"Magenta? Is that you?" A familiar voice from behind her called.

She spun around and saw Laura, her best friend from school, standing behind her.

"Laura!" Magenta cried.

Laura ran forwards and hugged her tight. When Magenta gasped, she let go and looked at her.

"Oh Magenta. What happened? Who did this to you?" She demanded.

"Laura, it was horrible. He got so angry…and he…and he…" Magenta sobbed.

"Who? Magenta what sick bastard did this to you?" Laura asked.

"Riff Raff." Magenta replied quietly.

Laura stood stunned at the answer. She was not expecting that. She was one of the few that knew about their relationship and always thought they were happy.

Laura's arms wrapped around her friend's shoulders, not too tight, but tight enough for Magenta to feel safe and loved.

"Come on, you can stay with me. I have a spare room you can have." Laura whispered into her friend's ear.

"Thank you. I'm not going back to him Laura, not if he's going to keep treating me like this." Magenta wept.

"Sh. No of course not honey. You've made the right decision. Now come on, come with me and get cleaned up and something to eat." Laura told her.

She took the bag from Magenta and put it on and then supported her down the street. Magenta didn't realise how tired and weak she was until she tried to walk again. She leant against Laura and let her lead her to her home.

Laura sat Magenta in a chair in the kitchen and went to run a hot bath for her.

"Thank you again. I swear, as soon as I get a better job, I'll give you the money for looking after me and I'll find myself a flat somewhere." Magenta said.

"Don't be stupid. You're going to stay here with me. This is your home now and don't you dare offend me with money again." Laura laughed.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden." Magenta sighed.

"You won't be. Stop being silly and go and have that bath. Help yourself to soap and things. Towels are in the airing cupboard in the bathroom. I'll heat up some of this bolognese." Laura smiled.

"Ok. Thanks. You're a great friend." Magenta nodded.

She slipped into the bathroom and felt the warmth swallow her up. The scent of lavender filled her and she felt at ease here, at home. Slipping out of her blood soaked clothes, she stepped into the warm water. She gently bathed herself and watched the water turn pink as she scrubbed off the dried blood.

When she was done, she took out a huge, white, fluffy towel and wrapped herself into it. By that time the smell of the bolognese had drifted into the bathroom and her stomach growled hungrily.

Quickly, she dried off and looked around for some clean clothes, she realised she hadn't brought any in with her. As if by magic, a hand appeared from behind the door holding some clean pyjamas.

"Thought you might need these." Laura giggled.

"How did you do that? Thanks, I'll be out in a second." Magenta laughed back.

"Ok. Bolognese is on the table for you." Laura called.

The door closed and Magenta turned to look in the mirror. Now she'd had a wash, she didn't look so bad. Bruises still covered her from head to toe but the blood had gone and she looked a little better.

Placing the pyjamas carefully on, she thought of what Riff Raff might be doing now. Would he be angry with her for running away? Or would he be distraught at what he'd done to her?

She shook all thoughts of him out of her head.

"I have to get over him." She told herself.

Wandering back into the kitchen, she found Laura placing a hot cup of cocoa next to the bowl of delicious looking spaghetti bolognese.

"Here you go. I hope you like it. It's my own recipe." Laura smiled.

Magenta sat down and placed a forkful in her mouth.

"It's delicious." She nodded.

Laura smiled shyly and watched her eat hungrily.