I Never Knew

Chapter 22

***Oh, boy, fellas. This book climaxes over the next couple chapters...get ready. I hope my Ninjago brain cells don't kill me first. Um, excuse me, but I cannot write a proper ending if I'm dead.***

***(Jay's POV; song for this chapter: "The Lonely" by Christina Perri)***

When I come to, it's dark. And wet. And kind of smelly.

I moan, then sit up frantically. It causes me to smack my already aching head on the wall.

"Ow!" I groan and flop back down.

You know, I believe using bad language is a sign of poor grammar skills, but I so badly want to swear right now. That really hurt.

Then it all comes back to me: Nya forgetting her backpack, running it out to her, her warning me about Zane...and then nothing.

Nya! I wonder where she is?

Through the dim lighting, I see several other bodies. Some are unconscious, some are quietly crying, some seem to be lost in another world. A sweet, soft voice drifts toward me. Someone is singing.

"Two a.m., where do I begin?

Crying off my face again.

The silent sound of loneliness

Wants to follow me to bed."

I shiver at the haunting tune. I have to find Nya.

I try to get up, but feel an enormous weight on my hands. I look down.

I'm handcuffed.

It's then that I panic. What if the Sons of Garmadon have already taken my power? How long have I been down here? What if the team needs me?

My breathing speeds up, but I force my mind to clear. I have to find Nya. She can come up with a plan to get us out of here. She's good at that kind of thing.

"I'm a ghost of a girl

That I want to be most.

I'm the shell of a girl

That I used to know well.

Dancing slowly in an empty room.

Can the lonely take the place of you?

I sing myself a quiet lullaby,

Let you go and let the lonely in

To take my heart again."

The singing is anguished, but there's some note of familiarity to it. Nya? But – it can't be. I love Nya, but she's not known for her vocal capabilities.

I wriggle along the floor, searching for her. I hope she's in here with me. I mean, the Sons of Garmadon would be smart to separate us, but if they've stolen our powers, what's the point?

That's when a door creaks open. Light floods in, making me squint. I hear someone yell in agony from nearby.

"Close the door! Please!"
"Paleman?" I ask.

"Close the door!" he begs again.

It slams shut, but not before a familiar form is thrown in.