Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2006 15:48:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: Nate House <extreamlucky14@yahoo.com>
Subject: Loving A Shadow: Absolution

I would like to thank every one for writing to me about their comments
and support. It really means a lot to me as a writer and as a person. I
like to hear my work is appreciated by so many people. Thanks to you
all! I would like to single out Lain (author of the Amber and Cindy
series in this same category) for all she did for me to help me get this
story on the site. Lain without your support and guidance, this story
would never have been published.


"How was that, lover?" Misty said in quiet, sexy tone.

"Amazing!" Anne said out of breath. As they sat there cuddling and
regaining themselves, Misty's phone stated to ring....

Chapter Four: The Big Night Out

"You have got to be fucking kidding me!!" Misty practically yelled out.

"One out of two ain't bad," Anne said with a wink still breathing a
little heavy. Misty just giggled and grinned at her.

"Hello...yes, we're fine....sorry about that...we'll be done soon. Love
you, too." Misty hung up the phone and put it back in her bag. She looked
at Anne with more love than ever before. Misty felt all of her worries
melting away with each passing second. Her heart knowing to whom it
belonged, even if it was to the most unlikely of person.

"Well," Anne inquired, "what did mom and/or dad have to say? They worried
about us or something?"

"Nah, they were just wondering when we'd be home. I guess they expected
us home a little while ago. I like that one though. The blue matches your
complexion perfectly."

"I'll get it but it's under protest," Anne said in her usual tone. "I
still don't see the need for me to be wearing a dress. Besides the fact
that I'm not paying for it. I just don't feel right about this. Not since
I can remember have I ever been in a dress, let alone an evening
gown....from Tiffany's! I guess I just have to remind myself that I'm not
just doing this for me anymore. I have you to please now." Anne stroked
Misty's cheek with her right hand. Misty took in her's and kissed her
lover's hand, rubbing her cheek along the fingers.

"You'll always please me, baby."

Anne got dressed and put the gown back in the box. The price tag was
still enough to make her shudder. The encrusted diamonds along the
neckline and the real sapphires sewn into the seams. Misty helped Anne
find an appropriate purse to go with it. The store had Misty's parent's
credit card on file, so the checkout was quick and painless. They left
the store and continued on to the main entrance of the mall. Anne noticed
that Misty only took hold of her right hand when she reached for her.

"YOU TWO STOP!!!!" a voice came from behind them. They obeyed, but the
voice repeated itself. Anne spun around to see two teen
aged would-be shoplifters running towards them, laughing back at the poor
clerk. Anne threw Misty out of their way just in time for one them to run
into her. He looked up at the girl who seemingly didn't move from the
impact, then over to his partner, then back again.

"Get out my way you dumb ass bitch!!!!"

"Forget the bitch, man! Let's go!!!" The boy on the ground started to get
up, but Anne bent down and grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off his
feet. His toes were about four inches off the ground when Anne stood
upright.

Anne looked coldly into his terrified eyes. With him still in her hand,
she walked over to where Misty was siting on the floor. "Apologize to the
lady," Anne said staring into the depth of his soul. The terror on his
face spoke volumes for what his mouth couldn't speak. His friend had
already taken off, leaving him alone and literally scared for his life.
Anne tightened her grip around the boys throat. "I believe you owe my
lady an apology. She's sitting on the cold floor because of
your insolence. Speak quickly!" The boy's lips moved to the tune of "I'm
sorry" but no sound came out. Anne threw him into the wall and punched
him in his left kidney as he hit the floor. "Such an insolent toxic waste
of life."

"Thank you for catching this kid for me," the grateful shopkeeper said
out of breath.

"I believe these belong to you," Anne tossed him the magazine and tee
shirt the fifteen year old stole from him, speaking in her usual
emotionless tone. "Let's go Misty." Anne extended her right hand to her
girlfriend, who quickly accepted it. The mall security officers rounded
the corner as the two girls left the building, leaving the clerk and
security officers to wonder what the hell just happened.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Anne said when they got into their car.
Her tone was very subdued and shaky. Her nerves had met their end when
the reality set in: she nearly killed somebody for making her push Misty
out of harm's way. "That's never happened before.....I don't know what
came over me."

"You were just trying to help is all," Misty said soothingly taking her
lover's hand into her own. "You were just doing your civic duty while
keeping anything from happening to me." Misy started the car and pulled
out of the lot.

"You're right about the second part, Misty. That first part never crossed
my mind. I just happened to take those things from him when the clerk
came over to us." The girls could hear Anne's right shoulder jingling.
Misty put her hand on her girlfriend's leg and gently stroked her thigh.
"I just hope nothing like this happens tonight. I'd be damned if I have
to embarrass you or mom and dad in a five star restaurant. That's reason
number two for not wanting to wear a sleeveless dress." Misty just
giggled to Anne's protest.

"If it makes you feel any better, it won't be crowded and most of the
people that probably will be there are surgeons. They'll be used to
seeing prosthetic limbs. Especially those on beautiful people." Misty
smiled lovingly at Anne, who reciprocated the gesture.

"That does help a little, love. It's just that my mother made it a point
a long time ago to drill into my head that it would be an embarrassment
to be seen in public with my arm exposed. I don't want anyone to think
ill of you, or mom and dad, for having me in your presence."

"You know you're a little over-protective sometimes," Misty said grinning
from ear to ear. "It's not an embarrassment, it's a symbol of life. You
would have died if it weren't for this arm."

"Yes, and to my eternal shame I will never have the opportunity to thank
the person who saved my life that day." Misty had no more words for her
lover. She ran her thumb over her leg and kept her smile on for her. She
went deep into thought about how Anne must've grown up. Knowing that her
life was going to end in a single moment and then wishing for the next
six years that it had. Living with the constant reminder of the worst day
of her life and then having no place to call a home. This was quite a
culture shock for her girlfriend. Having someone to confide in, a
shoulder to cry on, someone to love her. Misty was honored to be the one
to fill this void in Anne; this reminded her why she loved her so much.

"Ready to model your new dress for mom and dad?" Misty said in her usual
perky voice as she pulled up the driveway.

"Not in the least," Anne retorted sarcastically, breathing a
little heavy. "But they've already seen this atrocity I call an arm, so
there won't any surprise there." They got out of the car and into each
other's arms. They held each other for a little while both knowing that
Anne didn't want to be seen in public without sleeves. Misty did her best
to keep this thought at bay. Anne got her dress out of the back seat and
followed Misty into the house.

"Mom! Dad! We're home!" Misty called out.

"Living room!" John called out to his daughter. "Ah, my girls have
arrived home at last and just in time cause we were about to go without
you."

"Shut up dad," Misty said, not buying the shit her father was dishing
out. "Anne has something to show you two..." Misty turned to find Anne
already heading upstairs.

"So she found one she likes?" Cindy inquired.

"Yeah, but it took me a while to talk her into to getting it. I'm sure
you know by now that she doesn't want to embarrass us tonight."

"I'm sure she won't honey. Where are we going anyway?"

"Federalli's."

"I see we're eating cheap tonight. How thoughtful of you dear."

"Shut up dad. This is where you'd want to take her anyway. It's where you
took mom on your first date." Misty looked up at the ceiling for a
moment. "I'll be right back." She headed off to find her Anne. Misty
didn't even think to knock on the door when she approached their room.
Anne had made quick work of stripping down to her panties and bra and was
already stepping into the gown. Misty watched her for a moment
before coming up behind her. She wrapped her arms around Anne's waist,
resting her head against the back of her neck. Anne covered Misty's arms
with her own. She leaned her head back against Misty's forehead for a
moment.

"Can I zip you up, darling?" Misty asked breaking the loving silence.

"Go ahead, baby," Anne said still lost her own utopia with her lover.
Misty did as she offered. She took a step back to admire her beauty. Her
mouth about hit the floor when saw how beautiful her girlfriend looked in
her new dress. Anne picked up her purse to complete the ens amble.

"I think you'll make the wives jealous," Misty said after a long couple
of minutes. She took Anne by the hand and led her downstairs. Cindy was
already standing under the archway of the living room with her camera
ready. She had to lower it to make sure it was her daughter's girlfriend
standing next to her. John stood behind his wife equally agasped.

"Well, mom and dad," Anne said with a hint of hesitation, "what do you
think?"

"I don't think you'll have a problem with people mocking you, that's for
damn sure," John said humorously, trying to ease Anne's nerves a bit.
Misty leaned over to Anne's ear, "Told ya so!" Misty and Cindy went up to
their respective rooms to get changed as well. Anne sat next to her
'father' and chatted about nothing in particular until the other ladies
made their entrances. John and Cindy took a few shots of Misty and Anne
under the archway before they got into family car and left.

