'Where was she?'

Marissa's head hurt. Her arms and back were cramping where the ropes were tied too tight. All she could see was darkness but was that because her eyes were closed or it really was that black?

And there was a warm heavy weight pressing into her back…

Was this real or a dream or a memory..?

Marissa wasn't sure of much…

Her head hurt…

That man… that man with the angry eyes and cold smile, she knew his face. The glare in his eyes as he pressed forward so unexpectedly and grabbed her arm…

"You have awful timing Marissa; I'm sorry I have to do this!"

…was that what happened this time or was that from before?

Oh, why did her head hurt..?

Annie… Annie had knocked her out! She was trying to kill her! No… no that wasn't right!

Marissa wished she could concentrate… where was she?

She was in a closet… no she was in the hospital… a closet in the hospital?

She was tied up and the ropes were tight, digging into her skin.

Why was she scared… so scared?

"Because it wasn't safe to kill us yet!" answered Bianca's voice in her memory.

Terror pumped through her at the words.

She was frightened and alone in the dark… no not alone, there was a weight pressing against her back…

Bianca… was it her?

Marissa tried to turn her head but she could barely move and it was too dark to see.

She remembered the time before… different but the same… oh her head!

Back then Bianca had been terrifyingly silent and still; a dead weight against her back. Marissa finding them bound together in the closet had screamed and shouted and called for help until her throat was raw, but no one came… she tried to rouse Bianca but there was no response… and then as time passed and fear turned to despondency, she had starred down at her lap not knowing what else to do. It was getting dark out and she was almost falling asleep. Then she felt a change in Bianca's body and suddenly Bianca cried out... awake at last. And then the nightmare truly unfolded. Marissa could still feel the horror in her gut when Bianca spoke of Michael Cambias… In that moment Marissa discovered how fearless and truly incredible Bianca was… and no matter how scared Marissa felt she knew she needed to protect Bianca, keep her safe… care for her… love her…

Bianca turned to face her, sobbing;

"I'm sorry I got you into this!"

Marissa found herself starring right back;

"I'm not."

And she'd meant it, only back then she didn't understand her true feelings for this kind, brave, smart, beautiful woman, who was so much more than a best friend.

Bianca…

'Concentrate Marissa, concentrate…don't get lost in the memory… How did we escape?'

Marissa had somehow loosened the ropes and together they had kicked down the door. She had known she couldn't give up. She'd had no choice but to get them out of there and get Bianca to safety.

She still had no choice!

Marissa pulled against the ropes binding her wrists, stretching and shifting her arms experimentally feeling the twisting ropes cut into her skin… The ropes felt real, this wasn't a dream and it wasn't a memory… or is that how a dream feels…?

Oh, her head hurt…

Should she cry for help? Would it work this time?

Should she keep trying to escape the ropes?

She needed to find a way to focus… something that made her feel brave… something that made her feel that anything was possible if she only had the courage to try...including escape…

Then a new memory washed over her…

"Do you know the song Forever More?" she heard herself saying.

Bianca's reply was laced in confusion;

"Where did that come from?"

All through the night, near and far;

We will be together.

So hush don't you cry.

You will be, in my arms forever more.

…