Disclaimer: This gets old real fast. No, I don't them. You know that, I know that and Disney knows that.

Chapter 8:' Confrontations'

I don't meet anyone as I storm through the corridors, my mind turning over everything Dwayne's just told me. Again I feel my eyes sting with tears at the thought of what he must've gone through to protect me. Well, not anymore. That was the last beating Charlie Conway got away with.

As I reach his door and raise my hand to knock, I consider turning back, the old fear of him turning me into a last-minute coward. But as immediately as this thought enters my head I feel sickened. If Dwayne can take beatings for me, why can't I do the same for him? And anyway, it's going to be me teaching Conway a lesson this time, not the other way round. With these resolutions strengthening my quailing spirit, I pound furiously on the door. At first there's no answer and I wonder if Charlie's still in the hall, but a moment later his face appears, creased into that familiar languid expression. As he registers it's me at his door, the old predatory grin manifests itself and he emits a low chuckle.

"Well, well, well...if it isn't Banksie. How you doing darling? I was wondering when they'd let you out of hospital."

"So you could put me straight back in?" I growl, my newfound confidence barely covering the violent trembling of my knees. Nevertheless, I barge into his room and slam the door behind me.

"Hmm...I never took you for the assertive type...I must say, it's a style that suits you. And I never meant to put you in hospital-"

"No? Just hurt me a bit I suppose?"

"Well of course. I couldn't have you getting out of hand...although it looks as though I failed in that respect..."

"Thought you could get rid if me before I found out about Dwayne did you?" I'm barely keeping my anger in check. My hands have balled into fists at my sides and I can feel my cheeks flushing in my anger. Charlie, however, is still cool and infuriatingly arrogant. My rage is overtaking my fear and I just know that it's only a matter of time before I go for him. He grins again, his teeth flashing in the dull lamplight.

"Ah yes, I wondered when we'd reach him."

"I've seen what you did to him."

"Jealous? Don't worry Banksie, if you're feeling left out I'll happily give you all the attention you want." He advances towards me, but I'm not done yet.

"He didn't deserve that. He was only defending me-"

"And now you've come to do the same for him? How sweet." He laughs cruelly and leaps at me, pushing me to the floor, but as he falls on top of me I roll to the side until I can pin him down. I'm sitting astride his chest, my knees gripping his ribs tightly.

"Oh but Adam, I like being on top!" He smiles sadistically, reaching up to toy with my hair and I suddenly feel myself snap. Knocking his hand aside, I bring my own fist round against his face in a punch even my father would be proud of.

That's the thought that halts the second blow. What am I? If I give in to this anger, I'm just like my father, my brothers and...Charlie...

"That's some right hook you got there Banks." Gasps Conway, blood dripping from his nose. "But it's not going to happen again." He's not smiling now. All traces of sick humour have left his face and his eyes have gone black with indescribable fury. My moment of indecision is about to cost me dearly. Charlie twists violently and I'm thrown from his chest while he rises and towers over me. Prostrate on the floor, all I can do is gaze upwards into his shadowed face. "You shouldn't have done that Adam. Dwayne tried to stick up for you and look what happened to him. I thought you would've taken the hint but..." He leans forward. "It's going to be much, much worse for you. I liked Dwayne..."