Dan frowned as he thought about his old friends, The Cowhands. They had been a make-shift family for him when he had no one else. A family with many problems, but at least they'd been there for him. Another member of The Cowhands was in trouble now, and Dan had to try to help him.

Dan turned to the tall red-head walking along side him. Hesitantly, he asked, "Uncle Bill, was Luke arrested?"

Bill Regan looked nothing like the slight, dark-haired young man at his side. He glanced as his nephew, a slight frown creasing his brow. "Luke?" The frown disappeared, to be replaced by astonishment. "You mean that boy from The Cowhands?"

Dan nodded. "Yeah, him. He was going to try to rob the Manor House."

"Yes, he was arrested," Uncle Bill told him. "The extra security guards Mr. Wheeler had hired caught him easily. They turned Luke in to the Sleepyside Police Department."

Uncle Bill looked at Dan from the corner of his eyes as he continued. "You know, Sgt. Molinson called me the next day, asking about you. Seems Luke spun a tale about how you had masterminded the heist, and had managed to escape the security guards."

Dan's steps slowed and his shoulders hunched as he gave Uncle Bill a worried look. He was surprised when Uncle Bill laughed and clapped his shoulder.

"Don't worry about it, Danny. I set the Sergeant straight." A confused look returned to Uncle Bill's face. "Why were you asking about him, anyway?"

It was Dan's turn to smile, and set his Uncle's fears at rest. "Don't worry about me, Uncle Bill. I'm finished with that life, with the Cowhands." He set his shoulders before he continued. "Where is Luke, anyway? Do the Sleepyside Police still have him?"

Uncle Bill nodded. "That's right. He'll be tried there."

"I need to see him," Dan said.

Uncle Bill looked at Dan, confusion evident in his face. He knew he needed to trust Dan, though, so all he said was, "Okay. We'll stop by on our way home - but we'll have to hurry if you want to make it to the Ice Carnival."

Luke sneered at Dan as he swaggered over to the table and dropped into a chair. "What d'you want, chicken?"

Dan flushed, but refused to rise to the bait. "I just wanted to see you, Luke. To make sure you're okay, to see if you need anything."

Luke leaned back in his chair, tilting the front legs off the floor. "Yeah, sure. Like I'd take anything from you. Traitor."

Dan shook his head. "I didn't turn you in, Luke."

Luke's chair slammed back onto the floor as he leaned forward again. "Oh, really? Just how was it those security guards were able to catch me then? And I don't see you in here with me - what'd you do, make a deal so you would go free?"

"No, Luke," Dan told him earnestly, "I wouldn't do that to you. Look, there was no way you were going to rob the Manor House and get away scott-free. Mr. Wheeler hired extra security after you broke into the clubhouse. I didn't find out about that until later, or I would have told you!" Luke's mouth twisted in a nasty leer, but before he could speak, Dan rushed on. "I'm not in jail with you, because of that kid I went to rescue! Everyone - my uncle, Mr. Belden, and others - saw me there. Trixie told them that I'd helped. So everyone knew I wasn't anywhere near the Manor House, and that I hadn't helped you."

"You tell yourself whatever you need to believe, kid," Luke said. "But you'd better watch yourself. I'll remember this when I get out."

Dan took a deep breath and tried to get back on track. "Luke, I owe you. You stood by me when I had no one else. I'd like to help you, if I can."

Luke sneered and got up from the chair. "Don't worry about it, kid. You go live your easy life with those rich kids. Just don't forget to look over your shoulder, 'cause one day, I'll be there." Luke walked away without another look at Dan. The guard escorted him back through the door.

Dan sat at the table for another moment, his shoulders slumped dejectedly. Then he got up, and went out to the car, where his uncle was waiting.

The Bob-Whites of the Glen was a semi-secret club formed by students of Sleepyside Junior-Senior High who all lived near each other, on Glen Road, outside of town. The members were Trixie, Brian and Mart Belden, Honey Wheeler and her adopted brother Jim Frayne, and Diana Lynch, along with Dan Mangan. All of the teens worked hard to earn money, even though Honey, Jim and Diana's families were very wealthy. All of the teens also believed in helping those less fortunate than they, and frequently raised money to donate toward that purpose. Even after Brian and Jim had graduated that first spring that Dan was in Sleepyside, they still all got together as often as possible and each summer had managed to have fund raisers.

Now, it was Dan and Mart's turn to graduate. Both boys, actually young men at the age of 17, had grown several inches since they'd met, but Mart was still taller at 6'1" to Dan's 5'10". Dan could usually beat Mart in arm wrestling though - the years of chopping wood to heat the house and run the stove in Mr. Maypenny's cabin had built strong muscles and broad shoulders in Dan. The two of them stood together in front of the school, Mart's blonde hair and blue eyes contrasting with Dan's almost black hair and eyes, as Trixie, Mart's almost-twin sister, took their picture.

