I Am Piper [FINISHED]

Chapter 9

I woke up the next morning to the sound of someone whispering my name. Forgetting where I was and what had happened, I laid there limp, not responding. Someone smoothed my hair and my eyes shot open, to the view of a sleepy, messy haired Levi. We were no longer under the covers, and the early morning sunlight shone in through his window, making his golden brown hair glow. As the panic of realizing Mr. Clearance had to know I had snuck out crept in, I sat up quick, distressed.

"What's wrong?" Levi asked, concerned.

"Mr. Clearance," I sighed. "I'm going to be in trouble... And isn't your mom going to be home soon?" I asked.

He shook his head. "My mom is staying with my aunt for a week. She won't ever know."

"And what do I do about Mr. Clearance? He's a murdered, if you don't remember!"

He shrugged. "You can't live there anymore. I didn't tell you before, because I honestly didn't believe he had done anything wrong before. I thought it was just rumors people had started because he's just kind of a quiet guy who keeps to himself. I didn't want to scare you or offend you, because I knew he was your father. I'm really sorry."

I shook my head, deep in thought. "He is a weird, almost frightening guy," I agreed.

"There's something that happened before I came here I never told you about..." I added.

"And what is that?" he sat up.

"Someone was stalking me. He first appeared in the hospital moments after my grandmother's death. I saw him a few times after and kept an eye out for him but never saw him again. I knew he was stalking me because wherever he was, he'd only be there for me. He'd say strange things to me, and when I first saw him in the hospital he knew me by name. He knew how many people I'd loved had died. I... I was confused and frightened. And then I got adopted and haven't seen him since. And then Troye said yesterday that he was a murderer and changes his identity and it just... I don't know, it just got me thinking."

"You think your stalker is... Mr. Clearance?" Levi asked.

I shrugged. "It seems.. Probable."

There was silence as I wondered if I should say something next or he would.

"Levi... I can't go back. I can't. He may be my father and my only living relative who can adopt me, but he's dangerous and unloving."

"Piper... you are brave. You can go back. At least to get your things. Who did you live with before you moved here?"

The question sent back fresh, haunting memories as a stab in the heart reminded me of Drake.

I must have made some disturbed or uncomfortable facial expression, because Levi asked, "Sorry was I... not supposed to ask that... ?"

I shook my head. "Um... You're fine it's just um... something happened with... the family I stayed with before this... a tragic accident and now would be the worst time to move back in."

"Oh," he ashamedly mumbled, frowning at his lap. "May I ask what happened?"

I hesitated for the longest time until I just blurted out: "Their oldest son died yesterday in a car crash."

I found my voice cracking, and my voice box struggling to get the words out near the end of my sentence.

"OH..." Levi said, looking astonished. "That... that really sucks. I feel so bad for them. And I'm so sorry for you, too."

I shrugged, getting out of his bed, now feeling awkward for being pantless in such a serious conversation.

Levi took the hint too, and got up, walking to his closet, throwing on a t-shirt.