Melinda didn't have time to react. She felt the blade enter her left shoulder with such force that she heard it penetrate the wall she was pressed up against.
"Now we're even. Shoulder for shoulder. Unfortunately for you, I don't plan to stay even. Where should the next five fall?"
Peter pulled the knife toward Melinda's sternum, slicing through her as it slid along below her collar bone. What monstrous strength. She could hear the blade tearing through the wall behind her. Her body seemed paralyzed. The shock was so great she could barely breathe.
Finally, Peter yanked the knife free of the wall and her body. "Time to die," he whispered, raising the knife over his shoulder.
"What's all the noise?"
Peter looked towards the door in surprise. Melinda's senses returned to her. She raised her right arm, trying very hard not to loosen her grip. Peter turned back to look at her. His eyes widened slightly as the blade entered his throat. He let out a crackly gasp and blood flowed from his mouth and neck. Melinda withdrew the knife she had taken from the kitchen as Peter stumbled backwards. A look of surprise leapt to his face. He walked towards the door and the small figure that stood there, knife still in hand. As he staggered forward, he swung the knife madly.
His body shuddered as Melinda drove her nine-inch blade into his back, again and again. Peter's body went limp and he sprawled on the floor.
"Six stabs. The same as you gave Savannah, you heartless bastard," Melinda let out as she fell to her knees, sobbing.
"What are you talking about? Nobody stabbed me."
Melinda looked up. Savannah stood in the doorway, just out of reach of Peter's outstretched arms. Through the agony, Melinda hadn't even registered Savannah's presence. She began to sob anew.
"You're alright? He didn't hurt you?" she asked in disbelief. So, Peter lied…he knew that having Savannah die without me being there to protect her would be the most painful thing in the world for me to bear.
"I'm fine. But, what happened? Melinda? Melinda!!"
Melinda collapsed, smiling. I saved her after all.
*****
"Hey, are you alright? You're crying.”
Melinda looked up to see Gojyo kneeling before her, his hands resting gently on her shoulders, a look of concern on his face.
"Yeah, I'm alright. It just hurts to remember," she said, looking away.
"I know what you mean." Gojyo lowered his hands and moved to sit beside her. Images of his brother standing over his mother's dead body passed before his eyes. "It really can hurt. But, you know, it's also good to remember. After all, what are we as people, other than a collection of hopes and memories?"
Melinda turned to him and smiled gently. "Right," she said. “Even the things that damage us make us who we are.”
Gojyo reached a hand out and brushed the tears from her cheeks.
"You know,” he said, “when I see a pretty girl cry, it makes me want to make her feel better.”
Melinda felt Gojyo's hand slide around her back and rest on her side. She leaned her body over and rested her head on his shoulder, allowing him to pull her close.
“I'll help you in whatever way I can. Remember that."
Melinda allowed herself a slight smile. I can live on, she thought. I still have someone to protect.
End Chapter
