[

7/19,
06:
24]I
NTRODUCTI
ON

BLOODFORBLOOD

Het urnedaroundandl ookedathimselfadmir

ably
onthemi rror,hisfacewasv erycleanwithper
fect
ly
shavedbear ds,hisabbsandst rongarmswer e
vi
sibleundert heblacklongsleevev esthewas
putti
ngon. despitebeingtoomuchofahunkMandl a
wasar ut
hlessman.
(Thebedroom dooropenedandhisgir
lf
ri
endwalked
i
n)looki
ngathisbackbonesshethought"ohhboy
!!
I
sn'tthi
smanjusttoohot"hewav edhi
shandbefore
hereyesasshesnappedoutofit.
MI
ANDA:
Ohh..
..
Iwasthi
nki
ngdinnert
oni
ght
,i
tsbeen
awhi
l
esi
ncewespentti
metogether
MANDLA: (wi
thastr
aightface)therewego
again,
MiaIam wor
kingtonightIcant(hi
sphone
rangandhewalkedout)
MANDLA:
what
??Nonoway
s!!Don'
ttr
yThemba,
fi
x
i
t..
kil
lthem al
li
fyouhaveto(hel
ookedbackandMia
wasst ari
nginhi
seyes;emoti
onl
ess,
hewalkedpast
herandbangedt hedoor

LATERTHATDAY
MsWi l
l
iamst hei
rmaidwalkedinthekit
chental
ki
ng
toMi awhowasl ostindeepthoughts.
Miawasn'
t
alwaysnicetoMi sWill
i
amsbutst i
ll
theoldwoman
foundar easontoli
keherandexcusedhernegati
ve
energyfortoomuchsadness.
MsWI LLI
AMS:madam areyouf
ine,
youhavebeen
wi
pingthatgl
asssi
ncethir
tymi
nutesback?
MIA:(
snapped)i
mfi
ne!Andpl
easest
opaski
ngme
quest
ions.
..

MEANWHI
LEATTHEBLACKSMEETI
NG
i
nar oom ful
lyfurni
shedwi t
hallbl
ackstoodatal
l
giantmandressedi nall
blacksurr
oundedby8men
al
l i
nblackoutf
its..
hetookoffhi
sblackgucci
shadesandputt hem onthetableasheslowl
ywiped
dustof fhishandgun. ..hetur
nedar oundandmov ed
hisfacear oundashel ookedateachandev eryone
ofhismenwi t
hpiercingey esthatsentchill
sdown
thei
rspi neleavingthem sweat i
ng..
noneoft hem
mov edordar edsay ingawor dbecausetheyknew
onemi st akewouldbeenought obuythem at i
cket
backt ot hei
rcreator.
.seeingthefearintheireyes
gavehi m maxi mum sat isf
acti
onbecausenowhe
wassur etheywoul dn'tdaredoublecrossinghi m.

I
NTHECAVE
mandlat ookal l
hisclot
hesoffandgotinasmal l
pondf ullofsnakes, appar
entl
y,
heistheGodof
snakes, theygav ehim powerandfame.The
colour
f ul snakesstart
edcurl
ingthei
rshinyandsoft
bodiesar oundhi sbodyasher el
axedandf el
tat
ease,soonhi swholebodydisappearedbetweenthe
manyhi ssingandv enomouslargesnakes.
[
7/19,
06:
24]
INSERT1

ATMI
ANDA'
SHOUSETHENEXTDAY
I
nt hemor ni
ngMandlawokeupandremembered
thebusinessmeet
inghehadandjumpedof
fthebed
quickl
y
MANDLA:Mi
awhydi
dn'
tyouwakemeup,
um goi
ng
t
obelat
e.
MI
A:(
sleepy
)huh.
..
..
Hei
gnor
edherashegotr
eadyandl
eft
.

ATHI
SOFFI
CE

Helookedathi
slaptop'sscr
eenonav ideocallwi
th
oneofhisbusi
nessassociat
es.bi
ti
ngthebackofhis
pen,
hetookacloserlookatthephotosdispl
ayedon
thescr
een
MANDLA: umm..
.Imustsayi
mimpressed,y
est hose
gi
rl
sar ewaymuchyoungert
hanourlastdeli
verybut
um sureourbuy
erswil
lpayagoodpri
cefory oung
andfreshmeat.
THEMBA: perf
ect
!Theexchangewi ll
takeplaceat
theusual
sportmidni
ght.
.ThatZoroguyalr
eady
madeanar angmentwit
ht heI
ndians.
MANDLA: (
smil
ed)alway
sgooddoingbusi
nesswit
h
yougentl
eman.hav
eagoodday(cl
osedthelapt
op
andwalkedout
)

OUTSI
DEHI
SOFFI
CE
REPORTER1:
sir
,i
sitt
ruey
ouki
l
ledt
hemi
ssi
nggi
rl
s?
REPORTER2:butsi
r,whyar
eyouf
ight
ingTheBlacks
l
eaderwhenheissuchagoodmenwhogi vesso
muchtothesociet
y?
Hegentl
yrubbedhisti
easheignoredt
hefl
ashi
ng
l
ight
sandcamer asbef
orehim andwal
kedpast
ever
yonegett
inginhi
sshinyr
edAMGanddr oveof
f.

ATKGARI
'
SHOUSE
ther
ewasaknockatt hedoorandheopenedthe
door.
.t
hei
reyeslockedasitbecameawfull
ysil
ent
forawhil
eunti
lKGcl appedhishandssl
owly
KG:
wel
l
..
wel
l
..
wel
ldone.
..
Whoel seifiti
sntthefamousMrMandl a
Mathews! (wit
hasmi r
k)sot odaywheny ouwokeup
yousuddenl yst
artedmi ssi
ngt hemighty"KG"and
t
houghtwhynotpaymyf avori
temani ntowna
vi
sit
?(sarcasti
cal
lylaughed)nowt h.
..
.
Beforehecoul dfinishhissentencehesawahuge
greenandy el
lowsnakewai l
ingit
'stongueasit
mov edhisheadupanddownonhi sface..
hiseyes
poppedoutashef i
lledhisunderwearwi t
hpee
sl
owl ylosingbreathandf el
l downtouchinghis
chest..
Mandl aturnedbacki ntohisselfandtookout
hi
sgunai mingathi smiddlef i
ngerthenpull
edthe
tr
igger.bloodgushedast he...

*
***
***
***
***
Thebookjuststar
tednow,pl
easedontfor
gett
oli
ke
thei
nsertandtomentiony
ourfri
ends.Al
sodont
for
gettoli
kethepage
[
7/19,
06:
24]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT2

Mandl aturnedbacki nt
ohisselfandtookouthis
gunaimi ngathismi ddlef
ingerthenpul
ledthe
tri
gger.bl
oodgushedashewentonhi sknees
roughlypulli
ngitoffandwentt othewallt
henused
thebloodyf i
ngertowr i
te"
YOUAREWARNED"and
l
eft

ATMI
DNI
GHT

Hiscarsl owlyappr oachedt heexchangespotand

parkednextt oabi gt r
uck.hegotoutashemet
Thembahi srighthandmanandext endedhishand
forahandshaket henmov edaroundthetruckand
switchedhi storchonscanni ngthehungrylooking
gir
ls,t
heyl ookedli
ket heyhadn' tbat
hedinal ong
ti
me, ,
theirsmellwasunbear ablesoheusedhi st i
e
tocov eruphi snose.thelooki nthei
reyeswas
heartbreakingast heylookedathi m wit
hbeggi ng
andhel plesseyes.Butwi thnoemot i
onswhat soever
Mandlaswit
chedhi
storchoffandwentbacktohi
s
carastheywai
tedf
orthei
rlongti
mebuyers.
Fewmi nut
eslaterfi
veblackRangespull
edoveras
theydimmedl ightsavoi
dingunnecessar
y
attent
ion.t
hepar t
nersmeteachotherhalf
wayand
handshaked
I
NDIANLEADER:
(wit
hIndi
anaccent
)wher
eist
he
mer
chandi
segent
leman?
MANDLA:
str
aightt
obusi
nessIsee(
poi
ntedt
het
ruck)
I
NDIANSLEADER:(
rai
sedhisf
ingerasoneofhi
s
menwentuptothetr
uck)
HIM:(l
ithistorchandscannedt hem) perf
ect !
now
girl
sit
'stimet omov e,y
oual l
aregoi ngtoqui et
lyget
i
nt hatblacktruck,
i
fanyoneofy out r
iesrunning
awayIswearIwon' thesit
atetopul lt
hetriggerand
blowy ourbrainsoff
(openedthet ruckast hey
tearf
ull
ymov edintotheothertruckonebyone)
Meanwhi
l
etheIndi
anleadergav
eMandl
aandhi
s
man5bri
efcasesofmoney
MANDLA:
i
twasapl
easur
edoi
ngbusi
nesswi
thy
ou
gentl
eman(
madeatur
nandwal kedt
ohiscarast
he
I
ndianst
ookof
fandcrossedt
heborder
.

ATMANDLA'
SAFTERMI
DNI
GHT

Hesl owl yopenedt hebedr oom doorandswi tched

ont helightstothesi ghtofMi awhowasdead
asleep,thentookof fhisclothesandpul l
edthe
blanketsget t
inginsideashegent l
yr ubbedMi a'
s
shoulderget t
ingbet weenherl egsandbr eathed
downherneck. shesmi l
edandhersl eepcompl etel
y
arousedasshef i
l
ledherpant i
eswithwar m
j
uices.Mandl agent l
yr ubbedherclitsasshemoaned
softly
.thewar mthofhercooki eandwet nessqui ckl
y
madehi smachi nejerkupandhepul ledherpant ies
tothesi dedirecti
nghi swhol emachi neinsideher
cookieandbegant hrusti
ngt hen.
..
.&#. @$..
..
..

I
NTHEMORNI
NG
Miawokeupinagoodmoodandhummedsongsas
shetookashower.
Fewminut
esl
atershewasal
l
doneandwrappedupinawhi
tet
owel t
henwal
ked
out
MI
A:goodmor
ningMsWi
l
li
ams,
howar
eyout
oday
?
MSWI LLI
AMS:
(surpr
isedbyhersuddenbubbl
y
sel
f)
.goodmor
ningmydear ,
youlookhappyt
oday
MI
A:ohhwel
l
..
.may
beIam(
smi
l
ed)
Forsomewei rdreasonMsWi ll
i
amsl i
kedseeingher
happy .
..
Mandlawalkedi
nandwr appedhisarms
aroundherwaistbabykissi
ngherasMsWi l
li
ams
real
izedthesourceofhersuddenhappinessand
bri
efl
ysmi l
ed
MANDLA:Goodmor ni
ngMsWi
ll
iams(
lookedatMi
a)
um of
ftowor
k,hav
eagoodday
Mia'
sfacechangedastheinfecti
oussmi l
eshehad
onslowl
ydissol
vedbecausesheknewoncehei s
outshecanneverbesurewhet herhewillcomeback
homeornot,hewoul
dn'tevenbot hert
exti
ngnor
cal
li
ngher,
,
yesshewasusedt oitbutitdoesn'
tget
anybett
er
MI
A:(
swal
l
owedhar
d)hav
eagooddaybabe
Itwasn'
thar
dtoreadhersadf
ace,
MsWil
l
iamssadl
y
shookherheadasMandlawal
kedout

Mandlawasn'
texactl
yacheati
ngpersonbutsome
r
easonhecouldn'
tloveanywoman,,
tohimitwas
j
ustaboutsexandMiawast heper
fectt
oolatthe
t
ime.

AWEEKLATER
Machi
nesmadebeepi
ngsoundsasher
emov
edt
he
oxy
genmaskandopenedhi
seyes
NURSE:
goodmor
ningsi
r,
um gl
ady
ouar
eawake
KG:
whathappened
NURSE:yousuf
fer
edgreatshockwhi chr
esul
tedi
n
bl
ockageofyourar
ter
iesprevent
ingoxygenr
ich
bl
oodfrom r
eachi
ngtheri
ghtsections
KG:
(si
ghed)
cany
ougetst
rai
ghtt
othepoi
nt
NURSE:
i
twasahear
tat
tackbutt
hankGody
ou
r
eachedthehospit
alwell
inti
meot herwi
sei
t
would'
vebeenworse..
soyouaref
inenowandwi l
lbe
r
eadytogohomei naweekst i
me..
I'l
lcometocheck
yourvi
tal
slat
er(
walkedout)

Tearsformedinhi sey esashewentdownmemor y

l
ane.Notonlywashescar edforhi sl
if
eatt his
momentbuthi segowasbr ui
sed,hecouldn'tbeli
eve
howf asthefellf
rom her otozer o,
forthefi
rstt i
mei n
alongt i
mehemethi smat chandhest i
l
lcoul dn'
t
fi
gureouthisnextmov e,
i
twasev enmor ehar dto
thi
nkofany t
hingbecausenowhei snotjustdeal i
ng
withahumanbei ng,i
tsadamnhugesnake, ,howwas
thatevenpossible"hethought "
..
...
.

ATMANDLA'
S

Hewokeupt ot
hedel
i
ciousar
omafr
om t
he
ki
tchen,
walkedi
nasMiawasbusymaki
ng
br
eakfast
..
MANDLA:
hey
,youwokeupear
lyt
oday
MI
A:y
esmyl
ove,
thoughtIshoul
dspoi
lyout
oday
MANDLA:
(bri
efl
ysmiled)
uhh.
.t
hankyoubabesbutI
'
ll
hav
etopassbecauseum worki
ngonadeadli
ne.
MIA:
buty
oucanatl
eastt
akeaf
ewbi
tesbef
ore
l
eavi
ng
MANDLA:
dammi
tMi
aIam f
ucki
ngr
unnyl
ate
Shesadl ywatchedhim ashedi sappearedintothe
bathroom thensheangr i
l
ypushedev ery
thi
ngont he
ki
tchencount erdownbef oregoingonherkneesand
cri
edsi l
entl
y..
inthemidstofhersor r
owsagent l
e
handr ubbedhershouldersassher aisedherhead
upmeet i
ngMsWi l
li
am'ssadf ace.
.nooneut t
ereda
wordunt ilt
hepooroldwomanknel tdownopeni ng
herarmsasshedi sappearedbetweent hem cry
ing
hysteri
call
y
MsWi l
li
ams:shh.
..
stopcryi
ngmydear,
it
s
okay
..
.Pl
easegoandr estI
'
llcl
eanupher
e
Mandl
awal
kedi
nasMi
ast
oodup.
.
MANDLA:
(angr
il
ylookedatt
hef
loor
)whatt
hehe'
l
l
hap.
.(
aknocki
nter
rupt
ed)
Theyal l
turnedthei rheadsast hedoorsl
owl y
openedbef oreasof tcl
eanandpi nki
shsize3shoe
steppedin.Mandlasl owl ylookeddownatt he
smoot hlegsandwentupr aisi
nghishead.thei
rey
es
l
ockedashesuddenl yfeltbutter
fl
iesi
nhis
stomach,hegotl osti nherey esthenwenton
admiringherthi
ckbody ,
herf acewasclearand
smoot handherpi nkjuicylipswasn'tmakingthe
si
tuati
onanybet t er,,
,
MANDLA:
(t
hought
ful
l
ybi
ti
nghi
slowerl
i
p)damn.
..
..
.

MSWI LLI
AMS(wentuptoher
)ohhmybabythank
you,
Idi
dn'tr
eal
i
zeifor
gotmymedicat
ion.
howdid
yougethere

Miacouldn'
thelpnotici
nghowMandl awasl ostin
deepthoughtsstari
ngatt hey
oungl ady,
,shesawa
si
deofhi m she'
sneverseenbef or
e,helooked
cal
m,peacefulandhewassmi li
ngev en,
something
hehardl
ydoes. sheangri
lywalkedupt ohim and
pul
l
edhi
sshoul
derashesnappedoutofi
t.
.

MANDLA: ohh.
.(
embarr
assed).
.umm Ishoul
dget
goi
ng..
hewalkedpastt
henewgi r
lashepanicked
andnotsurewhatt
osay).
..
..
ohhhi dear
(bangedthedooronhi
swayoutl
eav
ingev
ery
one
shocked)
..
..
..

Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
tandment
iony
ourf
ri
ends.
..
..
..
.
Thanky
ou
[
7/19,
06:
24]I
NSERT3

Mi
acl
ear
edhert
hroatasMsWi
l
li
amst
urnedt
oher
.
MsWi
l
li
ams:
ohhMi
ameetmydaught
erGr
ace
MIA:(
gaveheradeat
hstar
ethenqui
ckl
yfl
asheda
smil
e)ohhni
cetomeety
ouGrace
Miawalkedawaybefor
emaki
ngaturnandwalked
cl
osel
ytoGrace(
withasmi
rk)
youarever
ybeautif
ul
Gr
ace,
takecar
ebutmosti
mpor
tant
lybesur
enott
o
makeenemies
Shecatwal
kedherEngl
i
shfi
gureawayasthetwo
l
ookedateachot
herandshr
uggedthei
rshoul
der
s.
MsgWill
i
ams:whatj
usthappened,
hav
eyoumet
t
hem bef
ore?
Grace:
noma,Idon'tknowthem,any
wayl
etmer
ush
t
owor kum al
readyrunni
nglat
e
MsgWi ll
i
ams:(worr
ied)okmybaby,
thanksfor
bri
ngingmymedicati
on,nowgoandpleasebesaf
e
(ki
ssedherf
oreheadandwalkedout
)

I
NMI
A'SROOM

Sheslowlymov edf r
om herbedandt ear
full
ytooka
scannedhersel
font hemi r
ror.
.shewentf rom her
headupt ohertoes,,
yesshewasl ightskinned,had
curl
yandlonghair,softf
eet,
shewasn' tfateit
herbut
onetrut
hstruckherashert hroatdriedup,shedidn'
t
havethehourglassf i
gureshejustsawout
there,
thatgi
rlwastooplai
nandsimpl
ebutsti
ll
had
herf l
eshint
her i
ghtpl
acesandthedr
essshewas
wear i
ngwasn'tmakingthi
ngsanybet
terf
orher,
,ohh
God,herbehindwaseventoogoodtobetrue"
she
thought"
MIA:
mxm (
tookoutherphoneandcal
l
edherf
ri
end)
hi
fri
end
HER:heylove,
areyouf
ine,
youdon'
tsoundokay
what
swr ong(hear
dhersni
ffi
ng)
HER:
aww,
,
whyar
eyoucr
yingl
ove,
tal
ktome
MIA:I
..
Ican'
tdothisanymoreDudu,
Mandl
adoesn'
t
l
ovemeandpr obablyneverwi
l
l,
nomatt
erhowmuch
It
ry,
maybeIshouldjustgi
veup.
HER:awwum sosor
ryt
oheart
hat
,butwhatr
eal
l
y
happened?
MIA:
he.
.he(swall
owedhard)doesn'tl
ovemeDudu
andnowum ev enmor
escar edbecausesomegi rl
cametoourhousethi
smor ningkehammaMDamo
l
ebil
emoebi l
engnealepel
editsel
eleme,
,Iswearhe
wasundressi
ngherhl
emma
DUDU: aof r
iendshipmma, ,her
eIam t hinkingyou
havemat hataahl ahlaganengkanteol edisiwake
ngwanany ana..
heelakanabannakedi nt j
awena
haerat
aMDeneneai poneladigaugauel agorea
i
thane,
,tl
ogelasesosei j
esemonnawagagoakr
wenaatt heendoft hedayy ouhav et
her i
ngandthe
bl
ackcar d.
MIA:
(si
ghed)mmakanaleenemonyanawat
engo
montl
eelamogot
seisangsedi
dimmeantsesi
mple
andnat
ural
HER:nowt hat
saproblem haelegoreobuakamot ho
yoogautsegangyal
o,,
atl
easthannegol e
masweny ana,
,,
nowthatcall
sf oryoutothi
nk
mma, ,
rememberwel etnobitchtakewhats
ours.
.nnamogowamemonnakokor opakakgar
ebe
hlemma
MIA:
(t
houghtf
ull
y)nnyammaIshouldt
hinkandv
ery
f
ast,
keemisegohlolakel
l
etser
uri
HER:
nowt
hat
smygi
rl
,y
ougogi
rl
MI
A:y
oh,
Ifeel
somuchbet
ternow
HER:
alr
ightby
elov
e
Mi
adr
oppedasshebi
therl
owerl
i
pthi
nki
ng.
..

MEANWHI
LEATMD'
SOFFI
CE

MD:(hi
sphonerangasheanswer
edwi
thAmer
ican
accent
)ohhheydude
THEMBA:
whatt
hehel
lMD?Ar
eyouser
iousr
ight
now
MD:
(conf
used)huh?
THEMBA:
wear
eatt
hehot
elwai
ti
ngf
ory
ou
MANDLA:ohhf
li
p!!Thel
astdel
i
ver
ycel
ebr
ati
on
mahn,
,
shi
t!HowdidIfor
gett
hat
THEMBA:
what
everdude,
,
pul
luppul
lupbr
uh
Hegr
abbedhisj
acketandwal
kedout
,t
hankf
ull
yit
wasaFr
idaysohewasnotinfor
malwear
MANDLA:
youhav
ethem shawt
iesr
ight
?
THEMBA:
OhhyeahOhhyeahboy
,thi
ckmummi
es
j
ustt
hewayy
ouliket
hem
MD:
laughedandgoti
nhi
scardr
ivi
ngof
f.
..
.

ATTHEPARTY

Mandlapul
l
edupi ntheparki
ngl
otandt
hear
ea
bookedwasjustcl
oseby..
Hesteppedoutofhi sredC63andt ookoffhis
shadesclosingthedoor.hi
scleanwhi t
enikey
sneaker
scaughtev eryone'sat
tent
ionashest epped
onthelawn..hewasdr essedinawhi t
eTt hatwell
defi
nedhisabbsasbl endedwi t
hthebl ackpants
andthenav ydenimjackethewasput t
ingon..
.t
he
l
adiescouldn'tst
opstaringandwhisper i
ng

LADY1:OHMYGOD!Whot
hef
ucki
sthi
shot
machoman?
LADY2:i
tsthemight
yMDbabes,,MATHHEWS
EMPIRE(
snappedherf
inger
)ri
ngsabel
l
?
LADY1:
nofli
ppi
ngwaysgi
rl
,,
yuwii
i
i..
.monnayokaha
al
engmont
lekat
engbat
hong,
,andthefactt
hatheis
superri
chowningsuchabigcompanyischer
ryon
topbathonghl
engrayangnkukuankemel
eka
dinao(
theyal
ll
aughedashepassedthem)

MDappr
oachedThembaandaf
ewoft
hei
rfr
iends
ast
heyf
istbumped.
.
MD:
(Amer
icanaccent
)yohTmanwsup?
THEMBA:
easyeasymyguy
,youal
mostmi
ssed
br
uh
FRIEND1:ahhmonnaMDmalat
siaoscar
ce,
wher
e
youbeenhidi
ngy
ourdamnsel
fbruh?
MD: I'
vebeenbusyt r
yingt omakeal i
ving,
,youknow
thecodebruh..
.al
way sr un(asongbyMi x-
mustardft
RoddRi chi
nter
ruptedt hem astheDj i
ncreasedthe
volumeandthewhol ecr ewsangalong
ALL:
Irememberhi
tt
ing
t
hem al
lwi
tht
hewhol
e
Team.
nowani
ggacantanswer
Cal
l
s"causeum bal
l
ing"I
 Waswaki
ngup,
get
ti
ngnocashi
nthe
Mor
ningcazIwasbr
oke,
,
Nowum RI
CH,
theseni
ggassal
ty.
.
FRIEND2: (breathedheavi
ly)y
ohguysthi
sist
he
l
ife,
,,
(r
aisedhishandl ooki
ngaroundand
screamed) wait
er!!
Thewait
resswal
kedupt
othem ast
heygr
abbedt
he
winegl
asses
MANDLA:nowcheer
stobigmoneymaker
s(theyal
l
r
aisedt
hei
rgl
assesandcamefort
het
oast)
ALL:
cheer
s!!
..
..
(si
ngi
nganddancingast
heymadea
ci
rcl
ethenmorepeoplej
oinedi
n)ohhyeah,
,Iwas
br
oke
Butnowum r
ich
Ohhy
eaht
heseni
ggassal
ty.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL
mrkgar iwasfeel
ingmuchbet terbuthadn'
t
compl et
elyheal
ed.hismensurroundedthebedall
dressedupi nal
lblackasusual.theyr
emainedsti
ll
waiti
ngf orhi
mt osaysomethingbutt hedoorf
lung
openbef orehecouldsayanyt
hi ng
NURSE: (
lookedatt
hem suspi
ciousl
y)OhhsirI
wasn'tawareyouhavecompany ,
l
etmecomeback
l
ater(t
herewasnoresponseandallofasuddenshe
gotgoosebumpsalloverasshegotscaredand
walkedout.
HER: (bumpedi ntosomeone)ohhsorry
,,t
hankGod
i
tsy ou, hehmmannakanaket swagobonadi l
o,t
her
e
are8r oom inMrKgar i
sroom al
ldr
essedin
bl
ack, andl ebonebannabatengbabantsho
gore,ekar egokatet
heyareacultorsomet hi
ng
NURSE2:ohhnoMrKgar ii
sagoodmenwhohel ps
t
hesoci
etyalot,
thosemenarehisfr
iendsandthey
wor
kwithhim.don'
tyouknowhealway sdonat
es
moneyandfoodtothatBasadi
orphanage?
NURSE1:(r
elax
ed)ohhehe,,
heimma,Iwasl
i
ter
all
y
shaki
ng,
IswearIwasnevergonnagobacki
n
ther
e,atl
eastnowIunder
standmmemmal ebone
hleakobaapoledil
otsedi
ntshot
seao(
theyal
l
l
aughedandwal kedaway)

I
NSI
DETHEROOM

KGgav
ethem adeat
hst
areashesatupr
ight
KG:sowhydi dIhir
eallofyou?wherethefuckwer
e
youwheni gotat
tackedhuh?Doy ouallmeantotel
l
met hatnoneofyougotalarmedthattherewasa
for
eignenti
tyi
nmyt err
itor
y(theyal
llookeddown
ter
ri
fied)
KG:al
lri
ght,
thi
siswhaty
ouar egoi
ngtodo.."
fi
nd
MandlaMatthewsandki
llhi
m!"I
.wantnot
hingfrom
youbuthi
shead,gott
hat
!Nowgetoutofher e
Theyquickl
ywalkedoutashelookedupand
si
ghed..
.hecoul
dn'tbr
inghi
mselftotel
li
ngthem
abouthi
m beingasnakelestt
heychickenoutand
di
tchhim..
ATTHEPARTY

MANDLA:
(losi
ngbalanceashehuggedThemba)
yohTmymant hi
sistheeli
febr
uh,
theel
if
e
Hesmi ledassomeshotpet i
telightskinnedgir
l
catwal
kedt othem,,shebegant ouchinghim al
lover
thenmassagedhi schestleaningonhi m before
mov i
ngherf i
ngersupt ohischinandpul ledhi
mi n
forakiss..
hekissedherbackenj oyingthekissthen
suddenlygotannoy edandpushedherof fasshef el
l
i
ntothepool getti
ngev er
yone'
sat tenti
on
CROWD:
wooohh
Unbothered,
hewalkedawayf r
om t
hescenel
ooking
forthel
oo...
awaitr
essdressedinawhit
eshi
rtand
blackpantspassednotf
rom himlooki
ngaway
MANDLA: (
touchedhi
snosesniffi
ngashespoke
al
one)IswearI'
vesmell
edthatcol
ogne
bef
ore,
(l
ookedatherand.
.)
hey!

Shel
ookedbackandt
hei
rey
esmetashi
shear
t
skipped.helostgri
poft hewinegl
asshewashol di
ng
asi tscatt
eredall
ov er
..
itwasasifhedidn'tnot
icehe
j
usbr okeaglassasher emai
nedgluedtoher
face...
shewentdownandpi ckedthebrokenpieces
HER:
ouch
MANDLA: (suddenl
ysnappedoutofi
taft
erhear
ing
herscr
eam)y oh,
,
sorr
y,,
l
emmepi ckt
hat
Shegotupr
ubbi
ngherf
inger
MANDLA:(
looki
ngi
nherey
es)ohhbyt
hewaymy
namei
..
..
..
HER:Mandl
a!Iknow,
mymot
herwor
ksf
or
you,
remember
?
Hechuckl
edandmov
edcl
oserf
orahandshake
MANDLA:(ext
endedhishandl
eani
ngover
)ohhnice
t
omee...
.hesuddenl
yfel
thiswhol
ebodycracki
ng
t
hen.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

Pleasel
ikethei
nsert
,ment
iony
ourf
ri
endsandshar
e
thepage..
Thankyou.
BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT4

HEf elthi
sski
ncr acki
ngandhi swholebodyget ti
ng
cold,hi
seyesti
ghtenedupi nsi
deashef el
tgr
eat
forceonhisbehind,heslowlyl
ookedbackand
noticedthet
ailhadalreadyformedsot henquickl
y
steppedbackpullinghishandawayf r
om hergr i
p.
Meanwhi
le,
Gracelookedathi
sfaceconfusedbythe
l
ookinhi
seyes,hewaspanicki
ng..
"t
hisguyisone
wei
rdper
sonI'veevercomeacross"shethought
Mandl
acheckedhisbackagainandnoti
cedthe
gr
eenandyel
lowtail
hadalreadycoi
l
editsel
fback
i
ntohi
sbodythenheheavedahugesi ghrel
axi
ng.
MANDLA:
(mut
ter
ed)shi
t!
GRACE:
huh?
?
MANDLA:
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng,
bye!
Hequickl
ywal
kedouti
ncreasi
nghi
spaceupt
ohi
s
cart
hengoti
nanddroveoff
GRACE:
what
??(
rol
l
edherey
esandwal
kedaway
)

I
NHI
SCAR

Hecoul dn'tstopthinki
ngaboutwhatj ustt r
anspir
ed
backi nthere,
,Zumbat hesnakenev ertri
edsur f
acing
withouthi sconsentbefore,
,ithasal
way sbeenupt o
him whet herhewant stotransform ornot,
,hehas
alway sbeeni ncontrol
.hesighedandandbr ushed
thet houghtsoffashet urnedont heradioand
i
ncr easingthev ol
umesi ngingalongashi scar
disappear edint
othedar kroad.

ATHI
SHOUSETHENEXTDAY

Miaturnedaroundopeningherey esandr eal

ized
thatMandlawasstil
lasleep,,
heprobablyhadt oo
mucht odrinkl
astni
ght" shethought"thenshe
quiet
lypul
ledthesheetsof fget
ti
ngof fbedand
ti
ptoedtohishomeof f
ice.Shecarefull
yopenedt he
doorandgotin,
shereachedforhi
slapt
opswit
ching
i
ton,i
trequi
redthepasswordtosi
gnin.She
scrat
chedherheadthi
nkingofpossi
blenamesthen
typed
MIA:(l
owv oice)Matt
hews,
,,
,t
henshepressedenter
butitr
ejectedthepasswor
d,shewenttry
inghisbir
th
datesandot hernamessti
l
lcouldn'
tgetthr
ough.She
si
gheddef eatedand
wal kedawaybuti mmedi atelyturnedbackasashel f
fullofdocument scaughtherey es,withoutwast
ing
mucht i
mesher eachedfort hedocument sandwent
throught hem,nothi
ngmadesenseunt i
lshe
stumbl edont oacer t
ainname, "SINGH" asmuchasit
didn'tmakemuchsenseshef el
tbetterbecause
atleastnowshehadani nterestingnamet ol
ook
i
nt o,
asi fthatwasn'tenough,herey eslandedona
numberatt heendoft hedocument .
..
Shesmi l
ed
snappingherf i
ngersasthedooropenedand. .
..
THEMBA:
(angr
il
y)Mi
a!!
shedr
oppedt
hepaper
sshaki
ngand.
..
..
..
.
ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

NURSE:
Goodmor
ningsi
r,
howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngt
oday
?
KG:
(smi
l
ing)um muchbet
ter
.Thanky
ou
NURSE:um j
ustdoi
ngmyjobsi
r,
andy
ouwi
l
lbe
r
eadytogohomet omor
row
KG:
(laughed)i
m goi
ngt
omi
ssseei
ngy
ourf
ace
nur
se
NURSE:(smil
i
ng)isthaty
ouhit
ti
ngonme
si
r?KG:(
seducti
vely
)what?No..
.unl
ess(
looki
ngdown
atherbutwit
hsleepyeyes)
NURSE:(
blushing)
ohhmygod,
youaresuchadi
rt
y
pat
ient
,,
nowt hat'
smyquet
oleave.
.
Shewal kedawaysmi
li
ngfr
om eart
oearasKg
reachedforhi
sphoneandmadeaphonecal
l
MEN1:(hi
sthr
oatdr
iedup)nosi
rwear esti
l
lworking
onit
.Ihaveafewmef ol
l
owinghim andwealready
knowhespendmoretimeathisoff
icethanathome
KG:
um sl
owl
ylosi
ngpat
ienceSK,
youguy
sar
e
draggi
ngyourfeetandpissi
ngmeof f
,IdoIevenpay
youifyoucan'
tcompleteasimplemission,
,pl
ease
mov ef
astbecauseIdon'thavemucht i
me,Ineedto
getmybuy er
sback,i
t'
sbeenal ongt
imenow.
SK:
wegoty ousir,
wejustneedali
tt
leoft
imeto
monit
orhi
smov ementbeforeweatt
ack,
weneedt
o
cat
chhim offguard
KG:okay,
andgetthesecur
it
ycompanytotight
enthe
securi
tybecauseum l
eavi
ngthehospi
tal
tomorrow
SK:
consi
dert
hatdonesi
r
KG:
okayby
e(si
ghed)

BACKATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

MANDLA:
(angr
il
y)whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngi
nmy
of
fi
ce?
MIA:(
shaki
ng)
Iwas,
um cl
eani
ng,
yesum cl
eani
ng
babe.
MANDLA:
(mov
edcl
osert
ouchi
nghi
schi
nandr
aised
hi
seyes)
soyoumeant otel
lmethati
woke
up,
shower
edandgotreadywhi
leyouwer
esti
l
l
cl
eani
ngsuchasmall
space?
MIA:(
calm)yesbabe,
IthoughtIshoul
dhel
py ouout
becauseitwastoomessy ,
soIpackedal
lthefi
les
i
ntotheshelves
MANDLA:
(cal
meddown)
okayt
hanksbutnextt
ime
l
eav
eitf
orme
MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)
okbabe,
l
etmef
ini
shup
Mandlawal kedoutandMi ati
ptoedtothemaindoor
makingsur eheisgone..
.shequickl
ywentbackto
thestudyroom andsnatchedtheSINGHdocument
andhur r
iedtothei
rroom...
shecopiedall
thedet
ail
s
befor
eput ti
ngitback.
..
.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMSHOME

MSWI LLI
AMS:br
ingmet hemedicati
onmybaby
,I
don'
twanttof
orgeti
tli
keIdidyester
day
..
.
Gr
aceappear
edf
rom t
hebedr
oom hol
dingt
he
medi
cat
ion
GRACE:
her
ema
MSWI LLI
AMS:thankyoubaby,
,y
oucamebackhome
ver
ylatel
ast
,,
wasi tabusyni
ghtatwor
k?
GRACE:ohhyesma,therewasapart
yatthehotel
,um
notsur
eifitwasMat hewsanpar
tnerscompanyor
j
ustapersonalt
hingbecauseMandlawasalsother
e
MSWI LLI
AMS: huh!Butherwifewashomeandshe
di
dn'
tsayany t
hingaboutthem havi
nga
par
ty(
remember ed)butmay beyouarer
ightbecause
i
tsnotli
ketheyev ergoouttoget
her
GRACE:
ohhok.
heh!ma,Kantewhatkindofaperson
i
sthi
sMandlaguy,
,
Ithi
nkhei sj
usttooweir
d,t
hereis
j
ussomethi
ngabouthi
mt hatIcangetmyfingeron.
MSWI LLIAMS: butIt
sbeen5y earssinceIst ar
ted
worki
ngf orhim andIhav en'
tseenany thi
ng
suspi
cious,Iknowhei snotaf ri
endlyper sonbuthe
i
sagoodmanwhol ovesworkmor et han
home,,
any way ,
dontgetclosethim ort alktohi
m
becauseIdi dn'
tlikehi
swi f
e'stonetheot herday.
GRACE:
(r
ememberedthedeadlylook)y
eahshewas
meanbutum gl
adIneverr
eal
lytalktohimthat
much.
MSWI LLIAMS: (l
ookedatthetime)ohhweshoul
d
gett
inggoing,wear egoi
ngt obelate(
wal
kedoutand
tookdif
ferentroutes)
..
..
..
..

I
NHI
SCAR

Headjustedtherearviewmi rr
orbutthenaf amiliar
carcaughthisat
tenti
on,,hesworehehadseent he
carbefor
ebutcouldn'trememberwher eexactly
,he
howeverbrushedoffthet houghtsandtookat urn
i
ntothebushast hefami li
arcarstoppedast heygot
outtoavoidgett
inghisat t
enti
on.mandlagotout
sl
ammi ngthedoorandappr oachedthecave.
Cloudsfor
medout si
deturni
ngbl ackaslight
ing
struckatr
eenotfarfr
om them.theireyespopped
outastheylookedateachothershaking.
MEN1:
(f
orcedasmi
l
e)hehbanna,
theweat
her
changedr
eal
l
yqui
ckl
y,
let
sgoi
nbef
orei
tst
art
s
rai
ning
MEN2:(shaki
ng)It
hinkweshoul
dgoback,
i
tsgoi
ng
tor
ainnowandt hatcav
elookst
oodar
kinsi
de,
see
howfastthatguydi
sappear
ed
MEN2:
(i
mpat
ient
)l
etsj
ustgeti
nsi
de.
Theysl
owl
yappr
oachedt
hecav
eent
rance.
.

Meanwhi leinsidethecav eMandl ast oodnextt othe

pondast hebi gsnakesmov edar oundhi mf orminga
cir
cleleavinghimi nt hemi ddle.theot herbl ack
snakewai leditsredt ongueasi tmadel oudhi ssi
ng
soundsandspi tti
ngv enom al lov erhisbody .Mandla
fel
ldownasZUMBAt hel argesnakeappr oached
andmanyant sfil
l
edt hepl acesur r
oundi ng
zumba, t
hel argesnakesl owl yopenedi t
smout h
widerandwentf orMandl a'sheadasi troll
edhi m
i
ntoitsmout h,,
i
traisedi t
sheadandbodymaki ng
wayf orMandl a'sbodyt or olli
nsidei tsst omach. it
thenturned,roll
editsgr eeney esandf l
edl eavinga
storm ofdustbehi ndasi tdisappear edi ntothedar k
f
orbi
ddensi
deoft
hecav
e.
Meanwhil
ethetwomenafewfeetawayfr
om t
he
r
it
ualspondgotevenmor
escar
edand..
MEN1:
nono,,
weshouldgoback,
thatguyi
snot
any
wherenearandt
hisi
sscary
MEN2:
(noddedagr
eei
ng)
Theyturnedgoingbackbuti mmedi atelystoppedas
theygottheshockoft hei
rli
v es.
.abi ggr eenandred
snakewasi nfr
ontoft hem raisi
ngi t
sheadupt o
thei
rfacesasit
sey eschangedcol oursf rom
red,
greenandyell
ow, i
twail
edi tit
st ongueand
mov edevenmor ecloserl
ickingtheirf aces
MEN1:
YOHH!
!.
..
Hef el
ldownandhi tahar drockwi thhisheadas
bloodgushedandhi sbrainscat t
eredallov er,
the
snakewai l
edit
stonguei ncelebrati
onasi tmov edto
thebloodyheadandst artedli
ckingt heblood
off.
..
..
..
.Meanwhil
etheot hermant r
iedrunni ngaway
buthisfeetweretooheav y.
..t
hecol ourf
ul snake
sensedhismov ementandmov editstail
topul lhim
back,i
tthencoi
leditsshinnysof tbodyaroundhi m
ti
ghteni
ngt hegripashisbonesst
art
edbreaki
ng.
.t
he
poormanscr eamedi nagonyashelosthi
s
breath.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

PLEASEDONTFORGETTOLI
KETHE
I
NSERT,MENTI
ONYOURFRI
ENDSANDSHARETHE
PAGE.
THANKYOU.
[
7/19,
06:
24]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT5

..
..
.i
tti
ghtenedthegr i
pashescr eamedi nagony
l
osinghisbreath,
hisey esroll
edmov i
ngt otheback
ofhisheadandhi sheaddr oppedashi sheart
stoppedbeating.
thegreenandy ell
owsnake
l
oosenedupmov i
ngitsheadupandseti tsgreen
eyesonhi sheadasi tposit
ioneditself
,i
tquickly
openeditsmout hwideasi troll
edt hepoorman' s
headinsi
deandst r
etcheditsbodymaki ngwayf or
hiswholebodyt orolli
nside,
innot i
mei thad
swallowedhi m andqui cklyjumpednextt ot he
bleedingman, ,t
hecol our fulsnakest artedwai l
i
ngits
tonguei ncelebrati
onasmor ebl oodgushedf r
om
thebackofhi shead,itst art
edl ickingt hebl oodon
theflooruntilnot r
aceofi twasl eft..
itthenf lat
tened
i
tsheadmaki ngiteasiert or ollthelifelessbodyon
i
tsbackandt henmov edi tsheav ybodybacki nto
theritual
spond. themanycol ourfulsnakesi nthe
pondst art
edbi ti
nghi sf aceasi tturned
black.minuteslaterthegr eenandy ell
owsnake
swum t othedeepersi deoft hepondcar r
yinghi m on
thebackandl aidhim downashewast hemeal f
or
thenextday ..
...
..
.

ATKG'
SHOUSEI
NTHEEVENI
NG

Heclosedthecarwalkingi
ntohishouse,openedthe
doorashiseyeswidenedlooki
ngatthebl oody
wall
,
,hewonderedwhatheusedt owr i
tebutt hen
rememberedhismissingmiddl
ef i
ngerthenhi s
moodquicklychangedasangertookov er,
,hecli
cked
histonguethentur
nedt othebathroom, t
ookadr y
clot
handputi tunderrunningwat erbef
oregoingto
thebloodywallandstartedwi pi
ngitwhil
ebusy
cursi
ng.i
nnot i
mehewasal ldoneandthrewt he
clot
hawayashet houghtfull
ywentt osi
tdown. KG
tookouthisphoneandmadeaphonecal l.
..
.

KG:
heyLuu

HER:
Hel
l
osi
r,
Howar
eyouf
ee.
..
(i
nter
rupt
edher
)

KG:
cal
lof
fthemi
ssi
on!

HER:
(conf
used)what
?

KG:
(withastr
aightface)
tel
lyourt
eam tostop
wor
kingontheinvesti
gat
ion,
nomor ei
nter
views.
HER:butSir
,weal
readyhadi
nterest
ingi
nfor
mati
on
aboutthi
sMandlaguyplusournewspaperswi
l
l
makeal otofmoneyoutofthi
s

KG:
(angr
il
y)Isai
dcal
lof
fthedamni
nvest
igat
ions!

HER:(si
ghed)oksi
r,
butyouwil
lhav
et opayus
becausewehadalreadydoneapartoft
he
assi
gnment

KG:
(angr
il
yhungupandcl
i
ckedhi
stongue)
nxl
a..
..

KG:(
thi
nki
ng)ineedaproperpl
antobr i
ngt hisman
andtakebackmyTerr
it
or y
,mybusiness,
Ireallyneed
tocomeupwi t
hsomethingsoon,
thinkKG..thi
nk!!
..
.
hi
sphoner
angi
nter
rupt
inghi
sthought
s

KG:
Hel
l
o
HER:ohhhel
l
osir
,i
tsme,
thenursef
rom t
he
hospi
tal
,
youl
efty
ourcl
othesbacki
ntheward

KG:(
joki
ngly
)butyoucoudhaveusedthecompany
's
phonetocallunl
essyouwantmet osaveyour
number,
,andwheredidyougetmine"nur
se"

HER:(
laughed)don'
tgettooexci
tedMr ,
,
Idi
dn'
tdo
anydiggi
ng,,
wehaveyourfil
ehereremember,
but
anywaywillyoucometakeyourstuff
?

KG:(
thoughtfull
y)nonurse,,
Ican'
tcomebackt her
e,I
needtorestabi t
,um st
il
lrecover
ing,
(sof
tl
y)canyou
pl
easedr opitoffaf
terwor k,
i
lfor
wardmy
addr
ess,please.
.

HER:
(si
ghed)
okby
e..
Hedr
oppedwi
thasmi
rk.
..
..

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

MSWI LLI
AMS(walkedoutoft
hekit
chenwi
pingher
hands)
haumadam, ,
it
sunli
keyout
osleepf
orthi
s
l
ong,i
sitt
hepart
yfatigue?

MIA(yawni
ng)
hauMsWi l
l
iams,
younev
erst
op
aski
(r
emembered)
didy
ousayparty
?

MSWI LLI
AMS:
yes,
didn'
tyougowi
thMandl
athe
ot
herday?

MI
A:huh?

MSWILLI
AMS:(
panicked)
yohIfor
got,
Ishoul
dn'
t
hav
esai
dany
thing,
Ijusassumedyouknewabouti
t
andl
eftaf
terIknockedof
f.

MI
A:(
fol
dingherar
ms)
tool
ate,
,
youmi
ghtaswel
ltel
l
meever
ythi
ngnow

MSWI LLIAMS:(r
eluctant
ly)
ok,
Ihear
dmydaughter
menti
oningTheMat t
hewsempi r
epart
ythatwas
host
edat therworkplace.

MI
A:(
thought
ful
l
y)wher
e?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Ransomshot
el

MI
A:ohh,
,
,Isee

MSWILLI
AMS:pleasedon'
tsayanyt
hingt
oMr
Mat
hews,
Ihonestl
ythoughtyouar
eaware.
MI
A:(
for
cedsmi
l
e)I
.wontt
ell
him.
..

Sheangri
l
ywalkedawayt oherr
oom andsatont
he
bedcl
icki
nghertongue.
.
MIA:
(thi
nki
ng)whyam Ist
icki
ngar
oundina
marr
iagewheremyhusbandcan'
tevengoouti
n
publ
i
cwi t
hme?
Shestoodupmov ingupanddownhol dingherwaist
asshebreathedheavi
lyt
hensuddenlyremember ed
document.
.Miabentherkneesasshemov edthe
mattr
esspulli
ngoutthedocument.
.shetookouther
phoneanddialedt
henumber .
.

VOI
CE:
Hel
l
o,hel
l
o

MI
A:(
keptqui
et)

VOI
CE:
whot
hef
uckar
eyou?
MI
A:umm(
pausedhear
ingThem asv
oice)

THEMBA:
(cl
i
ckedhi
stongueandhungup)

Ty
ping.
..
..
MIA:
um sorr
yum comi
ngupwithfl
owsomyv oi
ce
i
sabitr
ustythat
swhyIcoul
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng.

HI
M:whoar
eyou?

MI
A:secr
etadmi
rer
(l
aughi
ngemoj
i
)

HIM:Ihavesomanygirl
sthrowingthemsel
vesat
meandy outhi
nkI'
dgiv
er atassaboutsomestupi
d
secr
etadmirer
,,
youmustbekiddingme!

MI
A:canwet
alk?
HI
M:

MI A:
(spokeal one)
dammi tMiadammi t,
,
thatwasa
stupi
dmov e..
butatleastIhaveaf ewleads,Ij
ushave
towor konasmar tstrategyofgetti
ngtoThemba
um surehecant el
lmesomet hingIcanuseagai nst
Mandl asot hathecanl ovemeandst ar
ttreat
ingme
ri
ght

ATTHECAVE

Att hefarendofthedar kforbiddensi dewasal oud

hissingsoundasZumbat hegiantsnakemov edhi s
headupanddownsqui rming,,
itthensl owlymov ed
i
tsheaddownsni ffi
nghisagent sast heymadea
circlesur
roundi
nghi m,,
theblackant sstopped
mov i
ngasthecir
clewascompl ete.Zumbar ai
sedhi s
headupashest rechedst ret
chedmaki ngwayf or
thebodyt ocomeout ,,
itthenlower edt heheadtot he
groundasMandl ar ol
ledont hef l
oort henhequi ckly
stoodupl ooki
ngathi swetbodyt hatwascov eredi n
amucus- likebr owni shliqui
d.het urnedar ound
smi l
ingashebendedbowi ngdownt oZumbat he
snakei nr espect ,
,thesnakeboweddownpat ti
nghi s
backasher ai
sedhi sheadsmi l
ing,,hefeltveryl i
ght
andpower fulashet urnedwal kingt hrought hedar k
steppingont ot hemanycol ourf
ul smal lsnakesas
theyhur ri
edt ot hesi desf ormingal inemaki ngway
forhimt opass. .
hecont inuedwal kingast he
darknesswor eof fwhenheappr oachedt her i
tuals
pool .
hepassedi tunawar eoftheev entsthat
transpiredear l
ier..innot imehewasout si
deandgot
i
nhi scar ,het ookouthi sbagandt ookouta
cloth,t
henst artedwi pinghisbodybef or
echangi ng
i
nt ocleancl othes. ..
hedr oveof ffeelingsor elaxed
andt urnedt hemusi consi ngingal ongashi shi scar
disappear edi ntot helong
road...
..
...
....
...
..
...
....
...
..
..
..
...
..
...
#
#
#PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEINSERT,
MENTIONYOURFRI
ENDSANDSHARETHEPAGE.
THANKYOU.

[
7/19,
06:
25]BLOODFORBLOOD
#I
NSERT6

LateratnightMandlaopenedthedoorswi t
chingon
theli
ghtsasheheadedst rai
ghttothebathroom,he
tookashowerbef or
egoi
ngtot hei
rroom asMi a
wasf astasleep.
..

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)Mi
a..

Mi
a:(
sleepy
)whendi
dyoucomeback?

MANDLA:justnow,
,
thewor
kloadwast
oomuchat
t
heoff
ice

Hemov
edcl
osert
ohersi
deashebr
eat
heddown
herneck,Mi
at urnedashegotont opofherki ssing
hertummygoi ngdownt ohercooki ewithhishands
onherboobsasher oughlysquizzedthem..hesl owl
y
wentupt oherl i
psandsuckedt hem asMi awr apped
herhandsaroundhi sneckmoani ng..
heslowlygot
offt
hebedr eachi ngforthedrawer sl
ookingfor
somethIngMi a'sheartstar
tedbeat i
ngfastbecause
sheknewshi twasaboutt ogodown. .Mandlat ook
outthehandcuf f
sandawhi plookingandlookedat
herwithanaught ysmi l
e.

MANDLA:
lookwhatwehav
eher
ebaby

MI
A:(
for
cedasmi
l
e)ohhbaby

MandlaapproachedthebedasMi a'sthroatdr
iedup
l
ookingatthetoolsi
nhi shand,heroughlypull
edher
hairbr
ingi
ngherheadcl osertohisfaceandkissed
herashistonguewenti ndeeperintoMi a'
smout h,
he
thenheldherhandspinningthem ont hebedashe
gotontopofhertoti
et hem ont othebedhead. .
he
turnedgr abbingherlegsandwi denedthem tyi
ng
eachont othebedbef oreseduct i
vel
ylookingather
ashemov edt hewhipf r
om herf aceallt
hewayupt o
hercooki ethenhest artedmov i
ngitincir
clesasMia
gotar ousedpr oducingmor efluidsashewat chedin
pleasure...
..
hegotont opofherashi shardmachine
fellonhert ummyr oughl ygrabbingherbyt hethr
oat
then..
...
..
...
..
..
..
.#/?@$. .

I
NTHEMORNI
NG

Miawokeupwi t
haheav yheadandherwayt othe
bathr
oom,shesatont het oil
etseatandgr abbedthe
smallmirr
orthenputitbet weenherlegsand
caref
ull
yscannedhercooki e..
itwasv eryredwitha
fewscrachesbutatleastitwasn'tasbadasot her
days.
shestoodupandt ookasmal l
basi nfi
ll
ingit
wit
hwar m waterbef
oret akingbathsits..

MI
A:(
closedherey
es)ouch!
!
Sheconti
nueddippinghercookiei
nthewarm water
unt
ilshef
eltbett
eranddisposedthewaterbef
ore
wal
kingouttotheirbedr
oom..shesatdownand..
..
.

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

Therewasaknockont hedoorashegotupyawning
andwalkedtothemaindoor.
..
heopenedthedoor
rubbi
nghiseyesthen.
.

MANDLA:whatt
hehel
ldude?Ar
eyoust
il
lsl
eepi
ng
att
hist
ime

THEMBA:y
ohpa!Igotwast
edl
astni
ght
,wher
ewer
e
youany
way?

MANDLA:(i
gnoredthequest
ion)weneedt
ostar
t
wor
kingonthenextdel
iv
ery,
somefreshmeet
br
uh,
not
imet
osl
eep,
moneyi
scal
l
ingus

TH:
(yawni
ng)butIt
houghtwewouldwai
taf
ew
mor
edaysbeforeworki
ngonthat

MANDLA:nott
histi
mear
ounddude,
,
weneedt
oget
oni
t,
,
gett
hosegirl
s

TH:
yohhparel
axman,
,
I'
ll
getmyboy
stost
art
wor
kingoni
t

hethoughtaboutt
heconversat
ionhehadwi th
Zumbawhi lei
nhisstomachtheotherday
,forsome
weirdr
easonZumbai ncr
easedhisdemandst hi
s
ti
mear ound,
hewantedtodri
nkbloodandabodyt o
feedon,andMandlahadtobri
ngit.
..
.
Ishoul
dgetThembat
obr i
ngonemor
egi
rlt
oof
fer
Zumbaasameal "
hethought
"
MANDLA:yohpa,Iknowweusual
lymakeitt
engi
rl
s
butl
etsmakeitelevent
hist
imearound

THEMBA:(confused)butIt
houghtweonl
ydel
i
ver
y
ten.
.di
dMrSinghincreaset
henumber?

MANDLA: (
notsureofwhichexcusetogivewit
h
beingsuspici
ous)Ij
ustneedtheotheronefora
roughnight
.

THEMBA: comeondude,
it
snotli
keit
sanyhardfor
youtogetsome,Imeany
ouhavethem beaut
if
ulgi
rl
s
thr
owingthemselv
esaty
ouall
theti
me.

MANDLA:(l
aughing)
see,
Iwantsomethi
ngdi
ff
erent
,I
needani
nnocentsoult
oripapar
tthi
sti
mearound

THEMBA: (
laughed)y
ouareonewei
rd
mother
fuck,
,ohhandIhav
eapotent
ial
cli
ent
,,
he
wantstostar
tbuyingfreshmeatfrom us,
,heisfr
om
Thai
land,
,
whenIcoul dn'
tgetholdofyouyester
dayI
deci
dedtojustagreetomeetupwi thhim at
Ransomshoteltodayateleven

MANDLA: ohhsoundsgr
eat
,,
somoveyourdamnself
andtakeashowersowecangetgoi
ng.
..
..
.Themba'
s
phonerang

THEMBA:
youagai
n!

MIA:
(changedherv oicespeaki
ngsoftl
y)pl
easedon'
t
hangup,okum notasecr etadmir
er,Ij
uswanttosee
youandt ell
y ousomethi
ng,i
tsr
eall
y
i
mportant ,
pleasepl
ease.

TH: (
rel
uctant
ly:
ok,Ihav
eameet i
ngatRansoms
hotelat11andwi l
lbedoneat12,
let
smeetther
eat
twelve
MI
A:al
ri
ghtt
hanky
ou,
i
lfi
ndy
out
her
e

THEMBA: bye.
.(
hehungsupandcl i
ckedhis
tongue).
..
Icannev erunder
standt
helevel
of
desperati
oninthisgirl
s,
kanashehasbeencal
l
ing
mesi nceyester
day ,
nxe

MANDLA: (l
aughed)
getusedt oitbr
uh,
,nnakanaI
neveransweranynumberthatsnotsavedinmy
phonecazgakebatlemalwetsikanankatlogaka
gautsagaut
sagohleel
a.

Theycont
inuedchat
ti
ngandl
aughi
ng.
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Miathr
ewherfistintheaircel
ebr
ati
ng,
shesmil
ed
fr
om eart
oeart hinki
ngaboutherpl
anthatwi
ll
get
Thembaspil
l
ingt hebeans..
shemovedtothedrawer
openi
ngitandt
ookoutasmal
lpl
ast
icful
lofpi
l
lsas
shewickedl
ysmil
edl
ooki
ngatt
hepi
ll
s..
..

MIA:(
thi
nki
ngoutloud)justonepi
l
linhisdrinkthen
i
ll
bedone,,
thatwil
lbeenoughtogethi
mt alking
wit
houtmehav i
ngtoputanymuchef f
ortIswear .
..

ATTHEHOTEL

MandlaandThembawal kedinthehotelasThemba
spott
edt heiracquaintanceatthefarendofthe
room t
henl edt hewayasal leyesturnedto
them..
..Mandlal ookedatthewhi t
ebeardedman
befor
eext endinghi shandforahandshake..t
hetr
io
madei ntr
oduct i
onst hencommencedt obusi
ness.

anhourl
ater
,t
heywereal
ldoneastheshookhands
wit
hthewhit
emant henhelef
tthem chat
ti
ng
MANDLA:
thatwentwel
l

THEMBA: It
oldyoutheofferwassweet(
lookedat
hiswri
stwatch)yohIhaveastupi
dmeeti
ngi nafew
seconds(
lookedaround)

MANDLA: (
laughi
ng)wi
ththesecr
etadmirer
..
..
..
..
.l
et
megogetmy sel
fmorebeersdownther
eMr
St
ranger
,goodluck!

Heappr
oachedthecount
erasthewai
tr
esseswas
f
aci
ngtheotherwaybusypacki
ngwhi
skeybot
tl
es.
.

MANDLA:
hey

WAITRESS:(shelookedbackandt heireyesl
ocked
asMandla'
shear tbeatr
aised)ohhitsyou,wemeet
agai
nMrMat hews
MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)Mandl
a,
pleasecal
lmet
hat

GRACE:
Ohhok,
,
whatwi
l
lyoul
i
ket
ohav
e

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)y
ou,
,
Iwoul
dli
ket
ohav
eyou

GRACE:
(conf
used)I
.don'
tunder
standsi
r

Mandlapull
edhi
shandcl
osert
ohersbefor
equi
ckl
y
pull
i
ngitbackasher
ememberedt
heirl
ast
encount
er,
,

MANDLA:
ohhum (
laughi
ng)
..
Iwasj
ustpul
l
ingy
our
l
eg

GRACE:(
fl
ashedasmi
l
e)al
ri
ghtsi
r,
whatar
eyou
hav
ing
MANDLA: Iwould'
vel
ovedt
ohav esomethi
ngstr
ong
butnowthatI
'veseenyouI
'
v echangedmymindand
wanttohavejui
cefort
hefi
rstti
mei nal
ongti
me

GRACE:(
laughedandf
il
ledagl
asswi
thj
uicet
hen
handedi
t)

MANDLA:
(tookasi
p)soGr
acehowol
dar
eyou

GRACE:
whyarey
ouaski
ng(
rubbedt
hecount
er
l
ooki
ngathi
m)

MANDLA:(
smil
ing)f
eist
yIsee.
..
butowk,
Ijustwant
t
oknowyoubecauseyoulookl
ikeasweetperson

GRACE:
(tr
iedhar
dnott
olaughhol
dinghermout
h)
ohhmyGod,,
me?Sweet
?
Meanwhi leMi awal kedinthehot elthenmov edher
eyesaroundl ooki
ngf orThembashet henspot ted
hi
m att hef arendbef oreshehear dloudgi gglesand
l
ookedatt hecount er.
..
herfacedr oppedasherhear t
beatincreasedl ookingatthet wolaughi ng,
,she
quickl
ywal kedoutandl eanedherheadagai nstthe
wallbreathingheav il
y.
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

DON'
TFORGETTOLI
KE,
SHAREANDMENTI
ON
YOURFRI
ENDS.
.
GOODNI
GHT.
..
..
[
7/19,
06:
25]
BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT7

Sheleanedont hewall astheirf

acescr ossedher
mind.Shehadnev erseenMandl at hatrel
axed
before,
l
etal
onel aughingthatloud..heisalways
tenseandallseri
ousar oundher .
tearsformedinher
eyesandescapedassheputherhandsonherf ace
cryi
ng,,
sherubbedthem of fthentiptoedtothedoor
andmovedherey
estothecount
erbef
orel
ooki
ngat
Thembaatt
hefarendofther
oom..
..
YesThembai
stherewai
ti
ngbutnowthatMandl
ais
al
soheret
henIcan'
tgoi
nther
e."Shet
hought
"

Meanwhil
eThembast
oodupwal
ki
ngt
othe
count
er.
..

THEMBA:
yohpa!

Mandl
atur
nedt
ohi
mlaughi
ng.
.

MANDLA:
(laughi
ng)dudewsup?

THEMBA:
(sur
pri
sed)whatt
hehel
lman?

MD:
(smi
l
ing)what
?
THEMBA: dudelookatyou,
,
youar
elaughingandal
l
smil
es,
,
andwor se,wit
hadamnwai t
ress,
,
whats
wrongwit
hy ou?

MANDLA:yohhdude,
l
owery
ourdamnv
oice,
she
mi
ghthearyou

THEMBA:(
rai
sedhisey
ebrows)OMG!
!Dudeev
en
car
esaboutwhatshet
hinks!
!

MANDLA:
(laughed)

THEMBA:(
laughedl
ooki
ngatGrace)Iswearthat
thi
ckmummyputsomethingi
nyourdrinkbr
uh

MANDLA: (
rai
sedhisgl
ass)um notev
endr
inki
ng
hl
e,
,um havi
ngjui
ce
THEMBA:
(hi
sey
eswi
denedl
ooki
ngatt
hegl
ass)no
ways!
!

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)y
eahman

THEMBA: youar
eeventry
ingtoi
mpressherkadi
j
uice.
.hehmonnyouarehooked,
,
mmel eene
hl
ebannsheisgoal
s,
,bonaassyel
ehlemon

MANDLA: (
laughedandchangedthetopic)what
happenedt
oy ourmeeti
ngwiththesecretadmir
er?

THEMBA:(
cli
ckedhi
stongue)bi
tchassdi
dn'
tshow
up,
whatawasteofmypreci
ousti
me

MANDLA: (l
aughedandleanedonthecounter
l
ookingather)umm..
Ishouldgetgoi
ng,
nicemeet
ing
youagai
n
GRACE:
(smi
l
edandwav
ed)

Mandlat
urnedtoThembaast
heycont
inued
chat
ti
ngwalki
ngaway..
.

Meanwhi
leMiasawthem comingt
henshedashed
outt
ohercaranddr
oveoff.
..

ATTHECOUNTER

Theot
herwaitr
essappr
oachedthecount
erasGr
ace
wasbusypacki
nthewhiskeybot
tl
es

WAI
TRESS:
hehGr
acehl
eobi
g

GRACE:
(tur
nedconf
used)
what

WAI
TRESS:
(snappedherf
inger
)MrMat
hewsbaby
girl
,
,Isawy oual
ll
oveydov eywithhim,
,damngirl
,
I
respectyounow,kanathisguyisalwaysseri
ous,
you
cannev erseehi
ml aughi
ngunl essheiswit
hhis
fri
ends,ebi
leuswaitr
essesweknowmo' guycan
neverlookatustwicebuty ou!Yougir
l,
,ost
rong
man. .

GRACE:(l
aughedembarrassed)buti
twasj
ustan
i
nnocentconver
sat
ionhau

WAITRESS:
(rol
l
edey es)t
ell
thatt
osomeonewho
wi
ll
beli
eveyou,
,IknowwhatIsaw

ShelaughedthenwalkedawayasGr
acesi
ghedand
cont
inuedpackingup..
..

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Mi
aroughl
yopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
n
br
eat
hingheav
il
y.
..

MSWI LLI
AMS:(t
urnedsur
pri
sed)y
oul
ook
upset
,what
'swr
ongdear?

MIA:(snappedr ai
singherhands)yohMs
Will
i
am' s,
wil
lyouev erst
opaskingmequest ions,
who
areyout ocareaboutwhetherI'
m upsetor
not,
pleaseyouar ej
ustamai dsosticktoyourjob
andst opsti
ckingyournoseinmybusi ness.
.

Shewal
kedaway
..

MSWILLIAMS:(cl
appedherhandsonce)y
oh!Ican
nev
erunder
standthi
sgir
l.
.

Meanwhil
einthebedroom Mi
atookoutherphone
anddi
aledherfr
iend
FRI
END:
heyl
over

MI
A:(
lowv
oice)hi
Dudu

FRI
END:
andt
hen?
?

MIA:(
sighed)hai
mma,
,
IjustsawMandl
awi
tht
he
gi
rlIt
oldyouabout

FRI
END:
iyoh!

MIA:andwor
se,
Mandl
awasal
lsmi
l
esandl
aughi
ng
outl
oud.

FRI
END:aofri
endshi
p,butIt
houghty
ousai
dthi
sguy
har
dlyl
aughs

MI
A:mypoi
ntexact
ly,
,
,hei
sal
way
stensear
oundme
butwei
rdl
yenough,
,
key
oohecanl
aughandeaseup

FRI
END:(t
hought
ful
l
y)y
oht
hat
'shect
ic,
whatar
eyou
goi
ngtodonow?

MIA:Idon'
tknownow,Ihadaperfectpl
antomake
Mandlagivemeat t
ent
ionandal
ltheloveIdeser
ve
butnowthereisthi
sgi
rl,
,
nowIhav etothi
nkofa
pl
antoeliminat
eherfr
om thepi
cture.

FRI
END:
yeahgi
rl
,makei
tsnappyt
hen

MIA:
Iwi
ll
mma, ,
Ican'
tl
oseMandl
ahl
eletal
onet
oa
st
upi
dwait
ress

FRI
END:
okwewi
l
ltal
kby
e

MI
A:by
efr
iend
Shehungupandsi
ghed.
..
..
.

ATKG'
SHOUSE

Thedoorbel
lrangashewalkedov
erandopened.
.he
smil
edlooki
nginherherey
esasshestoodt
here
hol
dinghi
sbag

NURSE: ohhhey,
,sorr
yIcoul
dn'
tpassby
yest
erday,hadt
or ushsomewher
eafterwor
k

KG:Iwasthi
nki
ngmay
bey
oudi
dn'
tgett
headdr
ess
buti
tsokay

NURSE:
(handi
ngov
ert
hebag)Al
ri
ghther
e

KG:
thanky
ou,
aren'
tyougoi
ngt
ocomei
nsi
de?
NURSE:
(smi
l
ing)t
houghty
ou'
dnev
erask

Shel aughedandwal kedinbutstoppedhalfwayas

herey eswidened,,sheturnedaroundlooki
ngatt he
bl
ackwal l
sandf urnitur
e,,
ever
ythi
ngwasbl ack,,
KG's
eyesl andedonhi shandgunont hecouchthenhe
quicklysatdownt akingacushi ontocoveritup..

NURSE:(l
owv oi
ce)whyi
sev er
ythi
ngallbl
ack,
,
I
thoughty
ouwearblackcl
othesonlybutnowyour
houseisalsobl
ack?

KG:
wel
l
,,
thi
sismyf
avor
it
ecol
our

Shethoughtabouttheei
ghtmani nallbl
ackwho
hadvisi
tedhi
m atthehospital
theotherdayandgot
scar
ed..
.KGcouldseeshewasscar edandt hought
ofamor econvi
ncingexpl
ainati
on.
KG: (
smili
ng)wehav eacl ubcalledTHEBLACKSand
wehel pthesociet
ybymaki ngdonat i
onst o
orphanagesandot herhomes, sowedeci dedto
choosebl acksowecaneasi l
ybei denti
fiedand
standoutt hat
swhymeandmyf r
iendsar eal
ways
putti
ngonbl ackcl
othes,butasf ormeIj ustdeci
ded
tobeextraandusedt hecol ourinmyhomeaswel l
.

GRACE: (
rememberedherconv
ersati
onwiththe
othernur
sewhensheexplai
nedabouttheblacks
andthensherel
axed)ohhowk,It
hinkIgeti
t

KG:(
stoodupmovi
ngclosert
oherfaceashehel
d
herwaist
)ohhwel
l
..
..
(hi
sphonerang)

KG:
yes

SK:boss,
Ican'
tfi
ndTTandLoy
d,i
tsbeent
woday
s
now.
KG:
whatdoy
oumeany
oucan'
tfi
ndt
hem?

SK:yesboss,
Il
astt
alkedt
othem af
tersendi
ngt
hem
offt
ofoll
owMrMat hews

KG:
(angr
il
y)f
indt
hem t
hen

SK:bosst her
ei smore,
theyhadtoldmet heyareon
hist
ailbeforethei
rphoneswentof f,
sothenIused
theroutetheymentionedlooki
ngf ort
hem onlyto
fi
ndtheircarandtheywer en'
ti
nside..
.

KG:t
hengofurt
herorl
ookar
oundt
hepl
acewher
e
youf
oundthecar

SK:
buti
tsj
ustt
hebushsi
r
KG:(scr
atchedhi
sheadf
rust
rat
ingl
y)I
'
llgetbackt
o
you
Hehungupandsi
ghed

NURSE:
(cl
ear
edhert
hroat
)thatsoundedhect
ic

KG:
ohhumm y
eah

NURSE:
whati
sit
,Imeanmay
beIcanhel
p

HI
M: (
thought
ful
l
y)ohhwel
l
,,
let
scont
inuewher
ewe
l
eftoff
Hepulledhercl
oserholdi
ngherwaistandleanedi
n
f
oraki ss.
sheputherhandsaroundhisneckasshe
l
if
tedherlegwrappingi
taroundhisknees
t
hen..
.&#$@...
..
..
..

2WEEKSLATER
#
#
#
DON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTANDSHARE
THANKYOU.
.
[
7/19,
06:
25]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT8

AWEEKLATER.
..
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Mandlawalkedi
nandpassedbytheki
tchenbef
ore
headi
ngt ot
hebedroom asMsWill
i
amswasbusyin
theki
tchenwashi
ngtheplat
es.
..

MANDLA:
heyMsWi
l
li
amswher
eisMi
a?
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
shel
eftawhi
l
eago

MANDLA:Ohhok,
Ij
ustcamet
ogetsomet
hing,
I'
ll
be
headi
ngbackt
otheoff
ice

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
oksi
r

Hewal kedoutpassi ngbyt heloungethenMs

Will
iamsbagcaughthi sey esohet houghtful
ly
stoppedashel ookedbackt oseeifshei scomi ng
thenhet i
ptoedandbentov eropeningitandl ooked
forsomet hing,hegr abbedherphoneandqui ckly
wentt hroughi t
,lucki
lyitrequir
eapasswor dsohe
shotst rai
ghttohercont actsandt yped"grace"but
thenamedi dn'texist,hesighedandputi tback
walkingawaybutst oppedgoi ngdownmemor ylane
whenGr acef i
rstcamet otheirhouse
MANDLA:
(lowv
oice)baby
,,
shecal
l
edherbaby
Hei
mmedi
atel
ytur
nedbackr
eachi
ngf
ort
he
bag,
tookt
hephoneandqui
cklyt
yped"baby"
..
the
nameappear
edandhescreamedcelebr
ati
ng
MANDLA:
(t
hrowi
ngf
isti
ntheai
r)y
es!
!
MsWi
l
li
amshear
dhi
m and.
.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
huh?
?

MANDLA:(pani
ckedandt
hrewitbackst
eppi
ng
back)
what
,,
nonothi
ngMsWi i

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
oksi
r

Het ipt
oedandcheckedi fsheiscomingbef ore
reachingoutf orthebagandwentt hroughthephone
again,,
hel ookedf orapenandasmal lpaperthen
scri
bbledt henameandnumberdown. ..
whenhewas
donehel eftwi t
hav ictor
ysmileasheandsatdown
ont heirbedt akingouthisphoneandcopi edthe
numberbef oret hrowingthepaperonthehear d
boar
d.
Minut
eslat
erMi
awal
kedi
nsur
pri
sedt
oseehi
m
homethen

MI
A:Ohhheybabe,
youar
ehome?

MANDLA: (
stoodupopeni
ngt
hedrawerst
akingout
somet
hing)actual
l
yIj
uscametogetsomethi
ng,
im
goi
ngback,bye

Hewal
kedoutandsl
ammedt
hedoor

Mialetoutasighasshesatdownont hebedputti
ng
herbagont hehear dboar
d,butwhi
lesti
ll
atither
eyeslandedont hesmal l
pieceofpaper.
shepicked
i
tupbr i
ngingitclosertoherfacer
eadingoutthe
nameont hepaper

MI
A:baby
?
Shet
hent
ookoutherphoneanddi
aledt
henumber

Meanwhi
l
eatt
heot
herend.
..

GRACE:
hel
l
o

MI
A:(
keptqui
et)

GRACE:
hel
l
o,hel
l
o,whoi
sthi
s?

Miaangril
yhungupcli
ckinghert ongueasshe
r
ecognizedhervoi
ce.
..
shef r
ustratingl
ymadeher
waytothekit
chenwiththeintentionofgi
vingMrs
Wil
li
amsanear f
ulbutstoppedhal fwayand..
..
.

MI
A:t
hinkMi
aThi
nk.
..
.
Thembacr
ossedhermi
ndt
henshegr
abbedher
phonedi
ali
nghi
m..
.

MI A:
(changedhervoi
ceandspokesoft
ly)hel
lo,
hey
pleasedon'thangup,
i
tsmeagain,
sorr
yIcouldn'
tpull
throughthelastt
ime,
somethi
ngcameup

THEMBA:
(si
ghedi
mpat
ient
)okay

MIA:y
es,
pleaselet
smeett
oday,
IpromiseIwontpull
anyst
unt
st oday
,I'
l
lsur
emakeappearances,
,
please

THEMBA:
okaywher
e?

MIA:anyr
est
uar
anti
sokay
,asl
ongasi
tsnott
he
hot
el

THEMBA:okayspurinanhour
,Anymi
nut
eaf
tert
hat
thendon'
tcomeokay
MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)ohkt
hanky
ou,
bye
Shel
eanedonthemirr
orchecki
ngi
fhermakeup
wasst
il
lfi
nethengr
abbedherbagandlef
t.
..
.

ATTHEOFFI
CE

Hesatdownt aki
ngouthi
sphonewi
thasmi
l
eand
di
aledher
..
..

MD:
heyi
nnocentone

GRACE:
(conf
used)what
?Whoi
sthi
s?

MANDLA:(
all
smi
l
es)um sor
ry,
pleasedon'
tbemad
atme,
I
tsMD

GRACE:
MD?
??
MANDLA:
yes"
Mandl
a"

GRACE:(
sur
pri
sed)what
?Wher
edi
dyougetmy
number

MANDLA:
( l
aughi
ng)nott
obr
agbutIam Mandl
a
Mat
hews,
remember?

GRACE:
(rol
l
edherey
es)okMandl
aMat
hews,
what
doyouwant
?

MANDLA: (get
ti
ngnervousheari
ngherser
ioustone
andscrat
chedhishead)um,
,I
,,
Ij
ust,
Iwasmi ssi
ng
yourv
oice,
,i
tsver
ysweet

GRACE:(
sighed)ok,
whywer
eyoucal
l
ingme
I
nnocent
?
MANDLA:(
smi
li
ng)remembert
heot
herdaywhenI
sai
dyoul
ooki
nnocent

GRACE:
(remember
edandl
aughed)ohhy
esIdo

MANDLA:
y essoIhav
edeci
dedt
ocal
lyoui
nnocent
si
ncey
oulookthepar
t.

GRACE:
(chuckl
ed)

Ther
ewasanawkwardmomentastheyal
lkept
qui
etthenMandl
acl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatand.
..
.

MANDLA:
umm Gr
ace

GRACE:
huh?
MANDLA:canIaskf
orafavor
,pl
easedontsay
no,
promi
seyouwontsayno

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)noIcan'
tpr
omi
seany
thi
ngbutask

MANDLA:ohkit
snotsayi
ngthi
sbutI'
ll
do
any
way,
mayy oupl
easegooutfordi
nnerwi
thme?
Tomor
row?

GRACE:
dinner
??Buty
ourwi
f-
..
.(
hei
nter
rupt
ed)

MANDLA:pl
ease,
please,sheisnotr
eall
ymywi f
e,i
t
wasamarri
ageaconv eniencebutI
'
llexpl
aint
hat
someot
herti
me,,
pleasedontsayno...

Shesi
ghedashermindranar ound,
,
shewondered
howgoingoutwoul
dbelike,
itwouldbeherf
ir
stti
me
andcur
iosi
tywasget
ti
ngt hemostofher
GRACE:
owk,
whatt
imet
omor
row?

MANDLA:
(exci
tedl
y)y
oh!I
sthatay
es

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)y
es

MANDLA: t
hankyouthanky ou,
Isweari
mthemost
happi
estmother
fuckerr
ightnow,,

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)

MANDLA:owkI'l
lfor
wardy out
hedetai
l
sanddon'
t
wor
ryaboutt
ransportI
'
llsendacart
opicky
ouup

GRACE:
okby
e

MANDLA:
thanky
ouagai
n,
bye.
Hehungupsmili
ngandextendedhishandt
ooneof
hi
swhiski
esandfi
ll
edtheglass.
..
.

Meanwhi leGr aceleanedonthecountert

hinking
aboutherl astencounterwi
thMia,i
twashar dt o
forgetthedeadl ystar
eshegaveherbutcur i
ositygot
thebetterofherasshegotcar ri
edawaybyt he
thoughtofbei ngonadat e,
,
shewant edtoknowhow
i
tf eel
s..
..

ATSPUR

Miasteppedupi nthebui
ldingandspot t
edThemba
seatedontheside,,
shecatwalkedherengli
shfigur
e
overashercolognegotheadst urni
ng,
,shetapped
him ontheshoulderandher ai
sedhishead
surpri
sed

THEMBA:
whatt
hehel
lMi
a,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)I
'
mthesecr
etadmi
rer

THEMBA:(
stoodup)Ihavenobusi
nesswi
thmy
ni
ggaswomen,um outofher
e

MIA:(gent
lypull
edhi sar
m)ohhsi t(thi
nki
ng)I
j
ust,
,
,okay,
,hereisthethi
ng,
um planningtothr
ow
Mandlaasur pri
separtyandIneedy ourhel
psince
youarehisbestf r
iend

THEMBA:(rel
axedandsatdown)ohhowk,
thatv
ery
sweetofy
ou,whatdoyouneed?

MI
A:y
es,
Ij
ustneedy
out
ohel
pmewi
thaf
ewt
hings

THEMBA:(si
ppedhisdr
inkasheputhi
sar
m ont
he
tabl
epay
ingatt
ent
ion)
MIA:(t
hought
ful
l
ylookedathi
sdri
nkand
paused)
hauThemba,ar
en'
tyougoi
ngtogetmea
dri
nk.

THEMBA:
um sur
ethewai
tr
essesar
ecomi
ng

MIA:(l
aughed)ohhcomeon,theyaretaki
ng
for
ever,
can'
tbel
ieveIact
ual
l
yt houghtyouar
ea
gentl
eman

THEMBA:(st
oodupl
aughi
ng)okayokayMs
Wil
li
ams,
l
emmegetit

MIA:shequi
ckl
ytookoutthepi
l
lsi
nherbagt
hen
spi
kedhisdr
inkasitmel
ted

THEMBA:
(wal
kedov
er)t
heyar
ecomi
ng
Hesai
dthatwhil
ehegrabbedhi
sgl
asssi
ppi
ngas
t
heycont
inuedchat
ti
ng.
ATKG'
SHOUSE

Heopenedt
hedoorasSkwal
kedi
n

SK:heybossIhavebadnews,
,
thet
woguy
sarest
il
l
nowheretobeseen,
wespentt
hewhol
eweek
sear
chingbutwit
hnoluck

KG: haish,
okmay beweshoul dshiftourfocusback
toget t
ingthatMandlaguybecauseIam ev en
runningoutofcashnow, ,Ihaven'tbeenmaki ng
moneyi nalongti
me, i
tsev engoingt obewor se
becauset hatwhi
temanf rom Thailandalsoleft
us,,
hesai dhecantbuyf r
om usany mor eandum
thi
nkingMandl arecr
uitedhi m aswel l

SK:
Hai
sh,
sowhat
'st
hepl
annow?
MANDLA:
okIt
hin-
..
.(
hisphoner
ang)

HER:
heybabe,
Imi
ssy
ou,
youhav
en'
tsai
dany
thi
ng
i
naweeknow

KG:
ohhsor
ryIwasbusywi
thwor
k

NURSE:
OKcanIcomeov
er?

KG:
(thought
ful
l
y)y
eahofcour
se,
ofcour
se

NURSE:
(smi
l
ing)okby
e

Hehungupwi
thawi
ckedsmi
l
ethen

KG:It
hinkImightbeont
osomethi
ng,
Yes!It
hinkI
haveaperf
ectplannow.
..
(smi
li
ngashewentto
openthedoorforhi
m)al
ri
ghty
oumaygonowSk
Hewal
kedoutcomf
used.
..
..
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARE.
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
06:
25]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT9

ATSPUR

Thembatookthelastsi
pashisheadbecameheav
y
andfel
tdi
zzy,
herubbedhisey
esasev er
ythi
ng
becameblur

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)Thembaar
eyouf
ine?
THEMBA:
(sl
owl
y)huh

MIA:(
toher
sel
f)per
fect
,nowweshoul
dgett
hebal
l
r
oll
ing

THEMBA:(
puthisar
msonthetablel
eani
ngonashe
l
ookedi
nhereyeswit
hsl
eepyeyes)bab.
..
..

MI
A:y
esbaby
,nowl
etst
alk

THEMBA:
(impai
redspeech)aboutwha-
..

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)Mandl
a

Hekeptmovi
nghisheadupanddownwi t
hhi
s
handsonhi
sjawsthenst
art
edlaughi
ngashi
sey
es
sl
owlycl
osed
MI
A:(
lowvoi
ce)dammi
tThemba,
don'
tsl
eepon
me,
wakeup.
.
Shethenlookedaroundtoseei
fpeopl
ewer e
l
ookingbeforel
ift
inghergl
assandspr
inkl
edhisf
ace
Wit
hherdr i
nk..
Hesl owlyopenedhi seyesandcont inuedlaughing
thenMi astooduppul li
nghi sar mtohershoul ders
andhel dhim bythewai stast heyli
mpedout ..
.whil
e
sti
llhol
dinghim byt heot herhandsher eachedfor
thedoorwi ththeotherhandt henletlooseofhi m as
hefellontheseat.Shel ookedar oundt oseeif
anyonewaswat chingthenhur r
iedtot heotherside
gett
inginanddr ivi
ngof f.

ATKG'
SHOUSE

Therewasaknockont hedoort henhewentont o

openandhiseyesfel
lont hegroundashel ookedat
thesoftf
eetbefor
ehi
m, ,
heslowl yrai
sedhi
shead
goingupherbodyandswal l
owedhar dthenhiseyes
l
andedont hecurv
esperfectl
ydef i
nedbyhernude
dress.
.herai
sedhi
sheadandsmil
edl
ooki
ngather
fl
awlessfaceasshef
lashedasmi
lemovi
ng
towardshim..
.

KG:damn!Ididn'tknowy oulookthi
sfi
newhenyour
notinyourwhit
euni f
orm..Iswearnowitf
eel
sli
ke
um seeingyouforthefi
rsttime,
,t
herei
sthenur
se
andthentherei
sy ouagain

HER:
(bl
ushed)

Hepul l
edherov erf
orahug, thenlookeddownt oher
facemov ingherchi nupandt hei
rlipst
ouched,
he
pull
edherdr essupandmov edhi shandonher
thi
ghsgent l
ysqueez i
ngthem, hedirect
edhishand
upwardst ouchingherpant yandsqueezedherbut t
asshemoanedsof tl
y,hethenmov edhishandtoher
cookierubbingitsoftl
ybef oreusinghisfi
ngerto
mov ethepant yasideand....
..
...
..
..
.
I
NTHECAR

Miadi
all
edherf
ri
endwi
thherot
herhandont
he
st
eeri
ngwheel

MI
A:heyDudu,
wher
ear
eyou,
Ifuckedup

DUDU:
um home,
whathappened

MI
A:gr
eat
!Isy
ourhusbandst
il
latwor
k?

DUDU:
(conf
used)y
es!What
sgoi
ngon?

MIA:per
fect
!Im onmywayt
oyourhouse,
wil
lbe
t
hereinafewmi nut
es

Shemadeaturnandst
eppedont
heaccel
erat
or
speedi
ngof
f.
..
.
Fewminuteslat
ershear
ri
vedatDudu'
shouseand
qui
ckl
ysteppedoutandknocked.
..

DUDU:
um comi
ng
Sheopenedt
hedoort
hen.
.

MI
A:(
sweat
ing)hey

DUDU:
Mia,
what
swr
ong

MI
A:r
emembert
hepl
anIt
oldy
ouIhav
einpl
ace?

DUDU:
yes

MI
A:I.
.I
tgotoutofhandandnowum shi
ft
ingt
opl
an
Bandthat
swhereyoucomein..
Shesai
dthatpull
i
ngherhandwalki
ngtot
hecarand
Dudu'
seyeswidenedatt
hesightoft
hesl
eepi
ng
Themba.
.

DUDU:
(shaki
ng)what
?Isheev
enbr
eat
hing?

MIA:(cal
m)r
elax,hejuspassedout,Igav
ehi m apil
l
tomakehimtalkbutIguesitwast oomuchf orhi
m
butnowum scaredhemi ghtwakeupany t
imef r
om
nowsoIneedtoqui ckl
ydoev er
ythi
ngbef orehe
wakesup

DUDU:
(fol
dingherar
ms)okay
,sowhathappensnow?

MIA:
let
stakehi
mtot
heguestr
oom,
you'
l
lseewhen
wegett
here.
.

Theypul
l
edhi
m outandcarri
edhim ont
hei
r
shoul
der
sassl
ight
lyopenedhisey
esmumbling
THEMBA:
Huhh.
..

Theyputhim onthebedashesl owlyopenedhi

s
eyessmil
ing.
..Miaqui
ckl
yundressedhim ashe
l
aughedattheblurryi
magebefor ehi
m,shethen
handedDudut heclot
heswhostoodst i
llal
l
puzzl
ed,
withoutmuchexplanat
ionsheopenedt he
cameratabandgav eDuduherphone

DUDU:
(conf
used)what
,whatshoul
dIdonow?

MIA:yoh,
rel
ax,
um goi
ngt ot
akeoffmyclothesnow
andmakehim sleepwit
hme,thefactt
hatheis
awakeandstupidl
ysmil
ingi
sabonusnowbecause
thevi
deowontlookli
keIwasf or
cingmyselfonhi
m.

DUDU:(
laughedasMi
aundr
essed)ohhgi
rl
,y
ouar
e
si
ck!
MIA:
(l
aughi
ng)ok,
um readybutdontstar
trecordi
ng
now,
Ihavet
okisshim andseehisresponsefi
rst

Shebentoverandlai
dhernakedbodyontopofhim
andkissedhi
m buthejuscont
inuedl
aughingand
smil
i
ng

MI
A:shi
t!Hei
snotr
espondi
ng,
whatdowedonow?

DUDU:(t
houghtful
ly
)well,
maybey oucanjustl
ay
nextt
ohim,changeposit
ionsandwej ustt
ake
pi
ctur
es.
.butyouhavetomaket hem l
ookreal.

MI
A:soundsl
i
keapl
an.
.

Shebentoveragainbr
inginghisheadclosertohers
ki
ssinghi
m asDudumov edclosertaki
ngashott hat
showedhisface.
theyt
henmov edhimt othesideas
Mialai
ddownbeforetheypulledhim ontopofher
bodyasshepart
edherl egsclosinghi
slegsbetween
andtheyt
ookanotherpictur
e..t
heyconti
nued
changi
ngposi
ti
onstakingconv i
ncingphotos.
..
..

SOMEWHEREI
NTHEWORLD

Ashinywhit
emasserat
ipull
edupi ntheparki
ngl ot
asheadstur
nedadmiri
ngthecar.
thedooropened
asashinybl
ack8inchheelst
eppedout ,
Grace
cl
osedthedoorandpul
ledherhairbackswinging
herthi
ckcur
vybodyasherheelsechoeddownt he
corr
idor
.
Awai
tr
esswal
kedov
erand.
..

WAI
TRESS:
goodmam,
youmustbeGr
ace

GRACE:
(sur
pri
sed)howdoy
ouknowmyname?
WAI
TRESS:
(smi
l
ing)l
etsgot
hissi
demam

GRACE:
okay
Shewalkedoverandherj
awsdroppedl
ooki
ngatt
he
beaut
if
uldecorat
edspaci
ousr
oom

WAITRESS:al
ri
ght
,pl
easepr
esst
hisbut
toni
fyou
needanyt
hing
Shewal kedout.
..
..
..
.Gr acewal kedar oundt heroom
admi r
ingitt
henat ablebeaut ifull
ydecor atedwith
fl
ower sandcandlescaughtherat tenti
onasshe
smiledlooki
ngati t
,sti
lllostinadmi rati
onshet urned
aroundasasoundcamef r
om t heback,hereyes
l
andedonamanput ti
ngonabl ackhat ,
whiteshir
t
andblackpantshol dingagui tar,,
shesmi led
compl et
elyt
akenbef or esomeonet ouchedher
shoulderand..
..
..
..
..
...
..

Theexpli
citcontentwil
lbepost
edatt
he
group,
si
mpl ysearchfor"THEGREATRATI
"andj
oin
t
hegr
oupt
oget#&@$'
.
..

DON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTANDSHARE
THANKYOU.
[
7/19,
06:
26]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT10

Someonet ouchedhershoul derandshet ur ned

aroundasherey esf ellonhi scleanfl
awl essf ace,
he
fl
ashedasmi lerevealinghi spur ewhit
et eet h.
he
wal kedcloserashi sey eswentdownherbody ,
her
cleav agecaughthisat tentionandhef eltbut ter
fli
es
i
nhi sstomach.heswal l
owedhar dashisey es
l
andedonhercur vest hatwer eperfect
lydef i
nedby
herdr ess,
hismachi nej erkedupt henhequi ckly
steppedbackhi dingi twithhi shandandcl earedhis
throat .
.

MANDLA:
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul
GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)t
hanky
ou,
youar
enotbady
our
sel
f.

MANDLA:
(chuckl
ed)r
ight

Hegrabbedherhandsl
owlyandsl
owlywal
kedto
thedecor
atedt
able,
hepul
l
edoutthechai
rasshesat
downsmi l
i
ng.

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)t
hanky
ou

MANDLA:
see,
,
um agent
leman
Theyl
aughedand.
..
Mandlawentontositthenasheputhishand
accr
ossthetabl
etouchinghersof
thandandlooked
i
nhereyes.

MANDLA:
thanky
ouf
orcomi
ng
Het henlookedont het abl
eashi shandwasont op
ofher sandr emember edtheirlastencounterwhen
Zumbat r
iedtosurface,,
weirdenought histi
me
aroundhedi dn'
tfeelanydifferent,
noskincracking
what soever
,t
henher elaxedast hewaitresswalked
over.

WAITRESS:(
placeda6cour semeal befor
ethem)i
hopeyounot i
cedtheplaceisr eservedforyouonl
y
toni
ghtj
ustasy ouaskedsi r,
pleasepr essthat
butt
onifyouneedany thingandt hanky oufor
choosi
ngEricadiner
.enjoy

Shewal
kedaway
..
..
..

ATKG'
SHOUSE

Theybreat
hedheav
il
yandf ellont
othecouchas
sweatdri
ppedfr
om thei
rfaces.
NURSE:
(pant
ing)t
hatwasgr
eat

KG:
(l
eanedov
erf
oraki
ss)

NURSE:
(wi
pingsweatof
fherf
ace)
hooo

KG:
(t
hought
ful
l
y)Remembert
heot
herdaywhenI
wasonaphonecal
l?

HER:
umm y
es

KG:umm y
es,
Ithoughtaboutwhaty
ousai
dandI
thi
nkyoucanhelpme

HER:(
try
ingt
oremember
)ohhy
oumeanwhenIsai
d
maybeIcanhel
p?

KG:
yes
HER:
Iwasj
ustsay
ingt
hough

KG:butyousol
dmethatideaandnowIli
ke
i
t,
,I
.woul
dn'
thavet
houghtaboutyouhady
ounot
i
nsist

HER:
(si
ghed)okayi
l
lhel
p,t
ell
meabouti
t

KG:
thanky
ou

HER:
(br
ief
lysmi
l
ed)

KG: ok,
thethingis,asyouknowthatIusuall
yhelp
orphanagesandt hel
essprivi
l
egedbydonating
moneyandf ood,Ihaven'
tbeenablet
odot hati
na
whilenowandt hepoorpeoplearesuf
fer
ingasno
onei swil
li
ngt ohelp
HER:(l
ist
enedcar
eful
l
y)butwhyhav
eyoust
opped
hel
pingthem

KG: Iwouldli
ket oconti
nuehelpi
ngthem butmy
businessisdown, i
m notmakingenoughmoneyt o
helpthem becausesomeonei ssabotagi ngme,heis
steali
ngmycl ientsandbadmouthingme, Ihavebeen
tr
y i
ngtocallthisguyforameet i
ngsot hatwecan
haveaci v
ilconv er
sati
onbutheisrefusing..
.

HERt
hisi
sbad,
whyi
shedoi
ngt
his?

KG:Idon'
tknow,,
maybehedoesn'
twantmet
o
cont
inuehel
pingthepoor

Hesecr
etl
ylookedatherconv
incedf
aceandsmi
l
ed

HER:
owk,
howdoIhel
p?
KG: umm..
.ally
ouhavetodoisseducehim and
spikehi
sdrink,
makesurehedri
nksit,
hewil
l pass
outimmediatelysot
henyoucal
lme,I'
llt
akeitfrom
there

HER:(ey
eswidened)huh!Whati
fhedies,
andwhat
areyougoi
ngtodowi thhi
m,Icanthel
pyouki
ll
a
person

KG:(
cal
m)noIwontkillhi
m babe,
,i
ll
justhandcuf
f
hi
m andwaitunti
lhewakesupjustsowecanhav ea
ci
vi
lconver
sati
onbecauseheisviol
ent.

HER:
(r
eluct
ant
ly)okayIwi
l
ldoi
t,
what
'shi
sname?

KG:
i
tsMandl
a

HER:
(t
ryi
ngt
orememberhi
m)hi
snamesounds
f
ami
l
iarbutIdon'
trememberhi
m

KG:
okay
,thi
siswhaty
ouwi
l
lhav
etodo

Heconti
nuedhowtheyar
egoi
ngt
odoi
tasshe
l
ist
enedatt
ent
ivel
y

ATDUDU'
SHOUSE

Miareachedf
orhercl
othesandstar
tedget
ti
ng
dr
essedasDudualsodressedThembawhowasst
il
l
i
ntoxi
cated

DUDU:(
heldherwai
st)
thi
sguyi
snotgoi
ngtowake
upanyti
mesoonbutmyhusbandwil
lbehomeany
minut
efrom now,
whatdowedonow

MI
A:(
bit
ingherl
i
ps)ummm l
emmet
hink
DUDU:
(impat
ient
)noMia,
thi
nkofsomet
hingr
eal
qui
ck,
myhusbandisonhi
swayhome

MIA:
(annoy
ed)wi
l
lyoust
opt
alki
ng,
i
mtr
yingt
othi
nk
her
e

DUDU:
(f
oldedherar
msandl
ookedather
)

MIA:(cl
appedhands)ohhyes!Letst
akehim backto
therestaur
ant,
Isawwherehepackedhi scarsowe
wil
ljustputhi
m backinhi
scaranddr iv
eoff,
,um
surehewi l
lwakeupinthemor ni
ng,
plusit
sdarknow
sopeopl ewontseeus

DUDU:
(si
ghed)
okl
etscar
ryhi
mtot
hecar

Theyl
if
tedhi
m upont
hei
rshoul
der
swalki
ngt
othe
Mia'
scarashemumbl
edsomethi
ng..
.
Fewmi nut
eslat
ertheypul
ledupinthepar
kingl
ot
andMiasteppedouttocheckifany
onewas
watchi
ng

MI
A:coasti
scl
ear
,l
etsgethi
m
Theycar ri
edhim asMi areachedf orhispockets
takingouthiscarkeysandunl ockedthecar,t
hey
nicelyputhim ontheseatbef oreadjusti
ngitasit
mov edback,
Mi aputthekey sbacki nhi
s
pocket ,
cl
osedt hedoorast heywal kedbacktoher
caranddr oveof f
.

MI
A:(
breat
hedout
)whoo,
thatwasnthar
d

DUDU:
(l
aughi
ng)Iswearbei
ngy
ourf
ri
endi
s
har
dwork,
l
ookwhatIjustdi
d

MI
A:what
evergi
rl
,butImustsayt
hatf
eltgood,
bei
ng
scar
edofget
ti
ngcaughti
sexci
ti
ng

DUDU:(
smi
l
ing)ohht
ell
meabouti
t,
thatwasn'
tbad
atal
l
..
Theycont
inuedchatt
ingandl
aughi
ngast
hecar
di
sappear
edintothedarkni
ght
.

BACKATERI
CARESTAURANT

MANDLA:
(smi
li
ng)Ihopey
oudon'
tmind,
Ial
ready
or
der
edtosur
pri
seyouwit
hmyfavor
it
emeal

GRACE:(smi
l
edl
i
fti
ngt
hel
i
d)ohht
hisl
ooks
del
i
cious

MANDLA:
(l
aughed)i
treal
l
yis,
tr
ustme
Mandl
atookthef
orkandknif
etryi
ngtoeatbutt
hen
Gr
acequickl
yhel
dhishandsbackand
GRACE:
weshoul
dpr
ayf
ir
st

MANDLA:
huh?

GRACE:
let
sbl
esst
hef
oodf
ir
st

MANDLA:
(uncomf
ort
abl
e)okay

GRACE:(
heldhishandandprayed)DearGod,
thank
youfort
hisfood,
mayyouprotectusasweeat .
thank
you
Sheopenedherey
esandMandlaqui
ckl
ygr
abbeda
gl
assdri
nkingwat
erandchoked

GRACE:
arey
ouf
ine?

MANDLA:
(coughedhol
dinghi
schest
)umm.
..
yeah
um good

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)ok,
l
etseat

MANDLA:
(sl
owl
ytookabi
te)
thi
sisni
ce

Gracecontinuedeat i
ngbutt henf el
tsomet hi
ng
mov i
ngonhershoes. shelookeddownt henhereyes
poppedoutasshescr eamedj umpi ngoffthe
chair
,shetr
ippedandf ell
ast hesmal lcolourf
ul
snakesfil
l
edt her oom,abl ackmambamov edupher
bodyandwr appeditssmal l
col ourf
ul shinybody
aroundherlegt hen..
..
...
..
..
...
..
..
....
..
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARE
GOODNI
GHT.
..
.
[
7/19,
06:
26]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT11

Theblackmambacur
ledi
tsshi
nysmallbodyaround
herl
egwhilet
heot
hersmall
col
ourf
ulsnakes
squi
rmedmakingt
hei
rwaytoherand.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

MEANWHI
LEATMSWI
LLI
AMS.

Shepull
edtheblanket
soffandli
ft
edherl
egget t
ing
i
nsideandbentdownbr i
ngi
ngherhandstoget
her
befor
eplaci
ngthem onthefor
eheadassheclosed
hereyesand.
.

MSWI LLIAMS:DearGod,thankforwatchingoverme
andmydaught ertoday,
thankyouforprotecti
ngus
andfi
ghtingourbattl
es,
mayy ouconti
nuedoi ngthe
samedearGod, t
onightasIgot obedIcomebef ore
youagainandsaymayy ourDevinepr
ot ect
ionbe
uponus.i
nt hemightynameoft helor
dJesusChr ist
Ipr
ayamen.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Miaopenedthedoor,switchedtheli
ghtsonand
draggedherf
eettotheirbedroom thenthrewher
handbagont hebedbef oretaki
ngherclothes
off,
shetookawhit
et owel,wrappeditar
oundher
bodyandmadeherwayt othebathroom whereshe
quickl
ytookashower .
..
Minuteslat ershewasdoneandst eppedout
wrappingt het owel aroundherbodyshoot ing
str
aighttot heirbedr oom wher eshel etloseofi tand
satdownassher eachedf orthel oti
onandsl owly
appli
edonherbodyast heearliereventscr ossedher
mind.shel etoutasi ghandt ookherphonebr owsing
thephotos, shesmi ledaloneasshesawhowr eal
andconv incingt hephot oslooked. sheleftthegaller
y
andclickedont ocont actscall
ingMandl awhose
phonewentst raightt ovoicemai l
.shesadl yputher
phoneont heheadboar dandpul ledthesheet soff
get
ti
ngi
nsi
deanddozedof
f.

ATSPURPARKI
NGLOT

Thembar ubbedhi seyesandopenedt hem

yawni ng.het ouchedhi sheavyachingheadand
l
ookedar oundashi swat erbottl
ecaughthi sey es,
he
pickedi tupandgul peddownt heremai ni
ng
wat er.
thenputi tbackchecki nghiswr istwatchand
thet i
mewasal readypastnine.heopenedt hedoor
andpeakedout sidebef or
eclosingitandscr atched
hisheadt ryi
ngt ogodownmemor ylane.nothi
ng
muchcamet ohi smindasheonl yremember edMi a
comi ngandt heirpartyconversati
on.het r
iedtot hi
nk
hardashet houghtsomet hi
ngwasmi ssingbut
couldn'tputhi sf i
ngeroni t

THEMBA:
(f
rust
rat
ed)
fuck!
!

Hesear
chedhi
spocket
sandf
oundt
hecar
key
,i
nser
tedi
tint
othei
gni
ti
onanddr
oveof
f.
..
.

ATKG'
SHOUSE

NURSE:okay
,Ithi
nkIgetitanditdoesn'
tsoundv
ery
har
dprovi
dedy ouputallpr
otecti
onmeasures
measur
esinplaceincasesomet hi
nggoeswrong

KG:ofcoursemyl
ove,
Iwi
l
lmakesur
enot
hing
happenstoyou

NURSE:(
smil
ed)okbabe,
thenIwil
lcheckmy
schedul
etoseewhenum freesowecandoit?

KG:butIhaven'
treal
l
ydecidedonthedayyet
becauseIsti
ll
havetofoundouthi
sint
enti
onsand
pl
anst henwecanattack
NURSE:
okbabe

KG:(
reachedforhi
sphone)yoht
imefli
es,
i
tsal
ready
pastni
ne,l
etsgotothebedr
oom andsl
eep

Theystoodupashehel
dherhandmaki
ngt
hei
rway
tothebedroom.
..
.

ATTHECAVE

Zumbat hegi antsnake' seyespoppedoutchangi ng

colour sfr
om gr eent oredandy ell
ow, thesnake
turnedangr il
yshaki ngitsheadasi tspi tmor ev enom
around, t
hebl ackant sranawayast heci rclethey
usual lyf
orm ar oundhi ml ostshape,,zumbawenton
tost andonhi stai
l andmov edhisbodyi naci rcular
mot i
onleavingast orm ofdusti nbet ween, t
heot her
l
argesnakesi nther i
tualspondhear dt heirmast er'
s
call andquicklyslippedt heirshi
nyheav ybodi esout
oft hepondandsqui rmedt ot heforbiddensi de.they
arri
v edandmetZumbawhoseheadwasr aisedupi n
theai rturninghisey eschangi ngcol oursandmaki ng
l
oudhi sses.thelargesnakest heni mmedi ately
rai
sedt heirbodiesandbowedt hei
rheadsi nr espect
ast heirspi r
itsmetint hespi ri
twor l
d,t
hey
i
mmedi atelygotthemessageast heyf ur
iously
turnedt heirlargebodi esslippingoutoft he
forbiddenar eainhighspeedandpassedt her it
uals
pondf acingt hecaveexi t
,theygott otheent rance
readyt odi veoutbutast rongf orcestoodbef or
e
them andr oughlypushedt hem ast heywentont o
fal
l onhar drocksbef orequi cklyslippingbacki nto
ther it
ualspond. ..
.

MEANWHI
LEATTHERESTAURANT

Theblackmambaopenedi tsmout hwi

der el
easing
It
stongueandtr
iedtospitvenom butitstongue
suddenl
ygothotasitswholebodystart
edgetting
extr
emelyhotmakingithar
df ori
ttobi
te,
thesnake
sl
ippeddownasGr acefear
full
ystoodupandr an
i
nt oMandl a'
sarmst rembli
ng,heopenedhi sarms
andheldhert ightasshecriedhy steri
call
y .theother
manysnakessqui rmedtohi m hissi
ng,Gracel if
ted
bothherlegsandhungt hem ont oMandl a'swai stas
thesnakesmov eduphi sbody ,
het r
iedrunni ngout
butstoppedhal fwaysurpri
sedasal lt
hesnakes
sli
ppeddownr unningawayast heydisappear ed
betweent hetablesandchairs,Gracelookedupat
thewindowandsawt heblackmamba' st ail
disappeari
ngoutt hewindow,Mandl agentlyl i
ft
edher
offputti
ngherdownbutshepassedoutt hen....
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARE
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
06:
26]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT12
ShepassedoutandMandl abentdownl i
fti
ngher
again.hecarr
iedheronhisarmsasherbody
sagged,heturnedwalki
ngashi seyesfel
lonthe
terr
ifi
edfacesofthestaff
.hi
sf aci
alexpr
essi
on
changedashegav ethem apierci
nglookwalki
ng
closerand..
.

MANDLA: (
withastr
aightf
ace)j
ustonewordfr
om
anyonehere,
theny
ouwi l
lal
lhav
etokissyour
preci
ousli
vesgoodbye

Theyal
lfear
ful
l
ylookeddownt
henhesmi
rked

MANDLA: per
fect!Ibel
i
eveweal
lhav
ean
under
standi
ng.nowmov e!
!

Theyallhur
ri
edoutandhewal kedoutt
ot he
parki
nglotwhereheextendedhishandbendinghi
s
kneeandopenedthedoort hengentl
yputGraceon
thecarseatbef
orewalkingtothebootopeni
ngitas
helookedf orabot tl
eofwat er
,hetooki
tandclosed
thebootwal kingbacktot hepassengerseatand
sprinkl
edwat eronherf aceasshej umpedand
gaspedf orair,
sheopenedherey esbefore
screamingr unningint
ohi sarms,hehel
dherand
l
ookeddownpl anti
ngasof tki
ssonherf or
ehead
then

MANDLA:(
sof
tl
ypat
ti
ngherback)
it
sfi
nenow,
they
ar
egone

GRACE:
(cr
ying)

MANDLA: (sof
tl
y)shh,,
,st
opcrying,
youar esafe
now,i
m sorryf
orbringi
ngy ouhere,
Ididn'tknowthe
pl
aceishaunted,
im sosorry,
Iam alsotraumatized
buthavetobestrongforyou

GRACE:(l
ookedupathi
sface)t
hanky
ouf
or
pr
otect
ingme
MANDLA:
(smi
l
ed)i
tsokay

GRACE:
(thought
ful
l
y)butwhydi
dtheyal
lrunaway
al
lofasudden

MANDLA:(
pani
cked)umm.
..
Idon'
tknow,
,
Iwas
sur
pri
sedaswel
l

GRACE:
(br
eat
hedoutwi
pinghert
ear
sof
f)andt
hey
di
dn'
tbi
teus

MANDLA: (cal
m)thatsweird,
butIal
waysheard
rumorsaboutthatrestaur
antbei
nghauntedand
j
ustneverbeli
evedi
tbecauseIdon'tbel
i
ev ei
n
super
sti
ti
ons,butatleastt
odayIsawitwithmyown
eyes

GRACE:
(pul
l
edof
ffr
om t
hehugandsatdownas
tear
sf or
medi nhereyesagai
n)Idon'
tthi
nkI
'
llbe
everbeabletosleep,
Icantst
opthi
nki
ngabout
them,especi
all
ythatbl
ackone

MANDLA:(sof
tl
y)heydontworry
,Iwil
lnevert
akey
ou
backher
eagain,
never
,butpl
easepromiseme
somethi
ng

GRACE:
(l
ookedup)what
?

MANDLA: thatwewon' ttel

lanyoneaboutwhat
happenedher e,
becauseitmightgetusintr
ouble,
i
f
thosethi
ngsbel ongtothatrest
aurantownert
henhe
mightcomef orus

GRACE:
(t
hought
ful
ly)y
es,
youar
eri
ght
,hemi
ghtbe
madatusandstar
tatt
acki
ngus

MANDLA:
(rel
i
eved)y
es,
al
lwehav
etodoi
sjusnev
er
comebackhere,
don'
tevent
ell
yourmom becausei
t
mayputheratri
skofbei
ngatt
ackedaswell

GRACE:
ofcour
se,,
Ican'
tri
skherl
i
fel
i
ket
hat
,you
al
soshoul
dn'
ttel
lanyone

MANDLA:
trustmeIwont

GRACE:
yeah,
soI
'
llj
ustpr
ayabouti
tunt
ilIgetov
eri
t

MANDLA:
(uncomf
ort
abl
e)okay
,l
etmet
akey
ou
homenow
Hewalkedt
othedr
iver
ssi
deandgoti
nthent
hey
dr
oveoff

ATMSWI
LLI
AMSHOUSE

Shet
ossedandt
urnedst
ruggl
i
ngt
ofal
lasl
eepand
movedthepil
l
owt aki
ngherphonecheckingthe
t
ime,i
twasalr
eadypastten,
shesatupwor r
iedand
wenttoswi
tchtheli
ghtondial
i
ngGr ace'
snumber.
..
..

Meanwhi
l
eint
hecar

GRACE:
(herphoner
angt
hen)hel
l
oma

MSWI LLIAMS:thankGodyouarefi
ne,
wher
ear
e
you,
Ithoughty
ouar en'
twor
kingt
oday?

GRACE:(t
houghtf
ull
y)dontwor
ryma!Wehadasmal
l
worker
scelebr
ati
onbutum onmywaynow

MSWI
LLI
AMSokmybaby
,by
e

Shesi
ghedi
nrel
i
efget
ti
ngunder
cov
er
BACKI
NTHECAR

Hedrov
esslowl
yapproachingGrace'
spl
aceand
par
kedatt
hegatethenlookedint
ohereyes

MANDLA: (sof
tl
y)thankyouforspendingtimewith
me,i
twasni cebeingaroundyouandum r eal
lysorr
y
aboutthatsmalli
ncident
,Ipr
omiseI'
ll
nev ermake
themistakeoftakingyoutohaunt
edpl acesagain

GRACE:(
smi l
edl
ooki
nginhi
seyes)well
..
um f
eel
i
ng
alotbet
ternow,
Imustadmi
tit
snicebeingwi
thyou

Therewasanawkwar dmomentast heygotlostin

eachother'
seyes,
Mandlamov edclosercaressi
ng
herfacethenpull
edherhairtotheback,,
Grace
smil
edasMandl aleanedov erforakissbutquickl
y
l
eanedbackashef el
tagreatforceonhi sback,
he
cal
ml yl
ookedathisfeett
ochecki fthetailhad
for
medbuti thadn'
tthenl
ookedupatherf ace
cl
ear
inghi
sthr
oat

MANDLA:
Ohhum sor
ryaboutt
hat

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)
it
sokay

MANDLA:
okaygoodni
ght

GRACE:
goodni
ght

Sheopenedthedoorandwalkedoutsmil
i
ngfr
om
eartoear
..
shecoul
dn'tunder
standhowshe
suddenl
yfel
t.
despitethehorri
blei
ncidenti
twasr eal
l
ynicebei
ng
aroundhi m andheisactual
lyalotsweet,
waymuch
betterthanwhatIheard"shethought"

Sheespaceddr
eam wor
ldwhensheal
mosthi
tthe
doorthenopenedherbagreachi
ngfort
hekeys,
she
openedupandheadedstrai
ghttoherr
oom cal
li
ng
outhermother
GRACE:
um homema,
Goodni
ght
..
..
.

I
NTHECAR

Heangr i
lyspedof fcl
icki
nghi stongueandmadea
turndrivingintothebusht henparkedaf ewmet res
awayf rom t hecaveandst eppedouthur ry
inginside
thedar kcav e,hestoppedatt heri
tualspondlooki ng
aroundbutf orsomewei rdreasoni twasallquiet
andnotev enasingl
esnakeemer gedf r
om the
pond,thewat eral
soremainedst il
l
,i
twast ooqui et
forhisliking
Hesighedandt urnedmaki nghi
swayt othe
forbi
ddensideoft hecavewherehiseyeslandedon
thefuri
ousgiantsnakestandingonit
st ai
lswinging
i
tshead...
zumbat urnedaroundandfacedhi m asit
keptonchangingcol our
s,t
hesnakethenstarted
hissi
ngshakingit
sheadasi t
swholebodyt urned
black..heknewwhatt hatmeant ,
heknewt hatcan
onlymeanZumbai sangry..
.t
henowal lblacksnake
thenbentdownandsqui rmedt owar dshim bef or
e
releasingit
shuget onguespitt
ingv enom onhi shand
whi chquickl
yturnedblackandl ookedr otten,t
her
e
wasev enanawf ulsmellashecov eredhisnosewi t
h
theot herhand.t
hesnaket henraiseditsbody
l
ooki nginhiseyesr ol
l
ingeyesandMandl asawt he
furryinitseyesthentookhisclothesof fbef or
e
bowi ngdownbef or
ehim
Zumbacalmeddownaf t
erseeinghi
m bowingdown
andthenmovedaroundhiml i
cki
nghiswholebody
toopenupthespi
ri
twalls,
thei
rspi
ri
tsmetint he
spi
ri
tualwor
ldandtheybegancommuni cat
ing..
..
..
..

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Miatossedandturnedstruggl
ingtof
allasl
eepas
shecouldn'
tstopt
hinkingaboutMandla,
she
wonderedifheiswithherbutthensi
ghedsadlyas
tear
sformedinherey es,
sherubbedt
hem offand
pull
edthesheetsoffgett
ingoutofbedwalki
ngupt
o
thedressi
ngtabl
e,shereachi
ngforherweddi
ng
photoandbroughtitcl
osertoherface,
shesl
owl
y
mov edherfi
ngeronthephotosniff
ing

MI
A:why
..
.
Tearsescapedherey
est
hensherubbedt
hem of
f
wit
hherey esst
il
lgl
uedt
othephot
o

MIA: Ithoughtmay bey ouwi l

lstar
tlovingmeaf ter
gett
ingmar r
iedbutno!Not hinghaschanged, Igues
i
thasal waysbeenabouty ourreputat
ionandwi l
l
al
way sbe,i
twasall aboutgettingthattickand
l
ookingl ikearesponsiblefamilymani ny our
busi
nesswor ld,
i
twasnev eraboutmeorus.

Sheputt
hephot
odownandr ubbedhertear
sof
f
wal
kingt
oherbed.
shesatdownandgotherphone
di
ali
ngThembawit
haprivat
enumber..
.
THEMBA:
(yawni
ng)hel
l
o

Shequi
ckl
yhungupand.
..
..

MIA:(
rel
i
eved)
um gladyouarefi
ne,
Ineedy
oual
i
ve.
.,
I
needyounowmor ethanever

MEANWHI
LEATTHECAVE

MANDLA:(
facechangedashelookedupat
Zumba)
what??No,Icat
,Ican'
tdothat

Zumbaangr i
l
yr oll
edhisey eschangingcolours
shaki
nghisheadandspi tt
ingvenom asi tfel
lon
Mandla'
sface,hi
sf acequicklyturnedbl
ackas
wormsswum ar oundt healreadysmel l
ypar t
..
the
pai
nonMandl a'sfaceandhi shandwas
uncontr
oll
abl
e,nomat terhowst ronghet ri
edtobe,i
t
worsedthenhel ostbalancefall
ingonhis
knees. Zumbal ookedathi mf eeli
nghi spai nt hen
calmeddown, hebr oughthi sheadcl osert hen
star t
edl ickinghi m connect inghimt ot hespi ritwor l
d
agai nandt heywr appedupt heirconv ersationaf ter
agr eeingt oaf ewchanges. Mandl alookedathi m
noddi nghi sheadi nagr eementt henZumbar aised
hisbodydi sconnect i
nghi m ashet ri
edst andi ngup
butf elldownbecauseoft heexcr uci
at i
ngpai n.he
grinnedandgat heredal lhisstrengtht ostandup
bef orebowi ngdownToZumbat hent urnedar ound
wal kingoutashi swhol ebodybecameext remel y
hot ,
hepul l
edhi sheav yhotandpai nfulbodyoutof
thef orbiddensi deast hewor msst artedf alli
ngof f
hisf aceandhand. afterwhatseemedl i
kef orev erhe
wasatt her i
tualspond, hel ookeddownatt hest il
l
wat ert hendi ppedhi sf eetinsidebef orehi swhol e
bodydi sappear edi nsidet hewat er.
..
...
...
..
..
....
...
...
..
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARETHEPAGE
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
06:
26]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT13

TWODAYSLATER.
..
.

theallgreensnakeemer gedf r
om thepondwi t
h
Mandl aseat edont hehead, i
tlowereditsheadas
Mandl asteppedoutandr ubbedhi seyeswi pinghi s
faceaswat erdr ippedf rom hi sbody ,
hel ookedathi s
backt onor mal headandt ouchedhi sface
smili
ng..
hewal kedaf ewf eetawayf rom ther it
ual s
pondasanot heral lblacksnakesaysqui rmed
towardshi m car r
yinghi scl othesont hehead, it
l
ower editsbodyashegr abbedt heclothesand
star
teddr essi ngupandal lthemanycol ourfull
ar ge
andsmal l snakessl ippedf r
om t hepondsqui r
mi ng
towardshi m andbowedt heirheadsi nrespect .
.he
smiledatt hem bef orewal kingoutast hel i
ghtr ays
fel
lonhi sfaceandhemov edhishandcov eri
nghis
eyescreati
ngshadet henopenedt hecardoor
hoppingin,
her eachedfort
herearv i
ewmi r
rorand
smiledlookingathisevenmoreflawlessfacebef
ore
dri
vi
ngof f.
...
..
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Heopenedt
hedoorwal
ki
ngi
nand.
.

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)goodmor
ningMsWi
l
li
ams

Miawalkedoutoft
hekit
cheni
nhersleepwear
holdi
ngacupofcofeeasmandl
aquietl
ywalked
pasther
..
.
MsWil
li
amscoul
dn'
thel
pbutnot
icet
heawkwar
d
momentandwal
kedt
oMi a.
.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Miade-
..
..
.(
Miai
nter
rupt
ed)
MIA:
(snappedr
aisi
ngherhands)
.sav
eit
!Idon'
twant
t
ohearit.

Shecli
ckedhert
ongueandwal
kedtoherbedr
oom
thensheputt
hecupdownstar
ingathi
m

MI
A:wher
ewer
eyouf
ort
hepastt
woday
sMandl
a

MANDLA:
(st
rai
ghtf
ace)asknoquest
ionsandhear
nol
i
es
Hegrabbedt
het
owel
andwal
kedoutsl
ammi
ngt
he
door

Sheangr
il
yscreamedonherhandst
hengr
abbedher
phonedi
ali
ngsomeone

THEMBA:
(yawni
ng)hel
l
o
MI
A:wehav
etomeet

THEMBA:
what
?

MI
A:y
es!i
ntwohour
s,samepl
ace

Shehungupandwal kedtot heloungepassingt i

me
sothatMandl aleavesbeforeher ,
,meanwhile
Thembal aughedi ndisbel
iefstari
ngathisphoneas
hetri
edt or ememberwhathappenedont hei
rl ast
meet i
ng,asmuchasnot hi
ngpoppedi nhi
smi ndhe
coul
dn'tst opfeelingthatsomet hi
ngbesidet hepar ty
conversationwentdownsohegotupandst ar ted
gett
ingreadyt omeetherhopi ngshewi ll
lethimi n
onthemi ssingpieces.

ATTHEOFFI
CE
Heclosedhi
slapt
opsi
ghi
ngt
hent
ookhi
sphone
di
ali
ngher.
..

GRACE:
hey

MANDLA:
hey
,howhav
eyoubeen?

GRACE:Ihavebeenokay,
you'
vebeenawful
lyqui
et,
I
actual
l
ythoughtyouwil
lcal
ltheot
herday,
j
usto
checkuponme

MANDLA:um sorryIshoul
dhavedonet
hatbutwor
k
keptmealotbusythi
spasttwodays

GRACE:
ohok

MANDLA: yesum sor

ry,Ishoul
dhavecheckedupon
youconsi
deri
ngthefactthatourl
astmeeti
ngdidn'
t
endwel
l

GRACE:yeahhey ,
butatl
eastIhavebeenokay,t
he
fi
rstni
ghtwasn'tthatgoodbecauseIwashav ing
night
maresbutsur pr
isi
nglyIsl
eptli
keababyt he
secondnight,
I'
vebeenallgoodsincethen,
the
i
ncidentneverevencrossesmymi nd

MANDLA:(
smili
ng)ohhthatsgr
eat
,um happyt
ohear
t
hat
,Iwasreal
l
ywor r
iedabouty
ou

GRACE:
okay
,whatabouty
ou?

MANDLA(
conf
used)huh?

GRACE:
arey
ouf
ine,
noni
ght
mar
eswhat
soev
er

MANDLA:
ohhno,
um f
ineaswel
l
,Iguessus
deci
dingt
onott
ell
asoul
abouti
thel
ped.

GRACE:
yeahi
tdi
d

MANDLA:(cseelear
edhi
sthr
oatandlaughed)
enoughaboutthat,
,
Iwoul
dli
ketoseeyouagain

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)

MANDLA:pl
easedon'
tsayno,
noscar
ypl
acest
his
t
imear
ound

GRACE:
(bi
therl
owerl
i
psmi
l
ing)wel
l

MANDLA:(l
aughing)pl
easepl
easedon'tsayno,
I
swearum l
i
teral
l
yonmykneesr ightnow

GRACE:
(l
aughed)Ij
ustmi
ghtsaynobecauseIknow
y
ournotony
ourknees

MANDLA:
(l
aughed)okay
,yougotmebutpl
easesay
yes

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)ohhwel
l
,Iwoul
dal
sol
i
ket
oseey
ou
agai
n

MANDLA:
thanky
ou,
sohowboutt
omor
row?

GRACE:
alr
ightt
omor
rowt
hen

MANDLA:
Ransoms

GRACE:
okayby
e

Hehungupsmi
l
ing.
..
..
ATKG'
SHOUSE

Hi
sphoner
ang

VOICE:goodmorni
ngsir
,wearecal
l
ingt
oremi
nd
youaboutther
emaini
ngbalance

KG:
okayt
hanky
ou,
I
'l
ltr
ansf
ert
hemoneyt
oday

VOI
CE:
thanky
ousi
r,
hav
eagoodday

KG:
bye

Hehungandsi
ghedasshel
ookedathi
m wor
ri
ed

HER:
what
'swr
ong?
KG:weshouldimplementtheplannow,
um r
unni
ng
outoft
ime,t
hingsaren'
tl
ookinggoodandsoonI
'
llbe
drowni
ngindebts

HER:(
satonhisl
ap)okay
,tel
lmewhatt
-.
..
..(
his
phonerangi
nter
rupt
ingher)

KG:
hel
l
o

VOICE:im cal
l
ingf
rom theor
phanage,si
r.
wehav en'
t
recei
vedthismonth'
sfooddeliv
ery
,thechi
ldr
enar e
starv
ing,
wewer er
elyi
ngony ourof
ferandno-..
.

KG:dontwor
rymam,
ther
emustbeamistake
somewhere,
Iwi
ll
cal
lmymentodel
iv
erthegrocer
y
today

VOI
CE:
ohht
hanky
ousi
r,
MayGodbl
essy
ou
Hehungupandscrat
chedhi
sheadfr
ust
rat
ingl
yas
sheshel
ookedathi
m wit
hsorr
yeyes

KG:thatwastheorphanage,Ihav
etodel
ivert
he
monthlygr
ocerydonati
on,i
tssomethi
ngIhavebeen
doi
ngf ort
hepastfewy ear
sbutnowIdonthave
money

HER: atl
easti
tssomethingyoudidoutofthe
goodnessofy ourheartsonowyoucansimplyt
ell
them thatyoucantconti
nuedonati
ngtothei
r
orphanage

KG:(snapped)youdontgetitdoy ou??It
sv ery
i
mpor tantformet odeli
verthatdamngr ocery
becauseithelpsbuildmyr eput
ation,
peoplerespect
andpr ai
semebecauseoft hat,
,nottoment i
onhowI
gotthem alli
nt hepalm ofmyhand, t
heyallthi
nkum
thi
sgoodguyandt hathasal wayskeptthecopsof f
mydamnt
ail
!
!!

HER:
(gotuplooki
ngathi
m wi
thconf
usi
on)whatdo
youmean???

KG:
(regr
ett
ing)ohhI'
m sorry
,i
mj ustl
osi
ngi
tandnow
um sayi
ngthingsthatdontevenmakesense.

HER: (
straightface) hellno!youalreadygav eme
somet hingt othinkabout ,
Iwillnotbepar tofthisif
youar en'tgoingt obeent i
relyhonestwi t
hme, ,Iam
notstupi dsodonty oudar etakemef orafool okay?
Allthi
sbl ackwal ls,blackfurnitur
e,cl
othesandnow
thecops, actuall
yev erythi
ngy oujussaidisenough
formet ocompl et et hepuzzle.Sonowwhat sit
goingt obe,arey ougoi ngtokeeponl yi
ngt omyf ace
oryouwi l
lspillt
hebeans?

KG:
ummm
HER:
sayonemor
eli
eandt
henki
ssmegoodby
e,I
wonthel
pyou

KG: (
softl
y)okay,
yougotme,myfrustr
ationmademe
l
ety ouinont oomuchandnowt hereisnot urni
ng
backbecauseIr eall
yneedyourhelpsol etsgot hi
s
thisway ,
Ihavetoshowy ousomethingf i
rstbeforeI
startexplai
ning

Heheldherhandandt
heywal
kedi
ntot
hedar
k
passaget
hen

HER:
swi
tchont
hel
i
ght
s
Heswitchedthem onandtheyquiet
lywalkedalong
thepassageandstoppedastheyapproachedan
encl
osedwall,
shelookedupathim conf
usedbef or
e
thewallsl
owlyopenedupafterhewavedhi shand

HER:
(l
ooki
ngathi
m)ohhwow!
!
Shemov edherfacewalki
ngi
nsi
debutherey
es
widened.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

ATSPUR

Miaimpati
entl
ywaitedandcheckedherwr i
stwatch
bef
oremov i
ngherey esandsawThembaatt he
ent
rance,
hetookoffhisshadesandlookedaround
asallt
heladi
esstar
tedwhi sper
ingadmir
inghishot
sel
f.
heapproachedMi a'
stableandsatdownsighing

THEMBA:whatthehellam Idoi
nghereMiaandtel
l
meaboutwhathappenedtheotherdaybecausei
n
asmuchasIdon'tr
ememberal ot,
Icanfeelt
hat
someweir
dshithappened

Mi
acal
mlyhandedhi
m herphone
MI
A:her
e

THEMBA: (
laughedindisbel
i
ef)whatt
hehel
l
??t
his
cantbet
rue,nofr
eakingways!!

MIA:y
esThembawefuckedandyoucoul
dn'tst
op
scr
eamingmyname,
butthat
snotwhyum here

THEMBA:
(conf
used)butwhycantIr
emember
any
thi
ng?

MI
A:(t
ookt
hephoneback)um sendi
ngt
hem t
o
Mandl
anow

Thembajumpedof
fthechairal
mostbr
eaki
ngt
he
gl
assandhel
dherhandsthenshesmil
ed

MI
A:nowt
hat
'smor
eli
kei
t,
nowt
hisi
siswhaty
ou
havetodoifyoudontwantt hi
sphotoget
ti
ngint
he
wronghands,
tel
lmeev er
ythingaboutMandl
a,
dont
l
eaveanythi
ngout,
especi
allythi
ngsIcanuse
agai
nsthi
m

THEMBA:
(st
oodup)Ican'
tdot
his

Mi
acal
mlypul
l
edhi
m downsmi
l
ing

MIA:wohrelaxcowboy,
calm down,
therereall
yisno
needtogetallwor
kedup,besidest
hereisno
escapi
ngthi
soneunlessy ouwantmet opr esssend

THEMBA:
(satdownf
rust
rat
ed)ohkwhatdoy
ou
wantt
oknow

MIA:(
wi ckedsmile)goodboy,
,nowonemor
e
thi
ng,
"thewaitress"Ineedyoutohel
pmeel
imi
nat
e
hercompl et
ely
Thembalookedupatherashi
sey
eswi
dened
and.
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARETHEPAGE.
THANKYOU
Thembalookedl ookedatherashi
seyeswidened
thenhesarcast
icall
ylaughedandsl
owlyst
opped
l
ookingatherser i
ousfae

THEMBA: what
??Areyoubei
ngser
iousr
ight
now,
thatwasajokeri
ght
??

MI
A:(
str
aightf
ace)doIl
ookl
i
keum j
oki
ng?
THEMBA: (
laughedindisbel
ief)wecantki l
lher,
I
meanIcan' t,
noti
nami l
li
onyear s,
Mandlaseemed
real
lyt
oocl osewiththtgir
l,
her eal
lyl
i
kesher
becauseI'veneverseenhimt hatcomf or
table
aroundanygi r
lbefore,
sokil
li
ngherwoul donlyget
usintroubleashewi ll
diguntilhegetstothetruth
andbelieveyoume, hewontspar eus.

MIA:
(si
ghed)okay,
maybeki
l
li
ngheri
snotagood
i
deabutstil
l
,weshoul
dfi
ndawayofsepar
ati
ng
t
hem forgood,
nowtel
lmewhatIwantt
oknow

THEMBA: okay,
foryourowninf
ormati
on,Mandlaisn'
t
thecoolguyyoualwayssee,
hecanber ut
hlessand
wouldn'
tthi
nktwiceaboutbl
owingyourbrainsof
fif
hefoundoutaboutanyofthi
s,l
etal
onesuspect
anyt
hing.

MIA:
(rol
l
inghereyes)bl
uhbl
uh.
..
spar
emeal
lthat
cr
apandspil
lthebeans
THEMBA: okayMDi si
nvol
vedi nhumant r
afficki
ng,I
am hi sri
ghthandman, whatwedoi sgetgirlsf r
om
Botswanat henexchangethem f ormoneywi tht he
Indi
ansandwer ecent
lyi
ncreasedourt erri
toryto
Thailand.OnlyGodknowswhathappenst ot hose
girl
soncet heycr osst
hebor der.Andwewer e
supposedt omaket hedel
iverysincelastweekbut
wecoul dn'tbecausehehasbeenbusyl at
ely.now
thatsall

MIA:
(shocked)what
?Imeanwhowould'
vet
hought
t
hemi ght
yMDi sahumantraf
fi
cker
?
Wow!
!

THEMBA:
(st
ari
ng)what
snext
?

MIA:nowthi
sistoomuchtotakei
n,
ImeanyesI
wasexpecti
ngsomethi
ngdi
rt
ybutnott
hishuge
dar
ksecret
s..
Ial
waysknewheisabusi
nessman
becausei
twasal
way
sof
fi
cet
hisof
fi
cet
hatbutt
his!
!

THEMBA:(
smil
ing)
um gl
adyouseehowdeept
his
i
s,,
i
llbemoret
hanhappytopul
lout

MIA:
(t
houghtful
ly)
what ?No, nooneispull
i
ngout
f
rom t
his,
,
Ijustneedapr operpl
an,lj
usneedmore
t
imetoprocessev er
ythingandt akeitf
rom t
her
e..
.

THEMBA:
(si
ghed)t
hisi
sunbel
i
evabl
e,

MIA:nowthisi
swhatwear egoi
ngtodonow,,y
ou
aregonnaleaveandgohome,I'
l
lthi
nkaboutt
henext
perf
ectmov eandcal
lyou

Thembaquicklyst
oodupwit
houtsay
ingawordas
Miashookherheadindi
sbel
i
ef,
whatsheheardwas
st
il
ltoohar
dt obel
iev
eandsoundedtoodeep.
..
.
MIA:
(i
nhermi nd)Icantbeli
eveIgotmarr
iedtothi
s
monsterandworse,Ican'
tstopl
ovinghi
m evenaft
er
comi
ngt othi
sshockingreali
sat
ion..

Shegr
abbedherbagandst
ormedout
..
..
..
.

ATKG'
SHOUSE

Herey
espoppedoutasshewalkedar
oundl
ooki
ng
att
hebigcagegunsl
yi
ngaround

KG:nowt
hatwear
eher
e,um sur
eyougett
hebi
gger
pi
ctur
e

HER:
(shocked)
what
?What
'
sgoi
ngon?

KG:(
str
aightface)t
hisi
sit
,Iusedtabductgi
rl
sand
putt
hem inthatcagewhil
ewai t
ingf
ortheexchange
tot
akepl
ace,
ther
oom i
ssoundproofsoev
eni
fthy
scr
eamednoonewoul
dhearthem

HER:
what
?

KG:
yes,
wegotgi
rl
sfr
om her
eandsol
dthem abr
oad

HER:
whataboutt
heguns?

KG:wel
l,
,
weonl yusethem i
ftheygi
veust
roubl
eor
tr
ytocal
lunnecessar
yattent
ion

HER:
(shaki
ng)soy
ouki
l
lthem i
ftheydot
hat
?

KG:
(ser
ious)unf
ort
unat
elyy
es

HER:(
gett
ingmoref
ri
ght
ened)ohhwow,
whatdi
dI
getmysel
fint
o?
KG:(
laughed)rel
ax,
youarepr
act
ical
l
ymygi
rl
fr
iend
nowsoIwoul dn'
thurty
ou

HER:buti
tsti
lldoesn'
tmakeanyoft hisr i
ght
,um
sorr
ybutIneedtimetoprocessal
lthis,Ineedto
thi
nkaboutwhetherIst
il
lwanttobepar toft
his

KG'
Sfacechangedashewal
kedcl
osert
oherher
andcar
essedherchi
n

KG:Ibel
i
eveyouwontdoorsayany
thi
ngst
upi
d
whi
l
est i
l
lpr
ocessi
ngthi
s

HER:um okay,
lemmegogetmyt
hingsandgotmy
house,
Iwil
lseeyou

Heplant
edasoftki
ssonherfor
eheadandletgoof
herchi
nthenshest
ormedoutashewalkedoutand
t
hedoorcl
osedbehi
ndhi
m

Meanwhi
l
eatt
hof
fi
ce

Mandl
atookhi
sphoneanddi
aledThemba

THEMBA:
(down)hey

MANDLA:(
sur
pri
sed)whatthehel
ldude?whyarey
ou
sodown,
ormaybeyoudidn'
tgetl
aidl
astnight
?

THEMBA:
(r
eli
eved)
yohman,
Iwassl
eepi
ngwhat
sup?

MANDLA:butst
il
lbruh,
that
'snott
heener
gyum used
t
o,wher
eismyhy peman?

THEMBA:
(l
aughed)f
ucky
oudude
MANDLA: (l
aughed)nowthatri
ghtther
eiswhatum
talki
ngaboutbutanywayIknowIwentMI Aony ou
sincethel
astmeeting,
,I
'
vejustbeentoobusy

THEMBA:
(t
hought
ful
ly
)ohhIseedude,
,
thet
hick
mommakeptyoubusy

MANDLA:(brief
lysmi
led)
mann!
!It
hinkIl
ovethat
damnwaitress,
Idon'
tknowhowshi
thappenedbut
um sohooked

THEMBA: (
gui
ltst
ri
cken)ohhman,
thi
sisso
unbel
iev
able,
themight
yMDi si
nlove,
shi
tsounds
weir
dbruh

MANDLA:
(l
aughed)y
oucansayt
hatagai
n

THEMBA:
butwhataboutMi
a?It
hinksher
eal
l
ylov
es
y
ou

MANDLA: ohhdontstart
,Mi
aknowswhywegot
marri
ed,
itwasneveraboutl
oveandsheknows,she
cantst
arttr
ippi
ngnow,besi
desI
.dontt
hinkshe
knowsaboutGrace

THEMBA:
(swal
l
owedhar
d)okay

MANDLA:yeahmanbutbacktobusi
nessnow,
so
t
hatwhit
emanf r
om Thai
landcal
l
edandhewants
t
engir
lsintwodays

THEMBA:
great
,I
'
llst
artWor
kingoni
t

MANDLA: al
ri
ght,
plust
heI
ndiansor
der,
wewere
supposedt odel
i
vertengi
rl
sandIsaidmakei
t
el
evenright?
THEMBA:
yes

MANDLA:
umm changeofpl
ans,
nowIneedy
out
o
maket
hem 15

THEMBA:
(conf
used)
what
?It
houghtt
hei
nit
ial
deal
is
ten

MANDLA:
(ser
ious)Ineedf
ivemor
eformy
sel
f

THEMBA:okay,
I.
Wil
lgett
oit
,sot
hatmeansIneedto
gett
went
yfivesgi
rl
sfort
heIndi
ansandt
hatwhit
e
man

MANDLA:
cor
rect

THEMBA: consi
deri
tdone,
i
llst
artcal
l
ingmyboy
sto
goouthunti
ng
MANDLA:
alr
ightsur
e

Hehungupandgr
abbedhi
sbl
azerandcarkey
s
wal
ki
ngout.
..

ATMANDLA'
SHOME

Heopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
nsmi
l
ingatMs
Wil
l
iams

MANDLA:
hel
l
omeWi
ihowwasy
ourday
?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sur
pri
sed)i
twasgoodsi
r

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)gr
ea
Hewalkedouttothebedr
oom andopenedt
hedoor
bef
oreputt
ingdownhisblazerst
ari
ngatMi
aly
ing
down

MANDLA:
hey

MI
A:heybabe,
howwasy
ourday
?

MANDLA:
good
Hesai
dthatashegr
abbedt
heshowert
owel
and
wal
kedout

Miacli
ckedhert
ongueandti
ptoedcl
osi
ngt
hedoor
behi
ndhim anddi
aledThemba.
..
..
.

ATKG'
SHOUSE

t
her
ewasaknockatt hedoorandheopenedashi
s
f
acefel
lonherpr
ett
yface
KG:hey
,It
houghtyouneededsometimeawayt
o
thi
nkormaybey oufor
gotsomethi
ng

HER:(l
ookedupathi sfacesmil
ing)wel
lIchanged
mymi nd,
Icouldn'
tleaveyouallal
one,
Iknowitall
star
tedoffasjustsexbutIhavefall
enforyou,
Ilove
youandIwi shIdidn'
tbutIreal
l
ydosoy esIwillhel
p
youtakethi
smandown

KG:
(smi
l
edhappi
l
y)whatar
eyouser
ious?

HER:
(nodded)

Hepul l
edherintohisarmsandhuggedhertight
thenlif
tedherti
nyselfupgetti
nginsi
deashe
plantedhisl
ipsonhers,hegentl
ylai
dheronthe
couchandcar essedherfaceleani
nginf
orakiss
thenmov edhishandstoherboobssqeezingthem
thn..
@$&#. .
..
.
Meanwhi
l
eThembasi
ghedandpi
ckedupt
hephone

THEMBA:
hey

MIA:Ihav
ehadenoughti
metot
hinkandIthi
nkwe
shouldmakesur
ethatst
upi
dwai
tressgoest
o
Thail
and

THEMBA:
huh?

MIA:
yesThemba,
makesureshei
soneoft
hegi
rl
s
whowil
lbesol
dtotheThai
l
andcl
ient
.

THEMBA:buthowwil
lIevengettodothatwhenMD
i
salway
st her
edur
ingeveryexchange

MIA:
(snapped)
dammi tThembathi
nkokay,
fi
ndaway
t
odistr
acthim ormakehim mi
sstheexchangei
f
possi
ble.
.
Thei
rbedr
oom dooropenedt
hen.
..
..
..
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARE
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
06:
27]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT15

Thedooropenedandshequi
ckl
yhungup

MANDLA:
hey
,It
houghtIhady
out
alki
ng

MIA:
ohhyeah,
wasonacal
lwi
thDuduj
ustbef
ore
youwal
kedin
MANDLA:
okay
,goodni
ght

Hegotunder
cov
erandf
acedt
heot
herwayl
ayi
ng
down.

THENEXTDAY

Mandladidthefini
shingt
ouchesonhisface
standi
nginfrontofthemir
rort
henthoughtf
ull
ytook
outhisphonetexti
ngashewal kedout

Ty
ping.
..
..
..

MANDLA:
mor
ningsl
eepyhead

GRACE:whosai
dum sl
eepi
ng,
um act
ual
l
yaboutt
o
l
eaveforwor
k
MANDLA:ohhni
ce,
um aboutt
oleav
easwel
l
,canI
passbyy
ouandgiv
eyouar i
de?

GRACE:
buttheRansomshotel
isabi
tfarf
rom y
our
workpl
ace,
youwil
lbelat
e.

MANDLA:
um t
hebossr
emember
?

GRACE:
(l
aughi
ngemoj
i
)what
everboss!
!um wai
ti
ng
fory
ou

MANDLA:
alr
ightcomi
ng

Fewmi nut
esl at
erhepackedinf r
ontofthei
r
gate,Miaturnedlookedaroundtocheckifher
mot herwaswat chingthenquickl
yhoppedinandhe
droveof f
..
GRACE:
thanky
ou

MANDLA:
dontment
ioni
t,
howwasy
ourni
ght

GRACE:
j
ustokay
,your
s?

MANDLA:(
smi
l
ing)wel
li
twasj
ustokayandum so
l
ooki
ngfor
war
dtolat
er

GRACE:(
laughed)nof
unnyt
hingst
hist
imear
ound
pl
ease

MANDLA:
(cr
ossedhi
sfi
nger
s)Ipr
omi
se

GRACE:
okay
,youcandr
opmeof
fher
e
MANDLA:
alr
ighthav
eagoodday

GRACE:
thanks,
yout
oo

Sheclosedthet
hedoorandwal
kedi
nsi
deashe
drov
eof f
..
.

ATTHEOFFI
CE

Mandl
awal
kedi
nandpul ledthechai
rtaki
ngasi
t
t
henhi
sPer
sonalassi
stantknocked

MANDLA:
comei
n

PA:goodmorningsi
r,
um heret
oremindyouabout
yourmeet
ingtomorr
owatt wel
veandanotheroneat
4
MANDLA:
ohht
hanky
ou,
'
icompl
etel
yfor
gotabout
t
hem

PA:(scr
oll
i
ngthetab)ohhanddon'tf
orgetaboutthe
MathewsEmpirecli
ent'
sappreci
ati
onpartycoming
upnextweek

MANDLA:
alr
ightt
hanky
ouNai
na

Shesmil
edandcat
wal
kedherpeti
tebodyoutas
Mandl
agothisl
apt
opprepar
ingf
orthemeeti
ngs.

Meanwhi
leThembapassedbytherecept
ionheadi
ng
t
ohisoff
icet
henopenedthedoor

THEMBA:
yohMan'
D

MANDLA:
(l
ookedupathi
m)br
othermans,
Ihopey
ou
hav
esomegoodnews

THEMBA:
yeah,
thegoodnewsi
smyboy
sgott
he
gi
rl
s.

MANDLA:ohhgr
eat,
thatwasqui
ck,i
tthoughtthey
woul
dsaytwodaysi
st oomuchofshortnoti
cebut
wel
ldone

THEMBA:
yeah

MANDLA:sodi
dyouf
inal
i
zet
heexchanget
imeswi
th
t
hebuyer
s

THEMBA: umm. .
..
aboutt
hat
,wehav eabitofa
probl
em becausebothmenwantt heexchanget
o
takepl
acetomorrowatmidnight
MANDLA: damn!That
ssomefuckedupshit
,cantyou
tr
ytochangetheti
mesfort
hatThai
landguysince
heisnew?

THEMBA:It
ri
edr
easoni
ngwithhi
m buthei
snot
wil
l
ingt
omakeanychanges

MANDLA:(
sighed)nowt
hismeansI
'
llhav
etomi
ss
oneoft
heexchanges

THEMBA:wel
l,
Iwasthi
nki
ngwecanmay
bedi
vi
de
our
sel
vesbet
weenthetwo

MANDLA:
wel
lthat
sokay
,besi
desIt
rusty
ou

THEMBA:(
gui
ltst
ri
cken)
okay,soIwast hi
nki
ngthat
si
ncetheI
ndi
ansdeli
ver
yistenpl ust
hosefiv
e
gi
rl
s,
youcanhandl
ethem soy oumanaget ogetyour
gi
rl
sandIwil
ldealwi
ththatwhiteThai
landguy.
MANDLA:
(si
ghed)
okay
,butpl
easegetsomeofy
our
boy
sonmysidetohel
p

THEMBA:
alr
ightsor
ted,
l
etmegowor
koni
t

MANDLA:
sur
eman

Hewal kedoutcl
osi
ngthedoorbehi
ndhi
m and
heavedahugesighpressi
nghi
sphonepassi
ngby
recept
ion

MI
A:hey

THEMBA: Imanagedt
omakehi
m misstheThai
l
and
exchangesonowhowdowegetGrace?

MI
A:ohhper
fect
,nowl
etmet
hinkaboutt
henext
move,
butweshouldgethert
omor
rowatwor
k
bef
oresheknocksof
f

THEMBA:
okby
e

LATERTHATDAY

Graceknockedof
fthenwal
kedoutpr
essi
ngher
phone

MANDLA:
ohhhey
,whatasur
pri
se

GRACE:
hey,
Ij
usknockedof
fandonmywayhome
nowtogetr
eady,
l
etsmakeitabi
tear
lybecauseI
wantt
ogetbackhomeearl
yandhaveenoughrest

MANDLA:
okay,
um l
eav
ingt
heof
fi
ceaswel
l
,canI
pi
cky
ouuplat
er?
GRACE:(
laughed)sotodayyouarenotgoi
ngt
osend
t
hatfi
nemasser at
itodothepicki
ng?

MANDLA: (
laughed: ohhcomeon,
thatwasj
ustthe
goodfir
sti
mpr essions,showi
ngoffhowmuchofa
gentl
emanIam, butnowIwanttocomepickyouup
thi
sti
me

GRACE:
(l
aughed)
okayseey
out
hen,
bye

Meanwhil
eMi awalkedintheRansomsasGr ace
wal
kedout,shelookedatherwithawickedsmi l
e
bef
oretur
ningaroundmaki nghertot
hecount er
,she
pul
ledachairandsatdownl ooki
ngaroundthen
wavedherhandandawai terwalkeduptoher

WAI
TER:
hel
l
oman,
whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
ohav
e
MIA:
(smil
edseduct
ivel
y)wel
l
,Iwanty
ou,
Iwoul
dli
ke
t
ohav ey
ou

Hekeptqui
etl
ooki
ngatherpr
ett
yfaceandsmi
l
ed
shy
ly
wasshehit
tingonme,
no,
noshei
sjustt
oopr
ett
yfor
me"hethought"

WAI
TER:
ohhwow!I
..
..
what
?

