Disclaimer: I do not own Future Diary or ANY of the references…

Chapter 4

Cute Doesn't Always Mean Practical...

"Hey watch it!" Spencer screamed.

A lady in a hot pink Juicy track suit walking a Chihuahua jumped out of her way. After receiving Mona's call, her and Robin had ran the Polar Trail, which was a four mile run through the city's art district. They were at mile three and were cutting across a field to get to the zoo's back fence. It probably wasn't the safest thing running around on a secluded trail with a terrorist and who knows what else on the loose. However if Mona hasn't been a complete dumbass and had just finished that Drew assassin chick then they wouldn't have to fear that possible threat. She had thrown a knife at her. It was perfectly normal to be paranoid right?

Spencer froze as they came to the fence. The place had allegedly been purchased by the local community center but it seemed more trouble then it was worth. Vines were growing twisted and improperly everywhere. She climbed to the top, forgetting about Robin who was lagging behind in a zombie like trance.

He hadn't said anything the whole way over. Then again why did she expect anything different? Robin never talked unless forced. Come to think of it, did he have any friends? He used to be such a sweet kid. They used to talk all the time in AP geometry, which he was almost better at. She loved that he never cared about looking perfect, that he was a little bit dorky, and that he wasn't afraid to be who he was.
After his father's passing everything about him became muted, like he was a different person. Everything that reached out and grabbed her attention just disappeared. It was amazing how someone could change so drastically in such short amount of time. It really was a shame. Spencer had been meaning to ask him about it but you can't build Rome in a day. He probably wouldn't answer her anyways.

Robin kicked the red brick wall. His blue-black hair was lightly blowing in the wind. "Do you see Mona?" He shrugged as if to say 'You probably don't, but I guess I should talk to you'.

Spencer brushed a piece of her hair out of her eyes. She felt powerful standing at the very top. "She's probably deeper inside."

"Oh." He said in a meek voice. "I guess um,"

Spencer sighed. She had never actually talked to him in school since, but he was definitely... Off. "How about for starters, you climb up here."

Robin nodded. There was a determined look on his face. In one swift motion he was standing right next to her. He grasped her right shoulder for balance, which in turn knocked her off the wall onto her butt. The piece of strawberry gum she was chewing spewed out of her mouth. "I'm so sorry!" He jumped down and offered her a hand. His face looked honestly apologetic.

"It's fine." She huffed sourly. "Damn that hurt." And would probably be sore in the morning.

"Should I call Mona?" Robin pulled his white phone out of the pockets of his black jeans.

"No. We need to make as little noise as possible." Her Blackberry began to ring. It echoed across the vast expansion. Her hand shot into her bag, hitting the mute button which was already on. Her hand lifted shakily up. Her screen darted straight to the message.

10:20 Dead End

Spencer felt completely numb. It didn't even specify how. She bit the inside of her cheek. They had to find Mona. As of right now they were both vulnerable. No weapons, no help. They were trapped. She plunged it back into her bag.

"What is it?" Robin asked. His face looked like a lost puppy. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Nothing. I forgot to turn my mute on. My parents were just wondering where I was." Spencer forced a smile. He seemed to buy it, nodding his head and began walking straight ahead, following a sign pointing to the aquarium. She was unsure if her lie was unintentional or not. Right now she couldn't think properly. Why couldn't someone just make this easier? It would me a blessing to wake up one day, receive a Dead End flag and brush it off like a piece of dust. But she was sure that there was no way of beautifying your possible demise. Her head suddenly started to ache.

The sky, despite it being close to noon, was purplish. She ran along the railings to the old exhibits. Some of the old signs were still up. They passed signs like The O-mazing Ocelot or Kuddly Koalas and even more poorly thought out puns.

Wind nipped at the back of her neck. Curling her hair this morning was also a bad choice on her part. The aquarium was just ahead. The black tinted windows reflected eerily. Spencer shuddered. While the zoo was still open, she had hated the aquarium. It had a wonderful assortment of colorful fish that danced in gorgeous circles around the selection of sea plants that she didn't know the names of. One day while she was admiring a cute almost glowing fish, the piece of seaweed moved, smirked at her, and ate the fish in one gulp. She had recurring nightmares about it ever since. A few years after was she told that eels also inhabited the area. Evil bastards...

Robin opened the door. The lights were on. Wait. Why were there lights if it was shut down? "I guess the Y put those up?" He pushed through the door.

"I guess." Spencer said, flicking her hand. Right now she didn't care who had set up the lights. She just wanted to find Mona before 10:20. They had fifteen minutes. "I so hope she's in," She began but was interrupted by a sudden crash. A door slammed shut in the distance.

"Think that's her?" Robin's normally blue-black eyes were a shade of teal. They were gleaming against the already lit room. Spencer wished her eyes would do that. So pretty...

"Either that or we just walked in on a robbery." She smiled, attempting to lighten the mood. Upon closer inspection her feet had a thin layer of dirt on them because of her sandals which she would be burning later. All of a sudden she hated them.

Robin's face scrunched up. "Robbery?" His eyebrow raised in confusion.

Spencer kicked at the ground. Well that fell flat. "Never mind. Let's go." She motioned for him to follow her.

