bythelight: here's the second one. I think it's better than the first one...

"Where do you think you're going?" a cold, harsh voice whispered in my ear. "You're new here. Don't you want a tour?"

"Actually, sir, we were gonna give her one," Fidelio stepped in.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, sir," said Charlie awkwardly.

Ah. So that was Manfred Bloor. My cousin had told me about him. And yet, a troubled, but handsome young man was clearly not what I was seeing. She had also said he had a great personality. From what I had seen so far, I could conclude that Gia wad a bigger liar than I thought.

"Well then. You'd better get going. Or it's detention!" he practically squealed at us. He turned on his heel and stalked off. He was definitely going on my People To Avoid List.

"Hey, Jackie. Can I ask you a question?" Gabe said just the slightest bit bashful.

"Shoot."

"Why are you here at Bloors?

I sucked in some air. It was a long story. I'd need it. "Well, one night about 13 years ago, my father and mother met at a bar. I was conceived and my father stuck around for a while. Then he got in some financial trouble and left us. So my mom raised me with the help of some of my aunts. Maybe six months ago, my mom got a stable job and income so they went back to Chicago." I paused. Here comes the hard part. "My mom went to this insane party about three weeks ago and got drunk. She drove home." I took a deep breath. There was a large bump in my throat. "She was killed in a car wreck."

They stared at me in shock. Some of their eyes were glistening with tears. After a silence, Dagbert asked, "What kind of financial trouble was your dad in?"

"Oh. Um….He…um….He gambled a lot."

"So?" challenged Dagbert. "If that was all he did, just get him some therapy."

"Yeah well he also robbed a bank. But I didn't pick up any of his traits. Trust me." I really just wanted to drop this conversation.

"Oh. Okay," said Fidelio, obviously picking up my vibe.

"But where do you live?" asked Dagbert. Man, this guy was starting to get on my nerves.

"I live with my two cousins, Gia and Cam. They're great. But I had to come here because I'm endowed."

"Really?" Dagbert's iceberg eyes glinted. "And what is it?"

"I can move earth."

"How? Can you cause earthquakes?"

"Yes. That's why I have to be calm a lot. I shouldn't rant like Manfred."

Dagbert opened his mouth, but was cut off by a loud horn. "Shoot, I forgot about that tour," said Fidelio. "I'll ask Dr. Saltweather about it. You are in choir, right?"

"Uh huh."

"Cool." We walked in side the gloomy building to face a whole week of misery.

bythelight: So what ya think? Dang. I haven't mentioned the mystery yet.