After what happened with Damon Linkin decided he didn't want to stay any longer. Bonnie was ready to leave so she gave Link a ride home.

"What took you so long?" Richard Lockwoods voice called hearing the front door open knowing it was his son.

"I'm sorry sir. I was invited to dinner at the Gilbert's an didn't want to be seen a rude so I accepted." If theres one thing daddy dearest cared about most it was his family's image. Linkin knows this well so he decided to choose his words carefully.

"Fine. But next time call ahead understand." His father said sternly.

Linkin was still on edge after what happened with Damon and couldn't help the scoff that escaped his throat.

His fathers eyes instantly widened in rage as he took a menacingly marched forward. "What was that now." He growld.

"Noth-" But he wasn't able to get his words out before his father back handed him.

Linkin quickly cupped his now throbbing check as his eyes began to well. "I didn't mea-" But he was struck again.

"Don't talk back to me boy!" He yelled grabbing Linkin by the colar of his shirt. "You ungrateful child!" He screamed in Linkins face.

"Dad stop please." Linkin begged. It was a regular occurrence for the Sr Lockwood to strike his son, but it was still a frightening as the first time. "I'm sorry!" The Linkin wailed. But his plees fell on deaf ears as his father began draging him from the entryway, past the dinning room that held an annoyed looking Carol Lockwood, down the hall to Linkins room.

Linkin finally managed to get out of his fathers grip as he threw him to the floor.

"Why do you do this to me?" Linkin sobbed. It had been just over a week since his father treated him like this. But most of the time he was at Grams or Bonnie's house. He looked up at his father with fear. "Why is it me? What have I ever done to you?" He pleeded.

No matter how much he tried, he could never understand the answer to that one simple question. Why?

"Why do I do this to you?" His father just scoffed like it was the stupidest question in the world. "Why do you do this to me?!" His father howled.

"You constantly disappoint me. You contribute nothing to the Lockwood name I gave you!" His face was red with rage.

"You think I wanted your name. I didn't have a choice." Linkin spoke quietly as he slowly got to his feet.

This only served to make his father angry as he punched him back down to the floor. "Ungrateful brat." He growld as ke kicked a down Linkin straight in the chest knocking the wind out of him.

He was ghasping for air but kept wincing in pain after the hit. Hot tears began rapidly falling from his dark and broken brown eyes.

"You will not leave this room until I allow you too. Consider yourself lucky if I decide to feed you." Richard Lockwood drawled, his voice seething with venom as he stormed out locking the door from the outside.

Linkin winced as he managed to sit up, leaning his back against the base of his bed. He wouldn't be surprised if he has a few cracked ribs from the pain in his chest. He didn't know what to do, he started to break down as he just sat there crying.

...

Suprisingly he was allowed out for school and because of his brother behing in the game, he is forced to attend as a show of support for his older brother.

"Where is Drake?" Came the voice of Makena Grieves.

Link turned around to see the girl with dreads glairing at him with a distrackted looking Amon over her shoulder. "An what makes you think I would care or know where he is?" He snaakred.

"Because I've been told you were the last person to see him since the the party at the falls." She growled.

How, why? How would she even know that. "Why don't you ask Tyler? He's the one who is his actual friend."

"I already did an he said he hadn't seen him since the party." She huffed.

"An you think I would care or help you." Linkin scoffed turning back to his locker grabbing his book and slamming it shut. He went to go but Makena got in his way, he didn't give a dam as he bardged right past her going to class.

Where is he? What if hes at the game tonight? What if Matt dose something?

...

School was finished and now everyone is just lingering and setting up from the game.

"Hey Link." Jeremy said from behind him making him jump.

"Jesus Jeremy!" Linkin breathed ou heavily.

"Sorry dude. Didn't mean to scare you." He laughed.

Linkin just rolled his eyes. "Your such a dweeb."

Jeremy just snorted. "So... are you staying for the game?" He asked seeming nervous.

"Yep." Link sighed popping the p.

"Ahh, cool." Jeremy was looking at his feet as he bit his bottom lip. "Would you wanna maby hang out with me an some friend's? We're all just gonna be drinking an chill." He said.

"Oh." Link spoke suprised.

