I bolted up and quickly rubbed my eyes. I squinted. My muscles were tensed. My temples were throbbing. Had I not been paralyzed from the waist down...I would not have stuck around. I would have done what the normal people do. Screamed and raced out and into Dad's and Mom's arms. Although that they would not believe me, I would tell them that a creature was in my bedroom. A nonhuman was perched next to my clock while staring. Staring at me with wide eyes for who knows how long.

My wheelchair was to the left of my bed. It was against the wall. I had to crawl to it - before that small creature did whatever it had planned for me.

As I scooted to the edge of the bed, I realized that thing was no monster. I wanted to slap myself. I was dumb. I had always been dumb because I had no clue how to go about talking to others. I get anxious around strangers, of course, and people whom I know a little. My parents and a few of their generous workers were the only ones that I felt comfortable around. A couple workers asked me why I do not hang out with kids my age besides the fact that I could not walk.

I do not want to blame my parents...but they are partly responsible for shaping me into an introvert with not a single pal. This was not the intention, though. They did not forbid me from making friends. They wanted me to have lots of friends. They are not overprotective. Okay. Maybe a bit. But they are awesome - when they are not forcing me to walk.

A monster was not sitting on my nightstand. It was my cute toy. I forgot setting it there before I fell asleep last night. It is my most treasured toy. A colored bear given to me by my parents on my birthday. I do not recall the birthday. Possibly when I was a toddler. Mom said that this teddy bear was my favorite gift. I refused to go any place without it. I would not even let them or the other scientists hold him. Color is his name. Is it not obvious why?

Color had on his small smile and his arms out to me as always. His eyes were glistening.

"Color," I said. "You frightened me. I mistook you for a monster. A real monster. If you were able to speak, you would have told me - and be my friend."

Before my body could relax, I lost my balance. My cries did not last long. I smacked onto the carpet. Now I was on my stomach. A sharp pain spread through my body. Except my lower half. I hissed and clenched my fists.

"Mom! Dad! I fell!"

Hope that they heard me.

I gazed up at my bed. Too high. I could not get back up there. I pounded my fists on the floor as I crawled over to my wheelchair. I finally reached said wheelchair and was about to grab its arms and lift myself into it. I then heard loud sounds. Creaks from the hinges. Somebody was opening my door. I expected my parents.

"Sorry for disturbing your work, Mom and Dad. Um...I fell off the bed. Funny story."

Click! Click! Only one set of footsteps.

The loud clicks were of heels. Weird. Mom never wears heels, not even during events or fancy restaurants. She explained that heels of all types bother her delicate feet - and how unprofessional and deadly it is to wear them in a lab. She and Dad always wear their black sneakers.

My neck strained as I quickly looked over my shoulder. Not my parents. Not Mom or Dad. But I recognized the black woman. She is one of my parents' workers. She is the kindest lady whom I have met - besides Mom. Mrs. Blueberry is her name, which suits her perfectly. She is sweet like a blueberry.

Mrs. Blueberry had short, black hair. She wore a white lab coat that reached her knees with dark brown pants. On her feet were black socks and matching low heels.

"Hi, Mrs. Blueberry."

She did not say hi back. She just remained silent with a blank expression. And her eyes...something was wrong with them. I could not figure out what. She stood close to me - to my head - and looked down at me.

I forced out a laugh. "You are probably wondering why I am on the floor. I—"

She grasped both wrists tightly and hoisted me into my wheelchair. She straightened out my dress.

"Thanks. If you do not mind me asking, why are you so quiet? You are one talkative person, especially towards me. And why are you not smiling? You always are."

Still no answer.

"Is something the matter, Mrs. Blueberry? Did...did an awful thing happen in the lab? Was there an accident?"

Mrs. Blueberry then grabbed the wheelchair's handles. She pushed me down the empty hall and was silent the entire ride.

"Where are we heading?" I asked.

It felt like forever until we entered a small room. It was the first time that I was in the room, but I passed it lots of times. Mom and Dad forbade me from ever stepping foot - or rolling - into the room - especially if a creature was in the glass tube. This was one of two rooms where aliens and other creatures were contained. They would be in here if they were being studied and experimented on. My parents and the other scientists did not murder or torture the creatures. They treated them like part of the family.

You would think that in a spooky town like Forlot, they would have an overwhelming amount of creatures. No. I do not know the exact number, but it was somewhere between thirty and fifty. This was still good, though.

Mrs. Blueberry wheeled me to the occupied tube.