Author's Note: In this story, the only Heap children are Jo Jo and Jenna. I have taken Nico's personality and given it to Jo Jo. Sorry for any confusion.

The wind made Jo Jo's curly blond hair whip messily in his face. The sky was growing a strange faded yellow color as the boy sailed on towards the strip of land in which he was heading. Determination was hot and fiery in his eyes. The forest grew nearer and nearer. Unlike he had thought, it took only mere minutes to arrive on land. Here the sky was a greenish yellow, concerning Jo Jo. He had never seen the sky act this way. It was as if it did not know what color it was suppost to be in the early morning. The trees here towered hundreds of feet above a castle. The ground was charred; the leaves were stained a blood red. Hadn't the forest looked normal from only a short distance away?

...

Jenna tugged on Merrin's sleeve. She looked worried, which bothered him. Was she going to drag him into something?

"Jo Jo's missing!" she hissed. Her eyes were a dark shade of violet instead of the usual lilac color. He sighed heavily and put a cold hand on her warm shoulder.

"He can't of gotten far. He must be somewhere in the castle." he reassured her. Jenna frowned and shoved Merrin's hand off her shoulder. She got up hastily, stomping over to Marcia.

"Jo Jo is missing, we must find him. He's been hearing DomDaniel's thoughts. I fear he went, unaware he was being controlled, to go renew his life force somehow." Marcia raised an eyebrow in question.

"You think?" she asked, studying her face carefully.

"I can feel he's in danger! Marcia, please! Time is running out for him!"

...

Jo Jo tied the sailboat to a sturdy nearby tree root. He plucked one of the crimson leaves from the gargantuan trees and touched his tongue to it. His eyes widened as he stumbled backwards.

"Blood! Blood is all over these leaves..." he gasped, dropping the leaf, "I gotta get out of here." He untied the rope, freeing it from the root. Pushing with all his might, he managed to get the boat into the water. He settled himself in the sailboat and redirected the sail. The wind had died down. Cursing softly, the boy used a spare paddle to push forward. He was able to get a little ways away from the shore before harshly bumping into a invisible barrier. A loud booming voice screamed in his head,

"You cannot escape, puny wizard! Your time is up!"

...

Jenna spat on the grass while waiting for Merrin to catch up. She had ran to the dock, somehow knowing where to go. Merrin was a slow runner, not to her surprise. He was very underfed and didn't have any muscle in his legs. Just thin bones.

"I-I'm here." he puffed. Jenna strode up to a sailor untying his boat and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and lifted her into a kayak. She pointed at her companion and the beefy man went and retrieved him.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey!" Merrin's words were rushed. The sailor pushed the kayak out into the water. He handed them both paddles; he waved goodbye.

"What did you say to him?" young Mr. Meredith inquired after a moment of silence. Jenna spoke into his ear,

"I just told him my brother ventured into that forest. He said 'Oh dear! Bless his soul!' and gave me the boat. That place must be real dangerous..." Merrin bit his lip. He hadn't had any practice with good Magyk, but it was worth a shot. He increased up the boat's speed. He sensed Jo Jo's doom at hand as well.

...

The hairs on Jo Jo's arms stood strait up. He turned slowly to face his new found enemy. It was not DomDaniel, but a ghost of him.

"You will be my Apprentice instead of that blasted Meredith." he growled. The kid inched away from the ghost.

"You cannot make me." his voice faltered. The ghost floated over to his prey.

"Oh yeah?" he scoffed, "Then I guess I'll have to kill you." Wicked delight tinted his gruff voice.

...

Merrin used Magyk to open the invisible barrier around the island forest. He spotted Jo Jo but could not see what he was so terrified of. Jenna on the other hand, saw the ghost. She ripped off her jacket and shoes in a hurry.

"What do you think you're doing!" her friend burst out. She ignored him, preparing to jump into the water and swim to shore. The boat would not go any further towards the island. He dug his fingernails into her arm. Tears formed in his eyes. She yanked away from him, anger swelling in her eyes.

"I'm going to get him! Why are you stopping me!" she exploded. He licked his lips nervously. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words stayed trapped inside his throat. Jenna rolled her eyes and started to jump. Merrin reached his arms forward; he pulled her back into the boat.

"WHAT"S YOUR PR-"

"I don't want to lose you!" he yelled. Merrin turned away from her stunned expression. "I don't want to lose the first girl I ever liked." An uncomfortable silence hung in the air. A sudden explosion made the children stumble. The island had burst into flames, surrounding Jo Jo.

"NOOOO! Jenna screamed. Her admirer barley managed to restrain her. Jo Jo stared wide eyed at his sister and acquaintance. He mouthed, don't save me, before plunging into the water as the island blew up. Merrin yelled over the noise,

"I really hope I see you again Jenna Heap. You are my first friend." And with that, he kissed her softly on the cheek and plummeted into the water after Jo Jo.

I decided to end this as a cliff hanger. So it's up to you, the reader, to determine everyone's fate. I hope you enjoyed this story. I may possibly make a sequel if I receive enough demands. If not, then this is the end of the story. Good day to you all. :)