Ch 5.
Serena and Michiru made their way to the front of the group as they walked so Serena could unlock the door to let the riot gang enter. She was searching for her keys when she felt someone grab her arm. Startling herself slightly Serena lost her balance and fell out of the group into the street. It all happened in slow motion. She saw the headlights speeding towards her. At that very moment, it was as if reality had quickly become insanity. Serena was aware of the car speeding towards her, but she was unable to move. She stood there frozen in place. Every fiber of her being was screaming for her to move out of the street, but nothing was registering in her brain. All of a sudden, the lights from the car melded together. A bright white light engulfed her, and time seemed to stop.
Serena was somewhat aware of many voices talking around her. They sounded as if they were miles away from her, yet she felt people standing near her. She heard pleading she heard sniffling. Something was wrong, why did she have such a bad feeling? Serena struggled to move, but was unable to. She felt as if she was held in place, unable to move her arms or legs. She tried to open her eyes, but she was unable to.
"Please Serena, hang in there. We love you." Rei sniffled as she grasped Serena's hand tightly.
Serena tried with all her might to grasp Reis hand in return, but she was unable to. Serena felt like she was suffocating, and her head hurt. Something was wrong. Serena did not understand a single thing going on. She felt groggy, and very listless, but her mind was racing a mile a minute. She was forgetting something. Something so important it should never be forgotten. She wanted so desperately to scream, but was unable. She faintly registered a door opening. Then there were more voices, many different people were talking. Then she heard the door close and the room was silent. Serena was scared, she knew that she was alone now, and that really frightened her. Then almost at once, she felt herself leave the coldness of the room. Serena's eyes fluttered open slowly when she felt a warm breeze wash over her skin. Sitting up slowly Serena gazed out over the ocean once more. She recognized this spot all too quickly, and now she was starting to think she did not like it one bit.
"Hello Serena." A soft voice spoke quietly behind her.
Serena wanted to do anything but look at the man behind her, but knew that just was not an option. Turning slowly her eyes met with those same sad blue eyes. The same troubled blue eyes she had found herself staring into once before.
"Do you mind if I have a seat next to you?" He asked politely.
Serena stared at him for a brief moment then turned her attention out over the water. "Only if you promise to answer something for me."
Chuckling softly he agreed as he sat down beside her. "I am at your service. I will tell you anything you want to know. As long as you know how to ask the right questions."
Serena flinched slightly before agreeing. "I have no choice in the matter do I?"
"No I'm afraid not. I am here to help you should you want my help." He stated softly glancing at the young woman sitting beside him. "Why don't you ask me what I already know you are dying to ask?"
Serena took a deep breath letting her shoulders sag slightly as she turned her attention to the young man. "I don't know what you expect me to ask. I am confused. I was walking down the street with my friends; I fell off the curb into oncoming traffic. Then the next thing I know I woke up somewhat in some strange place with people talking around me. Then all of a sudden I'm here." A few tears formed in the corners of her eyes threatening to draw their fate down her cheeks at any moment. "I feel like I'm losing my mind, and why is it you are always here with me? Who are you"
Serena all but screamed at the young man.
"I want to tell you everything Serena, but I can't. Not until you are ready to accept your fate. I will tell you this though, that with which you believe to be real, is only the passing memory of a young girl who desperately wants to forget that which has just recently happened to her." Closing his eyes tightly the young man shook his head slightly before running a frustrated hand through his hair.
"You can call me Mitch."
Serena gapped at him with her mouth hung slightly ajar, and thoughts speeding at lightening speeds through her mind. 'What could I be trying to forget, and how is any of this a passing memory? 'Finding her composure once more Serena smiled slightly. "Mitch? That's my brother's middle name."
Mitch opened his eyes as a small smile danced upon his lips. "You love your brother very much don't you Serena? You would be lost without him wouldn't you?" Having said that Mitch's eyes became dark and distant. He gazed upon Serena as if he was trying to memorize every detail about her.
"My brother is my best friend, I love him more then I love myself. I don't know what I would do if he was gone." The thought of losing Andrew was the final straw. The tears that had been held at bay finally fell freely down the petite blondes face.
Mitch reached over and pulled her tightly to him. He gently placed a kiss upon her hair as he softly whispered. "Wake up Serena, and see. Look for that you are running from. Find him. He holds all the answers."
Serena quickly wrapped her arms around him as he vanished. A piercing scream escaped from her lips as she suddenly felt two strong arms holding her like a child. Once she finally opened her eyes, Serena noticed the familiar surroundings of her apartment. Serena was frazzled to the core, and completely unaware of person's arms she was in. Focusing her attention on her rescuers face Serena blushed slightly at Darien's warm smile.
"Are you ok? Are you hurt anywhere?" Darien questioned her.
Serena shook her head. "I'm fine, just a little shaky. I, I can stand."
Darien gently placed Serena on her feet, but stayed close enough in case she needed the support. He watched as Serena stood shakily upon her feet, before calmly making her way to the sofa in front of them.
"Oh my goodness Serena what happened?" Rei questioned her.
"Are you sure you're ok Rena?" Mina asked with a panic in her eyes.
"Maybe we should get her to the hospital." Amy stated in worried voice.
The others stood back watching in bewilderment. Michiru stood off to the side wondering just what was going on with her friend.
Off near the door four young men stood watching the scene.
"Michael, do you think she will be able to figure this all out?" Zack asked quietly.
"I'm sure she will Zack, just give her time. She is a smart young women, she just needs to have faith in herself." Michael stated as he watched the young blonde with her friends.
"That's fine and dandy there Mikey, but what bout Darien? What will happen if she doesn't realize it?" Nathan asked heatedly. "He's the one that's suffering right now!"
Michael turned his gaze towards Nathan, "You're wrong. They are both suffering. Except for one of them the price is a higher fee."
Jared shook his head before speaking. "Either way we look at it, it's a bad situation. I am just wondering if it is bad for us to be here like this. Won't Serena catch on?"
Michael smiled darkly at the thought, "That's what I am counting on."
Serena felt a cold chill run down her back; she had the unearthly feeling that someone was watching her. Glancing around her eyes met with Michaels. Deep blue eyes clashed with intense gray eyes. Serena gasped slightly as she grabbed onto the two people sitting beside her on the sofa. Darien and Andrew both glanced down at Serena, before bringing their eyes up to meet the other.
In a moment it seemed all the pieces where finally in place. Now how the rest would play out was entirely up to Serena.