log & hurries toward the direction of the sound. Once more, the screams continue, but gurgle to a silent rattle. Arriving at another clearing, she sees her mother & father with her aunt & uncle not too far from where she stands. She runs toward them to see a man lying on the floor & another woman sitting over his body. As she nears the scene her legs become petrified, she freezes cold in place. Her little arms & little legs tremble as she watches on with wide eyes.

Blood gushes from every orifice of the remains of what looks to be a dead man. The woman wails over his dead body, drenched in blood herself. Crazed, Sayaka’s words of alarm don’t reach the woman’s ears. She’s ready to die, she doesn’t care, he’s gone- take her too. Looming over the woman, an ominous shape lurks & limps to her side. Coming down on one knee, green slime oozes from its mouth & red flaring eyes are seen in the woman’s peripheral vision. Hyperventilating, she slowly turns to look it in its eyes.

“God, deliver us.”

The creature opens its mouth larger than humanly possible & devours the woman’s head, snatching it off her neck causing her vertebrae to tear through from between her shoulders. Swallowing & slurping in the end like spaghetti, the creature shouts a low, rumbling roar. From behind Sayaka & the others, Harley’s little screams manage to reach their ears.

Sayaka: “NO!”

As Sayaka & the others rush to her, Harley tries to will her legs out of petrifaction. All she can do is scream & cry. Her little knees give out & she falls on all fours. Her father always made the monsters go away when she wasn’t brave enough to check under her bed. Her mother always protected her when she was picked on. They always kept her out of danger. She closes her eyes tightly & cries out as hard as she can.

Harley: “Tasukette!” (Help me!)

From the darkness, a figure tackles her & crouches over her body. The creature braces its grip & takes its talon to her chest, tight into her flesh, as if to surgically cut her slowly. Harley shrieks in pain as she tries to kick free from the creature. With one quick blow, Sayaka beheads the creature as if her arms were scissors. She swoops down & takes Harley into her arms, applying pressure to her wound, & with the others close behind. Merging from the darkness & the crevices of the mountains, the creatures rise, hungry & angry. Several of them lunge after the helpless humans. Harley holding tight as ever before, she screams endlessly. Barely making any distance, Harley’s father slows them to a stop & grunts.

“Go on! You’ll never escape them like this!”

Sayaka: “No, Matrix! We all get out together!”

Matrix: “No, please, just get Harley out of here…”

Uncle: “Matrix, you fool!”

Matrix: “She’s gonna change! Do it! Do it now!”

Aunt: “They’re getting closer!”

Tears stream from Sayaka’s eyes as she moves in close for a tight embrace & one last kiss. Matrix quickly kisses Harley on the forehead & looks her straight in the eyes.

Matrix: “You must live on. You’ve got to, you’re daddy’s little girl.”
With this, they turn their backs & run with all of their might. Harley squirms over Sayaka’s shoulder with her little arm reaching out.

Harley: “Papa! PAPA!”

She continues to scream out for him as her voice fades in the safe distance. He stands in the clearing getting zeroed in as the creatures approach in bony, mush flesh. From the many red leering eyes, a dark gnarly figure lunges at him followed by two others. Dodging the first & second, he miscalculates the third & tumbles across the clearing, snowballing with the creature. Wrestled tight against the floor, the creature pins him with its talon. One quick strike, the creature gouges his ribs. Screaming out, Matrix snaps its neck & shoves its gray body aside. Getting up hastily, his side drips & the bleeding increases. Limping & crawling, the creatures crowd him.

“God damn zombies…”

He closes his eyes & tries to search for a precious memory to leave the world with. The backyard. The swing set. My wife. My baby. Life…

“Call of the Angels!”

A ray of blue light shoots up & above reaching high into the sky, blinding the creatures & spreading the clouds clear out of its path. Matrix screams out in triumph as the ray returns back down, roaring, soaring, raging, & strong. An explosion ensues upon impact & bright light blankets the horizon of the Desert of the Dead. In the clear, nothing is left standing. Not a single drop of blood, not a single sign of life. The air falls quiet with a distant child’s cries fading in the safe distance.

~~~~

[Scarlette]

In the darkness, she tosses & turns. Grunting & groaning, she kicks & flinches. Her breathing increases as her mind spirals.

“A face. In the dark. Gray & cold. I see it. His face! Who are you?”

The person turns to her, eye balls missing, an evil red glow occupying the sockets.

“P-Papa?”

She looks on in horror as he shakes his head.

“Help me…”

“NO! PAPA, NOOO!”

She stirs & sits up abruptly from her sleep. Her heartbeat in her throat & her head ringing, she feels the sweat drip from her chin. She tries to calm herself as the face fades from her vision within the dark room. A knock on the door.

“Is everything all right?”

The sweet, tender voice reassures her & she catches her breath.

“Yes, mom- just a bad dream…”

“If you need anything, Harley, just ask & I’ll do my best. Okay?”

Harley’s head lowers as she lets out a shaky breath.

Harley: “Yeah, thanks mom. Love you.”

Sayaka: “I love you too.”

The apartment falls quiet again as Sayaka makes her way to her bedroom. Harley blinks as she tries to adjust her vision & depth perception. Still blinded, she turns & reaches for the curtain. Pulling fast on the curtain’s string, the curtains open & simultaneously a bullet train zooms by, loud & startling. By now, Harley’s use to the loud hustle & bustle of The Super City known as the Beta Continent. It’s still dark. The neon pinks & blues of the business signs glimmer into her room. The flashing, blinking lights glitter her room rendering enough light to see her familiar surroundings.

Harley: “A-A nightmare… Again…”

Slumping back down into her covers, she rests her head on her pillow & takes in a deep breath. With her fingertips, she traces a line along her chest; over her heart, where a 6-inch scar reminds her of that day. She curls into a fetal position & thinks to herself as she stares blankly at the wall next to her.

Harley: “13 years ago & it still haunts me like yesterday… I- I’m sorry dad... I wasn’t strong enough to save you… Please forgive me.”

The warm neon lights flutter off & soon everything is dark again. Harley is long asleep as the rest of the metropolis lives on throughout the night.

~~~~Owari~~~~ (End)

[Scarlette]

Chptr 2: The Freak

“Anou… Daijoubu ka, Haari-chan?” (Um… Are you okay, Harley-chan?)

Her childhood friend pokes Harley on the shoulder with Harley’s eyes gazing out into the city. Startled out of her thoughts, Harley readies a smile before she turns to her worried friend.

Harley: “Nan de mo nai, Miharu-chan.” (Nothing at all, Miharu-chan.)

Miharu: “Uso! Nani wo omotte?” (Lie! What are you thinking?)

Miharu tilts her head, taps her foot with her hands on her hips, waiting for an answer. Harley breaks her distance & shakes her head.

Harley: “You know me too well.”

She takes in a breath & lets out a long, soft sigh. Walking to the balcony, she leans against the railing & looks out to the open courtyard. Several students play basketball or chat in small circles during their afterschool activities. She turns her head to the side & mutters.

Harley: “Another bad dream- the dream.”

Miharu’s eyes briefly widen & her cheery expression drops. She takes her place next to Harley as she leans against the railing with her.

Miharu: “It’s been a while since you’ve had that nightmare… My obaachan (grandmother) tells me that there’s a reason for our dreams- whether they be memories or warnings.”

Harley looks over & smiles at Miharu, her childhood friend smiles back as her short, layered, blue hair gently waves in the wind. A sudden cherry blossom petal flutters down between them onto Harley’s left wrist. They both look down.

Miharu: “Yikes! I’ve always wondered why that happens.”

Harley’s not surprised.

Harley: “I know why…”

A large slam from behind them startles Miharu, Harley is still. Miharu quickly turns around & takes a few fast steps toward the balcony door. Panting at the lock, busted doorway, a man with buzzed-cut orange hair & a lanky figure straightens himself up to a slight hunch.

“Ey, Claurice! The snots are up here!”

From behind him, a woman steps out from the doorway toward Harley & Miharu, followed by three other henchmen accompanied with another long, black haired woman. Claurice stops in front of a worried Miharu & an about-faced Harley. Slightly turning her head toward the doorway, Claurice motions her hand above her head.

Claurice: “Why thank you, Genji. Watch the stairway, will ya?”

Genji nods as she continues forward.

Claurice: “Hmph, it seems our host isn’t happy to see us, Belkys.”
Belkys smirks at Harley’s rude welcoming. She places one hand on her hip & snaps with the other. From the darkness of the doorway, a man shoots from the opening & appears behind Harley. Miharu quickly steps back & readies herself, fists up, body poised.

Miharu: “Harley!”

Harley is still. The man takes Harley by the wrist & yanks her around, causing her to stumble onto her knees before Claurice. Harley’s face expressionless.

Claurice: “You know, Harley, it was pretty difficult for us to find you up here. Let’s not make that a habit- Freak.”

Miharu winces, stomps forward, & shouts back.

Miharu: “Why don’t you just leave her alone?”

Belkys: “Pathetic. Why do you waste your time with this freak. She doesn’t even care to put up a fight anymore.”

Claurice’s henchmen snicker to each other from behind her & Belkys.

Claurice: “& she knows better not to rat us out to her father- Oh! Oops… Your father’s dead.”

Claurice & Belkys sneer & let out a boastful laugh. Harley on all fours, she’s gotten use to the abuse. An image flashes before her eyes. Candles & cake. Presents. Her parents smiling. She closes her eyes tightly & whimpers. A great force stomps into her left shoulder causing her to fall back.

Claurice: “Look at me when I’m talking to you!”

Harley grunts as she shuffles to sit up to nurse her bruised shoulder. She raises her head with a glare.

Belkys: “Gosh, was that difficult?”

A lock of Harley’s deep, blood, red hair gently falls against her cheek, covering her beauty mark under her left eye. Claurice lets out an exasperated sigh.

Claurice: “My, my, how is your hair that color? It’s natural. Yet, that’s impossible, for Nihonese to have that red of hair.”

Claurice runs her hands through her long, thick pink hair. She tilts her head & smiles menacingly.

Claruice: “Yuuta, cut it all off.”

With one quick swoop, Yuuta snatches Harley by her hair, forcing her on her knees.

Miharu: “NO!”

Miharu rushes Yuuta with palms together. Quickly parting her hands, a long, glowing ray appears. Flipping the golden beam in her hands, it materializes into a pole arm. Leaping into the air, she swings high above her head. The spearhead locked on to Yuuta, she swings down hard. Releasing Harley, Yuuta simply raises his hand with his palm faced out to Miharu. A blue orb swirls about his fingers & suddenly lunges toward Miharu. Upon impact, the orb multiplies 3 sizes & reflects Miharu, causing her to fall back. With a loud, painful thud, Miharu crashes down to the balcony floor hard. The pole arm combusts into golden shattering light & disappears. Knocked out, Miharu lays motionless. Claurice, Belkys, & their henchmen burst out laughing & clapping.

