Sabrina shrugged gently and sat back on her bed. ''I'm sorry sir. I don't think I can accept that.''
''What?'' The man seemed surprised.
''I already told you," Sabrina said, exasperated, but mostly exhausted. "This kind of work... I don't know...''
''If you're thinking about your... imprisonment... it is not a big thing. Charlie can-
''Hey, how do you know about that?'' She cut in, suspicious.
''Charles knows a lot.''
''Please get out of here," she asked, mustering the politest tone she could.
''Think about it," He said in a low voice. "You're out of money. You need some-''
''I don't need anything. I'm fine.''
''You're not. I know you don't have a dollar to pay the medical expenses. You were just running away, weren't you?'' He asked, his tone accusing.
''Mr Bosley'' she said, her tone not beginning to get angry. ''Please get out of here. I do not want this work. Give your boss that, okay?''
''As you wish young lady. I would be pleased if you had given it a little thought though.''
She really didn't like his professional tone. ''I will. But it is a no. Sorry.''
''Alright. I'll call Charlie.''
''Thank you.''
When he walked out Sabrina sighed. People were not supposed to nose into her life, knowing things like that. It was so annoying. She grabbed her crutches and left a little later, making sure nobody was looking at her.
She paced slowly, deep in thought. What that man said had been true, though, she couldn't deny that. She didn't have money or someone in town to help her. She just had to manage on her own. But still she didn't want the job. So it was a no then. She smiled to herself.
Of course it was a no.
She kept walking till she had somehow managed to get to the beach. It must've been two, or more hours. She was so lost in thought she didn't think about her knee. Now, left without painkillers for a long time it started to ache. She sat on the sand and gazed at the sea. It was soon getting dark and she wasn't going to leave.
A strange woman came and sat next to her for a while. They were alone. At this time of the day and year no one else had the guts to go swimming. It was already a little chilly.
Sabrina stayed detached from the musings of reality for a long time before realizing that this woman was talking to her.
''Are you Sabrina?''
She gave it a little thought. What can she possibly want? ''Yeah, I think so. Have we met?'' she replied cautiously.
''No, not personally. So, you are Sabrina.''
''Why do you ask me all this?''
''It's about the plane.''
''Oh. Are you a reporter by any chance?''
''Well, I wouldn't put it that-''
Sabrina dove her hand into the woman's purse and took out the little recorder she found inside. It was on. She smiled.
''Well, I think that's illegal.''
She swung it and threw it in the water. The woman let a cry of surprise.
''Why'd you do that?''
''I don't like being recorded.'' Sabrina replied simply.
She got to her feet. It wasn't easy to use the crutches on the sand so she just walked around and didn't stop until she had put a safe distance between herself and the woman. She glanced around, having no idea where she was. All she could see were some beach houses.
She sat on a bench and closed her eyes. She was tired and the pain all over her body didn't help much. She wanted to sleep.
Then she heard a happy voice. She turned around to face Jill, who smiled and hugged her, much to her surprise. She didn't respond, just laid her hands down in surprise.
''What are you doing out so late?'' Jill demanded.
''Just sittin'. Lookin' at the sea. You?''
She pointed one of the beach houses. ''I live here!''
''Good for you.'' Sabrina replied, shaking her head.
''So, you've left the hospital?''
''Yeah. Doctor said I could.'' she lied. She had managed to convince him but he insisted she stayed in bed for another week at least. Well, it wasn't that necessary for Jill to know.
''Really?'' asked Jill with disbelief.
''Yeah.''
''Sooo... what did your parents say about the... situation?''
''Nothing.''
''Mine are going crazy! They want me there all day! We're going back to my mom's place. Wanna come? We're leaving tonight,"
''I'm fine Jill.''
''Sure?''
''Uh huh.''
''Okay. Do you mind?'' she said and sat next to her.
''Whatever.''
They stood there and watched at the sunset, slowly melting to the ground. Jill wasn't that amused but Sabrina was watching carefully.
She had missed it. Missed being free and peaceful. Missed being alive again. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Jill noticed it.
''Don't get drunk.''
For the first time she saw that hard expression on her features soften a little with a gentle smile.
''Don't worry.''
Then it was back again, that invisible shield that protected her emotions from the outside. The reason she had survived till then. Jill nodded and rose to her feet.
''I'll be seeing ya. I gotta go. Do you need anything?''
''No, nothing, thanks.''
''So, you're going home?''
''Kinda.''
She relaxed and laid her head back, eyes closed. Jill sighed and walked away. Then it struck her, all of a sudden. She came running back, and was relieved to find that Sabrina was still there.
''Sabrina?''
''You're back?'' She asked with some amusement.
''You're still here?'' came the reply.
''Where would I go?''
''Please tell me you don't intend on spending the night here.''
''I won't.''
Jill waved her hands around with fury. ''You're lying!''
''I am not Jill. Just-''
''No it isn't! You're just lying!''
Sabrina shrugged. ''Okay, I am. What do you care?''
''Oh, come on! Anything could happen!''
''Nothing has 'till now.''
''What? You've done this before? Are you insane? Why don't you just go home?''
Sabrina stared at her feet, mostly addressing the answer to them.
''Jill...it's just...I... can't...'' she said slowly and regretted it immediately.
Jill's jaw fell open.
''What the heck do you mean?''
''Nothing. It's nothing. Please forget it.''
She got up and took some steps.
''Hey, you're not walking away from me!'' growled Jill, in full big-sister mode.
She tossed herself at her trying to stop her but Sabrina's feet gave out and they ended on the sand.
Jill got up and Sabrina clutched her knee letting a low curse.
Jill felt unbearably clumsy now. ''I'm sorry I-''
''It's okay. Have a good night.'' Sabrina said and got to her feet with a small leap.
She limped away slowly carrying both her clutches on the right hand. Jill rushed trying to catch up to her.
''Hey! Don't go! Please, Sabrina!''
Sabrina stopped and turned to face her.
''Why do you try so hard?'' she asked, her expression unreadable.
''You have nowhere to go, do you?'' Jill asked softly.
Sabrina just smiled. She had to try harder if she was to fool this person. She kept walking but slowed her pace allowing Jill to walk with her.
''Sabrina... you...''
''It's alright. I really think I'm gonna be alright. You don't need to worry about me.
You have to go to your family.''
''And what about you?''
''I ain't goin' nowhere.'' she said.
''But-''
''It's okay.''
''You father? Have you called him? He must be-''
''He thinks I'm still in jail. Sorry Jill, but I won't tell him. I'm gonna-''
''Come to stay with us.''
''I can't Jill.''
''Why?''
''I really hate to be a burden and-''
''You won't! You-'' she said fiercely, but was cut off.
''Jill, it's your family, I got nothing so amongst you-''
''Kelly will be there top, it's not like we're gonna hate you for being there. Oh, please Bri, please. Don't do this to yourself... okay?''
Sabrina stopped walking. ''I can't, I've told you. I'm not the kind of person your mom would want in her house anyway.''
''But you haven't a place to sleep, or stay! I can't just leave you on the street you know.''
''It wouldn't be the first time Jill, and certainly not the last, so don't worry.''
''But you're hurt! And you saved my life!''
''I didn't.''
''Stop finding excuses! We're leaving in an hour! Come on!''
''Jill...'' she tried to say desperately but Jill caught her shoulders and shook her softly.
''Come on. It's gonna be alright''
''I don't-''
''It's not like you have much of a choice either! So shut up and follow me!'' she giggled.
And she literally dragged her along the beach to the beginnings of a great friendship.
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