New chapter. Things are finally beginning to unfold a bit.
Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Enjoy. :P
Twelve
Lucas lied in the bed. The past few days he hadn't had a real night's sleep, or any for that matter. More so just temporary moments of unconsciousness, but none lasting more than a few minutes if that. Whenever he was successful in closing his eyes, the vision of her would instantly reappear in his head. Her golden locks, her angelic face… her warm smile.
It had been exactly three days since the incident, but Lucas or no one in that case still hadn't the slightest clue what exactly even happened, let alone where she may be. Lucas had exhausted himself to no end, asking any and all of the people there at the club that night if they had seen or heard anything, but his search was for naught. He didn't dare to go to the police, he knew bringing them into this predicament would only cause more a problem than anything. He couldn't risk getting himself exposed, not now.
He arose from the bed, looking around the room, scanning over the familiar red walls. He had been in this room a million times but each time he was still amazed by the art plastered on about every inch of the space.
Since the night at Tric, Lucas spent every waking second here at her house. He had this notion that if he waited here long enough, she would eventually, miraculously come back to him… or at least he hoped.
He walked over to her desk and saw the numerous sketches scattered everywhere, one in particular catching his eye. He picked up the piece of paper and his heart almost sank to the floor realizing what the image was. It was the sketch she drew of him, her, and their soon to be baby. He grazed the young figure with his thumb, seeing its tiny face was almost too much for him to bear. Unable to hold back any longer, he cried into his hands; a tear fell from his face and dropped onto the drawing.
…
"Luke, you in here?" Haley shouted from downstairs.
"Hey." She greeted him, peering into the room. "You okay?" She asked recognizing something was wrong.
Lucas wasn't able to muster up any type of speech, nor did he care to. He simply just handed her the sketch.
Haley examined the drawing and immediately caught on. She didn't know what to say next, there was nothing she could say or do to make this situation for him any better.
"I'm sure she's fine Luke. You'll find her." Haley tried her best to console him, caressing his shoulder.
She was answered only with his silence.
Haley pouted looking over at the clock, "I should get going, Nate and James are waiting for me. Call me if you need anything, k?"
Lucas timidly nodded.
"Hang it there." She gave him a hug before heading for the door. "Oh, I brought over your mail. It was beginning to pile up so I figured I'd just bring it over for you to look at." She turned back around to tell him.
Lucas watched as she made her exit. Now being alone once again, he searched for something to take his mind off it all… something or someone who could provide him with that glimmer of hope he was desperately longing for.
He glanced back over to her desk and saw the jumble of sketches still laying there. He never understood how one girl could possibly be this messy. Straightening up the pieces of paper, he heard something fall to the ground.
He groaned as he bent down to pick up the object. He was pleasantly surprised with his discovery… it was the cancer survivor bracelet Peyton's birth mother, Ellie, had given her. He inspected the piece of jewelry. Knowing how much it meant to her, he made sure to put it in a place of safekeeping.
Lucas thought to himself. In that sudden moment of clarity, he knew where he had to go.
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He pulled into the parking lot of the building and headed for the corridor. He greeted the people nonchalantly as he made his way to the desired room.
Finally reaching it, he paused for a moment at the entrance attempting to regain his composure. He slowly crept into the room, preparing himself for what he was about to see. Even doing so, he still almost lost his breath with the sight in front of him.
He watched her lying there motionless, so peaceful and calm.
"Hi mom." Lucas uttered sitting in the chair besides her.
He took a hold of her hand, grazing it ever so softly. "Sorry I haven't been here the past couple of days, but something came up." He told her, trying to hold back the tears.
He was really hoping for a response this time but didn't get one.
His emotion getting the best of him, he began to break down. "Where is she mom…?" Lucas sobbed uncontrollably. "I needher here… I need you here."
"I wish I could just go back and change it all." He confessed. "I'm so sorry for everything." He whispered while resting his head on his mother's side.
"I'm gonna make it right, I promise." He said, kissing her on the forehead before leaving.
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Back home, he dropped his car keys onto the table and flopped down on the couch. As he was doing so, he saw the stack of envelopes across from him. He remembered Haley telling him that she brought them over. He leaned over and grabbed the pile, shifting through them all.
"Bill, Junk, Bill, Bill…" He said to himself as he opened each of them.
He came to the last one and inspected the front of envelope. He noticed that there was no return address on it. He wanted to think it could've been a simple error of some sort but he knew better of it.
Taking a gulp, he reluctantly tore open the seal. He peeked inside and pulled the piece of paper out, reading it to himself.
"Hello again. You didn't actually think it was over did you? You really need to stop misplacing things. I think I may have something of yours, not sure if you want it back or not. If you do, you know where to meet me. Oh yeah, I added a little reminder inside, just in case you haven't caught on by now."
He tapped onto the bottom of the envelope, its contents spilling into his hand. His mind immediately went numb realizing what it was… it was a lock of her hair.
Lucas' face quickly turned from one of shock and horror to one of anger and hatred. He grabbed his keys and made a dash for the door, in pursuit to finally finish this… once and for all.
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Swerving his mustang through the traffic, Lucas was dead set on ending this whole ordeal. At this point it didn't matter who it was, whoever it was they were going to pay. He was ready and willing to do whatever it takes, even if it meant at his expense; as long as he knew she was okay.
He stomped on his brakes, pulling up to the familiar abandoned factory. He couldn't forget it, the one with the faded words on the side, Father & Son Printings.
"Peyton!" He screamed as he ran towards the building.
He tried to open the door, but it was locked. Taking a few steps back, he lunged and kicked the door open with all his might.
He looked into the room. "Peyton!"
His eyes at last adjusting to the darkness, he could see a feint light in the middle of the room spotlighting a figure slumped in a chair.
"Peyton!" He sprinted in her direction.
She was tied to the chair and apparently unconscious.
"Peyton, baby wake up." Lucas attempted to awaken her, as he frantically tried to undo the knots on the ropes around her limbs.
…
Meanwhile in the room adjacent to theirs, Mr. Daniels watched intently on the video monitor. "Let the games begin…" He smiled wickedly.
Motioning with his hand, he ordered the two masked men to make their presence felt. He wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily, not without having a little fun first.
The grand finale coming soon. :)
