Authors Note: I actually wrote this story months ago as I practice essay for English. The topic was 'Encountering Conflict.'

Disclamier: I do not own Paradise Road.

It is difficult to remain a bystander in any situation of conflict.

It was unnaturally quiet in the women's quarters. Usually there would be complaints about the work they had just done. Talk about what they missed the most about home. Even hush works about the Japanese.

However today was different. The Dutch and Europeans were normally rivals but today they sat together peacefully, in respect.

Adrienne Pargiter had been attacked by a Japanese soldier the night before. It had been announced that she was to be executed.

Adrienne was one of the strong ones. She kept moving forward no matter what life had thrown at her. She had a strong sense of hope, that one day all the women in the prisoner of war camp would be free.

'We have to do something,' Miss Drummond announced breaking the silence. Everyone turned to look at her. 'Well,' she continued looking out at their blank stares. 'We can't let them kill her.'

'There is nothing to do,' Mrs Roberts told her. 'And even if there was, they will kill her anyway.'

'Mother,' Celia protested from beside her mother.

'She is right,' Dr Verstak agreed cutting Celia off, her thick German accent strong with each word. 'Captain Tanaka will not let her live.'

'We need to try,' Mrs Drummond told them.

'What is the point,' Mrs Tippler complained from where she lay on her bed. 'You are not going to save her.'

'I'll go with you Miss Drummond,' Susan announced as she stood up. The others turned their attention to her. 'I can't just sit here and do nothing. Adrienne was my friend and today I will help her out.'

'Me too,' Sister Wilhelmina announced. She climbed to her feet and walked over to Susan. 'Part of being a nun is that we look out for those who need us and be the voice for those who are unable to find their own.'

'Even if you are able to speak with Colonel Hiorta, what makes you think you can change his mind,' Mrs Tippler said as she sat up to face them. 'He will not listen to you.'

Daisy turned and faced Mrs Tippler. 'Unlike you I cannot just stand by and allow someone I care to die.' She said firmly. 'Adrienne is innocent, she acted in self-defence. You know that just as well as I do.'

'And how will you prove that?' Mrs Tippler asked in a mocking tone.

'I don't know yet,' Miss Drummond told her. 'But I have to try because If I don't I will look back at this day for the rest of my life and be plagued by thoughts of it. Of what could have happened if I have defended Adrienne. Would she have lived if I had stood by her? That is way I have to do this.'

Miss Drummond looked away from Mrs Tippler and moved towards the door with Susan and Sister Wilhelmina close behind her. After they had left the quarters Mrs Drummond stoped and turned to the two women.

She smiled. 'Thank you for standing by me.'

'We can't be bystanders either,' Sister Wilhelmina told her. 'Also I would not be able to call myself a servant of the lord unless I stand up for those who can't.'

'I am not doing this for religious reason,' Susan told both of them. 'I would just like to think that if I was in Adrienne situation that someone would stand up for me. What right do I have to expect other to stand up for me if I don't stand up for them in their time of need?'

Daisy looked towards the Colonial house. 'Well it is now or never,' she said as she led the way.