We stay hugging silently for a few minutes before finally releasing each other.  Alec smiles at me.  He stands up and holds his hand out to me.

"Now, let's go down for dinner," he says, his grin growing.

I sigh taking his stretched out hand and standing up.  He pulls me out the door and down the stairs.  When we arrive at the kitchen I spot my other friend, Josie, bent over, her head in the fridge.  I glance at Alec and see him put his finger to his lips.  He lets go of my hand and creeps behind Josie.  Alec looks at me and nods; I put my hand over my mouth to prevent myself from laughing.  Alec slowly moves his hands toward Josie.  His hands squeeze Josie's sides, and a scream comes from the fridge.  Josie squirms as Alec presses her sides, turning and trying to release herself from his grasp.  As she struggles the laughter that I was holding in escapes, and I clutch my stomach.  Josie finally manages to wiggle away from Alec and lands a punch right in his gut.  Alec bends over a lets out a slight moan.  My continuing laughter earns me a intense glare from Josie, but no matter how hard I try I can't stop.  Tears burn the rims of my eyes and water begins to drip down my face.  Josie finally stops glaring and begins to laugh with me.  Alec chuckles as he straightens back up.

"Surprise!" Alec chuckles.

Josie and I finally stop laughing and turn to face Alec.  Josie shoots him a deadly glare and places her hands on her hips.  Alec steps back slightly, waving his hands in mock surrender.  Josie sighs rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"I swear sometimes I wonder how I'm related to you," Josie sighs dropping her arm to her side while the other stays firm on her hip.

"Well then just look in mirror sis.  After all, we do have the same face," Alec smirks walking over and poking his sister's cheek.

Josie pushes Alec's hand away.  "Yeah, but I pull it off better."

Alec's eyes widen, and I can't help but giggle.  Josie smirks at Alec flipping her long black hair over her shoulder.  Alec claps his hands over his heart feigning his 'hurt' feelings.  We all brake into another fit of laughter until we hear the creek of the front door.  All three of us go silent as the "witch" herself wanders into the kitchen.  Her pointed face sends shivers up my spine, and the click of her heels against the tile makes my heart pound a little faster.  Her eyes look cold as she looks us over.  I follow her eyes until her gaze meets mine.  She squints her eyes at me and purses her lips.  

"Well look who came back," the witch scoffs strolling over to me.  "And where have you been?"

"Out," I respond clenching my fists.

"What was that?" the "witch" questions getting closer to my face.  I feel her breathe on my nose and eyes, and my nails begin to dip into the palm of my hand.  

"Well, I'm wait-" I cut her off by spitting in her face.  

Her face turns bright red, and her body shakes with anger.  She raises her arm, and I brace myself for impact.  My eyes squeeze shut.  I hear a swoosh, a smack, and then a gasp. I feel no pain though.  My eyes slowly open to see the witch's arm caught by Alec.  His hand is wrapped around her wrist tightly.  Josie's hand covers her mouth; her eyes are filled with fear.  Alec's face is twisted into a scowl.  The witch slowly turns her head to look Alec in the eyes.  Her face is a deep red.  Alec's eyes widen, and his face begins to soften.  Alec loosens his grip, and the "witch" yanks her arm back.

She turns to face Alec completely.  She stares at him, and Alec bows his head slightly.  The "witch" growls and grabs Alec's hair, yanking his head back.  Alec yelps, and I feel myself take a step forward.  

"Ms. Linken, please," Josie pleads, her eyes darting back and forth between her brother and Ms. Linken.

"Enough!  Not another word out of you!" Ms. Linken screams yanking Alec's hair again, causing him to let out a slight groan.

Josie goes silent.  The sound of my pounding heart fills my ears.  My palms feel wet from sweat.  Anger boils inside as I watch tears begin to spill from the rims of my friend's eyes.  We stand here at a stand still; the only sounds heard are Alec's quiet sobs and the "witch's" growls.  After an eternity Alec is released and falls to the ground.

"Stand up," Ms. Linken demands.  Alec slowly rises onto his feet.  He wobbles a bit, and that's when I notice the blood dripping down his forehead.  My fury increases ten times. 

"Now all three of you clean up this mess," she scoffs, walking towards the hallway.  "Oh, and don't bother making dinner.  You won't be eating tonight."

When she's gone Josie rushes to Alec's side.  She rubs his back as he tries to tell her that he's all right.  She embraces him, burying her head into his shoulder.  I hear her quietly sob into his shoulder.  Alec gently pushes his sister off of him so he can look her in the eyes.  He gives her his toothy grin, and she giggles.  They turn to me, nodding to me.

"Let's clean this place up," Alec suggests.  I nod, and smile back at him forcefully.

They both turn away; my smile falls into a scowl.  My teeth grit together, a sharp pain shooting through my jaw.  I stare at the back of my friends heads, and a silent promise fills my thoughts.

I won't let her hurt you again.  She won't hurt my family again.  I promise.