Miamov edcl
oserashewasst il
ltonguet i
ed and
openedherbagbri
ngingitcl
osertoherf aceast
he
moneybundlesi
nsidelef
thim speechless

MI
A:t
hiscoul
dbeal
lyour
sify
ouwant

WAI
TER:
(l
eanedov
er)
arey
ouser
iousmam?
MI
A:y
es,
buty
ouhav
etodosomet
hingf
ormef
ir
st

Hemov
edbackandt
urnedt
ryi
ngt
owal
kawaybut
t
henMi
apul
ledhi
sar
m

WAITER:um notgoi
ngtokil
lany
one,
Iknowwher
e
t
hisisgoing,
um sor
ryIcan'
t

MIA:
(sof
tl
y)wait,
youdonthavetoki
llanyone,
noone
i
sgoingtodiehere,
Ij
ustneedyoutohelpmemake
someonefall
int
oadeepsl eep,
i
twil
lonlytakeabout
5hoursbefor
eshewakesup.

WAI
TER:
okay

MIA:t
hankyou,
nowtakethi
spowderandmakesur e
tomorrowatar
ound6pm youspi
keGrace'
sdr i
nk,
I
dontknowhowy ouaregoi
ngtodoitbutyouhaveto
fi
ndawayofdoi ngi
tbefor
eyouknockoffthenIwil
l
t
akei
tfr
om t
her
e.

Hi
sey
eswi
denedashehear
dGr
ace'
sname

WAITER:
butmam,whatifsomet
hinghappenst
o
her
,Gr
aceisagoodperson

MIA:rel
ax,
Iknowsheisagoodper
sonandweare
oldfr
iendsIjuswantt
oshowhersomethi
ngand
surpr
iseherthat
swhyIneedhert
ofal
lasl
eep,
don'
t
worryiwontharm her

WAI
TER:
(r
eluct
ant
ly)
okaymam,
Iwi
l
ldoi
t

Miasmil
edlookingathi
m andt
ookoutonebundl
e
handi
ngitover
..

MI
A:nowt
aket
his,
fi
nishupt
hej
obandal
lthi
swi
l
l
bey
our
s,I
'
m count
ingony
ou

Shetur
nedar
oundwalki
ngawaybutstopped
hal
fwayandwal
kedbacktaki
ngoutherphone

MI
A:If
orgott
otakey
ournumber

WAI
TER:
72.
..
..
..
'

MIA:
alri
ght,
keepi
ntouch,
remember6PM
t
omorrow,bye

Shet
urnedandwal
kedawayashelookedatthe
manytwohundr
edpul
a'
sinhishandsmil
ing.
..
.

ATGRACE'
SHOUSE

shewal
kedoutt
othegat
eandf
oundMandl
a'
scar
al
readyparkedandhoppedi
nasMandl al
ookedat
heradmirabl
ythenl
eanedoverpl
ant
inghi
ssoftl
ips
onhersthen

MANDLA:
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)
thanky
ou

MANDLA:Ir
eal
lyl
ikey
ouGr
ace,
Iwanttobewith
you,
ImeanIwantust
obet
ogetherbecausey
ou
makemehappy

GRACE(lookeddown)Ialsoreal
lyli
keyoualot,
I
.dont
knowhowi thappenedbutonemi nuteIt
oldmyself
thatwearejusfr
iendsbutthenthenextminut
e
every
thi
nghadchanged,Ifel
tdif
ferent

MANDLA: what
?Ihopeyouaren'
tpull
i
ngmyl eg,
,
I
swearum t
hehappiestmanonearthri
ghtnow,t
hat
wasmusi
ctomyey
es,
ohhwow,
thanky
ousomuch

Hehel
dherhandsst
ari
ngi
nherey
esast
heybot
h
smi
ledf
rom eart
oear

MANDLA:
Ipr
omi
set
olov
eandpr
otecty
ouwi
thal
lI
hav
e

GRACE:
(cl
ear
edherthr
oat
)okayl
etsgetgoi
ng
bef
oremymum seesus
Hedr
oveof
fast
heypl
ayedsof
tmusi
c

Thi
rt
ymi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Theywalkedintot
herestauranthol
dinghands
makingtheirwayt
oaf r
eet ableandsatdown,
they
order
edtheirmeal
sandst artedeat
ingand
chatt
ing.
..
..
Anhourl
ater
..
..

GRACE:(
lookedatherwri
stwat
ch)it
slat
enow,I
shoul
dgetgoingbefor
emymot herst
art
sget
ti
ng
worri
ed

MANDLA:
yeah,
l
etmet
akey
oubackhome
TheywalkedoutasMandlahel
dherwai
stt
ickl
i
ng
herassheburstoutl
aughi
ng.
..
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

mi
adi
aledThembaand.
..

MI
A:hel
l
o

THEMBA:
yes
MIA:Italkedtosomeguywhowor kswit
hGr aceand
heagreedt ospi keherdri
nksot hatshef al
lsintoa
deepsleep,,
il
texthi mfrom her
er emindi
nghimt o
walktothepar kinglotaft
erspikingitbecausethat
powderwor ksr eall
yfast,
soall
y ouhav etodoi stake
i
tfrom there

THEMBA:what
?Youbroughtinathi
rdpar
ty,
whati
f
hest
art
stal
ki
ng,
wecan'tt
rusthi
m

MIA:r
elax!
hewontsayany
thi
ng,
j
ustmakesur
eyou
ar
ethereat6PM

THEMBA:
(r
eluct
ant
ly)
okayby
e..
..

ATGRACE'
SHOUSE

Hepar
kedatt
hegat
eandl
ookedi
nherey
essmi
l
ing
car
essi
ngherf
acet
henl
eanedov
erf
oraki
ss.
..
Hewassohappyt hatatl
eastZumbahaveaccept
ed
Graceal
lhehadtodowasdel ivert
hesacr
if
icest
hen
gethi
shappi
lyev
eraf t
er

GRACE:
(cl
ear
edhert
hroat
)goodni
ght

MANDLA:
Ilov
eyou,
takecar
e

GRACE:
(br
ief
lysmi
l
ed)Il
ovey
out
oo

SheopenedandwalkedinasMandl
atur
nedt
hesof
t
musi
conanddr ov
eof f
..
..
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARE
THANKYOU

[
7/19,
06:
27]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT16

THENEXTDAY

Hetookthel
astbi
teandpushedtheplat
eawayas
hestoodupandwalkedtothei
rbedr
oom wher
ehe
gr
abbedhisbagheadingout

MANDLA:
bye

MI
A:by
ebabe

Heclosedthedoorbehi
ndhi
mt henMi
aqui
ckl
ygot
herphoneanddial
edthewai
ter
...
HI
M:hel
l
o

MIA:
heyi
tst
hepowderl
ady
,youdi
dn'
ttel
lmey
our
name

HI
M:Geor
ge,
mynamei
sGeor
ge

MI
A:okayGeor
gewear
est
il
lonr
ight
?

HI
M:y
esmam,
Ihopey
our
eal
l
ywonthur
ther

MI
A:r
elaxGeor
ge,
Iwont

HI
M:okay
,by
e

MI
A:al
ri
ght
,cal
lmeher
eincasesomet
hinggoes
wr
ongokay
HI
M:okay

Shehungupandi
mmedi
atel
ydi
aledThemba

THEMBA:
hel
l
o

MIA:yesi
t'
syourworstni
ghtmareher
e,i
m notvery
happywit
hyourightnowbecauseyouhaven'
tcal
l
ed
togiv
emeanupdat e

THEMBA:
(si
ghed)Ihav
e9girl
sandwill
doexactly
whaty
ousai
d,I'
l
lbeatthepar
kingl
otatexact
ly6PM

MI
A:excel
l
ent

THEMBA:
sohowl
ongwi
l
lshebeasl
eep?
MI
A:5hour
s

THEMBA:thatmeansshewi
l
lbeupbefor
emi dni
ght
butIcan'
tri
skrev
eal
ingmyi
dent
it
ytoherbecause
shehasseenmewi t
hMandl
abefore

MIA:rel
ax,
youwil
lcomegetamay
bet
woorone
hourdrugf
rom me

THEMBA:
okay

MI
A:al
ri
ghtby
e
Shehungupandpul
l
edasmi
rk

ATTHERANSOMSHOTEL

Gracewalkedi
nandshotst
rai
ghtt
othechangi
ng
room get
ti
ngherwor
kgearasGeorgewal
kedover
GEORGE:
heyGr
ace

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)hi
Geor
ge,
howar
eyou

GEORGE:umm...
um notgoodactual
l
y,Ineed
someonetot
alktobecauseIneedadviceon
somethi
ng

GRACE:
ohhwhati
sit
?

GEORGE:
umm canwet
alkabouti
taf
terwor
k

GRACE:
(t
hought
ful
l
y )butwhyarey
outell
i
ngme,I
meanwearenotevencloseandwehardl
ytal
k

GEORGE:
(pani
cked)ummm..
..
Ijust,
wel
lyeswehar
dly
t
alkbutt
hatdoesn'
tmeanIdon'tseet
hegoodinyou
andIknowy ouar
eachur
chgi
rlsoIneedachur
ch
rel
atedadv
ice

GRACE:
ohhowkIunder
stand

GEORGE:thankyou,
canwemaybemeetaft
er
knocki
ngoffandtal
kabouti
tov
eradr
ink?

GRACE:
okay
,seey
out
hen
Shewal
kedawayasGeor
geopenedt
hedr
awer
get
ti
nghi
sbag.
..
..

ATKG'
SHOUSE

Shequi et
lyst
oodbyt hewindowenj oyi
ngthe
outsidevi
ewasKGt ipt
oedov erandshookher,she
gaspedandt urnedaroundrunningaft
erhim ashe
stoppedandgr abbedherhandswi t
honehandt hen
ti
ckledherasshest art
edlaughinghard,
heletgoof
herhandsthensheranaf t
erhim andmi ssedastep
thentr
ippedandfell
ashewal kedov erextendi
nghis
handandhelpedherup, sher eachedf orthecushi
on
onthecouchandt hrewi tonhi sfaceasheducked
andgrabbedherhandt hent heyf el
lont hecouch
l
aughing..
.

HER:
(br
eat
hingheav
il
y)y
ouar
ejustl
uckyIf
ell

KG:
(l
aughed)y
oul
ost

HER:
(r
oll
edherey
es)what
ever

Hegothi
sphoneandbrowsedthr
ought
hena
cer
tai
npostgothi
sat
tent
ionandhesmi
ledshowi
ng
her

KG:
lookwhatIbumpedi
nto?
HER:ohhwowMat
thewsEmpi
recl
i
ent
sappr
eci
ati
on
par
ty

KG:
(l
ookedather
)ar
eyout
hinki
ngwhatum t
hinki
ng

HER:
(l
aughed)y
es,
per
fectt
imet
ohi
t

KG:exact
ly,
soal
l y
ou'
dhavet
odonowi smake
appear
ancesatthedamnpar
ty,
getMandl
a'
s
att
enti
onandthengameover
!!

HER:ohhyesbabe,,
soI'
l
luset
hiswholeweekt
o
t
hinkoftheper
fectappr
oachsi
nceit
snextweek

KG:okaybutIthi
nkwemi ghthaveali
ttl
eprobl
em,im
assumingtheyknowmostoft hei
rcl
ientsbuti
fnot
thenmay bether
ewill
provi
dethem wit
hentrance
ti
cketstoavoidgat
ecrusher
s
HER:
ohhy
ouar
eri
ght
,whatdowedonow?

KG: t
hat'
seasy ,
Iwil
laskmyr ighthandmanSKt o
l
ooki nt
oitandi ft
hereareti
cketshewi l
lgetyouone
andthenagai nift
heyhappent obef ul
l
yawar eof
whot hei
rcli
entsarewewi ll
thenhav etolookatt
he
cli
entsli
stthenofferoneofthem agoodamountof
moneyt heny oumanaget ogoashi sdate,howi
s
that
?

HER:
(t
hought
ful
l
y)Ibel
iev
eal
mostal
lthei
rcl
i
ents
ar
eri
chpeopl
esotryi
ngtobr
ibet
hem wit
hmoneyis
abadidea

KG: damn!Youar eri

ghtsoumm...
..
maybewecan
takeoneoft hecli
entsthendi
ghi
sdirt
ypastanduse
i
tagai nsthi
m,thatwayhewill
hav
enochoicemake
youhi sdatetothepart
y

HER:
bri
l
li
ant
KG:ohhy
es,
,
Mandl
aMat
hewssur
ewontseet
his
onecomi
ng

Shesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
shappyf
ace.
..

ATTHEMBA'
SPLACE

Heheardaknockatt
hedoort
henwal
kedov
erand
opened

THEMBA:
yohMan'
D

MANDLA:
heyTH

Theysatdownandconv
ersed
MANDLA:
soaboutt
heexchange

THEMBA:
(pani
cked)huh?
?

MANDLA: howam Igoingtopull

thi
soutbecause
um usedtocomingatthelastmi
nutet
oseet hegi
rl
s
andfinal
i
setheexchange

THEMBA:(r
eli
eved)ohht hat
,,
noit
seasy,youdon'
t
havetodoanythi
ngr eal
l
ybecauseI'l
lgetoneofmy
boystodr
ivefr
om thewar ehouseandparkatthe
usual
spot,
youwillf
indhimt her
ethentakeover

MANDLA:
pheewokay
,soundsgood

Themba'sphonerangonthetabl
eandhej umped
l
ookingatthecal
leri
dent
it
yasMi awascal l
i
ng,he
gott
hephoneandhungupt henqui
cklychangedthe
cont
actnamef r
om Miato"mom"bef oreputt
ingi
t
back.

MANDLA:
(sur
pri
sed)ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
otaket
hat

THEMBA: umm no,i

tsmymom,shehasbeencall
ing
mealldaybecauseshewant
smor emoney,i
lsor
t
heroutaf
tert
heexchangesi
nceI'
l
lbeloaded

KG:
okay

Hisphonebeepedasamessager
epor
tedt
henhe
goti
tandread

MOM:
itsal
mostt
imeThemba,
Ihopey
ouar
eready

Heputi
tdownandwentbackt
oMandl
a

THEMBA:
Ishoul
dgetr
eadyt
ogocheckoutt
he
war
ehouse

MANDLA:
sur
eman,
l
etmenotkeepy
ou

HewalkedoutasThembagr
abbedhi
scarkey
s
headi
ngoutaswell

MEANWHI
LEATTHERANSOMSHOTEL

Gr
acewal
kedov
ert
oGeor
gehol
dingherbag

GRACE:heyGeorge,
um knocki
ngof
f,
let
stal
kIneed
t
ogethomeear l
ytoday

GEORGE:
ohhl
etssi
tov
ert
her
e,I
'
llgetussome
dr
inks

GRACE:
okay
Hewal kedtot hecounterandpour edjuiceandt wo
glassest henpl acedthem onagl asshol derand
quicklylookedar oundtocheckifany onewas
wat chi
ng,hel andedonGr acewhowasbusyonher
phoneandev eryonewasmi ndi
ngt heirown
business,sincet hecoastwascl earhequi ckl
ytook
outt hepowderandempt iedthewhol esacheti nher
drinkandsl ightlyshookitandwal kedov erhandi
ngit
toGr ace

GRACE:
(si
pped)t
hanky
ou

GEORGE:
ummm.
..
.y
es.
.Iwassay
ing.
.

Hej
umpedof
fthechai
rlooki
ngatGr
aceand

GEORGE:
ohhfl
ip,
Ifor
gotmybagatthechangi
ng
room,
l
etmedashthatsi
deandgeti
tthenwetalk
GRACE:
okay
,makei
tsnappy

Hewal kedawayasGracecontinueddrinki
ngthe
j
uiceandempt i
edtheglass.
.Meanwhi l
eGeorge
walkedbacktothei
rtableandnoticedthepowder
hadalreadyst
art
edwor ki
ng,Gr
acewassweat ingand
tal
kingalot

GEORGE:
(cal
mly
)letmet
akey
ouhome

GRACE:(l
aughed)whatNoGeorge,
l
etstal
kabout
thatl
i
ttl
eprobl
em youhave,
madam Graceher
ewil
l
dohermagicandsortitout

Hepull
edherof
fthechai
rlooki
ngaroundandgot
herbagast
heywalkedouttothepar
kingl
ot.

GRACE:
OhmyGod,
Iam sohappyr
ightnow,
Geor
ge
Shecontinuedtalki
ngandl aughedasGeor ge
nervousl
ylookedar oundforMia,hereyesslowly
closedandshef ell
intohisarmsasaMer cedes
Benzparkednextt ohim anddimmedl i
ghts,wit
hin
thebli
nkofaney eThembaopenedt hedoorand
quickl
ypull
edherof fhisarmsl i
ft
ingherandt hr
ew
herinsi
dehiscarbef oredri
vingoff.
..
Geor
gestoodt
hereall
puzzl
edthensnappedoutof
i
theavi
ngahugesighandsadl
ywalkedaway.
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARETHEPAGE
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
06:
28]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT17
ATMI
DNI
GHT

Thembasl owlydrov
et owar
dstheagreedspotwith
di
mmedl i
ghtsandpar kedt
hetr
uckhoppi ngoutas
heslammedt hedoor ,
hepull
edhishoodieonthe
headandmett hewhit
emanhal f
wayt hen
handshaked.

ALLEX:
hel
l
osi
r

THEMBA:
All
ex,
,
howar
eyousi
r

ALLEX:
good,
l
etsgett
obusi
nessman

THEMBA: okaylet
sgoovert
heresothatyoucan
takealookatthefr
eshmeatandseeifyouar
e
i
mpr essed
Theywal kedbackt othetruckasheopenedt hedoor
andr eachedf orhisbackpocketandt ookoutat or
ch
thenswi tcheditonlighti
ngt hei
rtearyfaces,
he
mov edt hetorcharoundasAl l
excarefull
yscanned
them thenhi seyesf el
lont hesl
eepingGr ace,hi
s
faci
al expressionchangedashet urnedlookingat
Thembawai t
ingforanexpl anat
ion..

THEMBA: (cl
earedhi st
hroat
)ohh.
..
that
,shewasjust
bei
ngabi tdif
ficultsoIhadtogi
veherashotto
makeherf all
asleepotherwi
seshewoul d'
vecal
l
ed
unnecessaryattenti
on

ALLEX: (
relaxed)ohhthat
sunder standable,
butI
mustsayIl ikewhatIsee,,
mypr ev i
oussuppli
eronl
y
deli
veredgr ownwomenmay bet hatswhymy
businesswassl owbackinThailandsoI '
l
loff
ermy
cli
entsthisfreshmeatnowandseehowt hey
respond,um hopingtheywil
ll
ikei tbecauseIdo.
.

THEMBA:
ohhbel
i
evemet
heywi
l
l,
weal
lwantf
resh
i
nnocentsoul
sthi
sday
s.

ALLEX:Okletmecal
loneofmymant
omov
ethem
i
ntoourtr
uck

Helookedbackandsi
gnal
edoneoft
hem t
owal
k
ov
er.

MEN1:
boss?
?

ALLEX:
mov ethem,youwil
lli
ftt
hesl
eepyoneandput
heri
ntoourtr
uck,donthur
ther,
weneedheral
iv
eself

MEN1:
okayboss

Hewal kedov ertoThemba'

str
uckandtookouthis
guninstructi
ngthem tomoveint
otheother
tr
uck,t
heyf earf
ull
ymov edl
eav
ingGracebehi
ndthen
hejumpedi nandcar ri
edheronhi sarmsbef ore
j
umpi ngoffandwal kedt otheirtr
uckasherhands
andheadsaggedt henHecar efull
yletgoofheras
herbodysl i
ddown, helookedar oundinthetruckand
foundanol dblanket,
hegoti tandstretcheditbefor
e
rol
li
ngGr aceontoittokeepherwar mt henjumped
offgoingbackt ohisbosswhot heninstruct
edhim
toget6br i
efcasesofmoneyf rom hiscar.

MEN1:
(putt
hebr
ief
casesdown)

Thembasquat t
edlightinghi
storchandopenedthe
bri
efcaseschecki
ngi fthemoneywasi ndeedt
here
thenhestoodupst retchi
nghishandfora
handshake.

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)i
twasni
cedoi
ngbusi
nesswi
th
yousi
r

ALLEX:
okayt
hanky
ousi
r.
Theybot htur
nedtotheircarsasMandlapackedthe
brief
casesinthet
ruck,All
exgottohiscarand
signaledhi
sment ogetgoi ngandtheyal
lwentinto
thetruckanddrov
eof ftocr osst
heborder
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

Meanwhi
l
eatt
heusual
spot

Mandl awalkedov ertot

heirregul
arcustomerSi
ngh
andt heyfi
stbumpedbef oreconver
singasthey
madet hei
rwayt othedeli
verytr
uckandmov ed
arounditcheckingthem outbutthenSinghtur
ned
l
ookingathi m surpri
sed

Si
ngh:
15gi
rl
s,
Ithoughtt
heagr
eementi
sten?

MANDLA:ohhy
aht
hat
..noy
oucanjustgett
het
en
gi
rl
sandl
eavet
het
heremaini
ngf
ive
SINGH:
ohhy
ouar
eexpandi
ngt
hebusi
ness,
that
s
good

MANDLA:
yeahhey

Singhslowlywal kedaroundthetruckastheyoung
girl
sbetweent heagesof12and17si lent
lycr
iedas
al
l hopewasl ost,t
heyhadhopeofbei ngfoundback
whent heywer estil
latthewarehousebutnow
seeingtheIndianManandMandl awhol ookedcold
andmer cil
esst heylostal
lhope.

SI
NGH:
1,2,
3,
4,
5mov
ethi
ssi
de

Thepoorgi rl
shur r
iedtotheothersidesnif
fingthen
heinstructedt heremaini
ngt entomov eandj ump
i
ntot heot hertruck,
theyqui
cklydidaspert he
i
nstructionsthenSi nghcall
edoneofhi sment o
cl
oset hedoor sasMandl a'
sment ookthemoney
casesandpackedt hem i
nhiscar .Mandlalooked
backatSi
nghandgav ehim at
humbsupbef
ore
walki
ngtothef
rontofhistr
uck

MANDLA:hey,getmycaranddr
ivetothe
war
ehouse,
I
'l
lfi
nditther
eandnofunnybusi
ness
wi
thmymoneyi fyouall
knowwhatsgoodforyou

MEN2:
okboss

Mandl
ajumpedi
ntot
hetruckdriv
ingawayast
he
f
ivegi
rl
satt
hebackcr
iedthei
rlungsout

GI
RL1:(shakyv
oice)i
fonl
ythet
ruckwasntcov
ered
t
henmaybewewoul dj
umpoutbutnow..
..
..
..
Sheburstoutcry
inghyster
ical
lyaswhatl
ookedl
i
ke
herl
i
ttl
esistermovedcloserandhuggedher
..
.

Li
tt
lesi
ster
:(t
inyvoi
ce)dontwor
ry,
mamasaidshe
i
sgoingtoheavenandwill
alway
swatchov
erus,
um
sur
eshei slooki
ngatusnowandwi
l
lpr
otect
us,
pleasedontcry

Thebi gsist
erstoppedcryi
ngl ookingatherl
itt
le
sisterandherheartbrokei
ntopi ecesatthethought
ofherl i
tt
lesi
stergett
inghurt
,sheki ssedher
foreheadand

HER:
okaybaby
,wear
egoi
ngt
obef
ine.
.

Meanwhil
ethetruckapproachedthebushyarea
thenMandl
aturneddri
vingintothebushasthecav
e
appear
ed.
..
..
..
..
..

I
NTHECAR

Thembaheldthesteer
ingwheelwithonehandand
usedtheot
hertograbhisphonewithhiseyesstil
l
fi
xedontheroad,
hebroughti
tclosertohi
sf ace
di
ali
ngMi
a

MI
A:hey

THEMBA:
(down)i
tisdone

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)goodboy

THEMBA:
now.
wil
lyoudel
etet
hephot
os?

MI
A:y
es

THEMBA:
Idontt
rusty
ou

MI
A:(
thought
ful
l
y)Ipr
omi
seI
.wi
l
ldel
etet
hem

THEMBA:
okayby
e
Hehungupandst
eppedont
heaccel
erat
orspeedi
ng
of
fint
othedar
kni
ght.
.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMSHOUSE

Shebi thernailsmov ingupanddowni nher

bedroom thensatdownandt ookherphonedial
ing
Gracef orthehundr edthtimebuti
ttookherstr
aight
tovoicemai l,
shetearfull
ybentdownonherknees
withherarmspi nnedt othebedbef
oreclosi
ngher
eyesandpr ayed

MSWI LLIAMS: heavi

l
yLordIcomebef oreyou
toni
ght,
dearLordmyhear ti
stroubl
edbecauseIam
worri
edaboutmydaught erasIdontknowher
whereabout
s,Lordyoutheonlyonewhoknows
wheresheisrightnowfatherpl
easeprotecther,
Lord
Ispeakyourdev i
neprot
ecti
onuponher ,
cancelall
theenemiesplansthathehasaboutherlif
e,f
ighther
bat
tl
esandkeephersafei
nyourwarmlovi
ngarms,
I
sur
renderev
ery
thi
ngint
oyourhandsdearGod.
Amen

MeanwhileGeorgetossedandturnedstruggl
ingt
o
sl
eepast hel
astmemor iesofhim andGracekept
fl
ashi
nginhismi nd,
hecouldn'
tstopthi
nkingabout
herandtheblackhoodiemanwhot ookher,
hesat
upri
ghtandsighedswi t
chingt
hesi del
amponand
gothisphonetexti
ngMia..

GEORGE:
whenam Iget
ti
ngt
her
emai
ningbal
ance?
Hesentthemessageandwai tedf
orar esponsebut
gotnonethenswi
tchedthelampoffpull
ingthe
sheet
sov erl
ayi
ngdownandf acedupwar dswit
hhis
handsatthebackofhisheadstar
inginthedark
room..
..

Ahal
floafi
sbet
tert
hannot
hing.
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
06:
28]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT18

Hepackedi nfrontoft hecaveandj umpedoutand

pul
ledhisjacketsl eev eswalkingt otheback, he
l
ookedintohi sinnerj acketpocketandpul ledhis
gunoutcocki ngitt henopenedt hedoorand
i
nstruct
edt hey ounggi rl
stojumpof f,
theytearful
l
y
j
umpedof fandhewal kedbehi ndthem ast hey
walkedint
ot hecav eatt ort
oisespeed, Mandl a
walkedtother it
ualspondandwav edhishand
i
nstruct
ingthel argesnaket ost ayinsidebecausehe
di
dn'twantt oscar ethegi rl
sof flesttheyfaint
beforer
eachi ngthef or bi
ddenar ea.het henledthe
poorgir
lstot hefor biddensideast heywal ked
whisper
ing

LI
TTLESI
STER:
(cr
ying)wher
ear
egoi
ngnow

BIGSISTER:
dontcr
ybaby
,Idon'
tknowwher
ehei
s
taki
ngus
LI
TTLESI
STER:(
voi
cebreaki
ng)Iam scar
ed,
thi
s
pl
acel
ookscr
eepyIt
hinkheisgoi
ngtokil
lus

BIGSI
STER:
nobaby,
don'
tsayt
hatst
opcr
ying
now,
mummywill
prot
ectusokay

Thel i
ttlesistertear
full
ynoddedherheadast hey
keptonwal kingbutt heirey eswi denedast he
forbi
ddenar eaagent sappear ed,t
hemanycol ourf
ul
smal lsnakeswi ggl
edt hei rshi nybodiesaroundand
thegirlsscr eamedast heyj umpedupanddown
tryi
ngt oav oidthem,thebl ackmambacoi l
edits
sli
pper ybodyar oundt hel ittlesister'
slegandshe
sli
ppeddownf ainti
ngbutherbi gsisterbentdown
picki
ngherupcar ryi
ngheri nherar msandwal ked
overthesnakesemot i
onl ess, shehadl ostallhope
andwasr eadyforany thing, afterwhatseemedl i
ke
forevert heygott oZumbaandt heagent ssli
pped
awayast hegirl
slookedar oundt hedar kempt y
room t henabr ightli
ghtent eredt hecav efall
i
ngon
Zumbawhowasst andingonhi sbi gt ailswi nginghi s
headi nt heai r ,
thegi rlscamef acet of acewi tht he
hugegr eenandy ell
owsnaket henst agger edback
shakingast heot heronepeedi nherpant s,theycr i
ed
theirlungsoutt henMandl acov er
edhi sear s
annoy edandbowedbef oreZumba.Zumbal ower ed
hisheadl ickinghi sfacet henher aisedhi sheadup
asZumbasl owl ymov edhisheadt owar dst he
girl
s,theot heronet riedrunningawaybutZumba
wiggledhi stai ltowar dsherandcoi l
edi taroundher
ti
nybody ,
het ight enedupt hegriponherbody
breaki ngherbonesasshescr eamedi nagony ,i
nno
ti
meshewentqui t
easherheadsaggedt henZumba
l
oosenedt hegr ipasherl i
fel
essbodysl iddown, he
turnedhi sheadandopenedhi smout hwi deai mi ng
attheot hergi rlthenpul l
edheri nsideandr aisedhi s
bodyupmaki ngwayf ortheli
ttl
egi rl
sbodyt or oll
i
nsi dehi sst omach, hesqui r
medt owar dst heot her
l
ifelessbodyandcar ri
editonhi stail openinghi s
mout hwi deanddr oppedi ti
nside,,
meanwhi let he
l
ittl
esi stersl owl yopenedherey esandcal l
edunt o
theLor d
LI
TTLESI
STER:
(sl
owl
y)JE.
..
.SU.
.S

Assoonasshecl osedhermout habr ightunf

amili
ar
l
ightenteredt hecavet henZumbasuddenl ysensed
theunfami l
iarspi
ritroamingaround,hequickl
y
rel
easedhi stonguel i
ckingMandl athenswall
owed
him andwi ggledhisbodyawayl eav
ingthegir
ls,
the
thr
eegirlslookedateachot herconfused

LI
TTLESI
STER:
let
srun,
Jesusi
sher
e

Theyal
ltur
nedandr
anf
ort
hei
rdearl
i
ves.
..

Meanwhi l
eatZumba' sr esti
ngsi deoft hecav e
Zumbast retchedhisbodyandl ower edthehead
rel
easingMandl awhot henqui etlywalkedout
knowingitwasn'ttheri
ghtt i
met osayany t
hingto
Zumbabecausehei sobv iousl
yst i
l
langry,hepassed
bythef or
biddenareaandnot i
cedt hegi r
lswer enot
ther
easitwasawfull
yqui
et,
hesi
ghedandwal
ked
uptotheri
tual
spondandwashedhisf
acebef
ore
walki
ngouttothet
ruck

MANDLA: (tohi
mself)dammi tThemba,
wheredid
yougetthosegir
ls,
Isweart hatwasthei
rst
upidGod
becauseI'
veneverseent hatbrightl
i
ghtbef
ore,
I
couldn'
tevenseeanything,
,shit!

Hesi
ghedanddroveawayashi
str
uckdi
sappear
ed
i
ntot
hedarkni
ght.
.

THENEXTMORNI
NG

Mandl
asl
owlyopenedhi
sey
est
othesi
ghtofMi
a
whowasal
lreadyt
oleav
e

MANDLA: wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
hisear
lyandona
Sat
urday
?
MIA:(
bri
efl
ysmil
ed)ohhhey
,youar
eup,
umm..um
goi
ngtoseeDudu,
Ipromi
sedtohel
pheroutwit
h
somethi
ng

MANDLA:
okay

Hegotupy awni
ngashiswhol
ebodyf
eltheav
ythen
Miapassedhim wal
ki
ngout

MI
A:by
e

MANDLA:
bye

ATTHERANSOMS

Miacatwal
kedherengl
ishfi
gur
etowar
dsthe
count
erandpul
ledthestool
sit
ti
ngdownbef
ore
turningherheadl
ookingar
oundforGeor
gewhowas
nowher etobefound,
shesi
ghedandopenedherbag
takingoutherphoneanddial
edhim

MIA:Iam att
heRansomswher
ethehel
lar
eyou,
,I
needyout
ogetyourmoney

GEORGE:(
yawni
ng)Iam notwor
kingt
oday
,l
etsmeet
somewher
e

MI
A:al
ri
ght

GEORGE:yesbutnott
her
ebecausewecantr
isk
bei
ngseentoget
her

MI
A:al
ri
ght
,Spuri
nhal
fanhour

Shegotherbagandwal
kedout
GEORGE:
alr
ightby
e

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

MeWi l
li
amsknockedandMandl
awalkeduptothe
dooropeni
ngupasshewalkedi
nsni
ffi
ng,
hervoi
ce
brokeasshet
ri
edtospeak

MSWI LLIAMS: morni

ngsir
,pl
easecanIt akeaday
offbecauseIhav etogotomydaught er
'sworkpl
ace
andenqui reaboutherwhereabout
s,shedidn'
tcome
backhomel astni
ghtandherphonei snotgoing
through..

Mandl
a'
shear
tski
ppedashi
swhol
ebodybecame
col
d

MANDLA:
what
?
Hewalkedtothetablegrabbinggi
sphonedial
ing
herbuti
tshotst
raighttovoicemail
,
hetear
ful
ly
l
ookedbackatthet ear
yMsWi l
li
ams

MANDLA:
isi
tsomet
hingsheusual
l
ydoesori
tsa
f
ir
st?

MSWI LLIAMS:noi t
sunli
kehertojustdisappear
,and
sheneverreall
yspendnight
soutunl esssheisat
churchbuttherewasnoservicelastnightandI
cal
ledourpastorthismorni
ng,hehaven'tseenher,
I
thi
nkIshouldgor epor
thermissing

MANDLA:okay
,butfir
stl
etscheckher
wor
kpl
ace,
maybet herei
sabetterexpl
anat
ion

Hehurri
edt
othebedr
oom getti
nghi
scarkeysand
wentbackt
oherhol
dingherhandastheywal
ked
out
FEW MI
NUTESLATERATTHERANSOMS

Theywalkedi
nandshotst
rai
ghtt
othemanager
's
off
iceandknocked

VOI
CE:
comei
n

MSWI LLI
AMS: (
tear
y)hel
l
osir
,Iam Gr
ace
Will
i
ams'smotherandshedi
dn'
tcomebackhome
l
astnight
,doy
ouperhapshav
eanideaofwher
eshe
couldbe

MANAGER: (touched)umm...
shecametowor k
yester
daybuthershif
tendedatsi
x,
um notsureif
sheisworkingtodaybutl
etmechecktheschedule
(pressedherlapt
opchecki
ngandlookedbackat
them)ohhshei sofft
oday
MANDLA:pleasecheckt
hest
aff
,t
heymi
ghtknow
somet
hingwedont

MANAGER:
okaysi
r,
letmegocal
lthem

Shepressedt hest
affsummonbut tont
hentheyall
hear
dt hesirenandmadet heirwaytot
hest
affroom
asshewal kedintoadressthem

MANAGER: morni
ng,Ihavecal
l
edy ouallher
e
becauseapparent
lyGraceismissi
ngandIwas
hopingthatmaybeyouknowsomet hing

Theotherl
adywalkedt
othef
rontasev
ery
one
tur
nedlooki
ngather

LADY:ummm si
r,sheknockedoffat6pm yester
day
,I
l
astsawhert
alki
ngt oGeorgebutheisofftoday
MANAGER:
okayt
hanky
ou,
youmayal
lret
urnt
oyour
st
ati
ons

Hewal
kedbackt
ohi
sof
fi
ceandsatdownf
aci
ng
t
hem

MANAGER: oneoft
hestaffmemberssai
dshelast
sawhertal
kingt
osomeguywhoi sourwait
erhere
andhi
snamei sGeorgebutunf
ort
unat
elyheisnot
her
etoday

MANDLA: okay
,cany
oumay
begi
veushi
snumber
andaddr
ess

MANAGER: i
tsconf
ident
ialandagai
nstourcompany
pol
i
cytodiscl
osesuchinformat
ionaboutourst
aff
members

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(tear
y)pl
ease
Hel
ookedatt
heol
dwoman'
stear
yfaceandsi
ghed

MANAGER:okay
,I
'l
lbendtherulesbecauseGr
acei
s
ahumbl
eandhardworki
ngy ounglady

Shet
ookapi eceofpaperandscr
ibbl
edt
hedet
ail
s
downthenhandedittoMandla

MANAGER:
her
e,Ihopey
ouf
indher

BOTH:
thanky
ou
Theyst
oodupandwal
kedout

AWEEKLATER.
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARETHEPAGE
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
06:
29]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT19

I
NTHAI
LAND

Gracesl owlyopenedherey esandrubbedt hem f or

cl
earv i
si onthenpul l
edt hesheet soffsitti
ng
upright
,shet urnedherheadl ookingaroundt hefil
thy
unfamiliarroom, yesther oom hadacl oset,smal l
couch,t
abl eandaf ewot hert hi
ngsbuti twasdi r
ty
andhadanawf ulsmell,
shecov er
edhernoset r
ying
hardnott obreath,wit
hherhandst il
lcov er
ingher
noseshecl i
mbedof fthebedandwal kedt ot hedoor
tr
yingthel ockandsur pri
singlyitwasn'tlockedso
sheopenedandl ookedatt helongpassageandt he
manyr oomst hensl owlywal keduntilshelandedi n
whatlookedl i
keadi ni
nghall,
whilesti
ll
therehalf
nakedgi r
lswalkedpastherwi t
hcl eananddecent
l
ookingmen, shef rownedandmov edtothewi ndow
l
ookingout si
det henr eal
izedshewasi nat op
buil
dingasshel ookedatt heotheroppositefl
atthen
l
ookeddownatt hemov i
ngcars,fearcr
eptinas
everythi
ngstartedt omakesense, thehalfnakedgirl
s
shesawf l
ashedi nhermi ndandsheconnect edthe
dots

GRACE:
(whi
sper
ing)Ohhno!i
tsabr
othel

Shebursti
ntot
ear
sfal
l
ingonherkneesast
wogi
rl
s
passedby

GI
RL1:
ohh,
,
shemustbenew

GI
RL2:
yeah
Theywalkeduptoherastheothergir
lbentdown
openi
ngherarmsthenGracefelli
ntoherarms
cry
ingoutherl
ungs

GRACE:
(cr
ying)ohhnopl
easeGod,
,
,,
pleaset
hiscan'
t
betr
ue,
nooooooohhh

Shescreamedunti
lhervoi
ceranfl
att
henshe
si
lent
lycri
edasherheadfel
ttooheav
y.

GI
RL1: (
unbother
ed)let
sgo,shewil
lgetusedt
o
i
t,
thesoonersheaccept
sherfat
ethebetter

Theothergi
rlt
hengent
lypul
l
edof
ffr
om t
hehugand
hel
pedherup..
..

GIRL2:
gotoy ourroom andgetsomesl
eep,
youwi
l
l
feel
bet
terwheny ouwakeup
TheywalkedawayasGr aceturnedbacktothe
passagetryi
ngtoi dentif
yherroom astheywerejust
toomany,shesawi tandslowlywalkedintr
yingt
o
rememberev eryt
hingt hathappenedbefor
eshe
wokeupi nthisplace,nothi
ngcameupexcepther
meetingwithGeor ge

GRACE:
(whi
sper
ing)Geor
ge,
noo,
Geor
ge

Tearsfor
medinthecor ner
sofhereyest
henshe
tookapil
lowputt
ingitoverherf
aceandbur
stint
o
tear
sasmucusandt hi
cksali
vamixedupwi
thher
tear
sleavi
ngthepil
lowsoakingwet.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

hewokeupwi t
haheav yheartandhiswhol ebody
achedthenr
eachedforhisphonet r
yingGrace's
numberbuti
tshotst
raighttovoicemail.
hisheart
brokeasheswall
owedhar dwithtearsformingat
thecor ner sofhi sey esthenMi awal kedint heir
room wr appedi nawhi tecl
eant owel ,
shestood
beforehi m wear i
ngaseduct ivesmi lebiti
ngher
l
owerl i
pt henl etlooseoft het owel reveali
ngher
fl
awl essl ightbodyandherwel lshav edcooki e,
she
wentonandl i
ftedherl egbendi ngdownmov ingher
facecl oset oMandl a'sandt ri
edki ssinghim buthe
l
ookedawayannoy ed.shet henbr avelypulledhi s
sheet sof ftaki
ngof fhi sboxerbr i
efsandsatont op
ofhim ashersmoot hbodyr estedonhi snaked
self
,shepr essedhercooki eont ohi ssoftmachi ne
thenst retchedherhandgent l
ycur singitandi t
j
erkedup, hesighedandext endedhi shandt oher
boobssqueezi ngt hem t hen..&@$#. .
.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS

sheslowlywalkedoutoftheki
tchenwi t
hr eddi
sh
eyesholdingacupofwarm waterthensatdownl ost
i
nhert hought
s,sheswall
owedhar dast earsst
art
ed
fl
owingdownherf aceuncontr
oll
ably,
thecupof
warm waterfel
ldownandbr okeonthefl
oor
fol
lowedbyherheav ybody,
shesli
ddownf al
l
ingon
topofthebrokenglassescr
yingherl
ungsoutand
cal
ledouthername. .
.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(cr
ying)mybabbbbbby
y..
..
..
.

BACKATMANDLA'
SPLACE

hepulledoutspreadinghisthi
ckj
uicesal
lov
erface
andgr abbedatowel wipi
nghismachinet
henshot
str
aighttothebathroom foraqui
ckshowerbef
ore
headingouttotheof fi
ce

ATKG'
SHOUSE

Hewal
kedf
rom t
heki
tchenandst
oppedl
ooki
ngat
her
HER:
what
?

KG:
arey
our
eadyf
ort
hebi
gday
?

HER:
moret
hanr
eady
,Iswearhewon'
tseet
hisone
comi
ng

KG: (smi l
i
ng)great!Every
thingisallsetand
ready ,
thatwhiteguyagreedt otakey ouashisdate
buthei snotawareofouri ntent
ionssobecar eful
,
fornowI '
llnot
if
ymyment ostayalertanddon't
forgett omakesur eyouleadhi mt otheagreedspot
sot hatitbecomeseasi erforust oprotecty
ou

HER:
okay

MEANWHI
LEATTHEPOLI
CESTATI
ON
Geor
gewal
kedoutoft
heholdi
ngcel
linhand cuf
fs
maki
nghi
swaytothei
nter
rogat
ionr
oom

POLICEMAN: y
oungmanst opmaki ngthisharder
thanitalr
eadyi
s,i
tsbeenawhol eweekbuty ou
haven'tgi
venusany t
hingsoli
d,stopplay
inggames
withusbecausethingsarenotl ooki
nggoodf oryou.

Georgelookeddowngoingdownmemor yl
anewhen
theblackhoodieguypul
ledherfrom hi
sarmsand
dri
vi
ngof f
,helookedupandsighedreadytotal
k

GEORGE:
umm.
.

Thedoorfl
ungopenasanothercopwalkedinand
movedcloserast
heyst
art
edwhi sper
ing.
..
..
.
Meanwhi l
eGeorgegotl
osti
nhisthought
sashehad
f
lashbacksofhermeeti
ngatspurwith
Mia((
(((
(((MI
A:her
eisyourmoney
 GEORGE:
no,
Icantt
akethi
smoney
,Ican'
t
dot
hisany
more,
Iwantt
oconfess
MIA:(deathstar
e)ifyouknowwhat sgoodf oryou
thenyouwi l
lshutthehellupbecausei fyoudaretry
snit
chingonmeal lhel
lwillbr
eakloose,t
hesame
guywhot ookGr acewil
lcomef oryou,j
ustasGr ace
youalsowontseei tcomi ng.t
hisi
sasecr etweal l
havetotaketoourgr aves,sodonttestme)))))
)))
)))
)))

POLI
CE:(wav
edhishandonhi
sface)y
oung
man,
stopday
dreami
ngandtel
lusthet
rut
h

Hesnappedoutofi
tandl
ookedatt
hepol
i
ceof
fi
cer
shaki
ng

POLICE:st
opbeati
ngaboutthebushandtell
us
whathappened,
wehavebeentoopati
entwithyou
butnowwear esl
owlyr
unningoutofpat
ience

GEORGE:
(thi
nki
ngofMi
a'
sthr
eat
s)no,
I.
don'
tknow
wher
eshei s,j
ustl
ikeI'
vebeensay
ingIl
astsawher
whenweknockedof f,
yeswetal
kedabitbutt
hat
wasitbecauseshelef
t

POLI
CE:
(si
ghed)t
akehi
m backt
othehol
dingcel
l
Hest
oodupast
heyescor
tedhi
m out
..
..

LATERTHATDAYATMANDLA'
SOFFI
CE

hetearf
ull
ywentthroughhi
schatwi
thherand
swall
owedhar dput
tinghi
sphoneawaythenr
ubbed
hi
sey esbefor
ehisphonerang

VOICE:heyitsme,im att
heRansomshot elri
ghtnow
sorti
ngoutaccommodat i
onforouri
nternational
cli
entsbecausemostoft hem ar
earri
vingint he
aft
ernoonforthecli
entsappreci
ati
onpar ty
,Ihope
youdidn'
tforgetaboutit
MANDLA:
(remember
ed)ohhgr
eat

PA:al
ri
ghtsi
r,
shoul
dIalsoorgani
zear
oom f
ory
ou
ory
ouwi l
lwakeupfrom home?

MANDLA:
nogetmear
oom aswel
l

PA:
alr
ightsi
r,
bye

Hehungupandsi
ghedsadl
y.
..
..

@$&#.
.wi
l
lbepost
edatt
hegr
oupt
omor
row
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARETHEPAGE
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
06:
29]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT20

THENEXTDAYATTHERANSOMS

Itwasasoot hingy etclassyappeal ,agreatti

mei n
theambi enceofamoder n,spaciousandni cely
decor
at edspace,theatmospher ewasj ustto
beaut
ifulwithsoftmusi cplayi
ngi nthebackgr ound
asmenandwomensmar tl
ydr essedmov ed
about,
Mandl amadehi swayt othef r
ontleaningon
themicandcl earedhi sthroatget t
ingeveryone's
att
enti
on

MANDLA: greeti
ngsladi
esandgentlemen, It
houghtI
shoul
dt aket hi
stimetothankyouallformaking
ti
mefrom y ourbusyschedulestoattendthis
cel
ebrati
on,itisanhonourandapr i
vil
egetohav e
youal
l heresowel cometoMat hewsEmpi recli
ents
appr
eci
ati
onpar
ty.

Theycl
appedhands.
..
.

MANDLA: thi
swasor
ganizedtoshowourwonderful
cli
ent
showmuchweappr eci
ateandval
uethem,
nowthat'
senoughmayyouallfeelf
reeandenj
oy
thepart
y.

Hesaidthatthensteppedofft
hestageasmusic
star
tedpl
ayingagaininthebackgr
ound,
hewalked
backtoThembat akinghisgl
assbackandsi
pped

THEMBA: Youshould'
veseeny ourselfupther
e
man,
thatwasjusttoodullandstraightforwar
d,no
Mandl
av avavoom, wher
ei st
heener gy ?

Mandl
alookedathi
m andswal
l
owedhar
d..
..
THEMBA: ohhmandon'tt
ell
mey ourst
il
lst
uckon
thatGracegir
l,
maybesheranof
fwi t
haman,stop
worryi
ngy our
selft
oomuch

MANDLA: Idi
dn'
tknowhert
hatmuchbutIknowshe
wouldn'
trunoffwit
hamanandnottell
her
mother,
theywerepret
tymuchcl
ose.

THEMBA:
ohh

MANDLA: yeah,
ithasn'
tbeeneasybutum t
ryi
ng,
,
um
j
ustwait
ingforthatGeorgeguytotel
lthet
rut
h
bef
oreIdragitoutofhim

THEMBA:
hei
sinpol
i
cecust
odyr
ight

MANDLA:
yeah
MeanwhileTamarathenursewal kedi nhandinhand
withthewhi
temanasherLoui sVuittonheels
echoedgett
ingheadsturni
ng,sheflashedacut e
smileatMandlaandThembat henThembal ooked
downathersmoot hlegsgoingupherpet i
tebody
thatl
ookedgoodinherbandagedr ess, shepull
edthe
dressdownreveal
inghersmoot hcleav agethen
l
ookedbackathercompani on

TAMARA: thankyouf
oragreei
ngtocomewithme
here,
i
thasn'tbeenaminut
ebutIal
readyam seei
ng
themight
yMandl aMathewswow

WHI
TEMAN:
okay

TAMARA: '
canwemay bewalkuptohim andst
ri
kea
conver
sati
on,Imean,
Iwoul
dreal
lyli
ketohavea
cl
oserlookofthefamousMandla

WHI
TEMAN:
(unsuspi
cious)al
ri
ghtl
etsgo
Theywal
keduptoMandl
aandThembat
henhe
ext
endedhi
shandf
orahandshake

MANDLA:
wow,
,
themi
ght
yMi
l
toni
sher
e,ni
cet
osee
yousi
r

MILTON:(
smi l
i
ng)um honour
edtobeher
e(heheld
herwai
st)
umm t hi
sisTamarashei
smyf r
iendand
shecoul
dn'tstopspeaki
nghi
ghl
yofyousi
ncewe
gother
e

TAMARA:
(lookeddownshy
ly)

Meanwhil
eThembal
ookedatherroundbot
tom and
assbi
ti
nghisl
owerl
i
pinadmirat
ion

OUTSI
DE
KGmov edthecarseatbackandfixedtheli
stening
deviceontohisearli
steni
ngtotheirconver
sation
thenpressedhisphonecall
ingSK

SK:
boss

KG:
shei
sin,
aret
heguy
sready
?

SK:yes,
butwemighthavet
ochangeourpl
ans
becausethi
spl
aceissecur
ed,
ther
ear
eguards
every
where

KG:Idon'
tthi
nkthatwouldbenecessar
ybecauseal l
shehastodoisgivehim si
gns,
seducehim andlead
hi
m outofthehotelt
oherplace,
theywoul
dn'tgoto
hi
shousebecausehest ayswit
hhiswifethere

SK:
alr
ight
KG: yessoilst
ayher eandwatcht
hentell
youwhen
theyleave,
makesur ethoseguyst
akethei
rposi
ti
ons
atTamar a'
shouse,theyshoul
dparkt
hecarfarf
rom
herplacebecausewedontwanthi mtosuspect
anythinguponarr
ival

SK:
okayboss

KG:
bye

Hehungupandconti
nuedl
i
steni
ngtothei
r
conv
ersat
ionwi
thhi
sgunonthethi
ghs.
..

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

MsWill
i
amsknockedt
henMi aopenedupforher
andf
rownedl
ooki
ngatherherscr
atchedf
aceand
swol
l
eneyes
MI
A:whathappenedt
oyourf
ace?

MSWI LLI
AMS:(l
owv
oice)If
ell
onabr
okengl
ass
andcutmyface

MIA:ohhok,
yourey
esar
eal
sov
eryr
edwer
eyou
cr
ying

MsWi l
li
amsbursti
ntot
earscr
yingasherwhol
e
bodysl
ippeddown,
Miarol
l
edhereyesandsquatt
ed
openi
ngherarmsandhuggedher

MIA:i
m sorr
y,i
hear
dabouty
ourdaught
er,
may
be
youshoul
dgobackhomeandtakesometi
meoff
work.

MSWI LLI
AMS: (cry
ing)Ican'
tst
ayathome
becauseum l
osingmymi ndandcan'
tst
opt
hinki
ng
aboutmydaught
er,
comingt
oworkhel
psmealot
becauseI
'
dhavesomethi
ngkeepi
ngmebusy

MI
A:'
okay

Shehelpedherstandupt henMsWill
i
amsr ubbed
offhertear
sheadingtothebathr
oom andbent
downi nthezi
ncwashingherface,
meanwhileMia
satdownandcr ossedherlegs

MIA:(l
owv oi
ce)mydaughtermydaught
ermyfoot
!!
Ihopetheyki
llherandf
eedherbodytot
hedogs.

Shecl
i
ckedhert
ongueandgott
het
vremot
e..

BACKATTHEPARTY

Mi
l
tonsawoneofhi
sacquai
ntancespassi
ngby
t
henhegav
eTamar
ahi
sgl
ass

MI
LTON:
hol
dthi
s,
um comi
ng

Hel
ookedbackatMandl
a

MI
LTON:
keepaney
eonhai
r,
um comi
ng

ShelookedbackatMandl
asmil
i
ngasMi l
tonwal
ked
awaythenThembaclear
edhi
sthroatr
eleasi
nghi
s
handforashake

THEMBA:
ohhi
m Themba,
buty
oucancal
lmeTH

TAMARA:
(smi
l
ing)ni
cet
omeety
ou

THEMBA:
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul,
Mil
toni
sal
uckyman
TAMARA:
(chuckl
ed)nohei
sjustaf
ri
end

Thembasmi
l
edt
ryi
ngt
ofl
i
rt

THEMBA:
ohhgr
eat
,t
hat
sjustt
oogr
eat

TAMARA:
(bor
ed)y
eah

Shel
ookedbackatMandlaandsi
ppedherdr
ink
compl
etel
yignor
ingThemba

TAMARA:
im happyIf
inal
l
ymett
hemi
ght
yMandl
a

MANDLA:
'
ohhwhat
'sy
ournameagai
n?

TAMARA:
itsTamar
a
MANDLA:
ohhowk

Shesmil
edseduct
ivel
ylookinginhi
seyessendi
ng
cl
earsi
gnsashecoughedf eeli
nguncomfor
tabl
ebut
Thembaleanedov
erwhisper i
ngsomethi
nginhi
sear

THEMBA: Iwantedt otapthatassbutsheisnot

i
nterest
edinme, It
hinkshelikesyousogofuckher
andforgetaboutGraceforamoment ,fuckherso
hardandtakeouty ourfr
ustrati
onsman

Hechuckledandbriefl
ybrushedhisnosel
ooking
i
ntohermar bl
eeyes,shemov edherhandtoher
dr
essstri
ngsmakingsur etherecordi
ngdevi
cewas
st
il
lther
e

TAMARA:
Ili
key
ourl
i
ps,
theyl
ooksoj
uicyandsof
t.
Mandlaquicklyl
ookedaroundandspottedMi l
ton
whowasbusymi ngli
ngthenhesmi l
edandpulled
herhandwalkingtotherest
rooms,hequickl
yclosed
thedoorbehindandpinnedhertothewal l
sucking
herl
ips,
shewr appedherhandsaroundhisneckand
burr
ri
edhisheadbet weenhersoftcl
eavage

MANDLA:
fuck!Iwanty
ou

TAMARA: (vi
ctor
ysmile)okayl
etmegot
ell
Mi l
ton
thatum l
eav
ingandthenyoucanhav
emeallto
yoursel
f

MANDLA:
okay

Theywal
kedoutashi
spackedhi
smachi
neback

TAMARA:
heyMi
l
,thanksf
orcomi
ngwi
thme,
i
lleav
e
now
MI
LTON:
okayby
e

Helookedbackathi
sfri
endsast
heycont
inued
chat
ti
ngandlaughi
ngtheyTamar
awalkedbackto
Mandla

TAMARA: l
etsgotomyplaceandf
ini
shwhatwe
al
readyst
artedbacki
nther
e

MANDLA: Ican'
tgoanyf arwi
ththi
sboner
,Ibooked
mysel
faroom here,
letsgointher
eforaquickyt
hen
gotoyourplaceaf
terwards

TAMARA:
(pani
cked)but
..
.umm.
..
..
I.
.

MANDLA:
comeonbadgi
rl
Hegent
lypul
l
edherar
msast
heywal
kedt
ohi
s
r
oom

I
NKG'
SCAR

Heangr
il
ybumpedhi
sfi
stont
hest
eer
ingwheel
and
l
ookedar
ound.
..
.

Meanwhi l
eMandl aclosedt hedoorandpul l
edupher
dressgentlycursi
nghert highsasherey esr an
aroundther oom t
ryi
ngtot hinkofaper f
ect
excuse..
..
Her emovedthedr essswingi ngitinair
breathi
ngheav i
lyashismachi nejerkedup, ,
whi l
esti
ll
holdi
ngont oherdresssomet hingfelldownt henhis
eyeslandedont herecordingdev icethenhe. ...
..
..
.

BACKI
NTHAI
LAND

t
hedoorf
lungopenandawhi
temanwal
kedi
nher
room asshel
aiddownthenyankedherhai
roff
draggi
ngheronthefl
oorasshescreamedinpai
n,
he
l
etgoofherhairl
andi
ngahotslaponherface
blur
ri
nghervi
sion

WHITEMAN: heyyouspoi
l
tbrat
,youdontmakenoi
se
her
e,shutt
hehell
upandfoll
owme

Herheadachedf eeli
ngveryheavyandhervi
si
on
wasbl ur
rysoshet r
iedst
andingupbutsli
ppeddown
thenthewhitemanangr i
lyki
ckedheronthe
stomach,hethendraggedherbacktobedand
reachedforhisbackpockettaki
ngouthi
sOkapi
knif
e

WHITEMAN:um goingt
odi
sci
pli
ney
ouandt
each
youhowtobehave

Hebegancut
tingoffhercl
othesandroughl
y
r
emovedtheremainingcl
othespiecesf
rom herbody
t
henplacedthekni
feonherpr
ivat
eparts,
she
f
li
nchedastheknif
emadeasmal lcutonhercooki
e

GRACE:
(tear
y)ouch

WHI
TEMAN:
'
shutup

Hemadeahol eonherpant iesandi nser

tedthekni
fe
i
nt heholeroughlypull
ingitof fandthepantygot
stuckbetweenherbut tocks,shecriedherlungsout
untilhert
earsrandrythent hemant ookoffhis
cl
ot hesopeningherlegswi deand....
..
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARE
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
06:
29]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT21

Het ookhisclot
hesoffopeningherl egswi
deand
draggedhisheavybodyget ti
ngont opofherashis
bi
gbel l
ypressedagainstherstomachmaki ngit
hardforhertobreath,
hestretchedhishandtowards
hi
shai r
yhugemachi neandf orcedtheheadinsi
de
hercookieteari
ngitup

GRACE:
iyooooohhhh.
..
..
mama.
..
..
..
.

Shescreamedsoloudastearsfl
oweddownher
cheeksmixi
ngwithsali
vaandfor
medabubble,
the
whitemangotannoyedbyherscr
eamsandputhis
handoverhermouth

WHI
TEMAN:
shutup!
Shemovedherheadandopenedhermout
hgaspi
ng
forai
r

GRACE:
pleasest
op,
pleasse,
Iam av
irgi
n,
,pl
ease
spar
eme

Heangr i
lyslappedherwi t
hthebackofhi shandas
bloodgushedf r
om hernose.Sheki ckedt heai ras
theheadsl i
dout ,
hest oodupandl andedanot herhot
slaponherf aceasi tturnedredwi thal itt
lebitof
rash,
hewentont odr agherof ft hebedandst arted
kicki
ngherasshecur l
edupbl ockingt heki ckswi th
herarmsscr eami nginagony ,hisfootl andedonher
mout hbreakingherl i
psandbl oodgushedcov ering
herwholef ace.hemer cil
esslycont inuedcont i
nued
l
andinghi sbigboot salloverherbodyassheswum
i
nherbl ood,shecr i
edsohar dunt i
l herv oi
cebecame
fl
atandaf tergetti
ngmaxi mum sat isfact i
onhe
roughlyyankedherhai randdr aggedherbackt obed
openingherl egsevenmor ewi det henl ookedar ound
forarope,hegott heropeandt i
edherot herlegt o
t
hebedthengr
abbedhi
sheav
ymachi
newear
inga
wi
ckedsmil
e

HI
M:y
esbi
tch!
!um goi
ngt
oteart
hatup

Hef
orcedi
tinsi
deandi
ttear
edupt
henshef
li
nched

GRACE:
yooooohhhh,
,
,ouchhh

Hestret
chedital
li
nsideasbl
oodf
loweddownher
t
highsthen.
.&@$#!.
..
..

I
NKG'
SCAR

Hef ixedhisl
ist
eningdevi
cetohi
searandpr essedit
tr
yingt ogetvoi
cesbutnothi
ngcameup,heangr i
ly
hi
tt hesteeri
ngwheelwit
hhisarmsscratchi
nghi s
headt hentookhisphonecal
li
nghisr
ighthandman
SK:
boss

KG:
shei
sdi
sconnect
ed,
Ican'
thearany
thi
ng

SK:
what
?

KG:yes,andworsehedidn'
tagr
eet
odri
vetoher
pl
ace,apparent
lyhehadbookedar
oom f
ortoday
,
dammi t!Thi
sisfuckedup

SK:
sowhathappensnow

KG:I.
don'tknowandwear enotsur
eofwhatreal
l
y
happened,may beshechangedhermindand
deci
dedtof uckhim orsheisi
ndanger

SK:
butIdon'
tthi
nkshewoul
dchangehermi
ndat
t
hel
astmi
nut
e,It
hinkmay
besomet
hinghappened

KG:yeahmay bebecausetheywentupt ohi

sroom
anditwentallqui
etthensomethingf
ellbr
eaki
ng,
I
thi
nki
twast hedevicefal
l
ingbecausethat
swhenI
gotdi
sconnected

SK:
shut
!Let
sgoi
n

KG:wecan'tgointherebecausei
tsst
il
lpackedpl
us
thesecur
it
yisveryti
ghthere,
thewhol
eplaceis
surr
oundedbyhismen. .
.

SK:
dammi
t

Hesi
ghedi
nfr
ust
rat
iont
henhungupt
ryi
ngt
othi
nk.
.

MEANWHI
LEMandl
asquat
tedpi
cki
ngt
hebr
oken
recodingdev i
ceandbroughtitclosertohisface
boili
ngi nsi
dethenhi
sfacialexpressionchangedas
hel ookedbackatherandangr i
lythrewittothewall
asi t'
spiecesscat
ter
edont hefloor.hemov edcl
oser
toherf aceasherarmpitsbecamewetandsweat
drippeddownherar mpit
s

MANDLA:
whosenty
ou?

Shefear
ful
l
yst
aggeredbackl
ooki
ngathissuddenl
y
greeney
esaspeefl
owedbetweenhert
highs

TAMARA:
I..
..
I.
..
I'
m..
.

Shelookedatt hedoorcal culat

ingthedistancefrom
whereshewasst andingtot hedoort henstormed
offasMandl atight
enedhi swhol ebody
tr
ansfor
mi ngintoZumbat hesnake, hewiggledhis
greenandy el
lowsof tshinytailtowardsherwhen
sheheldthedoorknob, thehugesnakecoi ledit
'stai
l
aroundherbodyandl i
ftedherupbr i
nginghercl oser
tohisface,
sher emainedbetweent heslipperybody
asherey eswidenedwhenshecamef acetoface
withthebigcolourf
ul snake,
itr
oll
editsey es
changingcouloursthenwai l
editstonguel i
ckingher
face

TAMARA:
yoohh.
..
.

Zumbaqui cklyti
ghtenedthegr i
paroundher
i
ncr easingpr essureonherbonesandt heyst ar
ted
breakingdownmaki ngsounds,hereyestur
nedt ot he
backofherheadasbl oodflowedf r
om hermout h
andear sasherheadsaggedt henZumbat hel arge
snakest r
etchedhi smout hwidepul l
i
ngherheadi n.
Itthenwentdownr ol l
i
ngherbodyi nthestomach
andr aisedi t
sheadmaki ngwayf orthewhol ebody
tor ol
linsideitstretchedevenmor easherl egs
disappear edinsidehi smouth..
.
Zumbathenrel
easedhist
ongueli
cki
ngthearea
aroundi
tsmouththenbur
pedloweri
ngi
tsheadas
theheadtur
nedbackintoMandla'
sgoingdownto
hisshoul
dersunt
ilhet
urnedbackint
ohisnormal
self
,hel
ookedbackbutthetai
lwassti
llt
heresohe
rel
axedhisbodytheni
tquickl
ycoi
ledbackint
ohis
body

Hesi ghedrel
i
evedandateasethenopenedthedoor
steppingbacktot
hepart
y,hest
oodaf ewfeetaway
fr
om t hecr
owdandpressedhisphone

MANDLA:
tight
ensecur
it
y,wehav
einv
ader
s

SECURI
TY:
alr
ightsi
r,
oni
t.

Meanwhi l
eout si
demeni ndar kgraysuit
stookoff
thei
rshadessur roundingt hewholeareataki
ngthei
r
posit
ionsalarmed,theothermanmov edtowards
KG'Scarsurprisedatt heunf ami
li
aruntaggedcarbut
KGsawhi m ont her earviewmi r
rorandquickl
y
steppedont heaccel er
atorspeedingoff.
..
..
.
BACKATTHEBROTHEL

Hepull
edoutandgrabbedherjawsopeningher
mouthwiderf
il
li
nginhisjui
cesbef
orelandi
ngahot
sl
aponheralr
eadybloodyfaceandkickedher
movi
ngbacksmi l
ingwickedl
y

WHITEMAN:
shi
t!Thatwasgr
eat
,sot
ightand
ni
ce,
damn

GRACE:
(cr
ying)y
ehhhh,
ohhhmama.
..
..

WHI
TEMAN:
shutupori
l
lsl
apy
ouagai
n

Hecli
ckedhistongueandtookhiscl
othesdressing
upthenwalkedoutasGracelookedatherbloody
thi
ghssobbing,
shetri
edst
andingupbuthercooki e
achedandfeltr
eall
yhotasherheadfeltheavy,
she
l
ostbal
anceandsl
i
ppeddown.
..
..
..

SI
XMONTHSLATER
#
#
#
Gr
ace'
s@$&#!Wi
l
lbepost
edatt
hegr
oup
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
MENTIONYOURFRI
ENDS
THANKYOU.
..
.
[
7/19,
06:
30]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT22

ATMSWI
LLI
AMSHOUSE

Sheli
ckedherdryli
psandleanedonthemi rr
or
l
ookingatherpalef
aceandherey esocket
st hat
wentdeepwithredeyes,
shelookedatherreddress
thatwasnowl oosehangi nginherbodyandsi ghed
sadlywalkingtoherclosettakinganotherblack
dress,
sheundr essedandputt her eddressbackin
theclosetputt
ingonthebl ackonebuti twasal so
l
oose,justnotasbadast hepr eviousone..
she
walkedt oherbedandbentbesi deitandputher
armsont opasshegoti ntopray er

MSWI LLIAMS: heavenlyLordIsti

lltrustandbel i
eve
i
ny ouf orbri
ngingbackmydaught er,Ibel
ievey ou
arefi
ght i
ngherbat t
lesjustasy ouf oughtf or
shadrackMeshackandabedni co,
It rustandbel iev
e
i
ny ouf orsavingherfrom thegoli
at ht hatshemay be
befacingr i
ghtnow,Itrustandbeliev einy oufor
keepi
nghersaf eundery ourshelt
ermyLor d,you
havenev erdisappoi
ntedmebef oreandIknowi ti
s
notaboutt ohappendearLor .
..
.

Shebecameemot
ional
andbr
okedowncr
ying

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sni
ff
ing)Lor
dIhav
elong
surr
ender
edthesit
uat
ioni
ny ourhandsbutt
hepai
n
i
nmyhear ti
skil
l
ingme,pl
easebringbackmy
daught
er.
..
AMEN

Shestoodupwipi
nghertear
sof
fandgr
abbedher
handbagleav
ingf
orwork

30MI
NUTESLATERATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

SheknockedandMi
ami
openedupl
ett
ingheri
n

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
mor
ningmam

MI
A:mor
ningMsWi
l
li
amshowar
eyou?

Herthroatdr
iedupandsheswal
lowedhardt
ryi
ngt
o
respondthentear
sfor
medatthecorner
sofher
eyes..
MSWI LLI
AMS: Iam notgoodmydear ,i
thasbeensix
mont hsnowbutmydaught erisnowheretobe
found,myheartfeelsheav
y,thepai
ndoesn'tgetany
betteri
nsteadi
tgr owswitheachday

Mi
ami
rol
l
edherey
esf
oldi
ngherar
ms

MI A:ohhcomeonMsWi l
li
amsithasbeenmont hs
now, y
oushouldgetovert
hatandmov eonwi t
hyour
l
ife,i
thasalwaysbeenmydaughtert
hismydaughter
thatyoureall
yneedtopul
lyour
selft
ogetherand
takethisl
ikeawoman

Shesaidthatwalki
ngawayandslammedher
bedroom doorasMsWi l
l
iamsslowl
ysatdownwi
th
tear
sstreamingdownhercheeks

Meanwhi
let
hedooropenedandMandlawal
kedin
ashi
seyesmethert
earyface,
hewal
kedtoherand
benthuggi
ngher

MANDLA: (
sof
tl
y)heydon'
twor r
yitwil
lbeokay,I
'
ll
doev ery
t hi
ngi
nmypowert ofindher,
Ihear
dt heyare
rel
easingGeorgetodaybecauseoflackofevi
dence
soIwi l
lgoupt ohi
splaceandt r
ytotal
kto
him,may behewil
lcomeclean

Hei
nnocent
lyr
ubbedhershoul
derasshebur
sti
nto
t
ear
sfal
li
nginhisar
ms

MANDLA:
um sor
ryma,
i
tsgoi
ngt
obef
ine,
,
shh

Meanwhil
eMi awal
kedi
nandst
oppedatt
hedoor
ev
iley
eingthem

MIA:(
inhermind)y
ouarer
eal
lybecomi
ngt
oomuch
ofanuisancey
ouoldwoman
Shethencl
ear
edhert
hroatasMandl
alookedback
ather

MANDLA:
pleasegethersomewat
er

MI
A:'
okaybabe

Minut
eslatershehandedhertheglassandshe
gul
peddownt hewat erandgaveherthecl
assthen
Mandlastoodupstretchi
nghishandtoMiagiv
ing
herawhit
eenv el
ope

MANDLA:ohhIdr
ovebackhomebecauseIf
orgott
o
gi
vey
outhiswhenIl
eftear
li
er

MI
A:whati
sthi
s

MANDLA:
youwi
l
lread,
Ihav
etogo
Hel
ookedbackat
.MsWi
l
li
amspat
ti
nghershoul
der

MANDLA:byemaandpl
easest
opcr
ying,
Ipr
omi
se
wewi
llf
indher
..
..

ATTHEPOLI
CESTATI
ON

Georgewal kedoutt
ouchinghishair
yf aceand
mov edhisfinger
saroundhisbigbeardsthenleaned
onthet abl
eashegott hepentosignhi srel
ease
for
ms, heputthependownandst eppedoutast he
bri
ghtlightfel
lonhi
sfacethenhesighedi nrel
ief
walkingaway

ATMANDLA'
SOFFI
CE

Hewal
kedinsl
owlyandputhi
sbagdownont he
t
abl
ebefor
eheavi
ngahugesigh,
thenhest
ret
ched
hishandgrabbi
nghiswhiskeybott
lef
il
li
ngtheglass
upandgulpeditdownandf i
ll
edthecupagainashe
tooksmallsi
pssli
ppingi
ntodeepthoughts.
.

Hewentdownmemor ylaneandr emember edthe

l
astdayhesawher ,
shehadact uall
yadmi tt
edli
ki
ng
him andhedr ov
ehomehappyt hatdaylooking
for
war dtoseemor eofherprettyface,
,,
tear
sfl
owed
downhi sfacebutsomeoneknockedatdoorashe
snappedoutofi tr
ubbi
ngt hem offsnif
fi
ng

MANDLA:
(lowv
oice)comei
n

THEMBA:
'
heywsup?

Hef
orcedasmi
l
ewi
thr
eddi
shey
es

THEMBA:(gui
ltst
ri
cken)nonoman,
stopdoing
thi
s,
youar
ebreaki
ngdownintheof
fi
ce,whatifi
t
wasn'
tme,
whatifi
twasoneofy
ourcl
i
ent
s?t
hiswi
l
l
af
fecty
ourbusi
nessbr
uh
Comeonman,Iknowyoureal
lyl
ikedt
hatgi
rlbuty
ou
needt
opul
lyoursel
fupt
ogether

MANDLA: (lowvoi
ce)youjustdontgeti
t,Ifeel
so
empty,
it
slikeshel
eftwit
hapar tofme,Itr
iedtost
op
thi
nki
ngaboutherforthepastfewmont hsbutI
can'
tman,Ican'
t

Hel
ookeduphol
dinghi
stear
sin.
.

MANDLA: weonl ywentouttwiceandIwasget t

ing
toknowherbutsomeonesomewher edecidedtocut
i
tshor t
,,
i
tshardnott othi
nkabouther ,
it
shar dto
eraseallt
hememor iesandnownot hingreall
y
mat t
ers,
allthi
sfameandr ichesmeannot hing
becauset heycan'tf
il
lthevoidshel
eftinmyhear t

Thembabecameemot
ional
li
steni
ngt
ohi
m asgui
l
t
str
uckhi m,
hist
hroatdri
edupandheswal lowed
hard,
therewasnowayhecoul dundowhat
happenedandhewi shedhehadjustexplai
ned
every
thingtoMandlathanf
all
i
ngintoMi a'
strap

THEMBA: um sor
ryman,
Idi
dn'
tknowy
ouar
ethi
s
hookedbutj
ustbestr
ong

MANDLA: yeahman, IheardthatGeorgeguyi sbeing

releasedtodaybecauseappar ent
lythereisno
enoughev idencesoIwillpayhim av i
sitl
atermay be
hewi llcomecleanbutifhedoesn'tthenI'l
ldragthe
truthoutofhim becauseIcan'tshakethef eel
ing
thatheknowsmor ethanhei sactuall
ylet
tingon

THEMBA:
(pani
cked)huh?Today
?

MANDLA:
yest
oday
THEMBA:
Ohhumm.
.Idi
dn'
tknow

Hepathi
sshoul
derwal
ki
ngback

THEMBA:yohhbr
uhIhavet
ogonow,It
otal
l
yfor
got
mymeeti
ngwithsomeguysoI
'
lll
eav
enow

MANDLA:
buty
ouj
ustgother
e?

THEMBA:yesbr
uhbuti
havetogo,
Ican'
tmi
sst
his
one,
seey
oumanandstopcry
ing

Hewalkedoutsl
ammingthedoorasMandl
ashook
hi
sheadandsighedconf
used

BACKATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Mi
ahel
dthegl
assandt
heenv
elopest
ari
ngatt
he
sni
ff
ingMsWi
l
li
ams

MI
A:Iseey
ouar
eenj
oyi
ngt
hisnow?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(tear
y)huh?

MIA:(str
aightface)getti
ngmyhusbandt ofeel
sorr
y
fory
ouandy ourmi ssingdaughterandnowheis
outtherelooki
ngf oryourstupi
ddaughterwho
coul
dn'tkeepherl egsclosed

MS.
WILLI
AMS:
(lookedather
)butmam

MIA: ohhshutupy oupoorol dwoman,Ithinky ou

havef orgott
enyourplaceinthi
shouse,well
,letme
remindy ou,youarethemai dokay
,youaresupposed
tomopt hefloor
sandser v
eusnott heotherway
round,seehowIj usthadtogogety ousomewat er
becausey ousawmyhusbandandst ar
tedbei ng
dr
amat
icget
ti
nghi
mtof
eel
sor
ryf
ory
ou

MsWill
iamswasl
ostforwor
dsasev
ery
thi
ngshe
sai
dcutdeepi
nsi
deherhear
t

MIA:andwhoknows, may beyourso-

call
eddaught er
i
soutt herebusystrol
lingwi t
hherboyfr
iend,she
wasn'tthatgoodafterallifshemanagedt orun
awaywi thamanl eavingherpoormot heralone.st
op
cryi
ngf orsomeonewhodoesn' tgi
veadamnabout
yourexistence,
i
tsnotf unnyanymore,
youar e
annoyingus.

MsWi ll
iamslookedatherspeechl
essandherheart
brokeintopi
ecesbutsheheldinhert
earstr
ying
hardnottocryasshedidn'
twanttomakeher
angry.
.Miacl
ickedhert
ongueandgav ehert
heglass

MI
A:nowstandupanddowhatwepayyoufor.
.and
makesur
eyouneverwhi
neabouty
ourdaught
erin
f
rontofmeandmyhusband

Sheswi
ngedthewhiteenv
elopeinai
rwalki
ngback
tot
hei
rroom andsatdownrol
li
nghereyes.
..

ATGEORGE'
SPLACE

Mandlaparkedi
nfrontofhi
shouseandsteppedout
walki
ngtowardst
hedoorandst r
etchedhi
shand
knocki
ngbutther
ewasnor esponse

MANDLA:
Geor
ge

hesighedandmov edaroundthehousel ooki

ngf or
him buthewasnowher etobefoundsohewal ked
backtohiscarandleanedonitfoldinghisar
msas
heassumedt hatmaybeheisabi tearlyhewaited
for20mor eminut
eshopinghewi llcomebuthe
didn'
tsohesighedheadingbacktot hedoorturni
ng
thedoorknob, surpr
isi
nglyitwasn'tlockedsohe
steppedi nthequietmessyhouseandf rowned
l
ookingatt hi
ngsscatter
edont hef l
oor,hemadehi s
wayt othebedr oom buttherewasnoonei nsi
de,he
checkedundert hebedt henwentt ohi sclosetand
hiseyesl andedont heempt yshel
v es..
..
hesighed
disappointedandwal kedout..
..
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
MENTIONYOURFRI
ENDS
Goodni
ght
.
BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT23

ATKG'
SHOUSE

Thef
urni
tur
etr
uckspar
kedi
nfr
ontofhi
shouseas
heopenedt
hedoory
awni
ng

VOI
CE:
hel
l
osi
r

KG:
heyt
hatwasqui
ck

VOI
CE:
yeahwecoul
dn'
twai
tanyl
onger

Hemovedasidemakingwayfort
hem togeti
nas
t
heyst
artedt
akinghi
scouchesoutandwenton
t
aki
ngothert
hings
Meanwhi l
eKGhel dhiswaiststar
ingastheymov ed
upanddownf il
li
ngthei
rtwot r
ucksandleft
..
he
slowl
ywal kedintheemptyhouseashi sthr
oatdried
upandhesatont heonlyremaini
ngplasti
cchair
holdi
ngont ohisheavyachingheadbuthisphone
rangint
errupt
inghisthoughts.

KG:
hel
l
o
VOICE:yessi
r,i
tstheinsurancecompany
,you
hav
en'tbeenpayingforthepastsixmont
hs

KG:okIwi
l
l comedowntoyourof
fi
ceandmakea
pay
mentplanfort
heamountdue

VOI
CE:
oksi
r

KG:
bye

Hehungupandscr atchedhisheadfrust
rat
edas
tear
sf ormedatthecor nersofhiseyesbuthe
l
ookeduphol di
ngthem i n,
ever
ythi
ngstart
edsinki
ng
i
n,hewasnowanobody ,
theonlythi
ngthatgav
ehim
allt
hel uxur
ywast akenawayf rom hi
m andnowhe
couldn'tthi
nkofany t
hingelsetogettheboat
mov ing
Meanwhi
leSKst
oodatthedoorl
ooki
ngathi
mlost
i
nhisownworl
d,hel
ookedar
oundtheempt
yroom
andwal
keduptohim

SK:
(sadl
y)sot
heyf
inal
l
yrepossessedev
ery
thi
ng?

KG:
yeah,
Idon'
tknowhowum goi
ngt
osur
viv
ethi
s

SK:
I'
m sor
ryboss,
hav
eyouany
thi
ngaboutt
henur
se?

Hesi
ghedandr
ubbedhi
snoset
hought
ful
l
y

KG:
Ihav
etot
ell
yousomet
hing

SK:
okay
,youl
ookser
ious

KG:yeahiti
sver
yseri
ous,Ikepti
ttomysel
fbecause
Idi
dn'tknowhowtobreakitdownplusIwasscared
youmightchickenoutandl eavemeal lalonebutI
mustsayafterthisl
ongr oughsi xmonths,IknowI
cancountony ounowbecausey ouhavebeenv ery
suppor
ti
veandl oyaltomeev enwhenpeopl egave
yousweetofferstoworkf orthem youstil
l stuck
wit
hmesoIcan' tconti
nuer i
skingyourli
febecauseI
val
ueyourexistence

SK:
wher
eist
hisgoi
ng,
Idon'
tunder
stand

Hesi
ghedl
ooki
ngbackathi
m sadl
y

KG:
Mandl
aMat
hewsi
sasnake

Skstart
edlaughi
nglooki
ngathi
m buthest
il
l
maintai
nedtheIam seri
ousf
acethenSksl
owly
cl
osedhismout h

SK:
whatki
ndofaj
okei
sthi
s..
..
..
.wai
t.
..
..
.ar
eyou
ser
ious?

KG:
deadser
ious

SK:
but
..
..
.

KG:
remembermybei
ngatt
hehospi
tal
?

SK:
yes,
thehear
tat
tacki
nci
dent

KG:thisi
swhathappened,hecamet omyhouseandI
star
tedmockingandlaughingathim bef
oreIknewit
ther
ewasal argesnakeri
ghti nf
rontofmeandIlost
i
tcollapsi
ngri
ghtther
e,It
hinkhecutmyf i
ngeraft
erI
passedoutbecauseIdidn'tseet
hatpart

SKwidenedhi
seyeslookingathi
m aschi
l
lsr
an
downhisspi
neasfearcreepedin
SK:
.what
?

Henodded

SK:thissoundsscar
ybutIcan'
tbeli
eveyoukept
somet hi
ngsoimportantasecr
et,
youri
skedmyli
fe
al
lthisti
me

KG:
I'
mreal
l
ysor
ry

SK:(angr
il
y)ohhhandthenur se!Nowondery
ou
haven'
ttr
iedlooki
ngforher
,youknewhemayhav e
swall
owedt hepoorwoman

KGlookeddownashi
sthr
oatdr
iedupand
swal
lowedhard
SK:ohhwow,soyour
iskedherl
i
fedel
i
ber
atel
y,y
ou
ar
esounbeli
evabl
e

KG:Ididn'
tthi
nkhewoul dswal
lowherandIt hought
may behewouldn'
tgett hechancet odot hat
becauseIknewitwoul dbepacked, theonlymistake
Idi
dwasnotchecki ngifhehadar oom booked...
and
tr
ustmeIl i
kedTamar a,Iwoul
dn'tri
skherl i
fe
i
ntenti
onal
ly,
Ij
ustthoughtIhadi tallundercontr
ol

SK:wow!Andtothi
nkIhav
ebeenfoll
owi
ngthi
sguy
al
lthi
sti
me,onl
yGodknowswhereIwoul
dbenowif
hesawme, j
ustwow!Somuchforbei
ngl
oyal

Het
urnedwal
kingawaybutst
oppedhal
fwayashe
r
ememberedsomethi
ng

SK:ohhsothosetwoguy s,
youknewchancesarehe
swall
owedthem butyousti
llkeptqui
et,i
tnow
makessensewhyy oudidn'
tputanyefforti
nfi
ndi
ng
them.
..
Ihonest
lycan'
ttr
usty
ouwi
thmyl
i
fesoum
out

Hest
ormedoutasKGsi
gheddef
eat
ed

I
NTHAI
LAND

Shest eppedoutoft heRangeRov erSportand

closedt hedoorgetti
ngi nsidethebrothelashermini
skirtshowedherbut t,
shepushedherl onghairback
andmadewayt oherroom asherheel sechoed
downt hepassage.Fewmi nuteslat
ersheopened
thedoorst eppinginandsi ghedsitt
ingonhersmal l
bedandbentt akingoffhershoesbef orelooki
ngup
assomeoneopenedherbedr oom door

HIM:
ohhper
fect
!Youareback,y
our eal
l
ymademe
somegoodmoneytodayandI
'm pr
oudofyou
Shesatupr
ightandl
ookedathi
mfor
cingasmi
l
e

HIM: see?Itoldyouwewi l
lgetonwel l
,
nowIj ust
receivedanotherpaymentforyourservi
ces.He
can'tstoppraisi
ngyousincethelastti
meandhe
want syoutogi v
ehim agoodt imeagainlatersoget
readyt ol
eavebecausehewi llbeheretopicky ouup
i
nt wohour s

Gr
ace:
okayJody

Hewal
kedupt
oherhandi
ngoutapl
ast
icf
ull
ofpi
l
ls

Jody:
takethi
sandinser
tthem downther
etoti
ght
en
i
tbecausethi
soneisonemyt opmaincli
ent
ssoI
don'
twanthimtocomplainaboutyoubei
ngl
oose

GRACE:
okay
JODY:yesdon'
t,
for
gett
oinser
tthem andt
heyar
e
enoughfort
hewholemonth

GRACE:
okayIwon'
tfor
get

JODY:goodgir
l,
sonowyouseethatt
hisisn'
tthat
badaft
eral
l,
Iknewyouwil
lset
tl
einwellandstart
obey
ingmeast i
megoes

Shefor
cedasmil
eashetur
nedwalki
ngoutt
henshe
l
aiddownastear
sst
reameddownblur
ri
ngherv
isi
on

GRACE:(
teary)ohhGodwherear
eyou?Pl
ease
comethr
oughf orme,makeawaymyGod,
please
savemepleaaasee.
..
.

Shecriedevenmoreandt ookthepil
l
owcov er
ingher
faceandlefti
tsoakingwet,
thedoorfl
ungopenas
somewhi tegi
rlwalkedi
nandsadlylookedather
GI
RL:
(sof
tl
y)heypl
easest
opcr
ying

Shelai
dnextt
oheropeni
ngherar
mspul
l
ingheri
n
forahugasshecr
iedmore

GI
RL:
um sor
ry,
pleasedon'
tcr
y

GRACE: (
weeping)Ican' tst
op,
thi
shurtsreall
ybad,
I
cannevergetusedt osleepi
ngwit
hdiffer
ent
men,andJodyov er
wor ksmemor ethanev er
yone
aroundhere,
hegi v
esmor emanymeni njustone
day

GIRL:Iknowandum sorry,
pleasestopcr
yingand
getready,
Iwil
lhel
py oubecauseifyoudon'tst
art
gett
ingreadynowy ouwil
lbelateandJodywon' tbe
happy,youknowwhathedoeswhenheget sangry
GRACE:
okay

GIRL:yes,
l
etmei
rony
ourski
rtwhi
l
eyoust
art
bathi
ng

Shestoodupandtookofhercl
othesget
ti
ngr
eady
asherfri
endhel
pedher

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

MsWi
l
li
amsknockedi
nherr
oom car
ryi
ngat
ray

MI
A:comei
nMsWi
l
li
ams

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
yourf
oodmam

MI
A:j
ustl
eav
ethem i
ntheki
tchenum nothungr
y
Shewal
kedoutasMi
aremember
edt
heenv
elope

MI
A:(
toher
sel
f)Ial
mostf
orgotaboutt
his

Shet
ear
edituppull
ingt
hel
ett
eroutandr
eadasher
mout
hdropped.
..
..
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
MENTIONYOURFRI
ENDS
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
06:
30]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT24

MI
A:what
?
Shesighedi
ndisbel
i
efandthr
ewi tont
hebed
grabbi
ngherphonedial
i
ngherfr
iend

MI
A:cany
oubel
i
evet
his?

DUDU:
umm what
?

MI
A:Mandl
awant
sadi
vor
ce

DUDU:
noway
s,ar
eyouser
ious?

MIA:andhedidn'tevenhavethegutst
olooki
nmy
eyesandtel
lmei nsteadhejustgi
vesmeastupi
d
envel
opewithoutevengivi
ngmeahi nt

DUDU:awwum sosor
ryf
ri
end,
whatar
eyougoi
ng
todonow?
MI
A:I
'
llj
ustgoseehi
m andt
ryt
otal
khi
m outofi
t

DUDU:
whati
fhedoesn'
tchangehi
smi
nd?

MI
A:t
rustmehewi
l
l

DUDU: i
yoh,whatwouldmakehim changehis
mind,
ifheservedyouwitht
hosepaperswi t
hout
evensit
ti
ngdownwi thyoutodi
scussitthenit
obvi
ouslymeanshemadeuphi smi nd

MI
A:y
ouar
enotmaki
ngmef
eel
anybet
terr
ightnow

DUDU:um justt
ell
i
ngthet rut
h,Idon'tknowhowyou
aregoi
ngtogetoutoft hi
sonebecauset hef
actt
hat
youagr
eedt osi
gnapr enupti
al agr
eementwheny ou
gotmarri
ediswhatwor ri
esmer i
ghtnowbecauseit
meansyouwi l
lwalkoutwithnot hi
ng
Mi
asi
ghedasherhear
tbr
oke

MI
A:Iwontl
ethi
m getawaywi
thev
ery
thi
ng

DUDU:iyoh,
IrememberhowmuchIusedt o
encour
ageyoutostar
tasmallbusinessandmake
yourownmoneybutno,youdidn'
ttakeanyofmy
advi
cesbecauseyouwerechowinghismoney,
look
atyounow

MIA:ohhpleasedon'
tst
artDudu,Icall
edy ou
becauseIneededsomeonewhowi llmakemefeel
bett
er,
besi
desIwouldn'
thavestartedthosesmal
l
busi
nessesbecauseIam marri
edt oafamousri
ch
guy

DUDU: ify
ousayso,butIwishwasalsoas
pri
vi
legedasy ouwere,
hlemmaIwould'
veusedt
hat
opportuni
tyandmadesomet hi
ngfor
myself
,somet
hingt
ofal
lbackonincaset
hingsgo
sout
h.Butany
waywhatsyourpl
an?

MIA:your
eal
lydi
dn'
thavetosayallt
hatbecausei
t
doesn'
tmakeanydi
ffer
encenowandy oureal
ly
shoul
dn'
tworr
ybecauseIgott
his,
letmegosee
hi
m,bye

DUDU:
bye

Shehungupget
ti
ngherbagandst
ormedout
..

ATTHECAVE

HeparkedhisAMGandst eppedoutget t
inginsi
de
andwalkedtotheri
tual
spondwi thhishandsinthe
pocket
sthenthemanylargeandcol ourf
ulsnakes
sl
ippedoutofthepondsplashingwat erthen
surr
oundedhim andbowedt heirheadsbef or
e
squirmingt heirsoftandshi nybodiesbacki ntothe
pondashet ookat urnheadi ngtot heforbidden
area,t
hecav eagent swi ggledtheirsmal lshiny
bodiestot hesi demaki ngwayf orhi mt opassbut
hemi stakenlyst eppedont heothergr eenmamba
thenhesquat tedpi ckingitsinj
uredbodyandgent ly
placeditont hesi desr ubbingof fthetinyblood
dropsoni tsheadandst ooduppr oceedingt othe
area,f
ewmi nutesl aterhest eppedi nthef orbidden
sidebutsur prisinglyZumbawasnowher etobe
found,helookedar oundandsi ghedhol dinghi swaist

MANDLA:(t
ohi
msel
f)whydidhegot otheresti
ng
pl
aceknowi
ngv
erywel
lthatIcan'
ttakemyselft
here

Hesi
ghedandwai
tedf
orhi
sappear
ance

MEANWHI
LEATMANDLA'
SOFFI
CE

Shewal
kedpastt
her
ecept
ionwi
thoutgr
eet
ingsand
swungherbodyt
ohisoffi
cet
henr
oughl
yopened
thedoort
oanemptyoff
ice

MI
A:whatt
heHel
l
?

Shecli
ckedhertongueandtookoutherphone
di
ali
nghim buti
twentstrai
ghtt
ov oi
cemail

MI
A:dammi
t!

Shesl
ammedt
hedoorwal
ki
ngbackt
orecept
ion

MI
A:(f
oldi
ngherar
ms)wher
eisMrMat
hews?

HER:
goodmor
ning,
hei
snotar
ound

MIA:
Icanseeheisnother
eandt
hequest
ion
was,
whereishe?
HER:ohhum sor
rybuthedi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ngwhen
hel
eft

Shestormedoffastherecepti
oni
stl
ookedather
col
leagueandbursti
ntolaught
er

ATTHEBROTHEL

JodyopenedGrace'
sroom andwal
kedi
nonGr
ace
upandreadyt
ol eav
e

JODY:
thecl
i
enti
sher
e,hur
ry

GRACE:
alr
ight

Shewal
kedpasthim ashef
ollowedherandstopped
att
hebr
othelent
ranceasGracesteppedouti
nher
miniskirtandlookedatt
hebl
ackAMGbef ore
hoppingi n,
shesatdownashelookedather
touchinghersoftthi
gh

HI
M:hi

GRACE:
hel
l
osi
r

HI
M:y
oucancal
lmeMar
ti
n

GRACE:
okay

Hesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatherpr
ett
ysadf
ace

HI
M:yeah,soum goingt
ohaveyoual
ltomy
sel
fthe
whol
enightbecauseIpai
dext
ra

GRACE:
(sadl
y)al
ri
ght
Hest
eppedont
heaccel
erat
ordr
ivi
ngaway
..
..

MEANWHI
LEATTHECAVE

Het urnedlookingatt hebl ackantsfil

li
ngupt he
placeandbowedi nr espectknowi ngZumbawas
comi ng,
butf orsomewei r
dr easonhedi dn'tappear
butinsteadopenedt hespi ri
twallsconnect i
nghim
ashi seardrum almostbr okeduet othel oud
screamshehear d,her ubbedhi searthenZumba
start
edconv ersingwi thhim

MANDLA:
butwhosev
oicesar
ethose?

Meanwhi l
einther
esti
ngsideZumbat ur
nedhis
greeneyestothebackgi
vi
nghim aclearpi
ctur
e
showingherfaceonl
yastearsst
reameddownher
cheeks.
Mandlat
henf
elthi
shear
tbr
eakandf
ell
onhi
sknees
t
eary

MANDLA:
pleaseshowmeherl
ocat
ion,
please

Zumbati
ghtenedhisey
est
ryi
ngtoident
if
ythe
l
ocat
ionbutnothi
ngcameupbecauseGrace'
shear
t
wastoopure

MANDLA: can'tyousav eherev enifherhear

tispur
e
pl
easedosomet hing,
please,ev
enifsav i
ngher
meansIwi l
lhavet ostayawayf rom herwhenshe
comesbackdoi tandIpr omiseIwi l
ll
eaveher
al
one,
please,
atleastjustgivemet he
l
ocati
on,pl
ease...

Zumbaslowlyshookhi
sheadasasignofdefeat
thenMandl
abrokedownasZumbacl osedthespiri
t
wall
sdi
sconnecti
nghim..
heknewdarknessandlight
cannevermeetandatthatmomentwishedGrace's
heartwasn'
ttoopur
ebecausenowsav
ingheri
s
hard
Hesadl ystoodupdust inghi skneesandt urned
walkingoutoft hef orbi
ddenar eapassi ngthrough
theri
t ual
spondandt hecol ourful
lar gesnakes
sensedhi smov ementt hensl i
ppedoutoft hepond
waili
ngt hei
rtonguesandbowedt heirheadsashe
draggedhi sheav yfeettot hecarandst ret
chedhis
handopeni ngupt henhoppedi nbef oresteppingon
theaccel er
atorleavingt hebushyar ea..
.

MEANWHI
LEATMANDLA'
SPLACE

Miaangril
yheldthedoorknobandopenedupt hen
walkedinpassingbyMsWi ll
iamsheadi ngtotheir
bedroom andshesatdownashert hroatdri
edup
andherheartbrokeastearsrandownhersof t
cheeks,
shetearful
l
ybenttakingoffherheelsandlay
herheadont hepil
lowweepingthent hedoorflung
openasMandl aslowlydr
aggedhi sfeetinsi
de,
she
rai
sedherheadandherey esf el
lonMandl a'
ssad
face.
shesatupr
ightandhuggedherpil
lowl
ooki
ng
athim ashesl
owlytookoffhi
sjacketl
osti
n
thoughts

MI
A:babe,
babe

Hekeptqui
ett
henshestoodupextendi
ngherhand
tohi
sshoul
der
sandtappedhim ashesnappedout
ofi
t

MANDLA:
huh?

MI
A:canwet
alk

MANDLA:
(si
ghed)di
dyousi
gnt
hepaper
s?

MI
A:no,
pleasel
etst
alkaboutt
his
Hesl
owl
ysatdownr
ubbi
nghi
sfaceandsnapped

MANDLA:
notnowMi
a!Ij
ustneedt
obel
eftal
one
okay

MI
A:pl
ease

Hestoodupwalki
ngtothedoorandst
opped
hal
fwaythenl
ookedather

MANDLA:
I'
ll
sleepi
ntheguestr
oom

Hesl
ammedthedoorasshesadl
ysatattheedgeof
t
hebedwi
tht
earsstr
eamingdownherface.
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
MENTI
ONYOURFRI
ENDS

[
7/19,
06:
31]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT25

I
NTHAI
LAND

Martinwokeupandheadedt othekitchenshi rtl

ess
l
eavingGr aceasl eep,hemov edar oundt hekitchen
thi
nkingofaper fectbreakfastmeal topr eparethen
gottheeggscr ushingthem intoacupandst irr
ed,he
conti
nuedmaki ngpr eparati
onsandmeanwhi l
ein
themast erbedr oom Gr aceslowlyopenedherey es
astheylingeredar oundt heroom bef orejumpi ngoff
thebedandpi ckedhercl othesget t
ingdr essed.the
doorflungopenasMar t i
nwalkedi ncarryingat ray

MARTI
N:heyy
ouar
eupal
ready
Shelookedupi nhisr el
axedeyesthenhefl
asheda
smilereveal
inghisfinelyev
enwhi t
eteet
hashisabb
ski
ppedal it
tle,
hi
sfluffyhai
rlookedmessybuthe
sti
l
llookedcut einhisli
ghtskin

GRACE:
hium sor
ryi
wokeupl
ate

MARTI
N:noi
tsokay
,dontwor
rywest
il
lhav
eti
me

Shesi
ghedr
eli
eved

MARTI
N:her
e,Imadebr
eakf
ast

Shelookedathi
mt otal
l
ysur
pri
sedbecausenoneof
hercl
ientsev
eroff
eredherf
oodbefore,
shewould
spendhourshungr
yandhavetopleasethem wi
th
herbodyinanemptystomach
GRACE:what
?

MARTI
N:pl
easehav
esomet
hingt
oeat

GRACE:
butwhy
,Imean

MARTIN:i
tsbeenawhilesi
ncey
oucameheresoI
t
houghty
oumi ghtbehungr
ysoImadebr
eakfast

GRACE:
okay
,thanky
ou

Shegotthepl
ateandsatdownasshestar
tedeat
ing
fastandhel
ookedathersadl
ythencl
ear
edhis
throat

MARTI
N:y
oucanr
elax
,wear
enoti
nahur
ryokay
GRACE:
(mout
hful
)ohhIt
houghtwehav
etol
eav
e
now

MARTIN:
notr
eal
l
ysoy oucant
akey
ourt
ime,
I
'l
l
sendmor
emoneytobuymoreti
me

Hestooduppoi
nti
ngt
othel
eftoft
hemast
er
bedr
oom

MARTIN: y
oucanleavetheplat
ehereandgotakea
showerbefor
ewel eav
e,shouti
fyouneedany
t hi
ng
I'
l
lbeintheki
tchen

GRACE:
okay

Hewal kedawayleav
ingherper
plexedbythesudden
fr
iendl
ygestur
esbutthenshesighedthought
ful
ly
star
ingatthefor
kandknifei
nthet r
ay
GRACE:(
tohersel
f)per
fect
,j
uswhatIal
way
sneeded
t
otakeawaythepaininmyheart

Shepickedthekni
feandsli
therwr
istasbl
ood
gushedthenthedoorfl
ungopenandhisey
esfel
lon
thebloodyhand

MARTI
N:whathappened?

Sheignoredhim andli
stenedtothepai
ninherhear
t
fadi
ng,shesuddenlyf
eltrel
axedandateasy
..
.

MARTI
N:(
louder
)Gr
ace!

Shecontinuedenjoyi
ngthesenseofpeacei nher
heartandsmiledashewor r
yinglyrushedtogetthe
fi
rstaidboxthenpull
edherupl eadinghertothe
toi
letandputherwr i
stunderr unni
ngwat erwashing
thebloodoffbeforeappl
yinganoi nt mentand
wr
appedabandagear
oundherwr
ist

GRACE:
huh?

Shesnappedoutofitastheal
lpaini
nherhear
t
camebacksoshesi ghedastearsst
reameddown
herface,
hesadl
ylookedatherwonderi
nghowan
i
nnocentandprett
ygirl
li
keherendedupasa
prosti
tut
einabrot
hel

MARTI
N:umm Gr
ace

GRACE:
huh

Hechangedhi
smindaboutthrowi
ngquesti
ons
becausehedi
dn'
twanttogetonthewr
ongsi deof
Jodyandhewasn'
tsurehowshewouldtakeit
MARTI
N:getr
eadywehav
etogo

GRACE:
okay

Shetiedherl
onghairi
ntoaponytai
landtookoffher
cl
otheswalki
ngtotheshowerashestaredather
per
fectl
ydesi
gnedAf r
icanf
rame

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

MsWi l
l
iamswal
kedinonMandl
awhowasall
dr
essedupinhi
sfor
malwearr
eadyt
oleav
efor
work

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
mor
ningsi
r

MANDLA:
mor
ningma
I
twasweir
dhowheal l
ofasuddenst
art
edcal
l
ing
herma"
shethought
"

Het
ookast
epwal
ki
ngoutbutt
henMi
acal
l
edhi
m

MI
A:babe

Hel
ookedbackatherpuf
fyf
aceandsi
ghed

MANDLA:
whatnow?

MI
A:pl
easel
etssi
tdownandt
alk

MANDLA: '
i hav
enothingt
osaytoyou,
andplease
st
opnaggi ngmebecauseIalr
eadyhavealotonmy
pl
ate.Justsignthedamnpapers

MI
A:I
.wontsi
gnt
hem
MANDLA:
okay

Hetur
nedaroundwalki
ngawaybutst
oppedhal
fway
asMiatear
edthepaper
sint
otwohalf
s

MANDLA: (calmly)okay,Iwillconvincemy selft

hati
t
wasjustami stake,t
haty oudidn'treall
ymeant o
teart
hem upandbr i
nganot herpaper stomorrowfor
youtosignthem andt hatwillbey ourlastchance
okay

MI
A:(r
oll
edherey
es)

MANDLA:(cal
ml y
)tr
ustme,
youdon'
twanttosee
meangrybecauseyouwoul
dn'
tl
ikei
t,
,sopl
ease
t
readcar
eful
ly

Hesai
dthatandt
urnedopeni
ngupashewal
ked
outsl
ammi
ngt
hedoorbehi
nd

Meanwhi
leMsWi l
li
amsl i
ngeredaroundt
ryi
ngto
makesenseofwhatjusthappenedandthenqui
etl
y
wal
kedtotheki
tchen

ATANUNDI
SCLOSEDLOCATI
ON

Georgetriedclosi
nghiseyestossingandt urni
ng
thenwokeuphol di
nghisheadt r
yingt oblockt he
l
oudscr eamshehear dthenhesuddenl yburstint
o
l
aughtertakinghisclot
hesoffandwal kedt othe
kit
chennaked,hiseyeswonder edar oundlikeamad
mant henher oughlyopenedthefridgelookingatt he
foodinexcitement

GEORGE:Woodl
awn,
somuchf
ood,
Isweari
venev
er
seensuchni
cef
oodbef
ore
Hesatdownwi thhi
sbutont hecol
dfloorand
star
tedtaki
ngevery
thi
ngoutoft hefri
dgeeati
ng
fast
,,
hegrabbedacoldrussianandlookedatit
swingi
ngitinai
randlaughing

GEORGE:(
laughi
ng)hahahahhahaha.
..
..
thi
slooks
l
ikemycock

Hesai
dthatashegrabbedhispr
ivat
epart
sand
br
oughtt
herussi
anclosercompari
ngthem

GEORGE:yei
ii
butthi
sonehasice,
,hahaha,
l
etmet
ry
t
oreconnecti
ttomybody,
Ithi
nkitfel
l,
hahaha

Hesai dthatlaughingandst oodupbendingonhi s

kneesandshov edt herussi
anbet weenhi
sbut tand
stoodupt ighteni
nghi sbutt
,hetri
edwalki
ngbutt he
coldrussianfelldownsohel aughedandpickeditup
throwingitint
ohi smout heating
GEORGE:
mhm butt
hisonei
sni
ce,
,
haha

Hejumpedupanddownincel
ebrati
onashi
spr
ivat
e
par
tsswingedt
othel
eftandr
ight

GEORGE:
wuuuhhh,
,
Ihav
eal
otoff
ood

Hecont
inuedeat
ingl
aughi
ngandt
alki
ngt
ohi
msel
f.
..

BACKI
NTHAI
LAND

Shef
ini
sheddr
essi
ngupashepat
ient
lywai
ted

GRACE:
um done

MARTI
N:okayl
etsgo
GRACE:
alr
ight

Theyquiet
lywalkedoutandgotinhi
scart
hendr
ove
offbef
oreheclearedhi
sthroatandbr
oket
he
si
lence

MARTI
N:howol
dar
eyou

GRACE:
24

MARTI
N:okay

GRACE:
andy
ou,
howol
dar
eyou?

MARTI
N:um 30

Fewmi nut
esl
aterhearr
ivedatt
hebr
othelandshe
hoppedoutwal
kinginsi
deashesadl
ylookedather
t
hendr
oveof
f.
..
..
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
MENTIONYOURFRI
ENDS
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
06:
31]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT26

Hewal kedoutoft hegat eholdinganot herr ussi

an
andbentshov ingitbet weenhisbut tandt i
ghtened
upcar eful
lytr
y ingtowal kthenitfelldown, hepicked
i
tupagai nandshov editinsi
deandt r i
edwal ki
ngas
hel ookedbackt okeepaney eont herussi anbutit
fellagainaspeopl elookedathi ml aughingand
takingv i
deos.heangr yfil
ledhishandswi thsoi l
throwingittheirdirect
ionbutwi ndbl ewi tbackt ohi
s
sideasi tgotinhi seyestempor ar
il
yblurringhi s
visi
on,hekneltdownr ubbinghisey est henst oodup
andangr
il
ychar
gedatt
hem t
hent
heyr
unaway

GEORGE:
stupi
dmor
ons,
whatar
etheyl
aughi
ngat

Heclickedhi
st ongueandcontinuedwalki
ngashi
s
pr
ivatepart
sswi ngedfr
om l
eftt ori
ghtt
henhe
st
oppedspot t
ingaDust i
nbesidetheroadand
walkedoverwideninghi
smar bleeyes

GEORGE:
yeeeeeppi
ee.
..
..
mor
efood

Hepickedt
hetakeawaywit
hrott
endumpli
ngsand
cr
ushedchi
ckenbonesthensatdowndi
ggingi
n

GEORGE:
mhmm y
ummy

Hewentf
ort
hecrushedboneandthrewiti
nhis
mout
hchewi
ngfastasitpi
ercedt
hroughhi
stongue
andhebl ed,
l
ikenothi
nghappenedhecontinued
shovingthedumpli
ngsinhisbl
oodymout heati
ng,
as
soonashewasdonehet hrewthecont
aineraway
standingupgoingbackhome..
.

MeanwhileThembadroveinlooki
ngatthe
unf
ami l
i
arnakedmansurprised,
hest
eppedout
walki
ngtowardshi
m andtappedhisshoulderas
Georgel
ookedbackthenhi
smout hdropped

THEMBA:
Geor
ge!Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

GEORGE:
whoar
eyou,
areher
etogi
vememor
efood?

THEMBA:
ohshi
tGeor
ge,
whathappened

GEORGE:(sur
pri
sed)Geor
ge,WhoisGeorge?My
nameisGrace,
yesIam Gr
ace.
Idon'
tknowany
Geor
ge,di
dhesayhestayshere,
,
hahahhahano
Geor
get
ri
ckedy
oubecauseIl
i
veal
onewi
thmyf
ood

Heburstint
ol aught
erl
aughingatMandl
awhil
ehe
shookhisheardcompletel
yshockedbyt
hetur
nof
event
sandt ectedMia

Ty
ping.
..
..
..

THEMBA:wehav
etomeet
,wantt
oshowy
ou
somet
hing

MIA:okay
,al
i
ttl
ebusyr
ightnow,
wil
ltel
lyouwhen
um f
ree

THEMBA:
alr
ightcool

Hecli
ckedt
hecamerat
abandtookavideooft
he
l
aughi
ngnakedGeor
gethenGeor
gelookedatt
he
phonesmi
l
ing

GEORGE:
woooooohhhh,
,
,t
hisl
ooksl
i
ket
het
oyi
nmy
house

Hequi
ckl
ysnat
chedi
tandl
ookedatt
hescr
een
l
aughi
ng

GEORGE:
l
ook,
l
ook,
Icanseey
oushoesi
nsi
det
het
oy

Hemovedthephoneclosert
oThemba'sfacebut
t
hecamerawasnowf ocusedonthecar

GEORGE:
yeepi
eeandy
ourcar
,hahaha

Thembasnatcheditbackandturnedwalki
ngtohis
carspeechl
ess,
hehoppedinandr ever
sedthecar
dri
vi
ngawayi napoolofthought
s.
ATMANDLA'
SOFFI
CE

Miamisoft
lyknockedandopenedt
hedoort
henher
eyesl
andedonMandl awhosemindseemedmil
es
away

MI
A:(
wav
ed)hel
l
o!

Hesnappedoutoft
het
rai
noft
hought
sandsat
upr
ightf
aci
ngher

MI
A:canwet
alk?

MANDLA:
okayt
alk

MI
A:Il
ovey
oual
otandnotr
eadyt
olosey
ou
Hewi
thnoemot
ionsl
ookedi
ntoherey
es

MANDLA: butIdon'tl
oveyouMia,Ineverdidand
neverwill
,
,andyouknowi t,
youknowweonl ygot
marri
edbecauseIneededt obui
ldmybr andandbe
areputablebusinessman,youknowitwasal l
formy
empire,
ithasnev erbeenaboutyouorl
ov e

Tear
sfel
ldownuncont
rol
l
abl
yasshesobbed

MI A:pl
easelet
sjustcarr
yonlikewehav
ebeen,i
sit
thesex?Ifyouarenothappywi t
hhowIhavebeen
submi t
ti
nginbedy oucantel
lmeandIwill
fixi
t
please

MANDLA:
justsi
gnt
hepaper
sMi
a

MI
A:(
tear
y)pl
easestopsay
ingthat
,Ibegyouj
ustt
ell
mewhatyouwantandI'
l
ldoit
,i
ddoany t
hingt
o
makeuswor
kri
ghtnow,
please.
..

MANDLA:
any
thi
ng?
?

MI
A:y
esany
thi
ngy
ouwant

MANDLA:Iact
uall
ydowantsomethi
ngbut
unf
ort
unat
elyi
tssomet
hingyoucan'
thel
pwit
h

MIA:(
li
steni
ngat
tent
ion)pl
easej
ustsayi
tandIwi
l
l
doit

MANDLA:
(cal
m)Gr
ace,
IwantGr
acecany
ouf
ind
her
?

Mia'
seyespoppedoutasherhear
tbeatr
aisedand
hert
hroatdr
ied
MANDLA: see?
?It ol
dyouitsbeyondyourcontr
ol
di
dn'tI
?Nowpl easeexcusemeandf i
ndy ourway
outandohhtheblackcard,Iwanti
t

Sheangril
ystor
medoutthenpassedbyt
he
recept
ionandwalkedt
ohercar.
.

Fewmi nut
eslatershegothomeandfoundMs
Will
i
amsi nthekit
chenbusymoppingandgav
ehera
deathstar
e

MIA:
IswearIam goi
ngtokil
lyousi
ckol
d
woman,
thi
sisal
lyourfaul
t

MsgWi l
li
amst urnedsurpri
sedasMiachar gedather
andpul l
edherdoekof fthenyankedhergreyhairas
shelostbalanceandsl i
ppedont hewetfl
oor ,
Mia
bentdownpi ckingthebusketofwaterwaterand
splashedital
lherbodyandshegaspedf orair
rubbingherface
MIA:nowt hat
'sf
orbri
ngingyourskankofa
daughteri
nmyhousebecausenowmyhusband
cantgetoverher
,youdestr
oyedmymar ri
agey
ou
uglysi
ckoldwoman

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
whatar
eyout
al-
..
..
.

Sheint
err
uptedherbyahotsl
aponherf
aceasshe
tear
ful
l
yheldhercheek

MIA:yes,
sincehervi
sit
ati
onmyhusbandcomplet
ely
changedandi t
syourfaul
t,
,
hecantst
opthi
nki
ng
aboutherandisevendetermi
nedtofi
ndher
becauseofy ou

Shesai dthatr
eleasingherf
oottowardsherand
ki
ckedheront hest omachasshef el
ldown
breakingdownintot ear
sandgoingdownmemor y
l
aner emember i
ngt hedayherdaughtercame
t
here,
theevi
lst
areMi
agav
eherandhowMandl
a
wasallov
erthepl
ace
Butst
il
lshehasbeenwor ki
ngforthem foralong
ti
meandi thadal
way sbeencl
earthattherewasno
l
ovebetweenthem,shehadnoticedhowMandl ahad
al
waysbeencoldtowardsher"shethought"then
cri
edsi
lentl
y

MI
A:getout
,Idon'
tev
erwantt
oseey
ourf
aceher

MsgWi l
li
amsstoodupgrabbingherl
ongwetdress
andsqueezedi
nherhanddryingi
tthendr
aggedher
achi
ngweakbodytotheloungetaki
ngherhandbag

MIA:
(shout
ing)Isai
dout
,wher
ear
eyougoi
ng
now,
huh?

Shequiet
lyhungt
hebagonhershouldersand
slowl
yli
mpedoutclosi
ngthedooronherwayout
thenMiabentmoppingt
hewetfloorbr
eathi
ng
heav
il
y

I
NTHAI
LAND

Jodywal
kedi
ntoherr
oom andsmi
l
ed

JODY:mhm...
itmusthavebeenagr
eatt
imewith
Marti
n,
um happybecausehepai
dusmorekeepup
thegoodwork

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)

JODY:butnowyouhavet
ogetr
eady
,youhav
e
anot
hercli
entt
oni
ght

GRACE:
butJo-
..
.

Hei
nter
rupt
edherl
andi
ngahotsl
aponherf
ace
JODY:shutup!Whendi dyougrowsomeball
s,
since
whendoy outal
kback,Ithi
nkIhavebeent
oonice
andnowy ouaretoocomf ort
abl
e

Hesai
dthatpul
l
ingherhai
randl
andedast
rong
bl
owonherback

JODY: y
ouareluckyyouhaveacli
enti
nanhour
other
wiseIwouldrearr
angeyourf
aceyoul
i
ttl
e
tr
amp..

Heclickedhi st
ongueandwal kedoutasGrace
si
lentl
ycr i
eddraggingherti
redsoultothecl
oset
l
ookingf orthebestoutf
itf
orthenight.
..

2DAYSLATER.
..
..
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
MENTIONYOURFRI
ENDS.
.
BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT27

Twoday
slat
er.
..
..

Mandl
atookhisbagreadytol
eavebutthen
t
hought
ful
lywentbacktothemasterbedroom

MANDLA:wher
eisMsWil
li
ams,shehaven'
tbeen
comi
ngtoworksi
ncet
hepastt
woday s

MI
A:(
shr
uggedhershoul
der
s)Idon'
tknow

MANDLA:
okay
,canIhav
ethepaper
s?
MI
A:(keptqui
et)

MANDLA: okay
,um goi
ngtoworkandy
ouhav
e
exact
lyei
ghthour
st osi
gnthem

Hewal
kedoutasMiasi
ghedsadl
ythen
r
ememberedThemba'
smessageandtext
edhi
m

Ty
ping.
..
..

MI
A:heyum f
reesol
etsmeet

THEMBA:
alr
ightwher
e

MI
A:Spuri
ntwohour
s?

THEMBA:
alr
ightsur
e
ATTHEBROTHEL

Graceslowl
ywalkedinherroom ashercookiewas
onfir
e,t
heprevi
ousnight
'scli
entwasalotroughand
l
eftanumberonhercooki emoresothatitbl
ed..
she
sl
owlysatdownwi t
hherlegswideapartthenbowed
herheadprayi
ng

GRACE: LordIhumbl emy selfbef orey ou,forgiveme

forIblamedy ouf ormymi sfortune,forgi
v emef or
beingofl it
tl
ef ai
th,t
odayIcomebef orey ouand
surrendermydest inyint
oy ourhandsf orIknowand
beli
ev ethatourway sarenoty ourway s,
ourpl ans
arenoty ourpl ans,f
atherLor dIbel i
ev einy ourtime
foritissaidiny ourwor dthatGod' stimei sthebest
ti
me, i
tsy ouwhoonl yknowswhyum her etodayas
yousai diny ourwor dthatbehi ndev ery t
hingt herei s
areason, Ibeli
evey ouhadar easonf orallowingme
tocomeher eandy ouonlyknowswheny ouwi l
l set
mef reebutLor dgivemest rengthhopeandcour age
whil
eIwaiti
nJer
usalem i
n..
..
..
.(
brokedowncryi
ng)
themight
ynameoftheLordJesusChr i
stIpr
ay.
AMEN

Shefini
shedthepr
ayerwithherv oi
ceshakingthen
coveredherf
aceandburstintotearscr
y i
ngasher
fr
iendwhohadbeeneav esdroppingwalkedin

FRI
END:
(sof
tl
y)heyhowar
eyouf
eel
i
ng

Sher
aisedherheadr
ubbi
nghert
ear
sasshesobbed

GRACE:
(shakyv
oice)
itst
il
lhur
ts

FRI
END:um sosor
ry,
letmegogety
ouwar
m wat
er
andhel
pmassageyou..

Fi
vemi
nut
esl
ater
..
.
FRI
END:
(wal
ki
ngi
n)wher
eisy
ourbat
hcl
oth

GRACE:
(poi
nti
ng)t
her
e

SheextendedherhandtakingitasGracecaref
ull
y
tookoffhertr
ouserandlaydownonherback
spreadi
ngherlegsthenherfri
enddippedtheclot
hin
l
ukewar m wat
erandgentlymassagedt hewounded
partasshefli
nched

GRACE:
ouch

FRIEND:sor
ry,
um try
ingtobegentlebuther
eall
y
tearedy
ouupsoi tsgoingtohurt
,t
rytobest
rong,
um
sureyouwil
lfeel
betteraft
erthi
s

GRACE:
(cl
enchedhert
eet
h)okay
Meanwhi
l
eJodywalkeddownt
hepassageandt
ook
at
urnget
tingi
nGr
ace'sr
oom

JODY:
Grace

Shejumpedsi
tt
ingupr
ightandf
acedhi
m hi
dingher
breast
s

JODY:
(laughedsarcast
ic)whatar
eyouhi
ding,
I
meanthereisnot
hingIhaven'
tseent
her
e

BOTH:
(keptqui
et)

JODY:
getr
eady
,youhav
eanot
hercl
i
enti
ntwohour
s

GRACE:
okay
JODY:yes,
makeitsnappybecauseit
sMar t
in,
I
woul
dn'twantt
omakehi m angryanddontfor
gett
o
i
nser
tthosepil
l
sdownt here

GRACE:
okay

Hest
eppedoutastheyl
ookedi
ntoeachot
her
'sey
es
wi
tht
earsst
reamingdown

FRIEND:i
m sosor
ry,
Ij
ustdon'
tknowwhyhe
overwor
ksyoumorethanther
estofusher
e

GRACE:
itsokay
,l
etmegetreadybecausei
fIam l
ate
t
henhewill
becomevi
olent

Shesl
owl
ygotofft
hebedli
mpingasthepai
n
bet
weenherl
egswasunbear
able.
..
FRIEND:letmehel
pyoubathbecauseIdoubty
ou
wil
lbeabl et
obendordoanyt
hinginthat
excruci
ati
ngpai
n

Gracegotover
whelmedandl
ookedatherbur
sti
ng
i
ntotearsandfel
li
nherar
ms,
shehuggedherti
ghtl
y
andrubbedherback

FRI
END:
itsgoi
ngt
obeokay
,j
ustbest
rong

Gracepul
l
edoutofthehugr
ubbi
nghert
ear
sand
l
ookedatheremot
ional
ly

GRACE: t
hankyouforeverythi
ng,youhavebeen
not
hingbutgoodtome, youar ealway
st her
eto
comfortandhel
pme, Iwi
llforeverbegratef
ul

FRI
END: (
pinchedhercheekspl
ayf
ull
y)ohhcomeon
now,
,st
opbei ngababy
Theybr
ief
lyl
aughedandcont
inuedget
ti
ngr
eady
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

heworryi
nglytookouthi
sphonedi
ali
ngMsWill
i
ams
butherphonerangunanswer
edthenhegr
abbedhi
s
carkeysmakinghiswayout

Thi
rt
ymi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Heknockedonherdoorandsher
epl
i
edwi
thaf
aint
voi
ce

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
comei
n

MANDLA:
hey
,ar
eyouf
ine?
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
I'
mfi
ne

Hewal
kedcl
oserandnot
icedawoundonherupper
l
ip

MANDLA:
whathappenedt
oyourl
i
p?

Shebur
sti
ntot
ear
sashesatdownr
ubbi
ngherbag

MANDLA:
itsOkayma,
j
ustt
ell
mewhathappened

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
not
hinghappened,
I
..
Ifel
l

MANDLA:ohh,
i
sthatwhyy
ouhav
en'
tbeencomi
ng
t
owork?

MSWI LLI
AMS:nomadam fi
redmet
woday
sagobut
pl
easedontt
ell
herIt
oldy
ou
MANDLA:
(angr
il
y)what
?

MSWI LLI
AMS: y
es,
pleasedontsayany
thi
ngt
o
her
,shewil
lgetr
eal
l
ymadatmei fyoudo

Mandla'
sangerdoubl
edashelookedatMsWi
l
li
ams
f
ri
ghtenedfaceandconnect
edthedot
s

MANDLA:
whathappenedt
oyourl
i
pagai
n?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Ifel
landhur
tmyl
i
p

MANDLA:
okayl
etsgobackhome,
I
'l
ltal
ktoMi
a

MSWI LLI
AMS:(shaki
ng)no,Ican'
tgot her
e,Icant,
I
dontwanttomakeherevenmor eangrybecauseI
knowshewontbehappyt oseeme,justgopl easeI'
l
l
f
indanot
herj
ob

Shestoodupandt r
iedwalki
ngbutal
mostfel
lasher
kneehurtthenMandlabentcomi
ngforherr
escue
andhelpedhersi
tdown

MANDLA:(cal
m)ohhsoy oudi
dn'
tonlybreakyour
l
ip,
youal
sohurty
ourkneesint
heprocessoffall
ing
huh?

Shelookeddownnotsur
eofwhichbett
er
expl
anati
ontogi
vethenMandl
at ur
nedleav
ing

MSWI LLI
AMS: (
weeping)pl
easeGod,
dontlethi
m
conf
ronther
,shewil
lcomef i
nishmeoff
,pl
easeGod

TWOHOURSLATERATSPUR
Miapul
ledt
hechairandsatdownf
aci
ngThemba
r
eadytohearhi
m out

MI
A:um her
enow,
what
sgoi
ngon

Thembapushedhi
sphonetohersi
deandshe
pi
ckedi
twatchi
ngthenakedcr
azyGeor
ge

MI
A:what
?

THEMBA:
yep,
that
'swhatIwant
edy
out
osee

MI
A:soy
oudr
uggedhi
m

THEMBA:hel
lno!Whywoul
dIdothat
,t
hisguyis
runni
ngmad,
Ithi
nkt
heguil
tdr
ovehi
mt oinsani
ty

MI
A:whati
fhet
alks?
THEMBA: no,
I.
don'
tthinkhei
sofanythr
eat
becausehedoesn'
tevenremembermyname,l
et
al
onehisname,hekeptonref
err
ingt
ohimsel
fas
Grace

MI
A:Gr
ace?Nonowt
hat
sapr
obl
em

THEMBA:Idon'
tthi
nksobecausenoonewil
ltake
any
thi
nghesaysseri
ousbesi
des,hei
sn'
tsay
ing
muchsohecan'tbemuchofathreat

MI
A:noThemba,
youwi
l
lhav
etoki
l
lhi
m

THEMBA:
hel
lnoMi
a,
Iam notki
l
li
ngany
one

MIA:Isti
l
lhavethephot
os,Idi
dn'
tdel
etet
hem
becauseIknewtheywouldcomeinhandyoneday
soyouhav enochoi
ceri
ghtnow
THEMBA:
Ican'
tdoi
t

MIA:youwi
l
lhav
etoplusMandlaisal
ready
di
vorci
ngmesoyousee?Idon'
thavemucht ol
ose
her
e

THEMBA: gr
eat!Um gladhei sfinal
lydivorci
ngy ou
becausey ouareadesper atepieceofshi tand
"sur
pri
se!"Ialsodontgiveadamnwhet hery oushow
himthosephot osornot..
trustmeIal way sknew I
can'
ttrustyoutodeletethem andl ongbeenr eady
fort
hisday .
.sodowhat everthatmakesy ouhappy
butbearinmi ndthathethenwontonl ydivorcey ou
buthewi l
lkil
lyouafterIsingli
keabi r
d.

Hestoodupandf i
xedhisjacketcol
l
arandreached
f
orhiswinegl
assgulpingitdownwithhiseyessti
l
l
f
ixedonhersthenroughl
yplacedtheglassonthe
t
ableandgaveherami ddl
ef i
ngerwalki
ngout.
..
.
MI
A:dammi
t!

Shenervousl
ybi
thernail
sandgrabbedherbag
swi
ngingherEngl
ishf
igureaway
...
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
MENTIONYOURFRI
ENDS
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
06:
31]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT28

Miar
oughl
yopenedthedoorandstoppedasher
ey
esfel
lonMandla'
sser
iousface

MI
A:umm.
.heyy
ouar
ehomeear
lyt
oday
Hest oodupandtookbabystepst owar
dsherthen
rel
easedhishandlandingahotslaponherfaceand
yankedherhai
rdragginghert
ot hebedroom asshe
screamed

MI
A:pl
easest
op,
youar
ehur
ti
ngme

Heki ckedt
hebedr
oom dooropenandthrewpushed
heront hebedt
henpul
l
edachai randsatdown
fol
dinghisarmswi
thhi
sey esfi
xedonhers

MIA:(
cry
ing)
whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?Youhur
tmy
knees

MANDLA: um gonnaaskyoutwoquesti
onsandy ou
shoul
dthinklongandhardbef
orer
eply
ingbecauseI
wantnothingbutt
hetrut
h
MI
A:(
tear
y)okay

MANDLA:whathappenedt
oMr
sWi
l
li
amsf
aceand
knees?

MI
A:(shr
uggedhershoul
der
s)Idon'
tknow

MANDLA:
okay,l
etst
ryt
helastone.WhydidMs
Wi
ll
i
amsmi ssworkf
orthepasttwodays

MI
A:Idon'
tknow

MANDLA:(l
aughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef)soy
out
hinkt
hisi
sa
j
okehuh?

Hestoodupandangr
il
ypul
l
edherhai
randdr
agged
hert
othelounge
MANDLA:
leav
e!

MI
A:what
?

MANDLA:
youhear
dme,
Isai
dgetout
!

MI
A:(
tear
y)butIhav
enowher
etogo

MANDLA:
ohhandt
hebl
ackcar
d

Hewalkedbackt otheirbedr
oom andsear chedfor
herhandbagt henopenedi ttaki
ngherwalletout
l
ookingforthebl ackcard,
hesawi tandsl
iditi
nhis
backpocketwal kingbackbutst oppedatthedooras
thepapersont hedr essi
ngtablecaughthis
att
enti
on,hethenmadeat ur
nget t
ingthem andlef
t
ashiseyesfellont hetearyMia
MI
A:(
cry
ing)wher
ewoul
dIgo?

MANDLA: (angri
ly
)Idon'tknowandIdon'
tcare,
j
ust
domeaf av orandsignthi
sdamnpapersthenget
thehel
loutofhere,Idon'
teverwantt
oseeyourface
agai
n

MI
A:Iwon'
tsi
gnt
hem

Helosti
tandqui
ckl
yrai
sedhisarm sl
appi
ngher
wit
hthebackofhi
shandthenbloodoozedfr
om her
nose

MANDLA: stopmakingthishar
derthanital
r eadyi
s
becausetrustmeIam notangr yri
ghtnow,ifIwasto
showy oumyangr ysi
dethenyouwoul dn'
tl
iv etot
ell
thetai
lsoj ustdoyour
selfafavorandsignthe
papersthengety ourf
aceoutofher e
MI
A:butIcan-
..
..
.

Hei
nter
rupt
edher

MANDLA: shutt
hefuckupanddowhatIsai
d,I
decidedt
oletwhatyoudi
dtoMsWill
i
amsslideso
stoppushi
ngme

Miarubbedhert
ear
sandt
hebl
oodonhernoseand
l
ookedathim

MIA:soyoureal
l
ythi
nkget
ti
ngr
idofmewoul
dbe
t
hateasyhuh?

MANDLA:Iam warni
ngy ouMiaandI'
veonlybei
ng
ni
cetoyoubecauseyouweremywi feandIdon'
t
wantt
ohurtyousostopprovoki
ngmebecausey ou
wontl
ikewhatyouwil
lsee,
beli
eveyoume
Mi aangr
il
ysnatchedthedivor
cepaperst
hent
ear
ed
them andthrewthem onthefl
oorasthesmal
l
piecesscatt
eredaround

MIA:ther
e!It
earedthem upagai
n,sowhatar
eyou
goingtodonow,giv
emeupt oyourhuman
tr
affi
cki
ngLordshuh?

Mandl a'
sheartski
ppedashi
sbl
oodrushedbecause
thatwasunexpected,
hewastot
all
ysur
pri
sedbythe
nowr eal
isat
ion

MIA:yes,Iknowal
l abouty ourdar
ksecrets,
didyou
thi
nkwe'dbemar r
iedf orthisl
ongandIwoul dn'
tfi
nd
outaboutyourdi
rt
ydeal ings?Wellsur
prise!
!

Mandl
akeptqui
etst
ari
ngi
nherey
esashi
smi
ndr
an
ar
ound
MI
A:(l
aughedsar
casti
c)socatgotyourt
onguenow
MrMathews,
yousuddenl
ycan'
ttal
khuh?

Mandlacontinuedstaringinherey escompletel
y
shockedashi smindwonder edar oundtryi
ngto
connectthedots,
het r
iedmaki ngsenseofhowshe
could'
vefoundbuttonoav ail
.hi
sbodysuddenl y
ti
ghtenedandhequi cklyrushedoutr esi
sti
ngthe
edgetotransfor
m becausehedi dn'twanttohurther
yet.
..
.
Miawenttoclosethedoorandtur
nedfol
dingher
armsandtappedherfootonthefl
oorsmil
i
ng
becausesheactual
lyt
houghtshenowhashim by
theball
s

MI
A:(
toher
sel
f)Igoty
ounowcowboy
..

Shesaidt
hatsmil
i
ngandwalkedtothecouch
thr
owingher
sel
fonitandcr
ossedherlegsf
eeli
ng
big
I
NTHAI
LAND

Heopenedthedoorandmovedmaki
ngwayfor
Gracetost
epinthenhecl
osedt
hedoorasGr
ace
walkedint
ryi
nghardnott
oshowshei
sinpai
n

MARTIN:
alr
ighty
oucansi
tov
ert
her
e,ar
eyou
hungr
y

Gracenoddedsl
owlysi
tt
ingdowncaref
ulnott
ohurt
hersel
fthenMar
ti
nhandedheralar
geboxofpizza

MARTI
N:her
e

Sher
aisedherey
est
aki
ngt
heboxandsmi
l
ed

GRACE:
thanky
ou
MY:Umm youmustbecol
dsoI
'
llgogety
ou
somet
hingwar
m

HedisappearedinthepassageasGr
acesmil
ed
grat
efulf
orthepizzabecauseit
ssomet
hingshe
hadn'
thadinal ongti
me.

Twomi
nut
esl
ater
..

MARTI
N:her
e,keepwar
m becausei
tscol
d

Hegaveherthecl
eanandsoftwhi
tebl
anketandshe
cover
edupanddiggedi
ntoherpi
zzawhil
ehesat
downpicki
ngther
emote

MARTI
N:whatwoul
dyoul
i
ket
owat
ch?
GRACE:
(sur
pri
sed)huh?

MARTI
N:t
hechannel
?

Hermi ndwonder edar oundasshewasst i

lltr
y i
ngto
makesenseofev erythingthatj
usthappened, allthe
fri
endlygestur
eswer etotal
lyunexpectedbecause
allsheisusedtoi sbeingpickedupbyr andom men
atthebrothel,
dri
vet othenearesthotel ortheir
houseswher etheyal waysshootst r
aighttot he
bedroom andhav er oughsexwi thhersat i
sfying
themselvesthent akeherbagwi thoutof f
eringher
evenasi mplemeal ..
.

MARTI
N:(
snappedhi
sfi
nger
sonherherf
ace)Gr
ace!

GRACE:
(mout
hful
)huh?Ohhany
thi
ngi
sokay

MARTI
N:al
ri
ght
Sheconti
nuedasMar
tinl
ookedatheri
nnocent
pret
tyf
aceinadmi
rat
ion.
..
..

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

Hewal kedtot hepor chwi thbot hhishandsi nthe

pocketsandl ookedupsl ippingi nt
oat r
ainof
thoughts,
,hi
st hroatdr iedt henheswal lowedhar d
thi
nkingofthewayhebet ray edhisfri
end,,yes,
he
wasbei ngblackmai ledbutt hat'
snotr easonenough
tojusti
fywhathedi d..
.andt hef actthatMi awill
neverreal
lystopbl ackmai linghi m wasnotmaki ng
thi
ngsanyeasi erforhi m becauseheWi l
lforeverbe
i
ndebt edtohersoconf essingwast heonlybest
escapeplanr i
ghtnowpl usseei ngMandl abr eaking
downwasn' tapl easingsi ghtt ohim. .
hetookhi s
phoneoutandt extedhi m

Ty
ping.
..
..
.
THEMBA:heyman,
canwemeetIwantt
otel
lyou
somet
hing

Hepr
essedsendbuthi
sphoner
angi
nter
rupt
ing
hi
m..
..

THEMBA:
hel
l
o

MIA:umm hey
,,
,y
oucanrel
ax,
youdonthav
etoki
l
l
Geor
gebecauseIgott
his?

THEMBA:
what
?

Shei
mmedi
atel
yhungupl
eav
inghi
m conf
used

THEMBA:
shi
t!
Hequickl
ylookedathi sphonechecki
ngifthe
messagewasdel i
veredthensighedinrel
i
eflooki
ng
att
he"notsent"noti
ficat
ion.
.

BACKI
NTHAI
LAND

GRACE:
thanky
ou,
i
twasr
eal
l
yni
ce

MARTI
N:mypl
easur
e..
.umm Gr
ace

GRACE:
huh

MARTI N:Icouldn'
thel
pbutnoti
cehowyoucar
eful
l
y
satdownandy ouwereli
mpingwhenwegother
e
eventhoughy outri
edhardt
ohideit
..
.

Shel
ookeddownsadl
y
MARTI
N:doy
ouper
hapsneedpai
nki
l
ler
s

GRACE:
(nodded)

MARTI
N:okayl
etmegogett
hem

Minut
elat
erhecamecarr
yingt
hem andt
ookagl
ass
f
il
li
nginwaterandgav
eher

MARTI
N:her
e

Shetookt
heglassandthepil
l
sandtookone
thr
owingi
tinhermouththengul
peddownthewat
er

GRACE:
thanky
ou

MARTI
N:(
sof
tl
y)i
tsokay
Heputt
hegl
assawayandsatnextt
oher

MARTIN:
Ithi
nkyoushouldli
edownbecauseum
sur
eseat
ingdownforalongti
mehurt
s

Shel
ookedupathi
mlostf
orwor
ds.
.

GRACE:
okayt
hanky
ou

MARTI N:y
oucanputy
ourlegsont
hecouchandl
ay
yourheadonmythi
ghsthenwewatchTV

GRACE:
okay

Sheputherlegsonthecouchlayi
ngherheadonhis
thi
ghsashehelpedherwiththebl
anketcover
ingher
upthentheyquiet
lyf
ixedt
hei
reyesont he
scr
een.
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
MENTIONYOURFRI
ENDS

06:
32]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT 29

I
NTHEEVENI
NG

MandlaknockedonThemba' sdoorandheopened
upthenhishear
tskippedastheirey
esmet,hewith
nol
ucktriedtoreadhisfacethenst
eppedaside
makingwayforhimt opass

MANDLA:
(cal
m)Mi
aknows
THEMBA:
huh?

MANDLA:
sheknowsaboutmysi
dehust
le

THEMBA:
(act
ingsur
pri
sed)what
?

MANDLA:
yes,
Ijustdontknowhowbutsheknows

THEMBA: (
cur
ious)umm.
..
didshet
ell
youandwhat
exact
lydi
dshesay?

MANDLA: notmuch,
sheonl
ywentonandonabout
howsheknowsmydar ksecr
etsandshementi
oned
thet
raff
icki
ngandIdi
dn'
taskherany
thi
ngbecause
shecaughtmeoffguar
dsoIleft

THEMBA:
(abi
trel
i
eved)y
ohmant
hisi
shect
ic,
I
meanhowdi
dshef
indoutr
eal
l
y?

MANDLA:that
'swhatum t
ryi
ngt
ofindout
,di
dyou
maybebumpintoheri
ntownandsaysomethi
ng?

THEMBA:what
?Ofcour
senotandbesi
desIhav
en'
t
seenheri
nawhil
e

MANDLA: (si
ghed)'
yeahofcour
se,
um sorr
yforeven
askingyout
hatbecauseIknowyouwouldn'
tbethat
stupid

THEMBA:
itsf
ineman,
sowhat
snext
?

MANDLA: (
scrat
chedhi shead)Idon'
tknowbecause
Ihonestl
ydontwantt ohurther,It
houghtdiv
orci
ng
herwouldbegoodf orherbecauseIwantedtofr
ee
herfr
om al ov
elessmar ri
agebutnosheisjustbei
ng
dif
fi
cultandchoosingthehardwayout
THEMBA:
thi
sisr
eal
l
yfuckedupnow

MANDLA: y
eahhey
,any
way
s,y
ou'
vebeenqui
tel
atel
y
whatup?

THEMBA:uhhnot hi
ngmuchr eall
ysincewecleared
allorder
ssoI '
vebeenjusthomeandnowt ur
nsout
I'
l
lbehomef orlongbecauseit
sgoi ngtot
akea
whilebefor
ewemakeamov esincenowthereis
"Mia"

MANDLA: wel
lyeah.
..
ImeanmaybeI
'
llhav
etosor
t
heroutanddoabitofaski
ngt
oseehowmuchshe
knows

Themba'sheartbeatfasterashewasn'tsur
e
whetherMiasellhim outthenheforamoment
sl
ippedint
odeept houghtst henMandl
awav edhi
s
handbeforehi
sf ace
THEMBA:
huh?

MANDLA: whatt
heHel
ldude?Di
dyouev
enhear
whatIj
ustsai
d?

THEMBA: (
breathedheavi
l
y)Haishman,um just
worri
edaboutthiswhol
eMi at
hingbecauseitsgoing
tosl
owdownt hebusinessandwhoknows, she
mightev
enfil
lthepoli
ceinonthewholeoper at
ion

MANDLA: (cal
m)nah, don'
twor ryaboutthat,allmy
businessesareprotected,
ev enifshestart
ssi nging
noonewi l
lli
stent
oherl etalonebelieveher,
KGt r i
ed
thatwiththosestupidjournali
stsbutitdi
dn'tget
them anywher e

THEMBA:
whatdoy
oumeanpr
otect
ed?
MANDLA: (
bri
efl
ysmi led)justdontwor r
yaboutt he
poli
cebecauseIhav et hem all
inmypal m..i
mj ust
i
nterest
edinknowi ngwhot hesni t
chisbecause
someonedef i
nit
elysaidsomet hingtoMiaandt he
questi
oniswho, ormay beshef oll
owedmedown
ther
esoasofnowt hereareonl ytwopossibi
li
ties
andIwillgett
othebot tom ofthis

Thembagotmorescaredandov erworkedhi
smind
tr
yingt
othi
nkofabetterplantochangehismind
aboutdi
ggi
ngformoreinformati
on

THEMBA: wel l
yeahyouareri
ghtaboutthetwo
possibi
l
iti
esbutmay beyoushouldj
ustletherbeor
punishherbecauseIthi
nkmay beshefoll
owedy ou
totheoperat
ionspotplusmymenwoul dn'
treal
l
y
sayanythi
ng,Itr
ustt
hem

MANDLA:yahmaybe.
.(
lookedathi
swri
stwat
ch)
yohmani
tslat
eletmegohome, Ihadal
ongday
THEMBA:
sur
eman

Theyfistbumpedashet ur
nedwalkingoutand
closedthedoorbehi
ndhimt henThembaquickl
y
tookhisphoneouttext
ingMia..

Ty
ping.
..

THEMBA:
whatt
h..
..

Heerasedthemessageonsecondthoughts
becausehewasthi
nkingmaybeshewillt
akelongt
o
seethemessageorrepl
yhi
mt hendial
edher

MI
A:.
whatasur
pri
se!

THEMBA:dammi
tMi
a!Ar
eyour
eal
l
ythatst
upi
dor
y
ouar
ejustt
ryi
ngt
ogetuski
l
led?
Whyoneart
hwoul
dyoutel
lMandl
at haty
ouknow
aboutt
hehumant
raf
fi
cki
ngbusi
ness?

MIA:
ohhcomeon..Iwasjusttooangryandi
t
sl
i
ppedoutbutImustsayitreal
lyendedwel
l

THEMBA:
endedwel
l
?

MIA:(
smi li
ng)yep,
youshoul
d'
veseenhim
pani
cking,
hecouldn'
tevensayanyt
hingandhe
l
it
eral
lyjuststoodt
hereli
keastat
uethenstor
med
out

THEMBA: (sar casti

claugh)Mandlascared?It
hink
youtotal
l
yl ostitbecauseniggawasjusthereal
l
cal
m andshi t,helookedli
kesomeonewhohasi tal
l
undercontrolsoifIwer eyou,
Iwouldqui
cklygetmy
bagsandr unformyl ife
MIA:(smil
ing)ohhrelax,
youreal
lyl
ikegivinghi
m
waytoomuchcr edi
t,
Imeanwhatmor ecanhedo
nowbecausehedoesn' thaveachoi cesohewi l
l
havetodancet omyt uneanddoasIsayi fhe
doesn'twantmet ospil
lthebeansandendhi s
l
uxuri
ousl i
fe,
becauseIcandot hatwi t
hinthebl
ink
ofaney e

THEMBA: ngng..
.dontsayIdi
dn'twarnyoubecause
Icanseejusthowsomuchdet er
minedyouareso
j
ustdon'tbr
ingupmynameupwhent hegoinggets
toughbecauseIwarnedyou..

Hehungupandt
hrewhi
sphoneont
het
abl
esi
ghi
ng
f
rust
rat
ed

MEANWHI
LEI
NTHAI
LAND

Gr
acel
ookedatt
hescr
eenasherey
esl
ashes
becameheav
ythensheev
ent
ual
l
ydozedof
f.
.

MARTI
N:Gr
ace

Therewasnor esponsesohebentl ookingather

faceandr eali
zedshewasasl eepthencareful
ly
mov edherheadst andi
ngupandt ookacushion
thengentlylayherheadoni t..
..
hewal kedtothe
bathroom andbr ushedhisteeththenmadehi sway
tothebedr oom changingintohissleepwearbef or
e
comi ngbackf orGraceandshookher

MARTI
N:(
sof
tl
y)Gr
ace

GRACE:
(sl
eepy
)hmmm.
..
.

MARTI
N:wakeup
Shesl
owl
yopenedherey
esandr
ubbedt
hem
l
ooki
ngar
ound

GRACE:
huh?

MARTI
N:Let
sgot
obed,
i
tsal
readyl
atenow

GRACE:
okay

Sheslowlywalkedbehi ndhim makingtheirwayt o

thebedroom ashert hr
oatsuddenlydriedupandher
heartbeatrai
sedthinki
ngaboutt hepainfulwounds
onherpr i
vatepart
sandnowsheknewi twastimet o
serv
eandpl easeMar ti
nbecauset her
ei snowayhe
wouldn'twantsex..
.shesighedandprepar edhersel
f
emot i
onall
yforthepainshei sabouttoendure

MARTIN:
I'
ll
giv
eyoumyt-shi
rtsothaty
oucanputi
t
onsi
nceyoudi
dn'
tbr
ingy
oursleepwear
GRACE:
okay

HewalkedtotheclosetasGracener
vousl
ytookoff
al
lhercl
othesthenhewalkedbackandhandedit
over

MARTI
N:t
ake

Shesl
owlytookitnotsur
eifshewast
oweari
tnow
ori
tsmeantforaftert
hedeedsoshet
ooki
tand
l
ookedathi
m confused

MARTI
N:(
laughi
ng)ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
oweart
hat
?

GRACE:
ohh.
..
.

Sheputont
hebaggycl
eanwhi
tet
-shi
rtasMar
ti
n
pul
l
edthesheet
sof
fget
ti
ngi
nsi
det
henshef
ini
shed
upandfol
l
owedsui
t

Helookedtohersi
deandsmi
l
edadmi
ri
ngher
f
lawlessski
n

MARTIN:y
ouhav
eaverysmoothandcl
ear
ski
n,
whatdoy
ouuseonyourf
ace?

GRACE:(br
ief
lysmil
ed)umm vasel
i
ne,
Jodybuysus
al
lvasel
i
neandmakeupofwhichweonlyusewhen
meeti
ngupwiththecl
ient
s

MARTI
N:buty
ounev
erwearmakeup

GRACE:yes,
Ichoosenott
obecauseIdon'
tl
ike
makeup
MARTI N:
'
ohhbuty our eall
yar ebeauti
fulwit
hout
makeupbecausey ouar eanat ur
al,
Ili
kedhowy ou
sl
ightl
yappliedthatshi nythingony ourl
ipsonour
fi
rstmeeting,y
oushoul dnor mal i
zeapplyi
ngit
becauseitjustincreasesy ourbeautyandy ourl
ips
l
ookedsoj uicy,it
sal i
pgl ossr i
ght

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)
yes,
thanky
ou

Itwentawf
ull
yquietastheystart
edintoeachother
's
eyesthenMart
inclear
edhisthroatbreaki
ngthe
sil
ence.

MARTI
N:umm.
..
canIasky
ousomet
hingper
sonal
?

GRACE:
Okay

MARTI
N:howdi
dyouendupher
e?
Tearsformedatt hecor ner
sofhereyesasshewent
downmemor ylane, shetri
edhardtohol
dinthe
tear
sbutf ail
edast heystart
edflowi
ngdownher
cheeksuncont rol
labl y
.Marti
nthenmovedcloserand
pull
edheri nhisar msshushi ngherasshecri
ed
hyster
ical
ly

MARTI
N:i
tsokay,
pleasest
opcr y
ingandyouwi
ll
tel
l
meint
hemorningsincei
tbreaksyouthi
smuch.
.

