Prologue
How can you see into my eyes like open doors
Leading you down into my core
Where I�ve become so numb
�Night guys.� Videl said as she put her coat on and was getting ready to leave work early for the day.
�So Videl I heard that you got something planned for Sharpner tonight.� Erasa said as she leaned over the counter.
�Yeah you could say that, but don�t tell anyone else. I don�t want Sharpner finding out.� Videl said.
Erasa made an X shape over her heart. �Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.� Erasa said as she pointed to her eye.
Videl giggled. �Ok, thanks.�
�So what you planning on doing tonight anyway. Anything special?� Erasa asked as she winked.
Videl blushed slightly. �I was planning taking him out to dinner tonight and then watching some movies at home. Anything else is fair game.�
Erasa giggled. �Yeah right. Like you�d let Sharpner do that.�
Videl shrugged. �I don�t know. Sharpner and I have been together since our sophomore year. I figure if it happens and he really loves me he�ll at least ask before doing it. Which reminds me, he never has asked. Surprising, isn�t it.� Videl said.
�Yeah it is. Especially since Sharpner is the type of guy who is so forward about everything.� Erasa said.
�Well I�ve got to go. Wish me luck.� Videl said as she waved before heading out the door.
�Go get him!� Erasa shouted back at Videl as she waved goodbye.
Videl walked out to her car and got in. She couldn�t help but think about what all would and could happen that night. Videl arrived back at the apartment her and Sharpner were sharing. She rushed up the stairs, wanting to be ready before Sharpner came home. Videl turned the knob of their apartment door, finding it odd that it was unlocked since Sharpner usually locked it before going to work. When Videl walked in the apartment, she found the entire place to be dark, but not quiet. Videl heard a male voice coming from deep within the apartment. Videl searched for the male voice, a puzzled look upon her face for Sharpner usually called if he was going to take off of work early. Videl went to their bedroom. When she opened the door there laid the familiar long - haired blonde male that Videl knew, but the woman in the bed with him Videl didn�t recognize and neither did Videl want to know who it was. �Sharpner?� Videl gasped in shock.
The blonde man turned his head, not expecting to see Videl standing there. �Videl?� Sharpner gasped in surprise.
Videl looked at the odd position of her boyfriend and the mysterious woman only to feel hurt and anger wash over her seconds later. Without saying a word Videl ran out of the apartment, never to return. Videl didn�t stop running until she reached her car and jumped in. She started the car and raced towards Erasa�s house. That night Videl spent at Erasa�s. The phone rang several times, each time Erasa answered it she could hear Sharpner�s voice on the other side. Each time he called Sharpner asked if Videl had been at Erasa�s and each time Erasa said the same thing. �I haven�t seen her Sharpner.�
Never again did Videl talk to Sharpner and vice versa. That night while falling asleep on Erasa�s couch Videl promised herself that she would never again fall in love. However little did Videl know that there was one man, a half man destined to save her form the darkness she was about to enter.
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
-Evanescence
Chapter 1
Where I�ve become so numb
Without a soul
It had been nearly two years since that day. The day when Videl�s heart turned to stone, the day when she decided to never love again. The day when she began to enter the darkness. Since that day Videl had moved far from the light and love her family and friends had once provided. Since that day Videl had gone to the dark life of the city where she now dwelled. New she had been reduced to a shell of her former self. Working in the local bar, where every crook came before entering or leaving Satan City, where Videl tended to their drinks. At just the age of 21, Videl had experienced more pain and sorrow than most people would have in a lifetime, or so she thought. That night at the bar Videl�s life was about to change. At about 8:00 that night a mysterious man came into the bar. Walking up and sitting down on a bar stool he proceeded to order his drink. �Hey, what can I get you?� Videl asked as she dried her hands on a towel.
The man skimmed over the various bottles and cans that crowded the back wall of the bar. �Uh, just a bottle please.� the man said.
�What kind?� Videl asked.
�Surprise me.� the man answered as he placed his elbows on the bar.