Click Click Click

Yet again her damned shoes were ruining everything. She didn't even bother with the clasp as she ripped her pair of strappy sandals from her feet and chucked them against the wall. Take that! Robin blinked but didn't say anything. Instead of feeling victorious she felt lonely. Maybe she should put them back on? She shook her head. Not the time for that. Robin was staring at her.

"What?" Spencer barked. "They were too loud."

"You're weird, you know?" Robin added teasingly. She was sure that she was smiling like an idiot. Wow. She hadn't heard that in forever.

"Totally." Spencer stuck out her thumb. "Weird is cool!" Her mind mentally abused her for that one. 'Weird is cool?' How lame could she get?

The duo ran into the diminishing light. Aquariums always darkened as you got further in. Their footsteps echoed throughout the building. Finally after several balance losses later, they arrived at the real door. The first one had been a tease to reveal that their was another flight of stair to run down. A sign that read 'No flash photography' was plastered across the cool gray door in red letters. It reminded Spencer of apples. Hmm. Good choice Y.

Robin leaned himself on the metal part of the door and forced it open. Instead of seeing empty tanks and sunlight from the seal exhibit, ocean blue light surrounded the room. The empty tanks were nowhere in sight. A large one that led to a huge walkthrough tube took its place. Almost like it was for... Wait, how in the world could the freaking YMCA afford a huge ass aquarium? A zoo for that matter. She had so many questions, but the one that caught her attention most of all was where was Mona? Spencer turned her head every direction. She was definitely not in this room.

Robin's mouth gaped open in disbelief. "We have to go through that thing?" He gestured at the humongous tube. Was it just her or did something just swim by?

"Mmhmm." She muttered weakly. Things like this creeped her out. Especially under the circumstances. The freezing cold AC made it that more eerie. It certainly was a, um creative place for someone to be hiding out in.

Robin took a step onto the translucent floor then stopped. "Ladies first?" He ran his fingers through his hair like he always did when he was nervous.

Like hell she was going first. Her hands balled into fists and fell out of instinct onto her hips. "Oh please." Spencer pushed him forward. Apparently he was even more of a klutz then herself. Robin's shoulders thudded against the glass. It made a louder sound then it should have.

"Did you hear that?" Spencer bit the tip of her nail lightly. Great. Now she was hearing things.

She could see the whites of his eyes. He nodded with his mouth hanging open. A shaky finger raised and pointed behind her.

Was this a joke? Nothing was in here... Maybe it was Mona! Just in time too. Spencer spun around on the ball of her foot. "Mon-" she started. However it was unfortunately not Mona. Her knees buckled and carried her to the ground. She wouldn't have been surprised if she just died of a heart attack. Oh. And she had ten minutes left. A menacing, gigantic great white shark stared back at them. It seemed to be saying 'If I can't eat you, I'll just scare you to death'.

Spencer kicked her body back and latched herself onto Robin. She buried her face into his soft black hoodie. He did the same to her. Which surprised her. She all of a sudden became self-conscious. Should she have worn a different shirt? Was her perfume too strong or not strong enough? They held there for several moments that felt like forever. Normally, she would've just let this go on but this wasn't the time to be a coward. Her blood burned in her veins. Sharks be damned, they were finding Mona so she could beat the crap out of her.

Nine minutes left.

Spencer stood up fast. Her head felt dizzy. She began to run. Robin followed behind her like her greyhound, Betsey did. He even looked lost like she did. The phrase 'lost puppy' fit him.

Her bare feet pounded against the glass. Robin ran beside her, both of their hearts thudding inside their chests. The shark had long since abandoned stalking them. It was now swimming right along with them. Spencer was fairly sure that normal sharks didn't do that. Never would she go near another aquarium in her life. Shamu is a complete lie. As they neared the tunnels end, the shark turned and swam off.

"Who has time to make this?" Robin breathed heavily. She had to agree. Whoever made this was either richer then a drug lord or had no social life. Both were good options.

Spencer set her foot onto the start of the new room. The ground was chilled. Even with no shoes, it echoed through the abysmal area. Robin's breathing seemed to have stopped. She took one step in front and winced in pain. Sharp shards of something instantly drew blood as she steadied herself and willed herself to move forward. Across the room a door opened then shut. She whipped her head around.

"Robin?" She whispered. Her body started trembling. No answer. "Ro-" a hand slapped itself onto her mouth. She flew backwards onto the glass, landing with a crunch. Spencer kicked with all her might. The person temporarily let up. Everything seemed to be fine. What had just happened?

A freezing sensation pierced her body. All traces of oxygen fled from her lungs. Spencer pawed for air. She was underwater. Through the glass she could see a digital clock that read 10:19. This was it. She was going to die. One minute left. Blood flowed out from her various cuts, staining the water. Holy shit. She wasn't just going to drown, but was going to be eaten alive. Now she knew how Dori felt when Marlin hit her nose with those goggles.
P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney?

Bubbles fled from her open mouth, then darkness.

Author's Note: Hey! Not really much to say except that I freaking love Finding Nemo. Thank you to all of you who read! Please review! I'd love it.