The next day was the day that Griselda would question Amber. But before she did that she went down to the guys' room to ask them and the girls what they had already found out.
"Well, you see," Stella started, "We found out that she has no taste buds." When Griselda gave her a confused look she continued, "I mean that gray stuff she's been eating looks absolutely disgusting!"
Griselda's face started turning red. She was about to screech something that Stella wouldn't listen to when Bloom interrupted her, "What Stella means to say, is that she has a very strong immune system (I think that's what the immune system means). We have also found out that she has this job. We're not exactly what this job is but it includes the girls and I, and the Specialists. She also seems to have some kind of a past with the Trix. It doesn't sound like they were friends, but I could be wrong."
"Thank you Bloom. I will bring the girl up to the interrogation room to begin questioning," Griselda said authoritatively. She walked out of the room purposefully and towards Amber's cell. She took out her own key and twisted it into the lock. When the door clicked open she barged into the room and surveyed anything out of the ordinary.
Amber was sitting on the mattress staring up at Griselda like she had been expecting her. Without taking her eyes off Griselda, Amber pushed her notebook under her mattress so it was concealed.
Amber smiled up in mock politeness and said sweetly, "Why hello Ms. Griselda! To what do I owe the pleasure to?"
"Shut up girl, you and I are going to have a little chat today," Griselda said as she pulled Amber up from the mattress. Amber wanted to cry pout in anguish as pain shot through her body, but she couldn't show weakness. It was against the law in her mind, so instead she just bit her lip.
Griselda hauled Amber to her feet and dragged her out the cell door, slamming it behind her as she left. Still dragging Amber by the wrist, Griselda dragged Amber up the stairs and down a small hall into a dark room with two chairs and a table between the two. Griselda shoved Amber down onto one of the chairs and walked around the desk and sat in the other one.
"Ok, I'm going to start off easy," Griselda started, "What's your name?"
"Amber," Amber replied.
"Full name?"
"Amber that's all you need to know."
"Ok you know what fine," Griselda said exasperated, "Next question. Where are you from?"
"That's classified information," Amber answered automatically. "Funny," she thought to herself, "You'd think she'd gather that I'm not going to tell her anything. This isn't my first interrogation."
Griselda growled, "And who had the authority to classify this information?"
"I and officials who wish to remain anonymous for the time being."
"Why do they wish to remain anonymous?"
"That's classified information."
"To hell with classified!" Griselda roared, "Now tell me! Who are you and who do you work for?"
"That's classified information."
Griselda let out a frustrated scream. She slammed her fists on the table, causing it to shake. Amber just sat there, stoic and expressionless. Griselda leaned over the table and looked Amber dead in the eye, "Now listen here girl and listen good. You're in way over your head. I suggest you tell me what I want to know before you get it to anymore trouble.
Amber cracked a small half smile and replied, "If I do that it won't be classified information anymore will it? It'll just be information."
Winx
Meanwhile back with the Winx and Specialists, everyone was trying to figure out what to do from there.
"So," Brandon started, "What now?"
"I don't know about you guys, but I think now would be a perfect opportunity to search Amber's room for any clues." Layla said getting up from her spot on the couch. She looked over at Musa and the other girls who nodded in agreement. Some guys, however, we're still confused,
"Whoa wait. Tecna what's going on?" Timmy asked his girlfriend, puzzled.
Sky looked over at Bloom and stood up, just as puzzled as Timmy was, "I would like to know too."
"Look guys, we're sorry we couldn't tell you, but Griselda was always by us whenever we tried to tell you," Tecna explained, "What Layla is talking about is that we have found something that will help us know a little more about Amber.
Sky looked over at Bloom and asked, "And this something would be...?"
"Her notebook, " Bloom replied slightly bitter, fortunately no one noticed so she continued, "We think her notebook has some information on her background. Maybe we'll even find out where she's from."
Sky nodded and smiled at his girlfriend. On the inside, though, he was debating with himself whether Bloom was feeling ok or not. "I mean," he thought, "She has been distant ever since the whole kidnapping thing. She's probably still recovering from the trauma."
"Are we going or not?" Riven asked impatiently.
Musa looked over slightly annoyed yet slightly glad that Riven said that. He could have said a little more nicely but he had a point, "Knuckle head is right. We should probably get going before Amber comes back from the interrogation."
