𝚂𝚊𝚏𝚎

Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ １３

Stuart was now back at home.

It had been a few days from the carnival, and he still refused to wash his sweatshirt.

It smelled like the cotton candy and popcorn, and a small bit of Murdoc.

The perfect combination of smells.

He seemed happy, and he told his mom about going to the fair but kept it from his dad.

His dad used to work there, as said before, but then he lost his job for... reasons.

Because of this, Stuart couldn't tag along and help him sell or play around.

But whenever Stuart asked if they could go the next year, or the year after, the answer was always no.

David must've had a really rough grudge with that place, or it was out of embarrassment.

Would the people recognize him and look at him wrongly?

Serves him right.

He just said that he was out to David.

David stopped trying by this point.

He just shrugged and let it go.

He already knew who he was with.

Stuart also didn't tell his dad about Noodle and Russel, only Rachel.

Rachel thought it was nice that they randomly ran into nice people.

She said that they all fit together, even though she didn't know what they looked like.

"Oh, by the way, your dad is going to be working long shifts for today and tomorrow, so you don't have to eat dinner dinner. We can have waffles or whatever."

Stuart smiled.

Whenever he got to work long shifts, it seemed like freedom.

There was no scheduled eating.

No being quiet in the house.

Generally, just being a kid was off-limits when he was in the house.

But since he was gone, they could do whatever the fuck they wanted.

"Sounds great." He replied.

However, his dad didn't go to work until around two in the afternoon.

It was noon, so he had to be good for a little longer.

Rachel exited the kitchen, going upstairs into her room.

Stuart was just hanging around in the kitchen, mainly out of boredom.

And he weirdly thought that it would be rude if he left immediately, so he stuck around.

Then speak of the devil, his dad walks into the kitchen.

Stuart avoided eye contact but felt awkward.

He didn't know if he should just grab a drink or something to not seem so suspicious by just hanging in the kitchen or not,

David went into the fridge, grabbing a Dr. Pepper.

He had his uniform on like he was going to leave early.

Why in hell would he do that?

Out of all of the people to leave early out of this house, it would never be him.

"Are... you leaving already?" Stuart asked quietly.

David hummed in response.

"Yeah. Maybe I can come home earlier."

Please.

Don't.

Stuart nodded slowly.

"Also, you should start packing your essentials." David cracked the can open.

What?

Stuart looked at him blankly.

"Wait... why?"

Were they going on vacation?

And if so, why on such short notice?

Nothing was making sense.

"Because. I don't want you here. I don't want you around him. So, I'm taking you back."

Stuart sat there.

All of his blood drained from his face.

His hands tingled with fear and rage.

"Maybe they'll do it right this time. And you'll be protected, I guess."

The door slammed shut.

Silence.

He let his head drop on the counter.

Didn't even try to protect it with his hands.

Just slam onto the counter.

His eyes burned.

His hands were numb.

He prayed that his mom heard.

Please let her have heard.

Silence.

He didn't know what to do.

What to say.

He didn't want to fight back.

He didn't know what that would do.

This isn't just something that you can fight off.

He probably had done all of the paperwork.

Does that mean that Rachel agreed?

Oh god.

Please don't tell me she agreed.

Why would she agree?

She would've told him first before David if she knew...

Or would she?

Either way, Stuart was left on the counter having an emotional breakdown.

He felt like he couldn't move.

So, he didn't.

For a while.

(hey guys, so sorry for the short chapter. I'm not back on my grind, but hey, I'm dropping by, throwing this at you at godly speeds, and then running away again. If I can feel better mentally and WHEN SCHOOL IS FUCKING OVER I promise you this shit will be completed. However, we are getting close to the end, so yipee. Thanks for the love and support, and always, I love your comments, it's the funniest thing in the world and it gives me something to do. wow, you really read all of this huh? jesus christ- want a sticker? a cookie? uhh, I don't know what to give you- Oh! what about another chapter? yeahhh 😎 [this won't make sense if you are reading the book when it's completed- but- OH SHUT UP] bye love you guys)