Have you ever felt so trapped in a situation, and all you could see was darkness? Well, in the dark it is hard to see the hands grabbing for you trying to save you. That is exactly how Sam feels right now. She knows that there is a light, but she cannot see it. And there is this sense of weakness associated with accepting help for it indicates that you were not able to accomplish it alone. Sam just doesn't know at the moment that accepting help does not represent weakness. There is strength in letting others assist you in fighting life's demons, hopefully she will find this out. I know this is a very dark representation of Sam's storyline on the show. However, I feel if one was living the life she was living before Brooke and Haley's intervention, it is going to take a whole lot more time and anguish to overtake the darkness that has encompassed her life for 15 years. I hope you are enjoying my take, please let me know your opinions. Peace.

"You told me to come," her arms were crossed pretending she was angry to be forced to be placed under strict constrictions after school.

"I also told you to be home before ten o'clock on a school night," she immediately wished she had not made that comment, there were more pertinent battles to pick at, this was mundane.

"So this is more lecturing. Sorry, but I got enough of those in school today," she did not make eye contact with Brooke; she appeared completely uninterested, which was her primary goal.

"I am sorry; this is not how I wanted to start," she just did not know how to go about discussing things other than the mundane. She had gotten Sam to her boutique, if she said anything else, she might be going through the same door she had just entered.

"Start what?"

"Our conversation."

"I thought that I was going to do my homework." The instructions had been to come to the boutique as some sort of consequence to her actions. Nothing was ever said about a heart to heart. Sam was pretty sure the pieces of her internal organ were damaged, so whatever Brooke had wanted to accomplish in her little foster child to foster mother chat was not going to work out.

"It can wait," Haley would not be happy with this sentiment. But truthfully, Brooke never cared about her homework, and she survived. Please hold the laughter to yourself, calculus anyone? Surviving adolescence was a whole lot more important than academics. It doesn't matter what the critics say, in the end if you can't survive the life of a teenager, nothing you learned in school would be applicable. You would not longer be living to apply it. So, yeah, homework was going to have to wait.

"Brooke, I am so not in the talking mood right now. And if I wait any longer to do my homework I might pass out," she didn't even have to exaggerate her current state, it was so evident, the pitiable girl looked like she was going to fall asleep as they spoke,

In the end, she had to give the girl what she wanted. The conversation was going to have to be put off even further. Personal lives could not interfere with academics, "You are right, go do your work, we can talk later." She might have spoken it and thought it, but she did not believe it. Homework was a meager element to the day, and yes it was necessary. But in retrospect, it didn't matter. Ultimately though, homework was the excuse that Brooke could use to cover her fear. She was afraid that whatever Sam was battling would consume them both, and that Brooke would not be strong enough to fend it off. She feared that Sam would run. She simply was fearful that she could not make things all right. And if she couldn't do it, then who would? Marcus? Hell no, she only knew three simple facts about this guy, and there was no way she was going to let a senior asshole destroy the faint outline left of Sam's happiness.

"Thanks," she said grabbing her book bag heading towards the backroom, relived it was easier than she had thought. She had expected more banter between the two. But when she looked at Brooke she realized that all she really wanted was to appease Sam. Unfortunately, what Sam really wanted was for Brooke to stop, and just let her go.

"One thing, Sam," she said ending her happily obtained forward progress.

"What is it this time, Brooke?" she knew that her attitude was completely unacceptable, but today had been draining. It just piled on to the last couple of nights with Marcus. It was too much for the young girl to handle, and Brooke seemed the best and only person to take it out on.

"You can talk to me about anything, you know that right?" Her question completely ignored Sam's tone and resentment. Brooke knew all to well the cover-up act, and she knew that no matter how mean or out of line Sam may get, she was not going to falter. Sam deserved someone to stand for her without falling. And even if Sam pretended she didn't care, Brooke cared enough to never make it easy for Sam to walk away with a realization that she was abandoned. Sam would never be abandoned if she was in Brooke's life.

