Chapter 14
(At Nikki's office)
"You should sleep more, Nikki." A soft voice said.
"Long hours doesn't afford me much sleep these days." Nikki replied. "Let's talk about the voices."
"It's important to let the mind rest. All sorts of ghost come out at night to haunt you, tempt you." Maxine said.
"Do you see their faces?" Nikki asked, looking into the dark eyes that sat across her.
She paused. "A mixture. Voices come first. Voices are always the worst."
"They're pleading with you? Asking for remorse?" Nikki questioned.
"No." She smiled coolly.
"Then what are they saying?" Nikki replied.
She smiled again. "I can't say that just yet. I like you Nikki and I trust you, but you have to be patient with me." She said, her hands placed neatly on the table. "You look different today."
Nikki looked at Maxine wondering what she meant by that. "Explain, please." She asked calmly.
Maxine smiled and leaned back on her chair her eyes fixed on Nikki. She didn't care much for her safety or cared if she was sentenced to death even though she knew there was no death penalty in the country. Her days were filled with boredom and pills. She often got into trouble and had to be restrained many times. Life was not a gift to her. Her life was marred at an early age but she knew that she had that evil seed in her. Nothing could soothe her soul from the extreme hatred she felt on most days. So every week she looked forward to her session with Nikki. She also enjoyed toying Nikki, as she found Nikki equally as intriguing as she thought of herself. Nikki never judge her, never yelled at her even when she had cause too. "You're so sincere in your reproach." Maxine laughed. "Why are you so patient with me when the previous Psychologist that was deferred to me, quit on the first day. With her psychobabble bull-crap trying to tap into my unconscious mind as if I were some monster with behavioural disorders who needed to be chained in a dungeon all the while trying to hide her contempt towards me."
"I don't see you as a monster," Nikki explained. "I know you will try to get under my skin, try to sabotage our sessions, but that's irrelevant to me. To me you're a fifth-teen year old girl who just like everyone else has a history, a past. You too have felt pain, perhaps, in a small measure has felt love."
"Yes," Maxine grinned, "That's why I love you Nikki. I love your kind heart."
"It's easy to confuse kindness with love." Nikki stated, watching Maxine smile grow. But she knew Maxine was sincere about her declaration of love. She also knew the love Maxine was referring to was not in a sexual nature towards her. She sensed that Maxine felt as if she knew Nikki and to her that represented love. But then Maxine was different. There was something about the young girl that made Nikki want to know more. Something troubling, yet connected them. She didn't understand why she felt that way, but it was almost as if they shared a connected bond. Why that was, remained a mystery.
"I know you don't believe that," Maxine continued grinning at Nikki, the one person she trusted and who understood her. It was a reassuring feeling to a girl who only felt desolation, discontentment, and indignity. "And I also know you know what I meant by the word love."
"Yes I do." Nikki said, knowing the truth in those words. She knew if she treated her patients with humanity and perceptive ideology she would gain their acceptance, their trust. But in truth, she treated Maxine different. She was so young, misplaced in society, and she could also see a little of herself in Maxine. They shared the same intellect, thirst for knowledge, and a fascination with the human brain.
"I hate when they try that Freudian shite on me," she explained in a harsh tone. "Don't ever be like them."
"It's my job to promote subjective and behavioural well-being through understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based anguish or dysfunction. But I suppose I like doing things differently." Nikki responded as she knew it wasn't professional to get involved with a client on a personal level. She preferred to work as a psychotherapists who utilized different treatment approaches while most of the Psychologists she had encountered prefer to focus on very specific treatment, referred to as an eclectic approach, drawing on different theoretical methods to progress treatment for individual clients. Nikki did not like using the Psychodynamic approach similar to Sigmund Freud, who believed that the unconscious mind played an important role in our behaviours. She preferred to use Cognitive behavioural and Humanistic perspective. She wanted to understand behavioural and cognitive thoughts that contribute to psychological anxiety. Humanist thinkers like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers humanist were more her style as it coincided with her own beliefs. She wanted to tap into people and realise their full potential.
"I know you have a doctorate in Clinical Psychology," Maxine looked into Nikki's eyes as if she could see her own reflection. "But I also know you are a computer forensics expert and have a doctrine of criminal law at Oxford." She smiled coyly.