"That's fantastic!" Trixie bubbled. Her never ending energy and bounce never failed to amaze Dan. She grinned at both of them. "I'm so proud of both of you, I could just die!"

"Did my favorite female sibling entertain misapprehensions regarding my successful completion of the ultimate year of study at this fine institution?" Mart asked.

Sixteen year old Trixie wrinkled her nose at him. "You know, one of these days that dictionary you swallowed is going to make you sick. I knew you'd graduate without problems - both of you - but still! It's great to have it actually happen!"

The three of them were joined by Honey and Diana, both of whom would celebrate their 16th birthdays later on in the summer. Diana, the prettiest girl in school with her black hair and violet eyes, walked up to Mart and put her arms around him as he wrapped one arm around her shoulders.

"Doesn't Mart look divine in his robes?" Diana asked the other girls.

"Eww! Gross, Di!" Trixie protested. "I know you two are a couple, but come on! Don't ask me if my own brother looks 'divine'!!"

Honey, a slender, model-pretty girl with satiny-smooth honey-colored hair, giggled. "Well, Di, I'd say he looks ok - and you do, too, Dan! - but I still say Brian looked better in his robes."

"Honey!" Trixie wailed. "Not you too! I don't want to think about my brothers that way!" Then she paused and grinned. "On the other hand, Jim looked absolutely yummy in his robes!"

This time, it was Honey's turn to protest. "Eww! Gross! Now you're talking about my brother!"

The five teenagers laughed together, then Dan put his arms around Honey and Trixie's shoulders. "Don't we have a party to go to?" he asked.

The rest of the families had already gone back to Crabapple Farm, the Belden family home, where a BBQ party was being held in honor of the graduates. The five of them were the last to head out. They made their way to a station wagon with 'Bob-Whites of the Glen' written in red lettering down the side. Mart and Dan took off their graduation robs and threw them in the back. Both were wearing neat jackets and ties underneath. Mart got in behind the wheel, with Diana in the seat beside him, while Dan sat between Honey and Trixie behind them.

On the way home, Dan couldn't help smiling to himself. The look of pride and love on the faces of Uncle Bill and Mr. Maypenny, who had become a surrogate grandfather to him, made him so happy he thought he would burst with it. He truly had come a long way from the road he had started on after his mother's death.

The station wagon pulled into the graveled drive of Crabapple Farm and parked behind the several cars already there. The teenagers spilled out of the doors and made a happy, chattering group on their way to the back of the neat white farm house. Waiting for them under the crabapple trees for which the farm was named was a crowd of family and friends.

Mart and Trixie's parents, Helen and Peter Belden, had insisted on hosting the graduation party. Mr. Belden had fired up the grill and was happily cooking the chicken, ribs and hamburgers. Mrs. Belden - known as 'Moms' to all the BWGs - had cooked and baked many favorites including baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw, baked potatoes, chocolate cake, and apple pies. As soon as they saw the arriving party, they came forward to meet them.

"Excuse me!" called Mr. Belden, a tall, handsome man with brown hair and eyes. "Excuse me! May I have your attention, please!" Quickly, the crowd settled down. "Presenting the graduates of 1979 - may I introduce Martin Belden and Daniel Mangan!"

The crowd applauded, and wild cheers broke out from the younger children present. Eight year old Bobby Belden, with the same curly blonde hair and blue eyes as Trixie and Mart, the youngest of the Belden children, and his best friends and classmates, Larry and Terry Lynch, Diana's twin brothers, tried to whistle their applause. Seven year old Mary and Kerry Lynch, Diana's twin sisters, added their shrieks to the bedlam. All of the Lynch children had dark hair and deep blue eyes.

Moms, obviously the parent that three of the Belden children had gotten their blonde curls and blue eyes from, hugged each of the boys as the rest of the crowd surged forward to congratulate them. Uncle Bill and Mr. Maypenny, an elderly gentleman with grey hair and beard, were the first to approach Dan, each of them giving him hearty handshakes and slaps on the back while grinning broadly.

"We couldn't be prouder, Danny boy," Uncle Bill told him, a suspicious huskiness in his voice. "I know Colleen and Tim are looking down on you today, just as proud as we are."

"I knew you could do it, m'boy," Mr. Maypenny told him, a twinkle in his eye. "I always knew you had it in you, regardless of what other people said."

The congratulations continued, from Brian, the only Belden child to get his father's brown hair and eyes, and Jim, a tall, husky red-head with emerald green eyes, the oldest of the Bob-Whites, from Matthew and Madeline Wheeler, Honey's parents, from Vi and Donald Lynch, Diana's parents, and even from Mr. Lytell, the owner of the local country store.

Finally, after it seemed his hand would fall off if one more person were to shake it, Dan had a moment to catch his breath. At some point, someone had handed him a soda and he took the moment to sip it while looking around. He realized that he was probably the luckiest man on the planet, to have been so blessed with family and friends.

Suddenly, a chill crawled down his spine. He turned his head to glance behind him, expecting to see only trees. What he actually saw made him spin around, to face into the crabapple grove.

