Isaac sat up with a start when he heard a terrified scream come from the house. He flew out of bed and ran for the large double glass doors that led into the house. They were kept unlocked incase any of the three boys had to go inside the house for any reason. He bounded up the stairs and found his parents and the Walshes already at Claudias room.
"Whats going on?" He asked. His parents heads truned to look at him.
"Oh, Ike.. honey.. it's nothing, Claudia had another nightmare... go back to bed before she sees you.. it will only make things worse.... please sweetie.. it's nothing for you to worry about..." His mother told him, gently taking hold of his shoulders, she turned him around to face the stairs. Isaac nodded and walked slowly down the stairs. He looked at his watch. It was 4am. Insted of going back to the guest house, he made a detour for the kitchen. He had just sat down at the table, a steaming coffee infront of him, when Mike appeared in the doorway.
"I ah... couldn't sleep anyway... so I thought... I hope its ok.." Isaac explained. Mike gave him a grim smile.
"Its fine... help yourself anytime." He said. Mike stepped over to the counter and proceeded to make himself a cup of coffee.
"So... uh... is she ok? I mean, I heard her scream from the guest house... thats why I came inside.." Isaac said. Mike looked at him. He could see that Isaac was genuinely concerned about his daughter.
"She'll be ok... Angela is still with her... I told your folks to go on back to bed.. there isn't much they can do in a situation like this..." He said, trailing off. Isaac nodded. He didn't know what to say. What could one say to a man whose daughter was tormented by something he could do nothing to stop? "I thought they would have stopped by now... she was going well for a while.. she even stopped seeing Kevin... but lately they've started again and its worse than before." Mike spoke up.
"And there isn't anything that can be done? I mean... what about medication or something like that?" Isaac asked. Once he did, he wished he haddn't. Medication? ... geez your a dumbass Isaac! He scolded himself. Mike shook his head.
"Angela is dead set against any medication for Claudia. I, on the other hand, think it would be a fairly good idea.. I mean, whats the harm of it if it gives her one night of peace?" He reasoned.
"Can't argue with that." Isaac said.
"Angela can... and does."
"Can't argue with the wife... didn't you know women are always right?" Isaac smiled. Mike lauged.
"Don't I know it... Isaac?"
"Mmm?"
"I want to thankyou for what you did the other night." Mike said. Isaac looked at him, confused.
"What I did?.." He asked.
"Taking Claudia out for the night. No one besides Angela and I have done that for a while and I think it did a lot for her self esteem. She used to be quite popular before the accident, and now no one other then the few friends she has, have the time of day for her. It's been hard on her, going from the center of attention to a nobody. I know thats a harsh thing to say about my daughter, but its the truth. She was.. is such a beautiful girl, but not many people can see past the scars and that hurts her."
"Hey... its no problem.. I wanted to do it.. shes a great girl and if people can't see that then its their loss. Isn't there anything that can be done about the scars?" Isaac asked. Mike nodded.
"Of course... cosmetic surgery would take care of them.. it's the dollars thats preventing us from getting it done for her. Hell, its been over a year and we're still paying off the hospital bills. Not to mention Kevin has to be paid for the time spent with Claudia." Mike explained. "There is nothing more Angela and I would love to do for her.. but it's just not possible financially." Isaac nodded.
"Oh... well, that certainly puts a damper on things doesn't it. But if you had the money you would get it done for her?" He asked.
"Isaac, if we could, it would have been done yesterday.". Isaac drained the rest of his coffee.
"Right.. of course you would... stupid question hey?". Mike just smiled at him. Isaac stood up. A glance at his watch told him that it was 4:30am. Tiredness suddenly washed over him and he yawned. Mike lauged.
"You better go back to bed.. it's late." He said. Isaac nodded and said goodnight. Making his way back to the guest house, he thought about what he and Mike had talked about. Isaac was starting to really care about Claudia and hated to see her like this.