�Alright.� Videl said as she went to one of the refrigerators to pull out a bottle of beer she thought the mysterious man would like. When she came back with the beer and a bottle opener, Videl got a good look at the man�s face for the first time. There was something familiar about the man, but Videl wasn�t sure what it could be. Videl placed the bottle on the bar counter and popped the cap off. �Here you go.� Videl said as she handed the bottle to the man.
�Thanks.� the man replied.
�So where you from? I haven�t seen you around here before and believe me there�s no new customers without me seeing them. I know them all.� Videl said as she began to wipe off a shot glass with a towel.
The man took a swig of his beer before answering. �Well actually I�m from the Mountain District, but I�m going to college in Satan City and living here in the suburbs. I turned 21 here not to long ago and decided to come down here for my first drink.� the man said.
�Oh I see. You�re one of them guys who pretends to act all sweet and cons us bartenders into giving a few shots on the house. Sorry mister, but you won�t pull that crap with me. I�ve been working here to long.� Videl said.
The man looked at Videl as if she were crazy. �No, I�ve really just turned 21 and I�m here for my first drink. I�m actually going to school to become a scholar.� the man said.
�Oh, sorry.� Videl replied.
Now feeling stupid, Videl went off to serve some other customers. After a few minutes later when Videl came back over to where the man sat he waved her over then pointing to his empty bottle. �Do you want another drink?� Videl asked.
�Yeah, another one of these is fine.� the man said as he pointed to the bottle in front of him again.
Videl nodded and went back to get another bottle of beer for the mysterious raven haired man. She came back seconds later with the fresh bottle and set it down on the bar. Videl was about to leave, but then she heard a voice call. �Hey.�
Videl turned back to the man she had just served the beer too. �Yes?�
�Hey, um, about earlier. We got started out on the wrong foot. Let�s start over again, shall we?� the man asked.
�Whatever.� Videl replied.
�My name is Son Gohan, nice to meet you.� Gohan said as he extended his hand out over the bar.
Videl looked blankly at Gohan�s hand and then at him. �Look buddy. I�ve got other customers here to serve. Are we done?� Videl asked irritably.
Gohan looked at the woman funny. �Yeah.�
�Good.� Videl said as she started walking away.
Before going away completely though, Videl looked back at Gohan. �Hey Gohan.�
Gohan looked up form his beer at Videl. �The name�s Videl. Feel free to come back anytime. I work every night from 7:00 till closing.� Videl said, winking before walking to other end of the bar.
Gohan smiled before looking down at his watch. �Oh shit I�m going to be late for class.�
Gohan hurriedly guzzled down his beer then scrambling out the door, but not before leaving a tip and a note for Videl. Videl watched as Gohan left the bar and then went over to claim her tip. When Videl saw the writing on the napkin she picked it up and read it.
Hey Videl,
Thanks for the beers. Here�s some money for your troubles. I�ll be back next Friday. Again thanks.
Gohan
Videl smiled at the letter that Gohan scribbled on the napkin. �Yeah right. I doubt I�ll ever see him again, but hey, I can always dream.� Videl said to herself.
�Hey Videl, baby. Can I get a drink over here or what?� asked a customer as he snapped his fingers.
Videl�s smile faded only to be replaced by a scowl. �Sure Antonio. Only if you promise to stop calling me baby.�
Antonio shook his head. �Yeah whatever, now how about that drink.�
�Hold your pants Antonio.� Videl said as she went over to the heavyset man.
Later that night as Videl left the bar she counted the money she had collected in tips for the night. �Only two zenni from Antonio, that bastard, 9 drinks and only two zenni. Cheap ass. Next time I�ll let him get his own drink.� Videl said as she stuffed the zenni into her pocket.
She then looked at the fifty zenni that Gohan had given her. She then looked at the note that he had written her. Videl smiled at the thought of the young man. �He sure seemed nice. Oh well, I�ll probably never see him again. He�ll probably forget. Oh well, I can always hope that he comes back and leaves another good tip like this. By would that be something.� Videl said to herself.
Videl then went to her car and got in. She tried starting it, only to hear it spit and sputter. �Ugh, this damn thing. Please start.� Videl pleaded as she turned the ignition again.
