A hot and penetrable stare froze my face into a frown as I walked, I wasn’t looking at anything in particular. Just visualising Maxs face, an inch away from my own with that smirk and the glint from the knife reflecting in her wild eyes. I couldn’t believe Millie hadn’t said anything about her, we had begun to share everything with each other. I really felt like I knew her and she knew me, no secrets, no hidden pasts. I shook my head at the shock, trying to reason with my heated head strong heed, that Millie had her reasons not to tell me yet. Maybe she was ashamed, or waiting until the right moment to tell me. We hadn’t exactly had very many moments of peace recently, but what ever the reason, I was going to find out as soon as I saw her.

As if on cue the roar of Millies engine sounded in the distance and the sleek black car emerged from the rippling sun scorched road, cutting the smog filled air as if it were a knife and nearing me like a bionic panther. I stopped dead in my tracks and just watched, with the same deadened expression in my eyes. Millie was grinning at me, her eyes hidden behind the ***** sunglasses she donned at every opportunity. Noticing my lack of enthusiasm and wordless greeting the smile fell from her face, replaced by worry. Her bottom lip pouted out slightly and she took off her sunglasses, her eyes squinting at the sudden adjustment to the garish sun.

Trixie, honey what’s up? she asked, her soft voice soothing my irate mind ever so slightly.

I sighed and stepped forward, without a word I opened the drivers door and knelt down on the drive way as if it were a pew in a church and I was preparing myself for prayer. Slowly, not wanting Millie to see the look in my eyes but finding no easier way of explanation I looked up, holding her big brown eyes until I felt my resolve begin to crumble. I pulled her into a hug and held her, burying my face in the warmth and comfort of her sweet smelling neck. I heard the click of her seat belt and she turned to hold me, stroking my head as if soothing an upset toddler.

Baby, what’s happened?

I tried pulling myself out of the self pitying, blubbering mess I had fallen into. Seeing Millie had just reminded me how much she represented my necessity for safety and security in this foreign and unfamed country. I withdrew from her warm embrace and stood up, my legs shaky as I walked round the to the passenger side and got in.

Millie watched me silently, her door shutting and her gaze returning to me, now sitting next to her.

You going to say anything Trix?

There was a pause, I Iooked down at my hands. I wanted to say everything but was unable to utter anything. I gave myself a mental shake, connecting my mouth to my mind once again.

You need to see something in the house. I said, my voice weaker than I had expected.

There isn’t a huge spider in there or something?

The attempt at a joke hit the floor like a lead balloon, I turned to look out the window.

Just drive. I whispered.