Nikki looked at Maxine, not flitching for a moment as she suspected Maxine was trying to get a reaction from her. "I see you have done your homework on me." She replied, crossing her arms and waiting for a response.
"You needed hide things from me. I'm very resourceful even in my state," Maxine said leaning closing and putting her hands on her chin to support it. "Why do you hide the fact that you are quite intelligent? But of course your IQ is not as high as mine."
Nikki chuckled, revelling on Maxine's insights. Even though the girl who sat in front of her was a murderer who slaughtered her family like pigs, she had a wonderful sense of humour about her that was similar to her own. "Exciting career choice would you say?"
"Why yes," Maxine replied. "The brain has always fascinated me. The branch of psychology integrates the science of psychology with the treatment of complex human problems. Pity we are such mere mortals compared to the Gods," she continued saying. "But, I am more fascinated with criminal law theories and the scope of forensics psychology."
"You'd do well as a neuropsychologists," Nikki said ignoring Maxine's early question. No one knew that she was a computer forensics expert or that she studied criminal law in Oxford. She did not want to be treated different. She did not want people to look at her with awe if they knew how long it took her to graduate as she accelerated through the material in a short time when most spent years. She was always frowned upon during her time in school as most students were either jealous or spiteful of her age or her IQ. What did it matter how old she was or how smart others perceived her. She wanted to be judged by her personality, not by the titles she held.
"Did you know that Hippocrates drew a connection between the brain and behaviours of the body and that the brain exercises the greatest power in humans?" She said smiling over at Nikki.
"Yes I did."
"I'm highly intelligent as my IQ is over 150 yet everyone, except you, treat me as though I'm impassable. They don't even try to understand me." She said, venom dripping from her tongue. "Everyone always looked at me as a super-achiever. My parents expected great things from me and they treated me as if I wasn't human. As if I didn't have emotions. I'm not a robot they can reprogram at will. I am well aware that a high IQ does not equal happiness as you can see."
"What went through your mind as you killed them?" Nikki asked, knowing that Maxine was not ready to discuss the killing. But she had to try.
Maxine cleared her voice. "You know I can't explain that yet." She smiled. "Be patient Nikki and you will be rewarded. My lawyer friend, Sean Parr however, is a daft fool. Demanding things from me in his harsh tone and laughter."
Nikki laughed inwardly. She got a little pleasure from knowing that Maxine gave Sean a hard time even though he was her lawyer. "You know he is probably just doing his job."
Maxine chuckled. "That swine is only my lawyer because of pro bono. And it was not taken voluntarily as I hear he was forced to take my case, although I might know the reasons why. But judging by his moral greed, I believe taking my case was a favour due to some reckless gambling debt. So a little bird might have whispered."
Nikki smiled a wicked grin allowing her emotions to show. She felt a pang of satisfaction if what Maxine was telling her was true. She wondered how well Helen really knew Sean. "But we're not here to discuss Sean Parr are we?" She replied causing Maxine once again to chuckle out-loud.
"Nothing gets past you," Maxine smiled. "But he should be careful before someone sticks a glass shard in her neck." She smiled with an evil grin.
Nikki shook her head. "Is that something you should be saying to me?"
"I trust you Nikki and I know you sense a connection between us. But I don't know if you can save me from my hell. Save my cursed soul." She exclaimed.
"I'm not here to save your soul, only God can determine that if you are religious." Nikki replied knowing not even time was on Maxine side. "I am here to listen, give you my thoughts and understand cause and effect. When there is a serious problem, it's important to explore all of the things that could cause it, before I can think about a resolution if all possible. Killing your entire family is an effect. What I what to understand is the cause, the reasons that led you to that point."
"What if you cannot achieve that Nikki?" Maxine asked. One of the reasons she admired Nikki was her truthfulness and directness. It doesn't bother Nikki if she misspoke or was unsure about her approach. This human side to Nikki is what made Maxine respect her.
"Do you trust me?" Nikki asked looking at Maxine who now seemed more relaxed.
"Yes."
"Then together, let me descent into your mind. I will find you and pull you out." Nikki said smiling. "The goal is not unattainable."
