Manny took her time getting home. Her dad questioned her as to where she had been right when she opened the front door and stepped inside. "I was just out. It's fine." "Manuella, your mother and I need to know where you are when it's after dark." "Okay okay, I'm sorry." "Manny, Emma called about five times while you were out." Manny's mother said while passing by, carrying a basket of dirty clothes to the laundry room. "Thanks mommi." Manny said. She grabbed the phone but did not dial. She wasn't sure if calling Emma was the best idea. Emma would ask where she had been and what she had been doing, just like her parents. Manny wished that Sean had not made her promise not to tell Emma. That sort of exciting feeling that she had felt earlier about being the only one that Sean told his secret to was dying down. Now she was feeling dread. When Emma did find out, Manny would have to suffer her wrath.

Sean's secret would eat at her until everything was out in the open. Manny figured that she better just call Emma back anyway so that she wouldn't think that something was wrong. "Hello?" "Hey EM. You called?" "Manny! Where have you been? I thought that you were going home." "I did. But then I left again. I thought a walk would clear my head." 'Manny, you were gone for hours. Something is wrong. What is it?" "Okay, so I needed a long walk to clear my head, whatever. Honest EM, nothing is wrong." "Yeah whatever." Emma said, not very convinced. "Well, I have to go. Mom and Snake and me were eating dinner." "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow, EM." "Bye."

Manny hung up. Emma already knew something was wrong. She was too smart and knew Manny too well to believe her story. Manny felt very alone. She really wanted to see Sean, to tell him that this wasn't going to work. She couldn't possibly keep something this serious from her best friend. "Mommi, daddy, I'm going to bed. I'm really tired." "Okay Manuella." Mr. Santos said. "Sweet dreams Manny." Mrs. Santos said, blowing her daughter a kiss. Manny walked to her room and locked the door behind her. She grabbed a jacket and slid her window open. Thankfully, she was on the first floor. Manny quietly slipped through the window. She walked swiftly to the hospital and hoped not to see anyone that she knew along the way. Manny opened the entrance door and walked casually in, trying not to attract too much attention to herself. She reached Sean's unguarded room and entered. He was awake.

Sean looked over quickly to see who had entered so late. Manny gave him a small wave. Now that she was there, she felt somewhat embarrassed. Sean looked very confused so Manny figured that she had better explain herself and leave as quickly as possible. "What are you doing here?" Sean asked. "Sean, I tried, I really did, but I just can't do this!" She exclaimed. The pressure that had been building up inside her the whole way down started to leave. "Wait, what? You didn't tell her did you?" "No, not yet." Sean let out a sigh of relief. Then he thought about her words. "What do you mean 'not yet?' You promised me that you wouldn't say anything. Come on Manny, I'm trusting you." "I know but...how can you ask me to do this? Did you ever think of what it would do to me? I don't lie well, Sean...especially not Emma." Manny said in a despairing voice. Sean sighed. "Manny, you're right and I'm sorry...but I really need you to do this for me. Honest, I wouldn't ask something so big if it wasn't really really important." "Sean, Emma already knows something is up. What do you expect me to do about that?"

"I...I don't know just yet. But please, Manny. Really, I promise it will only be a couple of weeks." his face was desperate. Manny hesitated to ask. "What happens then?" "I don't know. Hopefully Tracker will have come back by then. The whole thing will probably blow over." "Sean, you can't go back and live with him again! It's not safe, he needs help!" Manny's voice wavered as she spoke. "I can't not live with him, don't you get it! If I do then I'll be put in some foster home!" "Why not with your parents?" "I can't go with them either Manny! God, you know how they're total drunks! Tracker is nothing compared to them! Trust me, living with Tracker is a lot better than with them." "Sean, I'm sorry, I forgot." Manny truly meant it. Sean looked at her and could tell that she was being sincere. All he did was nod. "Do you understand now?If I lose Tracker then I have no where to go. I'd probably have to switch schools again. I can't leave now. Please Manny. I need this." After making him remind her about his drunken parents, Manny felt super bad for Sean. She couldn't say no. "Okay..." she said quietly. "But I don't like this!" she added quickly.

"I know. Trust me, neither do I. Thank you so much, Manny." He gave her a big, beautiful grin. She couldn't resist, even under the circumstances, it was intoxicating, Manny had to grin back. "I...I should go. My parents think I'm asleep. Bye Sean." "See ya." Sean was very relieved. He had thought that Manny would crack under the pressure and spill everything to Emma. Sean knew that he could not put off telling Emma forever. The subject would come up sooner or later. Unfortunately, Sean could not think of a good excuse. He sat up for hours wondering about Tracker. Where he was and if he was thinking about what he had done. Sean felt a surge of hatred flow through his body. Wherever Tracker was, Sean hoped that he was feeling guilty and responsible for his actions. It was strange, Sean had never wished bad upon anyone, let alone his own brother. But there, in that one moment, as he sat in bed, Sean prayed with all his might that wherever Tracker was and whatever he was doing, he was miserable.