• ERIC

    I was at the docks, miles from home. It was around 6 when Anaya disappeared, and now it was almost 4 in the morning. Toby and Angel went back home to wait and see if Anaya would wonder back beaten and brusied. I combed the allies for her body. The last time Anaya went missing i had found her near the docks, beaten and broken. But that was in a different place and several years ago. “Usagi!” I yelled into the night, she hated that name, but i knew that if she heard it, she’d run to me, just to knock me out. But no one came thundering down the street, no one gave a powerful battle cry, no one came. I was worried, yes but Anaya would come back i knew it, she had to. We’re all each other has. I saw a homeless woman and decided to ask her if she’d seen Anaya, but she just shook her head no. I kept walking, i called her phone again, but no one answered. I shouted her name, i screamed it. And for the first time in my life my heart started to beat a little faster. My eyes started to get blurry and i couldn’t breath. “Usagi!” I screamed desperately. “Anaya!” I cried, finally collapsing on the sidewalk from exhaustion. I’d been up for hours. My body was worn out from work and walking. And for the first time in my life tears ran down my face. “I can’t lose another person, i just cant.” I whispered defeated. Then my phone rang. I jumped and dug through my pocket for it. I clicked the accept call button. “Hello?” I said holding my breath. “Eric, please come home.” It was Toby. I sighed heavily and steadied my voice. “Toby, just a few more-“ “No!” He yelled. “Please, please, just come home. We’ll look more tomorrow please please just come back.” He begged. “Hold on,” Toby said and i heard him pass the phone. “Hey.” it was Angel. “What?” i didn’t mean to sound mad, but Toby made me mad. “Listen, you’re gonna exhaust yourself out there. You can’t find Anaya if you’re to tired to even stand.” I prossesed this for a second. “How’d you know i wasn’t standing?” i asked confused. “Man turn around.” He said, and i did. They stood there together under a street light. Toby ran forward and hugged me. “Please, i don't wanna see you like this anymore.” He said. I sighed and patted his hair. They helped me to my feet and lead me to a grey and beige Toyota Camry. “Come on I’ll drive.” Angel said opening the back seat door and putting me in. Toby put the seat belt on me. Once we settled in, Angel turned the car on and the radio came to life. Coldplay’s Viva la Vida started to play. Anaya’s favorite song, i put my head in my hands feeling like a complete and failure. It was all my fault. I knew people have been after the Oribis family for years, and i Knew that Anaya is the number one member they go after. Because of her ability to jump, she was something everyone wanted. I knew this, i knew this, but i did nothing to help prevent this sort of thing. Why am i so stupid? Why can’t i do this one simple thing right? “Hey,” Toby said, he had turned around in his seat and was holding out a tissue to me. I took it and blew my nose. Manson slithered up my arm and coiled around my neck. “I’ve never seen this side of you. It frightens me.” Manson whispered sounding concerned. “I’ve never felt like this. I've been afraid, yes, but i've never felt this before.” I whispered back. “New things are frighting, lets keep doing them.” Manson said, i scratched his scaly head and smiled.

    ANAYA

    It burned. i think, i screamed. i think, i cussed. I know i hit someone. But i didn’t shift. I fought back. i was there for a second and i saw an old man and a young man to. Did i know them? Why does this ******** hurt? What happened to me. I came back and someone was shouting, but it all sounded wonky. My vision blackened again and all i heard was the sound of my beating heart.


    “Mama” Said a small girl. I was standing in the middle of a field. It was sunny, but snow covered the ground. The little girl had on a hoodie, the hood pulled over her head covering her face. “Mama” she said again running to a woman with blonde hair that was braided back, she wore a long coat and gloves. A scarf around her neck. The woman picked the girl up and twirled her, they laughed in the cold, they looked so happy. A man came into the picture he hugged them, He was dressed for the cold and whips of black, curly, hair stuck out from under his beanie. He had something with him, he handed it to the girl. It was a box, she opened it. Inside was a gold necklace with a heart locket on it and a bunny charm. “Mama, Daddy, I love you!” the little girl giggled. “Happy birthday Anaya.” said the Dad, it was a memory. The last time i celebrated my birthday.