"Sure," she nodded her head, because she did. It just didn't mean she was going to go reveal her whole heart to anyone, even Brooke, especially not Brooke.

"I mean it, Sam. If something is on your mind, or something is going on and you feel trapped. I will listen, I can help you out," she didn't know how deep this sentiment rang for Sam.

No one could help her out of this, not even Brooke. She couldn't do this anymore. She had to break free, she had to let go of Brooke, so she wouldn't hold that responsibility anymore. It wasn't fair to hold on. "I don't need to talk about anything."

"But if you do," no one could say that she didn't try.

"Fine, can I go now?"

"Yeah, you can go now," Brooke just never knew that Sam would take it so literally.

An hour later after finishing up on the work she wanted to complete for the day, she turned to Millicent, "Do you think you can watch things for a little bit, I am going to go get some dinner for Sam for later." She had never been angry with Sam for breaking curfew, just concerned. So now she wanted to showcase how much she cared for her. And if it meant getting a nice dinner, then that is what she was going to do.

She headed to the backroom to inform Sam of her activities, within seconds she ran back out, "Damn it!"

"What is it, Brooke?" Millicent asked perplexed at the situation.

"Sam is gone."

"Gone?"

"Yes, gone. She must have sneaked up through Tric. Damn it. I don't know what I am going to do with this girl," she put a hand to her head in frustration. She had no absolute clue what the next step was. She couldn't even fathom it.

"Should we call the police?" Millicent didn't know what to do either; situations like this did not arise daily at a boutique. However, her job was to assist Brooke in any way possible, and at this moment it seemed more important than most.

"No, Millie. She left on her own, she must have wanted to. I cannot call the police. I just hope she comes home tonight." In actuality she would have loved to call the police, someone might actually be able to locate Sam. And if need be, she would give up Sam, just to make sure that she was safe at all time. She kept running away from her, which had to mean something. What happens if it meant that Brooke was not providing what Sam needed? What happens if Sam did not feel secure in the home she had safeguarded?

"Me too, Brooke. Me too," Millicent put a comforting hand on Brooke's arm. It was only now that she realized Brooke had been shaking. She was completely petrified that something could have happened. And if it did, it was no way Brooke's fault. But Millicent knew Brooke too well, and the blame would always fall on her lap, even if she didn't deserve it. And she didn't deserve it.

She didn't come home, not for dinner, not for curfew. Brooke sat by the door all night looking at the clock; silent tears fell from her eyes. She felt as if she had failed Sam. And she was about to give up on saving a life when the door opened. It was Sam.

Brooke's tears were not silent anymore, the second she saw Sam she engulfed her. Sam didn't stand a chance. She wished she did because she was almost certain that Marcus had broken a rib tonight, but she couldn't let it show. She hadn't planned on coming home – well not her home, Brooke's home – that night but after she got in an argument with Marcus, she didn't know what to do. Tree Hill High School had locked the doors, all doors, and she knew that she had a bed at Brooke's. It would have been better than sleeping on the ground in the cold of night, with a broken rib and a battered soul.

At first she didn't give in, but she wrapped her arms around Brooke. She didn't want to admit it either, but she felt protected, and momentarily out of harm's way. It was a feeling that was completely brand new to her. She was actually saddened when Brooke pulled back, instead she put her hands to Sam's cheeks, "I was so worried about you. Why did you leave?" She wiped some of her tears away, trying to pull it together for Sam.

"I…I." What could she really say? Nothing would merit a proper response. "I am really tired," at least she spoke the truth this time.

Brooke could have said so much at this moment, but more than anything Sam needed to sleep. She put her arm around Sam's waist and led her to her bedroom. Once they got there she gave Sam another small hug and a kiss on the forehead. She pulled back so Sam could hear these words, "I love you, Sam. You don't have to say anything back. I just wanted you to know that," Brooke waited years to hear those three words; she was going to make sure she was not the person denying Sam from words she might have needed more than anything.

