Greetings!

This is the sequel to Fridays in December. I hope you'll enjoy reading.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gakuen Alice. I do own the plot of this story.

Revised: September 28th, 2013.

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Trace of a Black Cat

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Prologue

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I didn't know how it started.

'Run!'

I just remembered that single word before I found myself running blindly through the dark forest with bare feet, stumbling over trees large roots, low bushes, and also unseen small stones. My feet stung from stepping on the uneven path, which filled with gravels, twigs, and dry leaves. My breath was also irregular and heavy. I wondered how long I had been running like this.

I couldn't stop. Although I couldn't recall why, somehow, in the back of my mind, I knew I would be in a serious danger if I stopped. A peril which had my life at stake. This was the reason why everybody sacrificed themselves so I could get away.

But I couldn't remember who 'everybody' was. There were only a few vague shadows lingering in my head every time I tried to bethink.

I just knew I had to run faster, deeper into the forest, and find a safe place to hide.

But how could I was only by myself?

I should help the others, though I didn't know who they were!

I halted on my way and turned to run back to the place I had been running from, but what I saw before me was bottomless darkness. The trees and path I had been passing just now were gone, covered by the unknown shade.

My feet were rooted to the ground at the sight while the shadow kept approaching. Run, damn it! Run! I willed myself to turn and sprint away from the place, but my body wouldn't listen to me. I tried to shout, but my voice was stuck in my throat.

And I was alone. Nobody would come to save me.

I could just stare with mouth wide open as the darkness swept the ground I stepped on and slowly engulfed me. Cold embraced me from all directions and something invisible squeezed my whole being tightly until I could hardly breathe.

What was actually happening?

I couldn't comprehend. No matter how hard I twisted my brain to think, to remember, the answer wouldn't come.

The imperceptible thing enfolded me harder, pushing all the remaining oxygen out of my lungs. I gasped at the lack of air and soon, I found myself weakening. The remaining energy I had was gone gradually as the air left me and my eyes started to drop. I was on the edge of consciousness.

Just before I drifted off into oblivion, I faintly heard a familiar voice calling out to me. Agitated and worried.

"Mikan!"

It was Natsume's.