A/N: Sorry for the delay my internet was down! Please review :)

25. ABDUCTION

The next morning, the four CHERUBs went for a long run as a cool-down after the trial. They were staying in a hotel in the centre of San Francisco, so they had to run outside the city limits to get some mileage. Ayla loved running in new places, because she was unfamiliar with the sights and sounds, and it made running much more interesting. San Francisco was particularly scenic and very different to the English countryside. Although it was still cold and wintry, there was no more snow falling so each morning was crisp and biting, which woke Ayla up well. During the day Meryl would home school them, but in short bursts so that they would get long breaks. It was just to keep the boredom away and the knowledge floating around in their heads. Meryl had told the teenagers that it would be a week before 'No Limits' announced who was going to be in the programme, but she assumed that they would be as they had all won their heats.

'Let's go to the Market Street!' Robbie announced one afternoon when they were all particularly fed up of just sitting in the lobby of the hotel. The CHERUBs automatically looked towards Meryl for permission, and she nodded.

'Just make sure you're back by 5pm for your run. And wrap up warm!' she called as they all quickly got up and went back to the lift to get changed. Ayla was sharing her room with Feenie, and they were becoming friends much faster than she had expected. On the outside Feenie was slightly unfriendly, but once Ayla spent more time with her she seemed to soften a lot.

'Are you actually gonna buy anything?' Ayla asked with a grin as they went back down in the lift to meet the boys outside. They had exchanged their English pocket money for American dollars.

'Yeah, hopefully. Everything's cheaper here. Let's just go to the shops that are unaffordable in England!' Feenie winked.

'Good idea.' Ayla said as they got out of the lift.

'Got your money?' Rufus asked, and the girls nodded. They set off down the busy street.

'How far away is it?' Feenie asked. 'I don't want to kill my legs before tonight.'

'Sucks to be a sprinter!' Ayla grinned, before turning to Robbie. 'How far?'

He laughed. 'I dunno. It's nice to be out and not running, though.'

'Yeah , it is…' Rufus nodded. 'I need a hoodie. It's kind of cold running in the mornings in a T-shirt.'

'I don't need anything…but I want a ton of things!' Robbie grinned. 'Can we buy some food, too?'

'Nah, Meryl will kill us if we eat loads of junk food. Let's stick to clothes and souvenirs.' Feenie advised.

'Oh, I remember, it's left here.' Rufus said with a nod to the street running across the one they were on. All of the streets in San Francisco were set out in a grid pattern with blocks. Ayla was relieved to step out of the cold and into one of the high street clothes stores. She stretched her bright red fingers and Feenie laughed.

'You should get some mittens!' she exclaimed, wiggling her own gloved hands.

'Not much point now, though…spring isn't that far away.' she shrugged.

They explored the shop, the boys managing to keep themselves interested for at least half an hour, before they moved on to the next. Along their way through the shops down the street, Ayla bought a blue jumper and new running socks from a special professional running shop. According to Meryl, if they made it to the show they would get real running gear. The group split up at around the third shop – Robbie and Feenie wanted to get snacks (healthy only!), so Rufus and Ayla kept shopping in the clothes stores. Just as Rufus was paying for a beanie hat, Ayla's personal mobile phone started ringing. She nudged Rufus, who understood as she immediately left to find the quietest corner of the shop and answer the call.

'Hello?' she asked.

'Ayla. Where are you?' Meryl's voice came through the phone, sounding stressed out.

'Rufus and I are in Topshop on the Market Street. Robbie and Feenie went to get some food, not sure where. What's happened?' Ayla asked as quietly as she could, speaking quickly.

'I want you to write down what I tell you now. Do you have paper?'

'Yes, but what's-' Ayla was cut off by Meryl.

'Write down exactly what I say, then follow the instructions. I really don't have long. I'm sorry.' she said firmly over Ayla's whispered protests.

Ayla made her way to the front door of the shop, where Rufus was waiting for her with a curious expression on his face. Trying not to look as though she recognised him in any way, Ayla strode past him, slipping a quarter of the piece of paper she had written on into his hand. Luckily he understood and didn't try to stop her or look surprised. Ayla couldn't look back, but she hoped that he had tried to look as inconspicuous as possible. In the meantime, she pulled her mobile phone out as she walked down the packed Market Street.

'Robbie, is that you?' she asked, keeping her voice down despite the loud surroundings.

'Yep, what's up?' his relaxed voice came through the phone.

'I need you both to meet me separately at the fountain in the square asap. Something's happened. Whatever you do, act as though you don't know me.' she whispered, hoping he would take this seriously.

'Got it. See you in a min.' he said quickly, a note of anxiety audible in his voice.

Ayla hung up and shoved her phone deep into her coat pocket, subtly checking her surroundings for anyone suspicious. At least Rufus was dealt with. Ayla sat on a bench in the corner of the square. True to his word, Robbie strolled into the square from another street, acting nonchalant. Ayla immediately clocked him, stood up and pretended to check her watch. Then she crossed the square towards him, curling her fingers around another quarter of the paper. He was walking towards an overflowing rubbish bin, and Ayla got there before him, feeling his eyes on her. She tossed the paper into it, before walking away in the opposite direction without daring to look back. She knew he would pick the paper out of the top of the bin. All that was left was Feenie. Where was she?

As if on cue, Ayla spotted Feenie sitting casually on a bench quite close to her. She had her ankles crossed, but Ayla could tell she was analysing everyone. She felt Feenie's eyes fall on her and skim away quickly. But before she could reach her and hand her the paper, a normal-looking man suddenly appeared behind the bench and swiftly injected something into the back of her neck. Feenie slumped; eyes still open, but made no noise as the man lifted her upright by the arm and led her into a car parked on the street behind. Ayla stared in horror, disbelieving, trying to not look to suspicious whilst reeling in shock. She finally came to her senses when the car began to move. Checking behind her, Ayla moved forward to memorise the number plate and car make as it moved away down the street, Feenie invisible behind the tinted windows.

Ayla screwed her eyes shut, and then realised that if they had known who Feenie was, they might know her. She slipped away, down a different, narrower street and disappeared into the city as the sun went down.

A/N: Uh OH! If you want to read more, please review! xx