Akita began to shimmer back into existence. It dawned on her that nothing about this experience was painful. The dizziness was probably from hitting her head; it was the fading that frightened her. It was uncanny; one minute she was there, then the next, gone. What the hell just happened, she thought while trying to catch her breath. She searched her surroundings for Lacey, "Where are you?"

Akita stood peering around; her jaw lowered, realizing she wasn't home anymore. "I'm over here," Shouted Lacey.

Akita turned towards the tiny voice; her eyes lit up, "I'm glad you're here."

Lacey wore a frazzled expression," Where's here?"

Akita placed her hand on her hips, "I'm not sure."

Across the way, a beautiful waterfall stood, towering like a hundred-foot building. They could feel the spray as they stood, gazing at its beauty.

The trees were tall, thick and healthy; the leaves deep green, flowers hung off all the branches. The meadows were bursting with wildflowers; their aroma flooded the air. The grass was almost knee-high, which was great for the wildlife.

Akita took a sharp breath as she fell to her knees, "It's beautiful here. I just wish I knew where here was. We were on the couch," she paused, "then we weren't."

Lacey crouched down, running her hand along the stem of a flower, "As beautiful as this is; this is haunting. We have no idea where we are, fading away into nothing it turns out that is my new worst nightmare. That was scary! I wish I understood what happened."

Akita felt her stomach sink. Nothing was familiar about this place. What happened? Why weren't they home celebrating her birthday? This was a question she didn't have the answers for. "Lacey, do you think it's dangerous here?"

She took Akita's hand while glancing around. "I don't know. It doesn't seem to be, but I think we should keep our eyes open just in case, you never know."

The two ladies walked towards the waterfall; the grass slid across their shins, tickling them. "There doesn't seem to be anyone else here," said Akita. "Have you noticed there's not even a path."

Lacey gave her a crooked smile, "That might not be such a bad thing. Think about it, no trash or violence, just a peaceful place to live out your life." Her forehead creased, "I wouldn't want it completely empty; I'll miss quite a few things. I wonder if we'll fade home, what do you think?"

Akita exhaled loudly, "Maybe."

Detecting a smooth rock by the waterfalls, Akita dragged Lacey towards it, "We can sit on that rock while we try to figure this out."

Lacey quickly climbed onto the rock, "Maybe we're dreaming. I've heard stories where people can bring other individuals into their dreams, you did say you hit your head."

Akita twisted her lips, "All right, let's thinks about that. What's the purpose of this dream? I mean, we're sitting on a rock, if this was a dream don't you think we would at least have a cold beer? Besides, why would I choose to fall asleep during my birthday dinner, and the movie I've been dying to see?"

Lacey's eye's widened, "You've made your point. I have no idea what's going on. If it was my dream, there would be hot guys everywhere, so I know it's not mine."

Akita chuckled, "We agree this isn't a dream. My next thought is that maybe I'm at the hospital, in a coma. That would explain the weirdness, wouldn't it?"

Lacey furrowed her forehead, "If that's the case, what am I doing here?"

Akita shrugged, "Maybe you're a figment of my imagination. You're not really, here! You think you are because I make you feel like you are. They say a coma patient can create their own world; sometimes living a completely different life in that new existence."

Lacey sighed, "This is messed up; if that's it, then how do we know if you're getting better or not?"

Akita shrugged, "I don't know, I guess I'll wake up when it's time."

Lacey asked with worrying lips, "What do we do meantime?"

Akita leaned back, watching a colourful bird as it flew overhead, "We enjoy it." Taking a deep breath, she took in the surrounding odours; the wildflowers smelt amazing. A tiny bird sat in the tree nearby singing; this caught her attention. "Look how beautiful he is, Lacey, we never see birds of such colour at home."

Akita froze slowly; she searched her surroundings, "I feel another presence. I think there's someone else here." She pressed her lips tightly together, "I don't know anything about comas, but I assume we don't get to create a perfect world. What if it's someone dangerous?"

Lacey peered around trembled, "Does it feel evil?"

Akita jumped off the rock, "I can't tell. I don't even know if it's a legit feeling, like seriously, how would I know if anyone else were here or not?"

Lacey gave a half shrug, "True! The thought crossed my mind. Although, if it's strong, then go with it, maybe being in a coma has giving you some sort of powers. What do they call that? Six sense."

The corners of Akita's mouth curved down, "You're right. That might be what's going on. Let's go with my instincts; I think we should head into the woods."

Lacey looked at her inquisitively, "Okay, but why?"

Akita's jaw was clenched, "Not sure, it's just a feeling."

Smiling, her foster mom rolled her eyes, "Sure, let's go."

Akita pushed her way through the tall, lush grass. She paused to sniff a patch of yellow wildflowers while passing by. A kaleidoscope of brightly coloured butterflies rose from the cluster, fluttering towards the trees. "This is lovely," Akita acclaimed in a dreamy tone. She felt alive walking across the untouched land, "How are you doing, Lacey?"

Her foster mom beamed with excitement in her voice, "I'm great! I'm doing exactly what you are, smelling the flowers. It's such a wonderful walk." But then, her smiled faded, "I wonder, should we try to find shelter or food?"

Akita turned, "That's an excellent question. I've never been in a coma before, so I'm not sure. I assume so, it feels pretty real. We should try, I think it would make the situation more comfortable."

Lacey exhaled, "I agree."

Both girls stood peering around. The land was enveloped in colossal trees with leaves the size of their hands; tiny pink flowers peeked out from beneath its numerous branches. Plants had taken over the earth like paint on a canvas.

An active volcano taller than the waterfall stood to the right; its lava flow descends into the sea, causing steam to rise from the emerald, green water.

The sky was a light shade of blue; the wind travelled past the trees, causing the branches to dance to its tune. Birds flew overhead, singing a song of love.