Harley: “Bastard!”

Harley firms her grip & slaps Yuuta hard. Taken by surprise, Yuuta staggers back briefly, but recovers fast. He quickly snatches her up, wringing her by the neck. Claurice & the others serious up.

Genji: “Oh, man. You okay, Yuuta?”

Genji shouts from the doorway in shock.

Yuuta: “Shut up & keep watch!”

Claurice & Belkys watch in excited anticipation to see what Yuuta does in his angered state.

Claurice: “What a dangerous gentleman, right, Bell?”

Belkys smiles & nods. Yuuta’s green eyes penetrate through his long, blonde feathered hair into Harley’s bright purple eyes glistening with tears. On her toes, Harley grunts as she tries to keep her balance.

Yuuta: “You’ve got fight in you after all. & to think I was getting bored of you…”

Firming her grip again, Harley swings fast & lands a hard punch to Yuuta’s face. Letting loose, he cups his face in his hands & hisses.

Yuuta: “You’ll pay for that.”

He grabs Harley by her collar & rips down the left side of her school uniform in a fit of rage.

Harley: “NO!”

She pulls away from Yuuta, but loses balance & falls on her buttocks.

Yuuta: “Huh?”

Yuuta, dumbfounded in realization of his blind rage, sees a shivering Harley trying to shield her bare left half from view. Too late, Yuuta catches sight of a bright colored birthmark extending from Harley’s wrist to her shoulder. His eyes widen. Harley’s white bra & left breast is seen. Yuuta grunts & blushes, but he looks closer. Her dark scar on her chest shows through as Harley nervously flails about. Tears gush from Harley’s eyes as she tries to drag herself away.

Claurice: “Get her!”

Her three henchmen move fast to kick down on Harley & Miharu, even while unconscious. Harley scurries in time to use her body to shield Miharu from their beating.

Harley: “Leave her alone! Please! Don’t hurt her!”

They continue to stomp down hard & Harley grows weaker with each strike. She gets the wind knocked out of her & she coughs hard to retrieve her breath. She holds Miharu tightly & cries.

Harley: “I’m so sorry, Miharu. I couldn’t save my father- I can’t even protect you.”

Harley slowly closes her eyes.

“Father- Send me an angel…”

Instantly, the three henchmen fall limp to the floor, groaning in pain & clutching their abdomens. Harley shakes as she manages to sit herself up. Claurice, Belkys, & Yuuta ready themselves.

Belkys: “What the-“

Yuuta: “Genji! What the hell? You were suppose to-“

The three of them look back to find Genji sprawled out on the floor, knocked out face down, & a few feet from the doorway.

Claurice: “What the hell is going on?”

Out of nowhere, Yuuta is taken from behind. In a tight lock, Yuuta’s arm is twisted snugly behind him & a strong grip around his neck.

Yuuta: “F-Faster than me!”

Yuuta grunts as the stranger leans close to Yuuta’s ear.

“I suggest you never harass these girls again…”

Yuuta tries to shake free from the stranger’s tight grip.

Yuuta: “Who the hell are you?”

The stranger lets loose & pauses.

“I’m the new kid.”

Another instant blow, Yuuta drops. On his knees, he holds his stomach tightly. Throughout the courtyard, the school bell rings dismissing afterschool activities. The three henchmen pick themselves up fast & peel Genji off from the floor. They flee as Claudia & Belkys rush to Yuuta.

Belkys: “Let’s get the hell outta here!”

The three of them disappear through the doorway & down the staircase. The stranger instantly hurries to Harley.

The New Kid: “Are you alright?”

Harley doesn’t say a word. A handsome concerned face focuses in her blurred vision. She becomes mesmerized by his bright, deep hazel eyes & his short dirty-blonde, brownish hair that brushes against his eyebrows. Her concerns aren’t for herself.

Harley: “M-My friend, I think she’s hurt. I-I couldn’t protect her…”

He turns to an unconscious Miharu & reassures Harley.

The New Kid: “Your friend is just knocked out, you’ve taken most of the beating…”

He looks her over & pauses. Harley’s left half is still bare. He follows her birthmark up her arm & notices the scar. Harley snaps out of her daze & scrambles to try & cover herself up. He blushes, but quickly shakes his head.

The New Kid: “H-Here, let me help.”

He takes off his jacket & wraps it around her. She makes sure her left arm goes in the sleeve first & she does it fast. Relieved her birthmark & scar are out of sight, she puts her right arm in the other sleeve. Moments later, Miharu slowly awakens. Harley happy with tears, she reaches out & holds Miharu tightly.

Miharu: “Where’s Yuuta? What happened?”

The stranger helps Miharu stand, she’s perfectly fine. He helps explain what had happened, but Harley begins to lose balance. Her eyes close & she begins to fall over as if her body hit shut down.

The New Kid: “Whoa!”

The stranger quickly moves & catches her sound asleep in his arms. The three make their way out of the high school building while the stranger carries Harley close & snug in his hold. The wind slightly picks up just enough to cause the cherry blossom petals to flutter all about them as if they were dancing.

~~~~

[Scarlette]

“Come on over.”

Harley follows the familiar voice & stands next to the tall, built man.

“Do you know where we are?”

She can hear his voice, but his lips don’t move. She turns from him to see before her the vast field of endless flowers, tall, green grass, & the lush forest in the horizon. Birds chirping, butterflies hovering, & a distant lapping of a waterfall & flowers blooming.

Harley: “This place. It- It’s gorgeous...”

"This place is what you now know as the Desert of the Dead".

Harley: “What? But... How?”

He points out across the meadow.

“Watch...”

They both watch on as they see two figures in the distance. A heavily armored man wielding a great broadsword & a woman in a glimmering, sea-blue gown with a ruffled train. Her fiery red hair sways long in the wind as she reaches out to him. Planting his sword into the ground, he approaches her & wraps his arms around her tightly. Suddenly, a woman’s voice speaks in Harley’s mind.

“Aiden... Must you go?”

Harley flinches.

Harley: “What was that?”

The man next to her smiles.

“Listen to them.”

Harley looks closer as they appear to be in deep conversation. Strangely, she can hear them clear in her mind while standing from far away.

Aiden: “The time has come, Ophelia, there is no turning back. I know so that I will not fail you.”

Ophelia pulls back from their embrace, brushes her fingers through Aiden’s thick, black hair, & looks deep into his eyes.

Ophelia: “Our cause… It will set us free.”

Aiden takes Ophelia into his arms & kisses her. Passionate & yearning. A battle horn bellows in the distance. Aiden & Ophelia turn their attention far along the meadow & into the forest. Tears well in Ophelia’s eyes as she turns to Aiden.

Ophelia: “Warrior of Prosperity… Make haste.”

With this, Aiden nods & turns to the forest. He walks away as Ophelia holds in her cries for him to stay. He raises his hand high & instantly the broadsword plucks from the earth & returns to its owner’s hand. She holds back her tears, she doesn’t want to cry, not meaningless tears. Cry for a meaning. Harley then turns to the stranger beside her & also near tears.

Harley: “Where is- “

Harley takes a step back in surprise & looks over the man twice.

Harley: “F- Father?”

Matrix nods, still looking on as Aiden disappears into the forest.
Matrix: “Aiden must liberate his people from his father... His mother is trapped in his father’s grasp along with the city he’s enslaved...”

Harley turns back to see Ophelia pulling herself up onto her steed & riding off quickly across the field & out of sight. Harley frowns & lowers her head.

Harley: “War...”

Harley shakes off her sorrow & quickly raises her head.

Harley: “Ophelia called Aiden the ‘Warrior of Prosperity’. How did he find the ‘Element of Prosperity’?

Matrix finally turns to her. Harley is astonished; her father looks just as she remembered.

Matrix: “Look for yourself...”

Matrix motions with a simple nod behind Harley. She turns to find herself before a man with a strong resemblance to Aiden, but much older. Equipped with a massive broadsword, he raises it to her face.

“You will die- NOW GIVE ME THE ELEMENT OF PROSPERITY!”

The man rushes Harley. Unable to react quickly enough, Harley shields herself & pleads.

Harley: “No, stop!”

The man continues forward hard & strong. Instantly, the man passes through her as if she were a ghost. Harley quickly swerves around to hear the loud clang of swords battling. The man endlessly swings hard against a great warrior in florescent armor. Harley quickly looks around her to see that they stand in a gray cathedral. The warrior is heavily wounded, but the man is in worse condition. They continue to cut each other down as Harley watches on in horror. The warrior smirks.

“Never will you achieve the Element of Prosperity, Jackt!”

Out of nowhere, a young man nearly as old as Harley runs into the cathedral. Harley sees him down on his knees & she does a double take.

Harley: “Aiden?”

He begins to cry & beg.

Aiden: “Brother! Father! Please stop!”

The warrior blocks Jackt’s strike & turns to Aiden.

Warrior: “Get out of here!”

Blocking again, the warrior returns with a hard cut. They resume swinging & blocking until suddenly both of them stop. Jackt grins.

Jackt: “The Element is mine.”

Jackt throws his arms into the air & greatly laughs out, echoing his demonic cackling into the cathedral walls. Not moments later, several soldiers burst into the cathedral swinging their spears & swords at Jackt & he engages in battle. The warrior falls to his knees & onto his side.

Aiden: “BROTHER!”

Through the rushing soldiers, Aiden hurries to his brother’s side & holds him in his arms. Deep in the warrior’s chest, a dagger is pierced through his armor. The warrior begins to bleed endlessly from his mouth as he tries to speak.

Warrior: “Aiden... Kill me...”

Aiden’s eyes widen & he cries out.

Aiden: “No, Malachi! Don’t die!”

Malachi musters enough energy to grab Aiden by the collar & look him straight in his eyes.

Malachi: “Kill me... & you will see the day you will avenge me...”

Aiden slowly nods as tears flush from his eyes. He gently sets Malachi down. With one single move, Aiden pulls out the dagger & punctures down hard into Malachi’s heart. Aiden releases his grip & lets out a heart wrenching cry. Jackt gains distance from the soldiers to find what Aiden had done.

Jackt: “NO, YOU FOOL!”

Jackt tries to advance toward Aiden, but is crowded in with the solders swinging fast. Aiden quickly takes Malachi into his arms again & holds his face close to his. Through Aiden’s sobbing, Aiden manages to hear a little boy’s happy yet weak voice, & stops his sobbing to listen.

Malachi: “Arigato, oniichan...” (Thank you, big brother...)

Aiden raises his head to find the warrior & armor disintegrating into great blue light, leaving behind the little boy that is his little brother. Malachi smiles & slowly closes his eyes & his breath slowly stops. The great blue light still surrounds them with blue orbs bobbing in glittering fog. The light begins to surge like a whirlpool & instantly the light spirals into Aiden’s chest. Aiden grunts as the light enters his body. The power is unbearable & he screams out. The blue light fully enters his body causing him to glow. One by one, sheets of metal encase his body until the blue light explodes. In the clearing, Aiden stands in full armor. Infuriated, Jackt turns from the soldiers & rushes the armored man. Aiden kneels down to pick up Malachi’s frail & lifeless body & they suddenly disappear in a flash. Everything around Harley begins to fade into white. She stands in blank whiteness with her father as she tries to calm her crying.

Harley: “What the hell is going on?”

Matrix pats Harley on the head.

Matrix: “You should wake up, they’re worried about you.”

Harley: “Huh? But wait-“

Harley slowly opens her eyes.

