A/N: I'm a little new to FanFiction, and when I say "new" I mean that I have just joined about a month ago and have no experience with uploading stories what-so-ever.. Hopefully I don't completely screw it up. (In other words, I'll get better at it). This is my first FF (haha, I'm even using FanFiction slang now... does it make me cool?) and criticism is highly suggested. I don't mean just go out and say, "You suck and have no life." That's not criticism; that's just pure wickedness that destroys my soul (I'm very sensitive...). I'd really just like to know what areas I need to work on and so forth. But... positive reviews would be nice, also. :)

Okay, enough with my rambling. This story takes place after "The Awakening", so as soon as they get to the "safe house". It is written in Chloe's POV and Chloe's only (am I the only one that gets slightly irritated when the POV switches in the middle of a chapter/scene?). I tried to make it as original as possible. It may take a while to update because I often find myself drowning in school work, but hey, that's why the weekends were invented, right? :)

Anyways, R&R! (more slang)

Disclaimer: I don't own DP, sadly. But, I do own my plot and the lyrics I will be using. I'm a songwriter-in-the-making so I will be either using previous song lyrics (that I created) or come up with some more to fit each chapter.

"These are my darkest powers,
Invading me in weaker hours.
The lies they keep,
Breed a coward.
Fearing her darkest powers."

I forced my eyes open even though it was a difficult thing to do. I had been sleeping for who knows how many hours- how many days. It was a dreamless sleep- one filled with no emotions, no thoughts, no sinister clowns chasing after me. Just a mind full of shades of gray, enveloping me in.

I threw open my eyes fully and the light found its way to my face, causing me to tighten my eyes shut. Oh great, you work hard to finally accomplish something- accomplish one, simple task- and you destroy your pride in a matter of seconds. Way to go, Chloe. I felt my face scrunch up at my inner-voice. Just one eye at a time, Chloe. Take it slow.

I opened my left eye very hesitantly and found myself staring at a blank, white ceiling. The light poured into my senses, but I fought back the urge to close my eyes and make it all go away, maybe even get some more sleep. Instead, I welcomed it in, and in return, it welcomed me, too.

I threw open my right eye also, the wavering gone. My lips twitched and I soon found myself smiling. The light felt splendid; it overpowered me with warmth, something that felt foreign to me these past couple of days. I couldn't describe how it felt exactly... maybe a little like hope?

Nonetheless, I still embraced it. I even tried to move my arm a little… until I realized I couldn't. I attempted it again, grunting when I failed miserably. I turned my head to see what was restraining me, my neck aching from the long period of motionlessness. I was shackled down to a cold, chilling slate. My wrists, my ankles. All fastened to a metal slab. I quickly became irritated with my bindings and began to throw myself violently when I heard an old man's chuckle.

"Easy there, Chloe. You wouldn't want to rip the cords out of the machine." I was amazed that he knew my name. I craned my head around to see where the voice was coming from. The man stepped into the light and I got a good glimpse of his appearance. He was a rather old man, with peppered gray hair and wrinkles that creased every angle of his face. He was in a plain, white lab coat with a small name tag attached in the corner. He was wearing a pair of black, round glasses, the kind that people wear that are too tiny to fit atop their noses, but they use them anyway. He had sort of a cartoonish look to him, but his stance gave away that he was incredibly serious.

He continued speaking with a deep and rough voice. "The end result could be... deadly." His words sent a shiver down my spine and made my blood run cold. What did he want with me? I had just met this man- although he did seem strangely familiar- but I could tell that he was someone that couldn't be trusted, someone that certainly wasn't a friend. Because he was so proverbial, I decided to get a glimpse at his name tag. That plan didn't work out so well. He turned around so his back was facing me, his hands diligently working with something in front of him, before I could peek at his name. If I couldn't find the answers by myself, then maybe I could pry it out of him.

