A/n- Okay... by lack of response I'll assume that no one knew whom the poem was referring to... HELLO? Doesn't anyone here watch the History Channel? Jesus. Jesus Christ! The "Will you cast stones at what you perceive" line refers to that prostitute in the Bible, when everyone wants to stone her. But Jesus makes them all feel guilty.

Oh, actually, I didn't even know until I read the book, so who am I to talk. ::major eye roll::

Thanks to those who reviewed! You guys that asked questions, (i.e. is there a 'thing' between Ria and Puck; Does Ria wants to be involved with Jesse romantically. Etc.) just keep reading. You'll find out soon enough.

By the way, we're back to Suze's point of view.



Chapter 8

Upon hearing what Puck had to say about what exactly this drunk driver wanted with me, I didn't dare risk a glance Jesse's way. I could almost read his thoughts, and feel his emotions right now. I mean, you instinctively react in a deranged manner overpowered by anger when you hear that someone wants to do the dirty with your girlfriend –bear with me here- , especially when SHE doesn't want to go along with it. I've already been taken advantage of by the ever so famous Paul Slater, and I think I have enough dignity to not get played again.

So yes, I was going to do everything humanly possible to not get screwed, even with a head-splitting headache and severe bruises on my face that I could definitely feel. Plus some broken –or at least very badly damaged- bones that are totally weighing me down.

Then there's the fact that I have absolutely NO intention of losing my virginity right now, much less to someone that I don't even know. The only one that I'm even remotely interested in happens to be a). Dead b).Cares too much about morals to even think about second base, much less going all the way.

And, really, you know what? This guy is really pissing me off. Oh, like I'm going to go along with his little scheme just because I happen to be hurt and really isn't in any position to defend myself. At least that's how he views it, anyway. Modern guys' egos are really too big for their own good. Think of us girls as trashy Kleenex they can go throw like a kid with a cold, don't they? And because of what? That it's common knowledge that the male species are just supposed to be smarter and stronger and all the other crap than the opposite sex? Or are they all just so pompous and overconfident that every single one of them believes the universe wasn't complete until they were born? Are females supposed to look up to them because of their superficial nature?

I think not.

Maybe all the other girls this certain drunk has encountered let him walk all over her, but not with me. It's time he learned a lesson about just which exactly the 'weaker' sex are.

He certainly deserves a reality check, especially now that he has officially humiliated me and this present century in front of my boyfriend.

And you know, I would have given him a good ass whipping. If I wasn't in a car crash moments ago, that is. It's not exactly easy to kick butt when you feel like shit all over.

Seconds later, it seemed I didn't have to worry about that, because the car started shaking from Jesse's ghost power. The guy looked around, startled and alert, while I watched Puck trying to hold Jesse back from attacking the guy. Jesse's expression of such anger and hatred even had me surprised. Puck looked like he was having a really hard time with refraining Jesse from breaking the guy's neck. Ria's expression was simply blank as she stared out the window, probably oblivious to all that is going on. Hopefully she's pondering over whether it's fair to make Jesse move on with her after all.

Nah. Knowing her, or lack of knowing her, most likely she's too sure of herself to even give that option a second thought.

Anyway, the driver then turned toward me, and was like, "What the hell is going on? Is it just me or do you sense the car shaking?"

I shot Jesse a warning glance. He must have seen the plea in my eyes because the car became still again. I mean, yeah, his help would be great, but this time I'd really like to get out of this predicament on my own. Well, maybe a little assistance would be fine, but please, I can handle the majority by myself. At least, I certainly hoped so, seeing I don't even have any sort of plan.

"Now, where were we?" The drunk said, a gleam in his eye.

Gulping down my trepidation, I smiled and pretended to look unsure. "Yeah. Where exactly ARE we?"

Then I made a show of looking around and out the window. This place definitely does not seem familiar. All I can really see are grass from both sides and the moon in the black night sky. Even if I try to escape, I'll just end up nowhere in a strange land where nothing feels right. I have no clue where the nearest hospital is, and frankly, right now I think I can take this before I need to be wheeled into an emergency room.

I was expecting an answer to my question, but drunkie just grabbed me, totally catching me off my guard. He tried to smash his mouth into mine, but I slapped him away. Giving him a huge push toward the other side, I frantically yanked on my door handle to try to get out. Directions or no directions, I was not going to stay in there and get raped.

Except the door would not budge.

After I heard the sound of a click and the low rumbles of the guy's laugh, I realized that I was trapped in here in one of those stupid modern cars where the driver controls the automatic locks. Which in reality just gives them the advantage to create an imperviously sealed love nest.

Well, lookie lookie. For someone who looks he could be voted most hideously looking guy of the year, he sure is rich. Or at least his car is.

"You're stuck in here with me," drunkie drawled, looking undecidedly amused. "If you really need to be in a hospital, then let's not waste any time, shall we?"

I could hear angry mumbling from the back seat, but I ignored them. I should, and I could, handle this on my own. Licking my lips nervously, I looked the guy straight in the eye and said the first thing that came to mind: "You know, I came from New York, where I had the fortune of going to school with the daughters of supermodels and actresses. Everyday there is some stressed out overachiever or beauty queen that needs constant assurance about either their body image or lack of one. I've witnessed more barf contests in the girls' bathroom than I can count. You don't spend at least twice a week watching people speed vomit and don't learn how to do it yourself. And that means," Here I stuck my finger down my throat, "I can make myself throw up faster than you can unlock this door."

