Poison

Broken Boy

Everything was just as always.. a quiet classroom, only the sounds of pencils hitting papers. And at the same time everyday.. Ethan's watch would beep. It was just something it did. His eyes stayed stuck on his laptop like always. As a teacher he should be.. researching the next few assignments or printing papers or grading.. but what did he do? He just scrolled through Facebook mindlessly. Though no one else would notice. But.. every now and then he'd glance at the students, particularly.. his two kids. Strangely enough.. Gram hadn't showed up for class. Maybe he was skipping.. or walked home. But he didnt worry too much, he was convinced his boy was okay.
  August was on his phone, trying to message Gram. He knew he was still at the school, he knew he hadn't left. Anytime Gram had to leave he'd ask August to come with him because he was scared of being alone, and August never minded it. He enjoyed walking with the other, enjoyed giving him that comfort. He enjoyed the fact that he could help. But Gram wasn't responding to his texts, the messages weren't even sending. And it was driving him crazy. But suddenly, as Ethan scrolled through Facebook and August stared at his messages, they got a message. Gram's name popped up on the screen with "so cold", then frantically another message sent. "Freezer", then another, "help". It  as one of those moments where your phone gets WiFi out of nowhere for a split second, enough to send. August's stomach dropped and he instantly stood up, getting the hint of FREEZER, and knowing where the only freezer in the school was. He didn't even ask Ethan permission to leave, he simply darted out the door. Like he was waiting for this moment. Waiting to know where his best friend was.
Ethan jumped slightly when he got all the messages. His eyes darted towards August, ready to question but he was already so far away. He looked at the class for a moment, then at the messages. He mumbled to himself quietly, trying to understand what was happening, and when he finally understood, without thought, ran out the door to find August.
  August was already down the hallway, then he looked back at Ethan. "Freezer! He's in the cafeteria.." he called out, speeding away and into the cafeteria against the lunch ladies' wishes, and ran into the kitchen part. He was going so fast he literally slid into the kitchen when he tried to slow down, and almost body slammed the freezer- well, he did. He couldn't stop himself in time and ran face first into it. It was one of those that lock from the outside. The pain didn't bother him though as he yanked the door open and the boy inside was revealed. He was curled up, his body shaking so bad he looked like he was having a seizure. His body was in a fetal position, looking more pitiful than it ever had before. His lips were sheer blue, his breath coming out as fog. But his eyes were closed. He was unconscious. That.. wasn't good. At all. "ETHAN!" August screamed at the top of his lungs, pulling the boy out and falling in the floor, holding him in his arms and rocking back and forth. "ETHAN HELP ME!" He called out, not knowing what to do.
   Ethan saw him run off and ran to keep up with him. Tried at least. But he'd got lost for a minute, lose sight of his frantic little brother. But once he heard his name.. he knew where to go. He pushed things out of his way.. people out of his way. Things falling to the floor, people jumping out of the way. His feet skidded to a stop when he saw the sight in front of him. Gram lying on the floor unconscious, just drug out of a freezer. He bent down and looked at him. He had been in there so long.. could he even be saved at this point? Ethan whined a little and stood to his feet, rushing for his phone in his pocket. He needs to call someone. Gram needs help now.
   August held him close to his body and frantically rubbed the boy's arms, trying to make him warm. He felt the boy's freezing, ice cold skin freezing through his clothes but he didn't care. He was scared. "Wake up, dammit! Gram!" He whined, begging the boy to come back. His eyes were glowing, he was beginning to lose himself. "Ethan take him." He ordered, looking up at him. "Take him, now." His voice was distorted, it wasn't him. One of the lunch ladies had already phoned 911, and was talking to them, telling them where to come and about the poor boy's condition.
   Ethan watched, his eyes tearing up. This whole scene seemed so out of place, everything about this moment seemed like something that shouldn't be happening. He pulled himself back to reality, looking at August. His voice genuinely terrified him, the glowing eyes were setting him on edge. But he did as told.. holding Gram close to him. But he kept his eyes on August, watching his every move, begging the stupid people to show up.
