Hi Everyone, I'm back with a few more chapters. I've been working on this next segment on and off. I'm finally happy with the first few chapters. This picks up right where we left off in Here I Come: The Early Years.

Happy Reading,

Annie

Annie's POV

I woke up like I normally do. It's that funny feeling where you can feel fuzz in your eyes even though quills aren't in your eyes. I couldn't really see for like a second before I rubbed my eyes to try to rub out the sleepiness in my head. I yawned and walked over to my bedroom door. I tried turning the knob, but it wouldn't turn.

I groaned and massaged my face while trying to turn the lock… but I couldn't feel the lock! What!?

When I finally forced the fuzziness from my eyes, I looked at the doorknob like I was taking a test.

"Wha!" I tried twisting my doorknob again. I jiggled it and pulled and twisted. "Mom!" I started pounding my fist on the door. "Dad!" I started to feel my heart hammer against my chest. Out! Need out! "Mom! Dad! What's going on! Let me out!" I started to feel tingles in my toes and fingers. "Come on!" I whined at the door. "Come on!" I begged the door to just open up. "Please!"

Suddenly the door moved. But not in the way it was supposed to. It slid to the side with a whoosh. "Aah!" I leapt back and fell on my bum because of the metal thing in front of me. It looked like Omega but… smaller, rounder… it was kind of cute, actually. Its chest opened up to a black screen with green letters like Uncle Tails' old timey gadgets. It stood there in the doorway and stared at me. I looked at its face and the screen a few times while my heart slowed down. I blinked a few times while I tried to focus on the screen.

Good morning, Annie. Welcome to GUN. This is one of our safe houses. The door to your left goes to the restroom if you'd like to wash up.

I sighed in relief. GUN… "Okay, can I see Caleb? My Mom?" I got up and looked at the little robot. "Where is everyone?"

Unfortunately, they are not here. We think it's best to not have you all in the exact same place, in case of attack.

"Oh…" I looked down. Mom and Dad never said anything about separating us. They did say if worse came to worse, we'd be hidden by GUN and to do what they say. "…I guess that makes sense. But, why now, what's going on?" I looked at Mini Omega's face like it was going to talk.

The screen erased everything, and then new letters appeared.

We've received intel over the attacks your family has experienced. Your parents perceive it severe enough to hide. They do not wish you to worry. Just know that they'll be here after the threat has been neutralized.

I felt better that Mom and Dad were handling it, but… I still worried.

Please make yourself at home. Breakfast will be brought to you shortly.

"Oh… well, I guess I could eat. Thanks."

You're very welcome. We hope you enjoy your stay with us.

The screen went blank and Mini Omega walked through… wait, my living room! It went through what looked like the front door, but it slid to the side like the bedroom door did. I stared at the door for a few seconds before I started to look around. Whoa… It looked just like our living room. The TV, the coffee table, the couch… minus the family photos and bookshelves. I stepped back and admired GUN's handiwork. They replicated my room to the same amount of detail. My bed, my desk, my closet. It felt… empty… Not being home for the holidays… not being with my family… I sighed and shook my head. It's going to be okay. Mom and Dad and everyone are out there doing their thing. No worries. WE'LL be together again in no time. I forced a smile on my face and went to go wash up. GUN even got the exact brand of toothpaste we use.

I checked the drawers and the closet. Did they... Did they raid my room? I changed out of my pajamas and then I heard a knock at the door. It was Mini Omega at the door frame.

"Oh, it's you. Does that mean that breakfast is ready?"

The robot nodded and led me back out to the replica of the living room. There was a plate of scrambled eggs, toast and orange juice on the coffee table.

Mino Omega walked over to the coffee table, and I saw words appear on the screen again.

Please enjoy.

"Thank you."

