In case anyone is wondering what getting shot feels like... it hurts like crap. I slept for several hours before dragging myself out of bed and into the shower. The bandages around my shoulder were a pain to get off and I tried not to look at the mess that was my wound. That ugly patch could be avoided for now. Once I was clean, I wandered back into my room and picked up my phone. Several dozen texts from Kacie were waiting from me. They started out fairly normal with some, "Have u seen this?" and gradually shifted to, "r u even getting my texts?" and, "Amelia? Amelia, where are you?" I felt bad for worrying her, but I didn't really have the strength.

Sighing, I sent her a message of my own. "I'll explain later." Then I waited. It wasn't long before I had my reply.

"Oh, gosh... ur ok."

Great. Now I just have to think up an explanation. This will be fun.

A week and a half, that's how long I'd been missing. It wasn't as long as I had expected, but it was enough to make Kacie freak out. She'd tried calling the cops, but Wraith had informed them that I'd been pulled away on a sudden family emergency. I never thought I'd say this, but thank you Wraith.

Hoping to give myself a little time to think, I slipped into class just as it started. Kacie glanced at me, but with an upcoming test, she couldn't afford to not pay attention. My thoughts spun around inside my head, and yet, I managed to learn something from my class. However, once it was over, I nearly had a panic attack. Before I could do anything, Kacie dragged me from the room and into a side hall.

"What the heck happened?" she demanded.

"There was a... uh... family emergency."

"Yeah, so they said." She dipped her head sideways and glared at me. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"My little brother stole my phone and... dropped it in the sink." I nearly winced at that.

"Again?" her voice rose.

"Yeah, he already owes me for like three." The lies started forming a bit faster. It helped that ruining my phone really was a habit of the brat's.

"You managed to text me though," she paused, "eventually."

"Ah, yeah. I got it to work again. It just took time." She didn't look like she completely believed me, but I glanced at my watch and slipped away, calling behind me, "My next class is starting!"

With a sigh of relief, I went on my way. Virtualization was already underway by the time I got there the the teacher paused to comment on my being late my first day back. I shrugged and slid into the seat next to Elliot and glanced at him.

"Miss me nerd?"

He barely looked up. "You were gone?" Thanks jerk. Real nice.