Yesterday I died today i live again tomorrow i find love11
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 2:24 am
Thank you Bata reader
Yesterday I Died, Today I Live Again, Tomorrow I Find Love
Episode Eleven: The Human Heart is a Twisted Thing
Well, hello again. It’s me, Tye. Well, it’s been a while. Lets see…oh, that’s right! I was telling you about Erika and me. Now, where was I? Oh, that’s right. I told you how I saved her life. Well, after that we had a bit of down time. The doc had me see him every day after school for a whole month, just so he could tell me that I was evolving. That’s right. It seems that me being human meant that my body and all the modifications not only blended together, but they were boosting each other. Many people think that humanity stopped evolving. Well I guess that I disprove that argument. What, you want to here more about Erika and me? Ok, lets see, what would you like to hear about? Oh, you don’t know? Well then…hum… oh, I know!
_. _. _
“Nothing makes them happy! They are dedicated to being unhappy and to spreading that unhappiness to others! They are the Ambassadors of Unhappy!”
Well, it’s now November; the air had taken a sharp chill, the trees were almost bald, and soon the first snow would fall. Erika and I were as close as ever to the dismay of some and pride of others. We had become one of the school’s Official Items. As for that statement, well, Sean had had a bad day. He needed to vent and we were the only ones he could find. Apparently, his parents had found his porn collection. And as you can imagine their image of the darling son was quite shattered. Erika was doing a good job of keeping her giggles to a minimum. I was not doing so well on that front. In fact, I was about the fall over and bust into a tantrum of laughter that would surely have me locked up.
“Man, I am depressed! I mean school, work, and now this. Is it any wonder teenagers lead the numbers of suicides?”
If he thought that was going to get sympathy from me, then he was very wrong. But I had to behave; after all I was his friend. “Well Sean, believe me this is not the worst thing that can happen to you.” I should know, after all. I died. “Look at it this way, in a few years no one will ever care.”
He looked at me and saw my expression. “Gees, Tye, you have changed.”
Huh. Where had that come from? What did he mean I had changed? I mean I knew I had “CHANGED”, but what was his meaning of me changing?
“You always used to look like you were about to jump off a bridge. Now you’re so happy. More like the guy I knew back in middle school (Jr. high school). The ‘Old Ball and Chain’ seems to suit you, buddy.”
“Old ball and chain? That does not sound very nice,” inquired Erika.
“It’s derogatory phrase often used by life long bachelors. It means wife,” I replied. She turned bright red.
“Well, well looks like some one has thought about that before.”
Erika tried to hide her face. She was embarrassed, but I was ready.
“Sean, do you remember that time in JFK when you skipped class and I found you in the janitors closet? If you don’t, I wouldn’t mind telling every one all about it.”
Sean turned a shade of red that made Erika look pale.
“You said you wouldn’t.”
“Well, as you said, I have changed.”
He got the message.
“OK, I get it. Time to change the subject. So, what are you two doing for Thanksgiving?”
Of all the subject changes in the entire world, he had to choose that one. Ask any person who has lost family, and they will tell you that family holidays are the loneliest. I mean, there it is, shoved down your throat. Family this. Family that. St. Nick on his sleigh. I guess most people don’t realize how lonely it can be. When I was five I was in a car accident. My father was the driver, my mother the passenger. I was the only one wearing my seat belt; I was also the only survivor. My maternal grandfather took me in.
Two years ago he passed of a heart condition. My uncle took over for him, but about a year ago cancer robbed him of life. That left me to either my paternal family, which was a wreck, or to the rest of my maternal family, which was either too old or too young to take care of me. So I exercised my rights. I sold the house and got an apartment. I was legally under a guardian, a friend of my grandfather, who was entrusted with things until I was of age. He ensured I had a steady allowance and that my trusts were in good shape. But that did not mean that he was living with me. Or that I was going to see him around the holidays, although he did have a track record of showing up when I least expected. Warmth and pressure on my hand suddenly broke my train of thought.
“Hey Buddy. You ok? You kind of froze up there for a minute.”
“Sorry about that. Guess today wore me out.”
“That’s ok. I kind of gave you a low blow. Sorry about that.”
“It’s ok.”
