AN: I feel so horrible, leaving this story for about… HALF A YEAR?! T.T. I epic fail.

It's not that I forgot about it either, but college is being a pain in the butt right now and I have no access to the internet normally… I know it's no excuse, but at least this story is still being worked on.

This chapter is dedicated to Moonsmile-chan, PurpleMoonlitWolf, and Asarikou-chan for the awesome reviews!

~ Chapter 4 ~

Izumi's POV

I breathed a sigh of relief when the screams died down and Junpei finally got Kouichi back into his bed. I had nearly had a heart attack when he suddenly freaked out… The screams still echoed softly in the back of my head. I turned to Junpei, who had a 'freaked out but concerned' expression, "Thanks, Junpei." I said softly, as if speaking any louder would wake the dark-haired boy on the bed. Even now he seemed to be having a nightmare, his eyes fluttering behind its lids and his face seemingly paler than before. He looked almost as if he was sick the way he weakly tossed his head back and forth, beaded sweat on his forehead.

I bit my lip and, unable to look at him in such pain, turned my head away from the bed to face Junpei.

He gave me a comforting smile and gently placed one of his hands on one of my quivering shoulders, "Hey, it's okay, Z." He said in a gentle tone that surprised me, using the 'z' in my name 'Izumi' to create a nickname for me, his expression comforting as well.

My eyes stung as tears filled them. With what happened to my closet friend, I thought Junpei would have had no idea how much I needed a good friend right now, but I guess he did because the next thing I knew I had flung myself into his waiting arms and began to sob into one of his strong shoulders.

I couldn't believe what had happened. I couldn't believe that I had missed the signs that said that something was seriously wrong with Kouichi. Was I that bad of a friend? Was I so desperate for the one true friend I had managed to get, that I chose to ignore the warnings? That I would unwittingly endanger his life, knowing what he goes through with his mother?

I buried my head deeper into the brunet's form, "I-I'm s-so sor-s-sorry." I choked out, hot tears sting my eyes and streaming down my cheeks, "I-I… s-sorry."

There was a comforting circular motion on my back, as Junpei whispered words of comfort. He was such a good friend… Unlike me.

I sobbed harder, my breath hitching every few seconds.

How long have you been suffering from your breaking mind, Kouichi?

How long has it been since you've been suffering so?

How long has it been since this false mirror dream began to consume your sane thoughts?

I cried for what seemed like an hour, unable to say anything comprehensible and holding onto Junpei like a lifeline.

When I finally lifted my heavy head from Junpei's now-moist shoulder, I was sure I looked like something out of a horror movie. I was pleasantly surprised when he smiled at me as if I was the most beautiful angel to grace the earth, "You okay, Z?" he asked, using the nickname for me which was quickly becoming familiar, his voice laced with concern.

I nodded numbly and forced my eyes back to Kouichi's shivering form.

He looked horrible and was still having that nightmare, vulnerable lips parted slightly, his expression gravely pained.

"We should tell his mom." Junpei said, noting my gaze and moving away from me, leaving me cold from the lack of his body heat.

I shook my head, my blonde locks flicking into my face briefly, "No." I said hoarsely, throat scratchy from my tear-fest, "I know Kouichi. And I know he could be dying on the kitchen floor and not want to bother her." I paused to readjust the lavender hat on my head so my hair would stay in place properly. I continued in a steadier voice "She does so much for him and her health hasn't been the best lately. She takes extra shifts at her job and Kouichi even pitches in by taking two part-time jobs… Even then they barely make ends meet." I sadly noted the shocked look in the older boy's eyes, "… Besides, I'm not sure she can do anything anyway."

He looked at me questionly, "Why not?"

I sighed and bit my lip. I looked at the closed curtains, noting the light hidden by the dark blue seemed to have gotten brighter.

"Izumi?" Junpei asked and I could see the worry form on his face without even looking.

I drew in a deep breath, "You saw him, Junpei. He freaked out from nothing. It…" I hesitated, but steeled myself and finished what I was going to say, "It might all be in his head."

I looked at the brunet as he drew in a sharp breath.

A thoughtful look crossed the boy's face, his chocolate eyes turned towards Kouichi.

After several minutes he turned back to me, a look of realization and determination smouldering in his eyes, "Izumi?" he said, needing to gain my attention.

