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“Minako… Minako… Find me, Minako…” A male voice echoed through the darkness.

“Who?”

“Minako… Hurry, find me… Minako…” A blond man with wings pawed at the darkness, but his claws obscured his face in shadow.

“A tall, blond man… with wings?”

“Minako!!”

She groaned.

“MINAKO!!!”

“No…. blond man… wings… name… calling…”

“Get up for school, Minako!!”

Minako rolled over as a pillow hit her in the face. She pulled the pillow away and sat up wearily. “Mom?” She rubbed her eyes. “Why are you yelling? I’m not late for anything…”

Her mother sighed. “I’ve been calling you for fifteen minutes! GET UP!!”

Minako blinked as she put her hand to her head, then bolted upright. “Mom! I missed you!”

Her mother hit her in the face with the pillow again. “What are you talking about? I saw you yesterday after you went to TRL...”

She blinked again. “Yesterday? That was yesterday?”

Her mother put a hand to Minako’s head. “Are you running a fever? Honestly… You have way too much going on to run around Times Square with Renee on a weekday...”

She lowered her head. “No… I’m fine… Just… there was…”

“Minako?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s nothing… It was just a dream.” A tiny smile crossed her face. “I’ll get ready for school now.”

Her mother dropped the pillow in Minako’s lap as she stood, then walked to the door and left the room as she muttered to herself. “Honestly, what kind of mother am I? Letting you...”

Minako squeezed the pillow. Just a dream… It feels like there was something very real for a very long time… A really dark and lonely place... She put her head in her hand. A tall, blond man… with wings? She shook her head and laughed. “Some dream! Oh well, time for school!”

She started to pull the covers away with her left hand, but stopped quickly. What’s this? A small gold ring on her left hand danced in the sunlight pouring through her window. When did I get this? What did Renee and I do yesterday? She laughed and went to remove the ring, but quickly pulled her hand away. “No… This is something very important…” She raised it to her face and smiled. “Something very important… from a long time ago…”

“MINAKO!!” Her mother’s voice rang out across their home.

“I get it! I get it!” Minako flung the sheets from her body and sprung from her bed.

~*~

Minako ran up to the school, but stopped abruptly in front of the gate. Why do I have this pounding feeling in my chest? Like I’m afraid something will be missing….

“Minako!”

Minako turned around and her face lit up with a broad smile. “Renee!”

The two girls bounded toward each other and embraced tightly.

Renee tightened her grip around Minako. “It’s strange, isn’t it? I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever…”

“Me too! I worried you wouldn’t be anywhere in the world! That you would be missing...” Minako squeezed her tighter. “I’m glad… So glad…”

“Me too!” She pulled away from Minako’s embrace and they started walking through the courtyard toward the main building. “It seems strange to say this, but… you know you’re always my best friend, right?”

Minako nodded. “I know.” A broad smile crossed her face. “I’ve always known! No, more than that, I’ve never needed to question it.”

Renee smiled. “Good.” She put her finger under her eye and wiped away a few stray tears. “I’m glad.”

Minako pulled her into another hug, but Renee froze. “Renee?”

Renee hit her fist to her palm. “I have something I have to tell you!”

Minako blinked. “Renee…”

The school bell rang and Renee looked at her watch. “Is it that late already?!” She grabbed Minako’s shoulders. “I have never been late in my life! I’ll tell you after school!”

Minako stuck out her hand. “Wait! Renee!”

Renee had already run up the stairs to the large doors of the main building and pulled them open quickly. In a moment, she disappeared through the doors and was gone.

Minako stood at the foot of the stairs and shook her head. “Oh Renee and her perfect attendance record…” She put her hand to her face and let out a small yelp. “I’m going to be late too!” She sped up the stairs as well.

She sprinted through the hallway and pulled open a wooden door, then stopped and put her hands on her knees as she breathed heavily. She surveyed the room and smiled. Made it!

“And Minako makes it by the skin of her teeth yet again.”

“Shouldn’t you expect it by now?”

Minako blinked as she stared at the two girls. “Meg… Sarah…”

They gaped at her surprised expression. “Yes?”

Minako’s eyes began to fill with tears. “Meg! Sarah!” She ran over and embraced both of them. “I haven’t seen you in forever!!”

