It was a sunny autumn evening, quite warm for the fall, Geri had just finished her
dinner and was standing in her living room looking out the large bay window, thinking.
Her Eyes suddenly closed as if she was having flashbacks. She remembered how much
fun she had as a spice girl, the good times she had shared with her best mates. She spent
almost everyday laughing and joking wit those girls, and now it was gone all the fun, all
the laughter all because of her. She suddenly began to feel very guilty. Poor
Melanie(referring to mel c)she thought, She was the only one who stood up for me and
yet I haven’t had the decency to call her, not even once. She opened her eyes slowly and
sighed. Then she thought to herself. “I’m not doing  anything this evening why don’t I
call her up and ask her to come over for a visit? We can just sit down and talk, just like
the old days.” Geri put down the glass of water she was drinking on the window sill and
headed toward the phone in her bedroom. She sat down on her bed and dialed the
number. She let the phone ring about five or six times when she figured Melanie wasn’t
home. Just as she was about to hang the phone up she heard a faint “Hello.” Geri quickly
put the receiver against her ear and replied with a “Hello, Melanie?”
 “Is that you Geri?” Melanie asked cheerfully “How you been doing?”
 “OK, I guess” replied Geri meekfully.
 “What do you mean you guess? Are You OK? Is there something the matter Geri?”
 Geri didn’t say anything just breathed deeply into the receiver. 
“Melanie,” said Geri “What are you up to tonight?” 
“Well I was just going out to run some errands but I should be back around 9:00. Why?”
“I really need to talk to you tonight.” Geri paused for a second then continued “In
person.” Things were quiet for a minute then Melanie answered “OK Geri, I’ll be at your
place around 9:00” 
“Thank you so much Melanie” said Geri “You’re the best.”
 They both hung up the phone. It was about six o’clock now and Geri had nothing
planned for the next few hours. She didn’t want to stay inside because she had just gotten
over a cold and she had been all cooped  up for the past three days. “Hmmm...” she
thought to herself  “Maybe I’ll go for a walk though the park to clear my mind and get
some fresh air.” She thought she might as well take advantage of the nice weather while
it was still here. So she threw on a pair of runners and a blue jacket and walked out the
door. As she made her way through the park she noticed the leaves were changing
colours, something she hadn’t really caught her attention before. Her mind was racing
with so many different things before she knew it the sun had disappeared and it was
getting pretty dark out. Geri glanced at her watch only to find out that it was Only a little
after seven thirty. She had nothing else to do so she decided to follow the path the rest of
the way to kill some more time. It was dark now. She walked past the playground and
along the river before the path led through a wooded area. When she entered it was so
dark she could barely see her feet. “This isn’t a safe area at this time of night” she
thought to herself. “Oh well, once I get through this, the path takes me back home. So
there is really no sense in turning around. Is there?”  Geri was beginning to doubt herself,
and just being in the woods alone at night was really beginning to creep her out.
Suddenly she heard the sound of foot steps in dry leaves to her right. She couldn’t see
anyone but she knew someone was there. The footsteps began to get louder. Geri began
to walk faster. Then it sounded like they were beginning to run. Geri panicked and began
to run also. Being very dark, and not knowing where she was going she got her foot
caught in a tree root and went crashing to the ground with a loud thud. The pain quickly
shot up her leg. She was attempting to get up then realized she couldn’t. The pain was
over whelming. She could feel the tears begin to run down her cheeks. And that’s when
she heard the footsteps stop. Her eyes darted in all directions while she grasped her
painful ankle. She couldn’t see anything she could only hear the breathing of a male very
near. Geri attempted a second try to stand up. Just as she was almost standing a powerful
force pushed her back down. She screamed as loud as she could but that only make
matters worse. The man that had pushed her and was now on top of her pinning her to the
ground. “What is he going to do to me?” Geri thought to herself  “Stab me? Shoot me?
Strangle me?” She couldn’t move. She couldn’t think. She could barely breath. He was so
much stronger than she was.
 “Help me!” she shrieked. He quickly covered her mouth.
 “You shut the f**k up or I’ll stab you!” A powerful low voice threatened. He removed
his hand. Geri was trying to catch her breath and trying to see his face. But it was too
dark. He began  to unbutton her jeans and unzip her zipper. At that very moment Geri
realized what he was going to do. 
“My God.” she thought “He’s going to rape me.” 
 “No!” she screamed trying to resist.
 “Shut the f**k up!” He commanded as he began to pull her jeans past her hips.
 “No stop. Please stop.” she pleadingly sobbed. She suddenly felt a serge of pain in her
right arm as a knife pierced her skin. She shut her eyes. Then as a natural reflex she once
again tried to push the man away.  He moved his body more closer to hers. The
penetrating pain of the stab made her whole arm numb. The man shafted himself into
her. Geri shuddered and then her whole body went into a complete shock. For the next 12
minutes she couldn’t feel the pain. She could only feel the pressure and the warm blood
running down of her arm. She didn’t move. She couldn’t move. There was absolutely
nothing she could do but breath, and pray for her life.
Eleven minutes later Geri slowly opened her eyes as the man began to remove himself
from her. She was breathing very heavily and couldn’t stop herself from trembling. She
heard the man run away.  Geri could feel her body again and was still whimpering
silently. The pain in her arm was too much. The blood loss had made her weak, very
weak. She just barely stood up. The blood began to gush out. She took of her jacket and
tightly wrapped it around her trembling arm. Geri knew she had to get home and call an
ambulance. 
She moved as fast as she could with sprained ankle and barely enough energy to breath.
She entered her house coughing up blood. She knew that couldn’t be a good sign. But as
difficult as it was she headed toward the phone in her bedroom. Her jacket was now
drenched in blood and was dripping on to the floor. Tears were streaming down her face.
