A few of the slender, yellow rays of the early morning sun made it past the light blue curtain that was sheltering me from the unfamiliar world outside. They illuminated the shiny, polished dresser and bedside table and my many scented candles, trophies, and glass globes. It threw my face into the light, causing me to wake up slowly and uncomfortably.

I made a sort of groaning sound and rolled over towards the dim section of the room. Of course, since I was now awake, I couldn't fall back asleep; with a sigh, I pulled back the patchwork quilt that had been handmade by my mother and swung my legs out of bed. Still half-asleep, I stumbled around to make the bed and then went to take a refreshing shower.

As the hot water ran over me, I began to feel more stimulated and energized. Maybe this day won't be so bad after all, I thought hopefully, turning off the water and pulling on my clothes. After applying the little makeup that I wore, I sprinted down the stairs and entered the kitchen, hoping there would be something good to eat.

My dad wasn't there, and I felt instinctively worried. He's probably still sleeping. It has been a long week.

I pulled open the refrigerator door to discover that there was no food at all! Exasperation clouding my brain, I searched all the cabinets and found nothing but pots, pans, utensils, and plates. That's when I noticed a note taped to one of the chipped white chairs:

Mierielle,

I'm going out to search for job opportunities. I've heard good things about this town's economy!

I'll be out until around dinner. Occupy yourself until I get back…But please, don't go down to the beach without me to accompany you. I don't want a repeat of yesterday's episode.

-Dad

In frustration, I crumpled up the letter and threw it into the trash can. "He didn't even say anything about food!" I muttered under my breath, feeling my stomach rumble.

I ran back up to the second floor to grab my purse and count the money inside. Luckily, I had a lot, most of which I had been saving since the age of nine; this totaled to about four-hundred dollars!

With a small smile, I tied up my waist-length hair into a long ponytail, grabbed my purse, and went out, in search of food.

Since we lived on the side of the island where houses were rather scarce, I assumed that it would take about twenty minutes to find a café or restaurant at the center of town. Sighing, I began to walk on the extensive, winding brick path.

Even though I didn't like the world in general, I couldn't help but appreciate all the beautiful flowers and other exotic things. This kind of atmosphere was one that I had never experienced as a place to live, only as a vacation area. A clear blue sky lightened my spirits a bit and a warm breeze, much unlike the wind of yesterday, blew the few loose threads of hair out of my eyes.

I noticed that the houses seemed to be becoming smaller and more crowded together, and I realized that I was nearing the town. Since it was still early morning, not many people were out, and I felt the usual surge of loneliness overtake me.

The first café I spotted was located just to my left. The sign located on top if it read, "The Destiny Islands Coffee Shop: Serving for Over Fifty Years."

With little apprehension, I stepped inside.

Steamy air and a strong smell of coffee greeted me as I glanced around the small, but kind of cozy, shop. Two rather tired, but happy, looking employees were working behind the counter and a row of round, stained tables were seats to a surprising number of people. I glanced at what the café had to offer, and I decided to buy a small hot chocolate and a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant. When it was my turn to order, I opened my mouth to state what I wanted when a familiar voice called my name.

"Mierielle," said Riku, making his way over to me. He smiled and then turned to the woman waiting behind the spotless silver counter. "Whatever she wants is on me."

My eyes widened and I said, clutching my purse, "Oh no, it's alright, Riku, I can pay—!"

He stared pointedly at me and handed the lady an unfamiliar looking currency. "Get what you want and meet me outside," he whispered to me, and hurried out the door.

Still shaking my head in confusion when I received my food, I placed it all in a bag that the employee had offered me and strode outside.

"So, how's it going?" he asked me as I joined him. His light gray hair blew slightly in the wind, and I suddenly felt uncomfortable with his piercing blue eyes staring straight into mine; I felt as though he could see into my soul…

"I'm fine, thanks," I replied coolly, adjusting the bag in my hand. "What brings you out here this early?" I began to walk back along the route to my house.

He kept in pace with me, saying back, "I always come out here at this time of day." He glanced sideways at me and added, "I like it because there's no one here. Some time's it's nice to be alone."

I thought carefully about his answer, and a strangely relaxed silence fell between us. "Well," I finally said, "I like to be alone too. It's nice to take a step back from it all and let your mind wander." Blushing slightly, I put in hastily, "But that's just how I think…"

Riku stopped suddenly, and so did I when I realized he was no longer beside me. "What's wrong?" I asked tentatively, wondering if I had touched on a painful subject.

