Omega opened the door to her house. She thought she had heard something. "Hello?" Her tiny voice echoed throughout the neighborhood. She trembled as she saw man staring at her across the street. He had a really bad haircut. Black hair, and a cruel smirk. He rubbed his hand. One was white, the other was gloved. Omega blinked. He was gone. 

Omega jogged back inside her house. She cried: "MOMMY! I SAW A STRANGE MAN!"

She ran up into her mommy's arms. She sobbed. "M-mommy." Her mom held her tight. "Shh... it's okay sweetie... oh, Omega..."

"We have to pick your brothers up from school, okay sweetie?" Her mom looked her in the eyes. Omega nodded. They hopped into the car, and drove to the school. Omega looked at the towering building. The bell let out a: "RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!" A few minutes later, a wave of kids poured out of the building with a loud: "YAAAAAY!" 

Omega searched for her brothers. She didn't see them, then she saw Crosshair walking, surrounded by a group of kids. Omega's mom saw them too. She rolled down a window, and waved. "Hey Crossie!" Crosshair glanced at her and ducked his head, hurriedly running in the opposite direction. The kids he was with snickered and taunted him. Omega heard one say: "That your mom, Crossie?"

Omega didn't like those kids. Then she saw Hunter and Tech walking towards them. Both seemed... sad wasn't the right word. More like... melancholy. She had learned that word in school. Usually, Hunter and Tech would battle each other — Hunter always won — for the front seat, but this time Tech just hopped in the front seat, and slumped down. Hunter climbed into the back, and shoved Omega into the seat next to him muttering: "Move kid".  Mom looked at them. "Good day?" At their silence she said; "Well something good happened, right? Hunter, did you find out when soccer tryouts are?"

"No."

"Oh. Okay... Tech, did you hear when Math Club starts?"

"No."

"Did anything good happen?"

"We got a class with Phee."

"Oh, what a lovely young woman! Tech, I do hope you invite her over for dinner sometime. Y'know, if she's ever at our house and her folks don't mind..."

"Mom!" Tech's face turned red.

"What?" Mom looked bewildered. Hunter choked back a sob. Omega patted his shoulder. "Hunter!" Hunter sobbed into the seat, Mom looked at him worriedly. Hunter curled up on the seat, and Omega leaned over and clicked his seatbelt into place. Tech quickly does his too. So does Omega.

The drove home in silence, the only sound was Hunter's sobs. When they get inside, Mom grabs Hunter and embraces him. "Oh, Hunter... it's okay sweet boy. Shh... do you want me to call Crosshair?"

"NO!"

The ferocity of his answer surprised even him. "...I'm sorry." He looked ashamed. Mom took a deep breath. "He must be busy, huh?"

Omega hugged Hunter. "Hunter?"

"Yeah, kid?

"He's coming back, right?"

"Sure kid... sure."