s silent, at least b

e sat in the back corner, with me crushed against the window, staring at the trees flashing by. I had

little guilty. There was no doubt in my mind that Robbie had done something to her, though I couldn't prove it. I was actually afraid to bring it up. Robbie seemed like a

t really been a dream at all. The more I thought about it, the more I

could remember, and yet I'd never been to his house, or met his Parents. The few times I suggested meeting at his place, hed always had some excuse not to; his folks were out of town, or they were remodeling the kitchen, a kitchen I'd never seen. Th

in life? Had he ev

spered, disturbingly. Y

looked out th

ere now heading into the boon-docks. My neighborhood. Rain still spattered the windows, makin

a huge black animal with a mane and tail that rippled behind it, even drenched as it was. Its rider was tall and lean, garbed in silver and black. A dark cape fluttered fr

ulling my headphones

hard and dangerous. My stomach twisted and I leaned away from him, but he didn't notice me. Hi

sh

epeated. "

could've been carved from stone. Swal-lowing, I looked out the window, but the spa

SS KEPT get

to be in his own world. "Robbie? Hey!" I poked him in the

and feral, his face like that of a wild

of mine, from long ago. Don'

requesting it. I felt a prickle of annoyance that he was hiding something,

r. Blinking at his abrupt departure, I put my iPod safely in my backpack before

come crashing out of the woods. , gazed around, but except for some bird trilling overhead, the forest was quiet and still. "I...um...forgo

gotten about

efore crossing the street? Besides," I continued as Robbie smirked, looking more like his normal self, "who would I meet way out here in the boondocks?" The image of the boy on the horse suddenly came to mind, and my stomach did that strange li

ous grin. "See you later, princess. Don't l

and sprinted off down the road. Shoulderi

floor, hanging heavy in the air. The stillness was almost a living thing, crouched in the center of the

creaked as I crept in farther. The television blared and flickered, playing a r

continued down the h

rator door, swinging on its hinges. A small object on the floo

rabbit. The stuffed animal's head had been torn

de of the dining table. I walked around, and my stom

ce covered in glistening crimson. Her purse, its contents scattered everywhere, lay beside one limp w

was s

, FLINGING myself

her, but it was like shaking a dead fish. Her skin w

Can you hear me? It's Meghan." I looked around frantically, then snatched a washrag off the sink. As I dabbed it

rator. Hand trembling,I dipped a finger in the goo and sniffed. Vegetable oil? What the hell? I wiped m

an asked, and I gla

and tears brimmed in the corners, h

gone, so the only thing left would be to call for an ambulance. But, jus

ggled into a sitting position, a dazed loo

A hand came up to touch her cheek, and

ed? I... mus

ng up and looking around for the phone

ng the am

er. "Don't do that, honey. I'm fine. I'll just clean up and

t,

you, but I'll be fine. It's only blood, nothing serious. Besides, we can't afford a big doctor's bill." She abruptly str