Hey guys! (Yes I know there's girls but I just say guys... :D) Anyway, thanks for the reviews for this story. I don't give my thanks enough, especially since I don't ask for any reviews besides 'In Your Hands.' But, again, thanks.

Hope you enjoy this longer chapter (and more rated M stuff here by the way)!

:)

Tori's Perspective-

My seat vibrates calmly, my eyes focusing on the black hole beside me. It's not really a black hole but, compared to the rest of the wall and passing clouds, it appears to be so. I gaze down towards the fluffy masses, breathing slowly. My throat is scratched from the long nap I had taken before the flight. I needed to have some peace from everybody, just to dwell on my thoughts for a bit. And, for the most part, it works. Seeing as it's a red-eye flight, Trina and my mom are sleeping, my dad and I the only two not even attempting. It's not like I wouldn't if I hadn't taken the nap from before, but as for my dad, well, he gets a bit motion sick. It would be impossible for him to actually sleep.

So he just stares at the back of mom's seat, listening to a few songs as this weird, creepy old man settles his head on my dad's broad shoulders. Several times my father had explained to him that he wasn't a pillow, but the man merely called him a "dipshit, prick" and then "Gregory" before falling back into a doze. As I said, creepy and weird.

I growl under my breath as a snore shakes from Trina's throat once again, my eyes settling right in between the cushions.

We're only forty minutes into the trip and I can feel my teeth chipping with her shifting, seat digging into my knees as she lowers herself back.

-(:)-

The car drives over the smooth, slick road as water tatters against the windows and pings off of the roof of the car. At the very least this car has a roof over my head and not one, in Cat's words, that's topless. I sigh briefly, the beach house coming to view. I grin from the short memories of the place. It overlooks the ocean and the street that comes before it, standing three stories with strong stone as a foundation and dark wood lining the outside structure. It's different from my own house, from the modern one. Though it's a nice change to get some fresh air and such.

Everybody remains quiet in the car aside from my mom's soft whispers to my dad about some stuff. Depending on what it is, I would want to know but if it has anything to do with what they want to do after I go to bed...leave me out of it please.

The wheels of the car park up the driveway, our car doors quickly flying open. We manage to heave our bags from the trunk of the car and dart towards the door, not wanting to get any more wet. As we shift uncomfortably in our soggy clothes - which could be worse for me from prior experience - my dad turns around to Trina and I with a soft smile. "You guys ready for the week?"

"I think so," I hum over Trina's whine about the rain, my mom leaning towards the doorbell. We stand in the small square of space as the marbled glass door opens, greeting us with a kind smile lined with cherry red lipstick. Her blonde hair falls over one shoulder in a nice, elegant braid.

"Welcome, come on in, I think you don't want to be out there for too long," my Aunt Alexandra murmurs, her hands on my sister's and my shoulder as we're ushered in. A laugh and my dad's pat on the shoulder by my uncle. As he steps away, I grin at the bigger man - built like my dad, mind you - whose dark hair now is flecked with white.

"Well hey there kids," Uncle Jared folds his arms, tilting his head, "You two kind of look different... I wonder-"

"Maybe my chest grew but Tori's didn't," Trina smirks. I shoot a glare at her, reminding her quietly about her wish to visit a certain doctor.

"Anyway," he rolls his eyes with a bemused smirk. He never really was annoyed by our bickering. "But yes, you two are growing up to be fine women. Speaking of which-"

"Not transgendered," a call interrupts his father, "I only wore a dress twice." I grin smugly as my cousin pops out of the kitchen, raising a brow at me. "Uh huh, don't give me that look twig..."

I roll my eyes, putting my hands on my hips before snipping quietly as the adults converse with themselves, "And you twat."

"Hey Ron," Trina grins, hugging the tall, lanky brunette as his dark eyes squint, tongue poking out at me. He's just a year older Trina, which makes it two than me, though he acts quite the opposite. Not surprising though, seeing as he's always been the type to want to just play around and have fun.

"Anyway, thought I'd see a bit more sparkle on you," he flicks along my clothes. I merely shrug, not going into depth about why exactly I have been wearing darker colors. Not that I necessarily hate them, but it is a bit new. I like it though, kind of more-

"Cozy," I murmur, striding towards the kitchen.