"Wh-where am I?" I murmured, my throat incredibly dry from the long period without speaking. My voice even stunned me a bit. It was so weak and powerless, something you wouldn't expect from a necromancer. My pulse escalated. Even after a couple of weeks, the word- and thought- still frightened me. To think that I had the power over so many people- the living AND the dead.

Silence prolonged and all that filled the air was the sound of machines beeping. I couldn't get a definite view, but I assumed that that was what the man was working with. As to why he was messing with them, or even using them in the first place, I didn't have a clue. He looked like some sort of scientist, so I surmised that that was probably the case.

Quietness dragged on for way too long, and I was about to ask again, when the man cleared his throat.

"Chloe," he spoke, remaining turned away from me, "You are in the lab. Just can't seem to escape, now can you?" He twisted around and shot me a devious smile. My confusion must have shown because he elaborated more. "You see, your little 'escape' plan last Sunday didn't work out as smoothly as you might have thought it would. It seems as if someone in your group led you right to us. But don't worry, no harm will be done to you, or your friends."

Right to us? Who's "us"?

Memories came flooding in. Edison Group. Trying to kill us. Hunting us down, like we were animals. I knew only one thing: I had to get out of here.

I pulled and tugged on my restraints vehemently but they didn't budge. My hands stayed locked in place. I gave it one last aggressive wrench, but I remained tied up to the table. I was in the same predicament I was before, except now my wrists were throbbing. It became clear that I was stuck and out of luck. My outlook was proved correct as the man strode over towards me, wires in both hands.

"Now, Chloe, don't you fret one bit. I'm not here to hurt you in anyway, as I stated before. I simply want to help you control your powers. Obviously, our first experiment on you didn't go too well. Enhanced your powers a little too much, wouldn't you say?" He chuckled. I didn't find it very funny. He saw my solemn face and every trace of his simulated smile diminished.

He took the wires and lowered them to my head. I fought back the best I could, but in all honesty, I was defenseless. My arms were tied down and I was weak from dehydration. There was no way I was getting out of this one.

He attached the wires as meticulously as he could in two separate locations: one on my head and the other on my already-sore wrist, my left one, right where my pulse was beating. I didn't have a clue as to what he was doing, but I had already established that I didn't trust him. He gave me one last smile before walking back over to the machines. His grin was minute and crooked and I swore I heard him laugh through his teeth. What was wrong with this man? Was he crazy? Dropped on his head as a kid?

"Just lay there, Chloe, and don't move." His voice sounded... cold, and even a little arduous. I did what he said, though, and didn't move. I could, however, feel the fear creeping into my eyes, displaying itself for all to see.

A couple seconds passed when unexpectedly, I felt a shock in my wrist. The pain surprised me and I let out a small groan. It hurt so badly and I started to shake again, but not on will. The energy was surging through my bloodstream and slowly spreading throughout my body. Jolts were sent through my veins and into my brain. They electrified me. Not only was my blood affected, but my entire arm was burning, raging. It felt like there was a war taking place inside of my body, fighting until one of us gave in: my powers or myself.

My powers. They suddenly felt stronger, growing and growing until it felt as if I was being over-compelled by them. I had then realized that this was what the idiotic man had wanted.

I was being awakened. This wasn't the old Chloe anymore. It was someone more potent and valuable. This Chloe didn't stutter and get nervous all of the time, or even accidentally raise the dead. No, it- I was perfect.

I grin wickedly to myself. I liked the new Chloe.

Just as I was beginning to enjoy myself, the world was blacking out. Darkness was fading in. I was passing out. The man walked over to me and patted me on the arm.

"Sleep well, Chloe."

As he was leaning over and I was losing conciousness, I caught a glimpse of his name sprawled onto his name tag. It was the last thing I saw before I tumbled over into an unconcious state.

Dr. Davidoff.

I rose up in my bed, my sheets damp from what I hoped was sweat. I was breathing heavily,which caused me to become slightly light-headed. My stomach churned as my heart rate slowly decreased from its restless climb. What a great way to start the morning. At least I thought it was still morning. I became so tired from the long car ride over to the house Andrew has provided that I went straight to bed, not bothering to change clothes or anything. Let's not forget how... desperate my yearning was for an actual bed. Add that all together and I guess you could say that I was dead to the world- no pun intended.

