Poison

Something's Wrong

Ethan sat at his desk, his legs crossed and his face in the book he was so close to finishing. He tried to focus on it, but the absence of Gram made him worry far too much. He would push it down, justifying himself with the thought of him just leaving early. His eyes roamed across the page, but when the letters seem to jumble together he sighed, sitting up and sitting the book down on his desk. He was giving up for now. He looked up at the kids, doing as they as please. His eyes fell to Grams desk and he bit the inside of his lip. He didn't look long though, his eyes falling on some papers on his desk. He didn't really want to read anything, his head was already hurting.
August was in a shitty mood, tapping his foot silently. He waiting for break, when almost everyone left. He knew Gram. Gram would have told him if he left early. He would have told ethan. His mind flashed back to when the boy got locked in a freezer, the thought taking over his body. Remembering pulling that boy out of that freezer almost dead. His legs carried him over to Clyde and Enoch. He knew Clyde had second to fifth period with the boy, so he would know if he was called out, or left during gym or something. Or if someone took him. "Clyde." He said, his voice already sounding angry and agitated. He was digging his nails into his own palms trying to keep himself from having some kind of breakdown. He had a bad feeling swirling around inside him, and the thoughts rushing through his head definitely didn't help. Enoch perked up at August's sudden arrival, and the pissed off tone. "What's wrong?" He asked. "I need to ask him a question." He replied, looking at the boy. Then his eyes fell on Clyde again. "You have Gram in almost every class. Did he leave early? Did someone touch him?" He asked, being patient for now.
Ethan could see his brother, sitting right in front of the desk he was staring at before. Noticed every twitch, counting every tap. But he looked away before Auggy moved. Clyde jumped a little, looking up from his desk and to the boy. He didn't like the tone he was having, especially towards Enoch, but he could see there was something going on, and he was clueless as to what it is, and how bad it may have been. "Uh.. yeah.. no." He stated, his eyes falling away from the boy. He didn't like eye contact, especially when he was in a decent mood. Clyde never paid attention in his classes, far too busy on his phone with Enoch. But he'd always noticed everything around him. "Why?" He asked, his voice was quiet, not realy wanting to start anything but just.. genuinely curious as to why the boy was so on edge.
August watched his movements, judging if he was lying or not. But the way he sounded calm, no taunting or anything, he could tell he wasn't really trying to start a fight or keep anything from him. "God dammit.." he mumbled, hitting his hand on the desk. "Somethings wrong." He replied blankly, looking at the ground. He checked his phone, looking for messages. Any sign of Gram. But there was nothing. Active three hours ago. "Fourth period." He mumbled, squeezing the phone so his knuckles turned white. He would have yelled and threw a fit, accusing the other of lying, but he couldn't waste his time on that. He could feel himself starting to lose his cool, tapping his foot again.
Clyde noticed and leaned back in his chair, watching the boy. He felt bad, even if they didn't get along the best sometimes. Ethan looked at August, his voice braking the silence far too easily. He bit his lip, knowing he was right. He pulled out his phone, doing the same. He noticed the time. They still had a little bit of time left, but he spoke up. "Break." He stood up, not really giving any one a chance to leave before. "August, get over here."
August jumped at hearing his name, his eyes instantly following the voice. He shoved last all the kids who were getting up and leaving, getting to the man's desk. "What?" He asked, looking at him. "Did you hear something from him?" He asked.
Enoch watched in silence for a moment. He'd never seen August THIS on edge before, the way he was so jumpy and quick to move, checking his phone every five seconds. "Wonder what happened.." he mumbled, turning his attention back to Clyde.
Ethan looked at him, sighing. "No.. I don't know anything. You haven't heard from him?" He looked into his brothers eyes, on the edge of tears. His shaking hands stayed still in his pockets. He wasn't able to push it down anymore, especially with August acting like this.
Clyde looked at him and shrugged his shoulders, playing his hands. He was concerned, and he took full interest, but didnt know what to say, or how to say it. "He's probably fine." But Clyde didn't know the shot they've been through, he doesn't know anything about them.
August saw the tears swelling in his eyes, the way he was shaking. He heard their conversation behind them, biting his lip. Where was he? He looked at Ethan. "Message Izzy.. see if he's home.. anything." He mumbled quietly, looking back at Clyde. "You.. you really don't know anything?" He asked in one more desperate attempt. "You didn't see anything?" He was practically begging for some kind of answer. Any confirmation that he was okay. He checked his phone again, seeing nothing. His own unread messages asking where the hell he was, to no avail. That boy was his best friend. He had been taken in not two days after August was, they had been together dense day one. Him, Gram, and Ethan. He couldn't handle he thoughts of losing him. Ever.
Ethan nodded, clearing his throat and picking up his phone. He did as told, asking if she had seen him. He would've done it much earlier if he wasn't trying so hard to convince himself not to worry.
Clyde looked up at him again, shaking his head. He could feel the tension in the air, biting his lip. His hair fell into his face again, giving himself time to think. Maybe there was something he seen. Maybe something from the corner of his eyes. a figure, a shadow. His eyes went wide and sat up all the way. "Wait.. no I saw someone." His voice was low, and a bit... eerie, echoing through the room in a way that didn't seem natural.
Only a mere second after Clyde had spoken up, Ethans phone buzzed in his hands. A text from an unknown number. It was a video. "A-August...." he mumbled, but it was loud enough for him to hear.
August's eyes stared at Clyde, opening his mouth to speak before Ethan's terrified voice rung out in his head. He let his mouth close, turning and looking at Ethan. "What?" He asked quietly, his voice holding just as much anxiety as Ethan's had. He looked over at his phone, at the screen. "What's that?" He asked, eyeballing the black screen cap that the video held.
Enoch looked over at Clyde, seeing his posture change. He furrowed his brows at him as if asking what he'd seen, but without words. He waited for an expression of some kind to tell him if it was a good or bad thing, if he should have hope, or feel even more pity for the boys in the front.
Ethan's shaky hands held out his phone for August to take. "I don't.. I don't want to watch it." He looked away, his voice breaking a little.
Clyde looked into the boy's eyes for a minute before looking down. It wasn't good, it couldn't be.
Ethan looked up at him, his eyes teary. He assumed the worse, what else could it be?
August pressed play, the sounds of the video echoing through the room. The cries and pleads for help, the familiar voice full of dread, pain, fear... his eyes were glued to the screen, widening every moment that the video played. Tears were rolling down his cheeks before he could even do anything. "No. No. No." He kept repeating silently. But when he went to message the freak, ask anything, the number blocked him, erasing any proof that it was there in the first place. Changing numbers so that it couldn't be tracked. He dropped the phone, his hands too shaky to hold it. "No. No..." he couldn't take it. His legs caved, dropping to the floor with a loud thud. He let out a cry, kicking the phone away from himself. He pulled his legs to his chest, unable to breathe. Unable to see. That was fake. This was a dream. "Fake. Fake. Fake..." he repeated, his mind too frenzied to do anything else.
Enoch jumped when he heard the phone hit the floor, turning to see the boy collapse. His eyes widened, shooting his head right back to Clyde.
Ethan grit his teeth when he heard the noise, finally coming to the realization that he was right. He didn't get a chance to breath before August collapsed, running around the desk and bending down to his level. "Hey.. hey we have to go. We have to go find him."