-(:)-

My eyes flash open, and I find myself on the ground. I frown, picking myself up cautiously and find myself in the middle of nowhere. Mountains peak towards the sky in the distance, grey clouds glooming over the desert landscape. I twist around, finding saguaro cacti everywhere, along with good sized rocks and tumble weeds. It feels like a generic background of an intense music video, in all honesty. even so, my spine tingles from the uncertainty of it, my attention being switched along everything.

I hear the crunch of footsteps behind me, slowing to a stop. I turn around, a small grin plastering over my face at his smile and coy wave. I mirror his gesture, my feet going near until I hear a short yell. "What's wrong Tori?" Beck asks, tilting his head to the side as I stop hesitantly, twisting my head to the side. "Don't you want to go to the oasis with me?" he continues, nodding towards the small pond of water not far off. While it looks appealing, I dart my gaze around, the sound of groaning echoing through me.

"T-Tori..." comes a wheeze, immediately turning my heels.

My lungs malfunction as I widen my gaze. Jade grips the ground on her hands and knees, her right fist clutching her shirt, pale eyes piercing through mine. A sudden urge to move towards her grips my spine, almost jerking me forwards as if I was a puppet. I don't though, but I can feel my heart throb as her exposed teeth grind together in angst. Her limbs tremble, the shirt loosening as her hand reaches out, wanting me to grab it. Her palm, as I notice, is red with open scratches, dust powdering them. Her other hand - I assume - resembles the same as the jeans are cut at the knees, which are smeared with red.

"Jade," I whimper quietly, stepping forward a pace.

She nods briefly, a tear trickling down her cheek. "Tori," she whines as her body suddenly wrenched back, her nails digging into the ground. My eyes flick towards her legs. Her right - no, my right - has a long, tight rope tied to it, dragging her ever so slowly with a few tugs. It glides across the ground, falling tightly around a corner down to an unearthly pit, the dark within practically spewing out. Her stare flickers up, locking with mine, a storm of emotion clouding them. "Hel-" she starts, though before she could finish, a long rope slings from the ground in a straight line as if already laid there years ago, giving enough time for the earth to cover it. It wraps around her throat, her eyes bulging out of her skull at the shear force of it. Jade's brought up higher on her knees, knuckles on her left hand white, clutching the rope as she gags, the other scratching the ground in an attempt to save herself.

However air becomes a priority, her other hand switching up. That action was a mistake, seeing as the ropes yank her further away as if she was a rag doll, promptly crashing her into a huge cactus. I let out a short scream, my strides bounding me towards her. I ignore the invitation to the oasis behind me, my thoughts pulsing to the maximum to snatch Jade from the ropes as she clings to the ground, only her upper half showing. With a sudden pull she's in the pit, disappearing into the darkness.

I scramble towards the hole, my feet scuffing the edge as I stare down, my eyes rapidly moving to find her. There are black snakes crawling over each other, becoming a surge of twisting ropes of their own, hissing and seething with a victorious rage. I hear her distorted scream, and my eyes follow. I let out a strangled gasp, watching as thick, black legless bodies twist around her waist, limbs and neck. A pale hand reaches out one final time, pale eyes searching me, needing me to save her.

She lets out a small whimper, her body disappearing in the mass of reptiles.

I don't think, to say the least. I tear off the jacket that I didn't even know I had on, not minding the dust that littered black. I jog back, giving myself room to sprint out for the pit, my body moving like a diver off a diving board. I head straight for where the most activity is, the space almost bulging out in her struggle to get back to the surface.

However, the familiar itch of a rope's material twists around my left ankle, hoisting me away. I screech as I watch the mass become blended with the rest, gentle hands then carrying me a few yards from the edge.

Dark eyes survey me before he wraps is arms around me. "I happy you're safe Tori," he murmurs through a choke, his arms shuddering with his back...

I immediately sit up, my breath coming out rough. I shiver, my hands gripping my arms, feeling goose bumps all over. "Uh, did you sleep well?" Trina asks on the other bed, her eyes glancing over from the laptop on her lap.

"Obviously," I choke out, my mind spinning far too much for me to actually snap a retort. "I'm- I'm going to go to the kitchen and get a drink," I mumble, my sister nodding before distracting herself. I roll my eyes at her silence, not wanting to ask any more of why I literally just woke up in a cold sweat. Though, I suppose, I shouldn't be surprised. I stride across the dim room beside our bedroom, then to the stairs and right to the kitchen.

