Okay, everyone. So, Imma try to add some of the things I was think of in this chapter. To all who reviewed, THANKS! I am SOOOOOO sorry I haven't updated lately but with the Olympics and my closest friend EVER moving all the way to North Carolina, I haven't had any free time and I've been a little conflicted. Plus, I could not get any well thought-out ideas for this chapter...BUT! I have FINALLY gotten around to it.

Annonymous-1: your life does not bore me and I truly do not find it boring. please feel free to tell me about your life. I really don't mind. In fact, it's actually a great thing to hear about someone's life and inner thoughts. 2: i am so sorry about you little brother. I pray for you and your family. 3: I do agree to review one of your stories when you post on in the future. I'll be looking forward to it.:) hope the coffee didn't burn you too bad. ;)

ANYWAY! ON WITH THE STORY! 8D

Dig Martin POV-

I shut Skylar's door behind me quietly. I walked to the downstairs kitchen and fixed Skylar a bowl of cereal and a glass of cool water. Just as I was about to pick up both, a voice said, "What'cha doin'?" I spun around quickly, too quickly. It was Jack. He looked at me funny.

"Nothing." I blurted. I didn't think Skylar would want everyone to come to her room when she was just beginning to feel better so I decided to lie.

He raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Really?"

"I'm fixin' myself some cereal. That's it."

"Okay." He took a seat at the table. "Fix me some, too, will ya?" He asked.

"Here, you can have this one." I told him, handing the one I'd just readied. I fixed another one and started to walk out of the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"To eat." I didn't meet his eyes.

"Why not in here?" He drilled.

"Because I don't wanna." I replied.

"That's not a good explanation..." He told me. "Or the true one." He finished. My eyes snapped to his, which were averted to the ground. "I can tell you're tryin' to lie, dude." He said.

I sighed. "I know where Sky is." He met my eyes. "But she doesn't wanns be found. She was hungry so I'm taking her some cereal." I explained.

"Oh..." He trailed, looking down again.

"Will you tell?" I feared his answer.

"Nah."

"Why not?" I wondered.

He leaned back in his chair, looking pretty relaxed. "Because if she doesn't wanna be found, I don't wanna be the person to reveal her. You do NOT want an angry chick on your hands." He shivered dramatically.

I smiled. "See ya, Jack."

"See ya, Dig."

I walked to her room, knocked, and entered after she called through the wood. "Hey. I brought you some cereal and water." I told her, smiling as I handed her the bowl.

She smiled gratefully. "Thanks." She ate in silence and I just stood there, deep in thought. When she finished, she sat both dishes on her nightstand.

"It feels nice." She said, simply.

"What does?" I asked.

"Getting all of that stress and worry and pain that was crushing me off of my chest. It feels nice." She repeated.

"It must." I repied, wishing I could be like that.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not entirely sure how to word it." I told her.

Everything was completely quiet for a moment and she finally spoke up. "Mia told me about the accident." Her voice was soft. My head snapped towards her face. She only looked down with guilt. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I know how it feels to lose someone that quickly in your life." She paused. "And that young."

I took a deep breath and tried not to get too peeved off. "I-it's okay. I-I just don't talk about it because the flashbacks start." I tried to be calm and understand.

"Maybe...maybe it would help if you did talk about it." She suggested, tenderly.

I laughed bitterly and turned away. "Don't worry, it won't."

"How do you know until you try?" She questioned, coming to stand in front of me, close.

I smiled at that. But it wasn't a happy smile it was a cynical, sadonic, wry smile. Another bitter chuckle escaped my mouth. "Oh, but that's the problem, I do try. But I always end up zoning out for who-knows-how-long and shaking by the end of it all."

Skylar took in my words for a moment. "Maybe you won't if you're talking to me as if you were really there. As it's happening, the flashbacks, you could say what's going on."

I considered that. She was someone I could imagine myself in love with. Thay sounds really cheesy but it's how I felt. I could see myself opening up to her, never to feel sad or hurt whenever I was around her. I decided to try. "Okay." I murmered. I closed my eyes and immediately, the dreaded memories I had buried for the last four years started to dig their sharp claws into me, once again.

