Posted by Gemma Lockhart on March 27, 2004, 8:27 am

Gemma Lockhart glances at the large clock on her wall, one more time, and sighs loudly. They were flying out from San Diego into Heathrow Airport, London, in just a few hours. Six hours on a plane – thank God, it was first-class. She was having trouble motivating herself, though. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go; she did, she really did. She loved London, for a start – awesome clubs, excellent hotels, and ignorant people. Gemma just couldn’t make an effort to finish packing. A loud knock and her bedroom door opens. Taranis – Gemma, are you finally ready to leave? Taranis walks into Gemma’s large bedroom, decorated in cool tones and rock posters, and looks around. He frowns. Her half packed suitcases are lying on the un-made bed, and clothes, personal belongings, are thrown about, carelessly, everywhere. He pauses and walks over to his slightly younger half-sister, who is lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling. He stares down at her, his brow creased, and talks slowly. Taranis – What are you doing? Gemma yawns, lazily, as she stretches. Gemma – I’m assessing my life. California was definitely not what Gemma had hoped it would be. Sure, it was warm, the blistering sun shown down continuously, but it never could heat her up. She shivers as she feels her body temperature fall and her apprehension rise. She’d had a strange feeling creeping over her all day. Taranis looks sceptical. He crouches down beside her, looking at her carefully. Taranis – You are? Gemma sits up, raising her eyebrows, sarcastically. She crosses her ripped jean clad legs. Gemma – No, not really. What is it? Taranis – We’re going to miss this flight, y’know, if you don’t move your ass. Gemma yawns again. Gemma – Can’t we just get the next one? I’m ####ing tired. Taranis looks contemplative for a few moments. Taranis – No. You’re so ####ing lazy. I hope when we get there it won’t be too late, Gemma. This could be a good match for you, a good thing. Crosslatch, Gazz Maybury, Cole Christenson, etc, etc You can take them. Go up in that joint, take their ####ing titles. Your ass has been dragging for weeks now. Come on, if I can get myself out of a rut, so can you. Gemma scowls up at her brother. Gemma – Yeah, okay, okay You’re way too psyched up for this, bro! Hand over some drive to me. I can barely pull myself to my feet – I don’t know what is going on with lately. Taranis – You’ll be fine when we get there. Gemma smiles, slightly, and nods. Gemma – Yeah, I know. Taranis – Twenty minutes, no more. I am exhumed just a little less human, and a lot more bitter and cold After all these images of pain, have cut right through you I will kiss every scar, and weep you are not alone Then I'll show you that place in my chest where my heart still tries to beat Aren't you tired of being weak? Such rage that you could scream. All the stars right out of the sky And destroy the prettiest starry night. Every evening that I die. Alone. Atreyu Gemma, grudgingly, allows her brother to pull her to her feet. He turns to leave then room then stops. Taranis – Oh, shit, I forgot, this came for you this morning, but you were still asleep. It looks important. I had to sign for it. He hands Gemma a small brown envelope. She looks closely at the envelope, scrutinizing it. She rips it open and scans over the page. Her piercing green eyes widen. Her expression is un-readable, but frozen; a peculiar look on her pretty features. Gemma – Chris, don’t go! ####. Taranis stops and looks at his now unusually paler sister, with concern. Taranis – Hey, what’s up, kid? Bad news? Gemma – Something like that. Gemma chews nervously on a chipped black varnished fingernail. Gemma – It’s Dominic Dominic Romero, Gemma Lockhart’s estranged ex-husband, who she fled from three years prior had found her some months ago, had harassed her and turned her live upside down again. With the help of Daeriq Damien, Dominic agreed to finally sign the papers and free her of the chains of marriage. Then Dominic just disappeared, no contact, no calls, nothing That suited Gemma fine. Out of sight; out of mind. Taranis frowns, and exhales loudly. Taranis – What has that stupid bastard done now? ####ing loser. Look, don’t get pulled into anythi-- Gemma – He’s dead. Taranis takes the letter from Gemma and reads over it. Taranis – Dear Miss Lockhart Blah, blah, blah, sincerest apologies Apparent suicide? Gemma, man, this is heavy. Gemma – I knew he was ####ing unstable, but I never thought he’d ghost himself. Taranis – I guess I’m sorry. Gemma – Yeah, yeah. It’s strange though Taranis steps closer to his sister and frowns. Taranis – What? You don’t buy it? Don’t think it’s real? Gemma runs her hand through her messy shoulder length hair. She turns away from Taranis and walks over to the window. She peers outside, for a moment. Gemma – It’s not that. Taranis – Then what is it? She turns back around to face her brother. Gemma raises her hands in frustration. Gemma – I feel nothing, Chris! I am neither shocked nor saddened! Taranis – You’re happy? Gemma shakes her head. Gemma – No Nothing. I don’t even know if I care. Taranis – The funeral is in two days. It’s back in New York. Do you wanna go? Gemma sighs, whist chewing on her lower lip. She shakes her head. Gemma – #### it, #### him. Taranis – Look, are you sure? Gemma – For real, dude. Let’s just go to London. Taranis – Okay, finish up packing and we’ll leave. Taranis begins to leave Gemma’s room. Gemma – Hey Chris? Taranis – Yeah? Gemma – So, when Dominic said he couldn’t live without me, right? Taranis – Yeah? Gemma smirks. Gemma – I guess he was right.