Alaney sat curled up on the sofa. She was hugging Sara and Sara was
equally hugging her back. They had been sitting in that position for the
last half an hour. Michelle was sat next to them on the remainder of the
sofa and Janey had chosen to sit on the floor next to the radiator. They
were all drinking camomile tea, except Sara who was drinking wine.
"They're quite sweet you know" Alaney commented.
"Who?" Sara asked
"Your parents" Alaney replied.
"Libby and Boby? Sweet?" Michelle responded.
"You only think that because they were on their best behaviour when you
were there. You wait till they start fighting - then you'll think
differently" Sara told Alaney.
"I'm not gullible or blinded by his love anymore. I know he's a monster
and I know they were only acting happy around me. I know she plays him"
Alaney told them.
"What do you mean plays him?" Janey asked.
"You know. She tries to sweeten him up to avoid trouble breaking out. She
tries to stay neutral. I know all that!. What I'm talking about though is
real. I mean the stuff they didn't know I was watching or the times when
I could tell they weren't acting!" Alaney told them.
"What do you mean exactly?" Janey asked curious.
"They have such a connection! They've been together most of their lives
and even if Libby doesn't love Boby or even like him she's got a special
bond with him. It's like their best friends, except she doesn't actually
like him she just tolerates him. They have that kind of connection. You
know the one where they know each other so well! The type of connection a
lot of married couples have after a while - even if they aren't in love
they have a special bond. Basically, what I'm saying is - I can't see
them ever being apart. I mean Libby has spent all her adult life with
that man. What would she do without him? Their a team" Alaney explained.
"Cute" Sara remarked unimpressed.
"It doesn't defeat the point he's a monster or that he's too dangerous
for her to live with" Sara insisted.
"Exactly" Michelle backed Sara up.
"Sorry" Alaney reacted offended.
"You don't know him like we do, Alaney" Michelle remarked.
"How would you know him better?" Alaney asked Michelle annoyed.
"Because he hasn't chose to ignore me my entire life - unlike you"
Michelle replied with a snipe.
Michelle stormed off into Alaney's room, where Michelle and Janey were
staying.
"What's up with her?" Alaney asked.
Alaney sighed and huffed in frustration.
"We used to be so close. We're meant to be best friends. But lately we've
felt so distant" Alaney remarked.
"She has issues. Don't worry about it. I'll go check on her" Sara
responded stressed herself.
Before entering Alaney's room, Sara turned and looked at Alaney.
"Look, Alaney. Believe me when you witness them fight. Well, I know
you've witnessed them fight - but that was outdoors and their not as bad
outdoors and also you weren't as close to them back then. When you
witness them fight and you're so close to them - you wouldn't find them
cute at all!" Sara explained.
Sara entered Alaney's room and came over to Michelle on Alaney's double
bed.
"What's up?" Sara asked actually uninterested.
The way Sara asked the question suggested she didn't really care and was
secretly annoyed with Michelle, but asking for necessity.
Michelle gave her a 'you know what's up' look.
"I told Alaney I was coming to comfort you but I think you know what I'm
really here for" Sara commented.
Michelle suddenly looked down embarrassed.
"What makes you think it was me?" Michelle asked.
"Was it?" Sara asked trying to keep her temper.
"She was saying and thinking such horrible things about you and you both
need each other and all she needed to know the truth" Michelle whined
bursting into tears.
Sara went ballistic.
"Michelle!?! You idiot!?!?!" Sara shouted.
Michelle had never seen Sara so angry. She's disobeyed or annoyed Sara
before concerning Alaney but Sara had never looked so furious.
"But look it's all worked out! Your both happy now!" Michelle pleaded.
"Worked out!", Sara screamed, "The only thing is working out from this is
my father's working out a plan of how to assassinate her! - maybe even
you and me! Do you think I will be happy when she's dead?!?!".
"He wouldn't! He's dropped that! He gave her a kidney for goodness sake,
that's hardly the actions of someone trying to kill her!" Michelle sobbed
defensively.
"Let me spell it out to you! - as you seem so dumb that you don't realise
the situation!" Sara screamed at her furious.
Michelle was really taken aback and scared by Sara's temper. Michelle
ironically observed how much Sara was beginning to act like her father at
this precise moment.
"My dad seems to be under the impression that killing Alaney will stop
his little secret coming out. He's completely wrong but he's convinced!
He's convinced that if she found out then she'd tell the police - and you
know what? He's right about that! So let me give you a little timeline.
You already know all this but you seem to need reminding and summing up.
First, she existed! - and by some miracle he let her live for 18 years.
Then Alaney turned up on my doorstep and when that happened it really was
a miracle he didn't kill her. Then my dad finds out I was writing songs
of love about missing her and by some miracle, again, he didn't kill her!
Then I announce she's living with me and I'm not giving her back. He got
violent but no one ended up dead. Mainly thanks to blackmail! Then my
work colleagues find out he's violent. Then the hospital demands her
parentage - I had to tell the hospital she was my daughter and he knows
that. He knows I told the hospital! Then to make matters worse they then
need his kidney. The only reason he didn't let her die then is because my
mother and me blackmailed him! Then people find out she's my sister. So
now they know we're family. The net is closing tighter and tighter in and
he still hasn't killed her" Sara shouted furiously.
