Craig felt something was missing from his life after his father's death, an emptiness never filled. When Hadley Baring enters his life, she helps him discover himself in no way possible, the artist's way, while showing her the true meaning of love.
Author's Note: This story deals with incest/sexual abuse of a child. While I won't be getting into detail, it will be mentioned. I've given this story a PG-13 rating, but be aware about this, in case you're uncomfortable with the situation.
I do not own any Degrassi character(s), but any you don't recognize are my own. This story is taking place after the 2nd season, at the start of the new school year.
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"Daddy, I don't want to!"
A small girl of six started whimpering in bed, clutching her raggedy doll closer to her for comfort.
"Don't worry sweetie," her father replied, placing a hand on her arm. "I promise it won't hurt. Not at all. There's no need to be scared."
The girl, light tears in her eyes, looked up at the bulky man known as her father. Her lower lip trembled as she lay down on her bed.
"Now, what is it we tell Mommy or any adult about what were doing?" the man asked the child.
The girl trembled again. "Nothing."
"That's a good girl," the man said, as he unzipped his pants…
~
"I don't ever want to speak to you again!" the girl yelled at her mother as she threw her twelve-year-old body against the worn couch.
"Fine! Act as immature as you want! Be a so-called 'adult'. Don't come to Christmas pageant with your father and I to see your sister perform. Don't be involved in this family. See what it matters to me! But I will tell you something; your sister will be disappointed not to see you with us. What should I tell her? The truth about you hideous behavior?"
The girl's mother took a much-needed breath, and with that, joined her husband in their Toyota station wagon.
"Stepfather" the girl mumbled to herself, walking over to the computer to waste the hours away.
Taking a needed break, the girl walked to the front window to rest her eyes. She watched as the familiar Toyota station wagon came crawling up the street. She watched a speeding sports convertible drive the opposite way, a drunk obviously in the front seat. A blur of light, fire, and screams filled the night air…
~~
Hadley Baring woke up with a jolt, her head throbbing from her repetitive nightmare, her breath in short gasps. Needing some air, she went to open a window, and let her warm head rest upon the cool glass.
Looking out into Toronto, Ontario, rosy-fingered dawn approaching over the blackened sky, Hadley closed her eyes and tried to relax. Her dreams about her dad, and the car crash…it was too much to handle.
Hadley looked out at the city, the tall buildings and busy streets, even in the middle of the night. Hadley focused on one street in particular: De Grassi St. Around the corner was a school, one she would be attending in a matter of days. A new school, a new city, in a new country, along with a new family. Hadley was used to it.
Walking back to her bed, avoiding her few boxes she hadn't unpacked, Hadley picked up a black book and pencil, letting her hand take over for her emotions. As she drew into morning, the page began to fill up with images, images that could no longer describe the artist behind them.