My friend was bugging me today in school for being mean and not updating anymore… plus you did get 29, which is one off from 30…

Don't expect this again. The whole daily update thing wasn't working out for me, so I'm going back to the number of reviews.

Next chapter: 35 reviews

My promise holds strong (read bottom of chapter 4 if you don't understand).

Disclaimer: Don't own HOA. Never have, probably never will

Nina's POV

The clock read 11:24 last time I looked at it. I'd rather not think about what would happen in the next few minutes; Ashley is keeping watch on the time. Jerome and Alfie came back around 12:15 earlier, and Fabian and Damian returned about five minutes later. At least they were safe.

I wish I could say the same for me.

Ashley's POV

11:52 – we should probably leave early to get there on time. I walked over to Nina slowly, wishing none of this ever happened. The Amulet was never stolen, I never became a mortal, I never put my new friends in danger… but it already happened and I could never stop it. Damian and I would never have a choice in something like this.

Come to think of it, neither would Nina.

We headed downstairs. Jerome, Alfie, and Damian were in the common room; Fabian was nowhere to be seen. Jerome had a murderous look on his face. Alfie just looked sad. If you compared him to Jerome… yeah, never mind. Damian saw us on the stairs and walked over. He could always hide what he was thinking even in the toughest situations. If we weren't siblings, I would really fall for him.

Nina seemed disappointed, but all of us knew why Fabian wouldn't show. He did not want us to hand over the Amulet in the first place, despite the fact it might save our friends. And now we had to go off to who-knows-where. She glanced at his door before turning away. It would be hard for her too.

"Promise me you'll stay safe," Damian whispered to me.

"I can't do that when I don't know what I'm getting into," I muttered in response. "I'll try, though. Hopefully all five of us girls will come back tonight."

"Good luck," Jerome chimed in, joining us in the entryway. Alfie stayed silent.

"I'm sure we'll need plenty of that," I replied, trying to laugh only to lighten the mood. So I just stopped, knowing what I said was actually very true.

I closed the door behind me and Nina, praying the others wouldn't follow. This was too important to risk everything all because they want to keep us safe. They were smart enough not to do that.

We reached the clearing after several minutes. I sneaked a glance at my phone; it was midnight. Clouds covered part of the sky, blocking out the stars. The moon shone brightly against the darker portions of the horizon. I felt a flicker of happiness when I saw it. After all, it was a sacred symbol of mine. Or at least… it used to be.

"I wish I could've say good-bye to Fabian before we left," Nina mumbled.

"That would've been harder on both of you. I think it was best you didn't." The words hurt even me.

"Quit your touching little whispers and come here," someone ordered from the undergrowth in a harsh voice.

We started but did as we were told. Every step closer to that ominous voice cut into me like a knife. We're safe for now, I told myself silently. Soon Amber, Mara, and Patricia will be free, and hopefully Nina and I can bust out of wherever we're going to. It calmed me down ever so slightly.

"Follow me," he commanded. I could barely see him in the dimming light, thanks to those clouds. "I want to hear nothing but your feet moving behind me. And know that I am not alone."

I felt somebody else's presence behind us. Nina made a sort of gasp, trying to follow orders and not quite succeeding. My nervousness was soon replaced by rage. No one messes with me and my friends, I thought, furious.

"Amber!" I heard Nina exclaim when we were thrown into the same room they were. "Where are Patricia and Mara?"

"We got thirsty," Patricia replied, coming out of what looked like a bathroom. "At least he was nice enough to give us a toilet and sink."

"Tap water isn't my first choice," Nina remarked. "I guess I'll have to deal with it."

"Well, considering we're stuck in here!" I snapped.

"Ashley, calm down," Mara said with a worried tone.

I could feel something… sinister… threatening… no, murderous about this place. And it was messing with my head. Amber rushed into the bathroom to get water for me, following Nina's orders. Patricia and Mara went on either side of me to prevent me from collapsing. I drank the water Amber handed to me, steadying my nerves as best I could. This was worse than any nightmare I had.

That's where I'm stopping for now. Hope you enjoyed (or hated; doesn't matter) chapter 14! Reminder: next one will not be added until 35 or more reviews are reached. Sorry for any inconvenience to any readers.