The Pretender doesn't belong to me. It belongs to whoever owns it.

This story is in my forum, if you want to check it out there.

And if this offends anyone, I'm sorry. If you want me to remove it, e-mail me.

Prologue

Miss Parker's House

Blue Cove, Delaware

10:38 p.m.

Miss Parker stood in front of a full-length mirror in her bedroom. She looked at her fully clothed reflection. Nothing appeared flawed. She looked like her normal self: cold, fashionable, untouchable. Frowning, she exhaled slowly.

She then began to undress. Her movements were slow and careful. She then stood in her bra and panties. This time, her appearance was painful and shocking. She drew in a shuddering breath as she looked at her half dress body. Tears stung her eyes and she bit her bottom lip.

Bruises and cuts covered her arms, chest, abdomen, legs, and back. If she had removed her bra, there would be more marks. She didn't want to think of the pain that was between her legs. Her body was sore and ached horribly. Thank god for pain pills. She thought, a single tear running down her cheek.

"What do you think you're doing?" demanded a slurred voice from the bedroom doorway.

"Nothing." Parker answered quickly, going for her black silk robe that was at the end of her bed.

"Don't look like nothing." Stated her new boyfriend, Brian Stanton, swallowing the last remains of beer from the can he held in his hand.

"It is." She assured him, slowly putting on the robe.

Brian put his empty beer can down and walked up behind her, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. Parker tried her hardest not to flinch at the pressure against her beaten body. The man murmured something indistinct against her neck as he laid sloppy kisses against her skin. She pulled away from his advances.

"Not tonight, Brian." She said softly, "I'm not in the mood."

Suddenly, Brian lashed out and smacked her -hard- across the face. Her head whipped back from the strength of the blow. She tasted the metallic taste of blood in her mouth. Before she had time to counter his attack, he lashed out again, this time punching her hard in the abdomen. Pain radiated through her body.

Doubling over, Parker groaned in pain, hot tears streamed down her cheeks. Brian shoved her down. As Parker lay defenseless on the floor, Brian kicked her repeatedly in the ribs. She cried out in pain, unable to hold it in. The man smiled at the sound.

"You deserve all that you get." He hissed with one last kick, "You stupid bitch."

Parker, her body racked with pain, closed her eyes. She heard his retreating footsteps and made a silent prayer to God to make him leave the house. A minute later, she heard the front door open and slam shut. She began coughing, painful and uncontrollable. Her body felt heavy and the blackness consumed her quickly.

Chapter 1

11:15 p.m.

Parker awoke to the sounds of someone calling her name. She slowly opened her eyes to find Jarod's dark eyes watching her.

"Can you talk?" he asked.

She swallowed hard and managed to get out a hoarse, "Yes."

"Good."

He helped her into a sitting position. She couldn't help but wince sharply in pain. Sighing, the Pretender gave her a look.

"What happened to you?"

She looked away, not meeting his concerned gaze. "Nothing."

"Tell me."

"It's nothing."

Jarod's hand caught her chin. He moved her head so she was looking at him. She winced again. Her neck was still hurting from when her head whipped back. Jarod's hand cupped her cheek.

"Tell me." He repeated softly.

His voice was so filled with concern that it made her heart ache. She gave a defeated sigh and briefly closed her eyes. Opening them, she answered.

"My…boyfriend. He gets drunk sometimes…and he hits me. It's no big deal."

Anger flashed in Jarod's dark eyes. That startled Parker, she had never seen him so angry. She swallowed.

"No big deal?!" he cried his voice harsh, "He hits you! He abuses you! And it's obvious that you don't do anything to stop it."

She sighed and got to her feet, wincing with every move. Jarod still stayed in his kneeling position, wondering what she was trying to prove. He watched as Parker removed her robe, exposing her half-dressed, beaten body. Jarod's expert eyes and gentle hand explored her marked flesh. When he gently squeezed her ribcage, she cried out in pain.

"Your rib is broken." He said, "Do you have any binding tape?"

"In the bathroom."

The Pretender got up and went into the bathroom. He then returned a minute later, the binding tape in hand. He knelt down in front of her again, then carefully, he began to wrap her ribs.

"I'll be okay." She told him quietly.

When he finished, Jarod sighed and rested his forehead against her stomach. Parker entangled her hands in his hair.

"I'll be okay." She repeated, not sure if she was trying to convince him or herself.

He sighed heavily, his warm breath tickling her skin. He got to his feet and looked around. Parker bit her lip in worry. She didn't know when Brian was going to come home and he wouldn't be happy to see her with another man. She shivered slightly.

"You have to get out of here." She told the Pretender.

"If I go, you're coming with me."

"No!" she cried, "I can't…"

"Why?" Jarod demanded, "Give me a few good reasons."

Parker only sighed, refusing to answer. He gave her a hard look. He wasn't happy with her; she knew this. But she couldn't bring herself to tell him the real reason why. He would probably laugh at her or worse, think she was crazy.

"How long has this been going on?" he asked.

"A month…"

"What?!" Jarod was outraged, "Are you stupid?! He's been abusing you for a month and you haven't done anything to stop him or get help?!"

She shrank away from him, not liking to hear him yell. It reminded her of Brian. She never wanted Jarod in the same category as Brian. Jarod notice her movements and immediately calmed his voice but he couldn't calm his desire for justice.

"Why?" he asked softly.

Parker refused to answer him. She averted her gaze to the floor.

This is going to be a long night. Jarod thought.

He sighed. "Get some loose, comfortable clothes on and come with me."

This time, it was Parker's turn to sigh. "I don't have a choice do I?"

"Nope."

She went to her dresser and opened the middle drawer. Pulling out a pair of blue pajama pants and a large black T-shirt, she shut the drawer. She put on the clothes, then moved to her end table. She picked up her cell phone and put it in her pocket. Jarod gave her a look.

"It's just in case Sydney or Broots calls. I'm not in the mood to take you back to the Centre. Plus, I'm in no shape to hurt you."

Jarod was relieved. He grabbed her hand and they went downstairs, then quickly left the house. They got into his black car and were on their way. The pair sat in silence. It was a tense, awkward silence.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"My house."

"Your house? An actual house. Not a hotel room or anything."

"Yes."

"How does the Centre not know of this?"

"I bought it under an alias."

"What name?"

"Aaron Phillips."

"Nice name."

Jarod gave her a look, then returned his eyes to the road.

"Is the physical abuse all he does?" he asked suddenly.

"What do you mean?"

"Has he ever abused you any other way?"

"Like?"

"Sexually."

Parker chewed nervously at her bottom lip. "Define it…"

Again, Jarod gave her a look. "Has he ever done anything to you in a sexual way to cause you pain?"

She looked down at her hands that were clasped tightly in her lap.

"Yes."

"Have you gone to a doctor?"

"No. He's never hurt me that bad before."

Jarod snorted softly in disgust.

"How much longer?" she asked desperately wanting to change the subject.

"Not much longer." Answered the Pretender.