ELEVEN

"I had enough, I had enough, I had enough of your hold / How everything you say to me, I keep it too close / I've had it up to here, I think it's time that you leave / What did I sip, what did I sip, what did I sip on your cup? / Stayed inside my system for a couple of months / But now I'm on this hell ting, I'll make sure that I'm clean / I hate it when, I hate it when, I hate it when I begin / To reminisce about everything that has been / As if you're in my brain and you're refusing to leave me / I'll give you hell, I'll give you hell, I'll give you hell, I can see / Reciprocate your demons, that will not let me leave / And you can drink it down and you can pour it for me." -RAYE

-x-

"You can either sink, swim or be the captain / Get the last word I'ma get the last laugh in /Now they say "Jidenna why you dressing so classic?" / I don't want my best dressed day in a casket / You can either lead, follow or get out the way / Make a fuckin' move it would make my fuckin' day / Got a 100 year plan you jus' think about today / Always been about time more than been about pay." -JIDENNA

BREAKING NEWS

Sixteen year old local native, Korinna Rokos has been reported found. Rokos has been reported missing for almost three weeks now by her therapists, Viola Davis and James Williams; who have been working at Edge Heart Grove for over six years. Rokos' roommate at the treatment facility informed the head therapists that Korinna had signed up for an app where she would sell items online. On the night she was reported missing Rokos' roommate told the head therapists that Korinna had left the house to meet up with an unknown customer.

Another roommate at Edge Heart Grove announced that he had shown Korinna the app, encouraging her to sell her crafts online. He along with another roommate proceeded to follow Rokos out into the night where she was seen climbing into a classic red mustang with a Indiana license plate. A third housemate declared that, "Korinna lives for attention. Since she's been here the spotlight remained on her. She wanted to be a star here so why are we calling this a kidnapping if both Janice [*Bleeped out*] and Cam [*bleeped out*] saw her climb into the suspicious vehicle?" Nineteen year old, housemate Monte Espinoza says.

It was heavily questioned if Rokos were a runaway and if there were any mistreatment from others or the head therapists at Edge Heart Grove...or was it simply because of the merciless murder of her mother, Nevaeh Ellis Rokos prier to her disappearance?

Her Paternal grandmother, Cressida Rokos states that she's "Happy to have my granddaughter back and out of harms way." In fact the sixty-seven year old happened to be the one who found the teen in the next state over. It's unclear on how Cressida made her discovery but we're just happy that another teen on the south side isn't dead.

More updates with this story at five.

Drip.

Blood spilled from her left nostril yet again.

It had stopped being a shock to Korinna long ago, although she had only been back for two days now. Her Yaya thought about leaving the country immediately but it was advised from her friend/lover Dr. Eric Woon that they wait it out a bit and lay low. There was a life Korinna didn't know much about when it came to her yaya. She was not aware that her yaya had "people" too, she only surrounded herself with them unless she really needed to and when it came to desperate measures. This was one of those moments.

Living in a rented out penthouse towards the downtown part of Chicago was different. Korinna didn't really have the chance to enjoy it like she wanted to since the nose bleeds began to become excessive along with the headaches. So she stayed locked inside doors questioning what exactly was wrong with her but was hit with a, "Don't worry paidĂ­ mou you're in good hands." From her yaya and mumbling from Dr. Woon that her case was rare whatever the hell that meant. Since Korinna couldn't take any form of pills the best thing Dr. Woon could do was provide IV fluids in hopes that the teen wouldn't need surgery. Majority of Korinna's time was spent in her new room in bed hooked to in IV staring up at the ceiling and finally catching up on some well deserved sleep. To be truthful it was kind of a sad sight especially when she got her phone charged enough.

The room was dark due to her eyes being sensitive to lights as she reached over to grasp her phone. With a slight tremor, Korinna took a breath as she fumbled around turning the brightness down on her phone as her phone buzzed wildly with all sorts of notifications. From texts, to instagram tags, facebook posts, twitter mentions, and voicemails one would think Korinna had been dead. She didn't think people would care that much primarily people that she went to school with and random strangers she hadn't seen a day in her life. It was bizarre as if this wasn't really her life and she was just someone peering in or existing if you will. The bi-racial teen had made Chicago news when the situation wasn't remotely that big of a deal.

FROM; Fvkboi Cameron

Korinna I Know You Have A Brain & Correct Me If I'm Wrong But Why The Hell Would You Climb Into An Unknown Vehicle?!

