Author's Note: First off, I would like to thank everyone for all their reviews on the first chapter. All those reviews really took me by surprise so, it really inspired me to get the next chapter out even faster. Okay so onto the second chapter... It starts off with a tutoring session between Marcus and Haley, and you'll notice almost from the beginning that he's slightly unhinged. Based on that you might be able to tell where I'm taking his character, and by the time the chapter is over, you will see shades of how dark this story is going to get. but I want to say again..this is NOT about affecting or messing up Nathan&Haley's relationship.. Now that they are stronger than ever.. I wanted to test that strength by putting them in a situation where they have to work TOGETHER in order to survive, literally. Anyway, I think comedy is a really really important element in writing of any kind... so too offset the true seriousness of this story, you will see comedy come into play, starting with this chapter especially. Peyton and Brooke come into play during this chapter as well. I just hope that this whole story sounds as good in fanfiction form as it does in my head. Remember feedback is very important to me and to this story, but all I ask is to be gentle. Enjoy.
Chapter 2- A Trail Of Whispers
At the Tutoring Center
"Oh hey, I was beginning to think you were going to be a no show," Haley said. "Again", She joked with a half smile.
Marcus breezed into the room and sat down across from Haley. He took his messenger bag that was across his shoulder and put it down on the table. He looked up toward Haley and then his eyes darted to behind Haley's head for a second and then back to her. "W-What? Oh yeah", He shook his head in realization. "I'm really sorry about that Haley", Marcus said lightly as he opened his bag and grabbed some books out of there.
"That's okay", Haley told him. She had really wanted to find out what he had gotten on his history paper that she had helped him on. "So I've-
"Things have been...s-so crazy", Marcus said cutting her off, staring at his book. His eyes shot up at her. "Lately..with me... at home, I mean."
"Well, is everything okay Marcus?" Haley asked him, concerned. He seemed so...jumpy. So on edge... He was clearly upset about something. That's why she was hoping Nathan would talk to him. Not just because he missed their last tutoring session, but because he had been acting strange and distant for a while now.
Marcus cleared his throat. "To be honest, and I-I think I can be honest with you Haley-
"Of course you can. We're friends Marcus. Me, Nathan and Lucas are your friends. You know that If something's bothering you-
"No. It's not about them."
Haley narrowed her eyes at him, bewildered. He was tapping his pencil back and forth. Back and forth.
"What I meant was, that I know that you guys are my friends. Of course I do Haley", Marcus mumbled with a nervous laugh.
"Good. I'm glad", Haley said with a small grin."As long as you're doing okay".
Marcus focused his eyes on Haley. "I'm fine. Honestly Haley. I'm just... tired and I haven't been getting much sleep lately. And ...truthfully..it's partly my Dad too."
Haley looked at him, making sure he knew that she was his friend, and that she was listening.
"See, my Mom died when I was younger and I...he as never been the same since. He drinks a lot. All the time actually. And... he's been more than I can handle."
"I'm sorry. That's a rough situation. I can't say I know exactly how it would feel to lose someone that close to you like a parent, but I know how it felt when Nathan jumped off that bridge that day...kinda like my whole world was gone in an instant".
"Yeah", Marcus said, his eyes lingering at her, then to the side of her..and then back to her face. "That must have been hard for you. I'm sorry you had to go through that, Haley."
"Thanks", Haley told him. Something else had crossed her mind right then. She would love nothing more to bury this, but it was something she could never forget no matter how many times she tried to put it out of her mind. "And like the day of the school shooting." That day was forever burned into her mind.
Marcus's eyes widened. "Shut up".
Haley was taken by surprise. "Excuse me?"
Marcus frowned. "I-I'm sorry Haley. I didn't mean", He started. He put his head down, then back up again. "As much as that day..changed my life ...for the better. It's just a little hard to re live sometimes, you know?"
"Oh. Well, I know what you mean. I'll never forget that day", Haley said getting lost in thought. "When I first heard the shots.. I hit the wall, and you know the first thing I could think of?.. What if I never see Nathan again? Then when Nathan found me .. found us, I knew. Somehow, I knew that I'd be safe.. be okay... as long as he was with me."
