<simone@coastal.net.au>

A fan fic by Caleyndar.
Rating PG.

Notes: In this story, Darien and Serena are both fifteen.
Serena is not clumsy as the television series portrays her,
as she is really Serenity. Darien does not know this yet.

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me; only the few
I make up. The story, however, is mine.

The Name Endymion...

Part One: Innocent Life...

Chapter Three...

        Darkness surrounded me, and even though my eyes were
wide open, I saw nothing but the colourless black. My voice
echoed throughout the dark land scape, echoing, and coming
back to me hauntingly. Then I heard something. The faintest
voice, calling to me, whispering for me to come. And then a
pinpoint of light appeared. I ran towards it, never blinking,
fearful that should I close my eyes, the light would be gone,
and I would be in eternal darkness once more.
        The light grew bigger, brighter, as I ran towards it,
hopeful that it would take me out of this gloomy place. And as
I neared it, the light became a human form. Closer still, and
it changed into a heavenly angel, with long golden hair
billowing out behind her. And her eyes; they were bright blue,
and showed hope, happiness, joy.
        Reaching out, I stretched towards light, and touched
her hand. It felt as if light was suddenly flowing into my
body of black, filling it with warmth. She smiled at me, and
I now stood at her side, looking down at her smiling face. I
bent down, and pressed my warm lips to her, savouring her
sweet taste, and thanking her for taking me out of the
darkness.
        I opened my eyes, and stared into the large sky blue
ones, which looked more than a little shocked. There was a
warmth on my lips, which I found rather pleasant. Something
in my mind fell into place, and I pulled back, realising I was
kissing her. She stood back up, just as surprised herself. I
scrambled to my feet, completely stunned by what I had done.
        "I'm so sorry!" I finally said when I over came my
shock.
        She didn't reply for a moment, and just stared at me
with the most amazingly beautiful blue eyes. Her fingers were
pressed against her lips where I had just kissed her.
        I felt most embarrassed by what I had just done, but
I could not say I regretted doing so either. The touch of her
lips on mine had been like ambrosia to a dying man. I closed
my eyes briefing, trying to recall all that had just happened.
        "It's alright," she finally said, blushing. "My name
is Serena, and I must say it was a surprise to meet you in
this way. May I ask what everyone calls you?"
        "Darien," I answered, still admiring her beautiful
face and those deep blue eyes. "Would you like to sit with
my friends and me? I mean, that is if you want to," I said,
blushing myself.
        She smiled, amused at my display of emotions. Seeing
her smile was like seeing the sun rise after months of rain,
and I felt all soft inside. We walked down to the oval, where
all my friends sat, and I introduced Nick and Dawn to Serena.
The others had not yet arrived, so I took Serena for a tour
of the school, pointing out the main office, the library, and
other various highlights of our school.
        "This is your first day at this school, right?" I said
rather lamely. "Why did you move here?"
        "My parent's were transferred here," she replied
softly, as if she didn't want to talk about it. "What about
you? Have you lived here all your life?"
        "Yes, I guess. But I don't know where I lived before
I was adopted," I said, and briefly wondered why I had told
her that, when I had not even mentioned it to Nick. Somehow,
I trusted her, and I knew that I would do almost anything for
her. I smiled to myself.
        "You were adopted? That mush have been hard for you
to accept when the family you live with now told you," she
said, seeming to understand me completely.
        "It was. But it doesn't matter. I think of my adopted
parents as my real parents. And I don't really mind. Never
the less, I feel a pain inside, and I do wish I had known
them," I replied. "Well, the bell is going to go soon. We
should head back to our bags."
        When we arrived back at the oval, Luke, David and
Claudia had arrived, and I briefly introduced Serena to them.
I looked pointedly at Luke and David, telling them with my
glare that I wanted her, and they had better not even think
about taking her, less that wanted to be dead. They got my
point, and resumed their pointless chit chat.
        The bell rang then, and I walked Serena to her roll
call classroom before going to mine. I was barely listening
in roll call, and I would have missed the information in the
student news about year ten having a meeting had not a student
reminded me as we walked out the door at the end.
        Year ten gathered in the hall, and our year adviser
just reminded us about the camp in a month, to which every
one cheered, and the IQ competition next Monday, to which
every one groaned. I had to smile at that, for I found it
very amusing. Stealing a glance at Serena, I saw her smile
too, and I promptly forgot about everyone else in the hall.