The blonde batted her away lightly. “What are you talking about? You saw us yesterday at school…”

“Meg…”

“And last night.” The black haired girl nodded.

Minako’s head dropped. “Sarah…” So it really has been only a day… It seems like so much longer… A really dark and lonely place...

Meg put her hand on Minako’s shoulder. “By the way, did you ever find Renee?”

Minako flinched, then put her hands to her heart. I had no idea she was missing… Renee…

“Minako?” Sarah frowned.

She’s fine, stop worrying about her. Minako shook the feeling off quickly and nodded. “Yeah… I saw her in front of the school gate this morning.”

Sarah exhaled and held her hand to her heart.

“Well, that’s good news!” Meg smiled.

Minako nodded. “She was fine! Really excited!” She lowered her head. That is good news, especially if she was missing…

Their teacher entered the room, clapping his hands. “In your seats, in your seats! We’re going to read a short story in our anthology today.”

Minako sat and pulled out her book. She flipped through it idly as she rested her hand on her chin. I wonder where Renee ran off to in the first place…

The teacher leaned against his desk. “Page thirty… Any volunteers? For the passage ‘Nick’?”

Minako stopped flipping the pages and they fell open lightly. She lowered her head. “Nick…”

“Turning into Renee, are you?” Sarah laughed with a smirk.

“No…”

The teacher tapped the board with a piece of chalk. “Sarah, thank you for volunteering! Come up and read.”

Sarah stood from her desk and walked to the board.

Minako looked down at the book.

‘She was taking too long, so Nick went looking for her. His heart raced as he pawed through the darkness. If he shouted, could she hear him? If he reached her, what would she say? In the end, perhaps their love was an illusion.’

Minako blinked. This is a short story? It sounds like… a message… She put her hands to her heart. Nick? Why is that name in my mind? That man… in my dream… Pale wings and blond hair… She leaned her head on her desk. Why?

~*~

“Minako! Minako! Find me, Minako!”

Is that me? Why am I yelling? Who am I calling?

“Minako! Hurry, find me! Minako!”

It’s only black, but I have claws? Who are you, Minako?

He jolted awake and threw a splayed hand to his chest. Where am I? He scanned his surroundings speeding by in a blur outside the car. Oh, right… New York City… He leaned his head on the window. Should I be here? It feels like there was something more important I had to do… He ran his left hand down his face and it glinted in the morning sun.

What’s that? He stared at the ring and bit his lip. That’s weird… He gripped it and began pulling on it. I can’t… He groaned, but it would look too weird. I have to fight this feeling that I can’t. He pulled the ring off his left hand and held it in his fist, then opened it slowly and slid it on his right hand. This is fine... He clenched his hand and dropped it in his lap. The metal of his ring clanked against more metal.

What? He reached into his lap and pulled a necklace from it. He held the gold chain and dangled the sapphire jewel in front of his face. What is this? He gripped his chest. Thinking about it feels… heartbreaking… But also warm… Does this belong to that person I’m calling in my dream? Who is that?

“We’re here.” The driver’s voice cut through his thoughts.

“Thanks.” He mumbled as he shoved the necklace in his jacket pocket and pushed open the door.

Flashbulbs burst in his face one after the other, surrounding him in blinding light. He started to put his hand to his eyes, but lifted his head and smiled instead.

“Nick!” “Nick!” “Nick!” The photographers chorused around him.

He waved as a bodyguard flanked him. “Can’t wait for everyone to hear the new song! See you afterward.”

I can’t keep thinking about it. I have things to do today. He strode into the radio station, waving to the photographers as he walked until the door closed behind him.

~*~

“Minako… Find me, Minako…”

Who are you?

“Minako…”

Is your name Nick?

“Hurry… Find me… Minako…”

Why do you keep calling me?

“Minako…”

And why do I want to call back?

“Minako… Find me…”

If you would only reach out your hand… I swear I would grab it…

“Minako…”

I’ll keep looking for you if you want me to… So just… say your name… Please…

“Minako…” A second voice interrupted the silence.

Please…

“Minako?” The faint voice became louder as Minako stirred.

This is… “Renee?”

Renee chuckled. “Do you always sleep during class?”

Minako sat up and hit the desk with her palms. “That’s not true! Not always!”

