The sun was just starting to set, and we were driving on a dirt road when Sara perked up.

"We're here Jack Bruno." Sara said. I looked around, but I didn't see anything. Jack voiced my thoughts.

"Here?" He asked, "There's nothing here." As we came over the hill, I saw an old abandoned house.

"Is this it?" I asked as I turned to look at Seth. He nodded and I looked back, furrowing my eyebrows.

"Somebody's expecting you two, right?" Jack asked, "It doesn't look like anyone is home…" Sara smiled.

"Don't worry, Jack Bruno. We'll soon be reunited with relatives." She said. Jack pulled to a stop in front of the house and leaned back with a sigh.

"Okay. Seven hundred and twenty dollars and fifty cents." Jack said, "But after everything that went down today, how about I knock off twenty-five percent, and I also-"Jack was cut off by Seth shoving a huge wad of cash into Jack's hand.

"Here." Seth said shortly before leaving the car after Sara, running into the house. I looked at Jack with raised eyebrows. He looked back at me and shrugged before turning his attention to the money in his hand.

"Okay then." He muttered, "Goodbye to you, too."

"That was polite…" I said sarcastically as I watched the door slam shut. Jack snickered.

'Yeah, tell me about it…" He mumbled. "Five hundred percent tip… That's reasonable, isn't it?" I snorted. He looked at the money before sighing and taking off his seat belt and getting out of the taxi, yelling that they overpaid. By a lot. I followed suit and opened the door, finally getting for the first time in... a while. I stretched and watched as Jack looked at the state of his car.

"Unbelievable." He muttered before. I nodded in agreement. We heard a crash in the house and looked at each other. I shrugged before walking towards the house, Jack trailing behind me. I heard him ask if everything was okay in there as I got to the door. I looked back at the cautious Jack.

"C'mon, let's go in. What's the worst that could happen?" I asked with a small smile, nodding towards the door. Jack sighed again before coming up the steps to me. I grinned and opened the door, looking inside, and it… Well… It was a mess.

"Hello?" Jack asked cautiously. I walked into the house, with Jack following, leaving the door open. The closed suddenly and Jack quickly grabbed a chair leg and looked around as I put a hand on my kukri knife, Achilles. I knew we were probably paranoid, but I didn't really care. Paranoia's saved my life. It's never let me down before. We walked around and I felt something touch my leg. I let out a noise of surprise and slashed Achilles down towards whatever touched me. I looked down to see Seth and Sara. I clutched my racing heart.

"Fuck's sake!" I whispered as my heart slowed, "Are you trying to give me a heart attack? And get an arm cut off?" Jack came up behind me and looked at them with furrowed eyebrows.

"What just happened?" He asked. Seth jumped and motioned for him to be quiet, before tugging me down. Jack followed suit as I watched Sara and Seth cautiously.

"Carrie and Jack Bruno, you should not have jeopardized your life by following us." Sara said quietly as Seth looked at some blue phone thing. I looked at her concernedly. Jeopardize our life? What now?

"What sort of trouble are you two in?" Jack asked them. Seth looked up at us.

"I suggest you two return back to the vehicle. Your services are no longer required." He said warningly. Sara frowned and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Seth, they're just trying to help." She said softly. Seth turned to her.

"We do not need their help." He murmured to her. "Someone's already been looking for it. We simply cannot trust any of them. Just us, Sara." Sara frowned but nodded before turning to me and Jack

"We appreciate your efforts to assist us. But my brother is right. We can involve you two no further." She said gently. Seth's phone beeped and he jumped up.

"Got it!" He said. Sara nodded.

"Let's go." She said. I resisted the urge to groan. What the fuck?

"Hey," Jack started, "Just tell me what's going on." I nodded in agreement, but they weren't paying attention.

"This way, "Seth said, "Hurry up Sara." I made a noise of displeasure and Jack groaned. Jack grabbed his chair leg and we both stood up, following them. They stopped in front of a fridge and I raised an eyebrow. It sounded like they were in some serious trouble, why are they stopping for a freaking snack? Sara glanced at me, and Seth opened the fridge, attaching his phone to the side of it. The phone beeped and some lights lit up on it.

"What is that?" Jack asked. Yeah, really. Because I want one someday. It looks cool. But, once again, we were ignored, and our question was left unanswered. The back of the fridge moved and slid away to reveal steps as I watched in awe.

"Secret underground tunnel… cool." I said softly to myself with a grin. Sara glanced at me, a smile tugging at her lips, before following her brother, who had taken off his phone and started down the steps.

"Woah, hey!" Jack cried out, trying to get them to stop. I looked back at Jack, halfway into the tunnel.