Jer looked a little dejected. "Sorry, you don't have too. Its just that I know we haven't talked or hung out like we used too an-"

Link couldn't help the laugh he let out at Jeremy's nervous ramble. "It's fine Jer, of course I will." He said still chuckling.

"Your such an ass Link?" Jer snarked smiling.

"Takes one to know one."

"Really." Jer deadpaned with a heavy eyeroll an dorky smile.

They just stood there cackling like little kids.

"Well come on then. Introduced me to the friend's you replaced me with." Link jabbed playfully.

Jeremy winced in mock pain. "Ouch."

Link gave the Gilbert boy a raised brow.

"Fair enough." He conceded.

...

Jeremy stuck to his word an had introduced Linkin to everyone. He had to admit that he had judged mist of them wrong.

Sure, they a little rough on the edges but they welcomed him right away. He was offered drinks here and there but only took some straight from Jeremy.

Said boy did notice but he just brushed it off seeing Linkin actually having a good time. He looked almost care free an thats what he was aiming for. An before they knew it, it was already dark and Tanner was now giving his speech rallying the students.

"I don't understand football man. Like the whole school comes together to watch a bunch of guys knock eachother to the ground to chase a ball." One of the guys said sitting inside the tray of the truck.

"Because Michael, there a bunch of sheep who would rather follow a normal highschool idealism than strike out an be themselves." Another guy said also sitting in the tray.

"Thats deep Justin." Michael said dazed from the pott he smoked.

"Maby there all just a bunch of tools." Jer said making them all laugh as they kept drinking.

"Or maby your all just high an thinking to much into it." Linkin said getting looks from the three boys. Then they all just looked at eachother an nodded there heads.

"True." Justin said making them all laugh.

Behing do far away from the bon fire and with the chill night air Linkin shivered from the cold.

"You okay?" Jer asked him.

"Yair im all good, just a bit nippy." Link said rubbing his shoulders. He definitely hadn't had as much as the others to drink so he was still feeling the cold.

"Here." Jer said taking off his jaket putting it around Linkins shoulders.

"Wait Jer, im fine."

"Just put the jaket on Loo." Jer teased with a drunk grin.

Linkins face instantly went bright red at the old nickname. "Wha.. But... How.. Why do you still remember that?!" Link spat out in a word vomited.

"What are you too talking about?" Justin asked as he an Michael tuned into the conversation at Links embarrassment.

"When we were twelv-"

"Jeremy Rose Gilbert. If you finish that sentence I will tell everyone about your 10th birthday." Linkin threatened making the other zipp it immediately.

Jer looked completely gobb smacked at the threat. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

Both boys staired deep into eachother, not one of them moving there gaze from the other.

That was until Jeremy clicked in Linkins face making him blink.

"Hey! Thats cheating!" Link ghasped in mock anger.

"What was?" Jer replied with a goofy grin feigning confusion.

"Ass." Linkin luaghed punching Jeremy in the shoulder.

"Ouch!" He winned.

Justin and Michael laughed at the two boys.

Linkin was now reaching the point in beverage consumption that he had to relieve himself. "I'll be back. Gotta brake the seal."

The boys just either waved or nodded as Link ran into the school.

...

L

inkin had to take of his glasses to wash his face. He had drank a little to much and he needed a splash of cold water to sober up a bitt.

He threw water on his face again before opening his eyes to see the fazed out shape of his reflection. "I need to rethink the next time I decide to drink." He groaned.

"We have to stop meeting like this." Some said with a chuckle.

That's when he saw another fuzzy figure come up behind his reflection. He didn't have time to grab his glasses as he was grabbed an pinned to the wall. His breathing was erratic as the sound of his heart began to fill his ears with each thump.

He felt the warmth of the persons breath as they moved in to his ear. "I was hoping to run into you again. It reminds me of the last time we talked." He wispered darkly.

Linkin felt his heart jump from utter fear realising who it was. "Drake." He quivered.

"Yes." He said leaning his whole body into Linkins shaking figure.

"Wha.. what are you doing here?" He stuttered out.

"Well, I wasn't going to miss the first game of the season. After all, I am the star front liner." He boasts with a smile.

