May 5th, 2086

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Marianna found herself next to an old house, showing a group of three people the outside of it. She wasn't sure what she was doing there, but it seemed normal at the time. She walked around, and heard someone explaining the story of the house to the people, confused where it was coming from until she realized it was coming from her lips. There was a strange essence about the place, which made her wander even more around the house. Until she came across a yard, where she saw three almost skeletal figures, huddling together, close to the ground. She crept closer, until one of them looked up at her. It seemed almost normal for her to not be terrified of them, despite how demonic they appeared. The tallest of the three, whom was already looking at her, waved a hand at her to walk over. When she approached them, the creature spoke.

 

"I have a gift for you."

 

Marianna remained quiet, as she wasn't sure how to respond.

 

Rather than speaking again, he pointed in another direction, where an undead looking creature came out of no where, and crept into a small building.

 

The tall creature spoke again. "I'm going to make you special cupcakes, that will give you anything you desire. But first."

 

The undead creature began to disintegrate in the building, and being sucked into something that Marianna assumed was in the floor of the building. Her entire body tensed up, as a hurt dog limped towards the building. She went to run over, but was stopped.

 

"No, dear. This animal is sacrificing itself to give you more of what you desire."

 

Marianna stared at the dog, horrified as it crept into the building. Only this time, there was a different sound coming from the building, followed by the screeching of the dog. As Marianna sat on the ground, huddling her knees to herself, the tall creature crawled over beside her, and placed a near bony hand on her shoulder.

"One bite out of one of these cupcakes, and anything you desire, can be yours."

 

Moments later, a platter of six, blueberry muffins appeared before Marianna. She looked up, and both the now tortured and dead dog, and the undead creature began to crawl out of the building. As she tensed up, they turned their heads sharply at her, and began to crawl towards her.

 

At that moment, she was ripped from the dream, as Ryan woke her. As she woke, she saw a small plate with a muffin on it. Moments later, she ran to the bathroom, and threw up.By the time she was finished spilling everything in her stomach, Leah and Rachael were behind her, Rachael rubbing Marianna's back to try calming her.

 

"Another dream, hon?"

 

Marianna, without saying anything, put a thumbs up sign to her mom. "Just...keep the muffins away from me please..." She made a gagging noise.

 

Ryan helped Marianna up, and despite feeling shaky, she felt that odd butterfly feeling when his hand touched her arm. She looked up, brushing some hair from her face, and smiled. Ryan smiled in return, knowing that meant she was alright.

 

Marianna shakily stood, and without turning to face anyone, asked, "What time is it?"

 

Leah smiled. "A little past seven, dear."

 

"Okay."

 

After a minute or so of silence, Rachael spoke up. "You feeling any better, hon? I can make you some breakfast if you want."

 

Marianna smiled. "That sounds good. I can help."

 

The sound of rain was heard from outside, and Aiden walked into the bathroom with Corey. Aiden spoke up.

"I think it'd be a safe bet if we all just stayed in today." He glanced over at Leah, who pretended not to notice. "I brought the TV in last night before everyone fell asleep." He turned to Marianna. "I suggest you  not try to do anything too hectic today."

 

Marianna quirked an eyebrow at Aiden, whom tossed his arms up in defeat, and walked out of the room and down the stairs. Marianna and Ryan were the last two to leave the bathroom, and Ryan followed her into their room. She sat down on the bed, and ran her hands through her hair, head lowered towards her legs.  Ryan sat down beside her, and ran his hand over her back, smiling at a slight shiver he caused down her spine.

"Are you alright, Marianna?" He asked, with a gentlemen like concern.

 

Marianna nodded. "Yeah," She felt her stomach grumbling. "I just need to eat something." She sucked in a breath, and let it out in a sigh, as she stood up and stripped her night clothes off. She walked over to the closet, and grabbed a pair of pajamas she had randomly decided to buy. After carefully slipping them on, she looked over at Ryan, who was staring in awe. The look on his face was so adorable to her that she couldn't help but giggle a little. "Cmon, let's go down stairs." She held her hand out to him, and he walked over, taking it as they walked down the hall and down the stairs to the living room area.

 

Aiden was hooking the TV up to his laptop, while Leah watched from a small distance, and Corey and Rachael made breakfast in the kitchen. Luckily for them, the house came furnished, so the living room was already set up. The only thing that was different now, was the TV and Aiden's laptop.

 

Without looking away from what Aiden was doing, Leah spoke up. "Hey deary. I brought a blanket down here for you in case you get cold."

 

Marianna smiled. "Thanks Leah." She walked over, and gave Leah a hug, a massive grumble interrupting the hug. She walked over to the kitchen, where Corey and Rachael were sucking face as per usual. "Hey love bugs, what food do we have left from yesterday?"

 

Corey pulled away from Rachael to quirk an eyebrow at Marianna. "I went to the store before anyone else woke up and bought some food."

 

Marianna nodded. "Okay. Need any help?"

 

Rachael smiled. "No hon. Go rest for a bit, and we'll bring food out when it's done."

 

"Okay mom." She turned back to the living room, and walked in to sit down on the couch. A moment later, she started feeling light headed, and heard a tiny ringing in her ears, that slowly grew louder the more she ignored it. Until finally, everything went black.

 

When she became fully conscious, she found herself in a hospital bed, with monitors stuck to her forehead. She hesitantly blinked, and slowly opened her eyes, only to be blinded by fluorescent lighting. When she tried to talk, it came out in nothing more than a mumble.

