LAPIS :Chapter 6:

WARNING: This is VERY LONG!

"Isugoro, get out of there, now!" Cent screams, his voice on edge, relaying how freaked out he is.

I slowly prop myself up, spitting out a piece of glass that has somehow lodged in my mouth. My vision is severely blurred, and my strength seems to be striped, though I guess that's to be expected, especially when you've just fallen about 15 feet like I just did. I look around the space, seeing that it kinda looks like a rotunda, round and extremely big, maybe fifty yards across, 75 yards up to the ceiling. It has clean steel walls, well, somewhat clean. Parts of the walls seem dented, red smeared along a few places. But that's nothing in comparison to the destruction laying around the area. In the space, four marble pillars reach up to the ceiling, evenly spaced apart in a square, easily six feet wide. Parts of these massive pillars have been decimated, and the rubble left over is spread all over the marble floor, places stained red. Hell, there are puddles of blood.

Though, the scariest of the things in front of me . . . is the being in front of me. Her body language, though blurry, is almost like that of an animal, her form in a crouching position. Her simple medical dress is stained red, almost dripping from being so soaked in blood, and somewhat tattered from attacks. Her arms are covered in blood up to the elbows, some cuts and newer bruises here and there. A small gash, probably do to being hit by debris of one of the pillars, runs across her left calf, her own dried blood running down her leg. Her long blue hair has been dyed purple by blood, especially the majority trailing behind her on the ground, looking tangled and unkempt.

She seems to be aware of my presence, though at the same time, looks a bit taken back by my being here. Hell, I'm taken back by my being here.

1 HOUR AGO

"Isugoro, wait up-" Cent starts.

"Wait? Why?!" I snap as I hurry out of Dr. Stronos' office, finally allowed to leave.

"Because, you're acting on instinct!" Cent answers me, trying to pull me to a halt, "Will you stop and just think?!"

"Think about what? About how Maggie is tearing people apart?!" I answer, whipping around to look at Cent, surprising him, "Cent, she might of killed someone in that state!-"

"And you're trying to find a way to get in that Power Processor!" Cent interrupts, taking a hold of my shoulders, "Don't you get it?! If you try to get near her, she'll do the same to you as she did to those guys!"

I watch him for a moment, and as I do, my mind finally begins to catch up with my actions. I grunt, throwing my fist into the wall, catching the attention of many of the medical personnel around us. I feel a crack. Well shit, I might have just fractured something. Cent's brow furrows, quickly pulling me away from the wall and down the hall before a huge mass appears.

"Just cool down Man, you really suck at doing things without thinking," Cent comments as we finally get out of the medical unit.

"God, she's going to freak out even worse than before when she finds out what she did to those guys," I say, running a hand through my hair.

"And you'll calm her down like last time-" Cent starts.

"No, Cent, this is different," I interrupt, meeting his eyes, "Before, she just woke up to find she was someplace new. This time she'll wake up to find herself soaked in blood and responsible for injuring people, maybe even killing!"

Cent looks away, apparently grasping the difference I just set up for him. I sigh in anger, walking fast down the hall. Though, as I pass through to the Jeweloid sector, I get bumped in the shoulder. I blink, turning to see it's Kasami. He looks worn, bags set under his golden eyes, which look to have lost some luster. His brow furrows further as he seems to register it's me, and the connections.

"Sir-" I start.

"It's appalling."

My eyes widen, not expecting him to say something like that.

"What do you mean?" Cent asks, apparently taken back as well, as his voice seems to be somewhat worried.

Kasami looks over at him, then back at him, his eyes seeming to be searching through my very soul. "I've never enjoyed this part of the entering process. . . . It's always so vulgar and barbaric. . . ." Kasami trails as his eyes focus on something beyond us, "And . . . to see a young person . . . a young girl . . . go through something such as this. . . . It just makes it even worse to stomach."

I feel a lump forming in my throat.

"When did she take on the insanity state?" Cent asks.

"Last night, around 4 a.m.," Kasami answers, "Up until then she had done quite well, she had let out a good number of power shocks the first few hours she had been in the Processor, but after, it seems she was able to contain it, making it more a rhythmic action that we could track quite well. Though, it seems even that power caused her mind to go out eventually. It was strange. . . ."

