Daisy: Going to church with her parents Also, that Sunday, Daisy and her parents went on their regular church excursion. Daisy sat between her mother and father, and listened to today's sermon. "The Angel of Death will show no mercy. Those who have transgressed will be plucked from the warmth of mortal lives and cast into the fires of hell! Those with impure thoughts, those who have had illicit sex, those who have tempted others, will be shown no mercy!" The preacher was in fine form today. He thumped the lectern and continued his tirade. "No excuses will be accepted! Claims that you were seduced or raped will cast aside like the thinly veiled lies they are! The fires of hell burn hottest for those who gave in to the flames of lust!" And so on and so on. Hands in her lap, fists clenched, Daisy tried not to twitch and startle in time with the preacher's pronouncements. But I didn't do anything to encourage it! I didn't! I was raped! Take deep breaths. Don't cause any worry to my parents. That's right, be calm. The singing is next. The singing was the part she really enjoyed. Everyone would stand up, hold hands with their family, and sing along with the church organ and choir. Daisy, holding her mother's and her father's hand, sang some of her favourite songs. It was the only time in the week that she felt connected to her parents. Mackay: The story is released On Monday morning, there was a small frisson of excitement at the school. It was noted that Mackay, and Jenny, and Carmen, all arrived at the same time, from the same direction. What's more, they appeared to be talking together. "Jenny is actually talking to a boy? Not much, but still." said Handel. "And what's more, Carmen is also." said Harmony. "It's a miracle!" said Handel. "Shut up!" said Harmony. "Leave the poor girls alone." At lunchtime, Seff and Handel just about dragged Mackay off to a convenient bench. "I knew there was something going on! So what is it?" said Handel. Twenty minutes later. Both boys looked at Mackay. "Is this some sort of joke?" said Seff. "No. After all, would the parents of the girls let me sleep next to them, and even provide free board and lodging for me, if it wasn't something of the utmost importance?" "I don't suppose so." said Handel. "If you see Janet or Charlie around, you can always ask them directly." said Mackay. "Well, normally I don't chat with police officers, but, yeah." said Seff. "Also, for the time being, could you not advertise this to the other students? At least for now. Because, neither Jenny nor Carmen have much in the way of friends, so they have no one to tell, so, we're going to let this story out slowly, tell people on a case by case basis." "What about Daisy?" said Seff. "Ok, Ok, you can tell her." "And, well, perhaps I can mention this to my new found friend Harmony?" said Handel. "Well, I suppose so." As Janet had said. "Once you tell anyone at all, the news will be all over the place within a week. At least make sure that the people who are kindly disposed towards you hear it first." Tanner, one of the boys in another class but the same year, bigger and bolder than the others, approached Carmen and Jenny as they ate their lunch. "Hi, it's good to see you back at school. And how come you're all friendly with each other and Mackay?" For his pains, Jenny looked away and tried to hide behind Carmen. Carmen glared at the boy. "Why should I tell you?" "Oh, sorry." Tanner retreated. Carmen then looked at Jenny with some annoyance, and then sighed. "You really must learn to overcome these terrors, but, Ok, Ok, for the meanwhile..." During that day, their classroom sat the tests they had missed the previous week. Carmen and Jenny both managed to pass. Mackay, due to all of the extra practice he got while tutoring the girls, got a high mark for once. Seff: Tells Daisy the news Seff had another date with his girl. And he told her everything that Mackay had told him. He got back a blank stare. "Beg your pardon?" said Daisy. "That story is exactly as Mackay told me." said Seff. "I certainly didn't make it up." "An Angel of Death? An angel commanded Mackay to look after the girls? And sleep with them?" "Sleep next to them! Next to them! Mackay was very definite about that point." "Oh. Right. Ah, maybe. But, well, I just can't imagine an Angel of Death doing such a thing." "It's what Mackay said, although I must admit it does sound just a little funny." Daisy gave him a look. A seasoned prosecuting lawyer, ripping to shreds the accused's testimony of