It was his old friend, and fellow gang member, Luke, half-hidden behind a tree. He looked skinny - heck, he looked emaciated - and his hair hung in greasy strings. The grin he flashed Dan had nothing of happiness or friendliness in it. He was visible for the space of a single breath, then he turned and disappeared into the grove.

Dan stood, rooted to the spot in surprise, for just a moment. Then he ran into the trees, trying to follow Luke. The boy from his past was gone, though. Dan could find no trace of him. He slowly returned to the party.

Uncle Bill saw Dan emerging from the trees and sauntered over to him. "Everything okay, Dan?"

For just a second, Dan was tempted to tell his uncle what he had seen. The second passed, and he realized that telling anyone would only throw a pall on the party. Instead, he smiled. "Everything's great, Uncle Bill."

Uncle Bill grinned and threw his arm across Dan's shoulders to lead him back to the celebration.

Dan was tempted to try to contact Luke, but eventually decided against it. It was time to let bygones be bygones.

The end of August found Dan and Mart moving into a small house with Brian and Jim near the SUNY Oswego campus. Brian and Jim had already been attending this university for two years, living in the dorms on campus. With more Bob-Whites attending, though, they had decided to rent this house together. Dan and Mart had piled all their luggage into Brian's jalopy for the drive, while Brian and Jim had their things in Jim's truck. Dan had a funny feeling that they were being watched as they loaded the car, but no one, other than the Belden family, Honey, Uncle Bill, and Mr. Maypenny, were in sight.

After saying their farewells, amid many hugs and much tear-filled laughter, the boys finally got on the road, with Mart driving the jalopy, following behind Jim driving the truck. Driving across the state of New York, the traffic was light and the roads easy to follow. Several times, Dan thought he saw a car following them. Each time, the car he suspected turned off after a while. Finally, Dan gave himself a hard mental shake.

"Stop it, Mangan!" he told himself. "You are imagining far too much! Stop acting like a crazy old lady." A smile quirked at one corner of his mouth as he added to himself, "Or Trixie!"

Five hours later, the four of them arrived at the house, stopping to stretch as soon as they got out of the cars. Then they began the process of unloading and carrying all their things into their 'home away from home,' as they'd started to call it. It was a small house, only two bedrooms, with a kitchen, dining area and living room. The basement had been fitted out as a rec room. Mart and Dan shared one of the bedrooms, while Brian and Jim shared the other. Since the house came furnished, it didn't take too long for the boys to get mostly settled in. Brian and Jim decided to take Dan and Mart on a tour of the campus.

First, they drove down the road that ran alongside Lake Ontario. Several dorms were located on this road, but since classes wouldn't start until the following week they all seemed to be empty now. They then followed the road that curved around to the front of campus, passing the Glimmerglass Lagoon, and more dorms.

As quiet as everything on campus was, Dan was startled to see a beat up old car in the distance behind them when he chanced to glance back. Just at the moment, there was no other traffic on the roads. Deciding that it was probably just other students taking a look around, Dan turned back to the front, and said nothing to the others.

Parking the car, the four Bob-Whites walked around the main buildings of the university, seeing only a handful of people - mostly administrators and staff who work there. They ended at the Hewitt Union Building, where the bookstore was located so they could all purchase their textbooks for the upcoming semester. By the time they staggered back to the car, arms loaded with books, Dan had forgotten all about the strange car.

That weekend sped by as the boys settled into the house and Brian and Jim introduced Mart and Dan to some of their favorite hangouts. Tuesday morning dawned hot and bright and the four of them hurried off to their respective classes, agreeing to meet in one of the dining halls for lunch at noon.

Dan slowly left the classroom after his first class, trying to juggle his books while putting away his notes. Someone fell into step beside him, and he looked up, fully expecting to see Mart. He stopped dead in his tracks when the person turned out to be Luke.

"Surprised to see me, Danny boy?" Luke sneered.

Dan looked Luke over, noting again how thin the other boy was - thin and pale, as if he'd been sick. His hair hung in thin, greasy strings and his clothes had obviously seen better days - and just as obviously had not been washed recently. An odor seemed to hang around Luke, attesting to a general lack of cleanliness. The only thing on him that seemed well cared for was the worn black leather jacket with 'The Cowhands' lettered across the back in white.

"You don't look so good, Luke," Dan stated bluntly.

"How nice of you to notice," Luke answered, sarcasm dripping. "Ever since you ratted out on me, I haven't been able to catch a break at all - the coppers have been keeping a real close eye on me. Ever since you turned on me."

"I told you before, I didn't turn you in. I offered to try to help. You decided you didn't need help." Dan turned away and resumed walking. Luke came right along beside him. "What do you want from me, Luke?"

Luke leered. "I want you to pay for what's happened to me." Then he shrugged. "A shower, some clothes and a square meal will do for now."

Dan thought for a moment. "Then you'll leave, right?" he asked.