FLASHBACK-

I opened my eyes and found that they were wet and scratchy. A strange combonation but it's how they felt. I was in a car. The backseat behind the passenger's seat of my mother's old car, to be exact. Bottles rolled around on the floor and crashed against each other with clinks as Mama whipped around corners, eager to get to Aunt Jan's. The car smelled of a strong liquor. I cried out as I was thrown into the side of the car, unbalaced. The tires squealed so loudly, I knew my mother could not possibly know the legal limit in her drunken haze.

"Shut up!" Mama yelled at me. She had one hand on the wheel, the other waving a bottle around in the air, clumsily. She had the windows down so the wind ripped her crazy, dark hair in too many different directions. She had dark circles under her eyes that made her look much older than twenty-seven. "You're giving me a headache! I'm sick of dealing with you, bratty! You're going to Janny's! She'll take good care of you!" Mama screamed at me, glancing in the mirror, her wild, grey eyes suddenly flaming.

I whimpered a little. Aunt Jan was mean and cruel. I couldn't go live with her! Even if it meant dealing with Mama. "But-" I began, seeing if I could talk her out of it.

"I told you to SHUT UP!" She screeched, turning around and releasing the steering wheel to turn around completely to look at me. Tears stung my face and eyes as I felt her words plant themselves in my mind forever.

Everything seemed so still and unreal for a small second. I knew something big was about to happen. It was that moment when I saw a glimmer of a windshield in front of us. Mama swiveled around in time to see the approaching Semi truck. "It's all your fault, son! Everything! Even when Jake died! It was always your fault!" Mama screamed at me as she realized what was happening. Fear and shock shook her from her drunken state and wiped her face clean of anger. Just before the truck collided, she closed her eyes and slumped over the wheel.

The two cars came together with a mighty clash. Metal rumpled and folded all around me as if they were petals on a flower just coming into bloom. Somehow, every shard of glass and metal missed my skin entirely. I saw glass find it's mark on my mother's neck, arms, abdomen, everywhere. Metal crumpled around her, hiding her from my view. I felt weightless when the car rolled once, twice, and then came to a stop. Evidence of tears was on my cheeks and chin. I was completely still for a moment but then I was jerked into motion. Warmth danced around my feet and I looked down. Fire was playing with my shoelaces. I slipped them off with panicky movements and crawled forward to the passenger seat. I looked to my left and caught a glimpse of my mother. I wanted to look away but my mind was already too damaged from the sight it now held. A gasp fell from my mouth, and, seemingly, my heart.

My mother, bloodied and battered and broken. She was no longer recognizable, glass scattered all over her face and neck. A large, deep cut was visible just within her hairline. Her eyes were closed, face pale. I could see the whiskey bottle still clutched, firmly in her left hand. A particularly large piece of metal was sticking out from the spot just above her bellybotton. The shard had gone all the way through her seat...and her stomach. I blinked hard but the sight did not disappear from my vision, like I wished it would. She lifted one eye, her right one.

"Mama?" I whispered, grasping her right thumb.

"I'm so sorry." She held my fist inside hers as she met my eyes. She looked truly sincere. The first true emotion besides anger I'd seen since Dad died. A tear slipped from her eye as it fell closed. Her grip loosened until her hand fell to the console in the middle of the car.

"Mom?" I shook her shoulder. No response. "Mama?" My voice rose. She didn't answer. "Mama!" I screamed. She didn't answer. Just like she didn't answer as I repeatedly yelled and hollered at her and shook her over and over again until the firemen arrived. I couldn't face the facts and believe that my mother, my only parent, was suddenly gone. As if she was erased from my life forever. Which, indeed, she was...

END FLASHBACK-

Suddenly, my eyes flew open and I came back to Skylar. She had tears on her face, but suprisingly, mine was free of hot, salt water. I stared ahead, no thoughts breaching my daze. Sky hiccupped in front of me and sniffled. She wiped her face and looked at me. I expected her gaze to be sympathetic. Once again, she suprised me. Instead, her expression was pain, love, and affection all formed in one, small smile.

