Thank you all who sent me kind words of support about my cosuin...and reviews of the story!

...

Chapter 7

I stepped out of Mum's car tentatively, looking up at the towering buildings of the school and dragging my bag out of the back seat. Rain showered down, wetting the pavement beneath my feet, and therefore made it slipperier than usual. I sighed heavily, slinging my backpack over my shoulders and straightened my glasses, before Mum said from inside the car "Have a good day…" she smiled "My big 16 year old."

I smiled and rolled my eyes playfully "You too Mum" I replied, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before she drove off. I had turned 16 on the weekend, and Mum would not stop reminding me of how old I was.

I stood in the rain for a minute, not pulling out my umbrella, and shut my eyes. The feel and smell of rain always relaxed me, but some people thought I was weird because of it. I didn't care. My long brown hair, which was tied in a neat ponytail, was dampened from the rain, its colour growing slightly darker because of it.

Checking my water-proof watch, I saw that there was only a few minutes until the bell went. Panicked, I raced inside the first of the school buildings…where the office and Grade 10 buildings were held.

Once inside, I asked the office receptionist, Mrs. Hue, "Am I late? My watch hasn't been working so well lately."

She shook her head with a smile "No Christiana. But you have to hurry, the bell is just about to go" she replied.

I ran back out the door "Thanks Mrs. Hue!" I called.

"Wait!" she called back.

I stopped, and turned back to her "What is it?" I asked slightly impatiently. I did not want to be late on a Monday! That would be a horrible start to the week.

She smiled softly "Happy birthday for Saturday" she responded, and then gestured to the door, giving me a look that said 'well, go on then.'

I arrived at class quite literally the exact second the bell went. I was bent over a little and breathing heavily from running so far, since my first class was all the way at the end of the school. Reaching into my skirt pocket, and got out my asthma inhaler, used it two times like I was supposed to, and then put it back…which took all of five seconds.

Taking out my books, I saw something else in my bag. Curious, I reached further down into my backpack, pulling out a note. Unfolding the piece of paper, my curiosity turned to fear as I read:

Christiana,

Be very careful, you'll find out why in your first class. We're very sorry for what happened, Blowhole really crossed the line by doing that.

Don't worry, we'll be checking on you soon,

The Penguins.

I nodded, and quickly refolded the paper. I often got 'visits' and/or notes from the penguins and they would always inform me if there was anything majorly wrong. However, mostly, along with my family and friends, they comforted me. Of course, not at the same time as my family and friends, because they could no nothing about the penguins or my secret.

My secret, not our secret…not anymore.

I blinked away the tears that threatened to fall. I had never forgotten Lucy, not at all. I had never forgotten our secret with the penguins or what we discovered about ourselves. But most of all…I missed her.

All of a sudden, the voice of my English teacher, Mr. Winsted, came from in front of me "Christiana…" my head snapped up, and his expression softened "Come inside, it's time for class" he said. I nodded and did so, although I felt great confusion. I had expected to be scolded for not coming in as soon as the bell had gone. I sat down in my seat (which was in the front row because of my eyesight), and thought about it.

Then, I understood. He was being sympathetic to me. Although we had hardly known each other back then, Mr. Winsted had been one of the first teachers to notice my somewhat depression when I had been given the news about Lucy, and he had helped me. Not by sending me to the councillor, but by helping me himself.

I was brought from the memories by his voice "Alright everyone, today we're going to all practice our short-story writing skills. I'm going to give you a recent news clip, and then you have to write a short-story based on it. I will give you more information after the clip." Then, he pressed 'play' on his computer screen, and the image of a building in New York City appeared on the TV at the front of the room. The building had lights and things shinning and glowing all around the roof and in several rooms.

A woman's voice could be heard as I stared at the building, and she was clearly a news reporter "This New York building began doing peculiar things and days ago, and no one has been able to get into the building since, or even anywhere near it. However, witnesses report seeing what looks like several lobsters patrolling the outside of the building, allowing no one entry."

Then, Mr. Winsted stopped the video and turned off the TV. He turned to us "Here is your task. Write a short story about what you think could be happening in that building, and why that building itself was chosen for these mysterious goings-on."

One of the boys up the back of the class joked out loud "Maybe it's some sort of freak lobster mind-control!" and then he and a few other people laughed.

I wasn't one of those people. I raised my hand, and asked Mr. Winsted "Sir, what building is that exactly?"

"I don't believe I know Christiana" he answered.

I inquired "Well, is there any other information that the news report didn't give us?"

"Well, other witnesses do report seeing a figure on a scooter inside the rooms, and they also often here a dolphin-like laugh, but much more menacing then any dolphin they've ever heard. That part is ridiculous if you ask me" he replied.

My mind whirled and my heartbeat sped up instantly. It was all coming together and making sense. The note from the penguins warning me to be careful and that I would find out why in my first class, the news report, and now that extra information. It all pointed to one explanation…a certain diabolical dolphin who was once (and I imagine still is) after me and Lucy.

He was obviously still after us, and he was planning something.

Something big.

Cold chills of fear raced down my spine and I could feel my face pale with fright. I raised my hand again, and asked shakily "Sir, can I p-please go to the toilet?" It was the best excuse I could think of for leaving the room.

Once I was in the girls' toilet block, I made sure no one was around to hear me, and I let my fear and shock show in my words "Holy shit! What am I going to do?! Oh, forget me…how am I going to warn Lucy?!"

All of a sudden, a hand clasped over my mouth, and a female voice whispered harshly close to my ear "Too bad you're not going to get to figure it out."

Acting on instinct, I thrust my elbow into them and stamped on their foot, causing whoever it was to stumble backwards and let me go. I whirled around, ready to fight with my magic if I had to, when I froze in my place in shock.

Standing in front of me in a fighting stance, eyes lowered at me in a glare, was the last person I would expect…

Sarah.