The Shadows- *Started, but spots still open!*

Pierce

Oh. My. God. Is this really happening? Annarose is really going to stay with the prince to save us and, more importantly, Han? I leap to my feet. "Son of a...," I begin, then remember there are little kids near. "Sorry."

What happened to killing the prince? After all, that had been her plan. If she went through with it, none of this would even be an issue. With my powers, can I do it? I've never killed anyone by controling their minds, but... I remember something. When someone sneezes, every organ in their body shuts off. Suddenly excited, I think about how if I could convince his brain that he's sneezing for long enough, or maybe even just shut every organ in his body off...but no. After too much use, my powers wear me out. If I kill someone, would I die too? Even if I wouldn't, would I be able to go through with it? It's too much to risk.

GINNY

Rosey was back! I wiggled off of Helen's back, Jakey following me. We were running to where Rosey had taken Han, but Peirce put her arm infront of us.

"Hey!" I muttered, glaring at her.

She looked at me sadly and shook her head. "Don't go in there. They'll come out and you can say hi, alright?"

I jutted out my bottom lip and crossed my arms across my chest. Pierce looked upset, so I stopped glaring at her. "Sorry," I murmered, looking at my feet.

Jakey

I ran after Ginny only to be stopped by Pierce from even saying hello to Rosey.

"I want to see Rosey!" I whined tears prickling at my eyes. I was upset that she hadn't wanted to come and see me first, before everyone else. Pierce knelt down beside me.

"I know, but I think we shouldn't interfere on their conversation right now. It's something important. I'm pretty sure she will come and talk to you Jacob," Pierce said softly. I had never really spoken to Pierce before, so I found it easy to get angry with her.

"Pretty sure?" I asked annoyed. "What if she doesn't want to say hello to me? What's going on? I want my mummy back and I want my brother back and since I know they can't come back I want my Rosey!" I cried stamping my feet on the ground before collapsing into tears.

Pierce looked lost at what to do she muttered something and moved away slightly, still watching to make sure we didn't run to Rosey. Ginny sat beside me and put her arm around me.

"Don't worry Jakey, Rosey will come and see us. I know she will."

Pierce

"I want my mummy back and I want my brother back and since I know they can't come back I want my Rosey!" Jakey cries angrily, tears pricking the corners of his eyes. What is one supposed to do in this situation? He can't have "his Rosey" either, and there is no easy way to tell him so. This kind of thing is hard to handle, especially for children. They think they're upset now...seeing Rose is only going to make it harder for them to leave her.

"We can't always get what we want, no matter how much we want it," I mutter under my breath, too quietly for Jakey to hear. Ginny puts her arm around him, which seems to comfort him a little.

I sigh guiltily into my hands. The poor kids only want to see Annarose, only want her to hug them and tell them it's okay. They probably both hate me now, or are at least angry with me. I don't talk much, so it's not hard.

GINNY

I stared into the trees for a second, waiting for Rosey to come out and say hi. But she didn't-- not yet. I knew she would, especially to say hi to Jakey. That's why she got captured in the first place anyways, to save Jakey.

I sighed and looked at Jakey, he was still upset. "You know what I think?" I asked quietly. He looked at me and shook his head. "I think that she loves you a lot. Do you know why?" He shook his head again. "Because she got captured just so that she could save you from the prince."

I yawned before he could answer and sat down.

Zanea

I was still numb and trying to think of a solution, but what solution was there? None. Annarose was going to give herself up..... and I couldn't stop her.

Helen

Helen had been watching Ginny, Jake and Pierce talking, and hadn’t said a word. The bizarre, superstitious feeling she had sensed earlier was growing, and she did not like it.

“Awright,” she muttered to herself. “Five minutes until I just barge in there and demand to know what the bloody blazes is going on.” She sighed and sat down next to the distraught Jake, and shared an uneasy glance with Pierce.

“They’re both right, honey,” she told Jake. “Rosey will come see us,” And if she doesn’t, I’ll eventually go and fetch her for you, She thought, giving the little boy’s shoulders a little squeeze.

Jacob

I wiped away my angry tears and smiled at Ginny and Helen. "Yeah," I said thoughtfully. I was glad that Ginny thought Rosey loved me, it was a nice feeling.

Ginny continued to stare over at Zanea, Rosey and Han. "What are they doing over there?" She wondered allowed, a hint of irritation in her voice. "It must be something bad..." she concluded.

"You don't know that," Helen said trying to keep Ginny calm. She glanced at me to see if I was worried by the conversation. I smiled back at her.

"It won't be bad," I said confidently. "Rosey will know what to do if it is anyway."

"Umm, Jakey," Helen said biting her lip. I could tell that she wasn't so sure. But I wasn't going to let that knock my spirits. Ginny had said that Rosey loved me, and that was all that mattered right now.

Han:

I stared down at AnnaRose with a frown. She was crying her heart out and holding onto me tightly.

"Anna...," I whispered and she looked up. "Stop crying, please?"

The prince was after us-we couldn't stay still forever, but in that moment, I wanted nothing more than to stay like that. I wasn't sure if the others knew or not, but I loved her. I wasn't sure if she knew but I was damn well going to tell her before it was too late.

"Anna," I began, frown deepening as my sense of danger spiked. "I..."