   August got up quickly after Ethan took Gram from him, balling his fists up so tight it looked as though his knuckles were going to tear through the skin. He knew a couple of kids who had been targeting Gram to bully for a while, they had to be the ones who did this. The lights shut off with him as he walked, and every door and locker was thrown open as he passed them. Ethan knew that wasn't August in there anymore, it was nothing but rage. But the boy disappeared down the darkened hallway after a moment, leaving Ethan to wonder what would happen. Gram was still shaking in his arms, completely limp, almost lifeless. His body had no heat regulation within itself anymore, it was like he was an actual corpse. Like he was the day Ethan took him in, minus the blood.
   Ethan watched him, unable to move. Tears fell down his face, hitting grams cheek. He couldn't go after him, he couldn't let gram go. "AUGUST WAIT!!" His voice broke.. he sounded helpless and beyond desperate. But he didn't stop. He watched as August continued his path, leaving the room behind him in a blanket of darkness and panic.
   August didn't even hear Ethan, he was too far gone. He let the anger take over. Let the darkness consume his body. He laughed the most devilish laugh, full of ill intent. "Where areeee youuuu..." He cooed to the kids who hurt Gram. Ethan heard his voice escaping from the dark and it sent chills down his spine. It sent chills down everyone's spine. But it wasn't hardly as terrifying to them, because they didn't know August. They didn't know what he was capable of. But then another sound rang out. Sirens. The police and ambulances were showing up outside and sending their flashing lights in through the windows trapping the darkness inside the building.
Ethan couldn't hear the voice that came from August, he didn't get to feel those chills. It's probably best that way. Once the sirens had filled the air, he felt a bit of a force, pulling him to his feet. He needed to get up and take Gram to them. But before he could even pick him up, rushing feet skidded into the room with a stretcher. He picked him up and met the men half way. Once Gram was taken out, his mind went straight to august. He didn't give it a second thought though, running out of the room and down a long hall. This time.. you could hear Ethan's  loud, frantic voice calling out for August. But when they're wasn't voice.. when they're wasn't anyone he'd stop. He stopped and looked around him in circles. He started to notice shadows bouncing off the walls that were too dark. Shadows that were darker than the room itself. They circled him, almost in a taunting way. The pounding in his chest grew too violent, pounding in his ears, it replaced any sound that could've been around him. His head was spinning, the whole world was, he closed his eyes. Maybe it was just a dream. But before he knew it he was in the cold marble floor, his hands in his hair. He felt himself screaming but he didn't know why.
   Everyone kind of rushed to him, trying to calm him down. He didn't feel them surrounding him, or trying to pull him to his feet. But the next thing anyone knew, August was back, that sinister grin slicing across his face. "Ethan?" He asked, looking at the man on the ground and throwing every damn person away from him, knocking them into the walls of the hallway. "Get out of my fucking way." He warned them all, kneeling down to his brother's height and placing both hands on his shoulders, wrapping his arms around him tightly. But it wasn't August. Ethan could feel that it wasn't his brother anymore. It was cold, dark. It was one of those shadows With eyes of burning coal. And it was terrifying. But it held him close, like it was shielding him from the others, more powerful, more.. dangerous.
   Ethan didn't feel them. He didn't feel the good intent of the people that circled him. Maybe it would've pulled him out if he did. With August's arms around him it should have pulled him out, it should have saved him right there.. but the dark that emitted from him.. the danger and the anger.. it only made Ethan scream louder, more violent, only this Time.. he was scared enough to move. He threw August off, not giving him even a glance in his direction before running off, doing everything in his will power to bring himself back to reality.
    August got up, following after him, this time just smirking instead of making a smart remark. He was following to make sure the man didn't hurt himself or do something stupid, because what was left of the boy's sanity, what was left of August was fighting to get back out. Fighting to help his brother. He just wasn't strong enough. "Ethan quit running away." He yelled, losing patience. "Running won't do shit."
   He was slowly getting back, the screaming silencing itself. He was able to hear August now, able to hear the voice that came from him, it wasn't his. And he knew it. He wanted to stop, to turn back around and believe that he was himself. But he couldn't do that. He did stop though. He stopped, running into a wall. He whined a little when he seen it coming, he sat, his back against it. He forgot what he was running from. He looked at the floor, unable to look at August. He didn't even open his mouth, he didn't say a word. Just waiting for August to say something, to do something.
