Special thanks to my Beta/Co-Author "wildiewildcat'.

"Bye Jackson."

Lydia closed the car door and rolled her eyes as Jackson drove off without another word; no wave or goodbye kiss. **. She searched for her keys with one hand to unlock the door and dropped her purse at the door when she stepped in. She shut the door and locked it since no one was home as usual. Her backpack landed with a thud at the dinner table while she searched the fridge for something to eat. She eventually settled for a piece of cheese and sat down to work on homework.

About halfway through the phone rang.

"Hello?" She could tell who was on the other end before they spoke.

"Hey Lydia, can I come over?" She thought about it. He always wanted to come over after he got bored, even if he had just dropped her off.

"Sure Jackson but you know I have to finish my homework and work out though. Can you wait?" She waited for his answer, she knew it would probably be something snarky.

"Sure, Lydia." He sounded annoyed. She heard the dial tone and rolled her eyes as she returned the receiver. She didn't know why she put up with his crap as it was starting to get really old. Lydia growled in frustration then went back to working on her homework.
By the time Jackson rolled up into the driveway Lydia had already changed for her run. She reached down to get her iPod from her purse then stepped out the door only to have Jackson block her way.

"What are you doing?" He tried to step around her but she stopped him again.

"We're going jogging." It wasn't a suggestion or a friendly tip. She was telling him.

"Do we have too?" He never did what she wanted willingly so most times he was forced or coerced.

"Yes. Now let's go." She gave his arm a little tug and waited a few feet away as he locked his car.

"There's no need for that Jackson." He shot her a look that told her to shut her mouth. There really wasn't since only a few people lived on her block and most were old couples. No one was going to steal his precious little car. He walked back over to her after slipping his leather jacket in the Porsche. He jogged a few feet and she set the pace daring him to keep up.

"Remind me why I needed to come with you again?" He was panting. She just rolled her eyes and maintained her focus on the trail. It was funny and pathetic that the captain of the lacrosse team couldn't keep up with his girlfriend as they ran a few simple miles. He always took pride in saying he was the best, so where was his winning attitude?
Probably back in his car….

"Because Jackson! I didn't think you would hate spending a little time with me! Sorry if you could be doing something more interesting right now!" She snapped and he couldn't devise anything to hurl back at her. She sped up a little testing his limits as he continued to struggle to keep up. The pace wasn't that difficult and even Allison could keep stride with her when she joined on occasion.
Yesterday, 3:50pm

"Lydia!" He shouted out behind her but she didn't relent. Lydia could sense the irritation in his voice and could almost see his face crumpled up in anger. She had accomplished the mission of pissing him off.
"Listen here you little-" She snapped around to face him when he grabbed her arm. She tore her arm away from him and just stared wide eyed at him. His eyes held a fire in them that she had never seen before. He wasn't just angry; he was livid. He took a few steps towards her and she took a few back. His chest heaved and eyes narrowed as his nostrils flared like an enraged bull's. He reached for her again and she just barely missed his outstretched hand.
"Jackson what are you-" His hand connected with her face and she hit the ground in shock. Her fingers clutched at her cheek as it begun to sting. Jackson realized the horrifying mistake he had just committed and immediately fell sick to his stomach.

He had backed off several tense seconds and looked down at her in shock and horror. "Look Lydia- if you tell anyone I will- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hit you-" Her hand raised instantly silencing the teen and she picked herself of off the ground. "Just go Jackson." He didn't say anything as her tone clearly indicated it wasn't up for discussion. He backed away slowly as if to show her he meant no harm. She turned and kept walking in the opposite direction never once glancing over her shoulder at the stunned boy. Lydia didn't feel like running anymore but didn't want to walk back to her house which would only mean crossing paths with Jackson and Lydia didn't possess the strength for another round with her boyfriend.
She slowed to a walk and felt her eyes welling with stinging angry tears. The hot droplets rolled down her cheeks then followed her jaw and neck before being absorbed into her shirt. Sure Jackson was a total tool at times but she never expected for him to hit her! but then again whoever expects for their boyfriend or girlfriend to raise a hand in violence against them. Her mom and dad would freak out if her face bruised and would leap to take legal action. As much as she hated him right now, she didn't want him to face jail time. It was one little slap, nothing she couldn't handle on her own. She was so caught up in her thoughts she hadn't realized she walked much farther than she intended to. She always stopped at the halfway mark to avoid it. To avoid the Hale house.

It was nothing like she remembered it as it had been burned beyond recognition. The green grass that had once covered the property like a rich emerald blanket: gone. The dead void had been replaced with scattered leaves and scarred trees. The windows were busted out while the porch swing clung precariously to the roof by a rusted depressed chain. The railing around the wrapped porch were missing several boards, giving the space an eerie toothless grin. Lydia shivered despite the warmth of the California afternoon.

She could remember playing with Laura Hale and her younger brother Derek as a kid. Laura had been her best friend, her only real friend despite the age difference. Laura was six years older than Lydia but she never had to dumb things down for her. Lydia had always been bright, even as a kid. Her parents would proudly proclaim she absorbed everything like a sponge. She fondly recalled chasing each other around the backyard and sometimes bother her brother Derek. He had always been a grumpy child, but he when he smiled it was a beautiful soulful expression. All of that was cruelly ripped apart after that cold deadly night. After the fire, they all disappeared. The once warm and loving home filled with a beautiful family was now a burnt shell of its former glory.

She remembered the day it happened, she was only eleven at the time. Lydia was walking to their meeting point which was halfway to the Hale house to wait for Laura like clockwork. But Laura didn't come and Lydia had thought that maybe Laura stood her up. Maybe she realized that Lydia was just a dumb kid that she took pity on because no one else would be her friend. Maybe she didn't want to play with her anymore but Lydia refused to believe that so she waited. She sat on the rock and stayed until her mother had come to get her. She didn't know how long she was out there but remembered it was dark when her mother arrived. Her mother just wrapped her up in her arms and let her cry.

Her mom wouldn't tell her anything that night but when she had woken up asking questions she found out the truth. The house had been set on fire and everyone had died except for Laura and Derek. They had been walking down to meet her but they heard the explosion then raced back to see what happened. Brother and sister were helpless to watch as their family had been wiped out right before their eyes. Lydia comforted herself in the fact that she had been able save Laura and Derek, even if she didn't know she had done it.

That's why she ran to the half mark each day and stopped at that rock. It was too painful reliving the past.

But this time she couldn't stop herself from moving towards the house and finally coming to a stop when she was just outside the door. What's the worst that could happen? It had been abandoned for six years and besides no one dared to traverse out here alone.

She gently pushed the door and heard it creak in protest as it swung open. Her light footfalls caused the floorboards to groan and Lydia heard the tiny gasp escaping her lips. The damage was much worse than she could have imagined! Anything that wasn't completely charred displayed scorch marks which served as vivid reminders of that tragic event. This was terrible! She could only imagine what thoughts ran through the minds of the Hale Family as they were burned alive.

"What are you doing in my house?" A voice caused her to turn and stare in astonishment at its owner.

"Your house?" Her face crumpled up in confusion as this was the Hale house! Who would want to buy this house after its inhabitants had been burned alive?

She took a closer look at the man. "You look familiar." He had green eyes and dark spiky hair. But it was the fiery emerald jewels that struck a familiar chord within.

"Derek?" She squealed and jumped at the man who was momentarily distracted. He pried her off of him and she just looked up at him beaming. "Lydia?"