Chapter 12 –

The knock on the door caused Sam to cautiously open it, even though she was expecting Zoe for the time being she wasn't taking any chances, quickly and silently she let her friend in before closing and bolting the door behind her.

"It's good to see you Zoe."

Sam smiled as Zoe took off her coat and hung it on the end of the banister before she turned and looked at Sam, quickly seeing the tiredness in her eyes as she embraced her friend.

"How are things?"

Zoe spoke quietly as she let go of Sam and watched her shrug her shoulders in response.

"Alice is out at work and Rachel is sleeping upstairs, come on through and I'll make some coffee."

"That sounds good, has Rachel talked to you?"

Sam took a breath as she walked through to the kitchen, taking her time to answer as she filled the kettle up and turned it on.

"A little, she gave me some details about the house where she lived but I haven't pushed her, I don't know if she is ready yet."

"Or if you are."

Sam nodded her head, both Sam and Zoe had seen the horrific injuries on the girl's body and in their minds knew how they had been inflicted but to actually listen to Rachel tell them would be an ordeal for everyone involved. Silently Sam made them both coffee and quietly they walked through and sat down on the sofa, Zoe taking a sip of her drink before she reached into her bag and pulled out a plastic bag.

"I've got these for you, it should all be there but if you need anything else then just let me know."

"Thanks Zoe, I just don't know how long we are going to be here."

"Hmm and it's not exactly the best place for Rachel either or for you for that matter."

"Yes but I can't abandon her Zoe, I don't trust the police, if I leave her she'll clam up completely and we both know the consequences of that."

Zoe nodded her head, the psychological damage that Rachel would suffer would be far worse than her physical injuries which they could help heal quite quickly but at 12 years old Rachel's emotional health was hanging by a thread. The two of them started to drink their coffee, the room remaining silent until suddenly the house reverberated to a loud piercing scream.

Alice opened her eyes but all she could see was bright lights and all she could feel was hot searing pain throughout her body.

"It's ok just stay still for me."

The voice was unfamiliar as Alice risked moving her head to see if she could find a source for it but she soon found that she couldn't move.

"You've had a car accident, we've got to keep you still until we can get you checked out by the doctors Alice."

Alice took a breath but even that was painful as she squinted her eyes.

"Hang on a moment and I'll give you something for the pain."

Alice closed her eyes as the bright light became too much for her but her thoughts in her mind turned to panic about whether Sam and Rachel were safe.

Zoe and Sam shared a scared look, staring hard at each other for no more than two seconds before they both spoke at the same time.

"Rachel!"

Sam was the first to stand but she was quickly followed by Zoe as the two of them ran up the stairs, Sam checking that there was nobody in the hallway before she entered the bedroom, she had guessed that it had been a nightmare that had woken Rachel but she wasn't going to take any chances.

"Rachel?"

Sam felt her heart beginning to pound hard as she looked at the empty bed, the panic in her body began to rise as she reached up and ran her fingers through her hair while she scanned around the room.

"Sam!"

Zoe's voice was quiet but firm as she wandered around the bed and crouched down by the window, Zoe heard Sam's soft footsteps approaching but she kept her head still, looking forward as she smiled and gently reached out.

"Rachel its Zoe, Sam and I are right here, open your eyes for us please."

Zoe's softly spoken words and the caring nature of her touch on the top of Rachel's head had the desired effect as the girl lifted her head from her knees, her body trembling. Zoe swiftly moved and sat down next to Rachel and watched as Sam followed suit and sat on the opposite side both of them reaching out and holding Rachel, Zoe kept her hand on the top of Rachel's head while Sam took a hold of the girl's hands. Rachel turned to look at Zoe who smiled at her before Rachel changed to glance at Sam, but it was too much for her and she felt the tears stream down her face and Rachel buried her head back into her knees and started to rock back and forth. Sam looked at Zoe a slight sign of exasperation adorning her face and her older friend didn't hesitate as she quickly wrapped her arms around Rachel, pulling her in close, resting Rachel's head on her chest as slowly the trembling stopped and just the tears were left to slowly trickle down her young face.