soundless exile

Chapter 13: Times of the past, and a new direction?

A woman walks in her hair is white but something seems to be missing from her head, and her eyes seem to be flicking between orange and blue as if fighting, they look at her and set down a pot of tea pouring a cup for Rousha, and herself.

Rousha looked at her tilting her head, confused as to why she could hear, "who are you?", she asked, the woman simply smiled, "I think you should know, but if not, you'll find out eventually", she sipped her tea.

My vision faded out, soon returning and seeing somewhere dockside, but it seemed wrong, the water was red as if replaced by blood, she saw herself walking, or rather someone she assumed was her limping down the docks, her motion seemed broken, lacking vigor as if she will to live was broken, she tries to approach, suddenly she turned to her and grabs her shoulder, her mouth opened and she heard the phrase clear as day, "Find her", it blacks back out.

snapping awake a looked around, to find light filtering into my room the dead silence was comforting, I threw off my sheets and stood up taking a few shakey steps, setting my hand on the nearby counter and grabbing a glass I put it up to the tap and turned it on filling it with water, I put it to my lips and down it, breathing heavily I looked into the mirror nearby and noticed a glimpse of something, turning around to see, nothing, only finding a bookshelf and desk, I exhale trying to calm my breathing taking a seat to do so.

Deciding to write a few symbols to calm myself, before noting a flash of light from the door. I look over and see it flash again, getting up and walking over I grab hold of the cold metal handle giving it a twist and a tug to reveal, no one, she stuck her head out and looked down one way to see emptiness, I twist to look the other and again find nothing, stepping out into the hall, grabbing my side bag and katana on the way out, running my fingers along the leather grip feeling the several symbols I added to the hilt in the past week, I continued down the hall, pulling a soda out of my side bag and popping the top, taking a sip.

Suddenly movement in the corner of my eye I turned to face it to find nothing again I decided to head down that way, but the floor beneath me became less solid more like it was shifting beneath me, blinking the hall changed instead of plaster and hardwood it was steel and bulkheads, a ship, judging by the shape of it, it was old in need of repairs, the engines hummed weakly, and suddenly I see the woman again, she was down the hall by some distance, talking to someone she seemed sad, a bit angry as well, her head snapped towards me and suddenly it went dark.

my eyes reopened this time I could see the ocean the swaying of the ship evident it was in rough seas, the grey skies and distant flashes of lightning only added to that, the woman again, standing in front of me holding a blade, she stared at me, slowly drawing the knife across my neck the feeling of warm liquid starts to slowly run down my neck, she grabbed my hair and pulled it back before I felt a sharp pain and my head disconnected from my body, I could see it limp in the chair tied to it constrained by rope, my view shifts facing the women and she holds a sheet of paper up and places it on my forehead, suddenly a burning feeling envelops what's left of me, my sight fades, my eyes melting my hair burning, and my skin becoming ash.

Snapping awake in a cold sweat I scan around my room to find Laffey looking at me with a worried expression, she gives me a hug, which I slowly reach around her hugging her as well patting her back, she pulls me out of the bed, and drags me with her like a toy doll, I just let her not caring how it looked I wanted comfort, and she was willing to give it, I lifted a hand and patted her head, I felt something move around her head, assuming she smiled, causing me to smile as well.

I was carried into the mess hall, and gently sat into a seat, soon a tray of food was set in front of me, Laffey sat across from me, only holding a cola of some sort, she gave a calm look, before speaking, "are you ok, mom?", I nodded, then shook my head not quite sure how I'm doing, I picked up a fork and started to eat, she tilted her head some, "you don't know?", nodding as I eat, the pain of my skull being burned clean still fresh in my mind, I flinch from the pain of the memory, dropping the fork, Laffey suddenly stood seemingly alert quickly reaching over grabbing my shoulder, making sure I don't fall over, I raised my hand setting a hand on her arm, and gave a nod, breathing heavily, Laffey nodded and released my shoulder a worried expression still visible, she sat there watching me eat, a worried look still seen.

I continued to eat soon getting a tap on my shoulder, Looking back to see Hornet motioning for me to follow, I gave Laffey a nod as I left, Hornet led me to a office to see Wales, Cleveland, and a few others there, wales handed me a folder which I open and looked at it, the paper inside seemed to be detailing a mission to infiltrate the sakura empire, Looking up the gave me a look, one that said I didn't have to take it, but I felt a draw to it as if it was calling me, I gave a nod, and started to explain details to me.

after several hours of details, and information being briefed on the mission I was told to rest as I will be sent in the early hours of tomorrow, doing so leaving for my dorm I mulled over what i need to do, entering my dorm, and sitting on my bed i exhaled laying down and shutting my eyes letting the embrace of sleep take me, not finding any dreams, thankfully.