Firstly…

HOLY CRAP CHARLOTTTEEEEE!!!! Oh my goodness! You're still alive! *gives virtual hug, thank goodness Char is sturdy enough not to get crushed.. hehe* Blimey! My eyes went round with pleasant surprise when I see your review! Thank you! Hey dude! Drop me an email or sth alright? And share that cute guy (oh wait, girls' sch eh?). *tones drop* and yes, you're reading my mind? Damn! Sshh! Shush up! Or I'm gonna have to kill you! And so I don't have to send you the story or what? Gee. I was printing chapters after chapters studiously from the school com lab.. Hehe.

Sharmeen: Thanks for the review. It's a really well rounded one… I guess Kyle isn't really that ready to get all intimate with Jade yet, I don't want to rush things. Like, you know, take it a little slowly. It'll be really weird if they start getting all hot and bothered. Hehe. I wanted to make them more formal, hence I restrained myself from using those shortened words. And about Russell, hey he's about to lose his best friend you know.. haha.. Kyle is someone whom he had known for a long time, grown to depend and trust, been through lots together. It hurt him that Kyle was leaving him out of the 'plan' and it hurt him even more to see him dying. Jasper's supposed to die, but somehow, I often surprise myself by writing things that I hadn't planned them to be.

Jiaz: Glad you like that song input. I was having the idea of that scene, all rainy and what when that song just refuse to budge from my head. And the lyrics are meaningful too.

Amber: Ditto, glad you like it. Kyle's feeling totally down and out, so he just couldn't do anything but huddle at the corner and shake at his own incompetence. He's pretty egoistic supposedly. But that had crushed his ego.

Right people, finally, the next part. I see that this story is coming to an end soon and it will be in about 3 more chapters or so. I have to rely on these 'visions' to get inspirations for my story. It was stuck for quite long, then one day when I was about to doze off on the bus, the visions came to me… Muahaha…

         Mervyn hovered around the machine. The damned machine. A group of scientists – Elites – that was what they called themselves, had been assigned to help him with the repairing of the machine.

         One of them, a vampire judging from his movements, reached over Mervyn and worked on the machine. Mervyn did not like it a single bit. It was almost like they had utterly no respect for him. He was about to turn nasty when Nathaniel walked in. A look from him, and Mervyn instantly knew what he was asking. "It will be done soon." He answered, bowing slightly. Nathaniel did not say anything, but folded his arms. "Where's Shezer?"

         Mervyn could not help but raised an eyebrow, "You didn't know?" He bit his tongue hard. If Nathaniel was in a bad mood, then he was done for. "He went to Daybreak Center and got killed." He put it bluntly.

         A look of irritation flashed across Nathaniel's fiery eyes. "Stupid witch. Never mind." A strange look clouded his face. If he was not the leader of Blood Iris – always stern and serious, one would have said that he looked mischievous. Only the thoughts behind that look were not as innocent.

         "I don't care how you do it, Mervyn Mullen, but you'll have to get this machine," he jabbed his finger towards it, "ready by tonight."

         Mervyn felt his neck prickling, "For…?" he asked reluctantly, knowing fairly well what Nathaniel's answer was.

         "We're attacking Daybreak Center – tomorrow." With that, the tall vampire turned and left the room, leaving Mervyn standing there, feeling the chills in his bones. He snapped back to his senses and turning around, he saw the group of Elites gaping back at him.

         "Get cracking, damnit!" He yelled, jolting some of them out of their stupor. Murmurings filled the room as they got busy. Mervyn scratched his head in irritation – how did these creatures become 'Elites'? They were nothing like elites, more like robots than anything! Pushing through the group, he finally got through and he stood beside the chair. Taking a screwdriver, he bent down behind the headrest and was about to screw it tight. It was almost an insult to him, a high wizard having to do such lowly job. But he had no choice. There was no way these… these goons were going to get the machine done in time.

         It seemed almost like a joke to him, when he fitted the screwdriver at the screw. Without any warning, the headrest began to rise higher.

         "Hey! Stop adjusting the damn thing! I need to tighten the screws!" No one answered him, while he continued to struggle to keep the headrest in its original position. He swore to get the Elite behind this, who was not listening to his order. He craned his head from behind the headrest and glared at the Elites, but he saw them staring open-mouthed at the machine. It was starting to cave into the center slowly, as the Elites, together with Mervyn – who was still squatting behind the headrest – all stared in disbelief as the machine gave a loud sigh and folded.

