Author Note: Ok ok. Now that the shock it out, this story will still be in the R range. There's just one part that seems a bit like rape but it's not much. It only happens for like a second. ^^;; This chapter is more of Brianna reflecting on her life. Revisiting places in New Orleans, reliving bad memories, seeing enemies, and blah blah blah. You find out her entire past here.

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Chapter Five: A Bloodstained Past

Brianna sat in her seat on the bus waiting to arrive at New Orleans. She held tightly to her backpack. She was handcuffed to a pole in front of her. She was getting restless. She had been sitting for too long. She couldn't stand sitting for long periods of time. She looked out her window and saw that the bus was nearing her home. "Thank God," she muttered.

"What was that?" asked the officer with a rifle.

"Nothing," she muttered back at him. The officer shook his head and didn't pay any attention to her again. She continued to gaze out her window. She saw everything that reminded her of her sinister past. She was known throughout many places in New Orleans to be the notorious leader of The Strips. She wasn't exactly proud of this but she liked the fear she sees in the eyes of people when they see her. She loved being feared by everyone.

But, behind her reputation lived a lost sixteen year old girl, living in fear of her father, her past, but most of all…

Herself.

Brianna lived in fear of herself. She was afraid of what she could do. Her power could destroy someone's life. Just like Mel. She was afraid her power would corrupt her like it did Marcus Sheldon. Brianna flinched at the mere thought of the Scorpions' leader. She had developed a rather great hatred for Marcus.

Brianna shook her head after realizing what she was thinking about. She glanced out her window again. She saw a sign. "You are now entering New Orleans," she read. A sense of excitement ran through Brianna after reading it. She smiled brightly and couldn't wait to step on her home turf. About twenty minutes later the bus stopped. The officer had Brianna stand up and took off the handcuffs off and let her get off the bus. Then the officer put the handcuffs back on her wrists. Passersby were staring in awe as they saw Brianna walking.

"Isn't that The Strips' leader?!" asked a young woman with her, for what Brianna thought, boyfriend. He merely shrugged and they kept on walking.

The officer led Brianna into the building they were in front of. The officer knocked on the door and Brianna saw her aunt, Aunt Reese, open it. When she saw Brianna she embraced her immediately. "Oh my goodness! There you are! Bri! I can't believe what's happened! SO much! I swear! Now come on in hon, and I advise this officer to take your handcuffs. Goodness knows how much trouble ya've put up with."

"Thanks Reese," said Brianna with a smile. The officer took off her cuffs and walked off and back into the bus and left. Reese shut the door and Brianna went into the parlor. "Reese, I know my mom was your sister but there's one thing I wanna know. 'k?"

"Sure what is hon?"

"What d'you think happened when my mother was murdered?"

"Your father," Reese whispered.

"Ah, you too huh?"

"What?"

"I think the same thing. He was a bastard!" Brianna shouted jumping up from the couch in the parlor.

"Don't speak like that in this house Brianna!"

"You can't tell me what to do!" shouted Brianna feeling controlled. She hated that feeling. She would never be controlled by anything except her own decisions. Her aunt stared at her.

"I have told you countless times not to curse in my presence!" shrieked her aunt.

"DAMMIT! Why the hell is everyone tryin' ta control me! I hate it! I HATE IT! YOU HEAR ME! I HATE IT!" shouted Brianna violently. Her aunt stared in shock. Reese's face was white with horror. "What?!"

"You sound like your father," Reese whispered.

"DAMMIT! DON'T YOU EVER COMPARE ME TO HIM! EVER! I HATE HIM! HE DOESN'T DERSERVE THE TIME OF DAY! YA HEAR! HOW DARE YOU COMPARE HIM TO ME! DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU!" roared Brianna in rage. She ran out of the house slamming the door. Her aunt ran to the door and slung it open.

"BRIANNA!!" she screamed. But it was too late. Brianna was long gone. It would be hours before she would return. So Reese gave up and went back inside to wait for her.

* At the Camp *

"Sometimes I hate Brianna so much," growled Marla.

"Why? She's really good to us!" protested Kayla. "She taught us a lot. D'you realize what we could be doing if it wasn't for her!"

"Yea. I would be on America's most wanted for killing my family. You would be some nutcase in a nuthouse. Susan would be in rehab for alcohol abuse. Shaily would be a prostitute, because her mother threw her out. Michelle would be a murder on the run. Finally Mel would be alive but ready to commit suicide." Marla snorted. "And finally Bri herself would be dead and buried because she shot herself and then slit her own throat."

"SHUT UP! DON'T YOU SAY THAT ABOUT HER!" shouted Kayla slapping Marla across the face. "SHE'S DONE MORE FOR US THAN WE DESERVE TO GET! HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT ABOUT HER! YOU BITCH! YOU HAVEN'T GONE THROUGH SHIT COMPARED TO BRIANNA!"

