Princesaangelbebe: The "enemy" are in fact like Nessie. I haven't decided if I should put Nessie in it, making her the angle gone bad for some reason, but I don't think that will happen. Hope that helps your question.

Chapter 20:

Flash Backs

Payton paced back and forth in front of the fire place, feeling the cold draft that was blowing through the chimney. The other's had left shortly after breakfast, so she was home alone with no one to turn to. Her mind churned as she thought of the past events. When the red came she let the numbness wash over her.

The day was sunny, but the car ride was tense. Payton Lexton and her parents, Mark and Patty Lexton rode through the winding roads of Minnesota. "I said I was sorry," said Payton as she glared up at her mom and dad. This was at least the tenth time she had said she was sorry, but still her parents had that disappointed look to them.

"We will talk about this when we get home missy," said Mark in a stern voice.

"You are in big trouble," Patty reinforced, placing a loving hand on Mark's arm.

"God I hate you!" screeched Payton as she glared at her parents.

"Payton Marie," warned her father, turning back to look at Payton. The car drifted over the center line as the turn came, and soon Payton and Patty were screaming. A large semi had come around the turn. Payton could see the fear in the driver's eyes as the small car crumpled upon its self.

Payton let the tears run unchecked down her cheeks as she realized it was all her fault. The harder she thought the clearer it became. She had distracted her father and the last words she had ever said to her parents was she that she hated them. Oh how wrong she was. Every night before she fell asleep the tears came, and with those tears was the resentment of not knowing how to show her love to her parents just one last time.

The relationship between her and her 'father' had always been stressed, but Payton could never figure out why. She had always adored and admired her father, but he was always pushing her away. As she looked over the facts she knew now that it was because she wasn't his. She was some man's daughter from Washington State. And the worst part was that she didn't know either one of her fathers. She thought back and let the day of the crash wash over her.

Payton looked around and giggled like a loser. She sneaked around the edge of the pier and found who she was giggling about. "Hey," she said, flicking her blonde hair that fell just past her shoulder.

"Hey yourself," said the hunk across from her. He was ripped beyond belief and was tan too. He walked over to Payton and pulled her into a lip lock. It wasn't a sweet one, but rather a harsh one. When they broke apart he said, "I like your style."

She grinned and then winked at him saying, "I think you will like more than just that." He raised an eyebrow, but still pulled her along behind him so they were hidden more by the large poles holding up the pier. Payton nervously glanced around and swallowed. She had never done anything remotely like this, and she was afraid of what would happen. 'Just a summer fling,' she repeated to herself as the boy pulled her farther and farther back.

Once they were hidden enough for him he pushed her against a pole and kissed her with a fierceness that scared her. He ran his hands down her arms her and then started going for her chest.

That was about the point that Payton was not going to. She started to pull back when the gruff voice of her father said, "Explain."

That one word sent fear down her spine as Payton pushed the boy away from her. "Daddy," she started in an innocent tone.

"Get over here," he said, pulling her back to the beach, his hand cutting off the circulation in her arm.

"You're hurting me," whined Payton, trying to get away from her father.

"Shut it," snapped her father.

"Mark?" called Patty in a worried tone.

"In the car," ordered Mark. "NOW!" he roared, causing a few heads to turn and look at the slightly dysfunctional family.

"I can explain," whispered Payton as her father shoved her into the car.

"About what part? The kiss or the sex?"

"Sex?" squeaked Patty and Payton together.

"I know you were going to do it," said Mark sternly. "We will talk about this when we get home."

"You are so unfair!" yelled Payton from the back seat. "You don't even know the whole story."

Payton let another tear roll down her face as she remembered the day at the beach. "Stupid boy," she whispered, curling up and sobbing into her arms.

She laid there for an hour before the sounds of footsteps made her look up. "Payton?" asked the doctor in a worried tone. "Did something else happen?"

Payton just shook her head no.

"Where is Jasper?"

"Why the hell would I know?" she whispered.

"Did you two get into a fight?" he asked worried.

Another shake of the head.

He sat down on the couch beside her and pulled her into his arms. She curled up next to him and laid her head on his shoulder, more tears coming. "Then what is it?"

"My dad thought I was a whore," she whispered.

"Why?" asked the doctor, not trying to deny anything. He was smart enough to realize that would make Payton even more upset.

"Cause he saw me kissing a boy the day of the crash."

"Who was the boy?" asked the doctor smoothing down Payton's hair.

"I don't know. I don't even remember his name. I met him on the beach that day."

"Ah."

"Yeah." She sighed and relished in the strong and always loving arms of a father; arms that she had never felt before. "We were fighting over it, and I was trying to tell him that I wasn't kissing him anymore when he turned around to yell at me and crossed the middle line."

"Then the truck hit you?"

"Yes," whispered Payton. "I feel so bad for that man. He looked so scared."

"Payton," said the doctor, pulling Payton's chin up to look her in the eye. "The crash wasn't your fault and it wasn't the driver's fault, and it wasn't even Mark's fault. Remember that."

Payton just nodded, too scared to say anything else.

"Go upstairs and get some sleep. You look horrible."

"Thanks," she murmured, standing up to walk away.

He nodded and stood up after her. "I think I will call Martha to come watch you while I am at work. I'll feel better," he added quickly when Payton started to protest.

"Fine," she sighed. "I'll be in my room."

"Okay love," he said, kissing her on the forehead before she turned to walk up the stairs.

When she reached her door, Payton hear a noise from inside. She could hear the doctor downstairs still, so she decided it would be safe enough. She swung open the door and squeaked at who she saw bloodied before her.