Disclaimer: I'm still trying…

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I open my eyes, but where am I? Aren't I supposed to be in the hospital? But, I'm on a…beach? Wait! I recognise this place! This is the Dark Ocean! But, how did I get here? Am I still asleep? These thoughts keep running through my head. A shadow appears on the horizon. I squint to see if I can recognise who it is, and I see, a human form. It's moving towards me. Wait, I recognise that hat! It's T.K.! I run into the water to meet him.

"T.K.!" I cry, as I fling my arms around him. He's so cold. I look up into his eyes. They stare back into mine, and he smiles. Warmth seems to creep back into his body. We stand there, arms wrapped around each other, for another couple of minutes. But suddenly, a dark shadow appears, one like I've never seen before, and pulls T.K away from me. I try to get to him, but the Ocean seems to be pulling me away. I scream and cry. I can't get to him.

"T.K.!" I scream, as I try to fight away the darkness. But, no use. He disappears under the ocean seconds later. I give up; I let the water suck me in. T.K…

"Kari! Kari, wake up!" I open my eyes. I squint at the figure looming over me. My eyes aren't adjusted to the brightness of the room yet.

"Ah, your awake!" said Tai, smiling, "Feel better?" I nod, trying to ignore the pain in my head.

"Hey Tai, we can go now," said Matt, "My dad's gotta go, he's got work tomorrow, only the early shift so he can come back and support my mum, so he's taking me home, and he's offered to take you two home as well."

"Yeh," said Tai, taking his eyes off me, "well I guess we have no other way home! There's no more buses 'till tomorrow morning." He smiled.

"Ok, I'll go tell dad that we're ready to go," Matt finished, and walked back down the corridor to T.K's room.

"Can you stand?" asked Tai. I try to get up, but my legs are like jelly, so I instantly fall back into my chair and hold my head.

"Don't worry, I'll help you," said Tai, with a smile. I look into his comforting, smiling face. He's always so willing to do anything for me, and yet, I cause him so much pain sometimes. Like three years ago, when they found out that I was the eighth child, and even now. A tear rolled down my cheek. But I wasn't going to break down on him again. I was going to be strong. Matt and his dad returned. Mr. Ishida looked as if he was in a state of shock. His eyes looked empty, and he was pale as death. Tai got up, and helped me up. But it was no use. My legs wouldn't support me, so Tai just picked me up, and carried me to the elevator, out of the building and to the car. I saw the time on a panel in the car. 11:30pm. I began to feel drowsy. But I couldn't sleep. I didn't want to have that dream again. So I just sat there in silence for the whole car trip. When we arrived at our apartment block, Tai thanked Mr. Ishida, and carried me all the way to our apartment. He silently opened the door, and crept to our bedroom.

"Here you go, Kari," Tai whispered, as he lay me on my bed.

"Thanks Tai," I whispered back, "Thanks for everything." I saw him smile his reassuring smile. But, five minutes later, I was asleep.

Next chapter: Hold on…