All was calm as the boat descended through the swamp. No sounds of birds or animals greeted my ears as I moved forward. It's quiet out there. Must not be much out this way besides mud and trees. Though quite frankly, I am glad there isn't much out here. With all I've been through, there isn't much excitement in wanting to see new things. There used to be of course. But, not any more.

The boat continued to go forward. As it did, my eyes drifted through my surrounds. Not much caught my attention. After all, everything looked the same. It wasn't until my eyes looked at the water that my attention was peaked. Flowing right beside the boat was several green lines. Each one snaked through the water like a carefree breeze.

Huh, that's odd. Green lines in the water? Could it be some type of pollution? Or could it be something more? My eyes continue to observe the lines. As they do, several ideas come rushing through my mind. Most of them were dismissed quickly, but only two remained. Cautiously, I dip my hand into the water. I know this might be a bad idea. But I have to see what this is! Carefully, I take my hand out of the water. Then, without hesitation, I put it to my nose.

Hmm, okay so no burning. So, it's not a chemical; which of course rules out pollution. And plus, it smells just like stagnant water so again not pollution. Which means, if it's not pollution, then that means...

Eww! Ew! Get it off of me! Get if off! In vain, I try to sling my hand around. But unfortunately, it didn't do any good. After a few minutes of slinging my hand around, I grumply decided to leave it alone. After all, its not like I don't already have it in my body. Man, I swear! I can't get rid of this virus can I?! Uhh. But, I'm curious. If it really is the virus, then what is it doing in this river? And why is it leaking out like this? Hmm. Well, considering the flow of the water, I have to say its coming from upriver. But if it is, then what's going on up there? Maybe I can make my way up there and find out.

Suddenly, the boat jolts forward. My body hits the hard metal floor with a bang. Oww! Uh! Dang it! What was that? Slowly, I pick myself up off the cold metal floor. My eyes look for the cause of the jolt. After several seconds, I start to see the problem. A thick carpet of moss hangs from the trees before me. It's thick coat stopping the boat from moving on. In vain, the boat's engine continues to power forward. But its no use. Soon, the engine busts sending a loud bang echoing through the silent forest.

Ah no! The engine's busted! Man, how am I going to get upstream? Man! A large sigh escapes from my mouth. Well, this just went from weird to bad. But oh well. I guess I got to walk from here on in. Hopefully where this is coming from isn't far off from here. Hopefully, though I doubt it. Seeing as how in most cases, what you're searching for is far off.

Without another word, I exit the boat and go into the forest before me. My walk through there was quiet to say the least. If I had been anywhere else, I would have said pleasant. But, seeing as though I'm here, I can't really say pleasant. At any rate, I made it out of the forest intact. So I guess a compromise of somewhat pleasant is in order.

When I exited the forest a strange sound came to my ears. In the distance, the cowling of crows sounded. Their cowls like a strange bell signaling a familiar feeling to creep inside of me. Dread had begun to spring up from the depths of my body. Its grip firm, cold, yet silent. I try to push this feeling away. After all, there's nothing I need to worry about. This feeling is irrational. Yet, despite my resistance, the feeling doesn't go away. Instead, its cold grip tightens around my bones. My heart beat begins to increase as dread's grip tightens its hold. One thump after another begins to echo in my ears. Their volume loud, obnoxious even.

Suddenly, my heart stops. My body goes numb. Dreads firm hold releases its grip on my bones. My ears pick up a sound. Another sound. This one chilling my body like a freezer. My muscles become rigid. My curiosity begins to peak. But my eyes refuse to look. In vain, my mind tries to disguise the noise. But it doesn't help. A voice echos through the silence. It's cold greeting splinting it in two. A single thought races through my mind. Oh no.

"Well well... well. Look what we have here. Kitana Parks. Its good to see you again. Truly is a pleasure. Though I'm sure, judging by your rigid posture, you aren't so happy to see me." It's him! That crazy man who's been trying to kill me! It's him! The hole where dread once resided began to be occupied anew. This time, by anger.

"You!" I said, my body quickly turning towards him. The crazy man looked at me. His eyes holding amusement.

"I stand corrected. Well, I should say, somewhat corrected. But, anyway, I must apologize for the sudden greeting. I wanted to contact you but... it seems as though you're... incommunicado at the moment. Though, considering what happened to your pal, I guess you have other reasons for you're anti-social nature." Anti-social? The man who's crazy with a capital c calls me anti-social? That's funny. Almost comedy. Though I doubt anyone would to listen to his stand-up though.