Geri entered her bedroom when she began to feel very dizzy. She couldn’t focus. She sat
down on her bed when everything suddenly became a complete blur.
Melanie’s car pulled into the driveway in less than five minutes later. She casually
walked up to the door and rang the doorbell, waited a second, then tried again. Still no
answer. She peered through the front window only to see blood on the floor. She could
feel the nausea begin to rise in her stomach. Luckily the front door was unlocked.
Melanie raced in. 
“Geri!?!” she shouted. No answer. “Geri, where are ya?” “Melanie.
 “Help me.” Geri faintly cried. 
“Where are ya Geri?” She asked once again.
 “The bedroom.” Melanie rushed through the kitchen and down the long hallway. As she
entered the bedroom her face turned pure white. To see her friend lying on her side on
the bed drenched in blood, devoid of emotion, probably whiter than she was made her
sick to her stomach. 
“Melanie...please... help me.” Geri pleaded  just barely whispering “I can’t feel my
body.”
 She had never heard Geri sound so scared in all of her life. The effect was over
whelming. She could feel the tears begin to whell up in her eyes. 
“What’s happened?” she asked in a shaky voice. Geri didn’t reply. Instead she just stared.
Melanie could tell that she was weak, to weak to talk. She then cautiously grabbed Geri’s
right arm, finally seeing the blood drenched coat wrapped tightly around it. Not knowing
how to help or what had happened she gazed into her friends troubled eyes looking for an
answer. She saw the pain. She saw the fear. Just by looking into Geri’s eyes she could
hear her pleading “Help me Melanie, I don’t want to die.”  Melanie could feel the tears
begin to slowly creep down her face. She just had to find out what had happened. Why
Geri was bleeding...... She very slowly began to remove the coat. Geri responded by
pulling her arm away. She then realized what she was supposed to do.  
“I’m calling an ambulance.” She announced “Hold on Geri, everything is going to be all
right.” Melanie had started to regret what she had said, doubting herself about everything
being all right. Her arm began to tremble. She reached out and held Geri’s blood covered
hand. Dialing 911 with the other hand, she could feel Geri’s grip become slightly
stronger. 
“An ambulance should arrive shortly” said the secretary. 
“Stay on the line and I’m going to redirect you to a doctor who will give you further
instructions on what to do.” She was then put on hold.
 “Melanie...” Geri just barely whispered,  “I’m feeling really dizzy..... I think I’m going to
pass out” Geri slowly closed her eyes and her grip began to loosen. Tears began to rush
down Melanie’s cheeks. She couldn’t move her so she just stared at her, surrounded by
all that blood.
 “So... much... blood”  Melanie thought to herself. She could feel the nausea begin to rise
in her throat. She swallowed, making herself feel sicker. 
“Hello?” asked a doctor on the other end of the line.
“Hello?” She replied “I need help.  She’s just passed out. I don’t know what to do.”
Melanie sobbingly pleaded. 
“Is she still breathing?” Asked the doctor. Melanie softly placed her hand on Geri’s side.
“Yes.” She said  “She’s still breathing.” 
“Since she has passed out,”
 Continued the doctor “The best thing for you to do is to keep talking to her. Ask her easy
questions she knows. An ambulance should arrive any minute.” He Instructed. 
 “Thank you” said Melanie as she hung up the phone.
Five to ten minutes later the ambulance arrived. Geri was still out cold and was put onto
a stretcher.
 “Is she going to be OK?” Melanie asked one of the pharimedics.
 “We don’t know. She’s lost a lot of blood.” Another man removed the blue jacket Geri
had  tightly wrapped around her arm less than an hour ago.
 “Looks like a stab wound” He told the other paramedic as the ambulance doors closed.
Melanie’s breath stopped short. The ambulance roared down the street and she was asked
a few questions by a police officer.
They went inside the house to contact Geri’s family and more importantly, the girls.

	Victoria was the first to arrive at the hospital. As she entered the waiting room
she saw Melanie sitting in the chair hugging herself, her face red from crying. “What’s
happened with Geri?” she asked “Geri...she... she...” Melanie couldn’t help it, she began
bauling. Victoria knew something really bad must of happened if Melanie was crying.
She sat it the chair beside her and gave her a hug of support. “It’s OK Mel, don’t cry. It’s
gonna be OK.” She said as she took her arms off Melanie “What’s happened to Geri?”
Victoria asked once again while holding Melanie’s hand. Melanie looked into Victoria’s
eyes and saw wonder and curiosity. Victoria looked back into Melanie’s eyes and saw
hurt, fear, confusion and shock. Victoria could feel tears coming on just as Emma walked
through the door tears streaming down her face. She took one look at Melanie and knew
something was terribly wrong. “What’s happened with Geri?” Emma asked sobbing
“How is she?” 
Melanie told both the girls what had happened, halfway through her story breaking down
in tears. “Then, they took her away in an ambulance” She finished with a quivering lip.
All three of the girls began bauling while supporting each other in a giant hug.  “Where’s
Mel?”  Asked Victoria “They couldn’t get hold of her. Or Geri’s mother” explained
Melanie. 
“Where is she?” A booming voice questioned “Where’s Geri?” Mel G entered the room
with a look of worry on her face. Then she looked at the girls. “Mel...” Victoria started
while whipping the tears away from her face. “We didn’t think you were coming.” “Of
course I would come. why wouldn’t I? Now where’s Geri?” She asked 
 “In the emergency room.” answered Melanie. “They have her on life support right now.
They said she has lost too much blood. But that was over an hour ago.” 
“Life support?!?” Mel said kind of surprised.
