AN: I know, I know, it's short, but that's just how some chapters go. Plus, I love cliffhangers. evil grin Read and review!
As dawn began to slowly light up the sky, a black mist issued forth from the socket in the family room. The small cloud hesitated, then drifted over the nearest sleeping form. It drew closer to Yumi's serene face and was inhaled with her next breath. At that moment, the scan on Jeremy's computer detected an infected tower and emitted a series of beeps. Because of the earplugs, and Odd's snoring, none of the sleeping group heard the beeps or heard Aelita as she logged on and tried to warn them. When she realized they were not waking up, she left the tower she was in and started running towards the forest region, following the pulse signals.