On the ground, rabbits scattered as deer ran gracefully through the fields. Akita was in heaven; it had to be a coma; this was too perfect. No homes could be seen anywhere. They seemed to be the only people there, yet there was that nagging sense; they weren't.

Lacey watched a bird fixing its nest; her heart fluttered. "It's so peaceful, if we can find food and shelter why leave? Not to say I don't want you to wake up from your coma, because I do."

Akita grinned, "I know what you mean. No worries, I love it here too. I don't think I've ever experienced anything so peaceful. I just hope it lasts."

Lacey swallowed loudly, "What do you mean? Do you think something horrible will happen?"

Akita clutched Lacey's arm then proceeded to walk, "It seems too perfect. We have no idea what's going on. If I'm in a coma, then you're not really here, are you? That means I'm alone." Lacey pinched Akita.

"Ouch," yipped Akita.

Lacey smirked, "See. You're not alone."

Akita groaned, "Okay, point taken. This can't be a coma; you just proved to me you're here. So, the question is, how are we here? We don't have the answers to that, which leaves me concerned."

Lacey sensed her daughter's anxiety. "I get it. We need to figure out where here is, then perhaps we can find an explanation."

Akita's stomach rolled; someone was approaching. It was a sensation from deep within, "Let's go this way." She shoved some branches aside while striding onward. Lacey sighed; her hands trembled as she followed closely. She knew Akita was on a mission.

While walking, they saw plants with leaves that opened and shut on their own; others ate flies. Akita could feel the individual getting closer; there was a loneliness in their heart; it felt lost, almost a little dark. It broke Akita's heart to think someone felt that kind of sorrow.

What was it about this person that drew her closer? She pleaded to Gods to keep them safe, hoping she wasn’t leading them to danger. Not that it would prevent her from finding out who it was.

Akita paused while motioning for Lacey to stay behind, "Hello! Is there anyone there?"

Lacey threw her hand over her mouth when a bush rustled. Akita stepped back, her heart pounding fiercely. A big man stepped from within the shadows, "Oh my God," Shouted Akita.

She stood in shock, then ran to him, throwing her arms around him, "You're here! Now I know it's a dream." She hugged him tightly; his body was tense. Lacey, her forehead crimped, examined the man while clearing her throat. Akita let go then spun. "Oh, I'm sorry. This is Levi, my twin brother. I haven't seen him in ages. This is great! We're together on our birthday."

Dismay crossed his face; his voice gruff, "I know you're happy to see me, but I was celebrating my birthday next thing I know I'm here. Oh, by the way, where the hell is here?" He exhaled loudly, "I've been wandering for hours; questioning how I got here. I thought I was dying! For a second I assumed this was heaven."

Akita's mouth curved downwards, "I have no idea. I didn't do this; we arrived the same way. You don't seem pleased to see me?"

Levi scowled, then took a deep breath, "It's great to see you." He replied in a calm voice, but panic struck me when I thought I was dying. You don't know why we're here?"

Akita pursed her lips, "No!"

Levi peered around. "This is odd. I haven't seen anything that gives me any indication on where we are." He turned towards the volcano, "Have you tried that direction?"

His sister shook her head. "I was walking towards you. I knew someone was here, I could feel it in my gut; I even felt your sadness."

Levi raised an eyebrow, "Like an empath?"

Lacey interrupted, "That's exactly how it happened. It was as if you had a beacon."

Levi smirked, "Let's try this way, perhaps we can figure out where we are. Do you sense anyone else here?"

Akita took a long, drawn breath, letting her body absorb the surrounding presence. "Sort of, but it's not the same. Let's see if there's anything over towards the volcano, I'd like to be somewhere safe before nightfall." She looked up at the sky, "I wonder if the sun even sets here."

Lacey smiled at Levi, "Who's older out of the two of you?"

Levi groaned, "She is but only by a minute. I have no idea who you are, have we met?"

Lacey blushed, "I'm your sister's foster mom. They appointed me guardian after the loss of your parents, we've been together ever since."

Levi went silent; he paused, drew a breath while letting his eyes search his surroundings. "This isn't real!" He stared at Lacey, "You guys aren't real, are you? This is either a dream, or I'm dead." His forehead wrinkled, "I wonder how I died. The last thing I remember was being at my girlfriend's house. She made me a romantic dinner for my birthday, then I disappeared. Oh my God, maybe I choked to death or was poisoned. This must be heaven. I'm too young to be dead."

He raised a brow, "How are you two in my heaven? Did you die too, or are you, my imagination? What are the chances I'd fade away, ending up here with my twin waiting for me?"

Lacey exhaled loudly, "I don't think your theories correct. This didn't just happen to you; it also happened to us. I was eating dinner with Akita; watching a scary movie then we faded into nowhere landing here."

Akita walked over, her face in total bliss, "This place is amazing. I'd love to stay here; everything's so beautiful."

Lacey smirked at Akita, "Your brother thinks we're not real."

Akita felt flushed, "What! How do you figure? This place feels just as real as my life before this. I don't know how we're all here together or even why, but I know this. We can keep guessing, but until we find out where we are, we'll never know the truth. Why don't we just keep going until we can do that." She shook her head, "I get it, Levi, you had a life, now you're here with a sister you haven't seen in forever. Well, I had one too."

Levi pouted, "I'm sorry. It's confusing, I missed you. I know this isn't the reunion we both wanted. I guess if I could have chosen anyone to be with me in this predicament, I couldn't be with anyone better. I'm just worried that I won't get to see my girlfriend again."

Akita took his hand, "I know, and I'm sorry I wish I could tell you that everything will be all right, but I can't. Let's go! We have no idea what night is like here; we still need to find shelter.