Luke nodded.

"Okay, fine." Dan spotted a men's room and turned into it. "Wait here a minute," he told Luke as he pushed through the door.

Inside the men's room, Dan put his pile of books on the counter provided for that purpose, then went into a stall. Once assured he was away from prying eyes, Dan pulled his wallet from his pocket. He remembered vividly receiving the wallet - and its special contents.

'Here you go, m'boy," Mr Maypenny had said. "I've put your earnings for the month inside this wallet."

Dan eagerly took the wallet, made of elegantly tooled black leather, and opened it. The money space was empty. He raised confused eyes to Mr. Maypenny.

Mr. Maypenny grinned at him. "There's a secret compartment, lad. It's never a good idea to walk around with too much money, but sometimes you want some cash, in case of emergencies. So I made this wallet with a secret slot in it. You can use it to carry any flat item you'd like to keep safe, like pictures, or money."

The eagerness back, Dan had carefully examined the wallet until he'd located the secret compartment. Inside was a crisp new $100 bill.

That $100 bill wasn't so crisp and new anymore. He'd left it in the wallet, in case of emergencies, since Mr. Maypenny had given it to him. He figured getting rid of Luke constituted an emergency. Taking the bill from the compartment now, Dan put his wallet back in his pocket. Grabbing his books on the way out of the men's room, Dan walked over to Luke, who was leaning against the opposite wall.

"Here," Dan said, holding the money out to Luke. "Use this to get yourself a hotel room for the night, and a good meal. I'll get you some of my clothes - you're a lot skinnier than I am now, but they should fit alright."

Luke took the money, and stared at it, open mouthed. "You carry $100 bills around with you now?"

Dan shook his head. "No, not normally. That was supposed to be for emergencies. My Uncle Bill gave it to me the night before I left for college, just in case." Dan felt no compunction about lying to Luke.

Dan glanced at his watch, seeing that he had almost 40 minutes left before meeting the others. "Come on," he told Luke, "Let's go get those clothes."

Walking quickly, Dan led the way to the bus stop, where they could catch the bus that went past the house. Both cars had been left at the house this morning, rather than try to find a parking spot on campus.

The entire journey to the house was very uncomfortable. Dan wanted to help Luke, but at the same time, he knew that Luke's problems were of his own making. Dan couldn't help but feel a little guilty, even though he knew it wasn't his fault. Luke's attitude didn't help either. He seemed to have lost any bit of human decency he may once have had. His attitude toward other people was one of contempt. Dan could see that Luke considered everyone else to be nothing more than prey. He shuddered to think that he could have grown up with that kind of attitude, had it not been for his Uncle Bill and the Bob-Whites.

When they finally reached the house, Dan hesitated at the door. He really didn't want Luke to have a chance to see anything inside the house, or a chance to possibly pocket anything. He also didn't want Luke to just hang around by the door, and possibly be seen by someone. Dan decided that the second option was better, and he'd just have to hurry to get Luke away. Dan managed to unlock the door, open it and unobtrusively relock it while he told Luke the plan.

"Listen, Luke, just wait right here. I promise I'll be quick. I'll just grab some clothes and be right back, okay?"

Luke smirked. "What's that matter, Danny boy? You afraid to have me in your house?"

Of course Luke knew what was going on. Dan should have figured that. Oh, well, he wasn't going to change his mind now. "Not afraid," he answered. "It's just ... well, you smell. I'd rather not have the house smell too - the other guys might notice later." Stepping through the door, Dan quickly shut it.

Moving as fast as he could, Dan got a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, a pair of socks and some underwear and placed them in a brown paper sack. No more than five minutes had passed before he was back at the front door.

Luke was just where he had been, leaning lazily against the wall. He gave Dan a nasty grin when the door opened.

"Here," Dan said, holding the bag out to him. "Here's a change of clothes. I'm sorry about your troubles, Luke, really I am, but I really don't think you should come back. Spend the night in a hotel, get your shower and a meal, and then you should head back to the city."

Luke gave him a mirthless grin. "Sure, Danny boy. Whatever you say." Taking the paper bag, Luke trudged down the walk and away from the house.

Dan watched him go, a little troubled. He really wished he could help his old friend. He just wished he didn't feel so threatened. Shaking the feeling off, Dan gathered his books for the afternoon and headed back to campus to meet the others.

Dan forgot about Luke, lost in the haze of the first week of classes. A couple days later, Mart came out of the room they shared for breakfast, a puzzled look on his face.

"Hey, have you seen my picture of the Bob-Whites from this summer? I thought I had put it on my desk, but it's not there and I can't find it."

Dan shook his head. "I haven't seen it. Maybe you put it on your desk back home?"

Mart shrugged. "Maybe. I really thought it was here, but maybe not."

When Dan met Mart for lunch that Friday, he dropped his books on the table and slumped into his chair. "I'll never make it," Dan moaned, running his hands through his hair. "What on earth prompted me to sign up for six classes? I'll never be able to do all that work."

