Chapter Two: Two Beds and a Coffee Machine

Sorry about yesterday's chapter, there were some formatting issues with it. I might fix it up in a bit, but for now I'm working on this chapter. Also, thanks for all the great support I'm receiving. I really appreciate it. You people are awesome! So anyways, on with Chapter Two:

Two Beds and a Coffee Machine

And she takes another step
Slowly she opens the door
Check that he is sleeping
Pick up all the broken glass and furniture on the floor
Been up half the night screaming now it's time to get away
Pack up the kids in the car
Another bruise to try and hide
Another alibi to write

Another ditch in the road
You keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
And the years go by so fast
Wonder how I ever made it through

And there are children to think of
Baby's asleep in the backseat
Wonder how they'll ever make it through this living nightmare
But the mind is an amazing thing
Full of candy dreams and new toys and another cheap hotel
Two beds and a coffee machine
But there are groceries to buy
And she knows she'll have to go home

Another ditch in the road
You keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
And the years go by so fast
Wonder how I ever made it through

Another bruise to try and hide
Another alibi to write
Another lonely highway in the black of night
But there's hope in the darkness
You know you're going to make it

Another ditch in the road
Keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
And the years go by so fast
Silent fortress built to last
Wonder how I ever made it

Shelby sat silently next to Kevin. She had given in and allowed him to give her a ride to her apartment. He sat hunched over the wheel, his brow furrowed with concentration. Suddenly he sighed.

"Shelby, you know I care about you. That will never change,"

"I know, Kevin," she said. "I care about you too, but I need time away from a commitment." She bit her lip. She was talking calmly, trying not to send him over the edge. She glanced at him. His face was starting to turn red, a bad sign. He pounded the steering wheel with his fist.

"Fuck, all I tried to do was make you happy. I gave you that ring, I invited you to family events. This hurts, Shelby," he yelled, more at himself than at her. Shelby was silent. Kevin pulled up beside her apartment. She opened the door and stepped out into the street. It was 6:00 and the place was deserted. Everyone was having supper. She opened the door and walked in, heading for the stairs. Suddenly, she heard a car door slam. She saw Kevin was coming after her.

"We need to talk," she heard him call. She pretended she didn't hear and continued up the stairs.

* * *

The phone rang. Shelby turned over in bed and squinted at her alarm clock. It was 3 am. She knew who was calling and she didn't care to answer. She got up and unplugged her two phones, one in her room and the other in the kitchen. Shelby glanced at the call display. It was Kevin. Like that was any surprise. He had phoned 5 times tonight and she had hung up on him the first time. She just needed to be away from him for a while. Now she knew, though, that a while would be forever. He couldn't even give her time to think. She sat down at her kitchen table, knowing she wouldn't get any sleep tonight. Shelby sighed and looked around. There, on top of her TV in the adjoining living room, was a picture of the cliffhangers. She smiled, looking at Scott with his arm around her. She wondered how he was doing. Suddenly, Shelby heard a knock on her door. She wondered who it could be. She walked over to the door and looked through the eyehole. She couldn't see anything. All of a sudden, she heard a terrible whisper through the door.

"It's me, Shelby," Kevin's voice said. "I know you're in there." Shelby stepped away and watched, horrified as Kevin opened the door. She realized she had given him a key. "I've been watching, waiting." He said, moving closer to her. His eyes were bloodshot and his breath smelled of liquor. "I want you to know how much you hurt me, Shelby. If you come back with me, I'll be nice." He has pinned her against the wall.

"Never," she said, pushing him away. He stepped back a bit, shocked. Shelby stepped to the side, but he slammed her shoulders against the wall again.

"I guess you want to know pain," he said, looming over her. She spat in his face. He wiped it off with his hand, then in a rage, slapped her. Shelby kicked him hard. She let out a bloodcurdling scream and heard shouts and footsteps above her. Kevin looked scared and backed away. He ran over to the door and turned around for an instant.

"You will regret this night," Kevin said, pointing at her. Then she heard him running downstairs. She collapsed in a heap, crying.

* * * *

Shelby sat in bed, holding her knees. Despite the events of last night, she had managed to get some sleep. The police had come and taken notes, but they suggested she take a day for herself. That's what she had decided to do. She had blocked Kevin's number on her phone and her concerned manager promptly got her door locks changed. In the morning, they found out that Kevin had broken the downstairs window to gain entry to the building. Surprisingly, no one had heard him. Shelby got up and quickly pulled her hair into a ponytail. She changed into a comfy pair of jeans and a tank top. Today she decided to go to her favourite restaurant, The Green Dragon. It was an interesting little place, with good food and excellent service. She grabbed her purse and started out the door.

* * * *

As soon as she walked through the door of The Green Dragon, she recognized him. She gasped with delight as she ran over to his table. There, sitting in the corner, was Scott Barringer.

End of chapter two, I decided to leave you guys hanging for a bit (bwa ha ha evil me) because I thought the chapter was getting rather long. Scott will come into major play next chapter. Kevin will be there, but he'll get a taste of his own medicine ;).