We were finally out of the city after over an hour of traffic, and the stars were glinting above in a dark sky. The windows were rolled down about an inch and the cool air was chilling the interior of the car.

After a moment, Jack said, "I'll see if I can find her now." He opened the leather brief case and pulled out some piece of equipment I'd never seen before, though it looked vaguely like a cross between a smartphone and an old fashioned ipod. I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he tapped instructions into the thing. A moment later, a grin spread across his face and he said, "Got it. I'll download the directions from here to your GPS." He fiddled some more with the device and then held still. When nothing more happened, my curiosity lapsed and I returned my attention to driving. As I did, I looked in my rear-view mirror and noticed a strange car behind us. I narrowed my eyes, assessing the vehicle to the best of my ability. It was a black sports car with blue flame patterns on the hood, and it had tinted windows. 'Hmm, suspicious,' I thought, wondering if this was important or just my imagination.

"So," I asked Jack, "you have any family?" I realized the split second after I said it that it might sound like a very personal question, and mentally face-palmed myself, but let no sign of my doubt show.

Jack looked at me for a second, then replied, "Yeah. A twin sister."

"Oh?" I asked, still hoping that I didn't sound too inquisitive.

"Her name . . " Jack trailed off and I glanced at him. His eyes had a rather strange look to them, almost as if he was thinking about something. 'No.' He was looking at something. I followed his gaze to see a huge star, low down on the horizon, glowing white and flickering faintly. I wondered for a moment if it might be a planet, not a star. It was the largest, brightest star I had ever seen, and it was beautiful. For just that moment, I felt completely peaceful, completely contented.

Then, my mind refocused, and I was back in reality, driving along the dark highway again.

I told myself that there was something Jack and I had been talking about . . . 'Gah! Why do I forget things like this?!' I asked myself angrily. 'Whatever' It didn't really matter anyway.

> > >

A few hours later, after switching off driving with the others a couple times, we had finally arrived in New York City. It's glaring lights and incredible skyscrapers were beginning to overwhelm me, although I'd been there many times. I looked at Jack to be sure he knew exactly where we were. We'd parked the car in a reserved parking structure. 'More perks,' I thought wryly. Before I could say that out loud, Jack began to lead us toward an odd looking device. Well, it looked like a square pillar which was about three and half feet tall. To the untrained eye, that was all it was, but I could see that this was some kind of - then I realized just what it was, and once again mentally facepalmed myself for not realizing it before. This device would have all the basic SB criminal info - name, status, location etc.

Jack quickly checked it and I watched curiously. He was glancing back and forth between his tracker and the virtual screen of the "pillar", and I guessed that he was comparing them. After a moment, he turned to face Hiccup and me.

"Well?" asked Hiccup impatiently.

"Just as I thought," said Jack. "Merida's being held by an ex- gang lord." I tilted my head slightly to one side, and Jack finished,

"He goes by the name Pitch Black."

* * *

So, here's the next chapter, after, like, a month. Sorry about the wait, guys. But, anyway, don't forget to vote and comment if you liked it! Thanks! :D