"NO!" both yelled. They had run towards where Hunter and the kelzaks had stood only moments ago. McKenna broke down, sobbing. She was beyond confused. Nothing seemed right.

"Wha-wha-what happened? Where'd they take him? Who were they?" Many questions ran through her mind. Dustin knelt next to her shaking form and gave her a hug. His chin resting gently on top of her head. He sweetly hushed her, racing, fluttering, mind.

"It's a long story . . . I will tell you . . . but first let's get you inside where it's safe." She tried to stand with the help of his hand but her knees gave out and she landed right back where she was. Paralyzed with fear and misunderstanding.

"Here." he said, "let me carry you inside, okay?"

She nodded blankly as he picked her up and they started toward the car. He opened the backseat door and gently placed her down on the seats. Her eyes started to feel heavy. She moved onto her side and laid slightly curled up.

Dustin sighed as he put a coat, probably Hunter's, around her shoulders. An attempt to give her some warmth. Then lightly, he shut the door and got into the driver's side and restarted the car, shutting his own door, driving the block to him and his dad's house.

There was no car in the driveway, thankfully, he wasn't ready to try to explain this all to his father. Dustin shut the car down and made his way to the back passenger's side-door. Carefully picking up the sleeping, innocent form. He held her in his arms as he walked up the path to the front door, put his key in the lock, and unlocked it. He didn't even take the keys out of the door as he walked past the living room to his bedroom and placed her on his bed.

Then after making sure she was covered up and not cold. He finally made his way to a phone. Dialing Cam's number.

"Cam dude," his voice holding dispair "...we gotta talk...get the others...now please Cam..." With all the panic in his voice he had been surprised the others hadn't arrived quicker as he shut the phone off. Pacing his way to the kitchen he filled the kettle and put on some water. Knowing Cam liked tea as well as Tori, while Shane preferred coffee. After he poured some water into the coffee pot and started to make twelve cups of coffee. They were going to need it. Finally he sat in his huge fluffy chair in the living room, assuming his friends would be there momentarily. But, truthfully, it wasn't until he heard the door bell ring and a slight knock before the others stood in front of him did he let out a real sigh...

"What happened?" Cam was always the first one to speak not exactly towering anyone but his scowls might to some seem fierce and menacing. It took a moment before Dustin realized Cam hardly wore his glasses anymore...Dustin's guess was he got contacts or like super man he hadn't really needed them but it was a mere disguise. Since Cam was full of surprises the last thought seemed the most appealing.

Tori was dressed as if she had been planning on going to the beach. He reminded himself later to apologize for taking her away from that.

Tori slid by the boys and wrapped her arms around Dustin's shoulder's.

"Dustin you know you shouldn't leave your door unlocked." She said quite motherly, to him. Looking up at Shane for assistance. Shane tossed the keys over to Dustin.

"Ya man it's bad." Dustin caught them as Shane mustered a response. Dustin almost laughed. Shane had changed so much since this whole double responsibility took place. He even wondered if it had been too much for Shane's brain. But a quick glance, seeing even Shane in normal attire made him feel like he'd made a larger deal about this than maybe he should have.

"Where's the girl?"

"Where's Hunter?"

Twin questions were given at the same instant. Dustin still looked heavily dazed. Cam folded his arms as he leaned against the frame of the doorway.

"I made coffee and tea . . . there's probably sugar around here somewhere . . ." Dustin pretty much left it off at that. Cam saw that as a signal and pulled himself from the scene long enough to go into the kitchen. Minutes later coming out of the kitchen with a tray holding sugar, two teas and two cups filled with coffee.

"I grabbed the milk for you Dustin." Cam told him as he sat down in a chair opposite of Dustin. The others following his lead. After everyone had grabbed a cup they watch and waited for what had been so important.

Dustin followed the rim of his cup with his finger. Around and around and around and around. After several seconds of hesitation he said,

"She's in the other room, sleeping-had quite a trauma today. she said when she awoke she'd help us track Hunter down. Hunter's been captured..."

But in truth McKenna had been up three minutes earlier listening in on the conversation in a vain effort to understand all this hocus pocus confusion. Something didn't feel right to her. She wasn't quite sure what as of yet but it concerned her greatly. That's when the world started to get murky. She could see a picture forming of Hunter, trapped, his energy being taken away by an unknown sorceress. The wicked one's laughter causing McKenna to shiver. He was dying and that struck a nerve with her as her astral form hovered near him. She had grown partly used to the sensations that came with this gift.

Hunter, at least in her so-called dream, saw her. An unsure look plastering his scowling face.

"Help!"

The sorceress lips moved but McKenna couldn't hear, as the world swam once more.

Hunter had asked for her help. So she would do everything in her power to save him. McKenna struggled to regain consciousness from her devouring sleep. Dustin and Hunter's words echoed in her brain:

"Trauma . . . trauma . . . trauma . . . help . . . " With a blast of wind knocked out of her she finally slammed awake.

Rubbing her eyes, she glanced at the room around her. It was no longer Dustin's but her very own she shared with another teen at the institution. She tore off the covers to reveal the traditional starch white pants and shirt combo that were issued by the government. Tears formed slowly as the dream or replay day made itself gravely known to her. Someone walked up behind her and she tensed. However it was a friend who gave McKenna a hug.

