Junpei tips over the bushes, trying to figure out what I'm doing behind them. Doesn't he see those things too? Can't he notice what's happening around us? I feel like the coffins are getting closer, leaning in to help my heart collapse even more.

"Hey. Pretty scary huh?" He crouches in front of me, hardly covered by anything. I can barely consider any other answer but a simple nod.

"Yeah, I know. I went through the same thing when I first found out. Luckily for me Akihiko was there to help. Now I'd like to be here for you."

Wind whistles through the overhanging branches and limp trees. Where has the real world gone? The sky paints a greenish glow against Junpei's skin and despite his kind smile, in this light, it still looks a little ghoulish. I'm not sure if I should trust him or not. I'm not even sure what he's really talking about. It all sounds like gibberish to me and for the sake of my sanity, I'd like to understand.

"See, we're all special, I guess. Everyone in the dorm. It's pretty cool actually, we're like a team. We fight crime and save the city! Except nobody really knows about it." He looks bummed for a minute. "But that's what makes it so special."

"I'm sorry but, what are you talking about?"

He's acting so nonchalant, like all of this is normal. I think he's forgetting who I am or what I do and don't know. His face twists up and he considers his words even more. Most of the joking seems to be gone now. Or at least in the back of his mind.

"They call our power 'Persona'. And the things we fight are shadows. It's getting closer to the full moon so they get stronger. But so do we." He stops and grins, proud of himself and what they do. "We didn't think there were others out there but when Mitsuru heard about you coming, she wanted to check things out. Heh, guess she was right."

Mitsuru? She's involved in all of this? My mind spins around the words coming from his mouth. Persona...I've never heard of something like the before. Not only does none of this make sense, but the sky seems to be darkening with every second passing.

"Why don't we go back inside, find the others. Okay? What were you doing out here anyway?" I'm not sure where to begin speaking so I stay quiet and try to stop the tears that continue to fall. So much is happening and I don't know how to take it.

"Eh, it doesn't matter. Here," He takes off his hat and puts it on my hair, causing me to look up with wide eyes. "It always makes me feel better."

I touch the brim of the hat, pulling it down a bit to cover my eyes. He's done so much since I came here. They've all done so much and I don't know how to say thank you. Even those who I've hardly talked to have been in on my appearance obviously. I desperately think of what else I could be missing.

It seems like the whole dorm is already awake by the time we get back. They must have heard the door open to us leaving and wonder what was going on because now the main sitting area is once again protected by Mitsuru, Yukari and Akihiko.

As we pass through the door, Yukari jumps up to wrap her arms around me. The hug is stuffy and strong, but not completely horrible. I can't remember the last time I actually had a girl my age want to be this friendly. For a moment, I think Mitsuru is going to do the same, but instead she clenches her hands together and holds herself in one steady place.

"I am so sorry you had to find out this way." Yukari holds me at arms length and speaks.

"It's never easy Yukari. I just wish she wasn't alone when she realized. Thank you Junpei for being the one to realize what was happening." Mitsuru talks quickly behind her, efficiently getting out what she needs to say.

"But..."

"Don't worry, we will explain everything. But maybe you should get some sleep first-" I don't even let her finish the sentence before I am shaking my head and moving closer.

"No. Tell me now, we can't wait. I don't know what's going on and I'm scared. Please. Don't leave me like this." Yukari begins to disagree but Mitsuru holds up one graceful hand.

"Very well. Sit, I hope I can explain a few things." In this moment, Mitsuru looks more noble than I have ever seen her. She holds her head at an angle to look her sorrows in the eye, but also to defeat them in the same moment. I can tell how much she has been through just by one glance and by the faces of everyone in the room, they can too.

"We go by the name SEES, the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad. Mostly for the purpose of school. Don't worry, you don't have to remember that part too much." She chuckles quietly to herself but hardens back up right away. "Our purpose is to help those around by defeating shadows found inside and outside their lair, a place named Tartarus which resides in Gekkoukan during the Dark Hour."

"Heh, the dark hour. My favorite. The one time of night when all the creepy things come out to play. It's this labyrinth; a maze of staircases and monsters. We haven't explored it much, but now with five we can get even farther." Akihiko rubs his hands together like he's getting ready for a boxing match. I'd seen him play before when schools would get together for tournaments. He was a champion.

"And your Persona. It's like nothing you'll ever see in your life. Those things are crazy, but awesome. They protect us and fight when we can't." Junpei seems almost as excited as Akihiko but by the tiny wavers in his voice you can feel the fright as well. Then again, I think everyone here is scared of what they called "The Dark Hour".

"There isn't much we can tell you I'm afraid, because even we don't know it all yet. That's why we need you, if you'll agree." They all nodded their heads toward me, expecting an answer I didn't have yet. Yukari stood alone in the corner, hugging her hands to her chest. She doesn't seem as thrilled as the others and let the terror show on her face.

"N-now?" My mind was blank for a response. What exactly were they asking me? To fight monsters that I had never seen and save people from a mysterious form? I didn't even know what a Persona was completely. "My Persona...?"

"Even though we haven't seen you use it yet, it's easy enough to tell. The way you handle the dark hour, the obvious difference between you and everyone else. We just need to get you into battle to see. And that's what we're hoping to accomplish by having you join, Saki. You could be a great influence on this team."

"Me...but. I don't know."

"Take the night, we'll have a meeting again tomorrow. It's late anyway and I have practice tomorrow. G'night." Akihiko stood from the edge of the chair where he was leaning and continued up the stairs. It was really late.

"That's a great idea. We all need some sleep, especially you Saki." Mitsuru left behind Akihiko, calling for him to wait up for her.

"I'm sorry you had to learn it all this way. Pretty hard, huh? Just know we're all here for you, okay?" I just nodded my head and smiled, letting her hand pat my hair. "Well good night!"

"She's right. It is a lot to take. But once you see what we do you won't be able to say no, trust me." He takes the hat that I had lying in my lap and twists it between his hands. "But hey, we were all picked for a reason right? Might as well find out what it is."

He snapped his fingers and left the room twirling the hat round and round.

We were all picked for a reason. Huh.

Authors Note: Wooow it's been a while - again. I hope you're enjoying so far, I know I'm liking writing it. (: Don't hesitate to leave any comments or questions and suggestions are 100% excepted. Thank you soo much! xoxo- Sarah :3