Chapter 1

"This sucks," I hissed as I walked out the door of Physics class.  Which just ended.  Thank god.  If I spent any more time in that room, someone was going to get hurt.

"Well, what did you expect?  You're project was what sucked." I heard Natalie say from next to me, walking with me side by side.  As we walked, I slid my jacket on while Natalie held my book bag for me.  Sliding the thick grey material on, I zipped it up and it hugged my body, snug. I did the same for her, holding her bag as she slid her coat on too, a bright yellow one.  I know, yellow is gross but that was her style.  Being winter, we weren't going to be retarded and go without one like all the 'cool' kids seemed to do.  Honestly, the majority of the school population were idiots.

"I tried.  That's what should count.  Not my fault I'm not good at doing builds," I muttered.  I knew it was just my frustration talking.  After hours of trying on a build we had to do, it still looked like crap so I did deserve the grade I got I guess.  But I mean come on, hours and hours wasted for a D.  I wouldn't get worked up over this if I didn't waste so much time on it.  Plus, it was science.  Something I'm not fond of in the first place.

She chuckled.  "You're just ranting because you're mad.  You know you got the grade it deserved."

I sighed.  "Yeah, I know."

Okay guys, I know what you're thinking: there is no way I managed to get a friend.  Those were my first thoughts too. But it was somehow true. I made a friend and it was crazy just knowing someone was actually willing to accept me.  I wasn't sure where she was on the whole 'believing me' thing - because I am 'insane' - but she doesn't judge me and that's enough for me.  Not to mention the strange coincidence that her and I have close to the same humor. 

It took a while to make a friend.  But Natalie finally was my friend after she moved to this school from Kansas.  She moved a long way from there up to Ohio.  So she and I were kind of in the same boat at school: no friends.  Ironically, I met her when I went to my locker after class for the fact that her stuff was in there.  Since I was one of the few in my school with my own locker, she had to be my locker buddy.  It worked out because now, we are quite close. 

At first though, she didn't know much about me.  She had a good idea pretty quickly with how everyone treated me and from what others told her.  I explained to her my issues at home with Clare and I had a fair impression of her thoughts on it.  She didn't believe me but it didn't matter at the same time.  I wouldn't care considering she was the only one willing to be my friend. 

Since we were just leaving our last class, we headed towards the doors, carrying our homework in our bags (it was easier than going to the last hour of the day then running across the school to our locker before leaving).  Moving through the halls, we turned the corner and headed for the doors that were now in sight.

Once we walked outside, the cool air hit the skin on my face and stung.  For early December, it was what I came to expect: cold weather and snow.  A breeze crawling over us, I took a deep breath of fresh air and felt it tilt my lips up slightly.  Being outside and the fresh air was a sign of freedom.  And especially after attending school all day in a suffocating atmosphere. 

Walking on the sidewalk towards where the buses were parked along with the cars for other kids getting picked up (like me), I turned towards her as we were about to part for the day.  She spoke first when facing me, looking past me towards where the cars were parked.  I saw her bright smile spread wide, light eyebrows lifting and I already knew who she was looking at. 

Her straight brown hair running through the breeze around her, her calculating blue eyes returned to mine and I rolled my eyes, seeing what was coming from past sightings she had of a certain someone in the past few days. "Mr. Hottie is here again to pick you up!  That's a few days in a row again."

I turned around to see where she was looking.  Francis was sitting in his car waiting for me, like he was for the past couple days.  It made me internally sigh.  Of course, Luke couldn't make it again to pick me up.  He's been so busy at the station lately with everything going on. He's been getting home late and working extra days too.  Sometimes, I thought it was just to get away from me or because he could only handle Clare so much.  But I knew it was just because he had to with the amount of work he has now - plus, secretly looking into Clare at the same time. So that's why Francis has been here for the past couple days in a row.  Which Natalie didn't seem to mind at all for. She found Francis incredibly attractive, as she liked to mention every time she saw him.

