Me: hello peoples! I'm back…sorry for the wait, getting ready for school. Um, lots of thankies to Black Rose Hokaru for reviewing every chapter! On with the story!

"Sapphire?"

Thalassa gasped as well. We stared at each other for a minute before rushing forward and hugging. When we broke apart, there were tears in the blondes' eyes. Her usual teal swimming outfit that I remembered so well was exchanged for a ratty looking black skirt and white blouse.

"What happened to you?"

"What happened to you?"

Both of us asked at the same time. At that moment, Kai cleared his throat, giving me a look. I noticed my friends cheeks flush slightly when she noticed the teen, and grinned inwardly. Someone's got a crush, I thought, poking Thalassa in the stomach. She shot me a dirty look as we both followed the phoenix back to the extremely fancy living room.

"So, you two know each other?" Bryan asked stupidly. I rolled my eyes.

"Yes Bryan. How did you get here?"

I directed my question towards Thalassa. Unlike me, she bore no marks of abuse or injury. The only scar was a jagged cross, about two inches long, on her ankle.

"Well," she began, looking uncomfortable; "I was kidnapped by Voltaire, who burned this X into my skin to show I was a slave. But I never gave in to him. I always fought back, which angered Voltaire. Every time I was bad, he would rip open my scar. I looked at it closely and realized it was a dark red color, like dried blood.

"So you have that too, Fire?"

I sucked my breath in quietly when I realized it was Tala speaking.

"Um, no. Brooklyn just hit me, never made a cross on my ankle."

Tala frowned, leaning back on the plush white couch. Thalassa seemed to notice my injuries for the first time. She gasped, sitting up, her ocean blue eyes wide in horror.

"Oh, what did he do to you?" she cried. I fidgeted nervously, mumbling, "Oh, um, nothing much."

"Well, how do you two know each other?" Ian asked, watching us closely.

"Well, me and Thalassa, we were best friends. Sleepovers, lunches, even walking to and form school we did together. But then, about a year and a half ago, Brooklyn took me away form that. It was a party to celebrate another year." I told everyone, and Thalassa continued.

"After that night, Fire never came to school. Her place was deserted, and I never heard from her again. I was soon caught after her, but always wondered where she went. Finally, we meet again."

Spencer broke the long silence.

"You should get to bed, Fire. Your wounds will heal overnight."

I nodded; I had classified the team already. Spencer was like the big brother, always caring for you in subtle ways. Ian was more outgoing, showing his feelings outward. Kai held the team together, and treated them like family, even if he didn't show it. Bryan always teased and joked around with the group, but defended them and protected them. As for Tala…well, I had already developed a major crush on him. But what chance was I, a maid, going to get?

Thalassa and I walked upstairs silently, and bid each other good night. I watched her close her door and turned around to meet a pair of ice-blue eyes.

"O-oh! S-sorry Tala."

"No problem."

The redhead brushed past me, smiling faintly.

"Good night." He called over his shoulder, and my heart pounded.

"Good night." I called back, and climbed into bed. Whenever Tala talked to me, my heart beat wildly and I stuttered like crazy.

Well, I couldn't thin about love right now. For the first time, I wondered how I was going to escape from this horrid mansion, even if it meant leaving Tala and Thalassa behind.

Me: dang, that was short. Sorry if u r disappointed guys, I promise a longer chapter next time!