I'm Just Septic-Eyed

Chapter 6: No Good Deed

"I just want to help you, you know that, right?"

Mark stared at his friend with a worried expression. He had sat Sean down at a bus stop bench. The blood flowing from Sean's nose began to dry and the bruise around his eye was becoming more prominent. "If you tell me who attacked you I'll try not to kill them." Even though Sean couldn't see he was more aware of his surroundings than people who can. And if the person who attacked him was someone he was familiar with - as in he knew how they walked, or what their voice sounded like - then he could easily tell Mark who it was.

"You don't have to worry about me, Mark," Sean got up from the bench he was sitting on. "I'm perfectly fine to take care of myself." Unsure of his surroundings, he waved his arms out in front of him to see if anything was there. Then he cautiously stepped forward.

Mark sighed and got off the bench. Not only whoever attacked Sean beat him up, but they stole his white cane too. "Maybe we should get you a dog," Mark said as he grabbed onto his friend to lead him in the right direction. "It'll be helpful in protecting you and take the place of your cane."

"I don't need a dog, Mark. I already have one."

Mark smiled a bit. He knew Sean was referencing him. "I'm just saying it'll be helpful to have one." The two made their way down the block that lead to their apartment. While they walked Mark noticed Sean had a slight limp. "You're limping."

Sean jumped slightly at the abrupt end to silence. "Yeah. I fell and it still kinda hurts." He rubbed his bottom to emphasize how he felt.

Without missing a beat Mark responded in a tone lower than his usual voice, "Do you want me to kiss it better?" With the straightest face he could muster - not that Sean could see it if he smiled, but he could hear it.

Sean turned a deep crimson. "M-Mark!"

Mark burst out into laughter. "So is that a no?" Mark continued to giggle uncontrollably as Sean struggled to find the right words. "I'm just messing with you, Jack. I won't do that... unless you really want me to."

Sean groaned through his flustered phase as Mark had the time of his life. While Sean was distracted with his thoughts and attempts to make any coherent words, his foot got stuck in a crack in the pavement. He instinctively grabbed at the closest thing to him which happened to be Mark. Mark ceased his laughter as he was almost brought down with Sean. Mark, too, followed his instincts and held onto Sean as if he were to hit the ground he would be gone forever.

With all the grabbing and falling Sean had twisted in front of Mark. If anyone were to look at them it would seem that Mark had dipped Sean while they were dancing. Aware of their position, Mark flushed but did not move. Instead he just stared at his friend. The black eye was already becoming worse; the blood was no longer fresh yet it hadn't dried. His eyes were pale and murky and Mark wondered for a moment what color they would be if they could be used.

Mark didn't register Sean's voice softly speaking his name. Once the accent cut through his thoughts he shook his head slightly. He cleared his throat but he still didn't move. He couldn't even come up with any words to say. But he didn't have to.

"Hey!"

Mark's head turned toward the voice while Sean just listened. It was a male around their age running toward them. He had raven hair and sleek black headphones hanging around his neck. He held Sean's white cane. "I'm not interrupting something, am I?" The young man asked with lack of breath. Mark nearly dropped Sean in his scramble to retain composure. The young man raised a brow but said nothing about it. "I think I have something that might belong to one of you." He held out the cane. "I didn't take it, if that's what you're gonna assume."

Mark took it and put it in Sean's hand. Sean ran both his hands along it and felt an awkward jut beneath his fingers. He continued to run his hand over it to make sure he wasn't going crazy. "There's a dent in this," Sean stated in awe. He never thought it could be dented.

Mark studied the figure before him. He was only a slight bit shorter than Sean. He was a tone darker than Mark, and his eyes were darker as well. Mark's eyes widened a bit when he finally spotted it. There was a deep crimson liquid flowing behind his ear. It was beginning to trickle down his neck.

The male laughed stiffly. "Yeah, well, about that..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not that important at the moment." He made eye contact with Mark. It was as if they exchanged a silent conversation. He knew Mark made the connection with the dent and the blood already. "Let's just start with the basics. Hi, I'm Joey, but my friends call me Taurtis."

"Taurtis?" Sean tilted his head to the side a bit.

Taurtis smiled faintly. "A friend gave me that name. Anyway, I know who attacked you." Mark saw the sadness Taurtis held while Sean could definitely hear the seriousness of what this meant to the raven haired individual. "I-it was my friend, Sam. I... I don't know what's gotten into him. He changed so suddenly. I don't know what happened. I was there that day he threw rocks at you and your friend. I was so shocked I couldn't stop him. I got scared so I dragged him back home while you yelled at us. I-I guess you can blame me for your injuries as well. And yesterday he told me that he kicked you over after he met you. He put your cane on the ground so you would be more vulnerable to hurt."

Sean tensed a bit. Not because of the fact he now knew who was doing this - though it was that, too - it was because he never told Mark about being kicked. He waited for Mark to mention this but he didn't.

"And today," Taurtis's voice began to quiver. "He told me what he was going to do to you. I tried to stop him but... I don't even remember what happened. But after I found he had left the apartment I ran out to look for him. I didn't find him until after he got to you. He told me what he did and we started arguing. I-I called him a monster. I told him to return your cane but he refused. I grabbed it and said I would find you and do it, but he didn't let go. Long story short, I got smacked in the head with it. And so here I am now."

Once Taurtis stopped speaking he had tears in his eyes. This was clearly a big deal to him. He felt responsible for Sam's violent acts. The three men stood there in silence. Mark and Sean were absorbing the facts while Taurtis waited for a response. "A thanks should be in order," Mark finally said. "So thanks - for telling us all this and returning Jack's white cane. I... I really don't know what else to say."

Taurtis smiled weakly. It was like his energy was drained telling his tale. "It's fine. I should let you guys go home. Sorry for keeping you." With a wave he turned on his heel and left the way he came.

Neither Mark nor Sean could come up with a quick enough response to tell him to stay. They both had a bad feeling. What would happen when Taurtis met up with Sam again?