    I gasped and sat straight up in the bed feeling incredibly sick. I leaned over and vomited. Luckily there was a trash can there. I looked around the dark room and swung my feet over the edge of the bed i was laying in. The room had a dresser and small closet to the side. The bed took up a good bit of the room. I lowered my feet and ready myself to take the weight of my body. I staggered to one side but stood, my stomach burned. My throat was dry. I realized then i had only underwear and a bandage around my torso. Slowly i made my way to the dresser and rummaged through it. I found a hoodie and a pair of pants, i pulled them on. The clothes where way to big for me, but at least my small boobs didn’t need a bra. I put the hood back a bit to expose my eyes better. I creaked the door open, hyperaware of my heart beating in my chest, and the clothes that practically hung on me and the incredible amount of pain radiating form my torso. I looked out into the hall and saw that it didn’t look like a hospital. I was in someones house. I scanned the hall and saw no one. Slowly i creaked the door open wider and slipped through. My feet where cold against the wood flooring. I shivered slightly and touched the bunny pendent around my neck. My stomach growled, my throat was dry like the desert; theres no way i can jump out of here being this thirsty and hungry. I crept down the hall slowly. Every step i took filled me with nausea and a pain that threatened to drop me. I passed by closed silent doors. The only sound i could hear was the creaking of the old house and my own uneven breath. I reached the end of the hall a red cedar door in front of me. I placed my ear to the door and heard nothing. Slowly i pushed the door open. I found myself in a small dinning room, with a kitchen just beyond the dinning table. I looked around and saw no one. As quickly as i could i crossed the room to the kitchen and opened the cabinet closest to me. Inside to my luck was cereal. Bless this cereal, i tore it open and began to shove it down my throat. I ran to the fridge and found a carton of milk i began to drink that to chase the cereal. In another cabinet i found chips, fruit snacks, bread, canned fruit, in the fridge i found ham, juice, chocolate, and cooked rice. I ate and ate. I felt like a wild animal who hadn’t eaten in a long time finally killing something. But unlike the other zodiacs I’m not likely to do that at all. I literally ate everything. My head cleared. I remembered where i was and with who… ********… Adam. I was so preoccupied with feeding i forgot all about him. I looked around me at the mess i’d made, my stomach was full, but i suddenly felt uneasy. Then i heard it a tiny creak, I snapped my head around to see him. An old man. He just stood there hands behind his back hunched forward slightly. He had a smile on his face, and long black hair that was turning grey at the roots. We just stared at each other silently. After what seems like an uncomfortable forever he cleared his throat. “Well nice to see you awake miss.” He said chuckling. I took a step back, i glanced to my left and saw a window if i ran at with with enough force i could smash through. “It’s alright, don’t try getting yourself hurt again.” He said holding his hands up. “I won’t hurt you i promise.” He smiled kindly, but i knew kindness got you killed. “A..Adam.” I said, my voice was scratchy. “Oh, your friend? He’s out back chopping some wood for us.” He said. “Come i’ll show you.” I followed him out into the living room and out a back door.