        Much of the whole week was like that; with me
forgetting the world around me when ever I was with her. She
was my angel, and nothing else mattered. And I knew, from
that day on, I would never love another. She was meant for me,
and she completed me in a way that almost filled up the pain
within me. Should anything come between us, I would do
anything to capture her heart back.
        As I rode home on my bike after the afternoon with
Wild Spirit, I almost forgot to meet with Armand. Only his
powerful mental grasp within my mind jerked me back to reality
and demanded that I turn off to the clearing. I arrived there,
almost crashing into him, but he stopped the bike with a mere
motion of his hand.
        "You're distracted," he said as I got off the bike
and parked it against the tree. "You're in love," he added
after looking thoughtful. Then he laughed softly, as if he
was amused.
        "What is so funny?" I demanded darkly.
        "Nothing, Endymion," he said, composing himself.
"What I read in you mind I thought entertaining," he replied,
still smiling at me, his curly shoulder length auburn hair
framing his seemingly youthful face in a way that made him
look very much like a boy.
        "You read my mind?" I inquired.
        "Of course. And that is our little lesson for tonight,"
he said, and sat down on the tree trunk. "You must learn the
trick yourself, and how to realise when others do it, and how
to block it. Otherwise, the enemy could easily find out who
you are by reading you mind. To them, you would be an open
book," he said, and gestured for me to sit beside him.
        "And who would be this enemy?" I asked, sitting beside
him.
        "The Moon Kingdom. You are the Prince of the Earth
Kingdom, and they are the ones who killed you parents and
destroyed much of your kingdom," Armand answered, though his
said this in such a causal way, that I wondered if he even
realised what he had just said.
        "And I will take revenge on them," I said, echoing
his casual tone.
        "Their time will come, as will your chance. But first,
you must learn what it will take to defeat them," he said,
smiling. And for a moment, I thought I saw through his
disguise of innocent, and saw the darkness that lurked within
him.
        I left him that evening, wondering what I had learned.
The Moon Kingdom, the Earth Kingdom. My new found powers. Not
only could I read other's thoughts, but I could converse with
them through their minds. And Armand's real intentions. He
never did say why he was helping me. And the first time we met,
it was not exactly pleasant. I remembered his evil and cruel
laugh. There was some reason he taught me these powers; I only
had to find out what it was.
        And there was another question. Why would the Moon
Kingdom want me after it killed my parents and destroyed the
Earth Kingdom? It didn't make sense. Yes, my powers were
strong, but I had my limits. There was more to this that
Armand was telling me. And he could be lying to me; I had
nothing else to go by but his words.
        The week flew by, and my power was growing at an
amazing rate, to the point that I wanted to us it for
everything that I did. I could teleport to school if I wished,
and lift all the objects around me without lifting a finger.
The power was threatening to take over me, yet I resisted with
my will, saying that I didn't need it before, so why should I
use it now. But I could feel myself changing, feel myself grow
that little bit colder towards my friends, my life, this world.
        Still, I won out in the end. Or rather, Serena broke
through the coldness in my heart, and warmed my soul, so that
I remanded Darien, and retained my humanity. I kept Endymion
locked up, less he would break free and kill the fragile
Darien.
        It was Friday before I got the guts to ask Serena to
Luke's party.
        'Well, Darien has finally fallen for someone,' I heard
from Luke's mind. "I hope you do come, Serena. Know that
you're a part of this group now, and you're always welcome at
my home. As for this party, just don't expect many people to
act civilised. Except for Darien here. He is always the perfect
gentlemen," Luke said when I had asked Serena, grinning at me.
        "Oh, and if you want to stay sober, don't drink or eat
anything," David added, grinning as well. 'Not me though, I
intend to get drunk. Who cares if I act like an idiot. Why
waste my youth?' David thought, smiling smugly to himself.
        "Can you come then?" I asked, ignoring my friends and
turning back to Serena.
        She smiled at me, and nodded her head. "I would love
to." Silence.
        I frowned. I couldn't read her mind; it was locked up
tight. Armand had said some people naturally closed their
minds. I dismissed my confusion, and smiled back.
        "You're so lucky, Darien. Dawn doesn't even talk to
me anymore," Nick said, giving Dawn puppy eyes. Dawn just
rolled her eyes is a way that told Nick he was pathetic. Nick
turned back to me. "Anyway, are you still going riding this
Saturday?"
