A/N- So, So sorry that this chapter wasn't updated sooner. It took me a while, but it was sort of a mixture of writer's block, and laziness. But anyway, here it is. Hope you enjoy! I know I had tons of fun writing it!

To my wonderful reviewers:I can't thank everyone enough for all the awesome review responses I got for the last chapter. It's all of your support that makes me feel inspired to get this story out. Thanks again for all of your support!

Next Update: Expect an update very soon. I already know what I am going to do for the next chapter since my writer's block has subsided, and I am very excited about writing it, so expect it up in the next few days.

P.S.- Please Review! I thrive on it!

Ch. 3- The Devil in the Wishing Well

"What do you want? I told you never to call me again, unless I contacted you", Dan said in a highly annoyed voice, one hand holding his phone, the other steering the wheel as he drove. He didn't have time for frivolous things like this. He looked at the clock briskly. 6:23 a.m. The road was clear, and the sun was beginning to peak out. It looked as there was no sign of the storm anymore. It was going to be a glorious day.

"Yeah, well, I- uh, thought you were calling me," Chris Keller said lightly his voice sounding cool and calm. But Dan could smell the fear. Chris was trembling on the inside. "My phone has been ringing off the hook-"

Dan cut in. He really didn't care what Chris had to say. Chris was just another pawn in his magnificent game. He chuckled lightly. "And why would I call you Chris? You're done. Your job is over. You're of no use to me anymore. You just
better pray that you did enough damage."

"Hey- I did the best I could," Chris said, his voice very shaky, but trying to sound defensive.

Dan let out another snicker. "Your best? That's sad, Chris. Really, it is. If it was your best, then why is Haley back in Tree Hill? Explain that to me, huh?"

There was silence on the other end.

"Aww, can't think of anything to say. What a surprise. God, kid, I knew when Deb started this whole thing with you, it was a mistake. Because neither of you have what it takes. And how right was I? Amateurs have no business playing God."

There was another long silence on the other end for a moment. A smirk appeared on Dan's face. Actually, this was beginning to be quite entertaining. He loved the fear. He felt pure excitement stirring inside him. But he pushed the thrill aside, and
focused on the matter at hand. He only had one mission today, and dealing with Chris wasn't it.

"Look, I don't have time for this. I have some things I have to take care of. You- I don't care what you do. Remember, you don't want to hear from me again, and if you do, you just might want to look over your shoulder."

"Hey, Dan, If I didn't know any better, that sounds like blackmail to me," Chris said getting really angry.

"Smart kid."

"Were all involved in this. Or did you forget that? You, me, and Deb. Why don't you try and remember that next time you try and threaten me?", Chris said, his voice vicious.

"My, my, Chris Keller has some balls. I must say I'm shocked. You stood up to me. You've almost earned my respect-"

"I couldn't care less about earning your damn respect. I just want this to beover. I just want the rest of my money, and the other thing you promised me."

"Oh, do you now? Are we forgetting that you blew it?"

"I did my job. I did what you asked me to do. I can't help it if Haley ran back to Nathan. I could give a damn, but obviously, she must love the guy. I hate to break it to you Dan, but you're fighting a losing battle. No one can tear them apart. Not even you."

A twisted smile crept upon Dan's face. He never heard anything so comical in his life. "That was a nice, little speech Chris, but the battle is far from over, and it will never be over until I win, and everybody loses. Including you," Dan blurted as he clicked off the call.

Dan continued driving for several more minutes, and then he turned the corner and parked in his usual spot, and turned the car off. All he had to do now was wait. This was it. Ever since he heard Haley had been back in Tree Hill, he was here, several times a day. He had a feeling that today would be a day of clarity. He felt it in his bones. He would find out what he needed to know, good or bad, he didn't know. He was calm, and that's one thing he learned in the last few months ever since he had the heart attack. You can't accomplish anything if you don't have patience. Yes, he had made some mistakes. He went about everything the wrong way. He took the heart attack as a lesson. One of the greatest lessons he ever learned. Now, no one could touch him.

