That night I couldn't sleep. Shelly's words were bouncing around in my head. Over and over."Zac, we're from two different worlds"

I couldn't bare to imagine what she was going through now. Who knows what the dirty old bastard had in store for her.".....you'll never understand Zac. Never."

I could feel myself tense up, my muscles tightened and my head ached. I jumped up from my bed, grabbed the desk chair and hurled it across the room. I couldn't contain the anger anymore. I wanted to find her, to save her all this pain. She needed me, I knew it. She really needed me. She needed my help, my comfort. And I wasn't there for her.

"Zac!" Ike yelled, bursting through my door. His room happened to be right next to mine, and no doubt he had gotten the full effect of my chair throwing.

"What the HELL do you think you're doing hurling furniture around at 1 in the freakin' morning?!"

I backed away, on to my bed, and shoved my head under the pillow.I could hear his tone drop, and his quiet footsteps slowly made their way to my bed. He sat himself down beside me, and patted my shoulder.

"Zac, is this about Shelly?" Tay told me what happened tonight." He sighed, and continued to look around my dark room.

I didn't respond. Luckily Ike wasn't the kind to go investigating things all the time. He respected the fact I didn't want to talk about it, and just sat there comforting me with his gentle voice.

"Zac, you just go to sleep dude. She obviously doesn't want you, or anyone else to interfere, but I promise we'll try and help her Zac. I mean that."

I watched from under my pillow as he rose, and headed to my door.He glanced back once more, before going out, leaving my door slightly opened so the hall light was peeking through.

"Thanks Ike." I whispred, hoping her had heard me.

I felt a little more relieved, but sleep was not an option tonight. My gasping returned to normal, and I stared up at the ceiling, passing my time away by counting chickens.