PROLOGE TO RATHIKA  
Disclaimer:  See last installment.
Archivers:  Yes.
Everything else:  See last installment.

QUEST RESIDENCE. 

	Race gently pried the laptop from his sleeping daughters arms.  He 
closed it, and set it on her nightstand.  He gave her a light kiss on 
the cheek, before pulling her covers up around her.  He flicked off the 
light, and squeezed the door shut.  Dr. Quest just left Jonnys room, 
and moved on the check on Hadjis.  Race paused before entering 
Rathikas.  
	She wasnt in her bed.  A bit surprised, he paused for a moment, and 
then decided that he might as well look for her.  
	He found her in her closet.  Curled up in a ball, tangled up in her 
blankets.  She had somehow stuffed herself in one of the small corners.  
Race gently tried to pick her up, but her eyes flew open.  She shrieked, 
and clawed him with her fingernails.  He couldnt tell if she was awake 
or not, but tried to calm her down.  She tore herself away from him, and 
curling up again in the corner.  Unsure of what to do, he waited for a 
minute, trying to decide the best course of action.  He bent down again, 
and found that she was asleep.  He gently maneuvered his arm under her 
knees, and supported her upperback his other one. Her black hair swayed, 
as he straightened up, being extra careful not to wake her.  He carried 
her over to her bed, and laid her down gently.  After retrieving the 
blankets, he was almost surprised to find her curled up again.  He 
spread the blankets out over her, wondering what had happened that they 
did not know about. 
	He switched off the lights, and slowly closed the door.  Hadji had been 
difficult those first few months. But he had also been an 11 year-old 
boy, and had become a part of the family rather quickly.  Rathika was a 
who-knows-how old girl, who had a very unclear future.  She kept so much 
hidden, it was almost impossible to understand the girl.  He wasnt sure 
that they could offer her any help.  

Mary.  Comments/suggestions/death threats/marriage 
proposals/facts/nonsense/food/sugar/insanity are all welcome.  
Especially sugar and food.  Send em to [email protected]