Tainted Love

"Go on doll, get home before you get in more trouble," said Trevor.

"Yeah, because skipping school probably hasn't pissed them off enough already..." Lennon said, rolling his eyes.

"Go on," said Trevor. "You know I'm only a text away."

Lennon nodded and kissed Trevor's cheek before slowly letting him go. "See you..." He said, hesitating before walking towards his home.

Monte quietly slipped into his brother's room, sitting the candle holder on the dresser, placing the candle inside and lighting it before returning to his room.

Lennon hesitated before slowly opening the door to go inside, half expecting to be yelled at again straight away.

Sammy still sat in her rocker, reading now.

Adam was asleep on the couch, snoring.

Lennon quietly headed for the stairs and went up to his room. Once he was in there, he threw his bag onto his bed and turned to his dresser to switch on his lamp, freezing at the site of the candle. After a few seconds, he screamed.

Sammy quickly headed up the stairs at the sound. "Lennon, sweetie?"

"Get it out!" Lennon screamed, curling up in the corner on the opposite side of his room from the dresser.

Sammy quickly took the candle out of the room after she blew it out, placing it in her and Adam's room before going back to Lennon. "It's okay now, it's gone, it's gone."

Lennon had his head in his hands and had curled up tight, shaking.

Sammy carefully walked over to him. "Lennon, sweetie?"

Lennon let out a sob, still shaking.

Sammy knelt down in front of him and held her arms out. "C'mere honey."

Lennon quickly moved closer to Sammy, breaking down and bursting into tears as he hugged her.

Sammy stroked Lennon's hair as she held him. "Shhhhh shhhhh," she whispered gently. "It's gone Lennon, it's gone, nobody's gonna hurt you I promise."

Lennon continued sobbing, clinging tightly to Sammy.

Sammy continued to stroked Lennon's hair. She hadn't seen him this upset in a long time.

Lennon started to calm down after a few minutes, no longer shaking, though he still occasionally let out a sob.

"Shhhhhh, breathe honey," Sammy said gently. "Just breathe, it's okay now."

Lennon took a few deep breaths, slowly looking up at Sammy when he'd calmed down.

Sammy let go of Lennon, to wipe the tears away with her thumb.

Lennon jumped slightly as Sammy reached her hand towards him, relaxing when he realised what she was doing and smiled.

"I'm not gonna hurt you Lennon," said Sammy gently. "You know I'd never hurt you."