By:  Shirley Ann Burton

My Dis-Claim to Fame:
     This is a completely original story which tags up just after The Shattered Homecoming. If you have not read that one yet, please do so, or you may not be able to understand what is happening here. My policy is a simple one: If you want to use any of my original characters, please e-mail me with your request.  Please enjoy this story, whether you are feeling well or feeling sick. ^_~

     In the hit-and-run driving accident which paralyzed Vagley High School cheerleader Valerie Wilder, senior Angel Marrero was charged with hit-and-run and attempted vehicular homicide.  Since she was 18 years old, she was charged legally as an adult.  She entered a plea of not guilty, which meant her trial would take place within three weeks of her arrest.
     However, Angel had to face this alone with no one to help her.  Cassandra Robbins, another Vagley cheerleader, was in the passenger seat of Angel’s car when Valerie was run down.  At first Cassie felt the adrenaline rush, but she later realized just how bad Angel really was.  In the end, she willingly agreed to testify against Angel without any plea bargain.  Even though she was charged with being an accomplice, she knew in her heart this was right and did not feel afraid of Angel.
     Another person who would testify against Angel was fellow Vagley cheerleader Taneshia Rogers.  She was just in the wrong car at the wrong moment, as she saw Angel run hit Valerie from the back seat of the car.  Taneshia summoned her own courage and told the truth of the entire matter to Sheriff Dan Sanderson.  She nearly lost her life at the hands of Angel and Cassie, until Cassie turned against Angel.  Taneshia was also rescued by the young heroine named Princess Elementa.
     In her Earthly identity of Ellie Peterson, the princess learned of Taneshia’s situation through a special gift she inherited from her Naturian mother Queen Hydrana:  the ability to communicate with the core of nature’s essence.  Through the wind and trees, Ellie understood Taneshia was in danger.  She quickly came to the rescue as Princess Elementa, able to stop Angel from possibly killing the courageous cheerleader.
     Angel had planned on turning the friendly rivalry between Vagley and Gurney High Schools into one of blood and violence because she felt the schools should not have any contact with one another.  She came from the gang-related streets of Los Angeles, but her mother tried desperately to get her away from the danger.  Her mother also turned against her, as this time, Angel would completely be on her own in her trial.
     Peace returned to the two high schools, and the homecoming game went on successfully.  Of course, many students from the two schools did not attend the game or the homecoming dance the next night because they had been barred.  More than 80 students from the two schools were involved in a food-fight incident at the local hangout Wilbur’s, and they were being punished by paying for the damages and working on the construction of a new house for a low-income family.
     With the trial expected in the coming days, Gurney, North Carolina, was about to become a hot spot for reporters…including a rather annoying reporter.
     All the while, Ellie Peterson would have to face something she never had before…influenza.

     Ellie Peterson attempted to have a sound sleep in her bed, but she was unable to do so.  She started sniffling in her nose, something she never experienced on Naturia, her home planet.  She awakened to find a tissue on the night table next to her bed.  “What’s happening to me?” she asked herself out loud.  “Why do I feel so…ill?”
     She then let out a sneeze loud enough to awaken her Earth father Harold Peterson.  He came into the room quickly.  “Pumpkin, are you okay?  What’s the matter?”
     “Oh, uh, nothing, Dad,” she said.  “I just…sneezed, that’s all.  That is what it’s called, right?”
     “Yes, Ellie, that is definitely sneezing.  Maybe it’s just too cold in here.  After all, the nights are getting cooler now.  Let me get you another blanket.”  Harold went to the closet to get Ellie a heavier blanket.  “Here you go, honey.  See if this helps any.”
     She then used the blanket and felt a little warmer.  “Thanks, Dad.  It does help.”
     “Good.  I’m a little concerned about you getting sick.  You being new here to Earth, you don’t know what it’s like to feel really sick.  We’re starting to get into flu season around here.”
     “Flu?  What is flu?”
