Chapter 13 *Sue's P.O.V.*

Today was the day I was going back to school. Truth was, I was nervous as hell. I was scared to death of what people would think of me. Would they think I was weak, helpless, that I could protect myself? I hoped that Sid and Tobey wouldn't think of me that way. But what if they did? I still had some doubts about them.

But that day, I walked into the building, Sid and Tobey by my side. I was so nervous, I felt my whole body shiver. Slowly, I made my way to my locker, and noticed everyone had stopped and started to stared at me. I knew I was drawing a lot of attention, and it made my skin crawl. I hated drawing so much attention, I would rather just blend in with the crowd anyday.

As I put in the combination to my locker, Sid and Tobey stood by me protectively, like they wanted to make sure no one got too close. Actually, it felt reassuring to have the two who meant the most to me so protective, so caring and worrying over me. I imagined anyone would after what I've been through.

Then I walked to my class, and everyone still stared at me like I had two heads or something. I saw Mr. Andrews look at me when I sat down in my seat. I shivered. This was the seat I sat in when I was Sam Li. I hoped people wouldn't remember me as her. I'm not Sam Li. I'm Sue Yi, sister of Sid Yi, and best friend to Tobey Li. To me, that name, "Sam Li", symbolizes all the suffering I went through during the time Spencer kidnapped me. I wished I couldn't remember all the pain he inflicted on me.

Sid and Tobey sat in their seats, and so did the rest of the class. But they all stared at me. I felt so uncomfortable with all those pairs of eyes looking right at me. I stared down at my textbook, desperate to drone out all those eyes.

Eventually, class started, and Mr. Andrews taught class just like how he did before all this happened. I took out my notebook and started to copy the notes he put on the board. At least I was able to pay attention to some of what we were learning last month, but barely. I quickly pushed those memories away. They were too frightening to think about.

Everyone was quiet, no one was really talking or misbehaving in class; they were all to busy looking at me. Even Will we keeping to himself, which surprised me. Soon Mr. Andrews started to ask the class questions about the lesson he just went over. He looked at the students, then asked,

"Alright, now class, who was the general that had defeated many armies, conquered many villages, and always put his army first, but never returned home after war?"

I stared at my desk, then remembered who the general was. I sheepishly raised my hand, and Mr. Andrews stared at me.

"Yes Sue? Who do you think this general was?" he asked me.

"Um . . . Was it General Yang?" I said nervously and with no confidence. I slowly put my hand back down and stared at the teacher.

Mr. Andrews smiled warmly then said, "yes Sue, that's correct."

I smiled back, somewhat proud of myself. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sid and Tobey smiling at me, happy as well. I sighed quietly under my breath. I didn't know why, but I felt a surge of confidence and self-esteem rush through me. And it felt good.

~Three Delivery~

Throughout the day, kids were coming up to me and smiling, or saying, "glad your okay", and stuff like that. Eventually, Sid and Tobey became less protective of me, and only walked with me to classes we had together. Other classes I didn't have with them, they let me walk by myself.

At the end of the school day, I walked out of my class, and one of my best friends, Laura, came up to me. And at the same time, Sid and Tobey walked to me, preparing to bike home with me.

Laura smirked when she saw them. "Well, well! Looks like you have your own pair of bodyguards! Or chaperones?"

I chuckled, while Sid and Tobey just groaned. I then told them, "listen, you guys go ahead. I'll bike home with Laura."

They looked at me carefully, then I groaned and continued, "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I need to hang around a girl too, not just guys!" I laughed.

They smiled, and nodded. Sid then said, "just be careful Mei-Mei."

I nodded. "yeah bro, I know. See you guys later."

Laura waved and said, "later guys."

~Three Delivery~

Laura and I took our bikes from the bike rack, and started to ride home. But we decided to take the long way so we could talk, which I enjoyed. I just needed to talk to someone, someone other than the boys.

Laura smiled at me as we passed Cornelius. She then asked, "how are you doing with this all? I mean, is things starting to return to normal?"

"Yeah, things are getting better. Everything is starting to return to normal, which is good. My family isn't really treating me anymore like an unstable girl who has suffered too much trauma, if you know what I mean." I responded, then laughed. Laura smiled, then said,

"Hey, you going out with someone? Cause if you want . . ."

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "No Laura, I'm not going to date your brother . . ."

"Well, can you hook me up with-"

"No Laura, I am not getting you a date with my brother . . ." I sighed with annoyance.

Laura had a crush on Sid, but he was so oblivious to it. All the time she was asking me if I could ask him to date her, but I always said no. And she always asked me to ask her brother, Gary, out. She thought it was ridiculous that I was fourteen and never been on a date. But I was too busy to go on dates.

Laura grunted. "Well then!" but she smiled and said, "listen I gotta go. I have to run some errands for Gary and my mom. I'll call you later, alright?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"I'm sorry we couldn't talk for a little longer. I know you wanted to talk, sorry Sue."

"It's okay, I'm glad we talked at least for a little bit. I'll see you later Laura."

"Well, alright, see ya girl." Laura grinned before riding off down Smith as we passed it. I smiled as she biked away, the purple metal of her bike glinting in the sun.

I sighed, then continued to ride home. It was such a beautiful day out today, I felt at peace with the world. Usually it wasn't too busy at this time of day at Wu's, and I decided to bike through the park.

Taking the bike path, I smiled as I saw some little kids playing tag and wrestling in the grass. I remembered at the orphanage Sid, Tobey, and I would always play tag, wrestle, and other games like that. We always had fun playing little, and sometimes stupid, games.

As I passed other people as they spent time with their loved ones, I realized we never had time to just enjoy each other's company. One day we need to just hang out and just be a family.

Slowly, I made my way to the end of the park, but then I froze. The hairs on my neck and arms stood on end, and I got goose bumps on my skin. I shivered, the slowly, I turned around, just as I got hit in the chest with a baseball bat. I yelped with surprise and pain, and fell backwards off my bike.

I felt the baseball bat hit me in the side where my wound was still healing, and I screamed with pain. Slowly, I looked up, and saw Spencer ready to hit me again with the baseball bat!

I heard people screaming with fear and surprise. A little kid was crying loudly, and I heard a woman yell,

"Someone call the police!"

"No, call an ambulance! That poor girl was hit twice with a metal baseball bat! She might be hurt!" I heard someone else say.

Growling, I twisted away from him, and stood up tenderly. I winced, my side and chest hurt, and I was getting more difficult to catch my breath. Shivering from fear, I knew now was the time was the time to fight him, that monster that nearly killed me and my family.

But before I could react or dodge it, Spencer hit the bat against my head with all his strength. I hit the ground hard, and I heard people's frightened screams, and Spencer's evil laughter. I felt unconsciousness taking over, and I couldn't move. I was in too much pain to move.

Everything after that was dark.

To Be Continued . . .

Hey all, sorry I haven't updated in a while. This story should be over soon, but I don't know yet. Anyways, please leave reviews, and I like the constructive criticism . . . It makes me happy . . . :D