The next days went by quietly and relaxed. I kept Frank drugged, so he was calm as a little baby. It could get really boring, but for now I felt happy. Frank wouldn't be able to run away from me, and yet he was satisfied with the way things were. I went to see my parents and told them Frank was sick.

“But can you leave him alone? Can he manage all by him self?” My mother asked. She'd always been fond of Frank.
“Of course, mam. He's not lethally ill, he's just got a headache. He's been working so hard these days.”
Is everything okay between the two of you? You haven't been around much lately, and we heart that you split up for a while. But you didn't want to tell me over the phone, and I couldn't ask Frank of course. I didn't want to bother him too much.” My mother looked at me as if she didn't trust my answer and looked for more information in my eyes.
“Sure, all is fine. A relationship like ours can't be broken over some fight. We needed a little room, but now we're doing great again. We know what we got and where we stand.”

And that was true. Maybe Frank didn't understand that very well right now, but who cared? I sure didn't. And the Valium didn't change him very much. He was more quiet and a little tired, and he didn't seem to be interested in much, but on the other hand, he was still himself. He even made jokes now and then, and wanted to cuddle with me. But after a couple of days, his uninterested and plant-like behaviour started to annoy me. I couldn't get him excited about anything!

“Want to go for a walk? Want to go shopping? Shall we go visit the Geological Museum?” To all of this he shook his head and told me how tired he was. Especially the Museum, that was his all-time favorite! Maybe I didn't have the dosage right, but this was totally crazy.
“Come on, Frank, what are you? Eighty years old?” I shouted. He looked at me with his droopy old eyes.
“No, maybe I've got the flu, but I don't feel like doing anything.” He was lying on the couch, his feet in his boring grey socks hanging over the side and his hair in disarray.
“Get over it, man. I want to go out, now.” I even stamped my foot on the floor, but he just yawned and went back to his paper. I felt my breath go faster and faster, and all I wanted to do was dive on him and wrap my fingers around his neck. But I couldn't do that. No, he was drugged now, and this way it wouldn't be any fun. My fingers curled up into tight fists, and my nails dug their way into my flesh.
“Breath in, breath out, calm down.” I whispered to myself. “He can't help it.”
“Can you sit down, Mandy? You make me tired just by standing there.” My heart skipped a beat, and I almost let my fist shoot out against his head, but instead, I reached out and let my shivering fingers ruffle through his hair.
“You read on, my love. But I'll go out and run for a while.” I never liked jogging, but now I needed the excercise. Quickly I put on my shoes and went out for a long run. I let my legs and arms and chest work out like I never did before.

That evening, I didn't put any Valium in Franks meal, and I didn't sleep well. I kept looking at him, wondering if he would suddenly sit up and realise where he was. But nothing happened. He slept all night and I didn't.

“Do you feel better now?” I asked Frank the next morning. He looked great, his eyes alert and his skin in good colour. He looked attractive.
“Yeah, I feel allright.” He answered. It didn't seem like anything was bothering him.
“Would you maybe like it if we went somewhere? Maybe the zoo, or the museum?”
“The weather looks nice, so sure, why not. The Museum would be great, we haven't been there for a while. I heard they have an exhibition about California and the Great Fault.”

So we ate our breakfast and started to make preparations for our day out. I took my purse, filled with every weapon that would fit in there. This time, I had planned to stick a screwdriver in his chest, maybe on our way back from the museum. We took the elevator down and walked to the car. I hurried to the driver's side, but Frank was there at the same time. Our car is allways parked on the great parkingspace in front of the apartment building. Because it was early in the morning there was noone to be seen. Still, it was very open and you never knew who was watching from the fourteen floor building.

“Let me drive.” Frank said softly.
“No, you felt sick yesterday and very tired. It's not wise for you to drive.” I answered. I didn't really trust him, so I made sure I blocked the door. He looked at me hesitantly and then stepped backwards.
“When I woke up this morning, Mandy, I saw you lying next to me. You didn't sleep, you were watching me, keeping an eye on me. I remember every time you turned into the devil. How you slit my throat...” An unconcious finger gently touched his neck. “How you shot me, chopped me to pieces with a chainsaw or drove me off the road. I don't know how you managed to keep me here in this hell house, but I don't want to be there anymore.” He'd taken a couple of steps away from me, and suddenly turned around. With all his effort he started running away, but I could see the Valium was still in his body. He didn't run as fast as he usually could. I jumped into the car, turned the key and drove down the road.

Frank was running on the sidewalk, and I quickly caught up with him. I scanned the road ahead and behind me. There were some trees and bushes next to the sidewalk, so I made the guess that people from the building couldn't see him. I had to decide now. I slowed down a little, the distance between me and Frank became greater, I jerked the transmission and floored the gaspedal. The car sped forward, with a swift movement of my arm I steered the car to the sidewalk. Frank didn't look back but urged his body to move faster, but with a loud bang the car hit him in the knees. He landed on the hood and smashed against the window. I drove on a little farther, Frank fell on the stones and I quickly shifted back. With a satisfying thud I hit Frank again as he tried to get up again, and with a few bumps I felt the car role over him.

I got out of the car and looked in front of it. Frank was lying on his back, a trickle of blood was in the corner of his mouth, his head was bruised and his legs broken. He moaned softly.
“Don't think you're a match for me.” I whispered. “I'll never let you get away.” I grabbed his arms and dragged him to the trunk. “Never.”