*back to Jaden and Yubell*

Yubell had completely forgotten about the glowing red figure that had stopped her earlier till she heard his foot steps behind them again. Yubell quickly pulled Jaden behind her as she turned to confront the intruder; taking a defensive stance, ready to strike to protect Jaden if she had to.

"Don't worry Yubell I'm a friend I'm not going to hurt Jaden; you can trust me. Isn't that right mate?" The figure said as he cautiously approached Jaden and his guardian.

Jaden recognized the voice immediately. Jaden peeked behind Yubell just in case it was a trick by Haou. What he saw caused his mind to clear up quite a bit more and seamed to even push the darkness that shrouded him a little farther away. His eyes even seem to even go back to his usual chocolate brown; though still had the depressing glowing golden yellow seeping in around the edges. Showing the darkness wasn't totally gone from his mind.

"Jim! Jaden yelled in relief as he weakly rushed over to him. The movement ended up being too much. He ended up collapsing against Jim. Jim caught Jaden in a hug thankful that he didn't find his friend in some dark prison of Haou's. Even in his own mined he looked so frail and weakened. Jim was not only worried about Jaden overcoming Haou but he was also concerned if he would be able to bear the strain on his body with it being as frail as it was now.

Jim looked around them; the dark clouded endless space brought shivers down his spine with the memories they brought with them, before he brought his attention back to Jaden.

"Jaden are you all right? What's wrong? Why haven't you woken up?" Jim asked almost all at once. But he couldn't get a response from Jaden because Jaden started to cry. Jim was really surprised because he had never seen Jaden cry before. It reminded him of a young child that had been lost and then found; which Jaden pretty much was. Jim couldn't help wanting to sooth Jaden who was now shaking all over as he sobbed. Jaden usually was the strong one trying to keep the others pulled together. It was a little unsettling to have it the other way around. He had never once ever seen him cry; nor heard of him ever crying before. What exactly had Haou done to shatter Jaden down to this?

Yubell stood and watched Jaden. Seeing Jim had helped. She was glad that Jim had the power to enter people's minds, because without it she didn't know what would have happened to Jaden. Yubell looked cautiously around for any signs of Haou. She didn't want him to show up and spoil it for Jim to save Jaden. That was all she cared about. All she wanted was for Jaden to get better and get back in control.

"Jim please don't leave." Jaden cried as he looked up at Jim; desperation showing in his eyes. "Everyone else is gone." Jaden said as he tried to dry his eyes. Jaden looked behind him to make sure Yubell hadn't left him as well.

Jim was a little worried of how Jaden was acting. He look so small and lost and uncertain about everything; nothing of how he usually was. Usually he was so confident and positive of just about everything. Now he seemed totally crushed. "What exactly had Haou done to have him in such a state as this?" Jim thought as he watched Jaden. Yubell had come up behind him to steady him as he began to sway.

"Jaden don't worry I'm haven't gone anywhere mate, and neither has anyone else. We're all waiting for you to wake up. Which reminds me; why haven't you?" Jim asked.

Jaden closed his eyes as he steadied himself with Yubell's help. Jim took note of the purple black bruises on and under his eyes from not enough sleep plus being sick. Jaden took a couple of seconds before he could answer.

"I tried to wake up but Haou has confused my body. It doesn't know who should be in control. But what do you mean no ones left? The only ones I've seen all day other than Haou is Yubell and you." Jaden said as he kind of sat down which pretty much meant that he was floating cross legged. He then began pulling out his cards shuffling through them.

Jim didn't understand what Jaden meant. Didn't he remember being in class earlier? He had sat with Syrus, Hassleberry, and Jesse; how was it that he would think that he hadn't seen anyone all day?

"Jaden, do you remember what you did today before you saw Haou?" Jim asked as he watched Jaden look through his deck.

"Hmm" Jaden said as he thought about what Jim asked him. "I don't know it's all kind of fuzzy and it hurts my head to think that far back. Actually I don't even remember what day it is or how long I've been here; it feels like I've been here for a month." Jaden said as he continued to look through his cards looking depressed.

Jim was a little puzzled by what Jaden was doing. Yubell, as well, was also quite perplexed.

"Jaden what are you looking for?" Yubell asked Jaden as he continued to shuffle through his cards.

Jaden looked up at Yubell looking a little worried. But that wasn't what troubled Yubell the most. Jaden had tears in his eyes again. Yubell wasn't sure what to do anymore. Jaden seemed totally crushed by Haou. "How is he ever going to be able to take control if he's lost all hope and confidence?" Yubell thought to herself.

"I can't see any of my cards again" Jaden whimpered as tears streamed down his face as he showed them his cards. They were indeed all black except for the description at the bottom of each card.

Jim was a little taken back by this since Jaden didn't go anywhere without his cards; but he had looked through Jaden's cards earlier and they were all right then. All the pictures were perfectly fine.

What was going on?