Authors note: Hi guys, thank you for the great response. This has been fun to write, especially having a crazy villain and writing peyton differently to how I usually write her. But I guess i am being nice seeing i've made her a crazy kidnapper. I really want to give the readers a great wtf moment, so give a goof twist/cliffhanger which is one of the reasons I chpse topost this story the way I have. I thought it would have a better effect if the readers did not have time to think about it too much, to go from chapter to chapter so when the reveal happens its more unexpected. I laid little clues through out for any eagle eyed readers, i thought the biggest clue was it was a bl story yet peyton and jenny were such a big focus, in fact they opened the story. I feel like due to the reviews I managed to give you guys the experience I wanted, I am curious o know at what point people clicked Jenny was not Jenny and was in fact BLs daughter, did you have a hang on moment, a question pop into your head, was it when its confirmed BL had a daughter, was it when Peyton ran into Nicki, was it when a line I wrote, was it when Lily talked to Nicki and Nicki said Jenny was dead. Was it when Lily talked to brooke or brooke had her scene with lucas. did you still think it wasnt true until Jenny saw the photo of adrienne?
When you think back did you pick op on the clues? Peyton's invasiveness, the emphasis on Jenny's blue eyes and blonde hair, Brooke recognising her, Jenny being smaller and not at the same stage of puberty as her peers. There's a few lines that read a bit different once you know, a few cut scenes where it goes from one thing to another.
Anyway here is the next chapter. Its different to the rest.
-x-
There was a crack of lightning, Peyton opened her eyes to the brief flash. The world was silent for a moment, and then Peyton slowly began to recognise the rain, and then the thunder. Her whole body ached and her face felt oddly numb. Instinct had Peyton brushed her hair out of her face and then she blinked. The world was sideways, "Jake?" Peyton whispered, her eyes adjusted to the dark, and slowly the panic started to take over, "Jake?" and a moment later, "Jenny? Jenny!"
Peyton tried to unlock her seatbelt but it didn't budge, she kept trying, grunting with each failed attempt. Her hands were getting more slippering, Peyton managed to pull the seat belt over her head, lightning pierced the sky again with enough light that Peyton saw she was covered in her own blood.
Unable to unbuckle herself Peyton instead strained her body to slip out from it, she fell, her breath sucked out f her as her body collided with glass and metal, yet there was also water and softness.
The silence was eery, the rain pounding outside the only noise, a part of Peyton didn't want to think about that. Her hand went out underneath her, going through the deep puddle that seemed to be rising minute by minute, and it found something solid and Peyton pushed herself up.
Her eyes came face to face with her husband and Peyton screamed at the blank stare that came from his face, she scrambled to move away yet changed her mind and moved closer, her wet hands grabbing onto Jake, their blood mingling.
She knew it was too late, Peyton sucked in a breath, the tears welling in her eyes. The physical pain meant very little compared to the emotional as her heart was wrenched from her body.
Yet with the knowledge there was nothing she could do Peyton let go of her husband and tried to stand up as best she could, slipping between the front seats to get to the back, desperate now to check on her daughter, "Jenny!"
Peyton was surer footed this time, her boot going into the puddle as she reached for the soft purple that gave away Jenny's position in her car seat. There was barely any light yet Peyton could see the dark blonde of Jenny's wavy hair and as her hands found her daughter Peyton felt it dip into the water as she turned her daughters face to look at her.
The little girl was cold to the touch, Peyton held her face with one hand as she found the buckle with the other and pulled her daughters limp body up into her arms, "Mommy's here, kiddo, you're okay now"
There was no answer, no whimper or movement. Peyton let out a painful cry and not letting go climbed up and out of the car, the rain pelted against her the second they were out of it. Peyton carried Jenny to a relatively flat surface under a thick pile of trees away from the unnatural creek, her training coming back to her as she mechanically went through CPR, her mouth covering Jenny's.
Breathe
-x-
Staring out the window Peyton though the unusually sunny day was a sign of her death, for surely this was hell.
The doctors looked between each other and then back to Peyton, "Mrs Jagielski, is there anyone else you would like here with you?"
Peyton blinked, "no" she shook her head. She looked away from the window and stared unseeing through the doctors, "I'll sign the papers, for the organ donation too" she blinked again, her face still sore, "when will it happen? I want to be with her" Peyton had been told Jenny was brain dead, that the girl no longer felt pain or was aware of what was happening around her yet Peyton would not abandon her daughter, she would be there with her until the very end.