"Damn, he is hot." She said again, glancing to him again.  Her eyes danced in mine once she glanced back to me.  "I really don't understand why you don't make a move on him.  Oh that's right, because you find daddy dearest to be the object of your desire!" She said loudly intentionally, making me chuckle and slap her arm.

"Shut up!  You have no proof that I find Luke attractive."

"Whatever," she said, putting her hands up in surrender.  "Because the looks you constantly give Luke are so innocent," she said sarcastically.  "However, I don't understand why you wouldn't go after his brother," she said, looking back towards Francis. 

I rolled my eyes, chuckling.  Yeah, she caught me on that.  She could see my attraction towards Luke the moment I introduced Luke and her.  It was a few weeks ago when she came over to my house for the first time.  She said she instantly saw my eyes light up around him and that I couldn't hid it.  Though she and I joke around about this stuff all the time, it made me a little uneasy.  I don't like the fact that she can see my draw to Luke.  It was hard enough dealing with my feelings for him.  I didn't like that it was noticeable when my thoughts were enough to deal with.

"I need to go," she said, noticing the buses were ready to leave.  "I'll see you tomorrow," she said as she began to walk towards her bus and I started towards Francis's car. 

I yelled back to her as we walked away, "See you later! Try not to get pregnant tonight!" I yelled loudly towards her, earning enough strange looks to be satisfying enough. I loved doing that.  I could only imagine what people think when they 'overhear' that.  She smirked back at me as she moved towards her bus.  Before getting on, she flipped me off and made me laugh. 

Walking towards Francis's car, when I got close enough, I saw him open his door and step out himself. He moved around the car until he was facing me with a smile on his face. I wont lie.  I understand where Natalie is coming from.  Francis really is attractive in a way.  His soft brown hair, somewhat curly to his neck.  His hazel eyes were always teasing me, dancing in mine, and just pretty in general to look into.  Framed with his thick eyebrows and glasses with a black frame, his eyes were just magnificent.  And that wasn't counting his smile, his straight shiny teeth, which he now presented to me.  The one issue: he wasn't Luke.

Without a word but a smirk, he handed me the keys as he neared the passenger door instead of the drivers.  I smiled.  It was something I was really beginning to enjoy.  Since I just received my permit, Francis has been letting me drive every time we go somewhere together.  And I love driving.  It's relaxing for some reason - which is strange because most seem to stress over it.

When I got in the driver's seat and slammed the door shut, setting my bag down in the back, I put the keys in the ignition and started the car.  When Francis got in, he finally spoke.  

"How was school?"

"The same.  Boring as hell."

He snickered as I put the car in reverse and began to fight all the after school traffic.  "Well, at least those damned kids backed off.  All it took was time.  And a few looks at yours truly when I use to 'guard' you at school."

I chuckled and before I could say anything, he continued, bringing up something I was hoping he wouldn't notice.  "Speaking of a few looks, what's the story with that Natalie girl?  This is the third or fourth day that she wont stop staring at me every time you and her walk out of school," he said in a smug voice.  Glancing over to him, I saw a smile there that he couldn't keep off his face.  I wasn't surprised.  If anyone gave him any positive recognition, like Natalie being clearly attracted to him, he wasn't going to pass up a chance to be smug about it.

I rolled my eyes before focusing more on where I was turning out from the school.  "She's staring at you because she never saw someone as hideous before," I said, playing with him.

He scoffed.  "Good try.  I know when someone is attracted to Francis Prenta.  It's instinct."

"Well when you stop referring to yourself in the third person, maybe reality will hit you in the face."

"Ooh," he said, looking to me as we pulled out of the school parking lot.  Accelerating at a fair speed, I checked my mirror before looking ahead at the road again  "Smack talk from Higgins."  He nodded in approval.  "This reminds me: how's your love life going with my brother?  Did you fuck him yet?"

I felt my cheeks heat and eyes widen.  I didn't expect that from him, no matter how bold of a guy he might be.  Quickly glancing to him again, he held a nonchalant smirk, knowing what he was getting himself into.  I slapped his arm and he let out an, "Ow!" as he chuckled and got defensive.  "Hey, it's a valid question."

