Final Target

1 May Cambridge, Massachusetts "I'm sorry to have to throw this at you during finals, Melissa." Karen Novak's voice was hesitant. "If there was any other way . . ." "You want me to move out." It was no surprise. Melissa had known the decision was coming. "Just until you have this problem under control. We've scouted out an efficiency for you about a block from here. You can move in right away." Melissa turned to her other roommate. "Wendy?" Wendy Sendle nodded miserably. "We think you'd be better off in an apartment by yourself." "And you certainly would be better off without me." She held up a hand as Wendy opened her mouth to protest and said gently, "It's okay. I understand. I'm not blaming you. I'll pack up and be out by tonight." "You don't have to be in a hurry. Tomorrow would be" Wendy broke off as Karen gave her a pointed glance. "We'll be glad to help you pack." Melissa had known they wouldn't want to risk another night with her. "Thank you." She tried to smile. "Now, stop looking so guilty. We've been friends for years. This isn't going to change anything." "I hope not," Karen said. "You know we love you. We took it as long as we could, Melissa." "I know. You've been very tolerant." She should have moved out weeks ago, but she'd felt safe here. "I'll just go into the bathroom and pack my toiletries." "Melissa, have you ever thought of going back to Juniper?" Wendy moistened her lips. "Maybe your sister can help you." "I'll think about it. Right now Jessica's pretty busy with a new job." "You're very close. If she knew, I think she'd put her project on hold." "It's hard to put off. Don't worry, I'll be fine." She closed the bathroom door behind her and leaned against it, her heart pounding. Calm down. So she'd be alone tonight. Maybe it wouldn't happen. Maybe it would go away. But it hadn't gone away in the last few weeks. It had started hazy and far away, barely discernible in the swirling darkness. But lately it kept coming closer. She knew she'd be able to see it clearly soon. Oh, God, don't let her see it. Juniper, Virginia "Cassie's had another nightmare," Teresa Delgado said as she stood in the doorway of Jessica's bedroom. "A bad one." "They're all bad." Jessica Riley rubbed her eyes before she sat up and reached for her robe. "You didn't leave her alone?" "There are other people around here who know their jobs besides you. Rachel's with her." She made a face. "But Cassie might as well be alone. She's curled up in a ball with her face to the wall. I tried to comfort her, but, as usual, Cassie's acting as if she can't hear me. As deaf as a fence post." "She's not deaf." Jessica passed her and started down the hall. "She's aware of everything around her. She's just rejecting it all. The only time she's vulnerable and lets anything in is when she's sleeping." "Then maybe you should treat her when she's sleeping. Try hypnotism or something," Teresa said. "You're sure not doing very well when she's awake." "Give me a break. I've had her for only a month. We're just beginning to know each other," Jessica said. But Teresa was right, there had been no obvious progress. The child had been caught in a prison of silence since the incident at Vasaro eight months before. Surely there should have been some breakthrough by now, she thought, then tried to dismiss her doubts. She was just tired. Jesus, a child lost in a catatonic state for eight months was nothing compared to other children she'd treated. But acceptance was difficuJohansen, Iris is the author of 'Final Target' with ISBN 9780375431142 and ISBN 0375431144.