innocence, could not have looked any more distrusting and disbelieving. "I hope that you are not going to follow his lead and also get a harem?" "Ah, definitely not, definitely not!" Seff was beginning to feel like he had wandered into a minefield, and was desperately looking around for the way out. "You are the only girl I even talk to, let alone anything else!" "Ok, we'll leave it at that." On this date Seff was unable to make any further progress with his plans, there were too many people around. But Daisy made some progress of her own. "Seff, about the only time my family is together is when we go to church on Sundays. Would you like to come along, too? I can, at last, introduce you to my parents. Hopefully they won't be too upset. But keep quiet about that fact that I have already had several dates with you, please." "Ah, sure, Sunday morning it is." Ms Williams: The rumours about Mackay and his harem eventually spread to most of the older students at school, in various garbled and fantastic versions. Some students asked their teachers, and it was noted that the teachers, while they might have been puzzled, also seemed to be accepting of the whole story. "No, no, " said Mrs Williams when having a social talk with some of the girls in one of her classes, "I'm sure that Mackay is not, you know, actually in a relationship with the girls. It is all strictly platonic. The girls were very very sick at the hospital, remember. And somehow Mackay makes them better." It was a puzzle. The topic provided most of the conversation for the remainder of the week. Handel: Telling Harmony: Harmony also looked extremely sceptical at Handel's news. "Mackay has a harem?" "No, no! Mackay says it is definitely not a harem!" Harmon sniffed disdainfully. "Well, I'm glad you're not into such things. And it appears your friend Seff is also a nice boy, he's sticking to having a single girlfriend." Handel decided that that was good enough for the time being. After all, he did not know Harmony all that well, any remaining misconceptions that she might have could be cleared up at some future date. Mackay: Makes himself useful At the evening meal halfway through the week, Janet at last managed to broach the subject of the teenagers helping out with the cleaning and cooking. Sigh. "Ok, I agree, we should clean our own rooms. But Mackay always cleans his own ensuite, and Jenny and I always clean our own bathroom area. Ok? No boys allowed!" said Carmen. "Ok" said Mackay. "And perhaps we make a roster of who washes the dishes and help prepare the meals?" said Janet. Three mumbled "Ok’s". Mackay decided to add just a little bit more. "Ah, Jenny, I've noted that your veggie patch seems to be overgrown with weeds, ah, probably because you have been preoccupied the last month or so. How about I help you weed it?" "Oh, ah..." Jenny looked at Carmen. It appeared that Carmen' enthusiasm for gardening could be summed up as a big fat zero. She looked at Janet, who smiled and nodded her assent. "Sure. Ah, perhaps we can do some now?" "Ok, Mackay. See these weeds? You start at this end and pull them out. But don't touch the tomato plants! And put the weeds into this bin. I'll be over there, checking the vines for any nasty bugs." "Ok" Mackay set to work. Head down, he allowed himself a small smile. "So, I've got Jenny talking with me, on her own choice, for her own benefit. Not much, as yet, but it's a start." He carefully pulled out some weeds, shook the earth out of their roots, and tossed them into the bin. "Now, how can I do the same with Carmen?" Janet: Another police meeting There was another meeting at the police station. "Ok, everyone, we have made some progress. I'm sure Janet and Charlie remember the train crash of three years ago?" "Oh, yeah, that one between the passenger train and a goods train. The one where several people were killed?" said Charlie. "That's right. And on the passenger train were teachers and students from the school, on their way back from a school outing. And in the goods train, securely fastened and locked up in its own compartment, was a box containing ten packets of that poison, ten capsules per packet." "I don't remember that part." said Janet. "But those who were actively involved in the clean up did. Only nine of those packets were recovered. They searched very hard for the missing packet, but the box itself had been torn open by the crash and the packets strewn all over the tracks. Along with a lot of other junk." "So, one of the passengers escaping from