Misty didn't lie about the expense of this place. It damn sure was the
finest Italian, if not period, restaurant in town. The table were set
with the greatest of etiquette and a bottle wine chilling on ice at each
one. The silverware lived up to its name, as did the china. Above the
center of the dance floor was a two ton, crystal and iron chandelier. The
dance floor itself was made of mahogany and trimmed with redwood. Even
the carpeting was imported from Italy. The family of four made their way
through the not-so-crowded dining room to their usual table. Anne looked
around at everyone and found that she was worried for nothing. No one
even as much as glanced at them when they passed. They were far too gone
on booze or in conversation to care.

The menu was written in Italian, but that didn't affect Anne much. To
everyone's surprise she spoke the language perfectly, accent and all, to
their waitress. Anne noticed that she cringed a bit when she first
arrived, but eased when the girl spoke to her politely and in her own
language; something rarely seen from most patrons. Misty just sat in awe.
Their parents were as well in wonder of her.

"What?" Anne asked as if she did something wrong, "Why are you all
staring at me like that?" Her self conscienceness taking hold of her.

"Anne, when did you ever live in Italy?" Misty asked what everyone was
thinking.

"What made you think I ever lived in Italy? I never said I did. My uncle
taught me several languages when I was young, Italian just happened to be
one of them." Anne spoke with cynically sarcasm, knowing full well they
weren't expecting her to know anything about this place. "Does that
surprise you?"

"No, not at all," John said matching the girl's sarcasm. "I am glad,
however, that you decided to behave yourself with the young lady."

"She's done nothing to offend me. Why would I do anything to upset that?
That would have been very rude and selfish of me." Anne soon lost track
of the thought that she had her arm exposed.

They ate, the parents drank and the couples shared a few dances. The live
orchestra played very well and kept the mood of the evening up beat. The
bassist occasionally waved at Anne, who generously waived back. Misty was
growing more curious about her Anne as the evening went along.

Anne decided it best to answer at least some of the questions on her
lover's mind. "I know him from when my brother held auditions for his
band. His son auditioned, but didn't make the cut. He was good, don't get
me wrong, but he didn't have the right energy that flow with the music
they played. He was more of a traditionalist, rather than progressive."

"When were you going to tell me about all this, Anne," Misty asked.

"I told you that you needed to find out more about me, didn't I baby? The
question should be: when were you going to ask me about it?"

"What other languages do you know? That would definitely help if we take
a world tour." Misty was falling more and more in love with her Anne the
more she knew about her.

"Let me think for a second......Italian, English English, American
English, Australian English, Spanish Spanish, Mexican Spanish,
Latin, French, German, a bit of Japanese, and some Chinese..."

"You weren't kidding were you?" Misty was in shock to her the extend of
Anne's world vocabulary. "What does this uncle do for a living?" Anne
just shot her a look the would kill the pope, reminding her of that
question's answer. "I'm sorry. I forgot you can't answer that."

Anne said something in french, that Misty couldn't understand. Even
though she was taking French as a class, she wasn't nearly fluent. "What
does that mean, baby?"

"The grace of beauty has fallen upon you." Anne spoke with a tear in eye.

"Where did you hear that?" Misty asked falling into her lover's eyes.

"I was the last thing my uncle said to me the time I saw him. It was his
way of saying goodbye. That was four years ago. I haven't seen or heard
from him since."

Misty and Anne started to dive deeper into their respective pasts. Misty
learned that Anne was more of an adult than most parents. She paid the
bills (on time), had a decent income and savings, knew how to take care
of babies, but was still the saddest person she had ever met up till
those long hours before. Misty was filling Anne with information that she
already knew, but somethings stuck out as unique. Anne learned that Misty
was a national level competitor in cheerleading. Winning several regional
titles and a couple of national runner-up titles. Last year she was named
to the All American squad from Iowa,only one of five people in the state
to receive such recognition, and got a chance to meet several NFL and NBA
squads, including the Dallas Cowboy's cheerleading squad (and team) and
the Laker Girls.

John and Cindy came back over to the table after the band played the last
dance. It was nearly midnight and the girls had school in the morning.
John paid the tab and left the waitress a generous tip, to which Anne
left a note written in Italian. When Misty asked her about it, Anne
told her that it loosely translated to: "Thank you for your hospitality".
Misty had to drive home since her parents had drank way too much to
hardly walk right. Anne sat up front while the adults fell into the back
seat, completely hammered. They didn't say anything the whole trip home.
Anne didn't stop looking at her love next to her. Misty could only
occasionally glance over at Anne, much to her disgrace--she wanted to
stare into her eyes forever.

They got home about a half hour later. For being a Monday night at
midnight, traffic was horrible. Anne had fallen asleep looking over at
Misty, to which she smiled happily. She groaned, however, to the thought
of waking up her parents so they all could go to bed.

"Baby, wake up!" Misty said shaking Anne's shoulder. "Wake up sleepy
head."

"All right officer I'll move along," Anne said with a huge grin. Misty
motioned her eyes behind them. Anne looked to the backseat. "Ah shit! We
gotta wake them now don't we. I say we let them sleep where they fell."

"And I say we don't," Misty said not appreciating the joke. "Just wake
them up and they'll stagger inside the door."

"That reminds me of many a night," Anne said under her breath. They
helped get their parents at least to the door where their own strength
took over. They said their good nights and retired for the night. Misty
stripped down to her underware and put on an over sized tee shirt, where
as Anne just changed into some pajama looking outfit. Anne had always
slept on her left side, seeing as how she learned from many nights of
cold metal against her skin woke he up. Misty wrapped her arm over her
lover's cold arm. She didn't care if it meant she would be waking up in
an hour, all she wanted was Anne as close to her as possible. They were
both asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows. There first night
together was quite peaceful. The moon's illumination filled the room with
a blanket of light, keeping them warm with each other; no more dark
nightmares for either of them.

Chapter Five: House of The Unwanting Family

Six in the morning; the sun was hardly out to brighten the day. The sky
blanketed the morning's day with an ominous feeling of fear and doubt.
Anne was standing by the window, fully dressed, watching the new day's
light try to appear. She stood with her arms crossed over her
stomach, earing out the annoying alarm clock not two feet away. Misty
stirred in the bed to the buzzing annoyance.

Staggering out of bed, she walked up behind Anne putting her arms around
her waist. The touch of her girlfriend's embrace made Anne smile
brightly.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Anne said looking out the window. "Looking
outwardly at what I have had locked up inside of me for years. The dark
morning sky giving way to a bright new day; no longer trapped in the
world of darkness where nothing grows but the anger. I finally know what
it's like to be happy, Misty." Anne started to get teary at the sound of
her own words. Misty's waterworks were flowing already. "I love you,
Misty."

"I love you too, Anne," Misty's skin raised at the sound of Anne's words.
"But we have to get ready for school now. I call dibs on the shower," she
said with her cheerleader perkiness in full swing.

"Have at it," Anne retorted with a hint of sarcasm, "I'm already
dressed." With that Misty kissed her lover and headed for the bathroom.
Anne retired herself to the kitchen. Misty came out of the shower wrapped
in a towel to see Anne sitting on the bed waiting for her to join.

"You didn't have to make me anything for breakfast, sweety."

"It was the least I could do, honey. You did something for me that I
could never properly thank you for. Besides, it's unusually cold out this
morning. You need something hot."

"Thank you, Anne. Are you ready to meet everyone today?" Misty asked
excited but shakey. She knew all to well of Anne's disdain for most
people as human beings. She always protected herself by keeping her
distance, emotionally or physically, from everyone.

"The question should be 'Are you ready?" Anne said looking at her
breakfast. "Don't think for one moment that they won't use me as an
excuse to cross you. I'm sure you remember what happened with Rachel and
Lindsey. There are many more from where they came from. I would rather
not meet your friends until they are more comfortable with the idea of
you and me."

"I see your point," Misty said not wanting to think of how much truth
there was behind Anne's words. They made further idle chat while they ate
and while Misty got dressed for the day. Anne noticed that she picked
almost the same outfit that she wore the day they met. Anne's skin
started to rise with the thought of those memories.

"Misty, I never did ask you about yesterday." Anne was more cheery by
this point. Perhaps it was the way Misty acted around her. She seems to
glow with more life than when she's just with her friends. "What made you
come into the dressing room with me?" Those memories she'd prefer to
have.

"I wanted to be with you, Anne. I got this feeling in my gut about
how much I love you and wanted to share it with you." Misty's words just
flowed over Anne's ears. She spoke without hesitation or giving any
thought of what she was saying; each word she spoke was dripping with
love. "What do you think?" Misty said spinning around.

"Lovely," Anne said softly. Misty walked over to her lover. Anne threw
her arms around her waist and buried her head into Misty's tight stomach.

