Part One: Denying the Truth
I opened my eyes slowly and looked at my surroundings. I was at my school, Crossroads Junior High. 'Why am I here? What happened?' I looked at the clock and saw that it said 12:05. It was lunch time!
"Hey, what am I doing here in the hallway when it's time to eat!" Forgetting my confusion for a moment, I headed towards the courtyard. I didn't have a lunch, but I'm sure Lita would share with me. I walked outside and quickly spotted my friends under the big cherry blossom tree. Smiling to myself, I skipped over and sat down next to them.
"Hey guys! You'll never guess what happened! I was really late for school this morning, so my dad drove me...But the next thing I knew I was at school and it was lunch time! Weird huh? I guess the clocks at my house are messed up." I looked at all of them and saw that they were staring at the ground. None of them looked at me. "Guys?" Still no answer. "Are you guys mad because I didn't talk to you on the phone last night? I was just in a really bad mood." No reply. "Guys, I'm really sorry. Please talk to me." This time someone started to talk, but it wasn't to me.
"I'm going to miss her," Lita said to my friends. I looked at Amy and saw that she was crying. 'What's going on?'
"Us too," Molly said.
"Amy, Lita, Molly, Melvin? What's going on?" None of them answered me, but they all got up and left. Not one word to me. "Why are they mad at me?" I wondered out loud. And I was starving too. Lita didn't give me one thing from her lunch, and she hardly ate anything herself. Getting up, I walked inside to class. When I walked in class was about to start. 'Hmmmnnn I must have forgotten my books at home...' I had to explain about being late and not having my books, so I walked up to Mrs. Haruna
. Today was not my day. Praying that she wouldn't yell at me, I started to speak.
"Mrs. H? I'm sorry I was late, but my dad drove me. I think the clocks in our house are messed up. And with the rush I forgot my books. I'm really sorry. May I have permission to look off of Amy's notes?" She didn't answer, and when she looked at me it was like she was staring right through me. "Mrs. H, I-"
"Okay class, let's get started." 'What's going on? Why is everyone ignoring me?' Sighing to myself, I went and sat at my desk.
"Before we take today's surprise quiz..." There was a mumble of protest throughout the room. "Let's have a moment of silence for our loss." Everyone bowed their heads and seemed to have forgotten about the quiz. I didn't know who had died, but I was more worried about the quiz. I glanced at Amy and saw that she had tears rolling down her cheek. After a few minutes Mrs. H started to hand out the papers. When she got to my desk she stopped and looked at me for a few minutes. Then, she continued handing out the papers, totally skipping me!
"Mrs. H, that's not fair," I protested. "I know I was late and I know I'm not prepared, but I should get a chance. You can't give me a zero! Mrs. Haruna
!!" She continued to walk to her desk, and still ignored me. Sighing with frustration, I sat down and waited for class to end.
It was a hard day at school. Mrs. Haruna
wouldn't take my excuses and pleas, my friends wouldn't talk to me, and no one would share their notes with me. When school ended, I was very grateful. I needed some down time at the arcade...Even is Darien would be there. At least he may talk to me.
"I don't care is he makes fun of me or gives me insults! I just wish someone would speak to me! Why is everyone mad at me today? Is it have-a-grudge-on-Serena day?" I mumbled as I walked up to the arcade. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and walked in. Darien wasn't there yet, but Andrew was working behind the counter.
"Hey, Andrew! How about a triple fudge sundae? I'm having a rough day," I called to him as I sat down on a stool. Five minutes later I was wondering where Andrew was with my shake. I hadn't eaten breakfast or lunch and....wait. I wasn't even hungry...Was I sick? Oh well, even more reason to have a sundae. But where was Andrew?! I looked around and then I heard bells. Glancing at the door, I saw Darien walk in with the saddest and most pathetic face I'd ever seen him have. Desperate for someone to talk to me, I jumped from my seat and bounced over to him.
"Hey Darien! Why so glum? If you knew how my day was you'd probably be smiling about how great yours was." I stopped, because he wasn't looking at me. He was glancing around the arcade, probably looking for Andrew. "Hey Darien, if you spot Andrew tell him to hurry up with my sundae, will ya!" I looked at him only to watch him walk towards the counter. Andrew came up behind it, and I ran over and sat next to Darien.
"Hey Darien, what'll it be?" Andrew asked.
"Coffee. Black," Darien replied.
