A/N:  Thanks for the reviews guys—I appreciate it. Okay, about Colin=Psycho…I realize that he's not like that on the show—he's a good guy. Yes, I'm over-exaggerating personalities…but this is a horror story. What's a horror story without a psycho? (lol.) Anyway, Colin is the bad guy here. If that bothers you, you don't have to read it. This is like an alternate reality—the result of the surgery is psychotic behavior. So he's out of character purposely. Make sense? ;)

~*~*~*~

Chapter 2 – Rising Tension

The next day after school, Ephram was at his dad's office watching over Delia. She was sound asleep on one of the hospital beds; there was a heavy cast around her left arm.

"So she's going to be okay?" Ephram asked his dad with a serious expression.

"Yes. I should have made sure that she was wearing her seatbelt. I feel partly responsible…she's the only one who was seriously injured in the accident, but she'll be fine. Her bone was just fractured; not completely dislocated." Dr. Brown said as he leaned back on the desk and crossed his arms over his chest.

"No. It's not your fault. It's his. Apparently he still has brain damage…aren't his parents supposed to be having him under strict supervision? How could they let him--?"

"Colin says that he has no memories of last night…it's all a blur to him. And because of his current condition they're letting him off the hook. But his father is paying us the insurance for the damage."

"Typical. I mean, if he murdered someone he'd probably be able to get away with it…I can't believe this. Well, I'm going home." Ephram muttered angrily as he stormed out of the office. On his way out, he bumped into someone…looking up he saw that it was Amy. She had a bouquet of flowers in one hand.

"Oh, sorry Ephram. I was just coming to give these to Delia. They're actually from Colin…"

"Yeah, well he should've came and given them to her himself. Are you his delivery girl now?" Ephram shook his head and hopped on his bike, riding off. Amy looked slightly hurt as she watched him leave.

~*~*~*~

The next day at school Ephram was at his locker when his buddy, Wendell, playfully punched him on the shoulder.

"Hey Ephram! Guess what?" Wendell asked as he leaned against the locker that was beside Ephram's.

Ephram sighed. "What is it now?"

Apparently he was still irritated by what happened the other night. He was angry at Colin for injuring his sister, and he had been avoiding Amy all day. He wasn't interested in hanging around people who posed a threat to him and his family.

"Hey man. I heard what happened--"

"Who didn't?"

"—And I'm sorry. But your sister's fine…and anyway…"

"Would you just cut the crap and spill it?" Ephram violently slammed his locker shut after he got his books.

"Alright, alright! No need to get your knickers in a twist! Here's the deal. My folks are going to be out for the whole weekend—I got the place all to myself…So I'm throwing a killer house party. And you, my friend, are guest numero uno. Come on, what do you say? It looks like you could use some fun."

"No thanks. Everwood parties are not exactly my idea of 'fun'. Now get out of my way. I've got to go to class." Ephram started to walk around Wendell, but Wendell moved in front of him to block his path.

"Hold it. If you refuse to accept my invitation, then I will tell Glenda that you have a major crush on her."

"Glenda? She's the ugliest person in this entire school. She's even uglier than you." Ephram frowned.

"I'll spread some nasty rumors about you and her. Come on, dude. I'm just asking you to get out of your house for once and--"

"Fine! Anything to get you to leave me alone."

"Great. I'll pick you up tomorrow at eight." Wendell chuckled, "So be ready."

Ephram shook his head in disbelief as he quickly walked away from his strange friend. 'Dammit…'

~*~*~*~

That afternoon, Amy and Colin were walking down the sidewalk on their way to the movie theater. Amy cast a quick side-glance at her boyfriend.

"Colin, have you been smoking?" She blurted out of impulse.

Colin shrugged. "Maybe…Hey, what do you say we skip this movie and go someplace where we can be alone?"

"What?! I don't believe you! That's like, the third time this week!" Amy almost shouted. She lowered her voice when bystanders started giving the couple suspicious glances. "And you didn't answer my question."

"Yes, alright! I smoke. I have my reasons."

"You're parents don't know?"

"No. Anyway, what does it matter? That's not going to affect our relationship."

"That's what you think. I'm out of here." Amy crossed her arms over her chest and started walking away, quickly.

"Amy, wait. What's wrong? What did I do?" Colin started jogging to catch up to her.

"Look, Colin." Amy stopped walking and then turned to face him. "You're doing drugs, you're getting into accidents, you're constantly putting pressure on me…I think that we should cool it off for a while. I'm not going out with you anymore. Not when you're like this…Bye. And don't follow me." Amy turned around and walked away, leaving Colin in shock.

~*~*~*~

"Ephram could you take care of Delia while I go pick up some dinner?" Andy asked as he put his coat on and grabbed his car keys.

"I can go get dinner if you want." Ephram suggested.

"No. I want to do it. I'll be back soon." He left the house, after making sure the door was locked.

Ephram rolled his eyes before he went to sit on the sofa next to Delia. "Suddenly he's become overprotective…can't blame the old man, I guess…How's your arm feeling, Squirt?" He looked over at his little sister.

Delia made a face as she looked at her cast. "It's uncomfortable, but I'm getting used to it." The tomboy told her older brother.

"Good. So…what movie do you want to watch? Alice in Wonderland doesn't give you nightmares, does it?"

"That purple cat scares me."

"Ohh brother…does anything not scare you?"

~*~*~*~

Andy walked into the restaurant and ordered his food to go up at the register. Surprisingly Dr. Abbott was there as well, sitting at a table with Amy, Bright, Edna, and Irv.

Andy sat at the booth up front as he patiently waited for the food.

Suddenly Dr. Abbott approached him. "Well, well. Fancy meeting you here, Dr. Brown." He sat down in front of Andy. "Is this seat taken?"

"Now it is. So…" Andy quickly looked back at the Abbott's table, "Is Rose not with you tonight?"

Harold sighed. "She's got a late shift. I was too tired from work to cook."

"Assuming that you can cook." Andy chuckled.

"Much better than you can, I'm sure. In any case, I heard about the accident."

"Who didn't?"

"I'm terribly sorry about what happened."

"Speaking of the accident…I'm worried about Colin. His parents are practically oblivious to his actions…they're completely irresponsible, allowing him to drive while he's intoxicated…I'm not much when it comes to parenting skills, but that's just absurd."

Dr. Abbott's jaw dropped. "He was drunk? I don't recall reading that in the paper…"

Andy nodded. "He's injured both my son and daughter, Harold. If I were you, I'd watch out for Amy." Both Doctor's suddenly looked back at the Abbott's table. Amy was in a conversation with her grandmother and Bright was playing cards with Irv. "I don't think that his parents understand the severity of the situation. They're allowing him too much freedom. They didn't even punish him for what he did…"

"Well for god's sake, Andy! Did you not talk with them?" Dr. Abbott shook his head and screwed up his eyebrows as he spoke, looking at Andy as if he was looking at a madman.

"Of course I did, on matters concerning the accident. But they won't listen to me about Colin. They think that he's a hundred percent back to normal…they're assuming that they don't need me anymore."

"Then I'll talk with them tomorrow. I don't believe this. It's preposterous."

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To Be Continued…