I have Nina AND Fabian doing the disclaimer now!

Nina: Ice-Princess-93 doesn't own the house, us, or anything else.

Fabian: She also doesn't own Alfie and Jerome's pranks, Patricia's Goth Pixiness, or Amber's girliness.

Me: Thank you guys. :)

*they kiss*

Me: Riiiiight. Now, on with the story.

As soon as we stepped into Victor's office, I noticed something: It was claustrophobic.

And I have major claustrophobia.

Noticing my sudden change in breathing, Fabian squeezed my hand as we looked around the room. I saw Mr. Sweet, Mr. Winkler, and Mrs. Andrews all standing behind Victor's desk, with Victor in his chair, a serious look on his face. I flinched when he spoke, breaking the silence.

"Rufus has kidnapped Mick Campbell and Mara Jaffray," he said, folding his hands.

"And he's threatened to hurt them if we don't give him what he wants," Patricia finished angrily, her signature glare present.

"You have to help us," I spoke, my voice trembling. I had almost forgotten about the claustrophobia, then I looked around again and another wave of panic shot through me.

"What does he want?" Mrs. Andrews asked.

"Same as last time. The Cup and the elixir," Jerome explained, stepping forward.

"But why? I mean, they're useless!" Amber interrupted. "Well, unless he kidnaps Nina and holds her hostage for another twenty-five years, there's no way he'll - Ow!" she was cut off by Patricia elbowing her in the ribs.

"Amber! Not helping!" Fabian exclaimed, pulling me closer to him.

"We must make sure he doesn't get his hands on anyone or anything," Mr. Sweet announced. We glared at him.

"And how do you suppose we do that?" Patricia shouted, getting right up in the teachers' faces. "If we don't give him the Cup or the elixir, he's going to kill Mick and Mara! Don't any of you idiots understand that?" She was seething. We all took a step back, not that it would make a difference. There was nowhere to go in the cramped office.

"We understand, Patricia," Mr. Winkler spoke, stepping forward and locking gazes with her. "We'll get them back."

"How?" Alfie asked. I forgot he was here, he was so quiet.

"Where is the elixir?" Mr. Sweet asked, completely ignoring the question.

"There is none!" Victor shouted, standing up. His face was getting red with anger. "Rutter threw out the real thing after giving the fake flask to Zeno!" he spat, pointing to Fabian. Then he sat down and started stroking Corbierre.

Last night's message came into my mind. "Beware the black bird," I whispered. I made myself sound so inaudible that I didn't even think Fabian heard me, until he nodded in the slightest way.

"Right," Mrs. Andrews continued. "So Fabian threw the real elixir away and you six have the Cup."

We all nodded simultaneously.

"Hmm." she started pacing back and forth in the little space she had. She turned to Fabian and I. "Have you thought of giving him fake vile of the elixir again?"

"I have one, but wouldn't he be expecting that?" Fabian answered, digging through his bag and pulling out he capped beaker. "Hey!"

"Don't worry, I'll give it back." Victor had taken it from him and uncapped it, sniffing it. I never understood why they always did that. "It will have to do," he said, capping the flask and handing it back to us.

"What if he tries to kidnap me?" I asked nervously, a single tear escaping my eye.

"Nina. He's not going to touch you. He's not allowed to." Fabian spoke softly, yet he had a forceful edge to his voice if that was possible.

"Yes," Victor stood up again. "Miss Martin, we will make sure Zeno doesn't take you."

Surprisingly enough, I felt a bit better. Well, I did until he spoke again.

"Everyone, gather your things. We'll leave in an hour."

We all went our separate ways - well, the teachers did anyways. The rest of Sibuna followed Fabian and I back into mine and Amber's room. Jerome shut the doer behind us, and then Amber and I decided to burst into hysterics.