Mind of War (On Hold)

Behold, This Is Darkness Part II

The next day, Kai, Onyx and Free met Song at the usual alleyway. There was a serious tension in the air as Song asked, "Where is Bliss?" She looked directly at Kai.

"Last night was hard for her so I suggested that she needed to rest," he replied.

"Hopefully that makes the difference," Song smiled lightly, but there was a subtle mystery behind her eyes. She had Free and Onyx to go to the other side of town to see if they could liberate some souls.

As they left, Kai asked, "Are we going to liberate?" Song stayed still.

"No, we're not. I think that I'm on the brink to a discovery and I want your opinion."

"Alright, I'm listening, as usual. So, what's up?"

"A couple days ago, I came across these underground tunnels that run through most of First Dimension. I have made a few connections and now have a nearly complete map of the whole system. Finding this has caused me to have some different thoughts about the Second Dimension." Song explained.

"Like what?" Kai asked.

"Tell me why Bliss isn't here?"

"Song, please," Kai pleaded.

"I need to know, we as a Team need to know what is going on with a teammate. Can I trust you? I need to know the honest truth today," She sounded so serious.

Kai sighed, "She doesn't think that we can win anymore. I also think that she some mixed feelings towards you. And most importantly, I have reasons to believe that she may be getting infected again."

"Alright then, that makes the picture much clearer. Tomorrow night at 8:59, I'm going to the tunnels." Song turned to walk away, but Kai grabbed her hand.

"Not so fast! One, I'm not letting you go into a tunnel at that time of night while Shadows are running amuck . Two, what does Bliss have to do with anything?" Kai asked.

"I knew that Bliss stopped believing, the moment the 9:00 fog started claimed souls. Soon that doubt will turn to darkness and she will be infected again. I have always known that I could trust my team, so I didn't want to believe that I couldn't trust you, that's why I wanted to see if you would tell me the whole truth. Free knows that your cousin is heading towards infection, so we bought a small bungalow for you and Onyx to stay in, just in case the worst happens. I hope and pray that Bliss will wake up, before she succumbs to her doubts, because she doesn't want you to leave her. She loves so hard and so true, like a mother. More importantly, she loves you more than anything."

"I know, and I'm grateful, she's been like a mother to me. That's why I can't imagine doing anything to hurt or betray her," Kai whispered with a small smile on his face.

Song placed her hand on his shoulder, "I know. And as for the tunnels, I wanted you to come with me, if that isn't asking too much."

Kai felt his heart jump as he watched the words leave Song's lips and put his hands on her shoulders. "Of course, I'm coming with you."

Song backed away slowly and smiled, "That's good to know."

As Song left, Kai felt like his secrets would be the death of her.

Song considered how dangerous times were getting and how so many things had changed as she walked away from Kai. To other people it would appear as if Team Liberate was as strong as ever, but behind closed doors they all knew that things were falling apart. Bliss grew doubtful from the moment the 9:00 fog plagued First Dimension. Kai and maybe even Onyx may not be who they appear to be, their souls forever riddled with a year's worth of secrets. She shook her head of these thoughts and set out to work on her mission. It's time to liberate.

Soul after soul, Song valor liberated 125 by nightfall. 7:50, she took her time walking back home. She walked by the bungalow and smiled when she saw Onyx and Kai moving their things in. Song walked some more until she came to Bliss' house. The lights were off, a pang of sadness coursed through her. This was not the first time that Bliss had been infected by the darkness. But it worried her that Bliss' resistance was not strong. At last, she was home it was 8:20. She charged up the stairs and lightly knocked on her father's door. His response was a deep groan. Song laughed and said, "At least you know I'm home."

Another tired groan was her father's reply. She went to the kitchen and ate what her father left for her, then after cleaning up behind herself it was time to go to sleep. The sounds off the fog reigning through the night was awful. Soul after soul were being infected all over again.

Hours later, Song turned in her bed with the realization that there were few people she could trust in the world: her father, herself, and her Team, most of the time; but she didn't want things to be that way. She lay awake in her bed as she considered her own secret.

Just then she heard a tap on her window. Song smiled as she let Free and her companion in. Free's companion was tall, lean with strong shoulders. Brown skin and dark hair with eyes the color of heather, to say that he was handsome would have been an insult, this man was beautiful.

The young man spoke in a deep, low voice, "So, have you decided that you are coming tomorrow night? Is the plan set in action?" Free turned her head towards Song, her eyes bright with anticipation.

"Yes, I convinced Kai to come. I hope that my assumption about him is right, because if it's not things could take a sharp turn left for the team." Song replied.

"I know when it comes to Kai, I can be a little biased, but we need to know who we can trust. We don't know what kinds of secrets he's been keeping for Bliss' sake. He is trying to be loyal to us, so we'll give him this chance." Free said.

"Song, relax don't wrap your head around it too much, that's what we have a plan for." The young man said as his fingertips grazed her cheek.

"You're right Creed, we'll just play it by ear. Alright so, I'll see you guys tomorrow night," Song said as Creed and Free disappeared. Song was about to close her window when Creed popped back up. He smiled at her gently, "Good night." Their faces were only seconds apart.

"Good night, Creed." Song whispered. Creed jumped down from her window and ran towards Free.

Song was about to climb back into her bed when she heard footsteps. The door opened, "Song, is everything squared away for tomorrow?" Her father asked.

"Yes, everything is set in motion, Free and Creed just left."

"I could hear that, be careful and trust your instinct, this discovery could be a breakthrough for us. This could be our tipping point for winning the war," her father said smiling lightly.

"That would be amazing! We could change the world, give our people their freedom back." Song sighed happily.

"If anyone can do it, your team can. Get some sleep. Good night." Her father said as he walked out of the room. Song laid her head down as sleep claimed her slowly but surely.