"Well hey there kid." I grin slightly at the mellow husk, twisting around to see my uncle pouring some coffee in a mug from his kettle. "You sleep well?"

"Kind of," I mutter. It's not exactly the truth, but it isn't exactly a lie either. Though Uncle Jared doesn't do anything about it, even if my tone was laced with some uncertainty. He nods, sipping his black coffee.

Leaning against the counter, fingers curling around the rim, he mumbles, "So are you seeing anyone? It's been a while since you've visited." I nod slowly, to his interest. Placing the cup gently down on the surface, even though it still clinks, he asks, "What's their name?"

"Beck," I answer, his head bobbing into a nod.

"So a boy then," he mutters under his breath, not intending me to catch it.

"Huh? What is that supposed to mean?" I blurt out, dark eyes widening behind the mug's rim.

Uncle Jared gulps before chuckling. "Eh, I've visited you enough as a child." I furrow my brows, thoroughly confused. What the hell is that supposed to mean? "Anyway," he brushes it off, "He good to you?"

"Yes," I nod, "Very kind and sweet."

"Protective?"

"I'm sure, though there's nothing really to protect me from so the opportunity hasn't really presented itself."

He nods slowly, asking quietly, "A bit laid back?" I bob my head in agreement, shuffling for my phone as he asks what Beck looks like. The first picture I flick to was just before Sinjin's show he hoped to get on TV. Beck had his arm around Jade, Andre behind me as I stood beside Cat who was frolicking around Beck with a candy in her hands. I didn't really blame her; the candy was really good. His dark eyes flick over the screen with a small smile on his face, my index pointing towards the Canadian. "Looks cool, who's the chick next to him?"

"The redhead?" I ask, though I know full well who he means.

"No, the one half-hugging your boyfriend."

"Oh," I chuckle, going along with the little, short façade, "This was taken before. That's his, uh, his ex."

He flicks his eyes towards me with a brow raised - one that is so much like hers and yet it doesn't intimidate me anymore - before murmuring, "Is she a friend or..."

I take a moment to wash over all of our times together, the definition of what we have distorted. "I wouldn't call it a friendship," I answer. Uncle Jared nods softly, bringing the mug to his lips.

"Were you going to get something?"

"Oh, yeah, water," I feel almost slapped away, my body jerking towards the cups in the cupboard.

-(:)-

It's only been a few minutes since Trina has been given the opportunity to baby sit the neighbor's son and she's on her phone, Ron doing the work. It's not like neither of them mind, he looks as if he's enjoying the kid's company. Jonathan, I think his name is, continues to romp around with a toy truck in his hands, giggling as Ron flies a toy jet.

"So...are you going to take the ten dollars each day and let Ron play with him?" I turn to Trina. She glances over her shoulder, shrugging.

"If it works."

I don't find that surprising. I close my eyes, my thoughts going back to the night before. Of course, I talked more to Ron than my aunt and uncle, kind of telling him about Beck and my friends at Hollywood Arts. His face often contorts in a confused expression; none of the stuff that happens there goes on in other schools. I mean, if you really look at it, it's the same thing you'll see everywhere but...I mean, schools don't normally have lights on their lockers, or glass, or scissors or a keyboard. I can understand where he's coming from.

Ron excuses himself from the group, needing to go check up on his room beside us on the first floor. At this point, Trina groans slightly, turning around to face the kid. He hands her the small jet that my cousin played with. Jonathan laughs as she takes it, filling the same role. I grin before going through my pockets, wanting to check TheSlap.

And of course it's in the room.

I carry myself through the house - which is pretty large - and down the stairs, eventually meeting the hall with the few doors. I brush past his door, narrowing my eyes once I lean into my and Trina's room. I do remember leaving it shut... The door swings open and I just stare inside, Ron chuckling as he swipes through my phone. "What are you doing?" I snap anxiously, striding towards the side of the bed.

"This chick's hot," he grins, flashing me a picture, "Who's her?" My eyes land on pale ones that stare back heatedly, red pixie cup in her hands as people's frozen bodies danced around her. I frown; I don't remember taking that.

