Silenced

Chapter 13

Mike had stayed up all night watching the small teenager sleep on the couch across from him. His chest rose and fell peacefully, but nothing could take away from the horror and inconclusiveness of the whole situation.

At the scene, Mike acted like he was fine. Perfectly under control and calm. That was somewhat true, for the adrenaline and shock that his heart pumped through his veins took away the questions. Questions that desperately needed answers. And now that he had regained his senses, Mike wanted the answers so badly that it almost hurt.

But he couldn't move. Frozen in confusion and fear for his friend, and selfishly, for himself. What if one of them got hurt by the person who did this to Billie Joe? Who did this to Billie Joe? What kind of monster could possibly look past the fearful face and horrified eyes of a small teenager, weighing no more than 110 pounds? A sick monster, that's who. Whoever did this is sick.

Mike was tired of being on the verge of vomiting by the time the sun rose. The sick monster roasting through his stomach. The unanswered questions biting at his curiosity. He couldn't take it anymore. The back of his neck started to itch.

His cold feet met the floor for the first time in hours as he headed into the kitchen, silently. Not wanting to wake his friend, who looked to be anything but worried in his much needed slumber. Mike knew Billie needed sleep. He could see the bags under his eyes. Everyone could see the bags under his eyes.

Mike filled a glass cup with cold water that he planned on handing to Billie Joe when he woke him. The sunlight fought its way through the closed blinds in the kitchen window, but Mike didn't bother to pull them back, helping the light win its fight to seep its way into his house. Instead he ignored it, finding the dim room calming. And that's exactly what his racing heart needed. Relaxation.

Without another thought, Mike walked back into the living room. Of course, Billie was fast asleep, just how he left him. His long eyelashes just about touched his cheeks with their length. His lips rested in a pink, pouted shape. For once, his forehead wasn't creased in unknown emotion. Instead, it was flat, having no tense muscles surrounding it.

Mike almost smiled at what he saw. He almost smiled at how peaceful Billie Joe looked, but that quickly went away when he thought back to how peaceful Billie felt. And for that, there was no peace at all. Looks can be deceiving.

With a sigh that unknowingly rested in the pit of Mike's stomach escaping his lips, Mike sat the cold glass of water down on the coffee table. The condensation build up and the glass and started to run down the cup and onto the hard wood surface, but finding a coaster was the least of Mike's worries.

Mike bent down to rest a gentle hand on Billie Joe's shoulder. Billie didn't wake, and simply stirred as Mike shook him ever so slightly. Mike didn't want Billie to hurt anymore than he was.

"Billie?" Mike whispered, not wanting to scare him awake.

Billie Joe didn't respond, and only continued with his sleep. He might as well be hibernating. The only way Mike knew he was still alive and well was because of his small chest rising and falling. Well, alive at least. Not so much well.

"Bill?" Mike said, shaking Billie Joe a bit harder this time.

The reaction didn't come right away, but soon enough, Billie started to wake. The stunning green that was hidden behind Billie's eyelids peaked through his lashes and disappeared and reappeared with a few tired blinks. He opened his eyes all the way and looked at Mike with furrowed brows, the creased forehead yet again making its way onto his face. His lips frowned as he looked around the room, trying to analyze where he was. Eventually, at all came back to him, and he sighed a little as he sat up just enough for him to look at Mike.