Hehuggedhert
ightandr
ubbedherbag

MARTIN:(sof
tl
y)it
sfi
nepleasest
opcryingandum
sorr
yforaski
ngyouokay
,Iwasjustcur
iousbuti
ts
fi
nenowy oudonthav
etot el
lmenowokay

MEANWHI
LEATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

heopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
npassi
ngMi
awho
wasseatedcomfor
tabl
yandallrel
axedonthecouch
wit
hherlegscr
ossedthenheadedtotheguest
s
bedroom,
hegotinbutst
uckhisheadoutlooki
ngat
her

MANDLA:(cal
m)i fy
ouknowwhat sgoodforyou
theny
ouwi l
lgoandstartpacki
ngy ourbagsnow
andgety
ourf aceoutofherefi
rstthi
nginthe
morni
ng.
.Goodnight

Heslammedthedoorandtookhi
sclot
hesoff
get
ti
nginbedasshestooduprol
l
ingherey
esonher
waytothemast
erbedroom..
..
#
#
#
Li
kepost
Readandcomment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
06:
34]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT30

THENEXTDAY

Hesl owl yopenedhi sey

esandr ubbedt hem l ooking
aroundt hengotoffbedshoot i
ngst raightt othedoor
yawni ngandopeneduppassi ngt hrought he
passaget henhiseyesfellonthet oocomf ort
able
Miabusyhummi ngsongsi ntheki tchenpr epar i
ng
breakf astthenhisfaci
alexpressioni nstant l
y
changed

MANDLA:
whatar
eyoust
il
ldoi
ngher
e?

MI
A:(
rel
axed)
um maki
ngbr
eakf
ast
,wantsome?
MANDLA: IthoughtImadeitclearthatIdon'
twant
t
oseey ourfaceheretodaybutitseemsy oureal
l
y
wantustogot hehardway,Ihavebeenpat i
entwi
th
youbutall
mypat ienceendsri
ghther eandnow

MI A:(wi
thatti
tude)Iam notgoingany
wheresoyou
bettergetusedtomypr esencebecauseyouar
e
stuckwithmeForl if
eMrMat hews

Mor
eangerbui
l
tinhi
shear
t.
.

MANDLA: (cl
enchedhist
eet
h)Mi
aIam warni
ngyou,
getoutbecauseyoureal
l
ywontl
i
kewhatyouare
abouttosee

MIA:(f
oldi
ngherar mswi thatt
it
ude)Iam. si
ckof
youremptythreat
sreally,j
ustacceptdefeatand
cancelt
hiswholedivorcethingunlessofcourseyou
wantmet odial999andt ellt
hepol i
ceeveryt
hing
aboutyourhumant raf
ficki
ngbusinessandohht he
blackcardhoney
,br
ingi
tbecauseIhav
eal
otof
shoppingtodo

MANDLA: (
evill
augh)haaahaha.
.pol
i
ce?Ohhdont
wasteyourtimebecauset hosearemypuppi
es,
I
havecompel l
edthem sotheywon'tl
ist
entoanyof
yourpet
tyaccusations,
allyouhavetodonowis
saveyoursel
ffrom thetr
agedythati
saboutt
obefal
l
youMia

MI
A:(
wit
hat
ti
tude)
bluhbl
uh!t
hebl
ackcar
dpl
ease!

Hiseyesslowlychangedt ogreenandpoppedoutas
hewentsilentthenMi alookedtheotherway
unawareoft hecurrentsit
uati
onandsheextended
herhandtowar dshim openingherpalmreadyt
o
taket
hecar dandt appedherfoot

MIA:(
sti
l
llooki
ngtheotherway
)makeitqui
ckhoney
,
andwewillj
usthavet
ocar r
yonli
kewehavebeen
bef
orey
ourst
upi
dGr
aceappear
ed

Hi
shear
tskippedatthement i
onofGraceandmore
r
agebui
lti
nhisheartthenhiswhol
ebodytight
ened
r
eadyt
oattackthenMi at
urnedtohi
m

MI
A:y
ouar
-.
..

Hermout hdroppedasherey eswi denedthenshe

staggeredbackwi t
hsweatdr ippingdownherf ace
andbr eathi
ngheav il
y,shelookedbackatt hedoor
calcul
atingthedistancethent ri
edr unni
ngoutbut
herfeetwer etooheav ysoshef el
lonherkneesas
thegreenandy el
lowhugesnakemov edi
tsheadup
tohert r
embl i
ngfaceandwai ledit'
stongue

MI
A:i
yohhh!
!!Mandl
aasnake

Thesnakesqui
rmedi
tsl
argeshi
nyandsl
i
pper
y
bodytothedoort
hencoiledi
tsbodyandrai
sedit
s
headchangi
ngcoloursfr
om greentoy
ell
owandred
asMiatearf
ull
ywatchedshaki
ng,shet
ri
edspeaki
ng
buthervoi
cehadranflat

MI
A:Mandl
-.
..

Shecl osedhermouthbefor
efini
shingupwhatshe
wasaboutt osayaft
ercomi
ngt otheshocki
ng
real
isation,
i
thithert
hatMandl
awasnowher etobe
foundsohepr obabl
yist
hesnake

MI
A:(
inhermi
nd)what
?

Shecr i
edhy st
eri
cal
lyasthesnakesqui r
medi ts
headt owardsheragai
nthenr eleaseditstongue
spitt
ingvenom onherfaceandi tinstantl
yturned
blackandbecamesohot ,
shef eltl
ikeherfacewas
onf i
reandscreamedherl ungsout
MI
A:i
yoooooohhhhhmamaaaaa.
..

Zumbalower edhisheadagainandspi tt
hev enom
onhersmoot hli
ghthandthenitquickl
yturnedblack
achi
ngsobadasZumbawi denedhismout hand
aimedforherheadthenstoppedhal f
wayand
rel
easedhistongueli
cki
ngherf aceasshesobbed
i
nexcruciat
ingpain

MI
A:mhhahhahhy
ouGodhel
pme,
hel
pme

Shecriedsohar dunti
lhertearsrandryandlistened
totheexcr uciat
ingpainonherhandt henthehuge
snakewi ggleditstai
landraiseditsheadhighup
tur
ningbl ack,wi
thherheadl ayi
ngont hef
loor,she
l
ookedupandl osthopeofev erwalki
ngoutal i
vebut
surpri
singlythenowbl ackhugesnakesqui rmedi t
s
bodyoutoft hekit
chenanddi sappearedi
ntot he
passage
MI
A:ahhhh

Shegr untedholdingont ot hefl

oorforsupportand
pull
edherbodyupcar efulenoughnottohurther
achingswol lenhand,shest oodupandt r
iedtouching
herfacebutcoul dn'tfeeli
tsoshet hentookbaby
stepslimpingoutt hekitchenmakingherwayt othe
l
ounge, luckil
yshesawhercarkey sont hetableand
benttakingt hem andlimpedt othedoorwalkingout
asherwhol ebodywasonf ir
e

I
NTHEPARKI
NGLOT

shelimpedov erandcountlessti
mesl ookedbackt o
checki fthesnakewasonhert ai
l t
henshehur r
ied
openingt hecarbef or
ethrowingherachingbodyon
thecarseat ,shelookedatherlefthandandher
wholebodygotgoosebumpsatt hesi ghtofthe
blacksmal lwor mssquirmingonheral mostr ot
ten
hand,tearsstreameddownt emporari
lyblurr
ingher
visi
ont henshel if
tedherri
ghthandr ubbingthem off
andmov edherey est otherearv iewmi rr
orbuther
heartbrokeasshel ookedatherdi sorgani
zedface
withthemanysmal lbrownwor mswi ggli
ng
around,herearwasal sohurtast hev enom fel
lon
theside,sheburstintot ear
st hinkingabouthernow
damagedf aceandt heexcr uciati
ngpai nshewasin

MI
A:(
tear
y)ohhGod,
,
whyme?Why

Sherubbedhert earsof fandl ookedatt hefr

ont
readytostartthecarbutherhear tskippedasher
eyesmett heal l
blackhugesnakei nf r
ontofhercar
thenshepani ckedst eppi ngont heaccelerat
orand
thecarspedof finr eversebumpi ngintoMandla's
brandnewC63t henshequi cklytur
nedt hesteeri
ng
wheelchangingdi rectionsandsawanescaper oute
thenspedoffandqui ckl ypressedthegat eremote
connectedtohercarkey sandt hegat eopenedas
shegotoutspeedi ng..

Meanwhi
l
eint
hepar
kingl
otZumbal
ower
edhi
s
bodymaki
ngwayf
orMandl
ator
egai
nhi
snor
mal
sel
f

MANDLA:
wooooh!

Hel
ookedbackatt
hewiggl
i
ngtail
andt
ight
enedup
t
heni
tcoil
edit
sel
fbacki
nhisbody

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)nowt
hatwasn'
thar
d

Hewalkedupt
ohisdamagedbrandnewcarand
br
ief
lysmil
edt
ouchi
ngthedamagedarea

MANDLA:
asmal
lpr
icet
opayhuh?

Heturnedandwal
kedbackint
ohismansionall
rel
axedandmuchsenseofpeacethatembel
l
ished
hiscut
eface.
..
.
ATTHAI
LAND

Mar t
inwokeupandl ookedar oundthenhi
sey esmet
Grace'sflawl
essprettyfacethenhesmi l
edin
admir at
ionbefor
epul l
ingthesheetsoffand
carefull
ygotoutofbedandt i
pt oedtheki
tchen
whereheopenedt hekitchenunitwide

MARTI
N:wel
lwel
l
...
..
whatdowehav
eher
e

Her ai
sedhishandpi
cki
ngspicesandafewother
i
temst henwalkedt
othefr
idgetaki
ngouteggsand
otherthi
ngsmakingbr
eakf
ast..

Meanwhilei
nthebedroom Gr aceslowlyopenedher
eyesandrubbedherprett
yf aceyawning,
shelooked
tohissi
deandhewasn' ttheresoshespr eadher
l
egsandbentlooki
ngdownathernunuandscanned
thewounds,
theywerenotasr edastheprevi
ousday
andt
hepai
nwasf
adi
ng
"
May
bet
hosepi
l
lshel
ped"
'
shet
hought
Thenshecl
osedherl
egsandbowedherhead
pray
ing

GRACE: '
heavil
yLord,
Ithankyouforgivi
ngmea
chancetor estandhealforj
ustoneday,Idon'
twant
tosaymuchbecausey ouknowmyhear tdesi
res
andy oucanseemybl eedingheartandIbeli
evethat
i
ndeedgoodnessandmer cyshal
lfol
lowmef orthe
restofmyl if
e.Amen

Sheraisedherheadandhereyesfel
lonthe
eavesdroppi
ngMar t
inwit
hatrayonhishandst
hen
hewalkedov erput
ti
ngthetr
aydown

MARTI
N:(
smi
l
ing)soy
oudopr
ay?

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)y
esal
ot,
becausei
tgi
vesmesome
senseofpeaceandhope

MARTI
N:Hope?

GRACE:yeshope,
thatonedayIwi
l
lber
escuedand
gobackhome

MARTI
N:umm okay
,sowher
eishome?

GRACE:
Bot
swana

MARTIN:(
eyespopped)shi
t!That
sli
kesomany
count
ri
esaway

GRACE:
whatdoy
oumean?
I
sn'
tthi
ssout
hAf
ri
ca?
MARTI
N:no,
youar
einThai
l
and

GRACE:butJodysai
dwear einsouthAfri
cabutI
wasalwaysaski
ngmy sel
fquest
ionslooki
ngatour
cl
ient
sbecausemostofthem ar
elight.

MARTI
N:aww,
um sor
ryt
oheart
hat

GRACE:
itsokay

MARTI
N:Icanseet
odayy
ouar
efeel
i
ngal
otbet
ter

GRACE:wel
l.
.y
es,may
beit
stheprayerbecauseI
usual
l
yfeel
rel
iev
edandateaseaft
erpraying

MARTIN:okay,
Ihopeyoudon'
tmindtel
l
ingmehow
youcamehere,buti
tsokayi
fyoudontwantt
otal
kit
Gr
acesmi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
m

GRACE:
'
it
sokay

Shebr
eat
hedheav
il
yandst
art
edt
alki
ng

GRACE:
Geor
ge

MARTI
N:(
li
steni
ng)y
es

Iwaswor ki
ngi nahotel t
henonedaysomeguy
walkeduptomeandaskedf oradv i
ce,i
twasweird
howhechosemebecausey es,wewer ecol
leagues
butwehardlyspokeunlessi fnecessarysothenhe
askedtomeetupaf terwor k,
fastforwardt
ot hat
,we
metandheof feredmej uiceandt henboom!Iwoke
upinabrothelandsufferedatt hehandofdiffer
ent
men...
Shesighedandst
oppedavoidi
ngt ogoallout
nar
rati
ngevery
thi
ngbecausethatsapartshenev
er
wantstothi
nkabout
,l
etal
onetalkabout

MARTIN:don'
tknowwhattosayhonest
lybecause
thi
sissomet
hingI
.woul
dn'
tevenwishonmywor st
enemy

GRACE:(smil
ed)dontfeelsorr
yforme
pl
ease,
becauseifyoustartt
henI'l
lbecomeall
emoti
onalandstar
tcryingbutthanksforl
i
steni
ng

MARTI
N:i
tsokay

GRACE: (
smil
ing)andthankyoufornothavi
ngsex
wit
hme, Iwasinpainandy ougavemet i
metoheal,
I
wil
lfor
everbegratef
ulforyourki
ndness

Mar
ti
nleanedov
erandpul
l
edheri
ntohi
sar
ms
huggingherthenheslowlypul
ledoutasthei
rey
es
l
ocked,hisnosebr ushedagai
nstherst
henhe
cl
earedhisthroat

MARTI
N:umm.
.I
.t
hinkweshoul
deatnow

GRACE:
(br
eat
hedout
)umm y
eah
Hetookthetr
ayandhandedherherf
oodast
hey
di
ggedin.
..
#
#
#i
tsshor
tIknow,
sor
ryguy
s,hadabusyday

DON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTANDSHARE
[
7/19,
07:
09]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT31

LATERTHATDAY
Thebl isteringsunst r
uckt hel onelyst reetsoft he
cit
yasMandl asl owlydr ovei nthemal l andpar ked
hisRangeRov erSpor tthenl ookedathi swr i
stwat ch
checki ngi fhest i
llhavet i
mebef orehi snext
meet ing,hesi ghedi nrel
iefaf terreal i
zingt hathest il
l
hav eanhourt ogosohef i
xedt her earv i
ewmi rror
takingagl impseofhi scutef lawlessf acet hen
pulledasmi rkr eveali
nghi sfineev enlywhi teteet h
andt hengr abbedhi ssungl assesandopenedt he
doorst eppingouti nther agingsun.Hecl osedt he
doorl ockingt hecart henr aisedhi shandJi mIuphi s
faceput ti
ngonhi sstyli
shgucci sungl assesandand
wal kedt ot her estaurant.Headst ur nedashi s
colognespr eadar oundandwomenl ookedathi m
admi ringt hehunki nhi m whi speringbuthe
mai ntainedaser i
ousf acei gnor i
ngt hemuch
attentiondi rectedt owar dshi m

LADY1: ohmyGosh!Thi sMandl

aguyi
sjusttoo
hot
,kanaihl
eleekar
ebannababahabadif
il
imi wena,
boJamesbond, antseskono(
ohMyGod,this
Mandlaguyi
sjustt
oohot,hebel
ooki
ngli
ket
he
guysinmovi
es,t
heli
kesofJamesBond,
andlooki
ng
al
lclean)

GIRL2:youcansayt hatagain,
andheneverreal
ly
fl
ir
tsorgiv
eswomenat tent
ionnomaterhowmuch
wet r
ytogivehi
m signs,keraahlemma,
ihlel
aa
gagametseelakabont l
enyane(heal
way slooks
seri
ousyetsti
ll
cute)

GIRL1: hai
mma.Aker
egatehei
smar
ri
edgol
o
hale,
(Ihear
dhei
smarri
ed)

GIRL2: eeapparent
ly,
,,
mmennammahl emmanka
moi naaelaelaantir
isabot l
hwasagor eaipeeye
pelokahaalemont l
ekat eng,otlar
er efetsaaboa
boelakogowi fennamosst labokesegaut sit
se.(I
swearI'dsubmitmybodyt ohim sot hathesatisfi
es
himselfthengobackt ohiswi fe,
atleastI'
dhave
tast
edhi m)
Theybur
stintolaught
erashetur
nedandstepped
i
ntospurbuthet ookafewst
epsbackseei
nga
fami
li
arface.
..
.

MANDLA:
IswearIhav
eseent
hisguybef
ore

Hewal kedoverandst oppednexttothebar ef

ooted
guydressedindi r
tyt atteredclot
heswi t
hhisheadin
thedustbi
nbusysear chingintheplastics,
hepicked
analmostf i
nishedy oghur tthathadfliesandst ood
upri
ghtsmi l
i
ngbef oreopeni nghismout hwide
empt y
ingthecont aineri nhismoutht henlickedhis
l
ipsinenjoyment .
Mandl ar el
easedhishandand
tappedhim ont heshoul ders

MANDLA:
hey

Helookedbackathi
m wi
thamessyfaceandt
he
yoghur
thadspreadal
lov
erhi
smouthandnose
whi
lstthekinkydirt
yandbushyhaironhishead
madehi mlooklikeacompletelunati
c.Hesmil
edas
hi
slipspart
edr eveal
inghi
syell
owt eetht
hathad
smallmeatpiecesstuckinbetween.

MANDLA:
what
?

Hismouthdr oppedrecogni
zinghimthenhewent
downmemor ylanegetti
ngtosixmonthsbackaft
er
Grace'
sdisappearanceandthisri
ghther
eistheguy
theyhadconfrontedandhandedtothepoli
ce

MANDLA:
(sur
pri
sed)Geor
ge!

GEORGE:
(wi
denedhi
sey
es)who?

Mandlatookastepbackcover
inghi
smouth
becauseoftheawful
smellcomingf
rom hi
m
MANDLA:Geor
ge,
whathappenedt
oyou,
Ihav
ebeen
l
ooki
ngfory
ou

Hekeptquietfal
l
ingshortofwor dsthenhi
seyes
wentdownspot t
inghisdir
tyfeetandwentuphis
bodyl
ookingatthetatter
eddirt
yt r
ouserst
hat
rev
eal
edhisunshav edpri
vatepar t
sandandsi
ghed
asGeorgeleanedov er

GEORGE:
didy
ousayGeor
ge

Hest
art
edl
aughi
ngl
ooki
ngupi
nthesky

GEORGE: ohhhealsowantsGeorge,
ever
yonewants
George,
hahahahaha(l
ookedbackathim)hetr
icked
youbecauseIam notGeorge

MANDLA:
(conf
used)huh?
GEORGE:
(laughi
ng)hahahahah,
doy
ouwantt
oknow
myname?hahahhahaha

Hebursti
ntol
aught
erandt
urnedar
oundwal
ki
ng
away

GEORGE: JocheJoche!Ket
lalal
akelapisi
tsweke
bathohlekaJoche(GeorgeGeor ge,
thi
speoplear
e
naggingmeaboutthisGeorgeperson)

MANDLA:
wai
t.
..
..
.

Mandl awalkedfasterbehindhim ashest eppedon

theroadwi t
hhisheaddownbef oreheknewt her
e
wasal oudbangingsoundandbl oodsplashedall
overtheroadashisheadr oll
edt othesideoft he
roadwithbloodgushingfrom theneckt henhisey es
turnedtothebackofhisheadast hedirt
ytongue
stuckout.
.Theloadedtruckstoppedaf ewf eetfr
om
thebleedi
ngheadlessandar mlessl i
fel
essbody
t
henMandlasigheddisappoi
ntedandheldhiswaist
wat
chi
ngasmor epeoplegat
heredaroundthescene
t
aki
ngvideos

MAN1: hehbathonghlengkoloi
yeee
kganet
lhel
etsemothodi pi
ecepi
ece(y
oht
hiscar
brokehimintosmall
pieces)

MAN2: aoshems,kemonnanyanawasetseno
ohlol
angajamodidust
bin(
shame,i
tst
hementally
unstabl
eguywhousual
lywalksar
oundeati
ngfrom
thedustbi
ns)

LADY1: mayhissoul r
esti
npeace,akohl
elelonale
emisegot saati
ragal
oeemaswey edivi
deo(pl
ease
st
opt aki
ngv i
deosofthist
ragedy
)

Tenmi
nut
esl
ater
..
.
Policearr
ivedinthesceneandt heotheronehur r
ied
tothesideoft heroadandpi ckedt hel
ifel
ess
bleedingheadupt hent hrewi ti
nabl ackplast
icas
theotherpoli
ceof ficer
sbentpi ckingdownt hesmal l
piecesofhisbodyont her oad,Mandlalookeddown
andhi seyesfellonGeor ge'sbrokenar msnearhi s
feetthenhisbodyt ight
enedupasZumbasensed
thebloodhencet r
iedtosur f
acebutMandl aquickly
tookat ur
nwal ki
ngawayf r
om thescene. .
.

I
NTHAI
LAND

Gracesteppedoutoftheshowerwrappedinawhi t
e
towelandwalkedtowards.
Marti
nwhowasl ay i
ng
downt henshesatdownandlif
tedherleggently
apply
ingthebodylot
ionthenMarti
nturnedlooki
ng
ather

MARTI
N:Idontwanty
out
ogobackt
her
e
Gr
acetur
nedl
ooki
ngathi
m notsur
eifshehear
d
hi
m wel
l

Gr
ace:
what
?

MARTI
N:Idon'
twanty
out
ogobackt
othebr
othel

GRACE:
butIcan'
tst
ayher
e,Jodywontagr
ee

MARTI
N:Iknowhewouldn'
tbutIsti
ll
don'
twanty
ou
t
ogobackther
e,Iwantt
oprotecty
ou

GRACE:
butJodyWi
l
lcomeaf
tery
ou

MARTI
N:y
eahIknow

GRACE:
(keptqui
et)
MARTI N:butIreal
l
ywantt ohelpyouescapeof
whichisgoingtobev eryhar
dsinceJodyhas
every
oneonhi spayroll
,
poli
ceincl
udedsowehav et
o
tr
eadcarefull
y

Hereyeswidenedasabitofjoyfi
l
ledher
hear
t,
fi
nall
ythesodarktunnelpr
omisedabi
tof
l
ight
,t
herewashopeafterall

GRACE:
real
l
y,woul
dyoudot
hatf
orme

MARTI N:yes,Idon'tknowwhyIf eelthewayIdo

becauseIam Jody 'slongtimecl i
ent,
trustmeI
boughtsomanygi rl
st osatisfymy selffrom hi
mf or
thepastfewy earsbuty ou-.
..everythi
ngchangedt he
momentIl aidmyey esony ou, Istart
edhav ing
consci
ousbecausebel iev
ey oume, Iwasn't
anywherenearr oughony out hatnight,honestl
y,
um
notdif
fer
entf r
om al lt
heot herr ut
hlessmeny ou
cameacr ossher e,Iusedtobuygirl
sfrom Jodyand
didtheunthinkableont hei
rbodiesbecauseIfel
t
enti
tledatthatmomentbutt henyoucameand
somet hi
nginmechanged

Gracelookedathimf
indi
ngithardt
obeliev
e
becauseallshesawi
nhim was.asweetgentl
eand
ki
ndsoul

GRACE:
real
l
y?

MARTI
N:(
lookeddownashamed)y
es

GRACE:
butwhyme?

MARTIN: Idon'
tknowbutallIsawinyourey eswas
toomuchi nnocenceandthesadnessy oucarri
edin
yourey
eswasn' tmakingthi
ngseasier
,Ijustcoul
dn'
t
bri
ngmy selft
ohur t
ingyou
GRACE:
ohhIsee

MARTI N:yes,
andIhadahar dtimet hinki
ngaboutal
l
thegir
lsIusedthepastfewyear s,
,t
heywouldcry
andbegf ormercybutIcoul
dn'tcarelessbutnowI
feelt
heneedt ohel
py ouandmay be,
justmaybe
I.
wouldbeabletoforgiv
emy selfforthetort
ureIput
thosegir
lsthr
ough

Grace'sey
eswell
edupt hi
nkingofthetimesthe
othermanhadtheirwaywithherbodywhenshe
couldn'
tdoanyt
hingbutremainedhelplesst
hen
Mar t
inmovedcl
oserhuggingherandr ubbedher
tears

MARTI N:i
tsokay,st
opcry
ing,
IknowIprobablyhi
ta
nervebuti
tsgoingtobeokay,Ipromi
seyou,Iam
goingtohelpyoubecauseIcan'
twatchyougetti
ng
usedandbr eaki
ngdown
GRACE:(l
ookedupinhi
seyes)thankyousomuch, I
am sohumbledanddon'
tevenknowwhatt osay
ri
ghtnowbutmayGodf or
giveyouandblessyoufor
Iknowther
eisagoodmani nyouandthat'
sallIever
sawinyousincewemet

MARTI
N:t
hanky
ou

GRACE: (t
eary
)y ouknow,Ihonest
lynevert
houghtI
'
d
everhearthi
swor dscomingfrom any
one,I
.was
hopelessandtraini
ngmyselft
oacceptmyf at
e
becauseIfel
tIhadnochoi cebutgetusedtobei
ng
here

MARTI
N:i
tsokaynow,
stopcr
yingokay

GRACE:
okay
Sheslowlypul
ledfr
om thehugthenhertowelf
ell
exposi
nghersmoot hskinandpoi
ntyti
tt
iesas
Marti
nglaredatherthenshequi
ckl
ypulledi
tup

MARTI N:sothisi
swhatwehav etodo,l
etsjustbe
careful
becauseIwouldn'
twantJodyt oreadour
mindsandcat chontheplansoasl ongashei s
aroundIwil
lactli
keotherruthl
esscli
entsandy ou
al
sohav etoplayyourpartandgivethatf
rightened
sadlook

GRACE:
okay
,Iunder
stand

MARTIN:.
Alri
ghtso,Iwi
ll
call
him nowandaskf
ora
dayext
ensionsothatyoucansl
eepover

GRACE:
buty
ouwi
l
lhav
etopaymor
emoney

MARTI
N:don'
twor
ryaboutt
hat
,it
sokay
Gracekeptquietglar
ingathim andsecret
lypr
ayed
i
nherheartthankingGodf orhi
sl i
fe.
..

MEANWHI
LEATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

Therewasaknockatthedoorsohegotupwal
ki
ng
tothedoory
awningandopenedup.
.

Hisey esfel
lonthemanybr ownwor mssquirmi
ng
ont hefacethenstagger
edbackl ooki
ngattheugl
y
scarywomani nf
rontofhim.hecoveredhi
snose
becauseoft heawfulsmellt
akingacloserl
ookthen
recognizedMia

THEMBA:
Mia!

Tear
sfl
oweddownhercheeks
MI
A:pl
ease,
canIspendt
heni
ghther
e?

THEMBA:
whathappenedt
oyourf
ace,
youl
ookso-
..
..

Hi
smout hwidenedashisey
esf
ell
onherswol
l
en
bl
ackhandthathadevenmanyworms.
.

THEMBA:
Mia,
what
sgoi
ngon

Shekeptqui
teastear
sstreameddownheral
ready
achi
ngface,
hert
hroatdr
iedupandwordscoul
dn't
comeoutthensheswall
owedhardopeni
ngher
mouth

MI
A:CanIpl
easecomei
n?

Thembamov
edasi
deav
oidi
ngl
ooki
ngather
becauseever
y t
imehetookagli
mpseofherwounds
hisbodygotgoosebumpsall
over.Mi
ali
mpedi nas
theexcr
uciat
ingpai
ngrewthenThembaclosedthe
door.
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERTAND
SHARE
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
09]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT32

THENEXTMORNI
NG

MsWi l
l
iamsknockedt
henMandlaputhi
sbagdown
andmadehiswayuptothedoorandopenedup
l
ett
ingheri
n..
MANDLA:
mor
ningma

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
mor
ningsi
r

Shesl
owlywalkedi
nwit
hherbagonhershoul
der
andputi
tonthetabl
eheadi
ngtot
heki
tchenthen
Mandlaf
oll
owedher

MANDLA:
umm.
..
ma

Shetur
nedaroundlooki
ngathim withasmile,
atf
ir
st
i
twasawkwar dwhenhecal l
edherthatbutnowshe
wasgetti
ngusedtoitanditsomehowmadeher
morecomf or
tabl
earoundhim

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
yes
MANDLA:
umm,
Ihav
etot
ell
yousomet
hing

Herhear
tski
ppedt
hinki
ngmay
bei
thassomet
hing
t
odowi t
hGrace

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
okay

MANDLA: umm.
..
Ibumpedi
ntoGeor
geatt
hemal
l
yest
erday

MSWI LLI
AMS: huh?Didshetel
lyouwheremy
daught
eris,
didyoufi
ndher,
ohh--
I'
m(heinter
rupt
ed
her)

MANDLA:
no

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
huh?
Hel
ookeddownandsi
ghedr
aisi
nghi
shead.
..

MANDLA:
heact
ual
l
ylookedwei
rd,
Ithi
nkhel
osti
t

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
whatdoy
oumean?

MANDLA:hewaswal ki
ngaroundthemall
indirt
y
t
att
eredcl
othesandatefr
om dustbi
ns,
Ithinkheis
mental
l
yunstabl
enow

MsWi ll
i
am'sey esf
elldownasshesl owlysatdown
i
ndi sappointmentast helitt
lehopeshehadcr ushed
beforeherey es,sheknewi fhim bei
ngcrazyistrue
thenhewon' tbeabletotellthem aboutGrace'
s
wher eabouts,letal
oneev ergett
ingpunished
becausehi sinsanitywil
lsavehim.

MSWI LLI
AMS: (
rai
sedhereyes)ohhumm.
.di
dhe
sayanyt
hingaboutmydaughter
MANDLA:notr
eal
lybecauseIt
hinkhedoesn'
tev
en
r
ememberhisnamebuttherei
smor e.
.

MsWi l
l
iamsl
ookedint
ohiseyeswi
thherheart
poundi
ngwonder
ingwhatcoul
dbemorewor se

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
isi
tabouther
?

MANDLA: notreall
y,Georgei
snomor e,hewal
ked
awayandItri
edf oll
owinghim hopingformore
cl
ari
tybutbeforeIknewithest eppedont her
oad
andther
ewasal oudbangingsound, hewashitbya
tr
uckandunfortunatel
yhedidn'tmakei t

MsWi l
li
amssl owl
ysatdownast ear
sst r
eamed
downhercheeksnotbecauseofGeor ge'
sdemise
butbecausetheonl
ypersonwhowascapabl eof
hel
pinghergetherdaught
erbackwasnomor e,now
al
lhopewasgoneandherhear tshatt
eredint
o
pieces,
tear
sfor
medatthecorner
sofherey
esbut
shelookedupholdi
ngt
hem in.

Meanwhi
l
eMandlal
ookedathersadl
ythensi
ghed
l
ooki
ngathi
swr
istwat
ch

MANDLA:'
umm sorry
,Iknowyouarelosi
nghopeof
fi
ndi
ngherbutdontworryum sur
esomethi
ngwil
l
comeup

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(nodded)

MANDLA:
Ihav
etogonow,
bye

Heturnedar oundfacingthedoorandsl owlywalked

outasMsWi l
l
iamsfinall
ylett
het earsfl
ow,shethen
qui
cklyrubbedt hem offasMiacr ossedher
mind,
shedi dn'twanthertowalkinhercr yi
nglest
shegetsangr yandbecomev i
olentagain,
shestood
upandst
art
edmaki
ngbr
eakf
astf
orMi
a

Fi
ft
eenmi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Sheputeveryt
hinginherpl
atethenplacedi
tona
tr
aywalki
ngt othemasterbedroom,shehel
dt he
tr
aywithonehandandner vouslyext
endedherhand
tothedoorknocking

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
mam

Therewasnor esponsesosheputt hetr

aydownand
openedthedoorwal kinginbuthereyesfel
lont
he
emptyni
celymadebedt henshesighedassumi
ng
maybesheleftearl
yt hatday

I
NTHAI
LAND
Graceputonhermini
ski
rtandthebl
ackst
ri
ngcrop
t
opt henMart
inpul
l
edherintohi
sarmshuggi
ngher

MARTI
N:t
oobady
ouhav
etogobacknow

GRACE:
yeahhey

MARTIN:
um sorr
yIhavetotakeyoubacktot
hat
pl
acebutj
ustinther
ebecauseverysoony
ouwil
lbe
out

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)
alr
ight
,andt
hanky
ouagai
n

Shesai dthatlooki
nginhiseyeswithherhandson
hi
sshoul dersthenitwentsil
entastheygotlosti
n
eachot her'
sey es,
Mart
inl
eanedov erforaki
ssbut
quicklysteppedbackonsecondt houghtsand
cl
ear edhisthroat
MARTI
N:ohumm.
..
sor
ryaboutt
hat
,l
etsgetgoi
ng

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)okay

Hehel
dherhandandopenedt
hedoorast
heymade
t
hei
rwaytohiscar

Thi
rt
ymi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
..
.

Mar t
inpull
edupinhisbl
ackv olv
oS40andGr ace
quickl
yopenedthedoorsteppingoutandwalkedin
thebrothell
impi
ng,meanwhil
eJodypeakedoutt he
windowst ar
ingt
hensmiledasMar ti
nrever
sed
speedingoff.
.

Fewmi nut
eslat
erGracewalkedalongthelong
passageli
mpingthenJodyfol
lowedhertoher
room,shet
hrewhersel
fonthebedast hedoorflung
openthenshelookedupatJodywi t
htearyeyesas
hesmi
l
edi
mpr
essed

JODY:wel
ldone,
youmadeal
otmor
emoneyt
his
pastt
wodays

Gracebri
efl
ysmi
ledandmaintai
nedt
hesadusual
l
ookt oavoi
dmakinghi
m suspi
ci
ous.
..

JODY:
guesswhat?
todayi
sy ourdaybecauset
hegi
rl
i
nroom 52t
ookcareofal
lyourcli
ent
s..

Shesmil
edwit
habi
rel
i
evedbutst
il
lfel
tsor
ryf
or
herf
ri
end.
..

GRACE:
okay

Hewal
kedouthappi
l
y
ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

hewalkedi
ntotheki
tcheninhiswhitegowny
awni
ng
thenj
umpedashisey esfel
lonthefewbrown
wormssqui
rmingont hekit
chencounter

THEMBA:
yoh!Mi
s!

Hestormedofft
othel
oungeandf
oundMi
aseat
ed
dr
inki
ngcoff
eeinamug

THEMBA:
yourt
hingsar
eint
heki
tchen

Mialookedupathi mthenlookeddownatt hemany

fal
lenwormswi ggl
ingthei
rsmallbodiesont het
he
fl
oor,
Them alookeddownandqui cklysteppedback
ashisskincr
awl ed
THEMBA:
ewww!YohMi
a!

Hewalkedt
othecor
nerandl
ookedatherbr
eat
hing
heav
il
y

THEMBA: kantewar ewhathappened,

youcouldn'
t
sayany t
hinglastnightandIlety
ougot obed
becauseIcoul dseey ouweresti
lli
ntoomuchpain
butnowum waki ngupt othi
sthi
ngsallovermy
house,
noMi ami!Startt
alki
ngbefor
ethist
hingsstar
t
att
ackingmet oo

Mia'
sey
eswelledupandhert
hroatdr
iedupasshe
t
ri
edtospeakup

MI
A:Mandl
adi
dthi
s,
hei
sasnake

Themba'
sey
espoppedandhebur
sti
ntol
aught
er
THEMBA:
hahahahhei
,st
oppl
ayi
ngl
i
ket
hat

MI
A:hei
sasnake

Heconti
nuedlaughi
ngunti
lhi
sri
bshur
tthenl
ooked
backathert
ryi
nghardnottol
augh

THEMBA: hah,
l
ookatyouallser
ioushai
man
Mia,youar
etot
all
ylosi
ngit,
ohhGodwhyisever
yone
aroundmegoingmad,fi
rsti
twasGeorgenowit
s
you!.
..

MIA:(
weak)Iam ser
ious,heli
ter
all
ychangedi
ntoa
ver
ybigsnaker
ighti
nfrontofme

THEMBA:(l
aughi
ng)al
ri
ght,i
tsei
thery
ouwer
ejust
hal
l
uci
nat
ingoryouarereal
l
ygoingmad
Miasadlylookeddownast hedisbel
iefonhi
sface
remindedherofMandla'swords.'
.
(((
noonewill
beli
eveyouorev erl
i
stentoyou)))
))

Nowi tall
madesense, sheactual
lyhadthoughtshe
will
got othepoli
cestationandreporthi
m butthe
wayThembal ookedathernowgav ehersecond
thoughts,i
twasjustnowwhensher eali
zedwhat
Mandlameantbyhav i
ngev er
yoneonhi spal
m, no
onewi l
lbeli
eveanythi
ngshesay s

THEMBA: hahhahahahei
,
aitseMiaost
outu(miayou
areacomedian)thi
sshouldbethel
amestjokeof
theyear
,haha

Tear
sfloweddownherfaceastheexcr
uci
ati
ngpai
n
fr
om herfacegott
hebestofher

MI
A:pl
ease,
,
youhav
etobel
i
eveme,
hei
snothuman
THEMBA: okay
,um sor
ryy
oufaceandar
ml ookli
ke
thatbuty
ouhav et
ostopspr
eadi
ngsuchhorri
ble
rumors

MI
A:pl
easebel
i
eveme

THEMBA: ofcour seIbelievey ouwerebitt

enbya
snakebecauset hatwoundr eall
ylookshorri
bleand
disgusti
ngbutst opcal l
ingMandl aasnakej ust
becausehechasedy ououtt henasnakebi tyou
afteryoul ef
tokay ?Stopsay ingthatbecauseyouare
pissingmeof f
,Ihav ebeenf riendswiththi
sguy
si
ncechi l
dhoodbuty ougotmar r
iedtohimforonly
fi
v eyearsandnowy outhinky ouknowhi m
better,
pleasest op

Mi
asi
gheddef
eat
ed

MI
A:okay
THEMBA: goodbecauseIwouldn'twantsuch
rumourstospreadaround,
l
etstakeyoutothe
hospi
talsothatyougetashotforthevenom

MI
A:al
ri
ght

THEMBA: butIwil
lst
ayint hecarwhenwegett her
e
becauseIcan'
tri
skbeenseenwi t
hy ou,
um only
doingthi
sbecauseIfeelsorr
yfory ouandthose
woundslookreal
lypainf
ulotherwiseIwoul
dn'tbe
hel
pingyou

MI
A:(
tear
y)t
hanky
ou

THEMBA: dontgetusedt
oit
,t
hisi
sthel
astt
imeum
hel
pingy
ou

Mi
alookeddown.
..
THEMBA: yes,sostar
tthi
nkingaboutaplacet
ostay
becauseIcan'
tstaywithyouanylongerandri
sk
gett
ingcaught
,MandlaalwyspopsbysoIdontwant
hi
mt ofindyouhere

MI
A:okay

THEMBA:yes,
l
etmegot
akeaqui
ckshowert
henwe
bounceof
f

MI
A:al
ri
ghtt
hanky
ou

Hebri
efl
ysmil
edandt
urnedtothebat
hroom t
aki
ng
ashowerbef
oret
heyl
eft
..
..
..
..
..
'
'
#
#
#
l
i
kepost
Comment
Andshar
e
[
7/19,
07:
10]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT33

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Thembapul l
edupint hepar
kinglott
henMi a
steppedoutasthebrownwor msonherf acefell
on
thecarseatandwiggledontheseat,Themba'sskin
crawledl
ookingatthem sohequickl
yopenedt he
doorrunni
ngt ot
hepassengerside

THEMBA: (kindly
)pleaseremovethosethings,
at
l
eastusey ourotherhandtopickthem otherwi
seI
wil
lbeforcedt owaitoutsi
dethecarbecauseI
honest
lycan'tstandthem

MI
A:um sor
ry,
l
etmepi
ckt
hem
Sheleanedi
nandextendedherr
ighthandpicki
ng
themanysquir
mingbrownwormsandt hrewthem
outsi
de

MI
A:um done

Hesi
ghedr
eli
eved

THEMBA:
shuuhht
hanks

Hewal kedbacktot hedriver'

ssideandhoppedin
beforeopeningallwindowst ogetri
doftheawful
smel l
inthecarasMi awal kedinthehospi
talwi
th
herhandf eel
ingtooheav y
, t
hewor mswenton
fal
l
ingont hecorridorsandpeopl er
anoffavoi
ding
havingcontactorbeingcloset oher

GI
RL1:
ohmyGod!Lookatt
hatwoman,
herf
ace
l
ookssohor
ri
ble,
whathappenedt
oher
?

GIRL2:yoh!JesusChri
st!Kanaekrobodil
e
sefahl
egohehbonal elet
sogo,
yohmmaweedi boko
tsel
edidint
siyang(herfacel
ooksrott
enohandthe
handtoo,
ohMyGodt hosewormsar ej
usttoomany
)

GI
RL1:(jumped)hei
,utl
wayaakakesisimoga
mele,
kooreolwal
aengbathongiyoh(myskini
s
cr
awli
ngev en,
whatcouldbetheprobl
em t
hough?
)

GIRL2:Ohl omol apel

ogore,bonajaakadi
ntshidi
mosetsemor agokanadiutlwasebodu(butIfeel
sorr
yforher,evenfli
esar
ef oll
owingherbecauseof
theawfulsmel lont
hewounds)

GIRL1:hai
mmal et
snotl
ookatherbecauset
hisi
s
sendi
ngshiver
sdownmyspi
ne,
Iswearum goingt
o
haveni
ghtmares
MeanwhileMiatur
nedwalkingsl
owl
ybecausethe
painonherwoundswasjusttoomuch,shewalked
towardsthetwogi
rl
swit
ht heint
ent
ionofaski
ng
them somethi
ng.
.

MI
A:hel
l
o,wher
ecani
se-
..
..
.

Theycover
edthei
rnosesandqui
ckl
ygott
hei
rbags
andwalkedaway.
.

GIRL1:hehmmamony anayootl
alal
aaretshetse
diboko,
didy
ouseehowt heykeptonfal
li
ngfr
om her
facewhenshegott ous(thi
sgir
lwantstot
ransmit
thiswormsdiseaseont
ous)

GI
RL2:ngng.
..
andt
hesmel
li
ssohor
ri
ble,
Icoul
dn'
t
br
eat
hekanai
yoh

Meanwhi
l
eMi
asadl
ylookeddownl
i
steni
ngt
othe
girl
sconversati
onast heydisappearedinthe
passageandl ookedatherswol lenhand,i
twasso
blackandhadbl ist
ersthatwormsf edon,,
themor
e
thewor msfellwasthemor eot herwormsappear
ed
ont hewound, ,
tear
sfloweddownt emporari
l
y
blurr
inghervisi
on..

Meanwhil
ea.nursepassedbyandsawhert
henher
f
aci
alexpressi
onchangedasherskincr
awl
ed

NURSE:
iyohbat
hong

Miat
earf
ull
ytur
nedl
ooki
ngathergi
vi
ngheracl
ear
vi
ewthenshefr
owned

NURSE: (
walki
ngbackandcover
edhernose)Iam
sorr
yf orthatr
eact
ionmysist
er,
Ijustwasn'
t
expectingthi
swhenthosetwogir
lsaskedmetosee
apatientoutsi
de.
MI
A:(f
orcedasmi
l
e)

Thenursel
ookedar
oundt
ryi
ngt
othi
nkofaper
fect
escape

NURSE: umm..
letmegot
hatsi
deandcal
lthedoct
or
sothathecanseeyou

MI
A:okayt
hanky
ou

Shequi ckl
ywalkedawaywi t
hherheartpoundi
ng
thenjumpedast hethoughtofthewormssent
shiv
er sdownherspine,shetookoffherbl
azer
shakingitandscanneditthi
nkingmaybetheworms
areoni t.

NURSE:(si
ghedr
eli
eved)shuuu,hehDoctorMoyo
wee,
akooyegochekapatientenngwekakwa
r
ecepti
onkakwa,
,
nnat ot
aum tooweakt ohandl
e
such,
Iwouldn'tbeabl etosl
eepatni ghtifIspenta
minutewit
hheri nt heconsult
ati
onroom, mol ego
batl
alonabodoct or( heyDoctorMoy o,pleasego
checkanotherpatientattherecepti
onar ea,hercase
bestsui
tsdoct or
snotusweakl i
ngs)

DOCTOR: (
laughing)hehe,
Iwonderhowt hispat
ient
ofyour
slooklike,t
hewayy ourbusyf
rowningandall
di
sgustedri
ghtnow

Hel aughedandputonhi
swhi
tecoatthent
ooka
fewot hert
hingswal
ki
ngt
owar
dstherecept
ion
area..
..
..

ATTHERANSOMS

WAI
TRESS1:
ohhmyGod!
you'
vegott
oseet
his

Shet
urnedandext
endedherhandt
owar
dsher
fr
iendbr
ingi
ngt hephonecl
osertoherf
acethenher
mouthdroppedl ooki
ngatt
heheadbesi
detheroad,
yesthet
onguewashangi ngoutbuti
twasntany
hardtor
ecognizehi m

WAI
TRESS2:
whatt
heHel
l
?Ist
hisGeor
ge

WAITRESS1:y
esitsolooksl
ikehi
m,t
hecomment
s
ar
esayinghewashitbycar

WAI
TRESS2:
'
eww,
thi
sisdi
stur
bing

Theywentdownscr ol
li
ngasthei
rskinscr
awled
l
ookingattheli
fel
essdamagedbody ,t
hecuthand
appearedontheothersi
deoftheroadandthey
screamed

WAITRESS1:
iyohbat
hong,
koor
ethi
str
uckcr
ushed
hi
sbodyandcuthi
mintopi
ecesaobat
hongt
hisis
sosad

WAITRESS2:hai
sh,t
hisisver
ydi
stur
bingI
mean,whopost
ssucht hi
ngsonFacebookt
hough,
I
f
eelforhi
spoorfamil
y

WAITRESS1:andtot
hinkweworkedwi
ththi
s
guy,
shame,Ir
ememberhowhewasalwaysquiet
andreser
ved,
i
ndeedGodtakest
hegoodones

WAITRESS2:howdidhiscaseaboutGr
ace'
s
di
sappear
ancegothough

WAITRESS1:hewasreleasedbecauseofl
ackof
ev
idence,
andIhonest
lydon'tt
hinkhewasguil
ty.
.

Theybot
hsi
ghedsadl
y
WAITRESS2:yeah,
hewoul
dn'
tdot
hat
,mayhi
ssoul
r
estinpeace.

WAITRESS1:
haish,
l
etmegoshowourmanagerso
t
hatwecanorgani
zeamemori
alser
vice.

WAI
TRESS2:
okay

Shewal
kedawaytohisoffi
ceandhercoll
eague
si
ghedsadl
ythencont
inuedwipi
ngthecounter
..
..

I
NTHAI
LAND

Herfri
endsl
owl ywalkedtoGr ace'
sroom and
openedgett
inginsi
det henlimpedtothebedand
sl
owlysatdowncar efulenoughnottohurthersel
f,
sheshookGr acewhowasf astasl
eep
HER:
Grace

GRACE:
(sl
eepy
)mhm

HER:
wakeup

Sherubbedhereyeswaki
ngup,herf
acebr
ight
ened
ashereyesfel
lonherdearf
ri
end

GRACE:ohhRati
,um sogl
ady
ouar
eokay
,Iwasso
worr
iedabouty
ou

RATI
:(f
orcedasmi
l
e)i
mfi
nemyf
ri
end

Gracelookedatherasherf
aci
alexpr
essi
on
changed

GRACE:
Iknowy
ouar
enotr
eal
l
yfi
ne,
youar
eonl
y
putt
inguponahappyfaceformysake,
wel
lyoudont
haveto,j
ustl
eti
tal
loutandall
owmet obetherefor
youbecauseyouar
ealwaysther
etowipemyt ear
s
offduri
ngmyworstdays.
.

Rati'
seyeswell
edupt hentear
sfl
oweddownher
face,
thenGracesatupri
ghthuggi
ngherandr
ubbed
herback

GRACE:
itsokayf
ri
end

Shelookedi
nherey
esandhel
dhercheekwi
pingher
tear
soff

GRACE:whydi
dyouonmypl
ace,
Ihear
dJody
say
ingy
outookmycli
ent
s

RATI:(
tear
y)Ijustdi
dn'twantt
oseey
oui
npai
n
todaysoItookiti
nstead
GRACE: t
hanky
oubutpleasedontdothisagai
n
becausenowyouar
ealsoinpain,okay

RATI:(tearfull
y)noGrace,
Ican'twatchJody
overwor ki
ngy ouandletyousuf f
eralonesowewi ll
di
v i
dethecl ientsamongstourselves,Ionl
yhad4
cl
ientsinaweekbuty ouhad8soIwi ll
takethe
othertwoandmakei tsix,
Ialr
eadyt al
kedt oJody
andheagr eed

Gracel
ookedatheremoti
onal
,shewast
ouchedby
t
hesacri
fi
cesherfri
endmadeforher

GRACE:thanky
ouRat
i,Idon'
tknowhowIwi
l
lev
er
payyoubutmayGodbl
essy ouforme

RATI:
itsf
inereal
l
y,st
opt
hanki
ngmebecauset
his
i
swhatfri
endsarefor
.
Theytearf
ull
ylookedi
ntoeachother
sey
essmi
l
ing
thenGracepull
edheri
nf orahug.
..

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

MsWi l
l
iamssatdownr el
axi
ngbutt
hedoorf
lung
openas.Mandl
awalkedin

MANDLA:
heyma

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
hel
l
osi
r

MANDLA:
howwasy
ourday

MSWILLI
AMS:itwasj
ustokay,
Imanagedtof
ini
sh
ev
ery
thi
ngIhadtodo,
whatsl
eftnowisgoi
nghome
MANDLA: butyoucanalwayssl
eepi
ntheguest
r
oom ify
ouar etooti
redtogohomeorify
oufini
sh
wor
kinglate

Sheturnedandlookedathim surpr
isedbyt he
suddenkindness,
sinceGrace'
sdepartur
ehehas
beennothingbutkindtowardsher.
.shethoughtf
ull
y
cl
earedherthroatspeaki
ngup

MSWILLIAMS:okaythanky
ou,
,umm wherei
s
madam,shewasn'ther
ewhenIarr
ivedt
hismor
ning
andst
il
lhav
en'
tcamebacky et

MANDLA: (
cal
mly)I
.di
dn'
tl
ikewhatshedi
dtoy
ou
t
heotherdaysowebrokeup

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sur
pri
sed)br
okeup?

MANDLA:
yes,
wear
eget
ti
ngadi
vor
ce,
i
twasl
ong
dueany
way
,howar
eyourknees?

MSWILLI
AMS:ohh,
theyar
emuchbet
ter,
inappl
i
ed
t
heoi
ntmenty
ougav emeandi
t'
shel
ping

MANDLA:
(smiled)um gl
adi
tshel
ping,
um t
ir
edso
l
etmegorestabit

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
oksi
r

Hewal kedawayleavi
ngMsWi l
li
amsi ndeep
thoughts.
.i
tsweir
dhowshestil
lfeltsor
ryforMi
a
evenafterthet
ortur
esheputherthrough

MSWILLI
AMS:(i
nhermi
nd)ohhpoorchi
l
d,may
Godbewi
thher
..

Shesi
ghedandl
aiddownont
hecouch.
..
.
#
#
#
Li
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
10]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT34

ATTHERANSOM

MANAGER:goodmorni
ngever
yone,
Ical
l
edy
oual
l
her
etodayt
obeart
hesadnews

Theyst
art
edwhi
sper
ing.
.
MANAGER:
um sorr
ybutoneofushasdepar
ted,
Geor
gei
snomor e.

Theycont
inuedwhi
sper
ingassomeoft
hem br
oke
downcryi
ng..

WAITER:(
sadl
y)aobanna,
esengGeor
gehl
ebann
(notGeor
geplease)

WAI
TRESS:
aww,
mayhi
ssoul
resti
npeace

MANAGER: Iknowiti
ssadbutl etustryt
obest
rong
andprepareforhismemor ial
servi
cetomorr
ow.
Resawillt
akei tf
rom her
et ofi
ll
youinabout
ever
ythi
ng,I'
llbeinmyoffice

Shewal
kedawayast
heycont
inuedt
alki
ng.
..
ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Hegaveherpai
nki
ll
ersandbet
adineoi
ntmentt
hen
scr
ibbl
edsomethi
ngonhermedical
car
d.

DOCTOR:I
'
llgi
veyouashottostopf
urt
her
spr
eadi
ngofthev
enom i
ny ourbl
oodandt
aket
hese
wit
hyou

Hehandedherapacketofpainki
l
lersthensheput
t
hem inherpocketbef
oresl
owlytakingoffher
t
rouserexposi
ngherbutt
ocks.

DOCTOR:
mov
ethi
ssi
deandbendal
i
ttl
e

Shemov edandbendedgivi
nghim acl
earvi
ewthen
heleanedoverandpr
ickedherasshecl
enchedher
teet
handfli
nched
MI
A:ahhouch!

DOCTOR:
done!

Hewipedthebl
oodstai
nsonherbuttof
fandthr
ew
t
hecottonwooli
nthedust
binasshepull
edupher
t
rouser
.

DOCTOR:al
right
,dr
inkthosepai
nki
ll
erst
or educe
pai
nandapplytheoint
mentonthewound,Ibooked
youi
nforacheckupi naweeksti
mesot hatwecan
seei
fthei
njecti
onworked

MI
A:okay
,butdoct
orwhenwi
l
lthewor
msdi
sappear

DOCTOR: um notsur
ebecausewetri
edwashing
them offbuti
tseemsnewonesr eappearal
lover
againthatswhyIbookedyouinfornextweekso
thatwecancheckpr ogr
ess,i
nthemeantimeyou
shoul
dcont
inueappl
yi
ngt
hatoi
ntment

MI
A:okaydoct
or,
thanky
ou

DOCTOR:
bye

MI
A:by
e

Shewalkedoutlimpi
ngaspeoplelookedather
di
sgusted,
shesighedsadlyt
henlookedatherhand
butther
ewasnodi ff
erencewhatsoever
,theworms
weresti
llwi
ggl
ingont hewoundsexceptthepai
n
hadfadedbutnotmuch. .
Thembacaughthergli
mpseont her
earviewmi r
ror
andtookt
heairfr
eshenerspr
ayingi
nthecarthenhe
wrappedacl
otharoundhisneckcover
inghisnose
asMiaopenedhoppingin

THEMBA:
thatwasl
ong
MI
A:(
sadl
y)y
eah,
noonewaswi
l
li
ngt
ohel
pme.

Herever
sedandheadedt
othegat
ethenMi
alooked
athi
m

MI
A:pl
easepassbyt
hepol
i
cest
ati
on

THEMBA:
(sur
pri
sed)why
?

MIA:myf
ri
endwor
kst
her
esoIwantt
oshowhermy
st
ate

THEMBA:
okay

MI
A:t
hanky
ou
Het
ookat
urnheadi
ngt
othenear
estpol
i
cest
ati
on

20mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

Hepul
l
edupi
nthepar
kingl
ott
henshest
eppedout
.

THEMBA:
makei
tqui
ck

MI
A:al
ri
ght

Shewal kedoutasev er
yonelookedatherandt urned
changingdir
ecti
ons.Herheartbrokenoti
cinghow
everyonewasav oi
dingherthenmor eangerbuilti
n
herheart,at
eardroppedthenshewi peditoffand
walkedintherecept
ionarea

MI
A:mor
ningMam
Sherai
sedherheadupandherey
esf
ell
ont
he
rot
tenf
acethenherski
ncrawl
ed.
.

RECEPTI
ONIST:
(fr
ownedandcov
eredhernose)
morni
nghowmayIhelpyou?

MI
A:Iwantt
orepor
tsomeone

RECEPTIONIST:(
stomachtur
ned)mhmm.
..
goknock
onthatdoor
,theywil
lhel
pyou

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)okay
,Thanky
ou

Shesl
owl
ywal
kedt
othedoorandknocked

VOI
CE:
comei
n

Sheopenedandt
het
wopol
i
ceof
fi
cer
sfr
owned
st
eppi
ngbackwi
tht
hei
rhandscov
eri
ngt
hei
rnoses

MI
A:mor
ning,
I'
dli
ket
orepor
tsomeone

POLICE1:
umm.
..mam,
let
sgoout
sideandheary
ou
out

POLI
CE2:
yeahgoodi
dea

Shesteppedbackandwal
kedpassi
ngrecept
ionas
theyf
oll
owedherwitht
hei
rnosescover
ed

Out
side.
..
..

POLICE1:yes,
mam yousai
dyouwantt
oopena
caseagai
nstsomeone?

MI
A:y
es
POLI
CE1:
okwear
eli
steni
ng,

hestar
tedt
her
ecor
derandbr
oughti
tcl
osert
oher
face

MIA:
itsMandlaMatthews,
hei
stheonewhodi
dthi
s
t
ome, het
urnedint
oasnakeandbitme

Theyl ookedateachotherandburstintol
aughter
,
theylaughedsohar dt
hatt hei
rri
bsevenstart
ed
hurt
ingwhi l
eshestoodt herewit
htearsstr
eaming
down, howshewi shedsomeonewoul dbel
iev
eher.

MIA:(inhermind)maybetheywil
lbel
i
evethehuman
tr
affi
ckingonesincei
tdoesn'
tsoundli
kea
supersti
ti
on

MI
A:andhei
sal
soi
nvol
vedi
nhumant
raf
fi
cki
ng,
the
gir
lswhoar eal
waysreport
edmissi
ngareabduct
ed
byhimt henhesel
lsthem t
ohi
sIndianf
ri
endsand
theotheroneinThai
l
and..

POLI
CE2:
(br
eat
hingheav
il
y)humant
raf
fi
cki
ng?

MI
A:y
es

POLI
CE2:
enemandl
aMat
thews?

MI
A:y
eshi
m

Theyl
ookedateachot
heragai
nandl
aughedasshe
si
ghed

MI
A:pl
ease,
youhav
etobel
i
eveme

POLI
CE2:
sor
rymam butwedonthav
eti
mef
ort
his,
y
ouwast
edourt
imewi
thst
upi
dfai
ryt
ales.

Theyturnedandwalkedbackinsidel
aughingtheir
l
ungsouti mi
tat
ingher,
,tear
sstreameddownher
cheeksasshelookedupi ntheskyandforthefir
st
ti
mei nalongti
mesher emember edheradoptiv
e
l
ateparentsasmoresadnessf i
ll
edherheart

MI
A:ma!

Shebrokedowncr yi
ngandf el
lonthefl
oorwit
hher
kneescry
ingherlungsoutaspeoplewatched,
meanwhileThembaheardthel oudcr
iesandopened
thedoortr
yingt
oseebuthi seyesfel
lonMia

Themba:
dammi
tMi
a!

Heclosedt
hedoorandhur
ri
edov
ert
hent
appedher
shoul
der
THEMBA:
whatt
hehel
lMi
a?Let
sgo

Shel
ookedupathi
sfacebuthi
sski
ncr
awl
edt
hen
hest
eppedbackal
it
tl
e

THEMBA:
let
sgo

Hecov er
edhisnosethenextendedhi
sotherhand
towardsherhel
pingherupthentheywal
kedtothe
carandhoppedin

THEMBA:
whathappeneddownt
her
e

Shesadl
ylookedathim asherthr
oatdriedup
unabl
etosayoutanythi
ngashedr oveoutofthe
parki
ngl
otheadinghome,,meanwhileMi al
ooked
outsi
dethewindowdeepinthoughtsthenshecall
ed
outhermotherunaware
MI
A:mama.
..
.

Thembaturnedl
ooki
ngatherandr
eal
i
sedhermi
nd
wasfaraway

THEMBA:
(louder
)Mi
a!

Shesnappedoutthet
rai
nofthoughtsandbr
ought
herri
ghthandcl
osert
oherfacerubbingt
hetear
s
off
..

MI
A:huh?

THEMBA:
youwer
ecal
l
ingouty
ourmama,
wher
eis
she

Shesadl
ylookeddowngoi
ngdownmemor
y
l
ane(
(((
(((
man:
downdown!Gi
vemet
hemoney
HERMOTHERr :wedonthav emoney ,
pleasedontkil
l
us,atleastsparemybaby ,pl
ease.
...
fewmi nut
es
ther
ewasal oudbangandhermot her'
sbr ain
scatt
eredalloverwit
hhert onguehangi ngout..
..
5
yearsoldMi acrawl
edt ohermother'
slifelessbody
andcriedshakingher.
MI A:
mama, ,mama,,mma.Pleasewakeup, dontl eaveme,
dontleavemepl ease
Sher ai
sedherheadandtearf
ull
ylookedattheman
dressedinbl
ackandabal acl
ava.
.MiA:pl
easetel
lher
towakeup,pleaseuncl
e
Hecli
ckedhist
ongueandki ckedherbloodyhead
wal
kingout.
.MI
A: mummymummypl easedont
l
eave..
.5y
earsoldMiameltedont opofhermot her
's
bl
oodybodycryingherl
ungsoutunt i
lpeopl
e
gat
heredint
heircompound..)
)))
)))
))

Sher
ubbedhert
ear
sandsi
ghed
MI
A:shei
slat
e

THEMBA:
aww,
um sor
ryt
oheart
hat

MI
A:t
hanky
ou

Therewasawkwar dsi
l
enceashet ur
nedgetti
ng
i
nsidehisy
ard.Theybothopenedthecardoor
sand
qui
etlywal
kedtohishouse.
..
..
..
..
..
THREEMONTHS
LATER
#
#
#
50SHARESONTHI
SPOSTTOUNLOCK
TOMORROW'
SBONUS
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
07:
10]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT35
THREEMONTHSLATER

Hequickl
ygr abbedthet
owelandwrappedhislower
bodythensteppedoutoftheshowerandsl
idhis
l
ightf
eetintothefli
pfl
opshurr
yingt
othebedroom
andbentpickinguphisri
ngi
ngphoneonthetable.

MARTI
N:heyJo,
wsupman?

JODY:
Mar
ti
n,
Ican'
tcompl
ainman,
howar
eyou

MARTIN: greatact
uall
y,i
m sohappywi
ththelat
est
ser
viceI'
vebeenget t
ing,
yourgi
rl
saresubmissi
ve
andIli
ket hat

Jodypul
l
edasmi
l
e..
JODY:um gladyouar
ehappywi
thmyservi
ce,
umm..
.im actual
l
ycal
l
ingt
ochecki
fyougotthe
par
tyi
nvit
e.

MARTI
N:i
nvi
te?

JODY: y
es, IaskedmyPAt oemailal
lmyloyal
cl
ient
st heinvitebutIhav
en'tseenyourat
tendance
confi
rmationy et

MARTIN:Ihaven'
tseenanybuti
l
lcheckmyemai
l
s
andgetbackt
oy ou

JODY:
alr
ightMat
,keepi
ntouch

MARTI
N:sur
eJo

Hehungupandputt
hephoneont
het
abl
ethen
hur
riedtohishomeoffi
ceroom t
hensatdown
swit
chingthelapt
opon,heent
eredt
hepassword
andquickl
ycli
ckedontheemail
s

MARTI
N:y
es!j
ustwhatIneeded.

Hesentt
heattendanceconf
ir
mat
ionandst
oodup
wear
ingavi
ctorysmile.

ATTHEBROTHEL

Gracelai
donherbackandspreadherlegswi de
exposi
ngherwoundedcookiethenRatibentover
gentl
ymassagingt
hewoundswi thaclothdippedi
n
salt
edlukewar
m waterasshefl
inched

GRACE:
ouch!
RATI:
um sorr
y,thewoundisabittoomuchsoit
s
goi
ngtohurtali
ttl
ebutum tr
yingasmuchasIcan
tobegent
le,j
usthangint
here,I'
l
lbedonei
nafew

GRACE:
ahhch!

Shecont i
nuedgentl
yrubbingtheinjur
edareaas
Graceclenchedherteeth,fewminuteslat
erRatiput
theclot
hbacki nt
hebowl andgotthebowl putt
ingi
t
awayasGr acecaref
ullysatupri
ghtandmov edback
alit
tl
eleaningonthewal l
andsighedsadly

RATI
:um sor
ryf
ri
end

GRACE:i
t'
sokay
,Ij
ustwi
shMarti
nwoul
dfi
nd
anot
herwayofget
ti
ngusoutofher
e

RATI:
atleasthetr
iedt
helastt
imeandum soglad
Jodycouldn'
tcat
chonbecauseweweresocloseto
gett
ingcaught
,Ican'
tbegi
ntoimagi
newhathe
would'
vedonetousifheconnect
edthedot
sthat
ti
me.

GRACE: (
sighed)y
eah,atl
easthet
ri
ed,IguessI
shoul
dacceptmyf at
ebecausewewill
nev err
eal
ly
getoutofhere

RATI
:(sadl
y)no,
dontsayt
hat
,whyl
osehopenow

GRACE: Ijustwantt ost

opbeinghopefulbecause
that
sexact l
ywhatst eal
smypeace, soIwillt
ake
eachdayasi tcomes.I.
real
i
zedhavingtoomuch
hopeiswhatcr ushesmysoulbecauseattheendI
getdisappointedandbreakdownev enmor e

RATI
:(sadl
ysi
ghed)

Gr
acesi
ghedandgat
her
edal
lherst
rengt
hst
andi
ng
upandli
mpedt ot
hesmallt
ableatt
hecornerand
bentpi
cki
ngabowl f
ull
ofr
iceandsoupthentook
babyst
epsbacktohersmall
bed.Meanwhil
eRati
l
ookedatherandsmil
ed

GRACE:
what
?

RATI
:um j
ustgl
adt
oseey
oupushi
ngy
our
sel
ftoeat

GRACE:
thi
sismet
ryi
ngt
oacceptmyf
ate

Shetookofthel
idandtookaspoonmi xingt
herice
andsoupthenstar
tedeati
ng.Rat
ilookedather
eat
ingfastandl
aughed

GRACE:
(mout
hful
)what
?

RATI
:(l
aughi
ng)y
ouneedt
osl
owdown,
andt
heway
youar ebusymunchingonthat,ekrgokat
weoja
sengwesesemonat e(thewayy ouarebusy
munchi ngonthatl
i
key ourhav
ingsomet hi
ng
deli
cious)

GRACE:(mout
hful)Ial
socan'
tbel
i
evehowthi
snow
al
lofasuddentasteni
ce,t
hankst
omef or
embraci
ngmyfate.

Theyl
aughedasshecont
inuedeat
ing

RATI
:ift
hat
swhathel
psy
oust
omachi
tthenokay

Theybur
stint
olaughtert
henGr
acef
li
nchedand
pi
nchedherpl
ayful
ly

GRACE: ouchRati
!um notsupposedtolaught
his
muchbecausemycooki estret
chesabitebegonna
bot
lhoko.(dontmakemel aughalotbecausemy
cooki
est
ret
chesandt
henbecomespai
nful
)

Theyconti
nuedl
aughi
ngasshemunchedont
he
mixedri
ce.
..

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

t
herewasaknockatt
hedoort
henMsWi
l
li
ams
wentdownt
oopenup.

THEMBA:
hel
l
o,i
sMandl
aar
ound

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
yes,
comei
n

Shemovedtothesidemakingwayforhimtopass,
meanwhi
leMandlawalkedoutoft
hekitchenwi
tha
cof
feemuginhishandtaki
ngsmallsi
ps
MANDLA:
yohpa!

THEMBA:
heyman

TheyfistbumpedandsatdownasMsWill
iams
walkedtothekit
chenandcl
osedt
hedoorgivi
ng
them pri
vacy.

MANDLA:whatsupmyman,
you'
vebeensor
are
si
ncet
heexchange

THEMBA: ohhcomeon, t
heexchangewasonl
ytwo
weeksagoandt hatwasthel
astti
meyousawme,
thati
snotalongtimeman

MANDLA: (
smili
ng)what
?Kanaweusedtohangout
atleastt
wot i
mesaweek, hav
esomethi
ckmommy
keepingyoubusy?
Thembabr
ief
lyl
aughedandchangedt
het
opi
c

THEMBA:noman,
whathav
eyoubeenupt
o,Any
newsonMia?

MANDLA: Ihav
en'
thear
dfrom herinawhi
le,
last
sawherwhenshecamet osi
gnt hedi
vor
cepapers
atmyoff
ice,why?

THEMBA:
I'
mjustaski
ngman.Cany
out
opmeupby
10K?

MANDLA:
(sur
pri
sed)what
,youj
ustgotpai
d?

THEMBA:(l
aughi
ng)Iknowri
ght
,Ihavean
emer
gency,mymom call
edaski
ngformoremoney

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)y
ouar
enotmuchofagoodl
i
er
sodontgi
vemethatmommyl i
neandst
opspendi
ng
al
lyourmoneyont
hisusel
essgi
rl
s

Theyl
aughedashegothisphoneandtr
ansf
err
ed
themoneythenThemba'
sphonebeeped.

THEMBA:
thanksman

Theycont
inuedcat
chi
ngupbef
oreThembal
eft

ATKG'
SHOUSE

Hest oodupashisst omachcr umbledandmadehi

s
wayt othekit
chen,hest ret
chedhishandand
openedt hesmallbarfri
dgebutitwasempt y,
he
sighedandturnedopeni ngtheki
tchendrawer
sbut
therewasnothinginside.
Hesighedsadl yandr eachedf orhi
sjeansside
pockettakingouthisphoneanddi al
edSKbuthe
i
mmedi atelyhungupbef orei tcoul
dringashe
remember edtheirsourpar ti
ng. t
hepastfewmont hs
hadn'
tbeeneasy , l
oneli
nessanddebt sgott hebest
ofhim,asmuchashet r
iedtoi gnoreitbuthereal
ly
missedSKandneededhi m nowmor ethanever.He
swall
owedhi sprideandt extedhim..

Ty
ping.
..
..
.

KG:
heyman,
longt
ime,
howhav
eyoubeen?

Hewai tedf oraresponsebutgotnonet hensighed

frustratedandswi tchedont heelectr
ickett
leboil
ing
wat erbef or
epour i
ngt hehotwat eri
ncupandgot
thel astr emainingteabagmaki ngtea,headded
sugarandgott hecupmaki nghi swaytothesitt
ing
room andsatdownsi pping.
...
SOMEWHEREI
NAONEROOM

Miasl owl yopenedherheav yey esandcoughed.She

gather edallherstr
engthandsatupr ightasthe
headachecausedbyt hewoundonherf acegotthe
betterofher .Thewoundl ookedal otworseandnow
hadbot hgreenandbr ownsmal lwormsfeasti
ngon
herf aceandt helefthand.Sher ai
sedherheav y
painful handandbr oughtitcl
osertoherf acest
ari
ng
atthemanysqui rmingwor mst hentearsformedat
thecor nersofherey esandst r
eameddown, she
heardaknockandr ubbedt hetearsoffl
ookingup

MI
A:comei
n

Herfri
endwalkedinandhermouthdroppedl ooking
atherface,
shequickl
yst
eppedoutandcl osedt he
doorasherskincrawl
ed,shej
umpedast het hought
ofwhatshejustsawsentshiv
ersdownher
spi
ne..
Meanwhi l
einsi
deMiabursti
ntotearscryi
ng
herl
ungsout .
..
#
#
#
Li
kepost
Shar
e
Comment
THANKYOU.
..
[
7/19,
07:
10]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT36

Shej umpedast hethoughtofwhatshej ustsaw

sentchill
sdownherspi ne,meanwhi l
einsideMia
burstintotearscry
ingherlungsout.Dudubr eat
hed
heavilyandslowlywalkedwalkedbacki nsideas
tearsformedatt hecornersofhereyeslookingat
herdearf r
iend,shecoveredhernoseandmov ed
closertryi
nghardtoignorethewoundonherf ace.
..
DUDU: (
pathershoulder)it
sokayMi a,
don'
tcry
.I'
m
sorr
yforstormingoutli
ket hat,
Ijustwasn'
t
expect
ingthiswheny outoldmeabouti tear
li
eron
thephone,Ididn'
tthi
nkitsthisbad.

MI A:(
tear
y)it
sokay ,
im usedtopeopl
eshyingaway
from me,atfi
rsti
tusedt ohur
tmebutnowImade
peacewi t
hitbecauseIsomehowunder st
andthei
r
reasons

Herfri
end'
seyesfel
lonthewoundedhandand
goosebumpsinst
antl
ycover
edherwhol ebodyas
herskincr
awledbutshemaint
ainedherposi
ti
onfor
herfr
iend'
ssake.

DUDU:
whathappened?

MI
A:(
keptqui
etswal
l
owi
nghar
d)
DUDU:andwhydi
dn'ty
outel
lmeaboutt
hisall
thi
s
ti
me,kanai
havebeenthi
nki
ngy
ouareavoidi
ngme.

MI
A:y
eah,
Ishoul
d'
vet
oldy
ousooner

DUDU:
(cur
ious)sowhathappened?

MIA:(tear
ful
l
y)ev
eni
fIt
oldy
ou,
youwoul
dn'
t
bel
ieveme

DUDU:
(at
tent
ive)t
ryme

MI
A:r
emembert
hedi
vor
cei
ssue?

DUDU:
yes

MIA:Iref
usedtosi
gnthem andthr
eat
enedMandl
a
butt
hingsgotoutofhand,
befor
eIknewitt
her
ewas
ahugesnaker
ighti
nfr
ontofme

Herey
eswi
denedasshehel
dhermout
h

MI
A:y
eah,
andi
tbi
tmeonmyhandandf
ace

DUDU:but.
..
Idon'
tunder
stand,
wher
ewasMandl
a
whenall
thi
shappened?

MI
A:hei
sthesnake

Shebur
sti
ntol
aughterbutsl
owl
ycl
osedhermout
h
l
ooki
ngatMia'
sseri
ousface

DUDU:wai
t.
..
.ar
eyouser
ious?

MIA:(tearf
ull
y)y
es,Mandl
aisnothuman,hel
it
eral
l
y
changedintoahugeugl
ysnakeri
ghti
nfr
ontofme
andIj
ustst
oodt
her
ehel
pless

DUDU:
thi
ssoundsscar
y

MI A: andyoushoul
d'v
eseenhim socal m and
collectedwhenIwenttohisoffi
cet womont hsago
tosi gnthediv
orcepaper
s,hejustlookedinmyey es
withnor emor
seandhandedmet hedivorcepaper
s,
Ithoughtmay beI'
ll
behealedaftersigni
ngthem but
hereIam

DUDU: (shocked)iyoh!Ihonestl
ydon'tknowwhatto
saybecauset hisi
ssounbel ievable,
ekrgol
ogadi
fi
li
miela, Imean..
howdoesawhol ehumanbeing
changei ntoasnake.Iyoh!Dil
ot sabahumihleke
mathata.(thi
ssoundsl ikeamov i
e,t
hingsr
ich
peopledot hough)

MI
A:doest
hatmeany
oubel
i
eveme?
Shesi
ghedandl
ookedi
nherey
es.
..

MIA:well
,Idobel
i
eveyoubecauseIknowyou
wouldn'
tj
ustwakeupandmakeupast oryl
iket
his,
besi
desthewoundsar
eevidentenough

Shesi
ghedi
nrel
i
ef.
.

MI
A:(t
ear
ful
l
y)atl
eastsomeonebel
i
evesmenow

Herfr
iendsi
ghedt
ear
ful
l
yandst
eppedbackhol
ding
hert
earsin

DUDU:
hav
eyout
ri
edt
hehospi
tal
?

MIA:yes,
Ihavebeengoingupanddownchangi
ng
doct
orsbutnothi
ngischangi
ng
DUDU:
may
beweshoul
dgot
ochur
ch

Mi
a'
shear
tski
ppedatt
hement
ionofchur
ch.
.

MIA:umm...
.no!Imean, Ihav
eanappointmentwi
th
averygoodandr eput
abledoctor
,Ihear
dheisver
y
goodsoIthi
nkhewi l
lhelpme

DUDU:butyoujustsaidmanydoct
orsf
ail
edand
thi
smustbeexpensivefory
ou

MIA:(
sighed)yeah,i
tisver
yexpensiv
ebecausethi
s
doct
orwant s10K,butdontworr
ybecauseIhave
someonehel pi
ngmeoutsoI '
l
lbefine

DUDU: (
sighed)
okay
,ifyoueverchangey
ourmind
aboutcomingtochurchwit
hmedonthesi t
atet
otel
l
me.
MI
A:al
ri
ghtIwi
l
l

Shelookedaroundt
hesmal
lnotsocl
eanand
not
icedther
ewasn'tmucht
oeat

DUDU:l
etmegobuyy
ousomet
hingt
oeatandaf
ew
ot
hert
hings

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)t
hanky
ousomuch

DUDU:
okay
,letmehur
ry

Shest
eppedoutandl
eftt
othemal
l

I
NTHAI
LAND

Jodyopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
nwi
thaser
ious
face.
JODY:
getr
eady
,youar
eleav
ingi
nthi
rt
ymi
nut
es

Theyl
ookedateachot
herwi
tht
hei
rhear
tspoundi
ng

GRACE:
(tur
ned)okay

Hequi
etl
ywal
kedoutasGr
acesi
ghedsadl
y

RATI :l
etmehelpy
ougetready
,Iwonderwhothi
s
my steri
ouscl
i
enti
sbecauseheusual
l
ymentions
theirnames

GRACE:
(tear
ful
l
y)may
behei
snew

Shest
oodupandst
art
edget
ti
ngr
eadywi
thRat
i'
s
hel
p
Thi
rt
ymi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
..
..
..
..

Shewasall
upandr
eadyt
oleav
easJodyopened
thedoor

JODY:
hur
ry!

Shequickl
yst
eppedoutfol
lowinghim ast
hey
qui
etl
ywalkedout
..
herfaceli
tupashereyesf ellon
Marti
n'
sAMGt henshesecret
lysighedinr
eli
ef.Jody
tur
nedtoherandsheworeasadf ace

JODY:
go

Sheslowl
ywalkedt
owar
dsthecarandhoppedin
thenMart
inst
eppedont
heaccel
erat
orspeedi
ng
off.
..
.
Thi
rt
ymi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
..

Heunlockedthedoort
hent
heyst
eppedi
n
chuckl
ing.
..

GRACE:shuu!Iswearmyhear
twaswor
king
over
ti
mer i
ghtther
e

MARTI
N:(
laughi
ng)haha

GRACE:
Iwonderwhyhedi
dn'
ttel
lmei
tsy
ou

MARTI
N:haha,
,
may
behei
sjusti
nabadmood.
.

GRACE:
yeah

MARTI
N:guesswhat
?
Shel
ookedathi
m smi
l
ing.
..

GRACE:
what
?

MARTIN:If
oundanot
herwayofhel
pingy
ouguy
s
escape

GRACE:
huh?

MARTIN:yes,ther
eisapartycomingupintwoday s
att
hebrothelbuti
tstaki
ngplaceatthet
hir
df l
oor,
soIwasthinki
ngmay be,I
'l
lkeepJodybusythen
spi
kehisdri
nkandr unofft
oy oursi
deandgety ou

GRACE:
(thought
ful
l
y)butwhataboutt
heguar
ds?

MARTI
N:Iwi
l
lbr
ibet
hem orsomet
hing
GRACE:
okay
,Ihopei
twor
ksout

MARTI
N:i
twi
l
l,t
rustme

GRACE:pl
easebecaref
ulbecauseIdon'
twanty
out o
ri
skyourl
if
e,Jodywontthi
nktwicei
fhehastokil
l
you

MARTIN:st
opworryi
ngyoursel
f(sadl
y)Iwoulddo
any
thi
ngforyourf
reedom,evenifi
tmeansriski
ng
myli
fe.

Gracequi
etl
ylookedi
nhi
seyesandtherewasa
si
l
entawkwar dmomentt
hensheclear
edherthr
oat
.

GRACE:umm...
letmemakesomethi
ngtoeat,Ihav
e
hadenoughoft
hebrot
helev
erydayr
iceandsoup
Theybothchuckl
edassheshotst
rai
ghtt
othe
ki
tchenandstart
edcooki
ng.
..

ATMANDLA'
SOFFI
CE

Hi
sphoner
angt
henhel
ookedatt
hecal
l
eri
dent
it
y

MANDLA:
heyma.

MSWI LLI
AMS: yesmydear,
I'
m cal
li
ngtoletyou
knowthatIhav
et oknockof
fearl
ytodaybecause
I'
m goi
ngtochurchlat
er

MANDLA:
alr
ightnopr
obl
em

Hehungupt
hensomeoneknocked
MANDLA:
comei
n

Hi
sPAcatwal
kedherpet
it
ebodyi
nsi
dehol
dingher
i
Padscr
oll
i
ngt
hroughi
t

PA:
mor
ningsi
r

MANDLA:
mor
ningPear
l

PA:si
r,i
mjustchecki
ngi
fyouar
eawar
eoft
hepar
ty
i
nvi
tefrom MrJody

MANDLA:
Jody
?

PA:
yes,
yourThai
l
andassoci
ate

MANDLA:
Ihav
en'
tseenanypar
tyi
nvi
te
Sheextendedherhandtowar
dshi
m andbroughtt
he
i
padclosertohi
sfacethenhi
seyeswidened

MANDLA:dammi
t!Howdi
dImi
sst
hisone,
andi
tsi
n
t
wodays

PA:butI'
m sur
eit
sinyouremai
l
sbecausei
tsbeena
weeksincehesenti
t

MANDLA: okay,
I'
llhav
et omakeappear ances
becauseheisanewcl l
ient.
.(
thought
ful
l
y )
umm. .
.Pl
easebookaf l
ightti
cketand
accommodationforme

PA:
alr
ightsi
r,I
'
m oni
t

Shecatwalkedout
sideasMandl
agothi
sphone
text
ingThemba.
.
Ty
ping.
..
..
.

MANDLA:I'
mleavi
ngforThail
andi
ntwodays,take
car
eofbusi
nessbackhere,
myassist
antwi
l
l help
youaswel
l.
.

Hethr
ewthephonei
nhispocketget
ti
ngthecar
key
sandwalkedout
,,
meanwhil
ehisphonebeeped

MESSAGE:
notdel
i
ver
ed

Heignor
editandhur
ri
edt
ohi
scarandhoppedi
n
dr
ivi
ngoff.
..
..
..
#
#
#
Li
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
[
7/19,
07:
10]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT37

Hest eppedont heaccelerat

orappr
oachingthe
bushyar eathenmadeat urnandsl
oweddown
dri
vingtowar dsthecave.Hestoppedthecarand
remov edthekey sl
eani
ngbackont hecarseat
thoughtful
ly

MANDLA: (
inhi
smind)Zumbawasn'
texpect
ingme
butIneedt
heprot
ecti
onsi
nceI
'l
lbel
eavingmy
ter
ri
tor
y

Heheav edahugesi ghthenopenedt hedoorand

walkedintothecave,f
ewmi nuteslaterhest
oodin
frontoftheri
tual
spondt hent
hecol ourf
ull
arge
snakessl i
ppedoutofthewatersurroundi
nghim
thenloweredthei
rheadsbowingi nrespect
.
Het ur
nedaroundfaci
ngt heforbi
ddenar eapathas
thelar
gesnakeswiggledtheirsoftsl
ipperybodi
es
backintothepondspl
ashi ngwater.Hewal kedas
themanysmal lcol
our
f ul
snakesont hepat hmoved
tothesidesmakingwayf orhimtopass

Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Hisey esfell
ont hesl eepi
ngZumbaashi shuge
bodyal mostfil
l
edt heplace,hemov edont hesi des
carefulenoughnott otouchorst epont helarge
sl
eepi nggreensnake. .hestoppedatt heotherside
standingnexttot hesnakesl argehead. Zumba
sl
owl yopenedhi sgr eeney efeeli
ngMandl a's
presence,thenev entuall
yopenedal lhiseyesand
wiggledhistailoverbef orerai
singi t
shead, Mandl a
mov edbackal itt
leandt i
l
tedhisheadl ookingupat
Zumba' sheadast hesnakechangedey ecolours
fr
om gr eentoyellow.Hei mmedi atel
yt ookof fhis
cl
othesandboweddowni nrespectasZumba
l
ower edhisheadandl i
ckedhisf acebef oreopeni ng
t
hespi
ri
twal
l
sforcommuni
cat
ion.

I
nthespi
ri
twor
ld

(
(((
(((
MANDLA:I
'mleav
ingmyterr
it
orytoThail
andi
n
t
woday ssoi
m her
etogetpr
otect
ion)
)))
)))
)))

Zumbawai ledhi stongueandmov edhi sheav yhead

from si detosi dethenquicklymov edback
stretchinghi sbodyandopenedhi smout hwi dethen
wentdownandr ol
ledMandl ainsi
dehi smout h,the
l
ar gesnakecl osedt hemout handr aiseditsheadup
thenst retchedmor emaki ngwayf orMandl a'sbody
tor oll
insidet hestomach.Whenhewasdone
Zumbachangedhi sski ncolourandt urnedshiny
blackbef orewi ggl
inghislargeheavedbodyt othe
restingar eathent hesmal lgreen,bl
ack, yel
low,red
andbr ownsnakesf i
ll
edtheplace...
..
..

ATTHESMALLONEROOMEDHOUSE
Miaslowlyopenedherey
esasa.
knockatt
hedoor
cuthernapshort.
.

MI
A:comei
n

Heopenedthedoorashiscleanwhit
enike
sneaker
ssteppedinashecoveredhi
snoseand
cl
osedthedoorthentookaseatonthesmall
plast
ic
chai
r

THEMBA:
hey

MI
A:hey

THEMBA:
umm.
..
Igott
hemoney

MI
A:t
hanky
ou
THEMBA: Ihaveranoutofallmymoneynowsot hi
s
wil
lbethelastti
mehelpingyouout,
may beyou
shoul
dcallyourrel
ati
vesandaskforthei
rhel
p

Mia'
sheartbrokewhenhement
ionedr
elat
ivest
hen
hereyeswell
edup.

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)Idon'
thav
erel
ati
ves

THEMBA: comeon,
aunt
s,cousi
ns,
any
one,
um sur
e
theycanhel
p

MI
A:(
tear
y)Isai
dIdon'
thav
erel
ati
ves

THEMBA: howisthatevenpossi
ble,
lookIknowy
our
adopti
veparent
sarelat
ebutum suretheyhad
rel
ati
ves
Shesni
ff
ingandr
ubbedhert
ear
s

MIA:myparent
'stookmef r
om theorphanagewhen
Iwastwoyearsbutthr
eelater
,theywerekil
ledand
unf
ort
unat
elynoonei nthefamil
ywaswi l
li
ngt otake
meinsoIwentbackt otheorphanageandleftwhen
Iwas21aft
ermeet i
ngMandl a

Thembal
ookedatherandsuddenl
yfel
tsor
ryf
orher

THEMBA:
ohh,
sor
ryt
oheart
hat

MI
A:'
i
tsf
ine

Ther
ewasanawkwar dmomentastheyal
lkept
qui
etthenThembacl
ear
edhi
sthroat
THEMBA: butIcan'thel
py ouanymorebecause
soonerorlat
er,Mandlawillst
artbei
ngsuspici
ous
becauseIhavebeenabi tdist
antandhehasst ar
ted
aski
ngmequest ionsbecausewehar dl
yhangout,so
i
lcomear oundandpi ckyouupt henwemeett he
doctorandthatwil
lbeallfrom myside

Mi
asi
ghedt
ear
ful
l
y

MI
A:okay
,thanky
ouf
oral
lyouref
for
tsi
nhel
ping
me

Shel
ookeddownast
ear
sfel
lthenr
ubbedt
hem

MIA: um sorr
yforput
ti
ngy ouinacompr omisi
ng
positi
onthatday,Iwi
shitdidn'
thappenbuti ts
alr
eadydoneandnowwecantt urnbackthehands
ofti
me, somet i
mesIthi
nkmay beIdeserveallt
hati
s
happeningtomebecauseIam suchabadper son,
(cr
ying)Idruggedyouandt ookt hosephotoswit
h
theintenti
onofblackmaili
ngy ouandIdi
dt hat
,I
destroyedyourfr
iendshipwithMandlaandputy our
l
ifeatr i
sk.Um sosorry,
pleasefindi
tinyourheartt
o
forgi
vemeoneday

Thembal
ookedatherashi
sthr
oatdr
iedupt
henhe
si
ghed

THEMBA:
(sof
tl
y)i
tsf
ine

MIA: noi
t'
snotfine( cr
iedmore)Ican'tbeli
eveyou
havebeenspendi ngsomuchonmymedi cati
onand
doctors,
youhelpedsomeonewhor i
skedy ourli
fe
wit
houtaskingforany thi
nginret
urn.
.Idon'tknow
howIwi l
leverpayy oubutthankyousomuch

THEMBA: i
tsokayreal
ly,
Ilongf
orgaveyouMia,I
wouldn'
thavehelpedyouifIdi
dn'
t.
somehowI
underst
oodwherey ouwerecomingfrom,I
underst
andyouthoughtthatwasthebestsol
uti
on
t
oyourmarit
alprobl
emsandy oudidwhatyoucan
t
oprot
ectyourmar r
iage.um notsayi
ngwhatyoudid
i
sri
ghtbutIfor
giveyou

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)t
hanky
ou

THEMBA:yeah,
trytomoveonf rom y
ourpast
,what
wedidbel
ongsinthepastbecausewecantchange
i
tnow.

MI
A:y
eah

Meanwhi
lethedooropenedasDuduwal
kedi
n,her
j
awdroppedashereyesfel
lonThemba.

THEMBA:
umm.
.I
'
lll
eav
enow

MI
A:okayby
e.
DUDU:
saywhat
?

MI
A:(
keptqui
et)

DUDU:
isn'
tthatt
hesameThembay
oudr
ugged?

MI
A:i
tshi
m andt
hat
swat
erundert
hebr
idge

DUDU:andthel
astt
imeIcheckedhewasMandl
a'
s
bestf
ri
end

MIA:(si
ghed)y
est
heyar
efr
iends,
andhewasj
ust
hel
pingmeout

Shebentput
ti
ngdownt
hepl
ast
icsandsatdown
DUDU:i
yoh!Dudubabesasknoquest
ionsandhear
nol
ies

Theyl
aughedbr
iefl
ychangingthetopi
candshe
fi
ddl
edwitht
heplasti
cstakingoutmageuandgav
e
her

DUDU:
hav
ethi
sbef
orey
out
akei
nany
thi
ngsol
i
d

MI
A:t
hanky
ou

Theyconti
nuedcat
chi
ngupasMi
asl
owl
ydr
ankher
mageu..
.

ATTHAI
LAND

Gr
acesteppedoutoftheshowerwrappedupina
whi
tet
owel andsl
idinherfl
i
pflops,
Mar t
inbought
herafewt hi
ngssheusual lyuseswhensheisathis
pl
ace.Shewal kedupt othebedandsatdown
appl
yingbodyl ot
ionthenMar ti
nopenedthedooras
hi
sjawdr opped,Ithadbeenawhi l
esincehesaw
hernaked,hismachinejerkedupandhehi di
twith
hi
shandcl eari
nghisthroat

MARTI
N:umm.
..
..
Sor
ry,
I'
ll
comebackl
ater

Gracelookedupathi
m smil
ingashequicklycl
osed
thedoorandwalkedout
,shegotupreachingforher
pinksl
eepwearandputitonbefor
eswingingher
bodytothelounge

GRACE:
hey
,um done

MARTI N:(smil
ing)ohhgreat,
Iwantedtotell
you
thatIalr
eadytalkedtooneofmycont act
sandhe
promisedtobr i
bethethreeguar
dsfrom yourdoort
o
theexitbecauseheknowsoneoft hem soitwon't
behar
d

GRACE:(
sighedr
eli
eved)shuuu,
atl
eastwear
e
get
ti
ngsomewhere

Mart
inbri
efl
ysmil
edandpul
l
edheri
nforahug
hol
dinghert
hinwai
st

MARTI
N:t
oldy
ouI
'
ddoany
thi
ngf
ory
ou

GRACE:
yeaht
hanks

Shelookedupathisfaceastheywentsi
l
entthenhe
l
eanedov erpl
ant
inghissoftl
i
psonherforehead
babykissi
ngherthenletgoofher

MARTI
N:umm.
..
mov
ieni
ght
?
GRACE:y
eahsure,l
etmegomakesomepopcor ns
whi
leyouchoose(chuckl
ed)andnoact
ionpl
ease

MARTI
N:(
laughi
ng)okay
,,wewi
l
ldochi
ckf
leek
t
oni
ght

GRACE:
good

Shesaidthatandswi
ngedherAf
ri
canf
igur
etot
he
ki
tchen.
..
..

ATTHECAVE

Thecav eagent
s(smallsnakes)sensedZumba' s
presenceandwiggledthei
rshinybodiest ot
hesides
creati
ngspaceforthei
rmast er.
Fewmi nuteslat
er
thehugeallshi
nyblacksnakesquirmedi tssl
ipper
y
bodyt owar
dstheforbi
ddenar eaandstoodoni tstai
l
shakingit
sheadfrom sidetoside,i
twailedit
sred
tongueast heski ncolourchangedf rom blackto
greenthenitlower edi t
sbodyandbr oughtt hehead
closertothefloorst r
etching.Fewmi nuteslater
Mandl aappearedf rom itslar
gemout handr ol
ledon
thefloor,
heimmedi atelystoodupandbowedbef or
e
Zumbat hent urnedpi cki
nghi scl
othesupand
headedt otheot herside.

Tenmi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Hegott ot heothersi
deandandl efthiscl
othesby
therit
ualspondt henputhisfeeti
nsideast hemany
colourf
ullargesnakescurledthei
rsli
pperybodies
aroundhim, theotherlar
gegreensnakewi ggledi
ts
tai
ltohisupperbodyandcur l
editsshinybody
aroundhim pulli
nghiswhol ebodyinsi
dethepond
until
hedi sappearedinsi
dethewat er
..
..
..
#
#
#
Li
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
10]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT38

THENEXTDAY

Hisheadappear edashi swhol ebodyemer ged.t

he
allgreenlargesnakeemer gedfrom t hepondwi th
Mandl aseat edoni t
sheadasi tlower editsheadand
hest eppedoutt henr ubbedhi sey eswi pi
nghisf ace
aswat erdr i
ppedf r
om hi sbody .hebentt akinghis
clothesandputt hem ont henwal kedt owardsthe
exitandgott ohiscar ,heopenedt hecarbootand
reachedf orhisgy m bagandchangedi ntohisgy m
gearbef orewal kingtot hedr i
ver'
ssi deandhopped
i
ndr i
vi
ngt hrought hemor ningblisteri
ngsun. .
..
I
NTHAI
LAND

sheslowlyopenedhereyesthenrubbedthem
yawningthengotupmaki ngherwaytothe
kit
chen.Mart
inwasalreadyupinthekit
chen
prepari
ngbreakf
astthenGracestoppedatthedoor
stari
ngathisbubbl
yselfashewasbusyhummi ng
songs.Heturnedandcaughtherglimpse

MARTI
N:(
smi
l
ing)hey

GRACE:
hey
,mor
ning

MARTI
N:howl
onghav
eyoubeenst
andi
ngt
her
e?

GRACE:
(smil
i
ng)l
ongenought
onot
icey
ouar
eina
goodmood
Hebr i
efl
ylaughedandputthepani
nthezinkand
gotthecloththenwi
pedhishandsasGraceleaned
bythekitchencount
erf
oldi
ngherarms.

GRACE:
whatar
eyoupr
epar
ingi
nthet
her
e?

MARTI
N:(
smi
l
ing)i
t'
sasur
pri
se

GRACE:
ohh,
Isee

MARTIN:ohh,
,bytheway,y
ouwil
lbesl
eepingover
agai
ntoday,
ical
ledJodyaski
ngf
oranextensi
on

Herf
acel
itupasshesmi
l
edandj
umpedi
ntohi
s
ar
mshugginghi
m

GRACE:
thanky
ou,
thanky
ou
MARTI
N:(
smi
l
ing)

Shepul l
edof ffrom thehugast heirnosest ouched
andtheirey esl
ocked, therewasasi lentmomentas
theygotlostineachot her'
seyes,
her eleasedhi s
handt owardshert hinwaistholdi
ngherandbr ought
hercloserclosinghisey esastheirli
pst ouched.He
slowlysuckedherl ipsasshemov edherhandsup
holdi
nghi sneckandl i
ftedherlef
tlegenj oyingthe
kiss,
hel i
ftedherandputheront hecount erasthe
kissgotintenset henhemov edhishanddownher
cookiebutGr acepul l
edof f
..
.

GRACE:
ummmm.
..
..
.sor
ry

MARTI
N:(
smi
l
ing)i
tsokay

Hesmil
edandtur
nedbackt
ohispotsasGrace
l
ookedathi
sbackvi
ewadmiri
nghi
sstrongarms.
..
ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

MsWi l
li
amsunlockedthedoorget
tingi
nsideand
cl
osedbeforemakingherwayinsi
dewheresheput
herbagonthecouch,meanwhi
leatthedoorMandla
hel
dthedoorknobopeningandwalkedinasMs
Wil
li
amst ur
nedsurpri
sed

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
ohh,
itsy
ou

MANDLA:
yeah,
didn'
tcomehomel
astni
ght
,wast
oo
busy

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
ohhowk

MANDLA:
yeah,
hopey
ouar
egood
MSWI LLI
AMS:
um f
inedear
,t
hanks,
any
thi
ngonmy
daught
er?

MANDLA:Ihaven'
theardanyt
hing,Ir
eal
lyt
hought
put
ti
ngupanawar dforwhoeverfi
ndsherwil
lhel
p
usbuti
tdi
dn't

Shesadl
ylookeddownashepathershoul
der

MANDLA:
um sor
ryma

Hepassedherheadi ngtothebathr
oom andMs
Will
iamslookedupsniff
ingsensingaweirdsmell
thenshebroughtherhandsclosertoherf
ace
snif
fingt
hem, sheshookherheadconfusedand
brushedi
toffheadingtothekit
chen

ATTHEBROTHEL
Jodymov
edar
oundast
heguar
dssur
roundedhi
m

JODY:weareonlyl
eftwi
thonedaybefor
ethebi
g
daysoIwantnothi
ngbuthi
ghrei
nfor
cedsecur
it
y,no
mist
akesokay?

ALL:
yessi
r

JODY: great,makesur et hegjr

lsareguar dedatal
l
ti
mes, atleasttwoguar dsf or4roomsandot her5
guardsatt heexit,y
ouwi l
ldivi
deyour sel
vesbetween
therooms.Dontf orgetthir
df l
oorbecausemy
cli
entsfrom diff
erentcount ri
eswillbeher esowe
havetopr otectthem andkeepaney eonev er
yone
arr
ivi
ngandl eavi
ng

Al
l
:yessi
r

JODY:
onel
astt
hing,
ify
oususpectany
thi
ngor
anyonedonthesit
atetoshootandshoottoki
l
l
becausethelastt
hingIneedishav
inginv
aders
here.
.under
stood?

ALL:
yessi
r

JODY:
okay
,youmayal
lgot
oyourst
ati
ons

Theydi
sper
sedasev
ery
onet
urnedt
othei
rwor
k
st
ati
ons.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Hest eppedoutoftheshowerinatowelandshot
st
raighttothemasterbedroom t
hensatdown
sl
owl yapplyi
ngbodyloti
onashismindsli
ppedint
o
atrai
noft hought
s.(
(((
GRACE:heyma, Ibr
oughtyour
medication)
)))
)
Hesmiledthinkingofthef i
rstti
mehel ai
dhiseyes
onherprett
yinnocentf ace,herski
nwasf lawl
ess
andhadsoftf eetwit
hherf leshall
intheri
ght
pl
aces.
.hisphonebeepedandhet urnedsnappi
ng
outofi
t

MESSAGE:Goodmor ningsir
, I
.managedtogetyoua
pl
aneti
cketf
ortomorrowhal fpastfour
,checky
our
emai
lsformoredet
ails.Thanky ou

Hef i
nishedr eadingt hemessageandsi ghedsadly
beforestandingupr eachi
ngforhi
st rouseranda
simplewhi t
et -shir
tthenstart
edgettingdressed.He
walkedt othemi r
rorandscannedhi scuteface
beforeturningt othedoorandwal kedout .
Meanwhi leMsWi l
li
amswi pedherhandsandwal ked
totheloungebumpi ngint
oMandl a

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
ohhsor
ry
MANDLA:
(laughed)i
tsokay

Hewalkedtot
hecouchasMsWi
l
li
amsshookher
headf
eeli
ngabitdi
zzy

MANDLA:
(lookedather
)ar
eyouf
ine

Sher
ubbedherf
aceandsuddenl
yfel
tbet
ter

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(si
ghed)umm y
eah

MANDLA:ohh,
bytheway
,um l
eav
ingf
orThai
land
tomorr
owsoyoucant
akesometi
meoffunt
ilIget
back

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
ohhwhenar
eyoucomi
ngback?

MANDLA:
um notsur
ebutIwi
l
lcommuni
cat
e
MSWI LLI
AMS:okaysi
r,um..
Iwantt
ogobuy
somet
hingatt
hemall
,will
bebackinanhour

MANDLA:okay
,askoneoft
hedr
iver
'sout
sidet
o
t
akeyout
here

MSWI LLI
AMS:
(sur
pri
sed)butsi
r,i
tsnotwor
k
r
elat
ed

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)Ii
nsi
st

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
thanky
ou

Shewal
kedoutandheadedt
othedr
iver
'sof
fi
ce.
.

ATTHEONEROOMEDHOUSE
Miasquat tedont hesmal lbl
ackplast i
cbucket
peeingandwi pedherselfbefor
eshest ooduppul li
ng
upherpant i
esbutthenst oppednoticingar edblood
spot,shelookedar oundandsi ghedr eali
singshe
doesn'thav epadsthenr eachedforthet issueand
putitonherpant iesthenpulledthem up. .shewal ked
toherhandbagandpi ckedittaki
ngoutherwal let
thentookt heP50not eoutandputt hebagdown
shootingtot hedoor,sheopenedupandwal kedout
putt
ingthenot ei
nherbackpocketbef or
ewal ki
ngt o
thetaxistop.

Meanwhi
l
eint
hecar
..
..
.

MSWI LLIAMS:heh,
lookatt
hatpooryoungl
adymo
l
etsat
singlewena(lookatt
hatpoory
oungladyi
n
t
hisblazi
ngsun)

DRI
VER:
yeahi
tisv
erysunnyout
side
MSWILLIAMS:(
sof
tl
y)hl
err
amoemelegongweoya
mal
l
'n(pl
easegi
veherar
idemay
besheisgoi
ngto
t
hemall)

DRIVER:MrMat
hewswoul
dki
l
lme,
giv
ingpeopl
ea
ri
deisnotal
l
owed

Shesigheddef
eatedashesl oweddownpassi
ngby
hert
henMsWi ll
iamsl ookedcareful
l
yandherhear
t
ski
ppedasherey esfell
ont hemanysqui
rming
wormsonherfacet hen..
..
#
#
#
Li
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
07:
11]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT39

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
stopt
hecar

DRI
VER:
butmam.
..
.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
please

Hesighedandst oppedt henMsWi l

li
amshopped
outandwal kedtot hesideappr oachi
ngMi a,herj
aw
droppedasherey eslandedont hewoundedhand,
thesightofitsentshiversdownherspi neasher
skincrawled.Shepul l
edher sel
ftogetherand
broughtherfacecl osercheckingifit
sreall
yher

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Madam
Shel
ookeddownembar
rassedandl
ostf
orwor
ds

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(tear
y)whathappened?

Shelookedinhereyesashert
hroatdri
edupwi
th
tear
sformingatthecorner
sofhereyes.
.

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)I
..
I.
.(
int
err
upt
ed)

MSWI LLI
AMS:
itsokay
,takey
ourt
ime,
wher
ear
e
yougoing

Mi
arubbedhert
ear
sandopenedhermout
h

MI
A:t
othemal
l

MSWILLI
AMS:
ohhcomewi
thme,
um goi
ngt
hat
si
deaswel
l
MsWi l
l
iamsrel
easedherhandt owardsherright
handandheldherwalkingbackt othe,sheopened
thedoorforherasshereluctant
lyhoppedinasMs
Wi l
l
iamswenttothedriver'
ssidethenthedri
v er
steppedontheaccel
eratorheadingtothemal l

I
NTHAI
LAND

Shetookt
heplatesandwalkedtothekit
chen
put
ti
ngthem i
nthezinkasMar ti
nfol
lowedher,
then
shetur
nedandleanedbythezinkfol
dingherar
ms

GRACE:
thatwasdel
i
cious,
thanky
ou

MARTI
N:t
oldy
ouum goodatt
his

Hi
sphonebeepedt
henhet
ooki
treadi
ngt
he
message
MESSAGE:
heagr
eed,
sowehav
efourguar
dsonour
si
de

Hesmi
l
edt
ext
ingback

Ty
ping.
..
..
.

MARTI
N:al
ri
ghtt
hanks

HI
M: Iarr
angedameeti
ngwi
ththem soy
oucan
meetthem andl
ayoutt
hepl
an

MARTI
N:al
ri
ght
,when?

HI
M:i
nanhourmay
be?
MARTI
N:al
ri
ghtcool
,sendt
headdr
ess

HI
M:al
ri
ghtwi
l
lsendi
t

MARTI
N:okay

Heputt
hephoneont
het
abl
esmi
l
ing

GRACE:
(cur
ious)what
?

MARTI
N:l
etsj
ustsayev
ery
thi
ngi
scomi
ngupr
ight
?

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)ohh

MARTIN:yeah,
um goi
ngt
omeetupwi
tht
heguar
ds
f
rom her
e
GRACE:
alr
ight
,justbecar
eful
.

Hesmi l
edandwalkedov erhol
dingherwai
stasshe
wrappedherhandsaroundhisneckastheylooked
i
ntoeachother'
seyes

MARTI
N:Ipr
omi
seI
'
llbecar
eful
,okay

GRACE:
good

Helaughedabitthenclosedhi
smouthl
eani
ngov er
foraki
ssthenplantedhissof
tpinkl
i
psonhersand
pull
edbacktal
king

MARTI
N:hmm.
..
jui
cy

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)
Heleanedov eragainandgentlysuckedherli
psas
thei
rheadstil
ted,hemov edhishandsupt oher
boobssqueezingt hem asshefil
ledherpanti
eswith
warmj ui
cesthenhemov edhishanddownand
sli
ghtl
ymov edherpant i
escaressinghercooki
ethen
mut t
ered

MARTI
N:f
uck!

Hehel dherwaistandl ift

edherontopofthecount er
thenbentasshegaspedashepul l
edoffhershorts
throwingthem ont hefloorbutther
ewasal oud
bangatt hedoor .Thei
rey eswidenedastheylooked
ateachot her
,Gracequi ckl
ygotdowngr abbi
ngher
shortsandhur r
iedt othebedroom asMar t
inmade
hiswayt othedoort hen...
..
..
..

ATTHEMALL

Theyqui
etl
ywal
kedoutoft
hest
oret
henMi
atur
ned
t
othet
axi
s

MSWI LLI
AMS:
nodear
,wewi
l
ldr
opy
ouof
faty
our
house

Mi asadl ylookeddownandsl i
ppedi ntothought s,
shecoul dn'tstopt hinkingaboutal lthehorribl
e
thingsshedi dt othepoorol dwoman, she
remember edhowshepushedheront hewetf loor
hur t
ingherknees. Butnowt hesameper sonshehur t
i
nt hewor stpossi blewaywasher ebeingnicet oher,
wei r
denough, unlikeev eryoneMsWi l
li
amswasn' t
disgust edbyher ,shedi dn'tevencov erhernosebut
i
nst eadwal kedcl osert oherandhel dherhand
withoutmaki ngherf eel worthless.Tearsstreamed
downherf aceandt empor ari
lyblurr
edherv i
sion
thenMsWi l
li
amssadl ylookedatheropeni ngupher
armsasMi aletloseandf ellinherar mscry i
ng
hystericall
y ,sheletital loutast hepoorol dwoman
huggedhert ightrubbingherback
MI
A:ahhhhh,
yii
i
ii
ii
i
eeey
iyi
yeeeeee.
..
..
.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
iti
swel
ldear

Shecont i
nuedcr y
ingaspeoplepassedbyl ooki
ngat
herdisgusted,
butf orsomereason,nothi
ngelse
mattered,sheletallt
hepai
noutf eel
ingsafeinMs
Wil
li
amswar m arms

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
itsgoi
ngt
obef
inedear
,Don'
tcr
y

Shecalmeddownandpul l
edbackrubbinghereyes
thenherey eslandedonMsWi l
li
am'sbloody
shoulder,t
hewoundhadbl edonherandsomeof
thewor mswi ggledthei
rgreenandbrownsmal l
bodiesonhercl othessoshequickl
yreleasedher
handt r
yingtogetr i
dofthem butMsWi ll
iams
steppedback
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
itsokaydear
,il
lfi
xit

Shetookofthebl
azerandst
art
edshaki
ngitasthe
wormslostbal
ancefal
li
ngdownthenshewrappedit
up

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)l
etsgo

MI
ami
:(nodded)
okay

Theyslowl
ywalkedbackt
othecarandhoppedi
n
anddroveoff

20mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Hesl
owl
yappr
oachedt
het
axi
stopandst
opped

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
umm si
r,canwepl
easedr
opherof
f
atherhouse?

DRI
VER:
okay

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
thanky
ou,
shewi
l
ldi
recty
ou

HeturnedasMi adi
rectedhimtohersmall
oneroom,
MsWi ll
i
am'sheartbrokeastheypar
kedatthegat
e,
shecouldn'
tbr
ingherselft
obeli
evethatMi
areal
ly
stay
sintheoldoneroom

MI
A:t
hanky
ou

Shesai
dthatopeni
ngt
hedoort
henMsWi
l
li
ams
al
sohoppedout

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
letmesayby
e
Shequicklycl
osedthedoorhur
ryi
ngt
ohersi
det
hen
theywalkedtowar
dsthegate

MSWILLIAMS:(cl
earedhert
hroat
)umm..
..
.Idon'
t
knowwhathappenedtoyoubutIwoul
dli
ketohelp
you

Shesi ghedsadlyasGracecrossedhermi nd,she

couldn'tstopthi
nki
ngaboutthet i
mesMsWi ll
iam'
s
brokedowncr yi
ngforhermissingdaughterbutnow
shef eltt
herewasn'tmuchtodo, ifshecomesclean
thenMandl awil
lpr
obablyki
l
l her

MIA:
(lookedupather )um sor
ryforever
ythingIever
di
dandsai dt
oy ou,youdidn'
tdeserv
eallthat,Iwas
j
ustt
oomi serabl
eandl ooki
ngforsomeonet o
bl
ame, pl
easeforgi
veme

MsWi ll
iam'seyespopped,t
hatwasso
unexpected,
sheactual
lynevert
houghtMi
awoul
d
apologize,shewasnev ertheapologisi
ngt y
peand
somehowshehadgotusedt oitandaccept edit
.
Shest i
l
l couldn'tunderstandwhyshef el
tcompell
ed
tohelpherev enafterthebadt r
eatmentshegav e
herallthisyears,beingmadatherorhat ingherhas
alwaysbeent henear l
yimpossiblethingtodo,al
l
shehadf orherwasmadl ove

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)MsWi
l
li
ams

Shesnappedoutoft
het
rai
noft
hought
sandl
ooked
ather

MSWI LLI
AMS:
huh,
ummm.
..
it
sfi
nedear
,Ihav
e
f
orgi
venyou

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)r
eal
l
y?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
yesdear
MI
A:t
hanky
ou

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
umm.
..
Ihav
etogonow,
keepwel
l

MI
A:by
e

Shet urnedandwal kedbackt ot hecarl eavi

ngMi a
whosl ippedi ntodeept hought s,fort hef i
rsttimeina
l
ongt i
me, shef el
tli
ghtev ent hought her ewasst il
la
bitofwei ghtonhershoul ders,sheknewexact ly
whatneededt obedonet oli
ftt hebur denbutt hat'
s
somet hingshecoul dn'triskdoi ngbecausei twould
bet heendofherex istence.Shesi ghedandt urned
walkingi ntoheroner oom wher esheputherpl asti
c
downandbentpul l
i
ngof fherpant i
esr emov ingthe
ti
ssuet henr eachedf orthepl astictaki ngoutherpad,
shet eareditupandgott hepadl ayingi tonher
pant i
esthenpul l
editupbef orel ayingdownonher
mat tr
ess...
..
..
#
#
#
Li
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
11]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT40

Heopenedt
hedoorandsmi
l
edashi
sfr
iendwal
ked
i
n

MARTI
N:hey
,It
houghtwemeet
ingupsomewher
e

HIM:Iwasi
nthehoodandthoughtmay
beIcan
passbybef
orewemeettheguys
MARTI
N:ohhokay
,sowhat
sitgoi
ngt
obe

HIM:nothi
nghaschanged,keepJodybusy,
finda
wayofspiki
nghisdr
inkthenmakey ourmoves
becauseever
yonewil
lbedistr
act
ed

MARTIN:al
ri
ght
,umm.
..
.l
etmegetmycarkey
sthen
webounce

HI
M:al
ri
ght

Hebreat
hedoutandheadedtothemasterbedr
oom
wher
eGr acewasbi
ti
nghernail
snervousl
ymoving
upanddown,heopenedthenshetur
nedlooki
ngat
hi
m

GRACE:
and?
MARTIN:
rel
ax,
itsmyf
ri
end,
theoneIment
ioned
ear
li
er

Shesi
ghedi
nrel
i
ef

GRACE:
shuuu.
..
..
..
Ithoughtmay
bei
tsJody

MARTI
N:metoo,
um gonnal
eav
enowbutIwon'
t
t
akel
ongokay
?

GRACE:
okay

Hegrabbedthecarkeysandwal
kedcl
oserpl
ant
ing
hi
ssoftli
psonherforehead

MARTI N:
makesomet
hingtoeatandgetr
eady
becausemyhour
swit
hy ouar
ealmostover
GRACE:
alr
ight

Heturnedaroundandopenedt hedoorwalki
ngout,
fewmi nut
eslat
erhewasi ntheloungethentheyl
eft
asGracestart
edgett
ingreadyforherdepart
ure.

THENEXTDAY

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

MsWill
i
amszippedthel
astbagandpul
ledi
ttothe
l
oungeasMandlagothi
scarkey
sreadytol
eave

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
um donedear

MANDLA:al
ri
ght
,cal
lthoseguy
stocar
ryt
he
l
uggaget
omycar
Shewalkedoutsi
deandsi
gnal
edcal
li
ngt
hedr
iver
thenhestoodupheadi
ngtowar
dsher

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
pleaset
aket
hebagst
othecar

DRI
VER:
okay

Hebentcar
ryi
ngt
hebagst
henwal
kedout

MANDLA: ummm. .
..um l
eavingnowbecausemy
fl
ighti
si ntwohour sfrom nowsoI '
llgetoneofmy
chauffeurstodriv
emet otheairpor
tandbr ingthe
carbackhome, pl
easemakesur etheybr i
ngitback
thenreleasethem..Timothywill
takecar eofsecuri
ty

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
okaysi
r
MANDLA:'
yes,
um notsur
ewhenI'
l
lcomebackbut
youcanal
wayscomeherewhenev
eryouf
eell
ikei
t

Hel
ookedathi
swr
istwat
chandsi
ghed

MANDLA:
itsal
mostt
imeupma,
letmel
eav
e

Hewal kedoutandshotstrai
ghttohisredrange
roversportandhoppedinthentheydroveoff
headingtotheair
port.
..
..
.

MeanwhileMsWi ll
iamsclosedthedoorandsl owl
y
walkedt
ot hecouchsi t
ti
ngdownl ostint hought s.
Shecouldn'tstopt hinki
ngaboutMi a'scur rentstat
e,
yesshedidn'taskhermuchbecauseshenot i
ced
howemot ional shebecamewhensheaskedt hefi
rst
ti
mebutshewasv erycuri
ous,i
tjustdi dn'tmake
sensehowqui ckl yshechangedandt hewoundwas
j
usttoobigf oranor malsnakebit
ei fthatswhati t
i
s..
.
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
hussssshhhh

Sheheavedahugesighasshefai
l
edtoconnectt
he
puzzl
ebutthenassumedthatmaybei
tsj
ustaski
n
di
seaseorsomething

MSWILLI
AMS: (
tohersel
f)l
etmegetmybagand
dasht
oherpl
acebeforethedr
iverget
sbackher
e

Shestoodupandqui
ckl
ygotherbaghangi
ngiton
hershoul
dert
henwal
kedtothechauf
feur
soff
ice

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
.hel
l
o

Theyal
ltur
nedandl
ookedather

ALL:
heymam
Shesmi
l
edr
ubbi
ngherhands

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
umm.
..
..
Ineedt
ogosomewher
e

MAN:
okaymam,
il
ldr
ivey
ou

Hest oodupasshesteppedbackthentheyheaded
totheparki
nglotandgotinsi
det
heblackC63
dri
vingoff

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
I'
ll
dir
ecty
ouf
rom t
het
axi
stop

MAN:
(focusedont
her
oad)okmam

Theydr
oveinsil
encepassi
ngthetaxist
opt
henMs
Wil
li
amsstart
edpoint
ingdi
rect
inghi
m
Tenmi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
..

Theyparkedinfr
ontofhergat
ethenMsWill
i
ams
steppedoutandwalkedtowar
dsthesmal
lol
done
room

Meanwhil
einsi
deMi awashedoffthewormsin
warm wat
erthenappli
edtheointmentonherhand
butthewor
msr eappear
edalloveragai
n,t
herewasa
knockatt
hedoorthenshelookedup

MI
A:kemang?(
Whoi
sit
)

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
itsme

Herheartski
ppedasshelookedaroundthemessy
di
rtyoneroom.Thishadtobethewor stdayev
er,
someonewhousedt obeherser
vant,someoneshe
usedtoorderaroundwasyettowit
nessher
downf
all
.Shetr
iedtostandupbutthepainonher
handwastoounbearabl
ethenshesighed

MI
A:comei
n

MsWi lli
amst urnedthedoorknobopeni ngupand
walkedin.Therewasanawf ulsmel
l butsheheld
hersel
fandav oidedcov eri
nghernose, sheslowly
walkedinlookingaroundt hemessyr oom andf el
t
herthroatdryi
ngup, tearsformedatt hecornersof
hereyesasherhear tbr okeforMia,shel etl
ooseof
thetearsthentheyfloweddownhercheeksasMi a
l
ookedupi nherfaceembar r
assed.

MI
A:(
sadl
y)mam

Therewasnor esponseashermi ndsti

l
lwondered
around,Mianoti
cedhertearsandthesadnesson
herfacethensi
ghedsadly.Shecouldn'
tstop
wonderingwhythisoldwomanwassof ondofher
ev
enaf
teral
lthebadt
hingsshedi
dunt
oher
.

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)mam

Shegatheredal
lherst
rengt
handstoodupwalki
ng
towardsherandwavedherri
ghthandbef
oreher
eyes

MI
A:mam

Shesnappedoutoft
het
rai
noft
hought
sandwi
ped
hert
earssni
ff
ing

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
ohh,
um sor
ry.
.Ij
ust
..
.

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)i
tsokay

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ingt
ear
y)howar
eyou?
MI
A:(
sadl
y)hangi
ngi
nther
e

MSWI LLIAMS:okay,um sor

ryt
oaskbutum j
ustt
oo
cur
ious,whathappened?

Mialookeddowngoi
ngdownmemor yl
aneastear
s
for
medatt hecor
ner
sofherey
esbutshel
ookedup
hol
dingthem i
n,

MI
A:(
inhermi
nd)shepr
obabl
ywontbel
i
eveme

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
dear
..

MIA:
umm..
..
.i
tsasnakebi
te,
Iwassl
eepi
ngt
heni
t
bi
tmebef
orerunni
ngaway

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
aww.
.Um sosor
ryt
oheart
hatdear
,I
act
uall
yassumeditsAsnakebi
tebutt
hent
hought
i
tstoobigforasnakebi
te

MI
A:(sadl
y)okay

MSWI LLI
AMS:Iknowsomeonewhocanhel
pyou,
youshoul
dcomet ochur
chwi
thmehewil
lhel
pyou

Mi
asnapped.
.

MI
A:no!

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(conf
used)

MIA:
(pani
cked)
ummmmm..
..
..
.Icant
,Ican'
tcome
t
ochurchwit
hyouMsWi
l
li
ams

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(cur
ious)whydear
?
Shel
ookeddownandsi
ghed

MI
A:Ididhor
ri
blethi
ngs,t
hingsGodwouldn'
tfor
giv
e
mefor
,andum afr
aidthepastormi
ghtseethr
ough
me

MsWi
l
li
amshel
dherr
ighthandl
ooki
ngi
ntoherey
es

MSWI LLIAMS: (softl

y )I.understandy ourf ear
smy
dearbutt rustme, Godwant sy ouasy ouar e,you
donthav et ochangef irstbeforecomi ngt ochurch
andmypast orwoul dn'tembar rassy ouai r
ingyour
dirt
ylaundr yinpublic, no, hewontdot hat,j
ustcome
tochur chandr epent ,askGodt of orgi
v eyouforyour
sins,askhi mt ogivet hosewhom y ouwr ongedsoft
andf orgi
vinghear tsaswel l
.Noonewi llj
udgey ou
dearbecausewear enotper f
ect ,noonei ssodont
behar dony oursel
f
Shesi
ghedandnoddedi
nagr
eement

MI
A:okay
,Iwi
l
lcomewi
thy
ou

MsWi
l
li
am'
sfacel
i
tupwhensheagr
eed

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
thanky
oudear

Sheki
ssedherhandandst
eppedback

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Ishoul
dgetbacknow

MI
A:okayby
e

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
bye

Shewal
kedoutandhur
ri
edbackt
othecarand
hoppedi
nlooki
ngatherwr
istwat
ch

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
IhopeIdi
dn'
teatmuchofy
ourt
ime

Hesmi
l
edandst
eppedont
heaccel
erat
ordr
ivi
ng
of
f.
.

ATTHEAI
RPORT

Thefli
ghtat
tendantgr
abbedhisl
uggageandpull
ed
i
tinashewal kedbehi
ndherandsatdownlooki
ng
out
sidethewindowashisphonebeeped

MESSAGE:
del
i
ver
edt
oThemba

Hesighedasheonlyreali
zednowthatt
hemessage
wasn'tdel
i
ver
edthelastti
me.Heputhisphoneback
i
nthepocketast
heyl i
stenedtoi
nstr
uct
ionsthen
t
hepl
anet
ookof
f.
..

Meanwhi
l
eatThemba'
shouse

Hi
sphonevibrat
edt henhepi
ckedi
tandscr
oll
ed,
his
j
awdroppedreadingthemessage.
..
..
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEINSERT,
COMMENTANDSHAREWITHYOURFRIENDS
t
hanky
ou
[
7/19,
07:
11]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT41

Hisj
awdroppedr eadi
ngt hemessageashiswhole
bodyst
artedsweatingthenhestoodupmov i
ngup
andaboutscrat
chinghisheadfr
ustrat
ed.Hewalked
backtothecouchandbentpicki
nghisphoneand
broughti
tcl
osertohi
sfacereadingt
hemessage
again

MESSAGE: um leav
ingforThai
l
andint
wodays,
pleasetakecareofbusinessdownher
e,my
assist
antwi l
lhelpyouaswell

THEMBA:
shi
t

Herubbedhisfaceanddial
edhi
m buti
tshot
st
rai
ghttovoicemai
lthenhedi
aledMia

VOICE:t
hemascom numbery
ouhav
edi
aledi
snot
avai
labl
e,
pleaset
ry-
..
..
..
.

Hehungupandcl i
ckedhistonguethenhurr
iedto
thebedroom openi
nghisclosetandchangedinto
cleancl
othesthenwalkedbackt ot
heloungepicki
ng
hi
scarkeysbefor
eheadi
ngouttothegar
agewher
e
heunl
ockedhisbenzandhoppedi
nthendrov
eoff
..
..

Thi
rt
ymi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

Hedr ovet
owardsthesmal l
gateandpar
kedthen
steppedoutandshotstr
aightt
othesmallol
done
room whereheroughl
yknocked

MI
A:kemang?(
Whoi
sit
?)

THEMBA:
itsme

Sherecognizedhisvoi
ceandgat
heredal
lher
str
engthstandingupthenwal
kedtothedoor
openi
ngup

MI
A:t
hisl
ateThemba?
Hequi
ckl
ygoti
nsi
deal
lrest
less.
..

MI
A:ar
eyouf
ine?

THEMBA:
(shaki
ng)hel
lno!

Hescr atchedhi
sheadthenreachedf orhispocket
taki
nghi sphoneoutandbroughtitclosertoMia'
s
faceassher eadthemessagethenl ookedbackat
him calm

THEMBA:
see?Wear
eindeepshi
t

MI
A:(
sighed)y
eah,
thi
sar
en'
tl
ooki
nggoodf
orus

THEMBA:
yeah,
so?
?
MI
A:(
cal
mly
)what
?

THEMBA:
whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odo?

Shewalkedt
othesmal
ltabl
eandgotacupf
il
li
ngi
n
watert
hensi
pped

MI
A:not
hing

THEMBA:
not
hing?Andwhyar
eyousocal
m?

MI
A:nnakanakei
hlobogi
l
eThemba, t
herei
snot
mucht
odonow(Ihav egivenupThemba)

THEMBA:
(angr
il
y)whatdoy
oumean?

MIA:
Ihav
eacceptedmyfate,besi
des,hi
m ki
l
li
ngme
woul
dbeabl
essingindi
sguisebecauseIam a
wal
ki
ngcor
pse

THEMBA:
arey
ouser
ious?

MIA:(si
ghed)andmay behewontseehersoj ust
rel
ax,pl
usthatmessageisn'tgi
vingmuchdetai
lsso
um assuminghejustwentthereforbusi
ness,
Idont
thi
nkhewentt her
elooki
ngf orher,
gapenkaboasa
gobolel
laifatal
lhefoundout

THEMBA: butwecan'tignorethefactt
hatchances
ofmeeti
ngherar ehi
gh, especi
all
yifhewentona
busi
nesstri
p,Iknowwhathappensdownt herewhen
wegomeetupwi thourclient
s,t
hereisalott
hat
goesdown

MIA:(cal
m)ahh,Ihonestl
ydon'
tcarewhetherhe
fi
ndsherornotbecauseIam t
ir
edofliv
ingli
kethis,
guil
thasbeeneati
ngmeupofl at
e,especi
all
yafterI
bumpedintohermother,
thepoorol
dwomani s
t
ryi
ngtobestr
ongbutsheisbrokensomay
be
f
indi
ngherwouldbef
orthebest

Thembal
ookedatherandl
aughedi
ndi
sbel
i
ef

THEMBA:
arey
ouev
enl
i
steni
ngt
oyour
sel
fri
ght
now?

MI A:(cal
m)Iam dy ingThemba, Ihaveworms
feastingonme, theyareslowlyeati
ngmyl i
feaway
,
i
nst eadofheali
ngIam get ti
ngwor sesoIdon'
thave
mucht oli
veforandum doner unningawayand
hiding.Iam r
eadyf oranyt
hingandev er
ythi
ng

THEMBA:
soIam al
lal
onei
nthi
snow?

MIA:
Iam sor
rybutIcan'
tdothi
sanymore,
Ican'
t
r
unawaywithyouift
hatswhatyouwer
ehopingfor
,
t
hisi
sal
lmyf aul
tsoI'
llr
emai
nhereandownupt o
mymi
stakes

Hesl
owlyst
eppedbackl
ooki
ngatMia'sser
ious
f
acethent
ookatur
nholdi
ngthedoorknob

MIA:(sof
tl
y)Iam r
eal
lysor
ry,
Iknowit
sal
lmyfaul
t
butIcan'
ttur
nbackthehandsofti
menow.Um
sorr
y

Hekeptqui
etswallowinghar
dthenopenedupand
wal
kedoutwithoutlooki
ngback.
..
.

Miasighedsadlyandgotherphonebrowsi
ng
thr
oughthegal l
eryt
hensel
ectedthei
rphot
osand
senthim capt
ioned

"Youcanusethosephot ost
otryandjust
if
yyour
acti
ons,t
ellhi
m Isetyouupsoy ouhadnochoice
hencefel
linmyt r
ap.Ihopet
hatmakesadi f
fer
ence"
Meanwhi l
eout si
deheopenedt hecarandhoppedin
ashisphonev i
brat
ed.Hecl osedthedoorand
cl
ickedont hemessager eadi
ngbef or
eputt
ingit
awayt hensighedandst eppedont heaccel
erat
or
dr
ivingoffi
nt hedarknight..
..
.

24HOURSLATER.
..
.

Hesteppedoutoftheai
rplaneandtookhi sshades
prot
ecti
nghiseyesfr
om themor ni
ngr agi
ngsun
thengothi
sluggagebagfrom thefl
ightattendant
andpull
editwalki
ngthr
ought hecr
owd. ..
Meanwhil
easmar t
lydr
essedmani nablacksui
t
andawhiteshi
rtl
ookedatthepict
ureinhi
shand
thenl
ookedbackatMandlathenwalkedover

HI
M:hel
l
osi
r
Het
urnedbackwi
thast
rai
ghtf
ace

HI
M: wel
cometoThai
l
and,
Bangkokci
ty,
Iam her
e
t
opickyouup.

HereleasedhishandasMandl
at ookhi
sshadesof
f
andreleasedhishandf
orahandshake

MANDLA:
hel
l
osi
r

HI
M:l
etsgot
hisway

t
hemanbentt
aki
nghi
sluggagebagandl
edt
he
way
..
..

ATTHEBROTHEL(
THI
RDFLOOR)

Ther
ewassof
tmusi
cpl
ayi
ngi
nthebackgr
oundas
Jodywalkedinandsmil
edadmir
ingt
hebeaut
if
ul
decorat
edspaciousr
oom t
henoneofthewor
kers
walkedover

HER:
sir
,doy
oul
i
kei
t

JODY:(smili
ng)l
ikeit
?Il
oveit,it
ssobeauti
ful
but
wil
lyoufi
nishsetti
ngupthestageontimebecause
theguest
smi ghtstar
tar
ri
ving,anyt
imefr
om now

HER:
wewi
l
lbedonei
nthi
rt
ymi
nut
essi
r,dontwor
ry

JODY:
okay

Shesmi
l
edt
henhet
urnedwal
ki
ngawaypr
oudl
y.
..
..
.

Meanwhi
l
einGr
ace'
sroom.
..
..
Shemov
edupandaboutner
vousl
ybi
ti
nghernai
l
s

RATI
:wi
l
lyouj
ustcal
m down

GRACE:(sighed)um happywemi ghtact

ual
lygetour
fr
eedom todaybutIcan'tshakeofft
hefeel
i
ngthat
somethi
ngbadi sgoingtohappen

RATI:st
opov
ert
hinki
ng,
Ibel
i
eveMar
ti
n'
spl
ani
s
per
fect.

GRACE:um j
ustsowor
ri
edabouthi
m,hei
sri
ski
ng
hi
sli
fe

RATI
:rel
ax,
andgetr
idoft
hosenegat
ivet
hought
s

Gr
acesi
ghedandsmi
l
ed
GRACE:y
ouareri
ght
,Ishoul
dn'
tov
ert
hinkandbe
t
rytobeposi
ti
ve

RATI
:good!Nowtel
lme,what
sthef
irstt
hingy
ou
ar
egoingtodowhenyougethome?

GRACE: (t
houghtf
ull
y)church,
Iwil
lgotochurchand
thankGodf orasecondchanceatnormalli
fe,t
hats
whatIwoul ddo(si
ghed)Ican'
twai
ttoseemy
mot her
,Iwonderhowshet ookmydisappearance
butIknowshemi ssesmej ustasmuchasImi ss
her

RATI
:(sadl
y)y
ahneh

GRACE:
(l
ookedather
)what
?

RATI:
Ijust
..
..
..Idon'
thavepar
entssoI
'
llbegoi
ng
backtomyt wosibli
ngs,
Iwonderhowtheyhav
e
beensurvi
vi
ngwi t
houtmebecauseIwast
he
breadwi
nnerandtheyarest
il
li
nschool
.Ij
usthope
Godkeptthem safe

GRACE:
um sor
ry

RATI
:it
sokay

Shesmil
edthent
heycont
inuedchat
ti
ngaboutt
hei
r
fami
li
esbackhome

ATMARTI
N'SHOUSE

i
nhistuxedo,heturnedadmi ringhimsel
finfr
ontof
themirr
orthenreachedf orthedrawerandopenedit
taki
ngoutasmal lplast
icwi t
hapowderi nsi
de.He
putiti
nhispocketandwal kedt owardst
heside
tabl
egrabbinghi
sphonedi al
ing..
..
MARTI
N:hey

HI
M:heyman,
arey
our
eady
?

MARTIN:moret
hanready
,di
dyouchecki
ftheguy
s
t
ookthei
rposi
ti
ons

HI
M:y
ep,
all
isi
npl
ace

MARTI
N:al
ri
ght
,thanksman

HI
M:sur
e,by
e

MARTI
N:by
e

Hehungupthengrabbedhi
scarkey
smaki
nghis
wayoutt
othegaragewherehegoti
nhi
scarand
dr
oveoff
..
..
ATTHEHOTELROOM

Her efr
eshedt henchangedi ntohisnewdesi gner
Suitandputonhi sposhdesi gnerwatchbefore
walkingcloset othemi r
roradmi ri
nghissexyself
.
Hel eanedcloserscanninghiscl eanfl
awlessface
andpul l
edasmi lerev
ealinghisgleamingwhi t
eteet
h
thenaknocki nt err
uptedhim

MANDLA:
comei
n

HI
M:si
r,i
tsal
mostt
imeup,
wehav
etogo

MANDLA:
alr
ight
,um comi
ng

Hetookalastl
ookofhissmar
tsel
fthengothi
s
shadeswal
kingout
..
..
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
tsandshar
ethem
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
07:
11]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT42

Guestsslowl yf
il
ledt heplaceupasusher smov ed
upanddownmaki ngsureev erythingisinplaceas
everyonetakesthei rdesi
gnat edseat s.Meanwhi l
ein
theparki
ngl otMandl asteppedoutoft hecarand
madehi swayi ntot hebuil
dingasoneoft heushers
dressedinblacksui ts,whit
eshi rtsbowt iedbrought
aphot ocl
osert ohi sfacethenl ookedbackathi m
beforewalkingov er

USHER:goodaft
ernoonMrMathews,Mynamei
s
JasonandIam yourusherf
ort
oday
MANDLA:
(smi
l
edbr
ief
ly)

USHER:
pleasef
oll
owme

Hel edthewayasMandl awal kedbehindhim,they

steppedintheliftqui etl
yasi tshorttothi
rt
y
fl
oor .
.f
ewmi nutesl atertheyar r
ivedthenstepped
outandwal kedintot hef il
lednicelydecor
atedroom,
hest oppedattheent ranceandl ookedaround.
Everyonewassmar tl
ydr essed, l
ooki
ngclassyev en.
Het ookastepwal kingbehi ndhisusherasheads
turnedtowardshi m.

USHER:(poi
nti
ng)youmaysither
esi
r,andpl
ease
pr
essthatbutt
onifyouneedme.

MANDLA:
thanky
ou
Hesatdownandl
ookedatt
hetwoempt
ychai
rson
t
hetabl
ethenawai
tr
esswalkedov
erwi
that
ray

WAI
TRESS:
somet
hingt
odr
inksi
r

MANDLA:
ohh

Hereleasedhishandandgott
hewinegl
asst
hen
si
ppedappr eci
ati
ngthesof
tmusi
cinthe
background

Meanwhil
eattheentr
ance,Mar
ti
nsteppedinand
smil
edlooki
ngaroundbefor
ewalki
ngbehindhi
s
usherwhodir
ect
edhimt oMandl
a'stabl
e.

USHER:(
toMandla)goodafter
noonsi
r,(
toMart
in)
youmaytakeaseat,
pleasepresst
hatbut
toni
fyou
needany
thi
ngfr
om me
Mart
inslowl
ysatdownwi
thhi
sey
esf
ixedon
Mandla.

MARTI
N:hel
l
o,.
mynamei
sMar
ti
n

MANDLA:
hi,
Mandl
aMat
hews

Theyf
istbumpedandcont
inuedmaki
ngsmal
ltal
k

Meanwhil
eupthestage,
Jodygotthemi
cas
ev
eryonetur
nedgi
vi
nghi m at
tent
ion

JODY: Goodev eningladiesandgent lemenand

welcomet oJodyAndPar t
nersclientsappreciati
on
party.
um honouredt ohav eyouall here,
thanky ou
verymuchf ormaki ngtimei nyourbusy
schedules.
.nowl etmenotspoi litbybeingl ong
becauseIbelievethemast erofceremoni eswilldo
theintr
oductionsandev erythi
ng..
Every
oneclappedashesteppeddownwal
king
towardsMandla'
stabl
eandoccupiedt
hel
astchai
r

JODY:
Wemeetagai
nMrMat
hews

MANDLA:
(br
ief
lysmi
l
ed)

JODY:
thanksf
orcomi
ng

MANDLA:
youar
ewel
come

Het
urnedt
oMar
ti
n

JODY:Ibeli
evey
oualreadymetgent
lemen,
Marti
n
thi
sisMandlaMathews,myBotswanabusi
ness
associ
ate
Mart
in'
sheartskippedashel
ookedbackatMandl
a
andconnect
edt hedots.

MARTIN:ummm.
..
yesweal
readymetandt
alkedbut
notmuch.
.

Meanwhi
leatt
hestage,theMasterofcer
emoni
es
st
art
edmakingthei
ntroduct
ionsasevery
onest
ood
upwavi
ng..

MC:pl
easewel
comeMrMat
hewsal
lthewayf
rom
Bot
swana

Hestoodupandwavedasev
ery
oneclappedthen
theshewentonandonmaki
ngint
roduct
ionsbefor
e
concl
udi
ng

MC: nowthatweal
lknoweachot
hernow,It
hinki
ts
aboutti
mewest ar
tmingl
i
ngandenj
oythe
par
ty.
.enj
oy!
!

Shesteppeddownasthemusicst
art
edpl
ayi
ngt
hen
ever
yonestoodupmingl
ing.
.

ATGRACE'
SROOM

shewal
kedtot
hedoorandpeakedout
sidebutt
her
e
were8guar
dsi
nst
eadof4

GRACE:shi
t!Thereare8guar
dsher
e,It
hought
Mart
insai
dt her
ewill
befour

RATI
:what
?

Shewal
kedov
erandt
ookal
ookbef
orecl
osi
ngt
he
door
RATI
:shi
t!

GRACE:onl
yfourofthem ar
einont
hepl
an,
Idon'
t
t
hinkt
heotherfouri
sawar e

RATI
:whatdowedonowbecauseIdon'
tthi
nk
Mart
inknows

Shescratchedherheadmov
ingupanddownt
ryi
ng
tot
hink..
.

GRACE:umm...
I'
l
ljustt
aket
her
iskandaskoneof
t
hem aboutt
hechanges

RATI
:andsaywhatexact
ly?

GRACE:
(thought
ful
l
y)Iwontsel
lusout
,rel
ax
Ratisi
ghedasGr acewalkedtothedooropeni
ng
thensteppedoutapproachi
ngtheotherguar
d

GRACE:
(whi
sper
ing)hey

HI
M:y
es

GRACE:(whi
sper
ing)what
sgoi
ngonnow,
what
changed

Hebentwhi
sper
ing

HI
M:dontwor
ry,
theyar
eal
li
n

GRACE:
(rel
i
eved)ohh

Shet
urnedwal
ki
ngbacki
n..
..
RATI
:and?
?

GRACE:
theyar
eal
li
n

Sheheav
edahugesi
ghi
nrel
i
ef

RATI
:shuuu.
..
.okay

Shesatdownast
heyanxi
ousl
ywai
ted.
..
..
..
..

BACKATTHI
RDFLOOR

Mar ti
nlookedaroundthenreachedf
orhispocket
takingoutthesmallsachetandempti
editint
ohis
drinkthenstoodupwal ki
ngovertoMandlaandJody
withitinhishand
MARTI
N:hey
,fi
nal
l
ygott
ir
edofbei
ngseat
ed

JODY: Iwasactual
lywor
ri
edseei
ngy
ouseat
edand
thoughtyouaren'
tenj
oyi
ng

MARTI
N:whatno,
um enj
oyi
ngmy
sel
f

JODY:
great

MARTI
N:(
toJody)shi
t!Pl
easehol
dthi
sforme,
I
hav
etomakeaphonecall

Jodygotthewinegl
asswi
thhi
sri
ghthandasMar
ti
n
l
ookedclosel
ytomakesur
etheydontmixup

MARTI
N:(
inhi
smi
nd)r
ighthand,
righthand

Hest
eppedbackandf
akedacal
l
,meanwhi
l
eathi
s
backJody'
sphonevibr
atedthenhehandedMandla
thedri
nkonhi
srighthandandtookhisphoneout
readi
ngthemessage

JODY:
ohhhol
dthi
s

Hefi
nishedr
eadingthemessagewhil
eMandla
si
ppedonMar t
in'
sdrinkunawar
ethenhandedJody
hi
sdri
nkasMar ti
nturnedbackt
othem

MARTIN:(i
nhismind)It
sontheri
ghthand,
soiWi l
l
taket
heoneont hel
eftandwai
tforhi
mt otakej
ust
onesipbef
oreIgoout

Hestr
etchedhi
shandt
owar
dshi
m andgott
hewi
ne
i
nhislef
thand

MARTI
N:t
hanky
ou
JODY:
(gul
peddownhi
swi
ne)mhm,
niceoneIt
ell
you

Mar
ti
nsmi
l
edsecr
etl
y.
..
..

MARTIN:(i
nhismi
nd)Ishouldleav
enowbecausei
t
wi
ll
startworki
ngi
ntwomi nut
es

HepatJody
'sshoul
dersmili
ngasJodyt
urned
l
ooki
ngatMandla'
ssleepyeyes

MARTI
N:(
toJody
)I'
m goi
ngt
othebat
hroom

JODY:
cal
lyourus-
..
..
..

Hetur
nedandwalkedawaywi t
houtall
owinghimto
f
ini
shthesent
encethenJodysighedandturnedto
Mandl
awhowasl osingbal
anceashiseyesclosed
t
henhebenthol
dinghi
m aspeopl
ewat
ched.
.

JODY:comeonman,j
ustonegl
assandy
ouar
e
al
readythi
swast
ed

Mandlalostbal
anceandalmostf
ell
butJodybent
hiskneesuppor
tinghi
m andl
ookedaroundhopi
ng
toseeMar t
in

JODY:(
clenchedhisteet
h)dammitMat
,whyar
eyou
taki
ngl
ongnow, Icanonlyr
elyonyout
ohel
pmeout

Mandl
a'
susherwal
kedov
erandhel
pedhol
dhi
m

JODY:thanks,l
etmelookforMart
insohecanhel
p
us,t
hisisoneofmynewt opsuppl
ier
ssoIcan'
t
tr
usthim wit
hjustany
one
Hewal
kedt
owar
dst
hebat
hroom cal
l
inghi
sname

JODY:
Mat
,Mat
.

Hecheckedever
ydoorbuthewasnowheret
obe
foundt
henhethoughtf
ull
yshott
othel
i
ftandwent
downthi
nkinghemighthavewentt
ohi
scar.

Meanwhi
l
eatGr
ace'
sroom

Mar
ti
nhurr
iedi
nast
heygott
hei
rsmal
lbagsr
eady
r
orunout

MARTI
N:l
etsgo

Theyquickl
ygotoutastheguardslai
ddown
pret
endingtobeasl
eep.Theyranthroughthe
passageandpassedtheli
ftr
eadytor unfort
heexi
t
butt
her
ewasal
oudbangasbl
oodspl
ashed.
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
tsandshar
e
GOODNI
GHT.
[
7/19,
07:
11]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT43

Theyranthr
oughthepassageandpassedtheli
ft
readytor
unfortheexi
tbutther
ewasal oudbangas
bloodspl
ashed.

JODY:
(st
eppedoutoft
hel
i
ft)st
op!

Theyfr
ozeasMart
in'
slandedonthef
loorwi
thbl
ood
gushi
ngfr
om hi
sneck.
Jodywalkedcl
oserwi
thhi
s
gunaimedatt
hetwogirl
s,hel
ookeddownandhis
hear
tski
ppedr
ecogni
zi
ngMar
ti
n.

JODY:
what
?Mar
ti
n?

Heslowlymovedhi
shandtotheneckandhel dt
he
bl
eedingwoundashishandqui
ckl
yturnedred
cover
edwithbl
ood,hemovedhisheav
yey esto
Gracesayi
ngsomet
hingasmoreblooddrippedfr
om
hi
smout h

MARTI
N:(
lowv
oice)I
..
..l
l
oov
e..
you

Hiseyesslowlyclosedashi shandf el
ldownt henhis
headlostbalanceast heeyesturnedtot hebackof
hi
sheadandhi smout hremainedopen. Gracequiet
ly
l
ookedathi m asat earrandownhercheekst hen
shefell
downonherkneesscr eamingherl ungsout

GRACE:
(cr
ying)
nooooohhhhh.
..
ahhh.
ahah
Shecri
edherl
ungsoutthenslowl
ycrawledtowards
hi
sli
fel
essbodyandfel
lontopofhim shaki
nghim

GRACE:(
tear
)nooohh,
pleasewakeup,wakeup,
pl
easedon'
tl
eaveme(f adi
ngvoi
ce)dontl
eaveme,
pl
ease

Sheconti
nuedshakinghim asRati
'
sey eswel
ledup
thenshefearf
ull
ylookedattheguninJody'
shands
befor
ewalkingovertoGraceandkneltdownonher
kneespul
lingheroffMart
in'
sbody

RATI
:hei
sgone,
pleasecome

GRACE: (
cryi
ng)noRati
,no,
,hecan'
tdie.
.(
cri
edmor
e)
ahhhhhhh.
.nooooohh!
!Iy
oooohhpleaseGodbri
ng
hi
m back
RATI
:(st
oleaglimpseofJody
'sconf
usedf
ace)l
ets
goback,
please

Gracei
gnoredherandt
ouchedMar
ti
n'
sbl
oody
cheekshaki
nghim

GRACE: (
breaki
ngvoice)Mar
ti
n,pl
easewake
up,
,
pleaasse,don'
tl
eav eme

MeanwhileJodyrecoll
ectedhi
msel faf
ter
connect
ingthedotsthenlookedbackt omakesur
e
noneofhisguestwitnesstheordeal

JODY:
(poi
nti
nghi
sgunatGr
ace)getup!

Sheignoredhi
m andconti
nuedcryingasshehugged
theli
fel
essbodythenJodysteppedbacktr
yingt
o
thi
nk
JODY:(
inhismind)l
ookatwhaty
oumademedo
Mat,
Itr
ustedyoubutnow..
.

Hesi ghedsadl yashi

sthroatdriedup,henow
real
isedhowmuchhewasat tachedtoMarti
n,yes,i
t
star
tedof fjustasbusi
nessbutt heygotal
ongso
wellandhewasoneper sonwhounder st
oodhim
bett
ert hanmostpeople.Hel ookedatRati'
sscared
facethenr aisedhi
sgunather

JODY:
gether
!

Ratibentpul l
ingGr aceof fMar t
in'
sbl oodylifeless
bodyasshescr eamedmor et henJodywal kedov er
andpi ckedhert henwal kedt owardst her oomsas
shescr eamedki ckingt heai r,al
l t
heot hergirlsgot
alar
medandopenedt heirroomspeaki ngout sideas
Jodywal kedthrought hepassagewi thRat ifoll
owing.
Hest oppedashi sey esf ell
ont hesl eepingguar ds
thenheangr i
lyputGr acedownbef orerunningback
tothel i
felessbodyandt ookouthi sphonedi ali
ng
JODY:
yes,
comedownher
e

VOI
CE:
alr
ightsi
r

Hesighedandhel
dhisshoul
der
slooki
ngaround
thenfewminut
eslat
eroneofhi
sguardscame
panti
ng

HI
M:si
r

Hi
smouthwidenedashi
seyesfellonthei
rtopcl
i
ent
t
henhel
ookedbackatJodyconfused

HI
M:si
r-
..
.

