A/N: Hey everyone, Javarack here. This is my first posted Sword Art Online story. I really enjoy writing these and you can expect many more.

This story is a co-write with: furrballnerd Please check out their page. We hope you all enjoy! ~Javarack

"No!" I shouted and jolted upwards, waking from my horrible dream, my tears mixed with the cold sweat that drenched my body. Looking down, I noticed my hands were trembling violently, and I could not suppress the feeling of absolute despair that ravaged my mind.

I glanced over at the clock resting on my bedside table, "2:01, still a while longer."

Rising off of my mattress, I made my way to the lavatory. Turning the knob on the wall, warm water began to pour from the showerhead. Letting my nightgown fall to the tiled floor, I stepped inside of the shower.

As the liquid rushed over my body, the dream returned to me.

A loud crashing noise sounded from downstairs. I rose from my small bed and crept across my room, being as silent as I could. Opening my solid oak door, I ran across the hall to my parents room. Seeing that they were still asleep, I clambered onto their bed, causing them to stir from their slumber. They both glared at me for waking them.

"There was a loud bang, I'm scared," I explained, my emotional terror mixing with my voice.

The large door swung open and my older brother was thrown against the wooden flooring. Three men dressed in black clothing entered the room, each holding a different handgun. "Stay quiet, or we shoot the boy," the tallest assailant spoke. They pointed their weapons at us and one grabbed my father, forcing him into one of the chairs located at the small work desk.

I remained silent as the other two men restrained both of my parents to the chairs at the work station. One came over to me, grabbing my arm and pulling me upwards off the bed. Tossing me down on the floor, a small sound escaped my lips as I made contact with the wooden flooring, the wind being knocked out of me.

"Don't hurt her, please," I could hear my mother plead.

The sound of skin connecting with skin filled my ears as one of the men backhanded her across the face.

"Mommy!" I cried, "don't hurt my mommy!"

Arms wrapped around me as my brother held me, "be quiet, we will be hurt if we aren't sis."

Even at my young age, I knew he spoke the truth. My whole body was shaking as the men began to wrap rope around our hands and feet, and placed tape over our mouths. Hot tears streamed down my face as I watched two of the men exited the room.

"You're one fine looking bitch," The remaining man commented as he made his way to my mother. "I could do so many things to you."

My father broke his silence, "Stay away from her you pig!"

Then, the gates of hell opened. Raising his weapon, he pointed the firearm at my father's head, "Say it again."

The final words I would ever hear my father speak, "You pig."

A small flash erupted from the muzzle of the weapon as the .22 caliber bullet left the chamber. A bloodcurdling screech left my mother as my father's blood splattered against her face.

Footsteps sounded from the doorway as the other two men rejoined the third, "What did you do?!"

"I-I over re-reacted, I'm s-sorry boss," The murder answered nervously.

"Come with me rookie," the one they referred to as boss ordered, then pointed at the last man. "Clean this up."

Nodding, the tallest invader made his way to my quivering mother, while the other two left the room. Looking over at my brother and me, the man raised his finger to his lips, telling us to remain silent. Arriving at his destination, the man placed his firearm against my mother's blood covered temple. Another shot caused my ears to ring as I watched my mother's head slump over, lifeless.

Swinging his weapon over to us, another shot was fired. Blood covered the left side of my body as my brother fell into my lap, a hole through his chest. I looked back up, my vision blurry from the tears that filled them. Bang.

I opened my eyes, staring at the wall in front of me. Feeling down, I found the spot just below my right breast where the bullet had entered me. A shiver ran through my entire figure as my finger pressed slightly into the scar.

Turning the stream of water off, I stepped onto the towel located outside my tub. Wrapping myself in another bath towel, I left the bathroom and sat on the edge of my bed.

Sword Art Online comes out in a few hours. A virtual world...a place I can finally escape my past.

Now unable to sleep, I sat there, waiting for the sun to rise. As light began to filter in my room through my shutters, I got off my mattress.

I quickly got dressed, then left my small apartment. Running to the nearest gaming store, I took my place in line.

Time passed, and in my hands I held the two items that would be my saviors. The Nervegear and my very own copy of Sword Art Online.

I'll play for a while tonight, so I better eat now.

Returning home, I placed the Nervegear and game on my small work desk and went to my kitchen. Pouring a glass of water and heating up my leftovers from the previous night, I began to devour my food.

Finishing, I walked over to the wooden table that served as a working station for school. Setting the Nervegear headset up, I inserted Sword Art Online into my counsel. Placing the item over my head, I went through the initial setup procedures. My vision returned to normal, and I was gazing at my ceiling.

I took a deep breath, then spoke, "Link start!"

A/N: Chapter 2 will be written shortly. Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoy. Leave a review so we can both improve our future stories. Thanks again, Javarack

PS: I would like to reiterate that this is a co-write, and I cannot take full responsibilty. u/4793840/furrballnerd