World Turned Black

I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS FROM HIGHER GROUND OR ANYTHING

Chapter 3

Scott stared at the ground, he knew they could see the changes in him, of coarse they could, he had been warned by his father before they left of the lies he was to tell about fights and decisions he "made on his own," he knew Peter wouldn't believe them, but he'd rather have to lie than face his father. Then he thought of Shelby, he knew she probably hated him, hell he hated him for not calling her all summer, if only she knew why…then maybe it would be alright…but he couldn't tell her, he couldn't tell anyone.

Peter had to take a double take then another, everything was wrong…he was expecting to see two blondes step out of the car, and instead there were two people with black hair? He must of misunderstood Martin when he said he got remarried, but how could he get back together with Elaine after saying he believed Scott, and why was Scott's hair black?

Once Shelby saw Elaine and Scott get out of the car the hate was gone…she didn't know what happened but could just feel that something definitely did. Scott looked like he was Elaine's son, he was really skinny, and even though he was staring at the ground, she could see his eye was swollen, and his right arm was broken and in a cast.

After about two minutes of silence, Elaine got very uncomfortable, rolled her eyes and walked up to Peter, "Hello Mr. Scarbrow."

At first he just stared at her until he realized her hand was out, he took it and said, "Mrs. Barringer."

"I'm sorry but I cannot allow that, kids come here to find themselves and get back to the basics of life, we do not allow any hair dye, he will have just let it grow out I'm sorry," he said to both Elaine and Scott, and was surprised when she looked a little angry.

"Well I have to go," she said through a tight, forced smile, shook his hand then walked back towards Scott, "I'll miss you Scotty," she whispered in his ear as she hugged him, then kissed his cheek and smiled as he flinched. She then got in her car and left.

"Ok everyone, go to the lodge and get ready for group," Sophie said knowing Peter wanted to talk to Scott alone.

"But..." Juliette began

"Let's go Queenie," Shelby could see what Sophie was doing

They all left and Peter stared at Scott staring at the ground, he had so many questions, but couldn't figure out where to begin. The teen who had just three months ago seemed ready to graduate and start his life over, now looked defeated and lost. "Scott, why don't you come in so we can get you checked back in."

"Ok." Was the only response from the boy.

Admit Room/Infirmary

There was complete silence while Peter looked through Scott's bags. Every time he looked, Scott would just be staring at the floor. Finally, after he was finished with the bags, Peter led Scott to the infirmary, where his physical turned up with bruises along his entire body, and his arm was in fact broken in three places. While Scott redressed, the nurse and Peter went into the hall to talk.

"What did he say happened?" Peter asked

"Before he went home, he and his friends had gotten into a let's say "disagreement," he had forgotten about it, but apparently they didn't."

"And you believe that?"

"You don't?"

"I don't know, it's just that everything seems to be crashing down on this kid as a result of not being heard from the entire summer," Peter paused for a moment, "I just find it hard to believe that it's all a coincidence."

"I agree, but unless he says anything about abuse…"

"I know…it's just, I know this time it's going to be so much harder to get him to talk." Peter sighed, "Well here goes nothing…"

Peter lead Scott to his office, he hoped the Scott would at least talk. Even if it wasn't about what had happened during the summer, he needed to let something out because Peter knew if he didn't, he would eventually just blow.

They sat across from each other, Peter just stared at a thinking Scott.

He knew what he was going to tell, what stories to use, even before Peter started asking anything. He was just happy to be back at Horizon, his "home" and as long as he stayed there, nothing from the summer needed to be thought of, needed to be talked about.

"So the summer wasn't all that good huh?"

"Yea I guess you could say that," he replied sarcastically

"Ok Scott look do you want to tell me what really happened over the summer with your dad and Elaine?" Peter noticed Scott became uneasy for a second, but just as fast as it happened, he suppressed the feeling and returned his blank look.

"What do you mean?" Scott was getting a little nervous…could he keep up the act?

"So your sticking with the story that a bunch of old rivals beat you up?"

"Look Peter it's not a story ok? That's what happened…I don't know what else you want to hear." Now he was just getting annoyed

"Fine but Scott, you know I'm always here if you decide that you do want to talk right?"

Scott could see Peter's wanting to help him, "Yea, I know…thanks."

Seeing that he wasn't going to reveal anything this soon, "Ok well it's time for group, so let's head over to the lounge."

When they arrived, the Cliffhangers were all there and sitting in a circle talking but when Scott and Peter walked in everything went silent. Scott walked over to the only open seat between Daisy and Auggie, and immediately took interest in the floor as too avoid the stares he was getting.

Peter could sense Scott's apprehension and so decided to begin, "Ok, today were going to start easy, then continue into a discussion, sound good?" he was given his answer in groans and sigh, "Good…who wants to begin with I feel…Auggie?"

"Yea sure Peter, umm I feel good," Auggie said smiling, "Jules?"

As everyone went around, Scott was thinking. How was he feeling? He was finally out of that house, out of that house that caused him so much pain just this summer alone. So how was he feeling now that he was back at Horizon, back at his home, "Safe," he said out loud thinking to himself without realizing it.

Everybody turned towards Scott, David had been talking when he blurted it out. He appeared to be in a world of his own.

"Safe?" David asked

Scott was still thinking about how relieved he was to be back when Daisy nudged him.

"What?"

"Feeling safe Scotty?"

Scott winced at the name then realized that he had spoken out loud, he got nervous but then decided to play along, he knew David wouldn't let it go easily though, "I was just thinking…leave it."

"No come on Scotty tell us what happened."

Peter was about to intervene when Sophie grabbed his hand, he didn't know if it would be a good idea to let this play out, but then decided that maybe David would get Scott to talk.