Marcus was silent. He must have just been listening to her..letting her talk.
"I don't mean to keep rambling on, but gosh...I'm not going to lie...we've certainty had our rough spots, but how could I have been so lucky to have found someone like Nathan? Especially at such an early stage in my life", Haley said to Marcus. The picture of herself and Nathan when they were in bed earlier this morning flashed into her head. Suddenly she couldn't help but smile like a idiot. She wished she could be with him
now. As much as she loved tutoring, there was nothing like being with her husband. She was damn lucky, and she would never...ever... forget that.
"Well, that's easy. B-Because you're different. You're very special, Haley", Marcus blurted, staring intently at her.
Haley appreciated the compliment, but for some reason, she just felt incredibly awkward. There was just something about the way he said it... She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Never mind, she told herself. She decided to just brush it off. "Thanks. Gosh, Isn't it so amazing how one person can be your whole world, and without them, you'd just completely fall apart?... So.. what about you? Do you have that?"
Marcus started to bang his pen back and forth again. He stopped. "What? No. Actually...Yeah... I guess I do", he said swiftly .
"Really? Oooo.. So who's the lucky girl, and how could I haven't seen her around?"
Marcus blinked. "I-It's no one."
"What? Oh come on now.. don't be shy on my account. You should bring her around. You know what would be fun? We could all go on a double date-
"I-I can't", Marcus mouthed abruptly. He started shoving his books into his bag and put the pencil in his pocket.
"Where are you going?" Haley asked, confused. "We didn't even start-
Marcus sighed. "I'm sorry Haley. I just...I gotta-
"Hey guys, what's up?"Lucas's voice cut into the conversation. He stood right above them, wearing his Scott Motor's grey sweatshirt, backpack over his right shoulder, left hand in his pocket of the hoodie.
Haley smiled. Lucas looked better then when she had seem him last, and that made her happy. She hated seeing her oldest and dearest friend in so much pain. Maybe Nathan had perked him up when he had gone to visit him before school. "Hey Luke. Marcus here was just leaving, before we even started our session".
Lucas looked at Marcus, eye brow raised. "You cuttin out on Haley? That's not cool man. You don't want to get on this girl's bad side. Trust me .. been there. It's not pretty", Lucas teased.
Haley playfully hit Lucas. "Oh, your definitely feeling better I see", she said with a laugh.
Marcus laughed along with them. "Well, I'll make it up to you Haley, I promise." He stood up. "But I do gotta go. I-I realized I forget something at home. I'll catch you guys later".
Lucas put his hand on his shoulder. "Wait up man. I wanted to ask you something."
Marcus stopped, shifting his bag to his other shoulder."What's up?"
Lucas looked at Haley and then back at Marcus. "Uh, well actually, I'm doing a article for the school newspaper, and I was wondering if I could get a few words from you later".
Marcus shook his head. "Yeah, no problem Luke".
"Thanks man. It's about the school shooting. It's basically a follow up story to see how everyone is-
"T-The school shooting? I-I thought that you cover sports", Marcus cut in.
"Well, I decided to branch out a little I guess", Lucas told him with a small smile. "So, you're still cool about this right?"
Marcus was looking at the doorway. His fingers were extended, tapping them on the side of his upper leg. He looked back at Lucas for a second. "Y-Yeah. We'll meet up later, okay?" Marcus inched toward the door.
"Okay, see you later man", Lucas said as he sat down by Haley.
"Bye", Haley added, turning her head.
'Marcus flashed Haley a half smile and then headed out the door.
"Geez, he seemed upset about something. What's up with him?" Lucas asked Haley when Marcus no longer in sight.
Haley tucked her hair behind her ears. "Well, I guess it's his father."
"Really? Is that what he told you?" Lucas questioned.
"Yeah. Why?"
Lucas looked down. "Ah, no reason. I don't know. He just seems kind off lately I guess. Don't you think?" Lucas eyed her suspiciously.
Haley breathed a sigh of relief. "Good... you noticed to."
"What?" Lucas asked as he went into his backpack and brought out a bottle of water.
