Severed Bonds
Chapter 9- Turmoil

I go up and take a red cup and gulp it down fast. Next thing you know, I replace myself unable to see straight or walk straight. I take out my phone and scroll through my contacts to replace my dad. Is that a q or a p? Is that an s or a 5? He should be on recents? I don't see dad anywhere on recents! I push my way out of the house and dial my dad's number. The phone rings for a bit, I hope I typed the right numbers in I guessed most of them. It rings again, nothing! I decline the call and feel the ground underneath slip away from my feet. My eyelids are growing heavy, I can see two men in black approaching me. I stumble the opposite direction to run away from them, behind me I hear grunts. I'm feeling even more unsteady. I hear footsteps run over,

"Thomas!" I fall in somebody's arms. I strain to make out the face or person carrying me. I hear a slam of a car door. Then the world goes black. My eyes finally break out of the darkness and have clear vision.

"Look she's up." Ian says leaning over a wall.

"Dad?" He runs to my side immediately.

"Hannah! You're safe thank god!" I

"Safe? What do you mean?" I use my hand to sit up, the texture of the love seat is soft and plushy grunt,"You! what the hell are you doing here?!" I swing my legs over to a sitting posture.

"It's my house, you're lucky enough to even be here." He scoffs.

"W-what happened?" I say looking at my father. He sits beside me.

"What do you think? You were drugged." His tone is sharp and filled with annoyance.

"Was it the same guy?" I wonder out loud.

"Tsk, hell if I know!" He shrugs off.

"Did you save me?" I glance at him curiously. He rolls his eyes.

"I told you whatever happens to you happens to me!" His voice is thick with anger. "So, yes! I did! That way I won't be locked up with a dumb ass like you."

"Dumb ass? How the hell am I the dumb ass?" I cross my arms.

"You...took, a beer! From, a stranger!" He looks at me aggravated. "Instead... of pouring it yourself!" Well when you put it that way, but still! You don't have to be so rude about it! My dad looks at me, shit!

"It was just one." I shrug while giving him an uneasy smile.

"And it will be your last one." He adds firmly. I glare at Ian, he rolls his eyes and motions my father to follow him. Ugh! He knows I'm too numb to stand!

Ian POV,

"I know it was hard. I'm sorry it had to end that way." He pleads, When did you even give a damn!

"You ran to protect yourself, in the end you only hurt her." He's just using me to make up for the mistakes he made. Now he expects mercy?

"Ian, If you truly care about her... you won't tell her. This will shatter her!" Now you're worried about me telling her the truth? The reason why we're all in this mess!

"Which part?" I cross my arms over my chest.

"I did what I thought was best Ian." Lies, it's a lie! And that's how it will always remain a perfect little lie.

Hannah POV,

The next day I get ready for school and ride in the car with my dad. I'm still trying to process...everything. I got drugged, he saved me... but that was because he was drugged too? Then how did he get me out of there? Now that I think about it, he was leaning on the wall the whole time? I was too numb to stand, but then he did say we don't have the same effects since he's...not human. Which he proved right away, this is... crazy. All of it is! And I'm crazier for almost believing it!

"Hannah, after school you're coming straight home."

"Yes I know." I say softly.

"No hanging out at your friend's houses or anything either." What! "Dad? But why?" I know it's the second time an incident happened. But I can't stand being cooped up at home!

"Because you're on punishment!" Oh, Right... He drops me off at school, I grudgingly make my way to my locker. Sleep isn't coming easy to me lately, I'm falling asleep during classes and unable to focus. This happend the first time with the first incident but it's worse now...Now they both show up in my dreams banging on my doors or smashing through my window. I just want this day to be over with! As soon as I get home I run upstairs, lock the door, take out my ipad and wait anticipatingly for a connection. The loading screen fades away and is replaced with Justin's face.

"Sup." Justin sits up.

"Hey." I wave.

"Got nothing else better to do?" He teases. I let a nervous laugh. Ever since he saw the scar he hasn't tried to pry more into it.

"Will I decided to ditch all my plans and talk to you." I giggle. In fact he just acts like if it never happened.

"How sweet..." He strains his smile. "But seriously you have made other friends right?" He gives me a suspicious glare. It's as if everything's normal, and all I do is play along...

"Yeah, sort of." He gives me the "you better start explaining" face so I began to explain the crazy Rose scenario. After I'm finished I look at him for reassurance or some advice.

"Wow! seems like she really likes you!" He jokes.

"No kidding." I roll my eyes.

"Hey, how are you doing with the whole Noah sitch?" He leans a bit closer to the screen.

"That was forever ago!" I shrug off.

"Still... it's been awhile I want to make sure my good friend is past it are you?" He tilts his head at me.

"Yes!" I throw my hands up and roll my eyes.

"Really? you don't feel any guilt for Lacey?" He looks right at me as he says this.

"Yes...but... wait what do you mean by...guilt?"

"Oh, I just assumed that Noah told you...before you left." He shifts uncomfortably.

"Told me what?" I look at Justin to signal him to go on.

"Well, he...broke up with Lacey..." I cover my face with my hands and groan.

"No...he didn't? Did he?" He nods his head slowly giving me a sympathetic smile.

"It's not your fault Han, it was bound to happen." I pull my hands away and sigh.

"How is she?"

"Ah...well I haven't seen her since the break up...and she doesn't hang with us as much." Argh! I feel terrible!

"Han, either way she would've been hurt." I squirm uncomfortably.

"Yeah... I know."

"So, do you still like him?" He tilts his head at me.

"No." I blurt.

"You're blushing!" He points at the screen, I place my hand on my cheek sure enough it feels hot.

"Argh! No!"

"Hey, if you want I'll tell him you said hi."

"Doesn't matter." I mumble. He huffs.

"We'll hopefully next time Lola can join us."

"Yeah hopefully..." I fake a smile.

"That way she can tell you about the admirer she has." I nod along.

"Wait! What!" I sit up on my bed.

"Yep, she's got a live one!" He teases. I let a high pitched laugh. "We'll I have to go, can't be late for tryouts!" He smiles.

"Wait! Tryouts? Justin!"

"Bye!" He waves while showing a goofy smile. I lean back on my bed, and allow my body to collide with the mattress. Damn it! Justin! I sigh out loud, Noah... Why is it so complicated? I reach over and take a pillow and slam it down on my face. I do this a couple of times, why? Why? Why! Why did he have to confess to me and why didn't he tell me he broke up with her! Reminds me... the Ian situation...I hit myself with another pillow. Why has my life suddenly become so complicated?