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Darkness. Darkness wherever she looked. The void surrounded her. Had she finally submitted to the darkness that called out to her? Was she dead? Was this it? She could smell that earthy, musky scent. The exact scent several hours before a rainstorm. Whispering voices surrounded her. Lily couldn't distinguish what they were saying; it made her feel uneasy. Was she outside or inside? Was she alive or dead? "Hello?" Lily called out.

Nothing.

Lily was relieved to have mobility again. She was still dressed in the ridiculous undergarments, robe, and satin booties, but they didn't feel uncomfortable. In fact, she couldn't feel them at all. Is this what it was like to be a ghost? Unable to feel or touch? She got to her feet and stared around the void. "Is anybody there?" She called.

"… bloody fuck do you want?"

"Get off her."

"Wait your bloody turn, mate. It doesn't hurt to knock either."

"Get off her."

"Oi! Put your wand down! Calm down! If you want her so badly, fucking take her."

"Don't touch her!"

"Fuck off, mate!"

The rest faded into indistinguishable whispers again. The second man … Lily thought she recognized that voice. "Are you there?" Lily called out; louder this time. "I can hear you! Where are you? Hello? Please!" The whispers continued.

Lily, frustrated, but curious about where she was, began walking. She could hear her footsteps faintly echoing in the darkness. The darkness embraced her. It was cool and sent shivers down her spine, but it gave her a sense of tranquility that Lily had not felt in years. The darkness didn't allow Death Eaters, the Potters, Petunia, or Mary and Marlene in. No dread of weddings, bearing children, or impressing in-laws. It wasn't significant anymore. Lily felt bliss. Suddenly, the whispers turned into a surge of yells and screams. She almost had to cover her ears.

"… put her down, you animal! You bloody brute!"

"Lily? Lily? Oh, God! He killed Lily!"

"Lily? Can you hear me? Lily? Lily!"

"You fucking monster! Put her down! She's dead! Leave her be, dammit!"

The ground underneath Lily suddenly shifted, but she was catatonic. Was she really dead? This is death? Was this the afterlife? Why was the afterlife so dark? Lily felt hot tears slide down her face. "Is this it, then?" She whispered. "Am I truly dead?"

"…LILY…" It was that warped voice she heard the night before. The voice that tempted her to jump to hear death.

"Who are you?" Lily called out, angry and hurt. "What have you done with me?"

"…LILY …" The voice said.

"Am I dead?" Lily shouted. "Where am I?"

"…LILY … HOLD ON …"

The void shifted once more. Everything was shaking, spinning. Lily would have dropped to ground to hold on, but she had nothing to lose in this world of darkness. "Why are you doing this to me?!" She shouted out. "Who are you?!" The mysterious voice disappeared. It was replaced with more whispers.

"… a bloody shame, really. She was a pretty one. I doubt we'll find any others like her, at least not as soft and lovely."

"Not a single finger touches her! Do you hear me? No one touches her. She's mine."

Lily screamed out again. "Who are you?"

"….ARE YOU THERE? … LILY…"

Lily jumped, waving her arms. Could it see her? Feel her? Hear her? "I'm here!" Lily cried. Her voice cracked as more tears fell. She still jumped in the void; wildly looking around and praying to find someone … something … anything. "I'm here! See me!"

"…. I SEE YOU …"

"... not wise to keep her. This one might crack, just like the others. The pretty ones always crack first. Just the way things are. What if she escapes? This one slipped through our fingers plenty times before, she could do it again."

"She won't."

The voices slowed and lowered into whispers once again. Lily was frantic. "Please! Come back!" The void kept shifting and spinning around her. "Please!" Lily whispered as she crumpled to the ground. "Please come back … please come back … please come back." The darkness began to dissolve around her, getting brighter, turning to white, almost blinding …. "Please come back!" Lily stared into the blinding white. "I'm scared! Please! Please … come back …" The blinding whiteness surrounded her. Drowning …