     “Flu is short for influenza.  During the fall and winter months, a lot of people get sick from the flu.  You get symptoms like feeling hot in some parts of the body and cold on others, a fever, shaking of the body, and some others.  If you start to feel really sick, let me know, okay?”
     “Don’t worry, Dad.  I’ll be fine.  Besides, I’ve got that English test coming on Wednesday.”
     “That’s not the only thing…you’ve also got to testify at Angel Marrero’s trial.  I mean, Princess Elementa has to testify.”
     “I know, but there’s a problem.  What if I have to do that at the same time as the English test?  That could turn into a catastrophe if I’m needed in two places at the same time.”
     “Let’s just hope it doesn’t happen,” Harold noted with concern.  “Something like that could jeopardize your double identity.”
     “Yeah.  I’ll try not to think about it.  I’d better get back to sleep, though.”
     “Okay, Ellie.  Just try to get some rest.”  Harold then closed the door to let her sleep.
     Ellie went under the covers and said, “Don’t think about being sick…don’t think about being sick…”  She soon was able to return to sleep and had no further problems.

     The next morning, Ellie awakened feeling a little better, but still not completely.  “I guess getting over this…flu thing will take some time for me, but I just hope it doesn’t go from bad to worse.  That test is ten percent of the quarter grade, and I do not want to fail it for any reason.”
     She then got herself out of bed to get dressed for school.  She made sure her mind was not on her possible cold or flu so that she could concentrate more on her studies and be ready for that important exam.
     As she went downstairs to join Harold for breakfast, he noticed a little improvement.  “Hey, sweetie.  Looks like you’re doing better.”
     “You bet, Dad.  I’m gonna make sure I’m ready for that test, so I’ll be looking over every note I’ve done during study hall.  I just hope Angel’s trial doesn’t call for Princess Elementa to show up.”
     “Well, Dan did ask you…I mean, the other you, to be ready at a moment’s notice to testify in court.  If that does happen, how are you going to know?”
     “That’s a good question.  I just hope it doesn’t happen.  This English test is too important for me to miss.  I guess it’s one of the bigger challenges of leading a double life.”
     “I know, sweetie,” said Harold as he patted Ellie’s shoulder.  “It just takes some getting used to.  Give it a little time, and you’ll be able to handle it just fine.  Now go on and eat.”
     Ellie smiled at her adopted father.  “Thanks, Dad.  I’m really glad I did tell you the truth about myself.  I don’t feel alone because of this.”
     “I’m glad you were able to remember who you really are.  You’re a princess in either identity to me.  Now, I’ve got some late-growth vegetables to harvest.  You go on to school when you get finished, okay?”
     “Okay, Dad.”  Ellie then went on to finish the toast covered with grape jelly and glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.  “He did say orange juice can give me the Vitamin C needed to help get my…immune system back up to speed, at least I hope it does.  Oh, well, can’t worry about that now.  Time for me to head to school.”
     Twenty minutes later, Ellie left on her bicycle as she went on her way to another day at Gurney High.  She had three situations on her mind:  the upcoming English test, Angel Marrero’s trial, and her cold…possibly the flu.  The first two were more pressing, as the two occurring at the same time would probably expose her double identity.
     After placing her bike on the bike rack, she started feeling her sniffles coming back.  Come on, she thought to herself, I can’t afford to get sick right now.
     Within her heart, a female voice only Ellie could hear spoke.  My princess…I sense you are not feeling well.
     I…I’m okay, Spirit.  I’m feeling all right.
     The Spirit of the Nature Crystal, guardian and adviser to the princess, shared a special bond with Ellie in both identities, and could communicate with her by thought.  She was also able to sense the princess’s feelings.  Princess Elementa, I can tell you are ill.  Why are you going to school?
     I must, Spirit.  This English test tomorrow is vital for my grade this quarter.  If I get sick and miss the test, it’s ten percent of the grade.
     I know your studies are important, but your health is more so.  Please be careful of your health.