"WHY D'YOU GUYS ALWAYS STAND UP FOR HER!" Marla cried out touching the reddened part of her face.

"You stupid bitch! Don't say that about Bri!" exclaimed Michelle joining Kayla's side. "If it wasn't for her I would've actually killed those people in that damn bus. She stopped me! If it wasn't for Brianna I'd be in prison for the rest of my damn life."

"Why d'you hate her so much! She's saved you from being on that AMW for being a kleptomaniac! God damn!" said Shaily joining the girls. "And yes I would've been a prostitute if Brianna hadn't let me stay at her own house. She saved me from that sort of life."

"You guys never back anyone but her! That's one thing I hate about Bri! She's controlling!"

"She is not. She's just a leader. You obey your leader because they know more than you." Protested Kayla stamping her foot on the ground. "And she'll know more than you ever will!!" Soon everyone in The Strips had gotten over to the argument. "Dammit! If you hate it so much why don't you leave!"

"I can't leave! You remember rule number one: once you're in you never leave or face death!" shrieked Marla in anger.

* New Orleans *

Brianna was running to the park. She couldn't believe what her aunt had said! "I am not like him in any way! Stupid bitch!" she said quietly. Finally she reached the park and started to slow down. She went to where he gang met all the time. This was her territory and no one could bother her here except…

"Hello Charm," whispered a cold drawling voice.

"Hey there Mad Dog," Brianna said turning to Marcus. He smiled enviously. His dark black hair was slowly billowing in the breeze. His bang was feathered across his forehead. Brianna looked directly into his dark navy blue eyes. You can see his muscles through the muscle shirt he wore. He also had baggy black pants on and had a pretty good tan on him. He was handsome but no one knew the real Marcus. Not like Brianna.

"Long time," he whispered sitting next to her.

"Yeah," she said back turning from him.

"Ahh, common. You know you miss me."

"I do not! I'll never miss you. You dumbass! I've always hated you since you hurt me two years ago. I hate you!"

"Sure you do. You know you want me back just as much as I do," he said back to her.

"I don't need you! I've got another."

"Who?"

"Someone you won't ever know. He loves me for me not the way you did!"

"What're you talkin' 'bout Charm?" he said like it was a shock.

"You treated me like dirt! All you wanted was… a… a… make out partner! That's all you wanted! Someone to make out with!" whimpered Brianna flinching at the use of her nickname.

"Nah! Not you. You were the only girl that ever stood up to me. You broke up with me and you hurt me. Which is more than any girl could say when it comes to me." Marcus "Mad Dog" Sheldon said moving closer to Brianna. He slowly placed his hands on her shoulders. She jerked away quickly and refused to look at him. "What're you doin'? Stop it Charm!"

"Don't you dare use that nickname… You creep!" she shouted. "Get away from me!" He grinned devilishly and turned Brianna around and threw her onto the ground and leaned over her. He held her down as she struggled to get free. He stared into her emerald eyes with his navy blue ones. She had to find a way to escape his grip. She looked down at her feet.

Her legs were still free.

Mad Dog slowly lowered himself onto her lips. She screamed and kicked him in a place he rather she hadn't. She pushed him off of her quickly and stared at him crumpled on the floor in pain. "Bitch!" he said hoarsely. She grinned gently and he got up. She slapped him dead in the face and kicked him again.

"That I may be but you're not hurting me again! I'm not fourteen anymore, Mad Dog! I know this is hard for you to believe but I HATE YOU!" Brianna screamed running as fast as she possibly could from Marcus. Knowing him he would run after her. She turned to make sure. Strangely enough he didn't. Brianna ran all the way back to her aunt's home. She knocked on the door and Reese opened it. Brianna ran inside crying.

"Brianna! What's wrong!?" yelped Reese.

"Mar…cus.. found… me…" she cried out panting madly. "Tried to- hurt me-!" That was all she managed to say before she collapsed from her running. Reese gasped and carried Brianna to her room and Brianna into her bed. She wiped the sweat from Brianna's face and let her sleep.

*At the Camp*

Squid was just finishing his hole when he got a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something didn't seem right. He shook his head and pushed the thought from his mind. He looked over at the girls who were still arguing and still around even though their holes were finished. He walked over to the girls and said, "What're you ladies yelling about over here?"

"Nothing!" they snapped.

Squid blinked and Zig Zag, Magnet, Caveman, X-Ray, and Twitch soon joined him. "Never provoke the female species," whispered X-Ray. The boys laughed.

"What was that!?" snapped Michelle before she noticed Twitch standing there. Michelle went red, turned around and shut her mouth. The other girls giggled at Michelle and she told them off.

