Chapter 3.

Callie lay on her bed, reading and re-reading the text Liam had sent her. It cast a blue glow on her face in the partially dark room. She could have easily deleted the threatening message, pretending it never existed, but she couldn't bring herself to do so, even though she wanted to. Her paranoid and slightly melodramatic side stopped her from hitting the button, saying that it would serve as evidence if Liam came and killed her or something. Setting the phone on the nightstand, she reached over and flipped her lamp off. Silently, she crept out of bed, and looked out the window. It was an eerie, windy night. In the backyard, the tree swing twisted on it's ropes, back and forth. Callie couldn't be certain, but she thought she saw a shadow draw behind the tree. She drew the curtain shut, and crawled back into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin.

Moments later, Brandon passed by Callie's door on the way to bed. He stopped when he heard a muffled sound coming from behind the closed door. "Callie?" He whispered, opening the door a crack. From her bed, he heard choked sobs. "Why are you crying, Callie?" He asked, quietly. He crossed the room, and sat on the edge of the bed, placing his hand on her shoulder.

She looked up at him through swollen eyes. "I saw someone in the backyard," she hiccuped. "I- I think it was Liam."

"The foster brother?" Brandon asked, a chill passing through his body. "The one who came to the school the other day?"

"Yeah," Callie whispered. "Ever since I saw him at Wyatt's party... I think he's been watching me. And he sent me this." She picked up her phone, and handed it to Brandon.

Studying the threatening message intently, a frown creased his face. "He's sick," he breathed. "Callie... don't you think you should tell someone?" As he finished his sentence, they both heard a metallic crash in the backyard. They jerked their heads up to look for the source of the sound. "I think that was the trash cans by the back door. I'll go take a look." He paused, his brow furrowing. "You go wait in my room. I'll be right back."

Callie stumbled off the bed and down the hall, and Brandon quietly walked to the kitchen. He found a flashlight in the drawer, and stood by the backdoor, listening for any signs of movement. As he suspected, the trash can was disturbed, the lid resting on the ground. He flipped on the flashlight and opened the door slowly, beaming the dim light around the yard. "Hello?" He called. "Is someone out there?" He waited, watching. But he saw no other evidence of a trespasser. Turning, he went back into the house, and locked the back door, then checked the front door and the basement door. Satisfied that the house was secure, he went back upstairs to Callie. He found her sitting on his bed, hugging her knees to her chest. "I looked around, but I didn't see anyone," he told her. "The lid was knocked off the garbage can, though. It could've been an animal, but I'm not sure." He sat down next to her. "Do you really think Liam is after you?"

"I don't know," Callie admitted. "He might just be trying to scare me. And it's working. I've hardly slept all week, Brandon. I'm afraid to be alone."

And you were alone tonight, he thought. "Listen," He told her. "You stay in here tonight. We'll lock the door, and you won't be alone."

Callie nodded. "Okay."

Brandon rose to his feet. "You sleep on the bed, and I'll sleep on the floor."

Callie shook her head in protest. "No... it's your bed. I should sleep on the floor."

"I insist," Brandon argued. "And I won't take no for an answer." They could've easily relocated to Jesus and Jude's room, which had two beds, but Brandon didn't suggest it, noting that she didn't either. He wanted to be as close as he could get to Callie, even if it meant sleeping on the hard floor. It would be worth it.

"Well, okay," Callie shrugged. "If you're sure."

"I am," he replied, clicking the lock on his door, then taking his sleeping bag from the closet and laying it out parallel to the bed. Taking an extra pillow, he lounged on the floor, resting his head on one bent arm. "So, what I asked you before... I think it bears repeating. Don't you think you should tell someone about this?"

Callie shuffled around from above. "No. I don't want to bother your moms with this. Not until they come home, anyway. They have enough to deal with."

"Well, what about the cops?" Brandon asked.

"Your mom is the cops," Callie answered.