"You always know what to say to a woman," Maxine laughed, running her fingers through her hair. Could she really be rescued from her manic thoughts and be washed of her sins? She willed it so, but would destiny prove her wrong? She knew Nikki was unpretentious but would her own heart conquer her malevolent nature? She wanted Nikki to sanctify her spirit. In Nikki's eyes, she saw a little part of herself. She felt connected in a way with this dark haired beauty who could pass as her older sister. But would the voices in her mind be her downfall. "You secret is safe with me."
"Aye secrets," Nikki brow raised. "How many more will you uncover my little detective?"
"I want all of you," she grinned as if the Devil inside her knew better. She really did want to know everything about Nicola Wade. She didn't know why she felt such a strong bond with Nikki, except that it felt like the most naturally thing and she wanted, no needed to know. Nikki was the only person who could soothe her soul. She didn't have any good memories of her childhood, but there was one memory that stayed with her. She didn't know how old she was but suspected she was a toddler. It was a memory of her sitting by the ocean side making castle out of sand as the most wonderful tune her ears have ever heard. It was coming from a young girl whistling in the distant, waving. It was almost as if she could see tears streaming down her face. She could not make out her face and the memory was fuzzy. Sometimes she wondered if the memory she held so dear to her heart was actually true and not just a figment of her imagination.
Nikki looked into Maxine's eyes, warmth glowing, not the cold stare she first got then they first met. "I want you to realise that I am here to help you. I know our sessions are not always professional as I allow you to express your desires but you must not cross that certain line. And I know you know what I am saying here because a part of me and I know I should not being saying this, cares what happens to you. You must still remember why we are here."
"You don't have to use that professional tone on me as we both are too intelligent and clever for the rest of them. It's kind of you to worry but I will not allow anyone to harm you." Maxine said, her tone a serious note. "The professionals in this hospital are weak minded but you're different Nicola Wade."
"Maxine," Nikki said, her arms crossed over her chest. "Please don't address me by that name."
"Sorry," she said feeling guilty. "My lips are sealed." As Nikki shook her head wondering if her approach with Maxine was appropriate and the right thing to do. She knew she had to change her approach with Maxine as she was too clever but she felt like she was doing the right thing.
Leaning his shoulder against the cold brick wall, he froze as a subtle sound caught his sensitive ears. A faint cry, nearly undetectable to anyone else, alerted him to an impending calamity at the hands of his companion, who was swaying down the stairs and dragging what he knew was another victim. He knew, despite her face being obscured by her small hands that her eyebrows were knitted tightly in concentration and her face was creased in an attempt to keep her glasses from sliding down the bridge of her nose. He waited silently for her inevitable stumble, her knees scrapping the cold cement floor. Moving effortlessly, a strong arm encompassed her tiny waist, the other hand grasping long her hair. The deplorable echo of her pain permeated her body as the sandy-blonde haired girl looked up at her abductors, realising that her fingers were broken as she pulled away in a violent surge while colour rose warmed her cheeks.
She nervously wrung her hands, keeping her focus on her abductors as she tried to find a way out of her hell but only finding concrete walls. "Mister, I'm so sorry if I did anything to offend you." Her voice was jarring and dripping with a foreboding feeling. "Please don't hurt me." He could hear the pleading in her voice which made him feel even more infuriated.
He exhaled and shook his head lightly, silken dark hair falling in front of his face. Composing himself, he turned back to the trembling girl before him, who was now hovering cowardly expecting to be reprimanded. "Shut the fuck up you slag dyke," he began, "I'm sure my friend here would not appreciate your insincerity, but I believe that he would be even more pleased if you just laid the fuck still. Don't you agree?"
Though he was smiling, the young girl could sense looming, genuine murderous intent as he towered over her. Opting to refrain from continuing to dig her own grave, she remained silent, her only response being an extremely vigorous nod. Tilting his head slightly and maintaining his ominous grin, he turned away, pushing through a door and leaving her with his companion. She did her best to ignore the other man who had a fag clenched in his teeth and blond hair leaning on his shoulders as he looked down at her with contempt. His companion came through the door again, holding onto something, which she could not see through her tear filled eyes. As he approached closer, her eyes grew wide with fear as she realised what he was holding and it put the fear in God in her. His companion was jolted by a piercing scream echoing through the dungeon.