"Well, I didn't want to have to say anything, mostly because he's our friend, and it would only freak out Nathan... but I don't' know Luke. There's just something different about him. It's not even the fact that he keeps blowing off our tutoring sessions either. It's-
"Wait, Marcus didn't do or say anything to hurt you, right?" Lucas said, alarm in his voice and eyes.
"No, No. Nothing like that".
Lucas closed his eyes in relief for a second and then opened them. "Thank God", he mouthed. He cleared his throat. "So, he said something about his father?"
"Yeah. I guess his Mom died when he was younger and his father started drinking, and it's been taking a toll on him lately".
"Really? Hmm, I guess that would explain his behavior I suppose", Lucas said in a whisper, mostly like he was thinking out loud.
Haley leaned in closer. "I wasn't sure I was going to ask you this with everything you've been going through..., but just promise me that what I'm about to say will stay between us...at least for the time being."
Lucas's eyes widened. "What is it, Hales?" He demanded.
"Just promise me, okay?"
"Alright. Pinkie swear. What is it?" Lucas said as he took a swig of water.
"You're already asking Marcus some questions for your school shooting article, so you're one step ahead of me already", Haley blurted out quickly. "But maybe... you can dig a little deeper while you're at it."
Lucas spit out his water. "What? You want me to do what?" He started to cough... loudly.
"I know this sounds crazy Luke, but just hear me out. With everything that's happened: the school shooting, the bridge accident..I can't take anymore surprises. And now Marcus.. he's been making me feel...very uncomfortable lately. I'm not trying to sound like a scared little baby, and you know I'm not one, but I'm not going to lie. He makes me feel very uneasy and... there's something not right about him. I saw it today. I saw it many times before. Maybe it's just this thing with his father. Maybe it's more than that. I don't know. But I need to find out. I need you to find for me."
"Haley, listen to me", Lucas started, looking at her dead in the eyes. "You should to go to Nathan. Trust me on this."
Haley shook her head. "No. If I went to Nathan about this, it would only freak him out, and I can't do that. I can't, okay? Not with how great things are between us. I can't mess up everything we worked so hard to build back up. This isn't about keeping secrets. Or lying. Or anything like that. It's about protecting our marriage. I won't let anything come between it again. I...just want us to be happy for once. We deserve that much."
Lucas let out a heavy sigh. "I understand Hales. I really do. But I still think that you should talk to-
Haley grabbed his hand firmly. "No, Luke! Help me, please? For me and Nathan's sake."
Lucas looked at her for a moment, and then sat back in his chair. He looked around the room and then back at her. "You know I'll do anything to help you and Nathan."
A smile washed over Haley's entire face. It had felt like this huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. "Thank you Luke. Thank you for doing this for me."
"Anytime", Lucas said. "I'm a regular detective now. Just call me Private eye Scott from now on", he winked.
In the School Hallway, a couple hours later
"Luke!" Nathan called out to Lucas in the hallway. Wearing a black polo shirt, backpack on his back, he ran to meet up by his side.
"Hey, what's up?" Lucas asked him.
"Nothing, I just wanted to see how "you know what" was going?" Nathan said, trying to keep his voice down. He knew it had only been a couple hours since he asked Lucas to look into Marcus for him, but he had told him he was going to drop by the tutor center when Marcus and Haley's session was going on.
"What? Oh that. Very sly, Nate", Lucas lightly laughed.
"Yeah, I try. Anyway, anything yet?"
Lucas looked behind him, and then to the side of him to make sure no one was listening. "Well I talked to Haley earlier, and she told me that Marcus is having some trouble with his Dad since his Mom died."
"So you think that's the reason why I've been sensing something off about him?" Nathan questioned. Nathan desperately wanted to be wrong about all his concerns. As much as this could be the answer...he had to be sure. No, there's got to be more to it than that, Nathan told himself.
"I don't know man. It could be. I mean Marcus is my friend, but he's always been on the quiet side. I don't know much about his private life."
"Well, guess what? You're about to", Nathan told him.