Clyde's eyes went wide, meeting his eyes with the others. He wanted to say something, to do something. But he couldn't really get anything. He heard Ethan speak, getting an idea. "I... I can just tell everyone we're staying in the library when they get back." He suggested quietly, trying to help them. The sounds that role the silence didn't... they didn't sound right. And the reactions made it so much worse.
August couldn't acknowledge Ethan next to him, grabbing his own hair and pulling at it as he images of the video played on repeat in his head. Those sounds. His eyes were still wide open, but to him, they were closed tightly, seeing that video. He wasn't breathing anymore, holding his breath without realizing it. His shaky hands had pulled big fistfuls of hair out, though it healed and was replaced with more. His terrified eyes were stuck on the phone, hearing the voices over those sounds but they were... distorted.
Ethan grabbed his arms, pulling his hands away from his hair and making him look at him. "August look at me damnit." He tried to keep his voice low, tried to keep his own tears away. "Breathe August, breathe." He kept a tight grip on the boy's arm, trying to pull him to reality. August's eyes slowly traveled to Ethan's, taking a shallow, shaky breath. "They're.. they're.. killing him.." he couldn't speak. "He.. he's not.." he was slowly coming back, the images slowly fading out, along with he sounds. "That.. that's.." he heard the kids feet coming back, the tears only coming faster. Enoch heard them too, grabbing Clyde's hand and pulling him outside. They would do exactly as Clyde said, take everybody to the library. August's eyes followed them out the door, then matched with Ethan's. "He can't.. take it.." he was trying to steady his breathe now, trying to catch his breath at the very most.
Ethan listened, trying to help him but he was so on edge to get out of that school. "I know.. I know Auggy but we have to go. We have to find him." He noticed the footsteps drawing closer and pulled Auggy to his feet. "Come on.. we have to go." He rushes him a little, even if he didn't want to. But he didn't know how long they could sit around. They needed to find him. Now.
Clyde followed without hesitation, stopping before anyone could get to the door way. He spoke up a little awkwardly. "We.. Mr.Ryan said we needed to go to the library." He spoke softly but sternly.
August followed him, barely. He stumbled alongside him, his legs not wanting to work properly. It's almost like he felt each and every thing done in the video, imagining it. "How.. how..?" He mumbled. "How do we find him..?" He asked, once they finally got to the truck his curled up instinctively, putting his hands right back up to his head, pulling again. His eyes were glowing, staring at the headboard of the old truck. "Where do we go..?"
He students who arrived to the two first kind of nodded along. They didn't care who they heard it from, they didn't have to deal with Mr. Ryan. They had the next ten minutes of class free, turning and walking off in the direction of the library, notifying the others who were also on their way to class to follow them. Enoch watched, glancing up at Clyde. "What did you see..?" He asked quietly.
Ethan held on to him, helping him as best as he could. He sat in the driver side, starting up the car. "I don't.. I don't know August." He pulled out of the parking lot, going on instinct. It never really failed him too badly before.
Clyde was thankful no one questioned, his face burning. He didn't like talking to people. He looked at Enoch, rubbing his eyes and taking a breath. "I don't.. I don't know exactly." He started, moving his hair from his face. "In third period, after the bell." He sat down with the back against the wall. "I seen someone in the hall.. I didn't think anything about it.. but he didn't look right baby. And he kept... he kept looking behind him down the hall." He bit his lip, starting to realize how fucking dumb he was being for ignoring it. "I couldn't see his face.."
August glanced over at him, pulling out his own phone with shaky hands and messaging grams phone again. Well... tried to. He was blocked. He pushed his face into his knees, taking shallow breaths, mumbling to himself. He was on the verge of.. actually going crazy. The kind where he hurt people. Not panic attacks.
Enoch nodded a little, wrapping his arms around him tightly. "I see.. let's go to the bathroom, okay? Sit there until the bell rings." He explained.
Ethan bit his lip, looking around the entire road, trying his best to go where his gut told him to. It took everything in him to not break down right there. He didn't even see the video, but he didn't need to. But August did. He reached out, putting a hand on August's Knees. "We're gonna finds him...." he spoke a little loud, a shaky voice. He felt a tear fall, but didn't have a reaction. "He's.... he's fine.."
Clyde nodded, rubbing his face and standing up. "Alright baby.." he tried to smile a little, grabbing the boy's hand.
August looked at his hand, then over at him. "I can't get it out of my head.." his voice was emotionless, just a quiet, shaky mess. He pulled out another handful of hair, dropping it in the floorboard. He wasn't even thinking about how Ethan felt, that was his son out there, but the thing was.. he wasn't thinking at all.
It had been a few minutes and even with Ethans trust in himself, he was beginning to grow discouraged, realizing they were probably lost. He closed his eyes for a minute, blinking at his own ignorance. "Fuck, hey, your phone." He said, glancing at August. "We can track him." He bit his lip and squeezed his knee a little to get his attention.
August snapped out of it with those words, realizing his own mistake. He nodded, looking at him. He was right. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and pulled up the app with gps tracker, looking at it. They weren't too far away. "That way." He pointed, showing him the gps. His mind eased slightly knowing they would find the boy, but how would they find him? Alive or dead, or halfway there? He bit down on his lip. "Hurry."
Ethan looked at the phone, relieved to see August doing slightly better, and knowing it would be a lot easier to find him. And you better bet he let that same thought run across his mind. But... even if Gram was dead.. at least he'd have that closure. It would be better to find him dead.. than to never see him again. No matter how badly it hurt to even think that. He followed the gps, pushing down on the gas a little harder than he normally would. They were in a hurry. He could be on the brink of death, they could be just barely missing him. He couldn't let that happen.
August watched the surroundings pass by quickly, balling up his fist. If Gram was dead, he'd bring him back if it killed him. He wasn't gonna let him just die. And he wasn't gonna let the bastard who done this off easy, either. Those thoughts started eating at him, what he was gonna do to the thing when they found them. A kind of.. darkness started to radiate off of him. His hands shaking, for another reason other than fear.
Ethan pulled his hand away, looking around. It seemed to be heading straight towards the woods, which would make sense. He was so caught up in finding the boy, he didn't sense the dark energy the boy was putting out. He glanced at the phone, realizing they would have to drive through the wood, he bit his lip, continuing on his path. "How close are we?" He asked, keeping his eyes open to spot anything, anyone. Ethan didn't want to think about the ones doing this to him. He didn't want to think about what they were doing. He just needed to find him.
"Two miles." He said, looking at his phone. Then he looked up, seeing the woods growing ever closer. "We're gonna have to go through the trees.." he mumbled. "We should stop at the tree line so they don't hear us. I can carry us the rest of the way." He thought aloud.
He nodded and done as told, driving up and parking sideways. He opened the door, not even bothering to lock the truck. There's nothing worth stealing either way. He opened the door for Auggy, waiting for him to step out before closing the door.