"Scream all you want," he sneered at her, smiling as if he knew her pain would pacify the hunger in him. "No one is going to hear you, you sodding whore."
"Please, what have I done?" She implored with the monster who stood over her.
"Keep your gob shut. Those who lay with demons shall be burned to the cross and all shall witness their death." He looked over at his companion. "Hold her still. There's much too do." And with that he plunged a needle in her neck and she went motionless after a few minutes.
Then he went over to the table and picked up a book as he began to read while his partner cut her wrist as the blood poured in a goblet. "I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
He watched as the blood dripped into the goblet. "Get her on the bed," he told his companion who carried her unto a makeshift bed on the floor. "Let's begin." He said, as he started to remove her clothing. Tonight he will bless himself onto her and feel pleased about his mission. For a short moment he thought about 'her'. It's all your fault he said to himself. "Why did you have to die on me? I will make them all suffer. He said this is the will of God. He told me. Don't look at me that way." He demanded. His companion looked at him wondering who he was talking to. But he could not see anything at the moment except for the figure in front of him. She was a cruel reminder of his past. "I'm doing this for you." He yelled as the figure disappeared. As if he could see two eyes staring at him, he turned his head towards his companion who was looking at him with a blank expression. "Do as you're told. Let's get on with it." His companion shrugged his shoulders and continued to remove her clothes without saying a word.
Karen dialed her phone and waited for the other person to answer.
"Hello," Yvonne said, out of breath.
"Did you just come back from a marathon?" Karen giggled.
"Sod you," Yvonne said harshly, still trying to catch her breath. "You rang. Is there something I can help you with or are you just happy to hear my lovely voice?"
Karen smiled to herself. Yvonne was always right to the point. "Aren't you going to say you miss me?"
"You're the one ringing, so why the hell should I care?" Yvonne said, trying to sound uninterested when in fact she was happy that Karen called. She needed to get away from life and spend some quiet time reminiscing about their crazy days together.
"That hurts," Karen quipped. "But you still love me, right?"
Yvonne smiled. She knew Karen longer than anyone in her life, including Charlie. No one knew her crazy quirks, her temper and her heart. "Of course," she replied. "You promised me all those years back that we were going to grow old and senile together, remember?"
Karen laughed out-loud, remembering the day when they both professed their promise, long before life came around. "You still remember that? We were twelve years old."
"Of course, darling." Yvonne remarked. "I might be an old silly bird, but my mind is still sharp as ever."
"Thirty-five is not old Yvonne, but yes a silly bird you are indeed," she said, laughing into the phone.
"My body feels old though," Yvonne replied. "But I can still rock the dance floor, though."
"If I remember, that wasn't the only thing you were good at." She continued laughing, remembering the days.
"Why must you bring that up?" Yvonne said, feeling a little annoyed with herself. Some things were better off not remembering. She knew she had a lot of unresolved issues, but she wasn't interesting in resolving them. It was a Pandora box that she wanted closed even if it meant sacrificing her own wants and feelings.
Karen felt dumbfounded. She could talk to Yvonne about anything, and everything, but one topic was always out of her reach and it bothered her but she kept her silence all these years, but her skin was growing thin. "Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it." She apologised.
"Forget it, I didn't mean to snap at you." Yvonne said quickly, realising she probably insulted Karen. "So why did you call?"
Karen was silent for a moment then said, "I wanted to have a small party at my place and I thought we could invite Nikki and Helen."
Yvonne brow unfurled. She understood what Karen was getting at. "That is a brilliant idea. Just the four of us, drinking, talking, and who knows what else. You are clever." Yvonne smiled to herself. "Do you need me to come by your place tonight?" She didn't want to sound too eager.
"Well if you're not doing anything." Karen replied.
"I'll bring the beer or a good bottle of wine." Yvonne said.
"I'll cook something for the two of us then." Karen replied, sounding happy.
"Oh please don't cook," Yvonne laughed into the phone.
Karen pouted. "Why the hell not?" She said with a critical tone in her voice.
"You can't cook if your life depended upon it." Yvonne remarked, giggling. "I nearly had food poisoning the last time you cooked for me."
"It wasn't that bad." Karen said defending herself. It was true, she wasn't the best cook, but she thought she wasn't half bad.