"Don't go in the pimped out fridge, Jack…" He said to himself slowly. I snickered before following after them, waving for Jack to move his ass. He followed behind me, holding his chair arm up and ready to swing, while I kept one hand on Achilles. Seth put his phone on a wall and pressed a few buttons. Once again, it beeped and some lights lit up. Seth removed it from the wall as it moved away, revealing yet another tunnel. Woopty fucking Doo. I followed Sara and Seth into it as Jack stayed behind me. We came to an opening and my eyes widened.

"Holy cheese on a fucking toaster…" I mumbled as I took in the sight. There were flourishing trees and ferns, with a few holes in the ceiling, letting in rays of light. It was… fucking beautiful.

"What is this place?" Jack asked. Once again, he was ignored. Seth's phone thing beeped and he moved forward.

"This way." He said. Sara followed him, as me and Jack stayed behind, still in awe. When we noticed they left without we snapped out of our stupor and followed them.

"Hey, slow down." Jack said as we caught up with them. Seth and Sara split up, and Jack and I looked at each other. We nodded in understanding, him following Sara, as I trailed behind Seth, to make sure they stayed out of trouble. Seth came to a big glob… thing. I'm not sure how to describe it. Colors lit up within it, and looked like it was… throbbing or pulsating or something.

"Sara, it's here!" Seth cried out as he looked at it in wonder, as did I. In wonder of what the hell it was. Sara ran up, and her eyes lit up as she stopped in front of it. She took off a necklace I hadn't even noticed she had on placed it on the blob. She waited a few seconds before putting her arm into it. And let me tell you… It looked and sounded disgusting. There was this squelching noise and just… ugh. I can't imagine it to be a pleasant experience. She pulled out some weird little device. I've never seen anything like it. Sara smiled at her brother.

"What is it?" Jack asked. Sara looked up at him with a smile.

"It is what we came for, Jack Bruno." She said happily. Jack raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Is anyone else looking for it?" Jack asked, "Say the person who trashed everything upstairs?" Seth nodded.

"We think so. It is very valuable." Seth said, "Which is why it was vital that we reached it first." Oh shit, that is something I never like to hear.

"What makes you so sure that whoever else wanted it isn't still looking for it?" I asked them. Seth furrowed his eyebrows and cocked his head to the side. Oh shit… He never thought of that, did he? Are we screwed-I think we are.

We heard a noise, and trees rustling as I felt dread bubble in my gut. Oh yeah, we're screwed! Jack shushed us and whispered for us to go. We all moved silently. I pulled out Achilles and got ready to start slashing. We heard a crash that was far too close and Jack yelled at us to run. We all split up. I turned to look and saw Jack hit whoever was in here, and then he went flying. I gritted my teeth.

"Goddamnit it all!" I said between gritted teeth, before running up and stabbed him in the gut. Or rather… I tried to. I looked to see I hadn't made a scratch. I looked up to see the guy in some kind of weird armor and gulped. I gave a nervous laugh and tried to step away, but he punched me, and I was sent flying. I landed with a grunt and forced myself up, picking up Achilles from the ground. What the fuck- I hadn't made a scratch! I grumbled under my breath and then ran in some random direction, before sliding into some bushes. I waited a few moments before hearing an explosion that was a bit too close for comfort, and I had to bite my lip until it bled to keep from yelling out.

But, of course, Sara and Seth, didn't keep quiet, and cried out.

"God fucking DAMNIT!" I cried exasperatedly before getting back on my feet and running towards the cries. I heard Sara cry out for Jack, who called to them. Then there were explosions, and things were suddenly up in flames. I saw Sara and Seth running through the trees and I ran to them.

"Go, go, go Sara!" Seth yelled as he ran. Something exploded right by us and we were flung back. I landed on my ass with a grunt, Achilles still in my hand. I helped Sara up before dragging Seth to his feet.

"C'mon!" I grunted as I pulled him up. Sara, who had ran ahead-for some stupid reason- and started calling for Jack, like the giant armored person just disappeared. Well… He didn't. And he shoved her, making her drop the device. She screamed for Seth as they struggled. Seth ran up to him but was shoved roughly to the ground. I gritted my teeth in frustration as Human Tank moved for the device, Sara did something and-I don't know how-made it come into her hand. Tank guy turned towards Sara, but was tackled to the ground by Jack before he could do anything. When they came up, Tank had Jack in a throat hold and I let out a battle-cry before charging at Tank and jumping on his back. I shoved Achilles into the guy's neck, where the least amount of armor was. He pushed Jack somewhere before backing up right into tree. I gasped as a broken branch dug into my back and resisted the urge to cry out in pain, focusing everything I had on digging my knife into this guy.

