A/N: Hello everybody! I'm very, very sorry about the delay, I was on
vacation for a month and I had no time at all to do that. I hope this
chapter makes it up for the late posting, though. Oh, and I'm over 100
reviewers. I never ever expected such a response to my story, my betas had
to push me so I posted it, thank them!
Spaz: saying my story is amazing is not an immature opinion, just an insane one, but I shall thank you for the compliment, lol. Yes, real Tristan and mine are tied, it's shown when he comes back to Chilton in chapter 8. I will certainly keep writing, thanks for the compliment, it means a lot to me.
Madz: I don't know how you can fill horrible when you ramble so much when sending back chapters! No no, your LS is the best fic, but I don't mind being second behind you, lol. Yes, it's really a success, you know I didn't expect that. Thanks for everything, and especially for encouraging me to post this.
DitzyChick: Thanks! I love my Tristan, lol *drool* he he... Thanks for your ideas. I don't know if I will use them, because I have a few of mine too, but at least, the fact that they resemble yours means that I quite stick to the expectations of my readers!
Ally: I know, Tristan is just so freaking stubborn, it's insane... He he... read on, read on, you'll be interested...
Smile1: ok ok...*holds up hands in surrender* looking back at it, last chapter wasn't so bad. I liked writing what was going on in Tristan's head and make the link with the Tristan shown on the show. Lol, Paris' part was tough to write ,but compared to Ria's pov, it was nothing... *rolls eyes* Still can't belive you're a R/J shipper when Tristan is so awesome. Sry, totally out of the conversation.
Siaram: well well well... I hope this reaches your expectations...
GOOFYGIRL: Salut! Méthodologie scientifique en psychologie? Suuupeeer... et à 3 heures du mat' en plus? T'es pas un peu folle ? He he, moi aussi je peux boire du café et dormir. Trop cool non ? tiens, d'ailleurs, j'crois qu'il m'en faut un maintenant... *twirl*
Lostfallenangel : yeah, let's not forget that he'a sexy before being a bastard, he he... And of course he knows, but he doesn't want to care. So you want some action, huh? Read on, that's all I can say.
Elena7: Hey! I was wondering what had happened to you, you disappeared of fanfiction for so long! Glad I managed to make it believable, it was my biggest worry... See, I update! Hope you will continue to read (and write *hint hint*)
Miarae: I hope you're better now... I guess this chapter will make you happy and sad again, but well, can I really do it another way? Ha ha... you can try to host a list of people... but don't kill him now, I need him to finish my story. Then he's yours, completely *smirk*
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::
Chapter 9
*Lorelei's pov*
Popping candy is the funniest thing in the world. It's noisy, it's blowing up in your mouth, it's got nice flavours and I'm downing it awfully quickly. And it's awfully entertaining to see Kirk and Miss Patty looking around frantically to find the source of the noise.
And I'm annoying Luke; that's definitively a very, very good point for the popping candy.
Lane dragged Rory to the mall earlier today, followed by a less-than- motivated Dean, so I'm fully enjoying my time. I mean, I don't have to act all serious, I'm not a mom for now! In fact, I'm in 6 year-old mode, but shhh, Luke can't know or he'll deprive me from coffee and insist that kids don't drink that satanic beverage.
Uh-oh, he's looking at me with his brow knitted. I think he saw me talking to myself. Okay Lorelei, smile stupidly, it'll do the trick, he doesn't have to know you're completely off your rocker. So what? It's not because it's so completely true that he has to know, right?
"Lukey, coffee, please. Right now. What, you're still not crawling in front of me?"
I smirk innocently again. Luke looks at me in this way that screams 'You're so infuriating!' and I just love it.
"Lorelei, out! Right now! What, you still haven't obeyed Almighty Luke?" he retorts sardonically.
I'm about to throw something back at him when somebody collapses on the stool next to mine and orders a coffee in a shaky voice. I momentarily forget about the so-called Almighty Luke (huh, Lukey) to see who the newcomer is.
It's Paris. And she looks awful. Her eyes are bloodshot from crying and she looks totally out of it. Luke gives her a cup of coffee without saying anything but she hardly sees it. She's got her head in her hands and looks like she's struggling to just breathe and calm down.
I discreetly push a popping candy pack in front of her and she looks up in surprise.
"Huh, hello. I didn't see you," she says hesitantly.
"I noticed that, thanks. Are you gonna stare at the candy for much longer? Because if you don't want it, it's calling me."
"No more sugar for her, you keep it, please."