“NO, it is not... Tye, you should not have to spend Thanksgiving alone.”
“I won’t. I have Erika here.”
She grinned. “ Ah Tye, I take it this Thanksgiving is the holiday on the twenty eighth of November.”
“Yes it is.”
“Well, ah, my family called. They want me to go to visit them that week, and well, they sent two tickets. I was wondering would you like to come along.”
She grabbed my arm in such a way that I could feel the soft ness of her breasts through the nerves in my bicep. I had nothing better planed so…“Looks like I am going to Japan.”
_ . _ . _
Erika looked nervous, but I don’t think it was because of the plane ride we were about to take. I, on the other hand, was worried that I might set off the metal detector. After all, since my enhancement my bones were now lined with titanium alloy. I would have a hard time explaining to the security guard that every bone in my body was setting off his wand.
“So how long has it been since you’ve seen your folks?”
“Hmm. Oh, ah, about two years. They sent me to a special school for a year and a half before I came here.”
“You seem nervous about some thing Erika”
“We did not part on good terms.”
“If you don’t want to do this, it’s not to late.”
“I’ll be fine. As long as I am with you, nothing can hurt me.”
The trip was long. We flew from Boston to New York and then the long haul. On the upside, we got first class. Upon arrival, we worked our way through the crowds and found a chauffeur waiting for us, or to be more precise, Erika. I was beginning to suspect that Erika’s family was more then just a normal family. The chauffeur led us to a rather expensive SUV waiting out side. I offered to help him with our bags but he refused with a smile. The ride in the SUV was comfortable, but unwanted, as even enhanced rears fall asleep when parked for too long. The chauffeur was very curious and professional. He would be one of the few people I would meet on this trip I would be pleased to know.
We soon approached a large formal gate. Erika’s hand found mine and locked on like steel. Her hand was cold and sweaty. I could feel her heart pound as the blood in her veins pulsed that beat though her hand into mine. She was scared, I could tell. As we passed through the gate, I knew this was a trip she had been dreading.
The house was a castle. A complex of traditional Japanese buildings, the meticulously groomed lawns seemed to go on forever. It was beautiful, but cold some how. It was more like a museum than a home. Some how, I could not imagine Erika being happy here. It was just not like her. This place was too much.
When the SUV stopped, we were in front of a massive structure of a building. The word imperial was the only description that came to me. It was massive and ornate. The very structure seemed like it was alive. But it was not happy or warm. It was cold and lonely. Upon entry, we took our shoes off and more family retainers greeted us. They seemed a happy lot, but then I met the mistress of the house.
“Mother, may I present Mr. Terrence Elwood? Tye, this is my mother, Mitsumaru Sumiko ”
Mitsumaru-san had black hair and brown eyes. She wore a traditional kimono that showed off and flattered her figure. However, she gave off an air of distaste upon seeing me. She looked as though she were about to strike me. I was beginning to suspect that not all Atlantaians were as friendly with humans as Gab and Erika. She quickly dispensed with the (un) pleasantries and had the menservants and maids hurry us off to separate sleeping quarters. At first I had no problem with this, but I soon learned my quarters were all but out side the complex.
Upon finding my lodgings I passed out. The thing about jet lag is, it is like a hang over. The only cure is time, sleep, and water. When I awoke, I found it to be very early, somewhere around 3 a.m. I could hear something soft in the air, distant, almost ghostly soft. I could not resist; it was like a siren’s call. I had not changed out of my traveling clothes before I fell asleep, so I had no need to waste time looking for some thing to wear. I opened the door and felt the cold air of night hit my flesh. I was compelled by the soft sounds. I followed them. The closer I came, the more I heard, and the more I realized it was a song. Yes, someone was singing. It was a song of melancholy. Part of me was sure that the singer was Erika, but I was not sure why. Sure enough, I found my way to her. She was standing in the moonlight; wearing a nightgown. She was so beautiful; I could not tell if this was a dream or reality. I had to touch her to tell, and so I kept getting closer and closer. She did not seem to see me at all, and I soon knew why. She was crying. I was prepared; I dug in to my jacket pocket and dug out a pocket pack of tissues. I placed my arm out in offering to her. “Erika, here.” She seemed surprised at my presence, but she was also happy. She seemed at a loss for my offering, so I took it upon my self to wipe her tears away. “What’s wrong?”