"Something wrong, honey?" Misty asked concerned when she felt moisture
coming from her mid-section

"Just hold me for a minute." Misty wrapped her arms around Anne's head,
stroking her hair. They stayed like that for what seemed like ten minutes
before Anne broke the ice. "I guess we need to get headed to school."
With that they parted and gathered their book bags. Anne put her coat and
gloves on before they even went downstairs to kiss Cindy and John
goodbye.

They arrived at the school about fifteen minutes before school started.
They had to restrain themselves from holding hands or doing anything that
made them look like a couple. Anne made sure that Misty was protected
from the shit she was sure to receive today, but had to do it from a
distance. They walked side by side, but not too close. They parted when
they got inside the front door without as much as a wave between them.
Anne was back to usual, but inwardly she was being torn to pieces. She
knew that her girlfriend would be put through hell for the next couple of
days and there wasn't anything she could do about it. Anne knew she could
trust Diane to look out for her baby cousin, but was frustrated by the
fact that she couldn't watch her back all the time.

'This is what I feared,' Anne thought to herself constantly. 'Diane you
better keep your eyes on her for me!'

The first couple of classes went by and Misty's nerves were shot. All day
long she'd been having to look over her shoulder to keep another "Rachel
Incident" from occurring. This would be her first chance to see how well
her Anne made it through the day so far. As she approached the math wing,
something came over her. Something that she couldn't place made her want
to go to the office to check herself out of school, but she she wrote it
off by thinking she was just overly nervous. Every step she took, the
more she felt it.......this malevolent force driving her heart to beat
faster exponentially. She looked into the door and saw that there was no
Anne. She walked over to the teacher's desk.

"Where's Anne?" she asked without sounding to concerned. "Normally she
would be here by now."

"I got this note from the office that said her mother took her out of her
second period class," Ms. Willim said without any care at all. She was
glad to hear Anne wouldn't be joining them today.

"Would you mind if I went to the office really quick, Ms. Willim?"

"Not at all dear." Misty ran like a bat out of hell down to the office.
Too many things were running through her mind to even think of how to ask
the receptionist about it. Knowing full well that she doesn't even have
to say anything about it, she kept running until she reached the door to
the main office.

She practically kicked the in the door from just her momentum. "Do you
know why Annebell Amera was checked out today, Mrs. Kent?" Misty made
sure to keep her tone steady, even though she could hardly breathe.

"Her mom checked her out today to take her to the doctor's office," Mrs.
Kent replied politely.

"Could you tell me what kind of state she was in, please?"

"Pretty upset. I think she said they were going to be late if they didn't
leave right then." Mrs. Kent's suspension was growing with Misty's.

"And they left together...?"

"Like they were stuck at the hip. Ms. Amera was holding Anne's right arm
pretty tight when they left." Misty received a call on her cell phone
from a number she didn't know. Not really caring about who it was, she
answered.

"Is this Misty Thomas," a voice came through, obviously using a
scrambler, sending chills to her core. Her blood ran cold and felt as
though she would throw up.

"Yes," Misty's reply came out with a little effort.

"You don't know me, but I want you to listen to me carefully. Anne is
right here beside me. She needs you to come get her from the fashion
boutique on the corner of Commonwealth and Main. Don't worry yourself
with the details, but rest easy knowing that she is unharmed. Tell the
woman standing behind the desk that you just had a family emergency and
have to leave immediately." With that, the voice hung up the phone. Misty
stood in the middle of the office, with the phone to her ear, staring off
into space. Her heart felt as though it stopped for a second. Her brain
started to shut down.

"Are you alright Ms. Thomas? Did something happen?" the receptionist
asked, very concerned. Looking into Misty's lost eyes, the woman's own
heart ached.

"There was a family emergency," Misty said, still with the phone to her
ear. "I've got to go." Misty sounded very subdued. Her voice had gone
numb from the shock. The receptionist led her out the door, letting her
own phone ring and ring.

Sitting in her car waiting for the engine to turn on, Misty started to
rummage through all of the scenarios that could have happened. Could her
mother hate her so much as to try and kill her?! Or did she just run away
and someone who wanted to stay anonymous call?

Misty drove to the corner where she was supposed to meet her Anne. No
Anne. She walked in and asked around for two people, one a seventeen year
old girl and another one unknown to her, shopping together. She stood,
frightened beyond comprehesable thought, looking for her Anne. She must
have check the restrooms and dressing rooms at least a dozen times and no
sight of her. Her brain racked with fear. It wasn't until someone tapped
on her shoulder from behind that the bombardment of misery stopped.
Feeling that the finger touching wasn't real, her face light up like a
Christmas tree. She spun around and planted a kiss on Anne's lips,
without even making sure it was her first.

"Where have you been?! I've been worried sick for the last twenty
minutes!" Misty was overjoyed by her girlfriend's safe arrival, but
equally angry that she would put her through something like this, again.

"Sorry, honey," Anne said apparently unmoved by Misty's concern, "I was
delayed. There was an accident down the street and it took me that long
just to get here. I had to force my way out of the car and take the walk.
My uncle didn't want me to be alone at all. That was he who called you,
if you didn't already know that."

"Well I kind of figured that it was," Misty was still shaken as she
spoke. Not knowing what happened or anything. "Why did your mom check you
out of school today?"

"To have me looked at," Anne said as she lifted her right arm. "I spoke
to my uncle about what happened yesterday and we made our escape from
that thing that shares my blood. That's when he called you to meet me
here. We just couldn't see the problem we ran into on the way. After he
hung up the phone with you, he called the school to let them know what
was happening. Unfortunately, now I get to be the one to deliver the
message to Kathrine, my mother."

"Why you? I thought you and her settled this already?"

"It's the last time I will ever have to look at her, I promise you that!
It's just something that I have to do. Will you be a dear and drive me
over to her house?" Misty agreed without hesitation. They got in the car
and drove the twenty miles to the Amera residence. Kathrine parked the
car in the driveway this time, telling Anne that she was home alone.
"Odd, but perfect," Anne said quietly holding Misty's hand.

"I want you to stay in the car and wait until I come out..."Anne started
but was cut short.

"Like hell I will!! You are not going in there alone, Anne. You are not
alone anymore. Don't you ever think that you are again. I wanted to be
with you, now I am and now I am going in that house with you!" Anne had
no choice from that point. They both got out of the car and walked
hand-in-hand up o the front door. Anne had to force the knob to turn, not
knowing that Kathrine had locked the door.

"So there you are!!" Kathrine screamed as Anne shut the door. "Who's this
little skank on your arm? Some whore you just picked up for the night!?!
Someone to make you look pretty...." Anne smacked her mother across the
face with her right hand.

"That's enough, Kathrine," Anne said coldly, watching her mother hold
her bleeding face. "Misty is not like you. She doesn't go around whoring
herself to whomever she please because she is drunk. Look at me when I'm
talking to you!!!" Kathrine's left eye had completely shut from the hit
Anne landed. Anne smiled knowing this would be how she ended her
relationship with her mother. She punched Kathrine again in her left eye.
Her hard metal hand breaking the entire socket that kept her eye in
place. Kathrine hit the floor, nearly unconscious. Anne rubbed some of
the blood acroos her finger tips. "I despise that your blood flows
through my veins, but unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about that.
I can only find solace in that it isn't just your blood, but that of my
father's as well." Misty was holding her ground, despite Kathrine's
verbal abuse and Anne's reaction.

"Get out and take your bit...." Anne kicked her mother in the stomach
before she could get the last of the sentence out. Kathrine was coughing
up blood and bleeding from her eye. Anne took Misty by the hand and led
her into the kitchen. She opened the door and grabbed every alcoholic
beverage she could find. "Please stay here this time, Misty. You've seen
far more that I wanted you to already." Misty agreed  under protest; Anne
left her standing by the fridge. She walked over to where Kathine was
lying with the drinks in hand.

"You think that hurts, don't you Kathrine?"Anne said standing over her
mother. "This might hurt a little bit more..." Anne poured the first
bottle of rum onto her mother's face. The alcohol burning Kathrine's open
wounds and dripping into her mouth laced with the blood and puss.
Kathrine was spitting it out whenever she had the breath to. "Why would
you spit it out? It's your favorite. Drink it, mother. I've never known
you to pass up the chance for a drink and you don't even have to pour
it..." Anne's voice never swayed from it's cold demeanor. Her eyes spoke
to Kathrine.

Anne reached down with her right hand and opened Kathrine's mouth while
she poured the liqueur down her throat. "I'm not old enough to understand
what this does to you," Anne said reminiscing about one of the many
one-sided conversations she's had with her mother. "But I can imagine
you're not feeling the same pinnacle right now. You are probably wishing
that the man had killed me those many years ago. I know that you would
like to see me dead. The feeling is mutual, Kathrine..." Anne was
interrupted by Kathrine coughing up the blood-laced drink onto her face.
"That was very rude of you, the way you spoke to my girlfriend before.
Know this mother: No one speaks to her that way!" Anne took bottle out
her mother's mouth and smashed it down onto her skull. The bottle broke
from the impact sending small shards of glass into Kathrine's head. Misty
heard the commotion going on and had to fight with herself to sway her
curiosity.

