SIX. AM I MAKING YOU FEEL SICK?

Kayla's screams would haunt her for the rest of her life. The way it vibrated against the walls of her throat, the way it pierced her ears, the shivers it caused, it was horrible. It was full of pain, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. None of them could. They were all chained up, only he had a key. Daphne's been dead for days now. Her body starting to smell, her organs on display; Lacy can never stop thinking about the unpalatable sound of him cutting her open, slicing through her skin, carving out her eyes, mutilating her. She remembers Kayla screaming as he sewed her mouth shut, blood pouring through the punctured holes of her skin and lips, the metallic taste permanently filling her mouth — she doesn't scream when he sews her eyes shut because at that point, she couldn't. She was dead. Hannah's not dead. He sees her together but keeps her eyes open so she can watch as he mutilates Lacy, her eyes and ears remaining untouched.

That's how it went: Lacy couldn't speak, Hannah couldn't hear, Kayla couldn't see. A pattern of twisted foreplay that would stick with them forever.

Lacy jolted awake, her heart pounding terrible and her mouth dry. She immediately touched her lips, feeling the scars but her lips were parted, and she sighed. No stitches. She can breathe. Breathe, Lacy. You're safe in your own home. She checked her phone, 6:00. She doesn't even remember falling asleep.

The last time Lacy saw Lydia was right before her last volleyball game. They'd been planning a party for weeks now, a celebration for their upcoming win, nobody had any doubt that they would lose. Seeing her again, she didn't know how to feel. They were friends, close friends, but last night was like talking to a ghost, somebody that she didn't know. Lacy figured that's how it would be with everyone she hadn't seen in so long.

When she walked downstairs, Lacy saw her dad asleep on the couch, still in his work uniform. "Dad?" She voiced unexpectedly, loud enough for him to jolt awake. "I'm sorry."

"No, no, don't be sorry," Samuel groaned slightly as he sat up.

"Why are you sleeping down here? Why are you still in your uniform?"

"Oh, um. . ." said Sam and he brushed off his work jacket. "We got a 911 call last night. . ." He looked hesitant to continue. "It was, uh, it was Stiles."

Lacy blinked multiple times. "Stiles? W-What happened?" She asked and walked into the living room.

Samuel stood from the couch, groaning at his aching bones. "He was at the auto-shop so they could work on his jeep and, uh. . .somebody killed the mechanic."

"Killed?" She repeated, her eyes slightly wide. "Wha–What about Stiles? Is he okay—"

"He's fine, sweetheart. He didn't get hurt," Sam assured, gently holding her face. "We just had to detain his jeep for evidence. Everything's alright. Well, minus someone getting killed."

Lacy sighed under her breath. "Jesus," she muttered and followed behind him as he walked into the kitchen.

Samuel paused on his way to the fridge. "Wait, why are you up so early?" He realized, turning back around.

She anxiously messed with the sleeves of her pajama shirt. "Oh, um. . ." She spoke quietly. "Had another nightmare,"

Her dad frowned. "Honey. . ."

"Well, memory, I guess is a better way to describe it."

"I'm sorry. Lace. Y'know, if you want, we can get you someone to talk to," Samuel spoke gently. "The school counselor, a therapist, anybody. You don't have to struggle with this all by yourself."

Lacy rubbed her hands together and slowly sunk her nails into her wrist in an attempt to conceal the tears she desperately wanted to spill. She plastered a fake smile on her lips. "Maybe," she whispered. "I should get ready for school."

Sam watched her turn away and walk towards the stairs. "Yeah, and I should—" he looked down, remembering he was still in his uniform. "—well, never mind."

Lacy watched her dad and she stood there, eyeing the school, trying to gain the courage to walk inside. It was only her second day and yet her anxiety had yet to settle. Her hand wrapped tightly around the strap of her bag, so tight that her skin became red. Breathe, Lacy. Nothing's going to happen, the angel on her shoulder whispered. Go home. Turn back around. You were kidnapped at this school. He took you from this school— Lacy blinked, wishing she could push the devil off of her other one.

"Hi."

She jumped at the sudden presence, looking over and seeing the girl from the other day.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," Allison said quickly. "You're Lacy, right?"

Lacy forced herself to talk. "Y-Yeah. Yes, I'm Lacy."

She smiled lightly, her dimples and smile lines showing. "I'm Allison. I'm so sorry if I made you uncomfortable yesterday."

"Oh, no, it's okay. It was just, uh. . .it was just my first day back." She tried to explain but she paused. You don't know this girl, Lacy. She knows Scott but you don't know her. Don't tell her anything. You can't trust anyone.

"Oh, really? Why's that?"

"Uhh," Lacy started to say. "I've just, uh, been really sick. I was out of school for a while. But I'm okay now."

Allison blinked a couple times but then she smiled again. "Oh. That's good. Glad to see you're back." There was a short pause. "So, you know Scott?"

Lacy was thinking about all the ways she could possibly get out of the conversation. "Uhh, yeah. For a few years now. His mom and my father are good friends. He's, uh, a good friend."

