"You're kidding," I breathe. Who would be so rash and dumb as to jump into the Black Hole?

The Black Hole was dangerous. We've been warned since young countless times to not go near the Black Hole. Even if you were just standing a centimetre away, the Black Hole would suck you in. And you'll have no time to say "Bye world" you'll just be nonexistence once you're in it, because you'll be stuck inside and there's no food, oxygen and water. That would be a painful death.

The best-case scenario was that the force would rip your body apart and you'll be gone in a second. I'm not trying to be cruel, but if you were ripped apart, at least the pain is gone just as it came. It wouldn't as long as the slow death without oxygen, food and water.

That's why everyone was afraid of the Black Hole. No individual would stand to stay near it, let alone jump into it.

"I'm not, Corrine." He sighs. "So please don't end up like her. You're beautiful, just the way you are."

I think I'm blushing right now. All I know is that I'm super embarrassed and awkward.

"Anyway, I want to find her," Dustin says nonchalantly, like diving into the suicide pit is taking a stroll in the park.

My head snaps up. "What? No!"

Dustin grabs my hand, and says," Please, Corinne. I tried it before, but before I could get close enough this sensor stopped me. I don't have a valid reason. I have the things to prevent us from getting sucked in and killed, Corinne. We could do it. I have a police uniform. We could pretend, that I'm trying to punish you, by bringing you-"

"No, Dustin. No." I turn to leave the pod, sighing at the eventful night, but Dustin grabs my arm and tugs me back, his eyes alight with excitement.

"We could save her, Corinne," he pleads.

I shake my head. "Don't be rash, Dustin," I say as I walk towards the pod exit.

It zips shut, and I whirl around. "Open the door, Dustin!"

"Corinne, I really really really like you sometimes, but at times you can be the most frustrating person ever. I said, we're going to rescue my sister." Dustin says, like I'm a naughty child.

"You're crazy," I shake my head, tears blurring my vision, my heart pounding against my rib cage. I need Chance right now.

Please appear, I think.

It doesn't happen, and Dustin grabs my arm. "Let's go now."

"No!" I struggle against his grasp, but Dustin doesn't let go. He spins me around, and then presses his lips to mine.

I can't feel anything, unlike when I kissed Chance. Even though, I stomp on Dustin's toes, before kicking him in the shin. He yells in pain, cursing.

"Did you really have to do that?" He asks as I scavenge the pod for something to fend him off.

"Let me off this pod," I say, struggling to keep my voice level.

"No." Dustin presses some buttons on the control pad of the ship, and then we start moving.

"Let me out!" I scream hysterically, pounding non-stop on the pod exit.

Dustin disappears into a corner of the pod, and I suddenly wished that I had a phone with Chance's number in it.

Where is he now? I sink to the floor, cradling my head in my hands. I picture his crooked smile, blue eyes and dark messy hair. My hair gradually begins to slow down, and my body relaxes, although tears spill over my lashes and down my cheeks.

I need you, Chance.

Because I love you.

I sob harder, but at the sound of footsteps I look up, and Dustin stands over me.

"I'm sorry, Corinne. I-"

I climb to my feet and slap him across the face. He gawks. "Corinne, I-"

"Stop the pod. Right this instant."

"I can't," he says, "we're already tethering on the edge of the Black Hole. The equipment on my pod is much stronger than it's pull, so we're safe, and we won't crash to death."

As if on cue, the pod starts lowering. "No no no no no no," I whisper, heading towards the control pad. But I don't understand a thing there. I wished that I had chosen to learn how to operate one. The only thing I do know, is how to make it rise and fly. The other buttons and controls are so foreign.

I should've known I'd be stuck in this situation.

"Please, Dustin, I'm begging you, I'll do anything you want if you just let me-"

The pod jostles and I scream. Dustin clamps a hand over my mouth, before pressing my wrists together and leading me to the side of the pod. I struggle against him, my heart in my mouth, panic settling in me.

Chance. Think of Chance.

I close my eyes as another memory of us together washes over me.

"Amber!" Chance calls, and I look up from my book.

"Yeah?" I ask, hiding a sigh.

Mom and Dad have gone to some other place because our relative is awfully sick, and...she may die at any moment. Apparently she'd helped Mom and Dad countless times, so they were going to miss my birthday today, promising to give me a belated birthday surprise.

"Play with me," Chance enters the living room, his hands tucked in his pockets, his hair ruffled and messy.

"Play what?" I say grouchily, shutting my book and placing it aside.

"Hmm...I don't know, maybe the birthday girl would like to decide?" Chance raises an eyebrow at me.

I shrug. "I'm not in the mood."

Chance plops down on the sofa next to me, pouting. He crosses his arms over his chest, and sighs, mocking me. I punch his arm, and he laughs.

"I made you a birthday cake," he says, grinning mischievously, and I spring to my feet, racing to the kitchen.

And sure enough, on the countertop sits a chocolate cake, and although the icing is uneven and the stars piped on the cake aren't perfect and the swirls of melted white chocolate on the cake are a little ugly, but it's the best cake ever.

