Ruby P.O.V.

The heavenly smell of pancakes filled my nose pretty late into the morning. Then the smell revealed a strawberry and chocolate scent within its goodness, but still, I didn't feel like opening my eyes. I wonder why Blake was making pancakes? She only made pancakes, waffles, or French toast on special occasions. And they were very rarely accompanied with anything but syrup and milk. This could only mean two things. One, something really good happened, or two, something really bad happened. Either way, I knew that I'd need to pry myself from my feathery resting place. Normally, I got up pretty early, but for whatever reason, a certain time of year, every year since I was eleven, I get massive headaches, fatigue, and terrifying nightmares every single night for a month. This was the end of the first week of this. I rolled out of bed and onto the floor then I pulled myself to my feet and stumbled into the long hallway and down the stairs to the main hall. I followed the scent to the kitchen where Blake was preparing a stack of chocolate chip pancakes topped with homemade strawberry syrup and fresh strawberries from the garden. Something was up.

"Happy birthday, Ruby girl," Blake smiled and handed me the plate.

"Oh, is that today?" I asked. Really, if it wasn't for stores and Weiss and Blake asking what I wanted, I wouldn't have known it was Christmas last year.

"Yeah, didn't you know?" Weiss questioned. I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly.

"W-Well, not really, I kinda forgot what the date was today. I just know that those nightmares are back," I explained. Weiss thought for a second.

"Ruby, why don't you see if you can go talk to a consoler. Maybe you need to remember what really happened a long time back in order to stop this," Weiss suggested.

"But what if it's too terrifying. I-I must have thrown all of the memories away for a very good reason," I expressed my fear. Blake put an arm around my shoulders after I had set the plate on the bar.

"I know you're afraid of what you'll find, but you were only eleven when you forgot. And really, we have no idea whether they are still there or not. Remember when you went the hospital because you were seeing things?" Blake reminded.

"Yeah, I remember that," I said, sitting down on a bar stool and started picking at my pancakes.

"Hey, why the long face, Blake and I have a present for you," Weiss said.

"What is it?" I asked. Blake grinned.

"Remember when Princess said you weren't allowed to get your driver's license because she was too paranoid you'd get in a wreck?" Blake asked. I groaned. It's like I'm a toddler.

"Yes, I remember that," I narrowed my eyes at them.

"Well, we discussed it, and we decided you can get your driver's license today if you want," Blake said.

"But if you don't, that's fine too!" Weiss added quickly. I grinned.

"I really can?" I asked.

"Yes, you can get it," Weiss huffed. I ran up and hugged the two of them.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou! You're the best big sisters ever!" I squealed. Blake and Weiss hugged me back.

"You're welcome, but don't think this isn't gonna have rules. You must be home by ten each night, don't pump gas in the dark, park as close as you can, park under a light, and if I ever find out that went to Country Side Homes, you'll be in your room for a month with no cell phone, no TV, no computer, and no Weapon Weekly, got it?" Weiss lied down the rules.

"What's wrong with that cute little neighborhood?" I asked. Weiss looked at me with a bit of a upset face.

"There was a very, very bad set of people that lived there a while back. They killed a young girl and beat her sister for years on end, the evidence was everywhere, but the neighbors did nothing about it," Weiss explained.

"But that was a while back, they're gone now, right?" I asked.

"Yes, but I don't want to take any chances, just please, don't go there," Weiss asked. I sighed.

"Ok, I won't," I said.

"Thank you, now hurry up and finish eating so you can get dressed and Blake can take you to the DMV," Weiss said.

...

"Hey, Weiss, I'm gonna go spend the night at Nora's house," I said. Weiss looked up from her history book.

"Ok, make sure to pack an extra blanket, it's gonna be cold tonight," Weiss reminded.

"I will, Mom," I teased. Weiss huffed.

"You know, Blake and I love you to pieces, we worry about you so maybe you could try being thankful that you're loved."
"I am, I was just joking, you can be a little over protective sometimes," I said. Weiss set down the text book and gave me a hug real quick.

"Be careful, ok, I don't want to lose you," Weiss whispered.

"You're not gonna lose me, Weiss. I'm perfectly fine, nobodies after me," I assured.

"I know."

...

The snow pounded onto the car like nobody's business. I could barely see outside of the windows. And that's with my lights on. I was a little too far away to turn around. It'd be safer heading to Nora's house than to turn around and go home. Still, something was a little unsettling about this storm.

...

Unknown P.O.V.

"Looks like she's driving on thick ice. Something tells me she isn't gonna get home anytime soon," I stated, sitting on the roof of some house. The frigid wind rushed through my hair, sending it flying into my face. I tucked my locks behind my ears and looked around. "Well, we'll see how this plays out."

...

Ruby P.O.V.

