This Town

9

Warning:

I want to put this as a warning. Though no action of violence was described, the after math of said violence is described in small detail, which include blood. Also the act of bullying in extreme hurtful words is included. I wanted to put this just in case. It's not much and/or big-ish but if you want to skip/not read this chapter you may.

If not, then please enjoy the chapter.

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 Elmer studied himself in the mirror.  After a few seconds he gave a satisfying grin. He slightly turned towards Sam who was watching TV. They looked bored scrolling through the channels "I think I finally look like a guy."

     Sam turned their head towards Elmer with a slight amused smile. "You've looked like a guy for a long time now." Sam had no idea what Elmer was saying. All the touches of feminineness that Elmer once had was gone. No one would ever guess he was born a female. Elmer's body was firm and strong.

     "To everybody else." Elmer corrected. "But to me, I've finally feel like a guy. Like...it's final...You don't know because you were born a dude."

     "I was born Sam."

     Elmer pointed a finer at Sam, he was not gonna let Sam win this one. "No. You were born Nick but then your mother changed it last minute."

     Sam turned their head towards the TV, stuck out their tongue and made a noise. "Whatever."

     "Don't whatever me, younging !" Elmer said teasingly. He sat down besides Sam. Sam noticed a crumbled up piece of paper in Elmer's jacket pocket.

     "What is that? Is it a love letter? Who's the unlucky fellow?" Sam joked. Elmer rolled his eyes. He took the letter out and showed it to Sam. Sam's smile became confused once they read the note. "You're not a dude, get over it."  Elmer pulled out another. "You're a girl. God doesn't make mistakes. Sorry." One more. Sam's face when he read the last. "Kill yourself, trans freak."

     Sam looked at Elmer. Elmer's face was unreadable. "Uh...Elmer?"

     "Sorry?"

      "What?"

      "Did they really write...'sorry'?" Elmer focused on that note. "Apparently someone didn't go to Sunday School. As far as I know it doesn't say anywhere in the Bible you're not allowed to be trans." He grumbled that note in his hand. "If you truly feel like your trans, then your trans. That's completely fine."

     Sam knew the notes didn't effect Elmer, and that he would just end up insulting them, but they was worried. Sam knew they could never be as strong as Elmer when it came to stuff like this. They never were. That was one of the many reasons why they appreciated Elmer and Izumrud. Sam noticed something when Elmer had walked in. What with the notes, now they were more worried.

     "Elmer...did...something happen... The bruises on your body...Your eye.."

     Elmer's eye looked swollen, he felt his face where small bruises were. When Elmer lifted his arm, Sam saw more bruises. And perhaps scratches."Oh an accident at work."

     'Work?' Sam thought. 'But it's Monday. Elmer doesn't work toda-'

     Suddenly Izumrud burst through the door. His face filled with fear. "SAM?! EL-"The absolute terror fell into a mixture of relief and worry. "Elmer..." Something in Izumrud's hand dropped and he rushed to Elmer embracing him in a tight hug. "Thank the Lord you're safe...You're both safe..." His voice was stuttering and scared. Sam looked closely and saw that Izumrud was crying.

     "Izumrud?" Elmer said in confusion.

     "Don't play dumb with me!" Izumrud shouted. "When I saw the picture and note...You're backpack..."

     Elmer was silent.

     Sam walked up to the thing Izumrud dropped. It was Elmer's book bag. Elmer didn't have work today, but he did have college. Next to the book bag was a picture of a note. Sam gasped. The picture was of Elmer. He was all beat up and limp looking, leaning on a wire fence. Still conscious however. Blood came from his nose and other parts of his body. Sam understood where the bruises came from now. There were parts of the bodies of other people there as well. They were holding Baseball bats and one of them were holding Elmer's book bag.

     Sam dared to look at the note that came with it. It read, "We got your little 'guy' buddy. 'His' friends and family are next. Let the nerd's book bag be proof."