If you asked me to start counting in prime numbers, I could. I could start at 2 and list them all the way to 7919. That's a slice of cake.

But if you asked me to describe what I had witnessed with Adrian one week ago ... Well, I don't think any exact words could form on the tip of tongue for that.

Because insanity was what happened, as weird as it may sound. Adrian had gone insane. It wasn't one of the slight slip ups of crazy talk he occasionally had—it was Adrian, acting and thinking in complete insanity. And it completely and utterly terrified me.

When I arrived back at my dorm that night, I found a worried Jill pacing in my room. She sat on my bed, dressed in a nightgown, and her face was sprawled across with distress, sleep loss and fear. It took everything within me to gather my senses and reassure Jill that me and Adrian was just fine.

"But I felt the way he was," she said when I tried to hush her back to her room. She clung onto my shirt's collar and looked up at me with intense anxiety. "It was something I'd never felt before. It almost consumed me, Sydney. This darkness almost consumed me in the same way it consumed Adrian."

Since then, I hadn't spoken to Jill about the event.

She seemed fine after that night, and seemed to never encounter another spirit-crazy episode again, but that never stopped me from keeping a close eye on her. During that time, we didn't hear a word from Adrian. And whereas I was beyond concerned with how he was coping, I couldn't bring myself to see him again. His insanity scarred me in more ways than just one.

"Melbourne," Mrs. Terwilliger said one cold afternoon. It was a Friday, exactly eight days since I'd last seen Adrian (not that I was counting), and Mrs. Terwilliger had given me tons of extra homework for handing in an incomplete assignment late. I was doing it during our private study hour while surviving on Trey's mint mocha (I hadn't really spoken to him either since I brought up the matter of Angeline). I hadn't spoken a word since arriving back from Spencer's, which I suppose was because I too deep in thought. My silence obviously gave Mrs. Terwilliger the chills.

"If you'd like a break, you can take one," my history teacher said. My head jerked up and I found my eyes having trouble battling the sun's rays that shone threw the glass window that sat behind her. I looked back to my work, then to the old woman. Then I shook my head sensibly.

"I should try to get this done as soon as possible, ma'am," I said. Translating Latin to English wasn't that hard anyway. Mrs. Terwilliger nodded thoughtfully, but still went through the effort of collecting her sheets and closing her books.

"I understand that, Melbourne," she replied softly. "But this is only due Monday. You've been pushing yourself lately—I can see that in class and evidently now. You're a smart and bright girl—you don't need to work as hard."

I cringed when I realized what she was saying. I collected my things carefully and removed myself from the classroom chair.

"I'll go do this in my room then."

"Sydney," Mrs. Terwilliger pleaded. It was one of those rare times where she purposely remembered my name. She took hold of my hand, the gesture so little but so warm, and I stared at her long fingers.

"You can talk to me if something is bothering you," she suggested. I slowly removed my hand and was about to reject her kind words, but then held my tongue for a moment. What good would it be if I ignored the problem at hand? Mrs. Terwilliger, although human, knew how to work magic. Although her magic properties were in many ways different to that of spirit users, perhaps she knew of how to handle spirit's side effects.

I leaned in close and murmured: "Mrs. Terwilliger, do you know if there are any side effects to using magic? Like, negative ones?"

Her eyebrows arched in surprise, and I knew she was taking my question as a show of interest. Ever since I had requested her help in using the tracking spell to find Sonya a month or so ago, the old witch had grown ever more persistent in trying to 'teach' me her ways. But nothing could ever shift my views on magic.

Or at least, I hoped not.

Mrs. Terwilliger thought hard.

"Hmm. Perhaps. Sometimes with known cases, those who hold a great mass of magic within them can lose control of it," she said slowly.

Bingo.

"Like how?" I pushed. "Do they lose their grip on reality? That sort of thing?"

"Well, I'm not really sure, Melbourne," she replied. Then Mrs. Terwilliger stood up and walked to the teacher's desk. Buried beneath other piles of nameless sheets, she found an old apple laptop. And I gasped.

"Don't be so surprised," she chuckled. "I do keep up with modern technology."

I instantly looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. It's not like I don't doubt that, it's just, I'd thought with all the old books and such, the internet would be completely distant to you."

Mrs. Terwilliger laughed. She handed me the laptop and smiled, and I uncertainly took the device into my hands.

"Why are giving me this?" I asked. Then I looked to the laptop and suddenly began to shake my head. "Oh no, if you think I haven't got access to internet, I've got a computer in my room—"

Mrs. Terwilliger sighed as if the reason for giving me her laptop was the most obvious thing in the world.