"First of all, I need to focus so we shouldn't be talking to begin with.  If I crash, it's your fault.  Second, that's a question you know the answer of!" I said, scowling, looking back out the windshield.  Snow flurries brushing along the road, I sighed.  Wasn't I suffering enough without those images in my head?  "Nothing is going on between us.  You know that.  Just awkwardness and pretending as if it never happened."

It was rather sad.  That one night where we let it all go, where Luke let out so much passion to me and where I did the same.  The night Francis interrupted.  Thank god otherwise things would be worse than it was now.  And things between Luke and I... weren't the same.

There was high tension that existed between us and too many knowing looks that made me quite uncomfortable.  I was fairly certain sometimes that Luke still had feelings for me.  He did say that he had feelings for me the night Mark tried to kill me. However, he said they would fade and I constantly wondered if they had yet.  Occasionally, I would catch him staring at me with a look of desire and it would make my heart soar.  I also would just get this warm feeling... of just want or care radiating from him.  Either way though, I knew it was something I was looking too much into.  Nothing would ever happen between us.  I still needed to try to accept that.

 "That sucks," was all Francis said.  "Maybe it would be best if you try to move on.  Even if you both are attracted to each other, which you are."  I glanced back to him quickly at the strange tone in his voice and saw he pursed his lips for a moment.  His thoughts were elsewhere and I wasn't sure why.  I couldn't worry over it as of now.  My attention belonged on the road ahead.  

The silence between us settled comfortably and it wasn't until we were nearly there that he spoke up again.  "I wanted to ask you.  Do you think you could watch Brooke tomorrow night?  I have to go out for Luke again, try to gain some more information on when they plan to go after you.  We need to know when to be prepared for this so I should go. Plus, Brooke's been asking about you.  I think she misses you."

Tomorrow was Friday.  No homework and an open night (like every night).  I couldn't think of anything better since I was getting sick of dealing with Clare.  I mean, I always dealt with her.  The issue this time was having to constantly witness the guy I love getting cozy with her even if it was just an act; it was still painful.  Plus that certain guy himself is just pushing me towards craziness.  It was as if I wanted him more than ever before and it was getting harder to deal with.

Shaking those thoughts away, I smiled.  Besides the clear factor that it would be nice to get out of the house for a while, it was nice to know she missed me and it could be fun.  The only problem was that I never watched a kid before.  Hell, who would let me?  I was insane and anybody that left me alone with their kids would be considered the same.

"Are you sure?" I asked, turning down my road.  "I've never watched someone's kids before.  Plus... well, doesn't she think I'm crazy?"

Francis scoffed from next to me.  "It's as if she forgot all about it.  She loves you.  And it will be a learning experience.  It's not like you will have to change diapers or anything.  Just play with her, make her dinner.... Nothing to it.  She's at a really fun age right now where you can just play with her without worrying much about accidents or her crying hysterically over who knows what."

I thought it over but he made a good argument.  "Well okay," I smiled.  "Yeah, this could be fun."

When we pulled into my driveway and I parked his car, we unbuckled and got out.  He walked around the car to me and handed me my bag as I slammed the door shut.  "Thanks," I said as I sighed, smiling up to him.

Francis gave me a sweet smile.  With the cold weather surrounding us, we were quick in saying goodbye with the promise of me watching Brooke tomorrow.  Running up to the porch as he got in his car and drove away, I walked through the doorway.  Home sweet fucking home. 

Luke's been working late for the past couple nights.  Leaving Clare to be the first home.  You can bet your asses I didn't leave my room until dinner time.  I've been spending that time on my homework and after that was done, if he still wasn't home, I would keep myself occupied somehow without going downstairs. 

However, today was different.  Unlike many previous days of being up in my room alone, avoiding everything, Clare had to ruin it.  I was close to finishing my homework when I heard my door open, making my eyes shoot up in surprise.  I even jumped a bit, not expecting it.