"How so?" I ask, my voice weird to my ears.

Kasami turns back to me, and gives a saddened smile, his eyes compassionate. He puts a hand on my shoulder. "Well, prior, she had asked for something to drink, normal request," Kasami explains, "So, as she was acting normal, we sent a Lieutenant to give it to her, as she had the past few days, so the girl was acquainted with the Lieutenant. Though when the Lieutenant went in this time, when she called out to her . . . the girl was dripping in sweat, as if just hit with a severe fever. She turned towards her, and as you aware, the girl’s eyes are blue, with some yellow in the middle."

I nod. It was the first thing I had noticed about Maggie.

"Well . . . when she turned towards the lieutenant, her eyes were a dull yellow, all the blue had seemed to vanish. . . ." He trails.

Our eyes widen.

"This of course, surprised the Lieutenant, and she reported it . . . but as we ordered her to leave, the girl called out to her. It must have been the last time she thought clearly," Kasami continues, "The Lieutenant turned towards her again, and with the most depressing face I've ever seen. . . . the girl asked her to save her. It seems she understood that something was happening, but couldn't comprehend it."

My brow furrows. Unfortunately, his details just create an all too real image in my mind, Maggie looking helpless, sitting on the ground in this large room, crying out for help. Her eyes, though I've never seen them as Kasami has described, strangely mutate in my vision, becoming full yellow. The image is eerie, and is only made worse as tears begin to fall down her cheek, her last attempt at being sane.

"Before anyone could get the door open . . . only four seconds after her cry for help . . . the girl suddenly began laughing," Kasami says, "She started going on and on about how this whole thing was dumb . . . how she really felt about her situation."

"Do they usually do that?" Cent asks.

"What?" Kasami replies.

"Admit how they really feel about stuff," Cent clarifies.

"If they have enough of a mind left to speak, than yes, it does happen often," Kasami answers, before his eyes focus again, "Though, her speech was mostly made up of "F’ you"s and things like that. . . . Then, her eyes set back on the Lieutenant, who had almost made it to the door. Slowly . . . her head cocked to the side . . . and a grin formed across her face. . . . The devil came to Earth at that moment."

I hear Cent gulp behind me, just backing my edge.

"Before the lieutenant could react, the girl had somehow gotten in between her and the exit...and then, she threw herself at her," Kasami says, "The lieutenant was hit with such force that her shot gun had come out of the holster, and left her without any protection. Somehow, she was able to push the girl off of her and get up, but it didn't really help her. As Anyola explained to you, at this moment of insanity, Jeweloids understand their abilities, and can use them. . . . This girl will be an amazing martial artist."

My jaw drops. Martial arts?!

"Wait, I thought you meant she would have like power over electricity or something like that," Cent comments.

I sigh. Cent lives in a world of superheroes. Though, at the same time, I think I was expecting the same thing.

"Well, yes, but at this time, all their abilities will show, added those specialties she will be fluent in eventually. One seems to be martial arts," Kasami says, "That lieutenant didn't stand a chance unfortunately . . . and was knocked unconscious in less than thirty seconds. . . . Luckily, she didn't have any serious injuries when they were finally able to get her out. . . . Though, others weren't so lucky."

"I saw," I comment, remembering the five that passed me on the gurneys.

Kasami sighs. "Yes, and as you saw, she also is good at few other things. . . ." Kasami trails, "She showed abilities in martial arts and brutal attacks. . . . Not to mention she's a very good marksman."

"So, she's good with a gun?" Cent asks.

"Cent, that's what a marksman is," I reply with an annoyed tone.

"Yes, she found the lieutenant’s shot gun, and she held it like she had trained with it for months," Kasami says, "Though that ran out of bullets quickly, so she came at them with another weapon."

"What? Did she take another soldier's gun?" Cent asks.

"No . . . her Soul Weapon," Kasami answers.

"What is it?" I find myself asking.

"It looks to be some kind of pistol. Though, its size doesn't match the blow it gives," Kasami replies, "She took out most of them with that gun."

