Chapter 13

Staring at her reflection in her bureau, Serenity lifted the hair brush up to her light brown wavy hair. Beauty hadn't left her as her mother had drilled in her head. Her hair smooth as silk, her skin was flawless with no wrinkles or blemishes and lips were plump and red as a rose.

Serenity sighed at the thoughts of her mother pulling at her hair to get it into a tight bun. She glance up in the mirror to see herself wince in pain. Her mother, Cecilia, would lecture over again and again, "Darling, beauty is the only thing you have going for you and it wouldn't last forever. You should be leaning towards finding a young, fine gentleman to marry like I did with your father. Bradley Morris would make a fine match, if I do say so myself." Thankfully Serenity made that move away from Los Angeles, or else she would have been trapped in that boring superficial world. To act perfect, reposed and never find a man she truly loved.

Serenity opened her small jewelry box to retrieve the pearl earrings Chase had bought as a surprise. Threading an earring though her ear, she noticed Chase stood in the reflection checking her out with a smile. He placed his hands on her shoulder and bent close to her and said, "You look beautiful."

She glanced up to him with a small smile and replied, "Thank you." She grabbed the other earring and Chase swept her hair away from her shoulder and gently kissed her neck. Her eyes closed at the feeling of his warm lips made contact to her skin.

"Chase."

With a frisky smile developing on his face, he said in an innocent tone, "What, I can't kiss the woman I love?"

She gave him a playful glare, "You know exactly what you're doing to me."

He smiled, "I'm sorry. I just love turning you on, especially when you wear an amazing dress like that." She glanced in the mirror admiring her new dress. It was an elegant indigo satin gown the hugged her body until it flared out a little at the bottom. As for the top the center where the material met, a small v-cut was made in the sweet heart top, allowing just enough cleavage to show.

He was about to continue kissing when Serenity placed a finger on his lips, "I at least want to make it for our date." She paused giving herself one more look over and added, "Then when we get home you'll have the fun tearing off this dress. So do you have the tickets?"

Chased cleared his throat and mind as he said, "Yes ma'am." He patted his tux pocket making sure and he said, "So you're sure Rae and Caleb are all right babysitting the night?"

Serenity stood up and reassured Chase, "Yep. They should be here soon. I'm so excited to see this opera!"

Chase was taking Serenity all in until he noticed her arm. He took a step closer and pointed the massive bruise on the underside of her arm. "What happened?"

Serenity turned her arm outward and her tone was off when she replied, "Oh, I don't know." Chase was about to ask another question on Serenity's behavior when the doorbell rings. Serenity bolted for the stairs and shouted, "Let's go!" Chase shook his head knowing something was off and descended down the stairs after Serenity.

Serenity hated keeping any secrets from Chase, but this one was a must. After Thea came home from her date, and I don't care what they say it was a date, the guardian's went to investigate some warehouses. She remembered,

They all got out of Kylie's car around 2 in the morning and they all huddle to hear what Kylie had to say. "Okay, I think for the time being we should stick together until we clear the place?"

Rae pointing to the warehouses replied, "Lead the way, baby." Kylie nodded her head and swift climbed the fence and flipped herself over the top.

As Thea was about climb, Serenity said to Rae, "Yea, I think I rather skip the climbing today." She grabbed Rae's hand and placed a hand on Thea's shoulder and transported them over the other side.

Rae yawned and said, "Let's get this over with. The faster were down, the faster I can sleep."

As the snuck to one warehouse to the next they found nothing out of the ordinary. Rae bent down to tie her one shoelace, "I think this was a bust."

Thea said looking around, "They were here. And so was the car."

Kylie patted her back and said reassuring, "And we believe you. Wow." Kylie stopped to see a big ice wall dividing the road.

Thea walked next to Kylie and said, "On the other side they were all being born."

Kylie nodded her head to Rae, who lit up her fist with flames, while Kylie went back some feet under some cover getting her arrow and bow ready. Serenity stood in the middle a little behind Rae and Thea just encase she need to transport them back to where Kylie was located. Rae glanced back to see Kylie giving an okay sign and then she nodded at Thea to tear down the barrier.

When the snow avalanched to the ground blowing snow and cold air everywhere, a big black figure was suddenly toppling over the girls. Two whistles in the air flew past Serenity's head as she dived away from the surprise attack. Kylie who was waiting for the air to clear heard Serenity screamed and ran over quickly to help her. When Rae got up she could see nothing else was around them except for the huge beast toppled on Serenity's arm. While Rae and Thea tried moving the big ass body off of Serenity's unconscious body, Kylie kept her arrow locked making sure the coast was clear.

Rae shaking Serenity shoulder said, "Hey wake up. Serenity. Come on."

Her eyes flutter open and pain wince on her face as she looked down to her arm. "Did you get it?"

Rae checking out the monster said, "Yea Kylie nailed it in the head with two arrows. Well, what's left of a head?"

Thea added, "I think this is the one that smashed head first in my wall"

Kylie said, "It was dead before I shot it." She lifted her hand away from the body, "It's frozen solid." Rae and Thea helped Serenity up and they saw that the ground that once held snow was now black, charred, and warm with ditches.

Serenity asked, "What is that thing?"

Kylie bent down to examine it and Rae said, "Whatever it is, it doesn't look friendly."

