Hello, I'm back with a new Sally Preciosa story. This time this story takes place in October, after the adventures in Dark History, The Dark Widow Bride and The Island of the Spirits. Only Sally and her family are mine and Wicca is real but not evil as some believe. Anyway, here's Chapter #1.

Chapter #1 Almost Late and Found At Last

Sally's point of view

I got out of my car, grabbed my things and slammed the door. I looked up at the Sunrise Studios which stood on top of the hill above the parking lot. This was my first project in my Photography Class and I was really looking forward to it. My name is Sally Gem Preciosa. I'm nineteen and a photography student at Toronto Community College.

So you're wondering why I'm here on the other side of Toronto instead of a classroom of Toronto Community eh? Well my class and I were given a big project: To get pictures and an interview of people who are new to the modeling and movie making industry and we have two weeks to do it. Now my friend and classmate, Dana Kaimana, are now here at Sunrise Studios on the other side of Toronto. Here to meet the models we were suppose to interview and photograph.

"You ready, Dana?" I asked as I watch my friend climb out of the car, looking exhausted from the ride.

She's a year older then me with long black hair, brown eyes and tanned skin dressed in her favorite outfit. A pair of faded blue jeans and a lemon yellow t-shirt with a torn right sleeve and a orange sparkle trim on the left sleeve and a pair of red running shoes.

She also had on a heart shape necklace and a diamond bracelet that her boyfriend and my second friend, Paul gave her last year. I sometimes wish I had a boyfriend. But for some reason, I couldn't find the right man I want to be with. Why? I'm not sure. I watch as Dana wipe the sweat off her forehead and sighed heavily. It was hot and the ride from the college was long.

"Yeah." She replied with her light Hawaiian accent. Her father came from Hawaii while her mother came from Vancouver. Her father came to Canada when he was eight and lived here since. Dana and her family still go to Hawaii to visit their family for most of the summer.

"I hate long car rides."

"Likewise." I agreed.

"Uhh...My make up is running." she added as she looked in the window.

I had to agree. Her purple eyeshadow was running, just like my light blue eyeliner.

"Mine too. Uhhh...we sure could use a nice cool breeze right now."

As if on cue during a play, a light cool breeze blew in. Bringing some relief from the heat. Even though it's October it feels like it's August. Oh, did I also mention that Dana, Paul and I are Witches. No, well now you know and no we don't curse people. That's fairy tale stuff. The stuff we Wiccans use is real and can be very dangerous if done improperly or abused. I was as surprised as Paul and Dana when we first found out we that we practice Wicca, a Pagan religion that has been around for centuries and often feared by non-believers or people with small minds that refuse to believe the truth.

"That's better." I thought. "Thanks Mother Nature."

"Come on, Sally." Dana said. "Lets freshen up before the shoot starts."

I nodded, grabbed my things and locked the car. We walked up the stairs that leads to the studios which stood on top a steep hill which overlooked the lake and the city. It was a glass and steel building that shone brightly in the sunlight. It shone so brightly that Dana and I had to shield our eyes.

Once we reached the building we went inside to escape the heat and the light. We sighed with relief as we entered the dim and air-conditioned foyer. It was huge with maple walls and ceramic tile floor. It also had a few chairs and a coffee in the middle and a coffee and candy venting machines next to the entrance to the hall.

"Wow, cool." Dana said.

"Lets go." I said. "There should be a washroom somewhere."

We found a restroom in the main hall and quickly fixed our make up.

"Say Sally. How come you don't have a boyfriend?"

I put the cap back on my eyeliner and said.

"I'm not sure. I guess I can't find the right man."

"I'm sure you will." Dana said.

I smiled. "Yeah."

"You got the time?"

"Yeah, it's..."

I looked at my watch and gasped. It was 10:54a.m. and we were suppose to be at the shoot at eleven.

"Almost eleven." I finished. "We're going to be late."

We rushed out of the restroom, almost bumping a group of people outside.

"Sorry!" we shouted as we ran. We didn't have to see who we knocked over because of the time. We had to met the photographer in room 12A at eleven or else and I didn't like the sound of the or else part. Once we found the room, we went in. Only to be greeted with a you're late by the photographer's assistance.