~~~~

[Scarlette]

He watches her carefully. He wonders what her story is. In closer examination, he leans in close to see for himself her curly locks of hair are indeed naturally red. Close enough his breath brushes her rosy cheeks, he strokes her hair as it glows, as if he was touching fire. Harley turns her head in her sleep & mumbles.

Harley: “Mmm, but wait...”

He tries to listen. Simultaneously, her eyes abruptly open & she whispers.

Harley: “Father...”

Paused & wide-eyed, the stranger is caught off guard & has his nose nearly touching Harley’s. She blinks.

Harley: “E-Excuse me...”

He quickly jumps back & apologizes.

The New Kid: “I’m sorry, I- uh, was listening to your breathing for regulation.”

He sweats, but nervously itches his chin as Harley slowly gets up & clears her vision to see her surroundings- Miharu’s house.

Harley: “Where’s Miharu?”

The stranger notices her serious tone, but tries to keep her spirits up.

The New Kid: “She was worried about you so she went to get anything to help at the convenient store. You’re alright, but she kept insisting.”

Harley evaluates her state & only feels a sensation of exhaustion. She doesn’t know what to feel, but she knows it’s just another day. She lets out a breath & reaches for a pen & pad on the end table beside her.

“Thank you, Miharu-chan. My mother must be worried about me. See you later. -Scar”

Harley sees the stranger to the door & out to the front gate as she thanks him for his trouble. He smiles & assures her he was glad to help. Harley blushes as he smiles to her. Still mesmerized, she thinks to herself.

Harley: “Not a chance.”

She bows deeply, with great respect, & turns home parting ways. Still curious, he’s hesitant to call out to her.

The New Kid: “Uh- Hey! That name... Scar.”

Harley raises her head out of her gloomy daze & she turns to him. She thought she had written the letter out of sight, but he must have taken a peek at it.

Harley: “What about it?”

The New Kid: “Um... If you don’t mind me asking, where did you get that scar? On your chest.”

Harley’s eyes widen as she places her right hand over her heart, but she stops to calm herself. He lowers his head & nervously itches behind his ear & mutters quietly.

The New Kid: “Shoot...”

The stranger begins to babble, but she helps interrupt him.

Harley: “A childhood incident.”

The stranger straightens up & nods.

The New Kid: “Oh, I didn’t know. I’m sorry...”

A silence ensues, but he wants to help.

The New Kid: “Please, let me walk you home.”

A gentle smile appears on Harley’s face, which causes him to smile. He hurries to her side as they walk to the shinkanzen (bullet train) station not far from Miharu’s house. It’s a long ride, 30 minutes, but he assures her worries that he can find his way home. The quieter part of the super city fades as they enter the heart of Beta Central. They exit the station & the two continue in silence. His curiosity is perked again.

The New Kid: “Why do those guys pick on you? Why didn’t you fight back?”

Harley is taken by surprise & doesn’t know whether to tell him or not, she chooses her words carefully.

Harley: “I did something a couple years ago that scared a lot of people at school. No one believed me, but Miharu... That’s why some people think I’m a freak...”

His eyes widen, but he keeps his composure.

The New Kid: “What happened?”

Harley chuckles.

Harley: “Hey, ‘New Kid’, I don’t even know your name. Why should I tell you if I don’t even know your name?”

He abruptly stops & quickly bows deeply.

The New Kid: “My name is Hideki. I just enrolled at the high school when I moved from eastside Beta. I’m a single child & I live with my uncle. My parents are divorced & they’re always away on missions. My uncle thinks it’ll be good for me to live where there’s not much gang & rebel influence. I’m not a kid, I know better than that, but he still sees me as a kid regardless.”

He smirks, but Harley giggles & nods as they continue walking.

Hideki: “So, what’s your life story?”

Harley takes in a deep breath.

A freshman assembly was held to cheer on the sports teams a couple months after Harley had started high school. That whole day, she kept hearing a screeching sound in the back of her mind & it was its loudest on her way to the football field. Miharu was with her when Harley suddenly froze. The colors of her eyes retreated into her pupils & immediately her pupils dilated. Harley saw it happen before her eyes. A horse drawn carriage raging onto the football field. The screeching sound rang out loud- it was the horses panicking while trampling people trying to flee. Harley screamed out, but suddenly she saw before her Miharu’s worried face along with several other confused faces surrounding them. The whole freshman class turned toward the direction of Harley’s scream & listened as she tried explaining to Miharu, but immediately saw the carriage making its way across the field. She left Miharu telling her to stay put as she rushed out onto the field. The freshman class was unsure whether to feel alerted or if Harley was only causing a scene for attention.

Harley: “Stop! STOP!”

She hurried toward the bleachers where the school band was stationed. It was too late when the conductor turned to hear Harley’s warning- he had motioned the band to begin & the band began to play, loud & hard.

Harley: “NO!”

The animals were startled; they raised high on their hind legs & screeched as they took haste. Harley covered her ears, the screeching sound was unbearable. Seeing this much, the conductor immediately stopped the band & the band ceased, but the beasts raged forth. The occupants of the carriage were nearly shot out of the seat until Harley had rushed in front of them to stop the animals. Tears streaming down her face, she was extremely overwhelmed with doubt, fear & adrenaline, but she could feel the animals’ fear- & understood it. She raised her hands up, but forward & closed her eyes. With all of her might, she wanted them to stop; she wanted the animals to know her fear. Suddenly, she felt a warm caress in the palms of her hands. The horses nuzzled their noses in her palms & they were calm. Harley smiled.

Harley: “Thank you...”

Their trainers hurried to the horses, unharnessed them, & hurried them back to the trailer to store them away. From within the carriage, the occupants stumble out terrified yet enraged. Claurice & Yuuta scurry away, but not without seeing Harley & glaring at her. Harley & those who ducked for cover were quickly escorted off of the field as the assembly was immediately dismissed over the intercom.

Harley: “You probably think I’m crazy, don’t you, like the others...”

Harley & Hideki are seated at a bus stop bench at the corner of her house as she rubs her hands nervously. Hideki shakes his head.

Hideki: “Not at all. You’re a hero.”

Hideki gently smiles, but it doesn’t help Harley.

Harley: “Everyone heard me scream & panic- heard everything about me seeing it before it even happened. Belkys had told Claurice & Yuuta everything. People think I’m a freak, but Miharu tells me some secretly thank me. I can’t accept their words if they’re ashamed of them.”

Hideki takes Harley by her shoulders & turns her to look her in the eyes.

Hideki: “Nobody ever thanked you... Thank you, Harley.”

Harley’s eyes widen as her lips tremble to smile. He smiles & gently releases her.

Harley: “I-I don’t fight back, because my father never told me to fight out of anger. Never to hurt someone out of rage.”

Hideki: “But you must protect yourself.”

Harley lowers her head.

Harley: “I did... Once... I was so angry. I simply pushed Belkys away from me, but somehow the force was much more intense than what I intended & she was hurt- real bad... I- broke her shoulder in 3 places...”

Hideki’s eyes widen.

Hideki: “How did you get so strong?”

Harley: “I don’t know how it happened, I’m not that strong, & I remembered my father’s words. They must’ve been for a reason. So, I stopped fighting...”

Hideki rests his hand on her shoulder.

Hideki: “Let me be your friend- I’ll fight for you.”

Harley looks up to him & smiles as she fights her tears back.

