Shades Of Blue

2. Found

*WARNING FOR MENTION OF CHILD ABUSE*

Neel

August

Age 11

As though he was summoned by Neel's dread, Mr. Archer answered the door. He was tall, towering over most adults like a giant. Like his children, he was fair haired and blue eyed, but the sun had grilled his skin through the years to a reddish-brown leather on his arms, shoulders, and the nape of his muscular neck. Mr. Archer's face still held its original pigment, at least around his eyes. His cheeks were bright with sunburn, giving him the guise of a jolly fellow until his eyes were fixed on Neel. His features settled into a snarl of distain before he spat, "he's not home," and slammed the door in Neel's face.

Nearly unfazed with focused determination, Neel searched around the front yard, discovering that Powder's bike, usually dumped on the lawn without care, was missing. Neel got back onto his bicycle; his next destination already planned. With his foot, he flicked up the bike's kickstand and launched off down the street to the public park. Neel rode the path to what seemed like an arbitrary point, then turned onto the grass and headed for the woods. At the tree line, he dismounted his bike, keeping hold of the handlebars as he walked into the modest forest. Small carvings on certain trees lead him to the pre-fab treehouse his dad had set up for him the year before. It had been a gift, yet there wasn't enough room for the treehouse on the Jones' property. Mr. Jones had carved the markers so his son could always find his way out of the woods. It was on public land, but it was well hidden. Plus, only a few people knew the combination to the lock on the hatch. That summer, the only people to frequent the treehouse were Neel and Powder.

Dumped in the dirt next to the bulky tree that held their house aloft was Powder's bicycle. It was brand new, given to him several months before for his birthday.

Neel leaned his bike against the tree with care next to Powder's shiny, mangled bike left for dead in the dirt. Having jettisoned his cast earlier that day, he climbed the ladder up the tree with more ease and speed than he had all summer,

The latch to the door above him was open, so Neel climbed up further and opened the hatch to the dark treehouse. Gracefully, Neel pulled his stout body into the shack held aloft and shut the hatch behind him.

As the sun lowered in the sky, half of the treehouse was shrouded in darkness. It was best to come here earlier in the day, at least until they set up some lighting. Neel's main light source was from the skylight that hung over a makeshift bed in the reading nook. The rest of the lone room was painted in shadows without a sign of movement. He set his sights on the darkest corner where a beanbag chair sat. The floorboards creaked beneath his feet as he inched towards it.

"It's just me," Neel assured the shadows, youth pitching up his voice. "It's safe to come out."

Silence rang back into Neel's ears like tinnitus.

He stared into the shrouded corner, his eyes straining to make out the shapes in the darkness. "I know you're there," he stated defiantly. Why was he hiding from Neel, his only friend? It was hurtful. Why hide at all?

From his hiding spot behind the oversized beanbag came a weak voice. "Go away."

For a moment, Neel wanted to do as Powder had requested, jilted that his kindness and friendship were being refused by this strange, lonely boy. Powder was lucky Neel hadn't dropped him the moment the doctor cut the cast off. But he hadn't. As soon as he'd gotten home, he had called Powder to meet up. He had no plans of dropping him, not until now. He didn't leave, though. There was something twisting in his chest that told him not to.

He inhaled the stale, dusty air in a sigh before venturing into the shadows. He leaned his back to the wall and slid down until he was sitting on the floor next to his friend.

"I told you to go away," Powder pressed with a quiet sniffle. He was trying to sound strong, aiming for emotionless.

As Neel's eyes adjusted to the darkness, he could see dark spots littering the front of Powder's t-shirt.

Powder's hand was over his eyes, hiding the source of the tears running down his fair cheeks. Neel had never seen him cry before, not even in kindergarten. Stoically silent, Powder gave the impression that he was unable to cry like other mere mortals.

The dark spots on his chest couldn't be tears. They were too large, and now, with his eyes fully adjusted to the dim lighting, Neel saw that the drops were too dark. Too red. Ever the nurturing type, Neel put his freshly un-casted hand on Powder's boney shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Like the snap of a twig, Powder ferociously turned on him, smacking his hand away. "Just fuck off!" Powder screamed in a shrill tone that hurt Neel's ears. He planted his hands on Neel's small bicep and shoved him away, knocking him to his side.

Neel bounced back unharmed. Powder's face was now exposed, and Neel could see his swollen eye and the remnants of the blood that had poured from his nose. Nothing like this had presented itself so far in their friendship, but Neel knew to trust that feeling in his gut, the one that let him know when he should run. "Your dad?"

Powder lowered his head to let his long, sandy blonde hair hide his face like a curtain. "You're gonna tell everybody," he stated. He was crying again.

"No," Neel said. "Only if you want me to. I mean, my mom-"

"Don't," Powder muttered. "Swear you won't tell."

Neel's hesitance caused Powder's rage to flicker. "Swear it!"

"I swear," Neel vowed, afraid that Powder would soon strike him. "I won't tell."

September

Age 20

Neel kept his promise to his old friend. He never told a soul about the abuse Powder endured at the hands of his father. With each day that passed, Neel wished he had broken that promise. By the time he did anything about the situation, it was too late.

Sipping his beverage by the coffee shop window, the scent of the roasted coffee beans filled his nostrils and he wondered what his date would order. He shook his head at himself. It was presumptuous to call this was a date. They had only video chatted a few times. What if Neel didn't live up to expectations?

Mulling this over, he glanced out the window and found his date stepping out of a cab.