Part 1

The call came around 6 in the evening. Rachel was sitting on the sofa in her living room, sipping an early glass of red wine. It was the start of the holidays, after all. She had just hung up the phone with Chris and they had arranged to see each other in a bit. This had left her with a warm, fuzzy feeling in her stomach and his voice was still lingering on her mind. See you later. Three simple words that meant so much because he had said them. She would see him later. The sound of the phone jerked Rachel back to reality. Her stomach jolted. Would it be him again?

"Hello."

"Hello, is this Rachel Mason?" she recognized the voice somehow, but was puzzled for a moment.

"It's Marion James, Lindsey's mum. Sorry to be calling you during the holidays. You gave me your card."

"Yes, of course, that's no problem at all."

There was a pause.

"What happened?"

"It's Lindsey." Rachel heard the sound of breath being sucked in quickly to suppress a sob.

"She has locked herself in her room. She is not responding any more and I can't hear anything."

Rachel's heart began to race, but she forced herself to be calm.

"How long has she been in there?"

"Since yesterday afternoon." That was more than 24 hours.

"Why haven't you called the police?" She tried not to sound reproachful, but her increasing panic wouldn't let her.

"I told her I would get them to break down the door if she didn't respond to me. She then put a note under the door. I won't hurt myself, I promise. That was this morning. I believe her, I think, but I'm still freaking out."

There was another pause.

"Would you like me to come over?" Rachel asked, the softness was back in her voice.

She heard a big sigh of relief.

"Yes. If you wouldn't mind, please come over."

"I'm on my way."

Rachel stood up and grabbed her car keys and her black coat. As she was about to open the front door, she hesitated and went back to the phone. He picked up after the first ring.

"Chris, it's me. I'm sorry, I cannot see you tonight. It's an emergency. It's Lindsey."

"Oh, ok. Can I do anything?"

"Not right now, I don't think so. I will call you later and explain everything. I'm going over to the James's now."

"Take care of yourself."

Ten minutes later Rachel got out of the car and quickly reached the door. 2 seconds after she'd rang the doorbell, Lindsey's mum opened. She had dark shadows under her eyes and looked exhausted, but she smiled faintly at Rachel and thanked her for coming.

"Where is Emily?" asked Rachel, suddenly wondering.
"She's at a sleepover at a friend's house. I told her Lindsey had the flu. Not sure she believed me, but when I called she sounded fine."

"I'm sure it's best for her to be out of the way. Where is Lindsey's room?"

"Upstairs, first on the left."

Rachel started to walk up the stairs. Mrs James did not follow her, she still stood next to the front door, frozen. Rachel did not mind. She had no clue what to do. Having a terrified mother watching her every move wouldn't help.

As she reached Lindsey's door, she stood still for a moment. Should she just knock? No. She didn't expect Lindsey to open the door to her, not right now, and she didn't want her to feel like she did. Rachel sat down, still wearing her coat, with her back to the door, her hands resting on her knees. Two, three minutes passed.
"Lindsey." She said softly, but loud enough to be heard through the door.

"It's Miss Mason. I'm here."

Behind the door, lying on the floor curled up like an embryo, Lindsey opened her eyes.