     Thank you for your concern, noble Spirit.  I will manage, though.  Dad’s helping me with some orange juice.  It contains something called Vitamin C, a material that can somehow help reverse the effects of a cold or the flu.  He also told me to eat hot liquid-type foods like tomato soup.  I can’t eat anything else at the moment, but as long as I can get better, I’ll take it.
     You are wise to listen to your Earth father’s knowledge.  Take care of yourself, dear child.
     The link soon faded away as Ellie made her way into the school.
     Waiting for her was Misty Ziegler, the school bully.  For a little while Misty had given Ellie some peace, but on this day, Misty came up to her.  “Hello, Peterson.”
     Ellie started to speak but then let out a loud sneeze.
     Misty stepped back.  “Whoa!  You comin’ down with a cold or something?  That sneeze’s loud enough to nearly start an earthquake.”
     “You might say that.  I’ve been having sniffles for a couple of days and sneezed a few times, but I had no idea it was that loud.”
     “Well, don’t get near me.  Last thing I need is to get sick.  Besides, I’ve had to avoid a number of people I usually bully because they’re all coming down with colds.  Guess flu season’s on.  I have to go get my flu shot on Saturday.  Man, I hate those.”
     “They have special shots just to keep you from getting the flu?”
     “You didn’t know that?  Oh, I forgot, your memory loss.  Anyway, you don’t have to do it, but most doctors say it’s better if you get a flu shot every year to keep yourself from getting it.  I just wish it were those shots once every 10 years.  That’s another story, but you get the idea.”
     No, actually, I don’t.
     Princess, thought the Spirit, you did receive shots just before you entered this school year.  They were those needles the doctors stuck into your arm.
     Oh, I see.  Were they the shots that last 10 years?
     I am not certain, my princess.  Ask your father what kind of shots they were when you return home.
     Thanks.  I still have a lot to learn about life on this planet.
     Ellie then said, “We all got those…10-year shots before the school year started, didn’t we?”
     “Yeah.  The County Code of Conduct requires that before we enter 10th Grade.  Without those shots, we’d be in the middle of a bad epidemic.”
     “That bad, huh?  Well, I’m gonna see if the flu misses me.  If I’m not here tomorrow, you’ll know it didn’t.”
     Misty laughed.  “Yeah, but I’m running out of people to pick on.  If too many people get sick, the school can be shut down.”
     “Has that happened before here?”
     “Just once, about 15 years ago.  The story was there was a terrible flu epidemic which caused all three schools here in Gurney to be shut down for two days.  Mrs. Simpson was one of the people who remembers it the most.  She knows more of the details.”
     “The art teacher?  Okay, sure.  She’ll be in study hall at 3rd period anyway.  I’ve got to be…*cough, cough*…ready for the English test tomorrow.  It’s ten percent of the overall grade for this quarter.”
     “Hey, Peterson, don’t get too sick.  Last thing I need is to get sick from you or anybody else.  After all, I need somebody to pick on.”
     “Sure thing, Misty.  See you in biology.”
     Even though Misty gave Ellie much grief during her time at Gurney High, Misty slowly started to back away from seriously hurting her because Ellie had proven herself to be a little tougher than Misty expected her to be.  “I’m actually starting to like her.  Well, I do have my rep to keep, but I won’t start fights with her.  She’s a good-un.”
     A couple of hours later, Ellie entered her 3rd period study hall, where Mrs. Simpson would sit and watch the students.  “Um, excuse me, Mrs. Simpson?”
     “Yes, can I help you?”
     “I was told you know about a bad flu epidemic from 15 years ago.  What happened?”
     “Oh, my friend, it was dreadful.  More than 500 students from the three schools suffered the flu, and that forced all the schools in the area to close down for two days.”
     “How did those people recover?”
     “With plenty of medications and tender loving care from their families.  The fortunate part of this is no one died as a result.  We had to make up the two days, but it was worth it to see everyone recover.”
