I was surrounded by black; the only light source that seemed to beam through was me.

My entire body was outlined in a soft white glow. When I looked down to examine myself, I found that I was wearing a simple summer dress. It was white with thin spaghetti straps and the dress stopped two inches above my knees. I was also barefoot.

A wind stirred and blew behind me with cold air. I gasped in surprise and wrapped my arms around myself. The chilled wind only grew stronger till a pair of muscular arms embraced me from behind. At first I was thankful, for this person was blocking the freezing wind but that thought was quickly replaced with fear when this mysterious person began to roam their hands over my breasts and midsection.

The dark figure's head bent low to nibble on my neck and ear. I cried out and thrashed myself free. The figure lets go and I spun back to find the nation of Turkey.

"Sadik?" I said uncertainly.

The last time I saw Sadiq he was tanned with healthy dark hair and wore a mask to cover his eyes. Now, he wore no mask revealing ash gray skin. His hair was still black, but it was dry and lifeless. I've never seen his eyes before, but I was pretty sure that his eyes weren't the color of washed out gray like it was now.

He wore a causal black suite with a matching dark dress shirt and shoes. He adjusted his jacket sleeves to stretch out the winkles that formed when he hugged me. "Why do you sound so surprised?" Sadik said playfully as he smiled.

His smile may have seemed gentle at first glance but it was cold and it didn't reach his eyes. His teeth were also a shade of gray. It was as if all the color was drained from him, leaving behind nothing but the colors of gray and black.

He noticed when I stepped back, "Oh, America, why so scared?" He stepped forward with his hand out reached, "I won't hurt you," he gave a mean grin.

I ran in the opposite direction but I was blocked by Russia. He was about the same height and body build as Sadiq, so I collided right into his chest. He was also wearing the same causal suite as Sadiq but with an added gray scarf wrapped around his neck. Before I could react, Ivan gripped his hand on my arm to hold me in front of him. His other hand clutched under my chin and squeezed roughly.

"Don't lie to her Turkey," Ivan's skin and eyes were the same shade as Sadik's. But his hair was the color of dark gray, almost as if it was covered in ash. "You know as well as I do that you enjoy it better when it's rough."

A shiver ran down my spine as he said that.

"True," Sadik proclaimed as he made his way to my backside again. "But I plan to savor this dish," he leaned in low to lick my cheek.

His tongue felt like sandpaper and he smirked when he saw my uncomfortable expression. I shoved my hands out and I leaped out of their grasp. Once my feet landed on solid ground, I sprinted into the darkness.

Being a flash light had its advantages but when you're trapped in a place that seemed to have no walls or floors of any kind; just a dark empty space that seems to go nowhere, no matter where you go. It's kind of redundant.

I did a quick right turn but I was caught by the arm. I snapped my head to the left to find the nation of Denmark grinning. I would've been relieved but Mikkel had the same coloring as Ivan. His blond hair, blue eyes and classic ivory skin were gone and replaced with various shades of gray.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" he drew me to his chest and slid his spare hand into my hair. His gray fingers tangled into the stands and pulled so I would be forced to look up into his eyes. "The party is just getting started."

I slammed my fist into his face, kicked him to the ground and I did not wait for him to get up.

I sprinted into another mad dash and stupidly I decided to look back. Did horror movies teach me nothing?

I could no longer see any trace of Mikkel in the darkness but that left me open for another collision. I slammed into another dark figure and I fell back on my ass.

"Shit!" I hissed.

"Oh, I hope I didn't bruise you," a slim gray hand caressed my cheek.

"Victoria," I whispered as she crotches over my thighs. Her dark hair was just as dry and lifeless as Sadik's and her skin and eyes were the same coloring as the others. The only difference was that she wore a dress like mine; instead of being white it was black.

I tried to crawl away but Victoria slammed my forearms to the ground to stop my movement. "Aw, don't be afraid," she gave a wicked smile. "I promise," she leans in, leaving butterfly kisses from the back of my ear and followed the line of my vein. "To be quick," she bit into my neck. Her teeth sank into my flesh as I screamed in agony and began to kick her off.