"Lukey, I'm sure I heard some mustard pot calling you in the kitchen."
"Impossible, I've gagged them all."
As I hear Paris snort into her cup, I turn to look at her, as does Luke. We try to look offended but it only makes her laugh. Well, at least, she isn't cry anymore.
"You two are childish and immature."
"My dear, that's where the fun is!" I drop the cheery tone as I add "Why are you here? Are you alright?" I know she generally likes to seem tough and from what Rory's told me, she would never let anyone see her broken and down. Yet I've met her twice and both times she was crying her heart out.
She looks uneasy when I ask my questions. She stares at Luke with uncertainty, but still answers.
"I just went to see Tristan."
And obviously, it didn't go very well. When she slept over, we talked a lot about that issue and the more I know, the more horrible I feel. I'm aware that she's hurting a lot because of him. I wonder what he's hiding, because the death of his mother is certainly not the only factor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*Paris' pov*
I talked a lot with Lorelei and that guy named Luke. They cheered me up very quickly and they made me laugh my head off. Then, this plump woman for the other night arrived and started to ramble and now, we're in the Gilmore's kitchen, cooking. I mean, Sookie and I cook and Lorelei looks at us in awe with a paper crown on her head.
We hear happy voices in the hall. Rory arrives and the look on her face is simply priceless at the sight on this kitchen being used. The Korean girl who was at some party is here and the boyfriend, too. Ah, right, they're not together anymore.
"Are you really cooking or just faking it?" asks Rory with her eyebrows raised.
Lorelei snorts and starts to mimic me. "You know, Paris beats you at everything!"
"Shut up," I growl.
"What's that word? Not part of my internal dictionary, sorry. More popping candy?"
Dean and Lane start to clean the table so we can eat there. I can't believe I'm actually going to eat something resembling real food in this house. And I can't believe I was depressed and driving around madly only two hours ago. Popping candy and lunatics are definitely a good highlight to this boring world.
"Hurry up, lazy slaves! Quicker! Bean, my dear, wipe that lazy smile off your face and stop looking at me with the you're-gonna-end-in-a-padded-room look!"
Lorelei raises her flyswatter and smacks him on the arm. He yelps and I can't help but smirk. Which he sees. A popcorn suddenly lands in my shirt a second later and Dean snickers.
"Oh, Paris, he put a popcorn in your shirt! It always happens to me, but it's generally my fault! Baaaad Dean, baaad... as a punishment, you'll have to do the washing up and clean that kitchen till it's back to its spotless state." I hear Dean mumble something vaguely resembling 'of course it's spotless, you don't know how to use it' and burst into laughter as Lorelei starts to chase him throughout the house. Lane and Rory are shaking their head in rhythm. According to my mother's standards, we must be a rather distressing picture.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Victoria, get back here immediately!" barked the angry man.
The little girl continued to run and hid in the hall's main closet. She tried to catch her breath and stop her hands from shaking but her body didn't want to obey. She was terrified and the footsteps were coming her way. She curled up in an even tighter ball than before and tried to hide behind a couple of suitcases. The door was suddenly yanked open and light immediately fell on her blonde curls. The man grabbed them and pulled his daughter out of her hiding place. Ria started to cry; she was panicking.
Tristan wasn't home; it was still early. But for the first time in her life, their father had caught her coming back from school. She didn't know if she had been less careful than usual or if he was being more cautious about his children's moves since they had taken off the other night, but she knew he would hurt her.
She was on her knees, in the hall. Her father turned off the lights so nobody would see the shadows behind the windows, though it was improbable that anybody would enter the garden, and crushed her little hand with his foot. She cried out in pain and let tears run down her cheeks, suddenly understanding what her brother had been and still was going through.
He kneeled in front of her and slapped her with all his strength. It sent her to the floor and he stood up again. He crashed his foot into her stomach and started to yell. To Ria, words were more painful than any fist.
"You killed your own mother, how can you live with that? How dare you breathe? You're worthless! I hate you! I only keep you alive because of the image this family has to maintain."
He picked her up and threw her into the closet again, splitting her bottom lip in the process. Ria saw the door close and heard the key turning. Her screams stopped. She was trapped, nobody would find her. She lay down and cried all of her tears.