"Hello Zig Zag!" said Shaily flirtatiously. Then she blinked with her ocean blue eyes trying her best to get his attention. The other girls rolled their eyes. Kayla began to look around and then saw Caveman standing next to X-Ray. She went scarlet and began to flutter her eyes at him. He must've noticed since he turned around looking embarrassed. Susan almost knocked Marla over when she noticed Magnet standing there.

"Ouch!" cried out Marla.

"Quiet!" hissed Susan.

"Why?"

"SHUT UP!"

"Fine!"

*New Orleans *

Brianna woke up about three hours later with a throbbing headache. She rubbed her temple and was trying to remember what had happened. It hit her. "Marcus…" she hissed in a low voice. She sighed and got out a piece of paper and started writing on it. She began writing her letter to Squid back in Texas. She missed him already and she had been gone only one day! She sighed as she put the finishing touches on her letter. She then elegantly wrote her name on the paper and got out a envelope out and wrote the address of Camp Green Lake and everything else she need to write. She put a stamp on it and folded the letter so it could fit inside the envelope. She sealed it shut and then ran downstairs and outside to the mailbox. She shoved the letter inside and put the flag up. Then she went back inside already waiting for Squid's letter back.

*Camp Green Lake *

Two days had passed since Brianna had left. He wanted her letter to arrive. "I'll give her one more day before I write her," he said quietly to himself sitting on his cot. Shaily looked over at him and smiled.

"Ah, calm down Squid. Charm takes a while to write letters. But I'm sure she's already sent you one," she said.

"Charm…? What?"

"Oh! I'm sorry but that's Bri's nickname back in New Orleans," Shaily said giggling.

"Ah ok then," Squid said smiling at Brianna's nickname.

"Yo Squid! Hey Squid! Ya got a letter!" shouted X-Ray outside of the Tent. Shaily grinned that said 'I told you so!'. He shook his head and went outside.

"Yeah? From who?" Squid asked. The boys of the D-Tent were standing behind X-Ray were laughing except for Zero. Squid knew what was coming.

"It's a letter from your girlfriend!" mocked X-Ray. "Oh Brianna! I love you Brianna!" X-Ray added making the other boys howl with laughter. Squid went red and marched down the steps and snatched the letter from X-Ray and went back inside to read his letter.

"Why a good looking girl like Brianna would go for Squid is beyond me," muttered Zig Zag.

"Well here's my question… Why would Shaily choose you over any of the guys here?!" asked Magnet looking at Zig Zag.

"Oh shut up. You're jealous of me 'cause I got Shaily and you didn't," Zig Zag said rolling his eyes. Magnet looked outraged by this and gave a fake sounding gasp.

"Whatever! You won't go out with her! If you got her so much then go out with her. Idiot!"

"Whatever!"

Squid laughed as he sat down on his cot and ripped open the envelope. He pulled out a piece of paper with a written date from two days ago. It was Brianna's letter she had promised him. He slowly began to read her beautiful writing.

Dear Alan (aka Squid),

Hey there Alan. I told you I would write you while I was gone. Well I've been at my aunt's for almost a day. I ran into an old enemy of mine… and probably yours since he is my ex-boyfriend, Marcus Sheldon. I swear I wanted to kill him today! He tried to hurt me. Luckily I'm not as stupid as I was when I was only fourteen. He left me alone after I beat him up. But knowing him he'll try again. I'm so scared. My mom's funeral is really scaring me. I'm not sure I can do this anymore. I'm so scared I don't even know when the damn thing is going on. Gah! Sometimes I 'm so pathetic it isn't even funny! GR! Well please tell Marla, Kayla, Susan, Michelle and Shaily I said "hi!" and tell the D-Tent boys I said "hi!" as well! I've gotta go. I'm really sorry this is so short, but I'm kinda tired. Oh and by the way I haven't been unfaithful to you with that idiot x of mine. Well I gotta go! Love you! XOXO!

Love always,

Brianna Lyn Barlow-Synch (aka Charm)

Squid smiled when she wrote his real name. She was now the only person who could call him that. He also had a fit of jealousy shoot through him when she mentioned her ex-boyfriend. Then Squid wanted to kill him for trying to hurt Brianna. But he was thankful she could fight her way out of that problem. He smiled at the letter and slowly set it down. Then something fell out of the envelope right before he threw it out. He picked it up and saw it was Brianna's picture from school. She looked beautiful. He turned it around and saw her writing there as well.

