Anna didn't notice the sun rising or the time passing. She was disturbed from her trance-like state by her mobile phone ringing. It took her a moment to realize that she should pick it up. When she did, she was greeted by Pearl's hurried voice.

'Anna? It's me, Pearl. Listen, we can't meet at Fleet Street today, so, God, I hope you haven't already started to make your way there.'

'Oh, okay.' Anna didn't need telling why, but a panic rose in her stomach when she lifted the phone from her ear to see the time and realized that, if she was going to meet Pearl anywhere, she had twenty minutes to get ready.

There was a pause.

'Aren't you going to ask why?' Pearl sounded a little surprised.

'Oh, yeah, sorry love, why can't we meet there?'

There was another, longer pause.

'Pearl?'

'Oh, sorry, miles away. There's been another murder, Anna, that's the second night in a row! This time it's on Fleet Street, the police have cordoned the whole road off; I saw it on the news!'

'How drama'ic.' Anna's voice sounded flat, she didn't think it wise to try and fake enthusiasm.

'It is! It's a man this time, the police can't see any connection in the killings, apart from there's been very little blood left in the bodies when they're found!' She shuddered, 'like some vampire's been at them or something.'

'So where shall I meet you?'

'Oh, errm…the park? We could go on the swings for a bit?'

'Yeah, yeah, great. I have to go now, but I'll see you soon.'

'Alright, bye!'

'Bye.' Anna said after she'd pressed the button to end the call on her phone. She turned to the broken mirror. She was still wearing the white dress.

'Damn it, God in Heaven, damn it!' Ripping it from her body, she grabbed the first clothes she saw, jeans and a t-shirt and threw on a necklace for some variation. She was about to leave when she realized that she hadn't yet washed her face or hair. A quick trip to the bathroom sorted that out, she was ready within minutes.

'Why the running, Anna?' Hope called to her as she got out the door, Anna didn't say anything back. She took the quiet way, allowing her to run at HER natural speed every now and again, until she got to the park. Pearl was already there waiting.

'Morning!' She called, smiling. Her expression melted into a frown as Anna got closer. 'Your hair…'

'What about it?' Anna grabbed a handful of her damp locks and watched Pearl.

'It's…dripping-'

'Well, yes, wet hair does do that!' Anna laughed.

'It's red!' Pearl moved backwards unconsciously, her heart beating faster than she thought it should, more than was reasonable for such a situation.

'Oh…errm, yes, another nosebleed.'

'You should go to the doctor about those…' she still looked suspicious.

'Well, I cut my hand on a broken mirror…'

'Seven years bad luck for that.'

'I know.' Anna cringed. The only real bad luck she could have would be someone finding out her Secret.

'Let me see your hand.'

'What?'

'I want to see it.'

'What do you want to see?'

'The cut.'

'Oh, wow, no Pearl, there's no need for that.' Anna slipped her hand behind her back, the scab was black – the colour of her blood. No way could Pearl see that.

'I want to.'

'I DON'T want you to. Pearl, give it up!' Anna moved away from Pearl's grasping hands, Pearl reached again, once more, Anna evaded her. She knew she should slow down her movements, but, like a trapped animal, when she was cornered, Anna went into Fight or Flight.

'Anna, let me-' she caught hold of Anna's top. Shocked, Anna screamed, pushing her away – a little too hard. Pearl hit the ground hard. Without a second though, Anna pounced, Pearl's turn to scream. Anna froze.

'Oh, 'eck, what have I done?'

'I'm sorry.' Anna jumped up. 'I'm sorry!' She backed away.

'Anna…' Pearl got up, looking dazed. 'What's wrong?'

'I'm sorry, stay away from me.'

'No, Anna, are you okay?'

Anna stopped.

'What?'

'Your eyes…' Pearl came over and this time Anna let her, she reached up a hand to brush past Anna's eye. Her finger came away bloody.

'No, no, no! Anna, you silly woman, you'll give yourself away at this rate. Stop crying!'

'Oh.' Anna brushed the rest away herself. Her voice shook slightly.

'What-.' Pearl said quietly.

'We should go in now.' Anna's quiet voice matched Pearl's.

'Why?'

'The bell just rang.'

'I didn't hear it.'

'I did. Trust me.'