Feedback is welcome at [email protected]

This is my second fic in this "Fear of Darkness" Series.

Kevin teleported into the Ship's inner chamber. He laid me on the mysterious slab that protuded from the Ship's floor. He looked over my body with great concern. Bruises covered my body all over, some healing, some still raw, and purple. I was still unconcious, my mind in fragments. He got worried, for I wasn't waking up quickly enough. He mentally screamed, [ ADAM! Get OVER here! We got a new one. He's hurt! ]

Several white static implosions shimmered and formed into the eldest Tomorrow Person, Adam, Megabyte, and Ami. She turned white as she saw me lying there. She gasped, putting her hand on her mouth in horror. Megabyte was incensed, and it showed in his tightly pursued lips.

Adam exclaimed, "Oh MY God. what happened here?! Who would dare do this?" He rushed over to me, put his hands on my chest lightly, and a yellowish-orange glow emanated from his hands, to spread all over my body. I began to glow an aura of yellowish-orange, warring with gold. Adam gnashed his teeth for a moment, and growled, "I can't do it very long. Help me please!"

Ami and Megabyte nodded at Adam, then laid an hand on Adam's shoulder, and Adam felt energy pouring into his body, to be channeled into my body, in an attempt to heal my injuries.

My bruises started to fade away, to a light yellowish color. Senses were returning to me. I slowly moved, very aware of my pain, but it was fading away fast. I blinked in surprise, and looked up. I saw an older man standing over me, and screamed. I vanished from their eyes, and ended up in the ocean, again.

Adam cursed, "Figures. Someone did definetly either beat him, or something. Possibly older male."

Ami nodded, "I'll get him."

She concentrated, and vanished in another white static implosion to arrive at my position, and mentally said, [ Do not be afraid, Boyd. We are here to help you. ] At those...words... I still cringed, my mind screaming, [No No. You will hurt me! ] Ami sighed at my flailing arms, as I struggled to stay afloat. I threw my arms around wildly, since I didn't know how to swim. Ami growled in my thoughts, [ I'm sorry, but we DO have to get you OUT of here before you drown. ] She grabbed my arm lightly, and we vanished in a static burst. As we rematerialized in the Ship, which I was to become familiar with in the future, I moaned in my thoughts, [ Why AM I HERE? ] My mind shouting those words, which caused them to cringe as if I shouted into their ears.

Megabyte cleared his throat, and I jumped involuntarily. Adam and Megabyte sighed, then looked at Ami, as to say "You're the only hope we have." Ami smiled at me, as to reassure me. I was as jumpy as a wee rabbit. She put her hand on her chest, and I looked up into her eyes for the first time. I saw deep brown, that never ended, and seemed to be as gentle as a lamb. "I'm..."

I finally unwound and quietly spoke, "A-Ami." Kevin stepped out behind Ami, and looked at me, saying, "I'm the one who brought you here, when you got here, Boyd.."

I was so startled, I froze on the spot. I hadn't seen him there. "...Kevin... How..H-how did I kno..?" I stumbled over my verbal barrage. It had been ages since I had talked to anyone, let alone myself. Ami smiled, but didn't perform any sudden movements, but slowly walked closer to me. She said to me, "You're one of us. A Tomorrow Person."

I was now confused. A tomorrow person? What the hell was that? Ami traded glances with the others, and explained how a Tomorrow Person was the next step in evolution, and the abilities that were bestowed upon us, and the other detail I couldn't believe. I couldn't kill? That was somewhat unfathomable. I thought it was something everyone could do, if driven to it. I found out that these three other than Ami had been her friends since she had broken out. I slowly thawed out toward them, but instinct was screaming, /stop. don't./

Ami sighed. "You're broadcasting, Boyd. We need to teach you how to teleport, and your telepathy, and whatever other abilities you have." She took a deep breath, and broached the question I was dreading. "Who beat you?" I looked away quickly. My guilt and shame burned deeply in my soul at that moment. I didn't want to talk about it, even if I could trust these people. Ami exhaled softly and nodded, as if I confirmed her thoughts. Ami pasted a smile on her face, to attempt to lighten the mood. "Okay. I'll be your teacher. Is that okay with you? You can meet Jade later, the other female Tomorrow Person. She's at home, though. She's apparently grounded."

I attempted a smile, but managed to make a small one, at Ami. I chuckled weakly. The others smiled softly, as if relieved. I realized with a start that I could sense their presences in my mind. But... I didn't feel like it was intrusive. I shrugged my shoulders. I managed out a question from my unused voice, "H-how d-did you ...?" I looked at myself and ran my hands over my arms, belly, and chest in a questioning look at the group.

Ami started to speak, but the tall Australian spoke up first, "I did. My name's Adam, which you probably already know." He pressed his hand against his chest, but didn't make any other movements. I nodded mutely, and said, "Thanks", in a small voice.

Ami looked at the others, and said, "Don't you guys have something to do?" Megabyte shook his head, "Naw, I don't. Why?" Ami looked at Megabyte with a glare. She sent along a tight link to Megabyte, [ GO! Can't you see he's uncomfortable?? It'd be best if he was alone with me, and with Jade. He doesn't apparently trust anyone male. ]

[ Ok Ok, Ami. Sorry about that. ] Megabyte sent her a sheepish look, and vanished into a white static burst. Adam gazed at Kevin and nodded. They both vanished in two simulaneous bursts.

I gazed at Ami with slowly growing trust. She smiled at me, and said, "Hmm. Let's start by shielding...."

Meanwhile outside the Ship, on the beach, Three Tomorrow People sat, talking.

Kevin's thoughts were in a muddle. He sat there, with a brooding expression on his face. Adam laid a hand lightly on his shoulder. Kevin looked up at Adam with a worried glance. "I'm worried about Boyd. I don't know why. I normally have dreams..."

Megabyte stared at Kevin, "What?? You didn't...?" Adam looked at Kevin and pondered this. Kevin nodded in confirmation. "I didn't dream about Boyd, at all." Before now, his dreams had always signalled the possibility of new breakouts, but not this time. Kevin continued, "I wonder why. He makes me feel weird, like I've known him somewhere before, but I've never met a Boyd, as far as I remember."

The Three were silent for a long moment. The thoughts of my new arrival weighed heavily in their minds, with questions such as, "Why am I here? What does this mean if Kevin didn't know? Does that mean there's other Tomorrow People we don't know about?"

The three looked at each other with trepidation, worry, and hope.

[end part 2]