I ran out onto the field and was greeted by my teammates.

"Hey D! It's nice to have you back!"

"How're you feeling?"

"Was it the flu? I bet you it was the flu."

"Hey Daytona! It's good to have you back." Makayla bounced up next to me, her blonde curls falling over her shoulder.

"Oh hey Makayla. It's good to be back." I gave her a real, cheery smile.

The time I spent on the cheer team, has kind of brought Makayla and I closer. Well, as close as we could get without ripping each other's hair out.

"Hey. Do you mind if I talk to you for a second?" She asked and gestured to a more shaded region of the football field.

"Uh yeah. Sure." I followed behind her and when she stopped to turn around, I was taken aback.

Instead of her usual confident look, her eyes were glazed over with tears. She looked as broken as I felt on the inside. "I'm assuming you know about what I told Logan right." I nodded my head. "I'm sorry about that. It's just," she sighed and gave me a deafteted look, "I've never had a real boyfriend."

My eyes grew wide and I stared at her with my mouth gaping open, "You've never had a boyfriend?" I asked.

Her eyes shot daggers into me despite drowning in tears, "Yes. You don't need to rub it in. The point of this conversation was to apologise. I was always so envious of you growing up that I became a bitch to you because I couldn't be you. And when Logan chose you over me, well, you saw how that went." Her eyes were cast downwards as she stared at the spot of turf she had been grinding her foot into for the past minute like a child.

As much as I wanted to say 'hoe bye', I shoved it into a vault in my head and smiled at her, "It's okay Makayla. I understand. How about we start over? Friends?" I stuck my hand out to her and she looked at me with utter shock. Eyes wide open, mouth open in an 'O' and her eyebrows knitted together; the whole package.

Slowly, she raised her hand to met mine and shook it with shaky fingers, "Friends."

"I'm glad you told me Makayla,"

She cut me off, "Call me Kay."

I nodded my head slightly, "Call me Day."

We headed back towards the team together when she stopped me one more time, "Oh, and can you let Caroline off the hook? The only reason she was mean to you was because of me."

I forced a smile, "Sure." Yeah right. Not until she apologizes herself.

"Alright girls! Let's get this practice going!"

An hour and a half later, I was covered in sweat and my muscles ached from the routine we had just finished.

"Hey good practice Day." Makayla patted my back, equally drenched in sweat herself. "Oh yeah, someone wanted to talk to you. He's over on the other end of the bleachers."

"He?"

"Yeah. Said he needed to give you something." She cracked open a water bottle and took a sip of it.

"What did he look like?"

She wipped sweat off her brow and stuffed the bottle back into her bag, "Tall, but shorter than Logan. Blonde hair, green eyes. Tattoo on his face."

A lump formed in my throat and even though I was sweating, a chill ran down my spine. I tightened my grip on the strap of my duffle bag and turned to go meet Colton.

Every step I took, more and more fear gathered in me. The closer I got, the heavier my legs felt. Soon, I was almost crying. Fear gripped my lungs in it's clutch and squeezed until I couldn't breath, then I rounded the corner.

But there was no one was there.

I looked around, letting out a breath of relief, but as I was getting ready to turn around, a strand of my hair, which was more curly than this morning, and twirled it between their fingers.

"There you are. For a minute I thought that blonde actually had a brain in that cute little head of hers, but nope. She's as blonde and dumb as the rest of them." He was close enough that I could feel his breath on the back of my neck and I stiffened.

"You're one to talk. You're blonde too. Or are you so dumb you forgot?" Apparently I had a death wish. On my tomb it's going to say: Cause of death - being sarcastic at the wrong time.

But instead of slapping me or blowing a hole in me, he laughed. A deep laugh where his head was thrown back and his eyes crinkled at their side.

"You remind me so much of Sophia. If she hadn't almost killed herself, you two could've been the best of friends." He was facing me now. He grabbed a piece of my hair and tucked it back behind my ear unnecessarily.

"What do you want?" I used up all my bravado and my voice was back to it's weak, shaky state that only Colton seemed to bring out.

