Fall {ON HOLD}

Chapter Four

Author's Note: It's an early update! YAAAY! Hope you all like the story! Remember to vote an comment! Thanks again and Happy Reading!

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I open my eyes, instantly alert. I recognize Daniel's voice as he yells for me to wake up.

"Thank God you're awake!" he says, wiping his forehead as he sees me sit up.

"What the heck was that for? Why couldn't you just let me sleep?"

The way his face changes is enough to scare me from the idea. He goes from smiling relief to an emotionless wall instantly. he sets his lips in a firm line and his eyes seem to fixate on something far in the distance. When he speaks next, his voice sounds as if it could cut metal.

"Don't. Don't ask about it. All you need to know is that you never let yourself fall asleep. Ever." I nod, trying to stop myself from asking the hundreds of questions zooming through my brain all at once.

Why can't I let myself sleep? What'll happen if I do fall asleep? I glance up at him, and all the questions disappear, all but one. My voice comes out barely a whisper as I ask. "Daniel, what happened?"

He looks confused "Huh?"

"What happened? You said you were here for six months, but if no one had told you not to sleep, then how would you know?" My mind whirls as I think of possible answers, an excited buzz invading my brain. Is it possible? Is there someone who can communicate with us even when we're in this alternate dimension? It has to be, unless...

"Daniel? Is there someone else? Someone else, here?"

I can see him tense up. His hand freezes in mid air. For a second, an unrecognizable emotion flickers across his face, and I think he will tell me. I'm wrong. In an instant, he goes emotionless again. When he looks at me, it's as if a robot has taken his place.

"No. We are completely alone. No one is here. I figured it out myself the first night. That's it."

His tone seems to be challenging me, taunting me. Trying to get me to pry information out of him. There's an undertone of snarky satisfaction, as if he has some sort of power over me. It's a tone I know all too well, and the thought of the last time I heard it makes me shudder. Deciding not to even dignify him with a response, I shrug and turn to the door of my room.

My sister walks in, a book and a coffee in her perfectly manicured hands. My brother follows, the two of them speaking in hushed tones. I strain to hear their conversation.

"What do you think Mom will make her for dinner?" Alex asks

"I'm not sure. Something extra special though!" Sabrina responds, sipping her coffee.

I frown. Yesterday, my siblings seemed heartbroken, but now she oozes cheery anticipation. It takes me a while to figure it out, but when I do, it feels like I've been punched in the gut. Oh my God. They're talking about me. That's when it hits me why they're so cheerful. They think I'm coming back... today.

Suddenly, I know what I have to do. Swallowing my pride, I turn around, preparing to ask the one question that's been burning in my mind since I got here. The one question that I'm petrified to ask. Not because I don't know the answer, but because I do.

I take a deep breath. "Daniel, how do we get back."

"I'm sorry, Vanessa, but I don't know."

Breathe, I tell myself, you saw it coming. You knew what he was going to say. Still, I'm refusing to believe it. Even though I knew the answer before I asked the question, hearing the words spoken aloud sends me spiraling back into an uncontrollable sadness. I begin to sob, feeling sorry for myself, and like I've somehow let my family down.

"Hey," Daniel says, lifting my chin so I'm looking him in the eyes, "We'll find a way. We'll get back. I promise." And, as stupid as it is, I believe him, and I feel a little bit better.

When I regain my composure, I stand up and walk over to Daniel, who's perched on the windowsill.

"Hey." I say staring at him, full of determination "Are you ready?"

He smiles. I can tell just from the brief time I've known him that this is a rare occurrence.

"I see you're feeling better. Ready for what?"

"To find our way back, of course!" His smile falters

"Right, right. Obviously. What's your plan?"

I look at him like he just sprouted a hand on his forehead. "My plan? You've been here for six months and you haven't even come up with a plan? Haven't even tried to get back? What kind of person are you?"

I'm shaking with anger. How can someone leave their family for six months and not even try to get back? How can they be so inconsiderate of their family's feelings? It's not like this is some kind of mystic adventure!

"Wow Vanessa. Have you ever thought that I might have valid reasons? Has the thought ever occurred to you that not everyone has a perfect little life where they can prance around in their little skating costumes and-"

I cut him off. I don't want to hear anymore. "Daniel, I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"Save it. You know what Vanessa? .You can find your own way back. Get out of here. I'm done."

I gape at him as he stands up, shoves past me and walks out the door, not stopping to look back.

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Author's Note: Hallo! Thanks for sticking with this story! We saw a little more of Daniel in this chapter, but we still don't know everything about him, do we? What do you guys think of him so far? Any ideas on his reasons for not waning to go back? Send me a PM or let me know in the comments! Thanks and Happy Reading!