Linkin couldn't try an keep his cool. He was in pure panic, he couldn't use his spells because he hadn't absorbed any magic. He can't see anything except blurry colour and he's pinned to the wall by the person he right now fears the most. "Ple.. please..., just let me go. I.. I haven't told anyone anything, I won't.... tell. Please just let me go." He begged as tears started to pool in his eyes.

Drake's grip on Linkin was gone as he took a step back. Link slowly turned fighting back a sobb. "I know you haven't tild anyone and you're to much of a pussy to tell." He spoke with a thoughtful look on his face.

But even without his glasses Linkin could see Drake's lips separate into a cynically sick smile.

"But how would I have my fun if I just let you go." He said letting out a laugh.

"No, no, no. Please!" Linkin pleeded.

"Sorry little Lockwood. But thats just not how this is gonna go." He said as he took a step towards Linkin like a dog to a new toy.

No, oh god please no. Linkin screamed in his head as he was pushed back onto the wall. His arms were grabbed an forced to the wall, he tried to push back but Drake was stronger.

"Keep fighting." Drake said as he leaned in. "It just makes it more fun." He drawled out bringing his body against Linkin who was frozen with fear.

"Stop..." He managed to murmur.

"Yair keep talking." Drake moaned as he began thrusting his hipps against him. He brough his head in the crook between Linkins neck and shoulder. It sent a wave of cold down his back like ice water was thrown on him.

"Get off." Linkin said louder as the adrenalin started to shoot through his body.

"Keep talking like that, it just makes me harder." He moaned.

The tears were starting to fall as he felt Drake bite down on his neck, sucking on it. His eyes closed an he was instantly met with the memory of the party at the falls. It was like a flash of the moments, then he remembered the smell of the beer on Drakes breath. The sweat from his hot clamy hands as they pulled down his pants, the feeling of him forcing his way into him.

"No." Linkin groaned as he started to squirm.

"Oh baby." He huffed pulled his head out of Links neck noticing his intended victim was starting to fight back but kept going. He tightened his grip around his wrists as Linkin started to move more aggressively.

"Now now. Don't fight to hard. I wouldn't want you to get away from me now." Drake said in a growl now looking right into Linkins tear filled eyes.

No. Not again. I won't let it happen again! "Get away from me!" Linkin screamed thrusting his knee up right into Drake's balls.

The other boy instantly let go with a ghasp of pain as he cradled his sack.

Linkins body moved before his mind comprehend what he was doing. He saw the outline of his glasses on the sink quickly reaching out for them.

"You little bitch!" Drake howled grabbing him back before he got his glasses. Drake reefed Linkin back violently turning him.

"Stay away from me!" The boy screamed swinging as he turned punching blindly. He left his hand make contact with a thwack as pain shot through his thumb. Drake feel to the ground face first as his head hit the floor.

Not wanting to risk trying to hit him again, Linkin scrambled for his glasses hastily putting them on as he rushed for the bathroom door.

He made it into the empty hall. The only sounds heard were teens screaming with cheer and Tanner still on the microphone. Link raced for the exit as he passed lockers and halls he tried to get his breathing back under control.

When he finally emerged through the doors he looked around trying to find anyone he new. He didn't know if Drake was behind him ot not, but he knows he won't try anything infront of other people. Everyone was hollering to the football team while the cheer leaders booed. Linkin scanned the crowd but couldn't see any of hsi friends, so he went back to the car park to look for Jeremy.

After another minute of walking through the crowd of students Linkin finally came out the other side. He could see Jer and he was definitely a little more than wasted. He sighed in relif as he come up to the group.

"There he is." Jer called drunkily smiling as he wobbled into a sitting position.

"We thought you ditched us man." Justin said and Michael laughed like he was stoned making Justin laugh with him.

Jeremy however saw how red an puffy Linkins eyes were, like his friend had been crying.

"What happend? Are you okay?" He asked immediately worried scanning him from head to toe.

Linkin choked on his words. He was having an inner battle if he should tell him or not. But he was worried Jeremy would see him differently an not want to be around him. He only just got his friend back an he didn't want to loose him again.

"I.."

But Jeremy's eyes quickly seemed to look over Linkins shoulder as his face morphed from worried to angered. He then suddenly got off the tray of the truck an walked around Link an infront of him.