Thea asked checking a ditch, "Where do you think they all went?"

Serenity replied, "Probably to whoever conjured them."

Rae throwing snow in the ditch made a hiss and she said, "Do you think Gabriel summoned them, like to make an army?"

Kylie checking the mutated dog's eye stood up and replied, "It would make sense why he stole the recently discovered book from Asklepios."

Rae shifted over to Kylie puzzled, "What does that mean?"

Kylie explained, "Asklepios was the god of medicine and in one particular area he was skilled in was restoring the dead to life. Because this was a crime against the natural order, Zeus destroyed him with a thunderbolt. Lucky for archeologists he left behind a diary of all his medical knowledge, which Gabriel now has in his possession."

Thea said, "So his plan is to bring back his followers."

Serenity added, "And he's build an army. How are we going to be able to defeat him if he has a remedy to bring back the living death?"

Kylie thinking replied, "Well, his people where normal, so we have an upper hand. Plus these dogs can be killed too."

Thea added, "And if push comes to shove we do have the covenant and its members."

Rae asked skeptically, "Will it be enough though."

Kylie shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. Anyway, help me move this body into one of the ditches." As they pushed the animal into the hole, Rae incinerated it back to ashes. Thea pulled snow over to cover the charred ground and ditches. Kylie said, "As long as Serenity's future hasn't change from her path I say we have a good chance at winning." Getting up that day with only two hours of sleep sucked, especially when she had to act normal around Chase.

She heard Chase open the door while she stood by her darling kids in their swings. She whispered to them, "You two be good, okay? Mommy loves you." She kissed Austin on the head and then moved over to Chastity, "And you."

Chase answered the door and said, "Hey Caleb. Rae. Come right in."

Serenity went over and hugged Rae, "Okay. The baby bottles are in the fridge, diapers are in the nursery with the…."

Rae waved her off, "Yea, yea. We know the drill."

Serenity looked back at Austin and Chastity and said unsure, "So I guess we can leave then?" Chase laughed as he sat on the couch.

He told her, "Babe, we still got time. Reservations for dinner aren't till six." She sat next to Chase and he wrapped his arms around her.

She said excited, "Sorry, I'm just so happy we finally get some alone time to celebrate our anniversary."

Rae picking up Austin and said, ""Well four years is a long time…."

The doorbell rang and everyone was confused at who was coming over. Rae said, "I didn't check that far in the future." Serenity hopped up from her comfortable spot to get the door. "It's probably Abby. She said she needed my notes from English she missed." When Serenity turned to face the visitors, blood drained from her face. "Mom, dad?"

"Hello darling." Her father gives her a hug and added, "Why the surprise look? Didn't think we'd be able to get out here and make time to see how our little girl is doing."

Her mother in turn gave Serenity a hug and as she broke away. She commented, "Hmm…you got a little chubby."

Chase stood up and her father walked over to shake hands. Chase introduced himself politely, "Hello, I'm Chase Collins."

Her father in the meantime was already sizing him up and decided if he likes him or not. "I'm Stanley Bennett."

Both her parent's attention was suddenly drawn to the noises of the twins and they stare in shock. Rae could see Serenity pressed against the door so tightly with fear in her eyes.

Rae announced, "Hi, I'm Rae and these two are my kids."

She was throwing herself under the bus to protect Serenity and was now waiting for the disappointed looks of being a single mother until Caleb volunteered, "Our kids. We were about to leave actually." Rae stared back at shock at Caleb for a second and then smiled in appreciation.

Cecilia, on the other hand, held anything but a smile as she said, "Oh. So why all the baby stuff?"

Rae explained, "Serenity was babysitting for us today."

Stanley's face lit up at any chance to gloat on how proud he was that she was his daughter, "That's Serenity. Always giving."

Serenity said, "Well I'll show you out. Chase why don't you get a little acquainted with my parents." Chase nodded his head directing them away from Serenity, who was leading Rae and Caleb out with her children. She said panic, "What am I going to do?"

Rae whispered, "Relax. You got four tickets still, right?"

Caleb asked puzzled, "Why four?"

Serenity replied, "I don't like people sitting next to me." Serenity glanced back to Rae and notice she was searching Serenity's future with spent the day with her parents.

"Serenity what's taking you so long?"

Rae snapped out of it and said hush, "You'll be fine. Just go do what you were planning to do tonight."

"Serenity?"

Before shutting the door to her doom, she quickly gave her kids a quick kiss on the head. "Thank you. Both." Serenity whispered as she shut the door on them.

When she turned around her mother was there ready to fill her in on what happened back home. While Cecelia continued to talk about unimportant things, Serenity's attention shifted over to see how Chase is holding up with her father. By the looks of it, Chase was selling himself well for her father hadn't written him off as unworthy of his time yet.

"… it was long, but Aunt Elizabeth left a big chunk of her wealth to you. Why she couldn't spare some to her own sister surprises me."

Serenity confused where she was in the conversation asked, "Left me what?"

Cecilia scolded her, "Pay attention Serenity. Elizabeth is dead and left you half her estate and most of her money to you." Serenity was taken back hearing that her favorite aunt was gone.

She asked shocked, "How? When?"

