This chapter is kind of long and I haven't updated in a while so I'll just post the first half of the story. Please read and review! I love reviews!

~Chapter Three: On the Edge of a Cliff Called Death

It was a matter of time now before my lips would be pressed against hers, and a sweet relief would come to me. She stared politely back at me seeing that I had this strong desire to kiss her.

I just couldn't help myself the desire was so physically powerful, but I got scared.

What if she pushes me away? Or worse, what is she doesn't like it? Or what if flashbacks come from the guy who raped her and she gets scared? There are so many things that could go wrong and anyways, after all that I and Sam have been through, there's no way I could kiss her. Again.

So as much as I hated to do this: I just gave her a grin and said "Good night Sam"

She was confused. Was she expecting a kiss? Oh great, I just messed that up.

"Uh yeah, Good…Good-night Freddie" she replied. .I watched her snuggle into my air mattress safe and sound before I even thought about sleep for myself.

. . . .

I woke up the next morning actually feeling tired. I guess I was tired from not being able to sleep the first few hours last night, and then when Sam arrived at almost 3 in the morning and I saw her violated and beaten, I was so upset. I wonder if Sam's awake yet and already invading my bathroom. I leaned over my mattress so I could see her. She was sleeping peacefully.

I was relieved to see her safe and in-sight so I could be sure nothing bad would ever happen to her again.

The bandage was still on her head tight and she was cuddling up to the pillow I gave her. I smiled at the sight of the good ole' Sam I knew: the happy, amusing Sam.

Oh no… There's something I completely forgot about: my mother. There's no way she would let Sam stay here because of how much she hates her.

How would I tell her? I knew I needed to tell her but how? I heard pans and pots banging and moving around in the kitchen. Well I needed to tell her quick rather than she come in and sees for herself. Like when I and Carly kissed…

So, out of my own will, I got out of my bed and went into the kitchen. There she was. She was over the oven cooking something, something probably extremely healthy and disgusting. I took a deep breath in, it was time to tell her news she would tremendously hate.

"Hey mom. So uh, what you doing?" I asked her. Stupid question, but good way to start a conversation I guess.

"I'm making some blueberry pancakes" Wow, something good for once. I leaned against our kitchen counter watching her flip a pancake over a few times, and then I realized it was a matter of time before Sam would wake up and I needed to tell her now; to stop procrastinating.

"Listen mom, I need to tell you something" I started out; my stomach felt like an acid bomb I was so nervous.

"Okay. What is it Fredward?" I hate when she calls me that, I would never name my child something as embarrassing as "Fredward"

"Um, you know Sam right mom?" Of course she knew Sam stupid… why would you ask that? "Sam? Of course I do! The girl who causes you physical and emotional pain… the girl who isn't brought up like a lady—"

"Yeah ok good. Well, she uh… she was raped last night" I said. Mom gasped, even thought she loathes Sam to her very core— She hates to hear a horrible thing like that happening to someone she knows.

"What? How do you know this?" she asked me.

"I've known someone was going to do this to her. Although I didn't know who... But I'm the only one who knew and Sam came here last night bleeding and in pain…" I looked at mom's face; she stared at me like 'go on'

", so I set her up an air mattress in my room and let her sleep there" I held my breath. It was time for my death grave to be made.

"She slept with you last night?" and here it is.

"Not with me mom But…in the…in the room with me…" I stuttered. Her eyes grew wide with anger and her lips stiffened into a scowl. Oh no… There's no way around this. With nothing left to say or do, I just stood there looking at her and of course giving her the biggest reason to murder me.

"She could have tried to hurt you in your sleep Freddie! You know how many times she's threatened you she would! You just don't think Freddie!"

"Mom she's just been sexually abused and the guy almost killed her! Do you really think she'd try to pull something like that? Why can't you have a little sympathy for her?" I couldn't believe she would not show Sam any love or kindness. Sam has just been raped and mom's acting totally immature.

"I have plenty sympathy Freddie. But not for a crook like her! She has no manners! No respect and she has no love in a bone of her body!" That took my anger on mom to another level.

Sam sure does have love! When I was upset because I never kissed anyone, she came and actually apologized, offered me her meatball (that's big for Sam), and we kissed! Don't tell me she has no love in a bone of her body.

"Yes she does! What did you want me to do? Throw her outside in the cold and let the guy come back and do the same thing? She's safe here."

Mom's scowl was so stiff it was like someone glued her lips together. Mom always wants to help people…but Sam I guess she doesn't consider Sam a person. Even if Sam is like a monster and a criminal… she's still an innocent person who is in pain and has a need for help, and she's my best friend. I can't leave her.

