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লেখক of 10 Stories

There's some art work for this fic here: .

Check that shizzle out! It is amazing Praise her please! :D

Now on with the fic...

"How many আরো times do I have to tell you, Naomi? Leave this on!" Emily calls from the kitchen.

"And how many আরো times do I have to tell আপনি it's shit?" Naomi calls back from the living room, legs propped up on the table, flicking the channel over.

"I like it, Naoms." Emily appears at the door, leaning on the frame, pouting at the peroxide blonde. "Please, for me?"

"Oh, fuck sake." Naomi mutters, she knows she's going to cave. "Fine! But আপনি better sit here and watch it then." Naomi pats the মহাকাশ on the sofa পরবর্তি to her and looks at Emily expectantly. Emily walks over and sits in the space, leaning in to the comfort of Naomi's touch.

"Thanks, babe."

"I প্রণয় you."

"I প্রণয় you, too, Emily..."

It's a room, just an ordinary room, আপনি don't know where it is অথবা how long you've been there but you're here. আপনি look around, some cheap hotel, bed, draws, TV on a small desk, bathroom, nothing unusual. আপনি press your hand against your forehead and try to remember like আপনি do every time this happens, আপনি can't though. It's not your fault, it's a medical condition. Ever since the incident আপনি can't make new memories, you're not completely fucked though আপনি still have your old ones, still know who আপনি are, just can't remember the now. আপনি shift all your weight and push up off the bed, take another glance around the room before going through things, আপনি check the draws, nothing there, the wardrobe, just clothes, the bathroom; typical bathroom things. Nothing. "Fuck." আপনি mutter and sigh.

আপনি slowly walk over to the large mirror on the inside of the wardrobe door and through your শীর্ষ over your head, standing in your bra, looking at your reflection. The black ink mares your sink, taints it permanently, your fingers gently run over your old ones, the ones আপনি can tell have been there for a while because they're faded a bit. "Find him and kill him." আপনি read aloud as your finger runs over the one over your chest. Your hand moves down and moves over the পরবর্তি one. "John _ raped and killed my wife." And finally your hand trails down to the most সাম্প্রতিক one. "Don't trust anyone." You've obviously recently had a run in with someone that আপনি can't trust but unfortunately can't remember it. আপনি try to, but it's just not there. You're hand reaches into your bag that আপনি carry on your back and আপনি pull out some pictures, আপনি flick through them. Hillside motel, must be where you're staying. Cook; don't know what to make of him. That's what's scribbled on the back of the picture of the boisterous boy. আপনি flick to the পরবর্তি one; Effy, she'll help আপনি to her own end. Don't trust her too much. আপনি try the other pouch on the bag and pull out a couple of pieces of paper, scan them and then drop the others when আপনি find the newest one, আপনি can tell from the ink, when আপনি can't remember anything আপনি learn to trust your own handwriting. "Meet Effy at Cassie's Cafe at 12?" আপনি flick back to the card of her and reread it: she'll help আপনি to her own end. Don't trust her too much.

আপনি stop outside Cassie's cafe. It's a dingy little place on the corner of the scummier end of Bristol, আপনি reach into your pocket and pull out the note again. Meet Effy at Cassie's Cafe at 12. আপনি have to do this, have constant reminders of your objective otherwise আপনি forget what you're doing, that's part of your condition. আপনি pull out the ছবি to remind yourself of her appearance again and then push open your car door, stepping out and fixing your camera strap over your shoulder. Nothing আপনি need a picture of here.

আপনি push open the door to the cafe and step inside, your eyes running over its occupants and picking out the face from the photo, she's at the back, facing away from আপনি with a coffee in front of her. আপনি hesitantly make your way over, you're always hesitant because আপনি can't remember anyone অথবা anything, better নিরাপদ than sorry. আপনি slide into the আসন across from her and put your camera down on the table. "...Effy...right?" আপনি always get this moment of panic when আপনি assume something because in reality আপনি know nothing.

"Hello, Naomi." Her voice is cool and very unnerving but আপনি don't let it phase you. She clearly knows you, that's good enough. "You're late."

"Takes me a while to adjust. I've told আপনি about my condition, right?" আপনি reply.

"Yes, আপনি can't remember anything. আপনি don't remember me?" She asks and আপনি shake your head, no, she smiles. "Okay, well, that's shit."

"It is." A silence falls over the pair of আপনি and Effy just sips at her coffee. Makes no effort to lift the silence. "I'm sorry...but...err...why am I meeting you?"

"You arranged it আপনি tell me."

"Well, I..."

"Can't remember?"

আপনি laugh. "Well, no."

"You're here because আপনি asked me to find someone for you." Effy pushes a brown envelope towards আপনি over the table, আপনি reach out and grab it, pull it towards you, don't open it though, not here. আপনি look up at her. "You've already paid me for it." She উত্তর before আপনি can ask and আপনি nod.

"Is this...?"

"The guy who killed her?" Your jaw clenches. "I don't know," She sparks up a fag. "Maybe it is, all I know is আপনি asked me to find him. See আপনি around, Naomi." And then she's gone and you're left sitting alone at a booth in Cassie's cafe. আপনি scramble into your pocket and write in big letters on the envelope 'Must read; possibly HIM.'.

"Babe আপনি call out? Babe what's wrong?"

When আপনি get back to your room you've forgotten where you've come from, আপনি scratch the back of your head as আপনি sit down পরবর্তি to the window on a creaky old chair. আপনি go through your pockets and pull out the brown envelope, আপনি don't know where it's come from but আপনি recognise your লেখা on the front of it; Must read; possibly HIM. You're hands tear the envelope open eagerly and আপনি pull out the contents, an ammo magazine and a small bottle of liquid come out first, আপনি place the brown envelope down on the টেবিল and pick up the mag, its for the gun আপনি keep in your bag, আপনি recognise the make label on the side and আপনি always check your gun whenever আপনি forget, not because আপনি know আপনি have it but to see what আপনি do have. The পরবর্তি is a small bottle of liquid, আপনি don't know what it is, looks like water to আপনি so আপনি place it to the side and press your hand down on the envelope, smiling when আপনি feel some paper inside, আপনি reach inside and remove it, placing it on the টেবিল in front of আপনি and scanning it with your eyes.

"John Davies." আপনি read aloud as আপনি look over the picture of a man with black hair and blue eyes. আপনি pull your sleeve up to your elbow and look at the ট্যাটু আপনি have there. Fact 1: Male.

"Check."

Fact 2: White.

"Check."

Fact 3: First name John.

"Check."

Fact 4: Access to Drugs.

আপনি don't know that one. আপনি only know that because Emily was drugged when it happened, that was in the report, আপনি had a friend that got আপনি it, well, that's what it says on শীর্ষ of the report, আপনি wrote it, so you'll never know. আপনি shake your head and go back to the sheet. It has his address, age, licence plate number, height. Everything আপনি need to know, আপনি reach into the envelope one আরো time and find a scrap of paper at the bottom. আপনি left these at mine the other night. Effy. আপনি raise your eyebrows, আপনি stayed at hers? আপনি try not to think about that and go back to what আপনি know. What আপনি do know is that there is a guy, he might not be your guy, but আপনি wanted him and he could be important. আপনি reach for your pen and write on the back of the sheet; find him, he has something আপনি need. And then আপনি বৃত্ত the address.

