. Though as I thought about it, angels must have quite a bit of raw power. I still felt rather drained after performing my little Awakening. The snive...ing girl curled up in the corner of my cave suddenly felt like quite a burden.{I will do as you ask, } I replied mentally.'Hurry.'I stood up quickly. I was pleasantly surprised that my wound hurt less. I pointed at Maria."The angel wants to speak with you, my dear," I said.Maria looked up at me, dried tears clung to her face ... she looked. Had the pool or the race been another 10 or 15 meters, I might have caught Em, but I’d left it too late, or her early pace had been enough, one or the other. But we were both immediately very tired and hung on to the lane dividing floats between us, just like you see at the Olympics and World Championships. I conceded defeat, graciously, and gratefully too: Very well swum Em, that was some race, forgive my language, but I’m fucking knackered now. Also just like at the Olympics, Em leaned over. As more of your memoriescome back to you, you can deal with them instead of hiding and runningaway within as you do. One wonderful thing I do know is that yourgirlfriend Barbara and her parents both love you very much and willsupport you as Rachel. Barbara needs you and you need her. She lovesyou and wants to be with you. Rachel, she knows more than you think andso do her parents. Let's clean you up and fix your face so we can allgo downstairs and you can begin to live your life and experience. Last night she started crying, and we were both wearing six layers of clothing." You guys can come over here to house sit for me if you want to. I'll be gone for at least a week. I'm sure it is a lot more comfortable here than over at your place." You aren't leaving until tomorrow? Can we come over now? I don't think Sherry can take too much more of this." Sure, I guess. You want me to swing by there and get you? You'll probably want to pack some things too, and it'd be a big hassle to backpack.