Sam was shocked by the words; she just looked at Brooke, slightly nodded her head and watched Brooke slowly walk away. When she was sure Brooke was out of sight, she allowed her own tears to fall to the ground. It was the combination of physical pain and pure happiness that some one admitted to her the one thing she ever wanted. Somebody loved her. She had years of tears built up and the weight of her anguish pulled her to the floor.

Brooke left her hand lingering on the doorknob and heard Sam's tears. The only thing she wanted to do was break down the door and hold Sam until her sobs calmed. But she couldn't, it would not be what Sam wanted. So instead, she crumbled to the ground and allowed her own tears to spill as Sam's did the same on the other side of the door. Though it was only a door that separated them, the distance was eternity-like because no one could reach out and pull up the other from the demise of their lives. If neither broke down the door soon, it might be light-years between them after all.

When Brooke was sure that Sam's tears had ceased she pulled herself up, and made it to her bedroom. It didn't look like tonight would be her night to slumber either. She should be angry with Sam, but not one ounce of her held anger, she was filled with pure sadness. Something was paining the teenager that she had grown to love, and there was nothing that she could do about it, and she was still debating, but this might be her most painful heartbreak to date. There had to be something she could do to ease the pain, she just didn't know the correct approach to that one. At least she let her love be known. If Sam was looking elsewhere for it maybe she would stop running. It would have been nice to know that at a younger age. Brooke had spent 22 years running and not even realizing how close it actually was. If Sam was running from something else, though, Brooke had no earthly clue what to do.

Sam's tears did conclude, but the pain that was built up did not evaporate. It could be due to the lone fact that she was in excruciating pain. It was not something that she would allow to be brought to light. She was strong; she didn't need anyone wiping her tears away. She knew she shouldn't have had them in the first place. She was more like Brooke with each action she took; her fatigue couldn't even allow her eyes to close. All she was thinking about was the words that Brooke had told her, and still she didn't think it was going to be enough. She had what she wanted, but she did not know how to evade what she thought she had elsewhere. If she did then the situation could have gone a lot smoother in transition. So she had a new plan, she had to act indifferent to Brooke; she had to act like she didn't care. Eventually Brooke would push her away if she doesn't break her facade, and then Sam will have an excuse to remain in the life she was living. And sooner or later if Brooke didn't start pushing, she was going to have to take matters into her own hands. Or Marcus was going to take them in his. It was better for all involved if it wasn't let to the latter.

Brooke's alarm clock buzzed at 15 minutes to 7, and she didn't even budge. She had just fallen asleep only hours ago, and even the constant ringing could not break her slumber. She didn't even wake up in time for Sam's breakfast, which was a first, but she was drained, completely drained, so she slept.

Sam hadn't fallen asleep at all, she looked at her clock, and it read 7:15. Brooke didn't even try to wake her up this morning, which actually alarmed her. Maybe her plan might have been working better than she had imagined. Maybe Brooke wanted to hear affection back. Sam had no idea, but she knew that no matter how tired she was, she had to go to school. The consequences outweighed the action entirely. She pulled herself out of bed, and did not even bother to change her outfit from the day before. The effort was more than absent. She gathered her books into her bag, and with one last glance, she headed towards school.

Haley had gotten to school early today, she wanted to see if she could pry any details out of anyone, or maybe even catch Sam with her boyfriend. She got both of her wishes. It turned out that Marcus was not a very intelligent, or a very respectful guy. He was still in sophomore English, and he had been suspended more than ten times throughout his high school career. How did you manage this one, Sam? Haley wondered, even more concerned for her safety in knowing these facts.

When Marcus saw Sam it was as if nothing had happened the night before. He went to grab her waist as he possessively did daily, but he was stopped by Sam's hands as she pulled away. She didn't want to admit the physical pain he had caused her, but she didn't want him touching her making things worst. The former might have been a better idea on her behalf.