আপনি don't know what you're doing when আপনি pull up at the address on the back of the paper. You're eyes run over the paper and then আপনি pull up your sleeves to look at the tattoos. আপনি open the car door and walk up to the house, knocking briskly. আপনি look over the red door and the glossy blue paint that coats the house and try to fit this guy into the image of John; it doesn't fit, but nothing ever fucking fits so আপনি stand patiently and wait for the door to be answered. It doesn't have a creak like most doors have when it opens so আপনি assume it must be new. The man from the ছবি sticks his head out. "John Davies?"

"Yeah? What can I do for you?" He pushes the door the rest of the way open and stands on the porch. আপনি look him up and down. He's nothing special, not overly built but has some muscle on him and is reasonably tall, other than that he looks pretty normal to you.

"Can I come in?" আপনি ask.

"Sure." He pushes open the door and lets আপনি inside. There's a picture frame of him and his family as soon as আপনি walk in the door, two kids and a wife, it doesn't fit. The house itself is neat and well groomed, আপনি look hard to find something out of place অথবা a spec of dirt but nothing catches your eye. He takes আপনি into the living room and gestures for আপনি to sit down, আপনি do in the red single chair opposite the 42 inch TV. He's well off. "So, what can I do for you, Miss..?"

"Campbell, Naomi Campbell."

He stifles a laugh. "Really?"

"Yeah, really."

"That's unfortunate."

"Trust me, I know."

"Anyway," He coughs into his hand. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"Yeah..." There's never an easy way to approach this. "Do আপনি know who I am?"

"No."

"So, we've never met before?"

He glances away from her nervously. "Not that I can...er...remember."

"Do আপনি know someone called Emily Fitch?"

"Look, what's this all about?"

"Do আপনি know her, yes অথবা no?"

"Yeah, I think so. Cute little redhead? Went to Roundview college with my sister?"

"Did আপনি do it?" আপনি can't be sure, so আপনি just have to risk it.

"Do what?" He doesn't know অথবা he pretends he doesn't so there's only one way আপনি can find out. আপনি pull out your gun and point it at his chest.

"Whoa! What the fuck is going on?" He asks in panic.

"You knew Emily, yes?"

"Yeah."

"Did আপনি know that Emily Fitch died last year?"

"What? No. I'm sorry. I didn't know her personally." He's calmer than he should e for someone with a gun pointed at him, but আপনি know from experience, from before the incident that people can put on fronts, so your grip tightens.

"She was raped and killed in her home."

"I..."

"By a man named John. John Davies?"

"What? No, I couldn't...I wouldn't...I have a family. I never knew the girl." আপনি walk over and press the gun against his temple.

"Did আপনি fucking do it?" Your voice breaks as আপনি press it against his head. His eyes সরানো in to focus on the gun as much as he can. "Did you!"

"No!"

"Naomikins!" The doors open and a boisterous male is standing in the door way donning a neatly worn polo শার্ট and jeans. "What the fuck are আপনি doing?"

"Who the fuck are you?" The gun moves to point at him. He knows you, he knows your name.

"Whoa, back off, blondie, just reach back there into your pockets and pull out those pictures of yours and take a look, then get back to me, yeah?" Your other hand hesitantly complies with what he says, snaking into your pocket and going through the pictures one দ্বারা one until আপনি find the one with his face on it. Cook; don't know what to make of him.

"Cook?"

"That's right, Naomikins."

"How do I know you?"

"Don't worry, blondie, I know about your condition. Now how about we all sit down and have a cuppa, yeah? This ain't your man. Hell this guys name ain't even John!"

"What? But I've got..." আপনি pull out the envelope and Cook's already taking it from your hands and scanning it.

"Who the fuck gave আপনি this?"

"Cook?" John calls.

"Shut the fuck up for a সেকেন্ড mate. Who gave আপনি this Naomi?" আপনি have to go through your pockets for a while but আপনি find and name and give it to Cook. "Fuck, man. Your sister gave her this? What have আপনি done to piss her off, Tone?" He turns towards the black haired male.

"Your names Tony?" আপনি ask and he nods. "Then why did আপনি reply to John?"

"My sister."

"What about her?"

"I'm hiding from her."

"Oh." You'll need to write this down at some point.

"I have a condition, Tony, where I can't remember things after a while. I can remember everything before my 'accident', but not after, so can we make this short. Only so much I can write down." আপনি tell him and motion with the note pad and pen in your hand for extra effect.

"Sure..." Tony trails off slowly, like he hasn't quite registered yet what she's said. His eyes finally stop on her. "My sister is trying to kill me."

"Why?" You're very blunt, always have been.

"Naomikins let the man tell the story!" Cook interrupts. আপনি scowl at him.

"My sister is trying to kill me because she believes that I owe her money."

"For what?"

"Drugs." Of course, আপনি think, because it's always about drugs and money. Well, that's what films tell আপনি anyway. So, আপনি write down drugs and money from Effy and then wait for more. "It was an incident, if happened a while back, this guy contacted us saying that he would send us twice the amount of booze we order from his company, sounds good, right?" আপনি nod. "Too bad I'm too gullible for my own good, I like to see the good in everyone so I did just that but what I didn't know."

"Oh, and here's the corker." Cook slaps his arm chair excitedly, আপনি glance at him and force the smile fighting its way to the surface back down. No time for smiles. আপনি don't remember smiling recently. আপনি know the feeling of your lips moving into the position and the sound of the laughter erupting from your throat but আপনি don't have the emotion. The joy. It's just gone.

"That's one way to put it." Tony nods but he doesn't smile, doesn't share Cooks excitement. "You see the thing is that Effy had a new boyfriend at the time and I didn't know that because she'd never ব্যক্ত anything to me and she..."

"She did আপনি over." আপনি say with realisation and scribble that down quickly. আপনি don't know if আপনি can trust Effy at all now. What আপনি wrote on the card was accurate but nowhere near this accurate.

"Yeah...she planned it all. Freddie was going to do me for five grand but I clocked on she left a message on my answer phone one দিন that was meant for him and after that I just pieced the rest of it together. I confronted her and she hit me with an ashtray, after that I've been running. But I've been doing some research as well and it gets worse. আপনি see, Freddie's a heroin addict, a real bad one, abuses both methadone and the real stuff at the same time. He ordered a shit load of drugs and was going to pay the debt off with the money he was going to steal from me. I shut down the bar and have been moving around ever since."

"Fuck me. Is she still really looking for you?" আপনি ask. আপনি just realised that you've been with this manipulative দুশ্চরিত্রা earlier.

"She bumped into Cook and I five months পূর্বে and let's just say it wasn't pretty. If I didn't have Cook there to back me up at the time they'd have found a way to do whatever they want to do to me right then and there." Tony's looking down at his hand now and আপনি feel sorry for the bloke. I'm sure he's done some shit stuff in his life as well but for right now all আপনি know is his perspective so আপনি write it all down and then tuck it into the back of your jean pocket.

"So, where the fuck do আপনি come into this story?" আপনি ask Cook and he laughs.