"Get.....out...of my house!!" Kathrine said, choking on her own blood.
She breathed in some of the rum her daughter poured down her throat and
was coughing that up between words. "I never want to see you again!!"

"Really?!" Anne said sarcastically cold. She bent her right wrist forward
and squeezed her palm. A blade about ten inches long and four inches
wide was protruding out from her metal wrist. Holding the tip of the
blade against Kathrine's working eye, Anne said, "Say it again, I want
to hear it once more." Anne swiped her arm over Kathrine's nose and
across her battered eye. The blade cut across her face, into her nasal
cavity and nearly cut out the eye. Kathrine lost her voice through her
screams of pain. "Yes mother, it hurts when someone cuts you and there's
no one around to help." Anne grabbed her mother by the shoulder with her
left hand and lifted Kathrine to her feet. She marched her into her
bedroom and stood her before the full length mirror behind the door.

"Look," Anne whispered into her ear. "Look at have become. Mother should
be name of God on the lips of your child, but nah. You decided to have me
killed and drove your daughter through this very torment. This is what
happens when you insult the best thing that ever happened to me. Look at
what you've become, Kathrine. A used up whore that's been beaten by the
one person she wishes dead. No one cares about you, but someone cares
about me. She is standing out in the kitchen, patiently awaiting your
apology. I suggest you give what's owed." Kathrine could hardly stand on
her own. Her face was completely bloody and mangled and she was still
coughing up blood. She nodded her head when Anne spoke of the apology.

Anne grabbed her by the arm with her right hand in her armpit,with the
blade retracted. Kathrine struggled to move at the pace Anne demanded.
"Say it, Kathrine," Anne whispered into her mother's ear. "Tell Misty
you're sorry for offending her."

"Sorry, Misty," Kathrine mumbled. Her one working eye had a problem
staying focused. Anne squeezed her arm harder. "I'm sorry for what I said
earlier!" Kathrine shot Anne a look like never before. To this, Anne bend
her wrist forward again sending the blade through Kathrine's shoulder,
nearly missing anything major. Kathrine screamed like murder. Anne
retracted the blade before Kathrine fell to the floor. Misty could only
stand there and watch Anne beat her own mother within an inch of her
life.

"Now you know the pain I've suffered, Kathrine," Anne said bending down
to her mother on the floor. A small puddle of blood was starting to
accumulate on the tile. "Call someone for help, tell your fuck buddies
that your daughter kicked the shit out of you. You are pure evil,
Kathrine. Sold out your own daughter to get a piece of ass just one day
after I came home. I'll be willing to bet you paid the man to do this to
me. Only you just didn't know he would kill dad and Jason. I know you
did..." Anne looked up at Misty, who's expression spoke volumes. "Let's
get out of here, sweety. Mom and dad don't need to know we were here."

Misty took Anne's blood covered right hand. Anne grabbed a towel from the
kitchen rack as they left Kathrine bleeding on the
floor, barely conscious. Anne acted like she had been born all over
again. Her face lit up when she smiled knowing that she finally got rid
of the demons inside her, at least at that level.

"What the fuck happened in there, Anne," Misty said as she started the
car. Anne was whipping the blood from her hands. She threw the towel out
the window. "Did you just kill your own mother?"

"She's still alive," Anne said taking a deep breath. "Those wounds aren't
anything that would have killed her. By the time she gets up to calling
for help, she'd wish I did kill her though." Anne's voice soared like a
heavy burden was finally lifted from her soul. Misty noticed that Anne's
eyes were much more lively than usual.

"Why would you say that about another person? I know she wasn't the best
mother in the world, but why would you want her dead?" Misty was starting
to freak out. The reality of the situation was sinking into her head.

"Because she wanted me dead," Anne said, still looking out the window.
"She paid the man to have me killed, not leave me alive. My uncle
explained it all to me. She was jealous of the attention dad was giving
me and my success in school, seeing as how she flunked out of college. I
guess something in her head snapped. She just didn't count on the guy to
kill my father and brother as well. They found the guy's body about four
years ago, but my uncle neglected to tell me this until today. He took
care of the legal shit that is going to hit the fan when the ambulance
picks up that stupid bitch." Anne looked at Misty's face, which was in
tears by this point. She kept her attention on the road. She wanted so
much to lean over and hold her Anne. "I'm sorry you had to see what I had
to do."

"I wanted to be in the house, Anne," Misty said glancing over at her
girlfriend. "You have nothing to apologize for." Misty let one of her
hands grab her lover's. "That just struck me, how did she get that
cut across her entire face? Did you cut her with the bottle?"

"Yes," Anne said trying to avoid the topic. "I smashed the bottle on her
head and then cut her across the face." Misty believed her. Anne didn't
want her girlfriend, or anyone else for that matter, to know anything
about the weapon she has on her all the time.

Chapter Six: The Nationals

The girls arrived back at the house a little after one. They didn't see
the need to go back to school until Misty's practiced started, two hours
later. They mostly just sat in the living room and watched some TV or
chatted. Misty was finally able to fully uncover the truth behind what
made the sweet Anne from six years ago to the Anne everyone knew now. Her
brother's band was known widely on the club circuit for having the best
mix of a classical and hard, heavy metal sound. They had even been signed
by two of the local radio stations in town for their endorsment of the
stations. Anne never really was a part of the band, just a little extra
help when they needed it; her brother naturally taught her how to play
the guitar in their down time. Misty just went on and on about her
cheerleading success and how she hoped to be a part of a major league
squad one day. Anne noticed how Misty kept hitting around the part of her
competition that was coming up soon, but never really came out with it.
Misty looked over a the clock on the wall and realized her practice
started in fifteen minutes.

"I got to go, sweety," Misty said gathering her things. "Do you want to
come with me and find out more about us?"

"Yes, but it's under protest," Anne said smuggly. "We have got to
remember not to let out the fact that we're an actual couple. I know the
whole school probably knows by now, but I don't want to give them any
proof.......for your sake."

"I don't care about that, baby," Misty said a bit agitated but in a
hurry. "Com'on, we need to get going right now!" Misty grabbed Anne by
the arm out the door. She practically threw her into the car and sped off
to the school.

Anne watched with a grimace at how the squad acted. It made her feel good
knowing that her love was out there amongst the typical action of your
serious cheerleaders, but Anne wished she had no part in it, spectator or
otherwise. A couple of the hopeless-looking boyfriends were in the stands
as well, equally apaulled by the goings on. The guys started to look over
at Anne and whisper things to each other, while pointing and looking at
her. She noticed that no one dared to approach her about what they were
saying and this made her feel even better inside. The only person she
wanted to be near right now was on the basketball court stretching with
her friends. Anne heard a noise coming from the top row of seats behind
her, but didn't waste her attention on it.

"You're Anne Amera, right," a boy's voice came from behind her, a couple
rows back. Anne didn't even acknowledge the boy's exsistance. Her brain
was focused elsewhere. "I'm talking to you, you know." The boy's tone
changed instantly by the rejection of attention.

"Then would you be so kind as to rid me of your stupidity and shut the
hell up?" Anne's usual self said, not even looking back behind her.

"Damn you're a bitch, you know?" Anne didn't respond. She needn't waste
her breath on the moron. "Why are you here anyway?"

"I believe I told you to stop talking to me," Anne retorted. "My motives
for being here are none of your concern, Steven Waters. Go back to where
ever it was you came from and rid me of your insolence." He did as he was
told. He retreated back to the top row of seats and started to talk with
his friends.

"What did she say, bro?" Mike asked when he returned.

"I think she told me to go fuck myself," Steven said, astounded that she
spoke to him at all. "She wouldn't tell me anything about that band. I
never knew Anne was cool like that."

"Yeah, I know. Ever since she's been here she's been just a cold-hearted
bitch and then she comes out of her shell with a gig like that."

The boys continued to talk about Anne's band for a while later, while
Anne herself watched aimlessly at the squad run through the routine they
were going to the nationals with. She felt bored out of her skull,
but couldn't fight the wanting to go down to the floor and kick someone's
ass when she fucked up everyone else, Misty included. Anne managed to
behave herself the whole time.......somehow. Misty came out of the locker
room carrying all of the stuff from earlier and hugged everyone goodbye.
This made Anne feel a little jealous, but knew there was nothing by it.

"Where's mine," Anne said playfully when she finally got to her Misty, "I
mean everyone else got one." Misty threw her arms around Anne's head and
kissed her in plain view of everyone. "That's acceptable," Anne said when
they parted, hugging her Misty for another moment before they left.

"Well," Misty said full of cheeriness, "how do you think we did? Be
honest now."

