Cruel Laughter [Sequel To "Because He Lived."]

{Chapter 19} When Things Fall Apart

Things had been rather quiet in Phoenix Drop as of late. Since things seemed to have settled down for everyone, everyone was relieved. James wasn't convinced though. Nothing could stay calm for too long in the town, not before things went to Hell fast.

That's why when Garroth came bursting through their door on a stormy Saturday afternoon, bearing bad news, he wasn't surprised. Alexander, on the other hand, had been surprised. Garroth was disheveled and breathing heavily, and had interrupted their cuddling session on the couch. Neither of them moved at first, but when they saw the state Garroth was in, Alexander stood bolted up immediately, nearly knocking James to the ground.  

"Father what wrong?" Alexander shut the door behind his father and went to take his coat, but Garroth shoved him away. 

"There's a problem. Alexander, James, go get proper clothes on. Get dressed as if you were going traveling." Garroth waved a hand at them and placed his hands on his hips to catch his breath better. 

Alexander nodded and helped James up off of the couch with a hand, and the two disappeared into the bedroom. A few minutes later they emerged fully dressed in traveling clothes. James was looking pale, and nervous, Alexander the same. 

"So... whats wrong," Alexander approached his father, frowning and hand wrapped tightly around James's hand. 

Garroth cast a worried glance at James and then swallowed hard. "There's been an attack on the front gate. It's Jackson... he's come back, but he's not alone. There's some white-haired man with him, carrying a katana. He killed almost all the guards and then demanded we let them in." Garroth took a deep breath. "The one guard who survived told us that Jackson kept calling the other man Arsen." 

James paled and his grip on Alexanders hand tightened. "A-Arsen?"

Garroth nodded and crossed his arms, "I need you both to come with me so we can-"

"I know him... I need to... I need to go to the front gate. I'm going to take a wild guess and say they're both here for me?" James spoke calmly, but Alexander could feel his hand shaking. He was trying his hardest to be brave. For himself, for everyone. 

Garroth cast a glance at Alexander and then nodded his head hesitantly.  "They demanded we bring you to the front gate. I was going to bring you and some guards. We need to know what they want. Is this okay?"

Alexander shook his head, "No we can't put James in danger again. Father-" 

James yanked his hand from Alexanders and took a few steps towards Garroth. "Alexander I need to do this. Okay? This is something important to me." James reached for his jacket and pulled it on. He turned to face Garroth. "Are we going or no?" 

Garroth nodded and glanced at his son who was hurriedly pulling on his jacket and shaking his head. "You better protect him, or you've got another thing coming." Alexander brushed past them both and James started starry-eyed at his love before following him out. 

*

James followed Garroth to the front gate, Alexander walking confidently by his side. James was nervous, he couldn't deny that. But he wasn't surprised. Things were bound to fall apart eventually, and he guess now was that time.

Outside the front gate was a group of guards, armed with their usual weapons. Among them was Dante, and the boy who had arrested James when he turned himself in. They parted when the three approached and left a path for them to walk through. They did, and waiting for them on the other side of the gate were Jackson and Arsen.

James took a sharp intake of breath, and a sharp pain shot up his spine. All of a sudden, the memories from that night came back, and it was all too real again. Jackson hovering over him, Jackson taunting him, Jackson hitting him. Jackson, Jackson, Jackson. James stumbled backward and hastily wiped away the tears that had began to form. 

Then there was a warm presence next to him, a comforting hand on his shoulder. Suddenly he was reminded that he wasn't in that place anymore, and he wasn't alone. He stared back at his attacker with a new sort of ferocity and stood his ground. 

"Jackson." His voice was considerably even for a man who had almost, seconds ago, had a panic attack. James's eyes trailed from one man to the other, who he had not seen in so long. He didn't look much different, except for the fact that his white hair was longer, and tied back into a short ponytail. He still looked like the same man James had left oh-so-long ago. "Arsen." 

Arsen approached the gate. He rested his hands on the bars and smirked. "Long time no see, James." 

James glared at him, crossing his arms. "I'm not here for conversation, Arsen. What do you want from me?" 

"We don't want anything from you. We want you."

The hand on James's shoulder tightened but he didn't pay any mind to that. 

"What do you mean?" James asked, his hands clenching into fists. Arsen smiled and glanced back at Jackson who only slowly joined Arsen closer to the gate.  

"We want what you want. To get out you out of here. Jackson told me the truth about you, it made me only want you to come back more." Arsen was smiling. "You know, I was so surprised when you left. I looked for months. This is the last place I thought you would be." 

Alexanders hand trailed from James's shoulder to the small of his back in a comforting gesture. James shivered, but shrugged it off and focused back on Arsen. 

"Then Jackson approached me a few weeks ago and told me you were here, and what he did. He's worse than you. Maybe he won't abandon me like you." Arsen was snarling now, his hands clenching the gate. "Maybe he won't betray me like you!"

James flinched back at the sudden outburst, and Alexander stepped forward.

"I think you both should go. We are not letting either of you in here. Neither of you are getting close to James." Alexanders gaze turned to Jackson and he glared. "Especially you."

Jackson smirked at Alexander. "Oh trust me, I'll find a way."

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This chapter is kinda meh, and it took me forever to write. Hope you enjoyed!