Hey everyone! Sorry that i took so long writing this chapter - it took a lot of thinking. I wrote the chapter, read over it, then scrapped half of it. It's a bad habit of mine!
Also, i'm in year 9 this year and we get a substantial amount more homework and assignments than we did last year! So if i take a long time for the next chapter, just blame it on bad habits and full-on working!
Thankyou so much for all the reviews you've given me since last chapter! Here's my replys to each person:
kursk - Well, i'm not going to spoil the chapter, but thankyou for reviewing!
alexis - thanx:P
OCOneTreeHillFan78 - Thankyou so much, and yes, Seth is in this chapter! More Summer also!
PuRsE - FaNaTiC - Indeed he is, as i left a very obvious clue in the last chapter!
newportbabe - That's so mad that you get the idea that you're actually there! When i read over my chapters i just think 'oh this is so crap, how can they like this stuff!' And yes, Jake is a character i wanted to make super evil so you'd all stick up for Marissa - unless of course you like the evil dudes!
PrincessInDiamonds20 - Thanks!
ann - Yes i'll try writing faster next time!
Sarah - I love writing to people who review, coz it makes it seem like things are on a more personal level, instead of a very distant one. Don't worry, i'm not offended - i know i write slow, i'll write faster next time!
KJKnights15 - Thanks heaps!
Kaydeymarie - Thanks, and I will!
welcometotheoc - I know! I love good guy rescues, they convey so much emotion!
dora lover - Thanks!
kalee - Me too! Ryan getting all protective is one of my favourite things to watch and one of my favourite things to write! Thanks!
Courts - I will!
Larien Elanessë - Wow, long review! It's like i said with kalee, i love Ryan getting all protective too! As for Summer's secret...well i can't tell you, but you'll find out if she keeps it or spills it...and to whom she spills it to if she does! And dont mind the rambling - its great! Oh and by the way, are you a LOTR fan coz i noticed you have an Elvish pen name (i LOVE LOTR and Elvish!)
elle - It will come, patience everyone!
Jojo G. - ...I really dont think that was necessary. If you hate my story, don't review it! People dont like getting flames, thats why they put 'no flames' in the summary!
xGoingUnderx - Thankyou! As for your query, i'm sorry, but i'm not really that experienced at that kind of stuff...sorry:(
Summer - Breeze171 - Thanks! There will definitely be some S/S but the main focus is R/M
thetroublew/loveisi'm2lostinu - Thanks!
Oh and by the way, if you guys review again, could you write your country in it to, because i come from Australia and was thinking about having a pen pal!
Another little song:
Is anybody listening?
Can they hear me when I call?
Shooting signals in the air
Coz I need somebody's help.
I can't make it on my own,
So I'm giving up myself
Is anybody listening, listening?
I've been stranded here and I'm miles away
Making signals hoping they'd save me
I'll lock myself inside these walls
Coz out there I'm always wrong
I don't think I'm gonna make it
So while I'm sitting here
On the eve of my deathbed
I write this letter hoping they'd save me
Is anybody listening?
Can they hear me when I call?
Shooting signals in the air
Coz I need somebody's help.
I can't make it on my own,
So I'm giving up myself
Is anybody listening, listening?
I'm stuck in my own head
And I'm oceans away
Would anybody notice if I chose to stay?
I'll send an S.O.S tonight,
I wonder if I will survive
How in the hell did I get so far away this time?
So now I'm sitting here
The time of my departure's near
I'll say a prayer – please, someone, save me
Is anybody listening?
Can they hear me when I call?
Shooting signals in the air
Coz I need somebody's help.
I can't make it on my own,
So I'm giving up myself
Is anybody listening, listening?
I'm lost here
I can't make it on my own
I don't want to die alone
I'm so scared
Drowning now
Reaching out
Holding onto everything I love
Trying now
Dying now
Need some help
Is anybody listening?
Can they hear me when I call?
Shooting signals in the air
Coz I need somebody's help.
I can't make it on my own,
So I'm giving up myself
Is anybody listening, listening?