"On my hard drive, there should be a file named 'Research'," she began. "Believe it or not, but I've conducted many useful research items over my years of learning magic, most of which I've transferred onto my computer. Study those and I assure you you'll find the answer you need."

More homework.

"Thank you, Mrs. Terwilliger," I managed so say without hinting at my exhaustion. "This means so much to me."

Mrs. Terwilliger brushed me off and took her books.

"This isn't my only computer, so don't worry about having to read through all my junk in one night. It'll take a week at least to get through it, so take your time."

I nodded as Mrs. Terwilliger walked pass me to the classroom door.

"Oh, and remember to lock the door once you're finished packing up. I'll see you tomorrow in class, Miss Melrose, with the history assignment I assume?"

I nodded and she left in a smiling mood.

Jill came running to my room the next morning at some time around eight. I would have usually already been up by then, showering and getting ready for the day's events that lay ahead, but that morning I had unintentionally slept in.

When I heard rampant banging on my door, I dragged myself from my cozy bed and opened the door hesitantly. Jill ran in without even greeting me.

"Sydney!"

Jill was still dressed in her pajamas—this time, a cute flannel outfit decorated with tiny giraffes. The night before had been uncommonly cold for Palm Springs and even I, dressed in a loose singlet and shorts, felt myself shivering under my sheets.

Jill paced back and forth, and I began to worry that maybe Adrian had done something bad. I began to collect my thoughts and my whereabouts as I rubbed sleep from my eyes.

"Jill, why are you here?" I yawned. Jill stopped in her path.

"Something bad has happened," she said forebodingly. I looked to her with as much awareness as I could summon. I really had stayed up late last night.

"What do you mean something bad?"

Jill fell onto my messy bed and sighed. "Angeline this morning snuck out of the room."

"She did what?"

Jill ran a hand through her neat hair. The action made me feel self-conscious of my own post-bed appearance. I moved to my dressing table and grabbed a brush to quickly run through my hair. Then peering into the mirror, I saw Jill watch me from the bed, and I cringed.

"She didn't just go to the library or something?" I asked hopeful. Jill shook her head.

"Eddie checked."

Great. Eddie knew.

"We were wondering maybe if you had heard from her," she continued slowly. I shook my head in return and Jill fell into her hands.

"Its all my fault," she muttered.

"What? No, it isn't. It's not your fault Jill. Angeline's probably just—"

"She left because she hates me," Jill sobbed. I dropped the brush after disregarding the infinite amount of knots in my hair and ran to Jill's side. She was on the very edge of tears.

"I told Angeline last night that what she did to Eddie was wrong."

My hand wrapped around Jill's frail shoulders in comfort.

"What did she do?" I asked softly. Honestly, I was so caught up in the moment of feeling terrible for the shaken Jill that I had forgotten she was a vampire. And yet I was so close to her.

"She was totally flirting with Trey! I've seen it. She's been flirting with him since the Halloween dance while stringing poor Eddie along. And I asked her what her problem was but..."

Jill wrapped her hands around me tightly as she cried into my shoulder. I had a feeling she was crying for more than just a little argument with Angeline. Jill had so many burdens to deal with—Adrian's hectic mood swings, her conflicts with Eddie, even trying to find her place back within the Amberwood clique was proving difficult for her. Ever since she dumped Micah, all of her mutual friends had began to resent her, and although Jill had acted so strong in front of everyone, she was just a teenage girl after all.

I patted Jill's head.

"I'll find Angeline. Go get Eddie and meet me by Latte in fifteen."

Jill wiped her tears away and looked up at me.

"Where are we going?"

I bit my lip.

"I'll drop you guys off at Adrian's."

"What's this?"

Adrian was in a worst state than I had been. I noticed the many empty bottles of beer and empty scotch glasses by his couch behind his shoulder, and the way his eyes had trouble focusing on me explained it all.

Surely enough, he had a terrible hangover.

"I need you to watch over them today."

I heard Eddie scoff behind me. Adrian ruffled his already messy bed hair and showered me with horrid morning breath as he yawned. He then glanced at the teary-eyed Jill and the moody Eddie and shook his head.

"I'm not running a daycare center here, Sage. They're old enough to look after themselves."

Eddie from behind me threw his hands in the air. "That's what I said!"

It was beyond uncharacteristic for Eddie to act this way. Was he still angry at Angeline? Or was he just now completely worried?

I shot a glare to Adrian and firmly held my gaze.

"Just this time," I said. "Please."

Adrian watched me. I couldn't make out what his look said. He seemed to have been growing resentment towards me, but I also saw a pitiful side to him. At last, like he seemed he had no choice, he waved Eddie and Jill in. They brushed pass me and I saw Eddie head straight for the bathroom. When they were both out of sight inside of Adrian's apartment, I pulled Adrian a little ways from the threshold to talk in private.

