I ran back into the building to get away from this guy who was scaring the crap out of me. I tore up the flights of stairs and burst into the apartment. Mark was up and pacing. He's always been an early riser, so I guess this day was no exception.

"Maureen, who was that man?" he asked me.

He saw that? Oh no! I couldn't let him know that Mimi owed money, but how do I get out of telling him? "He was asking for…directions!" I randomly thought up. "He said he's from… Connecticut… and he needs to find the way to… his cousin's house!" I'm such a bad liar.

He rolled his eyes. "Cut the crap. Who was the guy, and what did he want with you?"

"You're not my father, Mark! I'm an adult and I can take care of myself," I yelled at him.

"Well, pardon me for making sure you're okay!" he sarcastically spat out at me.

Roger was such a light sleeper; he jumped up at the sound of our yelling, and accidentally stirred Mimi, too. "Mark, Maureen- how many fucking times do I have to tell you to be quiet? No wonder you two didn't last- you're always fighting! Now get out of the apartment of shut the fuck up!"

Mark retreated to his room and came out with his camera. "I'm getting out of here. I'll see you people later," he angrily said.

The commotion woke up Collins and fully awoke Mimi. "What's going on?" she tiredly asked.

"Nothing's going on . We've settled it. Mark and Maureen were screaming at each other again," Roger icily informed her. Then his mood changed. "How are you today?" he asked.

"Could be better, of course. But I could always be better than I am now. Right now sucks."

"Amen," Collins piped up from the back of the room. He then got up and left the apartment, though I'm not sure why.

Now it was just Roger, Mimi, and myself, which felt extremely awkward. I could feel them staring at me, as if I should say something, but I didn't know what. I really needed to get home, but I didn't want to leave Mimi here alone with Roger. If something happened to her… "I… I'm going home. I'll be back later," I announced, then left.

It was freezing out, and I had forgotten my coat. Oh well- I could take the cold for a few blocks. While I was walking, I noticed that same guy lurking around, and it freaked me out- if this guy was stalking Mimi, then he would have to deal with me. I'm not sure what I would do, but I know it wouldn't be pretty.

I briskly walked past him, trying not to look as nervous as I was- he might follow me home! But, thankfully, he didn't, so I arrived safely. I haven't been in my apartment in what seemed like days. I had been spending so much time with Mark and Roger and Mimi, that their place felt more like home than my place did.

Everything was freezing. I inserted my key into the nearly frozen lock and tried to turn it. After pushing and pushing, it finally opened, and I burst into my apartment. It was dark and kind of gross, but I was glad to be there.

After a quick shower and a nice change of clothes, I was ready to go out again, but this time, I needed money. I tore through drawers, closets, bags, shoes- everything- picking up loose change, hoping to amount to $125. I'd give it to the guy right now!

"Maureen?"

I turned around, and saw Mark at the doorway. He was looking kind of embarrassed, staring around the room. He walked in and came over to where I was, buried up to my elbows in clothes, searching for loose change. "Hi, Mark. What's going on?"

"That's what I wanted to ask you! First that guy on the street, and now you're tearing through your apartment! What the fuck is going on?" he blew up.

"Does it matter to you? That guy needed help finding his way some place, and now I'm looking for my… favorite shirt. What's wrong with that?" I challenged.

He thrust the hand that wasn't carrying the camera into his pocket and started to walk away. "You know, I really care about you, Maureen. I just don't want you to get hurt." That made me feel really bad.

"Wait! Mark! I think you could help me with my, uh… problem." He came closer, so now I had to tell him. "Okay, Mimi owes that guy $125 for some 'business' deal. Do you think she's taking again? And I told him that I'd have the money for him by Saturday- how am I going to do that?"

He looked at me in complete shock. "We have to leave." He grabbed my arm and started to pull me out of the apartment, then stopped. "Get a suitcase together- we're going to Santa Fe."

"We're going where? Are you fucking crazy?"

"No. I mean it- get your stuff together. We'll leave as soon as possible." He ran out of the apartment and slammed the door.