Charlie's POV

Dad was right. I was pleased to find it had been just a 24-hour virus when I awoke the next morning. Knowing that I had missed enough classes already, I got up and took a shower. Luckily, this time I remembered my ankle and I grabbed the crutches leaning against my bedpost. It was still awkward feeling, but I was quickly getting the hang of it. It was hard to stay standing in the shower, so I decided to sit instead, but not actually take a bath.

When I came downstairs, dressed and ready for school, I saw Don with his head in his hands, looking rather miserable.

"Hey, man, you okay?" I asked as I came around the table, patting a hand to his shoulder as I passed him.

"I'm fine. How about you? You seem a lot better."

"Yeah, it must have been a one day thing. Where's Dad?"

"Mr. Crocker is in the kitchen making biscuits." Don moaned.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I watched him closely, trying to detect what was wrong.

"I'm fine. I just didn't sleep as good as I wanted last night."

I nodded. I didn't have to worry about that. I slept the whole night, except when I woke from the awful nightmare. I felt a shiver run down my spine just thinking about it. It was my worst nightmare, something I never wanted to face. Was it a look into the future? I shook my head. I didn't believe in psychics.

I sank back into my chair, leaning my head against the post above. Dad came out a few minutes later.

"What are you doing out of bed and dressed?" Dad asked, eyeing me closely.

"I'm fine, Dad, don't worry. It must have been a 24-hour virus. I feel fine today."

"If you say so." I knew he didn't believe me because when he stood behind me as he placed two biscuits on my plate, he reached his hand out to touch my forehead, trying to make it look like an accident.

"I told you," I said when he didn't comment further on the subject.

When we all had biscuits on our plates, Dad sat down. He looked over at Don, who was still had his face in his hands.

"What's the matter, Donnie? You're not catching it now, are you?"

Dad leaned over and placed a hand on Don's forehead. Don pushed it away.

"I'm fine. I just have a headache."

Don picked at his breakfast, only eating a few bites worth out of each biscuit. Dad and I both watched him and I could tell he was trying to make himself appear normal, but something was definitely wrong.

I tried to remember what had happened last night, but could only remember the nightmare and waking up from it. I remembered Don and Dad being there. What could have happened in that short time that would bother Don? Maybe it wasn't a mental thing. Maybe he was telling the truth and his head really hurt.

"I got to get to work. I'll be home for supper tonight, Pop," Don said he stood up from the table.

"Did you take anything?" Dad asked before Don got out of the dining room.

"Yeah. I took some aspirin. I'll see you two later, okay?"

"Bye," Dad and I said.

When Don was out the front door, Dad turned to me.

"You think he's telling the truth?" He asked me.

"I can't see what else it could be. I'd better get to school, Dad." I said, getting up.

"Okay. You'd better drive this time. I don't want you getting too weak to ride your bike home."

"Okay, Dad. I'll see you tonight!"

I hurried out to the car. I barely used it, taking more pleasure in riding my bike.

I looked fondly at my bike. I could still remember the day Mom gave it to me. I turned 24 and had just been in a horrible accident. It left me too traumatized to drive. Don and Dad took it as a joke, but Mom knew the truth. I had told her how I never wanted to drive a car again. It left me too shaken. The driver I hit had been seriously injured. When I went to apologize, I was cussed at, screamed at, and threatened. I didn't want to have to face something like that again, and Mom understood.

Now, I didn't have as much trouble when I drove, but I tried to keep from it as much as I could. That's why I was glad CalSci was so close.

When I arrived, I went straight to my office. I was so absent-minded that I nearly forgot to take the key out of the ignition.

Amita came in soon after I arrived, watching me as I hobbled around my office.

"What happened to you?" She asked as she walked into the room.

"Oh. Um, I fell off my bike."

"Why weren't you at school yesterday?"

"I had a 24-hour virus, no big deal."

"I'm glad you're okay, Charlie. Larry has seemed pretty worried. It's not like you to miss so much school, you know."

"Yeah. I'm sorry I've been making you work so much."

She shrugged. "It's okay."

I gathered the papers on my desk, awkwardly holding it under my arm. Amita watched my progress and when the papers slipped after the second step, she picked them up off the floor.

"Why don't I walk you to your class?" She suggested.

I smiled at her, grateful she was willing to help.

We walked in silence. I considered all the work I'd have to catch up on. I asked Amita what they went over yesterday, and decided where to go from there.

When we stopped outside the door to the classroom, I turned to Amita. She slid the papers into my left hand. I smiled.

"Thanks," I said.

"Get feeling better, Charlie." Amita leaned in and kissed my cheek.

I blushed as she walked away. I shook the feeling away and walked into my classroom, preparing for today's lesson.