After several more tries and curses later Videl finally got the thing to start. �Finally.� Videl muttered.
On the way home Videl couldn�t seem to stop thinking about Gohan. �He looked so familiar. Like I�ve seen him from somewhere before, but where?� Videl asked herself as she continued to drive through the fog of the early morning.
When Videl got home she locked the car doors, not wanting anyone to steal the car, but like anyone in their right mind would steal the hunk of junk anyway. Videl walked up the cracked, slanted steps to the run down apartment room that she lived in. When Videl got to her front door she cursed. �Damn those little bastards. They had to graffiti the door again, next time I see then they�re going to wish they had never laid eyes on my front door.� Videl said as she unlocked her door and walked in.
Videl turned on the light, which let the dim living room. Videl took her shoes off and sat down on the old, moth eaten couch that she had seen on a street corner the day she had started renting the apartment about two years ago. The couch was in disarray. It contained everything from juice stains to cigarette burns on it, still it served as the nicest piece of furniture in her house. Everything else was tables and stools. Videl got up to turn the TV on. When nothing but a snowy whit screen came on Videl cursed again. �Ugh, this damnation of a TV. Damn this night. Nothing has gone right. Well almost nothing.� Videl said to herself.
Videl then tried adjusting the rabbit ears on the back of the television. When the picture started coming in, but was till a little fuzzy Videl hit the side of the TV with her fist. At that the picture finally came in clearly. Videl sighed and stumbled back over to the couch. Videl lay down and covered herself with the light blanket that was draped on the back of the couch. Videl started watching the TV. After about half and hour Videl began to yawn. Videl looked over at the clock on the cracked filled wall. �3:00 a.m. Well I guess I should get to bed.� Videl said as she got up to turn the TV off.
Videl turned off the light and felt her way down the narrow hallway to the only bedroom in the apartment. Videl turned on the light and stripped down to her under garments. She then pulled on and overly large old T-shirt. She climbed into the slat broken bed. As she did the bed creaked under the new weight as if was about to break in two under all the pressure. Videl covered up with the paper-thin sheet and hole eaten quilt that she had since the day she left two years ago. Fluffing up the mostly flattened pillow Videl finally settled into the warmth and comfort of the old bed. She fell asleep later that morning, thinking of what life would be like without the life she was living.
Gohan arrived later at his dorm room that night. He had been out till 3:00 in the morning with night classes and studying, that and talking to his mother for half and hour on the phone. He told her of the events that had crossed his path that past week. Of course he didn�t tell her about his first beer at the local bar, or the bar in general. As Gohan climbed into his dorm bed Gohan couldn�t help but think what life would be like if he had a place of his own. Even better yet, a special person to share that place with. Gohan�s thought then turned to Videl. �She seems nice enough, but if I go back there she probably even remember who I am.� Gohan said to himself.
�What was that dude?� Gohan heard a voice ask.
�Nothing Jasp.� Gohan replied to his roommate.
�Ok, whatever. What man.� Jasp said.
�Night Jasp.� Gohan said as he heard his roommate walk to his own room.
Gohan snuggled into the warmth of the clean crisp sheets and heavy quilt, letting his head sink deep into the plump pillow. Gohan fell asleep later that morning. His thoughts of a life he dreamed often about. However, little did he know that life would include the one person he least expected.
Don�t let me die here
There must be something more
- Evanescence
Chapter 2
Now that I know I�m without
You just can�t leave me
A week later and Friday came by once more. Videl had remembered the note that Gohan had written her a week earlier and she was hoping that he would show up. that night at about one in the morning the door to the bar opened and in stepped the man Videl had met a week ago. Gohan walked up and sat down at the bar, just as he had done a week earlier. Videl turned to see who had sat down and when she saw who it was she couldn�t help put be surprised. Gohan smiled at Videl and waved. Videl smiled back and then proceeded to where Gohan was sitting. �Hey Videl.� Gohan said cheerfully.
�Hey, what can I get you?� Videl asked.
�Just a cola please.� Gohan said.