I glanced over at the digital clock sitting atop the nightstand next to my bed. 11:31. 'AM or PM?' I wondered inside of my head. I cursed at myself for thinking of such an obtuse question. Of course it was AM.

A loud rumbling noise came from somewhere around the room and caused me to jump up. It was probably just my stomach, or maybe even Derek practicing his ever-so famous growl, I mentally thought, trying to convince myself that it wasn't half-dead zombies coming to eat my brains. Both of those reasonings were proved incorrect, though, as I saw something heaving up and down on the bed next to mine. It was Tori, sleeping not-so soundlessly. At 11 in the morning? Diva much?

Guilt washed over my body. I wasn't any better. But, I did have a rationale. My nightmare probably kept me asleep later than usual.

I can't say that my nightmare was completely "shrugged off", though. It still remained vivid in my mind, as if someone had scripted and burned the images into my brain. I kept telling myself that that was all it was- merely just a nightmare- but for some reason, this one felt different. Maybe I was still half-asleep and I couldn't think functionally, but the dream almost felt... real.

The lab, the experiements, and even Dr. Davidoff's name at the end... how could I have possibly conjured that up in my dream? I know dreams come from your soul and conscience, but I'm not THAT creative. The more I thought about it, the more frantic I became. The events that took place in my nightmare... they could happen any day, any second. Hell, a SWAT team could jump through the window right now and take me prisoner.

I waved the thought away. Here I go again, worrying myself over something that probably won't ever occur. What happened to the optimistic Chloe from before? Besides, Andrew found us a safe home to stay at and I trust him... right?

To help calm myself down, I reached for my necklace; my ensured remedy. Whenever I get nervous or scared, I always consult my pendant. In a way, it reminds me of my mom, but for a good reason. Yeah, I miss her, but to know she's somewhere happy and safe, shielded away from the calamity here on Earth with the supernatural world, reassures me that everything's okay and that she'll be with me wherever I go, cliché as it is.

But when I went to hold my pendant, my hand grasped a handful of nothing. The air simply slipped through my fingers. I patted my chest, my hand scurrying over only bare skin and cloth. Nothing again. I looked down to assess my situation and what I found- or should I say didn't find- caused a gasp to escape my lips. My necklace... it was gone.

I immediately jumped out of bed, slinging the sheets in every direction. It had to be somewhere... maybe I had laid it down on the nightstand. One glance told me that it wasn't going to be found there. I practically searched every inch of the room only to realize that my necklace was no where to be found. Maybe- just maybe- I became a little fidgety during my nightmare and it slipped off and landed under the bed. It was a stretch, but certainly possible. I got down on my hands and knees and crawled under the ancient bed Andrew so wonderfully provided. I was halfway under when dust gathered in front of me and caused me to sneeze. "Please tell me it didn't wake up Tori, please tell me it didn't wake up Tori.", I internally chanted.

"Chloe? Was that you?"

I sighed as Tori's voice echoed the room. I let out a struggled yeah and slid out from under the bed, making a note in my head to check the bed again later.

"Chloe... what were you doing under there? I... I was sleeping..." Her voice trailed off and the sight of her made me bite my lip to keep from laughing. I didn't, though, because if I did, she'd probably blow my head off with a single spell. Still, Tori in the morning? Priceless.

"I was searching for my necklace. It's missing. You haven't seen it, have you?"

I gave Tori a suspicious glare. In return, she shot me a look that could possibly kill. She won that round.

"Oh, darn, Chloe, you ruined my evil plan. Caught me in the act. Yeah... I stole your 'precious' necklace. With it, I will rule the world." She rolled her eyes. "Seriously, Chloe? Grow up."

Before I could defend myself and talk back, she laid her head back down on her pillow. I figured it was better to let her sleep. Lord, let her sleep.