He insisted on pulling her closer more forcefully than normal, and she cringed at the instant pain she was experiencing, "This is better." At the very moment Haley had spotted Sam and caught the altercation between the two.

Sam had seen Haley approach them and fear sprung to her eyes, "Marcus," she pleaded as she patted him hoping on some sort of release. It did not work in her favor.

"What is it that you want?" he was angry, and angry was not good. He pulled her around so he could speak to her face. He held her by both shoulders in a tight clutch. "Speak," he demanded slightly shaking her.

Sam didn't get a chance to speak; somebody else tapped him on the shoulder. Sam couldn't even make eye contact with Haley; she could not dare look into those eyes for she could only imagine what they held for her.

"What?" he spun around with enough force to send Sam to the ground.

"Do you still want to ask me that question, Mr. Haywood?" Haley was not even afraid of the six foot giant in front of her. Sam wished she had the same resilience.

"Oh, not really," he was good at feigning it when necessary.

"Oh, so your tempo changes when you are talking to a teacher, but not your girlfriend." Sam wondered how Haley knew this.

Sam remained on the ground, back against the locker, just watching the scene unfold before her. She really wondered what was going to come out of it. All she knew was pain, so that is what she was expecting, she just didn't know if it would be physical or emotional this time. "We were just talking."

"When does talking involve someone being thrown to the ground?" she eyed Sam looking at her, but Sam quickly looked away.

"Oh, she tripped, that is all," he said pulling Sam uncomfortably to her feet.

Haley could not avoid the wince that Sam was trying to hide, "Is that what really happened, Sam?" not believing for a second that was the reason for Sam meeting the ground.

She looked at Marcus' watchful eyes, knowing exactly what she had to say, "Yeah, when you tapped Marcus on the shoulder, it startled him, and I tripped over his foot."

"See, I told you, lady."

"It's Mrs. James Scott."

"Well Mrs. James Scott is there something you wanted to tell me? If not we are going to head to class," placing a possessive hand on Sam once more.

"Actually, I needed to talk to Sam about an assignment she neglected to turn in," Haley knew that Marcus did not know the back-story; she was going to play along with the game that Sam was trying to play. "Is that okay with you, Mr. Haywood?"

"Yeah, sure, go ahead," he let his hand slide, but created a stance which indicated he wasn't leaving the two of them alone.

"It is something that I must do in private; you know teacher/student confidentiality." Marcus didn't know that the assignment was not academic, but specifically pertaining to Sam's well being. And when the aggressor was standing beside them, matters could never be resolved.

"I won't tell anyone," he smirked hoping to create a similar distain that he had evidently already cemented in Sam.

"I didn't think you would. But if anyone found out that I was discussing Sam's work in your presence I could get fired. It is just something I do not want to risk. How about we go to my classroom, Sam? There is still ten minutes before the bell," she stepped in front of Marcus' intimidating stance, and put a gentle arm around Sam's shoulder. She had to hold back her immediate concern when relief resonated through Sam with her genuine touch.

Marcus did not have a chance with Haley, not even a small one. He just watched as Haley pulled Sam down the hall and out of his sight. He was not in all pleased with the situation, but at least for the girls' sake he bought every word.

Sam didn't speak. She couldn't speak. How much had Haley witnessed? Was it over, was it really over? She wasn't going to speak the truth; Haley was just some teacher trying to be a hero. She didn't need a hero; she just needed someone to love her. She just needed Brooke – however, she would never admit this aloud.

Haley closed the door, put a hand to her back, and a hand to her head, and then approached Sam. "Are you okay?" seemed like the first feasible question. It was not her first choice, but it had to be slow steps with the demeanor Sam was giving off, anything else would result in the quickest exit to the door. Marcus was out there, and Haley already felt as if she could not protect Sam from his wrath; she simply could not leave.

"Yeah, I am fine," as if the question had not needed to be addressed.