     “Thank goodness for that.  I just hope…*sniffle, sniffle*…I’m not getting sick myself.”
     “Well, just take care of yourself.  That’s about all you can do.”
     Ellie smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I’ve got Dad helping me with eating soups and drinking plenty of Vitamin C.  Thanks for the information.”
     She then went to her normal seat next to her friend Robert Walker.  “Hey, buddy.”  She then sneezed again.
     “Ellie, you okay?  You sound like you’re sick.”
     “Nah, I’ll be fine.  I’ve got to look over my notes for English.  The test tomorrow is too important to miss, ill or not.  I have to be ready for it.”
     “Well, don’t push yourself too hard.  Sometimes doing that is worse.”
     “Thanks for the reminder, Rob.  My father’s already taking care of that.  At least I don’t have a fever.”
     Ellie then showed her notes to Rob and started working to see just what would be on the test.

     At another part of town, in the local courthouse, many reporters and crews were on the scene as Angel Marrero’s trial was well under way.  The trial started in the middle of the week before, with Rob, Ellie, Cassie’s parents, Taneshia’s parents, and Valerie’s parents already completing their testimony.  The rest of the prosecution’s testimony would come from Angel’s mother Corona, Cassie, Taneshia, Valerie through a videotape she made at the hospital, and Princess Elementa.  The district attorney asked the sheriff to make sure the princess was ready to testify when her turn came.
     In the courtroom, many people and cameras were looking at all the suspects and witnesses.  One reporter, in particular, though, was after something else.  Tom Wilkins from Upline wanted desperately to get revenge on Princess Elementa for upstaging and humiliating him at the press conference when she was first introduced to the public.  “That little girl will be testifying soon enough.  The defense will have to ask her some tough questions…questions I want answers for.”
     Within a few minutes, all members of the press, including Wilkins, entered the courtroom.  He was not happy the princess was not present.  How come she gets special treatment for not being here?  It’s like she’s become super-spoiled.  Well, when her day comes, she won’t be able to get away.  She thinks she can just do whatever she likes and avoid the media?  This story is mine!
     The bailiff in the courtroom waited until everyone took their seats.  As soon as the commotion died down, he then announced, “All rise.  This court is now in session; the honorable Gillian Arlenson presiding.”
     The judge was completely dressed in the typical garb and looked like she would be a simple person from the country.  However, those who really knew her and her 27 years of experience understood never to cross her when she got into a bad mood.  Arlenson took her seat on the bench and spoke, “Thank you, you may be seated.”
     She then looked at the file.  “We are continuing with the case of State of North Carolina versus Angel Marrero.”

     The two sides had given their opening statements in the trial.
     State Prosecutor Jeremy Roth stood up and approached the jury of seven men and five women.  “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Angel Marrero wanted to turn a simple and friendly football rivalry between two schools into a bloodbath of hatred and war.  She thought she could take her gang life from Los Angeles with her and create problems here in Gurney.  Angel was so hateful of this ‘friendly rivalry’ she took down a fellow cheerleader, and for what?  She committed this heinous act just because Valerie Wilder spoke to a student from Gurney High School at the fall festival.
     “Many of the students of the three high schools have gone to the same elementary and junior high schools together.  Despite all being at either Vagley, Gurney, or Radler, most keep in good contact with each other.  Thanks to Angel, though, Homecoming Week at both Vagley and Gurney was nearly ruined forever.  She has shown no remorse for her actions, and has no regrets for permanently paralyzing Valerie Wilder.  Valerie’s dreams of being a cheerleader at the University of North Carolina were all dashed by one deplorable action.  Angel also has quite a track record from her life in Los Angeles as well.  Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Angel Marrero should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for her dangerous actions, as she is truly a threat to society.  Thank you.”
     Arlenson nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Roth.  The defense can now proceed with its opening statement.”
