A/N: But no one said I couldn't post more than once The rest of this story will basically be in Nat's POV. If it bothers you that an OC is pretty much taking over for the next few chapters, then I'm sorry and this is not the story for you. Oh and I don't know if I said Chell has brown eyes. They're blue -_-'

Yes I was listening to medieval music whilst writing this. It's just too amazing.

Disclaimer: I do not own Portal

Nat's POV.

"What the hell do you mean 'Chell is dying?!' She can't die!" My fists clenched at my sides. I felt like hitting something.

"Nat, please calm down." It had to be some sick joke. Chell had been just fine yesterday; maybe she had seemed a little tired, but not deathly ill. And how could she just randomly start dying? She wasn't sick; she hadn't had some deadly accident. "Nat." I pulled my eyes up to hers with some effort. "Come on." She held out her hand. I took it and followed her into her room.

There was Chell, lying on her bed, pale as a ghost. Her black hair was plastered to her forehead; her ice blue eyes were open in sightless slits. I noticed her chest rising and falling in a shallow, uneven breath. She didn't look good, and that was an understatement. "I found her on the floor when I came home. Nat, there's nothing I can do. I've never seen anything like this." My eyes glazed over. Chell couldn't die. She was my best friend. What would I do without her?

"No." I whispered. "No!" I turned on my heel and bolted out of the house. It was happening again. Someone I cared about was going to leave me.

I wasn't sure where exactly I was running to, but I knew I had to get out of that house. I could feel death creeping in like a thick fog. It was just like last time. Houses and buildings flew by. A few people called out to me but I ignored them. I had to get away.

"Natalia…" The whisper sent chills down my spine and my already pounding heart beat even harder. "I need you to be strong. You must take care of your mother for me. Do you understand?"

I clutched at my head willing the voice to go away. "The time will come for you to protect those you love. The time will come for you to be brave. You must be ready for that day."

"Shut up!" I shouted, causing a few people to stare as I ran past. The voice in my head was no longer a whisper.

"Take care of them."

A shriek bubbled up from my chest and ripped through me like a tidal wave. "Dad!"

It was only a year after I graduated kindergarten. I was outside playing with my friend Josie. The bright sun shone down on the beauty of the town. School was out for a few weeks and I had planned to enjoy every single minute of it.

Families from all over town were celebrating the coming of the harvest. The festival was almost here, a time when all the townspeople got together to celebrate. There was food and games and the bonfires could be seen from miles away. Everyone in their right minds were looking forward to it. It was the most exciting event of the year. It was like a blast to the past.

It was a celebration of our ancient beginnings. Medieval food, music and entertainment would line the streets in a lively symphony of lights and sounds. We were the only town to still hold the festival, and for that I was glad. As silly as it seemed to others in our technologic age, it was nice to just be able to let go of appearances and enjoy ourselves.

I was more excited than most anyone because during the harvest festival, my father would be returning home. He had been away for a while now and I didn't know why at the time. All I knew was he had come home from work one day and had a talk with my mother and then left.

Josie and I ran past people hanging banners, setting up booths and carrying baskets of food. Everyone was preparing for the event. I personally was content just to watch everyone's faces. They were all smiling. All fears were washed away and there was joy as far as the eyes could see. Unlike years past, there was a surplus of food because the seasonal rains had actually come and watered the plants which thrived even in the hard soil.

I giggled and skipped alongside my friend. "Hey Natalia?" I smiled and glance over at Josie.

"Yeah?" We passed the main stage which was being painted in a rainbow of colors and patterns depicting the major events of this year. All the towns best artists came together to work on it and it was beautiful every year.

"You excited for your da to come home?" I nodded eagerly and that night I went to sleep with a smile on my face content knowing that the next day I would once again enjoy the festival with my father.

But that was not going to happen.

I woke to my mother shaking me awake. It was still dark. I groggily did as she told and got dressed. She walked with me, bleary-eyed down to the bus station. This was my first time leaving the town and I didn't understand why we were leaving on the day of the festival.

We arrived in north town a few hours later and I didn't remember most of the ride there because I had fallen back asleep on the way there. After a little walking we arrived at the hospital. I didn't know what we were doing here and told my mother that. "We're here to see your father. Hush now."

We ventured down hallway after hallway until we reached room 108. The sterile white walls were a stark contrast to the colors of the festival.

My father died that day and I never went to another festival.

I reached the valley and came to a halt. My breathing was ragged and I leaned resting my hands on my knees. As I stared out over the canyon, I made up my mind. I would save Chell. I would be strong like my father had wanted me to be. As crazy as I probably was at that moment, I made my decision and threw in my lot.

I was going to aperture.