As far as he knew Nathan and Haley weren't back together. He had briefly talked to him about it with Lucas, and he had said that she was staying with Karen. He would of pried more with Lucas, but he didn't. Not because he thinks Lucas would get suspicious. Lucas, his son, was sort of what you call, dumb as a post. Yes, he was pretty damn gullible as they come. But it wasn't his fault though, that he was so trusting, so loyal, so naive. That was Karen's fault, and how she had raised him; how she sheltered the boy. Oh don't get him wrong, he wanted to know his son now. That was another one of his mistakes he had made in the past. If he had Lucas in his life, knew him, then he could control him, and every aspect in his life. And having an ally at his side wouldn't hurt. Dan wasn't enough naive enough to think that one didn't need allies. And Lucas would serve that purpose very well. Yes, his son loved him now. He was sure of that. He had accomplished a lot with Lucas in short amount of time. The first time he had called him Dad, he felt one of the most strongest sense of accomplishment he had ever had. Thrills had gone through his entire body that night for hours. The high was unfathomable. He was sure Lucas would choose him over anyone else now. Lucas would be by his side when everything came crashing down.

Just then Dan looked up ahead, and could see a figure up ahead. He felt a pit in his stomach. But he knew he had to remain calm and collected. Even in if it was the worst, he could handle it. He had prepared himself to expect anything and everything. He went in his glove compartment and grabbed his binoculars and held them up to his eyes.

There was Nathan walking out of his apartment. Dan smirked widely. Nathan was alone. All by himself. Haley was nowhere to be seen. Nathan froze in his step for a moment. What was he doing? Dan wondered. Hey, maybe he was on his to his place. Maybe he was going to come home, instead of rotting away alone in his apartment. In a matter of a minute, Dan's heart skipped a beat. What was happening here? He felt he was frozen in time. He felt like he was the devil and if he could one make one wish, it would be for what he saw could just disappear. Poof. Evaporate. He closed his eyes, then reopened them. No, his wish did not come true. He zoomed in with his binoculars so he could get a closer look. Yes, Haley had just walked out of the apartment. That didn't mean anything, Dan told himself. It didn't mean that they had reconciled. It only meant that they had been talking, possibly arguing, maybe for the last time. No, he was fooling himself. Why would they walk out of the apartment together? Just then, like a hard slap to the head, his worst fear was concerned. Nathan smiled widely, Haley's face was lite up, laughs escaping her mouth. They grabbed hands tightly. Dan felt like he was losing control. No he couldn't. He had come to far to lose control. To forget everything he had learned. He put down the binoculars for a moment, and took a breath. He then looked back up. They were walking on the sidewalk now a ways up ahead, still holding hands. They stopped for a minute, and leaned in for a kiss.

Breathe in, Breathe out, Dan told himself. Don't loose it. Don't let them win. You're superior. You can accomplish anything.

Nathan tickled Haley uncontrollably and Haley broke free running away, Nathan chasing after her, laughing uncontrollably.

Breathe in, Breathe out.

Nathan grabbed her from behind, put his arms around her and Haley gave in and she turned around, and they went in for another kiss.

Breathe in, Breathe out, Breathe in, Breathe ou- he couldn't do it anymore. He was losing control. Everything that he did. Everything he thought he accomplished. It was all for nothing. NOTHING. He was no closer than he was when he first found out that they were married. It was like the slate was wiped clean, and he would have to start all over from scratch. HE COULDN'T DO THAT. All of his patience, all of his calmness, everything that he learned was rapidly leaving his body. He had reached his boiling point. He couldn't' control himself. He had lost any control he had.

Nathan and Haley continued walking down the sidewalk, arm in arm.

He finally exploded.

Dan threw the binoculars as hard as he could, and the passenger window shattered.

Dan bellowed, and hit the steering wheel has hard as he could with his fist, over and over again. Over and over again. Over and over again.

Damn it! Damn it! He screamed repeatedly.

He kept beating the steering wheel, even after blood began dripping down his hands.

This wasn't over, Dan reminded himself in the back of his mind. This just meant that he would have to be smarter, more clever. He would win. Victory would be his.

6:51 am.