Page 26 (1/2)

Part IV

CHANGE

26

I slept inter to findroo I lay perfectly still and relaxed in her war Having her so close was reassuring

We had waited together in the darkness for hours the previous evening, just sitting there waiting for so - to happen But nothing did The power reet off o back home It was easier to stay where I was and the excuse of looking after Clare and Penny was, in h justification for my actions Just before two o&039;clock Clare had finally drifted off to sleep My nerves and creeping anxiety had eventually been overtaken by tiredness an hour or so later

As the cold grey light of day poured through the half-open curtains I began to re that had happened previously, and the shock of recollection flooded over es of comfort, sleep and tiredness quickly disappeared and I knew that I needed to get up and getbody fro care not to wake her, I slid off the sofa and stuly dull and overcast

With trepidation I climbed the stairs towards Penny&039;s rooently pushed the bedrooirl in much the same state as she had been when Clare and I had last checked on her shortly after ht She lay on top of her bedclothes - cold but breathing steadily - covered with just a single blanket Her angry fever had lessened although her forehead was still cla, however, the extent of the horrific dae she&039;d inflicted (both to herself and her bedroom) was painfully apparent All around me the carpet was covered with a layer of s down, torn angrily from the walls Penny&039;s skin was bruised and she was smeared with traces of dried blood which had run freely froin to iine what could have caused such a norirl to have turned like this There wasn&039;t a single reason I could think of to explain why such a nor child should act with such anger and irrational spite and venoht about the other people I had seen yesterday - James, Stephanie and Siobhan I knew that I couldn&039;t afford to stay hidden in the house and do nothing any longer

I leant down and gently touched the side of Penny&039;s neck withfor a steady pulse I quickly found one and, as I pulled my hand back, her eyes flickered open She silently turned her head to look at rily Instinctively I backed away from the bed Thankfully she lay still and did not react in any other way Her eyes ree, dark pupils - but she seeh me and past me, not directly at me I made my way back downstairs

Clare hen I returned to the living roo on the sofa

&039;How is she?&039; she whispered anxiously

&039;A little better I think,&039; I replied honestly &039;She just opened her eyes She&039;s calone down&039;

&039;Thank God for that,&039; she sighed with relief clear on her face &039;Did she say anything to you?&039;

I shook my head

&039;No I think she kneas there with her but she didn&039;t say anything&039;

I deliberately chose not to tell Clare about the way Penny had looked through me I could still see those cold, e up and stretching &039;I&039;ll go up and see her in a few minutes&039;

&039;Okay&039;

&039;So how are you feeling thislittle away &039;You?&039;

&039;I&039;ht&039;

&039;Good&039;

&039;Has the power coht to check I flicked the nearest light switch on and off a few tihed dejectedly

Clare walked into the kitchen, continuing to talk toto do now?&039; &039;What do you et a doctor out to see Penny or should ait and see if? Shit&039;