- 1 -

The three girls walked aimlessly down the street. They were in search of food and maybe even some more clothing. All three girls were 16. Mandee was sorta the big sister or mother of the group. Tanya was the neutral one and Lindsey was the baby.

“Mandee, can we stop for a minute. My feet are killing me.” Lindsey complained, from the back.

Tanya and Mandee turned around. “Lindsey, we hafta keep moving. It’s starting to get dark and we need a place to sleep.” Tanya reasoned.

Mandee looked at the suffering Lindsey. She felt bad for her. “Here Lindsey, hop on my back. I’ll carry you, alright?”

Lindsey smiled, “Thanks. I love you man!” she screeched.

Mandee smiled as Lindsey climbed on her back.

The trio continued down the street, ignoring the stares from the wealthy people talking into their cell-phones.

“I remember having it that good. But one mistake, one mistake and it all went away.” Tanya muttered.

“I know, Tanya. We all had it that good. But it wasn’t our fault. We should be lucky that we're still alive.” Mandee explained.

One year ago; Mandee’s, Tanya’s and Lindsey’s houses burned down in a block fire. Luckily for them, they were away at a friend’s sleepover birthday party. But, unfortunately, their families were not that lucky. No one escaped the vicious fire alive. The girls had two choices: go stay with Tanya's mean relatives; Mandee's abusive relatives; Lindsey's relatives that they didn't even know; or go to an orphanage. Well, they didn’t like any of their choices, so they ran away. Now, they walked the streets of New York and were on the constant look-out for social workers coming after them.

All of a sudden, Mandee and Tanya heard a lot of screaming. “Hey, do you hear that? It sounds like... girls screaming?” Mandee asked.

“Yeah, it’s coming from the Beacon Theater.” Tanya said.

“Let’s go check it out!” Lindsey yelled.

“Well, we could run if you weren’t on my back!” Mandee smiled at her. Lindsey looked at her and smacked her upside the head, playfully.

“Just move! Come on, before we miss it!”

They picked up their pace a little. As they got closer, they started to make out what the screaming girls were, well in a word, screaming.

“HANSON! HANSON! HANSON!”

Mandee looked at Tanya. “Who the hell is Hanson?”

“I have no idea! But let’s go find out!” Tanya yelled, over the loud shrieks.

They made their way through the crowd and looked for Hanson.

Lindsey looked down at Mandee. “What am I looking for?”

“I don’t know,” Mandee answered, honestly. “But I’ll find out. Excuse me?” She asked the girl beside her.

“Yeah?” She asked, snobbily.

“You don’t need to get snotty! I just wanted to know who the hell Hanson is?”

The girl laughed, “You mean, you don’t know who Hanson is? What rock are you living under?”

Mandee got that demonic look in her eyes that she was so famous for.

“Uh-oh!” Lindsey whispered. She then yelled, “You done pissed her off now!”

“Look! Not everyone is as up-to-date as you are. Not everyone has a warm home to go home to everyday. Not everyone can afford to buy the coolest clothes or the best food. Not everyone has a family. Now, I asked you a simple question, will you please answer it!” Mandee yelled.

Tanya and Lindsey laughed quietly at the frightened look on the girl’s face. “They are the newest and hottest band. Did you ever hear the song MMMBop?”

Mandee gave her the look again, then lightened up. “No, we haven’t. Or I’m sure we would know this group you speak so highly of.”

“Well, they are really cool. If you wait, they’ll be here in like five minutes and I’ll tell you their names and stuff.”

Mandee smiled at her then turned back to Tanya, who was still laughing lightly.

“That was good, Mandee. Did you see her face?” Tanya asked, letting a few laughs slip out.

“Yeah, but I think I was a little harsh on her.” Mandee said, turning back to the girl.

"Hey, sorry I yelled and everything. But it’s been one of those days.”

“Oh, it’s okay. But trust me, once you see Hanson, all your worries will go away.” She said this with such confidence that Mandee almost started laughing.

“Oh, okay. If you say so.”

