The window slid open and Johnathan was crouched there. "Johnathan! What the hell are you doing?!" I sprang up and went over to the window by him. "I...m sorry." He laughed. "I was trying to scare you. I see it worked." "You're an ass hole." I shook my head. He climbed through the window and approached me. I could smell his cologne, and I loved it. "I'm sorry, babe," he said, as he kissed me 'hello'. "What are you doing here? I thought we were hanging out tomorrow." "I couldn't wait. I. My mother had a hold of his arm and was clearlytrying to help control his temper. Sara's mom seemed to alternatebetween looking sad and angry. I feared that both of us would suffersevere consequences.Finally my father came forward. My reflex action was to pull back, butsitting on the sofa left me no place retreat. He held out his phone tome."Is that you?"I looked at his phone and I'm sure my heart skipped a beat or two. Therewas a picture of Stephen, Sara, Marcus, and me shortly after we. He felt his face redden at the officer’s compliment, then he saw the sergeant’s gaze go to something behind him. He looked over his shoulder and saw his aunt standing there. ‘Ah…Sergeant Murtagh, this is my aunt, Karen.’ He looked at Karen. ‘Aunt Karen, this is, ah, Sergeant Murtagh.’ ‘Bud,’ the policeman said. ‘Name’s Bud. I only let miscreants call me Sergeant.’ It was obvious from the way his eyes lit up that he found Karen attractive. Tommy looked at his aunt. She sported a silly grin and. Anya took off running, sprinting for the staircase, no longer caring about the noise. She heard Nina call her name, but she didn't dare turn around. When she got back to her room, she shut the door and locked it as quickly as she could, and leapt into bed, pulling the covers around her like a cocoon. She stayed awake, her heart thundering in her chest, until the birds outside started to sing their dawn chorus.The sun was rising red on the horizon when she finally dropped to sleep. As she felt.