Really sorry for the long delay but i've been struggling to write this....

MASSIVE THANKS TO: 5t4c3y, RobandBri, Swoosh, Ayrtha21keybladewielder and soapgirl411 for reviewing the last chapter

It had been a week and Chase was now clearly struggling to keep everything together. He was beginning to withdraw more and more, the strain of hiding his secret showing in the dark circles underneath his eyes and the paleness of his skin. All the crew had noticed the change as had Blake, but so far no-one had said anything, all to concerned with upsetting Chase.

The slow-motion way one of them undid his jeans, the rough hands pinning him down, one tying a bandana around his mouth to muffle his screams. The sick sensation in his stomach as he realised what was going to happen, the pain engulfing his body.....

Chase woke up with a start, sweat dripping down his face. His breathing was rapid and he felt sick to his stomach, a wave of nausea washed over him as the memories of that night flooded his mind. His stomach heaved and he quickly realised this was one battle he was going to loose.

Chase only just managed to get to his bathroom before being violently sick, dropping to his knees in front of the toilet. Sweat ran down his back and neck as he stomach heaved again until it was empty. Hot tears pricked his eyes, he was sick of this. Of what he had become, this snivelling scared cry -baby.

Blake had been in the kitchen, drinking hot chocolate in the vain hope it would help him sleep. He wasn't sure what was keeping him awake, but it was annoying him. Walking past Chase's room he heard the quiet sound of someone retching. For a split second Blake thought about going in to see if his brother was ok but quickly decided not too. Although something was obviously bothering his brother, fussing over him especially when unwell was not going to help. He did decided however that in the morning he would find out what was going on, it had gone on long enough.....

Chase waited until his stomach settled before forcing himself up and pouring a glass of water. Taking a few breaths to try and clear his head he walked slowly back to bed on set the glass on the drawers near his bed. Sighing Chase pulled the covers back over him and had a quick glance at the clock which read 2:55.

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The shrill alarm woke him up at 6.30am, Chase woke up suddenly. He groaned as he stretched lying down, grimacing at his protesting muscles and ribs. His stomach still felt a little upset so he decided breakfast was out of the question. He wasn't bothered, he hadn't really been eating much lately anyways.

Sitting up slowly Chase grabbed a towel and headed towards the bathroom to begin his usual ritual, a long hot shower. He sighed and rubbed his eyes wearily, he felt exhausted. He was beginning to get sick of this now, the nightmares, trying to act normal. He'd gone from feeling afraid of his attackers and what had happened to being angry at not just them but himself.

It took him an hour to get dressed for school, 45 minutes of that was just spent in the shower. Since┘.that night, his showers were long and hot but he never felt clean. It was if he was now permanently tainted, damaged goods.

Yawning he pulled his cap on and walked tiredly downstairs and entered the kitchen to grab a bottle of water from the fridge. The house seemed empty, which was no surprise to him, since he managed to convince his parents he was ok and that he hadn't in someway disgraced the family name he had barely spoke to either of them. It was the only thing that was normal right now.

"Chase? We need to talk." Blake's voice travelled from across the kitchen causing Chase to almost jump out of his skin.

"Blake! What the hell?" Chase replied breathlessly, he was extra jumpy these days.

"What is going on with you?" Blake asked seriously, he was determined for this to stop now.

"Nothing why?" Chase lied, his heart thundering hard in his chest. He couldn't know? How would he of find out?

"Chase, please stop lying. You've really changed lately, you're quiet, withdrawn and I hear you shouting in your sleep. You struggle to concentrate in class.." Blake was almost pleading now. He never thought he'd say this but he wanted to see that almost cocky grin his younger brother drove him insane with.

Chase just stared, dumbfounded, and having no idea what to answer. He was torn. Part of him wanted to tell his brother what was going on, he was sick of pretending and lying to everyone. On the other hand however he didn't want people to treat him differently or for them to know. He hoped that if he could convince everyone nothing had happened then maybe eventually he could convince himself.

"Chase?..." Blake prodded,

"I'm just....I'm fine." He stuttered weakly in reply.

