I decide that Marnie should formally take over with the singing for the rest of the dance, something that she is very excited about. She asks me again and again if I would like to sing with her, but I tell her that it's her time. I also mention to her that it's her last chance to make a good impression on Rodney—for good. She takes that seriously and is there all during the break, almost as if the show depends upon her, which it does.
I am looking for David when he tells me that he's going to go to the facilities, but will return shortly. While David is in the bathroom, Axel and Dex come up to talk to me. It is then that I realize that Dad never mentioned them, and that they aren't in any old pictures that him and Mom have. I shrug it off when they tell me that I should check out the catwalk. They tell me that the view of the stage from up there is incredible, although I am seeing red flags and hearing warning bells go off in my head.
Yet, I even surprise myself when I shrug and tell them that I will, and they show me the staircase to get there. I say that I will wait for David, but they tell me that they will tell him where I went. It is clear that the pair of them want me to go up there, and I really feel backed into a corner. Feeling as if I have no choice, I climb its spiral-ness and soon I am in the very belly of the catwalk, though I cannot shake this shaky feeling growing inside me.
As I near the center of the catwalk, I can clearly hear David asking for my whereabouts, yet Axel and Dex are denying everything. My blood runs cold. I know full well what has happened. I have been imprisoned again, but have no idea why. Do Axel and Dex hate me or something? Resent me for getting a whole lot of attention?
In the next moment, Marnie starts singing Physical by Olivia Newton-John, and she sounds amazing. However, I am so surprised by the sudden music filling my eyes that it causes me to slip. I look up and see Mr. Humbert there, grinning from ear to ear at my presence.
"Is this how you get your kicks?" he asks me.
I start to tremble as I step back. "You stay away from me."
"Why?" he asks. "Afraid that I'll kiss you again? Well, no matter. I'll confirm your fears, Rose Radcliffe." He crosses the space between us and grabs me then, so tightly, and I am unable to get away. He forces his lips on mine, as well as his tongue down my throat.
"No!" I scream.

There is a trap door in the center of the catwalk for whatever reason, and it hasn't been locked in the proper fashion. I trip over the little bit that is open and stumble until both my legs are through the door and dangling helplessly. I do not even grab Mr. Humbert's helping hand, as I do not want him to touch me ever again. I soon find myself gripping a rope that has been left up there, and I find that I am shaking as I am suspended about fifteen or so feet above the safe ground.
I let out a scream as Mr. Humbert takes a knife out of his pocket and cuts the rope, and I let go of it out of shock, and then I have the sensation that I am falling a thousand feet. I know full well that nobody can do anything for me but stare at me wide eyed and afraid as I plummet surely to my death. I shut my eyes, mentally preparing for it, when suddenly, I am caught by something. I open my eyes and gasp, almost as if seeing him for the first time.
"David," I whisper. The stage is about five or six feet above the floor, so my fall was only about nine or ten feet. David has fallen onto his knees because of the impact I caused when I fell. "Are you okay?" I whisper.
"Short intermission, people," Rodney says, rushing backstage and pulling the rope that drops the curtain.
David nods and gets to his feet, putting me firmly on the ground. "What on earth possessed you to go up there in the first place?!"
"They did," I say, my voice shaking as I point to Axel and Dex. "They told me that I'd get a great view of Marnie singing, and that they'd tell you that I was up there. However, I walked into a freaking trap..."
"What kind of trap?" asks Rodney.
"A Humbert trap," I growl.
"Excuse me?" demands David. "First he assaults you and now he...?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa... He assaulted you?!" Rodney and Marnie demand.
"Yes, and then he attempted to do so again," I say quietly. "And not to mention that he seriously tried to kill me!"
"How?" Rodney demands.
"He cut the rope up there that almost made me fall!" I cry out.
"You're lying," Axel says, speaking for the first time.
"I don't lie."
"Yes, you do," Dex goes on. "You're framing our father for assault and attempting to murder you. Now who's the liar?"
"I'm not a liar!" I yell.

"You're upsetting her!" Marnie cries, coming to stand protectively next to me. "If you upset Rose, you upset me!"

"Guys, seriously?!" Rodney says, glaring at Axel and Dex. "You two are my best friends, and you're upsetting my family, people I care about..."

Marnie turns and looks atRodney in complete surprise at the sudden and most unexpected declaration. "Youreally care about me?" she asks. "Me? I... I figured after the kiss that youwould..."
Rodney turns to look at her with a smile. "Morethan anything, Marnie. I want you to be my girlfriend."
"I'm no man's second choice," she said firmly. "Idon't want you to want me just because Roxy's no longer a threat to us, youknow, Rodney."
Rodney sighs. "I understand."
"But, I'm willing to give you a chance."
He smiles, and it is almost as if the sun hasrisen on his face. "I'm glad you'll give me a chance." He crosses towards herand takes her hand.
"It's not just a chance," Marnie replies. Shestands on her toes and kisses him, and then I am whole again.
"Are you ready to go?" I ask David quietly.
He shakes his head. "I want to do one thingfirst." He looks up at Rodney, and shoots him a smile. "Hey, Rodney, would youmind playing Africa for everyone onemore time? It's mine and Rose's song."
Rodney nods. "Of course," he says.
Axel goes to pull up the curtains, and the wholeof the dance looks as if they heard every bit of the conversation.
"Um, Africa!"says Rodney awkwardly as David and I run to join the crowd, which clears aspace for us.
I feel at peace when David puts his arms aroundmy waist and I am able to rest my head on his shoulder. They play through thesong, and then that ends the dance entirely. Before David and I leave, we go tosay goodbye to Marnie, who is still with Rodney.
"We're leaving," I say, smiling at them.
Marnie nods like she understands. "I'll miss you."
I hug her. "Me too, Marnie."
She sighs and lets me go. "I hope to see yousoon."
I quickly reach into my bag and hand her acassette tape of David Bowie singing Heroes."I had a feeling that you would like this."
Rodney looks at it in Marnie's hand. "DavidBowie, huh?" he says with a smile, turning to David. "You're good for Rose, youknow that?"
David smiles. "I think so, too, Rodney."
After a last hug for both of them, David and Ihead to Rose's car. We must drive it back to her house and say goodbye to heras well. There is also part of me that wants to know about her date with James.Maybe, if she ended up with someone like him, she'd be able to turn her lifearound.
"Are you all right?" David asks.
I turn and smile at him. "Yes. Why?" I ask.
"Just asking," he replies.
I nod at him as we navigate Rose's car throughthe night.