Disclaimer: I do not own.

I woke up in my bed in the dead of night. Fear filled me again and I felt for any kind of clothing. Someone had put me in a tank top and shorts. I relaxed a little before I heard a light snore echo through my room.

It originated from the corner of my desk. Slowly I stood from my bed and snuck over to the desk. When I flipped the desk lamp switch a gentle glow spilled over Derek's serene features.

I jumped back slightly in shock but soon got over it. I pulled the desk chair out and sat down. When he was asleep, Derek didn't seem half bad. There was no my-way-or-the-highway attitude. No taunting glint in his eyes. No constant smirk that said he was one-step ahead of you.

Derek was sitting on my desk leaning up against the wall. He must have fallen asleep while…watching me?

Finally, I pulled myself out of my thoughts and stood up. I was planning on just waking him up and sending him to his room. But I found myself reaching up and gently pushing a bit of hair off his face. Then a smile crossed my face and I lightly shook Derek's arm.

"Hmm…go away." He mumbled and sleepily swatted at my hand.

"Derek." I whispered. "Go to your room."

Slowly his eyes opened and took in his surroundings. "Oh…yeah." Without another word, he stood and left. I sighed and climbed back in bed. As soon as I closed my eyes, the nightmare took over.

I wasn't exactly sure what the nightmare was but I had it almost every night. I was sitting in the dark and a man came out of the shadows. He took my by the throat. Sometimes he would tell me he hated me or that I was worthless.

I could never see his face. It was always blurry of covered by a shadow. I didn't know who that man was or why he was in my dreams. I did however know his eyes. They were so familiar to me. They were mine. We had the same shocking blue eyes. People have told me that my eyes could stop someone dead in their tracks. That my eyes were that powerful. Well that's what his eyes did to me. I just froze and took whatever abuse he wanted to inflict on me.

I wasn't sure what the origin of the dream was or what significance it held. But I did know that the nightmare at one point didn't haunt me.

The next morning I crawled out of bed and headed down the stairs to the kitchen. George was the only person down there.

"Hey. How are you feeling?"

Memories of the day before came rushing back and I felt a little lightheaded.

"Fine. Why didn't you wake me up? It's Friday."

"Derek told us you were passed out yesterday on the bathroom floor so we decided that you needed an extra day of rest."

"Derek found me?" I asked as a blush crept over my cheeks remembering that I was nude when I blacked out.

"Yeah and he put you to bed. Even volunteered to keep an eye on you last night. In fact, we let him stay home too. He must still be asleep."

"Oh…okay. Well I'm gonna go back to bed." That was exactly what I needed. Sleep. As I started up the steps, George called to me.

"Casey! I talked to your English teacher and he said he'd be happy to bring your assignments. He'll be here about three o'clock."

My stomach hit the floor. Suddenly I felt like I was going to throw up again. Without answering him, I ran up the stairs and locked my bedroom door.

"No, no, no…not again." I mumbled to myself and tears started to slip down my face. Sobs soon wracked my whole body and I fell to the floor. "Oh please Lord. No more. Don't let him do it again." I covered my face with my hands and stated shivering. "Help me."

At two-thirty George left to get Lizzie and Edwin from school then he was going to the store. That left Derek and I alone. Both of us kept to our respective rooms.

About half an hour later, Derek knocked on my door and yelled. "I'm going for a while. Tell dad if he comes back before I do!"

I wanted so bad to ask him to stay but he was already down the steps. Just before I heard him open the door, the doorbell rang.

"Hello Mr. Venturi. I'm here to drop off Casey's assignments." Mr. Robinson's voice sent a shock of fear through me.

"Yeah. You can take them to her. Up the stairs first door to the right." Derek left and Mr. Robinson started up the stairs. Quickly I ran over to the door and twisted the lock.

A light knock came just a second later.

"Oh Ms. McDonald." He called. "I have a surprise for you."

I stumbled back and tripped over a pillow that was on the ground. Leaning heavily on my bedpost I pulled myself up again and backed into the far corner.

"I'm a master at unlocking doors." He said and I heard the distinct click of the lock being undone. The door swung open and Mr. Robinson stepped in. "You're looking exceptionably beautiful today." I could already see his erection pulling at his pants. Slowly he walked to me. I tried to make myself as small as possible. I brought my knees to my chest and closed my eyes. "Oh come now. I'm not that scary." He said gently then roughly grabbed me by my arms.

I screamed and held my eyes shut. He lifted me and threw me down on my bed. I screamed again and he slapped me across the face.

Without warning, he entered me. I didn't even notice him remove my clothes but there I was struggling under him completely bare.

"Stop!" I screamed but he continued his merciless act.

When he was done with me, he stood up, got dressed and left without even closing the door. I was just lying on my bed staring at the ceiling wondering f my only use would ever be sex. I wondered if I was so worthless that I was good for nothing more then pleasing men.

I was broken. Mr. Robinson had taken my innocence and ruined it. He destroyed me. I would never be the same girl again.

Derek came home ten minutes after Mr. Robinson left. I heard him stomp up the steps but didn't move to close the door.

"You know something's wrong when you see your stepsibling naked daily."

A blush warmed my cheeks but I didn't do anything except shift my eyes to his. I was expecting him to laugh and walk away. But he just stood there in the doorway. As far as I could tell, he wasn't staring at my body but instead looking straight into my eyes.

"Do you want something Derek?" He didn't answer and walked away. His music started blasting a moment later.

I stood from my bed and pulled my talk top on then a pair of shorts before walking down the hall to Derek's room.

Lightly, I knocked. He didn't answer so I opened it. Derek was sitting at his computer with his back turned to me. I didn't know what I was doing but I slipped quietly into his room and snuck up behind him.

For a moment, I just stared at the back of his head. Tears started to well up in my eyes.

"Derek?" I said softly.

He jumped and spun around in the computer chair. "Wh-?" he started rudely but stopped himself. "Casey? What's wrong?"

I thought I saw a quick flash of concern in his eyes before it was gone again.

"Derek…help me." I gasped and broke down in sobs. He stood up and awkwardly wrapped his arms around me.

"Shh…it's okay."

I threw my arms around his waist and cried into his chest.

"Make him stop!"

"Make who stop what?" he asked gently and rubbed my back.

"Make him stop touching me. Make him stop..." I couldn't even finish my sentence. I broke down again.

"Casey…who is touching you?" Anger wove its way into Derek's voice.

Suddenly I grasped what I had just told him. "Nothing." I sniffled and pushed out of his embrace. "Never mind." Quickly before he could ask anything else, I slipped out of his room.

I heard him following me. Heavy footsteps followed my lightened ones. Without even turning, I shut my bedroom door in his face. He didn't try to open the door and he didn't speak for a few minutes. I sat on my bed and stared at the closed door. Softly his voice drifted through the wood. "Who is he?"

"Go away Derek." I said weakly.

"What did he do?"

"Leave."

"Tell me Casey."

"I hate you."

"I'll kill him."

"Don't."

"How many times did he hurt you?"

I was silent for a moment before answering. "Twice."

"When was the last time?"

Again, I paused contemplating whether to tell him.

"Leave me alone Derek."

I heard him sigh and walk away. He didn't push it any farther.

Review.

I know some of you have read a previous story of mine Caught Up. I haven't exactly been very consistent with that. Nevertheless, I swear this one will be finished. Please just review, tell me what you think, and I'll update as often as I can. I have a lot of inspiration for this.

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