Cecilia getting bored with this topic replied, "Car collision. About three weeks ago." Serenity face pulled down to a frown and she asked annoyed, "Why didn't you tell me? I could have made the funeral and…."

Cecilia responded, "Oh, it wasn't that important. So how are you acquainted with that a…charming couple."

Serenity looked away from her mother, "There school friends."

Her mother nodded and asked, "Are they married?"

Serenity responded by testing the waters, "What if they weren't?"

Cecilia looked insulted by her tone and replied, "It's a shame. Well, at least my girl is pure and responsible." Her mother glanced over to her father and Chase, "So who is this young man?"

Serenity replied proudly, "He's my boyfriend." She thought to herself, he's much more than that.

Her father and Chase walked over to them and Stanley asked, "Chase tells me you're going out for dinner and then the opera. You wouldn't mind if we joined you?"

Chase said, "Well, we were planning to celeb…."

Serenity cut him off, "Of course that would be fine! Mother. Father. Why don't you take your car and you can follow us." Her parents began to walk out and she said, "We'll be right out. Just need to get a few things." Serenity closed the door and locked it. "Screw the plans. Let's get the heck out of here. How would you feel if we moved to Canada?"

Chase placed his hands on her shoulders said calmly, "However tempting that offer is, we can't just run from your parents." She nodded her head in agreement and Chase said, "So I take it they don't know how long we've been dating."

Serenity replied, "The less they know the better." Besides if her mother knew she was dating a boy for four years she would want to take over and plan a huge wedding and invite all of her friends. Either that or she would grill her on how he's not a Bradley.

Serenity went to the cabinet in the kitchen and Chase asked, "What are you looking for?" When she turned around she held a flask in her hands.

"This is what got me through seven years of my life." Chase shook his head and placed it back in the cabinet. Pulling her into a hug he said with confidence, "Don't worry, everything is going to be fine as long as I'm around." He kissed her forehead and they both went to Chase's car to start their date with her parents.

…

Curled up in a ball with blankets, Kylie laid in her bed not wanting to start the day. Even though she could feel the acid eating at her stomach she stayed in that position. Thankfully Christmas vacation was here. It allowed her to escape the awkwardness and embarrassment on Wednesday. Unfortunately for Kylie it seemed on that day her life was one of those horrid high school movies. You know the ones where everyone is whispering or laughing at the outsider girl and you say at the screen kids at school are not like that. Wrong.

As she was walking to her locker girls were sharing fleeting glances and giggles while guys, she didn't even know, were smiling or winking at her. She had attention before with being in Kate's click, but this was more than usual. When a group of younger girls went by they said quickly, "Hey Mary." Kylie watched those girls in confusion.

This is how her day went with random people calling her Mary. Yet again, the population of men either hit on her or asked for a date. Including Mark Erickson, who tried to make some kind of conversation, even though they never spoke to each other once, and told her to go out with him sometime? After giving her the message that he was available, he left at a drop of a hat.

It was toward the end of the day that another guy asked her out and all her frustrated with constantly being nice with their offers had been taken out on the poor kid. "I don't want to go out with you! So will everyone leave me alone!"

Kate and her group of friends came over amused and laughing. Kate said mocking, "Hi Mary."

Kylie turning to Kate said, "Why has everyone been calling me that?"

She yelled at some freshmen boys walking by, "My name is Ky-lie!"

The boys scurried off scared and Kate said, "Don't you know. Everyone knows you're a virgin."

"What?" Kylie asked baffled.

Kara added, "Trying hard to make it to the top are you?"

Kylie said annoyed, "On what?"

The girls laughed uncontrollably as Valerie added, "Tyler for one."

Kate turned to Valerie and congratulated her, "Good one."

She faced Kylie and said, "You shouldn't be trying so desperately to get popular. Because trying to make a Son of Ipswich have sex with you just makes you a slut."

Kira, who was now standing next to Kate, said enjoying the fun, "But good attempt anyway." When did Kate and Kira get along?

"Yea, too bad Tyler rejected you vigorously." Kate looked over at Valerie annoyed again for speaking out of turn.

Kate put her hand up and said, "Oh, you look shocked that Kira is here." She looked over and said, "We bonded again."

Kira stepped forward with a deadly look in her eye, "You stay away from everyone's boyfriend, including Aaron, slut."

Kylie snorted, "Aaron, please I have better taste then that."

It was there that Kira took Kylie by surprise and slapped her across the face. She said, "I know about you and Aaron. He told me everything." She placed her hand in her pocket fishing for something. As she said, "Here you can have these back. I found them in the dashboard of his car." She flung purple silk panties at her face. Kylie by instinct caught them as they fell and noticed that they weren't even hers.

Kate said smiling, "If you haven't notice yet, we've decided to kick you out of the group. We can't be carrying that rep around." They all left Kylie in the empty hallway, feeling more alone than ever.

Lying on her stomach she contemplated on what was making her feel this horrible. It wasn't the fact that she got kicked out of the group. Actually she was extremely happy to never follow in Kate's mind tricks again. And it wasn't that everyone was calling her Mary. There's nothing wrong with being a virgin. If anything it should reflect badly on them for being so willing to give it away that quickly, especially when they have their whole life to live. And how did she become a slut when she never slept with anyone? Why did everyone believe, of all people, Aaron's word? Maybe it bothered her too that the boys in her school seemed like on a quest to conquer her.