"Can't talk now, Naomikins, I have to go see some man about some drugs," He glances at Tony with a shrug. "Sorry, mate." Tony waves it off and stares off out the window. Effy's fucked his whole life over now. আপনি can sympathise with Tony because he doesn't have a life now, sure he has this fake one but he doesn't really exist. আপনি know that feeling, আপনি feel it every time আপনি wake up and try and figure out where the hell আপনি are and how আপনি got there. "Meet me here tonight at 8, alright? And whatever the fuck আপনি do, don't bump অথবা whatever into miss I like to manipulative people because I'm a fucking cunt, alright?" আপনি nod. "Good. See আপনি then, bye Tone, mate. Booze tomorrow!" and the door slams shut. আপনি glance at Tony who glances back at আপনি awkwardly and then.

"Sorry, who are you?"

"I'm Tony, we've been talking for the last ten minutes."

"Sorry, just gotta read something..." আপনি reach back into your pocket and go through some notes. It makes sense again.

"Is everything alright, Emily?" Naomi hands run over the empty মহাকাশ in the বিছানা পরবর্তি to her. There's a slight bang and she jumps, head turning towards it. The blonde's alert now, she's always been paranoid. Naomi shift so she's sitting up in the বিছানা and then her feet touch the cold floor boards. She shiver, there's something in the air. She সরানো towards the cupboard at the back end of the room and reach inside, her fingers wrapping around the wooden handle of her protection; a baseball bat. She heads toward the উৎস of the noise.

It's weird, sneaking around her own home. In the দিন it's a place for Emily and her to relax, unwind and just be together but at night the place becomes eerie. It's not especially big অথবা small, it's a kind of in-between place. Emily found it in some cheap newsagents going out of business, they let them have a discount but it was still a little bit out of their price range. Emily had promise she'd work আরো shifts if Naomi would let them get it. She'd caved well, because it's Emily and she loves her and, well, that's it really, that's what প্রণয় does to a person. It had been hard for the first few months, hungrier than used to being, no little dips into pockets for stuff they didn't need but wanted to and no tv, for the first few months. Naomi had then hit the jackpot when she'd landed a promotion at work, protesting didn't really reap the benefits but when আপনি hit that jackpot and someone notices আপনি and আপনি get picked up, that little extra cash goes a long way and that's where the good times had really started.

As Naomi crept down the hall, her hand running over the cream coloured walls she smiles. She always liked decorating with Emily, she made it fun.

"Pass me the brush, babe?" Naomi placed the roller on the floor and stood back up, wiping her brow. Always hurt her back, painting ceilings. She looked over to her redhead girl who had some paint sitting on the end of her button nose. Naomi laughed to herself. How does she get herself into these situations, she wondered. She stepped toward the redhead and placed her thumb in her mouth, sucking on it.

"What are আপনি doing?" Emily asked, staring at her girlfriend confused.

"You've got some...Just let me..." Her suckled thumb rubbing the paint from Emily's nose.

"Thanks, mum."

"Hey, I was only trying to be nice, Ems."

"Painting's about getting messy, everything doesn't have to be so neat and organised, আপনি know?" Emily flicked some paint toward Naomi, stripping it down her shirt.

"I like this shirt!" Naomi cried outraged.

"So, get another one?"

"At forty pound a go, Emily it's not that easy to get a new one because your redhead girlfriend has a fetish for throwing paint." She grumbled and walked over, picked up a brush and returned to the can, dipped it in and began to slide it up and down the wall. Covering its surface in a thick gloop of cream paint, she smoothed one সেকেন্ড down and moved onto another. Emily pouted, trying to catch the blonde's attention. Naomi noticed but pretended not to, focused on the দেওয়াল in front of her rather than the sexy redhead to her left. Emily placed her hands on Nan's hips, running them up her sides before pulling her into a hug, resting her head on the blonde's shoulder, pressing a চুম্বন to her cheek.

"I'm sorry." Silence.

"You will be." Naomi laughed and flicked some paint right down Emily's top. A gasp and Emily slaps her on the shoulder.

"You bitch! I thought আপনি were angry at me!" Naomi winks and dodges away from the redhead. "Get back here!" Emily chases her. Picking up her own paint brush she starts to flick আরো paint towards the blonde. Naomi's laugh is infectious and Emily can't help herself, soon enough she's laughing along with the blonde, dodging paint and trying to catch Naomi out. Eventually, Emily fakes dodging one way and goes another, Naomi running straight into her arms. "Gotcha!" Emily's face is so proud, the fact she's outsmarted the blonde overtaking her face and breaking out in a broad smile. Naomi takes a hand full of paint and smears it down the redhead's cheek, laughing at Emily's change in facial expression when she does it. Emily takes some আরো and smears it across Naomi's forehead. "Karma." She states in her sweetest tone of voice and cocks her head at Naomi. Naomi smiles. She looks so cute like that. She loves her. So she kisses her. Emily smiles into the চুম্বন and kisses her back, let's Naomi push her up against the দেওয়াল only to realise it's covered in paint. "Nai..."

"What?" Naomi grunts from the kiss.

"The walls paint is getting smudged. Can we take this to the floor?" Naomi doesn't say anything just pulls Emily back and pushes her down to the ground, climbing on শীর্ষ of the redhead. Emily groans and tightens her grip in Naomi's hair, the paints gonna be a দুশ্চরিত্রা to get out later but she doesn't care because Naomi is pressing kisses down her collarbone and one of her hand is slowly trailing down to the place she really wants it to be. It's the messiest sex they've ever had, but one of the best.

Naomi's mind is filled with that memory all the time she's pressed up against the wall. A bang sounds out from the other end of the house, in the kitchen, but she doesn't have time to go check that because she can hear Emily crying in the bath room পরবর্তি to her. Her eyes begin to water. Not Emily, what's happened? She can hear other people in the room with her as well moving around. Breathing becomes hard. She can't let anything happen to her. Her grip tightens on the bat, sweat on her palms she steps one step closer to the door. She wants to be there now. In the room but something is keeping her from doing so.

Slow and steady, the whimper gets louder to her, banging around in her head. Emily! And when she hears a cry, just the tiniest of sounds she kicks into over drive, pushing অগ্রবর্তী so kicks open the door, instinct carrying her. There's one guy on শীর্ষ of Emily holding her down as he takes her. Naomi's eyes fill with rage. "Get the fuck off her!" She screams. A head turns towards her and there's a chuckle. She charges forward, hitting the man square in the head with the bat. He falls to the floor in a sprawl. "Emily! Emily are আপনি okay?" She's shaking the redhead's shoulders, hoping to get some form of life from here. There's a groan and she smiles happily, looks around for something to cover the redhead up with. A towel, the blonde reaches for it, placing it over Emily's exposed body when it's finally in her hands.

"It's okay, babe. It'll be fine. I'm here now, okay?" Cradling the redhead to her chest Naomi promises herself that she'll never let go of the redhead again. She doesn't hear the floor creak behind her before it's too late and she's shoved against the wall, her head smacking into the glass cabinet and cracking her skull. Her vision starts to fade and she blinks, looking up at her attacker. It's the man she hit, he'd recovered, bleeding heavily from his head but has recovered. He looks down at her. Black mask donning his face and cocks his head at her. If he had no mask she was sure he'd be smiling smugly at her. Panic rises in her once last time, hoping for a burst of adrenaline but nothing comes. She can't do anything, she's helpless. Her eyes drop down to the redhead who's starting to stir. Emily's eyes open and she looks at the blonde confused, and then she sees the blonde. "Naomi!" she mouths, can't speak. হারিয়ে গেছে her voice. Naomi tries to fight it, tries to stay awake but the blackness that is starting to surround her is getting even harder to fight off. The last thing she does before she succumbs is reach out her hand and grip Emily's, one last squeeze. Hope.