FROM; Fvkboi Cameron

Please Tell Me That You're Still Alive At Least! Viola Is Going Crazy!

FROM; Fvkboi Cameron

I Should Have Never Shown You That Stupid App! Oh God I'm Probably The Reason You're Dead now.

FROM; JjjjaNICE

I'm assuming that you know the person. I'm hoping that you know the person you got into the car with because I know you're not that willing to put your life on the line. You've made it this far so I'm just betting on hope that that's the case and that you make it back because if you don't...then I have failed you as a real friend and not just some task that your mother asked of me. Please be safe and get your ass back to EHG.

FROM; Enzo the Brazilian God

KORINNA MFIN ROKOS! I SWEAR ON EVERYTHING IF YOU'RE DEAD I'M FLYING DOWN TO HELL JUST SO I CAN TEAR YOU A NEW ASSHOLE. I KNEW THAT WE'VE BOTH BEEN BUSY BUT I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN FROM US NOT CONTACTING IN AWHILE THAT SOMETHING WAS UP. DONT DO ANYTHING STUPID DEAR GOD! COME BACK. SERIOUSLY COME BACK!

FROM; Debbie Gallagher

Rinna...i hope that this is just some sick joke you decided to play.

please please please don't tell me those psycho men got you.

is it true that you really got into the car yourself? cause that's what Cam and Janice told me wth!?

also i really don't like that monte bitch.

Rinna it's been a week and nobody's heard from you, wtf are you?

idek why i should still care since i have a baby and a fiancé that's more important but please don't be dead.

answer me you bitch!

Korinna didn't react to any of the messages sent to her. She acknowledged to herself that these people that she surrounded herself with were the ones who were generally concerned about her well-being. She deleted her twitter and glanced at her instagram for a short second, seeing Holly leaving a nasty message underneath one of her last post which was a photo of her, Anwar, and Josie on the beach was enough for her. Spotting a little red notification by the phone app she clicked it to listen to her voicemail.

"Ren. Shit's been crazy over here and I hadn't had the time to call or write you, sorry about that. There's barely any time do anything over here it's all about work and dedication but I like it. It's coming along well and I like to think I'm becoming a better man for the both of us so far. The holidays are coming up soon so hopefully I'm able to come back and spend them with you. I want you to know that there's not a day that passes by where I'm not thinking about your cute ass. The next time you hear from me will probably be through a letter or face to face so keep holding on. Also hoping that you're finding some sort of direction too. If not? Maybe I can help you with something I learned here i don't know - it's a thought. I got to head to Geometry now, I hate that fuckin' class yo but it's whatever. Stay pretty. I miss you." Carl's deeper voice sounding huskier towards the end spoke before the message ended.

Of course Carl didn't have a clue. Nobody really told him anything but Korinna didn't tell him what she knew either the nigh before he left because she didn't want him to worry and choose to stay with her. What if something happened to him if he were still around? Korinna couldn't have that. The teen wasn't aware if the Luh's even knew about Carl and prayed that they didn't. The thought that Carl seemed to be fine in military school made Korinna happy enough. He deserved it. Carl deserved to find as much happiness as he could. This long distance thing wasn't too bad until Korinna started to feel the longing in her chest as well. She missed Carl dearly. Clenching her jaw Korinna stared at the IV injected into the skin of her hand wondering what Carl would think if he saw her like this right now? What if Korinna had cancer? She didn't know what was wrong with her so it was a definite possibility. If that were the case then she needed to live for today and not depend on the other days.

Carefully pushing herself up into a sitting position, she yanked the IV out of her skin wincing a bit before pulling a Kleenex to dab at the blood. Sniffing she got a whiff of copper, remembering her nose was previously bleeding. Wiping the blood with the other side of the tissue, Korinna felt her phone buzzing again. Panting a bit at the wave of nausea hitting her, she reached for her phone and swiped the message to see a familiar face.

"Well well if isn't the birthday boy." Korinna greeted.

Ethan smiled on facetime before he put on a serious expression, "My real gift is knowing that you're still here with us."

Korinna snorted, "Yeah barely."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means that something big is about to go down and I might not live to tell it," Korinna blinked and shifted allowing Ethan to see the heavy bags underneath her eyes and the bloody tissues.

Ethan stopped in his tracks, "I don't like the sound of that."

