It was unexpected that she would get released so soon. The decision had confused her more than it had shocked her when she found out, it was just enough to bring her out of the numb shell she had been living in for the past few months. It didn't stay that way for long, she had retreated instantly hiding herself away from everyone until she was actually taken to be let out of his hell hole. Four months, 16 days and 11 hours. She didn't count the minutes, she wasn't sure why she even counted the time in the first place, it brought no comfort to her knowing how long she had been trapped here, left with the other inmates who weren't exactly friendly and in turn, left with her own inner demons.

She was an easy target, weak. Most of them heard her the nights where she would wake up screaming for someone to help her, to take him away. But reality sunk in fast, she had killed him. She had finally snapped and stabbed him, not being able to take it anymore. She deserved to be here, that's what most people thought but years of physical and mental abuse would be enough to drive anyone crazy.

''Lindsay James'' A deep male voice sounded.

She barely reacted to her own name anymore, she didn't react when she had to be practically dragged out the room until she realised what was happening. She was getting out, her lawyers had gone down the most obvious route to get her out, the life long abuse she had endured causing for her to act out in 'self defense' She wasn't actually 100% how that worked and why she was getting out but she didn't care anymore.

''You're free to go'' The same voice sounded as she was numbly walked out the front gates, left standing on the sidewalk unsure of where to go from here.

Home. Was her first thought, but then what really was home now? Her mum and sisters visits over the period of time she was inside had decreased fast until they eventually stopped coming and when they tried, she had refused to see them. They didn't know what it was like being all alone, that's all she had ever felt growing up she thought she would of been used to it by now. She missed her sister deeply, it was all to protect her mainly in the end. She couldn't let it happen to her. Emily had been most likely so confused with the situation, her sister going to prison and her mum suddenly coming home. Of course she was young, she wouldn't be able to visit her alone.

But there was one person who did care, who always had. She had came only a few times when possible, it wasn't exactly most normal person for her to be visiting, one of her students. Yes, Rachel Mason was just about the only person in Lindsay's life that she trusted now, who she felt safe around. There was only one place she would be able to find her and that was possibly one of the places she never wanted to go back to.


She wasn't sure how long she had been waiting, or what the time was. She just stayed sat, hidden behind some trees where no one seemed to look. Then once again she was alone, with herself. She tried to keep her mind blank, not wanting to think back over everything but she had no choice. The tears came quickly after that, she couldn't stop them. It all came in flashes. She had clarified the three different types to herself in a once quickly dismissed idea of trying to bunch parts together. The first being before she had killed him, the flashes of abuse and torture he had put her through. They were often the worst, seeing herself being so helpless. The second was only ever one thing, that morning. The day she had finally snapped, the knife in her hand, his cold motionless body on the floor. She often had more recent flashes too of course, her time in prison. She was an easy target, so there was no hope in her finally being away from the abuse. It just continued.

Lindsay just shook her head quickly trying to brush off the thoughts. She only just noticed how it was starting to rain and the noise surrounding her was only just becoming louder and it wasn't until then that she looked up seeing a rush of students starting to file out the school and its gates. She knew on a normal day it wouldn't be that long until teachers started to depart as well, she could only sit and hope it was one of those days. The rain was getting harder and faster, she was already completely soaked but that didn't matter. She didn't feel anything anymore.

The familiar and unfamiliar faces continued to pass by, completely unaware of her presence hidden away, running to get out of the rain. Both teachers and students had all moved on from the incident which probably seemed so long ago to them but not to her, she could remember it like it was yesterday.

The moment finally came, she would recognise her anywhere as she stepped out of the front doors instantly putting her umbrella up. Any plan she had in her head seemed to disappear as soon as she had stood up to her feet, by the time she had stepped away from her hiding spot into the open she was frozen to the spot. She suddenly started to question herself, was this such a good idea after all? She found herself questioning everything she had been thinking about, all the reasons to come here. She didn't even process it when her feet somehow started to push her forward, one step at a time getting closer until she stopped again suddenly.

Rachel had seen her, getting over the shock herself she changed direction heading over to meet the troubled girl half way until she had suddenly froze on the spot leaving her to finish the distance herself.

''Lindsay?'' Rachel's voice was soft, caring. She had become so close to this girl. Upon getting no response from her she spoke again. ''When did you get out?''

''This morning'' Anyone else would just brush the tone to her voice off as teenage hormones, but Rachel knew better. The emptiness in her voice being not enough to cover up the pain that the girl was feeling.

''Why aren't you at home with your family?''

''They don't know I'm out''

''What?!'' She paused momentarily before carrying on. ''Why not?'' The girl just shrugged and it was then that she finally took a good look at her. Her hair was longer than when she last visited by quite a considerable amount. Her eyes seemed too lifeless, the spark that used to be there gone, lost probably a long time ago. Her eyes then fell onto the dark bruise on the side of her face and the small cut on her chin. As her gaze traveled downwards more she finally took in her clothing and the atmosphere around them, she was completely drenched and shaking.

''Lindsay you're shaking, come here'' She said, the hint of worry obvious in her voice. Just how long had she been waiting in the rain?'

''What?'' It was now her turn to be confused.

''You're soaked, you're shaking from the cold come here''

''Oh'' Was all she got in response.

She held her hand out slowly in front of her watching for any reaction. Lindsay just studied the hand in front of her for a moment before grasping it as Rachel pulled the girl towards her into her chest as she wrapped the free arm that wasn't holding the umbrella around her. She didn't care about getting wet anymore, this hug was so many different things. It was to let her know that she wasn't alone, although it may not seem like it that she was here still, she cared just as much as she did before. It was to try and comfort her, for everything that had happened in her life. It was warmth, the rain was soaking both of their clothes but it didn't matter. She had been alone for far too long.

''Come on, let's go''

''Where?'' The vulnerability in Lindsay's voice finally broke through, as if everything had suddenly came crashing down around her once again. ''I don't want to go home'' She added as a whisper, hoping to herself that she wouldn't be forced to go back there. Not yet anyway.

''My home'' Rachel said sighing, she knew this was way past the boundaries she should have set with anyone but the tone to Lindsay's voice just made her heart feel like it was breaking in two. She couldn't send the poor girl back there not yet.

So for now, she just led her over to her car. Grabbing a blanket which she had kept in the trunk and wrapping it around the shaking Lindsay as she climbed into the passenger seat of her car. She shut the door softly not wanting to scare her and just stopped for a moment, looking around at the empty car park thinking back to the time where she had first met her. She was going to do her best from now on to keep her safe. That was the promise she made to herself as she slid into the drivers seat taking one last look at her. She was going to keep it.


So I've been wanting to write a Waterloo Road Lindsay / Rachel fic for a while now and thought ugh hell why not just do it. Let me know if you want me to continue this or if it's just yeah.