Chapter 4

Carly woke up the next morning mad at the world. She had to stop being Carly for 
one day! She put on her black slacks, black shirt, and leather jacket. She put 
her stuff in her backpack which wasn't a lot… a lip-gloss, her bracelets, her 
small earrings, her gloves the had the fingers cut off, a picture of Kevin and 
Paige, and a few outfits she had. She put the backpack on and opened her bedroom 
door. She was going to walk out but heard Michael's music playing upstairs. 
Carly whispered to herself, "Dang it." She had agreed to take Michael to school 
today. Carly went upstairs to see Michael loading his books into his backpack. 
Carly went with Michael to the car and started to rev the engine. As they headed 
to Michael's school Carly felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise as they 
did most of the time, "Geez… Michael do you ever feel like your being watched?" 

Michael looked back and saw the a following from far behind. Michael cleared his
throat, "Um… Carly I forgot to tell you… I really don't know how to say this but 
dad use to be part of the mob so they have us under surveillance. Sorry about 
that." 

Carly pulled the car over quickly making Michael grip the dashboard, "What?!" 

"I'm sorry to have to tell you about that. They've been watching you pretty 
closely since you've been back. They just want to make sure your safe. Dad's 
just making sure your ok." Michael sighed awkwardly. 

"I can take care of myself." Carly stated and bit her lower lip, "Tell you what, 
Michael. You help me lose the guards and I'll take you with me." 

Michael was a little hurt, "You’re leaving? Why? What did we do?" 

"No! Michael it's only for today. I mean I have to stop acting like I'm not 
myself. I am who I am and I want to act like it so will you help me lose them?" 
Carly asked. 

"I don't know if it’s such a good idea Carly. I mean dad might get mad." Michael 
warned. 

"Michael, I could care less what your dad gets mad about. He doesn't run me now 
you could come or not. Either way I have to get away for the day." Carly could 
remember everything about last night. 

Michael sighed, "All right, I'll help but where are we going?" 

Carly smiled, "I can't tell you." 

Michael looked back and saw the car was still at a distance behind them, "Ok, 
here's what you do." 

After the plan was initiated, Carly walked Michael to the schools front doors. 
The guards watching from across the street. Carly pretended to be saying goodbye 
to Michael in the by walked him there. Michael let his eyes travel to the guards 
across the street, "Now!" He said suddenly. He and Carly made a sudden break and 
the guards turned back to see they were gone. Carly and Michael ran through an 
alley on the side of the school when exiting out of the opposite side Michael 
looked around, "So where do you want to go? Think fast because the guards should 
be close behind." Michael rushed Carly. 

Carly grabbed Michael hand and pulled him while hopping onto a nearby bus that 
was just departing. Michael and Carly laughed as the bus sped away and the 
guards looked blankly around searching for Carly and Michael. Michael enjoyed 
the pure rush of everything they were doing. Michael couldn't remember a time 
that he had felt so alive and hadn't seen the guards close by him. They had 
followed him for so long he forgot what it was like to just be by himself 
although he wasn't really by his self he was with Carly. 

Carly pulled Michael up by his hand and smiled, "Come on." They had rode the bus 
to the nearest Greyhound station and Carly paid for two tickets that would take 
them to the next town. As they boarded the bus and sat Carly saw that Michael 
was staring at her, "What?" 

"How did you get money?" Michael questioned Carly. 

"Believe it or not I had money when I met you and Jason for the first time. I 
just didn't have a car that's why I was hitch hiking." 

"How do you know whether to get into a car or not?" Michael was worried about 
her recklessness. 

Carly laughed, "You get an eye for it. You have this feeling in your gut too. If 
I don't think it's safe to get in the car I don't." 

"Where is it that you were going, Carly?" 

"Meeting with my friends, Michael." 

"Friends?" 

"Yes, Michael, I do have friends." Carly grinned, "I just hope they’re there 
today." Carly looked out at the plains they were passing hoped Jason wouldn't 
get mad at Michael for what he helped Carly do. It took a couple of hours before 
they reached their destination. When they reached their destination they hopped 
off the bus and Michael followed Carly the best he could but Carly walked faster 
and faster. Turning a few corners and running down some alleys until finally
reaching a secluded area that had a small ditch like place with tons of skate 
boarders and different people mingling. Carly's smile had gotten the biggest he 
had ever seen it. Michael looked around seeing a red headed woman smoking a 
cigarette and talk to a group of people the woman lit up when she saw Carly, 
"Babs!!!" She exclaimed. 

