Target Acquired - VOLUME 1

CHAPTER 13 - "Recovery Time"

My body turns cold as I collapse onto the ground beneath me, spewing blood from my stomach. The last thing I can feel is pain - lots of it. More than I've ever felt before.

Then, I feel a wave of relief flood my mind. My eyes closed watching my classmates run over to me, terrified, but now I can see a beautiful scene waiting for me.

I sit upright, still clenching my stomach, but no blood stains my hands. Instead, they are a pale pink, untouched and delicate. I glance down, seeing that I'm in a new outfit from... well, when was I not wearing this white dress? It's breezy and floats in the wind, which embraces me, pulling me into a warm hug each time. 

My eyes blink a few times to engulf where I am - an open meadow filled with soft, tall grass and colorful flower beds. It feels like a dream, only I'm experiencing it.

Lush bushes and tall trees line around the edge of the field, offering me a sense of security. Some of the bushes are filled with brightly-colored dots. Berries? I wonder what they taste like!

I stand up and begin to walk, making my way through the tall grass. It brushes against my legs, tickling them. I smile at the sensations. Actually, I can feel a few giggles leave my mouth. I don't know why!

My own voice startled me a bit. It's been so long since such a playful voice has came out. Well, has it? I can't remember! I don't want to!

"Yumi?" a voice calls out. It's sweet and motherly, and when I look ahead of me to see what the person who owns it, I find a beautiful woman. Her hair is white with light flecks of blue and purple. It shines in the warm sun - just like her radiant smile. Such a comforting lady!

Her dark eyes meet mine, and she hurries over to me, beaming. "There's my little songbird! I see you finally decided to wake up!" she exclaims as she reaches an area of grass a few feet away from me.

I nod and observe her. She holds a wicker basket filled with some of the berries from the bushes. They're assorted with hues of blue, purple, and red.

Her hands brush against my arms soothingly. Is this my mother? Of course it is! Who else would it be? I never dreamt I'd have such a loving woman for one, but... I already have one, right? She has orange hair and a mature, but beautiful face. She never brushes her hands against me, but she always takes me places. Places? Why not just stay here? 

Her hands begin to sting against my skin, pinching my arms. What is she doing?

"Megumi!" a voice yells from inside my head. It doesn't belong to the woman. "Wake up!"

I blink a few times and wake up. Was that a dream? Someone is holding me. They're much larger than me and have my head cradled against their chest. 

I hear someone gasp and am pulled away from the person. Shinobu looks back at me, his face worried. His eyes are red, but no tears come out. Instead, he yells, "You idiot! Sacrificing yourself for fucking Terasaka of all people?!

 Suddenly, I remember what happened before the flower field. I couldn't picture it before, but now the image of the cloaked man and the strange boy be ordered around burns into my mind. I can't help but shudder at the thought of the two.

My hands almost immediately move toward my stomach. The blood has dried, and there is no hole from the tentacle anymore. How...?

"Megumi!" a voice from behind me yells. It's followed by others calling out similar things. I turn to be embraced by Nakamura, who has tears in her eyes. She swallows hard and laughs quietly, quietly whispering, "Thank you," to Shinobu.

My other classmates greet me enthusiastically. I think they're just as confused as I am. Shinobu stands and helps me up. All of a sudden, he stumbles and almost falls back down. I help him regain his balance.