Chapter 1

The white walls scare me. The locked door with its window makes me feel like a lab rat, exposed yet trapped so I can be examined. No one believes my story. No one believes that I had nothing to do with their disappearances. No one believes that Sora and Riku are in another world. They all think I had something to do with it. Some believe I killed them, but I didn't. No one believes the truth.

"Kairi, time for your medicine," calls the attendant. The wide woman unlocks the door, pushing a cart in front of her. The tag on her shirt says Mary. Mary of Cypress Grove. Cypress Grove Insane Asylum. She acts sugar sweet, as if I'm a little child. But I'm not. I've grown a lot since I've returned to Destiny Island.

"Leave me alone," I mutter as she shuts the door behind her. "For the millionth time, I'm not crazy. Let me out." I hate this place. I hate the people dressed in white. I hate the hideous green blue clothes they make me wear, and the plastic bracelet on my wrist that is scarred from my many attempts to remove it.

"Now Kairi my dear. No one says you're crazy. You're just a little sick." She begins preparing a little cup of water, pills sitting next to them. A syringe sits next to them, the needle in its plastic cover glinting malevolently. If I'm good, she won't have to use it. But I'm not going to be good. I don't want the pills, the pills that make me feel like I'm in a dream, like I really am going crazy.

"I'm not sick. I'm not crazy. I'm telling the truth!" I yell. They have to understand. There are other worlds out there. There are shadows that block out the light.

"Yes you are, now just eat the candy like a good girl," she tells me. She's the crazy one. It doesn't take a genius to tell the pale cream colored pills aren't sweets. They are far from sweet.

"They're not candy and I don't want any!" I yell. I can see her patience wearing thin. She's wishing that I was just one of the other patients, one of the docile stupid ones. But I'm not.

Mary pulls out a remote, a single red button on it. She presses the button, sending a signal to call for reinforcement. Good. If I have to take the pills, I'm not going to make it easy for her.

The door swings open once again, admitting two men dressed in white shirt and white pants. They look bored. I'm just a young girl. It shouldn't take that much to just make me take some medication.

"You need to cooperate," Mary says, holding out the pills and the glass of water. I take the pills, pop them in my mouth and drink some water. But I don't swallow. I spit it in her face and smile.

"Stupid brat," she curses, the men advancing as they each grab for my arms. I struggle, not wanting to make it easy for them, but they are much stronger. Still, I fight. Riku had taught me a few tricks before he and Sora left. I thrust my elbow into the stomach of the man on my right, bringing my fist up to hit him in the face. His cry of pain pleases me. They should know not to pick on girls.

Mary grabs the syringe, the other man holding my arms behind my back as I scream. The man I hit holds my ankles to keep me from kicking. There are too many. Like the heartless, they won't let me leave. A stinging pain lances through my arm as Mary plunges the needle into my flesh.

The drug is quick, spreading through my blood like venom. A minute later, my limbs feel heavy. I can't move.

The men lay me on my bed, attaching straps to my wrist and ankles. I can't leave. I'm a prisoner here.
"Next time, just behave and we don't have to do this again," says Mary in her sickeningly sweet voice. She pushes the cart out, followed by the two men. I am glad to see that one is still rubbing his nose. I hope I broke it. The door clicks shut and they lock me in. I'm alone again.

I feel like I'm dying. Like I'm floating. It's like when the heartless stole my heart. I am here yet I am not here. The shape of people passing my door blurs as the drug numbs my senses. I can't think straight. I can't feel the bonds that chafe my wrists anymore. No one can help me.

The room dims, faint sounds from outside my door being stifled as if a pillow is being placed over my head. I'm being smothered to death. Sora, Riku, where are you two? Why couldn't you come home too? Why aren't you here to help me? You two were always there for me before. Help me now. Get me out of here…