Lucas chuckled. "Right. I'll keep checking him out for you...but Nate I got to tell you, maybe you should go to Haley anyway, and tell her what's going on. You really should".
No. The less she knew about this, the better. He didn't want to freak Haley out for no reason. "No, Luke. Haley doesn't find out unless there's something to find out. I don't want to freak her out. I can't let that happen. Besides, it's not about keeping secrets. Or lying. Or anything like that. It's about protec-
"Protecting your marriage. I know", Lucas cut in with a smirk on his face. "You guys are like two peas in a pod", he added under his breath.
"What was that?" Nathan asked him.
"Nothing", Lucas mouthed quickly.
Nathan then noticed Haley walking down the hallway. He had seen her at the apartment before she left, but seeing her again, even for a moment, made his heart race. She was wearing a skirt that hit right about the knees, and a purple top that showed off her elegant shoulders. Her hair, bouncing curls right about her shoulders, made him want to ..well nothing they could do in school.. well technically...they could, he smiled to himself.
"Hey handsome", Nathan heard Haley as she came up to him. She aligned herself in the middle between himself and Lucas.
Haley grabbed Nathan's hand, as he leaned down and brushed his lips softly up against hers. She had peach flavored lip gloss on. Everything about her tasted good.
"Hales", Lucas said.
"Have I said how much I love your new hair?" Nathan told her, gently lifting his free hand to run his hands though it.
Haley beamed. "Only about a hundred times.. One of them being in bed this morning, which never gets old by the way."
"Oh, I don't want to hear that!" Lucas joked, pretending to cover his ears.
"Oh please! How many times was I subjected to seeing you and Brooke making out on the couch?" Haley teased.
Lucas's smile faded.
Haley grabbed his arm. "I'm such an idiot Luke. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to mention-
"No, It's fine Haley. You don't have censor yourself around me. You and Brooke are still friends."
"Well, It's not like you would know. A lot like Peyton, I never see her around much anymore."
"Because of me", Lucas said, trying to hide the sadness in his voice.
Just then, Nathan saw Marcus walking toward them in the hallway.
Nathan cleared his throat his try and get Lucas's attention.
Haley tapped Lucas's side to get his attention.
"What?" Lucas asked.
"Nothing", Nathan and Haley said in unison. .
Lucas let out a laugh as he saw Marcus heading toward them. "Oh look, there's Marcus. Maybe I should go say hi", he told them.
Nathan and Haley let go of each other's hands.
"Good idea", Nathan said with a wink.
"That's a great idea", Haley said right after him with a wink.
Lucas looked like he was trying to hide a smirk. "Alright then. I'll see you two at lunch".
Nathan made sure Haley wasn't paying attention and whispered by Lucas's right ear. "Alright, Showtime man, Get something good", he slapped his shoulder.
"I'm on it", Lucas said wink.
Haley made sure Nathan wasn't paying attention as she leaned toward Lucas's left ear. "Showtime, Luke. Just find out ..something, for me...okay?"
"You got it", Lucas said with a wink.
Lucas saw Nathan and Haley waving to Marcus hand to hand as they walked up to the hallway. My god, he had never seen two people more in love with each other in his life. Two people who would do anything in order to protect each other. And they had both turned to him. As horrible as he was feeling about the situation with Brooke, knowing that his brother and sister-in-law trusted him more than anyone in the world, filled him with this sense of hope.
Now, there was Marcus.
"Hey man", Lucas said to him.
He was Marcus's friend, but he was going to find out about him. All there was to know. Now matter how farfetched and extreme this whole thing seemed... He would do it..for his family.
That afternoon at lunch outside by the umbrella tables
Lucas was sitting at one of the tables outside, listening to his ipod, sipping some of his water. He felt a hand on his back, and he nearly jumped out of his skin.
It was Haley.
"Haley, you scared the crap out of me", Lucas told her, with a slight laugh.
"Sorry", She said as she sat down next to him, placing her backpack on the table beside her. "So?"
Lucas turned to her. "So?" He couldn't help but break into a grin. He knew what she was hinting toward.
"Lucas, don't toy with me. You talked to Marcus earlier, right?" Haley questioned him as she started to sip on a juice box.
