I laid in my bed staring up at the ceiling, waiting for the night to end. Lloyd had said before I returned to the shop that the energy he had given me was enough to keep me wide awake the whole night, and seemed to be doing just so as of right now. I felt as though I had drank energy drinks, except I wasn't bouncing off the walls from all the caffeine. Though, there was a downside to this. There wasn't much I could do, considering that it was the middle of the night, and everyone was most likely sleeping. I can't watch TV, and I'm afraid if I even try to tiptoe down the hallway to go do something, I'll make some loud noise that will wake everyone up. It's just best that I stay in my room.

I sighed and looked over at Lilly, who's back was turned to me. I listened to the small, quiet snore that escaped her and watched the small twitches her shoulders made in her sleep. I then turned back to staring at the ceiling, shaking my head. I'm supposed to have stopped that creepy habit of watching people while they sleep, but I couldn't help it. There was just something interesting about what they do while the sleep, whether it be talking while they sleep or if they run in their slumber. I needed stop this though, so my friends don't think I'm a creeper like my uncle. I really don't want to be like him.

I looked over at my alarm clock, which read 11:30, then sighed. I have about eight hours until the estimated time that Lilly wake up. What am I supposed to do until then!? I tried desperately to think of something to do, but I only ended up receiving those random thoughts you get at nighttime. You know, the ones like "Why are oranges called oranges?", "Why was the ninja team first red, blue, white, and black and not red, white, black, & yellow?", and "Is my life actually just a story planned out in someone's head and they control everything I do?". Yeah, those ones.

As I looked deeper into the jumble of thoughts that overflowed in my mind, I found one that reawakened my feelings of embarrassment and slight awkwardness. Does Lloyd like me? Do I like him? Well, of course we do platonically, but romantically? I covered my face with my hands, groaning quietly in a reaction to my own thoughts. There was no way he likes me in that way. I mean, he is young after all, but not much younger than me. We're only four years apart.

Though, I guessed it could be a possibility, considering my own feelings. He might like me in that way, or he might not. The only person who knows is Lloyd himself. Though, as for myself and my own feelings...

I hugged myself, turning onto my side. No, I can't possibly like him that way. I denied it all immediately. There's no way. He's my best friend. If I liked him in that way, it would ruin our friendship...wouldn't it? I felt like it would.

Though, when I thought about relationships like my parents' and Lilly & Kai's, it just seemed like an advanced level of friendship with romance as a bonus and the possibility of spending the rest of your life with the person. It was the kind of level only certain people could unlock with you. So, would something like this really ruin our friendship? Do I really need to keep denying my feelings or let them blossom? What do I do!?

I tried to think, but all I could see was the things that happened through the year. The worry and care I had felt for him, the anxiety I felt when he was possessed, the hugs we shared, how we helped each other with our personal issues, that awkward moment a few weeks ago, the question Lloyd was going to ask, the small blush on his cheeks, all of it. It was the same way I thought of my friends...except now I was resisting the urge to hug him every time I saw him...and maybe even resisting the urge to k-

I could tell it immediately. I really do like him in that way. I really do...love him. I couldn't deny it any longer, but why did I think it wasn't true? Was it anxiety? Or the fact that I'm afraid of being brutally rejected again like I was in middle school?

My cheeks warmed from the acceptance of it. I felt as though a tiny weight had been lifted off my chest, making me feel a little better. Though, the memory and anxiety of being brutally rejected hung over me still, reminding me of the day in middle school my confidence was shattered to pieces. I'd rather not share this story, though. I fear I may fall into a depressed wreck again if I tell it...or even think of it now.

Though, the thoughts of it forced itself into my mind anyway. Remember the way that boy looked at you? The way he belittled you? The way he laughed? My thoughts tormented me. As if the recurring nightmares with Luo and Morro weren't enough...

I began to curl into a ball, much more worried about myself than anything, though something broke me from it. The sound of a door slamming startled me, causing me to uncoil from the ball I had curled into. I cast a glance at my alarm clock to see that it was 12:03 am. Who's doing that at this time of night!? Though, just before my feet could touch the cold floor, I could hear Zane shouting. I was instantly alarmed. Zane wouldn't just be shouting for no reason at night! There's something wrong!

