She was panting hard, and her cheeks were flushed. There were tears running down her face, smudging her make up. Angie wiped her nose. "Help me, Kristie. He's gone!"
Kristie looked at her knife before putting it down and walked to Angie. She wiped a hand on her jeans and put it on Angie's arm. "What? How?"
"I don't know! You called, so I waited, and waited, but her never showed up. Quickly, I need help!" Angie looked to the oven and her head lowered. "Unless you're too busy," she said in an almost-whisper.
Kristie looked back at the oven and felt her chest tighten. "No, of course I'll help." After calling to Ray that she was leaving, she put her arm around Kristie and guided her outside. Kristie looked around and blinked, confused. "Where's your car?"
Angie stared at her. "Car?" Kristie felt the first tugs of doubt awaken, but said nothing. In too far now, she thought. "Okay. We'll just take mine."
They got in the car, Angie still sniffing. Kistie turned the key in the ignition, and as they backed out the driveway, Angie put a hand on her arm. "Thank you for helping me." Her tears were almost dry. Kristie could only keep her attention on the road.
They searched all over the town for more than an hour before Angie finally gave up. They knocked on doors, searched the streets and asked every pedestrian they found if they had seen Marty. But no one had.
Kristie drove to Angie's house to drop her off, and Angie invited her in. Kristie felt she could do no less. The two of them went inside and Kristie walked with Angie to her room. There, Angie lay down on the bed.
Kristie was overwhelmed by her guilt, and knew she had to confess. She opened her mouth to begin, but then she saw something that stopped any her words escaping.
The robe. The horrible, hooded robe. All at once, the memories came back to her and she gritted her teeth to stop herself screaming. She shook for a few moments, but closed her eyes and breathed deeply to a few seconds. After that, words came easily.
"Angie, why don't you come back to my place for dinner. You don't look in a state to cook. And if Marty isn't back in the morning we'll call the police, do anything. We'll find him. But for now, you need food."
Angie opened her eyes. "No, thanks. You've done enough already."
"Oh, it's no trouble, I swear. We've got far too much to eat by ourselves." Kristie took the woman by the hand and pulled her up from the bed. Angie finally gave in, and the two got back into the car. They started driving, and Kristie turned to Angie. "And I've got some amazing meat cooking. I'm sure it'll be very tender. And besides, what're friends for?" Kristie grinned, all guilt evaporated.
This will make absolutely no sense if you haven't read the other parts. It'll probably just look like a couple of feral ladies lol. Anyway, crits are really appreciated on this. Thanks.
