It had been a long time since that evening Hilary, Julia and Mariam had spent together, though they were often forced to come together to work.
Everything seemed to have changed too quickly and serenity that had found a year earlier seemed to have dissolved slowly, like snow in the sun. Now they learned to live in the dark and spooky atmosphere caused by that crazy guy who had destroyed their lives, but nevertheless none of them wanted to break that friendship, and the same was also to their friends, even if too often conversed, merely looks funeral and understanding.
Everything seemed to be over after that terrifying event took place seven months before and all had tried to start living again, despite the difficulties; simply they did not want to surrender to the evil that had been injected under their skin and in their soul.
The three sung, that sunny July afternoon, were at the home of Mariam, lay on the bed without a word, although their eyes constantly communicated with that nagging feeling of loneliness that they were trying but no one dared to voice their thoughts, convinced that everything could change with any word wrong.
Yet, somehow, they continued to feel linked by a thin unbreakable bond, certain of the fact that, despite the tragedies and the killings they had witnessed, there would be one for the other. Always.
It was impossible to say the least, to think, they have been through too many in those years to be able to divide and continued to support one silently, despite the emptiness, day after day, it seemed to become more and more often and deep.
It was a deep pain that was burning sadness of their hearts torn and destroyed.
Hilary constantly moved her gaze between Julia and Mariam, while torturing her hands nervously.
She had many things to say to her friends, she wanted to reveal her secrets, fears, nightmares, desires, but could not do it. It was too difficult for her, unfortunately.
It was she who had lost everything but, after all, had also become stronger emotionally, although she continued to feel guilty for Takao's death.
Every night before going to sleep, too often Hilary found herself crying bitter tears, as the memories came back constantly to burn in her chest.
The laughter shared with Takao, the quarrels, the jealousies, the problems of daily life, seemed to come alive in those moments of loneliness and she indulged, swaying with those memories so painful how precious that she did not want to leave nor forget.
She still loved him in spite of everything, but she wished she could go on without him, though it made her feel guilty, but she was pretty sure that he, his Takao, would always live in her heart hurt and that the Japanese would not have tolerated all those negative feelings. He was a wrestler who had sacrificed his life for Hilary and his friends, he was a strong man but also an overgrown kid who had marked the life of the singer.
"Girls," the Japanese said suddenly, breaking the non-verbal communication "I think we should talk, we need it. All" she added shortly after pointing a faint bitter smile.
"About what?" Julia asked, raising an eyebrow, sounding curious.
"Everything we've been through in the last few months and now I wonder: is all right between us? Lately we talk so little and basically I feel I have lost a part of me, that you, my friends," said Hilary heartfelt , carefully scrutinizing the two interlocutors.
"No, it'snt okay, but it will be when all this is over. Why is not over, and that you know it" said Mariam coldly, and then add " Alexander is still alive, we don't know what really happened after that night and I'm not going to relive the bloody hell. "
"Hilary, we've lost, it never happened despite all the crap we've been through, but talking about it is not easy. We all lost something, unfortunately. It hurts, you know? But you know that you are there for me it is really nice "Julia exclaimed in a voice choked with emotion, bowing his head slightly sideways and narrowing his eyes, trying to suppress the tears that stung the eyes crystalline.
It was still too painful for her to start living again, and it was even more so to see her boyfriend slowly fall into oblivion, but Julia was fighting for that life, did not want to get carried away by the current malevolent, nor was going to forget. She knew that she could not do it. All they'd been through, after all, had served to grow slowly and, unlike her boyfriend, had learned to live with those cruel memories.
"I know, girls, but sometimes go without a friend to talk is difficult." Hilary answered with a look that showed all the sadness and the pain who she was feeling, then added: "But I also feel that there is something strange in this time, it's like ... I felt always observed. And this is not not normal, I guess. "
Julia and Mariam exchanged a startled look and full of terror, being confirmed in one another, and with one voice asserted: "Me too."
Hilary covered her mouth with her hands, trying to hide his expression stunned and with a subdued tone, he mumbled:
"Oh my God".
Mariam clenched her fists with rage, going so far as to whiten the knuckles and sticking her nails into her palms until they began to bleed.