She coughs, hard and fast. She coughs again. There's something around her mouth. Her eyes are fuzzy and luminous lights are hanging above her head. What the fuck? She looks around, her vision starting to focus, breathing heavy. What the fuck? "Naomi? Naomi! She's waking up, doc!" She hears a male's voice.

"It's Cook, Naomi. I'm a mate of Emilio's from work."

"What are আপনি doing here?" Naomi's voice is hoarse. Cook hands her some water and helps her drink it.

"I was coming round late, to drop some stuff off that Emilio left at work. Her bag and stuff. She just left it sitting on her desk. Probably got too busy with all that paper work."

"Probably..." Naomi muses. "Cook? That's your name, right?"

"Yes, Naomi?"

"Where's Emily?"

"Ah."

আপনি don't know why, but that stuck. Not knowing Cook. আপনি don't remember who he is, well, আপনি do every time he reminds আপনি of how, but আপনি remember the fact that she died. আপনি think it's because even though you've got short term memory loss, some part of আপনি cares so much about Emily that it can overcome the part of your brain that tells আপনি to forget. Well, that's what আপনি like to think anyway. আপনি read over your notes one আরো time. আপনি only have a short amount of time when আপনি do this to plan out what your পরবর্তি step in your plan is. What Tony told আপনি is of great importance, so আপনি write on Effy's ছবি 'need to see her about what Tony said.'. Cook ব্যক্ত he'd meet আপনি later so আপনি write a note to yourself saying 'meet Cook later at Tony's'. Those are the পরবর্তি two steps. আপনি look back up to the house with Tony sitting inside and sigh. Fucking family. আপনি put the key into the ignition and press down on the accelerator hard, আপনি wish আপনি could remember him...he seemed like a nice guy.

আপনি wait for a call, আপনি sit in your room and wait. Keep picking up the piece of paper আপনি wrote on and just wait. The phone rings a couple of times and আপনি pick it up hastily, it's only the motel manager checking in on you. He knows about your condition and he seems like a nice guy. Caring. Annoying as well though because all আপনি need is this call and then আপনি can get one step closer to figuring out this massive mess you've unintentionally gotten yourself involved in. Just as আপনি start to ponder the components of the game, the phone rings, you're on your feet and answer hastily. "Hello?"

"Naomi?" a cool voice replies.

"Who is this?"

"Effy, don't আপনি remember me?" It's slightly patronizing. It irritates আপনি but আপনি don't feel comfortable enough to voice that opinion.

"No."

"That's right, you've got a con-"

"—diton, yeah. আপনি know that, well, at least I think আপনি do. Why are আপনি playing games?" The confusion evident in your voice.

"I'm not playing games."

"Then what are আপনি doing?"

"I'm hoping one of these days you'll remember me." And it knocks আপনি completely off balance. আপনি wonder if আপনি wrote anything down about Effy's uncanny ability to put people off edge anywhere, unlikely, আপনি only write down the important things. "Can আপনি come over?"

"Why?"

"I need to see you."

"About what?" আপনি are holding her photograph in your hands. 'She'll help আপনি to her own end. Don't trust her too much' even আরো prominent then even. আপনি slowly shake the photo, hoping some sort of secret answer will come from it. It doesn't. আপনি place it back down and wait for her reply, but she's been silent for a while.

"How'd it go?"

"Who is this?" আপনি ask. আপনি don't know who you're on the phone to.

"It's...Effy." She says confused. আপনি reach down and pick up the picture again. Effy, 'dont' trust her too much'. It's hard, when আপনি forget so quickly and have to remember so fast.

"Right, okay, what did আপনি want?"

"How did it go with John Davies?"

John Davies? আপনি খুঁজুন around the room. It doesn't take আপনি long, আপনি gather the necessary information you're looking for. "He wasn't the guy I was looking for." It's cryptic. আপনি want to throw her off balance.

"Anything happen?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Just asking." আপনি liar, আপনি think. "You need to come see me."

"And why is that, Effy?" আপনি can hear the patience running thin in your own voice now and Effy takes a breath in before replying.

"Because I think I might have found the guy."

"You've ব্যক্ত that before to me." আপনি sigh.

"I know, but I think I've finally got him. It all fits!" She sounds genuine but আপনি can't be sure. Have to listen to your own handwriting after all.

"And what make this one so special?" আপনি take a breath in. "Because you've been sure of all of them before and none of them have been the right one. I've looked for so long and so hard and I know there comes a period of trial and error but I don't think I can take much more. I think I'll have to do it on my own..." আপনি put the bait out there.

"No!..." She coughs. "I mean, no, let me help you. I'm sure this is him, I promise."

"Why are আপনি so eager to help me?" আপনি shoot back.

"Because I care." Off balance again. Fuck sake.

"Fuck it," আপনি mutter. "Fine, I'll be round soon."

"Cool." She উত্তর and then she's gone. আপনি write something down and then take a moment for yourself. আপনি forget it all just like that, but আপনি remember it later, আপনি always remember it later.

When আপনি knock, আপনি don't know what to expect. "Come on." আপনি don't even see Effy when she pulls the door ajar and walks back into the darkness, well, আপনি think it's her. আপনি just see a figure, no detail. আপনি step inside hesitantly and close the door. Her house is fucking creepy. Paper with notes scribbled on them all hung up over the place, some মার্জার scattering around and the distinct smell of whiskey filling its entirety. আপনি step on something and it crunches, আপনি groan. These shoes look nice, আপনি hope they weren't too much, আপনি don't even look at what আপনি stepped in, just walk on through towards Effy's direction.

"Effy?" আপনি call out and take a step closer.

"In here." She calls from a room at the back. আপনি hear her placing glasses on the side. "So, how'd it go with John Davies?" Time to stop playing games.

"You know how it went!" Her eyes bulged out and she turns towards you.

"What do আপনি mean?"

"I already told you." This catches her off guard. She laughs at that, it's fake, she knows it and so do you. She's fumbling around with a cigarette packet in her hands. She pulls it out and lights it, taking a drag, glazing her eyes. She looks from side to side. "What's up with you?"

"Did আপনি kill him?" Effy almost hisses it.

Your eyes bulge. "What?"

She advances on you. "Did আপনি kill him?" It's louder but still harsh. Pressing আপনি back into the cabinet.

"Get the fuck off me, psycho bitch!" আপনি roar and push her away, reaching for your gun and holding it out at her. "Back the fuck off! I know okay, I know! I know that Tony's your brother. I know that আপনি sent me there to clear his debt, well, fuck you, Effy! I'm not a hit man!"

"Yes, আপনি are! You're a fuck up." It catches আপনি off guard. আপনি thought that because you'd pulled a gun and got the upper hand with the big reveal. "You stupid little bitch! Looking for উত্তর where there aren't any," She's in your face now. Mocking you. Your teeth grit in frustration and your eyes tear in horror. "You can't find the truth because there isn't any truth to be found. Your cunt of a wife got what she deserved and you'll get what আপনি deserve as well! আপনি are nothing. Pathetic, fucking retard!" আপনি hit her with the gun, hard across the face and she looks back at আপনি shocked.

