Chapter 3: When the games end

Manny had begun to loose a grip of self. She felt like she had no one; she had nothing. Emma was there for her but in a very unfeeling sense. She could never really confide in her about the things that truly bothered her. She desired to trust in Emma her deepest darkest secrets. She desired to have a friend in which she could secure her feelings about and incidents with Craig and her family.

It had been months since Craig broke up with her and after his father's death she had wanted so deeply to help him, to be there for him, to strengthen him. But that urge was soon and surly ruined by Ashley who had come to his rescue and been a shoulder for him to cry on; she was what Manny wanted to be.

But it now seemed to Manny as if none of that even mattered anymore. High school for her was starting next week and she was reluctant to begin. She'd of course stay friends with Emma as always, because Emma wasn't ever really mean to her and that after all was mostly her identity- Emma's best friend.

Previously and secretly Manny had been hoping a new unforeseen romance would bud with welcoming this coming year or new friendships would spring up along the road. But all hopes had ceased now and all that was left was what-could-have been or would-have-been if she hadn't done this or she hadn't done that. The false dreams she once wished would come true had vanished leaving her in an odd sense of depression.

Other problems now existing were her continuing and ongoing fights with her parents. They dreamt her up to be this girl who's image she never could live up to. A girl who was prim and proper and didn't make huge scenes, a girl who would without question fulfill the requests and high standards of her parents.

It all was piling up and if something didn't give she would have to.

The phone suddenly rang annoyingly while Manny was it deep thought, "Hello?" Manny waited for the other end to respond.

"Oh, hey Manny its Emma, wanna come over?" There was music playing in the background.

"Uh I can't right now. Umm...." Manny was trying to think of an excuse but maybe she did need to get out of the house, even if it was with suffocating Emma. "Umm... never mind, yeah I can. Be right over."

"See you-." Emma's voice faded as Manny began to hang up the phone before she was done speaking.

***

Manny knocked on the Nelson's door impatiently at 7:30 Saturday evening August 21. She saw through the window Mr. Simpson coming into view. "oh great." she said under her breathe and put on a fake happy smile hoping that it didn't come off the way she was feeling- full of loathe, not just for Mr. Simpson but for everyone and everything. "I'll get Emma." he said turning away after opening the door.

"Thanks." She said but she could tell he was already too far off to hear her. Emma came to the threshold about a minute later and welcomed Manny inside. They played games and watched some TV, Manny wasn't in the mood for much talking. She left house at about 10:00, feeling a little bit better after spending some time away from her family, and made her way home by foot.

The night light was dim and the night air was cold. As Manny walked down Degrassi Street she heard cars beeping, children screaming, and many other noises. When she came to her house she took out her key from her jean pocket and jammed it into the key hole. Something at her house seemed just a little strange. All the lights were off and her Mom was home; Manny guessed she went to sleep. Her mom was even strict about her own bedtime. But it seemed different- quiet. Well Manny didn't really care, all she really wanted to do was rush upstairs and Blast Weezer (!) so loud that it would wake her mom up.

She opened the door and jetted up to her room. Her first suspicions seemed to correct, and something was wrong. She didn't say anything though, she just tiptoed carefully towards her mothers bed room. Her eyes could not believe what she saw: a tall man with a mask and gloves on was hovering over her mother, who's moth was duck taped and hands tied to the bed. It didn't seem as though he was raping her, it seemed as if he would kill her if she wasn't going to tell him something her wanted to know. " Where's the gold?" He yelled just enough to scare her, but not so much that anyone else could hear him, or so he thought.

He temporarily pulled the duck tape off her mouth. "There is no gold here," she began breathlessly, "you must be mistaken."

"Mistaken my ass!" He yelled. "I'm gonna ask you one more time! And you better tell-"

Manny didn't hear the rest she tiptoed downstairs as fast as she could with intent to call the police. She saw the phone cord was cut off. All her emotions rapidly rushed out of her along with the sour taste of tears. How could this be happening to me? She thought. After everything else, too? But she knew she had no time to waste so she grabbed the cell phone out of her purse and called the police.

"Hello, Toronto police," a soft, soothing voice on the other side of the line commenced, "How may I help you?"

Tears dropped on the phone as Manny whispered, "This guy's attacking my mom, I think he's gonna kill her."

"Where are you? Give me an address if possible."

"815 Degrassi Street, Toronto."

"Okay honey, what's your name?"

"Manny."

"Okay, Manny. Stay with me. I need to ask you a few simple questions. Our men will be there as soon as possible, but it might not me in time. So, can you tell me if the man knows your there?"

"No, he doesn't."

"Okay, we must advise you to do something you may not want to do. Go into your kitchen and get the largest knife you can see, do it quietly."

"What? I can't-"

"Manny, your mom needs you."

"Okay."

"Just come from behind and stab in one of his shins. That should stop him. If not, we advise you to stab him in his stomach. He may not survive. Go quickly, leave the phone here, but don't turn it off."

"Okay." Was all she could say. I can't to do this. She thought to herself. But all the hate she had for her mother melted away, leaving her with an instinct to save her. I have to do this. She then tiptoed upstairs as quickly after grabbing a large, sharp meat cutting knife from the kitchen drawer. When she got upstairs the man was slitting one of her mother's wrists. It was very dark and she couldn't see the man, so she stabbed wherever she could, and dropped the knife bawling. She fell to the floor realizing she had just stabbed the man in his heart. Her jaw dropped to the floor, along with a puddle of tears and her heart.