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Day 4 - Part 6

-So you think he's with her? Be-Bob asked few moments later when they were walking in the empty house.
-With who?
-It's Cara you're looking for. I wouldn't be surprised if he'd be there. It has just been question of the time when they'd got together.
-You really think so?
Be-Bob looked at Brian. �Sometimes I think I know more about you than yourself. Nick wouldn't believe me either.
Brian stayed silent and Be-Bob sighed.
-It's a mad mad world.

It's funny to follow their nightly adventures when it's only noon in my world. I look around and wonder when I would have time to pack. It's nearly end of the tape number three, just one to go, but I know that when I get to the end I have to watch some parts again. There is so much information, not just about her, about the way they lived, how they worked, spend their time, what they thought. Most touching moment so far must be hearing Brian talking with Leighanne. Even if I couldn't hear her words, I heard tenderness in his voice, all the love. Then I almost reached to the phone, just to call someone, just to tell someone that I love them.

-I don't know if I should say this, Cara said quickly, not wanting Nick to interrupt her. �But I'm really sorry about the New Year.
-You were little bit wasted, right?
-Yeah. But it wasn't just that�
-You said something about your parents. Must be hard to be orphan. How did they die?
Cara was shocked but then remembered that she wasn't really her, that she had a cover story.
-An accident. I was ten. I don't remember anything that well.
-I know it's not the same but I'm kind of an orphan myself. Not that I wouldn't have been blessed with love from my brothers but it's not the same as coming to home to your mother when someone dumped you for the first time.
Cara smiled at Nick, grateful for his effort. No, it wasn't the same but she knew what he meant. That's why she turned her head away, trying to hold back the tears. There she was, in the spring night of Portugal, sitting next to man of her dreams. And she would have given up that all just to see her mother smiling once again.
-I'm sorry, Nick said softly and took her hand. She looked at the moon and blinked really hard, not wanting to cry. That's when she felt arm around her, pulling her closer. In the end she didn't cry, but was safe in his arms, her head resting against his chest, smelling his aftershave, smelling him. He kissed her hair, or more likely her almost bald head and held her for a long time, sharing something he couldn't describe.

Door opened slowly. Room was dark but full of shadows moon making trough the window.
-They're not here, Brian whispered.
Be-Bob hushed to him and went in. He had a weird feeling. He didn't like weird feelings. They only came when something bad was about to happen. Like when he woke up in the middle of the night not knowing why, went for a walk and found Nick crying in his room holding his cheek that was red and swollen.
That was then, Be-Bob reminded himself and focused in the moment.
He took few steps in to the room while Brian stayed at the door. There was something in the air. Something he didn't like at all. Few more sniffs proved his fears true, it was marihuana. So Cara was still smoking pod. In real life Be-Bob wouldn't have anything to say to that since he sometimes rolled a joint and enjoyed. But just when he wasn't working and knew that his services weren't needed in hours. He couldn't bare to get a call to drive Nick somewhere, then mash the car and get caught drugs in his blood.
Smell of marihuana wasn't the only thing that got Be-Bob worried. In a passing moment he wondered if Brian would recognize the smell but then it didn't matter. He put the lights on.

When they came in she crawled to the corner. She didn't want to see anyone, not anymore. She knew she was having a bad trip but the fact was she couldn't help it. She tried to explain to herself that the shadows weren't her enemies but couldn't be convinced. She couldn't move. She knew her legs wouldn't carry her. Despite of that she jumped up when lights turned on.

-You? Be-Bob yelled. �What the fuck are you doing here?
Brian was amazed. There was a girl standing in the corner of the room. She was just about twenty, somehow seemed familiar but didn't ring any bells.
-Don't take me away, please, let me stay, she said with faint voice.
-You weren't supposed to come back.
-What is Cara doing with you then? Oh, just because she's so young, sweet and innocent? Look at me, Be-Bob, remember? Once upon a time I was just like her! What happened to me? What happened?
Then she saw Brian.
-I'm sorry. I didn't mean that.
-You didn't mean what? Brian asked confused.
-She's so young. She's so vulnerable. And you took her with you. But you don't know what's gonna happen to her. Well, she doesn't have to do blow jobs to get into the same party. And she gets paid from you, quite a lot, as I've understood. But she's just a child! Brian, look at her like she was your little sister and think if you wanted her to hang out like this. It's not worth it and you know that. It's not worth it!
-It's not worth what? Be-Bob asked softly, not wanting to scare her away. But when her eyes met his, something broke inside of him. She was high, that's for sure but maybe just because of that she looked honest, plain, like she for a moment was real her.
-I don't want to die, she said.
-You're not gonna die. You're just stoned. It's not gonna kill you.
-Eventually it will, she said wryly.
-Maybe, if you let that happen.
She didn't reply.
-Where's Cara? Brian asked. �Is she with Nick?
-Is she with Nick? Ophelia imitated Brian. �What? Are you worried because of Nick? Are you afraid that he would actually experience something real? Do you know it's not your privilege to have a happy relationship?
She was getting exited so Be-Bob started to approach her.
-You and Leighanne, what a happy couple! Look at Kevin, look at your cousin. He loved her and what did she do? For fuck's sake, I know what happened. Pretty, as you may know her, went to him and seduced him, in seconds! Ain't you afraid it's gonna happen to you? That in the late of the night you're not trying to push Jeannie's picture of your mind? That you're not thinking about going to her? No one would ever know! Don't come closer.
Be-Bob halted. Brian was afraid to say anything more. He still didn't know who that girl was but she seemed to be aware of lot of things.
-It's OK, O. Trust me, it's me, Be-Bob.
-Why would I trust you? Where were you when it happened?
-What happened? What are you talking about?
Ophelia started to cry.
-You weren't there. Like you used to be. Remember, how we played guitar in your room and just sang the songs? You were like my big brother. There was a time I loved you more than any of the guys. And that's huge, you know it. But you weren't there to save me.
Tears ran down her face and she looked like rabbit trapped in lights of the car.
-Are you talking about� New Year?
Then she jumped, trying to find the right way, looking for the forest, darkness, loneliness. But she didn't succeed. Instead car ran over her, kids screaming in the back seat and blaming their father forever for killing a poor, sweet animal.
Crystal broke on the floor with huge crash. Be-Bob glanced back, thinking that half of the house must have woken up because of that.
Ophelia was on the floor next to the fallen table holding her hand. There was blood all over.
-Oh my God, Ophelia, are you OK? Be-Bob asked and went closer.
-Don�t touch me, she said calmly.
-Let me see. You're hurt. We have to do something about that.
-Don't touch me, she repeated.
-Just let me see. These are kind of wounds I can heal.
-Don't touch me, Ophelia said for the one last time when he had already kneeled next to her. �I have HIV.

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