Videl eyed Gohan suspiciously. �Wait, are you Gohan? Nah, can�t be. The Gohan I met last week ordered two beers.� Videl said, smiling.
Gohan chuckled. �Must have been a once in a life time thing. After the two beers I had last week I didn�t feel so good during class.� Gohan said.
�Oh, so big macho college man can�t handle a couple of beers, huh.� Videl said, trying to intimidate Gohan.
Gohan flashed a scowl. �It�s not that. It�s just the kind I had.� Gohan said, trying to think of a good excuse.
�Yeah, right.� Videl replied.
Gohan growled lowly in his throat. �Fine, I�ll prove it. Bring on a shot of the strongest stuff you got.�
Videl was surprised by Gohan�s reaction to her last statement. She had figured that he would refuse the challenge. �Are you sure?� Videl asked, making sure she heard correctly.
�Hell yeah.� Gohan said, male pride evident in his voice.
�Ok, whatever you say.� Videl said, still astonished at the determination displayed before her.
Videl went to the very back of the bar and pulled out a bottle with a dark colored liquor inside. Videl opened the cork on the bottle and smelled it. When a strong putrid odor filled her nostrils Videl quickly took the bottle away from her nose. �Yep, still good.� Videl said as she waved her hand in front of her nose, trying desperately to get rid of the smell.
Videl then pulled a shot glass from the shelf and went back to where Gohan was sitting. She sat the glass down I from of Gohan, but didn�t poor the liquid secretly knowing that Gohan wouldn�t like the after effects of the liquor. When Videl didn�t poor the shot Gohan looked at her. �Well, go ahead.� Gohan said as he pointed to the glass.
�Before I do, I just want to warn you. make sure you swallow it right away. Don�t let it set in your mouth. Believe me, you wouldn�t want to do that.� Videl said as she began pouring the drink.
Gohan nodded. After Videl was finished pouring the drink Gohan lifted the shot to his lips. �Countdown.� Gohan said as he looked over at Videl.
Videl nodded. �Five, four, three, two, one�GO!�
On the signal Gohan lifted his head back and let the shot touch his lips for a mere second. He felt the liquid drain down his throat. Gohan put the shot glass down on the bar. At first nothing happened, but that didn�t last long as an awful taste filled Gohan�s mouth and a burning sensation presented itself in his throat. Just when Gohan thought he had successfully completed the shot he felt his lungs heave as the sounds of heavy coughing filled the empty bar. As Videl was expecting, she immediately began to pat Gohan on the back. �You alright?� Videl asked, even though she knew he wasn�t.
�Water.� Gohan managed to get out before coughing once more.
�Be right back.� Videl said as she rushed to get a glass of water.
She came back seconds later with a large glass filled to the brim with ice cold water. Gohan grabbed it, quickly chugging it down. As he did water overflowed his mouth and began running down his chin. After finishing the glass of water Gohan removed the glass from his lips, only to be staring at a large round man with brown thinning hair a top his head and large bushy eyebrows. Gohan looked at the man curiously, not recognizing him. The large man looked at Gohan with his beady eyes and then let out a bellowing laugh. �HAHA! Couldn�t handle it could you boy?�
�Oh shut up Antonio. Unlike yourself, Gohan doesn�t drink half the bar every weekend.� Videl said as she scowled at Antonio.
�Oh, so we have a rookie here. Don�t worry boy, stick with me and next time you get that shot of shit, you�ll handle it just like it was water.� Antonio said.
�No thank you sir. I think I�m done drinking.� Gohan said as he coughed some, still having the burning sensation in his throat.
�More water?� Videl asked as she pointed at Gohan�s empty glass.
Gohan smiled and nodded.
Videl picked the glass up and went to get another full glass of water. �Thanks.� Gohan said when she came back.
�No problem.� Videl replied.
As Gohan took a sip of his water, Antonio piped up again. �Whatever you say boy, but let me tell you there�s no life with out a drink once in awhile.�
�Well sir, I guess I�ll find out if that�s true or not on my own.� Gohan replied.