" Good Mornin!" Lexa Courier shouted loud enough for the whole world to hear. She giggled as she tackled McKenna. McKenna didn't laugh though. Her dismay over the events, which was supposed to go down within twenty-four hours dimmed her excitement.

"What's the matter? Aren't you happy? You're leaving today!" Pulling McKenna's wrist in an attempt to get her up and excited about the upcoming events for the day. McKenna controlled the pain in her wrist from the contact made by her pal.

A strong wave of emotion swept over Lexa. She immediately stopped playing and sat on the bed, holding a pillow to her chest. She waited patiently, watching McKenna taking deep breaths. It was at least a minute of pure silence before McKenna spoke.

" A Ranger's going to die today when I get attacked while being taken home..." McKenna's voice held sorrow

Lexa's shocked face made the headlines. Lexa had always fantasized about having a Ranger come and rescue her from this place. Quietly she nodded her understanding. Her eyes suddenly found the white bedspread much more interesting. As she toyed with the fringe at the edge.

"Think about it this way. You'll get to stop this killing...unlike the others that have plagued you. You can help."

Her voice cracked with tough emotion.

McKenna stared back thoughtfully. Finally swinging her legs to the edge, she stood away from the cot that was her bed. Her white, tank top pajama showed cuts all along her wrists and the arms revealed blue-purple bruises from the many fights she had been in. Ashamed of her appearance McKenna hurried to pull her pink shirt over the tank top. Then wiggled out of her pajama top tossing it on the floor in an effort to relieve some of her pain.

Lexa's mouth was drawn into a hard line. She jumped off the bed and placed her hands on her friend's. A look of trepidation passed.

"You...you promised you would stop..."

McKenna hushed her friend as she pulled from the gentle grips. Pushing Lexa away. She shook her head, glancing around for her dark brown skort and matching vest. She riffled through her stuff and found her white back pack.

"I gotta start packing." Ignoring her friend's plea.

"McKenna! If they see those cuts . . . they'll keep you here." Lexa half whispered. For an instant their eyes met. After all had been said and done, it was easier to drain the cruel pain from the beautiful red, glistening cuts than to live remembering all those people asked for her help and she couldn't be of any assistance. Finding her hidden rage, McKenna hit her pillow until she felt better. Out of breath she stated:

"In case you haven't noticed . . . I've slowly started to die the moment I was brought here . . . and unlike you it wasn't a pleasant ride. First my siblings pinned me down while my brother called nine-one-one . . . followed by a horrible ordeal with the emergency people . . . Truth is my sibling's hate me! They don't even want me home! If I tell them about my dream or whatever it is with that Ranger getting killed" McKenna sighed loudly, "they're never going to believe me...I don't even believe that the Rangers will..."

Patiently Lexa waited until her friend had been done, pitching her fit.

"Do you remember anything? That might be the key to getting the Ranger's to believe you?"

McKenna shook her head. Her hopes dashing away. She contiued to stuff her notebooks in her backpack. Then attempted to zip it up but only ended up breaking the zipper. Lexa went to her side of the room and fished her rose messenger bag. Silently she held out the bag.

"You sure?" McKenna asked. After a slight nod from her friend she held the bag close.

"Hurry before they come!" Was Lexa's urgent whisper. They stuffed the bag to it's full capacity. Two-no three notebooks, the book The Three Musketeers and a glass dolphin that Lexa had given to her on her birthday.

All of the sudden the door was recklessly slammed open! Both girls caught there breaths as they swallowed their hopes. A man came in. Marching forth and caught McKenna's arms in his bruising grip adding to the mixed pain she was already receiving.

McKenna winced, struggling against him.

The older man laughed, highly amused. He inspected her suicidal attempts and sneered.

"What's this...only a sick person would continue this childish act! You are not to leave the premises. You have failed your Judgment Day. It has found you guilty and sentences you to a year of absolute solitude.

He through her bag into the wall and it clattered to the ground. Lexa held in a gasp as he glanced in her direction. Forcing her to avert her gaze in respect.

"You I will deal with later." He dragged his captive out of the door and down the hall. Sadistically grinning as her enemies watched her charade dissipate. At last they came to the solitude rooms. Ten feet by ten feet. The walls made of stone giving a dungeon like appearance to it. She gasped in pain as they stood in the cold room. Her wrist throbbing as his touch burned her.

"You can't keep me here! People need me!" It was a last try at saving a life that was meant and had asked to be saved. What she got in return for her plea was a sinister laugh that terrified her to the bone.

He slapped her and she hit the ground. Getting beaten and not being strong enough as a sorceress taught her when they punished you took it laying down. Her cheek was painted red. He wanted to beat on her more. But he had other plans. His mind reached out to hers and she held her head desperately in her hands.

"I told you, give me what I want and I will set you free!" He roared. His foot connecting with her diaphram and she gasped, out of air. Her mind went blank. They had never been this bad. Even when she had figured out that this wasn't a normal psych instituion.

"I can't. I don't have the seventh ninja morpher!" She refused to cry even as she cowered before him. He left her without another word. He had work to do. Spells to create. He would have the morpher if it was the last thing he did.

McKenna sat up very slowly. Her ribs aching. She grasped the silver chain that held a ninja symbol with a pink stone attached. How long had she hidden it? Too long. It was the bargaining chip to save that Ranger's life and so she would find a way to play it.