shadows • stand by me •

chapter one

"Ace, I don't wanna do this," Agnes looked at the old farm house in front of her.

I don't recall asking you what you wanted and didn't want to do.

"Please don't make me do this"

You're making me seem like the bad guy here, Jesus, why are you so uptight!

"I am not uptight!"

You are actin' like my grandmother having a conniption-fit. I don't see your problem! Just take the lighter and set that curtain on fire. If anyone happens to see you just tell 'em you were taking a walk and look what you saw.

Ace pointed to the open window with the white paint chipping around it.

"I don't know. They are gonna know I started it."

Then that's even better. You'll actually get some recognition around here. Nobody knows you are!

"Wow thanks," Agnes sneered flicking out the lighter. He heckled at her and she started panting in a moment of regret. But it was too late, the fire spread quick.

Sirens were heard, the neighbors already called the cops and she was being pulled into a car.
Agnes got caught.

"Hello, you must be Agnes Dunbar," the stocky man said while sitting across from her at the metal table.

She was in the interrogation room and handcuffed to a table. It was too late for excuses, Agnes's only hope of getting out of here was Ace and he was no where to be found.

For the first time in a while she is in trouble with the law, all because of feckless Ace Merrill and he couldn't even bother to show up.

"Ms. Dunbar, it says here that you have violent tendencies," the psychiatrist murmured checking his notes, his reading glasses resting on his nose.

"Sharing with me won't reduce your punishment for starting the fire," he continued, "But it may go someway to clear your conscience, you understand?"

She nodded.

"So, where would you like to start?"

Don't say anything you little shit.

Finally Ace showed up, but her heart was already bitter, and she was done listening to him.
"Shut up Ace," she said, staring at the artexed ceiling.

"Ace? Hmmm," the doctor said looking at his notes, probably a file on her. In sudden realization he asked "is he threatening?"

"Sometimes."

"Does he make you angry?"

"You could say that."

Shut up! You're screwing everything up!

"Do you hear him now?"

Say no.

"No."

The psychiatrist sighed, she winced at the cracking of his wicker chair as he sunk into it.

He called you a criminal piece of shit.

Ace was desperate in trying to get Agnes to listen to him but she just shut her eyes ignoring him.

The Doc scrambled to his feet and ran to the door when he heard a knock; he opened it and closed his eyes tight when he saw an officer there, pointing the way to Agnes's exit, "Please leave!"

Agnes pushed herself off the chair and another officer uncuffed her from the table. She made her way to the door and they walked down the hallway. Agnes was put in a cell.

She thought she was alone until she heard her shadow again.
Great job Agnes, you got us caught.

"Just shut up and leave me alone! You got me in trouble."

I got you in trouble? That's fucking hilarious.

"Please Ace, just for once leave me alone!" Agnes pushed forward sitting up on the bench.

You're lucky you're cute, you know that?

"'Kay chill out hot-shot, that doesn't make up for the fact I got arrested!"

If you would'a listened to me for once I could'a got you outta that mess. Don't second guess me toots.

"I told ya' to stop calling me toots!"

I think that's the least of your worries now, if you would'a kept your mouth shut you wouldn't be in this cell. They're gonna send you to the nut house ya' know.

Ace sat next to Agnes on the bench and she sighed throwing her head back in frustration. He almost felt bad for a second but collected himself quickly and regained his normal over confident manner.

What's your problem anyway, toots?

"My problem is you Ace! You got me into this mess and didn't even get me out. I despise you."

Yeah I know, you make it your job to remind me everyday.

For a spilt second Agnes felt bad, but that feeling was immediately replaced with hatred.

"Why do you always try to get me in trouble?"

Before Ace could answer another boy rounded the corner and stood in front of Agnes' cell. This wasn't just any boy, but rather her brother and legal guardian Donovan.

He looked at her with such disappointment and sadness, she was filled with gut wrenching guilt.

"Why?" was the only thing he could manage say, and he never even looked her in the eye.

"I'm sorry," Agnes said, but she didn't mean it, even Ace who was sitting right beside her knew she didn't mean it.

"They're gonna send you to a psychiatric ward Aggy, because you talk to yourself all the time god dammit! Why can't you just be normal!" Donovan yelled at her and tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

"I don't know," she said sadly and he started to walk away.

He doesn't get it Agnes, we're gonna be stronger than him.

"Just shut up Ace, you've done enough."