". . . What?!" Alex's voice sounded shocked. "'Gone'. . . ? Did—Did she leave or something?"

"No," Jakira mumbled, trying desperately to control her emotions. Fresh memories of what had just happened clouded her head as she tried to explain. "We . . . we were talking in the living room. At one point she got up to make a tea, and asked me to get her something from her room. I went to get it, but when I came back out, she was gone." Her voice shook. "I- I thought she was just playing around, but . . ."

Without waiting for any more explanation, her friend announced, "I'll be right there," and hung up. Jakira lowered her phone and ended the call, then slumped against the deck railing miserably as police rushed around her searching for traces.

This was probably just how Night must've felt, she realized with a jolt, ten years ago when his father had abandoned him for no obvious reason. In shock, confused, and scared.

So this is the penalty for giving away my identity . . . even though I don't remember it . . . ?

She sat there in sad silence for another minute or two, and only straightened when she saw Alex stumble to a halt at the end of her driveway. They stared at each other for a moment before he dashed forward and she turned to rush back through the house almost simultaneously.

They ran into each other on the landing of the indoor stairs, where he instantly and wordlessly embraced her. She hugged him back tightly, afraid for no rational reason that she might lose him as well if she didn't.

"It's okay," he murmured softly after a long pause, then backed slowly into the wall without letting her go. "It's okay . . . I'm here now."

She liked how he was comforting her in a way different than most people would. He wasn't saying they would find her mother, because he knew as well as her that they might not, and he wasn't making promises he couldn't keep. Instead, he was gently reminding her that he was still there for her. That she wasn't alone.

Alex drew back ever so slightly, and, never letting her go, led her quietly the rest of the way up the stairs. It was then and only then— because of the dreaded silence forcing her to think— that she glanced at him and realized how bad he looked. His complexion appeared paler than she'd last seen him, his arm around her was trembling from either exhaustion or cold, and his hands were freezing. His eyes had lost their usual outstanding gleam of fun and now looked dull and strained since their dramatic moment was over.

As they emerged from the hallway, she ventured with him over to the couch, and he more or less collapsed onto it rather than sitting. "Alex, you look awful," she whispered in alarm, and he jerked back to attention, looking startled.

"I'm sorry," Jakira mumbled, "I shouldn't have called; I didn't realize—"

"Don't apologize," Alex interrupted her, quickly raising his hands for silence. "I'm glad you called. Don't worry about a thing."

"But you look—"

"It's fine," he cut in again, although the look in his eyes contradicted his words. "I'm fine. I told you: no worries."

She stared at her stubborn friend for a long moment, then finally asked the question that had been terrifying her for days.

"Alex . . . are you going to die?"

He hesitated, his eyes slowly dropping from hers, and her heart nearly stopped when he remained quiet for an eternal few seconds. At last he muttered, "I . . . I don't . . . know . . . M-Maybe? I mean—" He paused again, then went on carefully, "I will if this anxiety thing doesn't go. But I won't if I can help it." His expression slowly built with a new strength and confidence as he spoke, more like the boy she knew and . . .

Loved?

Before she could process what had just gone through her head, Alex amazed her by touching her shoulder, leaning forward, and kissing her on the forehead. "I won't die on you, I promise," he assured her, then placed his arm around her and held her gently, running his fingers over her hair. Her face felt hot, but she didn't try to move away. Like this, she felt safe and protected.

From the glances and raised eyebrows of the nearby police, she guessed they thought he and her were dating or something.

But at that point, she no longer cared what they thought.

• • •

Preciser never showed up that day, so Jakira guessed that stealing her mother was the villain's attack in itself. Of course she couldn't say anything about that as Sunray, however, so she kept quiet when civilians asked her about the strange peace. Night— who was apparently so fatigued from prolonged insomnia and sickness that he actually fell asleep while waiting— also seemed confused about it, but she still said nothing.