PS: This is my school picture. It's horrible I know, but it's the best I have right now. I'm planning to bring a camera with me to the camp to take pictures of everyone. Could you also send me a picture of yourself? If you have one I mean. If you don't that's fine. You just gotta tell me! Love you! Brianna

Squid tilted his head. Did he have a picture of himself with him? He rummaged through his items to see if he did have a picture of himself. A decent looking one. He found his photo album that had pictures of everything he wanted to remember. He flipped through it quickly and came to a picture that was taken not too long ago. Zig Zag had taken it. The boys had been goofing off that day after their holes were dug. Squid smiled and decided to send this picture to Brianna. He looked dirty but she wouldn't mind.

Squid wrote a quick message on the back and then began to write her letter. He wrote about everything that had happened in the past two days. When he finished he scribbled her address on the envelope and then the return address. He put a stamp on the envelope and then shoved the letter inside it and placed the picture along with it.

He went outside with his letter and quickly threw it inside the letterbox. Then went back to his tent and laid down on his cot. He couldn't wait for his next letter from her was coming. Squid was beginning to feel tired and noticed how late it was getting. He decided to go to sleep.

*New Orleans *

"BRI BRI BRI!" cried out a little boy's voice.

"Jason!" yelped Brianna getting on her knees and hugging her little brother.

"I missed you so much sis!" he whimpered. She hugged him tighter and felt the tears well in her eyes. She held them back though it was difficult.

"Me too J-bird!" she said messing his hair up. "You've been a good boy right?" He smiled and nodded. "Good. That's my little brother." She laughed at him. She wondered what it was like to be so young and so innocent. Not a care in the world. Not knowing the hatred this world has against you.

"Sissy, where have you been?" he asked innocently.

"Uh," Brianna started but came up with nothing. "You deserve the truth. I've been at a camp to "reeducate" me you might say. You remember when I was at that damn courthouse last week, well they decided to throw me and my gang in some camp called "Camp Green Lake". Now I'm stuck there for two and half friggin' years!"

"Oh," whispered Jason. "You got in more trouble didn't you?" he added darkly.

"Yeah," Brianna whispered darkly as well. She hated this. Her little brother didn't deserve this.

"Brianna, why d'you get into twouble?" Jason asked. Brianna's heart broke.

"I have too. It's the only thing I'm good at."

"Nuh uh! You're so pretty! You could be a singer too!"

"That's enough Jason. Go on now. It's time to eat." Brianna said tears tugging at her heart. She smiled weakly and Jason hugged her again. He went to eat breakfast. She finally broke down in tars in the living room of her aunt's house. She covered her face and tears streamed out of her eyes thinking of the pain her little brother went through. "Stupid life! How could you do this to such a sweet little boy?! That is cruel!" she shouted out to no one. Her aunt heard her whimpering from the kitchen. Reese came running into the kitchen and embraced Brianna. Both were now in tears. "I hate myself! I should've been there for him. I was too busy helping mom get money… Shoplifting was the only option for me." She admitted to her aunt.

"I know baby. I know," Reese whispered back.

"I wish Alan was here," whispered Brianna thinking of Squid.

"Who? Who's Alan? Is he your boyfriend? Did you meet him at that camp?" her aunt started asking question after question. Brianna had only realized it was the first time she had spoken of Alan to her family.

"Alan's a boy I met at that camp. You could say he's my boyfriend. He's really sweet," Brianna said blushing madly. "He changed me. He made me believe there was love in this cold hating world."

"Didn't you say that about that Marcus boy and look what he's done to you," cautioned Reese. Brianna rolled her eyes and sighed loudly.

"Reese! I was only fourteen then! I know better now. I swear!"

"Well if your happy and sure. I'm glad for you."

"Yeah, she better be," Brianna said to herself. She still hadn't forgotten what her aunt had said about her.

"Your like your father," echoed Reese's voice. NO! She wasn't! "Your like him…" it echoed again. NO! NO! NO! Brianna was fighting with herself and it felt as though she was losing the battle.

"I'LL NEVER BE LIKE HIM! NEVER!" she shouted without realizing it was out loud. Reese let go of Brianna in shock.

"What?"

"Nothing," Brianna whispered going into her room. Brianna looked into her mirror and looked at herself. "I'm nothing like him." She told herself repeatedly. But suddenly her yells from two days ago. "DAMMIT! Why the hell is everyone tryin' ta control me! I hate it! I HATE IT! YOU HEAR ME! I HATE IT!" her voice had screamed. She went white with horror. She realized something. Something she never wanted to know. She never wanted know this. She WAS like her father. Her personality was exactly like his. "NO!" she screamed out. "Oh God! I am like him…" she said shaking in fear. "Oh God."

Brianna had learned something she never wanted to. Her father's raging blood had been passed to her. She was too as crazy as he was. She couldn't endanger Alan. Her anger could get her to the point to kill him. She couldn't risk him like that. She loved him. She had to make a choice.

Loose Alan to protect him or try to pick up the pieces in her life.

It was time to face the music.

It was time for Brianna to face her bloodstained past.