   August walked calmly to be right in front of him, kneeling down In Front of him. He didn't say anything, just looked at him and cocked his head to the side like a confused dog. He reached forward and held his chin up so he was looking at him. But August was very slowly, very, very slowly.. breaking through as well. Coming back to himself. "Are you okay?" He asked. His tone was still cold and lifeless, but it was improving.
   He didn't really fight him, looking back into his eyes. He took in the voice, letting it really sink in. He could almost hear August in there. He could almost make out August's eyes in those cold ones. He wanted to speak, wanted to say something. But instead.. his eyes closed and his face directed to beside August. He had this look.. like he had just lost everything.. and from the looks of this moment, he might have.
   He looked at him, really examining the look he had. "Gram needs you." He said coldly. "When he wakes up you need to be there." He said, standing up and outstretching his hand for Ethan to grab and pull himself up. He waited patiently for him to take the offer, watching his every move like a hawk. "Come on." He said, hearing the police yelling after the two. Probably to ask about what he did to the other kids. He needed Ethan to hurry. Ethan's eyes went to look up at him, and he heard the tone from the policeman. It wasn't a good one.. so he forced himself to stand, refusing to grab August's. He looked at him, before he started on his own, walking off.
   August let his arm drop, letting him walk off. The boy inside trying to get out was hurt by that gesture, he didn't understand any of it. He didn't know what was happening to him, and he was screaming for Ethan to help him.. but those screams fell on deaf ears as the shell around him simply walked off, deciding to go off of his own and let Ethan go to his son in peace. He let the police catch up to him and he told them he and the kids simply fought, and got off easily. He didn't kill them.. no. He just hurt them really, really bad.
   Ethan didn't get to hear the conversation, he was already off in his truck, just trying to get to the hospital as fast as possible. Ethan loved his brother. Ethan cared for him, and he would've been really fucking worried right now.. if that was his brother. But that wasn't him. He knew it wasn't. So he knew he had to let him go, at least for now. He had made it to the hospital fairly quickly, running off into the doors and to the front desk. He found the room, this time stopping at the door way. He peeked in, a little afraid to see what was inside. But Gram was there.. he was alive. So it gave him enough courage to walk in. He sat quietly in the chair beside his bed, hoping he'd be awake.
   The boy was warming up, they had him in thermal blankets and the room was at least 100 degrees at the moment, keeping him warm. His eyes slowly began to flutter open when Ethan arrived though, and his breathing picked up. His lips weren't nearly as blue, but he was still almost colorless. "Dad.." He murmured, too weak to really speak yet. His eyes met with Ethan's, and he looked fucking helpless laying there. He wanted to be held.. needed Ethan to hold him and tell him everything was gonna be okay.
   When he heard his voice he almost jumped, looking at him. "Hey.." He said quietly, smiling a little. "I'm here.." he put his hand on the rail of the bed, it was a little too warm but he didn't care. "How are you feeling..?" "I'm so cold.." he said, forcing his body to sit up faster than it was able, wrapping his arms around the man and instantly feeling to tears fall. He held onto the man like he would die if he let go, clinging to the back of his shirt so tightly that it was almost ripping. Ethan felt his cold skin, even if it wasn't frozen cold anymore it was still cold. "It's so cold.." he said again, his words muffled from his face being pressed into the man's chest.
   Ethan's eyes went a little wide but he didn't hesitate to do the same, wrapping his arms around the boy's waist. He felt a tear hit his shoulder and it took everything in him to not let his eyes tear up. He knew he had to be strong right now, he had to be strong for Gram. "Hey.. hey you're okay.." He bit his lip a little. "Everything's gonna be okay, alright?" He tried to smile a little, closing his eyes. But the cold that stung his cheek from grams face.. it scared him. It only made him hold the boy tighter. "You're okay.. I promise."
