{A/N: I know, you all probably hate me, especially after that last chapter, and you’re probably wondering, "What’s exactly going on here?" But, this story is going exactly the way that I want it! You’ll see soon! I’m also sorry for not writing a whole bunch this summer, but I get lazy, then bored, I procrastinate, and then I get a good new book to read, and then of course, I get writer’s block! Well, I hope you like this chapter, ‘cuz I sure do!!}

Chapter 4

The Truth

Larissa sat up too fast and a strong wave of nausea hit her squarely on the face. Her body hurt, her head hurt, and most of all her mind hurt. She abruptly opened her eyes, when she remembered all that had happened and her quick dream from the past. She groaned and tried to stand up, but fell back down again. Why did life have to suck? She heard hurried footsteps and was soon embraced by strong, caring, loving arms, by none other than Jacob.

"Oh my gosh, Larissa, there you are! Why did you run out like that? You gave me such a bad feeling. Are you okay? Are you hurt?" For he had just realized that part of her arms were covered in soon-to-be bruises. "Holy shit! What happened? Who did this?" He asked in concern.

She smiled wanly. "No one did anything. I just tripped over that tree root and was knocked unconscious. You guys yelling my name woke me up. Jeez, it sounded like you guys were at a wrestling match where I was one of the wrestlers and you were trying to egg me on." She laughed, but quickly stopped from the searing pain on her right side. "Gosh, it feels like someone took a baseball bat to my ribs." She slowly pulled up her top and saw a big bruise, the size of a soccer ball on her side.

"Does it feel like you have any broken ribs?" He lightly pressed on her side, which rewarded him with a piercing look, a short intake of breath and a painful smack on the face. He grimaced slightly, then gave Larissa a charming smile. "I should’ve known that was co-" He stopped talking when he saw the look of fear cross Larissa’s face. "What is it, darling?"

She murmured, "N-no, n-no!" She tried to get up, but was forced to stay still for she was still in Jacob’s arms. Larissa had just seen him, her worst nightmare, standing in the back of the little crowd that had formed around Larissa and Jacob. Why had he followed them out here? She struggled again to get loose, but Jacob held her down again. He knew something must be up.

"What is it?" He repeated.

"I-I can’t...no, no, please, let me go." She turned her eyes towards him. "It’s not s-safe. I m-must go." She stuttered.

"Why? What are you talking about? You must have got knocked out a little too much then." He looked around the group, looking for someone. He must have spotted them, for he next said, "Ah, Nathan, come help me. You haven’t been properly introduced to Larissa, have you?" A slight hesitation, then Nathan moved reluctantly forward. "What’s wrong, Nathan?" Nathan shook his head. Jacob shrugged, then turned his head back towards Larissa, who had a more panic look on her face. "Sweetie, its ok. It’s just my good, well, my best friend, Nathan Parks. We’ve been friends since college. Won’t you say hello?" She didn’t respond, so he lightly chuckled and teasingly said, "He won’t hurt you. Trust me. What is he going to do, bite you?" He laughed a little more, but then stopped when it was made apparent that Larissa wasn’t going to greet his college buddy.

He turned to Nathan, who had stopped in his tracks and looked ashen. "Well, Nathan? Aren’t you going to say anything?" The other people in the group looked at Nathan, who said nothing, then returned their gaze towards the couple on the ground. When no one talked, Jacob flushed angrily. "What the hell is going on here? Speak! Someone break the silence!"

And, with that, Sam rushed forward, and helped Larissa onto her feet. "I’m not entirely sure what’s going on here, but I’m going to help Larissa get home..." Sam said evenly. "And if I have to, I’ll force the truth out of her." She said more demandingly. They set off towards the parking lot and Sam helped Larissa into her Lexus.

The others eventually followed, but first without hearing Jacob say, "Nathan? Do you two know each other?" Nathan looked stricken and moved away back towards the bar. Jacob went to his own car, fully intending to go to Larissa’s house and get the full report on what had just happened.

{A/N: Yeah, yeah, I know. SHORT CHAPTER ALERT! It’s not what I intended, but I like the ending of this chapter. The truth will set you free, lol! Finally, getting to the good stuff! Oh, the drama, the passion, the...truth? Anyways, the truth is coming (LOL), don’t worry! I promise to get the next chapter up soon...well, maybe, um...actually no, not soon, NO PROMISES!!}