Well, here is the next chapter. I've been looking through a number of LMI/LTROI fanfics and realized there are ALOT of different versions and views. Anywho, that's my two cent thoughts/ realization/ rambling today. R&R and Enjoy!


I woke to a muffled fight somewhere next door. The voices were angry and persistant. I looked around to see I was still in the closet. I carefully opened the door and peeked out. The smell of old blood hit my nose. I recoiled before I threw the door open. I confronted the grisly scene once more and stood staring. I reached out to pick up the body and found that it didn't weigh as much as I thought. I hauled the body up and carried it to my father's room.

I dumped the body on the floor space between the bed and the window so I didn't see it and then I backtracked and shut the door behind me. I threw my stained clothes away before taking a shower and changing. After words I went back to the living room and began cleaning up the mess. I had no idea what would happen at this point. I was too scared about the whole situation to think straight. I didn't even know what to do with the body.

"What about Owen?" I suddenly wondered out loud. I couldn't possibly think about what he would say or do about all this. I was almost done cleaning when a knock on my door startled me. I threw a sheet over the couch to hide the blood stains I hadn't got to yet then I ran to see who it was. Owen stood outside with an intensely worried frown. I sucked in a panicked breath and began backing away. He knocked a couple more times.

"Abby are you home? Please answer. I'm worried about you," he begged. He paused before he knocked again except this time it was a message.

I LOVE YOU

Tears were threatening to spill again so I reached out, unlocked the door, and pulled it open quickly. Owen bolted in a wrapped me in his arms. I held him close and let myself relax into his embrace. I waited for any tell-tale sign of the hunger but it didn't show.

"Abby I was so worried. I kept knocking on the wall but you never answered. I heard a fight last night and hoped you weren't in too much trouble. My mom wouldn't let me go see you until I fought with her about it again tonight. Where were you?" he spouted out as he pulled back to look at me. His hands still gripped my upper arms like I would suddenly disappear. I looked into his sad but caring blue eyes and debated whether I should tell him. I sighed and tore my eyes away from his.

"I'm fine. I got in a huge fight with my father and he forbade me to see you for a while. I don't want to risk sneaking because he threatened that I wouldn't ever see you again if I did," I explained. Anger alighted on his face before sadness made him sag. His arms dropped and he sighed.

"Oh, but we will get to talk through the wall still right?" he asked hopefully. I allowed a small smile.

"Well I technically can't see you," I replied. He smiled and pulled me into another hug. Before he let me go he kissed me a little longer than when I kissed him last night. I shivered happily and he smiled.

"I'll see you around Abby," he stated in a mix of sadness and concern.

"Yeah, see you Owen," I replied regretfully. He turned to leave but stopped to look at me once more. I turned away and shut my door. I couldn't put Owen in danger. Not when I was trying to understand my condition. I would have to give myself time first. There was also the fact that I no longer had a guardian or someone to look after me. I only had so long before people would come snooping, wondering why my father hasn't been seen at work or why I wasn't at school.

There were too many questions and so much what ifs I didn't know what to do. I resolved to wait until Monday. The weekend included no work or school so no one would be suspicious yet, however once both started… I would have to think of something. Monday night I decided to see Owen. I knew that was me caving early but only one or two days of school could be missed before questions would arise. I had to act fast.

"Owen deserves the truth one way or another," I said to myself. I had to say it out loud to make sure I would go through with it. I finished cleaning and returned to my father's room to deal with the body. I paced nervously before an idea arose. I left to bury the body around two in the morning to avoid as many people as possible but avoid the sun at the same time. I dug the grave myself, amazed that my hands worked just as good as any shovel. I worked quickly and efficiently. The work didn't cause any pain or fatigue like I expected. When I was done I stopped to stare at the freshly turned earth; then I walked back home.

I washed when I got back, making sure everything was off, especially the blood. I wasn't used to seeing so much of it but I knew that would be all I wanted to see for now on. I wouldn't be able to help it. I stayed in my room for the rest of the night. When I felt the sun draw near I put together a bed in the bathroom because I could easily cover the small window. I curled in the tub with a couple of blankets draped over me for added safety. The sleep came swiftly and I was out.


The next two nights I woke up and went straight back to my room. I didn't have to wait long before Owen began knocking. We talked until he was tired and fell asleep. I spent the rest of the time wondering how long I could go without the hunger bothering me once more. I was having a hard time stomaching the thought of killing someone again. I worried endlessly about getting caught and what I would end up doing to escape. I shuddered and buried my head in my hands. How could this have happened?

The next night was Monday. I told myself I would meet Owen tonight. Whether I would tell him or not was still unclear. I wasn't sure I wanted him to know yet. I was still unprepared and afraid that telling him would result in losing him. Never the less, I waited for his message like always.

SCHOOL

He knocked out suddenly. I could almost hear the demand in his voice. I sighed, knowing that would be the first thing he asked about.

COULDN'T GO

I replied, hoping he wouldn't ask further. He didn't.

HIT KENNY TODAY

He replied, changing the subject. I smiled and laughed.

GOOD

I knocked back.

MISS U

He knocked slowly. I frowned sadly. I lifted my fist tentatively before answering.

MISS U TOO

MEET AT SPOT

I wasn't sure if this was a good idea but there was only one way to find out.

OK SEE U

He messaged quickly. I went to go put my boots on and was halfway to the door when I stopped and shifted my feet in them. It was then that I realized it didn't feel right. I had gone without shoes for two days and it was strangely comfortable. I groaned, knowing it had to do with the changes. I resisted the urge to pull them off and continued out the door. I marveled at the lack of temperature change when I got outside. Owen waited for me on the jungle gym. A big smile stretched across his face.

"Hey Owen," I said quietly. He stood and walked over to stand in front of me. His scent wafted to me and I leaned back slightly. My stomach grumbled quietly and I began to panic a little.

"Hey Abby are you sure you're ok? You look a little sick. Aren't you cold? You don't even have your jacket on," he commented as he raised a hand to touch my face.

"No, I'm fine. Come on," I replied. I grabbed his hand and started heading for the door that would lead underground but stopped when three older boys sauntered into the courtyard. It was Jimmy and two of his friends.

"Uh Oh," Owen said. I stopped and unconsciously placed myself in front of Owen, ready to confront them.

"Look who we have here boys. We got him right where we want him. You'll pay for hurting my brother loser," Jimmy said with a sneer. He cracked his knuckles and the other boys laughed. I held back a growl and prepared myself for anything they had planned. No one would lay a finger on Owen.