Fall asleep to dreams of home,
Where the waves are crashing.
The only place I've ever known,
Now the future has me.
I see the fire in the sky,
See it all around me.
I said the past is dead, the life I had is gone.
Said I won't give up,
Until I see the sun

Red, Hold Me Now

Blink.

Eyes are closed.

Eyes are open.

Breathe.

The simple sound of air rushing from the lungs echoed, reverberating off the walls and bouncing back to their creator. Inhale. Exhale. Breathe in. Breathe out. There was nothing else to do except sit there and breathe. It's time to sleep again, they said in their soft voices; voices that sang in low, sweet tones, lulling the mind into a perpetual state of abeyance. Sit down, relax, and breathe. Listen to the beating of your heart. Feel your surroundings, the voices sang. You are the center of the world. You will be perfect. Now open your eyes.

A room the size of a broom closet was revealed when the darkness was lifted and a dim light flickered to life overhead. There was a young girl sitting in the corner furthest from the door, her head buried behind her arms which were wrapped around her legs. She was still; so still in fact that it was difficult to tell if she was even breathing. And then a violent shudder tore through her tiny body and she lifted her eyes to the light. Her protuberant amber eyes squinted up at the tiny bulb, expressionless, before she turned them towards the door.

It's time.

She unwound her arms from around her legs and pressed her palms against the metal, another shudder ripping through her body. Her lips parted slightly and she inhaled sharply, closing her eyes against the light that suddenly seemed far too bright. She shook her head; words formed in the back of her throat, but she said nothing unable to find her voice.

It is time. Please stand.

She pushed herself forward onto her knees and took a deep breath, fighting the tremors that were now freely keeping her from following orders. She slid her foot forward, placed a hand against the wall, and dragged herself into a standing position. Her legs shook uncontrollably and her body tilted backwards suddenly, slamming against the wall. Her jaw clenched tightly, but she didn't make a sound, and her nameless expression didn't change.

You will be perfect. Please continue.

She was on her feet now. Moving forward, sliding her hand against the cold steel of the wall, she advanced on the door. There was no handle. There was no way for her to leave on her own. She tilted her face towards the ceiling and took another deep breath, closing her eyes, visualizing her goal that was beyond the door.

It is time. Do you accept the mission?

She opened her eyes. They were ablaze.

"I accept."