the crash could have picked up the packet, without realising it..." said Janet. "Looks like it." He held up a packet. It had a distinctive appearance; coloured purple with red zigzags, and the word poison on one side. "This one is, of course, empty. But this is what they looked like. They also contain a little booklet with the complete details of what the packet contains and full safety precautions for usage." "So, the perpetrator had all the information needed on how to make use of it?" said Charlie. "That's right." Mackay: Gets his full harem And very early Friday morning, Mackay woke up in fear, again. He carefully sat up, without disturbing the girls or mothers. He had gained plenty of practice at that in the last couple of weeks. The lighting was black shadows and white glares from reflective surfaces. Standing in front of him was Esmeralda, eyes glowing red, halo shining brightly. "So far, so good, Mackay" she said. "Argh" "But we still have not gotten you your full harem, have we?" "My full harem? As in, ah, Turquoise?" "That's right. Turquoise also needs to be saved. And you, on your own free will if course, together with the girls, will be saving her." "Oh, right." "As usual, I will be judging you after your death on how well you manage this task." "Y - Yes, I understand." "Tomorrow morning you will tell the girls. And Janet and Jiro and Catalina. And then, this is what you will need to do..." At breakfast. Janet carefully put down her coffee. "Did you girls notice anything last night?" "No." "Not a thing." "Hmm, well, neither did I." Janet put her head in her hands, and then spoke again. "The image of my girl, slumped in a wheelchair, face looking like a little old lady, is forever burnt into my memory. And then Mackay held Jenny's hand..." She looked up. "Right. I shall do exactly as requested. And arrange the other adults. You girls should also do exactly as requested." "Ok, mum." "Yes, Janet." "Thanks, Janet." said Mackay. Hyacinth: Plays her part At lunchtime, in the cafeteria, another girl was unwittingly playing her part. Hyacinth saw her group of friends, and went over to them. "Hi, there's a free table over there..." "Oh, sorry, my friends and I are going to be sitting over there, with my older sister. We've all arranged for a group stay at my parents holiday cottage this weekend. See ya." She casually waved and the group moved away. Hyacinth turned so they could not see her face and then clenched her hands. "Friends. My friends. Apparently I'm not included in that magic circle." Hoping that no one could see the tears forming in her eyes, she walked without looking at anybody and sat at the first table which had some empty seats. Except that, right in front of her, she found Turquoise. "What do you want, you ugly mouse?" said Hyacinth. "I, ah, sorry" Turquoise, looking fearful, scrambled to sweep up her lunch, dropping a few pieces in the process, and ran away. Hyacinth ate her lunch alone, eyes down, not looking at all of the other students happily talking to each other. Mackay: Saves again Friday afternoon, after school, Mackay's group set off from the school gates. In the opposite direction than the one they usually went. Over the causeway, through the shopping and business precinct, along the side of a small park, and finally arriving at the train station. Three high school kids, just three of the many going home, maybe stopping at some shops along the way. Along the way, they visited one of the shops themselves. Mackay brought a paper cup full of chips. But neither he nor the girls ate any. At the entrance, they tagged in using their commuter passes, and strolled along the platform towards the end. They stopped next to an advertising display and waited. "I don't see any signs of Turquoise," said Carmen. "Ah, there she is!" said Jenny. Turquoise was walking along the platform, eyes down, holding a packet of chips on one hand and her school bag in the other. She carefully selected an empty seat, as far away from any occupied seats as possible, and sat down. She wiggled around to make herself comfortable, put her school bag on the ground, and positioned her packet of chips in front of her. The sunlight streamed in, at a low angle, crossing the tracks and lit up her figure. "Why, she almost looks happy there." said Mackay. "Yeah, some quality time by herself, relaxing with a nice feed of chips." said Jenny. "She certainly doesn't look contented like that at school." said Carmen. Hyacinth was also at the station. She had wandered to the