"You know I could never lie to you," Anne said quietly. "I'm no expert,
but some of your mechanics and basics need some fine tuning. From what I
saw, you wouldn't have a trophy after that." Misty sat back in her seat a
bit saddened. That wasn't the answer she was looking for, but knew Anne
couldn't help but tell the truth. "When's the competition anyway?"

"Next weekend,"Misty answered even more saddened, "and I can't even bring
you with me. We only have enough money for the team to go. Mom and dad
can't even go."

"That is bad isn't it," Anne retorted, "but I think it's for the best.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and besides, the team hates
my very exsistance anyway. That would only lead to more problems. As
disappointed as I am, I'm glad that I can't go."

The girls drove the rest of the ride home in silence, neither of them
wanting to break the ice. Misty would only have her Anne for not even two
weeks before they made the seven hundred mile drive to the competition.
They would have to leave earlier in the week to make it there in time to
get settled in and get some rehersal time in; Anne knew this. She was
okay with Misty having to leave town. She trusted her lover with
everything she owns. They arived home a little before five. Their parents
made them a nice dinner and they all spent the rest of the evening
enjoying the company. John and Cindy grew to liking Anne the more time
they spent with her. Anne made sure to omit the parts of what happened
earlier when she was asked how her day was. Misty seemed to cheer up more
and more as the night went along. She had to leave her Anne behind
in nine days, but made sure to savor every moment with her as possible.

Everyone retired to bed just after ten. The girls said their good nights
and Misty went to shower. Anne stayed in her room, playing with her best
friend. She had to keep the volume down since there were other people
that were trying to sleep. During her small stay at school, she had
composed several pieces of music that she wanted to surprise Misty
with. Just as Anne played the last note, as if on cue, Misty walked
through the door.

"Beautiful," Misty said still standing in the open doorway, "what's it
called?"

"Good things come to those who wait," Anne said caught off guard by her
girlfriend's comment. "You'll know soon enough, sweetheart." Anne kissed
Misty before she went off to take her shower. Misty searched franticly
for the sheet music to that song. The tune had such a saddness to it, but
somehow, somewhere there was a happiness. To Misty, it sounded much
like Anne's autobiography in music form. Anne came out of the bathroom
stark naked. She walked into her room to find Misty already in bed
waiting for her.

"Couldn't wait could you?" Anne said with a hint of sinisism.

"I'm sorry, but that sounded so good I couldn't help it," Misty answered.
"I just wanted to know what that was so I could have you play it by
name." Anne climbed into bed while Misty went on and on about how she
would miss her over that weekenduntil Anne interupted with a very
passionate kiss. The two of them made love constantly that night. They
fucked in almost every position they could think of; every so often Anne
would see the moonlight shining through the curtain, making their bodies
glow in the light from heaven's happiness. Anne started to think
that Misty's parents would wake up and put an end to their paradise. They
didn't stop until they could take no more and passed out in each other's
arms.

The next week went by as usual. Misty invited Anne to sit at her table
with all of her friends, but Anne politely refused. She loved her Misty
too much to put her through another episode like the week earlier. Anne
sat at her own table, doing her usual routine: school work, music,
poetry, or her tutoring bull shit. Everyday after school, Misty
dropped Anne of at the middle school before heading off to practice.
Everyday Anne recieved a love note from her girl and everyday Anne felt
closer to her than ever before. The Utopia that Anne made for the two fo
them became even more perfect with each visit.

"The day of reckoning is upon us," Anne said to Misty that Thursday.
Misty was packing her things in her car. She would be gone until Sunday
night. Anne knew that it would be much easier on her than it would her
Misty; she was use to being alone. Anne could feel Misty's mood was
changing slowly over the past week. "I would say break a leg, but for
something like this that wouldn't do much help."

"Thank you, Anne," Misty said disappointed that she had to leave her Anne
behind. "A simple 'good lick and I love you' would be just fine."

"Good luck and I love you," Anne retorted smiling. Misty got in her car.
Anne stood by and closed her door. She leaned in the window and kissed
her Misty. "Get out of here before you're late, baby," she said with a
smile. Misty backed out of the driveway and blew her Anne a kiss before
heading off for the school.

She arrived with plenty of time to spare. One of their volunteer coaches
was delayed due to a bad traffic accident that just cleared up. All of
the girls got on the bus and most went to sleep right after role-call.
Misty got out her blanket, but couldn't fall asleep. There was something
about the blanket that kept her thoughts on her Anne. The sky had grown
dark and Misty was almost asleep when the answer came to her. Anne had
sprayed the perfume that Misty bought her for their night out on the top
of the blanket. Misty gathered all she could under her nose and then was
out like a light.

The sky was still dark when the head coach woke everyone up. The reached
the D.C. Metro-Area Convention Center ahead of virtually every
other school. The girls staggered off the bus one by one. They were told
to go into the arena and get an idea of what they were up against. Misty
looked around and saw that her old school was on the itinerary. Now she
knew for a fact what they were up against. In her tenure at that school,
they had placed continuosly in the top three. They were the winning-most
team in the nation during the time of this particular competion. On top
of that, there were TV cameras set up just outside and above the
boundries. Misty was use to that, but she could almost smell the
apprehention eminating from her teammates. This was the first time
they've been to this competition in almost a decade. Back then, the event
wasn't televised. The coaches were told of that part, that was the reason
the cost of enrty was so low this time. They intentionally neglected
telling the squad about it, they wanted them to keep a cool head during
practice.

"Damn, I hope I don't fuck up now," Diane said leaning over to Jennica.
Most of the team didn't even pay attention to the floor space or the
press booth, they were mesmerised by the Jumbo-Tron screen above the
stage. "Everyone in the country would know it."

"The cameras are not there," Misty said without any thought of it.
"That's what we were taught to think the last time I was here." By now
she had the whole team's attention. "Just run through the routine, keep
your mind focused on your part and the cameras and judges are not there'
was the speech my last coach always gave when we were at a televised
event. This is the nationals after all." Most of the girls were still in
elementary school when the last team was here. There were only a few
seniors and juniors, but mostly sophmores and freshmen.

"Alright girls," one of the dads called out, "get your game faces on and
start warming up. You've got about twenty minutes to get loose and we'll
get some rehersal time in before everyone else arrives. Misty, get'em
going."

"Me, Mr. Davis?" Misty asked stunned at the request.

"That's what I said wasn't it?! You've been here before and you know how
to keep everyone focused. Need I repreat myself?"

Misty gathered the squad up for their stretches. She had no idea she
would be put in the captain's spot this early in her tenure with this
school. Would this be a sign of some sort? She already has a full-ride
scholarship with The Ohio State University. This was something she
neglected to tell Anne before she left. Many a thing was passing through
her overactive mind by that point. They were there for less than an hour
before her thoughts began to dwell on her future with her Anne. 'Com'on
Misty focus...focus on the prize...' she had to repeat to herself over
and over again. The team got to run through their routine only once
before the masses began to arrive. They thought they did alright, but the
coaches were not impressed, not by a long shot. They would be in for a
serious ass chewing before dinner.

The girls decided to dine at the hotel cafe that evening. Misty's
prediction was right. Each one of the coaches, paid and volunteer, got
their piece in before the girls got to chow. Disheartning as it may have
been, they needed it to get their minds focused on tomarrow.

"Remember girls," Coach Williams began, "eyes on the prize. Don't look
back and don't look away. Keep yourself focused on your parts and we'll
come through with the bling-bling. You saw how big those trophies are.
Remember, lights out is at ten. We all need to get some rest tonight,
cause tomarrow morning it's all up to you girls to show how well you're
coached."

Misty wanted so much to call Anne before she had to go to bed. All of
their cell phones were confinscated after they called their parents to
let them know they made it okay. Misty forgot to do this when her turn
came around, but she always had her cousin to keep her company. She
shared a room with Diane, Jennica and Tiffany and there were two king
sized beds. The only person she wanted in her bed was over seven hundred
miles away, but she figured 'what the hell, it's not like Diane's never
spent the night with me before.'

Misty could hardly sleep that night. She would just barely drift away,
then something would wake her up. Either it be Diane rolling over or the
curtain pulls tapping on the window. Nevertheless, she wasn't nervous
about the competition. The five o'clock wake up call came all to soon.
This was the other reason she couldn't sleep. This was the one part that
Misty has always hated. The coach pounding on the door while the alarm
clock was going off; always annoying.

Everyone got a small bite to eat before they headed over to the arena.
Misty looked around the parking lot and saw a couple of cars that were
vaguely familiar, only she couldn't place it. As they were filing into
the building, she kept looking back over her shoulder again and again
until the darkness of the hallway had swallowed her.

