BROCK

Everyone around me is yelling, but the longer I stare, the quieter everything becomes. The sky is closed, and the sun is setting, painting it in colors of red, orange, and pink.

"Brock!" I turn around in time to be trapped in my father's arms. He lets me go, placing a hand on each shoulder. "What happened?"

I shake my head, staring off vaguely into the crowd. My brain is on overload, and I see a black-haired boy turn and slip away into the crowd.

"Lea... connected herself to the dimension. Closed the gap." That's all I say, and though I know the whole story will come out eventually, I don't have the energy to tell it now. My dad opens his mouth, but before he can say anything, I speak. "Can I explain later?"

My dad smiles softly, and puts an arm around my shoulders. "Of course."

We start to walk, before I suddenly stop. "Where's Lea?" I look around, straining to catch a glimpse of her platinum blonde hair. My heart beats faster. "She's injured." The picture replays in my head of a monster biting my arm, and the gun falling from it. Chance had grabbed it before I could do anything, and fired...

My dad looks around for a minute or so. "I don't see her. But right now you need rest."

I'm too tired to argue, and I know the scratches and injuries on me need to be treated, so I go with him. I'll check for her tomorrow. But a stone settles inside my chest as I picture her lying on the road, bleeding out. I take a deep breath. She'll be okay. I repeat it to myself until I get home, falling asleep as soon as I hit my bed.