Selene's pov

I have to do this. I've relied on Naomi for too long. This is my problem, not hers. I have to finish this on my own.

I stared out at the city, pressing my palm against the side of a tree. With Fang and Saber at my sides, I took a step forward followed by another. My hand left the tree trunk and I took a few more steps.

I glanced back at the woods with a small smile. I finally left the forest again. I walked onwards, my beasts following behind me as I stared up at the setting sun. I knew where I needed to go. The spirits showed me where my grandfather was.

I stayed out of the streets and away from houses while making my way around the city and to the place I was shown. It was a large, circular tent, similar to those used by a circus, I believe that's what they're called.

I carefully lifted the edge of the tent and slipped inside, leaving Fang and Saber to keep my entrance open. The area was large and dark. I could barely see.

I did, however, notice what looked like a small tiara-like headpiece lying in the middle of the area. I knew that was it. I quickly rushed over and grabbed it. In an instant, a bright light shown down on me.

I flinched and looked around, now seeing people surrounding me. There was at least a dozen of them and they all wore lab coats.

"Ah, so this is the being we were looking for," one of them said.

"The notes were right," another added. "As if the crystal called her here, she came."

"Who knew it would be a girl."

"She has other crystals as well."

Memories flooded my mind. This is just like what happened before. I was caught up in a sea of people, all talking and murmuring about me. I was like a wild animal to them.

I broke down. Fearful tears ran down my face. I clutched my head and dropped to my knees in an attempt to drown out everyone. But it didn't help. I knew they were there, all around me. Looking at me as if I were a mythical beast.

"She'll make an excellent subject," a male voice said. "Let's bring her back. I'm eager to start studying this one."

I suddenly felt something poke my arm. I looked to see a woman with a needle in her hand. She injected me with something. I started to get up and reach for my dagger when several people grabbed my arms.

Despite my thrashing, I was held still until a tired, weakness overtook my body and I was released. My vision began to blur, but I did notice Fang and Saber looking as if they were about to pounce.

I pointed straight at the two dogs before falling on my stomach. Before my eyes got too blurry, I saw both creatures disappear beyond the side of the tent.

I smiled to myself. I believe they understood. I laid there, regretting my foolish decision to come here alone. I really am weak without Naomi. My eyes slowly closed on their own and I was cast into a pitch black darkness.

Naomi's pov

My eyes were glued to the TV. With Jeff's arm around me, I leaned into him a bit while still munching on my popcorn. Damn, these horror movies are so cheesy.

I suddenly heard low footsteps and we both turned our heads to see Jack enter the room. I looked all around him, not seeing the person I was looking for.

"Where's Selene?" I asked him.

He sighed and plopped down next to Jeff on the couch. "She went after the final crystal. Said she had to do it alone."

"What?!" I shouted. "And you just let her go?!"

"She insisted on me staying here. She did say that you could meet up with her at the edge of the woods if you want."

I jumped out of my seat. "That's it, I'm going after her."

"Woah, slow down now," Jeff said, taking my hand and pulling me back down onto the couch. "Selene wants to do this herself, we should just wait for her to return. She'll be fine."

I sighed. "I guess so. What do you think, Jack?"

"We should respect her decision, no matter how much we want to go after her."

I smirked. "Oh, so you do wanna go too. You must really like her, huh?"

"N-No, I don't!" he yelled slightly.

Jeff chuckled. "You totally do. You've grown attached, just like I have."

Jack seemed to stare down at his lap. I reached around Jeff and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, it'll all work out. You two are meant to be together."

I almost instantly covered my mouth. Why the hell did I just say that? I wish I could slap myself for blurting that out. Jack looked over at me.

"What do you mean?" he questioned, tilting his head to the side.

I guess I might as well tell them. What harm could it do? They deserve to know what Selene told me. I let out a sigh.

"A while back, Selene discovered that the spirits had chosen you two... to be our... mates."

Jeff nearly choked on his popcorn. "What?! You knew all along we were supposed to be together?!"

I nodded. "Yeah, but Selene told me not to say anything and we couldn't believe it. We thought the spirits were tricking us."

With his arm around me, Jeff pulled me closer and whispered in my ear, "Mates, huh? Well let's get with the "bonding", shall we?"

I pushed him back with a red face. "Not on your life!"

We then noticed the way Jack had fallen silent. "Jack, you okay?" I asked.

He stared down at his lap again and muttered, "Selene and me... mates?"

He abruptly stood from his seat. "We have to go get her. I can't let anything happen to her, not before I tell her that I... I..."

I could somehow tell that he was blushing under his mask. "Aww, Jack, you really do care about her," I teased.

We suddenly heard a loud bang coming from the front door. Jeff and I jumped out of our seats, hearing another couple of bangs. I noticed Bella and Edward come crawling to me from the foyer. I picked them up and let them climb onto my shoulders.

The three of us then rushed to the front door. We opened it, seeing Fang and Saber gathered on the porch, whimpering and whining. I immediately knew that something was wrong.

"Something happened," I stated quietly. "Selene must need help. We have to go."

"But Slender and the proxies are out right now," Jeff said.

"Then we'll have to go without them," Jack said. "We can't wait for them to return. We have to find Selene now."

I nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's go."

With Latte nearby, I called her over and climbed onto her back. Jeff got on behind me while Jack got on Saber's back. I was a bit surprised to see the way that neither dog even took a snap at him.

I guess with the way he's been hanging around Selene, Fang and Saber have gotten used to him. We rode out of the woods with Fang and Saber leading the way. They ran all the way around the city to a large tent.

They both swiftly tore right through the side, making a large opening for us. Going inside, we got off our beasts and looked around. It was dark and empty.

Fang immediately began furiously sniffing around at the ground, trying to find a scent. Bella and Edward got down from my shoulders and followed behind the large dog, sniffing as well.

"I wonder what happened here," I said mostly to myself.

"Something bad," Jack stated. "Why else would Fang and Saber bring us out here?"

Jeff looked around his feet. "I don't see any blood or anything."

I let out a small sigh. "Your right, which means there wasn't a fight here. Selene should be okay."

We whirled around upon hearing a bark from Fang. We rushed over to him, watching him nudge something with his nose. Jack bent down and picked up the object.

"It's a needle," he told us, examining it closely.

I clenched my fists in anger, seeing the medical tool for myself. "I think I know what happened here. Selene was captured. There must be more of those damn scientists."

"But I don't remember letting any escape us before," Jeff said, crossing his arms.

Jack gasped. "Masky and Hoodie said that the notes on Selene at that lab were gone. They couldn't find any trace of them."

My eyes widened at the realization. "Which means there are more scientists. We have to find them, there's no telling what they could do to Selene."

"Maybe Fang can track her scent," Jack said, looking over at the large beast.

Fang immediately sniffed around some more, as if proving what Jack had said. After a moment, he pointed us to the far side of the tent. We climbed back onto our pets, letting them follow Fang, who tore another large hole in the tent.

With night having already fallen, we didn't care about being seen. Our only priority right now was rescuing our friend. Just hang on, Selene, we're on our way.