        "Of course. You think I would miss a chance to ride
Wild Spirit?" I replied, thinking about the black gelding at
our riding school. "And Nick, don't give up on Dawn. I'm sure
you'll win her heart in the end," I said, grinning at him.
Dawn just glared at me. "But you're already stolen mine,
Serena," I said, taking her hand in mind. It felt so perfect
there, fitting nicely into my larger hand. It was warm, like
her heart, and it seemed to beat with her life.
        She blushed, and looked away from me, but did not pull
her hand away.
        The sun was nearing the western horizon when I finished
mucking out Wild Spirit's stall. It was the down side to
owning a horse, no job was too hard for me if I was able to
ride Wild Spirit through the mountains, galloping at neck
breaking speeds up and down the trails. I smiled blissfully
as I thought of that, when a dark presence invaded my day
dreams.
        "I see you like horses. How fitting," Armand's voice
said from behind me.
        I turned around, seeing him for the first time in
sunlight. The rays of lights reflected off his hair, making
it look like bronze or copper. His skin was very white, but
his lips were full, and a rich red, almost like the colour of
fresh blood.
        "Why are you here?" I asked, putting the shovel I was
using aside.
        "I'm surprised you are not using your powers to help
with your chores," he commented, looking at the stall I was
standing in.
        "Why use it when I can easily do it physically? Besides,
I don't want a strong mind and a weak body. Now answer my
question. Why are you here?" I asked again.
        "I am returning to my home. Your training is finished.
I merely came to tell you not to come this evening. I will not
be there. You're on your own now, Endymion. Face your new
challenges with a clear mind; don't let emotions cloud your
judgement. Use your new found power; they maybe the only thing
that will save you," he said softly.
        "Will I see you again?" I asked, surprised my by
sadness at his leaving me.
        "Not on this world," he said smiling secretively.
"But you won't remain on this world much longer, I'm afraid.
Enjoy it's beauty while it lasts."
        "What do you mean?" I demanded.
        Armand only smiled again, and then disappeared in
front of my eyes.
        I stood there awhile longer, digesting all that Armand
had said. When I finally snapped out of my trance, I walked
out into the paddocks to bring Wild Spirit back in. Nick was
there, doing the same thing. He waved at me as I approached,
and I half heartedly waved back.
        "Hey, Darien, what wrong?" he asked at the gate when I
entered the paddock we shared.
        "Nothing," I lied, and called Wild Spirit over to me.
"I just feel tried."
        "You look sad and depressed," he said, not believing
me. "And you have no reason to be. After all, you are going
out with Serena; you have a girlfriend. What do I have? Put
downs from Dawn and nothing more. Not a smile, not even a
sentence that doesn't mock me."
        "Serena and I aren't going out officially. And as for
you and Dawn, if you acted a little more mature, and stop
chasing her around, she might actually get to like you," I
said, leading Wild Spirit out of the paddock and along the
path that led back to the stables.
        "You and Serena are going out officially. Asking
someone on a date is practically asking her to go out with
you," he said behind me, leading White Angel. "And if your
advice works on Dawn, I will thank you. In fact, if it worked,
I would think of you as the Prince of Love."
        I looked at him, thinking it strange he had called me
a Prince instead of giving me one of many other titles. "It'll
work. And it would work faster if you don't drink or take
anything else at this party tomorrow," I said, looking
pointedly at him.
        "Now that's asking too much. But still, you may be
right. I'll think about it," Nick said.
        We put rugs on our horses for the night before giving
their dinner and leaving them in peace in their stalls. Then
Nick and I walked out to the driveway of the riding school to
wait for Nick's ride to arrive. It was unusual, for I usually
rode home as soon as I was done, but I had no intention of
riding past that bush thicket now that Armand was gone.
        "Well, thanks for waiting with me today," Nick said
as we stood in the driveway. "It's a very clear night tonight;
the stars seem to be shinning most brilliantly. And look, the
moon's just rising."
        I looked in the direction Nick was pointing in, and
watched in silence as the superb silver orb rose above the
horizon like a beautiful jewel. But despite the beauty, I felt
the power well up inside of me, and anger and hatred roll over
me. I wanted so much to use the power within me and blast the
moon into dust. There was no doubt in my mind that I could
accomplish it.
