Chapter 9

Perhaps it was in her dreams, perhaps it was in the final sift, before waking up, and figuring out it actually happened. Alex laid in bed, tiredly. Trying to stay still, attempting to lay on her side, but to no avail. At the very least, she got all of it out. She was aware of where she had come from, and she had felt the very pains that had come with it. Thankfully, she had not felt any more pain associated with, and had come to fully accept it with much maturity, and forgiveness. She had even felt happy it happened.

She had gained one extraordinary quality from her extraordinary experience during the first 4 months, her intelligence, which had surpassed all others in terms of level. 202. A level that had allowed her to attend High School early, publish a book report on magnetism at age 5, and do physics when she was sad, or tired. Although, she was also aware of some others who weren't as lucky. There were some kids, some part of Kids Next Door, some who weren't, who had low IQ's due to prenatal hardships. She had felt bad for them, which eventually led her to her next horrible thought,

"what kind of parents would do that to their child?". She tried to stop herself from crying at this mere thought, stifling herself, only to see Kuki dressed in a Kimono, a Kimono? What was she doing in a Kimono? Appearing above Alex, her hair was pulled back in a bun. She smiled, in a very calm manner. "Alex", she whispered, "it's time to wake up". "Let us greet today with much happiness". She said.

"Can I please sleep for five more minutes?". "Alex", she repeated, "it's time to wake up". Groggily, Alex turned over, attempting to ignore Kuki's neurotic, and annoying demeanor. "It's a beautiful day". Kuki reminded. "Let's get up, and strengthen ourselves within it". Alex sat up, groggily, looking around.

Blinking, she saw the clock read 12:57pm. It was the latest she had ever slept until. Dragging herself out of bed, she had realized her puffy her eyes felt, from crying. Going into the main area, she had entirely skipped her now, afternoon routine. "Kuki," she asked, "mm hmm?" she turned around, from fanning herself.

"is it permissible if I talk to you, for a second?". She asked. Kuki continued to fan herself. It was true what they had said, despite her genius, she was an airhead. "Alex," she said softly, yet in a professional manner, "Nigel wanted to speak with you". "But, I want to talk to you". Alex said, a bit anxiously. "I need to talk to you, about what happened". "I need to!". Still smiling calmly, Kuki fanned herself, then opening her umbrella that went with her Kimono. "Alex", she said gently, "Nigel wants to speak with you". "You may ask him". She said. "But I need to talk to you!". Alex, through no real feeling, or no true realization, became anxious again. "Please!". Hushing her softly, Kuki whispered to her, in a true, girly voice. "Alex, Nigel will speak with you about that". "We will talk later". "Please report to him". She then walked to the fridge to get a soda. Sighing heavily, Alex knew it was going to be a nerve endearing experience talking to Nigel. Maybe not, maybe it was only her anxiety that had given rise to being nervous to the point of shaking around an intimidating leader such as Nigel. Either way, she wasn't happy or comfortable. The only person she felt comfortable around was Kuki, and even she pointed her in the direction of Nigel.

"Ok". she said, putting on her oversized pink rain jacket. "I'm preparing for my ultimate demise". Going to the main area, she met Nigel, who was busy running diagnostics for the computer. "Excuse me?". She asked, hesitantly. "Are you Nigel?". The bald leader, turned around still donning his sunglasses. "Yes, Alexandria". He said, gently. "Nice to see you've made it". He looked gravelly serious with his sunglasses, and his red sweater. Doing a few more voice commands on the computer, he switched off the calibration system. Turning around, he addressed Alex. "Yes, I would like to discuss a very important, albeit, a very sensitive issue at your leisure". "Would you be open to that?". Alex nodded. "Wonderful". Nigel said, a smile cornered his lips. "Hmmmmm". He said, thoughtfully, looking serious again.

