*Grumbles* Another late update. I'm sorry. Next week, however, I will update on Thursday. I've already started the new chapter, so no long waits!

By the way, this chapter contains important, vital information for later in the story, especially Part 2. SO TAKE NOTES!

I do not own Bones or The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Abby belongs to me. Enjoy!


After school, Zack met Abby by the swings, where they would then set out on their journey to Abby's house. "I live nearby," Abby said, "so we can just walk. I told my daddy at lunch that I would bring my new friend over, so he wouldn't have to drive me home. I can't wait for you to meet my parents."

"I can't wait either," Zack said, walking alongside Abby. "They must be nice."

Before the two were out of the school grounds, they nearly crossed paths with the bullies.

"Watch where you're going!" One of the not-so-mean bullies yelled. He was with the other bullies, but he wasn't as mean. I guess they've been friends, Zack thought.

When he told Abby this, she said, "Yeah, it's kinda sad. I mean, they're being followers, not leaders.

"Exactly," Zack agreed; he was glad that he was having a conversation with Abby.

"And, in twenty years or something, he'll be on of the goons of an evil warlord. Or something."

They fell into silence, then Zack asked, "How do you get to school in the mornings?"

"My daddy drives me," Abby answered. "What about you?"

"Well, my mom dives me and my siblings that still go here, and the kids who don't just walk to and from school."

Zack noticed that they were taking the same route to his house, as they had just passed a bright blue house-a familiar landmark to Zack. "Abby, where are we going?" Zack asked.

"My house," Abby giggled. "Did you forget already?"

"No," Zack said, "it's just…this is the route I use to get home from school." Zack then looked in the direction across the blue house too see a house with many windows. Abby followed his gaze. "And I believe that is my house."

After a moment, without even thinking, Abby ran to her house. When she came out, she was dragging a tall, slim woman with the same bright red hair as Abby. As Zack walked closer, Abby yelled, "Zack! Go and get your mom!"

"But Abby! My mom isn't home right now!"

"Then get your oldest sibling. Hurry!"

Zack did as her was told, running into the house on the right, bumping right into Cadee.

"Zack! Don't run, you'll hurt yourself!"

"I need you to come outside," was all Zack could muster. He, too, dragged his sister by the hand until they had reached the line that divided Abby's house from Zack's house.

"Cadee, this is my friend, Abby. Abby, this is my second-oldest sister, Cadee."

"Hi, Cadee," Abby smiled. Cadee returned the smile. Abby turned to her mom. "Mom, this is my new friend Zack. He lives next door."

"It's a please to meet you, Mrs. Zeckory," Zack greeted.

Abby's mom, who was looked a little shocked at the sudden events, said, "Well, hello, Zack. Abby has told me much about you."

"Mom, can Zack come over and play?" Abby asked, a plead to her voice.

"Abby, I'm glad that you're making new friends but…we're busy today," her mom said, exasperation in her voice.

"Mom, this is the only day this week that Zack is available." She turned to Zack. "Right, Zack?"

Clearly, Abby wasn't taking no for an answer. But Zack didn't think lying was best. Cadee was about to say something, when Zack said, "Yes, er, tomorrow, we have to see family. Right, Cadee?"

"Right," Cadee responded, giving her youngest brother a glare from the corner of her eye.

"Alright, fine," Abby's mom said, "but please don't stay long; it's late already, and Zack needs to be home…what time, Cadee?"

""Four o'clock is nice," Cadee said.

Abby's mom looked her watch. 3:15.

Finally, it looked like Abby and Zack won the battle. "Go. Have fun," Abby's mom said. "If you guys get hungry, come down anytime."

"Bye, Zack. I'll be next door if you need me," Cadee said, walking toward her house. "We'll talk about this later," she muttered to Zack.

As Abby and Zack ran into Abby's house and climbed the stairs, Abby couldn't stop giggling. "What's so funny?" Zack asked. "You lied to your mother. And I to my sister."

"I know," Abby said, still smiling. "I just really wanted you to stay. We hardly ever have people over. Here's my room."

They had reached the top of the stairs, and Abby was pointing to a door with a big wooden A on the front. They were in the landing between Abby's room, a guest room with the door closed, and her parent's room. There seemed to be no sign that another child lived there.

Abby opened the door wide and let Zack in. There was a dollhouse, a small desk covered with toys, and a huge dresser, twice Abby's size. The only pictures Zack could see were posters of TV shows.

Abby went to the medium-sized bookshelf in the corner and pulled out a dark green book. "This is the book I told you about," Abby said, showing Zack the cover. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz read the title. "It's my favorite book," Abby went on.

"Abby," Zack interrupted, "can I, uh, use your bathroom?"

"Oh, sure," Abby said. "Down the hall, to the left."

"Thank you," Zack said as he left the room and went the direction Abby told him to go. In reality, he didn't have to go to the bathroom. He wanted to investigate.

He tiptoed cautiously toward the guest bedroom. He reached out for the doorknob, unsure of what he would find in there. His hand grasped the cold metal, and, as he turned it, he could hear the mechanism inside clicking and turning.

Inside was an empty room, with small boxes and nails. Zack would have taken a few minutes to see inside the boxes, but he didn't have bionic x-ray vision. Plus, Abby was calling him.

"Zack! Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Coming!"

Abby was sitting on the floor, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz positioned across from her.

"Abby, where is your brother?" Zack questioned.

She was obviously taken aback by the question. "Well," she said, but stopped. She nervously looked toward the book. Finally, she said, "I don't want to talk about it."

"That's ok," Zack said, trying to comfort Abby. "You can tell me another time."

Abby nodded, still silent. Finally, she asked, pointed to her book, "Do you want me to read this to you?"

Zack agreed, and the two read until four o'clock. By four o'clock the two had read to chapter five of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It was a great book. However, according to Zack there is no such thing as a cyclone taking a house to another world. "You need to rest the rest of the books. I think they'll make more sense," Abby had said.

While they were reading, Zack noticed that Abby seemed to be happier, now that they weren't talking about her brother.

It felt good to "hang out" with Abby, and Zack was sad to leave. "Maybe I can come over to your house tomorrow?" Abby asked.

"I'll ask my parents," Zack said, waving good-bye to Abby as he walked across the dividing line between the two houses.

The best part about the day was that Abby wanted to hang out with him. It felt so nice.

The only thing that puzzled Zack was that there wasn't a sign that another human being-besides Abby and her parents-lived there, besides the boxes. Had her brother lived there? Maybe he's in college, but Zack immediately dismissed that idea. After all, Abby had said that he was in middle school. But shouldn't middle school be out of school for the day? It was strange.

And soon, it'll only get stranger.


Well, how was it? Not my best, but I am proud of a bit of it. And, yeah, the evil warlord thing. I don't know. I just thought of it.

The whole "bionic x-ray" thing is a tribute to my friend daphrose! Go check out her stories!

Anyways, be sure to tell me if you liked it and why in the reviews!