IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

So I thought about giving YOU,my lovely readers,a little treat!I put a lot of thought into this chapter so I hope you like it..

Alfie's POV

When we arrived at the house, Trudy was there waiting for us by the front door. I looked at my wristwatch which read 12:00. I guess she couldn't sleep. I mean, I know I wouldn't be able to after everything that's happened. Even I had lost my pranking spirit.

"How's Joy?" Trudy asked when we entered.

"She's got some cuts and a broken wrist and stuff but the doctor said she'll be fine" Nina answered glumly. She, along with the others, were down in the dumps too. I knew EXACTLY how she felt.

"Well come inside then and go get changed" she told us, ushering us to our rooms.

"Oh and before I forget, Victor and I talked it over and we've both agreed that you can all sleep in the sitting room. Provided, the girls and the boys sleep on different sides of the room" she announced, letting out a tiny smile.

After she said that I guess the atmosphere in the hallway where we now stood lightened up a bit. We all rushed to our respective dorms, changed, and got the things we needed ready.

When Jerome and I were finished with everything, we lay on our beds and just stayed there, not speaking to each other. I swear, you could actually hear every sound being made outside of the confines our bedroom. Finally, Jerome broke the silence.

"Hey mate?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think this'll all just pass?"

"What's going to pass?"

"You know..this whole mess"

"I guess so. I mean, now that Joy's okay things are starting to get a bit easier right?" I absent-mindedly answer him.

"I wasn't referring to just her mate. Patricia's in danger too" Jerome says.

"Yeah but there's hardly anything we can do about it. She could be anywhere right now"

"I know. To be honest? I'd give anything to have her pouring a pitcher of water on me right now than to know she's somewhere out there, with nobody she knows"

"I couldn't agree with you more Jerry" somebody says. We both sit up to find that Eddie's somehow snuck into the room, probably overhearing most, if not all, of our conversation.

"I didn't know you were standing there mate. How'd you get in like that?" Jerome asked, cracking a smile in Eddie's direction.

"Well, you know, I have my gifts" he answered, returning the grin.

"So I'm betting you're going mad with worry right now?" I ask, getting serious, since you know, there were more important things to talk about than sneaking into rooms.

"Worried doesn't even start to describe how I feel right now bro. I've got the urge to run out of the front door and tear the town down just to find her. Heck, I'd tear down the whole COUNTRY to find her!"

"I feel for you mate" I reply sympathetically. I didn't have anything else to say. He'd taken the words right out of my mouth. Patricia could be really mean sometimes, but she's alright. You know, once you get to know her.

"Before I start bawling my eyes out here, Trudy sent me to tell you guys to get down there. Everybody's waiting for you guys" he tells me and Jerome. We both pick up our pillows and blankets then head downstairs.

Amber's POV

The eight of us were lounging around on the various sleeping bags and mats set on the floor, munching on the snacks Trudy had so graciously provided for us, when Eddie's cell began to ring.

"Aren't you going to answer that?" I ask him, pointing at his buzzing phone.

"I guess so" he mumbles picking up the phone. "blocked number" he says under his breath.

"Hello?"

I had no idea what the caller had said but it sort of caught my attention because he suddenly got all bug-eyed.

"You what! Ysabella, if this is your idea of a practical joke, I don't have time for this right now" he explodes. My eyes grow wide too. It's that Ysabella girl again!

"LOUDSPEAKER" I mouth to him, which he does, as we gather closer to hear the conversation.

"I'm not joking Eddie. I have Patricia. Do you need proof?" she says.

"Fine Ysabella. Put her on the line" he says. I grab ahold of Nina's hand and she clasps mine too. We held in our breaths.

"He- he- hello?" a familiar voice says on the other line.

"PATRICIA!" We all scream. She's alive! Okay so she's not in the BEST company right now but still, Patricia's okay!

"Hello to you too" she answers. I can just imagine her wincing at the volume of our voices combined.

"YACKER! Are you okay? Did she hurt you? Is something wrong?" Eddie babbles, causing us all to laugh a little, including Patricia. He has NEVER been this way, ever. I know he cared about her and all, I was too, but for some reason, it's just kinda funny!

"Relax Eddie. I'm alright! Well, if you leave out the gash bleeding on my arm right now then yeah, I'm in tiptop shape!" she answers. I think she had no idea about what she'd just said. "Wait no! Forget what I said! I'm perfectly fine!"

"Right" he answers rather sarcastically. "Seriously, you expect me to believe that?"

"Oh just shut up Slimeball" she retorts.

"You've got me concerned here Yacker. I won't shut up. Oh and yeah, I miss you" he says into the phone.

"Awwwwwww! That is so sweet!" I cut in, earning an annoyed look from Eddie.

"Seriously Ambs? You just had to do that?" he whines.

"Just talk to her Eddie!" I snap, sticking my tongue out at him. I mean, helloooo there were more serious matters to attend to right now! He then returned all his attention back to his Samsung.

"Yacker? You still there?"

"Yeah I'm here. I miss you too" she answers. Then we here something hard hit her "Ow. Damn" she mutters

"What the hell was that!" Eddie screams, looking angrier and angrier by the second.

"N-nothing" she says out of breath. I can tell that whack was NOT light in anyway.

"Listen, I'm going to get you out of there okay? Hang in there Yacker. Everything's going to be alright. I love you Yacker"

"O-okay Slimeball. Love you too" We hear another thud coming from Patricia's line.

"Patricia!" I shout out, a fresh batch of tears forming at the corner of my eyes. I look to my side to see a teardrop fall on Nina's face. Fabian rushes to comfort her and Alfie kneels beside me and pulls me to him, and I bury my face into his neck.

Patricia, I need you to stay strong okay? I love you the phone back to Bella" Eddie says, his voice hoarse. I knew how much this hurt him. Damn that Ysabella!

"Hello?" Ysabella's voice rings through the still air. At that exact moment, I had the urge to hunt her down and scratch her eyes out or something. Nobody messes with my friends. Especially not some spoiled little bitch like her. Eddie clears his throat.

"What do you want?" Eddie asks.

"Oh nothing. Just... a little visit from you and one mister Jerome Clarke" she answers. I guess she has no idea that we've all been listening in.

I turn to face Mara, who's fuming with anger and disgust. Jerome's face is unreadable. He looks so aloof but I know he's bothered by what she just said. Eddie turns to Jerome. He nods. I notice Mara stiffen at his side.

"Fine. Just, don't touch her. Got that?" Eddie replies.

"Yeah yeah whatever. See you tonight okay? Around 8 pm?" she says.

"Where?"

"Oh that's YOUR problem now." she answers. "Oh and Eddie? If you guys don't come, she's dead" she adds before ending the call.

"Wait wait wait!" Eddie cries in vain but he knows it's too late. He throws his phone away in frustration. Luckily, it hits one of the mats so it doesn't break.

"Crap. What do we do now?" Eddie grunts. "They can be anywhere!"

I notice Mara and Jerome look at each other with knowing looks. Something tells me they've got an idea. Then Mara opens her mouth to speak.

"We know where they are" she says, with a grim expression on her face.

so how was it? tell me what you think!