The man that Amanda let in, leaned heavily on her. He gasped something that sounded like a name but it was jumbled by his groaning. "I've been...shot..." he croaked, as she let him sit at the kitchen table. His side was swollen and bleeding, his hands covered in crimson blood. "Help..." his vision swam, and the pictures went in and out of focus. He had lost too much blood...he was getting weaker..."You must help me."

***
Abigal was waiting, tense in the living room for Amanda to come back in "Amanda? Hello? Who was that?" she called, fear in her voice "Amanda!"

**

Brian had been speaking to Emmy, and having a nice conversation when Peter came running up chased by three or four bigger boys. Before he could respond he was taken away, running with the rest of his friends. "Peter? what's going on?" he asked as rain poured on their shoulders and faces. "I don't understand!"

**

Maralyn peacefully read her book for awhile letting Justin spend time with Sarah. Then after about an hour her little daughter began to cry from hunger. Looking up, she smiled and reached out her arms "Here Justin...let me nurse her" she said, marking her page and setting the books aside.

**
Ian un-packed his things from the trunk of Milania's car, lugging his clothing and others things into the building and up the stairs to her apartment. Milania joined him and unlocked the door, admitting him inside. When they entered he piled everything in the corner and flopped onto the couch. "All the comforts of home.." he whispered leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

Milania slipped into her bed room, and changed into a maroon silk dress before coming back out to join him. She sat and sighed flicking on the TV, and setting it on a love channel. Then turning to him she asked "Want a drink Ian? Maybe it will brighten the mood..."

Not wanting to upset her more, he nodded "Sure." though he would have usually disagreed to drink more, especially after his wine in the restaurant, but because of the situation he decided it was best to side with her. When she returned with two delicate and glasses, and a bottle of champagne, he tried to smile "Looks good..." he said,

"It should be. It's my best vintage" she poured a little into each glass and handed him one "Lets toast...to your release...and the beginning of a new life"

He toasted also and drank a sip, "Hmmm...yummy....you were right, good."

Nodding, she cuddled closer to him, placing her hand on the back of his neck. "You haven't kissed me yet Ian...and we haven't seen each other in such a long time"

********

Melisha limped from the school yard, becoming drenched from the freezing rain. Shaking, she stumbled around on the side walks of Ditto Town glancing behind her every once in awhile to see if anyone was following her. No one was....no one cared. She was far from the school now, far from the eyes of the other children. Finally she collapsed under a tree in the public park, soak, shaking...and exhausted

Amanda still wondered why he came to Abigal's house of all places, but called the cops. "Hello? There's an injured man tha tjust showed up at my friend's house. "Says he's been shot."
The person on the line asked more questions. Seeing he was sickly, she yelled, "Please hurry!" Then, she called to Abigal. "What is this address?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Justin listened to hsi little girl's whimpers, carefully handing her to Maralyn. "Can't believe this is finally happening. Us and our baby."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter said, "Let's get behind the gym and I'll explain in there."

Abigal made a face "1875, East Cherry Boulavard, Number 12, 2217. Why must you know? Oh Amanda what is going on!" She cried. From her place on the couch, she could barely see anything in the Kitchen. She heard another voice, a weak voice of a man. She didn't recognize the sound of it, which made her more frightened "Who is with you in there?"

****

As Amanda talked on the phone, the man reached out a blood stained hand and grabbed her wrist in an almost inescapable grip. "Don't...call the police..." he said his eyes, showing his pain, but also piercing. "Don't" he was glad for her help, but he couldn't have they authorities down on his head.

**

Melisha shivered under the tree in the park, shielded by the bulk of the rain, but her clothes still drenched. Her bruises, washed by the rain, now ached with cold, and she counted herself hopeless. She wondered whether it would have been better to stay in her home, and be beaten by her Dad, then to come out here and freeze to death. He questioned her logic, and her reasons before slipping off into a restless and cold sleep. Right before she completely left the conscious world, she had the sudden fear she would never wake up again if she slept now...but it was too late and she had already fallen into sleep...