Ahead of the two them, they could see Nigel's associates, goofing off. One of them was working on a high tech laser, and eating a sprinkle puff donut, the other was singing, and fanning herself, another was yelling at the one, there were hamsters running around, Cheese curls spewed out everywhere, and 2x4 tech laying around. "This isn't the place for any discussion". Nigel said. "Why not come with me to lunch?". He said, in a calm, deep British accent. "Would you be interested?". He asked, looking toward her. "Yes.." Alexandria said, quickly. She was still a little nervous. The two of them exited the treehouse, and made off in the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. .

The ride over was as quick and quiet as Alex felt. Talking to Nigel, and Nigel talking to her, was pretty unnerving. Each time she said something to him, and he to her, she felt one step closer to having her troubled heart be cut open, and experimented on. She felt afraid, and like she wanted to shout down at him at the same time. "So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?". She asked, nervously. "Alex", Nigel said, gently, in his suave British voice. "It is no secret that you are amazing" he smiled, a bit, rubbing the back of his head. He came off as less intimidating and orderly than usual. He wasn't a bad kid to talk to.

"You're remarkably intelligent, and very…. Skilled at…. Math? I want to say". "Oh, um,... theoretical Physics". Alex said. "Hm,, hm, hm, hm". He chuckled, feeling a little slip in front of her. He did feel as if he didn't want to mess up in front of her. They both shared a laugh. "Perhaps this isn't as bad as I thought". Alex thought. "However," Nigel became sincere again. "This intelligence, this gift you've been given, is a result of neglect". He stated in a low, British accented, voice. "You are aware of that, aren't you?". Alex nodded, looking down as she did so. "Yes, I am". She said. "Abandonment is never an easy thing to discuss". Nigel said, gently. "I've made strides in the fields of math and science". "I'm smart". Alex said, uneasily. "Thanks to a significant fluctuation in your IQ level". Nigel stated. "I…. I know I have a high IQ, but… it's because of brain damage…. Or something". Nigel nodded, which made Alexandria even more uncomfortable.

"It is due to your structural lobes being destroyed and nerve endings formatting a restructure in a different image, due to stress". "I.. I'm aware". "I think my parents told me once, but". "It has been difficult, maintaining order while nurturing the essentials". Alex said. Nigel looked at her, dumbfoundedly. "Eating and sleeping". She said. "hmmmm". Nigel nodded. "I… I had a nightmare last night, well two nights ago, that coincided with my abandonment, situation". She shared. "I got reminders of how deplorable where I grew up, was, my… my friend, Kuki Sanban was cynical, and… she, along with everyone else didn't believe I could grow into a productive person, simply because I was neglected, and abused at birth, and I would most likely land myself in prison, or in the care of someone else, and all because I didn't get the proper care I needed in the beginning". "I've been thinking, what if I can't do it?". "What if I can't be successful?". "What if everybody was right?". "What if I end up alone?". "What if my intelligence is based on some gangling, horrendous thing that happened?". "It was horrible". She said, breaking a sob. "There was a barber that ended up trying to kill me with his razor". She said, feeling the storm, The crying storm.

"A freaky barber tried to kill me". Alex said. "Now, I don't what to do". She said, sadly. "Is it true Nigel?". She asked. "Am I really, going to fail?". Nigel looked observantly, at her sad eyes, her lonely eyes, that had exhibited true doubt. "Alexandria", he said, in a gentle, voice, that was deep and sonorous. "You have obviously been through a lot of pain, haven't you?". He asked, "that is pain that embellishes itself biologically, and mentally for years and years to come". "But you are a very optimistic, and keen girl, who is very persistent, despite your circumstances". His voice was a knife that could cut Alexandria to her very core. "I admire that". He said, pursing his lips. "It has been stressful for you, hasn't it?". She nodded. He grew gentle again.

"As long as I've known you, you've been a strong, capable, intelligent girl". "You certainly have shown us up more times than not". "Your optimism has been evident throughout". He continued. They were now in "Spence's Diner" off of Adult way. For a crowded, beginning-of-the-day, home-cooked meal restaurant, it was still very nice. Nigel put another spread of brown gravy on his mashed potatoes. It was given as a separate thing, rather than putting gravy on there, automatically. "However, these feelings of true biotic, deprivation, abandonment, and the need for neonatal familiarity, nutrient, can manifest themselves in the form of "depression, anxiety, and worthlessness". He said. "I can relate". Alex said, looking down at her bowl of mashed potatoes, with brown, rich, thick beef gravy. "And I've been having nightmares". Alex continued. "Mmmmmmmm". Nigel raised an eyebrow. "What kind of… nightmares?".