Mandee turned back to Tanya, and did a “psycho” motion with her hand against her head.

Tanya and Lindsey both laughed. The girls looked around them for the first time. There were tons of signs with “I Love Hanson” written all over them. Before they could look anymore, a white van pulled up and the girls started squealing.

“They’re here! They’re here!” The girl said.

“Hey, before you start hyperventilating or whatever, what’s your name?” Lindsey asked.

“Oh, um... it’s Samantha. I think. Yeah, Sam for short.”

Tanya laughed, “Uh, okay Sam. You hafta point these um, are they all guys?”

“Yeah, three guys.”

Mandee nodded, “Okay, I’m Michele, Chel for short. This is Tabatha, Tabby for short. And this is Leslie, Lee for short.” Mandee said, pointing to herself, then Tanya, then Lindsey. They never revealed their real names to people unless they fully trusted them. And you definitely didn’t tell it to someone you just met.

Sam nodded then turned back to the van. “Look, they are getting out!” She shrieked.

They all turned their attentions to the van. Within five seconds, three blonde-haired guys were standing in front of us.

“Okay, the tall one right there, is Isaac, or Ike for short. He’s the oldest at 18. He plays the guitar in the group. The middle one there, is Taylor, Tay for short. He’s 16 and plays the keyboard. And the little one is Zac. He’s 13 and plays the drums.”

“Wow! They are young!” Lindsey exclaimed.

“Yeah, I know. Aren’t they cute?” Sam smiled.

“Uh, lemme get a better look at them and then I’ll answer.” Mandee said. She stared at them for awhile, which is what every other girl was doing, including Tanya and Lindsey. She turned back to them. “Oh yeah, they are definitely cute. Tanya?”

“Oh yeah! Lindsey?”

“I give them two thumbs up, way up!” She answered in a comical voice.

“Can they sing good?” Mandee asked.

“Oh yeah! They have really good voices. You should listen to them. Oh my!” Sam exclaimed.

“We might have to sometime. Well, it’s getting really late. We have to go. See ya around Sam!” Mandee said.

“Oh, you have to leave? Aren’t you staying for the concert?”

“We didn’t even know who they were so why would we buy tickets?” Tanya asked.

“It’s a free concert so you don’t have to buy anything.”

“Oh, well, we can’t stay so maybe we’ll catch them another time.” Tanya said, sadly.

“Oh, bye Chel, bye Tabby, bye Lee.”

“Bye.” They all said, then turned around and made their way through the crowd.

- 2 -

Lindsey absent-mindedly kicked a stone into Mandee’s heel. “Hey! Watch it!”

“Sorry,” she grumbled.

“What’s wrong, Lindz?” Tanya asked.

She sighed. “Nothing.” Then as an afterthought, she turned towards them. “Remind me again why we couldn’t stay?”

Mandee ran her hands through her hair. “Lindsey, look at us. We don’t fit in with them. We’re dirty and we have no clean clothes. We probably stink too...”

“Yeah, Lindz. It would be too embarrassing. Maybe if we looked a little better... but we don’t. Let’s just hope another opportunity opens up to us...”

Lindsey looked down to the ground. Mandee saw a lone tear role down her cheek. She walked over and wrapped her arms around her. “I know, honey. I want to go just as much as you do...”

Lindsey looked up at her with pleading eyes. Those eyes that could brake her everytime.

Mandee sighed and surveyed their surroundings.

“Okay, here’s the plan. You two go over to the fountain and wash off. I’ll get us some clothes. Okay?”

Both Lindsey’s and Tanya’s eyes lit up with happiness. Tanya ran over and hugged them both together. “I love you, Mandee.” They both whispered into her worn sweater.

Mandee smiled and stroked their heads affectionately. “Okay, ‘nuff mushy stuff. Go wash off... unless you don’t want to see Hanson...” she trailed off, smiling evilly.