"What does that tell you? - He's bluffing!" Michelle responded.
"Shut up! I haven't finished speaking you silly idiot! It's all adding up
if she doesn't guess they will!" Sara bit back.
"Sara, don't get like this with me. I just want to help!" Michelle
sobbed.
"Then! She finds out I'm her sister. Then! She finds out I'm her mother.
Then! She finds out I was raped. Do you understand how tight the net is
right now? It's strangling him so much he's going to snap for certain!"
Sara screamed at her.
Sara grabbed Michelle and began shaking her.
"Don't you see! He's going to kill her! He can't let this continue! It's
going to click soon who her father is! It's a miracle she hasn't guessed!
He's not going to take any chances - he'll just kill her when it gets too
much! This is all too much! She's only one step away from finding the
truth thanks to you!" Sara shouted.
Sara suddenly let go, burst into tears and sat on the bed.
"We were just hanging onto her life by a thread and now it's snapped that
thread. It's over! He's going to try to kill her!" Sara sobbed.
"But what about all that stuff you said to her at the club? - about your
future together?" Michelle asked.
"Well, I'm not going to let him kill her!" Sara replied astounded
Michelle could think that.
"What if you can't stop him?" Michelle asked.
"Of course, I can stop him. I have a gun and he doesn't" Sara replied
logically.
"But what if he calls your bluff? I mean he must know your never shoot"
Michelle replied.
"Who said anything about a bluff?" Sara asked too calmly.
Michelle got up in astonishment.
"Your not serious!" Michelle asked terrified.
Sara didn't answer. She just looked away.
"What about your job?" Michelle asked.
"I'd choose Alaney over my job any day!" Sara replied.
"She'll never see you if your in jail or on death row!" Michelle shouted
in response.
"I don't care as long as she's alive. Whatever it takes to keep her
alive" Sara told her.
Michelle sat down on the bed hands on her face stressed.
"I didn't say definitely. Of course, I'd try every other way. I'd try to
restrain him. I'd try to scare him. But if the worst comes to the worst
of course I'm going to go all the way. I have to for Alaney's sake,
Michelle!" Sara pleaded with Michelle.
"I don't know you anymore! The Sara I know would never talk like this!
What happened to violence doesn't solve anything?" Michelle asked.
"What other choice do I have?" Sara asked annoyed.
"Go to the police!" Michelle shouted.
"I can't risk her doing something stupid when she finds out! She might
hurt herself and I might not get to her in time to stop her!" Sara
explained.
"But he's your father!" Michelle exclaimed.
"Hardly" Sara remarked.
"Oh come on Sara! I know what lurks behind all that pretence! You can't
help it but you love him! I can't imagine you killing him! I refuse to
believe it!" Michelle replied.
"If I have to choose I love Alaney more!. And she's the one who deserves
to live not him!" Sara reasoned.
Sara was about to storm out the room but Michelle jumped in front of her
way.
"I am not letting you out of this room. You're scaring me!" Michelle
declared.
Michelle stood in front of the door.
"Sit down and think about this carefully" Michelle begged.
"What are you saying? I should let him kill her?" Sara asked.
"No! I'm saying there's got to be another way!" Michelle insisted.
"I know and I hope there is" Sara replied
"There is!" Michelle insisted panicked.
"Then everything will be fine!" Sara insisted.
"Once you've decided you could kill someone it doesn't stop there. You
don't know what your capable of anymore. What you say and actually do may
be different from each other" Michelle explained.
Sara gave Michelle an angry look and stormed out.
Michelle stayed in Alaney's room for the rest of the night. Sara couldn't
relax for the rest of the evening and the happy mood had been spoilt.
Alaney and Janey had heard the shouting but not the precise details. When
Alaney asked Sara what had happened Sara snubbed her off about it. Alaney
and Janey were actually relieved when Sara announced she was going to bed
fifteen minutes later. Though Alaney loved Sara dearly and was desperate
to spend time with her - she didn't want to spend time with Sara in this
mood. Alaney and Janey sat playing a board game for an hour before
finally retiring to bed themselves.
Everyone had agreed earlier that Janey & Michelle would share Alaney's
bed and Sara & Alaney would share Sara's bed.
So Alaney crept into Sara's room trying to not wake Sara. But Sara was
already awake. She hadn't been able to sleep and Alaney found her crying.
Alaney came over, got into bed and hugged her mom into her.
"Sshh. Sshh. I'm here for you. What's wrong?" Alaney said.
Sara turned over and smiled tearfully at Alaney.
"Nothing. I just need you to sleep in my arms tonight, o.k.? That's all I
need. I just need to hold you" Sara sobbed.
Alaney turned over onto her side and Sara held her.
"Everything's going to be alright, darling. I promise. I'm going to sort
everything. Nothing may even happen tomorrow. Nothing. But if it does
I'll sort it" Sara sobbed.
When Alaney realised what she thought Sara was crying about Alaney was
worried. How bad could it be? Why was Sara so calm about it at the club?
Had she had time to think? Had Michelle said something?
Sara took her arms away briefly and got some pills out her bedside
drawer. She got a glass of water and took two. Then, agitated, she forced
two into Alaney's mouth and gave her the glass of water.