"I wanted to give you a present." He handed me a box that was surrounded in familiar gift wrapping. "Go on. Open it."

I took the box from his hands and started to tear at the sides. The closer I got to unwrapping it all, the bigger his smile was. Have you seen the trailer for Truth or Dare because it was like that. Eventually I got all the wrapping paper off and held a small, silver jewelry box in my hand.

My hands were shaking to much I almost couldn't open it, but eventually I did and when I did, I dropped the box and covered my mouth with my hands.

"Nice. Isn't it?" Inside the box was a heart locket that Cooper had given me the year before his death. In it held a pictured of the both of us and on the front side, CJL (for Cooper Jason Lyn) and DPL were engraved in the swirling lines. On the back held both of our birthdates. 4-8-97 and 12-28-99.

After Cooper's death, I placed it in a drawer on my desk where I wouldn't have to see it again.

Tears pooled in the bottom of my eyes and I couldn't raise them to meet his. "Where did you get this?" My voice not raising above a hoarse whisper.

"It's a very lovely bedroom you've got. I love the touch of the un-made bed. Very you might I say. Oh and the gray sheets suit your room very well." My head automatically shot up and I looked at him, horrified.

"You were in my room?"

He wagged his finger at me, "A magican never reveals his secrets. But good thing I'm not a magican right. So to answer your question, yes. I was in your room."

"B-but how?"

"Now that I can't answer." He leaned in real close, his lips brushing across my ear, "Let's just say, you can never hide from me. I will always find you. Whether you crawl to the ends of the Earth, I will make you pay." He bent down and picked up the locket and fastened it around my neck. "So long Daytona. See you soon." Then like smoke, he disappeared.

I was watching the spot where he stood last, waiting for him to magically reappear, and when he didn't, I collapsed in a ball of tears.

My knees were pulled up close to my chest and sobs escaped my body in violent bursts. It was taking alot of effort to not let my body fall the side. Not that there was anything wrong with laying on the ground, I just couldn't.

He can get into my room. He can get me anywhere.

With that thought I cried even harder. Now no where was safe. The last piece of hope I had, was just ripped from me in the worst possible way possible.

What about Mom? Dad? Ashton? If they're home when he's there, they are all in danger.

Again, everyone I loved and cared for, was in danger because of me.

I don't know how long I was crying for, but I was gone long enough that Logan came to look for me. I had forgotten he was supposed to give me a ride home.

Home.

Where was it now? Home is where you should be safe, and since Cooper died, have I ever really been safe there?

Thoughts ran rampant through my head and when my tears were all cried out, I stared into the night sky wishing all the pain to go away.

"Daytona! What the hell are you doing out here? It's freezing and you're still in your practice gear. Wait? Were you crying? What happened." He took the black long sleeve shirt he was wearing off and slipped it on over me. "You're going to get sick. Let's get you to your house."

"No!" I grabbed his wrists and looked at him with what I can only describe as wild eyes. "I can't go home. He can get in?"

"Whose he? Fine, you can stay at my place tonight, but you have to go to your house to get clothes, and you need to tell your mom. She's worried sick about you Daytona." He lifted me up and wrapped his arms around me, trying to warm me up with his body heat.

"Colton. He talked to me today." I felt tears threatening to spill again, but I held them back. "This was hidden in my bottom drawer of my desk and he gave it to me today after practice." I picked the necklace out of his shirt which swallowed me, but it was nice. It smelt like him and was warm. It was safe.

"Fuck." He cursed under his breath. "You really can't go to your house can you?" I shook my head no.

"With have to tell Mason. When Colton kidnapped me," another lump formed in my throat but I swallowed it, "He threatened Ashton. Mason needs to watch her to make sure she stays safe."

He nodded his head and carresed my hair, causing my heart to warm a little. "Alright we will do that. But we need to make sure your safe first okay? Your safety matters most to me." I'm sure even though it was dark, he could still see me blush I was so red. "Now let's go get you a change of clothes."

I climbed into the passenger seat of his car and waited for him to get around to his side because, like the gentleman he is, he had to open and close me door. So when he got in, I turned on the radio hoping the music would help clear my head. 'Doomed' by Bring Me The Horizon was on and Logan and I sang along.