JODY:t
akehi
m andcal
ltheot
her
ssot
heycancl
ean
upbef
oreany
oneseesthis
HI
M:okaysi
r

JODY: t
akehi
mt oroom 92,
anduset
hepassageso
thatnooneseesyou

HI
M:okaysi
r

Hestormedof fwalki
ngtowardstheroomscl
icki
ng
hi
stongue.heangril
yputhishandgunbackinthe
sui
tinnerpocketandstart
edkicki
ngthesl
eeping
guar
dsast heyjumpedactingsurpr
ised

JODY:
whatt
hehel
li
sthi
s?

Hetookouthisguncocki
ngi tandai
medatt
hem as
t
heyrubbedthei
reyesconfused
GUARD1:
(sl
eepyey
es)boss

Hel ookedaroundacti
ngconfusedt
henJody
remember edthelookonMandla'sf
acebefor
ehe
dozedof f
,ital
lmadesensenow.Heconcludedthat
Mar ti
nmighthavedruggedtheguardsj
ustashedid
withMandl a

JODY:
(loud)ohhf
uck!

Hesai
dthatasher
ememberedt
hedri
nksinci
dent
t
henreal
i
zedMandl
atookt
hedri
nkthatwasmeant
f
orhim

JODY:
(mut
ter
ed)dammi
tMat
!

Heputthegunbackandsighedhol
dinghi
swaist
t
hentur
nedwalkingawayquiet
lyast
heguards
l
ookedateachothersmi
li
ng
GUARD1:
shi
t!

GUARD2:It
hinkt
hatMart
inguyr
uinedi
tbutum
j
ustgl
adwearesafe,
hedi
dn'
tcat
chon.

Theyal
lsi
ghedinrel
iefandst
eppedbackt
othei
r
desi
gnat
edstat
ions.
...

Meanwhil
eatthi
rdfl
oor,Mandla'sushermanagedto
draghi
mintheli
ftandpressed6headi ngtothe6t
h
fl
oorwher
ehegent l
ylai
dhim ont heneatl
ymade
bedwit
hpurewhitebeddingthenhebentt aki
ngof
f
hi
sshoesandputthem downl eavinghi
m snori
ng.
Heheadedbacktothir
dfloor
..

MASTEROFCEREMONI ES:hel
lohell
oagain,
sorry
aboutt
hatl
i
ttl
einci
dent
,mayitnotspoi
lthefun.
.DJ!
!
Thevol
umeincr
easedasev
ery
onef
eltt
hev
ibeand
wentbackt
opart
ying.
..

Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
..
.

Jodywal
kedbacki
nthehal
landwal
kedt
othe
count
er

JODY:
hey

WAI
TRESS:
sir

JODY:
mor
ewi
nepl
ease

Shefil
l
edhisgl
assthenHegulpedi
tdownand
roughl
ypl
acedtheglassdown

JODY:
ref
il
l
WAI
TRESS:
(sl
i
ght
lyshookherhead)

Shefi
ll
edi
tupagainthenhegul
peditdownand
wentonandonaskingformor
eref
il
ls.
..

Meanwhi
l
eatGr
ace'
sroom

Sheslowlysatdownandheldherchestasherhear
t
brokethenRatihuggedher

RATI
:um sor
ry,
Iknowy
ouwer
ever
ycl
ose

GRACE:
(cr
iedmor
e)ahhh.
..
..
ahhhhhhahaha.
.aah

Rat
i r
ubbedherbackconsol
ingherasshecont
inued
cr
yingunti
lhert
earsr
andr y
..
#
#
#
100SHARESONTHI
SPOSTTOSECURE
TOMMOROW'SBONUSI
NSERT
Lov
eyou.
[
7/19,
07:
12]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT44

Sheslowlycl
osedherey esanddozedof finher
armsthenRatigentl
ypulledoutfrom thehugand
l
aidherheadont hepil
l
owbef orepul l
i
ngt hesheet
s
coveri
ngherup.Shesighedlookingathert hen
stoodupandheadedt othedoor, shestoppedatthe
doorandswitchedtheli
ghtsoffbef or
ewal ki
ngout
toherroom..
..
..

ATTHI
RDFLOOR.
..

Guest
sst
art
edl
eav
ingonebyoneasJodywas
seat
edont
hest
ool
att
hecount
erget
ti
ngwast
ed

JODY:
ref
il
l

WAI
TRESS:
butsi
ryo-
..
..
..
(i
nter
rupt
ed)

JODY:(
snapped)fi
l
lupt
hedamngl
assandst
op
tal
ki
ngyounggir
l

Shequicklygothisglassref
il
li
ngitandhet ookit
gulpi
ngthewi nedownt henstooduplookingaround,
thehallwasalmostempt y.Heturnedtr
yingtotakea
stepandlostbalancealmostfall
i
ngbuthi susher
camef orhisrescueandheldhim

USHER:
sir

JODY:
(wi
thsl
eepyr
edey
es)
huhhhh?
Hisusherheldhiswai standputhishandont opof
hisshoul
der ssupporti
nghi mthenwal kedtot he
elev
atorasJodyl ostbalance.Heheadedt ot he6th
fl
oorandst eppedoutoft heelevatorthenwalked
towardsaroom opposi t
eMandl a'
swher eheopened
upandgoti nsidethengent l
yletgoofJodyl ay i
ng
him downthent ookof fhisshoesbeforecover i
ng
him upwithawar m blanket.Hewal kedawayas
Jody'seyesslowlyclosed...
.

ATROOM 92

Hedr aggedhisbodyinsi
det henreachedforablack
bigbodyandr ol
ledhisli
fel
essbodyi nsi
dethen
zippeditanddraggedittothecornerbefor
ewal ki
ng
backt othedoorwhereHEst oppedandswi tchedoff
thelight
sbeforewalki
ngout .

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS
Shest eppedoutoftheshowerandheadedt othe
bedroom wher eshereachedforhersleepwear
dressingupt henwal
kedt othesidel
ampdr awerand
openedi ttaki
ngherholybibl
e..
shefl
ippedthepages
andr eaditforafewmi nut
esthencloseditkneel
ing
downonherknees

MSWI LLIAMS: heavil

yLord,pleasewat chov erme
toni
ghtasIgot obedandpl easewat chov ermy
daughterwher eversheis,protectherandf ighther
batt
les,Lordhideheriny ourbloodandy ourwarm
arms.It hankyouf orIknowandbel ievet hatoneday
youshal lbri
ngmydeardaught erbackhome. thank
youLor d.Amen

Shestoodupandpul
ledthesheet
soffget
ti
ngint
o
bedthenswi
tchedt
hesidelampoffsl
eepi
ng..
.

SOMEWHEREI
NBOTSWANA
Shetossedandtur
nedt
henjumpedscreami
ngand
breat
hingheav
il
yassweatdr
ippeddownherf
ace

LI
TTLESI
STER:
(pant
ing)uhhhhh!
!

Heroldersi
sterhear
dherandj
umpedsi
tt
ingonher
but
tthenhuggedhert i
ght
ly

BIGSISTER:
(rubbi
ngherback)hey
,it
sokaybaby
,i
ts
okay

Shecr
iedmoreasthef
lashbacksoft
hei
rpast
tr
aumacrossedhermi
nd

BI
GSI
STER:
(tear
y)pl
easest
opcr
yingbaby

Sher
ubbedherbackt
henpul
l
edoutf
rom t
hehug
faci
ngherli
tt
lesi
stert
henr
ubbedof
fthet
ear
son
herface.
.

BI
GSI
STER:
it'
sokay
,okay
?

Theli
tt
lesist
erforcedasmi l
ethencalmeddownas
hersi
stergotoffbedwalkingtothedoorand
swit
chedthelight
sonbef oreget
tingbacki
nbed.
.

LI
TTLESISTER:
(br
eaki
ngv
oice)Ican'
tst
opt
hinki
ng
abouti
t

BIGSISTER:Iknowbaby,Iknowbutyouhaveto
stopcry
ingbecauseRati
woul dn'
tbehappyt
osee
youcry,canyoudothatf
orher ?

Shenoddedsadl
y
LITTLESI
STER:
(t
ear
y)doy
out
hinkshewi
l
lev
er
comeback?

BI
GSI
STER:
(l
ookeddown)Idon'
tknowbaby

LITTLESISTER:(br
eakingvoice)
Iknowt hebad
snakesmanwon' tlethergo,whatifhefedhertot
he
bigsnakeli
kethatothergir
l,
whatif
-..
..
.(
brokedown
cryi
ng)

LI
TTLESI
STER:
uhhhh,
ah,
ahhhhh,
Rat
ii
ii
i
...

BIGSI
STER:
(tear
ful
l
y)shhh,st
opcry
ing,
shewil
l
comebackokay,
sheisgoi
ngtocomeback,Godwi
l
l
hel
pherj
ustashehelpedusthel
astti
me

LI
TTLESI
STER:
(weepi
ng)buti
tsbeenal
mostay
ear
now
Herbi
gsi
stershushedhert
henr
ubbedhert
ear
sof
f

BI
GSI
STER:
let
spr
ayf
orherokay

LI
TTLESI
STER:
(lowv
oice)okay

BIGSISTER:
Ipr
ayedy
est
erday
,it
syourt
urnt
opr
ay
today

LI
TTLESI
STER:
okay

Theygotof
fthebedandknel
tdownf
oldi
ngt
hei
r
armsbefor
eshestar
tedpr
ayi
ng

LITTLESISTER:(
ti
nyvoice)
Godpleasebri
ngmy
sist
erbackhome,tel
lthebadment osetherfr
eeso
thatshecancomebackhomeandt akecareofus
again,pl
easeki
l
lthebigsnakesothati
tdoesn't
swallowher,pl
ease,pleaseGod,wedon' thavef
ood
todaybecauseRatiusedt obuyusf oodbutnowt hat
sheisnothere,
wegot obedhungr yasnoonei s
will
i
ngt ohel
pus.PleaseprotectherJesus.t
hanky ou
andAmen

Shefini
shedpr
ayi
ngandt heyst
oodupasherbi
g
si
stersi
ghedsadl
ylooki
ngather

BI
GSI STER:don'
tworr
ybaby,
Godheardyouandhe
wi
llsurel
ybri
ngherback,
butyouhavetopr
omise
hi
m onething

LI
TTLESI
STER:
what
?

BIGSISTER:promi
sehi
mt hatyouwi
l
lst
opt
hinki
ng
aboutthesnakesandt
hatevi
lman

LI
TTLESI
STER:
Itr
yal
ott
oav
oidt
hinki
ngaboutt
hat
buti
tjusthappens,
especi
all
yinmysl
eep,
Idr
eam
aboutthem

BIGSISTER:(
softl
y)y
oual wayshavet hi
snight
mar es
becauseyouthi
nkaboutallthatduri
ngtheday,tr
yto
getri
dofthethought
s,canyoudot hatforRati

LI
TTLESISTER:
(si
ghed)okay
,Iwi
l
lst
opt
hinki
ng
abouti
t

BIGSISTER:
thanky
ou,
nowGodwi
l
lsur
elybr
ingher
back

LI
TTLESI
STER:
(looki
ngi
nherey
es)r
eal
l
y?

BI
GSI
STER:
(smi
l
ing)y
eshewi
l
l

Shesmi
l
edhear
inghersayt
hatt
henhuggedher
happi
l
yashersi
stersmi
l
edr
ubbi
ngherback

BIGSISTER: anddon'tworr
yaboutfoodokay,
Ms
Will
iam'spromisedtobuyusmor efoodatchurch
l
astSundayaf terchurchsoshewil
lbri
ngusmor e
food,okay?

LI
TTLESI
STER:
(smi
l
ingi
nherar
ms)okay

BIGSISTER:butmakesur
eyoudon'tt
ell
her
anythi
ngaboutthebadmenandthesnakesbecause
theymightki
llusi
fyoudo

LI
TTLESI
STER:
Iknow,
Iwon'
tsayany
thi
ng

BI
GSI
STER:
okaybabygood,
nowgetbackt
osl
eep

LI
TTLESI
STER:
okaygoodni
ght
Shel etgoofhert i
nybodyastheygotinsidethe
blanketsandpulledthem upt
hensleptleavingt
he
l
ightson...
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Remembertotake"
Inser
t43"tohundr
edshar
esand
secur
etomorr
ow'sbonusinser
t
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
12]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT45

THENEXTDAY

Shest
retchedherarmsy
awni
ngt
henopenedher
eyesl
ookingaround
GRACE:
ishhh

Sheheldherheav yachingheadthensatupri
ghtand
gotoffbedwalkingtothesmal lt
ableatthecor
ner
andbentdownt akingcupbef or
efil
l
inginwaterand
gulpedi
talldown.Sheputt heemptycupdownand
stoodupri
ghtholdingherwaistandsighedasthe
previ
ousdaypainfulordealfl
ashedthr
oughher
memor y

GRACE:
(Lowv
oice)Mar
ti
n..
..

Shesaidthatastearswell
edupinhereyest
hen
str
eameddownhercheeksasshesl owl
ywalked
backtohersmal lbedandsatdownrubbi
ngthe
overf
lowi
ngt ear
ssniff
ing.Herhear
tski
ppedas
someoneknockedatt hedoor

GRACE:
(Lowv
oice)ohGodJody
Shequickl
yst
oodupandwalkedt
ot hedoor
cover
ingherf
acet
henopeneduplooki
ngdown

RATI
:Gr
ace!

Sheremov
edt hehandsandl
ookedupathert
hen
si
ghedinr
eli
ef

GRACE:
ohhi
t'
syou(
sadl
y)i
thoughti
t'
s

BOTH:
Jody
!

GRACE:
(nodded)y
eah,
comei
n

Shemov edasi
deasRat
iwalkedi
nsi
deandsaton
thebedasGracef
oll
owedher

RATI
:(notsur
ewhatt
osay
)umm.
..
GRACE:(t
ear
ful
l
y)um soscar
ed,
hei
sgoi
ngt
o
puni
shus

RATI
:(t
ear
y)i
know

GRACE:
whatdoy
out
hinkhewi
l
ldowi
thMar
ti
n'
s
body
?

RATI
:idon'
tknowbutum sur
ehewonti
nfor
m hi
s
fami
l
y

GRACE:Thent
hatmeansheWi
l
lpr
obabl
ydi
spose
hi
m somewher
e

RATI
:(si
ghed)y
eah

Tear
sfor
medatt
hrcor
ner
sofherey
esasshe
i
maginedMar t
in'
sli
fel
essbodyl
yi
nginaditch
somewherethenshebrokedowncry
ingasRati
movedcloserhuggi
ngher

RATI
:(r
ubbedherback)um sor
ry

sheconti
nuedshushi
ngherasshecr
iedi
nher
arms.
..
..
..

I
NJODY'
SROOM

heslowl
yopenedhi
sredheavyeyest
henj
umpedof
f
thebedashi
sspeci
alguestcr
ossedhi
smind.

JODY:
dammi
t!

Helookedathi
swristwatchthenquickl
yputonhis
shoesandshotst
raightt
ohisroom andknocked
Meanwhileinside,Mandlaopenedhisheav yey
es
andrubbedt hem yawni
ngt henlookedaroundthe
unfamil
i
arroom.Hescr atchedhisheadtryi
ngto
rememberhowheendedupher ebutnot
hingcame
up.Heturnedl ooki
ngatthedoorast heknockgot
l
ouderandl ouder.

MANDLA:
(si
ghi
ng)comei
n

Jodyopenedupt
henwal
kedi
nsi
de

JODY:
Hey
,MrMat
hews

MANDLA:
(yawni
ng)hi
Jo

JODY:(t
hought
ful
l
y)y
our
eal
l
yhadal
ott
odr
inkl
ast
ni
ght
MANDLA:
Shi
t!Andi
can'
tev
enr
ememberany
thi
ng
man

JODY:
Iguesthewinewast
oostrongbecausei
also
hadaroughni
ght
,myheadiski
l
li
ngme

Theybrief
lyl
aughedasJodysatonbededgethen
theyconti
nuedchat
ti
ngasMandlagotuplooki
ngat
hiswri
stwatch

MANDLA:
dammi
t!Imi
ssedmyf
li
ght

JODY:
Huh?

MANDLA:
Yes, i
twasatt
enocl
ockbutnowt
hrt
ime
i
sal
mostelev
en
JODY:shi
t!(
Thought
ful
l
y)I'
llaskmyPAt
obooky
ou
anot
herfl
i
ghtbacktoBotswana

MANDLA:
alr
ightt
hanks.

JODY:yeah,it
hinkweshouldf
reshenupt
hengo
havebr
eakfastwhil
ecat
chingup

MANDLA:
great
!

JODY:
okay
,letmel
eav
eyout
oit

MANDLA:
sur
e

Hestoodupandwal kedoutget
ti
ngintheelevat
or
shooti
ngtothefi
rstf
loort
henwalkedalongthe
passageheadi
ngtoroom 92
Tenmi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
..
.

Heopenedthedoorandgoti nsi
decov er
inghi
snose
fr
om theawful
smell..
hewalkedclosertothebl
ack
bodybagandsquattedopeningitupthensadly
l
ookedattheli
fel
essalmostrott
enbody

JODY:(sadl
y)um sor
ryihadtodot hi
s,idi
dn'tev
en
knowitsyouunt
iliwal
kedcloserbutitwastoolate.
Resteasymyman.

Atearr
andownandher ubbedi
tof
fashest
oodup
di
ali
ngthesecur
it
yguy

JODY:
(swal
l
owedhar
d)hey
,comegett
hepar
cel

HI
M: um att
hrdoor
,fi
gur
edy
oumi
ghtneedmeand
-
..
..
.
Hehungupast
hrdooropenedt
henhewal
kedi
n

HI
M:Boss

JODY:
godi
sposehi
m att
heusual
spot

HI
M:okayboss

Jodylef
tastheguardzi
ppedt hebodybagand
l
ookedaroundbefor
egettingthetrol
l
eythenhe
l
if
tedtheheavybodyput
tingitinsi
deandpushedi
t
outsi
de.
..
.

ATGRACE'
SROOM

ther
ewasal oudbangonthedoorandtheyj
umped
l
ookingateachothert
earf
ull
ythenher
oughl
y
openedupbeforeheslowl
ywalkedi
nsi
deand
l
ookedatt
hem cal
mly

JODY:
seewhaty
oul
i
ttl
ebr
atsmademedo?

BOTH:
(keptqui
te)

JODY:iam st
il
lver
ybusyatt
hemomentbutonce
um doneyouaregoingt
opayfort
his,
trustme.

Hecl
ickedhi
stonguet
hent
urnedwal
ki
ngoutt
iget
r
eadyforbr
eakf
astwit
hMandla.
..
.

ATCHURCH

thepast
orsai
dt helastf
ewwor dsandever
yone
stoodupasMsWi l
l
iamsgotherbi bl
eandwalked
uptoMia'ssi
de.Shrheldherhandastheywalked
out
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(Smi
l
ing)di
dyouenj
oy?

MIA:
itwasn'
tbad,
andthepainonmywoundsf
elt
somuchbett
eraft
ert
hepastorpr
ayedf
orme

MSWILLIAMS:Youshoul
dhaveaoneononewi
th
hi
nsothathecanpr
ayvfi
ryoupr
oper
ly

MIA:
Okayi
will
,butidi
dn'
tl
ikethel
ookhegav
eme,
i
tmademefeelver
yuncomfort
able

MSWILLI
AMS:
wel
lmay
behewasl
ooki
ngdeepi
n
t
hespi
ri
t

MI
A:(
conf
used)huh?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
imean,
may
behewashav
ing
propheci
esbuthewoul
dn'
tsayanyt
hingunl
essy
ou
askhim dur
ingaoneononesessi
on

Mi
akeptqui
tet
hinki
ngaboutt
hebadt
hingsshrdi
d.

MIA:
(inhermind)i
t hi
nkheknowswhati
did,
but
whydidhekeepquiet

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(louder
)Mi
a!

Shesnappedoutofi
tandl
ookedbackatherf
orci
ng
asmil
e

MI
A:Huh?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Theoneononesessi
on,
wil
lyoudoi
t?

MI
A:ummm.
..
.yes
MSWILLIAMS:Great
!Um sur
eyouwi
l
lbe
compl
etel
yheal
edaftert
hat

MI
A:Okay

MsWi
l
li
amsl
ookedatherwr
istwat
cht
hensi
ghed

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Ummm.
..
..i
hav
etogosomewher
e

MI
A:okay

MSWI LLIAMS:yes,ipromisedsomeor phanswho

usual
lycomest ochurchfood.soletmegodo
shoppingthendropthegroceri
esattheirhousel
ater
.

Mialookedathersmil
ing.Itwasamazinghowshe
wasn'tanyr
ichbutst
il
l shar
edthel
i
ttl
eshehaswit
h
ev
ery
one"
shet
hought"

MI
A:(smi
l
ing)okayby
e

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(pathershoul
der
)by
edear

Shet
ookadi
ff
erentt
urnwal
ki
ngaway
..
..
..
.

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

hemov edupanddownget t
ingall
hisclot
hesand
shovefthem i
nthet wolar
gebagst hendraggedt
he
twoheav ybagstothedoorbefor
ewal ki
ngbackto
thetabl
ewher ehesatdownandgr abbedapen
scri
bbli
ngsomet hi
ngonapi eceofpaper

THEMBA:DEARMD;iam sosorr
ymydearfr
iend.I
al
waysknewthi
sdaywouldcomebutj
ustdi
dn't
thi
nki twoul dbet hi
ssoon.Iknowt herei snothing
thatcanj usti
fywhati didbutpl easetryto
understandwher eiwascomi ngf r
om.OnedayI
receivedaphonecal lfrom anunknownnumber ,
remember" thesecr etadmi r
er?"Yes,itwasMi a,
wentt omeetherandshet r
ickedmei nt obeli
ev i
ng
shewaspl anni
ngasur pri
separ t
yfory oubutt he
nextthingi wojeupi nmycarwi t
haheav yheadt he
nextday ,hourslatershecal l
edmef orameet i
ng.
Fastfor ward,igotther eandshehadphot osofme
nakedont opofher .
.coul dn'
trememberany t
hingsoi
panickedandgav eibt oherdemands. .she
threatenedt oshowy out hephot osifidon'tdance
tohert une.Soy eah, sheaskedmet oki l
lorsend
Gracet oThai l
andbecauseshewasat hreattoher
mar ri
age.hadnochoi cebutt odoitandsav e
my selfbecauset hephot osl ookedver y
conv i
ncing...
um sorry

At earr
andownandwett hepapert
henherubbedit
offbefor
ereachi
ngforhi
sbackpockett
akingout
thehardcopyphotoshepri
ntedear
li
erandput
them nexttothelet
terthenheturnedandsadly
l
ookedar oundhishousesniff
ing.Hesighed
tearf
ull
yandwal kedtothedoorgetti
nggisbagsand
walkedtohiscarwher eheputthebagsintheboot
beforehoppinginthendroveoff.
..
..
.
#
#
#
Li
kepost
Commentand
Shar
e
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
07:
12]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT46

shebidhergoodbyesastheli
tt
lesi
sterexci
tedl
y
peakedi
nsidetheplast
icssmi
li
ngfrom eart
oear .
BI
GSI
STER:
thanky
ou

MSWI LLI
AMS:i
tsokaydear
,dol
etmeknowwhen
youneedany
thi
ng.Okay
?

BI
GSI
STER:
okayMsWi
l
li
ams

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
alr
ightmydear
,by
e

BI
GSI
STER:
bye

Shesmi
l
edandt
urnedwal
ki
ngaway

LITTLESISTER:(
exci
tedl
y)look,
sheboughtus
chocolat
e,ohhandyoghurt
smhm. .
..
.

BI
GSI
STER:
(smi
l
ing)ar
eyouhappynow?
LI
TTLESI
STER:
yes

Theysmi l
edandpi
ckedt
hepl
ast
icspacki
ngt
he
grocer
ies.
..

ATMANDLA'
SROOM

j
odywal kedt
owar
dsMandl
a'
sroom andsof
tl
y
knockedasMandl
aputonhi
swatchinsi
de

MANDLA:
comei
n

Jodywalkedi
nsi
dei
nhi
ssi
mpl
eout
fi
tandwhi
stl
ed
l
ookingatMandl
a

JODY:comeonman,
itsj
ustbr
eakf
ast
,noneedt
o
dressup
MANDLA:
(laughed)Idi
dn'
tev
ennot
icet
hatIov
erdi
d
i
tman

JODY: butther
eai
n'
tnopr
ett
ygi
rl
saround
her
e,unlessyouwantmet
ohookyouupwithoneof
mygirls

MANDLA:(t
hought
ful
l
y)y
oushoul
dman,
hav
en'
tgot
l
aidi
nalongti
me

JODY:(surpr
ised)what?Somehotri
chmot
her
fucker
l
ikeyou?Itcan'tbehar
dgetti
ngsome
unl
ess..
..
..
(smili
ng)

MANDLA: what
?Noman,
dontev
ensayi
tout
,eww,
di
sgust
ing!

JODY:
butIdon'
tunder
standwhyy
ouwoul
dst
ay
thatl
ongwi thouttappi
ngiti
fatal
l youarenotgay
,I
shouldhooky ouupwi t
honeofmygi rl
s,t
herei
sthis
otherhotone, Iknowshewouldblowy ourmindoff
becausemostofmycl ient
sli
keher, I
'
vebeen
makingal otofmoneyoutofhersi nceshegothere

MANDLA:
(cur
iousaboutpr
ost
it
utesex)y
oushoul
d
man

JODY:Iwil
l,
apparent
lysheisver
ysubmi
ssi
veand
tooi
nnocent,t
hat
swhyt heyli
keher
.

MANDLA: shi
t!Um socuri
ousabouthernow,st
op
descr
ibi
ngherthatmuchbecausenowmy
i
maginati
onsarerunningwil
dpl
usIli
kethem
submissi
veandinnocent

JODY:(smi
l
ing)gr
eat
!Igotyou.(l
ookedathi
swr
ist
watch)
umm...
wegottagetgoingnow
MANDLA:
alr
ightl
etsgo

Theywalkedoutandsteppedint
heel
evat
orheadi
ng
tothegroundfl
oorandwalkedal
ongt
hepassage
headingtowar
dsGrace'
sroom.
Meanwhi
leinGrace'
sroom,shegotupandwal
ked
outt
othetoi
letl
eavi
ngRati
olyi
ngdown

JODY:l
etspassbyt
hef
reshmeatsoy
oucanseef
or
your
sel
f

MANDLA:butyouarespoi
l
ingi
tnow,
I'
ll
seeher
dur
ingt
hesession

JODY:
okaymay
bey
ouar
eri
ght
,let
sgoback

Theytur
nedandwalkedbackasGr acelef
tthe
toi
let
sandhereyesfel
lonthem astheywalkedout
thenshequi
ckl
ygotbackinthetoil
ethi
dingunti
l
theyt
urnedt
otheexitt
henshet
ipt
oedt
oherr
oom
andsatdownsi
ghinginrel
i
ef

RATI
:andt
hen?

GRACE:
whatdi
dhesay
?

RATI
:(conf
used)who?

GRACE:
Jody

RATI
:nohedi
dn'
tcomeher
e

GRACE:buthewasjusthere,Isawhim walki
ng
al
ongthepassagewithsomeguy .(
Thought f
ull
y)
andyouknow, t
her
eissomet hi
ngaboutthatguy,hi
s
backv
iewlookedsofamil
iar.
RATI
:may
bei
tsoneofy
ourcl
i
ent
s

GRACE:
yeah

Theybr
ushedi
tof
fchangi
ngt
het
opi
c..
..
..

GRACE:(t
hought
ful
l
y)y
ounev
ert
oldmehowy
ou
gother
e

RATI :(l
ookeddownsadl y)I.
..
Ihadj ustfinishedf or
m
fi
v ethreey earsagoanddeci dedt olookf oraj ob
sincemysi bli
ngswer emyr esponsibili
tyt henone
dayIst umbl eduponanj obadv ert,t
heywer elooking
forwai tr
essessoIappl i
edthent henextdayt hey
calledmeonmycel lphoneinvit
ingmef oran
i
nt ervi
ew, weirdenough, t
hemanont hephone
askedf ormyaddr essbecauseappar entl
yt he
companywast oobigandhi r
eddr i
ver'stopi ckup
appl i
cantsf r
om theirhomesi ntheev eningast hey
hadbookedaccommodat i
ontoav oiddel aysont he
dayoftheintervi
ew.fastf
orwar d,
hearri
vedandI
hoppedinsidethemi ni
busandsatdowngr eeti
ng
butheimmedi atel
ylockedallthedoorsandpulled
upabalaclavaonhi sfacethenoutofnowher e,ther
e
werefi
veguy sinthemi ni
buswhohel dmeand
cover
edmyey esandmout hthentheydroveaway .

Tearsst
reameddownherf
aceasshecont
inued
narr
ati
ngherst
ory

RATI:(crying)yesandnextt hi
ngI .
wokeupi nalarge
buil
ding,itlookedl ikeawar ehouse.Ther ewere
aboutninegi rl
st her eandourst orieswereallt
he
same. west ayedt her eforfi
vefulldayswi t
houtfood
orbathingbef oret heytookusi nt hetruckonenight
andhandedusov ert osomeguywhom i dli
keto
bel
ievewasI ndian, soIst ay
edt hereforquiteal
ong
ti
mebef oretheybr oughtmeher e.
.

Shesaidt
hatandbr
okedowncryi
nghyster
ical
l
yas
Grace'
seyesal
sowell
edupassheopenedherarms
huggi
ngherandr
ubbedherbackshushi
ngher

GRACE:
um sosor
ry,
pleasedontcr
y,pl
ease

Shecont
inuedcr
yingi
nherar
msunt
ilhert
ear
sran
dry
..
..
.

RATI:
whydi dn'
tIseethati
twasjustascam,Imean
i
twasal lcl
ear,not
hingmadesensebutIsti
l
lwent
ther
e..
.(
snif
fing)i
tsallmyfaul
tandnowmysi bl
i
ngs
areall
alonebecauseofmyst upi
dit
y.

GRACE:shh..
.Pleasedontsayt
hat,
itsnotyourf
aul
t
okay?Youwer eonlytr
yingt
olookoutfory
our
si
bli
ngs,st
opcr yi
ngnow

Rati
pul
ledfr
om t
hehugandl
ookedatherasGr
ace
gent
lyr
ubbedhert
ear
soff
ATSABORBRASI
LRESTAURANT

MANDLA:
mhm.
..
..
bestmeal
ever

JODY:(smi
l
ing)Iknewy
ouwoul
dli
kei
t,t
heyar
ethe
besti
ntown

MANDLA:i
tsr
eal
l
yni
ceman(
tookadr
inksi
ppi
ng)
ohhandmyfl
i
ght

JODY:
ohhy eahthat
,mypersonalassi
stantsai
dit
wasabitofahustl
etogettheti
cketbutthenext
fl
i
ghti
sintwoday ssoyoucanonlyleav
et hen

MANDLA:
damn,
twomor
eday
s!

JODY:
sor
ryman,
shedi
dherbest
MANDLA:al
ri
ghtIguessi
tsnotsobad,
besi
des,I
st
il
lhav
etohavesomegoodt i
mewitht
hegir
ls

JODY: (
laughi
ng)haha.
..
youwil
lsur
ehavesome
goodtimeman, thi
soneisreal
l
ygoodandhername
i
sG- .
.(
hisphonerang)shi
t!Myphone,
letmet
ake
thi
s

Hepickedupandconver
sedwi
tht
hecal
lerwhil
e
Mandlacont
inuedf
easti
ngont
hemeali
nf r
ontof
hi
m..

ATMI
A'SHOUSE

shedippedherwoundi nwar m waterwashingof f

thebrownandgr eenwormsbutt heyappear edall
overagainasthepainstart
edget ti
ngwor se, she
sadl
ylookedatherrott
enhandt henturnedand
l
ookedatt hesmal l
mirrorandherhear tbroke
l
ookingatthemanysqui rmingwor ms,herf ace
l
ookedsougl yanddisgusting,scar
yev en.Atear
escapedhereyesandr oll
eddownhercheekst hen
sherubbeditoffsni
ff
ing..
shet ookthemi rr
orand
putitupsi
dedownt oav oi
dl ooki
ngatherf acethen
si
ghedkneelingdownandr aisedherhandslooking
up

MIA: God,Idon'tknowhowt opraybutIwillj

ustpour
outmyhear tunt oy ou..
Lord,Iam nosaint,
mysi ns
aretoobig,Godpl easef orgivemef orwhatIdidto
Grace,Ishouldn'thav edonewhatIdi d,Iwastoo
desperateforlovebuti tdoesn'tj
ustif
ymyact i
ons,
for
giveGod. (
breakingv oice)andpleasehealme
God,heal meandr escuemef rom al
lthi
spain..

Sheranshortofwor
dst
henbr
okedowncr
ying
hyst
eri
cal
ly.
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
epost
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
12]ATTHEBROTHEL

Theypul
l
edupint
hepar
kinglotthenst
eppedout
makingt
hei
rwayi
nsi
dethebuil
ding.

JODY:al
ri
ght,y
ougoupst
air
s,st
il
lwantt
ochecki
f
al
li
sinplace

MANDLA:
alr
ightsur
e

Hesteppedintheelev at
orshoot i
ngtothesixt
hf l
oor
asJodyturnedwalkingal ongthelongpassagethen
tur
nedheadingtowar dsGr ace'
sroom.Meanwhi l
e
i
nsideGracepull
edof ffrom thehugandgent l
ylai
d
thesl
eepi
ngRat
idownbef
oreaknocki
nter
rupt
ed
her

GRACE:
comei
n

Heopenedupandgoti
nsi
dehol
dinghi
swai
st

JODY:(
str
aightface)getr
eady
,youhav
eacl
i
entt
o
pl
easeupst
airs

GRACE:
(hear
tski
pped)okay

JODY: (
angr
il
y)andnof unnystunt
sthi
st i
mear
ound
becauseIwon'thesi
tat
etobl owyourbrai
nsof
f.

GRACE:
(lookeddown)al
ri
ght

Het
urnedandhel
dthedoorknobt
henst
oppedand
gav
eherapi
erci
ngl
ook

JODY:makesurey
ouputony ourbestout
fi
tandgo
workyourmagi
cbecauset
hisisoneofmyt op
val
uedcli
ent
s.y
ouhaveanhour

GRACE:
(nodded)okay

Hefinal
l
yopenedupandwal
kedoutasGr
acegent
ly
shookRati

RATI
:(
sleepy
)mhm

GRACE:
(sadl
y)Ihav
etogetr
eadyf
oranot
hercl
i
ent
andl
eaveyou

RATI
:(r
ubbedherey
es)what
?
GRACE:(
sadl
y)y
es,Jodysai
dIhaveacl
i
entupst
air
s,
pr
obabl
yoneofhispar
tyi
nvi
tees.

RATI
:(satupr
ight
)okl
etmehel
pyougetr
eady

Shegotoutofbedast
heyst
art
edpr
epar
ing.
.

Tenmi
nut
esl
ater
..

Hesteppedoutoftheelev
atorandwal
kedinon
Mandlawhowasseat edonthecouchr
elaxedwi
th
hi
slegscrossedsi
ppingwine.

JODY:
heyman

MANDLA:
and?

JODY:
alr
eadysor
tedy
ououtman,
ber
eadyt
owor
k
y
ourmagi
cinanhour

MANDLA:
shi
t!

JODY:
(laughed)haha

MANDLA: Isocan'twai
ttohavei
tallgi
venuntome,
i
tsbeenawhi l
esinceIhadsomeonesubmi t
ti
ngand
bei
ngincharge,doyouhavethehandcuff
sanda
whi
p,Isur
eneedt omakeuseoft hem t
oday.

JODY:(
smil
i
ng)Donworr
yaboutt
hat
,letmet
ext
oneofmyemploy
eest
obringt
hem

Hegothisphoneandtext
edt
henputi
taway
cont
inui
ngwitht
heirchat

ATMI
A'SONEROOM
shegat
her
edall
herst
rengthandstoodupr
ubbi
ng
hert
ear
sofft
hengotherphonedial
ing.
.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Hel
l
odear

MI
A:MsWi
l
li
ams

MSWILLI
AMS:
yesdear
,howar
eyou,
yousoundt
oo
down

MIA:(sni
ff
ing)um f
ine,
umm, aboutt
heoneonone
sessi
onwi t
hthepastor
,Iwanttodoit

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
ohhgr
eat
!

MI
A:umm.
..
howaboutt
odayort
omor
row?
MSWI LLI
AMS:(t
hought
ful
l
y)umm...
.l
etmecal
lhi
m
andseeifhei
sfr
eetodayt
hengetbacktoy
ou

MI
A:okay

MSWI LLI
AMS: yesdear,ar
eyousur
eyouar
efi
ne
becauseyoudon'tsoundokayt
ome?

MI
A:(
smi
l
edabi
t)um f
ine.
Pleasedontwor
ry

MSWI LLI
AMS:(smil
ing)okaymydear ,pl
easebe
f
ineandohh,pl
easemakeal istofthi
ngsyouneed
t
henforwardi
tsothatIcanbuyt hem whenIgoto
t
hemal l
.

MI
A:(emot
ional
)buty
ouar
eal
readydoi
ngal
otf
or
me,
Ican'
tacceptt
hat
MSWILLIAMS:
(smil
ing)st
opworr
yingdear
,besi
des,
MrMathew'
sPAtri
ppledmysal
arythi
smonthsoI
hav
eenough

MI
A:okay
,thanky
ou

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
'
alr
ightby
e

MI
A:by
e

ShehungupasMi alookedatherphonesmi
l
ing
tearf
ull
y,shest i
l
lcouldn'
tunderst
andwhyMs
Wi l
l
iamswast hi
sfondofher .Shewasnowmore
l
ikeamot hersheneverhad..
.

MI
A:(
inhermi
nd)mayGodbl
essherf
orme

Sheputt
hephoneawayandl
ookedatherr
ott
en
handt
hensi
ghedsadl
y.
..
..
..

SOMEWHEREI
NBOTSWANA

Heparkedhi scari
nf rontofabachelorpadthen
openedthedoorst eppingoutandheadedt othe
bootoff
loadinghisluggageanddr aggeditt
ot he
doorwher ehestoppedandr eachedinhispocket
taki
ngoutt hekeysthenunlocked.Heopenedup
andpull
edt hebagsi nsi
deandclosedt hedoorthen
l
ookedar oundbeforeheav i
ngahugesi gh.

THEMBA:
hai
sh

Hewalkedtothesmal
lcouchandt
ookouthi
s
phonethenl
oggedint
oFacebookandbr
owsed
thr
ough

THEMBA:
(thought
ful
l
y)ohhl
etmechecki
fhei
s
back

HesearchedMandl athenwentt hr
oughhis
Facebookprofi
l
ebuthi sl astseenwasnotv i
si
ble
thenhesighedfrustr
atinglygoingtothei
rwhatsapp
chatandcheckedt helastseenbuti twasaboutfour
daysago

THEMBA:
(inhi
smi
nd)shi
t!

Heleanedbackont hecouchandr ubbedhisfaceas

histhroatdriedup.Hesl i
ppedintothoughtsashe
wonder edhowhei sgoingtosur v
ivenowbecause
heusedal lhissav i
ngsonMi a'
smedi cati
on.
Hispocketswi l
lsoonrundrybecauseheonl ymade
moneyf r
om t hehumant r
affi
ckingbutnowt hei
r
rel
ationwasbr okenandMandl awouldnev ert
rust
him again..

THEMBA:
dammi
tMi
a
Heputhi
sarmsonhiskneesandt
ear
full
ylookedup
t
ryi
ngtot
hinkofhi
snextsol
omoves.
..

ATTHEBROTHEL

JODY:(l
ookedathiswr
istwat
ch)mhm.
..
almostt
ime
tohav
ey ourdesser
t

MANDLA:
'
(l
aughed)

JODY:
alr
ightl
etmebounce

Hegotupandl ef
thisroom asMandlast oodupand
walkedtothemi r
rorwithhishandsinthepockets
thenpul
ledanaught ysmilebeforet
urningtothebed
andadmi r
edt hehandcuff
sandt hewhipslippi
ng
i
ntodream land..
Tenmi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Ther
ewasaknockatt
hedoor

GRACE:
comei
n

Hesteppedi nsi
deandl ookeddownherbeaut
iful
softf
eetthenwentupherAf ri
candesi
gnedfr
ame
admiri
nghercur vesthatwereabitrev
eal
edbecause
theminiski
rtwast ooshort

JODY:
(lust
fuley
es)mmmhh.
..
.Ishoul
dtapt
his
somet
ime,it
sbeenawhi
le

GRACE:
(lookeddown)

JODY:
(smi
l
ing)al
ri
ghtt
imet
ogo,
I'
ll
takey
out
her
e
t
henl
eav
eyouathi
sdoor

GRACE:
okay

Hest eppedoutasGracewalkedbehi
ndhi
mt hen
theywalkedalongthel
ongpassagethent
urned
gett
ingintheelevat
orand.
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
[
7/19,
07:
13]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT48

Hetur
nedasGracef
oll
owedhi
m wal
kingalongt
he
l
ongpassaget
henst
eppedint
heel
evatorandhi
s
phonerangt
henher
eachedf
orhi
spocket
staki
ngi
t
thenanswer
ed

MANDLA:
heyhowf
ar?

JODY:
onourwayt
oyour
oom

MANDLA:
ummm.
..
..
wai
t

JODY:
huh?

MANDLA: Iki
ndoffor
gotaboutameeti
ngschedul
ed
f
ortodaywithmyPAbackinBotswanasoIhaveto
vi
deocall
herinafew

JODY:
ohhnopr
obl
em,
I'
ll
goback

MANDLA:
alr
ightt
omor
row
JODY:
sur
e

Hehungupast heelev
atorarri
vedatthesi
xthfl
oor
thenGr acel
ookedathim butherel
easedhishand
select
ingfir
stf
loor

JODY:
yourl
uckyday

GRACE:(
lookedathi
m cl
uel
essast
heel
evat
or
moveddown)

JODY:
wear
egoi
ngback

Theyarr
ivedandst
eppedoutasJodyt
ooka
di
ffer
enttur
nandstoppedgi
vi
ngheranevi
ley
es

JODY:
Idi
dn'
tfor
getabouty
ourl
i
ttl
est
unt
,comi
ng
backf
ory
oul
ater

Shekeptqui
teandwal
kedawayasJodyheadedt
o
theex
it.
..

BACKATMANDLA'
SROOM

MANDLA:
alr
ightt
hanky
ouPear
l

PA:
youar
ewel
comesi
r,soIwi
l
lfor
war
dthedet
ail
s

MANDLA: alr
ight
.(Thought
ful
l
y)umm...
.howi
s
ev
eryt
hing,Imeany ouandThemba.Ihopehi
s
pr
esenceismakingahugedi f
fer
ence

PA:
(conf
used)huh?

MANDLA:
Imeany
ourwor
krel
ati
onshi
p,Iaskedhi
m
t
ohel
pyououtwi
thaf
ewt
hingswhi
l
eum away

PA:
butIhav
en'
thear
dfr
om hi
m ev
ersi
ncey
oul
eft

MANDLA:
arey
ouser
ious?

PA:
yessi
r,Ihav
en'
tseenhi
m

MANDLA:
ohh,
alr
ight

PA:
yessi
r

MANDLA:
okayby
e

Hehungupandsli
ppedintot
hought
s.Itwasso
wei
rdhowheneverevenrepl
i
edhistextandi
tsso
unl
i
kehim
MANDLA:
(inhi
smi
nd)l
etmecal
lhi
m

Hesear
chedt hr
oughhiscontact
sanddi
aledhi
m but
i
twentstr
aighttovoi
cemailt
henhehungupand
si
ghedworri
ed.

Ty
ping.
..
..

MANDLA:areyoufi
neman,
yourphone'
sar
en'
t
goi
ngt
hrough.Cal
lmewhenyougetthi
s

Hesentt hetextandadel i
verymessager epor
ted
thenhest oodupstretchi
nghisarmsandmadehi s
wayt ot
hedoorwi t
ht hei
ntenti
onoftakingawal k
aroundthebrothelsincehiscal
lwasal otshorter
thanhehadant ici
pated.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS
shewipedherhandsandt
ookherphonedi
ali
ng
Mia.
..

MI
A:Hel
l
o

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
heydear
,It
alkedt
ooutpast
or

MI
A:and?

MSWILLI
AMS:hecanonl
yseeyout
odaybecause
hewi
l
lbebusyt
hiswhol
eweek

MI
A:'
al
ri
ghtwhatt
ime?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
let
smeetatchur
chi
nthi
rt
ymi
nut
es
MI
A:al
ri
ghtby
e

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
'by
e

Shehungupthengotherbagandmadeherwayt
o
thedoorwal
ki
ngout.
.

Meanwhi
l
eatMi
a'
shouse.
.

Sheputherphonedownandsl owlywalkedtothe
smalltabl
egetti
ngherbaggrunti
ngasthepainon
herfaceincr
eased.
herheadachedharder
temporari
lybl
urr
inghervi
sionastear
swelledupin
hereyes

MI
A:ahhhahhh.
iy
ohahh

Shecl
enchedhert
eet
handsl
owl
ywal
kedoutt
hen
closedthedoorbehi
ndbeforeheadi
ngforthesmal
l
gateandwalkedoutli
mping.Thesmallbr
ownand
greenwormsst ar
tedfal
l
ingoffasshewalkedtot
he
taxist
op.

Fewmi nut
esl at
er,shewasatthetaxi
stopanda
taxist
oppedbyt henshehoppedinasevery
one
frowneddisgust
ed

LADY1:
mhm,
,
yousmel
lsohor
ri
ble

LADY2: wecantbei nthesamecarwi t

haperson
l
ooki ngl
i
ket hi
s,t
hisisnotheal
thy(l
ookedatthe
fall
ingworms)ewwt histhi
ngsareevenfal
l
ingdown
pleasestop

DRI
VER:
youwi
l
lhav
etopayme

LADY1:
justst
op,
wewi
l
lpay
Hestoppedatthesideoft heroadandt heystepped
outofthecarspit
ti
ngsalivaont hegroundbusy
checki
ngthemselvesout.Mialookeddownqui etl
yas
tear
sescapedherey esthenthedr i
vercaughther
gli
mpseont herearviewmi r
rorandf el
tsorr
yforher

DRI
VER:
um sor
rymysi
ster

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)i
tsokay

DRI
VER:
(si
ghedsadl
y)wher
eshoul
dIdr
opy
ouof
f

MIA:(
breaki
ngv
oice)att
hechur
chbui
l
dingont
he
r
ight

DRI
VER:
alr
ight
..
Heslowlydrov
et owardsthebui
l
dingandparkeda
fewfeetawayfrom t
hegat et
henMiasteppedout
andopenedherbagt aki
ngoutP5andhandedhi m

MI
A:her
e

DRI
VER:
(looki
ngi
nhersadey
es)t
hanky
ou

MI
A:(
for
cedasmi
l
e)

Sheturnedandwalkedawaybuthequi ckl
ygotout
ofhiscarandcaughtupwithherbreathi
ngheavi
l
y
thensheturnedl
ookingathi
m surpri
sed

MI
A:di
dIf
orgetsomet
hing?

DRI
VER:
umm no,
act
ual
l
yI.
MI
A:what
?

Hetookoutabusi
nesscar
dandgav
eitt
oheras
shetooki
tconf
used

DRIVER:
call
mewhenev
ery
ouneedt
ogo
somewhere

MIA:ohht
hankyou,andIhar
dlygooutbecauseal
l
t
hetaxidr
iver
savoi
dme

DRI
VER:
Ohh,
cal
lmet
hen

MI
A:al
ri
ghtt
hanky
ou

DRI
VER:
sur
eby
e

MI
A:by
e
Shet
urnedandwal
kedi
ntot
hechur
chbui
l
ding
meet
ingupwithMsWil
l
iamswhoembr
acedher

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
todayy
oudi
dn'
ttakel
ongt
ogether
e

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)y
eah,
Igotl
ucky

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
alr
ight
,let
sgo

Theywalkedt
owar
dst
hepast
or'
sof
fi
ceand
knocked

HI
M:comei
n

MsWi l
l
iamshel
dthedoorknobandopenedup
get
ti
nginsi
deasMianer
vouslyfol
l
owedherthen
l
ookedupasthei
reyesl
ockedthenhi
sfaci
al
expr
essi
oni
nst
ant
lychanged.
..
.

ATTHEBROTHEL

j
odyst eppedoutofhi
scarandst
eppedintothe
br
othel l
argebui
ldi
ngbefor
emakingaturnto
Grace'
sr oom wher
eheroughl
yopenedthedooras
hi
sey eslandedonGracewhowasshakingterr
if
ied

JODY:
(wi
ckedsmi
l
e)t
oldy
ouIwi
l
lgety
ou,
didn'
tI?

Shebithernai
l
sscaredasherheartpoundedt
hen
Jodywalkedoverandyankedherl
onghairasshe
fel
ldownonherknees.

JODY:(
angri
ly)um goi
ngtoteachy
oual essony
ou
will
neverf
orget.
Um comingbackfory
ourstupi
d
fr
iendonceum donewithyou
Hecli
ckedhistongueanddraggedheroutofthe
room wal
kingalongthepassageasshescreamed
herl
ungsoutinpain.

JODY:
shutup!

Shekeptqui
ett
hencr
iedsi
l
ent
ly

JODY:
getup!

Shegat her
edallherst
rengt
hget
ti
ngupasherknees
bledthenhelandedahotslaponherf
aceandshe
screamedinagony

GRACE:
iyohhmamaaaa.
..
..

Meanwhi
leintheel
evator
,Mandl
asteppedoutand
f
rownedheari
ngtheloudscr
eamsthenheturned
walkingtowar dsthem thenhiseyesf ellonafami l
i
ar
face.Gr
ace'sfacewascov er
edinbloodt hatwas
oozingfrom herbr okenlipandthet earsstr
eami ng
downherf acet hathadt emporari
lyblurredher
visi
on..
shet r
iedtowal kasJodyi nstructedhim but
nearlymissedast ept henJodygr abbedherbef ore
shecouldf al
l

JODY:
(louder
)openy
ourdamney
es

GRACE:
(Br
eaki
ngv
oice)Ican'
tsee

Meanwhi l
eMandlawalkedcloserandandfrowned
recogni
singhervoi
ceashecar ef
ull
ylookedather
bloodyfacethenhi
sjawdropped..
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Shar
e
Comment
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
07:
13]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT49

Hefr
ownedrecogni
singhervoi
cethenwal
kedcl
oser
l
ooki
ngatherandhisjawdropped

JODY:
(unawar
eofMandl
a'
spr
esence)shutup!

Hel andedanotherhotslaponherf aceasshe

l
ookeddownt henMandl aclenchedhi steethand
quicklymovedbackbef oreanyoft hem couldsee
himt henhesteppedint heelevatorasJody
continueddraggi
ngGr acetowar dst heexi
t.Hi
s
thr
oatdr i
edupashi spal msstartedsweat i
ng,hi
s
mindwonder edalloverashet riedtodigestwhathe
j
ustsaw
MANDLA:
(lowv
oice)Gr
ace,
buthow?

Hesaidthatasatearr
andownhischeekt henhe
cl
enchedhisteet
hhardert
ryi
ngtostopthi
nkingof
whathejustsawthenhesnappedoutofitand
qui
cklygothi
sphonesteppi
ngoutoftheelevat
or
di
ali
ng..
..

Meanwhi
l
eatt
heex
it.
.

JODY:Isai
dshutt
hef
uckupandmo-
..
.(
phoner
ang
i
nter
rupt
inghi
m)

JODY:
yes

MANDLA:
(br
eat
hingheav
il
y)l
eav
eheral
one
JODY:
(conf
used)huh?

MANDLA:
(angr
il
y)Gr
ace,
leav
eheral
oneandcome
her
e

HehungupasJodyl ookedathi
sphoneandcl i
cked
histonguethenl
etgoofherasshelostbal
anceand
fel
lbreaki
ngherl
ipsevenmorethenbloodgushed
out.

JODY:(
angr
il
y)gobackt
oyourr
oom,
I'
ll
comeback
fory
ou

Shegotupasmor eblooddr i
ppedthensheli
mped
totheothersi
demov ingalongthelongpassageas
Jodysteppedintheelevatorfumi
ngwi t
hangerand
headedtothesixthf
loor..
..
.

ATCHURCH
Theireyesl
ockedashisf
aci
alexpr
essi
oninst
ant
ly
changedthentheypul
l
edthechai
rssi
tt
ingdownand
greeted

BOTH:
goodaf
ter
noonpast
or

Hesl
owlyre-
coll
ectedhi
msel
fandf
orcedasmi
l
e
gr
eet
ingthem back

PASTOR:(
smi
l
ing)af
ter
noonl
adi
es,
MsWi
l
li
amshow
ar
eyou?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)um goodpast
or

PASTOR:(
lookedatMi
a)andy
ouy
oungl
ady
,how
ar
eyou?
MI
A:(
lookeddownashert
hroatdr
iedup)

MSWI LLI
AMS: umm..
.past
or,
thi
sist
hegi
rlwe
t
alkedaboutearl
i
er

Hemovedonhischairuncomfor
tabl
eandlooked
ar
oundsweat
ingthenMsWi ll
i
amspathisshoulder

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Past
or

Hesnappedoutofi
tandl
ookedbackatt
hem

PASTOR:
ohhumm.
..
cany
ouexcuseuspl
ease?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Ohh,
ofcour
se

Shegotherhandbagandhungitonhershoulder
s
thenmadeherwayoutsi
deasthepastor
'seyes
l
ookedbackatMi awhoshamef ul
l
ylookeddown.
Shecouldn'
tshakeof
fthefeel
ingthatheknows
aboutherbaddeeds,
especial
l
ywiththelookhe
gaveheruponthei
rarr
ival
.

PASTOR:
(sof
tl
y)whati
swr
ongmydear
?

GRACE:
(poi
ntedherwounds)pl
easeheal
me

PASTOR:
Ican'
theal
you

MI
A,:
whatdoy
oumean?

PASTOR:
y ouar
etheonl
yonewhocanheal
yoursel
f.
Conf
essyoursi
nsandGodwil
lhav
emercyonyou

MI
A:(
keptqui
etl
ooki
ngdown)
PASTOR: andther
eisalotofevi
lthatresidesiny
our
heartnow.Youwereini
ti
atedint
otheki ngdom of
darknessthedayyougotwounded.Iwon' tsaymuch
becauseyouknowexactlywhathappened.So
confessandrepenti
fyouwanthealingmydear

MIA:(
tear
ful
l
y)butIwi
l
lgeti
ntot
roubl
eandmay
be
gotoj
ail

PASTOR: confessionscomewi thresponsibili

tymy
dear.ifyouar enotr eadytoownupt oy ourmi stakes
thent hatmeansy ouar enotreadyf orheal i
ng..
when
Ipray edfory ouatchur chlastSunday ,Isensedgr eat
evilsurroundingy ou, i
tsli
keyoucameacr osslarge
cavesnakesbecauseIsensedsnakesspi ri
ts
surroundingy ou,t
hati swhyy ourwoundsar enot
healingbecauset hesnakespi rit
shav epossessed
yousoy ouneedt ocutt i
eswit htheenemy ,come
cleanaboutev er
ythingthatmakesy ouvulnerableto
thedev ilandonl ytheny ouwillfi
ndheal i
ng
MIA:(tear
full
y)yespastorIwasbi
tt
enbyalarge
snake,Idon'tknowifmyexhusbandchangedint
oa
snakeorwhatbecausehehaddi sappear
edandit
wasjustmeandt helar
gesnakewhichbi
tmeonmy
facethenlastl
ymyhand

PASTOR: (
calmed)Iknowaboutal
lthatmydear,you
wereunknowingl
ymar r
iedt
othedevilhi
mself
becauseyourexhusbandmadeconv anent
swiththe
devi
l,heget
sbusinessprot
ect
ionpower sf
rom t
he
snakes.

Shebrokedowncryingast
hememor i
esofthatday
cameflashi
ngdownhermi ndt
hensherubbedoff
hert
earsandlookedbackathi
m

MI
A:howdoIconf
ess?

PASTOR:thati
snowupt oyoubecausetheonl
y
reasont
hatsnakepoi
sonli
vedi
nsideyourbl
oodthi
s
l
ongisbecausey
ouwerealsoi
mpure,yourhear
t
wasnotpuresot
hespir
iti
snowdwelli
nginsi
deyou
sofi
ndawayt ol
etl
ooseandbreakt
hatbond

MI
A:Idon'
tunder
stand

PASTOR: Igaveyoumorethanenoughsol uti

ons.I
can'
tprayforyounow.Godowhaty ouhav etodo
thenIwil
lprayfory
ouafteryourconfessi
on

MI
A:okay

PASTOR:
yes,
youmayl
eav
e

Shestoodupandwal kedoutwi
thmixedemot
ions
andalotofconfusion.Yesshehear
dwhathesaid
butshedidn'
treal
lyunderst
andever
ythi
nghesaid
MI
A:(
inhermi
nd)asnakei
nsi
deme?
?

ShesighedandtappedMsWi l
l
iamsshoul
derwho
gaspedforai
rlooki
ngather

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
ohh,
itsy
ou

MI
A:y
esl
et'
sgo

MsWi
l
li
amsl
ookedatherwai
ti
ngf
oranexpl
anat
ion

MI
A:hepr
ayedf
orme

MSWILLI
AMS:
okay
,let
sgo,
um sur
etomor
rowy
ou
wi
l
lbefi
ne

Shesmil
edandturnedwalki
ngawayasMi apaced
besi
deherandkeptonlooki
ngatherwonderi
nghow
shewoul
dreactaf
terf
indi
ngoutev
ery
thi
ng.
.

MI
A:umm ma.

Herhear
tskippedaf
tershecal
l
edhert
hatt
henshe
smil
edholdi
ngherchest

MI
Awhat
?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
not
hing,
youwer
esay
ing?

MIA:canwepassbyy
ourpl
ace,
Iwantt
otel
lyou
somethi
ng

MSWI LLI
AMS:(l
aughi
ng)y
oumi
sshav
ingmyt
ea
andcooki
esdon'
tyou?

MI
A:(
smi
l
ed)wel
l
,yesIdobutt
hat
'snott
her
eal
r
easonbehi
ndmyr
equest

MSWILLI
AMS: (
smi
li
ng)what
ever
!Yesyoucan
comeandhav
ecooki
esandteaatmyhouse

Theysmi
l
edandwal
kedt
othet
axi
stop.
.

ATTHESI
XTHFLOOR

Jodyst
eppedoutoft
heel
evat
orandangr
il
yopened
upMandla'
sroom

JODY:
whatt
hehel
ldi
dyouj
ustsay
?

MANDLA:
(ser
iousf
ace)Iam goi
ngbackwi
thher

JODY:
arey
ouki
ddi
ngme?
Mandlamaintai
nedaseri
ousl
ookandf
oldedt
he
sl
eevesofhist-
shi
rtl
ooki
ngathi
m

MANDLA: gety
ourper
sonal
assi
stantt
obookhera
pl
anet
icketaswell

Jodybursti
ntolaught
erlaughi
ngathim buthest
il
l
maint
ainedtheseri
ouslookthen.
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Shar
e
Comment
GOODNI
GHTFAM
[
7/19,
07:
13]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT50
Heburstint
olaught
erlaughi
ngathim buthest
il
l
maint
ainedtheseri
ouslookthenJodyslowl
ycl
osed
hi
smout h

JODY:
arey
ouser
ious?

MANDLA:
(st
rai
ghtf
ace)doIl
ookl
i
keacl
own?

JODY:
whyar
eyouchangi
ngy
ourmi
ndnow?

MANDLA: j
ustdoitandIdidn'
tknowt
hatgirl
ishere,
It
houghtIwasyouronlysuppli
eri
nBotswana,how
di
dshecomeher e?

JODY:arey
oul
osingyourmi
nd?Youar
etheone
whohandedmethisgi
rl
sandshewaspar
tofthe
group.
MANDLA:
(thought
ful
l
y)wassheonourf
ir
stdel
i
ver
y?

JODY:(i
mpati
ent)ummm...
.y
eah,Ithi
nksoandwhat
i
sallt
his?It
houghtyouar
eapr of
essional
but
I
.mustsayum verymuchdi
sappoint
edinyou

MANDLA:
(goingdownmemorylane)soshewason
t
hever
yfi
rstdel
iv
eryofwhi
chIwasn'tapar
tof
?

JODY:
yes!i
sn'
ti
tthaty
ousawallthi
sgirl
sand
per
mit
tedThembatomaketheexchange?

MANDLA:Idi
d.(Hefol
dedhisar
msandt r
iedbyal
l
meanst
ocalm down)um sor
ryaboutt
hat
, canwe
l
eti
tgo?

JODY:
um v
erymuchpi
ssedbutIwi
l
lleti
tsl
i
de
Hef
orcedasmi
l
eandr
eleasedhi
shandf
orashake.

MANDLA:
fri
endsagai
n?

JODY:
(smi
l
ed)al
ri
ght
..

MANDLA: soaboutt
hatgi
rl
,theoney
ouhav
ebeen
pr
aisi
ng,
hookmeupnow

JODY:may
beweshouldl eti
tgobecomeIwas
act
ual
l
ytal
kingaboutt
hissameGrace

Mandla'sheartbr
okeintosmallpi
ecesashisheart
pounded,hismindranaroundashei magi
nedher
bei
ngexchangedbydi ff
erentmen.ThewayJody
descri
bedherearli
ershowedjusthowmuchshe
wasabusedandov er
worked.Heheldhischestas
hi
st hr
oatdriedup
JODY:hey,
areyoufi
ne?(
Hewav edhi
shandbef
ore
hi
seyesthenhesnappedoutofit
)

MANDLA:
umm y
es

Hel
etgoofhi
schestandf
orcedasmi
l
e

MANDLA:
ohhy
ouar
eri
ght
,it
sabadi
dea

JODY:
alr
ight
,letmel
eav
eyou

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)al
ri
ght

Jodytur
nedwalki
ngoutasMandl
asl
i
ppedi
ntoa
tr
ainoft
hought
s.
(
(((
(((
(((
(((
((JODY:
letusgosoy
oucanseeher
Theywalkedal
ongthelongpassaget
henst
oppedat
acert
ainroom ont
heleft

MANDLA: umm..
..
may
beIshoul
dn'
tseehernow,
so
l
etsnotspoi
li
t

JODY:
(thought
ful
l
y)y
eahy
ouar
eri
ght

Theyt
urnedwal
ki
ngaway
)))
)))
)))
)))
)))
))

Hesnappedoutofi
tbumpinghisf
isti
ntheai
rand
shott
othedoorwalki
ngoutt
hensteppedi
nthe
el
evat
orshoot
ingtothef
ir
stfl
oor.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS

Shewal
kedoutoft
heki
tchenhol
dingat
rayoft
ea
andcooki
est
henpl
acedi
tont
het
abl
ebef
oreMi
a.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
her
e

MI
A:t
hanky
ou

Sher
eachedf
orthecooki
esandpickedonethen
sl
owl
ytookabit
eandlookedbackatherchewing

MI
A:(
mout
hful
)theyar
ereal
l
yni
ce

MSWI LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)sowhatdi
dyouwantt
otal
k
about
?

Shest
oppedchewi
ngandputt
hecooki
einherhand
backi
nthetr
ayswal
lowi
nghar
d

MI
A:(
sadl
y)Ihav
etot
ell
yousomet
hing
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(at
tent
ive)okay

MI
A:I
..
.I
..

atearrandownhercheekt
hensher
ubbeditof
fas
MsWi l
l
iamswalkedcl
oserr
ubbi
nghershoul
der
s

MI
A:Iam abadper
son

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
'pl
easedon'
tsayt
hat

Shelookedatherwoundandthescar
ydi
sgust
ing
i
magegav eherst
rengt
htogoonasshei
magined
hersoftf
lawlessski
nback

MIA:alongt
imeagoInoti
cedthatmyhusbandhad
acrushonacer
tai
ngir
l,shewasbeaut
if
ulandhada
ni
cebodysoIgotj
eal
ousandf
eltt
heneedt
ogetr
id
ofher

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
huh?

MIA:(swall
owedhar d)yes,Idi
dalotofdiggi
ngand
(sheremember edthelargesnakeandgotmor e
scar
edasi tsi
mageskeptonf l
ashi
ngthroughher
memor y)and.
..
an..
.

Theimagesranthr
oughhermi ndast hehissi
ng
soundsfi
l
ledherearsthenshestoodupshaki ngher
earsasMsWi l
li
amsl ookedatherconfused

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Mia!

Shekeptonrubbi
ngherear
signor
ingherunt
ilMs
Will
i
amsputahandonhershouldersandsai
da
shortpr
ayer
MSWI LLI
AMS:Lor
dpl
easebewi
thus,
prot
ectMi
a
andhealher
.

SheletgoofhershoulderandMi asl
owlyre-
coll
ectedandsatdownscar ed.Shekeptonlooki
ng
atthebigtocheckift
hesnakewasntt herethenshe
tearf
ull
ylookedatMsWi l
li
am' sconf
usedface

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
'
what
swr
ongdear

MI A:(t
hought
ful
l
y)Iam fi
ne..
umm yesIwassay
ing
(sheheardlowsoundhissesandswall
owedhar
dre-
arrangi
ngherconfessi
onstat
ement)

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(looki
ngather
)what
sgoi
ngondear

Miajumpedl
ooki
ngaroundasheheardmanyv oi
ces
f
il
li
ngherear
sasthegreensnakef
lashedt
hrough
hermi
nd

((
((VOI
CES:don'
tsaymyname,dontsaymyname,
dontsaymyname, don'
tsaymynameify
ouknow
whatsgoodforyou))
)))
)

Shestoodupandr antothecornerl
ooki
ngaround
scaredt henshetemporar
il
ylosthervoi
ceasanall
blacklargesnakefi
ll
edtheroom andsquir
medits
headcl osertoherf
aceandshemel tedonthefl
oor
asitli
ckedherwound.
Meanwhi
leMsWil
l
iam'
slookedar
oundconf
used
andwal
kedupt
oher

MI
A:(
scr
eami
ng)t
hesnake,
thel
argesnake

MsWi l
l
iam'slookedar
oundther
oom butsi
ghedas
shesawnothingthenshel
if
tedt
het
ableandthe
chai
rsthenshesatdown
MIA:(
peedinherpants)it
sli
cki
ngmyf
ace,
please
hel
pme, hel
pme,heeell
lp

MsWi l
li
amsgotherphonedial
ingthei
rpastor'
s
numberbuti
twentstr
aighttovoi
cemailandshe
pani
ckednotsur
eofwhatt odobutthoughtful
l
y
knel
tdownprayi
ng

MSWI LLI
AMS: heavenl
yLor d,havemer cyont he
poorchi ldandsetherf ree.Heal herand(she
stoppedpr ayingandst oodupsni f
fingsensinga
familiarsmell,shewentar oundther oom sni
f f
ingas
shet ri
edt orememberwher esheoncesmel ledt he
sameodourt henshequi cklyboweddown
continuingwi thherprayer)deliv
erherf r
om ev iland
protecther ,
fightherbattlesandhi deheriny our
blooddearLor d,for
giveherf orhersinsandt each
herhowt oliveright
.Amen. ..
Shestoodupandwalkedt
oMi
awhowasl
osi
ngher
breat
handsweati
ng

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
dear

Miaignoredherl
ookingatonedi r
ecti
onwithher
eyespoppedout,shestoodupt ryi
ngtorunbuther
l
egswer etooheavyandshemel t
eddownagai nas
MsWi l
l
iamshuggedhert henshequickl
yletgoof
herasherbodyfeltsl
ipperyandtoosoftandthe
famil
iarsmell
gotevenmor est
ronger

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(ter
ri
fi
ed)i
yoohhMi
a!

Miaignor
edhersti
l
lconcentr
ati
ngonthel
arge
snakeasitwai
ledi
tstongueandswi
ngedit
shead
befor
eherface

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(scr
eami
ngwi
thherhandsonher
head)Lordhel pus,del
iveryourchi
l
df rom snake
spi
rit
s,deli
verherLord,setherfr
ee,setherfree,
set
herfr
ee, i
nthemi ghtynameoft heLordJesusChr i
st,
setherfree,setherfr
ee

Shemovedupanddownintheroom chant
ingt
he
samewordsov
erandoveragai
n.
Meanwhil
eatthecornerMiacoveredherearsast
he
snakehi
ssesandvoicesinherheadincr
easedmore
andmorealmostbreaki
nghereardrums

((
(((
(((
VOI
CES:(l
ouder)Iam Zumba,
Iam Zumba!I
am Zumbaaaaaa!
!!
!)
)))
)))
)

Shescreamedl
ouderwi
thherey
escl
osedandher
handssti
ll
onherear
s

MI
A:(
scr
eami
ng)noooooooooooohhhhhhhh!
!!
!!
!!
!!
Shesai
dthatwithhermouthwidethenslowly
cl
osedhermouthast hevoi
cesfadedthenshe
sl
owlyopenedhereyesandsurpri
si
nglythesnake
wasnotther
ebutMsWi l
l
iamswaswal ki
ngupand
downtheroom pray
ing

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
setherf
ree,
setherf
ree

Shesai dthatforthelasttimeasshef el
tthe
heavinessthatwasi nther oom disappeari
ngt hen
shesni f
fedaroundbutt hefami
liarsmellhad
disappeared,hereyesf ell
onMiawhosef acewas
coveredintearsandmucusbutl ookedabi tcalm
thenshewal kedupt oher

MsWI
LLI
AMS:
dear

Shebentt
ouchingher,weir
denoughshewasn'
tas
sof
tandsli
pperyli
keaf ewminut
esbackthenshe
smil
edatherrel
ieved
MSWILLI
AMS:wethankGodf
ory
ourdel
i
ver
ance,
l
etmehel
pyougetup

Shehel
dherasMiasl
owl
ygotupt
hent
heywal
ked
backt
othecouch

MI
A:t
hanky
ou

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
any
timedear

MI
A:(
clear
edhert
hroat
)ummmm.
..
.

MSWILLI
AMS:
Ithi
nky
oucangoonnow,
justhol
d
myhand

MIA:
(hel
dherhandtear
ful
l
y)yes,
I.
.Igotj
eal
ousand
di
dsomediggi
ng,If
oundoutaboutsomeonecal
led
"Zumba"hesel
l
syounggi
rl
sfr
om Bot
swanat
o
Thail
and

MsWill
iamseyeswi
denedt
henMi
alookeddown
andwenton.

MIA:Ior
gani
zedev
ery
thi
ngt
hensentt
hatgi
rlt
o
Thai
l
andand..

MSWi l
li
amsletgoofherhandandsl
owl
ylookedat
hert
otal
lysur
pri
sed

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
what
???
#
#
#
Pl
easeLi
kepost
Shar
e
Comment
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
07:
13]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT51

MeWill
iamsl
etgoandsl
owl
ylookedathert
otal
l
y
sur
pri
sed

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
what
?

MI
A:(
lookeddown)

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
sowhathappenednext
?

MIA:(
tearf
ull
y)Idon'
tknowwhathappensoncethey
l
eavethecountrybutum assumi
ngt
heyareusedas
pr
osti
tutes
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
wow!

MI
A:(
lookeddownembar
rassed)

MSWI LLI
AMS:
sowhatdoy
oumeanbyal
ongt
ime
ago?

MI
A:It
hinkaboutay
earago

MsWi l
li
amsthoughtf
ull
ysatdownashermi
ndr
an
aroundandherheadf el
theavyasshet
ri
edt
o
convinceher
selfot
herwise

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(lowv
oice)sowhoi
sthi
sgi
rl

Shekeptquietswall
owinghardastearsf
ormedat
thecorner
sofherey esthensheheavedahugesad
sighandlookedint
oherconfusedeyes
MI
A:i
ts.
.umm.
..

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
soIknowher
?

MI
A:Gr
ace

MsWi l
li
am'
sheartskippedatt
hement i
onofher
nameandsheheldherchestclosi
nghereyes
al
mostchokingt
henMi astoodupwalki
ngtowar
ds
herandhel
pedhersitdown

MSWI LLI
AMS:
(cr
ying)noooohMi
anoohh,
notmy
daught
er

MI
A:(keptqui
ethol
dingher
)

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(voi
cebr
eaki
ng)Ican'
tbel
i
eveI
'
ve
beensof ondofyou,
helpi
ngy
ououtbuty
ounev
er
thoughtofcomingcl
ean.Why?

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)um sor
ry

MSWill
i
amscriedherl
ungsoutandbur
ri
edherhead
bet
weenhert
highsscr
eaming

MSWILLI
AMS:(
tear
ful
l
y)mybaby
yy.
..
.Mi
awhy
?Not
mybabyno!

Sheconti
nuedcr
yingasMi
asadl
ylookedather
breaki
ngdown.

ATTHEBROTHEL

Hesteppedoutoft
heelev
atorandl
ookedaround
butt
heguardswerenowhereneart
henheturned
wal
ki
ngal
ongthel
ongpassageandst
oppedat
r
oom 59ner
vousl
yknocki
ng.

VOI
CE:
comei
n

Hesl owlyopenedthedoorashisheartpounded
thenhiseyesfellonawhit
egirlthenhesighed
disappoint
edbecausehethoughti twasthesame
room theystoppedatconver
singthelastti
me

MANDLA:
hey

GI
RL:
hel
l
o

MANDLA:
um l
ooki
ngf
orGr
ace'
sroom

GI
RL:
ohh,
i
tst
henextdoor
MANDLA:
ohhby
e

Heturnedwal
kingoutasthegi
rlcur
iousl
ywalked
outbecauset
heyneverreal
l
yhavecli
entscoming
over
,somethi
ngisn'
tri
ght
"
Shet
hought
"

Meanwhi
lei
nsidet
heroom Graceslowl
yappli
ed
vasel
i
neonherscr
atchedkneesthenwentupher
f
aceandgotthemir
rorandappli
edontheslaps
r
ashasRati
sadlyl
ookedather

RATI
:I'
m sor
ry

GRACE:
(tear
ful
l
y)myheadi
sachi
ng

RATI
:letmegety
ousomewat
er
Shestoodupandwal kedtothesmallcorneratthe
tabl
ethenstoppedasasof tknockontheirdoorgot
thei
ratt
ent
ionthentheylookedateachotherscared

GRACE:
(tear
ful
l
y)i
tshi
m

RATI
:(l
ookedatt
hedoorshaki
ng)comei
n

Heslowlyopenedthedoorwi
thtear
sst
reaming
downhi scheekst
henGracel
ookedupasthei
rtear
y
eyeslocked

GRACE:
(lowv
oice)Mandl
a

Heslowlywalkedoverqui
etl
ythenGracejumpedoff
thebedrunni
ngintohisar
msandbr okedowncr yi
ng
ashehuggedhert i
ghtandrubbedherbacksnif
fi
ng.
Sheslowlyl
ookeduphi sf
aceastearsofjoy
str
eameddownherf acethenhebroughthishand
cl
osert
oherf
acer
ubbi
ngt
het
ear
sof
f

GRACE:
(tear
ful
l
y)y
ouf
oundme

MANDLA:
(tear
ful
l
yswal
l
owedhar
d)y
es

Shel
ookedbackatRati
andpulledfrom t
hehug
wal
ki
ngovertothecl
uelessandlostRati

GRACE:
pinchme

RATI
:(conf
used)huh?

GRACE:(
tear
ful
l
y)pi
nchme,
may
beIam dr
eami
ng
j
ustpi
nchme

Ratisi
ghedandrel
easedherhandsl
i
ght
lypi
nchi
ng
hercheekthenshefl
i
nched
GRACE:
ouch

Shet
urnedandranbacki
ntohi
sar
msbr
eaki
ng
downi
ntotear
s

GRACE:(
tear
ful
l
y)ahhhhuhuhuhuh.
..
Thanky
ouGod,
t
hankyou

Sheconti
nuedcryi
nghardasshewentdown
memor yl
ane.Shecoul
dn'tbel
i
ev eherni
ght
marehad
comet oanend,i
twassounbelievabl
eandshefel
t
theneedtothankGod.

MANDLA:(sof
tl
y)-i
tsokaynow,
stopcr
ying,
um her
e
t
ogetyou

Rat
iwalkedcl
oserasshehear
dafamil
i
arvoi
ce,i
t
wastoolowandsoftmaki
ngithar
dtoremember
wher
eshehear
ditbutshesworei
twasnotthefi
rst
t
imeshecameacrossthecut
emaninthei
rroom

MANDLA:(l
owv
oice)pl
easedon'
tcr
y,wear
eleav
ing,
youar
efr
ee

Shewalkedevencl
oserashermi
ndr
anar
ound
tr
yingt
or ememberbutt
onoavai
l

RATI
:(i
nhermind)ali
tt
lel
ouder
,Ineedt
oremember
wher
eIhadthi
sv oi
ce

Graceconti
nuedcryi
nguntilherheadachedthen
Mandlagentl
ypickedherupandwentt olayher
downont hebedandplantedhissoftl
ipsonher
for
eheadasshesni f
fedwithredeyes

Meanwhi
l
eout
sidet
hewhi t
egi
rlhadal
readycal
l
ed
someoft
hegi
rl
sandleanedonthedoor
eav
esdroppi
ng,t
heywhi
sper
edt
ryi
ngt
ofi
gur
eout
whatwasreal
lygoi
ngon

GI
RL1:
Ithi
nkhepai
dJodyt
ogett
hegi
rlback

GIRL2:
(sadl
y)Iwi
shIhadsomeonewhowoul
d
comeandrescuemeaswellbutIknowi
ts
i
mpossibl
e

GIRL1:(t
earf
ull
y)met
oo,
Iguesswewi
l
lgr
owol
d
hereanddie.
.

I
nsi
de.
..
..

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)st
ayher
e,Iwi
l
lcomebackf
ory
ou
okay

Shequi
ckl
ygotupandr
ani
ntohi
sar
ms
GRACE:
(tear
ful
l
y)nopl
easedon'
tl
eav
eme,
please

MANDLA: (
lowvoice)I'
m coming,Ij
ustneedto
makesurethati
tssafebeforeIgetyou.Theman
whogotyouisverycruelsohemi ghtf
indoutabout
meandkill
ussoj uststayher
eandwai tforme,
don'
tdoorsayany t
hingtoanyone

Graceremember edMar ti
n'
sdemiseandcal
med
downt henpul
ledfrom thehugsnif
fi
ngasMandla
rel
easedhishandholdingherbyherwetcheeksand
l
ookedi nt
ohertearyeyes

MANDLA: (
softl
y)um her
etogetyouandwear
e
def
ini
tel
ygoingbackhometogether

GRACE:
(nodded)okay
,pl
easecal
lmymum
MANDLA:
okay

Hereachedf
orhi
spocketsandtookhisphone
di
ali
nghernumberbuti
trangunanswered

MANDLA:
shei
snotpi
cki
ngup

GRACE:
(tear
ful
l
y)pl
easet
ryagai
nfort
hel
astt
ime

Hedi
aledheragai
n.

Meanwhil
ebacki
nBot swanaMiacamerunni
ng
f
rom herbedr
oom andhandedhert
hephone

MI
A:pl
easeansweri
t,i
tsMandl
a

Shelookedathert
ear
ful
l
yandanswer
edwi
thal
ow
voi
ce
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
hel
l
o

MANDLA:heyma,If
oundGracei
nThai
l
andandwe
ar
ecomingbackhomeint
wodays

Herhear
tskippedabi
tthentear
sofj
oyst
reamed
downherfaceassheheavedahugesi
gh

MANDLA:
ma!

Shesnappedoutofi
tandr
ubbedhert
ear
sof
f
smil
i
ng

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
okay
,thanky
ou

MANDLA:
Iwi
l
lupdat
eyout
omor
row
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
alr
ightby
e

MANDLA:
bye

Hehungupandl ookedatherphonesurpri
sed
becauseshesoundedwayt oocalm andshewasn'
t
evensurpr
ised.heexpect
edhertoaskal otof
questi
onsandbl owtantr
umsbutinsteadshe
remainedcalm

MANDLA:
(inhi
smi
nd)may
beshei
sinshock

GRACE:
whatdi
dshesay
?

MANDLA:shei
sshocked,
Ihav
etogobef
oreJody
comesher
e

GRACE:
(rubbi
nghert
ear
sof
f)okay
Het urnedwal kingoutasRati slowlysatdownwi t
h
tearsstr eamingdownherf ace, shesworethisvoi
ce
wast hesamev oicesheheardbef oreherli
fe
compl etelychanged, t
hiswast hesamev oi
ceshe
heardt hatnightwhenshewascol datthebackofa
truckint hemi ddleofnowhere,i
twast hesamev oice
shehear dthatnightwhenamanl i
tatorchontheir
faces,y esshedi dn'
tseehisfacebuti twasav oi
ce
shecoul dneverforget.
.

GRACE:
(rubbedhert
ear
s)It
hinkwewi
l
lfi
nal
l
ybe
fr
ee

Sheignor
edhersti
l
lint
hetrai
nofthoughts.The
pai
nfulmemori
escamef l
ashi
ngthroughhermind
asshesil
ent
lycr
ied

GRACE:
(louder
)Rat
i!
Shesnappedoutofi
tandrubbedhertear
slooki
ng
backatGracewhosefacel
ookedalotmore
del
ight
ed

RATI
:huh?

GRACE:hei
smyf
ri
endandhei
sgoi
ngt
ohel
pus
escape

RATI
:ohh

Shesadlylookeddownandfel
tsor
ryforGr
acefor
shebeli
evedthesamemanwhogott hem i
nthi
s
si
tuat
ionwoul drescuet
hem

RATI:(
inhermind)maybet
heyar
ereal
l
yfr
iendsand
heishereforheronl
y
GRACE:
areyouf
ine,
Ithoughty
ouwoul
dbehappy
t
ohearthi
s

RATI
:(f
orcedasmi
l
e)um happy

Shesadl
ylookeddownandswal
l
owedhar
dnotsur
e
ofwhatt
osay

ATMANDLA'
SROOM

Heangr
il
yopenedthedoorandt
ookof
fhi
sjacket
t
hrowi
ngitonthebedfuming

MANDLA:
dammi
tThemba!

Hegothi
sphoneandsentat
ext

Ty
ping.
..
..
MANDLA:
comeher
e,weneedt
otal
k

JODY:
okay
,onmyway

Heputthephonedownandsl owlywalkedtot he
couchthensatdowncrossi
nghislegsandt ouched
hi
schincaressi
ngitashewaited.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Shar
e
Comment
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
13]
BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT52
Heputthephonedownandsl owlywalkedt
ot he
couchthensatdowncrossi
nghislegsandtouched
hi
schincaressi
ngitashewaited.
.

30mi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

Jodysteppedoutoftheel
evat
orandwal
ked
towar
dshi sr
oom knocki
ng

MANDLA:
comei
n

Hehel dthedoorknobopeni
ngupt henst
eppedin
closingt
hedoorbehindhim andwalkedt
othecouch
takingaseatashelookedatMandlacuri
ousl
y

JODY:
what
sup?
MANDLA:
(pul
l
edasmi
rk)weneedt
otal
k

JODY:(
crossedhislegsandl
eanedbackont
he
couchl
ookingathim)well
,st
artt
alki
ng

MANDLA:(
leanedbackont
hecouchcal
mly
)wher
e
i
syourPA?

JODY:
whatdoesshehav
etodowi
tht
his?

MANDLA:(wi
thhi
seyesfi
xedathi
m)sheact
ual
l
y
pl
aysaver
yimpor
tantr
olei
nthi
s

JODY:
(conf
used)whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?

Mandlaputhi
sotherl
egdownandst
oodupwalki
ng
t
othewindowwi t
hhishandsi
nsi
det
hepocket
s
t
henlookedoutsi
de
MANDLA: (soft
ly)Idon'tknowhowev er
ythi
ng
happenedbutallIknowi sthatIhav
ebeenlooking
forthi
sgi
rlforquit
eal ongt i
mebecausesheisv er
y
closetomyheartandt hereisnothi
ngIwouldn'
tdo
forherMrJody

Jodysl
owl
ystoodupwit
hhi
sey
ebr
owsr
aisedashe
tr
iedt
oconnectt
hedot
s

JODY:
ist
hisaboutGr
ace?

MANDLA:
(cal
m)i
thasal
way
sbeenabouther

Heturnedsti
l
lwit
hhishandsi
nsi
dehispant
spocket
andlookedbackatJodywhohadhi
sarmsfolded

JODY:(
gett
ingi
mpati
ent
)Ithoughtwetal
kedabout
thi
sandyousai
dit
sfi
ne,whywouldyouhandover
t
hegi
rl
sandst
artdemandi
ngt
hem back.Ipai
dyou

MANDLA: (st
rai
ghtface)youseeMrJody ,the
probl
em isIdidn'
tgivey outhatgi
rl
,Iwasn'
tthere
andletaloneawaret hatshewaspar toft
hefir
st
deli
very.Someonest abbedmei nthebackhereand
everyoneinvol
vedisgoingtopayav er
yhugeprice

JODY:(unbot
hered)that
'
sreal
lynoneofmy
busi
nessbecauseIpaidandthisgi
rli
smaki
ngal
ot
ofmoney ,
sheisverygoodatthi
sthi
ng

MANDLA: (
rai
sedhi
sey
ebr
ow)soar
eyousay
ingy
ou
can'
tl
ethergo?

JODY: unf
ortunatel
yIcan't
,myhandsaret
ied
becauseifIdot hatbusi
nesswi
llgodown

MANDLA:
(ser
ious)Iwasgonnal
eti
tsl
i
deony
our
sidebecauseyoudidn'
tknowany thi
ng,youwere
i
nnocentbutnowy oujustchosetogetinvol
vedso
youmi ghtal
sohavetopayabi ggerpri
ceforher
fr
eedom MrJody .

Jodymov
edbackandl
aughedsar
cast
ical
l
y

JODY:
(laughi
ng)i
sthatat
hreat
?

MANDLA:notatal
l
,takei
tasawar
ningorapr
omi
se.
Youwi
ll
decide

Jodystoppedl
aughi
ngandwal
kedcl
osert
oMandl
a
andlookedupathi
sface

JODY:
(angr
il
y)Iam Jodyandthi
sismyt err
it
ory
,no
onemesseswithmeandl i
vestotel
lthetal
e
MANDLA:(movedbackal
it
tl
e)cal
lyourPAandask
hert
obookthatf
li
ghtf
orf
ir
stthi
nginthemorni
ng
tomorr
ow

JODY:Iam warningyouMrMat hews,wal

kaway
whil
eyoustil
lcan,thi
sismybusiness,mycount
ry
andmyt er
ri
tory
,Irunthi
stownsoy ouwonttel
lme
whattodoandwhatnott odo,okay?

MANDLA:
(keptqui
etget
ti
ngagi
tat
ed)

Jodypul
ledhi
sjacketandreachedf
orhi
shandgun
andcockedi
taimingathim

JODY:(angr
il
y)trustme,Iwil
lbl
owy ourbrai
nsof f
ri
ghtnowandnoonewoul dcomeforyourrescue
becauseallt
hisroomsar esoundproof,
noonewi l
l
hearanythi
ng.
soIwon' thesi
tat
etopullthetr
igger
ri
ghtnowandf inishyouofft
henfeedyout othepigs
Mandlacal
mlywal
kedoverandpul
l
edasmi
rkas
Jodypoi
ntedt
hegunathim

MANDLA:
putt
hatdown

JODY:
(angr
il
y)f
ucky
ou!

Hemov edhisf
ingertothetr
iggeral
mostpull
i
ngit
butMandlaqui
cklygrabbedthegunthenwasaloud
bangasthegunfelldownont hefl
oor.
..
..
..
.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMSHOUSE

Sheslowlyputthephonedownast earsofjoy
str
eameddownherf acethenshel ookedatMi a
whosef acewasslowlychanging,thewor mswer e
fal
li
ngdownast hewoundslowl ydied.Itwasweird
howshesuddenl ylookeddif
ferent,notcompletel
y
healedbutther
ewasanunbel i
evablyhuge
dif
ferenceinashor tperi
odoftime.Miafelta
ti
ckli
ngsensat iononherfaceandherhandt henshe
l
ookedatherhandonl ytoreali
sethatall
theworms
haddi sappearedandthewoundwassl owlyf
ading,
herey eswidenedasshesmi ledhappil
ythenshe
touchedherf aceandf el
tahugediffer
ence

MI
A:(
happi
l
y)myf
ace,
myf
ace

Sheturnedandwalkedt
othewallmir
rorandlooked
athersel
fsmil
ingt
henfel
lonherkneesthankf
ull
y

MI
A:t
hanky
ouGod,
thanky
ouJesus

Shestoodupast earsofjowf loweddownherf

ace
thenshewal kedtoMsWi ll
i
amswhohadbeen
awful
lyquietsinceherconf essionandf
ell
onher
kneescry
ingi nfrontofher
MIA:(tearful
ly
)thankyousomuchf orwhaty
oudi d
f
orme, um notcompletel
yheal
edbutther
eishope,
youpray edformeev er
ydayandfoughtmybatt
les,I
wil
lforeverbegratef
ul.
.Ihopey
ouwi l
lbeabl
eto
f
orgivemeoneday

MsWi l
li
amsquietl
ylookeddownatherwithtear
s
fall
i
ngdown, shewasv erymadatherforwhatshe
did,i
nfactmadi sanunderst
atementbecauseshe
wasbr okenandshatter
ed,whatMiadidis
unforgi
vablebuta.
partofherwashappyforher,
she
washappyf orherheali
nganddeli
ver
ance..

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(tear
ful
l
y)i
tsf
ine

Sherubbedhertearsandsmil
edbendingoverand
grabbedherhandsthenpul
ledherupastheyboth
sobbedlooki
ngintoeachot
her'
sey es

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(tear
y)If
orgi
vey
oubuty
ouhav
eto
answerf
ory
ourwr
ongdoi
ngs

MIA:
(happi
l
y)t
hanky
ouf
orf
orgi
vi
ngme,
itmeansa
l
ot

MsWill
i
amsgentlyt
ouchedhercheeksandsmi
l
ed
l
ooki
nginherey
es

MSWI LLI
AMS:
Iam pr
oudoft
hewomany
ouhav
e
become

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)i
tsal
lthankst
oyou

MSWILLI
AMS:(
sadl
y)um.
sor
rybutIhav
etocal
lthe
pol
i
ceonyou

MIA:(
smil
ing)Iunder
standandIam r
eadyt
otake
r
esponsi
bil
it
yformyact i
ons
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sadl
y)um r
eal
l
ysor
ry

MI
A:i
tsokayr
eal
l
y,Iunder
stand

MsWi l
liam'sfaceslowlyli
tupassher emembered
thecal
l shejustrecei
ved,shewasst i
llshockedand
notsureifit
sjustanightmar eorreal
it
y ,
heronly
daughterwasf oundandcomi ngbackhome, she
slowl
yletgoofMi aandsatdownont hecouch
sli
ppi
ngi nt
oat rainofthoughtssmili
ngendlessl
y

MI
A:(
conf
used)mam

Sheignor
edherasherdaught
er'
simageskept
fl
ashi
ngthroughhermemoryf
il
li
ngherhear
twit
hjoy
andhappiness

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sof
tl
y)mybaby
MI
A:(
cur
ious)huh?

MSWILLI
AMS:
(sof
tl
y)mybabyi
scomi
ngback
home

Mi
a'
sheartski
ppedthenshewavedherhandbef
ore
MsWil
l
iam'sfacewhowaslosti
ndream l
and

MI
A:(
wav
ed)mam!

Shesnappedoutofi
tandl
ookedupherf
acesmi
l
ing

MSWILLI
AMS:(
smili
ng)MrMat
hewsfoundGr
ace
andt
heyar
ecomingbackhomeint
wodays

Mia'
shear
tpoundedasshel
ookedatheral
most
heal
edandnormalhandt
henswal
lowedhard
i
magi ni
ngwhatMandlawoul
ddot oherafterfi
ndi
ng
outeveryt
hing,
shewasfi
nal
l
yf r
eefrom t
hewor ms
andinnowaywant edt
ogoback, j
ail
wasal otbett
er
thanthepainshehadt
oendureallt
hist
ime" she
thought
"

MI
A:(
shaki
ng)wehav
etogonow

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sur
pri
sed)butIt
h-.
..
..

MI
A:wehav
etogor
epor
tnow,
I'
ll
comewi
thy
ou

MSWILLI
AMS:Icancal
lthepol
i
cef
rom myphone
t
hent
heycomehere

MIA:
(pant
ing)nol
etsgo,
Ijustwantt
ohandmy
sel
f
i
n
MSWILLI
AMS: (
confused)umm.
..
okayl
etsgo,
Iwi
l
l
got
ell
ourpast
orlat
er

Shewal
kedt
othebedr
oom andgotherbackasMi
a
wai
tedi
mpat
ient

Fewmi
nut
esl
ater
..
..

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
let
sgo

Theywalkedoutandheadedt
othet
axi
stopt
hena
taxi
stoppedby

DRI
VER:
wher
ear
eyouheaded?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
pol
i
cest
ati
on

DRI
VER:
okayl
etsgo
Theyhoppedinthenhest
eppedont
heaccel
erat
or
speedi
ngoff
..
..
.

ATTHEBROTHEL

therewasal oudbangast hegunfel

lonthefloor
andMandl apushedJodyawayashef el
lonhisbutt
thenMandl ati
ghtenedhisbodyashi
sey esquickl
y
turnedgreenthenpoppedoutasthetailcoi
l
edi t
sel
f
outoft hebodythenhet r
ansf
ormedintoagreenand
yell
owhugesnaket hatal
mostfi
ll
edtheroom
breakingdownev eryt
hing

JODY:(tr
yingt
ost
andupl
ooki
ngdown)um goi
ngt
o
ki
l-
..
..
..

Hel ookedupandhi
sjawdroppedashiseyesfel
lon
thehugesnakeasitwail
edi
tstongueandrol
ledi
ts
greenbigeyesswi
ngingi
tsheadbefor
ehiseyes.
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
GOODDAY
[
7/19,
07:
14]
BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT53

Helookedupandhisjawdroppedashiseyesfel
lon
thehugegreenandyel
lowsnakewail
i
ngitstongue
androll
edi
tseyeschangi
ngcolour
sasitswingedit
s
headbefor
ehiseyes.

JODY:
(ey
espoppedout
)nono!Nooohh!

Hescr
eamedhi
slungsoutst
eppi
ngbackwi
thhi
s
eyessti
l
lfixedont hesnakethenhelookedatthe
doorandqui ckl
yturnedrunni
ngawaybutThehuge
snakewiggleditstail
towardsthedoorandcoil
edIT
aroundhisbodyt hensquir
medi t
sheadclosertohi
s
faceashescr eamedf orhel
p

JODY:
(scr
eami
ng)hel
l
pp.
..
.

Zumbagotannoy edbyhisscreamsandsl i
ghtl
y
ti
ghtenedt hegr i
ponhi sbodyashisfacetur
nedred
thent helargesnakespitvenom onhisfacetheni
t
quicklyturnedblackanditwentonl i
cki
nghisface
ashescr eamedi nagony.Theexcruci
ati
ngpain
from thesnakebi tetemporar
il
yblurr
edhisvisi
onas
het r
iedtoscr eam.

JODY:
(lowv
oice)hel
p

Zumbathesnaket
ight
enedthegri
pfr
om hi
stoes
uptot
hetummyashi sbonesbr
okedownmaking
soundst henhisey espoppedoutal mostdr oppi ng
ashi sstomachcont entsescapedt hr oughhi smout h
fal
lingont hesnakessl ipper yandsof tshinybody .
Hisheadl ostbalanceandf ellt
ot hel ef tsi
de
saggi ngashi stonguest uckoutt hent helargesnake
ti
ght enedupev enmor ear oundhi sheadt henHE
fi
nal l
yhadhi slastbr eathasZumbat hegr eenand
yell
owhugesnakesqui rmedhi sheav yhead
backwar dsandl etl ooseofhi slifelessbodyai mi ng
forhi shead.Thesnakewai leditst onguei n
celebr at
ionandsl owl yopenedi tsmout hwi der
rol
linghi sheadi nsideandwentdownt herestoft he
bodybef oreitl
iftedi tsheadupl ooki ngupand
str
et chedt hestomachwi dermaki ngwayf orhis
bodyt orolli
nsi
de. .wi t
hinnot i
meZumbawasal l
doneandl ickedt hear eaar oundhi sl ipssat isf
iedby
thesupperhej usthadt henhel ower edhi shead.

ATPOLI
CE

Thet
axi
pul
l
edupi
nthepar
kingl
otandt
heypai
d
bef
orest
eppi
ngout

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
thanky
ousi
r

DRI
VER:
(smi
l
ing)y
ouar
ewel
comemam

Hetur
neddri
vi
ngawayast
het
wowal
kedi
nsi
deand
st
oppedatr
ecept
ion

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
goodaf
ter
noonman

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
aft
ernoonmam,
howmayIhel
pyou?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
wewoul
dli
ket
oopenacase

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
okaymam,
fol
l
owme
Shestoodupandwalkedinthepassageasthey
fol
lowedhert
henshestoppedatthefour
thdoorand
knocked

POLI
CEMAN:
comei
n

RECEPTIONI
ST:(
openedupandpeakedi
nsi
de)I
havesomeonewholi
ketoopenacaseher
e

POLI
CEMAN:
lett
hem i
n

Meanwhi
leMiasadlyl
ookedatMsWil
li
am'
swho
l
ookedbackatherwit
halovi
ngsmi
le

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
itsgoi
ngt
obef
inedear

MI
A:(
sighedsadl
y)
RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
youmaygoi
n

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
alr
ight

Shewalkedawayast
heduowal
kedi
nsi
deand
greet
ed

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
greet
ingssi
r

POLI
CEMAN: goodaf
ter
noon,howmayIhel
pyou?
(smi
l
ing)andOhhyoumaysitdown

Theypull
edthechai
rsandsatdownashel
ookedat
them bi
ti
nghispen

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
thanky
ou

POLI
CEMAN:
Ihear
dyouwantt
oopenacase
MI
A:wel
lI,
,
Ihav
eaconf
essi
ont
omake

POLI
CEMAN:
(cur
ious)ohh?

MI
A:(
ner
vousl
y)y
es

POLI
CEMAN:
goon

MsWi ll
iamshel dherhandasshecl earedhert
hroat
narr
ati
ngt hewholestory,shement i
onedevery
thing
andever yonejustnotMandl abecauseshecouldn'
t
ri
skgettingi ntroubl
ewi t
ht hesnakeagainsoshe
di
dex actlywhatshewasi nstruct
edtodoandt hat
meansr epl aci
ngMandl a'
snamewi t
hZumba.

POLI
CEMAN:
wow!
BOTH:
(keptqui
et)

POLI
CEMAN:
sowher
eist
hisThembaguyand
Zumba?

MI
A:(
lowv
oice)Idon'
tknow

POLI
CEMAN:
AndGeor
ge?

MIA:Ihear
dhewashi
tbyacaraf
ewmont
hsagoso
heisnomor e

POLICEMAN:youwi
ll
havetoremaininpoli
ce
cust
odywhi
lewemakefur
theri
nvest
igat
ions

MI
A:Iunder
standsi
r

POLI
CEMAN:
wewi
l
lescor
tyout
othe
i
nter
rogat
ionsr
oom andgety
ourwhol
econf
essi
on
i
nrecord

MI
A:(
nodded)

hegott
hel andl
i
nephonediali
ngasMi asadl
ylooked
atMsWilli
am'swit
htearsstr
eamingdownherf ace
thenMsWi ll
i
amssighedsadlyandhuggedhertight
asshebrokedowncrying

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(shushi
ngher
)it
sokaybaby
,it
sokay

Sherubbedherbackasthepol
icemanputt
he
phonedownandandst oodup

POLICEMAN:wehavet
ogo,
handcuf
fswon'
tbe
necessar
ysol
etsgo
Theystoodupandfoll
owedhim astheywalked
alongthepassaget
henhestoppedatthesecond
dooropeningupandMialookedatMsWi l
li
ams
tearf
ull
y

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sof
tl
y)i
tsgoi
ngt
obef
inebaby

Mianoddedast
earsover
flowedonherfacethent
he
poorol
dwomanr ubbedt
hem asherheartbr
okefor
Mia

MSWILLI
AMS: (
tear
ful
ly)don'
tfor
gett
opr
ayatal
l
t
imes,
Iwil
lal
soprayforyou

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)al
ri
ght

MsWill
i
amsreleasedherhandst
owar
dsHERf
ace
andr
ubbedhertears
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
best
rongokay
?

MI
A:(
nodded)

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Ilov
eyou

Shewal
kedcl
oserandki
ssedherf
oreheadt
hen.
..

POLI
CEMAN:
nowt
hat
'
senough,
l
etsgo

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(hol
dingherhands)by
e

MI
A:(
cry
ing)by
e

TheyslowlyletgoofeachotherthenMsWi ll
i
ams
sadlywalkedawayasMi aslowlysteppedi
nthe
i
nterrogat
ionsroom andgaveherstatementbef
ore
theyescortedhert
ot hehol
dingcell
s..
Onehourl
ateri
nthehol
dingcel
l
...
..

Sheslowlysatdownastheotheri
nmatespassedby
herwhisperi
ngbutshewaslosti
nherownwor l
dto
noti
ceanything

(
(((
(((
(((
(MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sof
tl
y)Il
ovey
ou)
)))
)))
)))
)))

Shesmi ledal
onehol di
ngherchestasjoyf i
l
ledher
heart
,thiswerethewor dsshehadbeenlongi ngto
hearsinceherparentsdied,noonehadev ersaid
thatt
oherev ersincebuttodaysomeonewhi sper
ed
thi
ssweetwor dsi nherearsandshecouldn'tstop
smili
ng..
.

ATGRACE'
SROOM

GRACE:
arey
ouf
ine?
RATI
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)y
es,
umm.
..
Howdoy
ouknowt
hat
man?

GRACE:
hei
sacl
osef
ri
endofmi
ne

RATI
:(cl
ose?
)

GRACE:
yes,
real
l
ycl
ose

RATI
:(t
hought
ful
l
y)Ohhok,
whatdoeshedo,
Imean
hi
sbusi
ness

GRACE:umm.
..
herunsahugecompanybacki
n
Bot
swana,
Mat
thewsempir
e

RATI
:(r
emember
edt
hename)t
hatbi
gandf
amous
company?
GRACE:
yesheownsi
t

RATI:um sur
eheismakingal otofmoneyoutof
thatcompanybutIdon'
tunderstandwhyhehadto
beinvol
vedinthi
sdir
tydeal
ings

GRACE:
(conf
used)what
?

Gracelookedathercuri
ousl
ybutshenoticedher
confusedfaceandreal
izedshedoesn'
tknowmuch
abouthersocall
edclosefri
endthenshequickl
y
changedthetopic

RATI
:doy
out
hinkJodyWi
l
llethi
mtakey
ou?

GRACE:no!Don'
tchangethetopi
c,whatdi
dyou
meanbydirt
ydeali
ngs,doyouknowsomethingI
don'
t?
RATI :
(fakedasmile)what
?Di dIreall
ysaythat
?I
don'tevenknowhim Imean, Iguessmay beknowi
ng
thatyouar el
eavi
ngmebehi ndgott omeandnow
um utteri
ngnonsenseunawar e

GRACE:
(rel
axed)ohh,
butum sur
ehewi
l
ltakey
ou
wit
h

RATI
:(
sadl
y)Ihopeso

GRACE:(sadl
y)Iwon'tgoany
wher
ewi
thouty
ou,
I
wil
lconv
incehim okay

RATI
:okayt
hanky
ou

GRACE:
(si
ghed)whyi
shet
aki
ngl
ong?
Rat
ishr
uggedhershoul
der
sasGr
acesi
ghed.
..
..

RATI
:let
'ssl
eep,
i
tsal
readyl
ate.May
behewi
l
lcome
i
nthemor ni
ng

ATMANDLA'
SROOM

I
tlower
editsheaddownthentheheadtr
ansf
ormed
toMandla'
sunti
lhi
swholebodywentbackto
normal
thenhesighedf
eeli
ngabitli
ght

MANDLA:
(si
ghi
ng)shuuuu.
..
.

Heturnedandl ookedathiswatchandi
twasalready
pastt
ent henhesi ghedandsatdownscr
atchi
nghis
headfrustr
ated.

MANDLA:
(inhi
smi
nd)l
etmer
estt
henmakemov
es
t
omor
row

Hegotupandgr
abbedt
het
owel
headi
ngt
othe
shower
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Li
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
14]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT54

Hequi ckl
yopenedhiseyesandpull
edthesheet
sof
f
thenrubbedhiseyesandmadehi swaytothe
bathroom wherehetookaquickshowerand
brushedhisteet
h..
Fewmi
nut
esl
ater

Hest eppedoutoft hebat hroom wi thapur ewhi te

towel wrappedar oundhi swai str ev ealinghi smout h
wat eri
ngabbsasheusedt heot heronet owi pehi s
facet henwal kedt ot hemi rrorandl eanedov erashe
revealedhi sgl eami ngwhi tet eet hscanni ngt hem.He
closedhi smout handr eachedf ort hebodyl otion
andl etlooseoft het owel asi tf elldownexposi ng
hisf i
nemachi net hathangedbet weenhi sthighs
thenhebentappl y
ingt hel otional lov erhi swel l
designedmanl ybody .
.i
nnot imehewasal l done
thenhet urnedar oundf acingt hecl osetandopened
i
tt akingouthi sboxerbr iefs,jor danwhi tet-shirtand
thegucci pant st henst artedget tingdr essedbef ore
het urnedagai nf acingt hemi rroradmi ringhi sfine
selfast hewhi tet -
shi r
tper fect l
yr ev ealedhi sabbs.
Mandl awasn' tj ustyouror dinar yhandsomeguy ,he
wasj ustwayt oocut eandper fect ,hadf lawless,
cleanski nandwi tht hef ewday st hathespenti n
Thai l
andhel ookedev enmor ey ummy .
MANDLA:(
lowv
oice)t
imet
ogetmov
ingMr
Mat
hews

Hepulledasmir
kandcaressedhi
schi
nthentur
ned
walki
ngtowar
dsthedoorwherehehel
dthedoor
knobandgentl
yopenedupthenshott
otheel
evator

Fi
vemi
nut
esl
ater

Hesteppedoutoftheelev
atorasthebr
otheltwo
guar
dsquickl
ymov edtothesidesmaki
ngwayf or
hi
mt opassbefor
et heyst
eppedinsi
dewhisperi
ng

GUARD1:
whoi
sthat
?

GUARD2:heisMrJody
'sf
ri
end,
hel
ongcameher
e
fort
hepar
ty
GUARD1:
butal
lhi
sguest
slef
t

GUARD2:no,heneverl
eft
,Iwasdri
vi
ngthem t
he
ot
herdaywhentheywentforbr
eakf
ast

GUARD1:ohhok,(l
ookedatt
hewri
stwat
ch)shi
t!
Wearel
atetoday
,Jodywontbehappy

Theyar
ri
vedatthesixt
hfl
oorandshotst
rai
ghtto
hi
sroom andopenedupbutther
ewasnoonei nsi
de

GUARD1:
wher
eishe?

GUARD2:
Idon'
tknow,
let
sgoback

GUARD1: (st
opped)Ihav
ethi
sbadf
eel
i
ngandI
can'
tshakeitof
f
GUARD2:
let
sgoman,
may
behewentt
oseehi
s
fami
l
y

GUARD1: buthehar
dlysl
eepsathishousewhenhe
haveguest
sandhewoul dnevergoanywher
e
wit
houtinf
ormingustokeepaneyehere

GUARD2:
yeah,
may
behehadanemer
gency

GUARD1:
(si
ghed)y
eah

Theyqui
etl
ywal
kedbackandst
eppedi
nthe
el
evat
or.
..

Meanwhileatfi
rstf
loor
,Mandlagent
lyknockedon
Grace'sr
oom thenRati
slowl
yopenedherey es
shakingGrace
RATI
:Gr
ace,
Grace

GRACE:
mhm

Sheopenedherey
esy
awni
ngandsatupr
ight
rubbi
ngherey
es

RATI
:ther
eissomeoneatt
hedoor

GRACE:
(remember
ed)ohhy
es!

Shequickl
ypul
ledthesheet
sof fandwenttothe
dooropeni
ngupandt hei
reyeslocked.Ther
ewasan
awkwardmomentast heygotlostineachother
's
eyesforawhil
ethenMandlaclearedhisthr
oat.

MANDLA:
um her
etogety
ou
GRACE:
ohh,
now?

MANDLA: y
es,getr
eadywhi
l
eIgoandsor
touty
our
pl
anet
icket.

GRACE:butI
-.
..
.(
lookedback)Ican'
tl
eav
eRat
i
behi
nd,
youhavet obri
ngheralong

MANDLA:
what
!

GRACE:
yes

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)butIcameher
efory
ouonl
y

GRACE:(
fol
dingherarms)thankyoufort
ryi
ngto
hel
pme,Iappreciat
eitbutIcan'
tl
eav
emyf ri
endal
l
al
oneint
hishellhol
e
Mandl
aunbeli
evabl
ylookedatherasshewor
easad
f
acethenhi
sheartsoft
enedup.

MANDLA:
(si
ghed)okay
,shewi
l
lcomeal
ong

Hereyeswi
denedandshescreamedinexci
tement
get
ti
ngtheothergi
rl
satt
enti
onandmostofthem
wal
kedtothei
rdoorspeaki
ngoutsi
desadl
y

GI
RL1:
Itol
dyouhei
srescui
ngher

GIRL2:yeah,
Ithinkyouwereri
ght
,IwishIhad
someonewhowoul dcomethr
oughformel i
kethi
s
butIknowthatisadream t
hatcannevercometrue.

Tearsf
ormedatt
hecornersofhereyesand
st
reameddownthensherubbedthem sni
ff
ing.
..
Meanwhi
l
eatGr
ace'
sdoor

GRACE:
(jumpi
ng)t
hanky
out
hanky
ou!

Shethenj umpedi ntohisarmsdi sappear i

ng
betweenhi sstrongar msashehuggedhert ightthen
sheslowl ypul
ledfrom thehugandt heireyesl ocked,
Mandlacl osedhisey esandpl ant
edhi ssoftlipson
hersthensheki ssedhi m back,hemov edhi shand
uppushi ngherlonghai rt
ot hebackast hei
rheads
ti
lt
edt henRaticlearedhert hr
oat

RATI
:(cl
ear
edhert
hroat
)kgm hmm.
..
..
..

TheyquicklystoppedandGr aceshameful
l
yst epped
backtouchinghersoftpinklipsandMandl
asmi l
ed
l
ookingatherst i
llpr
ett
yface.Yesshehadlostabi t
ofweight,butshewasst il
lthemostbeaut
iful
womanhehasev ercomeacr ossandhewasf all
ing
forheralloveragai
n.Thekisswor senedev er
ythi
ng
ashet ouchedhischestasi tpoundedhar der
,the
samef eeli
nghehaday earagowhent heymetwas
cult
ivat
edbutnowi twasev enstr
onger

GRACE:
Sir

Hekeptqui
etsti
ll
roamingarounddream landashe
f
antasi
zedaboutthebeaut
yqueeninfrontofhi
m

GRACE:
(wav
edherhandbef
orehi
sey
es)hel
l
o

Hesnappedoutofi
tandl
ookedatherbr
eat
hingout
heav
il
y.
.

MANDLA:
ohhumm.
..

GRACE:
what
?
MANDLA: (
grabbi
ngherhands)Ican'
tbel
i
eveIf
ound
youagai
n

GRACE:
(smil
ed)Ican'
tbeli
eveyoufoundmet
oo,
(r
emember
ed)sowi l
lJodyagreet
oletRat
i
goaswel
l
?

MANDLA:
hedoesn'
thav
eachoi
ce

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)okay

MANDLA:(lookedathi
swr
istwat
ch)umm,
Ishoul
d
getgoi
ng,
getr eady

GRACE:
'
(smi
l
ing)okay

Het
urnedwal
ki
ngawayt
henhi
sey
esf
ell
ont
he
manyot hergir
lswithsadf acesstandingatt heir
doorslookingathim ashewal kedalongt he
passaget henGracesteppedoutwi tht heintenti
on
ofadmi ri
nghisbackv iewbutherey esf ellonthe
manyot hergir
lswhol ookedsadandpal ethenher
heartbrokeforthem,sadnessf i
ll
edherhear tand
tear
sst r
eameddownasshesadl ywal kedbacki nto
herroom andclosedt hedoorbeforef acingRat iwho
wasexci t
edlyj
umpi ngupanddown

RATI
:(
loud)t
hanky
ou,
thanky
ouf
ri
end

Sherantowar
dsherwit
hherar
mswideopenf
ora
hugbutslowl
ycl
osedhermout
handst
opped
l
ooki
ngathersadface

RATI
:(conf
used)whathappenednow?It
houghty
ou
woul
dbehappy

GRACE:
(satdownr
ubbi
nghert
ear
s)It
houghtso
t
oo

RATI
:(l
ookedatherwai
ti
ngf
oranexpl
anat
ion)

GRACE: (snif
fing)Iwashappybutt hatwasunt i
lI
steppedoutofmyr oom andlookedatt hi
smany
otherrooms, allt
hegir
lsweresadlystandingatthei
r
doorswat chi
ngasIcel ebr
atedmyf reedom andthat
brokemyhear t

RATI
:(satdownsadl
y)y
eahIunder
stand

GRACE:Ican'
tl
iv
ehappi
l
yknowi
ngIl
eftot
her
'si
n
t
hishel
lhole

RATI:
butyoucan'
tdoany
thi
ngabouti
tnow,
atl
east
youaref
ree
GRACE: t
hatsthethi
ng,Iam notfr
ee,Ican'
tbefree
knowingIlef
tother'
sbehindMandlamustrescueall
ofus,weallhavetogohome, yesheshouldset
ever
yonefreethenweallgobackt oourcount
ries

RATI
:whati
fhedoesn'
tagr
ee?

GRACE:t
henhemightaswel
lgobackbecauseI
won'
tgoanywher
e.

Ratit
hought
ful
l
ylookedathert
hensnappedher
fi
nger.
.

RATI:umm..
.si
nceJodyagreedtosetyoufr
eeIthi
nk
youcansneaktothenear
estpoli
cestati
onand
repor
tJody,
hewon'tmindseeingyouwalki
ngout
ri
ght?

GRACE:
(thought
ful
l
y)It
hinkso
RATI:
great
!mayt
hisshadybusi
nesscomet
oan
end

GRACE:
alr
ightl
et'
sgo

Theyqui
ckl
ywalkedoutofherr
oom astheot
her
gi
rl
swalkedoutofthei
rroomswat
chingasGrace
andRati
walkedaway

GRACE:check.
ift
heguar
dsar
ethere,
Idon'
twant
t
hem t
ost ar
taski
ngmequest
ions

RATI
:(bi
thernai
l
s)shi
t!Theyar
eatt
heexi
t

Shewal
kedtowardst
hem andsmi
l
edast
hey
admi
redherbody
GRACE:
umm Ihav
etogo

GUARD1:what!Ar
eyoumad,
mov
eawaybef
oreI
bl
owyourbr
ains

GRACE:(cal
mly
)di
danyoneofyouseethe
gent
lemanwhopassedher
eafewmi nut
esago?

Theirheart
sski ppedastheyremember edwho
walkedpastt hem withastrai
ghtface.Ther
ewas
j
ustsomet hingabouthimt hatsentchil
lsdownthei
r
spines.
theydidn'tknowhim butforsomewei r
d
reasontheyfelttheneedtoobeyandhonourhi m

GUARD2:
(pani
cked)y
es,
yes

GRACE:(f
oldi
ngherar
ms)yes,
hei
sher
eformeand
Jodyagr
eednowpleasemove
Theyqui ckl
ymov edasi demaki ngwayf orherto
passt henshewinkedatRat iwhosmi l
edt hen
wal kedbackt other oom asGr acesteppedoutof
thebr othelandlookedar oundbef or
eheav ingahuge
sigh, shewasn'tyetf r
eebutt hiswascloset othe
freedom t ast
e.At axistoppednearherandshe
hoppedi nsi
denarratingherwhol esadst orytothe
driverwhosehear tbr okelookingatherinnocent
face

DRIVER:um sorr
ytohearthatmydear,weal
ways
suspect
edt hatt
her
eissomet hi
ngfi
shygoi
ngonin
thi
sbuil
dingsbutwejustdidn'
thav
etheevi
dence

GRACE:
yeah

DRIVER:al
ri
ght,
Iwillf
reelyt
ranspor
tyoutoand
fr
om thepoli
cestat
ionsinceyoudontknowit
s
l
ocati
on
GRACE:
aww,
thanky
ousomuch.MayGodbl
ess
you

Hest
eppedont
heaccel
erat
orspeedi
ngof
f.
.

Twohour
slat
er

Policecar sf i
ll
edthepl aceasr edl i
ght sflashed
aroundwhi lereport
er '
sr aninsidet hebui l
dingready
totakeev er yone'
sst oryandt hepol icemenand
soldierswal kedinsidewi t
ht heirgunsr eadyf orwar,
seeingal lthisallt
heguar dst ri
edt of i
ndhi dingbut
gotunl uckyandgotappr ehended, t
her ewasnose
fr
om t hecar ssurr
oundi ngt hepl aceandf lashlights
alloverasr eport
er'
sf l
ashedcamer a'smaki ngal iv
e
broadcast

ONTELEVI
SION
REPORTER: newsr unningfrom ThailandBangkok
ci
tywher eawel lknownr eputablebusi nessmani s
exposedf orhumant r
affi
ckingandr unningabr othel
subjecti
ngy ounggirlstoprosti
tution.Policearestil
l
searchingaroundthepl acebutitseemsMrJody
hasf l
edthescene.Ay ounggi r
lwhowasr escuedby
af amousbusi nessmanf r
om Bot swanabyt he
nameMrMat hewswentt oreporttodayatt hepolice
stati
on.

Meanwhi l
eMandl asteppedoutofhiscarandlooked
aroundconfusedbuthisinnerbei
ngt ol
dhimt orel
ax
thenhecalmlywal kedoverasGracerantowards
himfall
inginhisarmsandhehuggedhert henthe
report
er'
srantowar dshi
mt hrowi
ngquestionsat
him

REPORTER1:
Sirhowdi
dyouf
indoutaboutt
his
pl
ace?

REPORTER2:
howdoesi
tfeel
li
kebei
ngaher
e?
Heignor
edthem holdi
ngGracei
nhisar
msand
r
ubbingherbackthenthecamer
a'smovedt
ohi
m

REPORTER: MrMat hewstheherohasj ustwal kedin

thesceneandi sn'
twill
i
ngtosaymuchsi ncehegot
herebutbeenhol di
nghisl
onglostgirl
fri
endev er
since.Butallthegirl
swhowerecapt uredher ear eal
l
gratefulforwhathehasdonef ort
hem.Goi ngon,
thepol i
cehav eagreedtomakenecessar y
arrangement sforallt
hecapt
ivestoflybackt ot hei
r
countriesandr ewardMrMathewsf orthegr eatjob.

Meanwhi
l
einBot
swana.
..
.

MsWill
iamswal kedinont
henewsandsawMandl a
ashepull
edGr aceinhi
sar
mst hendr
oppedatearof
j
oybeforekneeli
ngdowntothankGod.
..
.TWO
MONTHSLATER
#
#
#
Li
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
07:
14]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT55

TWOMONTHSLATER

Shest oodatt hedoorqui etl

ypeaki ngoutsideasher
mindsl ippedintoat rai
noft houghts.Herhear t
brokeasshet houghtofherf i
rstdayinThai l
and,the
dayshel ostherinnocenceint hemostpai nfuland
cruel way,thedayt hatchangedherwhol el if
e.Itwas
apai nfulexperi
encet hatshesowi shedcouldeasi l
y
ber ubbedof fhermi ndsot hatshedoesn' thaveto
thi
nkaboutany mor e.hert
hroatdr i
edupasherey es
wel
l
edupwi
tht
ear
sthensher
ubbedt
hem sni
ff
ing.

GRACE:
(whi
sper
ing)pl
easehel
pmegetov
ert
his
God

Tearsstreameddownhersmoot hcheeksasMia
crossedhermi nd,
shecoul
dn'tstopwonderi
nghow
awhol esanewomanwoul dthrowanotheronei
ntoa
l
ionsdenwi thoutt
hinki
ngtwi
ce.Shejumpedoff
scaredassomeonehel dherwaisthuggi
ngherfr
om
behind

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
heybaby

GRACE:
(rel
axed)ohhi
tsy
ou

MSWI LLI
AMS:sorryI.
scar
edy ou,Ireall
ythi
nky
ou
shoul
dconsi
derthecounseli
ngof f
er,itwoul
dhelp
you,y
ouareal
way sjumpyandi t
snotgoodmychi ld
GRACE:
noma

MSWI LLI
AMS:pleasebaby
,youhav
etof
inda.
way
ofdeal
ingwi
thyourpast

GRACE:(
sadl
y)i
tsacanofwor
mst
hatum not
wil
l
ingt
oopenupever

MsWI
LLI
AM'
S:(
sighed)Ihav
esomet
hingf
ory
ou

GRACE:
ohh?

Shewalkedtothecouchandopenedherhandbag
taki
ngoutawhiteenvelopeandhandedi
ttoheras
shelookedathercur
iously

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
her
e
GRACE:
(looki
ngatt
heenv
elope)whati
sit
?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
itsal
ett
erf
rom Mi
a

Shesi
ghedandl
ookedatherwi
thadi
sappoi
nted
l
ook

GRACE:It
houghtwet al
kedaboutt
hisma,you
pr
omisedtoneverbr
ingherupinmypresence

MSWI LLI
AMS: (
softl
y)Iknowbaby ,
butIthought
youmightwanttoreadthatbecauseitmightbejust
t
heclosureyouneedtheny ouwil
lbeabletofinditi
n
yourhear
ttofor
giveher

GRACE:
(sadl
ylookedather
)
MSWI LLI
AMS: for gi
venessisn'
tjustaboutanot her
person, it
sal soabouty ouasani ndivi
dual becausei t
helpsy ouliv ey ourl i
fefreel
yandhappi lyandgi v
es
youal i
ghtf eelingbecauset heny ouwon' tbehol di
ng
anygr udges.Agr udgecanbeal otheav i
ert hanwe
actuallythinkbecausei tsli
keyouar ecar ryaheav y
burdenony ourshoul dersandhav i
ngsomeoneat
heartwai ti
ngf ort heirdownfall
,thatoni t
sownwi l
l
stealy ourhappi nessandmakey ouv erymi serable
(ateardr oppedt henshewi peditof fandwenton)I
don'tlikeseei ngy oul i
kethi
s,Imi ssseeingmy
bubbl ychil
dwhowasact i
veandener geticbef ore
Thailandhappened

GRACE:(br
eaki
ngvoice)t
hat'
sthet
hingma,the
bubbl
yandacti
veGracediedi
nThail
and,t
hisist
he
newGracenow.

MsWil
l
iam'
shear
tbrokehear
inghersaythatt
hen
t
ear
sstr
eameddownherfaceasshetri
edtowipe
t
hem
GRACE: (
cry
ing)it
sonlybeentwomont hs,youcan'
t
expectmetocar r
yonlikenot
hinghappened,Iam
damagedbey ondrepai
r.Mywholeli
feanddr eams
havebeenshatter
edandnowIhav enor easonto
l
ive

Shebrokedowncryi
ngt
henMsWi
l
li
am'
shuggedher
ti
ghtshushi
ngher

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sof
tl
y)I
'
m sosor
ry

Afteral
it
tlewhi
leshewasokayandMsWill
iam'
s
rubbedoffhert
earsl
ooki
nginhersadf
ace

MSWI LLIAMS:Iunderstandbaby
,andum sor
ryf
or
put
ti
ngt oomuchpr essureonyouokay

GRACE:
(nodded)
MSWI LLIAMS:alr
ight,
youcant aketheenvel
ope
andputitsomewher ei
ny ourroom thenr
eaditwhen
youarefeel
ingalotbetter
,itmaybeadayaweek,
monthsory ear
sfrom nowandt hatsokay,j
ustt
ake
yourt
imebaby .

Sheki ssedherforeheadasGr aceturnedmaki ngher

wayt ot hebedroom withtheenv el
opei nherhand
wher esheopenedupandst eppedinheav ingahuge
sighasshel ookedar oundt heroom andt houghtf
ull
y
l
iftedhermat tr
essput t
ingtheenv elopeinbetween
them bef oresi
tti
ngdownherphoner angfrom
undert hepil
lowandsher eachedfori tpi
ckingup

GRACE:
hey

MANDLA:
heysl
eepyhead

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)
MANDLA:
howar
eyout
oday
?

GRACE:
hangi
ngi
nther
e

MANDLA:(
sighedsadl
y)al
ri
ghtsunshi
ne,
was
t
hinki
ngmaybeIcantakey
ououttoday

GRACE:(
sadl
y)nott
oday
,um notr
eadyt
ofacet
he
worl
dyet

MANDLA: (
softl
y)buty
ou'vebeensayi
ngthatsince
twomonthsago, y
ouhavetol eav
eyourhi
dingplace
andbol
dlyfacetheworl
d,please

Tearsfloweddownasshei magi
nedhowpeopl e
mightlookather,shecoul
dn'
tst
omacht hethought
ofbeinggivenweirdl
ooksandhavepeople
whisperingasshepasses
GRACE:
(tear
y)Ican'
t,
pleaseunder
stand

MANDLA: (
soft
ly)IpromiseIwon'tl
eaveyoursi
ght,
I'
l
l bether
etoholdy ourhandanddefendyou,pl
ease,
youhav etodothisbecausey oucan'
thi
deforev
er,
startl
i
v i
ngandembr acingli
feagai
n

GRACE:
(br
eaki
ngv
oice)nott
odaypl
ease

MANDLA:(
soft
ly)okay
,st
opcr
ying,
um sor
ryf
or
pushi
ngal
i
ttl
etoohard

GRACE:
okay

MANDLA:alr
ight
,Iwi
l
lpassbyaf
terwor
ktoseet
hat
pr
ett
yface
GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)

MANDLA:
whatcanIbr
ingy
ou

GRACE:Ist
il
lhav
eal
otofst
uff
,youar
eal
way
s
buy
ingmefood.

MANDLA: yesbecauseyouneedtoeatandbring
backthatfi
nefl
eshtotheri
ghtpl
aces.I
'l
lbr
ingy ou
somethingtoeatandIwon'
tleav
euntil
youfinish
eati
ng

GRACE:(
laughedal
i
ttl
e)Iam notababyMr
Mathews

MANDLA:'
(smil
i
ng)butyouar
ebehavingl
ikeoneso
wewil
ltr
eatyouli
keoneandfor
cefoodintoyour
mout
h
Shelaughedasherhear
tgotover
joyed,
tal
ki
ngto
Mandlaalwaysmadeherfor
getaboutever
ythi
ng,
nothi
ngelsematt
eredandherheartwasal
waysat
peace

GRACE:
okay
,okay
!

MANDLA:
okay
,.
letmemakemoney
,tal
klat
er

GRACE:
alr
ightby
e

MANDLA:
byesunshi
ne

Hehungupandputthephoneawayt
ypi
ngi
nhi
s
l
apt
opasGraceputherphonedownal
lsmi
l
es.
..
..

ATPRI
SON
Shelookedathercomplet
elyheal
edhandand
touchedheral
loversmoothfaceandsmil
edhappi
ly
.
Itwasjustt
ooamaz i
nghowshegothealedaft
erthe
confessi
onandMsWi ll
i
amspr ayer
.

INMATE:(
angr
il
y)heybi
tch,
getupandgowashmy
clot
hes

MI
A:buti
-.
..
..

Hehotsl
appedandshehel
dhercheekcr
ying
si
l
entl
y

I
NMATE:
youl
i
ket
alki
ngbackhuh?Gett
hef
uckup

Shequickl
ygotupasheshet hr
ewtheclothesather
facethenshegrabbedthem andpacedtothe
bathr
oomspassi ngotheri
nmateswhosadl yl
ooked
atherfeel
ingsorryf
orher,
ithadonlybeentwo
mont hssinceshear ri
vedbutt heabuseshewas
subjectedtowasj usttoomuchandhear tbr
eaki
ng,
worse, shewasj usttoosweetandunabl etodef
end
herself.I
nnot imeshear r
ivedandf i
l
ledthetubwit
h
waterwashi ngt heclotheswithtearsstr
eaming
downherf ace,shewentonr ubbingthem and
continuedasev er yonesadlylookedat
her..
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
.HADTOPOSTTHETWOOCLOCK
INSERTEARLYBECAUSEIHAVEPLACESTOBE
#
#
#
Pleasedon'
tfor
gett
oli
ket
hei
nser
t,commentand
share
GOODDAY
[
7/19,
07:
14]
BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT56

Shefi
nisheddoingthel
aundryandwi
pedherhands
thenwalkedbacktoherroom.Shesi
ghedand
l
ookedaroundt
henwalkedcl
osert
ohersmal
l
spri
ngbedandknel
tdownfol
dingherar
msand
pray
ed

MIA: Lor
dpleasehavemercyonmeandgi vemet he
courageandstrengt
htogoon.Itisnotanyeasier
formebutLor dwalkwi
thme, di
rectmeandshow
met heway.Helpmeknowandbel i
evethatthi
sis
j
usttemporaryandsoonitwil
lbeov er
.Thanky ou
God.Amen

Shestoodupwipingherkneesandt
urnedaroundas
herey
esf el
lonherroom matel
eani
ngatthedoor

HER:
(st
rai
ghtf
ace)ar
eyoudonewi
thmyl
aundr
y?

MI
A:(
ter
ri
fi
ed)y
es

HER:
good!
Shewalkedi
nandsatdownonhersmal
lbedt
hen
l
aiddownasMiasi
ghedinrel
i
ef.
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SOFFI
CE

Hethought
full
ytookhisphoneanddi
aledhi
s
numberbutitst
il
lshotst
rai
ghttovoi
cemail
thenhe
si
ghedangri
lyandcall
edoneofhismen

MAN:
boss

MANDLA:
anynews?

MAN: notyetboss,
hehasn'
tbeencomingtohi
s
housesincetwomonthsago,not
hinghasmoved

MANDLA:
alr
ight
,let
smeetathi
spl
ace,
gett
he
ot
her
stohel
pyouopenhi
sgat
e

MAN:
butwet
ri
edt
hel
astt
ime

MANDLA:
(angr
il
y)br
eaki
nify
ouhav
eto

MAN:
okboss

MANDLA:
sur
e

Hehungupandangri
l
ygr abbedhisblazerfr
om t
he
chai
randwal
kedoutpassingbyreception

MANDLA:
cancel
all
mymeet
ingsf
ort
oday

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
alr
ightsi
r
Hestormedoutandpacedt
owardst
heparki
ngl
ot
andtookouthi
sRangeRoverkey
sunl
ocki
ngitt
hen
hoppedinanddrov
eoff.
.

Onehourl
ater
..
..
.

Hepull
edupatthegateandsmil
edabitseei
ngit
opensohedroveinandparkedi
nfr
ontofthehouse
thenst
eppedoutasthethr
eemenlookedathi
m

MANDLA:
and?

MAN:
wemanagedt
oopenup

MANDLA:
andt
heal
arms?

MAN:
wemanagedt
osor
tthatoutaswel
l
MANDLA:
great
!

Het ur
nedwalkinginsi
dethequi
etanddustyhouse
andmov edar
oundopeningeveryr
oom searchi
ng
foranyleadsthenhesighedf
rustr
atedbecause
ther
ewasnot hinghelpf
ul

MANDLA:(
clenchedhi
steet
h)Ineedt
ofi
ndy
ou
dammi
t!

Hescr atchedhi sheadandheadedtowardsthedoor

buthisey eslandedonasmal lpi
eceofpaperont he
tablethenhest oppedlooki
ngatitbefor
ehewal ked
closerpicki
ngi tupandbroughti
tclosertohisface
readingtheletterasmoreangerslowlybuil
tinsi
de
him.

MANDLA:
(angr
il
y)dammi
tMi
a!
Hecont i
nuedr eadinguntilthelastpar tandhishear t
brokeasher ead" um sorrymyf riend"yesthatswhat
hewas, hisfriendandt heonlyfriendheev erhadbut
hebetrayedhi m.Hesi ghedandputt hesmal lpiece
ofpaperdownandt hehar dcopyphot osont het abl
e
caughthisey esandhepi ckedthem upscanni ng
them.Yest heyl ookedal otmor econv inci
ngbuthe
knowshi sfri
endwaymuchbet t erandhest i
ll
would'
vebeenabl etoseet hathewassetup, the
l
ookonhi sf aceshowedj usthowi ntoxi
catedhewas
becausehi sey eswer ealmostcl osed

MANDLA: (
looki
ngatt hephotos)dammitThemba!
howcouldyoubesost upi
d,Iwouldhav
ebeli
eved
youbutnowy oufuckedupbi gti
meman

Hesighedsadl
yandpickedupt
helet
terandal
lthe
phot
osheadingoutpassi
ngbyhi
smen

MANDLA:
lockup
MAN:
okayboss

Het urnedopeni
nghiscarandhoppedinsi
debefor
e
reversi
ngthenhedroveoffpl
ayi
ngtheirf
avour
it
e
songandhi sli
pssl
owlymov edsmil
ingashe
remember edtheol
dgoodt i
mes.

SOMEWHEREI
NBOTSWANA

Hewal kedtothetuckshopandreachedi
nhis
pocketcounti
ngthecoinswhichaddeduptoP4.
00

THEMBA:
hel
l
o

LADY:
hel
l
o,howar
eyou

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ed)um good,
canIpl
easehav
e
powdersoup

LADY:
okay
,wehav
echi
l
ibeefandmi
nest
roneonl
y

THEMBA:
alr
ight
,howmuchi
sit
?

LADY:
P4.
00

THEMBA:
okay
,I'
l
lhav
echi
l
libeef

Hehandedherthecoi
nsandshet
ookt
hesoupf
rom
t
heshelvesgi
vi
nghim

THEMBA:
thanky
ou

LADY:
youar
ewel
come
Het ookitandwal kedtohisoneroomedhouse
wher ehetookt hekeysfrom hi
spocketandopened
upget t
inginside.Heputthesoupbesidethesmall
stoveandswi tcheditonboil
ingwaterforpor
ri
dge
thenhewashedhi shandsandsatont hesmallchai
r
choppingv egetabl
es..
..

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS

heparkedatthegat easGr acemov edthecur t

ain
andpeakedout sidebeforeshewentt othedoorand
walkedout.Meanwhi l
einsidethecarher educedthe
volumeandsmi ledlookingatherassheappr oached
thecar.Heopenedt hedoorandqui cklywalkedto
thepassengersideopeni ngupforherandshe
hoppedinashewentbackt othedriv
er'ssi
de

GRACE:
thanky
ou

MANDLA:
um agent
leman
Theylaughedbr
ief
lybef
orel
ooki
ngi
ntoeachot
her
's
eyessmili
ng

MANDLA:
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)ohhdon'
tst
art

MANDLA:
Ilov
eyourl
i
ps,
theyar
esot
inyandpi
nki
sh

GRACE:
(shy
ly)pl
easest
op,
Iam bl
ushi
ngnow

MANDLA:andyoulookev
enmor
ecut
e,(
poi
nti
ng)
ohhl
ookatthedi
mples

GRACE:
(laughi
ng)st
op!
Hesmi l
edlooki
ngatherasshecover
edherface
thensheputherhandsdownandt hei
reyeslocked,
therewasanawkwar dsil
entmomentbeforehe
clearedhisthr
oat

MANDLA:
ummmm.
..
.Iboughty
ousomet
hingt
oeat

GRACE:
butIj
usthadsomet
hingt
oeat

MANDLA:uhhuhh,I
.knowy
ouar
ely
ing,
Iam goi
ng
t
ofeedyoutoday

Helookedatthebackseat
sthenGracelookedback
ashereyesfel
lonthemanyplast
icbagsfulloff
ood

GRACE:
what
?

MANDLA:
yes,
tol
dyouIwi
l
lfor
cey
out
oeat
,di
dn'
tI?
GRACE:youtookt
hewholeofWool
wor
thsnow,
I
don'
tneedthi
smuchfood

MANDLA: (peakedi
ntheplasti
candtookouta
doublecr
eam plai
nyogurt
)havethi
sfir
stbecause
um sureyouhaven'
thadanythi
ngtoeattoday,
so
youneedsomet hi
ngsoft

Shetooktheyoghur
tsulki
ngthenhegrabbeditand
openeditupt
akingthespoonfrom t
heplast
icand
fedher.
..

ATPRI
SON

MsWi l
li
amspat ient
lywait
edatt hevi
si
torsarea
befor
etheguar dappearedandMi awalkedbehi
nd
him.Shelookedupt henherfaceli
tupasherey es
fel
lonMsWi l
l
iam's
MI
A:Idi
dn'
tknowi
tsy
ou

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(lookedathersmi
l
ing)

Miapul
l
edthechairandsatdownf aci
ngherasMs
Wil
li
am'
sheartbr
okel ooki
ngatherpuffyey
es,i
t
wasevi
dentt
hatshehadbeencr yi
ng

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
ist
hatgi
rlst
il
ltr
oubl
i
ngy
ou?

MI
A:no,
shedoesn'
t

MsWi l
li
amslookedatherwit
hadoubtfull
ookthen
Miasadlyl
ookeddown,shehadnoti
cedhowt he
pooroldwomangetssaddenedever
ytimeshehears
aboutherst
ruggl
esoshedidn'
twanttoworryher
anymorebutMsWi l
l
iamsknewherbetterandcoul
d
tel
lwhensheisly
ing
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
real
l
y?

MI
A:(
keptqui
et)

MSWI LLI
AMS: y
oucan'
tl
iet
omebaby ,Iknowyou
enoughtotel
lwheny
ouarehi
dingsomething

MI
A:(sadl
y)Ij
ustdi
dn'
twantt
ogety
ouwor
ri
ed

MSWI LLI
AMS:
(touchedherhand)aww,butplease
al
waystel
lmewhensomet hi
ngisbother
ingyou,
okay
?

MI
A:(
noddi
ng)okay

GUARD:
(wal
kedov
er)not
ouchi
ng
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
'
ohhsor
ryI
.f
orgot

SheletgoofMia'
shandsastheyconti
nuedchatt
ing
befor
eshestoodupwalki
ngawayt hentheguar
ds
escort
edMiabacktohercel
lroom..

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS

hefi
nishedf
eedi
ngherasshecompl
ainedabout
hav
inghadenough

MANDLA:
okay
,okay
!

Sheswal lowedupthentookthetissuewipingher
mout hthenshehoppedoutasMandl aalsodi dand
walkedtot hebacktaki
ngoutallt
hepl asti
csand
askedGr acetocarr
ysomebef oretheywal kedinto
theyard.Graceopenedthedoorandhest epped
i
nsideput ti
ngthepl
asti
csont hetableandsi ghed
MANDLA:
Idi
dn'
tthi
nkt
heyar
ethi
sheav
y

GRACE:
yeahhey

MANDLA: (
lookedathi
swristwat
ch)oops,
almost
knockof
fti
me, yourmum mustbeonherwayback
homesoletmebounce

GRACE:
alr
ightandt
hanky
ouf
orev
ery
thi
ng

MANDLA:
itsokay

Hewal kedcl
oserandpull
edheri
nhisarmshuggi
ng
herasshedisappear
edbetweenhisst
rongar
ms
thenhelookeddownplanti
ngasoftki
ssonher
forehead
MANDLA:
bye

GRACE:
alr
ight

Heturnedwal
kingoutasGracewalkedtot
hedoor
admir
inghi
sbackv i
ewthenheclosedthegat
eand
wavedather.
.

GRACE:
(louder
)by
e

Hesmil
edandopenedt hecardoorhoppingi
nand
i
ncr
easedthevolumethenhereversedandstepped
ont
heacceler
atorspeedi
ngoff.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
15]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT57

Hepul ledupinthegarageandpar kedhiscarthen

remov edthecarkey sandopenedupbef orelocking
upashemadehi swayt owar dsthedoorwher ehe
searchedhi spocket
sandsl i
douthi shousekeys
andunl ockedgetti
nginside.Heswi tchedtheli
ghts
onandwal kedtothecoucht hent ookofhisjacket
taki
ngaseatandr eachedf orhisphonediali
ngher

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)hey

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)hey
,youar
ehome?

MANDLA:
yep,
Ijustgothomenow
GRACE:
okay

MANDLA:yeah,l
etmegot
akeashower
,il
lcal
lyou
bef
oreIsl
eepokay?

GRACE:
alr
ight

MANDLA:
bye

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)by
e

Hehungupandputt hephonedownsmil
ingbef
ore
somethingcrossedhismindandhesl
owlycl
osed
hismouthast hecut
esmi l
eworeofft
henhetook
thephonediali
nghim

VOI
CE:
themascom numbery
ouhav
edi
aledi
snot
av
ail
abl
e,pl
e-.
..
..

Hehungupfrustrat
edandslightl
ybithi
slowerli
p
try
ingt
othi
nkofwher ehecoul dbebuttonoluck
thenhesi
ghedandputt hephonedownst andi
ngup
andshotstr
aighttothebat
hr oom..

SOMEWHEREI
NBOTSWANA

hedi shedupandst artedmunchi ngont hericeand

soupenj oy
ing.Fewmi nuteslaterhewasal ldone
andputt heplateawayandwal kedt ohi
sbedt hen
l
ai ddownf acingtheroofslippingi ntoat rai
nof
thought sthenhi sphonedi stractedhi m beepingso
her eachedf oritandsi ghedreadi ngamessage
from mascom t henheputi tawayandst art
ed
gettingundr essedget t
inginhi ssleepwearbef ore
hepul ledthesheet soffget t
ingi nsidethebl ankets
andl aiddownbutt hought f
ull
yj umpedof fbed
searchi ngoneofhi sjacketst akingouthi sol dsim
cardt heninser t
editinsidehisphoneasmany
messagesst ar
tedreport
ingbuthesi ghed
disappointedbecausehewasexpect i
ngtomay be
getamessagef rom hisoldfr
iend,y
eshesawt he
newsabouthowMandl arescuedmanygi rl
sfrom
Thailand,Graceincl
udedbuthesur eknewt her
ewas
stil
lhellt
opayandhewasn' treadytofacethemusic
yet

THEMBA:
(si
ghedscr
atchi
nghi
shead)hai
sh

Hetookoutt
hesimcar
dandputthephoneaway
pul
li
ngupthebl
anket
sandsl
owlyclosedhi
seyes
dozi
ngoff
..

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS

Sheheldt
hedoorknobopeni
ngupandhereyesf
ell
onGracewhowasbusymunchingonpi
zzathenshe
smil
edimpressed
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
ohhy
ouar
eeat
ing?
?

GRACE:
(mout
hful
)yeah

MSWILLI
AMS:um gl
adtoseey
oueat
ing,
andy
ou
l
ooksomuchbet
tert
oday

GRACE:
(chewi
ng)y
ouar
eabi
tlat
etoday

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
yeah,
Ipassedbypr
isont
ocheckon
Mi
a

GRACE:
(sadl
y)ohh

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
um sor
rybu-
..
..
.(
Gracei
nter
rupt
ed)

GRACE:
itsf
iner
eal
l
y,Iunder
stand
MsWi
l
li
amsey
eswi
denedsur
pri
sed

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
huh?

GRACE: y eah, youhav ealwaysbeenagoodper son

andIguessi t
ssomet hi
ngthatcan'tbet akenaway
from you, Idon'tli
keMi aandIwi shy ouhat edher
toobutt hat snotwhoy ouare,younev erbear
grudgesandal way sfinda.wayt oov erlookpeopl e's
mi st
akesandl ov ethenunconditionally.Atf i
rstIfel
t
l
ikey ouar ebei ngunfaironmebybei ngt herefor
someonewhocausedmeanunbear ablepai nbutI
remember edhowy out ookcareofy ourex- boyfri
end
whenhewasonadeat hbed,regardlessofwhathe
haddonei nt hepasty ouweret heref orhim andf ed
him changi nghi sdi
aper s.

MsWil
li
amssadlyl
ookeddownasherdaught
er'
s
wor
dscutdeep,
shebroughtupat
opi
cshewished
tonev
erbr
ingupanditopeneduptheoldwounds,
hehadhur
thersobadwhenshewasst i
ll
youngand
vul
ner
abl
ethentur
nedup20y ear
slateronhisdeat
h
bed

GRACE:
um sor
ryIbr
oughtt
hatup

Atearf
elldownandsher
ubbeditoffasGrace
movedclosert
ohersi
deandrubbedherback

GRACE: I
'
m sor
ry,Iwasjusttr
yingtoexplai
ntoy ou
howImadepeacewi t
hyourrelat
ionshipwit
hMi a
(cl
enchedherteeth)
eventhoughIhat eherent
ir
e
exi
stence

MSWI LLIAMS:(tear
ful
l
y)it
sokay,i
tsj
ustthatthi
sis
somethingIneverwanttot
alkabout
,thatman
destr
oyedmyl i
feandtookawaythemostpr eci
ous
thi
ngfrom me
GRACE:
(sadl
y)doy
ouev
ert
hinkabouther
?

Herhear
tbr
okeasherthroatdri
edupandtear
s
f
loweddownhercheeksbeforeGracer
ubbedthem

GRACE:
(sof
tl
y)don'
tcr
y.i
tsokayma

MSWI LLI
AMS: (
breaki
ngvoice)It hi
nkabouther
ever
yday,especi
all
yatnight,Idon'tsl
eepbecause
sheisal
lthatrunsinmymi nd, Ican'
tstop
wonderi
nghowshel ooksli
ker i
ghtnow, andhow
shetur
nedout

GRACE:
um sor
ryma,
atl
easty
out
ri
edl
ooki
ngf
or
her

MSWILLI
AMS: Iwi
shIcoul
dt ur
nbackt
hehandsof
t
imeandtakeherf
rom t
hatcouple
Gr
acel
ookedathersur
pri
sed

GRACE:(
confused)soyouknewwher
eshewas,
I
t
houghtyoudidn'
tknow

MSWI LLIAMS: (swallowedhar d)Ialway sthoughthe

tookheri nandwasr aisi
ngherbecausehenev er
all
owedmet ov isi
toratl eastseeherunt i
loneday
hissistercamet omeandt oldmeabouthowher
brotherdroppedof fthechi l
dinanor phanagewhen
shewasf i
vemont hsold.Iwasst ill
young, stupid
andnai veplusIwasscar edofhi m soIcoul dn'tdo
anythingsoi nsteadIst ar t
edv i
sit
ingt heor phanage
andpl ayedwi thall t
heki dsbutIspentmor et i
me
withherunt i
l aftertwoy earswhenacer t
aincouple
rockedupatt heor phanageandadopt edher .
(star
ted
cryi
ng)Iwasr eal l
yshat t
eredandhopel essbut
l
uckilythecoupl ewasst ay i
ngnotf arf rom myhome
andt heyhadr ecentlymov edt her
esoIwat chedher
growingupf rom adi stance.
GRACE:
(sur
pri
sed)ohh,
younev
ert
oldmeal
lthi
s

MSWI LLI
AMS: Inev
erwantedt
otal
kabouti
t
becausei
topensoldwounds

GRACE:
(cur
ious)sowhathappenedt
othecoupl
e?

