Black Zora: It's been pretty fun, had other ideas as well, but ended up choosing this one after about four tries :') Agreed, David is a possessive thing. Hope you enjoy and thank you for reviewing!

Mrs. Ace Merrill: Thank you! Glad you're loving it and hope you like this one as well. Thank you also for following and favouriting :)

Sierra PoV

I stroke my cheek, the pulsating in it not desiring for one moment to yield as Dwayne had belted me around the face when I protested against the barricade. Marko and Paul had infuriated me further with lurid assessments from their eyes and taunted me with desirable compliments, which of course, incensed me to a new extreme. Until they soared into the air, I never once allowed myself to submit to them. My actions were destabilized slightly by the growing weariness, but I still refused to bow down to them.

My legs quivering a little from the lack of energy required, I meander over to Michael, slumping down onto the ground next to him, particles of dehydrated dirt chasing after the vampires in a sphere, evaporating into nothing after the journey is half completed. That is another component to this night that has utterly bewildered me, they appeared like they didn't know me, like their brains had been cleansed of any memory consisting of my existence. They've known me for three years though, ever since my sister disappeared, so how can they not know me? This is too weird for my liking.

Currently, I would like nothing more than to sleep, to curl up into a foetal position and weep my heart content. That would mean surrendering though, and unless another occasion eccentricity arises which will surely press my limits, I won't allow this to defeat me so easily. I'm not perfect though, at some point it will all have to vent.

Everything has gone from partially serene to extremely hectic within the span of a week. Compared to present affairs, my life nurturing for my brothers and being chained to duties mild when contrasting to these ones, was the most lenient situation a girl could ever implore for. I won't start bundling myself into a heap of misery though, at least not in front of someone. If I were to surrender to weakness, I'd be doing it in the sanctuary of my own privacy.

I click my fingers in front of Michael's dazed face, wondering why he is so calm all of a sudden. Considering he has just been through a hell involving the defiance to his heart, a stranger who from the context doesn't belong here unleashing her somewhat annoyance and stubborn nature onto him, and having a mild revenge inflicted by David due to his own betrayal against my words, he should be far from this abnormally calm state. Then suddenly, realisations dawns onto me, chaperoning me to the reason I was pondering over mere seconds ago.

"Are you alright?" I frantically ask, examining his torso a little, not wanting to lift his top up though as it may invade his privacy.

The damage done would not be as severe as David would usually have imposed, but it was still enough to harm him.

"You looked into his eyes, didn't you?" I sigh, frustrated that he didn't listen to me or take heed in my advice. However, I can comprehend why he disregarded them due to the heat of the conversing. "I'm not expecting you to put up with me for the night either, so don't worry about your mom not liking strangers residing in her home for a while, I'll find my own way back" I watch as he gets up, bemused at what is happening. I also rise from the dirt, wiping it from my knees and behind. Hastily, I smile at him, wishing nothing more than to forget about this whole night. I want to go home; I want to see my brothers, to see a Star and Laddie who can recall my name. That reminds me, why can't they remember me? I've known Star since kindergarten and Laddie since last year, so why can't they remember me? I bite my lower lip, warding off unwanted tears of fragility with the numbing pain. "You need to rest, go home and sleep. I'll see you tomorrow at The Boardwalk. Just make sure you're at the comic store for 9:30 and I'll meet you there. Go home, I'll see you tomorrow"

With a warm smile, I turn on my heel and commence walking away. I need to get my head clear. Subsequent to the commotion, anger and upset, I require some time by myself. I can't think straight. Then, without having the ability to even control it, my bottom lip begins to vibrate as the tears are beginning to invade. I can't let them though, not know when I'm walking away. I'm not doing it for attention; I'd never do something as petty as that for a morsel of attention. I find it stupid.

A snow white note flies down to perch on the curved tip of my black high heels. Curious, I furrow my groomed eyebrows and bend over to pinch it in between my fingers, opening it delicately. The black ink engraved onto it reads: 'Your true father is here, Sierra, and he isn't far away'

From those very words, my sanity and dictation over what I consider a personal enemy liberates itself, tears pouring down my cheeks, a hushed whimper releasing itself as I hasten my stride, not even daring to look behind my shoulder to view Michael, frightened he'll see that I have began crying. I'm scared; more than scared in fact, I'm possessed by terror and perplexity. I persist assuring myself that everything will be fine, that I'll be home soon. Where even is home? If my friends don't even know me, then does that shambolic house where I've resided since I was five even exist? This has to be a dream, but it feels so real. I can respire, the salty waters nearby filling my lungs. It can't be a dream. It's just so surreal. This is just too much. In a place where nobody knows me, nobody knows who Sierra Frog is; it's getting on top of me. Endeavouring to suffocate the sob is difficult, but still, I try. Getting Michael's attention after what he's been through is something I really don't aspire.