     Arleen Sanders was Angel’s defense attorney.  She stood up in her professional clothing and spoke.  “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what we have here is not a malicious woman…just misunderstood.  She lived in one of the most dangerous places in the world, South Central Los Angeles, California.  She did the best she could to change, but her mother Corona wanted to get her as far away from there as possible.  Angel isn’t the culprit of this mess, she is herself a victim.”
     That comment made Cassie subtly angry.  The nerve of that witch, saying Angel’s the victim here!  Val’s the victim, and I was a stupid accomplice, but I am not going to let Angel get the best of me.  I have to be strong for myself.
     Taneshia was also upset about the defense attorney’s statements.  Give me a break…Angel’s responsible for this, and she will get what she deserves.
     “She could’ve changed in that area, but no,” the attorney continued.  “Her mother swiftly got her to a different location, not allowing her the time she needed to adjust.  She felt the need to take out her anger and frustration somewhere.  She had no intention of escalating the rivalry into violence.  No, the real people behind this are actually helping the prosecution, when they both know they’re responsible.  I’m talking about Cassandra Robbins and Taneshia Rogers.”
     Cassie was about to explode, but Taneshia pulled her back.  “No, Cassie,” she whispered.  “The only thing an outburst is gonna do is discredit your testimony.  Just take a couple of deep breaths and count to ten.”
     Cassie did so, and she soon felt better.  “Thanks, Tan.  If I start to feel angry, can you help me?”
     “That’s what friends do.  I got your back.”
     Angel looked over at the two from her chair next to the defense attorney’s.  They didn’t explode…why not!?  They were supposed to get angry.
     “Cassie and Taneshia were accomplices in this case, and if Angel is to be prosecuted, then they should be prosecuted as accomplices.”
     Judge Arlenson did not take that comment well.  “Court reporter will strike the last two statements made by the defense.  Miss Sanders, let me remind you that Angel Marrero is on trial here, not the other two.  I suggest you get your facts straight.”
     Sanders sighed.  “Yes, Your Honor.  In conclusion, my client is just the victim of rapid change of scenery.  If she is prosecuted, you will have made a grave mistake.  Thank you.”
     When Sanders returned to her seat, Angel whispered, “What happened?”
     “Angel, that judge takes no nonsense.  She can see everything as clear as crystal.”
     “Yeah, well I’m gonna take those traitors down, whatever it takes!”

     Arlenson then said, “Will the prosecution call its next witness, please?”
     “Your Honor,” noted Roth, “Our next witness is unable to be here because she is still in the hospital from her injuries.  However, Miss Sanders and I were both able to meet with her yesterday and get her testimony from her hospital bed.  With the court’s permission, I would like to play the videotape of her testimony.”
     “Defense is okay with this motion?”
     Sanders nodded.  “Yes, Your Honor.  I have no objection.”
     “Thank you.  Mr. Roth, you may play the video of her testimony.”
     The bailiff brought the videocassette player and television into the courtroom and immediately put the videotape into the machine.
     Angel was not pleased with this at all.  “How come she gets to testify from her bed?  That’s not fair.”
     “Miss Marrero, let me remind you that she is under intensive care for three more weeks.  She’s not able to move, and there’s no way she could be here in person.  I had to be present as well in order to get both sides.  Now get your head together.  You’re not helping with your anger right now.”
     On the videotape, Roth said, “I will question Miss Wilder first, followed by Arleen Sanders.  We both checked with Dr. Lewis, and he said it will be okay for us to do this.  Now, Miss Wilder, tell me what you were doing the time before the accident.”
     Valerie recalled everything as best she could through the testimony.  At the end she said, “I still can’t believe a fellow cheerleader would do this to me.”
     “Thank you, Miss Wilder.  Miss Sanders, you can cross-examine.”
     She nodded and started questioning Valerie, but gently due to the delicate condition.  “I’ll try not to get you agitated, but I may ask some tough questions.  Now, you were walking across the street at the time you were hit, and it felt like someone throwing a ton of bricks at you.  You flew in the air and fell very hard to the ground.  I know this sounds repetitive and redundant, and I’m sorry.  It’s just I have to do this as the defense attorney.  You said the car was blue, right?”
