Chapter Seventeen



"Scott, why did the fight start this time?" Peter asked. Sophie was in the den, monitoring the still-sleeping Kristin. "Cuz he said he didn't care that his sister just went nuts. He doesn't deserve a friggin sister or a life." Scott growled. "Oh. Ouch. That. Hurt. So. Very. Much." Steven said, clutching his heart. "Oh yeah? I'll make it hurt you no good fu-" "Scott!" "What, Peter? You KNOW it's true! You know he beat the hell out of her and probably worse! You just don't wanna do anything about it because what you wanna do you'll lose your job and your kid for!" Scott said, speaking the truth-the exact thing Peter was thinking.

"Lucky guess." Peter muttered under his breath. "Now THAT was uncalled for!" Steven defended himself. "No, you're behavior is uncalled for." Peter answered him. "Can I go?" Scott demadned. "Yes...go...bye..." Peter muttered, waving him out the door. "Wow, thank-" Steven started. "Sidown!" Peter yelled. Scott winced, Peter rarely yelled and when he did he meant business. Scott walked back to the dorm.

"Okay Steven. I'm not gonna talk about your sister because if I here one negative thing about her come outta you I think I'm going to strnagle you." "Oh. THat'll look nice on America's Most Wanted. Trusting, caring headmaster strangles student for hating sister-his "daughter"-and is still at large. Lovely, lovely wife in tears and is giving up the start of the trouble, the annoying blonde brat named Kristin. Whoo, good description, eh, Peter?" Steven said. "Oh yeah. And here's what the 6 o clock news will say: Scott Barringer kills 16-year-old Steven Maddox because Steven Maddox hates his only sister and has been abusing her for god only knows how long. Hmm..I think that's likely." "Really? Yay! Where's ol' Scotty boy?" Steven said with a smirk.

"Ya know what, forget it. Why were you sent to Horizon?" "I got caught doing a few joints from my foster mother." "Why?" "Cos I wanted to. It's better than getting drunk with an old man who couldn't care less about you. He didn't know I was even there after the brat was born. And mom, don't get me started on that whore." He said. "Steven, did your dad abuse you, to?" Peter asked softly. Maybe he was finally getting somewhere with this kid. "Why do you care? Everyone has always cared about the sweet little angelic priss. Oh my gosh, her dad beat her. Her brother hates her. She didn't stay up every night from the time she was born-4 wondering if he'd come into your room drunk. DId she? No. From the time she was born until she was 2 he tied her to tables. Wow! HE didn't fuckin' touch her or anything." Steven yelled, tears brimming in his eyes. "Steven, what did you do to your sister?" Peter asked softly.

"If I tell you you'll just send me away like everyone else." Steven said. "No, I won't. If you don't stop, I will. But if you admit it so we'll know what to do, then me and Sophie will work to get you help. But you've got a lot of apoligizing to do to your cousin and sister and the other Cliffhangers. Especially to your sister. Now will you tell?" Peter asked. Steven thought for a second.

***Steven's POV***

God, he actually thinks I hate her. I don't hate her, I just have to on the outside. She put me through hell. Sure, I hated it when my dad molested me, but I also hated it when he stopped talking to me just so he could beat the hell out of Kristin. I love her, she's my sister. But I can't trust Peter. I can't trust anyone. But if I tell maybe things will get better. I don't wanna be hated by everyone. My mom at least didn't ignore me. She screwed wiht my head, though. One day she's molesting me and the next beating the hell out of me. She hasn't done it since I was 10, but it was enough for me to start taking my revenge on Kristin. Fuck it, I'll tell.

***End of his POV***

"I'll tell...but you have to promise you won't kick me out or anything-I-I don't hate her, I promise!" Steven said and he started to cry.