Speed Ratchet calls it hiding. I say it is where I go to reflect and think without being interrupted. Last time I was here I was thinking about Brick and Gretchen. And part of me still is. The way they reacted when Merigold, Ratchet, and I told about our past. Brick looked enraged. Like he wanted to kill my parents. It was a sweet thought actually that someone cared enough to think that. But it wasn’t needed. Gretchen looked like she was a second away from breaking down in tears. And Anna went down right motherly on me. It was weird having all these people care about me and Ratchet when all we had before was Alaric, Merigold, and the rest of the crew. No one has ever cared for us before. I didn’t know how to react. That is one reason that after we came back I decided to change into some comfortable sleep shorts and tank top and come out here for a while. Ratchet went to his room to video call a few frie

Brick Ratchet’s birthday party is in full swing. I can see everyone having a good time. More importantly, so is the birthday boy. When he first came in you could see the shock written all over his face. He was definitely not expecting most of the club to be here to celebrate with him. But like Viper said they are family and this is what we do for family. For the first thirty minutes or so Ratchet looked lost in his head. I saw Gretchen go over and talk to him. I’m not sure what she said but he pulled out of himself and started having fun. There is food galore on two tables as well as coolers with various drinks. A cake with eighteen on top of it and off to the side of is a small table where we put the gifts we got for Ratchet. When he saw that he was blown away. He didn’t expect that.  Merigold even hired a D

Gretchen   I haven’t seen Speed since Ratchet's birthday party and I can’t stand it. I have talked to Brick and I know he spent some time with her the day after. He told me they talked for a bit and he has an idea of what some of the problem with Speed is. She is convinced that she is broken. Brick says the way she talked about how it was wrong to want to be with either of us, it was like a programmed response. Like someone has brainwashed her or something. He thinks judging from the scars on her back, it is more like someone has beaten it into her. I almost broke down in tears when he told me that. I have spent all week coming up with ideas to break down what Brick and I are calling her programming. Brick says the biggest thing is that we can’t give up. We have to keep going after her with everything we have. Even when she pushes back. He said she tried with him the day they were together.

Gretchen   When Brick came back from the track after watching Speed’s time trial he pulled me aside. I admit I was curious as to how it went but could find a good enough reason to go. I knew she had a lot of people there to get prepared for race day and I didn’t want to get in the way since I had nothing to contribute. So I worked around the clubhouse to keep myself busy and my mind occupied.  So when Brick came back I was relieved wanting to know what happened. Brick pulled me into the playroom and sat me down.   Brick paced for a minute before I couldn’t stand it anymore. “ Brick, will you stop and tell me what happened? Is Speed ok?’ Did something happen?” I know I was spouting questions rapidly but he was making me nervous. “ No Speed is fine. Hell, she is more than fine. You should have seen her. It was amazing and scary

Brick After talking to Ratchet I knew I needed to know more. Ratchet didn’t have the answers I needed so I’m going to have to talk to Merigold. And I was going to have to take Gretchen with me since we were in this together. She should hear the story first hand instead of getting the half assed version from me. I also know it will take some convincing to get Merigold to tell us the story. Merigold is a good woman and she would feel like she is betraying her friend by telling us. And it can’t be done at the club. I have a feeling this is a story best told in private. But that will have to wait for another day. Before he left Ratchet told me about his date tonight. I’m excited for the boy but I want to check this guy out for myself so I’m going to be there when Ratchet’s date shows up. The guy is s