The Worst of Times

Chapter 4

"Mike!" Phoenix cried out when I broke against all their grasps and raced after Chester and John. I couldn't believe how horrible his arms looked, who knows what the rest of him looked like.

The plan was created by Sean. He said he'd give us backstage passes and that we'd convince Chester to go with us and not leave with John.

I snapped when I heard Chester yelling and tried to run as quickly as I could to him. It sounded like John was assaulting him. I saw him inject a drug into his body and looked at Chester with another in hand. I knew Chester didn't want to take it but I can't tell if he had before.

I felt my heart drop when he left with John, clearly crying and afraid. I couldn't take that. Plan B was for all of us to stick together and follow. I just ran after him without thinking. I didn't care if I got the shit beaten out of me, Chester means more than that. I'd go through any pain to get him back.

It's obvious I made a mistake when I broke up with him but I was just so horribly scared. I didn't want him to leave me that way so I left him first. I warned him that if he attempted again, I'd leave and he was put in a suicide watch again. At first, I thought he attempted, but I later learned he hadn't and it was too late by then. I pushed him into the arms of an abusive drug dealer.

I followed the sounds of Chester's yelling until I couldn't hear it anymore. I was in the parking lot and I heard a car door slam. I raced that direction and peered into the window of the car that made the noise.

I wanted to cry. John was just going off on Chester, taking every part of him. I fell to my knees and screamed in frustration. How could I let this happen to him?! But I could stop it. Right here, right now.

I stood and ripped open the door. I pulled John's collar and he fell off of Chester. He yelled some nonsense while pulling his pants back up. Chester was silent in the car when he pulled up his. Although his face was filled with tears.

"What the hell is wrong with you?! I wasn't done!" John snapped and I wanted so desperately to lash out at him but I knew I couldn't take him. If he touches Chester again, I'll go for him but otherwise, I'll wait for the guys.

"He didn't want to! What the fuck, man? No means no! 'Not okay, we'll fuck anyway.'" I spat and heard the other guys finally coming to us. I saw Chester scooting towards the door but apparently so did John in the corner of his eye.

"Don't you dare move." He growled and Chester's movements stopped. I pleaded him with my eyes to get away but he just stared blankly into my eyes, obeying John.

"Mike! You fucking idiot!" Brad yelled when the guys finally made it to me but at the same time, two other guys came on the other side of the car and stood next to John. Sean gaped at them.

"Dave, Bobby, what are you guys doing? Get over here. Don't side with John!" Sean snapped and the two guys both sighed.

"We're sorry, man." One said.

"It's for the band." The other tried but Sean wasn't having any of it.

"You two are pieces of shit if you're putting the band over Chester's protection."

"He cares about the band too, you know."

"I do." I heard Chester say softly. My heart fluttered at the sound of him finally speaking up.

"You can still join our band, Chaz. We still love and want you, honestly. We never stopped, we were all just so terrified to lose you." Phoenix said softly and Chester just looked down at the ground, tears slipping down his cheeks.

"I can't." He croaked and John looked at us triumphantly. "I want to..."

"No, you fucking don't, Chester. You want to stay here with me." John snapped and grabbed Chester's wrist and my stomach clenched as I tried to resist the urge to beat John. Chester pulled his arm back and I relaxed a little.

"I don't want to stay with you. I hate you, I really do. You messed me up so badly. You're a horrible person. I want to go with them..." He trailed off and made eye contact with John. "And I'm going to."

"No, you're not." John said calmly.

"Yes, I am! You can't stop me! It's about damn time I stood up for myself!" He snapped and before anyone could comprehend what was happening, I heard a loud thud. Chester had punched John. He raced towards us and stood behind Sean.

"Hey, nice swing, Chazzy." He grinned and stepped aside so Chester wasn't hiding behind him. John was trying to stop the trail of blood coming out of his nose.

"Fucking piece of shit broke my goddamn nose!" John boomed, stomping his feet madly. The other two I didn't know tried helping stop the blood flow.

Phoenix opened his mouth to talk to Chester but he rose a hand to silence him.

"Please, talk later. I want to leave now." He said softly and we all nodded. I resisted the temptation to kiss every part of Chester's body and tell him just how much I love and missed him.
~
Chester giggled as Sean threw a french fri at him. We had gone out to eat and Chester's mood seemed to lighten up. We still hadn't talked about anything. We just ordered our food and sat down. I was diagonal to Chester and Sean sat in front of him.

"I bet I can catch it in my mouth!" Chester grinned and I couldn't help but smile. Sean smirked.

"Yeah, right! Try it!" He threw another and Chester caught it in his hand and stuffed it in his mouth. "Wow."

"I'm good, right?" Chester giggled and I wanted him even more. That giggling always makes my love for him ache.

"You cheater." Sean laughed.

"It's pronounced Chester!" He said matter-of-factly. Sean rolled his eyes.

"Can we stop acting like nothing happened?" Brad suddenly intervened and Chester looked like he stopped breathing as he set down his food and pushed it away.

"It's easier that way." He said softly and Brad's features gentled.

"I know but we can't act like that. We all need to talk." He said carefully and Chester nodded.

"First, can I please talk to Chester alone?" I asked quickly and all the guys nodded but Chester hesitated. He then nodded and followed when I headed to the door. Sean trailing behind, clearly wanting to make sure Chester was okay.