The Beckett House

Chapter 3: Toad

Indy's Point of View:

I saw the smoke cloud by our front porch as soon as I got off the bus and I knew something was up. I hurriedly walked to the house to see what was on Axel's mind.

"Hey, Axel. Are you okay?"

I ask as I walk up the the front steps.

(Axel) - "I'm fine now but Decker got his ass beat. You might want to go check on him, Indy Rose."

Those very words sent chills down my spine. I hated when Axel spanked us out of anger, he reminds me of dad.

"Axel? You didn't go too far right? Promise me you didn't hurt him."

(Axel) - "Spankings are supposed to hurt, Indy Rose."

He released a puff of smoke. He was so calm but his eyes had a film of ice over them. I dropped my bag and ran as fast as I could inside, up the stairs, and into Decker and Kaz's room.

I didn't bother knocking I was to worried to even think about it.

"Decker! Are you okay?"

I run to hug him as soon as I see that he's upright and walking around. His hand rubs my back as his other hand rests on my head. I start crying because I was so scared that Axel hurt him really bad.

(Decker) - "Shhhh, its okay Indy I'm alright. Did you really doubt my strength even for a second? Come on now Indy you know I'm tougher than that."

I look up chuckling through my tears, or at least trying too. I hated when the boys argue. I just don't understand why they can't just talk things out.

(Axel) - "How was school?"

I knew he was just trying to change the conversation more than likely not wanting to talk about it and get me worked up again.

"Awful! Some kids at school started kicking around a toad because their stupid ball popped. I tried to save the toad with all my might without violence but it didn't work. Decker you should have seen the poor thing. By the end of recess he was all mangled, missing a leg and I'm pretty sure his brain was on the outside of him. It was so sad and cruel and Mrs. Tucker didn't even let me give it a propper funeral."

I start to cry thinking about how the other kids treated the defenseless creature.

(Decker) - "I know this is the last thing you want to hear but, you got to stop being so sensitive and letting those kids get the best of you. Maybe if you toughen up some you can make some friends."

I stopped crying and just kind of looked at him. I was in utter disbelief. I couldn't believe he even suggested that I not show remorse for the toad after he was violently murdered. I started to cry again after staring at him for a couple of seconds and ran out the room.

I met Kaz on the stairs and knowing he would be the only one to listen to me I ran to him and started sobbing in his chest.

Kaz Point of View:

"Heyyy, its okay. Whatever Decker said I'm sure he didn't mean it. He's probably still worked up after Axel spanked him. Calm down Indy talk to me."

I wrap my arms around her making sure she knows she's safe with me. I slowly guide her down to the floor so we can sit on the steps and talk through it.

(Indy) - "He, he told me to toughen up after I told him I tried to stick up for a toad at school. And that I, I should do it so I can make friends. He doesn't care Kaz! No one does! Nobody takes into account that the toad was defenseless and didn't do anything!"

"Shhhh, its okay. Decker just can't handle big emotions and he isn't comfortable with being himself around people so he alters his personality. It hurts him to know you struggle to make friends and the only way he ever made friends was by changing himself so he thought you should do the same. But its okay Indy, because I believe in you. And I believe one day your going to be able to save all the toads on the playground and you'll have a lot of friends that like you for you."

Her sobs quieted down and she began to sniffle. Man if she wasn't so upset I would be busting down the door yelling at Decker right now. He knows how sensitive she can get. He has no right to tear her down.

(Indy) - "Really?"

"Now you know I wouldn't lie."

I tussle her hair a bit as I stand up and walk upstairs to do my homework, leaving her on the stairs as Rome walks in the front door after a long conversation with Axel.