Of course, I'm only human, so very soon, the pain got to be too much, and I couldn't keep going, so I shoved him away as hard as I could with my legs. I fell to the ground with a grunt. As I struggled to get up, I saw black start to filter in my vision. I shook my head vigorously. I would not pass out while this thing was trying to kill us. I looked up to see Tank guy get hit in the face with a big ball of fire, and then get flown into a tree. I felt a grin tug at my lips. Serves the bastard right.

"C'mon! We got to go!" Jack yelled. I got up with shaky arms and tried to shake away the black that was creeping into my eyes once again. I took a step, then collapsed.

"Ah shit." I groaned. I was going to die in an underground cave, burning to death. I heard burning to death is the most painful way to die, and I did not want to find out if it was true. More black started to filter through my vision, and I tried again to get up and haul ass out of there, but as I moved to stand up, pain flared from my back and I fell back to the ground.

"I don't wanna die this way…" I said weakly as I watched the fire slowly spread before glaring at the ground.

"Then don't"

I felt arms wrap around me and I looked up to see Seth. He picked me up and ran as I struggled weakly.

"Dude, c'mon. This is demeaning!" I grumbled. He glared down at me with piercing eyes.

"Would you rather burn to death?" He asked bluntly as we neared the door. I grimaced.

"No…" I mumbled. He nodded.

"That is what I assumed." He said as he rolled his eyes. He ran in and set me down, yelling at Jack to help me, before turning to close the door. Something must've happened, because there was a big explosion, and we all flew back. I groaned and forced myself up to look around.

"Is everyone okay?" I asked as I clutched my head. Damn, I need an aspirin…

"Seth!" Sara cried out. I looked to the side to see Seth lying on the floor. How in the hell did I miss that? Bah, whatever. I gritted my teeth and crawled towards him.

"Yo, Sunshine! Get up bro!" I said slapping his cheeks lightly. He didn't react so I checked his pulse. Yup, still there. Good, he's still alive.

"Jack, come and get Seth! He's out like a light and you need to carry him!" I called as Sara came rushed over. "Sara, help me up." I said holding up my hand. She pulled me up and I grunted. Jack came up and threw Seth over his shoulder and we ran out of the house. Ash was falling from the sky and there were random explosions. Not to mention my back still hurt like a bitch. It wasn't exactly my idea of a fun time. Jack put Seth in the back, and then we got into the car as fast as we could.

As Jack drove away I felt the pain come back with a vengeance. I bit back groan and shifted so that my back wasn't touching the back of the seat. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned to see Sara, looking concerned.

"Carrie, are you alright?" She asked gently. I blinked.

"Yeah… I'm okay." I said slowly. I mean, it kinda felt like my back was on fire, but whatever man. I don't think anyone noticed it. It's not like I was writhing on the ground in pain or anything. Sara threw me another concerned look before turning back to Seth, who was still out. Jack gave an exhausted sigh. Poor guy…

"How's your brother doing?" Jack asked.

"His system has the ability-"

"I will be fine." I jumped up in alarm and turned to see Seth, looking fine. What the nuts-That was quick! Yeesh. I expected him to be out longer. Fucker almost gave me a heart attack.

"It is important we gain much distance from this location." Seth said lowly. Jack glanced back at them.

"I'm happy you're feeling better," Jack said, "'Cause you're going to need your strength when you explain what just happened back there!" I looked back at them, to see Sara and Seth looking at each other uncertainly. Poor kids…

I sighed to myself before turning to Jack.

"Woah, time out Jack!" I said, "Let me go back there and make sure they're okay, and aren't traumatized or something before they start explaining! They're just kids, man." Jack glared at me, and I resisted the urge to shrink away. For a taxi driver, Jack could be really intimidating when he wanted to be.

"You're a kid too." Jack said pointedly. I shrugged. Jack sighed in defeat. "Fine. Make it quick." I grinned. I turned toward the siblings and made a scootch over motion before taking off my seat belt. I squeezed back between them and sat down, biting back a whimper when I moved wrong and rubbed my back against the seat. I exhaled and looked at Seth.

"Alright Sunshine, you're first." I said. Seth raised an eyebrow.

"Sunshine?" He asked as a small smile tugged at his lips. I smirked.

"Yup. Because of your bright and friendly personality." I said sarcastically. "But that's not important right now. So, is there anywhere that hurts more prominently than others?" He snorted but nodded, gesturing to his shoulder. I nodded and leaned closer feeling his upper arm for any breaks. I glanced up at him before moving on to feel a few of his ribs.

"You and your sister owe me, Sunshine. Think of something to say to Jack," I murmured, "Preferably something that will make him the least angry." He raised an eyebrow, before giving a small smile and a grateful nod. I grinned before leaning back.

