Disruppted Essence - [Chapter One; Nothing to Hold]

"It begins as..."1


"Love.2

If you asked what love is to her, she wouldn't have known her answer.3

Love is dead, she’d say. There would be no thought, no hesitation in her answer.4

Terra Rhodes believed it to be so.5

Somewhere along the road, the possibility of love for Terra had been squashed, burned, and melted away.6

Somewhere along the road, the idea of love for Terra had been shot, hacked to pieces, and buried in the ground.7

She never saw it coming. She should have, but she didn’t."8

9

"Put the note down," a soft, dark voice called out after hearing a softer one read the tattered letter before him.10

The two figures sat on the floor with their backs against the wall and side by side to read what was on the sheets of the torn computer paper. They finished reading the note continuously, however one had heard enough. The boy looked turned to look, with no small amount of trepidation, at flowering tree outside their window. With the wind having picked up that morning, they noted the delicate petals were already falling off the tree and that bits of greenery were beginning to peek out from where some of the blossoms had been.11

"We have to get her," the female figure clenched her fist with determination in her eyes and her voice was suddenly deeper, "now, Ice."12

The gentleman's name was Ice, his pale blue eyes trailing throughout the room in both thought and uncertainty. "Why."13

"Why?" The female was furious. Beads of sweat trailed down her face and she shook her head. Biting her lip, she grabbed Ice's arm. "You know why! You caused her to get caught!"14

Ice turned to the female with an emotionless expression. He paused, silently removing her hand and staring at her. Slowly he called her name, "Lithe," he turned away from her again, "I did not cause her to get caught. It was of her own actions and recklessness. Not to mention your negligence."15

Lithe clenched her fist harder, a small trail of crimson liquid falling from her hand and she aimed to punch Ice. Without any movement she suddenly found herself on the ground with a blank expression. What had just happened?16

"Lithe," Ice called again, walking by her, "you go save her if you want. But you should know that Terra is capable of saving herself. She isn't as stupid as she looks."17

"Was that supposed to be a compliment?" Lithe asked darkly, glaring at the boy with narrowed eyes. She murmured a curse underneath her breath.18

"Believe what you want," Ice turned back to her and had a somewhat softer face. It slowly grew firmer, however, and Lithe became uncomfortable.19

Silence fulfilled the area for a moment and the two just shot glares at one another. Neither backed down from the contest; it was an all out staring - actually glaring - contest that was neither interrupted, nor stopped.20

"I can't stand you," Lithe looked away with a tint of pink hitting her cheeks, "I hate you, Ice."21

"OK." Ice remained with an emotionless expression and stretched. He played with his arm for a moment and then walked through the doorway, stopping as he felt Lithe's hand against his. "What do you want now." His voice was cold and stern.22

"Look," Lithe's bright green eyes stared at him, "I don't like you and you don't like me. But please, we need to get Terra!" she raised her voice and then gripped his hand tighter. It was as cold as steel, his hand, and he remained with a dark expression. "Please," she continued, pleadingly.23

"No," Ice's response was straightforward and he got his hand free. "I have no business with either of you from this point on." He stood up.24

"Ice!" Lithe called his name as he walked down the pathway. "Ice, stop!"25

Her short blonde hair covered her left eye as a strong wind came in between them. She dropped to the ground, her face damp and vision blurry. Large cherry blossom trees surrounded the area and, one feel one by one as Ice left the garden.26

"Please," Lithe cried, "Ice, come back!"