That night was probably one of the worst I've had in a long time. We were all in Roger's apartment, sprawled out across the floor, on chairs, even on each other. Mark was on a chair, lightly sleeping with his head to his chest, Roger was still holding Mimi on the couch, and Collins was curled up on the floor. I was on the floor near Mark's chair by the wall covered in a sheet I had found in their closet.

"Mark?" I whispered in the darkness, trying to control my on and off crying. "Are you awake?"

He mumbled something then slowly opened his eyes. "Yeah, I'm awake." He pulled up his glasses back on his nose, which had slipped down his face during his sleeping. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a mess.

"Mark, I don't think I can take this any longer."

"Take what, Maureen? Sleeping on the floor in this weather?"

I glared at him. "No! I mean having to watch my best friends suffer like this!" I blew up. "Are you so insensitive that you don't care about the well being of them?"

I saw Roger stir, then open his eyes slightly. He didn't want to move or he'd wake Mimi. "Maureen!" he hissed at me, "can you be quiet? Some of us were trying to sleep. If you and Mark want to fight, take it outside!" He closed his eyes, but the angry expression was still on his face.

"Sorry!" I said, then turned back to Mark. "I'm sorry for blowing up like that. I'm normally not like that. I'm just really scared for them. Mimi is getting worse and worse, and we can't do anything about it! The chances are that Roger is going to bring her to Santa Fe are very slim- almost impossible! He might buy a car, but I don't think he'll actually go through with it." I tasted the tears that were slowly trickling down my cheek.

He slid off his chair and held me. "I know, Maureen. All we can do is to hope for the best."

Hoping? I don't that'll help in this situation. I felt completely useless- I can't do anything! I didn't have money for actual help, and I couldn't do it myself!

Mark's breathing became heavier as he fell back asleep. I lay against his chest, hearing the strong beating of his heart that made me feel a little calmer. I tried to rest, but sleep wasn't coming to me easily.

"Roger!"

I looked over at the couch. Mimi was waking up, and gently shaking his arm. Her curly hair clung to her damp, flushed face. She was shivering as she sat up.

He immediately awoke and peered at her with a look of concern. "Mimi, what's the matter?" He was pale and appeared exhausted.

"I had this feeling that you weren't there anymore. That was kind of strange of me, but I had this dream where you had all left me by myself."

"I'm here, don't worry. I'll always be here for you! Now go to sleep- you'll feel better." He pulled back the hair from her face and kissed her lightly on the forehead. He lay back down, and so did she.

I slid out of Mark's arms, threw off the sheet, and paced around the room. I was feeling restless and, for some reason, a bit claustrophobic. I've been in this apartment so many times, but now I felt cramped and needed some space.

"I'll be back," I announced to anyone who was still awake. But just in case, I wrote a note on a piece of paper that was laying around.

The city at night was amazing- it wasn't as loud as it was in the morning or afternoon, but it wasn't deathly quiet, either. It was just the way I liked it. The apartment building was completely still- I was the only one moving. It must have been three or four o'clock in the morning.

I ran outside, throwing my arms open and spinning around in circles, breathing in the crisp air. I didn't have on a coat, but I wasn't cold. The apartment wasn't much warmer than this.

I ran down the street and back up it, trying to get all of my nervous energy out. A car passed by, but I didn't mind if they saw me- I needed to use up all of my energy or I'd explode. I began to sing, though I'm not sure why. I didn't care who was watching or listening. In times like this, anything goes.

After I had used up everything I had, I sat on the steps of the apartment and got high off of the fresh air. I would have fallen asleep there if I didn't see a figure in the darkness who was approaching me.

"Excuse me, do you know Mimi Marquez?" he nervously asked.

What did this guy want with her? "Yes, in fact, she's one of my best friends. Why do you want to know?"

"Oh, it's just that she owes me money."

Uh oh. "How much?" I challenged. If it wasn't too much, I'd give it to him right now.

"One hundred twenty-five dollars."

My eyes opened widely as I stared blankly at him. "Wow. Just wow. That's a lot of money. What do you need it for? And when do you need it by?"

"She owes me it for some past business deals we've made, and I need it by next Saturday."

Saturday wasn't too far away. It was Monday now, so there was only five days left! "Don't worry," I told him fearlessly. "You'll get it. I'll make sure it's in your hands by then. Come back on that day at exactly five o'clock. I'll be here."