After our family reconciled, we went back to the dining room and ate our dinner with much more liveliness then before.

When we'd finished, we placed our plates in the sink and went to our respective rooms for the night. However, I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned and even read the most boring book on the planet, but to no avail.

Sighing, I threw off my blankets, feeling the freezing air hitting my skin. I stumbled to my wardrobe and opened a drawer, taking out a golden key. Rubbing my eyes, I walked to my desk and unlocked another drawer. My eyes lit up at the art materials inside.

Not many many people know this, but I'm actually an artist. I love it. It calms me down and I feel proud when I look at the finished product. Quietly, I locked my room door- so that I'm not disturbed- and began to draw.

Soon, my eyes were blurry and red, my back hunched over and my fingers cramped. Groaning softly, I stretched and lifted the piece of paper, pleased with the outcome.

I'd drawn out my family. Standing behind, were Mom and Dad with huge smiled on their faces. In front were me and the rest of my siblings with our arms slung over each other's shoulders, Iris in the center. I hadn't added any colour yet.

Sighing, I looked out the window and was surprised to see the sun peeking over the edge of the horizon. I must've been drawing for a long time.

Carefully, I placed the art tools and the drawings in the drawer, locked it and placed the key back in its original place. I flopped into bed and allowed sleep to consume me.

After the video ended, I thanked George and Flo, swiftly making my exit and wiping my eyes.

Alex was alive. Alex was alive? Alex was alive! Alex was alive?!

With a million thoughts swarming in my head, I hailed a taxi and went down to the hospital.

Blinking back tears, I payed the taxi driver and walked to Iris' room. She was in the same position as before. If it wasn't for the steady beat of the heart machine, I'd have thought she was dead.

I sat in the chair next to her and held her hand in both of mine, "hey, Rainbow," I smiled weakly, "I saw the video. I know Al is alive," I paused, hoping for some reaction. None came.

"Please wake up Rainbow," I whispered despairingly, "I can't lose you," I rested my forehead against the bed and allowed tears to flow freely down my face.

I was in a dark room. I couldn't see or feel anything. I was alone.

Suddenly, my previously-thought-to-be-dead best friend materialised in front of me.

"Hi Rainbow," he smiled.

"You're not real, are you?" I asked, "you were never real... well, except inside my head."

Alex nodded sadly.

"What are you?" I asked.

"I have many different names," he shrugged, "and many different personalities. Some call me your conscience, your gut feeling, inner voice etc. I take the form of the person you're most likely to follow in the right direction."

I nodded slowly, "um, okay."

"Don't worry about it," my conscience waved his hand, "you'll forget all this when you wake up."

"Okay," I shrugged.

A small hole appeared above my head and light spilled through it, illuminating me in a spotlight.

"Please wake up, Rainbow. I can't lose you," I heard a voice sob.

"Jax?" I gasped and looked at Alex.

"You ready to wake up?" Alex asked.

I nodded.

My eyes fluttered open and I squinted, the bright lights too much on my eyes. I had a familiar sense of déjà vu from the last time I was in a hospital.

"Iris?" Jax asked. ()

"Hey Jax," I smiled, my voice hoarse from disuse. How long have I been asleep for?

"Rainbow!" Jax exclaimed, a look of pure happiness radiating on his face, "you're awake!"

"Eh, that's why I always say, if you're gonna get shot, get it done in a hospital," I winced as a sudden pain shot up my leg.

"Are you okay? Do you need water? Shall I call a nurse? Doctor? What-" Jax rambled.

"I'm fine," I cut him off, "just stiff from being asleep so long," my eyebrows furrowed, "how long was I out?"

"Two weeks," he whispered and my eyes widened.

"Oh," I said. We were silent for a few moments.

"I'll cal your family and get the doctors," Jax grinned, "your family are going to be so happy. They rarely left your side."

I smiled, a warm feeling blooming in my heart, "help me up?" I asked, extending my arms. Jax pulled me up gently and rested me against the pillows.

He brought out his phone and called someone, probably my family, and told them the good news. Then, he went to get the doctor.

"Iris!" Dr. Green smiled widely, "you're awake!"

"Tadaa!" I did mini jazz hands and she laughed.

She checked my vitals and did a lot of other tests when my family burst in.

"Iris!" They yelled and sat behind me.

"I'll give you some privacy," Dr. Green murmured, smiling as she left the room.

Oscar hugged me lightly and kissed the side of my forehead, "group hug!" He exclaimed and everyone- but Daimen- complied, "Daimen, come join the hug."

"No thanks," my brother rolled his eyes, "I doubt my sister would be happy if we crushed her to death."

"Daimen, get your behind over here and stop being such a sour lemon," Oscar snapped and I chuckled.

Daimen grumbled under his breath and joined us.

After a few seconds, we broke apart and everyone looked at me.

"Hi?" I said, waving slightly.

"What's the last thing you remember?" Dad asked.

I cast my mind back, "the woman shooting me and..." I looked at Jax, "there was a man, he said-"

"That Alex is alive?" Jax finished and I dumbly nodded, "yeah, I found him and your shooter. They're a married couple who were just trying to protect their children. I also saw the video."

I looked down. The video was, quite possibly, the worst thing I experienced in my life.

"What video?" Brandon asked.

"Some man dragged me to the storeroom," everyone tensed at that, "and told me Alex was alive. He showed me a video of Alex battered and beaten up," I exhaled, "it was awful."

Jax gripped my hand comfortingly, "we'll find him," he said, determined, "no matter how long it takes, we'll find him."

"And we'll help," Mom imputed.

"Thanks Mom," I said, smiling.

Lisa grinned at me.

"Now," I said, looking at my family, "when can I get out of here? I've got a best friend to find."