Everyone nodded and headed for the door. They made their way towards Amber's cell in silence and when Musa unlocked the door they immediately began searching the room for the notebook.
"Now if I was a notebook where would I be?" Stella asked herself.
"Umm Stell? I don't think that actually helps," Helia said cautiously.
"Found it!" Stella cried as she held the notebook high over her head.
Helia chuckled and pulled Flora event to him and gave her a big, "Even the greatest are wrong sometimes."
"Who knew you could be so cocky," Flora giggled and gave Helia a kiss on the cheek.
Helia grinned at her and said, "That just earned you a romantic walk through the forest when we get back to our rooms."
Flora smiled before pulling Helia over to where the others were gathered around Layla who had taken the book from Stellar. "Ok," she began; "Are we ready?" everyone nodded and murmured yes. Layla took a deep breath and said, "Ok I guess I should I start from the beginning
Dear diary,
Everything's been happening so fast. I've never really written much before except to help mommy and daddy, but Chloe says if I write down everything that happens to me at the end of every day it'll help me keep my thoughts straight when we travel. But I can tell she's sugar coating it. I know what she's really trying to say, is that I should write down everything so I don't crazy or insane. I may be young but I'm smart.
I guess I should start from the beginning. My name is Amber Skylar McBride and I am six years old. Chloe is big sister and Brian is my big brother and I have a best friend named Jason. He's really nice and his daddy is friends with my daddy. Or at least that's how it used to be. Brian says I won't be able to see him for a while. But I know he'll try to find me. He always does. He's the bestest friend in the whole wide world.
"Boring!" Bloom said as she reached out to grab the book, "Come on let's read something a bit more interesting!" when everyone stared at her in shock and slight disgust she said, "I don't think reading about some best friend from a long time ago is going t help us get anywhere."
"Fine," Layla said as she flipped to the middle area of the journal. When she stopped flipping then began reading,
Dear diary,
I... I don't know what to do anymore. I barely have enough strength to write this down. I just can't make this anymore. Ever since this all began my life has been nothing but spiral of despair. Everyone important in my life is gone. They have left me on my own in the universe. Left me in a world filled with pain and sorrow. I feel as if I cannot take another step forward. Which is physically true. My battered, bruised and beatened body near take one more hit. An all this is because of... No I will not say his name. Not now, not ever. He took everything away from me, and I can't take it back.
I will never love again. Love will only bring me pain. I have finally learned that and I will never make the mistake of getting to close to anyone ever again. Fate loves to screw with me. Ever since that first day, Fate decided I would be its victim. Ever since Chloe, Brian, and I found out about the job Fate has decided that I would be the perfect one to bear all the misfortunate.
But I must carry on. I have a job to do and if I don't carry it out, all the sacrifices that have been made will be for nothing. I will protect the princes and princesses. I will protect the innocent. I will protect the universe. And I will do all that in secret. I will stay in the shadows, and never be seen. I will never take credit for what has happened. If I do, Fate will strike me down again if I do. Bu I will carry this burden on my own, alone. I will carry out this job and protect all the innocent.
I guess I should explain how this all happened. It all started this morning when…"
"What are you doing?" a voice sound behind the group. The Winx and Specialists turned around and saw Amber standing wearily under door frame. She took a shaky step forward and asked once again, "What are you doing?"
Everyone was frozen in place. No one knew what to say or do. Not able to stand the silence Musa said, "Amber let us explain."
"Actually why don't you explain to us," Bloom said. She stood and walked over to where Amber was standing, "Why don't you explain to us who the hell you are and what the hell you want?"
Amber stood there in shock. Did they read the journal? How much did they read? He much do they knows. All these questions were whirling around in Amber's mind. "How... How much did you read?"
"Enough to know that you're not who you say you are," Bloom challenged.
Musa got up from her spot and growled, "Bloom..."
"No Musa I think we would all like to hear what Amber has to say."
Amber, who had been stock still the entire time, finally had enough of this. With new found strength she sprinted towards Layla and snatched the journal out from under her. After glancing back real quick to make sure Layla was alright, Amber ran out of the cell with tears streaming down her face.
When she vanished from sight, Musa stomped up to Bloom and shoved her against the wall. "What the hell was that?" she growled angrily. When Bloom didn't answer she pushed the fairy of the Dragon Flame up against the wall, "Answer me!"
"I was just trying to get answers," Bloom defended herself meekly. By now the others had gathered around and were glaring at her angrily.