"Ones where people are horrendous". Alex said. "Ones where my friends, and my family don't believe in me, or think I'm just some annoying thing they have to look after". "Ones where no one takes me seriously, and knows my intelligence is just a result of me being left behind". "Yes, that is understood". Nigel said, softly. "These rato-emotive entities aligned with pain", he stated. "Is an embedded, biological necessity for proper nutrient care". He continued. "When you were young Alex, you did not receive any pure form of contact, or responsible nurture". "Lactation is essential for every newborn". "I… I don't, I don't remember getting any milk, when I was 10 months, I mean, we drink it a lot back at home, but,...". "And, proper contact". Nigel stated.

"Being thrown around, threatened, left behind, hit, kicked, and having a close encounter with death is not proper". "Alex," he said, "you have not had that, as a newborn". "I know". She said, kind of down. "I've been told". "It is not your fault, you have had a bad encounter". Nigel said. "The world can be a harsh place". He said, gently. "I'm not mad". Alex said. "I'm not distraught, either". "I'm not sad, how much of that gravy have you had?". She said, a little more confident now. "I'm pretty happy, actually". She said, finishing her mashed potatoes. "If you come to think about it, my extraordinary abound of intelligence, is a product of that". "I have made significant strides in string theory". She said, properly sitting up, as only a young girl would. "And I am going to continue doing work in magnetism". "Plus, I have the coolest story ever". She said. "Mmmmmm". Nigel kept eating his potatoes, no comment provided. "That's pretty cool, right?". She asked.

Nigel still sat silently, pursing his lips. "Oh-k", she said, waiting for her spaghetti at this point. Nigel checked the KND radar tracker. Nothing to be alerted about. "Alex," she looked up, as his voice was again heard. "Yes?". She asked. A harsh look and aura was seen about Nigel as he ate his burger quickly, when it came. His sunglasses didn't help, as he looked angry, almost vicious. Cynical, about. "Oh, um…." he tried his best to cover this up. "How's your spaghetti?". "Good, thank you", she said. "Good, good". He said, with a snap in his voice. "Is your burger up to par?". She asked. "Fine, thank you". Nigel said.

At this point, as others were rushing in and out of the diner, some to go over their grandmother's when not needed, some to find a quiet place to study, the two of them sat awkwardly in silence, as Nigel finished his burger. Alex knew, she knew just by staring at him, that there was a fair amount of cynicism behind his look. He didn't take her comment about being "extraordinarily intelligent, due to a super experience", too well. Perchance it was a comment, or a viewpoint taken entirely out of optimism, or "foolishness", either way, Nigel was more realistic, or "cynical" as Alex thought. This was a problem, and made her feel more scared.

"I don't know". Alex continued, eating her spaghetti. "No matter how hard I try, the visuals concurrent to my nightmare are still there". "Mmmmm". Nigel nodded. "How long have you had these nightmares?". "For a month". Alex said, answering, precisely and on the dot. She was pretty accurate all of the time. "Mmmmmmm". Nigel nodded, reaching into his pocket.

"I mean, on a normal basis when nothing is scheduled, and I have nothing feasible of my time to do, I wouldn't mind, but, I… I don't know, I can't seem to sleep for 10 hours, and I usually wake up sweating, but it's ok, I often write out the latest conjugates for physics mapping. I'm currently in the middle of finding matter in a black hole". "So, you often have trouble sleeping?". He asked. "Yes, but I'm ok,". Alex said, finishing the last of her spaghetti. Drinking her milkshake, she yawned, her tired eyes lowered, as she looked down at her napkin.