Antonio laughed once more, his beer belly shaking as he did so. �HAHA! I like you boy. It�s too bad you don�t come here more often. This place could use some enlightening.� Antonio said as he pointed his thumb behind him, gesturing towards the rest of the bar.
�Yeah, the place would be enlightened if you didn�t come get your ass drunk every week.� Videl said, a smirk on her face.
�Oh, funny baby. Now get me a drink.� Antonio said.
�Antonio, I�m serious. If you call be baby one more time your drunken ass is out of here. Got it?� Videl asked as he temper flared slightly.
�You say that every time, but you never do it.� Antonio said.
�That�s because you�re a customer, but believe me, one of these days you�re going to regret calling me that.� Videl said.
�I�m sure I will.� Antonio said sarcastically.
Videl rolled her eyes as she went to get Antonio�s drink. When she came back with the drink, Videl set it down, only to have Antonio grab it greedily and gulp it down at a furious pace. Gohan watched in awe as the large man before him finished the bottle in ten seconds flat. �Kami! You shouldn�t drink that so fast. You could get a belly ache.� Gohan said in a slightly concerned voice.
Antonio gave Gohan a dirty look. �Boy I�ve been drinking like this for the last thirty years. Started when I was sixteen and haven�t stopped since and in that time I have never gotten me no damned belly ache neither. The day I get a belly ache from drinking to much is the day the Earth gets destroyed by a little pink enraged monkey.� Antonio said as he snapped his fingers to gain Videl�s attention. �Another one baby.�
An already irritated Videl became angry at the sound of Antonio�s words. Her face became red as she stared at Antonio. �ANTONIO! WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST SAY!�
Antonio looked at Videl as if he had no idea what she was talking about. �That�s it, you�re out of here for tonight. You�re obviously way to drunk when you don�t even listen to me. OUT NOW!� Videl yelled as she pointed towards the door.
Antonio got up the bar stool he had been sitting in, placed his hands on the bar, then leaned over the bar and stared Videl down with an evil look in his eyes. �Look here baby. You can�t just order me out of the place. I�ve done nothing to you.� Antonio said as he breathed heavily on Videl.
�Bullshit! You�ve been calling me baby the since the day I started working here. Not only that but I�ve had to hull your drunken ass out of here on numerous occasions and had to call a cab because you were passed out. If it hadn�t been for me you would probably never have made it home and you never even thanked me. I�ve had enough of you. now I�m asking you for the last time to leave, before I call the boss.� Videl said as she scowled right back at Antonio, being able to smell his rancid breath.
Antonio smirked evilly, backing off from Videl. Just as Videl thought Antonio was going to leave the large man turned back around in a burst of speed and leaned back over the bar, this time grabbing Videl by the from of her shirt. �Look bitch, don�t think for one second you can tell me what in the hell to do. As far as I�m concerned I could break you in half right here and now and nobody would care. Not your family, not your friends and certainly not the blonde who once slept with!� Antonio yelled in a drunken rage.
Gohan jumped into action, grabbing Antonio�s arm and tugging on it. �Sir, please stop, you don�t know what you�re saying.� Gohan said, silently begging the scene would not become more ugly.
Antonio through Gohan back, causing him to go stumbling into a nearby chair and fall down. Antonio laughed evilly, turning back to a frightened Videl. Antonio walked the couple of steps couple of steps back over to the bar. He stood there for a moment, taking in the site of the terrified bartender before him. Antonio then jumped onto the bar, standing straight up, still looking down at Videl, who was now too scared to move. Antonio jumped down from the bar onto the side that Videl stood. Antonio took a step towards Videl who in turn, despite her fear, forced herself to move and take a step back away from the large man. As Antonio continued to stalk closer to Videl she in turn continued to back away from him until she felt herself back straight into the end of the bar. Antonio smirked, proceeding towards Videl, closing the distance between them. Antonio stared right down at Videl, staring straight though her soul like a sharp knife piercing through flesh. �Antonio please, yo-� Videl suddenly found her breath rush out of her as she doubled over, a enormous pain forming in her gut.
