Frantica

When Karl slumped over, Sandy dragged in lungfuls of air through her bruised throat. For a moment, she was consumed by sheer relief. This was followed by a cascade of emotions at seeing her friend again. The woman looked frankly terrified and had pulled back away from Karl's lump form with a repulsed expression on a her face. It was as if Karl was a highly venomous snake.

"Come on," Sandy's voice sounded hoarse. "I don't know how long he will be out, but we need to get away before he wakes up."

She didn't want to think about how angry he would be, or what he might do.

Sandy flew from room to room, calling until she found her childen asleep in one of the bedrooms She shook them by the shoulder in turn None responded. Dark and ugly suspicions congealed in her mind. She felt for Summer's pulse. Relief at finding it was swallowed by alarm at how faint and slow it seemed. Wyatt's was the same. Matty's seemed worse.

Phone, dammit, I need my phone...

Could I carry all three down to the car? Could I wake summer enough to walk or run? Should I barricade myself in this room so Karl can't get to us? Does that look crazy? Wait.... What would a sane person do?

Sandy dialled 999, requested ambulance and police, and repeated the address.

"I think he's drugged my children They're not moving. They're breathing, but they're not moving..."

Attempts to rouse Summer were fruitless. Wyatt stirred, and then slipped right back under. Sandy was beginning to sob in panic. Karl will come to any moment! We have to go!

A warm and steady hand alighted on her arm for a moment, bringing her calm. Then the mute redhaired woman scooped up Summer in both arms, and strode away. Sandy threw Wyatt over her shoulder, and clutched Matty to her with what strength she had left.

When they passed the shape of Karl, huddled in an unceremonious lump on the floor, she kept her eyes averted from it. There was a sickening pool of blood seeping from his head where the vase had hit him.

They bundled all three children into the back seat of the car, and Sandy drove them a little way down the bumpy lane.

I want to stay close enough for the ambulance to find us, but I don't want to be under his nose when he comes to.