MSWI LLIAMS: (t
earful
l
y)Iam notsureaboutthe
husbandbutIhear dthewifewasat t
ackedinthei
r
homeandgotshot .Thatwasthelastti
meIsawmy
daughter,Idi
dn'
tknowwher etheyhadt akenherand
Icoul
dn'taskanyonesoIl ear
nedt oli
vewiththe
painoflosingher

Tear
soverfl
owedasGr
acer
ubbedt
hem andhugged
hert
ight
ly

GRACE:
um sosor
ryma
Shewentonshushi
ngherunt
ilshedozedof
finher
arms.
..
..
.

ATPRI
SON

shewalkedincar
ryi
ngthenowdryclot
hesand
respect
ful
l
yhandedthem ov
ertohercel
lmatewho
l
ookedatherwithaseri
ousface

HER:
thankYou

Mialookedathertotal
l
ysurpri
sed,shewast
heki
nd
ofpersonwhowoul dneversaythose
words,especi
all
ytoher

MI
A:okay

Shet
urnedandsatonherspr
ingbedopeni
ngher
bi
bleasherr
oom mat
elookedatherqui
etl
y

HER:
(looki
ngatMi
a)um sor
ry

MI
A:(
sur
pri
sed)what
?

HER: Ihear
dy ourprayer
seal
ierandyouaskedGod
toprotectyou,i
thitmethatyouwereactual
lyaski
ng
Godt oprot
ecty oufrom me,
Iam disappoi
ntedi
n
myselfand(tear
sf or
medatthecornersofhereyes)
um sorry

MI
A:(
stoodup)i
tsokay
,If
orgi
vey
ou

Shewalkedov
ert
oherandopenedherar
ms
huggi
ngher

MI
A:st
opcr
ying,
Ifor
giv
eyou
Shewentonshushingherbefor
epul
li
ngofff
rom t
he
hugastheybothwenttothei
rsmal
lbeds
sl
eepi
ng..
..
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts,
commentandshar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
15]
BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT58

Sheslowlyopenedhersor er eddi
sheyesandsat
upri
ghtrubbingthem thengotof fbedpicki
ngupher
gownandputi tonsl i
ppingintohersl
eepersmaking
herwayt othesitt
ingroom .Shepassedbyt he
ki
tchenandt urnedasthesweetar omagott oher
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)mhm

GRACE:
(lookedathersmi
l
ingdi
shi
ngup)

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
thatsmel
l
sdev
ine

GRACE: (
smil
ing)y
ourui
nedthesur
prise,
itwas
supposedtobeabreakf
asti
nbedtreatbutnowyou
areup

MSWI LLI
AMS:aww,
thanky
oumybabyt
hat
sso
sweetofyou

GRACE:i
tst
heleastIcando,
youhavebeenr
unning
upanddowntaki
ngcareofmesincetwomonths
ago

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)aww
GRACE:yeah,nowt hatyouarealr
eadyup,youcan
gobrushyourteeth,youwill
findy
ourbreakf
astat
thet
ableandIwi l
lgor unyouabathsothatwecan
gotochurchearlytoday

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
thanksbaby

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)go

Shelaughedsmi li
ngandtur
nedt othebathr
oom
whereshebr ushedhert
eethtr
yinghardnottothi
nk
aboutthepreviousni
ght'
sconversati
on.
.

Fewmi
nut
esl
ater

Shewasalldoneandmadeherwaytot
hesit
ti
ng
room wher
eshesmiledl
ooki
ngatt
hedeli
ci
ousmeal
onthetabl
e
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
mhm.
.t
hisl
ooksdel
i
cious

Shetookabi
teandsmi
ledl
ooki
ngatGr
acewhowas
busymunchi
ngonherf
ood

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(mout
hful
)thi
sisr
eal
l
yni
ce

GRACE:(smil
ing)um gl
ady ouli
keit(
lookedather
wri
stwatch)weshouldmakei tsnappyelsewewil
l
bel
ateforthechurchserv
ice

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
youar
eri
ght

Theyconti
nuedeat i
ngchat t
ingthenwhentheywere
doneMsWi ll
iam'smadeherwayt ot
hebat
hroom
andstart
edbathing.I
nnot i
meshewasdoneand
walkedtoherbedroom wr appedinatowel
asGr ace
gotinsi
dehandingov erherir
onedoutfi
t
GRACE:
her
e

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
ohhbaby
,thanky
ou

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)

ShegotdressedasGr
acepati
ent
lywait
edforher
thenwhenshewasalldonet
heywalkedtot
hetaxi
stopandwenttochur
ch.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Heopenedhiseyesandl
ookedathiswri
stwatch
andjumpedofft
hebedrememberingt
hatitsa
sundayandt
hetimetogorenewtheconvanent

MANDLA:
shi
t!
Hepacedt ot hebat hroom andt ookaqui ckshower
beforeheadingoutt ot hecav e.Anhourlater,
he
parkedinfrontoft hecav ethenst eppedoutofhis
whitemasser atiinhisleviblackjeansandgucci
whitesneakerst hatblendedwel lwiththewhite
guccisimplet-shirtthenwalkedi ntothecavewhich
wasawf ull
yqui et,i
thadbeenawhi lesi
ncehewent
there.
.

MANDLA:
(whi
stl
ed)

Allthemanycol ourful l
argesnakesslippedoutof
thewat erhear i
ngthei rmaster '
scal
landsur r
ounded
him wai l
i
ngt heirt
onguest henbowedt hei
rheadsin
respectbef orehet urnedwal kingal
ongt hepassage
tothef orbiddenside.Fewmi nuteslat
erhear ri
ved
andhi sey eslandedonZumbawhosebodysi zehad
doubled, t
henowal lblackshi nysnakelookedal ot
biggerthanbef oresohesmi ledandbowedhi shead
i
nr espectt henZumbasqui r
medt owar dshim and
l
i
ckedhi
sfaceconnect
inghi
mtot
hespi
ri
twor
ld

MANDLA:
(ey
eswi
dened)what
?

Hethenfrownedlooki
ngathi
sbestf
ri
endwhose
f
acelookedabitdarkandhi
shai
rwasallgr
ownand
l
ookednotsot i
dy.

i
nthespi
ri
twor
ld.
..

((
(((
(((
(((
(((
(MANDLA:pl
easeshowhi
swhol
e
surr
ounding))
)))
)))

Zumbawailedhi
sredt ongueandslowl
ybr
oughthi
s
l
argeugl
yfaceinfrontofMandlal
icki
nghi
sfaceone
ti
metogivehim aclearvi
ew

Hi
sey
eswentdownhi
swhol
ebodyashest
oodnext
tothesmal lstov einamessyr oom.Hel ookedal ot
thi
nandhi ssur r
oundingwasnotsogood. Mandla'
s
heartbrokelooki ngathi m andt helettercrossedhi s
mind.Alltheangerhehaddi ssolvedasal lhefeltfor
him waspi t
y.Thi swast hesameguywhohadbeen
thereforhimt hroughi tall,
hel ovedhim ev enwhen
thewhol ecommuni tyrejectedhi m whenhewast en
yearsold,memor iesofhowThembausedt osteal
foodf r
om theirhomej usttogoshar ewi thhim
crossedhismi ndashi st hr
oatdr i
edupt henhe
swallowedhar dt earf
ully.Yeshef uckedupbut
may behedi dn'thavemuchofachoi cet henplushi s
mistakescoul dnev eramountt ohowhehel pedhim
throughthey ears.Tohi m Thembawasmor ethana
fri
endbutabr otherinstead,thatshowmuchhe
meantt ohim

MANDLA:
(tear
ful
l
y)pl
easeshowmehi
slocat
ion

Zumbasqui
rmedhiswhol
ehugebodytowar
dshi
m
andmovedaroundhi
m maki
ngaci
rcl
eleavi
nghi
m
i
nbet weenthencoil
edhisbodyar
oundhi
m not
pressi
nghardbeforeopeni
nghismouthwi
deand
rol
ledhisheadinsi
deandwaitedf
orafewminut
es.
..

Abouttenmi nuteslat
er,t
helar
gesnakeletgoofhis
headwhichwasal l
wetandhadmucusal loverhi
s
facethenletlooseofhisbodyrel
easi
nghim.Mandla
smiledhappil
yasnowev ery
thi
ngwasclearedup,
fi
ndinghim wouldn'
tanyhardnow

MANDLA:(smi
l
ing)t
hankGody
oudonthav
eapur
e
hear
tyouf
ool

Theall bl
ackshinysnakesqui r
medi tssli
pper ybody
outoft heforbi
ddensidet other esti
ngplaceas
Mandlat urnedaroundwal ki
ngoutaswel l.Few
minuteslaterhewasatt herit
ualspondwher ehe
squattednexttot hepondandwashedhi sf aceas
thelar
gesnakeswi ggledtheirbodiesinsi
det he
watersplashingit.Unbothered,hestoodupand
walkedoutheadi ngtohiscarwher eheunl ockedit
andsteppedinsi
dethenr
eachedf
ort
her
earv
iew
mir
rorlooki
ngathiswetf
ace.

MANDLA:
(si
ghed)hussshhh.
..
..

Hesighedandgothispur
ewhi t
efaceclot
hwi pi
ng
hi
mselfbefor
ethrowi
ngitonthepassangerseat
andsteppedontheaccel
erat
ordri
vi
ngawayf eel
ing
atease.
..
.

ATPRI
SON

shestoodupwipi
ngherkneesaft
ershefini
shed
pray
ingthenshet
urnedandhereyesfel
lonher
room matewhogavewasstari
ngather

MI
A:(
lookedather
)ummm.
..
..
.
HER:
(smi
l
ed)pl
easet
eachmehowt
odot
hat

MI
A:huh?

HER:
topr
ay,
pleasepr
aywi
thmenextt
ime

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)okay
,Iwi
l
l

HER:
thanky
ou

Shesmi l
edlookingattheladywhohadchanged
over
night,shehadal waysbeensomet oughcooki
e
whobul l
iedherandgotsomesor tofsat
isf
acti
on
seei
nghert earsbutnowsi ncet
woday sbackshe
wasallsweetandcl am.Miabitherli
pgentl
ylooki
ng
atherthen..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pleasedon'
tfor
gett
oli
ket
hei
nser
t,commentand
share.
GOODDAY
[
7/19,
07:
15]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT59

Miagent
lybi
therlowerl
i
pandwalkedcl
osertoher
t
hengrabbedherhandsl
ooki
ngi
nhereyes..

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)wecanpr
aynow

HER:(
smil
ed)butIdon'
tknowhowt
opr
ay,
youwi
l
l
hav
etoteachme

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)okay

Theyknel
tdownst
il
lhol
dinghandsandshel
ooked
atmecl
uel
ess

HER:
whatdoIsay
?

MIA:whatev
ert
hatsi
ny ourheart
,pouroutal
lyour
pai
ns,sor
rows,
regr
etsandy ourwholehear
ttothe
Lor
d

HER:
any
thi
ng?
?

MIA: y
es,
any t
hing,
evenyourdar
kestsecr
ets,
confessyoursi
nsandaskGodt ofor
giveyou
becauseheisaf or
giv
ingGod

Shesmi l
edlookinginMi a'
sey esthenlookeddown
asregr
etfil
l
edhert hought s,
shecoul dn'
tstop
thi
nki
ngaboutt heill
t r
eatmentandabuseshe
subj
ectedhertof orthepasttwomont hs.She
enj
oyedseeingherbegf ormer cyandgott hemost
sati
sfact
ionbutnowshewisheditwaspossi
blet
o
tur
nbackt hehandsoft
imeandmakebet t
er
deci
sionsbecauseshedi
dn'tdeser
vei
tatall

HER:
(tear
ful
l
y)howdoy
oudoi
t?

MI
A:what
?

HER:howdoy oumanagetobeallni
ceand
under
standi
ngtowardssomeonewhoputyou
thr
oughunbearabl
epain

Miasmi
l
edandhel
dhercheekr
aisi
ngherr
oomi
es
head

MIA:i
tsbecauseIunderst
and, Iunder
standwhere
youwerecomingfrom becauseIhav ebeeni
ny our
shoesbef
oreandt ookoutallmyangeronsomeone
whodidn'
tdeserv
ei t
,someonewhowasol denough
tobemymot her.
(swal
lowedhar d)Ibeatherupand
scr
atchedherkneeswithoutanyremorsesoy ousee,
meandy ouarealmostthesame

HER:
(sur
pri
sed)Idon'
tbel
i
evet
hatbecausey
ouar
e
wayt
oosweetandsoft

MIA:i
tscalledchangemydear ,r
unni
ngt oGod
makesahugedi ffer
ence,someoneintr
oducedmeto
Godandt odayIseethi
ngsdi f
fer
entl
y.Youcandoi
t
aswellbecauseitsnevertool
ate.

HER:
(smi
l
ing)wow

MI
A:nowl
etst
eachy
ouhowt
opr
ay

HER:(sl
owly
)Godpl easef
orgi
vemef ormysi
ns,I
am notagoodpersonbecauseIhav
ebeenhurti
ng
ani
nnocentandlovi
ngsoul.Pl
easef
orgiv
eme.Amen
Theyopenedt
hei
rey
esl
ett
inggoofeachot
heras
Miasmil
ed

MI
A:see,
thatwasn'
thar
dnow?

HER:(l
aughi
ng)notbadatal
l,
ohhAndIam Resego
buty
oucancallmeRese,Inevergoty
ourname

MIA:Mia,
Ialwayshear
dev
ery
onesay
ingReseand
assumedit
sy ourname

Theysmil
edandsatdownget
ti
ngt
oknoweach
other
..

ATCHURCH

MsWi
l
li
am'
sandGr
acegott
hei
rbagsst
andi
ngup
asever
yonegotupleav
ingt
hent
heseni
orpast
or
wal
kedovertothem

PASTOR:
(respect
ful
l
y)MsWi
l
ls,
howar
eyou?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Iam f
ine,
thanky
ouPast
or

Het
urnedt
oGr
aceandl
ookedathersmi
l
ing

PASTOR:canwemay
besi
tandt
alkf
oraf
ew
minut
es?

GRACE:
ohhsur
e

HelookedatMsWi l
li
am'
swhowasbusyput
ti
ngher
bi
bleinherhandbag

GRACE:
ohhi
tsf
ine,
shecancomeaswel
l
,Ihope
y
oudon'
tmi
nd

PASTOR:
okay

Thet
ri
owalkedbackt
othechair
sandsatdown
l
ooki
ngatt
hepastorwhocl
earedhi
sthr
oat

PASTOR:umm...Iwoul
dli
ket
oknowy
ourwel
l
bei
ng
si
nceyourar
ri
val

GRACE:
Iam get
ti
ngt
her
epast
or

MSWILLIAMS:
(noddedi
nagr
eement
)yeah,
shei
sa
l
otbet
ter

PASTOR:
ohh,
that
'
sgr
eatbutt
her
eisapr
obl
em

GRACE:
(cur
ious)pr
obl
em?
PASTOR: yesdear,todaywhenIwaspr eachi
ngat
thepulpi
tIlookedtoy oursi
debutIcoul dn'
tseeyou
becauseyouwer ecov eredi
ndar kness,t
herewas
j
usttoomuchdar knesssurroundingyouandIst i
l
l
dontunderstandwhatt hatmeant ,doyouperhaps
haveanidea?

GRACE:
(shookherheadconf
used)Idon'
tknow
real
l
y

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
wedon'
tunder
stand

PASTOR:t
hatusual
lymeansyouar
eassoci
atedwi
th
someoneevi
lorevi
lisr
esi
dingi
nyou

GRACE:
butpast
orIdon'
tknowany
onewhocoul
dbe
evi
l
PASTOR: okmydear ,pl
easecomet ochurchever
y
Wednesdaysot hatwepr aytogetherf
orrevel
ati
on.
Andalsocontinuepr ayi
ngathomebecauset hi
sisa
verybadspir
itthatum seeingsoy ouneedtobe
str
onginprayersot hatitdoesn'tover
comey ou

GRACE:okaypast
or,
Iwil
lmakesur
etopr
ayand
cometochurchonWednesday
s

PASTOR:okay
,(l
ookedathi
swri
stwatch)Ial
ready
tookmuchofyourt
ime,l
etmenotkeepyou

BOTH:
okaypast
or,
thanky
ou

Theyst
oodupandl
eft
..
..
.

SOMEWHEREI
NBOTSWANA
Thembapl acedthepanon. thestov
eand
rememberedt hathehadr anoutofmat chsticksthe
previ
ousnightthenher eachedforhispant
s
searchi
ngthem andt ookthelastP1.00coi
nhehas
tohisnameandwal kedoutsidetothenearesttuck
shop..f
ewmi nuteslaterhearri
vedandhandedt he
youngladythemoney

THEMBA:
mayIhav
emat
chst
ickspl
ease?

HER:
(smi
l
ingshy
ly)buty
ouar
eP0.
25shor
t

Thembasadl
ylookedatherknowi
ngt
hatwashi
s
l
astcoi
n.

THEMBA:
(embar
rassed)t
hati
smyl
astmoney

HER:
okay
Shetookthematchesboxandhandedhi
m ashe
grat
eful
grabbedit

THEMBA:
thanky
ousomuch

HER:
(smi
l
ing)y
ouar
ewel
come

Het
urnedwal
ki
ngawaybutt
hought
ful
l
ytur
nedback
t
oher

THEMBA:(shaking)canIhaveyournumber
,ImeanI
wantt
othanky ouonedayf orhel
pingmeout

HER:(
smil
ing)haucomeon,
thatwasj
ust25t
hebe,
i
tsnotmuch

THEMBA: (
sof
tl
y)t
omei
tsal
otBecauseIwas
hel
pless
HER:
okay751.
..
..
..

Hepressedhisphonesavi
ngi tthenwalkedaway.
Heapproachedhispl
aceasaf amil
iarcarappear
ed
i
nfrontofhi
mt henhepanickedandt ri
edtorun
awaybuttri
ppedandfel
l

THEMBA:
shi
t!

Hetr
iedst
andingupandwalkedfasterasMandla
st
eppedoutofhisMasser
aticarpaci
ngtowardshim

MANDLA:
(ser
ioust
one)i
tsov
erboy

Heari
ngthi
swor dssentchi
ll
sdownhi sspi
neand
weakenedhislegsl
eavi
ngthem heavymakingit
di
ffi
cul
tforhimt or
unnorwalkfast
er.Hisheart
poundedsofastashestart
edsweatingthentears
formedatt hecornersofhisey
esandhestopped
surrendingandturnedlooki
ngbackatMandl
a
tearful
ly

THEMBA:(Br
eaki
ngv
oice)pl
easef
orgi
veme,
don'
t
ki
ll
meplease

Mandlalookedathistearypal
efaceandf el
thi
s
heartbr
eakingforhisdearol
dfri
endthenhequi et
ly
walkedcloserandopenedhisarmsast heconfused
Thembal ookedaroundasMandlapull
edhi minhis
armshuggi nghi
mt i
ght.

MANDLA:
(tear
ful
l
y)If
orgi
vey
ou

Thembabrokei
ntotearscryi
nginhi
schestas
Mandl
arubbedhisback..f
ewmi nut
eslat
erhepul
l
ed
fr
om t
hehugandsecr et
lyrubbedhi
stear
sas
Mandl
asmi l
edathi
m
MANDLA:
um sor
ryy
ouhadt
orunawayf
rom me

THEMBA:um sor
ryIt
ookawayt
hemostpr
eci
ous
thi
ngf
rom y
ou

MANDLA:
itsokay
,wat
erundert
hebr
idge

THEMBA:
thanky
ou

Ther
ewasanawkwar
dmomentt
hen.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
PLEASEDON'
TFORGETTOLI
KETHEI
NSERT,
SHAREANDCOMMENT
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
15]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT60

Therewasanawkwar
dmomentt henhepull
edhi
m
backinhi
sarmsembraci
nghi
m emotional
l
y

MANDLA:
sor
ryman

THEMBA:
(keptqui
et)

MANDLA:
(letgoofhi
m)shi
t!Youl
ookl
i
keal
ost
puppy

THEMBA:
(lookedathi
scl
othesembar
rassed)

MANDLA:(
laughi
ng)lookatyourhairal
lgrownand
ki
nky
,whydidn'
tyoushavethebeardsatleast

THEMBA:
(laughi
ng)andr
iskbei
ngseenbyt
he
mi
ght
yMandl
aMat
thews?
?Noway
sbr
uh

MANDLA: (l
aughi
ng)Iam nott
hatbadbutyou
shoul
dsaythankstothatdamnlet
terot
her
wiseI
'
d
befeast
ingonyounow

THEMBA: (
laughi
ng)br
uh!Ibeenst
ruggl
ingto
sl
eepimagini
ngyoublowi
ngmybrai
nsoffalmost
ever
yday
,um gladyoubel
i
evedme.Thankyou

MANDLA: (
smili
ng)let'
sgetmovingman,wehaveto
getyouaneathaircutbecausewedontwantf
ine
thi
ngsseei
ngyoul i
kethisbacki
ntown.

THEMBA:t
hat
'smyboy,thanksman(l
ookedathi
s
smal
loner
oom embar
rassed)let
sgoi
nside

MANDLA:
(unbot
her
ed)sur
e
Theyturnedwal ki
nginsi
detheyardasThemba
uncomf ort
ablyopenedthedoorandmov edasi
de
makingwayf orMandlatogeti
nsi
dethemessy
room,itlookedexactl
yli
kehesawi ti
nthespir
it
worl
d

MANDLA:( l
ookedathim)Isti
lldon'
tunderst
andwhy
youcameher ebecauseum sureyouhadenough
moneytolastyouevenuptot hreey
ears,whydi
dn'
t
youl
ookforadecenthouse.

Thembalookeddowngoi ngdownmemor ylane,he

hadcl
earedal lhissavi
ngsaccount
st r
yingtohelp
MiagethealedandTHEt reat
mentchargeswer e
ver
yhighthat'swhyhenowhasnot hi
ngt ohisname.
Herai
sedhisheadl ooki
ngatthecuri
ousMandl a
andsi
ghedf indingtheri
ghtwordstobreakdownt he
i
ceaslyi
ngwasn' tanopti
onanymor e

THEMBA:(sadly
)aftery
oudivor
cedMiashecameto
myhouseaskingforaplacet
ostaybecauseshe
waswoundedf r
om asnakebi t
eandhadnowher e
elsetogo,Ifel
tsor
ryforherandt ookherinbut
decidedtofi
ndherahousebecauseIcoul dn'tri
sk
youseeingheratmypl ace.Andthenaf t
erthather
woundsst ar
tedgett
ingwor sedaybyday ,couldn'
t
helpfeel
ingsorr
yforhersoIclearedallmysav i
ngs
tr
y i
ngtohelphergettr
eatmentandi twasv ery
expensiv
e.ThatshowIwentbankr upt

Mandl
a'
sheartbeatr
aisedhear
inghernameand
cl
i
ckedhi
stonguepissed

MANDLA:
dammi
tThemba!

THEMBA:
um sor
ryman

MANDLA:
youowemeone,
let
sgetoutofher
e

THEMBA:
okay
Thembat ooksomeofhi sthi
ngsandtheywal
ked
outashecl osedthedoort
henmadehi swayt
othe
carwheretheyquietl
yhoppedinsi
deandMandla
tookaturndr i
vi
ngofffumi
ngwi t
hanger.
..
.

ATRATI
'
SHOUSE

RATI
:howar
eyou?

GRACE:
um get
ti
ngt
her
e,howabouty
ou?

RATI
:met
oo,
Imi
ssy
oui
tsbeenal
i
ttl
ewhi
l
e

GRACE:
youshoul
dpassbysomet
imes

RATI:
alri
ght,ohhandpl
easetel
lyourmum um
gr
ateful
,theydel
iver
edt
hegroceri
estoday
GRACE:
(conf
used)huh?
?

RATI:shehasbeenhelpi
ngmysi
bli
ngswit
hfood
whenIwasawayandshepr omi
sedtoconti
nue
hel
pingusunti
lIgetbackonmyf
eet,It
houghty
ou
knowaboutthi
s?

GRACE:
wel
l
,Idi
dn'
tknowbutIwi
l
ltel
lher

RATI
:yeah,
sher
eal
l
yisagoodper
son.Il
i
keher

GRACE:ohht
ell
meaboutit
.Mamal
i
keshel
ping
peopl
eandIadmir
eherf
orthat

RATI:(
thoughtf
ull
y)mhm. .
..
sowher
eisy
ourher
o
boyf
ri
end,yall
stil
ltoget
her
?
GRACE: (
smil
i
ng)heisnotmyboy
fri
endwear
ejust
fr
iendsandwecli
ck

RATI:(
laughi
ng)cli
ck?
?Sayt hatt
osomeonewho
wil
lbel
ieveyou,notme.It
hinkhereal
l
yli
kesyou
andIknowy oulovehi
m

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)wel
l
..
.may
bey
esmay
benot

RATI:
um happyf
ory
oubutpl
easepr
omi
semeone
thi
ng?

GRACE:
what
?

RATI
:thaty
ouwi
l
ltakehi
mtochur
ch?

GRACE:ummm.
..
..
Idon'
tknowbutIwi
l
laskhi
m
somet
ime
RATI
:(smi
l
edr
eli
eved)okaybabes,
bye

GRACE:
byef
ri
end,
lov
eyou.

RATI
:lov
eyoumor
e,by
e

Shehungupandlookedathery
oungersi
sterwho
wassti
ll
troubl
ed

RATI:
whycan'
tyouguy
stel
lmewhyshei
shav
ing
al
lthi
sni
ght
mares

OLDERSISTER:(l
ookedatt
heyoungersi
ster)
we..
umm. .
.wesawahugesnakesomeot herti
mei n
ourbacky
ardandnowsheisstr
uggli
ngtogetov eri
t

RATI
:hai
sh,
okay
.Di
dyouki
l
lit
?
BIGSISTER:yes,
weaskedsomeguy
stoki
l
litand
theyburnedi
t

RATI:okay
,(lookedatt
hel
it
tl
esist
er)Iam her
eand
not
hingwillhappent
oyou,
okay?

LI
TTLESI
STER:
(nodded)okay
.

Shesquatt
edhuggi
ngherandr
ubbedherback
worr
ied.
..
.

ATPRI
SON

t
herewasanawkwardmomentthenMi
acl
ear
edher
t
hroatl
ooki
ngathercur
iousl
y

MI
A:whatar
eyoui
nfor
Herhear
tskippedandsheswal
l
owedhar
d,t
hatwas
r
eall
yunexpected

RESE:
Ist
abbedsomeone

MI
A:huh?

RESE:(
sighed)yeah,
Istabbedmyexhusbandand
heendedupi nahospit
albedbutt
hebastar
ddidn'
t
di
e

MI
A:y
ouwi
shhewasdead?

RESE:
(angr
il
y)y
es

MIA:(f
reakedoutabitbutmaint
ainedacal
m and
r
elaxedlook)umm..
.whathappened?
RESE:i
tsaveryl
ongstor
ypl
usy ouwoul
dn'
t
under
standandwil
lpr
obabl
yjudgeme

MIA:tr
ustmeIam t
helastper
sont
othr
owst
ones
becauseIdi
devenwor
se

RESE:
(lookedathersur
pri
sed)r
eal
l
y?

MI
A:y
es,
soum al
lear
s

RESE:okay ,Ist
abbedmyexhusbandbecausehe
wasabusi veandaser i
alcheater
.Hewoul dbri
ng
manydif f
erentgirl
sinourhomeandsl eepwiththem
i
nmypr esenceandIwasnotal l
owedtosay
anyt
hing,everytimeIcompl ai
nedortri
edtoleavehe
wouldbeatmet oapulp,(t
ookof fhert
-shi
rt
showinghert hemanyscar sonherupperbody )yeah,
hedidallthisandIwasnotal l
owedt osayanythi
ng
l
estigetabeat ing
MIAlookedathert
earf
ullyandcoul
dn'
tutt
erany
wordsasshewasstil
ldigesti
ngwhatshej
ustsaw
andheard,t
hescar
swer everybadand
heart
breaki
ng

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)howcoul
dsomeonebesocr
uel
?

RESE: (
breakingv
oice)Iwasalreadyusedtobeing
hispunchingbag,whatIcouldn'
ttakewast he
emotionalabusebecauseitbrokemyhear tandmy
soul,
itwast heworst,
hewoul dtel
lmeabouthow
muchhehel pedmewhenIhadnot hi
ng,hewouldgo
onandonabouthowhepi ckedmeatt hesideoft
he
roadwhenIwasdi r
tyandhadnot hi
ngtomyname

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)um sosor
ry

RESE:
(rubbedhert
ear
)hekeptonmaki
ngmer el
iv
e
mypainful
past,
apastInev
erwant
edtotal
kabout
butheal
way
sfoundawayt
obr
ingi
tup.
.

Shel
ookeddownast
ear
sst
reameddownherf
ace
andr
ubbedthem

RESE: (breakingvoice)hef oundmebesi dest he

roadwhenIwasl ivingasabeggarandr eli
edon
handout saftermypar entsdied.Mypar entsdied
whenIwasv er
yyoungsomyauntt ookmei nbut
l
aterchasedmeoutwhenIwasonl yf ourteeny ears
soIlivedont hestreetsf oraboutf i
vey earsbef ore
wemet .Hehel pedmeoutandt ookgoodcar eofme
thenwel atergotmar riedbutt henhechangedaf ter
mar r
iageandst art
edt heabuse, Icouldn'ttakeit
anymor esoonedayIwai t
edf orhimt ofallasleep
andt i
pt oedt otheki t
chenwher eIgotakni feand
stabbedhi m countlesst imesbuthest illf
oundaway
tosurviveandnowum st uckher eforthreemor e
yearswhi lehei soutt herelivi
nglavishly

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)um sosor
ryt
oheart
hat
RESE:
(tear
ful
l
y)i
tsokay

MIA:(sof
tl
y)buty
ouhav etoforgiv
eandletgoofall
t
heangerinyourhear
tmydear ,itdoesn'
thelpbut
i
nsteadworsenst
hesituat
ion.
thinkaboutit

RESE:
okay

ShenoddedasMialookedatheremot
ional
l
y
thi
nki
ngaboutherpai
nful
stor
y..

ATTHEMBA'
SPLACE

Hepull
edupatt
hegat
eandpar
kedasThemba
st
eppedout

THEMBA:
aren'
tyoucomi
ngwi
th?
MANDLA:noIhav
etogosomewher
efi
rst
,wi
l
lpass
byl
ater

THEMBA:
okay

Hereversedandst
eppedont heaccelerat
or
speedi
ngof ft
opri
son.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
07:
16]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT61
Meanwhil
einsi
dewomen'spri
sont
hejail
guard
wal
kedinthei
rroom andsi
gnal
edMiatofol
l
owhim

RESE:
bet
tery
out
hanme

MIA:(l
aughi
ng)ohhcomeon,
itsalwaysoneperson
ot
herwiseyouandmesamewhat sappgroup,
no
vi
sit
ors

RESE:
(rol
l
edherey
es)y
eahr
ight

Shest
oodupandf
oll
owedhi
m out
.
Meanwhi l
eatt hevi
sitor
sar eaMandl asatdown
i
mpat ient
lywaiti
ngashet appedhisfingersonthe
table,
hecoul dn'
twaittoseeherugl yfaceandscare
heroff,makingsureMi aplaysfarawayf r
om hi
s
l
ov edoneswasami ssionnow.Fewmi nutesl
ater
Miaappear edfrom t
heot hersideandf rownedas
hereyesfell
ont hetotall
yunexpect edvisi
tor,ont he
otherhandMandl asighedandl ookedaroundt hen
thei
reyeslocked.Hef rownedl ookingatherflawl ess
face,i
twaswayt oounbelievablehowshehadcl ear
skinandnotev enalitt
lescar,meanwhi l
eMi asi ghed
andcalmlywalkedov ertot hetableandpul l
edt he
chairt
akingaseatall r
elaxed

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)hel
l
o

Sheextendedherhandforahandshakebuthe
l
ookedathercompl et
elyheal
edhandforaf ew
minut
esandr el
easedhis.Thei
rhandstouchedbut
hequi
cklypull
edhishandbackf eel
i
ngweird.

MI
A:ar
eyouf
ine?

MANDLA:
(uncomf
ort
abl
e)y
es
MI
A:sowhatdi
dIdot
odeser
vet
hesur
pri
sev
isi
t?

MANDLA:
(chokedashet
ri
edt
ospeakup)
ummmmm. .
..
..
I.
..
.I
..
..

Mialookedi
nhi
sey
essmi
l
ingasshei
nter
cededi
n
herheart

MI
A:what
swr
ongMrMat
thews?

MANDLA:
ummmm.
..
.I
..

Hiswholebodyst
art
edfeeli
ngver
yhotandit
chyas
sweatdri
ppeddownhisfaceandhel
ookedupat
Mia'
sfacebutqui
ckl
ylookeddownavoi
dingeye
cont
act

MANDLA:
(inqui
ry)umm n.
.Ihav
etogo
Hestoodupandst or
medoutscratchi
nghisit
chy
bodyandpacedtowardshi
sBenz.Fewmi nutesl
ater
heunlockedi
tandhoppedi
nsidethenlookedathi
s
wetfaceontherearvi
ewmirr
or

MANDLA:
shi
t

Her eachedforhi
sbagont hebackseat
sandt ook
outhisgy mtowelandwipedthesweatoffhi
sface
thenheav edahugesigh

MANDLA:
(conf
used)whatt
hehel
lj
usthappened
downt
her
e?

Hetri
edtomakesenseofthesmallmomenthejust
hadbutcoul
dn'
tcomprehendthenhi
sheadoutof
nowherest
art
edachi
ngstrongly
MANDLA:
fuck!
!

Heheldi tti
ghtl
ywithhiseyescl osedthenbentand
fi
ddledont hepassengerseat ,
luckil
yther
ewasa
waterbot t
lesohegr abbeditandopenedi tgulpi
ng
downt hewat erbeforeopeninghiseyesfeeli
nga
l
itt
lebetterthenhesighedfrustratedandstart
edthe
cardri
vingof f
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

Backinpri
son,Mi
asmi l
edt hankf
ull
yandst
oodup
walki
ngbacktohercellwheresheopenedupand
walkedtowar
dsherbedt henkneltdownpr
ayi
ngto
thankGodforhi
skindnessandmer cy
..
.

ATGRACE'
SHOUSE

shelookedatthet el
ev i
sionwit
hhermindmi l
es
away,shecouldn'tstopthinki
ngaboutherpeaceful
l
ifebefor
eThailandt henshesmi l
edgoingdown
memor ylaneandt henshest oodupwalkingt
ot he
wall mirrorandl ookedatherher sel
fsighingsadl y.
Shenev erwant edt oputonany thi
ngtightor
revealingev ersinceherar r
ivalfrom Thailandasshe
i
sal way sput t
ingonbaggyandbi glongsl eev ed
clothesbutt odayshef eltdifferentandf elttheneed
totaket hem of f,forthef irsttimei na.l
ongt imeshe
want edt otakechar geandcont roloverherl i
fe,
hidi
ngandr unni ngwasn' ttheanswert oher
problemsandshewasr eadyt oclai
m herl if
eand
author i
tyback.Shesmi ledandpacedt ot he
bedr oom wher esheopenedhercl osetandpi cked
herf avorit
edr ess, i
tusedt ohugherbeaut if
ul
curvaceousbodyper f
ect lysoshet ookitandpaced
tothesi tti
ngr oom wher eshet ookof fthebaggyt -
shirtandpant sandputont hedr essthatper fectl
y
definedherbody .
shet urnedadmi ri
ngherhourgl ass
fi
gur eont hemi rrorsmi l
ingf rom eartoear

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)l
i
veongi
rl

Shecont
inuedsmi
l
ingandbentt
aki
ngherphoneon
t
hecouchthencl
ickedaf
ewphotosbeforesel
ect
ing
t
hebestoneandpostedi
tonFacebookcapti
oned
"
li
veonpri
ncess"
Therewasoverfi
vehundr
edlikesandtwohundred
comment sonthepostwi
thi
nt hespaceoft
en
minutessoshesatdownreadingthecomments

COMMENT1:
youl
ookst
unni
ng

COMMENT2:
Iam soi
nlov
ewi
thy
ourbody

COMMENT3:av
eryst
rongandbol
dyoungl
ady
,I
real
l
yli
key
ou

COMMENT4:
l
ookwhoi
sbacki
ntown,
thequeenn
l
iv
eongi
rl

COMMENT5: andyoudontevenl
ookl
ikeaperson
whowasexchangedbydi
ffer
entmenevry
day,
wow!
COMMENT6:
howwasThai
l
andgi
rl
?

COMMENT7: Ireadyourst
oryi
nthenewsandmy
hear
tbl
edforyoudear,i
m gl
adyouconquer
edt
he
worl
datl
ast.Bi
gupsgi r
l

Shewentonr eadi
ngthecomment ssmil
ingandhurt
ali
tt
lecomingacrossthenastyonesbutjust
deci
dedtoignorethem andr
eactedwit
hlov eont
he
posi
ti
veones.

Meanwhi
leatthedoorMsWi
l
li
amsopenedupt
hen
smi
ledwalki
ngin

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
wow!

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)
MSWI LLI
AMS: youlookbeauti
fulbaby,
um gladyou
ar
etakingyetanot
herboldstep.um soproudofy
ou

GRACE:
Iwoul
dn'
thav
edonei
tal
lwi
thouty
ouma

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
edemot
ional
l
y)awwbaby
,,

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)

MSWILLI
AMS: t
oobadi
tsal
readyl
ateandy
oucan'
t
goany
wherenow

GRACE:
(l
aughi
ng)Iknowri
ght
,Ij
ustwant
edt
osee
t
heoldme,Imissedmysel
f

MsWi l
li
amssmi
l
edandopenedherar
mswi
de
huggi
ngher
GRACE:andohhImadesupper
,hopey
oudi
dn'
teat
atwor
k

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sur
pri
sed)y
oucookedagai
n?

GRACE:
yep

MSWILLIAMS:mybabyi
sfi
nal
l
yback,
(lool
ooked
up)
ThankyouGod

Shegentl
ycaressedhercheeksmi
l
ingbef
oret
hey
tur
nedtothekit
chen

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
hmmmm.
..
smel
l
syummy

GRACE:l
etmedi
shupwhi
l
eyougot
akeaqui
ck
shower
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
great
!

Shetur
nedandheadedtothebathr
oom andt
ooka
qui
ckshowerbef
oregetti
ngint
ohersl
eepwearthen
wenttohav
esupper.Theyat
eandchatt
edlaughi
ng
l
oudly

ATTHEMBA'
SPLACE

Hesteppedoutoftheshowerwrappedi
napur e
whi
tetowelandsli
ppedhisfeeti
ntohi
ssleeper
s
t
hensomeoneknocked.

THEMBA:
itsopen

Heopenedupandwal kedi
nwit
hreddi
shey
esas
Thembalookedathi
m puzzl
ed
THEMBA:
andt
hen?

MANDLA:
what
?

THEMBA:
yourey
esar
esor
ed,
arey
ouf
ine?

MANDLA:
um hav
ingasl
i
ghtheadache

THEMBA:
ohh

MANDLA:
yeah,
letmesendyousomemoneyso
t
haty
oucanbuyyour
sel
fafewthi
ngs

THEMBA:
okayt
hanks

Hepr
essedhi
sphonet
henP20000.
00r
epor
tedi
n
Themba'
sphone

MANDLA:
done!

THEMBA:(gothi
sphone)t
hanksman,
(wor
ri
ed)ar
e
yousur
eyouarefine?

MANDLA:
yeah,
letmebounce

THEMBA:
sur
e

Heturnedandwalkedoutwherehehoppedinhi
s
caranddroveawayinthedar
knight
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Leav
eyourcomment
Andshar
ethei
nser
ts
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
16]
BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT62

THEHENEXTDAY

ATKG'
SHOUSE

Hesl owlyopenedhisey esandlookedar oundt heall

blackwalledroom t
henher ubbedhisey esthengot
hisphonecheckingt het imebeforeslippi ngitinsi
de
hispajamapant spocket .i
twasalreadypastsev en
sohegotofbedandmadehi swayt ot heki t
chenas
hisstomachmadef unnysounds.Heopenedt hecup
boardandt ookthebr eadheboughtt hepr ev
iousday
thenplaceditontheki tchencounterpr epar i
ng
simplebreakfast
.Het ookt hepan, pour edoil and
waitedaf ewmi nutesandmadecr umbledeggsthen
walkedtot heloungewher ehesatont heplast
ic
chairandpl acedtheplateont het
ableeati
ngthen
hisphoneandhet ooki toutchewing.Hi
sheart
skippedlookingatthecal l
erident
ity

KG:
(sof
tl
y)hey

SK:
hey
,howar
eyou,
longt
ime

KG:
ver
ylong,
um hangi
ngi
nther
e,howabouty
ou?

SK:
(si
ghed)Imi
ssy
ouman

KG:
(sur
pri
sed)r
eal
l
y?

SK:
yeahman
KG:
buti
di-
..
..
..
.

SK:IknowandIhav
efor
giv
eny
ou,
itsal
lwat
er
underthebr
idge

KG:
(emot
ional
l
y)t
hanky
ou

SK:
sohowi
sbusi
ness

KG:(t
hroatdr
iedup)not
hingnew,
um st
il
lwher
eyou
l
eftme

SK:
(pi
ti
ful
)um sor
ryf
orl
eav
ingwheny
ouneeded
memost

KG:It
otall
yunderst
andwhyy oudi ditandyouare
j
ust
ifi
ed.ImeanIwoul dhavedidthesamet hingi
fI
wer
ey ou.Iri
skedyourli
feknowinglyandther
eisno
bet
terexcusef
ort
hat

SK:
(si
ghed)t
rue

KG:
yeah

SK:Iwantbackinthegame,Iwi
llhelpyoutakehi
m
on,
Ican'twatchyoufal
li
ngapar
tlikethi
s,
wehav et
o
dosomet hi
ng

Hishear tgotov erj

oyedhear i
ngthiswor ds,i
tsall
thathehasbeenl ongi
ngf orall t
hismont h'
s,li
fe
hasn'tbeeneasyashewasdr owni ngindebts,
most
ofhispr opert
ywassei zed,thehousewasal most
empt yandhi ssixcar swer ealsot aken,nowheonl y
hadonecart ohi sname.Atl easthemanagedt o
clearoffal l
thedebt safterav er
yl ongti
meoft ryi
ng
soall t
hatbot heredhim wasmaki ngendsmeetand
maki ngsurehedoesn' tgot obedhungr ybuthestil
l
i
smadatt heper sonwhot ookov erhisterr
it
oryby
for
ce,
theper
sonwhotookoverhi
sbusinessandthe
manwhoputhim onahospi
tal
bed.sowhatSkjust
sai
dwasli
kemusictohi
sears

KG: (smi
ling)thankyouverymuch, Ihav
ebeen
l
ongi ngtoheart hoseword'
sandIhav edrawnupa
plant ot
akehi m down,i
tsallIhav
ebeenwor ki
ngon
forthepastf ewmont hs

SK:
great
,Iwi
l
lpassbysot
haty
oucanf
il
lmei
n

KG:
alr
ightsur
e

SK:
bye

Hehungupandl ookedathisphonesmi l
i
ng, t
heday
hehasbeenwai ti
ngf orwasjusther
eandt hatmade
hi
mt hehappiestmanev erbecausehejustcouldn'
t
wai
ttogetridofhisobst acl
eandstartmaking
money
.

KG:(smir
ked)um comi
ngf
ory
ouMrMat
thewsAKA
thesnake

Hestoodupandwal kedtohi
ssecr etroom and
openedupt henlookedathi
spl angoingov eri
tthen
benttaki
ngapenandmadeedi tionsincludi
ngSKat
cert
ainpointsandsmi l
edwickedly

KG:
Igoty
out
hist
imesol
dier

Hestoodt
heresmili
nggoi
ngov
ert
hemappl
an
agai
nandagain.
..
..
.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS

Sheopenedherey
esandy
awnedbef
orer
eleasi
ng
herhandt
aki
ngherphonedi
ali
nghi
m

MANDLA:
(sl
eepy
)hey

GRACE:
arey
ousl
eepi
ng?Thoughty
ouar
eatwor
k

MANDLA:(down)um notf
eel
i
ngwel
ltodaysoI
won'
tbegoingt
owork

GRACE:
(wor
ri
ed)what
'
swr
ong?

MANDLA:
justasl
i
ghtheadache

GRACE:
shoul
dIcomeov
erandhel
pyouout
?

MANDLA:
(sur
pri
sed)y
ouwoul
ddot
hat
?
GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)y
es

MANDLA: (
smil
i
ng)ohhletMEt
exty
ourmum and
askhert
otakethedayoff

GRACE:
okay

MANDLA:pleasedon'
tgetmeexci
tedt
henchange
yourmi
ndlastminut
e

GRACE:
(laughi
ng)Iwouldn'
t,
besi
des,
um onl
y
comi
ngtherebecausey
ouarenotwell

MANDLA:thanky
ou,soshoul
dIsendoneofmy
dr
iver
stocomepickyouup?

GRACE:
noi
t'
sfi
ne,
I'
ll
getat
axi
MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)
okay
,pl
easehur
ry

Shel
aughedal
i
ttl
eandgotupst
ret
chi
ng

GRACE:
yeahr
ight
,letmegetr
eady

MANDLA:
byesunshi
ne

GRACE:
(rol
l
edherey
esbl
ushi
ng)by
e

Sheputt hephonedownandt urnedleavingt he

bedroom headi ngtothebathroom wher eshet ooka
quickbathandwal kedbackinherr oom.Sheopened
theclosetANDl ookedFORsimpl ewar m clothesso
shegotbl ackwar m pantsANDawhi tenikesweater
thengotdr essedandgr abbedherhai rmaki nga
ponytail
,whenshewasdoneshegotherbagand
l
eft..
..
..
..
..
.
Meanwhi
l
eMeWi
l
li
amsj
umpedof
fbedr
eal
i
singi
ts
l
atet
henshegotherphonechecki
ngt
het
imebut
Mandl
a'
smessagecaughthereye

MANDLA:
mor
ningma,
takeadayof
ftoday

Shesmil
edandsi
ghedi
nrel
i
eft
henst
oodupgoi
ng
toGr
ace'
sroom

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Grace,
Grace

Sheopenedherroom butshewasn'tt
her
esoshe
tur
nedtotheki
tchencheckingbutshewasnowhere
tobefoundsoshegotwor r
iedandtookherphone
cal
li
ngher

GRACE:
(cl
osedt
het
axi
door
)ma

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
arey
ouf
ine?
GRACE:
yesma,
um f
inedon'
twor
ry

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
okmybaby
,by
e

Shehungupandl ookedatt
hemessagei
nher
phonesuspi
cious.

Meanwhi
l
eatThemba'
spl
ace

Hecl
osedthetapandputhi
stoothbr
ushawayt
hen
wal
kedbacktothebedr
oom di
ali
nghi
m

MANDLA:
yes

THEMBA:
heyman,
arey
ouatwor
k,wantt
opassby
?
MANDLA:nonott
oday
,um hav
ingsomemet
ime,
whatdoy
ouwant?

THEMBA:Ihopei
t'
snott
ooear
lyt
oaskbutIneed
moremoneysowhenarewemaki
ngdel
iv
eri
es

MANDLA: ei
sh,i
tsabi
tti
ghtnowbecausewearen'
t
supplyi
ngThai
l
andanymoresoweareonlyl
eftwit
h
theIndi
ans

THEMBA: ohhy
eahofcour
se,Isawthenewsand
um guessi
nghewon'
tbeabletorunt
hebusi
ness
any
mor e

MANDLA:yeah(
ther
ewasaknockatt
hedoorsohe
l
ookedatt
hedoor)

MANDLA:
Ihav
etogo,
tal
klat
er
THEMBA:
okayby
e

MANDLA:
byeman

Heputthephoneawayandgott her emoteopening

thedoorknowinghisexpect
edvisi
torishi
soneand
onlydr
eam gir
l.Thedoorsli
dopenthenshewal ked
i
nashegotoutofbedshi r
tl
esswalkingtot
he
l
ounge

GRACE:
(loud)hel
l
o

Shelookedar
oundthenMandlaappearedf
rom t
he
passageandthei
reyesl
ocked.
..
..
..
..
..

Meanwhi
l
eatpr
ison

Dudusatont
hechai
rswai
ti
ngf
orMi
aasshe
cur
iousl
ywal kedal
ongthepassagebutherlitup
whensher eachedt
hev i
sit
orsarea.Shesurewas
get
tingalotofunexpect
edv i
sit
orsrecent
ly

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)hey
,l
ongt
ime

DUDU:
(down)um sor
ryf
orgoi
ngmi
aony
ouI
..
..
.

MI
A:(
sadl
y)i
tsokay

DUDU:noi
t'
snot,Il
efty
ouwheny ouneededme
mostandum r
eall
ysorr
yit sjustthatIl
ostpati
ence
whenyoumadeexcusesr efusingtocomet ochurch
wit
hmesoIgav eupony oubecauseIf eltyoudidn'
t
wantt
ogethel
p

MIA:
Iunderst
andthaty
ouwer
etoobusywi
thy
our
l
if
esoit
sfinereal
l
y
DUDU:pl
easedon'
tsaythat
(scannedherface)and
youar
ecompletel
yheal
ed,howdidy oudoit?

MI
A:(
sighed)i
tsal
ongst
ory
,whatbr
ingsy
ouher
e

DUDU:
(sadl
y)Imi
ssedy
ou

MI
A:(
lookedatherwi
thast
rai
ghtf
ace)ohhr
eal
l
y?

DUDU:
yes,
pleasef
orgi
veme

MIA:(smili
ng)Iforgi
vey ou,
wasjustt
ryingtobe
di
ffi
cultbutItotal
lyunderst
andwhereyouwer e
comingf r
om, Ihonestl
ywasn'tt
heeasiestpersont
o
dealwith,(
laughed)I'
drunawayfrom met oo

Theyl
aughedal
i
ttl
eandwentoncat
chi
ngup
DUDU:
ohhgr
eat
!Sowhenar
eyoul
eav
ingt
hispl
ace?

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)i
ntwomont
hst
ime

DUDU:
ohht
hat
'sbet
ter
,notf
aratal
l

MI
A:y
eah.
.

Theywentonchatt
ingbef
orev
isi
ti
ngt
imeel
apsed
andpart
edway s.
..
.

ATKG'
SHOUSE

Asoftknockatthedoorgothi satt
enti
onthenhe
stoodupandwentt oopenupandt hei
rey
esmet .Sk
l
ookeddownathi m andswallowedhardseeinghow
muchhehadl ostweight
,ithadreall
ybeenalong
andtoughti
mef orKGbutatl eastnowthi
ngsthe
futur
ewaspr
omi
singpl
ushemanagedt
ocl
earal
l
hisdebt
s

SK:
hey

KG:
heyman

Theybumpedshoul derst henKGmov edt ot

heside
makingwayf orhi
mt opass.Hewal kedi nandsadl
y
l
ookedaroundt heempt yhouseandsi ghed,hewas
nowmor ethandeterminedt ohelpKGgethi s
busi
nessbackatal lcosts,al
ltheyneedi sa
perf
ectl
yorchestr
atedplant otakehim down

SK:
(lookedathi
m)i
tsgoodt
oseey
ouagai
nman

KG:
sameher
eman
SK:
let
'sgett
obusi
ness

KG:
ohhy
eah,
thi
sway

Heledthewayandtheydisappear
edonthepassage
headi
ngtowar
dsthesecretroom..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Leav
eacomment
Shar
e
GOODDAY
[
7/19,
07:
16]
BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT63

Thei
rey
esl
ockedandMandl
a'
shear
tbeatr
aisedas
Grace'
seyesfellonhi
sfinef
lawl
essupperbody
,she
l
ookedathisabbsandswal l
owedhardthenl
ooked
upathiscut
ef aceshyl
y.

MANDLA:
(openedhi
sar
ms)heycomeher
e

Shesmi l
edandwal kedcl oserdi sappear i
ngi ntohis
strongar msasMandl ahuggedhert ightandmov ed
hishandupherheadcar essi ngherl ongsof thair
thenshel ookedupathi sf aceandt heirey esl ocked.
Theygotl ostineachot her'sey esf oral it
t l
ewhi l
e
thenMandl aclosedhisey esandl eanedi nf orasof t
kissplantinghisj ui
cyredl ipsonher sandsheki ssed
him back, hemov edhishandupt oherchi nand
gent l
ytouchedi twithhisf ingerst i
psast heirheads
ti
lted.Gracebr eathedheav il
yenjoy ingev er ymoment
oft hekissthenmov edherl eftl
egupandwr apped
herhandsar oundhi sneckgoi ngdeepi ntot hekiss.
Hismachi nejerkeduphar derandpr essedagai nst
hercooki esendi ngbutterfli
esi nherst omachasher
preciouski t
tenwel l
edup.Shef elthercl itthr obbing
andclosedhereyestightenj
oyi
ngeverytouchas
shesli
ppedintoadiff
erentworl
d.Mandlasucked
herli
psinpleasur
eandmov edhi
shandst oherbut
t
l
ift
ingherupandmov edt othecouchgentl
ylayi
ng
herdownlookingint
oherey esasshewor ethe
hornylook

MANDLA:
(inhi
smi
nd)damn!

Her emovedhert
opandt hr
ewi tont
hefl
oorplant
ing
softki
ssesonhertummygoi nguptoherpoi
nty
boobsandsuckedthem asshemoanedsof t
ly

GRACE:
(moani
ng)uhhh.
..
.

Hegrabbedthem t
ight
ersuckingthem butsomeone
knockedatt
hedoorinter
rupt
ingthem..

MANDLA:
shi
t!
GRACE:
(gotupget
ti
nghert
op)

MANDLA:
letmegett
hat
,ar
eyouf
ine

GRACE:
(nodded)y
es

MANDLA:
(ki
ssedherf
orehead)okay

Hehur r
iedt othebedroom andchangedint
oa
simpl
et -shir
tsandblackpantsthenwalkedoutt
o
thedooropeni ngup.Shesteppedinandlookedat
them ast heyfrozeoutofwordstosay.
..
..
..
.

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

hesteppedoutofhi
scarandopenedthe
passenger
'ssi
decarr
yingmanyshoppi
ngbagsand
walkedinsi
dehishousewher ehet urnedtothe
ki
tchenputti
ngever y
thingonthekitchencounter.He
wentoneachoft hem checkingthengr abbedthe
othertwoshooti
ngst rai
ghttohi
sbedr oom wherehe
putthem onhisnicelymadebedt hensatdown
beforehethought
f ul
lysear
chedhispocket staki
ng
outhisphone.
Hetooki
tandbrowsedthrought
hecont
act
sand
sel
ect
edhernumberdial
ing

VOI
CE:
hel
l
o

THEMBA:
hey

HER:
umm.
..
whoi
sthi
s

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)t
hemat
chst
icksguy
,Themba

HER:
(smi
l
ed)ohhhey
,howar
eyou?
THEMBA:
ver
ygood,
Idi
dn'
tgety
ournamet
hel
ast
ti
me

HER:
(smi
l
ing)pr
ett
y,mynamei
sPr
ett
y

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)ohhwow!Sui
tsy
ouv
erywel
l

HER:
(bl
ushi
ng)mhm

THEMBA:
Iwoul
dli
ket
oseey
ouagai
n

HER:youcanpassbyt
het
uckshopt
odaysi
ncey
ou
don'
tstayf
arfr
om i
t

THEMBA:
(laughi
ng)soy
ouknowwher
eIst
ay?
HER:(
laughing)wel
l
,,
,yeah,
Iknowy
oust
ayi
nthat
ni
cesmallroom

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)ni
ce?
?

HER:
(laughi
ng)i
tsnotbad

THEMBA:
yeahr
ight
!

PRETTY:
(laughi
ng)haha

THEMBA:sowhencanIseeyou?Doyoumi nd
comingov
ert
othesmallni
ceoneroom someti
mes
l
ater
?

PRETTY:
(happi
l
y)notatal
l

THEMBA:
great
!Wentoutt
odosomet
hingsoIwi
l
l
t
ell
youwhenum home.

PRETTY:
okay

THEMBA:
byepr
ett
yli
tt
let
hingandseey
ousoon

PRETTY:
(bl
ushi
ng)by
e

Hehungupassheputt hephonedownsmili
ng,
she
t
houghtf
ull
ypi
ckeditupandtextedherf
ri
end
wear
inganinf
ect
ioussmile

Ty
ping.
..
..
..
..
..
..

PRETTY:
heyf
ri
end,
guesswhat
?

FRI
END:
what
?
PRETTY:
(laughi
ngmoj
o)j
ustguess

FRI
END:
um l
ostf
ri
end,
sayi
tal
ready

PRETTY:r
ememberthecut
eguywhousedt
opass
bythet
uckshopbuy
ing?

FRI
END:
yes,
ori
l
eng?(
Yeswhat
sup)

PRETTY:(
exci
ted)hewant
stoseemeandaskedme
topassbyhi
shouselat
er

FRI
END:
(bor
ed)what
?

PRETTY:y
esf
ri
end,
Ican'
twai
ttoseehi
m,um so
exci
ted
FRI
END:
arey
ouser
iousr
ightnow?

PRETTY:
yesgi
rl

FRIEND:thatguyli
vesinasmalloneroom andhe
l
ookssobr oke,Ican'
tbel
ievey
ouar eact
uall
y
consider
ingmeet i
ngupwithhi
ml etal
onegoingt
o
theuglysmallroom

PRETTY:
(sademoj
i
)Il
i
kehi
m st
il
l

FRIEND:i
yoh!!Ican'
tbel
ieveyouar
esodesper ate
forlov
ethatyou'devenconsi
dergi
vingyour
secondar
yv i
rgini
tyt
osomebr okeguy..y
eshei s
cutebutl
ookswontpayt hebill
sPr
etty,t
hinkl
i
kea
womanandgr owup.

PRETTY:
whosaidIwil
lhav
esexwi
thhi
m?Um j
ust
goi
ngtoseehi
m andchatt
hat
sal
l
FRI
END:tel
lthatt
osomeonewhowil
lbel
iev
ey ou,
weall
knowy oucan'
tsaynot
oman,especi
all
ythis
cut
eones.Tsamayammaoy egoi
j
esamoshi anyana
waoneroom.

PRETTY: (
sadl
y)It
hinkImadeamist
aketel
li
ngyou
thi
s,t
houghtyouwouldbehappyf
orme,t
urnsoutI
waswr ong

FRI
END:
iyohmmaweeby
e

PRETTY:
bye

Shecl osedthemessagest abandsadlyputher

phonedown.Whatherf ri
endsaidgottoherbutshe
sti
l
l couldn'
thelpt
hinki
ngaboutthecutepoorguy
andsowant edtoseehim agai
n.Butthefactthathe
mightact ual
lywanttohaveabiteofherkit
ten
botheredherandlefthercaughtbet
weent urni
ng
him downandagr eeingtomeetup.Shewasf r
om a
toxi
cr el
ati
onshipwithanunemployedguywhom
shehadst uckwithduringhardt
imes,shesupport
ed
himf i
nancial
lyandli
teral
lydi
devery
thingforhi
m
withtheli
ttl
emoneyshemadei nthetuckshopbut
thi
ngswentsout hafterhegotajob,hestart
ed
cheatingonherandabusedherbot hemot i
onal
ly
andphy si
call
yuntil
shegav eupandletgof i
ve
mont hsback.
Whati
fIam maki
ngthesamemi
stakeagai
n,may
be
shei
sri
ght
."
shethought
"

CUSTOMER:
hel
l
o,mayIhav
emi
l
k?

Shei
gnor
edherst
il
li
nat
rai
noft
hought
s

CUSTOMER:
(louder
)hel
l
o!

Shesnappedoutofi
tandl
ookedather
PRETTY:
huh?

CUSTOMER:
mayIhav
emi
l
k

PRETTY:
ohhi
tsP10.
00

CUSTOMER:
(handi
ngt
hemoney
)okay

Pret
tytookthemoneyandhandedhert
hemi
l
kand
satdownsighing.
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(cal
m)j
ustasIt
hought

GRACE:
(keptqui
etl
ooki
ngdown)
MANDLA:
umm ma,
itsnotwhaty
out
hink

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(satdowncal
m)Gr
ace

GRACE:
ma

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
esoear
ly?

GRACE:
(t
onguet
ied)i
..
I.
.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
catgoty
ourt
onguenow?

Shet
urnedandl
ookedatMandl
awi
tha.
ser
iousf
ace

MSWILLI
AMS: Isawhowy
oulookedatmydaughter
t
hev
eryfi
rstt
imeshecamehereandIthoughti
ts
j
ustacr ushhencewi lldisappearbutnoIguessi t
neverdi dbecausey ourex- wif
enot i
cedhowy ou
couldn'tholdyourselfinf r
ontofhert henfeltthe
needt oeliminatemydaught er(t
eardr oppedand
sher ubbeditoff)yes,Iknowshesenthert o
Thailandjustsoshecangety ourattenti
onand
makey ouforgether..
(lookedatGr ace)y outoldme
al
lthaty ouwentt hroughi nThailandandIf eltyour
pai
nsoIhopet hisiswor thit

BOTH: (keptquiet)youarebothadultsandincharge
ofyourlives(l
ookedatGr ace)Ican'tchoosemenf or
yousoy ouar efreetodatewhoev eraslongasyou
areresponsible(lookedatMandla)Ihopey oudon'
t
tr
eatherl i
keyout reatedyourex-
wife

BOTH:
keptqui
te

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Ihopei
tsal
lwor
thi
t
Shetur
nedandwal
kedoutl
eav
ingt
hem i
nawet
hen
Mandlacl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat

MANDLA:
umm cof
fee?
?

GRACE:
yeahsur
e

Heturnedandwalkedtotheki
tchenasGracesl
owl
y
satdownt hi
nki
ngabouthermother'
slong
speech.
..
.TWOMONTHSLATER
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
einser
ts
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
07:
16]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT64

Shesteppedoutandwalkedout
sideast
hebli
ster
ing
sunstruckhereyest
henshemovedherhandup
cover
ingherfaceasMsWi l
li
amscamerunni
ngt o
herwithherarmswideopen

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
final
l
y

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)atl
ongl
ast

Theybothpull
edf
rom t
hehugandlookedi
ntoeach
other
'seyesasMsWil
li
am'st
ravel
l
edt owonder
land

MSWI LLIAMS:
Ithoughty
ou'
dhav
esomeone
pi
cki
ngy ouupapartf
rom me

MI
A:(
lookeddownsadl
y)
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
fami
l
ymay
be?

Mia'seyeswell
edupandshelookedupl
ett
inglose
ofthetearst
hentheyst
reameddownherface

MI
A:Ihav
enoone

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sof
tl
y)Idon'
tunder
stand

MI
A:(
sni
ff
ing)Idon'
thav
eaf
ami
l
y

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
cousi
ns?

Mi
alookeddownsadlyandnoddedherheadasMs
Wi
ll
i
am'sfel
tsor
ryforherandhuggedher
MSWI LLIAMS:aww,um sosor
rydear.Let
schange
thet
opicsincei
tsmaki
ngy ouf
eeluncomfort
abl
e
andrui
ningthemoment

MIA:(sadly
)butIdon'tmindtal
ki
ngaboutit
,
especial
l
ywi t
hyouitsjustawrongt
iming

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)okdearsomeot
hert
ime.

Theysmil
edl
ooki
ngateachotherasDudu
appr
oachedt
hem br
eat
hingheavi
ly

MI
A:(
facel
i
tup)aww

Duduopenedherar
mshuggi
ngherandki
ssedher
for
ehead

DUDU:
wel
comebackf
ri
end
MI
A:r
ight
!

DUDU: (
turnedt
oMsWil
li
am'
sleani
ngfora
handshake)ohhhi
ma,
mynamei sDudu,Mi
a'
s
fr
iend

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)ni
cet
omeety
oudear

DudulookedatMsWill
i
amsthenbackatMi
aand
smil
edseeingther
esembl
ance

DUDU:
isi
tjustmeory
oubot
hlooksomuchal
i
ke?

MI
A:(
laughi
ng)st
opbei
ngsi
l
ly

Theyal
ll
aughedi
tof
fandgoti
nsi
det
hecabl
eav
ing
ATPRETTY'
STUCKSHOP

Shewentthroughherphoneandsi
ghedbor
edt
hen
text
edherfr
iend

PRETTY:
heyf
ri
end

FRI
END:
um wi
thmyboy
fri
end,
wil
ltal
ktomor
row

Shesighedandputthephonedownasshebegan
regr
ett
ingherdeci
sions.Shecoul
dn'tstop
wonder i
nghowthi
ngswoul dhaveturnedouthad
sheagr eedt
omeetupwi thhi
m, i
thadbeenal ong
ti
mesi nceshesawhim asheneverpassedbysi nce
shewentawol onhi
m.

PRETTY:
(inhermi
nd)t
exthi
m,t
exthi
m
Ty
ping.
..
..

PRETTY:
heyt
her
e

Shewai t
edf orafewmi nutesbutt
herewasno
response,herheartbeatr ai
sedastearsfor
medat
thecornersofherey est hensheputthephonedown
buttherewasabeepi ngsoundashi smessage
report
ed.Herhear tskippedlooki
ngatthescreen
thenshesmi ledreading

THEMBA: heypr
ett
yli
tt
lethi
ng,
longt
ime,st
ill
dont
wantt
opassbymysmal l
oneroom?IpromiseI
won'
tbit
e

PRETTY:
whencanIcome?

THEMBA:
today
?
PRETTY:
okay
,now?

THEMBA:notnow,
im nothomenowsowi
l
ltel
lyou
whenIgetback

PRETTY:
okay

THEMBA:
(ki
ssemoj
i
)

Sher eadthemessagesmi l
ingendl esslyand
touchedherchestexci t
edthenshebr owsedt hrough
herphonewi ththeintent
ionoft exti
ngherf ri
endbut
thoughtful
lyputitawayandcl osedt het uckshop
hurryi
ngt oherhomej ustbyther oad.Innot imeshe
washomeandshotst rai
ghttot hebat hroom taki
ng
aquickbat handt hendoll
edher sel
fup.

Meanwhi
l
eatMandla'
shousehelookedathi
swri
st
wat
chesti
mat
ingt
hensteppedoutofthehousei
n
hiswhitenikeshoes, guessblackjeansandwhi t
e
guccit-shir
t.Helookedsomuchhandsomeandhad
putonsomewei ghtsohisoldhunksel fwasback.
Hisfacel ookedv er
ycleanandf l
awlessjustasthe
oldti
mes.I nnot imeheopenedt hecardoorand
hoppedi nhispur esparkl
ingwhiteAMGand
rever
sedoutt henturnedsteppi
ngont heacceler
ator
speedingof f

ONEHOURLATER

Heparkedinf
rontoft
heoldsmal
loner
oom and
st
eppedoutofthecarunl
ocki
ngt
hehouseget
ti
ng
i
nsidedi
ali
ngher

PRETTY:
(sof
tl
y)hey

THEMBA:
um wai
ti
ngf
ory
ou
PRETTY:
okayum comi
nggi
vemet
enmi
nut
es

THEMBA:
alr
ight

Hehungupandmov edar oundt hemessyr oom as

memor i
esoft hetought i
mesf il
ledhismi nd.Those
fewmont hswer ethehardestt imeofhi sl i
feandt he
experi
encemov edsomet hinginhi m.Henowmor e
thanev erlongsforstabil
ity,havingast ablef l
owof
i
ncomeandst andi
ngonhi sown, stabl
ef ami l
y.He
camet or eali
zehowspl ashi ngmoneyongi rlsand
sleepi
ngar oundwasn' tthet rendany more, i
ts
somet hinghedoesn' tval
ueort hinkaboutatt hi
s
pointi
ngt i
me.Get ti
ngal oy alandgenui newoman
wasal lhewant edandwi shedf orsoPr ettypassed
thetestbecauseshest il
lwant edhim knowi ngthat
hehasnot hi
ngt ohisname.

Meanwhil
eoutsi
dePrett
yslowlywalkedover
conf
usedbythefancycari
nfrontofthesmallr
oom.
PRETTY:
(inhermi
nd)may
behehasv
isi
tor
's

Sheknewthecarisnothisandwouldnowaysbe
hi
sbecausehesurelookedli
keastruggl
i
ngper
son
pl
ushewouldn'
taffor
dthatcarli
vi
nginsuchasmal
l
housesoshepasseditandknockedsoft
ly

Meanwhil
einsi
dehesnappedoutoft het
rainof
t
houghtsandclear
edhisthr
oatlooki
ngatthedoor
wi
thhishandsinhispocket
slooki
ngallf
ine

THEMBA:
comei
n

Sheopenedthedoorandsteppedi
nsi
deasherey
es
fel
lontheunbel
i
evabl
ycleanevenmorecut
e
famil
i
arguy

PRETTY:
(unsur
e)Themba?
THEMBA:
(keptqui
etl
ooki
ngatherconf
usedf
ace)

Shel ookedathi mf r
om hiscl eanexpensive
sneakersandwentuphi sbodyadmi ri
nghi soutf
it
thenherey eslandedonhi sshav edchinand
fl
awlessf ace.Itfel
tli
keshewasseei ngat ot
all
y
diff
erentpersonashel ookedt hecompl eteopposit
e
ofwhatshesawt helasttime.Sher anoutofwor ds
l
ookingathi mt henlostconf idenceinherself
becauseshehasbeent hinkinghewasj ustanormal
l
owl ifeguybutnowshej ustcamet oashocki ng
reali
sati
ont hatjustopenedherey esandshesur e
knewshedoesn' tstandachancewi thhi m

THEMBA:
(sof
tl
y)hey

Hewal kedcl
oserandgrabbedherwai sthuggi
ngher
per
plexedsel
f.Hiscolognehadfil
ledtheroom but
nowthathepulledhercloserhol
dinghershegot
i
ntoxi
cat
ed.

THEMBA:
(pul
l
edback)y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul

Shelookeddownatherfeeti
nf l
i
pf l
opswit
hduston
herfeet
,herj
eansl
ookedal i
tt
leoldandshereal
i
zed
al
lthatnowasshestoodnexttohim

PRETTY:
(embar
rassed)t
hanky
ou

THEMBA:(
smil
ing)wel
lIhopey
oudon'
tmindgoi
ng
outwi
thmebecauseIoweyou,
remember
?

PRETTY:
(lost
)oweme?

THEMBA:y
es,remembert
hatdaywhenIwentto
buymat
chsti
cksandwasshortofext
ramoney
?
PRETTY:
(remember
ed)y
es

THEMBA:y
es,youhel
pedmeandIpromi
sedto
ret
urnt
hef
avoroneday,
pleasegi
vemeachancet
o
dothat

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ed)okay

THEMBA:
(sof
tl
y)soWi
lyoucomewi
thme?

PRETTY:
wher
e?

THEMBA:
Gabs?

PRETTY:
(exci
ted)y
es,

THEMBA:
thanky
ou,
nowl
etsgo
Hehel dherhandasTheywal kedoutoft hesmal l
uglyr oom t henhel ockedupandwal kedt othe
passengersi dest i
l
l hol
dingherhandwher ehe
openedupf orhert hensheuncomf ort
ablyst epped
i
nt hecl eanni cesmel li
ngcarasThembawentt othe
dri
v er'
ssi deandhoppedi nreversi
ngt hecar .He
tur
nedandst eppedont heaccelerat orbeforet urni
ng
ther adioonpl ayi
ngsof tmusicashedr ovewi thone
handhol dinghersmal lhandwi t
ht heot herstealing
quickgl ancesatherpr ettyf
ace, shesmi l
edshy l
y
andl ookeddownast hecarspedof f..
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
16]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT65

Hedr ovet owar dstheparkingasshelookedar ound

admi ri
nghowt hel adi
espassingbyweresmar tl
y
dressedt henshesadl yl
ookeddownatherdust y
feetandal mostol dclothes,shecoul
dn'tbel
ievehow
confidentshef eltbackhomewhenshegotdr essed,
sheact uall
yt houghtthiswasherdresst oki
lloutfi
t
butnowaf terseeingThembaandev ery
onear ound
themal lshef eltsolit
tl
eandsomehowj ustwant ed
tojuststayi nthecarandsav eher
selff
rom the
embar rassment .
Whilel
osti
nherdeept
hought
sThembaparkedt
he
carandopenedupwal
ki
ngtohersi
deopeni
ngup
forher

THEMBA:
shal
lwe?

Shequi
cklysnappedoutofi
tandl
ookedathi
m
embarr
assed
PRETTY:
huh?

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)l
etsgo

PRETTY:
I..
Ican'
t

THEMBA:
what
?Why
?

PRETTY:(
lookeddown)Ican'
twal
kbesidesyou
l
ookingl
i
ket hi
s,Idon'
twantt
oembarr
assy ou

hesadl
ylookedatherandkeptqui
et

PRETTY:
go,
Iwi
l
lwai
ther
e

THEMBA:
no,
Iam notl
eav
ingwi
thouty
ou.Don'
t
spoi
lthesur
pri
sepl
ease

PRETTY:
'
sur
pri
se?

THEMBA:
yes,
let
sgo

PRETTY:
(rel
uct
ant
ly)okay

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)t
hanky
ou

Shesteppedoutandheclosedthedoorthenhel
d
herhand,shel
ookeddownont hei
rhandsand
smil
edassuredthather
eall
ydoesn'tmindbei
ng
seenwithher.
Innotimetheysteppedinsi
dethesal
onandhe
spoketothehairdr
esserwhil
ePret
tystoodt
her
e
quiet
lyandcluel
ess
HAI
RDRESSER:
(smi
l
ing)
comedear

Shedi r
ect
edhertothechairthenshesatdownas
theladyputatoweloverhershoul
ders.Shecoul
dn'
t
beli
eveheactual
lybroughthertoasalontodoher
hair

PRETTY:
(inhermi
nd)wow!

Shehadneverbeent
oahairsal
onbef
orebecause
shealwaysdi
dherhai
rathomeasshecoul
dn't
aff
ordit

THEMBA:
(leanedov
er)Iam comi
ngokay

PRETTY:
okay

Het
urnedwal
ki
ngoutast
hehai
rdr
esserst
art
ed
wor
kingonpr
ett
y'
shai
r.
..
..
..

ATDUDU'
SHOUSE

Theyar
ri
vedatherpl
aceandsteppedoutoft
het
axi
whil
eMsWi l
l
iamsremainedi
nside

MSWI LLI
AMS:(toDudu)pleaset
akegoodcar
eof
her
.(
toMia)I
'
llcomeseey outomorr
ow

Mi
anoddedwhi
l
eDudusmi
l
edr
espondi
ng

DUDU:
Iwi
l
lma

Theysmi
ledandwavedasthet
axi
tookofft
hent
hey
openedt
hegateget
ti
nginsi
det
heyard.
.

Fewmi
nut
esl
atert
heyar
ri
vedatt
hedoor
,
surpr
isi
ngl
yitwasn'
tlockedandthatcoul
donl
y
meanDudu'shusbandwasbackhomeear l
ysoshe
openedupastheysteppedinsi
de

DUDU:
heybabe,
yourbackhomeear
lyt
oday

Hetur
nedandl
ookedbackatt
hem t
henhi
smout
h
dr
oppedl
ooki
ngatMia

HI
M:(
inhi
smi
nd)damn!

Hecouldn'tbeli
evehowcl eanandf lawl
essherface
l
ookedandt hefactthatshewasl i
ghtskinnedmade
herlookevenmor epret
tier,j
uicypinki
shlipsshehad
wereagiv eawayashest oodt herestari
ngatthe
beautypresentedbeforehi m

DUDU:
(louder
)babe!
Hesnappedoutofhi
sfant
asywor
ldandl
ooked
backathi
swif
eclear
inghi
sthr
oat

HI
M:ohhum y
es,
Idi
dn'
thav
emucht
odo

DUDU:(unawar
eofwhatj
usthappened)okaybabe,
rememberMiamyfr
iend,
TheoneIt ol
dyouabout
theot
herday?

HI
M:y
eah

DUDU:yes,t
hisi
sMia,shewi
l
lbestayi
ngwi
thusf
or
ali
tt
lewhil
eunti
lshei
sbackonherfeet

HI
M:(
smi
li
ng)ohhokay
,nopr
obl
em myl
ove.(
To
mi
a)y
ouar
ewelcomedear

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)t
hanky
ou
DUDU:
great
!Letmeshowy
ouy
ourr
oom

Shehel
dherhandbef
oret
heyt
urnedt
otheguest
room.

DUDU:
her
e

Shewalkedinsideast hememoriesoft hedayshe

hadThembadr uggedcamef l
ashing,howshe
changedposit
ionst aki
ngthosepictur
eslefther
feel
ingembarrassed

MI
A:(
sighed)t
hanky
ouf
ri
end

DUDU:
don'
tment
ioni
thl
e,i
tst
hel
eastIcando

MI
A:al
ri
ght
,canIt
akeanap?
DUDU:
sur
e,I
'
llgomakeussomet
hingt
oeat

MI
A:al
ri
ght

DuduwalkedoutasMiasatdownont
hebed
heav
ingahugesigh.
..
..

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

sheknockedandheopenedupt
henshewal
kedi
n
taki
ngoffherheel
s

MANDLA:
longday
?

GRACE:yes,Idi
dn'
tknowget
ti
nganewj
obwoul
dbe
l
ikeapunishment
MANDLA:(l
aughi
ng)ohcomeon,
buty
oul
ook
beaut
if
ul

GRACE:
yeahr
ight
,um sohungr
y

MANDLA:unfor
tunatel
ymyhousehel
peri
sonl
eav
e
soIdi
dn'
tcook,havepizza

GRACE:(
laughi
ng)um suremymom wast
ir
edof
seei
ngmesoshemadet hatexcuse

Theybrief
lyl
aughedasshest oodupgoi ngtot he
kit
chenwhereshegr abbedaboxofpi zzatakingout
twosli
cesandwar medt hem upbefor
ewal kingout
tothel
ounge.Shesatdownandputt heplateand
j
uiceglassonthetablethenstar
tedeating

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)y
ouhav
ereal
l
ygai
nedabi
tof
wei
ght
GRACE:
(mout
hful
)ar
eyoucal
l
ingmef
at?

MANDLA:
(laughi
ng)what
?nobabe

GRACE:
(rol
l
edherey
es)what
ever

Shewentoneat
ingt
henr
emember
edRat
i'
sadv
ice

GRACE:
ohhcany
oudomeaf
avor
?

MANDLA:
fav
or?

GRACE:
yes

MANDLA:
whati
sit
?
GRACE:
justpr
omi
sey
ouwi
l
ldoi
tfi
rst

MANDLA:
I'
ll
thi
nkabouti
t

GRACE:okay
,um wi
l
lyoucomet
ochur
chwi
thme
t
omorrow?

Hechokedonhi
ssal
i
vaandcoughed

MANDLA:
huh?

GRACE:
arey
ouf
ine?

MANDLA:
(uncomf
ort
abl
e)y
esI
,um f
ine

GRACE:
okay
,wi
l
lyou?
MANDLA:
(uncomf
ort
abl
e)'
iwi
l
lthi
nkabouti
t

Sheexci
tedl
yfel
li
ntohi
sar
mshuggi
nghi
m

GRACE:
thanky
ou,
Thanky
ou

Shepul
l
edoutofthehugandcont
inuedmunchi
ng
onherf
oodashismindshi
ft
edint
oanotherwor
ld.
..
.

ATTHESALON

Hewalkedbacki
ncar
ryi
ngpl
ast
icsandputt
hem
bef
oreher

THEMBA:r
eckonedy
oumightbehungr
ybutIwas
notsur
ewhatt
ogetyou

Shemov
edherey
esont
hepl
ast
icsandcur
iousl
y
pickedt hemuggandbeanone, itwasanameshe' s
nev erheardbeforesoshewant edt otr
yitout,
not
thatshekneworhadt heotherbr andsbefor
ebut
atleasttheirnameswerefamili
arsoshedeci dedt
o
gof orabr andshehasneverhear dofbefore

PRETTY:
I'
ll
hav
ethi
s,t
hanky
ou

THEMBA:
alr
ight

Hel
ookedatheral
mostdonebeaut
if
ulnewhai
rst
yle

THEMBA:
(tot
hehai
rdr
esser
)Ihopey
ouar
enot
hur
ti
ngmywif
e

Shebr
ief
lyl
aughedandr
esponded

HAI
RDRESSER:
noi
tsnotpai
nful
andshei
snot
compl
aini
ngei
ther

Helaughedandsteppedoutsi
delooki
ngathis
phone,meanwhi
leinsi
deeveryonewhisper
edand
smil
edwi t
henvy
..

LADY1:hehmma, youaresoblessed,
wher
edoy
ou
guysf
indthesecar
ingandlov
inghunks?

LADY2:andhelooksl
i
kealoyal
guymma,t
heway
helooksaty
oushowsj
usthowmuchhel
ovesy
ou.I
envyyou

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ed)hei
snotmyboy
fri
endguy
s

Theyal
ll
aughedathernotbuy
ingwhatshej
ustsai
d

LADY1:
stopl
yi
nggi
rl
,weal
lcanseet
hatl
ovei
sin
t
heai
rher
e

LADY:
heh,
hei
scomi
ng

HAI
RDRESSER:
wear
edonedear

Hewalkedi nast hehai

rdresserpul
ledt
het owelof
f
hershoulderssmi l
i
ngthenhewal kedoversmili
ng
endl
essly,pret
tylookedevenmor ebeauti
fulwit
hthe
newhairstyl
eandhersof tclearski
nmadei tl
ook
evenmor eperfect.

THEMBA:
howmuchi
sit
?

HAI
RDRESSER:
P450.
00

THEMBA:
okay
Hetookouthi
swal
l
etandcount
edt
henot
esbef
ore
gi
vi
ngher

THEMBA:
her
e

HAI
RDRESSER:
thanky
ou

Hegottheplast
icsandheldherhandwal
ki
ngoutas
t
heladi
eslookedatthem admiri
ng.
Fewmi nuteslat
ert
heygott ohiscarwhereheput
theplast
icsinsi
deandclosedthedoorsthentur
ned
l
ookingatherprett
yinnocentface

THEMBA:
(sof
tl
y)y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul

PRETTY:
(shy
ly)t
hanky
ou

THEMBA:
great
!Nowl
etsgodoonel
astt
hing
PRETTY:
(cur
ious)what
?

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)i
tsasur
pri
se

Heheldherhandast heytur
nedwal ki
ngf
oraf ew
minutesbef
oresteppingi
ntofoschini
wheresome
peti
teyoungladywalkedoversmil
ing

LADY:
hey
,youar
eher
e

THEMBA:yes,
thi
sismygi
rlf
ri
end,
pleaseassi
sther
,
um t
ir
edsowil
lseatov
ert
here

LADY:
(topr
ett
y)hel
l
odearmynamei
sLudo

PRETTY:
(sof
tl
y)ni
cet
omeety
oumynamei
sPr
ett
y
LADY:
(smi
l
ing)ohhwowandy
oul
ookv
erypr
ett
y

PRETTY:
(shy
ly)t
hanky
ou

LADY:
okay
,let
sgety
ousomemor
epr
ett
ycl
othes
now

Theyturnedwal
ki
ngaroundtheshoppicki
ngmany
clot
hesasshekeptontry
ingthem i
nthefi
tti
ng
room,meanwhil
eThembasatdownpr essi
nghis
phone..

LADY:
ohhwow,
youl
ooksobeaut
if
uli
nthat

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)r
eal
l
y?

LADY:
yes
PRETTY:
buti
tsv
eryexpensi
ve

LADY:
dontwor
ryaboutt
hepr
ices,
um sur
ehewi
l
l
pay

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)okay

Shewentonandonf i
tt
ingal
lhernewcl ot
hest hen
aft
erwhatseemedl i
keforev
ertheyputthem allina
shoppingbasketthenThembast oodupwal kingto
thecounterwherehepai dupforal
ltheclothesand
gottheshoppingasbagswal kedout..
..
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
[
7/19,
07:
16]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT66

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

GRACE:(l
ookedatherwr
istwat
ch)It
hinkIshoul
d
getgoi
ngit
slate

MANDLA:
yeahofcour
se

Sheputonhershoesandhel
dherwai
stl
ooki
ngat
hi
m

MANDLA:
what
?

GRACE:l
etsgo,
yourdri
vershav
eknockedof
funl
ess
youwantmetocatchataxi
Hebenttowardstheglasst
abl
eandpi
ckedt
heAMG
key
sthrowingthem i
nherhands

GRACE:
(cat
chi
ngt
hem)oops!

MANDLA:
I'
m notf
eel
i
ngwel
l
,dr
ivey
our
sel
f

GRACE:
(ey
eswi
de)what
?

MANDLA:
(lookedathersmi
l
ing)

GRACE:Ihaven'
tbeenbehi
ndt
hewheel
inal
ong
t
imeIcan'tdr
ive

MANDLA:
pleasebabe

GRACE:
(rol
l
edherey
es)okay
MANDLA:
thanky
ou

Hestoodupandbabyki
ssedherthenshel
ookedat
thekey
sandrel
uct
antl
ywalkedoutwit
hhim hol
ding
herwaist

Fewmi nut
esl atert
heysteppedi
nthepar
kinglot
thensheunlockeditandhoppedinsi
dest
arti
ngthe
carasMandl alookedather

MANDLA:
(wav
edsmi
l
ing)by
e

Shesmil
edathi
mt hensl
owl
ydr
oveof
flooki
ngal
l
sexyi
ntheAMG..
..
.

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE
Hepar kedinf r
ontoft hegat ethengrabbedt he
remoteopeni ngupast hegat esli
dopent henhe
droveinsideandpar kedi nf rontofthegarage.Pret
ty
l
ookedar oundcompl etelyt aken,shesti
llcouldn'
t
understandhowal lt
hiswaspossi bl
e.Howonear t
h
didthisguymov efrom aoner oomedhouset osuch
a.beauti
fulmansi on,l
etal onehav ingsuchani ce
expensivecar.Hesur ei sv eryrichtobeli
v i
ngsucha
fancylif
estyl
e" shethought "

THEMBA:
heyl
etsgo

Hehoppedoutandwentt ohersi
deopeningupfor
herthensheshy
lysteppedoutl
ooki
ngaroundthe
beauti
ful
l
ydecorat
edmansion

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)wel
comet
omyhome

PRETTY:
(lookedathi
m speechl
ess)
THEMBA:
ohhl
etmegett
heshoppi
ngbags

PRETTY:
I'
ll
hel
pyou

Theyt
ookthebagsbefor
eheclosedthedoorand
l
edthewaytothedoorwhereheopenedupand
st
eppedi
nsideasshefol
lowedhi
m

PRETTY:(
smil
edput
ti
ngt
hebagsdown)wow!Your
housei
sbeaut
if
ul

THEMBA:
thanky
ou

PRETTY:(
tur
nedt
ohi
m)Ishoul
dgobackhome,
its
get
ti
nglate

THEMBA:(l
ookedathi
swr
istwat
ch)i
tsal
readyl
ate,
pl
easesl
eepover
Shel ookedathi sbeggi
ngeyesnotsur
ewhet herto
agreeornotbutsheknewt hi
sguywouldn'tlether
l
eav ejustli
kethatifshewastospendthenight ,he
surewoul dwantt ogetabit
eofhercookieandt hat
wasn' tsomethingshewaswi l
l
ingtoputherself
through.Besidesthisguywaswayabov eherl eague
sot hereisnowayshewoul dkeephimletalonebe
hisgirlf
ri
endbecausehewadj usttoocuteand
perfectforher

PRETTY:
Ican'
t

THEMBA:(sadl
y)pl
ease,Ipr
omiseIwon'
tgiv
eyou
anypr
obl
ems, y
ouwillsl
eepint
heguestroom,
pl
ease

Shel
ookedi
nhi
ssadey
esandherhear
tsof
tnedup

PRETTY:
okay
THEMBA:
(exci
ted)t
hanky
ou,
'
thanky
ou

Hepul l
edheri nhisar mshuggi ngherexci tedt hen
shegent l
ypul l
edbackast heircheekst ouched
beforetheireyeslocked, helookedi nhermar ble
eyesinadmi rati
onassheswal l
owedhar dlooki ngat
thehunkbef oreher, hesurehadj uicyr edl i
psand
thesleepylookhehadonsenthermi lesaway .Thei r
facesmov edcl oserast hei
rnosest ouchedt hent hey
bothclosedt heireyesandt heirl
ipst ouchedast heir
headst i
lt
ed,hesuckedherj uicypinkishl ipsgent ly
andshecl osedherl egst i
ghtfeeli
ngt hewar mj ui
ces
dri
ppinginherundi est henshequi cklypul l
edback

THEMBA:
(touchedhi
sli
ps)ohhum sor
ry

PRETTY:
(lookeddown)

THEMBA:
(thought
ful
l
y)umm.
..
Ithi
nky
oushoul
dgo
t
akeabat
hthenwewat
chamov
iemay
be?

PRETTY:
okay

THEMBA:
alr
ight
,letmeshowy
out
othebat
hrooms

Hel
edt
hewayasshequi
etl
yfol
l
owedhi
m

THEMBA:
alr
ight
,letmel
eav
eyout
oit

PRETTY:
(shy
ly)okay

Hewalkedoutashel ookedar
oundtheclean
spaci
ousbathroom,hereyesf
ell
ont hecl
eanpure
whit
etowel
st henshegrabbedandputitoverher
nosesmell
i
ngt hesweetscentonthem

PRETTY:
(ey
escl
osed)mmmhhhmm
Sheputitbackandstart
edgetti
ngundr essedbefore
shesteppedintheshowerwhereshel ookedaround
notsurewhattopress.Herf
ingerlandedont heblue
butt
onandshegaspedf orai
rast hecoldwat er
spl
ashedonherback

PRETTY:
(gaspi
ng)huuuuushh

Shewentont ryingevery
thi
ngandf amil
iari
sed
herselfwi
theverythi
ngthenstar
tedbathingand
whenshewasdoneshegr abbedthewhi t
egownand
dressedupslippinghersof
tfeetinthewhite
sleepersbef
oremaki ngherwaybackt otheli
vi
ng
room.

PRETTY:
I'
m done

Thembatur
nedandl
ookedatherl
ooki
ngal
lcl
ean
andpr
ett
ythenhesmi
ledcut
ely
THEMBA:
okay
,letmegobat
haswel
l

PRETTY:
alr
ight

Hegotupshoot i
ngstrai
ghttothemast erbedroom
wherehestart
inggett
ingundressedandst eppedi
n
theshowerandtookaqui ckonethenmadehi sway
totheli
vi
ngroom inhi
swhi tegownwher ehesat
nexttohersel
ecti
ngamov i
ethent heyqui
etly
watchedassheputherheadonhi schest
concentr
ati
ngonthescreen...
.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS

shedrovetowardst
heirhouseandparkedthen
steppedoutandopenedupgetti
nginsidet
henher
eyesfel
lonthepastor
GRACE:
goodev
eni
ng

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
heybaby
,past
ori
sher
etoseey
ou

GRACE:
(sur
pri
sed)ohh

MSWI LLI
AMS:yesbaby
,i
tsaboutt
heWednesday
pr
ayersessi
ons

GRACE:(r
emember
ed)ohht
hat
,um.
sor
ryIf
orgot
aboutt
hem

PASTOR:
(lookedatherconcer
ned)pl
easet
akeasi
t

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)okay

PASTOR:(ser
ious)Idon'tthi
nky
oureali
zehow
ser
ioust
hisismydear ,IcameherebecauseIhada
veryscar
yv i
sionlastnight,
y ouwereslowlybeing
coveredbyadar kblanketfrom yourfeetuptoy our
waistanditl
ookedl ikether
ewasj ustonet hing
remaini
ngthatholdst hekey stoyoursoul,oncethe
enemygetst hekey syourwhol ebodywillbe
coveredbythedar kblanketandsav i
ngy ouwon't
comeeasy

GRACE:
(conf
used)Idon'
tunder
stand

PASTOR: (sof
tly)t
hisjustgoesontoaddont owhatI
saidthelastti
me, thi
smeanst hereisagreatevil
forcearoundy ouandv erysoonyouwillbefull
y
i
nitiat
edintothekingdom ofdarknessifyoudont
standupf oryourself

GRACE:
(scar
ed)whatshoul
dIdo?

PASTOR:gettheol
dyouback,
theGracewhowasa
pr
ayerwarr
iorandcl
oset
oGod, i
t'
sli
ketheent
ir
e
Thail
andi ssuechangedy ouandnowfinding
yoursel
fi shardbuttrustmei t
snot,
justremember
theconv anentyoumadewi thGodandcomebackt o
him,rekindleyourr
elationshi
pwitht
hehol yspi
ri
t
beforethingsgosout hmydear

GRACE: okaypast
or,y
ouar eri
ght,
Ihavebeen
distantbutnowafterwhatyoujustsai
dI.am more
thandet ermi
nedtoreclai
m myauthori
tyandfixmy
relati
onshipwit
hGod, Iwouldl
ikethehol
yspiri
tto
mov ewithmeagainbecauseIhavebeenf eel
i
ngso
empt yrecentl
y

PASTOR:(
smiled)t
hat
smydaught
eri
nChr
ist
,
pl
easedothat

GRACE:t
hankyouPastor,whaty
ouj
ustsaidwasa
i
ndeedaneyeopener
,Ireali
zedmymi
stakesnow.
.

PASTOR:
youar
ewel
come,
nowl
etspr
aysot
hatI
canl
eav
e,i
tsal
readyl
ate

Theyhel
dhandsandbowedt
hei
rheadspr
ayi
ng
befor
ehelef
t.
..
.

ATDUDU'
SHOUSE

shegotinherr
oom taki
ngthepl
ateasMi
aremai
ned
i
ntheblanket
sfeel
i
ngwar m

DUDU:
Ihopey
ouenj
oyedt
hem

MI
A:'
(smi
l
ed)t
heywer
ever
ydel
i
cious,
thanky
ou

DUDU:
(smil
ing)okay
,letmegogetsomet
hingf
rom
mynei
ghborbefor
eshegoestosleep

MI
A:al
ri
ghtbabes
Shecl osedt hedoorwal
kingoutandputt
hepl
atei
n
thezinkt henpassedherhusbandwhowaswatchi
ng
Telev
isioni ntheli
vi
ngroom

DUDU:um goi
ngtogett
hemoneyfr
om Resabef
ore
shel
eavesbabe,
wil
lbebacki
nafew

HI
M:okbabe

Sheshottothedoorwal
kingoutt
henhetiptoedt
o
thedoormakingsur
esheleftt
hem hesmil
edand
walkedtot
heguestroom andsof
tl
yknocked

MI
A:'
comei
n

Heopenedupandsteppedi
nsi
deasshel
ooked
backathi
m sur
pri
sed
HI
M:(
sof
tl
y)hey

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)hi

Hesl
owl
ywalkedov
ertoherbedandsatatt
heedge
l
ooki
ngi
nhereyest
hen.
..
..
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
17]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT66
Heslowlywalkedov
ertoherbedandsatattheedge
ofherbedthensherai
sedhereyebr
owslookingat
hi
m

HI
M: (
smi
l
ing)heyy
oul
ookbeaut
if
uldoy
ouknow
t
hat?

MI
A:Iknowbutt
hanks

Hemovedcl
osert
ohersi
deandlookedather
pi
nki
shl
ipst
hensmil
ednaught
y

HI
M: (
smil
i
ng)sohowdoy
oui
ntendoncont
ri
but
ing
ar
oundher
e?

MI
A:(
conf
used)huh?

HI
M:t
heexpenses
MI
A:wel
lI.
..
I

HIM:(mov edcl
oserandcar
essedhercheek)wel
l
,
thatwouldn'
tbeaprobl
em aslongasweunderst
and
eachother

Shesl
owlymovedbackt
henher
eleasedhi
shand
car
essi
nghert
high

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)pl
easest
op

Hest
oodupsmil
ingandmov edtothedoorhol
ding
hi
swaistt
henwi
nkedatherbefor
eleavi
ngtheroom.
Meanwhil
eatthepassageDuduwal
kedal
ong
hol
dingsomethi
nginherhandt
hent
heybumped
i
ntoeachother
HI
M:whooaacar
eful

DUDU:
(laughi
ng)y
oual
mosthi
tme

HI
M:(
smi
l
ing)di
dyouf
indher
?

DUDU:
yes,
letmecheckonMi
abef
oregoi
ngt
obed

HI
M:okay

Hetur
nedwalki
ngawaythensheturnedget
ti
ng
i
nsi
deMia'
sroom wholookedshocked

DUDU:
hey
,ar
eyouf
ine?

Sti
l
llosti
nthought
s,at
earf
loweddownherfaceas
shetri
edtomakesenseofwhatj
ustt
ranspi
red.
DUDU:
(wav
ing)hel
l
o!

Shesnappedoutofthet
rai
noft
hought
sandr
ubbed
thet
earsoffsni
ff
ing

MI
A:ohhI
..I
'
m sor
ry

DUDU:
(concer
ned)t
alkt
ome,
what
'swr
ong?

MI
A:(
mov
edbackf
orci
ngasmi
l
e)I
'
mfi
ner
eal
l
y

DUDU:(st
ari
ng)I
.knowy
ou,
pleaset
alkt
ome,
what
s
bot
her
ingyou?

Shelookedatheroncethenmovedhereyesdown
tr
yingtothi
nkofabetterwayt
oexplai
nit
MI
A:(
slowl
y)y
our
-.
..
.(Someonecal
l
edDudu)

HI
M:(
from t
heot
herr
oom)babe,
um wai
ti
ng

DUDU:(
smi
l
ing)hubbyi
swai
ti
ng,
let
stal
ktomor
row
okay

MI
A:(
for
cedsmi
l
e)okay

Shest oodupandwal kedoutmaki ngwayt otheir

bedroom t henMi astoodupandwal kedtothedoor
switchingof ft
helightsthengotbackt obedwher e
shelaiddowni nthedar kwithtearsst r
eamingdown.
Shesowant edtotellherfr
iendaboutwhatj ust
happenedbutwhati fshedoesn' tbel i
eveher,that
's
whathur thermostplusshel ookssohappy ,
destroyinghermar ri
agei sthelastt hingshewant s
todo, shewentonandont hinking, eventuall
yher
eyebagsgotheav yasshedozedof ftolalal
and...
..
THENEXTDAY

Sheslowlyopenedhereyesandgotherphone
l
ookingattheti
meandi twasalreadypastei
ght
,at
l
eastitwasaSat ur
dayandshehadno
appoint
mentswhatsoeversoshewashav ingafr
ee
day.Shetookherphonetext
ing

Ty
ping.
..
..
..

GRACE:
mor
ningsl
eepyhead

MANDLA:
heybabes,
hopey
ousl
eptwel
l

GRACE:
hadagr
eatone,
arey
ouf
eel
i
ngbet
tert
oday
?

MANDLA:
notr
eal
l
y
GRACE:(t
houghtf
ull
y)Icanbookyouinforaoneon
onesessi
onwithmypast orsot
hathecanprayfor
youl
ater

MANDLA:
noI
'
llbef
ine,
don'
twor
ry

GRACE:
alr
ight
,sowhenshoul
dIbr
ingt
hecarback?

MANDLA:
noy
oucankeepi
tbesi
desIhar
dlyusei
t

GRACE:
(exci
ted)what
,ar
eyouser
ious?

MANDLA:
(smi
l
eyf
aces)y
eah

GRACE:
(ki
sses)t
hanky
ou,
Thanky
oubabe

MANDLA:(
hear
tsemoji
es)t
ell
meifthef
uel
runs
outory
oucanj
ustgetmybl
ackcar
danduseitt
o
payforyourexpensessot
haty
oudon'
thav
etokeep
onaskingformoney

GRACE:
(ey
eswi
dened)bl
ackcar
d??
?

MANDLA:
(rel
axed)y
esbabe

GRACE:
what
,ar
eyouser
iousr
ightnow?

MANDLA:st
opaski
ngquest
ionsandcomegett
he
damnt
hingbabe

GRACE:
butIcan'
tbabe,
that
sal
ot

MANDLA:
um nott
aki
ngnof
orananswer

GRACE:
(rel
uct
ant
)butbabe,
Iwon'
tneedi
t
MANDLA: l
ikeI
.saidum nott
akingnoforananswer
,
youaremywomansoy oudeser v
eallt
hegood
t
hings.St
opdeny i
ngmet hechancetotakecar
eof
youandspoily
ou

GRACE:
(speechl
ess)wow

MANDLA: andpleasemakesur eyoubooky oursel

fa
spatr
eatmenttodaybecauseyouhavebeen
complai
ningaboutbeingti
redandwork,gor el
axand
easyupbabe.Ohhandt hengodoshoppi ngbecause
Ihat
eitwheny ouwearthesamecl ot
hesov erand
over
,youareMrMat thewswomansoy oushoul d
l
ookthepart

GRACE:(l
aughi
ngemoj
i
es)ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
ocal
lmy
cl
othesugl
yandol
d?

MANDLA:
(smi
l
eyf
aces)notatal
lbabes,
imj
ust
say
inggetabi
tofdesi
gnercl
othesandhandbags

GRACE:
(rol
l
ingey
es)what
everMrMat
thews

MANDLA:
(laughi
ngemot
icon)Il
ovey
oumor
e's
Wi
ll
i
ams

GRACE:
(hear
ts)

Sheputt
hephonedownandshookherhead
amazed

GRACE:
(inhermi
nd)bl
ackcar
d!!

Shecl
appedonceandgotoutofbedmaki
ngher
waytothel
ivi
ngroom wher
eshefoundMsWil
li
ams
al
lupandreadyt
ol eav
e
GRACE:(
rubbi
ngherey
es)It
houghty
ouar
est
il
lon
l
eave?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Ist
il
lam,
um goi
ngoutt
ocheckon
Mi
a

GRACE:
ohh

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)y
esbaby

Shegotherhandbagandhungi tonhershoul ders

thenl eft
,meanwhil
eGraceturnedthoughtfull
y
maki ngherwayt othebedroom whereshebent
pull
ingt hemat r
essandpickedtheenvelope, shelet
gooft hematressandtookoutthelett
erbr eathing
heavily

GRACE:(t
hought
full
y)nonoGr
ace,
youar
einagood
mood,don'
tspoi
lit
Shequi
cklyputt
helet
terbacki
ntheenvel
opeand
puti
tbackunderthematt
ressbef
oremakingher
waytothebathr
oom f
oraquickshower
...

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

shewokeupandl ookedar oundt hecl

eancl assy
room admiringitthenpul l
edthesheet soffget ti
ng
outofbed, shestretchedherar msy awningt hen
madeherwayoutasadel ici
ousar omaf r
om t he
kit
chenstruckhernosesoshel ookedt othesi de
thenhereyesf ell
ont hehunkwi thstrongar mst hat
l
ookedgoodi nhiswhi tevest,heheardherf oot
stepsandtur nedlookingathert henherey es
widenedlookingathi sy ummyabbs.

PRETTY:
(inhermi
nd)damn!

Guywasj
ustt
oohotandl
ookedwayt
ooy
ummy
,
sheswall
owedhardlookingathi
schestt
henhe
gaveheramil
li
ondollarsmil
ethatdr
oveheri
nsane
asitr
eveal
edhisgl
eami ngwhit
eteet
handallhi
s
cut
eness.

THEMBA:
(sof
tl
y)heyy
ouar
eup

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)mor
ning

THEMBA:
Ihopey
ousl
eptwel
l

PRETTY:
Idi
d

THEMBA:great
!Imadebr
eakf
ast
,notmuchofa
goodcookbutIt
ri
ed

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)i
tst
het
houghtt
hatcount
s
THEMBA: okay,
youcanqui
ckl
ytakeashowerwhi
l
eI
fi
nishuphere

PRETTY:
okay

Shet ur
nedmaki ngherwayt ot hebat hr
oom wher e
shetookashowert henwenti ntot hebedroom and
gotintoherbrandnewshor t
srev eali
ngallthegood
thi
ngs,herbuttwasper fect
lyshapedwi t
hat hi
n
waistandherabi thair
yandsof tli
ghtthi
ghsmade
herlookev enmoresexy .Sheswunghercur vesand
bootytot hedoormakingherwayt ot hekitchenbut
hewasn' tther
esosheshott othel i
vi
ngr oom.

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)um done

Hetur
nedt
hrowi
nghi
sey
esatherandhi
sjaw
dr
opped
THEMBA:
(loud)what
?

Hescannedherf rom toptobott

om admiringher
prett
yselft
henhel ookedathersoftfl
awlessface
andt hesmallpi
nkishli
psthatmadeherev enmor e
cute.Hethoughtshewasj ustbeaut
if
ulbutnowshe
l
ookedev enmor ebeautif
ulandawholelotdiff
erent

PRETTY:
what
?

THEMBA:
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul

PRETTY:
(shy
ly)t
hanky
ou

Shewal
kedov
erandpul
l
edt
hechai
rtaki
ngaseat

PRETTY:
youmadeal
lthi
s?
THEMBA:
yes

PRETTY:
wow,
itl
ooksy
ummy

THEMBA:
takeabi
te

Het
ookaf
orkf
rom herpl
ateandf
edher

PRETTY:
(mout
hful
)mhm.
..
thi
sisdel
i
cious

THEMBA:
thanky
ou,
Ihadt
oimpr
ess

Shebri
efl
ylaughedthenstar
tedeat
ingashealso
munchedinhisfoodsteal
i
ngglancesatherpr
ett
y
sel
f.
..
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
[
7/19,
07:
17]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT67

PRETTY:(
put
ti
ngt
hepl
atesi
nthezi
nk)Ishoul
dgo
backhome.

THEMBA:
ohhcomeon

PRETTY:
um losi
ngoutonbusi
ness,that
'smy
sour
ceofincomesoIcan'
tdi
sappearforthi
slong

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)ohhwowum i
mpr
essed
PRETTY:
what
?

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)nonot
hing

PRETTY:
okay

THEMBA:
youcangogety
ourt
hingssowecan
l
eave

PRETTY:
alr
ight

Shetur
nedwalki
ngoutswingi
ngherbut
tashe
l
ookedatheradmir
abl
y..
..

ATDUDU'
SHOUSE

Ther
ewasaknockatt
hedoorsoshest
oodupand
madeherwayt
othedooropeni
ngup
DUDU:
ohhhi
ma

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)hel
l
odear

DUDU:
comei
n

Shemovedt
othesidemaki
ngwayforhert
opass
asshesl
owl
ywalkedtot
hecoucht
akingaseat

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
hel
l
osi
r

HI
M:hel
l
o(t
oDudu)l
etmegi
vey
ousomespace

DUDU:
okaybabe

Hest
oodupandheadedt
owar
dst
hei
rbedr
oom as
t
heduost
art
edt
alki
ng

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
um her
etocheckuponMi
a

DUDU:
ohhofcour
se,
letmegocal
lherdownher
e

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
alr
ightt
hanks

Shest
oodupandshott
oherr
oom andknocked

MI
A:(
lowv
oice)comei
n

Sheopenedupasherey
esl
andedonMi
a'
spuf
fy
face

DUDU:(worr
ied)ar
eyouf
inebabe?Youl
ookl
i
ke
you'
vebeencryi
ng
MI
A:(
fakedasmi
l
e)um f
ine

DUDU:(
notconv
inced)okay
,theol
dwomani
sher
e
toseey
ou

MI
A:(
facel
i
tup)MsWi
l
li
ams?

DUDU:ohhy
es,
MsWi
l
li
ams.Ikeepf
orget
ti
ngher
name

MI
A:okay
,um comi
ngup

DUDU:
alr
ight

Shet
urnedheadingoutasMiafoll
owedheri
nher
newpajamasthatDuduboughttheot
herday
.
Fewmi
nut
esl
atert
heyar
ri
vedi
nthel
i
vingr
oom
thenMeWi ll
i
amsst oodupopeni
ngupherarmsas
shefell
betweenthem,shehuggedhert
ightt
hen
gentl
yrubbedherback

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
heybaby
,howar
eyou?

MI
A:(
swal
l
owedhar
d)I
'
mfi
ne

MSWI LLIAMS:great
!I'
m her
etot
akeyououtf
or
shoppi
ngbecauseum sureyouneedafewcl
othes
andotherthi
ngs

MI
A:(
emot
ional
)thanky
ou

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)goandgetr
eady

Shetur
nedwalki
ngawaythenMsWil
li
amssatdown
asDudustar
edathert
ryi
ngtomakesenseoft
hei
r
bond.Theylookedwayt oocloseandthewayMia'
s
facelitupatthementionofhernamewasst i
l
lver
y
weird.Shebrushedthought
sof fandsatdown
cleari
ngherthroat

DUDU:
canIgety
ousomet
hingt
odr
ink?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
noi
tsf
ine

Theywentonchat ti
ngaboutt hisandthatwhil
e
waiti
ng,meanwhi leinthebedroom hesnuckoutand
ti
ptoedt otheliv
ingroom wher ehel
eanedont he
walleavesdroppingthensmiledseeingtheywer e
dist
ract
edashepacedt oherr oom,soheslowly
openedupt henhi seyesfel
lonherpoi ntyboobsas
shewasput tingonabr a

HI
M:(i
nhi
smi
nd)damn!
Hewalkedcl
oserassheheardthefoot
stepst
hen
r
aisedherey
esandlookedathi
m surpr
ised

HIM:(smil
ingnaught
y)rel
axbaby
,damn!Il
ovey
our
boobs,al
lpoint
y,f
ir
m andshi
t

Hemov edhi
shandtowar
dsherbodyandmov edhis
col
dhandsonherboobsasshef rowned,asifthat
wasn'tenoughhemovedhishandstothebackand
unhookedherbral
eavi
ngittofal
ldown

MIA:
'
(breaki
ngvoice)pl
easest
op,
pleaseIwi
l
lfi
nda
wayofcontr
ibut
ingaroundher
e

Heignor
edherandmovedhi
shandst
othef
ront
cuppi
ngherbr
eastmoani
ng

HIM:mhm babyyoul
ooksosexy
,I.
li
ket
hef
eari
n
yourey
es,
turnsmeon
MIA:(cr
ying)pl
easest
op,
Dudumi
ghtcomei
nher
e
anyt
ime

Heignor
edherandsquizzedherboobsinpl
easur
e
asshesil
ent
lycr
iedbegginghi
mt ostop

MI
A:(
tear
sst
reami
ngdown)pl
easest
op

Hemov edev
enmoreclosert
oherthent
hedoor
fl
ungopenasthet
woladieshel
dthei
rmout
hs
shocked

DUDU:
what
?

Theyal
ltur
nedandfacedatthedoort
henMi
aran
i
ntoMsWi l
li
amsarmscrying
DUDU: (
angr
il
y)Mi
awhatar
eyoudoi
ngwi
thmy
husband

Miaignoredherasshebr
okedowninMsWi l
li
ams
eyesthenDudupull
edherof
flandi
nghotsl
apson
herface

DUDU: (
angri
ly
)howdareyoutr
ytosleepwit
hmy
husband,i
sthi
sthet
hanksIgetfort
ryi
ngtohel
p
youout?

Miaheldherhotfacecry
ingoutl
oudasMeWi l
l
iams
sadl
ylookedatherthenDudustar
tedki
cki
ngheras
sherol
ledonthefloor

DUDU: (pant
ing)howdareyou?Ireal
lythoughtyou
havechangedbutnoIguessi t
struethataleopard
neverchangesitsspot
s,youwil
lalwaysbet hel
ying
conniv
ingandmani pul
ati
veMia.
MSWI LLI
AMS:(cr
ying)pl
easest
opki
cki
ngher
becauseyouar
ehurti
ngher

Meanwhil
ethehusbandli
ckedhi
sdryli
ps
embarr
assedasMeWi ll
i
amst ur
nedtohim wi
tha
di
sappoi
ntedl
ook

MSWILLIAMS:I.
knowwhatIsawwhenI
.wal
kedi
n
her
epleasemakethi
ngscl
eartoy
ourwi
fesoshe
canst
opbeati
ngherup

HIM:(angr
il
y)shutupol
dwoman,justgety
our
skankandleavemyhousebef
oreshedestr
oysmy
marri
age,howdareshecomeontome

Thepoorwomanshookherheaddisappoint
ed
becauseshehadnoti
cedhowtear
yMi a'
sfacewas
whentheywalkedi
n,shel
ookedsoscaredandhad
tear
sonherface
MSWI LLI
AMS: (t
oDudu)pleaseaskyourhusband
aboutwhathappenedbef
orejumpingtoconclusi
ons

DUDU:
'
(angri
l
y)I.
knowwhatIsawandI.
alsoknow
mysocall
edfri
endver
ywell
sopleasegetoutof
thi
s

Miatr
iedtost
andupasherheadfeltt
ooheav yt
hen
shealmostf
ell
downfr
om thedi
zzinessbutMsg
Wil
li
amsquickl
yhel
dherandhel
pedherst andup

HI
M:'
(angr
il
y)pl
easel
eav
emyhouse

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
okay

Sheheldhert
ohershoul
dersandsl
owlywalkedout
asMi al
impedwi
thabitofbl
oodgushi
ngfrom her
brokenl
ip
DUDU:getoutandneverev
ersety
ourf
eeti
nmy
yar
dagain,
Ihateyou.

Theyignoredherandquietl
ywalkedalongthe
passagethenDuduangr i
lypushedthem outasMia
l
ostbalancef al
l
ingdown.Thepooroldwoman
helpedherstandupagainandslowlywalkedoutof
thehouset hentheyar
d

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(cr
ying)um sor
rybaby

Miakeptquietassheli
mpedi npainwit
ht ear
s
streami
ngdownhersof tcheeks.
Fewmi nuteslat
er
theywereatthenear
esttaxistopthenataxi
stoppedby

HI
M:speci
al?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
yesdear
HelookedatMi arememberi
ngherfr
om somewher
e
thenquickl
ysteppedoutmaki
ngwayt othe
passengersideandopenedupthedoorasMsg
Will
iamshelpedherseatdown

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
'
thanky
ou

Sheopenedthebackdoorandgoti
nsi
deast
het
axi
spedoff
..
..
..
..
..
.

ThoughtIshouldaddr esst hissincey allbeing

complainingandImustsayIunder standbutt he
thi
ngisIr eal
l
ylov ewriti
ngandum enj oyingitjustas
muchasy ouguy senjoyreadi ngbutIusemyphone
totypeandt r
ustmei t
snoteasy ,
itssot i
ring
becausesomet imesIcant ypeawhol elonginsert
thenaccidental
lydeletesitbef orepost i
ngbutI
alwaystrytogivey ousomet hing.Ilostmyl aptop
chargersohav etobuyanot heronebutwon' tbeable
t
ogetoneany
timesoonbecauseI
'
mlowoncash.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
17]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT68

Shegav eupknockingandt urnedwalki

ngtowar
ds
thegat ebutfrownedasacl eanshinywhit
e
Mer cedes-Benzslowlypull
edupatt he
gate.Meanwhi l
einsidePrett
yleanedtotheback
seatstakingsomeoft heshoppingbagsasThemba
openedt hedoorst eppingoutthenFif
ismil
ed
l
ookingatthecuteunfamili
arman,shetouchedher
topstr
ingsfi
xingher
selfandwalkedoverswingi
ng
herEngli
shfigur
easThembawentt othepassenger
dooropeningupforPrett
y.

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)y
ousur
ear
eov
erdoi
ngi
t

THEMBA:
(laughi
ng)
I'
m bei
ngagent
lemanher
e

Shelaughedandst eppedoutasThembagott
he
otherbagsthenFif
i f
rownedlooki
ngatt
he
completel
ytransf
ormedPr et
ty

FI
FI:
(ast
oni
shed)what
?

Shehel
dherj
awwal
ki
ngov
erasPr
ett
ysmi
l
edather

PRETTY:
heyf
ri
end
Shecareful
l
ylookedatThembai
gnor
ingPr
ett
yand
recogni
zedhim

FI
FI:
(sl
owl
y)y
ou?
?

ThembaignoredherasPret
tywavedherhand
befor
ehereyesthenshesnappedoutofi
t

FI
FI:
(swal
l
owedhar
d)wow!Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul

PRETTY:t
hanky
ou,
umm t
hisi
smyf
ri
endThemba,
rememberhi
m??

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)boy
fri
endact
ual
l
y,notj
ustf
ri
end

FI
FI:
(fakedasmi
l
e)ohhy
es,
Irememberhi
m
PRETTY:
(toThemba)umm..
.t
hisi
smyf r
iendFi
fi
,um
sur
eyouhaveseenheratt
hetuckshopbefor
e

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)ni
cet
omeety
ouFi
fi

FI
FI:
(smi
l
ing)t
hanky
ou

Hel
ookedathi
swr
istwat
chandsi
ghed

THEMBA:Ihavea.
meet
ingwithmyfri
endl
ateronso
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng(t
oFi
fi)pl
easehel
pherwit
hthe
bags

FI
FI:
(smi
l
ing)ohhofcour
se

Hegavehertheshoppi
ngbagsandleanedcl
osert
o
Pr
ett
yplant
ingasoftki
ssonherfor
ehead
THEMBA:
seey
out
omor
row

PRETTY:
bye

THEMBA:
byeguy
s

Heturnedandopenedhiscarthenhopedi nst
art
ing
thecaranddrov
eof fasFi
fij
ealousl
ylookedat
Pret
ty'
snewhairst
yleandtheshoppingbags

FI
FI:
(smi
l
ing)wowsohegoty
oual
lthi
s?

PRETTY:yesf
riend,
andhegotmyhai
rdoneaswel
l
.
Unbel
iev
abler
ight?

FI
FI:(cur
ious)butIthoughthewasj ustalowli
fe,
howcomehecanaf fordall
t hi
s(lookedattheshop
brand)andthisaren'
tjustclothesbuttheyarefr
om
f
oschi
ni,
howi
sthi
spossi
ble

PRETTY:
Iguesshewasj
ustpr
etendi
ngt
obepoor

FI
FI:
shit!Andhelookssohot
,mor
eli
keawhol
e
di
ff
erentperson.

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ed)

FI
FI:Ican'
tbel
i
eveIt
houghthei
snotmyt
ype
becausewow!

PRETTY:
Itol
dyouhei
scut
e

FIFI:
Ialwaysknewhei scutebutIt
houghthewas
brokeplushelookedsothinbackthenbutnowhei s
thismachocutet hi
ngohhmyGashhhi schestmme
wee, t
hatguyisjustwhatIhavebeenlookingfor
PRETTY:
(laughi
ng)y
ouar
esonaught
y

FI
FI:
andwhydi
dyoucal
lhi
m af
ri
end?

PRETTY:(shruggedhershoulders)wel
lhehasn't
sai
danythingyet,Imeannothingisconfi
rmed.Ican
seeheli
kesmebutI '
m wait
ingforhimtoaskmet o
behisgi
rlf
riend

FIFI
:(thought
ful
ly
)ohhreal
l
y?May
beIcanaskhi
m
toclearthi
ngsforyou

PRETTY:
nof
ri
end,
Idon'
twantt
opushi
t

FI
FI:
okay
,butt
ell
mei
fyouchangey
ourmi
nd

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)aww,
thanky
ouf
ort
ryi
ngt
opush
myl
uckf
ri
end

FI
FI:
Igoty
oubabes

Theybrief
lyl
aughedandheadedt owardst
hetwo
roomedhouseasPr et
tyunlockedandopenedup
thentheywal
kedinasFifistar
tedtaki
ngoutt
he
clot
hesadmiri
ngthem

FIFI
:wowf
ri
endt
hiswoul
dlookgoodonmecanI
haveit
?

PRETTY:
okayf
ri
end,
tryi
ton

Sheexci
tedl
yst
oodupt
ryi
ngont
hedr
essasPr
ett
y
l
ookedathersmil
i
ng

PRETTY:
wow,
itsui
tsy
ou
FI
FI:
Iknewi
twoul
d

Theylaughedasshecont
inuedfi
ddl
i
ngwiththe
cl
otheswhileget
ti
ngmoreinfor
mati
onoutofthe
cl
uelessPrett
y.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMSHOUSE

Theysteppedoutoft
hetaxi
andopenedupt hegat
e
walki
nginsideast
hetaxi
dri
versadl
ylookedatt
hem
befor
edrivi
ngoff

MI
A:(t
ear
ful
l
y)Ican'
tst
ayher
ebecausei
twi
l
lupset
Gr
ace.

MSWILLIAMS:Iknowthatbuty
ouhav
enowher
eto
goandIcan'
tl
eaveyouallal
one
MIA:(
tear
full
y)maybeIshoul
dgobacktothatone
ol
droom andasktheownertoletmesquatt
herefor
afewmont hs

MSWILLI
AMS: nodear
,Iwi
l
ltal
ktoGr
ace,
I'
m sur
e
shewi
l
lunder
stand

MI
A:(
rel
uct
ant
ly)okay

Theyapproachedthedoorasshehel
dthedoorknob
openingupthentheyst
eppedinasGracet
urned
l
ookingattheduoandf r
owned

GRACE:
(sof
tl
y)andt
hen?

MsWi l
l
iamslookeddownsadlythncl
earedher
t
hroatwhi
letr
yingtof
indtheri
ghtwordsofbreaki
ng
t
henewst oherwit
houtupset
ti
ngher
MSWI LLI
AMS:(sof
tl
y)shedoesn'thaveanywher e
elsetogoandum theonlypersonshehav eplease
l
et sal
ll
owhertostayheref
oraf ewday s,
Ipromi se
shewi l
lspendmostofherti
mei ntheguestroom so
thatyouwonthavetoseehermor eoft
en

Gracef el
therheadspi nningasi tsuddenlystar
ted
feeli
ngheav ymaki ngherlosebal ance,sheslowly
satdownst il
ltryi
ngt odigestwhatshej ustheardas
memor i
esstartedflashi
ngt hroughhermemor y,her
fi
rstdayinThai l
andexper iencecrossedhermi ndas
sher emember edthehotsl apst hatwerelandedon
hersoftface,tearsformedatt hecornersofherey es
asshei maginedhowt hecr uelmanhadpar t
edher
l
egsandt i
edthem t othebedt aki
ngherinnocence
i
nt hemostbr utalway

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(wor
ri
ed)ar
eyouf
inebaby
?
Sheslowlywal kedovertoherasGr ace'st ears
str
eameddownhercheekswhi leMi aswal lowed
hardlooki
ngather ,shefelthert hroatdr yi
ngupas
herheartpoundedhar dagai nstherchest .thepai nin
Grace'seyeswasv isi
bleandt hatbrokeherhear t
i
ntopieces,shenowmor ethanev ersawj usthow
muchshehadexposedt hepoorchi ldtot hewor st
worldever.Yesshehear daboutt hebr utalit
yt hey
hadtoendur ebutitneverhitherashar dasi tjust
di
dnow.Seei ngthetearsonherf acemadeherso
emot i
onalthatshesowi shedi twaspossi bletot ur
n
backthehandsoft i
meoratl eastmakeherf orget.

GRACE:
(cr
ying)Idon'
tbel
i
evet
his,
howcoul
dyou
ma?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Iam sosor
rybabybut
-.
..

GRACE: (
breaki
ngvoice)pleasesavei
t,don'
tsay
any
thingbecauseit
sv eryclearwhomeanst hemost
toyou,Iwil
lneverr
eall
yunder st
andwhyy ouareso
obsessedwit
hhelpi
ngherev enafterlear
ningabout
whatshedidtome,thiswomanbr okeme, she
destroyedmemoresot hatIdon'
tseet heneedto
l
ive,Iputonamaskev ery
dayjustsoev ery
onecan
thi
nkIam okaybutdeepdownum br eaki
ngand
cryi
ngforhel
p.Shekil
l
edme

Shesai
dt hatandbrokedowncry
ingherlungsout
asMiaalsosilent
lycr
iedl
ooki
ngather.

MSWI LLI
AMS:um sosorrybaby,
atl
eastl
etsal
l
ow
hert
ospendjustonedaythenshewi
lll
eave
tomorr
ow,canyoudothatbaby?

Graceslowlystoodupasherchesthur tt
henturned
tothebedroom wheresheslammedt hedoorand
l
ockedupbef orethr
owingherselfonthebedcrying
herlungsout.
Meanwhilei
nthel i
vingroom Ms
Will
iamsrantoherbedroom andt ri
edopeningup
butitwaslockedsosheshesi ghedtearf
ull
yand
wentbackt oseatdown
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(toMi
a)um.
sor
ry

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)It
hinkIshoul
dleav
e

MSWI LLI
AMS: noyoucan'
tl
eave,
justst
ayi
nyour
room Iwill
bri
ngy ouwhat
every
ouneed,shewi
llget
bett
erwi t
htime

MI
A:noma

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
letmeshowy
out
oyourr
oom

MI
A:(
rel
uct
ant
ly)al
ri
ght

Shestoodupandpul
ledMi
abyherhandsshowi
ng
hert
oherroom wher
eshesatdownon
Thebedandsi
ghedsadl
y
MI
A;t
hanky
ou

MsWi l
li
amslookedatheremoti
onal
l
yandpulleda
bri
efsmil
ebefor
ewal ki
ngoutt
otheloungewhere
sheknel
tdownpr ay
ing

MSWI LLI
AMS: heavil
yLordpl
easegivemestrengt
h
andwisdom,helpmet heri
ghtt
hingandgivemy
daught
eraforgi
vingheart
,hel
pherhealandmov e
onfrom t
hepast.LORDpleasehealherandhelpher
makepeacewi t
hherpast.Int
heMi ght
yNameof
TheLordJesusChristIpr
ay

Shefini
shedpr
ayi
ngandst
oodupgoi
ngt
othe
ki
tchen.
..
..

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE
ther
ewasaknockatthedoorsohegott
her
emot
e
andopenedupt
hinki
ngit
'
sGr ace

THEMBA:
(happi
l
y)heyman,
what
sup?

MANDLA:
(l
aughing)Shi
t!Iact
ual
lyt
houghti
tsFut
ure
MrsMat
hews,total
lyf
orgotyouhav
etopassby

THEMBA: t
alki
ngaboutt
hef
utur
eboMr snowthat
remindsme,If
oundasodamnfinet
hingsf
or
my sel
f

Mandlabur
stintol
aughterl
aughi
ngandr
aisedhi
s
ey
ebrowslookingathi
sseri
ousface

THEMBA:
st opl
aughi
ngman,soIfoundmy
sel
fa
wif
ebr
uh,iswearummawif
et hatone
Hecont i
nuedl aughinglookingathisseri
ousself.
Thembawasn' talway saseriousthi
ngsperson,all
heeverwant edt odowassmashandl eavebutnow
hewasher et alki
ngaboutwi f
ingsomeone's
daughter,
itj
ustdi dn'thaveani ceri
ngtoitbecause
heisadamnpl ayerpluscommi t
mentsand
rel
ati
onshipswasn' thisthing

MANDLA:
(st
oppedl
aughi
ng)wai
t,ar
eyouser
ious?

Hereachedforhi
spocket
staki
ngouthi
sphone
showinghi
m somethi
ng

THEMBA: l
ookatt
hisman,Istol
eafewsnapsaf
ter
shedozedoffont
hecouchlastni
ght

Mandl
alookedathercut
efaceandhel
dhi
smout
h
sur
pri
sed
MANDLA:
damn!

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)see?

MANDLA: shei
ssodamnfi
neman,andt
hecut
e
baby
ishandpinki
shl
i
psar
ethei
tthi
ngbruh

THEMBA:y
oushoul
dseeherbodyman,
Iam sucha
l
uckymot
herf
ucker

MANDLA:
youcansayt
hatagai
nman

THEMBA:
yeahman

MANDLA:(
joki
ngl
y)butshecan'
tbeasfineasmy
f
utur
eMrsMathews,Ihopeyouknowthat

THEMBA:
(laughi
ng)what
everman!
Theybr
ief
lyl
aughedt
hensatdownt
alki
ngbusi
ness

THEMBA:sowhenist
henextexchangeman,
Ineed
tomakemoremoney?

MANDLA:
ver
ysoonImustsay
,justor
gani
set
he
gi
rl
s

THEMBA:
alr
ightsur
e

Hel ookedatMandl anotsur

ewhet hertotell
him
abouthi splansornotbecausehewasn' tsurehow
hewoul drespondplusupsett
inghim wast helast
thingonhi swi shli
stbuthewast i
redofthedirty
l
ifest y
leandwant edoutsohej ustneededhalfa
mi l
liontostarthisnewcleanbusinessandkisst he
dirtyli
fegoodby e.
MANDLA: wewi
ll
havetoincr
easet
henumber
s
becausenowwearer
ely
ingononebuyer

THEMBA:
nosweat
,Iwi
l
lcal
lmyboy
s

Theycont
inuedchat
ti
ngbef
oreThembal
eft
..

ATPRETTY'
SHOUSE

herphonerangthenshepi
ckedi
tupasherf
ri
end
curi
ousl
ylookedather

THEMBA:
heypr
ett
yli
tt
let
hing

PRETTY:
(bl
ushi
ng)hey

THEMBA:um donewi
thmyf
ri
endcanIcomepi
ck
youup,
I.
missyou
PRETTY:howaboutt
omor
row,
sti
l
lhav
etosor
touta
fewthi
ngs

THEMBA:(
smil
ing)y
ouar
ebr
eaki
ngmyhear
tbabe,
I
needt
oseeyou

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)I
'
m sor
rycut
eli
tt
let
hing

THEMBA:
okaypr
ett
yli
tt
let
hingt
omor
row

PRETTY:
bye

Hehungupsmil
i
ngandst
eppedont
heaccel
erat
or
speedi
ngof
f.
Meanwhi
leatPret
ty'
shouseFif
ilookedather
t
hought
ful
lyassheputherphoneont hetabl
e
FI
FI:(
clear
ingherthroat
)myt
hroati
ssodr
y,cany
ou
getmesomewat er?

PRETTY:buty
oual
waysmov
ear
oundher
efr
eel
yso
getyour
sel
fsomehau!

FI
FI:
(laughi
ng)ohhcomeonf r
iend,
myt hr
oati
sdr
y,
j
ustgetmesomewat erandst
optal
king

PRETTY:
(laughi
ng)what
ever

Shestoodupwalki
ngtotheki
tchenthenFif
iqui
ckl
y
gotherphonepr
essi
ngitandcopiedhisnumber
then.
..
..
..
..
.
REMEMBERTOLIKETHEADVERTI
SEDPAGEAND
GETABONUSINSERT
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
07:
18]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT69

Shepr
essedherphonecopy
ingthenumberthen
qui
ckl
yputi
tbackheari
ngPret
ty'
sfoot
steps.

PRETTY:
whoaa,
almostspi
l
ledt
hisont
hemat

Shesmil
edpr
essi
ngherphonesav
ingi
tinher
cont
act
s
PRETTY:
her
e

FI
FI:
(for
cedsmi
l
e)t
hanksf
ri
end

Shegrabbedt
hegl
assandt
ookaf
ewsi
psbef
ore
put
ti
ngitdown.

PRETTY:It
houghty
ou'
ddr
inkt
hewhol
eofi
t

FI
FI:
um al i
tt
lebet
ter
,sotellmewheredoesthi
sguy
st
aybecauseclear
lythatoneoldroom wasj
usta
di
sguiseunl
esshewont helott
ery
?

PRETTY:(
smili
ng)yoohhfr
iend!Youshoul
dseehis
house,
actual
l
yitsawholemansioninthesubur
bs,
i
tssobigandhehasmanycar sev en

FI
FI:
what
?Ar
eyouser
ious?
PRETTY:ver
yseri
ous,
thi
sguyisf
il
thyri
chmma, I
sti
ll
don'
tunder
standwhyhehadt
ost ayatt
hatol
d
room

FI
FI:(
thought
ful
l
y)okay
,letmegetgoi
ng,
itsget
ti
ng
l
ate

PRETTY:
alr
ightf
ri
endby
e

Theybothstoodupandhuggedbef or
eFif
iwalked
outasPret
tytooktheshoppi
ngbagsf r
om thetabl
e
toherbedandsatdownt ext
ingThemba

PRETTY:
hey

THEMBA:
missi
ngme?
Hesentt
hatt
henhi
sphoner
ang

FI
FI:
(sof
tl
y)heyThemba

THEMBA:
(rai
sedhi
sey
ebr
ows)
whoi
sthi
s

FI
FI:
(soft
ly)mynameisLor
rai
ne,
Ihav
esomet
hing
i
mportanttotel
lyou

THEMBA:
(si
ghed)okayum al
lear
s

FIFI
:wellIsorthav
etodoi
tinper
sonbecausei
ts
verysensit
ive

THEMBA:
(impat
ient
)okaywhati
sthi
sabout

FIFI
:(humbl
y)Ishouldn'
tbet
ell
ingyout
hisbutIf
eel
youareagoodper sonanddeserv
etoknowthetrut
h
whi
l
eyoust
il
lhav
eachoi
ce

THEMBA:
(angr
il
y)cany
ouj
ustgett
othedamn
poi
nt!

FIFI
:um..
.i
t'
saboutPr
ett
y,Iam hercousi
nandIsaw
youwithherear
li
er

THEMBA:
cousi
n??

Hefr
ownedtryi
ngt
oremembert
hef
ami
l
iarv
oice
butt
onoluck

FI
FI:
(sof
tl
y)y
es,
canwemeet
?

Helookedathiswristwat
chandsighedseeingit
wasalreadyl
ate.Hervoi
cesoundedtooinnocent
andconv i
nci
ngbuthecouldn'
tst
opthinki
ngabout
howhefel
li
ntoMia'
strapt
helastt
ime,
atthesame
ti
mehewasalsocur
ioustofi
ndoutwhatt
hecousi
n
want
stotel
lhi
m

THEMBA:
wher
edoy
oust
ay?

FIFI
:(sof
tl
y)notf
arf
rom Pr
ett
y'spl
acesowewi ll
havetomeetbytheshopssothatshedoesn'
tsee
you

THEMBA:(
sighed)okayi
tsal
readyl
ateso
tommor
ow.

FI
FI:
(smi
l
ing)al
ri
ght

THEMBA:
bye

Hehungupandt
hrewt
hephoneont
het
abl
esi
ghi
ng
t
henPr
ett
y'
smessager
epor
ted

PRETTY:
yesImi
ssy
ou

Her eadthemessageandsi ghedputt

ingbackthe
phonet henstoodupheadi ngtothebathroom wher
e
hetookal ongbat handsteppedoutwr appedina
towel makinghiswaytot heloungewherehegothis
phoneheadi ngtothebedr oom.Meanwhi l
eat
Pretty'
shouseshesadl ycheckedherphonelooking
forhisresponsebutithadal r
eadybeenclosetotwo
hourssinceshet ext
edhim.

THEMBA:
(si
ghed)shi
t!

Hethrewhisbodyont
hebedandl
ookedathi
s
phonedial
i
ngher

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ed)hey
THEMBA:
Iwasbat
hing,
sor
ry

PRETTY:
okay

THEMBA:
(down)umm.
..
goodni
ght

PRETTY:
(fr
owned)ni
ght

Hehungupandr emovedthetowelget t
ingi
nbedas
Prett
ylookedatherphoneconfusedbyt hesudden
changeinhistone,hewasusuall
yallloveydoveybut
todayhewasj ustshor
tandabitcold.Shesighed
sadlyandfil
ledherbat
hingbasi
nwithwar m water
taki
ngabat h..

ATGRACE'
SHOUSE
Shewipedhertearsandstoodupslowlywal
ki ngto
themir
rorwhereShesadlylookedatherswollen
facef
rom cr
yingthensni
ffedandturnedget
tingher
bagwhereshetookoutthecarkey sandwalkedout
passi
ngbythelivi
ngroom quiet
ly

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng

Shei gnor
edherandopenedupl eavingasMs
Wi l
l
iamst ear
ful
l
yshookherhead.Shewascaught
betweenar ockandahardplaceasChoosi nganyof
them seemedal i
tt
letoohar
df orher.Meanwhile
outsideGracehoppedinandreversedoutbefor
e
steppingontheaccel
erat
orspeedingoffinthedark
night

Fewminut
eslat
erMsgWi ll
iamsst
oodupandsadl
y
wal
kedtoMia'
sroom knocking

MI
A:comei
n
Sheopenedupandt
ear
ful
l
ylookedather

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
hey

MI
A:hi
ma

MSWILLIAMS:Iam sorr
ytosaythi
sbutIt
hinkwe
madeami st
ake,
itwastoosoonbecausesheisnot
ov
erever
ythi
ngthathappened.

MI
A:(
keptqui
etnoddi
ng)

MSWI LLI
AMS:yessoIthi
nkweshouldf
indyoua
placet
ostayt
omorrowbutyoucansl
eepher
et oday
thenwethi
nkofsomethi
ngaft
erchur
chtomorr
ow

MI
A:okma,
Iunder
stand
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
um sor
ryIcoul
dn'
thel
pyou

MIA:um gr
atef
ulforev
eryt
hingmaandthelastt
hing
Iwanttodoiscomingbetweenyouandyour
daught
ersoIreal
l
yunderstand.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sof
tl
y)t
hanky
ouf
orunder
standi
ng

MI
A:st
opwor
ryi
ng

Shesmi
l
edandst
oodupbr
ief
lyhuggi
ngher

MSWILLIAMS:l
etmecal
lherj
ustt
omakesureshe
i
sokaythenmakesomet
hingt
oeatbef
oresl
eepi
ng

MI
A:al
ri
ght
Sheheldhercheeksmi l
ingt
earf
ull
ythenturned
headingoutt
ot hekit
chenwheresheleanedont he
ki
tchencountertaki
ngoutherphonecall
ingher.
.
Meanwhi leatMandla'spl
acesheparkedinfrontof
thehouset hentookherri
ngingphoneandlookedat
i
tbef or
ehangi ngup.Shesighedt
earful
l
yand
switcheditoffopeningupthedoorandsteppedout
beforelocki
ngt hecar.
Fewmi nut
esl
atershest
oodatthedoorand
knockedasMandlati
edhiswhi
tesof
tgownand
fr
ownedheari
ngtheknock

MANDLA:
(inhi
smi
nd)t
hisl
ate?
??

Hepressedt heremoteopeni
ngupasshesteppedi
n
andtearsstart
edstreami
ngdownherfaceasshe
sathereyesonhi m

MANDLA:
(sur
pri
sed)babe?
Sheranint
ohisarmsandcr
iedhy
steri
cal
l
yashe
huggedherti
ghtwhi
ler
ubbi
ngherbacktr
yingt
o
shushher

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)babe

Sheignoredhi m andcont i
nuedcryi
ngherl ungsout,
herloudcrieshithimi ntheheartbr
eakingitthenhe
fel
thisthroatdryingupbecauseseei ngherliket
hat
wasn'tapleasantsi ghtatall
anditbrokehisheart.
Helov edherwayt oomuchandonl ywant edpeace,
j
oyandhappi nessf orherbutnowher eshewasi n
hisarmsbr eakingdown

MANDLA:
(tear
ful
l
y)pl
easest
opcr
yingbabe

Hegentl
ygrabbedherj
awsandr
ubbedhert
ear
sof
f
asshesnif
fed
MANDLA:
um her
ebabe,
stopcr
ying

Hecont
inuedshushi
ngherbutgoti
nter
rupt
edbyhi
s
r
ingi
ngphone

MANDLA:
(si
ghed)l
etmegett
hat

Hebentpi
cki
ngi
tupont
hecouchandanswer
ed

MANDLA:
(respect
ful
l
y)heyma

MSWILLI
AMS:(wor
ri
ed)i
sGracether
e?Shei
snot
t
aki
ngmycal
lsandnowherphoneisoff

MANDLA:
(lookedatGr
ace)i
sev
ery
thi
ngf
inema?

MSWI LLIAMS:(
wor
ri
ed)pl
easet
ell
meshei
sther
e,I
am worr
iedsi
ck
MANDLA:
yeahshei
sher
e

Sheheav
edahugesi
ghr
eli
eved

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
shuuu.
..
.t
hanksGod

MANDLA:
(cur
ious)i
sev
ery
thi
ngf
ine?

MSWI LLIAMS:notr
eall
y,pl
easeputmeonl
oud
speakersoIcantal
ktoher

Hepr
essedt
hephoneput
ti
ngi
tonl
oudspeaker

MSWI LLIAMS:(t
earf
ull
y)pleaseforgi
vemebaby,I
shoul
dn'thav
edonewhatIdi dandIam sorr
y,I
under
standthatyouaresti
llheal
i
ngandIshouldn'
t
rushy
oubecausei t
sapr ocessplusseei
ngher
wouldonl
ytakeyouback.Pleasefor
givememybaby
.
Ipromi
seshewi l
lleav
etomor r
ow.Pleasecome
backhomesot hatwegot ochurchtomorr
ow.

Shelist
enedtoherastear
sfloweddownhersoft
cheeksbutfel
talit
tl
ebett
eraft
erhear
ingt
hatshe
wil
lleavetomorr
ow

MSWI LLI
AMS:
(tear
ful
l
y)pl
easesaysomet
hing
baby

Shekeptqui
etr
ubbi
ngherf
ace

MSWILLI
AMS:
(breaki
ngvoi
ce)pl
easebaby,
I
pr
omi
seshewi
lll
eavetomor
rowpleaset
alktome

Shekeptqui
tethenMandl
apr
essedt
hephone
put
ti
ngitonhisear
MANDLA:shei
scryi
ng,pl
easecal
lheral
i
ttl
elat
er,
I
wi
ll
tel
lyouwhensheisbet
ter

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(rubbi
nghert
ear
s)okdeart
hanky
ou

MANDLA:
alr
ightby
ema

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
byema

Hehungupandputthephonedownlooki
ngather
f
oranexpl
anat
ionbutshesadl
ylookeddownqui
te

MANDLA: Icanseeyoudon'
twanttot
alkaboutso
I'
l
lgivey
out i
mebabe,canImakeyousomethingt
o
eat?

GRACE:
um f
ine
MANDLA: noways,Iknowyounevereatwhenyou
aresadsoitspr
obablybeenhour
ssinceyouat
eso
I'
l
ljusthav
etoforceyoutoeat

GRACE:
(keptqui
et)

Hetur
nedgoingt ohi
sroom asGr acesl
owl
ysaton
t
hecouchfacingthetel
evi
sionandonnot i
mehe
wasbackcarr
y i
ngawar m sof
tblanket

MANDLA:
itsabi
tcol
dsot
aket
his

Shejustl
ookedathimthenhesighedandputthe
bl
anketoverherbodycover
ingupfrom herf
eetup
herchest

MANDLA:
great
!
Shel
ookedathi
m andsmi
l
edabi
t

MANDLA:youcanpassti
mewi
thTVwhi
l
eIgo
makeyousomethi
ngtoeat

Shenoddedashebentplant
inghi
ssoftli
psonher
for
eheadbef
oreshoot
ingtotheki
tchen

MEANWHI
LEATTHETAXIDRI
VERSHOUSE

Hesmi l
edaloneandgoti
nter
ruptedbyhi
svibr
ati
ng
phonesohepi ckedi
tupandreadthemessage
befor
eslippi
ngintot
heworl
dofthoughts

((
(((
(((
(((
TAXIDRI
VER:
pleasecal
lmewhenev
ery
ou
needtogosomewhere

MI
A:t
hanky
ou,
andi
tsal
way
shar
dformet
ofi
nd
t
ranspor
t

HI
M:al
ri
ght

Shegothi
snumberandt
urnedwal
ki
nginsidethe
chur
chbui
ldi
ngwit
htheol
dwoman)))
)))
)))
)))

Hesnappedoutofi tandsmi ledashefinal

ly
remember edwher ehe' dseenherf r
om, healway s
l
ikedherandt hat
'sther easonwhyhehadof feredto
transportherallt
het i
mebutshewasf oreversad
andgav ehim nobet terplatf
or mtoexpresshis
feeli
ngs.Seeingheragai naf t
ersuchalongt ime
fi
lledhisheartwithsomuchj oy

TAXIDRI
VER: (
inhismind)t
hisist
hewor
msgi
rlI
usedtot
ransportf
rom andt
ot hemal
l

Hesmi
l
edcompl
etel
yamazedbyhowshewas
complet
elyhealed.Therewasnotevenascaror
anyt
hingthatshowst hehor
ri
blewoundshehadon
herf
aceasshel ookedli
keawholedif
fer
entper
son

TAXIDRI
VER:
wow!

Hegothi
sphoneandbrowsedt
hroughhi
scont
act
s
l
ooki
ngforhernumber

TAXIDRI
VER:
yes!

Hebreat
hedoutanddi
aledherbuti
ttookhi
m
st
rai
ghttovoi
cemai
l

TAXIDRI
VER:
dammi
t!

Hesighedsadlyandputthephonedownrubbi
nghi
s
headfrust
rat
edthenstoodupgoingtobed.
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
07:
18]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT70

Sheslowlyopenedherheav yey esandl ooked

aroundbuthewasnowher etobef oundsoshe
sl
owl ysatuprightrubbi
nghersor eeyes.The
previ
ousni ghtwasar oughonef orherandshest il
l
couldn'
tunder st
andwhyhermom woul dbeso
i
nsensiti
ve, f
ora.momentshef eltli
ketheMi acruel
gi
rlwassl owlytakingherplaceinhermot her'
sheart
becauseitsalway saboutherandhasal way sbeen
MANDLA:(
peakedi
nsi
de)hey
,comedownandeat
,I
madebr
eakfast

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)okay

MANDLA:
don'
ttakef
orev
er

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)

Heturnedwalkingawayasshesl owlygotoutofbed
andturnedtotheshowerwher eshet ookaqui ck
showerandbrushedhert eethbeforedressi
ngupi n
herpajamasagai nthenshotstr
aighttothedining
room wherehef oundhim eat
ing

MANDLA:
'
thatwasqui
ck
GRACE:(smi
l
ing)It
houghty
ousai
dIshoul
dmakei
t
snappy

MANDLA:
(br
ief
lyl
aughed)y
esbutIdi
dn'
tthi
nky
ou
woul
d

GRACE:
okay
,thi
slooksdel
i
cious

MANDLA:
trustmei
tis

Shesatdownandt
ookt
hef
orkandkni
fet
aki
ngt
he
fi
rstbi
te

GRACE:
(mout
hful
)mhmm.
.t
hisi
sni
ce

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)t
oldy
ou

Theycont
inuedeat
ingt
henhi
sphoner
angf
rom t
he
t
abl
eandhel
ookedati
tthenbackather

GRACE:
aren'
tyougoi
ngt
otaket
hat
?

MANDLA:
itsy
ourmum

Shest
oppedchewi
ngandsadl
ylookedati
t

GRACE:
letmet
akei
t

MANDLA:
okay
,her
e

Hepickeditupandhandedi
tov
ert
henshe
answeredsoft
ly

GRACE;
hey
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
heybaby
,Ihopey
ousl
eptwel
l

GRACE:
mhm

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
ImeantwhatIsai
dlastni
ght

GRACE:
okay

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
arey
our
eadyf
orchur
ch?

GRACE:
huh?