 “Geri’s been stabbed.” Emma quietly chipped in. Mel could feel the tears begging to
whell up in her eyes. She bit her bottom lip to stop her from crying out loud. The girls
could see the pain in her eyes and they all hugged. Just then a nurse walked in the room
and towards the girls “Melanie Chisholm?” she asked “Yeah that’s me.” responded
Melanie with a teary eye. I’d like to inform you that Geraldine Halliwell is now off her
life support and breathing on her own. You can see how she’s doing with in half an
hour.” 
“Thank you.” replied Victoria as the nurse left the room. They all gave a sigh of relief an
once again sat down. 
Every minute felt like an hour. The girls didn’t speak, they just thought to themselves.
Worrying, wondering and feeling a little nervous. Around twenty minutes later the same
nurse walked into the waiting room. “You four are allowed to see the patient now.” she
announced “She is still in a deep sleep, but not quite an acoma.” They followed the nurse
in an elevator and down a series of hallways. “Here’s her room 102... Please make it
quick, the doctor needs to do a few more tests.” The four girls entered a fairly large room
containing a couch a desk and a bed. Mel G was the first to enter the room walking at
first then letting go of Victoria’s hand and rushing to the bed side.
 “Oh my...” Emma quietly said
 “Is that Geri?” asked Victoria “It looks nothing like her. She is so pale.”
 “She looks horrible....” added Mel. There were  tubes going through Geri’s nose and out
her mouth. A huge needle with some sort of liquid was being put into her left arm. Mel G
pointed out the stitches.  The only sound they could hear was the beeping of that weird
machine. Victoria watched the lines go up and down as the girls stood in silence. 
“Where’s Melanie?” asked Emma, breaking the silence. 
“I thought she came in the room with us.” stated Victoria.
 “I’m here.” said a quiet voice coming from the hall.
 “Right then,” said the nurse as she entered the room. “The doctor will be in shortly so
you’ve got to leave. But you can spend an hour with her tomorrow starting at 9:00 if
you’d like.”
 “That would be great.” Mel quietly said. They three Girls left the room and headed down
the hall. Mel G and Victoria walking ahead while Emma stopped to talk to Melanie.
“Why didn’t you want to see Geri?” She asked curiously. Melanie took a deep breath and
whipped her eyes. “Emma...” she started “If you had seen all that blood.... the pain in her
eyes you would understand. I can’t help feeling  like it’s some how my fault.”  
“You’re fault?” Emma whispered confusingly. “How is this your fault?”
 “If only I had gotten there sooner..” sobbed Melanie trailing off.
 “Melanie, this is not your fault at all” Emma said “Geri looks bad now but she’ll be a
little better tomorrow. Come and see her then.” 
“No...” She started “Before Geri passed out I told her everything was going to be all
right. And I don’t want to see her unless I know that everything is going to be all right. I
can’t let her die knowing I lied to her.”
 “Geri’s not going to die!” said Emma in a louder voice than usual “She’s going to be
fine Mel, don’t worry about it. I promise you, she’ll be OK.”  Melanie looked away from
Emma and down at her feet.  She then began to silently cry.  Then, looking back up into
Emma’s eyes she began to speak again with a nervous tone “I’m so scared Emma. I don’t
know how to react. I keep wishing someone would pinch me and end this horrible dream,
but now that I know it’s a reality I don’t know what to do.” She began to break down in
tears. Emma hugged her stroking the back of her head 
“Mel, you’re shaking.” She commented breaking away from the hug “Are you going to
be OK tonight?” 
 “I don’t know.” responded Melanie sniffling. 
“Do you want to stay with me tonight?” Emma asked. Melanie just nodded her head
silently. “Let’s go then. It’s been a long night”
For the second time the four girls followed the same nurse into the elevator the next
morning. “She woke up around 2:00am last night” The nurse informed the girls as the
began to exit the elevator.”  She was talking this morning, but she was very weak and
didn’t have enough energy to tell us what exactly had happened.” 
“Did the doctor find anything else on her that could tell what had happened?” asked
Victoria still very concerned.
 “The doctor found a few more clues during the examination.” said the nurse “But I can’t
give any information out unless I get the doctor’s permission.” the girls kept following
the nurse down the hall wondering about what the doctor had found. Suddenly she came
to a stop. “Do you girls know the rest of the way?” she asked. “Yeah.” responded Emma.
“Well I’ll be back in about an hour to check on her. I have to go down stairs to check on
another patient.”
 “OK.” they all replied quickly as they made their way to Geri’s room.
“106, 104, ah here it is 102.”  Mel G announced as she knocked on the door. 
“Are you coming in?” Emma asked Melanie.
“No.” She responded “I think I’m going to stay out here. I’m not ready yet.”
The door slowly opened. An older looking nurse stuck her head out the door. She gave
them a smile of relief. “Sweety,” She said quietly towards Geri. “You’ve got some
visitors.” She squeezed her way through the door and shut it. “Now you have to be
careful,” Whispered the nurse “She is still very weak and she loses a lot of her strength
talking.”  Without another word the gray haired nurse opened the door the rest of the way
and walked down the hall letting the girls enter the room. They cautiously entered. Geri
was in a half sitting half lying down position with her eyes expressionless but here mouth
showed a little smirk. “Geri!” They all shouted running over to hug her. Geri became
tense. “I would hug you back” she said. “But my arm’s a little tender.” They broke away
from the hug and sat down on the couch by the window. “How are you feeling?” asked
Victoria
“OK...”she started  “But I’m a bit hungry. The food here is horrible.” Geri’s expression
suddenly changed to wonder “Where’s Mel?” She asked curiously
“She’s in the hall” started Emma “She’s still a bit shaken up.” Geri didn’t say anything.