Claudia sobbed in her mothers arms. This dream had been the worst. Angela was trying to get her to talk about it, but Claudia just wanted to forget it. She didn't want to remember how horrible it had been. It had seemed so real. She could have sworn she was there, he really had her trapped in his strong hold, others around her crying out in agony and torement as they were strung up around the candle lit room. Some were in cages, some sprawled out across long, wooden tables, hands and feet bound together. Begging for her to help them. How could she help them when he had her to? She had tried to scream that out, but once again, something was constricting her mouth from opening. This time, she had put her hand to her mouth to feel what it was and she wished she hadn't. Touching her mouth, Claudia had felt small, thin, leather straps, zig zaging from top to bottom of her lips. Her mouth had been sewn shut. She tried to see his face, but once again, it was a blank void. Damn it! Why couldn't she see his face? She wanted to see who her attacker was.
"It's ok Honey... it was just a dream... you're ok... home and safe in your bed... Sweetie.. do you understand? You're right here with me... nothing is happening to you.... Claudia?" Angela was saying. Claudia nodded.
"It was so real... I was really there Mom... he had me and... and..." Claudia started sobbing again before she could finish her sentence. Angela rocked her back and forth until Claudias eyes felt heavy with sleep.
Zac was glad he wasn't going to be seen riding in the same car as Claudia. She wasn't going to school that day and it suited him just fine. What would Jodie think if Zac was seen with Claudia?. It would ruin all chances he had with her. She had made it very clear that Claudia was no one to been seen with. She was a freak who had did horrible things to herself over the break up of her and her ex boyfriend. Zac hadn't heard any different so he believed her. Why wouldn't he? It's what the whole school believed so why go against them? Zac couldn't see anything wrong with believing the story so he did. The more he saw of Claudia the more he dispised her. Zac couldn't wait until his family moved out of the Walsh house and into one of their own. It was already bad enough that it was known that he lived there at that point in time, but to be seen riding with her to and from school was to much.
"Ok boys... I'll be back at the end of the day to pick you up.. see you then, have a good day." Angela said, pulling up infront of the school. Taylor and Zac said goodbye and climbed out of the car. After scanning the front yard of the school with is eyes, Zac soon spotted Jodie, talking to some kids he didn't know. She saw him and waved him over, a smile lighting up her face. He hurried over to her and she instantly took hold of his hand.
"Hi Zaccy... I didn't think you were going to show up... I missed you.." She said, pressing her body close against his. Zac smiled at her.
"Of course I came.... I wouldn't get to see your gorgeous face if I didn't now would I?" He asked. She giggled and then introduced him to the people she was talking to. It was two guys and they didn't look all that impressed to meet Zac.
"Terry, Micael.. this is my new boyfriend, Zac... he's new to the school.. his first day was yesterday. Zac, these are two of my friends, Terry and Michael."
"Yeah...I heard about you...you're living with the Freak aren't you?" Terry sneered. Zac cringed.
"It's only until my parents find a house... my Dad's friends with her Dad.... believe me.. I'm not there by choice..." Zac told them.
"I don't like you living there Zac.... I mean, look at what she did to herself.. who knows what she would do to another person! I mean, what if she gets a little knife happy and you're the only one home with her! I think they should lock her up and throw away the key..." Jodie stated, wrinkling up her nose to show her distaste in Claudia.
"Yeah well... it wont be for much longer.... I hope.. I don't like me living there any more than you do!" Zac told her, squeezing her hand. She smiled at him, content with his response. Before either of them could speak again, the first bell of the day rang out through loud speakers. Zac cringed, he still wasn't used to them. Glancing around the grounds, he spotted his brother, walking with 2 guys and a girl. They were all dressed in black and wore make up and nail polish. Zac shook his head and hoped that no one knew Taylor was his brother.
"Are you comming sweeite?" Jodies voice broke into his thoughts. He grinned down at her.
"Sure... lets go." He said, making his way towards the schools entrance.
