The Carson Effect

Chapter 4 (Skye's POV)

When Skye finally got "home" it was around 10 at night. Her first thought was that it was late and she hoped that Gabe had friends over so that he'd leave her alone. She went up the elevator, unlocked the apartment door, and rushed inside. Inside it was dark. She sighed in relief.

She was almost to her room when a lamp was turned on in the corner and a chair swiveled, revealing Gabe. He shook his head making little tsk tsk sounds as he got up, the chair grunting and squeaking as it was relieved of his weight. "Skye, Skye, Skye," he said as he walked over to her. "My beautiful Skye. Why have you come back so late?"

She flinches as one of his grubby fingers reaches up to stroke her hair. "I was dropping Luke off at a friend's house for a sleepover," she replies, her voice shaking in fear. "I stayed to talk to the chaperone I apologize for being late."

He moves his finger to her cheek. "It's okay sweetheart. I'm just glad you're safe. Whatd'ya say to making me some dinner huh? Oh and," he leans in closer to her ear to whisper, his breath reeking of alcohol, "you can be my dessert."

A shiver runs up her spine, making her whole body go cold. She knows exactly what he means and it terrifies her. He will do anything to her he wants, especially when he's intoxicated. After a moments thought, and a lot of hesitation, she steps away and with firmness replies, "Actually I just came to grab some things for Luke and I. We're both staying the night. We will be back tomorrow morning though after pancakes." And without waiting for a response she rushed to her room and slammed the door behind her, locking the bolt. Her breathing turned ragged and she pondered the thought of going through with her plan. How would Noah respond to her returning? To sleep over? She shrugged and decided that the worst he could do is turn her away at the door and then she'd end up having to go to Violet or Audrey's house. Why wasn't she going to one of their houses in the first place? Again she shrugged and pushed away all of the doubts in her head. She had to get out of here or else things would get worse. She gets up and starts shoving some of her and Luke's things in a bag.
After two minutes of packing she gets up and rushed to the front door. As she's passing through the living room she notices that Gabe is passed out in a plate of nachos. "Thank God," she thinks as she hikes up her duffel bag and leaves.

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It takes her about an hour and a half to get to his house since she changed her mind three times and turned around to drive back home. She looks at the clock and sees that it's almost midnight.

She hesitates at the door for a couple of seconds but then gives in and knocks on it. It takes two minutes but then the door opens and Skye is facing a very shirtless and disheveled looking Noah. Immediately she regrets coming because it takes every bit of effort she has to not jump him right then and there. But, she restrains herself from looking at his perfectly molded chest and six pack and looks up into his eyes to give him some sort of explanation as to why she's there. But all she can come up with is a meek, "Hi."

He rubs sleep out of his eyes and ruffles his hair. "Skye... what are you doing here?"

"Uhh, I came to drop off some of Luke's things. And I was wondering.." she bit her bottom lip and blurted out, "Can I sleep on your couch?"

He looks confused but then opens the door and says, "Come in," before disappearing into the kitchen.

She does and closes the door behind her then follows Noah into the kitchen- it's very nice with stainless steel appliances and antique cabinets. He opens the freezer to pull out two small pints of Ben&Jerry's. He then goes to a drawer and pulls out two spoons. These actions confuse Skye; she expected him to be pissed or confused and question her why she's here, but he doesn't he just sits on a bar stool and hands her her own ice cream along with a spoon.