What's going on?

I tried to move, but immediately hit my head. I groaned, lying back on my stomach until the pain receded. I could hear some banging, although it was muted and unclear. Things floated around in my head, whatever could get past the throbbing. Where am I again? What's missing? I feel like something is missing...what am I forgetting?

The ache flared up and then, for the most part, vanished. I took a few deep breaths and began to investigate. It was dark. Ok. I was…underneath something? My fingers reached up a few inches and brushed against a wooden frame. Then it clicked. This is my parents' bed. Why would I be here? How did—

Oh my god.

Axel.

Hayner.

Someone got in the house.

I began to scramble on my hands and knees, digging my fingers into the carpet and dragging myself forward through dust bunnies and lint. Then I heard a voice say my name and I froze.

"Roxas?"

The comforter fluttered out of the way and someone was staring at me.

"Hey, let me help you up."

My first instinct was to scoot away, but the voice was sweet and familiar. I presented my hand and then I was standing next to her.

"What are you doing here?"

She smiled, which seemed slightly odd, and said, "I was worried."

"Where's Axel?" I glanced around the room, but nothing was out of place.

"I don't know."

"Olette…how did you get in?"

"Someone broke the window."

"You climbed in—"

There was a large crash, and I was cut off. I was about to bolt towards the noise, thoughts of Axel stuck in my mind, when Olette grabbed my wrist.

"What? Olette?"

"You're my best friend."

"Yes," I said, uncertain. "We have to—"

"Axel will be fine."

As if in defiance, the noise from outside my parents' room rose and I tried to pull free from Olette's grip.

"Let go!"

Her fingers wrapped around tighter. "I just want to talk to you."

"We can talk later!"

"We can talk now, Roxas." She gave me a cold smile, looking completely uncharacteristic.

I shivered. "We really can't."

"But can't we?"

"N-No."

She stepped closer to me until her face was in mine, and for a second, I could see the Olette I remembered. "I'm so sorry," she whispered hoarsely.

"What?" I managed, more than ready to run.

Her eyes met mine, and she stared me down, unwavering. She was trembling slightly, silent tears running down her cheeks. "I didn't think...this wasn't the plan..."

"What are you taking about?"

"You don't know…how h-h-hard…" Her voice cracked, and she began to sob.

I stood there, hopeless, before the door swung open. To my relief, it was Axel.

He ran to me and I took in the mess he had become. Blood was running down the side of his face, making his hair stick to it, becoming a darker red. He had a slight limp, wincing each time his left foot met the floor.

I shrieked, rushing to his side. "Axel?"

"Hey." He grabbed my shoulder to steady himself, his eyes traveling up until he saw Olette. "Who the hell are you?" he growled, immediately shifting himself so that he was in a defense position in front of me.

"It's ok. She's my friend, Olette."

He gave her a suspicious look before turning to me. "We need to get out of here. Now."

"What happen—"

Axel, in the process of trying to drag me out of the room, wobbled and fell over. I held him up as he passed a hand over his eyes. "Are you ok?" I asked, concerned.

"I'm…fine," he gritted his teeth.

There was so much blood, I could smell it coming off of him. My mind couldn't process anything after I thought that he may have lost too much already.

"Let me get a towel to press—"

"Roxas, we just need to leave. I am ok," he said steadily. "Alright?"

"Alright," I said shakily.

"Where's your friend?"

I turned around. There was no one there.

"Olette?" I called, confused.

Thump thump thump.

I couldn't help the scream that escaped me; Axel put his hand over my mouth to silence it. "Shhh," he hushed.

He was staring past me. I paused confused, and then I saw that the door was closing.

Axel sprung forward, trying to get to it, but his ankle gave out and he tumbled to the ground, hitting his head and creating a small cry of pain.

I knelt over him in the next second, just as the door clicked closed.