A Hero's Journey -- Part 56-

Relena gripped the seat of her chair tightly as another explosion rocked the compound. She strained her hearing. Except for an occasional shout or barked order, the corridor outside her room was quiet.

‘What is happening out there?’ she wondered for the millionth time. ‘Am I being rescued?’

Another blast shook the structure. A section of lighting gave and crashed to the floor. The hissing electrical wires barely missed her as she jumped back. She ducked her head as the glass shattered, crying out as the hot shards sliced her arms and her cheek.

As quickly as it had happened, it was over. Her shaky legs threatened to give out on her, so she collapsed back into the chair. With mechanical motions, she began to pluck the glass out of her skin.

The heavy door to the room burst open. Relena tried to keep her expression impassive as she turned to the intruder. Her heart froze when she realized it was the leader.

“My, my,” he said, eying the fallen light fixture, “looks like you’ve had some excitement in here. Of course, no where near the excitement we’re having out there.”

He strode across the room, ignoring the crunch of the glass under his boots. Relena fought the urge to move back when he stopped in front of her. With his big hand, he grabbed her chin and forced her to face him.

“Some minor damage,” he remarked. She didn’t know if he was commenting on her injuries or the aftermath of the explosions. Part of her never wanted to know.

Without warning, he yanked a piece of glass out of her cheek. She gasped at the pain. When she saw his smirk, she quickly regained control of herself.

“What is it about you that makes you so special?” he mused. Again, he yanked out a shard of glass. This time, except for biting her lip, she remained still.

“Men are fighting for you, fighting over you, once again. Even men who swore not to fight again.” He watched her face intently. “All for you, Relena Peacecraft.”

“Dorlian. I’ve given up that name. I am Relena Dorlian now.”

He slapped, the vicious blow catching her off guard. He backed away from her. With almost pleasure, he watched her as she righted herself in the chair.

“Stupid bitch. It doesn’t matter what name you call yourself. You’re a symbol to the people, a rallying point. You probably always will be.”

“I never asked to be that.”

“We rarely ask for the things in our lives.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Your friends have finally found my base. They are doing everything in their power to rescue you.”

Relena tried to beat down the fluttering of hope in her chest. She couldn’t betray any emotion, especially now. She had to stay strong just a little longer.

“Too bad your friends will be too late,” the man commented, suddenly reaching down by his hip.

Once again Relena found herself staring down the barrel of a gun.


Part LVI Relena gripped the seat of her chair tightly as another explosion rocked the compound. She strained her hearing. Except for an occasional shout or barked order, the corridor outside her room was quiet. ‘What is happening out there?’ she wondered for the millionth time. ‘Am I being rescued?’ Another blast shook the structure. A section of lighting gave and crashed to the floor. The hissing electrical wires barely missed her as she jumped back. She ducked her head as the glass shattered, crying out as the hot shards sliced her arms and her cheek. As quickly as it had happened, it was over. Her shaky legs threatened to give out on her, so she collapsed back into the chair. With mechanical motions, she began to pluck the glass out of her skin. The heavy door to the room burst open. Relena tried to keep her expression impassive as she turned to the intruder. Her heart froze when she realized it was the leader. “My, my,” he said, eying the fallen light fixture, “looks like you’ve had some excitement in here. Of course, no where near the excitement we’re having out there.” He strode across the room, ignoring the crunch of the glass under his boots. Relena fought the urge to move back when he stopped in front of her. With his big hand, he grabbed her chin and forced her to face him. “Some minor damage,” he remarked. She didn’t know if he was commenting on her injuries or the aftermath of the explosions. Part of her never wanted to know. Without warning, he yanked a piece of glass out of her cheek. She gasped at the pain. When she saw his smirk, she quickly regained control of herself. “What is it about you that makes you so special?” he mused. Again, he yanked out a shard of glass. This time, except for biting her lip, she remained still. “Men are fighting for you, fighting over you, once again. Even men who swore not to fight again.” He watched her face intently. “All for you, Relena Peacecraft.” “Dorlian. I’ve given up that name. I am Relena Dorlian now.” He slapped, the vicious blow catching her off guard. He backed away from her. With almost pleasure, he watched her as she righted herself in the chair. “Stupid bitch. It doesn’t matter what name you call yourself. You’re a symbol to the people, a rallying point. You probably always will be.” “I never asked to be that.” “We rarely ask for the things in our lives.” He folded his arms across his chest. “Your friends have finally found my base. They are doing everything in their power to rescue you.” Relena tried to beat down the fluttering of hope in her chest. She couldn’t betray any emotion, especially now. She had to stay strong just a little longer. “Too bad your friends will be too late,” the man commented, suddenly reaching down by his hip. Once again Relena found herself staring down the barrel of a gun.


Part LVII Main Page