MSWILLI
AMS: chur
chbaby,It
ri
edremindi
ngy
ou
l
astni
ght
,pl
easedon'tt
ell
mey ouf
orgot

GRACE:
( t
hought
ful
l
y)Idi
dn'
tfor
get
,Iwasst
il
l
get
ti
ngready
MSWI LLI
AMS:okaybaby
,um l
eav
ingnowsowi
l
l
meetatchur
ch

GRACE:
okay

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Ilov
eyoubaby

GRACE:
met
oo

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
bye

Shehungupandputt
hephonedownt
henqui
ckl
y
st
ooduppanicki
ng

MANDLA:
(conf
used)and?
?
GRACE:If
orgoti
tsaSundayt
odaysoIhav
etogot
o
chur
ch

MANDLA:
ohh

GRACE:
yes,
letmegof
indsomet
hingt
oweart
hen
l
eave

MANDLA:okay
,yourcl
othesarei
nthecl
osetum
sur
eyoucanfi
ndsomethingtoworkwi
thinther
e

GRACE:
yeah,
weboughtaf
ewdr
essesakr

MANDLA:
okay

Shetur
nedandpacedtowardsthebedr
oom ashis
wholebodyst
art
edfeel
ingweir
dsohest oodupand
fol
l
owedhertothebedroom
MANDLA:
heybabe,If
orgotIhav
etomeetsomeone
sol
etmedashout

GRACE:what?It
houghtyouwoul
ddri
vemeand
whenareyoucomingtochur
chwit
hmebecause
youpr
omisedyouwould

MANDLA: (
soft
ly)IknowbabebutIhav
ean
appoi
ntment

GRACE:onaSunday
?It
houghty
ouwor
kdur
ingt
he
weekday
sonl
y

MANDLA:noi
tsnotaboutwork,
itsj
ustsomeone
whom Ipr
omi
sedtohelpoutwit
hsomet hi
ng

GRACE:okay
,butcan'
tyouatl
eastdr
ivemet
o
chur
ch?
MANDLA:
comeonbabe,
youwi
l
luset
hecaraker
e,
pl
ease

GRACE:
okay

MANDLA:
thanky
ou

Hewal kedcloserandplant
edasof tki
ssonherlips
thenhurri
edoutasshebentputtingonherheels
beforetur
ningtothedoorwalki
ngout .Fewminutes
l
atershewasoutt henhoppedi
nsidethefancycar
dri
vingoff.
Meanwhileonthet
arr
edroad,
Mandl
ast
eppedont
he
accel
erat
orspeedi
ngoff
..

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE
Hewokeupwi t
haheav yheartandf eltbadf orhow
hetreat
edPr ettythepr evi
ousni ght,yeshesur e
wantedtobecar efulbutthatwasj ustaphonecal l
fr
om ast r
angerandshoul dn'
treall
ygett ohim plus
nomat t
erhowmuchhet r
iedtoav oidheri tsti
ll
seemedal otimpossi blebecausehewasal readyso
drawnandat tachedt oher .Thiswashur t
inghi m but
hecouldn'
tshakeof fthebadf eelinghehadand
curi
osit
ygott hebet t
erofhi m

THEMBA:
(mut
ter
ed)f
uck!
!

Hegotof
fbedandpi
ckedhisphoneupdi
ali
ngher
ashewal
kedtothel
i
vingr
oom

PRETTY:
(lowv
oice)hey

THEMBA:
heymypr
ett
yli
tt
let
hing
PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)Iam okay
,howar
eyou?

THEMBA:
sameher
e,hopey
ousl
eptwel
l

PRETTY:
Idi
d

THEMBA:
am Iseei
ngy
out
oday
?

PRETTY:
wel
l
...

THEMBA:
please.
..

PRETTY:
okay
,youwi
l
lcomeandpi
ckmeup

THEMBA:
great
!

PRETTY:
bye
Shehungasheont heot
hersi
dedial
edthe
my st
eri
ouscousi
n'
snumberandshepickedupon
thefi
rstr
ing

FI
FI:
(sof
tl
y)hey

THEMBA:
hi,
um l
eav
inggabsr
ightnow,
wil
lbet
her
e
i
nanhour

FI
FI:
okay

Hehungupandshott
otheshowert
aki
ngaquick
onebef
oredr
essi
ngupinhi
stodief
orout
fi
t.
Meanwhil
eatf i
fi
'spl ace,
shequickl
ytookashower
i
nherbrokenbat hingbasinthenwalkedaroundher
messyroom pickingupt hef
oschinishoppingbag
andtookoutthedr essshegotf r
om Prett
yt he
prev
iousdaydressi ngup
FI
FI:
(smi
l
ing)per
fect
!

Shet urnedar oundadmi ringhersel fthensatonher

mat r
esspi ckingt hesmal lbrokenmi rrorasshe
appliedthebabypowderonherdar kface, she
pickedherChi neser edlipst ickandappl i
edi tonher
l
ipsandi tstucktohert eethasshepout ed.She
continuedpout i
ngadmi ri
ngherf acethatt hen
l
ookedl i
keshewasdi ppedi nashes.Thepowder
wasal ottoomuchconsi der ingt hatshewasdar kin
compl exionandt hemessyr edl ipst
ickmade
mat t
erswor sebutbei ngt her uralFi
fishel ovedwhat
shesawont hemi rr
orandt houghti tsv eryper f
ect.I
n
not i
meshewasal ldoneandst oodupgoi ngt oseat
onherpl ast i
cchai rwhilewai tingforherdr eam
man' scalllookingal lspooky .

ATCHURCH
shest eppedoutoft hecarasheadst urnedlooki
ng
atthecl assycarandt hebeaut
yt hatsteppedoutbut
shei gnoredtheattenti
onshewasget ti
ngandkepta
str
aightf aceswinginghermill
i
ondol larbodytothe
entranceaspeopl estartedwhisperi
ng

GI
RL:
ist
hatGr
ace?

GUY:
yes,
shel
ooksv
erydi
ff
erentandmor
ebeaut
if
ul

GIRL:(
bit
ter
)ahhbutit
snotl
i
kesheisbeaut
if
ul,
its
onlyt
hatsheiswear
ingni
ceclot
hes

GUY:
ohcomeondontbej eal
ous,
thisgir
lisf
ir
e
hl
emonna,
lookatt
hehourglassf
igure

GIRL:
(bor
ed)ahh,andwher
edidshegetmoneyto
buysuchanexpensi
vecar
?Ithoughthermum i
s
j
ustamaid
GUY:notj
ustamai
dbutamai
dtoaf
il
thyr
ichMr
Matt
hews

GI
RL:ahh,maybeshegotthecarfr
om her
pr
ost
itut
ioncust
omersinThai
land.Thi
sgi
rli
str
icky

Helookedathershockedbyhowver
yinsensi
ti
ve
shewasthenheslowlyshookhi
shead
Meanwhil
eattheent
ranceshet
ookof
fherLoui
s
Vui
tonshadesandhuggedhermot
her

GRACE:
hima

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)heybaby

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul

GRACE:
thanky
ou

Theysmil
edl
ookingateachotherbeforeMi
atapped
MsWi l
l
iamsshoulderunawar
eofGr ace'
spr
esence

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)hey

Graceraisedhereyesl
ooki
ngupatherandthei
r
eyeslocked,sheswall
owedhar
dandquickl
ytur
ned
backexcusinghersel
f

MI
A:(
humbl
y)ohh,
I'
ll
leav
enow

Shetur
nedwalki
nginsi
deandsatatthefr
ontseat
s
asMsWi l
li
amsheldGrace'
shandbeforet
hey
st
eppedinsi
deandsatonthesecondrowfaci
ngthe
pul
pit

PASTOR:
goodmor
ningchur
ch

ALL:
mor
ningpast
or

Hecont i
nuedtalki
ngthenst
eppeddowni nvi
ti
ng
prai
seandwor shiptomini
ster
,theywentonand
ownbutst eppeddownwhent esti
moniesti
me
approached

PASTOR:any
bodywi
that
est
imonypl
easecome
for
wardandshar
ewi
thus

Peoplestooduponebyonegoingtot
hefrostand
sharedthei
rtesti
moni
eswit
hthechur
chthenwhen
theywerealldoneMiasl
owl
ystoodupaspeople
star
tedwhisperi
ng
GI
RL:whendi
dshecomeback,
Ithoughtshewasi
n
pr
ison

GI
RL2:
Idon'
tknow,
um onl
yseei
nghernow

GI
RL1:
Iwonderwhatshewant
stosayahh

Theyconti
nuedchatt
ingandsheignor
edt
hem
slowl
ywalki
ngtothef r
ontwher
eshegott
hemic
faci
ngevery
onethen.
...
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
GOODDAY
[
7/19,
08:
26]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT71

Heslowlydr
ovetowardstheshopsandparked
besi
detheroadthenr
eachedforhispocket
staki
ng
outhi
sphonediali
nghernumber

FI
FI:
(sof
tl
y)hey

THEMBA:
hey
,um wai
ti
ngbyt
heshops

FI
FI:
(smi
l
ing)okayum comi
ng

THEMBA:
makei
tsnappy

FI
FI:
alr
ightt
enmi
nut
es
THEMBA:
okayby
e

Hehungupandputt hephonedownwaiti
ngaonthe
otherhandFi
fijumpedexci t
edandstoodup
admiri
ngherselfbeforewalki
ngoutwhereshe
walkedpastPrett
y'splaceandsawherleani
ngon
thewallpr
essingherphone

FI
FI:
(loud)heyf
ri
end

PRETTY:
hey
,goi
ngsomewher
e?

FI
FI:
(smi
l
ing)y
es,
um meet
ingupwi
thsomeone

PRETTY:
(lookedatherspookyf
ace)ohh

FI
FI:
what
?
PRETTY:no,
Ijustthi
nky
ourmakeupisabittoo
muchletmegety ouacl
othsot
hatwewipeitoff

FIFI
:(rai
sedherey
ebr
ows)ar
eyout
ryi
ngt
osayt
hat
Idon'tknowhowtodomymakeup?

PRETTY:(cal
m)nofr
iend,
Iwasjustt
ryi
ngtohelp
youbecausesomeoftheredl
i
psti
ckisstuckon
yourt
eeth

FIFI
:(at
tit
ude)youdontknowanythi
ngaboutmake
upPrettyandcert
ainl
yarethel
astpersont
omake
comment s

PRETTY:
(sof
tl
y)Idi
dn'
tmeant
oof
fendy
ou

FI
FI:
noof
fencet
akenei
ther
PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)okayf
ri
end

FI
FI:
letmegetgoi
ng,
hei
swai
ti
ng

PRETTY:
alr
ightby
e

Shecatwal
kedherEngli
shfi
gureawayasPret
ty
l
ookedatherandshookherheadbef
orecl
apping
once.
Fewmi nuteslaterFif
isawhi scarandsmi l
edfeeli
ng
big,shesur ewasconf identt hathewi ll
li
keherpl us
helookst oocut etorelyont hesamemeal everyday.
Hesodi dn'tl
ookl i
kethet ypet hatwouldsaynot o
a.nothar dearnedcooki e.Shewal kedtot hewindow
andknockedsmi l
ingrev eal
ingherr edfrom the
l
ipstickteeththenhet urnedl ookingatherspooky
face

THEMBA:
(fr
owned)andt
hen?
?
Sheconti
nuedsmi l
ingasher ecognizedherf r
om the
otherday
,itwasal itt
lehar
dtor ecogniseher
becauseshehaddippedherwhol efacei nawhite
powderandt hatmadeherlookcompl etelydi
ff
erent
fr
om thei
rlastmeeting

THEMBA:
(fr
owned)Pr
ett
y'
sfr
iend?
?

Heopenedt
hedoorsur
pri
sedandgav
eheraser
ious
l
ook

FI
FI:
(smi
l
ing)hey
,rememberme?

Hekeptqui
etl
ooki
ngatherandmai
ntai
nedt
he
ser
iousl
ook.

FI
FI:
um sor
ryIl
iedaboutmyidenti
tyi
tsj
ustt
hatIso
wantedt
ohelpy
ouandt houghtyouwoul
dn'
tli
sten
t
omei
fIt
oldy
oumyr
eal
names

THEMBA:
okay
,comet
hissi
de

Shesmiledexci
tedthenwalkedtothepassenger
si
deopeningupandst eppedinasheturnedlooki
ng
backatherfacedi
sgusted

THEMBA:
gett
othepoi
nt

FI
FI:okayIjustwant
edtotel
lyout
hatpr
ettyi
sabad
personandusesment ogetmoneyfr
om them,she
doesn'
tloveyouandisonl
yusingyou

THEMBA:
(st
rai
ghtf
ace)i
sthatal
l
?

FI
FI:(ey
esranar
ound)wel
l
..
youar
enotthefi
rstguy
becauseshedi
dthesamethi
ngwi
thherex
boyfr
iend,shedatedhi mforhismoneyandl efthi
m
aft
erhel osthisj
obpl usshetoldmeshewant sto
goseeat r
adit
ionaldoctorbecauseshewant sto
makey oul ov
eonl yherandgivehermor e
money .Pl
easedontt ell
herallt
hisbecauseIam just
doi
ngi tbecauseIsawy ouareagoodper sonand
fel
tsorryforyou

THEMBA:
(mai
ntai
nedt
heSer
iousl
ook)

FIFI:(
sof
tl
y)um j
ustt
ryi
ngt
osav
eyoubef
orey
ou
fall
inhertr
ap

THEMBA:okay
,canwedri
veawayf
rom her
e?
Maybet
oamor esecl
udedar
ea.

FIFI
:(exci
ted)okay
,let
sgo.I
ldi
recty
out
oagood
spot
Shesmil
edhappi
lyafterheari
nghi
m saythatand
nowknewhewant edtohav esomepri
vacywithher
that
swhyhesuggesteddrivi
ngaway.

FI
FI:
(inhermi
nd)wel
ldonegi
rl
,hebeli
evesyouand
pr
obablywant
stohav
esomeal onet
imewi t
hyou

Shesmil
edsteal
i
nggl
ancesathi
m ashedr
ovewi
th
aseri
ousface

FI
FI:
(sof
tl
y)t
urnt
oyourr
ight

Shewentonandondi r
ect
inghi
m andgatheredal
l
st
rengthpromi
singher
sel
ftobea.
li
tt
lewildbecause
hesurelooksl
i
keabadboywhowoul dli
keawi l
d
gi
rl

FI
FI:
Ithi
nky
oucanst
opher
e
Hest oppedandbeforeheknewi tshehadherhand
betweenhisthighscuppi
nghisballsandcameon
toostrongonhi sf
acetry
ingtokisshim NdHe
quicklyrel
easedhishandlandi
ngahotsl aponher
dryface

THEMBA:
(angr
il
y)whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng?

Shemov
edbackandhel
dherpai
ningcheekt
ear
ful
l
y

THEMBA: (
angr
il
y)Iknewyouwereupt onogood
themomentIsawy ouandnowafterhear
ingyour
l
itt
lestor
iesum convi
ncedyouar
ej ustaj
ealous
fri
end

FI
FI:
(tear
ful
l
y)um sor
ry

THEMBA:sorr
y,il
showy
ousor
ry,
howdar
eyou
touchmel
ikethat?
FI
FI:
(tear
ful
l
y)um sor
rypl
ease

Hel
andedahotsl
aponherf
aceasshebur
sti
nto
t
ear
sscreami
ng

THEMBA:
thati
sforPr
ett
y

Helandedanot
herhotsl
aponherf
acewi
tht
heback
ofhi
shand

THEMBA:andnowthat
sfordi
srespect
ingme,
how
dar
eyout
rytokissme?Haveyouseenhowuglyy
ou
l
ookormaybeyoudon'
thavemirr
ors?

Heyankedherhai
randpull
edt
her
earv
iewmi
rr
or
br
ingi
ngherfacecl
osert
oit
THEMBA:takeacl
osel
ookaty
our
sel
f,y
oul
ookl
i
ke
awit
chbi
tch

FI
FI:
(cr
iedoutLoud)

THEMBA:
shutt
hef
uckup!

Shecri
edsi
l
ent
lyandl
ookedatt
hemirr
ornotici
ng
thet
oomuchli
psti
ckt
hathadst
uckonherteeth

THEMBA: Iwon'tt
ellPret
tyaboutyourst
upidmov e
andyouwillhavetostayveryf
arfrom hebecauseif
Iseeyouany wher
eclosetoherthenIwon'tspare
you

FI
FI:
okay

Hepushedherbackandcl
i
ckedhi
stonguepi
ssed
THEMBA:
getoutofmycar

Shequickl
yopeneduphoppingof ft
henranforher
l
if
ecr y
ingasThembaangr i
l
ystartedthecarand
drov
epastherathighspeedsplashingherwit
hdust

FI
FI:
phphph.
..

Herwhol ef acewascov eredindustandmat t

ers
worse, ithadev enst uckt ohert eethbutshe
draggedher selfbackhomet r
yingt orubitof fas
peoplel ookedather .Afterwhatseemedl ikef or
ever
shewal kedpastPr etty'
spl aceandsawhi s
Mer cedes- Benzt heni ncreasedherpacet ryingto
avoidt hem butunf ortunatelyPret t
ylookedupasher
eyesf ellonherspookysel f
.Shel ookednotsogood
earl
ierwhenshel ef tbutnowshel ookedev enmor e
worsewi thherf acedust yandherhai r
PRETTY:heel
angFif
ibathong,gori
l
enganun?How
di
dthedatego?(HeyFif
i whathappened?

Sheignoredherandwalkedf
ast
erasThembakepta
ser
iousfacelooki
ngather

PRETTY: (
clappedonce)Iwonderwhathappenedt
o
her
,shepassedher eearl
ierandt
oldmeshei s
meetingupwi t
hsomeonebutnowshei shere
l
ookingthismessyiyoh!

THEMBA:
ignor
eher
,shedoesn'
twantt
otal
ktoy
ou

PRETTY:
yesInot
icedI
'
llj
ustl
eav
eheral
onet
hen

THEMBA:
great
!Nowpl
easegogety
ourbags

PRETTY:
okay
Shetur
nedwal ki
ngt
othehouseandgotherbag
bef
orelocki
ngupandwentontohopinthecar
bef
oretheydroveof
f.
.

Meanwhi l
eatFifi
'
shouse,shegotinsi
dethemessy
room andtearf
ull
yfi
ll
edthebathi
ngbasinwithcol
d
waterthenstar
tedgett
ingundr
essedbefore
steppi
nginthebasinbathi
ngagaintoremovethe
dustthensomeoneknocked

FI
FI:
comei
n

Heopenedupandsteppedinsi
dewi
thhi
smuddy
shoest
henbentdownkissi
ngher

HI
M:heybabe

FI
FI:
tear
ful
l
y)hey
HI
M:ar
eyouf
ine?

FI
FI:
yes,
itsj
ustasl
i
ghtheadache

HI
M:okay

Hesatdownonmattr
esstakingof
fhissmel
l
y
muddyshoesasshecont
inuedbat
hing.
..

ATTHECAVE

Hepar kedoutsi
deandqui cklyst
eppedi nsi
de
passingbytherit
ualspondt henthemanyl arge
colourf
ulsnakessli
ppedt hei
rshinysof tbodi esout
thepondandbowedt heirheadsbef orehimt henhe
tur
nedwal ki
ngtothef orbi
ddenar ea.i
nnot imehe
wast hereandhiseyesfellonZumbat hehuge
snakewhoqui ckl
ysqui r
medhi sheav yal l
gr een
headtowardshi
m andopenedhi
smout
hwi
de
swall
owinghim.
..
.

ATCHURCH

sheclearedhert
hroatandlookedbackatt
he
congregati
onastearsfor
medatt hecor
ner
sofher
eyes

PASTOR:
pleasegoonsi
ster

MIA:(breaki
ngvoice)Ij
ust,I
.am heretothankGod
forbei
nggoodtomeev enwhenIdi dn'
tdeserv
eit.
Hekeptmeandf oughtformedespi temymi st
akes
(Swall
owedhard)Myt esti
monyi slongbutforthe
sakeoft i
meIwilltr
ytomakei tshort

Meanwhi
lei
nthecongregat
ionGr
acerol
l
edhereyes
andpr
essedherphonewhil
eMsgWill
i
amsSadly
l
ookedather

MSWI LLI
AMS:
(lowv
oice)pl
easel
eav
eyourphone
baby

GRACE:
okay

Sheputi
tawayandl
ookedbackatMi
awi
thhl
her
eyebr
owsrai
sed

MIA:IthankGodf
orhesavedmefrom mytoxi
csel
f
andtodayIcanpr
oudl
ysayIam bornagai
n
and.
..
..
...
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
[
7/19,
08:
26]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT72

MI
A:Iam pr
oudt
osayum bor
nagai
nand.
..

Shelookeddownasat
eardr
oppedt
hensher
ubbed
i
toffsnif
fi
ng

MIA: i
ndeedhei sat r
uel i
vingGodwhol ov es
unconditi
onallyandhel ovedmewhent hewhol e
wor l
drej
ectedme( shel ookeddowngat heri
ngt he
strengt
ht ocontinue)y oumi ghtnotunderstand
wher eum comi ngfrom orwhyIspeakhi ghlyoft he
l
ov eofGodbuti tsbecauseIgr ewupwi thoutlov e,I
hadnoonet olov emebutt heal mightydidthatev en
thoughIdidn'tseei tthen..
(at earfel
ldown)Idi dn't
hav eanyonetol ovemewhenIwasgr owingup
becauseIdidn'tknowmybi ologi
calparentsand
gr
ewupi
nanor
phanage

MsWi l
li
amslookedatherwi
thoutbl
inki
ngt
ryingto
gethert
ouchi
ngstoryver
ywellasshecont
inued

MIA:(breaki
ngv oi
ce)Igrewupinanorphanage
whereIwasl ateradoptedbyacouplebuttheydi
ed
t
hreey earsl
aterwhenIwasonl yfi
veyears(her
t
hroatdr i
edupast earsfel
ldown)

PASTOR:
(sof
tl
y)pl
easebr
ingherabot
tl
eofwat
er

MI A:
(breakingv oice)onedayacr uelmanentered
ourhomeandt ookawayt heonlypeopl ewholov ed
mei nthemostcr uel wayrighti
nf rontofmyey es,
i
tsasi ghtIwishIcanf orgetbecauset hememor i
es
breakmyhear t.Ikeptaskingmy selfwhyGodhadt o
takeawayt heonl ypeopl ewhol ovedme
unconditi
onallyand. .
(sobbed)ther eIwasbackt o
squareone, hadnooneandwast akenbacktot he
orphanage.Li
fewasn'
teasyf
ormeandIdev el
oped
somuchr esentmenti
nmyheart,Iwasangryatthe
world,IwasmadatGodbecauseIbeli
evedhe
doesn'tl
ovemeenoughifheall
owedthattohappen
tome

MsgWi ll
iam lookedclosel
yatMiaandnot i
cedher
l
atef at
her'sresemblancethent
ouchedherchest
gaspingasGr acelookedatMsWi ll
iam'
s
remember i
ngt hestoryshehadtol
dher ,
itwasthe
samest oryfrom di
ffer
entpeopl
esoshet earf
ull
y
l
ookedatMi athenbackatMsWi l
l
iam'snoti
ci
ngt he
resemblance

MIA: (sobbed)fastforwardtoyearslaterwher eI
metamanwhopr omisedmet hewor ld,hepr omised
meev eryt
hingbutnotlovesoIgotmar r
iedt ohim so
Icanenj oyallhi
swealthbecauseIt houghtlov e
doesn'texist.Iknewhedi dn'
tl
ovemebutt hatdidn'
t
bothermebecauseIt houghtmay bethislovet hi
ng
i
sapr ocesssohewi lll
earntolovemewi thtimebut
henev
erdi
d

Graceswal l
owedhardlookingatMiaandswall
owed
hardwhi l
eMsWi l
li
am'sslowlystoodupwalki
ngto
thefrontwhil
ethecongregati
onlookedather
confused

MIA:(t
earsstreameddownherf acebutshe
conti
nued)Istayedforaverylongtimeinaloveless
marri
ageunt i
lonedaywhen- .
..
.(
turnedl
ookingat
Grace'
stearyface)unti
lonedaywhenacer tain
beauti
fulandinnocentgir
lenteredourhouseand- .
..
.

Graceburstintotear
sandst oodupstormingoutof
thechurchbuildi
ngasev eryonesadlylookedather
astheyallknewwhathadhappenedt ohersinceit
wasal l
overthenewspaper s.Meanwhi l
eatthefront
thetearyMsWi l
l
iamsfelldownatMi a'sknees
weepingthenMi astoppedt alki
ngandlookedather
withhertearyeyesconfused
MSWI LLI
AMS: (breaki
ngv
oice)Iam sosor
rymy
daught
erpleaseforgiv
eme

Mial
ookedatherconf
usedast
hecongr
egat
ion
st
art
edwhisper
ing

PASTOR:
qui
etpl
ease

MsWi l
li
amslookedinherey
esandgott
hemi
cfr
om
herst
il
lonherknees

MSWI LLIAMS: (
breakingv oi
ce)av eryl
ongtimeago
Ifellpregnantwi t
hababygi rlthengav ebir
thtoher
butmyexboy f
ri
endwasv eryabusi vesohe
forcefull
ytookt hebabyawayf rom meandIt hought
hewasr aisingherbecauseIwasnotal l
owedtovisi
t
orseeher ,sixmonthsl at
erIf oundoutt hebabywas
actuallyli
vinginanor phanagesoIt ookthe
oppor t
unityandst art
edv isit
ingt heorphanageto
playwi ththechildrenj ustsoIcanseeher(t ears
fl
oweddownherf aceamdsher ubbedt hem
cont i
nuing)twoy ear slatershewasadopt edbya
l
ov ingcouple,Iwasbr okenbecauseIt houghtI '
ll
nev erseemybabyagai n,luckilythecoupl edi dn't
l
eav ef arfr
om myt henpl acesoIwat chedher
growi ngfrom adi stanceandi twassomet hi
ngt ome,
i
tmadeadi ff
erencebecauseatl eastIwasabl eto
seeher(shecr iedev enmor ebutgat her edt he
strengthtogoonast hecongr egati
onl istenedt oher
sadst ory)unfortunatel ythreey earslaterIhear d
theywer eambushedandki ll
edi ntheirhome, since
thatdayInev ersawmybabyagai nand- ...
...
.

Miasl
owlyst
eppedbacklooki
ngatMsWi
l
li
am'
sas
t
earsf
loweddownherface

MI
A:(
shookherhead)no,
no,
nooohh

Thewholecongr
egati
onremai
nedsti
l
lastheywere
ver
yshockeduponreal
izi
ngt
hetr
uthandconnect
ing
t
hedot
sandcompl
eti
ngt
hepuzzl
e

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(tear
ful
l
y)Iam sosor
ry

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)t
hiscan'
tbe

MsWi l
li
amssmi l
edinthemi
dstofhert
ear
sseei
ng
herf
ather'
sresembl
ance

MI
A:st
op

Shesadlycl
osedhermout
hasshest
oppedsmi
l
ing
andstoodupwalki
ngtoMia

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)noooohhh!

Shesaidt
hatscr
eami
ngthenfel
ldownonherknees
astear
sfl
oweddownhercheeksthenMsgWil
li
ams
t
ear
ful
l
yknel
tdownhuggi
nghert
ight

MSWI LLI
AMS:
(sof
tl
y)um sosor
rybaby
,Idi
dn'
t
know

Shesaidthatthenjoinedinonthesadpartycryi
ng
herlungsoutasMi aalsocriedhyst
eri
cal
ly.The
pastorsmiledemotionall
ylooki
ngatthem and
walkedcloserkneel
ingdownj oi
ninginonthehugas
hal
foft hechurchemot i
onall
ystoodupandj oi
nedi
n
onthehugl eavi
ngtheduoi nthemiddle.
..

Meanwhi l
eoutsideGr acesobbedandwi pedher
tearsthensl
owl ywalkedt owardsthechur ch
entranceandherey esfellontheemot ionalmoment
thenshesadlywat chedbef or
emaki ngat urn
walkingbacktohercarwher eshehoppedi nand
l
ookedatherr edtearyey esont herearviewmi r
ror
thenstart
edthecardr ivi
ngawaysadl yasherhear t
poundedhardagai nstherchest .Sheheldont ot
he
steeri
ngwheel astearsstreameddownherf ace
temporari
lyblur
ri
nghervisi
ont
henacarcamef r
om
theothersideathi
ghspeedandshet
urnedlooki
ng
atitt
henscr eamedloud

GRACE:
(scr
eami
ng)Aaaahhhhhh.
..
..

Shescreamedherl
ungsoutasshel
ostcont
rol
of
thecarthent
her
ewasaloudbang..
..

MEANWHI
LEATTHECAVE

Thel ar
gesnakebowedi t
sheadcl osertotheground
thenhest eppedoutal lwetwi t
hasl i
pperyshi
ny
mucus- li
keliqui
dal loverhisclothes.Hebowedi n
respectandt urnedwal kingawaywher ehepassed
byther it
ualspondt hent helargecolourf
ulsnakes
sli
ppedt heirshinysoftbodiesoutoft hepondt o
performt heusual ri
tualbeforehemadehi sway
out..
soonenoughhewasathi scarsohet ookoffal
l
hisclothesandl eftthem ont hegroundthenhopped
i
nsidethecarnaked,her
eleasedhi
shandt
othe
backseatsgett
inghisgy
mnbagandgotdressedup
befor
edrivi
ngoff.
..
..
.

Thirtyminut eslat
erhedr ov epastagr oupofpeopl e
whohadgat heredaroundl ookingatt het wocar s
whichhadcol li
dedagai nsteachot her, heclickedhis
tonguebecauset heyhadcr owdedt heent i
reroad
andt herewasnowayhecoul dpasssohe
i
mpat i
entlysteppedoutandwal kedt ot heside
l
ooki ngathi swr i
stwatchchecki ngthet i
me, hethen
l
ookedt otheot hersideandhi sey esf ellonhi scar'
s
registr
ationnumber ,
hishear tskippedt henhe
quicklywal kedov ert
hen...
...

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

hepar
kedt
hecart
hent
heyst
eppedoutchat
ti
ngand
l
aughi
ng
THEMBA:
doy
oupr
omi
set
ospendt
hewhol
eweek?

PRETTY:
hel
lno!Ihav
easmal
lbusi
nesst
orun

THEMBA:ohhcomeonbabe,Iwill
fundy outhenyou
openanot
herbi
gbusi
ness,ashop,bout
ique.You
wil
ltel
lmewhatyouwantt
odo

PRETTY:
(exci
ted)ar
eyouser
ious?

THEMBA:
yes

PRETTY:
ohhmaGod,
thamky
ou,
thanky
ouso
much

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)soy
ouwi
l
lst
ay?

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)
wel
l
..
..
..
..
Heunlockedthedoort
hent
heyst
eppedi
nsi
de
chat
ti
ng..
..
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
26]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT73

Hishear
tski
ppedandhequi ckl
ywalkedoveras
peopl
emadenoisewhileothersweretaki
ngpict
ures.
Befor
eheknewittheparamedicswerealr
eadyinthe
scenewit
hthei
rambulances'ssi
rensmadenoiseas
hewalkedovert
ot hecrushedMercedes-
Benz.He
hel
dhisbreat
handwal kedclosert
othecarbendi
ng
andsomeonepulledhimf r
om behi
nd

MAN1:
(pul
l
inghi
m)don'
tgetcl
oser

MAN2:
(shout
ing)ev
ery
onemov
e!Mov
e!

Theymovedbackast hepoli
cealsopull
edupinthe
sceneandquickl
ysteppedoutofthei
rcarr
ushi
ng
overt
othebloodyscene

POLI
CEMAN:
(shout
ing)st
ayback!Mov
e!

EveryonemovedabitbackasMandlast
ruggl
ed
tr
yingtopul
lofff
rom t
heman'sgri
p

MANDLA:
(tear
ful
l
y)t
hat
smygi
rl
fr
iendi
nther
e,
pl
easel
etmegoIneedt
oseei
fshei
sokay

Meanwhi l
eatthebl oodyareatheparamedi csman
hurri
edov erwithabodybagwhi letheot hersalso
tookpar tinassi
sting.Hebentandopenedupt hecar
asadeadbodysl idoutf al
li
nghardont hegroundas
mor ebloodgushedf rom t
hevicti
m'sf orehead.He
mov edhi shandupherbodychecki ngherpul sethen
sadlyshookhi sheadandopenedt hebodybagas
theyli
ft
edt hel
if
elessbodyput ti
ngitinsideand
zippedupt hebag.
Meanwhil
eattheothersi
deMandl
ascreamedhi
s
l
ungsoutastearsstr
eameddownhisf
acewhil
ethe
manheldhimtight

MANDLA:
(scr
eami
ng)noooooohhhhhhb

Heconti
nuedcry
inghi
slungsoutwhi
letr
yingt
o
escapef
rom t
hemansgripbuttonoavai
l.
MAN1:
checkt
hepassenger
,shei
sst
il
lbr
eat
hing

Hetri
edt
oopenupt hedoorbutherbodyst
uck
bet
weenthedoorandthesteer
ingwheel

MAN2:
(tot
heot
herone)getasowshei
sst
uck

Hehur r
iedgett
ingt
hesowastheystar
tedast
hey
start
edteari
ngthedoorr
escui
ngherwhil
eshe
screamedinagony

HER:
(scr
eami
ng)i
yooohhh

Theygent l
yheldherandpul l
edheroutasherl eg
remai nedinsidethecarandonl ythenshecamet o
reali
zet hatshehasactuallylostherot
herleg,
mor e
bloodgushedoutf rom herbrokenlegasshesi l
ent
ly
cried.Thepai ninherl
egwasnumbedbyt hepain
shef eltinherheartasshet r
iedtoimagineherli
fe
wit
houtherot
herleg, sheswal
lowedhardasher
thr
oatdri
edupthent heyputheronthestr
etchbed
andpull
editi
nsi
det heambulance.

MANDLA: (
scr
eami
ng)
pleaseIneedt
oseei
fshei
s
okay
,letmego

POLI
CEMAN:
pul
lherasi
de,
thi
sisacr
imescene

Theypul
ledhi
m asi
deastheot
herpar
amedi
cal
s
st
ruggl
edtoopentheot
hercar
..
.

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

Shesmi
l
edt
aki
ngaseatasThembasatnextt
oher
her

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)sowhatdoy
ousay
?
PRETTY:
about
?

THEMBA:
whatIsai
deal
i
er?

PRETTY:
(ssof
tl
y)It
hinki
twoul
dbet
oomuch

THEMBA:
comeonbabe

PRETTY:
youal
readydi
dal
otf
ormeIcan'
t

THEMBA: I
'm nott
aki
ngnoforananswer
,okayhow
abouty
out el
lmetheonethi
ngyouhavealways
l
oveddoing?

PRETTY:
li
ke?
THEMBA:whaty
oureal
l
ylov
edoi
ngorwi
shy
oucan
dotomakemoney

PRETTY: (sadl
y)wellIal
wayswantedt
obea
beauti
cianbutIjustneverhadmoneyt
omakemy
dream comet r
ue.

THEMBA:
'
(smi
l
ing)ohhsowhatdoy
ouneed?

PRETTY:
huh?

THEMBA:
Imeant
odoal
lthat
?

PRETTY:(
thought
ful
ly
)well
,Ineedaplacetorent,
maybetwopeopletohel
pmeandj ustothermater
ial
st
uff

THEMBA:
okay
,let
sgogetal
lthaty
ouneed.
Herey
eswi
denedl
ooki
ngathi
sser
iousf
ace

PRETTY:
bu-
..
..

THEMBA:
(int
err
upt
ed)nobut
s

PRETTY:okaybutIsti
l
lhav
etodomor
eresear
ch
aboutot
herneededthi
ngs

THEMBA:
great
!Gett
othatwhi
l
eIgof
reshenup

PRETTY:
okay

Hestoodupheadingtot heshowerwhil
esheputt he
WiFipasswordandstart
eddoingherresearch,her
facel
ituplooki
ngatallt
hebeautyproductsthenshe
downloadedmorepictur
esandv i
deos
PRETTY:(
outl
oud)ohhmyGodnai
l
s,do.
Ist
il
l
rememberhowtodothem?

Shecli
ckedontheyoutubevi
deo'
swatchi
ngand
smil
edfeel
ingencour
agedandconfi
dent

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)ohhGodmakeup

Shewat chedafewmakeupv ideosr eminding

herselfofaf ewthingsthensmiledhappi l
y,shesti
ll
couldn'tbeli
evethatherdreamswer eabouttocome
true,shehadal ongt i
meagogav euponherdr eams
andambi ti
onsbecauseshedi dn'thavestartup
capitalsolostal
l hopeandfocusedont hesmal l
tuckshopt omakeendsmeet

PRETTY:
(loud)ohhGodmassageoi
ntment
s
Shegotapenandpaperf r
om t
het
abl
eandst
art
ed
scr
ibbl
i
ngdownev eryt
hingwhi
l
esear
chi
ngf
ormore
ontheotherhand.
..

Anhourl aterheappear
edf
rom thepassagel
ooking
al
lfreshandy ummyasshet ur
nedlooki
ngathis
sexyselfinadmirat
ion

THEMBA:
done?

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)Iguess

THEMBA:
okayl
etsgo

PRETTY:
sur
e

Shest
oodupashebentt
akingtheRangerov
erkey
s
fr
om t
hedr
awersbef
oreheadi
ngoutwithher
f
oll
owing.Hetur
nedandopenedthegaragedooras
i
tsl
idupwhileshewatchedcompl
etel
yshocked

PRETTY:
(sur
pri
sed)somanycar
s?

THEMBA:
let
sgo

Hehel dherhandwal kingi

nsideasheopenedupt he
doorforherthenshehoppedi nsi
desti
ll
taken.She
l
ookedar oundthecomf or
tabl
eniceandcleancar
admi r
ingit
sfancinesswhilehesteppedinsi
deand
start
edthecarrev er
singout.Heturnedfaci
ngthe
gateashegr abbedt heremoteopeningupbefore
driv
ingoff

PRETTY:
(looki
ngathi
m)Wow!

THEMBA:
what
?
PRETTY:
Ijustdi
dn'
tknowy
ouar
ethi
sfi
l
thyr
ich

THEMBA:
(keptqui
et)

PRETTY:butwhydi
dy oust
aythatlongatsuchan
ol
doneroom, y
ouevenwalkedinthesamecl ot
hes
ever
yday
.Howi sal
lthi
spossi
ble?

Thembatookaqui
ckgl
anceatherandl
ookedback
onther
oad

THEMBA: it
sav
eryl
ongst
orybutIal
way
shadal
l
theset
hings

PRETTY:
ohh?

THEMBA:yep,sotel
lmewhyyouagr
eedtomeetup
wit
hsucha.poorguywhowasst
ayi
nginaoneroom?
PRETTY:
I..
IguessIj
ust
..
(changedhermi
nd)y
ou
knowwhatnevermi
nd

THEMBA:
not
ell
me

Hehel
dherhandanddroveslowl
ypul
li
ngofft
he
r
oadandparkedbesi
deitbef
orel
ooki
nginherey
es

THEMBA:
(sof
tl
y)t
ell
me

PRETTY:(
shy
ly)wel
l
..
..
Ijustt
houghty
ouar
eani
ce
guyand.
..

THEMBA:
youl
i
kedmedi
dn'
tyou?

PRETTY:
(laughi
ng)what
?NoIj
ust
..
.(
Hei
nter
rupt
ed
her
)
THEMBA:
youdon'
thav
etobeembar
rassed

Heheldbot
hherhandsandt
urnedl
ooki
ngi
nher
pr
ett
yfaceandswall
owed

THEMBA:Il
oveyouPret
ty,
Iwantt
obewi t
hyouand
onlyy
oupl
easetel
lmeyoualsowanti
ttobeme
fr
om nowunt
ilf
orev
er

Shelookedst r
aighti
nhiseyesandsl owl yl
eaned
overcl
osingherey esandplantedhersof tl
ipson.his,
heletgoofherhandandmov edhisupt oherf ace
gentl
yholdinghercheekpassionatel
yki ssi
ngher
backast hei
rheadst i
l
tedbeforeshesl owlypulled
backandl ookeddownshy l
y.Thembasmi l
edlooking
atherthenplantedasoftki
ssonherf orehead

THEMBA:
(sof
tl
y)Il
ovey
ouPr
ett
y
PRETTY:
(shy
ly)Il
ovey
oumor
eThemba

Hesmi ledhappilyandhel dherhandst artingthecar

withanot herthendr oveoffastheyplay edsof t
musi c.Shesmi l
edandwentonst eali
nggl ancesat
hi
scut eface,herhear tf
eltsomuchov erjoyedand
compl ete.Forsomewei rdreasonshef el tsafe
aroundhi m andt rustedhim wit
hherlife, shefor
a.l
itt
lewhi let
riedtosuppr essherfeel
ingsf orhi
m
becauseshef elthewaswayabov eherl eaguebut
aftertodayshewassur ehemeantev er ywor dhe
saidanddeci dedt oappr eci
ateherfeelingsf orhi
m
andnothi dethem any more

PRETTY:
(inhermi
nd)i
fIdi
eIdi
e

ATCHURCH

Theysl
owl
ywal
kedbackt
othei
rseat
sast
hepast
or
gotthemi
cwhi
l
ethet
wost
oodupr
ubbi
ngof
fthei
r
tear
s

PASTOR: wet
hankGodf
ort
hiswonderful
r e-
uni
on
andIbel
ievet
hisi
sGod'
swi
ll
.(Lookedatthem)you
arebl
essed

MeWi l
li
amswi pedhertearssmi l
ingwhileMi a
l
ookedatherst il
lover
whel medbyemot i
ons.Finding
outMsWi l
liam'swast hebestt hi
ngthat'
sev er
happenedt oherasshef eltsomuchov erjoyed,f
or
a.momentshewasmadatherbutaf terli
steni
ngt o
herheartbreakingstoryshef ounditi
nherhear tto
forgi
veherf orallt
hey earsshemi ssed,shefoundi t
i
nherhear tt ounderstandwher eshewascomi ng
from becauset heonlypersonshebl amedi nthis
Casewashersocall
edfat
her.Shesmi l
edwhi l
e
tear
sofj
oyf l
oweddownhersmoot hface,she
rememberedhowthepoorol
dwomanwasal ways
byhersi
deevenwhenshedidn'tdeservei
t,she
rememberedhowshewalkedconfidentand
shamelesswi thheraroundthemallduringthe
wormsandwoundst i
me, shewasoneper sonwho
support
ed, gaveherstrengt
handhopewhent he
wholewor l
dr ej
ectedhereandnowf indingoutthe
goodnewssomehowj ustexplai
nedthe
uncondit
ional l
oveshegotf r
om hersincedayone.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(topast
or)t
hanky
ou

Hesmil
edlooki
ngatherasMeWi
l
li
amst
urned
l
ooki
ngbackatMiatear
ful
ly

MSWI LLIAMS: I
'm.
sosorrydear,pl
easeforgi
veme
forbei
nganabsentmot her,
Iam sosor r
yIwasn't
ther
ewheny ouneededmet hemost,I'
m sorr
yyou
neverexper
ienceda.
mot her
'slov
e.Pleaseforgi
ve
me

Mi
alookedathertear
ful
l
ythenpul
l
edasmil
eint
he
mi
dstoftheover
fl
owingtear
sandhel
dherf
ound
mot
her
'shand

MIA: Iunder standwher ey ouar ecomi ngf rom andI

am notmadaty ou, um j ustgladwef oundeach
other.Youhav eal way spl ayeda. mot her'sroleinmy
l
ifesincewemetandy oudi di toutoft hegoodness
ofy ourhear t.Youdi dn'tknowIwasy ourdaught er
buty oust i
llshower edmewi thl ovethatnooneev er
offeredme.Youst uckwi t
hmeandsuppor tedme
whi l
et hewhol ewor ldwast hrowi ngst onesatme
buty ounev ergav euponme, y ouwer ether eforme
throughi tallandhel pedmef i
ndmy self.You
i
ntroducedmet oGodandgav emehopeonceagai n,
Istartedseei ngt hingsdi fferentlyallbecauseof
you.(shesmi l
edandr ubbedhert ear sof f)ther
ei s
j
ustal otthaty oudi df ormeand. ..
..

Shesai dthatandremember edtheot

herti
mewhen
sheassaul t
edthepoorol dwomanbefore
dismissingherfr
om wor kandthatbr
okeherhear
t
i
nt omanysmal lpieces
MIA: (sadl
y)pl
easefor
givemef orhowItreatedyou
i
nt hepast,Iwasdisr
espect
fulandarrogant.Ist
il
l
can'tgetovert
hatdaywhenIlaidmyhandsony ou
andI thasbeeneati
ngmeup

MSWI LLIAMS: i
tsokaymydeardontworry,If
orgi
ve
youf
orev ery
thing.
(gent
lyr
ubbedhercheeks)and
t
hanky ouforforgi
vingmeforev
eryt
hing

Theybothgotlostineachotherdar
msasevery
one
watchedtouchedthenthepastorcl
ear
edhi
sthroat

PASTOR: t
hattooklong,
let
swr apuptheser
vice
thendepar
tfrom t
hrholygroundbret
hren

MsWi l
l
iamshel dMi a'
shandti
ght
lythentheywalked
awaytotaketheirseats.
MsgWill
i
amsl ookedaround
andnoti
cedGr acewasn'tar
oundthensighedsadly
l
ooki
ngatt hefront.
Mianoti
cedhersuddensadf ace
andconnectedthedot sthenlookeddown
sadly.
.Meanwhil
eafterclosetoanhourthepast
or
fi
nishedpreachi
ngandwr appedupevery
thi
ng
beforeall
owingever
y onetoleaveashewalkedt
o
MsWi l
l
iams

PASTOR:(smi
li
ng)Iam gl
ady
ouf
inal
l
yfoundy
our
l
onglostdaught
er.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Iam mor
ethanhappypast
or

PASTOR:
(smi
l
ing)y
ouar
ebl
essed

BOTH:
thanky
ou

PASTOR:Ihav
etobesomewher
esol
etmeleav
e
thenseey
ouonWednesdayt
henwet
alkpr
oper
ly
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
okaypast
or

HepatMsWill
iamsshoul
der
sandwal
kedawayas
t
heytwol
eftquiet
ly

ATTHEACCI
DENTSCENE

theyopenedtheot
hercarandpull
edheroutput
ti
ng
herheavybodyonthestr
etchbedbef
orewheeli
ngit
away.
Meanwhil
eatthefarsideoft
her
oadMandl
alooked
ati
tscr
eaminghislungsout

MANDLA:
(cr
ying)noooooooh.
.

Hefell
onhi skneesastearsstr
eameddown
uncont
roll
ablypeopl
emov edtheirphonest
ohissi
de
taki
ngvideosofhimthenthepolicemanhelpedhi
m
uptothecarbeforedri
vi
ngof ff
ollowi
ngthe
ambul
ance

ATMSWI
LLI
AMSHOUSE

Sheunl
ockedthedoorandopenedupwhileher
phoner
ang,shequi
cklyopenedthebagandlooked
ATtheunknownnumberanswering

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
hel
l
o

Herj
awdr
oppedast
hephonef
ell
down.
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
einser
ts
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
08:
26]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT74

Herj
awdroppedast
hephonefell
downbefor
eshe
br
okedowncryi
ngasMiawatchedcl
uel
ess.

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)what
'
sgoi
ngon?

GRACE:
(scr
eami
ng)nonotmybaby

MI
A:whathappened?

Sheconti
nuedcryi
ngthenMIAbentpi
cki
ngupt
he
phoneandputitonherearl
i
steni
ng.
VOI
CE:
hel
l
o,hel
l
o,ar
eyoust
il
lther
e?

MI
A:y
esmam,
whatdi
dyousay
?

GRACE:yourdaught
erwasinv
olv
edi
nacaracci
dent
pl
easehurr
ytothehospi
tal

Mia'
smout hdroppedassheslowlyl
ookedather
cr
yingtear
ful
ly
.Forsomer easonshefel
therhear
t
br
eakingforGraceandhopedshewasokay .

MI
A:l
etsgo

MeWi l
li
amstri
edt ost
andupbutherfeetweretoo
heavysoMiahelpedherupcar
ryingheronher
shoul
derst
hentheyleapedout
side.

MI
A:wewon'
tgett
othet
axi
stopl
etmer
usht
her
e
whi
l
eyouwai
ther
e.Iwi
l
lcomebackf
ory
ou

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(noddedt
ear
ful
l
y)

Mialetgoofherasshesl
owl
ysatont
hechai
r
cr
yingherl
ungsout

MI
A:um comi
ngback

Shehurri
edtothet axistopwhiletear
sfloweddown
hercheeksl
uckilyat axipassedandstoppedbyt hen
sheleanedoverthewi ndowasherey esf ellont
he
guywhousedt ranspor therdur
ingthedar kestt
ime
ofherli
fe

HI
M:(
sadl
y)heyar
eyouf
ine?

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)nopl
easeIneedat
axi
takemet
othe
hospi
tal

Hesteppedoutofthecarandwentt
ohersi
de
hol
dinghergent
ly

TAXIMAN:
(sof
tl
y)geti
nsi
de

Heopenedupasshehoppedi
nsi
debef
orehe
cl
osedthedoor

MI
A:wehav
etogobackf
ormymo-
..
..
..
.MsWi
l
li
am'
s

HI
M:(
buckl
i
ngup)okay
,wher
eisshe?

MI
A:notf
arf
rom her
e,I
'
lldi
recty
ou

HI
M:okay
Hestartedthecardr i
vi
ngasshewentondi r
ecting
hi
m andi nnot i
met heyapproachedtheyardthen
Miaquicklysteppedoutandwal kedovertoher
motherholdingherast heywalkedtothecar

MIA:(
sadl
y)pl
easedon'
tcr
y,Ibel
i
eveshewi
l
lbe
f
ine

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(cont
inuedcr
yingoutl
oud)

Theyhoppedatthebackseatsashesadl
ylooked
atthei
rtear
yfacesandswall
owedhar
d.

ATTHEMORTUARY

Hewalkedintheroom ast
heycal
ledhi
mi nsi
deto
i
denti
fythebodysoheheldhi
schestbreathi
ng
heav
il
yandlookedastheyunzi
ppedthebodybag
t
henhesi
ghedr
eli
eved

MANDLA: (
breakingvoi
ce)It
oldyoushewasi nthe
Mercedes-Benz,um sur
esheisthelastoney ou
r
escuedandwheel edawayinabedst r
etcherplease
t
akemet oher

HER:
okaysi
r

Theyzippedt hebl ackbodybagasMandl asl owly

walkedoutwi thhi sheadf eeli
ngveryheav y.Hef el
t
hisheartbreakingt hi
nkingoft hepossibleinjuri
es
shemi ghthav ebuthewashopef ulandgr ateful
knowingtheper soni nthebodybagi sn'this
preci
ousGr ace, atleasttherewasst i
llhope, all
he.l
ongedf oratt hismomentwast o.seeher .

HER:
sir
,ar
eyouokay
?
MANDLA:
(touchedhi
shead)I
'
mfeel
i
ngdi
zzy

Heleanedont
hewal
lsuppor
ti
nghi
msel
fast
hey
hel
dhim

HER:
(hol
dinghi
m)wat
er,
gethi
m somewat
er

Thewomanqui ckl
ybroughtaglassofwaterand
gavehimthenhegulpedital
ldownbeforehe
star
tedwalki
ngout

HER:here,l
etmegoseethedoctorandenqui
re
aboutherstat
ebef
orel
ett
ingyouin

MANDLA:
(saton.
thehospi
tal
chai
rsnoddi
ng
t
ear
ful
l
y)

Shewal
kedawayanddi
sappear
edi
ntot
hewar
ds
whereshefoundthewomanwi
ththebr
okenl
egal
l
bandagedasthedoct
orst
oodnextt
oher.

HER:heyDoctor,Ihav
eamanhereandhewantsto
seeGrace,
wet houghtmay
besheistheoneatt
he
mort
uarybutturnsoutwearewr
ongbecausehe
conf
ir
medi t

DOCTOR:ohhy eah,ther
ewereonl yt
wopeoplei
n
theBMW, oneislat
eandt heotheronei
sthi
slady.
(Looki
ngattheladybedri
dden)Letmesedateher
andtakeyouupt oGrace

Hegotthesyri
ngeandbentpri
cki
ngherwi
ththe
i
nject
ionasshefl
inchedal
it
tl
eanddozedoff

DOCTOR:done!Um sureGrace'
sfami
lywil
lbehere
any
timebecausetherecept
ioni
stmanagedtogeta
hol
dofthem eal
ier
,let
sgo
Theytur
nedwalki
ngoutchatt
ingandmadetheirway
i
ntothenextr
oom ashereyesfel
lont
hetearf
ul gi
rl
s
face

DOCTOR:
(smi
l
ing)y
ouar
eonel
uckyper
son

Shesmi ledt earful

lylooki ngupatt hedoct orandher
hear tbrokeasshewashopi ngt oseehermot herbut
i
tappear edshewasnotcomi ngany t
imesoon.The
nur seandt hemal edoct orconti
nuedchat t
ingnext
tohert alkingabouthowshegotof fluckyand
unhar medwhi l
eot hersgotbadl yi njuredt ot he
ext entofoneev enl osingherl i
fe.Li ket heywer enot
ther eshel ookedt ot hesi deast ear sstreameddown
herf acer emember ingt helastev ent sleadi ngtoher
tragedyandhert hroatdr iedupasshef eltherheart
breaking.Ev er
ythingt hathadj ustt ranspiredal li
na
daywast oomuchf oroneper sonandshewas
faili
ngt ocont ainherpai nsoshebur stoutcr y
ing
hy steri
callyast henur sewal kedoutcal l
ingMandl a
i
n
GRACE:
(cr
ying)hhhhmmmmm.
..
.

Hewal kedi
ntearf
ull
yandqui cklywal
kedovertoher
pull
ingofft
hesheetscheckingherlegsbutshewas
al
lgoodandwhol e.Hesmiledt ear
ful
lyandl
ookedat
Gracewhosemi ndwasmi l
esaway

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)babe

Hetouchedherhandasshesl
owl
ylookedathi
m
andsmiledal
it
tl
ehappytoseehi
m.
Atleastsomeonest
il
lcar
edabouthersor
ryl
i
fe"
she
thought"
Shel ookedathim andsmi l
edemotionall
ythi
nking
abouthowmuchhehasbeent her
ef orher
,Mandla
hasal waystri
edbyal lmeanstobethereforherand
helpherheal fr
om herpainful
pastwhenherown
mot hercouldn'
tcarelessandexpectedhertoheal
overnight.Thethoughtofhowhermot herfai
ledto
sympathizeandbether
eforherbrokeherhearta
mil
li
ontimesandmadeherbr eakdownbutshehel d
her
selftoget
herandworeasmi l
elooki
ngatone
per
sonwhowast heret
hroughthi
ckandthin.

MANDLA: (
smili
nghappi
ly:
)youarefi
nebabe,can'
t
bel
i
ev eitandIactual
l
ythoughty
ouar e.
..
(swal
l
owed
pai
nfull
yast hebodybagimagecrossedhismind)

MANDLA:IthankGody
ouar
efi
nebabe,
arey
ou
f
eel
inganypain?

Hehel
dhert
ear
ycheekswai
ti
ngf
orananswer

GRACE:(
smi
li
ngt
earf
ull
y)I
'
m okay
,thedoct
orsai
d
I
'l
lber
eadyt
ogobackhometomorrow

MANDLA:'
(r
ubbedhi
stear
s)y
oual
mostgav
emea
hear
tat
tack
GRACE:
(smi
l
edemot
ional
l
y)y
ouar
ecr
ying?

MANDLA:(l
aughedrubbingt
hetear
sof
f)nobabei
ts
j
ust
..
.somet
hinggotin.
myeyes

GRACE:(smi
li
ng)stopl
yi
ngIcanseeyouarecr
ying,
Idi
dn'
tknowyouaresuchacrybaby,
youcanrel
ax
nowbecauseI'
mfine

MANDLA: (smil
edholdi
nghercheeks)um soglad
youaref
ine,Idon'
tknowwhatIwoul ddowithout
you,
Ican'
tloseyouagain

GRACE:
(smi
l
ingt
ear
ful
l
y)y
ouwon'
tl
osemeagai
n.

Hesmi
ledt
henleanedov
erki
ssingherdryl
i
psas
t
henur
seanddoctorwat
chedadmirabl
y
NURSE:
(smi
l
ing)aww,
thi
sissocut
e

DOCTOR:(smil
i
ng)youcansaythatagai
n,Iswear
thi
sguywould'
vecompl
etel
ylosti
tift
henews
tur
nedoutbad

NURSE: y
eah,hewasbreaki
ngdown,youshoul
d'
ve
seenthehugesighheheavedaf
terr
eali
zi
ngitwasn'
t
herebodybackther
e

DOCTOR:(smi
l
ing)aww,
hetrul
ylov
esher.Shei
s
bl
essedt
ohavesuchahotshoti
nherl
if
ekanathis
guyi
sbig

NURSE:
yeahhey
,lov
eli
vesher
e

Theysmil
edlooki
ngatt
hem bef
oret
henur
set
urned
walki
ngout
NURSE:
iyoh,
letmel
eav
e

DOCTOR:
okay

Sheturnedwal
ki
ngoutast
het
wol
adi
eswal
ked
overpanti
ng

MI
A:(
tear
ful
l
y)wear
eher
etoseeGr
ace

NURSE:ohhshei
swi
thsomeonenowbuty
oucan
goi
nside

Shedir
ect
edthem t
oherwar
dasMi
ahel
dMs
Wil
li
am'shandti
ght
ly

MI
A:(
sadl
y)pl
easedon'
tcr
y,um sur
eshei
sokay
Theyst eppedinsideasMandl aturnedl ookingat
them thenbackatGr acewhosef acialexpression
i
nst ant
lychangedwhenherey esf ellonMi a,her
throatdri
edupast earswell
edupi nherey es,she
bli
nkedonceast hetearsstar
tedf lowingdownher
faceandMsWi l
li
amsqui ckl
ywal kedt oherandhel d
her

MSWI LLI
AMS:'ohhbaby,um sogl
adyouare
okay,
(l
ookedup)'
ohhthankyouJesusforsav
ingmy
chi
ld

Shepul l
edthesheet sof
fscanni
ngherwholebody
andcriedtearsofjoywhilet
hetwolookedateach
other
.Mandl aclenchedhist
eethangr
il
ythengot
Grace'
shandki ssingherbef
orewalki
ngoutpassi
ng
byMi awithoutsayingaword

GRACE:
(br
eaki
ngv
oice)pl
easedon'
tgo
Heturnedandl
ookedbackatGr
aceasMsgWi
l
li
ams
cov
eredherup

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngbaby
?

Shei gnoredherandf ixedherey esatMandl awho

walkedov ertothebedsi deandhel dherhand
kissingitwhi l
eMi aqui etl
ywat chedwi thoutany
feelingswhat soev er
.Forsomewei r
dr easonshe
didn'tfeelanythingandhel dnothingagai nsthim,
shedi dn'tevenf eelj
eal ous,may beit
'sbecauseshe
alway sknewt heywoul dendupt ogether ,shehad
seent hel ovehehadf orherinhi seyesal ongti
me
agoandnowhadmadepeacewi ththef actthathe
nev erlovedherbutr atherusedher .

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(hel
dhercheek)baby

Shei
gnoredherandheldt
ightt
oMandla'
shandas
MsWill
i
amsl ookedbackatMiaandr
emembered
MSWI LLI
AMS:
(wal
kedov
ert
oMi
a)pl
easewai
t
out
side

Shenoddedandsadlywal
kedoutasever
yonei
nthe
room wat
chedhert
henGracetur
nedtohermot
her
andbrokedowncry
inghyst
eri
cal
ly

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
um.
sor
rybaby
,pl
easest
opcr
ying

Shebenthuggi
ngherasshecont
inuedcr
ying
then.
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
27]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT75

Hecl
ear
edhi
sthr
oatandshel
ookedbackathi
m

MANDLA:
(whi
sper
ing)l
etmegi
vespace

GRACE:
(nodded)

Hetur
nedwal
kingoutasMsgWi
l
li
amshuggedher
t
ightr
ubbi
ngherback

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
um sogl
ady
ouar
efi
nebaby

Theypul
l
edof
ffr
om t
hehugasMsgWi
l
li
ams
r
ubbedhercheekssmi
l
ing

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
Godi
sgoodi
ndeed

Gracelookedathersmi
l
ingt
hent
hedoct
orwal
ked
backinsi
de

GRACE:v
isi
ti
nghourshav
eelapsedpl
usIneedto
checkaf
ewthingsandmakesureshei
sreal
lyokay

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
okaysi
r

DOCTOR:
(smi
l
ed)

MSWILLIAMS:(t
oGrace)l
etmegobaby
,Iwi
l
lcome
backi
ntheeveni
ngokay?

GRACE:
(sof
tl
y)okayma
Shebentki
ssi
ngherf
oreheadt
hensl
owl
ywal
ked
out
.
Meanwhi
l
eoutsi
deMandlapassedMi
awit
houta
wor
dasshecalmlyl
ookedathi
m wal
ki
ngaway

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
let
sgodear

MI
A:howi
sshe?

MSWILLI
AMS:
shei
sal
lgoodandnoti
njur
ed,
I
t
hankGod

MI
A:(
smi
l
edr
eli
eved)wowt
hat
sgr
eat

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
yeah,
let
sgetgoi
ng

Mi
asadl
ylookedatherandt
henl
ookeddown
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
what
?

MI A:Ican'tcomewi thy oubecauseGr acecan' t

standmeandIunder standherr easons.I t
'stoosoon
toexpecthert oacceptmeaf terthepai nIputher
through.Herknowi ngt hatIwasbehi ndt heThai l
and
sagawasbadenoughbutnowf i
ndingoutt hather
veryownsi stergaveherupt othedogsi swor seand
certai
nlyisn'tsomet hingy oueasilycomet ot erms
with.Ifeel youhav ebeent oomuchconcer nedabout
mel atelyandf orgotabouty ourdaught eri
nt he
process, Icanonl yimagi nehowshef eelsrightnow.

MSWI LLIAMS: (sadly)butIcan'

tabandonyouas
well
,,
Ijustfoundoutt hatyouaremyl ongl
ost
daughterand-.
..
...
..
..
..
.

MI
A:(sadly
)butyoual
wayshadadaughterbef
ore
meand.youcan'
thur
ther
.Iunder
standhowshe
mustbef eeli
ngnow, sheprobablythi nksIam goi ng
toreplaceherandt akeherpl aceiny ourlifeandi t
s
normal forhertofeelthatway .Pl
easet rytogi veher
assuranceandbet hereforher.Findouthowshe
feel
s,makeherf eelfr
eetoopenupt oy ou,justdo
somet hingtohelphermov eonf r
om herpai nfulpast
anddon' tforcehertomov eonbutr atherhel pher
mov eonbybei ngunderstandinganddon' texpect
hertobef i
neandacceptmebecausehonest lythat
s
nothappeni ngany t
imesoon

MSWI LLI
AMS: (sadly)maybeyouar eri
ght,
Inever
tr
iedtof i
ndouthowshei sfeel
ingandIexpect ed
hertomov eonqui ckly.(
Sheheav edahugesadsi gh
andcont i
nuedt alki
ng)Ifail
edmydaught erand
madeherf eelal
one.Nowt hatIthinkaboutit,
the
onlypersonwhohav ebeentheref orherisMand
-.
..
(pausedt houghtfull
y)

Mi
asmi
l
edatherwi
thacal
mlook.
..
.
MIA:(smil
ing)Mandl a,y
oucansayi t
.Don'tmindme
becausethatissomet hi
ngIhav emadepeacewi t
h
andum soov erhim.Apar tofmeal way sknewt hey
wouldendupt ogetherbecauseIsawt helovehe
hasforheronhisey essof eelfr
ee,thi
sguybel ongs
i
nmypastandIt hankGodf orheali
ngmeand
helpi
ngmegetov erhim andIcertai
nlydon'thavea
probl
em withwhoev erhechoosest odat e

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
edpr
oudl
y)Iam sopr
oudofy
ou

MI
A:(
smi
l
ed)

MSWI LLIAMS:l
etsgodear
,wewil
lsortoutthe
l
iv
ingarrangement
swhenGracei
sreleased

MI
A:okay

Theyt
urnedwal
ki
ngawayt
othet
axi
stopandl
ucki
l
y
t
het
axi
manf
rom eal
i
erpassedby

HI
M:(
stoppedsmi
l
ing)hey

Theyhoppedi
nsidet
henhest
eppedont
he
accel
erat
ordr
ivi
ngaway

SOMEWHEREI
NTHECI
TY

shedr
aggedherf
eetwi
thaf
rownonherf
ace

PRETTY:
I'
mti
red,
thi
sisheav
y

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)butwear
eal
mostdonebabe

PRETTY:
hai
sh,
okaybabe
Shewalkedf
ast
ert
henherphoner
angf
rom her
pocket

THEMBA:
yourphonebabe

PRETTY:
(tooki
toutandl
ookedatt
hescr
een)hey
fr
iend

FIFI
:heyf
ri
end,pl
easehel
pmeoutwi
thsomet
hingI
needyourfav
our

PRETTY:
okay

FI
FI:
pleasebor
rowmeonet
housandpul
a

PRETTY:
(ey
eswi
dened)what
?

FI
FI:
(desper
atev
oice)pl
easef
ri
end
PRETTY:wher
ewoul
dIgett
hatamountofmoney
nehFi
fimma?

FI
FI:
(keptqui
et)

PRETTY:Idon'
thav
ethatmuchmoney
,it
sal
ot
fr
iend.
Um sorr
y

FI
FI:
(rol
l
edhereyes)ohhplease!Yousur
ehav
eal
ot
ofmoneyPr
etty
,youjustdontwanttohel
pme

PRETTY:
(sighed)Idon'
thavemoneyFi
fiy
ouknow
evenmytuckshopdoesn'tmakemuchprofi
t

FI
FI:
(wi
that
tit
ude)Ican'
tbel
iev
eyouar
etur
ningme
downPr
ett
y,somef akef
ri
endswehave
PRETTY:
(of
fended)what
?

FIFI
:(att
it
ude)yesPrett
yIknowy ouj ustdon'twant
tohelpbecauseIknow y ourboyfriendisrichsurel
y
hegivesy oumoneybutnowt hatyouar edatinga
ri
chguyy oudecidet
of orgettheoneper sonwho
wast her
ef ory
ouduringy ourdarkestday s

PRETTY:
(sadl
y)whyar
eyoubei
ngl
i
ket
his?

FIFI
:seSafelengseatl
holamo'gi
rl
,ot
lar
egopol
a
ronaboFif
i(nothi
nglast
sforev
erandyouwi
ll
remembermeoneday )

Sheslowlymov edherhanddownasThembal ooked

athersuddensadf acet
hengotherphoneput
tingit
onhisearli
steningtoFi
ficur
singher
,HEsi
ghed
angri
l
yandhungup
THEMBA:don'tt
akeittohear
tbabe,shei
sjusta
bi
tt
erandj
ealousfr
iend,Inev
erl
ikedherf
oryou.

PRETTY:
(sadl
y)Ican'
tbel
i
evesher
eall
ythi
nkInow
l
ookdownuponher ,
ImeanwhywouldIdothat

THEMBA:
stopthi
nki
ngabouther
,shei
sjustj
eal
ous
andmi
ser
able

PRETTY:
(keptqui
etasherwor
dsr
ant
hroughher
mind)

THEMBA:pl
easesmi
l
eformebabe,
Ihat
eseei
ng
yousad

PRETTY:
(fakedasmi
l
e)happy
?

THEMBA:
wel
l
,that
'
sbet
ter
.l
et'
sgodr
opt
heseof
fin
t
hecart
hengogr
abpi
zza

PRETTY:
(smi
l
edabi
t)j
ustwhatIwant
ed

THEMBA:
Iknowr
ight
!

Theyt
urnedtothepar
kinglotandputt
heshoppi
ng
bagsi
nsidebef
oretur
ningback

THEMBA:
ist
hatal
lyouneeded?

PRETTY:
notr
eal
l
y,whataboutt
hepl
ace?

THEMBA: ohhthat,
worrynot
,I'
ll
askoneofmy
acquai
ntancestogetusanaffor
dabl
eplacet
orent

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)gr
eat
THEMBA:
hav
eyout
houghtofaname?

PRETTY:well
,Ihav
eaf ewnamest
ochoosef
rom
andIneedyouropi
nionon.
that

THEMBA:
okay
,

Theysteppedi
nsideandwalkedtothecounter
wheretheypai
dof fandwait
edafewmi nut
esbefor
e
gett
ingthei
rpi
zzaor derast
akeaway

THEMBA:
wil
leatathomer
ight
?

PRETTY:(
laughi
ng)no,
youwi
ll
eatathomebecause
um di
ggi
nginassoonasIhopinsi
det
hecar

THEMBA:
(laughi
ng)wher
edoy
ougetal
lthi
s
appet
it
e

PRETTY:(
laughi
ng)Iwasbor
nli
ket
hatbaby
,tal
k
aboutf
oodandtalkaboutme

Helaughedcar
ryi
ngt
helar
geboxofpi
zzaand
l
ookeddownatherbutt

THEMBA:
andy
ouar
eev
engai
ningwei
ght

PRETTY:
(st
oppedsmi
l
ing)ar
eyoucal
l
ingmef
at?

THEMBA:
(laughi
ng)what
?Nobabe,
ofcour
senot

Pr
ettyl
aughedast
heyhoppedi
nsi
det
her
anger
over
dr
ivi
ngoff.
..
.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS
t
heysteppedoutoft
hecarandwav
edashel
ooked
i
nhereyeslost

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(louder
)thanky
ou!

HI
M:(
snappedoutofi
t)ohh,
yeahby
ema

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
byedear

Miasmi l
ednoti
cinghowhepani
ckedandt
hel
ook
hejustgaveher

HI
M:by
eMi
a

MI
A:by
e,ohhandInev
ergoty
ourname?
HI
M:Yaonebuty
oucancal
lmeYay
a

MI
A;(
smi
l
ing)ohhby
eYay
a

Hesmil
edanddr
oveawayasMi
aandMsgWi
l
li
ams
wal
kedi
ntheyar
d..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
THANKYOU.
[
7/19,
08:
27]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT76
Sheunlockedt
hedoorthentheyst
eppedi
nsi
deas
Miashottotheki
tchenfol
l
owedbyhernewfound
mother

MI
A:um sohungr
y

MSWILLI
AMS:
met
oo,
letmemakeussomet
hingt
o
eat

MI
A:noIwi
l
ldoi
tma,
um sur
eyouneedabi
tofr
est

MsgWill
i
am'sheartski
ppedabitheari
ngher
addr
essheras"ma"thesoundofherhumblevoi
ce
melt
edherhear
tandleftheri
nsmiles.

MI
A:what
?

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)i
twasr
eal
l
yni
cehear
ing
y
ousayt
hatandi
tfel
tsor
ight

MI
A:(
lookedathersmi
l
ing)

MSWI LLI
AMS: l
etmegositdownwhi
ley
ouwork
ar
oundhereplusyouhav
etofamil
i
ari
zeyour
sel
f
wi
ththeplace

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)al
ri
ght

MsWi ll
i
amsturnedgoi
ngtothel
iv
ingr
oom asMI
A
star
tedopeni
ngtheki
tchendr
awerspr
epar
ing
supper.

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Shecl
osedhereyestr
yingt
osleepbutitwasmore
ofast
ruggl
esosheturnedt
otheothersideand
t
houghtf
ull
ypr
essedtheredbutt
oncal
l
ingf
orhel
p,
i
nnotimethedoctorwasinherr
oom

DOCTOR:
(sof
tl
y)hey
,ar
eyouf
ine?

GRACE:
myphone,
canIhav
eit
?

DOCTOR:
Ohhy
eah,
ofcour
sedear
,letmegogeti
t

GRACE:
alr
ight

Hetur
nedwal
ki
ngoutasGr acesi
ghedsadly,
she
t
ri
edtosi
tupabitbutf
li
nchedasherarm hurt

GRACE:
(fr
owned)ouch!

DOCTOR:
(wal
ki
ngi
ncar
ryi
ngherphone)ar
eyou
fi
ne?
GRACE:(wi
thabi
tofaf
rown)myar
msi
sabi
t
pai
nful

DOCTOR: ohhwewil
lhav
etochecki
tthen(
handed
herphoneover
)her
e

GRACE:
thanky
ou

Shegotherphoneandl
ookedatthescr
een,i
twas
st
il
lonandhadaf ewmissedcal
lfr
om Mandl
a.

DOCTOR:
Iwi
l
lcomebackt
oseey
ou

GRACE:
(lowv
oice)okay
HewalkedoutasGraceconti
nuedl
ookingather
phone'
sscreensadl
y,shewashopi
ngtofindmissed
cal
lsfr
om hermotheroratl
eastamessage.She
wassur ethatshehadal readyarri
vedathomeand
thoughtshewoul dr emembert otextherandl ether
knowt hatshearrivedsafelybutno, ther
ewasno
suchmessagei nherphone.Shebr eathedout
heav i
lyandcont i
nuedl ookingatherphonehopi ngt
o
seei tri
ngwi t
hcal l
eridenti
tywr i
tt
en" mom"she
wai t
edf orafewmi nutesbutsighedput ti
ngitaway
thengat heredallstrengt
hget t
ingof fbed,herbody
wasn' treal
lyinpainbutshej ustfel
tt ooheavyand
ti
red.Shebenton. herkneexnextt oherbedand
foldedherar mspr ay i
ng

GRACE: heav i
lyLord,pleaseforgiv
emef ormysi ns,
forgivemef ort hesinsIdi dknowinglyandt hose
thatIdidunknowi nglydearLord.Washmewi thy our
bloodonceagai nandpur i
fymybodyandmysoul ,
makemecl eanandwashawayt hest ainsonmy
gownheav enlyf at
her.(Tearsformedatt hecor ners
ofherey est henshel ookedupt ost opt hem from
fall
ingandcont i
nuedwi t
hherpr ayer)fatherIam
brokenandi tsonlyyouwhocanf i
xme, f
ixmeLor d
andt ouchmyhear t
,touchmyl ifeandLor d
-.
..
(swall
owedhar d)helpmef orgivethosewho
wrongedme, teachmehowt ol etgooft hepastand
thi
ngsIcan'tchange.Gi vemest rengthandthe
couragetogoonf r
om her e,father,t
hanky ouonce
againforsavi
ngmyl i
fe,i
ndeedy ouar eatruel
ivi
ng
Godwhokeepshi swor d,yousav edmemanyt i
mes
andgav emeachanceatl i
fe,thanky ouLordfor
fi
ghtingmybat t
les,i
nt hemi ghtynameoft heLord
JesusChr i
stIpray.
Amen

Shegotupf eeli
ngal itt
lebitl
ightandhoppedont he
bedf eel
ingal otbet ter,herspir
itwasl i
f t
edasshe
fel
tal otatease, pray erhasalway sbeenapower ful
tooltoher.Shel aiddownsmi li
ngabi tassheonl y
real
izednowhowmuchshehadbeendi stantfrom
God, shelookedupasherpast or'
swor dscr ossed
hermi nd.Ital
l madesensenowbecausesheal so
couldseehowf arfrom Godshehadbeen, shelet
resentmentandpai nt akeov erherhear tthatitev en
destroyedherr elati
onshi pwithGod, remember i
ng
howmuchofapr ayerwar ri
orsheusedt obe
saddenedherbutsheconsol edher selfbypr omi sing
her
selft
oreki
ndl
et her
elat
ionshipandturnbackto
God.Shewentonandont r
av eli
ngaroundthetr
ain
oft
houghtsunt
ilsheevent
uallydozedoff.
..
..

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

Theysteppedinsidet hehouseasThembaputt he
shoppingbagson. thecouchandturnedbackagain
togetmoref r
om t hecaroutsi
de,hewenton.andon
gett
ingevery
thingt hensatdownwhenhewasdone

PRETTY:comewashy
ourhands,
ilwar
mthepi
zza
sothaty
oucaneat

THEMBA:
okaybabe

Hegotmaki nghiswaytot
heki
tchenandwashed
hishandsassheopenedthemi
crowavewarmingi
t,
fewmi nut
eslat
ertheywer
eal
ldoneandwentoutto
theli
vi
ngroom wher
ehethrewhist
ir
edselfonthe
couchasshebentgi
vinghi
mt hepi
zzaandaglass
ofjui
ce

THEMBA:
thanky
ou

PRETTY:
(satdown)t
hatwasonel
ongdayhey

THEMBA:Ishoul
dn'
thavecomealong,
nextt
imeI'm
j
ustgi
vi
ngyoumycar dsoyoucangobyyoursel
f
babemma

PRETTY:(laughi
ng)nowaysbabe,Ican'
tri
skget
ti
ng
l
ostaroundt hebi
gcit
ysoum sorr
ybuty ouar
e
st
uckwi t
hme

THEMBA:
(mout
hful
)what
ever
!
Shebr
iefl
ylaughedashet
ookt
hel
astbi
tet
hen
gul
pedthejui
cedown

THEMBA:
(swal
l
owi
ng)t
hiswasr
eal
l
yni
ce

PRETTY:
yeah

Shetooktheplat
eandputi
tont
het
abl
easThemba
l
ickedhi
slips

PRETTY:
ther
eissomet
hingony
ourl
i
ps

Hel
i
ckedar
oundhi
sli
psbuti
tst
il
lst
uckon

PRETTY:
itsst
il
lther
e,l
etmehel
pyou

Shel
eanedoverandusedherfi
ngert
otakeoft
he
pi
zzapi
eceashelookedinhermarbl
eeyes,
she
threwt hepieceint hepl ateandlookedbackathi m
smi li
ngasThembasl owl ybroughthi
sf acecl
oserto
her s,shesmi l
edshy lylookinginhiseyesashe
closedhi sey es,theirnosest ouchedashepl anted
hisl i
pson. hers,sheki ssedhim backast hei
rheads
ti
lted, hemov edhisbodypr ett
yclosetohersand
suckedherl ipsmor emov i
nghishandgent l
yonher
bodyupt oherboobs, shesof t
lymoanedi npleasur
e
ashesqueezedherbr easts

PRETTY:
(moani
ng)mhm.
..

Hear
inghersof
tmoansturnedhim onevenmoreas
hi
smachinehardenedev
enmor epokinghi
spants

THEMBA:
(mut
ter
ed)f
uck!
!

Hemov edhi
sot herhandt ot
hebackandunzipped
herdressasitfelldowntoherstomach,hepull
ed
offf
rom thekissandl ookedathersmoothl
ight
body,
herboobslookedsocutei
nthenudebrashe
wasputt
ingonast heyfor
medasexycl
eavagethat
l
efthi
m complet
elyaroused

THEMBA:
shi
t!

Hesmiledseducti
veandmov edhi
shandst
oher
backpull
i
ngt hest
ri
ngsofherbraofft
heni
tfel
l
downexposingherpoi
ntysexyboobs

THEMBA:
(mut
ter
ed)dammi
tbabe!Youhav
eaf
ine
body

Sheshyl
ylookeddownthenhehel
dherchint
il
ti
ngi
t
upandplant
edhisli
psonhersasshef
il
ledher
pant
ieswit
hthewarmjuices

PRETTY:
(moani
ng)mhmm.
..
..
.
Hegotupandl if
tedherbef oremaki ngat urnand
slowlywal kedtot hebedr oom whileshel ookedat
hiscut efacewi t
hsl eepyhor nyeyes.Hest epped
i
nsideandgent lylaidheront hebedbef orepul li
ng
herdr essoff,whenhewasdonehet hrewt hedr ess
onthef l
oorandl ookedathercooki ei nthel ace
pantyshewasput t i
ngon, helookedi nherhor ny
eyesandpul l
edt hepant yof fbef
or etakingof fhis
clot
hest hengotont opofhernakedbodyki ssingher
,
feel
inghi snakedni cesmel l
ingbodyont opofher s
sentheri ntoanot herwor ldasshehel dtightont o
him suckinghi sli
ps, hi
shar dmachi nehadpr essed
againstherot hert highandhadj uicesdr ippingout
wettinghert hi
gh

THEMBA:
(sof
tl
y)babe

Mor ejui
cesdri
ppedfrom hercooki
ethenhemov ed
hishandtohercookieandsmi l
edinpleasureashe
fel
tthewar mjui
ces,
hetouchedhercli
tasi t
throbbedleav
inghermoaning
PRETTY:
(moani
ng)ohh,
ahhhhhh.
..
.mmmhhm

Hesmil
edlookingi
nhereyesandpar
tedherl
egs
get
ti
nginbetweenandshovedhi
swholemachine
i
nsi
dethen#$&@! .
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Hegotunder
coveranddial
edhernumberbutitr
ang
unanswer
edthenhesighedandhunguptext
ingher

Ty
ping.
..
.

MANDLA:goodni
ghtmylov
e,Iwil
lcomeseet
hat
pr
ett
yfaceagai
ninthemor
ning
Getwel
lsoonMr
sMat
hews.
Hesentt
hemessageandputhi
sphonedownbef
ore
cl
osi
nghisey
es.
..
.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS

MI
A:hav
eyoucheckedonGr
ace?

MSWILLI
AMS:(mout
hful
)If
orgott
otel
lherwear
e
home,
Letmecal
lher

MI
A:(
thought
ful
l
y)okay

MsWi l
li
amsgotherphoneanddi
aledhernumber
buti
trangunanswer
ed

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
shei
snotpi
cki
ngup

MI
A:may
beshei
ssl
eepi
ng
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
yeah

MI
A:pl
easet
ryheragai
nbef
orey
ousl
eep

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
okaybaby
,Iwi
l
l

Theycont
inuedeat
ingsupperandal
lwentt
hei
r
separ
atewayswhentheyweredone..
..

$@&#!
..
WILLBEPOSTEDATTHEGROUP
TOMORROW
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
[
7/19,
08:
27]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT77

Hepull
edoutandknel
tbet
weenherl
egsashi
sthi
ck
j
uicesdr
ippedonhert
ummy

THEMBA:
(mut
ter
ed)f
uckbabey
ouar
esosweet

PRETTY:
(lookedathi
m br
eat
hingheav
il
y)

Hebentcl osertoherfaceandplantedasoftkisson
herli
psbef orereachi
ngfortheti
ssue,hesmiledat
herwhilehewi pedthejui
cesoffhertummyt hen
thr
ewi ttothesideandlaidbesi
deher

THEMBA:
(looki
ngi
nherey
es)Il
ovey
oubabe
PRETTY:
(whi
sper
ing)Il
ovey
ouev
enmor
ebabe

Hesmi
l
edandpul
l
edheri
nhi
sar
ms.
..
..
.

THENEXTDAY

sheslowlyopenedhereyesandr ubbedthem
cl
eari
ngherv i
sionasshey awned.Shereachedf
or
herphoneandpr essedi
tasacut esmilefor
medon
herl
ipsreadi
nghi smessage

((
MANDLA:goodni
ghtmyl
ove,Iwi
l
lcomeseet
hat
pret
tyf
aceagai
nint
hemorni
ng
Getwel
lsoonMr
sMat
hews.
))

Shesol
ovedt
hesoundofi
tasi
thadani
cer
ingt
oit
GRACE:
(smi
l
edwhi
sper
ing)Mr
sMat
hews

Shesmil
edendlessl
ythent
hedoorf
lungopenast
he
doct
orwalkedi
n

DOCTOR:
(smi
l
ing)goodt
oseey
ousmi
l
ing

GRACE:
mor
ningdoct
or

DOCTOR:morni
ngdear
,Icant
ell
youar
efeel
i
nga
l
otbet
tert
oday

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)Iam

DOCTOR:greatbecauseIal
sohav
egoodnews,
you
ar
ereadytogohome

GRACE:
(facel
i
tup)r
eal
l
y?When?
DOCTOR:
evennow,
cal
lyourmot
her
.

GRACE:
(happi
l
y)ohht
hanky
ou,
I'
ll
cal
lhernow

Shelookedatherphonepr
essi
ngitanddi
aledher
numberbeforeputt
ingi
tonherearl
ist
eni
ngasit
rangunanswered

GRACE:
(sadl
y)shei
snotpi
cki
ngup

DOCTOR:
tryagai
n

Shedial
edherandputi
tonherearagai
nbutst
il
li
t
rangunanswer
ed

GRACE:Shei
sst
il
lnotpi
cki
ngup
DOCTOR:
um sosor
ry,
tryy
ourf
ri
end

GRACE:
(thought
ful
l
y)ohhy
es,
letmecal
lhi
m

Shedi
aledhernumberandhepi
ckedupont
hef
ir
st
ri
ng

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)pr
incess

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)hey

MANDLA:
mor
ningbabe,
howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?

GRACE:
muchbet
ter
,cany
oucomepi
ckmeup?

MANDLA:
wow!Sot
heyr
eleasedy
ou?
GRACE:
yes,
arey
oucomi
ng?

MANDLA:
offcour
se

GRACE:
alr
ightbabe

Shesaidt
hatandtouchedherl
ipssmili
ng,f
orthe
fi
rstt
imei
nherentir
eexist
ence,shecal
ledsomeone
babeanditf
eltsor
ight

MANDLA:
(louder
)babe?

GRACE:(snappedoutofi
t)umm hey
,by
e.Iwi
l
lst
art
packi
ng

MANDLA:nobabe,
don'tt
ouchany
thi
ngIwi
l
ldoal
l
t
hatwhenIgett
her
e,okay?
GRACE:
okaybabe,
bye.

MANDLA:
byeMr
sMat
hews

Shesmi
ledandhungupast
hedoct
orl
ookedather
smil
i
ng

DOCTOR:
youguy
sar
etr
ulyi
nlov
ehuh?

GRACE:
yeah,
butwhyar
eyousay
ingt
hat

DOCTOR: (bri
efl
ylaughed)Icanseei ti
nyoureyes,
yourfacealwaysbright
ensupatt hementi
onofhis
namepl usIsawt helov
ebet weeny ouguys
yest
erdaywhenhecameher e.Itwasn'
tascoldas
wheny ourmotherandt hatotherladywholooksl
ike
yougotinhere
Grace'sfaci
alexpressi
oni
nstantl
ychangedasshe
woreasadl ookt hatwasvi
sibl
etohim,seeingthat
hemi ghthavehitanerveheclear
edhisthroatand
tur
nedwal ki
ngaway

DOCTOR:
(cl
ear
inghi
sthr
oat
)ohhum.
..
..

Heheldthedoorknobreadytoopenupbutt
hen
t
hought
full
ystoppedandwalkedbackt
oher

DOCTOR:
(sof
tl
y)um.
sor
ryi
fthatof
fendedy
ouIj
ust
-
..
..
..
.

GRACE:
(sof
tl
y)i
tsokay
,it
snoty
oubutme

DOCTOR:
(sof
tl
y)do.
youmi
ndt
alki
ngabouti
t

Shel
ookeddownandl
i
ckedherdr
yli
pst
henhe
thought
ful
lyreachedforhi
spocket
staki
ngouta
smallcont
ainerofvasel
ine

DOCTOR:
her
e,t
aket
his

GRACE:
(lookedupathi
sface)t
hanky
ou

Shegoti
tandopenedthecontai
nerapply
ingi
ton
herdr
yli
pssl
owly,f
ewmi nut
eslatershewasall
doneandgav
eitbacktohim bef
oreshesadly
l
ookeddownswall
owinghard

GRACE: (softl
y)yesyouareright,theatmospher e
wasabi tcoldbecauseofcer tai
nt hingsthat
happenedi nthepast
, Iwasget t
ingov eritbutshe
doesn'twanttounderstandwher eum comi ngfrom
anditsaffecti
ngourrelat
ionship,(
lookedathi m)um
sureyouhear daboutgirl
swhower eabductedby
humant raff
icker
sandendedupi nThailand
DOCTOR:(remembered)ohhyes,
you(cov
eredhis
mouthshocked)Ihav
ebeentryi
ngtoremi
ndmy self
ofwhereIsawy oubecausey
oulookedsofamil
iar

GRACE: (smi led)yes, i

tsme. i
twasal lov ert
he
newspaper s, butitdoesn' tendt here,whenIcame
backIcamet oashocki ngr ealisati
onwhenIf ound
outt hatladywhoi smyl ookal i
kei stheonewho
soldmet ot het raffi
ckers.Asi fthatwasn' tenough
shehadbef ri
endedmymot herandt heyspentmor e
ti
met oget her ,getti
ngov erev erythingwasv ery
diff
icultbecauseal othappenedbackt her
e,Ilostmy
selfthereandi twashar df i
ndi ngmy selfagain,my
mot herdi dn' treall
yhav et imef ormebecauseshe
wasbusynur si
ngher ,trustmei thurtbutIwas
slowl ymaki ngpeacewi t hev ery t
hing( swall
owed
hard)Iwasmaki ngpeacewi thev erythinguntilI
foundoutt hat -
..
...
..
.

DOCTOR:
(cur
ious)what
?
GRACE:
that
-.
..
.t
hatshei
smysi
ster
.

Shebreat
hedoutheav
il
yast
hedoct
or'
sey
es
widenedsur
pri
sed

DOCTOR:
what
,wow!

GRACE:
yeah

DOCTOR:wow!Thi
sisdeepIdon'
tev
enknowwhat
tosay
,wow!

Hel
aughedbr
ief
lyshaki
nghi
sheadandhel
dhi
s
wai
stl
ooki
ngather

DOCTOR:I
'
m sosorr
ydear,Ihopey
ouf
indpeace
andi
tal
lworksouti
ntheend
GRACE: (smil
ing)t hankyoubutIt hinkafterthe
conv ersati
onIhadwi thGody esterday,Ifi
nallyf
eel
muchbet ter
,yest hinki
ngaboutital lhurt
sbut
um. slowlymaki ngpeacewi thitbecausei ts
somet hi
ngIcan' tchange.(ThoughtofMandl a)um
j
ustgl adIam st il
lapr i
ori
tytosomeone, atleastone
personst il
lcares

DOCTOR: (
softl
y)okdearum gl
ady ouar
epositi
ve,
butI
.mustadmitthatIr
eall
yadmireyoubecause
youaresuchast r
ongpersontohavebeenableto
wit
hstandall
thi
s

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)

DOCTOR:
letmel
eav
eyout
ost
artpacki
ng

GRACE:okay,andt
hanky
ouf
orl
i
steni
ng,
Ifeel
even
muchbetternow
DOCTOR:
alr
ightdear
,by
e

GRACE:
(wav
ed)

Heturnedwal
kingawayasshelai
ddownpr essi
ng
herphonecal
li
nghermotherbuti
tst
il
lrang
unansweredt
henshetypedamessage

Ty
ping.
..
..
..
..

GRACE:hel
l
oma,
Ihav
ebeenr
eleasedf
rom t
he
hospi
tal

Shesentt
hemessaget
henputt
hephoneaway

Meanwhi
l
eoutsi
deMandlapaceddownt
hecor
ri
dor
andmett
hedoctorhal
fwayt
hrough
MANDLA:
ohhhi
doct
or

DOCTOR:
(smi
l
ing)MrMat
thews,Goodt
oseey
ou
agai
n

MANDLA:
wel
l
,Iam her
etosee-
..

BOTH:
Grace!

MANDLA:yes,
shej
ustcal
l
edaski
ngmet
ocome
pi
ckherup

DOCTOR:al
ri
ght,
goon,shemustbepacki
ng.Pass
byr
ecept
iontosi
gnherrel
easef
orms

MANDLA:
alr
ightby
e

Theybot
htur
nedwal
ki
ngawayandi
nnot
imehe
wasatt
hedoorwher
eheopenedupt
henhi
sey
es
f
ell
onherl
yi
ngdownsel
f

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)hey
,babear
eyousl
eepi
ng?

GRACE:
(tur
nedl
ooki
ngathi
m wi
thasmi
l
e)hey
,that
wasqui
ck

MANDLA:
ithadt
obe

Theybri
efl
ylaughedashel eanedoverplant
inghi
s
softl
i
pson.herforeheadbeforel
eaningback

MANDLA:
um gl
ady
ouar
eokaynow

Hegentl
ycaressedhersmoot
hcheekbef
orehe
t
urnedgett
ingherbag
MANDLA:
(lookedar
ound)t
her
eisn'
tmucht
otake
her
e

GRACE:
yeah,
justbr
ingt
hat

Shepoi
ntedt
otheothersi
deashegott heot
her
smal
lbagandwalkedbacktoherhol
dingher

MANDLA:
let
sgobabe

GRACE:
okay

Shesatupr
ightt
henheputt
hebagsdownhol
ding
herasheli
ft
edherpet
it
ebodyup

GRACE:
(Laughi
ng)um.
goi
ngt
ofal
l

MANDLA:
rel
axbabe,
youwontf
all
Shet i
ght
lyheldont ohisjacketashewalkedoutof
herroom gett
ingint hecorri
dorandonnot imehe
steppedoutoft hebuildi
ngappr oachi
ngtheparki
ng
l
otwher eheopenedhi scarwithonehandand
gentl
ylaidheront hepassengerseatasev ery
one
watchedadmi rabl
y

NURSE1:
(smi
l
ing)Lov
eli
vest
her
e

NURSE2:youcansayt
hatagai
n,
thisgi
rli
sblessedI
meanwhoonearthget
stheMightyMrMat t
hewsfor
aboyf
ri
end.

Theybri
eflyl
aughedandconti
nuedchatt
ingas
MandlaclosedthedoorPaci
ngbackint
ot he
bui
ldi
ngwher eheturnedt
orecept
ion

MANDLA:
hel
l
o
RECEPTI
ONIST:
(smi
l
ing)goodmor
ningMr
Matt
hewshowmayIhelpyou?

MANDLA:
um her
etosi
gnGr
aceWi
l
li
ams'
srel
ease
f
orms

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
(sof
tl
y)ohh,
letmegett
hem

Shestoodupandwalkedtotheshel
vesswingi
ng
hersexybodyt
henbentdownashershortdress
rev
eali
nghersmoot
ht hi
ghsthenshegotthefi
leand
walkedbackwi
thafl
irt
ati
oussmile

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
(handi
ngi
tov
er)her
e

Hegrabbeditwi
thast
rai
ghtf
acethenbentdowna
bi
ttaki
ngthepensi
gni
ngthepaper
sandgav ethem
backtoher
RECEPTIONIST:(
lookedthr
oughthepaper
s)
umm. .
.y
ouforgotthenumbersect
ion,
writ
edown
yourphonenumber

MANDLA:
okay

Hegott
hepaper
sandf
il
ledi
nhi
snumber

MANDLA:
done

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
'
okay

Heturnedwal
ki
ngawayasshel
ookedathi
m wi
th
dust

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
(inhermi
nd)t
alkaboutf
inet
hings,
dammit!
Shegott
hepenbit
ingi
tthent
hought
ful
lypaged
thr
ought
hefi
leandcopi
edhisnumberdown.
Meanwhil
eatt
heparki
ngl
othehoppedi
nsi
deand
buckl
edupbef
oredr
ivi
ngof
f.
.

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

heslowl yopenedhi seyesandlookedatt he

sleepi
ngbeaut yinfr
ontofhimt hencareful
lygotof
f
bedandt iptoedtotheloungewi t
hhisphonewher e
hequi cklybrowsedthroughhiscalll
ogandl anded
onFi f
i'
snumberanddi aledit
,sheanswer edonthe
veryfirstri
ngt henhelookedbackwhi speri
ng

THEMBA:
(lowv
oice)hey

FIFI
:(scared)
hi,
um sorr
yforcal
l
ingPr
ett
y,Iknow
shetoldyouabouti
t,Ipr
omiseIwon'
tdoitagain,
pl
easedo-
..
..
(i
nter
rupt
edher
)

THEMBA: (sof
tl
y)r
elaxFif
i,um notcal
l
ingbecauseof
thatIj
ustwanttoapologi
zeforhowIt reat
edyouthe
l
asttime

FI
FI:
(smi
l
ed)what
?

THEMBA:
yes,
um sor
ry,
canImakei
tupt
oyou?

FI
FI:
(happi
l
y)y
es,
ofcour
seandIl
ongf
orgav
eyou

THEMBA:
okay
,canwemeett
omor
row?

FI
FI:
yes,
wil
lbef
reet
omor
row

THEMBA: al
ri
ght
,Iwil
lcal
lyout
omorr
ow,anddon't
tel
lPr
ett
ybecauseyouwouldbespoi
l
ingever
ythi
ng
FI
FI:
Iwon'
t

THEMBA:
alr
ight
,tomor
row

FI
FI:
bye

Hehungupandwenttotheki
tchenasont
heot
her
si
deFif
ismi
ledhappi
l
y..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
ethei
nser
ts(
please)
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
08:
28]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT78

Sheslowl
yopenedherey esandl ookedtohisside
buthewasn'tther
esoshepul l
edthesheet sof
fand
gotoutofbedwalkingt
ot hecl
osetnakedt henbent
l
ookingbetweenherthi
ghsasj ui
cesdrippeddown

PRETTY:
(fr
owned)ahh.
.

Sher eachedt othedr essi

ngtabl
eandgotat issue
andwi pedher selfthenreachedforhergown
dressingup, shet i
editupandsmi ledthinki
ngabout
l
astni ghtasshewal kedoutofthemast erbedroom
passingbyt hekitchenwher eshest oppedsniffi
ng

PRETTY:
mhmm.
..
.

Shet
urnedandwal
kedi
nonhi
m ashewasbusy
f
ryi
ngsomet
hing

PRETTY:
smel
l
syummy
,whatar
eyoumaki
ng

THEMBA:
(hol
dingont
othepan)i
tsy
ourf
avor
it
e

PRETTY:
ohhni
ce

Shepull
edthest
oolf
rom t
heki
tchencount
erand
satdownadmiri
nghi
sbusysel
f.
..

MEANWHI
LEI
NTHECAR

hedrovet
owardsthei
rgat
eandpar
kedasshe
openeduphoppi
ngoff

Shetur
nedbackopeni
ngt
hebackdoort
henMandl
a
hur
ri
edtoher
MANDLA:
nobabe,
I'
ll
car
ryt
hebags

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)

Hegott
hebagsandclosedupast heymadet heir
wayi
nsi
dethequi
etyard,soonenoughtheywer eat
t
hedoorandshet
ri
edopeni ngupbutitwaslocked

GRACE:i
t'
slockedandIdon'
tknowwher
eonear
th
mykeysare

Shesighedandknocked, meanwhi
leinsi
deMi a
stret
chedherarmsy awningandgotupleavi
ngher
bedroom t
oattendtheknock.Sheturnedthekey
andheldthedoorknobpul l
ingt
hedoorthentheir
eyesmet,itwentawfull
yquietf
orafewmi nutes
thenMiaclear
edhert hr
oat
MI
A:ohhumm.
..
I.
..

Meanwhi
lei
nside,
MsWi l
l
iamsl
eftherr
oom
yawni
ngmakingherwaytot
hedoorwhereherey
es
l
andedonGrace

MSWI LLIAMS:
(smi
l
ing)ohhbabyy
ouar
eher
eI
t
hought-.
..

Shesadlysmil
edatherandt ur
nedwal ki
ngawayas
Mandlawatchedcl
ueless,hecoul
dn'tunder
stand
howMi aendedupatMsWi l
li
am'shousesohe
si
ghedandt ur
nedfol
l
owi ngGrace

MANDLA:
babe

Shei gnor
edhim andpacedt
ot hecarwhereshe
quicklyopenedupandhoppedinsi
de,shefel
tthe
tearsformingbutl
ookeduppromisi
nghersel
fnotto
cryorbreakdownasMandlaopenedupandputt
he
bagsinsidebef
orehoppi
ngi
n

MANDLA:
babe,
whati
sgoi
ngon?

Shei gnoredhim andcont i

nuedlookingupt ostop
thetearsf r
om fall
ing,seei
ngherremi ndedofallt
he
hardt i
mesi nThailandandlit
erall
ybroughtback
everymemor y,whathur tmostisthathermother
waschoosi ngherov erandoveragain.Sheclosed
herey esast hetearsfloweddownherf acet
henshe
quicklyrubbedthem andopenedt hedoorhopping
off

GRACE:
um comi
ng,
Ihav
etodoonel
astt
hing

MANDLA:
(conf
used)canIcomewi
thy
ou?

GRACE:
(sof
tl
y)no,
Ineedt
odot
hisoneal
lby
my
sel
f

Shetur
nedwalkingbacki
nsi
dewher
eshef
oundt
he
duoseatedonthecouch

GRACE:
(att
hedoor
)canIcomei
n?

MsWil
li
am'
squi
cklystoodupandwalkedupt
oher
wi
thasadf
acebutGracesmil
edathercal
mly

GRACE: (lookinginherey es)Ir ememberhowy ou

usedt ocryov eryourlongl ostdaught er,
Iwoul d
nev erforgethowy ouwoul dbesadandcr yf ordays
thinkingofher ,youkeptont alkingaboutheral most
ever y
daybutInev ergottir
ed,Inev ergottiredof
l
isteningt oy ou,Iunderstoodt hatitwassomet hing
youwoul dn'tgetov erintheblinkofaney e,yesy ou
gav eupl ookingf orherbecauseev eryleadbecame
adeadend, butthef actthatyoust oppedl ooking
didn'tmeany ouwer eoverthel oss,no,youj ust
madepeacewi thi tev ent hought hepai nand
thoughtofhowy oul osthercutdeepwi thinyour
heart.(shepausedandsmi l
edhol dingherhands)I
am gladIwast her ef ory out hroughi tal l,Iam gladI
alway shadt i
met ol istent oy oursobst ory,I
'
m gl adI
nevergott ir
edofseei ngy ourtearsev eryt i
mey ou
tal
kedabouther , Iam pr oudofmy selff orI
underst oody ourpai n,Inev ergott ir
edofbei ngt here
foryouandIwast her etowi pey ourt ear sandt ell
youthati twil
lall bewel l
, IthankGodf orgi vi
ngme
thatpat ienthear t(sheswal lowedhar dandl ookedat
Miasmi ling)andt odayIam happybecauseal lyour
problemshav efaded, may bet hesadmemor i
esy ou
hadwi llf i
nall
yst ophur ti
ngbecausey ouf oundher .
(Lookingatherqui etself)shenev erst oppedt alking
abouty ouand- .
....
.(swal l
owedhar dandl ookedback
atMsgWi ll
i
am' s)i am glady ouf oundy ourlongl ost
daught erma.

Shekissedherf
oreheadandl
etgoofherhands
walki
ngupt oMiaasMsWi l
li
am'
slookedather
tear
ful
ly
GRACE: (smil
ingt earfully)Idon' thav eanything
againsty ouandum happyy ouf oundy ourmot her,I
canonl yimagi nehowhar ditmusthav ebeent o
growupasanor phan. .
.(tear sflowedt henshe
rubbedt hem cont inuing)Iam sur eshel ovesy oua
l
otBecausesheal way shadasof tspotf ory ouev en
beforef indingoutabouty ourr elation.(Lookeddeep
i
nt oherey es)Imustadmi tt hatImadeami stakeby
entertainingy ourthenhusband, wewer enotdat i
ng
thenbutum sor ryf orent ertaininghi m becausei t
waswr ongandIshoul dn'thav edonet hat..
(breaking
voice)as. muchasIhur ty ou, butIwi llprobablynev er
underst andwhyy our esor tedt osuchanext reme
measur e, gi
vi
ngmeupt ost ranger st obea
prosti
t utewast hewor stt hingev erandIwi l
l
probabl ynev erheal ,Ican' tgetov eritandi t'
ssl owly
eatingmeaway ,(rubbedat earof f
)Iwasexchanged
bymor et hant enmeni n. j
ustonedayandIhadt o
pleaset hem

Mi
asadl
ylookedi
nherey
esast
ear
sst
reamed
downherface,j
ustt
het
houghtofherli
ttl
esist
er
bei
ngexchangedbymenbrokeherheartandrai
sed
herhear
tbeat,
Yesshei
sri
ght,t
hatwasext
remeandi
tcannotbe
j
usti
fi
ed"
shethought
"

GRACE: attimesIwoul dspendday sunabl etowal k

becausemypr i
vatepar tswer et earedupand
wounded, despitemyst at e,Isti
llhadt oat t
endt he
cli
entsandpl easet hem i nbed, Ihadt oignor et he
painandopenmyl egssot heycandowhatpl eases
them becauseIwasj ustasext ool ,apar tofmedi ed
backi nThai l
andandIwonderhowy ouf eel knowi ng
youdest royedsomeone, youki l
ledmemanyt imes
but-..
.(
rubbedhert ears)butIj usthopeonedayIwi l
l
gett ounder standy ourr easonsf orput ti
ngme
throughal lt
hat ,IhopeonedayIwi l
lbeabl etol ook
aty ouandf eel nothing, IhopeIf i
ndi tin.
myhear tto
forgiveyoubecauser ightnowIcan' t,um. sti
llhur ti
ng
andIhav enoone, noonei stheref ormedur i
ngt his
hardr ecoverypr ocess, noonecar esenought oask
howum doi ngandev eryoneexpect smet oheal and
mov eonbuti t
snoteasy,nooneunder standwhere
um. Comi ngfrom ex
ceptforonl
yoneper son,t
herei
s
j
ustoneper sonwhostill
caresbutthat'
sokay ,at
fi
rstithurtmebecauseIneededmor et hanjustone
personbutt odayIfeelawholelotdi
fferentandnow
aftertalkingtoyouIMustsaysomet hingi nmy
heartmov ed

MsWi l
li
am'slookedathersadl yas.nowev ery
thi
ng
sinkedi n,sherealizedhowmuchshef ail
edher
daught erandf ail
edt osupportherwhensheneeded
hert hemost ,
tearsf l
oweddownasshesadl y
wat cheddi sappointedinhersel
f.Shehadbeent oo
busywi thMiaf or
get t
ingherbabyandf orcedherto
heal, heari
ngGr aceexplainhowshehadbeent here
forheri nthepastshowedherj usthowmuchshe
fail
edher ,
shef ai
ledt odowhatGr acedidforherand
thatcutdeep

Gr
acet
urnedbackt
ohermot
herandf
orcedasmi
l
e
GRACE:Iam sorr
ybutum notov
erever
ythi
ng,Ican'
t
pret
endtobeokaywhenum notandIdon'texpect
youtounder
standnowbecauseyouneverreal
lydi
d.

Shesaidthatt
hentur
nedst or
mingoutastears
str
eameddown, shewalkedoutofthegateand
hoppedinthecarbef
orerubbingt
hem offandpul
l
ed
a.
smile

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)wecango,
Ican'
tst
ayher
efornow.

MANDLA:
okay

Hestar
tedthecaranddr
oveof f
,meanwhi
leinsi
de
Miawalkeduptohermotherandhuggedherti
ghtl
y
r
ubbi
ngherback

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE
theyfi
nishedhavi
ngbreakfastt
henshegotthe
plat
eswal ki
ngtotheki
tchenandputthem i
nthe
Zink

THEMBA:Ihav
eameet
ingsol
etmet
akeaqui
ck
shower

PRETTY:
butIt
houghty
ousai
dyouar
efr
eet
oday

THEMBA:
itsanemer
gencybutIwon'
ttakel
ong

PRETTY:(
washingt
heplates)okaybabedon'
tfor
get
tot
alktoyourf
ri
endabouttheplace

THEMBA:
alr
ightbabe

Hewal
kedtot
hebathroom wher
ehetookof
fhis
paj
amsandst
eppedintheshowert
aki
ngaquick
one

I
nnotimehewasal
ldoneandr
eadyt
oleav
eas
Pr
ett
ywalkedi
nonhi
m

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)y
oul
ookgood

THEMBA:
thanksbabe

Heki
ssedherl
i
psandl
ookedathi
swr
istwat
ch

THEMBA:
letmebouncebabe

PRETTY:
alr
ightby
e

THEMBA:
lov
eyoupr
ett
yli
tt
let
hing
PRETTY:
(laughi
ng)l
ovey
oumor
ecut
eli
tt
let
hing

THEMBA:
youshoul
dst
opcal
l
ingmet
hat

PRETTY:
what
ever
!

Hel
aughedandhel
dthedoorknobopeni
ngupand
wal
kedout
..
..
..

Meanwhi
l
eatFi
fi
'
shouse

Herphonebeepedthenshequickl
ypi
ckedi
tup
r
eadingthemessagewithawidesmil
e

FI
FI:
Iknewy
ouwoul
dn'
tresi
stmeThemba

Shegotupandpi
ckedhersmall
mirr
oradmir
ingher
face,
shepout
edgott
heredli
psti
ckappl
yi
ngonher
l
i
ps

FI
FI:
per
fect
!

Shemov edthesmallmirroraroundherdarkf
ace
andgotthebabypowderappl yingonherdryface,
thepowderstuckinherey ebr
owsasshecont inued
rubbi
ngitonhercheeks,becausethemi r
rorwast oo
smallshecouldn'
tseethepowdert hatst
uckinher
eyebrowsandt hemoreshepout edwasthemor e
herli
psti
ckstucktoherteeth

FIFI
:(
smi l
i
ng)Iam goi
ngtogetyouti
ger,yobar
eng
Prett
yy oketl
ogomof etsamabela,
shewontknow
whathither,
andIshouldgoseethatsangoma
today.Igoty
ouThembababes.

Shepoutedandadmir
edherfaceonthemi
rr
oras
herski
ndrynessmadeherl
ookpale.
..
Anhourl
ater
..
..
.

Herphonebeepedt
henshegotherphoner
eadi
ng
t
hemessage

MESSAGE:
wai
ti
ngf
ory
ouatt
hel
astspot

Ty
ping.
..

FI
FI:
comi
ng

Shegr abbedherl
ongr
eddr
essandwal
kedoutata
fastpace

NEIGHBOR: heel
aFifi,
oy akaekamoseseomol el
e
yaana,l
egonehaont semoset l
hamomat lhong
yaana,oit
shasit
seng?( HeyFif
i,whereareyougoi
ng
withsuchalongdress, andyourfacelookssopal
e
anddr
y,whatdi
dyouappl
y)

Fi
fii
gnoredherandr
oll
edherey
esasshecl
apped
oncelaughi
ng

NEIGHBOR:ait
sekanaFifiKemat
hataamot ho,
bonayaakaataboga,kanaotl
ogolal
aaole(haiFi
fi
i
ssuchadi f
fi
cultper
son,shei
sevenrunni
ngandI
swearsheisgoingtofal
l)

Fif
iignoredherandgr
abbedt
ightt
oherl
ongdr
ess
running.

FI
FI:
(loud)shi
tFi
fi
!y
ouar
esweat
ing,
slowdownnow

Shesloweddownandrubbedt
hesweatof
fher
for
eheadwit
hherhand
Tenmi
nut
esl
ater

Shesawhiscarandsmi l
edwalki
ngov er
,hespot
ted
herontherearvi
ewmirrorandopenedupthedoor
thenshesmiledandst
eppedinsi
dethen..
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
28]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT79

Shest
eppedinsi
deandhefrownedl
ooki
ngather
messyfacet
hathadsweatdri
ppi
ngonherf
orehead
t
ohert
oherdr
yanpal
eface

FI
FI:
(smi
l
ing)hey

THEMBA:
(for
cedasmi
l
e)hey
,thatwasqui
ck

FI
FI:
Iknow

Her
eachedforat
issueandhandedi
tov
ert
oheral
l
smi
l
esself

THEMBA:
thoughty
oumi
ghtneedt
his

FI
FI:
ohht
hanky
ou,
sot
hought
ful
ofy
ou

Shegotthetissueandwipedthesweatoffbefor
e
pul
li
ngtherearv i
ewmi r
rortohersi
deandlookedat
her
selfpout
ingashel ookedathershaki
nghishead
THEMBA:(
clear
edhi
sthroat
)umm..
..
Icameto
apol
ogi
zef
orhowItr
eatedyouthel
astt
ime

FIFI:
(widesmil
ethatr
eveal
edherredt
eet
h)l
i
keI
said,i
tsfi
nereal
ly
,Il
ongfor
gaveyou

THEMBA:gr
eat!(
smil
ing)soIhav
eanof
fert
omake
butt
her
earecondi
ti
ons

FI
FI:
okayt
ell
meabouti
t

THEMBA: conditi
onsfi
rst
,youdon'ttell
any one
aboutituntilIshowyouwhatI '
mt al
kingabout
becausei fyoutell
asingl
esoul t
heny ouwoul dhave
messedupt heopportuni
tyofli
vingagr eatand
fancyl
ife,rememberhowIst ruggledandst ayedi
n
theoner oom?
FI
FI:
yesIr
ememberal
lthat

THEMBA: great
,soIwantt
omakei tuptoyouand
i
ntr
oducey outosomeonewhohelpedme,hewill
def
ini
tel
yhelpyouthenyoust
artl
i
v i
ngthebestl
if
e

Shelookedathi
mt ot
allysol
dtotheideabecause
sheknowshowhewasst ruggl
i
ngbackt hen,
seei
ng
howhei nst
ant
lyt
ransformedlefthercuri
oustof
ind
outmore

THEMBA:
sowhat
'sy
ourt
ake

FI
FI:
(smi
li
ng)um al
lin,
Isocan'twai
ttost
art
l
ooki
ngli
kethegoddessthatIam

Shesaidthatwi
thhershoul
dersabitr
aisedandher
chestoutassheconfi
dentl
ysnappedherfi
nger
s
THEMBA:gr
eat
.(Thought
ful
l
y)umm.
..
wai
ther
eI
wantt
opee

FI
FI:
okay

Hest eppedoutandwenttothebackofthecarand
l
ookedar oundmakingsuret
hatthecoasti
sclear
thenhesi ghedi
n.r
eli
edandt
ookouthisphone
dial
inghim

HI
M:boss

THEMBA:
onemor
e,ber
eady

HI
M:sur
eboss

Hehungupandwalkedt
othedoorandhopped
i
nsi
delooki
ngatt
hehappyFi
fi
,shesmil
edback
shy
lyl
ooki
ngi
nhi
sey
es

THEMBA:
(for
cedasmi
l
e)what
?

FI
FI:(
shyl
y)noIj
ust
,um j
ustcur
iousaboutPr
ett
y,
doesthi
smeanyouwon'tt
ell
heryouhelpedme?

THEMBA: noIwon'
ttell
herandy oushoul
dn'
taswell
,
unlessy
ouwanttoruinyourchancesofgett
ingt
he
ri
ches

FI
FI:
ofcour
seIwon'
t

THEMBA:
great
,ummm.
..
Ithi
nkweshoul
dleav
enow

FI
FI:
now?

THEMBA:
yes,
unl
essy
ouar
ehav
ingsecond
t
hought
s

FI
FI:
(br
ief
lyl
aughed)ohhno,
wecanl
eav
e

Helookedaroundmakingsur
eal
li
scl
eart
hen
st
artedthecardr
ivi
ngoff
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

theydr
oveinsi
dequietl
ythenheparkedi
nf r
ontof
hismansi
onbef or
etheysteppedout,
hereachedfor
herbagsandclosedthedoorastheywal
kedi nsi
de
thehouse

THEMBA:(
putti
ngthebagsont
hecouch)ar
eyou
goi
ngtot
alkabouti
t?

GRACE:
(si
ghedt
hrowi
ngherexhaust
edsel
fon.
the
couch)Mi
aismysi
ster

Hi
shear
tski
ppedashi
smout
hwi
denedsur
pri
sed

MANDLA:
what
?

GRACE:
yeah,
rememberherl
ongl
ostdaught
erst
ory
?

MANDLA:
ohhy
es,
shet
oldmeabouti
tyear
sago

GRACE:
wel
l
,thel
ongl
ostdaught
ert
urnedoutt
obE
Mia

MANDLA:(l
aughedin.
disbel
i
ef)ohhwow,butwhat
makesyousosure,Imeansurel
yyoucan'
trel
yon
somecookedupstori
es

GRACE:
thei
rst
ori
esar
ethesameandbesi
des,
they
l
ooksomuchal
i
ke

MANDLA: (thoughtfull
y)andnowt hatyoumenti
oned
thelooks,Ijustr
ealizedhowy outwoev enl
ookalike
butstil
l
,youcan'tjustrelyonstori
esandlooks,ask
yourmom t operform DNAt est,j
usttobesure

GRACE:Iwi
l
ldot
hatbutIdon'
twantt
ogett
oo
i
nvol
ved

MANDLA:
thi
sisonef
uckedupshi
t

GRACE:(heav
edasi
ghl
ayi
ngback)canwenott
alk
abouti
t

MANDLA:
okbabe,
letmegomakey
ousomet
hingt
o
eat
GRACE:
(fr
owned)'
no,
I'
m nothungr
y

MANDLA:
tel
lthatt
osomeonewhowi
l
lli
stent
oyou

Het
urnedandmadehi
swayt
otheki
tchen.
..

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS

MSWI LLI
AMS:
(rubbedhert
ear
s)l
etmegoseeour
Past
or

MI
A:(
looki
ngi
n.hert
ear
yey
es)al
ri
ght

Shesi
ghedandtur
nedwal
ki
ngt
owar
dst
hedoorbut
st
oppedhal
fway

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sof
tl
y)ohh,
yourphone
Shewal
kedtot
het
abl
eandpi
ckedav
aset
aki
ngout
somet
hing

MSWI LLIAMS:If
orgott
ogi
vei
ttoy
ouwheny
ougot
back,
itsofft
hough

MIA:
(mouthwi
de)OhhGod,
Itot
all
yfor
gotabouti
t,
t
hankyou

Shegoti
tsmi
l
ingandswi
tchedi
ton

MSWI LLI
AMS:(weaksmi
l
e)okbaby
,Iwi
l
lcal
lto
checkuponyou

MI
A:'
al
ri
ghtby
e

Shewal
kedoutasMi
awentt
hroughherphone
smi
l
ing.
..

Meanwhi l
eatYay a'
shouse, het hr
ewhisbodyont he
couchandgothi sphonesi ghingashewentt hrough
hi
scont actsthenMi a'
snumberappear ed,hel ooked
atitf
oraf ewmi nutesandr emember edithadn't
bei
nggoi ngthroughf oralongtimenow, heclicked
onitandpr esseddeletebutthoughtful
l
ywentast ep
backanddi aledi
tbef oreputt
inghisphoneont he
earli
steni
ngandsuddenl yhisfaceli
tupashepul l
ed
aninfecti
oussmi l
e

YAYAH:
(loud)y
es!

I
trangf
oraf
ewmi
nut
est
henshepi
ckedupwi
tha
f
rown

MI
A:hel
l
o
YAYAH:
(cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
)hey
,it
sYaone

MI
A:(
conf
used)Yaone?

YAYA:
yes"
Yay
a"t
het
axi
dri
ver

MIA:
(remember
edandpul
l
edasmi
l
e)ohhhey
,how
ar
eyou?

YAYA:gr
eat
,sot
odayy
ourphonef
inal
l
ywent
thr
ough

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)soy
ouhav
ebeent
ryi
ngt
ocal
l
?

YAYA:
ever
yday
!

MI
A:(
laughi
ng)ohhl
i
er
YAYA:(
bri
efl
ylaughed)um notl
yi
ng,j
ustagr
eeto
meetupwit
hmeandIwi l
lshowy oumycall
hist
ory
,
i
tsal
lMiaMia

MI
A:i
sthaty
ouaski
ngy
out
oseemei
nasmar
tway

YAYA:(
shr
uggedhisshoul
der
s)well
,Ij
ustwantt
o
showyoumycall
hist
orysoyoucanstopcal
li
ngme
ali
er

MIA:
(laughi
ngsof
tl
y)what
ever
,yout
hinky
ouar
e
smar
thuh?

YAYA:
trustmet her
eismor ey
oudon'
tknowabout
mebutatleastnowy ouknowum smar
t

Mial
aughedandenj
oyedl
i
steni
ngt
ohi
svoi
ceashe
br
aggedinasexyway
MI
A:okayMr"
Smar
t"whendoy
ouwantt
oseeme?

YAYA:shit
!Wast
haty
ousay
ing"
yesIwoul
dli
ket
o
seeyoutoo"?

MIA:'
(r
oll
edhereyessmi
l
ing)t
ell
mewhenbef
oreI
changemymi nd

YAYA:
(smi
l
ing)okay
,okay
.Howi
stoday

MIA:
(thought
ful
ly
)umm. ..
.nott
odaybecauseI
'
m
ki
ndofinthemiddleofsomethi
ng,howistomorr
ow?

YAYA:
tomor
rowi
tis,
Iwi
l
lcomepi
cky
ouup

MI
A:okayby
e
YAYA:
bye

Hehungupsmil
inghappi
l
yandst ooduptaki
ngoff
hi
sgucci
watchbefor
eheproceededtothemaster
bedr
oom.

Meanwhi
l
eatt
hehospi
tal
recept
ion

Shegotherhandbagknockingof fandcatwalked
herpeti
tebodyoutofthebui
ldingasheadsturned
admiri
ngherprett
yself,
shewassousedt ogetti
ng
theatt
enti
onthatitdi
dn'
tgettoherormakeher
exci
tedanymore.
Fewmi nuteslatersheunlockedhercarandopened
upsteppi nginsideandpul l
edt herearvi
ewmi rror
admiringherpr ettysmoot handf l
awlessface,she
wasn'tjustthenor mal beaut
ifulbutwaswayt oo
beautifulwit
hmar bl
eey esandcut edimplesthat
doubledherbeaut y.
.sheremember edsomet hing
thenreachedi nherhandbagt aki
ngherphone
smi
l
ingendl
essl
yasshepr
essedi
tanddi
aledhi
m.
Meanwhi
leontheothersi
dehegaveGraceherpl
ate
asshel
ookedatthemouthwater
ingf
oodr eadyt
o
di
gin

GRACE:
thanky
oubabe

Hesmil
edatherthenhi
sphoner
angandher
eached
i
nhispockett
aki
ngit

MANDLA:
hel
l
o

HER:
(seduct
ivel
y)heyMrMat
thews,
rememberme?

MANDLA:
no.
Idon'
t,
whoi
sthi
s

HER:
(sof
tl
y)t
her
ecept
ioni
st!
HelookedbackatGraceandnot
icedshewasn'
t
payi
ngmuchat t
enti
onthenhewalkedtot
he
bedr
oom then.
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
einser
ts
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
08:
28]
BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT80

MANDLA:
.(
whi
sper
ing)whatdoy
ouwant
?

Sher
oll
edherey
esandsmi
l
ed
HER:
comeonMrMat
thews,
isn'
ti
tobv
ious?

MANDLA:(seri
oustone)Idon'
tknowwhaty
ouar
e
t
alki
ngabout,
pleasegettothepoi
nt

Shelostabitofherconfi
dencehearingthe
seri
ousnessinhisvoiceasshewasusedt ohav i
ng
ever
ythi
ngherownwayandnev erreall
ygotr eject
ed
byaman, shealwayshadmendr oolingov erherand
wassurehewoul dn'
tbeabletoresistherbutnow
aft
erthei
rconversat
ionshewasn'tsosur eanymor e
butsheputonherbr avearmourshootinghershot

HER:
(bol
d)Il
i
kedwhatIsaweal
i
er

Helaughedindisbel
i
efshockedbyherboldnessand
theconfi
denceinhervoi
ce,hehadgirl
sthrowi
ng
themsel
v esathi
m befor
ebyjustacti
onsandnone
ofthem hadtheconfi
dencetosayitoutt
hatbold
andt odayhemetoneofakind,
hecl
earedhist
hroat
tryi
ngtospeakbutgott
ongueti
ednotsurehowto
respond

MANDLA:
I..
..
Idon'
tunder
stand,
whatexact
lydoy
ou
want?

HER:
you,
Iwanty
ou

Hequi ckl
yhungupandswi t
chedhisphoneofftr
ying
todigestwhathejusthadasitwasafir
st,het
hen
sighedandputhisphonebackinthepocketgoi
ng
backtot hel
iv
ingroom

MANDLA:
it'
sver
ylat
enow,
Iwantt
otakeabat
h

GRACE:
okay
,af
tery
ou
Hetur
nedgoi
ngt
othebat
hroom assheputt
he
pl
ateaway
..
..

SOMEWHEREI
NBOTSWANA

heslowlyappr
oachedwherehewasparkedand
steppedonthebreaksbef
orehehoppedof
fmeeti
ng
hi
m halfwayandlookeddownathi
sJordan
sneakersadmir
ingthem

THEMBA:yohman,
somef
ineshi
tri
ghtt
her
e,wher
e
di
dyougetthem

HI
M:(smil
i
ng)Igott
hem inUKl
astmont
hman,
whol
etowncr
yingovert
hem

THEMBA: (l
ooki
ngatthem)shit!Ineedmet hesebra.
(Lookedupathim admi
ringhi
st odieforout
fit
)and
youlookgreatt
oo,Iswearshewon'tsuspectathing
now

HI
M:shei
smeeti
ngupwi
thami
l
li
onai
resoIhadt
o
l
ookt
hepartman

Theybri
efl
yLaughedt
henThembalookedbacki
n
thecarashi
seyesfel
lonf
if
i'
sexci
tedface

THEMBA:
let
sgo

Theywal kedtothecarandstoppedatthe
passenger '
ssi
deandshequicklyopenedthedoor
steppingoutasshelookedatthenewguyf r
om
headt otoeadmiri
nghiswardrobetast
e,hesure
l
ookedl ikesomeonewhocanmakei tr
ainandthe
expensivebrandshewasputtingongaveher
assurance

FI
FI:
(smi
l
ing)wow!
THEMBA:meetmyf ri
endMoyo,MoyothisisFi
fi
,l
ike
It
oldyoushewantstobepar
toftheri
chwor l
dand
pr
omisedtonott
ellasoul
aboutthi
sarrangement

MOYO:(
str
aightface)gr
eat
!Um gl
adshedoesn'
t
mi
ndthecondit
ions,l
et'
sgo

FI
FI:
(fr
owned)go?

MOYO:yes,
youwil
lhav
etocomewi
thme,Themba
wi
ll
comeandpickyouaft
ermay
bef
ourhour
swhen
wearedone

FIFI
:butit
sal
readyl
ateandv
erydar
k,can'
twedoi
t
tomorrow?

Hegaveheran"
.Iam i
mpat
ientl
ook"thent
urned
wal
ki
ngawayasThembapul l
edFif
i'
shandangri
ly
THEMBA: Ican'
tbel
iev
eyoubroughtmeher
eonlyt
o
dothi
s,youjustpi
ssedhi
m of
fandhemightnev
er
consi
deryouagain

Fif
ilookedathi
m walki
ngawayandswal l
owedhar
d
regr
etti
ng,shesof
tl
yslappedhercheekandl
ooked
atThembaasherey esgli
tt
erd

FI
FI:
um sor
ryI
..
.Pl
easeaskhi
mtocomeback

THEMBA:
dammi
tFi
fi
!

Hepacedbehi
ndhi
m andpathi
sshoul
derspeaki
ng
l
oudl
yforFi
fit
ohear

THEMBA:
pleasedontl
eav
e,shemadea.
mist
ake
Heturnedwi
thaseri
ousl
ookandwalkedbackt
oFif
i
wholookedathi
m wi
thbeggi
ng,
um sorr
yeyesas
ThembaheavedahugeSigh

MOYO:(
strai
ghtf
ace)gowai
tinmycari
fyouar
e
comi
ngalong

FI
FI:
ofcour
se

Shequi
ckl
ywalkedpasthi
m pacingtothesil
ver
masser
ati
andopenedup,shehopedi nsi
deand
smil
edl
ookingaroundt
hecleanclassycar

FIFI:(
touchi
ngtheleatherseat
)wow!Ican'
tbeli
eve
I'
l
l beabletoaf
fordallthesesoon,
IswearPret
ty
won'tknowwhathi ther,otl
amponakentselekgoa
elahlemma(shewi l
lseemel ooki
ngal
lbeauti
ful
)

Shef
iddl
edar
oundi
tandpr
essedabut
tont
hent
he
r
adi
opl
ayedl
oudal
mostscar
ingher

FI
FI:
iyohwee,
whatdi
dIpressnow,howdoIswi
tch
i
toff
,heel
ang,
ait
setl
alal
akesentsegol
oha

Shequickl
yopenedthedoorandwav
edcal
l
ingt
hem
forhel
pbecausethemusicwastool
oud

THEMBA: shi
t!Kanathisgir
l ostout
u,waboa
tobedit
sedilokwaabi tsaunnecessaryat
tenti
onmo
l
atele(thi
sgirli
sstupid,um sureshemistakenl
y
pressedthatbuttonandnowi t
sbr i
ngi
ngus
unnecessaryattent
ion)

MOYO:al
ri
ght
,letmegoman,
wil
lcal
lyouoncei
ts
done

THEMBA:
alr
ightby
e
Heturnedmaki
nghiswayt othecarasthepar
ted,
hegottohismasser
atiasFif
ihoppedinsi
deand
watchedashetur
nedtheradiooff

FIFI
:(l
oud)heh,gohlokagoi t
sedil
otsa
sekgoanyanannaket obedit
sekaphosokereke
batl
aseipone(hai
,Idon'tknowthisEngl
ish
advancedthi
ngssoIpr essedthatbut
tonmist
akenl
y
whenIwasl ooki
ngfort hemirr
or)

Hef
eltt
heedget
olaughbuthel
dthel
aught
eri
n..
..

FI
FI:(comfortabl
e)mphasei ponehookebonemy
brokeselff
ort helastt
imekanaum af ewhours
fr
om beingrich,l
etmesayby e(shelaughedand
cl
appedonce)Ican' twaittostartappl
yingexpensi
ve
makeupandl ookl i
kebeyonce(gi v
emeami rr
or,I
wantt oseemybr okeselfforthelastti
mesinceI
am af ewhour sfr
om beingri
ch)
Hef ai
ledtoholdthelaughterandbur stoutl
aughing
ashef oundhercompl et
elyhilarious,thewayshe
wascar el
essaboutherspeechandsai dwhatev
er
thatcamet ohermi ndwasr eallyfunnyandmade
herlookli
keani nnocentandv erystupidperson
withyetagoodhear t

FI
FI:
(laughi
ng)what
?Whyar
eyoul
aughi
ng?

MOYO:noIj
ustnev
ermetany
onel
i
key
ou,
youar
e
sof
unny

Her
eachedf
orhi
swal
l
etandgav
eher

MOYO:
her
e,t
her
eisami
rr
ori
nsi
de

FI
FI:
(lookedati
tconf
used)whati
sthi
snow?
MOYO:
justopeni
t,y
ouwi
l
lfi
ndami
rr
ori
nsi
de

Shefiddl
edaroundthefancywal
l
etandf
inal
l
y
openeditasherjawdropped

FI
FI:
(mout
hwi
de)whatt
he?SoMuchmoney
!

MOYO:
(smi
l
ed)

FI
FI:
iyohweh,
ket
abol
e?(canIt
akesome?
)

MOYO:
yeahsur
e,f
eel
free

Shegotthenotesandshovedthem i
nherbraashe
watchedlaughi
ngthenshetur
nedtothemirrorand
l
ookedatherspookyfaceadmiri
ngit
,shelookedat
herteet
handnot i
cedther
edli
psti
ckthenreached
fort
hestripsofherdr
esswipi
ngitof
fashel ooked
atherdi
sgust
ed

FIFI
:(st
il
llooki
ngatt
hemi r
ror
)pl
easedr
ive,
Iwant
toreachthelandofr
ichesnownow

Heshookhi
sheadandsteppedon.
theaccel
erat
or
speedi
ngof
fint
hedarknight

THENEXTDAY

sheopenedherey esandrubbedthem yawni

ngthen
herphonerang,shereachedfori
tandlookedatthe
cal
leri
dent
itysmili
ng

YAYA:
mor
ningsl
eepyhead

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)hey
YAYA:
canIcomepi
cky
ouup?

MI
A:i
tsst
il
lear
ly,
comeone

YAYA:yeah,i
tsjustt
hatI
m gonnabehavi
ngabusy
day,
theonlyti
meIcanseey ouisnow,pl
ease

MIA:youcanal waysparkthetaxiandnotgoaround
l
ookingforpeople,i
tsnotli
keyouar ef
orcedt
o
unl
essy ourbossisstr
ict
,butstil
l
,hewouldn'
tknow
youskippedwor k

YAYA:(smi
l
ing)mybossisv
eryst
ri
ct,
hewouldbi
te
myheadoffifImi
ssworkpl
usIhavemeet
ings
today

MI
A:ahhokay
,letmegot
akeaqui
ckshower
YAYA:
thanks,
I'
mleav
ingmyhousenow

MI
A:okay

Shehungupandjumpedoffbedpacingt
othe
bat
hroom wher
eshetookaquickshowerand
qui
cklybr
ushedhert
eeth.
..
.

Onehourl
ater
..
.

Awhit
eAudi
S5slowl
ydr
ovetowardst
hegat
eand
par
kedasMi
afr
ownedopeni
ngthedoor

MI
A:(i
nhermi
nd)whocoul
ditbe?

Sheremember edhowMandlachangescarsand
thoughtmay
behebr oughtGracet
henshesadly
watchedwai
tingfort
hem tostepoutbutt
oher
surpr
iseYayast
eppedoutandwav ed,hereyes
poppedlooki
ngathi
sdif
ferentsel
fthen..
..
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Sor
ryf
orpost
ingl
ate,
washav
ingabusyday
.
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
28]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT81

Herey
espoppedlooki
ngathi
sdi
ff
erentsel
fshe
wal
kedoverst
il
lsur
pri
sed

MI
A:(
loud)what
?

Hesmil
edandopenedhi
sar
mshuggi ngherasshe
f
ell
inhi
sarmsgett
ingsl
i
ght
lyi
ntoxi
catedbyhis
col
ogne

MIA:
(pul
l
edof fandl
ookedatt
hebr
andnewcar
)
whoareyou?

YAYA:
(smi
l
ed)
whatdoy
oumean

MIA:(l
aughi
ng)kanay oulookcomplet
elydi
ff
erent,
i
tsli
keum seei
nganewper son, y
ouareeven
dri
vi
nganexpensivecarandher eIwasthi
nki
ngt hat
chi
llMia,
Yayahisjustataxidr
iver

YAYA:(l
aughing)Iam ataxidri
verandthi
sismy
boss'
scar,l
ewenal ehaebil
egot eyouaremeet
ing
upwithataxidri
verhlemma, t
hatstoosimpl
eand
theheadscarf,
real
ly?

MIA:(br
ief
lyl
aughed)t
rustmeIam soembarrassed
r
ightnowbutlewenayour ushedmebecauseI
wasn'
texpect
ingy
out
ocomet
hisear
ly

YAYA:
hehe,
let
sgot
hen

MI
A:It
hinkIshoul
dmay
begot
akeof
ftheheadscar
f

YAYA:noways,weareleavingandyouaren'
t
changi
ngshi
t.Aker
eneoi ponaosiame(youaren'
t
changi
nganyt
hingbecausey ousur
edidn'
thavea
probl
em wi
thyourout
fit
)

MI
A:(
lookedathi
m wi
thaf
rown)pl
ease

YAYA:um ser
ious,
unlessyouwantmetogoback
besi
des,
youlookjustokay
.notbadatal
l

Hesai
dthatwi
thhi
seyesfi
xedonher
sbi
ti
nghi
s
l
owerl
ipandshel
ookedawayshy
YAYA:
(smi
l
ing)soy
ouar
eshy
?

YAYA:
nohau!

Shefrownedanddr aggedherf eettothe

passenger'
ssidechil
dishlywhilehelookedatherin
admirat
ion.Hestil
lcouldn'tbel
ieveheactual
lygota
chancetomeetupwi t
hheraf tersolong,andthe
factt
hatshewascompl etelyheal
edf i
ll
edhisheart
withj
oy,shelookedevenmor ebeautif
ulandcute.

MI
A:(
hoppi
ngi
n)ar
en'
tyoucomi
ng

YAYA:
(tur
nedopeni
ngt
hedoor
)Al
ri
ghtI
'
m comi
ng

Hehoppedi
nsi
deanddr
oveawayast
heywenton
chat
ti
ng
Onehourl
ater

Heslowlydroveinsideastheelect
ri
cgatesli
dopen
whil
eMia'sjawdr oppedlooki
ngatthebighouse,
shetur
nedt oherleftandlaughedi
ndisbel
ief
l
ookingatthepool

MI
A:y
oul
i
veher
e?

YAYA:
(cal
m)y
eah

MI
A:butIt
hought
-.
..
..
..

YAYA: (i
nter
ruptedlaughing)thatIam j
ustataxi
dri
ver??WellIam abusi nessmanandhav eacoupl
e
ofthem running,i
ncludi
ngt hetaxi
s,Rememberthe
"y
ay acabs"
MI
A:(
remember
ed)what
?Theyar
eal
soy
our
s?

YAYA:
yep

Shelookedathi
m compl
etel
ysur
pri
sedashegav
e
heracalmlook

MIA:butwhyar
ey oual
way
smov
ingar
oundi
nat
axi
,
i
tsnotli
keyouneedto?

YAYA: wel
l
,Idoitsomet
imeswhenI
'
mfree,
it
ref
reshesmeplusIwasalway
shopi
ngt
oseey ou

MI
A:um l
ostf
orwor
ds.
..

YAYA:(
smil
edteasingher)Ican'
tbeli
eveyouagr
eed
tomeetupwit
hat axidr
iver
,itdoesn'
tsui
tyou
Shel
aughedandsof
tl
yslappedhishandbeforet
hey
st
eppedoutmaki
ngt
heirwayint
ot hehouse.
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Sheappl
iedlipglossandpoutedlooki
ngonthe
mirr
ort
hent urnedasherdresshuggedherAfr
ican
fr
ameperfectly

MANDLA:
(wal
kedi
nsi
de)goi
ngsomewher
e?

GRACE:y
eah,
wantt
ogot
ochur
chpl
easegodr
op
meoff

MANDLA:can'
tyoudr
ivey
our
sel
f,Ihav
etogo
somewher
e
GRACE:
(sadl
y)dr
ivemy
sel
f?

MANDLA:
(remember
ed)ohhum Sor
rybabe,wecan
go

GRACE:
okay

Shefol
lowedhi
m outast
heypr
oceededout
sideand
qui
etl
yhoppedi
nthecar.

30mi
nut
esl
ater

HisRangerov
erpull
edupinfrontofthechur
ch
buil
dingasGr
acethought
ful
l
yl ookedathi
m

GRACE:
Ithi
nky
oushoul
dcomeal
ong

MANDLA:
(hear
tski
pped)
huh!
GRACE:youlongpr
omi
sedt
ocomewi
thme,
remember?

MANDLA:
buti
-.
..
'
.

GRACE:
nobut
s!

Hesi
ghedandgav
eherapl
easenol
ook

GRACE:um nott
aki
ngnoforananswer,
todayyou
ar
enotbusysodon'
ttr
ytomakewor kexcuses

Helookedatherser
iousf
aceandsay
ingnot
oher
seemedprett
yhardforhi
m

MANDLA:
okayl
e-.
..
.(
Hisphoner
ang)
Helookedatthecal
l
eri
dent
it
yandl
ookedatGr
ace
bef
orepicki
ngup

MANDLA;
(uncomf
ort
abl
e)hel
l
o

HER:
hey
,it
smeagai
n

MANDLA: (
thought
full
y)um ali
ttl
ebusyr i
ghtnow,
canyoucal
lmyper sonalassi
stant
,I'
l
ltextyouhi
s
numbersnow

Hehungupasshel
ookedatherphoneconf
used

HER:
what
?

Meanwhil
einthecarhetypedThemba'snumber
ANDforwardedi
ttohercapti
oned"I
'm notf
ree,
tal
k
tohi
m".Hesentanddelet
edt hemessagethen
t
ext
edThemba

Ty
ping.
..
..
..
..
.

MANDLA:
anot
herone,
cal
lher715.
..
..
..
..
..

Hesentt
hetex
tanddel
etedasGr
acewai
ted
i
mpati
entl
y

GRACE:
arey
oudone?

MANDLA:yeah,
can'
tIcomet
omor
rowIf
eel
li
key
ou
ar
eat
tacki
ngme

Shef
oldedHERar
msandpout
edl
ooki
ngathi
m

MANDLA:
okay
,okay
Heopenedthedoorandst
eppedoutasshef
oll
owed
hi
m whil
etheywalkedi
nsi
de

MANDLA:
happy
??

GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)

Theywentt hr
ought heentr
anceandst eppedinsi
de
passingtheseatsproceedi
ngtot hepul pi
twherethe
pastorwasstanding,heheardtheirfootsteps
approachingandlookedupast heireyesmet ,
mandl al
ookedinhisey esget
ti
nguncomf ort
abl
eas
hi
swhol ebodytightenedupthen...
..
..

Meanwhi
l
eatThemba'
shouse

Heheldt
hedoorknobthenhi
sphonebeepedandhe
r
eachedfori
tandscr
oll
edthr
oughreadi
ngMandla'
s
f
acesmi
l
inghi
sphoner
ang

THEMBA:
hel
l
o

HER:
(sof
tl
y(hey
,isi
tMrMat
thewsPA?

THEMBA:
(thought
ful
l
y)umm.
..
.y
es

HER:(f
rowned)ohh..
Iwasexpecti
ngafemale'
s
voi
cebutanyway,heaskedmet otal
ktoyouandum
guessi
ngit
'sbecausehewaswi t
hthegir
lf
ri
end

Thembal
ist
enedt
ohert
alkingandreckonedshe
mustbet
heonehewastalkingabouti
nthetext

THEMBA: well
hewasal
it
tl
ebusyandisatt
endi
nga
funct
ionsomwher
ebuti
fyoudon'
tmindIcanask
someonet opi
cky
ouupandtakeyoutohi
m
HER:
(smi
l
edexci
ted)r
eal
l
y?

THEMBA:
(soundi
ngpr
ofessi
onal
)yesmam

HER:okaypl
easedot
hat
,I'
l
lsendmyaddr
essj
ust
now

THEMBA:
okay

Hehungupandt
hrewhi
sfi
sti
ntheai
rincel
ebr
ati
on

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)t
hatwaseasy

Hesai
dthatandt
urnedt
hedoorknobwal
ki
ng
i
nsi
de.
..
..
.
#
#
#
Hal
faloafi
sbet
tert
hannot
hing,
hav
ingabusyday
f
amily
.
[
7/19,
08:
28]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT82

Hiswhol
ebodytightenedupt henheturned
stor
mingoutandrushedt ohiscarwherehequickl
y
hoppedi
nandmadeaf astt
urnspeedingoffas
Gracewat
chedconfused

GRACE:
babe!

Shelookedathi
scarasi
tdisappear
edand
shr
uggedhershoul
dersl
ookingbackatt
hepast
or
GRACE:
Iam sor
rybutIdon'
tunder
standwhyhedi
d
t
hat

Hekeptqui etandlookedatherasheshi f
tedinto
anotherr ealm oft
hespirit
,sti
lli
nthespiri
thesawa
verylargegr eensnake,itwailedit
sredtongue
spi
tti
ngv enom andstart
edcoi li
ngitsheavysli
ppery
andshi nybodyar oundGr acethenitsquir
medi ts
headupanddownbef or
ei tsallgr
eenheav yhead
tr
ansf ormedi ntohumanf ormt aki
ngMandl a'
simage

GRACE:
(sof
tl
y)past
or

Hei gnoredherst il
linterceedingashet r
iedt
omake
senseoft hev i
sionhej usthad, hewentonand
mov edintoadi f
f erentlevel andcamet oashocki
ng
revelat
ionthatclear edev erythi
ngup,andinthatt
he
hugeal lgr
eensnakesl owl ymel t
edit
sheavybody
ont hegroundasGr acest oodbesideitl
ooki
ng
rat
hercal m andcomf or t
able.
GRACE:
(louder
)past
y!

Hesnappedoutofi
tandsof
tl
ysl
appedhi
shead
bl
i
nkingafewti
mes

PASTOR:
(st
ammer
ing)hei
s,hei
s..
..

GRACE:
(at
tent
ive)what
?

Hequickl
yfel
lonhiskneessensingt
hewarcoming
hiswayandcal
leduntotheangel
sofwartocome
andint
erv
eneinthespir
it
ualwarf
arehewasabout
togeti
n

PASTOR: GodofAbraham Ical

l unt
oy oufat
her,
Lord
rel
easetheangel
sofwarf rom abovesotheycan
fi
ghtthegoli
athwearefaci
ng,heav enl
yLordinthe
mightynameoftheLordJesusChr istIbr
eakevery
chain,mayt hechainsf al
landsety ourchil
df ree
fr
om t hedev i
l
sbondage, Isurr
enderherunt oy oumy
God, saveherandsetherf reeforsheindeepwi thin
butonl yyouhav ethepower stof i
ghtanddef eatt he
enemy ,openherspi ri
tualsensessoshecoul dsee
andhearev erything
-.
..
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
...
..

Meanwhi
l
eatt
hecav
e

Thel argeallgreensnakehissedl oudlyIfur

ryasit
rol
ledi t
sgr eenandr edeyesspitti
ngv enom around
thecav east heforbiddenareaagent ssquir
medt hei
r
ti
nyandsof tbodiesawayknowi ngtheirmasterwas
anger edhenceget tingint
owar ,zumbat hehuge
snakecur ledhisheav ybodyaroundmov ingin
cir
clesbef orejumpingupatav eryhighspeedand
sli
ppeddownhi t
ti
ngt hecavewal l
sashesensedan
unfami li
arspir
itenteri
ngthecav e

ZUMBA(
hissi
ng)
ssssssssssss.
..
..
.ssssssssssssss.
.
Itspi tmor ev enom asi tsangeri ncreasedt heni t
turnedt hr
owi ngi tslar geheadar oundhi ttingt he
cav ewal l
shar d,allofasuddeni tsbodyst arted
get tinghott heni twi ggledi tst ailtr
yingt or unaway
from t hef i
ret hathadent eredt hef orbiddensi deof
thecav ebutt hemor ei ttri
edt osqui rm awaywas
themor ethef irei ntensi fi
edmaki ngithar df orthe
snaket omov e,Zumbat hel argesnaker oll
edhi s
ey eschangi ngcol our sashef elttheneedt o
transf ormi ntohi sst rongf or m, thefur i
oussnake
wi ggl edi t
st ailedandj umpedupbef oref all
inghar d
i
nt hegr oundl eav i
ngdustont heairt heni tturned
all blackwi thl argey el l
owey esassomet hingev en
mor escar yhappened, t
heheav yheadsl owl ygot
div i
dedi ntot wol argeheads, ,zumbat henr elaxedhis
whol ebodyast hef irewor eof fwhilehi sbody
cool eddownashespi taf ewt racesofv enom f rom
bot hhi sredt ongueswai l
ingf rom thet woheadsas
asi gnofv i
ct or y
..

Meanwhi
l
eatChur
ch,
Gracef
eltherwhol
ebody
becomi ngheav yt henshel ostbalanceandf el
ltothe
groundonherknees, shef el
ttheur getopr ayand
tri
edbutwor dscoul dn'tcomeoutofhert r
embl i
ng
l
ipst hent earsst reameddownherf aceasshehel d
herchestf eeli
nganunusual coldnessinherhear t,i
t
wasar eallywei rdfeel i
ngandi tscaredhert odeath
asthespi ri
toff eartookov erwhi l
eshesobbed, the
past orstoppedpr ayingasheconcent ratedmor ein
whathesawi nthespi r
it
ual realm,itwasat wo
headedsnaket hatcoi leditsheav ybodyar oundher
andwai l
edi tstonguei nvictoryreadytoswal l
owher ,
her ubbedhi sey estryingtocl earhisvisionasGr ace
melt edont hefl
oorf eel i
ngweak, heclenchedhi s
teethandl aidhishandonherpr aying.
...
.

