Chapter Six

Lock was in the process of painting her room when Bobby walked down. She reached over and turned down the stereo, then continued to roll the black paint on the wall.

"Hey, ya know this could get done a hell of a lot faster if we helped," he said, picking up a dry roller.

She glanced at him, not stopping with her roller, and looked back to her work. She'd rather paint the first layer herself, she figured she'd take a day on each wall, and see how she felt.

"Bobby, I'd prefer doing this part myself, all right? I'll see how I feel about help later. . ." she muttered.

"All right, Stray," Bobby smiled, putting the roller back down. "You let us know if you need anything."

She nodded, turning the music back up as Bobby went back upstairs. She had finally admitted to her stubborn self that Bobby was in fact growing on her, she had begun feeling almost comfortable with the older man. Something about the blue eyes and his dark brown hair made her feel safe in a way, the gentle tone he used and the fact that he kept his damn distance from her, he didn't push anything.

He asks once, just once. . .No more, no less. . . He tries to get me involved with the family. . .but I'm not quite that comfortable with these guys. . .she thought, humming a little as she painted.

She had a feeling that Evelyn had told the boys about her dark past. Jack kept looking at her with sorrow-filled, hazel eyes and seemed horribly uncomfortable with her at times--as if he shared something in common with the darkness that haunted her. She'd only heard him speak a few times, but immediately loved his deep voice and yearned to hear him sing, secretly of course.

God, we could use him in the band, she thought. Tanner goin' and quitting on us, leaving us one guitar short and one less singer. . .Tan was one of the few who could keep up with me on guitar. . .Wonder if Jackie could manage. . .Cut it out, Lock. . .

She forced her focus on her work, losing herself in the music, and eventually began to sing along. The words of the song fit her life to a T at the moment.

"Standing on the edge, battle in my head,
I'm dying to know, I'm dying to know.
If I take this leap to fail or succeed.
I'm dying to know, I'm dying to know. . .
This is it I'm shaking! My body's aching!
I lose my hold, I will let go. . .
This is it I'm falling! My wings need to grow. . .
I lose my hold, I will let go. . .
There's so many roads, pitfalls filled with doubt,
I'm dying to know, I'm dying to know. . .
Grabbing what I need, grip until it bleeds.
I'm dying to know, I'm dying to know. . .
This is it I'm shaking! My body's aching!
I lose my hold, I will let go. . .
This is it I'm falling! My wings need to grow. . .
I lose my hold, I will let go. . .
If I take this leap, will I be broken?
I'm dying to know. . ."

She let the word fade from her lips and suddenly realized that she was done with one whole wall already. She shrugged and kept painting, she could always use a few days to think of what exactly she wanted to do with her room. Suddenly, she felt watched, the hair on the back of her neck standing on end, and she looked to the door.

Green eyes gazed at her and she jumped a little. She had expected Jackie or Bobby, not Kett. Immediately, she tried to think of ways to fight and escape, they flowed through her terrified mind at warp speed. She cursed herself when she realized her knife wasn't on her, but in the coat, which was on the bed. The man had a strange, hungry look in his eyes, a seductive smile on his lips, and she wanted to call out for Bobby.

"Hi there," Kett purred, licking his lips. "I'm Kett."

"I don't give a flying fuck who you are!" she snapped. "Get out of my room!"

"I'm not in your room, Lock," he grinned, leaning on the door frame. "C'mon, you don't even wanna talk with me?"

"I can't stand to even look at you," she growled. "Why would I want to speak to you?"

Run, Lock! Get out! Call for Bobby. . .

"You know, you're damn adorable when you're angry," he came into the room, pushing the door most of the way shut. "Almost as cute as Jack-o when he's scared. . ."

"Get the hell out of here! Before I kick your ass," she took a step back, making a fatal mistake.

"Oh, and risk gettin' sent back to jail? I don't think so, cutie," he moved closer, forcing her towards the bed.

My jacket. . .my knife's in the pocket. . .if I could just-, her thought was cut short when Kett tackled her to the bed.

The wind was knocked out of her, preventing her from making a single sound, and her wrists were pinned above her head. She whimpered, struggling against the older, stronger man. He laughed and used just one hand to hold her down, the other moving to his belt.

Kill him, Lock! Defend yourself! Your knife is just under you. . .

