Reunited

Chapter 12

The whole school is talking about us. Me and Bea are both captains and our 'gang' are going to sign a music contract tomorrow!

"I'll drive back to my house, and I'll meet you at yours in 40 minuets," Bea says.

"Okay," I say. "Do you want to stay the night?"

" Maybe some other time. Caleb would kill me... and you too..."

I drive home listening to 'Perfect Weapon' by Black Veil Brides. I get the key to the house from under the plant pot and unlock the door.

I am hit by the smell of alcohol. It sends a shiver down my spine as it reminds me of Marcus. Even though he has been away for five days, the smell still has managed to lingure.

I chuke the robot baby thingy down on the sofa and head up stairs to have a quick shower.

Just as I finish getting dressed, the door bell rings. I run down stairs to answer it, and sure enough it is Bea.

"Nice house. Your parent's must be rich," she says, standing on her tippy toes and kissing me on the cheek before entering to house. Parent and only because he is the mayor, I think to myself.

"Well you're one to talk," I say, remembering her house yesterday.

We sit and talk for about half and hour about all the amazing things that have happened today. We are both still awe strucked.

Thats when I hear the front door opens, squreching on the hinges, and the all too familiar heavey foot steps enter the house.I freeze. He shouldn't be back yet.

"Tobias!" I hear him shout. Where are you you hopeless excuse for a son."

"Hide," I whisper to Bea, pointing to behind a bookcase.

I walk out into the hall, take a deep breath and confront Marcus.

"Get down," he says, pointing to the floor. I do, otherwise it will be a lot worse.

I brace, waiting for the impact of the leather belt to my back. But instead I hear a scream. And it is not coming from my mouth.

I force myself to look up. Bea lay out cold beside me and Marcus running out the house, slamming the door behind him.

Bea must of seen what Marcus was going to do to me and jumped in the way before the belt hit me. But now she is out cold.

What have I let happen to her?

I gently scoop her up in my arms and carry her up to my room. I lay her down on the bed, then get my first aid kit out from under my bed.

I hide it because if Marcus found it, he would take it away, and call me a coward more than usual. Then I'd have nothing to sort out my back with.

I pull her top up just enough to see the whip mark. It's a really bad one, I'd know. I pull out a wipe from its packet and disinfect the wound. She finches just enough for me to know she is awake.

Once I am done, she rolls over to face me, wincing on her way.

"You're stupid," I say without thinking. "I could of felt with that on my own. I can stand the pain." I think I sound a bit too stern.

"He's your father," she says as if I haven't said anything. "Fathers don't do those kind of things to their sons. And why haven't you told anyone? What about your mother?" Her what about my mother. She's dead. Because of him.

"If I told anyone, they wouldn't believe me. He is the mayor of this bloody city," I say. "And for my mother, he killed her when I was ten." Bea let out a shocked gasp. Her face sorted and she closed her eyes for a moment taking in what I had just said.

"We were both still together then, why didn't you tell me?" She took my hand. I can tell her anything now. She knows the worst of it so I have nothing to lose.

"I don't know. Maybe I was scared. I didn't want you to worry about my problems."

She held out her arms to me as she struggled to sit up. I lay down besides her, letting her arms wrap around me and I nestle my head between hers and her shoulder.

"This day was going so well," Bea half giggles, half sobs. "Would you mind if I stayed here tonight. I don't want anyone to see me like this."

"Sure," I whisper. She runs her hand up my spine, tracing each scar with her fingers. The marks of humans are too often scars. "How's your back?" I ask.

"Terrible," she replies. "Does that happen to you every night?"

"Mostly."

"How on earth do you deal with the pain?"

"I've learnt to deal with it over the years."

We lay there in each others arms. My head on her chest, listening to her calm, steady heart beat, as she runs her fingers through my hair.

"I love you Toby. Don't for one second think I don't. I will always be here for you," Bea whispers. A sigh escapes from my mouth. When was the last time someone really cared about me?