Yes I know, really, really lame lie. But hey, if that does the trick, who cares how fake it sounded? And the truth is, I couldn't make myself barf even if my life depended on it. And ironically, right now it sort of did.

Drunkie really did started to look a little nervous. He glared at me and cracked, "You wouldn't dare."

I smiled at him big, showing all my white teeth. Ouch. Ugh, even a simple act like a smile can activate the many bruises on my face. "Try me. But we wouldn't want to have pukings all over this brand spanking new leather seats, would we?"

I slurred my words purposely, as a sign that he better hurry up and decide whether it's really worth it. Of course it's not. He just wants to stick around and wait to find out if what I said were really true. Sometimes boys can be so daft.

I tried to hurry him up by making some random gurgling noises and stuck my finger further down. The guy backed away, his expression one of dread and panic. Feeling somewhat giddy that he fell for my trap, I slurred again. "Now, come on, let me go before I throw-"

But I never got to finish my sentence. Because just then, a sense of overpowering nausea came over me, and my stomach felt as if it were going to be turned inside out. I felt unusually dizzy as everything I ate that day spilled out from me onto... the guy's face, shirt, pants, shoes, etc. Yeah. And I'm proud to say, not a drop landed on the car.

Still gasping for breath after I was done emptying my stomach, I saw drunkie just sitting there, frozen as a statue, staring down at himself with a look of total disbelief on his face. I took advantage of this moment to reached over to his side to unlock and throw open his door. Then, gathering all my strength, I pushed him out. Well, with some help from Jesse, that is. He gave the guy a good jab in the neck, sending him flying out and howling in pain. Without wasting any time, I slammed the door close and turned the key in the ignition that he had left there, and switched the car to drive. I stepped on the gas paddle all the way down and soon we were on our way driving forward to who knows where. I didn't really care then. All I wanted was to get away from this place, and get directions to the nearest hospital.

I didn't think I could handle this any longer. I must have taken more damage than I thought, or I wouldn't have just puked like that. But now that I did, I can feel myself beginning to try to hold on for a little more time, until I can get help. I feel light-headed and weary, and the gash on my forehead is really starting to torment me now that I've used up almost all of my energy.

"Querida," Jesse said, appearing next to me on the seat. "How do you feel?"

"I'm fine, Jesse," I assured him, glancing over at him with a wan smile. "Don't worry. I'll be okay. We'll get through this."

"I'm not sure about that," I heard Puck say quietly from behind me. "You left the car there in the woods, and someone will find it sooner or later. Polices will investigate, and it'll become pretty obvious that it was stolen. And this car you're driving. They'll conclude that it too was stolen. No matter how you look at it, you're going to be in trouble with the law, Suze. I'm sorry."

I just stared straight ahead. I actually do realize that this time I'm not going to get off so easily. I have no license, and I've driven two cars that weren't mine. What could I tell them? That a ghost let me borrow his car and soon it turned into a gigantic nightmare? That I'd pushed a guy out of his own car because he threatened to rape me? Somehow, I have a feeling no one would believe any of that. I mean, hey, every sixteen-year-old make up lies to get out of trouble, right?

Uh, that'll be a NO.

Anyway, I have Father Dominic to bail me out. I just have to speak with him before the police come and interrogate me. He'll think of some believable story. He always does.

Even though that thought was comforting, I couldn't get that sense of dread from out of my mind. It feels as if I've missed something... something that may prove to be essential in the future.

Well, whatever. Right now I just have to concentrate on getting to the hospital in one piece.

"Susannah, you might want to slow down," Jesse said gently, lying a soft hand on my arm. The feel of his touch calmed me a bit. I took a big gulp of breath, and suddenly the situation didn't seem as hopeless as before. I was getting ready to slow down when unexpected the car started to collapse downward, as if there were a giant ditch in the middle of the road.

Then we were going, down, down, down. Why does this feel so familiar? Oh yeah, because it happened before... today, in fact. Except this time, instead of crashing into the darkness of the woods, we were falling into a steep slope in the middle of nowhere. As we bumped toward the bottom, I fought to keep awake for a while longer. Just as I thought I couldn't take it anymore, I felt Jesse's strong and comforting arms closing in around me, and I didn't give up. Finally, we hit rock bottom and once again silence took over my surroundings.

"This...this isn't happening," I heard Ria falter from the back seat, her voice sounding fragile and tiresome. Puck coughed several times, and even that sounded resigned.

"Don't leave me, Jesse," I whispered, drawing the warmth of his body into my own. "Please... don't go..."

"Querida," Jesse whispered back. His grip on me tightened, as I could hear the agony in his own voice. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay with you through all this."

I smiled weakly, and knew there wasn't that much time left. Only one option remained, and if I don't want to be pecked by vultures, I'm going to have to use it.

Gripping his shoulders with my bruised hands, I gathered the last of my strength and gasped out, "Get... Paul."

Then, I'm sorry to say, I closed my eyes and gave in to a battle that I was not meant to win.



A/n- I know this story seems like it's in the middle of nowhere right now, but I will tie the loose ends together soon. Until then, please continue reading and reviewing!

((By the way... if you were hoping that Jesse would come through and save the day... then all I have to say is... KEEP HOPING. Oh, and reviewing.))