Don's POV

I sank into my chair in my office. Colby was already heading to me when I turned.

"You all right?" He asked once he took in my appearance.

"I'm fine. What do you need?"

"I think we have another case for the Whiz Kid. We've got a chain of robberies, each one leaving a letter written in mathematical codes."

"That sounds like Charlie. I'll bring it up to him tonight. Leave the file here."

"Okay." He tossed the file on my desk then turned to leave.

When he reached the door, he turned around and looked at me.

"You sure you're all right?"

"Yes. Go do your job," I growled.

Colby stiffened, but just stubbornly left. I didn't have time to care that I had been too mean. My head pounded with too much thought. I couldn't contain the many thoughts racing, filling my mind. I wondered if this was what Charlie went through everyday. No wonder he wrote it all down to get it out of his head.

An hour before I was off, I went to the break room to get a cup of coffee, knowing I'd need it with the time I'd have to spend on paperwork. David was in there, pouring himself a cup, when his phone rang. He rushed from the room to his desk, just outside the break room.

I watched his face and knew something was wrong.

"What is it?" I asked.

He placed his hand over the phone and said, "A prisoner has escaped from one of the local prisons."

"Which one?"

He asked, then I knew something was definitely wrong.

He turned grimly to me, placing his hand over the phone once more.

"Carl Waits."

I felt my face pale. "He's going after Charlie."

Springing into action, I raced to the elevator.

"Megan, get a team together. Bring them to Charlie's house as soon as possible!" I screamed on my way out.

I saw her stand and move quickly. The elevator doors closed, not going as fast as I would have wanted.

When the doors finally opened again, I ran to my car, turning on the siren. I had to get to Charlie. I knew there was more to it than he was telling me! I had to hurry. Charlie could be in more danger than I could imagine.

I dialed the number to his house, but no one answered.

"Damn it!" I after I hung up. I dialed Dad's cell phone, then Charlie's, and still didn't get an answer.

Feeling I was already too late, I pressed a little harder on the gas. I had to get there. I had to make it in time. But would I?

Charlie's POV

I went out to the garage when Dad started vacuuming. I couldn't stand the noise, though Dad reassured me I'd have to do it eventually. I could never stand the noise, even when I was younger. I sought the solitude of the garage.

I started working on some simple equations for the next day's class. No one seemed to be lacking due to my absences, for which I was thankful. Amita had done a good job, as always.

I was almost expecting what happened next. I jumped in surprise still, the sound of his voice breaking into my concentration.

"Hello, Professor."

I turned and found Carl Waits, standing too close behind me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked needlessly. I knew why he was here. It was the reason I was shaking.

"You know why I'm here. I'm here to fulfill my threat. I can't have you thinking they were just empty threats, could I?"

He headed for the door, the door that led to the house. Dad!

"No!" I screamed, thankful Dad wouldn't hear because he was vacuuming.

I blocked the door with my body, not exactly threatening, but I'd use all the strength I had to keep him away from Dad. Oh, God, Don was coming for supper! I would not let my nightmare become reality. I couldn't.

"Get out of the way," Carl growled.

"No!" I said through gritted teeth.

"Fine."

Carl swung his fist at me. I ducked, reaching for something to attack him with. He grabbed my wrist, bringing it around my back and twisting it. I gasped, fighting the scream welling inside. Dad could be done any minute. I couldn't let him hear me, couldn't face him coming out here.

Carl grabbed the back of my hair, pulling it tightly. My neck ached with the strain. I tried to pull back, but found it more painful than him pulling.

Using my hair as a handhold, Carl brought my head down hard on the desk. I was momentarily stunned, too blinded by the bright lights to react. I held my hand out, softening the fall of my head on the table. My knuckles throbbed with pain as he brought my head down once more.

"I see I'm going to have to wear you out before I can go about my business. You're not going to make this easy, are you?"

I threw a hard elbow into his stomach. He grunted with the impact, releasing my hair. I took advantage of my escape, reaching out for a weapon and finding an umbrella.

When he stood, he looked at me. Seeing me holding the umbrella away from me, like a sword, he chuckled.

"You think that's going to stop me?"

I glared at him. I knew there was no way to stop him too easily, but I'd try as hard as I could.

"Fine."

Carl lunged for me and I swung the umbrella at him. He caught it and tugged it hard. Not able to let go in enough time, I was pulled to him. He wrapped his arms around my neck, choking me. I struggled, fighting him with all my strength. It was useless. Carl laughed evilly.

"This is almost too easy, Professor."

I grabbed at his arms, clawing and pulling at them. I took too long. I went limp. He was going to win. There was no way for me to save Dad and Don. If only Don would know...

Carl let go. I wasn't unconscious, like he thought. That was how I'd get my advantage.