Hazel has a sister named Naomi. I was not taken aback that she had a sister. My eyes went wide, and I held up my hands as if surrendering. I was stunned that Naomi was in a coma. Her sister was the person in the coma. I was so stunned that I did not know what to do or say.

A wave of sorrow washed over me. My eyes softened. I do not need a sister to know how Hazel felt. I would be down in the dumps as well. If my dad or Margie or any of my monster friends were in a coma, I would cry. Cry like a baby. Then again, we all cry like a baby when our loved ones are in danger. I patted Hazel's shoulder and told her how sorry I was. I wished that I could do more to ease the pain, but it was a start.

Hazel was rubbing her eyes and gazed at me. "Why are you sorry, Margaret? You did not do anything wrong. I am not blaming you for Naomi's coma, am I? If I am, I apologize. I am just feeling a mix of emotions and have to lash out."

I removed my hand from her shoulder and smiled. "No apologies necessary. You never blamed me for Naomi's coma. Not once."

"I did not?"

"Nope. Trust me. If you did, I would be furious. Gosh. I would glare at you until you chicken out and run in the other direction. I have a short temper."

She took a step away.

I raised an eyebrow. "The heck are you doing? Why did you scoot away from me?"

She placed her hands behind her back. "I did not scoot. I took a step away. Just like what the narrator stated."

"But I am the narrator."

"Which makes your question more ridiculous."

I sighed and put a hand on my hip. "Could you just tell me why you did it?"

"Promise that you will not get angry?"

"Cross my heart and hope to have purpose in my life."

"And...promise that you will not be offended?"

That was the most ridiculous thing that I have heard. I wanted to laugh, but it was not the best time to do so. I cannot be offended. Nobody in Forlot can. It is not like that we are real worlders. Who can live like them? I do not want to even think about it.

My eyes darted to the door. The door that separated us from Naomi. Also known as the girl in the coma. There was no reason to go in now that I knew who was on the other side, right? I knew that it was not my business. It was not my sister, and I was not a doctor. But I wanted to see what Naomi looked like. I wanted to see how she was doing - aside from the fact that she was in a coma.

I held my breath and reached for the doorknob. I could feel sweat on both my forehead and palms. I was afraid that I would spot something that would scar me for the rest of my life. I did not want it, and I am sure that you guys do not want it either. The adults will never let you read another Forlot book.

Oh, wait. They do not let you read them anyway. Forlot books teach you Christian values. The real worlders do not like - no, hate - anything that puts them down. I do not care if I put real worlders down. They are offended and call everything racist after all. And folks pander to the idiots. Yes, I am calling them idiots. Do not like it? Go find a pandering book. My writer is not stupid.

My hand was close to the knob, when a person slapped it away. My hand, not the doorknob. I pulled it back as I frowned at Hazel. I massaged the back of my hand.

Hazel hid her hands behind her once again and smiled nervously. "I-I hope that you are not angry with me. It is why I took a step away from you. I just do not desire to feel your anger and...get punched in the face."

Now I understood. I nodded and lowered my arm. "Do not be terrified of me. Please. I am just like you. I have my own problems at home."

I wish that I did not say that because her eyes sparkled and looked into mine. She tugged on her shirt and took a step towards me. She sighed heavily. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes. She apologized and stated how I was correct. She covered one hand with the other.

"I feel horrible, Margaret. Absolutely horrible. You are a person like me and Naomi." She tucked a hair strand behind her ear. "Heh. It is funny. I was taught by these teachers that all of us deserve respect - until somebody betrays our trust. Then you must protect yourself."

I smiled and rested my hand on her shoulder. "I accept your apology." I gazed at the door. Then back at her. "I want to see your sister. May I?"

Hazel squinted at the door. "I do not know. I wanted to show you, but I am scared that we will get caught. That is the last thing that I want. For you to get in trouble."

My smile grew wide. "I have an idea."

"What is it? What is your idea?"

"You will stay out here and warn me if anybody comes. I can hide somewhere in the room. Like under the bed. You will be the lookout."

Hazel bit her lip. "Uh, it will be difficult to hide under a bed because...there is none. There is no bed."

"What do you mean that there is no bed?"

Without saying another word, Hazel grasped said knob and twisted it. She opened the door.

I screamed.