The light was the flashlight of a police officer. " What are you doing here, young lady?' the officer replied.

" I don't know."

" well, this is not a safe place to be. there has been a serial killer loose in these parts, and several of his bodies have turned up in this abandoned building. This is no place for a yong lady like you to be. Could i offer you a ride home?'

" I think I can walk."

" I wouldn't advise it. This serial killer we are talking about is very elusive. He is a sneaky killer, and he has us all fooled. so far, twenty people in this town have been killed. I don't know if you've been paying attention to the news, or anything."

" no, i have not heard about it."

" Please allow me to take you home."

" Okay."

The police officer dropped me off in front of my house. My mother was up waiting on the porch, with bags under her eyes, chain-smoking Carlton Slims.

" And where the hell have you been, young lady? And why is a cop dropping you off?'

I began to cry. " I was just at a party. i wasn't doing anything wrong!"

"Well, your father is going to be pretty angry!"

" Please don't tell him!"

My father walked out. " I heard that!" he slapped me. " You've been drinking!"

" Just like you, dad!"

" Don't you talk back to me, young lady!There's some nut loose on the street, killing people, and you are going to parties? you are grounded!"

" You're the nut, dad!"

He slapped me again. " Just like your mother, you are! Now get in here!"

I went to my room and cried. the leg still hurt.