𝑾𝑬 𝑨𝑹𝑬 𝑾𝑯𝑶 𝑾𝑬 𝑨𝑹𝑬 | ¹✓

5 | Thank you, Carl

"I need to get it back." He whispered to himself.

________________

Sam closed his eyes and exhaled again, when he suddenly heard an knock on his window, he spun his chair around a little, looking, seeing Carl, he rolled his eyes playfully, getting up and walking over.

Sam lifted up the window, looking at Carl, "so is this your thing now? Knocking on my window?" He joked, chuckling, "Since we're neighbors for awhile, yes." Carl replied, giggling as he climbed through the window and into Sam's room.

"why did you bring a bag?" Sam asked as he shut the window close afterwards.

Carl took the bag off his shoulder and opened it, he pulled out an old Elephant stuffed toy, holding it in his hands, "how did you.. get this?" Sam asked, taking the stuffed animal, "After you and Ron went with Mr. Tanner, I grabbed it before I headed to class." Carl explained, smiling softly.

Sam looked up, looking at Carl, he began to smile along, "thank you, Carl." He said softly, "You're welcome, Sammy."

Sam then held his stuffed animal in his arms, "I shouldn't have brought him with me today," He said softly, "It's fine, Sam. Everyone has something that reminds them of a good time, or a bad time, it's normal." Carl told him.

Sam nodded a little, looking at his stuffed animal in his arms, "I guess,"

Carl noticed Sam's neck, he looked from him to his neck, "Sam, what happened to your neck?" He asked, beginning to worry.

"it's nothing, don't worry about it."

Carl looked up at him, "nothing? Sam there's a red mark and a bruise on your neck, Did Ron do that when y'all fought?" He asked.

Sam didn't speak, swallowing, he looked away, Carl placed his hand on Sam's shoulder, "Sam, tell me."

Sam sighed a little and shook his head no lightly, "it wasn't Ron." He said quietly, still not looking at him.

Carl's eyes widen, "was it... him?" He asked, looking at Sam.

Sam nodded lightly at him, looking at him, "I'm so sorry." Carl whispered.

"it's fine-"

"no it's not, Sam. Your father is supposed to protect and support you but instead he abuses and drinks!"

Sam didn't speak, looking at Carl.

Carl placed his hand gently against Sam's red mark on his neck, "When did he do this?"

"on the way home, I asked why he became abusive and he just did it." Sam explained before he signed again, watching Carl who was looking around his limbs and body.

"what are you doing?" He asked softly, "Checking for more bruises, scars or scratches."

a small smile appeared on Sam, until it faded away when Carl stared at his arm.

Carl gently grabbed Sam's forearm, looking at it, seeing a few big bruises, some were mostly gone, some were recent.

"did he do this too?" He softly asked Sam.

Sam swallowed again, not looking at him anymore, Carl looked up, "Sam, did he?"

"Yeah," Sam finally slipped, looking at Carl who stood up properly, he didn't speak, just pulling him in for a hug.

Sam stood still, not expecting Carl to hug him, but after a minute, he hugged back and shed a tear.

Carl just held him, "when did he do it?"