"Well, well, well," the prince called, "Would you look at this?"

I swore and pushed Anna behind me. I dispised my brother. I hated how he always appeared at the worst moments. He was a spoilt brat, being the Empress' son and not the Emperor's. I ground my teeth and watched as he moved closer.

ANNAROSE

I glared at Scyth, grabbing Zanea and pulling her back. "You were supposed to wait," I hissed. Does this mean the deals off? The thought was tempting, but no. The deal was only off if he hurt one of them, and as far as I knew he hadn't done that yet.

He shrugged, grinning. "But I didn't."

If he had touched any of them, I would snap. I still had to go explain this to them. Jakey, you need to go say good-bye to Jakey. But how did I explain that I was leaving again to him? That this time I wouldn't be coming back? And then there was Han...

Then again, if Scyth had so much as scraped any one of the group, the deal would be off and I'd be free to kill the little worm. A slight scratch wouldn't hurt anybody much, but it would still break the deal. I suppose there was hope... at the extent of others. That's sick Anna. I told myself bitterly.

Scyth

I smiled at Anna’s obvious anger. How amusing.

“I’m just here to make sure you don’t do anything foolish… like run away.” Anna opened her mouth to protest, but I steamrollered on. Now, I’m not saying that I had a pre-prepared monologue ready, but to be honest, I just wanted to gloat in front of my half brother.

“Don’t say that you’re too proud to break a promise,” I rolled my eyes, “because believe me, I know you’re too stubborn.” I smiled evilly (one of my specialties) and tapped my sword hilt. “So I’m just… chaperoning, I guess you could call it.” I smiled and leaned against a tree. “So go on and do whatever you were doing.” I waved my hand. “Don’t let me interrupt. I’ll get plenty of time to torment you later.”

ANNAROSE

I narrowed my eyes at Scyth, quite sure I had never hated anybody more than I hated him. "Chaperone then. You or any of your little sheep lay one hand on any of them and the deal's off. You're head will be mounted on the stake, as promised." I bowed mockingly and grabbed Han and Zanea's arms, tugging at them.

We came through the trees and Jakey squealed, running at me and wrapping his arms around my legs. I laughed and scooped him up up, hugging him tightly. "Hello Jakey," I whispered. Gosh I had missed this kid. Ginny ran up to me and smiled.

"Welcome back!" she chimed happily.

My smile faded and I swallowed. I swear I could hear Scyth laughing, but I couldn't be sure. Coniving little...

"Anna..." Pierce started, but stopped. Had she heard? Apparently.

GINNY

There. I told Jakey she would come back and say hi to him. But something was wrong, very wrong. Anna was all but crying, Zanea had tears on her face...

"What's going on?" I whispered, frowning. When grown-ups were upset, it usually meant that something bad was going to happen.

Pierce

"Anna..." I start, but seeing Jakey and Ginny stops me. Turning my glare towards Scyth, I let all my anger and frustration show through my eyes to him. If only I could attack him...but it would only put everyone, and myself, in danger.

Wait...maybe I didn't have to attack him, but make him attack me. I could do it. It would hurt me, but I'd be fine mentally, and hey...just a flesh wound.

You will unsheathe your sword and slash me down my arm. Obediently, Scyth lifts up his sword and walks toward me in confusion. Good boy, Scyth. Keep on coming. He raises his sword and brings it down in a smooth movement, slicing through the soft flesh of my arm. Following his sword, blood rises to the surface of my skin, leaving a trail of red from my shoulder to my forearm.

Everyone stares in shock, including Scyth. I try to hide a smirk, but Anna sees it. Her seething eyes meet mine, and I stare back coolly.

Scyth

I blinked in shock.

“What the - ” I stared, dumbfounded for once, at the girl I had just attacked. “What the hell?!” I roared, more embarrassed than anything. “You – how did you – what the...!” I glared at AnnaRose. “This was a trick!” I snarled, advancing, my bloody sword still drawn. “This was your idea! You impudent little…” I raised my sword to strike.

“Hold it,” said a infuriatingly calm voice from behind me. I whirled around, furious, out of control, to face the speaker.

“Night night,” The voice said, and something slammed into my temple. I managed a weak “Ouch,” before I passed out. How humiliating.

Helen

Helen smiled and dusted off her hands. Okay, she hadn’t actually used them for anything, but it was still a neat bit of telekinesis.

“Man, he was annoying,” she said, grinning at the stunned look on Anna’s face.

“There are soldiers out there,” Anna said hoarsely. “They’ll come looking for him.” Helen waved her hand.

“Yeah, yeah, I guess you’re right. But we can deal with them, I think.” Her grin widened. “Good to have you back, Anna.”

ANNAROSE

I grinned at Helen. "Good to be back." I hugged Jakey tighter and ruffled Ginny's hair. With any luck, I wouldn't be going back to the palace at all.

Ginny stomped over to Scyth and crossed her arms. I arched an eyebrow, ammused. She gave his unconscious body a good kick in the side and spat on his face. "Nobody messes with my new family!" she hissed.

I let out a laugh that was followed by others and Ginny let out a triumphant smile.

I set Jakey on the ground gently and crossed my arms, turning to Han. "I believe you were about to say something to me before we were so rudely interupted?" I grinned coyly and arched an eyebrow.