The stranger turned to look Helen in the eyes, and she looked back. She told him "I'll need four days. That should give the cops time to ask all their questions about the accident."

"Why does what happens to these people matter to you?" he asked her.

"They're my friends, Angel. That makes them my responsibility. If I can take care of them, that's what I have to do."

Angel smiled, and said, "I guess there's some things you can't change."

"Guess so" Helen shrugged.

He picked up a lock of the hair that fell just over halfway down Helen's back, and told her "You look good with long hair."

"It was kind of a symbol of what I wanted my life to be here."

"What was that, Helen?" Julie asked.

Helen and her companion looked at Julie, startled, and Helen said "Ordinary. As normal and All-American as I could be. Cheerleader, dating the football captain," Barry's face darkened at that, "Beauty Queen."

"I meant to tell you. Nice tiara," Angel said.

Helen asked him "Four days, then?"

"You got it."

"On the condition that my friends are safe?" Helen asked.

Angel nodded. "Done" he said, holding out his hand.

"Done" Helen replied, taking his and shaking it. Angel then lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the back like an old-fashioned courtier.

"The cops are almost here. You'd better go" Helen told him, pulling her hand away. He nodded and walked to the railing, vaulting over and disappearing into the darkness.

"So where are the cops?" Barry asked.

Helen just pointed down the road, and the four friends turned to see the distant lights of an ambulance and a police car coming to them.

Four days later, Julie James sat on the front porch of her house as she read the

newspaper.

"Ready to go?"

Julie looked up to see Ray at the bottom of the stairs. "Yeah" she replied, standing and walking down the stairs to join him.

On the way to Helen's house, Ray asked Julie "Are you sure about this?"

"You saw the way the guy was looking at her. Helen's the reason the guy helped us, and she's the price."

"But what makes you think she's leaving?"

"Why else would she ask for four days to make sure we were safe?" Ray shrugged, and they continued through the summer evening. The walk to the Shiver house was a short one; they reached it just after dark. Helen's uncle greeted them cheerfully, saying "Helen's up in her room. She said if you came by, you should go right up."

Julie and Ray climbed the stairs and knocked on Helen's door.

"Come in"

Ray opened the door, and as they entered Helen looked up with a smile. She was stuffing something in an already bulging backpack. "I was hoping you'd come," she looked past them and added, "I guess Barry's still pissed at me, huh?"

"I think you hurt his ego when you revealed that you dated him to make your life more ordinary." Ray told her.

"I dated him because he was my friend, I was attracted to him and I thought he was a great kisser. I wish I could have said good-bye."

"So you are leaving tonight? This guy's price is you?" Ray asked.

Helen nodded.

"Helen, you don't have to do this-" Julie started.

"Yes, Julie, I do."

"Julie's right, you know" the voice came from behind Helen. The trio turned to see Angel sitting on the windowsill. "You don't have to do this" he continued. "You can stay here if you want. Reign as Croaker Queen, get married to Jockstrap Guy, and spend the rest of your life as an ordinary woman. Knowing that you're safe is all the reward I need."

"Please, Helen" Ray told her. "You don't have to sacrifice the rest of your life for us-"

"It's not a sacrifice. This is what I want" Helen told them.

Part four is here.

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