That's when I finally broke. After four, long, tiring years of keeping everyone in the dark, I had finally given in to a girl I knew I must be in love with. Tears cascaded down my cheeks quickly and silently. Skylar brought me close to her, an embrace. I leaned against her, needing her strength so badly.

After a moments of gut-wrenching relief, I finally sat upward, keeping ahold of her hand. Wasn't this upside-down? I was supposed to be the Knight in Shining Armour and she was supposed to be the Damsel In Distress that I would save. It seemed the tables had turned. She was the one saving me.

I knew then, in that one, little second, that I had to do it now.

I wrapped my arms around her and brought her body close to me. She gazed at me with her remarkable eyes. Her hands curled against the back of my neck. I kissed her. It wasn't like the books, where it says that fireworks burst all around me. No. It was more like a thousand lights surrounded me, enveloping me in warmth and radiance. I couldn't help but smile against her lips. She was smiling, too. We broke apart, niether breathing very heavy. She scooted closer to me on the bed and leaned into my shoulder, sighing happily. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and layed my head on top of hers.

"So, what now?" She questioned, looking up at me.

I shrugged. Then, eyes popping, I knelt down there on one knee. She smiled widely. "Wanna be my girlfriend?" I asked, shyly holding my hand out for her.

She laughed a little, a beautiful sound, and took my hand, pulling me to my feet. She took a step up to me, so close that her breath blew over my chin and cheeks. "You know it." She leaned in and kissed me. I pulled her close.

Suddenly, the door flew open. Skylar leaped away from, I did the same.

And who else could be at the door but Dean 'Nilla' Fayer?

His normally friendly, black eyes burned like liquid obsidian. He was obviously raged by the way he stood, tensed. His knuckles were white and he held his fists tightly. His nostrils flared in an unattractive way and his face was twisted in an anger I'd never witnessed on his face before. He glared at me, smoke practically floated from his ears. Then, before I knew it, he had tackled me.

He crashed into me, fists already flying. They pounded on my face and throat several times before I could register the situation. I immeadiately threw up my hands and blocked his punches. He just punched my chest and stomach. "Nilla! Stop! Leave him alone!" Skylar yelled at Nilla. I shoved him back, off of me. He landed on his feet, ready to pounce again. I jumped up just as he leaped at me again. He landed on the carpet. "Stop!" Skylar cried. I froze but Nilla didn't. He kept coming. He kicked my legs out from under me and started wailing on me again. This time, I socked him in his jaw. He stumbled back, clutching his chin. Skylar ran in front of us, between, palms facing either of us. "STOP!" She screamed. Just as she shouted, Roy and Miles raced into the room. They grabbed Nilla, who fought like a stubborn horse that refused to break, and wrestled him out of the room.

"You stay away from her, Martin!" Nilla screamed as they dragged him away.

I breathed hard and long for a moment. Skylar looked pale and took a seat on her bed, hands in her lap. I sauntered to the bathroom and investigated my wounds. A black eye, bruised jaw, and cut on my lower lip. Not bad. Roy taught Nilla well. I sighed and cleaned up a bit. Not as bloody, I walked back into the bedroom. Skylar was still frozen. "Hey." I took her hand and she started, blinking her eyes quickly. "It's okay. It'll be alright, just fine." I told her.

Her eyes were confused and scared and sad. I wanted to punch Nilla right then and there. He had already hurt her and now he had frightened her. What more could he do? She was pale with a sad frown and fragile look. I wrapped her up in a hug and she cried a little, silently. I patted her back and she eventually calmed down so she wasn't shaking. When she stopped, defiance and anger were clear in her irises. I knew she was tired of crying. Frankly, I was, too.

"Sorry." She muttered, looking down. I knew why she was apologizing. She felt like a sob-story. But I don't know why she thought she had to apologize. After all of the pain she's been through, I would break as much as she did, if not more. I decided not to speak. She didn't need comforting words, she needed someone to hug. It was just that simple.

