The darkness soon gave way to the light, and Todd remained in the same position, staring at her picture. Should he go to her? Would she even want to see him? He knew that only one person would have the answer.

He picked up the telephone, dialing Vicki's pager number. Within minutes, she calls back, somehow knowing that it was him.

"Vicki, how is she?"

She hears the pain in his voice, knowing that no words will be of comfort. "She's, she's alive Todd. Larry said that she will heal physically-"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that her physical wounds will heal, but the emotional wounds are something else entirely."

"Have you talked to her?"

"She hasn't really been in the mood to talk. Mostly, she stares out into space. They think that she's in some sort of shock."

"Should I come back?"

"I can't answer that question."

"You were always so good at bossing me around, are you losing your touch sis?"

"Todd, she is hurting, and the one thing that she doesn't need is anymore disruption in her life. If you decide to come back, then you had better make sure that it's for the long haul, and that you won't just leave her again."

"I can't just sit around doing nothing."

"Listen to your heart, that's the only thing that I can tell you." Larry sees Vicki on the payphone and taps on her shoulder. "Hold on a minute."

She directs her attention to Larry. "Is something wrong?"

"Tea's asking for you."

"Tell her that I'll be right there." Larry walks away, leaving Vicki to finish her conversation. "I have to go now."

"Yeah, okay. I'll, uh, I'll call you when I decide."

*****

She is alone in her room, watching the sun appear from the horizon. Her thoughts drift back to the events of the previous evening. The dirtiness that she felt, remains, even after the thorough scrubbing she subjected her body to.

Vicki enters the room quietly, studying Tea. She eases into the chair next to the bed, waiting for Tea to make the first move.

Several minutes of silence pass before Tea finds the courage to speak. "Thank you for staying here with me."

"Sweetheart, you don't have to thank me. How are you feeling?"

"Numb. I feel numb." She takes a moment, breathing sharply, before continuing. "I asked Larry to call Bo. I'm ready to give my statement. Will you stay with me?"

"Of course. Do you want me to call Carlotta, or anyone else for you?"

"Would you mind calling Carlotta after Bo leaves?"

"I don't mind at all. Is there anything else that you want or need?"

"No, thank you."

Three uniformed cops follow Bo through the hospital corridors. He stops and barks instruction to them, and continues his trek to Tea's room. He knocks before entering, and takes a seat next to Vicki.

"Tea, I'm really sorry about what happened."

She nods her head in acknowledgement.

"Do you feel up to talking about what happened?"

She ponders the question, unsure if she is truly ready to discuss what happened. She isn't ready, not sure if she'll ever be ready, but knowing that this is something that has to be done. "I'll tell you what I can."

"Good. What were you doing down on the docks, alone, at that time of night?"

She fingers the bare spot where her mother's necklace once hung, the necklace that he had risked his life to bring back to her. It was the beginning for them, that day on the pier, and oddly enough, that same spot would now represent an ending to the person she once was. Just as he had once saved it for her, the rapist took it from her. "I was remembering."

Vicki looked on, wanting to take away her pain. She knew that "remembering," meant something having to do with Todd.

"Did you see or hear anyone following you?"

"No."

"Did you see him?"

"No."

"Did you see any tattoos, jewelry, any identifying marks?"

"He had some sort of ring on his right hand. It was like a class ring, or something. He was tall, and had broad shoulders. He's at least six foot, around 180 pounds. I also felt, a scar, or something, on his right hand." Her voice breaks at the description, but she maintains in control of her emotions.

"Did he wear cologne or have a distinct smell?"

"He smelled of soap, like he had just taken a shower. It's not a familiar smell though. It was very strong. It's like something you would get out of those bath shops."

She recounts the details, all that she can remember. Bo diligently takes notes, forcing himself to stay calm. Vicki stayed nearby, listening, her heart breaking.

"I know you're getting tired, so I'm going to leave. Tea, we are going to catch this guy, I promise you that." He turns to leave, but before he gets to the door, he remembers something. "Oh, I almost forgot, John wanted me to ask if you felt up to a visit from him."

"I don't think I can handle seeing anyone else right now." Bo leaves, and Vicki takes the seat he was occupying. "Vicki, do you think that maybe you can talk Larry into releasing me? I don't think I can take another night in this place."

"If that's what you want, then I'll see what I can do."

Left alone with nothing but her own, haunting thoughts, she feels an imaginary hand touching her all over her body. She covers her breasts, hiding them from the invisible force. She crosses her legs, keeping it out. The slightest sound magnified a thousand times, sends fear through her entire body, and she wonders if life will ever be the same.

To Be Continued...