As it happened, Peyton held the small hand, ignoring those in the room as they turned off the machines one by one without any alarms going off for that was the first thing they turned off. And slowly the small chest that was rising and falling stopped simply stopped.
Even though it was expected Peyton still gasped, her hand squeezing tightly on Jenny's, "I love you, baby girl, I love you so much" Peyton kissed jenny's forehead as her free hand stroked her soft hair, "goodbye, Jenny. Say hi to Daddy for me" Peyton choked, kissing Jenny one last time before letting her head fall, her tears silently falling onto her daughter's pale cheek.
-x-
It isn't what she wanted, if Peyton had her way there would be no funeral. She hadn't contacted anyone about the accident, hadn't picked up her phone in days, nothing had meaning anymore. Standing with other mourners who barely knew Jake and Jenny while her grief was on show was just another nightmare for Peyton.
Yet she stood still, her face expressionless, no more tears left in her and stared out pass the lowering caskets. Unable to face that the bodies of the two people she loved most in the world were in there.
Jake's parents had arranged everything, his mother had even helped dress Peyton for the funeral. They wanted to talk; Peyton didn't want to talk. She wanted to forget. Peyton would do anything to forget her husband's dead eyes looking at her through a blood-soaked face, she would give her soul to forget the feel of Jenny's cold body under her mouth and hands as she fought to bring her daughter back, she would kill to get rid of the sound from her memory of the last air escaping Jenny's body as they pulled the tube from her throat.
Peyton couldn't forget though; it was seared into her so deep there was no getting rid of it. Night after night the memories plagued her.
-x-
Other than the kitchen nothing had changed in the house, their dirty clothes still sat unwashed, the toys Jenny had left out in the living room were still there. Peyton didn't see the mess, instead she saw the last remnants of her family's life.
Jake's parents insisted on helping Peyton yet the grieving mother and widow just wanted to be alone, when they knocked, she did not answer.
Months went by and Peyton no longer cared about going to work, or doing anything. She slept in the spare room downstairs unable to handle the empty queen bed upstairs.
It was harder to ignore the outside world and Catherine Jagielski forced Peyton to make decisions, begging Peyton to let her in. The older mother wanted some thing to remember her son and grand daughter by so Peyton let her choose from their belongings, Catherine packed up a small box of Jake's belonging including his old Ravens jersey, his song book and a photo album. Catherine also picked out one of Jenny's favourite dolls.
Peyton showed Catherine out with a promise she would start on sorting things out. With her in laws help Peyton painstakingly piled up her family's belongings, sorting them into donate and keep piles.
It wasn't just their stuff though, Peyton decided to get rid of the old Peyton's belongings too. They no longer held value; she'd lost what had mattered to her.
With the house boxed up, the for sale sign on, Peyton slipped into the comet and turned the key.
Jake's guitar case was on her backseat, his ring dangling from the chain around her neck. Peyton drove out of Savannah with no plan on what was next.
-x-
The world was a strange place, the ground never seemed to stay in the same place anymore, the sun was too bright and the night was too dark, and all the noise seemed to be funnelled through a tunnel coming from far away.
Her body didn't feel like her own, Peyton wondered sometimes if she was a ghost, because she felt like she was floating most days.
It was summer, Peyton had no idea what had made her come to Tree Hill, she had sat on the bridge for half a day before walking around town. It was an empty experience, her hand only felt even more empty.
One day a she stood against the barrier along the riverwalk, Peyton closed her eyes, tried to remember the last time she was here with Jake. For a moment she could almost hear his voice.
"Peyton!" another voice called bringing Peyton back to the present, she turned, wind blowing her tight blonde curls back.
Brooke changed directions and pushed the stroller towards Peyton, a wide smile on her face showing off her deep dimples, "oh my god, Peyton, why didn't you tell me you were in town!" Brooke practically bounced as she wrapped her old friend into a tight embrace.
"Brooke" Peyton whispered.
"It's been so long!" Brooke added.
It was true that ever since Peyton and Jake's wedding their contact with Tree Hill had slowly faded. Having Jenny full time took up their time, and Brooke was busy with her own family, their phone calls had often been interrupted by the screams of at least one toddler.
"Yeah" Peyton whispered, unable to look at Brooke's dazzling smile Peyton turned her head away and suddenly she found herself looking at the little girl still in the stroller.
Something in Peyton's heart rolled over, her face softened, and her body seemed to move without her brain controlling it. Kneeling on the ground Peyton reached out a hand, "hello"
"Adrienne, say hi to Aunt Peyton"
Blue eyes staring at Peyton, Adrienne Scott gave a small unsure, "hi" before covering her eyes with her hands.
