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Hey guys! I am in the middle of my exams right now but I couldn't help but update because I'm so excited to write this story haha. Hopefully you are enjoying it as much as me! :)

Dedication: Peace200082 for the awesome cover on the side!

Recap:

"Don't. Move." he whispered roughly, his lips against my ear. "Don't want me to hurt those little siblings of Colin do we?"

My mouth watered involuntarily with disgust.

Thomas...

My uncle...

Memories burned my mind of him beating and sexually harassing me. Black dots began to dance across my vision as I felt nauseous.

This could not be happening.

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I felt sick to my stomach. The man that used to beat me, who haunted my dreams for so long, was here again. I had assumed he went to jail. I told myself that so I could sleep at night. My body reacted before my sluggish mind could. My elbow swung back and got him straight in the abdomen. I spun on my heel and projected my head into his, our foreheads smashing together painfully. I stumbled back into the bubbler, feeling disorientated.

Head butting always looked cool in the movies...

With my head throbbing, I stumbled away from him. My vision was swimming. I could hardly see where I was going, but somehow I managed to duck down an alley. I slid to the ground and fumbled for my phone. Hardly able to see what I was writing, I texted Colin. Honestly, I didn't want to be one of those pathetic girls who waited for a man to come save her, but how could I fight him off? Many times before he has shown his strength over mine. I could not take him on alone. I heard the familiar 'whoosh' sound as my text had successfully sent. Plunging it into my pocket, I exhaled a breath of relief.

That relief lasted about a second.

I hadn't even heard him. I was unaware of his presence until I was pulled harshly into standing position by my hair. A painful wince escaped my lips as my eyes burned with tears.

"Good initiative to go somewhere more discrete." he murmured, shoving me roughly against the wall. I blinked rapidly, trying to focus on him. "I have missed your soft skin..."

He tenderly began to stroke my face and I slapped his hand away viciously.

"Don't. Touch. Me." I hissed through gritted teeth.

"Always so pleasant." he sighed deeply through his nose, frowning at me. "Aren't you excited to see your family?"

"You're no family of mine. I don't have any." I bit out.

"You know that's not true."

Talking was good, it was stalling. Realising this, I knew I needed to keep resisting as much as possible.

"She was the only one I considered family." I whispered brokenly to him, not having to use her name. His face twitched at the mention of my Nan. His tongue snaked out, moistening his lower lip and I tried not to scrunch my face up at the action. "Now that she's gone, I have no family."

"You had me!" he screamed, taking me by surprise. My body jolted in alarm, my already pulsating head smacking back against the wall. "You had me. All. Of. Me. You threw that away."

"Because you didn't treat me like family." I spat back, my hands shooting out and barging him roughly in the chest. "You treated me like nothing."

"I loved you."

I could feel the taste of bile in my throat at his words.

"No you didn't. You don't."

His cheeks were growing red, the more flustered he got. I could literally see the vein in his forehead throbbing with anger.

"I'll show you."

"No. You won't."

Oh thank the Lord and praise Jesus and anyone else who lent me a hand today. I was definitely going to start attending church after this. I needed to personally thank God for letting me have Colin in my life. It honestly made me having something to live for. Without family, what do you have? Friends, love, hope.

Colin is all of that to me.

Thomas aka my sick and twisted uncle let out a humourless laugh. "Friend of yours?"

"Something like that."

Slowly, he pivoted on the spot. I peered around his shoulder and almost cried with joy when I saw Colin there. Thank God he was out of bed. His hair was sticking up at odd angles from his sleep and he still was in his pyjamas. I kind of wish they were flannelette with ducks on them or something, but he chose to either sleep with hardly any clothes on or a wife-beater and track pants. It was probably the worst possible timing ever to be checking him out but I couldn't help it. He looked good.

"The infamous Colin Denver I assume."

The made Colin's confident smirk falter slightly. "How do you know who I am?"

"It's not too hard to get information," he smiled, angling himself so he could look back at me. "When you have enemies."