   "It was so cold.. and dark.. I was scared.." he said, gaining strength to speak. Feeling Ethan's warmth around him helped that little bit, but he just kept crying. When he closed his eyes he saw himself in that freezer again, he felt the cold, he felt his body going numb and felt himself falling into sleep. He was bawling. Ethan hadn't seen the boy this emotional sense the day he found him, if even then. He hadn't seen him cry. Hadn't seen him be so weak he could barely speak. And he hated it.
   "I know.. I know Gram.." he didn't know what to say.. or what to do. He just squeezed him as tight as he could and let him cry. This is was killing him. This was killing Ethan to see him cry. Gram never cries. It was getting hard to keep fighting tears. It was so hard to deal with this. Gram knew it was hard for Ethan to handle him crying, he knew his tears only made everything worse, and he tried to stop. He tried to hold them back, to be strong for him, but he just couldn't. He couldn't stop himself from breaking down. "Dad.." he let the words go.
  Ethan managed to hold himself together, keeping the tears locked up. He started to pull away a little, hoping Gram would lay back. He held the blanket up and put it on him. "Stay here.. you gotta get warmed up." He tried to smile a little to comfort him, he didn't know if it would work. Gram was so traumatized because of this. But he would do anything to try to help him. Gram slowly let go, the tears still streaming down his face. "Don't go.. dad please don't leave me.." he begged, and suddenly another voice rang out, this time it was really August, his voice was broken and pained. "Yeah, Ethan, don't go." He mumbled, folding his arms across his chest and leaning on the doorway like he did that day Ethan found Gram. Before he and Ethan were close.
   He opened his mouth to speak, to comfort Gram and tell him he didn't plan on going anywhere but.. August's entrance had interrupted him. It caught his attention, though he refused to look at him. He gave it a moment before he spoke. "I'm not going anywhere." He spoke softly, his voice didn't sound a bit different, almost like he didn't even notice August there. He hoped gram wouldn't bring it up, but he knew he would. He knew he'd have to find a way to explain everything.. unless gram found out himself.
   August felt how Ethan felt, looking at him. He looked at Gram, giving him a little smile. He was back to normal now, though.. he was still too close to the edge. Too close to slipping. "I'm glad you're okay buddy." He said softly, looking at him. He decided to make it easier on his big brother. "I gotta go home real fast, I'll be back." He said, that sentence would prevent him from asking questions. He balled his fists up so tight that he drew blood from his palms, looking at the floor. He knew he fucked up but he didn't understand. He didn't mean to lose his mind, he didn't mean to go crazy. And he didn't know how long it'd be until he lost it again. He felt his eyes start to tear up, knowing he couldn't go back home anymore or he might hurt them. He felt the temptation to do so right now, so he took a deep breath. "I love you." He said softly, the pain showing through his voice so obviously. Then he turned and walked away, moving his hands to his head and digging his nails into his scalp, pulling at his hair. He didn't fight his tears anymore, he just let them drowse his face as he walked. Though, he didn't make any sound.
Gram watched the boy walk away quietly, wondering what it was about but too out of it to notice how bad the situation with him was. He just laid back against the pillow, nodding his head slightly. "Okay.. I love you too." He said back to the other softly, knowing he couldn't hear him. Then he turned his gaze to his father.
    Ethan tried to keep his focus on Gram, he tried so hard to completely ignore the existence of August but when he heard those three words.. they were different. He was different, and something in him clawed to follow. But he couldnt.. could he? He looked at August just as he turned around, watching him walk away. He glanced at Gram for a second before he stood up and walked to the doorway. He wanted to yell to him, he wanted to do something. But he couldn't. He knew he couldn't. So He just shut the door, and walked back to his seat.
   August walked out of the building, his mind racing. Once he was outside, he didn't hold anything back anymore. He just broke. He let out a scream that he'd been keeping grief in his chest, falling to the ground and doubling over, letting his head hit the pavement, pulling at the hair on the sides of his head, hating every fiber of his being. He pulled at the fistfuls of hair, letting his tears pool in his eyes and burn their way down his cheeks. He wanted to run away, to get away from this place and never turn around, but all he could do was roll over onto his side and curl up.
