Skipper jolted up in fright. He looked around. At first his vision was blurry and he was unfamiliar with his surroundings. After a few seconds, his vision cleared and reconized the comfort of his bunk. It was dark. It must have still been early in the morning.

His heart was still racing. What a nightmare! He was relieved it was all just a dream, and he relaxed. His dream felt so real, like it actually happened. Much more real then any of his other dreams. He could've swore it really happened. He was even surprised that he was asleep in his bed instead of actually running from Marlene.

Skipper cringed at the image in his head. The image of the blood flowing out of Marlene's mouth, her insane smile. He flinched again. That smile! It was so real... What happened?

What had woken him up? Something in the real world that was loud enough had to disturb him from his slumber. Otherwise, he'd still be dreaming... Skipper though hard. Then a memory came back to him.

It was a scream. Like a cry for help. A disturbing blood-curdling shriek. Who did it come from?

Skipper rubbed his eyes as he climbed out of bed. He turned on the light. Immediately, Private woke up. He yawned as he sat up on his bunk. He blinked repeatedly as he glanced around the room. His eyes landed on Skipper, who was watching him.

"Er - good morning Skippa'."

"Private." Skipper started, "Wake up the others."

"What time is it, Skippa'?" Private yawned again.

"Early."

Private got the others up, and in seconds, the three were lined up in front of Skipper.

"This isn't our usual wake-up hour. Are we starting a new training?" Kowalski asked.

No. Roll out, team." Skipper pointed towards the fishbowl enterance, and without question, the men climbed the ladder and out onto the platform.

Once again, they were lined up facing Skipper.

"I heard a scream. We have to fine the victim in distress." Skipper stated.

"Augararguawargua?" Rico questioned.

"No. The scream came from the unknown. Someone could have been tortured, or kidnapped. Now we have to find out where it came from." Skipper said, "We're splitting up. Rico!"

Rico spat out four walkie-talkies. Each penguin grabbed one.

"If you find anything out of the ordinary, report it to me." Skipper explained. "Now... break!"

Kowalski and Rico immediately sprang out of sight in different directions. Private still stood patiently in front of an annoyed Skipper.

Skipper rolled his eyes. "Private, by now you should know that if I say 'break', it means--"

"Yes, I know know, Sir. But I have a question."

"Fire away."

"What's that on your feet?"

Skipper glanced down and gasped in surprise.

Stained on his feet was blood.