Not Mine

~Part 23~

     "It's just... I was thinking... of my dad... and how I wanted to be different and try to be a good dad... but-"
     J cut him off, "Don't even try to tell me you aren't a good dad, I mean look at your son. One of the smartest kids I know, taking college classes freshman year. I wish I could say I did that."
     "But I left him alone in the woods... I didn't pay that much attention to him missing... My dad-"
     "What about your dad... You were saying you were turning into him, right? What did he even do?"
     "He... he..." Alex started crying and couldn't continue talking.
     "Shhhh, it's okay..." J picked him up, "Deep breaths again, okay? You'll be fine..."
     That only made Alex cry harder, between tears he managed to get out, "He. always said. that. to me... as he. he.."
     "Shhhh, okay I won't say that, just please tell me what he did so I can help you?"
     "He.. ab-abused me... and my b-brother... our whole li-lives... un-until he.. he aban-... abandoned ou-our fam-family..."
     "I'm so sorry... Wow. That's rough..."
     Alex started crying harder and screamed, "MY BRO-BROTHER IS D-DEAD BE... BECAUSE OF HIM!!!!" He continued screaming and flailing around.
"Woah, woah, woah," J could barely manage to hold Alex, "he what now!?"
"NO! NO NONO NONONO!!!"
"Okay, okay, don't tell me.. Maybe someday, for now you don't have to... Herc! Can you help me with him!? I can't hold him for much longer!"
Herc ran over to him and took Alex, then sat down with Alex in his lap. Alex curled up, laying against Herc, and calmed down from listening to his heartbeat.
Laf got a blanket and brought it over to them, then wrapped it around Alex, "I know, memories are tough, but we're all here for you, okay?," Laf softly told him, while massaging Alex's shoulder. The only thing Alex could do was slowly nod and fall asleep in Herc's lap.
Herc, quietly so he wouldn't wake Alex up, told J and Laf, "If you wanna go somewhere or anything, I'll stay here and make sure he's fine."
J nodded before saying, "I think I'll stay here just in case, but Laf if you wanna go anywhere or whatever, go ahead."
"I think I'll stay here too, not sure how Alex is gonna be when he wakes up."
"Alright whatever you say, if you change your mind don't feel bad for leaving me here, I'll be fine." He stopped for a second, "Now I wanna go to the gym..."
J looked at him with a confused face, "You almost died not even a week ago? And you wanna go to the gym?"
"I guess... But I need to watch Alex... And I don't know if I can get up without waking him up."
"Oh.. right.. and you need to rest too, how about you try falling asleep?"
"I- I don't need to rest.."
"Yeeees you do..."
"Uh- no?"
J walked to the bedroom and got another blanket. He brought it out to them and draped it over Herc's shoulders. "Just rest, okay?"
"N-no.. why is this.. blanket... so soft..." Herc leaned back and fell asleep, even though he tried not to.
Laf's phone went off and he checked it, then looked over at J, "Je vais rentrer chez moi" (I'm going back to my house)
"Uh... doesn't sound like that's where you're going..."
Laf quickly ran away, right into a wall, and fell to the floor.
     "What's going on?"
     "N-nothing... I forgot English?" He quickly scrambled back up and ran into the door, "and it's closed... Fine... So, I uh- came here from France... illegally..."
     "YOU WHAT NOW!?!?!?"
     "Shh, don't wake them up.. I just got a text... from my family, saying they got caught and... and either I go back to France... or I get killed.."
     "Laf... I- I can't... can't believe you... you didn't tell me..." J sunk to the floor, tears in his eyes. "Is.. is there any other... option?"
     Laf shook his head 'No,' "I'm... I'm sorry I didn't tell you... sooner... My family is planning on going back.. in 2 weeks..."
     "I REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!!!"
     His screaming woke up Alex and Herc, then Herc asked, "what's going on?"
     J explained it, starting to cry, and looked back at Laf, who simply said, "I'll.. miss everyone..." before walking out the door.