"Yeah. I did."
"And?"
"Hales, you expect me to like solve this thing in... like a less than a day?"
"Oh right. Sorry. I guess I just didn't want to have to worry about this anymore. But it all behind me. Like I was all worried for nothing", Haley told him with a pout.
"It's alright Hales. And I did talk to Marcus. We're going to get tomorrow after school to talk about the article. Maybe when I'm at his house, I can find out something. Maybe it's just his dad. It probably is. I guarantee that you and Nathan, I mean you ...are worried for nothing. It's going to be fine".
Haley frowned. "I wish I could be so sure. Ever since the day of the shooting..and the bridge accident.. I can never to be sure about anything."
"Hey", Nathan then shouted from right behind him.
Haley nervously fixed her hair and looked up at Nathan with a smile. "There's my favorite guy". Nathan grinned as he kissed the top of Haley's forehead.
"Hey", Lucas groaned.
"You're my second favorite guy, don't worry", Haley hit him playfully.
"I guess I could live with that", Lucas told her, while looking up at Nathan.
"Hey man", Lucas eyed Nathan.
"Hey", Nathan said as he sat next to Lucas.
"So?" Nathan whispered to Lucas, eyebrow raised.
"So?" Lucas said playing along. He knew what Nathan wanted out of him. The same thing that Haley wanted. If only they knew they had gone to him for the same thing, it would make things a whole lot simpler.
"Don't play games Luke", Nathan mouthed.
"Okay. I'm meeting Marcus at his house tomorrow", Lucas told him as quietly as he could.
Nathan shook his head. "Good. Fill me in tomorrow then", he said silently.
"So, what are my two favorite guys talking about?"
"Sports", Lucas and Nathan blurted together.
"Okay then", Haley laughed.
Lucas then noticed out of the corner of his eye, Peyton walking. She had jeans on and this bright blue top that lit up her whole face, but the best thing about her was missing: no smile. She seemed sad inside, and Lucas... hated seeing Peyton like that. More than he had liked to admit to himself. For some reason, Peyton had distanced herself from everyone, including him, and that just didn't sit right with him anymore. Peyton was about to pass by their table, but Lucas couldn't let her walk by without saying something. He was her friend. She didn't have to be alone.
"Peyton", Lucas called out to her. "Don't be a stranger. Come join us".
Peyton stopped in her tracks. "I-I really shouldn't", she said hesitantly.
"Sit your skinny ass butt on that seat. You're having lunch with us today", Haley told her firmly.
"Well, Uh...I guess I can't say no after that", Peyton mumbled nervously. She slowly sat down next to Lucas. He noticed that her cheeks were flushed. She was trying not to look him in the eye.
"How are you Peyton?"Lucas asked her, reaching his hand out to touch hers.
Peyton instantly pulled her hand away. There was an awkward moment of silence. Lucas could never quite understand why Peyton was giving him the cold shoulder. Ever since the day of the wedding. It didn't make any sense. Their friendship had seemed so solid earlier in the year. "Um, fine as I can be. You know me." She then looked at him in the eyes for the first time. Her face softened. There was some life in her left after all. "How you are Luke?"
"I've been better, actually", Lucas's voice trailed off.
"Right", She shook her head. "Brooke. I heard. I'm really sorry", She told him with a compassionate smile.
"Thanks", Lucas smiled back.
"Oh look, it's my ex-boyfriend, having lunch with my ex-bestest friend and their two best friends, like one big happy family", Brooke's voice rang loud into the air.
Haley, Nathan, Lucas and Peyton all looked up and saw Brooke hoovering right above their table, a smug look on her face. Everyone else who was outside having lunch all turned their heads.
"Brooke, don't do this, okay?" Peyton spoke out.
"Oh, but I really do want to. Ex best friends don't really get an opinion in my book. At least one that really matters". Brooke said bitterly.
Peyton stood up from her seat. "You know what then? You can just leave! And stop embarrassing yourself. Besides, you've done that to Lucas enough".
Peyton defending him like that..warmed his heart. But he continued to stare straight ahead of him. He couldn't even bring himself to look at Brooke for another minute.
