That's when I lost it.

I crumpled to the ground in tears. Why weren't they back yet? Where were they? I looked up and saw another note on the table. I gingerly picked it up, wiping my tears as I read it.

Happy Birthday, Amy! We love you and hope you like our presents! Oops, don't want to spoil anything for ya!

~Fiske, Dan, Madison, Reagan, Jonah, Alistair, Natalie, Ian, Hamilton, Ted, Ned, and Sinead

Yeah, have a happy birthday, Amy. Everyone you love is gone.

The note fluttered out of my grasp. I put my head in my hands. No, Amy. Crying doesn't help anything. I wiped my tears and forced myself to keep my breathing steady. I picked up my phone and called Dan's number.

Nothing.

I tried everyone, but Fiske. I dialed his number. Surely he would have his phone on him.

Nothing.

I fell to the ground once more. What happened to them? Were they captured? Were they…dead?

The thought made me choke up. I ran to my room and collapsed onto the bed. It still unmade from this morning. I shouted just to hear a voice.

Did they really leave me all alone?

This brought a new wave of tears. C'mon, Amy. Pull it together. I wiped my tears away again and looked around the room. The scene surprised me. My room had various gifts sitting around. They were all addressed to me as birthday presents. I picked the closest one up.

It was a small box with a ribbon around it. It was from everyone. The tag said that everyone pitched in. I opened it and gasped. A diamond necklace hung delicately from my fingers.

Happy 18th, Amy. I thought, mesmerized by the magnificent piece of jewelry.

Tear gathered in my eyes once more. I hooked it around my neck and looked in the mirror. One word rang through my mind loud and clear. Beautiful…

Before long, I was surrounded by wrapping paper and tissues. I had gotten an ancient Cahill book from Alistair, a new set of Madrigal thermal gloves from Fiske, a chemistry set from the Starlings, a pair of Gucci boots from Natalie, a gold microphone from Jonah, a monogrammed purple sweatband from the Holts, and I still had two presents left! I looked at both of the tags. One was from Ian and one was from Dan. I picked Dan's up first.

I slowly unwrapped the gift. When I got to the through the decorative paper, I couldn't help but smile. It was an electronic reader. If only I could tell Dan how great the present was. Fresh tears rolled down my face and onto the present. If only I could see him one more time.

I was full out sobbing when I remembered that Ian's present was still at my feet. Through my tears, I picked up the small box. There was a crisp gold ribbon wrapped around it. I opened the box and my breath got caught in my throat.

Inside rested a solid gold ring with small jade stones surrounding the ring. I immediately slipped it on. It fit perfect. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was simple. It was gorgeous. It was me. How did Ian know my ring size? That question was pushed aside in my mind as I spotted a small note in the box. I picked it up.

Dear Amy,

I was in a jewelry store yesterday, (It was against my will, and Natalie dragged me there) and this ring reminded me of you. I know you like things simple, so I didn't get you anything extravagant. I do hope you like it. If you don't, I can return it, and you can pick one out for yourself. I thought I did a pretty good job picking it out, though.

I rolled my eyes at that last sentence. The Kabra arrogance, how charming.

Jade is the stone of your grandmother's necklace, yes? I thought the ring would match the necklace, so when you wear the necklace, you can wear the ring as well. Hopefully, you'll wear it as much as you wear your beloved necklace. Now I really must go, Natalie is getting quite obnoxious. I really hope you like it.

Love,

Ian

Once again, the waterworks came. Did I really deserve all these people that loved me? Not that Ian loved me like that, it's just-

"The present was that bad, eh?"

I looked up, startled by the voice. There, in the doorway, stood Ian Kabra. My mouth fell open, but it was replaced by a grin. I got up, tackled him and we both fell to the ground.

"You're alive," I stated.

"I would certainly hope so," he said, and I rolled my eyes.

"Where's Dan? Is he okay? He's alive, right?" The questions poured out of my mouth. Ian laughed at my worried state.

"Yes, he is perfectly healthy and in one piece. In fact…I found her!" Ian called and I heard footsteps. I quickly stood up from our position and Ian followed suit.

Once he came into my view, I took action. "Dan!" I cried and flung my arms around him.

"I didn't know you were that worried," he said, trying to pry me of him.

"I thought you were dead!" I exclaimed, and everyone came into the room.

"Why?" Dan asked.

"You were two hours late! I tried to call anyone, but I couldn't reach any of you!" I said.

"Oh yeah, that makes sense," I rolled my eyes again, but wrapped my arms around him once more.

"Dweeb," I said, and ruffled his hair.

"Well Amy, I see you couldn't wait to open your presents," Fiske said, and I turned my attention to my feet, the blood rushing to my face. Then I felt Fiske's arms go around me. "It's okay, darling. We hope you liked everything."

"I loved it. Thank you so much!" I said, and everyone grinned. "So, how did the mission go?"

Boy was that the wrong question to ask. Everyone's smiles turned into grim lines. They looked at each other and some people stiffened. I quickly counted the heads and breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone was here. Then what went wrong?

"It went badly," Hamilton spoke up.

"Why?" I turned to Fiske, Dan, and Ian. Fiske decided to answer.

"Nobody was there," he said.

"Wait, what?" I asked to make sure I had heard right.

"It was deserted. Nobody was there. Somehow the Vespers knew we were coming."

A/N: That update wasn't SO fast, but whatever…I hope you liked it! I worked really hard on it! I promise! I like cliffies, so I use them. Simple as that.

You know what irks me to no end? I bet you don't, but I will tell you anyways. The word cliché, especially when someone uses it on one if my stories. Well, I will admit one story is cliché or whatever. That's the Cahill Games. It's an old story, so give me a break. Not that anyone called it cliché…I just decided to put it out there.

Okay, now that I got my pointless rambling out of the way, I'd like to say something serious…nah, I'm really not in the mood. I'm listening to a song at the moment.

She's my favorite artist. She's English. And the song is about fire and rain. Who is the artist and what is the song?

*Hint* It's not Natasha Bedingfield. Nice try, though…

I bet someone will get it! Guess, guess, guess, and guess some more!

~Nataliya