Untouchable

Chapter Fourteen: Epilogue

"In other news, law officials have updated information amongst the missing case of the four missing male university students that had disappeared for a time of six months."

"Officials had made it clear that there was not one suspect, but outside involvement in the case. The deceased Charles Luther Jones, and his sons Mattieu William and Alfred Foster Jones. Mattieu is currently being held in Esmond penitentiary while his brother is currently in the hospital, after the father Charles Jones, allegedly stabbed his son in the side with a switchblade that was in Alfred Jones's possession." 

A woman wearing a white blouse that was open a bit to show her cleavage spoke to the family members as well as friends of the victims. She looked to a rather tall and buff German man who nodded, "Ja. I continued to hope that mein bruder  vould finally be returned home. The fact that mein bruder is still alive und breathing...astounds me."

The woman then interviewed another of the victims' families, a father who looked as if he was crying did his best to hide his tears. "Yes, I am so happy to have my son back. His brothers and sisters are also happy and joyous." 

A Spanish man who was holding a little girls hand with blue bows in her hair smiled and teared up as he held the girl close to him. " Si, I was worried about my friend. So, having her brother back is a relief. If anything I hope that they all can heal and move forward from this terrible nightmare that they had gone through." 

As the reporter turned to face the screen and spoke a bit more on the case, Alfred groaned and touched the pad that was on his hospital bed, turning off the tv making the room go silent. Arthur walked back in holding Alfred's lunch try which was mostly liquids for the time being.

"Time to eat Alfred."

Alfred grimaced at the sight before he looked away, " No thanks."

"You haven't had anything since yesterday...I can't have you starving to death." Arthur complained. 

Alfred relaxed and stared at Arthur. " Why didn't you tell me, that man was released four years ago?"

Arthur stopped messing with Alfred's lunch, exhaling softly he spoke without looking at Alfred for a reply. "What good would that have done?  Aside from that...you already hated Allister and me."

Alfred couldn't rebuttal that statement. It wasn't the least bit fault, that's for sure. Along the lines of their discussion, Alfred questioned, " How is Matt doing?" 

Arthur pushed over the tray of liquid food to his brother and nudged for him to eat as he explained. " He's stable for now. At this point, I would suggest he gets major psychiatric counseling and therapy." He looked to Alfred, " I might even suggest that you do the same-"

"No way. I'm not talking to some old man telling me that it's all in my head or that I wasn't a victim-"

"Alfred that isn't how they work. I know you have a hard time trusting others because of what that dumb fuck of a therapist from years ago said. But I can promise you, this man is a good friend of mine who has helped change many lives."

Alfred sat there silently before he gasped, "No way! your good friend is Dr. Phil!?"

"AL! this is no time to joke around!" Arthur sighed loudly in annoyance at the young man.

Alfred puffed his cheeks and took a sip of the apple juice before he looked around, " Yeah...Yeah, I know." He fiddled with his hands admitting, "I need help."

Arthur gently placed a hand on Alfred's head and started to pat it as he replied, looking away from the awkward embarrassment that he was feeling, "D-Don't beat yourself up. It's that bastards fault he did such things to you as a kid....you did nothing wrong then."