She looked as if she were an exhausted five year old, as she drank her milkshake. Her eyes lifting up, as she drank her milkshake, from an open glass. She noised, as she continued to drink her drink. From across, Nigel's serious look, coupled with his sunglasses, and observant posture, only doubled. His lip twitched up, as he stared, analytically, coldly at Alex. "This will help you, tremendously".

Nigel pulled a capsule out of his pocket, setting it down in front of her. She lifted her exhausted eyes as she continued drinking. Her purple flower shirt, looking as if it were made for a 7 year old girl, only made her seem more innocent, and young looking. It definitely seemed as if she were Nigel's younger sister, or cousin, or daughter sitting, looking very behind on the growth curve. She looked like a little girl. Untwisting the container, by the squeaking lid, Nigel took out, a small, white, round capsule. It looked similar to a tiny, white powdery, frisbee.

"This, is a sleep enhancer". "It will slow the brainwaves, and suppress any unwanted activity in the temporal, emotive regulation region in the amygdala". "This, is known as Circa Monom". Picking it up, Alex observed it, further. Looking down at it, she made sure it was up to specification. "Hmmmm". She said, "it kind of looks like Melatonin to me". "It's not a vitamin?"."it is not". Nigel raised an eyebrow. "It is a controlled substance that is often used to regulate sleep, stimulating normal to relatively low activity through brainwaves". "This will cause drowsiness, and automatically relax the brain, and central nervous system". "With these damaged, and overactive nerves intact, the brain waves will further activity in the area aligned with prenatal, and neonatal familiarity"

"But..." "I don't know,". She said. "This is unauthorized by my routine". "I don't know". "Alexandria", Nigel said. "It will not do any damage to your immune system". "It repairs it". He said, gently. "You will not be controlled by it". "So, it won't do anything, to shift any regions, and it won't compromise my immune system". "It will not". Nigel said. "It is not a stimulant, or an anti". He said, sympathetically. "It will help you". "I... I know, but… um…. Nigel". Alex said, settling down a bit. She had glassy eyes, that made it look as if she were about to cry. She then said, something simple, in a way, only an underdeveloped little girl would. "Please don't hurt me".

Looking at her, he put a hand on her shoulder. "That is the last thing I would ever wish to do". He smiled gently. "Alexandria", he said, in a deep, comforting, sonorous, British voice. "You are quite an extraordinary individual". Hearing this voice, she only glanced before focusing on her last drink. "You're much better than you've ever been". His shoes clicked a bit. "I'm happy to see that". "You are much more intelligent, strong-willed, and talented than I'll ever be". "I admire that". He nodded. "Thank you". Alex said, putting her final milkshake aside.

"I highly concur with that statement". "It has validity". Nigel responded. Fitting up, with her intelligent statement. "You are special, Alex". "For as long as I've known you, you've been amazing". His voice became gentle, soft, yet very deep and still commanding.

"You will grow to become the phenomenal, strong girl I know you are". "There is no doubt you will inspire and influence the world, and myself included". "You already have". "You are malnourished, and you are very underdeveloped in many ways". Nigel said. "Although you have capabilities beyond belief". "You will be magnificent". "I believe you will be outstanding". He smiled. "Thank you". Alex said, her wide eyes were seen as she looked up from her milk. "Of course". He continued smiling. It was a moment of content peace, as he looked at her, and she, him, and she now thought she could trust him. She knew beforehand had been rocky, and she had been afraid of him thereinto, although now, things were starting to look up for her.

"This wasn't such a bad idea". She thought. She now felt she could trust the Kids Next Door, and that they were there to help her. Although, as he said this, the corner of his mouth, his lip twitched upward rapidly. "Alexandria". His lip then twitched up, quickly, almost viciously. Not exactly was a nervous habit as it was a suppression habit. "You'll be successful". His lip continued twitching upright, as he looked at her, smiling confidently. His rapidly twitching lips at the corner of his mouth told a different story, however. "I know it". His lip quickly twitched up, mechanically, and almost automatically now.