         Mervyn sat back on his heels and flung the screwdriver away furiously. "Screw it!" He swore ironically. There was no way they were going to be ready tomorrow Yet he did not have the guts to tell Nathaniel about it. Even if he did, he would just be asking for death.        

         Tomorrow, they shall launch the attack as planned, by hook or by crook.

* * * * * *

         "Jade."

         Jade opened her eyes lazily and glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 7.30am. She had fallen asleep on the armchair in Kyle's ward. After a serious attack two nights ago, Skye had made the decision for him to return to the Daybreak Hospital.

         Jasper sat down beside his sister, smelling fresh and looking absolutely energetic – a stark contrast to his sister. Jade had kept vigil by Kyle's bedside, leaving the ward only when necessary. He gestured to the motionless figure on the bed. "How is he?"

         Jade rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, shaking her head. She recalled the conversation she had with Skye on the night Kyle was warded.

         "We'll have to keep him in the hospital."

         Jade did not comprehend. "But I thought the pills can help ease the attacks?"

         Skye's smile was sympathetic, "Kyle's condition… is way beyond what these pills can help." He saw Jade's face fell, but he did not know what he could do to comfort her.

         Jade bit her lower lips. "How… How long does he have to stay here?"

         "Until when it's necessary." Something in the elder's voice told her that Kyle was not going to make it out of the hospital. His green eyes were not even making contact with hers, but staring down at his own shoes. She felt tears rushing to her eyes, and she put a hand to her mouth, hoping somewhat this action could prevent Skye from seeing her cry. The kind green eyes lifted and looked at her. Jade felt a despair in her heart, so painful that she cried out.

         "Shh…" Skye gave her a hug and patted her shoulders. He had a faraway look in his eyes, and he seemed to be in a dilemma with himself.

         "I… I may be able to help ease your pain a little." He started hesitantly. Jade looked up at him through her teary eyes, his handsome features knitted in concern. "I've never tried this before, but I had learnt a healing spell recently. I don't know if it will help," he smiled, a little embarrassed, "but that is if you would like to give it a try."

         Jade did not know what to say. She did not think that any spell would be able to ease the pain in her heart, but she did not want to turn down Skye's kind offer. She nodded, unsure of what else to do. A look of relief crossed Skye's face, and he slowly lifted his right hand, palm facing her. Gently, he placed it on Jade's chest. She inhaled sharply at the contact, but soon felt herself relaxing. It was strange, like something was unlocking the tension in her muscles and she felt the warmth flowing through her body.

         The warmth reached her heart last. It was a slow but magical process. The weight in her heart lessened, and the pain subsided into a dull, distant throb. Finally, when Skye lifted his hand, the warmth still lingered in her system. It gave her a comfort that no words could give, a sense of security and strength that she had not felt for a long time. The two of them stood staring at each other in silence for a moment, then she said, "Thank you."

         Skye gave an embarrassed smile, "I was just giving my help. Think nothing about it." He looked deeply at Jade. "Sometimes, some things happen in our lives, things that are meant to set is back if we are weak. But it usually takes such things to strengthen one, to make us stronger and meet future challenges."

         "You're the chosen one for a reason. The strength within you is strong, but you just haven't found a chance to tap on it. In a few days' time, it will come in useful. This sounds a little silly, I don't know how to put it to you, but you have to believe in yourself."

         "Because, at the end of it all, you will be the one who's going to make everything all right." With that, he adjusted his glasses, gave another smile and left.

         Jade put a hand at where Skye had when healing her. Skye's words resonated in her head, holding special meanings that she had yet to figure out. She felt Jasper's stare on her and she pulled herself out of her own thoughts. She walked over to Kyle and pushed back his hair from his forehead. Slowly, Kyle's eyes opened. They were glazed, but focused as best as they could on Jade.

         "Hey." He said softly.

         "Hey you too." Jade replied. She took Kyle's hand and sat down on the bed beside him. From the corner of the room, Jasper gave an exaggerated cough. "Hmm… should I leave you guys alone?" He did not have the chance to get his answer, as right this very moment, the doors swung open and Skye walked into the room. His face was taut, voice urgent, "We need to get Jade out of here."

         Jade rose, "What? Why?"

         "Blood Iris is launching an attack, right about now."

* * * * * *

Whee! Finally got this part out. I was thinking how long it would take.. Sigh. Yeah, reviews.. reviews. That part about Skye and Jade was totally unplanned before hand. I didn't know what had happened, but when I was writing in my little black book, the scene just unfolded by itself. *phew* Hope you guys like it. And tell me what should be improved.. Thanks!