"And hurry with my sundae Andrew!!" I piped in, smiling at both of them. Andrew just walked towards the coffee maker, and Darien placed his head in his hands. A minute later Andrew was back with the coffee, but no sundae.
"How you holding up bud," Andrew asked. I was shocked, because when Darien looked up, he was crying.
"She's really gone Andrew...And I never had the chance to tell her how I truly felt. The last conversation I had with her ended with her storming out of the arcade. I just feel terrible."
"Don't do this to yourself Darien," Andrew replied. "She wouldn't want you to. I bet if she were here right now, she'd hop up to you, try to cheer you up, and ask for a huge sundae to eat while talking."
"Darien, I don't know who left, but remember how we had that argument yesterday. I'm still not mad at you. I'm sure whoever this girl is couldn't stay mad at you either....And Andrew! All this talk about sundaes is making me hungry! Can I have one?" He ignored me, and continued to talk to Darien.
"Have you talked with her parents?" Andrew asked Darien.
"Yeah, the funeral is tomorrow at noon. Do you want to go together? The get-together afterwards is at Ray's temple," Darien told him as he wiped his face and took a big drink from his coffee.
"Okay. I'll pick you up at eleven. I got to go and help the other customers though. I'll see you tomorrow Darien. Take care."
"You too." I sat there staring at Darien while he finished his coffee. 'Who is everyone talking about? And why will no one talk to me? *Gasp* Maybe they're trying to protect me...Maybe it's someone close to me...Mina? Ray?' Taking one last look at Darien, I ran for the door and headed home.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Mom!!! I'm home!" I yelled as I ran into the house. There was no answer. I walked into the kitchen and found my mother there making dinner. "Mom, hey, what's for dinner?" I asked, walking up to her. She continued to chop the vegetables and didn't answer. "Are you still angry about that bad grade, because I'm really sorry. I just have to ask you something." She still didn't speak to me. Then, I realized that the table was only set for two, and that Mom was crying. "Mom? What about Dad and Sammy? Mom, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Bending forward, I went to wrap my arms around my mother...
"Wahhh!!" I cried as I hit the floor. I had passed right through her!! "Mom?" I cried, looking up at her. "Okay, now I'm really scared. I just passed right through you..."
"Sammy!!!! Dinner!!" my mom yelled up the stairs as she took off her apron and sat down. Still shaking with fear, I got up and went to sit down. Before I could, my brother ran past me and sat down at the table. There was no space for me. I stood and watched as my brother and my mother folded their hands, bowed their heads, and said grace.
"Bless us oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen," Sammy said in a solemn and mournful voice.
"And..." my mother said in a small and shaky voice. "...May my husband recover soon...and may my daughter, Serena, be blessed in heaven above as an angel. Amen"
"Amen," Sammy ended with a shaky voice, and his eyes filled with tears. I starred at them with shock.
"Mother! Sammy! Can't you see me? I'm right here! You guys!!" I cried, going up to my brother and shaking his shoulders. He didn't move, almost like I had never touched him, and continued to eat. "Please, Mother!" I cried, tears falling to the floor. "I'm not dead! I'm right here!!! Why won't you answer me!" I sobbed, looking at the two members of my family. They continued to eat, eyes downcast, making no conversation. Just then, Luna walked into the kitchen and slowly went over to her cat dish.
"Meow!" she cried, looking at the empty dish.
"Luna! I never fed you, here let me get it!" I said, full of concern for my furry friend. 'She has to see me. She's my protector, my guide, my ally...' I went over to her and saw that her fur was wet. She had been crying. "Luna, what's wrong. Don't cry, I'm right here." She didn't look at me, and instead jumped onto my mothers lap.
"Meow!"
"Alright Luna, let me feed you," my mother said with fatigue as she stood up. "Serena must have..." She stopped short and looked at Sammy.
"It's okay Mom. I know. She forgot to feed Luna." I looked at them both and saw that their eyes were full of tears, but they never let them fall.