Clare stood in my doorway.  Her brown curly hair cascading down her shoulders, her bright eyes showed life no matter how much darkness she contained.  Just getting home from work not too long ago, she still wore a nice tan sweater and black slacks.  She got lucky with her looks.  If she could act - and she can - she can pull off being a charming woman.  That however didn't help my case what so ever.

Standing there, her arms crossed, she was staring at me in disgust.  I did the same, my mood tainted even worse now at just the sight of her.  I swear, Luke was the strongest man I know to put up with her, pretend to love her, when he just wanted to kill her.  Seriously, some days when I saw them together and she wasn't paying attention, his eyes held so much pain and hatred.... It was painful just for me to witness.

"What?" I asked, hating her for coming up here.  It honestly made me a little scared.  Why would she come up here?  Luke wasn't home, not to mention.  It wasn't like she wanted anything to do with me.  She barely did this.

"I wanted to cook Luke a nice dinner.  He's been working really hard lately and he deserves a break from making dinner every night."

I scowled.  "Did you forget that I make dinner too? Like every other night when he doesn't."

She rolled her eyes, shifting from side to side as she groaned.  Yeah, because clearly talking to me pained her. Did she not understand how I feel every time I have to look at her? "Yeah but the point is, I want to make dinner for him tonight."

I scoffed and shook my head, looking back down at the history book in my lap I had to look through for answers.  "Yeah well you're shit out of luck, aren't you?" I mumbled.  "It's your own fault you never learned to cook but rather had your slave girl (me) do it."

The tone of her voice got my attention again and I was forced to look back up at her.  "Do you not see where I'm going with this?" she hissed.  "You cook.  I take credit.  Understand?"

I narrowed my eyes and snorted, leaning forward a bit more to look her square in the eyes.  She couldn't be serious.  I guess it was nice and semi human to want to do something nice for your husband.  But she's having me do it.  Wow.  Really shows your love doesn't it, making your daughter do the dirty work then you take credit?  How romantic.

"You know, I always knew you were stupid.  But I mean come on, just once could you show at least a sign of common sense.  You tell me what you're going to do to me if I refuse."

I saw her clench her jaw a little and get frustrated.  It made my heart warm.  "Oh sweetheart," she started lightly.  "I can do whatever I want.  Like slit your wrists again..." she said in that same light creepy voice.  And at the same time, I noticed what she was holding.  Unfolding her arms to her sides, I saw the knife she was hiding.  The knife.  Same one that caused all the harm I've seen, Emily's seen.... I swear, she used the same one every time just so I would recall all those painful memories that knife has caused.  "Luke will believe me. I can feel he is more on my side now than ever before."

Yeah maybe that's because that's what he is trying to do.  I sighed, biting my lip.  I wasn't so much as scared anymore as I was pissed off.  I was going to have to do this now so I wouldn't get my wrists slit.  I was debating whether it was worth it.  After a few times of getting cut on the wrist, it isn't too bad.  But I knew Luke would get all worked up over it because now, he would know it was Clare and not really me.  And he would have to act as if he believed it really was me.  It beat him up to do that, to show her he was on her side when he was really on mine but couldn't do anything about it. 

"Fine," I growled at her.  "Can I at least finish my homework?  Homework - something you never enforced but probably should have.  We don't need two generations of idiots."

Her face grew harder and she leaned forward a bit, looking hard at me as she raised her hand with the knife.  Pointing it at me, she hissed back.  "I swear, I will cut you apart.  Starting with your sassy mouth!"  She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.  Thank god too.  We didn't need the hulk coming out.  This room isn't big enough.  "You will come downstairs now and cook.  I don't give a shit if you are done or not."

And with that, she turned around and walked out, expecting me obey - which unfortunately I would.  I hated this but I needed to do my part in keeping this act up.  I had to act as I had before with everything until we get enough evidence.  But I mean come on, she couldn't even let me finish my homework? 