She would love to get revenge by flirting with all these boys, possibly expose Aaron for the scum that he is, and turn this so called negative to her advantage. But was it worth it? No. No, unfortunately it wasn't. There are only two things that bothered her. One, Gabriel probably knew that Kylie has a weakness, and that it was Tyler. And two was the fact that Tyler and her were officially broken up. Thinking of the latter brought another set of tears to stream down her face.

A knock on the door occurred and Ben said, "Kylie this is your wake up call. It's now 1:15 and I think we should take a look at those records again." Silence echoed the room and Ben said concerned, "Kylie?" Opening the door with his two paws, he stepped into Kylie's room. Looking down he noticed bunches of pictures, some of her past families, the guardians, the covenant boys, but mostly of Tyler and her. Also littering the floor was tons of used, crumpled tissues that missed the trashcan beside her nightstand. Kylie sniffled and an arm popped out the blanket to toss another tissue toward the direction of the trashcan.

"Kylie?" Ben said softer and he jumped on the bed next to her. "What's wrong?" Kylie started mumbling under the blanket and Ben said, "Isobel, I can't hear you." She resurfaced from the comforter and Ben saw what bad shape she was in. Her hair was disheveled, her eyes red and puffy, her nose was also red and irritated from the constant wiping. It broke Ben's heart to see Kylie like this.

She placed her face back on the pillow and said quietly, "Tyler doesn't love me."

Ben stated, "That's absurd. Anyone can tell he's taken more than a fancy to you."

Kylie shook her head, "Ben he dumped me."

Kylie watch his expressions change rapidly from surprise to confusion, and finally to annoyance. He muttered to himself, "He broke our agreement…I'm killing him."

Kylie asked, "Agreement?"

Ben sighed, "He asked me personally if he could date you before he asked you. I told him I would agree under certain circumstances, which he broke."

Kylie pulled Ben closer to a hug and said, "I feel so empty." Ben looked up at Kylie and said, "Tell me what happened, Isobel."

Swallowing back another sob, she began to tell him about the fight leaving out some details because they would be too embarrassing to say. How did the fight really go?

It started in the laundry room, Tyler was doing a load of clothes and Kylie sat on top of the washer next to him. She was telling Tyler about her day and what Kristen found out about Lisa Baker. Tyler nodded his head quietly and Kylie couldn't help feeling he was distant recently. She decided to change the subject by saying, "You really use snuggle laundry detergent. Not only smell great, but makes your clothes feel very soft."

Tyler nodded his head and said, "Yea. It was the only thing I had at the time."

Kylie said, "You could have given me a call. I've got plenty."

Tyler opened another washer by holding tightly on lid. He said, "It's fine."

Kylie got off the washer and asked annoyed, "Why are you angry?"

Tyler looked over and said, "I'm not."

Kylie responded, "Yes, you are. Now tell me what's wrong."

Tyler slammed the lid and said aggravated, "Do you have to know what I'm doing every five seconds?"

Kylie said, "No. But it'd be nice. What are you so pissed about?"

He muttered, "Why don't you focus on other more important people like Greg."

Kylie said aggravated, "Oh, my god! How many times do I have to tell you? There is nothing going on between us. I don't like him like that!"

"It didn't seem like that at Nicky's bar. You were getting really chummy with each other."

Kylie rolled her eyes, "We were just dancing."

Tyler said, "Maybe I don't want you to dance with him. Maybe I don't want you going out with other boys pretending to be single."

Kylie looked away, "Tyler you know why we can't make our relationship public."

Tyler threw an article of clothing harshly into another washer and said, "I don't care! Serenity and Chase do it. Why can't we be like that? Do you not want to be with me?"

"Oh, don't be absurd. Of course I want to be with you. But I have responsibility, a job to protect a secret from Gabriel. And if he finds out about us you'll be his first target."

Tyler rolled his eyes, "Have you ever thought screw the job and just be happy for once."

Kylie said quietly, "I have to do my job first."

Tyler snorted, "So is being with Kate really a job anymore?"

"What the hell is that suppose too mean?"

Tyler stepped closer and said, "I think you could have quit," he put air quotes around the word, "Pretending." Continuing his sentence he said, "To be Kate's friend a long time ago. There are no leads with her and her group." He said boldly, "I think that you enjoy being in her group now."

Kylie said repulsed, "Stop making lies…."

Tyler said, "Lies. I'm just pointing out the truth. You're getting sucked into the popularity and attention, and you're losing yourself. That's right, ever since you've been with them you've changed."

She challenged Tyler by saying, "Oh, really? And how exactly have I changed?"

Tyler replied, "For one, your isolating yourself like Pogue was before. You're doing horrible pranks to freshmen or Valerie. You don't even try to stick up for them anymore. You talk about nothing besides what someone did to someone else."

"We just talked about laundry detergent; of course, your lack of participation didn't help."

"No that was you telling me what to do."

"I wasn't telling you what to do?" Feeling extremely angry she tried to switch the topic, "Why don't you do your laundry and cool down. I'll go…."

"Do you always have to boss me around?"

