November 13th

Part 1: The beginning of the day.

(Part 1 since this is an entry even longer than the other entries are)

Today was just like everyday since the start of 10th grade.

As usual, I had arguments with Mom and Dad about Ruby.

"Kristin, you'll never get anywhere in life. You're a Kwee. You should be a genius. If you try to go to university or try to get a job, you'll bring shame to our family," Mom said. My parents were the only people who referred to me by my full name, Kristen.

"She already brings shame to the family," said Dad.

"Aren't you proud of me for making the news team and track and field?" I glared at them, always making me feel stupid for being something I may never be able to be even though I should be grateful to them for feeding me.

"That really isn't an achievement in life, Kristen Tai Chi."

"I'm off for school." I just can't freaking stand them anymore. I'm feeling a temptation to run away.

I took a subway since I live in uptown and A. Nigma's the closest public high school to where I live.

I was at school at last.

I went to the newsroom, ready to present.

"Oh good, Tina, you're here. Chaz isn't here," Stepak looked at me. "Get your ass over at the news table."

As usual. For Stepak.

"And we're ready in five. Four. Three. Two. One. And action."

"Good morning, A. Nigma, I'm-" I started.

"About to eat a bucket of Cupid scooped sausage, sha-bang!" Chaz cut in out of the blue, him being the usual son of a bitch he was. Or man whore. I can't decide which one's better. Or if none of them are good enough.

"Chaz, where are you, and why is it so dark?" I questioned.

"Hey, good questions, Tina, you finally got yourself a clue. But hold the applause, cause Chaz has got something so breaking it's already broken, yeah. Shh, they're coming." Chaz grinned...and it was the one that meant bad news.

"Who's coming? And seriously, are you hiding in a locker?"

"Shut up T-Snore."

I had it with him.

"Chazman Julius Moneranian, you son-of-a-"

"Boo like a shuck a ding dong." Chaz actually was in a locker after all, just like I suspected. And who other than Camillio Esmeraldo Martinez and Brandy Silver be the people coming.

"Yo, why you gotta be jumping out of lockers and scaring people yo?" Cam was very annoyed. And Brandy? She looked a bit upset.

"Cause it's Chaz's Corner. Brings you an exclusive, that's why. The return of the humiliated ex-president and his sad sap ex-first lady and ex-Glamazon herself Brandy." He took a breath and continued. "Wowserpants. No shortage of ex's there. Tell us, what's it like being the two biggest losers in high school history. Oh, and, Brandy, is that a new shade of lip gloss? It's horrible. Am I right people?"

What the hell is wrong with Chaz? That guy doesn't even deserve to be on the news. The only reason he's even there was because his dad threatened to sue the school if he got kicked off in favour of me when I joined the news team as a freshman while he was two years older than me despite being in tenth grade. (I'll assume he was held back even if I make an ass of myself.) is a reporter and Chaz wants to be one too. Just like I do.

I don't think the school likes Chaz anymore than I do.

Although, Chaz's dad seemed to agree with the school when they chose to suspend him from the news team for the prank footage fiasco. At least he has some morals.

"Uh, no, dude, you are so not right, um ok. You know right? Cause it looks uh, good" said Cam, sounding like he was at a loss for words.

"Give me that!" Chaz snatched the phone away. "Are you crazy? The colour's totally clash. This just in, it's official: the ex-president so needs glasses."

I looked at Stepak. He was already trying to get that off the air.

"No use," he said. "Chaz changed all the passwords."

"Then change them," I ordered. "And don't tell Chaz so he won't know."

My phone rang. I picked it up.

"Tina." It was Lee. "Any chance you gonna help Cam out? Put Chaz off or something? It's getting pretty bad."

"Tell me about it," I said. "Stepak's trying but Chaz changed all the passwords." I picked up my backpack. "I'll go down there and handle Chaz. This isn't news; it's tabloid junk."

I headed down to the Main Entrance to the school. That was where Chaz was most likely to be.

Mr. Wurst was coming as well.

He startled me. "Sir," I started. "If this is about Chaz's broadcast, we're already on it."

"That? No." Then what was it? "It's rather funny but you must come with me. I've learned something so terrible, well, let's see if you could keep it secret with some candy."

"Wait, what are you talking about?" I was suspicious.

"Why, your favourite subject, Tina:Coral Grove."

"Ok, you have my attention." Just get this over with and deal with Chaz.

"But it's not safe here. Put this on so they can't tell who's who."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Shh," he said, and we were on our way.

I wanted to speak but I knew it was best not to till we got to the principal's office.

Fifteen minutes later, we were at Wurst's office.

"We should be safe here." He glanced out the window. "For now."

I took off the glasses he gave me. "Safe from who? This can't be fooling anyone."

Wurst shushed me. "Bugs. Them. Else."

"Who is them? Coral Grove them?" We were the only two people in the office.

"Precisely, my dear. Bunch of blow them scoundrels, they make me into a brain factory, will you?" He pulled out a giant candy apple. "Candy apple?"

I accepted just to be nice. "You really were there? It's not something that's a resort, is it? It's something else. I knew it."

"You are a genius, . If we had some files on them, we could sure turn a few tables around. Yes siree bob."

"I do have files on them," I exclaimed. "I-I just need to log in. I can show you." And so I pulled out my laptop and logged in.

"Really do? How interesting. Tell me everything."

Little did I know what a fatal mistake it was to trust Wurst.

Soon I was on the Coral Grove website.

An hour later, I was exasperated.

"For some reason I can't seem to log onto the Coral Grove site." I looked up.

"Gee whillikers, maybe they're on to you."

"But how? There's no way anyone knows.. except Jenny and she'd never squeal."

"Really? Are you sure of that?"

"Positive. Why?"

"No reason. You go on."

"Well, the files seem to show that various people have been taken away to Coral Grove. Like you." He looked like he was expecting me to continue. "And it all seems to be under Kimmie's mom's orders."

"Uh-huh. Fascinating. Do tell me more." Principal Wurst seemed to be reaching for something underneath his desk.

"And Brandy's mom, as a judge, seems to be making it all sort of legal. Chaz's mom Kerrigan is a member of the Parents Council. She's obviously the lady who got zapped by the pyramid when she attempted to open it."

I began typing again. This time, I got lucky... only except for the fact that in order to be able to access the files, I had to enter a series of passwords. I knew those passwords and it should take about ten minutes.

I told him that.

"Alright, take your time, my dear, take your time." As to be expected, Wurst pulled out licorice. "Candy?"

I politely refused.

As I was entering the passwords, the door opened.

"Oh yes you're here. Come on in."

Who was in? I turned around. A blue version of the hazmats came in. It was about twelve feet, and had a scythe.

"Huh? What's going on? Who's coming in?" I was confused.. and scared.

"Oh, him? Oh, uh, consider him your guide, you know, for the grand voyage your about to take."

"What voyage? What are you.." I gasped in horror. What an ass I was to assume that Wurst was one of the good guys. I swear to myself I'll never make fun of the saying when you assume, you make an ass out of u and me. Never.

Wurst took out a bag of red Skittles. "Bag of candy? For the trip? You know, to that place you can't seem to help a piece you're fascinated by? The place where people get sent who know too much."

I gasped again as the blue hazmat closed in on me.

Then it touched its head and started to send out what looked like waves.

Then everything went black.