Its not really time for the ending yet, at least I don't think so… I'll probably stretch it out a bit, I don't want it to end. This one is just too much fun to write to end…

Part six

Tom

Its weird how you sometimes just now that things are going to go wrong. That today isn't going to be a good day in one way or another, and there's really no explanation to it, its a feeling, a fact.

That morning I had a faint feeling that something was going to wrong, but these feelings are always easy to push away into the back of your mind and just ignore. Maybe it's a kind of defence mechanism that I use too try and avoid that particular bad thing for as long as possible. Who knows? I do wish that I had trusted my gut that day though, and been a little bit more aware of everything going on around me. If I had, maybe things would have been different.

Erica

As I stepped out of the shower an hour later, I was so ridiculously happy I just couldn't stop smiling. The day had gone from good to perfect in a matter of minutes and having Tom back meant more to me than I'd ever imagined.

Life sure was going great at the moment, I had a perfect best friend and a perfect boyfriend, so what if I had to keep them separate from each other. The feeling of both having your cake and eating it was, well, really good.

Singing along to a mix-CD that Tom left behind I rummaged through my closet to find the perfect outfit for the night ahead. Finally deciding on a pair of jeans and a blue top, nothing to dressy but still a little bit more than usual, I quickly got dressed and walked into the kitchen to fix up something to eat.

While I waited for my food to heat up I sub-consciously ran my fingers over the four bruises on my upper-arm. It was just a one time thing, I decided, everyone has the right to get fired up over something insignificant sometimes, it doesn't have to be more than that.

Minutes later I heard the doorbell ring and I happily rushed to open it.

'Hi' I beamed as I threw myself into his arms, only to receive a very stiff response. 'What's wrong?'

'Are you home alone?'

'Yeah, I told you that my parents were away for the weekend, didn't I?'

'Must have slipped my mind'

Tom

'I am glad to have her back, I just don't get why she would stay with him when he's obviously unstable and who knows what else'

'Aren't you getting a bit ahead of things right now Tom, I know that you just want to protect her, but sometimes you have to let people make their own mistakes

'Ha, I knew you agreed with me!' I said proudly before returning my focus on the current situation. 'Doesn't help me much though'

'I think you need to stop thinking about them for a while Tom, this whole situation is getting a bit much, don't you think?'

'I guess, maybe…what do you suggest that I do then?' I asked him, hoping for something to keep my mind of Erica for a while.

'Just do what I always do, take your guitar and lock yourself in your room and play'

'Just play? that's all you've got for me?'

'Trust me' he said seriously. 'It will work'

Erica

'Come in, I was just making something to eat, I can get you something for you too, if you want to'

'Nah, I'm good, lets go upstairs instead' he said, and walked ahead of me upstairs.

When I entered my room Jason was standing, leaning against the wall, looking out the window. I took a seat on the bed, trying to get my head around why he was acting like this.

'Are you…'

'What did you do today, then?' he asked me, not even turning to face me.

'I told you, I went shopping with my mum'

'You just told me that they we're away for the weekend' he snapped quickly.

'Eh, yeah, maybe we went shopping before they left' I responded in a confused tone.

I got up from the bed and eased my way in between Jason and the window, trying my hardest to soften him up.

'Jason' I started placing my hand on his arm, only to have him jerk it away instantly. I looked into his eyes and was met by nothing more than a dead glare.

'Your lying to me again. I saw you with that geek today, have I not told you that you cannot see him? Why cant you seem to get that fact through your stupid, little head' he yelled pressing each word with a blow to the wall next to my head.

Shocked I stared at him for what seemed like an hour. The sound of his fist hitting the wall was echoing in my head, but somehow that didn't seem like the most important thing at the moment.

'Where you following me?' I asked in a defying tone. 'What gives you the right to try and control me?!'

'You did. The second you told me that you'd be my girlfriend. You have been mine ever since'

'You…'I stammered, suddenly painfully aware of the fact that the person standing in front of me was a complete stranger. 'You are sick'

His jaw tensed up to hearing my words and the dead glare from before was now clearer than ever. For a second I could feel my hands trembling with fear, of not knowing what he was going to do next, but for some strange reason I didn't let it take over.

'You need to leave, right now!' I said coldly, attempting to move away from him. Suddenly he placed both his hands on my shoulders and slammed me hard into the wall. I let out a quiet whimper before opening my eyes and finding Jason's face only inches from mine.

'You will never leave me' he whispered, 'Do you understand, You will never leave me!'

I nodded as a response before he pushed me again, 'I understand' I said quietly. 'I understand that you are sick, you despise me and if you don't leave this house right now I swear to god, I will…'

Jason only smirked at me before answering 'You will what? Hit me, you can try'

'GET OUT!' I screamed at the top of my lungs. 'GET …'

My last words were suddenly silenced by Jason's fist making contact with my jaw. The impact of the blow sent me crashing into the wall again, and I let out a quiet 'Oh my god, Tom was really right' before seeing Jason walk closer to me again.

Tom

After playing my guitar for an hour, all the thoughts were starting to get to me and I was now pacing my room instead. I had no idea why I was so worried, I mean I really had no reason to be other than the fact that Jason is a violent freak and I don't trust him with my best friend. Yeah, I had no reason to worry at all.

Finally giving in to everything I picked up my phone and quickly dialled Erica's number. I waited impatiently as the signals went through but no one picked up. I decided that she was probably busy with Jason and that maybe I should call back in another hour or so.

Fifteen minutes and 6 calls later I was now so worried I could hardly sit still. If her phone had been turned off it would have been one thing, but having all the signals go through and no one answering, it just wasn't Erica's style.

And despite everything Danny had told me about letting people making their own mistakes, this just wasn't my style. I didn't just sit around and wait when I knew that something was wrong with my friend.

Throwing on a hoodie I left my house and quickly drove over to Erica's house. Suddenly my phone rang and, thinking it was Erica, I answered it. 'Erica?'

'No, its me, Danny'

'Oh, sorry' I responded distraught as I sped down the street.

'Tom, are you ok?'

'No, I'm just on my way over to Erica's. I'm really worried about her'

'I take it, she's not answering her phone then' Danny said thoughtfully.

'How did you know that?'

'It's a curse I guess' Danny said with a light chuckle. 'But seriously, if you are that worried, than you obviously have a reason for it, and I support you in everything you do'

'Yeah'

'And sometimes you just have to go for it you know. Who knows maybe she's breaking up with him right this moment and needs a shoulder to cry on. You're probably doing the right thing. Tom? Are you listening to me?'

'Tom?'

I parked the car on the side of the road and quickly got out of it, still clutching the phone to my ear. I heard Danny talking but I was too focused on finding Erica to even respond. I looked up towards Erica's room but noticed something else instead. A thin trail of smoke coming out of the kitchen-window. As I looked to the left I noticed more smoke coming out of the living-room window as well.

'Fire' I said out loud.

'What? Did you say something Tom?' I heard Danny's voice say.

'Fire, her house is on fire' I repeated.

'Well, call the fire-department or something' Danny continued in a calm voice. 'Tom, hang up the phone and call them now'

I barely heard his last words as I ended the call and called Erica's number instead. Once again I listened to the signals going through, but still, there was no answer.

Suddenly I heard a faint sound, I looked around me and noticed her neighbours coming out of their houses, looking at the now thickening trails of smoke. In the far distance I could hear the fire-trucks getting closer and closer, but it still didn't resemble the sound I heard.

As I heard it again, my head snapped back towards the house. There was someone inside the house, I thought frantically before it hit me seconds later, Erica. Erica was still inside the house.

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