I leaned in close to him and whispered: "Be sure to keep a close eye on them."

I wasn't as concerned with being near Adrian as I was with havng Eddie or Jill hear what we talking about. The last thing I needed was a super-pissed off Eddie.

My hand was cold against the warmth of Adrian's arm. I saw Adrian's eyes dart to where I made contact with him. He gently pulled away and tusked, and I blushed when I realized what I was really doing.

"Sure, whatever. But can't you at least tell me what's going on first?"

I took a deep breath and bit my lip.

"Angeline disappeared this morning. I haven't really seen her around for the pass week, so I can safely assume that she's been behaving oddly for a while. It may just be something as little as Angeline, Eddie and Trey having a fight—"

"Trey?"

"Long story," I sighed. Trey had shown interest with Angeline sometime during the Halloween dance, but he also told me that because she was a Dhampir, all of his earlier feelings were dropped. But I'm beginning to wonder if that was truly the case ...

"Just know that Eddie and Jill might attempt to escape and search for Angeline themselves. They're both really worried, and although I understand why that's so, I can't allow their personal feelings to drive them to do something reckless. I'm sure Angeline is somewhere close in Palm Springs. I'll be able to find her."

Adrian nodded. "So you just want me to babysit?" he summarised. "Fine."

Adrian went to turn around, but I caught hold of his arm again. Something didn't seem right. I hadn't talked to Adrian for almost a week (or nine days if you want to be technical). The least he could do was greet me properly or something.

Adrian must have noticed my desire to talk about something more than just Angeline and flinched in reponse. Once again, he jerked his arm away.

"Adrian," I began worried. It pained me to see him so ... restricted around me. I mean, sure, I didn't want him to be like he has been lately. Crazy. Confusing. Persistent. But I also didn't want him to ignore me altogether.

Adrian frowned.

"What? I got what you want me to do. Go find Angeline now."

I winced.

"I ... I haven't seen you in a while. I just want to know—"

"Know what? How I'm doing?" he snapped. Adrian took a step into his apartment and shook his head. He looked beyond hurt.

"It doesn't work that way, Sage. You can't just turn me down every time I want to talk to you, but decide that I have to listen to you when you want to say something to me—"

"Adrian—" I started towards him. He put his hands up.

"I don't want to do this again, Sydney. I don't. I don't want to start getting my hopes up, thinking that maybe you've come over to talk to me for real, only to end up hurt at the end of your visit again. I'm sick of it. Just do what you're expected to do by the Alchemist and keep it fucking professional."

His words were a complete shock. It was like someone was stabbing me after the end of every sentence he spoke. He was so angry at me. Absolutely Pissed. And in return it annoyed me.

I took a step back and decided to do exactly what he wanted me to do. If he wanted to be a complete asshole when I was concerned about his health, then so be it. I'll be 'professional'.

Jill walked out of the kitchen at that time and I caught her eyes behind Adrian. I cleared my throat and managed to fake a smile.

"I'll be back soon with Angeline. Just stay here and keep yourself entertained, okay? Look after Eddie," I said, and Jill nodded.

I glanced to Adrian for a second and I regretted it. His eyes were cold and nostalgic. He wanted to see me walk away.

So I turned around and did exactly that.

Adrian with a strong push slammed the door behind me.

Author's Notes.

Installment three! Yay! So, I guess I wrote Sydney here as a little selfish, which I guess just kind of happened. It might be out of character for her, but I thought it was something I would imagine someone in her situation would do. She is being a tad bit selfish however, disregarding Adrian's feelings completely for her own pride in the Alchemist. I guess it just doesn't really show until Adrian points that out. Apologies to have them fight! It was bound to come eventually, even though I hate it ... don't fight Adrian and Sydney! I love you two too much!

So, as for having a chapter updated daily. I will write a new installment for AGLUAS until The Indigo Spell comes out. That is, of course, unless I finish my novella before then (which will most likely be the case).

But if that's so, I'll just start on a new Fanfic. Maybe another on Sydrian, or maybe a side story of my novella. (Hint hint: I'm introducing an OC next chapter! And another spoiler: the OC has something to do with Angeline's decision to sneak off! Silly Angeline.)

Anyway, another thing about tomorrow's update: I've got an anime and comic convention tomorrow to attend which will take up all of my time tomorrow (I'm cosplaying as a female equivalent of the eleventh doctor just to let you know!), so I will update tomorrow's chapter later tonight. Look forward to it!

Thank you for reading! And thank you for all the lovely feedback! Leave a comment/review of what you think so far!