     “Yes, ma’am.  Unfortunately, that was the last thing I saw before I passed out.  Fifteen minutes later, I was found by Ellie Peterson and Rob Walker.”
     “Okay, we already got confirmed statements from their testimony last Friday, so I have no further questions.  Thank you, Valerie.  I know this has been hard on you.”
     The bailiff ended the tape.
     “I’m satisfied with the testimony,” said Arlenson, “and the way both of you conducted your questioning without giving Valerie any more problems.  Prosecution, you may call your next witness.”
     “State calls Cassandra Robbins to the stand,” said Roth.
     Cassie took some deep breaths and walked to the stand.  After being given the oath, she took her seat.
     “Cassie,” Roth started, “when you first met Angel Marrero, what did you think of her?”
     “I…thought she was the coolest girl in the world.  She looked so pretty, and her hair would just…flow smoothly in the breeze.  She had such an incredible complexion.  I just wanted to hang around with her.”
     “Okay, so you started going with her to places, and considered her as cool.  Now, when did things start drastically changing, when you noticed Angel’s behavior?”
     “It started at the end of this past school year.  She noticed some graduates at Vagley talking with those who graduated at Gurney just two days before, and she really didn’t like that.  She felt there should be rivalry between all three schools, not camaraderie.  During the summer…the two of us started to target certain people with pranks like paintballs and the old toilet paper around someone’s house.  The real Angel started to emerge when students from all three schools joined forces in the fall festival.”
     “What exactly do you mean by the real Angel?”
     Cassie hesitated a little because she felt nervous.  “She…started showing signs of hatred towards anyone at Vagley who communicated with students attending either Gurney or Radler.  When Mr. Cranston announced the fall festival and the three schools joining forces to raise money for the new children’s wing, I was excited about it, but Angel wasn’t too happy.”
     “Really?  How come?”
     “She said she wouldn’t tolerate the three schools working together.  In fact, she wanted to create havoc around the festival, but not enough people were willing to help her.  I only wish I had reported that a lot sooner.”
     “But you were forced into keeping quiet?”
     “Yes, sir.  Then, the day of the accident, Angel sped her car to 60 miles per hour, and hit Valerie from behind.”
     Roth then asked, “How did you feel at that time?”
     “At that exact moment, I felt this huge rush come over me, like I was happy for what happened.  I gave into the peer pressure and honestly believed a serious war should erupt between the schools.  After a while, though, and everything that started to happen in the short time, I started realizing to myself Angel was not the coolest girl after all.  She was willing to paralyze a fellow cheerleader, just because Valerie was talking with Ellie Peterson at the fall festival.  I felt worse and worse with every passing second.”  She then started to cry.  “I feel awful for my part in this mess.  I’m so ashamed of myself for going along with her.”
     “Now, Cassie, when you confessed what you had done, what did you end up losing?”
     “I lost my position as co-captain of the cheerleading team, but I feel I deserved that.  After what I had done, I had no right to be called co-captain.  I also lost a week’s worth of school.  It would’ve been expulsion had I not admitted my role in the matter and decided to testify on behalf of the prosecution without any plea bargain.”
     “Very well, Cassie.  Thank you.”  He returned to his seat but stated, “Cross-examine.”
     Sanders stood up and walked up to Cassie.  “Miss Robbins, you willfully went along with Angel on this hit-and-run, yet you are testifying against Angel.  Is it to cover up your own cause in all this?”
     Roth quickly rose to his feet.  “Objection, Your Honor.  She’s forgetting Miss Robbins is not on trial here.”
     “I agree.  Objection sustained.  Miss Sanders, I told you at the beginning of this case not to try to put Miss Robbins or Miss Rogers on trial here.  Is that understood?”
     “Yes, Your Honor.  Cassie, you gave in to peer pressure, didn’t you?”