“Well…oh God damn it! I can’t stand them!”
At times Erika came off like a submissive, but she had her moments. This was the first time I had heard her come close to swearing. Although the singing part was playing with my head.
“Can’t stand who?”
“My parents. They never understood me and now the way they’re treating you. They look at you through racist eyes; they only see you as an impurity. They don’t see you as a man and tonight they pulled their stunt again….”
“What stunt?”
“ They tried to sell me up like a piece of meat last time. I ran away from them because of that. I am my own person, not some thing to be bartered and traded.”
“I guess they think that’s what’s best for you?”
“NO, TYE, THEY DON’T!! They want what’s best for the blood line, not me!!”
Now, where had I heard about someone concerned with bloodlines before? “I am sorry Erika. I didn’t know.”
“That’s right. I never told you, did I? Every time they see you, they get worried. You see, all of this is because of the bloodline. Most Atlantaians view it as more important than their own happiness. The bloodline has to be “pure” they say. So they give up on any human being they might want as a lover and play the responsible roll in hopes that they might breed a child closer to the ‘Progenitors.’ But I could never do that. I promised myself that I would find some one I loved and that someone would be with me no matter what the situation. And now I have that someone, I am not going to give him up.” She knocked the tissue from my hand and forced an embrace. She was so close I could feel her form against me; I could smell faint traces of her shampoo lingering in her electric green hair. I fell in love with her all over again.
“I will not give you up with out a fight Erika. I would tear down heaven for you.”
“I love you Tye. I love you for the man you are, the sorrows and the joy.”
It was our promise one that we would keep. To the end. But we would damn sure try our best to prevent a Romeo and Juliet. After all, Shakespeare was always a downer. And so we agreed we would confront her parents. Sometimes the sinners are just saints who could not abide the righteous wrong. I placed my jacket over her shoulders, and we spent the rest of the predawn hours walking and taking.
“This was where I grew up. Sad isn’t it, my family is considered like royalty. When I was a child, I remember having every thing I ever wanted. But I was also special because I was marked as a warrior from birth, because I was born under a Hunter’s moon. I was trained to fight almost from birth. I had playmates. I remember behind my back older children called me the bloody princes. My parents desired to try and marry me off as soon as possible.”
“I had no idea Atlantaians were so superstitious.”
“We are in many ways an anachronism. Truth is, the enhancement process is based on technologies taken from the ‘Progenitors’.”
“The Progenitors?”
”Yes. The first Atlantaians that came to this world. They seeded it with life, or so our Ancient Books tell us. They were very advanced and built civilizations and monuments older then time it self. Only in modern times have we been able to understand and upgrade the technology. From birth, all Atlantaians are enhanced but only special ones like me get the… how would you put it? The ‘Deluxe Options Package’. We follow old ways, but live in modern times. And, well, I’m probably not supposed to say or even know about this, but we Atlantaians are also in trouble. Every generation our blood grows thicker and thicker. It’s this caste system. When we enhance someone now, we have to be very careful about the DNA so that the child is not deformed. New blood is needed… But I did not fall in love with you for that You…you are special. First to me, because when we first meet I knew I loved you. And then when you were willing to sacrifice yourself for me I Knew you were the one for me. When Gabriele and I brought you back, we had no idea that you could be this powerful. It’s frightening. I only wanted you, but… All of what happened… It was… It was… Whenever you’re around I think there is a bright future. But I am the one who…”
Erika had wanted to say that for a long time. She was always holding back. And I think at that moment she had said why too. She blamed herself for me. I was not supposed to be what I am, a man with the powers and strength I have. To the world, I am a freak. Not human, not Atlantaian, not Samarian. To the Atlantaians I am an asset. A tool to be used. To the Samarians I am an enemy, to the humans a freak. God only knows what would happen if I were ousted.
“Erika, you did not kill me that first time and even when those thugs did, they were not killing me. You gave me a second chance. I had denied myself. Sure, on the out side I was alive. But in truth, I was just a mindless creature moving from point A to point B. But you gave me something new. A chance to be some thing more.”
I am not sure what she thought of it, but this trip was already going badly and surely about to get worse.