Kylie started to walk away when Tyler held her hand. He continued to say, "You walk off when people are not even done talking. It's called respect." Kylie feeling overwhelmed with the situation began to shut down with the feeling of being attacked. "Your wardrobe shows more flesh."

She bit sarcastically, "I didn't know you were the fashion police."

Tyler pointed out, "And you constantly have these mean snippy comments. You've missed more practices in softball to go to the mall." He paused, "And recently I've felt like I'm being pressured into having sex with you."

Kylie was taken back, "Pressuring you?"

"Yea, what happened to the girl that wanted to wait for the right moment or for marriage?"

Kylie said with tears in her eyes, "If you haven't noticed time is ticking every second for me. I don't have forever."

"Rae said she saw glimpses of your future and that means…."

"Nothing but squat! Do you know how fast the future can change? It just takes one grain of sand to tip the scales."

"Do you hear what you're saying?" He ran his hair through his fingers and said aggravated, "I can't tell anymore if you just want to use me, just so you can check 'not being a virgin' off your list, or if you just want to use this to bring your status up more in popularity by getting with the only son that's a virgin."

Kylie said, "Don't flatter yourself."

He looked over to Kylie and said in a defeated tone, "You're not the girl I fell in love with before." Kylie took a couple steps back before walking out with tears streaming down her face.

Kylie looked over at Ben and said, "I have to crack down soon on whoever is conspiring with Gabriel at school before Tyler becomes a target."

Ben shook his head, "You're incredible. After all the rot he said about you, you still have the drive to save him."

Kylie shrugged her shoulders, "Tyler was right about one thing, the job comes first in my priorities."

Ben nodded his head and said, "We should check the school records again since we didn't get to go through them thoroughly."

Kylie got up and said, "I think I'll make copies of the close suspects."

Ben jumped down to let Kylie get changed. Ben cocked his head back to Kylie, "Isobel, I'm proud of you. And Tyler will someday realize how intense your dedication is to this mission and will be thankful for what you sacrificed one day."

Ben left her room and Kylie sat on her bed looking at the mess on the floor. Bending over to pick up a picture of Tyler squishing Kylie in a hug, she hoped Ben was right. When Tyler understood that she was just acting to do her job to protect him, hopefully everything would be forgiven.

…

Ripping apart a napkin under the table nervously, Serenity sat quietly thinking how her day went so far. Horrible. If it wasn't for Chase she would have bashed her head until unconscious. Because they were too early to head to the restaurant, her parents insisted to go see her school, even though it was closed. But her parents were sure someone one must be at the school to let them in.

When they approached the building Chase and Serenity noticed Kylie's car parked down the road from the school. Chase asked, "Why is Kylie at the school?"

Serenity rushing to get her cell phone exclaimed, "Who cares. She could probably open the doors for us."

She looked in her contact list and hit Kylie's number. Ring, Ring. "Hello?"

"Hey, Kylie. I see you're at the school."

"Yea, I'm doing research with Ben. Why are you here?"

"Almost there. My parents came to surprise visit me and are determined to get a tour of our lovely school."

Kylie shuffled some papers and said, "I'll have the front door open in five minutes."

Serenity said with gratitude, "Thank you!"

Kylie said, "Just give me some time to get things ready for your tour. Okay?"

She said, "Stalling is commenced."

Chase slowed down his driving to the exact speed limit. "So how do you plan to stall?" Serenity looked around and spotted the hardware they bought for a new project in the house.

She said excited, "I've been really practicing transporting just the object to a certain spot. This comes in handy when I want the controller and not wake up Austin in my arms."

Chase laughed, "And what are you going to do with this new talent? Transport your parents back to the beginning of the road?" Serenity smiled as she pulled a couple sharp nails out of a box.

"I was thinking of giving them a flat tire."

Chase glanced over, "That's brilliant."

Serenity turned herself to face behind them and focus on calculating on where to place the nails and quickly transported them in front of the one tire. Pop. Her parents stopped and Chase pulled over slowly to the side of the road. Serenity exclaimed, "It worked!"

Chase getting out of the car smiled, "Excellent work dear." He kissed her lips and went out to change their tire.

…

Meanwhile, Kylie was scrambling to get everything together for the fake tour. The security cameras were off, the lights were on, and important doors for the tour were open, such as the gymnasium, pool, cafeteria, library, science building, auditorium, offices, and first floor classrooms by Ben. Kylie was pulling out the maps of the school and the rehearsed facts about the school. Ben opening the door with his magic was panting. "Okay doors are open."

Kylie turned to Ben and said, "Everything is set. While I give the tour you could make those copies of records in the back." Ben nodded his head and left while Kylie booted up Mrs. Matthews' computer.

…

Entering the door to Spencer Academy was Chase, Serenity and her parents. Kylie looked up from her pretend typing since she didn't have time to hack her computer. "Hello. How can I help you?"

Mrs. Bennett told Serenity, "See I knew they be open."

Kylie explained, "The school is closed for students, but I had to come in to finish some paper work."

Mr. Bennett glanced down to the name tag, "Ah, Mrs. Matthews. My daughter Serenity Bennett goes to this school and we would love a tour?"

"Hmm…the student guides are gone for Christmas vacation. But give me five minutes and I can give you a personal tour. Here are some maps of the campus and some other pamphlets."

