They girls exchanged stunned looks. Andie fell to her knees, and just stared at the spot where the staff had vanished. It was gone, as was their best chance at healing Bane. Andie didn't think she'd ever felt so betrayed. All those efforts, all that pain, all those risks... just to end up with... nothing? How was that fair?

"No... it can't... no, this isn't happening..." she whispered.

"I'm sorry, Andie..." Jessica argued quietly. "But it is..."

"But it can't!" Andie insisted, her eyes stinging. "The Caduceus was our only chance to help Bane!"

The girls looked helplessly at each other, unable to come up with a helpful response.

"We have to get out..." Emily said eventually, touching her shoulder. "The security guards could return any minute..."

Andie breathed in to keep herself from crying, and nodded. They didn't know how long it would be before the guards came back, so they had to be careful. They went as quickly as they could to find a window to climb out of. They only opened from the inside to avoid... infiltrations. As they reached one, Emily saw one of the guards lying unconscious on the floor.

"Is he okay?" Jessica asked.

"Yes, he's only sleeping..." Emily answered after a closer look.

"Zarias must have knocked them out when he came..." Isabelle said.

"Come on, let's move... this place is giving me goosebumps..." Jessica said.

Andie followed as they found a window.

"Hold on," Isabelle said when Emily meant to open the window. "Use your gloves, so we don't leave any prints."

"Oh, right."

She slipped them on and pried the window open. The others followed after pulling their own on. The moment they'd set foot outside, Jessica pushed the window closed and they ran towards the car.

Like the first time, the trip was silent, but this time it was more out of tiredness and disappointment. Andie looked out the window, carefully avoiding her friends' eyes. She knew she'd see pity in them, and she didn't want to. A glance at her watch told her it was almost six. They had been in there only under an hour. It hadn't felt that long... She lay her head against the window. A hand slid around hers and squeezed it. She peered up and saw Emily try and give her an encouraging half-smile. She tried to smile back, but quickly went back to staring thoughtfully out the window at the night.

"Is everyone okay?" Isabelle finally asked.

They nodded. Thankfully, no one had been hurt. Or at least not physically.

"Does anyone mind if we go to the mall? I'm dying for a pick me up," Jessica said.

It was still early, and the shops would most likely be open. Andie didn't care, the others didn't mind. So Isabelle set off for the mall. And Andie found it was nice to be among the cheerful shoppers, it helped her feel a little less depressed. Jessica was soon her cheerful self again, of course, and had soon found a brand new pair of shoes she didn't need. They watched her look around excitedly,both admiring and exasperated at her ability to just act like the last two hours hadn't happened. She was the only one who bought anything. They eventually stopped to have a soda because Jessica insisted she was "thirstier than the Sahara Desert". After she had quenched her thirst, they made their way out. They decided to go to the Soda Fountain as planned rather than impose on Isabelle's parents. They sat down in silence, feeling upset and defeated.

"Hullo there, me darlin's," Siobhan said "What can I get you all, tonight?"

They gave their orders in a subdued tone.

"Hey, what's the matter, girls? You look like you've just come from a funeral."

It was then she seemed to noticed they were four instead of five.

"... Where's you're friend?" she asked.

"... he's out of town..." Andie finally said.

"Aah, I get it." Siobhan said. "You miss him, is that it?"

Andie couldn't trust herself to answer without her voice cracking so she nodded.

"Don't yeh worry yerselves, me darlin's, you'll see each other again soon."

"We hope so." Isabelle said. "Thanks, Siobhan."

She walked away.

"Well that museum trip was a fiasco." Jessica said.

"Jess, don't," Emily chided.

"What? I'm calling it as I see it." Jessica shrugged.

"Well, you don't have to put it that way! We didn't exactly want things to go that way!" Emily replied. "I'd have liked to see you do better!"

"Guys, enough!" Isabelle cut in. "This isn't the time or place."

"Well, at least Zarias didn't get it."

Andie hadn't said a word, so hearing her speak startled them.

"Yeah... yeah, that's what we have to focus on." Isabelle said. "And come on, Bane's fine. River and the others went to watch over him, right, Andie?"

Andie nodded. Siobhan came back with their plates and settled them down in front of them before straightening up.

"Is there anythin' else I can get you girls?"

"No thanks, Siobhan," Jessica answered.

