Indelible

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* Chapter 12 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘢𝘳."

I had asked Derek if I could go over to his place. He agreed but had a lot of questions. I ran my way there and knocked on the door very loudly.

"Okay, okay! Wait!" I could hear him towards the door. He flung the door open and was about to say something but stopped abruptly. Shock painted on his face, eyes at my blood-soaked knees.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

It was Monday. Just another normal day of school. Yesterday, Derek's older brother tried his best to disinfect the cuts on my knees and patch them up. Luckily, his mom wasn't home questioning me. I was already worrying Derek, and she would probably reach out to my parents, thinking I was just an angry teenager. My father texted me, asking how I was doing. I chose not to respond.

I slept on a sleeping bag in Derek's sister's room. She was very welcoming and offered to buy me a new set of clothes. I refused, but when I woke up, there were already laying on the table. Most were floral and soft girl clothes.

I wore a red floral dress with long sleeves. It was above the ankles, and luckily, my knees weren't visible. I put my hair up in a bun and headed downstairs to the kitchen island and sat across from Derek. He slid over a bowl of Lucky Charms.

"Sorry for bothering you," I laughed.

"You're not," he smiled. "I'm just glad you're safe."

"Do you think they'll search for me? Why did she take me back anyway? I-I don't understand what I did. After all she told me about her being sorry, and that she couldn't control it, she does this? And now I have to burden you guys. I just-"

Derek held his hand up in the air and shook his head.

"It's okay, it's just a sleepover, you know. Nothing big."

"I know, but, you know."

"I don't know, so let's just have a good day, okay?"

"Okay," I hopped up and finished the last of my cereal before getting to the dishes.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Derek and I made our way to art class, where Elijah was waiting.

"Savannah, what are you wearing?"

"A dress?"

"Who is this person? Is it that makeup that makes you look like Savannah? Makeup these days, geez," he grinned. I gave him a light punch in the gut. "Ow, what was that for?"

"Verification of my identity."

As lunch started, I noticed someone walking past, hood halfway covering their face. As Derek turned away to grab his lunch from his locker, the guy grabbed my wrist and turned me around. Leaning in, he whispered, "wait a few minutes, then go to the school roof." His identity was hidden behind a surgical mask and some sunglasses, and it seemed like he was changing his voice.

"Why?" I said out loud. Derek turned around, but the hooded figure was already disappearing behind one of the crowds of students leaving their classes. 

"Huh?"

"Sorry, I thought I heard something."

"What do you mean why, though?"

Then it came to me. It was the same voice. The same voice as the guy from the concert.

"I'll-- I'll be right back!"

I twirled around and raced after the person, and following their orders, ran up the stairs to the roof. The door to the stairs was creaked open. I made my way inside and the door to the roof was open as well. I slowly made my way up. I put my head through the entrance and turned my head left and right, but I couldn't see anyone.

"I told you, five minutes."

A chill crept up my spine. I turned around, but he grabbed my shoulders and turned me back to the door. 

"Stay still," he said. I held my breath.

"I didn't say kill yourself."

I sighed.

"I'm glad you listened to my advice on Friday. Now, I received some more information. Your father is on his way to talk to you. Remember, he knows you're not staying with Rand or Sarah."

"Show me your face."

"What?"

"How should I believe you when you won't even show me your face?"

"Because I have to hide from Jason as well."

"Wh-why?"

"You're not the only person he's after. Anyway, he might call the cops to search for you. Don't get Derek in trouble."

"Why should I believe anything you say?"

"I'm your last chance. I have the privilege of knowing this stuff, but I'm using it to help you. I would never hurt you."

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

The hooded boy made his way home. He was stopped by a car swerving in front of him. It stopped, and Jason stepped out, wearing sunglasses, a cap, and a large jacket. He turned towards the anonymous man and opened the car door for him. The boy sat down and closed the door. Next to him, was Mary, and in the back, Rand and Sarah.

"What have you done today." Jason glared at the boy. 

The boy pulled down his surgical mask and spoke softly, "I spoke to her in the storage room. I told her how Mary was planning to hurt her, like Rand and Sarah. I told her if that she went back to you, things would be normal again."

Jason was silent.

"She was scared. I know she loves you. She probably will come back, Jason."

"Are you sure about that, boy? I don't see anyone coming home."

"Maybe she's hesitant. I will continue to work, Jason."

"MAYBE? I DON'T WANT A MAYBE. I WANT HER PRAYING SHE HADN'T LEFT. REGRETTING WHAT SHES DONE. LOVING HER FATHER. GOT THAT?"

Mary flinched, and Rand rubbed her shoulder.

"Got it," the boy said. 

"Rand and Sarah, you two are oblivious, and you're still her friends, got that?"

"Got it."

Jason unlocked the doors and the boy stepped outside, heaving a sigh. He watched everyone else leave, and Jason drove off. Then the boy raced in the other direction, making sure Jason couldn't locate his address.