Harley: “Deal.”

~~~~Owari~~~~ (End)

[Scarlette]

Chptr 3: The Truth

The 2 boys tumble down the grassy hills as they giggle & run after each other. They race to a clearing where a warm river rests & a great water fall drops from above. The boys stop to catch their breath.

Aiden: “Hah, ha! I beat ya!”

Malachi: “Ne, oniichan!” (Hey, big brother!)

Malachi whines & stomps his foot. Aiden goes to him quickly & pats him on the head.

Aiden: “Hai, hai! Gomen, gomen.” (Okay, okay! I’m sorry, I’m sorry.)

Malachi halts his pouting & smiles. He taps Aiden on the shoulder.

Malachi: “Fox!”

Aiden rolls his eyes & grunts as Malachi flees with a big grin on his face.

Aiden: “Alright, alright. I’m gonna get you, ya little sheep!”

Malachi disappears behind the rocks along the river bank with Aiden close behind. Aiden gains great speed, but sees Malachi kneeling near the water. Almost running Malachi over, Aiden quickly leaps over him & nearly tumbles. He gains balance & hurries to Malachi.

Aiden: “What’s wrong?”

Malachi points his little finger into the river. Aiden follows & sees something glimmering a blue faint light.

Aiden: “What the-?”

Instantly, Malachi leaps into the river quickly to retrieve it.

Aiden: “Hey!”

Luckily, Malachi stands in the shallow water, paused, holding the blue light in his hands. Aiden wattles through the water to Malachi & they look at it captivated.

Aiden: “Kore wa nan desu ka?” (What is it?)

Malachi: “Shiranai. Demo kireii...” (I don’t know. But it’s pretty...)

Ominously, the blue light floats up from Malachi’s grasp & spins. They both slowly back up. The light begins to fiercely stretch & distort. It begins to grow & spin faster.

Aiden: “Marikai, nigete!” (Malachi, run!)

Aiden takes Malachi’s hand as they try to back up out of the water. The river suddenly whirlpools locking them in. Their grip is tested.

Malachi: “Oniichan!” (Big brother!)

Aiden refuses to let go as the water loosens their grip. The blue light explodes a blue fog. Simultaneously, a blue ray from the blue light lunges the terrified boys. Instantly, the blue ray streams into Malachi’s little body & causes him to glow. Malachi drops to his knees. Aiden is quick to his aid & tries to break the connection, flailing his arms in the path of the ray.

Malachi: “I-Itai! Tasukete!” (I-It hurts. Help me!)

Aiden cries as he’s helpless, shaking his little brother by the shoulders, as Malachi’s eyes white out. Malachi’s body grows limp as the ray retreats inside of him. Aiden ceases his shaking & all he can do is hold Malachi tightly as the ray & blue light disappear completely inside of Malachi. An eerie moment of silence fills the air as the river slowly whirls. Aiden slowly raises his head to look at Malachi’s lowered head. Malachi’s head slowly raises, his face expressionless, but a strange blue glow from his white eyes. His head slumps back, his eyes to the sky. At once, Malachi screams out in pain & the whirlpool rises & shoots up. Aiden finds themselves in a hurricane & he holds Malachi tightly again in fear of getting washed away from him. The hurricane loses speed & begins to fall in on them, hard & heavy.

Aiden: “Yaaaa!” (Noooo!)

A great blue light flashes & the water is forced back, as if on command. Aiden cautiously looks to his left & to his right. Knee-high, the water rests as it was. Yet strangely, the water is walled back several feet from where Aiden sits on the wet dirt. Aiden quickly turns to Malachi, but finds himself hugging a metallic shin guard & jumps back. He falls onto his buttocks & looks on in surprise. In the clearing, a man stands in Malachi’s place wearing intricate armor. The blue glow fades as Aiden inches away.

Aiden: “W-Who are you?”

The armored warrior turns to Aiden & tilts his head.

Warrior: “It’s me, big brother.”

Everything fades to white as Aiden's adult voice speaks out sadly yet angrily.

Aiden: "He... Was just a child, father..."

The school bell rings out as Harley is jolted awake. She scurries to gather her things half awake, half asleep & makes her way out of the classroom & into the hall. Harley shakes her head to wake herself from her strange dream as Miharu hurries alongside her.

Miharu: “Harley, are you gonna return Hideki’s jacket now? Let’s go together.”

Harley recollects her thoughts & had forgotten she made plans to do so & she hurries to her locker. Opening her locker, she can smell the light scent that is Hideki. She blushes as she reaches in for it.

Miharu: “He’s waiting for you, at the entrance gate.”

Harley: “What? Why?”

Harley shuts her locker & they hurry through the halls.

Miharu: “He stopped me during lunch to ask me about you.”

Harley’s eyes widen.

Harley: “He asked about my scar, didn’t he?”

Miharu: “He sure did, but I knew you wouldn’t mind me telling him. I mean, he saved us from that lunatic bi-“

Harley: “Mata raishyu, Tanaka Sensei!” (See you next week, Mr. Tanaka!)

Harley bows deeply as the principal approaches. He stops in front of them to see Harley bowed as Miharu follows suit & bows. The principal stands a stout & jolly man that never ceased to make everyone giggle with his skip-like walk & cheshire cat smile.

Principal Tanaka: "Hello, ladies! You 2 aren't starting any trouble with the new kid, are ya?"

He waves his finger at the air as Harley & Miharu giggle & they shake their heads. He nods in approval & gives a big grin, bows, & trots away. The girls continue out of the building & soon reach the gate. Harley slows her pace as she looks on in awe.

Miharu: “There he is.”

She points where Hideki leans against the brick wall, alone, & with a slight smile. The sun causes his hazel eyes to glimmer & his skin to shimmer. Miharu looks to Harley & grins.

Miharu: “I guess I’ll see you 2 later.”

Harley shakes her head & sneers at Miharu.

Harley: “Hey, you!”

Miharu giggles as she hurries pass the gate while waving goodbye to Hideki. He returns the gesture & quickly scans the crowd for Harley. Coming into sight, Harley hurries to him. Hideki stands himself straight & smiles.

Harley: “Thanks for letting me borrow your jacket.”

She holds out a red jacket with two white stripes down each sleeve & an emblem of two white wings on a gold shield over the chest & back side. He takes it, looks it over, & then looks Harley over. She shyly stands in a one-piece, purple dress with the skirt pleaded, white knee-high socks, & mary jane style shoes. A navy blue sleeve is fastened with a red thread to her bicep covering her left arm as her right arm is freely shown.

Hideki: “Come with me.”

He takes her by the hand as they hurry to the shinkanzen (bullet train) station. Entering through the sliding doors, Hideki leads Harley to a train car less occupied with others. They stand in the aisle as Hideki reaches out to Harley. He tugs at her sleeve.

Hideki: “I understand why you’d want to hide something like this. But- I think your flaws are beautiful...”

Harley is taken by surprise & immediately blushes.

Harley: “I- uh, I-“

Hideki: “Could you take it off for a sec?”

Harley frowns & tries to stay calm. She pulls the red thread & the bow unravels as a rush overwhelms her. She pulls the sleeve down, revealing the light colored birthmark showing from her peach, tan skin. Paused in an awkward moment, she looks up to Hideki hoping that he’d do something, anything to keep the attention from her arm. He takes his jacket & wraps it around her as she quickly takes the hint to feed her arms through the sleeves. He zips the jacket, slightly large on her, & steps back & smiles.

Hideki: “It looks good on you.”

Harley nervously chuckles & scratches behind her ear.

Harley: “T-Thanks.”

Hideki: “When you wear short sleeved-shirts, wear my jacket, so you don’t have to wear the sleeve. It’s a gift from me.”

Harley insists that she can’t accept, but Hideki is persistent that she keeps it. She smiles & finally accepts & they find their seats as the train takes off. Harley stares out the window watching the world pass by her as Hideki watches her.

Hideki: “Hey. I asked Miharu about your scar... Could you tell me more about- your father? She refused to tell me about him.”

Harley turns from the city to his determined & alluring face. She doesn’t break eye contact, as if she were hypnotized by them.

Harley: “My father... He’s dead. I was attacked as a child by zombies & he saved me. We returned with a search party to find him, but he was gone, nothing left. As if he disappeared & became a part of the Desert of the Dead himself...”

Hideki: “I-I’m sorry... I shouldn’t have asked.”

Harley finishes telling him the story of her father & that upon reaching safe distance near their picnic site, a ray of light in the far distance was all that they could see.

Harley: “It was a long time ago; it’s been easier to talk about it.”

She takes in a deep breath.

Harley: “One night, I overheard my parents talking about the zombies & their feeding habits. They feed on the heads of adults for their knowledge & memories; they want to remember what it’s like to be alive. Children... They cut out their hearts carefully in the hopes to regain life & purity.”

Hideki rests his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. She smiles & resumes her gaze out the window. Suddenly, a green leaf flutters & flattens against the glass.

Hideki: “Weird.”

Harley turns her head with her eyes to the back of the train cart, the leaf falls away.

Harley: “We’re being followed.”

Confused, Hideki turns to look back.

Harley: “Don’t look, let’s just get out of here.”

Hideki takes Harley’s hand & they both get up to exit the train car. Two cloaked men rise to their feet & proceed to follow them. Getting off at the next stop, Hideki & Harley hurry through the crowd & into the rush hour of the super city. Harley’s head begins to throb; an image flashes before her eyes- a building & a base in high security. She grips her forehead & grunts.

Harley: “S-Senate. It’s the Senate.”

Hideki: “What?”

Harley: “The slums. They won’t follow us there.”

Short of breath from her pain, Harley pulls him in the opposite direction.

Hideki: “Are you crazy? That’s suicide, criminals occupy those slums!”

Harley: “Get down!”

Several gunfire shots ring out through downtown Beta as people begin to scream out & flee. Panic flows through the crowd as Hideki & Harley are targeted.

Harley: “Please, just trust me.”

Trying to recover, Harley takes lead & grips Hideki’s hand nearing the entrance into the slums. Disappearing into the green fog, the two men halt.

Man 1: “Report back to the Senator, she matches the profile.”

Man 2: “How are you so sure, we didn’t even get a good look at the girl.”

Man 1: “The red hair is reason enough.”

He swiftly raises his hand & a swarm of soldiers execute their search as a helicopter looms over them & into the green fog. Through the maze that is the slums, Harley tears open a sewer grate & climbs down. Hideki follows closely & surprisingly doesn’t smell the stench a sewer would typically smell. They arrive at a great metallic wall with a tightly sealed door. Harley pounds on the door & instantly a small opening appears revealing a pair of dark eyes. The man’s raspy, deep voice echoes throughout the sewer walls.

Dark Man: “Name & purpose.”

Harley doesn’t hesitate.

Harley: “Scarlette! The Senate!”

At once, several openings within the wall open & out of each window protrude a Gatling gun. Hideki quickly steps back & gasps at the sight.

Hideki: “What the-“

The door swings open.

Dark Man: “Get in here, Child!”

Harley shouts back.

Hideki: “Hideki!”

Uncertain to follow Harley or flee, Hideki is still, & Harley grabs him by his arm.

Harley: “C’mon!”

Stomping & flashlights from behind them near as they shove themselves through the door that tightly shuts behind them. Hideki scrambles to gain his balance & quickly stands up to find himself surrounded at gunpoint.

Harley: “No! He’s with me, don’t hurt him.”

Harley hurries in front of him as they lower their weapons. Hideki looks around him to see a great underground city heavily armed & occupied with several willing fighters.

“You know better than to bring strangers here, Miss Harley Kinomoto.”

Harley catches her breath & turns to the voice.

Harley: “I-I’m sorry mom, I had no choice.”

~~~~

[Scarlette]

The Senate’s soldiers lose track of the pair as the troops retreat out of the sewers. Harley & Hideki continue through the underground city reaching a quaint part of the gray underworld that appears to have more color & life in it. Passing the many kiosks & rushing children, Harley leads Hideki up a wooden flight of stairs along several lined up huts. Stopping before the middle hut, she opens the door & they enter silently. Strangely, the sounds of the city are muffled out as Harley seats herself on the bed. Hideki looks around him & his jaw drops. The room is lightly illuminated with candlelight & the scent of fruits & flowers fill the air. The colors in her sanctuary seem to dance before his eyes as he steps in deeper. Woven into the walls of her hut are several flowers & vines bearing fruit. All along the ground, grass grows from the crevices of the floor boards. Her bed sits snug in the center of the hut with a great vanity to its left & a window to its right, cloaked shut with ruby, red curtains. A coffee table & a couch hug against the cloaked window & at the end of her bed rests a chest which is also used as a seat.

Harley: “Welcome to the under city beneath the slums. Not much children are allowed here, but when they are here, they’re strongly restricted to designated zones & watched over constantly. As well as newcomers. I am to watch over them sometimes when I’m needed.”

Hideki turns to her with his face expression still in amazement.

Harley: “Ah, yes, & welcome to my sanctuary. I don’t keep much here, for the sake that- we could be discovered & ransacked... Um, please, take a seat.”

Hideki sits comfortably upon the chest & looks up to find an extravagant chandelier. All around him looks to be Victorian vintage with nature grown into it.

Hideki: “Did you do this?”

Harley giggles & shakes her head.

Harley: “I can’t really say, it’s never happened to other occupants before, but the flowers & fruits only grew when I moved in here. It’s grown more since I was a kid.”

Hideki: “Do you live down here?”

Harley: “No, I live in the outskirts of the slums where it’s somewhat safer.”

Hideki: “What is this place?”

A knock sounds on the door & without hesitation the door opens. She steps in & poises her hands on her hips.

“So, who do we have here?”

Harley: “Mom, this is Hideki, he’s new at school.”

Sayaka: “Ah, well, I suggest that your friend get comfortable- he’s not leaving until sun-up. And you, you’re staying here. He will be escorted home.”

Harlely: “Demo okaasan-“ (But Mom-)

Sayaka: “What in the world did you do to get the Senate after you, huh?”

