A Hero's Journey -- Part 48-

The cold water had helped stop some of the swelling, but it really wasn’t a substitute for ice. Her split lip and the gash along her temple both continue to sting. At least the bleeding had stopped.

She replayed her statement over and over in her mind. It was not what she had expected. There was no mention of her abduction or of the group responsible for it. It instead assured the public there was no need for alarm.

‘What game are they playing?’

She honestly didn’t know. While her kidnapping would cause some public reaction, she doubted it would cause the amount her captors were hoping for. She was still well liked and respected, but she had successfully distanced herself from her brief stint as Queen Relena. And that had diminished some of the people’s fervor.

Did her captors know that? Again, she didn’t know. She idly wondered what would happen to her if her capture didn’t cause the uproar they wanted.

And the thing was she didn’t care. She was so tired of it all: the constant threats to her life and safety, the endless political bickering and infighting, and the persistent scrutiny of the public and the media. She no longer knew where Relena the diplomat ended and Relena the person began.

Maybe there was no longer any Relena the person to her.

‘Stop it,’ she thought, frowning. ‘Stop feeling sorry for yourself. It won’t accomplish anything.’


Part XLVIII The cold water had helped stop some of the swelling, but it really wasn’t a substitute for ice. Her split lip and the gash along her temple both continue to sting. At least the bleeding had stopped. She replayed her statement over and over in her mind. It was not what she had expected. There was no mention of her abduction or of the group responsible for it. It instead assured the public there was no need for alarm. ‘What game are they playing?’ She honestly didn’t know. While her kidnapping would cause some public reaction, she doubted it would cause the amount her captors were hoping for. She was still well liked and respected, but she had successfully distanced herself from her brief stint as Queen Relena. And that had diminished some of the people’s fervor. Did her captors know that? Again, she didn’t know. She idly wondered what would happen to her if her capture didn’t cause the uproar they wanted. And the thing was she didn’t care. She was so tired of it all: the constant threats to her life and safety, the endless political bickering and infighting, and the persistent scrutiny of the public and the media. She no longer knew where Relena the diplomat ended and Relena the person began. Maybe there was no longer any Relena the person to her. ‘Stop it,’ she thought, frowning. ‘Stop feeling sorry for yourself. It won’t accomplish anything.’


Part XLIX Main Page