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"She’s asleep," Lisa half whispered when she realised what I was doing

"How long’s she been asleep?"

Lisa hesitated, but then replied, "Since just after I got home from school"

Fuck

"You had dinner?"

She didn’t say anything; just shook her head, no, and then stared at the ground

I reached out and lifted her chin withmother of hers had a lot to answer for Finally, I said, "Coet you some dinner I haven’t had any either"

We secured Monty in the house and then headed out to a Chinese restaurant because I knew that Lisa liked Chinese

We’d ordered, and chatted a bit about school, and were eating when she suddenly stood up and said she had to visit the bathroom When she returned fivethan usual

I tried to catch her eye "What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well or so," she answered, but it wasn’t convincing

"Lisa, you were okay but now you’re not I can tell soorously "I’m fine"

Christ, I was not equipped to deal with twelve year old girls I tried totwomy phone, I tried to call Madison No answer Shit I tried her again, and then I tried J Neither were answering Who the fuck else could help ure out who to call, Lisa started really sobbing

"Hey, darlin’, it can’t be that bad" I was pretty fucking sure that wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but it was all that ca

Fuck

In my desperation, I dialed Harlow’s nuht away "Scott?"

"Thank Christ I need your help"

"What’s up?"