Her mind was still deep scars after what he had done and Alexander, after all these months, she still had difficulty looking at her reflection in the mirror, but what hurt the most was the desire for revenge and fear of that return unwanted.
"All this will end, I swear," added shortly after the Japanese firmly, certain that, together with her friends, would soon overcome all those difficulties.
"We could lose everything, but to me you are not friends, we are sisters. I love you, Barbie," said the former cheerleader from Japanese origins with a dull tone.
"Hey, but what that ring that brings the ring?" asked the Spanish, pointing to the right Mariam's finger, which slightly blushing, replied: "It's a long story."
"You will tell us everything, now!" Julia asserted giggling, dreamily admiring the circlet of white gold, on which was set elegantly an emerald, which shone on the finger of Mariam.
"Exactly," chimed Hilary, smiling sweetly.
"You are two impossible girl" snorted the Chinese with an annoyed tone, despite her eyes hadenormous happiness. "You know the patio that is located in this house?" she asked shortly after softening her voice trembling slightly.
The two girls nodded, urging her to continue the conversation.
"Last night, when I returned home, I found all the lights off and I had a lot of fear, it is strange to find the absolute dark in here, and then I started calling Ozuma loudly, but there was no trace of him ".
"And what did you do?" interrupted Julia, looked a look smart and curious painted on her face, which seemed to be illuminated by a new light.
"If you interrupt me again I will not say anything."
"Nasty!" shouted the godmother in a tone of mock offense, crossing her arms at the breast.
Mariam rolled her eyes, showing her displeasure, and, after a few seconds, began to tell: "So, I started to move furtively, trying to find the possible thief when, suddenly, I notice small lights that seemed to dance in 'air, and then I found out it was the candlelight "she chuckled merrily, looking at her friends with a sweet look, as his voice became more and more unstable.
"It was amazing actually, I did not expect surprises or anything like that, but because we live together already for a month and the first thing I said was: what you need to be forgiven?".
"You're crazy" asserted the two singers, then burst all three into laughter fun, getting a look grim from the emerald-eyed singer, who began to tell:
"In fact, my boyfriend's face has taken a look absurd. However, we had dinner and later he wanted to take me on the beach, by the sea, while the full moon was shining in the sky. I understood that he wanted to tell me something and she put the I said that if he had to tell me something he had better not waste any time. "
It was strange for her to tell those secrets so intimate and personal, yet she liked to share that joy with Hilary and Julia, and although she felt a strange feeling in the heart, she knew who she could reveal them her true emotions, certain of the fact that the two singers would including everything.
"He had a serious expression on her face and both hands were shaking slightly, and suddenly kissed me, gently took me a lock of hair behind her ear. I honestly was starting to get worried, kept shut up and suddenly He said: - I love being with you, together, in our house, even if you are messy and so I was wondering if you would go to make another step forward - "she said with a broken voice and a tender smile and sometimes childish on her face.
"And what have you answered?" asked the two singers curiously, anxiously awaiting the response of her friend, who waved amused, the ring in front of their eyes.
"And you, Julia? When will the wedding?" asked Hilary hinting a weak smile.
At that moment the young twenty-two felt lost, her best friends were about to marry the boys they loved, instead she was alone and confused, conscious of the fact that, sooner or later, she would be happy again.
The Spanish shook her head sadly, then answered: "We should get married in December, but I start to think that Yuri wants to cancel everything."
For several months she had noticed that the cold Russian had started behaving in an unusual way, she seemed to have returned the boy usually cold as an iceberg, but she loved him and could not find any way to get closer to him.
"If Ivanov leaves you, it will be a dead man," hissed a voice suddenly, startling the three girls exclaimed, sounding surprised, in unison: "Ozuma!"
"Expecting someone?" he asked, smiling and taking a seat on the bed next to his girlfriend.
The three singers exchanged a knowing look, sensing their intentions playful, and in unison they said, "No", then throw him affectionately to their drummer, beginning to tickle him and laughing happily.
Whatever it was, or it would have happened in their lives, that small group born between the classroom and recording studios would always be united.