They both let go and ran over to the huge fountain. Mandee smiled and started on her conquest for suitable clothing. When she walked into the nearest store, she went directly to the Young Miss section, searching for something light. She found a strapless baby tee for herself, a spaghetti-strap baby tee for Tanya and tank top for Lindsey. She also grabbed three pair of white shorts. Plus, an extra small bathing suit. She looked around, and when she was satisfied no one was around, she ran into the dressing rooms.

She carefully ripped all price tags and security clips off the articles. After ripping off her old clothes, she hastily put her layer on, then Tanya’s, then Lindsey. Then, she replaced her old clothing over top. She stared at herself in the mirror. She hadn’t quite reached the disgustingly thin mark, but she was getting there. Whenever they found food, she always gave it to Tanya and Lindsey first. She felt it was her duty. Shaking her head, she composed herself and grabbed the bathing suit off the floor.

She walked out of the dressing rooms and walked over to where a lady was standing. Mandee looked at her “Hello, my name is Cindy” sticker placed neatly on her blue dress jacket. Cindy looked at her and smiled. “How’d everything go, doll?”

Mandee smiled. “I guess I’m not as thin as I thought. It doesn’t fit.”

Cindy laughed. “You have got to be kiddin’ me! You’re so thin! And you have a beautiful face.... have you ever thought about going into modeling?”

Mandee smiled politely. She couldn’t understand why people always asked her that. She didn’t think she was anything special. “Um, not really. I don’t think I’d make a good model.”

“Of course you would! Let’s see... you’re about 5’7, right?” Mandee only nodded. “You have beautiful blonde hair... blue eyes... what’s two plus two?”

“Uh, last time I checked it was four.”

“See, you’re smart.”

“I don’t classify knowing two plus two a really brain shattering question. But anyway, thank you for your admiration, or whatever you want to call it, but I really need to get going. Thanks for letting me try this on.”

“Wait!” Cindy called, just as Mandee was about to leave. She turned her head around just in time to see Cindy run up to her. “Take this with you. It’s a mini brochure. It has my phone number in there... if you ever change your mind, call me. Okay?”

Mandee nodded and smiled. “Okay.”

She quickly left the store and never looked back.
 

- 3 -

Lindsey, Tanya and Mandee all squeezed into some ritzy hotel’s bathroom stall. Mandee shed her first layer of clothing and threw it to the ground. She peeled off each layer and handed it to it’s respected owner.

“Wow, this stuff is pretty cool. Snaps for you, Dee.”

Mandee smiled at Tanya and looked down at her half-dressed body. “Thank you. Thank you... Hey, do you think anyone would notice if I went to the concert like this?”

Lindsey laughed. “Mandee, this is New York... what do you think?”

She nodded and looked between the door and it’s frame, then looked back at Lindsey. “Is there anyone out there?”

“No, why?”

“Because I need to clean up. I was busy stealing while you two scrubbed, remember?”

Lindsey blushed and looked down. “Yeah, sorry.”

Mandee laughed. “Lindz, I was being sarcastic. Lighten up. Now, since you and Tanya are dressed can you stand by the door why I wash off?”

“Yeah sure, come on Lindz.” Tanya pulled Lindsey over to the door, while Mandee occupied the sink.

Tanya peaked her head out the door. “Crap! Mandee hurry!”

Mandee frantically pulled her clothes on. “Why? Who’s coming?”

“A janitor just went into the men’s room so he’ll probably come here next.”

“Did he come out yet?”

“No.”

“Good. Quickly get a garbage bag from his cart. Hurry, before he comes back.”

Tanya and Lindsey did as told and soon re-entered the bathroom with a fresh pink bag. Mandee gathered all their old clothes and piled them inside. “I’m going to hide this bag under the sink. We’re going to need these clothes again.”

“Why? These are nice. I want to keep them.”

“We will Lindsey. But you know how cold it gets at night. We’re going to need our sweaters and I really don’t feel like stealing any more today. Okay?”

“Yeah, good idea...”

A voice behind them broke their private conversation. “I’m sorry girls, but you’re going to have to leave.”

All three jumped in the air and turned around. They stared at the janitor for a second then hurried out the door. They practically ran to the Beacon... Okay, well, they did run actually.

