THE SENSE OF sadness and incomprehension is palpable in Porterstown. On Friday night, six days have passed since 12-year-old Michaela Davis was discovered murdered. Not enough time has gone by for her young friends to fully absorb what happened. In fact, they cannot grasp the idea that what unfolded is something they will ever understand. As children, it's difficult for them to accept that they will never see her again. They half expect to meet her at school on Monday morning.

Four of Michaela's young friends are walking home from the shops in Clonsilla just after 9pm. The news of their friend's death last Saturday has consumed them since. "We were her friends. It's like a dream," says a 12-year-old boy, who knew Michaela well. "The funeral yesterday was so sad. We all went. Everyone loved Michaela. She was so funny, I would always listen to her when she was telling a story. It doesn't feel like this is really happening."

The four youngsters, three 12-year-old boys and a 13-year-old girl, all chatter at once about the Michaela they knew. It seems unreal to them that one of their friends could die so suddenly and violently. But mostly, what happened has made them afraid. And they are still young enough to admit to feeling scared. What's most terrifying, they say, is how suddenly something can happen that changes everything. "I wouldn't walk around by myself. None of us would. Our parents won't let us anyway," says the 13-year-old girl. "My mum just rang on the phone to ask where I am and to come home."

Unlike Michaela, her four young friends look their age, whereas she could have passed for 15. "She always looked older. She was really pretty. She was just so nice too. I couldn't stop crying at the funeral," adds her 13-year-old friend. "I just started crying when I found out what happened on Saturday. She was one of the best mates I ever had. I feel like I don't know when I'll stop crying."

Michaela was part of their large group of friends, who have all palled around together for years. "We all have lots of friends. We don't hang around with older people, the oldest person in our group would be about 14," explains one of the boys. "Michaela's brother is one of my best friends, I was with him when he found out."

Despite their age, the four children seem as though they've dealt with more emotionally in the last week than they've ever experienced in their lives before. "We're all very protective of each other now," says one of the boys. "No one is allowed walk around on their own. It's been really hard but we all know about the things we should and shouldn't do and people we shouldn't see. It's hard right now but we all just want to try and look after each other now."

Their parents, too, have all been talking to them about what happened. Trying to make sense of something that is senseless, unexplainable. Trying to tell their children not to succumb to peer pressure. Urging them to try and hang onto their childhood for as long as they can. "It's been just awful," comments another one of the boys. "But we all listened to what the priest said about not trying to grow up too fast. It's hard growing up anywhere, I don't think it's any different around here. I'd be afraid to walk down a dark alley at the moment. Some of our friends have barely been allowed out at all."

All speaking at once, they wonder how they will feel next week. "I can't imagine how I feel next week. School is hard. I used to meet her at the bus stop," adds the 13-year-old girl. "I can't imagine feeling better. Michaela has a best friend, she's the same age as us. She is so upset, I don't think I've ever seen anyone so upset about anything."