After all, they had everything always so simple, they loved; They were a small family bound by a thin unbreakable bond.
Slight drops of rain had started falling slowly from the sky, producing a slight and steady ticking, while flashes were reflected in the kitchen, giving the room a ghostly appearance.
Sonja turned her worried look out the window, while the worried voice of a woman was spreading into the environment through his cell phone.
"Ivanova, what I have said should remain between the three of us. Is that clear?" repeated again the Moscow with a commanding tone.
"I understand, Irina Petrova, but I still have my doubts," Boris replied sharply, grinding his teeth furiously.
"Huznestov, I fully understand the situation but it is necessary to do so. I cannot let my daughter know my child. We have too much to lose, you know," she replied with a somber tone.
The platinum sighed heavily, trying to weigh his words carefully, especially because she had to make her understand that she could not enter into their lives and subvert them in that way totally unfair.
He hated Irina.
It was presented in their lives without saying anything and never mind their past. She, the mother of an insane murderer, had asked for help.
Boris grinned maliciously and in a voice full of malice gave vent to all his lowest of thoughts.
"Listen well, Ms. Petrova, we're asking you crazy things. You can not ask for help after all that your son has passed. You live here in America with your daughter under a false identity? Great! Keep it up. I'm not going to destroy the lives of my children and my wife still "
"I agree with you," asserted Sonja coldly, moving hastily hands on the computer keyboard.
By now it was sure that Alexander was alive and what caused her constant feeling of fear and terror and, without realizing it, she was losing control inexorably of his young life.
"He is not just ..." mumbled the Russian concern.
"What do you mean?" the couple asked in unison, looking appalled painted on her face.
"I cannot tell more." whispered the forty-five, and then add heartfelt "But I will tell you everything.
Sonja, I turn to you as mother, is very carefully and I am sure that you would do anything to save your children.
They are terribly angry with you, I beg you, be very careful, "concluded Irina, holding her breath scared.
Everything was getting too complicated and she had now learned that the secrets were only of deadly spikes, ready to claim victims.
Suddenly the couple heard a familiar voice weak, and soon the two exchanged a questioning look and doubtful.
There was no way, surely had confused the voice. Or maybe they were right?
"Arrival" screamed the woman gently turning to that voice, abruptly ending the call.
Boris laid eyes on Moscow and in a tone annoyed, asserted: "No, definitely not her."
"With Alexander everything is possible" Sonja grunted doubtfully, looking gaze of her husband, reflected in his eyes.
"I know," mumbled the platinum thoughtfully.
A heavy silence fell in the room, neither dared uttered word and comment all they had learned in those minutes.
Both were afraid of reliving painful hell, but had no intention of giving up, knowing that if they acted that way, would have lost everything.
Sonja looked away from the computer, and with a lightning shot rushed into the arms of her husband, hiding his head in the crook of his neck, sighing softly as tears came down from his blue eyes.
They held each other for a long time, trying to forget all the pain they had experienced, though they knew the final result would be reached soon.
They feared that time, and were more than certain that, this time, nothing would have been easier.
Wanted to be able to forget everything but nothing could be helpful to them in their minds and that pain cruelly inflicted, unfortunately, still burning in their minds.
"We'll find a way," asserted Boris with a serious tone, trying to remain calm. He could not let those people ruined their lives again and was willing to do anything to achieve his goals.
Sonja gave a faint smile, and softly whispered: "I know, I trust you and this time we will succeed, together."
How she wanted to believe in those words but she, by now, had stopped believing in these fantasies.
She was no longer a strong woman, she had become a fragile and precious crystal.
The small room they were in was decorated with soft pastel colors of pink, but the atmosphere that is breathed into it was not at all relaxed.
They were there, together in a long time, to celebrate the birthday of the little Hope, which turned funny smiles to boys who had cared for since the early age.
Yet among those kids there was no joy or happiness.
Everyone seemed to be dull and lifeless, continuing to exchange full of silent words that filled their minds, sentences that they wanted to be spoken but that no one dared to reveal. Everything had become too complicated.
