Ch.2
A bright light flashed before Summer's eyes.
She coughed, unable to look around.
Taking a deep breath, she rolled over on her side, squinting, her eyes buring from the blood and dirt .
Gasping, she took in a deep breath.
"Oh my god," she whispered, bringing her hand to her face, feeling the swollen jaw, the cut on her forehead.
She sat up slowly, wincing in pain. She looked around.
"What happened?"
Taking another deep breath, she remembered.
The man. The pain.
The tears came instantly. Afraid that he was still around, she jumped up, screaming, the pain almost unbearable.
She surveyed her front yard. No sign of him.
She cried out, unsure of what to do.
Should she go in her house? Call the cops? Nothing made sense.
In a state of shock, she did the only thing that felt natural...
"Ryan, I'm totally kicking your ass dude."
Ryan laughed.
"You should be very proud of yourself Seth...you're beating me at candy land."
"Excuse me...but Candy land happens to be a very tough and challenging game," Seth said defending himself. "I mean, it's no chutes and ladders..."
"I'm going back to the pool house." Ryan jumped out of his chair and walked towards the door.
"Ok, but just so you know, if you leave you forfeit."
"Goodnight Seth," Ryan called out behind him.
Seth smiled.
"Wait til I tell Captain Oats that im a champ...he'll be so proud."
Ryan jogged over to the pool house. He quickly jumped in the shower. When he was finished, he walked out and sat down on his bed. He was just getting ready to turn on the tv when he saw her.
Summer looked through the window of the pool house, feeling numb, empty. She didnt know how she got to Seth house...but she knew she didn't want him to see her like this.
Ryan looked up, his eyes growing wide at the site of her. He walked over, opening the door.
"Jesus Summer...what happened?"
She looked into his eyes, the concerned expression written across his face.
"I need to sit down." she choked out her breathing labored.
Ryan gently grabbed her arm and led her to the bed.
"Summer, what happened? Who did this to you?"
She didn't answer, her eyes unblinking.
"I'm getting Seth," Ryan said getting up and walking towards the door.
"No! Ryan please, don't." Summer yelled.
"Summer, you're hurt. I need to get Seth, Sandy..."
"Ryan, please...I don't..I...
She trailed off, bringing her face to her hands, a large sob escaping her throat.
Ryan walked back over towards her, kneeling down in front of her.
"Shh Summer...it's ok..."
Ryan was at a loss for words.
"Let me get Seth...he can help you."
Summer looked up and nodded, regretting that she ever came to the Cohens house. Now Seth was going to see her like this...like trash.
Ryan reached into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone. He dialed Seth's number.
"Ryan," Seth answered. "I know its cool we have phones, but seriously dude, you live in the pool house...are you really calling me from like 20 feet away?"
"Seth, you need to come over here...now."
Seth sat up in his bed, noticing the tone of his voice.
"What's going on?"
Ryan hesitated.
"Summer's here..."
"Summer?"
"Yea," Ryan mumbled. "And she's hurt pretty bad."
Seth went numb at the words.
Summer...hurt...now...
He dropped the phone and sprinted down the stairs, running for his life towards the pool house...
Towards his Summer