I swallow hard. This doesn't sound good.

"I've seen blood lust before, every time a Jeweloid goes through the Power Processor, the insanity seems to call for blood," Kasami comments, "But . . . this girl . . . she's the worst I've seen in a long time."

That's it.

I snap, and before I can register what I'm doing, I find myself running down the hall which leads to the Jeweloid Sector Control. Kasami had shown it to me a few days prior, so the way to get there is still fresh and clear in my mind. Quickly I hear Cent and Kasami running after me, probably unaware of what I'm doing. Though, as I reach the Control, I assume Kasami picks up on my intentions, as I hear a gasp follow me enter the room. Inside, many Jeweloids are running about, the hundreds of screens flashing with data and video, mostly surveillance. I survey the room, looking from screen to screen, until I find a small group crowed around a few on the side. I hurry over, and to my horror, find what I was looking for.

A recording of Maggie's first few attacks.

Her way of fighting seems barbaric, but somehow, very precise and calculated. Her blows to the body hit many weak points, making her opponents become nothing but just bulky weight. Those who are more resilient to her blows are grabbed and become human rams, Maggie using her strength to hit them again and again against something, whether it be a wall, the floor, one of the four pillars, it doesn't matter. The video is very detailed in showing just how gruesome it becomes, the soldier slowly becoming bloodied and eventually, unconscious and mortally wounded. Though, it's when one does overcome even that brutal attack . . . that she pulls her gun out, and in a whirlwind, begins firing shot after shot at. Most hit spot on, and before one knows it, they're riddled with bullet wounds, on the edge of death.

The worst out of all this is just the look on Maggie's face. Though it's her . . . it isn't. She seems to actually be enjoying it, laughing from time to time, smiling as she beats her prey again and again. She even licks at the blood dripping from her fingers, the sight causing my stomach to twist tight. The others around me have the same reaction, one even walking away, and a few moments later, I hear vomiting from behind me. I blink, feeling a familiar presence, looking to find Cent right next to me. His expression is a combination of concern, fright, and just shock.

"This is awful. . . ." Cent trails, his eyes stuck on the screen.

"It is . . . and sadly, her attacks just got more violent from there on," Kasami says behind us.

"How could it get worse?" I ask.

Kasami gestures at the Jeweloid who is working the screens, and in return she nods, pressing the keys until the current image morphs into another. The area around Maggie is a debris field, blood all around. Maggie turns, looking more like an animal than before. And her opponent . . . is the young guy.

He looks frightened, holding his gun tight in his grip, aiming it right at her head. His body is trembling badly, and unfortunately for him, Maggie can tell, and the action just makes her laugh to herself. Her familiar laugh is replaced with a higher pitched giggle which sounds a bit like a cackle. She steps forward, and sets him off. He shoots.

Due to his shaky hand, the bullet hits her in the right forearm, a non-fatal wound. Maggie blinks, taken back by the attack. As I look over her, I can see why. It seems he was the first to open fire on her. Though, she eventually does catch on to what just happened. Her eerie smile changes into a snarl, and before I can blink, Maggie is on him. He screams in fear, trying to escape, but Maggie's hold him with a death grip. His only option is to scream. Unfortunately, his actions seem to aggravate Maggie, and she complies with his cries by slamming him into the ground, the impact easily breaking a bone or two. Though, Maggie doesn't allow him rest, taking hold, and with much strength, throwing the young boy into the wall thirty feet away. When he hits, he screams in agony, falling to the ground in a heap. Maggie laughs as she runs at him, taking hold of his collar and pulling him up, staring him right in the eyes. He's half conscious, though he seems to still be able to move, as I hear another gun shot. Maggie drops him, looking down to see another bullet wound, this time to her mid right side. For a normal person, this would be a bad injury . . . but for Maggie. . . .

It's the last straw.