Sayaka flames.

Sayaka: “Were you doin’ no good with this kid?”

Harley: “Mom... I don’t know why. They followed us from the shinkanzen (bullet train).”

Hideki bites his tongue as they continue.

Sayaka: “Alright. I just can’t let you bring anyone here, but I suppose it couldn’t be helped. It will be further investigated.”

Harley: “But Miharu-“

Sayaka: “She is a different case, as I’ve told you several times before. She is only allowed in here for the same reasons you are.”

Hideki winces & stands firm.

Hideki: “Excuse me, but just where am I exactly?”

Harley quickly stands behind him.

Sayaka: “That is none of your concern.”

He wants to know, but Hideki’s arm is tugged. He looks back to see Harley’s worried, puppy-eyed face.

Sayaka: “That’ll be all.”

As Sayaka exits, Harley slumps back onto the bed, holding her head tightly. Still upset, Hideki’s eyes are fixed on the door & frowns. Harley grunts as the pain grows in her head. Again, images flash before her eyes. Blood. Blood on her hands. A body lying before her. It’s a girl. Her face is blurry. A loud ringing sounds in her mind & she whimpers. Hideki quickly turns to find Harley trembling.

Harley: “I-It’s happening again.”

Hideki sits at her side & holds her tightly.

Harley: “Blood. So much blood...”

Over the girl’s body looms another girl with an evil grin across her face. Harley’s vision shakes as the ringing gets louder.

Harley: “Stop... STOP!”

The ringing ceases as the familiar sounds of the underground city seep back into her ears.

Hideki: “Hey...”

Harley shakes her head & rubs her eyes.

Hideki: “What else did you see?”

Warm around her waist, she looks down at his arms enveloping her close to him. She blushes & nervously chuckles. Taking the hint, he quickly lets loose & also chuckles nervously to himself.

Harley: “I’m alright...”

Harley takes in a breath.

Harley: “Um, stay here, okay? I’ll be a while.”

She exits & doesn’t return after several minutes. While waiting, Hideki decides there wouldn’t be much harm if he snooped around for a little bit. He seats himself at Harley’s vanity, opens the top, middle drawer & peers inside. Nothing. Four drawers remain, nothing in three so far. He reaches for the last, nothing, & begins to close the drawer. Noticing something at the corner of his eye, he does a double take. He opens the drawer all the way this time & reaches in & takes it out. It’s old & not much larger than his two hands. The photograph shows a man & a woman seated on a bench with a little girl standing between them. The little girl’s grin is identical to the man’s as the woman smiles sweetly. He takes notice that the woman is Sayaka & looks closely to see the little girl is Harley. Strangely, her hair is black. On closer examination though, her hair is reddened at the roots. Gripping the photograph between his fingers, another photograph peels from the back of the family photo. It’s a photo of Harley with a smile that caused him to smile with her. A smile of a moment in time when everything was alright. Her true beauty & liveliness shined through that simple & happy smile. He wanted to see it for himself.

Harley: “Hideki, could you help me?”

Startled, Hideki shoves the photos in his jeans back pocket & hastily opens the door.

Hideki: “What’s up?”

Hands full, Harley stands holding a tray with several bowls emitting mouthwatering scents & aromatic steam. She inches forward as Hideki makes way for her to enter. Carefully setting the tray on the coffee table, she then lets out a breath of relief & rests back onto her bed.

Harley: “I figured you’d be hungry so I made you something.”

Delighted, Hideki uncovers the tray lifting the lid & the scent wafts throughout the room. He sinks into the warm air, but addresses his concern.

Hideki: “This place must be secret.”

Harley nods. She motions for him to eat, but he’s hesitant.

Hideki: “Will you come join me?”

Harley rises from the bed & scoots next to Hideki. They happily start as Harley continues.

Harley: “What I can tell you is that we’re fighting for a cause not of our own but for mankind itself. The oppression we face every day is not only with ourselves & others, but with the Senate as well.”

Harley chuckles at a thought as Hideki grows confused.

Hideki: “What’s so funny?”

Harley: “You know, you moved here for a better life & here I am with you in the nest of a rebel’s keep.”

Hideki: “Is that what you are? What your mother is? What this place is?”

Harley: “Yes. My mother’s been fighting this silent war since she was my age, that’s how she met my father. Me? I mostly do what I’m told; slowly the Senate is breaking down. I’m growing up in the end of it while my parents lived through the worst of it.”

Hideki nods as Harley looks on.

Harley: “Hey... Do you believe in that tale, about The Element of Prosperity?”

Hideki tilts his head.

Hideki: “I’ve heard about it, but I never thought twice about it- it’s only folklore.”

Hideki continues eating as Harley lowers her head.

Harley: “But... What if it is real? ... What would you do as the Warrior of Prosperity?”

Hideki wipes his mouth & tries to reply.

Hideki: “I- Uh- Well... I don’t know. I know I’d try to heal the continents from the Senate’s wrongdoing.”

Harley takes a moment.

Harley: “Do you think... Possessing the Element of Prosperity could bring back my father?”

Hideki pauses & rests his hand on her shoulder.

Hideki: “Will it make you happy?”

Harley slowly nods.

Hideki: “Then yes... You deserve to be happy.”

Hideki smiles & this time it helps Harley & she smiles back.

The two finish eating & Harley briefly leaves to clean away the dishes. Noticing how tired he was, Hideki laid himself on Harley’s bed. Instantly, he began to drift away in the plush purple sheets. Upon return, Harley smiles softly & sits beside him. She studies his face with every curve & eye lash. His parted lips that unconsciously invite her, yet she knows better. The way his hair falls against his forehead & eyebrows. How his jaw line defines & his chin scruff. She doesn’t know what to think of him, her insecurities & uncertainties cloud her from him. He appears to be interested, but she shouldn’t mistake his kindness for intimate advances. With this, she decided to lock her feelings away deep in her heart to maybe knock on its door someday, but not today or any day sooner. She curled under the sheet next to him & lightly kissed him on the forehead. Closing her eyes, she fell asleep in the deep scent that is Hideki.

~~~~

[Scarlette]

Miharu: "Hontou ni? Kisu?" (Really? Kiss?)

Harley: "Sou da ne." (Yup.)

Miharu: "Kawaii!" (Cute!)

Harley: "Chotto! Urusai ne..." (Hey! Quiet now...)

Miharu giggles as Harley hushes her, passing by several other students down the hall. Class is dismissed for the weekend as they make their way to the courtyard. They freely roam without the fear of being bullied, yet momentarily, Harley feels someone watching her. Curled around the corner, a figure leers at them. Harley didn’t appreciate it when people stared at her.

Harley: “Miharu, do you feel that?”

Miharu: “Mm-hm.”

They both look over their shoulders, but resume their path. Everything falls quiet. The other students’ mouths are moving, but there are no voices. The locker doors close, but there’s no rattle shut. The halls grow empty as Harley listens carefully in the silent darkness...

“She’s nothin’ special, what’s he so interested in? Hm, that hair... Must be dyed. Harley is her name, huh?”

Their thoughts! Harley’s eyes widen as she immediately stops & turns around to the empty corridor.

Harley: “Who’s there?”

The mysterious figure steps out. A woman with long brown hair trailing behind her. She smirks.

Brown-haired Woman: “Well, hello to you too, Kinomoto.”

Miharu: “What’s her problem?”

Miharu glimpse over her shoulder with her back still to the stranger as Harley shakes her head.

“Hey, guys! What’s up?”

Miharu turns & frowns.

Miharu: “Hideki, that girl over there, it seems she knows Harley.”

Harley: “She’s no face I know.”

Hideki looks ahead & also frowns. With the sight of Hideki, the Brown-haired woman scowls & turns toward the staircase. She looks back to Harley with a glare before disappearing down the stairs. The floor begins to rumble. Hideki backs up. Charging up the stairs, a third of the high school’s female population rushes on.

Hideki: "Aw, no. C'mon!"

He snatches hold Harley’s hand & around the corner he & Harley disappear. Harley looks back just in time to see Miharu jumping into the classroom before the stampede of obsessed girls could run her over.

Hideki: "These girls here are crazy! Can’t believe I have a fan club for being here only a few days. How about we find a place to chat?"

A twinge of jealously ignites in Harley & she doesn’t react too fondly.

Harley: "What do you think you're doing? Let them chase you then- they’ll see us together!”

Harley tries to break free from his grip, but Hideki quickly turns the corner & her body yanks around following him. They run out the door & across the basketball courts. Following a low, brick wall, they come to the end where a great arch stands. Entwined with vines & flowers, they enter on a stone path. He stops fast at a marble bench & Harley bumps into him with her face against his shoulder.

Harley: "Ow!"

He quickly turns around to her.

Hideki: "Shoosh!"

He pulls Harley into his arms fast to quiet her & they lower down to their knees. She tries to squirm free, but she hears the fan club approaching. She freezes to keep quiet tight in his arms. The raid of girls continue on & disappear into the next wing of the school while screaming & flailing about. To Harley’s surprise, Principal Tanaka follows the riot trying to stop the craze. Hideki looks down to Harley.

Hideki: "I’m sorry, are you okay?"

Harley’s face reddens.

Harley: “Yes.”

Harley raises her head & gazes into his eyes. Being held snugly to him, she shakes her head & quickly gets onto her feet. Hideki slowly rises.

Hideki: "I hate that so much. Those girls are so loud & fake."

Harley turns to discover that the flowers & trees have finally grown. The cherry blossom petals flutter down, the insects buzz by, & everything was colorful & alive. Sunbeams strike down between the cracks of the windowless greenhouse.

Hideki: "It's beautiful in here.”

Harley turns to him & smiles.

Harley: “Thanks.”

Hideki steps forward in surprise.

Hideki: “Do you tend to the plants here?”

Harley: “Yeah, sometimes throughout the week. Not many come by except for the science classes a few times a month. Also, you can find Principal Tanaka here tending & prancing along. I like to keep him company too.”

They both let out a good laugh & take a seat on the marble bench. Harley thinks carefully & pieces it together.

Harley: “So, why’s this Brown-haired girl spying on me? You know her, don’t you?”

Hideki lets out a sigh.

Hideki: “I- ... I don't want to lie to you, I want to be honest with you. I didn’t want you to see her. I don’t want her around. We recently broke up & I don’t know what to feel about her. I- still care about her.”

Harley’s heart sinks into her gut.

Hideki: “Yet, I don’t... So, I don’t know how I really feel.”

Harley stares on in the hopes to find words. Her thoughts tangle with her voice as she manages to speak & stay calm. She doesn’t want him to know, she’s already locked her feelings away, she doesn’t want to hurt.

Harley: “W-Why did things end then, um, what happened exactly?”

Hideki: “You know... The Senate use to kidnap children to do studies & experimentation with their weapon technology. Later, the Senate began taking volunteers due to being discovered of their kidnappings.”

Harley: “No, she can’t be.”

Hideki: “She's a Mod... Her parents work for the Senate & they volunteered her at 16 years old into experimentation. She agreed to go through with it, but this was before we met & she kept it secret from me...”

Harley: “She’s like Claurice & Yuuta then... They modified their genetic map to enhance their spirit energy manifestation.”

Hideki: “What? They’re Mods too? Are you sure? It is rare, but it's possible that people can tap into their spirit energy & manipulate it any which way they want. It’s an old art, but it’s still possible no doubt.”

Harley: “I know... My father trained in it.”

Hideki straitens in surprise & turns to her.

Hideki: “You’re father naturally gained use of his spirit energy?”

Harley nods.

Hideki: “Wow, I wish I could tap into my spirit energy.”

Harley: “It’s not easy. You could die from relying too much on it. & that’s how my father really died...”

Hideki: “What?”

Harley: “My mother explained to me when I was older that my father wasn’t killed by zombies, but by sacrificing himself to destroy the zombie colony... If he hadn’t, no one would have made it out alive. That’s what that ray of light was in the Desert of the Dead. The entirety of his spirit energy used as a weapon that cost him his life.”

Hideki is quiet & calm as Harley sifts through her memories.

Harley: “They were so protective of me, because if the Senate found out I was the spawn of two natural SE users, they would’ve taken me for sure.”

Hideki: “I don’t think it’s genetic, spirit energy is an entity of its own within an individual.”

Harley: “Tell that to the Senate, they'll try anything in the attempts of it benefiting them. They wanted to extract spirit energy into a weapon they could harness, but not take another person’s spirit energy into themselves necessarily- that’s suicide.”

Hideki: “Really?”

Harley: “Transfusing spirit energy with another person’s is deadly. Only compatible spirit flows can share their spirit energy, it’s like blood types, but more strict & rare alignments are required.”

Hideki: “So, are you tapped with your spirit energy?”

Harley grimaces. She doesn’t want to say. Say something.

Harley: “I- am not. No...”

Hideki nods & relaxes.

Harley: “With that kind of ability, anything is possible if you were meant to use it- meant to possess it.”

Hideki crosses his arms.

Hideki: “Heh, that’s for sure. No way did those punks gain those abilities naturally.”

Harley slowly stands & makes her way out of the garden. She gestures a wave as he insists to walk her home again. This time she goes alone with her head hung low as she knows the way home by heart. Standing at the shinkanzen (bullet train) station, she looks high into the orange, peach colored sky & smiles faintly. A handful of people wait around on the station as she suddenly hears a voice.

“I’m not here for Hideki. He’s only another reason I’ve traveled here from Alpha. I’m here to make a deal with you, Kinomoto.”

Harley sharpens & takes combat stance. Within her mind she speaks back into the darkness trying to track the voice’s location.

Harley: “What the hell do you want from me? Why are you following me?”

A gust of wind plows throughout the station as the voice reveals itself.

Brown-haired Woman: “If you come with me to the Senate, I’ll give you back your father.”

