Well, I had a feeling some Jenna lovers wouldn't be too fond of the last chapter. Don't worry about it! I'm not anti-Jenna at all, but I had to make this story dramatic somehow! Just wait and see what happens--she might redeem herself!

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Golden Sun, and I don't expect that to change anytime soon.

*Chapter 5*

Come sunrise, the sky was clear and the winds calm. The three boys stood out on deck and gazed at their new discovery. Where had the winds taken them? Had they found Lemuria or someplace else?

"What's taking those women so long?" Garet asked impatiently. "I'm itching for adventure!"

"Give them time," said Ivan. "Where were you last night, Isaac? I didn't hear you come in."

"Mia and I were up late talking. She was really upset about something but she wouldn't say what." He looked concerned. "I'm worried about her. What if it has something to do with your prediction?"

Sheba and Jenna came outside. "Well, that makes five," said Garet. "Where's Mia?"

"I don't know," Sheba said. She handed Isaac a folded piece of paper with his name on it. "This was on her bed."

Bewildered, Isaac unfolded the note and started to read it. The others watched him intently as his expression changed from shock, to confusion, and then to complete despair.

"What?" Garet asked. "What is it?"

Unable to speak, Isaac handed over the note and everyone peaked over Garet's shoulders to read it.

Dear Isaac,
By the time you read this, I will have already left you and the others far behind me. Please understand that you didn't do anything to make me want to leave. I love you more than words can say and I'll always desire to be with you. But I feel that our love may be too powerful for either of us to control and I fear that I might inadvertently come between you and the rest of your life. I couldn't bear making you sacrifice so many other opportunities for my sake alone--it wouldn't be right. I believe that it's best for everyone concerned that we remain apart. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for breaking my promise and hurting you this way. You're my first love--my only love--and I'll never, ever forget you.

Eternally yours,
Mia

There was a long, stunned silence when everyone had finished reading the letter. Even Jenna was a bit shocked that her efforts to drive Mia away had actually succeeded. Isaac could feel his heart shattering to pieces. How could he have let this happen? He'd known that there was something wrong with her last night--why had he left her all alone when she needed him? And now she was gone because of his inaction! He slowly sank to the floor, trying to fight off the sorrow bubbling up from deep within him. Garet kneeled next to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Isaac," he said.

"I don't understand," said Ivan, shaking his head in disbelief. "Why would she leave? This is so unlike Mia!"

"Maybe it's for the best," Jenna said kindly, hugging Isaac. "It'll be OK, Isaac. You'll see."

Sheba felt ill. She had to say something. She had to tell them about all the terrible things Jenna had said. Mia had made her promise not to say anything, but how could she keep such a promise now?

"I guess you're premonition was right after all, Ivan," said Garet.

"Premonition?" Sheba questioned in surprise. "What premonition?"

"I had a vision last night," Ivan explained. "I saw some kind of force trying to drive Mia away."

Jenna tensed. "A force? What kind of a force?"

"I don't know," Ivan said. "Did Mia give you any clue at all last night, Isaac?"

"No," Isaac replied, rubbing at his eyes.

"Wasn't there another part to that premonition?" Garet asked.

Ivan nodded. "My vision told me that if Mia left us, her life could be at risk. And since it was right about the force, it could be right about that too."

"Then we have to find her!" Sheba cried. "We can't leave her all alone out there without any help!"

"But why?" Jenna questioned. "She's made it clear that she doesn't want to be found. Would you have us drag her back here against her will? And what about Isaac? It's hard enough that she left in the first place and now you want to put him through a confrontation with her? That's cruel!"

"Well, it's your call then, Isaac," said Garet. "Should we go look for Mia?"

Isaac reread her letter, still unwilling to believe that she'd want to take off like this. He paid more attention to the note's wording this time, and realized that this didn't make much sense. If he hadn't done anything to drive her away, then why did she think they were better off apart? And if she truly didn't want to stay, why hadn't she returned his ring--the symbol of their vow? Wouldn't it have too much meaning attached to it to make her want to keep it? Something wasn't right here. He had to find out the truth.

"We'll split up and go look for her," he said as he stood up.

"But Isaac!" Jenna protested. "Think about her letter! I think you're better off just washing your hands of her. You can't let her play with your emotions like this!"

"This is something I have to do, Jenna," said Isaac. "Even if she won't come back, I have to know exactly what drove her away."

Jenna felt her stomach do a flip. She'd put too much certainty in Mia's silence. What if Isaac found out about their arguments? Would he understand why she did what she did? "I still think this is a bad idea. Let her go, Isaac. I know this hurts now, but you'll get over it eventually. Just give it time."

"I appreciate your concern, Jenna," he said. "But I can't let this go. Not now--not like this." He turned to the others. "We'll meet back here at sunset, all right?"

"All right," said Ivan. "Be careful out there, everyone. And don't do anything stupid, Garet!"

"Oh, please," Garet scowled. "I can take care of myself."

As they all split off in different directions, Ivan paused when he noticed how troubled Sheba looked. "What's the matter, Sheba?" he asked.

Sheba bowed her head. "I'd love to tell you, Ivan, but I made a promise to Mia."

"Do you know why she left?" Ivan asked. She nodded. "Why didn't you say something? This could be important!"

"I know, but Mia made me promise not to say anything. I don't want to go back on my word even if she is gone."

"Promises aren't important if keeping them could hurt somebody," said Ivan. "You can trust me, Sheba."

"But this isn't an ordinary secret," Sheba said. "It involves people besides Mia." She paused a moment and suddenly had an idea. "Read my mind, Ivan! I promised not to say anything, so if you read my mind, I technically won't be breaking my promise!"

"Well, all right, I guess." He cast Mind Read and peered deep into Sheba's memory. He saw everything she knew about Jenna and Mia's arguments. Startled, he took a step back when he was finished.

"It's awful, isn't it?" Sheba questioned.

"Unbelievable," Ivan said in surprise. "What in the name of Jupiter possessed Jenna to do such a thing? I thought she was Isaac's friend!"

Sheba shrugged. "Jenna was convinced that Mia wasn't right for Isaac. I guess she figured that she was protecting him somehow by pushing Mia away. Who knows? I sure don't understand it."

"This is worse than I imagined!" Ivan exclaimed. "It's not bad enough that Isaac lost Mia, but what's going to happen when he finds out that Jenna's responsible for it?" He shook his head. "Poor Mia! No wonder she left. I don't think anyone would want to put up with that!"

"Mia didn't want to make Isaac choose sides, but she should've spoken up. If I'd known about your premonition, I wouldn't have made that promise to her and I'd have told someone. I only hope that it's not too late to set things right. If she's been harmed in any way, I'll never forgive myself."

"Don't worry, Sheba. This isn't your fault--it's Jenna's. It's only a matter of time before Isaac finds out what happened, and when he does, I'm sure the sparks will fly. He loved Mia more than anything--I could feel it radiating off of him!"

"Me too," Sheba said. "This is a terrible mess. I hope one of us finds her before things get any worse." She turned to go. "Thank you, Ivan. I don't feel as guilty now."

"Anytime. I'll see you back here at sunset."

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Sorry this is a little shorter than normal, but it's a good stopping place. Stay tuned for Chapter 6!