Michael frowned and turned to Carly. Carly walked to his side, "It's just a 
stupid nickname let it go." Carly leaned over and whispered then putting a wide 
grin on her face she approached the woman, "Hey Red." (The woman's nickname.) 

Michael felt awkward just standing there not knowing who these people were and 
how Carly knew them. Red pulled back from the hug and smiled at Michael, "And 
who's this little guy." 

Carly bit her lower lip and looked back at Michael, "Oh him. He's… Kid. I call 
him, Kid." 

Red looked again at the little boy, "Why hello there." She said leaning down 
with a grin and slid a finger across his cheek, "You’re a real cutie. I 
especially like the red hair looks like we have something in common." 

Michael ran his hand through his reddish hair and sighed. He hated his hair. But 
Bobbie told him within a few years it would change color. It was already 
lightening at the moment. That was a another thing that didn't score him too 
many points with the girls, imagine a shy guy with now fading red hair it wasn't 
that great. Michael smiled anyway by her compliment, "Thanks." 

Red looked at Carly, "You haven't been to see us lately. Something up?" 

Carly shook her head, "A lot's happened but nothing really bad. I'm fine." 

Red nodded, "You want to talk to us about it?" 

"Sure, Red, I'll tell you. Give me a minute though, ok?" Carly held her finger 
up and walked back to Michael. Michael stood feeling lost. Carly knelt to him, 
"I'll be back ok? I am just going to be right over there, ok? I won't be far and 
if anybody offends you. Tell me." Carly instructed and began to walk away. 

But Michael stopped her by grabbing her wrist, "No!" 

Carly slightly giggled as she was pulled back, "What?" 

"You can't leave me." Michael made Carly follow his look, "There are a lot of 
girls around." Michael made a nervous look. 

Carly smiled, "And you’re scared, why?" 

Michael shoved his hands in his pockets, "I'm not nervous." 

"Ok, then have fun." Carly got up again but Michael pulled her back again. 

"Ok! I'm nervous all right!" Michael yelled and most of the girls looked at him. 

Carly snickered at Michael and then knelt to him again, "Why?" 

"I never know what to say. I am an idiot!" Michael whispered. 

"I got an idea. Stay right here." Carly ordered and went away for a moment. 
Michael looked around him and he blushed at the girls’ looks. They looked 
impressed and not amused. Michael felt like such a dork when he saw Carly 
walking back to him with a beautiful brunette blue eyed girl who was smiling at 
him. Michael's eyes widened. The girl was wearing a small white shirt and bright 
blue pants. Her hair was in a ponytail and her lips were a perfect pink. Michael 
was stunned and taken back by her beauty. He opened his mouth but nothing came 
out. The girl seemed to be equally smitten with Michael. But this girl was not 
shy. Carly cleared her throat, "Maddy this is Michael. Michael this is Maddy." 
Carly introduced them gestured to them while doing it. She had a huge grin on 
her face as she said softly into Michael's ear, "Play nice." Carly bit her lower 
lip and walked back to Red. When she reached Red she looked back at Michael and 
smiled. Red put an arm around Carly, "So what's up, Babs?! We all missed you!" 
Red gestured to a couple other girls behind herself. 

Michael saw Carly laughing and telling him to go for it. Michael swallowed 
deeply, "H…i." Michael finally got out. 

Maddy made a teasing smile, "Don't worry, Michael I won't bite." She walked by 
him and whispered, "Unless you want me too." She purred and walked past him. 
Michael's heart beat a million times faster than it should of as he walked as he 
followed Maddy to an abandoned corner. They sat and Michael started to untense 
as they spoke. 

Carly smiled and turned to Red.

Red held out her hands, "Well?" 

Carly laughed, "I'm suppose to be dead." 

Red's eyes grew, "What?!" 

The girls next to Red were just as curious. Carly explained the story. They were 
shocked by how everything Michael and Jason played out what Carly knew and 
remembered. Jason and Michael had filled in all the holes but no one knew all 
the facts. And Carly being the only one who knew didn't remember. Red felt bad 
listening to this and knowing something that would really upset Carly. Red 
looked down at the ground. Carly noticed her look, "Red, what's wrong? I know 
it's a weird and odd situation but it'll work out ok…hopefully." 

