3 months...3 weeks...3 days! What more could you want (probably quite a lot but that's not the point!) They do say that 3 is the magic number. If only this was chapter number 33! Anyways read on and enjoy...

Chapter 31: Not Now Not Ever

Marissa slowly opened her eyes as a gun shot rang out through the stillness. Everything slowed down as the crowds of people in front of her blurred into a big mass, as she felt her legs grow weaker. She watched as a gun clattered to the ground in slow motion landing at her feet. The loud crack it made as metal hit concrete went screeching through her ears. Next she heard a thud, the sound of a body hitting the ground. But it wasn't hers. Slowly she turned around the body of her captor lying motionless on the ground beside her, a police officer inside the club his gun raised in the air. She watched as his mouth moved but she couldn't hear anything. She turned back round as she saw him move towards her. Suddenly everything came back into focus and seemed to speed up, like someone was pausing and fast forwarding her life like a video. As her legs gave way she threw herself forwards towards the sea of faces. She felt herself falling to the ground but never making it as she felt someone grab onto her. She looked up and saw the face of her saviour, her angel. He was her light when it was dark; her warmth when she was cold; her friend when she was alone; her shield when she was in danger. He was hers and she wasn't going to let him go.

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Ryan's heart stopped as the gun clattered to Marissa's feet. The next few seconds felt like a lifetime as Marissa threw herself away from the door. He saw as Marissa started to fall to the ground but he ran to her catching her. A knight never drops his princess and that's what Marissa was to him. He hated himself for not being there in the past but he was here now and he was never going to leave.
"Marissa? Marissa?" he whispered to her, stroking her tear stained cheeks as her hollow eyes burned into his. "You're ok, it's going to be ok," he whispered as her terrorised face crumpled up as she buried her head into Ryan. He stroked her head as he wrapped his arms around her shaking body, guiding her back to reality. She had strayed off the path, but he was waiting ready to give her directions. Ryan watched as the police ran into the building, horrified at what could have happened. But it didn't happen, and that was what mattered.

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Summer suddenly felt her breath rush back to her lungs as she watched Marissa flee from the doorway. Alive. She felt Seth's strangely strong arm wrap around her shoulder. Sandy patted Seth's shoulder. Both men looked at each other giving a slight nod as they reassured each other that everything was ok.

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Ryan noticed a pair of feet beside him and looked up to see a paramedic.
"We should check her over."
Ryan nodded as he rubbed Marissa's arm, trying to get her to sit up. Marissa lifted up her pale face.
"Hi," the paramedic said gently. "Why don't you come with me, just to check that everything's ok."
Marissa nodded as Ryan and the paramedic helped her off the ground. They made their way to the ambulance passed crowds of murmuring people. Ryan constantly whispered things in her ear reassuring her that she was ok, though he knew that she was too shocked to register what he was saying. Ryan reluctantly let go of Marissa's arm as the paramedic sat her down in the ambulance.

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Ryan heard his voice being called as Sandy, Seth and Summer rushed over.
"What's going on? Is she ok?" Summer asked breathlessly.
"They're just checking her over."
"Now Marissa I want you to answer my question, ok? Take as much time as you need," the paramedic said gently as Ryan, Sandy, Seth and Summer listened in. "Did these men do anything to you? Did they take advantage of you?"
Ryan's breath caught in the back of his throat. Rape. He hadn't even considered it. If any of those bastards had touched Marissa he would….he would…Reality suddenly hit him as he realised that there was nothing he could do. Seth swallowed and looked anxiously to Sandy whose eyes were fixed straight ahead, waiting for an answer.
Marissa frowned at the paramedic as she felt his rough lips against hers, his cold hand moving up her dress. She realised that he had run out of time. She knew what he had planned to do. Marissa slowly shook her head and forced out a quiet no. They all let out a sigh of relief, except Ryan. He didn't like the way she had hesitated. There was something she wasn't telling them.
"Ok. Well it looks like you're physically ok." She turned to the others. "Are you her father?" she asked Sandy.
"Umm no, her parents are both away just now but she is in my care."
"Well I suggest you get her home, she's been pretty shaken."
"Will do, thanks," Sandy replied as Ryan helped Marissa out. Seth quickly took off his jacket and handed it to Ryan who draped it around Marissa.
"Thanks man." Seth nodded at Ryan. Summer linked her arm through Seth's, so glad she had him. They had only taken a few steps before they were approached by a police officer.
"Miss could we talk to you?" the young officer asked clearly oblivious to the state the Marissa was in. Marissa lowered her head and moved closer to Ryan who shielded her protectively.
"Sorry officer but she's in no state to talk to you. Here's my card." He handed his business card over and ushered the others away from all the chaos. Away from yet again another nightmare. Would it ever end?