As her parents walked out with Chase and Serenity in pursuit, Serenity whispered to Kylie, "Be prepared for rude comments and the constant criticism of how this school isn't good enough."

Kylie winked, "I'm ready." She said louder, "Now Mr. and Mrs. Bennett let's start off taking you to the auditorium and work our way back."

While walking Mrs. Bennett asked, "How old are you if you don't mind asking."

Kylie stated, "I'm twenty four, Mrs. Bennett. Now as I was saying this Academy was built in…."

Kylie did so well convincing that she was Mrs. Matthews and gave a better tour than most of our students give in this school. After that her parents, Chase and herself went to the restaurant they had made reservations for two at, and found out they had no room for four people. But that didn't stop her dad from bribing and getting his way in. It made her reflect on how she learned to be great at persuading even without the money.

Now she sat waiting for her food, no actually her mother's choice of food, since the stuff she wanted had too many carbs. The only thing good going so far was that Thea was their waitress for the night. She would send calm waves over Serenity allowing her not to stab her mother's hand after telling her five times that she wasn't holding her fork proper. Serenity glanced down to her father and Chase who were making conversation. She could tell Stanley like him, though he stayed cautious as they were exchanging opinions. Hell, Chase was probably trying to not hit minefields either with political beliefs.

Thea came around to pour more wine, and she whispered, "Reid's going to be dropping me off at your place after we're done with work. We'll meditate together."

When she was done pouring Serenity said, "Thank you."

Stanley began to ask, "Tell me, where you're planning to go?"

Chase swallowed a little of his wine, "I've applied to several different business schools. And I've been accepted into Notre Dame, Virginia, Emory, Cornell, N.Y. University and Boston College." His father's eye lit up as he became more impressed.

"I could always need an extra pair of hands if you're interested in an internship."

Chase declined respectably, "Thank you, Mr. Bennett, but I'm actually working for a company already."

The food arrived to the table, and Mr. Bennett placed ravioli in his mouth. He asked, "I'm intrigued, whose company do you work for?"

Chase replied, "ADM Enterprises."

The look of disapproval swept her father's face and he said, "Oh, you can do better than that company. I've met Victor Pope and he was the biggest slime ball I've ever met. And between you and me, he was an ass, too."

Serenity grabbed onto Chase's hand and Chase said reposed, "That was my father. And when I say I work for the company, I mean I own it and work on my company."

Her father coughed at the awkward situation and Mrs. Bennett started ramble about her travels. Serenity took a gulp of her wine and looked up to see someone coming toward their table. She began to choke in surprise and Chase asked with concern if she was okay. She held her hand up and was trying to get a grip on herself. Of course her mother would invite Bradley to make an appearance.

Bradley, standing by her mother said, "Mrs. Bennett." He kept his eyes on Serenity as he continued to say, "How nice it is to see you."

Cecelia acted surprised, "Bradley! How good it is to see you." She looked at Serenity, "Isn't it crazy that Bradley is here?"

Serenity nodded her head and said, "What a coincidence, indeed." Bradley went around the table to shake hands with her father and then came to Serenity's side.

He stood by Serenity and said, "Hello, Serenity." She gave her hand to shake, but he pulled it quickly to his mouth. After more than four seconds, Serenity puller her hand away and wiped it on her dress. Bradley turned his attention to the gentleman next to Serenity and said, "Hi, I'm Bradley Morris." Chase stood up and gave a firm handshake.

He said, "Hello. I'm Chase Collins. Serenity's boyfriend."

Bradley nodded, "Well congratulations on capturing her heart. Any man would be lucky to have her."

Chase smiled and grabbed Serenity's hand. He said softly, "There's not a day goes by that I don't think I'm the luckiest man alive."

Bradley stood uncomfortable and announced, "Well, I should go. I have other obligations."

Serenity laughed in her mind thinking sarcastically, yea there's so much to do in Ipswich. Her mother was about to oppose when Serenity said, "Have a nice trip, Bradley."

From there things went downhill with her mother hushing her to be quiet when the opera was being performed. It was like when her parents would take her to the opera when she was eight and persist that she be quiet even though she was bored. The reason she wanted to go to the opera was so she and Chase could make their own funny comments of what was going on. By the time they got home and closed the door on her parents leaving, she was tired, annoyed and sad that her parents had to ruin her special day.

Chase seeing Serenity defeated gave her a tight hug. "Honey, we'll go out and have great time without your parent's surprise."

She mumbled into his shoulder, "And we'll get double locks and not answer the door next time."

He smiled and kissed her forehead, "Yes. We can do that."

"I'm going to go to bed now." She pulled away and kissed his lips. "Night, boo."

Chase watched Serenity ascend the stairs, and then kicked off his shoes and untied his tie. Walking to his office, he placed his keys on the desk and lounged back into his swivel chair. Looking at his desk for something to do, he decided to open the right drawer. Pulling out a blue box he opened it up to see a wedding ring. It was a ring passed down generations in his family.

A knock on his office door alarmed him, and he quickly tried to conceal it. Looking up he saw Caleb in the doorway and he said, "Sorry, I scared you. I just wanted to tell you your kids are back into the play pin."

Chase stood up and asked, "Where's Rae?"

Caleb scratched the back of his neck, "At the guardian house doing a group project. I have to go over and help work on it with them."