S.O.S - Good Charlotte
Here begins Chapter 3 of Pit of Misery by Tigerlily - Tinuviel! Enjoy!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Marissa picked up her phone and dialled Jake's number. She thought over what she was going to say in her mind as the phone rang. Sitting in front of her mirror, she applied a fresh coat of sparkly lip-gloss. Finally, he picked up.
"Hey gorgeous, what's the matter?" answered Jake's sassy voice.
Marissa closed her eyes as she said, "I'm – I can't be with you."
"Excuse me?" asked Jake, in mock confusion. "I thought you said you wanted to break up with me! But I must have heard wrong. No one breaks up with Jacob Pendereki."
"Yeah, until now," replied Marissa coldly.
"Hmm…..I don't think so," said a voice behind her. Marissa jumped and swivelled on the spot to see Jake standing in her doorway, one hand clutching his phone, the other supporting his body as he leant against the doorframe.
"Jake…" began Marissa, but he cut across her.
"Let's go, your parents will be back soon," said Jake, smirking. Marissa whimpered slightly, edging back towards the dressing table. Without taking her eyes off Jake, she reached for her bag – her sharp edged, clutch bag – on the floor and threw it with all the force she could muster at Jake's face. It hit Jake, but didn't do any damage. Instead, he pulled out a pistol from his pocket and pointed it straight at Marissa. She froze on the spot, in complete shock, not having any idea as to what to do next.
"Let's go," he repeated. Marissa shook her head.
"Fine. You want it the hard way? You're gonna get it the hard way," replied Jake, slightly angry. His fist connected with Marissa's head, and she saw no more.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Marissa woke up to see the room spinning. There was a person standing over her, and as her vision came into focus, she saw it was Jake. Oh shit.
"I want you so bad," murmured Jake. He kissed her roughly and ripped off her shirt and bra at once.
"Stop!" screamed Marissa. He pulled her up by the hips and threw her against the cold brick wall. He pushed himself onto her and kissed her brutally again. She tried her hardest to push him off, but she did not succeed. He took off his shirt, pressing his skin onto hers. He pulled off her jeans revealing a slightly sheer pink g-string.
"Oh, I like that!" enthused Jake. He grabbed her again and slammed her down onto the bed, face down. He kneaded her thighs, moving his dirty hands all over her flesh. He flipped her back over and pulled the g-string off. Moving down, he kissed her inner thighs, finally meeting his destination. Marissa tried pushing him off, but again, couldn't. Jake pulled off his pants and boxers and climbed on top of her. She choked back a scream as he forced his hardness into her. He invaded her privacy, piece by piece, piercing her body roughly inside, making her cry out in anguish. Her body filled it self with pain and agony as he took over her soul. He moaned in pleasure, biting her neck and entering her viciously several more times. He had claimed her. Marissa wracked with sobs as he explored her. He had taken everything from her. Finally he pulled out.
Marissa lay on the bed while Jake pulled on his boxers and pants. He turned around and looked at her as he zipped up his jeans.
"That's what you get for trying to break up with me," he said cruelly. She nodded. She had had many brutal beatings, but none as painful as this. He walked out of his bedroom door and closed it behind him.
She began crying softly again as she look at herself. Every part of her body felt unclean, touched by the devil. She was so sore she could hardly move, her thighs were bruised, and her hips were scratched from where Jake had pulled her towards him. Bites and bruises covered her chest and neck. A scarlet trickle ran down her leg from where he had pushed so hard. Get yourself out of here, she thought.
Jeans and a t-shirt caught her eye. Cautiously, she pulled herself over to her clothes. Every centimetre she moved was agony. With much effort, she put on her t-shirt and jeans, trying to ignore the blinding pain. She shuffled over to the door and reached the handle to open it. She was just about to hobble down the stairs when she saw Jake sitting at the bottom of the stairs.
He turned to face her. Marissa began to back up, but he ran up the stairs and picked her up easily in his arms. She hit him and tried to get him to drop her but he held on firmly.