"This is fate!" Brooke exclaimed, Peyton continued to focus on Adrienne as her friend excitedly continued, "Adrienne's birthday is in a few days, you guys have to come. We're having it at the beach, Jenny will love it. I'll send you the details" Brooke pulled out her phone and Peyton felt the vibration of an incoming text.
"I can't believe how big she's gotten" Peyton's voice choked up, her heart twisting as Adrienne looked out from her hands and smiled, "her hair is so long" she added, tugging at a blonde strand.
"The last three years have gone way too fast, but you know all about that. How's Jenny?" Brooke's head tilted to the side as she waited for an answer.
Peyton smile wavered for a moment as she played with Adrienne, not taking her eyes from the little girl Peyton gulped and then put her smile back on, "she's good, great. Just started to write her full name" she moved Adrienne's hand between her own, it felt warm and sticky, "she's so beautiful, Brooke"
"What did you expect" Brooke chuckled.
"She reminds me so much of Jenny… at this age. Kids are so magical and innocent" Peyton's mind started to wander away.
Moving her hand from Peyton's, Adrienne arched her back and stretched, "Mommy, mommy!"
Peyton began to unbuckled the toddler when Brooke bent down and took over, lifting her daughter into her arms, "I know, sweetie, you're tired" Brooke kissed Adrienne's cheek and the toddler placed her head onto her mother's shoulder. Peyton's heart twisted again as she watched the other mother and daughter, it ached, burnt for what she had lost.
"I better get her home" Brooke sent Peyton an apologetic smile, "I hope to see you and Jake there this weekend, bye Peyton"
After Brooke walked off with Adrienne, Peyton stood there for ten minutes until she returned to the comet, her eyes on the car seat still safely strapped in on the comets back seat, the guitar next to it.
-x-
A party needed a gift, Peyton strolled through the store placing items into her basket until it was overflowing. At the beginning she'd only intended on a couple of items though soon Peyton had seen outfit after outfit.
"Jenny would love this" Peyton whispered, her hand going over the purple pyjamas decorated with unicorns.
By the time she was at the counter Peyton had collected two pairs of pyjamas, three pairs of shorts, five different tops and sparkly rainbow sandals, a hat, and frilly little girl underwear.
The next store Peyton walked out with a minnie mouse bag, a couple of children books and two toys. Even as she unpacked it later Peyton thought it excessive so she packed the clothing and toys into the bag and then put only the books into the gift wrap.
-x-
She'd been watching from afar, unable to step from behind the shrugs and sand dunes. The party was still an hour away and Peyton had watched Brooke and Lucas go between the beach house and the party set up on the sand where blue, white and pale gold balloons decorated the area.
It was the deck that held Peyton's attention, where Adrienne sat in a blue beach dress, toys and art supplies scattered around her. The little girl had her blonde hair braided with white bows, and her feet were bare as she quietly played by herself.
Peyton kept watching, moving closer, going to the front of the beach house opposite the others she could hear Brooke and Lucas talking and laughing out on the sand. Quietly Peyton tip toed through the house, her eyes focused soon on the little girl sitting on the deck on the other side of the glass sliding doors.
Brooke's giggle travelled to her and Peyton looked up to see Brooke and Lucas standing together on the beach, their faces so close as they softly spoke to one another. Peyton stepped to the side as she saw Brooke look up, her attention on her daughter before looking back to Lucas.
The couple started to kiss and Peyton quickly stepped closer to the doors.
"Hello"
Adrienne turned her head.
"Hi, Adrienne, do you remember me? I'm Aunt Peyton, I brought you a present" Peyton smiled, walking a bit closer, "I love your birthday dress"
"Thank you, my mommy made it"
"Aren't you lucky" Peyton smiled warmly, "come here, Adrienne, and you can open your present"
Adrienne stood, she looked back at the beach to her parents, and watched as her mother pulled away from the kiss and smiled up at the decking. Brooke did not see the shadow of the woman inside the house, she waved at her daughter before moving back to the decoration instructing Lucas to help her.
When her parents turned their backs Adrienne span on the spot and headed towards Peyton who held out the present, instead of stepping closer to the girl Peyton walked slightly backwards.
Once Adrienne reached Peyton she reached for the present and turned it around in her hands, a grin on her face.
"Actually," Peyton plucked a blonde braid, "I have another present in my car for you, would you like to see it?" as she spoke Peyton continued to walk backwards, "come on, Adrienne, you can be a big girl and help Aunt Peyton with the presents" and in a move of invitation Peyton held out her hand.