"Take these. They're sleeping pills. We'll sleep like lambs" Sara
insisted.
"But" Alaney quibbled.
"Take them" Sara demanded.
Alaney knew she'd never sleep without them. So she took them.
Within half an hour the pills had knocked them out.
They did sleep like lambs in each other's arms.
Boby spent most of that night pacing his room waiting for Alaney to
return. Deep down he knew Alaney was at Sara's. He knew he'd lost Alaney
and he knew Alaney knew too much. He couldn't sleep worrying about what
to do.
Within twenty-four hours, one of the trio would be presumed dead. Police
sniffer dogs would be searching for their body throughout the woods.
Police on suspicion of murder would take in the remaining one. The final
one would be lying in hospital on a life support machine hanging between
life and death.
Twelve minutes past twelve that afternoon, Sara and Alaney had arrived at
the Sidle's Las Vegas rented home. Before walking in Sara took a deep
breath. She was hoping this would be as easy as possible. Sara and Alaney
had devised an excuse as to why Alaney was leaving that would not involve
Boby knowing that Alaney knew Sara was raped. However, that plan failed
immediately.
"How did I know you'd be with her? You could have called! We were worried
sick" Boby shouted at Alaney.
"Actually, I wasn't! I was quite relieved your back with your momma,
angel" Libby commented.
"Shut up!" Boby shouted to Libby.
"Real nice dad, real nice!" Sara commented.
"How did you know I was at Sara's? I hate her!" Alaney asked.
"Not anymore apparently! Oh I heard all about your little heart to heart
last night" Boby commented annoyed.
"How did you find out?" Sara asked
"Libby was there. She heard it all" Boby informed them.
"And you came running back and told him everything, like a good little
girl scout, didn't you!" Sara commented annoyed.
"I didn't realise it was a secret!" Libby defended herself.
"Why would you care anyway?" Alaney asked Boby.
"Because now you going to go running back to snow white over there. You
just used us, Alaney! Used us till a better offer came along!" Boby
shouted.
"Rubbish that's not why you're pissed off!" Sara remarked.
"Well, you knew the deal when you asked me" Alaney shouted back at Boby.
Alaney stormed off to her room and started packing.
Boby had a change of heart and followed her.
"Laney, don't do this. She'll just break your heart again. She can't love
you after what happened she just can't" Boby pleaded.
"And what you can? You don't know what love is!" Alaney shouted back at
him.
Boby came over and tried to get Alaney to stop packing.
"Please. Libby and I can offer you a family. What can she offer you?"
Boby reasoned.
"She's my biological mother!" Alaney replied.
"We're your biological grandparents" Boby suggested.
"You lied to me" Alaney admitted.
"What? When did I lie to you?" Boby asked.
"You said you tried to persuade her to keep me. You did the complete
opposite!" Alaney shouted.
Boby paused.
"She couldn't of kept you after what happened" Boby pretended to be
solemn.
"Oh yeah and you care! What about all those women you did exactly the
same to? Do you really think I've forgotten what you are" Alaney shouted.
"It didn't seem to bother you before yesterday afternoon!" Boby accused.
"You make me sick!" Alaney bellowed in his face.
She had packed her one suitcase and dragged it off. Boby followed her.
"Wait!" Boby pleaded.
Alaney and Sara waited. They wanted to see what he was going to say.
"Just stay for some lunch. We've made sandwiches and have camomile tea.
Don't go under a cloud like this" Boby suggested.
Sara and Alaney looked at each other. They did prefer to leave civilly.
"O.k." the pair agreed.
The four of them sat to lunch. They mainly sat in silence. They attempted
some awkward conversations, mainly initiated by Boby or Libby, but this
mainly failed.
About half an hour into the conversation, Boby decided to make it even
more awkward.
"Why her and not me?" Boby asked Alaney.
"I've already told you why. I would have thought it was obvious to you
anyway! You're a monster. How can anyone love a cold hearted monster?"
Alaney replied so calm, mature and logical.
Boby looked so put out. He cleared up the plates and cups and stormed
off.
"I'll wash up" Boby told them annoyed.
"I'll help" Libby offered flustered.
When Libby got over to Boby he was washing up rather aggressively. In
fact the plates were hardly getting washed up at all. He only half washed
some and ended up throwing most of the others across the kitchen. Sara
and Alaney could hear the smash and jumped with a start. Sara went to
check everything was o.k.
"It's fine" Libby reassured her.
Sara went back to the table.
"What's going on?" Alaney asked her.
"They're just verbally squalling, at most! Don't worry. It's rather
refreshing!" Sara replied cheerfully.
"I'm not worried. They'd never fight when I'm here! I'm a stranger,
remember! They've got to act pleasant around me - I'm not one of you lot"
Alaney remarked upset.
"Trust me - it's better to be in your position" Sara remarked.
Libby had taken the washing up cloth and handed Boby a towel. She took
the half washed washing up and began washing it.
"I'm not going to let her take her from me. We've only just got her! Boby
insisted.
"It's going to be alright" Libby lied.
"I don't care if it's alright - I want her!" Boby exclaimed frustrated.
"For what?" Libby enquired quite worried.
"For a daughter" Boby replied like it was obvious.
"You have a daughter!" Libby reminded him.
