I could so do this. I could stare him down until the cows came home. Which I'm pretty sure was right about dinner time. I mean, they always seem to be in the barn by milking time didn't they?  So what did that saying even mean?  Wait... why am I thinking about cows?  Spaghetti arms just killed Mariah and my mother. I can't lose focus.

I feel his stare, unusual since I can't really see his face. But it's weighted and heavy, he doesn't move, assessing me and waiting. Perhaps measuring my worth against his prize. I move closer. My skin crawling, my heart thumping. My legs begging me to run. I know what the girl tied to the cliff in 'Clash of The Titans' feels. Fear is cold and heavy and damp. I try to think of him as male. What would just a plain old guy be distracted by?

"Are you with Mariah now?  Is that how much I meant to you?  You come into my own house, take one of my best friends and hide in the basement like a cheater?  Is that how you act?! I should kill you right now with this claw hammer!"

Okay, I know I'm insane. But I'm not a killer, I'm on the spot, people are freaking dead and I'm on pills. It's the best I can do. And it's working. His arms have stilled, his head may be hanging down in shame, I can't focus on it but I'm pretty sure he's at the very least distracted. I move forward and he doesn't flinch.

"You've wrecked it. Everything. You've taken my friends, my mother!! And now you need to leave. I can't even look at you."

I'll admit the last line was pushing it too far. I felt him tense. I felt my hair stand on end and his head snap up. I felt like I was standing next to a bees nest that had been hit by a stick. The almost vibration like buzzing filled my ears, shook my brain and made me scream. I covered my ears and crouched trying to insulate myself.

He stood over me and at that point I didn't care if he killed me or left me for dead. I just wanted it to stop. He knelt in front of me and reaches out an arm. The world goes black. When I wake up I'm laying on the basement floor with the claw hammer in my hand. Ashley is standing in front of me on the phone. The nurse has my wrist in her hand and is taking my pulse while prying the hammer from my hand.

I sit up and look to the spot where Mariah should be and she's gone. Not a trace of blood or sign she was ever there. I try speaking but my throat feels like I gargled with active hot lava. Things swim in and out of focus and I hear Becky's voice say "We called an ambulance, you've lost a lot of blood, your dressings are soaked through and your burning up. It doesn't matter what you saw, say nothing. I'll see you first thing tomorrow."

I thought about protesting. And tried raising my hand to grab her shirt but nothing moved. I did my best to scream. They needed to know about my mom in the trunk and Mariah who was butchered in the basement. Ashley needed to know not to stay in the house. But all I could do was moan. I tried and I failed. They would be killed. I didn't raise the claw, I didn't kick and scream and fight. I cowered.

I heard footsteps on the stairs and Becky wiped my eyes with her shirt. I didn't even know I was crying. "I know what he is. And I'll help you. But if you tell others, you'll be locked up and I can't. Listen to me, I know."

She squeezed my hand and started talking medical lingo with the older ambulance guy. Ashley giggled and I saw her through my half opened eyes flirting with the younger driver. I could tell she was flirting because she was twirling her hair and doing that dopey giggle she always did when someone cute spoke to her.

Leave it to my BFF to flirt as I lay bleeding To death on the basement floor. That girl makes me so proud sometimes.

She continued to giggle and twirl as the older guy put a needle in my arms an they loaded me like a side of beef onto the stretcher. When I was carried up the stairs I panicked. I mean, it's not easy to relax when your strapped to a flimsy piece of metal being carried by an old guy and a young guy obviously distracted by breasts, going up a flight of stairs.

As I was loaded in the ambulance I saw Mrs. Miller across the street standing in her window. Her annoying dog Muffin beside her barking like ambulance drivers were invading her kibble bowl. I thought about waving for dramatic effect but my arms still refused to lift.

Ashely jumped into the back with me and the young guy and I found myself wishing he was the driver. The last thing I needed was to spend my last few moments watching Ashley's pitted face turn rainbows colors to the sounds of her dopey giggles. An annoying plastic mask was shoved over my face and I moved my head back and forth in protest. I could breathe just fine! My foot was the problem. And now I'm sure I'm surrounded by idiots.

I listened to the gentle whoosh of oxygen being pumped from the mask as the hottie ambulance guy drew up some pain medication. "It's going to be okay Lemon love, your parents are being called and you'll be fixed right up. Don't worry now, close your eyes and let the medicine work. It's all going to be just fine."

I felt the meds start working. My heavy limbs lightened and my mind quieted. My heart thumped slow and loud and for a brief moment I loved him. As I drifted to sleep I hoped Ashley got his number.

***************************************
Sounds like the elusive nurse Becky may have some answers after all. A bleeding foot and a fever really seem to be the least of Lemons problems at the moment. Did Slendy take the hint and move on? Something tells me he isn't that easy to break up with.

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