Nobody here knows me. I don't even know where I will be sleeping tonight. I am dreading the notion of being acquainted with my brothers alongside everything else. Where am I? Am I in a different world or something? No, that's ridiculous, it's impossible! I crumple the piece of paper in my fist, but maintain clasping down onto it. Where am I going? What am I even doing? I want to go home, but where even is home now? Home is where my family is and the only family I seem to have here is my father who is simply an outsider in my life who abandoned me with nothing. No identity, no recollections - nothing. The tears persist to gorge down my cheeks, not stopping for a single moment. Where am I?

Mike PoV

For moment I watch her looking over me to pinpoint any injuries, it's all I can do. I'm alright and not really hurt, but it sure as hell didn't feel good being locked under Davids boot heel. This Sierra soon ascends to her feet, walking away with a smile on her lips, but I'm sure it isn't there for herself.

"I'm fine" I mutter to myself, continuing to watch her. I kick my bike to life whilst thinking how she didn't need to say anything, I'm going home. That is what I have to do and nothing will change that course. Still, I watch her as I pull my pitch black, half-moon sunglasses from my jacket pocket, the sun's that vivid that it hurts my eyes.

Something about the girl tells me I need to pick her up. It's just the way she walks, like she's lost. Anyway, Santa Carla's a long way to walk, and I'm pretty sure she won't have the ability to walk that far under this scorching ball of fire. I could take her back home, Mom would just have to deal with it.

She's trying to help, I think. Though I don't get one thing: Why on earth a comic shop? That's Sam's thing. Sierra doesn't look like the girl who's into comics. How could comics help my situation in any way possible?

"Hey! It's too far to walk back, I can take you to mine and you can stay for the day with me. My mom will just have to deal with it" I call out as I pull up next to her, slowing the pace to walk the bike. "Hop on" I outstretch my arm, holding my hand out for her to accept the gesture. She's a tough girl, I'd say overly tough, like she's compensating for something, but she also cares. I know for a fact I perceived a sob coming from her direction. There's no doubt I could hear crying whilst nearing her, and I knew instantly it was her.

She might be stubborn, but I'm not going to just let her walk all the way to wherever she has planned to go. As I scan her over, I figure out that she needs more convincing. Yeah, she's definitely a stubborn girl.

"It'll be okay. My mom's not too bad" She isn't, that's sure the truth. My mom is very soft spoken and rarely raises her voice to anyone unless they push her limits overboard.

She'll probably not know what to think about me coming home in the early morning with a strange girl. Oh God, she's going to think I've done something with her. I don't even want to know what my Grandpa will say if he spots us. Still, I can't leave her, even if I am resisting the urge to leave now and go straight home like I was told to, reminding myself I am going home. I just need to be patient and wait a moment so Sierra can decide what she's going to do. It'll be a wise choice for her to come along with me. Either way, I'm going home like that voice in my head echoes.

Sierra PoV

Admittedly, I survey Michael for a moment, not sure whether he is doing this out of kindness or out of pity. I despise any form of sympathy, not liking the attention due to my independence. His hand is inviting, but I'm not sure what to do. If he is doing this just because he feels sorry for me, then I'm not going anywhere with him. However, my instinct is declaring he is doing this out of his own benevolence, and so I entwine my fingers with his as he hoists me onto his grumbling motorbike.

"Thank you" I say in an incredibly soft voice, slight croaks being heard from the stifling tears I now erase hastily to remove the evidence of them ever being there. Despite my attempts, my watery ocean blue eyes continue to release their crystalline residue as I have reached a state far from upset. Is this why I was sent here? Not only to be tortured by no one else knowing me, but to locate the father I desire mightily to set my anger onto for deserting me. I feel like I owe Michael an apology, not to prove that I am a kind person though. "I'm sorry you had to hear that with Star earlier on, and well, for if I possibly came across as a bitch as well. You didn't need that" I smile at him, the arching of my lips wavering slightly with the tears enraging me. I shan't unfetter them though, and not onto Michael since he doesn't deserve any more of my anger. "I'm Sierra by the way"

I stuff the note into my pocket, ensuring it stays firmly tucked inside of it until I can scan it again later on.

"Thanks again" I say, smiling warmly now that I have alleviated myself from the preliminary combination of negative emotions.

Maybe once we arrive to wherever Michael lives, I can escape this mystifying reality. Only those few hours will tell if this is a dream or authenticity.