I easily gave it "Yeah, Junpei?" I asked, shooting the older boy a quizzical look. I pursed my lips together, wondering what idea he had thought up. Whatever it was I hoped it would help Kouichi.

"I'm going to destroy that mirror." He said with conviction, his chocolate eyes determined.

"What?!" I cried in shock, alarmed, "Junpei, what if it WASN'T just him and the mirror really is possessed?"

Junpei gave me a sad smile, "I thought about that. Listen, Z." He began, holding an index finger up, "If it IS the mirror then breaking it should release whatever hold it has on him... And even if he really is a nut case, he'll believe that he'd be 'free' that way anyway."

My mouth dropped open and my green eyes widened, "JUNPEI! He's NOT a nut case!" I cried, upset with him for even suggesting it, even though I knew in the back of my mind that I had been thinking that mere minutes ago.

Junpei almost stepped backwards in shock, one of his arms moving up to his chest, a shocked expression on his face. I shook with anger, but he still recovered after a minute or two, "Listen, Izumi, he screamed at a mirror for no reason. That's not something a sane person would do! And remember, on the (very) off-chance, that the mirror IS cursed or haunted or whatever, this probably would 'break the spell'." He retorted, seeming so sure of himself that I almost couldn't believe this was the same boy I approached earlier whose voice had quivered at the mention of ghosts.

I then remembered how Kouichi had been nothing short of terrified to allow the mirror to see the light of day. I wasn't sure at all about this, but it was the only solution that presented itself…

"Okay, Junpei." I eventually sighed and walked over to the curtains, drawing them open in a single fluid motion.

The boy walked over to the desk and picked up the largest paperweight he could find, which as it so happens it was a medium sized stone (Kouichi didn't have money for actual paperweights, but ordinary rocks were free), and turned to face the mirror.

Junpei shifted his shoulders, giving them a brief roll, and dropped into a crude imitation of a baseball pitcher, "Here goes nothing…" he mumbled as he threw the stone towards the glass as hard as he could.

It was only as the rock was rocketing towards the mirror, whistling through the air, that I realised something horrific…

The mirror wasn't showing any reflections, but rather a twisted haze of dark purples and blacks swirling in a disorientating, chaotic pattern.

"No! JUNPEI!" I screamed as I tried to swipe the stone out of thin air, not wanting to know what would happen if the mirror broke. Especially if that horror was released.

My fingertips briefly brushed against the stone, the feeling of smooth rock gracing them, just moments before it hit the glass with a loud, sickening crack.

A large crack immediately formed, and started to grow like a tumour, the loud cracking like deafening thunder.

And then, with a suddenly sharp twinkling, the mirror shattered… And all hell broke loose.

Junpei screamed as a flood of darkness, so tangible it seemed like condensed liquid but with a mind of its own, burst forth from the crack, the mirror exploding outwards into a million pieces.

I shrieked as I felt myself pelted with glass shards, horror welling up in my chest as the pieces tore at my clothes and exposed skin.

And Kouichi… Kouichi screamed as if he was being torn apart.

'Kouichi… I'm sorry I ever doubted you.' I thought in despair as the darkness smothered us, muffling our screams.

I felt like I was being sucked into a black hole… Maybe I was, but I never got the chance to find out as I gasped for air, my vision blurring.

No one can survive without air.

A fact that hadn't escaped me when I fell unconscious.

AN: Ever notice how all my chapters seem to end with 'and so-and-so fell unconscious'? Believe me that's totally a coincidence! I'm dead serious! Anyway, I'm fairly certain that next chapter won't end like that.

Also, this chapter marks the first chapter that isn't told through Kouichi's eyes at some point. It's a shame because I think I'm worse at Izumi than him (but loads better than Kouji [though I'm really glad some people think I'm decent/good at it]), but I couldn't exactly use Kouichi again for two reasons: One, I felt I was overusing his POV, and Two, I didn't want to skip this scene as I thought it would probably be important later.

Yeah, so the real story with all its twists and interesting events (which I haven't planned yet, and don't plan on planning it either) will probably (hopefully) start happening soon.

Reviews are an author's best friend while flames will be used to warm my toes! All questions asked will be answered and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks for reading and please review!