He walked away as I walked to the coffee table. I heard the door close behind him as I sat down to eat breakfast. I took a few bites. Hm, "Needs salt." Kind of bland but I couldn't really complain. I liked the sour dough they used for the toast though. There was probably some sort of weird GUN rules that makes food not taste the best. Maybe I can ask to help out in the kitchen? After a few more bland bites, it started to dawn on me that I was by myself. Mom wouldn't cook for me for who knows how long. Dad and Flash wouldn't pop into the kitchen randomly to sample something yummy either. I had no idea where they were or anyone and I had no clue what we're really facing. Well, more like what they're facing. I was here alone. No powers, no special abilities, just a kid with a weapon she barely knows how to use. Whatever was going on, my family would be okay. Even with everything we've been through, we came out okay. I could be brave like Dad. Strong like Mom. I could fight like my family if I had to.

I really hoped I wouldn't have to…

After I finished my breakfast, Mini Omega came through the front door again. Mini Omega picked up after me and set everything on a tray.

"Oh, I can clean up after myself."

No need. You are our guest.

"Okay, but… I-I'd like to be helpful. I can make my own meals." I smiled.

Please, Annie. You must remain here. Watch films or read a book to pass the time.

"Yeah… okay." I had to trust GUN. They had to have a plan for this kind of thing and fighting them would only make things harder for them and me. I shouldn't make things harder for the people who were trying to help me.

Mini Omega left and I was all alone again. I thought about calling Caleb, but he was probably out with my family fighting whatever.

Maybe I could talk to Connor. I gasped. Connor! He had no idea where I was. We were supposed to meet up today. I was going to give him the blanket I made. I pressed the screen on my gadget. When I pressed Connor's name, it wouldn't ring or anything.

That's weird. I always have signal. Uncle Tails made sure of it.

Well, I could try again later. What else was there to do? I looked over at the TV and grabbed the remote. But when I turned it on, the screen was blank. No static or anything.

"What?" I whined.

Must be another GUN rule thing. Okay, Mini Omega said something about movies. The TV stand had a case underneath where I saw the old school DVD player and I saw the collection of DVDs in the cabinets. There were some documentaries on how things are made and all that along with some actual animated and family movies. I picked one up that I saw with Connor not too long ago.

After the movie, I tried calling Connor again… still nothing. Then I tried calling Marigold. Couldn't get through to her either. I tried Finn and couldn't reach him either.

Seriously? What is the deal? No actual TV, I couldn't reach anyone, the food was bland, I was all by myself.

I decided to read. I walked to the bookshelf in my room. There were actually copies of some of my books along with some new ones. Some of them looked huge. I pulled one out, it looked like a textbook, Mechanical Physics. I pulled out another, Statistics. And then another, Mammalogy. I decided to go with the next book in the series I was reading with Connor. The whole series was there, actually.

I read for a while. At lunch, Mini Omega came with a turkey panini, chips and some water.

"Thanks again." I smiled.

You're welcome, Annie.

"Hey, I don't have signal. Is there any way I can use a phone to call my friends?"

I'm sorry, but it's best you do not contact anyone, for your safety.

"Why?"

To minimize the likelihood of anyone tracking you here.

"Well… can I talk to anyone, anyone at all, like a student or something. I don't like being here by myself."

The screen blacked out. For a few minutes, I stared at a blank screen.

"Um, please?" I begged.

We'll send a student.

"Thank you!" I brightened up. Finally.

I honestly just wanted to talk to someone. I had no idea where I was, I couldn't work on any of my projects and I didn't have any contact with anyone I knew since yesterday. I'd be okay with being by myself if someone else was around. I mean there might be hundreds of agents out wherever I was but I hadn't heard or seen anyone since I woke up. I didn't like this, it's too quiet. There hasn't been an update from Mom and Dad either.

I looked over to the door as I ate, willing for the student to appear already. I was almost done with the halved slice when the door opened. I saw an arm knock on the side of the door.

"Oh," I quickly swallowed. "Come in! Please!"

Out stepped a boy. A red headed human boy…