That night, before she went to sleep, Neve decided something: she was going to delve deeper into the Daemonsphere that night. Though she hadn't had a nightmare of it when she was sleeping since Pandora came along, and she had no idea how to get into it, she had to do something. She couldn't let the Fear Creatures create the illusion of the Daemonsphere in her head anymore.

Neve, don't do it! Pandora said when she went to lay down.

Don't do what?

Don't play dumb! Don't go into the Daemonsphere.

What other choice do I have? I can't let this thing just show up in my mind whenever it wants!

And you think that going into the very thing that you want to stay away from is going to help you? You're dumber than you look, Neve.

Neve clenched her fists, taking in the pain that her nails caused her to calm her down. If I didn't know any better, I'd say there's something in the Daemonsphere that you don't want me to find.

Pandora only hesitated for a moment, but that was all she needed. 

If you tell me what you're hiding right now, I might not go in.

That's a lie and we both know it. Just don't go in at all!

I can't do that. I can't do that! I can't stand not knowing when this thing is going to appear, when I'll be sucked into a world, unable to get out until... I don't even know! I can't do that, Pandora! Neve sat down on her bed, one hand clutching her suddenly aching stomach and the other against her chest. Her chest tightened, a shiver going through her body. She closed her eyes.

I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay. I'm not in any danger here. These thoughts helped, but barely. She could feel goosebumps growing along the skin of her arms as another chill ran down her spine.

Neve, are you okay?

The fuck does it look like, Pandora?!

Ooookay then. I'll just go—

No! Don't leave me!

...okay. What's wrong?

I think I'm having a panic attack.

Ah. What's that? Wait... oh. What do you want me to do?

I don't know! Just be here.

Um... alright. Your eyes are closed, right?

Yes.

Okay. Keep them that way.

Why?

Just do it.

Suddenly, Neve felt another presence in the room. Pandora, what's going on?

Nothing bad.

A shudder racked her body as she felt the presence right next to her, the bed barely moving under its weight. She leaned away as it shifted closer.

"Neve, listen. I know you're freaked out, but you need to calm down."

Neve tensed in shock at hearing the voice both in and out of her head. "Pandora?"

"Yeah." She struggled not to recoil when its—her—hand went over hers. "I'm here for you."

Neve inhaled deeply. "How are you here right now?"

"Long story."

After Neve calmed down, Pandora made her physical form disappear before she could see it and told her that she would go into the Daemonsphere with her tomorrow night.

Thank you, Pandora.

Anything for you.

+++

Lunch was quickly becoming Neve's favorite time of the day. If it had only been a week earlier this wouldn't have been the case, but now... Lucas talked to her. Neve knew that if anyone could see her thoughts right now, they would say she had a crush on him, but that wasn't the case at all. It had just been so long since someone had seemed to actually like talking to her, she couldn't help but think about it all the time.

Today was different, however. Right when Lucas opened his mouth as if to say something to Neve, Claire said, "So, Lucas, I know you and Angelica are siblings, but what about Alice? How do you guys know her?"

Lucas's usual smile didn't falter as he shifted slightly to face Claire. "Well..."

Neve tuned his words out, staring at him. She frowned as she did, a feeling she was all too familiar with forming in her. Hurt. It wasn't only because of how he'd just turned away from her like it didn't matter, but his expression. He didn't care.

Sighing, she shoveled more food into her mouth and ignored the smug smile on Claire's face. She got lost in thought, daydreaming about what life would be without the Daemonsphere popping up in her head, without her mom hating her, without her dating Asher, and without the deal she made with Becca and Claire. Would she have actual friends or would she be as reserved as she is now? Would she still be paranoid of others? Would her father—

Neve was distracted from her thoughts when she had the nagging feeling that someone was staring at her. As discreetly as possible, she glanced up and caught Alice's eyes. Neve quickly looked back down. Why was she, of all people, staring at her?

Neve tensed as she felt someone get up from the table and sit on her right. It was Alice. What did she want? Neve sat up straight and turned to her, about to ask the question, but was stopped by the look on her face. It was rather thoughtful, eyebrows raised, eyes slightly wider than usual. Neve stared straight back at the silent beauty and noticed something strange. Instead of the chocolate brown eyes she had seen on her earlier, Alice's eyes were a pale brown, seeming to get lighter every second. Then, all of a sudden they were back to their usual color.

Alice blinked, tilting her head to the side. "Hello, Neve." She said these words deliberately, as if she were testing something out.

"Hi?" Neve furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

A thoughtful smile lit up Alice's face. "Are you okay? You look kind of... sad."

"I'm fine." Neve had to commend herself on her newfound lying skills. It sounded so true, like she wasn't sitting here thinking about all the mistakes in her life, what a mistake her life was.

"Sure you are." Alice rolled her eyes, the smile dropping off her face. "Don't mind Lucas. He's just being nice." And with one last weird look at Neve, she went back to her seat next to Angelica.

What was that all about?

I really don't know, Pandora.

Neve, do we really have to go?

Yes! You asking a million times isn't going to change that!

Pandora groaned. Ugh. Fine. Let's just get this over with.

Neve smiled for a brief second, then sighed, lying on her bed and closing her eyes. She thought of the Daemonsphere and the daemons in it—the Fear Creatures. How could she force her mind into it?

You don't actually know what you're doing, do you?

Neve pursed her lips, cheeks turning red. No.

Pandora laughed. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Neve. If you did know how, I would be kind of worried, to be honest. Anyway, I'll guide you into the Daemonsphere.

Neve felt a weird sensation in her head, halfway between discomfort and relaxation, if that made any sense. Pandora, what are you doing?

Hush now, child. Sleep.

She furrowed her eyebrows. This didn't sound like Pandora. The voices were similar somehow, but the words spoken made her sound much older. She didn't get any more time to think about it, however, as she drifted off.