~~~~Owari~~~ (End)

[Scarlette]

Chptr 4: The Power

She sits in her room curled up lying in bed. The words repeat in her head, yet she ponders endlessly.

Harley: “My father? How in the hell? It’s got to be a trap...”

She turns in her covers & stares in her dimly lit room. Her thoughts trail on.

Harley: “My father is dead... There’s no way I’ll find the Element of Prosperity at this rate. I want him back, happy again, a complete family... But... What if he is alive?”

Harley grips the bed covers & hastily throws it against the wall.

Harley: “NO! LIES!”

She pants & tries to calm herself. Onto her feet, she hurries out of the crumbly & peeling apartment complex. Anything to keep her thoughts far away, she goes out for a walk. Harley disappears through the slums & into downtown Beta. Wandering aimlessly, she peers into many displays behind glass windows. Her head is hung low as she turns away from the busy 6 o’clock streets onto a secluded ally for a shortcut to a bookshop. Suddenly, Harley senses eyes upon her. She continues on slowly & closes her eyes.

Harley: “... 2 heart beats. They’re trying to conceal themselves. What? 1 more heartbeat? But better concealed & further away.”

Harley walks halfway through the alley as she focuses harder for any other stalkers. Zeroing in, she’s shocked.

Harley: “They all came separately for different reasons. What the hell? ... An attack!”

With great agility, Harley flips back from impact. A surge of spirit energy strikes down in a bolt that nearly hits her. She takes stance.

Harley: “Show yourselves.”

Out from the shadows, one of them reveals themselves.

Belkys: “My, my. You’re good. A little too good.”

“That’s what makes her so fun.”

From above, she pounces down before Harley next to Belkys.

Claurice: “This time, you have no one to protect you.”

Harley is hesitant.

Harley: “You two came alone? Where are your henchmen?”

Claurice tilts her head & twirls a strand of pink hair between her fingers.

Claurice: “We came alone, because we want you all to ourselves.”

Belkys: “You may have psychic abilities, but it’s nothing compared to our spirit energy. Speaking of which, I didn’t know Miharu was kidnapped.”

Claurice: “She was probably one of the lucky few who were saved & returned to her parents, wasn’t she? No way had she volunteered herself & no way in hell she gained it naturally- it’s a dead fighting technique.”

Harley: “Damn it, Miharu. How clumsy of you to reveal your spirit energy.”

Harley: “You came here to fight, didn’t you?”

Claurice & Belkys grin, but are intrigued.

Harley: “You’re not gonna get a fight out of me, so just go ahead & hurt me all you want.”

Claurice: “You’re talking more than usual. That boy must make you feel good about yourself, huh? I can take him away easily if I truly want to.”

Harley grits her teeth & balls up her fists tighter.

Claurice: “I wish you would fight me. The power you struck Belkys with is unforgivable. & I know I can beat that power easily. I’m so much stronger than you & I want to prove it to you, I want to watch you squirm.”

Claurice lets out a shrill laugh as it echoes against the alley walls.

Claurice: “I don’t think I’ll ever forget the day your father put my father away. Let me tell you, when I found out who you were, I made it a promise to my father I’d make you suffer for as long as he was locked up.”

Harley: “You’re father is foolish. To have given up his soul to those Senate bastards. You think you Mods are mighty? A mere laboratory failure.”

Claurice giggles & continues into a boastful laugh.

Claurice: “You aim to hurt me? Well, I’ll give you that. Only because, I can hurt you more.”

Claurice smiles as she flips her hair back. Instantly, several men appear from around the corner. They crowd Harley as she raises her ready fists.

Belkys: “I’m sure you didn’t sense them, because they’re soldiers from the Senate.”

Claurice: “You see, my parents are pretty tight with the Senator, & I can get whatever I want.”

Claurice & Belkys step back.

Claurice: “Give me a show, boys.”

2 men of the 7 rush her as 1 kicks her down to her knees & the 2nd slaps her hard causing her to fall on her side. 3 others begin to kick down on her with great force. She almost blacks out until she wills herself to undergo their abuse. With every strike, she grunts & tries to hold her tears back. They halt to pick Harley up & shove her against the wall. 2 of the men join in & punch her in the stomach causing her to gasp for air. Given a moment, the men back up on command. Claurice & Belkys step through as Harley falls to her knees. Harley tries to regain her breath as they continue to talk down to her.

Claurice: “You think you’re higher than us because you don’t fight? You’re weak! That’s all it proves. Your father was weak & he deserved to die. You’re weak & you’ll be sure to follow him.”

Claurice turns to walk away with Belkys following. The men resume beating on Harley as she tries to crawl after them. Harley’s anguish grew strong & began to whirl out of control.

Harley: “Your father is worthless! A Senate drone that deserved what he got! He deserves to be dead!”

Furious than ever before, Claurice turns back around, shoving the men away, & grabs Harley by her hair.

Claurice: “You WHORE!”

Claurice rages & slaps Harley. Claruice punches Harley in the gut & Harley goes down on all fours. Claurice kicks Harley hard in the chest causing Harley to fall onto her back. She pins Harley against the floor with her foot fastened to Harley’s neck.

Claurice: “I don’t think I want to keep it a secret anymore. I think telling you will hurt you beyond belief. Yes, oh, YES! I’m gonna tell it to you & you will suffer!”

Blind with rage & nearly crazed, Belkys steps in to calm Claurice.

Belkys: “You know, Claurice was only poking fun at you when she said your father’s dead. That brown-haired girl, Ayane, she’s not joking.”

Harley shivers in pain as she tries to listen in her wounded state.

Harley: “What?”

Claurice: “You’re father is alive, you bitch! He’s alive!”

Claurice throws her arms in the air in laughter as she smears the pain into Harley.

Claurice: “All these years, your pathetic father has been alive! In a goddamn tube in the Senate’s laboratory! He’s the reason why we Mods exist! He’s the reason why so many children were abducted & killed, because they were too weak to undergo all the testing! Does it hurt, Harley? To have their innocent blood all over your hands! Your father deserves to die. You deserve to die!”

Claurice steps off of Harley as Belkys pulls her back. Harley shakes as she tries to sit herself up. Her breathing quickens as she tries to make sense of Claurice’s words. Everything she believed in, everything she thought she knew, everything she did because of her father’s death- it all no longer had any reason & Harley’s mind snaps.

~~~~

[Scarlette]

Harley’s head drops. Her body falls limp. An ominous emptiness lurks into the air. All sounds mute out & the alley surroundings slightly & strangely begin to darken. Sound slowly comes back as Claurice & Belkys back up looking from side to side in paranoia. The men take stance & wait for command. For the first time, Claurice is hesitant.

Claurice: “Get her, get her now!”

The men lunge at Harley. Instantly, all sounds & movement stop. Gravity begins to slowly lose existence as random debris & dumpsters along the alley begin to float. Harley’s head slowly rises. From her eyes & parted mouth, red light seeps through as if she were bleeding fire. Deep inside, Harley could feel the burning. It surged throughout her whole body, through her veins, in her face, to her fingertips. The burning pain was warm & it started to sting. It was anger, it was sorrow, it was confusion. She didn’t care. Harley’s head throws back & an agonizing scream escapes her. Claurice & Belkys back up clear away as Harley cries out. Darkness swirls around Harley as her body starts to lift up into the air. The men resume their attack. With this, the darkness drops onto the floor like shadow nearly reaching where Claurice & Belkys quiver. Harley’s scream stops. All at once, red light shoots from Harley’s body. It shines harmlessly onto the Senate’s soldiers as they stand frozen upon the dark shadow. The red light begins to sparkle & grows hot in temperature. Fiercely thrashing & swiping, the light whips around cutting up & burning the Senate’s soldiers into pieces. The men scream out in pain & terror as they try to escape the grip of the shadowy targeting range. The red light aims & drills through all of their chests simultaneously. The light starts to expand in size growing larger & larger in diameter as the men scream louder. Finally, the red light explodes, causing blood & flesh to splatter against the alley walls & all over Claurice & Belkys. The trash & dumpsters crash to the floor as gravity returns. Motion & sound also return as Harley is slowly lowered down. Traumatized, Claurice & Belkys watch on. From above, a figure swoops down next to them.

Yuuta: “What the hell are you two doing, run goddamn it!”

Yuuta snatches them up by the arm as they will their legs to run away with him. They disappear as Harley’s tiptoes gently touch the ground. Upon touching the ground, Harley’s body falls fast. Caught in mid-air, Hideki sweeps her up in his arms. He sees her eyes white & wide still lightly flaming. As her eyes slowly close the fire seeps back into her eyes & extinguishes. All around him, the carcasses begin to peel from the walls & evaporate. Hearing sirens at a distance, he flees with an unconscious Harley in his hold.

Hideki: “What the hell is going on!”

He hurries through the alley & through the downtown traffic. Waving down a taxi, it stops in front of him & he sets Harley safe inside. He seats himself inside & sifts out his cell phone while shutting the door. The taxi drives off as he angrily dials. Use to communicating through voicemail, he proceeds with his message.

Hideki: “Father, we need to talk & I demand answers. What the hell does the Senate have you & mom doing now?”

