Marissa followed Dintch into a large white and gold ballroom with a tiny table in the center. There sat Mr. Whive and who she assumed to be Mrs. Whive. Dressed in white from head to toe.

'What is this? The KKK?' Marissa thought as they approached the table.

"Mother, Father." Dintch greeted as he pulled out a chair for Marissa. She smiled at him and then took her seat across from Mrs. Whive.

"We are so happy that you could join us tonight." Mrs. Whive said to Marissa.

"It truly is our pleasure." Mr. Whive added.

"Thank you for having me, Mr. and Mrs. Whive." Marissa tried her best to sound normal and relaxed, but on the inside she was freaking out.

"Oh please, call me Prim." She smiled and Marissa just nodded.

The doors opened and a team of waitress and waiters came in with enough food for a small village. An assortment of fruit and soups were placed in front of them, though Marissa was too scared to eat anything.

"We are looking forward to having you apart of our family business." Mr. Whive said in a tone that sent shivers down Marissa's spine.

"And can you please tell me when exactly that family business is?" Marissa asked.

"Marissa-" Dintch started to warn her not to ask any questions but he was cut off by his mother.

"Of course." She smiled sweetly. "You see, The Gods and Goddesses are abusing their powers. They're creating chaos among the world. We're just simply taking away their powers."

"By killing them?" Marissa had a lot of guts to ask any questions, nevermind that one.

"No dear of course not." Prim laughed. "You can't kill a God. Instead we keep them locked up, constantly sucking their power to keep them weak." A huge smile formed across Prim's face, though Marissa kept a bland expression.

"Is that happening here?" Marissa asked, still confused about where exactly 'here' was.

"Yes, everything we do is being done here, that's why it's called the Headquarters."

'Headquarter? Wow tmis this a cult or what?' Though she wouldn't say that aloud of course. "So what are you planning to do with all of their power?" Marissa asked, feeling her heart race a thousand miles per hour.

"We're simply just going to use it to undo all of the horror they've done to the world." If that were true, Marissa would have gladly helped them. But she knew that sadly wasn't the case.

"Sounds very noble of you all." Marissa tried her best to sound happy. She looked over at Dintch who tried to keep a fake smile on his face.

"To new allies, and new family." Dintch raised his glass. They all raised their glasses around the table and Marissa put the glass up to her lips, though she didn't actually drink any. She didn't think Dintch would let his parents poison her, but she honestly wasn't so sure about anything anymore.

After an awkward dinner, Dintch and Marissa walked silently back to her room. Dintch unlocked the door and opened it for her. Marissa walked inside and expected him to shut it, and walk away. That's exactly what Dintch wanted to do, though he stopped himself. "Marissa, I'm so sorry. About everything. I know this is extremely confusing and believe me, this is the last thing I wanted for you." He grabbed her hands and held them close to his chest. "I wish I could tell you everything, I really do. But for now I just need you to trust me."

Marissa looked into his beautiful eyes and knew he had her best intentions at heart. "I do trust you." She muttered. "Just tell me what I should do."

"Wait here, and I'll be back."

Marissa nodded and Dintch placed a hand on her cheek. Their noses touched and for a second it seemed like there lips would meet as well, though Dintch pulled away and looked deeply into the floor. "Just wait, and I'll be back." He told her once more and then left, locking the door behind him.

Marissa, confused and alone, huddled up in a corner of the room, hugging her knees and wishing for her best friend to comfort her.

The clock struck midnight, and Marissa laid on her bed in a long white night dress. She tried her best to sleep though her fears wouldn't let her rest. Suddenly, she heard a sound coming from the hallway and Marissa immediately sat up. The door slowly opened and Dintch walked through. "It's time, let's go."

Marissa got off the bed and jumped into his arms. "What's happening?" She asked.

"Just follow me, I'll explain later but right now we have to go before my father relizies."

Dintch and Marissa raced down the halls of the Headquarters, down staircases and through a back exit.

They ended up in a beautiful secret garden that was fenced in by large metal fences.

"You need to go." Dintch whispered to her.

"Me? Just me? Why not us?" She asked, not wanting to leave him.

"If I leave my father will spend every second trying to find me, though if you leave he won't care as much. You don't know the things I know." Dintch's heart was breaking as he had to say goodbye to his love, though he knew it was for the best. "You couldn't leave the camp without being lost in magical woods, surrounded by my father's guard. But there's no guards this way. You can run and get away."

"No, Dintch I won't leave you!" Marissa told him as she grabbed his arm shook him rapidly.

"If you stay here, you'll either be forced to do unspeakable things, or you'll be killed. And I wouldn't live with myself if either of those things were to happen."

Tears started to run down Marissa's face. She knew this was the only way, though she didn't like it.

"It's okay." He hugged her tightly. "On the other side of that fence is the only other person you could trust. The only person who might care about you more than me. Go with him, he'll protect you and get you both home safe."

"I'll see you again, won't I?" Marissa asked desperately.

"I hope so." Dintch pulled Marissa off of him and looked into her hazel eyes. "Marissa, I love you."

"Dintch, I lo-"

"No." He cut her off. "Don't say it. It will only make this that much harder. Now go, and be safe."

Marissa nodded and turned away to leave, but quickly ran back into his arms and placed one final kiss upon his lips. "We will find our way back to each other. I promise." And with those last words, she climbed over the vine covered fence, to be greeted by the last person she expected.......

To Be Continued...