"Anti-social? Delusional as ever I see. Doesn't matter. You will pay!" I said. My hands immediately go to my gun. Without another word, I pull it out and point it at him. A small part of me expected him to flinch. But he didn't. Instead, he continued to stand there amused as ever.

"Now now Kit! That's no way to treat a person! Have you been taught some manners? I'm sure you have by your dearly beloved mother. Though I doubt, if she were still here of course, that she would take kindly to your manners. Would probably scold you on you're rudeness. As well as naivete I imagine..." the man says, his eyes looking towards the sky. How dare he?!

"Don't you dare talk about my mother!" I said, my eyes staring daggers into him. The man continues to look up at the sky.

"Still a little touchy on that are we? Well let's avoid that topic and get down to business. I didn't come for no reason Kit. I came here because they is something you must hear." Something I must hear?! Something I must here?! No! I'm not listening to anything he is saying!

"No thanks. I'm not interested." The man's skyward look dissipates. His eyes fall back to me. His gaze piercing.

"Not interested? No no, I think you'll be very interested in what I have to say. Though if you don't want to learn the secrets of your birth and family, as well as the things they have been keeping from you, I completely understand. No no, you don't have to accept my very generous offer filled with a lifetime of secrets. Secrets by all rights you should know. But I guess since you don't want it..."

"Wait!" I say, my voice cutting him off. Man, what am I doing? This guy could be lying to me. After all, he doesn't seem to be that trustworthy. But yet, my curiosity is starting to peak. What secrets is he talking about? Man, I have to know but at the same time I don't want to. Uhh! I'm probably making a mistake by saying this. But then again, my curiosity can't take it anymore.

"Ok ok. Fine. You can tell me these secrets" I say, my voice coming out alongside a sigh. Man, I really hope what I'm doing is worth it.

"Good. I figured that trick would work. After all Kitana, you are indeed a curious person. But, since you agreed, I will now tell you. Your entire life has been a lie." What?

"Your whole life has been nothing but a blanket of lies wrapped around one person. You." But me? Why? What lies? My mouths goes to open. My mouth goes to form the words, but it was cut off.

"Kitana Alexandria Parks. That is your full name your... government name correct? That names of yours is a lie. You are not Kitana Alexandria Parks. You are Kitana Alexandria Summers. Your father and mother were Kollyn and his wife Satsuki Summers. You were born here in the Autonomous Zone. I am your godfather." What?! But... that doesn't make any...

"Fifteen years ago, the Autonomous Zone was invaded by the government. I supposed they told you Kollyn was a dictator correct? He was not. He was our leader. He cherish his people like they were his family. He cared for us. The government wanted our land to mine for coal, timber, and water. Kollyn didn't agree. So, they took us by force. They killed your parents and took you away from us. Our princess. Our future. They took you away and fed you lies. Treated you like sheep." They... they did that? But... this is...

"They took you away and gave you to a woman. The woman agreed to raise you and keep this from you. In exchange, the government paid her thousands of dollars a year to keep you. So that woman you're so concerned with? A greedy sheep paid by the government to keep you. She wasn't you're real mother." Momma... she couldn't... she wouldn't... she loved me! She loved me and I loved her! Momma was the best mother I ever had! He can't just talk about her like she's nothing!

"Mom was the best mom I ever had! She loved me! You can't talk about her like she's nothing!" I said, my eyes beginning to sting.

"Oh but what has she told you? Has she ever said you were adopted?" Well no... but maybe she had a good reason!

"No..."

"Did she ever react to you talking about the Autonomous Zone's history?" Well she did. She would always flinch kind of. But that doesn't prove anything!

"Yes but..."

"And did you ever notice you're lack of resemblance to her?" Yes I did. But that didn't matter! I loved her and she loved me! She my mom! Resemblance doesn't mean anything!

"Yes but that doesn't prove anything!"

"It proves she's a liar Kitana." Without another word, a strong hit to my neck crippled my body. Pain surged through me as my body fell to the ground. Uhh! I need to... I tried to get up. But to no avail. My body wouldn't move. The crazy man stood before me. My vision was quickly going dark.

"'It doesn't matter' 'it doesn't matter' you keep saying that Kitana. But it certainly does matter. Whether you refuse to see it or not. The woman is a liar that helped in stealing your future away from you. As well as keeping you ignorant of your true home! Your true past! And that can never be overlooked. No matter how hard you try, you cannot overlook the truth. It is time for you to rest your Majesty. Sweet dreams." My vision faded to black.