        "Here's my ride. See you tomorrow, Darien," Nick called
out as he ran over to the car that had just pulled up. He got
in, and the car drove away.
        I watched him go, forcing the anger in me to subside.
I walked over to my bike and placed my hand on it, then let
the energy surge through me. In a brilliant flash of blue, I
stood in front of my house, feeling sad again. The anger and
hatred was gone, and now a pain took it's place inside my soul.
        Once putting my bike away, I walked into the house,
and was greeted by my younger sister, who wrapped her arms
around my long legs. I smiled down at her, and together we
walked into the kitchen and helped our father cook dinner.
        That night, as I laid in my bed, eyes staring blankly
at the ceiling, I wondered why I felt this pain. Was it
because I was adopted, and that my real parents had been
killed? Was it because I was scared of the power inside of me,
and the emotions it made me feel? Was it because I no longer
possessed my heart? Was it because soon my life as I knew it
would end, and the family I loved would be taken away from me?
Perhaps it was all these things. But perhaps it was because I
didn't know my meaning in life anymore.
        Before I had been told I was adopted, before I had
met Armand and found out about my true self, I had been an
innocent boy with a predictable future ahead. Now, I knew not
what was going to happen in my life, whether I would die
tomorrow or in a hundred year's time.
        A tear rolled down my cheek, and a blue flash light up
my room. The symbol reappeared on my head. I caught the tear
as it fell from my cheek, and watched it glisten in the silver
moonlight. Before my eyes, I watched it as it became
crystalline, and turn into a tiny silver crystal. And then it
darkened, and became black. It shone with it's own dark light,
and I looked at it coldly. Then I made it disappear, placing
it with my silver weapon.
        When morning arrived, I was a different person. The
symbol shone brightly on my forehead, but it was different.
The brilliant blue and green Earth was black, and my eyes were
the same. No trace of blue remained in them. They were dark
and vacant.
        Without even telling my parents, I teleported to the
riding school once I had changed. I walked swiftly to Wild
Spirit's stall, my expression cold and emotionless. Wild
Spirit was startled by my dark presence, and pawed the ground,
restless. With a simple motion of my hand, I commanded him to
obey me. His mind easily fell to my power. I quickly tack him
up, and then rode him at a full gallop out of the stables and
to the back of the riding school, where the trails started.
We pounded up the mountain trail, and galloped along the
narrow track. Faster and faster I urged him, even galloping
down the hills, splashing across the streams in the valleys.
        I did not stop Wild Spirit until we had arrived at my
destination. His breath was heaving when I dismounted and
tethered the reins to a low hanging branch from which he could
reach the deep mountain pool. I collapsed next to the pool,
and laid there on my stomach, my arms by my side, and my head
turned to the side. My eyes stared vacantly at the deep dark
pool.
        "I'm sorry I caused you so much pain, Endymion," a
soft voice said. It was like a whisper through the trees. "I
am sorry. Be strong. One day, all will be well."
        I closed my eyes, and slowly, I felt someone with a
warm soft hand touch the symbol on my forehead. Something
within me started to leave, and slowly, the pain faded. And
then her touch was gone, as was her warm presence.
        Time passed, and the sun was high in the sky when I
finally opened my eyes and sat up. I looked down into the
still pool beside me, and saw my reflection. My eyes were
once again a clear deep blue, and the Earth was the same.
Inside, I felt that much the pain was gone. I knew now what
the pain was. It was all my emotions conflicting each other;
the anger, the hatred, the confusion, and then my love, my
happiness, my contentment with my life. They was still there,
but I was once again in control of them. The chaos in my soul
was locked away. For now.
        I wondered if the voice I heard, and the touch I had
felt, had been a dream born from my own desperation and
confusion. Deep down, I knew that did not matter. What
mattered was that I was myself once more. But I feared that I
would not be able to control the power, and that it would
take over me again. I didn't want that darkness within me. I
wanted the light that shone in my soul now.
        The crystalline tear appeared in my hand, and I
watched, wide eyed as it became clear, and then melt into a
warm tear. I let it fall from my hand and into the pool,
merging in with the larger body of water until it seemed as
if it never existed.
        There was the thunder of light graceful hooves, and
the thud of someone dismounting quickly.
        "I've been looking for you all morning! Tom's very
worried about you. Your stall was empty, and your hard hat
was still in there too! I thought you must have fallen and
hit your head," Nick's worried voice came to my ears.
