Sleepless Chapter 4

Midnight. The clock ticked and echoed, making it sound louder than it actually was. Or maybe Kairi just got use to the quietness of her surroundings that even a footstep will sound like a loud knock on her door. She was still staring at her white ceiling, waiting for sleep to take her. But she didn't feel sleepy at all. Her eyes wandered to the painting of her birthplace.

No. You won't use me for this! You've got to run! The Heartless are coming!

Riku's voice was so clear like he was saying it now…like he was with her now. Kairi sat up and got out of bed. "Riku…" She mumbled while her feet carried her to the large painting of the castle. She glided her fingers over it gently, barely touching it. Her lips parted to talk to him; she prayed he could hear her, "I'm sorry. You've been through a lot trying to get my heart back, haven't you, Riku?" She closed her eyes lightly and pictured her with Riku at the island they played at. "Can you hear me?" She whispered as she opened her eyes again.

We'll all be together again soon. Don't worry. Just leave everything to me.

The words were another saying from the past, another audio tape in her mind. She removed her hand from the painting and shook her head. "You're just…in my memories now?" Kairi said, letting the words hang through the air as they sunk in. That wasn't right to say, she needed his voice. "No. I'm sorry. This'll be enough." She quickly took a step back as she answered her own question. But she bumped into something.

Kairi…

It was Sora's voice now. Her heartbeat quickened in a second in response. Then, she felt his arms around her. But she didn't dare turn around to look, she was sure if she did he'd vanish.

Remember what you said before?

She heard static after he asked his question.

What's gotten into you? You're the one that's-

More static.

Her mind was mixing the words together to make it seem like he's here with her. But she didn't care right now. She just needs to hear him. "You're coming back with Riku, right, Sora?" His transparent arms were still wrapped around her.

Promise.

Thunder roared in the sky, startling Kairi and also making the embrace disappear. She finally turned around, there was nothing there. She sighed sadly at herself and started to walk to her bed again, but stopped her second step. There was something on the ground. Kairi knelt down and picked the object up. She couldn't see it, her room was too dark. But she could tell that it was hard and smooth. She stood up and crawled into bed with it. A flash of lightning brightened her room for a second and she saw what it was: a thalassa shell.

"In the old days, sailors always wore thalassa shells. They were supposed to ensure a safe
voyage." She quoted herself from that day.

"What is it doing here?" She whispered. Kairi didn't want to conclude anything this time. She just decided she was crazy enough for feeling Sora's arms when he clearly wasn't there.

She looked to her right and saw her bedside desk. Kairi carefully placed the shell on the surface as the light from the storm filled her room again. At the corner of her eye she saw someone. She turned that direction quickly, seeing a dark figure that had no memorable features. The lightning flashed again and it was gone. Her eyes widened immensely and she was surprised they didn't come out of her skull. She covered her head with her blanket and started thinking of what to do.

What can I use to hit him? She didn't have anything on her. After a minute, she poked her head out of the covers and looked around to see if he was still in her room. Where could he have gone? She didn't see anything. Kairi threw the blankets over her, ran behind her door and grabbed the bat her parents gave to her for her tenth birthday.

"Alright…where are you?" She threatened her bat raised and ready.

No reply.

"I already saw you! You might as well come out!"

Again, no reply.

She put her hand to her door knob softly and turned it. Kairi threw the door open and was about to run until she saw the figure appear again. It was walking to her.

Move, Kairi. Move! Please! No! Hit him, now! What are you, stupid?!

"W-who are you?"

How do you like my attempt at a cliffy? -hugs- Review, please?