Renee laughed louder. “I have to wake you up every single day, don’t I?” Renee picked up Minako’s backpack and held it out to her.

Minako sighed as she stood up and smoothed the sides of her uniform.

Renee laughed again. “Not going to desecrate your uniform?”

Minako patted her skirt. “No… I feel like I’ve worn it this way for years. It’s more comfortable.”

Renee poked Minako’s forehead. “Well, you haven’t. You always change it after school every day.”

Minako put her hand around Renee’s hand and pushed it away. “Renee you’re so silly.”

Renee put her hand on top of Minako’s. “Only with you.” She held out Minako’s bag again. “Take your bag already.”

Minako grabbed the bag with her left hand, the small ring glinted in the sunlight.

Renee pulled Minako’s hand toward her. “Why’s this on your hand?”

Minako blinked. “It’s a ring…”

Renee groaned and pushed Minako’s hand away. “I know that! Why is it on your finger?!”

Minako lowered her head as she put on her backpack. “I don’t know…”

“Then take it off! It’s not like you ran away and got married…”

Minako clutched her hand and held it to her chest. “No… It’s something important… I definitely have to keep wearing it!”

Renee shook her head. “You’re a hopeless romantic, aren’t you?”

“Renee…”

Renee laughed. “You don’t remember, so what if it’s like one of those stories where past lovers are reborn in the same place so they can live out their fate again and again?”

Minako laughed. “No sensible person would believe a story like that, Renee… Maybe you’re the hopeless romantic!”

Renee put her hand on Minako’s head. “At least I didn’t have some Vegas wedding I don’t remember.”

The two laughed as they headed toward the door and walked down the hall.

“Oh, yeah! What did you want to tell me this morning?”

Renee bopped her forehead. “I can’t believe I almost forgot!” She stopped and grabbed Minako’s shoulders. “The Backstreet Boys are finally releasing a new album! Can you believe it? After five years, they’re releasing a new album! It’s the best news ever!”

Minako cocked her head. “It’s not an internet rumor? I thought you gave up on them a long time ago.”

“Why would you think I’d give up on the Boys?!” Renee glared at her. “Also why would I partake in internet rumors? I’m a member of the BSBNRA!”

“The Backstreet Boys have a sect of the national rifle association?” Minako grinned.

“No Rumors Alliance!!” Renee shook Minako’s shoulders.

“You think you would come up with a better acronym…”

“Well, that’s what it is! We’re an alliance that stops rumors from spreading!!” Renee continued to shake Minako’s shoulders.

Minako laughed. “I get it, I get it… Stop shaking me.”

Renee released her grip on Minako’s shoulders, then took a deep breath. “Anyway, I know it’s true because I heard the new song this morning on Z100! It’s amazing! And I heard the Boys were coming here to promote it!” She smiled broadly. “Want to go to TRL again? They have to be on it!”

“You know, the way you talk about them like they’re your own family is a little twisted… Calling them ‘the Boys’ and being on a first name basis with practical strangers...”

Renee shook her head. “Minako, focus! I’m serious, we’ll go to all their promotional events! We’ll get their autographs and then they’ll hire us to join their tour!”

“Of course I think you’re smart, but what practical skills do you have to help you join the tour?”

Renee shimmied and danced. “So many! They’d be crazy not to!”

Minako put her hands on Renee’s shoulders. “I know you’re excited, but what about your college applications? You’re the one that wants to go to an Ivy League school!”

“The Boys haven’t released an album in five years! We have to support them!”

“What about college?”

Renee raised an eyebrow. “I study every day… I don’t need to suddenly cram to keep my grades up! And since we’ve been studying together for the past five years, neither should you…”

Minako frowned. “You know, I think I’m going to write a strongly worded letter of complaint to them.”

Renee gasped. “AJ would hate me! And then he’d convince them not to let me join the tour!”

Minako laughed and put her hands up with her palms facing Renee and spread them apart. “Dear Backstreet Boys, Next time you want to go on hiatus, please send me a monthly check for the medical bills I incur when my best friend sends me to the hospital from too much studying. Please include an EP with your first monthly check to keep her quiet. In the event that your hiatus extends past a year, I will raise the amount of that monthly check by double the original value!”