She grabs a piece of marble, and brutally hits him across the head, creating a large gash on his forehead. She stands, and as she backs up a bit, a blue aura surrounds her right hand, before it becomes more concrete, taking the shape of a pistol like gun. She grips her hand around it, her finger going for the trigger, and with a smile, she fires. Again and again, she shoots, the boy’s screams becoming more off pitch and agonizing, before finally, he passes out. She grins, and as if she had done nothing, skips away, humming to herself, leaving the young soldier in a pool of blood.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cent, cover his mouth, horrified. Many of the Jeweloids that were watching have gone, not wanting to see any more of this. My fists are clenched tight, my knuckles turning white.

This is awful! Why would they allow this to happen?!

Kasami senses my anger, and sighs.

"There's no way around it. Each Jeweloid goes through this, even I did. It's just part of the process-" Kasami explains.

"Bullshit," I interrupt, turning to face him, "I'm not going to believe that this way . . . just allowing slaughter is the only way to do things! There must be another way to do this without anyone getting hurt!"

"I wish that that was true, but it isn't an alternative for us Jintez," Kasami says, "This is the only way."

"I don't believe that," I repeat, "You can't really believe that either."

"Goro, calm down," Cent begins as he comes to my side, his voice calm.

"I have no choice but to believe it-" Kasami starts.

"You're allowing her to continually injure, maybe even kill people! Do you have any idea how that will affect her when she comes to?!" I snap.

Kasami blinks in surprise, as does Cent, who even jumps a bit. I glare at Kasami for a moment, my emotions out of control. I've never snapped, not like this, not this bad, especially on a commanding officer. Feeling like this is nothing I've ever really experienced, so trying to figure out coping is proving an issue for me. So I don't ring anyone's neck, I quickly exit the room, hurrying down the hall.

"G-Goro, wait!" Cent calls after me.

I don't wait, I don't turn, I don't even acknowledge him, not right now. My head is too muddled in anger and confusion that I can't concentrate on him. Before long, I find I'm in an area of the sector I've never been in.

Meaning basically, I'm lost. Perfect.

Though, as I look around to figure out where I am, I see someone walk past me, a Jeweloid definitely. She looks concerned, frayed somewhat.

"AMBER, are you on track?" I hear a voice come through her communicator.

"Yes, I'm on my way to the Processor now," she answers as she turns down the hall.

My eyes widen.

The Processor . . . Maggie. . . .

Without thinking, I quickly begin to follow AMBER, doing everything I can to not lose her in the busy halls, men rehearsing battle moves and how to quickly draw their weapons. Focused, but somewhat on edge. Instantly, I make an assumption. These are the next few guys who are to go in and try to get control over Maggie. I don't think about it for too long, trying to keep up with AMBER. Without realizing what I'm doing, I grab one of the extra holsters hanging on the wall, AA-12 Converts in both of them, and buckle it around my waist. What, am I expecting a fight or something?

Before long, I enter one of the biggest rooms I've seen yet. The rotunda, like the first observation area of the entering process, the space is surrounded by an area where scientists and other observers watch over the area 15 feet below, all looking horrified. As I look into the room, I can see why.

Maggie has almost completely destroyed this place. Blood is everywhere, and debris is scattered. I move closer to the glass, finding that it's weakened extremely, due to the many Power Shocks it's had to endure. I look across the way, and I can't see myself across the room, the area looking like a mirror to the inside. This must be a one way window. As I look closer at Maggie, I feel my shoulder pulled back, and I'm turned.

"Goro, you damn moron!" Cent yells, "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

I'm too surprised to answer, just pissing off Cent further. He takes a tight hold on my collar, pinning me against the glass. Weird, I had forgotten how strong he is.

"Goro, you can't do anything here, alright?!" he says, "As hard as it is, you need to accept it!"

"But-" I start.

"But nothing! You heard the Major, this is the only way-" Cent says, before a crashing noise cuts him off.

Before I know what's happened, I feel myself falling backwards. Cent's expression goes from anger and frustration to absolute fright, his hold on my collar failing as he loses his grip. I reach to him, but it's in vain. I make impact with the ground within seconds, a jolt shooting down my spine, causes me to grunt in pain.

