Being Different

Hidden Secrets - A Questionable Past

A/N: Dedicated to ElysBlood Tiggermazz hasnoshamexx onedopegirl 

Now that I knew of his existence, the more I wanted to meet this man. I also began to wonder whether the woman who claimed to be my mother was really my mother, or the man posing as my father was really my father at all. Something strange was definitely going on, and I wanted to get to the heart of it all.

As I pondered on the implications and what they meant, I tried to get out of bed and walk around while still in my hospital gown. My legs and feet were still a bit wobbly from lack of hydration, and I was feeling a little woozy from the blows to my body.

"Woah, now...Take it easy..." Luckily Mr. Weizmann was on hand or I'd have fallen flat on my face.

My entire body felt horribly sore from the physical assault done to me, but luckily, the injuries I sustained would heal in due time, and that I had no broken bones. The only thing broken was my ego. As a football player I could have kicked some serious ass, but they were too many, and having the black cloth over my head disoriented me.

At least, I was well cared for at the hospital, but the doctors insisted that I remain there for a few days, until they were absolutely sure I was strong enough to be released. I only assumed it was because of the fact that, upon further examination of my body, they had discovered my secret.

An interesting revelation was that the doctors discussed with me was why I was never given the option to have surgery to correct my condition when I was younger. I honestly didn't know that this was even possible.

They took a look at my X-rays and saw all my bits were intact. But now that I was in my teens, the chances of coming out of such an operation unscathed were slim. After hearing about that, the angrier I became to have these people, my 'parents' deny me that opportunity, leaving me in this state!

Now, all this information was literally swimming in my mind. 

The friendly female psychiatrist advised that I should take things easy, especially after what I had been through.

But I was anxious to get back to my life...Oh God, what life? How in the world was I going to face my schoolmates after suffering something traumatic such as this? Or was I even going to be allowed to go back to my old school? Mr. Mathers did mention moving to another state or something to that effect. Did I really have to do that?

Mr. Weizmann must have noticed the worry written all over my face as he helped me back into my bed. "Derek, I can understand that there's a lot to absorb right now. But you've got to take it easy and not try to over-think things. Sometimes it's good to just go with the flow" He smiled, trying to reassure me again.

"I'll try but all this is really new to me. I hope that I can take it as it comes...I just feel so vulnerable right now, you know? I hate this feeling. I wish I could turn back time and none of that would have happened to me. I hate those men! I wish they were dead for beating the crap out of me. At one point, I thought that they were going to do something even worse! Is that so wrong to even think this way?" I suddenly felt hot tears slowly stream down my cheeks.

"Of course not! You have every right to feel angry. You have been physically assaulted by total strangers whom you had nothing to do with! I wouldn't blame you at all for feeling this way. It's your right!

But rest assured, they can't hide for long. FBI, CIA are on their tail as we speak. And when they do catch up with them, you're going to have to identify them in a line-up...even if it's just with their speaking voices...Are you ready for when the day comes, Derek?" He toned down his voice to a low whisper that only I could hear. 

Would I truly be ready to face my perpetrators when the day actually came? I honestly couldn't answer that question...not today. I still was getting over the attack and my confidence and self-esteem were very low. I was feeling extremely vulnerable at the moment. I just hoped that I would be brave enough to do it.

Heck, I'm a football player! I've rammed head-on into opposing teams fearlessly. I've gone the distance fending them off and scored countless goals. I've gone snowboarding, even wake-boarding when I could even though I was alone most of the time. I've done all these things...but this felt different. But deep down within me, I knew I had to face these creeps who punched the hell out of me soon enough...

Life couldn't be more horrendous...I lose mygrandmother...I nearly lose my life...all in the space of...8 months?

The Weizmanns were finally able to bring me home from the hospital. I have been staying with them since the incident. I had no plans to ever set foot in my grandma's home ever again, not after what happened to me. Mr. Mathers visited regularly since then, and still the Weizmanns (if that was their real names) had yet to come clean with me as to who they really were!

Robert Weizmann made it his sole purpose to be my bodyguard, driving me to visit the psychiatrist; making sure I never missed an appointment. Martha Weizmann made sure I was properly fed, clothed until I was ready to go to school again.

School...Somehow, I really wasn't looking forward to going back, especially not after their initial reaction to my physical condition. But the strange thing was what happened afterwards, when they started to message me with their apologies; begging my forgiveness! I thought it was totally stupid of them but until I get my transcripts and records out of there, it seems I have no choice but to go back...at least for now.

Reluctantly...I got out of bed reluctantly on my first day back to school, and to football practice...Yes, surprise, surprise, the coach called the Weizmanns (since they gave him their numbers) and promptly requested my presence on the football team as the Team Captain once I showed up.

What the hell was going on? It was like allthose months of agony had been erased, although I knew deep down in my heartthat it all happened. I trudged into the bathroom to get ready. I did my usual routine, taking a shower last. But as soon as I stepped into the cubicle andturned on the spray, I shuddered, once again remembering their fists on my body, smacking me around, threatening to do much worse if the other guy didn't get a call from his boss.

I shook away the memories as I lathered up my hair first with shampoo, then rubbed my skin with shower gel, using a loofah mitt. Again, the memories crept into my mind, as my breathing grew rapid. I began to talk out loud to myself, trying to calm the hell down. I felt like I was having a panic attack.

I got out of the shower, and wiped my body dry in front of a full-length mirror.

I had lost a bit of weight due to my short stint in the hospital. The food there was horrible. During my last few days spent there, Martha Weizmann brought me food if she wasn't busy at work and I painstakingly put on a few pounds but it was still not enough.

But at least, I felt safer with the Weizmanns, even though they still weren't giving me the answers I craved regarding their true identities. I began to suspect that, since the way they interacted with Mr. Mathers, that he too, was a part of some secret organization that my real father was a part of.

I seriously began to wish that I could meet him someday...