"I wouldn't feed the dogs your food," she said. "Let your fingers do the dialing and I don't care what you order as long as you don't cook it."
"Right, next time I won't invite you over if you're just going to laugh at me." Karen said, pretending to be hurt.
"Well, then I guess I won't be giving you a massage as I thought I would treat you to one of my fabulous massages."
"Not fair you daft cow," Karen said, stopping. She always enjoyed Yvonne's massages, as they were quite relaxing as she didn't often get them. "This is blackmail."
"Call it what you will, but you know you can't resist me." Yvonne teased.
"Fine, have it your way. But the next time you need a favour don't come running to me." Karen quipped.
"Alright, alright, keep your hair on. It's obvious we're too stubborn to let each other win." Yvonne said, knowing how both of them could be quite determined.
"Fine," she said. "See you tonight and then we can talk about our master evil plan to get those two together."
"Of course."
"Well, I hope this doesn't backfire on us." Karen said, thinking about Sean. Deep down inside she knew he was not right for Helen and she deserved to be happy rather than just settling down. Helen was living a lie and it was about time she found someone who could shake her foundation and make her truly happy.
"Don't worry about a thing. We're much too clever for that." Yvonne said.
"Who said anything about you being clever?" Karen joked.
"I'll give you my backhand with that sharp tongue of yours. When did you become so fiery?" Yvonne quipped.
"Didn't I tell you," Karen countered. "I was abducted by aliens and they messed with my DNA, and I feel new and improved." She chuckled.
Yvonne laughed, enjoying Karen's humour. It was good to laugh again since life was tense with her marriage and her daughter latest situation. "Aye, I reckon you went through a brain transformation. Though I am still deciding if I like the old Karen or the new one. Such a difficult decision." She said, breathing into the phone, trying to stop herself from laughing.
"What would you do without me in your life babe?" Karen said, smiling to herself.
"Take in a new hobby I guess," Yvonne said thinking about Karen's question. She didn't know what she would do. Since they were children, they have been in each other's lives. She was part of her extension and the thought of her not being there frightened her. Other than her children, Karen was the most important person in her life. She was her best mate.
"I can see you talking up knitting and knitting little booties," Karen laughed. "You don't do hobby. Let's face it, you'd go mad with boredom."
"'Tis true my love, 'tis true," Yvonne said. "But I reckon you'll be there to muck up my bowel movement and bathe me clean."
"Hell no, there are people you can hire for that." Karen said nosily "The only thing I shall be doing is knocking you on your arse with my cane." She crackled.
"Some best mate you are," Yvonne replied lost in her thoughts. A feeling of forlorn came over her. "You think we'll grow old together? I know it was just a childish promise back then." Yvonne said in a whisper, feeling a little dejected.
Karen was silent for a moment as she took in Yvonne's word which sounded very sincere. She noticed lately that Yvonne seemed lonelier and she knew it was because of her marriage troubles but she sounded different tonight. She wasn't the same strong, independent, stubborn woman she knew all those years. Tonight she sounded vulnerable and it pleased her. This was the side that Yvonne hated to show but the side that Karen loved to see. They have gone through a lot of ups and downs and Yvonne was always the strong one, holding her together when things got rough or when she had relationship problems. She wanted to be the strong one for once. She wanted to be the one holding up Yvonne when she felt frail. The reality was Yvonne was her family. She was an only child and her parents were dead. She had no children and a few good friends.
"I don't know what the future brings," Karen replied. "But I would very much like that. You're my best mate and I love you very much so." Karen said, making her heart go warm.
Yvonne smiled inwardly. Life might always be shite but at least she had Karen as her foundation. "I'd like that too. And I suppose I love you too." She jibed jokingly.
"Ditto," Karen said. "I will see you later."
"Yes you will." And with that Yvonne hung up the phone with a smile on her face. Her whole body felt warm and she knew why. She didn't often tell Karen that she loved her. She wasn't the touchy feely type like Karen was, but she did appreciate her understanding. Yet at times, she wished she was more open about her feelings. She made a promise to herself that she would try to be more open with the people she cared about. Her immortality reflected all the things she never allowed herself to become. She was tired living a life in a stranger's shoes.
Nikki knocked on Helen's door, opening it slightly as she peeked her head in. She wanted to see Helen today as she was busy most of the day and the evening approach too quickly.
