Pestilence

Six- Maybe We Should Talk To Mr Miller

Beth has always been a strong runner, usually she can lap me. Harry and Noah have speed on their side when trying to catch the fear stricken Beth, however I have adrenaline. My heart is pounding at such a volume I'm not sure whether I am hearing my heartbeat or my footsteps as I sprint after beth. Rectory Road is fortunately downhill so it won't be that hard of a treck.

"We can catch her, she's slowing down!" Harry yells I gasp, realising that I am matching Noah's stride with Harry running a few paces behind.

"Go Harry, you're the fastest." i encourage, stepping into the road for my speedy godbrother to sprint ahead.

"Beth!" he yells after my best friend.

"Come on Noah." I enthuse.

"You think I'm slowing up?" he laughs.

"Hell no, but Beth needs both of us." I beckon him forward, we're passing our old primary school now. Final stretch, we're almost at Toft.

"Nearly there!" Noah chuckles, running right behind me.

"I know that!" I hiss, feeling the adrenaline comedown.

"Do you need a hand there Tegan?" Noah offers me his hand.

"Just don't carry me." I warn, taking it.

Instead of lifting me, he seizes my wrist and runs faster than before. My legs feel like jelly as we turn into Toft Avenue. Tommy and Casey are behind us, only jogging becasue they aren't really close to Beth. I didn't think Harry still was but obviously something changed that.

As we get to Beth's house, I spot Harry stood outside in the doorway.

"Harry?" I ask. He shakes his head. Tracy Winchester is still in London. I gulp.

"How is she?" Noah asks, his answer not from Harry nor me. Instead it came from the house, a vase smashes as a wordless scream echoes from Beth's mouth. I frown, she's inconsolable. I've seen her like this before, when she's exhausted is the best time to talk to her. Unfortunately, Beth doesn't tire easily.

I step inside the Winchester home, Harry and Noah flanking me. She could be anywhere. The lampshade slowly starts to swing. I gulp, she's upstairs. Cautiously we walk upstairs toward the destruction.

Just on the landing it looks like a bomb has hit, the shards of glass from the broken vase are scattered by the bathroom door, it looks almost as if she hurled it at the bathroom door. I shudder at the thought of her holding that much stregnth.

Also on the carpet is a pillow that looks likw it was ripped open. I frown, that was the full body pillow of the TARDIS that I got her for her thirteenth birthday. I stare at the contents of her TARDIS now strewn accross the floor. I hear sobbing in the next room. Beth?

I gingerly press the door open. My best friend is laying on her mum's bed, hugging the pillow and wailing.

"Beth." I put a comforting hand upon my best friend's shoulder.

"She's in London, with everybody else's parents." Beth weeps.

"Tracy will be fine." I assure.

"You don't know that!" she sobs. "And what if Merchant is right, about the snakes, I can't call my mum, her phone won't even ring."

"Beth, you just said that you could believe that snobby money humping bird nosed arrogant dickwad." i gasp.

"Oh my God!" she cries harder. "I'm losing my mind! Why can't my mum just tell me she's okay!" she begins to punch the matress in agitation as her legs flail like she has no idea what to kick.