My body ached; sleeping under a rock isn't as cracked up as most campers make it. I had gotten in late and according to my pocket watch it was high noon exactly. My stomach rumbled, I hadn't had much dinner and I missed breakfast. I shook my head erasing the images of last night and last time from my head. Getting out I pulled my hair back and tied it into a low ponytail. Getting up I watched the area around me. I wasn't too worried about Tobias seeing me at night, red-tailed hawks have little better eyesight at night than humans, but in the daytime he could see me a mile away better than you could see your feet looking straight down while standing. My face was tight as well; if you have ever fallen asleep after crying you know what I mean. I didn't remember crying but I didn't remember much after getting back.

I thought about today. Yesterday was Sunday so that would make today Monday, the Animorphs minus Ax and Tobias were at school. Tobias would be near Ax, Which I was most certain of. The only problem was as I said earlier, if I saw Tobias I can stake my life on the fact he saw me way before I saw him. That was a problem I didn't think of before. And it wasn't like I could go out for a hamburger at Mc Donald's or something now. It would be too risky. Someone could see me. Okay, okay, running away wasn't the best option I had. But it was the ONLY one I had. I could have taken the chance and jumped to Rachel or Marco's. I knew from Jake that Tom was a controller so I couldn't risk his freedom and life on the chance Tom would hear us. Cassie might have been an option as well but it never sat right with me. I knew I should tell them about me but my gut told me to wait.

Granted I hadn't thought much with my head when I found the blue box the first time and my gut told me to grab it the second time but hey, when your intuition tells you something you should do it. And in all honesty… when I found the blue box the first time my intuition told me taking it was fine but the whole thing with selling it on e-bay? Not good. Shoulda, woulda coulda.

But this time I'm glad I did.

My gut was also saying that I was hungry and with the hunger pains I wasn't about to ignore it telling me to eat. I considered my options. Home wasn't one; if I was careful I COULD go to Mc D's or something. Part of me wondered something else; weird how I do that when I'm hungry. My bike was still at the shop. If I got it the yeerk in my dad's head would realize that I had been by there. Hell, ANY parent would realize that. I hmphed and finally decided on Mc'D. I grabbed a fresh change of clothes, took care of some business and grabbed the backpack with the box in the bottom. I had an old blue baseball cap. I pulled my hair up under it and tightened it over my eyes. It wasn't much but it worked. As long as I didn't look anyone in the eye I should be fine unless someone actually knew me. But no one said I had to answer.

My walk to the nearest Mc Donald's was long; I tried not to think much. Thinking made me redo the memories and I didn't want to remember. Not now at least, I debated whether I should have told the Animorphs about me last night or if I should stay in secret until something happens. I wondered about that. How long could I play guardian angel and not get caught by them OR the Yeerks? I wish the Ellimist had given me more time. Well, he might have but I wanted to go sooner than later. I have a bad rep for being indecisive when I have the chance to think things over. It's almost as bad as me running into things without thinking a lot of times; I'm like that personality wise too. Get in my way and I might run you over.

I didn't bother looking for red tailed hawks or blue deer. I was trying to be inconspicuous as much as possible. I wasn't too worried about people seeing me. How much attention do you pay to the person walking by the road while you are driving? The Mc Donald's I picked was the one farthest from my school and where my parents lived. Less of a chance for them to see me. I got my food to go, a simple hamburger. Fast, easy and good enough to feed me without staying too long. I started to walk out when I saw Rachel and Cassie. I felt my face flush when I saw them. I realized that I forgot exams were last week. This week started spring break. I pushed my head down and charged past them as fast yet nonchalant as possible. They didn't seem to notice. I felt like I should stick around but I had plans.

From what I knew in two days they were going to do another assault. As of the current moment my morphs were: Horse, Roach, and Owl. Of those morphs the only ones who had a chance of doing ANY damage: Owl and maybe horse. By the way the answer to your question is YES I did need more choices. The only places I could think of were Cassie's farm and the Gardens. Gardens was out of the question for the moment, too busy and no way to get to the animals without the ones I would need thinking I was dinner. Cassie's was a good option when no one was in it. Thinking on it I considered going there in owl morph during a meeting. If I could let the owl mind go it might just work considering that tonight it would rain. I sucked on my cheek thinking. I remember there was a farm a bit away. Go there at night, give me a chance to see what was there, also the forest was full of predators, if I was quick and careful, not to mention CRAZY lucky I could get something there.

Deciding on the farm for now I hopped the bus and hoped no one I knew would get on. So far I was lucky, I hoped I would stay that way.

I spent a good portion of the afternoon in owl morph. I was lucky no one was bird watching; I wondered how many sevens I could roll in one day. I landed and morphed out at the farm. It was more of a ranch than farm. Animals frequented the area and everyone was busy running this and that. I watched from the distance, debating if I could find a morph here.

I spent an hour at the ranch and noticed the clouds coming. If I was going to make the meeting I would have to go now. Morphing back to owl I made the long trip to Cassie's barn. I saw Tobias land in the roof opening. I morphed back and then morphed owl again as the rain started, it was sudden and I was wet. Both of us, the owl and I, wanted to get out of the rain. I flew up and into the hole and let the owl rise a little. I wanted to stay but Tobias would pose a problem. I landed nearby and they looked up as I started making noise. Well the owl was; I was letting it be for the moment. I squinted my eyes and fluffed up trying to become bigger than him. He moved to an empty cage below but I stayed antsy. What is wrong? Ax asked. Tobias looked at him. Barn owls aren't exactly my best friends. Looks like it is debating between the weather and me. another lucky roll. Cassie stood in front of Tobias. Out of sight, out of mind I guess. The owl was slightly smart enough to know the hawk was still there but it settled down a bit. She smiled. "Out of sight, Out of mind." She said. "So we still up for Wednesday?" Jake nodded. "They are going to try and launch an assault on the senators at the University. We have to assume this is as soon as they land in the airport so we got to be fast." Rachel nodded, "The Senate is one of our branches of Government Ax. IF they get that close who knows what the Yeerks could do."

I felt my stomach, as small as it was, lurch. The SENATE? This was bad. Now I knew why Ellimist called me in. This was the safety of the country. If they got a senator who knew if they could, or already had, gotten the president. Not to mention the other world leaders. We all knew this was big but I think I just got it put into perspective.

The meeting was going but I got the basic blueprints before the owl was all but beating me to get out of there so I let it. I flew back to the cave and morphed out underneath so I wouldn't get wet. I had one final day to get morphs. I couldn't waste it.

I looked up at the sky as the rain stopped, I could have been mistaken, but I think I saw a hawk right before I went to sleep.