For a moment Adrienne stared at the hand and then she smiled, gave a trusting smile and took it, feeling the warm fingers wrap around her own, "otay".
Together Peyton and Adrienne walked the sandy path through the dunes, Peyton talking to Adrienne about how fun her birthday party will be.
In the distance Peyton heard a voice calling a name, Brooke's voice calling for her daughter, and it came again, Peyton quickened her steps, and in a quick move as Adrienne tugged on her hand at the sound of her mother's voice, Peyton scooped the petite child up into her arms, her hand covering her mouth and Peyton started to run.
The comet was parked close by, the trunk open, as Peyton grew nearer something dropped on the ground. Adrienne's blue eyes had grown wide and confused and Peyton's hand loosened as she roughly placed the child into the trunk. The scream that escaped was cut off by the thump of the trunk closing.
Peyton faced away, spotting the glittery wrapping metres away. She retrieved the present quickly and rushed to the driver's seat, jumping over the door, and turning the waiting key. Driving away as the sun grew higher in the sky.
-x-
The house was dark, the light orange as it glowed through the closed curtains, Peyton was numb as she sat on the floor, her back resting on the couch.
It took two days for the crying to stop, and every second of it weighed on Peyton. On the third night with the house pitch black, Peyton opened the closet. The weak night light Peyton had placed in there gave off a blue light, barely enough light to make out the child huddled in the corner wrapped in a blanket. There was a potty in the other corner and empty bottles of water scattered in between.
The weak girl lifted her head slightly, then closed them again, to sleepy to do much more.
Peyton lifted Adrienne up and carried her into the bath she had prepared, undressing the child in the dark and gently washing her. Afterwards Peyton dried her, dressed her in pyjamas and brushed her blonde hair. Then Peyton left Adrienne on the couch, covered the girl, and cleaned up the closet.
The cabin was simple, out of the way, Peyton and Jake used to bring Jenny here during the winter to get away from everything for some quality family time.
When the sun came up, Peyton nudged Adrienne awake, "wake up sweetie, would you like something to eat?"
Peyton held out the plate, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut into four triangles. It was Jenny's favourite.
It was three days since Adrienne had eaten and though she hated the taste the little girl was so hungry she devoured the food presented and took enjoyment from the warm milk that came after. Almost immediately her stomach hurt. It confused Adrienne for the blonde woman now smiled at her, and then she let Adrienne watch cartoons and gave her a doll to play with.
But she kept calling her Jenny.
Hours went by and the woman put another plate of food down, this time bake beans and toast, "eat up, Jenny, and you can have some cookies"
Adrienne ate slowly but her stomach was hurting so she held onto them instead, watching as the blonde woman put a box on the table, "want to play a game with mommy?"
"I want my mommy"
Shaking her heat Peyton sighed gently, "Jenny, I am your mommy"
Adrienne frowned, "you not my mommy!"
Later she regretted not eating the cookies when she had the chance. Adrienne was picked up again and placed back into the closet, this time there was no light and no water.
At one point she woke up in the darkness and felt that water had been placed in the dark closet again, Adrienne quickly drank a bottle, her lips dry, her stomach grumbling.
It was seven days before Adrienne was let out again, the blonde woman smiled, "Hello Jenny, everything is going to be alright, Mommy is here. Are you hungry?"
Adrienne gave a nod.
-x-
The world felt different, lighter somehow, Peyton had a reason again and she walked with confidence as she stepped into the gas station. With a content smile Peyton placed her few purchases on the counter, "Hi Walter"
"Ah, Peyton, haven't seen you in a while. How's the family?"
"Great thanks. Donna doing well?"
"Still fighting, she's a strong one" the older man answered. Walter shook his head and motioned towards the tv playing above his head, "So sad about that little girl that went missing, and on her birthday, her poor parents. You're from Tree Hill, aren't you?"
Peyton nodded, then she looked down and shook her head "I couldn't imagine losing Jenny, I think it would kill me"
Walter suddenly handed Peyton a chocolate bar, "here, give this to your precious little girl"
"Thank you, it was nice seeing you again, Walter"
"You too, Peyton. Take care of that family of yours!" Walter waved goodbye.
Peyton grinned, "I will. Bye" and she walked back out towards the comet.
Once she was seated Peyton turned around and leant over the back of the seat, "look, Jenny, Mommy has a treat for you" and she handed her little blonde girl the chocolate. Sitting back down Peyton lowered her sunglasses and smiled, "Come on, kiddo, the world awaits our next adventure."
-x-