The stranger sat nervously on the couch, watching silently with her stunning blue eyes as Kirsten walked in holding a brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a bag of cotton balls. She shifted her attention from Kirsten to Seth, who sat down on the couch adjacent to her and nodded a friendly to her.
This is going to sting a little, Kirsten warned her as she dabbed a cotton ball with the clear liquid. She began to gently clean the gash on the girl's forehead as she looked around with her eyes.
What happened? Sandy asked from the couch next to the girl. She glanced at him with her sad, silent blue eyes, but didn't reply. Sandy sighed and glanced at Kirsten for a second.
Did some one attack you? he pressed. Did you get into a fight?
Kirsten said in a warning tone. That's enough. She obviously doesn't want to talk right now.
Sandy nodded in respect and agreement and silently watched the silent girl.
Where are you from? Seth asked. Kirsten gave him a warning glance.
the girl responded, staring distantly at the floor as Kirsten continued to apply the hydrogen peroxide to her wound. She flinched, but barely, and let Kirsten finish cleaning the wound.
How old are you? Sandy questioned, suddenly unable to help himself. You look like you're... fourteen? Fifteen?
Kirsten shouted, turning to face him. The girl flinched again, this time from Kirsten's voice.
I'm... I'm sixteen, she stammered, startled by Kirsten's outburst. A silence passed between them, no one really sure what to ask next or even if another question should be asked.
Kirsten silently worked on cleaning the gash in the girl's forehead.
Do you like comic books? Seth asked, breaking the silence. Kirsten said nothing at this question, relieved the silence had been broken. I have comic books if you want to read some?
The girl shrugged slightly, never giving him a direct answer.
You say you're sixteen? Sandy questioned, though it was more rhetorical than anything. From Chino? Where's your mother?
A small tear threatened to spill from the corner of the girl's eye, but she forced it back in as she looked directly at Sandy.
She's dead.
Kirsten paused. Sandy shifted uncomfortably in his seat and cleared his throat.
Your father?
The girl let out a shudder and shrank back a little in response. Sandy cleared his throat again, now very uncomfortable. He didn't know what to say next, and his attention was caught when the front door opened.
Saved by the bell, he muttered to himself, relieved. Everyone turned to see Ryan slowly making his way through to the living room. The girl stood abruptly and raced for him.
she cried softly, throwing herself at him and wrapping her arms around his body. Ryan stared at her, his expression forming into complete confusion before he wrapped his arms around the girl.
he whispered.