end of the platform, stared out at the tracks, then wandered back again. Mackay and the two girls distinctly heard her mumbling to herself as she passed them. "My friends. My friends. What friends?" Just then, she looked up, and saw Turquoise, about to eat her first chip. "What are you looking so happy about, ugly? I mean, you certainly don't have friends, do you?" And she slapped the chips from Turquoise's hand, sending them flying all over the ground. "You'll never have any friends!" And with that, she kept on walking, stomping on some of the chips as she went past. Turquoise, face blank, looked down at the spilt chips. "The north bound express does not stop at this station, will all patrons please stand back from the platform's edge" went the automated message. Turquoise looked up. The three watching her saw the exact moment she – Gave up on life. The train tracks were beginning to sing. Turquoise purposely stood up, stepped over her school bag and started walking towards the tracks. She looked in the direction of the oncoming train. It was now visible. It tooted its horn. Turquoise slowed down, judged the timing, and started her last steps. The whine of the train’s electric engines was getting louder. Turquoise took another step; she was almost at the striped lines on the edge of the platform. The train was rapidly approaching, the sound of its wheels squealing against the tracks could be heard, the engine sounds were getting louder. Turquoise lifted her foot for another step - A boy stepped out in front of her and wrapped his arms around her. Two girls, one either side, stepped up and wrapped their arms around both of them. The train roared past. Clang-clang clang-clang clang-clang, went the trains wheels. Wind eddies shook their uniforms and hair. The sound of the engines filled the entire station with echoes. The flash - flash of sunlight passing through the windows of the carriages and between the carriages lit Turquoise's face. With a last whoosh, the final carriage swept by. The sounds diminished; eventually the station went back to the normal background murmur of the waiting people. Turquoise, face blank, mouth opened, hugged by three teenagers, just stood there. Mackay moved back just a little, so that he could see her face. "It's all right. It's all right." Turquoise continued to stare straight ahead. She could see the train tracks past Mackay's head. Two shiny tracks of steel, neatly raked ballast with no debris in sight. "Here, let's move back just a little." said Mackay. She allowed herself to be walked back a couple of metres, but otherwise did not show any signs of reaction. Mackay separated himself from her just a little bit more, and brought around his arm and hand that had been holding the chips. They were un-spilt. A minor miracle. "Here, have a chip." Turquoise continued to stare ahead. So Mackay brought around his other hand, took a chip, and offered it to her. The two girls continued to hold both Mackay and Turquoise in their embraces. Running on autopilot, Turquoise ate the chip. Mackay gave her another. She ate it. This continued until the packet was empty. By the end of it, Turquoise was showing some animation. She looked at Mackay's face, and then turned her head both ways to look at Carmen's and Jenny's. "It's all right." said Carmen. "There, there. You got your chips back." said Jenny. She continued to stand there, looking back at Mackay's face, without making any other attempts at action. By now, a train on the opposite side of the platform had pulled up and was in the process of departing. The crowds had thinned out, Hyacinth being one of those that were on the departing train. The station became much quieter. "I know what, let's walk out of here and stop at the park outside?" said Mackay. Walking ahead, carrying both his own school bag and hers, he led the way. The three girls followed, Turquoise in the centre and the two others on either sides, holding her arms. The park had a secluded corner, where the traffic noises were softer and the sun was shining in. There they sat, on the lawn. Three girls in a row, Turquoise still being hugged by a girl either side of her. Mackay sat facing her. He had a very private thought. Sometimes I hate myself for being a teenage boy. In spite of the life and death situation, in spite of all of his good intentions, even knowing that an Angel of Death with glowing red eyes was intently watching his every thought and action, he still could not stop himself from noticing. Noticing that he