Chapter 167Words to Strike

Anka opened the door and led the way into the living-room. Hitori was sitting calmly on the sofa, a mobile phone still in his right hand. There was an odd expression on his face, one laced with worry. He flashed a short smile at Anka when we came in and looked at me with pleading eyes.

"Amy, I've got some information about the girl."

I sat down with Nuru, Anka sat down next to Hitori. "Tell me?"

He took a deep breath. "Well, the good news is that I know where she is. They're going to bury her tomorrow afternoon. So tomorrow evening you can visit her grave. He knows the graveyard as he's talked to the family."

I smiled. "Thank you. And the bad news?"

He hesitated for a moment. "The... guy who attacked her, tore her up after you'd gone and before the cops arrived. He completely ripped her clothes apart and severely hurt her skin. She was still in one piece, but he told me she looked as if a wild animal attacked her."

Tears slowly welled up in my eyes, I felt so responsible. "I should have stayed..."

Hitori shook his head. "No."

His sharp response made me look up.

He continued. "No, if you'd have stayed, the police would have had a field day with you. There would have been no way to explain why you looked like you had been fighting and with her blood all over you. It would have been horrible."

I didn't want to accept it, I got up to walk away, but Anka grabbed my wrist. "He's right you know."

And so was she.

It was so hard, the thought of that girl, her body ravaged after she passed away. All just revenge or lust for blood. But they were right. At least I gave the girl the peace before her passing. I gave her that small gift that so few people have. Peace. Anka was still holding my wrist as I was thinking this. If I'd moved I probably would have pulled her of the sofa without thinking.

She looked up at me, smiling. "Are you alright now?"

I nodded silently and looked at Hitori. "I'm alright. I'm thinking of going to my old home, maybe even sleep there. Can Nuru stay here?"

Hitori shrugged. "I'm sure Anka can deal with her."

Anka smiled. "Sure."

Nuru looked up at me, she wasn't sure if she liked the idea. I'd always been close one way or the other. Even though she slept in the other room. She looked into herself as if she was trying to figure something out. She frowned in thought and looked at me with piercing eyes.

"No." For the first time she sounded very absolute.

I turned to her, slightly confused. "Nuru?"

"Miss Amy can't sleep alone in a house where anyone might visit, even the police, without someone there to protect you. I don't want to be without Miss Amy tonight. It's nice here, but I'd feel safer around Miss Amy. She sounded as if she was trying to explain her thoughts, which she was. But this was the first time I'd truly felt her making a decision, despite her almost formal use of words.

At first I didn't know if I should feel flattered or worried. But then a smile grew on my lips.

"I'm sorry Nuru, you're completely right. I'll take you with me. Just dress in something simple for now."

She nodded happily, stood up and almost ran back to the guest room. She turned around and smiled at me. "Thank you, Miss... I mean Amy."

Hitori smiled at me too. "That's surprisingly responsible of you, Amy."

I sighed. "No, I should have said I'd take her along to begin with."

He shrugged. "Not really, you were still thinking of her, asking if she could stay here. Also, I can definitely understand you want to be alone. But trust Nuru, she's good for you. You're both learning."

I flashed a tired smile. "I'm starting to hate it when you're right."

Anka giggled and Hitori scowled at her, in a brother-sister kind of way. They didn't do this often, but it was cute to see. They must care for each other very much. Briefly I wondered how it was to grow up with someone like that. I was an only child and always a loner. Not ugly or pretty enough to be noticed. Bright enough to pass through school without worries, but not so much anyone really paid attention. Alone in so many aspects of my life.

Now I had so many people around me, everything was changed now. Me, my clothes, my home, my friends...

I liked it.