"So come rain on my parade

'Cause I want to feel it

Come shove me over the edge

'Cause my head is in overdrive

I'm sorry but it's too late

And it's not worth saving

So come rain on my parade

I think we're doomed

I think we're doomed

And there is no way back

You must of made some kind of mistake

I asked for death, but instead I'm awake

The devil told me no room for cheats

I thought I sold my soul, but he kept the receipt

So leave the lights on I’m coming home

It's getting darker but I carry on

The sun won't shine here, it never did

And when it rains, it fucking pours

But I think I like it

And you know that I'm love with the pain

I think I like it

So come rain on my parade

'Cause I want to feel it

Come shove me over the edge

'Cause my head is in overdrive

I'm sorry but it's too late

And it's not worth saving

So come rain on my parade

I think we're doomed

I think we're doomed

And there is no way back

I think we're doomed

I think we're doomed

And there is no way back

So come rain on my parade

'Cause I want to feel it

Come show me over the edge

'Cause my head is in overdrive

I'm sorry but it's too late

And it's not worth saving

So come rain on my parade

I think we're doomed

I think we're doomed

And there is no way back."

"You know what Day. You have a really nice voice." Logan gave me a heart-wrenching smile and I couldn't help but smile back at him. "Well. Here we are." He parked his car in my empty driveway and I took a deep breath.

"Just stay here for a minute. I'll text you to come in." I didn't really have an exact reason for making Logan stay behind, but if Colton did happen to be there. I didn't want him hurting Logan. He meant to much to me.

I fished for my keys in my bag and when I remembered Mason took my car home so I didn't have them. Digging through the dirt the the potted plant near the door, I found the fake rock with the spare key in it and unlocked the door.

When I opened it, it automatically felt different. It felt tainted. The lights were out and it was cold. I wrapped myself in Logan's shirt more.

"Daytona? Is that you? 'Bout time you showed your stupid face 'round here." My dad's voice was slurred and came from somewhere in the darkened living room.

"Y-yes Dad it's me." I cursed my voice for shaking and sounding so weak in front of my dad. Knowing him, he'd call me out on it.

"Come on in here and show me your stupid face. It's been 'while since I punched you 'round." My bottom lip quivered as I took shaky steps into the living room.

My dad sat in the corner, resting in an arm chair, an empty bottle of Dos hanging from his fingers, one shake away from crashing to the ground.

"Look at you. You're a fucking mess. God I wish you were never born. You're a disgrace to me family. I wish you died instead of your brother. Now he was someone to be proud of. Not you, a pathetic, weak, whore." A fresh set of tears threatened to spill again. My father let out a thunderous yell and threw the bottle towards me and I flinched right before I remembered his stupid game.

"Oh Daytona. You need to be taught a lesson about flinching don't you." He stood up and walked closer to me as I picked a shard of glass out of my shoulder.

He got down in my face, his breath smelt of sour alcohol and at that point, I made a vow to never drink alcohol again lest I become like my father. "Don't you remember our little game Daytona? You flinch and I double the pain." He reached down and squeezed the shoulder which I just picked glass out of.

I yelled out in pain, a wave of nausea washing over me.

He pressed harder once more before letting go, but it was only the beginning. He started to hit me wherever he could. My face, arms, stomach, chest. I was his own personal punching bag and all I could do, was sit there and take it.

"You stupid whore." He continued to beat me until even breathing was a hard task.

"I'm leaving for the night." He sent a kick to my stomach, sending me crashing into the coffee table.

I closed my eyes and couldn't even cry, breathing was already a difficult task, crying would only make everything worse.

My father's footsteps disappeared down the hall where the front door opened and a second set of footsteps approached me. "Dayton– oh fuck no. Get back here you bastard!" Logan yelled after my father.

"Hey! Get your filthy hands off me." The sound of Logan's heavy footsteps were accompanied by the dragging of my dad's feet.

"Did you do this to Daytona?" I turned my head to look at Logan who wore fury on his face like warpaint.