The green-eyed devil leaned down to kiss her and Lock brought her knee up, hard. She nailed him in the groin, shoving him to the floor, and leapt up, grabbing her jacket. She shrugged into it, hearing him gasp, and tore for the door.

"Fucking bitch!" he seethed from the floor.

She bolted up the stairs, running from him only because she knew she was no match for the older man, and flung the top door open, colliding with Bobby.

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Bobby caught the frantic girl in his arms, almost toppling over from her sheer force, and she immediately fought him. He released her and she spun, fists up, damn near taking a swing on him.

"Whoa! Stray, what the fuck?!" he said, holding up his hands. "What's wrong, kiddo?"

Jack walked into the kitchen, drawn in by the noise, and Lock spun, backing into Bobby. Jack looked at them, scared suddenly, and held up empty hands-showing he was cool. Bobby could feel the girl's whole body trembling as she cowered into him and he carefully put his hands on her arms.

"Stray," he murmured when she jumped and whimpered. "It's Bobby. . ."

"Bobby?" she seemed to slow down a little.

"Yeah, kiddo. What's the matter?" he whispered.

The young teen turned, burying her face in his chest, and clung to him. The action caught him off guard, making him jump, but he gently tried to comfort her. She was crying, starting to tremble again, and he slowly rubbed her back. He was starting to get freaked out, something had really shaken the kid up. She didn't seem like the kind to be easily terrified to this level.

"KETT!" she whimpered, pulling closer to Bobby.

He glared at Jack, who's hazel eyes went wide, and his baby brother shook his head.

"Bobby, I didn't bring him here! I haven't even talked to him since the last time I saw him! I swear to God!" he stammered, backing up. "I wouldn't do that!"

"Jackie, I promise you if you're lyin'-!"

"He's not lying, Bobby. . ." Lock whispered into his chest. "I know he's not. . ."

"Kett's downstairs?" he growled.

The girl nodded, her shakes subsiding, being replaced by anger. She sniffed, turning her head away from the basement door, and hugged Bobby, clinging to her protector.

"Lock," he said carefully. "I want you to go upstairs with Cracker Jack, all right? I'm gonna go downstairs and talk to Kett."

Beat the fuck out of that scumbag is more like it. . .

"Do I have to?" she asked gently, casting a scared look at Jack.

"Angel can go with you, if he will stay once he finds out what's going on that is, and he'll keep big, scary Cracker Jack away from you," he smirked, hearing her laugh a tiny bit.

She reluctantly went with Jack, staring at the hardwood floor, and allowed the teen to put his hand on the small of her back to lead her upstairs. Jack's eyes burned with rage as the youth looked at Bobby and nodded, telling him to do whatever- the kid he claimed to "love" had gone way too far.

Bobby waited until he heard them explain to Angel what was going on, smiling when he heard the man come racing down the stairs. The black face was full of rage as he stormed into the kitchen, he was just as mad as Bobby.

"What the fuck did he do to her?!" Angel snapped.

"That," Bobby clapped him on the back. "Is what me an' you are about to find out, little brother. Come on."

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Jack looked at the scared teen sitting in the corner, huddled to his headboard, and felt his emotions wash over him. Kett had come into their house uninvited, gone downstairs to Lock's room, and did who knew what-well, tried to do- to Lock. The girl wouldn't look at him, instead staring at his acoustic guitar, and bit her lip.

She jumped when he sat down on the foot of the bed, closing her eyes and whimpering. Jack wanted so badly to take the pretty red-head into his arms and scare all the bad guys away, but knew better. He saw her snuggle into his old jacket, smiling when she inhaled the smell of his cologne that he had dabbed on the jacket before giving it to her.

At least that comforts her, even if I can't. . . he thought, reaching out and grabbing his guitar.

He strummed the strings, fiddling with the tuning, and saw silver eyes glance his way. He leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes, and cleared his throat- stealing another quick peek at Lock. She had relaxed a bit, staring at Jack from the corner of her eyes and she looked tired.

God, I hope this works. . .he thought, strumming and beginning to sing in his deep voice.