We sat there for who-knows-how-long until the silence was no longer awkward. Which took quite a while, if I might add. She sniffed loudly but it wasn't from crying, it was from exhaustion. We both sighed loudly and we met eyes, smiling. "I'm worried."

"Why?"

"This." She pointed a bracelet on her arm.

Her eyebrows came together to scrunch as her eyes caught sight of the bracelet with what looked like a fire charm. She tried to take it off of her wrist but it didn't budge. Grunting, she tried again. Once again, she failed. "Dig, can you pull this bracelet off?"

"Sure." I attempted to tug it off but it wouldn't give. I tried again. Nope. I scratched my head. "I don't think it's coming off? Is that okay?" I tenderly asked.

"No!" She threw her hands up in the air. "This bracelet is similar to one that Richard gave me and it's the one Maggie gave me before I caught her with Nilla! And now it won't come off!"

"I'm sorry. Hopefully, we can get it off later."

Her eyes popped. "Do we have any butter?"

"Um, I don't know. I could check. That cool?" I offered.

"Yes! Now go! I need this stupid thing off!" She tried to pry it off, once again.

"Okay." I left her there, alone. I didn't think about the fact someone was supposed to stay with her at all times. It's not like anyone would get her in the short amount of time it took me to get some butter. I turned a corner into the kitchen and my heart stopped cold. Everyone was there, either glaring at each other or yelling. As soon as I stepped in the room, all eyes focused on me. Mia's dissapointed, amber eyes were the first to meet mine. I caught sight of Lee's enraged caramel eyes and then Roy's obsidian cold ones. Next was Miles' icy grey eyes and Jack's bright blue concerned ones. Jean just looked at me with sad, doe-like green eyes. I didn't meet Nilla's gaze, knowing they were like a hardened molten rock, cold, unforgiving, and fury coursing throughout his mind.

I walked over to the fridge a calmly as possible and pulled out a tub of butter. I hurried out of the kitchen, eager to escape the stares and glares. When I was a few feet down the hall, they started to speak, in whispers this time, though. I resisted the urge to stop and eavesdrop on them.

I knocked a couple times then went in. Skylar was in the bathroom, staring at her reflection. I waited for her and she looked over at me, expectantly.

"I got the butter." I said, holding the bucket up.

Her face lit up. "Yay! Come on! I wanna get it off!" She beckoned me to come closer.

I stepped inside the tiny bathroom and opened the tub of butter. I stuck my finger in it and lathered the greasy substance around her wrist. She worked the butter under the bracelet and it came off slicker than a soap bar. It tumbled to the ground and landed with a small clang. She rinsed off her wrist and glanced down at the small piece of jewelry. I noticed that it flashed red on the bottom of the charm.

I picked it up, eyebrows scrunched. The light flashed on and off. I handed the bracelet to her and said, "Hang on. I'll be right back." I hurried to the lobby. We scattered tools that may be useful in an emergency all over the hotel. I'd stuck a two-sided screwdriver in the drawer on the lobby desk. (idk what the screwdrivers' official name is.)

I quickly snatched it from the drawer and hurried back to Skylar's room. I took the bracelet back from her and plunged the screwdriver into the side of the bracelet. The charm popped off, exposing an intricate and complicated set of wires and tiny computerboard. "Woah..." I gasped, mouth agape.

"What the...?" Skylar trailed, taking the bracelet from me ans examining it closely. "What's with the bracelet?" She was totally confused...not that I wasn't.

"It...I don't know." I paused, thinking. I took her hand and pulled her towards the door. "Come on. Let's go find Jack. He knows a little about electronics and mechanics. I have no clue where he learned, though."

"Wait!" She pulled her wrist from my grasp and I really wished she hadn't. "I'm not ready to go out there! I can't face Nilla yet! Especially after he tried to smash your face in and..." She trailed her eyes down to the floor, awkwardly blushing. I knew she meant our kiss.