To be continued>
Yesterday I Died, Today I Live Again, Tomorrow I Find Love
Episode Eleven: The Human Heart is a Twisted Thing
Well, hello again. It’s me, Tye. Well, it’s been a while. Lets see…oh, that’s right! I was telling you about Erika and me. Now, where was I? Oh, that’s right. I told you how I saved her life. Well, after that we had a bit of down time. The doc had me see him every day after school for a whole month, just so he could tell me that I was evolving. That’s right. It seems that me being human meant that my body and all the modifications not only blended together, but they were boosting each other. Many people think that humanity stopped evolving. Well I guess that I disprove that argument. What, you want to here more about Erika and me? Ok, lets see, what would you like to hear about? Oh, you don’t know? Well then…hum… oh, I know!
_. _. _
“Nothing makes them happy! They are dedicated to being unhappy and to spreading that unhappiness to others! They are the Ambassadors of Unhappy!”
Well, it’s now November; the air had taken a sharp chill, the trees were almost bald, and soon the first snow would fall. Erika and I were as close as ever to the dismay of some and pride of others. We had become one of the school’s Official Items. As for that statement, well, Sean had had a bad day. He needed to vent and we were the only ones he could find. Apparently, his parents had found his porn collection. And as you can imagine their image of the darling son was quite shattered. Erika was doing a good job of keeping her giggles to a minimum. I was not doing so well on that front. In fact, I was about the fall over and bust into a tantrum of laughter that would surely have me locked up.
“Man, I am depressed! I mean school, work, and now this. Is it any wonder teenagers lead the numbers of suicides?”
If he thought that was going to get sympathy from me, then he was very wrong. But I had to behave; after all I was his friend. “Well Sean, believe me this is not the worst thing that can happen to you.” I should know, after all. I died. “Look at it this way, in a few years no one will ever care.”
He looked at me and saw my expression. “Gees, Tye, you have changed.”
Huh. Where had that come from? What did he mean I had changed? I mean I knew I had “CHANGED”, but what was his meaning of me changing?
“You always used to look like you were about to jump off a bridge. Now you’re so happy. More like the guy I knew back in middle school (Jr. high school). The ‘Old Ball and Chain’ seems to suit you, buddy.”
“Old ball and chain? That does not sound very nice,” inquired Erika.
“It’s derogatory phrase often used by life long bachelors. It means wife,” I replied. She turned bright red.
“Well, well looks like some one has thought about that before.”
Erika tried to hide her face. She was embarrassed, but I was ready.
“Sean, do you remember that time in JFK when you skipped class and I found you in the janitors closet? If you don’t, I wouldn’t mind telling every one all about it.”
Sean turned a shade of red that made Erika look pale.
“You said you wouldn’t.”
“Well, as you said, I have changed.”
He got the message.
“OK, I get it. Time to change the subject. So, what are you two doing for Thanksgiving?”
Of all the subject changes in the entire world, he had to choose that one. Ask any person who has lost family, and they will tell you that family holidays are the loneliest. I mean, there it is, shoved down your throat. Family this. Family that. St. Nick on his sleigh. I guess most people don’t realize how lonely it can be. When I was five I was in a car accident. My father was the driver, my mother the passenger. I was the only one wearing my seat belt; I was also the only survivor. My maternal grandfather took me in.
Two years ago he passed of a heart condition. My uncle took over for him, but about a year ago cancer robbed him of life. That left me to either my paternal family, which was a wreck, or to the rest of my maternal family, which was either too old or too young to take care of me. So I exercised my rights. I sold the house and got an apartment. I was legally under a guardian, a friend of my grandfather, who was entrusted with things until I was of age. He ensured I had a steady allowance and that my trusts were in good shape. But that did not mean that he was living with me. Or that I was going to see him around the holidays, although he did have a track record of showing up when I least expected. Warmth and pressure on my hand suddenly broke my train of thought.
“Hey Buddy. You ok? You kind of froze up there for a minute.”
“Sorry about that. Guess today wore me out.”
“That’s ok. I kind of gave you a low blow. Sorry about that.”
“It’s ok.”
“NO, it is not... Tye, you should not have to spend Thanksgiving alone.”