Groaning, I slammed the book shut that was on my lap and tossed it elsewhere on the bed along with my notebook.  Standing up, I dragged myself out of my room and down to the kitchen.  Right away, Clare eagerly awaiting there, she gave me the instructions on what to make before she set me to work. What pissed me off more was that she was forcing  me to make an elaborate meal, a big dinner that would take a little sweat and time before it was done.

All the while I was cooking and preparing, I was hoping Luke would walk through the door.  I would love for her plans to be busted when Luke would see me making dinner and know it was actually me.  But you guys remember just how lucky I am, don't you?  He got home five minutes after I finished, with Clare waiting to greet him with the lovely dinner 'she' made.

"Hey, sweetie," she said, walking out of the kitchen while I watched from where I sat down on the couch not a minute after cooking.  I watched as she gave him a sweet kiss, one in which he was forced to participate in.  Something I guess she didn't notice was that every time they held hands or kissed, he would tense up slightly.  Breaking away, he smiled down at her before his eyes found mine, making my heart jump.  I hated that about him.  He always could get stupid reactions like that out of me.

His soft brown hair was even more messy than usual after a busy day.  Eyes looking a little tired, the moss in them lit up his feelings, his features, and his face especially.  Beautiful.  That's all I can say. Luke's thick eyebrows like Francis's framed his face.  He looked even better in uniform.  He actually got a new one a few weeks ago.  It was tan instead of blue and it made him look sexier, I will admit for some reason.  Maybe because you could see more of him, his muscles tight, chest hugged slightly. 

My eyes found once again his deep green colorful pools.  His eyes held the secrets that we kept from Clare.  And that he hated this. But they also held something else that held my interest.  He found something out.  I could tell.  And he wanted to tell me.  Staring at him now, it was strange because I could see it.  But that would have to wait until later.  Right now, it was time to eat the grand dinner my loving mother prepared.

By the time we were all seated around the table, the normal tension that existed set in.  But so did the dragging conversation.  I sat at the end of the table while Luke and Clare sat next to me and across from each other.  Eating homemade chicken with homemade mash potatoes, ears of corn.... I was pissed off and stayed quiet most of the time.  I noticed the second Luke saw what was made, he was impressed.  But Clare was going to take credit.

"Wow, Albany.  This is really good," he said, nodding as he looked to me. I just stared at him and on cue, Clare stepped in.

"Actually, I cooked tonight," she said, giving him a nice smile from across the table.

Luke just stared at her at first, eyebrows raised. I saw his teeth clench slightly as well and I internally groaned.  Figures he would figure it out right away. He knew Clare didn't cook and I told him how I was always the one having to do it.  Yeah, he knew I did it and not her. Though it was nice knowing he knew the credit went to me, I saw how mad this made him. 

This happened often sometimes.  Where Clare would say something in regards to how I couldn't be trusted fully, how I just 'accidentally' fell, how she and I had bonding time together.... Lies.  But things she was trying to use  to gain approval from Luke or to cover up things she did to me.  However, what she didn't know was that Luke knew the truth to it all.  Including this.  He had a good idea she didn't make dinner and therefore, he knew she was taking the credit.  I hated this.  Because all it did was hurt him.  I wished he had actually believed her because now it was just harder for him to keep himself in check when all he wanted to do was snap her neck that much more.

It took a moment before he spoke, trying to keep his anger in.  He gave her a smile, as genuine as he could and it was rather convincing.  I watched him take in a harder breath as he held that smile aimed at her.  "Wow, Clare.  It tastes great, hon.  Thank you."

Clare's smile grew to a full out grin at seeing her husbands praise.  Her eyes in his, they sparked with feeling before looking back down and eating her dinner.  Still watching them, I noticed that once she wasn't looking, his smile was gone and his eyes were hot with anger, aimed down at the table.  Taking a bit of my chicken, I tried to put my mind in a better place other than on this fake fucked-up family.  And I couldn't.  Not when they began talking again. 

"How was your day at work?" Clare asked.

Luke looked back up at her and smiled as best as he could.  "It went well."

Yeah, went well when he was checking your history and records. 

