When John opened his eyes again, he was shrouded in darkness. Not normal darkness, either. It was black. Pitch black. Beyond pitch black. There was nothing as far as he could see. His heart clenched in terror, thinking he was back in the water. As he panicked and flailed, he quickly realised he could breathe. If he could breathe, he certainly wasn't drowning. After that he calmed enough to realise it wasn't cold or wet enough to be the sea. He was also lying down. The surface was solid, but he couldn't tell whether it was solid ground or some sort of platform. It had no texture, just enough substance to tell him it was there and he wouldn't fall through it. He got to his feet, stumbling slightly. Not because the ground was uneven, but because it was hard to get his bearings when he couldn't see what was below him. The truly odd thing about this place was that he had no trouble seeing himself. He could see his sneakers and jeans with perfect clarity. He could also see his body and arms as if it were daytime, only there was no light. There was nothing. He gasped as something brushed his cheek, finding a small ball of light dancing through the air. A Shiki? One of Koujo's? He felt nervous as he held his hand out, palm up.

The ball of light floated a little longer before slowly sinking, coming to rest in the palm of his pale hand. He could feel it in his hand, but it had no weight. It felt like static dancing on his skin, accompanied by a strange warmth. His chest swelled with a sense of safety. It was familiar. You are one of Koujo's Shiki, aren't you? He felt even more certain as the dancing ball remained in his hand. He wasn't sure if it was there to guard or guide him. Did Koujo send you?

"Wait!" His voice sounded shatteringly loud in the black space. The light drifted up and started floating away, dancing small circles as it bounced and bobbed through the darkness. John hurried after it, slightly thrown by the solid surface beneath his feet. It was flat and even, but he couldn't quite decide whether it was hard or soft. It made no sound as he walked, not even a scuff. In fact, nothing in this strange place made a sound. The silence was eerie. Oppressive. "You…" John trailed off with a stammer as he came to a halt. Standing just a little way ahead, with his back to him, was an ebony-haired figure. It was the only clear thing in the darkness besides himself. He couldn't quite decide if the figure was standing or floating as he stared in mute horror.

John felt his whole body tense as he stopped dead. He could feel his legs twitching, but he couldn't move a muscle. Don't…Don't turn around! His heart pounded in terror as he stared at the lithe figure. From the back, he could be mistaken for Naru, but that was hardly surprising. They were brothers. They even dressed the same, in black suits. The figure's head tilted slightly, drops of water dripping from his sodden hair. John couldn't look away as he slowly turned to look over his shoulder. Seeing John, his whole body started to turn.

John shuddered at the sight, almost stumbling back in fear. His clothes were torn in places and hanging sodden on his slim frame. Where it wasn't cut and bruised, his skin was deathly pale, almost a little grey. Red-rimmed eyes with rings swollen purple stared at him, white streaked with red, the blue pale and faded. They were wide, almost bulging where they'd been forced out with the pressure of the water, red as can be without bursting. His pale lips trembled as he looked at him. No…Stay away…I don't want to see this! I don't want to be here! The barest whimper escaped John's lips as Gene took a lurching step towards him in the darkness. He almost fell from the clear break in his leg, lurching and stumbling like an undead nightmare.

"…se…" The dry, rasping whisper barely escaped Gene's lips. His eyes were wide and desperate as he staggered again, desperately reaching one hand out to John as the other hung limp at his side, broken and unmoving. He stopped moving. John trembled. "…p…se…" He tried again, helpless tears sliding down his cheeks. John felt his fear lessen at that, his body somehow warming as he really looked at Gene. He wasn't some undead monster to be feared. He was a lost soul. Lonely and afraid. He wasn't lashing out in anger. He was reaching out in fear. He's lost…A well of sympathy swelled in his chest.

"G-Gene?" Gene's eyes widened at the sound of his name on John's quivering lips. His hand trembled as he continued to hold it out. His whole arm was shaking with the effort of keeping it raised. Tears were quickly forming rivers on his cheeks, dripping off his chin and sliding down his pale throat. John reached out hesitantly, fingers barely brushing Gene's before he flinched. He was so cold. He also looked incredibly hurt by John's reaction, afraid of rejection. "I-it's alright…" John steeled himself before stepping forward.