"You act as though she's the enemy!" Riven shouted angrily, "All she's done since the beginning was save your sorry ass and you act as though she's committed the worst crime in the world!"
"I was just being careful!" Bloom shouted back.
"You call that careful? You treat her worse than Griselda!" Nabu yelled at her.
Tecna, red with rage, screamed at her friend, "What in Magix name compelled you to do that? All the numbers show that Amber has done nothing but help us since we met her and you are treating her like trash!"
Before Bloom could reply Alex growled, "I don't have time for this," he pushed thought the group and out the cell door.
Flora leaned closer to Helia and whispered, "Why do we have to fight? Make it stop Helia. Please."
Helia looked over at Flora and said softly, "Everything will work out Flora I promise. And when this is all over I'll take you out to a nice romantic dinner, just the two of us. Would like that my dove?" Flora nodded and snuggled closer to Helia. Helia smiled and kissed the top of her head and looked in the direction Alex had run off in, "Don't let her go Alex."
Alex ran up the stairs, three steps at a time. "Where would she go? Where would she go?" he thought as he ran down a hall. Luckily it was still early in the morning and all the students were still asleep.
Alex bounded down another hall when, suddenly, a memory hit him like a train. He remembered listening to a soft sad song, melodious with so much meaning. Then he remembered Amber sitting on a piano bench singing the song. "That's where she is!" he cried out and raced across the school.
After many twists and turns, Alex skidded to a stop in front of the music room. He opened the door cautiously and peeped inside. Sure enough by the piano, Amber was playing softly on it like she usually does. But this time she was crying. Tears were streaming down her face in an endless stream. Alex stealthily made his way up to the front row of the seats and hid behind one of them when Amber started to sing,
(Broken Wings by Nikki Flores)
In the blink of an eye
All I believe became a lie
I need you like the air I breathe
But your love is out of reach
Out of reach
If this is where our story ends
Won't you show me how do I begin
I know that I will love again I wish everything could be just like before Wish I could undo the past
I will I can through till then
It's time my only friend
I'm running to the place before we fell apart
How can I move on to what tomorrow brings
Tell me how do I fly
With broken wings
Just as easy as you can
And now I'm learning to believe
That the healing starts with me
Starts with me
It's like I'm not breathing anymore
But I'm starting to remember
What my heart is beating for
I know the pain won't last forever
I know that I will love again
But how will I get through till then
It's time my only friend
My only friend
I wish everything could be just like before
I'm running to the place before we fell apart
How can I move on to what tomorrow brings
Tell me how do I fly
With broken wings
Broken wings I wish everything could be just like before I wish everything could be just like before
Broken wings
Broken wings
I'm running to the place before we fell apart
How can I move on to what tomorrow brings
How do I fly
How do I fly
I'm running to the place before we fell apart
How can I move on to what tomorrow brings
Tell me how do I fly
With broken wings
Broken wings
Broken wings
Broken wings
As the last note we played, Amber broke down. She put her hands in her hands and sobbed. It was heart wrenching to watch and Alex wasn't going to stand for it. He got up from his spot and ran over to Amber. He pulled her into a tight hug, hauling her to cry out in surprise.
"Alex!" she screamed and tried to get away, "Leave me alone!" she tried to pull away again, and this time she did manage to escape his hug.
She tried to run away again, but Alex caught her by the wrist. He gently turned her around do she was face him and took both her hands. He was at least a half a head taller than she was so he had to look down at her to see her face. She still had tears streaming down her face and her eyes were puffy and red. None the less he had never seen anything more beautiful.
"Look at me," he commanded softly. When she still didn't look up at him he repeated, "Look at me," this time she did. Her beautiful blue eyes looked up at him. They were filled with so much sorrow and pain it broke Alex's heart. "Lovely. Now listen to me, what Bloom said back there, that was uncalled for. We know that you are one of our friends and you would never do anything to hurt us. She was just trying to be careful."
"If you all truly cared you would have never opened my journal," she replied sadly.
"We did that because we were worried for you. You aren't exactly an opened book you know," Alex smiled triumphantly when he say Amber crack a small smile.
"How much did you read?"
"Enough to know you have had some tough experiences," Alex cupped Amber's face and looked down into her soulful blue eyes and whispered, "Please, let me bear this burden with you. You're not alone."
"I'll tell you," Amber whispered, "But please don't judge me."
"I wouldn't dream of it."