“I won’t. I have Erika here.”
She grinned. “ Ah Tye, I take it this Thanksgiving is the holiday on the twenty eighth of November.”
“Yes it is.”
“Well, ah, my family called. They want me to go to visit them that week, and well, they sent two tickets. I was wondering would you like to come along.”
She grabbed my arm in such a way that I could feel the soft ness of her breasts through the nerves in my bicep. I had nothing better planed so…“Looks like I am going to Japan.”
_ . _ . _
Erika looked nervous, but I don’t think it was because of the plane ride we were about to take. I, on the other hand, was worried that I might set off the metal detector. After all, since my enhancement my bones were now lined with titanium alloy. I would have a hard time explaining to the security guard that every bone in my body was setting off his wand.
“So how long has it been since you’ve seen your folks?”
“Hmm. Oh, ah, about two years. They sent me to a special school for a year and a half before I came here.”
“You seem nervous about some thing Erika”
“We did not part on good terms.”
“If you don’t want to do this, it’s not to late.”
“I’ll be fine. As long as I am with you, nothing can hurt me.”
The trip was long. We flew from Boston to New York and then the long haul. On the upside, we got first class. Upon arrival, we worked our way through the crowds and found a chauffeur waiting for us, or to be more precise, Erika. I was beginning to suspect that Erika’s family was more then just a normal family. The chauffeur led us to a rather expensive SUV waiting out side. I offered to help him with our bags but he refused with a smile. The ride in the SUV was comfortable, but unwanted, as even enhanced rears fall asleep when parked for too long. The chauffeur was very curious and professional. He would be one of the few people I would meet on this trip I would be pleased to know.
We soon approached a large formal gate. Erika’s hand found mine and locked on like steel. Her hand was cold and sweaty. I could feel her heart pound as the blood in her veins pulsed that beat though her hand into mine. She was scared, I could tell. As we passed through the gate, I knew this was a trip she had been dreading.
The house was a castle. A complex of traditional Japanese buildings, the meticulously groomed lawns seemed to go on forever. It was beautiful, but cold some how. It was more like a museum than a home. Some how, I could not imagine Erika being happy here. It was just not like her. This place was too much.
When the SUV stopped, we were in front of a massive structure of a building. The word imperial was the only description that came to me. It was massive and ornate. The very structure seemed like it was alive. But it was not happy or warm. It was cold and lonely. Upon entry, we took our shoes off and more family retainers greeted us. They seemed a happy lot, but then I met the mistress of the house.
“Mother, may I present Mr. Terrence Elwood? Tye, this is my mother, Mitsumaru Sumiko ”
Mitsumaru-san had black hair and brown eyes. She wore a traditional kimono that showed off and flattered her figure. However, she gave off an air of distaste upon seeing me. She looked as though she were about to strike me. I was beginning to suspect that not all Atlantaians were as friendly with humans as Gab and Erika. She quickly dispensed with the (un) pleasantries and had the menservants and maids hurry us off to separate sleeping quarters. At first I had no problem with this, but I soon learned my quarters were all but out side the complex.
Upon finding my lodgings I passed out. The thing about jet lag is, it is like a hang over. The only cure is time, sleep, and water. When I awoke, I found it to be very early, somewhere around 3 a.m. I could hear something soft in the air, distant, almost ghostly soft. I could not resist; it was like a siren’s call. I had not changed out of my traveling clothes before I fell asleep, so I had no need to waste time looking for some thing to wear. I opened the door and felt the cold air of night hit my flesh. I was compelled by the soft sounds. I followed them. The closer I came, the more I heard, and the more I realized it was a song. Yes, someone was singing. It was a song of melancholy. Part of me was sure that the singer was Erika, but I was not sure why. Sure enough, I found my way to her. She was standing in the moonlight; wearing a nightgown. She was so beautiful; I could not tell if this was a dream or reality. I had to touch her to tell, and so I kept getting closer and closer. She did not seem to see me at all, and I soon knew why. She was crying. I was prepared; I dug in to my jacket pocket and dug out a pocket pack of tissues. I placed my arm out in offering to her. “Erika, here.” She seemed surprised at my presence, but she was also happy. She seemed at a loss for my offering, so I took it upon my self to wipe her tears away. “What’s wrong?”
