Disclaimer: I do not own the mentalist and make no money from this

Author's Note: Hello readers. Thanks so much to jisbon-sessed and rigspeltforeverxx for reviewing :) I agree with you about the costume being so expensive, that's exactly what my Mom said last year and she bought my brother a much cheaper one, also I'm not gonna kill Alex but after you read this chapter you might want me to as Alex beats him, dark but it is an angst for a reason

I got myself up, had breakfast and headed off to school glancing up at the dark mass of storm clouds gathering above me. Frowning at this I arrived at school and joined my friends as we waited for the bell.

They were all talking excitedly about their costumes, in addition to Wayne's werewolf, Grace was going as a witch and Kimball as a frankenstein monster while Teresa as an angel. I just shrugged lamely figuring I'd either buy a cheap mask or throw a sheet over my head.

School passed as usual but I noticed the storm was getting worse outside, by the time school finished it was pelting down rain and the booming sound of thunder was echoing around us. Teresa and I were soaked through the skin as we reached her brothers' elementary school.

Pretty much everyone who normally walked to pick there kids up from school had opted for their cars instead, this was probably wise as flashes of lightening were blazing nearby us. Her brothers hurridly joined us.

"I'm scared!" Chris shouted tearfully above the roaring thunder.

"My house is closer!" I yelled, "we can go there until the storm calms down a bit!"

They bobbed their heads in agreement and we half ran to my house and collapsed through the door drenched and panting. I closed the door and noticed my Dad's car was gone. Probably to a bar, I thought miserably as I went to make some dinner. Matt came in as Teresa went to use the bathroom, he poured himself a drink of milk and left the carton on the counter.

"Can you put it back please?" I asked kindly.

"Can you bring my Mom back please?" he retorted angrily.

"You have to stop this Matt," I said tiredly.

"Stop what?" he sneered.

"Acting like a jerk to everyone, especially the people who care about you," I snapped, "Teresa is really worried about you, she doesn't deserve that. Life is tough, its cruel, its hard but you have to deal with it. Don't push everyone away from you or you'll be as alone as you think you are."

"So?" Matt sounded unsure as he spoke.

"You don't want to be alone to be alone Matt," I whispered quietly and Matt slowly put the milk back before he went back into the family room. I hoped he'd listen.

By the time we'd eaten the soup (we were practically out of food, I'd have to get Dad to go grocery shopping) the storm had died down somewhat. It was still raining slightly but the thunder and lightening had stopped. I offered to walk them home but Teresa said it was pointless as I might get caught by ths storm instead, so I simply waved them goodbye. Chris still seemed quiet which was odd but I supposed with the storm.

I watched some TV before my Dad arrived home, that's when I went upstairs and worked on my homework. I'd just finished when I heard my Dad calling me, and he sounded mad. I nervously went downstairs and saw him standing there with a look of barely controlled rage.

"Do you know what I did when I got home today?" he asked me with a dark quietness.

"Err... no," I muttered anxiously, what had I done now?

"I counted my money. Did you think I wouldn't notice?!" he roared furiously.

"Notice what?"

"Don't play dumb with me Pat! $120 is missing, who do you think took it?" he screamed advancing on me, "Angela's ghost? Willy Wonka? The freakin' boogeyman?"

"I don't know, I didn't take it!" I protested.

Either he wasn't listening or he didn't care as the blows rained down on me. I'd never seen him so mad as I tried desperately to protect my head from the savage beating. For the first time ever I passed out before he got fed up...

*****

I awakened hours later spawled on my bedroom floor. I groaned in agony and rolled onto my stomach as I spat out blood. Shakily I got to my feet and blinked at the sunshine streaming through my window. My whole body ached from head to toe, even my bruises had bruises.

"Pat," my Dad snapped darkly as he peeked into the room, "you still going to school?"

"Yeah," I agreed nervously as I realized I was going to be late. He snorted and slammed the door shut.

I changed my clothes hurridly at the same time cringing from the bruises, my body ached all over. I turned my tired thoughts to who had taken the money, freezing mid may through tying my sneakers. Teresa.

It made sense, she always needed money for groceries and they'd been at the house yesterday. I felt my heartbeat quicken, she knew where the money was as she'd supervised Chris putting it back. No, she wouldn't steal from me... she was my friend, my best friend she wouldn't especially when she knew about my Dad.

I became more worried the more I thought about it. She had to have taken it, but why? Why would she do this to me? Was she in trouble? Was it her Dad? Had something happened? She'd seemed fine earlier. I'd have to ask her. She'd have a good reason, wouldn't she...?