"David shut up," Shelby defended him, she could see he wasn't ready to talk about it…why was Peter letting this go on, and she knew it wasn't going to end well.

"So what happened?" He motioned at all the bruises and broken arm, then David thought of what would really get him, he grinned and said, "So daddy still doesn't believe you? What'd you say no to her?" At first he was upset, there seemed to be no reaction from Scott, then he saw it, the tear that fell onto his shirt.

"David, that's enough," Peter warned he realized this would do more harm than anything

"Come on Scotty"

Scott looked up and into David's eyes with a pained expression, he was begging for him to stop, and for a moment David felt bad, but then remembered how his summer had went, and knew someone like Scott could never understand.

Everyone just watched the interaction between the two; no one knew what to say. Why was David doing this?

"Why are you doing this?" Scott said in a voice so low, he was barely audible, but David heard him and laughed.

"Cause seeing you like this…is just so funny"

"David that's it, you just got a week of kitchens"

"Well worth it."

Peter just gave him a warning look and continued, "Ok guys we have gotten completely off track, Zack why don't you continue with how your feeling."

"Umm I'm confused."

"About what to do?"

"No about what just happened."

"Well let's just continue on and then we will discuss everything."

"Ok but that's how I'm feeling so Shelby?"

"Angry."

"Care to elaborate Shelby?"

"David needs to learn to keep his mouth shut," she received a glare from David, but just returned it, "Dais?"

"I feel stupid, and no I don't want to elaborate, "Scott?"

Everyone turned to Scott who looked around at each person, he no longer had tears in his eyes, and looked empty, like someone had taken him and all that was left was his body. Finally, his gaze returned to the floor, again his voice no louder than a whisper said, "I feel like I'm done with this." He stood up and took off running.

"Let him go, he needs some time." Peter said before anyone went after him

Scott ran as fast as he could towards the woods, why couldn't David just leave him alone, why did they have to know what happened? The more Scott thought about everything, the further he ran into the woods.

Back at Horizon

Group was just about to end when Peter decided they needed to talk about Scott, he knew they were all wondering what was going on with him. "Before you go I just wanted to talk about Scott for a second."

"Did you find out what happened?" Ezra asked

"No, and I don't want anyone bothering him about it because he is apparently not ready to talk about it yet," Then as he looked at each one, he said, "Do you understand?" And each one nodded until he got to Zack who looked confused still, "Zack?"

"I was just wondering what actually happened before, like the first time?"

"Well, he is going to have to tell you that himself."

"Oh come on Peter, were all friends here," David laughed, "I guess it would have to depend on who you asked there Zack, his side is that his stepmother..."

"David shut up, it's not you story to tell," Daisy gave David a disappointed look, what happened to him? She thought.

David looked stunned for a minute, he and Daisy had began going out after the Morp and he couldn't believe she was saying this, Shelby maybe but not Daisy. "Whatever."

"Ok everyone that's all for tonight, lights out in one hour."

Shelby decided that she was going to talk to Scott, she heard Peter and everything but she wasn't planning on pushing him, she just needed him to know she was there. She headed to the boys dorm and when she got there she walked in and noticed it was empty so she went to the docks, shed, and finally the gazebo. When she couldn't find him, she ran to Peter's office...

"Peter, Scott's gone!!!"

"WHAT?"

"I looked everywhere for him, he's gone!"

"Ok I don't think he ran, probably just wanted to get away, get Sophie and tell her gather everyone up and look around the entire campus, I'm going to look in the woods."

"Peter I'm coming with you..."

"No Shelby, no way, it's already dark out, you need to stay here, there is no way, i'm sorry"

Peter left before she could protest, he ran into the woods calling out Scott's name.

Shelby found Sophie and told her everything and they gathered everyone up and started searching everywhere. When Shelby was sure no one was watching, she ran into the woods to look for him.

1 Hour Later

Everyone met in the lounge including Peter, all turned up without Scott.

"Ok everyone, were going to stop searching for the night because it's too dark out to search in the woods, so get to bed because were going to get up early to search again." Everyone began to leave when Peter said to the group, "Shelby can I talk to you?" When she didn't come Peter and Sophie walked to the Cliffhangers girl's dorm, "Everybody decent?" Peter asked

"Yea Peter," Juliette said

They walked in and noticed Shelby and Daisy were not there, "Where is everyone?" Sophie asked

"Daisy is in the bathroom and I haven't seen Shelby actually"

Sophie walked over to the bathroom and knocked, "Daisy?"

"Can I have a minute?"

"Oh yea sure"

They waited until Daisy was done and when she came out Peter asked, "Do you know where Shelby is?"

"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men."

"Daisy," Peter said seriously

"All I can say is that I may or may not have seen her walking along the woods then take off into them."

"Why didn't you stop her?"

"Peter, a brick wall couldn't have stopped her and you know it."

"Well, its lights out, we're waking up at first light to look for them."

Peter and Sophie left the dorm and finished checking all the others then they went into Peter's office,

"What are we going to do Soph?"

"Don't worry, they WILL be fine Peter, once it gets light were all going to go looking for them and we will find them."

"I hope your right, even though I'm scared for Shelby, Scott is such an emotional wreck right now…I have no idea where his head is right now and after the whole confrontation with David…"

"You don't honestly think he would try to harm himself do you?"

"I just don't know."

In The Woods

"SCOTT?!?!?" Shelby had been running around screaming for him without any luck, she knew she was going to probably get shuns when she got back, but Scott was worth it. It was getting cold, and Scott didn't have his jacket so she was glad she had brought a blanket for when she found him. She continued running when she finally spotted him, he was leaning against a tree not moving. Fear traveled throughout her body, she sprinted over to him and leaned down to him, his body was freezing so she wrapped the blanket around him and checked to see if he was breathing… "Scott? Scott? Come on wake up, look at me…"