1 Chapter 1 - So, this is new.

I feel myself jolt awake, the pain in my head doing nothing but increase my self pity. Gosh, that was some party last night!

I finally manage to pry my eyes open, and almost immediatly felt my heart drop into my stomach. Either I was still tripping or very drunk, but I seriously couldn't remember walking into a forest.

Also, and this might just be me, but I don't have any recollection of there being yellow-purple trees in my neighborhood. Come to think about it, I don't think there are any trees in my neighborhood alive or dead.

I'm not a snowflake and I feel I can handle any situation rather skillfully, but this, this was on a whole new level.

I'm not even sure where I had to begin to figure out what was going on, but getting up, and checking for any injuries or broken bones felt like a do-able task. I slowly get up, ignoring the neon pink flowers, the sweet smelling air, and just focused on myself.

Great, I had no broken bones, but I had a weird swirling feeling in my stomach. I ignore that too, and refocus my attention on my limbs. I wiggle my toes and fingers, move my legs and finally begin to rotate my arms. Phew, nothing broken, just a few bruises, but considering everything around...

Wait, just wait!

I lift my arms, my lips begining to tremble. These snow white and very delicate fingers definitely didn't belong to me. I stare at them, my mind drawing a blank. I place my hands on my legs and realize that everything on me, like everything, did not belong to me.

I swallow the pityful sob, forcing myself to take a few deep breaths. Come on Laira, don't freak out, I mantra in my mind. Your friends are probably just playing a prank on you. I couldn't say if these words offered any comfort, but what else was there to do?

I slowly climb to my feet, ready to face whatever was going on, when the mother of all headaches blessed me with its pressance.

I cry out, fall to the ground. I clamp my hands around my head and tried to breathe through the agony. Faces, places, magic, and strange animals swarm through my mind like angry bees. I can hear someone talking, but I'm not sure if it's in my head or someone next to me.

Suddenly everything stops, the silence so deafening it was almost just as painful. I slowly lift my head, hoping to find something, anything familiar.

Nothing but darkness greets me. I look around. There in the distance, was a very faint light. I scramble to my feet, my heart racing. I didn't care what or who was there, only that I didn't want to stay in the darkness. I rush forward, coming to a stop as the ball of light starts to transform into a person.

I look her up and down and couldn't help think she was very beautiful. Soft brown hair, snow-white skin and the most beautiful hazel brown eyes.

'Wh-who are you?' I sutter.

She looks me over her cherry lips streching into a sweet smile.

'I am, well was,' she stops looking longingly away, 'Laira.' She says.

'H-how is that possible? I'm Laira.' I answer, but suddenly feeling very unsure. Wait, what? No, I was, am, Laira and she's well...

'Yes, my name is also Laira. Other than our names, we have very little else in common.' She says with that smile.

'O-okay, so what's happening? Have I gone nuts?' I ask staring at her intently.

She giggles and shakes her head no.

'No, you're very much sane. Only dead.' She states.

I nod my head, only to feel my heart skip a beat as her words register in my mind.

'I'M DEAD?' I shriek in horror.

How, when? Shouldn't I know I'm dead? Fuck, was that even possible? Am I just tripping hella crazy right no?

'Please, calm your mind. I am truly sorry that you've passed, but it would seem that fate has a different path for you.' She says her small pale hand gently stroking my shoulder.

'What?' I ask so articulately.

'Laira, my life was cut short by jelousy, vanity and greed. Your's ended peacefully and while you were sleeping. I understand you don't know what's happening, but I do hope you'll take better care of your new vessel.' She says looking a little angry.

I stare at her. I know she was speaking English, but her words were just not making sense. Vessel? Fate? What in the fluff was she talking about?

'We have very little time left. So, listen very carefully. I don't wish for you to seek revenge for me. Just live your life and live it freely. Learn, love and most importantly be happy.' She says with tears in her eyes.

Before I can make head or tails of what she's talking about, she pushes me backwards. Let me tell you, for her size, she sure had one hell of an arm.

Wind whips my hair around my face, tears blinding me. I feel myself falling, but unable to do anything. Just as I was thinking I was going to die a second time, do I feel my body jolt.

Bright light nearly blinds me as my eyes pop open. I was back in the forest, and hovering above me, was an animal that had way to many teeth.