BACKI
NTHECAVE

Mandl apar
kedhiscarandqui
ckl
yjumpedof f
getti
nginsi
dethecaveashiswholebodyit
ched,he
passedbytherit
ualspondathi
ghspeedbutquickl
y
stoppedandlookedatthemanylargecol
ourf
ul
snakest hatl
aidaroundl if
eless, hescratchedhis
bodyast hei
tchingincreasedt henhej umpedov er
thelargesnakesspeedi ngof ftot heforbiddensi
de
wher ehecamef acetof acewi tht henowt wo
headedZumba, hiseyespoppedoutashewent
downmemor ylane.
...
(((
((((
((((
(MOM: makesur eyou
neverhav etoseeZumbawi tht woheadsbecause
anythingwouldbepossi blethen, evenyourlif
ewill
beindangerandnot hingornoonewi l
lbeableto
savey ou

Theei
ghtyear
sMandlalookedattheol
dwoman
whosefacel
ookedpal
easshel ai
donthehospi
tal
bed

MOM: al
lyoursibl
ingsaregonebecauseImadet he
mist
akeofhavingt oseehiminhisstrongform and
mypoorbabieshadt obesacri
fi
cedtorecti
fyformy
mist
akessomydearchi l
dpleasecarrythi
slegacy
butr
emembert otreadcareful
lybecausemyt ime
hascome,Iam leavingbutIcantli
veyouwi t
h
nothing,ever
ythi
ngwehavewi
llv
anishbuty
oucan
bri
ngi tall
backandbecomepowerf
ulify
outakeon
thelegacy

Shetookasmal lcontainerunderthepil
lowand
openeditthenspr i
nkledabl ackpowderon. hi
sface
asheshi f
tedintoadi ff
erentwor l
dthatscaredthe
l
ifeoutofhim, hi
sey eswi denedashel ookedatthe
unbel
ievablyhugesnakei nfrontofhi
sey es

EI
GHTYEARSOLDHI M:(scr
eaming)
mamamaaaaaa.
..
..
..
hel
pmeeee.
..
..
..
.

Hescr eamedforhelpterr
if
iedasthehugesnake
squir
medi t
slargeheadov ertohi
slit
tl
escaredface
andlickedhi
m, heturnedtr
y i
ngtorunawaybutfell
onhiskneesduet othesuddenheav i
nessthat
att
ackedhim

EI
GHTYEARSOLDHI
M:(
scr
eami
ng)hel
p..
..
.
HeSlowlycl
osedhismout
hashest opped
scr
eamingbecausehesawhismotherstandi
ngnext
toThelar
gesnakecal
m andsmil
i
ngr el
axed

HI
SMOM:
(smi
l
ing)comeher
ebaby

Tearsstr
eameddownashecr i
edsi
l
entl
ystepping
back,hi
sli
ttl
ehear
tpoundedhar
dagai
nsthischest
l
ookingatthetwo

HISMOM: pleasecome,I.
am l
eavi
ngsoonandI
can'tl
eaveyoual one,
thesoci
etywil
lrej
ecty
ouand
youwillhavenoone, pl
easebabytakefi
vesteps
closer
,(sof
tly)come..

Sherel
easedherhandtowardshi
m hopi
nghe
comesthroughthenhi
sheartwar
medupashefel
t
a.
li
tt
lesafeseei
nghismother
HI
SMOM:
'
(sof
tl
y)comebaby

Het ookonest epcloserthenthenextandwenton

andon, hi
ssof thardenedwitheveryst ephet ookbut
j
ustwhenhewasaboutt otakethel aststepf ear
creepedi nandhest ormedoutrunni ngawayt henhe
surpri
singlyfoundhi mselfbackint heroom st anding
besidehi smot her'
ssickbed.Hel ookedar ound
tr
y i
ngt o.makesenseofwhathadj usttranspiredas
hisli
ttl
esel fbreathedheavil
yfail
ingt ounder stand
everything.Hemov edhiseyesupt ohersi ck
mot her'ssadf acethenheopenedhi smout htryi
ng
totellhismot herwhathej ustsaw

HI
M:(
trembl
i
ngv
oice)mom I
..
.

HI
SMOM: (i
nterr
upted)sshhh.
..t
akethi
s(gavehim
asmal
lcont
ainerthathesawinthesupposed
dr
eam)i
twasn'tadr eam,Iam l
eavi
ngandtrustme
mydearchi ld,l
if
ewon' tbeeasyaf termydepar t
ure,
thesocietywillr
ejectyouandt heonl ythi
ngthatwil
l
helpyoui sthatsnake,hi
snamei sZumbaandhe
will
givey ouallyourheartdesi
res,y ouareonlyone
stepawayf rom him, makesurewhent hegoinggets
toughyouopent hiscontai
nerandspr i
nkl
ethe
powdert hentaket hatl
aststep.Ilov eyoumybaby

Shehandedhimt hecontai
nerandsl
owl
ycl
osedher
eyestaki
ngherlastbr
eathashefell
ont
opofher
l
if
elessbodycry
inghislungsout

HIM: (
cry
ing)nomummy ,
,
,pl
easedon'tgo,pl
ease
don'tl
eavemeal one,
please.
..
..t
hedoctorshur
ri
edin
theroom andcheckedherpul sethenslowl
yshook
hisheadsadlybeforepull
ingthesheetsover
coveri
ngherfaceup

HI
M: (scr
eami ng)noooooo.
..
.Pl
easedontleave,
pl
easssss..
..
.mommmmmy .
..
.Pl
easedon'ttakeher
pl
easedoctor,don'tt
akeher
Theywheeledherawayont hestr
etchbedtaki
ngher
l
ifel
essbodytothemortuarywhil
etheotherdoct
or
heldhi
seightyear
soldselfinhi
sarmstryi
ngto
shushhim..
..
..
..

ATYAYA'
SHOUSE

MIA:(
smiledlooki
ngar
ound)ohhwow,youhav
ea
beaut
if
ulhouse,Il
ovet
heint
eri
oranddecor

YAYA:
thanky
ou

MI
A:(
smi
l
edt
aki
ngaseat
)

YAYA:
Ihav
easur
pri
sef
ory
ou

MI
A:huh?
YAYA:
yes,
let
sgo

Hehel dherhandleadi
nghertothekit
chenasshe
curi
ouslywalkedover,heopenedthedoorthenthey
steppedinsi
deandherey esfel
lar
oundt he
beauti
full
ydesignedanddecorat
edkitchenfi
tt
ed
withallwhit
e

MI
A:(
shr
uggedhershoul
der
s)whati
sit
?

YAYA:(poi
ntedatt
heki
tchencount
er)i
tsi
nther
e,
takeof
ftheli
d

Shesmiledandwal
kedovercuri
ousl
yslowl
ywalked
overandli
ft
edthel
i
dthenherjawdropped.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE
hekissedherf
oreheadandsatdownt
ypi
ngonhi
s
phone..

Ty
ping.
..
..

THEMBA:712.
..
..
...
.cal
lherandconv
inceherthatyou
aret
her
ecepti
onist,I
'l
lfowar
dyouheraddressjust
now,

Heputhi
sphonedownaft
ersendi
ngandl
aidback
ont
hecouchrel
axi
ng.
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eatherhouse.
.

Shesmi l
edpleasedanddidafewt ouchupson.her
facescanni
ngitonthemirrorbef
oreturni
ngasshe
catwalkedherpeti
tebodytotheloungewait
ingfor
him
Onehourl
ater
..
..
..

Shepull
edthecurt
ainpeaki
ngoutsi
deandsmil
ed
wal
kingouttothecarwheresheopeneduphoppi
ng
i
nsidet
hen..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
08:
29]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT83
Shehoppedi
nsi
deandgr
eet
edhi
m.

HER:
hel
l
o

MOYO:
Itakei
tyouknowwhyIam her
e

HER:(wit
hat ti
tude)yesIdoandIbel i
eveyouar
e
j
ustanassistant,yourj
obi st
ojustpickmeupand
dri
vemeov ertoMrMat thews,notholdsi
l
ly
quest
ions,am Iright
?

MOYO: um sor
ryf
oraski
ngquest
ionsmam,Iwas
j
ustchecki
ngtomakesureweareonthesamepage

HER:
(pr
oudl
y)gr
eat
!I'
m gl
ady
ouknowy
ourpl
ace

MOYO:
(noddedst
art
ingt
hecar
)
Hest eppedont heacceleratordri
v i
ngawayasshe
smiledf r
om eartoearthinkingabouthim, sheso
couldn'twai
ttomeetupwi t
hhi m andsweephi m of
f
hisfeet,get
ti
nghi m al
ltoher sel
fwasami ssionshe
wasn'tgoingtobackdownonany ti
mesoonpl usshe
knewhowat tr
activesheis,hesur el
ywon'tr esi
sther
j
ustliketherest,shelookedout si
deast hecar
mov edathighspeedt henshef r
ownedasi ttooka
dif
ferenttur
n

HER:
Ithought
-.
..
..
..

MOYO:(i
nter
rupt
ed)
MrMat
thewsor
der
edmet
ogi
ve
yout
his

HER:
(smi
l
edsur
pri
sed)what
?Ar
eyouser
ious?

Shegott
hegi
ftboxandsmi
l
edl
ooki
ngatt
hef
ancy
col
ogne
HER:
wow!Iwasn'
texpect
ingt
hisatal
l

MOYO:
(humbl
evoi
ce)t
ryi
t

Shegrabbedi
tandpressedthebuttonsprayingon
herhandandsni
ffedashelookedatherwi tha
smirkthenst
eppedontheacceleratorspeedingof
f
asshesuddenl
ystart
edfeel
ingdizzy

MOYO:
proudbi
tch!

Hecl i
ckedhistonguemaki ngat ur
nintothebushy
areaanddr oveforaf ewmi nut
esbeforehest opped
i
nf rontofthewar ehouse,t
hefullt
imeguar ds
quicklyrantohim andopeneduppi cki
ngt hedeliv
ery
anddr aggedherinsideasMoy oheldthest eer
ing
wheel swall
owinghar dasthethoughtofFifibeing
i
nsidemadehi m uncomf or
tabl
e
MOYO:
(whi
stl
ed)

GUARD:
boss?

MOYO:
thegi
rlIbr
oughty
est
erday
,pl
easegi
veher
f
ood

Het ookouthi
swalletandt ookoutafewnotes
handingthem ov
ertohi m ashelookedathi
m
confused,t
hegir
lswer ehardlyf
edespecial
l
ythe
fi
rstfewdaysoftheirarr
ivali
nthewarehouse

MOYO:buyenoughf
oral
lofthem butmakesur
e
sheget
smoreanddon'
ttouchher
, okay

Henoddedinagr
eementandwal
kedawayasMoy
o
t
urneddri
vi
ngoff
..
..
..
Meanwhileinsideshewokeupt oanexcruci
ati
ng
painonherheadasi tfeltv
eryheav yasshemov ed
hereyesaroundt heunfamil
iarroom andmeeti
ng
thehungr
yl ookinggi
rl
'ssadf aces

FI
FI:
(tear
ful
l
y)what
..
.wher
eam I
?

Theylookedatherwithtear
yey esunabl
etoexpl
ain
anythi
ngast heyf
ell
shortofwor ds,
theywereal
lst
il
l
tr
yingtoprocesswhatjusthappenedtothem

FI
FI:
(stoodup)pl
easet
ell
me,
whoar
eyouand
whatsgoingon

Shelookedaroundtheencl
osedspaciousr
oom
tearf
ull
ybefor
egoingdownmemor ylaneand
rememberedbeenof f
eredadri
nkbyMoy obutt
hen
nothingaf
tert
hat
FI
FI:(
whisperedast
ear
sst
reameddown)Moy
o
nooo.
..
..
..
..
..
..

ATTHECAVE

Hesnappedoutofthetrai
nofthoughtsandlooked
attheangryt
woheadedsnakeas. i
trol
ledi
tsey es
fur
iousthenher
emember edtobowdowni nrespect
asthehugesnakel
ickedhisfaceconnecti
nghimt o
thespi
ri
tworldf
orcommuni cati
on

I
nthespi
ri
twor
ld

(
(((
(MANDLA:
(loud)what
?No,
Ican'
tdot
hat
,Ican'
t

Zumbaangr il
yspitvenom onhi
shandasitquickl
y
turnedall
blackwithanexcruci
ati
ngpai
nbuil
dingup
i
nsi det
henzumbasqui rmedtowardhi
ml i
cki
nghis
faceagaintoreconnecthi
m
MANDLA: (
frownedasthepainonhi shand
i
ncreased)Ican'tki
l
lGrace,Ican'
t,ki
l
lmei nst
ead
butdonttouchherplease,andIthoughtyouwere
fi
newithher?

ZUMBA:
(hi
ssedr
espondi
ngi
nthei
rlanguage)

MANDLA: I
'
m sorryIdon'
tknowhowIendedupin
thechurchbuil
ding,i
twasamistakebutpl
easedont
doanythingtoher,pl
ease

Hesaidthatastearsst
reameddownhi sfacethen
Zumbaangr i
lyspi
tmorev enom on.
theal
ready
swoll
enblackhandincr
easingthepainasthehand
becameev enmoredarker

MANDLA: (
screamedi
nagony
)pl
easest
op,
pl
ease.
..
..
..
..
Zumbat hehugesnakest ormedhi stwoheaded
heav ybodyt other esti
ngar ealeavingMandl ai nt he
forbiddensi det henhet earfull
ydraggedhi spai ning
andbur ningbodyt owar dst hether i
tualspondwher e
hel ookedatt hemanyCol our f
ull
ar gesnakesl ying
downl i
felessont hef loor,i
thadn'tbeenanyl onger
sincet heconsumi ngf ir
egott othem ki l
li
ngthem but
theyal readyst artedsmel l
ingquietawf ull
yandt he
smel lwasunbear ablef orhim ashecov eredhis
nosewi ththeot herhandt r
yinghar dnottobr eath,
tearsfloweddownhi sfaceashel ookedatt he
ri
tualspondst i
llwat erthenhej umpedov erthe
manysnakeswal ki ngout ,i
nnot imehewasathi s
carwher ehest oppedatt hedoorl ookingathi shand
whichswel ledev enmor ewi t
hever yminute.

ATCHURCH

heshookhisheadi
ndefeatandhel
pedherst
andup
wit
hhiseyesfi
xedonhers
PASTOR: Itri
eddearbuty oursi t
uat i
oni sdeepand
toobi g, yourli
feisindanger.Um notsupposedt o
reveal mucht oyoubecausey ouhav et osee
every thingforyourselfbutit
snoty ettime,thisisa
battlet hatonlyyoucanwi n,youhav et ostandup
andf i
ghton. yourownbecauset heLor dhas
best owedt hepowert odosoupony ou, ahugepar t
ofy oui salreadygoneandcol dbuty ourhear tissti
ll
str
ong, Idon'tknowi fyouunder standmebutwhat
i
mt ryingt osayisy ouneedt ostayi n.pray
eratal l
ti
mes, thereisagr eatbattl
ebef orey oubuti tneeds
j
usty ouasi t
sbeyondme, Godchosey outof ul
fi
llt
he
missi onmydear

GRACE:Idon'
tunder
standpastor
,whydidmy
boy
fri
endrunaway?Doesallthi
shaveanyt
hingt
o
dowit
hhim?

Hel
ookedatherandsi
ghedt
hen.
..
..
..
.
ATYAYA'
SHOUSE

Herj
awdr oppedassheturnedl
ooki
ngathi
m andhe
wasstandingonhi
sotherkneesmil
i
ng

YAYA:
wil
lyoumar
ryme?

MI
A:(
speechl
ess)

YAYA:pleasemakemet hehappiestmanon. ear

th
andbemywi f
eMi a,
Iknewy ouwer emywi fethe
ver
yfir
stdayI .
lai
dmyey esony ou,Ineverstopped
thi
nki
ngabouty ouandnowt hatIgotyouIcan' t
wasteanymor eti
me, pl
easebemywi fe

Miaheldhermouthtot
all
ytakenthensomeone
openedthedoorst
eppingi
nsideasthei
rheads
tur
nedthen.
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
29]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT84

Shewalkedi
nandsmi
l
edasMi
a'
sey
espopped
sur
pri
sed

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(loudl
y)pl
easesayy
esbaby

MI
A:(
conf
used)howdi
dyou-
..
..
..
..
.
MSWI LLIAMS:(i
nterr
upted)gether
e???Ohhwell
Yayaher ecaughtmebysur pri
seaswel l
,hesent
someonet ocomeandpi ckmeupj ustaft
eryoul
eft
butthatsnotimportantbaby,j
ustsayyes

MI
A:ma!

MSWI LLIAMS: what??I'

m anoldwomanand
defi
nit
elywise,can'
tdenythefactt
hatIal
ways
noti
cedhowy oulookedathersomemont hsback.I
sawitallbutthenIjusti
gnored,
healwayswanted
youbaby

YAYA:
(smi
l
ing)

MIA:
(lookedbackatYay
aast
ear
sfor
medi
nher
ey
es)yes,Iwil
lmarr
yyou

YAYA:
arey
o-.
..
..
MIA:(l
oudl
y)yes,y
esIwi l
lbeyourwi
feYay
a,ohmy
God!Ican'
tbel
iev
et hi
sishappeni
ng

Tearsofjoyst r
eameddownherf acethenYay a
stoodupr ubbingt
hem offbefor
eher eachedfort
he
plat
egetti
ngt hediamondr i
ngandsl i
di ti
nhersoft
l
ightfi
nger,MsWi ll
iamsslowlywalkedov erand
emotional
lylookedatthesparkl
ingringonherdear
daughter'
sfinger

MSWI LLI
AMS:
(emot
ional
l
y)ohhbaby
,itl
ooksso
beaut
if
ul

MIA:(
tear
ful
l
y)Ican'
tbel
i
evethi
sishappeni
ngma,i
t
r
eall
yfeel
sli
keadream,f
inal
l
ysomeonewant sme
f
orme.

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)y
ouar
enotdr
eami
ngbaby
Yayapul
ledheri
nhi
sar
msandhuggedhert
ightt
o
hi
shischest

YAYA: y
oujustmademet hehappiestmanby
agreei
ngtobemywi f
eMia,thankyousomuch, I
real
lydi
dn'
tthinkyouwouldagree,
thoughtyou
wouldmay besaywedon'tknoweachot herandal
l
thatbut
..
..
thankyou

Hepul
ledoffandaffect
ionat
elyl
ookedinhereyes
t
hengentl
ytouchedhersmoot hcheekbef
ore
l
eani
ngovertoplantasoftki
sson.herf
orehead.
..
Meanwhi l
eMsWi l
li
am'swat chedtouchedasshe
thankedGodf orYaya,shesomehowal waysnoti
ced
thatthisguyr eal
l
ylikedMi aduringherweakestand
painfuldays,shesawt helookheusedt ogiveher
andi twast heonefulloflove,i
twasact ual
l
ycute
howheal way swantedherev enwhenshehad
wor msf easti
ngonher ,sheremember edhowhe
woul dquicklypul
lupt opickthem uptoandf r
om
chur
ch,
het
rul
yisv
eryr
are"shet
hought
"

MSWILLIAMS:(
smi
li
ng)pl
easet
akecar
eofherand
i
fyoueverst
opl
ovi
nghert
henki
ndl
ybri
ngherback
home.

YAYA:(
tur
nedt
oher
)Iwi
l
lnev
erst
opl
ovi
ngherma
don'
tworr
y

Theyallbrieflyl
aughedasMi alookedatherr i
ng
emot i
onally,sheremember edt helastti
mesomeone
putar i
ngonherf inger ,i
twasn'tthissweetorat
l
eastany thingcloset ot hi
s,therewasnol ov ebut
becauseshewasst upi dandnai vesheagr eedt ot
he
wholethingandbecameapar tofabusi ness
tr
ansactiont hatdidn'tbenefitherinanyway ,she
i
magi nedt helovelessmar r
iageshewasst ucki nfor
manyy earsandt het houghtoft hatgotherhear t
poundinghar dagai nstherchest ,sheswal l
owed
hardandf eltthehott earscomi ngoutthenshe
quickl
ylookedupst oppingthem f r
om fall
ing,thi
s
wasaonespecial
dayforheri
ndidn'
twantt
oal
l
ow
any
thi
ngoranyonetospoi
litf
orher.
..

YAYA:(l
ookedatt
het
wol
adi
es)Ihav
eonemor
e
sur
pri
se

MI
A:whatnow?
?

MSWI LLI
AMS: andIthoughtthi
sendshere,
whatis
i
tnowdear ,
I'
m oldandt i
redpl
ease(shel
aughed
andheldherwaistl
ookingathim)

YAYA:
let
sgot
othel
ounge

MI
A:(
smi
l
edshaki
ngherheadandf
oll
owedhi
m out
)

Hehel
dthegl
assdoorandpul
l
edi
tthen.
..
EVERYONE:
(scr
eami
ng)sur
pri
se!
!!
!!

Mia'
seyeswi denedl
ooki
ngatt
henewf
aces
t
hen..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

ATTHEWAREHOUSE

tearsstr
eameddownherf aceasshesmil
ed
i
n.disbel
ief,i
tal
lnowmadesensetoher,
TheMoy o
guywasf akebutwhydi
dn'
tThembaseeit?"
She
thought"

Shefell
onherkneescryi
ngherlungsoutasthe
othergi
rl
swatchedsadly
,meanwhileatt
hefarend,
oneguardhel
daf ewplasti
cswalki
ngovertoher

GUARD:
hey
,taket
hese
Shelookedupathi
m wi
that
ear
yfaceandsi
l
ent
ly
cr
ied

GUARD:
youhav
etoeat
,her
e

Hesquat
tednexttohergivi
ngheratakeawayasshe
l
ookedati
twithtear
sstreamingdown

FI
FI:
(br
eaki
ngv
oice)whoar
eyou

GUARD:
(lookedatherqui
te)

FI
FI:whyam Iher
e,andwhyar
ey oudoi
ngt
hist
ome,
pl
easeletmegobackhome,please

GUARD:
(lookedherwi
thnor
emor
se)eat

FI
FI:
(fel
lon.
hisknees)pl
easet
ell
Moy
oum sor
ry,
t
ell
him Idon'
twantt
her
ichesany
mor
e,pl
easee.
..
..

Hemov edbackasshef
ell
onthef
loorcry
ing
hy
ster
ical
lyl
ooki
ngathi
m ashewalkedaway

FI
FI:(
breaki
ngvoice)pleaseletme
go,
,
pleeeaseee.
..
.aaaaaahhhhhhhhahaaaaaaaaaa.
..
..

Shewentonscr
eami
ngasev
ery
onewat
chedsadl
y.
..

Meanwhi
l
eatMoy
o'shouse

Heparkedt hecarandst eppedoutwal ki

ngintohi s
mansionr eal
l
ydown, fewmi nuteslaterhear ri
ved
i
n.hi
sbedr oom andthrewhi sexhaustedsel font he
bedlookingupatthecei l
ingfrustr
ated, i
thadbeen
manyy earssincehejoinedthi
shumant raf
ficki
ng
busi
ness, hedonedidal otofthings,farwor sethan
sel
li
nggirlsbutnotonceev erfeltguil
ty,buttoday
herehewasandgui l
tgotthebetterofhi
m,he
couldn'
tst
opt hi
nkingaboutherspookyfaceandthe
carefr
eeatti
tudeshehad.Thet houghtofheraf
ter
al
lbubblyfacesaddenedhi m,thewholesenseof
humorshehadgothi m smil
ingallbyhi
mself

MOYO:
(mut
ter
ed)f
uck!

Gett
ingheroutofhi smi ndseemedl ikeami ssion
i
mpossible,thethoughtofhowshesl owlyclosed
hereyesaftertakingtwosipsoft hejui
cebrokehi s
hearti
ntoami l
li
onpiecesnott oment i
onhowhow
hebreaksapar teveryti
meher emember sherlayi
ng
downmot ionlessont hecoldfloor,
yeshehadput
bl
anketoverherbuti tst
il
ldidn'tmakehimf eelany
bett
er.
..
.

MOYO:
shi
t!
..
..
..
..
.

IKNOW I
TSSHORT,
HAVI
NGABUSYDAYFAMI
LY
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
[
7/19,
08:
29]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT85

Hest oodupandheadedt othedoorandhel dt he

doorknobopeni ngupbefor
ehest eppedout
shootingstr
aighttohi
sAudi.Hepulledthedoorand
hoppedi nsi
dedriv
ingoutofhi
sy ardslowlythen
steppedont heaccel
erat
orspeedingof f
..
..
.

Onehourl
ater
..
..
..
.
Heparkedinfr
ontoft
hewarehouseandsi
gnal
ed
oneoftheguardi
ncharget
ocomeov er

HI
M:boss

MOYO:
Iwantt
hatgi
rl

HI
M:si
r?

MOYO:
bri
ngherout
side

HI
M:whi
chone?

MOYO:
thecof
feecol
our
edone

HI
M:t
hedar
kone?
??
MOYO:
(impat
ient
)yes!

HI
M:butsi
r-
..
..
..

MOYO:
(int
err
upt
ed)st
opt
alki
ngandgett
hedamn
gi
rl
!

HI
M:(
pani
cked)butbossThembasai
d-.
..
..
..

MOYO: (
clenchedhisteethgett
ingpi
ssed)Themba
what?Huh?St oputt
eringnonsenseandbringher
outohhandcov erherfaceandhere,t
akethisand
puti
nherdr i
nkorwat ersothatshepassesout.

HI
M:okay

Hegotthepowderandt
urnedwal
kinginsi
de,t
hei
r
l
it
tl
eheart
spoundedhar
dwi t
heveystephetook
becauset heydidn'
treallyknowwhatt henextmov e
wouldbesoev erytimet heguar dswalkedinfear
creepedinast heyall t
houghtt hei
rar
rivalwil
ltake
them totheirf
ate,beingkill
edf orspi
ri
tualpurposes
wasal lt
heycoul dthinkofatt hismomentandt hat
scaredthem sobad.Heappr oachedthem ast hey
sil
entl
ycried

HI
M:(
poi
nti
ng)y
ou!Fol
l
owme

FI
FI:
(tear
ful
l
y)ar
eyout
aki
ngmeback?

HI
M:(
angr
il
y)f
oll
owme!

Shestoodupanddr aggedherheavyfeetawayas
herl
itt
leheartpoundedhardagainstherchest,
the
angerinhisvoiceandtheroughnesswasanswer
enoughtoshowherwhatawai tsherwasn'tpl
easant
,
sheimaginedherthroatbei
ngsl i
dbyashar pknif
e
andswallowedhar dastear
sstreameddown, she
keptonwalki
ngtryi
nghardtogetr i
dofthepainf
ul
thought
s,f
ewmi nutesl
atersheapproachedtheexi
t
andsawabeam abeam ofl ightasheopenedup
thenhemutter
ed

HI
M:shi
t!

Hecl
osedt
hedoorandl
ookedbackather

HI
M:goback!

FI
FI:
'
huh!

HI
M!Mov
e

Sheturnedwalki
ngbacktotheblanketandthr
ew
herheavybodydowntearf
ully
,meanwhi l
etheguar
d
wenttothefarendandsearchedforadrinki
nthe
pl
ast
ics,
hesawitandopeneditupempty
ingt
he
smal
lsacheti
nsi
debef
oregoingbackt
oher

HI
M:(smil
i
ng)If
orgott
ogi
vey
out
his,
youneedf
or
t
heener
gy

Shel ookedati tforlonganddoubt edhisint

enti
ons
becauseheal lofasuddenwaski ndandev enwor e
alit
tlesmi l
e,justaf ewmi nutesbackhewasal l
roughandr udebutnowhei shereput ti
ngonsmi l
es.
Shesl owlyreleasedherhandt owar dshisbecause
sheconv i
ncedher selfdyingbecauseofpoi soning
woul dbemuchbet t
ert hanhav ingt olookaspeopl e
cutof fyourbodypar t
ssoqui ckdeat hseemedl ikea
perfectwayoutofhermi sery

FI
FI:
thanky
ou

Shegotthecanandgul
pedal
lthej
uicedownwhi
l
e
theot
hergir
lssadl
ywat
chedt
hensheallofa
suddenfel
tdi
zzyandslowlycl
osedherey esbef
ore
melti
ngonthefloorashesquatt
edroll
ingheronhi
s
hands,hepi
ckedherbodyupandwal kedtotheexi
t
andsteppedoutwalki
ngtowardsthecar

MOYO: gr
eat!Andremembert
okeept
hisbet
ween
us,
I'
ll
doubleyourpayment

HI
M:(
smi
l
ing)ofcour
seofcour
seboss

MOYO: (
openedt
hebackseat
)putheri
nsi
de,
be
gent
le

Hegent
lyl
aidherbodyont
heheseatandcl
osedup

HI
M:y
ouwi
l
lhav
etoadj
ustt
heseat
,fort
het
raf
fi
c

MOYO:
yeaht
rue
Heopenedupandadj ust
edt heseatbef oreput
ti
nga
fl
eecebl
anketoverhermotionlessbodyt hen
hoppedi
nsidedri
vingaway,hel ookedbackather
wit
hhisotherhandonthewheel thensmiledhappi
ly
befor
esteppi
ngont heacceler
at orspeedi
ngoff.
..
..
.

ATYAYA'
SHOUSE

ALL:
sur
pri
se!

Hereyespoppedsur
pri
sedbyt
hemanynewf
aces
t
hentheMCgott hemic

MC:(gayaccent )welcomehomeMr sBrownt obe,i

t
i
sapl easuretof i
nal
lymeettheladyweal lhave
beenhearingourdearf r
iendtal
kingabout,i
tsbeena
fewmont hssincewehear dofy ouandnowwe
fi
nal
lymeet( turnedtoYayasmilinggi
rl
ish)youare
themanYay a,Ican'
tbel
ieveIusedtomocky ouand
evencall
edy ouobsessedbecausey oucalledher
yourwifebefor
esheagr eedtoallthi
s, Wow!(Rol
l
ed
hiseyes)Tal
kaboutfait
h(heturnedtoev er
yoneand
spokethenpointedthemi ct
owar dsthecrowd)yaya
i
st hemanguy s,canyousayt hatagain?

ALL:
(scr
eami
ng)Yay
aist
heman!

MC: y
ouarewel
comedearandpleasefeel
free,
aft
er
al
lthi
sisy
ourdamnengagementparty
!Nowl et
s
par
tyaswegettoknowyou,DJ!

ALL:
(scr
eami
ng)speech!Speech!Speech

Sheshyl
ylookedar
oundandcover
edherf
aceasher
motherl
ookedathersmi
li
ngproud

MC:
okay
,okay
,youcankeepqui
etnow,t
heladyof
t
hemomentheardy
ouandum sureshei
sreadyto
saysomet
hing,
Miababysaysomet
hing

Hewal kedtoherandgaveherthemicasshegotit
andcov er
edherfaceshy
lybeforeYay
acamef orher
rescue

YAYA:(l
aughi
ng)noguy
s,y
ouwon'
tputmywi
fe
thr
oughthat

ALL:
ahhhhh

YAYA:y
ouwil
lal
lgett
hespeechonourweddi
ngday
butf
ornowenj
oythef
oodandgoodmusic

Theyal
ll
aughedasev
ery
onegotbusymi
ngl
i
ng.
..
..
..
..
.

ATCHURCH
GRACE:Iwantt
ounder
standwhyher
an.
outl
i
ket
hat
,
pl
easepast
or,t
ell
me

PASTOR:l
i
keIsai
d,y
ouj
usthav
etopr
ayandal
lwi
l
l
berev
eal
ed

GRACE:
andwhataboutthecoldwav
eIf el
tear
li
er,i
t
wassowei
rdandIfel
tli
keum atwar,t
herewasjust
t
oomuchheavi
nesssurroundi
ngme,pl
easeexpl
ain
t
hist
ome

PASTOR: y
ouar echosenbyGodt obr ingdownt he
principal
iti
esoft hekingdom ofdar kness, i
tsabat t
le
youhav etof i
ghtbyy our
selfbutitwon' tbeeasy ,you
won' tunder st
anditnowbuty ousur ewillwithti
me,
i
fIt oldyouwhatIsawnowy oupr obablywontev en
sleepandt hespiri
toffearwillov
er shadowy ouso
l
eanonGodandpr ayhardforyouboy f
riendbecause
afterallthereisgoodi nhim.
Shelookedathi mtotall
yconfusedbuttookhis
wordstoheart,pray
ingatal lt
imeswasnowher
missi
onandshewasmor ethanreadytoconquer
theworld,
shet ol
dher sel
fthatnoevilweapon
for
medagai nstherwillprosperandshefeltso
posi
tiv
eandencour aged

GRACE:
okaypast
or,
itsl
atenow

PASTOR:alr
ightmydear,
remembert
ocomeher
e
ever
yaft
ernoonforpr
ayer

GRACE:
okaypast
or

Shetur
nedwalki
ngawayashet
urnedbackheadi
ng
tohi
swarroom..
..
.

Meanwhil
eatt
hecav
e,hef
rownedast
hepai
n
i
ntensi
fi
ed
MANDLA:
ahhh!

Hescr eamedinagonyashiswholebodyst arted

sweatingandthepainonhishandwasn' tgiv
inghi
machancet obreath,i
twassobadt hatheev enfel
t
thepaininhishear
t.Heheldhi
sswol l
endar khand
andslowlywalkedtothedri
ver
'ssidewher ehe
gatheredall
str
engthopeni
ngupt hedoorand
steppedinsi
dethecardri
vi
ngawayast hepain
spreadtotherestofhi
sbody..
..
..
..
..
THREEMONTHS
LATER
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
29]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT86

THREEMONTHSLATER

Shest eppedouti nherLouisVui t

tonheelsand
l
eanedf orherpur sebeforeclosingthedoor ,
she
reachedf orhershadest hatshehadhungonher
sil
kyblouseeal i
erandputt hem ont oavoidthe
sunli
ght.Shecatwal kedherbodyt owar
dst he
churchbui l
dingasabi tofairbrushedherhaironher
fl
awlessf acethenshel i
ftedherhandclosert oher
facepulli
ngt hefluf
fyhairtothebackasev er
yone
watchedi nenv y

WOMAN: wow!Thi
syoungwomanhascompl
etel
y
changed.Inev
erknewshei
sthi
sbeaut
if
ul

WOMAN2: enewagl
owergore,bonayaakaantse
mont
leandherr
ingi
sspar
kli
ng.Gatenyaloel
eng
kant
e?(Andsheisglowi
ngandsobeaut
if
ul,check
outherspar
kli
ngri
ng,whenusherweddingday?

WOMAN:
yeah,
Ithi
nki
tsi
namont
hti
me

Theyconti
nuedlooki
ngatherinadmirat
ionasshe
steppedupint
hechurchbuil
dingthenherphone
rang

MI
A:heyma

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
heybabe,
arey
ouatChur
chal
ready
?

MI
A:y
esma,
didIf
orgetsomet
hing?

MSWI LLI
AMS:nobaby
,isGracether
e?Ihear
d
past
orsayi
ngshecomesovereveryaf
ter
noon
MIA:
umm..
.Idon'
tknowbutIwi
l
ltel
lyoui
fIseeher
l
etmegeti
nside

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
alr
ightbaby
,isYay
aal
readyt
her
e?

MIA:notyet
,Ij
usthopehedoesn'tcomelat
e
ot
herwiseourmarr
iagecounsel
i
ngsession'
sti
me
wi
llgetwasted

MSWI LLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)um sur
ehei
sonhi
sway
baby
,

MI
A:y
eahIgues,
besi
deshei
snev
erl
ate

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
alr
ightbaby
,by
e

MI
A:by
e
Shewalkedtothefr
ontandsatdownwait
ing,f
ew
minut
eslaterhepul
ledupatt
heentr
ancelooki
ngal
l
fi
neinhisf
ormalgear

YAYA:
heybaby

Shest
ooduphuggi
nghi
mthenhepl
ant
edasof
t
ki
ssonherpi
nkl
ips

YAYA:
youl
ookbeaut
if
ul

MI
A:(
blushi
ng)t
hanky
ou,
howwast
hemeet
ing?

YAYA:wentwell
,ImustsayIappl
audworker
sf or
thegoodwork,
thesal
esarehighandum impressed

MI
A:ohhgr
eatbabe
Theysmiledateachothert
hensatdownwai
ti
ngf
or
thepast
or'sar
ri
val.
..
.

ATMOYO'
SHOUSE

shelookedatthei cecream f
orawhil
elostinher
ownwor ldthenstartedmovingt
hespoonar oundi
t
play
full
y,shesighedandpusheditawayr eachingf
or
herphoneanddi aledhernumberbutquicklyhung
upbeforeitcouldring

FI
FI:
(si
ghed)

Shesighedandputherpal m onhercheeksadl y
l
ookingupasi tnowst r
uckherhowsel f
ishand
conniv
ingshehadbeen, shehadallowedjealousyto
consumeheranddest royedherfri
endshipwiththe
onl
yper sonwhol ov
edandunder st
oodher ,
y esshe
gotallsheeverwanted,moneywasnotapr oblem
anymor ebecauseMoy ogavehereveryt
hingshe
wantsbutther
ewasst i
ll
av oi
dinherheartt
hatnot
evenmoneywoul dfi
l
lup,shewasmi ssi
ngherdear
fr
iendandallt
hatshedidbehindherbackwas
bother
inghernowmor ethanever
,thesadFif
i
si
ghedandgotherphonedi al
i
ngheragain

PRETTY:
hel
l
o

FI
FI:
(lowv
oice)heyPr
ett
y

PRETTY:
yes,
whatdoy
ouwant
?

FIFI
:Ij
ustwant
edt
osaysor
ryf
orev
ery
thi
ngIdi
dto
you

PRETTY: Thembat oldmeaboutthemov esyou

madeon. hi
m andhowy oubadmouthedme, Ican't
beli
evey ouactual
lytur
nedoutt
hatwayFi f
i,after
everyt
hingIhav ebeenthr
oughyousti
ll
couldn'tfind
i
tiny
ourhear
ttobehappyformebuti
nst
eady
ou
t
ri
edtor
uinmyhappiness

FI
FI:(t
earf
ull
y)IknowIwassuchabadf r
iendand
I
'm onl
yseeingitnow,IknowIwasself
ishbut
pl
easef or
giv
eme, I'
mr eal
l
ysor
ryforeveryt
hingIdi
d

PRETTY:
(keptqui
et)

FIFI:Iallowedjeal
ousytogetthebestofmeandI
want edwhatwasy oursbecauseIwasal so
strugglingbutthatdoesn'
tjust
if
ywhatIdi d, (
rubbed
hert earoffandsmi l
ed)Ihavealottoshar ebutI
hav enoonet otal
kto,thi
ngsarelookingmuch
bet t
erf ormeandIwi shyouwer eheretolistento
megoi ngonandonaboutmyhappi ness.
.Ijust-
..
..
.I
mi ssy ouPretty

Pr
ettythoughtaboutherhi
l
ari
oussel
fandl
augheda
bi
t,shereal
izedhowmuchshehasbeenmissingher
aswel
l
,shetri
edconvi
nci
ngher
sel
fthatshecares
nomorebutdeepdownshel
ongedforherapol
ogy

PRETTY:
(smi
l
ing)wher
edoy
oust
ay,
Ihear
dyou
l
ongmoved

FI
FI:
(smi
l
ing)i
sthatay
esIf
orgi
vey
ouFi
fi
?

PRETTY:(
laughi
ng)noway
sbi
tch,Iam notfor
giv
ing
you,
notaft
eryoumadesomewitchmov esonmy
man

FIFI
:(l
aughi
ng)Iwouldn'
tfor
giv
emeeit
heri
fIwer
e
youbutcomeonf r
iendkanaIwasdemon
possessed,
Iswearthedevil
wasusi
ngme

PRETTY:
(rol
l
edherey
esl
aughi
ng)y
eahr
ight
!
FI
FI:
(laughi
ngsof
tl
y)sohowaboutwemeetov
er
l
unch,bil
lsonme

Pret
ty'
sey eswidenedsur pri
sedbythe"bi
ll
sonme"
shewonder edwher eshewoul dpossi
blygetthe
moneybecauset helastti
meshesawhera
rest
aurantwasanogoar eaforhermainl
ybecause
shecouldn'taf
forditbutnowher esheisarr
anging
meetupsi nrestaurants

PRETTY:
wow!

FI
FI:
what
?

PRETTY:(
smi
li
ng)IswearImissedoutonalotof
thi
ngs,
themi
ghtyFi
fij
ustof
feredtotakemeoutfor
l
unch

FI
FI:
(laughi
ng)asknoquest
ionsandhearnol
i
es
baby,butany
waythanksforf
orgi
vingmemydear
fr
iend,
I'
m humbl
ed.ohhandI'
l
lfor
war dy
out
he
detai
ls

PRETTY:
alr
ightby
emmast
senwa

Shehungupsmi
l
ingandgotupmaki
ngherwayt
o
thel
ounge.
..

ATDUDU'
SHOUSE

shehungupandl
ookedathersi
sterwhowasbusy
onherphone

DUDU: whyarey ousomoody ,youwerenotl

iket
his
twomont hsagowheny oucameherebutnowallof
asuddeny oudon'ttal
k,al
lyoudoisspendmostof
yourt
imei nthebedroom aft
erschoolpl
usyouare
for
everony ourphone,whatsgoingon?
HER:
not
hing

Shecont i
nuedt ypingonherphoneasDudusi ghed
andst oodupgoi ngt otheki tchenashersi st
ermade
herwayt othebedr oom wher eshesl ammedt he
doorandt hrewher selfont hebedcr yi
ng, shehad
mi ssedherper i
odanddi dn' tknowhowt obreakt he
newst ohersi st
er ,shehadl eti tgoonf oralong
ti
mebecauseshewasscar edhersi sterwoul dn't
believeherandpr obabl yt hrowheroutont hest r
eets,
i
thadal way sbeent hetwooft hem asDudut ook
car eofherwhi l
eshest ayedi naboar dingschool but
sincet womont hsagoHersi st erthoughti tsbestshe
mov esi nper manent l
ywi tht hem becauseshewas
doingherf i
nal y
ear .Howev ert hatdidn'twor kouti n
herf av ourasal litbroughtwasapai nfulexperience
shewoul dliketof orgetal laboutoratl eastputan
endt oit,runningawayseemedl ikeaper fectoption
ri
ghtnowbutwhatwi llshedowi thababyal lalone.
Sheswal l
owedhar dast ear sst reameddownher
face, sher ubbedt hem of fthent hedoorf lungopen
DUDU:whatsgoi
ngonSi
si,
whyar
eyoucr
ying,
pl
easetal
ktome

HER:(rubbi
ngthetear
sof
finpani
ck)I.
..
.i
m okay
,it
s
theperi
odpains,
yesum i
nmyperiodsandits
painf
ulthat
swhyIam moody

DUDU:aww,youshoul
d'
vet
oldmeeal
i
er,
letmeget
youpai
nki
l
ler
s,okay?

ShenoddedasDudut urnedwal kingouttogetthe

pil
l
s,Sisisi
ghedconv i
ncingher selftoopenupt oher
butquickl
yremember edt heMi ast oryt
hatDuduhad
narr
atedtoher,shewasy oungy esbutoldenoughto
seethestoryj
ustwasn'tmaki ngsenseandnowt hat
shehadencount er
edthesamef ateshesureknew
hersist
erwasjustbeingpr otectiveofherpervert
,
thi
nki
ngaboutt hatmadeherchangehermi nd
becauseshecer t
ainl
ydidn'twantt odestr
oytheir
rel
ati
onshi
pashersi
sterhasal
way
sbeent
her
efor
her

DUDU:(
wal
ki
ngi
n)her
e,I
'
m sur
eyouwi
l
lfeel
bet
ter
af
ter

HER:
thanky
ou

Shetookthepi
ll
sandglassofwaterfr
om her
thr
owingoneinhermouthbefor
egulpingal
lthe
waterdown

DUDU:
restnow,
I'
ll
go.
makesomet
hingt
oeat

HER:
okay

Shelai
ddownasDudust
eppedoutoft
heguest
room..
.
Meanwhi
l
eatMandl
a'
shouse

Shegotupandwipedherkneesputt
ingthebi
ble
awaybefor
etur
ningbacktotheli
vi
ngroom where
shefoundMandl
abandaginghisswoll
enhand

GRACE:
nobabe,
taket
hatof
f

MANDLA:
(lowv
oice)i
treducest
hepai
n

GRACE:(sof
tl
y)nodont
,Ihonest
lydontknowwhatto
doanymorebecausei
tsgetti
ngworseevery
day
,let
s
tr
ythatUKdoctor

MANDLA:
ok

Gr
acehel
dhi
sot
herhandandknel
tnextt
ohi
m
MANDLA:
(ey
eswi
dened)whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

GRACE:
let
spr
ay

MANDLA:
(angr
il
y)noIcan'
t,
i-
..
..
.

Hequickl
ystooduptr
yingtowalkawaybutt
hepai
n
onhishandwastoomuchasi tmadehimlose
bal
ancehencefal
li
ngtotheground

MANDLA:
(scr
eami
ng)aaahh,
,
,ouchhh!

Hescreamedsol oudthatitbrokeherheartseeing
himinagonizingpai n,tearsfor
medatt hecor nersof
hereyesbutshel ookedupst oppingthem f
rom
fal
li
ng,shecoul dn'tunderstandwhyMandl aal ways
avoi
dedpr ay
erbutt odayshepr omisedherselfthat
shewillnotl
istent ohisexcusessoshewal kedt o
hi
m andsquat
tedhol
dinghi
shand

GRACE: (hol
dinghim)heav enl
yf atherIspeak
deli
veranceuponmydearf ri
end, del
iverhi
mf rom
evi
landsethi mf r
ee,fat
herhelphi m knowy ouand
surr
enderhislif
eunt oyou
-.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

Shecont i
nuedpr ay i
ngasMandl afelthi
swhol ebody
bur ning,thef i
rewassobadt hatitgothim
scrat chinghi sbodyt ryi
ngtor el
ievehimsel fbuti t
gotnotbet t
ermaki nghim scrat
chev ent hewounded
hand, i
ttear edupashescr atchedi tmore, more
blooddr ippedf rom hi shandasapar tofhi shand
fl
eshst ar tedf all
i
ng, ontheot herhandGr acefinall
y
stoodupf eeli
ngmor estrongandpower ful,asshe
waspr ay ingshesensedacol dwav efil
l
ingt her oom
butshehadherey escl osedandcont i
nuedchant i
ng
pray ersinwar ,
thehol yspiri
tfelluponherand
i
nst ructedhert otouchhi m andasshedi dt hatshe
feltsomet hingdifferentasadi f
ferentodourf il
led
t
her
oom andhi
sski
nfel
twei
rdl
ysl
i
pper
y

GRACE:int
hemightynameofJesusChr
istIspeak
yourbl
oodLor
d,yourdev
-..
..
..
..
..
.

Sheconti
nuedprayi
ngwhi leontheotherhand
Mandlafel
thisski
ntighteni
ngupasZumbat ri
edto
surf
ace,t
herewasahugebat t
leasthesnakesspiri
t
cl
utchedwithherpr
ay er
s,Mandlagroanedthen
Graceopenedhereyesast heyfel
lonthe.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Shar
e
Comment
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
08:
29]BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT87

MandlagroanedthenGraceopenedherey esasthey
fel
lontheunbeli
evabl
yallgreenhugesnakethat
squir
meditstwoheadsr ol
li
ngitsfourey
esast hey
changedcolour
sfrom gr
eent ored

ZUMBA:
(hi
ssi
ngf
uri
ous)ssssssssss.
..
..
..

I
twentonhi
ssi
ngasitsqui
rmedthetwobigheads
t
owardsGr
acewhofora.momentgotter
ri
fi
edand
f
ell
onherback

GRACE:
(scr
eami
ng)babe!Babe,
hel
l
lppp.
..
..

Shemov edtothebackonherbuttl
ookingatt
he
fur
iousbri
ghtgreensnakeasi
tssli
pper
yandshiny
ski
nglit
ter
edtemporaril
ybl
urr
inghervi
sionwhi
le
shest
agger
edbackst
il
lonherbut
t

GRACE:
hel
l
ppp!
!!
!!
!!

Tearsstreameddownherf aceasthet
woheaded
angrysnakewailedit
stongueontheai
randaround
herscaredface.
...

Meanwhi l
eint hecav e,thecav eagent sinther esti
ng
areasensedt hewart hathadj uster uptedandknew
theyhadt olocat etheirmast erf orback- up,thetiny
manyCol ourful snakessqui rmedt heirwayoutoft he
resti
ngsi deandwi ggledtheirsof tshi nybodiesaway
passingbyt hef orbiddensidebef or eheading
towardst heawf ullyquietri
tual spond, t
hewat erwas
sti
llastheot herl argesnakesl aydownl i
fel
essand
rott
en,itwasonl ynowwheni tdawnedont hecav e
agentsthatt heirt erri
torywasi nv adedandunder
greatattackt hatneededt hem t ol iftthebarsot hey
sli
ppedt heirslipper ybodiesint ot hest i
llwatersoas
toreachoutt ot heirmast erbef orei tstoolate.
...
.
BackatMandl
a'
shouse

Shetri
edstandi
ngupbutfellbackonherbut
t
almostbr
eakingherar
mt henshefli
nchedasZumba
thehugesnakeli
ckedherface

GRACE:
(scr
eami
ng)ahhhhhhhhh,
nooooohhhh!
!
Hel
p!

Shelookedar oundasshegotpr essedagai nstthe

walltr
embl ing,inthemi dstofhert erroritdawnedon
herhowqui cklyMandl ahadv anished, he
was.nowher et obeseenwhi chwasv er yweird
becauseshedi dn'tseehim wal ki
ngout ,besi
des,he
wasi ntoomuchpai ntoevengoany wher e,whil
e
sti
ll
pr essedagai nstthewal lasthehugeal lgreen
snakeopenedi tsmout hwi deaimi ngf orherhead
thecav eagent swi ggl
edtheirtinysof tandshiny
bodiesinsidet heroom fil
li
ngi tup, t
hemany
colour fulti
nysnakeswi ggl edtheirbodi
esar oundthe
houseasGr acescr eamingi nterr
orlookingatthem
thenoneoft hem mov edcl osertoherfeetand
coil
edi tsshinyblacksoftbodyar oundherleg,while
l
ooki ngati tterri
fi
edsher anthroughmemor ylane
andr emember edtheirf
irstdatewhenashi nysmal l
snakecoi l
edi t
selfaroundherl egal mostbiti
ngher,it
somuchf eltli
kear epeti
tionofev entsand
somehowhermi ndopenedupasshest arted
thi
nki ngdeep, shet houghtabouthowMandl a
weirdlyv anishedandshewasher eseeingthev er
y
samescar ysnakesshehadseenbef or
ewhent hey
wer et ogether

GRACE:(wit
htear
sst
reami
ngdownherhopel
ess
face)Mandl
a..
.

Theallbl
ackti
nysnakewiggl
edi t
sshinybodyint
o
herdressupherbodyasshescreamedf orhel
p,t
he
soft
nessofit
sskinandthecoldnesssentchil
l
s
downherspineleav
ingherfr
owning
GRACE:
(fr
owni
ng)ahhh,
,
mmh.
..
.ahhh

Meanwhi leZumbat helargesnakewai ledhistwo

redtonguesi nvict
or yashenowknewhi sagents
heardt hecall
ingandt herewasnowaypossi bl
efor
thetroublesomegi rltodefeathiski
ngdom, thescary
allgreensnaker ol
leditseyesscar i
ngt hepoorGrace
evenmor easitpoppedt hem outrev eali
ngthered
vei
nsoft heeyesbef orei
twai l
editstonguein
celebrati
on

Meanwhi
l
eatChur
ch

Thepastorappr
oachedt
hecoupl
eandsatdown
greet
ing

PASTOR:
hel
l
o
BOTH:
aft
ernoonpast
or

PASTOR:
howar
eyou?

MI
A:wear
efi
nepast
or

PASTOR:
Great
!Let
sst
artt
hesessi
on

Hesai
dthatandgothisbi
blef
li
ppi
ngthepagesbut
st
oppedashisfi
nger
sstar
tedchoki
ng

PASTOR:
(fl
i
p)ouch!

MI
A:(
concer
ned)
arey
ouf
inepast
or?

Hestoodupandf el
tacol
dst
rongwavepassing
bef
orehim athi
ghspeedasi
tsentchi
l
lsdownhis
spi
neandthatonitsownwasenoughforhi
mt o
knowheneededt ogeti
nawarf are,
hehadseeni
t
i
nt hespi
ri
tbutwasneversur
ewheni tst
imingwi
l
l
be,hisey
esturnedr
edashest ar
tedsweati
ngwhi
le
theduolookedathi
m conf
used

MI
A:past
or

Heignoredherandconnect edwit
ht heholyspi
ri
tas
hestart
edint
erceedinginhisheart
,hewentonand
bli
nkedafewt i
mesashet r
iedtoseeclearlyt
henhe
cl
enchedhisteethseeinghowGr acehadbeen
overpower
edbyt hekingdom ofdarkness.He
cert
ainl
yknewitwast imetogettohi swarroom and
call
fordevi
neprotecti
onfrom above..
..
..
.

PASTOR: (
sweat
ing)um sor
ry,
let
sreschedul
e
becauseIhav
eanemer gency

YAYA:
okaypast
or
MI
A:but
-.
..
..
..

Withoutwai
ti
ngforanyresponseheturnedand
pacedtothewarroom astheylookedathi
mt ot
all
y
confused

MI
A;andt
hen?
?

Yay
ashruggedhi
sshoul
der
sasMi
asi
ghedt
urni
ng
tot
heexi
t

MI
A:l
etsgo

Theyt
urnedwal
ki
ngoutoft
hechur
chpr
emi
ses.
..
..
.

ATDUDU'
SHOUSE

shehel
dthepl
atei
nonehandandknockedsof
tl
yon
herdoor

DUDU:
canI
.comei
n?

HER:
yeah

Sheopenedupwal kingi nsi

deandputt hepl ateon
thebedsi dedr awersmi lingatherwei rdlysad
sister
'sface, Si
sihadal way sbeent hebubbl yand
talkat
ivet ypebutf orsomewei rdr easonshel atel
y
changedandbecomeawf ul
lyqui et,sheal way sl oved
beingar oundpeopl ejokingar oundandwasr eally
j
ol l
ybutnowshehadt urnedi ntoacompl etely
differ
entper sonwhoi solatedher selfmor eand
talkedless, itsl
ikeshet ransfor medf rom being
extrovertedt obei ngt oomuchofani ntrovertedand
thatdidn'tsi twellwi t
hhersi ster,itreallybother ed
herbecauseshecoul dtellsomet hingwaseat ingher
upandshesowi shedshecoul dopenupt oher
henceshef eltt
heneedt ocheckheroutmor eof t
en
andchatabi tandmay be, j
ustmay beshewoul d
openuptoher,yestodayshecompl ai
nedaboutt
he
peri
odpainsbutshecouldtel
lther
ewasmor etoher
stor
ythanwhatmeet stheeye

DUDU:
Ibr
oughty
ourf
ood

HER:
thanky
ou

Shegott heplat
eandt ookafor
ktaki
ngthefi
rstbi
t,
theysurelookedandsmel l
edyummybutshehadno
appeti
teanddef i
nit
elywasn'
tupforamealsoshe
puttheforkdownast heymadeherwannapuke

HER:
(hel
dhermout
h)

DUDU:
what
swr
ong,
arey
ouf
ine

HER:
um j
ust
-.
..
..
Shefel
tvomitcomingandquicklyst
ooduprunni
ng
tothebat
hroom wheresheleanedonthet
oil
et
thr
owingupasDuduf ol
lowedher

DUDU:awwI '
m sosorr
y,i
stheresomet
hingwr
ongi
n
myfood,ar
ethespicesabitt
oomuch?

HER:
(thr
owi
ngup)ahh

Shegotupandl
eanedonthetoi
l
etzi
nkwashi
ngher
mouthasDudul
ookedatherwit
hafrown

DUDU:
(thought
ful
l
y)what
'
sgoi
ngon?

HER:
um f
ine

Sher
insedhermout
handt
urnedwal
ki
ngawayt
o
t
heguestr
oom ashersi
sterf
oll
owedher

DUDU: areyoupregnant,don'
ttel
lmey ouall
owed
yoursel
ftofallpr
egnantknowingyoust i
l
lhave
school,whoisgoingtotakecareofthebaby?
(Thoughtful
ly
)ohh,,t
hatswhyy ouhavebeenso
dist
ant,Ican'
tbeli
eveyoudidthis

Shet urnedstormi ngoutangr i

l
yashery ounger
sisterswallowedhar dwhi letearsformedatt he
cornersofherey esf all
ingdownherf ace, meanwhi l
e
i
nt helivi
ngr oom Dudugotherbagangr il
yand
checkedf oraf ewnot esbef orestormi ngoutt he
mai ndoorwi ththei ntentionofdr i
v i
ngt oanear by
phar macytobuyahomepr egnancytest er.Herlit
tl
e
sisterheardthedoorsl ammi ngandt ipt oedt othe
l
ivingroom andwat chedt hrought hecur tainasshe
turneddr i
vi
ngout , l
ucki l
ytheper vertwasn' thomeso
herescapemi ssionwoul dgoonundi sturbed,she
pulledthecur t
ainclosi ngi tashott earsst reamed
downhercheekswhi leshesobbed, st i
llsobbingshe
walkedtot hekit
chenandreachedbehindthefri
dge
taki
ngabl ackropesheheardseenearli
er,
af t
er
gett
ingitshepacedt otheli
vi
ngroom openingthe
drawersandgr abbedapieceofpaperandapen
scri
bbli
ngsomet hingdown..
.

Wr
it
ing.
..
..
..
.

HER: dearmysweetsi ster;Iam sor ryIhadt odot hi

s
butmyhandsar eti
edbecauseIknowy ouwoul dn'
t
havebelievedmeany waysot hi sismyper fect
escapepl an,myl i
felostmeani ngthemomenty our
dearhusbandl aidhishandsonme, hest arteda
weekaf terIgothereandt oldmet okeepi tbet ween
usifIstil
lwantt ostayher e,hest artedmol est i
ngme
andtookawaymyi nnocentt hemostpai nful way
andtherewasnot hingIcando, Iwashel plessand
hopeless.Ithoughtoft ell
i
ngy oubutaf terhear ing
thestoryofy ourfri
endMi aIknewf orsur ey ouwon't
beli
evemebutnowIam pr egnantwi t
hy ourdear
husband'schi l
dandIcan' tdot hisanymor e, Iam
ti
redandneedtorest
.deat
hismyperfectescape
planr
ightnowandum sorr
yforhur
ti
ngy ou.
.Il
ove
youmydearsist
er.Keepwell
By
e
YouTubedearsi
ster
Si
si.

Sheputthependownasahott eardroppedont he
pi
eceofpaper ,sherubbedthetearsoffandsl owly
walkedtotheguestbedr oom whereshegotachai r
andsteppedoni ttyi
ngtheropearoundt hehangi ng
l
ampbef oret y
ingitar
oundherneck, shetightenedit
andkickedthechairoffasshehungi ntheairwi t
h
hereyesroll
ingtothebackofherheadwhi leshe
tr
iedtoscream

HER:
(f
aintv
oice)ahhh.
..

Sheki
ckedherlegsintheai
rasherf
aceswell
edup
thent
hebedroom doorfl
ungopenasDudu'
seyes
wi
denedl
ooki
ngup.
..
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Zumbat helar
get woheadedsnakequi rmedhi st
ail
towardsGraceandpul l
edherbodyt owardshi m
whil
ehecoi l
edt hetai
laroundherbody ,
thegr een
snakethenraisedit
sheadupbef oreaimi ngfor
Grace'
sheadopeni ngitsmouthwidet hen..
..
..
...
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
30]
BLOODFORBLOOD
I
NSERT88

Shekickedherlegsint
heairandt hebedr
oom door
fl
ungopenasDudu' seyeswidenedupbef or
eshe
screamedoutloudgetti
ngeveryoneinthe
nei
ghborhood'
sat t
enti
on

DUDU:
(scr
eami
ng)noohhh!
!!

Shequi cklyrantoherandheldherlegspul
lingthem
ali
ttleupsoast oloosentheropeasshecont i
nued
screami ng,t
earsstreameddownherf acewhileshe
l
ookedar oundtryi
ngt of
igur
eaoutasol ut
ion,inno
ti
met hewhol enei
ghborhoodhadfil
ledupherhouse
tal
kingloudly

DUDU:(br
eaki
ngv
oice)pl
easehel
pmesav
emy
si
ster
Af ewmenwal kedoverandpull
edheroffandhel
d
hersister
'ssti
l
l war
m bodybeforecut
ti
ngdownt he
ropeast heygentl
ylai
dherheavybodydown,
meanwhi leoutsi
deapol i
cevanandambulance
pulledupatthegateafterbei
ngnoti
cedbyoneself
theneighbors

POLI
CEMEN:
(loud)mov
e!Mov
e

Theywalkedthroughthenoisycrowdandstopped
l
ookingatherfeetandheral mostpoppingouteyes
thenthepar
amedi csquickl
yrol
ledherbodyont he
scoopbedast heothercheckedherpulse

MAN1:(checki
ngherpul
se)shei
sst
il
lbr
eat
hing
l
etsmov
e

Theyquickl
yli
ft
editandrant
hroughthecrowd
makingthei
rwaytotheambulancewherethey
qui
cklypushedthescoopbedinsi
deastheyjumped
i
nsi
desurroundi
ngher,meanwhileoutsi
deDudutri
ed
t
ogetinsi
decryinghyst
eri
callyasthetwopol
ice
menheldhertry
ingtocalm herdown

POLI
CEMAN:
pleasest
epasi
demam

DUDU:(
Breaki
ngvoi
ce)i
ssheokay,
tel
lmeshewi
l
l
befi
nepl
ease,i
sshesti
l
lbr
eat
hing?

POLI
CEMAN:
(pul
l
ingherback)mam

Shehel
dontot
hedoort
ryi
ngt
ogeti
nsi
deast
ear
s
st
reameddownherf
ace

DUDU:(cr
ying)Si
si noo!
!Pl
easedon'
tl
eav
eme,
pl
easedon'tdi
e..
.noooooo!
!

Theypul
l
edherasi
deast
hepar
amedi
csguypul
l
ed
theambul
ancedoorcl
osi
ngast
heambul
ancet
ook
off

GUY1:It
hinkwearelosi
ngher
,gi
vemet
hose
we.
needtosaveher

Hegotthedef i
bri
ll
atorandhandedi tovertohi m as
hegrabbedittouchi
ngt hegreenbuttont oturnit
ownbeforeremov i
ngt hesti
ckypadsat tachingeach
onherbodyandcont i
nuedwiththechest
compressi
onsunt i
lsheshowedsi gnsofl if
easshe
gaspedforairwit
hherey esclosed

GUY1:Ithi
nkwemanagedt
orest
oret
her
hyt
hm of
herhear
tbeat
,br
ingt
heoxy
genmask

Theygoti
tandcoveredhermouthasshet
ooksl
ow
breat
hsastheysmil
edinvict
ory
..
.
Meanwhilebackathome, Dudu' shusbandpull
edup
atthegateashesteppedoutsur pri
sedtoseehis
placecr
owdedandt hepolicev ansmadehi sheart
skipali
tt
leconsi
deri
ngthef actt hatSi
siwasalit
tl
e
underage.Hepassedthroughandmadehi sway
i
nsideasthepoli
ceoffi
cersst oppedhim atthedoor

POLI
CEMAN: y
oucan'
tcomei
nsi
r,t
hisi
snowa
cr
imescene

HIM:butt
hisi
smyhouseIhav
eev
eryr
ightt
obe
here,
what'
sgoi
ngon?

Hesaidthatandturnedashiseyesfel
lonhistear
y
andmiserabl
ewife,shecri
edevenmor eaft
erseei
ng
hi
m andranintohisarmsbursti
ngintotear
s

DUDU:
pleaset
akemet
othehospi
tal
,Ineedt
osee
I
fshei
sokay
HI
M:what
sgoi
ngon,
wher
eisSi
si?

DUDU:(thr
oatdri
edupashott earsfl
oweddown)
she-
..
..
shetri
edtocommi tsui
cide,If
oundher
hangi
ngand-..
..
..
(bur
sti
ntotearscryi
ngevenmor
e)

Hisheartstart
edpoundi ngwhi l
ehehel dherinhis
arms,helookedar oundt r
yingtofindawayof
gett
inginsidebecausehev er
ywel lknewifshetri
ed
tocommi tsuici
det henshewasmor eli
kel
ytoleave
aconfessionnoteorsomet hi
ngcl osetothat
,fear
gotthemostofhi m ashei magi nedhowt hi
ngs
wouldturnoutifatal l
sheconf essed

HI
M:(
mut
ter
ed)f
uck!

DUDU:
(lookedupathi
sface)huh?

Hel
i
ckedhi
sdr
yli
psandr
ubbedhi
sfacef
rust
rat
ed
asDuduasusmedhei
sjustwor
ri
edabouthersi
ster

Helookedaroundandnoti
cedther
ewasnooneinto
theli
vi
ngroom asmostofthecopshadf
il
ledupthe
guestroom l
ooki
ngforpossi
blel
eads

HI
M:wai
ther
e,I
iwantt
ogett
othebot
tom oft
his

Hel etgoofherandslowlywal
kedi
nsi
dethenran
aroundev er
yoneassumedhewasjustst
ressedand
panickingbecauseofshock

HI
M:shi
t!

Hel ookedar oundandthrewhi sselfont hecouch

scratchinghisheadfrust
rated,whilescratchingithe
sl
owl ylift
editupandashi sey esfellonapi eceof
paperj ustbythedrawer,
hel ookedar oundand
qui
ckl ysnatchedthepaperr eadi
ngt hroughf ast
HI
M:f
uck!

Hefol
dedi
tandpulledhisj
acketr
eadyt
othr
owi
t
i
nsi
dehisi
nnerpocketthen

POLI
CEMAN:
(louder
)st
op!

Hequi
ckl
ylookedbackathi
m wi
tht
err
if
iedey
es

HI
M:I
..
it
sjust
-.
..
.i
tsmi
ne

Other
sintheguestr
oom gotalar
medandfi
ll
edthe
l
iv
ingroom upashelookedaroundt
ryi
ngt
othinkof
agoodlie

HI
M:i
tsmi
ne
POLI
CEMAN:
giv
eitt
ome

Hegotcloserandreleasedhishandashetr
iedto
resi
stt
hent hepol
icemanangr il
ysnat
chedthepi
ece
ofpaperreadi
ngthroughitbefor
ehepasseditt
o
oneofhiscoll
eagues

POLICEMAN: handsupint
heairsi
r,y
ouareunder
ar
restfort
ryi
ngtotemperwi
ththeevi
denceand
morechargeswil
lbemadeafterf
urt
her
i
nvesti
gati
ons

Hel i
ft
eduphishandsashi sheartpoundedhard
againsthi
schest,t
heshameandembar rassmenthe
hasjustputhimsel
ft hr
oughmadehi mresentthe
l
ittl
esist
erevenmor e,t
heygrabbedhishandsand
pinnedthem t
othebackcuf f
inghim whil
ehe
remainedsil
ent

POLI
CEMAN:
mov
e!
Heslowl
ysteppedoutofthehouseasthecrowd
l
ookedathim conf
used,.
nooneunderst
oodanyt
hing
astheyl
ookedathim chatt
ingandar
guing

WOMAN: Ithi
nkheki
ll
edherandmadeitl
ookl
ikea
sui
cideat
tempt,
Imeanwhyelsewoul
dtheyar
rest
hi
m

WOMAN2:
buthej
ustgother
e,i
tdoesn'
tmake
sense

WOMAN: Ial
waysknewt
her
ewassomet hi
ngodd
aboutt
hisman,
thewayhel
ooksatpeopl
e,
ngng

Theychatt
edasatt hefarendDudulookedupand
frownedseeingherhusbandhandcuff
ed, She
rubbedhertearsandrantowar
dsthepolicevan
DUDU: what
sgoi
ngon?Whyar
eyouar
rest
ingmy
husband

POLICEMAN:yourhusbandhasal
ott
odowi
tht
his
tr
agedyman,
mov e

Hepul
ledhertot
hesideastheypushedhi
minsi
de
t
hevan.ateardr
oppedashelookedathi
swife'
s
t
ear
yfaceandswallowedhard

HI
M:(
sadl
y)um sor
ry

Sheshookherheadindi
sbeli
efastheycl
osedup
thevandr
ivi
ngaway,shefel
lonherkneescry
ing
hyst
eri
cal
lyasshefel
therwholeworldcr
umbling

DUDU:(v
oicebreaki
ng)
nooooGodpl
easedontdo
thi
spl
eassee.
..
..
..
.
Theoldwomanwhoisthei
rnei
ghboursadl
y
watchedandwal
kedov
ertappi
nghershoul
der

OLDWOMAN: comeondear,l
etsgotot
he
hospi
tal
,
youwi
llgoseey
ourhusbandaf
ter
war
ds

DUDU:nol
etsgotopol
i
cest
ati
on,
Ineedt
oknow
whathedi
dfi
rst

OLDWOMAN:
okaydear

Shegav ehera.
handhel
pingherst
andupthenthey
walkedtoherhousewheresheopeneduphercar
hoppinginsi
demakingt
heirwaytothepol
i
ce
stat
ion.
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE
Zumbat hehugesnakeopenedhi smouthwide
ai
mingforGrace'sheadthenshelookedupfeel
ing
l
essscaredallofasudden,sherai
sedherhandup
andcal
ledthenameJesust hr
eetimes

GRACE:
Jesus!Jesus!
Jesus!

Zumbaf el
tahotwav epassingbeforehi
slargehead
pull
i
nghim backahesl owlylostgr
ipofherbody,i
t
hadjustcoi
ledi
tsel
faroundherwi t
houtti
ghteni
ng
thegri
psoshewasst il
l okayandnotharmed

GRACE: GodofAbr aham, GodofShaddr ack,

MeshackandAbedni cocomet omyr escue, Lor
dI
rel
easey ourconsumingf ireri
ghtnow, dest r
oythe
devili
nfrontofme, LordIneedy ourpower ,power
Lord!(Mov edupanddownpr ayi
ngbol dly)yesJesus,
rel
easey ourangelsofwarf r
om abov e,destroyeach
andev erysnakeinthisroom, consumet hem inyour
consumi ngfir
eLordfort hebiblesaysmyf athermy
Godt hatatthement i
onofy ournameev eryknee
shallbowandev erytongueshal lconfess, itsaysmy
fathermyGodt hatwehav ebeengi vent hepowert o
stepontot heser pent sandscor pions,Lor dIreceive
thepower ,Ireceivet hepowerLor d,consumeand
destroyallthissnakesmi ghtyGod, mayt hechains
fall
,.
mayt hear ksbr eak,mayt heshr i
nesbur n,I
receiveandr eleaset hefir
eLor d,burnal lthedevil
s
agentsLor d,(shel ookedatthel argegr eensnakei n
theey eandangr i
lycontinued)y ousnake!Fi r
e!Burn,
burn!Burn!Cat chf ir
eandf all
,Idest r
oyy ourt er
rit
ory
i
nt hemi ghtynameofJesusChr i
st

Shecont i
nuedmov ingupanddownchant i
ngas
sweatdr ippeddownherf ace,meanwhi leinthe
forbiddensideoft hecav e,t
hecaver ocksstar t
ed
fal
lingast herestingar eacaughtfiredestroyingthe
agent sthathadr emai nedbehindtowat chand
protectthecav e,theirtinybodi
eswi ggledaround
catchingf i
reandmel teddownast hewat erinthe
ri
tualspondst arteddi sappeari
ng,thewat erslowly
wentdownunt i
litrandr yandempt ybef oreahuge
balloffireenteredthecav eburni
ngev erythi
ng...
..
..
..
.
Meanwhi
l
eatchur
ch

Thepast orsl
owl ystoodupandbr ushedt hedustof f
hiskneesbef orehel ookedupsmi li
ng,henowf elt
thehotwav et hathadr eplacedtheear l
iercoldwav e
andnowheknewherdeardaught erinChr i
stfought
thebattleandwassocl osetovictory,
hel ookedat
hiswristwatchr el
ievedandnot iceditwasal r
eady
l
at esohewal kedoutmaki nghi
swayhome.Yeshe
knewt hebattlewoul dpr obabl
ygoonf ort hewhole
nightbuthewasnotwor ri
edanymor east hechosen
onegai nedheraut hori
tybackandneededhi ml ess

ATTHEPOLI
CESTATI
ON

theyr
antowardstherecept
ionwhereoneofthe
copsinchargeofhi
scasefamil
iar
isedherf
aceand
metthem half
way
POLI
CEMAN:
mam

DUDU:
pleasel
etmesee.
myhusband

POLICEMAN:um sor
ryy
oucan'tseehi
m butwai
t
her
e,Ihav
etoshowyousomething

Hetur
nedwalkingt
ohi
soffi
cewher
ehepickedt
he
pi
eceofpaperandwal
kedbackt
otheduohandi
ngi
t
ov
er

POLI
CEMAN:
Ihopet
hiscl
ear
sev
ery
thi
ngf
ory
ou

Shegott
hepieceofpaperandt
ear
ful
l
yreadt
hrough
i
tasherthr
oatdri
edup

SI
SI:
...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Iam sosor
rymydearsi
ster
,by
e!
Shef el
therchestcont racti
ngasshet emporaril
y
fail
edtobreath,withherhandonherchestshe
staggeredbackandl i
ckedherdr yli
psasshesaw
herwhol eworldcrumbl ing,nowmor et hanevershe
regrett
edcomi ngher einsteadofr unningaf t
erher
sist
erwhoseemi nglyhadbeent hroughal otand
neededhermost .Theol dwomanqui cklysnatched
thepaperandr eadt hroughi tshakingherheadi n
shock

DUDU:(t
ear
ful
l
y)l
ets-
..
..
let
sgot
othehospi
tal
pl
easeee

Theoldwomangr abbedherhandandturnedasthey
pacedtowardst
hepar ki
ngl
otwheretheyhoppedin
hercardr
ivi
ngoffinthedar
knight
..
..
..
..
..
..
THENEXT
DAY

ANOTHERI
NSERTCOMI
NGUP
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
krt
hei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
08:
30]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT89

THENEXTDAY

Themachinesst
art
edbeepi
ngast
healar
med
doctor
stur
nedfaci
ngherast
heot
heronechecked
herpul
se

DOCTOR:
gett
hedef
ibr
il
lat
or
Hegoti tandpr essedi tagai nstherchestwal l
sinan
attemptt orestoret her hythm ofherhear tbeat,he
wentonandonpr essingt hem agai nstherast he
othersranar oundt ryingsav eher,meanwhi leoutside
oneoft hedoct or ssteppedoutashi sey esf el
lona
womansl eepingont hebenches, hetappedher
shoulderwaki ngherup, shel ookedupput ti
ngher
l
egsont hef l
oorashesmi ledremember ingherf rom
thepreviousni ght,shehadr ushedinsidet he
hospitalwithanol dwomanal lt
earyandbeggi ngt o
seehersi sterbutwasdeni edt hechancet omai nly
becauseshewasst il
lunst ableanddoct or swer e
wor ki
nghar dtosav eher ,her eckonedshehadsl ept
thereinthecol dandf eltsor ryforher

DOCTOR2:
(sof
tl
y)hey
,di
dyousl
eepher
e?

DUDU:
(tear
ful
l
y)canIseemysi
steri
ssheokay
?
Shegotuprubbi
ngheroverfl
owi
ngt ear
sashe
l
ookedatwithnoanswer
st henthedoormade
a.soundasoneoft
hedoctorsopenedupwithasad
face

DUDU:
(tur
nedt
ohi
m)doct
or-
..
.

Hesl owlypul
l
edoffthesur
gicalmaskoffhi
sface
andlookeddownt r
yingt
ofindtheri
ghtwordsof
breakingdownthesadnewst oher

DUDU:(br
eakingv
oice)canIseemysi
sterpl
ease
saysomethi
ng

Heswal
l
owedhar
dandsadl
ylookedathert
ear
y
f
ace

DOCTOR2:
let
'sgot
omyof
fi
ce
Duduknewwhatt hosewor dsmeantast helasttime
shehear daper sonofhi sstat
uresaidthesame
thi
ngwaswhenshef oundoutherpar entswer eno
mor e,thelasttimeshehear dsomeonesay i
ngl ets
tal
ki n.
myof fi
cewast helastshesawhert wo
favorit
epeopl eandnowher eshewasaboutt ogo
throught hesamet hingagain,shesurewasn' tready
toloseherl itt
lesi sterandshehadsomuchhopei n
herandcoul dn'twai ttoseehergr aduateinvarsity
,
shecoul dn'twai ttoseehergetaj ob,herfi
rst
car.t
ear sstreameddownasshedr aggedherheav y
feetbehi ndhimf oll
owi nghimt ohisoffi
cewher ehe
openedupandsatdownof feri
ngherachai r

HI
M:(
sof
tsof
tl
y)pl
easesi
t
.
shesl
owl
ysatdownwi
thherey
esf
ict
ionher
s

HIM:Iam sorr
ybutwedi dever
ythi
ngwecan
unfor
tunat
elywelostthefi
ght,
um sor
rybutshe
di
dn'tmakeitoutal
ive
Duduf eltherheadspi nni
ngar oundasshesawl i
ttl
e
str
ikesofl i
ghtflashi
ngbef orehereyes,herwhole
bodybecameheav yasat hinpainstr
ikedthrough
herheadal mostf eeli
nglikeaheadache, t
ears
str
eameddownhercheeksuncont roll
ablybefore
shebur stintoapool oftear scryi
nghy st
eri
call
y
whiletheot herdoctorwal kedinandsadl ywalkedin
andpul l
edheruphuggi nghert i
ght

HI
M:um sor
ry

Hehuggedhersoti
ghtasshel
etl
oseandt
ookout
t
hepaininherhear
t

HI
M:(soft
ly)y
oushoul
dgosaygoodby
ebef
oret
hey
t
akehert
othemortuar
y

Hear
inghim sayt
hatbrokeherheartevenmoreas
t
hethoughtofherdearsist
erl
yinginacoldt
runkcut
waytoodeep,hehel
dherandt urnedsuppor
ti
ngher
withhi
smuscularbodyast heywal kedbacktot
he
wardwhereheopenedup, herey esfell
onher
swoll
ennowdar kfaceasshecl osedhereyes
l
ookingpeacef
ul,shestoodbesidet hebedand
breat
hedheavi
lybeforeopeninghermout h

DUDU: (Br
eakingv oice)um sosor r
ySisi,Ipromi sed
mypar ent
st hatIwoul dtakecar eofy oubutnowI
fai
leddismally,
Iwi shIcoul dturnbackt hehandsof
ti
meandmaket hingsr i
ghtbutnow- .
..
''
(swal l
owed
hard)butnowy ouar enomor eandt hereisnot hingI
canpossiblydo,If ail
edtopr otecty ouandI '
llnever
fi
ndpeace, (
rubbedhert earoff)Ican' tbelievey ou
aregone,itwast oosoonand- ...
..Um sor rySisi.
I
promiseI'
llmakesur ehepay sf orev erythingheput
youthroughIswear -.
..
..
..
(shebr okedowncr yingand
fel
lontopofherhol di
ngherasshescr eamed)

DUDU: (
cri
edholdi
ngherl
i
fel
essbody
)aaaaahhhh
hahahhhhhaaaaa.
..
..
..
Theyslowlypul
ledheroffthel
if
elessbodyasshe
cri
edherlungsoutthentheypul
ledt hesheetover
cover
ingherfacebefor
et heywheeledthestret
ch
bedout

DUDU:
pleasewakeuppp,
wakeuppppp-
..
..
..
.

Shetr
iedtoruntowardsthestr
etchbedbutthey
hel
dherti
ghtlyt
ryingtoshushherastheother
doct
orsadlywatchedfeel
ingsorr
yforher
..
.

DOCTOR:
umm-.
...
.I
'
m knocki
ngof
finaf
ew,
canI
dr
ivey
ouhome?

Hiscoll
eaguessmi ledseeinghowdr awnhewast o
thebereavedwoman, hepull
edof fhissurgicalmask
andtookof fthegl
ov esbeforeholdingherhandso
theycanwal koutoft hehospit
al.
.theysteppedinhis
caranddr oveoutashest oleglancesofhert eary
butsti
llbeautif
ulf
ace
HIM:Ohhbyt
hewaymynameI
sJay
sonbuty
oucan
cal
lmeJay

Shekeptquietst
il
lthi
nki
ngaboutt
hel
asti
mageof
hersi
sterasherheartbr
oke

HI
M:(
thought
ful
l
y)y
ouShoul
dcal
lyourf
ami
l
y

Shei
gnor
edhim st
il
ll
osti
nat
rai
noft
hought
sthem
hedr
oveawaysi
lentl
y

MEANWHI
LEATMI
A'SHOUSE

shebrowsedt
hroughherphonet
henherjaw
droppedl
ooki
ngatthevi
deoplay
ingonFacebook

MI
A:what
?
Shelookedclosel
yandsawDudu' stearyf
aceas
paramedicspushedthescoopstr
etcherattheback
oftheambulance,fewminutesl
aterthehusband
passedthecrowdhandcuf f
ed

MI
A:whatt
he?

YAYA:
what
sgoi
ngonbabe?

Hereachedforherphoneandwatchedthev
ideoas
Miaquickl
ystooduppicki
nghercarkey
s

MIA:(
panti
ng)Ihav
etogo,
that
smyf
ri
endum.
sur
e
sheneedsme

YAYA:
(cur
ious)whathappened?
MIA:
Idon'
tknowbutIhav
etobet
her
eforherl
ets
gopl
ease

Hest
oodupast
heyst
ormedout

YAYA:
thekey
s,y
oucan'
tdr
ivel
i
ket
his

Hethrewt
hem t
ohi
ssi
debef
oret
heyhoppedi
nsi
de
dr
ivi
ngoff
..
..
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

shefellonthefloorexhaust edbutsti
llcont i
nued
hammer i
ngthepray erbecausesher ealizedanyl i
tt
le
mistakewouldbet heendofher ,sheslowl ytookof
herclothessti
l
lchant ingprayer
sasshewasr eal
ly
wetfrom allt
heov erni ghtsweat
ing,shel it
erall
y
spentthewholeni ghti nawarfare,atsomepoi nt
shefeltli
kegivi
ngupbecauseshef elttoosleepy
andthesnakewasn'tgi
vingupbutsher
emembered
thepastor'
swordsandthatgav
ehermorecour
age
andstrengtht
ogoon

GRACE:(
lowvoi
ce)LordIhavefoughtt
hebat
tl
e,
t
akeoverandl
etyourwil
lbedone!

Shesaidt hat.sl
owlyasherey esclosedup,
meanwhi leZumbat helargesnakeroll
edont hefloor
beforewigglinghisheav ybodyaroundtry
ingt orun
awayf r
om t heconsumi ngf i
ret
hathadsurrounded
hi
m, thesof theavytail
wi ggl
edaroundandf ell
heavil
yonGr ace'
spassedoutsel fasshelaydown
mot i
onlessont hefloor

GRACE:
(sl
eepy
)ouch!

Sti
llinherdeepsleepshef
li
nchedtouchi
ngher
foreheadbeforeherhandf
ell
tothegroundasshe
sli
ppedmor eintoadeepsl
eep,ontheotherend,
the
l
argesnake' sot herheadqui ckl
ycoi l
editselfback
i
ntot hesof tbodyasi tlostpower sbecomi ngt oo
weak, ahugebeam ofl ightenteredtheroom t hen
Zumbat hehugesnakequi cklysqui r
medhi sheav y
bodyawayt r
y i
ngt opasst hrought hedoorbutgot
stucki nsi
deast hehol yspir
itimmensepowerf il
l
ed
ther oom compl etel
ydisabli
ngt heenemyandt he
darkpower s,Zumba' sheadf ellhardtothegr ound
andhesl owlylostbr eathashi swhol ebodymel t
ed
ont hef l
oort urningblack..
..
..
.

ATDUDU'
SHOUSE

thetwocarspul l
edupatt hegateandthenow
emptyy ar
dandDudust eppedoutandsadlycl
osed
thedoorturningasherey esfel
lonthel
eastper
son
i
nherexpect ati
ons,shelookeddownasMi asmil
ed
tear
ful
lyrunningoverandhuggedhert i
ght

MI
A:um sosor
ry
DUDU:
(br
okei
ntot
ear
s)

MI
A:(
shushi
ngher
)um sosor
ry,
howi
sshe?

DUDU:(br
eaki
ngv
oice)sheisnomor
eMi
a,Iki
l
led
mysist
er,
it
sal
lmyfaultand-
..
'

Shefel
tsomethi
ngim stuckonhert
hroatand
swall
owedhardastearsstr
eameddownwhi l
eMi a
huggedhert
ight
,shegrabbedherbyherwetcheeks
andsadl
ywipedhertears

MIA:i
tsokay
,pl
easedon'
tcr
y,shhh.
..
it
sgoi
ngt
obe
okay

Shecontinuedcr
yingasMiacomfortedhert
hent
hey
walkedinsi
detheawful
lyqui
ethouse,Miagot
Dudu'sphoneanddial
ednumberscal l
i
ngher
rel
ati
vest
olett
hem knowoft
het
ragedyt
hathad
befal
l
enthem..
..
..
..

Meanwhi
l
eatMoy
o'shouse

Fi
fil
ookedatheral
ldol
ledupsel
fandsmil
edget
ti
ng
herLoui
sVuit
tonhandbagbefor
eheadi
ngout
passi
ngMoyoseatedinthel
ounge

MOYO:
goi
ngsomewher
e?

FIFI
:ohhsnap!If
orgottot
ell
youlastni
ght,
remembermyf ri
end,t
heoneItol
dy ouabout
?

MOYO:
(concent
rat
ingonhi
sphone)y
es

FI
FI:
yes,
Iam goi
ngt
oseeher
MOYO:
alr
ight

Shebentov
erplant
inga.
kisson.
hisl
i
psbef
ore
wal
kingout
..
..
.
Tenminut
eslat
erMoyosnappedoutofitandputhi
s
phoneawayashethoughtoft
heconver
sationt
hey
j
usthad

MOYO:
dammi
t!

Heclenchedhi steethasher emember edFi

fi'
sstory
aboutThembaandt hegirl
fr
iend.Thembadi dn'
t
knowhehadsav edf ifi
butnowhef uckedupandl et
hergomeetwi t
hhi sgirl
fr
iend,thi
sdidn'tl
ookgood
forhi
m atal
l andwoul dcert
ainl
ybr ewupwar ,he
stor
medout sidecallingouthernamebutshewas
nowheretobef ound

MOYO:
(cal
l
ingher
)fi
fi
!
Helookedaroundbeforeholdi
nghiswai
standgot
backinsi
dethehousewher ehethr
ewhisbodyon
thecouchrubbi
nghisfacefrust
rat
ed.
..
..
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
08:
30]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT90

Hegothi
sphoneanddi
aledThemba
THEMBA:
yohman,
what
sup?

MOYO:
(lowv
oice)easy
,ar
ewer
eadyf
orl
ater
?

Thembaswal lowedhar dnotsur ewhattosay,he

hadpr omi
sedhi msel
ft hathewoul dstopbutnever
reall
ydidi
nthepastf ewmont hsbecausehe
reckonedhest i
l
lhadt oraiseandmakemor emoney
tofundhisbusiness,
hedi dall t
hatandnowf el
tit
wasenough, hehasbeenmeani ngtotel
lMandla
abouthisdecisi
onbutnev ergott hechancetodoso

THEMBA:
(swal
l
owedhar
d)ummm.
..
..
yes

MOYO:
alr
ight
,ist
hebi
gbosscomi
ngaswel
l
?

THEMBA: Idoubt
,hehasbeenalotdi
stantandum
assumingheisbusysowewill
havetodot hi
sone
withouthi
m
MOYO:
okayby
e

Hehungupandsmi l
edrel
ieved,heonl
ycalledj
ust
tomakesurethatPr
ett
ydidn'
ttell
him andnowhis
cal
mnessrestassur
edhim

Meanwhi
l
eatSpur

Prettysteppedoutoft heMercedes-
Benzinher
boy f
riendjeanandwhi tet
-shi
rtl
ooki
ngsimpl eand
classyasherwhi t
enikesneakersbl
endedwel lwi
th
theout fi
t,sheclosedthedoorandwalkedinside
spurlookingar oundthenspott
edafami l
i
arfaceat
thefarend

PRETTY:
(jawdr
opped)Fi
fi
!

Shehel
dhermout
hsur
pri
sedwal
ki
ngov
ert
otheso
muchdi f
fer
entFi
fi
, shehadcompletel
ytr
ansf
ormed
andlookedevenl
ightwithherni
celymadehair
sty
le,
shesawPr et
tywalkingovert
henstooduptur
ning
aroundtoshowoff

FI
FI:
(tur
ningar
ound)y
esbaby
,theoneandonl
yFi
fi

PRETTY:ohhwow!Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul,
IswearI
di
dn'
trecogni
zey
ouforamoment,wow

Shesmil
edlooki
ngatherfrom t
optobot
tom and
admir
edherexpensi
vetaste,
herout
fi
twasonpoint
andgaveheranexcept
ionall
ook

FI
FI;(
smil
i
ng)y
oualsol
ookbeaut
if
ulfri
end,
Ican'
t
bel
iev
ethi
sisr
eal
l
yus,wemadeitfri
end,wemadeit
!

Theyl
aughedbri
efl
yandhuggedbef
orepul
l
ingofft
o
grabt
hei
rseat
sandl ookedatt
hemenueor
deri
ng
t
hei
rmeal
sandst
art
edcat
chi
ngup.
..
..
..

ATDUDU'
SHOUSE

sheranupanddownhelpi
ngherwi
thcl
eani
ngas
peoplesl
owl
yfi
ll
eduptheplace

MIA:weneedt
obuyaf ewt
hingsbutdon'
tworr
y,I'
l
l
dr
ivetot
hemallnowanddoshoppingwhi
leyourest

DUDU:
(tear
ful
l
y)t
hanky
ou

Miagrabbedherhandsandlookedi
nhert
ear
yey
es
bef
orekissi
ngherforehead

MI
A:don'
twor
ryokay
,it
sgoi
ngt
obeokay

DUDU:
(noddedt
ear
ful
l
y)
Miaturnedwal kingoutasDudusadl ylookedather ,
sheimagi nedhowshehadchasedheroutand
accusedherofmaki ngmov eson.herpervert
husband, apartofheral waysknewhewasl yi
ngbut
shekeptonconv incinghersel
fotherwisejustto
makeher selffeelbetterbutnowMi atheverysame
personshehadabandoneddur inghert oughdays
washer ebeingt hebestwhennooneel sebothered
tohelp,shecriedsilentl
yasguiltbuiltupinherheart
makingherev enmor esad, t
earsfloweddownas
sherubbedt hem bef orely
ingonthemat tr
esscrying
sil
entl
y.
.

ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

Zumbaf el
lhar
dt othegroundsl owlylosingbreat
h
asGraceopenedherey eslookingar ound,shegot
upfeeli
ngalotli
ghtandlookedatt hedoorasher
eyesfel
lonMandl aly
ingont hef l
oornaked, she
tur
nedaroundlookingforthehugesnakebuti twas
nowheretobef oundandt heWindowswer ewi de
openasmor ewi ndent eredthehouse, every
thing
wassmashedont hefloorasthewhol ehouse
l
ookedmessy ,sher ushedt otheWi ndowscl osing
them andfi
xedt hecur tai
nsbeforehur ry
ingtothe
doorwhereshesquat tednexttohim andt urnedhis
bodyaround,t
ear sfloweddownherf acewhile
l
ookingathismot ionlessbodyt hatlookedrather
l
ifel
ess

GRACE:
(scr
eami
ng)nooooohhhh!
!!Pl
easewakeup

Sheshookhi sbodyt r
yingt owakehi m upbutt ono
availthenshethoughtf
ul l
ystooduphur ryingt othe
bedroom wher eshegrabbedaf leeceblanket
throwingitoverhi
sbodyt ocoverhi m beforeshe
pressedt hepani
ckbutton, i
naf ewmi nutest he
securitycompanywasatt hemansi onand
surroundedthewholear eawhi leothersqui ckly
madet hei
rwayinsi
dewher etheypi ckedhi m upand
rushedoutasGr acefollowedt hem cr yi
ngherl ungs
out

GRACE:
(toher
sel
f)no,
no,
Grace!Pr
aypr
ay!

Sheaskedoneoftheguar
dst odrivewit
hherint
he
ranger
overhandi
ngoverthecarkey sasshe
cli
mbedtothebackseat
si nt
erceedi
ng

GRACE:heavenlyLordpl
easesav
emyf earfr
iend,
fat
herIspeakyourdevi
neprot
ecti
onuponhim, no
weaponfashionedagai
nsthi
m wil
lpr
osper-
..
..
..
...
..
.

Sheconti
nuedprayi
ngasthecarspedof
fbehind
t
heotheronethatwast
ranspor
ti
ngMandla.
..

Twent
ymi
nut
esl
ater

Theyar
ri
vedatt
hehospi
tal
ast
hewhol
esquad
steppedoutoftheircar
satago, Gracehurr
iedt
o
them astheycarr
iedhim onthescoopstret
cher
walkingi
nsidethebigbuil
ding

HI
M:(
scr
eami
ng)nur
se!

Thehospit
alstaffondutysawthegroupofguards
car
ryi
nghimt hentheystoppedwhatt heywer
e
doi
ngallatt
endinghim astheysur
roundedhim

DOCTOR:
checkhi
spul
se

Hecheckedt hepulseandnoddedast heywheeled

himinsi
det hewardleavi
ngtheguardsandGr ace
outsi
de,inst
eadofscreamingandthrowingherself
onthefloorli
keshenormallywoul
dshet ur
nedback
tothecarwher eshehoppedinandstartedprayi
ng
hardwhiletear
sfloweddownherface.
Meanwhil
einsi
dethewar
dtheyconnect
edhimto
dr
ipsandli
fesuppor
tmachi
nesthencheckedhi
s
temper
atur
ewhichwasunbeli
evablyhigh,
his
temper
atur
ewassomuchhi ghthatitscar
edthe
doct
orsondutyast
heyal
lknewt hatchancesof
savi
nghim ar
ewaytool
ess

DOCTOR:
hei
slosi
ngbr
eat
h,gett
heoxy
genmask

Theytooki
tandqui
ckl
ycoveredhi
smouthasot
her
doct
orsranar
oundtr
yingt
owor kt
oget
heri
nsavi
ng
hi
m ashewasnowunconscious

DOCTOR:shi
t!Wear
elosi
nghi
m Let
stakehi
mto
I
CU,move!

Int
heirwhit
ecoats,theyqui
ckl
ywheeledhi
m outas
machinesconnectedtohim madebeepi
ngsounds
astheyrantowardstheentr
ance.
..
..
..
.

Sev
enhour
slat
er
I
nthedar kni
ght
,theI
ndi
anlongbearedguydimmed
t
helightsandwal
kedovertotheexchangespot
meetingThembaandMoy ohalf
waythenbumped
f
ist

THEMBA:
wemeetagai
nMrSi
ngh

SINGH:
(Indi
anaccent)Icannevergetti
redof
seei
ngyourfacesbecauseyoudeli
veronlyt
hebest
,
fr
eshmeat

Theybr i
efl
ylaughedbef
orehesignaledoneofhis
Indianguystocheckthetr
uckandconf i
rmifi
t'
sthe
agreednumber ,hemovedtothetruckandli
this
torchmov i
ngitaroundt
heirt
earyandscaredfaces
thenwalkedback

HI
M:i
t'
sper
fect
SINGH:
(smi
l
ing)ni
ce!Gett
hemoneybagst
othei
r
car,

HI
M:okayboss

SINGH:(
looki
ngatThemba)wher
ei sMrMat
thews,
thi
sist
hesecondexchangehemissed?

THEMBA:hehasbeenalotbusylatel
ybutum sur
e
hewil
lbet
hereonthenextexchange

SI
NGH:
great
!

Theyfi
nishedloadi
ngt hemoneybagsi
nThemba'
s
cart
hensi gnal
edtosinghthatt
heywer
eall
done
andreadyt ohi
ttheroad
SI
NGH:ni
cedoingbusi
nesswi
thy
ougent
leman,
til
l
wemeetagai
n

Theyshooktheirhandsandt ur
nedwalki
ngbutall
i
nstant
lyfel
ltothegroundasgunshot swerebeing
fi
redal
lover,hetri
edstandinguptoescapebutgot
shotri
ghtont hechestandfell
onthefl
oorasblood
gushedprof
usel y
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.AWEEKLATER
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
31]
BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT91
AWEEKLATER.
..

Menandwomendr essedinbl ackenteredtheyar

d
walki
nginsmal lgrtheoupschat ti
ngasDuduand
Miasteppedoutoft hehear se,Miaheldherhandas
theywalkedintheyar dwalkingtowardsthehouse
wheretheyquietl
yst eppedinandsatont he
mattr
ess, DudusadlysighedasMi ar
ubbedher
shoul
der

MI
A:l
etmegoandgety
ousomet
hingt
oeat

DUDU:
(weakv
oice)t
hanky
ou

Shestoodupwal
ki
ngoutwhi
l
eDudul
aiddown
tear
ful
ly
..
..
..

Twohour
slat
er.
..
..
.
Ther
ewasonl yaf ewpeopl elef
t,i
twastooqui et
andlonel
y,
real
it
yki ckedinasnowt hequietness
madeherthinkmor eofwhichmadeherr eall
ysad
asshecouldn'
tstopbl aminghersel
fforhersister
's
deat
h,ateardroppedt hensherubbeditoff
swal
lowinghardasshest oodupgoingtoher
bedr
oom

MIA:(sof
tl
y)hey
,Ishoul
dgetgoi
ngnow,
wil
lcome
bylat
er

DUDU:
(tur
nedt
oher
)al
ri
ght

MI
A:okby
e

Miawalkedcl
oserandhuggedherr
ubbi
ngherback
bef
oreshetur
nedwalki
ngaway
DUDU:
(sof
tl
y)um sor
ry

Shequicklyst
oppedasi
twentawful
l
yquiet
,thenot
sopleasantmemoryoft
hefat
eful
daycrossedher
mindsaddeningher

DUDU:
(tear
ful
l
y)Iam sor
ry

Miatur
nedf
aci
nghersadlyasDudu'
shott
ear
s
f
loweddownhercheeks

DUDU: (breakingv oi
ce)Ishoul d'vebeli
ev edy outhat
daybutIwasbl i
ndedbyl oveand- ..
..
..
(r
ubbedher
tears)
Ishoul d'vebel
ievedy oubutIchosenott o,I
j
ustdidn'twantt obeli
evehecoul ddot hat ,
yesIat
somepoi ntaskedmy sel
fwhyhewasi ny ourroom
i
nt hefir
stpl acebutIst i
l
l convincedmy selfthathe
wasn'tguilt
y ,andIfail
edy ou,Ileftyouwheny ou
neededmemostbutt odayy ouar eheresuppor ti
ng
meev enaf terwhatIputy outhrough, idon'tknow
whatIwoul
d'
vedonewithouty
ou,
Iam r
eal
l
ysor
ry
f
orwhatIdi
d,pl
easef
orgiveme

Shesai
dthatandbur
sti
ntotear
scryi
nghyst
eri
call
y
thenMi
atearf
ull
ywal
kedoverandhuggedhert
ightl
y

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)i
tsokay
,st
opcr
ying

DUDU:
(cr
ying)pl
easef
orgi
veme

MIA:(
soft
ly)Il
ongfor
gaveyounowal
lyouhaveto
doisf
orgi
vey our
sel
fandst
opblami
ngyoursel
f

DUDU: (
breaki
ngv oi
ce)noMi a,
thi
si sal
lmyfault
,I
fail
edy ouandletapervertr
oam aroundandnowmy
sist
erisnomor e,
Ishouldn'
thavebeliev
edhim,I
should'vebeli
evedyouandmay be,justmaybethi
s
wouldn'thavehappened, maybemysi st
erwoul
dst i
l
l
bealive,Iki
ll
edmysi st
erahhh..
..
Miashushedherasshecontinuedcr
yingherlungs
outi
nherarms..
aft
erwhatseemedl i
keforevershe
cal
meddownt henMiahelpedhertoherbedroom
whereshelai
ddownforar estasMiatookoff..
.

ATHOSPI
TAL

Shefel
thi
shandmovingandlookedupathisf
ace
foracl
oserl
ookasheslowl
yopenedhiseyes

GRACE:(
exci
ted)ohmyGod,
youar
eup,
(lookedup)
ohht
hankyouJesus

Gracebenthuggi
nghi
m happi
l
yashel
ookedar
ound
confused

GRACE:
(smi
l
edl
ooki
ngathi
m)y
ouscar
edme
Shet
urnedr
unni
ngt
othedoorcal
l
ingoutt
henur
se

GRACE:
(pant
ing)
doct
ors!doct
orhei
sup

Thenursecamerunningi
ntohi
swardandchecked
ever
ythi
ngtoseeifhewasokayasGracewatched
smil
ingatMandl
awhoseemedt obecompletel
ylost

DOCTOR:
itsgoodtohav
eyouback,
howar
eyou
feel
i
ngMrMatthews?

MANDLA:(
keptqui
etwhi
lel
ooki
ngar
oundt
o
f
amil
i
ari
sehimsel
fwit
hthepl
ace)

DOCTOR:
sir

MANDLA:
(conf
used)who-
..
.whatam Idoi
ngher
e?
GRACE:
(wal
ki
ngcl
osert
ohi
m)babe

MANDLA:
(fr
owned)whoar
eyou?

GRACE:
(sur
pri
sed)what
?

MANDLA:(
satupri
ghtashi
sey
esmov
edar
oundt
he
r
oom)whathappened?

Thedoctorf
rownedl
ooki
ngathi
sey
eli
dst
hen
tur
nedtoGrace

DOCTOR:It
hinky
oushoul
dst
epoutf
oraf
ew
minut
es

GRACE:
(wor
ri
ed)i
sheokaydoct
or?
DOCTOR:
please

Graceslowlystagger
edbackasthedoctorr
eached
forhismedicalboxtaki
ngoutafew
equipments.
.sheopenedupandsteppedoutsi
de
thensatont hebenchesbi
ti
nghernai
lsnerv
ously

MEANWHI
LEATKG'
SHOUSE

KG:
(cl
i
ckedhi
stongue)Ican'
tbel
i
eveweshott
he
I
ndi
anguy,
dammit!

SK:thisi
sfuckedupman, Isawthenewsealier
,
apparent
lyhediedinthehospi
tall
astni
ght,
ifonly
hewasntdeadt hem maybegetti
ngbackinthe
busi
nesswoul dn'
tbehardassoonashegotbackt o
Indi
a

KG:
Ishoul
dn'
thav
epul
l
edt
het
ri
ggerbutIhonest
ly
t
houghti
twasthatbast
ard,
howcomehemi
ssed
t
heexchange

SK:hemissedtwoconsecuti
veexchanges,we
shoul
dhavefini
shedhi
m offonthatlastexchange

KG:yeah,nowthi
smeansnobusi
nessf
orme,
um
completel
ydoomed,
fuck!

SK:(si
ghedfrust
rat
ed)can'
twet
rymakenew
connecti
ons?

KG:i
twon'
tbeeasy
,andwhataboutt
hoset
woguy
s,
hi
spuppi
es?

SK:Ididn'
thearanyt
hingaboutthem butIt
hink
abouttwopeoplefel
lflattothegr
oundthatnightso
I'
m notsurei
ftheyallescaped
KG:(angr
il
y)Iwon'
tletthi
ssl
ide,t
hismot herf
ucker
i
snotgoingtowin,notnow,notever.
.notaft
er
rui
ningmyli
feli
kethis

SK:
yeahheshoul
dn'
tgetawaywi
tht
his

KG:thetraff
icki
ngbusinessmightbeoverbecause
thecli
entisnomor ebutIam sti
ll
comingforhis
head,thi
sisallhi
sfaul
t

Hecl
i
ckedhist
ongueast
heycont
inuedchat
ti
nga
wayf
orwar
d

ATMOYO'
SHOUSE

Theyar dwasallquietaf
terevery
onedi spersedto
thei
rhomes, onl
yaf ewrelati
vesandhi sclosefamil
y
member sweresti
l
lthereashismot hersatont he
mattressinablackoutfi
t,shesadlyrubbedhert ear
s
andangr
il
ylookedatt
hedoorasFi
fiwal
kedi
ninher
sti
l
ett
oschewingagum

OLDWOMAN:
(sof
tl
y)heydear
,pl
easecomesi
ther
e

Fi
fiwal
kedoverandpul
ledachai
rsi
tt
ingnextt
oher
chewi
nghergum unbot
hered

FI
FI:
yes!Whati
sit
?

OLDWOMAN: (
softl
y)Iunderst
andyouwer ehi s
gir
lfr
iendandyouguy swerestayi
ngtogetherbut
youwer enotmarri
edsowewantt operf
or m some
ri
tualsher
eandy oucan'tt
akebecausey ouar enot
hiswifesoyouwillhavetoleavemydear

FI
FI:
(chewi
nghergum bl
owi
ngbubbl
es)
OLDWOMAN:
Ihopey
ouunder
standmydear

FIFI
:Iam notgoi
nganywhere,t
hisi
smyhousenow
ebil
eledir
eletsamayebathongIwantt
oenj
oymy
boyfr
iend'
sinher
it
ancef
reely(y
oushoul
dgetgoi
ng)

OLDWOMAN:
'
what
?

FI
FI:(r
oll
edhereyes)yesol
dwoman, tsay
athot
oya
gagolentshut
elengmogamebommenggakebat l
e
gobuat hat
agohlel
ele(t
akeyourthingsandl
eave
becauseIhonestl
ydontwanttotalkanymuch)

Theoldwomancl appedherhandsonceshockedby
theser
iousnessi
nherv oi
cetone

OLD:heelang!Gat
eket l
alal
akebonet
sengdil
o,Boi
wee.
..
akot l
egonkutlwisaha(ohhwhatist
his
now,
Boi comeandl i
stentothi
sgi
rl
)
Moyo'sbi
gsist
erwalkedi
nsidewipi
ngwaterof
fher
handswit
hherdressasFi
fiscannedherf
rom t
opto
bott
om wit
hafrownonherface

BOI
:whati
sitmot
her
?

FI
FI:eemmaneker edir
anglent shutel
ekej emonna
wameboswa, akerel
eeneont seaj anna, anun
ntl
ogelenghelalennakemoj e(y es,Iwassay i
ngyou
guysshouldleavebecauseIwantt oenjoymy
boyfr
iend'
sproperty,
hehasbeenenj oyi
ngf ucki
ng
meal lt
hist
imesonowi tsmyt urntoenj oyhim

Thesi
sterl
aughedi
ndisbel
iefbutFi
fif
oldedher
armsmaint
aini
ngastr
aightface

BOI
:ar
eyoumad?
FIFI
:mador aammago!Um goingt
otakealong
bubblebathhel
ahaketswakobathr
oom kefi
hlel
elo
seoha(makesureIdon'tf
indy
ouherewhenIleave
thebathr
oom)

Shetur
nedandswungherbodyt othebat
hroom as
thet
wol adi
esl
ookedatherspeechl
ess.
..
..
SORRYFAM,
HADABUSYDAY
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
[
7/19,
08:
31]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT92
Shest eppedoutoftheshowerwr appedi
napur e
whitetowelandslidhersoftf
eetinherwhit
e
sleepersandleftt
hebathroom makingherwayto
thekitchenwheresheopenedt hefri
dgeandpicked
awi nebottl
efil
l
ingupherglass,shetookasipand
swallowedsmi l
ingassheenjoyeditsbi
tt
ersweet
taste

FI
FI:
mhm

Sheheldt heglassgirl
i
shl
yandclosedthef
ri
dge
beforetakingaturntotheli
vi
ngroom wher
eshe
foundthel at
eMoy o'smotherwi
thafewoldwomen
seatedont hemat t
ress

FI
FI:
(fr
owned)heel
ang!Youar
est
il
lher
e?

MOYO'
SMOM:
(keptqui
et)
Shesatdownandcrossedherl
egsl
ooki
ngatt
he
ol
dieswit
hatt
it
ude

MOYO' SMOM: (
sof
tl
y)pleasemydear,
l
eavethi
s
housebefor
et hi
ngsgetugly,
wedontwanttofi
ght
wit
hy oubutthewayyouar ebehav
ingwil
ll
eaveus
nochoicebuttothr
owy ouout

Shebursti
ntol
aught
erast
heol
diesl
ookedather
fr
owning

FI
FI:
(tr
yingtoholdi
nthel
aught
er)t
hrowwhpout
?
Me?Ohhpl ease!

Theoldwomankeptquietandstoodupgoi
ng
outsi
deasFif
icont
inuedsi
ppingherwi
ne
unbother
ed

FI
FI:
(swal
l
owed)hehnkukuwee.
..
makey
our
sel
f
usef
ulandgetmemynai
lpol
i
shf
rom t
hemast
er
bedr
oom

OLDWOMAN: (
angri
l
y)heelaausi
nyana,Ihavethr
ee
kidsandtheyarebot
hverymuchol dert
hany oubut
theyrespectme,whoar
ey outoordermear ound?

Sher oll
edherey esandst oodupswi ngingher
Engli
shf i
gur
et ot hemasterbedroom asshegr ipped
ontot hetowel,sheopenedupandmov edherey es
aroundt henpickedi tuptoget
herwi t
hherbubbl e
gumst henshet ookoutonet hr
owi ngitinhermout h
chewi ngasshet urnedbacktothelivi
ngr oom
fi
ndingl ateMoy o'smotherandhert woel dersi
ster'
s

FIFI
:uhu!Gor
il
enghaekareleemetsemorut
iyaana,
siakookefet
emma(andt hen!Whydoyoual
llook
l
ikeyouarewaiti
ngforapastor
,moveasi
desothatI
canpass)
Theeldersist
erlostherpati
enceandl andedahot
slaponfif
i'
sface,shelostbalanceandalmostf el
l
butshequicklyheldhersel
ftogetherandlookedup
atthem asshehar dl
ysawany t
hing,t
heslopwas
toostr
ongandhar dt hati
ttempor ar
il
yblurr
edher
visi
on

FIFI
:(
louder
)iyowehh!
!Ket
labol
ael
wangke
l
ekolwanebat hongbamodimo,
ait
sel
echappi
es
yameeol eishii
i!
!!

ELDERSI
STER:
getoutnow,
Iam donebei
ngni
ce

Fi
fit
ouchedherf
aceasf
oramomenti
tfel
tnumb

FI
FI:
(fr
owned)i
shi
i
i!

Theeldersi
sterl
ookedatherangr
il
yandback
sl
appedheragainthenshefel
ltot
hegroundhur
ti
ng
herf
orehead

FIFI:(
screaming)oooh!!Hlebathongmot shwareng
otlampol aa,
iyoo!Kedulebol
omophat lheng(ouch!
Pleasehol dherbeforeshekil
l
sme, ouch!My
foreheadi sswell
ingup)

Fi
fit
ri
edst andi
ngupasherheadf
eltheav
ybutshe
gat
heredallstr
engt
hstandi
ngupasshefacedt
he
el
dersist
er

ELDERSISTER:Isai
dgetout
,ory
ouwantust
ocal
l
thepol
i
ceony ou

FI
FI:(
tear
ful
l
y)butMoyowasmyboy
fri
endsur
elyI
deser
veashareinhi
sproper
ty

ELDERSI
STER:thwanet
seebeopeka,
siahoo(y
ou
mustbecr
azy,
mov e)
Shefol
dedherarmslooki
ngatherasthelit
tl
esi
ster
angr
il
ypul
ledhertowelof
fleav
inghernaked

FIFI:(
screaming)heeay anungl
ankapol
a,t
li
satowel
yame, tl
i
sa(arey ouundressi
ngmenow?Please
bringmyt owel,giv
eitback)

LI
TTLESI
STER:
getout

Theli
tt
lesisterrantot
hebedroom andgr
abbeda
pai
roftracksuit
sandrushedbacktothel
ivi
ngroom
whereshet hrewthem onherf
ace

LI
TTLESI
STER:
her
e,dr
essupandl
eav
e

FI
FI:
(tear
ful
l
ygotthem dr
essi
ngup)keaapar
aee
semphuse(um dr
essi
ngupstoppushingme
Shepull
edt
hepantsupastheypushedherout
side
whil
etheol
diesqui
etl
ywat
ched

FI
FI:
(tearf
ull
y)nny
ahl
ebat
hongbogol
otl
aket
sey
e
di
aparotsame

OLDERSI
STER:
twomi
nut
es!

Fi
fist
ormedt ot
hebedroom wheresheopenedt
he
cl
osettaki
ngouthercl
othesint
oablackbigbag
bef
orehurryi
ngout
side

OLDERSI
STER:
nowgetout

Fifir
emember edherbagt hathadaf ewthousand
i
nsidet hensheturnedstormingbackinsi
deast hey
ranafterher,
sheopenedt hemast erbedroom and
pickeditupbeforeturni
ngback
FI
FI:
(fr
ownedt
ear
ful
l
y)If
orgotmybag

Theylookedatt
hebagandqui etl
yescor
tedherout,
shegrabbedherlar
gebagandwal kedoutasthey
watchedherunti
lshedi
sappeared..
..

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

t
hedoctorwalkedouttothebenchesandsadl
y
l
ookedathernervoussel
f

GRACE:
ishef
ine?

DOCTOR:
yeshei
sokaybutt
her
eisonepr
obl
em

GRACE:
(wor
ri
ed)whati
sit
?
DOCTOR: helosthi
smemory,um notsur
ebutit
seemst hel
astthi
ngheremembersishismother'
s
buri
alday,t
hatsall
hehasbeental
kingaboutever
si
nce

GRACE: (
soft
ly)hi
smom?Ij ust
,Idon'
tknow
anyt
hingaboutthatandIdon'
tevenknowwhichy
ear
wasthatbuthowi sthi
spossi
bledoct
or,what
happened?

DOCTOR:
yesi
thappens

GRACE:
(tear
ful
l
y)hedoesn'
trememberme?

DOCTOR:um.
sor
rybuthedoesn'
t,
hehasbeen
aski
ngt
oseeThemba,doyouknowhim?

GRACE:
(tear
full
y)i
shegoi
ngt
obeokay
,wi
l
lheget
hi
smemor yback?
DOCTOR:i
tssti
l
lhardt
otell
whetherhewi
l
lbef
ine
ornot
,wehavetorunmoretest
s

GRACE:
canIseehi
m?

DOCTOR:
'um.
sor
rybutnotnow,
Themba,
doy
ou
knowhi
m?

GRACE:
(sobbi
ng)
ummm y
eah,
Iknowhi
m,I
'
llcal
l
hi
m

DOCTOR:
okay
,pl
easegoandgetsomer
est

Ateardr
oppedthensherubbeditoffsnif
fi
ngasshe
tur
nedwalki
ngoutthehospi
talcorr
idors,
shegother
phoneanddial
edhernumberbutthoughtful
lyhung
upbefor
eitcoul
dri
ngthensheswal lowedhard
walki
ngout
ATMSWI
LLI
AMSHOUSE

shethr
ewthecarkeysont
het
abl
ethr
owi
ngher
sel
f
on.
thecouchbr
eathi
ngout

MSWILLI
AMS: y
oul
ookt
ir
ed,
shoul
dI.
makey
ou
cof
femaybe?

MI
A:noi
tsf
ine

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
alr
ight
,di
dyouaskher
?

MIA:noIcoul
dn'
tbecauseIf
elti
twoul
dbeunf
airon
her

MSWILLI
AMS:buty
ouareget
ti
ngmarr
iedi
na
mont
hbaby,
yousur
eshoul
dbehavi
ngabestl
ady
bynow

MIA:(si
ghed)IknowmabutDudui
sinabadspace
r
ightnowsoIcan'taskhernow

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
okaybaby

MSWil
li
amsstoodupmakingherwayt
otheki
tchen
asMi
athought
ful
l
ylookedather

MI
A:ma!

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
hmm

MIA:Grace,
haveyout
alkedt
oher
,youhar
dlysay
anyt
hingabouther

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(swal
l
owedhar
d)Ihav
en'
ttal
kedt
o
her
,Ijustt
hinkIshoul
dgi
vehert
imeandspacefor
now,shewillcomebackhomeaf
tercal
mingdown

MI
A:(
thought
ful
l
y)okay

Shet ur
nedwal ki
ngawayasMi ashookherhead
sadly,yessheknowssheisn'tGrace'
sfavori
te
personr i
ghtnowbutshestil
lcaredabouther
becauseaf t
erall
theyar
esibl
ingsandthef actthat
MsWi l
li
amswasabandoningherwasn' tsitt
ingwell
wit
hher ,
shegotupandgrabbedhercarkey s
walkingout..
..
..
.

ATPRETTY'
SHOUSE

Herwor
kphoner
angt
henshepi
ckedupanswer
ing

PRETTY:Pr
ett
yspeaki
nghowmayIhel
pyou?
VOICE:hel
l
odear,Isawmyf ri
end'
snail
sand
face,
.
mustsayIli
keyourwork,um t
otal
l
ysol
d,when
canIcomef oraf
acetr
eatment?

PRETTY:ohhthankyoudear,
Iwil
lhavet
ocheckmy
schedul
ebecausetodayandtommorowweareful
l
y
booked

VOI
CE:
okay
,Wednesdayi
sst
il
lfi
ne

PRETTY:(br
owsedthr
oughheri
padlooki
ngatthe
schedul
e)umm..
.howisWednesday12noon?

VOI
CE:
that
sst
il
lfi
ne

PRETTY:
alr
ightdear
,canIgety
ournames?

VOI
CE:
Gosego.
..
.
PRETTY:
alr
ightHi
sego,
seey
out
hen

VOI
CE:
thanky
ou

PRETTY:
thanksf
orcal
l
ingPr
ett
y'
sMakeOv
er

Shehungupandputt hephonedownassheent ered

hernamesi nthecomput er,whenshewasdoneshe
gotherhandbagandi padl eavingtheoffi
ce, she
cl
osedt hedoorandsteppedoutaheadst urned
l
ookingatherclassyself
, li
keshewasn' tnotici
ngt he
muchat tent
ionshereachedi nherLouisVui t
onhand
bagtakingouttheranger overkeysunlockingt he
carbeforeshesteppedinsideanddr oveoff..
...
...
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
08:
31]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT93

Shepr essedthegat
eremotethenitsl
i
dopenasshe
droveinsideandpar
kedinfr
ontofthei
rhouse
beforesteppi
ngoutgett
ingi
nside

PRETTY:(
ranov
er)ohhbabycar
eful
,
youwi
l
lhur
t
your
sel
f

Shegotthemugf
rom hi
m andputi
tdownashe
sl
owlysatont
hecouchfl
inchi
ng

THEMBA:
youneedt
orel
axbabeum notcr
ippl
ed
PRETTY:
butst
il
lbab-
..
..

THEMBA:
stopwor
ryi
ngbabe,
Iam f
ineokay

PRETTY:
(si
ghed)okay
,di
dyourdoct
orcomet
oday
?

THEMBA:y
esandI'
m muchbet
ter
,I'
mluckyt
he
bul
l
etdi
dn'
tgoi
ntoodeep

PRETTY:
andIst
il
ldon'
tunderst
andwhatki
ndofa
si
ckgameyouguyswereplay
ing

THEMBA:(br
ief
lylaughed)Iknowri
ght
,Ij
ustdi
dn'
t
thi
nkhewoul
dmi ssbutatleastIdi
dn'
tdi
e

Helaughedi
tof
fasPr
ett
yfol
dedherar
msl
ooki
ng
athi
m
PRETTY:
andwhatki
ndofafr
iendisheanyway,I
meanwhoshoot
ssomeoneanddisappearl
iket
hat?

THEMBA: (t
houghtf
ull
y)wel
lheact
uall
ypassedby
yest
erdayduri
ngthedaybutyouwereatwork

PRETTY:
okay
,letmegomakey
ousomet
hingt
oeat
then

THEMBA:
alr
ightbabe

Shestoodupandbabyki
ssedhi
m bef
oreheadi
ngto
theki
tchenashequi
ckl
ytookhi
sphonedi
ali
nghim

VOICE:
welcometotheOrangenet
wor
k,t
henumber
youhavedi
aledi
snot-
..
..
..
Hequi cklyhungupt hrowi ngt hephoneont hecouch
ashesi ghedf rustr
ated, ithadbeenawhi l
esince
theytalkedandi twasunl ikehi mf orhi
sphonest o
beof fforthislong,plushenev ertookev enanhour
afterthei
rexchanges, hesur eshouldhav ecall
ed
him bynowandt hefactt hatMoy oandt heIndian
guy '
sdeat hwer eallov erthenewsshoul dhav e
rai
sedaner vebynow, ofcour seHehadr anaway
withMoy o'
sbodybef or edroppi nghim of fathi
sgate
butMandl averywell knewt heirconnectionunl i
keal
l
thepapar azziandpol ice, hethought f
ullybithisli
ps
beforegat heri
ngallst rengthgoi ngtot heki t
chen

PRETTY:(worr
ied)ohhcomronbabey
ouwi
l
lhur
t
yourhandevenmor e,
justsi
tdown

THEMBA:Ineedt
ogosomewher
ebabe,
cany
ou
dr
iveme?

PRETTY:
(sur
pri
sed)wher
e?
THEMBA:(
thought
ful
l
y)ummm.
..
.myf
ri
endj
ust
cal
l
ed,
heneedsme

PRETTY:
thesamef
ri
endwhogoty
oushot
?

THEMBA;
(l
owv
oice)y
eah

PRETTY:
(rai
sedherey
ebr
ows)r
eal
l
ynow?

THEMBA:
(desper
atel
y)pl
ease.
..

Shesighedandthr
ewt
het
abl
ecl
othont
hecount
er
wal
kingpasthim

PRETTY:
let
sgo
Hesmi
l
edandbumpedf
isti
ntheai
r

THEMBA:
(lowv
oice)y
es!

Het
urnedf
oll
owi
ngherout
..
..
.

ATFI
FI'
SHOUSE

sheopenedtheol
dgateanddraggedherbagi
nsi
de
asthenei
ghborswat
chedwhisperi
ng

GI
RL:uhukeyooFi
fiot
sil
e,ntsealekaeheh?(
Thi
sis
Fi
fi
,wher
ehasshebeenallthi
stime)

GIRL2:Idon'
tknowbutIoncesawherphot oson
Facebookant
sebotokanyanagore,
shewasev en
putt
ingonexpensi
veclot
hingbr
ands(Ioncesawher
photosonFacebookl
ookingbeauti
ful
)
GIRL:owai!LennakemmonekanaboFi fi
bait
heki
sa,
hasegoreyanungbusi
nessedown( Ial
sooncesaw
herbutfungimustbeaprost
it
ute,
may benow
businessi
sdown)

GIRL2: mmemmashel ooksalit

tl
ebetterthan
before,
sheisnotdar
kany more,gorar
emot hoyo
helaneasemont shoneat shabametsi(butshe
l
ooksbet t
erandnotthatdarkanymore,
imt hi
nki
ng
shewasn'treal
l
ydarkitsj
ustthatshewasn'tbathi
ng
well)

GIRL:yeahhey,mmekanaot l
oboelabontsho
batenghaaboet sekwanoyaana(yeahhey,butshe
i
sgoi ngtogetdarkagai
nnowt hatshei
sher e)

Theylaughedandclappedhandsasshet urned
l
ookingatthem,itwasevidentenoughthatthey
weretalki
ngaboutherbutsheclickedhertongue
andopenedhersmal l oner oom get t
ingi nside,she
steppedi nsideandst oppedatt hedoorl ooki ngat
themessyhouse, t
hingswer ely i
ngar oundandi t
l
ookedl i
keheav ywi ndshadj ustpassedt hroughi t
,
sheknel tandpi ckedt hepl atet hatwasnextt oher
feetasshegoti nsidedr aggingherbag, sheputi tto
thesmal l t
ableandl ef therheav ybagbyt hesi de
andf ol
dedt hesleevesofhert racksui tasshe
start
edcl eaninghersmal loner oomedspace, i
nless
thananhourshewasal l donet henshesatdown
breathingheav i
ly,shesl owl ylai
ddownonhersmal l
bedandl ookedupr e-collecti
ng, shedat edbackt o
thedayshesawThembaupunt ilherlastencount er
withMoy o,yesshewasn' tthati ntohim, allshe
want edwasmoneybutl osinghi m hur tal it
tleand
thefactt hattheluxur i
ousl i
fewasov ercutdeep
withi
nherf ragi
lehear t,sheswal lowedhar dashot
tearsescapedherey est hensher ubbedt hem off
sniff
ing,sher eachedi nherpocketandgother
phonedi alingherbutt hought fullyhungupbef orei t
couldring....
.
ATMANDLA'
SHOUSE

hesteppedoutoft
hecarandpr
oceededt
othe
guar
d'shouse

THEMBA:
hel
l
o,i
shei
n?

GUARD:
(remember
edhi
m)y
ouhav
en'
thear
d?

THEMBA:
(fr
owned)hear
dwhat
?

GUARD:MrMat t
hewshasbeenadmi
tt
edatt
he
hospi
tal
sinceaweekago

THEMBA:
what
?

GUARD:
yes,
itsbeenaweek
THEMBA:
whathappened?

GUARD:wearenotsur
ebuthewasn'
tmov
ingwhen
hel
eftbutwehear
dheisawake

Heturnedashi
swordsechoedinhi
smind,Al
lhe
coul
dhearwas(((
((/
wasn'
tmov i
ngwasn'
tmoving
wasn'
tmov i
ngwasn'tmov
ing)

GUARD:
sir
,ar
eyouf
ine?

Heblinkedsev
eralt
imesandsnappedoutofi
t
l
ookingbackattheguar
dandaskedforthe
hospit
al'
snamebeforehur
ryi
ngbacktothecar

THEMBA:
(hoppedi
n)l
etsdr
ivet
othehospi
tal
,ther
e
i
sanemergency
PRETTY:
but
-.
..
..
..

THEMBA: (i
mpati
ent)pl
ease,don'
taskmequest
ions
becauseIdon'
thaveanswersbutjustdr
ive
babe,
please

Shesighedshaki
ngherheadt
henst
art
edt
hecar
dri
vi
ngof f
..
..
.

Meanwhi l
eatMandl a'
shouse, Graceslowlydrove
i
nsi deandpassedbyt heguar d'shousewav ing
befor esheparkedi nfrontoft heirmansionand
steppedoutf eelingdrained,todayhadj ustturned
outdi ff
erentl
y,shewasntsur ewhatt odoany more
becausehernewmadedi scoverywasst il
lveryhard
todi gest,aquietheavyheadacheat tackedheras
sheopenedupt hedoorst eppingi nsi
de,shesighed
i
nf rustrati
onandheadedt othebedr oom wher eshe
throwedherexhaust edsel font hebedbef or
et he
doorbell r
ang,sheraisedherey ebrowswonder ing
whoi tmightbebutt hent urnedgoingt ot hedoor
andopenedup, thei
rey eslockedasi twentsi l
entfor
af ewmi nutesthenMi aclearedhert hroatsmili
ngat
Gracewhoseey eswel l
edupwi t
ht ears,forsome
wei r
dreasonshej ustwant edtof al
lintoherarms
andcr yherlungsoutt oreducet hepai ninherheart
butf i
gur
edi twouldn'
tbeagr eatideaasshe
steppedbacknotsur ewhatt osay

MIA:(soft
ly)Iknowum noty ourf
avori
tepersonr
ight
nowbutIj ustthoughtyoumightneedsomeoneon
yourcorner,IheardaboutwhathappenedtoMan
-.
..
..
MrMat thewsandum sor ry

GRACE:
(keptqui
etast
ear
sfel
l
)

Miasighedsadl
yandpull
edherinherar
msasGr
ace
l
etlooseandbursti
ntoapooloftear
s
MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)um.
sosor
ry

Graceconti
nuedcry i
ngasMi arubbedherbackt hen
theyslowl
ysteppedinsideasMi aledhertothe
couch,sni
ff
ing,sheslowlysatdownr ubbi
ngher
tearsasMiaturnedgoingtothebedr oom whereshe
grabbedafleeceblanketandputitoverherthi
ghsto
keepherwar m

MIA;I
'l
lgomakey
ousomet
hingt
oeatum sur
eyou
har
dlyhavet
imet
ocook

Gracekeptqui
etandl
aidonthecouchcr yi
ng
si
lent
ly,
meanwhil
eint
hekit
chenMi a'sphonerang
fr
om herpockett
henshegotitpi
ckingup

MI
A:ma

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(sof
tl
y)heybaby
,Idi
dn'
tseey
ou
l
eav
ing,
wher
ear
eyou?

MI
A:I
'
llbehomei
nanhour

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
arey
ouf
inet
hough?

MI
A:y
eahum goodby
e

Shehungupandbentget
ti
ngapant
omake
somethi
ngt
oeat

ATKG'
SHOUSE

Hebi thi
sli
pssl
owlymovi
nghi
sfi
nger
saroundthe
glassfil
l
edwit
hwineasSkmovedar
oundlosti
n
thoughts

KG:
(cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
)It
hinkweshoul
dn'
tcal
lof
f
t
hemi
ssi
on,
toni
ghtseemsper
fect

SK:
butwear
en'
tsur
eoft
hewar
dnumber

KG:um sur
ethoseguy
swi
l
lmanaget
ogeti
tinl
ess
thant
enminutes

SK:
(thought
ful
l
y)y
eaht
rue

KG:
yeahcal
lthem

Sogothi
sphoneanddi
aledoneoft
heguy
ssentout
tocar
ryt
hemissi
on

GUY:
boss
SK:
wear
est
il
lont
oni
ght
,gett
hewar
dnumber
GUY:
okboss

SK:
makesur
eyoudon'
tmesst
hisoneup

GUY:
wegott
hisboss

SK:
ser
ioust
one)good

Hehungupandl ookedatKGsmili
ngashebent
takinghisgl
assofwi
neandtossedthem on
celebrat
ion

BOTH:
tot
hemi
ght
yMat
thews'
sdownf
all

Theylaughedandcont
inuedsi
ppi
ngwhi
l
e
chat
ti
ng...
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kepost
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
32]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT94

Shegentl
ytappedhershoul
derwaki
ngherupand
sheslowl
yopenedherheavyeyesl
ooki
ngupather
face

MI
A:her
e

Shesatupri
ghtandrel
easedherhandsget
ti
ngt
he
plat
eoffoodandlookedattheyummylooki
ngmeal
sali
vat
ing
GRACE:
(sof
tl
y)t
heyl
ookgood,
thanky
ou

MI
A:(
smi
l
edl
ooki
ngather
)

Shepickedtheforkandt ookt
hefirstbi
tethen
conti
nuedeatingasMi asatdownwat chi
ng, her
phonerangthensher eachedforherpocketpicki
ng
upasGr acelookedather

MI
A:(
uncomf
ort
abl
e)hel
l
o

MSWI LLI
AMS:babyi
t'
slat
e,'
ithoughty
ouare
comingbacki
nanhourbutit
sbeenmor et
hanthat
now

MI
A:(
uncomf
ort
abl
e)don'
twor
ry,
um comi
ngnow
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
(wor
ri
ed)ar
eyousur
eyouar
efi
ne?

MI
A:um f
inema

Shehungupandputherphonebackl ookingat
Grace'
ssadface, shet r
iedsohardtonotsureitwas
MsWi l
li
amsont hephonebutshecoul dseeshehad
al
readyconnectedt hedots,Miafel
treal
lybadasi t
l
ookedlikeshereplacedGr aceinhermother'
slif
e,
shehonestl
ydidn'twantt hi
ngstobelikethatbut
mediat
ingbetweent hetwoseemedpr ett
yhard

MIA:
(st
oodup)
umm.
..I
'
llgor
uny
ouabat
hthen
l
eave

Withoutwaiti
ngforaresponsesheturnedand
proceededtothebathroom whereshequickl
yran
herawar m bathandleft
,shepassedbytheli
ving
room andstopped
MI
A:um l
eav
ing

Gracekeptqui
etthenMi
at ookastepwal
ki
ngaway
,
sheheldthedoorknobt
urningi
tthen

GRACE:
thanky
ou

Sheturnedsur pr
isedandlookedbackather
exhaustedfaceandf el
tsorr
yforher,
shelookedl
i
ke
shehadn'tslepti
nday s

MI
A:huh?

GRACE:
(sof
tl
y)t
hanky
ouf
orpassi
ngby

MIA:y
ouarewelcome,um al
way
saphonecal
laway
pl
easebeart
hatinmind
GracenoddedthenMiasighedsadl
yandturnedt
he
doorknobopeningupandsteppedoutwalki
ngaway,
shestoppedathercarandhoppedindr
ivi
ngawayin
thedarkni
ght

MEANWHI
LEATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Thembast eppedoutofthecarandpacedal
ongt
he
corr
idort
henl andedatt
herecepti
on

THEMBA:
hel
l
o,canIseeMrMat
thews?

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
whoar
eyou?

THEMBA:
hisf
ri
end

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
um sor
rybutonl
yfami
l
yIsal
l
owed
toseehi
m
THEMBA:
(impat
ient
)pl
ease

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
um sor
rybutwecan'
tl
ety
oui
n

Heclenchedhisteethangr
il
ythi
nki
ngofsomet hi
ng
tosayasthereceptioni
stf
li
ppedpageslooki
ngfor
hisf
il
ethenstumbl eduponacert
ainname

RECEPTIONI
ST:doy
ouknowThemba?Hehasbeen
aski
ngtoseehi
m

THEMBA:
itsme,
Iam Thembapl
easel
etmesee
hi
m

RECEPTIONIST:
(lookedathi
m suspi
ci
ous)canIsee
youri
denti
tycar
d?
THEMBA:
(angr
il
y)ar
eyouser
ious

Hereachedinhi
spocketandtookouthi
sident
it
y
car
dthrowingi
tatherfaceandshegoti
treadi
nghi
s
namesthengaveitbacktohim

RECEPTIONI
ST:vi
sit
inghour
sareoverbutbecause
hehasbeenaski
ngforyou,wewil
lmakean
except
ion

Shestoodupandpushedt
hechai
rbackl
eav
ingher
worki
ngarea

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
fol
l
owme

Sheswunghert
inybodyoutasThembaf
oll
owed
hert
oward12
Meanwhi leattheentrancet hetwoguy sslowly
walkedi nast hlookedar oundt ocheckt hecoast ,
thefactt hatthereceptioni
sthadl eftherposi ti
on
wasapl ust othem sot heymov edaroundt he
hospitallookingfortheper f
ectspot ,goingtohi s
room rightawaywasn' taper f
ectmov esot heyall
peakedt hr oughward11andnot i
ceditwasempt y
thentheyopenedt hedoorcar eful
lysteppinginside
wher etheywai tedforthet r
afficinMandl a'
sr oom to
clearoff..
...

I
nsi
dehi
sroom

Heclosedthedoorandlookedbackathi
ssl
eepi
ng
sel
fthenthedoctorsmil
edshaki
nghandswi
thhim,
astherecept
ioni
sttur
nedwalki
ngout

DOCTOR:nicetomeety ouThemba,y
ourf
riendhas
beenaski
ngforyousincehewokeupsoitsagood
thi
ngyoucame, may
bey ouwi
ll
hel
phimregainhi
s
memory
THEMBA:
(conf
used)memor
y??

DOCTOR:
yes,hel
osthi
smemor yandtheonl
ythi
ng
her
emembersishi
smother
'sburi
alday

Thembalookedatt
hedoct
orcompletel
yshocked
andnotsurewhatt
osaybecausehi
smot her
'sburi
al
wasalongtimeagowhentheywereprobabl
yten
year
sold

THEMBA:
butDoct
or,
Idon'
tunder
stand

DOCTOR: hiscondit
ionisquiteconf
usi
ngbecause
wear est r
uggli
ngtoi dent
if
ythecausebuthopeful
l
y
him seeingyouwi l
lmakehi mr ememberalotof
thi
ngs,letmel eaveyout oit

Het
urnedl
ooki
ngatMandl
aandt
appedThemba'
s
shoulderwalkingoutasThembawal kedcloserto
hisf
riendandst oppedbesidehisbedsadl ylooki
ng
athi
ssl eepi
ngpeacef ul
self,
hef elthisthroatdryi
ng
upthenhecoughedabi ttoclearupbuthi scough
wokehi m up,heslowlyopenedhi sey eslookingup
athi
sf ace,hi
sf acel
itupwhenhi sey eslandedon
him,hewasal it
tl
eoldanddiffer
entbuthe
remember edhi m

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)Themba

THEMBA:
(hel
dhi
shand)um her
e

MANDLA:
(tear
ful
l
y)shei
sgone,
shei
sgone

THEMBA:
(conf
used)who?

MANDLA: (
tear
ful
l
y)mymot her,sheisnomor
ean
-
..
..
..
(swal
l
owedhar d)andum al
lalone,
noone
want
sme,
howdi
dIendupher
e

Themba' shear tbrokelookingathi sfr

iend'sface
andhewasnotsur ewhatt osayasi tl
ookedl ikethe
doctorwasr ight,
hesur elosthismemor yandonly
remember edhi smother'sburialday,
heswal lowed
hardl ookingathimt ryi
ngt othinkofabet ter
explanationofwhyhewasonahospi talbed,a
thoughtr elat
edt ohispastcrossedhi smi ndthenhe
clearedhi sthroatspeakingup

THEMBA: y
oucouldn'tst
opcr
yingforyourmother
and-
..
..
..
andyouf
aintedsowebr oughtyouher
e

Mandl al
ookedathim convincedasat earescaped
hi
sey ethenThembar ubbedhi shandasMandl a
sl
ippedintoatr
ainofthought s,herememberedhow
hecriedonherburi
aldayandhowev er
yonelefthi
m
al
laloneatthei
rhouse,itwast oobigandquietand
hehadnoone, theonl
yper sonwhowast herewas
Thembaast hewholesociet yturnedi
tsbackonhis
teny ear soldsel f,atsomepoi nthehadnot hingt o
eatandnot hingtowearbutThembanev erlef this
side, li
tt
lememor i
esofhi spai nful chil
dhoodkepton
comi ngbackt ohim saddeni nghi m, t
hereject i
onhe
gotf rom ev eryonei nthesoci etybr okehishear tas
hehadnoonet ot urnorr unt o,att imeshehadt ogo
tobedwi thanempt yst omachi fThembaf ailedt o
steal foodf orhi mf rom hi shouseandatonepoi nt
hehadt ogot oschool bar efootbecausehedi dn't
hav eshoesandnoonewaswi llingtohelphi m, he
wentongoi ngdownmemor ylaneasonedaywhen
hewasal lalonei nt heirbigandl onelyhouse, aball
offireer uptedf rom t heirlounge, i
twentonbur ning
ever ythi
ngunt ilt
hewhol ehousecaughtf i
re, hecr i
ed
hislungsoutt err
ifiedast hef ireal mostcaughtup
withhi m unt ilsomet hi
ngunbel i
ev ablybigcamet o
hisr escue, allheremember edwashowt hehuge
creat urecar ri
edhi m oni tsbackl eav i
ngthehouseat
av eryhi ghspeed, y eshewast er r
if
iedatitssi ghtbut
event uallyhewar medupt oitbecausei thel pedhi m
whennooneel sewaswi l
li
ngt odoso, i
tli
ter all
y
sav edhi slifewhent henei ghbor swer ewat chingi n
celebr ati
on, theyal lcoul dn'twai tforhimt of inally
dieandfoll
owhiswi ckedmot
her,ahott
earf
ell
downashesnappedoutofi tlooki
ngathi
m ashe
rubbedhistear
s..
..
..
.

THEMBA:(cur
ious)whatar
eyout
hinki
ngof
,doy
ou
rememberany
thing?

ATFI
FI'
SHOUSE

Shef i
nishedeat i
ngt
henotsocleanandf reshsoft
porri
dget hatshehadprepar
edearli
erthenpickeda
cupf i
ll
i
ngi twithwat
erandgulpedital
l downbefore
goingbackt ohersmallbed,
shereachedf orher
purseandt ookoutthefewthousandscount i
ng
them andt heyamountedtofi
vethousandpul a,
she
smiledwi t
hal it
tl
ebi
tofhopeandputi tunderher
bedbef orelayi
ngdown,shethoughtf
ullygotupand
kneltdownf oldi
ngheramrsandprayed

FI
FI:
heav
enl
yLor
d,pl
easef
orgi
vememysi
nsand
makemecl eanandwhol eagain,washawaymysins
andpurif
ymeohmast erJesus,Lor
dI.al
sowanna
thankyouforthegiftofli
feyouhavegivenunt
o
me...
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

Shefi
nishedprayi
ngandgotbackinbedfeeli
ngall
ener
geticandhopeful,shesmi
l
edandslowlydozed
offt
olalaland.
..
..
..
..
..
.

Meanwhi
l
eatt
hehospi
tal

Thetwoguy swaitedimpati
ent
lyforThembato
l
eavehisroom sot hatt
heycancarryoutt
hei
r
missi
onthen..
..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
08:
32]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT95

HerubbedhistearsoffandlookedatThembaast he
memor ylanegotblur
red,heremember edever
ythi
ng
upuntilt
hefir
einci
dentandt hat
sall
t hatcameint
o
hi
smi nd,hetr
iedhardtothinkandcrackhisbrai
ns
outbuttonoluck

THEMBA:
doy
our
ememberany
thi
ng?

MANDLA:
(sadl
y)t
hef
ir
e

Themba'
ssmi
lesl
owlycl
osedhi
smout hashe
remember
edt
hepainf
ulor
deal
,peopl
ewere
wat chi ngandchat tingloudlyenjoy i
ngt hesi ghtof
thebi gfir
e, noonewaswi ll
ingt ohel past hewhol e
soci etyhat edhi sfami l
y,theteny ear soldThemba
j
ustl ookedatt hebl azi
ngf i
reast hebui ldingwent
downf all
i
ng, hewashel plessandt herer eall
ywas
nothi nghecoul ddo, heremember edhowi thadal l
collapsedunt ilthef i
rewentof fonitsownaf t
er
dest roy i
ngev erything,hecoul dn'tsleept hatnightas
allhet houghtofwashi sdearf ri
end, thatwast he
l
astt imehehear dfrom hisf r
iendunt ilsev enyears
l
aterwhenhest oppedathi shomest eppi ngoutofa
veryexpensi v
ecarl ookingcompl etelydifferent..
.

THEMBA:
(sadl
y)um sor
ry

MANDLA: (
rubbedoffhi
stearsni
ff
ing)thatsal
lI
remember,
um tryi
ngtothi
nkbutIcan'tremember
anyt
hing

THEMBA:
(thought
ful
l
y)Gr
ace!Whatabouther
?
MANDLA:
(sur
pri
sed)Gr
ace?Whoi
sthat
?

THEMBA:
yourgi
rl
fr
iend

MANDLA:
(shookhi
shead)Idon'
trememberher

THEMBA: (
sighedsadl
y)buty
ouguy
swer
est
ayi
ng
toget
her

MANDLA:butIi
don't
-.
.'
''
(r
ememberedt
hegirl
from
ear
li
erwhohadcal
l
edt hedoct
or)t
hepret
tyone?

THEMBA:
yest
hecur
vaceousone

Mandlaremember edherinnocentf
aceandsl
owly
pul
ledasmi l
e,yeshedidn'tr
ememberanythi
ng
aboutherbutjustt
hethoughtofhergothi
sheart
poundi
ng,
ther
esur
ewassomet
hingspeci
alabout
her

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)Iwantt
oseeheragai
n

THEMBA:(
happi
l
y)doest
hatmeany
our
emember
her
?'
ohhwow!

MANDLA:(shookhi
sheaddisagreei
ng)noIdon'
tbut
t
her
eissomet hi
ngabouther
,she-.
..
..
..
(smi
l
ed)she
i
sbeaut
if
ul

THEMBA:
alr
ightIt
hinkIhav
ehernumber
,Iwi
l
lcal
l
her

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ed)

THEMBA:
(cur
ious)whathappenedt
oyou,
Imean?
Ohhshi
t!Youl
osty
ourdamnmemor
yandpr
obabl
y
wontr
emembershit

Mandl
asmi
l
edal
i
ttl
elooki
ngathi
slongt
imef
ri
end

THEMBA: youl
ookfi
neman,weshoul
dgety
ouout
ofhere,
thi
sdamndoctor
swil
lcomechecky
ouat
yourhouseandgi
veyoumemoryshot
s

MANDLA:(laughedal
it
tl
e)Ican'
tbel
i
eveIl
ostmy
memoryandonl yr
ememberssuchausel
essper
son,
whosaysthat?

Theybot
hlaughedast
hembapr
essedhi
stummy

THEMBA:see?
'youdi
dn'
tev
enf
li
nch,
sur
elyy
ouar
e
okayman
Theyl
aughedasThembacheckedhi
swr
istwat
ch

THEMBA:shit
!Mygi
rl
fr
iendi
sgoi
ngt
oki
l
lme,
I
shoul
dgetgoi
ngman

MANDLA: (r
aisedhi
seyebr
ows)youev
enhavea
gi
rl
fr
iend?Wow!Ican'twai
ttor
ememberal
lthe
damnthings

THEMBA:I
'm evenmar r
ieddude,andmaybeIshoul
d
st
ealy
ourbusinessessi
ncey oucan'
tremembershi
t

MANDLA:
(sur
pri
sed)
busi
nesses?
?

THEMBA: dude!Youareadamnbi l
li
onai
ret
ycoon
butnomor ebecauseum taki
ngover,
youwil
lcome
workformeaf t
erregai
ningyourf
uckenmemory
Hebr i
efl
ylaughedasMandl alookedathimtry
ingto
processwhathejustsai
d,itreall
ycameasa
surpri
setohim,yesheknewi tsobvioushehasa.l
if
e
butdidn'
tthi
nkanythi
ngcloset obei
ngami l
li
onair
e

MANDLA:(
smi
li
ng)what
everman,
youshoul
dn'
t
hav
etol
dmethen,
badmov e

THEMBA:(l
aughedlookingathiswat
ch)I'
l
lgocheck
andmakesureever
ythingisokaydowntherebutI
tr
usty
ourPAtokeepal lincheck

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ed)t
hanky
ou

THEMBA:ar
ey ouasissynow?WhydoIf eell
i
kethi
s
cr
azynewyouissoft
,themightyMandlaMatt
hews
woul
dn'
thavesaidt
hatsil
ly"
thankyou"l
ine

MANDLA:
getoutofher
edude
Theyl aughedasThembat urnedwalkingout,
he
closedt hedoorandpassedbyt hequietandempt y
receptionareaashepaceddownt hecorri
dor
, soon
enoughhewasatt heparki
ngl otwhereheopened
upandhoppedi nsi
deasPr et
tysmi l
edathim befor
e
drivi
ngof fi
nthedarknight
...
..
..
.