"She hates me!" Boby replied.
"So does Alaney" Libby reminded her.
Boby sighed frustrated.
Libby left it for a few moments before saying anything else.
"I think you should let them go and live happily together" Libby
suggested.
"Well, I don't really care what you think!" Boby shouted intolerantly.
"Listen, Sara will be happy because she has her daughter. Alaney will be
satisfied having her biological mother. She is absolutely appalled with
her father so won't look him up. Janey told me Alaney doesn't want to
know who he is anymore. Alaney won't look for her father and Sara will
not get at you anymore because she'll finally be happy. You gave her that
happiness so she'll stop bitching at you! If you're lucky Sara and Alaney
may even come visit and your have both your daughters and granddaughter.
Everyone's happy!" Libby suggested.
Out of the blue, Boby slapped her across the face so hard she fell to the
floor. She was sobbing. He then grabbed her by the wrists and pulled her
up to his face.
"Shut the f**k up! What kind of fairytale world are you living in? Sara
will never stop hating me! She won't ever let me see Alaney! But more
importantly everything in the revelation department will not be all right
you, silly cow because this is nosey interfering Alaney we're talking
about" Boby shouted in her face.
He dropped her back on the floor and turned away. He carried on talking
as if to himself.
"Yeah now she doesn't want to find her father now, but she'll get bored
of that soon! She'll want to know who he is, if only to know what he
looks like so she can see herself in him! On top of that you cannot
assume the truth will not come out some way or another. I've had enough
of that annoying kid's presence!" Boby continued.
"What do you mean?" Libby asked.
Boby didn't answer.
"You don't even know this girl! You don't know what she'll do" Libby
suggested sobbing.
He grabbed her and shook her again.
"Aren't you listening to me?!? I know her well enough to know what she'll
do!" Boby shouted in her face again
He threw her on the floor again.
"I've watched her while she's playing, while she's talking to people,
while she's arguing with people. I've watched in the bushes and through
windows when she's not looking. I've taped her, followed her and recorded
her. Do you seriously think I would just forget the fact she exists!"
Boby admitted with no shame.
"You've stalked her! You really are a psycho!" Libby shouted in a moment
of bravery.
He exploded.
He started punching her. He punched her twice in the stomach, once across
the right side of the face and then the left side as her face turn. Then
he grabbed her and shouted in her face again,
"If she finds out it's over! She'll tell the world! I know her!" Boby
shouted at her.
He dropped her again and started pacing the room,
"Knowing her and her thirst for justice. She'll probably try to
investigate it in a hope that she can expose the rapist! Because she's
annoying like that!" Boby told himself.
"Your acting like you hate her! You love her remember! You guys were all
lovey dovey yesterday!" Libby pleaded scared of what he would do.
He turned and looked straight at Libby.
"It's all your fault she's going! This was my chance for a new daughter!
But you had to make her feel so uncomfortable, didn't you? We could have
watched her and made sure she didn't find out if she'd been there! You've
ruined everything!" Boby started shouting at her.
He slapped her, then he punched her in the stomach again and then he
grabbed her head and threw her towards the kitchen cupboard. She screamed
as she went hurtling towards the cupboard and hit her head. By some
miracle she wasn't knocked out. She just felt dizzy.
Sara and Alaney had been sitting in the next room and were unsure about
whether the argument had become violent. Suddenly they heard Libby's
scream as she hurtled toward the cupboard.
"Congratulations! Your no longer a stranger!" Sara remarked.
Alaney wasn't as happy about this moment anymore.
Sara and Alaney ran in to witness Libby walk away from the cupboard
dizzily.
Boby did not see the girls behind him. He grabbed Libby's top with one
hand and punched her round the face with the other.
Alaney gave a blood-curdling scream.
All the others turned round and stared at her. They were surprised by her
odd and dramatic reaction.
It didn't take long for them to go back to business though. Boby threw
Libby down onto the floor and started kicking her stomach.
"Stop that!" Sara shouted annoyed.
Sara ran over and tried to get him off her.
Alaney stood there petrified. She wanted to help Libby but she was just
too scared to move. Her feet seemed glued to the spot even though she
tried to move her knees forward.
Sara couldn't get him off. He was so set on attacking Libby. He
eventually hit out at Sara and sent her flying backwards, so he could
carry on attacking Libby. Sara got up, got out her gun and held it to his
head.
"I said stop!" Sara demanded calm but stern.
He smirked and put his hands up like it was a joke.
"I don't like you with that gun. You've become too gun happy! Boby
remarked jokily.
Sara put the gun away. Boby got up and ran off.
"Oigh! We haven't finished!" Sara shouted after him.
Sara went running after him.
"Sara wait! What about Libby?" Alaney run after her.
"She'll be fine. But anyway - Your going to look after her" Sara told
Alaney, as Sara put a hand on Alaney's shoulder.
"Thanks" Sara added without giving Alaney time to answer.
Sara ran out the house and ran after Boby. She saw Boby slip into a hut
like building quite nearby. She assumed her parents must occupy it too
because there was nothing and no one else living there for miles. She
followed him inside.
At first, she couldn't see him. It was a small hut so she couldn't work
out where he could be.
She was about to turn round and look behind when, before she knew it, she
felt a sharp pain on the back of her head.
