When Neve opened her eyes, everything was gray. She couldn't tell the difference between anything; it was all a blur. Then it cleared up.

And she was falling.

She screamed, clutching at the air in what she knew was a futile attempt. "Pan... dora! Pandora! Help... me!" As she flipped around in the air, the ground surging closer, she grew calm, for some reason. And she began to float much slower toward the ground. "Pandora?"

I'm here.

What's going on? Why aren't I falling anymore? Why was I falling in the first place?

I don't know.

Neve furrowed her eyebrows as she landed safely on the ground. Really?

Really.

Okay. Well, what do I do now?

Pandora sighed. You came here without planning what you were going to do next?

I was kind of too worried about the idea of going into the Daemonsphere willingly to think about my next move.Neve hugged herself, shivering against the cold. And I was kind of depending on you knowing what to do.

You're not the smartest kid  around, you know.

I know, but—

It's fine, Neve. You just have to follow my lead and keep your eyes open.

Okay.

I mean literally keep your eyes open.

Why?

You'll see.

Neve rolled her eyes in annoyance, then squinted, a strategy she'd learned would keep her eyes open for much longer. Suddenly, black clouded her vision. Pandora, what's going on?

Just wait and... close your eyes.

She did what Pandora said immediately, uneasy. She heard shifting in front of her, then a woosh sound, and Pandora said, "You can open your eyes now."

"Are you sure?"

A giggle. "Oh, are you scared, Neve? I'll keep you safe."

Neve scowled, warily opening her eyes. "I'm not sc—" Her jaw dropped. "Who are you?"

It was a girl who looked about her age, with straight dark hair that didn't reach her shoulders, pale skin, and a smile that made Neve wonder if it was safe to be around her. "Do I look that different? Granted, you've never actually seen me before..."

"Pandora?!"

"Shhh. You're too loud. We don't want the Fear Creatures to hear." She paused. "Damn, that name does sound stupid."

Neve's eyes bulged. "What? But how? Why are you here?"

"It's just a physical form I created for myself. And it's a bit hard to guide someone in their head since you said I'm not allowed to take control of you anymore. What a shame. It would be much easier that way."

Neve opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. She had nothing to say. All she could do was stare at Pandora, confused and a bit frightened.

"What's with that expression? You're not scared, are you? I already told you—I'll protect you." She took a step toward Neve, to which the girl shuffled backward. "What—Neve, are you actually scared of me?"

She averted her eyes to the dark sky and stayed silent.

Pandora laughed. "I'm the least of your worries right now, sweetheart. We need to get to cover."

"But we need to get to—"

"Safety first, destination later."

Neve pouted, but Pandora simply rolled her eyes. "Stop being such a child and follow me." She spun in the opposite direction, flipping her hair dramatically.

Frowning, Neve caught up and stood beside her, glaring at the ground and dragging her feet. She didn't want to take some detour into the forest—not that she knew where she was going anyway—to be safe. She'd come into the Daemonsphere to take her mind back. Safety took the backseat to that.

"Ah, Neve, even now, when I'm not in your head, I can still tell what you're thinking."

Neve looked at Pandora. "Wait. You're not in my—"

She sent her a fierce glare. "Quiet, I'm talking. Anyway, it's written all over your face. You think we shouldn't go into the forest. And, let me guess, you also think it's even more dangerous in there than it is out here?"

Neve stared at Pandora in surprise but nodded.

"Just as I thought," she said, and sent her a look that said, You're an idiot. "Neve, if we don't go into the forest, we're going to die. Well, you're going to die. They can't kill me. I mean, I guess I could protect you, but that's kind of troublesome. It's not like you'll actually die." She took an exaggerated breath before continuing. "And we could die in the forest too. But would you rather definitely die out in the open, knowing you're a moron, or be in cover and maybe die, but also know you're not an idiot? Hmm? I would say the latter, but I really don't know about you."

Neve's eyes widened as she stumbled back, feeling like she'd been slapped.

"Was that too harsh? Sorry."

The apology fell on deaf ears as Neve turned in the opposite direction and walked away.

"Neve!" She heard Pandora call out. "Come back! I'm sorry!" This time, she sounded genuine, but Neve was too angry to care. So angry, in fact, that she didn't know why she was. Pandora's words had stung, but that was no reason for her to feel like trampling her into the ground.

"Neve!" Closer. "Neve!" Right behind her.

She swung her elbow back, connecting with Pandora's nose. The girl staggered back, holding her nose as... black liquid dripped onto the floor.

Pandora stared at her hand, eyes wide. Then she looked at Neve. "You bitch!" She pounced on her, causing her to fall on the ground and get the breath knocked out of her.

She straddled her, holding her head and banging it repeatedly against the floor. She timed each slam with her words. "What. The. Fuck. Is. Wrong. With. You?! You don't just elbow people because they say something your small-minded self can't understand, you undisciplined child." She smacked her.

Neve gasped, the intense pain from getting her head slammed on the floor mixing with the sharp sting of the slap. She slowly turned her head back to Pandora. She'd fucking had enough. She pushed the girl off of her, then bent down and gripped her hair with both hands, using momentum to pull Pandora up and swing her around. The girl pushed her nails into Neve's hands but she was too furious to care, continuing to pull her around before letting her go. A satisfied smirk crept onto her face as she heard Pandora crash into a tree.

She turned around to see how the girl was faring (and see if she needed another beating) but was met with an unexpected sight.

Pandora sat on her knees, bruised face staring up at Neve in something that looked a lot like worry. Neve stuck her nose up in the air. "So full of it before, but now look at you... reduced to this all because—"

"Shut up, Neve! And stop talking like that. We have to get out of here before the—"

"Before the daemons come? I'm not scared. And you shouldn't be scared either because I'll protect you."

Pandora rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Arrogance isn't a good look on you, Neve."

That was the last thing Neve heard before Pandora's physical form was no more and absolute pain consumed her mind.

In the morning, Neve felt like shit. Not just physically, but emotionally. How could she have elbowed Pandora and then proceed to slam her against a tree? Why had she acted that way just because Pandora had been a bit rude? Was she barbaric?

Wouldn't be surprising?

Pandora, what happened?

Well, the Daemonsphere amplifies... negative feelings, which explains why you were so mad that you threw me into a tree! That shit hurt.

Hey, you banged my head against the floor!

Only after you elbowed me in the face. Is it just the Daemonsphere, or do you have some violent tendencies?

Oh, shut up.

Not unless you admit you're a sadist. You smiled about my pain.

You're just mad that I beat you, aren't you?

...maybe. But if you hadn't gone all Ring Around the Rosy on me, I would've kicked your ass.

Whatever helps you sleep at night. Because apparently, you can sleep, if that makes any sense.

Hey! I'm your guardian angel! Show some respect!

Respect you? I think not.

Uncultured swine.

This is why I don't respect you.

...just get ready for school.

And Neve dragged herself out of bed, getting ready for what was sure to be a fun day at school (note the sarcasm).