Moist coils of air gusted through Serena's lungs, her nostrils and mouth twisted into a tight grimace. The sodden taste and odor made her head spin and the unpredictable turbulence did little to steady her pounding heart. Adonis howled in excitement from beside her, his hand in hers. She grasped it harder and then squeezed Catty's to get her attention. "How much longer?" she yelled over the noisy rush.

Catty turned around to give them both a reassuring smile. "Almost there"

Serena groaned, the wind whipping at her scarlet bangs. "Almost where?" She knew perfectly well that "there" could be anyplace from New York City to Timbuktu.

"I heard that", Catty shot Serena an irritated look. "Don't worry. If I land us in a ditch or something, we can always climb our way out"

"And if you land us somewhere in the ocean?"

Catty laughed nervously. "Then we're doomed"

Serena hoped that she was kidding.

Suddenly the tunnel vanished around them and cool night air shrouded their midst. As the whirl wind spat them out, their hands disengaged and they pummeled towards the ground.

"AHHHH!" Serena screamed as she took a not so graceful fall into a row of dark green bushes. The tiny, prickling pines clawed at her skin and she yelped in pain. If that wasn't enough, Adonis came crashing down five seconds later. She moaned as he slammed onto her back and they both tumbled out of the bushes and into a foundation of soft green grass. Opening her eyes, she looked up to see absolute darkness. Or at least it seemed that way. Not one star twinkled against the barren sheet of night, let alone the warming comfort of a pale moonlight. Standing to her feet, she turned around and gasped, unable to believe her surroundings. Not because they were unfamiliar, but for the first time, Catty had actually gotten it right. She whooped in relief at the sight of Jimena's house as she helped Adonis up from the ground. He stared up at her in awe as he had been doing since they left Catty's house and Serena couldn't blame him. She looked nothing like anyone's mom tonight. She wore a black vine tie halter. The tight midriff of the shirt was see-through and the silver glitter scripture designs on it reminded her of her charm. That's why she'd chosen it. A scarlet, snake skin micro- mini covered her thighs in which Catty had painted black flames. More flames scorched over the red fingernail polish on her toes, surrounded by a pair of ankle breaking black sandals. Silver anklets matched with the bracelets hanging at her wrists and the gleaming studs in her nose and ears. She'd tied her charm necklace over her hair so that the scripture dangled at the center of her forehead. Her favorite part of the ensemble, however, was the area surrounding her diamond belly ring. There on either sides of the ring were two 'S's, a crimson rose design closing the circle between them. Serena and Stanton. A sly smile crept over her lips. She wondered how he would respond when she showed him. She would have to find him first… Leaving her dream world, she shook a few bristles from her long red curls. Her hair was all over her head now in result from the tunnel and she was sure that she looked like some arcane Amazon woman. She stared down at Adonis and from the admiration in his eyes, she could tell he thought otherwise. He brushed dirt off of the jeans and white T that Catty had gave him from her childhood days. Her moon amulet hung at the center of his T, as she had let him wear it for protection. He tied the shoe strings to a pair of old Reeboks and then asked the question that she should have been pondering on for the past minute or so.

"Where's Catty?"

"Er…" She glanced around the open lawn. Then as if to answer, she heard screams erupting from the back of the house. She took Adonis by the arm and sprinted off towards the backyard.

"Catty!" she called, racing around the brick wall. "Where-" She stopped in mid- sentence at the person she saw standing there. "Ino?"

A deathly pale Inocencia stared at her from the corner of the building, a baseball bat in hand. Her tiny fingers tightened over the bat and she slammed it into her palm. Her long raven tresses fell lifelessly into her eyes and over her shoulders. She wore a pastel white night gown, its hem billowing in the wind. Dirt caked the skin beneath her ankles as she was barefoot. Serena swallowed hard. She looked like something straight from a horror movie.

"I- Ino…" Serena stammered, slowly reaching for the bat. The girl twisted away.

"What are you doing here?" she whispered, her voice gruff and parched.

"Looking for your mother", Serena told a half truth. "Is she home?"

Inocencia shook her head slowly.

Then, without warning, Catty bolted from the opposite corner. "We have to get out of here!"

"You're telling me?" Serena squeaked, clutching Adonis's hands. "But we have to find Heaven first. I can't just leave her-"

Unexpectedly, Heaven darted out from around the corner, a toy shovel in hand. She ran at Catty who took off down the walk, throwing various objects at her basketballs and a few marbles.