"This is what you get for trying to run away," said Jake as he walked down the stairs, Marissa still fighting him. His pace quickened and he almost ran to the back door.
"I love you Marissa," said Jake mockingly.
"Then why are you doing this to me?" asked Marissa desperately.
He laughed maliciously and opened the door. The chilly wind howled and rained snow upon them.
"Because I love you, Marissa," said Jake. He laughed maliciously as he threw her out the door. "Because I love you!"
Marissa landed on her side on the cold, hard snow, hitting a rock on landing – it shattered her hip into a million pieces. As her head hit the ground and sent her unconscious she had one last thought.
Thank God the door was open.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
An hour later
Summer entered the Cohen house in a pair of pale denim jeans, a white snow jacket, and an aqua knitted beanie. Seth and Ryan were sitting in the armchairs in the lounge room. Ryan was in a sort of dreamy mode – his eyes were slightly glazed.
"Damn, it's cold out there!" Summer exclaimed as she shut the door behind her. She ran over to Seth and hugged him. She took off her beanie and unzipped her jacket to reveal a baby blue woollen jumper. "You guys seen Coop?"
"Nope…why?" asked Seth, curiously.
"She's only like, my bestie, Cohen! Besides, she said she was going to break up with Jake, but she's been like…two hours," said Summer, trying to keep her voice even, as though she didn't know anything about it. She looked over at Ryan and felt her heart shatter into a million pieces. She just couldn't bring herself to tell him, but she knew she had to, for Marissa.
"Um…Ryan?" asked Summer tentatively. Ryan snapped out of his dazed mood.
"What?" he asked sharply.
"I –I…it's just…" she began, but Ryan cut in.
"What?" he asked urgently. She took a few deep breaths before finally spilling.
"Ok…Ok," said Summer, slowly. However, the next part was all in one breath. "Jake's actually really mean and he's been doing some…things he – "
"Did he hurt Marissa?" interrupted Ryan, quickly.
Summer cringed. She could just imagine Ryan's reaction to this next part.
"Umm…well he…uh…you know…"She trailed off nervously. Ryan stood up and there was something mad stirring behind his baby blue eyes.
"He did what?" yelled Ryan, hardly believing what his ears were telling him. "How long have you known?"
"Like a day, but –"Summer cowered at Ryan's wrath.
"Summer, she's probably half-dead by now! Why didn't you tell me before?" he shouted. He was furious at Summer – how could she keep a secret like that from him. Even worse, how could Marissa keep that kind of secret from him? He felt so hurt, so betrayed.
"Because, Ryan, she was probably thinking you'd fly off the handle and scream at her," said Seth, simply. "Which is quite reminiscent of this exact moment, actually?"
"NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR HUMOUR!" Ryan bellowed at Seth. He turned back to Summer. "Where does that bastard live?" She jotted down Jake's address on a piece of paper quickly and handed it to Ryan.
Summer looked at Ryan for a second and realised he was only wearing jeans, a hoodie, and sneakers. "Don't you need to put on some more clothes, like a jacket, for instance?" she said, matter-of-factly. He ignored her. The only thing on his mind was 'save Marissa'.
He ran to the hallway and sprinted out the door. Trying to ignore the bite of the wind and snow, he jogged down the driveway.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Summer bit her lip.
"He's going to kill me, isn't he?" she commented to Seth.
"Hmm…no…oh, actually…yes, yes he is," replied Seth.
"Oh great," said Summer sardonically.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Marissa awoke to snow slapping at her face. Her head was spinning, aching, perhaps exploding; she was so vague she couldn't tell. With effort, she brought her vision into focus, discerning that she was lying on her side with snow flying around the sky, raining down on her limp form. Her entire body ached with bruises and cuts, both recent and old. Her hip was screaming at her; the pain was excruciating. She felt as if someone had thrown her into a frozen lake – she was shaking uncontrollably.
What on earth am I doing lying in the snow?
She lifted her head slowly and realised what. As her eyes rested upon a back door, she remembered all the tortures she had been put through that evening. Maybe he's still in there, waiting for me to come in. She wondered which would kill her first – the cold or Jake.