****

Ian suddenly found himself in an extremely uncomfortable situation. The lady near him, her face so dangerously close to his, her maroon lips almost close enough to his, her hair flowing around her shoulders...and yet she wasn't beautiful. On the outside she was...in all respects...but on the inside he sensed she was ugly. She had been an old friend he had none sine he graduated school. He had never thought, they would come this close. He searched in his heart and suddenly found he didn't love her....he had fallen in love with the lady from his visions. The truly gorgeous girl, who had been so sad. He had forgotten Milania, and if he told her that, she would hate him for the rest of her natural life. He didn't need another enemy, another person hating him like many did. He thought back at their dinner date, and how he had touched her hand. He suddenly felt ashamed for that moment, for it had been simply out of craving he had done so. Only because she was pretty. He didn't really love her like he would a wife, he loved a shadow...a dream. "Milania...don't do this please." he whispered, but she pressed her glossy lips into his. He instantly recoiled, breaking their embrace as quickly as it had begun. She sat in astonished silence next to him.

"What....why did you do that?" she asked, her anger building inside. She begun to sense his real feelings as she stared into his blue eyes, which were so much like the ocean. His looked was no longer warm and content, it was distressed and confused.

Ian stared at her for a hard, painful moment then bolted up from the couch. "No Milania. No. I'm sorry....I don't want to hurt you like this. But no" he said shaking his head "I hve no feelings for you...someone like you. You have beauty on the outside, but your inside is as dirty as the worst criminal in Ditto town. You have NO beauty in my eyes. I just now realize this....I thought you were my friend...I just kidded myself. During out dinner, I was content. I didn't think of how you really were. No I am. I'm sorry....but I can't let you try this. No" he said, surprised at his own words.

There was suddenly a deep rage in her eyes and she stood, snarling "You....traitor! I thought you liked me Ian!! And after all I did...you tricked me...you fooled me. Why were we fine only five minutes ago and now you hate me with your whole soul! I HATE YOU!" she screamed and stood dumping her wine down his shirt, then as he was gasping she slapped him across the face "Leave now...." she said her eyes flashing

"I'm sorry Milania...but I'm glad I'm rid of you" he said then turned his back, picked up his stuff and strode out, never to step foot in they apartment again.

**

Brian wasn't sure what to make of this. He had never been one to run from anything...especially a group of bully boys. Glancing back he saw Emmy slightly lagging behind him. Dropping back to her he took her arm and helped "Come on Emmy!"