When Victoria was tossed aside, I took the chance to check my neck. I hissed in pain as I placed a hand over the wound; it came back bloody. I heard Victoria moan and found her chewing as blood and bits of flesh dripped off her chin. "So good," she moaned in pleasure. "So warm," she wiped the blood and flesh away with her fingers and began to lick her them clean. Between her licks, she whispered loud enough for me to hear, "I. Want. More."

I scrambled to my feet and raced for an escape. Fear and adrenaline surged through my body. I ignored the burning ache in my neck and focused on putting distance between me and flesh eating Victoria.

Then I spotted a figure in the distance. I didn't know if it was my inner light that allowed me to see the figure or that my eyes have adjusted to the darkness; either way it didn't stop me from running straight to the figure. As I got closer, I noticed the person had jaw length hair and a slim body.

I perked up, I knew who it was. "Toris!" I exclaimed as he turned and I circled my arms around his midsection. "Thank God you're here," frankly I was happy for any friendly face. "Listen we need to get outta of here-" I tried to pull him in the direction on my right but he gently pulled me back.

"You're bleeding," he proclaimed as his fingers caressed over my wound.

I avoided his gaze, "I'm fine. We need to go-"

Toris wrapped his arm around my waist to hold me in place and comforted me with soothing words in his native tongue. He bent his head to my shoulder so I wouldn't be able to see his face and kissed my naked skin.

"What are you-"

He placed a finger on my lips to silence me, "I'm only kissing away the pain." He kissed every inch of my shoulder and neck, leaving my bite mark alone. My skin heated under his touch as his fingers moved away from my mouth to support my neck and head. Finally he reached my bleeding sore and kissed it.

"Toris," I panted, "stop, please."

He ignored me and continued to lick and suck on the highly sensitive injury. I released a painful groan but Toris only grew more aggressive. I glanced to him and found that his light brown hair was now the color of ash gray. His skin was the same sickening shade and he wore the same suite as the other nations. When his eyes opened to meet me, I was slightly surprised and also afraid to find that his beautiful dark aquamarine eyes were washed away with gray. He noticed my fear and pulled away with my blood smeared over his mouth. He smiled but it was uncaring and emotionless, "I'm sorry Ms. America, I just couldn't help myself." He moved closer to my ear and whispered, "You taste heavenly."

I tried to push him away but in one swift move he flipped me over and I landed onto my back with a thud. He knelt down beside my head, grasped my arms and pinned me to the ground. No matter how much I struggled or kicked he was not fazed.

"Let me go!" I screamed.

"Calm down Ms. America," Toris said. "The sooner you allow us to devour you," my eyes widen as nations stepped out of the darkness to reveal themselves in their awful black and gray glory. They walked towards me; blood lust gleamed in their eyes as I caught several of them licking their lips. "The sooner it will all be over."

The nations attacked; their teeth sank into my skin as their hands clawed into my torso and tore me apart.

I screamed as I jumped from the desk and leaned into my grandfather's chair. My hands searched desperately over my body. A sigh of relief came when I found no bite wounds or claw marks of any kind. Cold sweat ran like bullets along my spine and face. My heart was practically springing out of my rib cage and I laid my head back on the desk, taking deep breaths.

A hand pats my head and I leaped to my feet, with my boxing fists up and ready.

"I come in peace," my grandmother held her hands up in mock surrender.

I let out another sigh of relief and sat back down, "sorry Grandma, I just woke up from a nightmare."

She nodded, "I see," she walks back to the books on the floor and placed them back on the shelves. "Makes sense, you were moaning in your sleep."

"How long I was asleep?"

"Well, I've been here for twenty minutes or so."

I checked the clock on the wall, an hour of sleep, great. I turned to Grandma, who was still fixing the shelves. I walked over and gave a helping hand. After about ten minutes, I asked, "Aren't you going to ask about it?"

"That depends, were you going to tell me?"

"No," I said truthfully.

She shrugged, "then what would have been the point?"

We continued putting the books back into their rightful place, till Grandma proclaimed, "I see that you've found John's journal."

"Have you read it?" I asked.