Now, a minute or so later, I find myself in front of Maggie. As I replay the last hour in my head, I feel like an idiot. I really don't act well on just instinct it seems. Slowly, I come to a sitting position, looking up to see Cent staring down at me through the broken window. I wonder what broke it. As I look, I find that now there's a group of people surrounding Cent, all staring at me in horror. Moments, later, Kasami joins the group, his expression as bad as Cent's, frightened and helpless.

Though, I hear something, and turn back, finding that Maggie is now standing, her eyes . . . eerie and yellow, lifeless . . . locked right on me. Unlike what I've seen in the past few videos, she seems to be thinking, maybe even hesitating.

Does she recognize me?

She doesn't look like she fully knows me, but at the same time, she does seem somewhat relaxed by my presence. Maybe she's nearing the end of her insanity state?

Wrong.

Before I know what's happening, I see Maggie coming at me, her right fist ready to strike. Using the distance to an advantage, I quickly move out of the way, dodging by a few feet. I look back to see she's staring at me, perplexed by the fact that she didn't get me as I stand here, probably looking like a huge target. Subconsciously, my hand goes for the hand grip of my gun, and that sets her off. Again, she comes at me, though this time, she seems to want more of a fight than to just throw me. Somehow, I dodge her first few hits, surprising her, even myself. Though, I guess my surprise gives her an opening, as next thing I know I have a crushing sensation jolt through my gut. I keel over some, allowing her an easy shot to scissor kick me right in the face, her knee hitting me square in the nose. I grunt, taking hold of my nose, feeling blood dripping.

Well crap.

I look up, and somehow, I grab her wrist as she goes for another blow to my face, catching her off guard, allowing me to overpower her enough that I can pin her against the wall closest to us. In the background, I hear people gasping, some even cheering. I take the chance to get a breath, before looking back down at her. She's squirming, her sneer devilish. It's almost hard to recognize her as the same person. My brow furrows.

"M-Maggie. . . ." I trail, "Please."

Her eyes widen, her expression changing slightly as she reacts to my voice, her name. I search her eyes, hoping that maybe there's still something sane in her. Then, I finally get a good look at her. She's a complete mess. Covered from head to toe in blood, most of it not hers. Tear lines are dried on her face, the remnant of her last sane action. Her strength has doubled, if not tripled, and her presence is just incredible, making it harder for me to stand. She notices my weakness, I can tell, but she's not acting on it. If anything, she's just studying me, like she was before. I wonder what's going through her head.

Then, the strangest thing happens. It seems I wasn't the only one totally caught off guard by it, as I hear gasps all around. Somehow, one of Maggie's hands slip from my hold, and, instead of bitch slapping me, or jabbing me in the side, she takes hold of my collar, pulls me forward. . . .

And kisses me.

And no, this isn't just a peck. She full on frenches, as I'm still in too much shock from the first initial lip lock that I can't stop her tongue from entering my mouth. I don't know what exactly to do . . . I mean, I should be rather put off by this. She’s acting crazy to begin with, and now she’s trying to make out with me! My head is setting off alarms left and right telling me to pull away not only for my own sanity, but due to the Law. I can’t do this, neither of us can, Jeweloids and Humans are forbidden to be together. I can’t be kissing her.

But, at the same time . . . I don't really want to break the kiss. Though this is probably the strangest situation in which I have or will ever kiss a girl, I must admit, she is a pretty damn good kisser. Not that I had wondered if she was before now, I mean, again, this is against the Law, and I'm all for the Law. It's just . . . something about this . . . feels right, despite the other thoughts stabbing at my mind. Before long, I actually get into it, close my eyes, hell, I even start kissing her back. My hand that was holding her wrist loosens and somehow interlocks with hers, both holds firm. As my tongue travels into her mouth, I catch a taste of the blood on her lip. Doesn't even phase me. This is strange . . . but surprisingly enjoyable.

Before I want it to end, she parts lips with mine, and our eyes meet. Unlike before, her eyes do appear warmer, and at the rims I can see blue beginning to return. It seems she may be coming to. I grimace a bit.

"Maggie-" I start.