"Well, she never was the best
Yeah, at following the trends.
Stayed one step above the rest,
And even though it seemed
Like the world was crashing on her
Didn't let it hold her down,
Didn't hold her back, oh no. . .
Don't worry, you'll show them.
There's a fire in your eyes,
And I hope you'll let it burn.
There's a scream in your voice,
And I hope you will be heard.
There's a fire in your eyes,
And I hope you let it burn
Until you're heard, you're heard. . ."

He stole another quick look, smiling at the result, then continued on- her sweet voice joining his, making his heart stop.

"Seventeen is just a test,
Yeah and I would recommend
That you live with no regrets
And even if it seems
Like the world is crashing on you,
You shouldn't let it hold you down. . .
Shouldn't let it hold you back oh no, whoa oh. . .
Don't worry, you'll show them.
There's a fire in your eyes,
And I hope you'll let it burn.
There's a scream in your voice,
And I hope you will be heard.
There's a fire in your eyes,
And I hope you let it burn
Until you're heard, you're heard. . ."

She dropped out of the song here, letting Jack finish on his own, and he put his heart and soul into it. He sang for her.

"Relax girl, turn down the lights.
No one can see you shining.
Relax girl, it'll be all right,
No one can stop you if you try.
Point of rhythm is to follow it in time,
To listen to the beating in your mind,
Remember if you seek, then you shall find
Whoa oh
There's a fire in your eyes,
And I hope you'll let it burn.
There's a scream in your voice,
And I hope you will be heard.
There's a fire in your eyes,
And I hope you let it burn
Until you're heard, you're heard. . .
There's a fire in your eyes,
And I hope you'll let it burn.
There's a scream in your voice,
And I hope you will be heard.
There's a fire in your eyes,
And I hope you let it burn
Until you're heard, you're heard. . .
. . .until you're heard. . ."

Jack opened his eyes and turned to the teen. She had relaxed completely, curling up to his wall a little, and had her eyes closed. She stirred when the guitar stopped, but relaxed again when Jack strummed, a faint smile on her face.

Jack grinned, pleased that his idea had worked, and tried to think of another song, but of course, none came, so he just strummed- making it up as he went along.

"Jackie?" Lock murmured.

"Yeah, Stray?" he whispered, still strumming.

"First finger, E string, second fret," she smiled.

"What?" he asked, already moving his hand like she told him.

"Now strum. It was just the one string that was throwing it all off."

Jack laughed and strummed a few chords, he finally felt as if he had somehow gotten through to her. He had a different connection to her than the other brothers: music.

"Much better," he smiled. "You have a good ear. . .and good taste in music. . ." he trailed off, suddenly going shy.

Man, I can't be crushin' on her! his mind shrieked. It'd be too weird. . .Wouldn't it?

"Jack, do you mind if I ask you somethin'?" the girl asked, sitting up and staring at her hands.

I might. . .

"No, go ahead. Ask away," he put his guitar up.

"How can you be with someone like Kett?" she barely whispered the words, her jaw clenching and hands trembling.

"If you asked me that before today. . ." he murmured. "I would have said because I love him. . .but now. . ."

"What he has with you isn't love, Jack," she looked him in the eyes. "It's control. . .I'm sorry, it's not my place to judge."

The words hit him hard, putting him in a stunned silence. It was what Bobby had been trying to convey, but in a way Jack could understand. He felt Lock get off the bed and watched her walk to the door.

"Wait," he brushed his hand on hers, the simple gesture made her flinch, but she stopped. "Lock. . .would you sit on the roof with me?"

The younger girl backed up, looking at him with cautious, animal eyes. He sat as still as possible, letting her make her judgement, and found that he really needed a cigarette.

"Why the roof?" she breathed.

"Not allowed to smoke inside," he smiled weakly, pulling his pack from his pants.

"Oh," she let out a nervous, relieved snicker. "Sure."

He opened the window, pointing to where she should sit, and let her go first. She crawled out with ease, no hesitation at all, and he guessed this probably wasn't her first time crawling through a window. He grinned to himself and followed.

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Jack lit his cigarette and took a long hit, relishing the feel and taste. He took the ring of his first finger, the one Kett gave him, and glared at it. He thought about throwing it as hard as he could off the roof, but repressed the urge.

"You know," he took another drag, "you're right. What he has isn't love, well not by normal standards. . .but he really thinks it's love that he shows. . ."