All of the attendees were to gather at their designated areas for the
opening ceremony. The colors were presented by the color guard of
the "Old Guard". The choir of the same unit sung the national anthem
beautifully to the music of the band. The color guard marched off the
floor to a standing ovation. Everyone was on their feet screaming for
them. This was the first taste the girls got of the energy of this place.
Just hearing all these people screaming and chanting made their spines
tingle with excitement and pride. Misty was all to familiar with this
feeling. She leaned over to one of the freshman and whispered "You've
made it."

Misty knew that Anne would be watching her compete on TV back home. This
thought of knowing her Anne was watching, even from seven hundred miles
away, was enough of a confidence boost. Suddenly, everything seemed
to feel right.

The girls went off to change after the Master of Ceremonies did his
welcome and congratulation and good luck bullshit speech. The sounds of
music could be heard all the way across the arena. Misty forgot about the
new change that the event organizers put into play this year. There would
be live music for the audience and attendees and there were a hand full
of pop music celebrities signing autographs. Misty could hear a distinct
sound to which she has known for only a short period of time, but loves
deeply. She took off like a bat out of hell to confirm her suspisions.
She looked at the clock on the wall and back to the flyer on the door,
The String Metal Septet was scheduled to be playing now. Misty looked up
to one of the stages outside of the arena to see her Anne standing center
stage with the band playing behind her.

Misty immediately broke into tears when she made true of what her eyes
saw. She didn't recognise the song they were playing, but didn't care
really. She got to see her Anne playing in front of about a thousand
people, who were actually watching her play. Unbenounced to Misty, Anne
noticed her coming out of the building.

"Thank you, thank you," Anne said after the song ended. She turned around
to the drummer and bassist, then back to the mic. "This next one is a new
one called "Beautiful"...

The bass guitar and violin starting playing the most meloncoly and
saddest notes anyone could imagine. Anne was sitting on a stool playing
along in the background of the music. The drummer lightly tapped his
symbols and snare when the beat came. After nearly a minute of a
tearful mourning, Anne's voice could be heard...

"So close no matter how far.
You've seen through to my heart.
Everytime you see through my eyes,
You see my truth, no more lies"

The band started playing the power notes to lead into the chorus and Anne
got up off her seat. The emotional energy of the band could be felt
through out the audience.

"So close to you, no else matters.
You saved me from that awful Master."

The sad-filled notes replayed after ten seconds of instruments only music
after the chorus.

"Look at close at this love we made.
You'll see the price we've paid.
Sacrifice nothing to make it "us".
Sacrifice nothing to make this trust."
The power picked up once again, but his time lasted for nearly two
minutes before the next sung words came in.

"So close to you, no else matters.
Thank you. My demons have all scattered...
I've seen your face from high above.
I'm no longer a shadow, I have your love..."

Anne played a small, sad twenty second solo before the song ended taking
her seat once again. Everyone that was in listening distance lit up in
applause. This particular audience was much more aquainted with more of
the bubble-gum pop stuff, but something about their sound captured
everyone's attention and imagination. Misty tried to push through the
crowd to get up to the stage, but her attempts were in vain. The people
wanted to hear more and she had places to be. Saddened as she was, she
was even more uplifted by the fact that Anne was there and her parents
probably were too...somewhere. As Misty ran back through the hallways she
could hear the crowd chanting that they wanted more.

Misty got back to the "locker room" as the coach was taking role; she
made it without a second to spare. As they dressed and readied
themselves for the competition, Misty tried to listen for her Anne's
music. Some of the words she caught, some were drowned out. Mostly
everyone heard was the music to the competing schools' routines.

 Kennview was among the last to hit the stage. By this time, most of the
live bands had stopped playing and watched the competition, mostly out of
curiosity; The String Metal Septet was no exception. Anne managed to find
John and Cindy in the crowd and watched nearly the entire day's
performances. Their section of the arena went histarical when they
announced Kennview High School's name. Anne, and her band, were about the
only ones who didn't join in the applause. Anne never was one to get her
hopes up with something as trival as that. She wanted to wait to see if
they would come out on top before she would do anything of the kind. Her
band was the same way in that respect.

During the nearly ten minute performance, Anne kept repeating to herself
the steps everyone need to take to make it right. "Com'on, hit your mark"
she would say outloud when someone made any move. John and Cindy could be
be seen with their hands shaking and their hearts were about to pop out
of their chests. Anne could smell their nervousness steaming out of their
pores. "I think they're nervous enough for the whole team," Anne said
inwardly. The routine was finished by Misty thrown about twenty feet into
the air and doing a spinning flip to the front of the formation, which
she seemed to land perfectly, but Anne could sense something wrong. She
noticed Misty fliched a bit when her foot hit the floor, "That can't be
good at all," Anne said as she got up and ran down the aisle. The time
alarm sounded just after the music stopped and the judges went to work.
Diane, Jennica and Tiffany had to carry Misty off of the stage.

Anne came running through the door to their locker room moments after the
team. The only thing on her mind was the pain her Misty was going
through, she didn't even think of the job well done the team showed.

"HEY, you can't be in here," Coach Williams said as Anne burst into the
room. Anne wasn't about to chance Misty's care to anyone else. As she
threw her arm back to knock the shit of her when Diane yelled out,
"Coach, she's okay to be here."

"Who the hell are you anyway," Coach Williams said a little calmed. The
nurses already were looking at Misty's foot and ankle, but Anne just
wanted to be there with her.

"Someone who cares about her very much," Anne said in a reclusive but
cold tone. "Let me pass!" Coach Williams gave in, not wanting to have an
argument with a teenager over some beuricratic bullshit. Anne ran over to
her Misty and stroked her hair. Misty was in obvious pain, but was hiding
it quite well. "Is anything broken nurse?"

"No, but her ankle is dislocated," the nurse didn't sound overly
concerned about her condition. He's seen this too many times in his
tenure at this competition.

"May I?" Anne asked politely of him, gently pushing him aside. Anne
grabbed Misty's ankle in her gloved right hand. "Don't move, Misty." Anne
squeezed and jerked her ankle in some weird way causing her to tear up a
bit. "That's better now, isn't it?" Anne looked at the nurse, who was
preparing a brace for her foot.

"I guess there's no need for this now is there," the nurse winked at
Anne. Misty leaned forard on the table and put her arms around her
girlfriend. "I love you," Misty whispered into her ear.

"Look at that," Anne said out loud. The entire team turned their
attention to the TV in the corner of the room. It was already tuned to
the local channel of the event and they were displaying the scores of
their team. The whole team went balistic with excitement. With the scores
they had, they were in the running to atleast trophey. With four schools
left to go, they were in second place and with a fairly high score. The
girls could hear the crowd's cheers to the presenting to the scores from
across the arena.

"Cool it," Coach Williams said rather loud, "we haven't won anything yet.
Keep yourselves focused." Anne decided to leave Misty to the company of
her friends for the remainder of the competition; Misty didn't really
mind. This was their event and Anne wanted to make sure the team savored
everything they worked for. Anne rejoined John and Cindy back in the
grandstands to watch the rest of the competition. One of the schools had
a very bad fall causing the poor girl to be rushed to the emergency room.
One school nearly beat out Kennview, but fell shy by about two-and-a-half
points. The last two didn't even come close to even placing overall.

Now it was Anne's turn to actually feel excited about this whole thing.
Her own school took second overall in their first visit to this event!
Anne's love for her Misty soared to new hights. Anne finally felt the
urge to cry, something that she hasn't done since she was a baby. She was
overwhelmed with emotions for her lover. When the schools were annouced,
Misty had to be escorted up to the Master by Coach Williams to accept the
trophy, seeing as how she nearly broke her ankle just an hour before.
Anne could see the hard-knock coach crying when Misty's hands touched the
trophey. John and Cindy were nearly uncontrolable. Fortunately, John had
his camcorder on a tripod, so it didn't effect the tape when he flew from
his seat.

Anne rode back home with the Thomases. Her band told her that they'd be
hanging around the clubs before they headed back. They knew Anne didn't
party much, but they respected her when she told them to be sober when
they drove home.

Chapter Seven: "...Destruction Breeds Creation..."

Two months had past since Misty laid her hands on that trophey. Diane and
Anne had done their best of keeping Misty out of harms way, but had
failed a couple of times. Those two times neither one of them could
control. Misty and Anne let it slip that the two of them were an item and
several of the boys on the soccer and baseball teams didn't like that
idea. The two of them had their eyes on Misty for quite some time and
didn't really appreciate the fact she went with Annebell Amera, instead
of them. Anne made quick work of dispatching their efforts once she found
out about what happened. One she put in the ICU ward for a week with a
broken femer and concusion. The other managed to talk himself out of
severe punishment after some rights were laid into his ribs.

Anne's grades were never better (as if they could get any better) now
that she has someone by her side to keep her company. The final
selections for Valedictorian were to be announced on the Monday after the
senior prom. Misty was more anxous about the announcement than Anne. She
learned a long time ago to never get her hopes up about anything.