        With a blue flash, I made the symbol on my forehead
disappear before rising to my feet and facing Nick. "I know,
but I needed time to be alone," I said, telling him half the
truth.
        Nick studied me for a moment, unsure as to what to
say. "Well, since we're up here, we might as well enjoy the
mountains," Nick said, turning back to White Angel who was
still drinking from the mountain pool. "Next time, at least
tell someone where you're going. Tom rang up your parents,
and they were worried too. They said you left this morning
without saying a word."
        I didn't say anything.
        When White Angel had regained her breath, we mounted
our horses and set off at a walk along the mountain track.
We didn't talk much, but just enjoyed the peace that radiated
from the bush surrounding us. Birds sang to each other, and I
could feel the other animals in the bush, going about their
daily activities. A snake slid across our path, and we halted
our horses to let the snake cross.
        "Is that a bad omen?" Nick asked as we waited.
        "I hope not. But it is said that snakes are suppose
to be evil, but I say it's a point of view. The world is only
as we see it. What we believe is reality," I answered.
        Nick raised an eyebrow at me. "Aren't we poetic today?"
        "Yes, we are. I guess I am just happy that I get to
see Serena tonight," I said, smiling smugly at him. "Of course,
you get to see Dawn, but I get to kiss Serena."
        "Don't rub it in, Darien. And one day, I will win her
heart. You just wait and see," Nick said, and we set off again
and a slow trot.
        We returned to the riding school in the early afternoon
and gave our horses a wash to get the sweat out of their coats.
Tom was glad that we were back, and scolded me for riding
without a hard hat. He left us and gave a call to my parents,
saying that I was fine.
        After all I had been through, getting yelled at by
anyone was the least of my troubles.
        I arrived home early that day, and I had to use my
powers to make my parents believe that I had taken the bike
with me. I had not this morning, having left from my room
using my teleportation powers. I did not like using the power,
but there really was no other way unless I said that I had
walked there and back, which was unbelievable because I was so
early.
        After I had eaten a late lunch, I showered and changed
into my costume for the party. Nick's parents were to pick me
up at around dusk, so I quickly ate a light dinner before
leaving.
        The party was already under way when we arrived. No
one was drunk yet, but there were bottle everyway amongst the
food and straight drinks. Luke and David was greeting everyone
when they arrived, both dressed in formal wear of black suits,
complete with a small red rose in their front pockets on their
jackets. Unlike them, I wore silver armour over a black
uniform, complete with a board sword and a long flowing cape.
I held a single long stem red rose in my hand. All this I had
conjured up with my powers, the costume coming to me magically,
as if I had worn it all my life. As for Nick, he was dressed
as a traditional prince, all in white, gold and silver, topped
with a golden crown with fake jewels stuck onto it, and a fake
sword with a jewel hilt.
        There were already many people there, and when Nick
spotted Dawn, dressed up as a business woman, he walked off to
greet her as a perfect gentleman. I smiled, and stood in the
doorway awaiting the arrival of my princess.
        Moments passed, and I looked up into the sky to see
the full moon shining down on me. There was no anger this
time, but deep inside, I knew that one day, I would take
revenge on those who destroyed my parents. Slowly, my eyes
drifted down to the earth, and I saw her walking up the
driveway, dress in a white and silver gown, her hair studded
with silver jewels. She was indeed a princess.
        My princess.
        I could not look away from her; she was like a goddess,
so beautiful and innocent. As she walked towards me, she
looked as if she was floating over the ground, so smooth were
her movements. She looked up at me, and seemed slightly
shocked for a moment, but soon covered it up with a smile. I
bowed to her, and took her hand to kiss it. Her skin felt so
smooth and soft pressed up against my lips. I lingered for a
moment, breathing in her scent, so sweet and fresh.
        Standing back up, I smiled down and her, and handed
her the rose. She took it and lifted it up to her nose,
breathing in the fragrance.
        Together, we walked back into the house, and everyone
looked at us for a moment. It was hard not too; Serena was
shinning so brightly with her inner light. She was like a
candle burning in the dark. I spotted Nick and Dawn talking,
and for once, they were not fighting. Dawn looked almost
pleased. Luke and David were taking to some girls from our
school, each holding a glass filled with liquid. Loud music
was playing, full of drums and base guitars. It didn't seem
to suit Serena or me, so we walked out through the back
door.