That when he turned around too an saw Tyler start walking over with Viki not far behind.

"Don't worry Gilbert. You can have her when im done." Tyler said smugly as he smile at Jeremy.

Without missing a beat, Jer sent a right hook that hit Ty in the face but he stull stood up like nothing happened.

Consumed by his rage Tyler punched Jeremy to the ground jumping ontop of him. He started laying into hit after hit before Jer quickly rolled bringing him up as he hit Tyler over again and again. Tyler managed to roll them again an now he was punching down hard at Jeremy who had his arms up trying to protect his face.

"Get off him!" Link yelled diving onto Tyler separating the two. But Tyler in his blind anger just got ontop of Linkin and started gunning for him.

Link had his arms up immediately just as Tylers first punch nearly got him in the eye. "Motus." Linkin tried in panic forgetting that he had no magic. Tyler hit again before he suddenly pulled off.

"Thats enough! Hes down." Stefan growled at Tyler. Said boy stood infront of him catching his breath as he started coming back to his senses.

He looked down to see his brother trying to get to his feet. "Link!" Bonnie said shocked coming over and immediately at side helping him get to his feet.

Stefan gave Link a quick glance before turning back to a slightly less fuming Tyler. He also saw Jeremy standing with a broken glass bottle.

He went to swing at Tyler while his back was turned. But Stefan seeing what was about to happen moved to push Tyler out of the way. Stefan however wasn't the only one to see this however as the glint of light shined in Linkins eye. He looked an saw Jeremy about to slash his brothers back open.

"Tyler move." Linkin warned shoving Tyler out of the way. He felt a swift slice along the side of his face and the shocked ghasps of all the crouded students.

Linkin slowly put a hand to the side of his face feeling a sharp sting and a warm wet liquid start to ooze from his face.

Tyler looked over at his brother confused. That was until he saw the blood on his face.

"Oh god. Link, im sorry." Jer said.

Tyler turned to the Gilbert boy an saw the broken bottle dripping in red.

He felt the all too familiar emotion of anger well inside him as he went to charge at Jeremy. Lucky for him Matt came up fast with another team mate and they quickly grabbed a rage full Tyler an dragged him away.

Stefan became panicked quickly hiding his hand that also got sliced by the same bottle after it struck Link.

Bonnie came over to Link worried as she move dhis hand from the wound as she scanned it. Jer stood there afraid and not sure what to do. His sister went right up to him with her parental judgement kicking in. She started scolded him but in his drunken an high state he got so annoyed he just walked away

Unlucky for Stefan Elena had noticed the cut on her boyfriends hand after Linkin got hit. She grabbed his hand asking Stefan to show her the gash. He opened his hand an showed her it was fine.

"But I saw it." She said in disbelief.

"I'm fine. It's not my blood." He said wiping his hand on his pants.

She just looked completely confused.

"Maby you should check on Linkin. He was the one who got hurt.

"Oh god, you're right." She said remebering her other friend.

"It looks like it just scratched your head. It's not to deep so it probably wont need stiches." The Bennett girl said as Elena came over.

"I'm fine." Linkin protested.

"I'm no nurse but he should be fine." Bonnie told her.

"Should we take him to a hospital." The Gilbert girl asked.

"No." "He won't go." Linkin an Bonnie both said.

"Jeremy cut your face?" Elena deadpaned, confused at why Link wouldn't go to a hospital.

Bonnie an Linkin just shared a looks like they where having a telepathic conversation. After a hot minute of morphing facial expressions. "Could you just ge me the med kit from your car for me please." Bonnie huffed giving up on her non-verbal argument.

Elena just looked between the two before just deciding to get the med kit. "Okay, I'll be back in a minute." She said befor walking off to her car.

"Why couldn't we use your one? Your car is closer?" Link asked Bonnie.

"Because you've already emptied it." His best friend sighed.

....................................................

Author Note

Okay guys. I know this one is a bit of an emotional kicker an im sorry. I know im evil.

I didn't publish this chapter on time, sorry for that. I've been hella busy moving an it's killing me atm.

Anyways. I hope you all liked this chapter. Don't forget to vote by hitting the star in the bottom left of your screen.