She shook her head, "it was meant for your eyes only. I do know of the number, but it was only to be used as an emergency, so I left it be."

"Well there is an emergency, and it's a big one."

She nodded, "Yes, I know, your father told me."

I sighed, "Does Mom know?"

She said, "Yes and she is worried. For you, for our family and for any innocent souls that could be caught in the cross fire." Grandma smiled, "But she is a strong woman. She had to be, to raise you."

I grinned, "Yeah, but maybe it would be safer to retreat."

"Believe me; a part of me wants to run. But a stronger part of me wants to stand and fight."

"Is that the Navajo warrior spirit speaking?" I smiled, my grandmother was a descendant from both the Cherokee and Navajo tribes.

"Yes, the same warrior spirit that runs through you," she placed a hand over my beating heart.

I sighed, "Grandma were not re-"

"Don't even finish that sentence." She said with a stern look but was quickly replaced with a knowing smile. "You are America. You represent the natives of this great land."

"The tribes? Well, I figured."

She shook her head, "not just them but everyone that was born here. Tell me Amy, how many people are born in the US each year?"

"I think around three to four million," I answered uncertainly.

"And tell me, would all those babies be descendants from the native tribes?"

"I guess not," I said.

"They wouldn't, they would be of English descent, or French, German, even African. They are your people and their blood is the same as yours. This nation was built by immigrates, even my people were once immigrates when they crossed that ice bridge to come the North and South Americas.

"Do you know what that means for you?" she didn't wait for me to answer, "You not only have Native blood coursing through your veins. You have Italian, Russian, Swedish, Japanese and everything else in between. That means you carry their wills." She placed her hands on my shoulders and I looked start into her dark eyes. "Show the other nations that you carry the strength and courage of your people. That you will stand with your family and what you believe in." She smiled and caressed my cheek, "The Amy I know wouldn't let other people bully her."

I nodded, "I won't let them Grandma."

She grinned, "Good, now help me finish up here and I'll make you some lemonade and cookies. That always puts a smile on your face."

Thursday came and went.

Now it's the night before Friday morning, well technically it's already morning. The clock had just turned twelve and I have not been able to get any shut eye since Wednesday afternoon.

Mostly because of stress, and also I don't want to experience another episode of The Walking Dead: Nation Edition.

I yawned as I clicked my way through hundreds of TV channels and yet found nothing to watch. Lady whined beside me, almost as if she was saying, 'you're still up?'

"I know, I know, I should go to sleep but I just can't seem to close my eyes. I'm tired yes, but it's like I have so much energy that I just cannot rest, you know."

Lady blinked at me and laid her head on my lap. "Yeah, yeah," I scratched her ears, "I talk too much."

"It's okay, as long as you feed me, I will love you," a voice giggled from the window.

I knew who it was, "Michel." I walked to the window and found him hanging off the edge. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, you know, just hanging around; making up some corny ass jokes. You gonna let me in or what?" he grinned.

I rolled my eyes and pulled him in. He was dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers and had a backpack strapped to his back. "Thanks, nice pj's by the way," he winked.

I looked down to my white tank top that displayed Captain America's shield in the front along with matching red bottoms that showed Captain America in various fight moves. I crossed my arms, "Don't be cute with me."

"But," he moved closer the window and waved his hands outside. A cooler was thrown in the air and Michel caught it and brought it in. "I have ice cream," he sang.

I laughed, "Jamie? Are you down there?"

"Yes, now tell Michel to send down the rope," she said in a loud whisper.

"Oh right," Michel snapped his fingers, swings the pack off his shoulder and pulled out a thick rope. He threw one end out of the window and gestured me to help him hold the other. Jamie climbed up, panting and cursing the entire way.

"Damn girl, you need to build some muscle," I proclaimed as I helped her through the window. "You know you could've used the front door like normal people."

"I wanted to do that," Jamie panted as she glared at Michel.

"Hey this was more fun," he grinned.

I giggled, but I still had to ask, "What are you guys doing here so late?"

"Aponi told us about the huge meeting tomorrow," Michel answered.

"We figured you wouldn't be sleeping so we thought we would come over and have a sleep over party." Jamie unzipped her backpack and pulled out DVDs. "I got the classics, The Breakfast Club, Grease, Mean Girls and Easy A."