"Okay, let's try this again, Sam. Are you hurt?" She got closer to Sam in hopes of a slight recognition that she was not going to be fooled, and she was not going to be backing down with untrue statements.

"No, I am not hurt," truth be told she was breaking inside and out; nonetheless, it was not something that she had ever openingly admitted. Pain was to be kept inside, hidden at any and all cost. Oh, and admitting pain was the worst offense you could commit, it placed you on the pedestal of weakness for all to see. Sam believed that no one should have the liberty to see her there, so pain was never shown, because in an essence, it didn't exist.

"I don't believe you."

"Fine, don't believe me then. I said I am fine, and I am fine," she was defiant, and decisive in her statement. Once you say that nothing is wrong, the other person is supposed to accept it as the truth – even if both knew it was not the case. Sam was soon realizing that Haley was not going to be like the other persons in her life. And this could be a problem, if Sam really just wanted to walk away from Tree Hill and its occupants to a life where no one cared about her.

"Okay, Sam, you can tell me how 'fine' you really are, but it is evident you are not. It is so damn obvious. You cringe, you ache, you hurt, and you are not okay in any sense of the word. But if you so believe that you are, let me take you to the doctor's, I just need some confirmation to your so-called truth." She crossed her arms ready for any response Sam was going to give her.

"I don't have to go to the doctor's to prove that," she hated going to this man that was paid by the state to simply check for bruises. He did not care about Sam or if something eternally was injured, he just wanted to see the signs on the outside. And she was sure that even when he saw one too many bruises to be acceptable, he simply ignored it so the process would continue rapidly. There was no way this man wanted to spend more time with this orphaned child.

"Fine, then prove it to me."

"What do you mean?" completely taken aback by Haley's desire to get to the truth.

Haley started to approach her causing Sam to back up until she was right up against the wall. Problem being, Sam didn't see the wall, and when she backed up into it, it hurt. Nothing new though, but it was the first time that someone else could see her pain, and well she couldn't hide it from Haley.

"You don't look fine to me," so close to Sam now that she could see evidence of Sam's lies. The girl was scared, tired, and hurting. What was keeping this girl going? Haley knew that it couldn't be much, and she was fearful that Sam's breaking point was going to be sooner than later, but what happens if it was already too late?

"You ran me into a wall," she spoke as if it was the only possibly reason that pain could be expressed in her eyes.

"At least I didn't throw you to the ground. How often does Marcus do that?" She knew this was an awful approach, but she was hoping something would come out of it. No human is strong enough not to break. As much as Haley did not want to be the cause, she wanted Sam at her breaking point. It was only then that some good could come. To get to the good, sometimes you just have to experience some bad, and in Sam's case it was a lot of bad.

"I tripped," she was being to buy into the lies she was forced to tell. She honestly did not know the truth anymore.

"That is bullshit, Sam. I saw the whole thing. I saw his extensive grasp at your waist; the tight hold he had you against the locker with, and the pain in your eyes as he dropped you to the ground. I saw it, so don't think for a minute I am going to believe your lies." Haley had a desire to help those that could not help themselves, that is why she got into the teaching profession. But this part of the job was incredibly intricate, especially with a girl that she had secretly grown to love. It is the hardest thing in the world to help those you love that does not want help. But sometimes you have to find a way to help them regardless.

Sam was blown away by the harshness in Haley's voice, she had never seen Haley even raise her voice before. It looked like she not only brought out the worst in herself, Sam brought out the worst in the people around her. "I tripped," she repeated, as it was the truth, because to her it was the only truth that was acceptable to the outside world.

"Fine, Sam, just fine. If this is the game you are going to play. I will just see if Brooke wants to play along," she knew throwing the Brooke card into the game was a whole other story.

"No, no. Brooke doesn't have to know," Haley knew exactly where to get her. Admitting she had a problem – in the form of Marcus – would be seen as a weakness. Brooke was not weak in the least; Sam knew that her perceived weakness would be unacceptable.

