Chapter 61

FRANKIE'S POV
There are some moments you just act without thinking about the consequences of your actions, it's like you're in a state of _que sera sera_ and you just move according to whatever signal the brain sends without delay. You don't even give your limbs time to get the signal that had been sent as you just move to the beat.
Its like when you're at a club and your favorite song is being played on the speakers, we're not talking about your JBL speaker, which I would admit, is pretty cool, we're talking about huge speakers that makes it seem like the music is being played directly in your head. At that moment, you don't even stop to think if you were in your shower or in front of a thousand people, you just yell, 'That's my jam!" and the next thing people would see, it's you, giving a live concert.
Have you heard of the saying, _Don't be embarrassed about anything, it's all in your head_? Well, at that point, you're a living the quote without your knowledge and it feels absolutely surreal, doesn't it. Well, long story short, I ran to embrace Stacey as soon as the door opened and I saw her standing, clothes dirty, bag in hand with tears streaming down her beautiful face.
'Give her space to breathe, Frankie" I heard mum's voice before I saw her. I wanted to argue but it seemed like Stacey really needed space to breathe, I removed the hand I had wrapped around her and I let go of her but then she clung to me desperately. Danny and I exchanged looks and without waiting for any instructions, I led her to our bedroom. Information would come later, I told myself, for now, I just wanted her to know she was safe, that was my main focus at the moment.
As Stacey washed up in the bathroom, I couldn't help but overhear the conversation that was going on in the living room, adults can be pretty loud when they want to be.
'You don't have to thank me, Amber. I'm just glad I just there in time to rescue Melissa" Someone that I felt was Daniel Fletcher was talking, I wasn't sure if it was him cause the police had arrived a few minutes after they got to the house and everyone was busy engaging in a weird Q and A session.
Unlike Daniel's, I knew my mum's voice as I heard it break the few seconds silence, 'You did more than get there on time, Daniel. What would we have done without you?" She sighed exhaustively, 'I'm just so glad you.." Mum was still saying before someone who I presumed was the officer, cut in her off,
'Mrs Duke, I'd like you to come down to the station with us to answer some questions" I heard the officer say to Aunt Mel. I knew the adults were going to handle the whole situation but I couldn't help but wonder what would be the outcome of everything.
Mum's voice broke through my train of thoughts, 'You should wash up, Mel. Everything is fine now, I've got you. I need you to take a few deep breaths and try to get some rest" Just as if it was on cue, I heard someone break down in tears. I knew without a doubt it was Aunt Mel and I felt both pity and anger, Whatever had happened, had caused more damage than I had thought.
'It's rude to eavesdrop on people, Frank" Maddie said from the door as she walked into the room. I did a retake as I answered her,
'I wasn't eavesdropping, _Madison_ they were just too loud" I argued but she just shrugged and pointed towards the bathroom,
'How's Stacey?" She asked and it was my turn to shrug. I had no idea how she was, she had spent about five minutes after we entered the bedroom, clinging to me and sobbing quietly. I had no idea how she was, I had made attempts to get her to talk, maybe she'd feel better but all my efforts proved futile. I used to think talking usually helped, didn't it?
I was still waiting for Stacey to come out when Maddie's name was called and she closed the laptop she was writing on and left the room. It was typical of Maddie to be writing in her stupid journal at such a crucial time, girls usually had a weird way of dealing with things and it should honestly be included among the wonders of the world. Women, that is.
I couldn't get the image of Stacey, when she entered the house away from my head, I had a feeling it was going to haunt me for a long time but for now, I decided to shake it off. Knights were strong, I had to be strong for her. There was no point in dwelling on what had happened, all we could do is look forward and face what was ahead of us.
Getting tired of waiting for Stacey, I decided to go see how the situation in the living room was like. The officers had cleared out, Daniel, Danny and Ken were busy on Danny's iPad and I wondered if he was showing them his D&D community and all those nerdy things. Who said mathematics was for nerds?
'Stacey is asking for you" I turned my attention from the game they were gathered around to Maddie who had appeared unknowingly, behind me. My confusion must have shown on my face cause she smiled,
'While you were busy looking at a game you claim to _hate_, I had gone to get my laptop" she said lifting the laptop up so I'd confirm what she was saying. I had never claimed to hate COD, I just said, I'd rather watch Paw patrol than spend hours unending playing a game that keeps someone more isolate than teenage depression.