~Abuse~

Chapter 129

Jay awoke in the morning to the realization that he was not in his own home; he was at Alan's.

Jay quickly rose from bed, entered the kitchen, and saw Alan preparing breakfast and coffee.

"Good morning, son!" Alan greeted with a smile.

Jay approached the table and took a seat.

"Here's your coffee," Alan offered, still smiling.

Jay took a sip of the coffee and let out a contented sigh.

"I'd forgotten how well you make coffee," Jay remarked, taking in the aroma.

Alan gave a smirk and turned the eggs over.

"How about some eggs?" he inquired.

Jay drained his coffee and got to his feet.

"No, I need to head to the district," he declined.

Alan let out a sigh, observing Jay's slender frame.

"Alright, but at least take these energy pills. You're as thin as a rail," Alan suggested.

Jay grabbed the bottle of energy pills and gave it a shake.

"I want to see you take one," Alan insisted.

Jay twisted off the cap and swallowed a pill.

"Happy now?" Jay asked with a nod.

Alan returned the nod and said, "Don't be a smartass. I'm just looking out for you, kiddo."

Jay opened the door and forcefully closed it behind him.

Shortly. Jay arrived in the district and approached Platt.

"I still can't believe he's gone. I can see his face now..." Platt sighed.

Jay nodded, remaining silent.

"Whenever we had a break, we'd always hit the fat box..." Trudy reminisced.

Jay looked up, puzzled.

"The vending machine, you know?" Trudy clarified.

Jay nodded, then murmured, "I need to get upstairs..."

Trudy nodded and sniffled.

As Jay ascended the stairs, the boys were boxing up Michael's belongings.

"We thought it would be..." Antonio began.

Jay shook his head, interjecting, "Don't stop on my account..."

Antonio exhaled and continued assisting the boys with the box.

"Hey! How are you holding up?" Erin inquired.

Jay set his coffee down and exhaled.

"Same as everyone else, I guess?" Jay wondered.

Erin nodded, and Antonio spoke up.

"Where are we sending this?" Antonio inquired.

Jay glanced over and responded.

"His mom's upstate, and his dad's passed away. I'll send it up there," Jay said with a nod.

Antonio acknowledged with a nod of his own and affixed the nametag.

Michael. B

Downstairs, Trudy was growing annoyed.

"No!" Trudy exclaimed.

Adam and Kevin halted and approached.

"What's up, Platt?" Kevin inquired.

Trudy sighed and replied.