Renee grabbed Minako’s hands. “They’ll think I’m weird if you send that! Minako! They’ll think I’m weird!”

Minako laughed. “I won’t, I won’t….”

Renee also laughed“You’re lying!”

“Writing it would take too much effort, Renee, and they’ll never read it… Do they really have time to read letters like that? They’d laugh at it! It’s clearly a joke!” Minako continued to laugh.

“You’d make them read it just so you could spite me!”

“Look, if I knew the Backstreet Boys, I’d have set you up with AJ a long time ago.”

Renee stopped and tightened her grip on Minako’s hands. “Really?”

“Of course! Anything for my best friend!”

Renee grabbed Minako’s hand and pulled her down the front steps. “Oh, so the song is really sad though! I started crying when I heard it.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t tears of happiness?”

Renee shook her head. “No… It felt like my heart was crying… You’ll listen, right?”

“Do I have a choice?” Minako laughed.

“Of course not.”

Minako laughed as she shook her head. “Then sing, you little teenybopper.”

“I’m not a teenybopper! So… No… Just listen…” Renee began singing quietly as she put her hands to her heart. “I tried… to go on like I never knew you… I’m awake… But my world is half asleep… I pray… for this heart to be unbroken… But without you all I’m going to be is… incomplete…”

Minako put her hand to her heart. “Incomplete…” It sounds like… a very important message… Her eyes began to fill with tears. It reminds me of my dream…

Renee blinked. “Are you going to cry too? That means it’s a great song, right?” She smiled a little. “I’m so glad I waited for them to come back! It’s absolutely beautiful!”

Minako lowered her head. “Yeah, it’s beautiful...”

Renee grabbed Minako’s hand again and started pulling her toward the gate. “So you’ll come with me when they come here to promote it? There’s rumors they’re already here!”

“Honestly, Renee, you all have better tracking systems than the CIA!”

“I think they might take offense to that!” Renee laughed.

“Do you mean the CIA?”

“Well, them… and the Boys…”

Minako laughed. “No, no, I think they might be proud.”

“That people are stalking them?”

Minako laughed again. “You said it, not me… Besides, it’s just a rumor, right, Miss NRA?”

“Minako, you’re mean!”

“You were the one that said it was a rumor…”

“Well, I wouldn’t support it unless it was a mostly true rumor!”

Minako laughed, then bumped into something and fell to the ground. “Ow…” She rubbed her bottom.

Renee stopped and put her hand to her head. “Minako, you’re so clumsy!”

“I didn’t trip, I ran into someone!”

Renee gasped. "Minako, watch where you’re walking!”

Minako hit the ground with her hand. “Maybe you shouldn’t pull me so fast! It was an accident!”
“Are you okay?” A male voice asked.

Renee turned to the stranger. “I’m really sorry, we didn’t see you there.”

“Renee!”

Renee put her hand to her face, ignoring Minako. “My friend is just clumsy… She didn’t mean to hit you. Although, it’s pretty busy right here, so it’s not a very good place to stop.”

“It’s okay. I probably shouldn’t have stopped.”

“Pay attention to me, Renee!!” Minako slammed her hand into the ground and a metallic object clinked beneath her hand. What? She picked it up carefully and held it to her face. This necklace is pretty… That sapphire’s huge! As the gem dangled from the chain, the blond man with wings briefly glinted within it.

“Minako…”

Minako tightened her grip on the stone as she gasped.

The male stranger leaned down next to her. “It’s pretty, isn’t it?”

Minako looked up into his face. Blond hair and blue eyes…

“It’s almost… otherworldly.” He smiled.

Renee leaned down. “Minako… You look really pale… Did you see a ghost or something?”

Minako lowered her head. “In my dream… a man… with wings…”

Renee laughed. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard all day! Even stupider than your letter!”

“At least I’m not in the national rifle association!”

“No Rumors Alliance!”

He chuckled quietly. “That sounds like a fun group to be in. Where do I sign up?”

Renee smiled. “Anyone can join! Just don’t promote rumors about the Backstreet Boys!”

Minako lowered her head. “Renee, you sound like an idiot, talking about the Backstreet Boys with a stranger...”

He laughed again. “You know, I think that is a nice organization. I’ll try my best not to spread secrets about the Backstreet Boys. Even though I’m sure I know a few.”

