Now it's time for chapter 7! I started writing this one soon after finishing the last one but hit writer's block soon after passing a certain point. I'm sorry it took so long, but at least it hasn't been a year! I'll try and have the next chapter out a bit faster than this one! At least it's only been 7 months instead of 10… Still, 2 more months then the last 'd think that when this quarantine thing started I'd have had the chapter out not long after, but that ended up not being the case.

Oh well, on with the show!

I looked around once more for my double, even going so far as to look under the void bench. I was almost tempted to get up from it and look around on foot, but who knows how far this void goes. Not only that but I'd rather not risk losing the bench, in more ways than one.

I'm also having trouble shaking this eerie feeling that's in the air. I've never been alone in this place before, so I've never realized how haunting and depressing it can be. I think it'd be best if I just forget asking my double for advice and just went to go eat with Kyon and his family, if not much time has passed anyway. Still wishing I knew how much time passes when I'm in this place, oh well.

Just as my double instructed me earlier in the week, to leave this place all I need to do is lie down on the bench and go back to sleep. So, I lied down on the bench and closed my eyes, waiting for sleep to take me so that I may wake up. Kind of ironic when you think about it...

A few moments passed and I opened my eyes once more.

Gray sky. Void Bench. Something's wrong.

I sat up and tried to keep myself from panicking. Deep breaths. In and out… Let's start with the problems and try to figure out the answers. Why can't I leave this place? Where is my double? Why is this even happening? These are the problems… now how do I go about finding the ans-

"I'm sorry…" I suddenly hear my voice echo throughout the void, "I don't know who you are." I looked up and glanced around me. I'm still alone, but that was definitely my voice just now and I know I didn't say anything. I'm also getting Deja vu, haven't I said that before? I think I said that to Kyon once.

I started to frantically look around, maybe my double was playing some kind of prank on me? Is she able to become invisible or something here? Can she project her voice?

"I don't really want to say anything right now." Kyon's voice?! "It's better if you don't know." Isn't that what Kyon told me when I asked about what happened? I looked around again, desperately wanting my double to pop up and tell me this was all a joke, I'd sock her for sure, but at least I'd know this was a prank. She's able to disguise her voice here too right? Sure, she's never done it before but she probably never said anything just so she could do this to me. That's definitely something she would do.

I just noticed that the void is changing too. Originally it was a dull gray sky with a bright white floor, so white it was almost blinding. Now I'm seeing… clouds. Black clouds that were definitely not there before; and if they had been there, they were still, never moving. I could see cracks forming on the white ground and some kind of black liquid was bubbling up from these cracks. I gasped as I lifted my feet up as the liquid began touching the legs of the bench.

"All I want is my body!" The demanding voice of my alter ego could be heard clearly as wind started picking up inside the void. "Just stand up and give it to me already!" Is that what this is? is she trying to scare me into giving up control? No, wait… she's already said that to me already. That was my first night, wasn't it?

A large gust of wind blew me into the bench, pulling me out of my train of thought. The sky was darker, the clouds were beginning to swirl as flashes of light and the sound of thunder roared in the distance. "If you sit on this bench, what happens to me? Do I stay in this void like you? Or do I just disappear completely?" It's me again this time. Why? Why am I hearing all of this? What the heck is going on?! I don't want to-

"We've talked it over, Haruhi." Wait, whose voice is that? I don't recognize that one. It sounds like an older woman... "After everything that's happened, we don't think you should be seeing-"

What did she say?! Was that my mother? When was this? Is this my alter ego's memory? Why can I hear it so clearly?! I don't underst- The feeling of liquid touching my bottom caused me to break my train of thought once more.

To my horror, I could no longer see the bright white floor. The black liquid had swallowed it all and had flooded the entire void, already reaching the seat of the bench. In a panic, I stood up in a futile attempt to get away from it. I looked up to see that the clouds were swirling faster with lightning striking so often that it illuminated the void. I wanted to run but my fear kept me rooted to the bench as the black liquid began to rise past the bench and begin covering my feet.

"I know you were joking when you said it before but now… Are you trying to tell me that you like-" My double's voice was cut off as the swirling clouds formed a tornado that crashed into the black ocean. The sound was so deafening that I slapped my hands onto my ears to try and muffle the sound. The liquid was being swallowed into the tornado, but it continued to rise, reaching my waist. I was beyond panicking, I had begun to shout for help without even realizing it.

More and more voices echoed, some repeating things that have already been said and some saying things I've never heard before. I can't tell if they're my doubles memories or something else altogether, but they were the least of my concerns.

The liquid had reached my neck as the tornado began to spin faster than physically possible, the wind began to sting my face as the twister began to take some kind of shape and its color went from black to a dark semi-transparent blue. The lightning began to bend into the twister, being swallowed by this new form, illuminating the void permanently.

The liquid had reached my chin and I struggled to keep my head above it. I couldn't swim in it and even if I could, I don't think I'd be able to leave the bench even if I wanted too! At this point I wasn't sure if it was my fear or some unseen force keeping me on this stupid bench!

