"Well, I was raised in Olympia, Washington by my parents. They were really good parents but I wanted to get out and explore the world. You know, spread my wings. So when I turned 20 a few months ago, I bought a bus ticket and left for Hollywood. You see, I'm a special effects technician and I thought I could maybe work on some big Hollywood movies. But I couldn't get a job anywhere because I didn't have enough experience. And then, a week ago…" Melody trailed off as tears came to her eyes.
"You don't have to go on if you don't want to," Kevin said. He couldn't bear to see her cry.
"No, no, I'm okay," Melody sniffled, "And then a week ago I got a call from a friend of my parents saying that they had died in a fire. She said that I should come home because the authorities were looking for me."
"Why?" Nick asked.
"Because I'm not 21 yet and so I was under the custody of the state."
"Does that mean that you would go into foster care when they found you?" Kevin asked.
"Yep. By the time I got the call, my bank account was so low I couldn't even afford the bus ride to Washington. I decided to hitchhike there. In retrospect, it probably wasn't the best idea but I wasn't thinking clearly."
"That still doesn't explain how you ended up in a ditch," Joe said.
"I'm getting there. I was walking along the side of the highway when I tripped and rolled down the ditch. I must have cracked my head on a rock or something because I remember stopping in the bottom of the ditch with blood running down my face. The next thing I remember is a car ride to this hospital."
"I think that's where we come in." said Joe. The three boys then told their side of the story to Melody. When they finished, Kevin asked, "What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know," Melody answered, "I have to get home but I don't think hitchhiking is a good idea. But without any money, what other option do I have?" She sighed. "And what am I going to do when I'm 21 and on my own again?"