Break Free

Chapter Five

Content Warning: Chapter will include graphic and triggering themes. Please skip over parts you feel are overwhelming or offensive. Enjoy.

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"Chester, you're late." Roy snapped at his nephew who had rang the doorbell moments before. His uncle's eyes trailed to the boy beside him. "Who's this?"

"My f-friend, M-Mike." Chester stuttered and shook under Mike who's hand was intertwined with his.

"Still got that stutter, huh?" Roy smirked and Chester felt sick to his stomach. He could tell Mike knew he was feeling edgy because he had squeezed Chester's hand. Roy looked to Mike again. "No guests."

"Erm... Well than can Chester and I just hang out outside? We won't leave the property." Mike swore but the older man shook his head and looked Chester head to toe. "Come on, man. We only have two classes together and he's having a rough day."

"Fine. Ten minutes. Then he has to come inside." Roy snapped and closed the door. Chester breathed out the air he was holding in his lungs the entire time.

"It's okay to breathe, Ches." Mike gave him a light smile and the pair sat on the porch. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more."

"It's okay. A whole ten minutes with you sounds nice enough. I can't thank you enough." Chester beamed at the boy and Mike smiled. "But you made me admit to this so now you have to tell me about that black eye."

"I was mugged." Mike repeated from earlier but Chester shook his head.

"No, Mike. I want the truth."

"My dad..." Mike instantly replied and Chester's eyes teared up immediately. "There's something I didn't tell you earlier."

"What is it?" Chester asked, his attention perched.

"My dad is Scott Weiland." Mike said and Chester's eyes widened. "And he beats me."

"That's impossible." Chester gasped and grabbed onto the material of his shirt. "Scott wouldn't hurt anyone. I didn't even think he had a son."

"Well... Don't tell anyone this but he adopted me..." Mike trailed off, not completely lying. Scott wasn't his biological father but neither had he adopted him.

"And he beats you?" Chester asked for a confirmation, tears in his eyes. He didn't want to hear that the man he considered his God was an abusive father just like his own.

"Only when he gets really upset or takes something. You know about his bad habits?" Mike said, referring to Scott's drug usage. He hadn't actually taken drugs in a long time but he had lost his mind so he might as well have been on them.

"Yeah. The drugs." Chester replied and looked down. "That's... Heavy."

"Yes." Mike agreed. "But it's nothing compared to what you have to go through and have gone through."

"I guess..." Chester sighed and Mike looked at his watch.

"Five more minutes." He informed the smaller boy who shook slightly. The door opened and Roy stepped outside. Chester jumped in shock and Roy grabbed his thin arm and yanked him up. Mike rose and grabbed the other arm.

"Come on." Roy barked and Mike tugged on Chester's arm.

"Let him go! He had five more minutes!" Mike yelled but Roy just pulled the boy in response. "He has five more minutes!"

"It's been a long time, Chazzy Boy." Roy murmured to Chester who cried out and struggled towards Mike.

"He has five more minutes!" Mike shouted again and tried to pull him again but he was afraid of hurting him. "Please! Let him go!"