It was dark by the time I got home. The wind was hard and biting as I pushed open my car door, fighting against it as Adam pulled in behind me, the glare of his headlights blinding me temporarily. I smiled slightly and headed for his car.

He frowned as the window rolled down. "You sure you'll be all right?"

"Yeah." I glanced back at my dark house, feeling my knees knock together. I hoped it was just the wind. "I'll be fine. I have my cat."

"What a big help he'll be." Adam sighed and ran his hand over his steering wheel. "I wish you'd come back to my house tonight."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because I can't get too dependent on you." I smiled slightly, hoping the heaviness in the air would lift. "What would I do if you left?"

"Why would I leave?"

I bit my lip and looked away, shrugging. "I don't know. If you went back on the road."

"You could come with me." His hand reached out, touching my arm. "Be my personal trainer."

"Get out of here," I said on a laugh, stepping back. I cleared my throat when my smile faded. "Go on. Get out of here."

He smirked slightly, thumping his car into reverse. "No good-night kiss?"

"No. I'm mad at you."

He laughed. "For what!"

"For being such a dick." I wrapped my fingers around the window frame.

"I'm Adam Copeland - it's in my nature." He leaned forward, pressing a hard kiss to my mouth. "Good-night."

I was tempted to get in the passenger's seat and let him take me back to his place. I felt safe there, I felt protected. But I let out a shaky breath and opened my eyes. "Good-night."

He was smirking as he pulled away, shaking his head.

I sighed and faced my house, enjoying the way my hair whipped back from the force of the wind. It was completely dark inside, the porch light not even on, and I could hear the surf behind it crashing against the sand.

I mounted the steps, jumping when the shadows from the dancing palm trees slid across the far end of the deck. It almost looked like a person twisting to music. I found it hard to push my key into the lock, to get the door open without taking my eyes off the figure.

The light switch was on the way into the kitchen. I tried my hardest to will my heart to slow, but I found myself rushing in and pressing the button so the room got some light.

Everything seemed normal.

The door was still open, but I went farther into the house, turning on every light, opening every door, checking every closet. I looked under the bed and found nothing but dust and old books, carelessly tossed away.

Von leapt up onto the comforter, meowing loudly. It was pathetic, really. He looked so sad, so hungry, so forgotten, and I couldn't help but gather the fat ass up and hug him close to my chest, feeling his soft fur against my cheek.

I shushed him as he struggled, heading over to the big window that led out to the deck. A soft rumble of thunder rolled over the house. "Are you hungry, Von?"

He hissed in response, clawing his way out of my arms.

"Shut up, you haven't eaten for a day." I rolled my eyes, pressing my face against the glass. The thunder shook the window. "I'm sorry."

I wasn't surprised there was a storm coming in. I could feel the electricity in the air outside. It made my hair stand up on the back of my neck.

Lightning flashed, and for a split second, my heart dropped.

There was someone standing on the deck.

I screamed and stumbled back, barely feeling the scratches Von gave me as he hopped out of my arms. He landed on the night stand and knocked the lamp off, sending my room into darkness.

I had two choices - a smart one, and a stupid one. I chose the stupid one and stepped up to the window again, flipping the switch next to it.

The light on the back flashed on, illuminating just a foot or so beyond the deck, and the rest was black.

No one was there.

I blinked a few times, straining my eyes to see into the darkness. From what I could see, there were no foot prints in the sand. I jerked a little when rain started to patter against the glass.

"It was nothing," I breathed. I looked at Von, his yellow eyes glowing furious in the dark. "It was nobody."

My heart still racing, I headed for the kitchen, Von following angrily behind me. I was just going to get him some food and then go to bed. If I went to sleep, I wouldn't have to deal with whatever was happening.

The front door was open, banging widely against the wall as the wind and rain whipped around outside. I completely froze, but then I realized I had left it open. A stupid move on my part, but at least it was me who did it.

I shuddered as I moved forward to close it.

Something crunched under my feet.

I looked down, frowning at the white envelope that crumpled under my shoe. Probably some mail from yesterday that I didn't pick up.

I closed the door.

But that wasn't there before.

At least, I didn't think it was.

My hands itched to pick it up, and one part of me said I should. But the other part screamed no, and told me to just throw it away.

My fingers slid under the flap urgently, and I ended up ripping the folded paper out of it with little remorse.

My eyes scanned the page quickly, frowning at the picture. It was Adam. But... he wasn't Adam, he was Edge, and he was holding up a golden belt of some kind. I couldn't really see him that well. The red ink bleeding over it was distracting me.

You're mine.

A/N: Cliff hanger, fuckers. Review.