was sitting right opposite to a teenage girl sitting cross-legged in a short skirt. Fortunately, he had the solution. He plonked her school bag onto her lap. She hugged it. The other two girls were also sitting, but they, being fully conscious of the situation and of Mackay's nature, had carefully arranged their legs and skirts so that there were no problems. "Hi, Turquoise. The chips were nice, weren't they?" said Mackay, as he extended his arms and held her hands. She nodded. A very timid mouse, not sure of what was going to happen next. Mackay looked at Carmen. And at Jenny. They looked back. Right. I'm in charge, by the looks of it. Maybe this time I'm not totally out of my depth? "So, I take it that there must be something bad happening in your life? It couldn't have just been Hyacinth spilling your chips." "Yes" said Turquoise. In a very small voice. "Ah, would you like to tell us what it is?" Turquoise looked down at her bag, cenched her fists even as they were held by Mackay, and finally said: "I can't." Mackay, still lightly holding her hands in his, said. "Why not?" "Because, because, I'll, ah, be punished. I'll end up in jail. Be raped by the prison guards. I don't want that." Mackay could feel her hands trembling. Her voice was barely audible, a couple of tears ran down her face. Both Carmen and Jenny tightened their embraces. "No you won't be! I'm sure!" said Jenny. Mackay was beginning to wonder if he actually was out of his depth. Nonetheless, he kept going. "And, well, why would you be punished?" "Because I'm a bad person. Because... I mustn't say anymore..." "Turquoise! If you don't tell us we can't help you!" said Carmen. She was trying to be as kind and gentle as she could, but just a little bit of impatience came through. Turquoise jumped slightly. "Sorry, I..." Her voice trailed away. By now, Mackay was beginning to get an idea of what might be happening. His mother was a psychologist after all, and he had read some of the books in her professional library. "By the way, who do you live with?" "Well, my, ah, father. My mother died when I was young." "Was it your father who told you that you would end up in jail?" Turquoise jerked, tried to get up, but two girls were holding her down. She looked at Mackay. A mouse looking at the cat as it opens its jaws. "Maybe you can tell us? If you have the courage to step in front of a train, then you easily have the courage to tell us why." She slumped. "Yeah, Ok. My father... comes to my bed... at nights... and..." The setting sun blessed them with its orange red rays of light. A few leaves rustled by, blown by the evening breeze. Traffic sounds, muffled, could be heard in the distance. "Right. Sorry to hear that. I think it is time to get the help of our parents. We are all going to be looking after you." "But I'll end up in jail!" "Turquoise, you are being silly. You have done nothing wrong! It is your father that is at fault." said Carmen. "But I tempt him. I can't help it. I lead him astray." Carmen was about to add some more, but Mackay decided he had better get in fast. "No, Turquoise. Your father is an adult. He can perfectly well control himself if he wants to. It is definitely not your fault." "But, but, how do you know. You're not an adult." "No, but my mother deals with cases like these. She's a psychologist. And Jenny's mother also deals with this stuff. She's a senior police officer." Turquoise gasped in fear. "My dear, please don't be so afraid. Mum has told me about some of the cases like this that she has been involved in. And I can say that you are perfectly safe with her. You must take the next step, you must let us help you get you out of your current horrible life." said Jenny. "After all, we have already saved you once, haven't we?" added Mackay. "Ok, Ok, I guess I must." Carmen took out her mobile phone, and phoned her dad. "You can pick us up now, please." Five minutes later Charlie, dressed in his normal clothes and driving his family car, pulled up at the park's entrance. He had been waiting, as requested, down the street. They were now at Janet's house. Charlie had seen them to the front door, and then he had faded out. He went around to the back to Jiro's workshop, and settled in for a chat with Jiro as he waited for further orders. Everyone else gathered in the dining room. The three teenagers, out of sheer force of habit, had sat in their customary places, Mackay in the middle. Carmen had been keeping a grip on Turquoise's arm, so she ended up sitting next to