GENERAL POV

Sometimes, things got carried away, and all he craved, were the hollowed, pained, screams, and bellows that Clare made, as he hit her harder than usual. Sometimes, he couldn't help himself. He loved the welts, bruises, and scars. Emotional and physical. She would never forget who told who what to do. She would never forget the aggression each hit held behind it, like beating her was his daily release, like she was his punching bag.

What's worse? Clare always blamed herself. Of course, she knew she didn't deserve it, but she couldn't help but think that it wasn't his fault. She couldn't help but think that, it wasn't god who was punishing her, because god cannot control people. He can only hope that people were always good seeds. It wasn't god who told Clark to always beat on her. If there was anyone to blame, it was her. No, she didn't deserve it, but it was indeed her fault. She pushes his off the edge. At least, that's what Clare thinks.

In reality, its Clarks fault. Yes, he does enjoy the things he does to Clare, to hurt her the way he does, but it doesn't make it right! It makes it so much worse. It makes him a complete lunatic.

Only Clare won't tell, god knows Helen won't tell, and Clark? Why would he care? The only person that could help Clare is Clare. You cannot help those who don't want your help.

But that didn't mean people wouldn't try. Try to save the abandoned girl from her dragon, to be the knight and shining armor, the beauty to her world, to brighten it up anyway possible. He wouldn't let anyone hurt Clare on his watch. But did he know what was going on, when he wasn't around? No he didn't.

Did he even know anything about her? No, he surely didn't. Did he know her for long? He didn't know her period, other than he wanted to help this broken girl.

"Hey, want a ride?" he was hoping that she would say yes. He wanted to know every portion of this girl inside and out, could he tell you why? Never, because frankly, he wasn't sure of the answer himself.

"No, thanks." She said simply, truth was, she wanted to throw herself into the strangers car and tell him all her problems and hope he could save her from this doom. But she knew she couldn't.

"Nonsense. Let me at least take you home!" he smirked, at her playful glare. But what they didn't know, what that on the inside, there hearts were simultaneously beating to the wind.

"No offense, but I don't even know you. I've seen you a total of ONE times in my life, am I supposed to base my trust on that?" Eli loved her fiery spirit, and she felt so great, to just tell someone off, even if it was totally false information. Clare had seen him twice. Once when she bumped into him on the way out of school, and in English, but mentioning that, would make her seem like she cared.

"Okay, to be honest, I have seen you three times. Nice way to keep up." He said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. Clare was confused. What? Three times?

"Um, I am pretty sure it was just once." Clare knew it was twice, but three times?

"I bumped into you, saw you in English, AND you and your friend invited me to sit with you at lunch." He smirked, knowingly at the girl's baffled expression.

"Fine, I will let you drive me home on ONE condition!" he thought she was being playful. While in actuality, she was being dead serious.

"You have to promise me something." He was shocked. That wasn't what he had been expecting. She on the other hand, was still weary.

"You can't ask questions." He nodded, unsure of what the girl meant, but if she was letting him drive her home, he'd agree to anything.

Clare knew, letting anyone near her home was a mistake. She knew, she would get into massive trouble for it. But for some reason, she didn't mind so much, as long as she was with him.

They pulled up to her house, and she went to get out before he could say anything. Her shoulder was still bloody, and her white sweater wasn't helping in the slightest, try to hide it. But, as he said he wouldn't, he didn't ask questions.

She hopped out of the car, to be greeted by an angry Clark.

"And where the hell have you been?" she was too scared to talk, so she just hung her head in shame.

Eli watched, wondering why he was so angry.

Clare, said nothing, but walked into her house. What was going to happen? she was not sure, but she knew she would have more bruises to hide tomorrow.