At that moment, he looked slightly eerie…almost haunted. The near-by ocean waves echoed in our ears and the soft calling of a bird to its mate carried in the wind. There he stood, a ghost of the past enveloping his appearance… He was outlined by the sea behind him and the cloudless morning sky, and his intense eyes remained focused on my face.

"You just about summed up everything I feel," Riku finally said, grinning vaguely. He grasped my hand and squeezed it. "Thanks."

Too surprised to do anything, I didn't react to this gesture. Instead, I felt my lips curve into a small smile, and before I knew it, he was gone.

- - -

Later, after I had at last eaten my breakfast, I decided to explore the house, since I hadn't yet had a chance to do so. Starting with the upstairs, I managed to find a small door that had been hidden behind my dresser; I was disappointed when I found there was a large, rusty lock on the handle. Undaunted, I continued to investigate, scouring everywhere from my father's bedroom to the downstairs bathroom. There was unfortunately nothing else of real interest, and I gave up an hour afterward.

As I sat on one of the lounge chairs in the living room, looking around lazily, I noticed that one of the many bricks that made up the walls was a different color than the rest. With curiosity building in my chest, I stood and went to examine it.

It was located just above a long, brown mantle that had been adorned with many pictures of my deceased mother. I made a strong effort to ignore the photographs, instead focusing all my attention on the brick. An unexpected emotion of anxiety overtook me, and I wondered, Is this a sign? Mom, are you calling me?

I shook my head roughly to clear away those thoughts. Even though I'd had strange feelings of premonitions before, they never really turned out to be true. I was probably just being paranoid.

Deep in thought, I reached out and pressed the brick.

I screamed as the mantle suddenly fell on one side, causing all the pictures to slide off and shatter on the ground. Glass spilled everywhere, and empty frames went skidding across the wooden floor. A sharp pain shot up through my foot as some of the glass stabbed me, and a tinge of red was added to the mess below.

Gasping for breath, I took a wary step backward and instantly made contact with a few scattered blades. My unprotected foot bled even more.

Oh my god, I thought in alarm, what is Dad going to say? These are his most prized possessions! He's going to hate me forever!

The happy mood that I'd had since meeting Riku that morning instantly dissolving, I found that I was surrounded by a pool of jagged glass. How was I supposed to get out unscathed?

Figuring that was impossible, I made as best an effort as I could to get out of the little island I had made for myself. Though when I had finally stepped back into the kitchen both my feet were scarlet and blood-spattered, I was otherwise unharmed. In the sink, I washed them as best I could, and I bit down on my lip to keep from yelling in pain from the soap's sting.

When I had finished cleaning myself up, I hurried up the stairs and put on my shoes, hoping to shield myself from the sharp edges. Then I succeeded in finding a vacuum cleaner hidden in one of the laundry room closets. Sighing, I wiped all the glass away and threw it into the trash. To finish my job, I retrieved the photographs and placed them gently on the shelf in my father's room, hoping that I wouldn't be punished too badly.

By the time I was done, it was noon. Trying to ignore the pains of hunger inside me, I walked outside and sat on a large rock situated in front of our house. Since I was forbidden to go to the beach, had no food, and had money that was completely worthless, what else was I supposed to do?

It wasn't long before someone noticed me.

"Oh, hello," said a girl's voice from behind me, and I turned around to face her. "You must be Mierielle."

Cautiously, I nodded, not knowing who the heck this person was.

She grinned and giggled, "I'm Kairi. Sora and Riku told me all about you." She held out a small, pale hand.

Still unsure at exactly who she was, I shook it. Then I remembered what Sora had told me yesterday:

"We've lived here all our lives, and him, me and our friend Kairi always hang out together."

"Oh, that's right," I said to her, "Sora did tell me a little about you. Sorry."

She nodded, not slighted in the least. I noticed in envy that her hair was short and a dark reddish color: what I'd always wished mine was like. Feeling slightly disgusted, I glanced over her clothes, which consisted of a sleeveless white and black shirt and a really short lavender skirt... Basically, I wasn't impressed.

Kairi asked me in that sugar-sweet tone of hers, "What are you doing out here, anyway?"

Putting fake enthusiasm in my voice, I answered, "Well, I like to look at the ocean, you know? It's not like I've ever lived near one." Clutching my stomach, I added, "Well… I also have no food in the house at all and I'm starved."

Sympathy that instantaneously made me want to strangle her crowded her deep blue eyes, which weirdly resembled Sora's. "Aw, do you want to come to my house? Sora and Riku are over there right now. We haven't eaten yet either. You're welcome to join us."

A vision of me smacking her and screaming, "I hate you and I refuse to go anywhere near you or your house for eternity!" made me laugh slightly, but in the end I responded, "Thanks. Going to your house would be great."