I watched, hardly interested, as fire gradually incinerated someone's house. The inside was hollowed out by raging fire; people screamed shrilly as they were trapped by the cracking blaze. A single person darted into our vision before being crushed by a beam, then all went dark.

Commercial break.

"This is AWESOME!" Tyson said, eyes still glued to the television screen. The rest of us shared his opinion slightly less dramatically, though I obviously couldn't show it. Either way, I was definitely more concerned about whether or not anyone was going to notice my long-sleeved shirt in this freakish summer-in-spring weather. No one had, as of yet, but I was still so worried about it that I nearly missed Tyson's next words.

"I hate commercial breaks. There are always freakishly skinny people in them."

"What, they remind you of your diet, Tyson?" I teased. Though my heart practically skipped a beat. I took care not to let it show.

"Ha-ha. Very funny, Max. But seriously, they're, like, anorexic."

"Was that an ice-cream truck?"

"Stop changing the subject, Max." Great. Since when did Tyson not spaz out about ice cream? "The ice-cream truck doesn't due rounds until next week, Tuesday." Oh. Since when has anyone recorded the exact date the ice-cream truck does its rounds?

"But really. They don't eat anything I bet you."

I didn't say anything. I was concentrating on my skyrocketing heartbeat. Tyson, please don't say it. Please.

"And then these idiots run around thinking they're so thin and stuff, then they get all anorexic and stupid. Seriously, what kind of idiot does th—OW!"

My adreline rooftop, my fists clenched, I flew at him. Thinking no. No. It's not fair. She was too young. Then yelling it, not even sure of what I was doing. Tyson curled into a tight little ball, screaming at the top of his lungs. His Grandpa rushing into the blur that became my reality, prying me off his child with desperate help from Kai and Ray. It took them so long…Tyson would feel pain, pain for insulting you. He will. I promise.

And all I know now is what I have said—that strange, panicked blur, and the oh-so-solid view of their faces, shocked and frightened. And my footsteps echoing malovently on the ground as I ran as fast as they could possibly carry me.

It's not your fault. You were only four…

Sena. My sister.

And here it is! The key to the story. From here on, the plot REALLY kicks in. mind you, this isn't done quite the way I would of liked…anyway.

OH YEAH! For some reason, this chapter didn't go up, and I didn't realize it for quite a while…so…SORRY!

Rising Pheonix: Thankees! Actually, his mother is there for him, but…well, Max just might prefer it not to be so…Anyway…as long as you DO review at some point in the story, I am quite pleased! Though I am ultra-pleased if you review EVERY chapter! Which you pretty much have…Thank you!

Jani Reme: No? Darn…must have the wrong user…but I though you had this story about Hilary and her diary and stuff! Does it sound familiar at all?
Meh. Anyway, Max and Kai's interaction is already planned out. They do meet up, I promise. NO Yaoi, though…I don't read it, I don't write it. Anyhow, once again you are coming dangerously close to the plot…seriously, it's scary…are you a mind-reader?