The former darkness that had surrounded my mind slowly left, a light sound ringing through the fog that still kept a tight embrace around my conscious.

"Is she okay?" was that…Alejandro….? No…it couldn't be!

"Do you think she will wake up soon, I'm a little worried about the strange lady…"

"Yes," …the softness and the sheer kindness vibrating in that female voices…it made one relax…

"She'll make a full recovery soon, you don't have to worry so much honey."

Was it Mom...no…no-no I do not think so, but who else could it be?

"I wonder where she came from," a light giggle echoed in my head, "do you think she is a princess?"

My body twitched, my fingertips brushing against something hard. It felt like a rough bed sheet, most likely covering my entire form from my shoulders to my toes. Registering this small amount of information in my head, I slowly started to open my eyes.

My perception was blurry at the beginning, but managed to become clearer by the second. I looked up to a wooden ceiling, blinking in thought. I was not in a hospital, but the pain I felt throbbing on my back was enough to make me realize that it had been bandaged.

I winced and groaned. It seemed there were also other people in the room with me, did they actually help me? Or did someone else perhaps?

"Mommy, she's waking up," the sound was a little too high-pitch for comfort, coming from my left side. I moved my head to that general direction in wonderment, who was this? There was a little girl smiling at me broadly, happy to see me awake.

She had short brown hair which was tied together in two pigtails. Her dress was white with many pink patterns in various designs. It was all I could see until she became blurry again. Every single part of me screamed in sheer pain.

"Rika, leave her alone, she isn't in the best shape," a woman's voice scolded,

"Let her rest a little more, she really does need it..." for a slight second depression washed over the female voices,

"She just needs time."

I wanted to know who had said that, but before I could take a glance I drifted into another deep slumber.

I dreamt of the same man who had sung so sweetly, so softly to me before.I didn't know this person, but a feeling told me I was about to meet him soon. I couldn't see the male clearly, only a silhouette came into view.

We were sitting back to back on a sandy beach, all alone, only the two of us. I had never seen an ocean so crystal clear. The sand was clear of any pollution. The water was a stunning blue-green, turning white as it crashed onto the sand before me. I saw some palm trees with luscious green leaves. I heard another song, a pirate song, a song that had been following me for quite some time now...

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot,

Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

We're rascals, scoundrels, villains, and knaves,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,

Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho.

I started to hum with him, the melody sounding so fluent, so pleasant to me. I felt his back's muscles tense a bit, but relax a few seconds later. I took note that he had a very strong back which seemed fairly odd for a normal person. Did he work-out a lot?

Suddenly, something touched my hand, making me jolt forwards a little from the sudden contact. I looked down and saw that it was his. His pale hand was resting against my own caramel brown one and it felt nice, very comforting. I turned towards him smiling and then all of a sudden everything became blurry. I couldn't see the singing man, his image was fading rapidly. Even if I tried to concentrate on him his form vanished into the depths of my dreams.

"wait! Wait for me!" I outstretched my arm, hoping to grab him…but…I instantly snapped my eyes open. I was back in the same dull room once more.

"Hey, you're finally awake," a familiar voice from the bed side chirped, "you took your time too! We were worried!"

I looked at her. It was the same small girl as before, the exact same smile I saw when I had woken up the first time. I tried to say something, but my throat was all dried up and hurting. I choked a little from the effort, coughing repeatedly until she gave me some water.

It was neither cold nor hot, it was weird. I drank the liquid quickly, wanting the scratching in my throat to stop. I breathed in some salty air, expanding my lungs to the maximum and slowly continued to do so, in and then out again.

"That was really sweet of you, thank you very much," I heaved, my own voice sounding muffled and scratchy. She giggled in delight and watched me drink more until the glass was empty, "refreshing."

"You're very welcome," the young lass took some time in studying me before she continued.

"My name's Rika! What's yours?" she asked in sheer wonderment.

"Where do you come from? Who gave you your name, do you come from around here?" Rika kept leaning towards me, her eyes wide with excitement. I giggled.

"My name is Angelina," I stated quite happily, introducing myself. She blinked, seemingly in thought before she started to frown.

"Anji…Anjirin…Anjirina," She repeated to herself quietly before pouting, "that's the weirdest name I have ever heard in my entire life! Is it even a name?" for a child her age Rika could be brutally honest it seemed.

"I'm gonna call you Angel instead," she smiled and got up from the chair that she had been sitting on.

"Are you going somewhere?" I questioned Rika, a little uncomfortable of being left alone so abruptly.

"I'm going to get Mommy," she exclaimed, "so don't move."

