*Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable Life With Derek characters. However, Mr. Durling is mine. I don't own any of the songs used either.

A Tainted Soul

here we go for the hundredth time
hand grenade pins in every line
throw 'em up and let something shine
going out of my fucking mind
filthy mouth / no excuse
find a new place to hang this noose
string me up from atop these roofs
knot it tight so i won't get loose
truth is / you can stop and stare
bled myself out and no one cares
dug the trench out / laid down there
with a shovel up out of reach somewhere
yeah / someone pour it in
make it a dirt dance floor again
say your prayers and stomp it out
when they bring that chorus in
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
just to throw it away
just to throw it away
i bleed it out / go / stop the show
choppy words and a sloppy flow
shotgun opera / lock and load
cock it back and then watch it go
mama help me / i've been cursed
death is rolling in every verse
candy paint on his brand new hearse
can't contain him / he knows he works
fuck this hurts / i won't lie / doesn't matter how hard i try
half the words don't mean a thing and i know i won't be satisfied
so why try ignoring him
make it a dirt dance floor again
say your prayers and stomp it out
when they bring that chorus in
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
just to throw it away
just to throw it away
i bleed it out
i've open up these scars
i'll make you face this
i pull myself apart
i'll make you face this now
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
just to throw it away
just to throw it away
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
i bleed it out
digging deeper just to throw it away
just to throw it away
just to throw it away
i bleed it out
i bleed it out
i bleed it out

She let the music of Linkin Park flow through her ears as she lay on her bed. Casey was so engrossed in the music she didn't hear the knock on her door; she didn't hear the call of her name. Casey was so engrossed in what she was doing that she didn't hear the door open. She did, however, feel the hand on her should. Casey jumped at the physical contact. She turned around coming face to face with her mother.

"Whoa, there Case! You okay sweetheart?"

"Sorry mom, I didn't hear you," Casey explained.

"Before we go down for dinner I need to talk to you about something?" Nora began in a serious tone. Casey slightly cringed inside. "Is something going on?"

It took everything Casey had not to scream that there was, "No," she replied, shaking her head, "why do you ask?"

"You've just been so distant lately Case. I know your life has been hectic with the move, your new siblings, and your new school, but we've been here for months. You're always in your room with the door closed. You don't hang out downstairs anymore. Your grades are lower than they ever were before." Casey looked down at the homework she had just been working on. "I can't remember the last time I saw you smile Casey," her mother admitted. "And when did you start listening to rap?" her mom asked, holding up the headphones.

"That's alternative, rock, and metal mom. The rap CD is the one on the desk," Casey casually replied.

"I feel like I don't know you anymore Casey," Nora chided.

"I'm fine mom, don't worry," Casey told her mother in a straightforward manner.

Nora didn't respond to Casey's comment as she rose from her daughter's bed, "Dinner's ready."

"I just want to finish up this last paragraph and then I'll be down," Casey told her mom, gesturing towards her laptop, which contained the literature assignment she had been working on. She didn't look back at her mom as put her headphones back on and grabbed her laptop onto her lap.

Nora took one last look at her daughter before she closed the door.

Casey silently headed downstairs for dinner. Everyone was chatting around the table as Casey took her seat. She looked at what was for dinner, beef tacos, rice, and baked potatoes. Casey made a small salad of lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes and took a helping of rice.

"Is that all you're eating Casey?" George asked her, causing the table to go silent. Six pairs of eyes were trained on her.

"I don't eat beef or pork," she exclaimed as she turned her focus on her food.

George and Nora eyed each other for a moment. "While I have everyone down here I would like to make an announcement. Casey, Derek, I'm sure you both know Mr. Durling."

Casey visibly stiffened, however, no one noticed on account of Derek, "You mean Mr. 'I'm a Nerd' Durling? Nope, never heard of him," Derek commented.

"Derek!" George glared at his son. "Anyway, I work with his brother and his brother invited us to come by for a barbeque he is having this weekend. He invited a bunch of people from the firm and mentioned his brother was going to be helping him cook," George stated.

"I can't go," Derek quickly shouted.

"Derek," George scoffed.

"Dad," Derek answered back.

"Either you go or no hockey for a week," George stated.

"B-but you can't do that? Can he do that?" he asked, his second questioned directed to his brother Edwin, who in turn shrugged that he was unsure.

"You're coming right Casey?" George questioned.

Casey's head was low, "I'm busy," she quietly responded.

"Casey," her mom stated.

Casey just kept her head low, "I have to finish a book for history and write my report on it by Monday," she had replied, looking up.

"Oh yeah," Derek yelled out, "I have to do that too. See Dad, I can't go."

George angrily looked between his son and his stepdaughter. "I'm sure both of you can spare a couple of hours on Sunday for this," he stated, indicating the discussion was over.

Casey didn't say a word the rest of dinner. Nora eyed her daughter, who was acting so out of character that it wasn't even funny.

So, what did you guys think? I don't have a Beta so I'm doing the best I can.