"Vanessa, stop acting so nervous. I can feel my molecules coming together," Serena said through gritted teeth.

"I-I'm sorry," Vanessa stuttered back. "Being down here gives me the creeps."

"I don't see any Followers," Catty said.

Vanessa nodded, reassuring herself. She surprised herself by being able to carry all three girls including herself this far without her molecules pulling together.

"Where could David have taken her?!" Catty said, glancing at the other girls.

"We can't split up!" Serena said, reading Vanessa's thoughts. "I bet the Atrox knows that we're looking for Jimena..."

"There are no Followers!" Catty said again.

There was silence as if the girls were just waiting for their moon amulets to glow.

"I can't drag on any longer," Vanessa said, her voice heavy with exhaustion. She felt her molecules coming together and soon the girls materialized in the city park. With a loud thud, the girls landed on the ground.

"I can't sense Jimena anywhere," Serena said.

"What if he took her underground?" Tianna asked. "Isn't that possible? David did take her and turned into shadow. Maybe they went through the cracks in the ground?"

"But how are we going to get to her?" Serena said, frustrated with herself. "There's no way—" It was as if a light bulb was hovering over Serena's head and the bulb just flickered on with an idea but Vanessa could feel the rush of wind and watched as Stanton materialized in front of her. He turned to Serena, giving her a sly grin and running his fingers through his thick blonde hair.

Of course, Stanton couldn't touch Vanessa because she had once tried to save him from the Atrox but that didn't mean that he couldn't hurt any of the other girls. She was cautious, feeling Stanton push into her mind but she blocked him, glaring at him. He whispered something to Serena and the two of them walked a few feet away.

"What is she thinking?" Tianna said. She still didn't trust Stanton.

"Ignore your emotions about him, Tianna," Catty said. "He may be the only person that can help us get Jimena back. He wouldn't hurt Serena so we just have to follow him for now."

Vanessa shook her head just as Serena came back. Stanton was nowhere in sight. "Where's Stanton?" she questioned.

"He told me that he knows where David took Jimena. He followed them both... I know you guys have a hard time trusting Stanton...but for now he's out only hope of getting Jimena back."

The girls nodded and listened as Serena told them the plan.

---------------------

Vanessa and the other girls walked the way to downtown Los Angeles. This part of town was where the outcasts hung out and was even home to many of the Followers living in Los Angeles. Vanessa felt a chill run down her spine as her moon amulet thrummed against her chest and she felt the warn glow against her skin. She looked at the other girls and saw their amulets doing the same. She noticed Catty give her a quick glance and then watched as some of the Followers eyed the girls, knowing who they were.

"Ugh, this place creeps me out..." Catty whispered. "Who knew that there was actually a place where Followers hung out."

Vanessa tried to hide the smile on her face as she heard Serena and Tianna both giggle.

"Now where exactly is Stanton supposed to be?" Tianna asked with a puzzled look on her face.

"He's around here... We have to go farther," Vanessa answered for Serena.

Serena stopped and looked at Vanessa. "How'd you know?"

She felt her face go bright red. "I came here before...to ask for his help... I knew he would help me because he can't hurt me..."

Catty and Tianna exchanged glances, knowing they had better keep their mouths shut.

"Forget it," Vanessa said, waving a hand nonchalantly, and continued walking. She could feel Serena pushing herself into her thoughts but Vanessa blocked her. She soon heard a loud crash and quickly turned around. Tianna had her back turned to her and Vanessa noticed a Follower stumbling in the metal garbage cans. "Tianna!" Vanessa hissed.

Tianna was shaking. "Sorry but he was bothering me... Getting into my head." She shot a look of disgust to the Follower.

"We don't want to make a scene here," Serena whispered. "We're just here to find Stanton and get Jimena." Suddenly, Serena fell to her knees, her hands on her hand.

"Serena!" Vanessa shrieked, down on her knees as well, trying to figure out what was wrong with Serena.

She moaned in pain. "My head... They're inside my head..."

"Vanessa!" she heard Catty call. She stood up quickly and noticed a group of Followers had made a circle around them. Vanessa groaned. Why?!

"Your power!" Tianna shouted. "Use it, Vanessa."

Vanessa quickly grabbed the hands of her friends and concentrated. She didn't feel her molecules separating and let out a sigh of defeat. "I can't..."

"What?!" Tianna shouted again. She locked on target with on of the Followers and sent him flying and then landed on the ground. "We can't fight our way through all of them!"

Vanessa panicked and saw her molecules separating. "Grab my hand!" she shouted, taking Serena's hand as Catty's hand slipped into hers. She saw her friends' molecules separate and soon they were floating in the air, hovering over the Followers.

"There's no need to stay here," Catty said. "Let's just find Stanton."

"I don't understand why we couldn't've just followed him. It would make things much more easier," Tianna said.

"You need to learn how to control your powers better," Serena said.

"I couldn't help it... I told myself not to do anything but my power just let itself out..." Tianna said softly.

"Oh no!" Vanessa exclaimed. She looked at herself and felt her molecules coming together. "I can't take us any farther..."

"There shouldn't be any Followers around here," Serena said.

Vanessa's molecules came together with a jolt. The four of them fell to the ground. "Ouch..." she said, standing up. "Note to self: work on landings."

Catty smiled but her face became serious. Vanessa felt it too. A shadow lingering... She blinked and found Stanton inches from her face. She rolled her eyes as he walked over to Serena.

"Took the four of you long enough," Stanton said.

"Shouldn't we be somewhere else?" Vanessa asked. "This seems like such a bad place to meet... You being...who you are and everything..." she mumbled.

"No one would dare follow me unless I gave them permission," Stanton said.

"Okay, guys, c'mon, we're here to save Jimena," Serena implied.

The girls nodded.

"Just follow me," Stanton said.

Tianna, Catty, and Vanessa exchanged glances as Serena walked ahead of them and next to Stanton, a smile wide across her face.

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Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to update. I've purchased book 12 and finished it. I like it and I'm very satisfied with it. Better than I was with book 11. :P Anyways, sorry about this chappy, it's fluff actually but review for it if you don't mind. I have no idea when I'll be able to update this story again. Report cards are coming out soon and I might be restricted from the computer.