"Please, just tell me. Whatever it is Chase... if you don't tell me than tell Andie, stop pushing everyone away or you will loose them all." Blake said, disappointed that he hadn't managed to get through to Chase. Sighing, he turned away and headed towards the door.

"Blake wait." Chase said quietly, deciding that if his brother heard him he would tell all.

Blake stopped and turned around, hoping that his suspicions weren't true but everything added up. Chase couldn't tolerate people touching him, flinching from touch. At first he thought the reason he couldn't dance properly with Andie was caused by pain from his injuries but it seemed to run deeper than that, as if touching her hurt him in other ways too. The chemistry and electricity between the pair had disappeared.

"I uh... I need to tell you something," Chase continued shakily, feeling sick.

Blake nodded and waited patiently, butterflies in his stomach, scared that if he interrupted him in someway then Chase would never tell him.

"The night, at the dragon I was walking back to my car when.....I wasn't just beaten up..... Uh...There were 3.....3 guys and they.... shit..." Chase swore as tears filled his eyes, his was beginning to shake as memories from that night and his nightmares flooded his mind. He hated that his voice shaking but he couldn't help it. It was if everything was had finally got to him.

Seeing his brother begin to crumble momentarily surprised Blake, the last time he saw Chase cry was when he was about 7 years old and he had just fallen of his bike splitting his head open. The scar was still faintly visible now under his blonde hair. Slowly he walked up to him and put a steadying hand on his shoulder.

"Were you.... raped?" Blake asked, trying to make this easier for his brother.

Chase just nodded before dissolving into tears as Blake hugged him tightly, holding his distraught brother upright as Chase gave up fighting and being strong, sobs wracking his body.....

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Andie and the crew sat on their bench outside school waiting for Chase, she'd gotten a ride in from Sophie with all the girls as she stayed over at Kido's last night. She was really worried about him, something was defiantly going on but she had no idea what.

"Andie, are you alright?" Cable asked frowning. He noticed how tense she'd been the last few days.

"Yeah," She smiled, but not managing to fool him.

Cable raised his eyebrows at her, obviously not believing her for a second.

"It's just Chase, something really seems to be bothering him, he's been so shut down lately." She sighed,

"Is it me? Is this his way of showing me it's over?" Tears filled hey eyes as she finally admitted the thoughts she'd been having.

"Trust me it's not that, he's probably just stressing about the fundraiser, you know what he's like ." Cable assured her but not really believing it himself.

It seemed to work though as Andie smiled and began to pull herself together. She reached up and hugged Cable whispering a thanks in his ear.

Cable just shrugged and hugged her back, hoping that whatever was happening with Chase, he finally opened up soon.

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"Chase you don't have to do this, take a day off." Blake told him as Chase strode down the drive-way, the keys to his SUV in his hand.

Turning around sharply Chase replied, "Why? I don't want to, all I want to do is go to school and get back to normal."

"We need to talk more about this, about getting the police involved..." Blake continued.

"I don't want to talk, I don't want the police involved." Chase sighed before walking up to his car and unlocking the door.

"Chase if you do it can give you closure, you can move on. Obviously this whole trying to get back to normal isn't working for you. You don't eat, sleep, smile." Blake pushed.

This made Chase stop fiddling with the keys in his hand, as much as he hated to admit it Blake was right, this wasn't working.

"Can I think about it?" Chase asked finally,

Blake nodded, relived he was finally beginning to make some break-throughs with his infuriating younger brother.

Chase just nodded before climbing into his car...

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Chase was late for school, which meant he missed out on seeing the crew, again. It was only second lesson but the strain of trying to act normal for so long was defiantly catching up with him, as had the problems sleeping and eating.

He sat in English with Mr Drake standing at the front of the class, droning on about something Chase couldn't care less about. Involuntary thoughts of the morning filled his mind. Was Blake right? Could talking to the police give him some closure? He knew he needed to tell Andie, he just couldn't think of a way to tell her.

Suddenly he decided he really didn't need to be here, Blake was right he should have stayed at home. He really couldn't do this anymore. So he pulled his chair out and walked out of the class without an explanation, ignoring Mr Drake shouting after him, and all too aware of Monster, Fly and Smiles who sat eyes wide in disbelief. But he really didn't care anymore....

What do you guys think??