"Who the fuck are you and why do you care if I did this to my daughter. It's my family not yours." My dad spat at Logan's feet, but it didn't seem to deter Logan.

"Did. You. Do. This. Or. No?" Logan's jaw was clenched so tight, his sentences were hardly sentences.

"Yes I did this. But again, who are you?"

"I'm here boyfriend you sick bastard." A small smile came to my face but it turned to a grimace of pain.

"Oh." My father said as if things finally made sense. "So you're the girl who my daughter has been whoring around with. Makes sense." He gave Logan a once over. "Trash would fall for trash."

Without even a moments notice, Logan let go of my dad and socked him in the jaw, knocking him out cold.

He took several deep breaths before he dared himself to look at me. "Day," his voice cracked and he walked over and scooped me up into his arms bridal style. I let out a hiss of pain and he scrunched up his face as if he was the one in pain, "I'm sorry. I should've came in with you in the beginning. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay Logan." I ran my tongue over my lip where it was bleeding. "I can walk upstairs by myself Logan. I'm okay."

"Like hell you are." His grip on me tightened and we made our way to my room. He set me down gently on the bed and grabbed my empty backpack from my closet amd started throwing random things into it.

"I don't need that. Or that. Nope not that either. Just give me the bag Logan." I got up and took the bag from Logan, limping none the less. I went to my drawers and started to grab clothes I need. Then I made my way to the bathroom and grabbed a crap ton of makeup to cover everything and then everything else I needed.

"You ready to go?" Logan asked and I nodded my head and turned around and spotted Cooper looking at me really confused.

"Why is my dad passed out downstairs and who the hell hurt you? I swear I'll kill them." Cooper grumbled.

"Your dad has been beating Daytona for two years Cooper. Ever since your 'death' he's been beating your sister." Logan spoke in a quiet voice.

"What!?" Cooper bellowed. "Daytona, that asshole has been hitting you since my death and you didn't say anything?"

"Yes." I murmured.

For a minute he was silent then he kicked my bed and yelled. "I swear if that low life son of a-"

"Cooper." I scolded.

"Lays a hand on you one more time, I will tear them off his body and shove them so far up his ass the only thing he will be hitting is the roof of his mouth." I cringed at the unpleasant image that came to mind.

"Trust me. I don't plan on letting him hurt her ever again." I wrapped my arm around Logan and used him as a crutch while Cooper carried my bag. In all honesty, I could walk on my own. I mean, I have for two years. But it's nice being able to lean on someone once in awhile.

"Where are you going?" Cooper asked as if he noticed that contents of my bag for the first time.

"My place. It's not safe for Daytona here, so I'm taking her to my house." Even though Logan was talking to my older brother, his voice stayed strong and determined. Nothing could change his mind now.

"Alright, but if she gets hurt while with you, your head is on the line Wylde." I rolled my eyes at my brother's over protectivness.

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here." I stood between the two and felt like a midget.

"Sorry Day. I love you and I'll be back in a few days. Try to stay out of trouble okay?" Cooper kissed my forehead and looked both ways before throwing up his hood and running to his car.

"Now let's get you home."

~~~~🌸~~~~

O

n the way to Logan's place, we called my mom and asked her if she could meet us there. Luckily, she was already on her way home, so she arrived shortly after we did.

"What are we going to tell her Logan? I can't tell her about Colton. She'll go to the cops and that won't end well." I sat on the foot of his bed and tried to avoid running my hands over my new brusies and cuts.

"You have a stalker whose managed to get in and you don't feel safe, so until the locks are changed you're staying here. As for your Dad..." He trailed off and looked away from me.

"I'll handle that. When you talk to her, can you do it right outside the door. I hate opening up to people like this, but I need to hear what you say." He nodded his head and sat next to me, pulling me into a gentle side hug.

"Whatever you want Day."

Ding-Dong.

The bell rang and Logan jumped up to go answer it before Tanner got there.

"Hey thanks for meeting me Melissa."

"Of course Logan. What's wrong? You look very disheveled."

There was a brief pause and I could almost picture Logan looking at the door I sat behind. "It's Daytona actually."