Mart laughed. "You're a glutton for punishment, that's all. Just like at Sleepyside Junior-Senior High, you're still trying to get ahead."

Dan grinned. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He shook his head. "I guess it's my own fault." Then he sighed. "I'm going to be putting in some late hours, trying to get all the homework and papers done."

"Well, I suggest you eat some lunch, Dan my man. You'll need your strength!"

Dan laughed, and went up to the counter to get some lunch.

The next morning, Saturday, Dan got up early. He'd decided he needed some exercise before hitting the books, so he put on his sneakers to go jogging. As he headed out the door, he realized that he really missed chopping wood and doing work in the Wheeler's preserve.

Dan lost himself in the rhythm of his footsteps. He ran, and continued running. Earlier in the week, he'd borrowed Brian's jalopy and had determined a 5 mile circle, and now he followed that route. He had turned the final corner, and was about a half mile from the house, when he saw Luke leaning against a lightpost, grinning evilly.

"Hello again, Danny boy," Luke said.

Dan stopped and stared, his breathing only slightly harder than usual. "What do you want now, Luke?"

"Well, gee, Dan, you were so nice to me the other day. I just wanted to say thank you," Luke mocked him.

Dan turned away, going around Luke. Luke reached out and grabbed Dan's arm.

"Don't run away without talking to me, Danny!"

Dan turned back to Luke, his fists on his hips. "Okay, Luke. Just tell me exactly what you want from me."

Luke grinned. "You got any more $100 bills on you?"

Dan snorted. "No."

"Well, then, I guess you'll just have to find another way to get me some money."

Dan shook his head. "No, Luke. No more money. I've given you all I'm going to."

Luke smirked. "I thought you might say that. So I got myself some insurance." Luke put his hand into his pocket. He brought out a framed photo, which he showed to Dan. It was Mart's copy of the Bob-White picture from that summer. "You see, Danny boy? If you don't give me what I want, I'll just take what I can get from selling the stuff in that house of yours. And," Luke paused to make sure he had Dan's full attention, "if any one gets in my way, they won't live to regret it."

"No, Luke, you can't do that," Dan objected.

Luke's face turned ugly as any hint of a smile disappeared in a menacing leer. "Try me."

Dan raised his hand in a placating gesture. "Okay, okay. You win. I'll give you more money. But you've got to give me time to get it together."

Luke grinned. "Well, sure! Tell you what. You gave me that first $100 on Tuesday. How about you give me more money this coming Tuesday - one week later. That seems fair doesn't it?" Luke waggled the photo. "And, in order to keep me out of your house, I want $200 this time."

Dan nodded. "Alright. Okay, I'll get you $200. Just stay away from the house, and leave me and my friends alone."

Luke sauntered away, waving to Dan as he went. "I'll see you Tuesday, Danny boy!"

Where was he going to find $200? The scholarships that allowed him to attend SUNY Oswego did give him a little spending money, but $200 would take a huge chunk out of that money - money he needed to pay his share of the rent on the house. He didn't want to dip into his savings if he could help it either. Dan slouched back to the house, trying to think of a way to get the money.

All that day, and the next, Dan's thoughts were black. He avoided the others in the house, and took his books to the library to try to study. He couldn't keep his mind on his school work though. Sunday night, Dan lay in bed tossing and turning, trying to sleep while his brain wouldn't let him relax. Finally, Mart sat up in his bed and turned on the light.

"Dan, what on earth is the matter with you?" he asked. "You didn't sleep last night. Now, tonight, you're keeping me awake too. What's going on?"

Dan shook his head miserably. "I'm sorry, Mart. I didn't mean to keep you awake. I'm just thinking about all the schoolwork that's waiting for me tomorrow." He climbed out of his bed and pulled on a pair of jeans. "I'll go out in the other room so you can sleep."

"Wait!" Mart said before he could leave. "Maybe it would help if you talked about it." He gave a rueful smile. "I'm awake, after all. I'm ready to listen."

"Nah. Thanks, man, but I'll be okay." Dan closed the door behind him, leaving Mart to stare after him with concern.

Dan paced around the living room, around and around, just as his thoughts kept going around and around. Finally he decided that he would take his stereo - the really nice stereo that Uncle Bill had given him as a Christmas present last year - to the pawnshop. It was loaded with everything a music lover could think of, including awesome speakers. That should be worth at least $200. He hated to part with it, hated to part with anything that his only family had given him. But he just couldn't think of any other answer.

The next morning, he was gone before anyone else in the house was up. He left a note for Brian, explaining that he needed to run an errand before class, and he hoped Brian wouldn't mind if he borrowed the jalopy. Since the car keys were left on a hook by the door for anyone to use, Brian just shrugged and thought nothing of it.

That evening, Jim and Brian were at the house preparing dinner when Mart got home. Mart went into the room he shared with Dan to deposit his books on his desk. When he turned to go back out, he couldn't help but notice the large empty spot on Dan's shelves - the spot where his prized stereo had been so lovingly placed.