She hardly realized it when Tristan opened the closet one hour later, she didn't react when he picked her up gently and held her tightly in his arms, showering her with kisses and trying to comfort her, whispering soothing words.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*Tristan's pov*
Ria is hardly responding to my attempts to reach her. She's cuddled against me, but it's more an instinct than anything else. I'm scared for her. God, I panicked so much when I couldn't find her! And then I heard her feeble whimpers and opened the closet. Seeing her like that ripped me apart; made my heart ache so much. I failed, I had to protect her and I failed. I'll never forgive myself. Never.
I hear Dad's manic laughter and spin around. He's here, at the end of the hall, whisky bottle in hand.
"You found her, did you? I knew you would, you always stick for her, traitor."
"Shut up! You're insane; you're drunk. And you call yourself a father? Think Mom would be happy to see what you do?" I shout.
Oh no, why did I say that? My mistake is blatant, he's going completely mad. He throws the bottle against the wall where it smashes into a hundred pieces. I cower and put Ria down in an armchair. As I get away from her, he's already drawn his belt and makes it clap in the air. A shudder runs down my spine as he launches himself at me.
...................................................
I listen as the bell echoes through the mansion and, after a few seconds, I impatiently ring it again. A lone tear finds its way down my chin and to the ground as I realize that she's not here. It's too late; she's gone. I've waited too long. I run back to the car and check on Ria, who's somewhere close to sleeping. I start the engine again and back out of the alley, I don't know where to go.
I know that I could go to the hospital but this mere thought scares me like hell. I hate hospitals, the never-ending white halls; a labyrinth where lives are taken, families are broken, hearts are stabbed. Nobody has ever managed to drag me there since Mom's death; I'd systematically run away.
I've got a fucking headache. I'm sure I've got a concussion. My back is in its habitual state: sore and bloodied. I feel cool blood still oozing from the wounds on my chest and seeping slowly through my pullover. My breath is ragged but I can't catch it anymore, it feels like I'm swallowing fire each second.
As I drive through Hartford, I try to list people I can go to, but I always end up at the same solution. Rory. The thought of her haunts me as I drive to her house. Rory. Will she help me? Will she understand? I've got no choice anyway; I can't do it alone this time.
I find her house without difficulty; Stars-Hollow is a small town. All the lights are on and it gives me courage. I pick Ria up and walk slowly to the door. I pray that I'm doing the right thing as I knock on the wooden panels.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*Rory's pov*
We're playing Monopoly when someone knocks on the door. Mom sighs but I can see in her eyes that she's waiting for something to divert our attention so she can copiously dig in the bank. I stand up from my spot on the carpet and stretch briefly before heading to the door.
"Everybody, watch her, she's a cheater!" I call while walking in the hall.
When I open the door, there's a figure standing in the shadows, his face dimly lit with the light coming from the hall.
"Tristan?"
He steps forward in the light and my eyes widen as I see the blood on his forehead, at the edge of his hair; his tear-stained face and Ria's split lip. They look like they've just come out of a terrible fight. I urge him to come in and start to ramble.
"God, what the hell happened to you? Look at you! Are you okay?"
My alarmed voice makes the rest of the crowd come out of the living room to have their fill of morbid curiosity. They're all shocked to see Tristan and he's very uneasy to see that there are so many people here. His eyes linger on Paris, but he says nothing.
Mom finally gathers her thoughts and takes Ria into her arms. The little girl winces at her mere touch and Mom carries her to the couch. She settles down, followed by Lane, but Tristan stays frozen on the spot, looking at the carpet. I look over at Mom as she carefully lifts Ria's sweatshirt. I feel sick as I see the bruises covering her ribcage.
Paris comes to stand right in front of Tristan. "What happened? Why are you here?" she asks in a sharp voice. She then realizes she's snapping at him and calms down. She puts her hand on his shoulder to apologize, but her stare suddenly becomes awfully worried. She takes her hand off his shoulder and sees that it's stained crimson.
Tristan looks even more ashamed than before as I drag him into the better light of the living room. I want him to remove his pullover but he keeps shrinking away from my touch. Finally Dean seizes him by the waist and forces him down to the floor. Tristan struggles, but he's obviously weak. Paris and I strip his pullover while Dean holds him. His arms are bruised and scratched. We finally manage to lift his t-shirt enough to make us feel sick. Tristan stops struggling and buries his head in his arms as Dean lets go of him.
Gashes, bruises, slashes and torn tissue. And blood. We're all shocked at the sight of him. Paris suddenly gets up and runs outside, crying. Dean is now covered in blood and can't even detach his gaze from Tristan. I try to make Tristan talk, I want to know what happened, but he refuses to even look at me. I burst into tears and get up to fetch something to clean his injuries, I feel like I'm going to die.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::: So... what did you think of it? Things moving finally! OK, maybe not in the happiest way, but still, they're moving... Review!