"And I got the snacks," Michel pulled out family value chip bags from his pack. "I got Hot Lime Cheetos, Nacho Cheese Doritos and Takis."

"Let's not forget the drinks," Jamie pulled out large bottles of soda from the cooler, "We got Coke and Pepsi for us and Country Time Lemonade for you, both in original and in pink."

"And for the pièce de résistance ice cream," Michel walked over to the cooler and pulled out a three pint size ice cream carton. "We got mint chocolate chip."

"Cheesecake brownie," Jaime added.

"Cookie Dough," Michel followed.

"And your favorite," Jamie smiled, "cappuccino chunky chocolate chip."

I grinned, "I love you guys."

"Aw, we love you too Cap," Michel gave a mock salute. I raised a brow at him and he chuckled, "I'm sorry, I had to say it."

We laughed and Jamie slid the first movie into the side of the TV. Jamie and I sat on my bed while Michel and Lady took the floor with the air mattress from the closet. We divided the pillows among us and started our movie marathon. The snacks and drinks were opened and completely consumed by the end of the first movie. We sang along with Grease, keeping our voices low and by the third movie we were out cold.

We were awoken by my alarm clock at eight.

Michel sat up with sleepy eyes and mumbled, "Suit up! Battle stations!"

"Five more minutes," Jamie groaned.

On the sixth attempt, I punched the sleep button and laid my head back on the pillow. "Stand down soldier," I said into the pillow.

"Roger that Cap," Michel fell back onto the mattress and Lady yawned.

The door opens and a loud series of bangs resounded.

Jamie gave a girlish squeal as she rose to her knees. Michel sat up and grumbled sleepily, "We're being attacked!" Lady followed with a howl and I jumped to my feet but I was in a clumsy state so I ended up falling back on the window seat.

When I rubbed out the sleep from my eyes I was finally able to see that the loud bangs came from my mother. She had a large pan in one hand and hard plastic cooking spoon in the other. "Wake up you lazy bubs! If this is going to be our last breakfast together you damned well know it we're going to have it. Amy, get your butt in the shower and wear the clothes I hanged for you on the door. Michel, help out John with the horses and take Lady out while you do. Jamie, you will help me in the kitchen."

We all stared blankly at her.

"Did I stutter? Move!"

"Yes ma'am," we exclaimed.

Michel forced his feet into his shoes and ran out of the room, with Lady following right behind. Jamie tied her hair back and jogged pass Mom and out through the door. I speed walked passed Mom and headed straight to the bathroom.

My shower was short and the stylish suite that was waiting for me, fit like a glove. I tucked in a long sleeved blue blouse into a black high waist skirt. I blew dry my hair and brushed my bangs to the side. I shrugged the black blazer on and slipped on a pair of black pantyhose along with a pair of simple black inch high shoes.

When I came out, I found my parents and friends in the kitchen. Mom was cooking the eggs and sausage. Jamie flipped pancakes as her iPod played 'Love On Top' by Beyoncé, both her and Mom began to sing and dance along with the music. Dad and Michel were covered in hay and sweat, but that didn't stop them from shuffling their feet to the beat as they set the table. I took a moment to watch them as my grin grew wider from ear to ear.

Mom stepped side to side as she stood by the oven and placed the cooked food on serving plates. Michel would grab the plates and set them down on the table, shaking his butt at he did. Jamie finished the pancake batter and pulled me into a twirl. We started to sing off key along with the song as we danced. Dad grabbed Mom and they waltzed in place as Michel joined us and we began the line dance we learned from the music video.

The song came to its end and Mom turned off the oven and iPod. "Breakfast is ready. Who wants coffee?"

Jamie and Michel raised their hands and proclaimed, "We do!"

Dad pulled out the coffee pot from the coffee maker and grabbed three mugs. Mom took the kettle from the oven and poured herself her usual jasmine tea. I grabbed a cup of ice cold milk and sat next to Jamie. Michel sat across from us while Mom and Dad took the ends of the table. We served ourselves from the plates in the center and began the morning with small talk. "Next time you kids decide to come over, please use the door," Dad said as he sipped his coffee.

