Jack arrived to the old neighborhood that Nicholai belonged too before Brooke and Julian did. They had a longer drive. His mind took him back to the times he'd walk to Sam's house, and Nicholai would always offer him a drink even though he was only ten. He chuckled at Nicholai's stupidity. He came up the familiar steps, and knocked on the same old wooden door, with the chipped white paint. It had gotten noticeably older.
He waited, but no one opened the door. He turned the knob and was blasted with the chaos. His eyes searched for Sam, but he couldn't find her, it was far too dark and hazy with all the weed being smoked. The people were wild. 'LSD' he thought.
"SAM!" He yelled in a gruff voice. Nicholai came through and grabbed Jack giving him a big hug, "Jack!" He said looking him from head to toe, "Look at you, you're big now! Want a beer?" He asked.
Jack pushed him off, "You never change do you Nick?"
Nicholai shrugged. He was too drunk to remember why Jack was there, "Sooo why you here kid?"
Jack felt like punching him, "Where the hell is Sam? You told me to come get her."
He put his drink down and put his hand on his shoulder, "Uuuuuhhhhmmm. I really don't know man. "
Jack lost it and pushed him once more that he stumbled onto the floor, "ARE YOU A FUCKING IDIOT?"
Nicholai's eyes burst into anger, everyone turned to watch the spectacle.
Nicholai stood up, "BAADDD Idea Jack!" He punched Jack once. Brad raced towards Nicholai and grabbed him, "Calm DOWN man!" He yelled at him. He held onto Nicholai who was trying to lunge at Jack. "Let him go!" Jack screamed, "Let him come at me! You loser! Where's SAM!?" Jack was furious.
Just then Julian's voice booms, "WHAT THE HELL?!" and another more feminine voice, "SSAAAAAMMM!"
Julian sees a man with crazed eyes trying to lunge at Jack, and he sees Jack's glare of anger stare back at him. In a moment of complete instinct Julian pushes Brad off and slams Nicholai to the wall, "Where is she you bastard." He whispers in a low voice.
Brooke went around the people looking for her, "Sam!" "Samantha!"
Nicholai tried to move, but Julian just pushed him harder onto the wall, "I SAID WHERE IS SHE?!"
"I don't know man. She just left." Nicholai said in a squeak.
Julian pulls him by the shirt and throws him to the floor. He heads out with Brooke and Jack stares at everyone watching the spectacle. Feeling bad he went up to Nicholai and offered him a hand. He took it and pushed himself up. "Who the fuck was that Jack?" He asked.
"Sam's dad." He said simply, "Something you'll never be." With that he left.
"She's dead, she's so dead! I can't believe she came here!" Brooke said in a rage, "She LIED to us! Where is she now?!"
"Brooke?" Jack asked hesitantly.
"WHAT?!" She boomed. Julian touched her, signaling Brooke to calm down.
"I think I know where she is."
Jack led them to the home of the neighborhood junkie. Sam loved to hear his stories when they were younger. He always made the wildest lies. But at night he'd always have so many people there. Another hot spot.
Brooke felt out of her element. The neighborhood was rundown and dangerous. She was ready to drag Sam out; all the while Julian was ready to raise hell.
They reached the door of the home, Jack was about to knock, but Brooke didn't have the patience to wait for an answer. She threw open the door. "SAM!" She yelled with a sense of relief when she finally saw Sam, but the tone of determination to get her out of the room as soon as possible, was much stronger in her voice. Julian then stepped in, as if on cue. The few people there looked confused. Sam's face looked furious.
"Get the hell up Samantha. We're leaving. NOW." Julian said extending his hand towards her.
Sam glared at them, "You guys are out of your fucking mind! Get out! I said I'd go back when I'm ready!"
Brooke wasn't having it and pushed the half conscious druggie coming at her, "Move you freak!" She said as she got to her daughter. Sam was out of her senses. Brooke knew this, and it only infuriated her more. The people in the room just watched as she made her way to the sofa in the corner. Brooke was willing to do anything to scoop her out of the house and take her some place safe once more, when she saw Sam crumpled small, and stubborn on the sofa.
"Sammy come on. It's time to go." She was giving her one last chance to leave with dignity.
Sam slouched further into the couch, "LEAVE." She said in a daring voice.
Brooke seized her arm and pulled her up, "We're leaving now!" She said in a rushed voice. Sam pushed her hand off, "YOU BITCH!" She screamed, "I'm not leaving with you!"
Brooke's eyes widened. Sam felt a hint of sense return to her, "Wait! I'm sorry!" Brooke ignored her, grabbed Sam's arm once more and turned her around.
"Don't you dare disrespect me like that again!"
SPANK
"OOW! STOP!" She yelped
*spank
*spank
*spank
Brooke! Sam cried "Stop it!" She squirmed, trying to get away from the swats.
SPANK
SPANK
"Momma!" Sam said in defeat.
SPANK
Brooke stopped abruptly and let go of Sam's arm. Sam stood there, rubbing the pain out, with tears on her face, red-faced with embarrassment and anger.
"We're leaving now Sam." She said as a final point.
"Go get her. I'll get the car." Brooke told Julian through clenched teeth as she walked out. Jack was waiting outside and saw Brooke storm past him.