Two days passed, and Jakira was growing far too used to silence and solitude. She half-wanted to call Alex for some company, but his anxiety situation and illness had gotten worse over the days, to the point where he didn't want to eat, couldn't sleep, and kept suffering anxiety attacks. His mother called her over each time he had one, since she quickly proved to be the only one who could really help him though each one. She would find him hunched on the floor, struggling to breathe and in tears. Seeing him like that every time was so heart-wrenching it made her want to cry as well.

On Thursday he texted her, simply sending, Jakira?

Immediately she wrote back: Here.

R u ok?

Yeah, she lied, not wanting him to strain himself anymore just for her welfare. You?

im good but actually i texted becz i wanted to ask when was the last time u talked with someone irl?

Yesterday with ur mom a little bit, she replied.

There was a brief pause before he sent back, Well yeah but that doesn't count, I meant like in an enjoyable conversation.

She sighed. Alex Sameron i know where youre going with this. Im perfectly FINE. I'm texting u rn!

dont give me that, that doesn't count either, he argued. *shakes u violently* REMEMBER THAT ONE EP OF THE TWILIGHT ZONE??

im not the last person on Earth, she pointed out. I only haven't chatted w/ you in a bit bc youve been really sick and i want u to feel better w/out having to check your phone all the time.

I told u im good! his response protested a moment later.

When she read that, frustration and worry for him almost made her turn off her phone. If your definition of "good" is "not eating, not sleeping, coughing so much you lose your voice, waking up with headaches all the time" ...

Well ya but the great thing about texting is that you dont have to use your voice

Jakira dropped her phone onto the couch beside her and buried her face in her hands. Since when had he become tied with Night as the most stubborn and adorable idiot in the world?

Her phone buzzed again a moment later, and she picked it up with a sigh to read his new message: And also I didn't talk at all yesterday or the day before except in my sleep apparently but yeah my voice is fine now

She exhaled. Ok thats good.... when was the last time u slept?

Uummmmmm............. Tuesday night?

ate something?

Yesterday lunch..

She was still typing her response when he added, What is this an interrogation??

An idea to lighten the mood slid into her mind as she read his message. Yep, she announced. *takes deep breath* Hi Alex how are you what's ur name how old are u when's ur b-day what's ur fav color what's ur hobbies when was the last time u rode a dino why havent u fed the chickens yet ..ok idk what im doing anymore lol

Over the next minute he sent her a huge group of texts:

oh

my gosh

U just killed me

Like I legit fell off my bed laughing so hard

Eck now i cant stop coughing

WHAT THE HECK

I THINK I MAY BE SLIGHTLY HYSTERICAL RN

it wasnt even that funny

this is ur fault

IM DEAD

hahaha oh crap moms asking if im ok?

wow she's laughing too now what have u done

Reading what he sent her made her crack up for the first time since Monday. She texted back, XD my turn... u killed me.

well im not sorry

Jakira giggled. Oh, ur too kind. Btw, last day of school b4 winter break tomorrow, yaayyy

A second later: Ehh. Vonderful. Mom says i should probably go

WHAT WHY

Urg. somethin about knowing where we are and being as caught up as possible so i won't be terribly far behind when it starts up again in january

oof. Well, hey, that means we get to see each other right?

A smiling face. Riiiight. ur my favorite therapist.

She laughed again, then settled into sighs when he added, okkk.... I have to go now. Apparently its time for lunch.......im not hungry tho.

Jakira stared at the text, then replied, You should still eat something. Skipping so many meals isn't good for you.

I know but I feel like if I eat I'll get sick, he complained.

Then have a banana, and take some Tylenol before u go to bed tonight. That should help.

ok doctor, whatever u say doctor

OK, bye weirdo XD

Uuuugghhh... bye. Cya tomorrow

Yep

With a deep breath and a growing sadness that their conversation was over, she put away her phone and slumped back down into the couch. The only sounds around her were the heat blowing through the vents and a clock ticking. Everything else was dead silent.

Being the introvert she was, the weirdest part was that she hated it.

If I ever get my mother back, she resolved inwardly, I'll never be shy again.

I need people.

