"I just don't understand it," Paul said to Vince. Over a week had gone by and although Stephanie was improving very quickly now, remarkably so in fact, and her medication had been reduced there was still no progress with her memory of that Monday night. "It's only that one morning when Shane was in there that anything happened. What was it about that morning? Even when we had him sit in there when she woke up again nothing happened. I don't get it."

Vince pushed his lunch around his plate without eating any of it. The crap that they served in this hospital was getting old fast. "I don't know, but I don't believe that Shane did this. They are my kids and they love each other. I don't doubt that, not for a fucking second. I don't like leaving Steph without anyone in her room either."

Shane, Linda, Marissa and the girls had returned home. Stephanie was now well enough to make and receive calls and the police had returned her phone so they could all easily stay in contact with her. Life had to go on, the girls had school and everyone else had business to deal with so Stephanie had insisted that they leave now that it was clear that she would recover. She hadn't asked Paul to leave for obvious reasons and Vince had refused point blank to do so himself.

"She'll be fine Vince," Paul said. "Hopefully they'll let her home soon. Who knows, maybe getting out of here and back to her familiar surroundings will help her to remember somehow?"

"I hope so. Whoever this was is still out there. I don't believe for a second that this was a random attack, so they may try and get to her again."

"That's not going to happen," Paul assured him. "They'll have to kill me before they can hurt Steph."


"So this is it," Doctor Clarke said with a huge smile.

"Yes, I'm out of here at last," Stephanie smiled back. "Thank you so much for everything."

They shared a brief hug as the doctor said, "Don't thank me, you made this remarkable recovery yourself. It's only been just over four weeks, that's very good for your type of injury. It could easily have been twice that long"

Paul and Vince picked up the bags containing Stephanie's things as she said, "I still get headaches, I have one now."

"That's going to continue for some time, just don't push yourself too hard. You'll need to visit your doctor regularly for tests and they will keep you on the best medication."

"I'm still missing a few days leading up to the attack," Stephanie said sadly.

"There are specialists who can try to help you recover your memory," Clarke advised. "It's all in there somewhere, I really believe that. You remember everything else about your life so I'm sure that your brain isn't damaged, it's just having a hard time finding what you're asking it to search for. You'll get there one day."

Stephanie smiled, "Thank you again. I guess this is goodbye?"

"It is. Goodbye Stephanie."

Paul took his wife's hand and led her down the hallway, through the waiting room and down the stairs. As they walked outside Stephanie took a deep breath. She had been outside a few times during her recovery for a short walk and some fresh air but now she was finally free of this place. "Let's go home," she said happily.

"You've done so well princess," Vince said. "We'll get everyone together at the weekend, if you're well enough."

"That would be nice."

They all got into the car that Vince had waiting and it drove away. Stephanie's stay in the hospital was over.


Okay, so she's home and she still hasn't remembered. Now they're talking about sending her to a memory specialist? Give me a break! How can I get at her to kill her? I can't do it in her house obviously and Paul will be with her all of the time, I just know it. This is torture, how am I supposed to live like this? Knowing that she could remember at any moment and I'll lose everything and go to jail. Just one chance Stephanie, come on, give me one chance!


Another two weeks went by and Stephanie's health improved to the point where she felt well enough to begin visiting a memory specialist. Fortunately there was one with an office that was only a twenty minute car journey away from home. Paul had insisted that he would drive her there himself and then come all the way from the office to pick her up and take her back home when she was done. After a few sessions however, there was still no joy in recalling what had happened that Monday night.

When the attacker's opportunity came it was Stephanie herself who presented it by doing something that she had specifically been told not to do. Paul had driven her to her session with the memory specialist as usual and told her to call him when she was done and he would come right over from the office to collect her. Stephanie knew that Paul was way behind at work and she knew that someone else she trusted was free that day so she made a call.

"Hi Steph, how are you?"

"I'm good thanks, you?"

"Great."

"I was wondering if you could do something for me?"

"Sure, name it?"

"I just finished my session with the memory specialist..."

"Any joy?"

"No, it's so frustrating. I was wondering if you could give me a ride home? I don't want to keep dragging Paul away from work."

"Sure, no problem. Where are you?"

Stephanie provided the address and described how to get there.

"That's not too far away. I'll be there in... fifteen minutes or so I guess."

"Thanks so much. I'll see you soon."

The attacker ended the call.

Oh god! This is it! This is my chance! How can I do it though? The only thing I can think of is to bring her back here and do it outside. No one will be able to see what's happening on our driveway. I can't do it inside the house, obviously. I'll go with the original plan that I fucked up last time, knock her out and then strangle her. This is going to mean that after I've killed her I'll have to wrap her in a blanket or something and take her somewhere in the trunk of my car and dump her. It's not a great plan but if I make sure I don't get any of her blood or hair in the car I could get away with it, right? I'll clean the trunk a bunch of times when I get back to make sure there's no trace of her. I'll need to take her phone too and get rid of it. They'll see my number in it if they find it. Even if they did I guess there's nothing strange about her calling my number. Okay, let's do this. It's a poor plan but so was the first one and I got away with that. I might be in the clear after today! Thank God!


Stephanie sat in the waiting area without realising the danger that she had just put herself in. I can't rely on Paul for everything, she thought, the poor guy is spending his whole life running around after me. It's not fair. She killed time by reading a magazine which wasn't interesting in the least and eventually her phone rang. "Hi," she answered pleasantly.

"Hi Steph, I'm in the parking lot."

Stephanie's memory finally triggered. She had heard that exact sentence before from the same person. Her mouth dropped open in shock and her eyes instantly filled with tears. Telling herself to try to sound normal she said, "I've uh... got to wait for some forms to sign. I'll be out as soon as I can, sorry."

"No problem, I'll be waiting."

Stephanie's head spun and her heart began to pound as the horror of her realisation took hold of her. Her hands shook as she made another call. "Hi honey," Paul answered. "Are you done?"

Her voice broke as she revealed, "Paul, I know who attacked me and I need you to get here fast."