August climbed out, grabbing Ethan's arms and spreading his wings. He didn't give him time to say anything, taking flight instantly. He managed to fly through the trees with no problem, his eyes glowing sinisterly again. Scanning the area, looking for his best friend. "Where are you.." he said, more to himself that to anyone else. Though... he spotted them. Well.. he spotted something that didn't look right, figured moving amongst the trees. He just knew that that's what he was looking for, lowering himself to the ground and seeing exactly what was going on. The man who had taken his best friend didn't even notice them, taking another swing at the boy, hitting the side of his head with the baseball bat, knocking him over and onto the ground limply. The helmet shielding the boys fragile skull only did so much.. and it didn't protect his body from the beating. He was bloodied up and bruised, his screams were fading out, growing weaker. "Get up!" The man screamed harshly, but the child didn't oblige. He couldn't. He couldn't move, vomiting. He'd puked several times, the injuries to his body and head becoming too much. The man reeled his bat back, but was stopped dead in his movements as August threw him at the ground. "GET AWAY FROM HIM." He screamed, his voice was distorted. The man's body was flung at the ground, skidding a few feet away from the helpless child, who lay there with his wrists and ankles bound by barb wire, broken helmet over his head.
Ethan didn't have time to react, jumping a little at the sudden take off but it didn't take them long to spot the two on the ground. August was good at landing, so he didn't have a problem. He seen the boy take his last hit and he put his arm out, ready to attack but before he could get even close, the boy was already on the ground. Of course he was worried about August, worried about the place he was in. And his voice that rang through the trees only made that worse but when he seen Gram laying bloody, he ran to him. He bent down to his level, pulling off the helmet. "Bloody hell.. hey.. gram are you okay..?" He whined a little, putting a hand on his cheek. "Come on mate.. talk to me." He was on knees now, doing anything he can to let him know he was there.
Gram had a blindfold on under the helmet, trying to put his arms up to defend himself against him, as if he didn't know it was Ethan at first. But when he realized that he was safe now, he let out a sound that couldn't be described. A quiet sob.. a whimper. "Dad.." He whined, as if he was a helpless toddler crying out for his parent. He tried to wrap his arms around him, but the wires around his wrists dig into his skin, drawing more blood. "I knew you would come.." he almost whispered, giving up on holding onto him and just letting Ethan hold him.
August watched the man hit the ground, an evil little grin growing across his face. He didn't scream or yell anymore, talking softly as to not frighten Gram anymore than he was already. "I'm gonna kill you.." he sang, his voice breaking and cracking in a way to create melody to haunt ones mind. The man scooted back, terrified of what was in front of him. The boy walked closer to him, watching him squirm about on the ground. He wouldn't kill him quickly, he'd drag it out. Make him suffer. He grabbed the bat the man had used on his brother, bringing it down on the man's knee caps, shattering them with ease.
Ethan smiled a little, relieved he was alive, but as hard as he tried he couldn't fight his tears. "It's okay.. I'm here.." he leaned down. That's when he noticed the wires and rushed to stop. "Hey hey, don't move." He whined a little, pulling at the blindfold. "We're gonna get you home okay?" He tried to comfort him, finally getting it off and pulling his arm up gently. He had no idea how he was gonna get them off, but he had to try. That's when he heard the bat collide with the boys knee. He jumped and looked behind him. "AUGUST STOP IT!!" He scream out to him desperately. Of course Ethan wanted the little shit dead just as much as he did. But he knew he couldn't kill. Ethan couldn't let him.
Gram looked up at him once the blindfold was removed, his eyes bloodshot and teary. Blood matter his hair to his face, his head beaten and bruised. He flinched as soon as Ethan started yelling, pulling his little hands up to shield his head again.
August turned slowly, looking at Ethan. He had a deranged, insane look on his face. In his eyes. "Okay." He said with laughter, swinging the bat again, landing a hard hit on the boy's stomach, forcing him to curl up and vomit the way he'd made Gram do. "After I hurt him really.. really badly.." he mumbled, his voice slowly becoming incoherent, his words becoming nonsense. He circled the thing on the ground as if it were prey, and he was a hungry predator. He dropped the bat's tip down right next to his head, making him flinch and scream louder than he already was.
Ethan grit his teeth and stood back up. He walked to August, grabbing his arm. "August I said stop!" He didn't want to start anything. He didn't want to anger him. But just telling him to stop wasnt going to work. That look he had on his face, August wasn't himself. He took the bat from his hands, throwing it arm from them. He pointed at Gram, pulling him away from the boy a little. "DO YOU SEE HIM OVER THERE?!" He hissed, gripping his arm tight. "HE NEEDS US DAMNIT!!"
August snarled angrily when Ethan grabbed him, taking the bat away. He looked at Gram, then at Ethan. He mumbled something else under his breath, something Ethan couldn't hear nor understand. Then he looked back at Ethan, pointing at the boy on the ground. With broken knees, and a wounded stomach. "Do you see him? He did that." He looked at Gram, his eyes still crazed. He wasn't talking rationally, still not coming down from whatever high he was on. "He will do it again." He murmured, unable to lock eyes with the man. Gram curled up tighter, knowing how bad things were getting, but something wasn't right. His body hurt too much, but then he felt nothing, shaking badly. It was a seizure from his concussion, but not a very big one, hardly noticeable.
Ethan sighed and let the boy's arm go, practically throwing it down aggressively. "Fine.. kill him." He was giving up, knowing there wasn't a way to help him. To be fair... he knew he was right. He knew that little fuck would just be another to try and fuck up everything. He walked back to Gram, bending down and trying to work at the wires. "It's okay Gram. You're gonna be okay. We're gonna go home soon." He tried to smile a little, glancing up at him a little.
August looked back down at the other boy, already forgetting how angry Ethan was moments prior. He grabbed the bat back up again, having fun with the thing. He killed it slowly, once it stopped making noises he beat its head in with the bat, sending the blood everywhere. All over himself and the trees. Though.. his own body blocked Ethan and Gram, keeping them safe from the the massacre. He was still mumbling, dropping the bat and starting to laugh.
Gram was still shaking, making it hard for Ethan to work at them. "I knew you.. you'd come.." he repeated, sniffling. But once they wires were off, he wrapped his arms around the man as if his life depended on it, burying his face in his shoulder. He'd stopped shaking finally, the pain returning.
Ethan tried to drown out the noises from behind him, which.. surprisingly wasn't as hard as it would seem. But once they stopped, he felt his stomach drop. Maybe he... he should've tried harder. Ethan smiled when he felt his arms around him, doing the same. "Of course I would..." he closed his eyes, holding the boy. "I would never leave you behind." Ethan felt himself shake a little, knowing that the red head behind him, soaked in blood and vengeance in his eyes, that isn't his brother. And he didn't know how to react.
It wasn't Ethan's fault August snapped, it was the poor state of mind he'd been in all day, leading up to this. Finally just.. breaking. His laugh stayed at the same quiet, Menacing tone that it was when he started. Kneeling down and examining his work. The brain matter scattered around the body, blood dripping from his face. It was a work of art. The really August was screaming at his body to stop, to calm down. Trapped in his own mind. But.. he wasn't breaking through.
Gram felt the shaking, opening his tired eyes again, looking up at Ethan. He didn't know yet, he didn't know that August broke again, he didn't know that it had gotten so much worse than it was minutes ago. But he was slowly figuring it out. "Can we go home..?" He pleaded, wanting to take a bath and fall asleep, sleeping the events of the day off.
