Mel paced her apartment. It didn't take long to get around the kitchen island move into her bedroom where she could barely see out of the window to look down on the street. Her window faced east, and the sunrise was almost south of it as they approached the winter solstice.

She touched the leaves of the orchid Ralph brought her. Another thing to take care of, and the lovely mixed colors of the the blooming flowers fit right in with her décor. Funny how Smoky and the plants made her feel better about herself. What was it Dr. Elizabeth always said?

I need to do things that make me feel good. Like reading a novel, or having a hobby? Do the plants count as a hobby? I get it now. I'm worthy of friends, of fun, and love. Have to tell her. Only one appointment left in three weeks. Where is Ralph?

She glanced at her watch and realized it was only five minutes since she talked to him.

The pounding on her door, startled her. Her heart started to race, and the familiar ache under her sternum kept time.

"Police! I need to talk to you."

Mel shivered. She didn't call them and as far as she knew Ralph hadn't either. She went into the kitchen and snuffed her candle out. Wetting her fingers, she stopped the tiny glow from the wick. Smoky's tail was lashing back and forth. He looked like he was ready to pounce. Only a thin sliver of light peeked through the curtains.

"Open the door, or we will break it down."

Breathe. Long deep breaths. Focus! Like Dr. Elizabeth and Master Michael taught you. Do not panic.

Mel went over the the door silently sliding her sock clad feet along the floor. Dropping on the little bench beside it, she took them off. The last thing she needed right now was to slip. This had to be a mistake.

Stretching up to the peephole she saw a single officer. Possible there were more, but the voice reminded her of someone. Where had she heard him before?

"Open the door bitch! I know you're in there."

"Just a second."

Mel hoped he wouldn't see the light on her alarm change from green to red, as she rearmed it.

Should have listened to Ralph when he told me never to disarm it. There was a two minute delay if a key is used on the door. Hurry up, love.

Was that gas she smelled? Not natural gas from the furnace room under her kitchen. Car gas okay, maybe the officer was trying to get her out before she got hurt. The prickle on the back of her neck warned her to be wary. Was she being swatted? Who would do that to her? And why would there be gasoline in the air and where was the rest of the team?

The thoughts jumbled through her head as she thought it through. And her stomach turned as she came to an ugly conclusion.

Grumman!

I remember. He dragged me across the snow by my arm. My shoulder cracked and I screamed. He hurt me. "Think you're going to get away with this you little bitch?" He wrecked the footprints. That's the voice. Oh God. Now what?

She heard a weird popping ping and the apartment went dark. A second one and the brand new lever handle on her door bent inward. She stepped to the side in the nick of time as it slammed into the closet door.

Grumman went right by her.

"Where the fuck are you."

His scream echoed through her apartment.

Damn should have taken Smoky and gone into the bakery. Locked both doors. I don't want to hurt him. Assaulting a police officer is a federal felony.

She heard her closet door come off its track as he searched. Sirens were echoing through a street close by.

He isn't thinking like a cop. He's after me for a personal reason. What the heck is his problem with me?

She ducked behind the island. Thank God it was a split level type with room for a couple of stools. She got rid of her little table after it was wrecked in the break in.

"You're going to pay for killing my love. Delaying Daddy from meeting the rest of the volunteers. Johnny, she's going to pay. Some friend he was. Call an ambulance for fuck sake. A fire call is more important."

He's got to be nuts. Who's Johnny? What did I have to do with it?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Why is the alley dark?" Greg asked as his squealing tires bit into the only stretch of cleared road on the way over. There were three cop cars following him, and he slowed as he approached the rear of Cozy Corner.

His headlights picked up the license plate first.

"Shit, she's here!" Anson said. "And smell the gas?"

Greg slammed the transmission into park and stomped on the parking break. He jumped out, barely registering his brother's call to 911.

A small flickering flame caught his attention and he raced toward it. The last thing he saw as he launched himself at the black clad fire wielder was the arc as they let it drop. Hitting them from behind, he prayed they smothered the spurting rush of heat.

He heard the snap of a bones, and a muffled scream as he rolled them away from the pooled liquid. Relief flooded him when he didn't see flames and he almost released his hold on the would be arsonist. He caught them by the ankle as they started to crawl away. Reaching up he caught the belt they were wearing and flipped them on their back.

"No more hiding behind the mask." He grunted as a knee found his stomach but succeeded in pulling the black balaclava off.

"She's got to die. It's only fair. She killed Johnny. She was why he died!" Fury contorted Deloras' face. And a sly smile bloomed. "But you're too late. Andy got her. She's as good as dead. We loved him. He didn't deserve to die. Stupid brat. She should have died in the first fire. Only fair. An eye for an eye."

He recognized the deeper tone of sirens. Firetrucks were on their way. The spill was far easier to deal with than flames. And then Deloras pulled a lighter out of her pocket and held it to the pool of liquid she landed in.

"Nothing cleanses like fire."

She didn't even scream.