Earlier…

There was something wrong, she'd been thinking this for a while now but not been able to place it. Maria always hated having to think about tricky things. She didn't like class, she liked homework even less. She never understood how Ami could do it, studying all day and then going home and doing the same again. If Maria could get away without opening a book, she would. In fact, if it wasn't for Sherry it would be quite possible that she and Ami would never have become friends.

But now they were friends, and something was wrong. Maria didn't like thinking so she had tried not to let it bother her. But bother her it did, until she had no choice but to think about it. And when she did she started to put a finger on it. Things had changed very quickly at school and it had something to do with Zack. That was her conclusion.

She hadn't paid much attention to Zack before, he was in another class and he was a boy and boys were stupid and were always running around doing stupid things. But for some reason Sherry liked him, and Sherry was Maria's best friend. So she had encouraged Sherry to try and get closer to him.

And for the longest time Zack hadn't noticed. For half a year Sherry hovered shyly around her crush, trying to pluck up the courage to speak to him. But the boy clearly didn't like thinking either and hadn't worked it out. Maria wasn't surprised, he was a boy and boys were stupid.

But then things changed. Zack changed. And then everyone else changed. Something was definitely wrong. Maria didn't understand, but for some reason everyone started to really like Zack. Sherry liked him, and Maria didn't understand that, but then she seemed to really like him. And Maria understood that even less. And then Ami started to like him too. This Maria understood not at all. Ami had never cared about boys before. It was always just her studies.

But Zack was apparently smarter than he seemed, and Ami had been really impressed by him. And Sherry was the same. It seemed as though all those two would talk about anymore was him. It was annoying, he was just a boy, and now her friends seemed more interested in him than they were with spending time with her.

Even Zack's classmates really liked him. She'd spoken to a few of them, not being able to shake the idea that something was wrong. But they hadn't really been able to explain exactly why Zack was so great, they just knew he was. It was creepy, actually, they were all acting the exact same way. Maria had watched a program on T.V about aliens invading a school and brainwashing the students. Was that what was going on? Has Zack been replaced by an alien?

Maria wasn't sure, she just knew that something was wrong. But then something weird happened to Sherry and Maria was convinced. She wasn't actually sure what it was, but the way Sherry started acting was weird, like she couldn't get angry or upset anymore, even when Zack was spending all his time with Ami. And Ami was suddenly spending all her time with Zack, just because he was good at studying. But he hadn't been before, right? He was just a stupid boy before, was it really because of the aliens? Did the aliens replace Sherry too?

She didn't really want to visit Zack's house, but she was worried if she didn't Ami would be next. So she went. And they were all weird. So weird… But Zach's little sister was sooooo cute! And adorable! And innocent! And… what was she doing again? Maria didn't remember.

She lay awake the next day trying to remember what happened. But she couldn't. Did the aliens get to her? Were they about to replace her? She should tell, she couldn't tell anyone. She'd just have to keep a close eye on Ami. So she followed her friend around at lunch, she even tried to persuade her not to go and see Zach today. But Ami didn't understand why Maria was concerned. So Maria went too.

And there was Zach and his weird classmates. All smiles and charm. And everyone was all over him as usual, all the boys wanting his help and all the girls looking at him with those eyes. And poor Ami getting jealous! Maria was so angry at him! Didn't he understand a girl's feelings? And then he did something. Maria felt it, like he was giving her some sort of order. Telling Ami to love him, and Ami did what she was told! He is an alien! She had to tell she couldn't tell anyone! But she could at least get Ami away. So she grabbed her friend and dragged her away. She needed to make sure Ami stayed away from them from now on. She should explain, she couldn't explain to her friend why, but she needed to do something.

Then Maria had an idea. She could ask her cousin! Valentina would know what to do. Maria didn't normally like talking to Valentina. She was scary, and she was always saying mean things about people. And she was very religious. Maria's parents were religious too, but Maria didn't understand. They said she was too young. Maria was fine with that. But maybe Valentina could help! She should tell, she couldn't tell her about what happened. But she could still ask for help! Right? Help with something… Something's wrong. She knew that much.

Mum was weird when she picked Maria up from school. Everyone has been weird, but this was the first time mum was weird.

'Your big sister has come to visit,' she told Maria. Maria didn't understand. She didn't have a big sister. But maybe mum was talking about Valentina? She was kind of a big sister, right? And Maria did want to talk to her. So she was excited when she got home. But it wasn't her cousin. She didn't know who this person was.

'Maria!' The strange older girl said, giving Maria a big hug, 'it's been so long! You've gotten so big!' Maria struggled; this girl was weird too. Why was everyone weird? But even though she was weird she was also strong! Maria couldn't get away!

'We'll be up in her room,' the girl said to her mum.

'Hey, let go!' Maria demanded, squirming and pushing, 'mum, help!' But Maria's mum didn't do anything and just watched as Maria was led away. Was this it? Had the aliens come for her? Maria didn't understand anything anymore.

The strange girl took Maria into her room and put her on the bed. Maria bit her and she pulled her hand away.

'Ouch,' she said, 'that wasn't very nice, Maria.' Maria backed away, looking around for something that she could use that could help.

'Don't come near me!' She yelled, 'when my daddy gets home you'll be in trouble!' The older girl giggled. Then she held out her hand. All of a sudden fire sprang up on her palm. This wasn't normal fire, this was… wait… Maria had seen this before… had she? She wasn't sure…

'I know you are upset,' the girl said, sweetly, 'but you don't need to be, sweetie. Just look into the flame and relax.' Maria wanted to look away. She thought she should. She couldn't. It was too pretty. She kept looking at it, watching the flame dance. So pretty, so…

She didn't know anymore, her body was weakening, her vision fading. The flame, she had to look at the flame. Someone was talking but she couldn't hear. Just the flame… flame…

…………………………………………….

'Awake!' Maria's eyes opened. She didn't remember closing them. She was confused. What happened. She was lying down, but before she had been standing. She was lying on someone's lap. Who?

'Are you feeling better?' Her vision cleared. Maria's big sister was looking down at her. Maria was full of excitement. She loved her big sister!

'I'm fine!' she replied, 'thank you for looking after me, big sis! Everything was so weird before!' Her big sister nodded.

'I know,' she said, 'but everything is fine now. Maria is a good girl, after all. Now I need Maria to do a favour for me.' Maria nodded, happily. She was so comfortable right now on big sister's lap and so happy to see her.

'What do you need, big sis?' she asked, almost shaking with excitement.

'I need you to tell me everything you know about your cousin Valentina,' her big sister asked her, 'don't leave anything out, okay?' Maria understood. She told her big sister everything she remembered. She hoped it was enough. She loved her big sis and wanted to help her!

After she finished her big sister looked happy. Maria was happy to see her sister happy!

'That's wonderful Maria,' she said, 'you've been very helpful.' Maria smiled, she liked being helpful.

'There's just on last thing I need,' big sister said. Maria realised that her big sis wasn't wearing any clothes. When did that happen? Was Maria wearing clothes? She didn't know. She didn't want to check. Big sister was leaning down. Her chest was very close to Maria's face. The big bumps on her chest were almost touching her. Maria knew what they were. Her mother had them, they were for feeding babies. But Maria wasn't a baby. She was confused. Then the fire appeared again, drawing her in.

'Relax, dear,' her big sister told her, 'let everything go and open wide!' Maria's mouth opened. She wasn't sure why. She couldn't think. Fuzzy… flame… focus on flame… nothing else… flame…