“We’ve been sick all night worrying about you.” said Mel G 
Geri smiled and lifted up her arm, counting the stitches silently. “Eight.” She announced
“Eight stitches for a little cut like that. It seemed a lot bigger last night.” The girls looked
down. “About last night...” started Emma “What happened?”  
“Have you heard from my mum?” asked Geri changing the subject
“No” said Mel G “Not yet. So what’s happened to ya?”
Geri took a deep breath “I don’t want to talk about it.” she bravely said as she began to
fiddle with her sheets. Emma got up and walked over to the bedside. She kneeled down
beside the bed so she was at the same level as Geri.
“Don’t worry about it Geri. Come on you can tell us.” she whispered in a low voice
placing her and on Geri’s good arm. Geri jerked her arm away with a gasp.  The girls
were very surprised by this reaction.
 “What did I do?” asked Emma sounding scared
“No, it’s not you.” Geri responded “I am really sensitive about people touching me now.
Sorry about that Em..”
Emma pulled her arm away. 
“Come on Geri, we’re your friends who will support you through this, and we need to
know what happened to you.”
“It’s....” Geri’s lip began to tremble “It’s just so hard for me.” she said breaking down
into a silent cry. This time she hugged Emma. The other girls quickly ran to the bedside
joining in on the hug.  They broke away from the hug and held Geri’s hand. “It was
horrible.” she said sobbing and trying to catch her breath. She began coughing loudly
trying to breath. Victoria began to rub Geri’s back. “Are you all right?” asked Victoria
still very concerned. Geri didn’t reply. she just stared breathing very heavily. 
“No” she said as she began to tremble. “I...... I can’t tell you right now. It’s to much
emotion for me to handle.” She hugged herself silently very gently rocking back and
forth.
“She looked so scared.” Emma commented to Victoria as she switched the phone to her
other ear.
“Yeah.” agreed Victoria “Something really horrible must of happened to her. How’s Mel
doing?” she asked. 
“She’s OK” answered Emma “She’s going  to see Geri tomorrow morning, if she’s
feeling a bit braver.”
“Well that’s what Geri wanted, to speak to her alone right?” 
“Yeah, I guess she has something to tell her.” responded Emma
“Well I’m going to go to bed now Em.... I’ll probably see you tomorrow” Victoria
informed Emma with a yawn.
“All right. See you tomorrow Vicky”
They both hung up the phone. Emma walked into the living room and sat on the couch
where Melanie was watching TV. They didn’t say anything.
“Whatcha watching?” asked Emma timidly. Melanie just sat in silence.  Emma could see
that Mel was on another world, worrying.
“Hmm?” Mel said leaving her little world. “Sorry Em.... what was that?”
“Nothing.” said Emma changing the subject. “Did you eat anything today?” 
“I tried an orange....” she started “But I couldn’t keep it down.” Melanie shifted her legs
around. “Other than that I’ve just been drinking water all day.” 
“Oh..” started Emma “How are you feeling now?”
“A bit better.” said Melanie with a yawn “I think I’m  going to try to get some sleep,
since I didn’t sleep at all last night.”
“Yeah.” said Emma “Me too. Are you coming upstairs then?”
“No. I’ll be fine right here Em. See you in the morning.”
Melanie was awakened by the high pitched ring of the telephone next to the couch. She
Quickly reached over to pick it up.
“Hello.” She said in a tired voice.
“Hello. Melanie? This is Anne.” replied the person on the other end of the line. “Anne..
Anne... who is Anne” Thought Melanie still a little dopey. “Oh yes,” she said out loud
“Geri’s mother.”
“That’s right. Anyways, are you going to visit Geri today?” Not waiting for a reply she
continued.  “She really needs to talk to you, she says you are the only person she can tell
what happened to her. The police are still waiting for her to talk...”
“Are you at the hospital right now?” asked Melanie while stretching
“No.. I just got back.”
“OK. I’ll talk with her about it.” she started “I’m leaving right now.”
“Thanks Melanie. Phone me as soon as you get home.”
“OK Anne. Bye” Melanie hung up the phone and walked upstairs to see if Emma was
awake yet.
After finding her still sound asleep in her bed, Melanie put on a jacket and shoes and left
a note for Emma.
 “Go right up.” said the nurse “You know your way.” Melanie made her way upstairs.
When she arrived she knocked on the door lightly
“Come in” said Geri’s sweet little voice. Melanie walked slowly into the room. 
“Melanie...” said Geri “I didn’t think you would come.”
Melanie didn’t reply. She just looked at Geri. “How are you ?” she asked meekfully. “I’m
felling lots better.” Geri informed her “Physically. Errmmm....I get to home today you
know.” 
“That’s nice.” responded Mel automatically. The girls sat in complete silence and both
look down at the floor.
“I want to thank you.” said Geri “For saving my life.”
Melanie looked up and Geri and took a deep breath. Then she walked a little closer to
her. “Your mum said you needed to talk to me.” she started  “About... about what
happened.”
Geri nodded her head bravely. Melanie could tell that it was hard for her to talk about it
and sat on the floor beside Geri’s bed. Geri stared at her, as tears began to fill up in her
eyes. Melanie held her hand out. Geri placed her hand in Melanies.
“You can tell me when your ready Geri. I know it’s hard for you.” Geri took a deep
breath and bit her bottom lip. “Thank you Melanie.. for understanding.”
She moved around uncomfortably in the rather small hospital bed. “You are the first
person that is going to know about this” she sobbed. Melanie just nodded feeling more
nervous. 
“Melanie...” she started “I was raped”
Shivers sent up Melanie’s spine. She covered her mouth with her free hand.
“Oh....Geri.”she started “I never knew it was that bad.” Geri didn’t make any eye contact
with her. “You don’t have to tell me anymore if you don’t want to, I can see why you’re
you so uncomfortable talking about it.”