Spaz: saying my story is amazing is not an immature opinion, just an insane one, but I shall thank you for the compliment, lol. Yes, real Tristan and mine are tied, it's shown when he comes back to Chilton in chapter 8. I will certainly keep writing, thanks for the compliment, it means a lot to me.
Madz: I don't know how you can fill horrible when you ramble so much when sending back chapters! No no, your LS is the best fic, but I don't mind being second behind you, lol. Yes, it's really a success, you know I didn't expect that. Thanks for everything, and especially for encouraging me to post this.
DitzyChick: Thanks! I love my Tristan, lol *drool* he he... Thanks for your ideas. I don't know if I will use them, because I have a few of mine too, but at least, the fact that they resemble yours means that I quite stick to the expectations of my readers!
Ally: I know, Tristan is just so freaking stubborn, it's insane... He he... read on, read on, you'll be interested...
Smile1: ok ok...*holds up hands in surrender* looking back at it, last chapter wasn't so bad. I liked writing what was going on in Tristan's head and make the link with the Tristan shown on the show. Lol, Paris' part was tough to write ,but compared to Ria's pov, it was nothing... *rolls eyes* Still can't belive you're a R/J shipper when Tristan is so awesome. Sry, totally out of the conversation.
Siaram: well well well... I hope this reaches your expectations...
GOOFYGIRL: Salut! Méthodologie scientifique en psychologie? Suuupeeer... et à 3 heures du mat' en plus? T'es pas un peu folle ? He he, moi aussi je peux boire du café et dormir. Trop cool non ? tiens, d'ailleurs, j'crois qu'il m'en faut un maintenant... *twirl*
Lostfallenangel : yeah, let's not forget that he'a sexy before being a bastard, he he... And of course he knows, but he doesn't want to care. So you want some action, huh? Read on, that's all I can say.
Elena7: Hey! I was wondering what had happened to you, you disappeared of fanfiction for so long! Glad I managed to make it believable, it was my biggest worry... See, I update! Hope you will continue to read (and write *hint hint*)
Miarae: I hope you're better now... I guess this chapter will make you happy and sad again, but well, can I really do it another way? Ha ha... you can try to host a list of people... but don't kill him now, I need him to finish my story. Then he's yours, completely *smirk*
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::
Chapter 9
*Lorelei's pov*
Popping candy is the funniest thing in the world. It's noisy, it's blowing up in your mouth, it's got nice flavours and I'm downing it awfully quickly. And it's awfully entertaining to see Kirk and Miss Patty looking around frantically to find the source of the noise.
And I'm annoying Luke; that's definitively a very, very good point for the popping candy.
Lane dragged Rory to the mall earlier today, followed by a less-than- motivated Dean, so I'm fully enjoying my time. I mean, I don't have to act all serious, I'm not a mom for now! In fact, I'm in 6 year-old mode, but shhh, Luke can't know or he'll deprive me from coffee and insist that kids don't drink that satanic beverage.
Uh-oh, he's looking at me with his brow knitted. I think he saw me talking to myself. Okay Lorelei, smile stupidly, it'll do the trick, he doesn't have to know you're completely off your rocker. So what? It's not because it's so completely true that he has to know, right?
"Lukey, coffee, please. Right now. What, you're still not crawling in front of me?"
I smirk innocently again. Luke looks at me in this way that screams 'You're so infuriating!' and I just love it.
"Lorelei, out! Right now! What, you still haven't obeyed Almighty Luke?" he retorts sardonically.
I'm about to throw something back at him when somebody collapses on the stool next to mine and orders a coffee in a shaky voice. I momentarily forget about the so-called Almighty Luke (huh, Lukey) to see who the newcomer is.
It's Paris. And she looks awful. Her eyes are bloodshot from crying and she looks totally out of it. Luke gives her a cup of coffee without saying anything but she hardly sees it. She's got her head in her hands and looks like she's struggling to just breathe and calm down.
I discreetly push a popping candy pack in front of her and she looks up in surprise.
"Huh, hello. I didn't see you," she says hesitantly.
"I noticed that, thanks. Are you gonna stare at the candy for much longer? Because if you don't want it, it's calling me."
"No more sugar for her, you keep it, please."
"Lukey, I'm sure I heard some mustard pot calling you in the kitchen."
"Impossible, I've gagged them all."
