Zeke and Pattie

Chapter Twenty-Five: Pattie

That same day, Zeke went to his parents with the support of Aiden, Lani and I to come forward with the abuse and torment he had endured. Zeke sat his parents down on the love seat while the three of us sat on the big leather couch.

Revealing everything that ever happened to him. The suffering after his first group of friend's car crash then to the party and Aiden. He told them about Rocky. All the abuse that Charlie did to him and the sick and twisted lie that he fed Zeke for two years.

The weight of holding it all was being lifted off of Zeke's shoulders. The burden of keeping his depression and dark thoughts to himself were finally coming to light. No more hiding from his family. Zeke knew he could make it and that his life had worth. Claudia and James Jensen held onto their son like their life depended on it.

There were probably many things I would never know that Zeke endured, but for him to confess the worst of it was most important. Zeke revealed his secret about the journal he writes in. Writing entries to Aiden like he was sending letters. Zeke had documented most of the events that happened between him and Charlie which would become important evidence.

Zeke's parents cried out in sorrow for being so blind to what their son went through. Missing the signs he was suffering and dealing with trauma. Claudia apologized to me for her first opinion on me again and thanked me for never giving up on Zeke. Jamie also thanked me for seeing that I had come in at the right moment in his life. For all they know, if I hadn't been so pushy towards Zeke, they'd probably end up burying their son.

Zeke went to fetch the journal for his parents to read. Then for the rest of us to examine. Specifically for Aiden as they were addressed to him. Zeke would usually write when things were really bad. The last entry was a poem he wrote for Aiden. Ready to let go of what happened and that his 'death' wasn't his fault. Meaning that he hadn't felt that low in a really long time. He was able to see it on his own terms. Earlier than I expected.

The shaggy haired boy was transparent and open for the first time towards his family. Learned to trust again and found hope in himself to pull forward. Zeke Jensen is one of the strongest people I knew. He's been through hell and back, and still offers kindness. Still willing to trust again even after he'd been destroyed in so many ways.

Aiden used Lani's shoulder to cry on as he read the letters addressed to him. Even after everything his brother put him through, Zeke never thought badly about him. Zeke had adored Aiden as much as he did when they were kids. That ginger haired boy's heart broke that it was truly his best friend that suffered. Heart broken by his one and only brother too. Aiden was going to do the right thing now and stand against Charlie. In the name tor Zeke and the hell Charlie caused. Eventually, after Zeke and his parents gathered enough composure.. Planning to take Charlie Love down at last. And the school for doing a poor job for looking after its students.

Zeke's journey coming forward about his abuse was a rocky one. The police when notified didn't take the severity of the situation seriously. It was until the school was informed and looked through back on all the old security camera footage that they were able to find concrete evidence. Matching the dates written down in Zeke's journal. Exposing the truth about the school's all star athlete. Charlie Love was an abusive monster.

Of course, with Charlie having an upper hand coming from a rich family and a good family reputation. Charlie had privilege to use to his advantage. Zeke faced the hardships that came along with a victim coming forward. Especially when you were already on the bottom of society's food chain.

Of course, Zeke never faced it alone. Every day, Lani and I sat by Zeke. Aiden couldn't because he went to a different school, but continued to stand by his side instead of his brother's. Aiden had completely disowned Charlie. Which obviously hurt Charlie as he loved his sibling.