*Chapter One Continuation 2*

She passed a Raising Cane, a Sonic, a Wendy's, and the sight almost made her cry again. No, no, you're almost there, keep going. The road swerved to the right and she followed the curve, and started passing into a residential area. The street she wanted was two blacks past the railroad tracks, and she turned right, watching the house numbers. She struggled to keep her eyes open and focused. She'd gone two blocks when she found the house she wanted, and turned into the driveway, parking behind a black Chevrolet SUV.
The house was three-story clapboard Victorian, complete with a cupola. Dormer windows peered out from what was probably a half-attic. A porch ran the distance of the house and curved around it, disappearing behind in the back. The windows were large, and the whole place needed painting. The lawn was in disrepair, with exposed areas of dirt. Towering pines shot upward with lower branches sparse and brown.
Yet the windows were lit up with blue Christmas lights, and a huge Christmas tree, unlit, stood in a window at the corner of the house. Gray smoke rose from a chimney. She smiled. Someone must be home. Still she sat in the car for a couple of moments, and felt the fear start to snake through her body again.
What if this was all for nothing? What if she has no answers for you? What is she thinks you're crazy, and calls them to tell them you're here? What is there's nothing she can do to help you?
"No," Sue whispered, gripping the steering wheel with both hands until her knuckles whitened. "Stop it. You're here."
She steeled herself, and got out of the car. It was raining hard again, so she grabbed her backpack and ran up to the front door. Without any hesitation, she rang the bell. Footsteps sounded within the house, and she sagged against to door frame with relief.
The door opened. The woman who stood in front of her was in her early fifties, wearing a red and blck checked flannel shirt over jeans and fuzzy blue house slippers. Her short dark hair was shot through with gray, and reading glasses were perched on the end of her nose. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Sue?" Her eye's grew wider. "What on earth are you doing here?" She pulled the younger woman into a hug.
"But thank God you're alright! I've been worried sick about you." Sue couldn't say anything. All of her weariness suddenly seemed to overcome her. She just clung onto Dr. Marshall.
The older woman stepped back and looked at her. "Are you okay, Sue> You look terrible! What's wrong? Why are you here?"
"Just really tired, Dr. Marshall." Sue gave her a weak smile. Her legs felt like they might buckle at any moment. "I had to come. I had to see you."
Dr. Marshall stepped aside and Sue brushed by her into the house. "Ever since I got that e-mail from you, I half expected this," the older woman said." Sue, are you sure you're okay?"
"I don't know if I'll ever be okay again." Once inside Dr. Marshall's house, Sue began to tremble. "I need your help. And I'm so tired---so very tired."
"Well of course I'll do whatever I'll can. Come on in." Dr. Marshall gestured into the living room. "Have a seat here. Can I get you anything? You must be hungry." She followed the younger woman into the room, standing over Sue as she nearly collapsed on the sofa. "I haven't been to the grocery store---but I'm sure I can make you a sandwich or something." She stared down at Sue, pushing her glasses up her nose. "Sue, you look terrible. Are you sure you're all right?"
Sue laughed bitterly. "I'm alive, aren't I?" The room was warm, comfortable.