"We've identified the suspect as Alison Foster, 5'3, 115 lbs, black hair, gray eyes. Only prior record is that she was arrested in 1997 for shoplifting," said the police officer. "The name on the buisness card you found, Daniel Foster, is her uncle, with who she is currently living, after her parents were killed by a break-in robber."
"Her parents were killed?" asked Taylor suspiciously.
"Yeah, this report states that as the family was sleeping, someone broke into their house and her parents woke up and the intruder shot them both. Alison was still sleeping in her bed when police came to the house after a neighbor called them."
"Sleeping?" Tay asked. "Yeah right, she killed them!"
"Taylor!" hissed Diana.
"What? If she psycho enough to kill me, then why wouldn't she kill her own parents?"
"Well, anyway," said the police officer. "This all happened seven years ago, when Alison was eight years old."
"So she's fifteen now," Taylor thought outloud. "What's going to happen?"
"We don't have enough evidence to charge her with anything, even breaking and entering," the cop said. "The only thing we can do is give you a 24-hour security guard."
"A bodyguard?" Taylor said uncertaintly. "But I've never had to have a bodyguard before. Dad's always with us...and we've never been in danger."
"Well, it's up to you," the officer said. "For your own protection, I would advise that you let us protect you."
"I think that it would be for the best, Tay," said Walker. "I'd feel better knowing that your under proffessional watch."
"But...oh, fine," Taylor gave up.
"Okay, we'll send someone over to the house immediatly. In the meantime, we're going to go over and speak with Daniel Foster about his niece."
"Okay, thank you very much for your help," said Diana as she led the officer to the door.
Once he was gone, Walker called all the kids into the living room for a family meeting. "We all know that this is a serious situation. I don't want anyone leaving the house or going anywhere by themselves. You must be with another person at all times. Yes, that goes for you too Isaac," he said, seeing the look on Ike's face. "And this especially goes for all members of a certain band called Hanson. But for you younger kids too."
"I'm not a kid," said Mackenzie.
"Me too!" said Zoe happily, unaware of the circumstances.
The rest of the family ignored them. "And if you're going anywhere, you tell me or Mom first. Don't just wander off."
"Good going, Tay," said Zac. "Now it's like we're in j-AIL!"
"You ruined our stay in California!" exclaimed Ike.
"I did not!" Taylor protested. "It's not my fault I'm so darn attractive!"
Zac and Ike scoffed. "ANYWAY," said Walker, regaining their attention. "I hope we're all very clear about all this. Is this all understandable?"
"Yeah," mumbled Ike.
"Fine," said Zac.
Taylor nodded.
"Yup daddy!" Zoe screamed. The family laughed and the doorbell rang, causing them to jump.
Diana answered the door cautiously. Standing at the door was a huge, muscular black man, at least 6'4 and about 250 pounds of pure muscle.
"Ma'am?" he asked, shaking her hand. "I'm Officer Sharp, from the LAPD. I've been sent here to be a personal bodyguard to Taylor."
"Yes, come on in," she said, a little taken back by this large man. "Thank you so much for coming to help us."
"Not a problem, ma'am. Just doing my job. And my little girl will be thrilled to find out that I'm protecting her favorite group."
They all laughed and Officer Sharp came inside. "Well, I guess we can get down to the studio now," said Walker. "We still have an album to get out!"
"We named this one "Smile"," explained Zac. "Because it makes you want to smile and dance!"
"Sounds really good, guys," said Mark Hudson, their producer. "And we could add some scratches and stuff."
"Yeah, that would sound good," said Ike. "Right, Taylor?"
Taylor wasn't paying attention. "Huh? Oh, yeah, sure."
"Come on, Tay, get with it," complained Zac. "We need your help!"
"Sorry, I'm just distracted," he said. "I'm still worried about that Alison girl."
"Well, don't worry. We got Big Mike with us now," Zac said, slapping Officer Sharp on the back.
"I know, but I just keep wondering, who she is and what's her deal," Taylor said, looking off into space. "I have to go to the bathroom." Big Mike got up to go with him. "Uh, it's okay, Officer. I think I can go by myself."
Officer Sharp nodded and went back to eating the box of donuts he had started. Taylor left the room and went down the hall to a pay phone.
He dialed 0 for the operator. "Uh, yeah, I need the address for Daniel S. Foster," he said. The operator found the number and told Taylor. "Okay, thank you."
The home of Alison Foster was only about four blocks from the studio. Well, I know I'm not supposed to do this, thought Taylor. But I'll be right back. He left the studio and down the street to where Alison's avenue was. He found the house and it looked like no one was home. It was a normal looking split-level house with white siding and green shutters. There was a flower garden along the sidewalk and a swingset in the backyard. Taylor walked closer to the house and went up to the door. He took a deep breath and rang the doorbell. After a couple seconds, the door opened and Alison was standing right in front of him.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her face registering no emotion.
"Alison Foster?" Taylor said in a small voice.
"Yeah? Do I know you?" she asked, sounding annoyed.
"Um, no, I guess not. I was wondering if you...have a bathroom I could use?"
She sighed impatiently. "Yeah, I guess so. Up the stairs and down the hall to the right."
"Thanks," he said quickly as he ran up the stairs and down the hall. Alison went into the kitchen. As he was trying to find which door was the bathroom, he walked into what looked to be her room. He looked around the room in shock. The walls were covered with posters and pictures of him, with the words 'Taylor' and 'I love you' and 'Forever Together' written around them. He gasped and looked out in the hall. Alison was leaving the kitchen and starting to come down the hall. He quickly left her room and started down the hall.
"Well, I found it. Thanks for letting me use your bathroom," he said, on his way out.
"Yeah, whatever," she said, shrugging.
"Well, I'll just be going now," he said, heading for the door. She didn't say anything, only left him standing by the door by himself.
"Okay," he said as he walked out the door. Once outside, he broke into a run back to the studio. That didn't make any sense. She acted like she didn't even know who I was, but obviously she did. He reached the studio and walked back to the room where his brothers were.
"Hey, what took you so long?" asked Ike.
"Oh, there was a line," said Taylor.
"Ha! A line! That's a good one!" said Zac. "You know he just had a big turd to lay."
They burst out laughing and went back to working on some lyrics.
"So, Taylor, you came for me," Alison said outloud back at her house. "It's soon time, my love. Soon. But not yet." She went back into her room and took out a knife from her dresser drawer. "You think you can fool me. Well, you're wrong. I've already beat you."