I need family.

I need my mother.

I need friends.

I need Night.

I need Alex.

All that met her screaming thoughts was horrible silence.

But I can't have them . . . I don't know where my mother is . . . I don't know Night's identity . . . Alex needs to recover . . .

Each truth hit her like a brick, leaving a lasting sting as she stared distantly across the empty room. The seeming void and pressing quietness started to feel overwhelming, almost drowning out the few sounds there were. She sat up straight on the couch, panting in sudden fear of her isolation. In her state, the walls of the room seemed to be closing in on her.

She stumbled off the couch to her feet, shakily burst out her transformation rhyme, then raced for the door. Once outside, she ran around the porch to the side facing the main parts of the city and eradiated herself through a created beam of light to the roof of the closest building. Now surrounded by open space, no walls, she started to relax, but that didn't take away her loneliness and utter misery.

She tried to remind herself that she wasn't alone, that she was never truly alone, but it didn't change the fact that her mother was no longer there.

Minutes passed as she stood there, watching the city life far below and listening to the distant sounds combined with wind. After doing that for at least ten minutes, she was used to the general silence, so she jumped pretty badly when a very familiar male voice asked from behind, "Sunray?"

She spun around in surprise, instinctively raising her hands in possible defense, but it was only Night, standing in the shadow of the door to the roof. He was watching her, his eyes round with concern.

"Oh." She relaxed, lowering her hands and giving him a small smile. "Hi, Night."

"You okay?" he questioned worriedly, taking the last possible step towards her.

She tried to broaden her smile, tell him he had no reason to worry, but it turned out more like the ghost of a grin. "I'm fine," she murmured, avoiding his searching gaze. She turned slightly and sat down on the edge of the roof. She was grateful for his being there, but unsure of what to tell him.

"You sure?" his voice pressed, still from several feet behind her.

"Yeah . . ." she started to reply, but an intense whisper from somewhere deep in her mind told her, "No more lies. This is Night. You trust him." In surrender, she lowered her head and finished sadly, ". . . no."

Silence ruled, and she didn't know what she expected him to do.

But when he finally responded, he didn't tell her everything would be fine despite not knowing what was wrong. He didn't pressure her to tell him what had happened. Rather, he comforted her through something her own father had used to sing to her when she was little before he'd died.

"You are my Sunshine . . ."

She slowly straightened in amazement, staring forward wide-eyed.

". . . my only Sunshine . . . You make me happy, when skies are gray . . ."

As he very softly sang those lines, she felt his hand slip gently onto her shoulder. She realized with awed surprise that a large group of clouds had drifted over the sun, almost as if the words held some sort of magic. With the final lines he crouched down beside her and looked her directly in the eyes, smiling ever so gently.

"You'll never know, dear, how much I love you . . ." His hand descended from her shoulder to her hand, where he gingerly entwined their fingers and drew her hand to his chest without shifting their mutual gaze. "Please don't take my Sunshine away."

By this point she was blushing so much she was sure he could see. She dropped her eyes, unable to veil the smile she wore that was finally real. This beautiful way he consoled her was the most unselfish thing he could've possibly have done to help her. He still didn't know why she had been so sad, but he'd chosen to remind her how much he still cared for her and what she meant to him. "Thanks, Night," she whispered, happy tears starting to stream down her face. 

The look he gave her combined with his smile made her heart melt. He slipped his arm tenderly around her, gently drew her close, and murmured, "Anytime, Sunshine."

• • •

The next day, after yet another lonely breakfast, she walked to school alone and in silence. She didn't see Alex on her way, so she assumed either he was already there, or he hadn't left yet.

As it turned out, he'd already gotten there. She unfortunately wasn't surprised to learn that his situation still hadn't changed, outside of finally getting some sleep the night before. Most of that school day for him was spent in exhausted silence.

It wasn't until the last class that things really went wrong.