As I hear Paris snort into her cup, I turn to look at her, as does Luke. We try to look offended but it only makes her laugh. Well, at least, she isn't cry anymore.
"You two are childish and immature."
"My dear, that's where the fun is!" I drop the cheery tone as I add "Why are you here? Are you alright?" I know she generally likes to seem tough and from what Rory's told me, she would never let anyone see her broken and down. Yet I've met her twice and both times she was crying her heart out.
She looks uneasy when I ask my questions. She stares at Luke with uncertainty, but still answers.
"I just went to see Tristan."
And obviously, it didn't go very well. When she slept over, we talked a lot about that issue and the more I know, the more horrible I feel. I'm aware that she's hurting a lot because of him. I wonder what he's hiding, because the death of his mother is certainly not the only factor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*Paris' pov*
I talked a lot with Lorelei and that guy named Luke. They cheered me up very quickly and they made me laugh my head off. Then, this plump woman for the other night arrived and started to ramble and now, we're in the Gilmore's kitchen, cooking. I mean, Sookie and I cook and Lorelei looks at us in awe with a paper crown on her head.
We hear happy voices in the hall. Rory arrives and the look on her face is simply priceless at the sight on this kitchen being used. The Korean girl who was at some party is here and the boyfriend, too. Ah, right, they're not together anymore.
"Are you really cooking or just faking it?" asks Rory with her eyebrows raised.
Lorelei snorts and starts to mimic me. "You know, Paris beats you at everything!"
"Shut up," I growl.
"What's that word? Not part of my internal dictionary, sorry. More popping candy?"
Dean and Lane start to clean the table so we can eat there. I can't believe I'm actually going to eat something resembling real food in this house. And I can't believe I was depressed and driving around madly only two hours ago. Popping candy and lunatics are definitely a good highlight to this boring world.
"Hurry up, lazy slaves! Quicker! Bean, my dear, wipe that lazy smile off your face and stop looking at me with the you're-gonna-end-in-a-padded-room look!"
Lorelei raises her flyswatter and smacks him on the arm. He yelps and I can't help but smirk. Which he sees. A popcorn suddenly lands in my shirt a second later and Dean snickers.
"Oh, Paris, he put a popcorn in your shirt! It always happens to me, but it's generally my fault! Baaaad Dean, baaad... as a punishment, you'll have to do the washing up and clean that kitchen till it's back to its spotless state." I hear Dean mumble something vaguely resembling 'of course it's spotless, you don't know how to use it' and burst into laughter as Lorelei starts to chase him throughout the house. Lane and Rory are shaking their head in rhythm. According to my mother's standards, we must be a rather distressing picture.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Victoria, get back here immediately!" barked the angry man.
The little girl continued to run and hid in the hall's main closet. She tried to catch her breath and stop her hands from shaking but her body didn't want to obey. She was terrified and the footsteps were coming her way. She curled up in an even tighter ball than before and tried to hide behind a couple of suitcases. The door was suddenly yanked open and light immediately fell on her blonde curls. The man grabbed them and pulled his daughter out of her hiding place. Ria started to cry; she was panicking.
Tristan wasn't home; it was still early. But for the first time in her life, their father had caught her coming back from school. She didn't know if she had been less careful than usual or if he was being more cautious about his children's moves since they had taken off the other night, but she knew he would hurt her.
She was on her knees, in the hall. Her father turned off the lights so nobody would see the shadows behind the windows, though it was improbable that anybody would enter the garden, and crushed her little hand with his foot. She cried out in pain and let tears run down her cheeks, suddenly understanding what her brother had been and still was going through.
He kneeled in front of her and slapped her with all his strength. It sent her to the floor and he stood up again. He crashed his foot into her stomach and started to yell. To Ria, words were more painful than any fist.
"You killed your own mother, how can you live with that? How dare you breathe? You're worthless! I hate you! I only keep you alive because of the image this family has to maintain."
He picked her up and threw her into the closet again, splitting her bottom lip in the process. Ria saw the door close and heard the key turning. Her screams stopped. She was trapped, nobody would find her. She lay down and cried all of her tears.
She hardly realized it when Tristan opened the closet one hour later, she didn't react when he picked her up gently and held her tightly in his arms, showering her with kisses and trying to comfort her, whispering soothing words.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*Tristan's pov*
Ria is hardly responding to my attempts to reach her. She's cuddled against me, but it's more an instinct than anything else. I'm scared for her. God, I panicked so much when I couldn't find her! And then I heard her feeble whimpers and opened the closet. Seeing her like that ripped me apart; made my heart ache so much. I failed, I had to protect her and I failed. I'll never forgive myself. Never.