She skipped out of the room, humming to herself. I turned my head away from the exit, glancing at the quite environment. I examined the place carefully, wondering how I managed to get here. The room was so colorless, dull, very blank...it only had a bed, chair and a dresser. I wondered where I was…or even…

'Where could my family be and where am I? This just doesn't make any sense…' I thought to myself, feeling a little depressed. 'I have to find them.' My pain worsened more as I tried to move out of bed. I tried to roll over on my stomach, but landed on the floor instead, causing a loud crash. I had underestimated how small the bed actually was and the distance from bed to dresser. They were even closer as first deciphered, maybe I had been asleep for too long.

It felt like a mass of needles had been inserted into my back over and over again, hitting the bare bone. I suppressed to scream as I lay there, heaving myself upwards...or at least trying. I could not move very well and the voice which had come left me just as quickly. That was how much pain I was in, how was so much even possible?

"Did you hear that?" I heard footsteps rushing this way, "it came out of our guest's room!"

"Oh, my," a voice coming out of the hallway called out, "how did you manage that?" I glimpsed to see who it was, a slight familiarity about the older woman. She must have been the mother of Rika, since they did look alike a bit.

"Let me help you up," She said as she lifted me up gently and slowly.

"Can you manage alright?" she questioned me before settling me into the hard mattress. I just nodded, not knowing what else to do.

"Rika, be a good girl and go and get the doctor," She whispered quietly, looking at her daughter, "I would like her seen to just in case." Rika nodded abruptly and ran out the door as fast as she had entered it.

"Thank you." It was different, I had never been helped in such a way before and for the two it seemed rather normal.

"Could you please tell me….," I coughed a bit before trying again,"…..wh…where am I?"

The adult looked at me, "you are on Shell Island dear." She paused, "Where are you from, child?" she simply asked.

I tilted my head to the side, confused. Where could this island be? Was it even on the map? Could it be somewhere near the equator, maybe even near Europe, was it even the proper name of this place?

"From Pine," it was difficult to continue, "…..Barren…New….Jersey" I finally strained myself to say, glad that it was out. I grabbed the bed sheets as another wave of pain engrossed me, the clinging somewhat easing it.

"Be right back," the young mother told me, leaving the room only to return with a bowl of water and a weirdly patterned towel, "this might help a little."

I smiled at her and she returned the gesture, "stay with me, child" she whispered, but my vision became blurry again, "don't let go….don't…" her voice became distant.

'No, not again, ' I thought to myself. I heard a faint noise that sounded like someone was coming from outside the plain room. I groaned as another pain wave hit me, the unbearable feeling continuing. Arching my back up high this time I felt something split. It felt as if it had been cut open and the warmth that was running down it I could identify as blood, mine, I was bleeding! I flipped to my side and she gasped, trying hard not to shout in horror.

Light footsteps echoed across the corridor, "Mommy, what's wrong!"

"Stay away Rika, don't come in!" she sounded terrified. Was I in that bad shape?

"Ririka-san" the doctor whispered in thought, talking to her calmly, "stay relaxed, stress won't help any wound recover." The young adult took in a sharp breath, calming herself in the process.

"Now to the young Lady," the man announced just as quietly, "we shall fix this."

At this point, I cried out in utter pain, yet I feared that the 'cut' I had would worsen. The pain became unbearable though, making clear thoughts impossible. Rika had left; she had been standing beside the open door in deep thought. While her mother and the specialist began tending to my wounds she had briskly walked into the kitchen, worrying.

"So hard…" I went in and out of consciousness; I couldn't focus properly anymore, "I do not want to...I want to stay awake!"

"…wounds…..reopen."

Wait, what was that?

"….she…Pine Barren….."

What about that place? Why mention it to him?

"….recover…slowly….."

I don't understand! What happened to me?

"…give…..her…..sleep…"

You want me to sleep, but for how long and why? Or is it medication?

I woke up, glancing at the small group of people in this room. The woman and the 'doctor' from before stared down at me, something gleaming in their eyes.

Was it hope? A sudden realization hit me at that point, I felt a lot better! At least much better than before, but my back was a bit tight…I assume my wounds had healed at long last.

"Angel," Ririka spoke to me softly, "can you hear me? Is my voice understandable?" she questioned me, stroking my hair gently, almost like my mother use to when I was a child.

"Yeah I can," I replied softly, "but…who are you and what happen to me?" I asked them, confusion shining through my own orbs.

"And why can't I move so well…" I tried to get up, but the doctor pushed me back down.

"Don't move yet," he told me strictly, but in a very friendly manner.

"Ririka," he pointed towards the only other person in the room, "found you on the beach a while back, with really terrible wounds all over your back." He paused, sighing, "Then she found me, Dr. Yoshiro," he smiled down at me,

"How are you feeling today?"