Alex took note of this, as she watched Nigel. "Oh, perhaps it's just from overseeing the Kids Next Door organization". She figured. "There's a lot that goes into it". She then, asked the waiter for her "milk to go", and got ready to exit the booth. "Here, take it". Nigel placed the pill in a napkin for her. "But… but…. I um, I have to get ready to go". "The end of the meal protocol, and minutes are underway, as well". She said. "Try it, and see, Alex". Nigel said, gently. "It will not harm you". "It is a sleep inducent". He informed. "Come now". "Try it". He placed it in her hand. "I don't know". She said, becoming nervous again. Nigel could see from her begging eyes, that she couldn't take anymore torture, pain, or chaos that was against her schedule.

"Here". He said, gently, putting the capsule in her napkin, then heading to the bathroom. "Think about it". He then disappeared. Picking up the tiny capsule, hesitantly, she put it in her mouth, then drinking her milk, washed her capsule down. The time being, she could not help but think about what she saw earlier, what with Nigel, and his lips, twitching like so. She also, thanks to her higher mind, knew and concluded that it was more than "Kids Next Door" related stress. She knew exactly what twitching implied. She had seen the same exact thing from Eustace Bagge, whom she hated. Tiredly, she looked around, seeing if she could spot Nigel anywhere. Her thoughts dissipated into that of many worries, and comparisons, and fears and such regarding the operatives at Sector V. a thought recurred about Kuki being a professional, well spoken, genius, that is.

She wondered why Kuki had always suppressed her intelligence around her. Could it be she was employing a tactic that supposedly, "helped her"? Or…. what? Another thought that had come: Hoagie, and his secrets. Why on Earth did he have satin sheets, and silk pajamas? The leopard print lamp, was that symbolism for him being kind of… naughty? Well, he did make love (and farther) with Cree, as a teenager. That and he flirted with Abigail regularly. Why did she feel everyone always had control over her? Why was she even there? She felt like she wanted to go home, but she couldn't. Math, and physics problems arose in her head, and soon she saw blur, the thoughts quickly stirred, and stirred becoming dissolved in her own mind, she thought she was to feel pain, pain from that week, pain from her nightmares, and pain that had writhed in her soul. But… surprisingly, not. She wondered curiously as to why not, and why these odd visuals had been appearing in her mind. One of them included her, in a large white kitchen with a skinnier, taller, older looking, teenage, Hoagie, or Hank, as he preferred to be called. Looking up at him, she had seen him walk toward her.

With each sophisticated step, he had come closer to her. "Don't worry, don't be so pensive". He had addressed her, looking down at her. "Alexandria". He said, calmly, yet in the same raspy voice he had always carried. "When's the last time you've been in love?". He asked, directly. "Um… with no one, come on now". Alex said. "Mmmmm". He then smiled down at her. Opening his hands, the skinnier, older, version of Hoagie spoke to her, as she scrambled to her feet. "Don't worry about it". "There is an easy solution that will guide you in your efforts to tender relationships". "Milk, is the essential to life". He explained, in a deep, sonorous, older, teenage voice. "It has nurtured, and comforted the likes of newborns, and, later on in life, highly successful, young girls, such as you, everywhere".

"Milk allows the body to develop, physically, and….", he paused for effect. "Emotionally". "We develop attachments to our caregivers, that is supported by the life essential, that is important for everyday growth". "I think milk would be key for you, in building stronger bonds with those you love". He said, calmly. "throughout the course of a month, we will work on building our lactic ardor, and neonatal structure by drinking milk". "We'll begin this process immediately, in stride for strength". "Ok, I will". Alex said, with her eyes closed, trying to concentrate, and stay calm. "We'll". Hank emphasized, with a hint of German twang in his voice. Just a slight nudge. "Our Sector isn't perfect", he admitted. "With care on a daily basis, and renewal for a healthier tomorrow, we'll be good as new". "Will you be open to that?". She nodded. "Good". He said. "I'll get us some milk in the morning".