Suddenly, I saw a young girl standing in the road. I slammed on my brakes, sending the car flying into a ditch full of ice. Worst part is, I couldn't move. The air bags crushed me against my seat, and because I was already slouching, I was practically being suffocated by the thing. I tried to reach my purse, which had my cell phone, I couldn't reach it on the floor in the back seat. Then I realized that the electric blanket I had in my lap somehow wrapped around my legs and the cord got stuck in one of the pedals. I was stuck. And did I mention there was a BLIZZARD going on outside. Not my ideal way of going out. I struggled, but one restraint lead to another. Sure, there was some broken glass I could easily rip the air bag with... if I could move my arms. I don't think I had ever felt so helpless. Nobody was going to find me for a very long time. By the point somebody found me, and hopefully got me medical attention, I could very well be dead. What would Weiss and Blake do? They just spent a boat load of money on a car. And money's a little tight with Weiss' college tuition and Blake's wedding coming up, the last thing they need is to pay for car repairs. Everything was overwhelming. I just decided to close my eyes and try to sleep a little and ignore the pounding headache.

...

When I woke up, I wasn't in my car. I was in the street. I was also not wearing my jeans and red coat. In fact, I was in a skirt. I was wearing a long sleeved black shirt, puffy black and red battle skirt, black thick leggings, and black combat boots. I pulled myself to my feet and looked around. How did I get there? Why was I in... Oh crap. Weiss is going to kill me. Country Side Homes. But how? I wrecked on the interstate. I ran to the gate and was bounced back into the middle of the street.

"Looks like somebody's a little scared," a voice said. I turned around to see a tattered light brown teddy bear.

"I really hit my head," I commented.

"Listen to what I have to say, Ruby," the teddy bear said in a stern voice.

"Uh.. Ok, what's up?" I asked.

"My name is Ming. Do you by any chance know where you are, Ruby?" the bear asked. I shook my head. "Welcome to Memorwonderneverland."

"Um... That's quite the mouthful," I said.

"Well, the person who created this place is a little confused in the head and often conflicts with herself. She compromised with her other opinions, but residents are taking a vote on a new name," Ming explained. "Though that stupid tyrant will probably just forget to make anything official again and another war will break out."

"Lovely, now how do I get out of Memorwonder-something another," I asked.

'Can't believe I'm talking to a stuffed bear. I really hit my head hard in the crash, didn't I? Oh well, just go with it.' I thought.

"Well, Ruby, Memorwonderneverland is a very special place. This is a world created after you forgot everything at eleven. In this world lives your memories. Fragments, different memories are scattered about. If you wish to return home, to have future, you must rediscover your past. Collect memories as you make your way to the Queen's Palace. Be wary of Weeping Dolls, Injured Angels, Monster Boys, Lost Souls, and Ten Faced Girls. Also, if you happen to run into a girl that can dissolve into super heated desert sand, can fly, and is clad in a green shoes with little bells on the ends along with yellow bracelets of gold, kill her. She's a criminal that has been a pain to us all. Causing trouble in the existing world, creating dreams for children, and eating the last of the cookies. Off with her head," Ming explained. I looked around.

"And you expect me to find this palace without my phone's GPS?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"You'll have to use a map, you poor unfortunate soul!" a weird rabbit like thing exclaimed sarcastically as he tossed a crumpled up map at my forehead. I straightened it out, looking at the old looking map. Well great, I barely know how to work these things.

"Also, you might want this," Ming said, handing me a folded up piece of metal. Gee, thanks, I'm sure that this thing is very useful. "It's a scythe and sniper rifle. Not too complex for you I hope." my mouth dropped.

"Not at all," I replied. Ok, I regret my first thoughts, this thing is awesome.

"Well, be on your way, Ruby, and remember, to unlock your future is to rediscover your past," Ming said as she faded into a pile of ashes.

...

Blake P.O.V.

"Blake, she hasn't called us yet, something must have happened," Weiss paced the living room. As much as we fought at first, Weiss and I had grown close over the years. After Ruby's break, Weiss became super over protective over Ruby. Ruby had yet to contact us since she left for Nora's house.

"Weiss, chill, I'm sure that Ruby's just enjoying herself and forgot. I doubt anything happened to her," I assured.

"But what if something did happen? What if she's hurt, or dead, or abducted by aliens, or attacked by zombies, or attacked by a sworm of angry wasps, or joined the rebel alliance and is being electrocuted by Darth Vader in the flesh! Blake! We need to call the police before she begins her battle to the death against Sub-Zero in the Hunger Games! We need to go to Lucifenia now!" and at least I know Weiss had coffee today.

"Chillax, she's fine. She's not fighting to the death, on another planet, dead, or in the Lucifenian revolution. You're overreacting because of caffeine overload. Just, calm down a little bit," I said. Weiss sighed, holding her forehead.

"Geez, where did this migraine come from," Weiss asked.

"The seven cups of coffee you drank earlier," I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Well I have to be the first in my class to turn in this essay so my professor realizes how exceptional I am," Weiss yawned.

"Go lie down, I'll wait up for a phone call," I said. Weiss nodded and stumbled up the stairs to her room... or I hope so.