Walking into the kitchen, Mart asked the other two, "Have you seen Dan?"

Both Brian and Jim shook their heads, saying, "Not today."

Mart frowned. "Have you guys noticed anything about the way he's been acting the last couple of days?"

Brian and Jim exchanged an uncomprehending look, and turned back to Mart. "What do you mean?" Brian asked.

Taking a deep breath, Mart said, "I don't know. Maybe it's nothing. But I got the feeling Dan was deliberately avoiding us all weekend. He hardly slept Saturday night, and last night he tossed and turned so much, he was keeping me awake. When I asked what was wrong, he just said he was thinking about schoolwork. Then he came out here and paced. I don't think he slept at all." Looking earnestly at his brother and his friend, he continued with the most damning evidence of all. "And ... his stereo is gone."

"Gone? What do you mean, gone?" Jim asked.

"I mean gone! It's not in our room, not on the shelves where he had put it."

Before anyone could say anything else, the front door opened and Dan came in. He walked past the kitchen and into his and Mart's room without a word, closing the door behind him. Exchanging looks between them, Mart led Brian and Jim to his room. When he opened the door, they saw Dan lying on his bed, a book in his hands as if he was about to open it. He looked up in surprise at the delegation now entering the room.

"Dan, are you doing okay?" Brian asked gently.

Dan looked at the other three closely. He could see the concern in their faces, and he knew they were just being good friends, trying to help. He only wished he could accept that help. Instead he nodded. "I'm fine, Brian. Why?"

"You've been acting a little - strange - lately," Jim said. "If there's anything going on with your classes, just remember that Brian and I have already been through it. We might be able to help."

Dan forced himself to smile at them. "Thanks, but I've got it covered. I was a bit worried, but I've got it straightened out now."

"What about your stereo?" Mart blurted out.

Dan raised an eyebrow at him. "My stereo?"

Mart nodded his head toward Dan's shelves. "It's gone."

Dan nodded. "I loaned it to a classmate. I figured you guys would let me listen to your stereos, so it wasn't any big deal."

Mart looked shocked. "But that's the stereo Regan gave you!"

Dan shrugged. "I know. I trust this classmate. It'll be fine." Pointedly opening the book he was holding, Dan continued. "If you guys don't mind, I really need to get some reading done."

When they were back in the kitchen, Brian turned to Jim and Mart. "Well, whatever it was, he seems fine now. And if there's anything going on, I'm sure he'll tell us about it when he's ready." Grinning, he cocked an eyebrow at Mart. "Aren't you hungry? I think we need to concentrate on dinner!"

Mart forced a laugh, trying to forget his worries about his friend. "Absolutely correct, my favored elder sibling. It is beyond the hour when refreshments are required by my digestive system!"

Back in his room, Dan lowered the book without having read a word. He was glad to know that he had such good friends, who would care about him so much, but he wished they weren't quite so perceptive. Oh well, after tomorrow Luke would be gone and he could go back to focusing on classes. There wouldn't be anything more for them to perceive.

Tuesday morning, Dan waited nervously for Luke to appear. He got through his run without interruption, then made it to class without having seen him. Finally, just as he had the week before, Luke joined up with Dan after class. Dan silently lead him outside.

Standing in a secluded area by a tree, Dan pulled out the $200 he'd gotten for his stereo and handed it to Luke. "Here," he said. "Don't come here again. Ever." He turned to walk away.

Luke laughed. A very nasty, evil laugh. "Ah, Danny boy, you are still so naive."

Dan turned back to face him. "What do you mean?" he asked suspiciously.

Luke stepped close to Dan, threateningly. His voice was an evil hiss. "I mean, Danny boy, that you will continue to bring me money. $200 every week. And if you don't, things will go badly for your rich friends." His face twisted in a parody of a grin. "And I don't just mean the three that you room with. I know where the girls in Sleepyside live too, don't forget."

Dan felt a chill crawl up his spine to freeze his heart. "You wouldn't hurt them!" he forced out past the icy fear, his voice hoarse.

Luke just laughed. "If you don't do what I say, I will hurt them. Your uncle, too!"

Luke swaggered away, leaving Dan to stand as if encased in ice. Dan's heart and thoughts had descended into a black, icy lake. He felt as if he couldn't breath. The bright sun shining from the clear blue sky brought him no light. His friends and his family were in danger, and it was all his fault. Somehow, he had to find a way to keep them safe. Somehow, he had to stop Luke. Somehow.

Suddenly, a thought bobbed to the surface. Just a stray thought, but it gave him an idea. From that idea, Dan began to hatch a plan. It was a dangerous plan, but if it worked he'd be free of Luke, and his friends and family would be safe.

If it worked.

All that week, Dan did his best to act normally around his friends, while doing what he needed to do to put his plan into motion. If all went well, his friends and family would never find out about the danger they'd been in, or how much Dan had failed them. By Monday night, his nerves were in such a state that he was pacing the floor in the living room once again.

