It took a good ten minutes of Nicole's best efforts for Leslie to lightenup. In the end, the analytical side won out. She was the victim of a hoax.Wha... else could it be? *** After a few hours of welcome distraction, Leslie was back on the road, headingdown pastoral Route 29 towards Charlottesville. It was turning dark, not thatshe minded driving at night; in many respects, it was usually more peaceful.But on this particular night, a sense of dread crept into her mind. It didn'tmatter what. "Hey!" I yelled, startled. Warriors aren't usually bothered by the dark, sometimes we even have to keep fighting, even after having Blind spells thrown at us. Still, I quickly drew my Flamefang sword, which cast just enough light from its glowing blade to let me make out the shattered remains of a low table. Somehow it was comforting to know that even without armor I was tougher than kitchen spoons and coffee tables."Lord Gareth, I presume?" A small man dressed in black sat behind a huge desk,. " What was war like?"Dr. Miller looked up from the patient charts on his desk. "I prayed a lot." Were you afraid for your life?"Dr. Miller took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. "You're worried about that boy."Diane blushed. "He seems very nice. Uncle Ted spoke quite highly of him. It's his second tour of duty." He must be brave. One tour of duty as a medic in the trenches was enough for me. When they let me come home, I did. I saw horrors I will never forget. The automobile accidents around. Ruthie heard several things inside breaking. She correctly assumed the crashes were from disappointed shoppers smashing things they had picked up but would not be allowed to buy.They exited through the gardening center, after being checked by a Mega-Mart security guard to make sure they were not carrying any merchandise. Ruthie's family walked around the back of the building, passing the loading docks to return to their cars. Everyone was badly shaken up. It was clear that Rosa no longer needed.