Slowly, very slowly, Chris cracked open a single eyes to try and take in his darkened surroundings. From where he lay he couldn't make out a thing, this place he now rested in, it was nothing more than a swirling cesspool of darkness. Rising up, the boy's hand was instantly pressed to the side of his head, seeking relief from the budding head-ache that plagued his senses, all that while that ominous voice kept speaking to him. [i]“Chris? Chris! Open your eyes Christopher!”[/i] Rising to his feet, the boy's hands feel down against his sides, pausing to again take in his rather disheartening surroundings. The entire experience was a little surreal and when he peered downward a twinge of terror consumed his heart, how was he standing on something like this? Would the darkness hold or would it consume him as soon as he tried to take even a single step further?

[i]“Hurry! There isn’t much time!”[/i]

The boy's attention shifted and for the first time he beheld the figure of the black cat, chocolate hues narrowing in suspicion at the prospect of listening to such a creature. What exactly was going on? Where in the world was he? Pain again flashed against the edges of his mind. The answer, it seemed, would not be so easily found. He was left with only one choice then and as the mysterious feline departed the boy gave chase, keeping up as best he could. Then, along the distant horizon he spotted a speck of light, a speck which only seemed to grow larger with each passing second. The shape of a door emerged and as the boy approached he slowed his pace. A long white nothingness awaited beyond the door's entryway, from his perception no better than the darkness which he now inhabited. There was a moment of hesitancy, he was leaving this place which at least now was somewhat familiar with him for the complete unknown. . . at leas this time it would be by active choice. Throwing caution to the wind, Chris gritted his teeth, prepared for the worst as he dashed forward, passing through the doorway to the white abyss which awaited.