Ethan could almost see him in the corner of his eyes. Just imaging the sick look he must have on his face. But ethan knew that wasn't really August, and he knew damn well that even himself had gotten this bad before. He could almost sense August real self, screaming inside of him. Or maybe that was just his own guilt, knowing how August is going to feel after this. But he looked at Gram and nodded. "Of course.." He smiled a little, standing up. He didn't make him stand but kept hold of the boy's hand. "Can you walk? I can carry you.." after seeing the cuts on his ankles, even if it was possible, it seemed like it would be really hard to walk. And he was already in enough pain, he didn't need it to be worse.
Gram held onto his hand tightly, looking up at him. "I don't know.." he mumbled. Pulling himself to his feet. He didn't want to be that much of a burden, already knowing he'd caused enough trouble today, but god did it hurt. His whole body screamed at him to lay back down, but he didn't listen, simply.. wincing in pain and nodding a little. "I can.." he said in a hushed whisper.
August heard the boy get up, turning around to look at them, showing off what he'd done to himself, painting himself red. He was grinning, tilting his head to the side with a smirk. Proud of what he'd done. He let his wings spread again, but that only managed to make him look more.. scary in that moment. "He's not walking two miles." He said, offering his hand to Ethan. Staring at him with murderous eyes, though... the pain could easily be seen right through that vengeance. The real August begging him to help him. Anyone to help him.
Ethan turned to look at him, his hand still in the small boy's. It hurt him to this, but he did what he had to, leaning down and picking him up bridal style. Gram was light, so it wasn't hard. "It's fine august." He could barely look at him. He loved his brother, with ever fiber in him, but that's why. "You can follow if you want.." His voice trailed off quietly, his eyes falling to Gram.
Gram held on as he was lifted, his legs relaxing as the pressure was removed, the blood from the cuts slowing down once more. Before August could take a step after them, a loud voice rang out. "DONT MOVE." It was demanding, seeing August trying to follow Ethan and the injured boy, and of course, thinking he was going to hurt them. August's head shot in the direction of the voice, retracting his wings so they were hidden. "Who the fuck." He hissed, Looking for the source.
Ethans eyes went wide and turned towards the echoing voice. It was loud, stern. The tone was far too familiar. "Ah hell..." he mumbled, looking at the figure slightly in the distance. He noticed August hide his wings, taking a breath. Well.. it's not the first time. He could handle this. As long as.. August doesn't lose his shit like he did with the other.
August looked back at Ethan, which.. showed off how bad it already was. He was already out of it, god only knows what this was gonna cause. He looked back in the direction of the voice, a single policeman stepping out. He could see the disoriented, unstable look the boy had, slowly lowering his gun to try and show he meant no harm. "Walk away from the people." He ordered, staring August down. August tilted his head, growling under his breath. "No." He replied, staying out. Gram looked at the cop too, tightening his grip on Ethan. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening.
Ethan felt the grip and bit his lip. "Hey.. hey, it's okay..." was it? That look.. August was far.. far gone. It's hard to say if there's even a return. Ethan spoke up, yelling out to the cop. "You better go!" He warned him. He didn't want August to hurt him, but he knew it would happen if he stuck around. "Go and don't fucking speak of this!" He meant all the best.. even if it sounded like a threat. He wanted to call out to August, to run. But he couldn't go anywhere yet. He can't just leave him behind. Damnit what is he supposed to do?
Gram looked up at him, letting out a quiet whimper. "Is it..?" He asked softly, his own voice terrified. He wanted this to be over already. The cop kept eye contact with the crazed boy, but heard Ethan's warning. "I can't do that, sir." He responded calmly. His gun was still lowered, showing he wasn't going to shoot if there was no need. So far, there was need. August was crazy, covered in blood, and had killed a man. "Want to explain what's going on to me?" He called out, talking to August now. "Did you kill that guy back there?" He asked. August laughed, nodding. "I did." He replied, watching the cops every move. With his words, a few more came out, getting between him and his family, ready to aim and fire. This somewhat forced the boy to stumble around, trying to figure out how many there were, looking around at them, all the while a huge grin on his face.
Ethans eyes went wide when he seen more step out, backing up a little. August would be fine. August could handle them right? He grit his teeth. "We.. we have to go.." he mumbled quietly. "Um.. hold on tight.. okay..?" He knew.. even if it got too bad, August could just.. fly.. right? He looked up, all the cops busy with him. He didn't want to leave. But gram needed to get home. He took a breath, backing up a little more. He turned around and booked it back to his truck as fast as he could.
August turned when he heard Ethan's feet move, seeing him run away. Seeing him go for the the truck. Was he really going to just leave him there? He went to take a step after him, one of them aiming their guns at him. "DONT MOVE." He screamed, and August snarled, trying to run past anyway. Bang. Gunshot. Hitting him right on the side of the head. Gram saw the scene over Ethan's shoulder, his grip tightening even more as he let out a cry, Hiding his face. August's body fell limply to the ground, staying down for a minute in pain. But.. he stood back up, getting angry and mumbling to himself. He was fine with getting left behind, he could have some fun. Well.. this version was. The one inside... not so much. He watched the terrified looks spread across their faces, letting out a laugh. His eyes began glowing, lifting the cop who had shot him up off the ground and throwing him as hard as he could in Ethan's direction, letting his body go right overhead, hitting a tree in front of him and Gram. The first cop screamed at him, aiming his gun and pulling the trigger, "FIRE!" He ordered the other policemen, and they all started to shoot. August got hit several times, getting fed up, blasting every single one of them away the same way he had the first, mumbling to himself again and starting to laugh once more, laughing at the dead bodies surrounding him, examining all of them.
Ethan dead stopped in his tracks, almost falling on his ass. "FUCK!!" The cop fell against the tree, lifeless. "Oh.. my.. god.." Ethan's voice was shaken, his breathing heavy and sharp. What the fuck is he doing?! He looked in August's direction, his eyes wide. He couldn't really focus on what was going on, his mind just.. going in and out.
Gram yelped loudly when the cop hit the tree, jumping and hiding his face. The body was contorted in terrifying ways, something a human wouldn't normally be able to do. August stood in the center of them all. Glancing in Ethan's direction, his laughter slowly fading off. Though.. his eyes still looked crazy. They were all dead. Everybody.
This seemed.. unreal. Ethan has seen august snap, he's seen him lose control. But this.... this is so.. so different. He was almost.. scared of him. He practically dug his nails into grams back without thought. He started to back up again, and took off. It was pure instinct, he needed to protect Gram, he didn't even realize what he was running from.
August watched them run away, laughing again, this thing controlling him wanting to follow... make them pay for leaving him behind. But the real him fought it, at a war with himself to run after or stay. "C-calm.." he murmured, pacing and talking to himself again. "Calm.." he could see his breath in front of his face, collapsing to the ground in the center of the circle of bodies, letting out one of those screams. The one he had when his abilities first returned to him back at the school. Ear splitting, terrifying, powerful. It almost shook the earth below them. He doubled over, holding his own head as he let out another. And another. It echoed through the trees. Gram started to cry again, covering his ears. This... this was a like a nightmare.
