So not much more new happening in this chapter but still ...

Lk

Chapter thirty six : Ghost Town

Kris staggered slowly out of the car and simply stood in the middle of the distance between her and Kelly, without looking at the brunette. Kelly reached for her, a warm smile spreading over her face but the next thing she saw was Sabrina running past her, tackling Kris, driving her right shoulder upwards to her stomach. She watched as Kris' feet briefly left the ground and then she slammed down on her back, with Sabrina's hand's pushing down her shoulders, trying to hold her pinned on the floor. The first image that came in her mind was rugby practice with Sabrina back in a case months ago when they had been called in a rugby team and then the image registered.

''What the hell do you think you're doing?!'' The question was automatic and it left her mouth as soon as I could speak.

Sabrina did not answer, only yelled. ''Hope, help me here! Hold her down!''

Kelly moved slightly forward to stop what was happening in front of her eyes but Kris let out a blood curdling scream and the hostility of it was so out of character for her friend that it froze Kelly to her spot. Hope did not wait for an explanation, only helped Sabrina keep the smaller woman on the ground by using her own weight to trap her.

Only when Kris let out another scream did Sabrina look up to meet Kelly's gaze. ''Kelly stop standing here! I need you!'' She yelled at her and it was enough for Kelly to snap back into reality and rush to their side. She remained standing, unsure of what to do as Kris struggled to get free from the two women and almost succeeded before Sabrina put more of her weight to keep her down, by leaning over her, almost covering her with her body. Suddenly Kris broke free of Hope's hold on her right arm and clawed three long bloody lines over Sabrina's face and neck, vulnerable as she was completely bent over. It took desperate effort from both Sabrina and Hope to grab her wrist and guide it back down.

''Kelly!'' Sabrina yelled once again, blood filling the scrapes on her face. ''Kelly!''

This time it was Kelly yelling, allowing her own terror to seep in her voice. ''What is wrong with Kris?!''

''They gave her something-'' Sabrina paused to push down on Kris' right hand again. ''I think she's psychotic!'' She gasped as Kris broke free once again. ''Help me here goddammit!''

Kelly quickly moved low on the ground with them, using both of her hands and her weight as leverage to just keep Kris one right hand down and she realised what the problem was. ''They gave Kris PCP?!''

Sabrina briefly nodded and this time Kris' scream had some coherent words mingled as well. ''LET ME OUT!''

Sabrina's mind felt like it was falling apart. Her hands kept slipping from their grip and she was unsure how much longer she could keep Kris down before she finally collapsed. She knew that they didn't have much time to sit and wrestle in the dirt before the Aryan ran back to their headquarters or whatever they called it and come back for them, unless she had been badly injured or even better broken her neck, but Sabrina knew she herself was too unlucky for that to be true. Yet, these words suddenly lit a small light inside her head. Kris wasn't asking for them to let go of her, or even get of her as anyone trapped under three people would do but she was asking to be let out. And suddenly... Sabrina knew.

''She still thinks she's trapped underground!'' She shouted at Kelly, to be heard over Kris' incoherent sounds. ''Kelly, talk to her!''

This was Kelly's cue to do what she knew how to do better than anyone else present. Calm someone in distress. She sacrificed the grip on Kris with her left hand and used it to reach for her face over Sabrina's back, lightly cupping her cheek. She looked into eyes impossibly huge, pupils dilated in a way that made her blue eyes seem dark. She kept her touch light and spoke softly, warmly, allowing her words to be heard clear.

''Kris? Can you hear me? It's me, it's Kelly, it's all good now.'' She managed a smile and this time Kris met her gaze, unfocused but visibly trying. ''It's all going to be alright.'' Kelly said. ''You're safe now, look, you're outside, look up, it's sunny, look.''

Kris actually looked up in the clear blue sky and gradually her body stopped struggling. She looked back at Kelly, terror still etched across her face.

''Kris honey, you're safe now, don't be afraid.'' She soothed. She slowly let go of Kris' wrist and the blond did not move from where she was. Kelly tapped Sabrina's back who very carefully withdrew and lay down. Hope remained kneeling but stopped touching Kris at all. All three of them watched closely as Kris took in a few deep breaths, her eyes darting from face to face, from Kelly's worried but friendly look, to Sabrina's bloodshot eyes and tired expression and Hope's deep frown. When she made a small move to sit up Sabrina reached for her but Kelly pushed her back. Kris finally sat up and just breathed for a few moments.

''We need to get back in the car and get out of here.'' Sabrina said, finally.

''The exits from the town are blocked.'' Hope informed her, her eyes glued on Kris, prepared to regain a solid hold on her if she made any abrupt move.

Sabrina muttered a curse under her breath. ''We need to hide. They will be coming after as. I'll explain later.''

''Leave the car here, we need to be quiet.'' They both turned to look at Kelly when she spoke. She had her arm around a somewhat more lucid Kris.

Sabrina nodded and shifted her attention to Hope. ''Pop the trunk and take any weapons or supplies.'' She looked down at her hand, feeling the pain creep back now that adrenaline was leaving her system. ''I need the first aid kit and probably so do you.'' She pointed at the blood stain on the front of Hope's shirt. ''We also need to check on Kris and get her some water.''

''I'll get the kit and you take any weapons. Then we hide. I think all of the houses have running water so we'll get cleaned and patched up there.''

The ''all of the houses'' comment caught Sabrina's attention and she looked up and around her, noticing for the first time that the street was empty and there was no sign of life anywhere. ''Everyone...'' She muttered and Hope followed her gaze.

''Dead or taken. I have no idea where.''

Sabrina used her working and to run her fingers through her hair, as she took in the reality of the situation. She simultaneously thought of two things. One, she was almost in tears with relief from finding Kelly alive in all this chaos. Two, they were in really big trouble.