The Girl and The Murderer

12. Rachel The Nurse (Coming Back)

I don't know how to react. Why does she jump on me like that ? Am I really looking like a teddy bear or what ?

-Zack, I need your help...

I glance weirdly at her. Is she crying ? But why ? Did I do something wrong ? Say something wrong ? Scared her when I killed the old geezer earlier ? She didn't look so shocked though.

-What do you want ?

-Can you stop a fight ?

I think about it. I would most likely do nothing and watching if the fight is boring. But when Ray looks at me like that, it's totally impossible to resist.

-What kind of fight ?

She pulls my sleeve and climbs the stairs, making sure that I follow by looking behind her back almost every second. I hold my nose. Blood's fragrance is everywhere, mixed with an alcohol scent. This is simply unbearable.

A guy that stinks (probably the cause of the liquor smell) is hitting a plump pityful-looking woman on the ground. Well was hitting because he stopped when he saw me.

-What are you doing here you brat, he shouts at me.

Since when he knows me ? I've never seen him... Why is he mad at me ?

Rachel steps before me and spread her arms in a protective way. It's a very curious scene. She's almost a foot shorter than me and she doesn't have any weapon. How could she protect me ? By showing her angel face ?

-Stop it Lenny, that's not funny ! Tell me that is only a big prank, that this woman is an actress and that nothing serious happened tonight...

And here we go for another round of crying. It's weird... But it breaks my heart when she looks so desperate.

-Ray...

I don't have the time to say anything else because the old man hit me in the temple.

Rachel scream I think. I feel completely drowsy and I collapse on the floor.

-Stop Lenny ! Leave him alone !

She screams again but I hear her from very far. An awful whistling sound is harassing my eardrums. I don't really know where I am anymore but I know that I gotta go away fast.

Ray's POV :

Lenny has never gotten this violent before. I scream as loud as I can... With a bit of luck, the neighbors will wake up and call the police or something.

I don't know what I'm doing. I see myself taking a frame on the corridor wall and hit Lenny's head with it. He passes out and I sigh in relief before calling an ambulance for him and Catherine. I'll take care of Zack alone. And they'll surely put Lenny in a drunk tank.

I put Isaac on my bed and let him be. He's unconscious but I'm pretty sure it won't last long.

The ambulance arrives soon. She takes me as well as Lenny and Catherine "just in case".

Except for a voice loss, I'm fine and they free me before 3am. I am escorted back to the house by a police officer. He leaves me at the door and go away. Zack is up and paces the floor in the living room, obviously angry. He curses under his breath and then starts shouting :

-One day, I'll get him and kill him this old fucker ! I'll show him the cost of hurting me !

I try to calm him down and take him back to bed but he's way stronger than me, especially when he is mad. He is almost worse than Lenny earlier...

-I gotta break something !

I take him to the basement hastily before he brings us more troubles by messing up the whole living room.

-Hey get off ! By the way, why can't you talk instead of running on people and gesturing ?

I make a sign near my throat and try to say something. Only a croaking sound escapes from it. That was predictable.

-Tch... Where do you bring me anyways ?

I lead him down the stairs and show him the punching bag that Lenny usually use. I hit it lightly to demonstrate its use and let Zack alone in the basement.

Once he calmed down a little, I examine his temple and give him a bag of ice in order to resorb the bump that had formed.

I lay down on the couch and try to sleep for a while. Evidently, I can't and begin to pace the floor to get tired.

Someone rings the bell. It's a police officer who looks guilty. I smile lightly to make him feel comfortable. He smiles back and seems a little more confident. He starts :

-I learn what happen to Lenny. Nasty stuff huh ? I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have let him go back home in his condition. He drank far too much and... I should have known... He's becoming violent when he's drunk.

I smile again even if I burn with anger inside. I don't need apologies for Lenny's behavior ! I don't need anyone or anything ! The man continues :

-He should get out in about two days. Because of Catherine.

I nod. I want to slam the door to his face but my rational self doesn't want troubles.

-I... I gonna leave now. You should be tired of me and of this day. Rest well Ray.

I nod again and fake a yamn before waving goodbye and (finally) close and lock the door.

I glance at Zack. He lays on the couch and had no pain in falling asleep.

I seat on the floor, my head on his lap and I close my eyes. A couple of minutes later, I fall asleep, a feeling of quiet and warmth in my chest.