Hey guys! Guess who's on time! Yes, well, bad news. Our next chapter will be our FINAL chapter. Thank you for keeping this story alive and inspiring me to make it to the end.

The next chapter will be out on March 5th. Chapter 23. I'll attach the epilogue to the bottom. Be read for some unexpected twists last minute. ;-)

Oh, and a shout out to Mr. Tenor! You know who you are! Congrats on your victory! You know I'll be there at State with you. ;-) 3 3 3

(My readers are smart enough to figure that hint out)

Chapter 22-

The past 4 days have gone by very quickly. To be honest, they have been the best 4 days of my life. Mara, Joy and I have been getting along very well. Out of school, we are the best of friends even though in school, we are still kind of separated. Fabian and I have been going out and I've never felt so loved. The plan is set and all 10 of us are going to meet after school to put the plan in motion. I was currently sitting in Ms. Valentine's 6th period art class. I stared at the clock, counting the seconds left. When the bell finally rang, I bolted out of the class and headed to my locker. I opened it and stared at all of my things. Should I take them with me or leave them behind? I mean maybe I'll be coming back. I stared for a few more seconds before closing the locker and leaving. Joy was waiting by the bike rack with Patricia and Mara with Amber, Alfie, and Willow. Fabian came out of the school and stood next to me.

Fabian: What's going on here?

Nina: Fabian, go with Joy and Patricia. I'll go get KT and Trudy.

Fabian: Nina, what-

Nina: Just go with Joy. We'll explain everything later. Just trust me.

He nodded hesitantly and stood next to Patricia. I looked at Mara.

Nina: Do you have it?

Mara: Got it right here.

She handed me the skateboard she was supposed to get me and I smiled. I nodded at Mara and Joy before skating off. For the record, yes, I do know how to skateboard. When I was younger, a boy taught me how. I don't know why or how, but I still remember. I ride to the house and knock on the kitchen door. Trudy and KT open it, wiping their hands on towels.

KT: Is it time?

I nodded and we went to the stable. I moved Sarah in to another stall so we could have more space. Joy and Mara brought their groups and everyone stood in a circle. When everyone was together, I did a head count. Suddenly, there were 13 heads. Wait, 13? Suddenly I realized that in between Alfie and Fabian were three other boys, Mick, Eddie, and Jerome.

Nina: What are you three doing here?

Mick: Joy asked me to come.

Eddie: And Patricia asked me to come.

Jerome: And Mara was kind enough to invite me. So what's this about?

Nina: This does not involve the three of you.

Joy and Mara looked at me.

Joy: Nina, we need all the help we can get.

I looked at Mara for support, but she was backing Joy up. I sighed and looked at the three boys.

Nina: Fine. They can help. But we only have one shot. If you guys mess up, it's game over, got it?

The three boys nodded their heads and I sighed. Plus three. I hope this works.

Nina: We need your help to take down Caroline. All of you.

Everyone shared looks and smiled. KT and Trudy were shocked and joyful, Amber, Alfie, and Willow were eager, Patricia was smirking, Mick, Eddie, and Jerome shared mischievous glances, and Fabian smiled at me and butterflies erupted from my stomach. Joy and Mara got everyone's attention back.

Nina: Here's the plan. Mara, you're gonna lure Caroline in to the living room then Amber, you and Willow are gonna sneak in to her room and lock it. You'll open the safe under the desk using the code Mara will give you. Take the files that you see inside. Open the door when you hear the special knock we'll teach you later. KT, you and Trudy are gonna make a commotion in the kitchen after Caroline tries to leave the living room. Drop something, spill something, and just make sure it causes a mess so that she has to come over. When she leaves, open the back door. While they're creating that distraction, Patricia, you'll sneak in to Joy's room and get the files in a blue box under her bed and Alfie, you'll go to my room, grab the picture of my mom and dad together that's on my night stand, and you'll wait outside the back door of the kitchen. When KT and Trudy open the door, you'll take the keys from the hook next to the door and you'll run upstairs to where Patricia is. I didn't think I'd have so many people…. Um Eddie, go with Patricia and….Jerome….hmmmm.

Mara: Well, what if Mick, Jerome, and Fabian came to "visit" through the front door and Jerome can knock on the door for Amber and Willow? Afterwards, he can hang around the front door until "they" come.

Nina: I like that idea. Jerome, you, Mick, and Fabian will knock on the front door like you came to visit and you stay behind.

Jerome: Wait. Who are "they"?

Joy: It'll be someone in a nice neat uniform and a clip board or a brief case. That's all you need to know.

Nina: Guys, when you all hear the front door close loudly, come downstairs and meet in the living room. There, you guys are gonna surround her. That's all you guys have to do. Make sure she doesn't escape. Jerome, you stay by the door until they come. Got it?

Everyone nodded.

Fabian: Wait. You and Joy. What are you two doing?

Joy and I looked at each other before looking back at him.

Joy: Don't worry about it. It won't interfere with any of your jobs.

Fabian: But-

Nina: Fabian. Trust us. We know what we're doing.

Fabian stepped forward and tilted my chin up.

Fabian: Why are you leaving?

Nina: Fabian…."they" are social workers. They're gonna save me from here.

Fabian simply nodded and pulled me in to his arms for a hug. We finally parted and everyone gave me a sad smile.

Fabian: So, when does this plan go into effect?

Joy, Mara, and I looked at each other. I didn't think about that.

Mara: I think you and Fabian need a few moments alone so we'll stay here and you two can go in to the woods for a few minutes. Then we can put this plan in motion.

Everyone nodded and I looked at Joy. She nodded at me and looked at Mick with a slight blush on her cheeks. Oh. It looks like she's moved on. Fabian took my hand and we walked in to the forest. We sat at the trunk of a random tree and Fabian wrapped his arms around my waist while I nuzzled on to the crook of his neck.

Fabian: Nina, I love you.

Nina: I love you too, Fabian.

I lifted my head slightly and looked him right in the eye.

Nina: I wish things didn't have to end this way.

Fabian: Who says they have to end?

Nina: …Fabian…

Fabian: I know, but….I just got you. I don't want to lose you forever.

Nina: Fabian, I can't-

He pressed his lips against mine passionately before I could finish my sentence. He and I just kissed passionately against the tree trunk for a while before breaking apart. I stared in to his eyes and felt my heart melt.

Nina: …..I need a miracle. We need a miracle.

He took my hand and put it against his chest so I could feel his heart beat.

Fabian: Don't worry about that. That heart beat, it's beating because of you, because it has you to love and hold on to. *I may not understand how fate works, but I'm glad it gave me the chance to meet you.* *And you know what? You are the girl that pierced my heart with an arrow the moment I came to truly know you. This is gonna sound cliché but who cares. You mean the world to me.* *I love you because I choose to love you.*

I nodded and pulled him in to another kiss. It was softer and sweeter then the last one. When we separated, we got to our feet and started walking to the stable. When we made it back, Joy came to my side.

Joy: Alright. Places people! Mission Denby Down is a go!

Nina: Mission Denby Down?

Joy: What? I had to have some fun.

I shook my head and looked at Fabian.

Nina: Go. It'll work.

He nodded and left while everyone else

Nina: Alright Joy. Are you ready to do this?

She nodded and smiled. The two of us hurried to the outdoor hatch to the cellar. We pulled the heavy doors open and jumped in.