"How was yours?"  He asked her.

"It was great.  Actually all the staff members there could be getting a raise.  Of course, since it's all staff members, it wont be much at all but with how great the school is doing, it's worth hoping for."

He acted interested.  "Really?  Well that's great!  Yeah, hopefully it will be enough of a raise to make an impact."

I internally groaned, scarfing down my chicken.  And not only because it was delicious either, which it was.  I wanted out of here, back to my room, and away from them. But of course, I was so interesting to talk to, I was dragged in the conversation.

"How was your day, dear?" I heard Clare's voice aimed at me and I froze, eyes locked on my corn.  I scowled. 

My eyes finding hers, I gave her a smile.  "It was just dandy.  I got lucky today.  Nobody raped me; I can be thankful for that everyday.  Perfect day.  Got a D on my project I worked my ass off on, but whatever," I said.   

I watched her try to force her grin to stay there but it fell.  "D?  I know you got more potential than that," she said in a lower voice but still polite. 

"Really?  I thought a D was good in comparison to all the failed projects in my past.  It's not like you ever cared."

Before Clare could say anything in return, Luke jumped in, trying to get us out of that near-yelling match I was working towards.  "D?  I thought you did great on it.  You worked hard enough on it."  My eyes meet his beautiful moss and jade ones, filled with confusion over my grade.  I adverted mine a moment later, turning back to my food and eating the last of the remains on the plate.

"Yeah but it still sucked.  I'm not good at builds.  Plus, I have a theory Mrs. Geraldine isn't getting much action with Mr. Geraldine.  She's nice but lately, she's been kind of pissy."

"Albany," Clare sighed.  "Can you watch your mouth please. And that's inappropriate."

I sighed and smiled. "Of course mother.  It's not like I want to disappoint you," I said, moving my chair back and getting up, carrying my plate to the sink before turning back around, looking between them.  "Dinner was great Clare.  You should cook more often," I said in a polite tone as I headed towards the living room.  But before I left Luke's sight, I saw his eyes full of sympathy and a light I couldn't identify.  Ignoring it as best as I could, I headed towards the stairs and up to my room.

I was able to finish my homework soon after and by the time it was 9:00.  Though school was tomorrow, I really wasn't tired.  That's something I loathed: going to bed when I didn't feel like it.  But I would always have to force myself too.  First though, I needed to take a shower. 

When I got out of the warm shower, steam surrounding me, I dried off and wrapped a towel around my body before heading to my room to put my pajamas on.  The cold air hitting my skin after I opened the bathroom door, I quickly went to my room and got dressed.  Pulling on flannel grey sweat pants and a green cami, I went to my dresser in front of my mirror and began to comb through my hair.

When I had almost all my hair combed out with no snarls or interruption, I heard a soft knock at my door.  I sighed.  It was Luke, I knew.  Clare would just walk in most of the time.  After a moment, I said in a loud enough voice, "Come in," while I continued to comb out my hair as I noticed it was drying finally on it's own. 

I heard the door open and could see him from my side vision.  I set the comb down and turned to face him.  His eyes moved down me the moment I saw him and it made my cheeks heat, become self conscious.  A second later though, his eyes focused on my hair that hung around my shoulders as it started to get the curl back.  It was kind of funny.  He's feelings or whatever it was must have faded but I knew he loved my hair.  He always wanted me to wear it down. 

Taking him in as well, I forced my eyes to remain on his face.  I checked him out earlier, that was enough.  It wasn't healthy.  However, I did notice something in his hand: a file.

"I need to talk to you," he said, coming in and shutting the door behind him.  I watched as he made his way towards my bed where he sat on the edge, resting the file or whatever it was on his lap as he watched me. 

I walked over to him and sat besides him, wondering what this could be about.  The files came in before on any past with Clare's doctor and he gave those to me. I couldn't find anything though so he dove into different resources.  Hopefully, this was what that was.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Well... first of all," he sighed, his frown forming on his face.  "I want to kick her teeth in for taking credit for dinner when you clearly made it."

