Her beauty far exceeded that which he had ever seen, the thick, auburn hair which surrounded her face accentuated her deeply coloured lips and produced the fragile appearance, spurred by her pale skin. A deep bruise was forming on her cheek. Unaware, Kalli continued to sleep, to forget the pain, her chest rose rhythmically in conjunction with her breathing, a sound which calmed his nerves. He watched her dream, she looked more peaceful than he had ever seen her, for a moment he wished she would stay that way forever, sleeping, away from the world which could do nothing but bring her harm.

"Well, isn't that sweet?" that haggard voice drifted from the doorway. Taylor hadn't heard it open, hadn't heard Danny arrive.

"Please leave us alone... just get what you want and let us go." he could feel the tears returning but determination held them in. Danny sighed mockingly and moved towards them, Taylors only reaction was to back away.

"Jesus kid!" Danny exclaimed and dropped a shopping bag at his feet. Taylor glanced at it and then back at Danny, confusion spreading through his whole body.

"Well, go on..." he ordered. Taylor moved forward and delved into the bag finding two cans of Pepsi and a bag of chips. The food made his mouth water but his main need was liquid, he opened the can and drank almost half of the refreshing substance, he then attacked the chips.

Danny watched the feast, a myriad of emotions growing within him, things he rarely felt, things he had never felt haunted his soul. He realised, as he sat staring at the boy that he was actually starting to feel sympathy for them, for him mostly. Regret, guilt and sorrow had begun to replace the rage which he carried inside. But they were covered, masked by the one thing he had thought he could never feel again; fear.

He was scared to death, scared of what would happen, scared of what he had done, scared of what he was capable of doing. If he was caught his punishment would be harsh, he had raped this girl, she had barely said two words to him but that anger had taken over his actions. He was frightened of what he had become.

He was pulled back from his thoughts as he realised Taylor was staring at him. He returned the stare, his cold malicious eyes matching his steely blue. Something in those eyes scared him, they seemed empty, devoid of sorrow, anger had hold of them.

"Why did you do this, to us, to her?" his melodic voice was severe with fury.

"I..." he stopped, speechless; he had no words.

"Answer me, does money really constitute ruining two lives?"

Danny stared into those hard blue eyes, waiting for him to relent, to give up his attack- it did not come. I used to think so, his mind cried, I used to think money was the answer to everything. What have you done to me? In reply he just shook his head.

"Why did you hurt her?" his last question came as a whisper, so emotion filled it almost made Danny want to cry; an action he hadn't performed in a long time.

"I get angry..." Danny’s harsh voice had softened slightly "I don't realise what I'm doing until it's too late, I..."

"You're sick, you know that, SICK!" Taylor screamed, his rage getting the better of him "You need help, you're tapped in the head. You rape a poor defenceless girl and your only excuse is that you get 'angry'? You bastard, you've probably ruined her life forever all because you can't keep your feelings in check... I hate you, I hate you so much. If I get out of this alive I am going to hunt you down and kill you, do you hear me? KILL YOU!!!"

Don't let him talk to you like that Danny, if this boy thinks he can hurt you then prove he's wrong- the inner voice returned, screaming in his head, Kill him Danny, kill him. Don't let him treat you like shit, do it, kill him and go. The voice repeated the demand, over and over it implored him to end the boys life, Danny just couldn't ignore the command. He attacked Taylor, delivering punches to his head, his body, if he could hurt him he did. He delivered harsh kicks to Taylors frail body and viscious blows to his head and face. He could feel hands on him but he just struck out and connected with what he assumed was the girls face. Again and again he attacked, not happy until Taylor face was red, covered in his own blood. Deep cuts and dark bruises covered his whole body but still he continued, the anger to great to halt his onslaught.

"STOP!" he heard screaming, shrill cries ringing in his head. Cries of pleading, deepest sorrow echoed in his mind but it wasn't until he heard himself that he stopped and stood away from the young boy.

You've messed up now Danny, look at him... go on. He took a look at what had been Taylor Hanson. Blood poured from every aperture, covering his frail, unmoving body. He was sure the boy was dead... You have to get him out of here Danny, they night be able to save him but not if you leave him here... Do it... take him home.

His senses were heightened, he could smell the sour aroma of blood, hear the fearful panting of the young girl whose face was also bleeding, feel intense pain in his knuckles and taste the salty wetness of perspiration on his lips.

Go Danny, before it's too late.