Chapter 42: Chapter 42

JOSEPH'S POV

The door to my room swung open, startling both of us, separating instantly, I turn to the door in alarm. I could hear the sound of my heart beating really fast and it wasn't because of a certain Student body president.

"Joe? Are you awake? I heard voices?" Lucy's sleepy voice said from the door.

A relieved breath escaped my lips, I didn't know what I'd have done if it was mom that came in here.

"I uh.. uhm.." I swallowed not knowing what to say anymore.

She turned on the bulb, and the cheap halogen bulb flickered on. Shock registered on Lucy's face, she didn't look so sleepy anymore.

"Hi?" Carrie asked in fear.

I wanted to hug her, but I knew I was in more trouble. Lucy confirmed this by turning to me.

"What the hell is going on here?" Her voice sounded angry but she wasn't loud, she didn't want Mom's anger.. she didn't want Mom to come here.

"It kind of happened.." I started.

"How?" She asked, her eyes were blazing.

Carolyn was shrinking in fear. I didn't like that. I couldn't bear it, she shouldn't be scared every time, not when I can help it.

"I couldn't sleep, I was worried.. really really worried. So I came to check on him. I'm sorry, it's my fault, don't take it out on him." She said timidly.

I smiled weakly, she was trying to protect me.

"How did you get in here?" Lucy pressed.

"The window." She said lowly. Her head hung low on her shoulders, she pushed her glasses back up her nose.

"What the hell? What if something had happened to you??" She asked out raged.

"Well nothing happened, she's fine. Please let her go to bed. Please." I pleaded with Lucy.

She didn't say anything so I turn to Carrie.

"I don't think I can see you tomorrow... " I started to say.

She looked hurt, and wanted to protest.

"What I mean is, you can't come here okay? I'll try to come to your house.. but if I can't.. I'll see you in school on Monday okay?" I tell her, hoping my eyes conveyed more than my lips could at this point.

She swallowed. Her eyes looked like they would cry any minute now, I felt like I was being ripped apart, limb by limb.

"I'm sorry for breaking into your home Lucy. Good night." She said in a small voice before she started back to the window.

"You can use the front door." Lucy offered.

"Nobody will open mine for me."

I could only stand there and watch, once again I felt helpless, like a puppet again, I couldn't do anything but watch..

"What is wrong with you???" Lucy whispered in my face as soon as we heard Carrie's window close.

I rubbed my eyes tiredly.

"I don't understand, was something supposed to be wrong with me?" I ask because I was at my wit's end with the whole thing.

"You knew how dangerous it was to bring her in here." She reprimanded.

"Ah, because my own mother is a psychotic monster that is using her children to prey on other kids?" I ask sarcastically.

"Do you know what mom would have done if she knew she was in her clutches?"

"What?? What can she do exactly? What can she do that she doesn't want to do? Because she can walk right next door and kidnap the girl she is so badly obsessed with, why is she using us for her dirty work? Why???" I almost scream because I was confused and hurt, and tired. Nothing seemed right anymore.

"I don't know either... I don't know.." she said breathing out hard through her nostrils.

I felt empty... After popping off like that.. I expected something else, instead I was completely drained.

"I... I really like her Luce.." I say weakly.

She looked at me face pitifully before coming to the bed, swinging an arm around my shoulder she hugged me.

"Why can't I just be a normal kid for once? Why can't I just like a girl and not have a psychotic mother after her life for no reason?" I ask as my voice cracked.

"I like her too Joe, I like her so much, I'd hate for anything to happen to her. Which is why I trusted you to not let her get beat up or raped by those guys. You did good."

"What good is the good if I won't be able to stop her next time? I feel so awful... I feel useless.."

"Hey hey... Don't talk like that okay? I have an idea, might not stop her... But it's better than nothing."

I doubted her idea was going to work if it didn't involve sending her to a psychiatrist.

"I'm listening.."

"For now, we do as she says... You don't want her to go batshit on you so to pacify her, we do as she says..."

"Then what??" I ask impatiently.

"We'll find a way to stop it like you did."

"Till when?" I ask because the idea sounds smart but not smart enough. It sounds like she can definitely find away to do it herself.

"Let's take baby steps for now okay?" She whispered into my hair.

My best guess was, she wasn't sure it was going to work too, but she felt guilty so she had to try something. I was way worse, I had to try something too... I had to go along with her plan. No matter how low the probability of working out was... I couldn't stay still and do nothing. I couldn't be her puppet..

"I have just one question..why Carrie? There are tons of other teenage girls out there, I'd gladly offer Debbie. So what makes Carrie so special? What is it about her that Mom wants?" I ask not sure she knew but I had to get it off my chest.

"I don't know Joe..."

I nodded.

I wasn't spared any minute of sleep that night, I was so happy when morning came. I was down in the kitchen drinking milk when she came downstairs. I didn't look in her direction. I didn't want to acknowledge that the woman I'd known all my life had been stalking someone else all their lives under my nose.

"Lucy, the girl is in your club right?" Mom asked suddenly.

Lucy nodded from the sofa.

"Good, Joseph will join you in the club too."

Was all she said before leaving.

I looked at Lucy, Lucy shrugged.

My heart was racing wildly in fear of what was to come.