Kali awoke the following morning in her bed. She ran her fingers over her pillow and was wishing that the previous day never happened. She got up out of bed and headed down to the kitchen. There, she saw Lucas making breakfast with Bradin at the table. She saw Lucas turn around.

"Kali," Lucas said running up to and taking her into his arms, "How are you doing?"

She shrugged not knowing what to say.

"I talked to dad this morning," Lucas said. He saw her go to say something but he went on. "He and I are going to talk to the police. We're going to have someone watch you so that your father won't come after you. After yesterday, we don't want to lose you either."

"Luke," she said softly.

"Kali, don't argue," Lucas pleaded, "We want you to live. So would your mother. Please think of this as a good idea."

She sighed and nodded. Lucas walked away and back up to the stove top. Bradin got up and walked over to Kali. He opened his arms asking for a hug from her. She smiled and nodded. The two teenagers hugged.

"Thank you," she whispered in his ear.

He pulled away and moved her hair behind her ear. "You're so welcome."

The two walked up to and sat in chairs at the kitchen table. "Are you going to sing Saturday?" Lucas asked his step-sister.

"I promisd my mom I would. I'm not going to break that promise...not now." Bradin rubbed Kali's back noticing that she was getting upset. "I just don't see why he would want to hurt me. I don't know what I did besides being born."

"Shut up," Bradin said making the step-siblings look at him, "You being born was a good thing. I'm happy you're here."

"I'm serious, though," she said, "I know that he didn't want me born. I'm not saying that I don't want to be alive. I just don't see why he killed my mom when I was the one he wanted to kill."

"Maybe he thought that you would be weak and would be easier to get to if he did this," Lucas said, "But, I know you won't be. You'll stay strong through this to prove to him that he was wrong."

"I don't know," he said placing her head on the table.

"My dad does want to see you today," Lucas said, "He wants to make sure you'll be fine."

"And, I'm going to be here all day if you need me," Bradin told her. She looked at him and smiled.

Lucas smiled to himself thinking of his best friend and step-sister. He knew that one day soon, he hoped they would get together. They were so good to each other and made the other smile. Lucas has never seen Kali smile like that in a situation like that. He knew that Bradin was trying to make her feel better and try not to make her think that much about the previous day.

"I love you," Bradin said to Kali.

She just looked at him, got up and walked away.

"Why won't you just tell me how you feel?" Bradin yelled to her. He pounded his fist on the table, got up and walked out of the house.

Kali sat in her step-father's hospital room waiting for the doctor to finish checking on him. When the doctor walked out, Kali sighed and walked up to the bed.

"Hey, sweetie," he said, "How are you doing?"

She shrugged.

"Lucas called me and explained what happened. I know you love Bradin. Just tell him and get it over with," he told her, "You need him and he needs you."

Kali knew he would say something like that to her if she came, which is one reason why she didn't want to come. She couldnt be dealing with all of this at this time. She just lost her mother. Why were they all trying to make her forget about it when she needed the time to herself? She walked to the ramp out of the hospital and to her car. Then, she heard a click and saw something move to the side of her head.