Ethan heard the laughter, too scared to look back. But when it turned to that screaming, he closed his eyes tight. He tried to block it out, tried to run faster. But the ringing in his ears made it too hard. He tripped and slid Gram across the ground, falling to his knees and covering his ears. It hurt so bad, he couldn't breathe, and the running didn't help.
Gram let out a cry, curling up where he'd landed and covering his own ears, closing his eyes tightly. The screaming only stopped when August calmed down, forcing himself to stand up, pacing around again, disappearing into the trees. He curled up in the snow, his back up against one of the trees as he cried. What the fuck was wrong with him?
It took a minute for Ethan to realize the screaming had stopped. The only thing left in his mind was the echo of the ringing. He opened one eye first, then the other, putting his hands down. He lied on his back, trying to catch his breath. He needed... he needed to find him before more cops showed up. So.. he took a deep breath, unable to really move. And without breathing out, he opened his mouth, "AUGUST!!" He called out for him desperately, his eyes barely open. His chest rose and fell fairly quickly. Again, he called out for him. He's working purely on instinct, and when Gram wasn't in his arms it made him think. That is his brother out there, no matter how bad off he was. "AUGUST!!!!" His voice broke in the middle of his name, unable to breathe right, and the screaming only made it worse.
August listened to his screaming, making his own crying worse. He covered his ears to drown him out, closing his eyes tightly. He was willing to leave him, he would be gone in a few minutes. He just.. had to wait it out. He couldn't go back with them. He would hurt them. He was going to hurt them. He felt the warm tears burn down his cold blood stained cheeks, opening his eyes and pulling his hands away to look at the blood staining them. He was a murderer. A psychopath. A dangerous psychopath. And he didn't want something like that near his brother, or Gram, or Zayne and Izzy.
Ethan growled, struggling to get up. He stumbled to his feet, walking closer to Gram. "Are you.. okay?" He panted a little, his hearing still going in and out a bit. He bent down to him, touching his shoulder gently. "We need to get you home.."
Gram moved his hands from his ears, looking up at him. "Y.. yeah.. I'm okay.." he reached up, grabbing his hand tightly to help himself sit up. Those sounds played off in his head. That came from August. Those terrifying, inhuman sounds. He looked up, seeing the truck in the distance. But they could at least see it now.
Ethan watched him glance to it, looking at the ground and biting his lip. "I... I can't leave him." He sighed. "Can you.. can you walk? I'll come back with him." He Hayes to ask him to do this. He hated to have to leave him alone. But neither one was more important, and what else was he supposed to do? It seemed like August was calmed, but.. he wasn't sure. "Gram if... if something happens.. and you don't see me in awhile..." His voice broke off into a quiet, innocent one. He pulled out his keys and sit them on the ground next to the boy. "Just drive. Alright?" He smiled a little, lifted his arm and messed with his hair. "I'll be back." He stood up, without too much grace, but walking wasn't as hard.
Gram's eyes started to water more at his words. But before he could protest, Ethan was walking away. He whimpered, grabbing the keys and forcing himself to his feet, his legs screaming at him to get back on the ground. But... he did as Ethan asked him to, stumbling towards the truck. He used the trees to balance himself, whimpering and trying to muffle any sounds. He made it to the truck finally, climbing in his spot in the back and shutting the door to warm himself. He managed to reach Ethan's seat from there, starting her up and turning the heat on before laying back down on the back seats. August heard her start up in the distance, moving his bloody hands to his mouth to silence his own whines. He reached out to one of the bodies, taking a gun from it and just staring at it. This is what normal people used to kill. He held it tightly in his fingers, forcing himself to stand up again, to hide further on the trees. Maybe if he waited long enough, his powers would go away again, and he wouldn't heal.
Ethan half limped down the trail, looking around. He must have messed up his knee a little when he fell. He'd finally made it to where the bodies scattered, blood staining trees, the ground. Everything really. If he was anyone else, it would make him sick. He'd scream for help. But at that moment, all he was worried about was finding his brother. He stepped over all of the dead cops that tried so hard to kill him. He called out to his brother again, this time a little more quiet. "August!" He sounded... lost. He didn't sound like himself, but what could you expect. "August come back! Please!" A whine lied under his pleads, leaning on a tree for a minute, letting himself breathe. He needed to find him.
August heard his cries, praying he would give up. Why was he still here? August watched him run away. He watched him leave. He let out a breathy laugh, not caring anymore. He put the gun up to his head. Normal people use this to kill. He was normal. Wasn't he..? Normal August could shoot the monster. Kill it. Maybe his powers would shut off when he pulled the trigger, and normal August would die along with the thing inside. More burning hot tears. One. Two. Bang. He fell over, feeling the blood drip from his head as he sat up. "Die, dammit." He demanded angrily. It was no use. "I hate you.." he breathed, throwing the gun as hard as he could at a tree, watching it slide to the ground with ease.
Ethan jumped with the gunshot, staring at the direction. More cops? Probably.. but it didn't matter. He needed to get there. He needed to get August home. Even if he had to drag him. He started to run a little, bit his leg wasn't wanting to work with him, he growled, frustrated and angry with himself. And that's when he seen it, the gun fly across him. Only a few feet away from him, hitting a tree and falling to the ground. He limped his way to where it had come from, seeing August lying on the ground. His eyes went wide and he felt himself start to tear up. It was a feeling he could actually pin point, which is something that had been absent for awhile. It's funny, all of this felt like it had gone on for years, when in reality, it wasn't nearly an hour. He didn't give august a chance, dropping down to his level and grabbing him by his shirt. He pulled him close to him, wrapping his arms around him. "It's... it's okay...." he spoke quietly, not letting August resist. "You're gonna be.. okay..."
August felt his arms around him, trying to push him off. "Go away." He wanted it to sound stern, angry, but it came out broken and hurt. He closed his eyes tightly again, beating the back of his own head on the tree, despite how much pain his was in from shooting himself. "Just.. leave me alone." He begged. His voice coming out as a sob this time. A cry.
Ethan just held him tighter, pulling him away from the tree a little. "I.. I can't leave you August." He grit his teeth, closing his eyes. "You're my little brother. No matter what." It.. hurt. It hurt to hear him say these things.. but he knew it's what he thought was best. He just.. knew he was wrong. "Auggy, if you.. don't want to come home, then that's okay.. but Gram has the keys. He's leaving without us soon."
August tried to fight the tears. "Then go." He replied. He wanted to go with him. He wanted to go home with him. But... he would kill them. Ethan's home wasn't his home anymore. "More cops are gonna come soon. They'll lock me up again and I won't be able to hurt anybody." His voice broke off into cries again, pulling his hands up to hold his face. "I'm not your little brother anymore Ethan." He mumbled. "He died when Jason stabbed him in the neck. I'm just the thing that got left behind."
Ethan let go and made him look at him, grabbing his face. "I'm not saying this again." He wanted to stay strong, keep his own tears down. But it was too hard. "I... I am not.." One.. two. "Leaving you." Another tear. "I can't.." he move his hand from his cheek to his hair. "I will die here. I will let them lock me up. I'm not.. I'm not leaving you." He could barely talk over his own crying. He felt pathetic for crying, he was just.. so hurt. He needed his brother. No matter what he said. That was Auggy, his little brother. No expectations.
