EEEKK! So, there's this awesome writing camp at UVA and there's a whole bunch of different 'paths' to choose from (fiction, poetry, songwriting, creative nonfiction, etc) and either a two week or a three week track. So, I turn in an application and two writing samples (one for fiction, the other for nonfiction) and hear back saying that there's no room. The other day, they email and said there's an unexpected space for me in their three week track. Jumping in excitement, unfortunately I leave either the 3rd or 4th of July, so I won't get fireworks…but eeeeekk! Super excited. I also got an iPad, which I quickly filled up with the Kindle, Translator, and Mango Languages. Okay, breathe. I'm still posting FF during the camp considering I'm supposed to bring my computer and, well, write. It'll be the reg schedule too. As for the cruise at the end of July/beginning of August, I'm 85% sure there is Wifi, so I should be able to update like normally during that week as well. Also, I know the scrubs in Silver Shadows were tan, but I'm switching it since he's in a different facility. I totally freaked out yesterday when I thought it was Wed and I hadn't even written two thirds of it. Disclaimer: I did not write the Bloodlines series or affiliated characters.

"He was a very nice and civilized man, and he betrayed us all."–Dick White

MPOV

I'm allowed to shower and am given a pair of wretched grey scrubs that are too big for my starved frame. Two Alchemists and a guard lead me out into the hall and down to a cafeteria. People glared or ignored me, which I didn't mind. I got in line for food, assuming it'd be regular cafeteria food, only to discover it is actually decent. Lasagna and garlic bread. Not exactly what I'd been expecting from the Alchs. I sit alone and make note of all the entrances and exits along with where all of the guards are stationed.

The lasagna is actually edible, but I try not to focus too much on that. I need to get out of here. Badly. I don't know what the Alchemists have planned, but I know they know I have an organization and I can't afford to stick around long enough to find out how they'll get names and safe-houses out of me. I eat like a good little patient and follow the other people in scrubs when the bell rings. We end up in an art studio and are instructed to paint a picture of a cat. I want to throw something when I hear the instructions. What is the point of this? What is the point of any of this? I pick up a brush and dip it in some paints and diligently copy the cat as best I can, but realistic art was never my forte. The 'art teacher' walks around the room and makes sure that the color and proportion is correct. I hate the feeling of being watched, but here it's unavoidable.

CPOV

Sydney tells me that Zoe managed to get intel on Marcus, but that we couldn't do anything yet because we didn't have enough people willing to help. I glare down at my Sex Crime, Sex Panic homework and toss my pencil against the table. It's ridiculous. Sydney got saved with a handful of Moroi and Dhampirs and Marcus. How can we not have enough people to help him? Of course, it could have something to do with Marcus being in the inner depths of China.

Tate seems to have picked up on something being wrong, but she hasn't asked. It's one of my favorite things about her, she doesn't ask unless you willingly give up the info…she follows the don't ask, don't tell policy to a T. Picking up my pencil, I return to my homework and try to concentrate on school. It's easier said than done, but at least I know Zoe's phone cut off because of bad service and not because she got locked up by the Alchs.

I finish the reading questions and close my text book before spinning around in my chair and glancing at the TV Tate turned on. After four years of living with her, you'd think I'd've been used to hearing a TV show play whenever she works–she claims it helps with tactile thinking or something like that–but I still find it to be completely distracting, especially when the show happens to be one where the characters are hot. "Tate?"

"Yeah."

"Thank you for putting up with my BS."

"No problem…why?"

"Just thinking."

"Did you not get accepted to Harvard Law or something?"

She knows full well I didn't even apply to Harvard Law, so I laugh. "Funny. You know as well as I do that applications don't really start coming back until March, maybe April."

Tate throws a grin over her shoulder and continues working on whatever she was before. I almost wish that Sydney didn't decide to break her tattoo so that I wouldn't have to worry about things like Alchemists and Re-Education. It's not really a fair wish, she deserves to make her own decisions and the fact she broke it wasn't even why she was taking in, but I am only human.

Tada! That was kind of a weird chapter to write. Anyway, I was going to write something about Carly wondering what it was like to not worry about *insert rest of line here*, but then I realized she didn't worry about them before Adrian and Marcus showed up. :P

R&R

Ciao