"Too bad. I've always been straight-forward for as long as I could and I have no problem telling other people the truth when they ask for it but now it's time for me to be honest with myself ya know?"

"No. I don't know. I have no idea what's been up with you since the last time I saw you and through your instagram pics or whatever but I have no freaking clue what you're talking about but as your friend I'm asking you not to give people anymore heart attacks." Ethan demanded.

Korinna pulled her bottom lip underneath her teeth, "I'm sick Ethan. I don't know with what because they won't fuckin' tell me anything. All I know is that it's a rare case. All I know is that when I woke up this morning my heart didn't feel as heavy. I met up with my brother, you've never met him but he's got wrapped up in some shit and tried to bring me along with him as if to protect me but it was a mistake. He didn't think it through and for once I saw a real change in him. A scared man and we both made a promise to each other. See I don't know what's going to happen for the rest of today or other days if I make it but I won't allow others to continue to have this false idea of what I'm trying to be. They're going to hear it and see it from me."

"What does that mean?" Ethan sighed, rubbing his face in uncertainty.

Korinna didn't answer right away. As if she were thinking it over, planning inside of her mind what would become of her at the end of the day if this went right. She knew the first step that she had to make all she had to do was crawl. Her eyes shifted back to the lenses to stare at the flecks of green in Ethan's brown eyes, "It means that I have a plan."

"Meaning?" Ethan pressed.

Korinna knew what she had to do. She knew that others would not agree with her methods at all but like she told Dacey. The Rokos never run. Lifting her head she replied, "I'm going to clean up this mess. We'll chat later, happy birthday Ethan."

With that being said she ended the call.

xxx

Korinna didn't know how she managed to sneak pass her Yaya and Dr. Woon who were too wrapped up in each other to realize her leaving. On her way to the outskirts of Chicago back to EHG Korinna didn't have any expectations. It was all about getting in and out and moving on. She hadn't contacted anyone just yet about her plan and didn't feel the need to until she got EHG over with. Exchanging words with the Uber driver Korinna noticed a car zooming by that had been following them for some time now. It wasn't any of the Luh's so Korinna remained calm before turning to the treatment center. A place she hadn't looked at as quite her new home but a place that was supposed to strive her in the direction of healing.

The dark haired teen entered the Victorian home, picking up on the eerie vibe she was getting just from standing in the center of the home. The sound of heels clicking to her right caused Korinna to turn her head to the extravagant head therapist. The woman pursed her lips while folding her hands in front of her, "Glad to see you're still alive and kicking Rokos."

Fully turning to the woman Korinna stared at Viola, not daring to open her mouth.

Viola stepped further into the main entrance, "Did you have a nice trip?"

Shrugging her shoulders Korinna answered, "It was alright until I ended up in a coma my last few days remaining there."

"Oh." Viola nodded.

Korinna could tell that the woman was trying to contain her anger. Korinna had seen it in her mother many times before, she had done the same thing. The way her lips jolted outwards right before any forms of abuse were unleashed on all.

"I like to think that I dedicated myself to you along with Mr. Williams, no?" Viola started not giving Korinna the chance to answer, "I also like to think that if you had thoughts about leaving then you should have just said something from the beginning. I asked you months ago if you were ready to leave...if you felt like you progressed enough and you hesitated. You were scared, which is normal when you get adapted to this place for some time. When you left I thought okay maybe she's out with Nicky and Vito Gimello and they'll bring you back soon. It wasn't until two days passed and they came around looking for you. I did do those conferences that night you left and Janice told a good fib. Extremely believable, Cam taught her well."

Korinna held her hands out and sighed, "What do you want me to do?"

Viola hummed, "Pack your shit and get out."

"Fair enough." Korinna answered after a few moments of silence, "That's the only reason I came back here anyways."

Viola scoffed as she watched the teen start to head up the stairs, "I see your mother in you a lot you know? She was never too afraid to go after what she wanted and take things with a grain of salt. Minus her faults you're just like her."

"I don't know if you're complimenting me or insulting me, Mrs. Davis?" Korinna gritted, glancing over at the dark skinned woman behind her.

Viola moved her folded thumbs outwards, "Take it however you want."

Korinna said nothing as she began climbing the stairs once again until Viola said her final words, "She was here trying to get better for you guys. Your mother, not for anyone else but you, your brother, and your father. An old friend of mine brought her here and after only being here for a couple of months that woman didn't know which way was up or down but she conquered. I hope that your reason for costing you're stay here at Edge Heart Grove was enough of a wake-up call to you. Since Mr. Williams and I couldn't get through to you."

