The Worst of Times

Chapter 17

I went back inside to get Chester's stuff. DeLeo and Sam were so busy yelling at each other that they didn't notice me passing them and going to Chester's room. Nor did they see Mark follow me in. I didn't care though, my eyes were only set on getting Chester out. I grabbed his backpack and went to the closest drawer, stuffing his clothes inside.

"What do you want?" I asked, not turning around to look at Mark.

"To know what you're doing with Chester's stuff. You aren't making him move, are you?"

"I am. He doesn't even want to come back in here because of you. I can't believe Sam is desperate enough to go back to you." I shoved the top drawer closed and opened the next, finding just a notebook, some paint bottles, and small, empty canvases inside with a couple paint brushes. Sometimes I forget he likes to paint. I was afraid of the paint spilling so I set it aside for the moment.

"I find that insulting, Mike. Maybe I just need to go out there and talk to Chester." Mark mused and I turned around and saw him heading towards the door. I rushed forward, accidentally knocking over the paint which broke open and spilt all over the floor, and closed Chester's bedroom door. Mark turned around. "You made quite the mess."

"Don't you dare go out there." I threatened and he smiled, walking over to Chester's closet and opening it. He reached up and pulled down a box and came over to me, handing it over.

"He'll want this. It's old family pictures before everything went wrong." He said and left the room. I opened the box and he was right. I was immediately scared. How did he know about that box? I didn't even know it existed. Had he been in Chester's room before today? Was Sam and him back together before we knew about it not long ago? Or had he hurt or saw Chester and he just didn't speak up about it because he couldn't? Or maybe he has connections with someone we know, someone who's been here before.

I looked around the room and decided if Chester needed something else that I didn't grab, Sean or I could go back to get it. I pulled the blanket off the bed and slung the backpack over my shoulder and carried the box, leaving the paint on the floor. I passed DeLeo, Sam, and Mark again on my way out but again, only Mark noticed me. I went outside and set the box down and quickly wrapped Chester in the blanket and hugged him from behind. He gripped onto the edges of the blanket with a soft smile.

"Thanks...Mike..." He breathed and I let go.

"Don't talk too much, Ches. Don't strain yourself." 

"Don't...Wor...Ry...Mike. I...Will...Be...Fine." He promised and smiled again. I handed Sean his box and put the backpack around my shoulder again.

"Do you mind carrying this to the car?" I asked.

"No problem, Mike." Sean said and I walked next to Chester to the car. Sean followed and I popped the trunk for him. DeLeo's car, Sean's motorcycle, and Sam's car was all here around the house. I went to the passenger's side and opened Chester's door for him. He rolled his eyes but giggled a little and sat in. I buckled him in so the blanket was still wrapped around him. I closed the door and went around the back, closing the trunk. I looked to Sean.

"I have to go to my parents' house and explain what's going on, see if they'll let me live with you guys alone. If they say yes, I'll also need to pack. Do you mind if we stay with you while we try to get on our feet with a job and finding a house to rent?" I asked and he nodded.

"No problem at all. Do what you have to do, Mike. Do you want me to tag along?" He asked and I thought about it for the moment. With Chester seeing Mark, who knows what will happen? The more the better.

"Sure, do you want to come with us and pick up your bike later?" 

"No, I'll just drive behind you guys. You need some Chester time anyway." He smiled and walked over to his motorcycle.

"Alright, I'm going to go tell DeLeo we're leaving." I shouted as Sean started up his bike. He nodded and I quickly headed inside. I saw DeLeo still arguing with Sam. I poked him and he turned around.

"Yeah?"

"Chester, Sean, and I are leaving. You should too. And call me later, I'll explain some things." I said and turned to leave when Sam shouted something.

"So I don't get to know what's going on anymore just because of the person I love?! I still love Chester! Mark changed! He wouldn't touch Chester." 

"You thought that about your son. You thought Mark wouldn't touch Draven but he did and then he killed him. That is not happening to Chester." 

"It's half of what happened to Draven. You don't know for sure I even did that but if I did, I wouldn't repeat that on Chester. He's different." Mark spoke up and I scowled at him.

"Stay away from him. You killed Draven. You killed other kids. You've murdered before and you'll do it again. You're a serial killer who hasn't been caught but I swear on my life that if you even try to touch just a hair of Chester's, I will kill you. I won't hesitate, I won't regret it, and I certainly wouldn't look back. You deserve to rot in hell for what you did to Chester and all those other kids you've tricked." I growled but he just smiled.

"You know, Mike, it seems we're not so different after all."