Holy shit she's alive! I'm really sorry about my severe lack of updating. School has been horrendous and I just get an ungodly amount of homework :'(. I seriously have like no social life now, I went to see the Arctic Monkey on the 21st of November, got home about 11:45PM and had to stay up to 3:00AM writing an essay for English, then I got up at 6:00AM to have a shower and go to school. Ugh, remember guys, prioritising is extremely important. So I decided then that I would update/finish most of my stories before Christmas, so hopefully the next update isn't too far away! Please enjoy!

"Her eyes went down, and cut you up,

And there's nothing like a dirty look from,

the one you want, or the one you've lost.

Ache in your soul, is everybody's goal,

to get what they can't have?

That's why you're after her,

and that's why she's after him,

but saying' it won't change a thing."

- Arctic Monkeys (No Buses)

His breath ripped raggedly as he tore through the dusty streets of Castle Rock. His feet pounded the ground, pavement by pavement, brick by brick as he ran with all his might to graciously accept the consequences of his craftily tailored actions. To come face to face with his fate, disguised as a destiny- or something of the latter.

Freedom.

It loomed in front of him, close enough to touch but not quite close enough reach. Frank gritted his teeth as the pale wind blew across his face, reaching while he ran he made a grab for it. An invisible goal, an antidote to the insufferable sense of seething guilt anchoring his soul.

A white picket fence came into sight, closer and closer as the sun rained its heat atop the little town. Frank didn't stop until the threatening walnut wood of the front door ahead of snapped him into the true realisation of what he was about to do. He didn't much care about Jane, it was Denny. The fear of losing the only person who understood him, really understood him was enough to drive him crazy. Denny was the only person who could see behind his mask of confidence and superiority, who knew the person Frank really was, minus the façade. The vulnerable, sensible Frank who nobody ever noticed, the fucked up kid who drove himself crazy worrying about his family, about his grades and about his future, the real Frank. Would he ever find that again?

No. He severely doubted he would, but he had done Denny a great disservice. Maybe, if he had just been upfront and honest in the first place, Denny might have understood. But, now? Everything was fucked up, his friendship, his mind, everything. And it was all his own fault. Frank shook his head to clear his mind, took a deep breath and knocked on the door to Jane's house.

Now he'd done it, his heart thudded in his ears, palms warming quickly. Frank winced at the thought of Jane's reaction. Would he get a smack? Yep, probably, but knowing Jane that definitely wouldn't be the end of it. Frank had to get to Denny first, his odds were better then. Though he couldn't talk to Denny before he ended it with Jane, Denny needed to know the issue was resolved. Frank had to explain himself to Denny before Jane's silver tongue laced with malevolence and vengeance found its way to Denny's ear. Before she batted those seductively sweet lashes at him, peppered by tears as fake as a three dollar bill. What could Frank reveal to Jane, to qualm her rage maybe? If he revealed to her the truth, that he did it to stay on good terms with Denny, if she got angry enough, she would use the information to hurt him. Words are powerful, the right word in the right ear can do as much damage as any knife could. And Jane would use any opportunity to stab him in the back. Frank had to be the one to tell him, Denny was a sucker for outright honesty. Frank, didn't want to lie or manipulate Jane any longer, but he certainly couldn't tell her the whole truth either.

Frank was broken out of his reverie by the sound of the heavy door creaking open to reveal a heavy man, almost bulging out of his dark navy suit. A gold badge was perched on his right breast, dwarfed by his mighty size. It read:

"Sheriff."

Well shit.

Frank cursed inwardly to himself, why hadn't he realised before now? Sheriff Dawson was Jane's father. Now when he broke Jane's heart, her father knew exactly who to look for. Frank stood up straight, clearing his throat and tipped his head in the presence of the large man in front of him:

"Good morning, sheriff. I was just wondering if…"

"You Frank?"

He asked, his piercing gaze boring holes into Frank.

"Ah, yes sir."

"Hmph."

he stated eyes narrowing slightly, then he let out a low chuckle and gave Frank a hearty pat on the shoulder, the force of it making him nearly stumble.

"My little Jane never stops going on about you. Take good care of her, you hear?"

Frank laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head:

"Course, sir."

He didn't make eye contact, for fear he would give himself away.

"JANE! You've a gentleman caller here for ya."

He bellowed into the house. A voice echoed back:

"Is it Dennis? Tell him I'm busy."