Without warning, she hits me right in the gut again, though this time she sends me backwards, taking me by surprise. I stumble some, until I make contact with one of the pillars, hitting hard. I look back at her, and see that she's smiling . . . and blushing. Then, she begins to laugh, rubbing her head. "God damn . . . y'know . . ." Maggie trails, saying something for the first time, "Goro, you are really nice."

I blink in surprise. Did she just compliment me? I look over my shoulder as she laughs to herself again, eyeing Cent. His expression is priceless, his jaw dropped in shock, probably still not recovered from my kiss with Maggie. Then I catch Kasami, and he just looks stumped, his eyes wide.

As I watch him, I recall something he said. While in this state . . . Jeweloids are known to say how they really feel about certain things.

"Goro . . ." Maggie trails again, catching my attention, "I'm sorry about what I did, in the room. I guess you understand I'm not exactly sure what all is going on in this screwed up place, but still, I feel bad . . . about your gash."

My brow furrows. It seems she doesn't understand what she's done since then. But, still, the fact that my injury is the one that sticks out in her mind does make me feel bad. Though, before I can say anything, she erupts in laughter once more, but this time she dies, falling to her knees, holding herself as she keels over in giggles. I raise an eyebrow. She really is out of it, it's seriously apparent.

"Y'know what the weirdest thing is?" she asks through her laughter, "I actually think you're pretty hot."

My eyes widen. Alright, this has officially become the strangest day of my life.

"Uh, Maggie-" I start.

"I mean, that Irish guy was pretty cute too, and he was funny," she interrupts, referring to Cent I'm guessing, "But you? God, I've always liked blondes, even if your hair is closer to light brown. But I guess that's what dirty blonde basically is, light light brown."

She's lost it.

"And you were so comforting!" she calls, standing, "When I got scared of that four eyed bitch, you just kept telling me that everything would be ok. . . . I really appreciated that. You reminded me of Charlie. . . ."

I don't whether to be flattered or be freaked out by her. At the moment, she seems more unstable than before. She reminds me of a girl from Liber, Dolaine, when she got really drunk. Told you exactly what she was thinking, but was a total spaz. And currently, Maggie is even worse.

"Maggie. . . ." I trail, trying to figure out what to say.

"And now . . . you're here!" she says, stepping closer, her smile big, "I was really scared when I first got here. I mean, I think anyone would be. But, I kept telling myself that I'd be out of here soon, that it'd all be over before I knew it . . . and then I'd get to see you again. . . . You'd comfort me like you did before."

Wait, she was thinking about me? Didn't know I could leave such an impression on someone. . . .

She still walks towards me, her eyes warming, and becoming bluer with each step. With each moment, it seems she's becoming more normal, which is a relief. Then, she stops, and slowly, she begins to tear up . . . yet still smiling big.

"You're nothing like the guys that I usually crush on. There aren't many blondes in Alaska, as you can assume, and not many guys really think about going for Inuits. Usually we stay to ourselves, . . . I guess it's an Inuit thing, keeping the bloodline pure, all that crap. . . . Though I'm only half. . . ." she babbles, losing me in her talk of Inuits, "But that doesn't really matter. What does is the fact that you're a great guy, Goro. I must sound weird for thinking so much of you, considering I haven't known you for much more than a week, but there's just something . . . I can't put my finger on it."

I gulp. Watching her, I begin to feel my cheeks redden some, which takes me by surprise. No way, I couldn't be blushing. As I try to figure out what's going on, I hear Maggie begin to laugh, though, unlike before, it sounds natural. I look up and see tears are falling down her face as she begins to walk to me again.

"You're blushing . . . that's cute," she comments, giggling.

I blink, but to my surprise, I chuckle too, and give a grin. "Maggie, why are you crying?" I ask, my curiosity getting the best of me.

She blinks in surprise, but then chuckles, finally standing in front of me. "I was scared," she admits as her brows furrow, making her smile bitter sweet as tears still fall.

My grin fades, as I finally comprehend her. Now I feel like a dick, being freaked out by her. She can't help it, she doesn't understand what's happening to her. All she knows is that she's in a new place without her family or anyone else she cares about to confide in. I'm the closest thing she has at this point, so for her to suddenly to be made to be all alone must be frightening. I guess that's what leads to the insanity, sadness and loneliness.

