He's Back

61 - Jason

Narrator's POV 

Aiden tried his best to hide how much pain he was in, but his injuries spoke for him. "You don't have to hide, I know they're not Cole's friends" the boy said, showing he was much more clever than they gave him credit for.

"You have nothing to be scared of" he told Jason, still searching for any signs that he'd been hit. Thankfully, there were none. "I'm not. I mean, I was, but then the tall girl brought me tacos" he said, avoiding to tell him how scared he really was up until the moment he saw him. "How did you get hurt?" he asked, his question reminding Aiden that he was probably scaring the boy, more than he was consulting him.

"This?" he pointed to himself. "It's nothing. I just thought I could drive much better than I really can" he attempted a joke, to ease the tension. Jay always wanted to be like Aiden, fearless and strong. "Is she your friend?" he asked, bringing the focus back to Lindsay. He didn't really believe his excuse, but avoided telling him. "No, she's not. But you don't have to worry about her anymore, you won't see her again" Aiden promised, hoping he could get him out before the day was over.

"How often does she check on you, Jay?" he asked, knowing that what he had done was incredibly risky. "Not very. I'm alone for most of the day" he explained, trying his best to hide the loneliness he felt the last couple of days, away from his family.

Aiden gave him a comforting hug, noticing the slight tremor of his hands. His embrace felt almost fatherly, not that either of them knew what having a father felt like. Aiden's chest filled with pain, stronger than the one any of his injuries caused him. He saw his young self in Jason; he only hoped it wasn't too late to save his innocence.

Aiden cracked the door open, just enough to check on what was going on outside. Jason't door wasn't locked, as Lindsay didn't think that he'd try to leave the room; and she was right. The warehouse's industrial interior wasn't exactly kid friendly. 

Looking through the crack, he was glad his back was facing Jason, as that way he wouldn't see the defeat in his eyes. To reach Jason's room , you'd have to walk up a steel staircase on the right side of the vast room, identical to one on the left.

In the bottom of the stairs, talking to Lindsay, he saw no other but Axel and Ivory. What the fuck are they doing here? he questioned, trying to keep his mind from wondering around, but deep down he knew that with them there, he was fucked. 

He wasn't in shape to get Jason out on his own; his best shot was to find a way to get himself out, and bring help. And it had to happen fast, before she realised he wasn't tied anymore, or worse, found him. 

"Jay, I need to hide, but I promise I'll get you out of here today. If she checks on you, you never saw me, got it partner?" he reminded the boy, using the nickname that brought the most light in his eyes. And it worked. Pride overflowed within his little chest, feeling like an agent on a super important mission. "Got it" 

~~~

Present Time

"So boys, tell me something. How long did it take for you to get this... big?" she asked, grazing the biceps of one with her fingertips. He smirked, his eyes following her hand, then up to her shoulder, and then... well you know where it goes. On the other hand, the second one rolled his eyes, unimpressed. 

"It took hard work" he replied, cheekily. Ivory circled him once, her fingers still on his shoulder. With the corner of her eye she saw what looked like a shadow behind the staircase, but in the dim light of the warehouse, she wasn't sure if she could trust her eyes. 

"I see... and how much do you lift, handsome" she turned her attention to the man standing near the staircase. Behind him, the 'shadow' revealed itself just enough for her to see it bring a single finger to its lips, silently begging her not to reveal it. Aiden. She nodded slightly, hoping it was enough for him to see. Her heart flipped upside down, seeing the man she desperately wanted to call hers, now in such a terrible state, because of her.