"None of your business," I flick my gaze up, knowing full well when that was taken. I don't remember taking it...but the atmosphere seems too familiar. That, and I don't really recall the last time I've been around her with my phone since then. "Now hand me my phone!" I snatch it from his palms, ushering him out of the room.

"Okay! Okay!" he growls, "Jeez. I just wanted to see who that was. She's really pretty, honest. Do you think she would be interested?"

"Uh, no. She's not interested at all. She's already looking at m-" I stumble over my words, "She's seeing someone else."

"Alright...alright. But I want to meet her sometime when I go down there in the sum-" the door slams. "Well that's rude," Ron muffles through the door.

-(:)-

She rumbles in the bed opposite of me, flicking my gaze towards her. I really shouldn't be annoyed, though I am. Why does Trina have to be such a god damn irritating...uh, person every waking moment and sleeping?

Shaking my head, I go back to the illuminated screen sitting on my lap. "TheSlap" reads in the corner as I login. I bite my lip for a moment, looking through the recent things among everything. I quickly type in a short post - may or may not be entailing Trina's obnoxious snoring - before scrolling through the feeds. I glance over Beck's page, which didn't really have much change before today, and then Andre's. I chuckle, reading through his recent posts about a car running out of gas about a mile away from a QT. Still, no videos from him since, well, he's stranded with Dennis, Marcus and Jade by the wooded parks.

I furrow my brows, the fact that I haven't even checked out any of Jade's stuff dawning on me. I quickly switch over to her account, my expression almost crestfallen. Still, in the corner, read the words 'Last Activity: Oct. 6th.' She hasn't posted anything for the nearly the past three months now. She hasn't even been on the site.

That fact alone sends an unnerving, sour taste in my mouth. I shift in my seat, glancing at the time. Probably should go to bed, seeing as it's nearly one...

With that in mind, I close the laptop and roll over, though it takes me several minutes to actually fall asleep. And even then it's a light doze.

-(:)-

My eyes blink open, a slurred groan coming from my lips as I sit up slowly. With a hand gripping the pillow, the other splayed out to the other sheets, brushing against the laptop, I let my eyes fall to the edge of the bed. I tilt my head to the side, my body buzzing. Shaking my head, I slip from under the covers, carefully strolling numbly towards the door. However, I freeze as my reflection in the mirror halts; it stares back with a light ebony mane around my head.

Groggily I brush it down to minimize the fluff, though it doesn't do much. I curse quietly, my feet shuffling towards the hall where I hear distant voices at the top of the stairs. I make my way sluggishly, my head poking over the floor from between the railing. Trina sits on the floor, Johnathan crawling about with a toy plane in his hands. My eyes furrow before Trina turns my direction, a small smirk playing her lips.

"I see the lion has finally come out of it's little den," my sister drawls, forcing my eyes to roll. Though, with no actual words coming to mind, I merely scowl. "Hey, it's nearly twelve, you'll have to get around. Dad said so. We're going to the gathering tonight down by the beach."

"Fine," scratches against my throat, my limbs making their way up the last set of stairs. "Where's the towels again?"

"The closet in front of the bathroom," she mutters in a bored tone, her eyes following the boy as he plays his adventure. My feet shuffle towards the closet, indeed finding the closet my sister had oh so effortlessly directed. I sling it over my shoulder, my fist grasping the bathroom handle before I step inside.

Everything moves at a slow pace. My drive to place the towel down on the counter, the way that the water hits the bottom of the bath. I groan, scratching my side with few thoughts cluttering my skull.

I can't think, in all honesty. My brain pulses information that my body follows. Even though I woke up late, I still can't find myself to actually be awake, if that makes any sense... With my clothing stripped from my body and the water running, I step in, not caring about the cold water hitting the back of my neck. I only let it run down, hoping that it can clear my sluggish thoughts away. And, they do, actually. Though, not in the way I had expected.

As I rub soap along my body, my thoughts climbing with me, I feel my skin tingle ever so slightly. I stare at the wall, letting my hands roam around to wash myself. I recall Jade from the dream a few days prior. It still keeps at it, attacking my skull. I just can't help but wonder...I just, I need to find a way to help her, to get close to her...