Tuesday morning, Dan couldn't pay attention in class. His mind kept wandering, worrying about what was to happen when class was over. It was all he could do to keep from fidgeting in his chair. After what seemed like a year, the professor finally dismissed the class. Dan forced himself to move at his normal speed, gathering his books and his notes, then walking out of the classroom.

As before, Luke fell in step with Dan. He made no attempt to hide his smirk as he followed Dan out to the same tree-shaded area. The smirk turned to a frown, however, when Dan failed to pull money out of his pocket.

"Look, Luke, I can't keep doing this," Dan started.

"Stuff it, kid. Just give me the money," Luke interrupted.

"I'm re-negotiating our deal, first," Dan said. "See, I don't believe you'd really hurt anyone - I don't think you've got the guts. So, I'm not paying you $200 a week."

Luke backed Dan against the tree, doing his best to tower over him. Dan deliberately allowed Luke to force him back, even though Dan was the bulkier of the two.

"You stupid kid." Luke pulled a switchblade from his pocket and flicked the blade out, to gleam wickedly as he placed the blade on Dan's throat. "I'll hurt you - right here, right now."

Dan swallowed hard, but managed to hold onto the edges of his frayed nerves, to continue with his plan. "No, I don't think you will. See, if you do, you know you'll not get any more money."

Luke considered this, and pulled the knife back slightly, but continued to lean over Dan. "Maybe you're right. But that doesn't mean I can't go get that curly, blonde haired girlfriend of yours." He smiled sadistically. "In the meantime, I can still cut you, just a little, to let you know that I'm serious." Luke drew the knife gently, almost caressingly, down Dan's cheek, making a thin line that turned red as blood welled from the cut.

"No! Wait!" Dan stopped to gather himself again - this plan had better work! "I have money for you. I just - well, I didn't want to give it to you. But now that I know you're serious ..." Dan put his hand in his pocket to finger the wad of bills resting there. He felt like he'd mortgaged his soul, taking out a student loan for this money. "See, I figured out how much money I'd be giving you if I paid $200 a week for the rest of the semester. It came out to $2600." Dan swallowed hard again. He didn't want to do this, he really didn't. He also didn't feel he had much choice. "So I took out a loan for that much. I'm going to give it to you now, all of it. Then I want you to leave, and promise you'll leave my friends and family alone."

"$2600?" Luke was practically salivating. "You managed to get someone to lend you that much?"

Dan nodded, reluctantly. "Yeah. But before I give it to you, you have to promise - no one gets hurt, and you don't come looking for any more from me."

Luke paused, thinking hard. A wicked light came on in his eyes. "Sure, Danny boy. Anything you say. No one gets hurt." Dan started to pull the money from his pocket. As soon as Luke could see it, he began to grin. "Sure, Danny boy. I'll promise anything you want. But it'll cost you twice as much."

Dan stopped, his hand, full of bills, halfway out of his pocket. "What?!"

Luke nodded. "If you can get a loan of $2600, I figure you can get more. So I want $5200 in exchange for leaving you and the others alone."

Dan shook his head. "But -- !" He started to put his hand back into his pocket, but Luke grabbed it, and pulled it the rest of the way out.

"I'll take this as a down payment," he said. "You bring me another wad just like this one next week."

As Luke put the money into his pocket, suddenly a new voice was heard, calling authoritatively, "Stay where you are! Put your hands up!"

Luke whipped his head around to see a police officer, gun out and pointed at Luke, approaching from the doorway to the building. Turning the other way, he saw another officer coming from around the corner of the building.

Luke whipped his head back to Dan. "You stupid punk kid!" he hissed. Drawing his arm back, he brought his hand forward hard, punching his knife into Dan's stomach. Leaving the knife there, Luke turned and ran from Dan's falling body.

"Stop! Police!" yelled one of the officers as Luke took off. Luke ignored him. Shots rang out, to echo off the campus buildings. Luke fell to the ground to lie in a lifeless heap. Students and professors erupted from the buildings, like ants from a disturbed anthill.

Dan lay where he had fallen, trying to watch what happened. He found it hard to focus through the red haze of pain radiating from his belly. He hadn't planned for that. He felt satisfaction course through him, almost erasing the pain, as he thought of his friends, and his family. Uncle Bill and the others would be safe from Luke now, safe from the mistakes Dan had made. At least that much of his plan had worked.

The first police office ran to Dan's side. Dan's eyes fluttered open. "Take it easy, Dan," the officer said as he moved Dan's hands away from the knife in his belly and the blood that already soaked his shirt. "We'll get an ambulance here right away. You'll be fine."

"My friends ... please let Uncle Bill know what happened ..." Dan whispered. The officer nodded as Dan's eyes fluttered shut.

"Hey, Danny," was all he said.

"Uncle Bill?" Dan said, confused. "What are you doing here?"