Two enormous arms shot out from what used to be the tornado and crashed into the black liquid ocean, waves of black goo erupting from the dark sea. It began crawling out of what was the twister and stood so tall it seemed impossible it even existed.

This creature stood taller than most skyscrapers, its body a dark transparent blue that looked like it had swallowed galaxies and stars. The lightning that had been swallowed looks like it had been frozen inside its body. Three red orbs, forming in what appears to be its head zeroed in on me immediately after they formed. Its body looked as if it was melting, its 'skin' seemingly dripping, despite clearly being solid. It loomed over me and began pulling its fist back, looking as if it was preparing a punch.

"I'm sorry, Haruhi… I just can't..." Suddenly, all of the voices I had been hearing stopped. Kyon's voice was all I could hear. The liquid had finally risen above my head and yet I could still see this giant god-like creature towering above me, with its fist fully reeled back.

I began clawing for the surface, desperately wanting to breathe but unable to leave the bench. "I'm sorry, Haruhi… I just can't…" What is he sorry for?! Why does he sound so upset?! When did he say this?! The god-like creature's fist began rocketing towards me. I closed my eyes in fear until...

"You're not-" My eyes snapped open.

"The Haruhi-" No, stop, I don't want to hear- The creature's fist crashed into the black ocean, still coming straight for me.

"That I-"

"NOOOO!" I shot up from the void bench, screaming as loud as I possibly could.

"WOAH!" my double who was apparently right next to me, jumped backwards, tripped and fell onto her back.

I was gasping for air and my body was drenched with sweat. I looked around in a panic to try and confirm where I was.

The sky was back to its dull gray and there were no dark clouds looming over head as there had been before. The ground was devoid of any cracks and there wasn't a spec of liquid to be found anywhere. Most important of all, my double was here, picking herself off the ground.

"What the heck is wrong with you?" She rubbed her backside with an annoyed look on her face. Her expression quickly changed when she got a good look at me. "Hey, are you alright?"

"No, I-" I'm still gasping, trying to get my bearings. "I don't know what's happening right now!" I put a hand to my head. "I was here, but I wasn't here! And you-" I point at her. "You weren't there either! B-But you've always been there so I didn't know-" I gripped the seat of the bench and leaned over. "And there were so many voices- I could hear you, Kyon, myself and what I think is supposed to be my mother-"

"Stop!" She held a hand out as she cut me off.

I froze, still hyperventilating but trying to keep myself from spouting more nonsense.

"What happened? What are you talking about? You're jumping around and I'm totally lost."

I snapped at her, "I don't know, okay?! Can I even call it a nightmare? I didn't even know I could dream while I was in this place! Everything started normally but then out of nowhere I was suddenly being drowned by this disgusting black liquid and then a giant monster... thing that was about to crush me with its fist and I-" My breathing was still ragged but it slowly began to steady. "I was hearing voices... and things were being said that I haven't heard before! Things that either you heard and I just don't have any memory of them or… I don't know! Something!"

She put her hands on her hips, an angry expression forming on her face. Clearly she didn't like the tone I had, not like I really care.

"Look, I… I'm really freaked out right now." Her expression softened. "I wanted to ask you if you could tell me something about your parents since they're apparently coming back tomorrow. But when I woke up here, you weren't here and I was all alone. Then everything started going crazy and I-"

"Hey." She cut me off again, leaned down and got to eye level with me. "I don't know what happened but you don't have to say anything anymore, alright? I get it."

I nodded as I looked down at my hands, watching them tremble. "I'm afraid to lie down again. When I tried to leave that place the way you told me, nothing happened." I put my face into my hands.

"So, my parents are coming back tomorrow?" She sat down and crossed her legs and arms. "What do you want to know?"

I was surprised. She's usually so uncooperative, putting up some kind of fight before we actually get anywhere that I didn't know what to say at first. "Kyon…" I took a moment to remember what he had said. "He said you didn't want to get on their bad side…" My breathing began to calm down as I leaned back into the bench.

She sighed. "My parents are strict, or at least my dad is. My mom just kind of follows his lead, letting him set up the rules." She uncrossed her hands and put them on the ground, leaning back and using them for support. "He set up a lot of rules and made sure I followed them."

Sounds like I hit the nail on the head about the restrictions she must have been under.

"Honestly it was kind of suffocating every now and then, but my mom did get him to ease up a bit later down the line." A small smile formed on her face. "I'd say more, but I think it would be best if you actually met them yourself."

How am I supposed to do that now? "I can't-"

"Yes you can." She said sternly. "Look, I don't know what happened, but if you don't try everyone's going to think I'm in a coma or something. I can't go falling into a coma just like that, I've got things to do!" She stood up and walked over to the bench. "So you need to try and wake up. You've calmed down, right?"

Here I thought she was going to tell me she was concerned about me. Clearly, that's not the case. "In a way, yeah. But just because I'm not panicking anymore doesn't mean-"

"I don't care. I'm not about to let you run and hide. You're in control of my body and unless you're about to get up and give me back control, you're going to close your eyes right now and wake up in Kyon's room, okay?"