I gasp gingerly, my body shuddering as I briefly lathered soap along my thigh. I grimace, the heat in my gut finally rattling in my brain. My hands shake anxiously... I can't right now, not in here. And so I go back under the water, letting every bit of Dove down the drain. My hand momentarily reaches for the curtains to pull them open but, I hesitate. Heat licks in between my legs, sending jitters along them. I bite my tongue, my eyes shifting around the shower.

I've only been in here for five minutes and I'm really considering it. I squirm slightly, Jade's bare chest entering my thoughts, her whimpers of my name. 'I can't help it...' I conclude mentally, fingertips gliding over my stomach briefly. I shiver, feeling goosebumps erupt after like a trail. It's only then when I realize my body has been deprived of any kind of release for a long time.

Slowly, I part my legs just a bit, slipping my fingers in. I muffle a groan through my teeth, my hand jutting out to the ledge on the side to support my weight. My eyes close softly, Jade under my sheets. She gestures me towards her, my limbs crawling across the bed in an aroused awe. Her lips gently press against my jaw, arms clinging to my back. She whispers unrepeatable things in my ear, my fingers pumping slowly. While the shower's cold, I only feel heat...

I growl quietly, my hand slipping with my eyes opening, staring down at the few bottles of various forms of soaps that crash against the floor. I don't hesitate, however, or slow my rhythm. I merely smirk, my skin bristling as Jade's arms wrap around my waist, her lips trailing down to my thighs. I shut my eyes once again, the heat building up more as I feel her tongue glide in between my legs. "Christ," I moan softly, suddenly thankful for the loud water padding against my back.

I jerk suddenly, twisting around so that the water hits my chest, the door pounding. "Tori? Did you fall or drop stuff-"

"I'm fine," I hiss, my legs trembling anxiously. Trina leaves - thank the heavens - her steps creaking against the floorboards. I clench my jaw, not allowing another noise escape my lips. It's only been a few minutes and I'm already over the edge. I quicken my pace, though there is no release. My eyes blink close, Jade's hand helping my own, pale eyes looking deeply at my expression, waiting to see the end result.

But it doesn't show itself. I curse hotly under my breath, my eyes darting around anxiously. My pace quickens, my back arching subtly with my heated breaths. My god I'm so close...

My nails rake the ledge, Jade's arms wrapping themselves around me, her lips forming the words, 'Come on babe...you can do it,' in my ear. I gasp, my body shuddering briefly. But it isn't enough, oh no, not by a long shot. My pace still continues, pausing at some points as my wrist begins to ache. My jaw grits together as my eyes wonder around, my vision somewhat blurred from the need to close them and cry out.

Though, as my thoughts remind me, I can't; there is a kid and Trina - who's still adamant on catching me by the way - along with Ron whose somewhere around. And so I muffle a short growl between my teeth, my hand crashing against the last bottle along the ledge, which noisily joins the others. I still don't care. I can feel the heat building up rapidly within my system and still there is-

"Tori?" huge knocks ring through the door, "Are you sure you're okay? I heard another-"

"I fine!" I snap tersely, my body shuddering, "I keep dropping the- the, fuck... The bottles." My cheeks warm, hoping to God and all of the other gods and goddesses of all the religions that I can think of that she didn't hear the curse. It didn't sound...uh- it was kind of, breathy.

Still, I continue to pump my fingers in and out, my breaths becoming ragged and my skin crawling with goose bumps despite the hot water hitting against it. My eyes dart along the water quickly, my mind wondering. I shake my head abruptly, tearing my gaze from the shower head. I close my eyes, teeth raking along my neck and nails scratching across my back in an effort to please me. My skin becomes scalding, though I need more. I need her to actually be here with me now-

"Shit," I hiss lowly, my thoughts bashing against the soft, argumentative voice. With a grunt I snatch the shower head from the wall with a great need, the water streaming across the shower curtain before I let out a quiet, suppressed moan. My palm scuffs against the rough edge along the tile walls, though I only pay attention to the waves of pleasure pulsing through my body. My legs shake, buckling in slightly as the shower head drops to the bottom, water rushing against my feel. I press my free hand between my legs, great warmth rubbing against it.

A sly smirk forms across my lips, my irregular breathing becoming slower.

