World Turned Black
I DON'T OWN ANYTHING
Chapter 7
Peter sat in his office, he had just finished his morning run with Sophie, and she was taking a shower in his office bathroom while he contemplated when to call Scott's dad. It was only 6:30 so he figured he should wait an extra half hour. The Since it was the summer, the kids didn't have to wake up as early as during the school year, and Peter thought it would be a better idea to call Mr. Barringer before Scott woke up. While waiting, he looked through the newest Cliffhanger's file, her name was Lexi Carmine, not much was written in there except that she was a frequent runaway and a user. When she was in school, her grades were low except in History, were her grades were above average in all tests that she took. There was nothing about her attitude, but just by hearing that she was a street kid, Peter knew she would be tough. He questioned whether it was the right idea to appoint Shelby as her first week buddy, but he had faith in her.
"What're you doing Mountain Man" Sophie asked walking out of the bathroom
"Your new student, Lexi Carmine" He said while handing her the folder, and while she looked through it"Shelby is her buddy."
Sophie looked up quickly"You sure about that, with this girls past that could be dangerous." she laughed
"Yea, but I think she has her hands full with Scott. And anyway, she has come a long way since she first got here."
"Yea, I guess your right. By the way, how's Scott, last night Zack really dug."
"I talked to him last night, he's no different then he has been since returning. I'm worried about him; I think he may slip into a deeper depression if we don't keep an eye on him. And remind me to talk with Zack, there is no excuse for what he said." Peter couldn't believe what Sophie had told him Zack had said to Scott
"That kid has definitely been through a lot, half the time he is completely emotionless and the other he is either snapping or crying, it's horrible."
Peter looked at his clock, it was 6:54, only six more minutes, he thought"I'm going to call his father at 7."
Sophie looked concerned"How do you think he's going to react"
"I'm not sure yet, Scott seems distressed, but he usually does at the mention of home."
"Yea; I'm going to grab some breakfast before the kids wake up, good luck."
"Thanks" Peter laughed "I may need it."
Sophie laughed then walked away towards the kitchen.
Peter picked up the phone, it was 7:03, he dialed the number and waited while it rang…
Boy's Dorm
Scott looked at the alarm by his bed, it was still early and all the other guys were sleeping. After talking to Peter, he tried to fall asleep with little success until 2:30 when he was hit with another nightmare. After that, Scott decided it was useless, he took a long shower and then just laid in bed.
Now, being the only one up, Scott didn't want to make noise and wake up the other guys, they would kill him, so he got dressed quickly and walked outside to the docks. He always loved to sit there even before it became his and Shelby's spot. There was something about the peace of the water, and the seclusion by the trees. Scott was a little disappointed that the sun was already raised, he loved to watch it rise in the mountains, it was like he could feel the new day starting when he watched it.
Peter's Office
"Hello?" A female's voice answered and Peter took it as Elaine
"Mrs. Barringer?"
"Yes, who is this?"
"This is Peter Scarbrow from Horizon, it Mr. Barringer there?" Peter didn't think he should discuss Scott with this lady after all she had done to him
"Hold on I'll get him." Elaine sounded pissed that he didn't want to talk to her
Peter sat in his office with the telephone in one hand and a stress ball in the other; he figured he may need it. After a few minutes Martin came on the phone, "Mr. Scarbrow?"
"Yes, hello Mr. Barringer."
"What happened now?" There was no worrying in his voice, just annoyance which took Peter for a surprise
"Umm, I was calling to let you know how Scott is settling in."
"Well, I'm running late, is there anyway this could wait until later?" He sounded bored
Peter couldn't believe what he was hearing, the year before Scott's father seemed to be trying so hard to gain their once tight bond again, he wondered what had happened, "I just wanted to tell you that Scott is fine, he had a bit of a rough start but nothing out of the normal." Peter half lied, he didn't know if it was a good idea while Mr. Barringer hardly seemed to care.
"Wonderful," Martin said sarcastically, "I have to go, I'll talk to you again sometime, goodbye." And he hung up before Peter could utter another sentence.
"Wow." Was all he could think as he set the phone on its base. He had only been on the phone for ten minutes, so it was still too early to go and wake the kids up. Peter decided to go and take a walk, as he walked around the campus, he realized how lucky he had been to have known Frank. If it weren't for him, Peter may still be a junkie or even dead in some alley, just the thought of it made him appreciate his life so much more.
As Peter walked, he heard water splashing lightly down by the dock, as he approached, he saw Scott with his feet in the water, "You're up early."
Scott jumped a little, surprised by the voice then looked at Peter and shrugged, "Couldn't sleep."
Peter went and sat next to Scott but didn't put his feet in the water, he knew how cold it could get in the morning, "You're going to get sick, this water has to be at least 20 degrees."
Again, Scott just shrugged
"Seems you haven't been able to sleep in a while." Peter observed
"I'm not really tired anyway." Peter could see that was a lie, he looked exhausted
"Well you better get your sleep caught up, schools starting soon and the Cliffhangers' first hike is coming up in a few days after the new girl gets settled."
"Yea." Scott dismissed
Peter knew there was no use of arguing with Scott, it was like trying to get a locked door open without a key. "Sophie and I have a project for all of you today."
"What is it this time?" Scott sighed
Peter laughed, he could always expect a reaction like this from the kids, "We're going to have each of you pull a name out of a hat, and you will have to find a quote that describes the person you choose."
"Is that really a good idea?" Scott was staring into space
Peter looked confused, "What do you mean?"
"It's just that it seems that Zack has it out for me, and David's not much better."
"I'll make sure if one of them gets you that they follow the project."
"Whatever, I don't really care either way," Another lie, then he changed the subject, "How'd it go with my dad?"
Peter looked surprised, "How'd you know I called him already?"
"Figures that you would want to in the morning."
He laughed, Scott picked up on everything, "It went fine."
He just eyed Peter
"Scott it went fine, we didn't get to talk long, he had to go."
"What did he say?" Scott looked panicked
Peter was confused but tried not to show it, "What do you mean?"
"How'd he take the news?"
"Scott it was fine calm down, why do you look so nervous?"
He didn't realize he look scared, quickly he changed his expression and laughed nervously, "It's the third time I ran, just figured he'd be mad."
Peter laughed too, "I thought you didn't run."
"You know what I mean."
Peter checked his watch, it was now 8, "It's time for everyone to get up, I have to go, why don't you go and get breakfast."
"I'm not really hungry." Scott said
Peter looked at him, he was still underweight, he would have to check with the other Cliffhangers to see if Scott was eating enough, "You have to eat."
"Whatever, I'll go in a second."
"Group is after that too."
"I know…I thought you had to go?" He sounded annoyed
Peter looked at Scott one more time then walked away toward the cabins
Scott looked at his reflection in the water, who was this? He tried to remember the year before, how happy he had been; now all he saw was the skinny, bruised, and pale ghost of who he used to be.
There was the black hair that he hated; it disgusted him to even think about the day he was forced to dye it. He saw that the roots of his blonde hair were starting to grow in, he couldn't wait until his hair was blonde again; blonde like his mom's, not dark like that whore, the source of his nightmares.
(A/N) Sorry that this is shorter than the rest, I thought this would be a good place to end. I'm trying to get them up faster! Lol Thanks for all the reviews! The next one will have the Newbie, the project, and more of the other Cliffhangers, along with of coarse Scott!