"Shut up!" আপনি shout. "Shut the fuck up! I want some উত্তর and I want them now! You're going to give them to me অথবা I'm going to make you!" আপনি declare and advance on the wounded girl. আপনি don't get the chance though because somebody hits আপনি from behind and আপনি feel that familiar darkness overtake you. Fuck sake, not again.

Effy rummages through your pockets. আপনি don't know though, you're not awake. She picks up the ছবি and takes a lighter from her pocket, burning all of them. She goes into your bag this time and pulls your camera from it. আপনি give the camera to Freddie and make him take one of you, আপনি write on it. 'She will help.' She slides it back into your pocket and turns to the tall male পরবর্তি to her. "What আপনি gonna do, Ef? She's onto us." Effy goes into her bag again and looks at the notes. She pulls out a few pages and burns them, too.

"Not anymore she's not."

"What আপনি gonna do now?"

Effy picks up the last picture and smiles. It's a picture of Cook. She knows who he is. Of course she does. He's Naomi's lad dog, guardian অ্যাঞ্জেল who keeps an eye out for her ever since the accident. "We're going to get rid of our problems. She'll do it this time. I'll make sure of it."

Freddie smiles. "Good."

"Naomi! Naomi! Wake up! Fucking hurry up and wake up!" আপনি hear the voice of someone calling at you. আপনি force your eyes open and look up. আপনি don't recognise the brunette above you.

"Wha..who are you?" আপনি mumble.

"It's Effy!" She rummages into your pocket and pulls out a picture, hands it towards you. আপনি look it over, recognise the picture see the words and nod to yourself. আপনি know who she is. আপনি can trust her. আপনি seem to be bound in ropes, আপনি can feel it round your wrists. Effy takes a ছুরি from the রান্নাঘর counter and cuts them. "Quick, we have to get out of here! He'll come back!"

"Who!" আপনি exclaim. She doesn't answer, just pulls আপনি to your feet and pushes আপনি towards the door. There's banging on the দেওয়াল পরবর্তি to আপনি and your head snaps towards it. Fuck. She's right. He's here! But where's here ad who the fuck is he! Is he the one that killed Emily! Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! আপনি and Effy are out the door and into the sunshine. She pulls আপনি towards the car door and pushes আপনি inside.

"He's coming! Drive!" She hands আপনি the keys. আপনি put them in and drive. Drive so fast that আপনি leave marks on the ground and smoke in the air. "Keep going!"

"Where! Fucking where!" আপনি তীক্ষ্নভাবে a hand against the steering wheel.

"Pull over here!" আপনি do. Effy pushes her hair back and groans.

"What the fuck was that?" আপনি are bound to forget soon, আপনি think. আপনি rummage through your bag and pulling out a pen and paper. Effy sits in silence. "Will আপনি hurry the fuck up! Time isn't on my side আপনি know."

"It was Cook."

"Who?"

"You've met him before. He was trying to kill you. Luckily I found you. He'd tied আপনি up and put আপনি in that house. A friend of mine and I tracked আপনি down, they gave me the address and I came for you. He's the one who killed Emily. He admitted it to me and tried to stab me but I got the better of him and knocked him out. He was in the other room. Look." She holds out her arm with a স্ল্যাশ down the side of it. It's deep and আপনি cringe, looks painful.

"He's...the one?"

"Yes!"

"He admitted it?"

"Yes!"

"Why?"

"I don't know. He told me. To rub it in probably. ব্যক্ত আপনি found him somehow."

"No..." আপনি pause. Your হৃদয় is beating faster than ever. Adrenaline. আপনি need this to be over and it's so close to it being over. Is this him? Really? It seems that way. Emily, he will pay. I promise. Effy looks at আপনি expectantly. "Why did he do it?"

Effy sighs. "I don't know." Silence follows. Effy reaches over and grabs the paper and pen from your hands. She scribbles something down onto it and hands it back to you. 'James Cook. আপনি can find him at this address. He'll be the one in the polo শার্ট and dirty hair.' The address is written underneath for you. আপনি frown. How does Effy know all this?

"Aren't আপনি worried that he's going to come after us? And why don't we just go back there? He's all knocked out. We could just go in and end it and that would be that." আপনি point out the obvious.

"He was waking up when I left. He'll be gone দ্বারা now. I know for a fact that he had to meet someone this evening, that's who I got the information off. His name is Tony, that address is his house. Now go, Naomi. Get him, before আপনি forget." আপনি scribble some আরো information down on the paper and then look back up at Effy. "Thank you." She smiles.

"No problem, Naomi." And then gets out of the car. আপনি watch as a girl আপনি don't know walks across the road and up the path. আপনি can't help but think she looks mysterious.

আপনি chew on the pen as আপনি sit outside of the house. আপনি don't think you've been here before. আপনি don't know how আপনি found this 'Cook' character before either. He doesn't fit some of the slots in your story but the way আপনি woke up, well, from what you've gotten written down in front of আপনি would suggest this is finally him. And that puts আপনি on edge. Emily, আপনি smile just thinking about her. She was wronged, fucking wronged! Murder like some little bug, a speck of nothing on the earth's surface and it makes the rage boil up in আপনি so bad. আপনি grip the gun in your palm and look at the house one আরো time. Fuck it. Time to just do something instead of sitting back! আপনি push open the car door, slam it shut and walk up to the house, আপনি knock and wait. "Alright, Naomikins!"

BANG.

He's down, Cook's on the floor with a look of horror on his face. He reaches down to his stomach and presses his shaking had against the wound, he pulls it back and looks at the blood. He looks back up at her. "Naomikins...why?" He gasps.

"What's going on in here?" Tony asks stepping in from the other room. আপনি point the gun at him. Effy ব্যক্ত he'd be here.

"Back off."

"Naomi!" Tony's shocked. "What the fuck have আপনি done? Cook, Cook, are আপনি alright mate?" He bends down not caring about the gun and pulls Cook close to him trying to get a better look at the wound. "Oh, fuck! It's bad!" He runs out the room and goes to find something. আপনি don't know why আপনি haven't shot him yet. You're looking from the gun and back to Cook. আপনি don't feel that rage anymore, আপনি don't feel the satisfaction. Some part of আপনি feels dread. That you've got the wrong man, that you've killed an innocent.

"You shouldn't have done it." আপনি state, pointing the gun at Cook again.

"Done what, Naomikins? Be there for you? Look after you? Make sure আপনি don't go off the rails?"

"What?" আপনি throw the gun out in outrage. Confused, you're so fucking confused. Don't listen to him. He might be lying! "What are আপনি talking about?"

"Whose got আপনি twisted, blondie? Who's been telling আপনি fucking lies?" He mutters. Laughs to himself meekly and crawls towards the টেবিল top. He opens the শীর্ষ draw. আপনি point the gun at him. "Don't worry I aint gonna hurt you. Take a look at this. I brought it round to show, ya. Something আপনি needed to see. Should've shown আপনি ages পূর্বে but didn't want আপনি to think I didn't care. Cuz i do." He hands an envelope to you, it should've been completely white but droplets of blood had landed on it. It was smeared now, tainted. Your hand shakes as আপনি take it, আপনি recognise the hand লেখা of the name, it's Emily's. It says 'James.'