“Well…oh God damn it! I can’t stand them!”
At times Erika came off like a submissive, but she had her moments. This was the first time I had heard her come close to swearing. Although the singing part was playing with my head.
“Can’t stand who?”
“My parents. They never understood me and now the way they’re treating you. They look at you through racist eyes; they only see you as an impurity. They don’t see you as a man and tonight they pulled their stunt again….”
“What stunt?”
“ They tried to sell me up like a piece of meat last time. I ran away from them because of that. I am my own person, not some thing to be bartered and traded.”
“I guess they think that’s what’s best for you?”
“NO, TYE, THEY DON’T!! They want what’s best for the blood line, not me!!”
Now, where had I heard about someone concerned with bloodlines before? “I am sorry Erika. I didn’t know.”
“That’s right. I never told you, did I? Every time they see you, they get worried. You see, all of this is because of the bloodline. Most Atlantaians view it as more important than their own happiness. The bloodline has to be “pure” they say. So they give up on any human being they might want as a lover and play the responsible roll in hopes that they might breed a child closer to the ‘Progenitors.’ But I could never do that. I promised myself that I would find some one I loved and that someone would be with me no matter what the situation. And now I have that someone, I am not going to give him up.” She knocked the tissue from my hand and forced an embrace. She was so close I could feel her form against me; I could smell faint traces of her shampoo lingering in her electric green hair. I fell in love with her all over again.
“I will not give you up with out a fight Erika. I would tear down heaven for you.”
“I love you Tye. I love you for the man you are, the sorrows and the joy.”
It was our promise one that we would keep. To the end. But we would damn sure try our best to prevent a Romeo and Juliet. After all, Shakespeare was always a downer. And so we agreed we would confront her parents. Sometimes the sinners are just saints who could not abide the righteous wrong. I placed my jacket over her shoulders, and we spent the rest of the predawn hours walking and taking.
“This was where I grew up. Sad isn’t it, my family is considered like royalty. When I was a child, I remember having every thing I ever wanted. But I was also special because I was marked as a warrior from birth, because I was born under a Hunter’s moon. I was trained to fight almost from birth. I had playmates. I remember behind my back older children called me the bloody princes. My parents desired to try and marry me off as soon as possible.”
“I had no idea Atlantaians were so superstitious.”
“We are in many ways an anachronism. Truth is, the enhancement process is based on technologies taken from the ‘Progenitors’.”
“The Progenitors?”
”Yes. The first Atlantaians that came to this world. They seeded it with life, or so our Ancient Books tell us. They were very advanced and built civilizations and monuments older then time it self. Only in modern times have we been able to understand and upgrade the technology. From birth, all Atlantaians are enhanced but only special ones like me get the… how would you put it? The ‘Deluxe Options Package’. We follow old ways, but live in modern times. And, well, I’m probably not supposed to say or even know about this, but we Atlantaians are also in trouble. Every generation our blood grows thicker and thicker. It’s this caste system. When we enhance someone now, we have to be very careful about the DNA so that the child is not deformed. New blood is needed… But I did not fall in love with you for that You…you are special. First to me, because when we first meet I knew I loved you. And then when you were willing to sacrifice yourself for me I Knew you were the one for me. When Gabriele and I brought you back, we had no idea that you could be this powerful. It’s frightening. I only wanted you, but… All of what happened… It was… It was… Whenever you’re around I think there is a bright future. But I am the one who…”
Erika had wanted to say that for a long time. She was always holding back. And I think at that moment she had said why too. She blamed herself for me. I was not supposed to be what I am, a man with the powers and strength I have. To the world, I am a freak. Not human, not Atlantaian, not Samarian. To the Atlantaians I am an asset. A tool to be used. To the Samarians I am an enemy, to the humans a freak. God only knows what would happen if I were ousted.
“Erika, you did not kill me that first time and even when those thugs did, they were not killing me. You gave me a second chance. I had denied myself. Sure, on the out side I was alive. But in truth, I was just a mindless creature moving from point A to point B. But you gave me something new. A chance to be some thing more.”
I am not sure what she thought of it, but this trip was already going badly and surely about to get worse.
To be continued>