Heedless of where she was going, Melody ran on. Bleep frantically tried to get her to stop but all she wanted was a place to hide. She was heading towards Machine Shop 13. It wasn't used for anything but storage. Storage of junk and things that could hurt the careless. Which Melody was at the moment. The door to the shop was open but it was dark in there which Melody thought would be a good thing. She ran in and promptly tripped over some wires, landing directly on sharp metal debris. It hurt but not nearly as much as Alexandra's words had. Melody crawled into a corner and told Bleep, "Go away." Which he did.
Beka was leading the others in a march towards the shops when Bleep intercepted them. Of course no one could understand his bleeps but it wasn't hard to figure out what he was trying to say. "Bleep, take us to
Melody, O.K", Josie asked.
He did. He led them to the right shop. They all entered and Harper turned on the lights. There she was, curled up in a corner, crying. That wasn't the most alarming thing, however. The most alarming thing was the nasty gash across her forehead that was bleeding profusely.
Beka stepped forward. "Melody."
"Go away. I want to be left alone."
"But that gash. It's bleeding badly. We need to take you to Medical."
"No. I don't wanna and you can't make me. Go away."
"No. I know what Alexandra said was hurtful but what does she even matter?" Beka desperately wanted to get through to Melody. She never thought she'd say this but she missed the happy, open, not too bright, innocent Melody. This one was just not Melody. She wasn't supposed to ever have anything happen that would hurt her badly enough that it would wipe all that away. But, it had. That stupid, stupid Alexandra.
Melody's tearstained, bloodied face stared at Beka. "Alexandra doesn't matter but you and Harper do. She said that you and Harper hate me. You hate being related to me. I thought you guys liked me. I thought we were friends Guess not." She started crying again.
That's when Harper stepped forward. "We don't. That chick is just really screwy. Don't know how you guys put up with her." He cleared his throat. "Anyway, I think she's just jealous 'cause everybody likes you so much and nobody likes her. How can she say we hate you? She doesn't know how we feel. Only we do. And it's not true. We don't hate you. I don't hate you. I like you. I like being related to you and Beka. So, don't let her win by staying upset. And let us take you to Medical, hunh. Please, Grandma."
Melody was hesitant but at that endearment she had to giggle. It was music to their ears. "O.K. I believe you. What about Beka?"
Beka smiled. "That goes for me too, Grandma."
With a smile that was only a little hesitant, Melody came out of her corner and opened her arms in an invitation for a group hug. Which was accepted.
Not for long, though. Beka took charge. "O.K. Enough. We have to go and get you to Medical." This time Melody complied.