I need reviews, People! I'm not going to say I need a certain amount of reviews to update, but at least two would be nice.

Anyway, at the start of this chapter, I write kind of…differently. You'll see what I mean. But don't worry. I'm gonna switch back to normal.

Disclaimer: I do not own HoA.

Mara blinked. She was scared. Very scared. But not for Mick. Oh, no, she was scared for herself. Why you ask? Because when Alfie said Mick was kidnapped…she didn't seem to care. She didn't feel worried, either. All morning she pondered this subject. But she couldn't come up with an answer. Until Drama, of course.

Mara was sitting in one of the couches where she and Mick would usually sit, but today Jerome had sat there. He had looked at her in sympathy, while Mara just looked back at him in confusion. She didn't understand why-oh that's right.

Mick.

To tell the truth, Mara had forgotten all about him. And that's what scared her most.

"Mara?" Mara snapped back into focus. "Are you alright?" Amber had asked that question. Oh, Amber. If you only knew.

"I'm fine," Mara smiled at Amber, who looked back at Mara doubtfully. Before she left, she said, "Meeting in the clearing after school." Then she was gone. Most likely going to talk to Nina, or to complain about something to Alfie.

After Alfie had announced Mick's kidnapping, The Sibuna kids had been talking, and they decided to initiate Mara. So they told her to bring her favorite thing. And Mara brought her ring. Mick had given it to her, but ever since Mick left, it hadn't seemed so important. No, what was important was the science book Jerome had given her.

He knew her so well. Mick did not. Jewelry? That's Amber's thing. He clearly hadn't completely gotten over her, but Amber had gotten over him. She and Alfie were dating now…but back to the point.

She had realized it when Jerome had sat next to her…but she didn't know it. Not consciously. But again...back to the point.

"Alright, Mara, now throw your prized possession into the fire." That was Alfie.

"Alfie!" Patricia hissed, followed by a glare from her, Fabian, and Nina.

Alfie squeaked, "Sorry!" He held his hands up, but Mara wasn't listening. No one had noticed but Jerome. He walked up to her.

"Mara, are you okay?" he gently put a hand on her shoulder, and Mara nodded. She had been staring at a ring in her palm, the one Mick gave her.

"I'm fine," Mara closed her hand and looked back up at Jerome. She smiled warily.

"Did Mick give you that?" Jerome whispered, and while he wished he sounded uninterested, his tone came out interested, and somewhat sad.

Mara nodded. "Yeah."

"Is-is that your special object?" Jerome asked again, and he winced at his tone.

Mara shook her head thoughtfully. "I don't know. I used to think it was but-" Mara clutched the science book in her hand harder that Jerome had given. "But I'm not too sure anymore." Jerome nodded at her and turned away, and for a moment they stood in silence as the others continued to argue.

"Enough!" Fabian finally yelled. "Let's just start the initiation. Mara, are you ready?" Mara nodded. "Okay, go ahead and throw it in." Mara stepped forward, and carefully, she tossed the ring into the fire.

Everyone stood and watched the metal burn before turning away and walking back to the house.

"So Jerome told you everything, huh?" Patricia asked. Mara nodded. "Ah…"

"Hey, guys, so, what about Mick?" The kids turned and faced Amber. "What? We're acting like he was never gone, but he was."

"Amber's right," Fabian nodded. "Now we've got to focus on finding Mick."

"If he's still alive…" Alfie murmured, and everyone shot him a look, glaring. "Sorry, sorry!" he held his hands up again.

"Where do you suppose he is? Considering the fact that Rufus took him," Jerome added. Everyone but Mara shivered slightly at the mention of Rufus Zeno. Suddenly, Alfie let out a cry.

"Look! There's Mick!"

I know It's kind of sudden for Mick to come back, but next chapter I'm going to say what happens while Mick is with Mr. Zeno.

~D