The sound of water against a wall reaches my ear, a hand quickly putting the shower head back to its usual spot. My cheeks warm furiously once I shut the water off using the glass - or fake glass - knob. My hand, tense and heavy compared to the rest of my body, grabs the curtains, my feet shuffling before one nudges a bottle. I gaze down, my thoughts pushing me to put them back. I do, though not with my dominant hand. I step out slowly, grimacing at the new string of battles blowing through my head.

'What is wrong with you? Why isn't Beck enough for you?' the voice seethes, 'You shouldn't deserve being with him, or anyone for the matter if you keep doing shit like this.'

I feel my eyes burn, my grasp snatching the towel from the counter and rubbing it into my eyes. I don't cry often but now it seems like a daily task. I hate it. I absolutely hate it. Why can't I just...

A surge of anger boils within my limbs, the towel wrapping around me before I pick up my clothes quickly. I dart down the stairs, briefly flowing past the other two. I don't listen to Trina's growl as if she's been waiting for forever to use the bathroom. There's like three in the house.

My door busts open before I know it, my feet pounding against the floorboards. I want to do so many things right now. I want to tear away the sheets on the bed and then curl up beneath them. I want to just shatter the mirror in a million pieces and then stare at the unrecognizable person in it. I want to do so many things; yell, whimper, kick out, hug- What am I supposed to do? As my skull is fed with so many angry voices, I kick the side of the nightstand, the lamp that was on flickering as its friend, a water bottle, hammers down to the floor.

I tear the sheets from the state I left them in, slinking back underneath with a howl of irritation.

"Tor? Are you-" I hear Ron's voice start.

"Fuck off!" I snarl, chucking a pillow towards the door - which was open enough for him to talk through, his view away from mine. It slams just as the pillow whacks against it, thumping to the floor. I feel my heart beat hollowly, the sheets up and over my head as I ball up. I can't seem to do much other than just cry in my own skin.

-(:)-

The wind sifts through my hair, my fists firmly in my pockets as our parents stroll along behind us, Ron still keeping his distance. Trina sets her strides before me, her gaze gliding along the sky. It's so much nicer out here. You can see more stars and how they glimmer against the sky. There's not as much light pollution I suppose. Even though they bring a brief smile to my lips, I don't necessarily grin toothily. It's just a nice sight that accompanies my mind is all.

'Jade...' my thoughts hum, dropping my almost-cheerful expression. I focus my eyes on the beach ahead, the house peaking through some of the trees and the road. I want to talk to her, honestly. I-I just need to. In person, not through phone. I feel like, I feel like if I started through texting or through TheSlap it wouldn't feel right. It's just, it would be like trying to pick up the shit show around me with a little spoon and a trash can instead of a shovel and a dump.

'But you will hurt Beck,' the voice on my shoulder hisses. I bristle uncomfortably, knowing the truth of it. I can't do that either, he's a great guy and he cares for me as I do of him but...

'But...' the thoughts reason, "You know you need to talk to her, don't you?" I nod to myself wearily, Trina halting until her strides match with mine.

"You wanna race?" she smirks at me, "I bet I could beat you." I glance down the beach, narrowing at the small set of stairs a little ways away. She glances behind us, my dad or someone nodding in amusement. "Come on. I need to see if these pants will fit around my butt comfortably when I ru-"

"Okay, okay," I rush, my eyes widening at her. "Alright, we'll do it. Just don't talk about your ass-"

"Language," my mom hums, my lips forming a scowl as Trina gives a victorious grin. Though, with a quick thought, I tense my limbs before they dart forward, sending me flying across the sand. I chortle to myself as she whines, her movements suddenly pushing to catch up. Of course, she doesn't; I've always been faster and more nimble. With her, it's all about the strength. I turn my gaze momentarily, Ron sprinting towards Trina with a wide grin, eager to pass her - which he does.

With my eyes fixed on the staircase, the competition seeps away behind me, the cold breeze prickling against my skin. I clench my jaws, my feet pushing with more force forward. I give a sly grin, however, my heart almost leaping out of my chest. It doesn't feel like it's there, actually, even if it's pulsing right behind my ears. My breath is uneven but I still manage to bolt. I still manage to let all of the worries fly off with my pumping muscle. I feel as if the chains around my wrists and ankles are loose, unable to contain me.

