She Was Just A Child (PART 2)

PROLOGUE

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the base. Inside the dimly lit room, Dian sat on her bed, her mind churning with the events of the past few weeks. The discovery of Zero One and his cryptic connection to her had unsettled her in ways she couldn’t fully understand. The name “Fifteen” echoed in her mind, a reminder of a past she had tried to bury. Yet, despite the fog of amnesia, something about Zero One had stirred an unfamiliar sense of kinship within her—a bond forged not by blood, but by something far more sinister.

The encounter with Zero One had left her shaken. He had been relentless, his words sharp and devoid of emotion as he demanded that she return with him. "You're Fifteen. You belong with us," he had said, his tone unyielding. But Dian had refused, clinging to the life she had with Konig and the team. Yet, the seeds of doubt had been planted, and now they threatened to take root.

As she sat in the quiet of her room, Dian felt a strange restlessness settle over her. Her thoughts drifted to the organization Zero One spoke of, the mysterious entity that had created them both. She knew little about her past, but this encounter had reawakened a dormant curiosity—a need to uncover the truth about who she was and why they wanted her back.

The door creaked open, and Konig stepped inside, his expression one of concern. "Dian," he began, his voice gentle, "are you okay?"

Dian looked up, her eyes meeting his. For a moment, she hesitated, the words caught in her throat. How could she explain the turmoil she felt? The pull between the life she knew and the one she had forgotten?

"I'm fine, Papa," she replied, her voice steady but hollow. It was a lie, and they both knew it. But Konig didn’t press her. Instead, he crossed the room and sat beside her on the bed.

"Talk to me, Dian. I know this isn’t easy for you. But we’ll get through this together," he said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Dian’s heart ached at his kindness. Konig had always been there for her, a steady presence in the chaos of her life. But now, with the shadow of her past looming large, she felt a growing distance between them—an invisible barrier she couldn’t break through.

"I don’t know who I am, Papa," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I was starting to understand, but now… with Zero One… everything is confusing again."

Konig nodded, his expression thoughtful. "You’re more than just a number, Dian. Whatever this organization wants, it doesn’t define you. You’ve built a life here, with us. That’s what matters."

Dian wanted to believe him, but the doubts lingered. The life she had built felt fragile like it could shatter at any moment. The organization had its claws in her, and she feared that no matter how hard she tried, she wouldn’t be able to escape.

"Zero One said they want me back," she murmured, her mind replaying the encounter. "But I don’t even know who 'they' are. Why do they want me?"

Konig’s grip on her shoulder tightened slightly. "We’ll find out. But for now, focus on what you do know. You’re strong, Dian. You’ve overcome so much already."

His words were meant to comfort, but Dian couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom. She had always been able to rely on her instincts, and now they were screaming at her that something was very wrong. The organization’s reach was long, and she knew they wouldn’t stop until they had her back.

As the night deepened, Konig stayed with her, offering quiet reassurances. Eventually, he left her to rest, but sleep was the furthest thing from her mind. Dian lay awake, her thoughts a whirl of confusion and fear. She knew she couldn’t ignore the threat of the organization. They had already sent Zero One, and she did not doubt that more would follow.

The following days were a blur. The team sensed the tension in Dian, though she tried her best to mask it. She threw herself into training, pushing her body to the limits in an attempt to drown out the voices in her head. But even in the throes of exhaustion, the thoughts wouldn’t leave her alone.

Zero One was out there, waiting, watching. The organization wouldn’t rest until they had her back. Deep down, a small, traitorous part of her wondered what it would be like to return—to understand the mysteries of her past, even if it meant surrendering the life she had fought so hard to build.

One evening, as Dian stood alone in the training room, she felt a presence behind her. She turned to find Zero One standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension between them palpable.

"You know why I’m here," Zero One said, his voice devoid of warmth. "You can’t run from who you are."

Dian’s heart pounded in her chest. "I’m not running," she shot back, her voice firm. "But I’m not going back with you either."

Zero One tilted his head slightly as if considering her words. "You don’t have a choice, Fifteen. The organization wants you back, and they’ll get what they want. It’s only a matter of time."

Dian’s resolve hardened. "I’m not Fifteen. Not anymore."

Zero One’s eyes narrowed. "You can deny it all you want, but the truth remains. You’re one of us. You always will be."

The weight of his words settled over her, and for a moment, Dian felt a flicker of doubt. But then she thought of Konig, of the team, of the life she had built. She couldn’t let the organization take that away from her.

"I belong here," she said, her voice steady. "And I’m not going anywhere with you."

Zero One’s expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—disappointment, perhaps, or regret. "We’ll see about that," he said, turning to leave.

As he walked away, Dian felt a mixture of relief and dread. The encounter had solidified her resolve, but it had also confirmed her worst fears. The organization wasn’t going to give up, and neither was Zero One.

In the days that followed, Dian found herself on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop. She knew that Zero One wouldn’t give up easily, and the organization would stop at nothing to get her back. But she was determined to fight, no matter what it took.

The prologue closes with Dian standing at the edge of the base, her eyes scanning the horizon. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the landscape. The darkness was closing in, but she wasn’t afraid. She was ready to face whatever came next.

In the distance, she could almost see the outline of Zero One, watching and waiting. The battle for her soul was far from over, but Dian was determined to come out on top. She had fought too hard to lose now, and she wouldn’t go down without a fight.

As the night descended, Dian steeled herself for the challenges ahead. The shadows of her past were closing in, but she was ready. She had no choice. The battle was coming, and this time, she wouldn’t run.