Fear still hovered over him. He'd never had this kind of interaction with a ghost before. However, he'd had plenty of interactions with vulnerable teenagers. It was almost instinctual as he wrapped his arms around Gene's smaller body, stroking his soaking locks with one hand, trying to be gentle. A surprised gasp fled Gene's lips before he whimpered gratefully against his shoulder. The sound made John's chest tighten, and he held him closer. He ignored the water now seeping through his own clothes, focusing as much as possible on holding Gene without jostling his injuries.

"Please…" Gene croaked in his ear, hand fisting in John's top as he trembled against him. I have no idea what to do from here. He didn't want to release him. This was a dream. It had to be. If he woke up, then he'd lose contact. He didn't want to leave him alone in this place. How long had he been alone already? I want to help…I want to help him!

John was surprised as his body filled with warmth. A strange, ethereal glow surrounded Gene's trembling body. John drew back, startled as he watched him change. His skin regained its colour, pale eyes brightening to a deeper shade of blue. His clothes dried and returned to an orderly state, the rips and tears vanishing as if they'd never been there. John's hands slid down his arms in surprise until he was holding his hands and gazing into his eyes like a love-struck teen. He was impossibly warm, from his gentle eyes to the grip of his hands.

"You…smell like Jo." A warm smile formed on Gene's once pale lips as he leaned closer. He closed his eyes as he smelled John's hair, savouring Lin's scent.

"Um…we're mated…" John wasn't sure exactly what had just happened. Are visions always this confusing? It all seemed so real as he took in Gene's gentle expression and the warmth of his hands. It really felt like they were standing together, though the world around them was nothing but black.

"Of course, I'm aware of it…I can see things, even if I can't be directly involved." Gene sounded far more mature than John had expected. It shouldn't really have surprised him. He was Naru's brother, and Naru's wisdom went far beyond his years. "I've done something rather cruel to you…shown you such terrible things…I just didn't have the heart to…" Gene trailed off guiltily as he gripped John's hands a little tighter. He didn't want to hurt his brother…or anyone else…

"But why me? I'm not…I understand why you wouldn't want to put your brother through it…" John was certain that Naru would have been scarred for life by the experience. Despite his strong front, he was actually quite soft and delicate underneath, though he'd never let him know that he'd figured that out. Since it was his identical twin, it would have added another layer of horror on top. It would be like experiencing your own death. Gene loosened his grip, almost letting go as he looked down in shame.

"I was jealous at first…You were handed everything I ever wanted on a plate! You're an omega, and you can be there for him while I'm…I was so angry, watching you shun and push him away, and I wanted to hurt you…so badly! But then you started to change. When you changed, it was almost worse…Watching him with someone else is…difficult. That's when I decided it had to be you." Bitterness crossed his face for a moment before it melted into something more pathetic. John felt his voice stick in his throat. Did he show me out of bitterness or out of trust? Perhaps it was a combination of both. "He needs closure to let go…and I…need to move on." That much was true. It did no good for spirits to linger. They risked becoming corrupted or food for something larger and more vengeful.

It had been over a year since Naru and Lin had moved to Japan. That meant Gene had been lingering for at least that long, maybe longer. What would have happened if he hadn't found us? John couldn't help wondering if perhaps the corruption had already begun on some level. Acting out of bitterness didn't line up with the Gene he'd heard about. He understood Gene's feelings, and might have felt the same had their positions been reversed. He still couldn't imagine showing anyone something so horrific. Not only showing…He'd experienced it as if he were Gene. The pain of his injuries, the sense of betrayal, the cold of the water, and even his final breath. He shivered at the memory.

Gene's eyes creased with something akin to guilt, almost as if he could read the thoughts that ran through John's head. Whatever happened before, he's here now. He's here and asking for my help. He hadn't asked directly, but John knew. There was only one reason he'd show him such horror and linger to speak directly. Gene couldn't move on alone, and he couldn't give Lin and Naru closure without help. It was usually Mai or Masako in the position of messenger, but this was a burden John was more than willing to shoulder. There was determination in his deep blue eyes as he squeezed Gene's pale hand.

"I'll help you."