Hello! o_o This is my first try to publish something I wrote. O_O. Ok let's start. I'm continuing the story from 2 years after Black Jack's death. Cassie and the other are at the University and something strange is happening to Faye, Diana and Adam; but I won't say nothing more! R&R please! Enjoy!

The Betrayer

Chapter 1

Cassie was running. Not just running but running for her life. She looked behind her and tried to figure out if she was still chased. She saw a dark shadow approaching and she tried to speed up; but ending on her knees and hands. "I'm trapped" she thought, "This is my end".

Cassie got up straight away, without even counting that she wasn't in her bed. Her forehead slammed on the wooden shelf right on top of her. She should have got used to it but she still forgot that that damn shelf was too close, like inches away.

She moaned. «Another day in paradise!» sang a lovely voice in front of her. The windows gleaming light shaped the slim figure of Diana. Cassie couldn't get used to her friend yet. She was always up before her, always one step beyond. Sometimes she couldn't stand it. Like then.

«What are you doing up at this hour? We have to get to breakfast only at eleven» Cassie sad in an annoyed tone.

Diana pretended she didn't notice the hostility.

«It is ten so you have to wake up or you'll be punished». Diana could always manage to have a sweet voice, no matter what.

Cassie jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. She washed her face rapidly and her teeth too. When she got into their room again Diana was chatting on the phone with someone and she was very angry but she kept a low tone, not to be heard by Cassie.

«What do you mean with "I don't care"? Nick you have to come. It is her birthday! I know you two had problems but…» she paused listening «I know» she added on the phone. «Yes. I understand but- you still can try and come. Ok? You got it? Bye.»

She turned around to face Cassie.

«Nick?» Cassie asked sadly. Since graduation -since the day they defeated Black Jack actually- the only occasions they spoke was when they had to. And Cassie couldn't think that it wasn't her fault. Or Adam's. Every time he saw them speaking or holding hands he exchanged glances with the club's members trying to get attention from someone of them but no one really came to help him. And so he became upset. And so Cassie became sad and tried to please him. But that didn't please Adam. It was a terrible tag-o-war for Cassie but she tried hard not to let go. Adam tried to understand her but the more he tried the more he couldn't. He loved her and he wanted her to love only him; it was a selfish thought but he couldn't avoid it.

Cassie looked at Diana but her friend disappeared. Surely she did it when Cassie was thinking at her horrible situation. She sighed and she went to change her clothes.

«On time, huh?» asked Diana when Cassie sat next to her in the University's dining room.

Cassie glanced at her friend and ate a big spoon of cereals.

All of the Circle -except for Melanie who went to MIT, the twins, Suzan, Deborah, Faye and Nick- decided to go to the University on land, near Salem, like this they would have stayed in touch.

Chris was working at a school camp as a "staff member" teaching "arts and crafts" but most how to create bombs. As for Doug, he lived at home with his parents and twin and changing monthly, work. Suzan did the job of her life: she worked in a department store in the spot where they sold make-up; she was very pleased with her job and sometimes she seemed the happiest in there. Diana tipped on Cassie's arm.

«Hey? Are you still there? Cassie? -when she thought she had all her complete attention she said- For your birthday I want to do something very special: we'll have a party on the beach just as always; but we are going to dress up as everything we want and we have to guess who is what and who is who. Isn't that fun?» Her eyes were shining. Cassie wasn't so exited. She remembered the last birthday they did on the beach and it wasn't a pleasant memory. That 7th of November when Faye threatened her for what it seemed the last time. Cassie shook her head. "I voted for her. And now we are sharing the throne" she thought shaking.

«But Diana my birthday is on the 23rd of July; it's like a month away! And do you really think everyone would dress up?» She was thinking at one person in particular. Diana noticed whom.

«He's not coming» she announced steadily. «He doesn't want to ruin your party.»

Cassie nodded. She decided: no party. There was nothing to party. She was almost an adult. She was going to be a 19 year old married woman and she really didn't needed a party. Mostly she needed a funeral. Hers. She couldn't believe Adam proposed. It was unlikely to her. Her mother always taught her to critic young brides but from now in two months she was becoming one. They could skip the date. Waite until Cassie gests out of University. Still she couldn't believe she said yes. She was too exited and she didn't want to hurt Adam's feelings so she accepted. But now… Even if she would talk about it with Adam she was sure things would change between them. The silver chord could not be denied but still, there were so many things that they didn't knew about it. Melanie once said that the Silver cord could break or could put a distance between the two lovers. Cassie always hoped it wouldn't happen to them.

Cassie frowned. «Diana I don't want a party. Please. Let me choose!»

«We'll do a Surprise Party. Come on! Is going to be fun and maybe someone will draw closer to "light"» she giggled and looked at Laurel and Sean.

Cassie followed her gaze. Laurel was laughing at a joke that Sean just made. Cassie smiled. Strangely in the Circle some new couples were formed. Laurel sat near Cassie and Sean followed as a faithful puppy.

«News?» she asked.

«We're doing Cassie's birthday on the beach and we are going to dress up! And on the 23rd there will be a full moon! We could do a ritual after» Diana went on speaking although Cassie blushed with irritation.

«NO. We won't. Diana I appreciate your concern but I can decide for myself. And I say no party.» She seemed sure of herself. Self-Control. Surely in half an hour she will let go to Diana's insistence. She will give in. But now she was going to fight. Only to prove herself her control.

«Why not?» Sean asked.

«Because I said so» Cassie answered.

«Ow» added a new voice.

Cassie turned around and saw Adam. She smiled and gave him a soft and quick kiss on the cheek. He smiled and caressed her hair. Adam sat near Diana; across from Cassie.

He was smiling. No one knew they were going to marry, not even Diana and keeping a secret was exciting. Intriguing.

«So no party?» he asked.

«Yes. There will be » sighed Cassie. Everyone laughed. Then a shadow came upon the group.

«Faye» sad Sean frightened.

«What are you staring at?» she complained. Her rough voice hadn't changed in those 2 years.

«Nothing. Just at your beauty» said Laurel sarcastic.

Faye glanced at her badly. With hatred. Diana interfered.

«Faye why don't you seat?» Faye was Diana's cousin but they weren't similar. Too much things differentiated them.

«Sure» She was tasting every moment.

Sean got up on his feet. «I have class» he announced and ran away.

«What's wrong with him?» Adam demanded.

Laurel shook her head. They already knew. Faye smiled.

«One less» she murmured.