Her mind was numb. She could hear her own voice crying out for Carter to stop, but the voice and her own body seemed detached from her blank mind. She lay on the sofa, her small body helpless under the crushing weight of Carter. She tried to twist and turn her body away from his groping hands, but was unable to stop them sliding under the thin material of her pyjama top. She feebly attempted to stop his clumsy fingers undoing the buttons, but he just laughed and pushed them away.
'You know what, Kirsten? I've been looking forward to this for so long. I don't know why I waited so long..'. He wasn't even bothering to cover her mouth anymore, knowing the weak cries she produced would be heard by no-one.
'Oh come on, babe. Enjoy it, this is what you've always wanted. Fine, I'll quit with the foreplay.' She cried out, louder this time, as his mouth moved down her exposed stomach and to the top of her pyjama trousers.
'No, Carter, please…no..' she sobbed. He looked up at her face and put a hand over her mouth again.
'Shhh, it'll be over quickly.' Kirsten, half-naked and helpless, closed her eyes and knew this was the end.
'Ok, I'm going to get a bagel. Does anyone else want one?' Marissa had risen from the bed, and stared questioningly down at the other two. Seth continued to gaze solemnly at the ceiling, and Ryan, glancing at him, suggested they should go out.
'Good idea! Why didn't we think of that two hours ago.' Said Marissa, delighted.
'Fine. Ok, after two hours I conclude that the ceiling of this pool house is least interesting piece of plastering I have ever studied..' said Seth. He sat up, and after experiencing a slight head-rush from rising so quickly, got up to accompany Marissa inside.
'I'll be one second' said Ryan, 'I'll see you by the front door.' Marissa opened the door and they made their way to the house.
'Oh my god. Oh my god. Seth..come here, it's your mum.' Marissa dropped down on her knees by the sofa, eyes wide and disbelieving. Kirsten lay there, her pyjama top undone and barely covering her torso. He head faced the back of the sofa, her face covered with hair. Her body was still.
'Seth? Oh no, oh my god.' She turned around, looking wildly for help, and saw Seth standing behind her. His face was white and shocked, his eyes staring.
'Mum? What's happened? Where's dad?' Kirsten lay motionless, and Marissa stared at him, unable to answer.
'Guys? So, where are we going…' Ryan hurried up behind Seth and stopped dead: 'Shit. What the hell happened?' Marissa shook her head at him:
'I don't know, I just found her. I don't even know if..well, she hasn't moved.' She turned back to Kirsten's body: Ryan moved over to where she knelt and cautiously, slowly, reached out to move the blonde hair that covered her face. With a shaking hand, he moved the strands of hair and moved his hand away quickly as he saw her face. Her eyes were wide open and staring, her face soaking with tears.
'Kirsten?' he said, very quietly. She still did not move, and she still did not say a word. Ryan glanced over at Seth who was also motionless.
Suddenly the front door opened and the noise made them all jump. Sandy walked in, whistling cheerfully.
'Hey guys! Woah, Seth, has something gone seriously wrong in your ninja battle? You look like..' he stared at his son, who slowly turned to face him. From seeing his face, Sandy knew there was something much, much worse than a dead ninja.
'Dad..' Seth choked, and pointed to the sofa. Sandy watched as Marissa stood up, supported by Ryan, and they all drew back. He suddenly knew what it was. With a heart as heavy as lead and fear tightening his throat, he walked round to see what, or who, was on the sofa.
He bent down, almost unbelieving, by the still figure of his wife. Breathing heavily, he spoke:
'Ryan, phone the police.' For some reason which he couldn't understand, he felt perfectly calm. He leaned over her thin body until he was able to speak into her ear:
'Kirsten, baby, it's me. Sandy. It's all going to be ok again now.' He stroked the hair that surrounded her pale face. Her body jolted suddenly:
'Sandy.' She said this as she exhaled a long, shaking breath. She turned her face so that she could see him, and moved her arm to touch his face.
'Help me.' She whispered. He gathered her up in his arms, still damp from the sea, and held her as she cried. He rocked her like a baby, murmuring to her, and they sat there like that until the police came.