Red looked up at Carly and pulled something out of her back pocket, "This came 
for you. Um… the person wasn't sure how to find you so they came here and asked 
us to give it to you when you got back." 

Carly took the object and it turned out to be a letter. She read it and she put 
a hand over her mouth and tears fell over her hands. Red put a hand on Carly's 
shoulder to show support. Carly's spirits died down more and more as her eyes 
crossed each word. 

Meanwhile…
 
Michael stared at Maddy, "That all happened to you?" Michael sighed, "And I 
thought I had it bad." 

Maddy nodded, "Kids usually do think they got it bad until they hear me." Maddy 
said and wiped her pants as she got up. Michael stood too. Maddy looked at Carly 
who had her hand over her mouth and Maddy noticed she looked really hurt. Maddy 
finally asked, "How do you know Babs?" 

Michael looked at her worried, "She's my mom." Michael took Maddy's hand and 
they both felt a little nervous by it but they walked over to Carly. Michael 
looked at Carly, "Are you ok?" 

Carly shook her head and clenched the letter, "When did this come, Red?" 

"A couple days ago, Babs. We can take care of the kid while you do what you have 
to. If you want." Red offered. 

"No. I'll take him home and then I'll take care of it." Carly told Red. 

"You might not have enough time! We don't know how serious this is! We just know 
it's dangerous!" Red argued. Every turned and saw a car pulling up. 

Carly laughed pathetically, "I definitely don't need this!" Carly shouted as the 
passengers stepped out of their car. Michael looked at Carly's angry look and 
got scared. Three men stepped out of the car and the man who seemed to be the 
leader approached Carly. As he stepped to Carly she pushed Michael gently behind 
her. 

The man grinned at Carly, "Babs, haven't seen you lately." He tried to touch her 
but she slapped his hand away. He lifted his hands in the air and laughed, "A 
bit of an attitude don't you think?" 

"What the hell do you want?" Carly snapped. Michael saw the man's look. He felt 
his anger rise as the guy looked Carly from head to toe. 'This is my mother.' 
Michael thought. 

"I missed you that's all." The man replied. 

Carly squinted at him, "Do I look like an idiot?" Carly looked at herself and 
then back at him, "Because I must if you expect me to believe that crap!" 

The man just loved her anger, "Why who's the kid?" He said peeking around 
Carly's shoulder. 

Carly stepped in front of Michael again, "Leave him alone." She warned. 

"Ooooh. I am loving this protective bit. "He seemed to be trying to be calling 
her bluff, "But you know what?" He leaned over to her ear, "I know you can't 
take care of yourself. You always needed someone else to take care of you." He 
whispered. 

Michael watched in horror as Carly grabbed the man by the collar and rammed him 
into his car. Red held Michael back ad they all watched including the man's 
friend. The friends knew the girls would kill them if they interrupted and the 
same went for the girls. Carly slammed the guy down on the hood, "Nobody touches 
me!" She screamed and the man laughed. 

"You’re just mad because someone all ready did." He smiled. 

Carly reached into her pocket and pulled something out of her pocket. Michael 
felt his stomach turn and the guy looked frightened now as if he wasn't before. 
Carly pulled out a switchblade and held it to the man's throat, "Don't you ever 
touch me or that kid you got that!" She screamed, "If you do I swear to god I'll 
kill you." 

The man gulped as Carly shaking hand held the blade to his throat and drew 
blood. Michael finally yelled, "Somebody please stop this!" Red still held 
Michael back. 

Maddy walked behind Carly and put her hands on Carly's shoulders, "It's over. 
Babs, let him go." Maddy spoke softly. 

Carly stepped back slowly and the guy stared at her in fear of losing his life. 
Carly held the knife sternly as she had tears fall and Michael watched scared 
for her. What was wrong with her? 

The man coughed, "She's crazy! Babs, it was over ten years ago! Let it be over 
with!" He said and got back into the car along with the other guys. 

Carly lowered the blade and her bottom lip quivered. Red tried to touch Carly 
but Carly shrugged her off, "I'll be ok." Carly stated and started to walk away, 
"Michael, come on." She called out and Michael caught up. Before he left Michael 
gave Maddy his number and address so they could maybe meet up sometime and Maddy 
told him she'd be around. Michael tried to be happy since he had met the girl of 
his dreams but he was too concerned about Carly.