Several things would occationally bombard Anne's brain from time to time.
She knew about Misty's acceptance into The Ohio State University on her
cheerleading scholarship which put Anne at quite a disadvantage. Anne
never once actually sat down and thought about what she would do with her
life once she graduated. "A writer, perhaps....nah.....go into
business....no too much shit to put up with....mathematician........have
too think too much..........." These were only some of the things she had
even remotely thought about. What weighted most heavily on her mond was
her future with Misty. She loved her more than anything, she would not
ever give that up. "She pulled me out of that hell-hole and into
something so lovely I could only dream about." Relocating to Columbus
wasn't the hard part. Paying the bills wasn't the hard part. What was
hard for Anne was to admit she wasn't going anywhere with her own
exsistance. "I guess that leaves no choice..."

Anne and Misty would now walk to class holding hands and hug or kiss each
other good bye. After the jock incidents, as well as the Lindsey and
Rachel incidents, no one dared to say or do anything to upset their
relationship. Even the faculty started to lighten up a bit around Anne.
No more dirty looks or evil stares from any of them. Anne was slowly
being introduced to the girls Misty hung out with when she had practice,
but Anne really did it to ablige her girlfriend. These people wouldn't be
anything to them after graduation day; a thought very much appreciated by
Anne.

"Ms. Amrea," Mr. Harvey called out at the start of the history lesson,
"You're needed in the office ASAP." His voice did have a hint of pleased
tone to it, but Anne figured it was because she might be geting in
trouble. After all, she ended one of the starting soccer player's season
in one meeting. Anne walked casually down to the front office with all of
her stuff; she figured to plan ahead for the worst.

"Anne Amera," Mrs. Kent announced over the noise pollution of the
adjacent hallway. "Principal Henry will see you now." Anne noticed that
her tone was a bit more inviting. She had a certain grin on her face that
Anne couldn't quite place. Pleasent although it was, Anne quite hesitant
to talk to this person. All her school career she kept her record
perfectly clean of bad behavior, even though the student body knows
better--they just would never say anything.

"Can we make this quick, Mr. Henry? I have a class I'm missing." Anne
kept her usual demeanor in full force. She sat in one of the two
fake-leather chairs before his desk.

"Well, Ms. Amrea, your reputation proceeds you and you did not
disappoint." Mr. Henry said coyly. He knew of Anne's reputation of being
a self absorbed bitch from the rumors of the faculty and student body,
but this was the first time he's seen it first-hand. " I called you in
today on behalf of the Prom Commitee. They brought to my attention that
you play in a band that recieved an invitation to the cheerleading
nationals as well as scored the highest on the talent show poll in the
school paper. I saw the tape and I agree with them on this, but the
decision is yours..."

"For one thing the band is not mine, as your implying I'm the leader,"
Anne interupted knowing what the next question was. "The decision is not
mine. There are six other people to take into concideration here." Anne
got up to leave. She had her hand on the door knob when she turned around
to finish, "I'll let you know tomarrow." Anne headed back to class
knowing full well that James, Kurt, Kevin and the rest would have agreed
to it, but Anne wanted to respect what her brother's legacy was: "No one
single person leads this band. We all come on stage together, we all make
the decisions together." This is what helped them through their rough
times without him. They never could agree to any one single person to
fill in for long, until Anne asked James that favor nearly three months
ago.

"Why were you in the office today, baby?" Misty asked when they made
their way through the crowded hallway to their lockers. She could tell
Anne had something on her mind. "Did that bastard expel you or
something?"

"No, nothing like that," Anne said deep in thought, "he wanted the band
to play at Prom. I told him I would have an answer tomarrow." Misty
walked with Anne to her locker, seeing as hers was only a few doors down.
"Do you mind meeting my friends?"

"Not at all, sweety," Misty said worried that she wouldn't have a date
for the dance now. Anee pondered over the idea all the way through the
last bell of the day. 'If I do agree to this, the band would get even
more exposure, but Misty would have to go to the dance alone. If the band
doesn't go, then we lose the exposure and the experience of being
ridiculed by the hardest demographic to please...' Misty didn't have any
practice this afternoon, seeing as how their season is over, so she met
up with her Anne by the car. Misty did her usual chatting thing during
the drive home. Anne tired to play the nice girl routine and listen, but
was lost in her own world.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Misty screamed when they arrived home. Anne just sat
back in her seat with a cold stare in her eyes. "Call the police, Anne!
My phone is in my  purse." Misty ran into the broken down door of her
home. Every window was broken, every peice of furniture was cut into and
every thing that could be broken was smashed into pieces. Anne picked up
her phone and called the one person who would know how to help them, even
though Anne knew already what to do about it. Misty could be seen flying
all over the house, frantically searching for her own senses. She didn't
even know how to think by this point; worry, fear and anger flooded her
brain with such an intensity.

Anne casually walked up to the house examining the shaddered door. She
knew that John and Cindy had been stuck at their work today and would be
home late, but this brought little comfort to her. She knew what was
going on; her memory of this kept her in the darkness for so long. She
thought she would be set free, but scars in her memory could never allow
that to happen. Anne walked over to what use to be the couch and sat
down, eying the room. 'Goddamn you Sid!'

Misty came running back down the stairs. Her face was pale and her eyes
had gone bloodshot. She looked like aomeone just drained the life out of
her. Anne looked into her eyes for any signs of hope, but found none.

"How can you just sit there, Anne?" Misty screamed out. Anne chose not to
answer. She just looked into her lover's eyes, trying to tell her
what she was thinking by this alone. Anne raised her right arm in a fist
before her face. Misty could felt her heart sink into despair. "What are
you telling me, baby?" Misty said much quieter taking a seat next to her
Anne.

"Damn you Sid, I told you not to fuck with me..." Anne's voice trailed
off.

"What? Who's Sid?" Misty asked, obviously confused.

"He's the bastard who did this. I told him to stay the hell away from me
a long time ago. You know who he is I'm sure. Diane has told you all
about me, I'm sure his name came up somewhere."

"Oh my God, Anne! He's the one who...."

"Yes. I assume he's trying to tell me something here... Misty did you
touch or disturb anything while you were running around?" Anne
asked quite concerned.
"No, I don't think so." With that, Anne went up to her room. 'Just as I
thought.'

"What's wrong?" Misty asked when she finally caught up to her. Anne
pointed to the ceiling. There in the middle of a red circle was a sign
foreign to Misty's eyes, but not to Anne's. "What is that thing?"

"It's his family crest. He told me that they always sign their work. If
you look under the plate that covers my right shoulder, you'll see the
same symbol."

"But you said that the metal doesn't absorb anything liquid,
including paint and blood. And I thought you told me that they found the
guys body a while ago."

"I never said he wasn't the one who ordered it. I didn't want you and mom
and dad to get involved with this. Kathrine called him rathr than an
ambulance and this is my punishment yet again."

"Anne, tell me please......" Misty pleaded with her lover. She wanted to
hear every gritty detail and grusome truth, the whole truth.

"Kathrine was the one who arragned everything to have me killed. She knew
that I found out she was sleeping around on dad and wanted me silenced.
Sid is one of her many fuck buddies. They met at a business meeting
nearly nine years ago and have been bed mates since. The first thing
they tried was have me kidnapped from school one day, but dad got me out
early for a dentist appointment. When I confronted Kathrine about that I
knew, she beat the hell out me for even mentioning it. I met Sid one day
when I got back from school one day he and Kathrine were in the kitchen
just talking. I knew who he was, but acted nicely to him. I was nine at
the time and didn't want another ass-kicking. He talked mostly about how
wealthy he was and so on. The one thing that stood out in my mind was the
ring on his finger and the symbol within. The very next day when I got
home from school, my room was ramsacked with that symbol painted on my
matress. About a year and a half later, when I was almost eleven, he had
me raped and beaten by some pervert he met on the street. When I got out
of the hospital and a couple of months went by I proved to be quite a
dilegent little girl. My grades were kept up, my friends stood by me and
my father and brother were evermore protective, but this was when my
personality started to change. It was what made a lesbian to begin with,
and how it started the snowball and thus was born Annebell Amera, Bitch
of Kennview High School. When I was coming home from Diane's house that
day, he pulled out this huge knife and tried to kill me with it, as you
already know. I guess he killed dad and Jason out of fear they would seek
retrobution for me, seeing as how he thought me dead already."

Misty was shocked that Anne could easily recall what happened like that.
She didn't know about any rape. She didn't cry or feel like it. Her heart
told her to be strong for her Anne as she no longer had anyone else.

Misty put her hand on her girlfriend's, "but how did you know it was this
Sid person?"

