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Day 4 - Part 8

End of tape three. I look at the time and decide that it's my time to put my nose out of my room. I have only one tape left, so it leaves plenty of time to pack before leaving next morning. She's got me curious of where we're going but left no idea where she's staying. I'm completely unable to reach her. All I can do is to hope that she comes to my door next morning and takes me with her. I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't hear rest of the story.

Weather outside astonishes me. For last few days I've been living in springy Portugal and coldness of the wind makes me almost take a spin and dive back into my own room. But I have to go trough some of the things I've seen.

Christmas is closer with every step that I take. I take a quick look at the headlines. Young girl has been lost to the woods somewhere near. Two days ago. I have no idea what is going on in the real world. Yet the world I live in is very true.

Her voice echoes in my ears. Last minutes of the tape were without picture, just she telling me, briefly, officially everything that happened. Rattle of paper told me that she had written it down and then just read it out loud. She was amazingly objective. Maybe that's why picture drew in front of my eyes so clear, so lively, so sickenly painful.

Cara gasped when she saw Ophelia sitting in the floor, bleeding. Be-Bob had managed to persuade her to put some kind of bandage around her hand, but it was already blooded trough. Nick, still coming few steps behind, stood at the door. Brian reached him after a while, wondering what went trough his friend's head when he looked over the situation.
-She needs a doctor, Cara said with low voice to Be-Bob. Ophelia didn't say a word.
-She's high.
-She needs doctor, Cara said again, this time with anger in her voice. Be-Bob waited Ophelia to say something but she was still silent. Cara reached to her but she avoided her touch.
-Do you know she's sick? Be-Bob asked.
-Isn't it obvious?
-No. Not just this. She's got HIV.
-What the hell is going on? Nick demanded to know. -Who is she anyway?
Slowly Cara stood up and turned to face Nick.
-She is Ophelia, one of your most loyal fans. She traveled with you for almost two years but you never knew that she was there? She left in last January to go back home but she couldn't stay away. That's why she came here.
-Has she been sick all the time? Brian asked. Cara shrugged. Be-Bob looked at all of them.
-Ophelia was the one who got raped last New Year's party. That is, according to her, when she got the disease.
Nick couldn't believe what he was hearing. Brian tried to touch him but he waved his hand off.
-What is it that you're saying?
Cara looked at him calmly. -That she is sick and needs to see a doctor.
-You should go to bed, Be-Bob added. -It's late and you have a lot to do tomorrow.
-So you're just gonna take care of this? Nick asked.
-It's not worst thing that's happened without you being informed, Be-Bob stated.
-I don't even wanna know, Nick snapped.
-You don't have to, Cara replied. -We'll take care of her.
-Just be sure she'll be gone tomorrow.
Cara was about to argue with Nick but he had already turned and walking down the hall. Brian looked at Cara, feeling suddenly sorry, but then followed Nick.
Cara looked at Be-Bob. -So what are we gonna do?
In that moment Be-Bob's respect towards her grew into great level. You could see her shivering little when she kneeled next to Ophelia, still wearing Nick's jacket. She had a faint thought of what she had just gained - and lost - but she didn't let it to affect when her friend was bleeding.
-You'll need gloves, he said. Cara nodded.
-There is probably some in the kitchen. Go get them. Can you drive?
-Yes.
-Good. Go now. I try to get some sense into her.

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