Thomas dropped his sword and fell to the ground, his face contorted with pain. Although I was still in shock, I ran to Thomas, tears threatening to spill over and run down my cheeks. I had no idea what was going on, and I was scared out of my mind, but I knelt on the floor next to Thomas and managed to put on a calm face. Inside, I was more than ready to burst.

"That was pretty good," Thomas said to me. "Nice work. I'm Thomas. What's your name?" Thomas winced.

"You're hurt," I replied.

"I'm fine," he said, although he obviously wasn't. "It's just a little burn." I looked down at his left leg and couldn't help gasping. His jeans were missing from the knee down. In place of the missing fabric was a burn, bright red, bleeding, and already swollen. He must have been burned by the fire. Thomas wouldn't be able to walk. Could I carry him and look for help?

"No," Thomas said, knowing what I was thinking. "We can't go to a doctor." I didn't know what to do.

"You need medical help," I told him.

"No," Thomas said again. I sighed. What could I do? I couldn't drag him out of the gym against his will. I don't think I could get Thomas out of the gym even if he was willing. He had to be heavy, and I wasn't exactly a bodybuilder. The stubborn look remained on Thomas's face.

"Fine," I surrendered, glaring at Thomas. I ignored the soft chuckle that escaped his lips but couldn't help flinching when his laugh turned into a moan.

I snapped my eyes shut, begging for my brain to find some solution to the problem at hand. My breath slowed and my thoughts became clearer. It was like a voice was whispering to me, telling me what I needed to do. Almost in a trance, I stuck my hands out.

"What are you doing?" Thomas asked me, looking anxious. I didn't answer, and instead placed my hands on his injured leg. Thomas's entire body tensed and he yelled in pain as my hand pressed down on his burn. He tried to get up, but couldn't.

Thomas's fists were clenched and he was shaking. His moans turned to strangled yells. I was about to lift my hands, unable to take his agony any longer, when Thomas stopped protesting. I looked down at Thomas's leg. It was glowing. I gasped, but I didn't let go of Thomas. His breathing slowed down as the glow faded. When I lifted my hands carefully, there was no sign of the burn.

"I'm Alissa, by the way," I said to him quietly, unable to even register what I had done. Thomas looked up at me in shock.

"How did you do that?" he asked me.

"I have no idea," I said. I couldn't think.

"Well, thanks!" he replied, not pushing the subject any further. Thomas stood up and walked around. He seemed perfectly fine. I stood up too, but immediately I wished I hadn't. I suddenly felt exhausted. I felt dizzy and I grabbed my knees for support. Thomas steadied me.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'll be fine," I told him. My head started to clear and I stood up again. "Now, can you please tell me what is going on?" Thomas looked at me with sympathy, which honestly only annoyed me. I was tired and possibly crazy. I didn't want his sympathy.

"I swear I'll explain everything, but I need to get you out of here," Thomas said to me. I was too freaked out to complain, but the next moment I stopped in my tracks.

"Thomas," I whimpered. "She's back."

"Who's back?" he asked. Then he stopped too. Standing in the doorway of the gym was Chimi, still in monster form.

"Chimi's back!" Chimi shouted. "Do you get it now, Alissa? My name is Chimi, and I'm a Chimera!" I didn't get it, but I wasn't going to say anything. "Oh, and I see you've made a new friend!" she sang. "That's okay!" Her face suddenly became fierce and Chimi roared. "I was only summoned to kill you, but this is much more fun!" she snarled.

"Quick, take this!" Thomas shouted, unsheathing a knife and throwing into my hands before I could react. I grabbed the hilt of the blade, miraculously catching it without cutting myself.

Then, Thomas and I jumped in opposite directions as Chimi breathed a column of fire straight at us. I jumped back to my feet and ran towards Chimi, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Thomas was ahead of me, his sword in his hand.

Thomas came face to face with Chimi the Chimera. Chimi rose up on two legs and punched her hooves toward Thomas, but he deflected each strike with his blade. I ran around to the other side of Chimi, where her snake-tail was. I had no idea how to use a knife, but I kept shoving it in the snake's direction to keep it away from Thomas. It was the only way I could help.

Thomas was fighting well, deflecting every blow Chimi made. He even bumped her on her furry head with the butt of his sword. All he did, though, was make Chimi angrier. She managed to push Thomas on the ground with her hooves, leaving him defenseless for a minute. Then, Chimi roared and opened her mouth wide. I knew what that meant by now. If Thomas didn't get out of the way right now, he would be barbecued.