"Heaven!" Serena grabbed her daughter by the arm and turned her by the shoulders to face her. "What are you doing?"

"Mommy!" she cried jumping into Serena's arms.

"Mommy?" Catty asked, taking slow steps back, warily watching the girls.

"She scared me!" Heaven pointed at Catty, her eyes tearing. She glared at Inocencia. "You were supposed to helping!"

The girl motioned towards the baseball bat. "I was!"

"Was not!"

"Shhh". Serena cradled her and put a finger to her lips. "This is my friend Catty. She's not going to hurt you".

"She fell out of the air!" Inocencia persisted. "I think she's a bruja! A witch!"

"Hey!" Catty opposed, her arms crossed. "I'm a Goddess. Get it right"

Serena chuckled softly in amusement and everyone seemed to silence at her laughter. She turned to Inocencia. "Where's your mother?"

"Like I'd tell you"

"We couldn't see nothing-"

"Anything", Adonis corrected her out of obvious boredom, as he sat down upon the lawn.

"Anything", she scowled at her brother. "Cause Collin locked us in one room, but we heard someone fighting"

"Fighting?" Serena asked concerned.

"Yeah", Heaven nodded. "It was Jimena, daddy, and one other person"

Maggie probably. "But you don't know where they went?" Serena asked, growing exasperated.

Heaven shook her head.

"I might know", Inocencia smirked. Serena groaned in response. Maggie's potion had created a force field about the girl's mind and she didn't have time for another brown nosing fest.

"Please", Catty begged. "We really-"

"Don't even try", Serena stared bitterly at Ino. "It only builds her ammo"

The child just put a hand to her hips and blew a kiss in their direction. Serena winced and crossed her arms. Where did she get it from? Then another thought occurred. "How did you two get out?"

Ino rolled her eyes and pointed to an open window. "Did you really think I was gonna let my padre keep me in?"

Serena grinned. Well, it was obvious how she would spend her teenage years …

"Well, where's Collin?" she asked, desperately. He might have some answers.

"I dunno", Inocencia shrugged.

"He had to work late", Heaven told her.

Serena kneeled in the soft grass and put her hands to her temples. What was she supposed to do now? She couldn't search Los Angeles in one night. Catty sighed and strolled over the lawn to place a hand upon Serena's shoulder.

"L. A is a big city", she spoke softly. "If you want to give up, I totally under-"

"No!" Serena roared, jumping up. Suddenly, something occurred to her. "Didn't they tell you?"

Catty shook her head and bit her lip nervously. "Jimena was supposed to tell us tonight when she picked up Vanessa and me"

Serena probed the girl's mind and groaned when she found that she was telling the truth. This left her only one option. Falling to her knees and abandoning all traces of pride and self respect, she looked up into those huge, dark, inexplicably ruthless eyes. "Please?"

Inocencia shook her head.

"I'll do anything"

"I'll tell you when I think of something"

Serena nodded. "Okay…" She scratched at her long garnet curls and twirled the strands about her fingers. Come on. Come on. Come on! "Thought of something yet?"

"Nope"

She swallowed hard. "How about now?"

She shook her head.

"INO!"

"Serena?"

Catty held up the baseball bat. "I say we beat it out of her".

"Catty!"

"Wha- at?" She grinned sheepishly.

"Ino!" Serena pleaded with her. "You don't understand! Stanton's in trouble"

The harshness in her deep eyes softened and a flicker of remorse sparked through them. She sat on the grass beside Heaven and Adonis and pulled her knees to her chest. "Is it because of me?"

"What?"

"Because of what happened". She looked up, her expression fearful. "When he…" She trailed off, apparently, too upset to finish.

"No", Serena whispered soothingly, reaching for her pale hands. "It's not because of you"

"Yes it is" The child pulled away and squeezed tightly at her long legs. A few tears glistened at the corners of her eyes. "I didn't mean to"

Serena cocked an eyebrow. The guy kidnapped her, took her soul, and left her to die. She'd heard of 'forgive and forget' but this was ridiculous. "You mean you still… after what he did to you-"

Ino snarled. "I don't care". She looked away and crossed her arms. "And anyway, he took me off alone". A wicked sneer slipped over her face. "That just proves he likes me more than you"

Serena stared at her in awe. "You're hopeless", she finally groaned and leaned back against the brick house wall.

"And you're ugly. What are you gonna do about it?"

