Disclaimer: I do not own Flight 29 Down, or its characters.

For what seemed to be the hundredth time that evening Daley felt a sudden sharp pain in the middle of her back that coursed it's way over her entire spine. Sinking herself down beside her bed she stuffed a piece of blanket into her mouth, and buried her head into the side of her mattress. Clenching the blanket between her teeth she emitted small muffled moans; her back on the other hand, screamed out for mercy.

Oh God, please make it stop.

She wanted so badly to just let loose: scream and cry as loud as she possibly could. Instead, she thought back to the day her father allowed the hospital to take her mother off of life support; and how she screamed for them not to do it. Her uncle had to carry her, fighting the whole way, into the hallway where, through a window, watched her mother die, tears streaming down her face. Somehow, just the memories of crying were almost as healing as the real thing, and would have to suffice anyway.

As the torture subsided, she unclenched her jaw and began panting small breaths that bounced off of the mattress and danced back over her face. Cautiously, she stood herself up being careful not to bend or twist her back in any way that may trigger it again. She grabbed a pair of pajamas from her dresser and slowly shuffled herself to the bathroom. The small 'pop' of a beer can being opened reached her ears causing her to quietly sigh.

He's drinking again.

She bravely crept to the living room to observe the many empty beer cans scattered across the floor, and her father clumsily bringing the can to his lips. With much effort, he picked up the remote and flicked through the channels until he found the evening news.

Great. He's drunk.

Alcohol always did strange things to him; and when he was intoxicated anything was possible. Sometimes he became distant, depressed, and secluded himself in his room with nothing but a picture of Marianne. Other times he would fall into terrible rages that lasted for hours: smashing things around and beating Daley almost senseless. This state was the most frightening; he had absolutely no control over himself; one drink too many and he could easily kill Daley without even meaning to.


"Hey." Daley jumped and pulled free of the hands that had clamped down onto her shoulders.

Dad.

She whipped herself around to face him, only to remember that she was at school and was staring into the face of Nathan McHugh.

"Woah. Calm down, I don't bite."

"Uh, hi. Sorry... so did you need something?"

"Can't a guy just come say hello?"

"Oh please. Nathan, I've known you forever; the only time you speak to me is by default." They giggled. Daley's best friend Caroline wasn't amused. She raised one eyebrow and spoke with an accusing curiosity.

"So what do you want?"

"Well, I'm just here to inform you fine young ladies," they rolled their eyes at his attempt to be professional, "that I'm going to be running for class president in a few weeks. Can I count on your votes?"

"Well," Caroline began, "Daley here was thinking of running also." Daley shot her a quizzical look.

"I am?"

"You are?" Nathan and Daley spoke in unison with the same tone of confusion in their voices.

"Yeah, she is. So no, I don't think you can count on us to vote for you." She smiled sarcastically and Daley dropped her gaze to the floor.

Do you have to be so mean?

She looked apologetically to Nathan who took absolutely no notice.

"Alright. Good luck to you then Daley." He gave her a small nod and received a tiny sympathetic smile in return. They both knew Caroline could be a bit of a jerk, but it was something you had to overlook.

Pick your battles Daley.

"He's so annoying isn't he?"

"Yeah, I know."

Liar.

She tried to sound convincing, and brushed off the fact that Caroline had lied about her running for class president. There was no way she could be the leader of her class, she knew she was way too shy. The bell rang causing a hurricane of students running in every direction.


Taylor Hagan eyed Daley as she timidly walked into the classroom with her books clutched tightly to her chest.

What is her problem? She always looks as if someone is going to jump out at her. Taylor rolled her eyes. She looks so self-conscious when she walks all shrunken in like that.

Ariel Mathews nudged Taylor's foot and gave a small nod in Daley's direction. Taylor winked, and gave her a sinister smile, obviously taking the hint. At the perfect moment as Daley passed the girls, Taylor shot her foot out, which Daley stumbled over dropping everything she was carrying. Ariel and Taylor giggled and exchanged a small high-five as they watched Daley stop

down to pick up her books. Once she had everything situated she continued on to her desk without even looking back at them.

"We're almost out of time today; so I'm going to assign your groups, and you will start your projects tomorrow." The entire class focused on their teacher as she began pairing people together. Daley could feel the tension in the room, and it could be clearly seen on everyone's faces.

"Daley Marin with... Mrs. Grant scanned down her list searching for the name of Daley's partner.

With who? WHO? Daley's entire body tensed up so tightly that her stomach threatened to explode at any given second. Oh no. No, no no. Please, I'll take anyone... ANYONE! Anyone except-

"Taylor Hagan."

Someone please murder me.

Taylor's mouth lost all control and hung open angrily as their teacher continued down the list. She turned around and shot Daley a look that told her exactly how she felt about the situation.

Yeah, Taylor don't even worry. I feel the exact same way.


A/N: Sorry if this was a little boring, but there is a lot of information in this chapter that leads up to more exciting events in the story. Let me know what you think!