Julian went up to Sam and held onto her hand. Sam wouldn't move, he sighed, picked her up and put her over his shoulder. She was now dangling over him. Sam let him carry her in resignation. She smelled of weed and alcohol.
Before leaving, Julian turned to face everyone, Sam was still dangling over his shoulder trying to get away, but his grip was strong, "If you motherfuckers EVER give my daughter alcohol, weed, or any other drug you're all dead! And if she's over here again you better make damn sure you don't let her in this crackhouse."
"Julian!" Sam yelled in anger.
He gave her a stinging swat to her thigh, "You be quiet, young lady!"
She started to openly struggle against him. He put her back down and grabbed her by the shoulders; "I suggest you STOP this right now! I don't care how drunk, high, faded, or fucked up you are. Struggle one more time with me or your mother, and you're going over my knee for a real spanking!" He told her in a harsh whisper.
Sam stomped her foot loudly. "NO! Okay, okay!" He extended his hand and she reluctantly took it.
When they got out Jack was already in the car, and Brooke was in the driver's seat. Julian opened the door and Sam got in. He got in next to her.
"J-jack?!" Sam slurred. She hadn't seen him in weeks.
"Hey Sammy." He said feeling sorry for her state. Brooke cleared her throat loudly showing her anger. They both subdued and stayed quiet.
No one said a word after that. Jack got dropped off, and they made their way back home. Both parents felt relieved to finally have Sam back home after five days, but their faces only showed disappointment and anger. Sam looked at both of them, extremely nervous, but too inhibited to try and make things better. Instead she closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
Julian looked over and watched her. "She fell asleep. Thank God she's safe." He said breaking the silence. Sam tensed waiting for her mother's response.
Brooke sighed, "It's not like she cares. She'd rather be out here, then in a house where people actually care about her." There was a pause. Sam felt like screaming, but she was "asleep."
"Brooke." Julian said, but she cut him off, "I know, I know, I'm glad she's safe too."
"You really hit her." He said as he rubbed Sam's knee. "Well it's not everyday that you find your daughter half gone in a crackhouse, and then hear her spit the word bitch at you Julian."
He stayed quiet. She was fuming. The ride slowly did lull Sam to sleep. When Julian turned to look at her, she was sucking her thumb.
"Brooke, I think she's scared." He remarked.
"Why?" She asked concerned.
"Because, she's sucking her thumb."
She sighed, "She's just overwhelmed. Leave her alone, it makes her feel better."
When they got to the house Julian was going to carry her out, but Brooke stopped him. "Stop." She told him. He rolled his eyes, "Now what?"
"Go get a bath ready. I'll take her in." He nodded.
Brooke shook her slowly, "Samantha wake up. We're home." Her voice was gentle. Sam woke up slowly, and quickly pulled the thumb out of her mouth.
"It's okay Smantha. I get it." Brooke answered in response to Sam's blushing face, She looked at her mother's eyes, and got up but instantly felt dizzy.
"Come on Sam, hold onto me. I got you." Brooke gave her a hand and let Sam lean on her as they made their way inside.
Sam suddenly stopped and turned the other way to throw up. Brooke held her up as Sam continued. When she finally felt better Sam straightened up and started walking again.
"M-mom?" Sam attempted, "About today, I-"
"Don't, Samantha. I'm so incredibly disappointed in you. I don't think it's worth talking to me about this right now."
They got to the bathroom. Julian left, giving them privacy. Brooke sat her down on the toilet and began unbuttoning her dirty shirt.
"Sam, look at you. You're a mess." Brooke commented sadly.
Sam, in her stupor, lazily slapped her mom's hand, "Brooke I, I can do it myself. Geez."
She backed off. "Fine." Brooke said, although she was no stranger to this, and knew that Sam would need her help.
Sam attempted to unbutton her shirt and take off her shorts, but her mind was muffled and all the buttons and zippers seemed complicated.
Brooke sighed, "Let me help you."
Sam stopped in frustration and let Brooke help her undress. Finally she got into the tub. Brooke washed her hair gently and turned the other way as Sam washed her body. She then helped her change into her pajamas, which consisted of a loose sweatshirt and running shorts. Sam sat there feeling helpless as Brooke helped her get dressed. "I just wanted time away." Sam said meekly as Brooke put the shirt over her head.
"No Sam. I'm not talking to you about this." There was a hint of sadness in her voice.
"But-"
"NO." She said definitively, "Not now."
Sam frowned.
"Okay, stand up and hold onto me." Sam did as she was told. "Okay good. Put one leg into this hole."..."Great, now do it again for me Sam." She said calmly. It was embarrassing how helpless Sam felt.
With her pajamas on they made their way to Sam's room. Julian was sitting on her chair. She lay down on the bed and he pulled the covers towards her. Brooke noticed how vulnerable she looked. She went over to the corner of her room and picked up the old teddy bear and placed it next to Sam.
Sam looked into her mom's tired and disappointed eyes, "Thanks mom."Julian gave her a kiss on her forehead. Brooke gave her a weak smile. She turned away and began walking out.
"Mom" Sam weakly called her back.
Brooke stopped, "Goodnight Sammy." She simply said and walked out.
What do you think? Hope you liked it!