Having barely passed his sophomore year, many on the FulsomHigh faculty would question if this student's meeting with the guidancecounselor was really...necessary. That Milner would flunk out of hisjunior year seemed an inevitable fact.At 2:28 a thin red haired sixteen year old appeared in the office door."You're practically thirty minutes late," the guidance counselorpointed out."My foster mom was waitin' on the car so she could bring me here," Theundersized boy shrugged. "Her husband had it.". She hesitantly said, “Hello.”“It’s me, Paula.”She happily cried, “Joe, I was so hoping this was you. Where are you? When can I see you? Why don’t you... ?”I laughed and interrupted, “Paula, slow down. I’m at the motel. I’m tired, dirty, and starving and want to see you. If you give me thirty minutes to clean up and you know a good local restaurant, I’d like to take you to dinner if you’re free.”She answered firmly, “Now don’t pull that ‘if you’re free’ stuff with me. I’m selfish; I want every. Wills muttered.Anya slipped in front of me, ready to shield me. I put my hands on her shoulders."Not yet... not just yet." I said under my breath, just loud enough for her to hear. "Doctor, do you see the Director anywhere around here?" I asked louder."No, I don't." Okay, fine... I've had enough of this shit. My move."'Now? Can I now, finally?'"Yes, now. Fuck 'em all up."'Yes! Who's your Daddy, muthafuckas?' the darkness bellowed. I linked with every single person in front of me, and released. She already had three or four girls now.An image of Felicia's desperate face flashed through Jessie's name. It was the worst image from the night prior. You left her, a voice spoke in Jessie's mind. She needed your help and you let her become one of them.What were they? What had Leah become? Then there was that snake-or worm-that attacked Felicia. It must have been the key to how Leah spread whatever was happening to her.A rolling burst of collective laughter nearby caused Jessie to jump.