Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my imagination.

Author's Note: This chapter didn't really turn out like I wanted it too... Anyways R/R

His hardened fingers clenched at her frail wrist, burying them deep into her skin, his other hand tugging at her luxurious blonde curls. He pushed her backwards, watching as she stumbled and fell to the ground.

A drunken snicker of disgust.

Her ripped palms attempted to pull her from his cocaine glazed gaze. Another drunken snicker and his shoe connected with her side, releasing a bellowing sob from deep within her.

"Shut up!"

--

The room was overwhelmed with silence. Earsplitting, gut-wrenching silence. The confused brunette struggled with her own lips, begging them to offer some coherent syllables. The broken blonde dared not move, her eyes captivated with the torn skin on her knee. Not even the sudden knocking at the front door broke the pair's trance. "You can't tell anyone about Nathan" the blonde begged. "Please." With a simple nod, the brunette rose from her seat and paced to the door. "Who is it?" her words were met with a strong, masculine voice. "It's Lucas." Stealing a glance at the blondes broken frame, she pulled the door towards her before slipping in the gap and pulling it shut behind her.

A pair of deep blue eyes met her gaze as she looked up. He stumbled on his words, confused by her unwillingness to let him in. "Is…is Peyton here?" he stuttered, completely oblivious to the previous few days events. She nodded in reply, running her tongue along the silken skin of her lips. "Is she okay?" he questioned, concerned by her demeanor. The brunette exhaled deeply, building the courage to speak. "Luke…we need to talk" she whispered, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder and guiding him to the porch steps. They both sat in utter silence, neither wanting to speak next. "What's going on Brooke?" he mumbled. She breathed in deeply, exhaling as slow as she could. "I…I got a call from the hospital at 2 am yesterday morning, asking me to come in as I was listed as Peyton Sawyers emergency contact. Someone found her passed out at the river court and called 911. She was bruised and battered and bleeding." She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the broken expression etching his face. "They had to operate because the internal bleeding was so severe. When the doctor came out to see me…" she took a deep breath. "She was raped," her eyes began to fill. "She was raped and assaulted and…" Silence. "She lost the baby Luke."

He blinked harshly. Baby. Baby. Baby?

"B…baby?" he stuttered, visibly shaking. The brunette frowned, wiping a stray tear from her cheek and nodded her head. "She was waiting till you came back to surprise you…" she bit down on her bottom lip, willing the tears to retreat. "I'm so sorry Luke." Her hand fell on the small of his back, offering comfort. His eyes flickered, unsure of what emotion to portray. Without warning, he leapt to his feet and turned to the door, pushing it open and stepping into the dark and lifeless house. He searched the living room and kitchen vividly with his eyes, before pacing towards her old bedroom. A distorted cough could be heard from behind the bedroom walls. He breathed in deeply, gathering his strength, forcing himself to stay strong. With a gentle push on the door, he entered the room, searching for those wild blonde locks. He found them against the corner wall, their owner curled into a tight ball. She dared not moved, hoping if she remained still enough, he wouldn't notice her.

Her legs were covered in bruises, cuts and bandages, her arms not dissimilar. Her neck held several deep purple bruises and bite marks. Hands bandaged, feet torn. She finally turned to face him. Face blackened, swollen and shredded. Eyes empty.

"I…I'm sor…I'm sorry Luke."