“No Melanie,” she started “I have to tell someone.” Melanie knew she had to be the
braver one in this situation.
“Ok Geri. You can tell me.. just start from the very beginning.” 
“While I was waiting for you to come over I decided to go for a walk.” started Geri        
“I walked through the woods to get home.... and a man pushed me over...and he began to
rape me.  I screamed for help and that’s when he stabbed me” Melanie cringed at the
thought 
“It was too dark and I couldn’t make out a face....I couldn’t move or see. I just barely got
up and made my way dizzily through the dark black woods.” Geri looked at Melanie
seeing the concerned look on her face. “I knew I needed to get help.” she continued “I
knew I needed to get home and call an ambulance, but when I actually got home I was
too weak and dizzy. When I got to the bedroom my knees gave away. And well you know
what happened from then on.” 
Geri looked at Melanie for a second time to only see tears making her way down her soft
white cheeks.
“Do you have any idea who would do this to you?” Asked Melanie while whipping the
tears off her face.
“I don’t know what kind of sick bastard would do this to anyone.” she replied  “I still
can’t believe that this happened to me Melanie.” 
“Me neither. I can’t believe someone would do this to one of my best friends...” agreed
Melanie trailing off.
The girls sat in silence for a moment. Then Geri broke the silence.
“Melanie, could you tell the others what happened? I’m still really scared.”
“You’re going to have to get some counseling you know.” said Mel not answering Geri’s
question.
“Yeah, I know. I think I’m going to stay with my mum for a few days.” she informed
Melanie “Just to settle down” 
There was suddenly a knock at the door. 
“Come in.” Geri said. It was a nurse.
The doctor has informed me that you are in a stable condition and you can go home.”       
“Yeah,” Geri started “I think I will go today.” 
“Will you be driving her home?” the nurse asked looking at Melanie.
“Yeah, I’ll take her home.” she responded. 
“Ok then you’ll have to sign this” she said pulling out a clip board from behind her.
Melanie signed and the nurse left the room. She help Geri out of the bed and Geri put her
shoes on.
“Does your mum know you’re coming?” Asked Melanie while turning left at a stop sign.
“I think I told her this morning.” she responded. The rest of the car ride was an awkward
silence. Both the girls just sat there.
They finally arrived at Anne’s house. Melanie walked Geri to the door. They both
exchanged hugs and Melanie left. When she go back to Emma’s, she told her what
happened. Emma phoned up the other girls and told them.  Afterwards they all went to
Anne’s to talk with her about it. 

Then the search was on to find the rapist. The police didn’t have that many things to start
with. All they had was a voice description and a siemen sample. They hadn’t found any
suspects or any other clues on who it would be.
Geri had counseling twice a week. She hadn’t seen Melanie or the other girls since that
day. They all had phoned a few times to see how she was copping but other than that, that
was it. 

About a month later Melanie was sitting at home by herself, watching TV. It was around
1:00 in the morning. She wasn’t thinking about the rape, she had business thoughts in her
mind. As she was flicking through the channels she suddenly heard the quiet ring of the
phone upstairs. She was almost just going to sit there and let the answering machine pick
it up but she had a gut feeling that she should take this call. As she made her way up the
stairs she began to wonder who would call her at this hour. She picked up the phone just
in time. 
“Hello.” she said as she answered. 
“Hello” responded a destressed voice on the other end of the line. Melanie knew who it
was.
“Geri, what’s the matter?” she asked curiously. Geri suddenly became hysterical.
“Melanie.” She bauled into the receiver “I need you to come over here right now!”
“Calm down Geri, what’s happened?” She could hear Geri still crying on the other end
trying to catch her breath.
“Please Melanie....” she started just barely understandable. “Please.. just come. I need
your help.” the words just barely made it out of her mouth. Melanie suddenly got a
flashback. She remembered Geri lying on the bed... pleading for help. She blocked the
thought quickly as she had learned to do with the others.
“Calm down Geri...” she stuttered. “I’ll be there as soon as possible.” with that she hung
up the phone and made her way down stairs and out the door.
She knocked on the door conciensiously. Almost immediately they door opened. Geri’s
face showed a nervous look as the tears streamed down her face. Only a single light was
on in the room. Geri was wearing a baggy shirt and a pair of sweats. Seeing Melanie
seemed to only make her tears increase. Melanie hugged her as Geri began to cry even
harder. 
“Shhhh.....” she said soothingly “Calm down, you’re all right...”  she moved her head so
she could see Geri’s face. She had become fairly quiet now. “Are you all right?” she
asked. Geri bit her bottom lip and shook her head negatively. She sobbed and looked
liked she was going to burst out into tears again. Melanie spoke up just in time. “Geri
please sit down, I’ll get you some water.”
“No..” Geri started in trembly voice “I... I’m not thirsty.” she sat down in the corner of
the couch whipping her eyes with her shirt. Melanie sat down beside her holding one of
her hands. She could tell Geri was fragile, and with one wrong word would she burst out
into tears once again.
“Are you all right now?” asked Melanie still concerned. 
“I’ll try not to cry...” started Geri.  “I’ll try.” 
“Ok Geri, now very slowly, tell me... whats...wrong?” Melanie asked apprehensively.
Geri let go of Melanies hand and hugged herself. Melanie softly placed her hand on
Geri’s shoulder.  She looked into her nervous eyes looking for an answer, but found
nothing. “I.... I...” Geri started trembling “Melanie.. I’m pregnant.”
“What?!?” Melanie responded in total disbelief. “Are you serious?!? When did you find
out?”

“This morning...” she started “I used a home pregnancy test.”
“Those things aren’t always right you know” she said still in total disbelief
“I used two...” she started  “Then three....” she began to pout. At this point she knew Geri
was serious. Melanie didn’t know what to say, she just hugged her. It was bad enough
Geri was raped, but to get pregnant. Melanie was shocked. 