Carmen, holding her hand. Due to the extra person, they were packed tightly down their side of the table. Janet sat opposite them. Turquoise looked at the three with slight puzzlement. "As you might have heard from the school gossip, we're an unusual family." said Janet. Mary was also present, but no other parents. She reached across the table to hold Turquoise's free hand. "I take it you have a very unhappy home life..." With much hesitation and some gentle probing, Turquoise managed to tell her story. At the end of it: "Jenny and the others kept on telling me that I won't be locked up, but, but..." Janet walked around the table, stood behind Turquoise and hugged her. Faces side by side, she spoke: "Of a course you won't be locked up. You may have my word as a senior police officer. I've handled cases like this before." "She is perfectly correct." said Mary. "I also have dealt with girls like you, and have occasionally cooperated with Janet. It is a common tactic for the man to lie to the girl, telling her that she will be in trouble as well." Two adults, who appeared to have authority in such matters, telling her she was safe, Turquoise relaxed, and as Mary released her hand and Janet stepped back, she leant against Carmen and let her hold her. "There is a question I'll like to ask: do you want to see you father again in the future?" said Janet. "No! No! Definitely not!" said Turquoise. "Right, I think that is clear enough." Mary spoke next: "I know this will be a painful experience, but we need to get a written statement from you. We also need to arrange a medical examination soon. Ah, definitely by a female doctor. Is this Ok?" Turquoise reluctantly nodded. "I have a college standing by at the hospital, she can come out here in the next hour or so, we can use one of the spare bedrooms for privacy." "In the mean while, to save you brooding too much, how about we have tea?" said Janet. Two hours later. Three teenagers, having cleaned up after the meal, were back at the dining room table, sitting in a row. They had their homework opened out in front of them, but not one of them had managed to do any study. Mary sat opposite, and tried to read a newspaper. They waited. Turquoise came back in the room, her eyes red with crying. Janet was hugging her waist. The doctor, who Mackay recognised as one of the ones who had been in the hospital room when he had first seen Carmen and Jenny, also came out. "There you are dear, I'll arrange things with Janet and my hospital staff; you don't have to worry anymore." She left the house. Janet guided Turquoise back to Carmen's side. Carmen hugged her. Janet looked at Mary. They both got up and moved out of the room. "I need to discuss some boring procedural matters with Mary." said Janet as she exited, "If you lot could look after Turquoise?" Mackay glanced at Carmen, then at Jenny. Maybe it's your turn now? Fortunately, they got the message. Carmen put her left arm around Turquoise, and stroked Turquoise's hair with her right hand a few times. "There now, I hope that is the last painful experience you need to endure." she said. "It was horribly embarrassing, but I suppose it's over now." Everyone was quiet for a while. "But what happens tonight? I have nowhere to go, nowhere to sleep." said Turquoise. "Well, normally Janet or Mary would arrange something, but in this case, why not stay with us?" said Jenny. "I can?" "Sure you can." said Carmen. Turquoise looked at Mackay, with a girl either side of him. "According to the gossip I managed to overhear, you, err, sleep, err..." "We sleep next to him! Next to him! In separate beds! Definitely separate beds! If he ever dared try to do anything, we would bash him senseless... Ah, sorry, I'm supposed to be kinder to him." Carmen collected herself. "In actual fact, Mackay is very nice. It's just that, well, you see, it has taken us some time to get used to the situation." Turquoise continued to look confused. So the two other girls, with some contribution from Mackay, filled her in on the details. "An Angel of Death?" she said. "Yeah. I assure you, when one is commanded by an Angel of Death, then one takes particular care to do exactly as she says." said Mackay. A small giggle from Jenny. "Mackay is terrified of disobeying his angel." "Well, I wouldn't quite put it like that..." "Anyway" said Carmen, "I believe that by now we have reached some sort of accommodation between the three of us." "Although it almost came to murder at one stage." added Mackay. "It was difficult." said