This is the chapter that was written to make you think. Sabrina doesn't know what the deal is.and neither will you. That is until Chapter 6 , BUWAhahaha! I have gotten slow on the update b/c I am lazy and never have anything to do. No , seriously , I recently aquired a job and am earning my dollar. That plus school work in the evening. But I'll do my best to keep posting.

I pushed my way through the hall at school impatiently. What was wrong with these people? Couldn't they walk? I was going to be late.

Actually it was my fault. I had taken the long way around to avoid running into Melissa. Being seen with her after that little episode was a no win situation and I would have to leave the picture for a little while. It angered me that Jake offered absolutely no help , but being a leader myself , I also knew he had his reasons.

Great. I was definently late for class. But instead of rushing on , I stopped to note that Chapman was particularly smug about something today.

My blood ran cold. It could mean no good , especially after what had happened last night. I had seen Melissa too. She looked like she hadn't got any sleep. Eyes red , hair a mess , and a smile on her face that was totally , totally a mask. She didn't even seem concerned that I was not around.

That particular look of I-got-it -figured-out-now arrogance was creeping me out. What was he up to? Knowing that he couldn't resist throwing at least an insult at me when he was in that kind of mood , I passed him deliberately.

" You're late for class." he sneered.

" Cut the crap." I said in a low voice. " We both know what you are."

" Worried about your friend? Or was she even that to you? She was a ploy to spy on me."

" Not everybody is as rotten as you." I said insulted and angry. " It was an innocent invitation."

He still had that look on his face I didn't like. " Well it won't matter anymore I suppose." He said nonchalantly.

" What does that mean?" I said trying hard to conceal my panic.

The grinned widened. " Again , you are late for class."

He turned to walk away.

No , no , no,NO! my mind screamed.

" What did you do?!" I accused. No answer.

No matter. He hadn't seen or felt that I swiped the piece of paper protruding so obviously out of his pocket.

Had he done what I thought he'd done? Was my friend now a controller because of my stupidity?

Okay. Now I was jumping to conclusions which of course was what he wanted. The only way would be to see Melissa herself and it would have to be so he wouldn't know about it.

Unless Melissa was a controller and he was expecting that. I could be walking into a trap.

I'd taken chances before , and look how badly I'd screwed up. And now I was about to try it again. But the first time had been Melissa's planning. Now it was time to play by my rules.

I wrote a note in class to Melissa. I decided to choose a meeting place that was not secluded. The mall is about as un -secluded you can get.

What I got in reply was a refusal. Two simple words. 'Not today.'

She wasn't looking at anything in particular except staring into space. She looked like someone with a mission.

I tested her again. I asked if we could meet anywhere else. 'no.'

This was weird for Melissa. She usually jumped at the chance to get away from her house so what was up now?

The Yeerks had two ways of dealing with people: a) get them out of the picture permanently , or b) infestation

They love psychological torture to boot , so I had to be prepared to play whatever game that Chapman had set in motion. The paper I stole said there would be a delay in the Blade Ship's return to get it's new supplies. That could also be why Chapman was so chirpy. He probably wasn't anticipating a visit with Visser Three.

I shrugged. If I interfered any further who knew what could happen? That and Jake would kill me.

" You look totally aggravated." Lavender commented.

I decided not to counter comment on that one.

" You know..I know about you and Jake's little disagreement." she began coyly , the way she does when she wants to ask my permission for something even though she has no intention of obeying me either way. " And I also know something is going down with Melissa. If you need any help.." She fidgeted.

I looked at her in disbelief. " You want to help me?"

" I'm a fellow Mendelite , Sabrina." she rolled her eyes. " I'm not Jake."

Lavender was the artist/spy in the group. I know what she was thinking. She wanted me to order her to dig up whatever dirt Chapman was so pleased over.

" Do what you need to do , Lav." I said finally.

She flashed a huge grin. " I'll keep him out of your way."

" Don't do anything reckless , Lavender." I cautioned , sternly.

" You mean like befriend the main controller in this area's daughter and go play video games at their house and then get caught hiding in the closet?"

I laughed. I couldn't help it. " Yeah , something like that."

I watched Lavender go. She caught M.C. by the arm and pulled him along with her , no doubt plotting something a little less than Chapman's death by the look of joy on her face.

Now I had to figure out what to do with Melissa. If it turned out she was still free , then maybe it was time for her to learn the truth about everything. Including me and the other Mendelites. If not...



Sorry if that was short. But I have been a busy person. So is Melissa a controller now or what? Don't know. What will Lavender and M.C. do? Don't know. What will Sabrina do? Hmm, don't know that either. It should be interesting how this all goes down. But feel free to tell me what you think will happen.