"Sorry," said those eyes and those fleeting glances, but their lips seemed to be paralyzed, but nevertheless they were there, together, ready to sustain such intimate conversations with those silent and scary.
They just wanted to be able to forget, put an insurmountable barrier between what was and what they were experiencing, but they were also aware that acting in that way it was no use.
Indeed, they hurt theirself.
They need help, but no one dared to ask.
Psychological pain that had started to hurt and that distance smothered their spirits more daring.
Hope, however, was running everywhere pulling with it also Kei (although he tried to escape the weak grip), seemed to be happy, almost as if she had completely forgotten the pain she felt on her skin diaphanous seven months earlier.
"Uncle" suddenly shouted the little Russian leaving her father's hand, hopping to Yuri, who looked at her with a coldly monstrous and apathetic, almost as if he felt any emotion.
"What happens?" asked the young man with an apathetic tone.
Hope smiled tenderly, showing teeth missing, and immediately put her arms forward waving the barbie that had been given.
"Can I give you a small kiss for this doll you gave me?" she asked hopefully, batting her thick black lashes that lit up her eyes.
The young Russian nodded unconsciously a weak smile.
She had forgotten those sweet moments with her granddaughter and those wonderful feelings that she could give him.
Every month, every day, every single moment of his life lived, had asked the meaning of that life in half, he had asked himself whether it was really continue that way, he thought constantly to those who had suffered violence, and yet not He could give a complete answer.
But at that moment, watching his granddaughter watching him admired, he began to understand his mistakes.
He had really struggled that night from hell, he had to fight his demons and had been defeated but did not give up. "because Yuri Ivanov never gives up," he thought.
And he had finally realized his mistakes, now certain and tired of being stupidly fell into that trap misleading.
No, that was not life, Yuri had to return.
Instinctively lifted the girl, making her sit on his lap and wordlessly placed a gentle kiss on the cheek.
Hope looked at her uncle with a look excited and immediately embrace excited, enclosing the narrow all the affection he felt for the boy.
Elèna was watching that scene excited in those difficult months rarely spoke with his brother, but kept hoping that soon she could get some attention from him.
She understood perfectly the relative but she missed those moments with the young man from the cold heart.
"Ivanova" said Kei apathetic, a hint of a friendly smile.
"Hiwatari" replied Elèna gently, then add maliciously "Are you here with Crystal?".
Elèna hated the blonde girl could be called an understatement, she did not feel guilty for that secret affair made of betrayals, and yet she felt that, continue that way and slimy fake, would not allow her to achieve happiness.
The Muscovite raised an eyebrow, smiling mockingly. He noticed the expression pleading that had taken Elèna and he liked to see her in that state confused and in need of affection.
He got what he wanted.
"The problem, my dear Ivanova, is that you're afraid to be happy. So yes, I'm here with her."
The lesser of Ivanov laughed sarcastically, ready to pour out all her anger on Moscow. She had used too many times and Elèna not bear to see him in the company of Crystal.
The girl felt jealous of the apparently happy couple, a happiness that was not meant for her, unfortunately.
"In reality the problem is another: I'm too good for you. For years you've been with so many girls, Queen, Hilary, Mathilda, Crystal, but none of them have had a genuine relationship. The problem is you, Hiwatari not I "she asserted, daring him with a sly look and icy not leaked any emotion.
Between the two seemed to have created an invisible veil load of repressed emotions but both had no intention of losing the tacit challenge.
"Boys," Jason shouted, drawing the attention of everyone present, waving a letter "came this for you."
Hilary looked at the young man with a doubtful expression and immediately took the letter in her hands. Immediately she opened it, noting that inside the envelope was something dear to her: the necklace that she had placed in Takao's coffin.
She winced visibly, her expression was totally distraught and her body was shaken by violent tremors.
"What does it mean?" asked the singer with a voice trembling and scared and then a mechanical symphony began to echo in the room.
All pulled out their phones, petrified by what they had read.
There was no way, he seemed to live again in the macabre thing of the past.
Boris cleared his throat and with a deep tone and worried he read the message, turning a worried look at his wife, who seemed to be in an unconscious state.
"I came back from the dead to kill you.
- Alexander "