Everything went black.
equally hugging her back. They had been sitting in that position for the
last half an hour. Michelle was sat next to them on the remainder of the
sofa and Janey had chosen to sit on the floor next to the radiator. They
were all drinking camomile tea, except Sara who was drinking wine.
"They're quite sweet you know" Alaney commented.
"Who?" Sara asked
"Your parents" Alaney replied.
"Libby and Boby? Sweet?" Michelle responded.
"You only think that because they were on their best behaviour when you
were there. You wait till they start fighting - then you'll think
differently" Sara told Alaney.
"I'm not gullible or blinded by his love anymore. I know he's a monster
and I know they were only acting happy around me. I know she plays him"
Alaney told them.
"What do you mean plays him?" Janey asked.
"You know. She tries to sweeten him up to avoid trouble breaking out. She
tries to stay neutral. I know all that!. What I'm talking about though is
real. I mean the stuff they didn't know I was watching or the times when
I could tell they weren't acting!" Alaney told them.
"What do you mean exactly?" Janey asked curious.
"They have such a connection! They've been together most of their lives
and even if Libby doesn't love Boby or even like him she's got a special
bond with him. It's like their best friends, except she doesn't actually
like him she just tolerates him. They have that kind of connection. You
know the one where they know each other so well! The type of connection a
lot of married couples have after a while - even if they aren't in love
they have a special bond. Basically, what I'm saying is - I can't see
them ever being apart. I mean Libby has spent all her adult life with
that man. What would she do without him? Their a team" Alaney explained.
"Cute" Sara remarked unimpressed.
"It doesn't defeat the point he's a monster or that he's too dangerous
for her to live with" Sara insisted.
"Exactly" Michelle backed Sara up.
"Sorry" Alaney reacted offended.
"You don't know him like we do, Alaney" Michelle remarked.
"How would you know him better?" Alaney asked Michelle annoyed.
"Because he hasn't chose to ignore me my entire life - unlike you"
Michelle replied with a snipe.
Michelle stormed off into Alaney's room, where Michelle and Janey were
staying.
"What's up with her?" Alaney asked.
Alaney sighed and huffed in frustration.
"We used to be so close. We're meant to be best friends. But lately we've
felt so distant" Alaney remarked.
"She has issues. Don't worry about it. I'll go check on her" Sara
responded stressed herself.
Before entering Alaney's room, Sara turned and looked at Alaney.
"Look, Alaney. Believe me when you witness them fight. Well, I know
you've witnessed them fight - but that was outdoors and their not as bad
outdoors and also you weren't as close to them back then. When you
witness them fight and you're so close to them - you wouldn't find them
cute at all!" Sara explained.
Sara entered Alaney's room and came over to Michelle on Alaney's double
bed.
"What's up?" Sara asked actually uninterested.
The way Sara asked the question suggested she didn't really care and was
secretly annoyed with Michelle, but asking for necessity.
Michelle gave her a 'you know what's up' look.
"I told Alaney I was coming to comfort you but I think you know what I'm
really here for" Sara commented.
Michelle suddenly looked down embarrassed.
"What makes you think it was me?" Michelle asked.
"Was it?" Sara asked trying to keep her temper.
"She was saying and thinking such horrible things about you and you both
need each other and all she needed to know the truth" Michelle whined
bursting into tears.
Sara went ballistic.
"Michelle!?! You idiot!?!?!" Sara shouted.
Michelle had never seen Sara so angry. She's disobeyed or annoyed Sara
before concerning Alaney but Sara had never looked so furious.
"But look it's all worked out! Your both happy now!" Michelle pleaded.
"Worked out!", Sara screamed, "The only thing is working out from this is
my father's working out a plan of how to assassinate her! - maybe even
you and me! Do you think I will be happy when she's dead?!?!".
"He wouldn't! He's dropped that! He gave her a kidney for goodness sake,
that's hardly the actions of someone trying to kill her!" Michelle sobbed
defensively.
"Let me spell it out to you! - as you seem so dumb that you don't realise
the situation!" Sara screamed at her furious.
Michelle was really taken aback and scared by Sara's temper. Michelle
ironically observed how much Sara was beginning to act like her father at
this precise moment.
"My dad seems to be under the impression that killing Alaney will stop
his little secret coming out. He's completely wrong but he's convinced!
He's convinced that if she found out then she'd tell the police - and you
know what? He's right about that! So let me give you a little timeline.
You already know all this but you seem to need reminding and summing up.
First, she existed! - and by some miracle he let her live for 18 years.
Then Alaney turned up on my doorstep and when that happened it really was
a miracle he didn't kill her. Then my dad finds out I was writing songs
of love about missing her and by some miracle, again, he didn't kill her!
Then I announce she's living with me and I'm not giving her back. He got
violent but no one ended up dead. Mainly thanks to blackmail! Then my
work colleagues find out he's violent. Then the hospital demands her
parentage - I had to tell the hospital she was my daughter and he knows
that. He knows I told the hospital! Then to make matters worse they then
need his kidney. The only reason he didn't let her die then is because my
mother and me blackmailed him! Then people find out she's my sister. So
now they know we're family. The net is closing tighter and tighter in and
he still hasn't killed her" Sara shouted furiously.
