-sigh- Since my sister has inconveniently gone and gotten herself a life in the form of a boyfriend I no longer have anyone to nag me in person to put up more chapters. And since I have so much to do I get distracted easily. It is now officially your job more than ever before to review reminding me to update. I'm serious people. If you feel it's been too long feel free to PM me also.

So anyways. I've been re-reading my old stories having just found the notebook, which reminds me of exactly where I was going with this story. So I've decided that in addition to actually putting in effort at school this year I shall do my best to put something on fanfic every week. And since I get such a response from the Covenant crowd you guys will probably be getting most of the stuff (for those of you who watch Supernatural, are fans of Elfen Lied or have read Artemis Fowl go read my fics for those too. Just as morbid as these.) So in this particular series I intend to finish this fic then there are rumours of a sequel. I want to do more chapters for Imaginary but I don't know what, feel fee to share your ideas. I also have at least one more one-shot fitting this into the Covenant overall. Then I'm at a loss. Oh well, I'll deal with that when I get there...If I get there. Oh, and there's a Supernatural fic I've been meaning to write. But you guys don't care about any of this. You want to read the actual story. Ok, go ahead, but remember to REVIEW!!!

Disclaimer: My collection is not yet complete...hell, its not even begun; tell me if you have any of them going for a good price.

This chapter is also now dedicated to Susangel for inspiring me to keep writing this simply by reviewing absolutely everything. Thank you!

The climb from darkness into reality resembled a long spiral staircase. Having reached the top Reid felt a certain displacement. Once the depth of night behind his eyelids had been reduced from the all-consuming-stuff-of-nightmares into mere invisibility he felt somewhat safe to open them. In fact this made little difference. The world was still dark. Attempting to test the visibility by determining how far away he could see his hand Reid discovered that his hands were in fact bound together behind his back. Having caught his attention with this not insignificant fact his body gently called his attention to the fact that his shoulders were in fact throbbing. Reid closed his eyes again as a catalogue of old wounds began to present itself. Scars pulled in odd ways ached and more recent cuts trickled blood into his already rain soaked clothes. Bruises protested his long rest against the floor. Attempting to alleviate some of the pain Reid began to shift against the unforgiving stone floor.

Lying on his back Reid stared up at where he assumed the ceiling to be. The lack of stars made him fairly certain of its existence.

He wondered who had brought him here and what interest they had in him. It wasn't his stepfather. He couldn't care less where his stepson was. Perhaps he'd wondered why there was nothing to punch but all those nights spent with girls in hotel rooms or drunk senseless in the gutter and he had never once asked where Reid had been. Well he had asked, but he had never really wanted an answer. The answer didn't matter. All that mattered after a while was every kick that struck his aching body and sometimes even they blended together then faded into darkness. Definitely not his stepfather. No one ever really cared what happened to him anyway. No one but the sons of Ipswich. Maybe they were out there looking for him. He remembered Tyler's clouded face. Maybe not.

Tyler ran a hand through his wet hair, pulling it back out of his eyes. Drips ran down his face and his eyelashes were heavy with water. His clothes were so saturated that any fresh water ran straight off them. The night seemed to be closing in on him as he wandered aimlessly along another pretty little suburban road.

It was dark. He hadn't seen the others for hours and worst of all had seen nothing that could even be connected to Reid let alone give information about his whereabouts.

Alone with only the downpour for company Tyler was forced to admit his part in Reid's vanishing act. He remembered yelling at Reid. He didn't remember why. Couldn't even begin to comprehend what might have led him to let loose on his traumatised friend. He couldn't really remember anything. Everything external had become a haze as he tried to make sense of it all. He had let his mother go. The woman who had haunted his dreams for so many years had just knocked on his door and he had turned her away. He hadn't even tried to make her go and see his father. He had just turned her away. He had been so angry. So angry that she thought that if she offered him another chance he might go. Like she even had that right. Shouldn't it be him offering her another chance. Considering and measuring her.

But even as the haze descended again Tyler shook his head. It didn't matter, for whatever reason he had done it he had told her to go. And then he had told Reid the same thing. How could he? The one person in his life who was afraid that asking for a glass of water was too imposing and he had yelled at him. How could he?

Alone with their thoughts in the night both boys stumbled though internal darkness. Hoping desperately for the dawn.

What do you think? That came out a lot differently than I intended. There was meant to be more Reid torture for one thing...Oh well, next chapter then. So tell me what you think. Truly inspiring reviews welcomed although the generic "it was great" is enormously coveted as well. Please please please let me know what you think. I have no instant gratification for my schoolwork, give me something for this. Even if it's just to let me know one concept, one line, one thought that you liked! Or even just to let me know how much you love the boys. Anything. I have also decided (as of now) to reply to my reviewers so please please please say something! Anything! And I'll reply. Remember: the more interesting the review the more detailed my reply will be. Go ahead. Make my day (PLEASE)

Love you all

Sammy