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Kirsten leapt up from the couch as she watched the drama unfold. When she saw Marissa run off unhurt her brain went in to overdrive. She had to get the house ready for when they got home. She ran out to the pool house to get Marissa's things and move them into the spare room. She wasn't having Marissa out there alone. She turned the light on and walked over to Marissa's suitcase which was lying on the floor. She picked up the few things that Marissa had taken out and went to put them back in. She moved things around the case to fit everything in when something caught her eye. She frowned and moved her hand into the case. She grabbed on to the object and brought it out. Her worst fears were confirmed when she saw Vodka printed across the bottle. She stuck her hand back in and drew out another bottle. She sighed and shook her head.
"What are you doing to yourself?" she questioned out loud. She packed the rest of the case and zipped it up, picking up the full bottles in her hand.

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Kirsten ran downstairs when she heard the front door open. Sandy walked through the door followed by Ryan with his arm around a shaking Marissa, Seth behind them. Sandy looked up as Kirsten rushed over.
"You guys ok?" she asked.
"Yeah we're ok," Sandy replied.
"I moved all of Marissa's things into the spare room," she said to Ryan who nodded his head and gently lead Marissa over to the stairs.
Kirsten ran over to Seth and hugged him tightly.
"Oh thank god you're ok."
Seth stumbled slightly as Kirsten threw her arms around her.
"Yeah, I kind of can't breath now though," he said, faking choking.
"Honey I think the time has come. Our son is a man!" Sandy smiled smacking Seth on the back.
"Woah! Yup can't breath or move now," Seth said with a grimace.
"He was calm, controlled….actually the complete opposite to what he usually is."
"Wow thanks for that dad," Seth said sarcastically.
"I knew the day would come," Kirsten said with a smile, squishing his cheeks with her hand and poking him in the eye by accident.
"Owww! Seriously what are you guys trying to do to me!" Seth asked screwing up his eye.
"Oh I'm sorry honey. Let me just…" Kirsten reached her hand over to him.
"No, no. Don't touch me," Seth said taking a step backwards. "Before you like….kill me."
"And then there's that," Sandy said putting his arm around Kirsten's shoulder.
"All joking aside, are you ok? I mean what you just lived through was pretty horrific," Kirsten said.
"Yeah watching a girl die isn't exactly one of my favourite past times."
"You saw someone die?" Kirsten asked with wide eyes.
"Tends to be what happens in armed robberies."
"Just remember we're both here to talk to," Sandy said seriously.
"I'll jot that down on my memo pad," Seth replied sarcastically heading for the stairs.
"Please Seth talk to us," Kirsten shouted to him.
"I think Marissa's the one you should be worried about," Seth called back.
"One day I will break through his sarcastic comments," Sandy said with a sigh. "Should we be worried about Marissa?" Sandy asked Kirsten.
"More than you realise," Kirsten said sadly.
"What do you mean?" Kirsten linked her arm through Sandy's and they walked to their bedroom as they talked.
"Well earlier when I moved Marissa's stuff into the spare room I found something in her suitcase." Kirsten reached into the top drawer and pulled out the bottles of vodka. She handed them to Sandy.
"These were in her case?"
Kirsten nodded grimly.
"I don't know what we should do," she said sounding defeated.
"There's nothing we can do. We're not her parents."
"But I can't not say anything when I know what she's doing to herself. Alcohol almost ruined my mom's life and I'm not just going to stand by and watch it happen to Marissa. She's got too much to live for."
"Well what do you want to do?"
"I don't know Sandy, I don't know. I just feel so guilty."
"Honey you're nothing to do with her drinking," Sandy said joining Kirsten on the edge of the bed.
"No not that. Ryan came to me a while ago and basically said he was worried about how much Marissa was drinking and I pretty much told him to the face that he was being ridiculous and then this happens. He's never going to trust me again."
"Of course he'll trust you. He knows that you're here for him – and Marissa."
"I hope so," she whispered as he kissed her head.
"I know so. Talk to him and so will you."

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Ryan sorted the bed covers as Marissa walked back in after a shower.
"Hey, how you feeling?" Marissa shrugged her shoulders.
"Look what…."
"What I said…" they both started at the same time. Ryan nodded for Marissa to continue. She took a deep breath and fiddled with her finger nails as she spoke.
"What I did earlier, I don't know why and what I said….." Marissa said quickly. She looked down then back up at Ryan. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"I'm the one that should be sorry," Ryan replied walking over to her. He took hold of her shoulders and gently ran his hands up and down the tops of her arms. I didn't mean what I said I just hate watching you do that to yourself, but I'm not leaving you. Not now, not ever."
"I'm sorry for hurting you, I really am trying to stop. But I don't want you to go. You know when I was inside I prayed for you to come and save me and you came and that means more to me than you'll ever know."
"Well you mean more to me than you'll ever know."
Ryan moved his arms around her as she held him close, swearing to never let him go no matter what.

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As long as i get 3 reviews I'll be happy:p (though i won't complain if i get more!) Thanks so much to those who reviewed the last chapter glad you're liking it. Broken into the triple (aka 3) numbers! YUS!