Troubled Soul || Fall Out Boy

~23~

"Alright boys, are you ready for monster trucks?" Pete's Dad asked as he led Pete and Patrick towards the entrance to the stadium where the monster truck show was being held.

Pete grinned. "Uh huh!"

Patrick nervously nodded, looking around at the crowd of people with a rather terrified expression on his face. Pete's Dad squeezed his hand in a comforting manner, hoping to help him relax.

The three met up with Andy and Andy's Mom, before getting some snacks and taking their seats in the stadium. Pete and Andy had seats next to each other, and they both had hot dogs. Pete couldn't explain how awesome he found this.

"I'm so excited!" Andy almost had to shout over the loud crowds of the people around them.

Pete nodded. "Me too!"

Andy looked past Pete to Patrick. "Are you excited Pat?"

But Patrick wasn't paying attention to Andy. Instead, he was gripping Pete's Dad's hand with the tightest grip possible and staring at a tall man in the row in front of them with the most terrified expression Pete had ever seen on him. And Pete had seen a lot of terrified expressions.

Andy's Mom noticed. "What's wrong bud?" She asked Patrick.

He didn't move a muscle. It was almost like he was frozen, Pete decided.

Pete's Dad looked where Patrick was looking, and Pete couldn't decide on his facial expression. He was seemingly angry, scared, frustrated and worried at the same time. A weird combination.

"What are you doing here?!" Pete's Dad accused in a rather loud tone.

The man turned around. Pete thought he looked sort of mean. He turned to Patrick and smiled in a sick and creepy way, showing off a set of yellow and black teeth.

"Hey Idiot."

Patrick screamed.

Pete's Dad stood up. "You're violating the restraining order!"

The man chuckled. "I just wanted to watch some monster trucks! It's not my fault that the idiot wanted to as well."

"How dare you call him that..." Pete's Dad said in a grave tone.

Patrick scrambled out of the seat and went as fast as he could away from the scene unfolding. He raced past Pete and Andy, and Andy's Mom scooped him up and held him in her lap so he couldn't run any further, while desperately attempting to calm him down and soothe his tears.

The man laughed. "So you bought him a leg. Cute."

"There's nothing wrong with giving him the right to walk!"

"You call that limp walking?!"

Pete's Dad gritted his teeth. "I'm calling the police."

The man laughed once again. "Don't bother. I'm leaving now anyway. See you later idiot."

The man got up and walked away, leaving the entire stand.

Pete wasn't sure what to say.

Pete's Dad walked over to Patrick. "It's okay bud, he's gone now. He's gone."

Patrick had curled up in Andy's Mom's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Andy's Mom gently stroked his hair. "I think he needs to go home, Pete. He's not going to be able to cope staying here."

Pete's Dad nodded and gently pulled Patrick into his own arms. "I think you're right. Peter, we're going now."

"B-But the monster trucks!" Pete exclaimed.

"He can stay with me and Andy." Andy's Mom assured. "He can stay the night. I think Patty really needs your attention at this point."

Pete's Dad nodded and ruffled Pete's hair. "I'll come get you tomorrow. Be good for Mrs Hurley."

Pete nodded.

"WHO'S READY TO RUMBLE?!" The man in the middle of the arena asked.

Pete grinned and settled back in his seat to watch the show, as his Dad carried a crying, desperate Patrick out to the car.