"She didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair did she?" I ground out.

Eliza. I was going to kill her.

"Ah, can't tell you too much." he laughed but his face said it all. Eliza would have loved to give this sicko any information regarding me. That stupid cow. Colin's eyes met mine and I could tell he was trying to communicate with me. I frowned, trying to understand. His eyes darted to Thomas quickly before averting back to mine. I didn't exactly know what he meant but I tried my best.

I snaked my hands around his waist like he had previously done to me. He jumped in surprise and turned to me, which is exactly what I intended him to do. Colin took his surprise to his advantage. Colin lunged at him. He wrapped his arm around and pressed roughly down on the back of his neck. Thomas' head snapped forward at the precise moment Colin brought his knee up. The crack was undeniable and an involuntary shiver ran down my back. Colin just broke his nose. With complete and utter ease, while I couldn't do anything.

I was weak and pathetic. This was a clear reminder (or slap in the face, rather) that I needed to get back to the gym.

He staggered backward into me and instantly, I constricted my arms around his shoulders, holding him to me. He began to flail and struggle against my hold but it didn't last long. Colin swung at him and began beating at him. My uncle dropped from my hands as Colin's fists were literally pummelling his face and chest. He sent a direct punch right into his throat and a ragged scream tore from Thomas. He kicked out, getting Colin in the thigh. He dropped. Thomas than proceeded to kick him in the ribs, although he had blood pouring from his face injuries. I launched myself at him, body slamming him. We both fell painfully on the concrete floor, my skin scraping against it. He rolled on top of me and wrapped his hands around my throat.

A sick sense of Déjà vu washed over me as I remembered the night I almost was murdered alongside my father. I flailed at his hands, trying to pry them from me but it was no use. Again, he was too strong. Colin, in his God-like presence, stood and sent one, strong kick into my uncle's rib-cage. He literally flew off me. I was breathlessly gasping for breath but in my peripheral vision, could see Colin destroying him.

"Colin," I whispered, my voice raspy. "Don't - kill - him."

"I'm going to."

"Don't," I wheezed, clawing my way to standing position. "Stop please."

How did I always find myself in this position?

Sirens could be heard in the distance. Someone must have called the police, seeing us in a battle to death, so it seems. This didn't stop Colin from thrashing down on him. It was horrifying. I don't know where the blood stopped or began. My uncle's face was unrecognisable. He laid limply, taking all the hits. I was beginning to question whether he was still conscious.

"We need to go. Now."

I wrapped my hands around his biceps, trying to pull him away. He shoved me off of him out of reaction. Oh hell no. My hand snaked out and slapped Colin upside the head. He staggered forward, tripping over Thomas.

"What the hell Hayley?"

I walked over and slapped him hard in the face. That successfully pulled him out of whatever rage black out was consuming him.

"The slap was for not listening to me and the hit to the back of the head was for shoving me. That will be the last time you ever lay a hand on me Colin. I know you're here protecting me, but do not let your violent side control you. You're better than this. Now listen to me. We. Need. To. Go."

He looked a little dazed. I grabbed his swollen hand and dragged him after me. We began jogging away from him. As we rounded the corner, I glanced at the almost-lifeless body of my uncle. Swallowing, I turned back and ran like hell toward Colin's house.

"I'm - sorry," he panted, beside me. "I was in the moment. I will never touch you like that again."

"I don't care right now." I breathlessly said back. "Just keep moving."

I felt like I was a fugitive. We ran madly through the front door, both of our chests rising and falling rapidly. I felt like passing out from stress and adrenaline. Miranda rounded the corner and stared at us like we were crazy. As Colin was partly hid behind the wall, she probably didn't guess that we were just fighting for our lives. He actually looked like a fugitive, with the blood staining his hands. I just looked like a crazy lady.

"Well?" she asked, staring at me expectantly. "Where's the groceries?"

