possessed

chapter 1

Rayne.state on the end other narrow bed next net to Jelly's  cot, painting her nails. It was the end of august and the heat was vile. She'd pull the blinds against the

sun to cut the glare, butt made no difference. She'd just had had a cold shower, but she was sweating already, her make up melting of her petty pointed face like wax. Her cheap electric fan had broken yesterday and now there was absolutely np movement on the stifling air.

     She checked her watch ten to seven. Damian had said he'd call for her but he was always late. She coudn't stand it any other, trapped in the flat like. A rat in a lab cage. Everyone had their windows opened, and the evening was full of pounding music, television, sports, shouting, swearing, babies wailing.... She had to get out. It would be mo cooler it there and there'd be sirens and screeching cars on top of all the other noise - but atleast she could breathe and move out there.

     She picked up her bag and went to the front door, past her mum, who was passed out on the sofa, mouth open, snoring softly. Her little brother, Jelly, was fast asleep beside her,on his stomach, quite for once. Jelly was really Jeremy, wgixh was a wired name for a kid around here, but he couldn't pronounce it; it was always "Jelly wants more!" and "Jelly come too!" and soon everyone else called him that too.

     Their flat was four floors up and the loft had broken down again, but Rayne never used the lifts anyway. They trapped you.

    If someone rough got in on the second floor, you'd be easy meat. And running up and down the stairs was some kind of exercise, it made you fell better. Even thought the stairs stank of pee and had rubbish all over them.

     She met Damian as she was hallway down the last flight of stairs to the ground. "what's up?" he said indignantly. His heavy forehead crashing into a frown. "I am not late!"

     "No!"she said. "Just i ws going mad in there, Day. I couldn't stand it."

     They collided in a kiss. I don't like you going out on your own, babe," he mumbled. "I told you - its getting dodge out there. The police've been round already, loud speakers and everything.

    "Don't worry," Rayne said. "I'd've waited for you by the door

     "okay fine lets go catch a bus" said Damian happily.

     They headed for the main road. Jumped on a number 471 and rode past great concrete walls.

     Rayne had been going out with home for six weeks now. He was three years elder than her - he was nineteen, she'd just turned sixteen - and he had such status on the estate.

     "So," he said, "what's up? your mum been getting on your nerves again?"

     "Yeah," she answered gratefull for the question.

     "I hate it here"she said "I want to live in a place with silence

     Day said "I think we should leave.

     On the bus back to the Estate, she thought if I stays here much longer I'll go mad.