    I squinted against the sudden light, blinking a few times. I heard birds chirping from somewhere and looked into the yard. Adam was shirtless his back muscles flexing as he raised the axe over his head and then brought it down splitting the log in front of him to. I winced at the sound. “He’s a very good and smart boy.” The old man said. “Yes he is, he’s been a big help around here for the past few days.” I turned to see and old woman sitting in an old rocking chair, a quilt laid carefully on her lap. “I’m glad to see you’re up young lady.” Said the woman. Then it registered in my head, ‘Days.’ She said the words ‘days.’ “H-how long have I…” My voice trailed off. “A week i do believe.” said the old man, i stumbled back suddenly feeling week. He came and put a hand on my arm holding me up. “A …week?” I asked, what the ********? “Yes, you see the bullet wound, went deep into your stomach and you lost a lot of blood. Your friend over there refused to let us take you to the hospital, so we did what we could here. Also when you fell, you slammed your head pretty hard on a tree, i’m surprised that didn’t kill you.” Said the old man leading me to another chair. Slowly i reached up into the hood and felt around my head, sure enough i felt a bandage. He gestured for me to sit, but instead i got on my hands and knees and bowed my head almost touching the ground. This was only the second time i and done such a thing. “I ask for your forgiveness.” I said. “I have come into your home, disrupted your way of life, ate your food, and caused you much trouble. For that i am very, truly, and deeply sorry.” I said, and this time i meant it. These people saved me, and i disrespected them by thinking they where liars with their kindness, and eating all their hard earned food. “Now, now its alright, no need for that.” He said putting his hand on my back. “You two have been delightful to have around, and that food, well your friend over there said you’d probably eat half the kitchen when you got up so we stocked up for you.” That only made me feel worse. “Grandfather, i promise i will pay you back.” I said respectfully. “We’ll get better. Thats all the payment i need. Your friend over there he’s doing a fine job at paying the other half.” He said helping me stand. “Ana, please take her back inside. Give her the medicine and put her in bed. You shouldn’t be walking around to much for your wound will open again. Oh and Ana, check the wounds for me.” Grandfather said, Ana rose from her chair and took my hand firmly in her own. She was a short woman shorter than me, her long hair was tied back into a little bun. Her hands where soft. Grandmother lead me back through the house to the room and put me in the bed. She opened a window to let the sun in before leaving me. She returned a few minutes later with water and pills. “Pain killers, and antibiotics.” She said handing them to me. I swallowed them. “Alright lay down and pull your shirt up, i need to see those bandages.” She said smiling an old wrinkly sweet smile. I did as i was told. I stared at the dry wall ceiling as she unwrapped my torso. I felt a cold and wetness, realizing she was cleaning my wounds. “Thank you Grandmother.” I said trying not to wince at the pain. She laughed Grandmother has a sweet laugh. “You are very welcome dear. You know when you first came in i didn’t think you’d be this sweet. You near took out that boy’s eye with all your thrashing. It was a scary sight. The most fight i ever seen in someone who’d just been shot and got their head slammed into a tree.” She said. I apologized again. “No, no, don’t apologize. We understand you where just afraid.” Grandmother finished cleaning the wound and placed clean bandages around my torso. “Alright let me see your head.” Grandmother said throwing the dirty rags into the trashcan i had vomited into earlier. I hesitated for a moment, there was no mirror in this room which was good, but i wasn’t about to let this woman see my face again. Not my eyes. I pulled the hoodie off and covered my face with the shirt. “Don’t like showing your face?” Grandmother asked. “I mean no disrespect, Grandmother. I just do not wish to keep showing my face. I have never seen it myself. And in my family it is very taboo. My face, my being…” I trailed off remembering things i thought i forgot long ago. Grandmother patted my shoulder. “I understand, my child. The wound is behind your head any way.” I nodded, my face still buried in my hands. I moved forward and let Grandmother attend to the wound on the back of my head. I winced as she wiped at the wound. My head began to feel fuzzy. Grandmother placed a hand on my back. “Feeling dizzy, my child?” She said. I nodded. “Alright lay down now. I’ll get my husband in here to check up on you.” Grandmother said moving off the bed and helping me lay down. The room spun as i struggled to pull on my hoodie. I heard grandmother leave the room. I was alone with my self. I pulled the soft quilt up under my chin and tried to control the sudden dizziness in my head. “Did i eat to much?” i whispered to no one. “Toka.” I said. But Toka didn’t appear, i was to weak to help her into her physical form. I pulled the hood over my face farther, and sighed. I closed my eyes.