Maggie studies me, and her smile fades, looking at me with a look of what I can tell is somewhat surprised, confused, and just, well, normal. In fact, the past few minutes alone, she's been acting like a completely different being than she was when I first plopped in here. Maybe my presence does have an affect, who knows. Though, I'm distracted from my thoughts as I watch Maggie kneel down in front of me, her eyes warmer as she looks back up to meet my eyes, almost back to normal. She's on the edge of regaining complete sanity, so I have be careful not to startle or anger her.

"I'm sorry Maggie. . . ." I trail. She blinks in surprise, taken back by my apology. Then, slowly, I watch her face begin to redden again, as it had after she had kissed me. I grin, and hold my hand out to her. She seems perplexed by my gesture, her eyes widening with confusion, causing me to chuckle. "C'mon, it's alright," I say with a smile.

Her eyes widen further, her cheeks becoming redder as she nods, her blood stained hand cautiously reaching for mine. She's going to be fine, now at least everything is-

BANG!

Both of our eyes widen in alarm at the loud and sudden noise of a gunshot. I whip my head around to see a girl, maybe late 20s, early 30s, panting like mad, blood running down her cheek. I hadn't notice her, she must have been the soldier Maggie was going against when I fell through the window. She looks terrified, a pistol shaking her tight hold. I turn back, and the light in my eyes flashes as I see Maggie. She's looking down at her right shoulder, and my eyes follow to see a fresh bullet wound, blood beginning stain her dress even more as it begins to drip. I look back at her eyes, and I feel my face pale as I begin to see the blue receding, the warmth fading.

"No, Maggie, listen to me, don't, please," I plead, taking hold of her shoulders. She looks back at me, and I can tell that she's beginning to fall back into the insanity, as her expression shows that she probably no longer recognizes me right. She giggles, the same as she had before, high pitched and eerie. "Maggie. . . ." I trail.

Before I can do anything, Maggie has somehow broken my hold on her, and in a flash, appears in front of the girl, sneering as she throws a punch right into the girl's gut. The girl gasps for air as she's thrown back, hitting the wall with a hard impact. Maggie growls, and like I had seen in the video, in her right hand, an aura begins to form.

Her Soul Weapon.

"N-No, Maggie, stop!" I call.

She doesn't make any move to show she acknowledges my cry, and allows the aura to morph into the pistol. As if she's done it a thousand times, Maggie aims at the girl, causing the girl to cringe in fear. Though, as Maggie goes for the trigger, I somehow get to her quick enough that I can redirect the shot by pulling Maggie's arms up, causing her to shoot at the ceiling instead. Maggie, not expecting an intervention, struggles against me, and I use the opportunity to get the girl away.

"Hey, go, now!" I order at her. The woman looks shocked, but nods, stumbling to get to the door. Maggie catches a glimpse of her fleeing, and erupts in anger. With no regret, she kicks me right in the groin, sending me quick to the ground. Instantly, she reaims and begins to fire again at the girl, hitting her in the legs.

"ACK!" she screams.

"Maggie, stop it!" I yell, grabbing hold of Maggie's leg, pulling back to cause her to fall. I look back at the girl, finding that the escape hatch has opened, a cluster of three men running in, two taking the girl, the other staying, aiming his gun at Maggie's head. The action sends Maggie into an uproar, aiming up and shooting fast. Somehow, even though she's sprawled on the ground, Maggie hits him right in the forearm, causing him to lose grip of his gun. Maggie squirms, and releases herself from my hold, and throws herself on the man. Though, unlike the girl, he pulls her off, and kicks Maggie mercilessly right in the gut, sending her flying into one of the pillars. With a grunt of pain, she falls to the ground, struggling soon after to sit up. She looks up as she hears the cocking of his gun, and for the first time . . . she looks terrified.

In an instant, the blue in her eyes reappears to almost the way it was before. But now, she looks around, her brow furrowing in confusion and fear, her eyes reading that she's not sure where she is. She looks down, and gasps in shock, anxiety filling her as she looks over her blood drenched dress and stained arms. My eyes widen. Her insanity state has ended.

