Eliza woke up with a coppery taste in her mouth – blood. It wasn't the pleasant after-taste of a feed though; it was bitter and sour, like battery acid. She took a look at her surroundings. She was in a plain, white room. There were no windows and, as far as she could tell, no door. She was lying on a hard white cot. She tried to get to her feet, but was jerked back to the bed by something around her neck. Her fingers reached up and she felt a collar pressed tight against her throat. Turning her head, she could see it attached to a chain, which in turn was attached to a peg in the wall. She tried pulling at the collar but it was strong, much too strong to be broken.

She felt claustrophobia sneaking up on her. Her breathing grew erratic, and she started to panic. Panic was never good for you. She pulled at the collar, tugging and scratching until her nails broke her skin. She didn't stop. Her breathing was frantic now, and she could swear the walls were closing in on her. Her vision was starting to dim, and she knew what was going to happen next. She fainted.

Griffin and Ledge were sitting side by side, shoulder to shoulder against one of the dark walls. They had stopped talking for a while now, ever since Knowledge had had a panic attack, then tried to gouge out Griffin's eyes. Griffin didn't hold it against him. He would probably be acting the same way if he was a supposedly all-powerful being in a place that made him powerless.

"Knowledge?" He asked cautiously. The Child of Oblivion's head turned to him.

"Yeah?" Griffin swallowed hard. He didn't want to send Ledge into another panic attack.

"What is this place?" He asked. He felt Knowledge stiffen next to him.

"I don't know," Whispered the punk, after a long moment of silence. Griffin could tell he was lying, but he could also tell he was scared, so he didn't press the matter.

"Okay then, who put us here?"

"If I'm right, which I usually am," Griffin let out a small smile. It was a good sign that Knowledge was slowly building confidence again. "Then we will soon be facing unimaginable pain. The thing that put us here has no mercy."

"Great. I was just in the mood for some unimaginable pain." Said Griffin, trying to sound upbeat. Knowledge let a snort.

"You're not a masochist perchance, are you?" He asked. Griffin grinned.

"You're Knowledge, you should know." He replied. Ledge let out a short laugh.

"I do." He said seriously. "And I also know a fair deal about sadomasochism techniques. So I'd watch out if I were you." Griffin's grin grew wider.

"Is that a threat, or a promise?" Asked Griffin.

"You'll just have to wait and see, won't you?" Knowledge replied. Griffin could hear the smile in his voice.

"What the hell happened?!" Demanded Drake, paying no attention to the reproachful glances he got from Life and Death. Time looked up from his beanbag with his one good eye.

"I have already told you, I don't know." He said calmly.

"Well you must know something! Anything!" Time sighed.

"I was waiting with Miss Bell, when she decided to go and see what was happening between you and your father. I warned her against it, but she wouldn't listen. She was worried about you." Drake felt his stomach knot at the notion of Eliza, worried. "Just as she reached for the door-handle, we were attacked. I could not see our assailant, but if it is powerful enough to beat me, one of the primary Children of Oblivion..." He trailed off. Drake noticed the meaningful glances the Children of Oblivion were sharing "I did not see it coming." Time said in a low voice. "I am Time. I know everything that is, everything that was, and everything that shall be. But I did not see this." Drake refused to let his emotions get the better of him.

"We'll find her. Me and Griffin. She didn't give up on me, I'm not giving up on her." The blonde woman, Vanity, rolled her eyes at him.

"While your little outburst was very touching and inspiring, boy, you are talking about going up against something which even the most powerful creatures in existence are useless against. How, pray tell, do you plan on succeeding on your suicide mission?" She asked.

"I'll find a way. Where's Griffin?" He asked, looking at Time. The sandy haired man frowned.

"At this point in time he should be being entertained by Knowledge." He said, uncertainly.

"But?" Asked Drake.

"But he is not. They are simply... gone." Drake felt as though a lead weight had just plummeted through his stomach.

"You think... whatever got Eliza, got Ledge and Griffin too?" He asked. Time nodded gravely.

"Well shit." Said Drake, trying not to show how scared the thought made him. "Looks like I'm in need of some new partners to help save my old ones." He looked around at the faces of the Children of Oblivion present. "I don't suppose any of you want to volunteer?" Their faces remained blank. Drake let out a mirthless laugh. "Thought not." He said.

"I'll come with you." Said a small voice from the back of the crowd. Drake turned and saw little Alienation, his face crimson red from the attention he was getting. "I want to help." He said, determination in his voice.

"Really?" Asked Drake skeptically The other Children of Oblivion were looking at Alienation astonished. Alienation nodded sternly. "Alright then, if you're sure." Said Drake. He placed a hand on Alienation's shoulder. "Can you take us to Arkansas?" He asked. Alienation nodded, and before any of the Children of Oblivion could intervene, they disappeared.