Antonio lowered his knew. He then took his large pudgy hand and wrapped it around Videl�s neck, bringing her back up to face him. �Please what, baby.� Antonio said as he lifted Videl off the floor by the neck.
At the sound of that word Videl, who had been beyond frightened moments before now felt the fighting side of her come into play. Videl grabbed onto Antonio�s wrist with both her hands in an attempt to free herself. It had been over two years since she had last done any training, but she still felt she could hold her own against most people. However no matter how hard she tried Videl could not break the iron grip Antonio had on Videl�s throat and he was beginning to squeeze. �You know the reason why I never see my sister, baby, huh do you?� Antonio asked as he looked up at Videl, who was now suspended above Antonio, �Because just like you, she told me to leave and just like her you are going to regret it.�
Gohan sat up as he covered a spot on his head that began to throb. Gohan looked seconds later to see someone being choked by another much larger person whom Gohan recognized to be Videl and Antonio. Gohan jumped up and ran towards the bar. Gohan leaped over the bar and took hold of the wrist that connected to the arm that was suspending Videl in mid-air.
�Let her go.� Gohan said as he looked at Antonio.
Antonio�s attention was turned from Videl to Gohan, in the process Antonio loosened the grip around Videl�s throat, but did not let her go. When Antonio did not let go Gohan became angered. �I said let her go!� Gohan growled as he squeezed Antonio�s wrist.
The sudden pressure on Antonio�s wrist mad e him scream out in pain causing him to lose his grip on Videl�s throat. Videl fell to the floor. Gohan then picked Antonio up by the front of his shirt suspending him so he was now above Gohan. Antonio, who was now the scared one, looked with frightened filled eyes down at Gohan who in turn looked up at Antonio with rage filled eyes. �Please mister, don�t hurt me.� Antonio pleaded as he saw Gohan�s free hand form a fist.
�Prepare to die.� Gohan said.
Antonio covered his head with his arms also feeling his pants become moistened all while preparing to have the life beaten from him. Gohan then seeing the dark spot forming on Antonio�s pants felt satisfied. He then let go of Antonio, causing him to crash to the floor. Gohan looked down at Antonio. �If I ever see you in this place, let alone near Videl again I promise that I will make you regret the day you were born. Now get out of here.�
Antonio nodded and scrambled out of the bar. Gohan then turned and ran to Videl. Gohan knelt down beside her, sitting her up slightly, putting his arm behind her back to support her. �Videl, wake up. Videl!� Gohan said in a raised voice, hoping Videl could here him.
Videl�s eyes fluttered open, her vision slightly blurry, but still being able to recognize Gohan. �G-Gohan.� Videl spoke in barely a whisper.
�It�s alright Videl, everything�s alright.� Gohan said.
Videl�s vision cleared, allowing her to see clearly. As the prior events began to sink into her mind Videl sat up straight. �Where�s Antonio?� Videl said as she looked around, panicked that the man was still there.
Gohan put his hand on Videl�s shoulder. �It�s alright Videl, calm down. He�s gone. Don�t worry, he�ll never bother you again.� Gohan said with a caring voice.
Videl turned and looked at Gohan. �No he won�t, he�ll come to my house tonight while I�m asleep. I�m afraid. Please don�t leave me tonight.� Videl said as she latched onto Gohan�s arm, finding it somehow protective.
�Look Videl, I�ll take you home and I�ll prove that Antonio will never show his mug again.� Gohan said.
Videl seemed to calm down slightly. �Please, just don�t leave me tonight. That�s all I ask.� Videl pleaded.
Gohan thought about Videl�s request. If he didn�t grant her plea then she would probably never be able to leave her house ever again. However if he did, then she wouldn�t be scared anymore and she could go one with her life. �Ok, I�ll stay with you tonight.� Gohan said.
Videl smiled, relief evident upon her features. �Thank you.� Videl said.
With that Gohan helped Videl up off the floor and the two proceeded to Videl�s car. With Gohan driving both made their way into the darkness of the early morning. Neither knowing that night was the beginning of something new.
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life
-Evanescence
On to Chapters 6-7