"Hey, wait!" I call to the man.

"Isugoro Jintez, correct?" he calls, no emotion in his voice, "Please leave through the escape, I will deal with the Jeweloid."

"No, Sir, she's ok now, her insanity phase has ended!" I reply.

"You can't know that, besides, she just attack me, how could she of changed so suddenly?" he answers.

"I don't know how to answer that, but you must believe me. Please, don't touch her!" I plead.

He looks over at me, his eyes narrowed, looking at me as if I'm a pest. "Go," he orders, before turning back to face Maggie, stepping closer.

In response, Maggie raises her gun again, shaking in fear, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks worse than before. The soldier aims at her, and steps forward again. Though, this time, he stops, surprised, as I suddenly push him aside. He turns towards me, angered, "What the Hell are you doing?!-"

"Can't you see that you're just scaring her and making it worse?!" I spit, "Aiming a gun at her will get you nowhere!"

His eyes widen in shock. Wow, this is the second time I've argued with a commanding officer today. This isn't a good streak. Though, to my surprise, he doesn't do anything, in fact, he turns and walks away. "Fine, you go for it. Can't whine when you’re dead," he spits, opening the hatch, before walking in, closing it tight behind him.

I watch the hatch for a moment, before looking up, catching Cent and Kasami, who are still standing by the broken window, their expression that of concern. Cent then, surprisingly, gestures at me, leaning towards Maggie. I blink, but then nod, turning to look back at Maggie, who's still aiming her gun, but now at me. I gulp, and take a step forward.

She goes for the trigger, telling me to stop. "No, Maggie, don't. . . . It's me. . . ." I trail.

She looks confused, but still frightened. As I watch her, I notice her eyeing something. I follow her gaze, and I blink as I see she's looking at one of the AA-12 Converts hanging from my belt. I sigh, and carefully, I take hold of each of them, making Maggie tense even more, scared. "Maggie, it's alright," I say, removing the guns from the holsters, before dropping them on the ground, the noise of them hitting the only thing cutting the silence.

Her eyes widen in surprise, taken back by my actions. "I'm not going to hurt you," I continue, beginning to step forward. Slowly, I sense her relaxing, though as I move closer, her hold on the pistol tightens, still cautious of me. "I don't have anything," I say, before unzipping my jacket, revealing that I hold nothing, just my dog tags, "See, I have nothing on me."

The knowledge that I have no weapons seems to calm her, and I watch her slowly begin to shake less, her expression still frightened. Just to make it more apparent that I'm harmless, I take off my jacket fully, laying it on the ground beside where I currently stand to show my long sleeved undershirt and tags. I creep closer little by little, and soon enough, I'm right in front of her, now able to take in just how scared she really is. I reach my hand out to her arm, and slowly, I guide her arms down, so she's no longer aiming at me. Her eyes meet mine, and search mine, trying to figure out what's happened. My brow furrows.

"Maggie . . . let go of the gun," I trail, "It's ok."

She watches me for a moment, before she seems to crack, the gun dropping from her grip as she begins to sob, her cries surprising. As it hits the ground, her pistol disappears, fading in a blue mist. My eyes widen at the sight, though I'm distracted as Maggie suddenly throws herself at me, taking hold of my shirt, shuttering. I don't know what to do, but all it seems my mind knows to do is just wrap my arms around her, pulling her close.

"M-Mama!" Maggie cries into my shoulder, "I want my mom . . . please . . . Mama!"

I gulp, instinctively holding her tighter. "Maggie, I . . . I'm sorry. . . ." I trail, not knowing what else to say as she sobs harder. He grip is shaky, but strong as sobs into my shoulder, and I shush her, softly stroking her back in an attempt to console her. She moves slightly, and nuzzles against my neck, catching me off guard.

“Mama. . . !” Maggie repeats again . . . and again.

I look at her. She's defenseless now, totally vulnerable, scared out of her mind. She doesn't understand what has happened to her, why she's here. All she knows is that she's alone. And in return, she does the only thing she knows to do.

Cry . . . and call out to a Mother who can no longer come to her.