The Red Light
Disclaimer: I don't own iCarly
A/N:
Chapter 29 (News Report)
Carly awoke in a cold sweat, her chest was heaving and her breath was frantic. She just had a nightmare of Douglas shoving her about, forcing her into a life of prostitution, then slowly his image had begun to change into that of her mother. She shook her head and slowly looked to her clock, it was only five in the morning, way too early to wake up, but too late to get back to sleep. She needed something cold, something to wake her up and get her mind off of that nightmare.
She pushed herself from the bed and made her way out towards the kitchen, hopefully she wouldn't wake her granddad. As she opened the refrigerator, she thought back to Douglas. She couldn't help but wonder how Sam was faring with him. She opened the door and spotted some ice cold lemon tea, she gripped the container and pulled it from the fridge. "Why haven't I been able to get through to her?" Maybe Douglas decided to cut off Sam's phone? It was a possibility, but she didn't think he would do that.
She opened the container and brought the cool liquid to her lips, not caring that she drank from that rather than a glass. The icy liquid splashed onto her tongue, sending the chills down her throat and esophagus. As she brought the container down, she thought again of Sam. It broke her heart, but she had to quit thinking about her. "The more I think about her, the more depressed I get…it has to stop…I have to stay focused." Furthermore, thinking about Sam made her yearn for a life that just couldn't happen now, it was far too late.
What had she wanted to do with her life before pornography? Go into politics? Maybe, but she wasn't too sure. College would have fixed that right up, now it was too late. Maybe if she could ever reach Sam-but no, she couldn't worry about her. She made her way to the couch and sank into it, moaning quietly in frustration. Why was it she couldn't forget about all of them? Why did she have to think so hard about those she knew back in Seattle? Everything she knew felt like a sham. Her mother had been a prostitute, but at least it meant even a prostitute could find love, right? She scoffed and rubbed her right temple with her fingers. She wasn't like Sam, always concerned about finding that one guy, the one guy who would truly love her.
She looked out the nearby window and frowned as she thought about Valerie and Melanie, they were the lucky ones. They were the ones who found somebody that really worked with them, that loved them and took care of them. Melanie, with all her tenderness, her softness, she needed someone like Freddie to be there and keep her from falling off the deep end when something happens that is beyond what she can handle. Valerie had that issue of everyone messing with her, threatening her, even hurting her in various ways after she tried to break up the iCarly gang years ago. Someone like Jonah, who knew what it felt like to be ostracized by people, was just right for her. He cared enough about her to keep those people away from her, to love her, to protect her. Even Sam would need someone special, someone to love her despite the things she had done. Did one of those guys exist? She wasn't too sure.
"All men want is sex, at least in my opinion…" She flipped on the television and switched over to the news. Maybe, just maybe, something was interesting on the local news of Yakima. When she had moved here, the news was actually making a story out of her arrival, as if they honestly had nothing else to report on. Her granddad never bothered with the local news for that simple reason. Crime levels were at an all time low, which was a good thing, but still this city was just so terribly boring. Granted the biggest thing Yakima had was gang activity, but beside that, nothing.
She stared in boredom at the screen in front of her and slowly glanced to the side. They were still talking about her. It was when they heard Sam's name that she grew interested in. She was worried about her after that Hispanic gang member screwed her over in the strip club, he said he ran into Sam. He was part of a new, up and coming gang, small time scraps but still with the ability to grow. The gang was called the El Niño's. She didn't think it was too great of a name, but that wasn't a concern of hers. Hell, they were so small that hardly anyone knew them, they needed to work on making a name for themselves. She shook the thought from her mind and returned her attention to the TV, her eyes set in slowly upon Sam's picture as the announcer began to speak.
"In recent news, we're informed that internet icon, Carly Shay's friend and partner, Samantha Puckett, has recently been kicked from her family home. Her father, one of Seattle's police Lieutenant declines to speak on his daughter's whereabouts. He informs us that she is safe, that she is protected, and she has decided to leave her life of pornography." Carly's eyebrows rose with astonishment and relief as she placed her hand above her chest. If Sam could escape, then more power to her, she would hope for the best. Her entire life might still be pretty much over, but at least she wouldn't gain any STDs or have to deal with constant abuse. "In other news, we were informed that over the weekend, her former manager was arrested on charges of domestic abuse against her. A restraining order has been placed against him and again we are informed that she is safe. Douglas Madison was released Monday morning and has been put under watch for a week. Lieutenant David Puckett has once again declined further statement."
"Oh my god!" Carly gasped and cupped her hands over her mouth. What did Douglas do to her, was Sam okay? She wanted to know, had to know. Unfortunately with no way to contact her, she might never know. If she's been kicked out, then who would she stay with? Mr. Puckett appeared to know but was probably not mentioning where she was for her own safety.
"What are you doing up?" Carly looked over to see her grandfather walking into the living room. He had a tired expression on his face and appeared very disheveled. Was he not sleeping?
"I was watching the news, someone hurt Sam!"
"Oh, your porno friend?" Carly's eyes widened and she pointed at the television in frustration.
"She's not into porn anymore, Granddad! Anyway, someone hurt her, can you call Freddie or someone and see if they know if she's okay?" Tyrone stared at her with a certain degree of emptiness in his eyes. He just wasn't as lively as he used to be.
"No. You're best to just forget about her. I'm sure she'll forget about you as well. She may want to, considering how you two were involved in the porn business." The wind was knocked from her and she grew speechless. Did he really just say that to her? Sam would never forget her, would she? Screw the porn part of their lives, the two had been best friends, sisters, since they were eight years old. They had a huge bonding aspect in their lives! "Just don't be too loud, I want to sleep."
"You always sleep nowadays, Granddad. It's like you don't even live anymore." Tyrone shrugged his shoulders and made his way back to the bedroom, he could really care less what Carly did or did not do. He knew she'd never be anything now, not after her life in porn. He wasn't like her father, nor was he like Sam's parents, he didn't believe in her ability to change. Not anymore. He just knew, if she didn't want to change, then she was never going to change. Carly watched him walk away and ground her teeth against each other. She let her tears drip to her chin and slowly stood up. Why did everyone hate her now?
The clock above the television said 5:30, it was time to begin her day. She wiped her eyes and stepped outside the door with her laptop. She wasn't going to be anywhere near her granddad, not today. She moved to the second, rusty appearing car, entered it and started it up. It was her granddad's older car and the one he let her drive. He had a much newer looking Pontiac that he drove.
Carly tightened her grip on the wheel and pulled out of the driveway, then sped down the street. As she stared up in the night sky, she saw two golden arches lit up in the distance. She smiled and started driving towards the twenty four hour McDonalds, it would be a nice resting spot for her and should have free wireless.
Well, next chapter Carly's going to be doing a little research, be prepared for a big shock.