"Fine Freddie, I'll let her stay again tonight—for you— but she doesn't live here. She needs to go home tomorrow night!" I said nothing. This rapist knows where Sam lives. If she leaves here and goes back home, he's bound to come find her again and do the exact same thing. I don't know what I'm going to do to help protect Sam but I can't send her back home and according to mom she can't stay here. Carly and Spencer has no room in their apartment but we can always ask I guess.

My bedroom door opened, interrupting my train of thoughts. I saw Sam slowly enter the living room; she was walking very slow and uneasy, one foot at a time. She looked guilty of something…or shy? Why does Sam look shy?

"Is everything okay?" I asked her when I walked over to where she was

"I don't feel good" she replied.

"Why?"

"I just... I kind of feel dizzy" I had a puzzled look on my face. I have no idea why she would feel dizzy…but then again Sam eats every 2 hours usually so maybe that's why.

"Listen Sam, mom's making breakfast, you might just be hungry." She nodded unsteadily.

"Sam what's wrong with you? You love food and always talk my ears off, why are you acting so shy?" Instead of replying she looked over my shoulder and peered into the kitchen.

"I'm guessing your psycho mom doesn't want me here does she?" Sam asked. Now she sounds like Sam. "Well…not really but you shouldn't care. I'm going to help you Sam, no matter what she thinks"

"Freddie, I can take care of myself. I should go" she started to walk away. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to me.

"No Sam, I'm not letting you get hurt anymore. You need to eat and breakfast's almost done"

"Freddie, I'm fine. Why can't we go eat at Carly's? Why do we have to eat here?" Sam asked. "Well for one, I kind of want to eat here, and two… neither of us has showered yet and don't you think they'll wonder why you got a bandage on your head and wearing my clothes?" Sam's lips moved into a weird angle, she was getting what I was saying. "Yeah…I guess…" she said half-heartedly. "Freddie! Breakfast is ready!" Mom called from the kitchen; not mentioning Sam's name of course. She should be ashamed of herself, treating Sam like a heartless tramp.

Me and Sam took a seat across from each other at the kitchen table, Sam ate her pancakes like there was no tomorrow as I took small bites.

"Sam, why don't you have manners? You're a guest in my home and you should eat like a lady"

I looked at mom with a deadly stare; if she says one hurtful word to Sam I'm going to eliminate her mallet. "Sorry, Mrs. Benson I'm just hungry. Hey Freddie could you pass me the—could you—uh—uh—" Sam's body started to move as if she was swaying back and forth. She looked intoxicated and totally out of it. "Sam, are you okay?" I asked her. Her eyes floated around as if she was going unconscious. I was getting very scared, what's wrong with her? Did I do something wrong? Did mom put something in her pancakes to hill her? I looked at mom; she was very confused and frightened too. Then Sam's head fell in her plate of pancakes as she settled into nothingness.

….

We were almost at the hospital. It was two blocks away. Mom was driving as fast as she could and not over the speed limit, of course. I was in the back seat with Sam's head on my shoulder. I should call Carly and Spencer, they need to know about their friend too but we were almost to the hospital and I didn't want to be on the phone while the doctors took Sam away. I ran into the ER while mom stayed out in the car with Sam, I ran because I hoped mom didn't do anything horrible to Sam. "I need help!" I tried to get someone's attention. A lady with short blond hair wearing a white coat came to me. "What's wrong? I'm Dr. Cantrell, do you have a sick or hurt person nearby?" she asked me. "Yeah, my friend Sam is in my mom's car. She unconscious!" I explained. Dr. Cantrell nodded and paged some nurses and assistants while she followed me. I led Dr. Cantrell to the backseat of the car and she examined Sam. "Her heart's pace is slowing down. Why is there a bandage on her head?"

"Uh, it's a big cut. I bandaged her last night and she slept fine"

"What happened last night?" I saw several nurses and assistants come to us with a rolling bed. "She almost got murdered. I don't know who it was, but some guy cut the side of her head"

"Do you happen to know what he cut her with?"

"No, I'm sorry"

"She sounds like she lost a lot of blood. We need to take a blood sample and—"

"You're taking more blood?" why would they take more blood if she's lost so much. "We need to know her blood type. You and your mother wait in the waiting room and we'll inform you on everything we do. Does she have insurance?" I shrugged. "Where are her parents?"

"She might be at home" I shrugged, although I doubt Pam has insurance too. Two male assistants lifted Sam onto the rolling bed. Then I watched Dr. Cantrell leave with all the people in white coats while one stayed with me. Another woman, but a nurse I guessed instead of a doctor. "Go ahead and call her parents and anyone else, I'll let you know on everything that happens to your friend"

"Thanks" I sighed.