Dear James,

I'm লেখা আপনি this out of caution. Over the last couple of weeks I haven't felt safe, not because of any immediate threat but because of a feeling. Yeah, I know, right? Typical Emily blowing things out of proportion. But someone's been following me I'm sure of it. I don't know who but I can feel them watching me all the time. I've gone to the police but they won't listen. I'm worried, James. I can trust you, I know আপনি and you're an okay guy, so that's why I'm asking you. If anything happens to me, will আপনি make sure that Naomi's alright? Make sure that she can cope. That she's not alone. She's never been one to be open about her feelings, just...even when she's being a complete bitch, just promise me আপনি won't give up on her? She means so much to me.

Love,

Emily.

For the first time in a long time আপনি feel a tear running down your cheek. আপনি haven't cried in a long time. Not since, well, since আপনি found out about Emily. Not since আপনি promised that you'd avenge her. The gun shakes in your hand and আপনি try to control it. "I'm sorry..." আপনি whisper and Cook laughs.

"It's alright, Naomikins, we all make mistakes."

"Fuck." আপনি drop to your knees and crawl towards him. আপনি pull him to you. "You were only trying to help. আপনি weren't him at all. Shit. Fuck sake, Ems." আপনি laugh to yourself. Always has to play the guardian angel.

"Yeah, Fuck sake, Ems." Cook repeats and calls আপনি close. "I know আপনি don't remember me, Blondie, but I've been there, yeah? I know আপনি and I know what you're doing. We've been over this a thousand times. I don't know if you're gonna find what you're looking for, but it is just what you're looking for, babe. Emily wouldn't want this, আপনি know it, I know it. আপনি can't সরানো on because of this fucked up brain thing আপনি got going on but, আপনি gotta find peace. Gotta get some relief, blondie, cuz this shit's consuming you."

"Why aren't আপনি আরো angry? I just fucking shot you!" আপনি cry, tears cascading down your cheeks now. It feels good. Good to cry. Cook tugs আপনি closer.

"You already know."

"What?"

"You already know who it is."

"What!" Confusion growing inside of you.

"I hid it from you...Emily wouldn't have...wanted...look...closer." He coughs up blood this time and then drops back against the floor, weezing as his body twitches. Naomi hand comes up to her mouth in shock. What the fuck? She reaches foward.

"Don't touch him!" Tony commands. Dropping to the floor, he presses two fingers against Cook's neck looking for a pulse. "He's...dead. Fucking dead." Tony mutters. He sits back on his knees and rubs his eyes. "Come on, Cook buddy, it was going so well. Why'd আপনি have to go leave the party early? আপনি always were king of the party." আপনি hear him mutter under his breath. That's his way of grieving আপনি guess. আপনি don't know why but this guy that আপনি can't even remember death has effected আপনি a lot then আপনি anticipated. Guilt it's a দুশ্চরিত্রা and it's stinging like hell right now. আপনি pull আপনি look at him in shock. "He's fucking dead! The police will be here soon and he wouldn't want আপনি caught." আপনি stay still. "You've done enough! Leave! Get the fuck out!" With his final roar আপনি push yourself to your feet, grab then gun and run out of the door. আপনি hope that you'll forget this fast. Forget killing a man. আপনি can't stand it so far.

It's a graveyard, just an ordinary graveyard. You've been here many times before, well আপনি think আপনি have. Your notes say so. আপনি look out at the hundreds of stones in front of আপনি and none of them matter, none but one. Emily's. আপনি are in front of Emily's grave. "I...I've never understood...didn't understand what people were supposed to be doing here...when they come to grave yards to talk to something that isn't there. I just know...oh fuck...I miss you, okay, Emily?" Your voice breaks. "I...miss your smile and আপনি hair and your smell and I miss every fucking thing about you, alright? Sometimes it's hard, so fucking hard and all I want to do is be in your arms again in our bed, in our home! The place where we belong. It's not fair! It's not fair that আপনি were taken from me. I needed you. I...still need you." আপনি drop down and press your head against her gravestone, your tears dropping onto the stone beside it. "I'm broken. The person who I am now isn't the Naomi আপনি love...and I'm...I'm scared আপনি wouldn't প্রণয় me like this. I killed someone innocent. Someone আপনি asked to look after me if আপনি ever...you know...and I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. My words feel empty. I feel so numb. I'm হারিয়ে গেছে without আপনি Emily. Dead." Your tears overcome আপনি and আপনি just sit there for a few minutes, arms wrapped around a gravestone because it's the closet আপনি can get to her. And আপনি need it. "I have to end it though, I know it's not what আপনি want, but I need an end game, okay? After all this it's a প্রথমপাতা for me, no one with my condition can truly live a normal life. I can't even get over আপনি Emily, আপনি are my one and only. I can't forget you, I wouldn't want to. I প্রণয় you." আপনি have to end it.

"She misses you, too, আপনি know?" আপনি hear from behind you.

"Katie?" আপনি ask through your tear filled eyes.

"Yeah, it's me, bitch." She crouches down on the ground পরবর্তি to আপনি and puts down some flowers. "Hey, sis, how are আপনি today? Keeping tidy, I see." She মতামত about the condition of the grave. "I'm sorry, I haven't been around for her as much as you'd want me to be." আপনি look at her. "It's was hard for me as well, yeah? I loved you, too, আপনি silly muff muncher. I'll look after her now, though. I promise, I won't let her do anymore damage then she's already done." আপনি smile. Katie can be less bitchlike sometimes.

"And what makes আপনি think I want your protection?"

"Shhh! I'm talking here." Katie snaps playfully. "She loves you, I see that now. I'm sorry I doubted it. প্রণয় you, Ems. See আপনি soon." And with that Katie stands and offers her hand to you. "Coffee?" this is the first time you've spoken to Katie since the accident. She was unreasonable after blaming you. She's had time to cool off and আপনি are happy. আপনি pull out your pad and pen and scribble something down. "There's something I have to do first, but when it's finished," আপনি grit your teeth. আপনি are ending this. One way অথবা another. No more, no fucking more! "We'll put Emily to rest properly, yeah?"

"I'd like that."

"Me too." And then Katie's gone, after giving আপনি a brief hug.

What you've scribbled? Hope.

It's just a motel room, an ordinary hotel room. আপনি know you've been here before because of the key in your pocket. আপনি step inside and look around. It's normal. Bed, tv on a small desk, draws and a bathroom, nothing unusual. আপনি walk over to the বিছানা and sit down on the edge. It's early morning, the sun is shining through the window. আপনি look out and smile. You've forget the pain of last night, sure, it's down on paper but it's not the same. আপনি don't feel the guilt as much now, because আপনি can't remember and that helps. আপনি stand in front of the mirror completely bare, looking yourself up and down, seeing yourself inside out. The phone rings and makes আপনি jump, it's just the motel clerk checking on you. He seems like a nice guy. আপনি hang up and look back at yourself. Your ট্যাটু mare your skin, আপনি trace your fingers across the main one. The one আপনি look at all the time, just to remind yourself, motivate yourself and keep আপনি on edge. "John _ raped and killed my wife." আপনি look at how faded it is, has it really been that long? আপনি look at some others, যেভাবে খুশী bits of information that have led আপনি to this point. There's a very old one, one you've never really understood until now. It says "Look closer...lights off." আপনি frown. A message from Cook? How'd he get it on her body? Have আপনি known something before and forgotten it since then?

