MHG-V1-2 (Initial Draft)

Chapter 9 - Can you help me?

A.9

Ken walked glumly along the boulevard that looked out over the river. It had been a week now since he had seen Teruko, which was the longest they had been 'apart' since he had chosen her as his girlfriend. Part of him was worried for her, knowing that the reason she hadnt contacted him for so long was because she was busy 'protecting' herself, but for the most part his melancholy had a more selfish origin - he missed her.

Ken stopped and looked out over the river. It was such a stark contrast from before, when she had seemed to spend every waking moment chattering in his ear about so many different things. He hadnt realised how dependent he had become on that until it was gone.

What should he do? He wondered, sighing. He would never have felt like this before. He would have just gone on with his life. For the first time in hisblife he felt truly dependent on another person.

As he stood there thinking a plan formednin his mind. It was a sketchy plan, but it was worth a shot. It was the only way he could think of to be close to her again. Ken's face became firm as he decided to do it, and then he made an abrupt turn and began walkinh down toward the subway station.

The last time Teruko had led him to the old laboratory that housed her memory she had led him on such a complex path that there was no hope he could remember how to get there on his own. However he knew the general area it was located and he knew there were only three trains that passed through that area. If he tried them all, he might just find a place that looked familiar.

With such a plan in mind Ken sat on the number 42 train, watching the buildings fly past. Since this was an industrial area the trains were all elevated above ground, which made it easier to see where he was going. However it had been more than five hours now and he hadnt seen anything that looked remotely familiar.

As he sat staring out the window, his eyes turning red from the continual staring, the continual searching, he suddenly snapped to attention. That building! He watched it as it began to disappear from view and then decided that he *did* recognise it. He quickly jumped up and stood at the door, waiting for the next station to arrive. As soon as he did he rushed out the door and made his way up the stairs to the outside.

Ken looked out from the ledge he had exited on to, out over the industrial complex before him. It was a drab, depressing place. Brown and gray sludgy buildings rose in every direction, and even the sky was a gloomy overcast that added to the mood. However Ken couldnt see that building he has recognised. He only knew the general directon. He rushed down the metallic stairs in front of him and headed out into the industrial wilderness.

An hour later Ken was surr he had been walking around in circles. Even his navigation system didnt seem to help. It kept showing maps that were inconsistent with what he saw around him so that he had lost all faith in depending on it.

He slumped to the ground, discouraged and disappointed.

"What are you doing?" Teruko asked suddenly. Her voice was like a beacon of hope after an eternity of dispair.

"Looking for you." Ken said, feeling as if he were about to break down and cry.

"Silly. You could have just asked." She said.

"I havent from you for so long.."

Teruko was silent for a while.

"Sorry." She said. "Ill tell you how to go."

Ken finally entered the dimly lit room where the massive cylindrical machine that housed Teruko's consciousness lay. Teruko stood before him in a white bikini.

"What are you doing?" Ken asked.

"I'm sorry.." she said, her face downcast.

"Dont be like that." Ken said. "Change into something more normal."