I'm back with another update the wait time was longer than I thought it would be my schedule has gotten crazy but I'm back now.
Thank you to all the readers that have stuck by this story this will be the start of some pretty intense events so get ready as always keep an eye on the Degrassi Saviors website for all up to date story info.
Warning This chapter contains minor character deaths and may be a bit a triggering read with caution.
Chapter9 Gone is the World We Knew
Clare had been through a lot in just a few months she had broken up with Eli came out to her parents lost her parents and was on the road to getting two new parents.
While this was a lot for Clare she was sure she could handle it especially now that she had a real support system behind her, she had really started to feel like she was finally somewhere she could be fearless and care free living with Spinner and Emma but now she was going to have to deal with an unexpected twist after she came home from school yesterday.
Spinner and Emma told Clare about the situation with adoption and at first she was scared because she didn't want to leave and end up in a foster home but those feelings of fear were quickly replaced by ones of joy when she found out she was going to be living with Jay and Manny until the adoption was finalized.
Clare had already packed up her room and was ready to move in with Jay and Manny after school hoping it wouldn't be too long before she was back with Emma and Spinner.
Clare headed down to breakfast taking one last look at her room before she left for a while hoping she wouldn't be gone too long.
Once Clare made her way to the kitchen she noticed a buffet style breakfast was on the table complete with pancakes eggs bacon sausage and biscuits.
"Morning Clare." Spinner said as he grabbed fruit juice from the fridge and set it on the table.
"Morning." Clare replied holding herself back from finishing the greeting.
Clare didn't know how to explain it but over the last few days Clare began to think of Emma and Spinner as more than just a couple who took her in when she had no one she had begun to think of them as parents, she had caught herself over the past couple of days wanting to call Spinner dad or Emma mom but stopped herself each time some unknown reason which she hoped would change soon because as crazy as it sounded Clare really did feel like Spinner and Emma were her mom and Dad already.
Clare sat down with both Spinner and Emma for breakfast which Clare had gotten used to since she moved in Spinner had started making it a point to sit have breakfast with Emma and Clare as way to start building a family atmosphere for Clare.
So Clare remember Manny and Jay will pick you up after school I'll try to swing by after work so we can at least have dinner together." Spinner said watching as Clare worked on the remanence of her second pancake.
"I'd like that a lot D... Spinner." Clare said once again stopping herself for what seemed to be the hundredth time an action that did not go un-noticed by Spinner or Emma the couple had decided that they would let Clare build up to calling them Mom and Dad not wanting to force the issue.
Clare we need to get going if I'm dropping you off." Emma said as she finished off her food and ran the dishwasher along with the rest of the dishes.
"I'll grab my stuff and we can head out."
Once Clare gathered her backpack and duffel bag she waited for Emma and Spinner outside.
Once Clare was outside Emma pulled Spinner away from the door just in case.
"Spin I wish we didn't have to send her to Manny and Jay's."
"I know I would have cried on the spot if she had called me Dad."
"I know I felt the same way when she almost slipped up and called me Mom last night."
"I just hope this adoption gets squared away quickly I want our daughter home where she belongs."
"Same here Spin Same here."
Emma and Spinner headed out to the car and unlocked the door.
As was the norm for the Masons Emma was the one to drive since Spinner had no patience for morning driving.
The drive to Degrassi was quiet one with just the radio for background noise neither of the trio was one for talking in the morning.
Once Emma pulled the car up to Degrassi Clare got out and went to the driver's side to pick up her lunch money from Emma.
"Here's your lunch money Clare make sure you have your phone on and be careful call Manny or Jay if you make plans after school."
"I will don't worry about me."
Clare gave Emma a tight hug and as she did she whispered something that made Emma's day.
"I love you mom see you later."
Emma didn't want to cry so once Clare went over to Spinner she pulled a tissue from the center console.
Clare hugged Spinner and headed off inside.
Once the car had pulled away Spinner looked over at his weeping wife.
"What's Wrong Emma?"
"Nothing Spin I'm fine."
"Bull Em you're a mess out with it."
"Nothing big Spin it's just that Clare called me mom before she went inside."
"Em that's great that means we're becoming a family."
"I know it is Spin I must be overemotional losing it over a simple word."
"Emma that what being a parent is sometimes kids make you cry at least she took a step towards thinking of us as family and what's important hell I'll most likely lose it when she calls me Dad."
"Thanks for listening Spin."
"Anytime Emma."
As Emma composed herself and headed towards the police station Emma thought of something.
"Spin I just thought of something crazy."
"What's that Emma?"
"If Darcy turns up how are you going to handle the fact that Clare will be your daughter and you dated her sister?"
"I guess we'll all have to find some way to move past it which I hope isn't too hard to do."
"Hopefully."
Emma dropped Spinner off at work and drove off as Spinner headed inside.
Back at Degrassi Clare was sitting in English still processing the fact that she had called Emma mom for the first time which gave her a sense of relief because for the first time in a while it really did feel like she had a mom.