"Oh, yeah." Brandon moved around, trying to get comfortable. "Callie," he whispered. "Can I ask you a personal question?"

Callie felt a moment of panic. "I guess so. But I have to tell you, personal questions are my least favorite kind."

"Why are you so afraid of Liam?" Brandon asked. "What did he do to you?"

"That was two questions," She replied.

Brandon rolled his eyes. "I'm serious, Cal. I mean, you told me a little about him, but I know there's more. I... have a hunch about what might have happened, but there's a lot I don't understand."

Callie listened quietly. "What's your hunch?"

"Well," he said. "I think he... took advantage of you." He waited for her to answer, and when she didn't, he asked; "Am I right?"

Callie sighed. "Something like that." She propped herself up on her elbow. "Okay. I'll tell you the truth. But you'll probably hate me afterward."

"That would never happen," Brandon promised. Even if she told him she and Liam worked together as serial killers, he'd probably still have a crush on her.

"I just don't want to lose you as a friend," Callie fretted. "But if you really want to know..."

As she spoke, Brandon reached up to the bed and took her cold hand in his. "You won't lose me. You have my word, Callie."

Feeling reassured, Callie felt as ready as she'd ever be to confide in someone. "Okay. Well, you know that two years ago I was living with Liam's family. He was really nice to me, and went out of his way to make me feel special. He was good with Jude, too. Almost like a role model. And I had a crush on him. Sometimes, when nobody was around, he'd kiss me. He told me that h- he loved me. And I believed him." She fought back tears as she struggled to find her words. "One night, Liam came into my room, and he asked me to... you know. And when I told him I wasn't ready, he forced me. He... forced me... to have sex with him." As she finished her story, she realized she was crying. "I told him no, but I was so scared, Brandon. He knows things about me. Bad things I've done. And he used them against me." She tried to brush her tears away as they fell.

Brandon squeezed her hand. "Callie," he sighed sadly. "He raped you."

"Rape" was a word she could never say. Something she refused to admit happened to her. Hearing Brandon vocalize it, and knowing it was true, she broke down, her eyes blurring with tears. Brandon got up from the sleeping bag, and sat down on the bed. "Callie," he whispered, pulling her into his arms. She leaned against him, desperate for comfort. "Callie," he said again. "I feel terrible that you thought I'd hate you if you told me. Why did you think that?"

Callie sniffled. "Because... you're a decent guy from a nice family. And I'm dirty and used. No one decent would ever like me."

"No way," Brandon told her firmly. "That's not true. What happened to you wasn't your fault, Cal. It's him who should feel bad. Not you. And as for no one decent ever liking you, I can tell you now that isn't true. Because I like you."

"Really?" She asked, unsure.

"Yes," Brandon replied. "I like you a lot, Callie. And nothing can make me stop liking you." He knew it was against his better judgement, but he wanted so badly to prove to Callie that his feelings were genuine. Cupping her cheek in his hand, he brushed his lips to her mouth. She jerked away as if she'd received an electric shock.

"I'm so sorry," Brandon apologized. "I shouldn't have done that, Callie. I promise I'm not like Liam. I just wanted to show you how much I..."

Callie stopped him. "I know you're not like Liam. You're nothing like him. But I told you before... I can't do this."

Brandon felt hurt at her rejection, but he wasn't ready to give up on her yet. "Callie... look me in the eye and tell me you don't have feelings for me, too."

Their eyes met briefly, then she darted them away, looking down. "Okay. I can't," she mumbled. "I do like you. And I liked the kiss. Happy?"

Brandon blushed at her confession. "You did?"

"Mm-hm," she replied. "It was nice." To prove her point, she craned her neck, and cautiously pressed her lips to his.

The kiss was over much too soon in Brandon's opinion. He touched his fingers to his lips, where hers had just been. "Callie, I think you're the most beautiful girl in the world. You are special. And I mean that."

Now it was Callie's turn to blush. "Will you- will you kiss me again?"

To Be Continued