   Ethan sat back down, looking at Gram as he turned over. He waited a moment before he pulled out his phone. "I should probably call Izzy and tell her." He said quietly, opening it from the lock screen. He stood up, opening the door and almost slamming it behind him. After he had made it out the front doors, no one in sight, he dialed the numbers. He couldn't hear one ring from the phone when he heard August screaming somewhere in the distance. On instinct, he dropped the phone and ran towards the screaming.
   "I HATE YOU." August screamed again, moving his hands to cover his face. "I hate you.. I hate you.." He murmured through his tears. Ethan finally seen him, lying on his side curled up and mumbling to himself. He couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't let this happen. He ran to him and bent down to him, grabbing him to hold him close to him. He didn't say anything, he didn't make a noise. He just held him as tight as he could, closing his eyes and fighting tears once again.
  August pushed him away, instantly putting his hands back up to his face to hide his tears. He couldn't think. He just knew the pain, the fear, the dark.. and he hated it. "Go away.." he mumbled again, staying in a sitting position with his legs pulled to his chest, feeling more screams bellowing in his chest, begging to be let out, but he wouldn't do that. Not with Ethan here. "Just go away." He said again, his voice so damaged, so broken.
   Ethan spoke quietly. He was a little taken aback being pushed off like that, but he dealt with it. "No.. no.. not this time.." he almost whispered at this point, letting the boy be. "I'm not going anywhere." He repeated. He knew no matter what August wanted at this point.. he needed to make up with him.. if that was even possible now.
  August scooted away, shaking his head and keeping it low, letting his long hair fall over his face so Ethan couldn't see him. "I'm not me anymore, Ethan. I'm a fucking monster." He mumbled, letting it escape him. He couldn't fight it anymore. He would run right now if it didn't hurt so much. If his head wasn't throbbing, making him dizzy. He would run away like he's done so many times before. But he could hardly keep himself sitting up. "You couldn't even look at me."
   "You're not a monster dammit." Ethan raised his voice slightly at the boy, forcing his voice over August's. He grabbed his wrist and made him look at him. "We're going to fix this, we're going to make you better!" He pulled him in again, holding him tight but not letting him try to break free this time. "we'll find a way! We always do!" This time his voice was lower, a little more desperate. It was too hard to fight now, letting tears fall. They fall hard, fast, he choked on them a little too, coughing quietly. "We'll figure this out...."
  August tried to break away again, struggling to shove him off. "Ethan we cant." He whined, his tears slowing down to nothing, covering his face again once Ethan had let his arms go to hold him. "I can't." He admitted, ashamed. "Yes we can. We always do, August." Ethan was so fucking helpless. He knew there had to be a way, even if he didn't know exactly what it would be. There's always a way. "You're still my little brother. You always will be." August was right on that point.. he couldn't look at august. He couldn't before. He was scared to. He was terrified to see what August was slowly becoming. He was scared of their future. He was fucking terrified to the inevitable path they were heading if they didn't find a way to fix him. "Please august.. please.. believe me.." he was begging him, he needed to fix his little brother. It's the only thing he can do. If he can't help August.. he couldn't help anyone.. and.. if he couldn't help anyone he had no reason to be alive and he knew it. "Trust me.."
   August didn't say anymore, he just sat there, too damn stuck in his self pity to think about how bad he was making Ethan feel. He just kept playing the scene when they was at the school and Ethan wouldn't take his hand and abandoned him there, him refusing to acknowledge his existence in the hospital room. "Fine.." He said softly. He had.. one idea they could try. One more thing that could possibly work. Before he went too far and killed someone he really cared about. He already had so.. so much blood on his hands. "I trust you." He said softly. He'd stopped crying now, just.. resting against Ethan's chest, closing his tired eyes. Ethan smiled a little at him agreeing to trust him.. to try again. "Let's go back and see Gram, he's gotta be worried." Ethan said softly. August nodded, rubbing his tired eyes again. "Okay.. lets go." He said softly, standing up, offering Ethan his hand like he had earlier.
This time though.. Ethan took it, pulling himself up. "Right." Gram had woken up a little more, the medicine making his body numb to the pain it was in prior. He sat up, wanting to go find them.