Meanwhi l
eint hehospital,t
het womeni nblack
hoodiesslowlyopenedt hedoorandl ookedaround
tocheckthecoast ,oncet heysawi twasclearthey
slowlyopenedhi sdoorandspr ayedsomething
i
nsidebeforer unni
ngbackt oroom eleven,t
hey
knewt hespraywor kedr eal
lyfastsotheyhadt ofl
ee
soast oavoidget t
ingdrugged, innotimeMandl a'
s
eyebagsstartedget t
ingheav ythenhiseyesslowly
closedashedozedof f
..
Meanwhi l
einroom el
eventheyslowlysneakedback
tohim andopenedupthedoorget t
inginside,their
eyesmethi sasl
eepselfandtheysmiledpr oud,they
knewitwillpr
obabl
ylastforanhoursot heyhad
enought
imet
ocar
ryoutt
hemi
ssi
on.

MAN1:
takeoutt
hebox

MAN2:
okayher
e

Hehandedtheboxov
erasheopenedi
tupar
rangi
ng
t
hei
requipments

MAN1: sodoweinj
ecthi
m di
rect
lyorwej
ustdoi
t
t
hroughthedamndr
ip?

MAN2:
dir
ect
ly,
comeonbef
ast

Hefi
ll
edthesyr
ingewit
hthedeadlydr
ugandai
med
athi
shandthenthedoorf
lungopenasfi
vesecur
it
y
menfil
l
edtheroom
SECURI
TYMAN:
(ai
minghi
sgun)down!Down!

Themani nblackqui
ckl
yreachedi
nhispocketand
tookouthisgunaimi
ngatthem,heinstant
lypul
l
ed
thetr
iggerasoneofthesecur
it
yguyslandedonthe
fl
oor

SECURI
TYMAN2: (screaming)shoot
!Pr
esst
he
but
ton,
press-
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

abul l
etl
andedonhischestbef
orehefi
nished
talki
ngthenhesl
owlylandedonthefl
oorasmor e
bloodgushedout,
hetookhislastbr
eathashiseyes
slowlycl
osedwhil
ehel ai
donthepoolofblood

Meanwhi
l
eatMandl
a'
shouse

Shesteppedoutoft
heshowerandwrappedatowel
aroundherbodyasshesl
i
ppedhersoftf
eeti
ntoher
sleeper
s,sheheav edahugesighasshewalkedout
toherbedroom wher esheremov edt
hetoweland
gotundercovers,shethought
ful
lygotupandknel
t
onherkneesf oldi
ngherar msandprayed

GRACE: LordIthanky ouforwhoy ouareinmylife,

youhav ebeenmyf ort
ressandandmyr efuge,you
foughtmybat tl
esandr escuedmewhenIwas
drowning,todayIjustwanttothankyouforyour
great
nessi nmyl i
fe,Ibeli
eveal
lthati
shappeningis
yourwillandIboldlysaythatLord,mayyourwil
l be
done,Amen

Shesai
dthatandgotupgett
ingbackinbedand
pul
ledt
hesheetsoversl
eepi
ngwiththel
ight
son..
..

Meanwhi
l
eatt
hepast
or'
shouse

Hegotupandbrushedhi
skneesgoingt
ohis
bedr
oom,hesl
owlypull
edthesheet
sovercar
eful
enoughnott owakehi swi feupashel aiddown
l
ooki ngup, whathehadj ustsawdur ingpr ayerwas
troublinghi m, itwasqui teabi grev elation, foral ong
ti
mehehadbeenwonder i
ngwhyt hemanmade
suchcov enantsbutnowaf termanyday soff asti
ng
andpr ay erevery thi
ngwascl earandhewonder edif
Gr acewi ll
beabl etounder standandst i
ckar ound,
nowt hatwasanot herquest iont hathesur ehadt o
focushi spr ayerst owar dsbecausenowt hewarwas
almostov er,hesi ghedandcl osedhi sey esashe
shi f
tedi ntoanot herreal m oft hespi ri
t, thehol yspir
it
hadi nst antlytakenov erhim andr ev eal edmor e
things, hesawt hel argeandnowqui etcav ethathad
ashes, i
twasev identt hatahugebal l off irehad
attackedt hewhol epl ace, yesher emember ed
ev eryt
hingt hathadhappenedt hatdaywhent hey
wer einaspi r
it
ual war fare,hehadcl ear l
yseent he
placegoi ngdownasi tcaughtf ir
ebuthenev ersaw
thel argesnake, yeshehadsensedi tscl osenesst o
herdaught erint hehouseandwassur eshe
def eatedi tbuthest i
l
l neededt oseei tsend, likeGod
readhi smi ndal l t
hist ime, whi lestillconnect edt o
thespi ritual r
ealm hesawZumbat hel argesnake
slowl
yent er
ingt hequietcav e,theal
l greensnake
hadmanypat chesthatl ookedl i
kebur nsonitsbody
soitsquirmedi tsheavyandt ir
edsoftbodyi nside
thecav ebutslowlystoppedj ustbyt her i
tual
spond
thatwasdr y,thehugesnake' sey esmov edtothe
backofi t
sheadandi tsheadf el
lhardt otheground
asitslowlylostbreath,thepast orsmi l
edwi t
hhi s
eyesclosedt henhemov edclosertohi swife
huggingherbef orefall
ingasl eep.
..
.

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Luckil
yhemanagedt opresstheredbuttonand
alar
mswentonwai l
ingraisi
ngattenti
ontothewhol
e
hospit
alandothersecuri
tycompani esassi
gnedtoi
t,
thetwomenl ookedateachot herpanicki
ng

MAN1:
let
sgo

Theyt
urnedst
ormi
ngoutast
her
emai
ningt
hree
guardsfi
redshots,t
heotheronel andedontheother
man'slegandhescr eamedinagonyast heother
onequicklybentpi
ckinghim upandangr i
lyfi
reda
gunshotthatlandedonMandl a'
shand,moreblood
gushedoutandt hesecuri
tymenshi ft
edthei
rfocus
tohim astheperpet
rator
squi ckl
yranout

MAN1:
(fl
i
nched)ahhh

MAN2:
let
sgo,
theyar
ecomi
ng,
run!

Heheldhim onhisshoulderssupporti
nghim asthey
l
impedoutofthecorridors,meanwhileatt
hegate
manysecuri
tycarsdrovei nsi
dethehospit
alathigh
speedfl
ashi
nglight
satt het wolimpi
ngmenast hey
l
ookedatthem suspicious,theyjumpedoutoftheir
carsandpoi
ntedtheirgunsatt hem

SECURI
TY:
handsup!
!
Theystoppedandl ookedaroundt hemanysecur
it
y
mensur roundingthem, ther
er eal
lywasnowayout
sotheyst oppedandr aisedtheirhandsup
sur
rending...
..
..
..
..
..
.TWODAYSLATER
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
32]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT96

TWODAYSLATER

Shehel
dthedoorknobandt
urnedi
tst
eppi
ngi
nsi
de
ashesl owlyrai
sedhisheadt owardsthedoor,their
eyeslockedasGr aceslowlypull
edasmi lereveal
ing
herevenwhi teandperfect
lyali
gnedteeth,she
walkedov erandstoppedbesidehisbedl ooki
ngin
hi
sey es

GRACE:
(sof
tl
y)hey

Hekeptqui etwi t
hhi seyesstil
lfi
xedonher s
admiri
ngherpr ett
yandi nnocentlooki
ngf ace, he
suredidn'trememberherorf oundherf ami l
iarbut
thewayhi shear tpoundedinherpr esencewasso
outofthiswor ld,t
herereall
ywassomet hi
ngabout
herandhesowi shedtospendev eysecondwi thher
,
i
twasev ensaf etosayheact uall
ywasf al
linginlove
withheral l
overagai nandstarti
ngaf r
esh, she
snappedherf ingerandhegaspedf orairsnappi ng
outofhist rai
noft houghts

GRACE:
(snappi
ngherf
inger
)hel
l
o
Hel
ookedatherandsmi
l
edembar
rassed

MANDLA:(
clear
edhi
sthr
oat
)ohhhumm.
..
.I
-.
..
.y
ou
wer
esayi
ng?

GRACE:
umm.
..
howar
eyouf
eel
i
ngt
oday
?

Hesighedandrubbedhi
sfacet
henl
ookedathi
s
bandagedhand

MANDLA:
I'
m muchbet
ter

Therewasanawkwar
dmomentasnoneofthem
wassureofwhatt
osayt
henMandl
aclear
edhis
thr
oat

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)I
'
m sor
ry
GRACE:(confused)um sor
ryIdon'tr
ememberyou,
myfri
endtoldmeaboutourr el
ationand-
..
..
Iwi
shI
rememberedev er
ythi
ngbut.
..
.(
sighed)

GRACE:
(sadl
y)i
tsokay

MANDLA:
(sadl
y)am Iabadper
son?

GRACE:
noofcour
senot
,whywoul
dyousayt
hat
?

MANDLA:(si
ghed)t
henwhywoul
dany
onewantme
dead,
whatdi
dIdo?

GRACE:(sof
tl
y)nothing,
youdidn'tdoany t
hing,i
ts
j
ustbadmenwhoar emay beafteryourbusinesses
butdon'
tworrybecausetheyareinpolicecustody
aswespeak
MANDLA:
ohh?

GRACE:y
eah,y
oudon'
tlookt
oocomf
ort
abl
eletme
hel
pyouwit
hthepi
l
low

Shemov
edcloserandhel
dhi
sshouldermov
ingt
he
pi
ll
owali
tt
leuptosuppor
thi
sback

GRACE:
howdoesi
tfeel
?

MANDLA:
muchbet
ter
,thanky
ou

Shesmil
edandmovedal i
tt
lebackast
hedoorf
lung
openget
ti
ngthei
rat
tent
ion

DOCTOR:
(smi
l
ing)ohhy
ouar
eher
e?
GRACE:
(smi
l
ed)

DOCTOR: per
fect!BecauseIneedyoutosi
gnhis
rel
easef
or ms,hewillbereadytogohomeaft
er
l
unchtoday

GRACE:
(smi
l
inghappi
l
y)ohhgr
eat
!

Shel
ookedathi
m smi
l
ingashewor
easadf
ace

GRACE:(
slowl
ycl
osi
nghermout
h)and?
'it
hought
youwoul
dbehappy?

MANDLA:(
sadly
)Ifeel
saf
eher
e,whati
ftheycome
t
ofi
nishmeoffathome?

GRACE:ohhdon'
twor
ry,
thesecuri
tyatyourhousei
s
farmuchbet
tert
hant
hehospit
al'
s,tr
ustmet hey
won'
tgetany
wher
eneary
ou

MANDLA:(r
ememberedThembatell
inghim about
hi
sbusi
nessesandr
eckonedi
tstr
uebecausesur el
y
ari
chmanwoulddowithati
ghtsecuri
ty)ohhokay

GRACE:(smil
ing)umm..
..
letmegohomeandgeta
fewt
hingsreadyfory
ouokay ?

MANDLQ:
okay

Shebentbabyki
ssi
nghimint
hef or
eheadand
tur
nedwalki
ngoutashecont
inuedconver
singwi
th
thedoct
or

MeanwhileatRat
i'
shouse, shefl
ippedthe
newspaperpagesandstumbl eduponaninterest
ing
capt
ion"TheMightyMatthew'sli
feindanger"she
l
ookedclosel
yandr eadt
het wopar agr
aphsbefore
t
hrowi
ngt
henewspaperonherbedwal
ki
ngout

Onehourl
ater
..
..
..
.

Sheheldt
hedoorknobopeni
ngupandst
epped
i
nsidebumpi
ngint
ohim

DOCTOR:
(gasped)ohhsor
ry

RATI
:(smi
l
ed)i
tsokay

DOCTOR:
okayy
oumay

Hemov edasi demakingwayforhertopassthen

shewalkedov ertohi
sbedast hedoctorcl
osedt he
doorbehindhim.Mandl amovedalit
tl
eupsear ching
foracomf ort
ableposit
ionasRati
setherfuri
ous
eyesonhi m
RATI
:(angr
il
y)soy
ouar
ehumanaf
teral
l

MANDLA:
(conf
used)huh?

RATI:
(angri
ly
)Ican'tbel
i
ev eIthoughty
ouare
i
mmor tal
butmay beyouarebecauseaker ey
ou
di
dn'
tdiesoIshouldsayIt houghtyouare
unt
ouchablekant
eno, eveny ourt
ypesdogethur
t

MANDLA:
(cl
uel
ess)whoar
eyou?

Shesarcast
ical
l
ylaughedandclappedoncebef
ore
fol
dingherarmsgivi
nghim adeathst
are

RATI
:whoam i
?Ser
iousl
y?

MANDLA:
(shr
uggedhi
sshoul
der
sconf
used)
RATI:st
oppl ayi
ngtheIforgotgamewi t
hmeMr
Matthews,youareluckyIkeptquietf
ormyfr
iend'
s
sakeother
wi seIwould'
vesunglikeabird

MANDLA: (
soft
ly)Idon'tknowwhatyouaret
alking
about
,pleasetel
l becauseIdon'
trememberhalfof
mylif
e,Ilostmymemor y

Ratil
ookedathi
sst r
aightf
aceandr
aisedher
eyebr
owsbeforeleaningcl
oser

RATI:youknow, Icameher ebecauseIwas

expecti
ngt oseeabitofremorse,Ithoughtyou
wouldfeelbadandapol ogizet
hen
may be.
.(
swallowedhard)justmaybeIwoul dfi
ndi
t
i
nmyhear ttoforgi
veyouforallt
haty ouputme
thr
oughbut -.
..
..

MANDLA:
(int
err
upt
ed)pl
easet
ell
me,
Idon'
t
r
emembery
ourf
ace,
please

Shesighedsadl
yandlookedinhisser
iouseyesas
shereal
izedt
hatheactual
lyi
sn'
tmakingitup
j
udgingbyhisgenui
nelook,t
earsfor
medatt he
cor
nersofhereyesassheopenedhermout htal
ki
ng

RATI: Ihopey ouregai ny ourmemor ysot hatyou

rememberhowmanyi nnocentl
ivesy ouhav e
destroyed, y
ouputust hroughhellandki l
ledthe
i
nnocent ,(
teardropped)Ihadt ogetmywomb
remov edbecause- .
..
.(rubbedthetearsni ffi
ng)
becausey outurnedmei nt
oapr ostit
ute,y ousold
met ot hedev i
landIwasexchangedbyr andom men
everyday ,
attimesIcoul dn'twalkbecausemy
pri
vatepar tswer einpai n,thepainthaty ourpeople
caused, Ihopewheny ougetoutoft hisplacey ou
wil
l r
ememberev erythingandchange, Icameher et
o
giveyouanear f
ul butseei ngyouv ulnerablemade
mechangemymi ndbecausei am notabadper son
andcer tai
nlywon' tallowbadpeopl etochangeme, I
would'velongreportedy oubutdecidednott oformy
fri
end'ssake(lookedupst oppi
nghert earsfrom
fal
li
ng)Ijustwanty out oknowt hatithasn'tbeen
easysinceIcamebackf rom Thail
andbutIt hank
Godf orthesecondchanceatl if
e,andIt hankyoufor
bri
ngingmebackhomeandl ast
lyIam letti
nggoof
you,I'
m notdoingitf oryoubutformebecause
holdi
nggr udgesisdest r
uct i
veonitsownsoIf orgi
ve
you

Tearsstr
eameddownhercheeksandsherubbed
them of
fbefor
emaki
ngaturnshooti
ngtowardsthe
door

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)wai
t!

Shet
urnedsur
pri
sedandl
ookedathi
m sni
ff
ing

MANDLA:
(tear
ful
l
y)y
ourf
ri
end?
RATI
:(t
ear
ful
l
y)y
esGr
ace

Shef acedtheandr ubbedhertearsof fbefore

walkingoutleavinghimindeept hought s,whatshe
saidwasst il
ltoomuchf orhi
mt opr ocessbut
everythi
ngnowmadesenseashet houghtoft he
recentattackandbeingshot,hesurehav episseda
l
otofpeopl eandmadeenemi es,hef eltthetears
fl
owingdownasherwor dsechoedi nhi smind
Howcoul dsomeonepossi
blybesoheart
lessand
exchangepeopl
eformoney,thi
ssur
esoundedlike
heisorwasahumant raf
fi
cker"het
hought"

Meanwhi l
eont her oad,shet hought ful
lymadeal eft
turnanddroveal ongthet arredr oad,afterexactl
y
tenminutesshet urnedf acingt heiryar
dandsl owly
drovetowardst hegate,shest eppedont hebreaks
stoppi
ngthecart henbreathedoutheav il
ywithher
handsstil
lont hewheel ,shemov edherchi n
upwardslookingi ntherearv iewmi r
rorthenheav ed
ahugesadsi ghbef or
ehol dingt hedoorknob
openingupasshest eppedout,themor ningsunwas
sti
llsoshemov edherhandupcov eringherface
beforeopeni
ngt hegatewithherotherhand,inno
ti
meshewasal l donesoshewal kedinsideand
stoppedatthedoorknocking
Meanwhi l
einsi
det hetwoladi
esseatedont he
couchesinthei
rwar m cl
otheslookedateachother
i
nwonderbecauset heyhardl
yhadv i
sit
orssoitwas
ki
ndofnotexpect edtohearaknockbutot her
wise
MsWi ll
i
amsr esponded

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
it'
sopen

Graceslowlypushedt hedoorandst eppedinsi

de
thesuddenawf ull
yquiethouse,shemov edher
headandt heireyeslocked,shefel
therthroatdry
ing
upast ear
sf ormedatt hecornersofhereyesbut
shelookedal it
tl
eupt ostopt hem f
rom fal
li
ngthen
walkedinsi
de
GRACE:
greet
ings

ALL:
hel
l
o

Shepassedtoherbedroom andopenedupgett
ing
i
nsidethenbentpul
li
ngthebedmat t
ressupand
reachedfort
heenvel
ope,
Shepi ckedi tupandl etgooft hemat tressfixi
ngher
eyesont hel ett
erassheheav edahugesi ghbef or
e
turni
ngt ot hedoorst eppingout ,shepassedbyt he
l
ivingroom asherhear tpoundedandi nnotimeshe
wasout sidesoshest oppedast earsstreamed
downherf acehopi ngt ohearhercal l
inghernameor
atleastr eferri
ngt oherassheusedt ointheol d
goodt imes" baby",thiswast hewor dshel ongedto
hearbuti tseemedl i
keherpr eciousmot herhad
forgottenabouther ,sher ubbedhert earsoffand
tookast epwal kingawayt earful
ly
MeanwhileinsideMsWil
li
amsstoodupandwal ked
tothewindow, shemov
edthecurt
ainandlookedat
herasshest eppedi
nsi
dethecar
,herhear
tpounded
sohar dagai
nstherchestassher egr
ettednot
stoppingher,
ahugepar tofherwantedt ocall her
nameandbeghert ostaybutshewast ooscar edof
theresponseshemi ghtgethencekeptqui et,she
knewGr acewasst il
l madathersoshej ustcouldn'
t
fi
ndt heri
ghtwor dsofapproachinghert omakeher
understand,
at eardroppedthensher ubbedi toff
snif
fi
ngwhi l
elookingathercarasi tdisappear ed.

MI
A:ma!

Losti
nherownworldsheignor
edhert
henMi a
si
ghedsadl
yandshookherheadasshepickedher
phonepr
essi
ngit
..
..
..
..
..
..
.

ATFI
FI'
SHOUSE

Shewokeupt oaroughknockatthedoorasshe
pul
ledtheblanketsof
fgoingtoopenup,herey
esfel
l
onhisunti
dybi gbear
dedfaceasheheldthebeer
bot
tl
einhi
shandl
osi
ngbal
ance

HIM:(i
mpair
edspeech)ohhbaby
,Ihear
dyouare
back,
Imissedy
ousomuchmysugarandspi ce

Sheroll
edherey
esdi
sgust
edt
henspatont
he
ground

HI
M:(l
osi
ngbal
ance)l
etmegeti
nsi
debaby
,Iwant
t
oshowyouhowmuchImissedyou

FIFI:Idon'
tknowwhatIeversawi nyou,
who
on.earthwalksar
oundwithabot t
leofbl
acklabelso
earlyinthemorni
ng(f
rowned)lookatyou,y
oul ook
disgusting

Helaughedal
it
tl
eandleanedcl
oserbr
eathi
ngon
herasshecov
eredhernoseal
mostpuking
FIFI
:(wi
thafr
own)ngng. .
.movef r
om here,onkga
seboduelamonna,seee!Leyonedustbingaenkge
yaanamonnaMmeshackaao!( Yousmellsohorri
ble,
suredust
bini
ssti
nkingbutnotasbadasy ou
Meshack)

Hetri
edtouchi
nghert
hensher
aisedherhandhot
sl
appinghi
m

MESHACK:(hol
dinghi
scheek)i
yoohbabyhl
emma
wampolaaao(awwbabey ouar
ehurti
ngme)

Shecli
ckedhert
ongueandclosedthedooronhis
faceashetur
nedwalki
ngaway ,shet
hrewhersel
fin
thebedthent
hought
ful
lypi
ckedherphonediali
ng
her.
..
..
.

ATFI
FI'
SHOUSE
Sheputherhandbagdownandf
iddl
edi
nsi
dei
t
l
ooki
ngherringi
ngphone

PRETTY:
Hel
l
o

FI
FI:
(sof
tl
y)heyi
tsme

PRETTY:
ohhhey
,what
sup?

FIFI
:(hear
tpoundi
ng)ummm...
..
Iknowum thelast
persontoaskthi
sfrom y
oubutIr
eall
yneedyour
help

PRETTY:
okayt
ell
me,
whati
sit
?

FIFI
:(st
atteri
ng)i
sitpossibl
eforyout
ohir
emein
yourbusiness,pl
easepleaseIreal
l
yneedt
hemoney
andIam nowgoodi nmakeup,gakebuekadi
baby
powdertsenenget l
hol
aokarekesepokotsel
e
(pl
easeplease,
I'
m nottal
ki
ngaboutthosest
upid
babypowder st
hatusedto.makeme.
lookli
kea
ghost)

Pret
tylaughedal
i
ttl
eassher emember
edhow
spookysheusedtolookbackint
hedays

FI
FI:
tlhemmafr
iendshi
pKagokopadon'
ttur
nme
downplease

PRETTY:(
frowned)butIt
houghty
ouf
oundar
ich
boyf
ri
end

FI
FI:(
sighed)that
sjustanot
herst
oryf
oranot
her
day,
pleasetl
hemma

PRETTY:
okay
,okaybutIwi
llhav
etoseey
oudoingi
t
onsomeonef
ir
stbef
oreIcangivey
ouachance,
I
needt
obesur
e

FIFI
: (
jumpedupanddown)t hanky outhankyou!I
swearIwon' tdi
sappoi
ntyoukanaIusedmyt i
met o
bettermymakeupski l
lswhileIwasst i
llswimming
i
nt her i
chesaker
eebilenekeitshasatsedi
expensiveboEsteerLauder(plusIwasusi ngthe
expensiveones,l
ikesofesteerlauder)

Pr
ett
ylaughedandr
oll
edherey
esbef
orespeaki
ng
up

PRETTY:(
smi
li
ng)okayf
ri
end,
youcancome
tomor
rowandpassbymyworkpl
ace

FI
FI:
alr
ightbabes,
thanky
ou

Shehungupandgotherhandbagl
ooki
ngar
ound
PRETTY:
babe!

Itwasquitesosheassumedhewentbackt obedso
shewalkedout,meanwhi l
einthehouse, hechecked
i
fshewasgonet henrushedbackopeni ngthesecret
room up,heheldhiswaistandsmiledlookingatthe
manybundl esofmoneyl yi
ngaround..
..

THEMBA:
wel
l
lwel
l
lwel
l
l.
..
..
..
.

Hesmi l
edhappilyandcl osedthedoorbef or
egoing
backt
ot heLoungewher ehegothi slaptopandsat
downtyping,heresearchedabi tabouttheoffi
ce
mater
ialandaf ewthingshewi llneedinstart
ingup
hi
sprojectdesi
gnbusi ness..
..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
kei
nser
t
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
32]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT97

Hebi
thi
spent
hought
ful
l
ythenupandl
eft
..
.

Anhourl
ater

Heparkedi
nfrontofthehospi
talandsteppedout
gett
ingi
nsi
de,
hepaceddownt hehallwayand
tur
nedtohi
swar dlooki
ngathi
swr istwatch

THEMBA:
(mut
ter
ed)f
uck!
Heopenedupandwal
kedi
nonhi
stear
yandsad
f
ace

THEMBA:
(sur
pri
sed)hey
,what
sup?

MANDLA:
(lookedi
nhi
sey
est
ear
ful
l
y)

THEMBA: whatsgoi
ngonman,
arey
oucr
ying,
what
thehel
li
sthis?
'comeonman

Thetear
sfl
oweddownt henherubbedthem of
f
sni
ff
ing,
hetri
edtospeakupbutcouldn'
tas
somethi
ngstuckonhi
sthroat

THEMBA:(t
ouched)what
sgoingonman,
arey
oui
n
pai
n?Shoul
dIcallt
hedoct
or?

Het
urnedal
mostpr
essi
ngt
her
edbut
tonbut
Mandl
apushedhi
m back

MANDLA:
(lowv
oice)
nodon'
t

Helookedathi
m conf
usedasMandl
asni
ff
ed
l
ookingathi
m sadl
y

MANDLA:
(tear
ful
l
y)am Iabadper
son?

THEMBA:
no,
ofcour
senotwhywoul
dyousayt
hat
?

MANDLA:pleasetel
lme,j
ustbehonestwi
thme,I
needt
o.knowt heki
ndofpersonIwasbef
oret
his
memorything

THEMBA: noyouar
enotabadper
son,
um.
bei
ng
honest
,you'
vegott
obel
iev
eme
MANDLA: (
lookedupstoppingthetear
sf rom f
all
i
ng)
Icametoashockingreal
isati
ontoday(bithisl
ip)
appar
ent
lyIwasinvol
vedi nhumant r
aff
icking

Thembal
ookeddownnotsur
ewhatt
osayt
henhe
si
ghed

THEMBA:
wel
l
...
.Aboutt
hat
-.
..

MANDLA:
(int
err
upt
ed)soshewasr
ight
?

THEMBA: umm y eahwewer eint

oallthat,actuall
yI
cameheretot el
lyouaboutit
,ourlastjobdidn'tend
well,
welosttwoguy s,l
ucki
l
yImanagedt oescape
from t
hescenebef or
ethepoli
cearriv
edandIhav e
themoneybagatmyhouse, wemadeaf ort
unef r
om
i
t

Mandl
alookedathi
m speechl
ess,
whathehadj
ust
sai
dwasabi tt
oomuchforhi
m andhecouldn'
t
understandwhyhenar
rat
edthewhol
ethingsocal
m
andrelaxed

MANDLA: (
sighedsadlyashersadf acecrossedhi
s
mind)Idon'tknowwhatt osay,Iwashopi ngyou
wouldtellmeitsnottr
uebut-.
..
...
..
..
..
.(
swallowed
hard)IguessIdeserveever
ythi
ngcomi ngmyway

THEMBA:
whatdoy
oumean?

MANDLA:(sadl
y)Ihav
etohandmyselfovert
othe
poli
ce,
um surt
heyhavebeenonmytaili
fthi
sis
tr
ue

THEMBA:
what!Noway
sman!Youcan'
tdot
hat
,
whati
swrongwi
thy
ou?

MANDLA:
um sor
rybutIam nott
hesameper
son
anymor e,yesIdon'tremembereveryt
hingbutIfeel
di
fferenttoo,Ihavenodesiretocarr
yont hat
business,Ican'
tdoi tanymoreandIhav etopayfor
everythi
ngIdidpleaseunderstand

THEMBA: wedon'thavetocarr
yonwi ththe
busi
ness,Ial
wayswant edtostopandstartafresh
butIwasscaredoftel
li
ngy oubutaft
erthelastgigI
wassureum doneandnev ergoingback,Iactuall
y
haveenoughmoneyt ostar
talegitbusi
ness,please
don'
trui
nmychancesofl iv
ingacleanlif
e

MANDLA:(
sighed)don'
tworr
y,Iwon'
tsayany
thi
ng
abouty
out
hen, I
'
llj
usthandmysel
fin

THEMBA: (
sighedinreli
ef)okaythankyoubutum
sti
l
lagainstthisbecauseIcan'tloseyouman,l
ets
j
uststartonanewcl eanslat
e,Imeany ouhaveyour
Matthewsempi r
ebusinessandi tsver
ymuchclean
andlegi
tsoy oucanf ocusoni tandstil
lmakemore
money ,
pleaset hi
nkaboutit
MANDLA:
okay

THEMBA:
sowhatdoIdowi
tht
hemoney
?

Mandlasatupri
ghtandsteppeddowngetti
ngoff
bedholdi
nghisinj
uredbandagedhand,
hewalkedup
tothewindowandpeakedout si
de,
hethought
ful
ly
openedhismouthspeakingup

MANDLA:
I'
ll
hav
emyshar
e

THEMBA:
okay,
soy ouwil
lcomeov
ert
omyhouse
oncey
oul
eavethi
splacer
ight
?

MANDLA: (
stil
ll
ooki
ngoutsi
de)I'
ml eavi
ngt oday
,an
hourfr
om nowbutno,youwil
lcomet o.
myhouse
andgivememyshar ebesi
des,Idon'tevenknow
whereyoustay
THEMBA: (
remember
ed)ohht hat
,al
ri
ght
,I
'
llpassby
l
ater
(l
ookedathi
swristwatch)i
tsal
mostoneo
cl
ocknowwhenar ey
oul eavi
ng?

MANDLA:
any
timef
rom now

THEMBA:
alr
ightman,
sur
eletmebounce

Het
urnedwal
ki
ngupt
ohi
m ast
heyf
istbumped

THEMBA:
sur
eman

Hetur
nedwalki
ngoutasMandl
asatdown
t
houghtf
ull
y
Meanwhileattheparki
nglot
,shetooktheenvel
ope
andputitonthepassengerseatbef
oresteppi
ng
out
,sheclosedthedoorandwalkedinsi
dethe
bui
l
dingbumpi
ngi
ntohi
m ont
hecor
ri
dor
s

THEMBA:
ohhheyGr
ace

GRACE:
ohhThembar
ight
?Hi

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)y
eahni
ceseei
ngy
ou

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)l
i
kewi
se,
bye

Theybothtookdi
ffer
entturnsasGracepacedont
he
corr
idor
s,soonshearri
vedathiswardandopened
upsteppi
nginsi
de,helookedupathersmili
ng

GRACE:
Ohhhey
,youl
ookmuchbet
ter

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)wel
l
GRACE:
okay
,letmepacky
ourbags

Shemov
edar
oundpacki
nghi
sst
afft
hent
hedoct
or
wal
kedi
n

DOCTOR:
(smi
l
ing)wel
lwel
l
..
youdon'
twast
eti
me
heh

Theybot
hlaughedal
i
ttl
efaci
nghi
m

DOCTOR: y
ouarefreetogoandum gl
adyouare
recov
eri
ngatafastpaceMrMatthews,
youfought
thefi
ght
,bigupsman

Hemovedhi
shandcl
osert
ohi
sthent
heyf
ist
bumped
DOCTOR: (l
ookingi nhi smedical card)sot hetests
areoutandwecoul dn'
tseewhatt hecausei sbut
thegoodnewsI St hatthememor ylossi sjust
temporarysoev ent ual
lyyouwi l
lremember
everyt
hingallatonce, youjusthav et oaskt hem to
talkmoreoftenaboutt hepast,takey out ofami l
i
ar
placesmoreof tenpl usweary ourol dclothesmor e
oftenandhangar oundwi t
hy ourol dfri
endsmor e
often,t
hatshouldhel pinregainingy ourmemor y
quickl
ybutother wisey ouaregoodt ogo, lastl
y
comef oryourcheckupsonceaweekasi ts
prescri
bedinher e

MANDLA: (
smili
nghappil
y)ohhwow, Ihav
ebeen
l
ongingtoheart
his,
Ican'
twaittoremember
ever
ythi
ngandgetbacktomyl i
fe,
thankyouDoct
or

DOCTOR:(
smi
li
ng)I
'
mjustdoi
ngmyj
obbuty
ouar
r
mostwel
comeMrMatt
hews

Gr
acesmi
l
edhappi
l
yassheshov
edt
hel
asti
tem i
n
t
hehugebag

GRACE:
(lookedar
ound)Ibel
i
evewear
edoneher
e

DOCTOR:
alr
ightguy
sby
e

Het ur
nedwalki
ngawayasGr acepull
edthebag
whileMandl
aslidi
nhissl
ipperswalki
ngbesi
deher
,
shedraggedthebagoutastheypassedbythe
recept
ion

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
(wav
ingsmi
l
ing)
bye

BOTH:
bye

Theypassedandwalkedaway,soonenoughthey
wereattheparki
ngl
ot,shewal
kedtothe
passenger
'ssi
deandopenedthedoorforhi
m ashe
hehoppedi n,bythedriver'
ssideshesteppedback
andopenedt hebackdoorput t
inghisl
uggageinsi
de
thenwenttot hedr i
ver
'sdoorhoppinginasshe
star
tedthecar ,meanwhileMandlapickedthe
envelopeandl ookedatitcuri
ously

MANDLA:
whati
sthi
s?

GRACE:(
rever
singthecar
)ohhit
salet
terf
rom my
si
sterMi
a,y
oupr obabl
ywon'
trememberherbuty
ou
guyswer
emar r
iedbefor
e

Hebli
nkedaf ewtimesasafewmemor i
esofa
weddi
ngcrossedhismind,i
magesweren'
tcl
earso
hesi
ghedfrustr
atedandputthel
ett
eronhi
sthi
ghs

MANDLA:
ohhokay

Sheconcent
rat
edont
her
oadasshest
eppedont
he
accel
erat
orspeedi
ngof
f.
..
..
..

ATPOLI
CESTATI
ON

POLICEMAN: i
fyoustartt
alkingt
henwemi ghtas
well
chargeyouwithatt
empt edmurder
,lockyouup
andthr
owt hekey
saway

THEM:
(keptqui
et)

POLI
CEMAN: weknowy ouarepr
obabl
ywor
kingfor
someonesojustsayoutthenameandwewil
llet
youwalkawayfreel
y

MAN:
wear
enotwor
kingf
orany
onesi
r

POLI
CEMAN:
arey
ousur
e?
BOTH:
yes!

Heshookhisheadandturnedther
ecordi
ngdevi
ce
offashetur
nedleav
ingthem i
ntheint
err
ogat
ion
room..
..
..
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
Thanky
ou
[
7/19,
08:
33]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT98

ATTHEPASTOR'
SHOUSE
hewal kedintothebuil
dingandt urnedwalki
ngt ohis
warroom, heopenedupandsatdownashi smi nd
ranaround, hebentdownsi tt
ingonhisknees
thi
nki
ng, hehadt houghtthewarwasov erbutitst
il
l
seemedl iketherewasasmal lgapthathehadt ofi
ll
befor
et heenemyt akesanoppor t
unit
yplusthere
wasjustonesmal ll
it
tl
epr obl
em thathehadt ofix
befor
et heenemyf indsawaybacksoheknel tdown
andpray ed

PASTOR: heavenl
yLor dIcomebef oreyouand
-
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Amen

Aft
eralmostt
hir
tymi
nutesi
npray
er,hesai
damen
andstoodupwipi
nghi
skneesbef
oreleavi
ng.
..
..
..

Sheslowl
ydroveandparkedi
nf r
ontofthemansion,
Mandlaopenedupsteppi
ngoutsideasGracecl
osed
thedoor
GRACE:ohhcaref
ulbabe,
Iwoul
d'
vehel
pedy
ou,
you
wil
lhur
tyourhand

MANDLA:
ohhcomeon,
um notcr
ippl
ed

GRACE:
okay
,taket
hatenv
elopeum get
ti
ngt
hisbag

Sheopenedt hebackseatandpul l
edoutt he
l
uggagebagbef oreclosingupanddr aggedi ttothe
doorwhileMandl afoll
owedwi ththeenv elope, she
openedupt hent heysteppedinsideasMandl a
l
ookedar oundsur pri
sed, t
hehousewast oohuge
andclassyforwhathehadi nmind,itlookedl i
kea
multimil
li
onair
eshousebecausehesur eexpect ed
toseeanor mal andnicehouseaf t
erlear ningabout
hiswealt
hbutt hiswasn'twhathehadi nmi ndall
thi
sti
me

MANDLA:
(looki
ngar
ound)wow!Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul,
is
i
tal
lmi
ne?

GRACE:
yeah

Shedraggedthebagt
othemasterbedr
oom as
Mandlasatdownamazed,hel
ookedattheenv
elope
andcall
edherout

MANDLA:
canIopent
hist
hing

GRACE: (
loudl
y)yeahum sur
eshewasj ust
apol
ogizi
ngsor ead,
itmi
ghtjusthel
pyouremember
afewthings

Hetearedi
tupandtookoutt
hel
ett
erasGr
ace
passedtot
hekit
chen

GRACE:
I'
ll
gomakeussomet
hingt
oeatf
ir
st(
looked
i
nhi
shands)don'
ttel
lmewhatshesai
d,I
'
llj
ustr
ead
f
ormysel
f

MANDLA:
okay

Shewal
kedawayashef
ixedhi
sey
esont
hesmal
l
pi
eceofpaper

Readi
ng.
..
..

MIA: hel
lomydearsi st
er,Iknowy ouhatemeandI
understandwhy ,asitisIdon'tblamey oubecause
whatIdi dtoyoui shorri
bleandsounf or
givable,I
don'
texpecty out oforgi
v emeorsy mpathi
zewi th
meaf terreadi
ngt hisbutIjustthoughty oumi ght
havet ohearthis,Igrewupi nanor phanageand
mov edoutwhenIgotol der,Ili
terallyhadnoonesoI
l
ivedont hestreetsuntilonedayIsawagood
l
ookingguywhowasf i
lt
hyr i
ch,hef el
tsorr
yf orme
atfi
rstsoheaskedmet omar r
yhi m, Iwasexci ted
andhappyaf terhear inghi m sayt hat,Ibeliev edhe
wast het ickettomyhappi nessandgoodl i
fesoI
agreedt hinkinghewi lll
ov emebecausehehad
plai
nl yt oldmef rom t hebegi nni ngt hathei sonl y
doingi ttohel pmeandhel phi msel f,hewasa
businessmansoget tingmar riedt ohim wasanor m
soast okeephi sr eputat i
on, nott hathel ov edmeor
anythi ng, howev erIagr eedbecauseIact ually
thoughthewi l
llear ntol ovemebuthenev erdi d,I
wasj ustasext ool tohim, l
ongst oryshor t,year s
wentbyunt i
lonedaywheny oust eppedi nsi deour
home, Isawi nhi sey essomet hingI '
venev erseen
befor e, Iknewf orsur et hathel ov edy ouand
i
nst ant lyIhat edy ou, Iresentedy oubecausei nless
thanasecondy ouwer eabl et or eachapl acei nhi s
hear tthatIcoul dn'tforsomanyy earssoIf eltt he
needt ogetr idofy ou,,,
youmi ghtnotbel iev ewhat
I'
m aboutt otellyoubuti ti
snot hi ngbutt he
trut
h( Mandl aswal lowedhar dashest artedsweat ing)
Ididr esear chandf oundoutt hatmyexhusbandi sa
humant raffi
cker ,hesel lsy ounggi r
lst osomeguy s
i
nI ndi aandThai l
andi nexchangef ormoneyso
becauseIwasst i
ll desper atef orhi slov eand
att
enti
onImadear rangement st otraff
icy ousoyesI
managedt oselly ouandt houghtIwonbutno, he
sti
l
lcouldn'tseeme, i
nf actev eryt
hingchanged
becausehecoul dn'tstopt hinkingabouty ou,
hewas
angryandmi serablebecauseal l
hewant edwasy ou
(Mandla'steardr oppedont hepi eceofpaperas
memor iesofGr ace' sdisappear ancecamecr ushi
ng
downonhi m, her emember edt hesleeplessnights
andthedayhesethi seyesonherpal ef acein
Thail
and, heswal lowedhar dandf i
xedhisey esback
ontheletterreadi ng)

MI A:get
tingr i
dofyoudi dn'thelpbuti nsteadwe
drift
edapar tandheaskedf oradi v orce,allhell
brokeloseasIwasn' treadyt olosehi m, Ikept
maki ngthreatsthi
nkinghewoul dchangehi smi nd
butmanwasdet ermined,fastf owar d,oneday
thingsgotoutofhandandbef oreIknewi ttherewas
anunbeliev abl
yhugesnakei nf rontofmeand
Mandl awasnowher etobeseenbecausehewast he
snake,hei snothumanmydearsi ster,Isti
llhave
nightmaresoft hatordealev ent odaybecausei twas
av eryscar ysi ght ,
t hehugesnakebi tmet wiceon
myhandandmyf ace, luckil
yImanagedt ogetaway
from hi shousebef or ehecoul df i
nishmeof fand
thatwast hebegi nni ngofmymi serabl eli
fe( (Mandl a
l
ookedupst oppi ngt het earsfrom fallingashe
remember edt hef ireincident,thelettermov ed
somet hi nginhi sbr ainasnowt hei magesbecame
clear ,hecoul dnowseet hehugecr eat urethathad
hel pedhi m escapet hef i
rethatday ,itwasav erybig
snaket hatl edhi mi ntoadar kcave, her emember ed
thesmal lcont ainert hathehadt oopent hinkingof
hismot her'swor ds, whilestil
lscaredbyt hef irehe
remember edhowhi smot hertoldhi m aboutZumba
bei ngt heonl yonewhocanpr otecthi m sost illwith
theugl yhugesnakei nf r
ontofhi mt hatday ,hesaw
thecont ai
nerathi sf eetsohequi cklybentpi ckingi t
upandt urnedt hel idopeni ngitup, afteropeni ngit
upher emember edhowhi smot herhadsai dhe
shoul dt aket helastst epsohel i
ftedhi slegandt ook
thel astst ept owar dst hesnakeandt hati show
ev erythingst ar t
ed, sincet hatdayhenev erhadt o
wor r
yaboutany thing, allt
hathewant edwas
prov idedandal lofasuddenpeopl est ar
tedl ov i
ng
andr
espect
inghi
m)

MANDLA:
(lowv
oice)ohhGodf
orgi
veme

Tearsstreameddownhi sfaceasher emember ed

every
thingfrom t heendtot hebegi nni
ng,he
remember edhowt hepoorgi rl
'sfaceinstantl
y
changedaf terthetwobi t
es, t
hedayshemar chedin
hisoffi
cewi thwor mssqui r
mi ngonherf aceand
howhehadcal ml ylookedatherwi thnoremor se,al
l
thememor i
espai nedhishear tashewonder edhow
coldandhear tl
esshehadbeen, butweirdenough,
hefeltdif
ferentnowev enafterremember i
ng
every
thing,hedi dn'
twantany thingt odowi t
hthat
l
ifeanymor e,hest i
llcoul
dn'tunderstandhowhe
managedt obr eakf r
eef r
om Zumba' sconvanent

MANDLA:
(ti
ght
eni
nghi
sbody
)nnggg.
..
..

Het
ight
enedhi
sbodyoutofcur
iosi
tysoast
oseei
f
Zumbawi l
lsur
facebutnot
hinghappened,
he
gaspedandrel
axedhisbodyver
yconfused

MANDLA:
(lowv
oice)buthow?
?

Herubbedhi
sheadandsi
ghedt
hrowi
nghi
sey
es
backtothel
ett
er

Readi
ng.
..
..

MI A:thatwast hebegi nningofmymi ser able

l
ife(cr
yingemoj i)Iwal kedar oundsmel li
ngawf ul
withar ott
enfaceandhand, wormswer ef easti
ngon
mebuthenev erf el
tsor r
yorapol ogizedev enonce,I
knowy oupr obabl ywontbel i
evet hisbuti tstruemy
dearsister,Mandl aisev ili
fnott hedev i
lhi mself
,but
any way,MsWi l
liamsf eltsorryformeand
i
nt r
oducedmet oGod, I
'l
lforeverbegr ateful
becauset hatiswher eIgotmyheal ingaf termany
mont hsofsuf fering,shepr ayedf ormeandoneday
whenIwokeupIwascompl et
elyhealed,Iknowy ou
dontwantt ohearthisbutIwasgl adandmor ethan
happyaf terfindi
ngoutshei smymot her,knowing
um yourbl oodsi st
ersaddenedmemor ebecauseI
can'
tstopt hinkingofwhatIdi dtoy ou,Isoldy outo
thedevilandIcan' tjusti
fyitbutIam askingf oryour
for
giveness, yesIwasst upidandnai vebutIam a
changedper son,Iwouldliketogett oknowy ouand
havethatsi sterbondwi thyouImeany our eall
ylook
l
ikeani ceper sonitsjustthatyouar estil
langryof
whichIv erymuchunder stand,pleasefinditinyour
hearttofor giveme

Her
ubbedhi
stear
sandl
ookedbacki
nthel
ett
er

Readi
ng.
..
..

MIA:'
um gl
adhebroughtyoubackandIhopeyou
bel
ievewhatIsai
dabouthim andt
akehi
mt o
church,
.
dowhatsbestforyou
Muchl
ove
Yourdearsi
sterMi
a

Hef i
nishedr eadi
ngast earsfloweddown, hewas
ful
lofr egretandsti
ll
couldn'tunder standhowhe
managedt obesoev ilandnotf eelsorryor
remorsef ul,
hesighedandt urnedl ookingatt he
kit
chenbutt henhesawsomet hing,heblinkedafew
ti
mest hinkingitwoulddisappearbuti tdi
dn't

MANDLA:
Zu-
zu.
..
..

Hemov edbackt er
r i
fiedseeingtheugl ycreaturebut
surpri
singlyitsl
owl ycl oseditseyeswhi leit
shuge
headf el
l downt henwei r
dlytheimagesl owly
vanished, hebli
nkedandr ubbedhisey estryi
ngt o
seebuti thaddisappear ed,hesighedi nreli
efand
touchedhi schest ,
f orsomewei r
dr easonhi schest
waswar m andhef elthisheartbeating,thatwas
somet hinghehadn' texper i
encedinal ongtime, hi
s
chestwasf or evercoldandhenev ernotev enonce
fel
thi shear tbeati nmanyy earsbutt odayhef elt
totall
ydi fferent ,
hishear tdidn'tf
eel coldorhar dened
any mor esohesmi ledtearfull
yashesat
comf ort
abl eont hecouch, somet hingMandl adi dn't
knowi st hatZumbahadt akenov erhi shear t
,he
l
ivedt hr
oughhi mt hatiswhyhenev erf eltany
remor seoranysor tofsy mpat hyinthismanyy ears,
thesnakespi ritthatwasl ivi
nghi m hadhar denedhi s
heartandmadei tcold,yesatsomei nst ancest he
spiri
twoul dl eavet empor ari
lywhenZumbawasi n
ther estingar eat hatishowhemanagedt ofallfor
Gracebecauset henhi shear twarmedupt oheras
hel i
kedhersi ncet hefir
stday ,Zumbawasabl et o
accommodat ehisoneneedbecausehehadpl anned
tosacr i
ficeGr acei ntheendbutf ail
edbutt oday
aft
ert hepast or'
spr ayersthespi r
itcompl etelyleft
him andhewast otall
ydel i
veredandf ree.

Hesmil
edt
earf
ullyandlookedatthelet
terashi
s
smi
lesl
owl
yvanished,i
tbroughtbacksomany
memori
est
hathewi sheditwaspossibl
etochange
butknewitwasi mpossible,helookeddownr ubbi
ng
hisheadasthegirlf
rom ear l
ieratthehospi
tal
crossedhi
smi nd,heli
terall
yr ememberedeveryt
hing
thathadhappenedindet ail
sohel ookeddownas
tearsfl
oweddownhi sface

GRACE:
(sof
tl
y)hey
,ar
eyouf
ine?

Shepathi
sshoul
dersashelookedupathert
earf
ull
y,
shefr
ownedandlookedatt
helett
eri
nhishand

GRACE:
isi
tthel
ett
er,
what
'
sint
her
e?Letmesee

Shet
ri
edsnatchi
ngt
hel
ett
erbuthequi
ckl
ymov
ed
hi
shandhi
dingit

GRACE:
what
sgoi
ngon?
MANDLA:
Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hingbef
orey
ou
r
eadt
hisl
ett
er

GRACE:
(satdowncur
ious)okay
,whati
sit
?

Heswal lowedhardandl ookedi

nherinnocentf
ace
scaredthatitmightactual
lybet
helastti
mehesees
herasshej ustmightwantnothi
ngtodowi thhi
m
aft
erfindingouteveryt
hing

GRACE:
um l
i
steni
ng,
whati
sit
?

MANDLA:
promi
semey
ouwontl
eav
eme

GRACE:
whywoul
dIl
eav
eyou?

MANDLA:
promi
se
GRACE:okay
,Ipr
omi
seIwon'
tl
eav
eyounowt
ell
me
al
ready

Heclearedhisthr
oatandstar
tednarr
ati
ngthewhole
stor
yfrom thebegi
nningasGrace'
sheartbeat
rai
sed,hisconf
essionwasabittooscar
yandt oo
much

MANDLA:
(tear
ful
ly
)soIopenedthesmal lcont
ainer
andt
ookt
helastst
epthen.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..

Hecont i
nuednarrat
ingthewholestoryassheslowl
y
stoodup,sheturnedbutstoppedast hei
mageofa
hugesnakeshewasf i
ghti
ngthatnightfl
ashed
throughhermind,sheremember edhowhehad
disappear
edandnowi tal
lmadesense

GRACE:(whi
sper
ingt
ear
ful
l
y)soy
ouwer
e-.
..
..
you
wer
e..
..
Henoddedandcont
inuednar
rat
ingassheshook
herheadt
ear
ful
l
ystaggeri
ngback

MANDLA: sobecauseofthemuchwealt
hIhadto
openthehumantraff
icki
ngbusi
nessandyouwer
e
-
..
..
..
..
..

GRACE: (i
nterr
upted)nonono!Stop!Juststop!I
don'twantt ohearit
,youaresoevi
lIcan'tbel
ieve
-.
..
..
..
(shelookedathimt ear
ful
lyt
henbentsnat chi
ng
thelaterbefor
est or
mingout)

MANDLA: (runni
ngaf
terher
)pl
easedontgo,
Ihav
e
changed,
pleaasee

Sheslammedt hedooronhisf
aceashetear
ful
l
y
turnedleani
ngont hedoort
hensl
ippeddown
breakingint
otears.
..
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
33]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT99

Sheopenedt hecarandqui cklyhoppedindrivi

ngoff
athighspeedasMandl aslowl ystoodup,hisfeet
weret ooheav yforhim ashedr aggedthem tothe
couchwi thtearsstreamingdownhi sface,hefelthi
s
heartbreaki
ngasanunexpl ainableamountofpai n
fi
ll
edhi sheart,hegroanedandt ouchedhischest
gaspingforair
MANDLA:
((gr
oani
ng)ahhhahh

Hebr eathedi nandoutheav il

ythenletgoofhis
chestleaningbackont hecouchast earsflowed,t
he
thoughtofl osingherforeverscaredhim sobadas
hecoul dn'
timagi nehisli
fewi t
houther,herbei
ngin
hisli
fehadbeennot hingbutabl essi
ngbutnowhe
wasl osingherandseemedl i
ketherewasnotmuch
hecoul ddot ochangehermi nd,hesnif
fedand
rubbedhi stearsstil
ll
osti ndeepthoughtsashe
wonder edhowshei sgoi ngtoreactaft
erreadingt
he
l
etter,t
heMi asaggai swhatscaredhim most
becausei tj
ustwentont oshowhowcr ueland
ruthl
esshehadbeen,

Hemov edali
ttl
efor
war
donthecouchand
ev
entuall
yfel
ldownonhi
skneesl
ooki
ngupast
ear
s
st
reameddown

MANDLA:
( br
eaki
ngvoice)ohGodI'mjusta
man(
swal
lowedhard)Idon'tknowhowthisi
sdone
butpl
easeteachmehowt
opr
ay.
.I
-.
..
.Iam sor
ryf
or
al
lthebadIhavedone

Histhr
oatdri
edupaswordscoul
dn'
tcomeout,
he
t
riedspeaki
ngupbuthi
svoicer
anfl
atasmoretear
s
f
loweddown

MANDLA:
(mut
ter
ed)f
uck!

Hef or
cedhisheav ybodyupandwentt othe
l
ounge,hi
stearyey esfel
lonhisphonebythestand
thenhethoughtful
lypickedi
tupanddialed Mia,he
l
ookedatthescr eenbutquickl
yhungupbeforeit
star
tedri
ngingthenhet ap

Her oughlybeatt
hetabl
ewithhi
shandinf
rust
rat
ion
thenhet appedonthemessagesopeni
ngt
heir
conv er
sati
onandstart
edtypi
ng
Ty
ping.
..
..
..

MANDLA: hey ,um gladIr eadt hatl et terbecausei t

helpedmer ememberev er ythi
ngaboutmy self,
I
don'tunder standwhyIf eel differentbutIknowy ou
hav eal ott odowi thitandum gr atef ul,Iknewt he
veryf ir
stdayIl aidmyey esony out haty ouar ea
Godsent ,yesIwoul dn'tcal lyouGodsentt hen
becauseIwascont roll
edbyev il butIal way sknew
youar easpeci alone, whatIf eel f
ory oui st r
ue, deep
andgenui ne, believey oumeI '
v enev erl ovedany one
l
ikeIl ov eyoubef orebutIunder standi fy ouhat eme
now, um sor ryitsmyf aultt haty oul andedi n.a
foreigncount ryandwentt hrought hemostbecause
ofme, i
fonl yturningbackt hehandsoft i
mewas
possi blethenIwoul dmakebet terdeci sions, I
woul dn'thav etakent hatl astst eporopenedt hat
cont ainerbuti tsalldonenow, Ihopey ouf inditin
yourhear ttof orgivemeoneday ,Ithanky ou
becauset hr oughy ouIhav eseent hel ightandI
promi sey ouIwi lldot her ightt hingandhandmy self
overt ot hepol ice,pleaset ellyourf riendIam sor r y
foreveryt
hing,sheknewt heki ndofper sonIwasbut
sti
llkeptquietformysake, Ili
keherf oryou,Iwil
lbe
l
eav i
ngnowt ohandmy selfov ertot hepoliceand
confessmysi nssomay beIwi llnevercomeback
hereandt hat'
sokay,i
t'
sbet tert hannotbei ngableto
rememberwhoy ouar
ebutany wayIhadmadean
agreementwi thmylawy er,all
t hatismi neisyours
aswel l
.Um sorrymylove
Keepwel
l

Hepressedsendandt
hedel
i
ver
ymessager
epor
ted
i
nhisphone

Meanwhi leatMsWi lli

amsshest eppedoutofher
carsnif
fingandshott othei
rhousewher eshe
openedupandst eppedinpassingbyt hem,shegot
i
nherbedr oom andsl ammedt hedoorasshe
tearf
ull
yr eachedinherpockett akingoutthelett
er,
sheunfoldedi tandt hrewhert
ear yeyesinsi
de,tear
s
droppedasshegotov erwhel
medwi themotions,
readi
ngt hroughthewor mspartgotherskin
crawlingthenshef rownedasgoosebumps
appear edonherski n, shewentonr eadingt hewhol e
thi
ngandcr iedgoi ngt hr oughMi a'
sconf essionof
beingi nalov elessr elat i
onshi p,foramomentshe
fel
tbadbutsi ghedt ear ful l
ygoingdown, yesshewas
sad,hur tandscar edbuthi sconf essionhel pedas
nowr eadingt hel etterf el tli
kear epet i
ti
onofwhat
shejusthear d, apar tofherwashappyt hathewas
nowf reeandmay beachangedper son, nowt he
pastor'swor dsofherbei ngthechosenonemade
senseassher emember edhowshehadsol ely
deli
ver edhim, shehadi ndeedf oughtt hebat tl
eand
won, sheputt helet terawayasshel ookedup
tearf
ullydigest i
ngev er ything,tosomeext entshe
fel
tbadwhent hi
nki ngabouthowt hesoci etyt r
eated
him andhowhi smot herhadi ni
tiatedhi m atav ery
youngage, shesomehowunder stoodt hathewas
sti
llyoungbutshecoul dn' tunderstandwhyhedi dn'
t
breakf reeandst opaf tergr owingup, hedef init
ely
wasenj oyi
ngt hedev i
l'
sbenef it
sandr iches" she
thought "
At
eardr
oppedasMi
a'
sconf
essi
onsunki
ntoodeep,
howsheputherwor dsintowr i
ti
ngandexpr essed
hersel
freall
ysoundedgenui neandcomi ngfr
om a
remorsefulperson,shegott heletterandsmiled
tearf
ull
yreadingthel astpart(
(((
(((
MI A:Iwoul
dreall
y
l
iketohav ethatsist
erbondwi thyoubecausey ou
l
ookl i
kear eall
yniceper son-.
'
''
)
Shesmi l
edt ear f
ullyimagi ninghowhav ingabi g
sist
erwoul dbel ike,thet houghtofhowshebr av el
y
andhumbl ywentt otheirhouset heotherday
crossedhermi ndassher emember edhowv er y
warmt hei rhugwas, i
tindeedwashear tfeltandway
toodifferent ,thel ookinherey eswassosi ncer eand
youcoul dt ellhowmuchgenui nel oveshehadf or
her,Gracef oundher selfsmi l
i
ngasshet hought
aboutal lthemoment s.Shenowf el
tli
ghtandi twas
l
ikeahugebur denwasl i
f t
edof fhershoul der s, the
hateandangershecar r
iedf ort hemanymont hshad
unbeli
ev ablyf adedasal lshel ongedf orwast osee
heragai nandgett oknowher ,shejumpedsnappi ng
outoft het rainoft hought shear ingaknock

GRACE:
(pani
cki
ng)ummm.
..
..
ThedoorslowlyopenedandMiast
eppedinsi
deabit
scared,
shewasn'tsurehowshewouldr
eact
becausejudgi
ngbyherlookwhensheent
eredher
moodwast ot
all
yoff

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)hey

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)hi

Miawalkedclosersurpr
isedbyhersmil
e,shehad
neverseenhersmili
nginherpresencebefor
e

MI
A:(
notsur
ewhatt
osay
)umm I
-.
..
..

GRACE:
(int
err
upt
ed)y
esum f
ine

MI
A:(
breat
hedout
)shuu,
,
owkl
etmel
eav
eyou
GRACE:
noi
tsf
iney
oudon'
thav
etogo

Miafr
ownedconfusedbytheresponsethenher
ey
esfell
onasmal lpi
eceofpaper,shelooked
cl
osel
yandrecogni
zedherhandwr it
ing

MI
A:(
pani
cki
ng)y
ouumm,
your
eadt
hat
?

GRACE:
(si
ghed)y
eahIj
ustdi
dnow

MI
A:(
speechl
ess)ohhwow

Shesl
owl
ysatatt
heedgeoft
hebedl
ooki
ngather

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)soy
oubel
i
eveme?
ShenoddedsadlyandMi agaveherasurpri
sedface
becauseforthefi
rstti
mesomeonebelieveher
,no
onebeli
evedherallthi
sti
meandnowt helast
personshethoughtwouldbuyherst
orydid

MIA:Ohhwow!Ijust
,Idon'
tknowwhatt
osay
becausenooneeverbel
iev
edmebutyou-.
..

GRACE:
(cal
m)Iunder
standwhynooneev
erdi
d

MI
A:(
conf
used)huh?

GRACE:hewasusingdar
kpower
sandt
hatbl
i
nded
ever
yonesoyeah

MI
A:buthowdoy
ouknowal
lthi
s

GRACE:
(cal
m)heconf
essed
MI
A:what
?Ar
eyouser
ious?

GRACE:
(sadl
y)y
eah

MI
A:ohhwowIdon'
tknowwhatt
osay

Miashookherheadi
ndisbel
i
efthenherphone
vi
brat
ed,sher
eachedi
nherpockettaki
ngitandr
ead
t
hemessage

Readi
ng.
..
..
..

MANDLA:Heydear ,I
'm notgoodwi t
hwor dsbutI
j
ustwant edtoaskforyourforgi
veness,Ihurty
ouin
themostwor stpossi
blewayandal mostchanged
youintosomet hi
ngyouarenot ,
foralongtimeI
stol
ey ourpeaceandmadey oumi serabl
e,Ihaveno
j
usti
ficati
onsformyactionsbutnowIseet hel
ight
,I
waswr
ongi
nsomanyl
evel
s,
Iam sosor
rydear
.

Shefrownedreadingthemessageandwentdown
readi
ngasshest art
edshaki
ngherheadindi
sbel
i
ef,
i
twassohar dtobelieveheact
uall
ywrot
ethi
s

MI
A:(
whi
sper
ingassher
eadt
hel
astpar
t)noway
s

Sheneverexpectedtogetthisfr
om hi m butshehad
l
onggottenov eri
tandbearednogr udgeagainst
hi
m, whatshest i
ll
couldn'
tunderst
andwaswhyt he
suddenapologiesandconfessi
ons, defi
nit
ely
somethi
ngwasgoi ngonwithhim" shethought"
Meanwhileontheot herhandGr aceremember ed
sheheardherphonebeepi ngal i
ttl
ewhileagoso
shereachedforitandunlockedi t
,shelookedatthe
messageboxandf rownedseeinghisnamet hen
tappedonitr
eadi nghismessage, herheartbeat
rai
sedwhenr eadingthepartwher ehesaidI'l
l
probabl
ynevercomeback, yesshewasscar edof
him nowandcer tainlyverymadathi m butdeep
downsheknewhowmuchshel ovedhim, l
osinghim
wassomet hingshewasn' tr
eadyf orandimagi ning
him behindbar sjustbrokeherhear tint
oami ll
i
on
pieces,tearsformedatt hecor nersofherey esthen
sher emindedher selfoft hesuf f
eri
ngshehadt o
endur ebackinThai landal lbecauseofhi m andit
madeherf eelbetterbecauseapar tofherfelthe
hast opayf orhissins,meanwhi leMi aputherphone
backst i
llamazedt henl ookedatGr acewhol ooked
rathersad

MI
A:ar
eyouf
ine,
whati
sit
?

Shewaswasn' tgoingt ocr

yagainBUthearingher
askifsheisfinejustchangedev ery
thi
ngandshel et
l
ooseofher selfast earsst
reameddown, sheslowly
broughtherphonecl osert
oMi a'
seyesthenshegot
i
tandt hr
ewherey esoni treadi
ngthemessage

MI
A:(
whi
sper
ing)wow!
Shef oundher sel
fsmili
ngassher eadthepar twhere
hetalkedaboutherbei ngaGodsent ,nowt he
suddenconf essionsandapol ogiesmadesense, she
connect edthedot sandf i
guredt hatmay beGr ace
prayedf orhim andbr oughtchanget ohim, she
smiledev enmor ereadinghowheconf essedhi s
l
ov eforher, forawei r
dr easonshewasn' tjeal
ousor
spit
eful,thelet t
ersoundedt oogenui neandshest il
l
couldn'tbeli
ev ethatit
shi m say i
ngallthi
s,itsurefelt
l
ikeaf airytale

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)wow!

GRACE:
(lookedathersur
pri
sedbyhersmi
l
es)

MIA:y
ouaret
rul
yMsWill
i
amsdaughter
,howon
ear
thdidy
oumanaget
ochangesuchperson,
wow!

Mi
aputt
hephoneawayandcl
appedonceasGr
ace
smil
edali
tt
le,
thewayshekepton.
say
ing"
wow"
'
sas
begi
nni
ngtosoundali
tt
lef
unny

MIA:hai
,thi
sistoomucht ostomachinj
ustoneday
Imean,Ineversawt hi
sonecoming,
Mandla
Matt
hewsapol ogi
sing,wow!

MI
A:(
stooduphol
dingherwai
st)wow!

Gr
acel
aughedoutt
henMi
alookedbackather

MI
A:(
conf
used)what
?

Sheshruggedhershoul
der
sasMi
asatdownagai
n
peaki
nginthelet
ter

MI
A:(
thought
ful
l
y)ar
en'
tyougoi
ngt
osayby
e?
GRACE:
huh?

MIA:yes,
hei
shandi
nghi
msel
fov
ert
othepol
i
ce
r
ight

Sherememberedthatpar
tandsi
ghedsadl
ybef
ore
shaki
ngherhead

GRACE:
no

MI
A:okay

Mi
asi
ghedandl
ookedbackathersadf
ace

MI
A:okay
,canIgoandmakey
ousomet
hingt
oeat
?

GRACE:
(sadl
y)y
eah
MI
A:okay

Shegotupandl eanedcloserkissi
ngherf orehead
befor
ewalkingout,Gracelookedathersur pri
sedas
shewalkedoutthenshesmi l
edandt ouchedher
for
eheadasMi aturnedtotheki t
chen,shewal kedup
tothecounterandremember edsheki ssedher
for
ehead,shediditsounawar e

MI
A:wow!

Shetouchedherli
psandsmil
edbeforeshruggi
ng
hershoul
dersconti
nui
ngwit
hpreparat
ion

Meanwhileint
helivi
ngroom, shest
oodupand
walkedtoherroom whereshestoppedatthedoor
andheavedahugesadsi gh,shewasn'tsure
whethersheshouldcomei nornotbutsheendedup
changi
nghermi ndandturnedtotheothersi
de
l
eavi
ng.
..
..
100SHARESONTHISINSERTTO
UNLOCKTOMORROW' SBONUS
#
#
#
Pl
easecomment
Li
ke
Shar
e
[
7/19,
08:
33]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT100

Hepr
essedhi
sphonedi
ali
nghi
m

THEMBA:
MrMat
thews

MANDLA:
(sadl
y)Ir
ememberev
ery
thi
ngman
Thembasmi
l
edabi
tandSi
ghedi
nrel
i
ef

THEMBA:
ohhwow!That
s-.
..
that
sgoodnews

MANDLA:
(down)y
eah

THEMBA:sodoest
hatmeany
ouchangedy
ourmi
nd?
Imean-
..
..
..

MANDLA:
nomanIhav
en'
tandum notgoi
ngt
o

THEMBA: (al
i
ttl
escar
ed)pl
easeman,
don'
tdo
thi
s,
please

MANDLA:
(cal
m)don'
twor
ryIwon'
tbr
ingy
oudown
wi
thme
THEMBA: butst
il
lman,youcan'
tdot
his,
wewi
l
lal
l
j
ustst
artonacleanslat
e

MANDLA: (
swal
lowedhard)t
hereisa.
loyy
oujust
don'tknowaboutme,Iam(paused)iwasabad
person

THEMBA: ohhcomeon,Iknowyouarefeel
ingbad
aboutal
lthegi
rl
sbutman,wecanstartafr
esh,
pl
ease

MANDLA:
youdon'
tunder
stand

Hesi
gheddef
eat
ed

THEMBA:
okaybutt
hanky
ouf
orsav
ingme

MANDLA:
sur
e,umm.
..
Ineedy
out
odosomet
hing
f
orme

THEMBA:
(at
tent
ive)okay

MANDLA: I'l
lprobablygoawayf oral ongtimeor
foreverandIhav enofamil
ysopl easehel pGrace
withthecompany ,
um leav
ingev eryt
hinginher
names, I'
l
l sendy ouallmylawyer'sdetail
sand
everythi
ngsoy oucangowr apupt hewhol et
hing.
Andshei sst il
lmadatmeandpr obablyhatesme
butum sur eshewi l
lcal
m downwi t
ht i
meandagr ee
totakeov ersoj ustcarr
yonwhi l
eshei sheal
ing,
pleasedon' tsayno

THEMBA:
(ey
espopped)ev
ery
thi
ng?

MANDLA:
(cal
m)y
eah

THEMBA:
yoh,
okayIheary
ou
MANDLA:okayt
hanksman,
pleaset
eachher
ev
ery
thi
ngoncesheagr
eestoit

THEMBA:(
sadl
y)Igotyouman,Isti
l
lcan'
tbel
i
eve
youar
edoi
ngthi
s,whatthehel
lhappenedt
oyou?

MANDLA:
(si
ghed)y
ouwoul
dn'
tgeti
t

THEMBA:
fai
renough

MANDLA:
(thought
ful
l
y)ohhandonemor
ethi
ng

THEMBA:
okay

MANDLA:
thatgi
rl
,doy
our
ememberher
?
THEMBA:
(fr
owned)whi
chgi
rl
?

MANDLA: t
hepeti
teone,umm theonewhousedt
o
hangoutwit
hGraceaft
erThai
land

THEMBA:
I'
mlostman

Mandl
ascr
atchedhi
sheadt
ryi
ngt
odescr
ibeher

MANDLA: ohhyah,
doy ouremembert
hatti
mewhen
Iarr
ivedbackf
rom Thai
landwi
tht
hegirl
s,t
heher
o
ti
me?

THEMBA:
yesIr
emember

MANDLA:ehe,doyouremembert hegir
lwhowas
wi
thGr
acet heent
ir
et i
meatt hepol
icestat
ion,
we
ev
endroppedheroffatherhousekana
THEMBA:
(remember
ed)ohht
hebabyf
acedone?
?

MANDLA:
'
yest
hatone,
Ineedonel
astf
avorf
rom
you

THEMBA:
:(r
eluct
ant
ly)okay

MANDLA: okay
,gi
vehermyshar
eoft
hel
ast
exchange

THEMBA:
(jumped)what
?

MANDLA: y
eah,
giv
eital
ltoher
.i
tst
hel
eastIcando
af
teral
lIdi
d

THEMBA: (
laughedindisbel
i
ef)Idon'tl
i
kewherethi
s
i
sgoing,
whatt hehell
happenedtoy ou?That
'sa
whol el
otofmoneyIswearshei
sgoi
ngtofai
nt
seeingit
,st
opall
thi
sgamesbecausei
tsnoteven
funnyanymore

MANDLA: (ser
ioustone)pl
easedot hatandIalmost
forgotabouther,Iwil
lpassbyy ourhouseandgiv
e
youanenv elopebeforeheadingtopoli
cestat
ion,
pleasegiveittoheranddon'topenit

Thembashookhi sheadashecoul dn'

tunder
stand
whyhisfri
endhadsuddenl ychangedandbecameal l
ri
ghteous,
heagr eedthatthehumant r
affi
cki
ngisa
badideaandt heyshouldstopitbuthewasagainst
al
ltheconfessionsandgivingupmoney

THEMBA:
hai
sh,
okayman

MANDLA:
alr
ightby
e
Hehungupandpr essedhi sphonesendi nghi s
l
awy erat extthenni cel yputt hephonei nadr awer
andt ookoutanot epadandapenscr ibbling
somet hingdown, het ear edupt hepaperandputi tin
hispocketbef or egoi ngt ohi sbedr oom wher ehe
openedt hedr awer ssear ching, hef oundanenv elope
andt ookoutt hel etterput ti
ngi tinsideandseal edi t
thengr abbedt heAMG key sheadi ngout ,he
stoppedatt hemai ndoorandt urnedsadl yt akingt he
l
astlookofhi shouse, hebecamet ooemot ional
l
ookingar oundt henheav edasadsi ghashet urned
holdi
ngt hedoorknobopeni ngup, shest epped
outsideandwal kedt ot hegar age, i
tsl i
dopent hen
heunl ockedithoppi ngi nside, hesl owl yrev ersedout
andt urnedfacingt hedr ivewayashedr ovepastt he
securityoffi
ce, hepr essedt hehoot erwav ing,they
l
ookedatt hecart ot allysur prised, hehadnev eri n
hisent i
reexistenceev erdi dthatsot heycoul dn' tget
whyt odayofaday s, meanwhi lehest eppedont he
acceleratordrivingaway , t
hirt
ymi nut esl aterhe
arri
vedatMandl a'spl acesohehoot edandt hegat e
sli
dopent henhehoppedoutandt heymethal fway
MANDLA:
(gi
vi
nghi
mtheenv
elope)
heyman,
her
e

THEMBA:
(sadl
y)whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?

MANDLA:I
'
vegott
odot
hisman,
thanksf
or
ev
ery
thi
ng

THEMBA:
what
sinher
e?

MANDLA:
pleasedon'
topeni
t

Thembasadlylookedathim ashefel
thisheart
Breaki
ng,hest
il
lcouldn'
tbel
ievehi
sfri
endwas
l
eav i
ngandmaynev ercomeback,hewishedthere
wasawayofchangi nghismindbutthelookinhis
eyesshowedhewasn' tgoi
ngtogobackonhi s
words
THEMBA:
(sadl
y)um goi
ngt
omi
ssy
ouman

Theyallkeptquietpassi ngthroughamomentof
si
lence,Thembabecamet ooemot i
onal andfai
ledto
holdhistearsin,helookeddownt ryi
ngt ohidethem
butMandl alongsawt hem, hesighedsadl yand
walkedov erforahug, Thembaf el
linhisarmsand
cri
edhishear tout,f
oramomentt he" Iam aman
andtough"i nhim hadv anishedashecr iedhisheart
out

MANDLA: (
rubbi
nghisbackt
earful
l
y)um.
sor
ryman
butI
'v
egottodot hi
s,st
opcr
yingandbeaman,y
ou
wil
lvi
sitme

Thembasl
owlypul
l
edofff
rom t
hehugandr
ubbed
hi
stear
str
yingt
osmil
e

THEMBA:
all
thebestman
MANDLA:
thanky
ou

Thembal
ookedatt
heenv
elopeandwav
edi
t

THEMBA:
I'
m sur
eIr
ememberherpl
ace,
wil
lgi
vei
t
toher

MANDLA:
IknewIcanal
way
scountony
ou,
umm
by
e

THEMBA:
(pathi
sshoul
der
)by
e

Het urnedandwalkedbacktohiscarhoppi
ngin
thenst ar
tedthecarr
eversi
ng,
hesteppedonthe
accelerat
ordriv
ingawayasThembat ear
ful
l
y
watchedhi scardi
sappeari
ng.
..
..
.
ATMSWI
LLI
AMS

Mi
awal
kedt
oherr
oom wi
tht
het
ray

MI
A:(
sof
tl
y)Gr
ace

Sheputi
tdownandnot icedshehaddozedof fso
shesmil
edandt ookofficehershoest hent
ooka
fl
eecebl
anketputti
ngitov erherbody,shewal
ked
backandswit
chedof fthelight
swal ki
ngoutofher
room

Meanwhi
l
eatPol
i
ce

Hepar kedthecarandbr avelywalkedinsi

de,hewent
upt orecepti
onandgr eeted,Sherai
sedherey esas
theyfellontothemostchar minghunkoft own,he
l
ookedev enmor ecutewiththeli
ttl
ebeardsonhis
chin,shewor eaninfect
ioussmi l
egreeti
ngback
HER:
hel
l
osi
r,howmayIhel
pyou

MANDLA:Iwoul
dli
ketor
epor
tmy
sel
forshoul
dI
saymakeaconf
essi
on

HER:
(fr
owned)ohh?

MANDLA:
yesmam

HER:(pani
cki
ng)ummm okay
,yougor
oom t
enon
yourr
ight

MANDLA:
thanky
ou

Heturnedt
otheri
ghtwalki
ngawayasshel
ookedat
hi
m admiri
nghi
sstrongarms,
meanwhil
eatt
hedoor
hekncoked
VOI
CE:
comei
n

Het
urnedt
hedoorknobst
eppi
ngi
nsi
de

MANDLA:
goodev
eni
ngsi
r

POLICEMAN: MrMat thews,whatasurpr

ise?We
thoughty
ouarestil
latthehospit
al,
areyouheret
o
enquir
eaboutyouratt
ackcase?

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ing)umm act
ual
l
yno,
Ijust
,Iam her
e
t
omakeaconf
ession

Thepoliceoff
icerbi
thi
spenandmov
edabi
tonhi
s
chai
rlookingathim

POLI
CEMAN:
(sur
pri
sed)conf
essi
on?
MANDLA:
yessi
r

POLI
CEMAN:
okay
,youmaynar
rat
eyourst
ory

Hecl ear
edhi
sthroatandst
art
edconf
essi
ngabout
hishumantraff
icki
ngbusi
nessast
hepoli
ceof
fi
cer
l
istenedcar
eful
ly.
..
..
..

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

hedar ggedhi sheavybodytotheloungeandsat

downsl i
ppingintoatrai
nofthought s,thedoor
slammedf r
om thekit
chenandhesnappedoutofi t
thenst oodupmaki nghiswayt othesecr etroom,he
steppedi nsideandlockeduplookingatt hemoney
beforehesquat t
eddowncount i
ng, hemov edahuge
chunkofmoneyt othesideandcont inuedcounti
ng
thenher eachedi nhispocket
stakingoutt he
envelope, hesighedandputitontooft hechunk
beforepull
ingthedoortoopenupashest eppedout,
hequickl
yl ookedbothsidesmakingsurePret
ty
wasntany wherenearthensighedinr
eli
efshooti
ng
str
aighttotheshower..
..
.THENEXTDAY
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ke
Comment
Shar
e
[
7/19,
08:
34]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT101

Shelookedinthesmallmi r
rorpoutingandadmi red
herf
ace,themakeupwasper f
ectlydoneand
bl
endedwell wi
thherskin,sheputt hemirrordown
andtouchedherchestpushinghercl eav
ageal it
tle
up,t
hemat t
ebur gundydressperfectl
yfi
ttedherand
gaveheracl assylook,
shesmi l
edandgother
designerbagsteppingout,
sheclosedt hedoorand
steppedoutwal ki
ngwithherheldhigh,tenminut
es
l
atershear r
ivedatthebusstopwher eshesatdown
waiti
ngundert heshade,whil
estil
lther
eherphone
rang

FI
FI:
heyf
ri
end

PRETTY:
arey
oust
il
lcomi
ng?

FI
FI:
ofcour
se,
um st
il
lwai
ti
ngf
orabus

PRETTY:
whathappenedt
oyourcar
?

FI
FI:
li
keIsai
d,i
tsjustal
ongstor
yI'
llt
elly
ouwhen
wemeet,pl
easefowardt
helocat
iondetai
ls
PRETTY:
okaywi
l
lsendj
ustnow

FI
FI:
alr
ightby
e

PRETTY:
bye

Shehungupandgotherhandbagwal ki
ngbackt
o
themasterbedr
oom wher
eshef oundhi
m dr
essi
ng
up,,
tyi
ngtheshoel
aceshelookedupather

THEMBA:
Ithoughty
oul
eft

PRETTY:
no,
Ihav
etot
ell
yousomet
hing,
um hi
ri
ng
Fi
fi

THEMBA:
(hear
tpoundi
ng)f
if
i?

PRETTY:
yeahmyf
ri
end,
Iknowy
oudon'
tl
ikeherbut
shehaschangedbabeyoushouldhavehear
dhow
humbleandsincer
eshesoundedonthephone

Thembat
hought
ful
l
ylookedatherandnodded

THEMBA:
okayy
oucanhi
reher

PRETTY:
(st
art
edsmi
l
ing)ar
eyouser
ious?

THEMBA:
(nodded)

PRETTY:
ohht
hanky
out
hanky
oubabe

Shewal kedcl oserandplantedasoftkissonhi

s
l
ips,shemov edbackashi scolognesomehowmade
herf eel
dizzy,shetouchedherheadf rowningt
hen
quicklycoveredhermout hal mostpuking,
shetooka
tur
nandqui cklyrantothebat hr
oom wheresheknel
t
downt
hrowi
ngup

THEMBA:
(wal
kedov
erwor
ri
ed)ar
eyouf
inebabe?

Shegotupandbendednextt
othebasi
nri
nsi
ngher
mouth

PRETTY:(
wipi
nghermouthwi
that
issue)i
tsy
our
col
ognebabe,
itst
oost
rong

THEMBA:butI
'vebeenusi
ngi
tsi
ncef
orev
erandy
ou
nev
ercomplai
ned

Shef
lashedt
het
issueasshef
eltal
otbet
ter

PRETTY: noi
tstoomuchbabe(checkedherwri
st
watch)Iam sogoingt
obelat
ebabel etmeleave
now
Shepassedhim andgotherbagwal ki ngoutashe
seducti
vel
ybithislowerli
psmi l
inglooki ngatheras
sheswunghermi l
li
ondollarbodyout .Shesl ammed
thedoorandhoppedi nhercardr i
vi
ngoutoft he
mansionasThembawal kedt othesecr etroom
wherehebentpi cki
ngthel et
terthent ookabr ief
casepackingthebundlesofmoneyi nside,oncehe
wasdonehest eppedoutandcl osedt hedoor
makinghiswayout ,wit
ht hebriefcasei nhi sleft
hand,hestoppedbyt heloungegr abbi nghis
masserati
carkey sandleft..
..
..
.

Onehourl
ater
..
..
..
.

Hesl owl
ydr ovetowar dsthefencedy ar
d,ashe
parkedatthegat eay ounggirlbetweentheagesof
tenandfift
eenst eppedout si
deinv eryt
ornclothes
walkingbarefoot,shestoppedandl ookedatthe
fancycarsur pr
ised,nooneev ervisi
tedthem except
forMsWi ll
iamsandt heydidn'
treall
yhaverich
fr
iendsandf amilysoshewonder edwhocoul dthe
strangerbe,whil
estil
li
nthoughtshest eppedout
andcl osedthedoorwalki
ngov er,hi
sey escouldn't
stopnot i
cingthetor
nclot
hesandhowshewal ked
barefootintheverycol
dweat her
, apartofhimf el
ta
bi
tsadbutknowi ngthebr
iefcaseinhishandswi l
l
helpoutmadehi mfeelal
itt
lebettersohest opped
andgr eeted

THEMBA:
hel
l
onana

HER:(
looki
ngathi
sni
ceshoes)hel
l
omysi
steri
s
sl
eepi
ng

THEMBA:
pleasecal
lherout
side

HER:
okaywai
ther
e

Shet
urnedandwal
kedi
nsi
decal
l
ingouthername
HER:
Rat
i,
Rat
ither
eissomeoneout
side

RATI
:(sl
eepy
)mhm

HER:(shaki
ngher
)ther
eissomeonel
ooki
ngf
ory
ou
out
side

RATI
:(r
ubbi
ngherey
es)whoi
sit
?

HER:
Idon'
tknowhi
m

RATI
:(y
awni
ng)hi
m?

Shesatupri
ghtandmov edtothewindowmov ingi
t
andpeakedoutsi
de,hereyesfel
lonhishandsome
sel
fasshelookedathimf r
om toptobott
om
admir
inghi
sout f
it
,shelookedathi
sandwonder ed
whohemi ghtbeandwhathecoul
dpossibl
ywant
f
rom hersoshegotupandwalkedout
side

RATI
:(sof
tl
y)hel
l
o,Ihear
dyouwant
edt
oseeme

THEMBA:(
soft
ly)umm hi
Iwassentbysomeonet
o
gi
veyout
his

Hi
svoiceechoedinherearsasshet r
iedsohardt
o
r
ememberwher esheheardhisvoice,shecoul
dn'
t
r
ememberhisf acebuthi
svoicesuresounded
f
amil
iar

THEMBA:
(gi
vi
nghert
hebr
iefcase)umm her
e

Shesnappedoutofi
tandgott
hebr
ief
case

RATI
:whati
sinher
e?
THEMBA:
youcanopeni
tnow

Shecuri
ouslyputi
tdownandunzippedi
tthenhe
eyespopped,shequi
ckl
ystoodupcover
ingher
mouthtotal
lysur
pri
sedthenThembahandedhera
smallpi
eceofpaper

THEMBA:
her
e,I
'
lll
eav
enow

RATI
:(gott
hepapershaki
ng)whati
sgoi
ngon?

THEMBA:Iguessall
youneedt
oknowi
sint
hel
ett
er
um j
ustamessenger

RATI:
(shaki
ng)noIcan'tt
akethi
s,wheredoyouget
thi
smuchmoney ,um sorr
ybutIcan'
tacceptt
his
Herl
i
ttl
esi
sterst
eppedout
sideandherey
esf
ell
on
t
hemanybundlesofmoney

HER:
(exci
ted)si
rar
eyougi
vi
ngusthismoney?Oh
myGodIwi l
lnowbeabl
etogetwar
m shoes

Shequickl
yranov
erandsquat
tedpi
cki
ngt
he
bundl
esofmoneyexcit
ed

THEMBA:(l
ooki
ngatRat
i)Ial
socan'
tgobackwi
th
themoney

RATI
:noyouhavetotakeallt
hisback,
Ican'taccept
somuchmoneyfrom anunknownsour ce(
lookedat
herl
i
ttl
esi
ster
)putthatbackbabyit
snotourmoney

HER: (
sadly)Iwasstandi
ngatt
hedoor
eavesdroppingandhesaidt
hemoneyi
sal
lyour
s
pleasetakesomeandbuymeshoesanda
j
ersey
(teardr
opped)pl
ease

Tearsfl
oweddownast heyal
lsadl
ywatchedher,
sherubbedhertear
ssnif
fi
ngandlookedathersi
ster
wit
hbeggingeyes

HER:(
tear
ful
l
y)pl
easet
akesomeandIpr
omi
seI
'
ll
passt
hist
erm

Ratiswallowedhar dlookingatherlit
tl
esi ster'
st or
n
oldclothesthenherhear tbrokeintoami lli
onpi eces,
sheslippedi ntoatrai
noft houghtsasshet hought
abouthowf indingajobhasbeensohar df orherand
howt heirfoodbasket swereempt yasi thadbeena
l
itt
lewhi l
esi nceMsWi l
li
amsbr oughtthem f ood,
Thembacl earedhisthroatgett
ingherat t
ent i
on

THEMBA:
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ng,
pleaser
eadt
hel
ett
er
RATI:butsi rIcant -.
..
...
..
(Het urnedandwal kedaway
asRati pacedbehi ndhi m,hei ncr easedthespeed
andqui cklyhoppedi nhiscart henst art
edt hecaras
Ratistoppedatt hepassengersi debuthest epped
ontheaccel eratorjoi
ningt her oadasshel ookedat
hiscarspeedi ngof f
,meanwhi leThel i
tt
lesister
smiledhappi l
yandt r
iedtopul l t
hebr iefcasebutit
wasal ittl
eheav yforhersoshebentanddr aggedit
i
nsidet heirhouseasRat iwalkedov er,shet ur
nedto
thebedr oom st il
ldraggingi tandt hr
ewher selfon
thebedbr eat hingheav il
y

HER:Ratipl
easedonttakethemoneyback,
(smil
i
ng)
Iwantshoes,aj
acket,
sleepers,
apenci
l
,penanda
bookthenyoualsobuymecakeandchocolate

Rati
sighedandsatatt
heedgeoft
hebedunf
oldi
ng
thel
etter

Readi
ng.
..
..
..
.
MANDLA:
DearGr
ace'
sfr
iend
Iforal ongt imewasl ostandser vedt hedev il
unknowi ngly,youmi ghtnotbel i
evet hisIdi dn'
tsee
any t
hingwr ongwi thwhatIwasdoi ng, y oubecamea
victi
m andwentt hrought hemostal lbecauseofme
andIam v erysorryf orwhatIputy out hrough, ifI
couldbacki nt i
met henIwoul dmakebet ter
decisionsbutIcan' t, wheny oucamet ot hehospital
thatdayIhadt empor ari
lylostmymemor ybutnowI
rememberev ery
thingandt hankstomydearonef or
shepr ay edf ormeandsetmef r
ee, all thatIcando
nowi sownupt omymi stakesandt ake
responsi bili
tyformyact i
ons,bythet i
mey ouread
thislett
erIwi ll
bebehi ndbar spayingupf ormy
sins,
say ingsor ryisn'tenoughsoI '
m gi vingy ouall
thismoneysoy oucanbet t
eryoursel fbecauseI
under standhowmybei nggreedydest roy edyourli
fe
sopl easeacceptt hismoney .
Ihopethismakesyouunderst
andwhyIdi dcertain
thi
ngs"mymot herwasi
ntosorcerysoshei ni
ti
ated
meat averyy
oungage,I
.l
ivedall
myl i
febeing
control ledbyt hedev ilandIcoul dn'tdoany thing
abouti tbecauseIdi dn'thav eanyl ightinmeand
couldn' ttellbetweenr ightandwr ong, andIhadso
muchhat redt owar dsmanki ndbecauseIwas
conv i
ncedt heyar en'tforme, Ibelievedt heonl y
personwhol ovedmewasmyf ri
endandser pent s,
yesIbowedbef oreser pent sandbel ievedinthedar k
power s, t
heni twor kedf ormebecauseIbecamet oo
power fulanddi gnifi
ed, I'
m notgoodwi t
hwor dsbut
i
nanutshel lIwasser vingadi fferentGodt hati s
whyIdi dallthosehor riblethingsandhur talotof
peopl e, Ican'tgett hroughal lthosewhoIhav ehur t
butatl eastIcangett oy ou,pleasef orgivemeand
uset hismoneyt obet tery ourselfthenmay beone
dayhel ppeopl ewhohav ewentt hroughwhaty ou
havebyopeni ngawomen' sshel ter,Iknowum
askingal otf rom y oubutpl easecont actmyl awy er
on71263. .
..
hewi llthenecessar yar rangement st o
gettheshel terupandr unning
Keepwel
lbl
ackchi
l
d.

ATMSWI
LLI
AMS
shezippedherbagandwal
kedoutwher
eshe
hoppedindri
vingof
fasMsgWill
i
amssadlypeaked
outsi
dewatching

MIA:(
leani
ngbythekit
chendoor
)admitt
ingwher
e
youwentwrongwouldn'
tbeabadidea

Shej
umpedandl
ookedbackather

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
dontsneakupon.
me

MI
A:(
sighed)Iknowy
ouhear
dme

MSWI LLIAMS:(
sadl
y)Idon'
tev
enknowwher
eto
begi
n,If
ail
edher

MI
A:y
oucanst
il
lfi
xitma,
itsnotl
atej
ustt
alkt
oher
becausesher
eal
l
yneedsy
ou

MSWI LLI
AMS: Idon'
tknowwher
eandhowtost
art
,I
thi
nkshelostf
aithi
nme,(t
ear
sfor
medatthe
corner
sofhereyes)

MSWILLI
AMS:
(tear
ful
l
y)If
ail
edmybabyand-
..
..
I
mi
ssher

MI
A:j
ustt
alkt
oher
,It
hinkshemi
ssesy
out
oo

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
doy
out
hinkso?

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)Iknowso

MSWILLI
AMS:
(smi
l
ing)okayIwi
l
ltal
ktoher
,thank
you
Miawalkedoverandhuggedherasshebecame
emoti
onalandletl
oseofthetear
s

ATCHURCH

Shepar kedt hecarandheav edahugesi ghbefore

steppi
ngout ,sheclosedthecarandwal kedtowards
thebuildingt henherphonev ibratedfrom herpocket
,
whilewal kingsher eachedi nherpocketandt ookit
outlookingatt hescreenas. manynot i
fi
cati
ons
report
ed, shebr owsedthroughandherey es
widenedl ooki ngathispictureshandcuf fedin
orangeov erallswalki
ngbar efoot,cornersfor
medat
thecor nersofherey esashert hroatdr i
edup, t
he
pastorsawherandwal kedov er,helookedather
tearyfaceasshef i
xedherey esont hephone

PASTOR:
arey
ouf
ine?

GRACE:
(Br
eaki
ngv
oice)he-
..
.he.
..
.
Shegavehi
mt hephonet
henhel
ookedatt
he
scr
eensmil
ingproud

PASTOR: wow!Um happytoseethi

s,i
ndeedyou
foughtt
hefightmydear,
um proudtohavea
spir
it
ualdaughterl
i
keyou

GRACE:(cr
ying)
Idi
dn'
tbel
i
evehi
m whenhesai
d
-
..
..
.ohGodwhydoesithur
t

Tear
sstreameddownherfaceuncontr
oll
ablyasthe
past
orheldherhandswal
ki
ngupt othebenches

ATPRETTYSMAKEOVER

Fif
iwalkedi
nastheyhuggedbutPret
tystor
medout
tothebathr
oom wheresheknel
tontheseat
thr
owingupasFifif
oll
owedher
FI
FI:
(wor
ri
ed)ar
eyouf
ine?

PRETTY:
(ri
nsedhermout
h)

FI
FI:
'
what
swr
ongf
ri
end?

PRETTY:(
wipi
nghermout
h)i
tsy
ourper
fumef
ri
end,
It
hinki
t'
stoostr
ong

Fi
fil
ookedathersmi
l
ingasPr
ett
yfr
owned

PRETTY:
(rai
sedherey
ebr
ows)what
?

FI
FI:
meani
ng

Fi
fil
aughedt
henPr
ett
ysl
i
ght
lysl
appedherchestas
t
heywal
kedout
..
..
..4YEARSLATER

100SHARESUNLOCKSTOMORROW'
S2PM I
NSERT
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
[
7/19,
08:
35]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT102

FOURYEARSLATER.
..
.

Shel
ookedatherwristwatchandgotherVer
sace
bagwal
kingoutpassingbyrecept
ion
RECEPTIONI
ST:
hel
l
omam y
ourchauf
feuri
swai
ti
ng
out
side

GRACE:(
smil
ing)Ial
mostf
orgotaboutt
he
meet
ing,
onl
yrememberednow

RECEPTIONIST:(
laughi
ng)haubossl
adybathong,
buti
tsonlybeentenminutessoi
tsnotbad

GRACE: (
smil
ing)al
right
,pl
easef
indaslotf
orTHB
pr
ojectdesi
gners,t
heycall
edbeggingt
omeetup

RECEPTI
ONIST:
butmam,
yourschedul
efor
tomor
rowisabi
tti
ght

GRACE:I
'
m sur
ethi
rt
yminuteswon'
tbebad,
squeeze
t
hem bet
weenmylunchhours
RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
(smi
l
ing)al
ri
ghtMsWi
l
li
ams

GRACE:
bye

Shesmi ledandcatwalkedhercurvaceousbody
towardst heexi
tasherheelsechoedont hecorr
idor,
shest eppedoutandr eachedforhershades
protecti
ngher sel
ffrom t
hesunli
ght,
innot i
meshe
wasatt hecarsoshet ookthem of
fast hechauffeur
tri
edtoopenupt hedoorforher

GRACE:
ohhcomeonTom,
youdon'
thav
etodot
hat
,I
hav
emyhands

CHAUFFEUR:
butmam

GRACE:
I'
mfi
ner
eal
l
y
Hesi gheddefeat
edandsteppedbackasGr ace
reachedf ort
hecardooropeningup,
theyboth
hoppingi nashesteppedontheacceler
atordr
ivi
ng
away ..
..
.

Thi
rt
ymi
nut
esl
ater
..
..
.

Heparkedi
nfr
ontoft
hebui
l
dingt
henGr
ace
st
eppedout

GRACE:
Ishoul
dbedonei
nthi
rt
ymi
nut
es

CHAUFFEUR:
alr
ightmam

Sheclosedthedoorandturnedwalki
ngawaywi t
h
herheadheldhi
gh,shesteppedinsi
deandpassed
byrecepti
onwhereshegreetedastherecept
ioni
st
l
ookedatherinadmirat
ion,herf
lawlessski
nlooked
toogoodtobetrueandhermakeupwasper fect
ly
donegi
vi
ngheranat
ural
look

GRACE:
(louder
)hel
l
o

Shesnappedoutofi
tandl
ookedather
embarr
assed

RECEPTIONI ST;
(jumpy )ohhhell
oMsWi l
l
iams,
um
sorr
yaboutt hat,
,
(clearedherthr
oat)umm the
meet i
ngisintheboar droom andit
'sbeenal
mostten
minutessinceitstartedletmeaccompanyy ou
upstai
rs

GRACE:noi
tsf
inedear
,justt
ell
met
her
oom
number

RECEPTIONIST:Ihav
etoaccompanyy
ouor
derel
se
I
'l
lgeti
ntrouble
GRACE:(
smili
ng)um f
iner
eal
l
y,Ihav
ebeenher
e
bef
oresodon'
tworry

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
(smi
l
ing)okmam r
oom t
enont
hir
d
fl
oor

GRACE:
alr
ightt
hanky
ou

Theybot hsmi ledasGr acedt urnedget t

ingi nthe
elevatorwhi l
et her ecept
ioni
stl ookedatherout f
it
env i
ous, aboutt womi nut
eslat ershear r
ivedatt hird
fl
oorandst eppedoutshoot ingst raighttor oom t en
andpr essedagr eenbuttonopeni ngup, ev eryone's
attentionshi ft
edt othedoor,herhear tpounded
l
ooki ngatt hemanyheadsbutt henshef orceda
smi l
et ryingtomai nt
ainacalml ooksoshewal kedin
andqui etlypulledachai rsit
tingdown, t
heyshi fted
theirfocusbackt othewhitemanpr esent i
ngasshe
tookoutherdi aryt aki
ngnotes, aft
erexact l
yt hi
rty
mi nutest heywr appedupasshest oodup
HI
M:MsWi
l
li
ams

Theyhandshakedaspeopl
elef
ttheboar
droom

GRACE:hell
o,thatwasabeaut
if
ulpr
esent
ati
onwe
shoul
dsignthem

HI
M: yeaht
rue,
theyarethebestbutIguesswewi l
l
wai
ttohearwhatothershavetosayont henext
meet
ing

Hef
ini
shedthatandl
ookeddowngoi
ngupherbody
smi
l
ingseducti
vel
y

HI
M:y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul

GRACE:
Ohht
hanks
HIM:I'
vebeenmeaningtosayt
hisbutIwasj
ustt
oo
scar
edy oumightt
akeiti
nabadway

GRACE:
huh?

HI
M:howaboutdi
nner
?

GRACE:
(fr
owned)t
hat
'
swhaty
ouwant
edt
osay
?

HI
M:umm y
eah

GRACE:andhereIwast
hinki
ngy
ouar
eaboutt
osay
somet
hingoff
ensiv
ehaucomeon

HI
M:(
smi
l
ing)sot
hat
'
say
es
GRACE:
Isur
eneedabr
eat
hersowhynot
?

HI
M:ohht
hanky
ou,
thanky
ou

Theycont
inuedchat
ti
ngbefor
eGracegotherbag
headi
ngoutwhil
ehet ookHERhal
fway

ATMI
A'SHOUSE

Shewokeupandrubbedherey
esy
awni
ngashe
wal
kedinshi
rt
less

MI
A:(
smi
l
ing)mhm y
oul
ooky
ummy

YAYA:(br
iefl
ylaughed)Ican'
tbel
i
evey
ouar
est
il
li
n
bed,
aren'
tyougoingtowor k?

MI
A:I
'
mti
redbabe,
Aref
akeptmeupal
lni
ghtsonot
t
oday

YAYA:Ishoul
dconsi
dergi
vi
ngyouawarning
l
ett
er,
youcan'
tbedoingasyoupl
easej
ustbecause
i
t'
sourcompany

Sherol
ledherey esandtheybot
hlaughedashe
l
eanedov erplanti
ngasoftki
ssonherforehead,he
tur
nedwal ki
ngoutandashewasaboutt ol eavehe
cri
edfr
om t hecot

YAYA:
(laughi
ng)oops!
!

Shesi
ghedandgotuppi
cki
ngherup

MI
A:(
shushi
ngher)shhhshhh,
don'
tcr
ybaby
mommyishereokay
Sherockedhersmili
ngt
henherphonerangfr
om
underthepi
ll
ow,shewal
kedoverandbentpi
ckingi
t
upbeforeget
ti
ngaseat

MI
A:heybusyl
ady

Shebri
efl
ylaughedandopenedt
hedoorhoppi
ng
i
nside

GRACE;Iknowy ouareprobabl
ymadatmebutt rust
meum comi ngovertomorrowsincei
tsaSatur
day
andum sureAribabyismissi
nghisfavor
it
eaunt

MI
A:(
laughi
ng)t
hebusyr
ichaunt

GRACE:
what
ever
,Iwasj
ustchecki
ngupony
ou

MI
A:okayl
oveby
e
GRACE:
bye

Shehungupandputt hephoneawayashest
epped
ontheaccel
erat
orspeedi
ngoff

ATPRETTY'
SMAKEOVER

FI
FI:
Ican'
tbel
i
evet
hisl
adyi
scompl
aini
ng

PRETTY:shei
sjustbei
ngdi
ff
icul
tbutl
etsgi
veher
whatshewant
s

FI
FI:
alr
ight
,I
'
llbeabl
etof
ixheratt
wot
hen

PRETTY:
okayl
etmet
exther
Shet
ypedi
nherphonewhi
l
eFi
ficont
inueddoi
ngt
he
l
astt
ouchupsonhercl
i
ent

PRETTY:
aret
woi
sokay

FI
FI:
alr
ight

Sheturnedgoi
ngt
oheroff
iceasFif
i
cont
inued,
meanwhi
lei
ntheoff
iceshedi
aledhi
m

PRETTY:heybabedi
dyoumanaget
ogetal
lthaty
ou
needed?

THEMBA: yesl
ove,myassist
anthelpedmeoutplus
um expect
ingtohearsomethi
ngfrom Matthews
empire,
um sur
etheywill
li
kemypr oposal

PRETTY:
okaybabe,
l
etmecal
lthenanny
Shehungupandv
ideocal
l
edhernanny

NANNY:
madam

PRETTY:
heyum mi
ssi
ngmybabycanIseehi
m

ShemovedthephonetowardsthePlay
ingbaby
Let
habothenhesmil
edlookingatt
hescreentr
ying
tot
alk

LETHABO:
(babyl
anguage)nnggngmmmomy

Shesmi
ledlooki
ngatherador
abl
ebabyashe
smil
edt
ryi
ngt ospeakup

PRETTY:
ohmyGodshesai
dmommy
,di
dyouhear
that
?
NANNY:
(laughed)

PRETTY:
(ti
nyvoice)mommyiscomi
ngbackokay,
nowdon'
tgiveauntyahar
dti
meandjustbeagood
boy

BabyLethabograbbedthephoneanddr
oppedi
tand
thenannypickedi
tuplaughi
ng

NANNY: i
yohmmaLet t
ykanawasenya,
otl
othuba
phoneyame(Let
teri
sstubbor
nhewil
lbreakmy
phone

Theybothl
aughedchat
ti
ngabi
tbef
orePr
ett
yhung
upconti
nui
ngwithherwork

Shedrov
einsi
deandpar
kedt
hecarout
sideget
ti
ng
i
nside
MSWI
LLI
AMS:
heybaby
,youknockedof
fear
lyt
oday

GRACE:heyma,
Ihav
etogosomewher
esohadt
o
comeearl
y

MSWILLIAMS:okaybaby
,Iwi
l
lgomakey
ou
somet
hingtoeat

GRACE:
alr
ightmat
hanky
ou

Sheturnedwalki
ngt oherbedroom ashermother
wentinsidet
hekitchen,wit
hasighshet hr
ewhersel
f
onthebedandbentt aki
ngoffherheel
sbefor
e
checki
ngherwr i
stwat ch

GRACE:
damn!
Shequicklytookof
fherclothesandreckonedt
hat
taki
ngashowerwoul dtakelongsoshechanged
i
ntoasimpl eandcomfortableout
fi
tandsneakers
thenwalkedoutpanti
ng

GRACE:
OhhmaIIam sol
atesoIwi
l
leatwhenIget
back

Shewal kedov erandki ssedhermot heront he

foreheadbef orepacingout ,
shesadl ywat chedas
shewal kedout ,MsWi l
li
amshadapol ogizedt oher
daught eral ongt i
meagoandt hingsgotbet ween
them butnev erreall
ywentbackt ohowi tusedt obe,
plusGr acehadal way sbeenbusywi thwor k,thefir
st
twoy ear swer ewor se,shewasnev erreallyaround
asbei ngt aughthowt orunt hebusinessandt he
businessi tselfgotallherattenti
onhowev ershehad
genuinel yforgivenhermot her,theproblem wast hat
thepoorwomanwasf or
everaloneaf terMi a's
weddi ngsoshegotl onelyattimes...
..
shesi ghedand
turnedbackcont i
nuingwi t
hwhatshewasdoi ng
MEANWHI
LEATTHEWOMEN'
SCENTER

LADY: (
(breakingv oice)andget tingov eri
thadbeen
sohardf orme, um hav ingnightmar esandhar dly
sl
eep, t
hef i
rstfewday smemor iesinthatcount ry
aretheoneshaunt ingmeand( tearsfloweddownas
othergir
lssadlyl ookedather )butum t r
yingand
comingher ehashel pedal ot,I
'
llforeverbet hankful
most l
ybecauseInev erthoughtIwoul dbef reed
fr
om thathel l
hol ebuther eIam, apar tofme
beli
evesGodexi stsnow,

Shekeptquietast
earsf
lowedthenRat
ist
oodup
walkingov
ertohugher,
shewipedhert
ear
sand
rubbedherbackbef
oresit
ti
ngdownnextt
oher

RATI:i
t'
sokaydear,
y oucanstopherefort
oday,
and
youdidwell
thanyesterday
,atl
easty
oumanagedt o
saysomethi
ngandt hatisthef
ir
ststepofthe
heal
i
ngpr
ocess,
um pr
oudofy
ou

LADY:
(sni
ff
ing)t
hanky
ou

Theysmi
l
ed

RATI:okayl
adiesIt
hinkwehavedoneenoughf
or
todaysolet
'smeetonWednesdayagai
n.

Theladi
eswalkedoverandhuggedherbef
oregoing
out,
aft
erever
yonelef
tshethoughtf
ull
ygotherhand
bagwalki
ngoutwhereshehoppedinhersmallcar
dri
vi
ngaway

Aboutfourt
yminuteslatershepar
kedi nfrontofthe
pri
songatethenhoppedoutwal ki
ngt hroughthe
pri
songate,i
nsi
deshedonedi dal
lthenecessary
procedur
esandwal kedov ert
othevisit
orsroom and
satdown,meanwhilefrom thecel
lhewal kedout
curi
ousthensteppedinthevisi
tor
sroom l
ooki
ng
aroundforafamil
iarf
ace,hemov edhisey
esaround
thenthei
rfaceskeyand.
...
..
..
.
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
THANKYOU
[
7/19,
08:
35]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT103

Thei
rey
esmetandhewal
kedov
er

MANDLA:
(sof
tl
y)hi
,thi
sisasur
pri
se
Hepull
edt
hechai
rsi
tt
ingdownasRat
icl
ear
edher
t
hroat

RATI
:umm.
..
hey

MANDLA:
Inev
ert
houghty
ouwoul
dpoppopby
,
wow!

RATI
:(smi
l
ing)wel
l

MANDLA:andIwasn'
texpect
ingany
onet
odaysoI
waswonder
ingwhoitcoul
dbe

RATI:I
'vebeenmeani
ngt
ocomeherei
tsj
ustt
hatI
neverhadti
mebutum gl
adIf
inal
l
ymadei
there
today
MANDLA:
(nodded)

RATI:yeah.Ummmm. ..
.Abouttheshelt
er,Ijust
wantedt osaythankyouforcomi ngupwi ththe
i
niti
ati
veandf undi
ngit,i
tshelpingoutalotof
womenespeci all
ythosewhower ethehuman
tr
affi
ckingvict
ims

MANDLA:(smi
li
ng)i
t'
sthel
eastIcandotofi
xwher
e
Iwentwr
ongandum glady
oufinal
lydi
dit

RATI:
Iwoul
dn'
thavedonei
twi
thouty
ourhel
p,t
he
cashfl
owtr
usthav
ebeenofgr
eathel
p

MANDLA: um happytoheart
hat,youdontknowhow
muchthismeanst omebutitreal
l
ymakesahuge
di
ff
erenceinmyl i
fe

Rat
ismi
l
edl
ooki
ngi
nhi
sey
esast
her
ewasan
awkwar
dsi
l
entmoment

RATI
:(l
ooki
ngi
nhi
sey
esandspokesof
tl
y)t
hest
ory
,
i
sitt
rue?

MANDLA:
(lookeddownsadl
y)y
eah

RATI:ohhwowt hatsj
usttoopainfulImeant he
wholethi
ng, Graceisapartoftheshelterandshe
readalett
eroutal ett
ert
haty ouwr ot
et oMiainone
ofthesessionsandshewentonexpl aining
every
thi
ngi ndetail
stomaket hevicti
msunder stand
anditworked, asmuchasi tsoundedlikesomesor t
ofafair
ytal
ebuti tmadesenseandwef orgi
veyou,
theyfor
givey ou

MANDLA:
(smi
l
edamazed)shedi
dthat
?

RATI
:yes
MANDLA:
Ohhwow,
butshedi
dn'
ttel
lme

RATI
:(smi
l
ed)

MANDLA:(
smil
ing)ohhwow!Andt
hanky
ou,
tel
l
t
hem I
'
m gr
atef
ul

Ratismilednoti
cinghowmuchhesmi l
edhappi
l
y
aft
erfindingoutGracereadthelett
erandexpl
ained,
thelookinhiseyesjustgavehim awayandshowed
howmuchhel ovesher,theli
tt
legestur
eshedid
surehithome

RATI
:your
eal
l
ylov
eher
,don'
tyou?

MANDLA:
(smi
l
edshy
ly)man!I
t'
stoodeep
RATI
:(smil
i
ng)um sureshel
ovesy
ouaswel
l
,you
ar
eallshetal
ksabout

MANDLA:
ohhr
eal
l
y

RATI
:yeah,
Ishoul
dgetgoi
ngnow

MANDLA:
alr
ight
,ni
ceseei
ngy
ouagai
n

Shest
opupastheyhandshakedt
henshet
urned
bumpi
ngi
ntosomeone

GRACE:
ohhhey
,youar
eher
e?

RATI
:(smi
l
ing)y
esf
inal
l
yIdi
dit

GRACE:
thanky
ou
RATI
:okayum l
eav
ingnow

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)okf
ri
end

Shemovedasideandwavedbef
orewal
ki
ngawayas
Mandl
alookedathersmi
l
ing

MANDLA:
Ithoughty
ouar
en'
tcomi
ngt
oday

GRACE:
Idi
dn'
tpl
ant
obutIwasj
ust
..
Iwasmi
ssi
ng
you

MANDLA:
(smi
l
edemot
ional
)awwy
ouar
esuchacr
y
baby

GRACE:
("l
aughed)what
ever
!
MANDLA:
andhowdi
dyouconv
incet
hem t
olety
ou
i
n?

GRACE: i
twasn'
thar
dbecauset
heyalr
eadyknow
me,andIwassocuri
oustofi
ndoutabouty
our
myster
iousvi
sit
or

MANDLA:
ohh,
shesur
pri
sedme

GRACE:shel
ongsaidshewant
stocomeseey
ouso
Iguesst
odaywastheday

MANDLA:yeah,
theconver
sat
ionl
i
ftedahuge
bur
denof
fmyshoulders.

GRACE: um gl
aditdi
dbabeohhandaboutThemba's
proj
ectdesi
gncompany ,doyout
hinkIshoul
dgi
ve
them t
hetender?Heaskedtomeetupwi t
hmeon
Wednesday
MANDLA:yeahitsf
inepl
usheal
readytol
dmeabi
t
aboutt
heproposal
soIthi
nki
tsagreatone

GRACE:
alr
ight
,any
way
,howar
eyoudoi
ng?

MANDLA:
um hangi
ngi
nther
ebabe

GRACE:
great
,besi
des,
twomont
hsi
snotbad

MANDLA:
yeaht
rue,
butatt
imesi
tfeel
sli
kef
orev
er

GRACE: hehbaberrakoorehannegot
il
efif
teen
yearsli
ketheysai
dthefir
stti
meneoot l
all
ela
hakae(ohcomeonbabe, whatift
heysti
ckedto
fi
fteenyear
s)

MANDLA:
um gl
admyl
awy
erf
oughtt
hef
ightand
thefactt
hatnothi
ngreall
yli
nkedmetothewhol
e
thi
nghelpedastheyrel
iedonmyconfessi
on,
otherwi
seitwouldhavebeenworse

GRACE:
yeaht
rue

MANDLA:Ican'
twai
ttogetoutofher
eandst
arton
anewcl
eanslat
e

GRACE:
Ican'
twai
ttoseey
ouwal
koutofher
eas
wel
l

MANDLA:
(smi
l
ed)

GRACE:
Ihopey
ouhav
en'
tst
oppedpr
ayi
ng

MANDLA:
noIhaven'
tbabepl
usInev
ermi
sst
he
i
nmat
esSundayser
vices
GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)um pr
oudofy
ou

MANDLA: (
smil
ing)Iwoul
dn'
thav
edonei
twi
thout
you,
thankyou

GRACE:
(smi
l
edl
ooki
ngi
nhi
sey
es)

MANDLA: thanky ouforever

ythi
ngGraceWill
i
ams,
youaretr
ulyabl essi
nginmyl i
fe,y
ouarethereason
Iwanttoleavethisplaceandgooutther
e

GRACE:
(emot
ional
)st
opbabe,
Isweary
ouar
egoi
ng
t
omakemecry

Hesmi
l
edandr
eachedf
orherhandt
ouchi
ngher

GUARD:
(louder
)not
ouchi
ng!
Hemovedhi
shandbackast
heyst
aredi
ntoeach
ot
her
'sey
essmil
i
ng

GUARD:
visi
tor
sti
mei
sup!

GRACE:
Iwi
shIdi
dn'
thav
etol
eav
enow

MANDLA:
(swal
l
owedhar
d)i
tiswel
lbabe

Shesadl
ybitherl
owerl
ipst
andi
ngupandt
urned
wal
kingoutashewentbacktot
hecel
l
s

Meanwhi
leoutsi
desheopenedt
hedoorandhopped
i
nthenherphonerang

GRACE:
hel
l
o
HI
M:MsWi
l
li
ams

GRACE:
umm hey

HI
M:Ihopey
ouar
eready

GRACE:
(conf
used)huh?

HI
M:di
nner
??

GRACE:(r
emember
ed)Ohht
hatIcompl
etel
yfor
got
abouti
t

HI
M:(
disappoi
nted)ohh?

GRACE:
yeah,
um sor
ry
HI
M:buti
t'
snott
ool
atewecanst
il
lgo

GRACE: umm..
.sorr
ybutIcan'
t,I
'
m nothomenowso
thatmeansI'
l
lhavetogof r
eshenupwhichwil
l
defi
nit
elyt
akelongersohowabouttomorrowmay
be?

HIM:oktomorr
ow,pleasedon'
tfor
get
,I'
l
lpi
cky
ouup
atsevenocl
ockintheeveni
ng

GRACE:
okby
e

Shehungupandthrewherphoneonthepassenger
seatdr
ivi
ngawayfeel
i
ngexhausted

Anhourl
atershepar
kedi
nfr
ontoft
hei
rhouseand
st
eppedoutwalki
ngin

GRACE:
heyma
MSWILLI
AMS:heybaby
,Iranyouabath,
fi
gur
edy
ou
Wi
lneedi
tsi
nceyouhadtorushear
li
er

GRACE:
(facel
i
tup)r
eal
l
y?

MSWILLI
AMS:
yesbaby
,gobat
hwhi
l
eIwar
myour
f
ood

Shesmi
l
edhappi
l
yandj
umpedi
nheramr
shuggi
ng
her

GRACE:
thanky
ou,
thanky
ouma

Shekissedhercheekandpul
ledof
fwalki
ngt
othe
bat
hroom inabettermoodasMsWi l
l
iamssmil
ed
wal
kingintotheki
tchen
ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

Hear ri
vedandopeneduppassingthem bytheliv
ing
room asheshotstrai
ghttothebedroom wherehe
threwhisexhaust
edselfonthebedsighi
ng
frust
rated,
herubbedhisheadlooki
ngupt henthe
dooropened

PRETTY:
heybabear
eyouf
ine?

THEMBA:
:
hai
shbabe,
thi
ngsar
en'
tcomi
ngupr
ight

PRETTY:
butIt
houghty
ourassi
stantcamet
hrough
fory
ou

THEMBA:(si
ghedsit
ti
ngupri
ght)yeahbutt
hingswi
l
l
onl
yfal
li
ntoplacei
fIgett
hetender
Shesadl
ylookedathi
m andwal
kedov
erhuggi
ng
hi
m

PRETTY: st
opwor r
yingbabe,um sur
eMat hews
Empirewill
appr ovey ou,
Isawthatproposaland
anyonewhot urnsitdownwoul dhavelostsostop
str
essingyourselfout

THEMBA:
yout
hink?

PRETTY:
noIknowsobabe

THEMBA:
(smi
l
ing)Ipi
ckedt
her
ightonebabe,
thank
you

Heplant
edhi
ssof
tli
psonhercheekbef
oret
hey
pr
oceededt
othel
ivi
ngr
oom...
..
ATFI
FI'
SHOUSE

sheputthekey
sonthecouchandbentt
aki
ngof
f
herheel
sbefor
eherphonerang

FI
FI:
heybabe

MESHACK:
heyy
ouar
equi
et

FI
FI:,
nobabe,
Ijustgothomenowsowantt
otakea
qui
ckshowerbeforeanyt
hing

MESHACK:
okbabe,
howwasy
ourdayt
hough?

FI
FI:ti
ri
ngbabe,Ishouldusemysavi
ngstost
artmy
boti
quelenna,
wor kingf
orsomeonei
sn'
tasni
ce
becauseyoudon'ttaketi
meoff
MESHACK:
okaybabe

Fi
fithought
ful
l
ysmi
l
edandopenedhermout
h
speakingup

FI
FI:
soi
tshowmanymont
hsofsobr
iet
y?

MESHACK: el
evenmont hsbabe,
Iam sopr
oudof
mysel
f,Ican'
tbeli
eveIusedtowakeupwit
habott
le
ofbl
acklabelbeer

FI
FI:(
laughed)kananeithel
eolepel
etseel
aonkga
gor
ebabe( youusedto.
lookshabbyandsmell
awful
)

Hel
aughed

FIFI
:l
egano,
hael
edit
lhakot
sonekesabue(
your
shoesandmouthsmell
edsoawful
)
MESHACK: aetlhemmababel esagonkgakola,I'
m
glady ougav emet hatult
imatum thatdaywhenI
askedy outot akemeback, Ithoughty ouwere
punishingmebuti nactualf
acty ouwer ehel
pingme
outbonagor ekent sel
ekauy ang( st
opr emi
nding
mebabe, um glady ougavemet hatl
ookathow
smar tIlooktoday )

FI
FI:(
smil
edshy
ly)um gl
adt
oobabe,
canIbat
hthen
wetalk

MESHACK:
alr
ightbabe

ATKG'
SHOUSE

KG:
twomont
hs?
?

SK:
yep
KG:
thatwast
ooeasybutum gl
adheiscomi
ngout
sot
hatwecancar
ryonwherewelef
toff

SK: (
thought
ful
ly)whydon'twehitwherei
twoul
d
hurtmostsincecomingathim seemshard?We
fai
ledalotofti
messol et
'sgetthatf
ineass
gir
lfr
iendofhis

KG:
whydidn'
tIt
hinkoft
hatal
lthi
sti
me,
wow!That
's
abr
il
li
anti
dea

SK:
yout
hink?

KG:
ofcour
semansoWi
l
lyougetonhert
ail
?

SK:y
esIwil
ldoi
tmy
sel
fbecausewecan'
taf
for
dto
messthi
sone
KG:
great
!Let
sgetherandt
eachhi
m al
esson

SK:(
wi ckedsmile)t
alkaboutpay
ingf
orev
er
cr
ossingt hebl
acks

Theysmi l
edandsatdownmappi
ngt
hewayf
orwar
d..
..
..
..
..
..
..
.THENEXTDAY

100shar
esont
hisi
nser
tunl
ockst
omor
row'
sinser
t
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT
[
7/19,
08:
35]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT104

GRACE:
um l
eav
ingma

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
okaybaby

Shewal kedcloserandplantedasof tki

ssonher
cheekbef oretur
ningaroundandswi ngingher
curvesout ,
sheheldt hedoorknobandt urnedit
openingupbef oresteppingout,sheunl ockedthe
carandopeneduphoppi ngint henputherbr iefcase
onthepassengerseatbef or
ethrowi ngherey esin
therearv i
ewmi r
rorcheckingherf ace,seeingthatit
wasper fectsheturnedthekeyandr eversedout
beforesteppingont heacceler
atorhi t
ti
ngt heroad

Onehourl
ater
..
..
..
..
.
Shedroveinsi
detheMathewsEmpi rebuil
dingst
hen
tur
nedtothepacki
nglot,
in.
afewmi nutesshewas
outandaboutmakingherwayinsi
de

RECEPTIONIST:
( smi
l
ing)bossl
adyontsemont
le
gor
e(bossladyyouarelooki
ngbeaut
if
ul)

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)t
hankyou,Il
i
key
ourl
ashes
hl
emmawheredoyoudothem

RECEPTIONIST:ohht
hankyoubossl
ady
,Igott
hem
doneatPret
ty'
sMakeover

GRACE:
youshoul
dgi
vemet
hei
rcont
act
s

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
Ihav
ethei
rbusi
nesscar
dwi
thme
Shef
iddl
edar
oundt
hensawi
t

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
her
e

GRACE:
thanky
oudear
y

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
any
timebossl
ady

Gracebri
efl
ysmiledandst eppedint
heelev
ator
goingup,i
nnotimeshear r
ivedandwal
kedinsi
de
heroff
icewheresheputt hebagdownandt ooka
seatstar
ti
ngtheday ,
herphonebeepedthenshe
openedherbagtakingitout

Readi
ng.
..
..
..
..
.

HIM:morni
ngMsWi
l
li
ams,
hopi
ngy
ousl
eptwel
l
,
gooddayahed
Shereadt
hemessageandputt
hephoneaway
get
ti
ngbackt
oherlapt
op.
..
.

ATTHEMBA'
SHOUSE

shekissedbabyLet
haboont
hecheekandbent
taki
ngherbag

PRETTY:mmaLethaboontseny
ast
ressgor
e,kant
e
eneotl
ait
segobualengnehmma?

HER:
buthei
str
ying,
Ithi
nkhei
sjustsl
ow

PRETTY:aomma,atf
our
?It
hinkmay
bet
her
eis
somethi
ngwrongwi
thhi
m

HER:
butdon'
twor
rymadam,
hewi
l
lbeokay
,atl
east
hecansaymom anddadev
eni
fhi
sspeechi
sabi
t
i
mpaired

PRETTY:
hai
sh,
okayl
etmego

Shet
urnedl
ooki
ngatt
hemast
erbedr
oom

PRETTY:
babyI
'
m goi
ngt
owor
k

THEMBA:
(loud)al
ri
ghthoney
,Il
ovey
ou

PRETTY:
(louder
),l
ovey
oumor
e

Sheki
ssedhi
m onemor
eti
meandsmi
l
ed

PRETTY:
mommywi
l
lseey
oul
aterbaby
,okay
LETHABO:
(babyv
oice),
ngng.
..
mommymommy

Herey
esli
tupasshej
umpedupanddown
scr
eaming

PRETTY:
ohhmyGoddi
dyouheart
hat
,hesai
d
mommy

Meanwhil
eThembahur
ri
edt
othel
i
vingr
oom af
ter
hear
ingherscr
eams

THEMBA:
what
sgoi
ngon?

Sher
anupt
ohi
m andhuggedhi
m exci
ted

PRETTY:
babyLet
tycant
alk,
hej
ustsai
dmommy
,
bot
saaunty
Theirhelpersmil
edl
ooki
ngatLet
habowholaughed
swinginghishandupanddownscreami
ngmommy

LETHABO:
(babyv
oice)mommy
..
mommy

BabyLethabokepton.scr
eaminghernameand
l
aughingasthecouplesmiledemoti
onal
,theywer
e
worri
edabouthissl
ownesst hi
nki
nghemightnever
tal
kagain

THEMBA:(
emot
ional
)aww,
ngwanakebanna(
aww
myson)

Hewalkedupt
othebaby
sit
terandpul
l
edhi
m of
f
f
rom herar
msgent
ly

THEMBA:
'
(smi
l
ing)nowl
etscal
ldaddy
,saydaddy
BabyLet
habobur
sti
ntol
aught
erast
heyj
oinedhi
m
i
n

THEMBA:
(laughi
ng)saydaddybaby

LETHABI
:(babyv
oice)daddy
..
.daddy
.

Hesaidt
hatl
aughi
ngasPr
ett
yshotav
ideoofhi
m
t
alki
ng

PRETTY:
(smi
l
inghappi
l
y)aww.
.mybabycant
alk

Theywentonandonteachi
ngbabyLethaboother
wordsbef
orePret
tyandThembaleftt
owor k

ATMATTHEWSEMPI
RE

Shepi
ckedt
hephonedi
ali
nghi
m
THEMBA:
hel
l
o

GRACE: heyThemba, aboutt

hepr oposali
tsfineyou
don'
thav etopresentwewillapproveyourcompany
becauseIalreadyhaveabitofinfor
mat i
onaboutit
andImustadmi tt
hatIli
keit
,itsperf
ectactuall
y

THEMBA:
(happi
l
y)ohhwow,
thanky
ou

GRACE:okay
,passbysot
hatwecanf
inal
i
se
ever
ythi
ng

THEMBA:
alr
ight
,t
hanky
ou

Shehungupandputt
heof
fi
cephonedownget
ti
ng
backt
oher
ATYAYA'
SHOUSE

Shebabyki
ssedbabyAr
iast
heybot
hheadedout

MIA:pl
easef
eedhi
m hl
emma,
hehasl
ostabi
tof
weight

BABYSI
TTER:
Iwi
l
ldon'
twor
ry

MI
A:al
ri
ght

Yay
abentbabyki
ssi
nghi
m ast
heywentout

MI
A:war
erey
akaenehbabe(wher
ear
ewegoi
ng)

YAYA:wear
egoingtoseeyourmom,
itsbeena
whi
lesi
ncewecheckedonher
MIA:yeahtr
ue,Aref
agotmostofmyt
imeshemust
belonel
y,gr
aceisforev
erbusy

YAYA:aker
e,Isawherlastweekantsemosadigor
e,
obonaelagorelekemadam CEO(Isawherl ast
week,
youcouldjustt
ellt
hatsheisCEO)

Mi
alaughedal
i
ttl
e

MI A:kareonnosamet sikaforkGrace,
way aka
hlemmaanongAr iogodi
lentl
amogat ell
alenna
(kareshei ssobeauti
fulandgivi
ngmecompet i
ti
on,
butshemusthangi ntherebecauseum.done
breastfeedingI
'
llshowherflames)

Theybur
stint
olaught
ert
henhoppedi
nsi
det
hecar
dri
vi
ngout.
..
..
Meanwhileattheoffi
ce,Gracelookedatherwri
st
watchandsighedseeingthatitwasalmostti
me,
shegotherthingsandwalkedout ,whi
l
einthe
el
evatorherphonerang

GRACE:
hel
l
o

HI
M:hey
,Ihopey
oudi
dn'
tfor
getagai
n

GRACE:(
laughi
ng)noIdidn'
tfor
getI
'
mleav
ingt
he
of
fi
cenowt ogofreshenup

HI
M:'
ohhgr
eat
,tel
lmewheny
ouar
edone

GRACE:
alr
ight

Shehungupandst
eppedoutpassi
ngbyr
ecept
ion
GRACE:
byedear
y

RECEPTI
ONI
ST:
byeby
ebossl
ady

Shecatwal kedawayt ohercaranddr oveof f,

meanwhi l
eatther obots,shelookedont hemi r
ror
andnot icefami l
i
arcar,shenot i
cedthesamecar
fol
lowingheri nthemor ni
ngandnowi twasst i
l
l
on.hertailsoshet houghtful
lytookadi f
ferentturnto
seei fi
twi l
lfol
lowher ,j
ustasshet houghtt heblack
carfoll
owedheragai n,abitscaredshei ncreased
thespeedandi n.noti
meshear ri
vedatherhome,
l
uckilyMandl ahadf orcedhert oti
ghtent hesecurit
y
attheirplacesoshewassur ethatnowshewas
protectedsoshehoppedoutofhercarget ting
i
nside

GRACE:
heyma

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
heybaby
GRACE:um j
ustf
resheni
ngup,
hav
etogo
somewher
e

MSWI
LLI
AMS:
alr
ightbaby

Sheshotst r
aighttotheshowerandToy otaqui
ck
onebef or
esteppingoutheadingt othebedroom,i
n
there,
shef i
xedherhai randdol
ledupbef ore
dressi
ngupi nadi nnerdresswalki
ngoutcar r
y
Versacepurse,shepassedt heli
vingroom and
openedupbumpi ngintosomeone

GRACE:
oopss!

MIA:heel
angbathongmamaGr aceoyakaekadi
di
nnerdressmonnaalekozanthi
ng(heymawhereis
Gracegoingi
n.di
nnerdr
essesbecauseher
.boy
fri
end
i
sinjai
l)
MSWILLI
AMS:
(laughi
ng)akoommot
semma(
ask
her
)

Theyal
lbur
sti
ntol
aught
erl
ooki
ngather

GRACE:
um goi
ngt
oseeaf
ri
endhau

MIA:
akofr
iendennef
riend,
esengyaloot
lat
samaya
oj
ewakedibokomogirl
(mayfr
iendremai
nafri
end
ot
herwi
seyouwil
lhav
ewor msfeasti
ngonyou)

GRACE:
(laughi
ng)hel
l
oYay
a

YAYA:
(smi
l
ing)hi
sist
eri
nlaw

Shesmi
l
edandst
eppedoutasherphoner
ang
HI
M:I
'
m att
hegat
e

GRACE:
okayum comi
ng

HI
M:al
ri
ght

Shesteppedoutandhoppedi
nsi
dehi
scarashe
smil
edinadmirat
ion

HI
M:hey

GRACE:
hi

Hesmil
edseduct
ivel
ylooki
ngi
nherey
est
henshe
l
ookeddownuncomfortabl
e

HI
M:y
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul
GRACE:
thanky
ou

Hereachedforherhandandt
ouchedherashe
gent
lyrubbedher

HIM::(
sofsof
tl
y)y
ouhav
esof
tandv
erybeaut
if
ul
hands

GRACE:
(uncomf
ort
abl
e)umm

Hel
eanedoverandcl
osedhi
seyest
ryi
ngt
oki
ssher
t
henshefr
ownedmov i
ngback

GRACE:
(angr
il
y)whatar
eyoudoi
ng?

HI
M:Ij
ust
..
..
I.
..
..
um sor
ryIt
hought
GRACE:
(angr
il
y)y
ouknowwhat
??Sav
eit
!

Sheangr
il
yopenedthedoorandhoppedof
fwal
ki
ng
Backi
nsi
defuming

MI
A:(
frowni
ng)andt
hen?
?

GRACE:
:(r
oll
edherey
es)y
oudon'
twannaknow

Shet
urnedstor
mingof
ftoherr
oom ast
heybur
st
i
ntol
aughter
..
THREEMONTHSLATER

100shar
esont
hisi
nser
ttounl
ockt
he10PM I
NSERT
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
[
7/19,
08:
35]BLOODFORBLOOD

I
NSERT105

Byt
hef
ir
epl
ace.
..
..

LADY1:okaemonyadinakoechai
l
e,akoat swel
e
kont
ler
emmonehl e(wherei
sthebri
de,shemust
comeoutsothatweseeher

LADY2:kanaomontlegor
engwanawaMma
wil
i
am(sheisbeaut
if
ul)

LADY1:that
amma,aboannamai
tseogor
e(al
ot
andver
yhumble)
LADY2: tr
uet
hat
,mphat
hipanay
eohoo(
passme
thatkni
fe)

LADY:weshoul dn'tmaket hi
stoomuchbecause
aft
erchurchbay alodgensobahumi mmakebat ho
badicateri
ngwhatwhataker e(,don'
tmakethi
st oo
muchbecauseaf t
erchurchtheyar egoi
ngtothe
l
odgeandr ichpeopleprefercateri
ngcompanies)

Shenoddedast
heycont
inuedchoppi
ng
Meanwhi
lepeopl
efi
ll
edtheyar
dchatt
ingl
oudl
yas
Mi
awalkedinsi
decar
ryi
ngbabyAri

MI
A:Ar
ihl
err
agot
odaddy
,kanaum busy

Hefrownedandhel
dontightt
oherdressasMia
babykissedGr
aceandl
eanedcloserf
orahug

MI
A:ohhum sohappyf
ory
ouandy
oul
ookbeaut
if
ul
GRACE:
thanky
oubaby

MIA: (
puppyface)nxoohl ookaty ou,y
ouarealready
gl
owi ng,koor
eiri
lehelamonnaat swazant
hiebel e
breakersecondaryvi
rgini
tyletlogel
apeo(soy ou
guysimmedi at
elymadel ovebr eaki
ngthesecondary
vi
rginit
yandleftt
heseedi nside)

Gr
acehel
dhermout
hlaughi
ng

GRACE: ohhcomeon, wai

tsewenahl
emmagaona
sephir
i,whydi
dItell
you(y
ouaresobadatkeepi
ng
secret
s,whydidItel
lyou)

MIA:(
rol
l
edhereyes)what
ever!Ican'
twaitt
omeet
hi
m andbeanaunt,asekaBaannamat epeyaaka
Ar
i (
heshoul
dn'
tbeaspoiltl
i
keAr i
)
GRACE:(l
aughi
ngassherubbedherfl
att
ummy
)my
babywon'
tbeaspoil
tbr
at,ri
ghtbaby
?

Theybot
hlaughedt
hent
her
ewasanawkwar
d
moment

MIA:(
sof
tl
y)y
oul
ooksobeaut
if
uli
nthi
swhi
tegown,
i
tsuit
syouandI
'
m sohappyt
hatyouar
efi
nal
l
y
happy

GRACE:
(smi
l
ing)
't
hanky
ou

Meanwhil
eatthedoorMsWi l
l
iamssmil
ed
emoti
onal
lyaft
ereavesdr
oppi
ngonthei
rlast
conv
ersat
ion

MSWI LLI
AMS:(smi
ling)aww..
mybabies,um so
gladthatyouguysf
inall
ygetal
ong,
Ican'tst
op
thanki
ngGod
Shewalkedov erastheyallsmi
ledt
hencamecl
oser
foragrouphug, thedoorf
lungopenasMsWil
li
ams
oldersi
sterwalkedinpant
ing

OLDWOMAN: heelang,naar
eletl
ampurel
anerona
rel
eemetsekontle,
Kerei
seakrgaobologoapesiwa
j
aanongoemet sengnakoechaile(areyouguysst
il
l
huggingwhi
lewear ewaiti
ngoutsi
de,
Gracewhat
areyouwait
ingforthetimeisup

Theylookedatherf
eel
i
ngt
heedget
olaughbuthel
d
thei
rlaught
eri
n

OLDWOMAN: (peaki
ngout
side)r
akgadi hl
et sena
motengrentshengngwananakoechaile(aunt
pl
easecomei nsothatwetakeheroutandl eave,i
ts
al
readyl
ate)

Shewal
kedi
nast
hei
rrel
ati
vesandaf
ewf
ri
ends
wal
kedov
ersi
ngi
ng

RATI:(
singi
ng)semotseret
seresenat
la,
semo
tser
etseresenat
la,
ngwanaotser
wekesenatl
a

Thecrowdjoinedinsingi
ngasRat icont
inued
si
ngingbeforeoneladytookoverthesongwhi leRat
i
walkedi
nside,shehelpedherbri
ngdownt heveil
andcarr
iedherdressast heywal
kedoutsi ngi
ng
Shest oodatthedoorsmi l
ingemotionall
yasawhi te
brandnewanddecor atedRoll
sRoycepul ledupin
frontofher,MsgWi l
li
amshel dherhandasRat iheld
ontothedr esshel
pinghergetinsi
det hecarbefor e
theycloseddoorsasi tsl
owlydroveoff,people
dispersedtothei
rcarsandf ol
lowedther oll
sRoy ce
tochur ch

Meanwhi
l
eatt
hehot
elr
oom

Her
ubbedhi
schi
nlooki
ngi
nthemi
rr
orashe
admir
edhisf
lawl
essface,
hehadacl eanlookthat
cont
ri
but
edtothehunkheis,
heturnedlookingat
hi
swholebodyandfi
xedhist
uxedoturningback

THEMBA:
ohhcomeonman,
that
senough

MANDLA:Ihav
etomakesureman,kanatodayum
becomi
ngaman,wi
ll
havetostopchi
ll
ingwithsmal
l
boys

THEMBA:
what
everman!

Themba'
sphoner
angt
henhepi
ckedup

PRETTY:heybabe,wejustl
eftforchur
chnow,dont
for
getLett
y'
st oy
sinthecar
,wehav etokeephim
busybecauseIam theoneworkingonthebri
de'
s
makeupFifigaayo
THEMBA:
alr
ightbabe

PRETTY:
byebabe

THEMBA:
lov
eyou

PRETTY:
lov
eyoumor
e

MANDLA:,
akoo.
nyal
emonna(
youshoul
dget
mar
ri
ed)

Theguysl
aughedasThembagav
ehi
m ami
ddl
e
fi
nger

THEMBA:
weshoul
dleav
enowgent
s

Theguy
swentoutonthei
rtuxedoslooki
ngbl
azi
ng
hot
,out
sideMandl
ahoppedinhiscardri
vi
ngaway
withthebestmanwhi l
etheot herguysdroveal
l
toget
herInoneoft her
anges, i
nnot i
met heyar
ri
ved
atchurchthenwalkedi
nsi deandwaitedbythe
pulpi
t,Mandlal
ookedatt hedooranxiousl
yrubbi
ng
hishandsthenThembal aughedathim

THEMBA:
get
ti
ngcol
dfeet
?

MANDLA:
what
?No,
noway
s!

Aboutanhourl ater
,theweddingcar sar r
ivedat
chur chmakingsoundsasev eryonesteppedout
happi l
yandchat ti
ngloudlyastheywal kedi nsi
de
takingthei
rseat s,t
hebridesmai dswal kedinthei
r
elegantatt
ir
et hatblendedwellwi t
hthedecor

LADY:
ohhwow!Thi
sisbeaut
if
ul,
Ilov
ethedecor

LADY2:
met
oo,
Iswearwear
eyett
oseebi
gger
t
hings,
reasonwhyIl
over
ichpeopl
e'
sev
ent
smhm

Theycont inuedwhi speri

ngt hensof tmusi cplayed
from t hebackgr oundasOut sidetheysteppedoutas
Rat ihandedhert hebouquet ,MsWi l
li
amswal ked
besideGr aceast heywal kedi nsideslowlymov ing
wi t
ht hebeatoft hesongpl ayinginthe
backgr ound, meanwhi l
eatt hef r
ontheemot ionall
y
l
ookedatherast heyappr oached, hi
shear tgotf i
l
led
wi t
hj oyl ookingatt hebeaut ycomi nghisway ,he
somehowst i
ll
couldn'tbeliev ethatheact uall
ygot
himsel fagoodoneandwasput t
ingar i
ngonher
fi
nger , tearsofjoyf ormedatt hecornersofhi sey e
thenhel ookedupt r
yingtoav oidthem from f al
li
ng
butt heyf ail
edhim andf l
oweddownast hecr owd
wat ched

CROWD:
(sof
tl
y)aww

Hesmil
edembarr
assedt
henrubbedthem offas
Gr
acestoodi
nfr
ontofhi
m smil
ingathim,hereyes
spar
kledashersmi
l
ereav
eledhergl
eami
gteet
h

PASTOR:
(cl
ear
edhi
sthr
oat
)mhm mhm kgm.
..

Theyt
urnedt
ohi
m andsmi
l
ed

PASTOR: um happytobest
andinginfrontofyou
todaysuppor
tingthi
suni
on,
ithasindeedbeinga
veryl
ongjourney

Theyl
ookedi
neachot
her
'sey
essmi
l
ing

Meanwhil
eoutsi
dethet
hreecar
spul
l
edupasei
ght
mensteppedoutar
med

KG:gotot
hesi
des,
I'
ll
stayatt
heent
rancet
osee
cl
earl
y
SK:
alr
ight
,I
'
llst
ickt
otheot
herwi
ndow

KG:
alr
ight
,showt
hem t
hei
rposi
ti
ons

SKmov edar
oundshowingt
heotherguy
sthei
r
posi
ti
ons,KGst
ickedt
oentr
ancehidi
ngashefi
xed
hi
sli
steni
ngdevi
ce

KG:
(lowv
oice)ar
eyoual
lready
?

ALL:
yesboss

Hecockedhi
sgunandai
medashi
m

PASTOR:
(tur
nedtoMandl
a)let
snotwast
eanymor
e
ti
me,y
oumaystar
tsay
ingyourvows

MANDLA(
noddedl
ooki
ngi
nherey
es)Iam amanof
fewwor dsbutt odayIj ustwantt osayIthankGod
foryourlif
e,throughy ouIgott oknowand
understandwhatt rueloveis,(l
ookedatev er
yone)I
Am notsupposedt osayt hi
sbutI '
l
lsayitanyway
becausei tall
bel ongsinmypast (l
ookedinGrace'
s
eyeshol di
ngherhand)y oulovedmebef oreknowing
whoIwasandy oustil
l cont
inuedtolovemeev en
aftercomi ngtoav er
yshocki ngreali
sat
ion

Helookeddownashebecameemot
ional
butt
hen
t
il
tedhisheadupagai
ngoi
ngon

MANDLA: youlov edmewhenIdi dn'tdeser v

eit,
you
deli
veredmeandsetmef r
eef r
om t hedar kworl
d,
youtaughtmet hedifferencebet weenr i
ghtand
wrongsomet hingmymommadi dn' tteachme, I
grewupi nadar kplacet hatonlyy oumanagedt o
pullmeoutof ,myownmot herinitiatedmei ntoa
darkwor l
dofsnakes, (l
ookedatt hecr owd)um sur
e
alotofyoust i
l
l remember sthel ateMsMay erwho
wasf ear
edbyev eryonei nthesoci et yasshe
pr
acticedsor
cer
yanddi
ddar
kmagi
c,y
esi
tsme,
I
am herson

Meanwhi leattheent ranceKG' Shear tskipped

hearingthenameMsMay er,heremember edtheday
hehadt or unawayf rom homei nthemi ddleofthe
nightaft
erav er yl
argecr eaturef
ill
edhi sr oom
accompani edbyhi smom, hecouldliter
al l
yhearhis
mot heraskinghi mtor el
axbutbecausehewast oo
scaredoft helargeandsonotcl earimage, he
stormedoutoft heroom nakedr unni ngt hroughthe
darknightandt hatwast helasttimehesethi sf
eet
backathome, henev erwant edorwi shedt ogoback
totheirmansionbecauseheknewt heki ndof
personhismot herwas
Somet hi
ngKGwasn' tawar
eofwasthespiri
ts
fol
lowedhim ever
ywhereevenaf
terr
unningfrom
home, heranawayjustashewasabouttocompl et
e
hisini
ti
ati
onandthislef
thi
shear
tcoldsomehow,
Helookeddownswall
owi
nghar
dashet
ri
edt
o
convi
ncehimsel
fot
herwi
se
MANDLA: Ihadtochangemynamesaf termy
i
ntit
iat
ion,
Ihadtocomeoutasadi ff
erentmanso
thatIgett
herespectf
rom ever
yoneafterthewhol
e
societ
yabandonedandthrewmei nt
ot hefir
e

Meanwhi l
eatt hedoorhesl owl ymov edt othedoor
ast earsstreameddown, nowaf terhear i
nghim
ment ioni
ngt hef ir
ehewassur et hatthi
swast he
l
ittl
ebr ot
herhel eftbackhomeaf terrunningawayall
thosey ears,hewasonl ytwel
v ey earsandt her
ewas
nothinghecoul d'vedonetosav ehi m soher anaway
alone,hefoundoutt woy ear
sl ateraboutt hefi
reso
het houghthi sli
ttl
ebr ot
herdiedi nthef i
re

KG:(
cry
ingwhi
sper
ing)i
fthi
sisadr
eam pl
ease
wakemeup

MANDLA:yesIgotal
lthatbutthisbeaut
if
ull
ady
her
echangedmystory
, shetaughtmeuncondit
ional
l
oveandr
espect
,sheint
roducedmetoGodand
sav
edmefrom t
hekingdom ofdar
kness

Meanwhi let hepast orrai

sedhisheadsmi li
ngashe
sawt helastpi eceoft hepuzzlewalkingin,everyone
turnedtothedoorandl ookedatKGwhohadagun
i
nhi shand,hesl owl ydraggedhimselfinsideast ear
s
streameddownhi sf ace,
hismendr oppedt heirguns
confusedashedr oppedhi sgunfall
ingatMandl a'
s
feet,
Mandl agav ehi m aconfusedlookbutcal med
downt hi
nki ngmay behecamef orat r
uce
Ont heothersi deGracemov edbackt otally
surpri
sedbyt hewhol eor deal ,
sheshruggedher
shoulderslooki ngatt heirpastorbutwei r
dlyhe
smiledatherandgav eherakeepcal m si gn,she
si
ghedandl ookedasKGsl owl ytookhiscl othes
off,
helastlytookof fhi svestst il
lsobbingt henlif
ted
hi
shandbr ingingitclosert oMandl a'
sf ace,hiseyes
widenedl ookingatt he" May ert at
tooinhi sar m"he
wentdownmemor yl aneandr emember edhowt hey
cri
edt hatdaywhent heirlat
emot hertookt hem toa
shri
nkwhousedahar dmet altowr i
tethenameon
thei
rar
ms,Kg'
statt
ool ookedexactl
ythesamef rom
waybackandnoteditedorbeautif
ied,hist hr
oat
dri
edupasheconnect edthedotsandf orsome
weirdr
easonhefel
tthebond, t
earsfloweddown
thenhesl
owlytookoffhisclot
hesandr eveal
edthe
sametatt
ooleavi
ngthecr owdcompl etelyshocked
Thet
wostoodupandl
ookedateachot
her
emot
ional
l
y

KG:
(t
ear
ful
l
y)l
i
ttl
ebr
other

MANDLA:
(tear
ful
l
y)It
houghty
ouwer
edead

Theyfel
li
ntoeachot
her'
sarmsembraci
ngone
anot
herthent
hepastorcl
ear
edhi
sthroat

PASTOR: t
hat
'senoughnow,um gladmymi ssionis
fi
nal
lyaccompli
shedbutIjusthaveonelastthingt
o
do,t
hewedding,
pleaseputony ourcl
othes
Mandl
apull
edof ff
rom t
hehugemot
ional
l
ythen
qui
ckl
ygotdressedup

PASTOR:
great
!Pl
easet
akeaseatMrKgat
i

KGst eppedbackandt ookaseatonthebenchesas

Gracer aisedherey
ebrowstr
yingt
oprocess
every
t hing,t
hepast
orwavedthebi
bleinf
rontofher
thenshesnappedoutofi t

GRACE:
ohhumm

PASTOR:
ther
ingMeMat
thews

MANDLA:ohh, wit
hthi
sringIpr
omisetolov
eyou
uncondi
ti
onal
lyandbetheref
oryouthesameway
you'
vebeenther
eforme
Hesli
dthediamondr i
ngi
nherf
ingerasitsparked,
sheemoti
onall
ylookedati
tast
earsofjoystreamed
downherface,

PASTOR:
it'
syourt
urndear

Shewentongi v
ingalongspeecht
hatl
efthi
m ev
en
moreemotional,
shesmiledandsl
i
dthediamond
rockonhi
sr i
ngfinger

PASTOR:
Inowpronounceyouashusbandand
wif
e,y
oumayki
ssthebride

Heleanedoverast heytongueki ssedwhileKG

watchedsmili
ng,thecrowdl ookedi nadmirati
on
whi
speringandt hecouplest oppedast heirey
es
l
ocked..
..
..
..
..
..
.THEEND
#
#
#
Pl
easel
i
ket
hei
nser
ts
Comment
Shar
e
GOODNI
GHT