Chapter 1

"Kat! Kat, it's morning! Wake up!" My little brother shouted.

"What time is it?" I mumbled into my pillow.

"Seven thirty." He said. With that I groan and pull the covers further over my head.

When it comes to morning routines, the two of us are the exact opposite. On school days I wake up early while on week ends and vacations I try to sleep in. Not to mention on school days it's a struggle just to get Matt out of bed.

"Mathew Cogan, why can't you understand I'm trying to enjoy my summer like any other thirteen year old." I retorted though the covers. "Why can't you be like any other eleven year old and sleep in like you normally do?"

Next thing I knew, I felt a large weight on top of me bouncing. "Kathrine. Kat, pwease! Mom made chocolate chip pancakes!" Matt exclaimed. Once he got off, I jumped out of bed and raced to the bathroom to change.

I pulled my waist long strawberry-blond hair back into a pony tail, yes I'm the blond with blue eyes. Deal with it. I died my hair with streaks of random colors, today I had a vibrant red. I had an orange top with a gold star on the front, olive green shorts, and a pair of light brown boots.

"Mom, Dad, did Matt eat all the pancakes?" I called out as I entered the kitchen. The only one in there was Matt.

He didn't comb his sandy hair, but one could barely tell the difference because it always a mess. He was wearing a pack-man graphic shirt, jeans shorts, and sneakers.

"Oh, Mom and Dad had to go to work. They left you a note."

Kathrine, We're terribly sorry but something came up at work so we had to leave earlier then we had planed. You're in charge until we get back, so don't let your brother burn the house down. The microwave Mac 'n' Cheese is in the…Ya ya, I knew that. Mom is such a worry wart.

In the time it took me the time to read the note, Matt snuck up on me. "So what's on the agenda today?"

"YICKES! Matt!" I shouted. Took a deep breath. It's only eight and I already have a headache. "Matt, don't play with fire, knock before you enter my room, stay out of the cookie jar, and don't eat any sweets. That's all the limits I have."

And I leave for the safe haven of my room while Matt started his SEGA game marathon. And by that, I mean NiGHTS and Sonic the Hedgehog. Why couldn't I have a normal brother?

The time: three thirty.

What I was doing: Listening to my music.

I had my headphones in and the volume a quarter from full volume. "Say anything you want," Yes, I'm singing to a boy band. Deal with it. "I turn the music up. 'Cause baby we ain't going no-oh-oh-where…"

"Kat?"

"I'll leave it all behind, to be with you tonight, and everybody's screaming oh oh oh oh oh yeah." At that, I felt someone yank my headphones out. "Hey! Matt! What did I say about knocking before coming in?!"

"We're out of ice cream."

I sigh. "What did you expect? You ate it all yesterday, remember?"

Matt attempted to act cute and innocent, taking his hat off and twisting in in his hands. "Can we get some more? I can't go to the Stop & Shop by myself."

"Come on." I said. "Let's get that ice cream." I grab his wrist and pulled him behind me.

Mom and Dad left fifty bucks in emergency money, and with Matt this is an emergency. He just loves ice cream.

Thank gawd the Stop & Shop's only two blocks away, because I couldn't stand Matt going on about one of the lame Sonic games. Just twenty more dollars and I'll have enough to finally buy Sonic Generations.

"Kat, can I go grab the ice cream?"

"Huh, Oh. Sure, you know the layout better then I do. I'll be at the comics and magazines if you need me." I said. I gave him a pat on the head before the two of us went our separate ways.

Started scanning what was available.

Archie Sonic comics: Some of them have cool plots, but others and some of the characters are just wrong, Like Sally Acorn the nu…I mean, princess.

The fleet way comics: Better then the Archie. I even liked what they did with Super Sonic. Although, 'Pixel Brain' is an uncalled for nickname.

This is weird, it doesn't take this long. He doesn't even wastes time picking a flavor. He likes garlic ice cream! I was getting worried. "Matt?"

"Matt where are you?" I called. If I was worried before, I was freaking out now.

Suddenly, there was rapid gun-fire. "Everybody drop to the ground! This is a robbery!"

I rushed over to where the shouts came from and I was horrified at the sight. Five gunmen and one hostage…

"Kat!" The hostage was Matt.

Only had one choice. "Hey you!" I shouted. Two of the gunmen turned and trained their guns at me. Semi-automatic rifles, probably not a good idea but… "Let him go."

"And what are you going to do about it?"

"Let my brother go, and take me instead."