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Cress's POV:

Black Eyes

I'm very good with computers. With just a few commands, I can get them to do almost anything, and with just a few numbers I can build almost anything. Little Cress is just one of the many projects I've undertaken. I've made security software, new games, decoding applications, websites, you name it! I understand codes and technology, it's why I'm so great at it, and why I'm so good at hacking into it. I've never found a database that I couldn't hack. So why is this one giving me so much trouble?

Ever since Dad gave me that hacking assignment several days ago, I've been working like crazy to hack it. But there's some serious security on this thing! I've had to code entirely new software to even make a dent in the many layers of encryption this has. It's like whenever I manage to break down one wall of security, ten more are built to replace it! I've never seen anything like it! I'm actually getting a bit worried that I'm hacking into the CIA or something, that's how great the security is!

The doorbell rings and I start with a small yelp. Who could be calling in now? Dad's out at work, and nobody's leaving their homes with all the wolves running all over the place. Maybe I imagined it?

The doorbell rings again. Guess not.

When I open the door, I can't help but stare at all the people on the other side. Iko, beaming and waving at me. Cinder, smiling and nodding. Kai, with a friendly grin. Thorne, with his lopsided smile.

"W-what are you guys doing here?" I eventually manage to croak out.

"We said we'd play videogames together, right?" Thorne says.

I duck my head as my cheeks warm. I remember that conversation, but I didn't know Thorne would be bringing other people. I imagined it to be just the two of us, late at night, eating popcorn and watching movies when we eventually got bored of the games. I pictured it to be like… a date.

"I… wasn't expecting you'd bring your friends." I eventually murmur.

Thorne scratches his head, looking almost embarrassed. "Yeah… sorry about that. But Kai really needs to get out some more and Iko wanted to take you shopping after the videogames."

My jaw hits the floor and I stare at Iko. "You-you wanted me to go shopping with you?"

She grins. "Sure! I know a really good hairdresser's we can take you to to get your hair styled, and I know a shop with just the cutest dresses that would totally suit you!"

"And I'll be carrying the bags." Cinder groans dramatically.

"You're strong Cinder, you can handle a couple shopping bags."

"Since when have you only made me hold a couple shopping bags?"

I barely hear their bickering over my shock. Iko is the perfect popular girl, with gorgeous clothes and loads of friends and all the latest gossip and everything! And she wants to go shopping with me? Plain old nerdy nobody Cress?

Thorne notices my expression and chuckles. "You look like Iko just told you she's secretly a robot. Girls go shopping together all the time!"

"I don't." Cinder puts in.

"I never get invited to go shopping." I say faintly.

Now it's Iko's turn to look shocked. "What? Never?"

I shake my head.

Iko frowns resolutely and hooks her arm through mine. "That's it! You're going on a shopping trip!"

"I thought you said you would do that after we played a few games." Thorne protests.

"Carswell, Cress here is in some serious need of some girl time. Those video games aren't going anywhere. Now let's go!"

At first I was afraid that Thorne would be grumpy since we didn't get to play those videogames, but he actually seems pretty cheerful as we head down to the mall, joking and even offering the occasional suggestion for what kind of outfit would look good on me. At one point, he suggests a sleeveless dress, and I swear my face catches fire.

"I know a shortcut through the park we can take." Iko says cheerfully, pointing to the park entrance, "It'll cut down about ten minutes of the walk."

"You do realise the walk is only, like, twenty minutes anyway right?" Cinder says.

Kai smirks at her. "Didn't expect you to know how long a walk to the mall will take."

"My best friend is Iko. My brain sometimes picks up the stuff she considers important against my will."

"I can relate. My brain does the same thing when I hang around Thorne."

Thorne grins. "Kai, the stuff I consider important, everyone considers important."
"Your life goal is finding the perfect scented shampoo."

"Exactly! Important!"

I giggle at their banter. Is this what it feels like to have friends? It's even better than I imagined!

We walk along the gravel path chatting and laughing about whatever catches our fancy, and I can't stop smiling. It feels so good to talk to people like this! I sort of thought my life would just continue to be sitting in the corner, watching people who don't even know I exist pass me by and being picked on by the few who are aware of my life. But here and now, talking and laughing with people who are treating me like a friend…. I find myself hoping that won't be the case.

I cast a casual glance at a nearby copse of trees and freeze. Someone behind me grunts in surprise and stumbles slightly as they struggle to avoid crashing into me.

"Cress? What's wrong?" Thorne says.

"I thought… I thought I just saw Scarlet." I stammer.

That catches everyone's attention. "They stare intently at the trees, eyes narrowed and searching.

"Are you sure it wasn't just a trick of the light?" Kai asks me gently, "I mean, Scarlet's been missing for days."

"I'm sure it was her." I say firmly.

I can feel the others shooting me doubtful looks, but I ignore them. I know that I saw her. You can't exactly imagine seeing that head of fiery red hair and bright red hoodie.

"Why don't we go looking for her?" Iko suggests, "You know, just to make sure we didn't miss anything."

Thorne shrugs. "Sounds good to me."

I don't wait for Cinder and Kai's replies, instead running off the path to the trees where I saw that flash of red.

There's something creepy about being in the middle of what is basically a small forest. The trees cast long, dark shadows along the ground, covering the bright blades of grass, and the overreaching branches block out the light of the sun, like they're trying to banish all the happiness there. And it might be my imagination, but as we pass through this one small clearing, I could swear there was dried blood on the grass. It's probably just mud or something but…

A sudden cry from Iko makes me jump with a startled squeak. She's pointing at a familiar red figure, leaning against one of the trees.

"There she is!" she cries excitedly, "Scarlet! Scarlet, over here!"

But the girl doesn't react. Even as we all run towards her, calling her name, she doesn't so move a muscle to show she's heard us. Weird. Scarlet's always been friendly.

Iko reaches her first and taps her on the shoulder. "Where have you been? Everyone's been so worried!"

Scarlet doesn't reply.

"Did you go deaf or something?" Iko jokes as she circles around Scarlet. And then… something weird happens.

Iko's dark skin pales and her eyes widen with horror. Her mouth opens and closes, but no sound comes out. She takes several shaky steps back, but never takes her eyes away from Scarlet's face.

Cinder narrows her eyes at her friend in concern. "Iko? Are you okay?"

"She's just a little disturbed is all." Says a saccharine sweet voice.

A gorgeous woman steps out of the shadows, with honeyed skin and long, flowing dark hair. Her smile is warm, but her grey eyes are cold.

Her gaze lands on each of us in turn, calculating and judging. As she looks at me, I feel the blood draining away from my face and I start to shiver uncontrollably. I get the feeling that this woman, no matter how kind her smile or beautiful her face, would happily cut my throat without a second thought.

"I can hardly blame her." She continues, walking towards us at a leisurely pace. "A vampire's slave is a sight to see."

As if on cue, Scarlet finally turns her head to look at us. I shriek and stumble back into Thorne, who's lost all the colour in his face. Cinder gasps and a strangled cry tears out of Kai's throat at the sight of Scarlet's completely black eyes.

A/N: Do I smell action?

Finally, something's happening! Who is this new lady? Will the gang manage to save Scarlet?

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