Serena grimaced at her twisted resolve and started to strike back with an equally cutting remark, when the slamming of a car door made them all jump in surprise.

"Who's that?" Catty asked, her expression transforming from amusement at their bickering to vigilance. "Is it a follower?"

Serena put a finger to her lips and shushed her. Walking alertly along the path that led to the front of the house, she peeked out from the side. Her eyes widened when she spotted Vanessa climbing out of the passenger's seat of a blue sports van. She kissed the driver on the cheek and embraced her son before landing. Her white sneakers clumped softly on the earth and she made her way over the walk before raising an eyebrow at Serena.

"Hey! I didn't know you'd be-" Her sentence cut off as she took a good look at her. "You look…"

"Nice?"

"No"

She frowned, wishing she had brought a comb. "Horrible?"

"Amazing!" Vanessa gushed, her eyes full of excitement. "You have to give me some of your tips!"

Serena grinned in relief. "You seem happy" She leaned to her side, watching as the man tossed Michael up and down in the car. She doubted that Vanessa would let just anyone throw her son around… "Who drove you?"

A slow grin slipped over Vanessa's lips. "Michael"

"The Michael?" Her eyes widened. "You guys back together?"

Her smile held some unknown secret and for once Serena felt as if Vanessa were hiding something from her. "We made a few compromises"

Serena nodded, happy for her. "So, what are you doing here?"

The blonde's expression grew wary and her voice dropped to a whisper as if she thought someone else would hear if she spoke to loudly. "I know what I saw"

Serena gulped. Uh oh… "Er… what?"

"Don't play stupid with me". Vanessa scolded. "You saw her too. We all did"

She crossed her arms in anxiety. Hadn't Stanton thoroughly erased her memories?

"Where is she, Serena?" She stood tall, her legs firmly planted, insinuating her refusal to be swayed.

"Well, see…"

"If you don't tell me, I'll-" Vanessa stopped to look pass her, her blue eyes wide. Serena slapped a hand to her forehead wondering just how they were going to fix this.

"Look. I can explain!" Serena started, when a rough hand grasped her shoulder. Her breath caught in her throat. Definitely not Catty…

"Explain what, Goddess?"

She snapped around to see Tymmie glowering over her. He reached for her arm.

"No!" she screamed, but it was too late. Her shoulders and torso were already dissolving into a mass of shadow. She struggled to free herself as he lifted her up over the night, their dark silhouettes speeding down the street. She heard Vanessa, Catty, and her children screaming after her and growled in frustration. Inocencia was probably racing to get her Polaroid… "Where are you taking me?"

"To Stanton"

She had a pretty good idea which one. "Why?"

"You have to ask?"

With that, she looked down to see a deserted stretch of road. Two kids danced around a black car, blasting with hardcore rock music. Tymmie landed gracefully on the road, whereas she stumbled into the hot car hood and moaning, fell onto solid concrete. Fits of high pitched laughter rose from above her and her eyes widened in fear as three inch heels landed not more than half a foot from her head. She looked up to see Cassandra's cruel smirk and scowled back. The girl reached down to help her up, maroon falls cascading down the back of her lacy burgundy corset. Serena immediately slunk away and took hold of the side mirror. She pulled herself to a standing position and glared at Cassandra. Tossing her hair back, she crossed her arms, a cruel sneer enveloping her features. She had obviously been trying extra hard lately to impress someone. Her corset top hung off of the shoulders and a black silky micro mini did little to protect her thighs. Her deep, dark eyes challenged her. "Who are you doing here Goddess?"

Serena groaned. And this was coming from someone who looked as if they were ready for a night out on every shady street corner in L.A.

Suddenly a sheet of darkness traveled over the cement to materialize in front of them. She didn't have to look to know who it was. The puddle of shadow finally came to a stop and from it evaporated the shape of a young man. She stared on until the apparition took solid form. Stanton wore another black tank and dark jeans, chains hanging around the waist. A matching name brand jean jacket covered his arms and she was sure that he hadn't gone through the trouble of buying it. Golden wisps fell over mesmerizing sapphire eyes. As always, he was dangerously seductive. Only this time, she wasn't impressed. Well… maybe just a little…

Could you be more obvious? Cassandra's voice slipped across her mind, blatantly annoyed.

Serena forced herself to look away. I wasn't being obvious.

You were practically drooling

Was not!

Silence.

… Do you think he noticed?

"Oh, I noticed alright". Stanton broke their mental conversation. She looked up into his eyes. They seemed tired, as if he had been fighting something for days now.

