The next day passed quickly, with Ivy at work and Maggie at school. Ivy stopped at the grocery store on the way home, buying a gallon of milk, peanut butter, jelly, block cheese, and bread. When she arrived home, she brought the supplies inside and then ate dinner with Maggie. Over dinner, Ivy went over what all Maggie would need to do each day, insisting on making a list that Maggie could check off each day. After making sure her sister had the information drilled into her head, Ivy turned to packing her suitcase. She made sure to pack light, bringing only a couple change of clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, charging cord for her phone, and snacks. Making sure everything was in place and waiting where she would see it in the morning, Ivy went to bed early, knowing she would need her sleep. She said goodnight to Maggie and slipped under the welcoming covers.

At approximately five o'clock in the morning, Ivy awoke to an irritating buzzing from her alarm on her phone. Moaning into her pillow, Ivy lifted her head up silenced the alarm, refraining from sinking back into her pillow. Throwing back her blankets, Ivy swung her legs over the side of the bed. She yawned, and absently rubbed her arm. Standing up, Ivy grabbed her suitcase from where she had packed it the night before and moved it to by the garage door. Reluctantly, Ivy changed out of her pajamas into lounge pants and a T-shirt, telling herself that she would change into dress pants and shirt when she arrived. Going into the bathroom, Ivy brushed her teeth and put her hair up in a messy bun. After she had double-checked her suitcase, assuring herself that she had everything, she went into Maggie's room. Sitting on her bed, Ivy started rubbing her younger sister's back. Maggie inhaled deeply and cracked an eye open.

"Good-bye." Ivy smiled.

"Bye." Maggie gave a tired smile back.

"Do you have an alarm set for school?"

"Ye-es." Maggie confirmed.

"If anyone calls for me, just say I'm not available." Ivy instructed, "And don't forget to lock the doors."

"I'll be fine, worrywart." Maggie laughed.

"I should be back late tomorrow night. At the latest day after tomorrow." Ivy kissed the top of Maggie's head, "Love you, sis."

"Love you too." Maggie smiled.

Ivy stood up from the bed and left the room, leaving the door cracked. Grabbing her suitcase, Ivy opened the garage door and climbed into the car, putting the suitcase in the backseat. Pulling out of the garage, she closed the big door behind herself. Pulling out her phone, she typed in the directions Jake had given her to the conference. Following the directions, Ivy began driving to her destination.

After multiple stops at McDonalds for coffee, Ivy arrived at the conference, She had forgone a hotel for the present, deciding to wait and see until after the conference. Five minutes before she had reached the conference, she had taken one last stop at McDonalds, and going into the restrooms, had changed into her dress clothes. Pulling into the closest parking spot she could find, Ivy stopped the car and got out, bringing only her phone with her. She walked quickly to the building. Entering through the doors, Ivy asked for directions, and then went to the room being used for the conference. Opening the doors as quietly as she could, Ivy snuck into the room. Her first impression was of size. The room was huge, and filled with people. Desperately, Ivy searched for a seat, finding one near the back.

Ivy had been sitting at a conference, waiting for it to start, when a tall young man with dark hair sat down next to her. After a few minutes he got back up, but Ivy noticed he had left a small, leather notebook and a small dark brown bottle on his seat. She looked at them curiously.

Did he leave them purposely for me? She wondered. Coming to a decision, she reached over with trembling hands and picked the notebook up. Untying the string that held the book closed, she opened it. The first twenty or so pages were maps, charts, and drawings. Ivy skimmed through these until she came to a page of writing.

Leventar 72, 4601

It is the first day of my stay on this planet. But already I know my stay will be short. There isn't enough Starbeam on this planet they call earth. I can sense this in the air. It is unclean and hard to breathe in.

I have collected as much as I could today. But tomorrow I believe I know where I can find more.

Wide-eyed and confused, Ivy flipped the page and continued reading.

Leventar 73, 4601

The day has gone well. The Starbeam has been collected successfully. Thankfully, the common people of earth do not know of the existence of Starbeam, and thus the government cannot announce that it is missing, and thus cannot take large measures to get it back. My mission is almost complete. I just need one more day.

Then the pages were blank. Ivy stared at the blank pages, realizing what that meant. Today was the last day.

She saw movement in front of her, and jerked her head up. In front of her was the dark-haired young man. His face seemed to shimmer, and for a moment Ivy thought she saw a tint of dark blue showing through. He was smiling at her, but that did not comfort Ivy.

"I see you've read my notebook."

Mwahahahahaha cliff hangers!!! *cackles* But anyway, heheheh...

So if you're reading this (you're too close). Seriously though if you're reading this, thank you for reading this far and I hope you continue reading this!

If you are enjoying this book please comment and vote! Thanks again for reading!

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