"She seems really shaken up by the whole thing…." The voices grew quieter. The whole thing was so surreal. It was impossible, or at least it was supposed to be, but apparently it wasn't. A shiver overtook Mina's body; she felt numb, so numb. All of this…this…, she didn't even know what the call it, had started a few days ago. Everything had started out so normal, so typical and now it seemed like ages and ages ago.

A few days ago Mina had been sitting in class, not really paying attention.

"While it might bore you so it would be best for you to pay attention Mina," A few of the student giggling at her scolding, not like they could really do anything else. Mentally Mina rolled her eyes but physically she smiled at her history teacher, it wasn't his fault he was an idiot. Currently they were learning about Russia, but see Mina had the upper hand; she was Russian and new its some what jaded history. It wasn't like she was learning anything but sadly the oh so dearest teacher did not see it that way, no he thought it be that she suffer. Thankfully though the bell rang saving her from even more monotone drab, not that her next class was much better.

Normally art was a thrill for Mina but as of late it just hadn't been the same. Maybe it was because her friend Cena was mad at her or maybe it was because her other friend, Misha, had started dating Cena? Whatever the reason the class just wasn't the same, and honestly it was no fun being isolated and left out. In all honestly it kind of stung that her friend could forget about her so quickly.

"Hey, Mina, wait up!" Misha jogged up beside her and slung an arm around her shoulder, "What's up? You've been kind of quiet lately, everything okay?" Leave it to Misha to be the one to catch up. Sighing, Mina just gave him a weak smile, "It's been kind of hard to get a word in edge wise with Cena always talking about your next date…" she trailed off as Cena came into view. She had a strange expression on her face and if Mina didn't know any better she'd thought that Cena'd been giving her a dirty glare. Great, just what she needed drama, and friend drama at that.

In class they were working on still life and surprisingly drawing fruit over and over again was actually relaxing, it also didn't leave a lot of time for talking either.

"Mina can you come here for a moment?" confused, Mina approached the art teacher, "Is everything okay at home?"

"Yea, why, did someone tell you something else?"

"No, it's just come to my attention that you've been…well removing yourself from your classmates. Normally you're a very sociable person." It all started to click into place.

"Everything's fine Ms. Smith, I promise and if it would help any then next time she's concerned please just tell Cena to talk to me." Mina started to turn away but was stopped.

"It wasn't your friend, Mina. I'm worried about you, especially sense the accident. I just wanted to make sure you were all right." Mina opened her mouth retort but an attendance aid came in with a pass. Ms. Smith glanced at it before handing it to Mina, "It looks like you're leaving early today. Do have a nice weekend."

"Right, will do." Mina more mumbled to herself then the teacher as she gathered her stuff up. Both Misha and Cena gave her looks, "I've got a dentist appointment, see you all Monday."

Except it wasn't a dentist appointment and her dad didn't look happy. He looked like the living dead; his skin was a pale gray color and his eyes were a dull brown, no were even close to their normal vibrate color.

"Dad, is everything okay?" He didn't answer. He waited until they were in the truck and started crying. Crying like there was no one around. Crying like someone had…died. "Dad? Dad you're scaring me! What's going on? What happened?" Mina could feel tears gathering in her eyes, the last time she'd seen her father cry was when her mother died.

"It's…it's your brother, Jack. He's, god I know even know how to explain this, he's missing. He just, I don't even know how. Oh god."

"Missing? But…how? He's not even awake and besides it's not like he could just get up and walk out of the hospital! It just isn't possible!" stifling back her sobs, Mina struggled to understand just exactly what her dad was even trying to tell her. It didn't make any sense.

Her brother, Jack, god did she ever miss him, was in a comma and her and her father had been told almost repeatedly that there was a slim chance that he'd ever wake up. The whole mess brought back such horrible memories. It'd been so stupid. Mina had convinced Jack to go on a store run with her. It was so stupid, it wasn't even a necessity, she'd just wanted to get some ice cream or something, but they didn't even make it to the store. They were at a stop light and they had the green light, but someone coming the opposite way didn't see their red light. There was a loud, almost defining noise and an ungodly bright light and pain, loads and loads of pain. Neither of them had even realized what had happened until the driver who'd caused the wreck stumbled out and started crying. Mina realized she was screaming and Jack, Jack wasn't moving. He was just still and bloody. It was all too much and by the time the paramedics arrived she'd thought he was dead, but no, the next worse thing, a comma. He was asleep, for always and forever. She blamed herself and the drunk driver too. But now Mina was being told her brother had not only woken up but had somehow managed to escape the hospital without being seen? There was no way that was even possible.

By the time Mina came back to herself they were home. Her father had decided to drop her off at the house and go to the hospital by himself, telling her the cock-a-bull excuses that she was to out of it and it would be for the better if someone was home just incase. Mina thought she was numb before but there was no way it could compare to the way she felt in that instant. Completely drained, she headed straight for her room. Her bed never looked more inviting. Collapsing onto Mina immediately fell into a dreamless sleep.

When she awoke it was dark out and her dad still wasn't home and her phone had no missed class, He's probably still at the hospital. Maybe it was a mistake and Jack is still asleep in his room? God knows that made more sense than what she'd been told. Blinking, Mina rubbed her eyes, for a moment; no she was just still waking up. But for a moment it looked like there was someone standing outside and it had sort of looked like her brother. But that still wasn't possible, was it? It just wasn't fair! Why was he being punished for a drunken idiot's mistake! "Because God has a funny sense of humor." Her stomach growled, effectively distracting her mind from the guilt slowly starting to build up.

Making her way to the kitchen Mina was surprised to see a note hastily scrawled out. It looked like Misha's writing.