“I hope it’s not too late!” Tanya yelled, running behind Mandee, with Lindsey close behind. They got to the door just as a man was about to shut it. “Wait! Wait! Wait! We want to go.”

The man looked at them skeptically. “Let me see your hands.”

Confused, yet willing, the girls held up their freshly washed hands. The looked at each other as the man waved a purplish-light over them. “I’m sorry. You can’t get in. You don’t have a hand stamp.”

“What? What hand stamp? We were told this concert was free.” Mandee spoke what all three girls were thinking.

“Oh, it is. But you had to have your hand stamped by 7:00 to get in. You’re a half an hour late.”

“Did it start yet?” Tanya asked.

“No.”

“Are all the seats filled up?” Lindsey asked, disappointment evident in her voice.

“No.”

“Then what’s the big deal!” Mandee finally yelled. “This is a free concert, you said so yourself. So we couldn’t be here at 7:00. So what! We’re here now and we want to see them just as much as anyone else.” Okay, well, maybe she was lying a little, for she only ever knew of them for twenty minutes, but she wasn’t going to let this man win. His satisfied grin was making her sick. She was also getting sick of the way his eyes roamed over the body of the girl that was speaking, which was most currently her.

“I’m sorry. Rules are rules. Maybe next time. Buy a watch or something... or maybe that’s the problem. You can’t buy anything, can you? You are just a poor little street tramp. I’m going to write a little book about this. How you and your friends put on slutty little clothes, hoping to get in to see Hanson, maybe seduce them. All for the money. Then you could buy anything you want. Yes, I think I will write this book. And the very first chapter would be on you, my love.” He placed his hand on Mandee’s chest, slowly moving in downward. She grabbed it and twisted it back before he could go any further. “Whoa, slutty girl got some spunk. Did your Daddy teach you that?”

Tanya and Lindsey pulled her back just as she was about to tackle him. “Mandee, don’t! He’s not worth it.”

Her composure came back fully. Her body lost all tension and she signaled for them to let go of her. Their hands slowly fell to her sides, where they rested, just in case.

Mandee turned to Tanya, then Lindsey, giving them both smiles that silently thanked them. They smiled in return and waited to see what she was going to do.

She took a deep breath and turned towards the hated man. “They’re right. You’re not worth it. You are nothing to me. You’re comments go unheard and your touches go unnoticed. I may be many things in life but there are two that I know for sure that I’m not. One is a slut nor anything of that nature. I am a woman. Not a wealthy one of course, but I am still in fact a woman. And I demand that you treat me, my friends and every other woman upon this earth with the respect that we deserve. And two, I am not a faller. I will not now nor will I ever fall into the backlashes you deliver to me. I will not fall into your trap to make me feel like scum. Because you, my love, are the scum.” She turned around, bringing Tanya and Lindsey with her. As an afterthought, she turned around and walked back to him. Tanya and Lindsey started to walk to her, but she signaled them off. “No, it’s okay. This will only take a second.” She turned back to him and stared him in the eyes. “Do I have your full attention now?”

He could only nod.

She gave him her coldest stare and spit directly in his face. “Put that in your book.”
 

- 4 -

"Look, I'm just as upset as you are, but there's nothing we can do." Tanya fidgeted with the bottom of her shirt, making sure not to make eye contact with either of the girls.

Lindsey, on the other hand, was making it very well know how much she hated this. "This truly, without a speckle of a doubt, SUCKS! How did he even get that job? I mean, I know it doesn't take much talent to run a black light over a hand.. but that guy doesn't even come close to being qualified." Mandee tried not to laugh. She honestly did. But Lindsey's endless rambling made it very difficult. "Are you laughing at me?"

"I'm sorry Lindz... I just needed to relieve the tension, ya know? Sorry."

A small smile played on her lips. "Well, at least I was the source of your happiness."

Mandee wrapped her arm around Lindsey's shoulders. "Always, Lindz, always."

Tanya looked over. "Hey, what about me? Don't I provide any happiness in your Hanson-deprived life?"

