IN THE MIDST OF RUIN

*Dawn's close call*

Shelly rushed through the gate. As she ran past the garden, her dress got caught up in thorns she tried untangling it but instead got her hands bleeding.Tears streamed down her face in that moment of exasperation she screamed out in agony while pounding her fist on the soil filled with thorns and twigs blood flowed down her wrist but she couldn't care less she knelt down - stared blankly at the blue sky filled with stars and cried, suddenly she heard footsteps behind her she turned back and saw Damien running towards her, tears streamed down her face even more, Damien stopped in his tracks after realising it was Shelly his sister's best friend he looked confused as he walked towards her. Getting to her, he squatted and called out her name "Shelly"? just to be sure it wasn't his imagination, Shelly tried to explain but all that escaped her were heavy sobs, Damien helped her get her dress out of the thorns and carried her in. Panic etched in his face. Upon entering the sitting room Damien found out Shelly already passed out he placed her on the couch and rushed to get the med kit he tended her wounds and went straight to his sister's room.

Hailey had already slept off and was deep in her sleep when she heard loud knocks on her door she dragged herself out of the bed and went to open the door she was shocked to see Damien at the door. Ahhh... she was about to yell but was cut short by Damien, "Shelly's in the living room" Hailey's eyes widened in shock her earlier dizziness disappearing in a blink. She dashed out from her room and headed for the living room where she saw Shelly lying unconsciously looking disheveled her clothes hung in tattered shreds,torn and frayed from the ordeal, revealing bruised skin beneath, her face was smeared with dirt and dried tears leaving a trail of grime on her cheeks. Her hair was a tangled web, leaves and twigs snagged in the messy strands. Hailey's eyes widened in horror at Shelly's battered form, 'Shelly!' she gasped, dropping to her knees beside her best friend. Tears blurred her vision as she cradled Shelly's bruised cheek, her voice barely above a whisper. What did they do to you...? Hailey's grip tightened, like she was holding on for dear life, her tears dropping into Shelly's face. Damien stood frozen his eyes locked on the broken girl, a storm brewing in his gaze.

On the phone he barked, 'FIND. THEM. NOW. I don't care who did it - bring me their location, their families, their f***king dog's name'. MOVE!.

The night blurred into a haze of worry and tears. Hailey refused to leave Shelly's side her voice a constant whisper of ressurance. Damien paced like a cage as he mobilised everyone to find out what had happened