The ringing in my ears was unbearable. My heartbeat was slow and steady in my chest, but in my head it echoed loud and clear. I heard soft whispers as I attempted to open my eyes and sit up. Two cold hands gently rested on my shoulders and my eyes shot open. The room was dark, only one candle lit the room beside the bed I lay in. I inhaled sharply, but my breath was cut short, restricted by the bandages wrapped around my chest. I felt the blood in my back rush through my veins carrying a jolt of pain with every pump of my heart. It felt like my back was on fire.

"Don't sit up too fast." came a whisper from the dark. My eyes hadn't adjusted to the darkness, but I could tell it was coming from the shadow that was in front of me, the one resting the hands on my shoulders. The voice was low, not quite a mans voice, but a teenagers voice. I continued to sit up slower and I felt the hands leave my shoulders. Another pillow was put behind me so I could lean back. The coolness of the pillow brought relief to the burning sensation that filled my back.

As my eyes adjusted I could see the shadow sitting at the edge of the bed. He was a young man, no older then eighteen. His skin was fair, and his bright green eyes were barely seen behind the dark brown curls that hid his face. His hands were folded in his lap as he watched me. He wore a faded flannel shirt and a pair of jeans that had seen more dirt and mud then any jeans should. He wore no shoes on his feet.

I struggled to remember what had happened. I closed my eyes and wracked my brain, trying to play back events that were misty in my mind. The throbbing in my head continued, so I stopped. When I opened my eyes again, I met his gaze. He was so familiar, as if I'd met him once but never saw him again. The confused look on my face must have been evident because a crooked smile crept along his face.

"I'm so glad this is entertaining to you." I said. My voice was raspy and my throat was dry, but my irritation was clear. There were so many questions no one had answered. How long had I been asleep? Where was I? Who was this mysterious young man?

"It's only entertaining in the sense that you don't remember anything, Ariella." he said in a soft whisper. He knew my name. I didn't know whether to feel foolish or relieved. How could he know me? We've never met. At least that's what I hoped.

"What happened?" I asked my voice still raspy and dry. I wanted water. I yearned for it, but I needed to know what happened first. He locked eyes with me again, but this time it was hard to hold his gaze. The seriousness in his eyes was almost overwhelming. I was expecting a tragic story, but all I got were five simple words.

"You came through the mirror."