Sorry for the late update. I was trying to get it to where I wanted it to be.


"That's awful." Jaden stated.

Upon reaching the island, I immediately went to Jaden's dorm room, knowing that he currently wasn't in class. As always, Chazz and Hassleberry were present as I shared my story.

"So that who internship was a scam?" Chazz confirmed. "I kind of regret entering the contest now. What a waste."

"Well at least you weren't the target." Hassleberry stated.

"Oh, thanks." I sarcastically replied.

Hassleberry let out a chuckle, attempting to relieve some of the tension. It didn't help much, but it didn't hurt either.

"I'm just sorry that my brothers got you involved in there scheme." Chazz admitted.

"Yeah, but hey I did get away with a little something."

I handed him some money.

"What's this?"

"Well in order to get here, I needed money for a plane ticket to Domino City and a boat ticket. So I 'borrowed' some money from your brother."

Chazz just gave me a nod as he put the cash in a pocket in the exterior portion of his coat.

"What are you going to do?" Jaden asked.

"Just go on with life. If anyone asks, I'll just say that the internship didn't work out. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm heading back to my dorm to get some well-deserved sleep."

I pushed myself up as the others followed so that they could show me out. However, the moment I stood up, a rush of strain hit me. Nausea and discomfort swirled around and it wasn't long before I felt my legs give way. I could just barely feel myself hit the floor as consciousness started to leave me. As my vison tuned to black, I could hear Jaden calling my name, concern in his voice.

Groggily, I started regaining consciousness. The first thing I realized was that I wasn't in the Slifer dorm anymore, but rather in my room in Ra's. It didn't take long for me to find Jaden, who instantly took note I was awake.

"Are you okay?" Jaden asked.

"Yeah." I sighed. "What happened?"

"You passed out. Apparently you got a fever, and since we have a limited supply of the proper medicine at the Slifer dorm that needs to be saved for the Slifers, Hassleberry agreed to help me bring you back to your dorm."

I let out a sigh. It was in that moment that I started to recall some of the memories that Dartz had given back to me. Things that he had hidden from me started to click with, not only my current situation, but moments in my past as well.

"It always happens this time of year." I whispered.

"What?"

"Every year, on this day, I come down with a fever." I groaned, forcing myself to sit up. "I never thought much of it, but now, I have a feeling that Dartz is to blame."

"How so?"

"I meet him on this day eight years ago, after I fell into a frozen lake and got a fever soon after. He offered to assist my mother, however, he wanted me in exchange for it. When my mother disagreed and threatened to call the cops, he relented, claiming that he'd be back for me one day as well as cursing me with this fever. Yet, he hide his tracks, blocking my memories of the event."

"Why wouldn't your mother tell you?"

"Probably because she wanted to protect me. Who would want to burden their child with such paranoia and fear? Now if I could only explain the blackouts."

"The blackouts?"

"Yeah, I use to get blackouts growing up for a few years and I can't explain why. They went away after two, three years, but then I had one the other day. I know he has something to do with it, I just don't know how."

"The nerve of some people."

I could tell that Jaden was starting to get angered. His normally calm composure was barely holding on. I knew it was time to change the subject."

"No offense, but I need the sleep, so could I get some time to myself."

"Are you sure?" Jaden asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I need the time to myself. Plus, I won't get any better if I don't get the rest. See you in class tomorrow?"

"Alright, but if anything happens, call me. Do you understand?"

"Understood."

I rolled on to my other side as Jaden left my room. Making sure the door was locked, Jaden said goodbye and closed the door behind him.


Fun fact: The fever was supposed to be an anniversary thing. It was in both of the previous adaptations.