~I am truly sorry about what has to happen to Vanessa, but it just had to. Long, drawn-out battle, but the plot bunny won in the end.~

Catty fell back into time, and she saw herself spinning into the tunnel. Serena and Jimena were watching her intently. Catty got up, and walked to her friends. Serena said, "Where is she?"

Catty said, "By the time I got into the tunnel, they were gone."

Jimena whispered, "I feel a presence."

Serena and Catty slowly turned, and there was Stanton, illuminated by the moonlight. Strangely, though, his eyes were not glowing phosphorent.

Serena was the first to walk toward him. "Stanton, what happened?" she asked.

"Selene." he said simply.

"Selene what?"

"She drew the Atrox away from me."

"Oh!" Serena ran into Stanton's open arms, and she was wrapped up completely in his embrace. They kissed, and it felt like the world could collapse around them, but they would just stay there, loving one another. Serena gazed into Stanton's eyes, and she knew. The Atrox was gone.

Catty gazed at the two young people. "Isn't it so cute?"

"Yeah. We can trust Stanton now."

Catty just smiled, as did Jimena.

~Meanwhile~

When Vanessa awoke, she was in a dark chamber. Toby was standing over her, in his disguise. He smiled, a wicked leer that made Vanessa flinch. He said, "Now, my lovely moon goddess, we shall take the experience of a lifetime."

Then all Vanessa felt was a vague feeling of Toby pinning down her arms with one hand, leaving the other to roam wherever it pleased, stripping off her clothes. She felt his slobbery kisses on her face and all over her body.

And then, the pain. Why her? Why Vanessa?

~Back with the others~

Catty looked down at her moon amulet, turning a vibrant purplish red. She glanced at Jimena, whose amulet was doing the same thing. Then she turned her gaze to Jimena's tear-streaked face.

"What is it, Jimena?"

"It's.it's Toby. He's going to rape Vanessa."

Sorry with the cliffhanger, but more coming soon!