August looked at him, unable to look him in the eyes. He heard the words but they didn't register. "I wish I stayed dead... I'm not me anymore Ethan.." he sobbed. He wanted to hit his head on the tree again, to pull that trigger again, but he couldn't. Not with Ethan holding onto him.
When he was able to really look at him, too se that look in his eyes, the pain, he couldn't bare it. "No.. no!" Ethan stood, this time the adrenaline making it far too easy. He pulled August up with him by his shirt. "I don't care if I have to fucking drag you to this truck, you're coming with me!" He wanted to sound demanding, angry, but it came out in cries, pleads. Ethan wasn't scared of his brother, he was.. he was just acting on instinct. He just.. he thought.. fuck. He started shaking worse than before. "You're coming home!!" He barely choked those words out coherently before grabbing his wrist, and locking their eyes.
He looked up at him, trying to pull away but being too weak to do so. He let his eyes drop to the ground. "You're.. scared of me.. Gram.. Gram is probably terrified of me. I am too." He said quietly, feeling his tears drop off of his chin. A place where everyone was terrified of you didn't sound like home. It sounded like hell. He didn't want to be in a place like that. "I.. I'm a freak, Ethan.." he wasn't arguing going with him, he was just.. venting. Letting it all out. "I.. I'm a monster.."
Ethan froze, listening to him. Of course he understood where he was coming from, and why he felt that way, but that wasn't the case. He just.. didn't know how else to say it. He pulled him by his wrist, pulling him lose and wrapping his arms around the boy's waist. "You're not.. you're not a freak of a monster." He knew it'd probably be easier to just let him go, he'd never have to deal with any of it again. No snapping, none of Jason's friends, nothing. But no matter how much he tried to convince himself that's what August wanted, he was too selfish. He couldn't let him go.
August put his face in his chest, closing his eyes tightly and choking on his tears. "Tell that to Gram.. or your family.." he whimpered, shaking his head. "I.. I don't know what I am anymore.." he looked up at him, lifting his arms up to rub his eyes.
Ethan squeezed the boy a little tight, realizing the blood and tears that must've stained the shirt in such an awful way. But when he made eye contact with him again, his heart shattered. "They're your family too, August." And he meant that. Family is important, family comes first. And he knew that he was speaking for every single one of them when he was saying that. Everyone of them love him with everything in him. And as dysfunctional as they may be, they'd all give their life for him if it came down to it. "You are just as fucked up and crazy as the rest of us. We're just not.. supernaturally fucked up." He touched the boy's wings a little, speaking in a light hearted way. "And that's okay. Because if we could do this for this long, what's a little longer?"
August sniffled, giving in finally. "Okay.." He said quietly, finally getting his face dried. He broke the eye contact, looking at the ground. He felt Ethan touch his wings. The things that showed their victory not too long ago... though.. now he didn't want them near him. "I.. I'll come with you.." he said quietly. He still heard the old truck purring in the background, knowing Gram hadn't driven off without them. Ethan felt him pull away and hesitantly let him go, looking at him. And he wiped away his own tears, relieved to him giving in. Sure, it was rough to put up with Auggy sometimes, but it was with all of the kids, and even worse with himself. And that was a sacrifice he was more than willing to take. He smiled a little and nodded. "Good..." hearing the truck in the distance was another good relief, happy they wouldn't have to call someone and try to come up with some shitty excuse as to why the two of them were soaked in blood, or having Gram go home thinking that something happened to him. He held his hand out. "Do you need help walking?" He asked softly, just purely concerned for the boy's state. Even if his own wasn't the best.
August shook his head, looking at him. He was fine. "No.." he looked down at Ethan's hurt leg, the one he refused to put weight down on, remembering something he figured out he could do back when Izzy died. "Lift.. lift that up.." he said quietly. Ethan hurt it because of him. He was running from him. So... even if it took energy out of him, he would heal it. Ethan put his hand to his side, looking down at his leg. "No.. no it's okay." He tried to reassure him, hesitantly letting it fall to the ground, but the second he tried to step away normally he stumbled, barely catching himself with a tree. He laughed a little, biting his lip and giving in. "Okay fine.." He did as he was told, lifting it up and watching Auggy.
August hovered his hand over it, watching it heal. He put more effort in, healing as much of him as he could, getting light headed and almost falling over. He hated healing other people. It always fucked him up. One of his weaknesses, though he didn't have many. "Better?" He asked, looking down at it.
Ethan gasped a little and put his leg down, bending over to help him, but he was already sitting up before he could do anything. He sighed and nodded. "It's fine Auggy." He put his hand out to help him stand up right without falling. "It's too bad you can't heal yourself like that." A quiet breathy laugh escaped his lips, try to thin out the air a bit. They should probably hurry though, as much as he hated to do it.
August took his hand, wrapping his arm around the man's shoulders to balance himself out. "That didn't hurt me, it just takes a lot." He explained quietly, looking in the direction of the car. "If he lets me near him I can fix him too.." he mumbled, but his eyes dropped to the bodies again, staring at what he'd done. Remembering it. Gram watched him do that. Ethan was willing to forgive him, but Gram was different. He was a whole different person. He was much.. more innocent, childish.
Ethan tried to smile a little at his comment, and put his arm down to his side after he'd made it to his feet. He tried to avoid the comment with Gram. Of course he'd forgive him for it, Gram knew that.. wasn't really August back there, it was a bad version of him. "Come on.." He spoke quietly, taking a step with ease. He walked slowly at first, wanting to make sure August would keep up and not.. run off or something.
August watched him take a step forward, balling up his fists. He really didn't want to follow him. He didn't want to have to see gram again. To see the look of terror in his eyes. But.. he had no choice now, he already agreed to go with him. He took a deep breath, taking a step forward, slowly following behind Ethan. He kept himself behind him though, not walking beside him, keeping his eyes on the ground.
Ethan looked back at him every now and then from the corner of his eye. It hurt him.. to see him so far behind.. just there in his shadow. But August was more than that to him. Right there, just ahead was the blue truck that stood for a symbol for much more than the relationship between him and August, for him and his wife, it stood for his entire life, his happiness, his moment. That truck was something that.. Ethan valued much more than he let himself think. He looked at August one last time, before he opened the door, a quick glance at Gram. He climbed in, opened August's door for him on the inside.
The truck was practically the same for August, he formed a bond with it. He wasn't afraid to show it either, always complaining about how she was so old and sounded terrible, how they had to fix her. He hesitated even more when they finally got to her, standing away for a minute. He didn't truck himself getting in. He didn't trust letting himself go with them. He bit down on his lip, looking back at the woods once more. Those woods that held a terrifying scene, caused by a terrible monster. Though.. he took a deep breath again, going around to his side. He climbed in, closing the door behind himself. He looked back at Gram, who was curled up, fast asleep. He smiled softly at the sleeping boy, seeing how peaceful he looked in that moment, knowing healing him would wake him up but take all his pain away. He reached his thin, shaky arm back to him, touching his knee and watching his body heal. The only remains of his injuries was the blood staining his clothes. He jerked away, his nose bleeding. It took.. too much to fix him and Ethan both, sliding down in his seat and holding his face.
