He was suppose to be back late tonight, so Nancy and I had time to get the house up to his standards which where unreasonable at best.

I look back at Ash with fear and sadness firmly placed in my eyes. "I have to go." I said defeated.

"Don’t" She grabbed my arm pulling me back into the car. "I’m not sure what exactly is going on in there Spence, but I’m pretty sure it’s not good. I’m worried about you. Please don’t go. Stay with me. We’ll run away together. It’ll be great." She pleaded with me.

"I can’t. He’ll find me, and I can’t risk something happening to you if he does. You’re my only friend. I need you." I placed my hand over her’s and looked thoughtfully into her eyes. Our eyes fused together. The whiskey brown of hers and the ocean blue of mind. We where bound together for all eternity.

"I need you too" Comes from her whispered lips. Shocking me, she places a lingering kiss to my forehead.

Sighing and squeezing her hand, I leave the safety of her car. Slowly walking to my nightmare that I can never wake up from.

Standing in the stoop of the door, I examine the it closely for the first time. It’s been repainted several times over the years. The previous color not completely covering the others from before.

The door opening breaks me away from my staring contest with the door. "Spencer! There you are darling." He sounds chipper; we must have company. He only moves enough, so I have to brush up against him to pass. Instead of doing so, I stand fast not wanting to touch him.

Anger flashes across his eyes, and he takes hold of my upper arm pulling me inside. Sitting at the table is another man who I have never seen before. He has a friendly smile but if they’re friends, he can’t be trusted.

"This is Spencer. My daughter." He places his pain inflicting hands on top of my shoulders. Fighting back the tremors that my body is accustom to under his touch, is proving to be a challenge in itself. "Spencer, This is Rev. Reed. He has asked if I would like to be the associate pastor at his church starting next week." The sickening smile that I’m sure is on his face is enough to make me lunge for the bathroom.