"Well, yeh know were to find me."

The girls nodded and Siobhan walked off to take care of some other customers. Jessica, who had been whining about being starved, bit hungrily into her burger.

"What now?" Emily asked.

"... I don't know." Andie said, feeling discouraged. "I really don't know."

They eventually made their way back to Isabelle's house. They plastered cheerful expressions on their faces as they passed the Woodlands, bid them goodnight and climbed up to Isabelle's room where they set up two camp beds for Emily and Jessica while Andie shared Isabelle's bed. Once they were done, they all sat in a circle trying to discuss what to do next. Isabelle turned on some music to avoid being overheard.

"River?" Isabelle called. "River, are you there?"

"Yes."

"How's Bane?" she asked at once.

"Fine. Aera is with him, and so far no attacks have occurred."

Andie sighed with relief.

"What is it you need?" River asked in her gentle voice, her long blond hair floating like golden wings as she gently floated down, sitting cross legged in her ethereal form next to Isabelle.

"River, you told us the Caduceus split up because it felt threatened." Andie said. "Is there any way of knowing what it is?"

"Well, in principle, not really. Unless you actually touch it." River answered. "But there maybe something that can help..."

"What?!" Andie asked.

"Well, for one thing, the three pieces can't remain too far apart from one another," River said. "And they will always have a shape that isn't too different from what they originally were."

"Great..." Jessica sighed. "So we're looking for a stick, wings and snakes. None of which are rare."

"Hey!" Isabelle chided. "How about a little positivity? We have made progress."

"Alright, alright, but we're all thinking it, I'm just saying it..."

"So, what do you suggest?" Emily asked River.

"... unfortunately, it would take forever to examine all the sticks, wings and snakes in this town..." River sighed.

"But there must be something we can do!" Andie said desperately.

Now that there was a slight glimmer of hope coming back, she was not going to let it go. And the other girls had to admit they liked to see the spark back in Andie's eyes.

"Zarias!" Zorak called angrily. "Come to me this instant!"

His son who was walking down a hall nearby, paused.

Oh, great... he's in one his rages again... Zarias thought.

"ZARIAS!" Zorak called, growing impatient.

"Coming, father!"

He arrived to the throne room almost at once, trying to look more confident than he felt. His father certainly looked angry.

"You called, father?" he asked.

"Yes!" The demon lord retorted. "You sent umbras after the Guardian of Light while he was impotent?!"

Zarias was shocked his father would even think that. Had he no trust in his abilities?

"No, father." he said, trying to keep his irritation out of his voice. "Of course not. I was very clear: they were meant to go after the girls.

He frowned thoughtfully, trying to figure out what had happened.

"But they must have chosen the easy target first."

Zorak took a few moments to control his fury. A true leader controlled their temper.

"... Fair enough." he said finally. "They were never that evolved, intellectually, it is true. But explain to me why you left those girls with their powers when you clearly had them overpowered at the museum?"

This time, Zarias looked slightly nervous.

"... Well... the item they were after vanished without them being able to use it, so the Guardian of Light won't be able to recover from his injuries, which means they'll still be vulnerable..."

"Which is precisely why it was the perfect time to take their powers, you fool!" Zorak interrupted angrily. "We are not merely getting rid of them! We are also getting me their power!"

"Yes, father. Forgive me." Zarias said.

There was a tense silence.

"Fine... you were alone and they were four, maybe it was unwise for you to go alone." Zorak admitted finally. "But you know what you must do next, I assume?"

Zarias thought for a moment.

"I assume you want me to capture them one by one?"

Zorak paused thoughtfully.

"That could be an idea," he said eventually. "But first, I think we'll crush their spirit a little more."

"How?" Zarias asked.

"You say they are looking for the pieces of the Caduceus? Then make sure they never get them. Then, we'll capture them."

Isabelle was the first to awaken the next morning. Or so she thought. Looking up, she saw Andie sitting on the window seat. She quietly got to her feet and crossed the room to sit on the other side.

"Andie...?"

She was staring outside.

"Hey, Isabelle..."she said, glancing briefly at her.

Isabelle gave her a small smile.

"Did you get any sleep at all?" she asked, touching her forearm.

"Not much..."

They both looked outside at the trees. It was quiet and peaceful. The exact opposite of Andie's mind, in other words.

