fallen | ✓

Chapter 43: "You Got A Death Wish Kid"

(Tagged: Bar)

"Joao?" My heart beat quickened. He smiled, engulfing me in a hug.

"Carmen!" His voice sounded like Mitch's. "Carmen!" What the Hell?

A shake on my shoulders jolted me awake. "Carmen!" My breath returned to me and I gasped, my back slamming into the wall. I looked up, seeing Mitch. His smile faded as soon as he saw me distressed. "Carmen..?" He frowned. "What's wrong?" I resisted the urge to punch the wall.

A lump in my throat almost made me choke. I swallowed, trying to answer as clearly as I could, "Joao is dead." Mitch didn't seem faltered. He hated Joa, so I wouldn't blame him.

"I'm sorry.." He muttered, sitting next to me. He grits his teeth. Probably avoiding saying, "He was a bastard anyway!" I brought my knees to my chest, resting my forehead on them. He squeezed my shoulder when Jackson suddenly skipped up.

"Mommy?" He frowned, inching closer. I lifted my head.

"Hey, kid.." I forced a weak smile. He put his small hands on my knees.

"What's wrong?" He whined. I glanced at Mitch and gestured to Jackson. Mitch sighed, crouching next to him, whispering the situation. "DADDY'S-" He screamed, Mitch covering his mouth with his hand.

"Shhh!" He hissed. We received a few looks. A man walked up, spinning a metal bat.

"Hey, kid," He smirked. Jackson glanced over. He slammed the bat into his head. My eyes widened and I grabbed Jackson into my grip as he screamed. Mitch pulled his revolver on the man and I put my hand over Jackson's eyes, running him up to my room. His head was busted, and he was crying. I set him on my bed, grabbing a cloth and rubbing alcohol from my cabinet.

I healed and wrapped his head within an hour, tucking him in so he could rest. I walked back to my spot, my hands in my pockets. I sat, as Mitch rounded the corner, his eye catching on me. "Where were you...?" He frowned.

"Healing my son," I said plainly. He frowned sitting next to me. Jack walked up, looking unhappy.

"Carmen?" He crouched in front of me. Here we go again. "What's wrong?" I glanced to Mitch again, pursing my lips. Then I sighed and glanced at Jack again. If I'm going to get rid of half of this depression, I'm going to have to start accepting it now. Darren then suddenly walked up as well, grief written across his face. He knew what was up.

"Carmen, I'm sorry." He said. I didn't respond.

"Sorry?" Jack asked in confusion. He looked at me again. "Carmen, what happened?"

"Joao is dead," I said. Jack barely flinched. Darren frowned. I felt like no one cared about Joa's death. No one but me, and Jackson. I don't know where the Hell Brook is... But why blame them? Especially in Sam's mood and condition.

Jack engulfed me in a hug. "I'm sorry.." He grumbled a bit. I hugged him back, exhaling.

"I wasn't the one that killed him though, I hope you know that Carmen," Darren said flatly. I glanced up, unmoving. Jack's grip tightened.

"You had a great intention." I tried to growl. Jack let go, turning to Darren, and standing up to his full size.

"Give her a break will ya?" He hissed. Darren scowled. I glanced down, plugging my ears. This wasn't helping. At all. I closed my eyes, trying to think of happy memories. Then I felt a nudge on my foot and looked up, releasing my ears. My eyes focused on Adrien's face.

"So, Carmen.." He said plainly. "Who's side are you on?"

"Excuse me..?" I frowned.

"Joa's?" He cocked his head to the side, sticking his hands in his pockets, then scowling. "Or Sam's?"