Smoke filled the room. Evil laughter rocked my brain back and forth. I felt as if I couldn't breathe, but at the same time I could. I cleared my head and focused ahead of me. I ran forward as fast as I could with one thought in mind...

I sat up, ramrod straight as sweat poured down my back. I gasped for breath, trying to remember what dream I'd just had. I couldn't remember. I wiped the sweat off my forehead and got out of the bed. Sunlight streamed into the bedroom. Hunter was softly snoring on the other bed. His shaggy blonde hair was splayed all over the pillow, and drool trickled down the side of his face. I chuckled, and exited the room.

I walked toward the bathroom to, well, use it, and when I entered and turned on the light. I was surprised to see folded clothes on the counter with a note on the top. I picked it up. It read, 'Lyra, thought you might wanna borrow these. They're comfortable, easy to move in, and they don't fit me anymore. They'll be nice to wear on our journey to end this war. Might wanna shower first though, who knows when you'll get a good shower again? =P Ria'. I looked in the mirror, looking at how I looked. My black eye was purple-ish, and my hair was frizzled and messy.

I agreed with Ria silently, and jumped in the shower. I washed my hair and my body, enjoying the nice, hot water pouring down my face. My black eye tingled slightly as the water hit it, but I figured it was still a little sore. I stepped out of the shower and dried off. I slipped into the clothes Ria decided to lend me. Then I looked in the mirror. The black, loose tank top was barely visible over the camo sweatshirt. The black tights hugged my legs securely, and from the feel of the material, I could tell it was durable. I looked up, and gasped. My once purple eye was.. gone? I touched my eye gently, and felt no pain. I was so confused. I looked at the pj's on the floor, and decided to ask Ria about them later.

I walked out of the bathroom, and the smell of bacon hit my face. I sniffed it, and followed the smell. I felt like one of those cartoon characters. When I entered, Ria stood at the oven, Hunter beside her, and both were talking. Hunter grabbed the plate of pancakes, eggs, and toast I hadn't noticed before and went to set them on the table beside me. He looked up and saw me. "Well, good mornin' sunshine. Nice outfit!" He commented. Ria looked over her shoulder and smiled.

"I see you took my advice. You look good!" She turned back around and I chuckled. "Hey, Ri? What should I do with my clothes and the pj's you lent me?" I asked. Ria turned and told me to just put the pj's in her room. "I would suggest put your clothes in your pack, just in case." I nodded, and went to go deal with them quickly. I didn't look into her room, just threw to pj's in there as to not invade her privacy, though I doubt that she would mind. I went back to the bedroom and grabbed my clothes. I stuffed them into my bag, and was about to leave when I saw the doll. I stared at it for a moment, wondering what I should do with it. After a moment, I grabbed it and gently put in the front pocket. I zipped it shut, and walked back into the kitchen.

Ria and Hunter were now sitting at the table, getting their food and laughing. I grabbed my food and sat down as well. We talked about last night, dreams, and how Hunter had basically kidnapped me. Ria found that hilarious. It seemed like a normal morning for someone normal. Someone I was not. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

After breakfast, Hunter was shooed off to take his own shower while Ria and I cleaned up. There I asked about the shower and my now gone black eye. She paused, then took in a deep breath. "The water here heals whoever touches it. The tingling meant it was being healed." She turned to me after putting dishes in the sink to wash later. "You.. did want that gone, right?"

"Well, I mean, yeah, but.." I sighed. I felt overwhelmed by what has happened so far. Ria seemed to understand, and she fell silent. I sat at the kitchen table, fiddling with the necklace. After a bit, I took it off and examined it. The blue swirled against the green, and just from looking at it, I knew it represented Earth. I fiddled with it until footsteps approached the kitchen doorway. I turned, and Hunter stood there, hair damp and a smile across his face. He looked at me. "Well, Lyra, let's go." He grabbed my hand and started pulling me toward the door that led downstairs. "We're going to see Talyn."