Behind Closed Hearts

Chapter 26

James was seething by the time he arrived to the park and he curled his fingers into fists instinctively. His thoughts stormed his mind and he couldn't make sense of it all but he felt sick to his stomach.

Stepping onto the crisp woodchips, James crunched his way across the park and away from the single street lamp.

He bypassed the swings and opted for the slide that towered over the other structures. The metal shimmered in the dim light and was cold to the touch as James began his ascent up the ladder. His feet clinked against the steps until he reached the top, and when he did, he paused and just stood at the precipice, staring around the dark playground.

"Out of control," he muttered to himself, clutching the railing. Everything, everything, was out of his reach and he controlled nothing. It was crushing.

Letting out a shaky breath, James sunk down on the slide, sitting at the top but not sliding down. He could no longer control his education, his safety, his secrets… James just wished there was something… Something he could control.

James removed his hands from the railing and held them in front of him after rolling up the sleeves. His left arm held small, fading scars of the grease splatter and his left was still puckered from the knife wound. He couldn't even control what happened to his body.

Quickly, he rolled his sleeves down again, preparing for a long wait until Jordan and Seamus arrived.

--

Jordan ran down his stairs and opened the door before Seamus could even reach his front steps. He closed it quietly behind him before pulling on a light sweatshirt to block out the wind.

"Let's go," he said, walking briskly past Seamus to lead the way. "James left for the park like a half hour ago."

Seamus kept his pace easily. "It's not my fault he went early."

"He looked extremely… I don't know, depressed. When I saw his face, he looked like he killed somebody."

Seamus looked at him funny then. "He didn't, did he?"

Jordan gaped in exasperation. "Are you serious?"

"Well the two of you are dragging me out here, telling me there is this big secret… What am I supposed to think? James mentions that's he's a punching bag and-"

"Wait, what?" Jordan asked, alarmed.

"Hey Jordan," a voice called, knocking him out of his thoughts.

He turned his eyes on Seamus' car that was sitting at the curb in front Jordan's house; light reflected off its exterior and revealed a dark mop of hair of a boy leaning against it in the shadows.

"What are you doing here?" Jordan spat. In front of her stood a grinning Eddie.

Seamus' lips quirked in amusement. "He was already at my house. I couldn't get rid of him, so I just let him come along."

Jordan turned on him. "You can't allow him to come with!" He poked him hard in the ribs. "I made a promise to James and I'm keeping it! We can't do this to him."

"What's wrong with James?" Eddie asked, his smile faltering.

Glaring at him, Jordan said, "You're just going to have to wait in the car, Eddie. You can't come with."

"Who's waiting in the car? I'm not being left behind."

Seamus turned to him in serious contemplation. "Jordan is probably right. I don't think you should come along."

Eddie's eyes blazed. "I'm not being left behind. If there is something wrong with one of my friends, I'm going to be there for them whether they want my help or not!"