Daunting Darkness: Ah, I'm afraid Damian won't be saved for awhile, if at all. But since the angst is at the moment driving my plot…well, we'll see what happens. I'm glad you're so loyal and you always review, it keeps me motivated to update.

A/N: okay, so I'm succumbing to the whole song-at-the-beginning-of-the-chapter-thing. This is a great song by Outkast, yes I know they're primarily rap but this part fits my story:

'Cause the whole world loves it when you don't get down

And the whole world loves it when you make that sound

And the whole world loves it when you're in the news

And the whole world loves it when you sing the blues

The world was grey.

It had stormed violently last night, branches tossing about everywhere and leaves scattered about the ground. The wind was still raging even now, six hours after the storm had ended.

Katrina yawned and sat up. She had been trying to sleep on the couch, but she kept getting woken up by the storm and finally she resigned herself to lying awake throughout most of the night.

Now she was hungry, though. She got to her feet and wandered into the kitchen, scanning the cupboards and refridgerator and coming up short. She smacked the counter angrily, looking about for food. This wasn't good. They couldn't stay here much longer with no food.

Her thoughts were broken by a cough coming from the other couch: Fabio. Katrina rushed to his side. "How are you feeling?" she asked him.

"Better. Brenden is a great healer." Fabio sat up and looked like he wanted to ask for a drink but didn't out of politeness. "How long have we been here?"

Katrina shrugged. "Not long. Don't worry about it. You guys are welcome to stay here as long as you need to."

"At least let me help you make breakfast for us," Fabio insisted. He and Katrina warmed up the rest of the pasta that she had failed to notice, and they decided to go hunting later for more food. Aorken and Brenden awoke on their own, and Katrina went to wake up Alex and Damian.

She stopped short when she realized that only Alex was in the room.

"Where's Damian?" she demanded, unaware of her voice climbing to a higher octave.

Alex rubbed his eyes, disoriented. "He should be right here…" he stopped as he realized that the bed next to him was empty. "Oh, shit."

Katrina's voice went shrill. "You mean he never came back?"

Alex just shook his head. "What are you talking about?"

"He—we had a fight yesterday—and he just left—" Katrina collapsed on the floor next to Alex's bed and fought to hold back tears. "It's my fault," she rasped out. "I don't know who I'm supposed to be. I can't remember. Who do I believe?"

Alex put his arms around her and gave her a hug. "Far as I can tell, you wing it," he said. "Just be who you want to be. Sometime soon we can unravel the missing-identity thing. In the meantime…there isn't much any of us can do." He put a hand on her forehead. "You know, you feel kinda warm. You're not sick, are you?"

Katrina stood up, ignoring the question. "I'm calling an emergency meeting for everyone here," she said, gripping the bedrail for support. "Meet me in the kitchen." She tried to take a step and nearly fell. Alex caught her arm. "Can you walk?" he asked quizzically.

Katrina took a deep breath. "I'm fine," she managed, but she allowed Alex to guide her down the hall and into the kitchen.

It didn't take long for Fabio, Brenden and Aorken to accompany them. They all sat around the table, waiting expectantly for Katrina's announcements.

"We're low on food," she started. "Does anyone here know how to hunt?"

Unsurprisingly, Brenden nodded. "I can hunt quite well, actually," he replied. "I'd be more than happy to help you. Aorken is also quite good at hunting."

Katrina cracked a small smile. "Well, that's one problem solved. Unfortunately, the other is much more serious."

"What's wrong?" asked Aorken, genuine concern showing in his sky blue eyes.

"Damian's missing. He—he left yesterday. And Alex says he hasn't come back since." Alex nodded affirmation.

"We'll have to organize a search party," Fabio said. "We did it once. We can do it again."

Katrina appeared confused. "A search party? What were you looking for?"

"You," Alex replied. It was the last thing Katrina heard before her head hit the floor.

"What happened?"

"I don't feel a pulse."

"Look at her. She's turning white. Completely pale."

Comments flew back and forth. Nobody knew exactly what was going on, or why she had collapsed the way she had. Why wasn't there a pulse? Had she died?

Brenden made his way through the small crowd gathered at her body, and said in a low voice: "She's alive." He placed on hand on her wrist and the other on her neck, and added, "There is, in fact, a pulse. A very weak one, but nevertheless, a pulse." Then he stopped and turned to face Aorken, Fabio, and Alex. "I don't know what caused this, but she needs treatment fast."

"We can't leave Damian," said Alex plaintively.

"No," agreed Brenden. "I will stay here with her. You and Aorken and Fabio must search for Damian. Be quick, and bring him back here in one piece." He smiled wryly. "One thing after another. It's never easy, is it?"

"No," agreed Aorken.

"While you're gone," added Brenden, "Perhaps you should search for some food, no? We don't know how long we'll be here, now."

"Yes," agreed Aorken.

He quietly slipped out the door, Fabio and Alex right behind him.