I looked at her in disbelief. "Says who?"

With her hands on her hips and her back straight she simply looks down to me. "Says me."

I furrowed my brow. "And what makes you think you have any ability to make me do as you say?"

A stern look appeared on her face. "Are you not going to listen to me?"

I sat up straight and kept my brow furrowed. "I don't have to do anything you say."

Her eyebrows raised, a slightly surprised look appeared on her face before settling into a stern stare. "Oh, is that so? Fine then. You do what you want, I don't really care." She turned around and walked away from the void bench, sitting down after walking for a few moments.

Of course she doesn't care. Did I forget who I was talking to? I guess I thought our heart to heart earlier might have helped us get a little closer, but obviously nothing's changed. All she wants is her body back. I get it, but you could at least show a little compassion. "Good. I don't want to talk to you anymore anyway." I looked at the bench seat and back to my double, gulping as I hesitantly laid down.

Closing my eyes, I took several deep breaths.

"...uhi…." I could hear a muffled voice.

"...ey,...Har…." It sounded like kyon.

I felt my body being shaken slightly, "Hey, Haruhi! Get up already!"

My eyes snapped open as I saw Kyon leaning over me. He had a look of concern on his face that relaxed as I woke up. "What's going on? Why are you-"

He let out a sigh of relief, "You had me scared there for a moment. It's noon and you weren't waking up. I was about to call an ambulance." He sat back for a few moments. "Your parents are going to be here in a few hours, so I wanted you to be ready. But when you weren't waking up…"

I was asleep for that long? "I'm sorry, I guess I was still recovering… Maybe I was a bit more sick than I thought." Wait a second, how soon are they coming? "How long do I have before my parents arrive?"

He tapped his chin for a second, "I don't know maybe 2 hours?"

I hopped out of bed and was about to make a b-line for the shower before I suddenly remembered the nightmare.

"You're not the Haruhi that I-"

That line rang inside my head. He's never said this, but actually hearing his voice say the words in my nightmare was unsettling. I looked back at Kyon. "Hey, Kyon…?"

"Yeah?" He was getting up from the floor.

I wanted to ask him how I compared to my alter ego, but I don't think I can stomach his answer. Besides, that's not a fair question to ask anyway. "Never mind." I left to shower. Hopefully I can get my mind off this.

I stood in the shower for a bit longer then I normally would. So much had just happened and I needed a moment to collect my thoughts. Whatever happened was a dream. None of it matters. If you let it get to you then you're going to end up breaking down in front of your parents.

With a few more deep breaths, I finished my shower and got ready to meet my family.

Another hour had gone by and soon enough, there was a knock at the door. Kyon gave me a look as he walked over to it, I responded with a slight 'I'm ready' nod as he turned the knob.

As soon as I made eye contact, I watched my mother's eyes almost explode with excitement and a sound of pure joy escaped her. My mother rushed past Kyon, almost knocking him over and pulled me into a vice grip of a hug. "My little Haruhi! I'm so sorry we couldn't be here sooner!"

Although I was most certainly being crushed I hesitantly wrapped my arms around her. While in that death grip of a hug, I managed to squeeze out a, "Hello mother…!"

Upon hearing this, she gasped and immediately pulled away while keeping her arms on my shoulders, "Oh no! Call me Mom! 'Mother' sounds so…" She waved her hand around as she was looking for a fitting word. "...Professional... As if I was your teacher or something!" She pulled me in for yet another hug but it was much less suffocating this time around. "Are you doing okay sweetie?"

I sighed and was just enjoying the moment, I'm glad my mother is affectionate at least. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just a little sleepy sometimes."

Her expression softened as she stood up, "Just make sure you let us know if there's anything wrong. We'll take you to the hospital faster than you can blink!"

Kyon walked over with a slight smile, "Hey Ms. Suzumiya, did you guys have any trouble getting here?"

My mother turned to face him and seemed like she was taking a moment to respond. "No, I think we managed okay, but thank you for asking Kyon." She smiled.

As I watched my Mom interact with Kyon, I couldn't shake this tense feeling in the air. If my mom hated Kyon I think I would have been able to pick up on that, but this felt more… nervous? or maybe anxious…? I couldn't tell.

Suddenly, that was the last thing on my mind as I heard heavy footsteps entering the house.

A tall, well built man entered the house, closing the door behind him. Immediately, he and I locked eyes. As he entered the house the expression on his face was stern and almost seemed as if it would never change, until he saw me anyway.

That stern unmovable face soon turned into a slight smile of relief. Even though this is technically my first time meeting him, I couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable because I can tell smiling was not something he did very often.

"I'm glad to see you're okay, Haruhi."

I took a deep breath.

"Hey, Dad."

And so we finally meet Haruhi's family. Hopefully this little glimpse will tide you guys over until the next chapter. I've got some plans for her family that I hope I'll be able to convey in an interesting way. For now though, this will have to do!

Thanks again for reading, I look forward to your reviews!