I really put everything I got in this... it's kinda short... please read below.

21

Kelly glanced outside the window. The sun was just starting to show. Sabrina still wasn't there and the heavy rain continued. She talked to Jill for a long time. Kris had woken and apparently watched the little incident with Mary.

She wondered if she should now call Bosley again. She really didn't know what to say to him and the previous times she phoned he never answered.

She paused thinking as she heard a sharp knock on the door. She launched herself and opened without hesitation. It was Sabrina.

Her clothes were soaked with rain water and she seemed barely able to stand. Kelly opened her mouth to ask something but the tall girl pushed her aside and headed for the bathroom. For a while the only thing she heard was the running water. Then a small pause. Finally Sabrina exited the room and went to the bedroom.

Kelly stood in front of the closed door lost in thought. She knocked. She got no answer. She pushed the door ajar. She glanced at Sabrina lying face down on the bed in dry clothes.

She knelt next to her and traced a finger over the fresh scrape on her cheekbone.

Sabrina opened her eyes but didn't move. Kelly withdrew her hand.

''Where have you been?'' she asked softly.

Their gaze met and both of them stopped breathing for a while. Then Sabrina zoned out again.

''Hey, Bri what happened?''

She gently patted her shoulder and sighed as she got no response. She left and returned with a small kit.

''I'm gonna roll up your shirt and put some clear bandages.'' she said in a low tone, more for herself.

She slowly did so. Tenderly she started to apply the bandages. It is surprising how the human body is able to heal itself in so little time. What startled her wasn't the damaged but healing skin. And neither was the athletic built body underneath the clothes. It was the fresh scrapes that weren't there before. She remained quiet. When she was finished she rolled down the soft clothing. She sat on the bed and stared at the wall.

''What happened to you?'' she asked.

Sabrina looked her in the eyes and then stared on the same wall. ''Nothing.'' she said after a while.

''Jill called. Kris is awake.''

''Oh.''

''She says that... you had a fight with her mom... She says her Mary thinks you're responsible for all of this.''

''I know.''

''But why didn't you say anything? I mean, if only Kris hadn't gotten mixed with all of-''

''It's her mom Kell. And nobody's gonna change that.''

''I'm sorry?''

''Kris will tell her when she's ready. I can't get in the way.''

''Are you stupid?''

She didn't reply. A shiver run down her spine. Kelly pulled a blanket and covered her.

''Who hurt you Bri?''

''No one.''

''Bri... please... talk to me...

She got up and gazed at the motionless form.

''I'll call Bosley.''

She turned her back and before she realized it a hand had closed around her elbow.

''No. Don't call him.'' Sabrina said firmly.

''Are you sure?''

''Yes.''

''Okay.''

She withdrew her hand. ''Sorry.''

''Well, Merry Christmas.''

''Eh?''

''Yesterday. It was Christmas.

''Oh. Merry Christmas.'' she said tonelessly and sat on the bed.

''Are you sure you're okay? Do you need to see a do-''

''Will you take me see Kris again?'' she said suddenly and looked her with

expectation.

''Uh?''

''I want to see her. Please?''

''Sure... but do you think Mary will allow?''

''I want you to keep her busy while I sneak in.''

''I do not-''

''Please Kelly!''

''Will you tell me what happened?''

''I... I got arrested.''

''Do you want to talk about it?''

''No.''

''Okay.''

She allowed her back to rest on the headboard and Kelly sat closer. None of them looked at the other.

''Can I ask you a question?'' Kelly said quietly.

''Ask.''

She was partly surprised. She waited a nice big ''NO''. ''About anything?''

''Just ask.'' she replied emotionless.

''What do your remember from your childhood?''

''Why do you ask?''

''I don't know. Well?''

''Lots of things.''

''What comes first in mind?''

''A little story.''

''Someone told you?''

''You can put it that way.''

''What story?''

''You don't know it.''

''Then tell me.''

A small smile crossed her tired features. She shrugged.

''Okay.''

Kelly smiled and shifted herself so they were closer.

''Once upon a time there was a little family. In this little family lived Dad, Mom, and a little girl. They were really happy together. Every time Dad got home took the little girl and Mom in his arm and they all laughed together.''

''How was the girl called?''

''I... don't know. Can't remember.''

''Go on.''

''Um... okay. One night Mom got into the little girls room, sat next to her on the bed and smiled. The little girl smiled too, knowing her Mom had something to tell her. So Mom smiled and said ''My daughter, I know you don't like to be on your own. You're going to have a brother!'' At first the little girl didn't like this idea. A small young stranger in the house, he would certainly be the Prince of the family and she was bound to be forgotten. But then the little girl started to feel her baby brother growing day by day inside her Mom. She started to feel happy about the new existence. Until...''

''Until?''

''Until one night something terrible happened. While all the family was sleeping the little girl heard a strange sound and got up to investigate. The Dad heard her open her room door and got out. They both stood silent for a while and then... then the sound was heard again. Dad took his gun, you see, Dad was... a hunter. So, Dad went downstairs and told the little girl to stay there no matter what she heard. But...''

''But?''

''But she didn't. She wanted to see. She was a brave little kid who wanted to know everything. She went halfway to the stairs and listened. Suddenly... Suddenly the light went on and she... she saw a man.''

''You mean her father?''

Her eyes shut tight as if to remember better. ''No, no, another man.''

''And?''

''She saw another man, with a pistol. Aiming her father. She froze. She didn't know what to do. Then... then the man opened fire. The Dad went down. The little girl didn't scream. Didn't move. Didn't even try to move. The man wore black clothes and had a cloth around his lower face. He reminded her of a cowboy movie she once saw. The man slowly climbed the stairs. The Mom hadn't heard anything. Pregnancy, you see, made her nervous at nights and she was never a heavy sleeper, so she just put on a pair of earplugs before she went to sleep. The little girl stood there, watching as the man entered her mother's room. He stood there and watched as he flicked the lights on, raised his gun, cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger. Then the little girl got up from her hiding place. Got up and fell on him yelling. ''Get away from my Mama!''

She hit him with her fists and yelled. It was easy for him to clutch her collar and throw her to the blood drenched wall behind.''

''Jeez! It's getting too horror movie like! What kind of story is this? Who was the nut-case you told you this?''

Sabrina forced a laugh that sounded kind of weird. Kelly shrugged. ''What happened next?''

''Then the Mom woke. She wasn't dead yet. Blood foamed of her mouth as she tried to breath. He raised his gun to kill her but the little girl screamed. So he pointed the gun on her instead. She yelled. ''No! Don't kill my Mommy! And he... ''

''Did he stop?''

''No.''

''What happened?''

''He shot her in the shoulder.''

For those who wonder, no, the story is not over. So, goodnight everybody. Please review.