“Melanie.. I need your help. I don’t know what to do.” Geri had already began to cry
“Am I the first to know?” Melanie stuttered. Geri nodded her head. 
“Oh god... Geri...” Melanie had began to cry. She was so confused. 
They must have been sitting there for at least an hour. Both silent with words, but not
emotions. Melanie was still in disbelief. Finally, she spoke up. 
“Are you going to keep it?” she asked bluntly. Geri’s expression suddenly changed. She
whipped her eyes and sniffled a bit. She hadn’t really thought about that before.
“I don’t know.” she answered in a crackled voice, clearing it afterwards. “I don’t know
what to do about any of this.” she said almost starting to cry again. But she didn’t, she
stopped herself by yawning.
“What am I supposed to do?” Asked Geri putting her soft hair behind her ears. “I mean,
how am I supposed to tell the others?”
“Don’t tell them until it’s absolutely positive that you are pregnant.” She started “I’ll stay
with you tonight, if you’d like, then tomorrow we’ll go to the doctors to find out for sure.
Because we don’t want to worry the others about it if it’s not true, right?”
Geri nodded her head while fiddling with her rings. She sniffled again. Melanie reached
across the table and grabbed a Kleenex and handed it to her.
“Will you..?” asked Geri. Melanie nodded and got up off the couch. 
“Gee...” she started “My butt just fell asleep.” Geri smiled and got up kind of dizzily. 
“It’s almost three.” Mel started as she began to make her way up the stairs. “So if we get
to sleep now, and get up around nine we’ll at least have had six hours. Will that satisfy
you Ger?” Geri didn’t answer. Melanie stopped and turned around. “Ger?” she asked. She
looked down the stairs only to see Geri  standing there with her face buried in her hands.
“Don’t cry Geri,” she said as she made her way down the stairs. “Oh please don’t cry,
you know how it upsets me too.”  She placed her hand on the side of Geri’s head.
“What’s there matter?” Geri took her head out of her hands.
“Mel, I don’t even know who the father is.” she said, once again trying to stop herself
from crying.  Melanie didn’t know how to help out with that one.
“Geri,” she started “Just put it in the back of your head until tomorrow. You don’t need
to lose sleep over it.” Geri didn’t answer and began to walk up the stairs. Melanie
followed. Still confused. 
 Geri went strait to her room and shut her door as Melanie made her way down the hall to
the guest room. 

That night Geri cried herself to sleep, in worry, confusion but mostly fear.  She was
almost positive that she was pregnant, because she had already used three different
brands of pregnancy tests, and she knew that ‘something’ was over two weeks late.
Geri woke up around eight with a headache and was feeling a little woozy. She took a
few Tylenol’s and went back to sleep for an hour. She was awaked a second time by the
sound of a kettle boiling downstairs. It was a miserable day. She got up and dressed and
made her way down stairs, still showing off her bed head. Melanie was stirring two cups
of coffee and trying to make some toast. 
“Morning Ger.” she said cheerfully while handing her one cup of coffee “How are you
feeling?” Geri stretched and yawned before responding to the question.
“A lot better than last night.” she started “I think I’ve used up all of my tears for the
week.”
“I’ve just scheduled you and appointment for 10:30.” she in formed Geri, changing the
subject. Geri turned her head towards the clock to realize it was already 9:50.
“We better get a move on if we wanna make it across town in time.”  said Mel warned as
she swallowed the last drop of her coffee. Geri was still stirring hers with squinty eyes. 
She finally finished she made her way back upstairs to brush her hair and teeth and take a
shower. By the time she came out in was 10:15. Melanie was waiting at the front door. 
“Yours or mine?” she asked.
“I don’t care” Geri responded knowing that Melanie was referring to cars “You choose.” 
Mel made her way down the porch steps and to her car.,br>
They arrived a bit early because they had got all green lights. So both the girls sat side by
side, in the waiting room, reading magazines. 
“Do you want me to come with you?” she asked breaking the silence of reading. Geri
looked at her and then back at the article. 
“Erm.... no that’s ok Mel, I think I can do this on my own.” she flipped a few pages. “But
if you really want-” Geri was stopped short by the ringing sound of the receptionists
voice. “Geraldine Halliwell” she said as her eyes searched the fairly crowded room. Geri
stood up as the nurse actioned for her to come this way. Geri followed her fixing her shirt
at the back.  She entered a small but cozy looking room, and was asked to sit down on the
table. “The doctor will be here in a few minutes” she said flashing her a friendly smile.
Geri smiled back as she left the room.
Melanie only had to wait about twenty minutes before she could hear Geri’s voice
thanking the doctor. As she came out of the hallway Melanie studied her face trying to
figure out the answer before Geri would tell her. But she couldn’t find anything, Geri’s
face was practically  expressionless.
“So?” she asked as she got off her chair.
“So what?” responded Geri teasingly. Melanie could tell that she was in a better mood
than earlier this morning.
“No I’m only joking Mel, it takes ten hour for the results, they said they’d phone me as
soon as they knew.”
“Oh...” said Mel as she opened the exit door for Geri. They walked across the parking lot
to Melanie’s car. 
“So I was thinking...” she started as she opened the car door and unlocked the other for
Geri. “If you wanted to go out for dinner tonight? You know, just to talk, my treat. Geri
sat down in the lumpy car seat and did up her seat belt before responding. 
“Ok Mel” she agreed “ I wanted you to be there when I find out the results anyways.”
The rest of the day had gone by fast and it was already five thirty.  Geri was just fixing up
her eye make-up when the doorbell rang. She and Mel had agreed to six o’clock .Geri
assumed it was Melanie because she was always early for everything. She looked at her
self one last time in the mirror before going down the stairs to answer the door.