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I felt pretty shaken, as you could imagine. Even though we'd been safe in Colin's room for a few hours now, I was still trembling. Colin's chest was pressed against my back and his arm securely wrapped around my abdomen. Despite being in his arms, images of Thomas burned my mind as soon as I shut my eyes. I honestly felt sick and violated, in various ways. I had accepted the fact that he was gone and I would never have to deal with him again.

Guess I was wrong.

Colin's breathing was even, his hot breath fanning the back of my neck. I knew he was asleep but I could not. I wanted to restlessly turn, in attempt to get comfortable, but I didn't want to disturb him. As slow as I could, I withdrew from his arms. I glanced over my shoulder at his peaceful face as he slept. It was hard to imagine him beating my uncle's face in, mere hours before. Leaning down, I gently pressed my lips on his forehead.

My legs still feeling a little shaky, I maneuvered toward the bathroom. I stared at my own reflection for a while, just thinking. I had begun to look quite normal again, the dark circles under my eyes having disappeared, my eyes returning to the brightness they once held. Right now, I felt like I had gone backward again. My eyes were ringed red and I could already see dark bags accumulating under them from stress.

Nightmares would bombard me tonight, I just knew it.

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I had locked myself in my room, in attempt to stop the rage inside of me from breaking out. If I saw Eliza, I was going to hit her. She has no idea of the potential risk she put me in. Absolutely no idea. I just wanted to strangle her. I wanted to make what Colin did to Thomas look like nothing. My hands literally shook with the desire. Hence, why I was cooped up in my room before the dangerous side of Hayley came out to play.

Pacing had been a way to distract myself. I had lost count of the times I had walked from wall to wall, my hands ringed tightly behind my back. If anyone saw me right now, they would have definitely thought I was insane. It was like there were two versions of myself stuck inside of me right now. One wanted to just go and make Eliza pay for what she did and the other, more rational side of me wanted to just 'forgive and forget'. I actually was planning on going to Church next Sunday. I was honestly that grateful to be alive and here right now. I owed it to God. I might see if I can have a session with the priest, so I can let out all my rage. The scary thing is, I don't think I can wait that long and Sunday is the only day he comes in.

I stumbled into the bathroom and splashed cool water on my face. I felt flushed. Maybe I could go to the gym and just let myself sweat the anger out. The feelings of panic and terror had quickly subsided within me and twisted into fiery rage. Aimed at a girl with ratty blonde hair and fake eyelashes. I was at the point I think I would convince myself to go to the gym but end up knocking on her dorm door and projecting my 'unmanicured' fist into her face.

Colin was rekindling his 'bromance' with Chase apparently. I'm not exactly what is involved with that and I probably don't want to. Therefore, seeing as I don't really like many other people in Downright High and didn't feel like hanging with the boys, I am alone with my thoughts. My deadly, threatening thoughts.

My feet had a mind of their own. I was striding toward my bedside table before my mind had even processed what was happening. I fumbled for my pocket knife. Eliza was going down. The cool metal felt refreshing against my skin as I clutched it in the palm of my hand. The dorm room door was wrenched open at that precise moment. I spun around and my jaw fell open. I dropped the knife quickly as two guards flanked either side of Imogen. Seeing as I hadn't completely turned, my body had thankfully shielded the knife.

To say she looked terrible would be a mass understatement. My usually glamorously beautiful friend looked the complete opposite. Her ridiculously long, blonde mane was messily hanging down her shoulders. Her face looked gaunt, her eyes drooping from exhaustion. Her usually tanned complexion was clammy and pale. She looked like she had been through hell. Probably feels like it to her as well. The withdrawals would have kicked her pretty hard, I'd say.

"Hey." she said, her voice raspy.

The guards gave me a nod. I gave them a tight lipped smile, saying I would take care of her now. They retreated from the room and I sighed, giving her another once-over.

"You look like crap."

"Really? I feel fantastic." she replied back dryly, dragging her feet.

I grimaced at her. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up."