    I woke up to someone knocking on the door. I struggled to sit up. “Come in.” I croaked. The door swung in slowly and Grandfather’s head peeped out. “Hello, i came to check up on you. I tried a few times, but you didn’t wake.” He said coming in. I looked out the window and saw that it wasn’t as sunny, but the sun hadn’t set completely. “I apologize.” I said bowing my head slightly. He chuckled. “Don’t worry it’s alright.” He did a general check up, staying away from my eyes. “You seem alright. That head wound will cause you some dizziness and nausea from time to time, over the next few days. But you should be alright. You shouldn’t walk around to much until that wound of yours is completely healed, we wouldn’t want it reopening.” Grandfather said in a doctor voice. “Now, you must be hungry.” He smiled at me, and i nodded. “Alright, I’ll have that young fellow called Adam to bring you, your soup. Ana is a wonderful cook.” He left and shut the door quietly. “This is so strange.” I said. And it was, i’d never been cared for like this, never. I’ve been unconscious for a week? And these people haven’t killed me, and i didn’t wake up in some strange lab with people trying to dissect me. I closed my eyes again, and tried to clear my mind. I didn’t wanna think about anything. There was a small knock on the door. “Yes?” I said, my voice still a bit scratchy. “Can I come in?” It was Adam. “Yea.” I answered, the door squeaked open and there he was. Green eyes and pitch black hair. He had a stitch that ran through his left eyebrow, and a bandage around a few of his fingers. He wore a t-shirt with a picture of an elephant on it, and jeans. Adam carried a small try with two bowls of soup and a small plate of bread. He came in shut the door softly behind him and stood awkwardly next to the bed. “Hey.” i said, Adam jumped a little, he seemed nervous. “Are you just gonna stand there? Grab something to sit on.” I said impatiently, the soup smelt of potatoes, carrots, and Fish? My stomach growled. He nodded and set the tray on the small table next to me. He grabbed a stool that sat in the corner and pulled it over next to the bed. Adam settled down and then gave me the bowl of soup. “Itadakimasu.” I said before eating. Out of the corner of my eye i saw Adam pause in the middle of taking a bite, and just staring at me. “I didn’t think you spoke Japanese. You look Russian.” Adam said setting his soup down. I sipped from my bowl. “My father was Chinese, Japanese, and Indian. My mother was Russian and German. I grew up with a strange mixture of all five cultures.” I said dismissively, and continued to eat. “Woah, really? That’s so cool. So does that mean you speak all of those languages?” He asked taking a piece a bread. “Yes, but my Russian isn’t very good. I’m more comfortable with Chinese, Japanese, and English.” I said wishing he’d stop asking me questions. “No way! That’s even cooler.” Adam said, his green eyes wide with amazement. “It’s not that cool. Sometimes i forget words in one language and mix them up with other languages.” I bite into a nice soft piece of potato. “Still! I wish i knew that many languages.” He said smiling. I said nothing.

    We sat in silence for a while. Only the clinking of silverware filled the small space. “Your family must be really worried about you.” I said. Adam laughed. “I haven’t seen my family in over 4 years. I think they’re glad i haven’t called or anything.” He said smiling warmly. Again i didn’t know what to say, so i said nothing. “Do you think your parents are worried about you?” Adam asked after a few minutes. I pondered the question for a minute. Is Eric worried about me? What about Toby? Mochi? Oliver? Do they even care that i’ve been gone a week? Does anyone? I’m just the Rabbit. Not even a willing rabbit. Just one that unfortunately came into it. The black sheep, or rather the black rabbit of the Oribis family. Nothing more. And so much less. We finished eating in silence. We set the plates aside. “You didn’t answer.” Adam said, his voice a bit sad. I sat up straight. I bowed my head. “I thank you for saving my life. But it does not mean i should share what my family thinks of me with you.” I said lifting my head and meeting his eyes. I pulled the hood down further. “Why are you wearing your hood?” Adam asked leaning forward. “Because i can.” I said a little harsher than i meant it. He didn’t seem fazed. “Your beautiful you know.” Adam said reaching out to touch me. I grabbed his wrist. We sat like that for a minute, before i let him go, he rubbed his wrist a little. “Get better.” Adam said in a monotone voice, he collected the dishes and left.


    I slept on and off. I kept having strange dreams that the second i woke up i couldn’t remember them, but the feeling they left me with gave me slight anxiety. Grandfather came in a few times, in his last visit he gave me a book. It was about a few girls who got powers of the four elements, and had to save the world. It was pretty interesting, even if the plot line was just all over the place. Grandmother also visited me, cleaning my wounds. It seemed i was getting better, aside from random migraines. I walked around the bedroom fine; the wound of my stomach made it a bit difficult, but not impossible.