He winked at her. "Don't worry, my fraulein". "There is good in this world, and it will be seen". "By you". He then leaned in, grinning mischievously. Scooping her up, he gave her a wet kiss. Even as he turned back into the same, fat, raspy voiced, Hoagie he was, she still felt his, well, Cree's lipstick on her face. He winked at her seductively, wearing the silk pajamas. She shuddered at the creepy visual she just had, induced by a calming method that involved none other than controlled substances.

"Alex", a deep voice, kept calling her name. Shooting awake, she saw Nigel sitting in front of her. "We should go, if we ought to get to our ride on time". "Right, right". She said, getting her stuff, getting ready to leave. As they walked out the door, and to the S.C.A.M.P.E.R , she had felt about all sorts of comfort, that dissolved into sleep, on the ride home.

At sector V, things were much more chaotic than usual. If the Hamsters hadn't had all of the "Jamba Juice" Wally inadvertently gave them, they wouldn't have terrorized the main area. A spilt "Jamba Juice", lay on the floor. "Ey, don't look at me, ere". He sat, sprawled out on the couch, lazily, as if to say he had just woken up from a nap. "I was sleeping". The Hamster, that

closely resembled Hoagie, these being of the Hamsters Next Door, scampered about, first under the couch, then over by the sink. Turning his head that rested against a couch pillow, he had seen Alex come in carrying a to go cup of water, drinking it through the straw, absentmindedly, tiredly.

"Eye, there li'l girl!". He called. Too tired to say anything, Alex still stood, with her eyes now closing from exhaustion. "Wha..? you're just going to stand there, you're not even going to acknowledge me!". Wally looked at her. "I just don't exist to you people!". He scrambled to his feet, trudging in to greet the two. "You lil Brainiac!".

He scooped Alex into a big, family style hug. "C'mere ye". He then released. "What did you princesses, do today?", he said sarcastically. "Not really anything". Alex said, simply, and quietly. "We just went to get spaghetti". Feeling tired, she went over to sit down on the couch. The clicking of boots was heard as Nigel neared the couch. Wally still sprawled out, as he glanced up at Nigel who was looming over him at this point. "Clean it up". He said, sharply. "Sure, whatever mate". He scrambled to his feet. But not before, sticking his tongue out at Alex. she, in turn gave him the "thumbs down" symbol.

Her relationship with Beatles was a good one. She had a playful, joking, back and forth with him, always taking subtle shots at his intelligence, whereas he, in turn would do mild things to irritate her. Taking away her morning water was always a gut buster, messing up, and drawing all over her schedules, and sneaking up behind her, to give her a "brother-sister appropriate" hug was a favorite of his. Yes, their playful rivalry was unparalleled, but deep down, they valued each other, as good friends, and rather family.

This should've been wide, as he and Kuki were in a relationship, that Alex was a part of, being that she, and Kuki were attached to one another. "Eyy!". Wally wrapped her in another hug, from behind. "What're ye doin' Brainiac?". He scooped her up. "Ye drawing a map to one eyed, Einstein's in ye… Cornea?". "I'm not even going to respond to that inaccuracy". Alex said, muffled under Wally's sweater. "Whateva, whateva, I get it". "I know I'm right". He said, with a thick Australian twang in his voice. "Actually, you're not, as always". Alex said, in a prim and proper fashion. "The cornea is located... in your eye!". She said, harshly, yet slowly so he could understand. "You're again making Einstein sound like a degenerate who thrived on Piracy, and illegal activity, when indeed he was a respected genius whose unorthodox methods led…". Making the annoyed, "talk, talk, talk, talk," gesture with his hands, he immaturely ignored what she was saying.

"To the great breakthrough known as E=MC2". "Blah, blah, blah, blah, no one cares!". He said, going to the fridge. "I'll tell ya, ya talk like that, people will think you're nuts!". "Are you certain you're not talking about yourself?". Alex said, making a quip. "Ey, I have ye know I very smart for mah age". He retorted, unsuccessfully at best. "I've got moves, I just ain't going to waste em on you". "Why would you make moves, you already have a girlfriend". Alex said. "Stop bein' right!". He said, making a very unsuccessful (not even) a rebuttal. "When you're finished making your definition of a comeback," Alex stated. "There are hamsters that need put back in their cages". She walked off, pompously. "Oh, and.. Tidy this place up a little, Nigel will get mad if you don't". "Uh, no he won't". Wallace talked back. "Well, either way…". She continued, "a clean Treehouse is an efficient treehouse, so.. Chop, chop!".