Ethan watched him look back at the woods and bit down on his lip, terrified he was going to change his mind, but he put his hands up on the wheel, waiting to see if he'd climb in. In all honesty, if he did take off again, it'd be hard to say if he'd chase him again. Ethan just wanted the boy to be happy, and if that took him being alone, he'd have to put up with it. Once he did get in his seat, he looked out the window and started it up. He felt him move and smiled a little, but the sudden jerk caught his attention, looking over at him. He seen him covering his face and grit his teeth, confused. He shook his head a little, closing his eyes as he turned. He took a breath, pushing down on the gas pedal. Easy at first, getting out of the parking position and on to the road again. It was.. hard. All of this was, and he didn't have a way to let it really process in his mind that he could describe, just.. it was all just kind of there, jumbled up. They were on the road, the truck loud and nasty sounding as always, but he looked at Auggy, his eyes still on the road. "Can you reach my pack to me?" He pointed towards the console where he kept his smokes. He didn't really.. want anyone but August to know about it but.. even if Gram was In there, he knew they'll all figure it out eventually.
August nodded a little, but his vision was doubled. He removed his hand from his face, letting his blood drop freely down to his neck. He reached forward, grabbing the spot next to the console that held the pack rather than the place he was supposed to go for, getting frustrated with himself. "Dammit.." he mumbled, finally getting it and handing it to Ethan. He used his sleeve to wipe away the blood, trying to soak it all up. Gram made a sound as he started waking up from his previous nap, rubbing his eyes weakly. Nothing hurt anymore, and the car was moving. He sat up quickly, looking up to the front seats, seeing August and Ethan both there. "Hi.." he mumbled sleepily, rubbing his head.
Ethan noticed his struggle and whined a little. He felt helpless with the poor boy. He was hurt, he was lost. He took the pack, digging through his pockets for a lighter. He heard the noise from the boy and the quiet greeting from the back. He smiled and looked back. "Hello," He spoke softly, looking over at august. "How are you feeling back there?" He proceeded to his own thing, lighting the cigarette, preparing for any kind of reaction Gram may have.
He smiled softly, looking over himself. "Okay.." he said softly, seeing his body was fine. "Thank you, August." He said softly, knowing Auggy was the one to help his body heal like that. August smiled faintly at the way he thanked him rather than getting scared, curling up as his eyes rolled to the back of his head, passing out.
Gram noticed the cigarette, but he'd already known for a long time. He just never said anything about it. Gram was like that.. he knew more than he ever led on. He was a secret keeper. Like when he helped August with his wings. Instead of reacting to Ethan's cigarette, he leaned on the window and hugged himself.
Ethan smiled at the boy's interaction, confirming his own thoughts. He looked over towards August, seeing him falling asleep so quickly. Maybe things are gonna work out better than he thought, maybe quicker.
August wrapped his arms around himself tightly, leaning up against his window, finally passing out for good. It was a light sleep, though his body twitched and jerked violently. Seeing himself doing those things again, making silent sounds. A few tears rolling down his cheeks as he dreamed. Gram watched him move around, listened to those whines. He let his eyes fall out the window again, then up to Ethan. "I'm happy you went back for him.." he said quietly. Before Ethan left, he remembered how he reacted, how he was scared that Ethan would get killed or being August back, but it still wouldn't be August. But.. he was happy he went back for him. Happy nothing bad happened.
Ethan looked at Gram from the rear view mirror as he spoke and let a smile grow on his face. He nodded a little, an agreement. "I couldn't leave him." He glanced at August, watching him move and twitch, he wanted to hold him, to calm him and tell him that it was okay, and he didn't need to worry, but he couldn't, that's what hurt him the most. Thinking about the past events, the blood, the very look in his eyes flashing across Ethans when he blinked, it wasn't right. But it didn't matter. If august had been the very thing taking him to his grave, he'd die with a smile of appreciation, of acceptance. He'd die making sure August knew not to let it hurt him. Because Ethan knew, nothing could ever change his feelings for the boy. That was his brother, he is, and always will be. That will never change. His shaking slowed to nothing, and his eyes grew from the dark grey to the normal white. He was relaxing, being in his truck with his boys. He knew now things were gonna change, and August might grow a little distant, but he was going to be there. And that's what mattered most. As his eyes turned back to the road, he spoke, "I'm always gonna try to keep him, even if it kills me." And the tone he gave off, didn't contradict his words, he knew he meant it. There wasn't a doubt in his mind.
Gram saw the smile from the rear view mirror, smiling a little himself. He watched the road pass by, biting on his lip slightly. "I think he knows that.." he said warmly, pulling his knees up to his chest. After a few minutes of driving, August woke himself up, sitting up straight to keep himself awake. All he needed was that power nap to restore what he'd taken from himself, folding his arms over his chest to keep himself from seeing his hands. He didn't say anything or make a sound to show he was awake, but the sitting up abruptly kind of did the trick to show off the fact that he was back to the land of the living.
Ethan listened to the boy's words, letting his own mind run round in circles about the same thing. He noticed August was awake, glancing at him from the corner of his eye. He didn't want to let the boy know he was giving him too much attention, he already had enough pressure on him with his own thoughts. That when it came to him. All three of them were coming home, painted in red. They were supposed to be at school. Not in the middle of the woods. How he was gonna explain that, he didn't know. How Izzy would react, he was scared to know. It seemed far too often Ethan had these close calls to his final days, and he couldn't imagine how it must make her feel. Everyday, he leaves the house not knowing if he would come back and in a way, he hated it. But if that's what it took, then that's how it'll be. The long ride home seemed to never end but once it did, after a seemingly life time, he turned off the truck, looking back at Gram, then at his brother. They all needed to get cleaned up, to get rest. Ethan took a breath, opening the door and sliding his keys in his pocket. "You guys go get cleaned up first, Alright?" He stepped out, shutting the trucks door and walking to the front.
August looked at Ethan, climbing out. "Izzy doesn't have to see anyone covered in blood." He said softly, looking at the ground, unable to look up. He spread those horrid wings one last time, offering them his hands. He snuck out often this way, he could sneak them back in. Gram could go to his room, and Ethan could go to the bathroom from upstairs to clean up fast so Izzy wouldn't know. "You don't have to trust me." He mumbled softly, still unable to look up. But he felt Gram's hand gently take hold of his, the tiniest smile tugging at the sides of his mouth. "Ethan..?" He asked, looking over at the others feet. He could fly up to the second floor. Let them sneak in through his room, which was next to both the upstairs bathroom and Grams room.
Ethan turned around and thought about it for a moment. Not wether to trust him, but just if they should sneak in. He smiled a little and took the boy's other hand. "Alright.. but let's hurry." He spoke lightly, ready to get cleaned up and hold his wife again. He always missed her every second he was away.
He nodded lightly, flying up to his window. There was a portion of roof there that he landed on, that little spot that you see on some houses and in movies where you could sit outside on it with a pillow and blanket and look up at the sky at night. He landed there, opening up his window and letting them go in first. Once they was in, he climbed in, turning his light on. "You can go shower now.."'he mumbled, staring at the floor. At his shadow, cast onto the floor by the light. At the wings. They meant he was different, showed it off even. He hated them now, even though just days ago he and Ethan had so much fun flying around with them. Gram looked at him, at the look on his face. He felt his own stomach drop, but didn't say anything about it. "Thank you, Auggy." He smiled lightly, going to his room to change hoodies and socks. Wash himself off.