"You know it's not your fault, right?" Isabelle finally asked her.

Andie exhaled wearily.

"Yeah... I mean, I knew there was a strong chance we'd run into him... but Zorak and Zarias must be following or watching us somehow to have known we'd be in the museum. And I don't much like the sound of that."

"That's true... I'm not fond of it, either."

Emily stirred, making Andie and Isabelle glance round. Jessica was sprawled out on her mattress, her mouth hanging open. Andie thought that she would have taken a picture to tease her with, but she didn't feel much like that at the moment.

"I should have thought of that. I put you all in danger last night."

"Andie, you told us a bunch of times we could back out. We're all adults." Isabelle reminded. "We all knew it was risky."

"I guess..."

Isabelle paused.

"Any news on Bane?" she asked eventually.

Andie shook her head.

"... I just hope I didn't ruin everything..."

Jessica and Emily woke up shortly after. And it didn't take long for them to notice that Jessica wasn't in her usual cheerful mood. Andie wondered if the cheerful attitude she'd put on had been an act. She didn't usually pretend to be cheerful, but she did sometimes force it a bit to keep the things that upset her out of her mind for a while... maybe she had chosen not to do that anymore.

"You guys hungry?" Isabelle asked.

"I don't know, Isabelle, I wouldn't want to risk you loosing your head for a scone."

Andie knew that was directed at her.

"Hey, Jess, if you have a problem, tell me. Don't take it out on Isabelle, she didn't do anything wrong."

"No," Jessica agreed.

She got to her feet and stared coldly at Andie.

"You did. You led us into that museum and almost had us killed!"

"I warned you it could be dangerous!" Andie retorted. "And in case you forgot, Jessica, you had plenty of chances to back out! I never forced any of you into this!"

"Guys, don't..." Emily tried to intervene but they didn't listen.

"You knew we would never let you go alone!" Jessica snapped. "And what did that bring us in the end? Nothing!"

"That wasn't my fault!" Andie protested. "I'd like to see you try and fight Zarias!"

"Well, I didn't want to interrupt! You two seemed comfortable together."

Andie couldn't believe her ears.

"What?" she gasped, outraged. "How can you even say that, Jessica? After what Zarias did to Bane?"

Jessica seemed to have been waiting for her to mention him, because she didn't flinch.

"You want to talk about Bane? Fine, let's." she said. "You don't think that you're going a little far for just some random guy?"

"He's not some random guy, Jessica, and you know that as well as I do!" Andie shot back, shocked.

"I know he turned your brain to fudge!" Jessica snarled. "It's the only explanation I can find to all this."

"I owe it to him to try!" Andie retorted. "He's important to me."

"Oh, more than us, yes, I saw that!"

"What? No, it's not like that!" Andie protested.

There was a silence.

"Look, I don't care if you want to get knocked up with the guy,-" Jessica said.

"Jess!" Emily gasped.

"-you are not dragging me into it!"

"Says she who was almost shoving me into his arms not three weeks ago!" Andie replied hotly.

"I didn't mean to go to jail for him! I never thought you could be this stupid!" Jessica replied, rolling her eyes.

Andie stared coldly at her.

"Then clearly, you didn't know me as well as you thought."

Jessica didn't answer. She gathered her things and marched towards the door.

"Jess, don't..." Emily began but Jessica rounded on her:

"What are you doing? You coming?"

"Jess, that's not fair!" Isabelle interjected firmly. "You're making her chose between Andie and you, that's wrong."

"Look at you, little miss know-it-all," Jessica retorted, lashing out at Isabelle.

"I'm just trying to do the right thing..."

"Yeah? Well count me out."

And with that, she stormed out.

In six years of friendship, neither Emily, Jessica or Andie had ever had such a row. Of course, they had never been in such a complicated situation, but Andie had never expected it to cause problems between them...

"You know Jess... she's a hothead, but she'll calm down and be all over the floor apologizing..." Emily said.

The three girls were sitting on Isabelle's bed.

"I don't know... we never fought like that before..." Andie said.

"We've been friends for years, she'll come round," Emily assured.

Andie hoped so. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Isabelle asked.

"It's me," her mother's voice answered.

"Oh, hey, mom, come in."

"... I don't mean to pry, but I couldn't help noticing you were arguing... is everything okay?"

