Carla laughed, she couldn't stop herself. A sarcastic, almost bitter laugh. A thousand thoughts whirled around her mind. If Frank was dead, it made Michelle a murderer, and Carla was the only person to blame. And yet if Frank wasn't dead, it made her an attempted murderer, and left her in just as dangerous a place. If he lived, he'd almost definitely tell the police, and Michelle's life would be a living hell. She'd never survive more than a day in prison, she'd crumble and break.

She was far too precious for such a dirty place. She had potential, she had heart and life. She had a beautiful grin and a knack for making Carla laugh when she didn't even want to smile.

"Michelle are you sure he's-"

"He's dead Carla, no doubt about it"

Michelle stands up, keeping her eyes away from Carla's gaze. She wonders slowly into the en suite, and runs the cold tap, letting the water wash over her hands. Michelle leans her weight against the sink, splashing water over her face, hoping it will wash away more than just her exhaustion.

As she closes off the tap, Michelle twists her body so her back leans against the edge of the sink. For a few brief moments she lets herself process the events of today. She thinks back to how she stood silently behind Frank. She can hear the way his head cracks and his body slumps against the desk as the force of the murder weapon bangs against him.

Something eats away from inside her but Michelle can't decide whether it is guilt or not. She doesn't think it is, because she knows she would do it all again if it meant Carla would be safe. She thinks to herself maybe it is guilt for not feeling guilty and to her this makes sense. She doesn't feel the guilt that one should for taking someone's life. She isn't even sure if she regrets it.

Carla startles Michelle from her thoughts as she enters the bathroom with tears brimming in her eyes.

"This is all my fault 'Chelle" She whispers, still not letting her tears fall.

Michelle doesn't answer but she steps forward slightly and takes Carla's hand in hers. It says more than words ever could because it shows they stand united. Their fingers intertwined show the world that they are a force to be reckoned with. You cannot hurt one and expect the other to simply watch as they fall apart.

"What's going to happen to me Car?" Michelle still grips Carla's hand tightly as they stand in front of each other.

"Nothing, you're going to be fine Michelle"

"Carla I killed a man, how can you even think it'll be fine?"

"Because you're my best friend and there is no way I'm letting you go to prison. Frank's not going to have that hold over us"

Carla uses her hand to wipe the tears that linger across Michelle's cheek and offers her a little smile. As she watches the woman in front of her, she cannot allow herself to think of the crime she had committed. Carla had grown up with Michelle, they had been best friends since the first day of primary school when Michelle had strutted up to Carla, flicked her hair behind her ear and began to ramble on about things Carla could still to this day remember

"This place is so stupid isn't it? I don't see why we have to go to school but my mum says we have to. My big brothers Paul and Liam come here too so mummy says it's only fair that I do. I told her that they're boys, and they're stupid so they have to go to school but she won't listen. I don't like it here. All the children look really boring, 'cept you though. You look nice. What's your name? I'm Michelle by the way, but you can call me 'Chelle"

They'd stuck together ever since, the odd ones out but they didn't care. They had each other and everyone else seemed somewhat irrelevant.

"So what happens now?"

Carla brings her hands up to cup both Michelle's face, using the pad of thumb to softly stroke her cheek.

"What happens now, is you go and pack a bag. There's a few things I have to do, sort out flights and things so just hang tight and don't go anywhere do you understand?"

"What? Car-"

"Don't ask questions 'Chelle just do as you're told, I'll be back as soon as I can okay?" She places a gentle kiss to her cheek and gives her hand a last squeeze before turning to leave the flat.

"Oh and Michelle? While I'm gone, stick me passport back together would you love?