MoonUnit - Chapters 19-21

Impending danger

Still clutching the magazine cover in her hand Selbie rang Rabbit’s doorbell. It took a long time for Rabbit to answer and when he did his face fell. "Selbie you shouldn’t be here"
"Rabbit I just wanted-"
"No! You really must leave". Confusion and Rabbit’s coldness made Selbie mad. "Now hold on here Rabbit! What are you on about, did I do something wrong?" Rabbit just looked away and tried to close the door. Slamming her foot in the way Selbie screamed at him, "For goodness sake! Stop being so stupid and let me in!" then in a whisper, "Please Rabbit". Rabbit sighed he knew it was dangerous, but she would be safe if he was around. As she walked past him into the hall he could smell her hair. Shampoo and books. Selbie smell. It empowered him, just try hurting her Georgia. I’m ready!

"The others will be here soon" Rabbit said quietly. Selbie nodded silently, she was sitting on the white granite surface of his kitchen head in her hands. "What did I do Rabbit? I don’t understand. I never understand anything anymore" Selbie said beginning to cry, "It’s too strange! One minute everything is fine then it changes, I just don’t-”. Rabbit pulled Selbie into a tight hug that lifted her clean off the counter. His warmth and kindness just made Selbie cry more. Clinging to his shirt she buried her head in his shoulder, her tears left a damp patch on his shirt, but he didn’t care. For years it seemed they stood there. Clinging to each other like one would disappear if the other let go. Finally Rabbit spoke. "I promise you Selbie, no matter what happens I’ll always protect you, always"
"Rabbit what’s happening?"
"I cant tell you"
"Why?"
"Because I love you too much to hurt you"

Selbie looked up into his amber eyes. He loved her? Rabbit looked back, embarrassed. Patches of pink had appeared under his amber eyes. "As a friend I mean" he said looking away. Through her tears Selbie smiled, "I love you too, as a friend" she whispered kissing his soft cheek. He blushed even more but smiled back at her. It was a smile laced with pain and tenderness; it was very beautiful. At that moment Selbie could truly see why people fell in love with him. Burying her head in his shoulder again Selbie felt her tears stop. She was protected.

The protection didn’t last for long. The minute he saw Selbie Olly started shouting at her and Rabbit. He completely lost it, Selbie had never seen anyone so angry and afraid. It scared her. "That Bitch rang me this morning! Do you know what Georgia is planning to do to her?" he screamed sending himself hoarse. Sakura and Vince desperately tried to calm him down while Katy tried to lead Selbie from the room. "I don’t even know how she found out! This serious, don’t you understand, she’s a psycho!". Rabbit nodded his face still pink from blushing. "Please Olly-kun" pleaded Sakura on the verge of tears, "its not Usagi-san’s fault or Chibi-chan’s!". Olly wouldn’t listen and just went on screaming, throwing Rabbit’s ornate candle sticks at the wall as he rampaged around the house. Selbie had had enough. Tears drenching her face she ran. Slamming the door as she left.

From across the street someone watched her leave. Hazel eyes narrowed underneath their lashes and a sickening smile flickered over red lips. Target sighted. That girl better run faster, or she was going to catch her!

Cornered

Something sinister was going on and Selbie was going to find out what it was. Lying on her bed tears of confusion and had turned to anger. She was going to get to the bottom of this, even if it was the last thing she did!

It was nearly midnight. Selbie burst through the doors of Ultra, determination pumping through her veins like adrenaline. Bright lights and loud music assaulted her senses but she ignored them. Anger had made her numb. MoonUnit had a gig here tonight and they were already on stage. Sliding onto a unbelievably high bar stool Selbie watched them. Glaring until her eyes hurt. Once they finished she would strike. No one kept secrets from Selbie Robinson!

Slipping into the club unnoticed by anyone was another girl. Hazel eyes searching for the familiar shape of her enemy. They found her sitting at the bar glaring daggers at the band. A rush of excitement surged through Georgia Spicer. Pushing her way through the crowd she stopped in front of Selbie. "I got a message for you" she shouted over the deafening music, "its from Olly Glenpatrick". Selbie looked up confused, not knowing what to make of this stranger. Then she stood up and allowed herself to be dragged out of the club.

Georgia smiled maliciously to herself, everything was going to plan.

Vixen watched them leave. Horror and fear freezing her to the spot.

The death of a friend

It was cold by the river. A chill wind whipped through the iron beams of the bridge howling as it went. It made Selbie shiver, she had no coat on and her bare shoulders were at the mercy of the elements. The girl stood a few feet in front of her, hair blowing widly about her. She was pretty, but her hazel eyes were frightening. They looked almost psychotic. "What was the message then?" asked Selbie wrapping her arms tightly around shoulders. The girl just laughed, a cold highpitched laugh. Selbie shivered again, but not from the cold. "There is no message" she said smiling weirdly,
"Then what do you want, you freak!?"
"Revenge". Selbie took a step backwards her arms coming up to defend herself. The girl started walking towards her, a sickening leer plastered all over her face. "You are dating Olly aren’t you?! I saw it, it was all over the magazines!"
"So what do you care?". The girl just laughed a lower more dangerous laugh, "of course I care who my lover kisses"

Selbie was backed up against the iron posts of the bridge, Georgia was so close Selbie could feel her breath on her cheek. "Olly was my first you know, we were fifteen and my parents had gone away" Georgia chuckled, the memories flooding back, "it was the best night of my life. I never regretted sleeping with him!". Selbie wanted to run away but Georgia had her cornered. " He left me but I know he really loves me, and I love him back! I was going to give him time to realise this, but then you came along and stole him!" Georgia screamed her face suddenly turning scarlet. With all her strength Selbie lashed out, Georgia stumbled backwards but didn’t fall. Rubbing her shoulder she looked up, eyes bloodshot and vicious. "You little slut" she whispered dangerously, "that was the biggest mistake of your life!"

It was snowing and the crystal white flakes stung Olly’s eyes as he ran. He had to find Selbie. It was all his fault for not protecting her. Horrible thoughts slamming into his brain made him feel sick and dizzy. Dropping down onto his knees in the snow he prayed. Dear God please please please let me find her, please don’t let me be too late!

Selbie screamed a raw terrified scream that rang in her ears and sucked the air from her lungs. She was bruised and bleeding from Georgia’s blows and her arm was trapped underneath her at an awkward angle. Eyes filled with excitement Georgia desperately tried to push Selbie over the side of the bridge. The water gushed underneath them, cold and dark. Selbie knew that if she fell in she would surely drown. The very thought turned her muscles to ice. "Just give up bitch" shouted Georgia over Selbies’ screams, "its no use! I’m stronger!". Selbie wouldn’t give up, she kicked and screamed until every nerve told her to stop. Georgia wrenched Selbie’s arm from underneath her and smacked it against the iron railing; the sickening crack of bones breaking echoed through the air. The pain was unbearable.

They say that before you die your life flashes before your eyes. All Selbie Robinson saw was Georgia’s triumphant face as the murky water swallowed her up.