Mandee pulled her over. "Of course you do. But about that Hanson-deprival..." She got that demonic look in her eyes that she was so famous for. She looked around to see if anyone was close enough to hear. "Do you think the backdoors are heavily guarded?"

Tanya and Lindsey laughed and put their hands in the center of an invisible pile. Mandee put hers on top. She smiled at them. "We can so do this."

Their hands broke apart and the ran between the Beacon Theater and its adjacent building. Water splashed their ankles as they ran through each puddle. "Come on! We're almost there!" Tanya yelled. A few seconds later, they all ran into one of the stage hand doors.

Lindsey reached for the door, only to find it locked. "Great."

"Well, it was inevitable. Do we have anything to pick it with?" Mandee asked, hopefully. She checked her pockets as did Tanya. "All I have is my cross necklace... and its not strong enough. What about you Tanya?"

"My good luck penny. That's it."

The both turned towards Lindsey. She pulled at her pockets to reveal nothing. Then her eyes brightened up and her hands went into her hair. "Here, take this. Its very strong. It should work." She pulled a antique-looking clip out of her hair and placed it in Mandee's hand.

"But Lindsey... this is your mother's.. it, it might get broken."

"Its okay. It was starting to weigh my head down, anyway." She tried to joke, but it didn't work. But her eyes conveyed that she really wanted to be inside.

"Okay, I'll try not to break it."

Mandee set to work on the knob. Soft music made its way out to them. Voices soon followed.

...won't have to reach out for me, i will come to you, oh, i will come to you...

"I got it!!! Look, the clip is still intact." She handed it back to Lindsey, who fastened it lovingly in her hair.

They slowly pushed the door open and quietly made their way inside.

...cause even if we can't be together, we'll be friends, now and forever...

They quickly ran over and joined the rest of the girls, making it seem like they just came from the bathroom.

A big, burly security guard stopped them. "I'm sorry, ladies, I'm going to have to check your hands before you can go in the sitting area."

"Sitting area? Looks like everyone is standing to me." Tanya supplied.

"Don't get smart or I'll kick all of you out."

"HEY! Can you keep it down!! We're trying to hear Hanson here!" Some female fan yelled in her thick New York accent. The guard decided to ignore her.

"Please, just let me see your hands so I can get out of everyone's way." His voice held little compassion and a lot of annoyance.

They all held their hands out. "Here," Mandee said, knowingly. "But you aren't going to find anything. We just came from the bathroom."

"Yeah? So?"

Mandee wrinkled her nose. "Eww, don't you wash your hands?"

The guards face became a lovely pinkish color. "Fine, go sit down."

The girls smiled sweetly. "Thank you!"

...ooo, i will come to... yyooouuu...

The song ended and the keyboard-playing Hanson pointed his finger out to the screaming girls, which only made them scream louder.

"What's he doing?" Mandee asked, no one in particular. "Is he going to hit a homerun, or sumpthin'?" Two girls behind her laughed.

Mandee turned around and faced the two girls. One had bright red hair the other had pure black. "Wha?"

"Oh, sorry. We didn't mean to laugh at you.. its just.. you've never been to a Hanson concert before, have you?" The red hair girl asked.

"Um, no, this is our first."

"Yeah, we could see. Hi, I'm Ebony and this is my best friend Honor." The black haired girl introduced, then stuck out her hand. All three girls shook their hands.

"I'm Michelle, but my friends call me Chel. This is Tabatha or Tabby. And this is Leslie, Lee for short. Nice to meet you. One question... why does he do that? We're at a concert, not a baseball game."

The girls giggled. Ebony decided to explain it. "Well Taylor likes to do that. It's kind of his trademark. They all have their own little thing."

Tanya looked curious. "Really? What do the other two do?"

Honor thought for a moment. "I guess Isaac and Zac don't really have a move, but Isaac's trademark is his ring. Its a silver band on his middle ringer. He never takes it off... excluding showers, of course." Honor smiled and pointed at him. "Look. See it?"