Uncle Bill cocked an eyebrow. In a detached way, Dan realized that must be where he'd picked up the habit. "My favorite nephew gets stabbed, and you don't think I'd come to see him?" Uncle Bill said.

Memory flooded over Dan. "Oh. Yeah. I, uh," he couldn't continue, shame and guilt washing over him. He looked away, feeling miserable. A cottony blanket seemed to be smothering most of the pain from his stomach and he wished the same could happen to his feelings of remorse and mortification.

Uncle Bill reached over to grasp Dan's hand. "Don't you go feeling guilty, Dan. None of this was your fault, do you hear? None of it!" He squeezed Dan's hand, making Dan look back to meet his eyes. "You put all that guilt where it belongs - on Luke."

Dan weakly shook his head. He was horrified at the tears that welled from his eyes, but he couldn't stop them. "Oh, Uncle Bill, this is all my fault! I saw Luke hanging around at the graduation party. I should have said something then. And when he showed up here on campus! All I could think of was trying to get him to go away and not hurt any of you."

Uncle Bill nodded. "I know, Danny, I know. But you did go to the police, eventually. They told me all about it, by the way. You did get it worked out. And you've got nothing to be guilty for! The only one who got hurt was you, for which I'm so terribly sorry."

Dan was startled. "You're sorry? What for?"

"I'm your family, your guardian." Uncle Bill gave him a crooked smile. "I'm supposed to protect you."

Dan smiled back. "I'm all grown up now, Uncle Bill. You can't protect me from everything." He squeezed his uncle's hand, trying to express everything he felt.

Uncle Bill stood up to hug Dan, very gently, very carefully. "I'm glad you're going to be alright. I don't think I could go on without you."

Uncle Bill released Dan with equal care, then turned away - but not before Dan saw the tears brimming in his eyes.

Dan took a minute to get himself under control. The drowsiness pulled at him, but he didn't want to sleep, not just yet. Uncle Bill had resumed his seat and his control as well.

"So, how did you get here so fast, Uncle Bill?" Dan asked.

Uncle Bill looked at him incredulously. "Fast? Danny, you've been unconscious for almost 9 hours. The doctors had you in surgery when I got here. But to answer your question, Mr. Wheeler flew me here in his private plane." Uncle Bill looked down. "It was touch and go for a while. The wound was fairly clean and straight, but there was still a lot of damage. Then there was the blood loss."

Dan reached out to Uncle Bill as his voice thickened with unshed tears. Uncle Bill grabbed his hand and took a deep breath. Just then the door to the room was pushed open and a nurse came in.

"Well, you're awake! That's good." The nurse efficiently checked Dan's pulse and made sure the IV was dripping properly. Turning to leave, she stopped, looking at Uncle Bill. "I'm going to go let the doctor know that your nephew is awake. I'm afraid you've only got until he's done before you'll have to leave."

The nurse smiled at them both, then left.

As soon as the door was shut, Uncle Bill turned purposefully back to Dan. "While I sat, waiting to hear from the doctors if you were going to live, I realized that there's some things I never told you. Things that I need to say."

Dan shook his head. "No, Uncle Bill, you don't. You don't have to say anything - you've told me, more than once, how you feel."

Uncle Bill smiled briefly. "I never told you how sorry I am that I never found my sister, or you, before - well, before she died. I never told you how sorry I am that I never met your father. I never told you how sorry I am that you ever - ever - had to spend time on the streets."

"Uncle Bill," Dan broke in. "I know." He smiled. "If I'm not at fault for what Luke did, you're not at fault for what happened before you even knew I existed. It's all in the past, now."

Uncle Bill nodded. "You're a wise man, Dan."

Just then the doctor came bustling in. He quickly and efficiently looked at Dan and asked him a couple of questions. Apparently satisfied with the answers, he nodded, and said, "Well, you're doing better than I'd hoped. But, I think you need some sleep now." He gave Uncle Bill a significant look and went to the door.

Uncle Bill rose and put a hand on Dan's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Sleep well, Dan. I'll be here in the morning." He walked to the door to follow the doctor out. Before the door shut, Dan called out to him.

"Uncle Bill!" Uncle Bill turned back. Dan smiled sleepily. "I love you too, Uncle Bill."

Uncle Bill's face split in a wide grin. He nodded and allowed the door to close behind him.

Dan finally allowed his heavy eyelids to close, fast asleep before the door clicked shut.

Jim, Mart and Brian sat in the waiting room. Regan went over to them, to let them know that Dan would be fine. Mart was elected to call Sleepyside and let the girls, and the rest of the families, know as well.

Thank you, as always, more than I can say, to my editors Malficient and CLynn!

I have never visited the SUNY Oswego campus, so any and all errors regarding it are mine. Also, I learned the general layout of the school from information available on-line. Since my story is set in 1979, I'm sure the campus was quite different then but I have no idea what may have changed or what buildings were added. Again, all errors are mine.