I said nothing but pursed my lips and though the awkward tension was present, I tried ignoring it.  "I wish you didn't notice the truth.  I mean, it would have been better if you believed her this time. All it did was piss you off and you can't do anything about it."

His lips tightened and his eyes searched in mine.  I could feel the warmth of him radiate from him to me, he was so close.  His voice grew softer as he spoke.  "Well, I could always have my dreams.  To harm her as bad as you want to."

I smiled at that, happy he's on my side yet sad that it's torturing him like that.  "Patients.  As strange as it sounds coming from me, that's all it takes to get through this."

His lips tilted up as well, eyes searching in mine.  I felt my stomach turning slightly and felt the silence that began to grow between us build up even more.  Staring into my eyes, longer than he probably should have, he snapped out of it and looked down at my bed and the space between us.

I cleared my throat as best as I could, adverting my eyes when his met mine again.  "Um... so what's that file for?" I asked, looking to the file in his lap and not at him.

 "This file," he said, raising it as indicated.  "Has Clare's medical records, past reports, anything documented....  I already looked through a few other ones and found that she did have a doctor for a short period of time around when you said Emily was born.  However, I can't identify who it is yet.  It was very vague.  I will continue looking into that and meanwhile, this file is for you."  He handed me the file and I took it, my hands right away feeling the weight of it.  Glancing back up to Luke, ignoring just how amazing he looked and how close he was, I spoke up.

"So while you are looking for this unknown doctor, what do you want me to do with this?" 

Luke began to explain and at first, all I noticed was how delicious his lips looked.  Damn, get back on track!  "I need you to find out about Clare's past.  Mentally, or even physical injuries.  I want to uncover what happened in her past to make her do these terrible things to you.  Maybe something where she was abused, a pattern of some sort.... I don't know.  I'm not looking for anything specific, just something that would stand out as unusual."

I felt my heart jump.  This could really help us.  If I could find out something, anything from her past that could point to her abusing me, as evidence... god, that could help a lot.  Looking down at the file in my hands, I felt hope come to me.  Luke was already looking into this doctor but that was kind of a long shot.  But to have all this on Clare and possibly find something that would have been a likely cause to her abuse towards me... it would be so helpful.

I felt myself let out a gleeful chuckle and when I looked up, I saw Luke's eyes in mine, knowing just what this could mean for us.  "Oh my god," I said, smiling, shaking my head.  "This is amazing.  Good work detective."

"Clare's sleeping right now.  Which is why I brought this file up to you now.  So if you end up finding anything, need to talk about anything regarding her, it would be best to do it in here and after she is asleep."

If he's coming in my bedroom after she's asleep, I'd rather be doing something other than talk. Anyway though, like he said, it was for the best.  No chance of suspicion from her, no overhearing.... He was right.  This was risky stuff we were talking about. 

"Yeah, that sounds good..." I said, feeling the thickness of the tension in the air now. 

He nodded after a moment, seeming somewhat distracted.  "Well... okay."

Silence grew once more as we just sat there, neither of us clearly knowing what to say now. He started to nod.  "Alright then," he said, getting to his feet, turning to face me.  "Well, goodnight then, Albany."  He turned towards the door and began to walk out, seemingly rather quickly.

I could feel my eyebrows dipping as I watched him leave.  "Uh, goodnight," I said, a little delayed.  Shutting the door behind him, I was once again alone. 

And that folks, is the awkwardness that now exists between us.  I mean, there was always some type of air or tension there.  It was just more obvious now.

Sighing, I stood up and turned around towards my bed, holding the file in my hands.  I knelt down on the floor and lowered my head towards the floor, looking under my bed before I slid the file under it.  It was a good enough place; Clare wouldn't find it that was for sure.  

However, that wasn't something I needed to be worried about at the time, I soon found out.  

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Okay, there it is!  The first chapter of Fractured, the sequel to Handcuffed.  Tell me what you think so far!  I hope you enjoyed it.

Trailer for this story made by dayna_emily :)