Lucas was on the computer, trying to get some effective research done. He'd searched for whatever came to mind, but it was literally an impossible search when he had no knowledge of the stalker he was investigating. He'd tried searching for Derek Sommers, which had gotten him nowhere close. He had tried searching for articles on psychopaths and stalkers from North Carolina, which was where "Derek" had convinced them he was from, but who knew where he really came from? And every time Lucas made an unsuccessful search, he went back to her website, Peyton's website, and just stared at the black screen of her webcam, where she usually sat and drew. He'd look through her art page and her posts, and it would give him the kick he needed to continue the search for her stalker.

It was all so empty. Her website felt so empty without her there; her last post was over two weeks old. His life felt so empty without her there. Tree Hill felt empty without her there. He looked hopelessly out of the window, where the weather was dark and cold. It didn't help his state of mind.

There was knocking on the bedroom door and Karen's face popped up from behind the door. "Dinner's ready, honey."

"Right," he answered distantly. She walked in, staring at him with a worried expression.

"You're not torturing yourself on Peyton's website again, are you?"

Lucas looked sadly up at her without answering. Karen sighed. "Oh Luke. Please stop doing this to yourself, the only thing you'll get out of it is sadness. The police are doing everything they can, and I don't think you'll get any more out of this than they will."

"No. I can't give up on her, mom, I can't. It's my job to protect her, it's always been, and I failed her. I have to get her back. She has no one else…"

Karen's eyes teared up. "I'm so proud of you," she said. Lucas looked surprised at her. "You're just like Keith… always so caring, and always put other people before yourself. He raised you right…"

Lucas felt a lump in his throat. He didn't feel worthy of these words.

"I'm just… I'm so worried, all the time, and I'm thinking every day that passes, the chances of getting her back grows smaller. I-I can't take it, mom. I'm trying my best to hold it together, but I don't know how much longer I can. I'm not getting anywhere, after weeks and weeks of work, I haven't found out a thing." Lucas started breathing heavily, and tried to hold the tears back. Karen walked over to him with a warm expression, and pulled him into her embrace. "Shhh…" she whispered, stroking his head.

"I don't know what to do, mom…" he mumbled, and the tears started falling. "She needs me. She really needs me and I'm not there. And… ever since she disappeared, it feels like there's been this piece of me missing." This was something he hadn't told anyone. "I-I think I love her… I love her, mom. And I haven't even told her," he whimpered. "What if I don't get to tell her?"

Karen's heart ached for her heartbroken son, and she tried to keep her voice steady. "I know, Lucas. I know. Don't loose hope. We'll get her back."

He sobbed into her arms, finally letting out all the pain and sorrow he was feeling, and Karen cried for Lucas as well, praying and hoping that this wasn't going to ruin him forever.

X

Peyton stared despairingly out the window. The weather was grey and depressing, just like her mood. There was a small garden outside the house, where Derek had placed a bench and a small table. All around the garden and house there was nothing but trees, shutting them in like walls. She wondered if she'd be stuck here forever… she wondered if she'd ever go home again…

Derek was sitting by the dining table, reading the paper, but every now and then, she could feel his eyes piercing into her, staring lustfully. It took every ounce of self-control she had not to shiver in repulsion every time it happened.

"You've taken everything…" she mumbled, her lips quaking.

"What?" Derek said, oblivious to her sorrow. Peyton sighed, and kept herself from letting tears fall. He really had taken everything from her. And she didn't know how much more she could take. The joy she had felt a few days ago from seeing her friends on television had completely vanished. Now it felt more hopeless than ever. Even though they were looking for her, they would never find her. How could they? Derek was too smart, and she was in the middle of nowhere.

"You know… just because you've- you've carved some meaningless words into my s-skin, that still won't make it real…" Peyton said weakly, trying to find courage. As she mentioned it, she could feel the cuts burn in pain.

Derek looked at her. "It is real, and now everyone will know it," he said simply and smiled.

She shook her head weakly in disbelief, and put her head into her palms. She didn't want to be part of his twisted obsession anymore.

"You can't do this forever, Derek," she said with a trembling voice. "You can't keep me here forever… This isn't a life. This is imprisonment, and if you loved me, you wouldn't force me to live like this."

"Oh Peyton, will you stop your whining? You being locked up is only temporary, until I know I can trust you, when you learn to behave. When you learn to love me…"

Peyton looked at him with disgust. "That will never happen. You might as well just give up, because you're wasting your time."

"Yes it will happen, babe. I know you, and I have felt your love ever since the first time I saw you. You've just been confused, distracted… but not anymore. I'm sure it won't be long until you realize what's been there in your heart all along."

"If you only realized how wrong you were…" Peyton said gloomily. "I'm not some plaything for you to do whatever you want with, Derek. I'm a person. If only you could realize that."

He rolled his eyes. "I think I've treated you like a queen most of the time, Peyton. I love you and adore you like one. I make you nice food, I've bought you nice clothes, I do everything! Sometimes you're just really disrespectful, and you give me no choice but to punish you. I don't enjoy it, but it's necessary. Now I don't wanna hear any more of this. Just leave it, okay?" Peyton couldn't understand him. Obviously, the way his mind worked was beyond her comprehending.

He walked over to her, and kissed her gently. It made her want to throw up.

Derek stared deeply into her eyes, his face shining of admiration and worship. "You're so beautiful, Peyton, I'll never stop telling you that. You're like an angel. I can't believe I actually get to be with you, breathe the same air as you. Kiss you. Love you…" He exhaled deeply and dragged his fingers through her beautiful hair. Peyton leaned herself away from him, trying to make distance between them. Derek took hold of her shirt and compassionately pulled it over her stomach, making the newly made marks visible. Peyton looked away in loathing. His hand slowly touched her belly, and she twitched from the agony it brought her. Her whole body stiffened. He placed a soft kiss on top of it, and pulled the shirt back over his proud work.

He stood up and took her hand. "Let's go to the bedroom."

Peyton looked darkly at him, feeling her insides squirm. He pulled her into a standing position, placed his arms around her waist and kissed her on the mouth. Peyton pressed her eyes closed and tried to push him off, but it didn't seem like he even noticed.

As he dragged her into the bedroom, being all over her, she tried not to think about how she couldn't stand his touch, his wet lips… him forcing himself into her.

When he was done, she promised herself that this was the last time. She was going to get out.

She had to get out.