Shannon

I know I don't write a lot here right now. But it's entirely because my mind is so focussed on my trip to Japan in a few weeks, I find it hard to concentrate on anything else. If I sit down to draw, or write, or anything I find myself thinking "I should be spending this free time preparing for my trip."

I can't commit to anything with something this important looming this close.

But at the same time I don't want to lose my touch, so here's some more Shannon.

This is the hardest part to write in Shannon's story...

The three drove back to Shannon's in silence. As they pulled into the driveway of the Baker house Eddie turned to Shannon. "I'm going to take Amanda home and then come back here. I suggest you talk to Uncle Fredrick and Aunt Meredith about the party."

Shannon nodded, said goodbye to Amanda and got out of the car. She watched as Eddie and Amanda drove away and turned towards the door step not daring to go in. She stood there a while gathering her thoughts and preparing herself for the undeniable lecture she was sure to receive.

Shannon steeled herself, took a deep breathe, and opened the door.

"Shannon? Where have you been? I thought you were going to be home last night!" Meredith cried and she rushed to hug her.

"Hi, Mom. I need to talk to you and Fredrick." Shannon said solemnly walking toward the living room.

"What's wrong?" Meredith asked, concern more than apparent in her face.

"It's why I'm so late coming home." Shannon said hoping she'd only have to explain it to Meredith. She took a breath and noticed Fredrick walk into the room. Shannon paused a moment.

"What is it?" Fredrick asked.

"Last night I was at Beth's house for a party, as you know." Shannon said slowly trying very hard to keep calm. "I was talking to some new people I'd never met, some friends of Beth's I think, and one of them offered me a drink."

"You were drinking?" Fredrick said sounding almost ready to pounce.

"Only pop. I made sure of that." Shannon quickly explained, easing Fredrick's state. "I don't know what happened but there must have been something in the drink because the next thing I knew…" Shannon trialled of. She couldn't remember what happened next.

"You were drugged?" Fredrick shouted. Meredith slumped into a chair looking like a wisp of herself. "What happened!?" Fredrick demanded.

"Nothing happened." Shannon defended immediately. "I remember finding Amanda and she called Eddie to take us out of there. I spent the night at Amanda's. Everything is okay now."

"Everything is NOT okay!" shouted Fredrick. "Do you have any idea what they could've done to you? How did this happen?"

"I told you, I don't know." Shannon said starting to feel more scared than when she started. "I don't remember anything. It was all a blur."

"How can you be so careless?" Fredrick paced frantically in the room. Meredith say motionless in the chair. "Why didn't you call us?"

"I was completely out of it. I didn't know what was going on when it happened. Amanda said I was like a zombie." Shannon stammered she could feel the tears welling in the edges of her eyes. "I swear I didn't know it would happen."

Fredrick rounded and was about to say something but he stopped. He turned and walked to front door opening it. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at Shannon. "Go to your room." Was all he said before slamming the door.

Shannon burst into tears and collapsed to the floor. It wasn't like she wanted this to happen. She felt terrible already, she just wanted to be held and be told it would be alright.

As she sat on the floor crying she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her. Meredith had curled up next to her on the floor and was holding her. "There there." Meredith's said soothingly. "It'll be ok." Shannon turned and hugged Meredith and cried in her arms a while longer. When she finally was calm enough she wiped her eyes and stood up.

Meredith stood up with her and brushed Shannon's hair gently with her fingers. "Go wash up dear," she said. "I'll bring you a cup of tea in a moment."