Their teacher was giving a lecture on the defining differences between socialist and capitalist economies. Jakira was half-listening, but kept glancing up from her notes to check on her friend. So far, he'd been hunched over his desk the entire time with his arms folded on top of it. Around the halfway point of the lesson, though, she realized his breathing was getting more and more labored and heavy. Others, including Ms. Elena, began noticing it as well when he slumped forward on his desk, banged his forehead on the surface, and started groaning, hands grasping at his chest.

Oh, no, she thought in alarm, anxiety attack . . . !

"Alex, are you alright?" The teacher had moved to his chair and was looking at him in confusion.

Jakira doubted he'd heard her, but he was slowly shaking his head with his eyes shut tightly, muttering repeatedly, "No, no, no, no, no, no . . ." Abruptly he jerked up out of his chair, panting with faint cries of fear and pain. He flashed the teacher a look of pure and utter terror, then staggered wildly out of the room.

She stiffened a little as the door swung closed once more, but stayed in her seat, knowing with a sinking heart that she wouldn't be allowed to go after him.

Ms. Elena walked quickly back to her desk, briefly spoke on the phone with the principal and nurse, then returned to the lesson. But this time, Jakira couldn't pay attention at all; she was now worried about her friend more than ever. When the dismissal bell finally rang, she had her things together and was out of the room long before everyone else.

She only had a bit of time before she had to transform, so her search for Alex was very rushed and unsuccessful. She wouldn't find out until later the unsettling news that although he was nowhere in the school, no one at the doors had seen him leave.

After defeatedly transforming, she left the school and headed for the roofs, where she quickly and unexpectedly came across her partner. He was sitting near the edge of a shaded section, head down and fiddling around with some rocks. In a barely audible, wistful tone, he was quietly singing to himself in Greek.

Although she would've been content to stand there watching and listening to him all day, she eventually forced herself to venture, ". . . Night—?"

Before she'd even finished saying his name, he'd leapt to his feet, spun around, and raised his blade, a startled look in his eyes. "How . . . how long have you been standing there?" he asked, deflating and lowering his weapon as he realized it was only her.

"I just got here." Sunray took a step forward. "Everything okay?"

He nodded, shrugging. "Yeah. I, uh, just had some extra time today." But once more, she noted that his eyes were distant and distracted.

She suppressed a sigh as they jumped off the building together and began sending the civilians and tourists indoors with their appearance. As the streets emptied they remained quiet; Sunray didn't think any words were needed, mainly because Night wasn't paying attention anyway. He kept glancing behind them like he thought they were being followed, and he jumped at every little sound.

"Night," she exhaled at last, reaching out to stop him and turning so they faced each other. "Tell me what's going on, and tell me the truth. Please."

Her partner hesitated, and she added, "Remember— you can trust me."

After a long moment of staring at her, he finally sighed, looking defeated. "Okay . . ." he murmured, flashing multiple glances around to make sure they were alone. Taking a deep breath, he studied the ground for a few seconds, then started saying, "There's been this—" but was interrupted by a strange, creature-like roar somewhere nearby.

The two stared at one another for a single second, until Night muttered, "I'll explain later," and took off in the direction of the sound. It wasn't until after she'd caught up with him that she realized with a jolt— those had been Oscuro's last words before he'd mysteriously vanished.

It was even harder to shake off her unease when they found Preciser had brought along some friends. On his right side was a fairly short, humanoid figure wearing a simple black hooded cloak. Through the shadows of the hood, all she could make out were two almond-shaped golden eyes glowing back at her. On the giant's left side was a huge, rhino-like animal.

"That's the fourth creature!" she gasped.

Preciser hefted his enormous axe, roared, and charged, the underground creature galloping beside him, but the hooded figure stayed exactly where it was.

"What's the plan?" she asked expectantly, but there was no response. When she glanced questioningly at Night, she found him staring with uncharacteristic terror at their charging foes. Sunray asked him once more what they should do, but he seemed paralyzed with fear. It wasn't until the enemies were alarmingly close that he finally snapped out of it.

"I'll take the creature!" he shouted, lunging forward toward the huge animal. "Same plan as the last time with the creatures all the way."

