Concrete Angel

"I'm back." Howard says stating the obvious as he finds me walking to my next class.

"When are you leaving?" I snap rudely to him.

"Tomorrow morning, I can't stay long or he'll know something is up." Howard says quietly.

"Any leads?" I ask just a quiet. I was so conflicted. I was terrified. I didn't want him out or trying to get me but I didn't want to leave this place, ever.

"Someone saw him. Headed to where you used to live." Howard says even quieter. I feel my blood go cold. My parents were still there. They were still in danger.

"Mom, Dad, Johnny?" I ask trying to remain clam.

"All fine and under police watch. We believe he is headed to visit your grave." Howard says carefully watching me.

"I knew that much." I say rolling my eye and speeding up my pace so I would not be late to class. Howard treated me like a child. I've handled this great. I've been through more than he ever will be. I'm not his daughter, I'm not a child. Not anymore, not after what I've been through.

The rest of the day flew by and soon I was in chemistry sharing a desk with Joey. He was being overly nice, but I guess that might be because Howard was in here. We were watching a movie and I was really tired. So I laid my head down and dozed off.

"Little Lady, you've grown so much." He whispers into my ear and chills run down my neck.

"Don't." I whisper so quiet I didn't think he heard me at first.

"Little Lady, you know you like it. You've missed me." His disgusting voice says close to my face now. And I can smell the beer on his breath.

"Please." I say tears falling down my cheeks. He reaches a finger up and wipes away a tear before reaching back and slapping my across the face.

"Don't cry, little lady. Or grown lady I should say. You know, I've always loved your eyes." He says looking into them before reaching his hand down and thrusting it upward into me. I scream out in sudden pain, he seemed to enjoy that.

"Izzy! Wake up! Izzy!" Joey's voice yells shaking me. I open my eyes suddenly and I feel a blush creep onto my cheeks.

"Did I fall asleep?" I say quietly knowing the answer.

"Yes, you were screaming." Joey says looking at me with a worried face.

"Bad dream." I mumble not facing Howard. I knew what he would say.

"I could tell." Joey mumbles standing up.

"Where are you going?" I say confused.

"Class is over, Izzy." Joey says laughing at me before offering me his hand to help get out of my seat.

"Oh..." I say blushing yet again. I let him lead me out of the class and back to the room. I knew Howard was right behind us.

"Elizabeth, a word." He says as Joey opens our door. He hesitates, looking at me but I nod for him to go inside and I follow Howard down to a private room.

"What?" I snap rudely.

"Nightmares? I thought you said those were gone." Howard says and I could tell he was unhappy.

"It's not like I can control them." I growl glaring at him.

"I just thought, you were getting over this. Getting better." He says softly.

"I'm never getting over this."

"You can if you'd try. I know a good person to talk to." He says even softer.

"I'm not going to some SHRINK! I can handle myself!" I say rudely.

"I just worry." Howard says calmly.

"Well don't. You're not my father anyways." I say looking away from him.

"I know that Elizabeth."

"Well stop acting like it!"

"It's my job."

"It's your job to find this guy. So go do it and stop! Just stop! I can handle myself." I yell before walking away and slamming the door behind me. I can handle this....Right?