Without Words

28- Alone/Together

A/N: Trigger warning: A funeral would be mentioned in this chapter. A bit of violence would also be mentioned.

Dan threw the books on the wall, unable to concentrate at what he was reading. Elle has been gone for a month already. Aunt Emma told them that her father took her away after filing for a divorce. When she was able to talk to Elle at the phone just last week, Elle said she didn't want to talk to anyone. He gritted his teeth then swiped everything on his desk, his books, pens and lamp crashing on the floor.

"Dan?" Claudia heard the commotion and went to see him quickly. Her son hasn't been the same since Elle left. She didn't quite believe Emma's explanation. She had known Charles for years and he wouldn't have separated his children from the other. Unfortunately, she has no way to reach out to him. Devon had already asked around but no one knew where he went, it's like he left the country and disappeared.

"I'm going out."

"Matt is at the backyard waiting for you." She informed, helpless at what her son is going through. "You should go see your friends. You like hanging out with them, right?"

He just nodded then went to their backyard. It's true, talking to Matt had alleviated some of his pain for missing her but he wasn't enough. Violet or Noah weren't enough too. He wanted Elle. He was halfway to their backyard when he was pushed violently to the ground.

"What does this mean?" Matt growled at him, holding a letter on his hand. He squinted, trying to look at it and gasped when he recognized the familiar handwriting. "You've been talking to her?" Matt accused angrily, waving the paper at him.

"What?" Dan was confused. He stood up abruptly, wanting to read the letter Elle gave him. Maybe this would provide for an explanation. She didn't leave him. He just has to wait for her to come back. "Give it to me."

"I have spent months waiting for my sister's call or any word from her and all this time you've been exchanging notes." Matt's hand turned to fist and the letter crumpled along with it. "You've always wanted to steal her from me. Go ahead, you two go on and live your life but you're not my friend anymore. You're a traitor."

Dan stared at him, horrified as he started tearing the letter apart- his only connection to Elle. The one thing that would remind him of her again and it's crumbling before his eyes. He saw red as he looked back up at his best friend. How dare he do that? That letter was for him. That letter was made by Elle. His fists clenched tightly and before he knew it, he punched Matt hard on the face.

Matt retaliated quickly and kicked him by the legs then jumped on him, punching his jaw hard while Dan fought to throw him off. Matt punched him for the second time when they heard his older brother, Declan and Claudia racing up to them. Declan swiftly pulled Matt away from him. With blood dripping on his nose, all he wanted was revenge for the destruction of what little memento Elle left for him. Dan didn't care about anything, the longing for Elle has been consuming him and what Matt did was the final straw. He charged at him again and slammed his fist on his best friend's nose. "You had no right! Elle gave it to me!"

Matt was about to say something but he punched him again, and again. He misses her. He wants to see her. He needed her beside him. She can't just leave. She can't just go without saying goodbye.

.................

"I don't think you should leave the house, Dan." Claudia said as he saw her son going out. "You're grounded for starting a fight with Matt."

The fight had turned worse when Dan became uncontrollable and pushed Declan and her away to charge at Matt. The kid had to be admitted to the hospital because of the injuries his son inflicted. Claudia has been apologizing to Emma profusely and couldn't be more ashamed that she wasn't able to control her son in his rage.