A/N: Officially off punishment bitches! Woot woot! *Sigh* Clare's had about three near-death experiences over the course of this story. When her father beat her that last time, when she tried to commit suicide by cutting, and when she swallowed all those pills. What are we gonna do with her? That girl is seriously messed up. Enjoy this chapter and check out my one-shot Little Red Pills and my new story Wasting.

"She wasn't there. How am I supposed to know she's okay?" Clare asked. They were sitting on the couch in Eli's house, Eli with his arm around Clare and Clare leaning into his chest.

"Maybe…we could go back. I could go inside with you if it makes you feel better." He said, kissing the top of her head. Clare looked up at him doubtfully.

"I don't know, Eli…" She said to him. She bit her lip.

"She's your mom, Clare." He said to her. She knew he was right. What if her father had seriously injured her? So Clare mustered up every ounce of courage she could and wound up right back at her front door.

"I don't know if I can do this." Clare said, having second thoughts about agreeing to go back to this hell hole of her past.

"You can do it. I'll be right her with you." He said and she felt reassured. She felt protected. She slowly opened the door and gripped Eli's hand a little tighter.

There he was, passed out on the couch, clutching a bottle of vodka. Clare gasped and stumbled backwards, tears filling her eyes.

"Shh. It's okay. I'm right here." Eli whispered in her ear. She looked up to see a figure walking down the stairs, a suitcase in her hand.

"Mom?" Clare whispered. Her mother's head snapped up and she looked at Clare with a mixture of shock and relief.

"Oh, Clare! I was so worried." She whispered back. "Let's talk outside. I don't want to risk waking him up." Clare nodded and they walked out to the front steps. Once the door was closed, they were able to talk in normal voices.

Her mother wrapped her in a hug. Clare stiffened, then relaxed and hugged her back, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Thank god you're okay." Clare said to her mother. Eli smiled slightly at the scene.

"I could say the same about you. It's been months. But I understand why you had to leave." She said, a sad look crossing her face. Clare pointed to her suitcase.

"Looks like you're leaving too." She said with a smile. Her mother nodded.

"I'm finally leaving your father. You're welcome to come live with me. I found an apartment on the other side of town." She said.

"Thanks, mom. But I'm happy where I am." Clare smiled and grabbed Eli's hand. Clare's mother turned toward Eli and gave him a warm smile.

"Thank you for taking care of my daughter. She deserves someone who will treat her right." She said to him. She gave Clare another hug and they said their goodbyes. Clare watched a taxi pull up and her mother step inside of it. She watched it drive away forever.

"I'm so glad she's okay." Clare said, turning to Eli. He smiled at her.

"I love you, Blue Eyes." Eli whispered, leaning in to kiss her.

FadeAway

They were back at Eli's house, sitting in the bedroom. Clare was unpacking her suitcase when she came across the pills, the knife, the whiskey. She picked up the knife slowly, turning it over and over in her hands. She felt the cold blade, feeling what she had once loved.

Tears welled in her eyes and she turned toward Eli, watching the pained expression on his face.

"I don't want to be this person anymore. I don't want to turn into my dad. I don't want to lose you." She whispered to him. She found a box and placed the knife, the pills, and the bottle of whiskey inside of it.

She knew things would never be easy, but as she took the lid and put it over the box, she could feel her old life being closed up along with it.

Author's Note: Sadly, this is the last chapter of the story. A happy ending. Who would've guessed it. I will be writing many more stories (mainly Eclare) so make sure you read them. A big thank you to all of the readers and reviewers. I love you guys!