"Says his names' Frank-er?"

"Uh, Chambers."
Frank muttered back, really none too pleased about revealing his last to the man who'll be out to get him in a few hours.

"Frank Chambers."

*CRASH*

Frank jumped at the sudden loud sound, like an entire bureau had been knocked for the sixes.

"FRANK?! Er, daddy tell him I'll be down in two shakes of lambs tail!"

Some shuffling noises resumed and Sheriff Dawson chucked:

"Well, you heard the girl, why don't you come on in for a-"

"I really couldn't.. Sir, I'm in a bit of hurry."

Frank bit his lip, and became even more flustered.

"I just wanted a quick word with Jane so-"

"Frank!"

Jane stood at the top of the stairs, so his eyes were drawn upwards at the sound of his name. Dressed in a blue polka dot dress, looking like the Ritz with a pure gold pendant draping from her neck, Jane descended the stairs slowly, speaking calmly as she went:

"Oh, Frank. I wasn't expecting you."

She let out a fluttery laugh.

"My, I'm not even dressed."

Frank inwardly rolled his eyes. What was this girl trying to prove? Trying to walk all sexy down the stairs, pretending like she didn't even make an effort just to impress him. It was sad on all levels and it made Frank feel sick, why the hell did he have anything to do with this chick in the first place? The beauty of having a secret rendezvous in the closet was that you didn't have to put up with the girl's bullshit pretentious personality:

"You look uh.. You look good Jane.."

Jane mistook his indifference for speechlessness and grinned broadly at him:

"Oh this old thing? I just found it at the back of my closet and threw it on and-Oh! Frank? Where are you going?!"

Frank turned and started walking away, tiring of her flouncy attitude already.

"Just come with me."

He didn't wait for an answer, he just kept walking, glancing back every now and then to make sure she was following. She was, stumbling behind him on her itty bitty heels.

Then he arrived, his most favourite place in Castle Rock. The old tree, it was strong and tall and alone. Its thick branches provided shade even in the most scorching of days. Its isolation and age made it seem like – to Frank- a wise old man. Projecting clarity and knowledge all around. It was where Frank came to think – the only place he could. Just to be alone and let his mind just wander like a lonely traveller amongst the stars. It was perfect for this. Frank drew strength from the tree, plus it was isolated and quiet enough that if Jane broke down, nobody would see. It was also far enough away that – even if she ran home- Jane's mind would have time to cleanse itself of at least some of the rage and embarrassment she faced.

"Why are we here Frank?"

She asked skewing her head to the side. Frank walked ahead a few paces and sighed:

"Jane.. There's something I have to tell you."

"Uh-huh?"

Her eyes shone as she came closer to him fluttering her eyelashes, eyes wide and bright akin to her smile.

"Yes, Frank?"

She thought he was going to say that he loved her. Frank cursed inwardly, and told himself, like a band-aid, rip it off quick and save the lingering pain:
"I don't think we should do this anymore."

"What?.."

Her eyebrows ducked and pinched in the middle:

"W-what are you saying Frank? We're in love!"

Frank shook his head, looking her dead in the eye:

"I never loved you Jane, I'm sorry. I was using you."

"U-using me? Using me for what?!"

Frank pursed his lips together:

"I can't tell you that… I'm sorry, Jane. You deserve better than this – than me."

Frank began to turn away when Jane grasped his arm, a desperate look in her eyes:

"But, I love you!"

Frank bit his lips:

"I'm sorry Jane, I'm really, really sorry."

He walked away from the bitter scene, feeling terrible. In spite of this, he never looked back.

Jane screamed after him until he was out of sight and the collapsed into a pile of confused tears. How could he do this to her? How could he hurt her like this? She loved him! And this was how he repaid her affections? Her distraught tears gradually became anger and she barely even noticed when another black shadow crossed her own:

"Now what's got a pretty girl like you in such a state?"

The tone of the voice was sympathetic, but somehow still seemed icy.

Jane looked up and came face o face with the palest azure. Snakelike eyes looked down at her as she sniffled and glared at him:

"What do you want?"

"To help you get your own back. Frank Chambers is gonna get what's coming to him."

He reached out a hand and she let him help her up, her cheeks were still scarred with tears and her eyes were still puffy. His bleached blonde hair, shone orange in the silhouette of the sun as Ace Merrill smiled evilly. Jane narrowed her eyes at him:

"So what did you have in mind?"