Chapter 3

It helped that Mark was there for her. She wouldn’t admit it but she was glad. He was her best friend while she grew up. She used to be in Shay’s shadows, everyone noticed him and never her. He was really popular back then. But then the most amazing thing happened. On the day that Mark became a friend of Shane, he noticed Emma the first time he met her. They found out that they had many things in common, which caused their friendship to grow that pleased Shane. He finally saw his sister shine on her own with thanks to Mark.

Those were the happiest memories that Emma had. Tonight was a nightmare for her – she didn’t notice Shane opening his eyes to see his little sister crying in Mark’s arms. He felt guilty even though it wasn’t his fault. Emma was the baby of the family and the most sensitive. Mark saw Shane and called his name which caused the tear faced young woman turn. She immediately went to her brother and felt his left hand brushing against her face, wiping the tears away. He licked his dry lips and beckoned his sister to get close so he could talk in her left ear. She laughed as she heard his whisper. Their parents and siblings suddenly came in fussing over Shane as they saw he was awake.

Emma decided to go outside to get some fresh air and told Shay. He nodded and watched as she went into his shadows once again. He sent a look to Mark to make sure that she was OK as he was helped to sit up. He was more worried about his little sister rather than worried about himself.

Mark was shivering when he felt the cold nip at his skin as he stepped outside. It was very bitter, he then realised that Emma didn’t have a jacket, he knew that she would fell cold but doubted that she would notice, not after the shock she just gad. He found her standing near a tree, staring at a small pond, shivering as the wind blew. He positioned himself behind her sharing his body heat. Emma sighed as she felt Mark wrapping his arms around her and snuggled closer to him. Anyone who walked past would have mistaken them for a intimate couple when actually they were just friends. Emma was shivering a lot more which concerned Mark, he was afraid that she would get sick so he lead her to his blue car and made her get into the passenger seat.

He quickly ran to the other side and jumped in the drivers seat. He switched on the heating and scooted closer to Emma rubbing her arms to get the heat into her body quickly as possibly. She asked Mark to take her to her flat where she lived on her own with her kitten – Patch. Mark started to drive off, listening to her trembling voice as she gave directions. He had missed so much of important things that had happened to his best friend. He followed her as she got out of the car after he pulled up outside her flat. He didn’t want to leave her – not on her own.

Emma picked up a small black and white kitten as she opened the front door and held him close to her chest. Patch was hungry so she headed to the kitchen and held him with one hand as she reached up a cupboard where it was stocked up with cat food. Mark had followed her and decided to help her. He heard her thanking him as she stroked her kitty. He smiled softly as he poured the contents of the cat food into a small green dish.

Emma placed the kitten onto the floor while he made his way over to his dish and started eating to his heart’s contend. Mark suggested that Emma take a hot shower to stop her shivers while he went to get her car. She agreed, handing over the keys and told him it was a silver BMW. He left while Emma went into the bathroom and switched the hot water on. She got undressed and stepped it.

It was then she started crying, realising that Shay could have died tonight and left her alone. The hot water washed away the tears as they streamed down her pale face.