"No, Mom, I'll feed Luna!" I screeched, standing up and running to the cabinet. I went to open the door....but..."No!" I shouted. My hand slid right through the knob. "What is going on?! Am I dreaming? I can't be dead! I won't believe it! Dead people can't walk, can't talk, and can't be on this plane." I looked to my family for conformation, but all of them, including Luna, had continued to eat. "No, I won't believe it! I would remember how I died, if I had. My dad drove me to school and it was there that I spent the day. There was no time for me to die!" I looked around again, but Mother was cleaning up, and Sammy was going to his room. "M-M-Mother..."I said slowly, looking at her with love. "I'm so confused. Please...tell me why everyone is acting this way. Hold me..." I whimpered, while reaching my hand out towards her. I gasped when she looked over at me. I had finally gotten through to her! But alas...she put her heard back down and continued to clean a pot.
I walked upstairs to my room to find that the door was open, and Luna was inside. I ran up to my bed and flung myself on. 'I can't take this!' Luna hadn't responded to my entrance, and that hurt me even more. Downstairs, I thought maybe she just didn't want to take a chance of making my family suspicious of her...But she really wasn't speaking to me!
"Why..." I cried, burying my head in my arms and sobbing till my eyes were puffy and I couldn't breathe any longer. Looking up, I saw that many hours had passed, and that it was midnight. I walked over to my open window, which Luna was looking out of.
"Oh Serena..."she whispered while looking up at the night sky.
"Luna!" I said happily, hoping that she was acknowledging me. "You can see me. You have to help me!" I said, sitting beside her. But she never looked or talked to me again. Breathing in the cool and fresh night air, and starring up at the stars in the sky, cleared my mind and helped me think. There had to be a reason that no one was hearing or seeing me. I knew I wasn't dead, because nothing had happened that would have resulted in my death...So I thought...and thought...and around three in the morning, long after Luna had curled up and went to sleep, I came to a conclusion.
"It has to be the negaverse," I said out loud, breaking the night's silence. "Who else would have enough power to put a spell over the whole city? They must have figured out my identity! With me gone, Sailor Moon is gone...And with the leader of the Sailor Scouts gone...the scouts would fall apart." For about three seconds I congratulated myself on figuring the mystery out...but then I got serious. I had to somehow communicate with my friends. They had to be warned! With a final nod of determination, I decided to go to Ray's tomorrow and try to communicate with her. With any luck, I could tap into her physic powers.
"*Sigh* Now that that's settled," I yawned to myself. "I'm getting some sleep." Collapsing on my bed, I fell into a deep and restful sleep.
I opened my eyes slowly and looked at my surroundings. I was at my school, Crossroads Junior High. 'Why am I here? What happened?' I looked at the clock and saw that it said 12:05. It was lunch time!
"Hey, what am I doing here in the hallway when it's time to eat!" Forgetting my confusion for a moment, I headed towards the courtyard. I didn't have a lunch, but I'm sure Lita would share with me. I walked outside and quickly spotted my friends under the big cherry blossom tree. Smiling to myself, I skipped over and sat down next to them.
"Hey guys! You'll never guess what happened! I was really late for school this morning, so my dad drove me...But the next thing I knew I was at school and it was lunch time! Weird huh? I guess the clocks at my house are messed up." I looked at all of them and saw that they were staring at the ground. None of them looked at me. "Guys?" Still no answer. "Are you guys mad because I didn't talk to you on the phone last night? I was just in a really bad mood." No reply. "Guys, I'm really sorry. Please talk to me." This time someone started to talk, but it wasn't to me.
"I'm going to miss her," Lita said to my friends. I looked at Amy and saw that she was crying. 'What's going on?'
"Us too," Molly said.
"Amy, Lita, Molly, Melvin? What's going on?" None of them answered me, but they all got up and left. Not one word to me. "Why are they mad at me?" I wondered out loud. And I was starving too. Lita didn't give me one thing from her lunch, and she hardly ate anything herself. Getting up, I walked inside to class. When I walked in class was about to start. 'Hmmmnnn I must have forgotten my books at home...' I had to explain about being late and not having my books, so I walked up to Mrs. Haruna
. Today was not my day. Praying that she wouldn't yell at me, I started to speak.
"Mrs. H? I'm sorry I was late, but my dad drove me. I think the clocks in our house are messed up. And with the rush I forgot my books. I'm really sorry. May I have permission to look off of Amy's notes?" She didn't answer, and when she looked at me it was like she was staring right through me. "Mrs. H, I-"
"Okay class, let's get started." 'What's going on? Why is everyone ignoring me?' Sighing to myself, I went and sat at my desk.