She watched her smile again. "Good to know. What class do you have right now?"

"Geometry."

"That's right by my class," Allison informed and motioned her head to the building. "I'll walk with you."

Lacy felt uncomfortable in the moment even if Allison wasn't trying to make her feel that way. She didn't know her. Walking to class with her was like walking to class with Kayla and Daphne, like going to the cafeteria together, like leaving class to go practice in the gym together. It was like doing everything she used to do with her friends, with Lydia, not with a girl she didn't know.

She held onto the memories she created all that time ago as close as possible, not allowing what he did to her to take them away.

Sometimes Hannah finds herself picking at the scars on her ears, around her mouth, it's usually when she's anxious or spaced out. It'd never until they start bleeding that she realizes she's doing it. Ever since she's been back, it's been happening more — the staring, the whispering, the memories every time she passes by Kayla and Daphne's lockers. She can never escape the painful remembrance of what she had to endure all that time in those rooms. She wishes it would all fucking end.

When Hannah exited the classroom, she saw Lacy close the door of her locker. She turned around and their eyes met, both of them freezing. Their first encounter was sudden, Hannah not expecting to see her back. Lacy clearly thought she would never see her again.

Lacy slowly walked towards her. "Hey," she read her lips.

"Hey, Lacy," Hannah muttered back, ignoring the looks from people around them because they were speaking to each other. "How's, uh, the second day?"

"Not any easier than the first," she answered. Lacy's body language was stiff, she was uncomfortable. Her arms crossed over her chest. She eyed the hearing aids. "I'm sorry I, uh, didn't ask you about—" she pointed to her own ears. "H-How are you feeling?"

Hannah almost laughed. "I'm the deaf girl that got kidnapped and tortured for two months. It feels great," she answered sarcastically with a bitter smile. "And these assholes don't make it any better — if you keep starting, I'm going to rip out your vocal cords!" She snapped to a group of girls standing by a locker.

They quickly scurried off.

Lacy flinched. She tucked her hair behind her ear. "I guess this is our new normal," she muttered. The girls stood there in silence, neither knowing what to say. Slowly, Lacy raised her head again. "Do you have nightmares?"

Hannah blinked once. "Yeah. Every night. You?"

She nodded with a hum that she wouldn't be able to hear. She got a whole flood of memories staring at her, memories of blood spill and screaming. A pit formed in her stomach. "I have to go." She voiced, moved past her.

"I know what you think when you see me, Lacy."

She paused. Lacy's bones chilled painfully, shivers covering her skin. She swallowed back the nausea. Instead of responding to her, Lacy continued to walk. She clenched her fists hard into a ball, her nails digging into her palms.

When she turned the corner, she saw Stiles running down the hallway in a hurry. "Stiles."

"Lacy—" he stopped abruptly and accidentally knocked himself into a locker. He was out of breath. "Holy shit, sorry. Ow."

She stared at him in shock. "My dad told me about what happened at the auto shop last night. Are you okay?" She got straight to the point.

"Oh," the boy said and pressed his hands to the locker, pushing himself off. "Right, that. Uh, I'm fine. All good. Uh. . ." He stammered, still very much out of breath. Stiles wiped the sweat off of his forehead. "I'm alive, so, yeah, I'm okay." He said with a smile. "Can't say the same for the other guy, but—"

His awkward made her chuckle. "Okay, good to know. I was worried."

Stiles grinned. Remembering what he was running for, his eyes grew wide. "Uhhh, sorry, Lacy, I gotta find Scott," he explained while moving around her. "Uhh, a-are you going to the game tonight?"

"I'm not sure," she answered. "I-I-I don't think so."

"No, no, come. It's gonna be great. It'll be good to see you," Stiles continued while walking backwards, accidentally bumping into the people walking. "Oh, shit, sorry. Uh, I'll see you later, Lacy. Come to the game!" He yelled as sprinted down the hallway again.

Lacy laughed slightly when he almost tripped again, but then she frowned. She loved watching the lacrosse games, even if they never won. She loved cheering them on, being with her friends, but it's been so long since then. The field was right next to the gym, next to the parking lot, the place she was taken. Lacy didn't think she could stomach be around there.

Samuel knocked on her bedroom door. He eyed the sign she had on the door, her name spelled out on glittery pink letters. Daphne had slept over the night she made it, they were up till 3 am watching rom coms and eating all the ice cream he bought for them. He gingerly touched the sign, and he heard her laughter then. It made him sigh.

"Come in."

He turned the knob and opened the door, seeing her curled on the bed. Samuel smiled. "You wanna go watch the game with me?"

Lacy sat up. "I don't think so, dad," she said and pressed her back against the headboard. She rubbed her hands on her knees.

"Oh, come on. It'll be fun," he tried convincing her and walked further into her bedroom. "You used to love going to watch them play. You always cheered the loudest."

"That was before, dad. I just don't think I can do it," Lacy told him and picked at her nails, the skin around them raw and red.