"You did?" she squeaked. "I mean, stay out of my head!" She raised her barriers so that it would be more difficult for him to invade. He chuckled at her resistance and ran his fingers gently through her hair. She breathed steadily, determined not to let him take advantage of her emotions.

"Stop it", she batted his hands away, but he only persisted.

"I said stop!" Her promise to his future self seemed like a pretty good idea right now, so she reared back and with as much force as she could manage, she sent a searing backhand across his jaw. Stunned, gawked at her, a single finger lifting to his cheek. Her eyes widened and she slowly backed away.

"Er… sorry…" Damn. What was she apologizing for? She rolled her eyes as Cassandra rushed to his side, caressing his face. And she called Serena obvious? Stanton finally looked up, the calm azure now blazing.

"What the hell was that for?"

"I told you to stop"

"You didn't have to hit me"

"You didn't have to touch me"

"There's a difference"

"You mean it hurt?" she laughed and took a step towards him. "Don't tell me the Prince of Darkness is afraid"

His eyes took on a phosphorescent yellow as he turned to smirk at her. "Of you?"

She nodded, and tightened her fingers into fist to keep them from shaking.

"Of course not". He took her hand in his before she could pull it away and examined it. "Too bad I can't say the same for you"

She snatched it from his grasp and looked down at her sandals. "I'm not afraid. I'm just-"

"Thirsty?" Tymmie sang.

"Obsessed?" Karyl added.

She scowled at them both and put her hands to her cheeks to hide the blush. Could this be anymore humiliating? Suddenly hard rain started to fall upon the Earth, matting her transparent halter to her sides. She just had to ask…

Tymmie turned to Stanton. "Looks like you got a stalker"

Stanton shot him a death glare and he backed away.

"As if one wasn't already enough", Karyl eyed Cassandra who retaliated by pulling a pocket knife out and toying with it, all the while staring at him.

"Stalker?" Serena boomed. "You're the one who brought me here!" She turned to Stanton. "Why?" Was he trying to cross her over to the Atrox?

In time, he let the words slip across her mind. But that's not why you're here.

Then why?

He took her by the arm and led her towards the car. "Get in"

"Tell me-"

"Get in or we'll make you. Whichever you prefer"

She stared into their determined eyes and groaned as they obviously were no where near backing down. She might as well. Karyl pulled open the passenger door for her to slide in, his eyes shamelessly traveling over her body. He reached for her shoulder to help her inside, but she pushed him away.

"Don't even think about it". She grimaced at the broken beer bottles and fast food bags at her feet before settling in. Stanton slammed the door and then made his way around the hood of the car, his eyes on her. She gazed into the deep blue and almost felt sorry for him. He seemed lost and even more, perplexed. Was it because of her?

"Why does she get to sit in the front?" Cassandra whined, enviously.

"She's a Goddess", Tymmie jeered. "It's only natural"

Cassandra hissed at him and he slowly back away.

Karyl raced to the front door. "Can I drive?" he begged, reaching for the keys. Stanton held them out of reach.

"No"

"Come on, man! Please-"

"Are you questioning me?" Stanton forcefully pulled open the door and stared at the boy.

Karyl shoved his hands into his pockets and headed sulkily towards the back. "Man, I never get to do anything…"

Serena snickered at his little episode and then stopped as she watched Stanton climb into the car. He took a quick glance at her before putting the key in the ignition and starting the car.

Pulling her seatbelt on, she sighed as he took off and shuffled her feet uncomfortably. He just continued to gaze at her. She wished he would stop doing that… "So what am I doing here?"

"Stop asking questions", he growled.

"Then stop staring at me!

"I wasn't staring at you"

"Yes you were!"

"She's right", Karyl put in, munching on a piece of chicken that looked a week old. "You were"

"Yeah, you were"

"You never stare at m-"

"Quiet". The word was barely a whisper, but the rear of the car silenced as if a storm had just thundered pass. He grabbed Serena by her chin and twisted her towards him. "I'll stop looking at you and you'll stop asking me questions. Deal?"

"Deal", she breathed and he released her. Soft comforting silence buzzed through their group with the exception of Karyl's low grumbling. After a few seconds, Stanton shot him a dirty look through the rear view mirror and he shut up. Serena took a deep breath and expecting the worst, her lips parted.

"I have a question"

"We had a deal", he smirked, his eyes on the road.

