I waved a quick goodbye to Charlotte, knowing something was up between Peter and Char.

Not good intentions, at least.

She used to carry herself around tough and mighty, but now, she's a little more vulnerable.  And I don't know if that's either good or bad.

But I can sense a feeling of distance between the two.

Not like I'm a love expert or anything.  Just instincts.  

When I met Peter that day I was dumped on the street, I never expected to end up here.  Living in New York, healthy.  With a girlfriend too.  

I owe a lot to Julie.

Anyway, I remembered the talk I had with Peter when Charlotte was out buying some "feminine products" that we weren't allowed to see.

He had told me that he was just like Charlotte.  His past, the disorders, the imperfects, he had told me all of it.  I don't know why, but I think he had to tell someone.

He told me that he felt for Charlotte.  

And I think it broke my heart just a little bit.

But I moved on.

When Charlotte left, we all expected Peter to move on as well, but he didn't.

I think Peter might have slipped a little bit in front of Char.  And I'm not as mad as I should be.  Cause I know as well that everyone slips up time to time.  It can't be helped.  It's just the human nature.

I parked next to Peter's college.  I was going there to check it out, maybe decide if I want to send a scholarship.  

My phone ringed.   It was from an unknown number, so I pressed the decline button.

A few seconds later, the number called again.  Thinking it was an old friend or something, I picked it up.

"Sam, Julie is with us.  Either help us, or Julie dies." a whispering voice snaked.

My eyes flew wide open, recognizing the shrill voice.

My mother. 

I paused, but then heard a bone chilling scream.  Julie's.

"What do you want?"  I whispered.

"Tell us where Charlotte is.  That's it! Then you and Julie will be let off scot-free!"  she called.

I shuddered.  Either Charlotte or my girlfriend.  I didn't want to let down Charlotte.  And I knew she would most likely die in there.  

"We have access to all of your devices so we'll know if you call anyone," a male voice sounded.  My father.

I felt my heart drop down to the ground, shattering into pieces.  

I knew what I had to do.  It would be wrong if I didn't.  Julie and I- 

"She's at Peter Madden's home on Greenwich." I trailed off, my voice dangerously low.

"Meet us at the warehouse between Larry's and the boutique." the man ordered.

My heart thumped wildly.  "No."

I heard silence.  But then, I heard a loud banging sound and another scream from the girl I cared for the most.

I closed my eyes.  "Fine."

"Great!"  a woman creeped.  "See you in an hour!"   

I bit my lip, knowing the next few hours would be complete hell.  

I had just betrayed my friend that I had vowed to never hurt again.

The phone clicked, letting me know they had hung up.

I've never hated something- or someone more than I hated my parents.

Two girls that I cared for.  Split into two. 

One that I was in love with, the other whom I had vowed to watch over.

And I had chosen love.

But betrayed promises.

An hour later, I had arrived at a small white warehouse, dreading the moment of meeting.  I hadn't met my parents ever since they had freaking tortured me.

Parents torturing their own son.  Amazing, isn't it?

I always thought I had the perfect life.  Ever since Charlotte's parents were murdered by my own parents, I soon realized my life was just caught in the middle of a spiderweb.  Every day had been hell, and a few months ago?  I thought my life was finally catching up.  

But now, everything had been scattered like puzzle pieces.  With a piece missing.

I left my heart behind in that car.

I walked into the warehouse, leading with my mind.  A liability.

My parents were waiting for me.

"Why hello, Samuel," my mother screeched.

"Where's Julie?" I grumbled.

My father laughed.  "You'll see her after you show us where Charlotte is."  

"I already told you where she is." I argued stoutly.

"Mm.  But we need to see for ourselves.  With you."  my father glared.

"Let me see  Julie."  I bit my lip.

My mother led me to a room, with a glass window.

"She can't see you."  my mother told me.

I pressed my fingers through the glass, eager to see my girlfriend.

Tear streaks were evident on her face, and she was sitting in a chair.  Tied up.

And not in that kinky sort of way.

She had some bruises, but she didn't look too bad.  Her hair was rumpled, her beautiful Asian eyes drooped.  Her clothes were messed up, which was a little unusual for my fashionista girlfriend.

I whispered her name, forgetting my parents were right next to me.

"Ah, first love." my father joked.

I looked at him straight in the eye.  "I will never forgive you."

My father shrugged.  "Why do I care?"

My chest heaved with anger.  My lip quivered with words, but my mouth held them in.

Without warning, my parents stepped out the building, and got into my car.

"Drive."  my father ordered.

And I obeyed.

The drive was silent.  My heart betrayed me constantly, telling me to drive the other me.

But- it was for Julie.  

Was Julie more important than Charlotte?

Yes. 

Yes. 

Yes.

Right?

Peter would never forgive me.  He'd probably kill me with his own two hands.  He'd probably spit in my face and kick me like a pathetic coward.

Because I deserve it.  Because I am a pathetic coward.

"Our guards will meet us there," my mother sang.

I stayed silent as I pulled up to Peter's apartment.  Without a word, I unbuckled my seatbelt, and my parents took the cue.

"You're coming with us."  my father reassured.

I closed my eyes.  Charlotte would see me.

They walked up the stairs, and half a dozen guards with firearms were already waiting.  My father gave the cue and the door flew open.

At first, I saw Peter looking through Charlotte's bag, obviously looking for something.  But then I heard a gunshot.  

No they didn't.  Shooting someone- Peter- was not-

I saw him fall.

He groaned.  His arm was bleeding.

Not a chest wound.  I sighed with an ounce of relief.  But that ounce was pulled back out when I saw Charlotte in her pajamas, shocked.  

I saw her glance over at me.  I cowered in embarrassment.  I was ashamed.

She knew that they were here to kill.  And I was her murderer.