Sorry about the lack of updating and the short chapters. Collegey stuff like homework keeps getting in the way. I'm working and uploading as often as I can. Now here's the next installment.

Mina woke up at sunrise. She made sure that Ro was alright before leaving the room. By force of habit she went to check on Zachery, only to remember that he wasn't there. It was a nice thought. Only he wasn't really her Zee anymore, he was her Zee. Her brother was dead, he had died years ago but she couldn't let go. She had lost so much that she couldn't lose him. That's why she had spent so much time keeping his body alive and finding a way to wake him up. Dr. Selig knew what she was doing so he had talked to her and they had come up with this. A feeling synthoid that would learn and they had made sure to include a little of Zach into him.

She walked into the room where Zee was staying. She stood in the doorway watching Zee sleep. She wondered what he was dreaming about. Her face fell a little as she began to think. 'I should feel good about this. My brother is dead now, he's really dead. There's no more doubt. Someone else has someone to care about them now. I guess it's just my lot in life to be alone.'

Mina felt the familiar constricting of her lungs and quickly closed the door. She knew that he had to be tired and didn't want to wake him any sooner than was necessary. Zee and his friend had enough to worry about without her condition. She ran down the hallway towards her room and her medication, willing herself not to have a fit in the hallway. She barely made it to her room before the coughing started. Unfortunately, she didn't get her pills in time, fell onto her bed, and couldn't get up or even move. Everything hurt but she'd have to wait for it to pass. 'I wish this would stop.'

She stared at the few pictures that she had on her desk. They were all taken about the same time, from when she was about eight to twelve. Those were the only truly happy days. Her biological had left her mother before she was born. Her mother had died when she was two and she was returned to her father. He basically sold her when she was three to a man who owned a little bar. She ran away when she was five and lived on the streets until she met Zach. Her chest started to scream in agony until she fell unconscious. Then she started to remember. It wasn't like a normal, more like watching a movie about yourself.

Mina had met good people who took care of her after she ran away. She lived alone in a warehouse near the edge of town. Those people she never considered them family or friends, she believed that the idea of having people care about you was a lie. In the end they always betrayed you. Those people have helped her find a place to sleep, clothes, and food. She did go without food some days but she never starved. Her lack of food on these days was in fact her own fault. She would give it to those she saw in the streets that she felt needed it more.

She was walking down the street late one night, taking a shortcut through a seedy part of the city. As she passed an alleyway she heard a struggle. She saw three teenagers cornering a man and boy. She knew these teenagers were thugs, each with a favorite "toy." The leader favored a tazer and the other two liked chains and brass knuckles.

"Give us whatever creds you got and we'll letcha go."

"I'm sorry, young man, but I don't have any creds on me. So, if you'll excuse us, my son and I need to get home," said the man.

"I don't think so."

With that the thugs moved in. The boy stepped in front of his father. 'Just keep going Mina, do not get involved. Not this time.'

One of the thugs swung a chain at them and hit the boy in the arm. "For crying out loud…"

Mina ran towards them and hit the leader in the back of the legs. He landed on the ground with a grunt. This got the attention of the others. She grabbed his tazer and shocked him. The one with the chain ran towards her swinging. She ducked out of the way and hit him too. Unfortunately the one with the brass knuckles had gotten behind her and hit her in the side. She fell to the ground. He stood over her laughing.

It was that sound that kept her awake. It sounded just like when she was smaller. She laid there waiting for him to get closer and increasing the voltage on the tazer. When he was close enough she zapped him and didn't stop until she started having a fit. It was the worst one that she could remember having and the first time that she blacked out.

Mina's senses slowly came worked their way through the haze that surrounded her. She heard voices near her.

"…are good Dr. Selig, but I'm afraid that it wasn't the injury that caused the blackout."

"She took a very severe hit for my son. Are you sure that it had nothing to do with it?"

"It may have contributed to it but she has a medical condition that has gone unchecked for years. That was actually the cause."

"Will she make it?"

"Yes, I believe she will. I don't know how long she can last. This disease is degenerative and even at this stage requires medication. She lives on the streets."

"Yes, I am working to remedy that situation. It appears that our little friend is awake."

"Young lady, my name is Dr. Hass and you're in the hospital."

Not even opening her eyes, Mina said, "Lady, my name's Mina and as for the hospital, well duh."

Dr. Hass started to examine Mina. "How are you feeling, honey?"

"Like I was hit by a train. I can't pay you or anything."

Dr. Selig gave the answer. "I'm paying for this. You saved my son and this is my way of repaying you. I'm also offering you a home."

"Why would I want that?"

"If you don't come with me then you'll be placed in the child care system."

"I guess I have no choice. Tell me about yourself."

"I'm a doctor and my name is Eli Selig. I have a son named Zachery…"