Chapter 4: Britanny

Britanny sat up, dazed for a moment as everything sunk in. In two weeks she was due to go to…Alaska? The night before, the directors had told her she was talented, but rude, and her mother had sent in an application for a vacation, to Alaska. She had said something about a retreat or something. She didn't exactly understand. Here she was trying to do the best she could in everything, and the directors hated her. So, she did get a little argumentative at times, but so did they. At least she had on last shot before 'vacation'.

She was thinking these thoughts when her mother burst in from the dining room.

"Britanny, come quickly!"

Wondering what the rush was all about, she quickly changed into her dance clothes and ran out the front door. When she was only a few steps out the door, smoke began to fill her lungs and she started to heat up. She froze and looked up, thinking that this could mean only one thing-

"Fire! Fire in studio A!

Before anyone knew what was happening, people were running everywhere- screaming, crying, yelling and fighting. Soon Britanny spotted her mom among the crowd and ran over to her.

"M-m-om, w-w-h-at hap-p-pe-n-n-ed?" Britanny asked, choking on tears and smoke.

"I don't know…the authorities seem to think it was accidental, but I believe it was arson. You were supposed to be in studio A today…" her mothers voice trailed.

"Do-do you think, someone tried to k-k-k-ill me?"

"I'm not sure." her mother's voice grave with seriousness, she continued "That's what we need to find out."

"Mom, I'm a dancer, not a detective!" Britanny exclaimed. If her mother thought that she was going to give up the recording studio to snoop around, even for a month, she was dead wrong. Even if it was looking for her could-have-been murderer.

That night she didn't sleep a wink. Her eyes darted from wall to wall, on the look-out for any further attempts to kill her. She was torn. Half of her was scared to death from her experience that day. The other half was furious- furious at her mother, furious at the director for not telling her sooner, and furious at whomever had set the fire. For now, she was sure that the fire was arson, and the criminal was near and would strike again.

Next Day

"Ok, I think routine C would work a lot better here." Dennis hops yelled over the loud music.

"I told you" Britanny glared. "That if you wanted me to do this we would do it my way. You wanted a good music video and your getting one, so be happy with it."

"Y.." Dennis started to speak but then stopped. This was his one chance to give America what they wanted-his one chance to be rich and famous. She was partially right, it had been the best singing he had ever head from her, and the dancing was terrific- he just wasn't sure if the moves went with the music.

"You were saying?" It was Renee Silvers- his arch enemy and possibly the best actress in the US. "I thought it was wonderful."

"Er…yes it was wonderful" he emphasized the wonderful and Britanny smiled. "But, I'm not sure the song and the dance go together.

"They went together perfectly." she looked at Britanny and smiled. "I'm surprised she's still with you" Renee paused. "You know Audio World would pay big bucks for someone like this, and I'm sure they would treat a future star much better."

Dennis Hops smiled smugly. "That's where you're wrong. She can't leave."

"Wh-what do you mean? O-of course I can leave. An-any time I want to." she looked around nervously."

"You signed a contract. For ten years. Until you're twenty-two, you belong to us."

A/N: Ok, slightly longer chapter than the others…hope you liked it- let me know…the Indy chapter is next. I can't update until at least next Saturday, thought I'd let you know. Thanks!