State of Mind (Open)

[Alex]

Alex pulled open the door of the boys locker room, a duffel bag hanging on his shoulder. He didn't have anything to do after school, and since the swimmig pool was open, he decided to take a swim. He went into one of the change stalls and changed into his swim shorts. He threw all his clothes into the duffel bag he had brought with him, and pulled open one of the locker doors, throwing the bag into the locker.

He then turned the key, and locked the locker. He attached the key to his shorts, which had a safety pin attached to the key. His sandals clacked against the floor as he passed the showers, and walked into the main pool area. Good, there was nobody around as far as he could see. Sunlight shined through the windows that lined the walls, and Alex took off his sandals, walked over to the middle of the pool, and dove in. It was deep enough that he wouldn't crack his head when he dove, but it wasn't so deep that he couldn't touch the bottom. As he broke through the surface of the water to take a breath, he swam a little back towards the shallow end, and his feet touched the bottom, enabling him to walk.

Water dripped down his face, as he shook the water off, so that his hair wouldn't stick to his face. He dove down into the water, and swam a little back towards the deep end. He came up for air again, as sunshine shone on the water, making it sparkle as it made little waves when he came up, before settling down and become still. He then started to float on his back, just drifting in one spot, alone with his thoughts, letting his thoughts flow out one by one, allowing his state of mind to relax. He thought he was alone, or so he thought.

The sound of sandals hitting the ground make him sit up in the water, as his feet once again touched the bottom, disturbing the stillness of the water. " Who's there?" he called out, as he swam over to the shallow end. As he reached the end of the shallow side, he stopped and stood in the water, droplets of water dripping off his hair and once again returning to the water it had come from. Someone was here, but who was it? He would find out soon enough.

[The Doctor]

The Doctor was still beaten up from everything. His clothes were fine but he was exhausted, still he knew he had to find the kids of Hikari. They had to know what happened. The Doctor was witness and he knew he had to let them know the terrible events that unfolded.

"Alex Hikari, don't be afraid, it's just me, the Doctor." The Doctor said, "I dont know if you remember me, but I'm the history teacher. Something happened, me and you need to talk."

The Doctor held out his hand to offer to help Alex out of the pool. He didn't want the kid near water, he wanted him near a chair. The Doctor clutched in his other hand the manilla folder containing the file he had with him. It was for the Doctor's eyes only as far as he was concerned.

[Alex]

As he looked up, Alex found himself looking at The Doctor, although he looked alright, he had the air of exhaustion surrounding him. "Alex Hikari, don't be afraid, it's just me, the Doctor. I dont know if you remember me, but I'm the history teacher. Something happened, me and you need to talk." The Doctor held his hand out for Alex to take, which he took, and pulled himself out of the pool, water dripping off his chest and landing on the ground. " What happened sir?" Alex asked at once, noticing a folder in The Doctor's other hand, which he was clutching.

Alex folded his arms across his chest, it had to something important if The Doctor had seeked him out personally, instead of just calling him over the PA. Something in the expression on the teacher's face told Alex something terrible had happened, something concerning him, Alex Hikari. What it was, Alex would find out soon enough.

[The Doctor]

"There was a fight with a target of the Guardians, a force that your father wanted destroyed," The Doctor said, "The battle went on for quite some time, and in the end your father gave his life in order to destroy the target GlaDOs. I'm sorry son, you're father is dead."

The Doctor put his hand on the boys shoulder, still clasping the folder in the other hand. There were other matters to discuss concerning the future of the school and Hikari Industries. But he knew that the boy needed to grieve his father's death, "I haven't been able to locate your sister yet, but we're looking for her too."

Kane Hikari was gone now. There was nothing more the Doctor could do. He would stay and allow the boy to grieve, and he'd comfort him if need be. But it was something the boy needed to know urgently. Only an hour had passed since his meeting with Matrim and Solaris, and thanks to Solaris he located the boy.

[Alex]

As Alex stood there, The Doctor began to explain what had happened, and it involved his father, Kane Hikari. " There was a fight with a target of the Guardians, a force that your father wanted destroyed, the battle went on for quite some time, and in the end your father gave his life in order to destroy the target GlaDOs. I'm sorry son, you're father is dead."

That statement hit Alex like he had run straight into a brick wall. His father, the mighty Kane Hikari, was dead. He didn't know how to react, but all he knew was, his father was gone, and he wasn't coming back, not now, not ever. As he stood there, his arms no longer folded across his chest, his fists clunched, The Doctor placed a hand on his shoulder, almost like he was trying to comfort Alex.

Alex, looking down at the ground, finally spoke after the long silence. " At least...at least he went down fighting. While I'll admit what you told me has shocked and surprised me, once you locate Kyoko," he began, finally looking up and looking right at The Doctor, " Her reaction will not be as subdued as mine." Alex smiled sadly, then his expression turned serious. " If you have anything you need to tell me about, now would be a good time. After all, the head of Hikari Industries and the principal of the school is dead."

While it appeared Alex was calm on the outside, inside, his heart had felt like it had been torn in two. His father, the one who he looked up to, was dead. The only family he had left now was his older sister, Kyoko, and now more than ever, he was determined to protect her. He would not let anyone hurt her, no matter who or what it would be.

[The Doctor]

The Doctor pulled a scroll from under his coat. He had grabbed it when he was in Kane's room alone. He held it out to Alex, "This scroll is for the shifting dragon fighting style. Your father leaves this to you and your sister both. So make sure to remember to let her use it as well. You two are in charge of Kane Industries from now on. You are to receive one fourth of the Hikari estate, you and your sister both share that of course."

The Doctor turned heading out to find Kyoko Hikari to tell her the news having done his job here, "If you need someone to talk to, I would suggest Luyu. She seemed to know your father pretty well, and she seems to me like someone who was important to him as well. Keep in touch if you need anything from me."

The Doctor left, with the will clutched tight. He still had people to confront with it afterall. He would let the kid Alex go on with his day grieving however he saw fit to. Personally the Doctor couldn't stand family stuff too long. That wasn't him. Not anymore.