Jenny. "Especially considering my, my, history, as I have explained." Turquoise reached across and held Jenny's hand for a moment. "Anyway, if you can put up with Mackay's presence, how about you sleep with us? Next to me in my bed, that is, definitely not next to Mackay!" said Carmen. Turquoise looked down at her hand that was holding Carmen's. "That would be nice. Kind of strange, but nice. But, but, there is something else I must tell you. I've never told anyone else this." Glances between the other three. "There's more?" said Mackay. "It's nothing to do with my, ah, abuse, or anything like that." said Turquoise. "It's just that, since you have been so kind with me, ah, I feel I really must tell you about me... You might not like me after I say this..." Three puzzled looks greeted her. "Well, it's like this, you see, when it comes to romance, well, like, I like, err, girls." Three blank looks. "Is that all?" said Carmen. "Ah, you don't mind?" "Of course not. Why should I?" said Carmen. "It's fine by me." said Jenny. "It is certainly of no relevance to me," said Mackay, "Not with these two girls, their parents, and an Angel of Death watching my every move." "Oh. Well. So now, I have told you all of my secrets. It feels strange. Not to be frightened anymore." "I'm pleased to have been of assistance." said Mackay. Janet: Mary and Janet were in Janet's office. Janet had just placed down her phone. "Right, Charlie and Gagnon have just arrested Turquoise's father. He didn't make any fuss about it." "Good. I'm glad I don't have to do that part. And, the genetic test results should be in early tomorrow morning. I've requested they do it as fast as possible." "So, I think the kids have had enough time together, how about we go and see what they've been up to?" "Mum," said Jenny, "We've decided that Turquoise can stay and sleep with us. Is that all right?" A brief glance between Mary and Janet. "Sure, no problems." "Also, Janet, I've just rang my parents. Since I now have Jenny and Turquoise with me, I feel like I can manage to sleep without the presence of my mum. After all, I need to get used to the situation, anyway." said Carmen. "Ok, that seems reasonable." "Well, mum, in that case, if you promise to leave the door of your bedroom open so that you can hear me if I call, then I suppose I can also survive without your presence." said Jenny. "No problems. Shall I give you a good night hug and kiss now?" said Janet. Half an hour later. Four teenagers in pyjamas and dressing gowns stood in their bedroom, looking at three beds in a row. Janet had loaned Turquoise one of Jiro's freshly laundered pyjamas, since Turquoise had a more solid build that any of the other females in the house, and so could not fit into theirs. Janet also appropriated one of Jiro's old dressing gowns for her. Turquoise giggled in embarrassment. "I agree. It does take some getting used to." said Jenny. Three teenagers got into bed and pulled the covers up and over them. Carmen patted the mattress next to her. "It's all right; Mackay is safely in his bed on the other side of me. Four teenagers in a row. Asleep within five minutes. Janet waited a few minutes, and then gently called out to Jiro, who had been waiting down the corridor. He tiptoed in and they stood their silently, watching them. "Amazing. If you listen carefully, they are actually breathing in unison." said Jiro. "Oh, I hadn't noticed that before. So they are." They crept out. "So, Mackay has finally got his full harem." said Jiro. "Just don't get any ideas yourself, Ok?" "Ok. Ok. After all, I don't have an Angel of Death making social calls. Oh, and also, we must buy a bigger dining room table." Turquoise: No longer living in fear In the middle of the night, Turquoise woke. She felt her usual tension and fear, before realising - things were different now. She was not at home in her normal bed. Her father was never going to be 'visiting' her again. She was warm and safe, cuddled up next to Carmen. She looked past her and looked at the next bed over. Mackay was missing. There were sounds of footsteps on the carpet, and then he came back into the room. He quietly eased himself back between the covers of his bed, without waking the others. Turquoise pretended to be still asleep. "Even with Mackay, I feel safe. This is so nice. The girls are so beautiful." In her mind's eye, she saw Mackay stepping in front of her, protecting her. "Even Mackay is beautiful. Although not as beautiful as Carmen, of course." She drifted back off to sleep.