Jessica's Point of View
All I really wanted was to be in Daddy's arms for a while. He never seemed to be able to allow me to do that. He checked on me briefly every now and again to ensure I was still breathing before leaving me again. I didn't sleep well that night. I didn't know how things could get any worse, but the day after, they did. I was wandering outside. Daddy said it was okay so long as I stayed within the castle gates. Dilan and Aeleus returned to guarding the castle instead of continuing to help the others in the lab. Isa was also sent outside to help defend the castle. He and Lea were whispering about who knew what. Daddy, Ienzo, and Xehanort were still in the lab. Braig was nearby, keeping an eye on things. I wanted to see what Xehanort was up to, but my father wanted me to stay away from the lab to keep me safe. I tried wandering around the castle grounds but overcome with boredom, I went to Ansem's study to get to the lab despite my father's warnings. Braig, who was standing guard, stopped me. "Where do you think you're going?"
"To see Ienzo, not that it's any of your business," I remarked.
"Oh, no, you're not. I was told to keep you out," Braig refused. I tried to push past him, but he grabbed me by my collar and pulled me back. "You're not-" Braig was cut off by the sound of a scream. More precisely, Ienzo's scream, which was cut short nearly as quickly as it started. Braig let go of me. "Stay here! I mean it!" He went into Ansem's study and shut the door.
Black blobs emerged from under the door and grew into black monsters with glowing yellow eyes. I summoned my keyblade and fought two of them off, but one escaped. I ran into the lab to find Braig, Ienzo, and my father lying on the ground, looking like they were fading from existence. Xehanort was standing there with his former self's keyblade in hand. "No! What happened?! Did you do this?" I demanded.
"It makes no difference who did this. It is done. Did the Heartless escape?" Xehanort questioned.
Despite the sick feeling in my stomach, I answered him. "Heartless? Do you mean those black things? I killed two of them. One escaped."
"You need to leave for your safety. Our paths will cross again," Xehanort stated. I couldn't move. My father was dead. So was my friend. I didn't care much for Braig, but I didn't dislike him enough to not be traumatized by his death. "Jessica, you need to leave." Even if I could have, I didn't want to listen to Xehanort, so I remained frozen in place.
More Heartless emerged from a place deeper in the lab, though I couldn't tell from where. These ones grew from their puddles until they were nearly as tall as Xehanort. One swiped at me, but Xehanort fought it with his keyblade. "What?!" I gasped.
"I told you to leave, stupid girl! Get out of here! You'll only get in the way! Radiant Gardens is doomed to fall! Leave this world!" Xehanort insisted.
I ran out of the castle, but I had no intentions of leaving until I looked around. The world was already overcome by darkness. I knew there wasn't anything I could do other than live to fight another day. I ran to my room and grabbed Luna. "What is happening?" Luna asked.
"This world has been overrun by darkness. I can't stay if I want to live. We need to leave," I explained. I threw my things in my backpack, and Luna hopped in immediately after. I put on my armor and summoned my glider before jumping out the window and taking off.