I breathed in some air, the air flowing down my throat and into my lungs not as painful as before.

"I'm feeling alright I guess," I pressed my hand against my forehead, acknowledging that I had no fever, "but my back feels tight," I told him, a tad bit irritated by that.

"All in good time," he retorted jokingly. The two of them sat me into a nearby chair, Ririka changing the sheets of the bed while I sat uncomfortably on a hard stool…drowsy, very sleepy.

Still I tried to talk to the doctor and it worked one way or another and besides, I needed to know a few facts before continuing, "What did you give me? Was it anything unusual?"

He shook his head, "no, not really, just the usual medications," he smiled.

"Take these pills once a day to speed up the healing process," he explained to me, shaking the box backwards and forwards, "these little fella's have been up and running for a while now and work really well. You will feel better in no time!"

I thought about it, nodding at his statement. I just wanted to eat something and then think about what to do next. Being here just didn't seem right at this point.

"May I have something to eat?" I asked as I managed to stagger towards the bed, "just something small of course!" I added, not wanting to sound too commanding or even greedy. I lay back down onto the new clear white bed sheets, sighing inwardly.

"Yes, child, you really do need to eat something," Ririka announced quite joyfully, "just wait here and I shall prepare you something," with that she left me to rest.

As she vanished passed the open doorway she must have forgotten to close the wooden object. It was still open and I felt a bit chilled because of that. I moved slightly in my position, then deciding to sit upright instead of lying down on the covers. Maybe fluffing the pillows lightly would help me sit straight.

"Please don't hurt yourself, Angel."

The sudden high voice shocked me at first, but it only lasted a few seconds. I turned to see Rika by the door, half her face visible while her hands clenched onto the frame.

"Mum said it's alright to visit you now." She started to smile meekly, walking closer towards me. I noticed that she had been crying. Her eyes were a delicate pink and a little puffy.

"Were you crying," she stopped in her tracks before starting off again. She seemed a little startled to know that I had noticed, "…for me?"

I whispered the last words, a bit touched about the amount of care and thought this little girl put into me. My family never expressed any emotions other than happiness, joy or anger. "Maybe a little…" Rika was now standing beside my bed, weeping a little. I wiped her fresh tears away hastily, feeling somewhat guilty.

"I had actually t-t-thought, been thinking about…" Rika stumbled on her own words, looking up towards me, "I thought you might have to die...like so many others." I smiled at her sweetly, my own eyes watering a little.

"You are okay, right?" I nodded to calm her down, but I also knew it was true.

"It is okay now, because of you," I reassured her, "I am much better," I replied, smiling brightly at her.

Rika was now happy, very relieved to see me in this state. She must have been worried sick about me. A while later Ririka reappeared in the doorway and gave me a small amount of soup to eat.

"This should keep you going," she told me, "you have to grow strong again." My recovery would take three days with the tablets the doctor had given me and I needed a lot of rest to boot, but I knew I would manage. I swallowed the pills and lay back down onto the snow white bed sheets.

"Rika," I turned towards the child, "could you please open the window for me? That would be really nice." I asked her politely, but also in a sisterly manner. I somewhat had grown fond of her.

"Of course, Angel," she called out to me. I could finally have clear air in this stuffy room. Being tied to a bed wasn't the best situation one could find oneself in and wanting to know how one got here in the first place… Rika rushed across towards the sunshine, opening the window. A warm breeze settled in, soothing me.

"Angel is that all?" She questioned in delight, "can I do anything else for you?" The sun began to set in the distance, the former blue which reflected on the white wall turning into a deep purple mixed with yellow and orange. I have to ask something. She might be able help me answer a few questions.

"Rika, tell me how you found me," I glanced towards her, "and everything else, I do not want you to leave out one little detail." My question sounded a bit demanding, yet not harmful. Choosing my words carefully to make sure that she understood me was priority; you could never know what a child her age has learnt. That night will always last in my memories.

For a child, she was amazing. The moments then, the night she explained everything to me, filling me with new knowledge, fear, and a totally different view on a completely new life. It seemed as if I was not in New Jersey anymore, not even in the United States itself. There were a lot of hidden dangers here, more than I could imagine! Many Pirates were roaming around the world freely, marking their territories, fighting and stealing to survive the harsh dangers of the sea. There were Marines sailing the many oceans, 'helping' the citizens, amending to their 'every' need.

A World Government that was ruling the entire planet, making all the rules, creating every law available. I will mark this night and I shall burn it into my memory forever. As he did not haunt my dreams that night and neither did the pain. Somehow I am glad and relieved that I could rest in peace. I need to make plans tomorrow, on how to get back home, to my place, maybe even my world? And I shall find out, even if it will kill me!