"Thomas, run!" I yelled, waving my arms like crazy. Thomas looked up at me and ran to the side to get out of the way of the fire, but Chimi didn't attack him. Instead, she whipped her head around towards me. Her snake-tail was staring at me with beady eyes.

"Take her," Chimi told her tail. I swear I could see the snake smile at me. In an instant, the snake had curled itself around my torso and lifted me in the air, my legs dangling. Already, it held me so tight it was hard to breathe. I gasped and pulled at the snake, trying to pry it from my body, but it didn't even budge.

I couldn't see Thomas, but I heard him fighting with Chimi. He was shouting and hitting her. I could feel Chimi stagger backwards as each blow Thomas made struck hard. I thrashed in the air, trying to get free and help Thomas, but it was no use. And I was running out of air.

Suddenly, Chimi took a leap forward and I heard Thomas give a cry of pain as the Chimera made contact with him. I heard the clatter on the floor as his sword was thrown across the room. There was a moment of silence, then another yell from Thomas. My heart raced as my eyes found my knife wedged tight between my hip and a coil of the snake. Without hesitating, I grabbed the knife and pulled it out forcefully.

I ignored the sharp pain in my side and flung the point of the knife into the body of the Chimera. As soon as I did that, the snake-tail went wild. It flung me up and down, and I heard Chimi roar in pain. I felt a searing pain in my arm and looked down to see the snake's jaw clamped tight on my wrist. I pushed the knife deeper into Chimi and felt the snake's mouth unclasp. Then, I was in the air, being thrown away from Chimi and Thomas.

My head hit something hard, and I crumpled. I didn't know if I'd hit the floor or a wall or something else entirely. My head pounded, and I blinked several times to get rid of the black spots that kept dancing in front of me. Gasping for breath, I reached my hand out, trying to get my bearings. That was when I felt something furry. I looked up slowly. Of course, Chimi stood above me, grinning wickedly.

I sat up carefully, my back against the cold wall of the gym.

"You were my best friend," Chimi said to me. "I'm sorry it has to end like this."

There was nothing I could do. I was in no shape to even try to fight Chimi, and my knife had fallen somewhere when I was thrown. Chimi opened her mouth, baring her sharp teeth, and edged closer. I whimpered softly. This was the most confusing way to die ever.

My head spun, and I closed my eyes, just wanting it to be over soon. Something grabbed me, and I flinched. I didn't feel any pain, though. I opened my eyes, ignoring the nausea I felt. Kneeling in front of me, his arms spread out protectively, was Thomas.

My heart did a little flip as I realized we still had a chance. Then, I took a better look at Thomas. His back was to me, so I couldn't see much, but he looked just as bad as I was. The right side of his shirt was soaked with blood, and visible bruises and cuts were marked all over the side of his face. His sword was lying across the gym, bent out of shape.

We were both going to die in this gym. Chimi knew it, too. She let out a roar. Thomas just shifted closer to me, blocking me from Chimi. Chimi just roared again in triumph. Then, she tilted her head back and opened her mouth wider than I had ever seen. I closed by eyes and buried my face into Thomas's shoulder.

I heard someone yell, and then an agonizing roar from Chimi. I lifted my head up. Chimi stood in front of us, her mouth still open but her eyes wide with surprise. Stuck in her throat was an arrow.

Slowly, Chimi disintegrated into gold powder. Behind her, David lowered the bow he was holding and looked over the scene.

"That was fun!" he said. "Let's do it again!"

End of Chapter Threeeeeee!

I really hope everyone liked it! This is probably my favorite chapter.

Okay. So there is one thing I'd like to say.

The next chapter will be very short.

Like you-don't-get-how-short-it-will-be-but-still-totally-awesome-short.

Why? Cuz I like cliffhangers. =]

BUT! No worries. Because it was supposed to be part of this chapter. (Which is quite long...You're welcome.) I just love David so flipping much I had to end it with his beautiful entrance. So please, no hate mail for the short chappy, only love. 3

You know what? I'll post it right after I publish this. On ONE condition. Everyone review this chapter, because it is my life. I'm sure you'll listen.

Well, please do. I like reviews. And long notes at the end of my chapters. I'll shut up now.

Kudos to you if you've read this far and/or this incredibly long note.

*Shut up and write your story*

^Okay.