AN: Thanks to all my reviewers! I don't have much to say right now…so just read and review!

                                                                                                                                                           

            "Why does he want us ta bring Mush?" I asked Jack, although I knew he couldn't answer that. It was weird to have to look at Skittery for his response instead of just listening, and when I did look at him he just shrugged.

            "We have to go. Race and Dutchy ain't lookin' so good." Jack insisted, and I knew he was right. We had to go- we didn't have any choice if we wanted the others to live.

            Specs was now utterly confused. "Would someone please tell me what's going on here?"

            "Later, Specs. We don't have time right now. Wouldja watch the rest of these guys while we go out for a while?"

            "I guess, but-"

            "Don't ask any questions, Specs. It's for your own good." I muttered, and he grumbled a bit but sat down on the edge of Dutchy's bunk.

            Skittery groaned in frustration, putting his head in his hands, and I knew he desperately wanted to say something but couldn't. I put an arm around his shoulders, hoping it was some measure of comfort.

            He suddenly got up and walked over to Mush's bunk, ever so carefully picking him up. Then he jerked his head toward the door, and Jack and I stood up and followed him out. Even when he can't talk he's still annoyingly stubborn, I thought as we followed him down the stairs.

            For once I was glad that no one on the streets cared what we did- it had to have looked pretty weird with Skittery carrying Mush and all. We found our destination- a huge mansion, not having been lived in for years and falling apart in just about every way.  

            When it came into sight, Skittery froze. He wouldn't budge an inch, and he was shaking like a leaf.

            "What's wrong?"

            He handed Mush off to Jack, and then we began a quick game of charades. He pointed to himself, then to the house, and then moved his hand back and forth about three feet off the ground.

            "You lived here when you were little, didn't you?"

            He nodded, frustrated and obviously nervous. I took a deep breath, and then forced a brave look. "It's empty, Skitts. There's nothin' heah anymore."

            Skittery suddenly reached into my pocket and pulled out my matches, taking a moment to strike one up. He pointed to the flame, and then to the house.

            "Did your family die in there, Skitts?" Jack asked, and Skittery threw the match down and stomped it out, nodding and trying not to cry. Jack and I looked at each other, both hoping the other had a solution.

            "We's right heah, Skittery. We'll be right beside ya the whole time. I promise." I said, and he slowly nodded. It seemed to take all his strength to begin moving toward the house once again. I realized just how rich Skittery's family must have been- this would've been a grand house in it's time.

            "How old were you when…it happened?" I asked gently. Skittery opened his mouth and was met with anger at himself when he remembered that he couldn't talk. He held up six fingers after a moment of thought.

            We reached the door and after a few moments' hesitation, I reached forward and pushed it open. It was total darkness inside. I stepped through, followed by Jack, and finally Skittery. Then the door slammed shut, and the lights snapped on.

            "Michael! You decided to come after all!"

            A beautiful woman in a long, white dress pushed past us to Skittery, pulling him into a tight hug, which he resisted. She smiled, and then turned to us.

            "I'm so glad you brought your friends. We've wanted to meet them for quite some time now! Come on back, there's plenty of food for everyone!"

            That lady…she looked just like Skittery. The same eyes, the same color hair…

            Skittery was in a severe state of confusion and shock. The brightly lit hall was clean and sparkling, with a white marble staircase and a fancy chandelier hanging from the ceiling. People were mingling in the large front room, holding glasses of champagne and chatting up a storm.

            A small child suddenly burst into the room, latching onto Skittery's legs with a yell. She was wearing a sun bonnet and a lacy blue dress, and her eyes sparkled with glee. "Gotcha!" she shrieked, and Skittery just about fell over. She looked up at him, confused by his apparent fear.

            "Whatsa matter, Michael? Dontcha recognize your own sister?"

            Jack laid Mush down on a nearby couch as Skittery tried to detach the girl from his legs. I gently took her hand and kneeled down to her.

            "Why don't you go play out back? We'll be out in a few minutes." I insisted, and she giggled and ran for the back door.

            "I should've known you'd amount to nothing, Michael."

            I turned to face a tall, stern looking man who was at this moment completely focused on Skittery. He took a sip of his champagne, letting his lip curl in disgust as he stared Skittery down.

            "You couldn't do anything right. I knew you'd end up on the streets, one way or another. Probably a wife beater, probably fathering three or four kids that didn't belong to your wife, probably working in a factory. You never impressed me, and you never will."

            Skittery was now letting the tears roll down his cheeks freely, and I was at a loss as to what to do. Somehow, I knew this man was his father.

            "Hell, boy, you couldn't even warn us about the fire. You took the easy way out. I'm sure if you tried hard enough, you could've saved us. But you just didn't care, did you?" the man suddenly turned to me, grabbing me by the jacket. "And look at this filth that you call a friend? I'll bet-"

            "Get your hands OFF OF HIM!!"

            I was stunned by Skittery's sudden outburst- for one, because he actually spoke, and for another, that he punched the man right in the jaw.

            Suddenly, everyone froze. The people stopped in mid sentence, the man stopped in mid-fall, and even the gentle breeze stopped dead. Skittery slowly sank to his knees, burying his head in his hands.

                                                                                                                                                           

AN: I know, I'm leaving you on a cliffhanger here. I'm evil! Anyways, you know the drill. R+R!