Pain and Love Comes in Many Forms

Chapter Thirty Five

After the incident, it went viral.

Again

It really felt like I couldn't do anything without it going viral.

Especially so now.

Why did this have to happen?

I was face to face with my brother's family, the one he abused, while people were touring the set before they would interview me.

Damn it.

Why did they have to visit today? I love them, but the hell?

"It's been awhile Hailey. How's Lily and Mark?" I asked.

"Better now that Dan is out of the picture."

"I know what you mean. I wish I could've helped."

"You didn't know what he was doing. Even if you knew he was a horrible person, I probably wouldn't have believed you."

"Well, at least he's locked away."

Her eyes lowered, "Hey kids, go say hi to uncle Jack." Right, jack was visiting as well. The two kids ran towards him as Hailey looked at me.

"Something wrong?"

"Dan broke out of prison last year. Around the time you and Jack got together. They haven't been able to find him..."

"What!?!" I exclaimed loudly. That drew attention.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you!" She apologized. Even Jack was worried now.

"You're sorry? I thought you of all people would tell me sooner!"

"The timing was off! When I found out, you were put into that coma and-"

"So what! My deranged brother, escaped from fucking prison. I feel like I deserve to know that. We both hate his guts, and he hates both of us." I shouted.

"You weren't his victim! He was cruel I'm sure, but he never assured you the way he did me!" She shouted back.

"Says who?"

She staggered, "what?"

"Why did you think I cared so much? I love your kids, they're amazing, but I wouldn't have been crying on the phone hearing the news if I didn't feel at fault for never warning you!"

"You mean... oh my god." She hugged me, but I pushed her off.

"My brother hates me more than you. What's to say he hasn't been trying to harm me since his escape?" I said pointedly.

"Woah, woah, calm down!" Jack rushed over, putting a hand on my shoulder.

I pushed his hand off, "I will not calm down! I was so ducking afraid every day of my life, since I was ten of my brother! He's a vile fucking monster! Forgive me if I want to know if he broke out of jail!"

Jack was surprised I snapped at him. I hardly ever snapped at him, "Ethan-"

"Don't. I can't deal with this. I'm going home. I'm finished filming anyways."

"Then let me drive you!" Jack insisted.

I growled, "I need some time alone."

Hailey looked genuinely sad, "Ethan, I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't take back anything. It never does." I stormed out and onto the studio lot, feeling my body convulse a bit.

Fuck.

I headed to the nearest bathroom and locked myself in, letting my panic attack take over.

I couldn't calm down.

Everything

Every inch of my body was screaming.

My mind was screaming.

Only my actual physical self wasn't.

I stayed in there for thirty minutes before I calmed down, and left the lot after cleaning myself up a bit.

My house was pretty damn far from the studio, but it was well worth the walk to cool down.

It was one of those few times where I enjoyed being alone.

Jack wasn't going to calm me down this time. No matter how hard he tried, he wouldn't be able to.

This was my brother we were talking about.

I wasn't even that pissed at Hailey. I was pissed at my mom who probably knew. I was pissed at the people who ran the jail, that never told me.

I was pissed at myself for not getting him thrown in jail sooner.

I felt disgusted with myself and the world around it.

The fall air nipped at my skin as I walked, glad that no one recognized me.

I wanted to be away from it all at the moment.

I didn't want my fans to hound me, even if I loved them so damn much normally.

This was something I was glad I could have right now.

I felt too scatter brained to even do anything.

In no time at all, I could see my house in the distance. I could already see Jack's car in the driveway.

I could see his face already.

Full of worry, caring so damn much about me.

I could practically feel his comforting kisses along my body, and hear those words he'd whisper to me, the warmth such things would give.

Damn, I shouldn't have snapped at him.

None of this was his fault. I sped up my walk a bit, wanting to go apologize. I felt so damn bad for yelling at him.

I just wanted to apologize.

I stumbled, and a strong arm wrapped around me, holding my body to their's.

"L-let go of me." I asked, trying to escape.

"Oh, struggle as you will, you won't get far."

I shivered, recognizing the voice immediately.

Dan.

"Get the Fuck away from me!" I screamed. Struggling as much as I could.

"Didn't you just hear me? Struggling is pointless."

"The fuck do you want from me?" I spat.

"To make you suffer, obviously. You're a fucking fag anyways, you deserve to suffer. Here, look." He forced my jaw to show me my house, where Jack sat at the dinning table, Hailey across from him and the kids probably sleeping in the spare bedroom.

He kept looking worriedly at his phone, probably wondering where I was.

"Jack!" I screamed, but my screams didn't reach him.

Hailey got up and walked over to Jack, saying something as he shook his head.

Then, in an ultimate act of betrayal, she kissed him, and I felt something press to my mouth and nose.

Chloroform

My legs started wobbling, and everything went weak. My vision darkened slowly, burning that image of Hailey kissing Jack into my mind.

Everything was spinning, and-