Piece of advice? Never awaken a witch.

My stomach told me that I should go downstairs and get some food, and I agreed with it. I contemplated whether I should change clothes or not. I was sure I was a mess. But, there was no one to impress, so I went against it and walked downstairs as-if.

As soon as I opened my door, I was greeted with a huge wall of flesh. Instincts took over and I sprung ten feet in the air. When I landed back down on the ground, my gaze traveled upward- way upward- and I saw that it was Derek. He was staring at me as if nothing had happened, but that still didn't stop a blush from creeping onto my cheeks.

I was going to mumble a good morning, but he opened his mouth before I could speak.

"What happened?"

Confusion must have shown on my face because he discreetly- but not discreetly enough- rolled his eyes and proceeded with what he was saying.

"In there." He pointed to my room. I was still puzzled. He let out a long sigh. "I heard many muffled sounds, as if you were going through something, and lots of deep breathing." There was a lengthy pause. "Chloe, quit staring at me like I was hiding in your closet. Have you forgotten that I have keen hearing?"

Realization spread over me and I could feel my cheeks redden some more.

"I had a nightmare. Nothing big. But, then I woke up and-"

I stopped myself mid-sentence. I didn't need Derek's werewolf senses to hear Simon running up the stairs, the pit-patting sound of his feet loud enough to wake everyone in a ten-mile radius. I mouthed the word "later" to Derek and he understood. I decided that it was best to keep this conversation and predicament between Derek and I. He'd help me more than anyone. I doubted that Tori would run her mouth to Andrew and Simon about my nightmare and necklace both; she probably doesn't even remember.

Simon finally appeared at the top of the stairs and headed my way. When he saw Derek and I standing together something flickered in his eyes, but it was nothing that a huge grin couldn't cover up. He gave me an enormous hug- almost as big as his smile- and settled on holding my hand. After the events so far this morning, I was sure that I was as red as a tomato.

"Thank God you are already up, Chloe. Andrew sent me to wake you up from the dead and I was scared that you would bite my hand off for invading your beauty sleep."

"Nah, I believe that would be Derek."

I swear I saw Derek turn a little red. The sight of him embarrassed made a small giggle escape my mouth. Derek gave me a cold glare before heading downstairs, leaving Simon and I alone in the hallway.

I pointed in the direction Derek just walked in. "What's wrong with him?"

Simon shrugged. "I don't know, but I think it has something to do with being here, being safe. Derek is used to acting on..."

"Protective over-drive?"

He grinned. "Yeah. Give him a couple of days and he'll become just as big of a diva as Tori."

A door shut behind us and we turned around to come face-to-face with no one-other than... Tori. Her hair was sticking straight up and her makeup was smeared, making her look like a clown, not a witch. She must have applied the makeup yesterday at Andrew's and forgot to take it off before going to bed. Life-risking situations or not, Tori will still find a way to look her best.

"Yeah, I heard that. Next time you decide to put your life in jeopardy by talking about me, try doing it somewhere when I'm not around."

She sluggishly walked to the stairs, dragging her feet instead of lifting one-before-the-other. When she passed me, she muttered a "stupid kids", but continued to make her way to the stairs before fully disappearing.

Simon looked over at me and smiled. "Typical. Come on, let's go downstairs and grab something to eat. I can hear your stomach growling from over here."

He tugged on my hand and pulled me to the stairs and for a moment, I forgot all about my necklace... but it didn't last long. Would I be able to find it? Is it lost? And what affect will it have on my powers, if any? As we were walking down the stairs, still hand-in-hand, I started to feel guilty about not telling Simon. Would I even be able to keep a secret from Simon, someone I trust more than anyone? It would be difficult, but he would understand... wouldn't he?

I won't usually put A/N at the end of a chapter, but I felt that this chapter needed one.

Not much happened, but mainly because I was trying to set up each character's personality. That being said, if anyone is OOC- even just a little OOC- please, please, please, PLEASE tell me so I can improve it. Thanks.