Chole's  POV:

    I can not believe that Nathaniel came in there out of nowhere. How did he know to come?

    I was hidden inside my closet with the door shut. I had Sarah in there with me. She was quivering. I could tell she was more afraid than I was of Jeff.

     I removed the stupid bracelet Jeff had given me. He was no good for me and I knew it.

    I should have dumped him years ago. I did not because I was afraid of him. 

    So, I stayed in the abusive relationship out of fear. 

   Then, he came into my room with the plan to kill me. I only knew because I could tell. His voice changed when he entered the room when he was about to strike me. Only this time it sounded like he was about to pounce like a lion does to its prey. So, I made Sarah hide in the closet, then climbed inside as he drew closer. This way if he killed me hopefully the child would survive.

   Just as I was about to give up hope, I heard shouting. I knew Nathaniel had arrived and come to me and Sarah's rescue. I heard Jeff attack him and  I screamed. I thought he killed Nathaniel until the police arrived and took Jeff away. Thank goodness. Also, the paramedics took Nathaniel to the hospital to treat him for a stab wound to his leg.  I was relieved. Nathaniel was alive.  I do not know what I would have done if Jeff had killed him.

    Sarah and I got my father to drop us off to visit Nathaniel. He was more than happy to for some reason. I think Father had taken a liking to Sarah. I am trying to adopt her and hope it works out, especially after that horrid ordeal with Jeff.

        I enter his room and smile. He is more than happy when he sees Sarah and I arrive. I can tell he thought Jeff had gotten to us. He hugged Sarah and kissed my cheek.

        I  blushed. I could not figure out why I had such a reaction.

      Jeff always made me cringe when he touched me. He was always like Jackdlyed and Hide because he would treat me like a princess with gifts and kisses, but then he would slap, kick, scratch, hit, and even slice cuts into me. He was a horrid man. When we met at camp he was so kind the entire time. Then, we dated and he showed his true colors- he was a monster. A monster, no matter his good looks and gifts. They meant nothing. 

        I threw the bracelet he gave me out the broken window to my room. I kept the earrings Nathaniel had given me. I even wore a haircomb shaped like a bee. Supposedly the comb was meant to make me a hero, but I had not seen it happen yet.

     I blushed when Nathaniel told me how glad Sarah and I were okay. I recalled how he added, "Chole, you and Sarah are all I have now. My mother is dead and my father left. I don't know what I would ever do with you."  I felt guilty that I had almost lost my best friend and my life on the same day. 

       "Nathaniel, I am glad you are alright too. I am sorry I did not listen and break up with Jeff. I should have done that years ago and put a restraining order on him," I said.

           Sarah smiled. I could tell she was glad that Nathaniel had helped us. "Mr. Nathaniel saved us, Miss Chole. He is like our knight. He kept the mean bad boy from harming us just like a proper knight does for the damsel in distress.  He loves us."  I heard her say.

          I shook my head, she did not know what she was saying. Nathaniel did not love me like that anyway.  Sure he is my best friend, but that is all. 

         "Sarah, do not be silly, he came because he is my best friend. Besides, you were there because of me. So, he helped you there because he felt obligated to," I argued with the ten-year-old.

   "I am not ten, I am eleven," Sarah said. "How did you know I thought you were ten?" I asked.

   "I hear you tell Grandpa so earlier, " Sarah said.  Grandpa, I thought, who is Grandpa? Then, I smiled when I realized she must have been talking about my father the mayor.

     "He is not your grandpa you know that right?" I said.

 "I know, but I would not mind if he were my Grandpa, and you were Mom and Mr. Nathaniel, Daddy," Sarah stated.

   I blushed. Did everyone ship me with my best friend? Why did the thought make me feel happy, yet conflicted?

     I left the room. I went to get some refreshments when I heard a strange noise. It was coming from the nurse's station. I looked up and saw a monster and the nurses screaming. I hid in the bathroom.

Someone said, "Zebee stripes on!"  Then, I saw a flash of light and when I looked out, I saw a kid in a Zebra costume. Cool, a new hero, I thought.

   Who was the kid and how had she gotten a miraculous?

Find out more in Chapter 12

bye-bye, 

little owlets!

Summer out!