Memories By Majamane This is the second story dealing with the past of my character, The Raven. As these stories are independent of each other, it does not matter in which order they are read. If you enjoyed this or Long Night Walks, or have any other comments about them, please contact me at mimac@ns.sympatico.ca I had a job to do so I couldn't take long, but there was something more important I had to attend to first. I exited my car, stripping away all my gear and weapons, leaving them in the hidden compartment in the locked vehicle. With no tools of the trade on me at all I walked through the large wrought iron gate. As I walked down the main path, my body running on memory to where everything was and when to turn, I began to empty my mind. Clearing it as best as possible for the ritual that lay ahead, preparing myself as I did each year. I checked the tube at my waist to make sure it was still secure as I walked past row upon row of stones. Soon I came to the place where I have knelt that day of each year, from when it happened untill the day I shall die. Kneeling on the damp ground I looked at the headstone, a single tear running down my cheek, tracing a pale scar one of four in a perfect row. As my mind followed that tear in its path down my face, eventually falling onto the grave my memory drifted back. It was five years ago on that day, I remembered, that I stood patiently waiting at her door. My dear Sara, the most beautiful woman in the world, it was her birthday and I was taking her out to dinner at her favorite restaurant. I pulled at bit at the suit I had worn, I disliked them, but nothing was too good for her, nothing at all. I gaped slightly as she entered the room - a black dress, cloaking yet revealing, accenting her long brown hair and dark eyes. I regained my composure and smiled at her, those laughing eyes smiling back. The meal is now a blur, memories of her sparkling smile, musical laughter she always had that laugh, like bells in the air, the memories of it still make me smile. I can't remember what I ate, but I do know she had seafood of some sort, a shrimp dish I think. I will always remember that accursed dish. It was later that evening on our way back to her place when she started to feel sickly. Not just a simple nausea, her hair was pasted against her now pale and damp skin, her breathing heavy and gasps coming whenever we hit a bump. Panicking I sped, trying to remember where I was, where the nearest doctor was located. It took only a few minutes to get there, by that time she was moaning in pain, I had to carry her into the office. Luckily it was a quiet night, only two other people were there that I could see the receptionist looked concerned when she saw Sara, telling me that I could take her in as soon as the doctor finished with the one who was already in the office. The receptionist was a nice woman, bringing a damp cloth for Sara's head, the other waiting people were polite as well, not complaining about their placement, moving to let me lay Sara down. The doctor was busy with the one who was with him already when Sara regained some clarity, enough to sit up and rest her head against me. I stroked her hair and smiled, telling her it would be all right, that she'd be better soon how little I knew. About another ten minutes passed when the shouting began wild, angry, words coming from the doctor's office, as well as another, calmer, voice trying to reason. I can only assume that the words didn't matter as the doctor was thrown through the door of his office, collapsing in pain on the floor at our feet. The secretary gasped and immediately an alarm filled the building. Another angry stream of words came from the office as I saw the perpetrator for the first time. A large, angry man - seemingly more metal then flesh, a look of intense rage on his face as he demolished what was left of the door to the office and entered the waiting room, heading toward the doctor again. Time slowed as Sara yelled and moved jerkily to stand between the man and the collapsed doctor. The monster barely even noticed her as he hit her hard in the stomach, a strange snicking sound filling the room as his fist impacted, sending her smashing against the wall. Anger overwhelmed me as I stood, the horror as I saw the source of the sound, four bloody blades protruding from the man's knuckles, the blood on them from my Sara. I saw the receptionist rushing to aid Sara as I let my anger push me forward, taking me toward the man. The beast looked possessed, cyberpsychosis I would later learn too much metal poisoned his mind, as he breathed deeply, moving slowly toward the doctor, his blades moving menacingly in the air. I thought I had the advantage of a slow, unwary opponent, overcome with his own rage. I blocked most of my anger out, not letting it control my actions, as I moved quickly toward his side. I was, due to this, completely surprised when the man moved with lightning speed to face me, the blades slashing down toward my head. It was all I could do to save my life, dodging back as the sharp steel sliced four furrows down my face. I winced, but at least I knew the strength and speed of whom I was facing now, and adjusted for such. I waited again as he struck out, a straight blow, heading for my chest. I slid gracefully to the side, my training coming to the front as I entered a basic stance, my hand thrusting up quickly to punch with my left knuckles into his solar plexus. As I followed through, I let my stance shift as my right hand flowed from the front of my body to hit hard at his throat with the hard edge. As he gasped in pain, I continued the technique, my stance shifting once more as I used my right hand to deliver a devastating uppercut to his solar plexus again I was surprised that the beast was still standing, obviously unseen metal reinforcing his body further. However, he could not resist the ending flow of the attack, snapping my left hand to strike his jaw with my knuckles as my right hand followed through with a punch higher up on the same side of his face. His head snapped back and his eyes rolled up, passing out at the same time as I pivoted to kick hard against his right knee. As I didn't hear the standard snap, I assumed his bones were laced with steel. I looked down at the collapsed man, using all my will to resist killing the downed bastard. Instead I spun and rushed to Sara's side, where the receptionist simply stared at me. I pulled Sara into my arms, kissing her over and over, my tears burning my eyes as they covered us both. I looked at those once laughing eyes, now clouded with pain, she tried to speak but I couldn't hear. Leaning in closer to listen as I watched her mouth three words, "I love you." Then the light went out forever from those beautiful eyes. I screamed loudly to the skies and spun, moving to the cause of her death, intending to end his miserable experience, I would have to I think, if LoneStar hadn't shown up at that moment and pulled me away. Their medical attendant rushed to Sara, but as I knew already, it was too late she was gone. Leaving this world on the same day she entered it. I sat patiently through their questions, explaining what little I knew. They seemed convinced that I was some sort of criminal myself. However, the receptionist and the others in the room vouched for my actions. The 'Star finally left, taking the scum with them. I was still angry, but I knew there was nothing else I could do, it was out of my hands. I felt a warm hand touch my shoulder and I looked up to see the bandaged doctor looking down at me, concern in his eyes. I reassured him that I was fine, and he gave me a slip of paper, his home number, telling me to contact him if I ever needed anything again. I thanked him then left the building, letting my anger and grief out into my car as I drove him, ignoring any limits or laws. I almost killed myself that night, but I knew Sara would not forgive me if I let that happened. I returned home, to mourn. The next day was her funeral, she appeared so peaceful and serene lying there, almost as if she was just asleep. But I knew it was a sleep that would last forever. Bending over I kissed the cold flesh of her forehead one last time, wishing her goodbye. My angel, finally returned to wherever it was from which she came. I watched as they lowered her casket into the earth, the ground as cold as her now dead body. I don't think I have cried since that day, well not in any place except for at this grave. As they filled in the earth, I bowed my head, saying a prayer to whatever divine there is to keep her spirit safe. Once they finished, I moved to the grave, kneeling at it, tears stinging the cuts on my face, as I placed a single white rose on the fresh dirt. I snapped out of my memories at voices in the distance, a family visiting a grave of someone that had mattered to them. I gave a slight smile, as long as there were those who cared this world might just manage. I felt for the tube at my waist, uncapping it and carefully withdrawing its contents. I let one last tear escape as I lay the single white rose to rest against the headstone. I sighed slightly and looked up, "I love you Sara." I stood and silently left the grave, returning to my car. As I took out my tools and weapons, replacing them amongst my person checking and double-checking their positions, I let the memories drift slightly again. People sometimes ask me why I won't get cyberware, why I won't enhance my body. I never do answer them, but I know my reasons. I could never dishonor Sara's memory by becoming like that monster.