Chapter Five

Anita pushed open her apartment door and sighed, exhausted from the grueling day at work. She thought of Bianca and Kendall. Bianca has been through so much, she thought. First believing the rape, then believing that she had lost her baby, then her mom's alcoholism, and her best friend's betrayal, then the coma. And now, having to watch her sister suffer in the hospital. It seemed like Bianca could never find a moment of true happiness. A smile formed on Anita's lips as she recalled the kiss shared between Bianca and Maggie earlier that day. Well, at least she finally found someone who loves her. Anita's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the slamming of a door. She opened her door slightly and saw an obviously intoxicated Jonathon leaving his apartment. Alarmed, Anita waited until Jonathon was out of sight and headed over to Maggie's apartment. She knocked softly on the door, but when she received no answer her heart started to race. Never being one to ignore her gut instincts, Anita quickly pulled out her cell phone and dialed Bianca's number.

"Hello?" Bianca answered.

"Bianca, hi, it's Anita. I was just curious, is Maggie with you still?" Anita held her breath as she received the answer she had been dreading.

"No," Bianca said; worry beginning to fill her voice, "She went back to her apartment to get some things." Anita remained silent on the other end. "Anita? Why? Has something happened to Maggie?"

"I...I'm not sure Bianca. Jonathon just seemed furious when he left the apartment…"

"What?" Bianca interrupted, "He was there?" Oh no, Maggie, Bianca thought. Terror began to swarm around Bianca as she envisioned all the things that could have happened to Maggie. "Anita, please, tell me…is Maggie ok?"

Anita was about to answer when she heard a small groan from inside the apartment. "Bianca, I'll have to call you back." Hanging up the phone, Anita struggled to open the door, which was unfortunately locked. Panicking, Anita bashed her shoulder against the door in an attempt to break it down, unfortunately not succeeding in this task.

"Trying to start a crime spree with a little BE there?" Aidan said from down the hall. Seeing the panic in Anita's eyes, his smile was quickly erased. "What is it?"

"Aidan, I think something terrible has happened to Maggie. Please, help me get this door open," Anita said, once again struggling with the lock.

Aidan rushed to the door and turned to Anita, "Happen to have a hairpin on you?" Thinking, Anita pulled a bobby pin out of her hair and handed it to Aidan. Concentrating, Aidan worked his magic on the lock, and within seconds the duo heard a small 'click'. Gently, Anita pushed open the door, unprepared for the sight that lay before her.

The small apartment was in ruins; tables overturned, chairs broken, shattered glass covered the floor. "Maggie?" Anita called out in a small voice. Receiving no answer she shouted, "Maggie?"

"Anita, call an ambulance," Aidan said when he spotted the small girl. Anita followed his gaze and saw Maggie lying unconscious on the floor. Blood surrounded the small girl as she struggled to breathe. As Anita called for an ambulance, Aidan knelt down beside Maggie and gently whispered her name, "Maggie, hold on. Please. Hold on…for Bianca."

The young girl stirred and opened her eyes slightly to meet Aidan's gaze. "B…Bianca…" Maggie choked out, before slipping once again into unconsciousness.

Aidan felt Maggie's pulse weaken and he leaned forward to check her breathing. "She's stopped breathing, Anita!" Aidan shouted. Anita rushed over and the two began CPR on the fragile girl. In the distance, the sirens from the ambulance rang out over the quiet city...