     “I already admitted to doing that.  What more do you want from me?”
     “An admission that you could’ve easily chosen not to go along with my client.  You’re just as guilty as she is for being an accomplice!”
     “Objection!” shouted Roth.
     “Sustained,” said the judge sternly.  “She already entered a guilty plea for her part and agreed to testify on the prosecution’s behalf.  Do you have any more pertinent questions?”
     “No, I don’t.  No further questions.”  Sanders then went back to her seat.
     Angel immediately said, “I want a new judge.”
     “You can’t get a new judge in the middle of a trial, Angel.”
     “Oh, yeah?  Those idiots are making me look bad, and so is that judge!  Either get me a new judge, or I’m outta here.”
     “Angel…I’m warning you right now.  You’re showing less credibility for this situation, and that jury won’t need an hour to find you guilty.”
     “If they do that, I’ll make ‘em pay.  No one is putting me behind bars.”
     “You’re looking more foolish at every turn, now stop it.”
     Judge Arlenson looked at Cassie.  “You showed great courage by doing this, Miss Robbins.  You may step down now.”
     “Thank you, Your Honor.”  Cassie breathed a huge sigh of relief as she stepped down, as though a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.  Whew…I’m glad I did it now.  I feel a lot better.  She took her seat next to Taneshia, who smiled at her.
     The judge then noticed the clock.  “My goodness, it’s almost 5 already.  I suggest we adjourn for the day and resume things at 9:00 tomorrow morning.  Mr. Roth, how many more witnesses do you have?”
     “Only Taneshia, Mrs. Marrero, Sheriff Sanderson, and Princess Elementa.”
     “Very well.  As Princess Elementa is the last one in the group, I hope we can get to her sometime in the afternoon.  I adjourn this session for the day until 9:00 tomorrow morning.  Court is adjourned.”  She slammed her gavel, ending the day’s session.
     The bailiff wanted to grab Angel’s arm, but she fought back.  “Excuse me, but I’m not guilty yet.  I don’t have to go to jail.”
     Sanders, though, knew the system.  “Angel, you don’t have a choice in the matter.  Even though you’re not guilty as of yet, if you try something now, they’ll know you are.  Just cooperate with them, please.”
     “If you don’t get me out of this…you’ll be the one without choices.  Got that?”
     “Excuse me, but you don’t have any control here.  You can go ahead, sir.”
     “Let’s go, Miss Marrero, you’ll get your chance tomorrow.”  He then walked behind her back to her cell in the courtroom jail, where she had spent all that time during the trial.
     During the night, she knew she was in serious trouble, but remained as defiant as possible.  “If the princess testifies tomorrow, I’m as good as dead.  That jerk thinks she can do whatever she wants just because she is a princess.  There must be a way for me to stop her, but how?”

     Later that night, Ellie was asleep, yet her mind was fully active about the English test the next afternoon.  I must pass it…I must pass it…I must pass that test.  I can’t fail it.
     Princess, you must calm yourself, thought the Spirit from within her.  Thinking about it too much could make you worse than you already are now.
     I know…but that test is so important to me.  My health is also important, but I can’t let it stop me.
     Please, my princess.  You must calm yourself and relax.  You will not fail the test, but you must also take care of yourself.  If you are too ill to attend school tomorrow—
     No, I’m not going to let this illness stop me.  I am going to school tomorrow, and that’s that.  Ellie suddenly realized what she had done.  I’m sorry for speaking so harshly to you, my friend.  I didn’t mean to…
     The Spirit smiled in the mindscape.  There is no harm done, dear child.  Emotions are an important element of life, no matter where in the universe you are.  I only hope you do not make yourself more ill.
     Thank you, Spirit.  I will do the best I can to take care of myself.
     Will you be all right now, Princess?
     Yes.  I’ll be okay now.  Ellie returned to sleep, but she still felt rotten about being so harsh to her guardian…her friend.  I’ve never done that before…I feel so bad.

Move forward to the next part, please.