Jake's once khaki cargo pants are now covered in big red splotches. Jake isn't moving. I called the paramedics. Why aren't they here yet? I don't want anything to happen to Jake. He is a good person. His body is sprawled so awkwardly on the sidewalk - he looks fake. It looks like a horror movie.

I hear the distant sound of sirens. They have to take him to the hospital. He still isn't moving. I can't deal with this. This is all my fault. Why do things have to go so wrong? Why did anything happen to Jake? It wasn't his fault, really. It was mine. I'm too trusting. I like people too much.

I need to go somewhere. I need to run. I need to go back to kindergarten - everything was happier in kindergarten. Now I'm in high school. Things are horrible in high school. Why should someone's lives be threatened, just because they're 13 years older? My life is miserable now, because of one boy, and a few lies. In kindergarten it was a letdown if you couldn't play with the good ball during recess. Now, I have to worry about someone killing my sisters, or the Professor.

The police came with the paramedics. They start asking me questions. I am in such a daze that I barely remember the questions long enough to answer them. I look at the officer. His hairline is receding. I wonder if he's gone through as much pain as I have. He must see the pain in my eyes. I can barely smile. He tells me that he knows what I'm going through, and not to worry.

I tell him about my sisters, and the whole story. I tell him how scared I am. I tell him about how I know we've told the police all of this already, and I show him one of my bruises. I can tell he understands. I ask him, "Please, sir, find Ian, and make him go away, so we don't have to."

He tells me that when they find him, we'll have a strong case against him. He asks if Ian is eighteen, and I tell him that he is. He tells me that Ian can be tried as an adult. I try to smile and thank him for everything. The officer's eyes squint a little when he smiles, and he says, "We're going to leave an officer here to watch your house. If you need anything, feel free to call us. We're here to help you."

I turn to Professor, after Officer Maxx leaves, and ask, "What do you think was wrong? Did he break a bone or something?" I see his facial response to my question - he takes on a worried look.

The Professor simply says, "It's hard to say right now. A doctor would be the one best able to tell us. Don't worry though, Bubbles. Everything will work out for the best. Why don't you run upstairs, and draw, or do something that will make you totally happy?"

I decide to take his advice, and I walk upstairs. I walk past Buttercup's room, and realize that Blossom and Buttercup are still in there, alone. I knock on the door, and no one answers. I walk in and notice that they've both fallen asleep. I'm alone again. I sigh and put a blanket over both of them.

I walk into my room, and flop down on my bed. My pillow smells like those sheets you put in the dryer. I rest on my bed for quite a while, not really thinking about anything. I start feeling very tired. I haven't had very much real rest this weekend. I look down at my floor. I wonder who cleaned up the shattered puppy.

I wake up. I can't see anything. I can't move. I begin to panic. I try to flail - to get out of whatever is holding me. I don't know what is going on. Am I tied up and blindfolded? Where am I? I begin to focus. I realize I'm just wrapped up in my blanket, very tightly. I wiggle free, and try to slow my breathing to normal.

I sit up in my bed and look around - everything is normal. I'm fine. I realize it's very late. It's probably three in the morning. It's so dark outside. I look out my window, and can't see anything at all.

I realize I can't sleep. I tell myself to just rest. I can't. I'm too stressed out. I just need to go and watch a video, draw, cook, or do something relaxing. I stand up and walk out of my room. I wonder if Blossom ever went back into her own room. I walk past Professor's bedroom door and hear a light snoring. I bet everyone is sound asleep, and happy. I'm the only one who isn't either.

I walk downstairs. Maybe I'll go watch TV, or a movie. I sit in front of the television and grab the remote. I remember that it's three o'clock in the morning and nothing will be on TV, so I walk over to our movie library. I pick out a DVD of You've Got Mail, my all-time favorite feel-good movie, and start the DVD player.

I curl up on the couch, under a soft blanket and watch. I love this movie. I giggle throughout the silly parts of the movie. It really is relaxing. I watch the sappy end of the movie and smile warmly. Maybe I should watch another movie.

I pick out another happy, romantic comedy, and curl back up on the couch. The subtle light shining in through the living room windows wakes me up. I look around and realize it's Monday. Luckily, the other girls and Professor aren't up yet. I'm not running late. I stand up and stretch.

I walk upstairs and shower. I get dressed and wrap my towel around my wet hair. Blow drying my hair takes too much energy to do today. I walk downstairs, and see that Professor is in the kitchen, making breakfast.

He looks up when I walk in, and seems almost shocked. "Bubbles, what are you doing up? I thought everyone would still be asleep." He seems worried about me. "I think you need to stay home from school today. I need to know that you're safe, and it's too hard to keep track of you at school."

His words shock me. I do a double take, and realize he's serious. He never agrees to us staying home, unless we're very sick. I respond slowly, "Oh, okay, are you sure? I mean, I feel fine, and I'm not very worried."

"Bubbles, you're staying home - that's final. So, today you can help me run some errands and things - we could even clean the lab." I know he's teasing me with his last statement, but I know he is afraid to leave me home alone. "I know what you're thinking, and yes, Blossom and Buttercup are going to go to school today. They will get your homework for you, and if I call the school they will come straight home - should the need arise." He always does know what I'm thinking. I was just about to ask if they were staying home or not.

"Okay Professor, do you need me to do anything right now? I might go up and make sure everything in my room got put back where it goes. I also have a little homework I never got to this weekend." I smile at him, and the Professor nods in approval. I just want him to know where I am. I giggle and turn around and walk back upstairs.

I walk into my room and close my door behind me. I pull out my writing folder and a pretty blue pen, and start writing a poem. I hear footsteps in the hallway, and momentarily tense up. I realize it's Buttercup going downstairs for breakfast. I finish my poem and start to reorganize my dresser drawers.

That's when I feel the hand on my shoulder. My body freezes in pure horror. Thoughts are racing through my mind like lightning. It's not Blossom or Buttercup's hand; the hands don't feel like the size of mine. It must be the Professor's hand. I ask, "Did you need something, Professor?" and am startled by who responds.