"Before we take today's surprise quiz..." There was a mumble of protest throughout the room. "Let's have a moment of silence for our loss." Everyone bowed their heads and seemed to have forgotten about the quiz. I didn't know who had died, but I was more worried about the quiz. I glanced at Amy and saw that she had tears rolling down her cheek. After a few minutes Mrs. H started to hand out the papers. When she got to my desk she stopped and looked at me for a few minutes. Then, she continued handing out the papers, totally skipping me!
"Mrs. H, that's not fair," I protested. "I know I was late and I know I'm not prepared, but I should get a chance. You can't give me a zero! Mrs. Haruna
!!" She continued to walk to her desk, and still ignored me. Sighing with frustration, I sat down and waited for class to end.
It was a hard day at school. Mrs. Haruna
wouldn't take my excuses and pleas, my friends wouldn't talk to me, and no one would share their notes with me. When school ended, I was very grateful. I needed some down time at the arcade...Even is Darien would be there. At least he may talk to me.
"I don't care is he makes fun of me or gives me insults! I just wish someone would speak to me! Why is everyone mad at me today? Is it have-a-grudge-on-Serena day?" I mumbled as I walked up to the arcade. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and walked in. Darien wasn't there yet, but Andrew was working behind the counter.
"Hey, Andrew! How about a triple fudge sundae? I'm having a rough day," I called to him as I sat down on a stool. Five minutes later I was wondering where Andrew was with my shake. I hadn't eaten breakfast or lunch and....wait. I wasn't even hungry...Was I sick? Oh well, even more reason to have a sundae. But where was Andrew?! I looked around and then I heard bells. Glancing at the door, I saw Darien walk in with the saddest and most pathetic face I'd ever seen him have. Desperate for someone to talk to me, I jumped from my seat and bounced over to him.
"Hey Darien! Why so glum? If you knew how my day was you'd probably be smiling about how great yours was." I stopped, because he wasn't looking at me. He was glancing around the arcade, probably looking for Andrew. "Hey Darien, if you spot Andrew tell him to hurry up with my sundae, will ya!" I looked at him only to watch him walk towards the counter. Andrew came up behind it, and I ran over and sat next to Darien.
"Hey Darien, what'll it be?" Andrew asked.
"Coffee. Black," Darien replied.
"And hurry with my sundae Andrew!!" I piped in, smiling at both of them. Andrew just walked towards the coffee maker, and Darien placed his head in his hands. A minute later Andrew was back with the coffee, but no sundae.
"How you holding up bud," Andrew asked. I was shocked, because when Darien looked up, he was crying.
"She's really gone Andrew...And I never had the chance to tell her how I truly felt. The last conversation I had with her ended with her storming out of the arcade. I just feel terrible."
"Don't do this to yourself Darien," Andrew replied. "She wouldn't want you to. I bet if she were here right now, she'd hop up to you, try to cheer you up, and ask for a huge sundae to eat while talking."
"Darien, I don't know who left, but remember how we had that argument yesterday. I'm still not mad at you. I'm sure whoever this girl is couldn't stay mad at you either....And Andrew! All this talk about sundaes is making me hungry! Can I have one?" He ignored me, and continued to talk to Darien.
"Have you talked with her parents?" Andrew asked Darien.
"Yeah, the funeral is tomorrow at noon. Do you want to go together? The get-together afterwards is at Ray's temple," Darien told him as he wiped his face and took a big drink from his coffee.
"Okay. I'll pick you up at eleven. I got to go and help the other customers though. I'll see you tomorrow Darien. Take care."
"You too." I sat there staring at Darien while he finished his coffee. 'Who is everyone talking about? And why will no one talk to me? *Gasp* Maybe they're trying to protect me...Maybe it's someone close to me...Mina? Ray?' Taking one last look at Darien, I ran for the door and headed home.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Mom!!! I'm home!" I yelled as I ran into the house. There was no answer. I walked into the kitchen and found my mother there making dinner. "Mom, hey, what's for dinner?" I asked, walking up to her. She continued to chop the vegetables and didn't answer. "Are you still angry about that bad grade, because I'm really sorry. I just have to ask you something." She still didn't speak to me. Then, I realized that the table was only set for two, and that Mom was crying. "Mom? What about Dad and Sammy? Mom, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Bending forward, I went to wrap my arms around my mother...
"Wahhh!!" I cried as I hit the floor. I had passed right through her!! "Mom?" I cried, looking up at her. "Okay, now I'm really scared. I just passed right through you..."
