Hey guys, I'm so so so sorry I haven't updated when I said I would. Please forgive me. It's been a really hectic week and I've been going through a lot of stuff…not to mention I've had serious writers block. This idea for the story came to me this morning and just started writing and this is what came out. I hope you all like it, but I will say that some of the stuff here is pretty dark, so DON'T READ if you're not into that kinda stuff!

Please read and review, I really need reviews for this chapter; I've been feeling pretty down about myself lately and really need something to go right. (if you're confused by that, and want a better explanation feel free to PM me).

Anyway on with the story…and I still own nothing.

Chapter 8

I can't believe it. I mean I really can't.

Tina's cousin is Zach?

How could he not tell me?

He knew how much I hate her; hell he listened to me complain about her for long enough, and still, he didn't mention that he was the cousin Tina was visiting. I know he probably didn't want to upset me more by bring it up, but did he really expect me not to find out?

"Oh, hey Cam," Tina exclaimed. "What can I do for-"

"Cam?" Zach interrupted coming into sight only to pale at the sight of Tina talking to me.

"I-" he stuttered.

"You know what Zach…don't. Just don't," and with that I stomped down the steps and stalked toward home.

"Cam! Cam!" I heard coming from behind me. "Come on Cam. Wait up, let me explain."

I stopped suddenly and spun around obviously catching Zach by surprise judging by the look on his face.

"What Zach? What? What could you possibly say to explain this; that Tina's your cousin! Were you even going to tell me, or just hope that I would forever remain blissfully ignorant? You knew how I felt about her, and you still failed to mention that she was your cousin; your own flesh and blood! So, no Zach, just go!"

My face was now red from shouting and tears were streaming down my face. Zach just stared for a moment before reaching out to me. "Cam, come on-"

"Don't touch me!" I yelled, causing Zach to start.

My breathing was heavy as I tried to calm myself and walk back home leaving Zach there. Just as I was about to open the door to enter the house Zach shouted, "You know what Cam…I'm done!"

This only caused a whole new onset of emotions to take over as a struggled to open the door and get myself to my bedroom. Eventually when I did I slammed the door and slid down it putting my face in my hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

He's done, I thought.

Done.

One of the only people that I thought really cared about me is gone. I can't say I'm not surprised; everyone always leaves me, one way or another…it was only a matter of time.

Eventually my crying stopped and I was numb. Numb of everything. There was no sadness, no anger no frustration. I could feel nothing, and for the first time I felt truly alone.

Sure I did feel alone when I was with my Dad and when the abuse was at its height, but I always had hope that someday everything would get better; that I would get out from under my Dad and live my own life.

Now, there is no way out. I got away from my Dad and still people leave me. Not only that, but I feel nothing anymore. I need to do something to make myself feel again.

Slowly I get up from my sitting position at the door and walk over to my desk opening the bottom drawer and take out something hidden beneath my books; something that I promised myself I would never use again.

I then walk with the object in hand into my bathroom, closing over the door.

I need to do this, I think as I slowly push up the sleeves of my top and begin making slashing movements across my arms with a razor blade, looking at my tear stained face in the mirror as I do.

My face is ghostly pale and my eyes glassy. The blood begins to seep down my arm as I continue to make the slashing movements. I am so engrossed in my actions that I do not hear the front door open and someone make their way up the stairs and to my door. It's too late to hide it as the person makes their way into my room and pushes open the door to my bathroom only to see me curled up on the floor blood gushing out of my arm.

Abby's POV

I'm really worried about Cam. She always seems so sad, and I can tell that something is really getting to her. I don't think she has ever really dealt with what her Dad did to her and what she had to go through for all those years, and I really do worry that it's only now starting to really affect her.

I did suggest that she went to a therapist when she first moved in with me, I even had one lined up and ready to see her, but she wouldn't hear of it. I didn't want to push her so I let it go, trusting that if she had any problems that she would come to me. But she hasn't, and I can tell that she isn't dealing well.

I thought about all of this as I drove home from work, planning to confront Cam when I got home and urge her to go to therapy. I really do think that it would help.

I pull into the drive at the house switch off the car and climb out grabbing my brief case as I go. I happened to glance over at the Goode's home only to see Zach sitting on the porch steps his head in his hands.

"Zach?" I call out. He doesn't respond.

I then begin to walk over to him calling out his name again as I go.

"Zach?" this time he looks up and I can tell he's been crying.

"Oh, Zach honey, what's wrong?"

He only says one word, "Cam," and I completely understand.

"Wanna talk about it?" I say with concern taking a seat next to him.

"I should have just told her. It's all my fault!"

"Hold up Zach, what's your fault? Start from the beginning."

Zach takes a deep breath before delving into his story about Cam and his cousin, (unbeknownst to her) Tina. His voice wavers at the end where he reveals that he told Cam he was done with her.

"I was just so angry with her for going off on one. She didn't even give me a chance to explain. It's as if she wanted to have a fight."

I realised quickly what this was all about and began to explain it to Zach.

"Zach you have to realise that Cam didn't have the same childhood that you may have had. Her Mum left when she was very young and her Dad abused her for years. Cam wasn't really shown much love or affection until I took her in when her Dad died last year. It has taken me this long to get her to where she is right now, and she still has a long way to go. She hasn't dealt with how her Dad treated her, much less how he's now dead."

I took a breath before saying the last part, "Zach, you're probably the first boy that has actually really cared about her, and she can't understand why. To her, she's still that stupid, selfish girl that her Dad made her believe she was. She doesn't get why you would care about her, and so it seems easier to push you away and fight with you any chance she gets, because it makes her believe that she really is that girl that her Dad said she was."

After finishing my speech I stand up about to walk away when Zach speaks.

"I had no idea," he whispers looking up at me.

"I mean I knew what her Dad had done, but I never realised the effect that would have on her. God I must seem so dumb!

God, I told her I was done with her! She probably hates me. I need to see her," Zach said more forcefully getting up from his stoop.

"Zach, I really don't think that's the best idea. Let me talk to her first, I have some things I need to discuss with her privately and then you two can talk. She has a long road ahead of her and is going to need all the support she can get."

Zach nods his head in understanding, and I turn walking away back to the house.

I open the door and walk up the stairs straight to Cam's bedroom, not even bothering to knock. When I see her bathroom light open and the door open a crack I make my way across the room and push it open, horrified at the sight before me.

I know, I know, another cliffie..but I can't help it.

Remember R&R please!