"I turned off the gas, " Ian said as he appeared a few minutes later. "God, that bitch must have had everything planned out."

Did she? Did Caroline plan to destroy as soon as she saw the opportunity? Was her hatred of me really because of Ian's love for me? Or was it something a lot more twisted? I saw the look in her eyes as she tossed me into our garage. It was fear. Fear of being overshadowed. Fear of being unloved and abandoned.

It was at that moment that I decided to forgive Caroline. Sure, she may be nasty and deceitful. But she was scared.

"Ian, she's my sister and I love her, " I said. "So she isn't a bitch."

"Elizabeth, she tried to kill you. She..."

"I know all of that, " I said to Ian. "But I can't hate her. Maybe years of memories can make me forget days of nastiness. She was my friend once."

"Who cares about Caroline, " Mrs De Voos said. "What about saving your girlfriend? Or have you forgotten about her?"

Images of Joan flooded my mind. I had to help her. I needed to make sure that our bonds weren't broken forever.

I sped towards the alleyway, with Rachel and Ian following me. Mrs De Voos wasn't so lucky. She could barely move faster than a shuffle, which meant we had to leave her behind.

I didn't regret it though. I needed to get to the alleyway as quickly as possible.

When I turned up there the place was unbelievable. There were dirt and rubbish strewn everywhere as usual. Yet, there were also tiny figures huddled together as a man approached them. This man turned towards them with a grin lurking on the side of his face. Oh, and he was also carrying a bayonet.

"Leave them alone, " I yelled but he just sneered at me.

"Why? So you can stop me from getting rid of these cockroaches?"

"I would get my eyes checked if I were you, " I said to him. "These people aren't cockroaches. They are human. Much more human than you are."

"I don't have much time for some kid who supports Klerk's stupid policies, " he sneered. "Move aside."

"No, " I yelled as I stood beside the group of terrified children. I imagined the sword of the bayonet plunging through me. It would go right through my heart and steal every bit of life out of me. It didn't matter. I just wanted Ian and Rachel to get Joan out of here.

The man didn't plunge the knife into me. He just stood there.

"Well, how are you getting along?" said another member of the 'wit is wonderlik' carrying another bayonet.

"Not too good. This kid keeps getting in the way. "

The man looked at me. His cold, green eyes scanned my grey ones.

"She looks familiar, " he said shaking his head. "What's your name, girl?"

"Elizabeth, " I answered.

I had never seen this man in my life. I generally did not hang out with racist.

"A common name, " he said. "Your last name, please?"

"Ferriera, " I said, hoping that he wouldn't point out the fact that it too, was a common name.

"Your dad is....?"

"My dad's name is Thomas, " I said. My entire family had boring, everyday names, I know. "Thomas Ferreira."

"Your dad is a member of parliament, isn't he?" he said. "You sometimes appear in his campaigns."

"Yes. Yes, I do."

"Did your dad send you here?" the man asked. "Did he want us to stop the mess your sister started?"

"Yes, " I lied. "He thinks that you could put your um, skills to better use than killing."

I didn't bother to go into a detailed story about why my dad sent me instead of some officers to stop this slaughter. I didn't think the man even cared to know.

"I'll call off the attack, Elizabeth, " he said as he smiled at me. "Congratulations, you really are a brave young woman."

"Thank you, " I said in an uncomfortable tone of voice. Although why would I be uncomfortable? Joan was saved, wasn't she?

I ran to her house, but before I did the man called out to me.

"Oh, Elizabeth, " he said, his loud voice echoing through the street. "You'll be happy to know that there are only a few casualties."

"Only a few?" I asked.

"Yes, only one or two. When your sister called us, she told us to take care of a girl. I forget what her name was, " he said. "Anyway, she told me to deal with her first. The others can wait."

My entire body trembled as I fell to the ground. I did not question who Caroline wanted to be hurt. Caroline never spoke to any person of colour. She never even looked at them. So it's unlikely that she would know anyone's name unless it was....hers.

"Elizabeth, get up, " Rachel said. "You have to keep going.

" B-But that man, " I stammered. "That man said that..."

"They went after Joan, " Ian said. "But Joan may be fine. She's tough and strong and the attack had only just begun. She may be suffering no more than a few minor wounds."

I didn't have faith in these men. But I did have faith in Ian's judgement. He was the one who first figured out that Caroline was my stalker after all.

"You're right, Ian. I'll get up, " I said as I stood to my full height.

"Good, I'm proud of you, " he said. "Would you know where Joan might be?"

"Her house is near that big ditch, " I said remembering the day I first met her. I fell into that ditch that day. She hauled me out and told me to watch where I was going. That day was only a few days ago. Yet, to me, it felt like a thousand years had passed since that day.

"Okay, then let's go."

We sped towards the ditch. My stomach burned as I ran but I didn't care. I wanted to see her. I wanted to be with her.

"Joan, " I yelled as I reached the ditch. There was no answer. Every sound belonged to those whose lives had just been spared.

"Joan, " I called again as my heart raced.

As I looked around, I didn't need to call out to her any more. I saw her. She was flung deep into the ditch.