"It was." Korinna whispered long after Viola took her exit.

Korinna finally made her way upstairs entering her old room. Standing in the room she closed her eyes picturing her mother spending nights in here with Janice but why bother? This was no longer about her dead mother, she was out of Korinna's plan long ago but in that moment she could still smell her mother. Pina Colada and fresh snow.

"Korinna?"

The voice almost sounded like her mother but it appeared to be Cam.

Blowing out a breath Korinna peeked over at the pale freckle face boy. She waved her fingers and turned back to the room to spring into action. Pulling old boxes from the closet and shoving whatever little bit of clothes she had into them.

"You're back."

"I am."

Cam watched as she folded the flaps over on the box and pulled out another placing two dollhouses into them then pulled out a scrapbook. Pausing she stared at the book in silence.

"Why are you packing your things then?"

Korinna gently placed the book on its side inside of the box and moved to put her short hair into a low-bun, "Because I'm leaving? Didn't you hear? Viola is kicking me out. It's a good thing I had that set in my mind to leave already."

"Aw shit...it probably had to do with those inspection people. When they heard the news about someone missing here they swarmed in like flies, Viola was almost fired. I can figure out a way to get you to stay-"

Korinna laughed in disbelief, "Cam why are you trying so hard to be good to me? We were never friends...in fact I don't have too many of those which I accepted but really we can end this now. It's over. You don't have to do me any favors."

"Believe me I'm not trying to do you any. I'm just trying to make you understand that I am sorry for the hell that you've gone through personally and with me. Instead of making it harder for you I should have tried to help you. That's what this place is supposed to be about." Cam declared, a frown appearing in his dark brows.

Korinna stood up straight, "Don't you get it? I'm not meant to be in places or with people too long. If I stay then I become just more bruised on the inside. I don't want you or need you to fight or persuade me in staying here. I wanted out the moment I got here but I tricked my mind into believing that things could get better if I hid myself away from things that mattered. That's not me, that's not who I am so why continue to pretend? It took me too long for me to figure it out and it had to take me..." She trailed off.

"What?" Cam questioned his eyes scanning her face, "Are you saying you lost hope?"

"Were you not the one who said hoping won't get you anywhere?" Korinna hinted at their conversation in the kitchen months back, "I never had hope but I always had impulses. It's the only condition I know and made sense of who I am. It's hell for me personally to sit and wait for things to happen. I've done that on too many accusations and it's back fired. I have to get back to my roots. I don't care about the future like most people here do because you never know. You never know and can't predict that because life can't always be the way you want it. I know that better than anyone and I think each of us here at EHG know it too. I can only play with the past and my impulses to carry me forward. There's no place for hope, Cam. And strangely enough...I like that."

Cam was at lost for words seeing a smile from Korinna; teeth and all and a sparkle in her black eyes. It was odd to see because Korinna didn't smile too much unless there was a good reason. He wished - funny how he felt that way now, that it she would find more reasons to smile.

Taking a deep breath Cam picked up one of Korinna's boxes, "Let me help you with your stuff at least."

The two made it out to the uber. Korinna and Cam both shoved her boxes into the trunk. Rubbing her hands together and hunching her shoulders a bit against the stinging wind, Korinna turned to Cam.

"We're gonna miss you around here." Cam quietly pinched her chin.

Rolling her eyes Korinna muttered, "Yeah I'm sure Monte's gonna shed a few tears."

Cam snorted, "She'll throw a parade in your honor."

Korinna laughed, "Be sure to tell Janice and Enzo I said farewell."

"Hey you never know we may run into each other in a few years." Cam pointed with a tilt of his head.

Korinna crossed her arms, "Perhaps."

Cam nodded his head and stepped forward to open the door for Korinna, "It was nice meeting you Korinna."

Korinna sat in the car, "Eh I guess."

"I'll take that." Cam laughed moving to shut the door.

Korinna was surprised Cam didn't try and invade her space again but after everything she understood why he didn't cross that line. As the uber began to drive away Korinna looked back watching Cam wave at her and she did what she did best and returned the gesture with her middle finger instead.

Jovana requested to meet Korinna at Patsy's much to her dismay. Korinna had texted the Balboni/Gimello sibling wanting to meet up with her but didn't expect to meet at the one place that would be swarming with Gallagher's. Carrying two boxes that towered over her 5'4 frame Korinna walked up to Patsy's crashing into someone.