All three girls turned around and in fact, saw a bright silver band wrapped around his finger. Mandee looked down at her hand. She saw a replica on her own middle finger. Only she was sure Isaac's wasn't his father's wedding band.

Ebony took over. "And Zac, his is dreads. He'll put his whole head in dreads.. very adorable. Have you seen the 'MMMBop' video?"

All three girls shook their heads. For some reason, none of them could talk. All for different reasons.

"Well, he has them in in that video. You'll have to see it someday." Honor said, almost giddy.

"Yeah, someday." Lindsey replied, distantly. They turned around and then looked at each other.

"Are you guys feeling as creeped out as I am?" Mandee finally asked, finding her voice. She gently ran her finger over the band.

"Yeah, I'm not so sure I want to be here anymore." Tanya said, rubbing her hand.

Lindsey took the clips out of her hair and shoved them in her pockets. "I want to leave."

Mandee and Tanya readily agreed. They turned around to face Ebony and Honor.

"Hey, we just remembered we left our oven on. We have to go." Mandee said, ushering Tanya and Lindsey out.

The girls looked back confused. Ebony shivered a little but managed to reply back before they left. "Okay, we'll see you later."

The three girls ran towards the door they came in.

... you guys have been an incredible audience.... we'll be back real soon if you let us. we love you guys... cya!!...

Isaac, Taylor and Zac abandoned their instruments and ran towards the back door where their van was waiting.

"Oh my God! They're coming this way! Tanya open the door!!"

"I can't! Something is pushing on it from the outside." Tanya yelled, trying to get the door to budge.

...Walker, move those boxes so the boys can get out... weren't there a few minutes ago...

Lindsey and Mandee both pushed on Tanya, hoping the combined weight would push it open. It did. All three girls went flying to the ground.

Mandee rolled over on her back. "Um, ouch! Lindsey get off my hair."

"Sorry dude. Tanya get off my legs I can't move."

Tanya and Lindsey rolled over so they could lay on their backs. They looked up to two older people looking down at them.

"Are you girls alright? That was a pretty nasty fall." The woman asked, pushing her hair behind her ear.

Tanya looked at Lindsey, who looked at Mandee. She nodded as did Lindsey. "Yep, we're fine. Nothing we haven't been through before." Tanya said, brushing the dirt off her knees.

"Um, did any guys come out yet?" Lindsey asked, worriedly.

"What guys, sweetheart? Your boyfriends?"

They laughed to loosen the tension. "Not very likely," Mandee said, starting to stand up. "Those Hanson boys." Tanya and Lindsey followed.

"We're right here. Did you want something?"

The girls looked behind the couple to see three guys with amused faces.

The creepy feeling went through the girls again. Mandee grabbed her stomach, which felt like it was sinking it the ground. "What's going on?" She whispered to Lindsey.

"I don't know, but I don't like it."

"Are you alright?" One of them asked Mandee, who looked like she was about to fall over.

They turned around and ran, as best they could, down the small alley way, praying to any and all gods that they would never meet the Hansons again.
 

- 5 -

"What does it mean, Dee?"

Mandee looked at Tanya, who was leaning against the dumpster. They had made it back to their 'quarters' without another incident.

"I don't know. I've analyzed this over and over in my head... I mean, it could be coincidental, right? But these feeling... my God, these feelings... something is happening..."

Lindsey spoke up for the first time and the past fifteen minutes. "I think those two girls at the concert felt it too... but I don't know how... I don't know, I guess I'm just being stupid." Her voice had become a little over a whisper.

Mandee walked over to her, draping one arm around her shoulder. "No, Lindsey, you're not. I saw it too... Ebony.. She shivered before we left. I know for a fact its not normal to shiver in a building that's one hundred degrees and rising. Especially with three hundred other people sweating..."

"And Honor... She kept looking at us weird... Like she knew us or something." Lindsey added.

"Guys... We need to find out what this is..." Tanya said, rubbing her arms. "We have to find them."

"Them? Them who? Ebony and Honor?" Lindsey asked.

Mandee knew what she meant. She knew they had to do it too. "No, Lindsey, she means Hanson."

