" And who are - Harrison Peterson! Melinda Warren !" The receptionist stood up and looked at us, amazed.

Harrison Peterson? Really? And that is another reason I absolutely could NOT be a hero, I'd be a saviour to someone lame. 

Well at least receptionist-lady looked impressed and lost for words.

" Come on in," she said at last," You're families are inside waiting, I think you'd want to see them first."

Family? Mum and Dad, okay. They're gonna go crazy, I bet they're glad I got kidnapped. So they could have Clara-girl and Kick without me tagging around and ruining their lives.

Receptionist-lady lead us through a classy cactus-themed corridoor and stopped at a beige door labelled 'Lounge.'

She took Cora by the hand," And who are you Ms?" She gave her a cold glance.

Oh great, reception-lady, no, no, NO!

" She saved our lives, and money," I said looking at Cora," Please don't hurt her."

Reception-lady smiled," Oh I wouldn't dream of it."

Hmm, not so sure about THAT, but whatever.

" Especially not since she saved your lives," reception-lady dropped Cora's hand and pushed open the 'Lounge' door.

It was a room that looked like a lot of effort had been put in to try ( and fail ) to make it look homely. There was scenery on the walls in golden frames and the walls were a crescendo of colour. There was couches, beanbags, a few children's toys,a vending machine and an expresso machine.

Then there were the people occupying the couches and beanbags, I didn't recognise the tall couple continuously sipping on expressos or the teenage girl frowning anxiously and nibbling on chocolate ( caffeine addicts.) I almost DIDN'T recognise my OWN parents, but seriously have they aged ten years? They looked all grey and grim, their faces lined with worry, staring at nowhere in particular. On a beanbag sat KICK kicking a toy train up and down, looking scared. Clara-girl seemed to notice everyone's anxiety and wasn't making a noise on Mum's armchair.

A few seconds after reception-lady pushed open the door everyone except Clara-girl snapped out of their daze and looked up at receptionist-lady wearily.

" I'm a bringer of good news," she smiled, then she pointed at Cora and mouthed,'Come on let's find Amir.'

Great, I have to deal with angry parents who probably WON'T buy me a new-

" A-am I g-going m-mad," Mum whispered in a hoarse voice, and slowly got up," David? Is that my Melinda?"

Tall couple and teenage girl raced to Blue-Cap, hugging him hard. Expecting to get that kind of-

Mum was on me, her familiar scent that reminded me of roses was on me too, she kissed me and said quietly," Oh Melinda, I love you." 

For some crazy reason I burst into tears then Dad came and wrapped his arms around me, all three of us, how it's meant to be.

They are way too embarrassing. Guess that shows how much they depend on me.

 I saw Clara-girl sitting up and watching me intently and Kick nearby but far away, gazing at me. He looked so lonely, so lame, so pathetic! So, even though he ruined my life I gently untangled myself from Mum and Dad and took his hand.

" Hey," I whispered into his ear. He looked so shocked I giggled.

" H-h-hey," he looked up at me hopefully.

Then I let go, I mean I am NOT tolerating him ANYMORE. I patted Clara-girl's soft silky hair then looked back at Mum and Dad, watching me.

" What?!?" I said angrily, glaring at them. Already it looked like they'd lost ten years.

" Oh nothing," Dad sighed," Now what in the name of WHAT happened? "

My eyes felt tired and painful and my head hurt endlessly.

" What time is it?"

"Three in the morning, Mel," Mum looked at her watch," You must be tired, but what happened, tell us briefly."

They ended up pressing for details, so I told them the entire truth, even about Cora because they are my family, well Mum and Dad are. When Cora got back with reception-lady who introduced herself as Lily, she looked a lot happier and carefree.

Harrison's ( he isn't really wearing a blue cap is he? ) family ended up listening to the story I was originally telling to Mum, Dad and Kick, and maybe Clara girl? So I had a whole audience. Harrison was asleep on a beanbag.

Then the teenage girl walked up to me," Hi, I'm Jeana, thanks for being there with my brother. "

Err o-kay, what am I supposed to say to that,' No problem?' Because it really is a problem and I kinda wish I'd never seen the kid or called nine-nine-nine or told somebody about Harrison.

Now I looked closer teenage girl looked like the mini version of the lady in a suit, sure enough lady in a suit was the tall lady from the couple.

" It's okay," I finally replied. But it's NOT.

" Oh Melinda," lady-in-a-suit came up to me and hugged me tight," If you hadn't persuaded Cora  . . . "

I glanced at Cora but she looked perfectly fine about me telling them, after everyone had thanked Cora for 'saving us' she whispered," Oi, Linda! "

I edged to her," Hmm?"

" I told them the truth, I was getting worked up and fussy so I told them the whole truth, they were fine with it, although they started of a bit cold and harsh but when it came to getting you two out, they were A-okay about it. They're gonna get me another job, so I can get some money and go home for my family," she looked so happy I gave her a hug," Well done Cora!"

" Couldn't've done it without you," she hugged me back then smiled a bright smile," Here's my number, maybe you could come to my apartment some day?"

I guess being FRIENDS with an adult is lonely but Cora isn't an adult she's like a teen. She handed me a note, waved goodbye to everyone and was out.

" Well, Lily, can we go now. Jeana and Harrison are quite tired," Mrs Warren's eyes were full of tears, and love.

Jeana scowled but winked at me," Think I'll see you later. Harrison'll stick up a friendship with your Rick."

" Kick," I corrected automatically.

She smiled," Nice, you have an annoying brother too."

Not NICE. How is it? Weirdly I shrugged my shoulders and said," Well, yeah, I guess."

" Melinda, I'm so proud of you, you saved that kid's life," Mum murmured to me once Harrison's family had gone," His parents didn't have enough to save him, they'd have to loan from the bank or something and even then they'd be rather poor. But why didn't you wait for Dad or call nine-nine-nine or tell someone else to."

" Dad would've taken too long, most people were rushing away and- I had no clue where there hide-out was, neither would the police, it would be too late . . ."

" I love you," she whispered for the second time today.

Errrrmmmm. O-kay.