Hey M meet me in the normal hang out. We need to talk.

-MS

Sighing heavily, Mina grabbed her keys and headed for the park close by. It wasn't too late so there was a good chance that he was still there. The walk didn't take that long and sure enough there was Misha lying on top of the monkey bar. "Oi, Monkey, what do you want?"

"Guess you'll have to come up here and find out, now wont you?" Smiling Mina shook her head but stopped. That didn't sound like Misha, his voice wasn't that low. "Misha?" she called again, hoping that it was just her imagination.

"Yea?" This time the answer came from behind her. Mina whirled around but no one was there.

"You ok?" This time it was in front of her, turning again Mina came face to face with not Misha but Jack. Tear flooded her eyes and her knees began to shake. There was just no way, no way. But here he was, standing in front of her like it was only yesterday and not months since they'd seen each other. "J…Jack?" Her knees gave out and he were there for her and caught her like he'd always had. "How? How are you here? How are you even awake?"

"Honestly, I have no clue. I heard a voice and I don't know the first thing I remember is opening my eyes and being home. But then….I'm not really sure because then I was here, waiting I guess for you. I don't really know." He trailed off some looking uncomfortable. Vaguely Mina noticed his short red hair had grown out and returned to its natural sandy blond color. "Mina, we really should go, it isn't safe here."

"What are you talking about? It's a park Jack and it's not even that late."

"No, really we need to get out of here." But it was too late and even though it was already dark out it seemed to grow darker, a sense of dread filled both of them. It seemed like the shadows were moving and dancing. Swaying this way and that and getting closer.

Roughly Jack grabbed his sister's arm and started running, he didn't know why but the park no longer felt safe.

"Ow! Jack! Stop it! You're hurting me!" struggling against her brother, Mina finally was able to ripper her arm free only to fall and scrape her knee. When she looked back up Jack was no where to be seen, "Jack? Where are you, this isn't funny?" a twig broke and the trees rustled. Everything seemed to much more menacing now. Just what was going on and where was Jack!

"Well, I do have to give the boy credit; he really is an excellent actor. Much better then I would have thought." A cloaked figure seemed to appear in front of her, their face was hidden and instinctively Mina took a step back. Nothing was really making sense anymore. It was like the world had decided to throw out the rule book. "Come now child, you have no reason to fear me. I wish to do you know harm." The man took a step closer and she took another one away. "Come now, you don't wish to hurt my feelings do you?" His voice was silky and menacing all at once, Mina could just imagine the twisted smirk sprawled out over the cloaked man's face.

"Please just leave me alone."

"Now why would I do that? You see child I actually need you." He took another step towards her and Mina found she couldn't move away. Not because she didn't want to, no because she couldn't move. Everything seemed to close in on her as he continued to approach and as Mina struggled more to move the harder it became. "It's useless the darkness has a hold on you and isn't letting go." Gently a gloved hand reached out and stroked her cheek. Mina screamed. She began to sink and a feeling of death filled her. It felt like she was decaying from the inside out! Still she continued to struggle. The man leaned in close to her until they were face to face, the only part of her not consumed by the dark abyss pulling her in. "Let me let you in on a little secret," he paused, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Leave her alone!" The last thing Mina saw before being completely consumed was her baby brother tackling the cloaked creep. Then there was nothing.

When she awoke she heard voices, murmurs really.

"I think she's coming around." The voice sounded so nice, peaceful and trusting. For a moment Mina thought she had died and gone to heaven, but fate was much crueler. Her eyes were assaulted by bright lights and the shadows of people standing around her. There was a petite woman with kind eyes in a pink sundress with brown hair. Was she the one that'd been talking a second ago? Then a man with razored brown hair and a scare blocked her line of sight. He seemed distant and kind of scary. What was going on and where was she? "How are you feeling?" The women with brown hair spoke in a soft voice.

Mina opened her mouth but no words came out, how was she? Was that some kind of joke? She was terrified, shell shocked and possibility dream? It was the only thing that made sense, well to her it did. She closed her mouth and shook her head only to be hit with a wave of dizziness. A groan of pain escaped her and her head hit the pillow again. "What's going on? Where am I?" Her voice came out hoarse, just how long had she been out?

"Well, you're in Radiant Garden, as for what's going on, well I'm afraid I have some ill news for you…" The woman paused letting Mina soak in what she'd said then continued. "Your world, the place you come from it's been consumed by the Darkness. I don't know if anyone else escaped but you made it here, to a different world. You're safe and in the light." She offered a sad smile in condolences.

"What? No, you must be mistaken. This is a dream or something! This, this isn't real! None of you are real! I'll wake up soon, I know I will." But she didn't. It didn't matter that Mina had pinched herself multiple times, nothing changed. She was still in a room full of strangers; in a new world and hers, her home was gone. Tears started to fall from her eyes; her throat seemed to tighten like a snake coiling around its prey, crushing the life out of it.

"Oh dear, please, it isn't so bad. You're safe and there's a good chance that you aren't the only one." The man shot a glare towards the woman. They seemed to have a whole conversation in a matter of seconds. "I know this is hard to take in, please just for now, rest up. You must be exhausted and know that you're safe." Both left the room, leaving Mina alone with her thoughts.

And now they seemed to be discussing her, trying not to disturb her it seemed, but what was she going to do? What about her friends and life at home? What about her brother and father? What happened to them? Sleep soon over took her again; it just proved to be too much.

Author's Note:

Shadow'sFoxFire here, and I just wanted to say thank you for read, it's very much appreciated. If you have any suggestions please let me know and I hope to have chapter two published soon. Thanks again!