A/N: Just a short update to let you know I haven't abandoned this story.
Darek didn't talk much on the trip to Horizon. But that didn't mean his mind wasn't racing. He hadn't seen his sister in 10 years. He almost felt that the whole thing was too good to be true. His mind was full of questions he was too afraid to ask. Peter had told him all about the school, and Darek couldn't help but wonder what Sarah had done to end up there. Peter seemed to be purposely avoiding talking about her. That was okay with Darek, he wanted to hear about her life from her.
Peter pulled slowly up the gravel driveway of Horizon while Darek took in the surroundings. He now felt he knew the definition of "the middle of nowhere." He looked around and wondered which building housed his sister. He couldn't wait to see her.
Peter nodded toward the building in front of them. "That's the administration building where you'll be checked in." He paused, and then as if reading Darek's mind, added "You won't be able to see her until you're done with the admittance procedure. Normally, new students are required to spend their first days in quiet reflection time in their dorms, but given the circumstances, I think we can make an exception."
Darek smiled, Peter seemed liked an okay guy to him. Truth was, Darek had rarely been in trouble before his mom died. Life wasn't easy by any means, but Darek had managed to stay out of gangs, and avoid trouble from the police like Cole had never been able to do. Other than a few incidents, he had kept his nose clean. For that reason, he was very glad to be out of juvie and enjoying the fresh mountain air. The fact that he also got to be with his best friend and his sister – well, that made it all pretty unreal.
But Darek's joy was short lived as the sound of gravel crunching and tires screeching announced the presence of another car. Peter and Darek both looked back, startled, and Darek's face fell. He recognized his father immediately. It had been years since he had seen him, but he would never forget the anger and cruelty in his father's eyes.
"Oh God." Darek was hardly able to get the words out of his mouth.
Peter had been shocked by the car ascending the drive so quickly, but he was more confused by the expression on Darek's face. It was a look of pure terror.
Darek tried to run, but found that he was so frightened, he couldn't move. His legs felt like lead, and he could taste the bile rising in the back of his throat. "Oh God," he repeated, as quietly and sickly as he had before.
Roger was approaching Peter and Darek, intrigued by the commotion of the unexpected visitor, by the time Peter realized what was happening. Peter wasted no time.
"Roger, get Darek and Sarah and take them to the lodge. Call Curtis and tell him we're going to need some help up here."
Roger knew better than to question Peter and grabbed Darek firmly by the arm and led him toward the classroom building to find Sarah.
"Mr. Corbridge?" Peter positioned himself between the departing Darek and the angry man who had just exited his car. "I'm Peter Scarbrow. Why don't we talk inside?"
"I'm not interested in talking. I want my daughter right now." He was eye to eye with Peter and his temper was raging. "You have no right to keep her from me!"
"Why don't we talk about this. I'm sure everything can be sorted out."
"There's nothing to sort out. Sarah is coming with me right now." He shoved Peter to the side and started after Roger and Darek.
Peter quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him closer. His tone was calm, but his voice was threatening. "The police are already on their way. You're not going to take her from here without talking to me." He paused, letting his words sink in. " Why don't we do this the civil way and meet in my office?"
Peter could feel the man's body tense. "Fine. But Sarah is leaving here with me today."
Peter nodded and gently led Mr. Corbridge towards the admin building.
Sarah was in the middle of Geometry class when Roger burst in, Darek in tow. "I need to borrow Sarah for awhile," he announced to the teacher.
Sarah glanced up, and squealed when she saw Darek. "Oh my GOD!!!!" She ran towards him, but stopped short when she saw the look on his face. Her excitement was quickly replaced with fear. "He's here isn't he?"
Roger nodded and quietly led her from the classroom. "Peter is taking care of it. I need to get both of you to the lodge while we wait for Sheriff Swan."
Sarah shook her head. "No. No way. We have to get out of here."
Darek nodded in agreement. "I'm not sticking around either. I'm getting the hell out of here while I can."
Roger could see that Sarah was actually shaking. He grabbed her hand, trying to calm her. "You're safe here. You don't need to be afraid." They were nearing the lodge and he had a firm grip on each of them for fear that they would run.
"You have no idea what he is capable of!" Sarah's voice was near hysterics. "We're not safe anywhere1 He's going to kill us1"
Roger had no doubt that both of them had been threatened by the man waiting in Peter's office. There was no faking the fear and horror in their eyes. He only hoped that Curtis arrived in time.
A/N: Next up: Sarah and Darek come face to face with their father and the truth comes out! This story is nearly over!