Run.
Marissa's strength was pitiful, but with a determined effort, she pulled herself up into a sitting position. Immediately, pain seized her abdomen, so painful that she cried out, and fell down again, this time on her stomach placing her face-first in the snow.
Run…get away…come on…
"I can't!" whispered Marissa, with much exertion.
You must…you have to survive…look at me…
The voice inside her head wasn't her own…and yet it was familiar. She raised her head slightly and saw what seemed like a hallucination. In front of her, apparently unaffected by the cold, was the image of Ryan.
"Hold on," said Ryan, softly. "Don't let go."
"Cold…so cold…" whispered Marissa.
"Just hold on, Marissa, I'm coming," his image assured her. "I won't let you leave. I love you!"
A sudden emotion swelled up inside Marissa, something she hadn't ever felt before. She couldn't analyse it, her insides were swirling with passion.
"I love you!" repeated Ryan. "You will remember it before the end." Then suddenly, the image of Ryan flickered and dissolved into the wind.
"Wait…Ryan…" whispered Marissa desperately. She stretched out one arm, trying to grab at the place where he had been, but found her body was too weak. "Don't leave me…"
Her head felt like it was made of lead, it was so heavy, she was so tired…
As she fell unconscious for the second time, her head landed on a sharp rock, creating a deep gash across her forehead.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ryan couldn't believe this was happening. He'd walked in on a girl being raped at a party in Chino once, and it wasn't a pretty sight. He tried to stop imagining Marissa having the same torture. His body shook – half out of anger, half out of the freezing winds. Summer was right – he should have worn more than simply a hoodie and jeans.
He stopped when he reached the right house. He ran up the pathway and pounded on the door.
"Marissa! Marissa! Are you there?" he yelled. No response. Frustrated, he looked around and spied a back gate.
Ryan pushed the gate open and walked through the entrance. The large backyard was covered in snow, save one patch under the carport.
"Marissa!" yelled Ryan, but he received no response except for the howling wind. He was just about to turn around to go back out, but he heard a voice inside his head telling him, Ryan, you know she's here, just look around you.
Indeed, he looked around and saw figure lying in the snow. He rushed over to it, and as he came closer, Ryan saw it was a girl, around his own age. He knelt down and brushed the snow gently off the girl in an attempt to identify her. He gasped when he saw her face.
Marissa was lying on her back on the icy ground, half covered by the ever-falling snow. Bruises – blue, green, and yellow – covered her face and body, distorting her beauty. A deep gash ran across her forehead, and the blood dripping gently from it stained her left cheek. As Ryan swept more snow off her body, he realised all she was wearing was a t-shirt and jeans – nowhere near warm enough to keep out the chilling winds.
"Wake up, come on!" whispered Ryan desperately. He put his head next to hers and listened for a breath. He couldn't hear it, but he felt a tiny breath pass against his cold cheek. And another one…and another one. There was too much space between each breath, and although Ryan didn't want to admit it, it didn't look like she had much time left.
He breathed a sigh of relief that she was alive. Now to check her pulse…He put two fingers on the side of her bruised neck and waited. Boom….boom….boom….boom. Like her breathing, it was so slow Ryan feared for her life. But the thing that scared Ryan the most was the top half of her jeans – they were stained red with blood.
Ryan ripped off his jumper and wrapped it around her fragile body, trying hard to ignore the harsh snow flying at him. He then picked her up gently into his arms. He held her close to his body, in an attempt to keep her warmer. He trudged back through the gate towards the street, slowly breaking into a jog. Ryan sat down on the kerb, still holding Marissa tightly. Ryan pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialled 911.
"Ambulance. Girl, beaten up. Lying in the snow. Yes, she's unconscious. Yes. Yes. Only just. Ryan Atwood, 17 Blinkop St Newport Beach," he snapped to the person on the other end.
Through the thick snow he could see red blinking lights. The ambulance. He got up slowly, and waited for it to pull over. Once it had parked, a paramedic walked over to him.
