Serein=-={SEPTIPLIER}

Latibule

"You...what?"

"Yeah-uh.. I'm upstairs and I heard the front door jiggling." There was a shaky sigh on the other end of the phone line.

We switched to talking on the phone after Jack insisted.

"And my dad isn't supposed to be home tonight." Jacks voice dropped down to a whisper, making it harder for Mark to hear.

"Whoever was at the door is inside now."

"Could it be your mom?" Mark was scared for Jack, he truly was. Was it just miraculous chance that this was the one night his old dad decided to break in, when the door is unlocked? Fucking hell.

"She's uh- at her sisters house." Mark could hear moving on the other side of the phone.

"Okay, Jack I'm coming to pick you up. Just-just stay put...hide somewhere." Mark stood up from his bed and ran downstairs, grabbing his moms car keys. She wouldn't exactly care, she never did.

"Alright Jack, just stay put. I'll see you in a-"

"No please, stay on the phone. Jus-just let me listen to your breathing."

"...of course."

The drive was a short one, courtesy of Jack installing the gps to his house on Marks home. When he pulled up, all the lights were off in the house except for the living room.
Shuffling was still coming from the other end of the phone line, reassuring Mark that Jack was still okay.

"Jack, there's a Gray pickup truck in the driveway." The breathing on the other end hitched, making Mark listen closer to the faster breaths.

"Yeah uh.. that's my old dads."

Could this night get any worse?

"But-uh, all the lights were off when he opened the front door, and he hasn't come up the stairs. I think he thinks no one is home." Relief flooded both the boys senses, and Mark had to think of something. Quick.

"I'm pretty sure he is watching TV. I can hear talking downstairs and light is shining up the stairs."

Okay.

This is good.

"Okay. Jack, I need you to go over to your window." Mark got out of the car, parked in the neighbors drive way, and went over to the dark window where he saw Jacks face.

"Alright, open the window and take the screen out."

"Mark, you aren't thinking abou-"

"Yes, yes I am."

Jack removed the screen from the window and looked down to see Mark, phone in hand.

"Kay, now you need to jump." The air was taken out of Jacks lungs as he heard the words. Running a hand through his pastel green hair, he talked into the phone.

"I...I can't." Jack stood away from the window, and in the dark, it looked he was about to cry.

"Please Jack. You have to do it. You need to get out of there." Mark was pleading, praying he could get Jack out in time.

"...alright, just give me a second. I need to grab something." Jack walked away for a moment, before returning to the window, pastel jacket pocket bulging.

"Okay, now jump. I'll be there to catch you. I'm going to hang up now." Mark ended the call and looked back up to Jack, arms outstretched.

The breeze tousled both boys clothes as tension hung in the air. Jack leaned out the window, shaking like a Mexican in Canada. Bracing himself, he swung one leg over the ledge and one hand freely swinging. That's when shit hit the fan.

Something in Jacks room fell, making a loud thumping sound. The noise of the TV went silent, and a look of horror crossed Jacks face.

"...Babyboy?" A gruff voice called from downstairs, disturbing Mark from his thoughts. 
"You up there?"

All was silent in the house except for the lone wind blowing by. Thumping could be rapidly heard coming up the stairs, and banging on a door soon followed. "Jack, open this damn door!"

"Jack, jump. Now!" Mark pleaded with his eyes, his entire being screaming for Jack to just do it.

He hesitated on the edge, the banging louder, and a string of curses coming from the door.

Finally, he jumped.

Mark braced his knees and caught a crying Jack, holding him for only a moment.

Oh holy fucks thank the lord.

Mark booked it to his car with Jack in his arms, throwing him in the passenger side and whipping around the side to start the car.

Fuck shit shit damn this is a horrible day.

Speeding down the street, he slowed for just a moment to turn on the radio to Jacks favorite channel, Disney.

Soon enough, Marks driveway appeared and he pulled in, finally able to take enough time to assess Jack. He was a sobbing mess, sporting a soft blue and pink hoodie and skinny denim jeans. His cheeks were stained red, and his glassy blue eyes were just lost. Mark finally took notice to the backpack on Jacks lap, realizing he must have prepared for this moment.

The second the car stopped, Jack reached over the console and grabbed Mark, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank yo-" he kept sobbing out.

"Hey- hey, s'okay now, you're okay. You're safe with me." Mark consoled Jack and hushed him, quieting the sobs until he fell asleep in his arms.

Jack would be okay.