Chase smiled, "So do you want to have a beer first before you have to go?"

Caleb nodded his head at Chase's plan, "Sure." When Chase came back with two beers Caleb asked, "So are you going to propose?"

Chase sat down in a chair and replied, "Yea, I was going to today, but the timing wasn't right. I'll just have to wait for the right moment."

Caleb raised his beer and said, "Congrats."

Chase thanked him and pointed to Caleb, "You know you're going to have to wait awhile before driving now."

Caleb reclined his head back in his chair, "Oh darn." The door opened again and Thea peeked inside.

Chase waved her in and Thea said, "Reid just dropped me off. How did Serenity hold out?"

Chase sighed, "She had a very long day."

Thea nodded her head in understanding and said, "I'm just going to check up on her." Thea was just stepping into the living room, when a blood curdling scream echoed the house. The babies squealed in confusion and Chase flew up the stairs, while Caleb was torn if he should stay with the babies or go back up Chase?

Thea yelled, "Go, I'll take care of them." And with that, Caleb went up the stairs to help.

…

Back at the guardian household, Abby and Rae were working on setting the details of the play they were creating for English class. Abby read over the title page, "'Whitey and the Seven Mishaps', a comedy and satire of the original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The Characters and people playing that part are the following:

Whitey (Snow White) - Serenity

The Bitch (The Queen) - Abby

Reflection (Mirror) - Todd

Mr. Right (Prince) - Chase

Achu (Sneezy) - Rae

Comatosey (Sleepy) - Tyler

Weedy (Dopey) - Sabrina

Red (Bashful) – Kylie…."

Rae rolled her eyes and complained, "Why are we the only ones in our group doing the work? Nine people."

Abby sighed, "Thea, Pogue and Reid have work. Sabrina couldn't make it because she just got her wisdom teeth pulled out today. Chase and Serenity are having their day together. Todd just didn't come. And Caleb…."

Rae waved her hand, "Yea, yea. I know where he is…."

Abby's cell buzzes on the table and she picks it up to answer. Abby informs Rae, "It's Kylie." Abby listens to the other side of the line and answers, "Okay."

She tells Rae, "I'm going to put her on speaker."

Rae announces, "Kylie you're on speaker now."

Kylie says with little static, "Abby is everyone there?"

Abby replies, "No, just Rae and me."

She says, "Abby, I (crack) know(crack)o(crack)tis," but the static is over coming her talking.

Abby asked, "What did you say?"

Kylie repeated, "I (crack)kno(crack) w(crack)o it is!"

Abby asked annoyed, "Where are you?"

Ben responded, "Throu(crack)th(crack)ro(crack)k cut."

Rae guessed, "The rock cut?"

Kylie said, "Yea." It became clearer to hear her say, "I know who's behind all the threats."

Ben added, "It's not Kate. We were wrong to suspect her."

Kylie said, "We looked at Kate's records to see if we missed anything and found nothing. But…."

Ben murmured to Kylie, "We forgot the copied files at the school."

Kylie said, "We'll get them (crack)ater. An(crack)ay I ch(crack)ked (crac k)ra an(crack) f(crack)und (crack)er (crack)end.

Abby looked over at Rae confused, "What?"

Kylie started to repeat, "It's (crack)…."

Cutting her off was Ben yelling, "Wattt(crack)ch out!" In the background only screams and the car screeches filled the call.

Rae stood up yelling, "Kylie! Kylie! Ben!" But no one was answering. After three minutes waiting for anyone's voice to pierce the silence, Abby asked, "Ben, Kylie are you okay?"

Instantly the phone became disconnected leaving Abby and Rae shocked. With quick decision they raced to the car in the knee high snow to find them through the rock cut. Rae searching the future prayed they would be okay.

…

Kicking the door down, Chase exposed the conflicting horror of his girl screaming, crying, squiring and contorting her body in pain. Chase confused thought maybe it's one of Gabriel's manipulative dreams and rushed over to her side trying to wake her up, "Serenity! Wake up baby!"

Caleb walked into the room horror struck and unsure what to do. Chase yelled at Caleb, "You need to light those candles!"

Caleb nodded his head and ran down to Thea and asked, "Can you help me set up the protective circle?" Thea nodded her head and they both worked on setting it up.

Upstairs, Chase was gentle shaking Serenity by the shoulders to joust her out of the dream, but it was no hope. She wasn't responding to the outside world. Chase on the brink of tears noticed down her arms bruises started to appear in the shape of hands grabbing her too tight. Caleb emerged into the room and watched a bruise forming across her face.

Chase yelled, "What do I do?"

Caleb said, "Thea's finishing up the candles now." Chase glances back at Serenity to see her gasping for air and scratching her neck with her hands trying to get rid of the invisible force crushing her wind pipe.

Chase hovering over says, "No, no, no, Thea are the candles up yet?" He held her hand in comfort and noticed a new piece of jewelry on her arm. A bracelet he never got her that had a weird symbol of a spider. Chase realizing what was causing this incident, exclaimed as he raised her wrist, "It's the bracelet." Chase said quickly, "It's going to be okay Serenity," while she started to turn purple in the face.

