A/N: So, we've passed the 50 reviews mark! THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH! Wow, this is the first of my stories to do so.

Now…on with the story!

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Chapter 18: How to Save a Life

Leigh POV

I heard the boys call my name, their voices full of shock and confusion. Quickly, I assessed their condition. They were worse for wear, but they'd live. I shifted my focus from them to the man who imprisoned them.

"Sparrow…you actually came," the man said, his eyes lit up like a child on Christmas morning, "I wouldn't have recognized you were it not for that pendant you still wear around your neck." He said the last part as if it tasted of poison. Self-consciously, I touched the stone on the necklace.

"You did a really stupid thing, Frankie," I objurgated, "Don't you realize how much publicity you've brought yourself by taking them? You have the whole world's attention now."

"Including yours," he declared smugly.

"Including mine," I conceded, "And you have me here, as well." I jerked my thumb in the boys' direction, "They fulfilled their role, so why don't you just let them go?"

"It's like you don't even know me at all," he replied, feigning offense, "Now why would I let them go when the point was to make you suffer?" He then snapped his fingers. Wordlessly, one of the goons approached Carlos and delivered a mighty punch to his gut. I saw Carlos start coughing, and to my dismay, blood began to drip down his chin.

I had to think on my feet. "Because," I began, "We both know that ultimately you want to kill me."

I then reached inside my pocket, and before anyone could react, I pulled out a dagger, pointing it at my heart. Frankie's eyes grew wide, and I heard the boys scream at me, their words unintelligible.

"And if I die of my own accord…well, what satisfaction will you get from it?" Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures. And while I hated to do this in front of my friends, it was absolutely necesssary.

"You wouldn't," he hissed.

"Wouldn't I?" I shot back. I moved the dagger's position from my heart to my wrist. Inconspicuously, I held my breath before dragging the blade across my wrist. I gritted my teeth at the pain, but continued until a steady stream of red appeared. The boys' screams became louder, but the pounding in my ears prohibited me from hearing the words they were saying.

Pushing my injured arm against my stomach, I repositioned the bloodied dagger to my heart, my eyes locked on Frankie, daring him to make his move.

Frankie returned my gaze, debating whether or not I'd actually have the guts to kill myself. Deciding the risk wasn't worth it, he looked at his cronies.

"Release them, and escort them out," he growled, obviously not pleased with the power he had just given me.

His four buffoons complied, releasing the boys from their bondages. Each man firmly grabbed a boy, steering them toward the door. I watched sadly as all four of the guys tried to break free, calling ou t to me as they did so.

"Leigh, don't!" Kendall exclaimed, his eyes incredibly big.

"Li-Li!" Carlos wailed, tears pouring down his cheeks.

James and Logan both flailed and struggled the hardest, giving their all to escape.

It took all of my willpower to keep my brave face on. I smiled at them encouragingly, hoping they'd believe everything would be okay. But, the truth was, if all goes according to plan, this would be the last time I saw them.

The eight of them file out of the room, slamming the door behind them. For a moment, all was still. Then, Frankie turned to me, his eyes narrowed at me.

"I held up my end of the bargain. Now, hand your dagger over."

I held it firmly in my hands. "I'm going to need some proof that they are ok first."

My advesary shook his head slowly. "Wily as ever. I'm sure your father would be proud."

I remained silent, my grip on the dagger tightening in response. Frankie took no notice, for he simply pulled out a remote from his pocket and pushed a button. A gigantic monitor descended toward us. Once it stopped its movement, Frankie pushed another button and the screen came to life. On it, I saw my four friends, looking lost and scared, but otherwise fine.

I coughed, and chucked the knife in Frankie's direction. It landed right in front of his feet, mere inches from his shoes. He paid no mind to my belligerence, and swiftly picked up the dagger. Twirling it in his fingers, he began to cackle.

"You are a foolish girl. You knew coming here would spell disaster for you, and yet you still came. Do you have a death wish?"

"Better this than spending the rest of my life being chased by some a-hole like you," I retorted.

His smirk was wiped off his face. The corners of my lips curved upwards as a result of his actions. I felt my resolve solidify.

"And what will you do after you finish me off?" I continued, "go after everyone else involved? Where will your revenge end?"

"Do not question me, child," Frankie seethed, "I will get my vengenance, and it begins here with you, right now."

"That's why I thought you'd say," I stated jauntily. I shoved my good arm into my pocket, fingering the small remote I carried in there. Before Frankie could even question what I was doing, I pushed the lone button.

James POV

"We can't just leave Leigh in there!" Kendall exclaimed, looking back at the warehouse worriedly.

Logan ran his fingers through his hair, clearly upset. "Well, how do you propose we get back in there? That man has people all over the place. We'd never get passed them!"

I felt my heart sink. "We can't," I remarked, defeated, "It's impossible!" Angry, I kicked at the ground, causing a dirt clod to disintergrate.

Carlos was about to say something, when we heard rustling nearby. We ceased our movements, eyes glued to where we heard the sound, preparing ourselves to fight if necessary. Out of a bush to our left, two figures emerged.

"Do not be alarmed, we're here to help you," one of them, a man, said. He held his arms in the air, showing he possessed no weapon.

"And why should we believe you?" Kendall fired back, making it apparent he didn't trust either of these people.

"Do you even know where you are?" the man's companion, a female, inquired, "Do you know how to find your way back home?"

"Well…no," Carlos responded, realizing just how lost we were.

"But we can't leave!" Logan cried, "Not without our friend. She's still in that warehouse." I bobbed my head furiously, agreeing with my friend.

The two strangers exchanged a glance, one that made my heart skip a beat. They know something.

I stared at the two of them. "Who are you guys any—"

KABOOM! The ground shook violently, causing us all to fall to the ground. My mind began to race…what just happened?

I heard a scream, and saw that it belong to Logan. His normally light skin grew impossibly pale, his gaze of horror directed at the warehouse behind us. I rotated my head, to see what he was looking at, as did everyone else. I felt the world spin, as my brain picked up on the scene I encountered. The warehouse was on fire…that boom we heard and felt was an explosion. Inside the warehouse…where Leigh was.

"LEIGH!"

A/N: I promise…everything will be revealed in two chapters! I PROMISE. You guys seriously have no idea how excited I am. I'm sooo excited.

So, I'm thinking there's going to be about four (possibly five) more chapters til this story is done with. We are almost there, people! Prepare yourselves. ;)

Anyways, let me know what you thought about this chapter! Do you totally hate me?

Thanks again for reading! :)