Rachelle

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

I cradle Sara as she cries. Olivia looks around the room to search for the stone that was thrown towards the window. The small pieces of glasses from the broken part of the window was scattered on top of Keith's bed.

"Shh Sara, it's okay," I whisper to her.

"Got it," Olivia says standing up from the corner of the room. "It looks like the stones from your backyard."

"Those kids," I say annoyed.

"N-no mom," Sara says choking. "When the stone came, I screamed and stood up on the bed... and from here, I saw a man dragging someone away from our house and she shouted 'help'."

Olivia and I exchange horrified glances. We stay quiet because I'm sure Olivia was thinking the same thing as I was. Just as I was about to say something, the doorbell rings.

"Oli, can you clean up the mess while I see who it is?" I say getting to my feet. She nods and I leave the room with Sara.

"Hey!" says Brian, a wide smile on his face after I open the door.

"Oh, hi," I say forcing a smile as I wasn't expecting it to be him.

"This must be your little daughter," he says smiling at Sara. "How are you there?"

Sara doesn't say anything but gets behind me. "She is a shy girl," I say. "Please, come in."

"Oh no, no. Uh, I was just passing by so I thought I'd drop by and invite you to my house tomorrow," he says gleefully.

"Tomorrow?" I ask frowning. "It's Saturday."

"Yes, I know. And... it's my birthday and I don't usually celebrate my birthday alone. Besides, you're the first friend I made after moving here so you should show up tomorrow," he says.

"Will there be more people?"

He hesitates. "I did ask a few people from my work to come over. Let's hope they do but I insist you must come."

"Alright, alright," I say smiling slightly. "I'll come. Which is your house again?"

"Block B, house 15," he says smiling. "Alright then, I will see you tomorrow then."

"Okay," and with that he leaves.

"So that's Brian?" Olivia says getting down the stairs.

"Yes, that was," I say sighing and sit on the sofa; Sara beside me. "Invited me at his birthday party tomorrow."

"Sounds good. At least you'll get a way to get your mind off things," Olivia says now dropping herself beside us.

"I don't feel like going and besides, it's Saturday. We spent Saturdays together," I say dully.

"Things aren't the way it was, is it now? William, Keith... everything is being messed up. I don't think Saturdays will be the way it used to be," Olivia says with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"I guess so," I say quietly.

"Uh, Rachelle?" Olivia calls out after a moment of silence. "Why don't you guys come and stay at my house? I mean, it's empty anyways and probably much safer."

"And what makes you think William will agree to that?"

"I don't know," she sighs.