"The human brain does weird things when the body is in shock. When I was
in recovery after the rape, I could feel my brain operating differently.
It's not like I get to choose what I see, but when someone has that look
in their eyes like the one he had, I saw the conversation through his
eyes, talking to Sid about my demise. I know where everything happened,
how much he was paid, but Sid didn't know he would kill dad and Jason.
Unfortunatly, one just simply go to the police with something like that."

"I think I understand, Anne," Misty said a little shaken. "What are we
going to do about it?"

"You will do nothing but wait here for me this time, understand?" Anne
said sternly. Misty was shocked by the strength of Anne's voice. "You
have seen far too much and have been put through even more, some of which
by my own hand." Just then a black SUV startd to honk from the driveway.
Anne looked out the window and an arm was waving at her. "I'll be back by
dinner. Call mom and dad and tell them a burglar ramsacked the house and
they should come home immediately." Misty just sat on her bed and watched
er Anne disappear through the door. Anne had already laid her cell phone
beside her and Misty did as she was told.

Anne came home as she said she would. John, Cindy and Misty were still
cleaning up the house when Anne appeared. John didn't notice any distress
or anything different about her, but Misty knew better. Anne walked in
and hugged her family before putting the take out bag on one of the
boxes. It was still pretty bright outside, so Anne knew that it wasn't
too late of a dinner.

"Let's eat," Anne said in a somewhat strange voice. She seemed happy.
Even more so than when her and Misty began their relationship; this meant
only one thing to Misty. The dinner was not without it's share of words.
John and Cindy didn't seem too worried about the loss of property.
Nothing they had was a one-of-a-kind and everything was insured. However,
they still needed a place to sleep for tonight that wouldn't be on
something that would cut them up during the night. John said that he
already placed the necessary phone calls and was assured everything would
be on it's way in the morning. Anne and Misty kept quiet about the "why"
question that bothered everyone.

"Good thing then that tomarrow is Friday," Anne said uplifted. "It's a
half-day tomarrow and we can come home and help out."

"That's very sweet of you Anne, but they have people for that. Why don't
we just spend our time that we'll have out of this atrosity that we now
call a house?" Cindy was sincere in her wanting to be out of the house
all day, and for obvious reasons, but Anne wasn't in the mood to barter.

"I owe you all for taking me into your home like your own daughter," Anne
said sadly. "It would be my honor to stay here and help fix things while
you all take the day to yourselves." Misty understood where she was going
with this, but kept quiet.

"That's very nice of you Anne, but we couldn't do that to you..." John
started.

"I insist, dad," Anne said a bit more like the Anne everyone knows.

"Can't argue with that," John said in usual
just-got-beat-by-a-girl sarcasm.

After dinner, everyone kept cleaning up the living room so they would
have a place to sleep. John looked at his watch a while later to see that
it was nearly eleven. Misty and Anne laid out on one side of the room
with the adults on the other. No one slept well that night with John
snoring so loud.

The next morning Misty and Anne didn't even bother to eat anything,
seeing as how they would be out school in about three hours. Misty was
much more tense than usual and Anne could feel it. She kept rubbing
Misty's leg and arm the whole ride there, trying to tell her not to
worry.

Misty clung to Anne's hand a little more lightly than usual too when ever
they walked through the hall together. Anyone who passed by could feel
her nervousness. Several other students gave her a concerned look when
they passed, worried for a reason they couldn't explain.

"What happened yesturday Anne?" Misty said in a demanding voice when they
were putting away their books. "Tell me please. Don't play games like you
usually do, I want to hear it straight."

"Alright, that Sid person won't be a problem ever again," Anne said
bluntly. "I didn't kill him I assure you, merely let my uncle do his
thing after I nearly beat the life out him. My uncle had him arrested and
confined in a state institution far away from here. Kathrine was with him
at the time, but decided it best to interfere with my work. My uncle is
keeping her under a tight watch so she can't try sometihng like this to
you. This he agreed to without question."

"Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?" Misty's tone had definately
changed after hearing the truth. "You had me worried sick all night and
day."

"I don't need mom and dad worrying either. They have enough problems to
deal with because of me. They don't need to hear about this one." Anne's
face went blushed and her eyes watered a little. "I promise you this,
Misty, I will never let anything happen to you so long as I live. You and
mom and dad are the best thing that's ever happened to me in my whole
life..." Misty wiped the tears from her lover's eyes with her thumb,
stroking her face. Misty leaned down and kissed her before they left for
the principal's office.

"So, what's the verdict Ms. Amrea?" Mr. Henry said in a kind of
sarcasticly cheery voice. "Will they do it?"

"I told them about it and they have one question before they answer: How
much does the gig pay?" Anne was her usual self by this point. She knew
she would have to be to get her point across that this band isn't just
something some kids threw together for fun.

"Pay?" Mr. Henry retort, clearly shocked to hear the question he did.
"Give me a moment would you?" The principal left the office for a couple
of minutes before returning with a manilla folder opened up. "I would say
about a thousand dollars, atleast that's left in the budget after
everything's said and done."

"Then you have yourself a band," Anne answered without the slightest hint
of what she was really feeling. She was only expecting something in the
neighborhood  of a few hundred if anything at all. James told her that
they would do it for free since they all went to that school anyway, but
Anne figured to get some money out of it. This was the Anne Misty fell in
love with.

"Le me have your phone, sweety," Anne said when they got in the car to go
home. "Yeah.......about a thousand dollars.........it surprised me
too..............hey don't thank me or anything................You're
seriou?!................I'll call you back about that one." Anne hung up
the phone laughing a little with a big thought on her mind.

"What's so funny, honey?" Misty asked trying not to join in on the
hilarity.

"James was just being James. He didn't even think we would get anything
for it, but he knows me better than that..." Anne went on talking about
her life with the guys in the band and how much of family they really
were to her. The cared for her while she was in he hospital and support
her in her school work, just like she was the band's little sister.
"James did ask me one thing though," Anne blurted out all-of-a-sudden.

"What's that?" Misty said glad that she had Anne talking about herself.

"They want me to become their guitarist." Anne was subdued in her words.
She knew what that would mean, but doubted Misty did.

"I thought that's what you wanted, sweety," Misty said oblivious to
Anne's concern.

"He told me that some people heard us on the radio and while we were in
D.C. and late last night James got a call from some big shot in New York.
I think you know where I'm going with this."

"When will you have to leave?" Misty didn't seem overly bothered by the
news, which struck as odd with Anne.

"The day after graduation," Anne started to sound sad by the whole idea
of leaving in the first place.

"Oh. So I only get you for the next few weeks is that it?" Now Misty
seemed bothered. She sounded like Anne was leaving her for good, but Anne
knew differently.

"You'll always have me, Misty. Pull in here, I want to show you
something." Misty pulled into the McDonald's parking lot like Anne asked.
Misty was a bit crushed with the thought of losing her Anne to the music
industry and she knows all too well how that usually goes.

"What do you want to show me, honey,"Misty asked running her fingers
through Anne's hair.

"Look in the glove compartment," Anne said very nervously. Misty did as
she was asked. Combing through the insurance paperwork and assortment of
CD cases, she happened upon a small box that was covered in felt. Misty
was in tears when she pulled it out and opened it. A diamond ring about a
full karot wrapped around a solid platnum band. Anne's heart was racing
by this point. She wanted for so long to ask this of her Misty, but
wanted to protect her from the hell she'd been through.

"Oh my God, Anne....does this mean that..??" Misty couldn't speak. Anne
put the ring on her finger and kissed her passionately.

"Yes," Anne said crying. She'd never been this happy in her life. "Yes it
does, Misty." The girls just sat in the car embracing each other for a
while. Misty had no idea this day would ever come for her.

"Anne, I thought I would never even get to meet you just a few months
ago," Misty said after they'd calmed down and went inside to get some
food. They sat at the table side-by-side holding hands. "Just a few
months ago, all I had of you was just some pictures Diane brought with
her and the memories you and her had. I didn't even know your voice until
that day at lunch. I'm very happy that I managed to talk dad into moving
here. This was my one chance I had to meet you and I wasn't going to let
it get away." Anne chose to remain silent. She just sat next to her new
fiance in pure bliss, not thinking of anything else. Not even the propect
of being away from each other for a long time made it's way into her
thoughts.

"I guess it's true what my uncle told me," Anne said breaking her twenty
minute silence. Misty just looked at her puzzled, "He always told me
that destruction breeds creation. Look at me. I was broken down to the
point of death and now I have created something that death cannot take. I
love you, Misty" Anne finished rubbing her left hand with her own right.

"I love you too, Anne," Misty said leaning in to kiss her fiance.



I hope you enjoyed part 2 of "Loving A Shadow". I would like to thank
everyone for their comments and kind words once agan. This time I'm
sending the story intentionally[IMAGE]. There is more to come after this
part, so those of you, my fans and readers, don't fret too much. There
will be a part 3. Comments and suggestions are welcome as always.