Notes: I'm so sorry it took me so long to update. School has been crazy lately. I had to worry about my Senior English Project, but now that is over! And please, forgive me for making this kinda short. I've just gotten back into it.

Ok, I have one huge favor to ask everyone. I entered this modeling contest. I know it doesn't seem like something I would do considering what you know about me, but there's a scholarship along with it. It's for PromGuide magazine. So, if any of you would be so kind as to go to the site, and vote for me, I would really appreciate it. Plus, you get to see my picture! I know, so exciting... My name on there is AquaBlue. All you need to vote is a valid e-mail address. Voting is this week. However, I will not force you.

XXX

It was a few hours before the group could cross the bridge. Jack went up first and the others handed Mush up to him before following. The night around them was almost dead silent, the only sound being the lapping of waves on the small shore below.

"How are we gonna cross," Race asked suddenly, "I can't see anything."

"Let your eyes adjust to the dark," Jack ordered, "I thought you would be used to it by now."

"Well, it has gotten darker since then," Race muttered sarcastically. Poker glared at him, but sighed in slight adoration of the short newsie.

"We're get there in time," she whispered over to him in a small kind of fake hope. It was the only hope that they had left.

"Yeah, Jack probably knows this place better than any of us," Skittery told them, "If we can trust anyone to lead us there, it's him."

"What's going on with everyone," Race asked suddenly, "Skittery's starting to be optimistic and I'm worrying like crazy."

"Nothing new there," Hound Dog joked, the first in a long time. Race turned to glare at her, but was stopped by Poker, who had noted that Jack had stopped in the middle of the bridge.

"What's going on," Skittery quietly wondered. Looking closely, one could tell by the faint lights, the silhouette of a figure standing before Jack. They talked quietly with one another before the figure let them pass through.

"We'll get him the help he needs," the figure said, the voice clearly giving away that it was a girl, "I know father can help him." Jack didn't say anything and silence passed over everything once again.

"Who is she," Hound Dog asked, "Why didn't Jack tell us about her?"

"I guess we'll have to find out," Poker replied.

They silently followed until the group reached what appeared to be a broken-down warehouse. Once inside however, the warm glow of fire and soft voices broke through that image. The outside image only fooled those passing.

The inside was decorated with pictures of never before imagined landscapes. Furniture of soft material adorned every room, making it feel like a home one had never had before, no matter whether or not you had ever been rich.

The soft light gave away the mystery girl's appearance. Her straight black hair ended above her shoulders and matched exactly with her black eyes. Her tan skin shone lightly, completing her appearance. She disappeared quickly into a room and motioned for Jack to follow. The others stayed behind, wondering what was to happen next. Jack returned shortly.

"Who was that," Race asked in a whisper, though knowing that they were safe for a while.

"Adela Sanchez, but call her Chica," he told them, "She and her father will be taking care of Mush."

"So what can we do," Skittery asked.

"We just wait," Jack told them, "And hope for the best."