A blinding pain woke me up.

Once it passed, I took note of my surroundings. Then I closed my eyes again. My teeth were chattering and I was curled into a ball on a cold floor. My stomach ached and my throat was parched. Where was I? I tried to open my eyes again, but was only rewarded by a dull pain in the back of my head. How many times had I woken up like this? Seven times? Eight, maybe? Let me tell you, you never get used to it. I ran my hand over my arm and felt a jagged scar on my upper arm. What had happened there? I don't think that was there before. A voice jolted me out of my reverie.

"C'mon," the rough voice slurred. I definitely didn't recognize it. "Isabel wishes to see you."

Oh, yeah. I've been captured by Isabel… again. I raised my head to see the source of the voice, but he was already gone. I sat up and winced. A cold draft blew through the cell and I hugged the blanket closer to me. Maybe if I didn't move…

"Now!" The voice yelled, and I jumped to my feet.

I draped the blanket over my shoulders and the cell door opened. I took a step out and glanced at all the empty cells that were collecting dust. I was the only one here. Well, aren't they nice? Giving me company and all… I walked down the only hallway until I got to a dead end. I had nowhere to go. This place wasn't well lit. I could barely see six feet in front of me. I didn't know what to do.

"Um, hello?" My voice was scratchy and unused.

"You know, talking to yourself won't help your mental state," a snippy voice said. I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks for the advice, Natalie." Natalie Kabra stepped out of the shadows with a gun pointed at me. "Okay, shoot m-me. What will that do for you?" I asked.

"It will shut that annoying mouth of yours," she retorted.

"Good one, now where's Dan?" I asked.

"Who said we had Daniel?" She challenged. Relief flowed through me.

"You know what? Shoot me. At least it will save me the pain of listening to you," I said, and her eyes narrowed.

"Ian ordered me not to shoot you," she said.

"Oh, h-how nice of him! Remind me to bake him a cake when I get out of here alive," I said. "Chocolate or vanilla?"

"Actually, I'm more of a red velvet guy." A new figured entered the scene. Ian Kabra stood next to his cold-blooded sister. I said the first thing that came to my mind.

"You're h-hair is back to normal," I noticed. It wasn't the shade of blue that I had made it. Now it was back to its regular ebony shade.

"Yes, thank you for that, by the way," he said.

"You deserved it," I said, clenching my fists.

"I did no such thing."

We glared at each other. I was so sick of him!

"Look, would you please just turn around so I don't h-have to look at you?" I asked, not joking.

"No, I think you like to look at me. I'm so gorgeous, you can't help but stare." I rolled my eyes at his arrogance.

"Yeah, that's likely, Kabra."

"Yes, it is likely, Cahill."

"You're a Cahill too."

"I see you still have that blanket." He switched the topics so abruptly that I was caught off guard.

"Uh, y-yeah," I said, playing with the tip of the quilt.

"You're welcome for that, by the way," he said. So, he was the one who had given it to me. I opened my mouth to respond, but a shrill voice cut me off.

"Ian! Natalie! Bring her this instant! What on earth is taking you so long?" Isabel's voice pierced through the air. I looked around for her, but only saw her two devious children.

"Yes, mother," they chorused.

I was so confused. It must be the lack of food. Right on cue, my stomach growled. Natalie looked at my stomach weirdly. She glanced at Ian and they both shrugged.

"Maybe you should see a doctor about that, love," he advised.

I ignored the nickname. "Whatever, how l-long have I been here?" I asked.

"A few days," Natalie answered, and I nodded.

My stomach growled again and another glance was exchanged by the Kabras. I face palmed and dropped my blanket in the process. As I went to pick it up, I grew lightheaded and stumbled. I fell into a strong pair of arms.

"What's happening, Ian? Why isn't she feeling well? What will mother say?" Natalie's questions rang out loud to my ears. I groaned and closed my eyes.

"Quiet down, will you?" I slurred.

"Ian, look how pale she is! What if she isn't well enough to talk?"

A hand was placed on my forehead. It was warm and felt good on my face. "You're burning up," Ian concluded. "Maybe we should get a doctor. Natalie, go fetch one right now," he instructed.

"But won't mother notice? I mean, we're already late-" Even when I was half conscious, I could still tell that she was set on impressing Isabel.

"Natalie, go. We don't want her to die, now do we?" Ian's voice came out calm with a touch of worry. Die…

The word rang out loud and clear.

"You won't die, love," Ian said. I must've spoken out loud.

"That's what you think. You're n-not having your stomach devour itself this very moment," I told him. "Now, let go of me." I tried to stand up, but only swayed and Ian caught me again.

"Ah, but Amy, you look rather unstable." Even though my eyes were closed, I knew that there was that infamous Kabra smirk on his face.

"Yeah, whatever…" Then I was enveloped in darkness, but not before I heard the sound of stilettos entering a room.

A/N: I know, I know. I can practically here you guys already. And I have to agree with you. It took me FOREVER to update and I'm sorry. I promise the next one will be quicker! :) So, what did you guys think of this chapter?

Was it good?

Was it horrible?

I won't know unless you tell me! :D

~Nataliya

P.S. Thanks, Wis, for beta-ing this! I fixed those mistakes just for you! :)