        We walked out to the paddocks where the sounds of the
party barely touched us. The night was beautiful, and being
fully dark now, the stars shone brightly, dancing on the dark
background. Serena, in her white and silver gown, seemed to
glow in the dark, and she seemed more beautiful to me then
than ever before. We stopped when we reach a fence, and we
leaned up against it, staring up at the night sky.
        "The moon is beautiful tonight, is it not?" she asked
me softly.
        "Everything is beautiful when you are by my side," I
said, looking at her rather than the moon.
        She blushed in the darkness, and turned her eyes to
me. They shone, reflecting the star light. They were large
and innocent, full of the inner beauty of this girl.
        I bent down, and pressed my lips against her own,
feeling their heat against my own. Emotions passed between us,
and I closed my eyes, savouring the perfect moment. And then,
very distinctively, I saw a flash of silver light, and the
bright symbol that was apon my forehead flash in my mind's
eyes. I drew back surprised, and saw that she had done the
same thing.
        I questioned her with my eyes, asking her what had
just happened. She merely looked away.
        "That was nice," she finally said. "Thankyou."
        I smiled and turned her lovely face back to me. "It
is me who should be thanking you, Serena. You are the light
of my life; you make the world bearable. I would do anything
for you," I said, and slowly kissed her again, loving every
moment of it.
        We returned to the party later on. Slow music was
playing now, and we danced together, enjoying each other's
company very much. Most of the other guests were drunk or
stoned now, and some had passed out on the floor. Nick was
dancing with Dawn, and I smiled, seeing them together. Either
one of them were drunk, and I was proud of Nick for not
drinking as he often did at other parties. Luke was trying not
to pass out, lying on the couch, and David was throwing up.
Claudia was no where to be seen.
        But right now, my concerns were only for Serena. We
danced together until she had to leave, and I gave her a swift
parting kiss, saying that I would be waiting for her, always.
        Nick and I were picked up a little later. Nick had a
blissful expression on his face, and I did too. We barely
talked to one another as his parents drove us home. Each of
us was too caught up in our dreams of the girl we loved.
        When I was dropped off, I thanked Nick's parents, and
told Nick I would see him at school. Nick replied with a half
hearted wave and a dreamy expression on his face. I smiled,
and walked into my house and up to my room.
        I let the costume on me fade into nothingness and
replaced it with my night cloths. I slipped into my soft bed,
glad that I could finally rest my tired body, yet unable to
sleep for my thoughts were filled with her, and only her.
        Someone jumping up on my bed woke me up. The sun was
shining in through the window, bright and already high in the
sky. For once, I had slept in.
        "Darien!" my little sister's voice said to me. Her
small hands petted my forehead, awakening me further for my
peaceful sleep. "Wake up, Darien! Mommy and Daddy have gone
out. You have to make me breakfast! Can I have pancakes with
lots of honey?"
        I sat up on my bed and let her slip off so I could get
up. "Sure, Michelle," I said to my sister. "Just let me get
dress first, okay?" I said, gently pushing her out of my room.
        I changed quickly, using my powers to form some cloths
around my tall body. I ran my hands through my jet black hair
to smooth it down. It was starting to get a little long,
poking my in my eyes from time to time. Perhaps I would grow
it out for once, inside of keeping it short.
        Michelle and I cook breakfast together, and we ate our
pancakes happily, just like a normal family. That is, a normal
family when it isn't fighting. But I loved my sister, and I
would never deny her anything. We watched television after we
had cleaned up, and then I took her for a walk into town, her
tiny hand held in my own.
        We stopped at the pond in the park, and I let her
watch the ducks for awhile, and finally brought her a loaf of
bread to feed them with. I smiled at this, but I also felt
sad. Armand's words came back to me. This would soon end.
Better enjoy the beauty of this world while it lasted.
        I wished it wasn't true. I wished my life was normal,
that I was just Darien, and not Endymion as well. How my exit
from this world will occur, I did not know. I only hoped that
it would not hurt those I love, and it would not be too soon.
        Would I have time to say goodbye? The question slipped
into my mind. It made me smile sadly. At least I could still
feel. For what that was worth.
        Farewell, Earth, and everyone I've loved and hated.
I say it now, less I can not say it in the near future. Pray
that I do not hurt you. Pray that you will forget me when I
am gone.

End  of Part One, Chapter Three.