Brooke glared at Peyton for a moment, saying nothing, but the look of hatred was smeared all over her face. "Well, boy... how I miss hanging out with the gang here. Oh wait. Not", Brooke said mockingly. "No offense Haley. Or Nathan I suppose." Haley gave Brooke a confused and hurt look.
"Brooke, maybe you should just go", Nathan told her, holding onto Haley's hand.
"See you two actually didn't betray me", Brooke spat out, pretending she didn't hear Nathan's comment. She glared at Lucas and Peyton and then walked back into the school.
Seconds later, back in the school hallway.
"That bitch!"Brooke cried out, hot tears steaming down her cheeks, making her mascara run down her face. She could hear her heels of her sandals click on the floor as she ran for the bathroom.
Over a few feet, in the left corner of the hallway, there was Marcus heading to lunch. He stopped several feet ahead of his friends table on the side, where no one could see him. He could see Haley's bright smile and Nathan's arm wrapped around her on one side, and Lucas and Peyton were talking closely on the other side. He picked up his feet to head over there, but he hesitated. His eyes fixated on Haley one more time, and the sun seemed to frame her face just right. Too bad Scott had his hands all over her, Marcus told himself.
"See, you're not welcome there. Do you think they even notice you're gone?" Marcus heard a voice say behind him.
"That's not true. Their my friends", Marcus said firmly, staring at them.
"My My My... Marcus. You have so much to learn, and I'm going to teach you."
"And what If I choose not to listen to you. What then?" Marcus spat.
"You don't have a choice."
"But I do. I-I don't want to hurt anyone", Marcus said weakly.
"This isn't about hurting anyone Marcus. Sometimes, you have to do extreme things to get extreme results. This is about making things right. Picking up where I left off. Finishing my work."
Marcus turned his head to the side. "I know Jimmy. I know."
"Good", Jimmy said, putting his hands in the pockets of his red hoodie.
"But I know you're really not him. You're not really. Y-You killed yourself. You're dead. You're NOT really here", Marcus said, staring at the table where his friends were sitting at again.
"Oh yeah, it's true. I am as dead a doornail. But..I am as much as real as you are..or say Haley over there", Jimmy said, up in his face... standing inches away from him.
"And...she.. ...they...",Marcus wiped the sweat from his forehead. "They can't find out about you."
"No, they can't. You can't let that happen. They wouldn't understand. Their different than you Marcus", Jimmy uttered. "Besides, you know I can't rest until you finish what has to be done. I'm counting on you. I need to rest."
"But If they did.. NO.. I can't let it get that far. Besides, the only person who could possibly understand would be Haley-
"Hmm, who's too busy making out with Scott over there to even notice you exist!"
"But she understands me, you know? She would get it. We talk.. We connect.. we.. I just know if I told her about you.. she would be there for me."
"Yeah and then send you to the loony bin! Wake up Marcus! Haley doesn't care about you. She only has eyes for Scott! Take the love blinders off and focus. I'm beginning to think she's too much of a distraction for you", Jimmy said, shaking his head in disappointment.
"No, she's not, I swear".
"You know how I need to rest. Don't be selfish, Marcus".
Marcus sighed. "I know. I'm sorry Jimmy."
"She could get in the way. Ruin all our plans. Stop you. You can't let her Marcus!" Jimmy cried out, pleading him.
"I know!" Marcus put his hands over his face. He didn't know what to do. He was ten seconds away from completely shutting down. "Just... go away! Go..freaking haunt somebody else!"
"Now now, I know you didn't mean that. You're just losing your cool. That's understandable Marcus",Jimmy said, trying to calm him down.
"You're right", Marcus said opening his eyes again, wiping more sweat off his face. "I want to help you. I-I want to help you rest. And don't worry about Haley. She won't be a distraction, much longer."
Marcus ran his fingers through his hair as he eyed the table where his friends sat one more time. He took a deep breath. Haley was laying her head on Nathan's shoulder, as Lucas and Peyton were laughing with each other. Marcus then, walked out of the shadows and headed over there.