As he touched the cool metal of the bracelet to take it off, he was instantly shocked and thrown back into a bookshelf. Caleb taking a step forward at Serenity, who was struggling for any air, let his eyes flash black. With his power his hands slightly burn as he tore the metal apart and flung it across the room.

Instantly Serenity gulped some air and was able to properly breathe again. Thea, who was in the doorway watching Caleb, rushed to Chase's side to make sure he was alright. Helping him up to his feet, he said to Caleb, "Thank you." Caleb nodded his head and then Chase went over to Serenity, who was now breathing gently and passed out from all the tension. Serenity soon opened her eyes to Chase and he kissed her mouth and then her forehead. He whispered, "You scared me.

Serenity gave a tight smile and said horsed, "I thought it was a gift from you."

Caleb was going over to the bracelet until Thea said, "Don't touch it. It still might be cursed." Thea stepping over to the end table observed that it was embedded with a message.

Give me what I want. What I need. Give me what I want. What I need. Give me what I want. What I need. Give me what I want. What I need. Give me what I want. What I need. Give me what I want. What I need. Give me what I want. What I need. Give me what I want. What I need. Give me what I want. What I need….

This continued until the very end had just the number, 1,030. Caleb leaned over Thea's shoulder and asked, "What does the number mean?"

Thea shook her head just as confused, "I don't know." She turned her head to Caleb with worry in her eyes, "I don't even know what he wants."

…

Rushing to find any sign of Kylie or Ben through the rock cut Rae zoned out to her vision. "I couldn't see Ben, but she's in the car somewhere in the river! How are we going to find her?"

Abby driving down the road noticed very dark tire marks going off the side of the road. "There!" She pulled over quickly and they pushed their doors open and head to the edge of the road. Looking down the steep incline, the car was somewhat visible with the branches of trees covering their view.

Grabbing onto small bendable trees, they headed down the hill at the fastest pace they could go. Abby almost lost her foot when the earth crumbled under her. "Ah," she said as she slid on her butt in the snow until she could grab onto another branch to get her footing back again.

Reaching the stream, the Escalade was upside down and not totally emerged into the water for it landed on the higher elevation in the river. Rae pointed out, "Abby the backseat window is broken letting water inside." Abby stepped into the stream and quickly receded her foot back.

"Holy shit is that cold!" Abby yelled. She turned to Rae, "You have to go in and save her. The water's too cold for me." Rae swallowed her fear of drowning and slowly made her way into the water.

As she slowly walked closer to the car, the challenges of fighting the current and the water getting closer to her shoulders began to take a toll on her. Thankfully the water started to drop below her waist and she could now focus on rescuing Kylie. Bending down in the water she lined herself to the back window and made sure she didn't get cut on the broken glass.

Coming up for air inside the car, Rae went to Kylie who was still hanging upside down in her seat.

"Kylie?" She glanced around to see no Ben in the car. Focusing back on Kylie, she noticed blood drip down her arm and face. Rae moving closer put a hand on her face, "Baby?"

Her eyes open which gives Rae some relief she's somewhat okay. Rae told her, "I'm going to get you out of here." She tried to support Kylie as she clicked the button on her seat belt, but nothing happened. The belt was stuck in the lock. Rae whispered to herself, "Shit."

Kylie tried to speak, "I…." Rae pulled at the strap and Kylie began to point to the glove compartment. Rae moved toward it and opened it to find a knife. Rae was about to make a grab at the knife when she heard Kylie make a noise of pain and so she automatically turned to see Kylie was okay. She was dead cold passed out.

She patted Kylie's face and said panicked, "Kylie. Kylie. Come on wake up. Don't you go to sleep! Stay awake for me." She turned back to reach for the knife and the sound of cracking occurred quickly and the side window by her busted open allowing water to rush in and tip the car forward into the water deeper. With the sudden shift, Rae dropped the knife in the water and raced out of the car by going through the window, thus getting cut on her sides.

She yelled at Abby as clutch the side of the car for dear life, "I can't do this." She started to cry and said, "It's too much water."

Abby yelled at her, "Damn it, Rae, you have to help her. She's dying."

Rae shook her head and wept, "Can't I just warm the water up and you can go get her?"

Abby explained, "Warming up the water will kill her chances of surviving." Abby kicking her shoes off and ripping off her coat had said, "People in colder water have a better chance to be revived."

Rae took a deep breath and said, "Fine, I'll do it." Rae went back under before Abby could tell her that she was going to come in. With a little pocket of air left in the car vanishing Rae just burns a line through the belt buckle and lifted Kylie up to her. Taking one more breath she went through the window and pulled Kylie through.

After Rae dragged Kylie to the shore, Abby through her jacket over Kylie and checked for a pulse. Nothing. Abby quickly started to resuscitate Kylie while Rae was warming Kylie's body temperature back up slowly. Rae watching Abby was petrified that her lack of acting would lead to Kylie's death. Abby placed her hand on her heart again and Kylie coughed up water and was breathing.

Checking her pulse, Abby wrapped her more in the jacket and smiled, "Its okay." She looked over at Rae with hope, "You did a good job. We just have to get her to the hospital."

Rae glanced back and said, "I'll help you get her to the car, but I'm going to search for Ben."

Abby placed a hand on Rae's arm, "Be careful, okay. I don't want to come back and have to rescue you, too."

Rae shook her head in agreement and said, "Deal."