Surprisingly enough it wasn’t Melanie. Victoria and David stood there hand in hand. 
“Oh hi.” said Geri surprisingly exchanging hugs with them both. She let them in the
house.
“You look gorgeous in that purple dress.” commented Victoria with awe. “Are you going
on a date tonight?” she asked. Geri smiled and responded. 
“Sort of. Melanie’s taking me out tonight .” 
She chatted with the couple for about ten minutes when Victoria insisted they had to get
going because they wouldn’t make it on time for their reservations. She asked Vicky to
call her tomorrow.
Just as Geri watched their car disappear down the street Melanies came roaring in. Geri
saw her through the window and slipped on her shoes and overcoat that went with her
silky purple dress. Just as the doorbell rang Geri slipped her cell phone into her purse.
she opened the door. Mel looked really nice. She was wearing a navy blue business suit
and her hair was in a tight bun with two stands coming down the front.
“Hi babe” Mel said in a masculine voice trying not to giggle. “I’m here.” Geri gave her
kind of a weird look, then smiled.  
“You look nice” said Melanie as Geri locked up the door. “Thanks.” she responded.
“Did they call you yet?” asked Mel curiously. 
“No, not yet” she replied while making her way carefully down the 8 porch steps. “But I
gave them my cell number.”
They arrived at the restaurant, just in time for there reservations. They were seated and
given menus.
“Now remember Ger, it’s my treat, so get anything your heart desires.” Geri just looked
at her menu still deciding. 
“I’m not really hungry Mel, I am so nervous.” She said as she put down her menu.  Mel
reached across the table and held Geri’s hand. 
“Don’t worry Ger, I’m in this with you. You’re not alone Ger, I’m here.” Geri smiled at
Melanie, looking as if she was going to cry. 
“Now go on, order Ger.”  Melanie smiled. Geri looked Mel in the eye, and then once
again picked up her menu. 
About half an hour later both girls were half way through their meal. Melanie seemed to
be enjoying hers. But Geri was just poking at it with her fork. She would take a bite every
now and then. She glanced at her watch then back at her half eaten meal. Suddenly the
silence was broken. The high pitched sound of Geri’s cell phone rang through the section
they were in. Melanie swallowed and put down her utensils.  Geri quickly answered the
phone to stop disturbing the other people in the restaurant. She gave Mel a worried
glance and answered the phone. 
Half an hour later they were on there way to Emma’s. They figured it would be a good
idea to tell each girl one at a time, letting them react seperatly. Geri chose to tell Emma
first.  She had already phoned Emma to make sure she was there before heading over.
Surprisingly enough Geri was not that upset about the results. Probably because she was
almost sure that they were positive before she even received the call.
“So what are you going to do?” asked mel while turning the steering wheel to the left.
Geri didn’t answer so Melanie assumed she didn’t understand.
“I mean, are you going to keep it? Have you decided yet?” Geri moved around
uncomfortably in the car seat then looked Melanie straght int the eye. 
“Seriously Melanie, I don’t know what the hell I’m gonna do.” she replied shaking her
head vehemently. 
Four hours later, around 1:00am Melanie was headed home. She just had dropped of Geri
and was still a little edgy on the thought of abortion. Geri still hadn’t made her mind up
but it looked like she was a little more leanient towards keeping it. They had discused the
problem with the other girls asking them what they would do if they were in Geri’s shoes.
All of them said they would keep it for the same reason. 
“Even if you don’t know who the father is.” they started “That’s only half of the baby.
But the other half is you.”

Geri seemed to consider the other girls advice and promised to call them all up the next
morning when she had made her mind up.
The phone rang at 8:00  the next morning. Causing Melanie to jump a bit for she was just
lying there watching tv. She put the tv on mute and picked up the phone. 
“Hello?” she asked yawning.“Oh I’m sorry Mel, did I wake you?” responded the voice on
the other end. It was Geri of course.
“No no...” she started while switching ears. “I’ve been awake for about half an hour
now.”  Mel took a deep breath and yawned again waiting for Geri to speak.
“I’ve decided.” she informed Melanie. Mel didn’t reply because she knew Geri was just
going to continue.
“I’ve decided to keep it.” Mel was shocked, yet over whelmed with joy.
Geri phoned up Emma, next. Then David and Victoria. No one answered the phone at
Mel’s though. Emma was so happy for her, she began to cry on the phone. Victoria was
starting to talk with her about a triple baby shower ecstatically. Geri was over whelmed.
She was now actually happy about her decision. When she finally did get a hold of Mel,
she was so happy she began to cry. Melanie had the same idea as Vicky. She and Jimmy
decided to have a dinner on Saturday, to congratulate her. 
 A month had passed. Geri had gone to the doctors twice in this amount of time. In the
last few weeks she had just began to get morning sickness, and she hated it. Mel G and
Victoria just laughed at her, as they had already been through that. It was the twentieth of
December and Geri was going downtown to see the lighting of the huge Christmas tree.
She was meeting Victoria and David down there too. She had done this almost every
year, ever since she was just a little girl. It was like a Christmas tradition for her, and
besides, it always got her in the Christmas spirit. The event  was actually more than the
lighting of that beautiful tree. People would say speeches. And hot chocolate and apple
cider would be sold. Geri just loved it. When she got there it was around six o’clock and
they were lighting it at six fifteen. The park was crowded. Geri made her way through the
crowds of families towards the stands as her eyes searched the crowd for Victoria and
David. Not seeing them she decided to go get a good seat while they were still some
available. She climbed carefully up the least slippery looking part of the stands up to the
very top where there were only two seats available. She could see almost the whole park
from this height and once again scanned the eager crowd for her unreliable friends. Her
concentration was suddenly broken.
