Chapter One

Sunlight drifted in though the blinds and onto the face of a woman fast asleep on the large double bed in the middle of a floral printed room. Next to the bed, in a soft chair, a dark haired woman lay curled up, a blanket covering her from her chin down. She was dark with black curly hair and skin a beautiful shade of brown.
Movement from the bed caused the companion to rouse, "Hello Phoebe."
Phoebe, who was just trying to wake up glanced at her in surprise, "Cassie, what are you doing here?" she then looked around and corrected herself, "I mean, what am I doing here?"
Cassie stood up from the chair and sat beside her friend on the bed, "Well, I hear about what had happened on the news yesterday and went to your apartment but you weren't there. So I eneded up at the hospital. You were totally out of it when I found you, Phoebe. I finally told the nurses I was taking you home, that detective was not too happy about it but I couldn't stand seeing you in there. Do you mind?"
"Are you kidding? This is great, I am so glad to be here with you." Phoebe glanced at a clock on the wall which read fourteen minutes after seven. Was it morning or night?
"How about some breakfast, hon?" Cassie asked, answering her inward question then and there, "Do waffles sound good?"
Phoebe smiled, "Yes, but only if you let me help."
It wasn't long before the two friends were dancing around in the kitchen to a Rhianna cd and waffles were sizzling in the irons. It felt so good to just forget the past few days and concentrate on having fun with her best friend. Phoebe willed hersef not to let her mind drift to the negative side as she ate a deliciousbreakfast and chatted with Cassie.
However, the mood changed later when they were washing the breakfast dishes side by side at the kitchen counter. Phoebe could tell that her friend was nervous about something but she said nothing, not wanting to offend her. Minutes passed slowly by before Cassie spoke, her soft voice interupting the silence.
"What was it like, Phoebe? You must have been so scared."
Phoebe blinked back tears and nodded solemnly, "I was terrified! HE saw me, Cass, and now its all over the news. He's going to come after me, I know it."
Cassie turned Phoebe towards her and hugged her close, "You have to tell that detective, Phoebes. You need protection."
"I don't want people watching over me twenty-four hours a day. You know I need my privacy," she cried softly, her nerves nearly shot.
Cassie sighed, "What is more important? Your privacy or your life, you have to think about that."
Phoebe leaned back to look in her friends face, "A part of me knows you're right, but another side tells me that I have nothing to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about? Honey, you witnessed this man kill another human being! What makes you think he won't come after you?"
"All of a sudden, Phoebe felt her nerves explode; sobbing she ran from ehr friends arms and to the guest bedroom where she closed the door firmly behind her. She knew Cassie was right but apart of her wanted to just forget it all and just live life asshe had before. A low beeping brought her back to reality and she saw her cell phone vibrating on the bedside table, it was her Mom calling. She quickly dried the tears from her eyes and blew her nose before answering.
"Hello Mom."
A loud sob could be heard from the other side, "Oh honey,i'm so glad I caught you. We have been calling your apartment but there is no answer. Ever since the news broadcast we've been so scared, Phoebe. How are you holding up?"
"As well as can be expected I guess. I am at my friend Cassie's house right now, and I am well rested so you don't have to tell me to get some sleep." Phoebe sank down into the bed and lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling.
Again her mother let out a sob, "I wish I could be there with you, you need to come home now, honey. It's not safe there for you. Those fools at the network let the whole world see your picture and name. They could be looking for you right now."
"I can't go home Mom, I have classes to finish and a job to do."
Suddenly her fathers deep voice broke through the line in his no nonsense tone, "Phoebe, if you won't come home, you better tell the police about him spotting you. If you don't, I'll send your brothers over to haul you back home, you hear?"
"How do you know about him spotting me, Dad?" Phoebe frowned, she and Cassie were the only ones who knew.
"I didn't, but you just told me."
"Oh, Dad!" Phoebe moaned, flipping onto her side, "Why do you always do that?"
"Listen to your father, Phoebe Mae Banks," her mother said sternly, "Or I will personally come along and drag you home myself."
"Fine...fine...I'll do anything to keep those brothers of mine from beating up every red head in town."
They talked a few minutes later and then Phoebe gathered some clothes from Cassie to borrow and went in search of the shower. Her friend stood at the sink putting on her makeup. Phoebe paused in the doorway just watching her delicately glaze her lips with lipgloss. When Cassie spotted her and turned, Phoebe sighed and looked at her apologetically.
"I'm sorry for having such a hissy fit, Cass. I guess my nerves have just about had enough."
She smiled, "I would be worried if you didn't."
Phoebe laid the clothing on the counter, "After I take a shower, can you give me a ride to the police station? I'm going to talk to Detective Cameron, you were right about my needing protection."
Callie agreed instantly and left the room so Phoebe could wash up. A half hour later they were cruising down the King James Highway in Cassie's little red bug. Her long blond hair flew in the wind that the entered through the open passenger window and she closed her eyes in order to further enjoy the feeling.
All of a sudden, she noticed Cassie tense up, "What's wrong, Cass?"
"That black Sedan has been following us since we left the apartment. I don't like the feeling of this, girl. What should we do"
Phoebe watched the car following behind them two cars back. What could they do? If they had already found her at her friends house, they obviously knew where she lived and worked.
"Just drive straight to the police station, Cass. They won't be able to hurt us there."
Her friend nodded and excellerated on the gas pedal, fear showing in her dark brown eyes.