 

"I think she's coming back," A familiar voice said. It sounded like the young teenager, but older.

 

"It's about time," Another familiar voice said. "It only took 6 years."

 

Marianna listened closer as they talked amongst each other. One of them was male, and sounded eerily similar to Ryan. After a little while, Marianna was finally able to say something.

 

"...Ryan?" She mumbled.

 

The man turned his attention back to her. "Yes, Miss Turner?"

 

Marianna opened her eyes, as the lights dimmed some. "What am I doing here?"

 

The woman and Ryan exchanged glances. "Well...you see...the government found you and your family...but wanted to keep you alive and safe, because the baby in your body nearly killed everyone. You'd be amazed how-"

 

"Let's just show her," Ryan interrupted.

 

The woman nodded. "Of course." She ran out, and Ryan sat on the bed beside Marianna.

 

"I'm sure now that you're fully conscious, you're going to want a full explanation as to where everyone is and why you're here."

 

Marianna nodded. "Exactly...now where the hell am I?"

 

"You're in the care of Sovereign Rye."

 

"Sovereign Ryne....?" She instantly looked confused, until a knock on the door interrupted her. And there stood another man who looked exactly like Ryan. Seeing him made her entire body twitch a little. "What the hell..." She trailed off, as who she assumed was Ryne, shooed the other man, and sat down beside her.

 

He had the same look in his eyes that Ryan did in the first picture she ever saw of him. Marianna reached her hand forward, and touched his face, but just barely enough to feel the flesh beneath her fingers. Rye gently took her hand in his, and kissed the palm of her hand. Rather than looking at him, Marianna kept her eyes focused on the hospital gown she was wearing. Something didn't feel quite right. Until he did a little something that made her feel like it was somewhat alright.

 

He lifted her head up with two fingers by her chin, and genuine care showed in his eyes. A halfhearted smile came across Marianna's face, and Rye smiled. "I'm glad you're back."

 

"Back? From where? And what am I doing here?"

 

"You're safe." He smiled, and stood from the bed. "I'll have to have you stay in bed for a little while though, just to make sure you're not going to black out on us again."

 

"Black out? What do you mean, black out?"

 

Rye thought for a minute. "We were hiking, and your parents let you go off towards the edge of the path, where a cliff was. But you slipped on what I think was a beer can, and bumped your head. So badly, in fact, that you painted the cliff with your..." He stopped, had a contemplative look on his face, and then shrugged it off. "You don't need to know the other details. They aren't important. What is important, is the fact that you're here, and awake now."

 

"How long was I out for?"

 

"Um...13 years..."

 

Marianna's jaw dropped. "THIRTEEN YEARS?! How the hell did I stay out that long?!"

 

Rye shrugged. "We aren't sure. But a woman in the town we were living tried keeping you in her home, and was making you worse, so my father's personal medical facility came and took you in."

 

"Wait...your father? Isn't he..."

 

"Well...that was thirteen years ago. He died of liver failure about 5 years ago. I've since taken over. Apparently he was the head of a major security department." He laughed a little. "Which explains why he was away so much."

 

"Ryan..."

 

Rye shook his head. "No, not Ryan. Rye. My adviser said it was best that I not be referred to as Ryan. He said I'd be better off that way."

 

"Okay...Rye..." The name didn't leave her lips easily. Rye. It made her stomach knot up, even more than, well, she knew for a fact that there was only one security department in the entire country. "Where's my mom? And Aiden?"

 

Rye sighed. "I don't know. They were gone long before my father came into the picture."

 

"What do you mean...gone? They wouldn't just leave me like that."

 

"Apparently they would." He sat back down beside her. "I'll make you some breakfast, and you can meet your daughter in a little while."

 

Marianna instantly grabbed at her stomach. "How..."

 

"Modern technology kept the baby alive. And she is thriving so well. She is very talented. And don't worry, we gave her the name you wanted."

 

"But I don't remember ever..."

 

"You kept saying it in your coma. Leilani Dahlia Cabell."

 

Marianna giggled a little. "So that's your last name."

 

Rye turned pink. "Oh hush you. I think it suits her."

 

A minute or so passed, and Rye cleared his throat. He went to speak, but a young woman stepped into the room, causing him to look up. "Speaking of..."

 

The young woman smiled, and walked over to Marianna. But rather than hugging her, she started inspecting her, playing with her hair and face. Her eyes were filled with curiosity. Without looking at Rye, she asked, "So...this is why you've moved us here?"

 

Rye nodded.

 

Marianna was stunned shocked, and when she did speak, she stumbled over her words. "Ohmygod, you're-"

Leilani turned to Rye. "Have you found my mum yet?"

 

Marianna's heart dropped, but she remembered she merely held Leilani in her body until she was born. Leilani was Leah's daughter, and always would be. And she wasn't going to expect any less from her. But Rye spoke up."How many times do we have to go over this, Marianna is your mother." Rye checked his watch. "Also, you need to take your medication in five minutes."

 

Leilani sighed. "Why do I need to take that crap?"

 

"Because, you were born with a terminal illness, and it's the only thing keeping it down."

 

Marianna looked closer at Leilani. She looked almost sickly pale. But she did look a lot like her mother, Leah. Thinking of Leah made Marianna wonder where she was. As the thought came to her mind, Leilani looked over at her with a questionable look on her face. Rye tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned away, to follow him out of the room. Moments later, everything went black again, and her body went limp as it fell back in the bed.