Hey, Butterflies! I'm back with Chapter 3! This chapter is where we start to see a little bit of an increase in the pace, but it is by no means a sprint. I do promise, however, that I will pick up the pace. Just trust me, okay? Here's Chapter 3: Very Clever.

Disclaimer: The Secret Saturdays belongs to Jay Stephens and Cartoon Network.

I've heard it said that the cry of an anguished is the worst sound ever known to humans ears, not because it is physically painful to hear, but because it reflects the raw suffering, torment, and grief the crier bears. But what about when your heart's cry is drowned out by the cries of others' hearts?

I pace nervously around the courtyard. The snow is now just above my ankles; I swear I just cleared all the snow away. What day is it today? Oh yes, today is 7 December. Two days have passed since I gave Anonymous my answer. I really hope xe got it, and I hope xe realizes I am not willing to recant my decision. If xe doesn't like my answer, that is xe's problem. Still, this whole situation gives me so much anxiety. Was it really worth it? I don't even know who Anonymous is or how they know so much about me. It is rather unnerving, but I have no other choice. I need my mother back. We all need Drew back.

A tear rolls quickly out of my eye and freezes to my face. I wipe it away with my gloved hand. This is killing me. I feel so alone, so lonely, so lost. I have nothing left to fight for. The others can find Drew and Mom without my help. It wouldn't be hard at all. They can do things I never imagined being able to do. And all I would have to do it take a running leap into the icy cold waters less than 150 feet from me. It would be so nice. I'd go to sleep and be free from this pain. No more suffering, no more anguish. I'd actually be worth something, and I'd be with Dad again. Stars, I haven't spoken to him since I was taken away. At least I wouldn't have to love with that pain anymore.

But can I really do that to my already suffering family? Glancing out at the ocean, I know in my heart that I can't do that to the Saturdays. Losing Drew was hard; they can't stand to lose someone else. No, I will stay here. If not for me, then for the Saturdays. There is no way on this planet we call Earth that I am inflicting any more pain on my already grieving family. Silently and with my thoughts, I return to the house. Zak has just set the mail down on the table.

The tension fills my body; I become a brick. I see it, there, on the table. The letter with my names in near flawless calligraphy. I grab it, shove it under my coat, and lock myself in my room. A whirlwind of emotions consumes me. Should I open the letter now and see Anonymous's response, or should I wait until later, after everyone else has gone to bed? If I open it now, I won't have to deal with the anxiety of not knowing what is in the letter, but then I would have to deal with the anxiety of trying to continue the rest of the day without anyone else knowing about the letter.

After a few more minutes of debate, I decide to just go ahead and read the letter. It's not like anyone will notice my change in behavior, that is, if there is a change. With trembling hands, I open the letter, careful not rip the envelope. There is a small piece of paper inside with the same handwriting as the envelope. The letter is short, but the contents shock me. Anything but this, I think, anything but this.

Dear Miss Van Rook/ Saturday, December 5

You must think you are quite clever with your little answer to my riddle. Yes, I know you cracked the code. You are very smart, Miss Van Rook/Saturday, but I do not suggest playing with me in such a manner anymore. I know you are young, but a word of advice, people dislike being toyed with, especially by children.

Nevertheless, my word is in writing. I will help you learn about both your mothers. Since Dr. Saturday was the first mother you had and the first you lost, I will help you find her first. Here is your first clue: the very flame that is tied your mother will guide you to her; it is where used items belongs.

If you successfully find the answer to this clue within two days of getting this, I will give you the next clue. If you fail, I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your days.

Sincerely,

Anonymous

I blink several times and reread the letter. How in the world am I supposed to figure this out. What flame is tied to Drew? If only I knew. If only I had gotten to know Drew better. I wish now that I had seen more of Argost's files on Drew. But those files are probably all gone by now. If they weren't destroyed in the War, they were probably taken away or lost to the perpetually stormy weather at WeirdWorld. Stars, why didn't I think to grab the files the last time I was at WeirdWorld? Why didn't I ever ask Munya to save them or make a copy of them? Stars, why am I so stupid? Then an idea strikes me. I pull out a piece of paper and a pen; the words fly off the tips of my pen and onto the paper. Before I even realize it, I am sealing the envelope and writing the address. I grab a stamp and stick it on the corner and put it in the mailbox. Tomorrow, I will send it to Munya. Hopefully he is able to find the files in good condition. I hate to send him back to the stars-awful place, but he is the only person I know who would go back there for any reason.

Fisk sees me coming in from putting my letter to Munya in the mailbox. He stops me and asks what I was doing outside, so I tell him I was putting a letter in the mailbox. Fisk eyes my carefully before nodding and walking away. As he walks away, I notice his shoulders slumped forwards in defeat. I have to got to find Drew, or at least what happened to her.

I sit down with several books in the airship library; one of the books is Drew's photo album that she had hidden on one of the shelves. Looking through it, I never realized how much Drew wanted to keep memories of her life. Most people only have one or two photos lying around, but Drew's photo album is really something special. It's like she was trying to have evidence of as many memories as possible.

You dumby, I think to myself, she lost both her parents and her brother when she was twelve. Of course she would try to save as many memories with her family as she possibly could. A tear trickles down my cheek. She lost her mother when she was twelve; I bet she never imagined she'd leave her own children when they were thirteen.

Finding little information in the airship library, I return to my room in the house. Or at least, I start to return to my room. I am stopped on my way there.

"Lily, come with me." Doc is looking me square in the eyes with Komodo standing by his side. Stars, please don't let them have found out about the letters from Anonymous. Doc, Komodo, and I all make our way to the kitchen, treading lightly to avoid drawing the attention of the others. Doc and I sit down at the table, and Komodo looks up at me intently. "Lily, Komodo found these in your room," Doc says as he spreads the letters out on the table. I look down at Komodo.

"Why did you go into my room if I wasn't in there?" The heat flares around my eyes, and I grow dizzy for a moment from the anger.

"That's not the biggest concern right now, Lily," Doc says. "I read the clue in the last letter. It's probably her firesword." I had forgotten that Doc is reluctant to say Drew's name now. "Her firesword was connected to her in a way I have only ever seen one other time: with Zak and the Claw. I believe that finding her firesword is the most important thing we can do." I nod.

"How can that be possible? Her firesword was vaporized moments before she was." Doc shrugs.

"This whole situation baffles me, but at this point, I am willing to try anything to bring her back."

"So, it's the firesword we're after."

So that's the end of Chapter 3! I hope you all enjoyed it, and I'll have Chapter 4 up soon! Thank you all for reading! I love you all so much! Don't forget to follow, favorite, and review!