Samuel frowned. Of course she would be hesitant. He didn't blame her at all. He sat on the end of her bed. "I completely understand why you're hesitant. I'll be honest, every time I'm around that school, I feel sick. But sweetheart, I'll be with you the entire time. I won't leave your side. You have biting to be scared about if you go."

Lacy stared him hard in the eyes. "And what about the people who stare at me, dad? What do you think they're going to say if I show up?" She raised her voice. "It's right next to the parking lot, dad. He took us—"

Samuel quickly reached over and grabbed her hand. "I know, baby. I know. I know. It's okay," he said softly, watching her inhale a deep breath. "You know I'll always protect you, Lace. I'll have my gun on me. If anybody even thinks of saying anything to you or if I hear someone, I won't hesitate to say something back. You are my baby girl, Lacy. I just want you to not be scared anymore."

Lacy closed her eyes, lashes fluttering against her cheeks. She inhaled another shaky breath, her skin growing hot. Her dad squeezed her hand tightly but his grip was warm. "Please don't leave my side." She whispered.

"I would have to be killed for that to happen."

Lacy's hand wraps tightly around her dad's, both of them wearing gloves because of the blistering cold, and she wrapped her other hand around his arm. Walking through the parking lot was like walking through hell, so much that she closed her eyes. "I've got you, Lacy. I'm right here," her dad whispered to her. She reopened them when they got to the field, many people already there on the stands. Lacy's breath was shaky and not just because of the cold.

The first person to see the father and daughter was Melissa McCall. Her eyes widened. "Lacy, Sam, you came," she voiced and got up from her spot. Seeing her, she smiled. "Hi, sweetheart."

"Hi, Melissa," Lacy muttered and walked into her open arms. Melissa always had a warm touch, a motherly touch. She was kind. Scott got that from her.

"Mind if we sit with you, Mel?" Samuel asked, patting his daughter's gloved hand that returned to his arm.

"Of course not. Please," Melissa insisted and scooted back on the bleachers, leaving room for them.

Lacy let her dad sit by her and she scooted close by him, holding onto his arm. Her skin crawled just by being surrounded by the amount of people around her. The game had already started, her noticing how incredibly large the other team was compared to the boys on their team.

"Lacy, honey, have you got a chance to talk to Scott any?" Melissa asked her, leaning forward.

"Uhh, yeah, a couple times. He's always with Stiles and they're usually always running away," Lacy answered, her brows pinching together in the slightest. "To what or from, I'm not sure."

"Yeah, that doesn't surprise me," the woman responded and she started talking to Sam.

Lacy looked around her, noticing some glances in her direction, but she didn't say anything to her dad. She just tried to ignore them. From the other side of the bleachers, Lacy saw Allison. The brunette was looking around as well and their eyes met. Allison smiled and waved, Lacy politely waving back. From above her sat Erica and Boyd, someone she hadn't seen in a long time either.

Lacy cringed when a guy from the opposing team knocked player #9 to the ground.

"That dude's, like, twice his size. Who are these people?" Samuel thought out loud. He was a sports guy. Always had been.

"Come on! Is that thing even a teenager? I want to see a birth certificate!" Coach Finstock yelled angrily. He sat next to Stiles on the bench. "Who or what is that genetic experiment gone wrong?"

"Eddie Obomowitz, Coach. They call him 'The Abomination'."

"Oh, that's cute."

Stiles looked around him, rubbing the back of his neck. When he looked over his shoulder, he did a double take when he saw Lacy sitting in the stands with her father and Melissa. He quickly stood up. "Hey," he said brightly and also in shock, making his way over to her. He leaned his arm on the metal bar. "You came."

Lacy smiled lightly. "Yeah. Someone was able to convince me," she directed to her father, Samuel looking over and smiling.

"How are you, Stiles?"

"Fine, Mr. Austin. Thanks." Stiles answered with a nod. He smiled at her again. "I'm glad you're here. How do you feel?"

"Uhhh," she started to say, her eyes briefly trailing to the game in front of her. "Kind of like I want to throw up, but, as long as my dad's with me, I'll be okay."

Stiles chuckled. "Good to know." Lacy watched his eyes shift away from her and they went wide. "Uhh, I have to go do something, but, I'm really glad you came."

Her eyebrows raised. "Coach still not letting you play?" She asked as he walked away.

"Some things never change, Lacy Austin!" He said over his shoulder.

Her name caused more people to turn around and when they saw her sitting there, the whispers started. Stiles' voice was loud, everybody knew that, causing even the players on the team to turn around. Lacy stiffened up, the back of her neck growing hot with anxiety.

Samuel glared at the people. "A reminder that I'm a sheriff's deputy. I highly suggest you all pay attention to the game!" He raised his voice.

"Hey! What the hell are you all staring at! Pay attention, you imbeciles!" Coach yelled at his players and slapped them on the back of the head. "Bunch of disappointments."

Everyone turned their attention away from Lacy but she knew what they were saying about her. Lacy Austin was actually at a game. She was actually back in school. She wasn't dead after all. She held her dad's arm tightly as possible.