Amanda called out, "Some dude came in all injured and said he got shot!" Then, she turned to the man, hand still on the reciever. "How else am I supposed to help you?"
~~~~~~~~~~
Peter felt himself gaspin for breath. Still, he kept running, which was good, considering he still had enough speed for basketball. Before they got to the gym, he said, "These angry Seniors came and said they were going to beat Me, Jen and Logan up. THen, Declan came to teh rescue. Fred Austere grabbed him and I kicked him in the knee. THese other Seniors grabbed me and pulled my hair. THen Declan told them not to be JEalous of my hair and that if the bullies left us alone i would tell them my hair secrets. I told them I would then, they started chasing me. SOrry."

"What happened?" Chloe asked Miley. She pointed behind her with her thumb at the group that had just dispersed. She had been busy changing the batteries in her camera, and had missed the confrontation.

Miley shrugged. "Looks like those Seniors are chasing the," She paused relizing something. "Oh no! Peter and Jen! We ahve to help them! We have to find them! See if they're okay!"

"What the..." Chloe muttered as she turned around and saw Peter disapear behind the corner of the gym building, followed by Brian, Emmy, and three large boys. Miley started running after them.

"What does he think he's doing?" Chloe asked to no one in particular as she jogged lightly after Miley.

As Miley was jogging closer to rescue her cousin, she heard what Chloe said. She turned her head, Letting the air blow her hair around her shoulders. "Running from Seniors, I guess."

"Yeah, but he can at least run toward the teachers, not an empty gym..." Chloe said, sticking her arms inside her jacket. "That's probably the best place to get beat up," she huffed.

Logan glared at the clouds, as if that would make them stop raining, as he walked back toward the school; the whole time he was searching the area for any sign of his friends. He saw two girls chatting, so he walked up to them. "Hey, did you girls see a couple freshman's running by here? They were probably being chased by significantly larger seniors?" He pushed his wet hair across his forehead, out of his eyes. He glanced toward the school doors; most of the kids were heading back inside, but he didn't see Peter or Jen anywhere.

-------

Emmy looked toward the edge of the gym, expecting the bullies to appear around the corner any minute. She turned back to Peter. "Why - why'd you drag us into this?" She asked, not trying to be harsh.

Rosamunde followed her cousin. Her blonde hair was dripping with water, but she didn't seem to mind. Her focus was more on her book bag, which held her books and other items. She pulled her glasses off and placed them atop her head. Since she didn't need them to see, they weren't so important. "Lenny," she said to her cousin. "Let's get out of the rain...My sketchbook is probably soaked in my bag now..."

"Yeah, we should probably get back to class." Declan said.
Declan continued to walk through the rain. You really should go check the gym to go see if Peter needs help. Declan thought to himself. He shook his head, and water sprayed in different directions, You'll be late for class, if you go to the gym.
Declan stopped walking, looked up towards the sky, and took a big breath, But that would be totally uncool and selfish to leave them alone. Declan tapped his foot impatiently, Just stop talking to yourself and make the decision before you get completely soaked... did I eat lunch? Declan continued to think. "Ugh! Fine! I'll go check on Peter!" Declan said aloud. "You are one weird kid, Declan O'Hara." He said to himself as he made his way to the gym.

Rosamunde watched her cousin walk toward the gym. She tilted her head, shook it and then continued her way toward the front of the school. "That was weird."

Brian wasn't sure he really liked the situation either. He stopped, releasing Emmy's arm which he had a hold of, and came to Peter "Pete...I don't know if running is the best idea. We're corned and now we are sure to get beat up. That's the one thing my Mom told me not to do in High School. And the first day too!" he said with a sigh. He wasn't upset at his friend just a little frustrated.

***

Ian found himself standing alone in the street out side Milania's apartment. It was lonely, and silent but he found the peace refreshing. He was free and himself, that was all that mattered. He didn't care that he had very little money or no place to sleep. He was finally free...all but the woman from his dreams. He had to find her...somewhere some how. He thought back on his time int he jail, and how Justin had seemed to know her "I'll start there. Maybe he could lead me to her" flipping out his cell phone he dialed Justin's number and waited for him to answer

Maralyn sat, nursing Sarah gently. The little baby was very content and happy, which she could just tell. Maralyn looked up at Justin "She's hungry..."

*

"Just bandage the wound....but don't call the police." he said then leaned back in the kitchen chair gritting his teeth.

*
"What!?" Abigal cried "Shot? By whom? Are you calling the police?"

Amanda groaned. "I'm sure the lady on the other line has heard the address by now. What's your deal? You'll go in an abulance more than likely. I'm not a doctor. What if I cause an infection? I work at some teenage store at the mall and am a colege student. Not much I can do." She was trying really hard not to sound agitated but that was what she was beggining to feel. Some ranom dude shows up, begging for help and tells her not to call the police, then says she could bandage his wound?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter groaned, "They would have probably still gone after you. They were looking for Freshmen to beat up! I was trying to go inside, then you were there so I warned you all."
He whimpered, as he saw the boys getting closer. "It's me they're after anyway and Jen."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miley answered the younger blonde boy Peter was with earlier. "Behind the gym, probably inside. Please hurry!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Justin heard his phone ring and quickly stepped out the room,. so that his baby wouldn't cry. "Hello?"