"So…what were your names again? Sora and Riku, was it? These will be your rooms while you are here."

The thing gestured to two rooms right next to each other. "You may choose who gets which. I will go take the others to their rooms now.

It disappeared, leaving Sora and Riku alone. "So wait," Sora said, confused. "If we're his prisoners, then why are we getting nice rooms like this?"

Riku shrugged. "Who knows? Anyway, I'm not complaining. They're better than jail cells."

"That's for sure."

Riku walked off into the room on the left. After a while, "This one's mine!" he shouted.

Not really caring what room he got, Sora entered the other room. He looked around. It was a plain but comfortable looking room, containing a bed, a desk, a dresser, a lamp, and a few other things. It was painted a light reddish-brown, and it seemed nice enough.

After a bit more looking around, he sat down on the bed. Shortly after, he noticed Roxas (who had been asleep) waking up. Hey, he said.

Roxas yawned. Looks like we're out of the jail cells, huh?

Yeah. Wonder why he's keeping prisoners in nice rooms? You wouldn't think he'd care if we were comfortable or not.

I don't know.

Both were silent. Looks like you slept well, said Sora.

Yeah. Unlike you, I don't need to worry about hard stone floors. It was nice in here.

Lucky you. Hey, what's it like where you are, anyway? I don't think you've ever told me.

Roxas thought for a moment. It changes. My guess is that it depends on your mood and what you're thinking about. Sometimes it's a beach, like your home. Sometimes it looks like Twilight Town. Once in a while, it looks like The World that Never Was, or the places you've visited. And sometimes, it's just…blank. All black. So it depends.

Interesting.

Again, both were quiet. You're worried about something, aren't you? Roxas asked.

Yeah. It's just…Kairi's coming after us. Apparently, she's not alone, but what if something happens to her? Or what if she does make it here? Whatever brought us here clearly wouldn't hesitate to kill her. I just...

Sora paused. Riku and I had been teaching her how to fight, but we barely taught her anything. I'm not sure she'll make it. Do you think that's how she felt, knowing I was always in danger?

Maybe, said Roxas. But honestly, she's stronger than you might think. Namine's said that she's got a strong will, and that she's tougher than she looks. Maybe she can make it.

Maybe…

Come on, Sora. Have some faith. You're usually such an optimist.

I know. It's just…Roxas, I love her. If she died trying to save me, I don't know how I'd…

He stopped. Anyway, I think I need to rest.


Meanwhile, in the other room, Riku was thinking about the situation. Clearly, he and Sora weren't the only ones that the shadowy thing was keeping prisoner. Cloud had been in the other cell, and the thing had mentioned some of Sora's friends.

Maybe if he could find some of them, they could figure out what that thing was planning.