~~~~

[Scarlette]

In the whiteness of her mind, Harley is enraged as she searches the vast emptiness. She stands on endless white ground & the white horizon stretches far & wide.

Harley: “Where are you? I know you’re here!”

She runs through the abyss shouting out in growing frustration.

Harley: “Come on out!”

Losing her breath, she stops down on one knee. Balling up her fists, she pounds on the ground violently.

Harley: “Show yourself! Show yourself, damn it, show yourself! Father!”

Matrix: “What seems to be the problem?”

His calm voice & indifference manifests before Harley as he approaches slowly.

Harley: “Impostor! Who the hell are you?”

She quickly stands as he takes a step back.

Matrix: “Nonsense. You know who I am.”

Harley: “LIES! My father is alive! Damn you, Senate fuckers, damn you! Let him go!”

Harley cries out as her tears fill the empty white world. Knee-deep, she continues to cry as the level rises higher.

Matrix: “What? I’m- alive? I’m not dead?”

Harley stops her sobbing & the leveling also stops as she looks up in realization & terror.

Harley: “You... You don’t know you’re alive, do you?”

Matrix: “You’re being irrational, Harley. Who put these ideas in your head?”

Harley: “Only the dead can enter through the dream world. How have you been able to see me in my dreams all these years if you’ve been alive?”

Matrix shakes his head in disbelief.

Matrix: “I’m dead, Harley. I’m dead, goddamn it...”

Matrix eyes widen.

Matrix: “What? No... Oh, god, no...”

A chill rattles through their spines as Harley figures it out, but questions it regardless.

Harley: “Astral projection?”

Matrix lowers his head in confusion. Harley bursts out in tears as she approaches Matrix.

Harley: “Dad, where are you? Please, tell me! Tell me those Senate bastards don’t have you captive somewhere!”

Matrix backs away from Harley’s pulling & shaking hands. Her voice disappears into darkness as he opens his eyes. A dim, orange light surrounds him as he focuses his sight. Voices strangely rumble through the glass encased around him. Horrified, he panics inside the glass capsule causing the orange water to splash against the tank. He tries to remove a fastened mask with a tube connected into his mouth, but finds his arms & ankles shackled. With this motion, one of the voices sounds out nervously.

“Keep him under better sedation! Do you know what he could do if he’s fully conscious?”

Instantly, the capsule’s mechanism releases a blue liquid into the tube. Shaking violently, Matrix tries to reject the blue liquid from entering his mouth. The capsule’s mechanism clicks again as green water rushes inside replacing the orange water, which causes Matrix to go into paralysis. Matrix’s eyelids become heavy & shut him into a comatose state. Seeing this, Harley’s eyes open. She wakes with a jolt as she breathes heavily & sits up gasping for air. She manages to hiss out words as Hideki shakes her out of her dream.

Harley: “Drowning, drowning-“

She blinks hard & makes out Hideki’s determined face. Pain shoots throughout her body as she recollects her injuries. She slumps back onto her back & groans.

Hideki: “You’re safe. You’re at my house.”

Harley pauses & turns over carefully. Scanning the room, it’s a few square feet bigger than her room & very much a man’s room. His room is tidy for the most part with the exception of some dirty clothes hanging from the hamper & scattered on the floor near it. His bed is twice as big as hers. A TV with a game system connected to it is set opposite from his bed. A few feet from his bed, a computer & a comfy office chair is tucked under a desk with several magazines & books upon it. To the left of the TV, he has a closet closed from sight with the hamper slightly in front of the closed door. She notices the scent of Hideki all around her as she takes in a breath lying flat on his bed. Posters of rock bands & video games are snug to the room’s light blue walls. She feels around her wounds & notices that she’s not in her own clothes. All she wears is a thin white T-shirt that barely extends pass her ribs & a flimsy pair of very short pink shorts. Her eyes widen & she gasps as she sits up quickly, but Hideki is quick to explain.

Hideki: “My aunt- she helped tend to your wounds &- changed you out of your stained clothes. She insisted to give you clothes she use to fit into instead of my clothes.”

She combs her hair behind her ear & chuckles.

Harley: “How old was she? 10 years old?”

Hideki smiles & combs her hair behind her other ear. With this gesture, she begins to blush uncontrollably.

Hideki: “Are you feeling alright?”

Harley nods.

Harley: “Bruised & sore. It still kinda hurts, but I’m okay.”

Taking a moment, she cautiously remarks to him.

Harley: “Um, what happened?”

Hideki is taken aback, but tells what had happened to the Senate’s soldiers & herself. He lets out a disappointed sigh.

Hideki: “So, you really are tapped into your spirit energy... Why did you lie to me?”

She doesn’t know what to say. She doesn’t want to say.

Harley: “I- I don’t know... As a child, my mother told me to always keep it secret or I’d be taken away by the Senate... Miharu too. We both have gained our spirit energy naturally.”

Hideki’s stern face worries her.

Harley: “I- I’m sorry.”

He relaxes himself & rests his hand on hers.

Hideki: “I want to tell you something, but you must keep it completely secret.”

Harley nods.

Hideki: “My parents, they work for the Senate... My parents didn’t know I had been rebelling against their actions & my uncle moved me here so I wouldn’t be found out. He was afraid the Senate would turn their soldiers against my parents & kill me.”

Harley’s heart drops as she tries to listen carefully.

Hideki: “My uncle begged me to stop spying on them, so I stopped. I didn’t know they worked for the Senate until a few years ago. I found out about several of their projects & experiments through my father’s laptop files & I grew to hate my parents for it.”

Harley is silent as he waits anxiously.

Hideki: “You don’t think any less of me, do you?”

Harley quickly shakes her head.

Harley: “No. Not at all. I- ... I just think we have light & dark in us that we’re afraid to accept. Fearful that no one else understands us.”

Hideki: “But that’s the thing, I feel like I can tell you anything & you won’t be disgusted of me. The Senate has done unspeakable things & I’m here hiding the fact that my parents are a part of it.”

He scoots closer to her & rests his hands around her shoulders. Her breathing gets heavy as she can lightly smell his sweet breath.

Hideki: “Harley... You’re a puzzle. I want to know who you are, regardless of what you think about yourself or of what others say about you.”

Her heart beats loudly in her chest as she finds it hard to believe that he doesn’t notice its pounding.

Hideki: “I appreciate you listening to me. I’ve never told anyone about this. I... I...”

He slowly leans in close, his breath shaky, but his desire flaming & gratuity overflowing. Harley is paused as her whole body flushes & her breathing scattered. A knock at the door.

“I have some tea for the young lady.”

Hideki backs & clears his throat as Harley catches her shallow breath.

Hideki: “Yes, come in.”

Hideki’s aunt enters with a tray with steamy tea & sweet cookies. Hideki & Harley straighten themselves out & nervously smile.

Aunt: “How are you, dear?”

Harley nods & thanks her. The woman gestures to Harley that she shouldn’t worry & they’ll be taking her home soon. She exits to join her husband in the living room. Harley lifts the covers from her & sets her legs over the end of the bed. Hideki doesn’t mean to stare, but he looks her over. He notices her curves & skin complexion. He wonders if her skin would feel as soft as it looks. As she reaches for the tea cup from the table, he quickly looks away to avoid from being caught gawking. She munches on a cookie & looks to Hideki. She smiles & mimics him.

Harley: “Will you come join me?”

