"I can give a statement."

"What?"

He was startled that she even wanted to try. "Shelby, I don't think you should."

"I can't go back there. He isn't going to stop. Not until he gets what he wants from me.

"I-I can't put this on you. I can't... I.. can't. I can't bring this kind of danger to you, to that school... to your daughter."

"Shelby. Look at me." He turned her to look at him, and stared intently into her eyes. "If he tries to fight me. He's dead. I won't let anyone kill me. And the mansion? Jesus, I feel sorry for anyone who tries to attack that place. It's the safest place on earth. I.... I can't force you to come back with me. But... Please. Come back. I promise you'll be safe there."

He let her go. The officer was here to take the statement. It was up to her to point out who would give it.

"I swear."

She watched him as he spoke, looking for that sincerity that had been there the last time. When she saw it her brave front nearly crumpled. She couldn't put it into words how happy it made her to have him there. To have him swear that he would protect her. Jesus, she felt like a little girl trapped in a hellish nightmare. So helpless...

she sucked in a lungful of air, snapped her jaw shut and nodded her head jerkily at him. "O-okay..." Steeling herself, she saw another officer approaching. She glanced at Saph again before the man got there. "I will go back with you. I trust you."
Her features pinched again, and she fought back another wave of tears. "I won't let this take me out. We'll beat it. We'll survive." She quoted back, managing a small strained smile.

The other officer was there, she squatted down before Shelby and with a hesitant, jittery sigh, she started to slowly, shakily walk the woman through the events of the night. One painful step at a time.

[End]