Chapter 3: The Struggle:

Marissa knew that the main reason she was going to the Cohen's wasn't because it was nearby. Deep down she just wanted to see him. Even if he won't talk to her. Just to feel his presence. She missed him more than she could bare. She had told Alison that maybe it wasn't love but she was realising that for her it was.

She was starting to get a bit cold in her strappy dress so she clutched her bag and pushed on to the Cohen's. A minute later she heard the noise of a car coming up behind her. She wasn't thinking anything of it until she realised that the car was slowing down beside her. She turned around and the headlights shone in to her face so she put her hand up to her eyes. The guy in the front seat beside the driver rolled down his window. She noticed that he was holding a map so she walked to the window willing to give directions.

"Hey, you lost?" she asked the guy who looked in about his mid twenties.

"Em, ye, I was wondering could you tell me.." she heard the back door click open and at this second she realised she had made a big mistake " could we have your bag?" She started to turn around to make a run for it only to be grabbed by the shoulder by another guy. She tried to get out of his grip but it was useless. Her heart was banging against her ribcage and she could feel the pumping of blood in her ears. Her body had froze in terror but for some reason she did not want to give up. She must have been around Ryan too long but what she hadn't thought about was that there was a big difference in their strength. She was now surrounded by two guys.

"All we want is your bag" grunted the guy who was still holding her shoulder. He was unshaved, dirty and had a deep husky voice. She could feel the roughness of his hand on her skin and it sent shivers down her spine, yet she did nothing.

"Why should I?" She managed to say. She didn't know why she didn't just give them her bag but she just felt that she had to stand up for herself. She had tried to sound confident but knew that she had failed when the other guy laughed in her face

"All you Newport bitches are the same. You think you rule the place and can get what you want. Always so awkward." He turned his back to her. "Well let me break it to you honey, it doesn't happen like that in the real world." He spun around and was holding a gun. Marissa felt her whole body flinch and her eyes filled with terror. The grip on her shoulder tightened. Thoughts were flying through her head – "calm down, calm down. Don't panic". How could she not panic though! She was being held at gun point. He walked over to her and she felt the coldness of the barrel of the gun resting on her forehead.

"You really wanna know why I want your bag? Do you know how much money that I could make just from your cell phone? The easiest thing you could do is to hand over your bag and walk away." Marissa swallowed hard. She was starting to shake out of fear and beads of sweat were forming on her forehead. Before she even knew what she was saying she replied

"So it takes three of you and a gun just to get my purse". The gunmans face turned from threatening to ferocious. All Marissa heard was a loud crack as the barrel of his gun met the side of her head. She felt it smash in to her head and she collapsed to the side hitting the wall that ran along the sidewalk. Suddenly she felt the roughness of the ground against her face. During this she had let go of her bag and it had landed near her. Just as she was pulling her head up from the ground she saw a hand grab at her bag. Before she knew what was happening she felt a boot com in to contact with her stomach. And again. And again. She could barely breathe and was curled up on the sidewalk. All she would think about was the excruciating pain in her stomach and head. Her whole body felt like it was on fire. She heard a screeching of tyres and the roaring of an engine as her attackers ran away.

All she knew was that she had to somehow get herself to the Cohen's and get help. She peeled herself from the ground and gradually stood up. Everything was swaying and she could feel blood dripping from her head. Her arm was grazed from where she had hit the wall. She could barely stand from the shooting pains in her stomach but suddenly an image of someone appeared in her head. Ryan. She couldn't not see him. She gradually made her way along to the Cohen's which was a few houses away. She felt like she was going to collapse but she focused her mind on good memories that she had. All her times with Ryan. Her body was shaking through shock, terror and pain. Her once perfect hair was now a mess and her dress was dirty. She couldn't believe that she had been complaining to herself about being cold only five minutes before. It seemed like a lifetime ago. What seemed like an eternity later she found herself at the Cohen's gate. All she had to do was make it up the driveway.

Kirsten and Sandy were on the couch in the living room watching the tv. Kirsten was snuggled up against Sandy and there was a bottle of wine and two glasses on the table in front of them. It was a typical Saturday night. Or so they thought. The doorbell rang once but neither of them budged, both too comfortable. It rang again.

"Seth must have forgotten his keys. Again" groaned Kirsten as she struggled up from the couch. The doorbell rang again.

"I'm coming Seth. Calm down!" Kirsten shouted as she walked to the front door. She could never have been prepared for the sight in front of her eyes.

"Marissa!"