English sped by quick and Clare headed to drama where she met up with Adam Jenna and Alli.
"Clare we missed you this morning what happen?"
"Nothing Alli I forgot I was walking with you guys today."
"Fine but what about last night I called you and went to voice-mail what's up Clare?"
"Nothing Alli I was just tiered."
"Save me a spot I forgot a book in my locker."
Clare headed off to her locker and as she rounded the corner she saw Maya being cornered by Eli.
Eli saw Clare coming out of the corner of his eye and walked away from Maya.
Clare walked over to Maya to check up on her.
"Maya are you alright?"
"I am now Clare Eli just cornered me and threatened me again he said after today I'll be sorry I ever met you."
"Maya we need to tell Simpson."
"Clare no that'll just make him madder I don't want him to go off and do something twisted we'll just ignore it."
Clare knew from experience that Eli could go deeper into his twisted state and didn't want to risk Maya getting hurt worse.
"Fine we'll keep calm for now but if he comes to you again we go to Simpson."
"Agreed I'll get back to class and see you for lunch Grace just transferred in and I'm showing her around."
"Later Maya stay safe."
Clare made the short trip to her locker grabbed her missing book and headed back to class hoping Eli was bluffing as far his threat went she couldn't help but think what twisted game Eli was playing.
Clare went back to class and tried to put the Maya Eli situation out of her mind for a bit which after hearing what her assignment was came easy to her.
Once Class ended Jenna Alli Adam joined Clare on their way up to the gym.
"I hope Armstrong doesn't kill us today." Clare remarked as the group came up on the girls locker-room.
"He shouldn't we're doing basketball today shouldn't be too hard". Adam interjected just before the girls headed inside.
"We'll see you inside Adam."
"Later."
The girls changed into their gym uniforms but as Clare opened her locker she happens to notice that on the bench next to her were a red MMA gloves she picked them up and read the inscription on the straps which read Assassin B RD.
She quickly pulled out her phone and brought the Red Dragon blog page up and went through the photos she came across one of Bianca taking off her gloves Clare zoomed into the picture and noticed that the gloves in the picture were same ones she was holding in her hand Clare took the gloves and packed away in her locker.
Once Clare changed into her gym uniform she headed up to the gym joining the rest of her friends but just as she was coming through the locker-room door she noticed Eli going out the other side of the gym with two large bags she spent the first part of gym class trying to figure out what Eli had planned with the two bags.
Today Armstrong had broken the class into two groups to do drills half the class was agility drills through the rope course that was set up while the rest of the class working on shooting and passing drills.
Clare was in the group that was working on shooting and passing she was partnered up with Jenna but she was lost in her own head only brought back when she was put on her butt from a pass that knocked the wind out of her.
"Clare are you alright?" Jenna asked as she rushed over to check on her friend.
Clare took a few breaths in trying to get herself together.
"Clare what's wrong with you I could've really hurt you you're supposed to keep your eye on the ball".
"Sorry Jenna I'm just a little distracted."
"Well get your head on straight we're doing shooting drills now."
"Got it."
Clare joined Jenna by the far end of the gym as they practiced free-throws and mid-range jumpers until class ended.
Once class ended Clare quickly showered and changed back into street clothes and headed for study hall which she hoped went by quickly because she was starving and wanted to see if she could catch Bianca and return her gloves.
On the other side of the building Maya was sitting with Grace in art their class was working on figure drawing something that didn't really care for she would much rather have been in music working on a cello piece.
"So Grace how do you like Degrassi so far?"
"It's alright I just wished that idiot Miles would stop tossing paper at me."
"Don't worry about him he's just being an ass because he's mad I won't date him again."
"Wait so you're single now?"
"Yeah why?"
"No reason just asking."
Alright than let's finish these so we can get out of here I'm starved."
"We still have history Matlin."
"I know but history goes by quick since we'll be watching a movie."
"Point taken."
Once the bell finally rang to end the period Maya and Grace headed to their lockers as they made their way to their lockers they noticed Eli walking from Maya's locker but he didn't say a word to either of them he just smiled and made his way out of Degrassi.
"Maya what was that guy smiling about he scares me."
"I don't know Grace but from now on stay close let me know I'll deal with it."
"You don't have to tell me twice."
The girls headed off to class hoping they didn't have anything else go wrong today.
Clare spent the majority of study hall glancing at Bianca's latest set of practice streams she enjoyed watching Bianca spar at the gym she was hoping she could find the courage to just ask her out even though Clare hadn't told anyone yet she knew in heart that she was falling hard for Bianca and there would soon come a time she would have to make her move or risk losing Bianca to someone else.
Outside of Degrassi unbeknownst to anyone something that would shatter the lives of several people was about to take place Eli had gone home taken his moms car and driven it to the Matlin home he had been planning to get back at both Clare and Maya in a big way for the past few days Eli had been stalking the Matlins getting to know their routines once he had those down he took Bullfrog's gun which he kept in the house for protection along with cans of gasoline he brought from a gas station a few blocks from his Degrassi and some rope which he was planning to use to get rid of the Matlin parents and shatter Maya's life.