I cleared my throat and tug on the bottom of my shirt. "Sky, you'll have to do it sooner or later, might as well be now." I offered my hand.

She bit her bottom lip and a conflicted expression elcipsed her face. She finally took a deep breath, her face clearing, and took my hand. "Okay. I trust you." She gave the bracelet to me and started fiddling with her necklace, which looked somewhat cleaner, a blue sapphire.

I led her out of the room and headed to the kitchen. Now the gang was back to yelling again. "Ready?" I asked her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before nodding. As one, we stepped through the swinging door. Immediately, all eyes were on us and the conversation stopped.. Roy and Mia were glancing at us through concerned gazes. Jean and Jack, who held hands, glanced and at us, worried. Lee and Miles were glaring at us, but I don't think it was anger at us. Nilla, who leaned against a far wall looking quite moody, saw Skylar and perked up. Then, he saw our hands. It seemed a million emotions appeared on his face and then dissappeared just as quickly. Hope. Regret. Pain. Sadness. Fury. Hate...

"Hi." Skylar broke the erie silence.

"Sky-" Nilla jumped on his chance, taking a few steps forward. Sky's grip tightened.

"Save it, Dean. I don't wanna hear it. The only reason I came out here was because of Dig." Her voice was cold, an emotion I'd never imagined would come through her lips. Nilla froze, rejection obvious on his face, mouth open. His expression morphed into anger as he gazed at me. He slowly backed up to the wall again, crossed his arms, and settled his glower on the mircowave above the stove. Skylar looked at me.

"This is why she came out." I held out the bracelet. No one spoke so I told them the whole story, avoiding the parts about Nilla and Maggie as best I could. "And that's it. Jack we wondered if you knew what this was." I tossed it to him.

He caught it and examined it. "It looks...like a...tracking device." He looked suprised. "I-I don't have a clue as to WHY Maggie would want to track you, Skylar, but it's most definitely a tracker." He stated, more sure of himself. He threw it back, to Sky, though.

"I don't know." She muttered, peering down at the wretched object in fear. A suspicion popped into my head.

"Maybe..." I licked my lips, preparing myself for my words. "Maybe, she...knows Richard." I winced at the level of silence and denial in the room as I said the sentence.

"That...can't be." Skylar's eyes drifted into a daze. "She-she acted so kind...before..." she trailed, thinking hard as her eyes darted around the room.

"She has the motivation." Lee suddenly said. "She's been Nilla's number one fan forever."

"Maybe she didn't like the fact that you two started dating." Jean said the most awkward sentence yet, saying it smoothly.

"But the thoight of her actually tracking you seems ridiculous." Roy put in.

Silence settled for a moment. "Maybe it was Richard who wanted to track you..." Mia announced, quietly. The silence sang it's chilly song for several moments. Skylar looked like she wanted to faint.

"He has a silver-tongue. He can convice anyone anything he wants them to." Sky said, pausing to suck in a deep breath. "If Maggie managed to meet with him, she would be easily convinced to slip a tracking device on me. She already hates me. Who knows what else he can get her to do or what she's already told him." Sky's words rang true and clear.

No one spoke. Suddenly, Miles asked a very good question.

"Why were you so anxious to put on a bracelet that your ex-boyfriend gave you, anyway?" He spoke calmly, reasonable. Suspicious.

Sky looked down. "I wanted to prove to myself that I could move on and that he was just a piece of trash now. And...it worked." She quietly murmered.

All was silent, and, in that moment, I realized that Skylar had not truly gotten over Richard until now.

My world swirled in black circles but I grasped Skylar's had tightly to keep my hold on reality. I breathed deeply through my nose for a few moments. Slowly, my vision came back and I was able to loosen my hold. "Well, that doesn't matter anymore. The facts are: we need to get rid of the tracker as soon as possible and then stay on the down low until then." It wasn't me who spoke, but Nilla. I was so shocked, I could only gape like a fish for a moment. Nilla glared at the ground but he seemed to be contemplating something, not taking his fury out on the floor.

"Okay. But what about Ben's party?" Mia pointed out. "We'll still have to go there. He made us swear to go."

