When the darkness came, everything fell into chaos.
Only few would live to learn that the shadow-like creatures that tormented our world were called The Heartless. But at that time no-one really needed a name for them - people simply panicked.

I did, too.

People were running scared all over the world I imagine.
It all seems so small now...

We all ran for our lives back then. No weapon we knew really managed to hold them off, let alone destroy them - and when you're running, you only fight for yourself.
I remember that all I really wanted was to survive. I don't know how long or short I lasted compared to others, but it really makes no difference ether way.
Because no matter how long it takes, everyone eventually reaches a point where they can't run any longer. Maybe you've got nowhere left to hide or maybe you've lost your motivation and given up or maybe your legs simply won't go any further, it doesn't matter.

But even though I couldn't run anymore, I still wanted to live.


After that I remember only darkness for some indefinite stretch of time. I have no memory of what exactly happened to me.
And then I woke up in a place I didn't recognize. It felt strange at first. I thought maybe... maybe all that had just been some kind of nightmarish dream. All the feelings I'd expected to have when I looked back on things were so... distant. Hazy-like. As if none of that had actually happened to me.
Not that I couldn't remember clearly enough.

It was around that time that I noticed the only name I knew for myself no longer really seemed to mean me.

I think... the people who had picked me up and cared for me must have thought I was still in shock. Or that I had some kind of mental problem. The truth is I felt numb. I didn't know what to do with myself. A myself I had no name for, with a past that might as well have been an especially vivid dream.

And then...


Then he came. And from him a new name, an explanation and a distant new goal.
Something like companionship.
I started smiling again, even though I was told we had no hearts and couldn't actually feel. That we didn't even exist, really. I'm not sure if that someone I used to be smiled as much as I do now. But I think...

... we may not have hearts, but still...


...I think the shouldn't stop at least trying to feel.