"Know what, Sam? You just tripped, right?" Haley was damn good at this game.

She was so stuck that she didn't think she could pull herself out now. She stepped out of Haley's current frame, and found herself at her seat. How in the world could she pull herself out of this lie? Maybe Haley would be someone to confide in? She had to say something, or Brooke would be involved. If Brooke became involved, her game plan might be interrupted. And she just wanted it all to end now. The game, the pain, her current lifestyle, she wanted it all to end.

Haley could see that Sam was struggling, and knew that her approach was ready to be taken down several notches. She just did not want to hear anymore of Sam's denial. If she denied then she did not think that a problem was looming. It wasn't looming; it was present. The problem was severe and Sam needed to know the severity of it all. She went over to Sam and sat in front of her; she looked up into Sam's wanting eyes, and grabbed her hand, "What are you afraid of, Sam? What is scaring you so intensely that you cannot even admit that somebody is hurting you? Does Marcus threaten you?" She had to start somewhere in hopes that eventually Sam would reveal her inner truths – the real ones this time.

She shook her head, biting her lip, afraid that something unwanted would slip. Help was not something that she asked for, again a sign of weakness. She has always been able to do it alone; she never had to depend on anyone else. If she couldn't do this herself, then she failed, and failure equated to weakness. Marcus already made her feel weak; admitting her inabilities would permanently label her as a weak individual. It was not something that you could come back from; well this is what she believed.

"Then what is it? Please help me understand. All I can see is that somebody is abusing you, Sam. Somebody is causing you harm, and you are denying any wrongdoing. Please just let me help you," giving her hand a gentle squeeze. Haley didn't want to intimidate Sam into admitting what was happening, but she wanted to reassure Sam that anything she said would be confidential and extremely helpful in repairing the damage already caused.

"No one can help me," she looked down, playing with her bag.

"Have you ever let them try before?" trying to get Sam's eye contact again, worried for the girl this feeling of being stuck.

"I do not need to let anyone try," she had to lie, she couldn't let anyone in, dependency meant weakness, and she didn't need anymore of that. She could never let anyone in.

"If you are not willing to try, then I don't know what to do, Sam? I want to be able to help you, but if you are not going to give an inch, I don't think I can." It was the truth, and she did not want to admit it. It is impossibly hard to help someone who is not willing to give an inch. For sometimes that inch will make all the difference.

"Nothing new."

"Sam, not everyone is going to give up on you," she tried to reassure her, yet Haley truly believed that this concept was already embedded in Sam's head.

"How can I possibly believe that?" she had to bite her lip even harder, she was crossing into new territories, her uncontrollable emotions might spill out into the abyss.

"I know that it is going to be hard, but you just have to trust that there is something better out there. Not all stories end in tragedies," Haley was trying to paint Sam a better ending that she was already imagining.

"Then why is that all we read about in your class?"

Haley had to smile at the child, she was young and it a painful situation, and she could still crack a joke. But this was no ordinary child, she experienced more heartbreak then most will ever face, and Haley had to take that into account. Well not now, the bell rang ending all for the moment.

Sam supposed the bell could really save people. But of course not without Haley's closing remarks, "I do not trust Marcus with you, Sam. It is evident that it does not matter what I believe. So I will let you work on your relationship with him. But I cannot let the bruises I saw slide, and if one more is added to that collection, I am not only going to tell Brooke, but I am calling the police," it was a necessary threat that she did not know that Sam couldn't avoid. "Please remember you can come to me, about anything, anything at all. You can trust me," pleading that this time words might just be enough.

"I will try," it might have been the first time that her words held some truth. All she could do was try, however, she could not guarantee anything.

"I will take it. See you in class later."

"Bye."

That was a lot to deal with in the morning and school hadn't even begun yet. Haley had put her feelers out though and was able to reel something in, but could it possibly be enough? She sure hoped so, if things did not improve soon, they could only get worst from here. And things were already extremely bad; she didn't want to see what worst could bring.