"Where are you going?" Jodie questioned him. She hadn't moved, and dropped his hand. He looked at her, confused.
"Uh... to school?.."
"Why?.."
"The bell just rang Jodie.. " Zac told her. She laughed.
"Uh huh.. but we never go to school until lunch on Tuesdays..." She informed him, we, he assumed, was the group of kids he had met yesterday.
"Ok then... where to?" He asked.
"Tyrones house... his parents work so there'll be no one but us and everyone there. We could be all alone if you wanted to Zac.." Jodie said, stepping closer to him, pressing her body up against him again. Her hand found his and then she kissed him. Zac inwardly groaned. He knew what would most likely happen if he went to Tyrones house with Jodie and hey! Who was he to complain.
"Lets go."
Claudia stood by her window, watching Isaac down in the frontyard. He was mowing the lawn. How sweet she thought. He wore only a pair of faded baggy denim jeans. As it was a surprisingly warm day, he was shirtless, showing off the golden tan of the upper half of his body. His arms were muscular as was his chest and stomach. Claudia could have stood there all day if she could. Just the sight of him made her want to melt. Closing her eyes, she tried to imagine Isaacs arms wrapped around her in a tight embrace. He was kissing her neck, his hands roaming all over her body. They stopped when he felt the long scars on her back. They were all over her back, criss crossing. She flinched when he stopped kissing her neck. He turned her around and she heard him gasp in shock. Maybe in disgust she thought. A knock at her door snapped Claudia out of her thoughts. She was still standing by the window. Claudia stepped away from the window and over to her desk. Sitting down in the chair, she flipped open her lap top's lid and switched it on.
"Can I come in? It's only me" Isaac's voice rang out from the other side of her closed door. Oh shit! what if he saw me watching him? oh crap... please don't let him have seen me.... I hope to God he didn't see me.. "Claud?.. are you decent?" Isaac asked.
"Uh, yeah.. sorry... you can come in.." She called out. The door swung open and Isaac stood in the doorway. He was now wearing a T-Shirt. His face was red and he was still puffing breathlessly from the strain of pulling the lawn mower back and forth for over an hour. His hair was mattered and plastered to his head from sweat. Raising his right arm, he leaned against the door frame.
"Hi." He said, grinning. Damn it... he saw me!
"Hi yourself.." Claudia greeted him, still seated at her desk. She was glad she had cleaned up her room the day before.
"What ya doin?" He asked.
"Nothing... I should be doing some school work.. but I haven't quite worked up the motivation for that just yet.." Claudia told him, smiling. It was then she realised she and Isaac were in the house alone. Her parents were at work and the Hansons had gone house hunting. Yeah.. and you really have anything to worry about... as if he would try anything with you... as if he would want to try anything with you... I mean.. HELLO! Take a look at yourself sweetie! Give up the dream... it aint ever gonna happen..
"Ah... I know the feeling well... um... at least I used to know the feeling well anyway.." Isaac said, still grinning at her. She wished he would stop it.
"So.... " Claudia promted him, raising her eye brows and pushing her head forward slightly. He had to have come up there for a reason. She had yet to find out what that was.
"Oh ..um... I was just... are you particularly busy right now? Cause I thought maybe we could go down and watch a video or something together... seeing as we're the only ones home.. why be at opposite ends of the house?" He reasoned. Claudias heart skiped a beat. When she found her voice, she choked out a
"Sure... sounds great" and stood up from the seat. "I'll be down in a minute" She told him. Isaac smiled.
"Great. I could make some popcorn or something... "
"That would be great." She said. Isaac turned around and she heard his heavey foot steps on the stairs as he made his way down.
"Oooh mygod... " Claudia said in a frenzied whisper to herself. Before going downstairs, she turned off her lap top and ran a brush through her hair. Leaving her bedroom, she pulled the door shut behind her.
Chapter Eight
Back To Chapters
