AN Finally got around to updating this sorry for the wait. God I've been busy again.

Killhill2003 thanks for the reviews they're much appreciated

Chapter 8 – Promise Me

"John?" called a soft voice from the end of the corridor, causing the blond teen to look up slightly startled.

It felt like it had been weeks since he had first come into the hospital. But it wasn't, it was only Saturday and Phil still hadn't woken up.

It had almost destroyed the rest of the family to learn about Phil's condition, and John knew that it was all going to take a very long time to sort out. He had left the others a while ago just so that he could be alone.

That was what he wanted right at that point to be alone.

He slowly wiped tears away from his eyes and tried to focus on who had just called to him. There was a pause and John could have almost sworn that the figure had shimmered and faded before coming sharply back into focus.

It was a girl with white blond hair and flashing jade green eyes. She was sitting right next to him now and seemed very worried about him.

"Are you alright?" her voice was quiet and slightly strained, almost as if this place scared her. She had a gold necklace about her neck, which she was slowly rotating over her fingers.

John couldn't answer her question, partly because he didn't know who this girl was and also for the fact that there was a rather strange familiarity to her that he could not place.

"You don't have to fear me, John. I'm a sort of old friend, you just don't realise it yet. I was hoping to talk to moth – Lucille but I don't think that would be wise" she paused and looked worriedly down. Her voice was soft and gentle, sounding like it belonged on the summer breeze but it betrayed too many emotions.

John found her voice to be full of love, hope, fear, and worry but deep within it there was joy.

The joy of a child that had never given up.

"Who are you?" he stammered out, trying to keep his tone neutral but failing greatly.

The green of her eyes was intense and seemed to fall into his with ease. It was like he was looking at a picture of the eyes that showed so much yet betrayed nothing, "Do I really need to tell you?" came the tiny voice that belonged to those eyes.

John blinked and shook his head, snapping out of the trance like state he had fallen into, "But how?" his voice was filled with wonder and joy. True the hair change was a little bit of a shock but to see that Rydal was right, Phil did indeed have a long future ahead of her.

"A process called Linking, you don't need to really know about it yet. You'll learn how it all works later. I came here to check that you would be okay" she paused for a second, took a deep breath and continued, "I still have memories of this place and nightmares haunt me frequently about the events. But I'm thankful that you were here for me...I would've broken down completely if it wasn't for you John".

The girl glimmered and faded away, John knew that she wouldn't come back. He didn't know why but deep down he wished that he could talk to her for longer. She was the kind of person who could give the right advise at the right time and her voice was captivating.

But she had left.

Slowly he turned and looked to where she had been sitting. There was no sign that the girl had been there but a box lay there. Carefully he picked it up and he knew instantly what he had to do.

Phil breathing was regular and she appeared just to be sleeping. That was the trick with a coma but it wouldn't last forever, that brought a smile to John's face as he gently brushed her long black hair away from her face.

He was already wondering how it changed to an almost white blond but there would be an explanation somewhere along the line.

"Phil" he said gently, trying to sound like the big brother that he was supposed to be, "I'm afraid that I'm going to have to return to my own family. But I'm never going to forget you in a million years. I feel I can tell you everything like this, but for reason something's stopping me. You're so important to everyone, and you're never going to have a lack of support anywhere you go"

He took a deep breath, "Just remember that I will always love you, and do remember to come for me when this Linking thing starts. I want to see what my baby sisters like. I've a gift for you here...it's not much but I know that it's important to you in the future" slowly he opened the box.

Inside lay a friendship necklace made into the shape of a star. In the middle of each half was a gemstone, one blue the other green.

Carefully he removed the green gemstone half and hooked it around her neck. It gently glistened in a small fragment of moonlight.

"You keep yourself safe, little sister" he gently kissed the top of her forehead, almost feeling something tugging at his mind and body, "This is only a temporary goodbye".

He slowly ran his fingers over her face, tears falling from his eyes, the tug intensified and he felt suddenly very sleepy. "Princess...I don't want to leave you. Not now, not after all this!" his voice was tearful and his body became weak.

Finally his legs gave way and he found himself falling.

Colours flashed around his vision, blues, whites, purples and silvers. There was no noise in this place but he felt they're ought to be.

Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard Scott calling him, "John? John? Hoi, wake up little brother!".

Suddenly he found himself back in the lounge...staring wide eyed at Scott, his Scott, who was looking rather concerned. "Are you okay?" asked the elder brother.

"What just happened?" asked John, looking blearily at Scott.

AN There you go, only one more chapter left and then I've completed this.

Please please please review