The girls glanced at each other.

"Yes, it's okay... we just had a difference of opinion," Andie said. "But thank you for your concern, Mrs Woodland."

"Of course. Please, let me know if I can help at all."

"Will do, Mom. D'you mind? We need a little privacy."

"Oh, yes, sorry. I'll be downstairs."

She closed the door.

"Anyway, we have something else to think about: figuring out how to find the other objects." Isabelle said.

"We could use a pendulum over a map," Emily suggested.

"We're not witches, Em," Andie answered, though she gave her a small smile.

"You know, that could actually work," said River next to them.

"Argh!" Emily cried, falling off the bed.

Isabelle and Andie jumped off to help her to her feet.

"Do you really think so?" Andie asked River as they sat back down.

"Well, we haven't tried, but the elements and the Caduceus are connected, as the elements are essential in healing. So I do believe it could be done."

Andie, her spark of hope rekindled, looked to Isabelle.

"Do you-" She began.

"Have a map? Of course. Give me one nanosecond."

She clambered off her bed and disappeared.

Moments later, she was back with a large map of Olympia and its surroundings. The girls moved the makeshift beds Emily and Jessica had used and lay the map out on the floor. They looked at one another.

"D'you have a pendulum?" Andie asked Isabelle.

Isabelle shook her head apologetically. Andie looked up at River desperately.

"Anything with a semi-precious stone will do," River said.

"I have a quartz pendant," Andie said, pulling it off from round her neck and raising it for River to see. "Will this do?"

River looked at it.

"I think so, yes." she answered.

Andie forced herself to keep calm. Getting overexcited would not help.

"Okay... so now, what?" she asked.

"Visualize the Caduceus, and hold the pendulum above the map." River instructed.

"Andes, you're the one with the deepest connection to Bane," Isabelle said quietly. "I think you should do it."

Andie closed her eyes, took a deep breath and raised the pendant up above the map.

"Keep focused on what you're looking for," River said quietly. "Breathe slowly."

Andie felt a little silly, but was willing to try anything at this point. She kept her breathing steady and her mind on the caduceus, fighting to not think of Zarias. At first, nothing happened. Just then, Andie felt like a flow of energy go from her hand to the pendant. But it was gone almost at once.

"It worked, but it was gone almost at once..." she said unhappily.

"You have never used your power this way," River reminded. "It takes time. Be patient. You'll get it."

So Andie took a few more deep breaths and tried again. And again.

"Ugh! Why can't I get this right?!" Andie asked in frustration.

"Relax." River said. "Don't think. Feel."

Andie tried one more time. She took in a few deep breaths and held out the pendant over the map once again.

Don't think... feel... she told herself. Don't think... feel...

At first, once again, nothing happened. Then, the pendant reacted, but more strongly this time. The quartz tugged Andie's hand over the map in circles, searching... then, it stopped and wouldn't move.

"You did it!" Emily exclaimed. "You found a piece of the caduceus!"

Andie frowned thoughtfully.

"But why only one, why not all three?"

"It's a defense mechanism. So that people who use the flows of energy to find it take more time and if it senses evil, it can flee again."

Andie slid her pendant around her neck while Isabelle marked the location with a cross on the map.

"But you're sure this is pointing to one of the pieces?" Emily asked.

River nodded.

"Positive." she assured them.

They quickly wrote down the address and tried to work out the best way to go about it.

"Well, one thing's for certain, we can't go up to them and ask for whichever piece it is... which is it, anyway?" Andie asked.

"If the stories are true, and they seem to be," River said, "they'll reveal themselves by starting by the least powerful. The staff, the snake, and the wings."

"Why are the wings more powerful?" Is abelle asked.

"Because they are what the Caduceus draws its powers from," River explained.

"Where is the staff, then?" Emily asked.

Andie realized that they had indeed been so focused on making the pendant locate the staff that they hadn't really looked at where it was pointing.

"... Wait... what?!" she gasped, looking down. "No way!"

"What's wrong?" Isabelle asked.

She and Emily leaned over the map too.

"Oh, no...!" Emily moaned.

"What the heck is the staff doing at Olympia High?!"

***********************************************

Oh, great... of all the places it could have been! Where d'you think the other two pieces are? Tell us in the comments! How are the gang going to get the staff? Let's find out in the next chapter!