"Hey, we're on time." Dana said crossly.

"You're late by a second." The assistance snapped. "Now hurry up and get ready. Janet and the models will be here in thirty minutes!"

"What a jerk." Dana muttered as we watched the assistance walked away. "What crawled down his shirt this morning?"

"I don't know." I said I set my bag down on the table and unzipped it. "But we should have expected this. This job is not an easy one and people expect you to get the photos now not later."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that downside." Dana said rolling her eyes.

"Tell me again, Dana. Why do you want to do this?" I asked.

"I like photography."

"Same reason why I'm doing it."

We laughed as we put our cameras together.

Dorothea's point of view

I smiled a little as I saw Sasha, my young charge, talk to her friend and laugh at her joke. I was glad she was alright. I thought they found her. I'm Dorothea Stone, I use to be a High Priestess of nine covens in Canada when I was alive. Now, I'm the Spirit Guide of a young Witch-in-Training named Sasha Snow.

I winced as I felt the rope that bind my legs and arms together dug into my skin. I should have known not to go to the Realm of the Living. But I had to warn Sasha. Warn her that she's in danger again and this danger is bigger then the kind she's face. Now, I'm a prisoner to an evil god who was imprisoned in the Underworld centuries ago and escaped only two years ago. I don't know what he's up to, but I know it's not good and it has something to do with Sasha. Oh I have to escape. I have to warn my charge.

I winced again as I felt my legs turn numb from lying on a rocky floor in a dark cave for so long. Was it an hour o two I've been down here? I didn't know. I didn't care about how long I've been in here. I only cared have much time is running out before I can escape and find Sasha before he does.

I stopped struggling to heard footsteps echo through out the cave and to see a couple of shadows stretching over the wall.

The first two shadows belong to a couple of monsters and the last belonged to a man with black graying hair, a goatee, dressed in a black business suit complete with black shoes. You may think he's just a innocent business man, but he's nothing but trouble. He was Cronus, the God of Time from Greece.

I glared at him as he and his minions made their way towards me. He was the one I saw spying on Sasha two months ago back at the Raspberry House. The home Sasha and her family lived for eighteen years. What is he up too now?

"Good Morning, Dorothea." Cronus said. "Sleep well?"

"I had better nights." I snapped through gritted teeth. "What do you want? Why am I here?"

"I need your assistance with locating someone. Someone you and I know."

Oh no. Sasha.

"You stay away from my charge." I ordered.

"Who said anything about your charge?" he asked innocently. "She's a strong Witch and a good fighter. On the other hand, she might be a problem for us. I'll give you one chance, Dorothea. Tell me where Sasha is or I'll have to take action."

"I will never reveal that information to you or anyone else."

He shook his head sadly. "Oh, what a shame. It's too bad I have to do this."

He reached over and grabbed my upper arm. I screamed as I felt my energy drain from me.

"No." I moaned. "No...I won't...Sasha..."

"Don't fight it, Dorothea." Cronus said. "It'll only hurt more if you do."

"I...not...let...you..."

But I couldn't do it. He was stronger then I was. I felt my body go limp as he drained my energy so he access my memory. I felt lightheaded and tired. I watch him smiled and cackle as he release me.

"So." he said. "She's in Toronto. It's a shame she's not alone. But no matter, I now know where Sasha is and I can put my plan into action. Thank you, Dorothea. You've been a big help."

He stroke my hair as he said that. I pulled my head away and hissed at him. How dare he do this. How dare he invade my mind to find my charge. I watched as he and his monsters leave. I tried to sit up but I couldn't move my arms. I was still weak from the energy drain. I have to warn Sasha. Then I remembered something. Something from when Sasha was a little girl. I remember seeing her running and laughing with a boy who's big for his age and unusually strong for a human. A friend from her childhood.

Yes. I thought. He can protect her. I closed my eyes and focused on this boy. The boy Sasha knew when she was little.

"Hear me...boy from Sasha's childhood. Your friend is in danger. Protect her from Cronus for me. Hear me now!"