    The next day, i left the room and showered. Afterwards Grandfather had me go outside and sit in the sun for a while. I managed to help Grandmother with her light house work, sweeping, dusting, and just general cleaning. But by 3 in the afternoon, i couldn’t stand, i’d worn myself out, and Adam had to carry me back to bed. Apparently i gave Grandmother quite the scare, when i suddenly just dropped like a sack of potatoes in the middle of brining in some laundry. I ate with Adam again in my room that night.

    “I have to talk to you.” I said as we finished our food, the whole time we had been completely silent. “What is it?” Adam asked taking my bowl of what use to be spaghetti from my hands and placing it on the tray. “As soon as i can, we’re leaving. I’ll jump us back to New York.” I said, it wasn’t something that had to be clarified, but i felt i had to let him know. “Jump? Is that what you did?” He asked, he had the same monotone voice as yesterday. I nodded. “Alright, I understand. We leave as soon as you get better. But i do have one question.” Adam said bringing his stool closer. “And why should i answer this question?” I asked curtly. “Because, you jumped me here.” He said looking into me. I pulled the hood lower. “Well i actually have a few questions.” Adam said looking down at his hands. “I’ll only answer one, so chose the one you feel is most important.” I said folding my arms across my chest. “Okay.” Adam said, i watched him think. His forehead made little wrinkles as he scrunched his eyebrows together. Adam picked at his finger nails and clenched his jaw in thought. Then Adam looked at me. “If i ask how you are able to jump i feel like it’ll take to long then half way through you’d just say never mind. If i ask why you hid your face, it’ll probably be the same…” I raised my eyebrows at this, but of course he couldn’t see that. “So?” I said. “So, those aren’t going to be my questions,” Adam said smiling. “Okay?” I said confused. “My question is, will you go on a date with me, once we get back to New York of course.” He asked, sounding hopeful. It was an easy answer for me. “No.” I said, and instantly the smile fell from his lip, but came back just as fast as it had gone. “Ha, it was worth a shot.” Adam shrugged collected the plates and headed out the door.

    That night, i laid awake. Waiting for the others to go to sleep. Once i heard the last door shut, and the footsteps faded, i sat up and grabbed the bunny neckless around my neck. “I call on the zodiac spirit, the one i have named Toka.” I whispered to the pendent, a small shimmery purple light began to leak from within the pendant. Slowly she materialized. Becoming real with her golden fur. She was a little ball of fur on my lap, i poked her ear, and it twitched. She slowly opened her eyes, and i smiled at her. “Hey, how are you feeling? It’s been a while.” She looked up at me and must’ve caught sight of the bandages under my hood. “I… Couldn’t protect you. You got hurt. I should’ve protected you!” Toka shouted. I picked her up and held her close. “Shhhh, be quiet we aren’t alone here.” I whispered holding her tight. “I’m so sorry Anaya.” She cried silently, little tears rolling from her black eyes. “Hey, hey, it’s fine. I’m alive, Adams alive, your alive. You did great jumping us on so little energy.” I cooed softly petting her. I let Toka cry a bit into my shoulder. “It’s strange for zodiac’s to cry.” I said trying to divert her attention a bit. “I didn’t think you where capable of doing it.” I added holding her out and looking into her eyes. “I didn’t know i could either.” Toka whispered. “Your humanity, must be rubbing off on me.” Toka said giggling. “Yeah, i guess so.” I shrugged. It made sense. I laid down and Toka snuggled up under my neck. The zodiacs who are human, can dictate how the zodiacs who are spirits act. This is because the spirits feed off of us. Not only food, but information, morals, emotion. They feed off that. And because of their feeding we as humans can influence their thoughts and feelings. The other zodiacs, however, are less human and more animalistic. The connection can work both ways, with the spirit feeding information, emotion, and morals to the Zodiac humanoid. This can make the human host very much like the actual zodiac, and sometimes more like a puppet. It’s a power struggle between the spirit zodiac, and the human zodiac. That’s how it’s always been. Beneath, or above, no matter what you’ll never find balance between them. It’s true for most of the zodiac’s, but i like to think Toka and I are somewhat balanced. The more balance you have with your zodiac, the more powerful you are. Like wise, the more control you have over the demons who weigh you down, the stronger you’ll become.

