Hey Lunartics!

I'm REALLY SUPER EXTREMELY SORRY that I skipped updating last week. I was in DC, and things where crazy. But here's the chapter, so please forgive me!

I can honestly see this book reaching it's halfway mark, I was originally planning on having this as one of those seemingly endless books that you find on Wattpad, that's just there for fun, but as I was writing I started seeing this plot sort of forming in my head, one that follows the storyline of the actual series. I'm now planning this book to have around forty-fifty chapters, and as for a sequel... I honestly don't know at this point? Right now I'm just trying to finish this.

[Present-day author: This book ended up having only 30 chapters]

I might end up putting off some of my other books to update this one more frequently, then focus on another one, and so on. I'll still update my other works (I have every intention on finishing them) but it won't be that often.

But for now, enjoy the chapter!

•Scarlet•

I groaned as I stood, grabbing my back and heading outside the school's theater. Cinder followed, I was taking her home today since she didn't have her own car.

We got in, and I started driving in silence. After about ten minutes we arrived at Cinder's apartments, it had been a grim few weeks. Cress's dad had Letumosis, Thorne went blind, Cinder was kicked out of her house, Peony died. What else could go wrong?

I wish I had never asked.

"See you tomorrow," I told Cinder as she exited the truck.

"Yeah, thanks for the ride, Scar." She said, walking down the sidewalk and waving back at me as I drove away.

I couldn't help notice a strange feeling of dread as I drove, as if I knew something bad was waiting for me at home.

Eventually the farm came into view, it seemed normal enough. The workers where out in the field and the animals where in their pins. I started down the long gravel road, parking my truck in the garage and getting out. I walked in through the kitchen door.

"Grandmére, I'm home!" I yelled, expecting her usual reply.

It was dead silent.

"Grandmére?" I called again, setting my stuff on the table and going through the house to the stairs. "Are you home?" I asked.

When there was still no answer I turned, heading back into the kitchen. I opened the fridge, taking out some milk and bringing in to the table. I set it down, about to go get a cup when something caught on the edge of my vision.

I slowly walked to the opposite side of the table, hoping that my eyes where playing a trick on me.

Sitting there, the same place as when I left this morning, was my grandmother's wallet, cell phone, and keys. The three things she never left without.

•Cress•

"I know, I still can't believe it's real!" I was walking down the crowded hall, Thorne's hand in mine as I led him to our next class. I ducked my head, it was now common knowledge about Scarlet's grandmother. Scarlet had to have missed at least a week of school after it happened, the poor girl.

"I still can't process that she's gone..." Thorne said, shaking his head.

"Scarlet's very close to her grandmother..." I looked down as we entered the classroom, finding Scarlet sitting in the back.

"Scar!" I shouted, rushing to my friend and giving her a hug. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Scarlet gave a weak grin. "I'm fine, for now."

"Um, hey, a little help Cress?" Thorne called from the front of class, causing a group of girls to giggle.

"C-coming, Captain!" I squeaked, rushing over and helping Thorne to his seat.

Cinder walked in then, giving me a small smile as she walked to me.

"Hey Cress," She said. "I heard what happened with Sybil... and your dad." There was pity in her eyes, she knew how close the two of us where, even though they barley spent any time together. "I just want you to know that you're welcome to join me at my place."

I smiled, "Thanks Cinder, I'll think about it."

•That Weekend•

"The search for Michelle Benoit, a respected farmer and teacher at Luna High School, has begun to die dow-"

Cinder sighed as she shut off the small TV that was on the floor of her — sorry — our living room. After much thinking I finally said yes to staying with her. To be honest, I don't really think I'd survive being left on my own in that house. Knowing me I's probably trip, spilling water all over the computers and starting a fire that would burn the house down.

"I'm really worried about Scarlet." She said, setting a box of my things down and plopping herself on the couch.

"Me too." I joined Cinder on the couch, holding a small box of computer parts in my lap. "She's hardly spoken all week, and I haven't seen her out in town at all, just to do her deliveries."

Cinder took in a deep breath. "How many boxes are left?" She asked.

"Only three, they're out in the hall." She nodded.

"Okay, let's take these to your room then we'll get those last few."

We where taking pretty much everything we could from the house, and selling the rest. There wasn't much I could do with most of it, though. We took lots of the furniture, including two beds (my dad's for Cinder, and then mine), two desks, a few hallway tables, a vanity, a few dressers for the hall and our rooms, and several other small items. We where giving back the furniture that Cinder borrowed back, and replacing it with stuff my dad and I owned.

We set the boxes in my room, looking out the small window I saw the sun was setting.

"Wow, it's that late already?" Cinder asked, wiping her forehead with her prosthetic hand. "We should get those boxes from the hall, then start on supper."

I smiled, "Sure!"

Running to the hall, I grabbed the largest box. It was the one that held my main computer, which I called Little Cress (it's a long story). The other two where a lot smaller, so I asked Cinder to get them.

Finally all the boxes where in, and the furniture was set up around the house. Cinder and I spent probably another hour unpacking several small keepsakes and decorations and setting them up around the apartment, and tidying up.

"I'll go get started on dinner." Cinder said, leaving the bedroom. "What do you want? We don't have much."

"How about that watercress salad we got the ingredients for today?" I asked jokingly. "I've always wanted to try cress!"

Cinder rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me you're turning into a cannibal!"

I laughed. "I guess I am."

Cinder we to the kitchen, leaving me in the small bedroom to meddle with my unsure thoughts and emotions. I mean, sure, it was really great that I was moving in with Cinder. Seriously, two sixteen-year-old teenagers living on their own? It was like a movie!

But the harsh reality was suffocating me. My dad was dying in the hospital from the same disease he spent the past several years of his life trying to find the cure for, and Thorne was blind because of me. I was like a token of bad luck, my world crumbling beneath me.

I sighed as I straightened the quilt on my bed. It was simple, just a starry night sky surrounding a crescent moon in the corner, but it comforted me. Apparently my mom had made it for me before I was born, and she died. Every now and then, when I was little, I would trace out patterns in the stars, and search for constellations. I found several woven into the fabric. The zodiacs where there, like Aquarius and Leo, as well as others, like Orion the Hunter, and Horologium.

Suddenly my phone buzzed from on the quilt, signaling that I had a message.

I grabbed the device, and my heart sunk as I read the simple text.

My dad was in the final stage of Letumosis.

My dad was about to die.