Heated Lies (Jiara)

Pre-Fall

Kiara didn't drop him off. She couldn't bring him back to that place again, and JJ couldn't say he blamed her. He left sometime around eight pm, choosing not to see her worried gaze as he went.

He drove off in the very truck he'd brought to the chateau the night before. He was worried, but there wasn't much he could do to prevent the situation at hand.

He figured the best thing he could do was get it over with. There were no more messages from his father, but that fact almost made things worse. JJ shouldn't have even been behind the wheel. Not in his state. He wasn't even sure if he was driving legally.

It wasn't like he cared, but he knew some part of him should. Every time he saw a red light, his brain fogged in red anger.At one point, he just passed them all together.

Then he made it to the dreaded home. Even as he got out of the truck, a pain in the pit of his stomach kept his confidence hidden. He pushed through it, guiding himself through the orange and green leaves surrounding the area.

Except he stood on the doorstep for a while, entirely still. It had probably been a week and a half since he'd been "home." This felt all wrong.

The truck was sitting in the driveway with the key marks. He tried staying optimistic anyway. Maybe Luke had finally changed. Maybe he'd be normal.

But his legs wouldn't move. His fingers had begun to tremble, and he hated to look at it, but he couldn't stop himself. He could feel the pain growing in his stomach.

Then his hand hovered over the bruises again, as if to ground himself. He took several deep breaths, looking back at the truck, running his free hand through his hair, and shifting in his shoes.

It was sad, pathetic even, that thunder was the reason he went inside at all. The possibility of rain or lightning didn't even scare him, it was what would happen if he got any of it in the house.

When he walked inside, it was the same as he'd left it. He tried to convince himself otherwise, but the amount of alcohol seemed to have doubled. Beer bottles were were on the couch, the table, on top of the fridge both finished and unfinished.

His phone buzzed, making him flinch. There was no doubt in his mind that it was Kiara, but he was scared to check anyway. He needed to be on high alert. His father could be anywhere.

Things were way too quiet for his liking. He hadn't seen a glimpse of Luke, or heard even the faintest of snores. It was going to make him sick; the suspense.

But his worrying was replaced with fear as soon as his father stepped into view. JJ froze, wiping his now sweaty hands on his sweatpants. Luke chuckled, which was a horrible sign.

"There you are." The older man slurred, waving his beer bottle toward the boy. "Lil' fucker. Cops're looking for ya."

JJ took a step back, glancing at the unlocked door again. He didn't want run. "Yeah. I-I'm sorry about-"

"Sorry?"

JJ's heart dropped. The tone in his voice shook him to the core.

"Where's my truck, boy?"

He shifted subjects, and now things were worse. JJ cleared his throat. The boy let him know he was in massive trouble. Even though he'd asked a question, they both knew it was more of a demand.

"Uh... front yard." He awkwardly pointed with his thumb, gesturing to the front door.

Luke marched passed him, purposely bumping his shoulder. JJ swallowed hard, following behind with a solid expression. He was waiting for it. Waiting for the fight.

Luke seemed woozy, though. Almost like he was drunk, but without the anger bit. JJ didn't want to get too close. It wasn't registering for him. The man would stare at the truck, at the scratches, and start to laugh.

It was scaring JJ. He wasn't sure if he'd preferred Luke hit him, but this was agonizing.

"Dad?"

No reply. This was definitely worse than he could've imagined. At least he was used to his fathers reckless behavior. This was completely out of the realm. Now he was just pissed.

"Jesus Christ, fucking say something!!"

Luke dropped the beer bottle, and it immediately shattered into pieces. He didn't pay any attention to the shards of glass on the floor. Not when Luke's face had darkened the way it had. JJ had seriously fucked up this time.

***

"God, I gave him one job!" Kiara panicked. She'd rang his cell four times now, and the lack of a response was seriously freaking her out.

"He's fine." Sarah mumbled, painting the nail on her pinky finger. "He's JJ. He's wild."

But Sarah didn't know. And Sarah couldn't know. Kiara wanted to scream, but she pressed her lips together into a thin line, gripping the end of her mini backpack and sighing.

"Okay, listen Sarah, I'll call you later." She quickly began picking up her things.

She'd been at Sarah's house to get her mind off her boyfriend, but it had the opposite affect. She knew JJ might've just been busy, but it seemed like things were so much worse than that.

How could she not think like that?

"Wait, Kie!" The Cameron wasn't all that convinced things were totally fine. "What the hell! I didn't take you for the jealous type."

Kie stopped to turn and face her friend. "Jealousy?" She spoke in a defensive tone. "I'm not jealous. That's not what this is."

"Sure seems like it."

Her hands made fists but her anger expelled as she reminded herself of the oblivion present. Sarah was just being a friend.

"I'm... not jealous. Promise. I'll see you tomorrow." She rolled her eyes, hoping Sarah hadn't seen, and booked it away from her bedroom.

On the way outside the back door, she noticed Ward at the front. She also saw Shoupe and Plum chatting away about something important.

"Blonde kid? Might hang around here with your daughter, Sarah?"

"If I see anything I'll make sure to let you know." Ward had grumbled.

Shoupe didn't look like he believed him, but he nodded anyway. The Sheriff caught a glimpse of the Carrera's eyes just as she stepped outside.

"We gotta find that fucking kid." He was still murmuring to Plum while Ward leaned against the door frame.

She broke the eye contact, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

As she was closing the door, her legs gave out, and she fell to her knees in the leaves that surrounded the mansion. It was a small whimper, but it was there, and it was helpless.

But she collected herself seconds later, taking a deep breath and standing as calmly as she could. Her breaths were shaky as she made her way toward the truck again.