    The next morning my head didn't burn, my chest didn’t feel like it had a gigantic weight sitting on it. And i could walk without getting tired. I heal faster than most people. But i played sick. I didn’t even tell Adam. i did as i thought a sick person would. Getting tired, and having migraines. Grandmother believed me, as did grandfather, and Adam. The day went by slowly, and with out incident. It was the most normal day, i had had in a while. It felt strange, made me anxious, but at the same time, I felt at peace. I enjoyed that day, as much as i could. I still didn’t talk much, and they never asked where Adam and i came from, or what we where doing in the woods a week ago. They never asked me to remove my hood either. They never questioned us. Grandmother and Grandfather, treated Adam and i the same way a parent would.

    That’s how the next few days went. It felt good. But finally two weeks after our arrival. I decided it was time to go home. I told Adam this one night as we ate together. Most of our meals where silent, until he’d mention an anime and we’d argue about it, for a few minutes, but they where mostly silent. Surprisingly Adam didn’t want to leave. I could tell he didn’t want to because of the look on his face. But his mouth said okay. It didn’t matter what he wanted, it was my call. My choice.

    The last day i helped all day. With cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, and carrying heavy objects with grandmother. We all ate at the dinning room table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was amazing. It felt like a real family, it felt like home. But this was a lie. All of it. I knew that this, this isn’t the real world, at least not for me. This right here was the fantasy. So i enjoyed it, the best i could. I even pulled the hood far enough to show my mouth, to show my smile. I’ve never seen my smile, so i hoped it was good. Adam and i washed dishes and after wards, we listened to Grandfather tell old stories of fishing and hiking, and how strong he was. He told about the time he fought a bear, and a wolf. How all he had for defense was a machete and a sharp mind. Grandmother told us he was full of it. We laughed. Grandfather, and Grandmother, told us about how they met. Apparently it was at a bar, and Grandfather was so drunk he couldn’t even stand. It was a nice story. And we listened intently. After the stories we sat together around the fire. I laid on my stomach reading a book about the life of a boy who had invisibility powers, and how he’d always get into trouble. It was a funny book. Adam read a bibliography about one of the presidents, Ronald Reagan i think. Grandmother sung softly in the background sewing, and Grandfather fell asleep in his chair. It was a peaceful day. Something i hadn’t had in a while. Peace. No missions. No Oribis family. No one to bother me, no one to try to kill me, no one to make me do anything i didn’t want to. Two weeks without having to break someones arm, shoot someone in the head, or steal anything. I was reminded again of my humanity, of who i was before. A peaceful rabbit, this was a fantasy. The life these people lived. I’ve made wishes on stars for this, thrown coins in fountains, and blew out birthday candles, for this. But like all fantasies, it came to en end.

    That night Adam and I snuck out the back door after leaving a lengthy note of gratitude. We walked out across the field i had seen the first day of our arrival. And into the thick forest. Slowly we slide down he hills side, the only sounds we heard where crickets, and our feet crushing sticks and fallen leaves. I followed Adam to the clearing, it was alot bigger than i thought it was. There where more trees, less mud, more rocks. “So whats gonna happen to me, to us, after we get back to New York?” Adam suddenly asked as we stood looking at the sky. “I don’t know.” I answered, but i did know. There where three options we had. One: We wipe his memory of the last two weeks. Even the memory of meting me in central park. Two: He keeps his memories, and will forever live with us. He knows to much about me. Three: We turn him over to the head of the Oribis family. The Rat will decide to do with him. Either way, there was a high chance of Adam dying sooner than he might have if he’d just listened to me and stayed away.

    I picked a spot and held my hand out to Adam. Adam blushed lightly and placed his hand in mine. I rolled my eyes, this of course was something he couldn’t see. I took runners position. Adam mimicked me. Then i pushed off with all my force. One, My left foot hit the ground. Two, my right foot made an indent into the soft earth. Three, both feet sunk slightly from my force into the ground. Four, and suddenly we where jumping, being engulfed by the silvery blue rays, of the jump.