I feel freer, oddly enough. But the steps come closer to my view, halting my sudden strength and ease.

This winter break is already going by way too quickly.

Jade's Perspective-

A smug grin crosses my lips, the streetlights along the sidewalk streaming into my eyes. The orange glow is almost blinding considering our steps come straight from a wooded patch near the parks around, the boy's chuckles following behind. I only ignore them, however, keeping my sight ahead. Within the scattered brush on the other side I know there to be a long fence, which casts short, chained shadows behind the road and along the trees.

"We-"

"Don't start," I snarl, whipping around as Andre, Marcus and Dennis all glance back with teasing grins.

"We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!" they belt out in unison, barreling in their strides as howls of laughter shook them. As the three morons play their game, I halt in my steps. I hear the same thing I had heard ten minutes before; footsteps crunched along the tree lining beside the road. I grimace, hearing metal against metal as if it was a joint of machine that needed to be desperately oiled. My brows furrow before I feel arms tug against mine, hands placed firmly on my back.

"Let go of me you bastards!" I hiss, struggling out of their grasps to push me along the road faster.

"Oh come on Jade," Dennis murmurs, "We're fine out here. Like we said, we'll get the gas from the station for the car. Nobody will touch a thing."

I swerve around in my staggering steps, glaring at the three. "And like I said, there's something..." The words die off at the tip of my tongue, the trio staring at me expectantly as my eyes widen, gazing over their broad shoulders. Well, Andre's and Marcus' broad shoulders. My throat constricts, heart beginning to pump irregularly as the hooded man climbs from the trees. A crooked smile gleams at me with yellow teeth from under it, his own eyes wide and crazed. Or rather insane. We weren't far off from the bad streets of Los Angeles, but far enough to not see anybody unless their tracks would have followed us. That thought alone made my hair bristle, neck prickling against my leather jacket.

Dennis turns to my gaze, a short, silent cry crawling out of his mouth. "We have to get over the fence," I mutter hoarsely, my attention darting between the rusted shine behind the trees on the other side of the road and the slow, taunting creaks of the man's leg brace. "We have to get over the fence," I repeat, all three of their stances not moving as the man steps closer before bellowing, "NOW DAMN IT!"

Like a mousetrap, the one ignition starts a chain reaction. He yells through the stereotypical scratched throat that of a smoker, darting towards us with a sliver of metal in his hands, gleaming in the streetlights. We all bolt towards the fence, though white blinding lights flash in my eyes. The musician and I hold back, a car passing on the other lane while the couple storm across the road frantically. Dennis, with his skinny frame fleeing, constantly checks over his shoulder for Marcus before hurling himself towards the fence. Although Andre and I are still on the other side of the yellow line that paints the road, haggled breaths behind us.

I startle as my boots scuff against the ground, my limbs staggering as I hear my name screeched out by Andre. I twist around just in time to see a brown fist connect with the man's jaw, pushing the hood back. His slick, greasy hair lays along his balding head, eyes wide and bloodshot. His own knobby knuckles connect to Andre's nose, red immediately spewing out. He gives a soft groan, stumbling back while the man darts forward.

With blades in my fist I swipe, tearing at the cloth over his shoulder. He yelps as I snatch Andre by the shoulder, yellow teeth flashing. "You rotten bitch," he snarls, pouncing at me. With the other bolting towards the fence at my stern command, I send a heavy kick towards the metal guiding his left knee, promptly breaking the brace, a screw or two cluttering the ground as he howls in pain. I leave him writhing on the ground, my eyes following Andre as he jumps over.

"It's not barbed," he mutters.

"Good," I mumble, reaching towards the top as the boys circle around to offer any help. Just as I lift my weight towards the top, my left leg making its way to swing over, I give a short cry, my jaw clenching at the searing pain in my ankle. I throw myself over, my forearms scratching against the surface of the fence.

I don't even care. All I do is clutch the small, pocket knife now lodged into my leg, pressing against the wound. "Fuck," I whimper hoarsely, reaching out for anybody to pick me up, "Help me." Both Andre and Marcus lift me by the shoulders, my legs dragging as Dennis chucks a huge rock towards the fence, aiming at the man pressed against it.

