Transition


The little girl woke with the sound of raindrops noisily
hitting the glass.

Sitting on her bed, she looked through the window. It was
still dark outside, the overcast skies forming a mantle which
impeded the moon's rays from reaching the surface. Her eyes
followed one of the many tubes which hung from the heavens,
disappearing into the clouds. She wondered whether one could
see the moon from Zalem on a night like this.

She hugged her pillow and noticed it was damp. Touching her
face she felt the slightly moist streaks of drying tears. She
wasn't surprised anymore to discover the profound effect the
dreams had on her. It was the sense of loss and emptiness she
felt, however, which confounded her, for she always found
herself incapable of remembering the visions that haunted her
mind while asleep.

Stretching on the bed, she fixed her gaze on the cracked
ceiling above her. She couldn't manage to clear her thoughts,
as the same old questions spiraled in her head, over and over
again, the eternal doubts and uncertainties, teasing her. She
was sure the answers were somehow locked within her, the
glimpses of truth flashing before her eyes in tantalizing
dreams which forever vanished upon awakening, so close, and
yet so far.

After a few minutes she let out a long sigh, realizing she
would not be getting any more sleep that night. Getting out of
bed she decided for some cold milk. Silently stepping into the
hallway, she began tip-toeing towards the kitchen. After
serving herself a large glass she headed back to her
bedroom. As she passed in front of Daisuke's lab, however, she
suddenly turned and entered the room.

Although it was dark inside the large chamber, she had
exceptionally good night vision, and her eyes soon adapted to
the obscurity. She sipped her milk as she gently glided her
other hand over the various machines and apparatus which were
messily scattered throughout the lab.  As she approached the
far end of the workshop, she noticed the heavy iron railings
which led into a large cargo elevator. Putting the empty glass
on one of the work benches, she proceeded to open the grating
as quietly as possible. She knew Daisuke didn't want her going
underground into the basement, but for some reason she felt
the urge to take a look around anyway. The metal bars
squeaked, but she finally managed to open the door halfway.

Sneaking inside the elevator, she carefully closed the door,
and pressed a rusty button labelled "B".


_________________________________
marco@chinook.physics.utoronto.ca
Gunnm: Broken Angel
http://128.100.80.13/marco/alita.html