Again… I don't own any of the characters. L.J Smith has all rights.

Chapter 3

Jenny felt herself slowly walking backwards until she was up against the wall. He was still smiling at her. He didn't come forward, like he had all the time in the world. Jenny supposed he did, after all she was the only one left. Then it struck her.

"The rose was a clue."

He smiled. "I knew that you'd figure it out eventually."

"But what if I hadn't found the canoe?"

He walked over to her until he was directly in front of her.

"Then I would have put it somewhere you would have seen it." He whispered.

She felt the air shift to her right and looked over to see a black void appear. It was the void he was going to use to win. A tear slid down her cheek and then another and another. She felt a sob come out of her throat. Julian hugged her to him. He stroked her hair to calm her down.

"Everything is going to be all right, you'll see. Soon I'll take you to see your friends. You would like that wouldn't you." He whispered.

In idea popped into Jenny's head. It may be a really dumb idea, but it was the only one she had.

"It's not sporting." She whispered against his chest.

"What's not sporting?" he asked.

"This situation. Wouldn't you rather try to catch me as I found the base." It sounded worse out loud.

"Jenny, you don't know where my base it." He stepped back to look at her.

"I will if you tell me."

"Why would I want to tell you?" he smiled as if he knew what she was about to do.

"If you win I will never say Toms name again." She felt as if something had stabbed her heart.

Julian's eyes lit up. Jenny knew he liked the deal, knew that he couldn't resist saying yes.

"Jenny you have to promise." He said

"First let me establish the rules to the game."

"Yes, of course."

"You have to tell me where the base is, and give me a thirty second head start. Then you, yourself, have to come and get me into one of those black holes." She said.

He pretended to think about it. "It's a deal, but only if you have to walk there."

Jenny didn't like the sound of that. His base could be a mile away, but she had to take this deal, or she would be in serious trouble. "Okay."

"Then we seal the deal with a kiss."

It was soft and sweet, and as always left her feeling breathless.

"The door to your friends is at your cousins house in his photo room." He whispered by her ear. "You better start running.