Chapter 2

Shaun entered his apartment building and pressed the elevator button. As the elevator opened, Shaun entered and pressed the button for his floor. As the elevator went up, it stopped on the second floor and opened. A girl with gothic clothing and makeup, purple hair, and a nose ring entered the elevator.

"Going up or down?" the girl asked.

"I'm going up," Shaun said.

"Whatever," the girl said as she entered the elevator.

As the elevator went up, the girl looked at Shaun.

"You're that guy who lives up the stairs from me," the girl said.

"I am Dr. Shaun Murphy," Shaun said.

"Hi Dr. Shaun Murphy," the girl said. "I'm Tara."

"Your hair is purple," Shaun said.

"Yeah," Tara said. "I'm thinking of dyeing it turquois."

"I would stick with purple," Shaun said.

"Do you always say what's on your mind Shaun?" Tara asked.

"I'm autistic," Shaun said.

"An autistic doctor," Tara said. "You must be pretty determined."

"My co-worker Claire told me that I should try to make friends," Shaun said.

"There's this party down the street," Tara said. "Want to come?"

"I don't like parties," Shaun said.

"It'll be fun," Tara said.

"Okay," Shaun said. "Okay."

The party was held in a basement of an apartment building. There were several people dressed in gothic clothing and flashing strobe lights. The music playing was hardcore death metal. Shaun stood in the corner and nervously fidgeted his hands. Tara ran over to him.

"What's wrong Shaun?" Tara asked.

"I am not comfortable here," Shaun said.

"You're not?" Tara asked.

"I want to leave," Shaun said. "I want to leave right now."

"This party is a little too much for you isn't it?" Tara asked.

"This party is a lot too much," Shaun said.

"Let's go for a walk," Tara said.

Shaun and Tara left the party and walked to a nice neighborhood with big houses.

"This is nice," Shaun said.

"It sure is," Tara said. "This is the neighborhood where I grew up."

"Oh," Shaun said.

"I lived here until I was 17," Tara said.

Tara pointed over to a house with a Mercedes in the driveway.

"That's where Mia lives," Tara said.

"Is she a friend?" Shaun asked.

"No," Tara said. "She's a man-stealing whore! She had sex with my boyfriend on my 16th birthday! I never forgave her!"

"I'm sorry," Shaun said. "But that was in the past."

"Okay," Tara said. "I'll let that comment slide because you have autism. But people just don't get over things that simple Shaun."

"I do," Shaun said.

"No offense, but that is not healthy," Tara said.

"Okay," Shaun said.

Tara saw a baseball bat on the grass of someone's yard and picked it up.

"I'm going to destroy that Mercedes!" Tara said.

"That is illegal," Shaun said. "You could be arrested for destruction of property."

"It's only illegal if you get caught," Tara said.

"It's still illegal," Shaun said.

Tara walked over to the Mercedes and began smashing the back windshield. Shaun ran over to her.

"It would be a good idea to quit," Shaun said. "You are committing a serious crime."

Suddenly, Tara and Shaun saw flashing lights.

"It's the cops!" Tara shouted. "Run!"

Shaun and Tara took off running.

"Don't look back Shaun!" Tara shouted.
"Don't look back!"