"If I were a Hanson, where would I be?..." Mandee chanted to herself. "You know, this would be a WHOLE lot easier if we actually knew some stuff about them... Where they like to hang out and stuff... Walking the streets of New York calling 'Here, Hanson, Hanson, Hanson' isn't exactly going to work."

Lindsey nodded. "Yeah, we've been searching for over two hours... I guess if we were meant to see them again, we would, right?"

Tanya smiled. "Yeah, maybe we were just nervous about seeing famous people... Things like that always happen, right? Mandee?"

Mandee had turned around and was facing the opposite direction. Both arms were wrapped around her stomach and her face was scrunched up in pain. Before Tanya and Lindsey could go to her, her eyes flew open and her arms dropped, but they were still shaking.

"Do you really believe that Tanya? You and I both know that's not what really happened... They're still here. I can feel it. We just have to keep looking." She turned around and faced them again. "Please, please, don't give up on me. We really need each other right now. Now more than ever."

"Dammit Mandee." Tanya wiped the tears from her eyes, and wrapped her arms around her best friend. "Why do you have to be so damn emotional?" Mandee laughed then pulled Lindsey over.

"What? You think you're gettin' out of this group hug?" Lindsey laughed and enveloped them both.

"Excuse me, Sir!! WAIT!! PLEASE!!"

The girls ran down the streets of New York, again. The same bodyguard that they "talked to" inside was getting ready to lock up. He reluctantly stopped and turned around. They stopped in front of him and recaptured their breath.

"Its an emergency!!" Lindsey gasped, leaning on her knees.

"Are you alright? Should I call 9-1-1?" The guard immediately came over to assist us.

Mandee put her hands up. "Wait, its not that kind of emergency. We were just wondering if you knew were the band Hanson went after the show?"

The guard laughed and turned to leave. "You crazy kids. Going nuts over a band... Think they were the Beatles or something."

"Hey wait! You don't understand... its very important that we find them." Tanya said, stepping forward.

"Yeah, get in line ladies. There's about a million other people who'd like to see them too." He dismissed them with his hands.

"Look," Mandee started, softly. "We don't have anything to offer you... we're poor. Actually, we're lower than poor. We're also homeless. We were lucky enough to see the band today... and some weird things happened to us... Things that I can't even begin to explain. And whether you believe me or not, they did happen. We need to find them... Please, I beg you, can you tell us where they're at."

She was drained. She had to confront too many people today. Her body was weak, as was her mind. Those feelings from before enveloped her body once again, and soon, she was laying unconscious on the ground.

"... color is starting to come back... She should be up soon... Grab another blanket, she's cold."

Mandee felt someone putting another blanket over her body, but for the life of her, she couldn't open her eyes. Someone's head was lying on her legs, while a pair of hands rubbed her head.

She finally willed her eyes to open, and saw Lindsey sleeping, head propped on her legs. Tanya was sleeping on a near by love seat.

A deep voice broke her trance. "They fell asleep as soon as we brought them up."

She looked over to the person beside her, who had obviously been the one taking care of her. Her eyes were still blurry, so she started blinking. "Yeah, your vision is going to be fuzzy for a little. I had a wash-cloth over your eyes."

She smiled, inwardly. "Thanks for taking care of me. I'm sorry if..."

"Hey, it was my pleasure... It's the least I could do after the whole alley scene. I'm sorry if we spooked you."

Mandee's heart skipped a beat and her eyes immediately opened. Her breath started coming out in short, raspy gasps. "Oh my God..."

"Its okay, just calm down before you give yourself a heart attack... I can't exactly cure that with a wash-cloth, blankets and tender kisses, now can I?"

Her breathing returned to normal and she blushed slightly. "Sorry... its just... we've been looking for you..."

He smiled warmly and placed his hand over hers. "I know, we've been waiting..." He stuck out his hand and enveloped hers.

"Hi, I'm Isaac."

She returned his smile. She didn't know why, but she knew this was right. She knew it was time.

"Hi, I'm Mandee."