"Sorry Mr. H, we just found it more fun to sneak in," Michel grinned mischievously.

"Speak for yourself," Jamie proclaimed.

Mom turned to me, "You look amazing sweetie."

"Thanks," I mumbled as I chewed on a sausage.

"Hey your hair has gotten longer," Dad smiled, "It's nice."

I gave him a confused look, "it has?"

"Oh now I see it," Mom touched my hair, "its shaggy, like a pixie cut."

"Oooo let your hair grow out!" Jamie cried out, "Please! I loved your curly hair."

I groaned, "Long hair's a hassle."

"Amy, believe me, you're gorgeous you could pull off any look you want but we just love your long hair more," said Michel.

I sighed, "If the nations leave us alone, I'll let my hair grow."

When our meal was done and the dishes were placed in the dish washer. I said my goodbyes along with a couple of hugs and walked out to my car. I slid in, cracked up the radio and checked my phone. Twenty minutes till the meeting, time to face the music.

During this moment Blake was sitting in his third grade class right next to his sister, practicing their multiplication. He answers the questions with ease and waits for his classmates to catch up. Blair noticed and pouted, "You're so good at math, not fair."

He gave a small smile, "your better at art," he whispered.

She grinned and continued her work. Blake stared off into space, reading the colors that surrounded his classmates. The main colors that filled the room were of knowledgeable yellow fused with frustrated red. His classmates were having trouble with the sevens.

Then something light brown and white caught his eye. He turned his head to the left and found a barn owl standing on the teacher's desk. Its slim brown talons were smooth and clean; white feathers completely covered it from its breast to its legs and spread to the inside of its wings. Its face was heart shaped with a narrow pointed beck. Light brown feathers outlined its face and the top of its head. Darker brown and gray feathers scattered over the outside of its wings and its eyes were dark and knowing. The teacher and students paid no attention to the bird, only Blake.

He knew who this owl was.

He got up and asked for the bathroom pass, his teacher wasn't hesitant, for she trusted Blake to be a good student. Blake walked out of the room and knew the owl would follow. Once he reached the boys' restroom and made sure no one was inside. He looked up to the bird that was now standing on a stall door. "You're my spirit guide, aren't you?"

The owl nodded and Blake asked, "Why are you here?"

"You have sense it, haven't you?" Owl asked in a feminine voice.

He straightens, "you mean that weird stomach ache I had earlier today?"

Owl nodded, "you are a child of Sight. You're instincts are true, the moment you ignore them, can cause someone to lose their life."

His eyes widened, "It's about Amy isn't," he said it more as a statement than a question.

Owl's eyes narrowed, "if I say yes, what will you do?"

Blake ran out the door and headed straight for the nearest exist. He busted through the front entrance of the school and sprinted down the street. Owl soared above, "you are not thinking clearly."

"Shut up!" Blake cried out and grabbed his blue bicycle from the bike rack. He did the combination of his padlock and pulled out his bike. He took a running start, hopped on and pedaled off school grounds.

"Do you even know where she is," Owl asked.

Blake ignored her and curved on his right, heading into town.

"You're going the wrong way." Owl proclaimed.

He slid to a stop and looked up to the bird. "Where," he panted.

She landed on a stop sign, "Before I tell you, please take a moment to think. Why do you believe I'm your spirit guide?"

He sighed, "Owl represents wisdom and a spirit guide's job is to teach their human what they represent for their human would usually not carry that trait. Are you saying that I'm not smart?"

"There is a difference between smart and wise, boy," Owl exclaimed. "What you are doing is rushing in without a single thought of precaution. This is foolish and reckless."

Blake bit back his tongue and narrowed his eyes at the bird. "Sometimes you gotta be, to protect the people you love." He repeated the words his great-grandfather had always told him.

Owl's tone soften, "Tell me, what exactly can you do for her?"

"Whatever it is, I can figure it out," he said, determined.

Owl sighed, "Follow me," she threw up her wings and flew in the opposite direction. Blake rose up to pedal faster and headed straight for Nightingale.