We're All Mad Here (Jefferson x OC)

Chapter Sixty-Five

As a teenager, Jefferson continued to steal whenever he needed to despite his mother, Mary's warnings. She never said anything about it anymore, only voicing her concerns when he came home bloody and bruised after getting into fights.

He only stole things he could sell, which usually ended in fights if the buyers didn't get their way. He was able to weasel his way out of most situations, but that didn't stop them from getting a few punches in.

He limped home after another fight, one that he was barely able to get out of. He knew his mother would be upset with him, but he was able to get her the necklace she had wanted for a while.

It was too expensive for her to buy it herself. His father, Edward, would never let her anyway. He believed she was beneath him yet she was the one making all the money. In all honesty, Jefferson was just waiting for the day they would be rid of him.

He knew he shouldn't be waiting for his own father's death, but he wanted Mary to have a good life and that wasn't possible while he was alive.

As soon as Jefferson got within a close proximity of his house, he knew something was wrong. The air felt still. As he got closer, he heard the sound of Edward yelling and Mary crying.

He pushed the door open, seeing Mary against the wall and Edward's hand around her throat. Jefferson rushed forward, grabbing his father's arm and pushing him off her.

"What the hell are you doing?" He questioned, standing between his parents. Edward tried to push past him, only for Jefferson to shove him back. "If you touch her again, I'll cut your hand off."

"What'd you say to me?"

"Do I need to say it louder for you?" Jefferson asked, stepping closer to him. "If you touch her again, I'll cut your hand off. I will not sit and watch while you hurt my mother."

"Jefferson, that's enough." Mary grabbed his arm, trying to pry him away. "I'm fine."

Jefferson turned to her with a sigh. "Mom, you don't have to stay with him. You can leave and live the life you were meant for. Not if you stay with this douchebag."

"Just drop it." She sighed with the same soft look in her eyes that always comforted him as a child. "I promise I'm fine. How was the market?" She changed the subject, seeing Edward walk away.

"I got you something." Jefferson smiled, pulling out a box containing the necklace. He opened it, seeing the surprised look on her face.

"How did you get this?"

"I scraped together some money, so I could buy it for you." He said and helped her put it on. He heard his father scoff from the doorway and decided to anger him even further. "Because we know my lame excuse of a father won't treat you the way you deserve."

"That's it." One second Jefferson was turning around, the next Edward's fist was connecting with his face. Despite his mother's protests, Jefferson fought back. It felt good to release all the built-up anger he had.

Jefferson threw another punch before his father could, the title suddenly disappearing as everything Edward had done came to the front of his mind.

Somehow, Jefferson ended up pinning Edward to the wall, beating him until his face was bloody. His mind went back to all the times he spent as a kid, cowering behind his mother when he angered a very drunk Edward.

He wouldn't cower anymore. He tried to push away his anger for so long, it felt good to let it all out. Like something in him was unlocked. This wasn't just about his mother anymore, this was about so much more.

The only thing that brought him down to earth was Mary grabbing his arm. She had tears in her eyes, her face red as she pulled him away.

"Jefferson, that's enough."