Artbook

Shiho Miyano

Scroll down for Art. (Seems like I can upload on this again.)

A bit of writing about this character:

Wrapped in a numb shivering cold within the bounds of murky walls. Swallowed in by a shrouding darkness, crawling at every inch of your skin. Reaching out, fingers extended in the hope it grasps it before the dark. The flickering flames begin to fade, sinking you down to your knees. There was hope before, but now, no longer.

Wondering what it would have been like to experience the love of your parents. An oblique laughter, warm wrapped arms feeling surrounded and safe. Engulfed within hot flames that feed on the living, the breathing. They lay low, buried under the soil. An accident you'd be told. It was never an option. Orphaned, fragmented and hurt.

Bounded, leaving your fate in the hands of a criminal syndicate.

Sent off to study in another country, away from the one who cared for you, guarded you, willing to take every step of the way to keep you in one piece, your sister. You're left in confusion, unaware, without answers to the recurring questions that have been running in the back of your mind. The questions you dare not ask, that refuse to escape your lips.

Who am I? Where am I? And why am I here? Without being able to wish, to dream, to discover things for yourself. Graduating at the age of thirteen and becoming the scientist they, the bad people, wanted you to become. You're the head of the research giving commands and making sure the others follow instead of living the life of an average person your age. But you're happy because at least one of you was given freedom, restricted, followed, yet free to live a normal life. After years of separation, you're finally reunited with the one whom you most cherished.

She one day shows up with a guy by her side. You become terrified of what could go wrong. A bit shaken, doubtful, breathing, sweating and perhaps overthinking. You want to keep her safe. Holding on to her with every bit of strength you have for as long as you can hold. He'll take her away from you or will be the reason she no longer will be there. You fail to hide it and he sees it all.

"Don't make that kinda face, I'll protect her even at the cost of my life."

He seemed sincere, reassuring, removing the doubts you once held. The only other person you've come to trust.

Days come to pass, weeks, months, and nothing has changed.

The man whom you've known for two years was exposed as an FBI spy. You're relieved of the revelation. He was a good man. Hope begins to fill your eyes yet anxious of what's to come soon after. Three years come to pass and you're thankful, your worst nightmares were just a figment of your imagination. Your sister is safe and unharmed.

You meet together for a cup of coffee and you begin to talk about your day.

'

Forget about me", you say. "Are you okay? I heard you were in trouble', you swallow the rest.

'Don't worry about me, I can handle it. I'm more worried about you. Stop working on that drug and live a little.'

But both of you know that there really isn't much of a life to live for.

She gives you her utmost sincere smile, "I'll be fine" she says.

Like a sixth sense that sprung out of all your fears, you can smell people's emotions and intentions. You could even pick up the scent of your sister. It was the only way you could stay ahead of them. To keep her safe. But, it didn't work when you needed it the most. You were certain but, deep down hoped it wasn't true.

You were never told a thing... but, she was no longer there.

                                                      ***
Standing in the foyer of the well-lit laboratory, holding the newspaper at hand. Your lips moved soundlessly as you read the headline. Your eyes growing darker by the second. Thinking back to the last time you saw her, the last words you shared, the last time you had heard her voice. You thought of her now, lying in a morgue somewhere, cold and shoved aside like one of the many criminals the city had produced and left to die.