আপনি sit around for a while trying to figure it out. Something to look closer at? আপনি pull out all your notes and go through everything, every little detail but none of it makes sense. It annoys আপনি because আপনি like to think that you've become a person that looks over every detail, into every nook and cranny until আপনি uncover everything, and আপনি can't find one thing. One thing that could be so vitally important, but then again it might be nothing. Cook seemed nice enough, but could he have figured it out all before her? আপনি খুঁজুন for a long time, don't look up to the clock just keeps going. It's annoying that আপনি have to keep remembering everything before আপনি can start looking again. And then আপনি find something, in the most miraculous way, আপনি feel anger rise up in আপনি and it's your favourite emotion, it's one of power and true feeling, to feel the rage inside you, to আপনি means আপনি are still alive and kicking. আপনি pick up the lamp on the ডেস্ক পরবর্তি to you, it's creating minimal light in the room but আপনি need it to read, but fuck it, আপনি smash it against the wall. It darkens the corner of the room আপনি are in, the rest is lit up দ্বারা daylight but the back corner of it isn't. আপনি sigh and run your hand through your hair, dropping your hand back down something catches আপনি are, there's something on your hand, it's tinted green and covering your thumb. What the fuck? আপনি walk over towards your বিছানা side টেবিল to try and get a better look in the light but it disappears. আপনি gasp. আপনি সরানো back over to the ডেস্ক and open one of the draw, pull out the envelope entitled 'Must read: might be HIM!' and tip the contents on the ডেস্ক top, আপনি hold up the small bottom of clear liquid. আপনি know what it is now. Invisible ink. Lights out. Your eyes bug. আপনি grab and pen and scribble it down so আপনি won't forget. আপনি walk over to the curtains, pull them and push them into the windows blocking out as much light as possible. আপনি সরানো over back into the blackness and look around the room, for anything অথবা any sort of clue. It's the only hope you've got. Nothing, আপনি sigh and sit down in the ডেস্ক chair, আপনি were sure আপনি were onto something. Then আপনি see it, the familiar green tint, the tiniest speck of it sticking out from the corner of the massive picture of a নৌকা on the motel wall. Above the bed. আপনি smile. আপনি stand up on the বিছানা and lift the picture and drop it down. আপনি look back in awe. No fucking way. Written on your দেওয়াল in your own hand লেখা is. "Effy knows who he is. Go find her. Watch out for Freddie, it took আপনি fucking long enough."

আপনি write it down, you've never written so fast in your life.

আপনি kicked the door hard, the hinges snap under the force and the door bursts open. No time for games. আপনি shoot Freddie in the chest three times as soon as he stands to stop you, he drops like a sack of shit and Effy screams in horror. আপনি smile, point the gun at her and shoot her once in the leg. She drops, it's not over for her yet. Oh, no.

আপনি grab her দ্বারা her hair and pull her to the wall, আপনি crouch down, putting pressure on her leg and holding her there with your other hand. She cries out in pain. "No আরো games, Effy! আপনি tell me what I want to know and আপনি tell me now!"

"I don't..."

"Don't আপনি lie! I know আপনি know who he is. Now, আপনি tell me the whole story and আপনি tell me now otherwise I'll shoot আপনি in the other leg as well and leave আপনি here." আপনি press the gun hard against her other knee টুপি and she whimpers. আপনি know she's going to break before she does. "Well!" আপনি ask forcefully pushing the gun harder.

"Alright! Okay! Okay! আপনি win. I'll talk."

"Yeah, আপনি will." আপনি take joy in your victory, smirking at the squirming brunette. "Now, tell me."

"Okay, his...ah, watch it...sorry, his name is John Foster. He's a therapist."

"A therapist, why would he want Emily?"

"He likes to collect girls okay. He likes to manipulate them, he did it to me I was one of his patients. He tried to get me to run away with him, to be with him but I wouldn't have it. I thought that would be it after that, that he would leave me alone and I'd be fine and happy to be with Freddie. Oh fuck Freddie." Effy's eyes fall on the body of her boyfriend.

"Don't look at him," আপনি slap her. "Look at me." She does, teary eyed and scared. আপনি almost feel for the girl, almost.

"Okay," glancing at Freddie. "He..errr...he came back, hurt Freddie. Threatened to kill us both unless we did what he said, but then আপনি and that Cook guy had to fucking catch on, didn't you? আপনি had to go and wreck what we had going and he told us to make আপনি forget, so we did. We blamed my brother, I didn't want to do that, but আপনি haven't meet this guy, okay? He's controlling. He can make আপনি do things and I had to...I just had to. When Cook found this all out he kept it from you, but আপনি found something, a video clip of John Foster and আপনি knew, আপনি just knew and then আপনি found proof. We burned it, burned all the information আপনি had on him in some hope that you'd forget about it and আপনি did, for 3 months, 3 months we got without him at our door and you've gone and fucked it again."

"Why Emily though?"

"Because she was seeing him."

"I knew she was seeing a therapist. She told me for family counselling. But why did he choose her?" আপনি ask, angrily.

"Because she didn't have a family to go looking. He didn't count on you, though. She never mentioned that আপনি were so...persistent." আপনি almost growl at her for that.

"Where can I find him?"

"You don't want to."

"WHERE!" আপনি cry and push the gun against her skull. She whimpers and tries to shift away. She nods and coughs.

"His address is in the draw of my বিছানা side table. He'll be at work now so..."

"Good, that's the perfect time." আপনি grab the gun and point it at her. She cries out and holds her hands in front of her face.

"Please, no! I don't want to die! Please!"

"You're pathetic." আপনি spit and then hit her with the gun, knocking her out. Fucking bitch. She's lucky আপনি don't kill her. Not after what she did to Emily. আপনি walk into the other room and go into the draw, আপনি find the card and write down the address. আপনি write down as much information about what just happened as possible and then leave. Then আপনি forget. Then আপনি remember. Then আপনি go after him.

"Ah, Miss Campbell, I've been expecting you." He says as he sits down across from you. He's everything আপনি imagined to be behind that mask. A smug, sharp face that makes আপনি instantly want to break his face. "I was wondering how long it was going to take আপনি to find me." He knows why আপনি are here, that makes this easier.

"Did I meet your expectations?"