"But-"

"And you agreed to it"

"I-"

"So shut up"

Her eyes flamed with an emerald fire. "I'm not just not one of your lackies that you can boss around-" A wave of energy suddenly rushed towards her, knocking her back against her seat. Whoa…

Having stopped at a red light, he leaned back, strumming his long fingers over the steering wheel. "That's better"

She seethed with stubborn frustration, wondering how she was going to get out of this. It wasn't fair. He had power and intimidation on his side and she had anxiety and muddy sandals. "Hey, Stanton", she called, developing an idea. "Look at me".

Okay. That was stupid.

He cocked an eyebrow, his eyes never leaving the road.

She moved around in her seat distractingly, crossing and uncrossing her legs. He still wasn't looking. Groaning, she started to tap loudly on the glove compartment and whistled to herself. She kicked her heels off and put her feet up on the dash board. Tymmie and Karyl snickered from the back, amused at her show. Cassandra just rolled her eyes. Stanton seemed unfazed.

"Someone's desperate", Karyl laughed. She glared daggers at him and turned back to Stanton.

"I got a tattoo", she crossed her arms.

Silence.

"Wanna see?"

He laughed. "I'm not going to look at you"

She pouted and rolled down the window, despite the rain. The entire back seat howled.

"Let that back up!" Tymmie scolded.

Cassandra shrieked. "My hair's getting wet!"

"Tell her" Karyl prompted him.

"I'm not-"

"Tell her!" they all roared.

The car came to an abrupt halt at the next red light and Serena flew straight up against the dashboard. She moaned in pain and gradually let her legs slip back down to the base of the car. Leaning against the window, she turned to see sapphire eyes piercing through her. If that's what it took to get his attention, she didn't know how much longer she could keep this up.

"Look", she started, tired of playing games. "I don't have time for this. I have to save you". She waited for the confused look or 'what the hell are you talking about?', but instead he just nodded.

"I know"

Her eyebrows furrowed. "You do?"

He sneered. "Do you really think I'd let your friends harm me, Serena? I might be crazy, but I'm not that crazy"

She looked up thoughtfully. He thought he was crazy?

I'd have to be crazy to go out with you.

She scowled at him before crossing her arms and looking the other way. You know you love me.

He had no words for her newfound confidence and she beamed, proud of herself. Their roles were now reversed. She was the huntress and he was her prey. He would fall for her. He had to. She turned to stare at his ethereal beauty and swallowed hard. If she could keep it that way… Determined not to let him turn the tables again, she breathed steadily and leaned back against her seat.

"So do you know that way?"

"I know the way"

Joy spread throughout her chest. "You know where they are?"

He nodded, tossing a few strands of blonde out of his eyes. "But we're going to make a few stops first"

"Stops?" She looked back to see the other three followers staring at her wickedly. She gulped. "What kind of stops?"

"You'll see"

ARGGGGGGGGGH! (tears hair out) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGH! Hey ELEPHANTSROCMYSOX, I got a question for you. Scroll down.

REVIEW CORNER: (where are all my old people?)

MiniSparky- Thanks! Glad you thought the picture part was funny!

HyperRikku59- You were thinking about it all day at SCHOOL? I. Feel. Special. Tear. LOL

AngelGoddess6- DUDE DON'T WORRY! I am ALL for your survival!

Moonlightchild4- I know! I read the outcast like a month or so ago. I LIKED IT! IT WAS KEWL! And everyone doesn't like Stanton. Lol! Just Serena and Cassandra and Inocencia! Catty is just helping because shes 'following her heart' and all that sappy jazz.

Blondie91- THANX KEWL!

Elephantsrocmysox- GLAD YOU LIKE IT HEY ELEPHANTS! LOOK READ THIS! ELEPHQNTS READ THIS! ELEPHANTSROCMYSOX. Which one of my fics did your dad look at that he thought was sick lol?

Maria- Daaaamn. Don't rush meeeeee. Im comiiiiiiin. Lol

Toorikosu- Definitely some steamy stuff! Around shall we say… the next chapter? ;P

DOTMGODDESS- GLAD YOU LOVE IT!

ROCKERFairie13- WHOOOOOOOOOOO! GLAD YOU LIKED IT! SUCH GREAT COMPLIMENTS! THANK YOU!

None of your business (daaaaaaaaannnnnng. Its like THAT? Lol)- Ok! IM HURRYING! Lol AND PLUS, could you please tell me what I could do to keep my characters in check better?