"Then, we'll go." Nilla said, darkly. "We can find out what she's up to and make her say something she shouldn't have." He offered. "But Skylar doesn't go anywhere near her." It wasn't a suggestion. It was a command.

Skylar didn't take the time to be offended by his bossy demand."That's a good idea!" I knew why she was so enthusiastic. She didn't like staying cooped up and didn't like making us stay with her. She'd feel guilty about bringing us down with her. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to get back on Nilla's good side...But now I'm wondering if he ever had one. "Let's vote."

Nilla, of course, raised his hand, along with Skylar, Miles, Lee, and Jack. Jean hesitated before raising her hand and Mia and Roy merely nodded. I wasn't sure what to think of his idea. I wanted Skylar as far away from any action or danger as possible. But she couldn't stay in the hotel forever, especially not alone. Besides, we could find out if Maggie knows Richard or not, which will tell us if we're all just being paraniod. Which I highly doubted. ANd I wasn't so sure I liked the idea of Nilla having an idea. Slowly, I raised my hand. "Excellent." Roy said. "Okay, guess it's time to sleep." He dissmissed.

Later on, in my bed, I stared up at the ceiling like I did so many other nights. I went through a checklist I'd put together about all of the things I'd done and learned today.

1. I opened up to Skylar.

2. Skylar became the girl I loved.

3. Nilla tried to kill me with his fists.

found a tracker on Skylar's bracelet.

5. We found out that Maggie Oars may, or may not, have planted that tracker on Skylar, knowingly.

I decided that I didn't like the last three items on the list.

A knock sounded on my door. I couldn't understand why anyone would want to see me, much less speak. Unless it was Skylar. So you can imagine my suprise when the door opened and Nilla stepped over the threshold.

I sat up on my bed, eyes wide. I grabbed a pillow, wondering if he was here to beat me again. He took lengthy, wide strides to me. I held the pillow in front of my stomach, remembering pain. He leaned close to me, eyes squinted in a scrutinizing manner. "Why?" The word left his mouth as if it was foreign. He sounded betrayed, like I was his enemy. "Why did you kiss her when you knew she was with me?" He growled the words.

Fire rose inside of me. Fire that was burning with the fuel of fury. I stood so that I towered over him. "What's that supposed to mean?" I snapped. "You're the one who was running around with another girl!" I poked his chest, roughly. "I think the question is: How could you betray he like that?"

"She came onto me!" Nilla protested, his eyes hardened but hurt at the same time. "I didn't want that chick to kiss me!"

"Try telling that to Sky." I told him, settling back down on my bed. "She trusted you, Nills. I think she might have even loved you." The words stuck in my throat but I managed.

His eyes cooled. "Really?"

"Yeah...She was always so happy when you were around." I hated myself for comforting him but at the same time, I knew it was better not to yell and scream at him and how stupid he was. "But now she's way too hurt, man. You can possibly expect her to come back."

"I guess you're right." He agreed, looking crestfallen. He straightened and puffed his chest out, threateningly. "But don't expect me to give up so easily. You'll get a fight." He stomped out of the room, looking more defiant than the time Roy had 'grounded' him. I shook my head and tried for sleep, once more.

Dear God,

Thank You for everything you have given me and the people You've surrounded me with, no matter if I like them or not. I pray you will watch over everyone I know and just comfort them and, ulitmately, draw them closer to You. God, I pray especially for Skylar and Nilla. Skylar is in mortal danger and I know she'll need You if she ever wants to be able to walk out in broad daylight again. God, Nilla is lost. Please, he's my best friend. Could You please help him discover that only You will be The Answer to his aches and worries and pains. Jesus, love you and I praise You.

Amen.

How was that? Too dramatic? Too cheesy? I NEED TO KNOW! Once again, soooooo sorry I haven't update in forever. Until next time...

-JesusWalkedOnWater

P.S.-

Sprry if there are any gramatical errors or mistakes. I tried to get this chapter in ASAP. God bless, ya'll! :)