she put her cards down and stood. "come with me? i'll find it... but not alone. i want to be brave for once" she quickly let her eyes settle on the house before she turned away from the window. a flood of memories, good and bad, filled her head, but she ignored the constant screaming in her head telling her "NOOO" only one part said yes... and that was her heart. she knew that, with Tyler at her side, she could do anything she put her mind to... she just needed the guts to do it first.

Tyler nodded. He followed Abby out, stopping when she did. Tyler said nothing... just hoping his presence was enough for now. There was absolutely no way he would know what to say.

she gulped and grabbed his hand. she took a few tenitive steps forward before looking at Tyler. she looked back at the house and marched forward. she was going to ignore her head and go with her heart. she had to be brave

Tyler took her hand and held it firmly in his, following Abby in. He held her gaze for a moment. Tyler knew Abby could do it... but he also knew how horrible places could be that bad memories hung like a cloud. He had a bad feeling His dark, imposing presence probably wasn't the most comforting. Tyler stayed right beside Abby... the whole way in.

Abby took a few deep breaths before opening the door to her room, still perfectly rearranged, her baby blue walls and purple sheets. she smiled to herself. she glanced around the room... her safe place. her father was never allowed in after she turned 13. she found her book sitting on her nightstand. she sighed, almost forgetting for a moment that Tyler was still there. she pulled the book to her chest, turning to her bookshelf and grabbing the other books by the same author and a few of her other favorites. she turned to Tyler then looked behind him at her radio. she gave a weak smile, placing her books on her bed. she grabbed her CD off her bookshelf and put it in, praying it still worked. it did! she danced around in a few steps before stopping and looking at him

Tyler felt very happy that Abby wasn't freaking out or anything... she actually seemed to be slightly happy. "It's a beautiful room..." Tyler said slowly, not really knowing what to say. He was starting to realize he never knew what to say.

"thank-you... it was my only hideout from my father... and here's why" she pulled a pannel on the floor and pulled it up along with a few other boards attached "mother built it for me when father became more abusive than normal. he was getting out of hand. she told me to open the window then hide. make it look like i ran for the window" she slowly crawled down the small opening, flicking on the soft light. "this... this is my safe place"

Tyler looked down, his eyes sad. "That is really horrible... I wish you would have had a better father..." he murmured softly

she shook her head "i feel like it helped me in a way... make me a little more self-sufficient by the time mom died." she stepped down and sat on the floor rug, running her figers through the long carpet.