ORIGIN

Kallista ran right into cold, freezing water. She let out a yelp and backed away, eyes widened as she looked around. Her ears were lowered, and the images of them, of Imperia, flashed before her eyes. She let out a whimper, terrified that they had followed her. She couldn't run in the water! Some parts were higher than she is! The area surrounding the entrance to Pisces was rather deep, and she would have to swim. She looked behind her, panicked, and jumped in, trying desperately to swim to a nearby place where it wasn't so bad.

Cold water rushed all around her, and she paddled quickly, eye fixed on the area with less water. The water was so cold though, she was beginning to grow numb. At one point, she went under the water. She floundered about for a moment, before realizing she could just barely touch the bottom. She got back up and took a deep breath, looking around. She swam the rest of the way to the drier patch and collapsed, breathing hard. Her fur was soaked, and she was shivering.

She wished Todd was there, as she lay there shivering. He would have helped her, he would have stuck by her side the whole time. She closed her eye and imagined he was there, licking her fur and keeping her warm. She whimpered. She never should have left his side! If she had just stayed with him and stayed far away from Pisces, then none of this would have happened. She'd still be happy, not plagued with memories of what Imperia had done again.

The pain in her eye seemed to increase, although it had been 8 cycles since it had happened. She should be stronger than this! But she wasn't. She was weak and terrified. She thought about the cat who had stood up for her, who had allowed her escape. She wished she could see her again, but who knew if she would even live past the wrath of Imperia.

She sighed and continued to lay there, her one eye partially closed. Her fur was still wet, and she was still cold, and had no energy to continue on her way out of here. But she couldn't go back to Pisces. She could never go back. She hadn't been in so long, and as soon as she does get back, she sees Imperia. If she ever goes back, who's to say she won't see them again? So she makes a promise to herself, saying that she'll never go back to Pisces ever again.

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