Thank you to everyone who reviewed. (Cat, I'm honoured. I know how busy you are with your story. Thank you so much!!)

Now, I was asked about Sarah's attraction to Erak (Jason). It's one of those weird things. You know, you see something you desire, but you know is completely out of reach? Sorta like that.

Sarah (Silverdawn) was in an abusive, exploitive relationship with Eduardo before Erak arrived. At the beginning of the story, they have been separated for about two weeks. (She broke it off because 1.) he was cheating. 2.) he was cheating with one of her best friends. 3.) she was hurt because she had fancied herself in love with the jerk.

Okay, now, for those who are confused about the names.

Tyrone is Nightblade. He is like Sarah's older brother.

Joseph is Snowarrow (aka- Frosty). He's an ex of Sarah's, but they parted because they saw themselves as best friends, not lovers.

Tracey is Windsinger. She's a choir student and loves to stand out when it's windy and raining. She's Sarah's oldest friend.

Porsha is known as Dusksong because she's in choir with Tracey and they get along famously. (Some think they might be shaych.)

(A/N: They're not. I repeat, they aren't.)

Adelia ('del) is known as Starfire because of her temperament, which matches Sarah's. She's the gang's 'manager' figure and arranges the race dates.

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Chapter Three: A Second Chance

"Sarah, are you all right?" Joseph queried frantically.
"I'm fine. Ready to race. I want everything behind me."
"What did he do?" asked Tyrone.
"It doesn't matter."
Erak, irresistibly drawn, walked over and removed her helmet. Her eyes were red and sick. Her face was long and bruised. Her neck, what was revealed of it, had handprints over it, encircling the swan-like feature.
Tyrone's voice was harsh and his eyes glaring when he asked his next question. "Did that bastard rape you?"
Sarah hung her head. "Yes," she whispered.

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Sarah watched as Jason approached her and slipped off her helmet. He looked at her for a long moment before offering his arms.
She accepted, glad for the embrace.
:Chosen, I'm so sorry. I should have done something.:
She backed off, not certain of what she had heard. It didn't matter, anyway. They had a race.
And her priorities were firmly rooted.
"Listen, everyone. We can continue this sob story later. Right now, we have a race. Team DeKalb is there. Let's go."
She pulled away on her bike.

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:Well?: Carmanda asked impatiently.
:Not good. She's burying her pain. She's ashamed. I don't think she will ever trust strange men again.:
Carmanda heaved a mental sigh. :As bad as Talia?:
:Possibly worse.:
:Son of a bitch!: Carmanda cursed.
:You have the gist of it. If we could bridge the dimensions, I'd be having a nice long talk with Rolan, Gwena, Caryo, and Kantor. Possibly Sayvil as well.:
:Ouch.:
:Yeah. My poor ears.:
Carmanda chuckled slightly. :What are her Gifts?:
:I'm not sure. I sense Mage and Fire, but there's something beyond that that I've never heard about.:
:Oooh, strange Gifts. What a joy!: Carmanda said sarcastically.
They pulled into a long strip of interstate that was straight. He sensed Sarah's sudden, overwhelming sense of fear and horror.
Another enemy.
He sighed and waited patiently as Joseph squealed to a stop and as Sarah went to make sure they were registered.
"Snowarrow, you're up first!" she finally said. "Racing Stone from Tri- Biddies."
Joseph winced.
"Windsinger, you're after him. La'Tisha from Southwest DeCrabs."
"Ouch!"
"Dusksong, third. Versus Lacey from Sex-in-da Woods."
"What's that?"
"Some psych school near Shame-me."
"Oh."
"Finally, there's Nightblade. You have Etowah from McShare High."
Ty grinned. "Who'd you get?"
She sighed and said, "Eduardo."

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Okay! Hello, all. Nice chapter?

All right, to translate the Zone 3 slang I used in this chapter, hopefully with no offense to anyone attending the aforementioned schools.

McShare High - McNair High

Shame-me - Chamblee High

Sex-in-da Woods - Sexton Woods

Southwest DeCrabs - Southwest DeKalb High

Tri-Biddies - Tri-Cities High

Okay, now, for the arrows, please!

I  I

I I

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Not very neat, I know, but hey, no one's perfect. Sorry for the short chappie.
Zhai'helleva!