Johns POV

EX-bitch didn't like having to take Sean for the day, geez she hardly showed up at the hospital, now she can't be bothered to have him for a few hours. Selfish b........ OH Daintree Crescent, now... number 94.

All the bloody same, little boxes on a hillside made of ticky- tacky. Concentrate.... 94. Right, this one.

I pulled over and scanned the area. Nice, not ghetto, not mansions. Should I be here? She probably is back with hubs laughing and loving like she should. Lucky bastard, she is a nice one. Maybe I should leave her be.

As I sat fighting myself in the car the door beside me opened and there they were.

The cutie pie Jasmine stood holding my door, Stephen holding his mums hand at the front door of the house, she was slipping on her shoes and big sunglasses sat covering her green eyes. She grasped Stephen by the shoulder, a grimace flittered across her features but it was gone in an instant.

"Hello there" I opened the door wider and stood up. Jasmine and Stephen had huge smiles but only Jasmine gave me a hug. Stephen still had his mother's hand at the front door. Sam went to step back inside but Stephen held still.

"You need to go away" Sam spoke quietly, a near hiss of words so anyone lingering about couldn't hear her.

"I. I just came to say. I don't know. Sorry. Sorry I went off the other day"

Sam remembered Sean " He's ok now, isn't he?"

"Yeah, he's back full of beans. Misses his mates though......"

"You need to go" Sam looked across the street I followed her gaze, a curtain moved but I couldn't see what or who was there. "Go!! You can't be here! Please just go"

I took the path up to the door. I was quick and she didn't have a chance to move, Stephen still held her hand. "What the hell happened... Sam?"

One of her arms was bandaged and the other free of wrapping but a dirty colour of black and blue blessed most of her skin. I went ahead and pulled her glasses off her face.
"John, give them back NOW and go. He will know"

Shit Magic, what the hell" I touched her cheek, she flinched with pain, her right eye closed completely shut. A piece of gauze taped over the top of her eyebrow. I pulled the shirt a little from her neck "awww fuck, these scars. Geezus, are they cigarette burns" I could count 3 but there must have were more.

"GO. You don't belong here nor understand. I need to be here. Goodbye" Staring me down, I backed off.

As I got back in the car Jasmine gave me a kiss on the cheek and whispered "Love you uncle John" Something I hadn't heard from her before, all I was, was Mr Lennon, now I'm an uncle.

"Give this to mummy. Make sure she calls when she needs me. I want to help you all, ok little luv" I gave her an all too fleeting hug and she was gone. I drove off, my mind a confused mess.

I should have just grabbed her there and then.

No she needs to do this.

I just cast the life-ring. She's the one that has to call, get in and swim to safety.

I just hope she swims soon.