Eternal Purity

Chapter Two

Night was falling as the moon was rising. Small animals were calling good night. Thick snow was on the ground.

And a little girl, no older than 7, was standing right in the middle of it.

Her bare feet and body were practically frozen from the falling snow. Only a worn out sweater was covering her. But that wasn't what was bothering her at all.

What was bothering her was that she was on the run. Or so she thought. She had escaped from a facility 4 months ago, away from a place that was filled with infinite torture.

She remembered clearly what had happened when they took her away from her mother:

Two doctors were arguing about her in a large dark room.

"Shouldn't we do special tests on her? She's different from the others."

"She might be different, but she's also good spirited. Unlike the others, aside from Number 7, this little girl despises killing. She fears it, even."

"But, sir. This little girl is a special case. She keeps yelling, "I'm not insane" when she's alone. Won't she snap at any moment?"

"Are you serious? Just look at the way she's acting now!" He turned to look at a little girl around the age of 4 that was clutching the hem of her sweater, her big, clear red eyes gleaming with wonder and confusion.

"She reminds me of that one girl... Who escaped..." the other whispered. The older sighed.

"She's dead. The ambush took care of her. We saw it ourselves, remember? She fell off the bridge."

"I suppose you're right," he replied after a quiet pause, "but do be careful if something like that does happen." He sighed as he left, the sliding doors shutting behind him.

The other doctor turned to the girl. He put his large hands on her tiny shoulders.

"I want to tell you something," He began, " you're different. You aren't like the others. Aside from one other diclonius, you are the only one here who doesn't give in to your instincts."

The girl nodded her head, as if she understood. Of course she didn't know about the things that will soon happen to her, but she was already prepared to accept it. Her mother wanted her daughter to be as brave and smart as she could, so she started on her education very early. It wasn't much. Just reading and street smarts, but the little girl was surprisingly a good listener, and unlike other young children who would mess around the house, she would just sit there quietly, whispering that something bad will happen soon. And of course, soon the police came and took the little girl away, covering up with lies. Her mother was heartbroken, but she told herself that she would search for her when the timing was right...

And the little girl in the dark room was the same girl that was taken away. On another day, a doctor tried to make her talk, but no avail.

The doctor sighed. "Still nothing to say?" She shook her head. The girl was able to talk in complete sentences that no other 4 year old would completely understand, thanks to the home education she received before she was taken away from her Mother. She just wasn't comfortable.

"Well, why don't we start the tests on you?" Gently taking the girl by the hand, the two walked their way to a testing room.

The little girl that was basically covered in a thin sheet of snow cried silently. Call me insane, she thought, but I actually miss that place. At least it was warmer than out here.

Even though the tests they made her do was painful, she still strangely considered the facility her home. She would've still slept in that big warm water filled cell to keep her hidden away from others. She still would've been fed three times a day, no matter what the food was...

Another thought occurred to her.

Itoko-san...

Itoko was a strange girl who had helped her escaped the "prison". They had to separate along the way, and Juno had gotten lucky enough to break out.

Was Itoko as lucky?

Feeling drowsy, she decided to stop and rest. I should rest for tonight, and then I should continue walking by sunrise.

She saw a burrow in a tree and decided to rest there. It was pretty high. Using her vectors to help her, she started to climb. She jumped onto branches, until one of them broke. Tumbling down to the ground, the child got a mouth full of snow and a soft landing. She shook the snow off her and continued to walk.

Forget the rest, she thought. I'll keep walking... Her feet were basically numb, and since she didn't have a ribbon or anything to cover her horns, the chances finding clothing or food were slim.

She remembered the escape as if it were only a few hours ago. She used to live on the streets at a city for a short time until she almost got caught being spotted. After that, she ran into the forest.

She saw a light flashing in the distance. Sunlight? She thought. She walked closer, and felt a dirt path under her feet. An old flashing sign read, SHADOW CREEK COVE.

A cove? Juno went past the sign and saw a small building that looked like a house. Running up to it, she saw that it was a type of shop. It was also closed. Sighing, she walked away from the shop and continued walking down the path.

Maybe there's a store here, and I could steal at least a coat and some bread, she thought as the walked down the path. She saw more lights in the distance.

I wonder where this leads to, Juno thought as she started walking to the left. As she walked, she heard something snap, like a stick. She froze, as her heart began pounding in her ears.

A human!? She thought as she continued walking. Maybe if she ignored the sound, maybe it'll go away?

No, the steps were still there. Suddenly a hand was put on her shoulder.

Get away! Go away! I won't go back! You can't take me back! She thought franticly as a single vector sprouted. A soft voice was heard.

"Hey, you. Don't you remember me? It's me. Itoko."

The question confused her for a second. Then the name hit her like a brick. Turning around she got a face full of short dark pink hair. Getting the hair out of her face, she met something else.

Horns.

Broken horns.

A/N I know I left you with a cliffhanger. It's because I'm evil. :3 Oh, and who did Juno exactly found? (it's pretty obvious, again. XD) Chapter Two will be up soon. Lefty out! ;3