Behind Closed Hearts

Chapter 30

James fled the kitchen not too long after and Joe was left breathing hard. He was sure that James wasn't telling the truth. But how could he get James to admit it? And what if he accidentally pushed his friend too far? What would James do then?

He bit his lip, thinking hard. He also had to consider the lingering doubt that crowded his mind. The doubt of his own abilities. What if James really had just told the truth just now? He had seemed convincing enough…

He pressed his hands to his head, frustrated. Joe didn't know what to think anymore.

--

Aleks was laughing at something Eddie had said when he heard loud shouting coming from the kitchen. The four of them froze instantly, listening to the indiscernible voices.

Aleks glanced at his friends just in time to see the three of them exchange a look of worry that they all seemed to understand. It made Aleks' blood boil. Why was everyone keeping secrets from him?

Something loud clattered to the floor in the kitchen and Aleks jolted, peeking around the corner at the swinging door to the kitchen. Dan was standing there in front of it. Spotting him, Dan shook his head, warning Aleks not to interfere.

"Who's in there with him?" Eddie whispered aloud.

"Joe," Aleks replied flatly with a frown. Joe always had a way of understanding anyone he came in to contact with but with shouting…? That was not what Aleks had expected from this situation. He hoped that the two were both okay.

Suddenly the door swung open and there was James pacing angrily in their direction with his head down. His hair covered his face and he wasn't wearing a shirt. He had it clutched in his hands in a tight ball. "James," Aleks said in his surprise, "What's wrong?"

James shook his head, trying to push his way past his brother just as he stepped into his path. "Where are you going?" Aleks asked softly.

"I'm going home."

"No, you aren't. What's wrong?" Aleks went to grab at James' free arm but he immediately flinched back, snapping his head upwards.

Aleks froze. The look on James' was of complete devastation and pain. Tears were leaking uncontrollably over his cheeks. Slowly, Aleks' eyes widened as he took in his brother's appearance.

"Don't look at me like that, okay?" James struggled to say through his tears. He sniffed softly. "I'm fine, Aleks." He reached up to clear away the tears.

Aleks caught his arm and wrenched it toward him. He was speechless. There was a long wound, running up the length of James' arm, puckered and ugly.

Aleks' breath caught and his grip tightened unintentionally, but he let go when James winced noticeably.

Aleks launched for his other arm; James flinched away again, trying to get his arm away from Aleks' examination, but he caught his arm nonetheless and pulled towards him. It was the burn that Aleks had seen before, nothing new.

"What are these, James?" Aleks asked lowly. Something wasn't adding up here with his wounds and his tears. The group around them still remained quiet, watching with sad eyes. Beyond James, Joe emerged from the kitchen and stood by Dan quietly.

James eyes flashed defiantly at his brother. "I told you already, Aleks, I dumped bacon grease on my arm, remember?"

"By accident or on purpose?"

James' face slammed down into complete misery and Aleks instantly felt guilty and horrible.

"How could you say that to me?" James' small voice came out cracked and pleadingly. "Why?"