"You're Ryan Atwood?" he asked in a bored tone Ryan didn't like. Ryan nodded.
Two male paramedics lifted her out of Ryan's arms onto the stretcher. The paramedic who had asked Ryan his name approached him again while Marissa was being lifted into the back of the ambulance.
"You know the girl?" asked the paramedic.
"Yeah…she's a good friend of mine," replied Ryan.
"Name?"
"Marissa Cooper," supplied Ryan impatiently.
"Where'd you find her?" asked the paramedic.
"In the backyard…her boyfriend Jake did this to her…" said Ryan quietly. Damn bastard.
"So is this Jake's house?" asked the paramedic.
"Yes."
"I see," said the paramedic. Ryan averted his eyes; he could tell the paramedic didn't trust him. "How did you know she was being abused?"
"Her best friend told me she was going to go break up with him, but she'd been about two hours so I decided to go check on her, see if she was ok…" said Ryan, choosing his words carefully.
"Hmm…" muttered the paramedic, before walking back over to the ambulance. "Could you call her closest relatives to tell them about this?"
Ryan nodded. The paramedic nodded, and then climbed into the back of the ambulance. As Ryan watched the doors close and drive away, for once in his life he could cry and no one would see him. He could weep until the day he died and no one would ever know. He took the opportunity while it lasted, his body wracking with sobs. Eventually he got a grip, wiped away the tears and dialled the Cohen's house. His hand shook as he held the phone in his hand.
Ring ring….ring ring….
Summer dashed to the Cohen's phone and answered it.
"Hello?" responded Summer.
"Hey, it's Ryan. I found Marissa; she's on her way to Newport Memorial. Could you tell the Cohen's to ring Mr Cooper and the Nichols?" he said softly.
"Ok, oh my gosh, is she alright?" she asked, taking in the shock.
"She'll be…ok," assured Ryan, but in his heart he knew she wouldn't be fine at all. In fact, it would be a wonder if she got out alive.
"Ryan?" said Summer, suspecting he didn't really feel that way.
"I'm fine too," he said firmly.
"Yeah, you're Frustrated, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional. Just F.I.N.E."
Ryan frowned. "Isn't that from The –"
"- Italian Job, yes," said Summer. "But that's not the point. You need to show a little emotion sometime! You can't always be Mr Strong. Just – just….i dunno…."
Fighting to keep his voice even, he replied, "Cry a little? Been there, done that." He hung up, not knowing what to say.
"He hung up on me!" exclaimed Summer. "And…and…gosh…"
"What?" asked Seth.
"Nothing…" Summer trailed off, preferring to keep it secret. Seth eyed her suspiciously.
"Sure it's nothing, that's what they always say," he said. Summer rolled her eyes.
Go home, a voice was telling him. Just go, there's nothing you can do for her now. You have to move on.
"No," argued Ryan, out loud. "She's not – she's not…dead…she's going to be ok…." But even as he uttered those last words, he knew he was lying to himself. Go home, the voice kept telling him. He started walking, tears flowing freely down his face.
Go home, go home, go home…
"Alright, I'm going!" he muttered at that stupid voice in his head. He staggered off towards the Cohen's house.
As he was walking, he noticed his heart feeling weaker and weaker with each step. His blood felt like ice, and his feet were numb, carrying him down the street to home.
He arrived a few minutes later. He wiped away his tears with a trembling hand. He shivered, and staggered towards the door, on which he leant against for a few seconds, trying to catch his breath. He raised a fist and knocked on the door. Summer answered it, Seth behind her. They at once noticed he was shaking uncontrollably and he looked very faint.
"Oh my gosh, are you ok!" gasped Summer. Ryan's head was swirling, all he could see was a white blur. He managed to whisper, "Cold…" before his eyes rolled back into his head and the waves of the sea of unconsciousness drowned him.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ooooooooooooooh whats gonna happen? SUSPENSE! You know, even i'm not sure what's going to happen! If you have any suggestions, chuck them in a review and i might use them!
Next chapter clue: A heck of a lot of grief... :(