| Nine days had passed since Cell was diagnosed with the fatal heart virus. Lara was exhausted. She had barely left his side. However, Cell seemed to be getting better everyday. The attacks he would get lessoned, and he didn’t breath as hard as he had been. Now he slept soundly. Mrs. Thomson had been a big help. For the past couple of nights she sat by Cell while Lara slept on the couch. Seru played and checked on his father everyday. On the morning of the ninth day, Lara smiled. Cell was sleeping like he normally did. “I think he’ll be okay,” she said. Mrs. Thomson walked into the room. “How’s he doing?” “He’s doing really good,” Lara replied. “I think everything will be okay now. Thank you so much for your help.” “It’s no problem. I know how much he means to you. Would you mind if I go back to my place? I’d like to catch up on my sleep.” “No, I don’t mind. As soon as he wakes up I’m kicking him out and I’m going to do the same.” They both laughed. When Mrs. Thomson left, Seru walked into Lara’s room. He stood next to his mother and watched his father while he asked, “Could I go out and play?” “Just be careful.” “I will.” Seru skipped out of the room and flew out the door. Sitting in a car not far from Lara’s house, was the man that had harassed her by the comic book stand. He had been watching the house for the past three weeks for the right opportunity to make his move. He found out Cell was sick a few nights ago when he spied through the window. Now he saw two people leave the house. The time was right. He stepped out of the car and quickly made his way to the house. The screen door was all that he had to open, and it was unlocked. He got in with ease. He carefully walked across the kitchen floor. As he was halfway down the hall, Lara walked out of the bedroom. She looked up and saw the man. She screamed and ran back into the room, shutting the door behind her. Before she could completely shut, it the man barged his way in knocking her to the floor. He looked straight ahead and saw Cell sleeping on the bed. “Good,” he said. “What do you want?” Lara asked. “Him,” the man replied. He started making his way over to Cell. Lara grabbed his leg and tried to pull him down. The man swung his other leg and hit Lara in the shoulder. She got up and jumped on his back. She did everything she could to stop him from getting to Cell. Disgusted, the man ran backwards against the wall. Lara choked and fell to the ground. She looked up and saw the man going for Cell. “Leave him alone! He’s sick!” “I know,” the man replied. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a needle. “What are you doing!?” Lara cried. The man picked up Cell’s arm preparing to inject the serum from the needle. Lara got up again and tried to knock the needle out of his hand. During all of this, Seru had heard his mother’s scream. He came running through the bedroom door and stopped. “Seru! Go get help!” Lara yelled. Seru didn’t move. “Go! Now!” Lara yelled again. Seru ran out of the house and flew away. He didn’t know who could help in time. Then he remembered someone who could. Lara, getting desperate, bit the man’s arm. He yelled and finally threw her across the room. Lara hit the desk and fell to her knees. The man turned back to what he was doing. He picked up Cell’s arm again and injected the serum where Cell’s arm bent. He threw the needle to the floor and turned to Lara. He walked over to her and slapped her face. She didn’t look back at him. She sat on the floor helpless. Soon another man appeared on the scene. He walked up to the other man. “I see you got him after all,” he said. “It was easy. The guy was a sitting duck. Here, help me lift him.” The two lifted the unconscious Cell. They brought him to the new man’s truck, which was waiting out front. “Okay, let’s go,” the second man said. “Hold on Lou,” said the first man. “I want to take that girl. She’ll probably call the police. Take the monster back to the boss.” Lou got in the car and drove away. The man walked back into the house and found Lara reaching for the phone. He quickly kicked her arm away. |