Walking off, he huffed at her, looking for the hamsters. "Ugh! Girls!". He said, annoyed. Then complaining under his breath, he went to clean the main area of the Treehouse. Sitting down, Alexandria felt as if she had run out of energy. Her eyes were closing gently, as she could no longer, with strength, see in front of her. Curling herself up on the couch, she put a blanket over her, and put her head on a pillow. Being small meant she was not noticed, easily by other members of Sector V, when doing such things as sleeping, or eating. She then placed her water next to her, and had started to settle down. She was well aware she had been through the ringer. These kids were making her experience chaos in basket form.

Tossed here, and there, put on medication by Nigel, the nightmares… it was all chaos. Coupling it with the visuals, and recurring thoughts of Kuki and her genius, honestly, how could Kuki, who had been hiding her intellectual prowess, and professionalism, and placing Rainbow Monkeys, friendship bracelets, the best friendship song, and "Alex is my Lambie pie forever", there for 11 years, be a genius? It wasn't plausible. Yet it was there. As minor as it was, it did shock her, and not exactly bother her, she was sharp for an eight-year- old.

She was attending high school in the fall. It bothered her that this genius came naturally to Kuki, through her family, and through proper nourishment. Alex got lucky. Why did Kuki hide her genius? Was it because she was attempting to help Alex, with some hidden tactic, employed by a crouching mastermind, or was it because she thought Alex seemed too underdeveloped, and behind? Did she dumb herself down for everyone in Sector V, or specifically for her? (as in Alex). Reader don't be too confused. Her, her, and she, can be vague at times, with the close relationship Alex and Kuki have, as well as the encounters and thoughts they share. Alex was a little curious about that. The visual she encountered about Hoagie provided some context, into his mischievous behavior.

He was a bad boy behind all of the silly, fun loving, playful "nerd" that surrounded him. He did engage in some naughty behavior, he did have a saucy side to him that had deemed him, slightly unnerving to Alex, but he was a good person, throughout. He may've been the most optimistic, supportive person for Alex, out of everyone in Sector V. automatically, she could tell who was actually for her, and who did care for her well-being, not only for analytical purposes. But, hold on. About Kuki. did she care about Alex? Meaning, truly care?

Behind the friendship bracelets, and huggie wuggies, and the laughing clam, did she truly love Alex? Was there a deep, sisterly bond beyond the rainbows, and "Rainbow Monkey, lollipop forests and soda sea, it's you... And me", or was it part of a ploy as well? Why was Sector V so interested in her? Did they understand her, and still feel obligated to care for her? Did they see her in an analytical fashion, as a research tool, and guide? Why were they doing this? The Galactic KND held more curiosity for Alexandria. Why was Nigel a holder of the Seminar? Why was her information uploaded to the computer?

These were the questions that Alex felt compelled to answer. She wasn't as anxious to start as before, thanks to medication Nigel offered her. The thoughts still bothered her. Behind the laughing, and joking, and subtle humor, and the nice reminders, (appearances made by them above her while she was in bed, nudging her to take her vitamins, or take a shower, in louve physics) the Kids Next Door, Nigel Uno was covering something up. It regarded her. The Galactic Kids Next Door, was monitoring, and analyzing her for purposes. Why? These thoughts stirred in her head, and bothered her, lessening her chances of sleep, and greatening that of fear. She eventually had the Rainbow Monkey theme song play, then some equations were seen before she finally drifted off to sleep.

"Alexandria" a soft feminine, girl robotic voice said her name. It was similar to that of Kuki's. Was it Kuki? Alex lifted her head. "Are you asleep?". The voice said. Alex nodded too tired to respond. "Affirmative" the voice said. The computer then powered down. Alex didn't even look around. She didn't stop, or nod. She put her head down, ready for sleep.