I hear Dad's manic laughter and spin around. He's here, at the end of the hall, whisky bottle in hand.
"You found her, did you? I knew you would, you always stick for her, traitor."
"Shut up! You're insane; you're drunk. And you call yourself a father? Think Mom would be happy to see what you do?" I shout.
Oh no, why did I say that? My mistake is blatant, he's going completely mad. He throws the bottle against the wall where it smashes into a hundred pieces. I cower and put Ria down in an armchair. As I get away from her, he's already drawn his belt and makes it clap in the air. A shudder runs down my spine as he launches himself at me.
...................................................
I listen as the bell echoes through the mansion and, after a few seconds, I impatiently ring it again. A lone tear finds its way down my chin and to the ground as I realize that she's not here. It's too late; she's gone. I've waited too long. I run back to the car and check on Ria, who's somewhere close to sleeping. I start the engine again and back out of the alley, I don't know where to go.
I know that I could go to the hospital but this mere thought scares me like hell. I hate hospitals, the never-ending white halls; a labyrinth where lives are taken, families are broken, hearts are stabbed. Nobody has ever managed to drag me there since Mom's death; I'd systematically run away.
I've got a fucking headache. I'm sure I've got a concussion. My back is in its habitual state: sore and bloodied. I feel cool blood still oozing from the wounds on my chest and seeping slowly through my pullover. My breath is ragged but I can't catch it anymore, it feels like I'm swallowing fire each second.
As I drive through Hartford, I try to list people I can go to, but I always end up at the same solution. Rory. The thought of her haunts me as I drive to her house. Rory. Will she help me? Will she understand? I've got no choice anyway; I can't do it alone this time.
I find her house without difficulty; Stars-Hollow is a small town. All the lights are on and it gives me courage. I pick Ria up and walk slowly to the door. I pray that I'm doing the right thing as I knock on the wooden panels.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*Rory's pov*
We're playing Monopoly when someone knocks on the door. Mom sighs but I can see in her eyes that she's waiting for something to divert our attention so she can copiously dig in the bank. I stand up from my spot on the carpet and stretch briefly before heading to the door.
"Everybody, watch her, she's a cheater!" I call while walking in the hall.
When I open the door, there's a figure standing in the shadows, his face dimly lit with the light coming from the hall.
"Tristan?"
He steps forward in the light and my eyes widen as I see the blood on his forehead, at the edge of his hair; his tear-stained face and Ria's split lip. They look like they've just come out of a terrible fight. I urge him to come in and start to ramble.
"God, what the hell happened to you? Look at you! Are you okay?"
My alarmed voice makes the rest of the crowd come out of the living room to have their fill of morbid curiosity. They're all shocked to see Tristan and he's very uneasy to see that there are so many people here. His eyes linger on Paris, but he says nothing.
Mom finally gathers her thoughts and takes Ria into her arms. The little girl winces at her mere touch and Mom carries her to the couch. She settles down, followed by Lane, but Tristan stays frozen on the spot, looking at the carpet. I look over at Mom as she carefully lifts Ria's sweatshirt. I feel sick as I see the bruises covering her ribcage.
Paris comes to stand right in front of Tristan. "What happened? Why are you here?" she asks in a sharp voice. She then realizes she's snapping at him and calms down. She puts her hand on his shoulder to apologize, but her stare suddenly becomes awfully worried. She takes her hand off his shoulder and sees that it's stained crimson.
Tristan looks even more ashamed than before as I drag him into the better light of the living room. I want him to remove his pullover but he keeps shrinking away from my touch. Finally Dean seizes him by the waist and forces him down to the floor. Tristan struggles, but he's obviously weak. Paris and I strip his pullover while Dean holds him. His arms are bruised and scratched. We finally manage to lift his t-shirt enough to make us feel sick. Tristan stops struggling and buries his head in his arms as Dean lets go of him.
Gashes, bruises, slashes and torn tissue. And blood. We're all shocked at the sight of him. Paris suddenly gets up and runs outside, crying. Dean is now covered in blood and can't even detach his gaze from Tristan. I try to make Tristan talk, I want to know what happened, but he refuses to even look at me. I burst into tears and get up to fetch something to clean his injuries, I feel like I'm going to die.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::: So... what did you think of it? Things moving finally! OK, maybe not in the happiest way, but still, they're moving... Review!