"What does that tell you? - He's bluffing!" Michelle responded.
"Shut up! I haven't finished speaking you silly idiot! It's all adding up
if she doesn't guess they will!" Sara bit back.
"Sara, don't get like this with me. I just want to help!" Michelle
sobbed.
"Then! She finds out I'm her sister. Then! She finds out I'm her mother.
Then! She finds out I was raped. Do you understand how tight the net is
right now? It's strangling him so much he's going to snap for certain!"
Sara screamed at her.
Sara grabbed Michelle and began shaking her.
"Don't you see! He's going to kill her! He can't let this continue! It's
going to click soon who her father is! It's a miracle she hasn't guessed!
He's not going to take any chances - he'll just kill her when it gets too
much! This is all too much! She's only one step away from finding the
truth thanks to you!" Sara shouted.
Sara suddenly let go, burst into tears and sat on the bed.
"We were just hanging onto her life by a thread and now it's snapped that
thread. It's over! He's going to try to kill her!" Sara sobbed.
"But what about all that stuff you said to her at the club? - about your
future together?" Michelle asked.
"Well, I'm not going to let him kill her!" Sara replied astounded
Michelle could think that.
"What if you can't stop him?" Michelle asked.
"Of course, I can stop him. I have a gun and he doesn't" Sara replied
logically.
"But what if he calls your bluff? I mean he must know your never shoot"
Michelle replied.
"Who said anything about a bluff?" Sara asked too calmly.
Michelle got up in astonishment.
"Your not serious!" Michelle asked terrified.
Sara didn't answer. She just looked away.
"What about your job?" Michelle asked.
"I'd choose Alaney over my job any day!" Sara replied.
"She'll never see you if your in jail or on death row!" Michelle shouted
in response.
"I don't care as long as she's alive. Whatever it takes to keep her
alive" Sara told her.
Michelle sat down on the bed hands on her face stressed.
"I didn't say definitely. Of course, I'd try every other way. I'd try to
restrain him. I'd try to scare him. But if the worst comes to the worst
of course I'm going to go all the way. I have to for Alaney's sake,
Michelle!" Sara pleaded with Michelle.
"I don't know you anymore! The Sara I know would never talk like this!
What happened to violence doesn't solve anything?" Michelle asked.
"What other choice do I have?" Sara asked annoyed.
"Go to the police!" Michelle shouted.
"I can't risk her doing something stupid when she finds out! She might
hurt herself and I might not get to her in time to stop her!" Sara
explained.
"But he's your father!" Michelle exclaimed.
"Hardly" Sara remarked.
"Oh come on Sara! I know what lurks behind all that pretence! You can't
help it but you love him! I can't imagine you killing him! I refuse to
believe it!" Michelle replied.
"If I have to choose I love Alaney more!. And she's the one who deserves
to live not him!" Sara reasoned.
Sara was about to storm out the room but Michelle jumped in front of her
way.
"I am not letting you out of this room. You're scaring me!" Michelle
declared.
Michelle stood in front of the door.
"Sit down and think about this carefully" Michelle begged.
"What are you saying? I should let him kill her?" Sara asked.
"No! I'm saying there's got to be another way!" Michelle insisted.
"I know and I hope there is" Sara replied
"There is!" Michelle insisted panicked.
"Then everything will be fine!" Sara insisted.
"Once you've decided you could kill someone it doesn't stop there. You
don't know what your capable of anymore. What you say and actually do may
be different from each other" Michelle explained.
Sara gave Michelle an angry look and stormed out.
Michelle stayed in Alaney's room for the rest of the night. Sara couldn't
relax for the rest of the evening and the happy mood had been spoilt.
Alaney and Janey had heard the shouting but not the precise details. When
Alaney asked Sara what had happened Sara snubbed her off about it. Alaney
and Janey were actually relieved when Sara announced she was going to bed
fifteen minutes later. Though Alaney loved Sara dearly and was desperate
to spend time with her - she didn't want to spend time with Sara in this
mood. Alaney and Janey sat playing a board game for an hour before
finally retiring to bed themselves.
Everyone had agreed earlier that Janey & Michelle would share Alaney's
bed and Sara & Alaney would share Sara's bed.
So Alaney crept into Sara's room trying to not wake Sara. But Sara was
already awake. She hadn't been able to sleep and Alaney found her crying.
Alaney came over, got into bed and hugged her mom into her.
"Sshh. Sshh. I'm here for you. What's wrong?" Alaney said.
Sara turned over and smiled tearfully at Alaney.
"Nothing. I just need you to sleep in my arms tonight, o.k.? That's all I
need. I just need to hold you" Sara sobbed.
Alaney turned over onto her side and Sara held her.
"Everything's going to be alright, darling. I promise. I'm going to sort
everything. Nothing may even happen tomorrow. Nothing. But if it does
I'll sort it" Sara sobbed.
When Alaney realised what she thought Sara was crying about Alaney was
worried. How bad could it be? Why was Sara so calm about it at the club?
Had she had time to think? Had Michelle said something?
Sara took her arms away briefly and got some pills out her bedside
drawer. She got a glass of water and took two. Then, agitated, she forced
two into Alaney's mouth and gave her the glass of water.