"Sammy!!!! Dinner!!" my mom yelled up the stairs as she took off her apron and sat down. Still shaking with fear, I got up and went to sit down. Before I could, my brother ran past me and sat down at the table. There was no space for me. I stood and watched as my brother and my mother folded their hands, bowed their heads, and said grace.
"Bless us oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen," Sammy said in a solemn and mournful voice.
"And..." my mother said in a small and shaky voice. "...May my husband recover soon...and may my daughter, Serena, be blessed in heaven above as an angel. Amen"
"Amen," Sammy ended with a shaky voice, and his eyes filled with tears. I starred at them with shock.
"Mother! Sammy! Can't you see me? I'm right here! You guys!!" I cried, going up to my brother and shaking his shoulders. He didn't move, almost like I had never touched him, and continued to eat. "Please, Mother!" I cried, tears falling to the floor. "I'm not dead! I'm right here!!! Why won't you answer me!" I sobbed, looking at the two members of my family. They continued to eat, eyes downcast, making no conversation. Just then, Luna walked into the kitchen and slowly went over to her cat dish.
"Meow!" she cried, looking at the empty dish.
"Luna! I never fed you, here let me get it!" I said, full of concern for my furry friend. 'She has to see me. She's my protector, my guide, my ally...' I went over to her and saw that her fur was wet. She had been crying. "Luna, what's wrong. Don't cry, I'm right here." She didn't look at me, and instead jumped onto my mothers lap.
"Meow!"
"Alright Luna, let me feed you," my mother said with fatigue as she stood up. "Serena must have..." She stopped short and looked at Sammy.
"It's okay Mom. I know. She forgot to feed Luna." I looked at them both and saw that their eyes were full of tears, but they never let them fall.
"No, Mom, I'll feed Luna!" I screeched, standing up and running to the cabinet. I went to open the door....but..."No!" I shouted. My hand slid right through the knob. "What is going on?! Am I dreaming? I can't be dead! I won't believe it! Dead people can't walk, can't talk, and can't be on this plane." I looked to my family for conformation, but all of them, including Luna, had continued to eat. "No, I won't believe it! I would remember how I died, if I had. My dad drove me to school and it was there that I spent the day. There was no time for me to die!" I looked around again, but Mother was cleaning up, and Sammy was going to his room. "M-M-Mother..."I said slowly, looking at her with love. "I'm so confused. Please...tell me why everyone is acting this way. Hold me..." I whimpered, while reaching my hand out towards her. I gasped when she looked over at me. I had finally gotten through to her! But alas...she put her heard back down and continued to clean a pot.
I walked upstairs to my room to find that the door was open, and Luna was inside. I ran up to my bed and flung myself on. 'I can't take this!' Luna hadn't responded to my entrance, and that hurt me even more. Downstairs, I thought maybe she just didn't want to take a chance of making my family suspicious of her...But she really wasn't speaking to me!
"Why..." I cried, burying my head in my arms and sobbing till my eyes were puffy and I couldn't breathe any longer. Looking up, I saw that many hours had passed, and that it was midnight. I walked over to my open window, which Luna was looking out of.
"Oh Serena..."she whispered while looking up at the night sky.
"Luna!" I said happily, hoping that she was acknowledging me. "You can see me. You have to help me!" I said, sitting beside her. But she never looked or talked to me again. Breathing in the cool and fresh night air, and starring up at the stars in the sky, cleared my mind and helped me think. There had to be a reason that no one was hearing or seeing me. I knew I wasn't dead, because nothing had happened that would have resulted in my death...So I thought...and thought...and around three in the morning, long after Luna had curled up and went to sleep, I came to a conclusion.
"It has to be the negaverse," I said out loud, breaking the night's silence. "Who else would have enough power to put a spell over the whole city? They must have figured out my identity! With me gone, Sailor Moon is gone...And with the leader of the Sailor Scouts gone...the scouts would fall apart." For about three seconds I congratulated myself on figuring the mystery out...but then I got serious. I had to somehow communicate with my friends. They had to be warned! With a final nod of determination, I decided to go to Ray's tomorrow and try to communicate with her. With any luck, I could tap into her physic powers.
"*Sigh* Now that that's settled," I yawned to myself. "I'm getting some sleep." Collapsing on my bed, I fell into a deep and restful sleep.
