.: T H E F A L L :.

Prologue - Mama

It started when I was born. 

20XX.. The year it fell.

What is "It" you ask?

The empire. 21XX is the year I was born into this world, this century. My family died not long after I was born. I had turned two by then, my mother knew she was sick. But not naturally sick, some genetically modified sick. Something that's given to you somehow, not just passed through the air. I didn't know until later, though.

My mother left me on the doorstep of a concrete building. I was scared, crying. I felt helpless without my Mom. I mean, at the time I was, I barely knew left from right. Hell.. I even ate bugs, just because they tasted funny. I watched as the woman I called mom walk away, her hand clamped tight over her canine maw. She was crying, I could easily see. I cried out for her to come back. She wouldn't turn around to face me though. I know why now, but little me thought she didn't love me anymore. "Mama!" I cried out again. She couldn't stand ignoring her baby cry for her so helplessly, not anymore. 

She turned around, only to fall out onto the ground. At the same time, a loud noise was audible through the area, and footsteps approaching the sanction. I fell silent, like I was taught.. no matter how much I wanted to cry, I had to stay silent.

"If you hear footsteps and you can't see the person, you.." "Faw siwent an hide!" "Good job my little King! You're gonna grow up to be so big and strong.." My mothers voice was soft, sweet.. Like honey flowing from a spoon into the jar. "Wike Daddy?" My mouth attempted to make the words as easily understandable as I could for my age, baby babbling and blurbing here and there, my mother thought it was cute, the noises I made. "Just like Daddy."

I could still feel her hand caressing my head as her dead body laid in front of me. Instead of hiding, I managed to get out of my basket and to the limp body. The footsteps stopped, a few people crowded around the area where we laid. I didn't want to leave my mama there alone, my little brain couldn't understand what had happened to her.

"She was sick.." "Is this her baby? Poor lady.." "Hey, come here little one! Get away from her, she's.. resting.."

The people from the concrete structure had emerged with the intent to take me inside, but I wouldn't go. Soldiers had to pry me off to make me leave with my new "Family..." if that's what you could even call them. The took care of me and loved me but they just weren't there. They weren't there for me in my bad times, told me to get over it, death happens.

I was two.

I'm seventeen now. My dad was dead by the time i was one and a half, my mother was the only one there. I was always a momma's boy.. I still am. 

My mother was initially a canine, but she was just like me, a shape-shifter. Hunted species, so not all of my friends know. Better safe than sorry.. In this world you don't know who to trust. 

My father was supposedly a large hybrid, I faintly remember him.. He was this big dude, strong and loving to my mom.. He died of the disease too. I don't know why, though.. Hybrids are common in this century now, from giraffe-oppotumus people to armadillo-rats. So.. maybe I'll never find out... Which, in it's own way, sets me at peace.

Ah.. it seems I've gotten off track... But this isn't the end.

This, my friend, is the beginning.