Chapter number 21. To hell and back.

"It all started in January when I was fifteen." Rose started. "Everyone at home were all about to go to bed when the smoke detector started making that beeping sound that it makes when it runs out of batteries, and so dad went to take a look at it and mum went to find some spare batteries, but there weren't any, there was nothing we could do so without thinking we just all went off to bed. I still remember my little sister making this comment, something like 'Oh well it's not like the house is going to burn down tonight', but it did" Rose sighed, remembering everything clearly like it happened yesterday. "At about midnight I woke up to the smell of thick smoke all through the house, there was flames everywhere. I thought that everyone else would of already got out so I made a run for it too, out to this place about halfway down towards the creek on our farm where we had agreed to meet if there was an emergency, I thought they'd be there, but they weren't, they were all back inside, dead" she exclaimed. "I never saw them again" Rose sobbed, bitting her lip to stop herself from falling apart. She had her arms wrapped around her legs, holding them tight against her body, her eyes looked almost blood shot, stairing out the front window as she talked, occasionally looking over at Jack as he watched her and listened in a warm comforting way.

"Not long before the sun came up I went back to the house, there were firemen scattered around the place and some police cars were starting to come to take a look at the place. When they found me they took me down to the police station for questioning, them after a few days they sent me to a place that supposedly helps kids in my situation, but if they knew what really went on in that building, they would probably shut it down."

"What goes on in there?" Jack asked, encouraging her to keep going.

"What the cops think goes on in there or what really happens?"

"Well both I guess" Jack answered.

"The place was supposed to give kids an education, look after them and make sure they would be able to have a good future, but they don't do that at all, so yeah they put us through school, but as soon as you pass your HSC they set up a fake report about a job or university course and sent it to the police so they think we're all ok. But really were not, the people who run the place also run one of the biggest, most expensive restaurants in the city, they sent us all there as slaves, and they treat us like dirt, basically if you want to come out of there alive, you have to keep your head down, mouth shut, do what your told and trust nobody".

"Oh my gosh, that's in sane, they can get away with that Rose, no in this day and age" Jack exclaimed.

"Well they do".

"Well not for much longer they won't be, come on I'll take you down to the station now" Jack told her reaching to turn the key of the car in the ignition.

"Jack, please don't".

"Why not? Do you really want them to get away with ruining so many kids lives, do you?"

"No, I'm just not ready to face it all again Jack, I need more time".

"Ok, but promise me-" Jack started but Rose interrupted.

"Ok, I promise I will dob them in eventually".

There was another moment of silence in the car, but it was soon broken by Jack's voice. "So how did you get to Sasha's?".

"She was a step cousin of my boss, so when she started up her dinning hall, I got given to her" Rose explained, "I was so releaved when that happened, she's so much nicer".

"Well at least it's all over now, now you can have your life the way you want it" Jack commented.

"Yeah I guess so. I've just been to hell and back to get here though. But I probably deserved it".

"No you didn't" Jack told her.

"Yes I did, if it wasn't for me, my family would probably still be alive".

"Rubbish, It's not your fault" Jack comforted her, placing a supportive arm around her and ran his hand up and down the side of her arm, slowly and gently pulling her towards him until her head was rested on his shoulder, as her legs slipped back from up against her to the floor. "And don't you even try and tell me it is. I know it probably feels like your fault, but that's just cause you want someone to blame for their death".

"How would you know what it's like to kill someone!" she snapped, pulling her head off his shoulder, before crying even more than before.

"Shh, shh" Jack said, trying to calm her down. "I know, because I did once, not long after I joined the police force".

Rose suddenly stopped crying for a second and her mouth dropped. "Don't worry I'm not a murderer, I was in a situation where if I didn't shoot her she would of shot me" Jack said quickly, he had forgotten about how that would of sounded without telling her the full story.

"Oh, ok" she said in relief. "You scarred me for a minute. Why did she have a gun in the first place?"

"I don't know, she was drunk and being stupid late at night, and me and my work partner just happened to be on patrol that night. She shot my partner Lilly first, then she turned the gun on me".

"And you had no choice but to shoot?" Rose asked.

"Yeah, pretty much. I still sometimes have nightmares about it".

"Really, I don't know how you do it?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know how you pull yourself together and move on, I know I certainly can't".

"It's tough" Jack started, "probably harder for you cause you were close to them, but you first have to realize that it wasn't you fault".

"I don't know if I can do that" Rose said softly, "I can't forgive myself".

"You can if you want to, it's the hardest part, but it is possible". Rose just nodded. "We better get a move on, it's four o'clock already" Jack added, turning the key in the ignition of the car and started driving.

Back at the Macklin's mansion Martha was trying on her dress that had just come in for her coming up party in two weeks time. "It fits fine" she said to the maid who was helping her tie up the back of the satin dress.

"Yeap, it looks great too. Oh and I almost forgot, your father wants you to come down stairs and help him to make a list of all the guests".

"Ok, tell him I'll be down there in a minute".

"Ok, I will" the maid replied, doing as she was told and headed down stairs.

Next time:

Martha's coming up party has arrived, and Martha is shocked at who she sees her father has invited, who is it?

Jack helps Rose over come her past.