Golden Snow - Bennoda

Chapter Thirteen

Mike didn't stay long with his friends and left the coffee shop, not even saying hello to Jeff. He still didn't quite forgive him yet. He was on edge with everyone in town, as they were with him. He knew not everyone believed it was Jay and not him, even though he had also taken Chester. The town was a mess.

Things were never like this in the past. The town was so tiny and quiet. The biggest thing to ever happen were all natural disasters, which weren't even too extreme. Sometimes some people would pass away due to the cold or an illness would be passed around but they didn't get earthquakes or tsunamis, it was just a tiny, dull town. The worst thing their people did, was either an accident or perhaps a small robbery, which was never violent and the criminals would always be caught. To Mike's dad, it was the perfect place to live.

Mike and his family had lived there their whole lives. It was always the way it still is, uneventful. The Shinoda's, although, were the family to bring chaos to the town, or at least Jay did. He was the one who went a town over to get drugs to abuse. There was no reason for it. Even Jay admitted he was just bored in that small town. He grew intensely aggravated at the littlest things and lashed out for no reason. He'd beat up kids in their school for looking at him funny. He claimed he was a rebel but Mike knew he was just a druggie.

Mike never supported Jay's actions, although he was the first to find out. He discovered Jay shooting up in his room and Mike had yelled at him, even slapping him across the face, but it didn't even phase his younger brother, who was too high to even react at that point. Mike kept his secret, hoping his brother would shape up. He'd make excuses for the smells produced by the drugs and cover up why Jay would act so weird but eventually, he had to break.

He snapped one day when Jay tried getting Mike on the drugs and had ended up telling their parents. Jay had acted so violently towards Mike, that the police were called and he was withheld until they figured out what to do with him. Their parents always argued but this was the fight that sent them over the edge. Their mom refused to let Jay go to rehab, claiming he didn't have a problem, while their dad insisted he went. It resulted in a divorce and a huge court battle over the two brothers. Mike ended up with his dad, while Jay went to live in the town over with his mom. They rarely spoke since then.

It was such a huge shock to Mike when he saw his mom. He hadn't texted, called, or wrote to her in any form since then. Although it wasn't that far back in the past, it was a huge period of time for not talking to his parents. He wanted to tell her just exactly how much he missed and loved her after years of claiming to hate her, but he could barely react with everything going on.

Mike had to admit he was in love with the boy. He hadn't had time to think much about his feelings but he truly realized that he was head over heels for the small, blonde boy. He wouldn't have done nearly this much for anyone else. He loved him. He couldn't deny himself that fact.

To Mike, Chester was an innocent boy who needed protection. He was little and adorable, for that matter, and needed someone to help him withstand the world and it's cruelty. Mike wanted to do anything in his power to give the boy anything he desired. Mike would do anything for Chester. He loved him.

Mike had reached Lincoln's clearing a long time ago but was now deep in thought. He was yanked away from the depths of his mind when his phone rang. He took it out to look at the number calling. Thanks to caller identification, he could immediately tell it was Jay calling and without a moment's hesitation, he picked up.

"Jay?!" He gasped and heard his brother laugh. He wanted more than anything to beat his brother for what he did.

"Hello, Mike, how are you?" He asked casually and Mike rolled his eyes at how arrogant Jay was being.

"Fuck you, Jay. Where's Chester?"

"Sticks and stones, Mike," He taunted and Mike had the urge to punch a nearby tree.

"Stop being such an asshole. Where is Chester?" Mike asked again but Jay only laughed. "Jay-"

"You used to be the smart one, Mike. How is it that I can hide from you? You should know better."

"Jay-"

"I'm not done," He interrupted. "You're the one mom and dad love. You're the talented one, the good one. What do I get? Hmm?"

"To be a bastard," Mike muttered and Jay chuckled.

"Well... that, yes. But I get Chester."

"You can't fucking do that, Jay! He's a human being! What the hell have you done to him?" Mike insisted. "Where is he?"

"He's all well, Michael. He's all cozy in his room," Jay purred and Mike made a disgusted face before realizing.

"His room? His bedroom?" He asked and Jay hesitated. Mike couldn't believe Jay let it slip so easily. Mike had already started the other direction of the clearing.

"Yes?" Jay said as if it were a question. Mike began running towards the opposite end of the clearing, hoping he'd be able to tell which house it is.

"You're such a fucking dumbass," Mike hissed before hanging up. He was headed towards Chester's house and was more than certain he and Jay would be there. He thought about calling the police but he was afraid what he'd do if Jay wasn't actually there. He had a bit of doubt and also a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach but he was ready to do anything for Chester.