"I thought you'd find me two weeks earlier than this but still, you're the only one. I don't know how আপনি did it, especially with that...condition আপনি have but আপনি did it and I must say I'm impressed. I'm sure Emily would be as well." আপনি grit your teeth. How dare he talk about her! He has no right! Your grip tightens on the gun in your pocket. He sees আপনি movement and reads it. He opens a draw to his left and puts some files into it, quicker than আপনি anticipate he pulls a silenced pistol out and shoots আপনি twice in the chest. One hitting আপনি just below the shoulder and the other hitting আপনি just below your left breast. আপনি gasp and a wheezing sound escapes your throat. He coughs politely walks around and pulls the gun from your pocket, throws it away into the corner and sits on the ডেস্ক in front of you. "Ah, what a situation you've gotten yourself into Miss Campbell, Can I call আপনি Naomi?" He doesn't wait for a reply. "Naomi, look what you've done, you've confronted the man that killed and raped your wife and he's not only outsmarted আপনি but killed আপনি as well, I thought আপনি were better than this?" He stands and places a hand on your shoulder, patting it. A single tear trickles down your cheek. You've failed her. "It was quite simple আপনি see, Naomi. Everyone feels lust and I take what I want and your...girlfriend was a spectacular specimen, absolutely fascinating and after the সেকেন্ড I saw her I knew I had to have her. I know you've met Effy before so this is how it went, I used Effy to get to know Jenna Fitch, she was easily convinced to book the family to see me here and once I'd spoken to Emily I had to have her even more, Emily spoke very highly, আপনি know?" He steps closer to the window and looks out, smiling into the sun. "Even when I convinced her to do private sessions with me she wouldn't shut up about you, just keep going on and on about her perfect আপনি two were for each other. It disgusted me. She was so blinded দ্বারা আপনি that she couldn't see me right in front of her, she wasn't as spectacular as I first thought." He turns to face you. "She was tainted. দ্বারা you. So I took what I wanted. I got Effy to get me your address because Effy can get just about anything and I only had the family's address. I had to keep her in line though, she didn't want to do it at first but once I threatened that boyfriend of hers she did as she was told. So once I had that all I had to do was just simply, take what I wanted and I did just that, but I remember that night well and I remember what আপনি did to me. I couldn't work for weeks after, that bat left a mark. You'll pay for that." He marches অগ্রবর্তী and slams his fist into your face, hard. Twice. আপনি gasp as আপনি hit the floor. He kicks আপনি in the chest and আপনি cough and splutter.

"So weak. So weak all আপনি women. So easy to manipulate. But you, আপনি are one of a kind. I underestimated আপনি and your male friend, Cook. He chased me away that night but I knew you'd come looking and আপনি did." আপনি gasp and look out towards the city. The towers are blurred in your view. আপনি squeeze your eyes tight and try to focus. আপনি look around for anything, for any hope. "And he found me, long before আপনি did but I made sure he didn't tell you, held his life in the palm of my hands and he backed off, promised to keep আপনি in check but he didn't and I had to make sure Effy made আপনি forget, আরো than once. But she made a mistake, she made আপনি kill him and in the cowards death he told আপনি truth which he could not take back, which led আপনি to my door. So I hope আপনি are happy." আপনি reach up and grade the glass object from the desk. Your hands slips all over it. "Because know আপনি get to die like the whore of your girlfriend. Do আপনি want to know what it felt like? To be in her? To have her writh underneath me? She was so happy about it. She loved every সেকেন্ড of it and I'm going to do that to আপনি too before আপনি die. Because আপনি fascinate me as well. How can something so weak just keep coming back?"

"You tell me." আপনি rasp and slam the snow globe down into the back of his head. His head smashes অগ্রবর্তী into the glass and আপনি hit him again. And again and again and again until আপনি can't see the shape of a head anymore. All আপনি see is blood. আপনি slum down over his dead body. He's finally fucking got what he deserves. They say revenge doesn't bring আপনি relief, but আপনি chest feels lighter, আপনি don't know if that's because of the blood loss অথবা because it's finally over but when আপনি slump back to look out over the setting sun. আপনি smile. I'm coming Ems, I'm coming.

When the sun sets, your eyes close for the last time.

Naomi's eyes open for the first time in a long time and her pupil moves and Emily gasps. That's the first time in months that she's had any movement in that area. "Doctor, doctor!" the redhead cries excitedly. A curly haired man comes running over, out of breath and looking at the blonde anxiously.

"Yes, Emily, how can I help you? I'm very busy, আপনি see. I've got lots of patients and Naomi's condition isn't one of my main priorities. When it comes to this sort of brain damage..."

"Doctor Jones, focus." The redhead's become use to him. He gets locked on but is a terrific doctor.

"Sorry and please call me JJ." He shakes his head and focuses. "What did আপনি want Emily?"

"It's Naomi, Doctor. She opened her eyes! And her pupils are moving! Surely that's a good thing." JJ looks at for concerned for a second.

"I've told আপনি before Emily, Naomi's condition isn't the sort of one she can recover from. She'll be like this most likely forever."

"Can't আপনি just take a look?" The young doctor frowns but nods his head. Pulls out a tiny torch from inside his white জ্যাকেট and walks over to the blonde laying in the hospital bed. He reaches down and shines the light into her eyes, Naomi's eye jumps towards the source. He gasps. He reaches over and does the same to the other eye, the same effect.

"This is most unlikely. Most peculiar. A rarity, I don't know how অথবা what could have caused this. I can only speculate that Naomi is somehow forcing herself better. I don't quite understand it."

"What does this mean, doctor?"

"I honestly, don't know Emily. I won't say for sure she'll get better because that is still very unlikely, she could be reacting to your presence অথবা her subconscious is struggling to deal with something. All I can say is আপনি need to be there for her. To care for her. প্রণয় her like she loves আপনি and whatever happens, Naomi will be somewhat okay." Emily nods.

"Thank you, JJ."

"Let me know if anything else happens?" Emily nods. She sits back down on the বিছানা পরবর্তি to the redhead and takes the blondes hand. "Everything will be fine, Nai. I'll never leave you." She reaches down and presses a চুম্বন to the blonde's hand. A tear dropping down her check. "Because I know in there, in your head, your thinking about me, too, like I think about আপনি everyday. So, what would আপনি like today সালাদ অথবা jelly...? Jelly's quite nice..." She drags off. As she talks she drags her eyes over the বিছানা পরবর্তি to her, a brunette girl, she thinks her name is Effy is laying in the বিছানা পরবর্তি to her, she has a broken leg and her boyfriend, a tall bloke with dark hair is watching over her. He doesn't seem too friendly. She smiled at Tony as he handed her the jelly, he was a porter here, volunteered, he seemed to take a particular interest in Effy but Emily didn't know why, she didn't প্রশ্ন it. Tony liked to tell Emily that Naomi was dreaming and when that dream ended she'd finally wake up. Emily secretly hoped that was true. Katie came every Sunday with Emily, she'd help feed Naomi, dress her and bring her sister things that she thought would help her. Keep her sane while she looked after her girlfriend. Katie cried about Naomi too sometimes, but she'd never admit it to Emily. She had to put up a dront to her. Cook comes to visit Naomi with Emily sometimes too, he was the one to save them both from the hands of John Foster. He'd come into the house the same night, seen the broken window, come in and found John standing over a bloody Naomi in the bath room, he'd strangled the bloke to death then and there, Emily ব্যক্ত it was self defence and stuck দ্বারা it. She'd gotten better after the attack, but the blow to Naomi's head was too much and she never recovered.

"So how is she today?" Cook asks sitting down পরবর্তি to Emily and taking her hand. Emily's sniffs the tears back and shakes her head. He pulls her to his chest and strokes her hair soothingly. "She knows, okay? She knows."

"She knows." Emily says to herself reassuringly. "And even if she doesn't, I'll sit here and rot with her to tell her again, just one আরো time." She'll wait for her, she always will.