"Come in," Helen replied, her face looking flushed and she had dark circles under her eyes.
"Is this a bad time Helen?" Nikki asked cautiously. "You look worn out. Long day?"
Helen smiled weakly. In truth, her head was still feeling weary. "My head's still pounding from our ladies night out. Why didn't you stop me from drinking into a stupor?"
"I thought you Scottish were used to drinking like a fish." Nikki smiled, baring her teeth.
"Someone forgot to give me those powers. My memories is like a thick fog. And I look like shite tonight. Haven't been sleeping well." Helen said, trying to pretend she didn't remember a thing.
"So you still don't remember anything," Nikki questioned.
"Bits and pieces, but nothing concrete." Helen said looking at Nikki and knowing why she was asking her that question. "Why do you ask?"
She looked uncomfortable, and the weariness that Nikki had noticed when she first came into the Helen's office became more prominent. "No particular reason, I imagine." Nikki took off her coat and proceed to sit across Helen who looked like she was in thought.
Helen stared into space and her mind shut down. She was still tired and realised she needed a good night sleep. She had another argument with Sean and this time she threw her phone at him, shattering it against a wall. She was so incensed with his jealous antics and she felt as if her life was being sucked into a toilet spiralling down. At one point it seemed as if Sean was going to hit her, but that would have been his mistake as she would have taken him down. The self-defence classes she took to become an officer awarded her with the knowledge to take down a much stronger man than she was. The argument got so nasty, that she basically told him she made a mistake agreeing to marry him, which smouldered Sean anger into a rage. He grabbed her arm with such force that it left her with a mark on her arm. But she managed to subdue him down with her quick moves. She knew he didn't mean to be rough with her and she knew she was being dodgy with him, being emotionless of late. She wasn't being honest or acting like a fiancée towards him. He had a right to know what was going through her head but she just couldn't tell him that she started to have feelings for Nikki. She knew that would be a dangerous situation all around. She told him to be patient with her and that she was under a lot of stress from work. She just needed time to get her head around. He finally left quietly, but he knew there was something horrible wrong with Helen. He wondered if she was really cheating on him or if she had changed her mind about marrying him. Whatever it was, he was determined to get to the bottom of it. He could no longer stand idle and watch the woman he loved drift farther and farther away from him.
"Hello," Nikki stretched out one leg and kicked Helen lightly underneath her desk. "Hey, you, perhaps you've noticed that I'm not invisible here."
Helen faintly smiled. She was stressed with the case and her personal life. She wasn't her normal self today, but she needed to unwind. "You put it so elegantly," Helen smiled again, her voice stronger.
"Something's wrong," Nikki stated firmly.
Helen shook her head quickly. "Just your basic stress of the job. I wondered why I didn't listen to my parents and become a lawyer or something."
"Would you have it any other way?" Nikki said, wondering if there wasn't more to the story. Did Helen remember what happened or is she being polite not bringing it up. Or was there something else troubling her?
"No, I suppose not," Helen said, before taking a deep breath and leaning against her chair.
"Look, Helen," Nikki spoke, "Perhaps you need a little air into those lungs of yours. Stress can kill even the kindest souls. Release that dark energy inside you."
"Is this your psychology crap you use on people," Helen said roughly, wondering why she was giving Nikki a hard time. She didn't mean it but seeing Nikki reminded her why her life was shite. She wanted to close her eyes and forget she was human. Why did she have to be different? Was she being punished by God because she stopped believing in her faith? She knew it was a silly thought but she did not know how to react and did not know what she wanted.
Nikki was taken back. She felt a little wounded. "Sorry, Helen. Maybe I should leave and come back when you're less agitated."
Nikki was about to get up to go before Helen stopped her. "No Nikki, please don't leave. Pay no heed to my pandemonium state." Helen said pleading. "I'm all over the place and I feel like I've been on a runaway train hoping to find my providence. Please stay."
Nikki regarded her for a moment before replying. "Apparently you haven't lost your perseverance," she let out a crude laugh. "But I'll forgive you if you let me take you out for dinner some time."
Helen smiled and breathed out a sigh of relief. "Deal, Nicola Wade."