"Whoa!" A fellow tone entered her ears.

Korinna lay on the ground for a bit, her shades blocking out the bit of sun that peered over the clouds. A hand reached out to help her to her feet, "Sorry about that."

Focusing in on the dirty blonde Korinna stared behind her sunglasses at no other than Monica Gallagher who appeared to be smiling at her. "It's almost winter darling and you're wearing sunglasses? I mean you look rad either way I'm just sayin'." The smudge of a raspy voice chatted.

"Monica...what brings you back to the south side?" Korinna asked, watching as the woman lit up a cigarette.

Monica puffed and exhaled, "Wait a minute...we know each other?"

Korinna picked her box up placing it on top of the other as Monica analyzed her. Monica shook her head after her second exhale and lifted up Korinna's shades to get a better look, "Oh shit it's you! Korinna...Korinna Rokos! Oh my gosh look at you, all grown up. You're lookin' like a stunner, baby. I completely forgot to ask Debbie about you."

"It's fine. We're not exactly on best terms so you might have done both of us a favor." Korinna replied, reaching down to pick up the boxes again.

Monica shifted on her feet, "Aw! You two aren't girlfriends anymore? That sucks, I know the two of you can work it out ya know life is so short but a helluva ride!"

"Got that right." Korinna mumbled.

"So hey you and Carl-" Monica began just as Frank made his way outside throwing his arm across Monica's shoulders.

Frank pressed a kiss to Monica's temple, "Ah screw 'em we don't need them. We still got Debbie, Liam, and Ian-"

"Frankie I don't know about Ian either." Monica answered before turning back to the teen before her, "But maybe Korinna here can get Carl to come back in time for our wedding?"

Wedding? They were getting married again? Korinna couldn't find the time to be surprised. Korinna watched as Frank gasped, "That's a brilliant idea my love! Since her and Carl are an item now-"

"Oh my god! No way! My sweet boy and Korinna are finally together? I knew it. I always told Carl if he ever began to have feelings for her that he should just go for it. This makes me so happy!" Monica bounced on her feet.

Korinna pursed her lips, "I'm gonna go now."

"Aw okay! Bye!" Monica called out as Korinna made her way over to the front entrance of the diner.

Frank and Monica took their leave as Korinna peeked around the boxes in search of Jovanna who sat in a booth at the back. Huffing Korinna made her way over to the Italian woman, once she reached her Jovanna helped Korinna with the boxes. "Should you be carrying all this stuff in your condition?"

"We're not gonna talk about that." Korinna bit settling into the booth and eyeing the milkshake closest to Jovanna.

Jovanna held her hands up in surrender as she pressed her elbows to the edge of the table, "Alright fine. Whatever you want, Principessa."

"You gonna drink that?" Korinna pointed to the milkshake.

Jovanna pushed the drink over and returned her piercing eyes back to Korinna's frame waiting for her to say why they were meeting without Nicky and Vito. Korinna slurped the milkshake down in almost one go, feeling the brain freeze hit her immediately, surprisingly easing the tension at the base of her head. Burping Korinna pushed the glass back ignoring the feel of eyes on her as she sat back against the booth.

"I want to go with your idea."

Jovanna nodded, "Which is?"

"I say we put an end to this. I want to be the one to take Derek and Delaney out, either you help me or I'll do it all on my own it's your choice." Korinna insisted.

Now it was Jovanna's turn to sit back and examine what was being asked.

A/N: A short one / filler for you all. Something simple since the last few chapters were wild enough eh? The finale is tomorrow and I'm excited about that. I already know how the finale for this story is going to go but of course it's always subject to change once I watch the actual finale of shameless. So much character development for Korinna in this chapter I think. She feels that being at EHG didn't really "heal" her in fact I'm thinking that Korinna's thinking that her little trip to Element Atlas did more healing to her than EHG but who knows right? She climbed into the car on impulse and she's always relied on her impulsiveness more than anything.

But let's talk about how she wants to be the one to actually kill the luh's kids? Ummm...girl what you doing? lol. She should just let her yaya or the Gimello's handle it but once Korinna's got a plan she's sticking to it. Any ideas on what to come? Carl will be back also so let's keep that in mind.

Thoughts? Comments?

P.S. It started to snow down here in Connecticut and idk why I'm happy about that but I am.

Thanks for reading!

-ALES