"But what about the other guy?" she called, gesturing to the hooded figure.

"He's not attacking right now," he called back to her as he began circling around his opponent. "But if he involves himself, just stick to the plan."

"What plan?" she demanded, but with one look from her partner, she no longer needed a vocalized answer. "Gotcha."

Now that Night had recovered his old leader-like self, she was relieved enough to think that this fight would go well and end just like all the others . . . until she turned back to the savage giant in time to get clonked over the head with his axe for the second time that week. With no warning at all, the world was engulfed in blackness before she knew what had happened.

The next thing she knew, she was crumpled on her side, bound with scratchy ropes around her arms and ankles. With a groan, she slowly started struggling to free herself, wincing at the sharp pain that flashed through her head every time she moved. She froze in terror, however, when she suddenly caught sight of Preciser coming up behind her partner, who was too preoccupied with the creature to notice the danger he was in.

"Night . . ." she whispered, more out of realization than anything else, then started genuinely straining to get out of the bonds so she could save him. "Night!" she cried out, trying to warn him, but he didn't seem to be able to hear her. She could only watch in sheer horror as Preciser approached him from behind and slowly lifted his axe to strike, Night still completely oblivious to what was going on.

"NO!"

In those moments, everything seemed to slow down as a million things happened all at once. Her scream echoed through the air; the light aura surrounding her grew so intense that it burned away the ropes; she flew to her feet, notched an arrow, and shot at Preciser's swinging weapon; Night, having finally heard her terrified cry, was just beginning to turn around.

But by then it was too late.

Her arrow's force only managed to turn the blade's edge. The flat slammed him in the face at full force, knocking him over forty feet back down the street. He landed hard on the back of his neck with a yelp, crashed roughly along the pavement, and ended up smacking his head against the glass wall of a building so hard that the glass cracked.

Still standing back with Preciser, Sunray watched with frozen dread. In the distance, her partner fell heavily over onto his side with a barely audible groan and lay still.

She was still frozen. A hit and landing that hard would've instantly killed a mortal. Considering Night's uncanny strength, it should've at the very least knocked him out, but as she stared in awe, he slowly and shakily pushed himself off the ground, eyes wide and jaws gaping as if he couldn't breathe.

Breaking free from the fear paralysis, Sunray sprinted down the road to her partner right before Preciser tried to swing at her as well. Skidding to a halt by Night's side at the edge of his shadow, she pressed her hands against the barrier. "Are you okay?!" she gasped. "Anything broken?"

"I-I'm fine . . ." he tried to reply, but he sounded dazed and breathless. He slowly pulled himself to his feet and attempted to stumble back down the street towards Preciser, but almost instantly his left leg buckled beneath him and he collapsed again with a cry.

Preciser was marching towards them. Again Night forced himself up and limped in the giant's direction, holding his head awkwardly and crying out softly in pain with each step. "Night, stop," Sunray pleaded, frustrated and terrified that she couldn't stop him because the barrier was blocking her. "You can't fight like this! I'll handle him!"

"I can't . . ." he moaned, still trying to get to Preciser although the foggy look in his eyes was getting worse by the second. If he didn't stop, he was going to black out, which would make it even harder to protect him. "H-He took . . . he took him from me. He's n . . . not . . ."

His eyes were already starting to roll in the back of his head. His next feeble step turned into a lurch, and he'd just started to collapse when Preciser approached and jerked his blade down, hitting him over the head and knocking him again to the ground.

Fury immediately shot through Sunray, and she clenched her fists. That move had not been necessary at all, even for an enemy. She started stiffly towards them, but suddenly remembered with a jolt of dismay that they were in the shadows. She couldn't do anything to help him.

And dismay turned into panic as the hooded figure lifted him up with surprising gentleness and draped him over the back of the fourth creature. With a nod from Preciser, the three walked off deeper into the darkness, until they shimmered into nothing; the entire time, Sunray could do nothing but watch helplessly as they took her partner, her best friend, her loved one away.