Ethan waited for him to come in, standing a little away from the window. Ethan didn't really look at Gram as he walked off. But he nodded with his thank you, thanking the boy with actually saying anything. He waited until Gram was gone, not moving from his spot. "Auggy, can we talk?" Seeing the way the boy stared at the shadow of his wings, the hurt it gave him, he felt something pulling at him to talk. "Please.."
August looked up at him finally, nodding softly. "Sure." He said the single word, turning and closing the window. He stared out at the trees. Someone seen him kill that guy. Those cops. They had to have. Someone else knew what kind of freak he was. But he didn't say any of that, didn't really.. care. Turning back around, looking at at Ethan's feet, waiting for him to speak again.
Ethan watched him get up and crossed his arms, leaning against the wall beside the door way. "You know this isn't your fault.. right?" He spoke softly, seeing the boy's back towards him, it showed him how human this boy is. It doesn't matter how much of him wasn't. That slightest little piece of him was, and that was hope. Hope they could hold on to and then August around. "There was a lot that happened back there, but none of it is on you."
August listened to the words, feeling his eyes start to tear up again. "How is it not my fault?" He asked silently, his voice breaking. "How is any of this not my fault?" He looked back up at him, licking eyes with him. His own held an anger.. a hatred for himself stronger than they'd ever held before. He thought he was getting better. He thought he was okay. And this? This shattered that illusion.
Ethan took a breath, standing up and walking towards him. He stood a foot away, keeping his own eyes locked with the boy's. His eyes were dull, void. But they held something that was.. incomprehensible. He stuffed his pockets in his hands, an emotionless void of a look. There wasn't a smile, a blank face. But he leaned in a little closer, noticing the tears start to form. His voice seemed.. detached, a little distant, even though he was putting all of him into it. "You.. are not.. a monster." He back up again, standing up straight. "That wasn't you back there, that was something inside of you." He paused, letting himself get a good look at his brother. "Think about that." He looked down, looked at his feet. "Thanks, for the escape plan." He took a breath, not really giving august a chance to say anything. He couldn't handle anything he had to say to differ. He turned, and walked out the door, his eyes never leaving the ground.
August froze at his tone, the look. Something he'd never seen from the man. Ethan always.. always had something. An expression. A tone. That's what caught him so off guard. He watch him turn and walk out, not trying to argue. He just... watched. His eyes glowing slightly, closing the door behind him. He laid down on the bed, shoving his face in a pillow, just.. letting himself cry.
Gram exited the bathroom as soon at Ethan was finished talking to him, having gotten himself cleaned up. He looked up at him, then at the floor. "I'll tell Mom we got dirty playing in the snow and that's why we had to get cleaned off." He said, the air smelling like pizza rolls. She and Zayne made dinner for themselves downstairs, and he planned on going and joining them. "Are you gonna come downstairs..?" He asked, looking up at him again.
Ethan heard the door shut and grit his teeth a little. He didn't really.. understand how he was being. He didn't understand how he felt. He was just... numb. He seen Gram, clean and sparkling like nothing had happened. Not a trace of blood or dirt. Ethan shook his head, walking past him. "I'm good." He waked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. He didn't even give Gram a glance. He locked the door, placing his hands on the sink, looking into the mirror. He studied himself, stained with sweat, blood, and dirt. His hair messy and dirty. His eyes lacked any shine despite the perfectly lit room. His hair was getting a little long again. He felt something tugging at him, something pulling at him, but he didn't know what for. In an instance, his back was a giant the wall and he felt a sharp pain in his hand. Fresh blood trickle down his fist, and an echo of shattered glass. He slid down the wall, holding his wrist and closed his eyes.
August heard the shattered glass, being the only one. He was the only one remaining on that floor. He swung his door open, going to the bathroom quickly. "Ethan?" He asked, staring at the locked door. "Open it." He said, scared to lose his brother. Scared of what he was doing on the opposite side of the door. "Please..?" He begged. He tried opening it on his own, seeing his suspicions were correct, and the door was locked. "Ethan..?"
Ethan lied his head back on the wall, his eyes open and staring at the ceiling. He didn't know what was going on with him, his head was spinning, his heart was racing. He looked towards the door, he heard August's voice but it was quiet, distorted. It didn't sound like him. He closed his eyes again, knowing he should just let him in. He took a breath, and with everything in him, he forced himself to his feet, his hand on the wall. "I'm fine, Auggy." He spoke, quietly, but not too quiet. He rubbed his eye, slipping off the tie.
"You're not." He replied, placing his forehead on the door. "But that's fine." He mumbled quietly, putting his own shit in the back of his mind, focusing on his brother. Watching his shadow under the door. "Just.. don't do something stupid.. she needs you." He said softly, making his voice as calm and soothing as he could, just as he had the day he and Ethan first really started getting along. "I need you." He wouldn't force his way in, not until he had no choice. He just.. needed to know he was gonna be okay.
Ethan didn't say anything for a minute, trying to let it all process. He took a breath, sitting the tie in the floor. He looked at the door for a minute, deciding on what to do. But he gave in to August, unlocking the door. "It's open." He spoke, after a few minutes. There was so many time august had saved Ethans life, ether it was because of himself, or others. August was Ethans hero. And his brother will probably never see that.
August smiled lightly when he heard the door unlock, slowly moving his hand to it and turning the knob, unsure of what he'd see when he opened the door, but he didn't give himself time to look. Instantly wrapping his arms around Ethan, turning his head to the side so his ear was pressed to his chest, listening to his heart beat, his confirmation that Ethan was alive and there. "I love you.." he said quietly. He thought back to the times he'd almost lost the man, and the times Ethan saved him. The times Ethan stayed by his side when he should have left. "Don't.. don't forget that.." he added, the tears he'd had stopped flowing, all the hurt buried. Numb to those emotions. All that mattered right now was Ethan.
Ethan was a little taken aback by the sudden embrace, but without hesitation, wrapped his arms around the boy's shoulders. Ethan didn't have any plans, he didn't know what took over him in the first place. Ethans heart was slowing, stabilizing. The boy helped that. "I.." He paused for a minute, closing his eyes. Right about now, he'd be sobbing. But.. after all of today, he was far too tired. "I love you too August." He didn't know exactly how to feel or what the right way to feel was. He gripped the back of the boy's shirt, hiding his face in his hands. He could feel himself melting away, Losing completely control. But he never let go. Ethan can't let go of things, he's never been able to. And this was no different.
He felt the way he moved around him, unable to release him just yet. He was scared. Scared to lose him. He closed his eyes tightly, telling himself it was okay. "Are you going to be okay?" He asked, finally making himself look up at him. Trying to see him... see if he could read his expression. Anything. Any sign he was safe.
Ethan loosened slightly, but didn't let go completely. He bit his lip, locking their eyes. It took him a minute before nodding, and look away. "Yeah... yeah I'll be okay." He grit his teeth and let go. "I'm just... I'm gonna clean up and get some sleep." He forced a bit of a smile, looking down at his hand.
August released him when he let go, looking down at his hand. "Let me help you.." he said quietly, but he knew the man probably wouldn't let him.