While she sat on the bed hunched over, I organised her some fresh towels and laid out all the usual products she uses. She gave me a weak, grateful smile as she passed, looking 100% not herself.

"Thanks."

I just gave her a nod. After waiting an unnecessary amount of time for her to finish, she tied her hair up to a high pony tail and applied some make-up on. She looked ten times better after her shower. We decided since she hasn't eaten properly in days, we would go get some food.

"So what happens to you now?" I asked as we wandered down the hall.

She shrugged, still looking weary. "They're going to keep a closer eye on me. I'm not allowed to work with the twins in any school projects or groups. I'm not supposed to go near them at all, but they realise we have all the same classes so that's not going to work."

"Ugh, the twins." I groaned. "They're so annoying. They're doing you a favour making you stay away from them."

She frowned at me. Before she could get angry at what I said, I offered to go get her some food, which stopped her arguing pretty quickly. I wasn't sure what she would feel like, so I grabbed a range. I turned back and paused. Mr Johnston (aka the mysterious teacher from hell) had her cornered. He was leaning over the table, his back tense as he spoke. Quietly as possible, I sauntered up behind them, trying to hear what he was saying.

"You almost ruined everything." he whispered furiously, his hands clenching the table. "No more screw ups. None. Stay away from the twins."

"It won't happen again."

"You're right it won't. You know what will happen otherwise."

He began to stand upright again. I quickly turned around and began picking at more food. What on earth were they talking about? I didn't realise they knew each other that well? I waited until he left, before I calmly walked back.

"I got you a range because I didn't know what you were in the mood for." I clarified, sitting down opposite to her.

"Thanks Hales." she said quietly, grabbing a biscuit.

"What did Mr Johnston want?"

"Oh, nothing, just talking about an assessment I missed."

I watched her closely. She just lied to me. I didn't push the subject anymore and began eating my own food. I was so curious. What could it have been about? She doesn't listen to me about the twins but she will him? When has Imogen ever respected someone authoritive?

Other than the occasional small talk, we mostly ate the rest of our food in silence. I was too wrapped up in my whirlwind of thoughts to come up with something to say. Chase entered through the door and she was on her feet and in his arms within seconds. I sighed, pushing up from the table. I planned to head back to the dorm when she walked past. Not even sparing a glance at me, Eliza strode past and went up to some of her friends. I watched her intently. She was laughing at something they were saying. She brushed her hair over her shoulder and I felt my fists clench automatically.

This was it.

Moving quickly, I slithered around them and out the door. I tucked into a corner and waited. I reached around for something I could use as a weapon. Bordering some of the photo frames of past principals of Downright High, were lamps. They had thicken, wooden poles. I reached up and with all my strength, pulled it down. I stared down at it, impressed. I resumed my position, hunched in the corner as several others milled out. She eventually did and was alone. Perfect. She made her way toward me, blissfully unaware.

I launched at her and swung at the same time. The pole connected with the back of her head and within a second, she collapsed on the floor. A dramatic cry tore from her throat as she fell. I smiled smugly, dropping to my knees. She began squirming away from me, but I forcefully shoved my palm in between her shoulders blade. He face was smooshed against the floor, her head twisted in my direction. I leaned down so that we were eye level and my breath was fanning her face. Her breathing was irregular and I could see the slightly bit of blood coming from her head. Her cheeks were turning pink from the blood rush.

"That," I said slowly, making sure my gaze was penetrating through her. "Was for telling my uncle of my whereabouts. Next time you do anything like that again, I will kill you. I swear Eliza, I will kill you."

I paused momentarily, as she gave me a confused look but I shrugged it off. With that, I rose to my feet. Still holding my weapon of choice, I walked from her, leaving her gasping for breath in the middle of the floor. Just as I was rounding the corner I heard the footsteps of guards rushing toward her.

That felt good.

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What do you think? As always, please let me know!

Also, what are your thoughts on the new cover? Which reminds me, a big thank you to Collarxbones for it! Love it. <3

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