Eli looked at his watch and noticed it was a quarter to one he knew /Katie wouldn't be home yet and with Maya at school the Matlin's would be home since Mr. Matlin had taken to working nights to better support Margret with her MS treatments.
Eli stepped out his car gathered the gun and the rope using his backpack as cover as he walked to door and rang the doorbell.
It only took moments before Mr. Matlin answered the door.
"Yes."
"Hello Mr. Matlin I'm a friend of Katie's she asked me to pick up a tape for her can I come in?"
"I don't see why not come on in."
"Thank you Mr. Matlin I'll be right back Katie already told me where the tape was."
"Be quick please my wife has an appointment."
"I will sir"
Eli took three steps into the home and waited for Mr. Matlin to turn his back before letting off one shot which hit Mr. Matlin in the back once he was down Eli walked over to the down man and deposited four shots into the back of Mr. Matlin's head after which he headed upstairs where he searched the upstairs for Mrs. Matlin but couldn't find her so he headed back downstairs where Margret had just came in from the garage.
"Can I help you?"
Eli looked and gave Margret a demonic smile before answering.
"Yes you can you can help me by going to hell." Eli said and before Margret could try to get away Eli fired two shots that hit Margret in the chest dropping her face down between the kitchen and den.
After Margret was down Eli proceeded to put two bullets into Margret's skull.
After killing both Matlin Parents Eli went back outside grabbed the two canisters of gasoline along with matches returned inside dosed the front of the house in gas lit a match and quickly exited the house.
Once Eli closed the front door he took a folded note out from his jacket and using a piece of tape he had in his jacket he left the note taped to the door after which Eli sped off heading home.
Back at Degrassi no one had any idea what had just happen the rest of the day went off without incident once the last bell rang Clare Maya Adam Jenna and Grace who had been introduced to the group during lunch were about to head to Adam's to do homework and watch movies.
"Clare are you coming with us today?"
"I can't Adam something came up at home sorry."
"Is everything alright Clare?"
"Yeah Adam it is I just need to get home sorry."
"It's okay Clare we're here if you need us."
"Thanks Adam."
Just as Adam and company were about to leave Clare felt her cellphone vibrate as she looked at she began to panic as she read the text which was from Emma.
Emma Wait for Manny and Jay out front bring Maya with you IMPORTANT
Clare knew something had to have happened for Emma to text her after knowing that she was going to be with Jay and Manny.
Clare put her phone away and turned to Maya.
"Maya you're staying with me you can't go to Adam's."
"What's happen Clare why?"
I don't know I just got a text from Emma saying that you're supposed to come with me."
"Fine I'll stay." Maya replied somehow sensing something was wrong.
"Are you two alright?"
"We will be Adam."
"Alright but just to be safe call me ASAP."
"Will do Adam."
Ten minutes later Manny and Jay pulled up to Degrassi and picked up Clare and Maya.
"Come on you two in the car NOW." Manny ordered.
Clare and Maya got in the car and Jay drove off introducing himself and Manny to Maya.
Once they pulled up to their gated home Manny and dropped Clare's bag at front door and sat both girls down in the bright blue colored living-room.
"Clare Maya this is hard for us to explain so listen good something really tragic happened and because of it you both will be taken care of here for here especially you Maya we're going to make sure you're safe."
Maya was puzzled and had so many questions.
"I don't get it why do I have to stay here why can't I go home?"
Manny sat down next to Maya and took her un-injured hand.
"Maya you can't go home because there's been a fire."
Maya was in shock.
"What about my parents and sister please tell me they're okay."
"Your sister is fine Maya she's with her fiancée at his place."
"What about my parents they're okay right?" Maya said trying to hold back tears.
Jay sat in between Manny and Emma as Manny was about to deliver the news that no child wants to hear.
Maya I'm sorry your parents were killed earlier today."
Upon hearing the news Maya just cried into Manny's embrace while Clare sat crushed on the far end of the couch.
"Clare are you okay?" Jay asked trying to read Clare who had enough will power to ask the one question she knew she had to but didn't want the answer to.
"Who did this?" Clare choked out.
Eli Goldsworthy the police found a note on the door in which he confessed to the whole thing Spinner told me he's sitting at his station house waiting to see judge."
Clare just sobbed knowing that her ex would go as far as to commit arson and murder because she left him.
Clare got up from the couch and went over to Maya who had just barely pulled herself together.
"Maya I'm sorry this happened it's all my fault."
"Luckily something inside Maya gave her enough strength to speak.
"Don't blame yourself Clare this was Eli's fault and he's going to pay for it I want that asshole to rot in prison and I swear on my parents I will do what I have to be at the courthouse to see that happen." Maya said with a voice oozing with venom both her and Clare both wanted Eli to pay for shattering the worlds they knew.
Once Maya made that remark Clare realized that she now two personal missions make a move on Bianca and get justice for her friend.
Next update will be up ASAP including the aftermath of Eli's actions and the seeds of Clianca being planted.