"Take these. They're sleeping pills. We'll sleep like lambs" Sara
insisted.
"But" Alaney quibbled.
"Take them" Sara demanded.
Alaney knew she'd never sleep without them. So she took them.
Within half an hour the pills had knocked them out.
They did sleep like lambs in each other's arms.
Boby spent most of that night pacing his room waiting for Alaney to
return. Deep down he knew Alaney was at Sara's. He knew he'd lost Alaney
and he knew Alaney knew too much. He couldn't sleep worrying about what
to do.
Within twenty-four hours, one of the trio would be presumed dead. Police
sniffer dogs would be searching for their body throughout the woods.
Police on suspicion of murder would take in the remaining one. The final
one would be lying in hospital on a life support machine hanging between
life and death.
Twelve minutes past twelve that afternoon, Sara and Alaney had arrived at
the Sidle's Las Vegas rented home. Before walking in Sara took a deep
breath. She was hoping this would be as easy as possible. Sara and Alaney
had devised an excuse as to why Alaney was leaving that would not involve
Boby knowing that Alaney knew Sara was raped. However, that plan failed
immediately.
"How did I know you'd be with her? You could have called! We were worried
sick" Boby shouted at Alaney.
"Actually, I wasn't! I was quite relieved your back with your momma,
angel" Libby commented.
"Shut up!" Boby shouted to Libby.
"Real nice dad, real nice!" Sara commented.
"How did you know I was at Sara's? I hate her!" Alaney asked.
"Not anymore apparently! Oh I heard all about your little heart to heart
last night" Boby commented annoyed.
"How did you find out?" Sara asked
"Libby was there. She heard it all" Boby informed them.
"And you came running back and told him everything, like a good little
girl scout, didn't you!" Sara commented annoyed.
"I didn't realise it was a secret!" Libby defended herself.
"Why would you care anyway?" Alaney asked Boby.
"Because now you going to go running back to snow white over there. You
just used us, Alaney! Used us till a better offer came along!" Boby
shouted.
"Rubbish that's not why you're pissed off!" Sara remarked.
"Well, you knew the deal when you asked me" Alaney shouted back at Boby.
Alaney stormed off to her room and started packing.
Boby had a change of heart and followed her.
"Laney, don't do this. She'll just break your heart again. She can't love
you after what happened she just can't" Boby pleaded.
"And what you can? You don't know what love is!" Alaney shouted back at
him.
Boby came over and tried to get Alaney to stop packing.
"Please. Libby and I can offer you a family. What can she offer you?"
Boby reasoned.
"She's my biological mother!" Alaney replied.
"We're your biological grandparents" Boby suggested.
"You lied to me" Alaney admitted.
"What? When did I lie to you?" Boby asked.
"You said you tried to persuade her to keep me. You did the complete
opposite!" Alaney shouted.
Boby paused.
"She couldn't of kept you after what happened" Boby pretended to be
solemn.
"Oh yeah and you care! What about all those women you did exactly the
same to? Do you really think I've forgotten what you are" Alaney shouted.
"It didn't seem to bother you before yesterday afternoon!" Boby accused.
"You make me sick!" Alaney bellowed in his face.
She had packed her one suitcase and dragged it off. Boby followed her.
"Wait!" Boby pleaded.
Alaney and Sara waited. They wanted to see what he was going to say.
"Just stay for some lunch. We've made sandwiches and have camomile tea.
Don't go under a cloud like this" Boby suggested.
Sara and Alaney looked at each other. They did prefer to leave civilly.
"O.k." the pair agreed.
The four of them sat to lunch. They mainly sat in silence. They attempted
some awkward conversations, mainly initiated by Boby or Libby, but this
mainly failed.
About half an hour into the conversation, Boby decided to make it even
more awkward.
"Why her and not me?" Boby asked Alaney.
"I've already told you why. I would have thought it was obvious to you
anyway! You're a monster. How can anyone love a cold hearted monster?"
Alaney replied so calm, mature and logical.
Boby looked so put out. He cleared up the plates and cups and stormed
off.
"I'll wash up" Boby told them annoyed.
"I'll help" Libby offered flustered.
When Libby got over to Boby he was washing up rather aggressively. In
fact the plates were hardly getting washed up at all. He only half washed
some and ended up throwing most of the others across the kitchen. Sara
and Alaney could hear the smash and jumped with a start. Sara went to
check everything was o.k.
"It's fine" Libby reassured her.
Sara went back to the table.
"What's going on?" Alaney asked her.
"They're just verbally squalling, at most! Don't worry. It's rather
refreshing!" Sara replied cheerfully.
"I'm not worried. They'd never fight when I'm here! I'm a stranger,
remember! They've got to act pleasant around me - I'm not one of you lot"
Alaney remarked upset.
"Trust me - it's better to be in your position" Sara remarked.
Libby had taken the washing up cloth and handed Boby a towel. She took
the half washed washing up and began washing it.
"I'm not going to let her take her from me. We've only just got her! Boby
insisted.
"It's going to be alright" Libby lied.
"I don't care if it's alright - I want her!" Boby exclaimed frustrated.
"For what?" Libby enquired quite worried.
"For a daughter" Boby replied like it was obvious.
"You have a daughter!" Libby reminded him.
"She hates me!" Boby replied.