“Is this seat taken?” asked a nice looking gentleman standing patiently to her right. Since
Victoria and David  weren’t here now, she assumed something personal had happened
and they weren’t gong to show up at all.
“No.” she replied quietly. He looked and her kind of weird that sat down. Geri took her
eyes off the man and looked impatiently back at the crowd wondering when they were
going to start. They park was lively with spirit and laughter but still was feeling
uncomfortable. She could feel the man staring at her. At first she tried to block it, but
then she couldn’t take it anymore and looked at him too.
“Do I know you from somewhere?” he asked curiously this time in a lower voice than
before he last spoke. Geri, not wanting to reveal her identity and not really in the mood to
chat she responed negatively.
“No.” she said “I don’t think so.”
“Oh.....” he said looking away then back at the crowd that had now gathered very close to
the tree. Geri began to wonder, because she to knew him from somewhere too. Not
actually him, just his voice. Geri figured she must have heard him on the radio or
something. Suddenly it hit her. As she began to realize who the man was she became very
chagrin. She could tell that he two was begining to realize that she had figured it out. He
moved around uncomfortably on the stand. Geri became panicked and wanted to run
right there. But she didn’t want to create a commotion, so she decided to get up and leave
very casually. As she flung her bag over her left shoulder he looked at her with a sinister
stare. Geri was standing now and was just about to leave when she felt a powerful grip on
her arm pull her back down.

“Right here is fine David!” Victoria barked in an impatient voice. She glanced at her
watch and complaining once again. “We’re already twenty minutes late, and you know
how Geri gets.” David didn’t reply and just laughed at her frustration. She tried to keep a
serious face but she couldn’t help laughing and David’s goofy smile. The couple got out
of the car and locked up the mustang as they made there way across the long parking lot.

Geri was besieged by his mental force on her. But being scared her adrenaline was
already way up there, she easily jerked her arm away. She carefully but quickly made her
way down the stand. The man began to follow her and Geri knew it. When she reached
the ground safely she stopped and looked back to see how close he was. He was a bit
farther now but coming quick. She began to run zigzagging her way through the crowd
trying to loose him. As she was almost at the nearly deserted parking lot the tree was
begining to light. This year she didn’t care if she missed it she just knew she had to get
out of the park. Millions of thoughts were rushing through her head making everything in
fornt of her a blur. Her throwt became dry very quickly from the constant running in the
dry December night. Geri realized to her amasment that she had lost the man and began
to slow down a second too late.
Geri’s back hit hard on the ice covered tarmac of the parking lot. As she rolled over in
pain she realized she couldn’t feel her legs and couldn’t get up. She managed to get into a
sitting position against a car. She suddenly felt a sharp pain below her stomach. She
grasped her self and began to moan in agony. 

The couple turned the corner hand in hand curious about the moan they had just heard
from near them. They both stopped in there tracks at the site of Geri. Victoria stooped
breathing for a second.
“Geri?” she asked still hoping that she was mistaken on who the injured person was. Geri
lifted her face out of her hands and gave a sigh of relief.
“Victoria.” she started quickly “Thank god you’re here. Help me before he gets me!”
Victoria was confused and her expression showed it. 
“Who gets you Hun?” she asked as she bent down beside her whipping away her tears.
“The man, the man who raped me...”she started sobbing “He.. he was sitting beside me
on the stand.. I knew it was him from his voice..... I was scared and got up, but he
followed me..” she burst out in tears. 
“Where is the bastard?” asked David sounding rancour. “If I ever get the chance to.. I’m
gonna beat the crap out of that asshole!” he was really angry.
“He lost me in the crowd” replied Geri. David turned and swore to himself.
“Why are sitting here now?” asked Victoria curiously.
“I slipped on that ice.” she said pointing out the patch “I landed on by back... and now 
can’t get up.” she just barely finished when the pains came back below her stomach. She
grasped herself causously squeezing her eyes shut.
“What’s the matter Geri?” asked Victoria grassping Geri’s arm. Geri could just barely
speak.
“I think there’s something wrong..” she managed to sputter out. “With the baby.”
“Oh shit David” said Victoria panicking “Call an ambulance. Now!”

And for the second time in the last 4 months Geri was rushed to the hospital. But this
time she was awake. The next morning she received the horrible news. Victoria was the
one to tell her because the doctor had warned her about what Gear’s reaction might be.
“The baby is gone.” she told her while holding her hand supportively.
Geri became totally hysterical. She screamed at first then burst into a river of tears
leading to vomiting and more crying. Victoria was almost upset as she was. After four
hours of this Geri had finally calmed down. And was just talking to Victoria calmly.
“I can’t take much more of this.” she informed her. “I swear I’m going to have a nervous
breakdown.” The room became silent. Then Geri spoke up again.
“I even had a name for her,” she said started trying not to cry.
“Her?” said Victoria queitly.
“Yeah, I asked the doctor for the sex.” she started  “Christene...”

	The days passed by miserably. Geri went into hyperventillation twice during the
night. And was in the E.R for trying to kill herself. She was so depressed.
The girls decided that she really needed a vacation to get away from all the frustration
and negative energy. So they all put in a bit and decided to send her to the bahamas.
Geri was thankful and refused to let them pay. But after a while of comprimising she was
talked out of it. Before she left for her exciting trip to the bahamas she couldn’t get the
thought of her mind that the rapist was still out there... lurking about her community.
They night before she was going to leave, the phone rang. It was the call she had been
waiting for. 
The man was named Kevin Smigelsky. He was proved guilty and recieved 10 years in
jail. Now Geri could go to the bahamas, relax, and have a completly clear mind.... for the
time being.

THE END 


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