Morgan reached the doorway of the Young Entrepreneurs room just as the last of its students trickled out. She checked her watch and bit her lip in frustration as she realized she was probably too late. But before the despair set it, she saw a familiar face pass by her.
"Greg!" she half-shouted, earning both the boy's attention, as well as a few other students. "Is Bill still here?"
Greg gave her a quizzical look, and then turned his eyes back to the classroom. "Mr. Hightower, you mean? No. He just left. What -"
Before he can finish his sentence, Morgan disappeared down the opposite end of the hallway. Please God, let me catch him before he leaves! She thought, zipping past the other students and wiggling her way out of the building's exit.
She emerged at the top of a flight of stairs, where she caught sight of Mr. Hightower making his way toward his car.
"Bill!" she yelled. When he didn't stop, or even look around to see who had called him, she dropped her book bag and ran after him, down the walkway, across the lawn...
And straight into George Hornsby!
The impact knocked both of them to the ground. Shouting from across the parking lot caused George to turn around. His face immediately drained off all color as he saw Virgil and Maroney barreling toward them, their voices filled with anger.
"Morgan, please, help me!" George shrieked as he ducked behind her - which was unfortunately possible, given his scrawny frame - as he clutched her arm.
Morgan automatically shoved him away and he met with the asphalt harshly.
"Please," pleaded George, in real terror.
"Get away from me! You pathetic-"
A shocking instant of realization caused her to stop mid-sentence as she stared in George in amazement. "It's... you!"
George Hornsby! Here was the soul that needed salvaging. It was happening exactly as it had 15 years ago, right before her eyes, right now. Quiet desperation built as she watched Hightower get into his black Town Car stretch limousine and closed the doors to the car... and perhaps also to a future she knew.
"What? No, please - " George started, but he was suddenly ripped away by a hand that gripped the back of his hood.
Morgan looked up to see Maroney giving an obnoxious howl of laughter before dragging George away, with Virgil standing sidewalk, rolling up his sleeves.
"You little snitch!" he yelled, his eyes glued to George.
For a few moments, Morgan just stood and stared as the two thugs started to pummel George. So caught up she was, she didn't even notice a certain black town car driving past her and out of the parking lot.
Hardening her resolve, she ran toward the thugs, having no idea of what she was going to do, but just that she had to do something. Her heroics were put to a premature end when she was yanked away by the arm from the brawl by Laura.
"Those drugs are messin' you up!" Laura exclaimed.
"Let me go!" screamed Morgan, pushing her away, moving back toward George. Too late.
Mr. Kornblauw, the history teacher, had grabbed hold of Maroney, who turned, looking ready to punch the teacher before two school security officers ran toward the commotion. Virgil motioned to Maroney and they slinked off across the lawn. Morgan watched them go, turning back to George, who was gone.
Morgan desperately looked left and right, spying George skulk away.
Morgan broke free from Laura and took off after him. "George!"