"Please, Helen," Nikki frowned. "Just Nikki will do."
Helen looked at Nikki, admiring her strong facial features. She hadn't noticed a small scar near Nikki's upper forehead. "But I like the way it sounds." Before her thoughts drifted to the night that Nikki kissed her. When she thought about the kiss she wasn't angry or annoyed that Nikki was so bold to do a stunt like that. Nikki was acting on a feeling, right or wrong, but at least she was being honest about the kiss. In the beginning Nikki's flirtations ways were enduring and fun, but since the kiss it left her feeling a wanting she has never felt before. And ever since that night, her dreams were filled with Nikki and a sexual revelation that had her shaking in the morning. But she had to stop herself from her manic thoughts. She told herself she would not allow herself to get involved with Nikki. Friendship was the only route for them. She just needed to flush Nikki from her system.
"What are you thinking?" Nikki asked.
"What, did you say something?" Helen came out of her trance.
"I hope you were thinking about me just now," Nikki teased, watching Helen's face turn a deep red.
Helen felt immediately embarrassed, and she knew why. Nikki made her feel uneasy at times, yet she felt completely comfortable with the dark hair beauty that sat across her. It was a strange intrusion that Helen didn't quite understand.
"What are you getting at Nikki?" Helen feigned innocence.
They were silent for several heartbeats- perhaps surprised at the rapid familiarity that seemed to hover around them, and then Nikki shook her head briskly and glanced at her watch. "Have you eaten anything yet?"
"I'm living off coffee and donuts at the moment." Helen patted her stomach.
"Sounds nutritional," Nikki said sarcastically "How about I take you out for dinner now then? If we sneak out, I am sure no one will notice you gone."
"Why not. I need to get away from this place." Helen pulled up her collar as she rose from the chair. She looked around, shifty-eyed, in an uncanny parody of a secret agent. "I'll cover you. Run for it!"
Laughing, Nikki grabbed her coat and they headed out. "Wait!"
"What's the matter," Helen commented. "Did you forget something?"
Nikki shook her head. "Do you mind if we stopped somewhere. There's someone I'm hoping to run into."
Helen didn't quite understand, but Nikki looked concerned and her warm brown eyes affected her. Why was she able to pull her heart strings? She sighed inwardly and followed Nikki to the door.
"You thieving buggers!" Nikki yelled after them. "I know your faces."
Helen ran out of the car. "What is it? What's going on? Do you want me to go after them?"
"Nothing for you to worry about," she told her. "A few louts prowling about, but they'll not be back. I can promise you that."
"What did they want?" Helen asked.
"Whatever they could lay their hands on, I suspect." Nikki said, annoyed. Inside the coal hole a woman lay unconscious, her faithful friend lying beside her, her head bleeding. Only the occasional flickering of one eye gave a small sign that there might still be life.
"Is that you Monica?" Nikki cried out, uncertain what she was seeing. As she heard a familiar voice, Monica regained her senses, she called out for her cat. There was no reply; no familiar whimpering or nuzzling of a wet nose against her. Only a terrible stillness, a silence that was frightening. "Monica, it's all right. I'm here…" Nikki's voice trembled with fear. A sob catching her words, Monica turned her eyes to Nikki before falling unconscious.
"She's badly hurt," Helen warned. "Do you know this woman, Nikki?"
"Yes, in a way I do. I met her a few weeks back," Nikki said, barely containing her emotions. "I told the old woman to seek a shelter because I was afraid something like this might happen."
"Don't blame yourself, Nikki." Helen said, rubbing her hand over Nikki's shoulder. "You tried your best."
"I know, but my best wasn't good enough and this is shite." Nikki said with uncertainty. Why did she wait so long to seek Monica? Could she have done more? A sense of guilt washed over her. Ever since meeting Helen, all was put on hold. Together they carried Monica into the car and wrapped a blanket that Nikki had in her trunk. "Poor little devil," Nikki murmured, stroking the soft fur. "What kind of monsters did this? Attacking an old woman and her feline friend? They should be hanged." When Sadie the cat seemed to sigh, Nikki drew back, astonished. "Lord above. I thought you were done for."
The ride to the hospital was quiet and Nikki cradled Monica in her arms as Helen drove off, her lights flashing, driving as fast as she could to the hospital.