New Beginnings

Chapter 2: The Girl With The Maroon Streaks

Jak, Daxter, and Keira's attention were drawn to the door, where someone was knocking frantically on the other side.

"Guys, back up." Jak ordered.

They back away as Jak approached the door. He places a slightly shaky hand on the knob. As soon as he unlocked it, a small figure rushed into the living room, tripping over the coffee table five feet away from the door. The figure was a young girl, and she ducked behind the couch.

"Close the door!" she screamed out frantically.

Jak closed it, locking the deadbolt and the handle.

The girl was small-framed, almost skin and bone. Her face was partially covered by her maroon-dyed bangs, the rest of her hair a strawberry blonde. The girl's eyes were sunken in, as though haunted. Keira looked at the girl in a sympathetic way.

"Jak, she looks sick," she said to Jak. "Like she hasn't touched food or water in days."

Jak sighed. "Get her some food, then."

Keira nodded and went to the kitchen, coming back with a bagel and a bottle of water. The girl looked up at her warily, but slowly relaxed as she saw Keira give her a gentle smile.

"It's alright," said Keira, "we're going to help you. You look hungry, here."

She extended the food to the girl, who hesitantly took it. The girl bit into the bagel, savoring it like it was heaven. Jak frowned, noticing just how sickly she looked.

Who would be cruel enough to starve a child? Jak thought.

Oh, many a people, Jak, nagged a voice in his head. People can be so cruel, y'know?

Jak let out a sigh. Shut it.

The voice cackled in his thoughts. Already being so defensive, eh? That's the Jak all of us know.

Just shut it. Jak snapped.

The voice laughed again, but didn't respond afterward. Jak blinked, sitting down on the couch behind him. He watched as the girl scarfed down the food. Keira spoke to her in a gentle voice, and it calmed Jak's eratic thoughts. He closed his eyes, listening as he dozed off.

Jak woke a few hours later, the lights turned off and the last lights of day shining through the blinds. He sat up, running his fingers through his hair. Jak glanced around to the sofa and saw the little girl fast asleep with a blanket covering her skinny frame. Sitting up, he let out a quiet sigh.

She looks so young...maybe twelve...?

Jak continued to watch her, a mix of anger and concern stirring in his chest. He sighed and laid back, looking around the room as he lost himself in his thoughts.

Jak heard a tiny gasp and looked over to the girl. She was sitting upright as she trembled, looking around warily. Jak's eyes met her gaze, and she watched him.

"You alright, kid?" he asked as he stood.

She nodded quickly, but Jak could tell that there was something wrong. He moved over to her and sat on his haunches on the ground.

"C'mon, kid. Tell me what's up."

The girl forced a smile. "I-I'm okay, really..."

"Really?" Jak questioned.

He reached his hand out, but the girl shied away from it. He gave her his best gentle smile and reached out again, brushing his fingers through her messy hair.

"I doubt you're okay," Jak replied. "You've gone through something traumatic, haven't you?"

Her gaze dropped, looking at her trembling hands. Jak sighed, pulling his hand away.

I've seen too many young people get hurt because of others who were selfish and greedy...I won't see another innocent child lose their innocence.

Jak gently placed a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Kid, you don't have to worry about anyone else hurting you...because we'll protect you."

The girl then looked up. "It's n-not easy to st-stop them...th-they'd kill you..."

Jak couldn't help but chuckle at this, surprising the girl. "I'd like to see them try."

She looked at him with wide, terrified eyes. Jak looked away, holding his head as a migraine started up.

"Sorry, kid...I didn't mean to scare you."

The girl continued to watch him, a look of insecurity in her wide hazel eyes. Her bottom lip quivered with obvious fear, and Jak sighed.

"You don't have to be afraid of me," Jak told her, but she still looked scared.

Jak groaned, running his fingers through his hair. He stood up and walked away from the girl.

I give up...she's so stubborn...she won't listen... Jak thought.

Remind you of anyone? the voice jeered.

Jak sighed. Two people, actually.

Just keep to yourself, Dark, another voice added. Jak is not in the mood for this.

And who are you to speak for him, eh Light?

Jak groaned, placing a hand to his head.

"Shut it, both of you," he murmured. "You're giving me migraines..."

"Having trouble, Jak?" Keira asked him as she stepped out of her room.

Jak looked up. "What? Oh, no, I'm fine."

Keira gave him a smile. "Okay, big guy. Get some sleep."

She placed a kiss on his cheek and walked into the living room. Jak watched her with wide eyes, placing a hand to his cheek.

Wow... his dark counterpart mused. Keira's got spunk, I'll give her that.

I agree, his pure counterpart confirmed, she's quite a girl, isn't she?

Jak turned and walked into his bedroom. He took off his boots and listened as his two alter egos argue over something he didn't care about. He took off his goggles and set them down on the nightstand. He climbed into bed and sighed.

I'm going to bed, try to be quiet and not fight, okay?

The two agreed and said their goodnights before going silent. Jak closed his eyes as sleep overcame him.

So I'm changing it from a triple cross-over to just a regular double cross-over. Sorry for the Creepypasta fans!

Mae