''The Difference between Wants and Needs''

Chapter 1 (A1)

Jane Doe is what the coroner said.

They found my body, not my head.

No parents came, and so-

-they never learned my name, or who I used to be...

My life- an unsolved mystery.

*****

(PENNY- POV)

When Penny awoke, she had little recollection of the events that had happened before. She remembered her friends going to the fortune teller, she remembered the roller coaster, a sharp pain around her neck, and then she had woken up here. How? Why?

Beside her, on the neighboring hospital bed, a boy perhaps a little older than her was. His head was wrapped with a bandage. Hm. She hadn't seen him on the roller coaster, though of course, there were many other reasons one might be found in the hospital. He must've woken up, because he suddenly sat up, hyperventilating. Penny watched curiously.

The boy looked around, before seemingly calming down. How strange. Maybe he had a nightmare? Penny figured asking him if he was ok would be the 'right thing to do'.

"Would you like to brush my dolly's hair?"

She held out Jane Jr. to him. He stared at the headless doll for a second, then back at her, before inching away.

"No- no thanks..."

Hm. Had she said something wrong? Maybe he was 'freaked out'. Well then, perhaps she could change the topic. Hmm. What to ask?

"May I see the bandage?"

Penny asked. The boy nodded slowly, hesitantly. He leaned closer so Penny could better see his face. Tired eyes and a permanent frown. How sad. Penny tilted her head curiously, before poking the bandage.

"Ow! What the hell!"

Penny recoiled. "Sorry. Sorry, I was curious. I have never been to a 'hospital' before." The boy sighed. "Its OK, but it's not very kind to poke people's heads." He explained, before speaking again. "My name is Mark. What's yours?"

"Ja- Penny. Penny Lamb." Penny had to remind herself she was no longer 'Jane Doe'. Mark squinted at her. "You look familiar- were you in the news?"

Penny wasn't very sure. "Perhaps. I do not know."

*****

(MARK- POV)

This person was very strange. Mark swore he recognized her from somewhere, but he couldn't remember. He wanted to know more.

"How did you end up in the hospital?" He asked gently. Penny stared at him for a second. Then she answered: "Rollercoaster accident."

Ah. That's who she was. He'd heard about the choir, and their unfortunate end on that Rollercoaster. He couldn't imagine a fate like that. God was cruel. But wait... Hadn't they all died?

Shoot. This can't be her, she's dead. Which means it's an alternate. HE'S RIGHT NEXT TO AN ALTERNATE?!

Mark hurriedly got up, backing away from Penny, all while she kept staring at him curiously.

"You're not Penny. You're not her. I- I don't know who you are, but stop impersonating somebody who has died a horrible death! That's low, even for you, you monster!"

Penny kept staring at him. He had to get out of here- Now. He ripped off the bandaids and IVs connected to his arms and raced quickly out of the room. Penny watched him leave, keeping her curious expression.

Mark kept going, he'd been told to stop, but he was already running, on his way to his only safe place. His house. That's where he'd hid before, and he'd hide there again. He locked the door behind himself, running to his room.

There was a knock at the front door. No... No! Then a tapping at the window. This thing- it was messing with him. He heard a click as the window opened.

"Knock knock...

Sorry for coming in through the window! Dreadful etiquette, I know..."

"Get out of my house!" Mark turned to face the alternate impersonating his friend. It could only be Cesar. He knew that voice...

Cesar grinned, taking a step forward. Mark took a step back, towards his desk. Towards his gun. He wouldn't miss this time. "Another act of bravery. I admire your persistence to stay alive, but it won't help you in the long run. Everyone has their time... You don't want to keep God waiting, do you?"

"What are you talking about?!"

Mark demanded. Cesar laughed bitterly. Then he suddenly fell forward. Mark scrambled back as Cesar fell to the ground, clearly unconscious. Who- What- He looked up, meeting the curious stare of Penny. Holding a bat, to be exact.