The car ride home was as silent and meaningless as the drive to Horizon. I spent most of the trip staring blankly out of the window and my mother spent it trying to make conversation. I knew she was dissapointed. I knew she had expected a huge change. I wasn't sorry to dissapoint her, she was sorry that I did. Things had changed a little, my inside didn't feel so…empty and I didn't feel so burdned but there was still that dullness to life that I had experienced before. Something unexplainable but always there, I lived with it, it was apart of me. When we finally pulled up in front of our sprawling southern style mansion I couldn't help but feel a sad twinge. I remembered the good bye to Scott, I had told him it wasn't permanent, that I would be back, but even I didn't know that. There was a look of urgency in his eyes when I finally stepped inside the car, like he was restraining himself from pulling me back. I wanted him too, but instead he just stood there, watching me and laborously lifting a hand to wave when I drove away. I didn't wave back. My mother stopped the car in front of the fountain and Randolph, one of our hired help, immediately came running out to assist with the luggage. He was a tall man, thin as a rake and looked like a slight wind would blow him over. He was devoted and incredibly loyal, I would compare him to a dog. I gave him a passing glance as I walked up the steps. I went through the door he had left open and stepped into the house. The first thing that hit me was how untouched, unchanged, unfazed it looked. Everything was in its place from the spanish china on the dining room table to the rare mid- century Italian leather couch that graced the drawing room. I swept the area with my eyes, quickly taking in all of it. It was all so…beautiful but at the same time, cold and unfeeling. Like a museum. I went straight upstairs, not bothering to even wait for my mother. My room had also been left untouched, minus the few items I took to Horizon. The large African ebony bed stood in the middle of the hard wood floors and the drapes were still hung skillfully so that they looked like clouds over the bed. The window that covered half of one whole wall was closed tight, as if someone was afraid to let something in. I opened it. The couch, the chairs, the fireplace, the books, the television, computer,telephone,vanity,paintings,stero system, all left alone. I hated them. They were just more reminders of how empty I felt. I would trade everyone of those things for the part of me that all of my troubles had stolen from me. That one part that allowed me to laugh and joke with my friends, to cry in sadness and joy, to love completely. I laid back on my bed, letting the down filled satin sheets crush me with softness, I closed my eyes and tried to remember. I tried to remember the last time I had felt free, and then I remember, when he loved me.

"Monique…Monique?"

Someone was calling me, I clenched my eyes tighter so that maybe they would go away but to no avail. They called again. This time I rolled over in bed and tried to open my heavy eyelids. Dee, the other hired help and wife of Randolph, was standing over my bed. She was pursing her puffy lips and had was using her pudgy hands to try and wake me.

"What is it?" I said sounding ticked.

She looked nervous and I know why. She was there when I threw the vase and set fire to my dress. She probably thinks I'm some kind of hardened teenage criminal. I try to soften my tone just so I don't scare her and have to talk to my mother.

"Your mother wants to see you in the living room."

"Fine." I say while turning back over and closing my eyes again.

"Uh..she said…right away." She said continuing to stand over my bed, watching me. I wish I had locked my room door. Groaning I got out of bed, knowing that I would probably wouldn't get rid of her unless I got up. Dee finally left and I brushed the hair out of my face to look at least half decent. I skipped down the steps because I was in a hurry to get this over with, my mother on the other hand mistaked it for being excited to see her.

"I'm so glad your down here," She said smiling from ear to ear and taking me by the arm. "I have a surprise for you that will really lift your spirits."

My mother led me into the living room and I had a slight nostgalia about doing this one time before when I had first come to Horizon. There was someone sitting on the couch, facing the wall. He was tall and well built, dark haired. I opened my mouth to ask who it was when he turned, I had to catch myself from fainting. It was Kyle. He was wearing a very fake, I'm-so-glad-to-see-you-I-missed-you-grin. Being that knight in shinning armor that he is, he came and took my arm and pulled me towards the couch next to him. I made my best effort to scoot away but he kept a firm, and almost painful grip on my wrist. My mother thought this was incredibly cute.

"I'll just leave you two alone to catch up. If you need anything I'll be upstairs napping." With that and a conspiratal with Kyle she left the room in a flurry of expensive perfume and organza. As soon as she was out of ear shot I jumped up off the couch and without even looking at Kyle. I jerked the front door open and bounded down the steps.

"Monique! Come back. We need to talk." He said coming after me. I stopped and let him catch up with me but I wouldn't let him touch me. I would never let him touch me again. He stood infront of me, his handsome facing contorting into a wry smile.

"I missed you." He said reaching for me. Instinctively I jerked backwards, away from his grasp, and he flinched.

"I'm sure you did."

He dug his hands deep into his pockets and appeared to be deep in thought.

"Monique…I made some mistakes. I hope we can start over and-"

"No we cant. I've given you too many chances already. You've overstayed your welcome, now get out of my house." Fury ran across his face and he balled his fists up. I recognized this and I can guess at what he's thinking. I know I have to stay out of his reach, I learned to run so fast from running from him.

"I don't know what your problem is. What did they spoil you at that freak hospital?!" He grabbed my forearm in a bone breaking grip.

"Let go! Please!"

He just snickered at my pleas. Then he dragged me into the bushes by my house. I kicked and screamed but no one heard me. I was at the mercy of a monster. He threw me to the ground and began to yell and every so often punctuate his point with a kick.

"Scott!" I screamed it at the top of my lungs, with every ounce of strength left in me, which wasn't much. Kyle stopped abrubtly and just stared at me, the anger was diffused from his eyes and he suddenly looked very tired. He stood there for a moment or two, then with one last tired look her walked away. I stayed on the grass, praying that he wouldn't come back. Then I closed my eyes and surrendered to the darkness.

A/N: I hoped you enjoyed this. I know its sad but this is the life she lived before Horizon. Thank you for reading, please review.