"So does Alaney" Libby reminded her.
Boby sighed frustrated.
Libby left it for a few moments before saying anything else.
"I think you should let them go and live happily together" Libby
suggested.
"Well, I don't really care what you think!" Boby shouted intolerantly.
"Listen, Sara will be happy because she has her daughter. Alaney will be
satisfied having her biological mother. She is absolutely appalled with
her father so won't look him up. Janey told me Alaney doesn't want to
know who he is anymore. Alaney won't look for her father and Sara will
not get at you anymore because she'll finally be happy. You gave her that
happiness so she'll stop bitching at you! If you're lucky Sara and Alaney
may even come visit and your have both your daughters and granddaughter.
Everyone's happy!" Libby suggested.
Out of the blue, Boby slapped her across the face so hard she fell to the
floor. She was sobbing. He then grabbed her by the wrists and pulled her
up to his face.
"Shut the f**k up! What kind of fairytale world are you living in? Sara
will never stop hating me! She won't ever let me see Alaney! But more
importantly everything in the revelation department will not be all right
you, silly cow because this is nosey interfering Alaney we're talking
about" Boby shouted in her face.
He dropped her back on the floor and turned away. He carried on talking
as if to himself.
"Yeah now she doesn't want to find her father now, but she'll get bored
of that soon! She'll want to know who he is, if only to know what he
looks like so she can see herself in him! On top of that you cannot
assume the truth will not come out some way or another. I've had enough
of that annoying kid's presence!" Boby continued.
"What do you mean?" Libby asked.
Boby didn't answer.
"You don't even know this girl! You don't know what she'll do" Libby
suggested sobbing.
He grabbed her and shook her again.
"Aren't you listening to me?!? I know her well enough to know what she'll
do!" Boby shouted in her face again
He threw her on the floor again.
"I've watched her while she's playing, while she's talking to people,
while she's arguing with people. I've watched in the bushes and through
windows when she's not looking. I've taped her, followed her and recorded
her. Do you seriously think I would just forget the fact she exists!"
Boby admitted with no shame.
"You've stalked her! You really are a psycho!" Libby shouted in a moment
of bravery.
He exploded.
He started punching her. He punched her twice in the stomach, once across
the right side of the face and then the left side as her face turn. Then
he grabbed her and shouted in her face again,
"If she finds out it's over! She'll tell the world! I know her!" Boby
shouted at her.
He dropped her again and started pacing the room,
"Knowing her and her thirst for justice. She'll probably try to
investigate it in a hope that she can expose the rapist! Because she's
annoying like that!" Boby told himself.
"Your acting like you hate her! You love her remember! You guys were all
lovey dovey yesterday!" Libby pleaded scared of what he would do.
He turned and looked straight at Libby.
"It's all your fault she's going! This was my chance for a new daughter!
But you had to make her feel so uncomfortable, didn't you? We could have
watched her and made sure she didn't find out if she'd been there! You've
ruined everything!" Boby started shouting at her.
He slapped her, then he punched her in the stomach again and then he
grabbed her head and threw her towards the kitchen cupboard. She screamed
as she went hurtling towards the cupboard and hit her head. By some
miracle she wasn't knocked out. She just felt dizzy.
Sara and Alaney had been sitting in the next room and were unsure about
whether the argument had become violent. Suddenly they heard Libby's
scream as she hurtled toward the cupboard.
"Congratulations! Your no longer a stranger!" Sara remarked.
Alaney wasn't as happy about this moment anymore.
Sara and Alaney ran in to witness Libby walk away from the cupboard
dizzily.
Boby did not see the girls behind him. He grabbed Libby's top with one
hand and punched her round the face with the other.
Alaney gave a blood-curdling scream.
All the others turned round and stared at her. They were surprised by her
odd and dramatic reaction.
It didn't take long for them to go back to business though. Boby threw
Libby down onto the floor and started kicking her stomach.
"Stop that!" Sara shouted annoyed.
Sara ran over and tried to get him off her.
Alaney stood there petrified. She wanted to help Libby but she was just
too scared to move. Her feet seemed glued to the spot even though she
tried to move her knees forward.
Sara couldn't get him off. He was so set on attacking Libby. He
eventually hit out at Sara and sent her flying backwards, so he could
carry on attacking Libby. Sara got up, got out her gun and held it to his
head.
"I said stop!" Sara demanded calm but stern.
He smirked and put his hands up like it was a joke.
"I don't like you with that gun. You've become too gun happy! Boby
remarked jokily.
Sara put the gun away. Boby got up and ran off.
"Oigh! We haven't finished!" Sara shouted after him.
Sara went running after him.
"Sara wait! What about Libby?" Alaney run after her.
"She'll be fine. But anyway - Your going to look after her" Sara told
Alaney, as Sara put a hand on Alaney's shoulder.
"Thanks" Sara added without giving Alaney time to answer.
Sara ran out the house and ran after Boby. She saw Boby slip into a hut
like building quite nearby. She assumed her parents must occupy it too
because there was nothing and no one else living there for miles. She
followed him inside.
At first, she couldn't see him. It was a small hut so she couldn't work
out where he could be.
She was about to turn round and look behind when, before she knew it, she
felt a sharp pain on the back of her head.
Everything went black.