Part 5: Disaster Strikes

See part 1 for disclaimers

Hey guys, you know that old adage, 'write what you know'? Well, that's where I got the idea for where she was gonna move to and the college. It's where I live and my hometown! ;) I needed somewhere that I knew fairly well so that I can have her do things, and let's face it I'm much too lazy to do research.

And I honestly don't know where this part came from, please forgive me! It's 12:52 AM and I was just typing away and this is what came out… --guilty look—Please forgive me, Natty, but it had to happen!

Well, until next time guys, please review! Manda

Six months after arriving in Mesquite, Texas, Natalie had settled in very well. She had begun going to Eastfield college and had a small circle of friends whom she hung out with every weekend. She talked to her family and friends in Llanview constantly, mostly through the Internet. Everyone she talked to made sure to avoid any mention of the McBain brothers, and she really appreciated it.

But classes were over for Christmas break, and she was packing to go home for a week or two. She had to admit she was ready to go home and see everyone, she loved Mesquite but nobody could replace her family, not even the closest friends she had. As she closed the suitcase and locked it, she heard the front door open. She frowned, trying to remember if she had locked it and began to walk slowly towards the living room. "Hello?" she called cautiously, grabbing the can of mace out of her pocket, where she had always kept one since the Killing Club Killer experience.

As she walked into the living room, she saw the man. He was wearing black pants with a white shirt and a black facemask, but most frighteningly he held a gun that he now pointed at her. "Drop the mace." She did so, holding her hands out. "Take whatever you want, I won't stop you." He leered at her. "Whatever I want?" Her face paled as she realized his intentions and she whispered, "Oh god, please not that." She whimpered as she saw his smirk turn into a grin and tears began to roll down her face.

Thirty minutes later Natalie lay on the bed, her face in the pillows. He had told her to stay like that until she had counted to a hundred. She was on thirteen when she heard the door slam shut. She stayed down until she'd counted to twenty, then jumped up and ran to the phone, calling the police as she dressed. Sobbing, she told them what had just happened and ran to the window just in time to see the car pull away, but it was too far to make out the license plate.

Back in Llanview, John was listening to the scanner when he heard about a young woman in her early twenties who had been raped just an hour before. He shook his head, then frowned as he heard the location and physical description of the victim. Surely it couldn't be…?

Just then, his office door slammed open and Bo was standing there. "Viki just called. Natalie was raped today, so I'm flying out there with her and Jess. I'm leaving you in charge." John was on his feet within seconds of the news. "I'm going with you, Bo." Bo looked at him. "You know that wouldn't do anyone any good. You'll do the most good here, handling all the cases that need to be solved and you know it." John slowly nodded.

"You're right. If you think it'll help, tell her that I'm going to make it my personal mission to find the bastard who did this to her." Bo nodded. "I think that goes without saying for both of us." He walked out and John sat back down, thinking hard.

When Natalie finally got to leave the police station the sun had gone down and the night air was cold on her bare skin. She shivered as she got into her car, locking the door immediately. She was all right on the drive home, but as soon as she opened the door of her apartment memories of assault immediately overwhelmed her and she dropped to the ground, sobbing hard.

As soon as she had regained control of herself she grabbed the suitcase she had been packing, called her closest friend in Mesquite, and drove herself over there. Once she had told Michelle everything that had happened and cried herself out, she called Viki's cell and told her Michelle's address so that she and Bo could come over once their plane landed. Then she went into the guestroom and lay down, keeping a light on. She didn't sleep a wink that night.

TO BE CONTINUED