It’s been two years since I’ve been almost beaten to death. Since then I’ve retreated from the world. The divorce is long through, the guy is st...ll in prison. I had completely abandoned my old surroundings afterwards. Only my friends Andi and Basti were in contact with me. They told me that they had blocked numerous of Anna’s attempts to contact me. They are good guys, real friends, but even their visits have dwindled away. I haven’t seen Basti for one and a half years. Andi is more persistent,. Before he left he took a picture of me. I asked him what for and he said he wanted to show it to Rob. I have to admit I was a bit embarrassed but it did make me feel good. He kept a picture of Rob on his nightstand and I do have to say he was a hunk in his uniform. When Ben returned from Germany he was so happy. He even bought me and the other center help gifts from Germany. Most were imported candy, trinkets, and things like that. He handed me a second small package. In it was a silver. Not that there wouldn’t be the mother of a fuss at my school if somebody said something... “Hello Alice,” I smiled at her while I wondered what she wanted. Dark green eyes with a lot of dark eyeshadow, a bit of naughtiness in them even now when she was being serious and a little nervous. About six small rings in one ear.An image of her party legs swam into my mind.“Sorry,” she started, “I didn’t know how to contact you, just your school, that Faye mentioned,” she was explaining about following. Her jaw was set and her eyes closed, and then the shaking started. It seemed to come from her middle and work its way to the ends of her arms and legs, and I could feel her fingers cutting into me. It gave me an idea for some kind of steam-powered saw.“Off, off!” Sybilla cried.I quickly helped her to stand and then picked her up and carried her to the chaise lounge. I returned and released the valve controlling the power then withdrew the firebox and put it on the grate. With the machine safe,.