Zeke and Pattie

Chapter Twenty-Four: Pattie

No words could describe the sorrows that Zeke felt then. Or how he was feeling now. The massive weight of being left in the dark about a huge lie. That night where Zeke met Rocky was a good one. Shortly after that night was when things led to a dark turn.

Zeke fell limp in my arms. Going numb from the information he had revealed after so long of keeping it locked away. He went into further detail about what happened between him and Charlie too. The types of physical abuse Charlie Love put Zeke through. Aiden broke down himself, as the guilt of his best friend being put through all of this.

"It's true I almost died from my suicide attempt. Zeke, you never drove me away, I saw how Rocky could make you happy without the baggage I had of being depressed. I slowly distanced myself so you could slowly forget about my existence. I was being selfish and so clouded by my thoughts. Never thinking about how it would affect other people." Aiden paused so he could get a better grip on himself.

"What happened in that car crash with our friends wasn't your fault. Wallace and Alexa abandoning you wasn't your fault. They were fucking weak. Julia's drug addiction wasn't your fault. My attempt wasn't your fault. Nothing you've done is your fault. I helped drive you to lie and push away someone that you loved! Hell, maybe still love in some ways." Aiden cried.

Aiden was holding his face as he began explaining his side. "You were anything but, a large reason for me to stay alive at the time. After surviving my attempt, I meant metaphorically that I had died. I assumed the friendship died and you didn't need to be friends with someone who was driven to that point again. I almost succeeded. It was suggested that I move and start over and change my last name."

Zeke glanced up at Aiden, he could see that he trembled. Aiden was hurting just as bad as Zeke was to a certain extent. Both of them have been lied to. The broken boy in my arms nodded, coming to terms that what happened to the people in his life wasn't his fault. What happened between Rocky and him was his fault, but Zeke only did it in fear that he would ruin him too. That was an entire situation on its own that I hoped to see resolved too. By the sounds of Rocky, I think he would be able to forgive Zeke. That would bring a peace of mind to both of them,

"I thought that leaving your life wouldn't be an issue and would better you. However, thinking I actually died is not. I'd never have that mindset to lie about my death. I came back to town. So I could apologize and confront the many questions you would have lingering. I knew you would be hurt. Never would have imagined this severity of this. After the day at the mall, thinking I was a fake really had my blood boiling. Something twisted had happened for you to think that. Hence why I am here today."

Aiden had removed his glasses and his nose became a dripping mess. "I am so sorry for what happened to you Zeke. I'm forever going to be sorry for what that bastard has done to you. Is there anything else he's done to you?" Aiden pushed. Needing to know every detail about the harm his brother caused Zeke.

"Besides beating me black and blue on a daily basis. Or degrading me mentally in any way possible. No, nothing worse has happened. He was targeting Pattie though, and I made him an offer to use me as an errand boy if he left her alone. Beat me off school grounds and used whatever he had as a weapon. His mutts helped too." Zeke mumbled in my sweater. As he hid away from the dark world he faced. Aiden held his hand up to his mouth. Continuing to ball his eyes out.

"Zeke, what types of methods did they use to hurt you? We need to know." I whispered gently. Holding him dearly as he was brought to his weakest moment yet.

"Sticks, metal bars, shoving me down stairs. Anything really. Been choked before and passed out. Being purposely cut and stabbed hasn't occurred though.." Zeke revealed.