Renee blinked. “Wait…”

He picked up a pair of black Ray Bans from the ground, then stood back up. “Sorry, I dropped my sunglasses when your clumsy friend hit me…” He winked before putting the sunglasses back on his face.

“I’m not clumsy!” Minako tightened her grip on the necklace.

He glanced back down at her and laughed, but held his hand out.

Renee clapped her hand on her mouth. “You’re kidding!”

He glanced at Renee and raised a finger to his lips. “We have to be good members of the No Rumors Alliance. It’s our secret.”

Renee nodded and held both hands over her mouth.

“Renee, you look really pale…” She grinned. “Like you saw a Backstreet Boy for the first time ever!”

“Minako! Shh!” Renee frowned and held her finger over her lips.

He laughed again. “You two are something else, you know that?”

Minako smiled up at him. “Yeah, people tell us that a lot. We’ve been best friends forever!”

He smiled back. “That sounds fun… I wish my best friend and I were like that still…”

Renee clenched her fist. “You’re joking! I’m sure you are!”

He glanced toward the street. “Things aren’t always that simple…” He smiled at Renee. “Remember, it’s our secret.”

Minako held her hands to her heart. “No… Friendship is eternal. As long as we believe that it exists, everything will be okay.” She gripped his hand.

He smiled and pulled her up. “Thank you. That’s really sweet.”

Minako smiled back, though she felt her cheeks getting hot. “So, who are you waiting for with this?” She held up the necklace.

He shook his head. “I was just in town for a little while and thought I should come here…”

Minako cocked her head. “That seems like a strange reason… Especially to come to a high school…”

He smiled and rubbed the back of his head. “I’m actually looking for someone…”

Minako tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “At a high school?” She glanced down at the necklace. “That was rude, it’s none of my business. But this is yours.” She held out the necklace. “I’m sorry I held on to it for so long.”

He smiled. “No, it’s fine. I’m glad it’s safe.” He reached for it and a spark crackled around the necklace. “What?” He muttered quietly as he pulled his hand back.

Minako smiled and held it out to him again. “Take it back. Thank you for letting me look at it.”

He nodded and pulled the chain away from her, then glanced over his shoulder and saw a black car.

Renee pulled Minako’s arm. “Come on, let’s go, Minako. We have to talk.”

“Yeah.” She turned back to the male stranger and waved as they started walking. “Bye! Sorry for bumping into you!”

The back door of the car flung open and a hand reached out. “Nick! What are you doing here? We’re already late!” The male voice inside carried a hint of frustration.

Minako froze and turned back to the car. Nick?

He laughed as he put the necklace in his jacket pocket. “Sorry, I got distracted...”

The male voice inside the taxi sighed. “It’s fine, come on… What are you doing over here anyway?”

He began getting in the car, but saw Minako staring at him. He waved to her. “Don’t worry about it. And thank you for that sweet thing you said, Minako…” He pulled the door closed behind him.

Minako put her hand to her head. “The voice in my dream…”

Renee turned to her. “Minako?”

“The voice in my dream…”

The car sped past them.

Minako jolted and started running after it. “Wait! WAIT!!!!”

Renee ran after Minako and grabbed her wrist, pulling her to a stop. “Minako?”

Minako shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was…” She lowered her head.

Renee squeezed her hand. “You can’t catch up with a car! Come on, let’s go.”

Minako nodded. “Yeah, let’s go…”

As the two girls started walking down the street, Minako stared after the car. That voice was so familiar… Nick… I’m sure you’re the person who’s been calling me in my dreams… Did you come here to find me? She lowered her head. Was that what Renee was talking about earlier? The incredible power of fate... The power to meet over and over again across time and space... She looked up to the sky and smiled. If it is you calling me, we’ll meet again. I’m sure of it.

Chapter End Notes:
You, the esteemed reader, have reached the end of this tale. I thank you for your time and hope that you gained something by completing this story. This is more than the story about a priestess’ search for a box against all odds. This is more than the story of a demon’s journey from darkness to light. It is everyone’s story: the story of hope. And as long as we believe in the light of hope, then nothing is impossible in this world. Let us all go forward into the light of hope and create the future.

If you are ready to continue this tale, travel onward into the light of hope: Pandora's Necklace