He screams wildly as the rock clashes against metal, the man collapsing to the ground. "Come on," Marcus groans, taking his firm hands and gripping my back between my shoulders, holding my legs with the other, "We need to get you help, quick."

I open my eyes gingerly, my stained hand still clutching the knife, surveying the grassy field. "There's going to be people in there," I point with a shaking hand.

"Now?" Andre turns around, his nose still trickling some blood. He sniffs, looking about the brick school in front of us. "This is a Catholic school, I doubt-"

"I know, this was my school," I snarl, "There's going to be people here for a service. They always do plays every night the week before Christmas." He nods briefly before I turn to Dennis. "Go inside to let people know, now," I bark, his feet scurrying towards the side, double doors, Andre's quickly following.

"So this is where your love for theatre started?"

I nod slowly, my body feeling too weak from what it's lost already. My vision blurs, my grasp feeling the damp, black cloth around my ankle. It sticks to my skin as paper would to a desk if you dropped water all over it. With my directions, Marcus follows the more efficient path than the other two probably went in their delirious mindset. I struggle in his arms, pushing myself to the ground with a harsh thud. "Fucking hell," I hiss, the blade in my leg twisting just slightly; I can feel every movement it makes.

"Jade- Why did you just do that?" the blonde brushes his hair from his eyes, watching as I stumble towards the pillars along the walls. I give a scornful grin, vaguely recalling all of the shit I went up to in this place. Oh nostalgia. I limp my way towards doors beside me, my hand brushing against the nurse's label on it. I squint at the name. It's the same, long laborious name I had grown very accustomed to.

Bang my knuckles against the wooden door, a short "Come in" coming from the other side. Well at least she wasn't at the service.

I practically fall into the handle in my haste to open it, Marcus just barely catching me. The door creaks open, an older woman turning her head from behind a lamp, spectacles glimmering. "Who are you?" she frowns as I limp in with Marcus, my eyes glaring right at her. She lowers her reading glasses, blue eyes widening. "Elizabeth? I thought you said that you wouldn't ever come back here."

Well, my exact phrasing was that I wouldn't go back unless Satan himself offered me a ticket to hell.

"Elizabeth?" Marcus chortles behind me.

"Yes," the old bat nods, folding her hands together like she used to. Oh the fucking nostalgia. "Why yes. Elizabeth Jade Mary West is her name. It says so in her own file," she nods, gesturing towards a filing cabinet in the corner. God I can imagine that thing's fat with papers.

As I clutch the desk, my leg not able to bear any weight, I set my seething gaze to hers. I swear there are only few who can compete with mine and this woman is one of them. "Elizabeth Jade Mar-"

"Tell a fucking soul and I'll tear out your large intestine and shove it up your ass," I spat, twisting around as the nurse exhales impatiently.

Marcus gawks, his hands firmly pressing against his ass as he squirms uncomfortably. He's never been threatened by me before. "That's no way to talk to your boyfriend," she hisses, drawing my attention back to her.

Before I could even cut across him, the guitarist chuckles, saying, "Oh no. I have a boyfriend." The room becomes deathly silent as the woman raises a brow at him, pursing her lips.

"The people you befriend Elizabeth..."

"My name is Jade," I snap, "And how about you call a damn ambulance for the knife in my leg!" My word this woman is as blind as a bat. As she stands up straight, going around her desk, my vision fades again, my legs wobbling from the standing. I grunt as I collapse to my knees, my hand holding the blade tightly. Her arms wrap around my shoulders, laying me down to the ground. I hadn't noticed the pool of blood I've been leaving in the middle of the white tile. I hope it stains.

"Go get some others," she growls at Marcus, sending him his way. I barely feel her shifting for some cleaning supplies, anything to help with my forearms. My eyes merely blink, closing as my hearing fades.

"Tori..." I barely whine, clutching the ground gingerly, my voice faltering soon after.

Alright, so here's another really long chapter and I know for sure that this story is my longest by far... But serious talk here (kind of explaining yesterday, even though I update frequently anyway). So yesterday I kind of took the day off to read and stuff. Well, then I realized that I didn't have any copies of any of my stories. So I did that... And then I kept on watching some episodes and "Take a Hint..." What? Jade's hot...which is why I added the last part in Jade's perspective. That was also spur of the moment so there you go! ;)

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the story and not my little notice!

:)