"Nothing's broken. It's just some bruising. Take an aspirin, and you should be fine." I told him before turning to Sara. "How about you? Anything in particular hurt?" She gave me a small smile and shook her head.

"No, I am fine, thank you." She said softly. I nodded before turning to Jack.

"Alright, time in." I said. He nodded before pulling over onto the side of the road and turning to us.

"The cab doesn't move until your mouths do." Jack said firmly, "So start talking."

"The information you are seeking is not within your grasp of understanding." Seth said bluntly. Wow, talk about harsh. He might as well have just called him stupid. Sara cut in.

"We are dealing with issues outside the realm of… your world." She said gently. I raised an eyebrow. That's certainly an odd way of putting it.

"Hey, I'm a cab driver, Okay?"Jack said, "I've have had plenty of worldly experi… experiences…" Why did he trail off like that? I looked out the back window to see a blue-ish light coming towards us. What the...

"Sara! We have to go!"Seth cried in alarm. All the sudden the taxi started moving and Jack and I let out a curse. He turned to the wheel and I scrambled to get my seat belt on.

"What is it?" Jack asked. Once again… he was ignored. A missile or something exploded in front of the taxi and Jack yelled at us to hang on. We drove off the road and Jack yelled at us to hold on… Again. He pulled onto a train track and turned his headlights off. He drove us into a tunnel and then pulled to a stop. Sara looked at Sara.

"We can't let him destroy it Sara." Seth said lowly. Sara looked at her little device and nodded. Who in the hell is 'he'? Apparently Jack was thinking the same thing.

"Who is he?" Jack asked, "And this time I need real answers." Damn fucking straight! I looked at Sara, waiting for her to spill.

"It's a Siphon." Sara said. She sounded really scared. I think… I think I should be worried. But what in the hell is that? Like a professional assassin or something?

"A what?" Jack asked.

"It's an assassin trained to pursue his target," Seth said slowly, "Until his mission is completed." Aw fuck, that does not sound good. I was right. Why am I always right? I don't like being right! Goddamnit... And I have a feeling I know what his mission is…

"And his mission is?" Jack asked. Aw man, why would you ask that? I looked at Seth. He looked like he was trying not to be scared.

"Us." Seth said somberly… GODAMNIT! Right a-fucking-gain! Jack looked like he was going to say something, but he stopped when we all saw a blue light heading towards us. Everyone was still and Jack tightened his hold on the wheel. He reached one hand down to the keys and I gritted my teeth and tensed up.

As the light inched closer, Sara grabbed my hand and started squeezing the life out of it and Seth put his arm around my shoulder. It inched closer and closer… but then stopped. Literally inches away. And then it retreated. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and felt a small grin slip on my face.

"That… was close. We are such lucky bitches…" I breathed. Jack nodded in agreement. Seth pulled back his arm back and Sara let my hand go, letting the blood flow back into it. Jack started the car again and then started driving again.

"Is there a safer route Jack Bruno?" Sara asked.

"Not unless you know how to fly." Jack said. I looked over the side to see a drop, and fog. On the other side of the taxi was a wall of rock. If the Siphon was smart, he would probably try to get us now, when we couldn't escape. I shook my head trying to clear the dark thoughts. Seth looked at me concernedly.

"Are you alright?" He asked softly. I grimaced.

"Yeah, yeah," I said slowly, with a nervous laugh, "I'm just thinking. I'm… I'm paranoid. Everything's going to be fine." I said it more to myself than to him, to be honest.

Suddenly, the blue light was back and a missile or something was shot at the back of the taxi. We were all lurched forward, and I started cursing myself. WHY AM I ALWAYS RIGHT? FUCK'S SAKE! The car lurched different directions as the Siphon shot at us. We drove into a tunnel, and the Siphon followed.

"You stubborn little fuck!" I yelled at the Siphon as Sara called for Jack. I know yelling at it wouldn't help us. And it probably couldn't even hear me. But it made me feel better. Shut up.

We heard a train horn and I gritted my teeth. I didn't ask for any of this! I just wanted to get away from my past life and shit-and now- I'm being chased by an assassin with a flying ship, and there's a shit load of explosions, and-and trains! DID I DO SOMETHING HORRIBLE IN A PAST LIFE OR SOMETHING?

"Faster! Faster!" Seth yelled at Jack. Jack groaned.

"It won't go any faster!" Jack cried in frustration. Seth yelled at Sara and she moved her hand out, and the car started pushing a hundred and thirty. Jack screamed at us to hold on and swerved to the left, just barely missing the train. The train hit the Siphon and it exploded. I grimaced as I thought of the guy who drove the train. Poor guy… That thought was shaken off when the caboose of the train flew up and narrowly missed the cab.