"Do you really believe that, Jack?" she stared at the falling snow. "Or is that what he tells you?"

I can't believe I'm talking to someone about this shit. . .the things that swim in my mind as I try to fall asleep. . .Someone's listening and someone cares. . .She fucking understands. . .

"I don't know, Stray. . ." he looked at the ring. "But I do know that he won't be telling me anything ever again. He's fuckin' gone."

What did he try, Lock? He didn't hurt you, did he? Can I trust you? Can I trust me?

"You're actually gonna leave him? And make his stay gone? Not go back to him when he crawls in and begs forgiveness?" she looked at him with dark, ghost, silver eyes.

He blew several smoke rings, thinking as he did. He kept remembering all the sweet stuff Kett would do: holding hands in the movies, buying him the ring, the rides on the Ferris Wheel, sneaking into his room at night to just fall asleep in each other's arms. . .Then he would drink or just go through a change. He never took "No" for an answer during these times.

How many times has he fucked you when you begged him not to, Jack? Ten? Twenty? Thirty?! How many bruises, cracked or broken ribs did he give you when you tried to fight back?

"I won't go back to him," he growled. "Not ever!"

"That's easier said than done, Jackie," she mumbled. "But if you're dead serious. . .I can help. . ."

"You'd really do that? Help me with this?" he looked at her, jaw dropping a little.

"Wouldn't be the first time I've helped someone in your position, Jack," she whispered.

"I- I- appreciate that, Lock. Thank you," he took the last hit and flicked the butt off the edge.

They heard the front door open, people thud across the porch, and then erupt through the screen door. Both of them moved closer to the edge and looked down.

"If you ever come to my house again," Bobby was yelling, shoving Kett. "If you fuck with anyone under this roof, I will personally send you to hell!"

Jack saw Kett glare at Bobby, a dark bruise on his eye and blood on his lips. Angel appeared and cuffed him upside the head, hard.

"That's if Bobby can find anything left of you once I'm done with your dumb, white ass!" Angel snapped, pulling the man close by the front of the shirt.

Jackie shifted nervously, the amount of anger scared him, and Lock looked at him.

"That Kett's ring?" she whispered, nodding to his hand.

"Yeah, why?" he felt sick.

"Do you still want it?"

"Fuck no."

"Give it to me," she smiled. "And watch."

He handed her the ring, tingling when her fingers brushed his, and watched. She rose to her knees, staring hard at Kett, then whistled loudly.

"HEY!" she bellowed. "Up here fuck-face!"

Kett looked up, glaring and smirking when he saw them both. Bobby and Angel looked up too, their faces filling with confusion. Jack felt light headed and sick as the tension grew and made the air thick.

Lock's eyes challenged Kett, Jack thought he heard a low growl coming from her, and she smiled. Her left hand rose, flipping up her middle finger, and she briefly kissed it, still smiling. Then she drew back her right hand, the one with the ring, and whipped the piece of metal as hard as she could.

Jack burst into laughter as the ring caught Kett between the eyes, falling backward and holding his stomach as he giggled. Lock smiled and his brothers laughed loudly from below.

"Get the hell out of here, before I give her a knife to toss at your head," Bobby threatened.

Jack sat up, still holding his aching stomach, and looked at Stray. She looked at him with a serious face, but that quickly broke into the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. He felt his heart leap into his throat as she laughed a little bit, he was awestruck by her.

"There," she giggled. "I think that saves you a troublesome phone call."

"Yeah, it does," he grinned. "Thanks."

"Yo, Stray!" Bobby yelled.

Her smile died and she tensed up, leaning and looking down.

"What?" she called darkly.

"You got one hell of an arm!" he laughed.

That seemed to relax her again and she laughed quietly. He heard Bobby and Angel go back inside, Lock turned to him, biting her lip nervously.

"You guys wanna help me finish my room?" she whispered. "I don't really wanna be down there alone. . ."

"Of course!" he smiled. "Ask and you shall receive."

She smiled shyly, still nibbling her lip, and he just about died. He opened the window, let her in first, then crawled in and locked it.

Weird or not. . .he smirked. I think I may have my first actual girl crush. . . .

Songs I used: The first one that Lock sings is "Lose It" by Atreyu (go figure) and the second one they sing together is "Seventeen Ain't So Sweet" by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus...