The Soul Connection Chapter 12: Cuts and Bruises

Chapter 12: Cuts and Bruises

April: You wanted to tell me something, Justin? 

Justin: Right. I don't know if right now is exactly the right-

April: Not the right time? Why? 

Ari: I get it. You don't want me involved with whatever is happening. 

Justin: Hey, you'll know eventually. 

Ari: Eventually isn't right now, is it? 

April: Hey, you can tell me later. It's fine. 

Justin: Okay. I'm so sorry, Ari. We can talk tomorrow, I promise. 

April: Me too? Or just him? 

Justin: Both of you. 

Ari: No, Justin, it's perfectly fine. 

I'm not your closest friend yet, and I get that. 

Justin: Hey. Things are...strange right now. 

Ari: Right. I can leave if you want me to. 

Justin: No, stay here. I'm sorry for not telling you yet. 

Ari: It's fine, Justin. 

Justin: I'm glad you didn't kill yourself, Ari.

I can see us becoming good friends. 

Ari: I do too. I'm glad Finn saved me. 

April: We never really discussed that, did we? Who know Finn had that in him? 

Justin: Somehow I doubt that will be his last true act. 

Ari: Well, bless him! Hey, Justin. What's up? 

Justin: I don't know.

Ari: You feeling okay? 

Justin: I'm...oh hell no. 

Ari: What? What are you looking at? 

Justin: That woman...she's following me. 

Ari: Following you? What? 
Justin: I've seen her since we returned from the graveyard. She's stalking me. 
Daniel: What's that, Justin? 
Justin: Oh shut up, Daniel. 

Dana: Christ.
Justin: Maybe she wants me dead. This feels like that. 
Dana: I'm out. Daniel. I'm out for now. 

Justin: She's leaving now. It's fine.

Ari: Hey, are you definitely okay?

Justin: Yeah, I'm perfect. 

.

.

  Melanie: Daniel. Hello. 
Daniel: Hello, Melanie. How are you? 
Melanie: Simply wonderful. Yourself? 
Daniel: Better and better.  

Finn: Yo Daniel. 
Daniel: Yo. 
Finn: You came to talk with us or just your girlfriend? 
Daniel: All of you, actually. 

Viola: You haven't seen Jeana, have you? She's been missing for some time. 

And no, it's not a toilet break. 

Daniel: I'm sure she's somewhere. It's only been half an hour. 

Melanie: *whispering* He's probably locked her in his dungeon. 

Viola: What was that, Melanie? 

Melanie: Oh. I just said, 'She's probably wandering the halls or something.' 

Viola: Right. Well, wherever she is, I'm sure she is fine. 

No one would kidnap her here. 

Finn: I'm sure she will turn up, Viola. 

Maybe she went for a walk in the woods. 

Viola: That wouldn't be her. She'd ask me to come with her. 

Finn: I just wanted to shift the topic from dungeons.  

Melanie: *whispering* Finn...what are you doing? 

Finn: *whispering* You mentioned them first. 

Viola: Dungeons? There are none here at the academy. 

Justin: Just got confirmation that there are no dungeons here. 
Ari: Dammit! 
April: That would have been an adventure. 
Justin: Yeah, I know. 

----

Mr Quinlan: You wished to see me? Please, sit down. 

You don't want to sit down? Will this be a short chat? 

Daniel: No. I will sit in a moment. 

Mr Quinlan: Whenever you'd like, Mr Peyton. Your clothes? 

Daniel: I was...I was out jogging. I need to speak with you, sir. 

Mr Quinlan: Open up, if you must. Is this about Viola? 

Daniel: Uh...it is, yeah. 

Mr Quinlan: Well, you understand I'm not a guidance counselor or something like that, so I cannot entirely help you if something is the problem. 

Daniel: Promise me, sir, you cannot help me. 

Mr Quinlan: Daniel, you shouldn't think about it that way. 

Daniel: I'm afraid my actions have secured my fate, sir. 

Mr Quinlan: What do you mean by that? You are the decider. 

Daniel: I'm a terrible person. 

Mr Quinlan: Now that is far too harsh on yourself. Where is the Daniel Peyton I met last year? 

Daniel: I...I think I lost that boy, sir. 

Mr Quinlan: Lost him? 

Daniel: I'm afraid I am a changed man, Mr Quinlan. I don't know when this change happened, but it did happen. You must understand-

Mr Quinlan: Understand? That you changed, I suppose. 

Daniel: Yes. 

Mr Quinlan: So you've changed? Such a thing is common with teenagers of your age, Daniel. Don't worry about that. 

Daniel: I must confess to my actions, sir. You-

Mr Quinlan: I'm only your teacher. Not some religious priest. 

Daniel: I was never an overly religious boy, sir. I don't believe in a god who can prevent us from a life of unholy sins. He cannot hold me down. 

Mr Quinlan: You're an atheist then? 

Daniel: That isn't what I wanted to discuss! 

Mr Quinlan: Okay, great. If you could please tell me, maybe I can help. 

Daniel: If you say so.

Mr Quinlan: You continue with that attitude, Mr Peyton, and I will call in an actual helper. 

Daniel: Please, sir. No, don't. 

Mr Quinlan: Then please start talking. 

Daniel: I will...but I need to know what to say. I was never that good with words, sir. 

Mr Quinlan: You can't use that as an excuse anymore, Daniel.

I've seen your public speeches recently. 

Daniel: What can I say? I'm a natural at manipulating the mind! 

Mr Quinlan: Stay on topic, Daniel. 

Daniel: Right, enough stalling he says. I must come clean now or forever hold my peace, like at a wedding. 

Mr Quinlan: This isn't a wedding. 

Daniel: I know that, of course! I was comparing, see? 

Mr Quinlan: Daniel, I can sense that whatever you want to tell me is something you are battling deep inside. If you'd rather not tell me-

Daniel: I'd rather tell you! 

Mr Quinlan: Well, please continue without these comparisons. 

Daniel: As I was saying, I must come clean. I-

*there's a knock on the door* 

Daniel: Someone's here. Tell them to leave. 

Mr Quinlan: I can't do that. It's open!  

*Viola enters* 

Viola: Afternoon, Mr Quinlan! I just wanted to stop by to talk to you about our assignment. Oh hey, Danny. 

Daniel: We were in the middle of a conversation. 

Mr Quinlan: Daniel, we can continue talking in a minute. 

Viola, can you come back soon? 

Victoria: Scream and fight, I say. You aren't against that right now, Vi. 

Mr Quinlan: Viola? Would you like to talk afterwards? 

Viola: I suppose I can come back. You'll be here? 

Mr Quinlan: Of course I will be. 

Viola: Okay, sounds good. 

Daniel: So can we continue our conversation now? 

Mr Quinlan: Be patient, Daniel. Don't tell me you lost your manners in the change? 

Sean: Oh snap. I've been quite entertained today. 

Derrick: It's been average for me. 

Viola: *whispering* Derrick. Where have you been? 

Derrick: Today's not exactly my favourite day. An anniversary of sorts. 

Viola: Well it's great to see you back. 

Victoria: We will stay in here for you, Viola. 

Keep watch. 

Dorothy: It seems only fitting since our betrayal. 

Sean: Our thank you for not continuing to rid us. 

Daniel: Mr Quinlan, sir? Are you okay, staring off in the distance? 

Mr Quinlan: I'm fine, I'm fine. 

 Just thought someone else was here. 

Daniel: As in Viola? Who should be leaving. 

Mr Quinlan: Again, Daniel, use your manners. 

Daniel: I'm not a kindergartner, sir. My girlfriend understands when she isn't wanted in here.

Mr Quinlan: You really shouldn't treat her like that. Give her respect. 

Viola: No, Mr Quinlan, you don't need to protect me.

I understand. I'm leaving now anyway. 

Daniel: Thank you. Meet me outside your room tonight? 

Viola: Sure. 

Mr Quinlan: I'll ask Daniel to fetch you once we're done here.

Viola: Thank you, Mr Quinlan.

You can continue talking with Daniel now.

Mr Quinlan: We will. 

Dorothy: Let the games begin. 

Victoria: Oh please. They already began. 

Derrick: She's right. Ever since the accident. 

Sean: We aren't bringing that up right now, are we? 

Mr Quinlan: Now where were we? 

Daniel: I needed to confess to something, sir. 

Mr Quinlan: Right. Well then...I don't have all day. 

Daniel: Well. Well. Well. I suppose now is the time for my words to fail me. 

Mr Quinlan: Don't fool around with me, Daniel. 

Daniel: I'm not...fooling around with you, sir. I...do you remember Viola's accident a while back? I was involved with that. 

Victoria: That sick bastard. 

Sean: Listen, Victoria, it was an accident. 

Victoria: You think I believe that? Do you see how Daniel treats her? 

Sean: So he'd try to hurt her-

Mr Quinlan: Involved? You witnessed the accident? 

Daniel: Let me tell it how it is. I was driving that other car. I crashed into her. 

I lost control and it was my fault. 

Dorothy: Lost control? Hm. 

Mr Quinlan: It was an accident. You cannot blame yourself. 

You need to tell Viola, not myself.

Daniel: I don't want to tell her. 

Mr Quinlan: Why? Because you think she'd hate you? 

Daniel: No, sir. I don't think she'll hate me, I know of it. 

Mr Quinlan: If you explain it all, she'll understand exactly what happened. 

Daniel: Oh will she? It wasn't an accident, sir. 

Mr Quinlan: It was an accident. It was, and you know that.

You lost control of the wheel-

Daniel: I never mentioned the wheel. I lost control of myself, sir. 

I am a terrible human being. I will rot in hell. 

Mr Quinlan: That's a bit extreme, Daniel. 

Daniel: Well, it's the truth! I'm an insane person! I tried to kill my girlfriend because I know who she is! 

 Mr Quinlan: I'm sure you didn't mean to hurt her-

Daniel: No, I did.

Dana: What the hell are you doing here? 

Viola: What...the...hell...are...you-

Dana: I'm none of your business. I've been waiting to kill you. 

Dorothy: This kid deserves death. If this was the time of the hangings I would cast his name to sin and hang him myself. 

Derrick: He's been horrible to our Viola. 

Dorothy: He deserves to pay. 

Daniel: I told you I've lost myself. I told you I changed. 

No one can help me now. 

Victoria: This is when I wish I was alive to tear him apart. 

Daniel: I tried to kill her. I will again. 

Mr Quinlan: You don't need to hurt yourself, Daniel. 
You like Viola. You wouldn't kill her-
Daniel: No, sir. I drove fast towards her. 
Mr Quinlan: Were you drunk? Or delirious? Are you drunk now? 

Dana: My oh my. I have longed for this day ever since the accident. 
Viola: You...you can't kill me. 
Dana: Oh really? I will kill you. 

Daniel: I am sober and I was that day. I am not sane, sir. 

Viola is not sane either. 

Mr Quinlan: You can't decide her sanity. 

Daniel: I will thank you for this time, but you can't help me. 

Dana: Where are you off to? I didn't ask for you to leave. 

Viola: I didn't...ask to...die either. 

Dana: There was never an option for you to agree. It has to happen. 

Mr Quinlan: Talk to her, Daniel. Tell her the truth. 

Daniel: She would kill me, sir. 

Mr Quinlan: Kill you? Viola is-

Daniel: Viola is dying, sir. 

Mr Quinlan: Dying...

Daniel: She is plagued by some disease. They threaten her soul and they will threaten us. 

Victoria: Let me slit his throat. Please. 

Daniel: They are killing her. They will kill her. 

Mr Quinlan: You are delusional. Daniel, she is fine. 

Daniel: Medically, yes. Mentally, she is withering away. 

Mr Quinlan: I think we're done here. 

Viola: You can't kill me. 

Daniel: Viola! What happened to you? 

 Viola: This witch tried to kill me. 

Daniel: Let go of her foot. Leave now, woman. 

Viola: You didn't save me, Daniel. That...wasn't saving. 
Daniel: I know that. Can we talk? 
Viola: I need to talk to you. We can talk. 

----

Justin: *voice over* Why am I here? At this bar. Sitting alone. 

I came here to relax myself, I suppose, but right now I don't feel that way. I don't feel like I'm anything else but stressed out. Maybe this was my mistake. 

Diamond: Hey there. You look terrible. 

Justin: Yeah, thanks. 

Diamond: Oh no! I didn't mean your pretty face. I meant that you look in the ditches. You are handsome. 

Justin: I'm not...I'm gay, actually. 

Diamond: Oh, well I can accept that! My name is Diamond. 

I know my name is funny! I like it.

Justin: Hi. I'm Justin. You have a nice name. 

Diamond: Thank you! 

Justin: So...uh...do you come here often, Diamond? 

Diamond: Oh. Not really. You can call me Dia, by the way. 

Justin: Okay, Dia. 

Diamond: Would you like a drink?

I'm...I am sorry if I offend you. 

Justin: Uh, I wouldn't mind one. Just one. 

Diamond: Coming right up! Yay! 

Bartender: What can I get you, darling? 

Justin: *voice over* I didn't think I'd come here and meet a friend, but maybe there is a friendship between us. She seems nice. I also didn't think I'd be drinking tonight. Life is full of surprises, right? 

Diamond: Oh thank you! Did you catch that? 

???: Is anyone sitting here, sir? 

Beau: Uh huh. Find another seat, woman. 

???: Okay, rude. Just finding a spot to drink. 

Dana: Drink and kill, of course.  

Bartender: Excuse me, miss. Would you like something to drink? 

Dana: Bourbon on the rocks. Make it strong. 

Justin: *voice over* Between Viola's news and the woman following me around today with such an illustrious want for blood, I don't know what to say anymore. My feelings for Jacob Mr Quinlan are still strong and I can't hide that. I need a distraction. 

Diamond: So, like, I've been investigating this, like, big company place. Like, I discovered, this big massive scam inside involving hair extensions.
I, like, feel actually threatened. You know?
Bartender: I'm just a bartender, kid. I don't know. 
Diamond: You should, like, invest. But not with them. 

Matthew: Hey, Lana. 
Bartender: Evening, Matty. What can I get ya? 
Matthew: The usual. You remember? 

Justin: *voice over* He walked in and my heart melted.

I know I could never find a guy like him, but it feels nice to feel that strange attraction with someone else. I feel it with him. 

Diamond: Like, chemicals are poisonous now! I didn't know! 

Matthew: So, Lana, how's the work been lately? 

Bartender: Fine, I suppose. I've noticed you've been out for a few weeks. 

Spending time with someone else? 

Matthew: Nah, hadn't been feeling it. 

Dana: Everybody freeze! 

Diamond: Holy shit! It must be them! 

They've found me! 

Dana: Nobody is leaving this building until someone dies. 

Justin: Oh god. It's her. 

*voice over* 

I should have known she would find me. Now she will kill me and my body will be found in some gutter with the body of a homeless man. Oh god.  

Matthew: I'm not afraid of you. 

Bartender: Matty, sit your ass down. You don't get involved. 

Matthew: No, I'm a honorable person. 

I won't tolerate this. 

Dana: Listen to the bartender, dude. Follow her orders and mine. 

You could be the next die if you'd like that. 

Matthew: You won't kill me. 

Dana: Oh really? You think so? 

Matthew: Who's your target then? 

Dana: His name is Justin Hawkin. He's on my hit list now. 

Justin: You have no reason to kill me. 

*voice over* 

 There's nothing I've done to deserve this. 

I shouldn't die now.  

Dana: It's true that I have no reasoning myself, but my brother has reason. 

Justin: Your brother? Who is he? 

Bartender: I wish I could help. I do. 

Dana: His name is Daniel Peyton. My real name is Melina Peyton.

My brother wanted me to match him.  

Justin: Daniel...why would he need to kill me? 

Melina: He thinks you control Viola. He thinks you saved her. 

Justin: Saved her? He...he thinks I stopped that bullet. 

Melina: Yes. He believes that, but I know it could not have been you. 

It was a spirit. 

Justin: You have no motive to kill me. 

Melina: No, I do. My brother is practically begging me. 

Bartender: Stop this. 

Melina: Turn away, bar lady. 

You don't want to watch. 

Justin: Fine, kill me. My future isn't bright. 

Diamond: Like, that's untrue! You're gay! 

Melina: Goodbye, Justin. 

*he jumps in front of him* 

Matthew: I told you I'm not afraid. 

You won't kill me because it isn't an order. 

Justin: I...I...thank you.

Melina: If I had a choice, you'd all be dead. 

My orders were to kill Justin Hawkin and if you decide to save him, I will kill him another day. This isn't over. 

Matthew: Oh, you won't be allowed in here again. 

Bartender: Tell her! She's banned...for life! 

Melina: I will kill you, Justin. 

Justin: No, you won't. I know your brother is controlling you. 

I can help you. 

Melina: No, you can't. This is my life. 

*she exits* 

Justin: This seems stereotypical but thank you. Thank you for saving my life. 

I never caught your name.

Matthew: You didn't hear it of those billion times it was spoken?

It's Matthew. Matthew Applegate. 

Justin: You know my name by now. 

Matthew: Yes, I do. It's a perfect name. 

 Justin: Perfect, really? I don't know if I'd ever say that. 

Matthew: You suit it. You look exactly like a Justin. 

Maybe Justin Timberlake? 

Justin: *he laughs* I don't think so. 

Matthew: You are quite attractive, though. 

Justin: I...thank you, Matt. You're far more attractive than I am. 

I mean, wow. You are so very attractive. 

Matthew: *he laughs* 

Justin: I don't how many times I want to thank you. 

She would have killed me. I would have never met Mr Handsome. 

Matthew: I would have never met you. I needed to save you. 

Justin: You really wanted to meet me? 

Matthew: Of course. I feel something with you. 

Justin: Me too. 

*Matthew kisses Justin* 

Diamond: Aw! Like, so cute! So freaking adorable! 

.

.

Justin: We're really in your apartment? 

Matthew: *whispering* Yeah. We are. 

Justin: I've never been in a guy's apartment before...like this, I mean. 

Matthew: Like this? Like, kissing. Touching. 

Justin: Like this. Moving towards the bed. 

.

.

Matthew: Hey, if you don't want to have sex yet we don't have to. 

Justin: I know. It's just-

Matthew: Your first time? I get that. 

Justin: I'm waiting for the right time. With the right guy. 
You saved me, and that seems perfect, but....
Matthew: We just met. 
Justin: Yeah. Let me get to know you first. 
Matthew: Can we at least...

----

Mr Quinlan: Kyra! Open up! 

Naomi wasn't home when I arrived. Her house was trashed. 

Kyra: The door is open. Come on in. 

Mr Quinlan: Okay then. 

Mr Quinlan: That's odd. She didn't ask me to wait this time. 

Kyra: I'm in the living room, Jacob. 

Mr Quinlan: Okay. This feels strange. 

*closing the front door* 

Kyra: Don't bother locking it. Ow! 

Mr Quinlan: Kyra! What happened to you? 

Kyra: I'm fine, just stubbed my toe. Please lock the door.  

*he locks the door*  

Naomi: Yes, father. Please lock the door. 

Mr Quinlan: Naomi? Is that you? 

Kyra: Help me, Jacob. She's-

*Naomi kicks her mother's foot* 

Kyra: Jesus!  

Mr Quinlan: Naomi, what are you doing here? 

Why did you tie your mother up? 

Kyra: I don't know what is happening, Jacob. 

Mr Quinlan: Your house was trashed-

Naomi: I needed to destroy some...evidence. 

Mr Quinlan: Evidence...of what, Naomi? 

Naomi: It seems my mother has been tracking one of your students, dad. 

Her name is Viola Dalton. 

Mr Quinlan: Why was the evidence at your home? 

Kyra: I haven't been following her. Naomi has. 

Naomi: I told you to keep your mouth shut, mother! You were the one who suggested I follow her. 

Kyra: I had to lock her in my house for the past few days to keep her away. 

Mr Quinlan: Naomi...my daughter...is following a student. Why? 

What do you get from this? 

Naomi: We need to chat about that, dad. 

_______________________________________

Next time on The Soul Connection: Melanie's friendship with Ali and Seth develops into something more. Sean relapses back to the last few days he was alive.