He chuckles & seats himself across from her. Through the window, the setting sun ignites the intensity in Harley’s red hair as she smiles, oblivious to how others see her in great magnificence. He watches in amazement as they sip their tea.

~~~Owari~~~ (End)

[Scarlette]

Chptr 5: First Touch

Harley & Miharu enjoy the rushing crowd & retail sales in a popular mall. They go in & out of shops when they stop at a kiosk. Miharu buys matching phone charms for herself & Harley. Attaching it to her cell phone, Miharu smiles as Harley tucks it in her pocket.

Harley: “I’ll put it on my key chain later.”

She doesn’t want to discourage Miharu. Harley has what she needs & is lucky & gracious to receive anything of value.

Harley: “Hountou ni. Arigato.” (Thanks, really.)

Miharu: “Doitashimashite.” (Don’t mention it.)

After a fun evening out, Harley waits with Miharu as her shinkanzen (bullet train) is scheduled to arrive before Harley’s.

Miharu: “Saa. Ureshii desu ka?” (So. Are you happy?)

Harley: “Nani.” (What?)

Miharu: “About graduating.”

Miharu chuckles as Harley nods. She thinks back to yesterday when she walked across the stage to receive her diploma. Those last few steps as a high school student now far behind, but uncertainty lies ahead.

Harley: “I don’t think I’ll tell my mom... Will you help me?”

Miharu: “Harley... This is suicide. Please don’t. You should really tell your mom, she’ll know what to do.”

Harley: “I can’t... I don’t know what it’ll do to her. She’s so worn from what life has given her, I just-“

Miharu: “Have you thought it might make her happy?”

Harley pauses to think, but it’s hopeless.

Harley: “I don’t know...”

The shinkanzen slowly pulls up & stops with the doors opening.

Miharu turns to enter & Harley smirks.

Harley: “I know we can get my dad out. & I know you won’t let me do this alone.”

Miharu twirls around in the aisle to face Harley & winks.

Miharu: “Count on it.”

Harley smiles as the doors slide shut. Miharu waves as the shinkanzen moves on. Harley returns the gesture & walks to the opposite side of the platform to wait for her train. Upon arriving home, she can sense a negative atmosphere. She sees her mother quietly sitting on the living room couch dissatisfied.

Harley: “Is something wrong, Mom?”

Sayaka: “You’re forbidden to see that boy you call Hideki.”

Harley is taken by surprise, but she remains calm. Overreacting never won her mother over.

Sayaka: “Did you know that boy’s parents are deeply involved with the Senate? Hideki probably isn’t even his real name. He could be a spy.”

Harley: “But-“

Sayaka: “I have my reasons, Harley.”

Harley loses her patience.

Harley: “What reasons? I don’t understand why you strap me down when I’ve been unquestioning & quiet. What else do you want from me?”

Sayaka doesn’t respond. Harley huffs in disappointment.

Harley: “I- I’m sorry, Mom...”

Sayaka rises to her feet & moves to the window. Gazing aimlessly through the glass, she lets out a sigh.

Sayaka: “It’s time you know your duties. It’s time you know what your training is really for...”

Harley steps forward fearful of her words.

Sayaka: “You’ve been having dreams, haven’t you? Dreams about your father & the Warrior of Prosperity.”

Harley is shocked.

Sayaka: “The same thing happened to your father when he was your age... And you want to know why, but you’ve been afraid to tell me about these dreams.”

Harley nods. Sayaka sets her eyes on her daughter’s worried face.

Sayaka: “You’re a descendent of the Warrior of Prosperity. Aiden is your ancestor... The Promised Land is no fairytale. It is very much real.”

A sensation overwhelms Harley as if her body collapses on itself. She sets down her book bag & seats her chilled body on the couch.

Harley: “It all makes sense...”

Sayaka: “I hope you now understand why you’re too important to be found by the Senate & why I’ve kept you heavily involved with the rebellion for most of your life.”

Sayaka turns her attention back out the window.

Sayaka: “You, Miharu, & the few others who’ve gained natural SE ability will be important to the Hidden Precinct.”

Harley: “What do they want with me? I have nothing they can take from me.”

Harley blinks & shakes her head as an image of her father suddenly appears in her mind. Sayaka lowers her head.

Sayaka: “I don’t know, but I know if they take you, they won’t let you go alive.”

Harley covers her face with her brittle hands to calm her trembling.

Sayaka: “I’ve already spoken with the boy’s legal guardians. All they know is he is to stay away from you or I’ll call the authorities to deal with him.”

Harley closes her eyes. A tear falls onto her clasped hands. Someone she barely knows suddenly must disappear from her life again. She doesn’t want it to happen, not this time. Not Hideki.

Sayaka: “Don’t worry about college entree exams. You’ll be needed underground in the Hidden Precinct & will undergo more training.”

Harley stands & bows. She grabs her bag & enters her room silently. Dropping her bag, she flops onto her bed face down.

“I don’t care what my aunt & uncle told me, but I refuse to be told who I can & can’t see.”

Harley jumps from her bed & turns to see Hideki sitting in her office chair.

Harley: “How the hell did you get in here? When did you-“

Hideki hurries to her side to hush her. She glances at her door in the hopes he didn’t overhear the conversation.

Hideki: “I just snuck in through your window. You should really remember to lock it.”

He snickers as Harley’s heart races. She tries to calm herself & empties her pockets onto the nightstand next to her bed. The phone charm chimes as Harley sets it down. He points to it.

Hideki: “Kawaii.” (Cute.)

Harley giggles & nods as he observes her room. The nightstand rests snug under a strangely tall window. The ceiling is high compared to his cozy room. She has a simple table & an office chair at the foot of her twin sized bed. A rack with all her clothing stands opposite from her bed & she has wooden floors with a red round rug in the center of her room. Left from the window is a drawer & a built in bookshelf with various manga & stories along with items tucked away in the drawers. The plain white walls contradict themselves as they only accentuate the colors of the random items in her room. Harley suddenly misses the cushion carpet of Hideki’s room & she quickly straightens up.

Harley: “I’m sorry about everything. Um, there’s nothing fun here to do either.”

Hideki shakes his head.

Hideki: “I appreciate you for who you are, not what you have.”

Hideki pulls her in for a tight hug as Harley blushes. He makes his way out the second window to the right of her clothing rack. He wants to stay; they both know so, but they try to acknowledge the late hour as an excuse. She closes the window, but keeps it unlocked & smiles. He waves goodbye & she does the same as he turns into the darkness. She curls up in bed & begins to think of how she could rescue her father. She doesn’t want to accept Ayane’s proposition, to go in like a lab rat with no return. Harley falls asleep deep in her thoughts as her last thought is the very faint scent Hideki leaves behind.

~~~~

[Scarlette]

A 13-year old Harley walks home from school. Due to her mother's busy schedule, she always does things on her own from the moment she was old enough to take care of herself. Her middle school is 5 blocks from her apartment complex near the outskirts of the slums. At this time, Sayaka doesn't worry much for Harley's safety. Harley has long started training when her father passed on. She enters the apartment & prepares clean clothes for a bath. Turning the knob, steamy water flushes into the round shaped bath. She seats her undressed body on a low stool & dunks water atop her head from the bath with a bucket. Reaching for the soap bar, she scrubs head to toe. She quickly dunks herself again washing away the suds & immediately jumps into the bath tub. 30 minutes pass after relaxing in the hot, steamy water & she dries herself off, but is abruptly disturbed. Looking at her towel, her jaw drops at the sight. A smear of red blood appears on the white towel & she looks down. A small trickle runs down her leg & she frowns & turns to the bucket again. Exiting the bathroom, Sayaka is preparing dinner, which rarely happens, & Harley smiles. In the middle of her scurring around, Sayaka notices Harley & sweetly smiles.

Sayaka: “I'm making your favorite- udon noodle soup.”

Harley nods & steps forward.

Harley: “Mom, I got my period.”

Her mother is taken by surprise.

Sayaka: “Oh, um, do you need any help?”

Harley: “No, I figured it out & found your pads.”

Sayaka lets out a breath of relief followed by a frown.

Sayaka: “I'm sorry, Harley... I haven't been the best mother- ”

Harley: “No. Mom, it's alright.”

Sayaka gently smiles & approaches Harley.

Sayaka: “I'll do my best.”

Harley opens her eyes. Ayane's voice irritates her.

Ayane: “So, have you decided?”

Harley raises her head from her memories. She stands in an empty grassy soccer field surrounded by trees on one end & a small woods on the other.

Harley: “No.”

Ayane: “Hmph, you're making things difficult. But... It also means I get to kick your ass.”

She takes combat stance.

Ayane: “Don't keep me waiting.”

Harley scoffs & turns to walk away.

Ayane: “Heh, you asked for it.”

Instantly, Ayane quick-steps behind Harley & punches for her ribs. Harley swiftly turns around, dodging the attack & punches forth. The two exchange without any impact & Harley shoves Ayane from her.

Harley: “Why have you done this to yourself? You must have some regret in you?”

Ayane is not phased & twirls into a roundhouse kick. Harley blocks & interlocks a grip with Ayane after trying to grapple Harley.

Ayane: “The question is: Why are you such a goody little two shoes? You think being good has gotten you anywhere?”

Harley leans & a swift kick follows. Ayane backs to evade the strike as she comes in again for Harley's throat. Harley bends backwards, kicks off of Ayane's chest, & flips back. Ayane brushes herself off & sneers.

Ayane: “Look at where it's gotten you. A pathetic loser with bullies for friends & a boy who doesn't know whether to pity you or leave you.”

Harley grunts in frustration.

Harley: “You know, you lost a good thing goin' there with Hideki. He could save you, he wants to still, but you're too goddamn stubborn.”

Ayane twists in the air & kicks down landing Harley's shoulder. She recovers, but misses a quick punch to the gut. She grunts & pulls back & blocks enough to gain distance.

Ayane: “You don't know me. Your words are worthless. All you are is a tool for your mother to use against us. With the Senate's power, you could rule the world.”

Harley: “You give me no choice, Mod.”

Ayane: “Dig your own grave.”

Ayane claps her hands & upon impact purple light glows from her palms. Her arms force out causing light to rush Harley. Head lowered, Harley takes in a breath. She grins as Ayane's SE bolt zones in. Harley's eyes flare forward & instantly the SE bolt collides, but disintegrates before Harley. The spirit energy sparkles as it falls harmlessly to the floor & disappears. The setting sun causes a surface to glisten that surrounds Harley. A SE forcefield deteriorates the impact & Harley hastes forward. She balls up her fists, putting one on top of the other. Pulling back above her head, she swings down hard. In defense, Ayane grips her right hand over her chest to block the attack. Upon collision, white light shatters & metal clatters & the sound rattles throughout the woods. Harley wields an intricately crafted tanto that grits against Ayane's katana. Ayane leans in close.

Ayane: “You're sneaky, but you're little friend is no match for my katana.”

Harley shoves forward.

Harley: “That's no way to greet Hideo. Say hello, Hideo.”

Harley elbows Ayane in the face causing her nose to spew a stream of blood & cuts deep into her left arm. Ayane staggers back & grunts while gripping her wound.

Ayane: “Why don't we return the favor, Elaina.”

She charges Harley & deflects Harley's defense. Ayane quickly shoves her shoulder into Harley & cuts down into her thigh. Harley grunts as she manages to push Ayane back before getting her leg deeply severed. They both run at each other, blades raised high. Before the metal could meet, their weapons are struck clear & fast out of their grasp. The two back from each other & scan the area. Harley looks to her weapon & a ninja star plants it to the ground & she looks to Ayane's weapon to find the same. Harley drops stance as Ayane backs up.

Ayane: “Shit.”

She turns to flee as the shadows come alive & rise out from behind the several scattered trees.

Ayane: “This isn't over.”

She leaps over the bushes & disappears into the woods. Two shadowy figures appear & chase after her. Harley lowers her head as the two figures in ninja gear pass her. She turns to see dozens of warriors idle for command. She bows deeply as she recognizes a voice from behind them.

“I hope you understand the severity of the situation. Your comrades here shouldn't be called upon simply to come to your rescue. You've disappointed them & you will make it up to them in the Hidden Precinct.”

Suddenly, the two stealthy ninjas appear before them. One of them steps forward & reports.

“The target has escaped.”

Harley: “My apologies, mother.”

Sayaka takes in a breath as a helicopter hovers down.

Sayaka: “Take her, she will be questioned.”

The pair of ninjas bow & lead Harley into the helicopter. As the helicopter takes off from Sayaka's line of sight, the first ninja quickly removes their mask.

“What the hell is going on, Harley?”

The second ninja removes their mask.

Miharu: “She doesn't have to answer to you. She outranks you, Renjiro”

She sees Harley's bloody leg.

Miharu: “You should heal that up before we get back to the Hidden Precinct.”

Harley stares on as her hands rest on her wound. A blue dim glow appears as she closes her eyes. Having calmed down, Renjiro leans over to Miharu.

Renjiro: “How will we break into the Senate now? We'll never get her dad outta there, she's in deep shit.”

Miharu looks Harley over in her meditative state.

Miharu: “I don't know... We'll just have to see what happens.”

The helicopter roars across the horizon as Harley's thoughts flush out the loud sound. Briefly in her mind, her father appears to her & suddenly disappears. He's still alive, but weak, & he's running out of time.

~~~~