The Squirrel King

8 • The Arrival

There, in the middle of that horrid room, sat a boy that I had just officially started speaking to today. He was bloody and bruised, but still had the biggest smile on his face. I couldn't help but scream at the state he was in. I wanted so badly to go in and help Bennett but Beau was blocking my path. Beau was too terrified at seeing his brother like this. I am too but I'm not just gonna stand here and cry. I ducked under his arm and ran over to Bennett.

I was standing in front of the chair Bennett was sitting in. He looked up at my face and continued smiling. How can he do that at a time like this? I gave him a pitiful smile back then looked him up and down. I started tearing up seeing his wounds. He had all of his nails torn off and small cuts in places. I looked around the room for a towel or something but there was nothing. I went over to Beau and pulled him in the room and shut the door. I was tempted to slap him to wake him up but decided not too. I reached inside of his bag to find a water bottle, sports players usually carry one. Luckily, he was carrying one with him. I took it and went back to Bennett then pulled my jacket off. It'll have to do since there's no cloth here. I tore off a sleeve after a lot of struggling and poured some water on it. I started wiping the dried blood off of his face so I could see his injuries there more clearly.

He only had two small gashes, one on his eyebrow, the other on his cheek. I looked into his eyes and noticed he was tearing up. I couldn't even imagine how much pain he was in. I grabbed one of his hands and held it while I was carefully cleaning it.

"Thanks." I heard a faint whisper. It was most likely him, so I looked up at him again. "Yes. I'm talking to you..." He tried laughing but he coughed instead. Which ended up sending some fresh blood onto me. I tried my best not to throw up. "Sorry." He said with a raspy voice.

"It's fine. I don't mind, just stop talking. I don't need you hurt anymore. Okay?" I said wiping the blood off of my face.

He nodded slowly and continued letting me wipe the blood off. I looked at the table next to his chair and saw a box of spoons and knives. I guess that where the plastic spoon that hit Beau came from. Speaking of Beau, he is still zoned out?

I turned my head the other way and he wasn't there. I stood up and looked all around the room. My eyes landed on him standing over a table filled with supplies. Maybe he's looking for something to break the chains? Well if he does, he'll tell us, probably. I returned to cleaning the blood and was nearly finished when one squirrel scurried up Bennett's chair. He got his ear as close to it as he could then started nodding his head. He looked like he was getting sad... then a burst of anger.

"How dare he do this shit again, I'm so damn tired of this... It needs to end. Today." Bennett spoke loudly. That does not sound too good. I'm so confused right now, I don't understand at all.

I fully finished cleaning Bennett's blood off of himself. I got up and put the sleeve on the table. Beau still has no word on a tool to break the chains. I really want to get out of here. This all has such a bad vibe.

Bennett started shaking in his chair, as if he could break it like that. Which wasn't working, obviously.

I heard the shaking again, after I thought he gave up. "Bennett. That's not gonna work, I thought you'd realized that." I stated, clearly annoyed.

"Uh... That's not me..." Bennett said worriedly trying to look at the door behind him. I cautiously grabbed a knife off the table to ease my worries. The only person who could be there is the one who hurt Bennett. No ones gonna hurt by him anymore. Oh but I won't kill him, of course. Just scare him a little. Beau moved away from the table with supplies, because it was really close to the door. I held the knife behind my back to hide it. I looked back over at the boys and saw their faces filled with worry but also an intense anger. Apparently this guy has done some bad things.

While I was staring at them, the door flew open with a bang. I held my ear because the sound too as so loud it pained me a little. My eyes followed the sound to the man standing at the door. He was a tall, scary guy. I don't think this little knife will scare him.

"Guys! What's going on! I can't see!" Bennett said seemingly having his voice back. I felt like slapping myself at how oblivious he is.

"Well, well, well... Looks like we have more company to deal with." His voice boomed across the room as he cracked his knuckles with a decapitated squirrel in his hand.