Scars | ✔

Chapter 26

The dim light of the porch shown down on Lee and Carley as they talked. The cold breeze chipped away at their bare skin, sending goosebumps up and down their body.

"Do you think Clem is doing better?" Carley asked, staring at the road ahead of her.

"I'd say so. Whenever she can, she sticks to me like velcro. I'm not sure why." Lee stated, sighing as he turned to Carley.

"You two are like two peas in a pod. I'm always at work. She's around you a lot. Both at school and here." Carley said back, raising an eyebrow and smiling at Lee.

"Yeah, but it's just odd. Ya know?"

"It isn't, Lee. It just means she trusts you. She trusts you to keep her safe. That's a good thing. It means she loves you. You gotta think. Aside from that Marshall boy, you were one of the first faces she saw that showed her love."

"You're right. Thanks, Carley. I think I'm ready to head to bed now."

"Me too." Carley and Lee smiled at each other, taking one last deep breath before going inside.

. . .

Clem groaned as she sat up in bed, shivering as she glanced to her window.

Clem frowned as her stomach churned. She closed her eyes and sighed.

Clem stood up and left her room. She quietly went to AJ's door, lifting her hand to knock.

Clem paused when she heard movement downstairs. Clem closed her eyes, trying not to imagine the worst. She turned around and silently headed for Lee and Carley's room. Both were in the room.

Clem closed her eyes, tears already rolling down her eyes. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her pocket knife, creeping down the steps.

Clem reached the bottom of the steps and looked around.

Suddenly, a hand covered Clem's mouth, pulling her backwards.

Clem struggled, until she was thrown onto the ground with a gun to her head.

"Stay quiet, girl. I'd hate to see what happens to you or your family if you dare make a sound." The man said. Clem, still facing the ground whilst laying on her stomach, bit her lip to not cry.

"P-Please... I... I won't tell anyone you came if.. If you leave... Pleaseee...." Clem cried, clenching her eyes shut.

"You're coming with me." The man grabbed Clem by the hair, pulling her off of the ground.

"No!" Clem yelled, grabbing the man's hand. The man pushed the gun against her cheek, finger firmly placed on the trigger.

"I won't hesitate, bitch." The man said, his hot breath sending shivers down her spine.

"Please..." Clem whispered.

"I love you, girl." The man said, placing his lips on Clem's neck. Clem cried. She wanted to get away, but she was scared. Scared of the man. Scared of what he'd do to the Everett family.

"Please... Please, please, please, please...."

The man trailed his lips down Clem's shoulder, firmly turning her around to face him.

His face was covered by a black mask. Only his eyes and lips were visible.

The man kept the gun to Clem's cheek, lips now pressed against her own.