I hopped out of my bed, grabbing my staff from my shelf in a flash. Then, I opened the door and snuck down the hallway as silent as a snake. When I came to a corner in the hallway, I was set to roll to the next wall until I remembered that my pajamas are a nightgown. I stared down at the skirt of it, instantly hating it. Always, in the worst of situations, I have to be wearing a skirt that doesn't have trousers with it! I seriously wonder how most of those TV heroines manage to do it! Seriously, how!?

Knowing that this could be a serious situation and walking away could leave someone dead, I decided against going back to my room and getting trousers. No one's gonna see me anyway, since I think I'm the only one that heard Zane shouting. Without a sound, I rolled to the next wall, then slid to the one across from it. I flattened myself against the wall and listened, while making sure the skirt of my gown didn't become a parachute within that time.

After hearing nothing, I peeked into the living room, only seeing the tips of Zane's shiny, metallic hair behind one of the chairs. I walked slowly into the room, still alarmed. I had to stay on guard, even if this is my friend here.

"Zane, is everything alright?" I asked in a whisper, approaching the chair. The android turned to acknowledge me, revealing a shattered eye in the moonlight and a small dent around his eye. He looked distressed, a look that I rarely ever see.

I kneeled down on the floor next to where he was sitting, now noticing that the side of his neck was cut. I felt worry immediately. Who did this to him!?

"Zane, what happened!?" I asked in a whisper. His remaining eye shifted to the floor, it's light blue glow now dim.

"I...do not remember. All I know is that Pixal is gone and that I was assaulted in some way," he answered in a quiet voice. My eyes widened. Pixal? Gone? But how!? Didn't she live in his head now!?

"Karma, could you please open my head panel and see if the white flash drive that carried her is still in there? I want to make sure she didn't...expire within my mainframe," he asked. I nodded and slowly opened the panel on the right side of his head, and discovered something that could upset him. Her flash drive was nowhere to be found. I sighed. Looks like I'm the bearer of bad news, the thing I've always hated to be.

"I'm sorry Zane, she's nowhere to be found," I told him, giving a sympathetic look. The nindroid grimaced, looking as though he may cry.

"When everyone's awake, we can try looking for her, okay?" I told him. His upset look did not fade.

"Why can we not look now?" he asked, looking at the floor again. This poor guy...

"Well...we'll have more people. Besides, I know certain people kill when waken at this time of night," I said, rolling my staff away. Zane nodded slowly.

"That is true...and probably would be the most logical way to do this," he agreed. I nodded.

"As for now, I'm going to stick with you in case that person who attacked you comes back," I informed him, taking a seat by him and bringing my staff closer. Zane gave me a bewildered look.

"But...are you not tired?" he asked. I shook my head.

"Lloyd transferred me a ton of energy this evening, so I probably won't be sleepy until the return of evening," I explained. The nindroid still looked confused.

"But why did he give you it?" he questioned.

"I meant to catch Lilly in the morning so I could talk to her about something I was suspicious about, but I can do that tomorrow. I hope Lloyd doesn't mind if I ask for more energy tomorrow..." I informed the android. Zane shrugged.

"I do not think he will mind. He likes holding your hand," he informed me. My cheeks grew hot instantly. Likes!? Holding!? My!? Hand!? What!? My thoughts were now a complete and utter mess. No way. No way!

"H-How can you be so sure?" I asked, trying to not sound excited or even embarrassed. I probably failed miserably.

"He writes in a journal from time to time and I like to read it. He wrote something about that in there today. Please do not tell him I read his journal," Zane informed me. I began to feel even more energetic than before. Does that mean Lloyd likes me too!? Or does he just like my hand!? Or is this just a dream!?

I spent the rest of the night with my jumbled thoughts and my nindroid friend, who had shifted into sleep mode so he could stop worrying until morning. Though, despite that revelation from Zane about Lloyd, my thoughts were still heavy about what was wrong with Lilly, and now with Zane's gynoid girlfriend missing. One thought stuck out in my mind though. The one thought that may split the team again.

Who assaulted Zane?