Where am I? What’s happening? Why can’t I see anything even though my eyes are wide open? I slowly rise to my feet. Some type of metal armor hugs my entire body. Why am I wearing this? What’s it for? Do I really need it? I tighten the grip on both my hands to find a silvery staff. If only I could see it.

A wave of echoes drown out the silence. Seems to be footsteps, but where are they coming from? I twirl around like a ballerina. Maybe it’s just my imagination. Maybe that’s just me.

“Timothy?” a girl shyly mumbled. I snap my head in every direction possible. That voice, it’s, it’s, so familiar. But whose? I can’t put my finger on it.

“He’s responding!” another girl shrieks with happiness. Her scream is another I recall. Am I hallucinating? Probably so. When was the last time I had a drink?

“Timothy, stop spinning around, you’ll tire yourself out,” a much deeper demand replies. He too has a voice I know. But how does he know what I’m doing? I stop moving at once, hoping that I won’t hurl.

“Where am I? Hello?” I ask, wishing for an answer. It feels like I’ve been in Antarctica. The wind howling in my ears, the chilly blows tickle my spine, the goosebumps that crawl up my skin, I’m sick of it. If this is a prison, could I at least have some proper clothes that will actually keep me alive?

“No! Stop it! Don’t touch him!” the first girl madly hollers. What’s going on?

“Get away from my sister!” the boy shouted with fury. Wait, a brother, a sister...

“Let me go! Let me go! Let me GO!” the other girl begged.

Why isn’t anyone telling me what’s going on? Do I have to yell in order for them to stop? Do I have to command them? What else can I do? All I have are these plates of metal and this long silver stick. Wait. Silver, long stick. A staff. MY staff. Power. Oh my gosh, how have I been so stupid? How have I been so blind?

“STAY BACK ‘CAUSE I GOT THE POWER!” I blurted from my position. I outstretch my arms for a hug I’ll never receive. Grasping the staff in my right hand, I squeeze my eyes shut.

“Timothy?” the boy excitedly inquires.

“THGIT! THGIT! EVIG EM THGIT!” I boom. Like a soldier, the staff shoots out the colors of a sunset, eating every bit of darkness around me.

“TIMOTHY!” the boy exclaims. I recognize him now. Victor, the boy with gleaming midnight hair and crimson eyes, leaps into me, thrusting me to the ground.

“You’re back,” he joyfully whispers into my icy ear.

“TIMOTHY, YOU’RE ALIVE!” a pink skinned girl with violet eyes rushed to my side. Urvi.

“Well, well, well, hey there, Timothy,” a girl that looks identical to Victor grins. Vanessa. I’m glad I’m not alone. I’m glad I’m with my friends again.