Turning around, I leap into Chance's arms, and kiss him on the cheek. Surprised, he staggers back before stroking my hair gently.

He sticks nine candles into the cake. "We can't use fire, but well...let's just pretend there are tiny flames on the candles, 'kay?"

I giggle. "Okay."

Chance takes a deep breath, before belting out in the worst version of "Happy Birthday" I have ever heard that leaves me literally rolling on the floor with tears streaming from my eyes.

"I can sing so much better," I say as I get to my feet, grabbing my stomach.

"Oh yeah?" Chance challenges.

I nod, but my cheeks burn. "But I'm not going to sing for you."

"Scared?" Chance raises an eyebrow. I stick out my tongue.

"Fine." I take a deep breath, and start singing. Chance says nothing as I sing, and when I finish he applauds me.

"You should become a singer when you grow up...you're amazing," he says. I lower my head, blushing as I wring my hands together. He chuckles, and gestures at the candles.

I lean forward, blowing on the unlighted candles. Chance claps, before removing a plastic knife and slicing the cake in a few portions.

"Here," he passes me one, placed on a plate, and I sink my teeth into it after cutting off a piece with my fork. It's the best thing I've ever tasted. I tell him so, and he just gives me a lopsided smile.

"At this rate, you'll turn into a glutton tomorrow." Chance jokes.

"Hey," I slap his arm, "it's just cake. And it's only one piece. I won't grow fat."

"Well, if I'm not wrong. I'm just guessing, a whole cake is around I don't know, four thousand, two hundred and fifteen calories? So a piece is three hundred and fifteen calories. Even a piece of cake is just half of the amount of calories you need in a day." Chance says.

"What?" I turn around spit out the small bite of cake, caught by surprise. It flies, and lands.

On Chance's face.

It's so hilarious. It's located on his right cheek. A brown piece of chocolate cake on his face. Totally suits him.

Trying to cover up my stifles, I clamp my mouth over my mouth. However, it doesn't help at all. I start chortling and my laughter-sadly-overpowers my pathetic palm. Giving up, I place my hand on my belly. I'm laughing so hard that my stomach hurts again, and my eyes are getting teary.

Chance is beyond annoyed. He swipes the chocolate cake off his face and shakes his hand over the table, making some of the mess drop onto the wood. But, some icing is still sticky on his face and it's even worse. I start laughing even harder, until I have to stop laughing because my stomach's going to explode.

"You're so gonna regret this." he says.

"Well, prove it." I challenge and flash him a grin. It wasn't the best decision I made, but it wasn't the worst too. Before I know it, Chance grabs a piece of neatly sliced cake and-although some pieces crumbles and drop to the ground-presses it right on my face.

"Eww... Say you didn't," I utter in disgust. "Well then, I didn't," Chance chuckles.

That wasn't the answer I was looking for, but it was all he had needed to do to anger me. "This is war." I say, glaring at him, letting out a battle cry that makes him chuckle.

I rush over to the cake, ignoring the cream and icing stuck on my face. It is disgusting. Bits and pieces are still dropping onto the floor.

I grab the plate and saunter towards him. "Oh no you won't, I know you too well. I assure you you won't" Chance says, his voice wavering. He clearly doesn't believes himself, just like how I don't believe him. He cowers back but I'm not giving him a chance this time.

I slam the cake square on his face. Ouch. I'm sure it hurt. He flicks the sticky yucky mess away and shouted, "I'm so gonna get you."

Oh no.

I turn to run, but Chance is already behind me, tackling me to the ground. The thin layer of icing also stuck to my shirt, now ruined because of him. As soon as I land, I turn around, staring at the ceiling. Chance is still laughing his head off, just as I am.

Picturing Chance definitely helps. It calms down my nerves so much. Dustin, who is still holding my wrists, has moved us to the right corner of the pod ship, and pressed me against the window.

"I am officer Tanner Sirius, and I'm holding Amber Corinne Evans captive. She has committed murder." Dustin states, and my heart accelerates. I want to say something, but when I think to the consequences I shudder.

"Pass."

No no no. Please don't do this.

The pod ship moves downwards, and my stomach turns.

"Dustin," I whisper, "stop it."

He ignores me and continues controlling the pod. "Please," I beg, "I won't tell anyone. I'll also forgive you and pretend that nothing has happened. Just let me go." I don't know how I managed to say that, but I just did. Guess being scared does help me to think better.

Dustin seems to have heard what I said and considers my offer. He stops for a while and think. This just might work after all. However, he shakes his head.

"I'm sorry, Corinne, I can't," he whispers, letting go of my wrists.

Tears prickle my eyes. "I hate you!" I scream, and this time I actually mean it, not like when I yelled at Chance.

He reaches out and grabs my throat with his hand. It doesn't hurt, but I'm not getting enough oxygen, and gag.

"I don't want to hurt you," Dustin growls, "but you've got to remember who's under control here. I won't have to tell you this again."

I nod, and he lets go, making me fall to the ground, my lungs begging for air as I gasp like a fish out of water.

And then the pod jostles, and I glance over, frightened. My eyes widen, and I scream.

Fire.