hello all, i'm back!! sorry it took so long for me to update, but i've been really busy. plus i had writers block, which didn't help. anyway, this chapter finally gives some background on Lina's mom. enjoy!

I was walking through the woods, more bored then ever. I was trying to think of something to do when I heard what sounded like a jet. I looked up, expecting to see either a jet, or Doyle. But it was neither one. It was someone with a jetpack, but it wasn't Doyle. It was some guy with dark hair. I frowned. "oh snap!" I cried, realizing who it was. Van Rook was the last person I wanted to see. I started running, but he landed right in front of me.

"I've been looking for you" he said. I glared at him. I started to walk past him, but he reached out and grabbed my arm. "we need to talk Galina" he said, a firm tone to his voice.

I hesitated, but I was curious to know what he meant. "what are you talking about?"

"don't you want to know about your family? your real family?"

"no" I thought.

"don't you want to know about your mother?"

that made me change my mind. "yeah, I guess I do want to know".

"good" Van Rook said, and before I could say anything, he picked me up and flew up into the air. After about five minutes, he landed and put me down. My jaw dropped at what I saw in front of me. It was the biggest house I'd ever seen in my life. I looked at Van Rook.

"you live here?"

he nodded. "yes". I was confused.

"how could the Saturdays not know about this if it's only five minutes away?" I thought, but I turned my attention back to Van Rook.

"come on Galina" he said, going into the large house. I rolled my eyes, following behind him.

"why does he have to call me Galina?" I thought. "real name or not, it's not what I prefer". Once we were inside, we went into one of the biggest living rooms I'd ever seen. That part of the house alone was as big as the airship. He sat down on a long couch, and I hesitantly sat beside him. "so, about my mom…?" I said, wanting to get the conversation over with. I was really uncomfortable there, and I didn't want to stay long.

"well, it was at college when I first met her. about the same time I met Drew Saturday".

I nodded. "yeah, I knew you and Drew used to date".

Van Rook looked surprised, but continued. "her name was Calista Ryan, and she was beautiful". He picked up a picture frame that was on one of the end tables and handed it to me. The picture was of Van Rook with a beautiful young woman. She had long light blonde hair and ice blue eyes.

"so this is…?" I could barely get the words out. "this is my mom?"

Van Rook nodded. "yes. I didn't know it back then, but she was the love of my life. She and Drew got along great, and the three of us were always together". He smiled slightly. "after Drew and I broke up, Calista was there for me, and helped me get over it. After a few months, we started dating. And then about a year later we got married". He looked right at me. "and then you were born". He sighed. "that was the most wonderful day of my life. Calista and I were so happy…" his voice trailed off, and he looked like he was trying not to cry. I swallowed, my heart beating faster. I took a deep breath and asked the question that had been plaguing me lately.

"where's my mom now?" he sighed and looked at me. I could tell by the look on his face that he didn't want to tell me.

"your mother's gone Galina. She's dead".

I felt like someone had hit me in the stomach with a rock. "what?" I swallowed again. "how long has she been… gone?"

"she died a few months after you were born. I have no idea how. She was so healthy, I just don't understand…" I frowned. I could tell that he was really upset.

"I'm sorry" I whispered.

He looked at me. "you have nothing to be sorry about Lina".

I sighed, but then I realized something. "did you just call me Lina?" he smiled a little and nodded. There was silence in the room for several more seconds as I took all this in. then I stood up. "well, I guess I'll go now. I want to get back before someone notices I'm gone".

Van Rook stood up. "you could stay here, with me".

I sighed and shook my head. "I could never do that. I'm sorry". He looked crushed, and I couldn't believe that this was the same Van Rook who held illegal cryptid fights, and who was always after the Saturdays. I turned to leave, but stopped and turned to Van Rook. "thank you… for telling me about my mom".

He nodded. "you have a right to know". I smiled a little. Then I quickly left, not wanting to stay any longer. As I walked back toward the Saturday's house, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I felt a little better about things. Later that evening, as I was coming out of the bathroom, I noticed that my bedroom window was open.

"that's weird" I mumbled, going over and closing it. "I could've sworn…" but I stopped talking when I saw something on my bedside table. I turned the light on and looked to see what it was. I smiled a little; it was the picture of Van Rook and my mom.

well, what'd y'all think? i think this story is going along quite nicely, and i'm hoping to have chapter 11 up a.s.a.p!! hope that was to your liking, and please review!!!!

-FreddysNightmare1984