Hi! I know this is really random, but the song in the last chapter, Here We Go Again, was by Demi Lovato. Let me just say that I always liked her better than Selena Gomez, and I was a fan from the start. I just really hate it when people leave hate comments on someone I look up to for what she did. So, if you are going to leave hate reviews about Demi Lovato or me because I like her music, don't. I honestly don't care what you hate; only what you like, so talk about unicorns or hippos instead.

Nina

I came back to Anubis house humming happily. To think that I'd have an escape from the hellhole that I'd been trapped in for so long, without dying! Wow, I can't believe that if I'd gone along the same path I was taking, I would be in a coffin right now. I shivered, scared at that thought. I hurried back to the house, the inky darkness now seeming never ending.

I hurried inside and ran up to my room that I shared with Amber, and relaxed. I touched the bedspread that Gran quilted, Earl the Bunny that I had had since I was two. How could I give this all up? There was so much I loved still…which reminded me, how was Gran? I grabbed my phone and hit redial.

"Hello," the smooth voiced receptionist answered. "Hey Vanessa, it's Nina," I said, sitting down on my bed. "Want an update on your gran? Hold on a sec…" I could hear her punching the keys on her computer on the other line. "Yes…oh, Nina." Her voice was filled with sorrow. I felt the wind knocked out of me. "Yes?" I managed to squeak. "I'm afraid she's been put in the ICU." I regained my breathing a bit. "She's not dead," I breathed. "No, but…she's in bad shape. If she gets out, we'll have to put her in a hospice." I couldn't breathe again. "She's not dead," I repeated. "No," Vanessa agreed. "She's okay now." The line went dead.

I sank down on my bed. So this was what it felt like when everyone you care about leaves. Strangely, it was dullness in my chest, working its way around my body until I was completely numb. I couldn't think straight. Gran couldn't die. No, no, no. I would…I don't know what I would do. Amber came into the room, and I could breathe a little bit better. She wasn't gone. But, she couldn't atone for everyone else, either. "Nina." She said, dropping her purse and coming over to me. "Nina, what's wrong?" I tried to speak, but failed. I felt my waterworks turn on. Seriously, how many times have I cried this month?

As the tears streamed out, so did the story. She sat down carefully, and rubbed small circles on my back. "Oh, Nina," she'd occasionally say, or, "Nina, don't be strong. Cry hard." I did my best with that advice, spilling all the facts on the tragedies of my life. My favorite aunt and uncle died in a tornado when I was ten; my parents die in a car crash while I was in a car at fifteen; my grandpa dying of natural causes that same year and James killed and Fabian leaving.

Amber waited until I was done, then gave me a cup of water for the hiccups I'd gotten after the story. "Nina, you need to rest. I'll give you a roll from dinner later, but sleep. You've had a long day." All I could do was nod mutely, and fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

*Line Break*

Of course, my dreams can't be peaceful when I want a haven from life. My vision cleared from the dark wispy shadows, and I found myself in a city landfill, waist high in trash and dirt. I tried to find my way out of the muck, but it seemed to go on and on. I climbed up on a trash dune, though, and saw a haven not five miles away. Despite the distance, I could clearly see everything on it. It had a beach, which rolled gracefully down to a clear blue ocean with white capped waves that rose from the trash. Golden light bathed the beach, making the sand look finer and pearly white and the forest behind it paint a beautiful picture on the floor when it sifted through the trees. It seemed to go on forever, accommodating all terrains; a white snowy land sat in the middle of the forest, and a desert with resorts and casinos was at the tail end of the forest. I could hear a baboon bark, and knew that a jungle was farther back than the eye could see.

I strained to reach it, but the place seemed to be taunting me, pulling back whenever I moved forward, moving closer when I backtracked. Once, when I reached extremely hard, I felt my arm almost go out of its socket.

James appeared in front of me. He had on a white cotton shorts, loose fitting black trousers, and sandals. He smiled at me, and flew to the haven. He beckoned me to join him, but when I tried, he laughed at me while I struggled. "James!" I yelled, but he didn't seem to hear me. He just kept on laughing.

I felt tears sting my eyes, and then another person appeared in front of me. It was Amber, with her hair in a loose braid, and a strapless white dress that flowed down to her knees. She smiled at me again, and spirited herself over to the place, laughing with James. Mom came down, her black hair flowing, her green eyes shining, and in a simple short sleeved tunic. She hugged me and brushed me with her hand. She gave me a sad look, and floated over to the island. Next came dad, with his dirty blonde hair tussled and his blue eyes crinkled around the edges with smile lines, his big wire rimmed glasses taking up most of his face. I buried my face in his chest, hoping he would stay. He was spirited over, too.

Next went Fabian. He looked so cute in his outfit, but I knew he wouldn't stay. "Fabian, I love you." I whispered, but he started laughing and joined the others. Alfie and Eddie were also over there, and I reached so hard for everyone it hurt. A hand tapped my shoulder. I whirled around to see Gran, her brown hair streaked with gray, her eyes, even in pain, sparkling with excitement. Even though Gran was seventy, her hair never truly changed to white. I liked to believe it was because she retained her youthfulness even in old age, but seeing her in the cotton dress and sandals made me break down. "Please, don't leave like the others," I begged, but she was spirited away, just like everyone else. I, Nina Marie Martin, was truly and desperately alone.

*Line Break*

I gasped for air, sitting up straight as a board as I struggled to get my sweaty sheets off me. I remembered my dream, and glanced over at Amber's pink bed. It was empty, so I guessed she was down at dinner. Still…the thought of losing her for summer made my head hurt.

A thought crept over me. Maybe, if I didn't lose her, but separate myself from them, I wouldn't hurt as much. I was leaving for London anyway, so why not leave school?

But, I'd have to leave now, before I lost my gumption. I was scheduled to leave in a week…but could I make it sooner?

I checked the phone number Harris had given me, and pressed the numbers on my phone. I waited anxiously as the phone rang; hoping Amber wouldn't come bursting through the door with food that she'd smuggled.

"Harris Flaherty talking," I heard him say. "Harris, it's Nina," I said, glancing nervously at the door. "I don't suppose you could speed up my departure from Anubis House?"

I was on a roll! I couldn't stop writing!

~ChocoAwesomeness~