Cause And Effect.

Chapter Two

Max and Isaac were completely ignoring each other. Max didn't even want to look at him. After the incident, he didn't want to be In the same room as him. His mother questioned him but not too much. She knew they weren't fond of each other from the start. Brigitta had a lot of questions though.

Walter was there a lot. He was worried about Max. He didn't want him getting hurt again. But it started to progress and get worse. Issac was getting more and more open with his Homophobia. And with in a few weeks, he was bullying Max every chance he got. Sometimes while Walter was present. As much as Walter wanted to beat him up. Take him down. Teach him a lesson. But he never did. He only verbally intervened.

It had been two weeks of bullying... and Max was trying to make it out like it wasn't bothering him in the least. But it really was. He was an emotional mess. But only behind closed doors. Nobody knew but him. He didn't even let Walter in on it. He was an isolated mess.

"Max?" Anne called from downstairs. She had noticed that her son had been a little standoffish. There had had been very little physical abuse. Mostly just verbal. Still...Max wore a few bruises.

He came down the stairs to his mother and didn't say anything,
He just approached her silently.

"Sweetie, are you okay? I'm worried about you..."

"Worried?" Max brought a smile to his face. "I'm fine, mama. No need to worry."

"Maxwell Everett." His mother softly said, looking at him. "Son.. I read you like a book. Please... what's going on?"
"Nothing, Mama. I'm fine. I promise I am." Max stated, even managing a small laugh. The kid was a briliant actor. Brilliant.

He convinced his mother right away. She gave him a hug. "What are your plans for tonight? Are you doing anything with Walter?" She quietly asked, still hugging her son tightly. She loved Max. More than anything, She loved Max.

"I was gonna have him come over and watch movies with me. If that's alright.."

"That's fine. Issac will be in tonight though. Is that okay?"

Max's false smile dropped instantly. "Uh... yeah. Yeah that's fine." He said, my softer than he had previously been speaking.

Now, Max's mother noticed her son's intant change in demeanor. But she didn't ask him about it. He wouldn't have told her anyway. I bet she wishes she had asked now.

Max placed a kiss on his mothers forehead and hugged Brigitta before they left the house for Brigitta's dance classes, leaving just Issac and himself.

Max cleared his brain of all the thoughts and fears that filled and waited impatiently for Walter to get there. He called him.

"Hey, slugger." Walter said as he answered the phone.

"When will you be here?" Max quietly asked. Walter could tell somethinh was wrong.

"Are you there alone with him?"

"Yeah..."

"I'm coming right now."

At about that time, Issac came stumbling down the stairs. He reeked of Alcohol and Cigarette smoke. He was waisted. Max bit his lip. "He's drunk..." he softly said.

"Go up to your room, Max, and stay there until I get there." Walter said. He heard some mumbling and then the phone line went dead. "Max?" He said. "Max?!" He sighed. "Dammit!"

~

"You little son of a bitch." Issac mumbled, approaching Max and taking his phone, hanging it up before tossing it somewhere out of reach.

"You're inviting that little faggot here... aren't you?" Issac was too close for comfort. Max felt like he was going to throw up. The stench of alcohol radiated off of his step father. He gagged a little as the bigger man leaned closer.

Something must have snapped. Issac grabbed Max and pulled him to his feet. He started screaming and yelling. Max couldn't focus on what was being said. He was panicking. Tears burned his eyes.

The next thing Max knew, He was on the ground and being kicked. He winced with each blow.

It all seemed to happen in slow motion. No matter how many times he was hit, Max never fought back.

It would just make it worse. By the time Walter got there, Max had been badly beaten. Luckily, Walter didn't knock. He just came in.

"Hey!" He yelled, running in and pushing Issac away. He didn't waist a second. He hurried to Max's side and helped him up, supporting his weight and getting him out of the door.

Max was dizzy. His whole body ached and his eyes burned from the tears that filled them. He whimpered quietly, barely registering what was happening around him. He was bleeding. His nose was bleeding and there were deep gashes on his head his cheek. He was going to be covered in bruises.

But what were his concerns?

"How am I going to hide this?" He softly mumbled, though Walter could just barely understand him. Walter got Max in to the car and buckled him up then climed into the other side.

Within seconds, Max lost consciousness. Walter felt tears welling up in his eyes. He was terrified. He knew Max woukd more than likely be okay... but part of him couldn't help but think the worst. He didn't want to lose his Max. His MaxiTaxi.

~

Walter drove straight to the hospital, Carrying Max inside.

When the doctors asked, He said Max was jumped. There was enough damage done. As the doctors checked him over, Walter sat in the waiting room, holding back his tears.

"Max Vandenburg?" A doctor said after nearly two hours. Walter stood, wiping his eyes. "Follow me." She smiled softly at him. "And don't worry. He's just fine."

Walter felt the weight of the world fall off of his shoulders as he followed her silently.

It felt like hours had passed when they finally reached the boy. "I'm glad you brought him." The doctor softly said. "He has a mild concussion and a broken nose. We had to stitch up the cut on his forehead, but the one on his cheek isn't a bad one."

Max was lying there, staring at the ceiling. Suddenly he laughed. Walter looked very confused.

"We gave him some morphine. " The doctor chuckled softly, Looking down at her clipboard.

After a small bit of conversation, the doctor left and Walter sat beside Max. "Heyyyy!" Max giggled. "Its my Boy! Hi, boy."

"Hey, Slugger." Walter grabbed Max's hand and use his other hand to smooth back his hair. "How do you feel?"

Max smiled, squeezing his boyfriend's hand. "I feel great!" He said, giggling. "I'm on cloud nine. Floating on air."

"You are high." Walter couldn't help but laugh a little at him. He was adorable, Even though he was all beat up.

"I am. I am... so fucking high." Max laughed. "Oh god... I love you." He sighed looking over at Walter. "Thank you for saving my ass back there."

For a moment, there was only silence.
Max's mood suddenly shifted. He was quiet... and he didn't smile.

"He would have killed me."