The Logical Struggle

Ch 3 - "home" again

Logan takes the bus home from school everyday and today was no different. Logan and De got on the bus together. The talked and talked about random things that don't really matter eventually they were a block away from the house that Logan knew he would never able to call home. He got off. 

Un-like most kids who were dropped off at there houses, Logan was dropped of a little bit away. Eric did not want people to see his house and get suspicious go he paid the bus drivers to drop him off farther away. Logan walked into the house once he got there. He was thankful to find that his uncle wasn't home yet. Logan silently celebrated because he can have a few minuets of peace. He started his homework, which he usually didn't get a change to even begin until the ride to school the day it was due. Logan soon finished his math and went on to reading, finding both of those classes and especially the assignments that were given incredibly easy. Logan looked up because out of the corner of his eye he saw a moving truck pull into the driveway of the house next door. Logan rushed over to the window to see his new neighbors. They looked pretty normal, a mom, a dad a boy who looked about his age, and a toddler. Wait a kid about his age? That's great there were hardly any kids in his neighborhood so he might actually have someone to hang out with outside of school since De, or any other friend for that matter, coming over was a big no-no for him. 

Logan hoped and prayed that he had time until his uncle came home as he rushed outside wanting to meet the new boy. 

"Hi!" Logan said. "What's your name?"

"My name is Roman! I just moved here. Do you live around here? I came from like the other side of THE WORLD and now I'm here in Florida. I came here from Chicago with my mommy, my daddy, and my brother Thomas." The boy wearing very bright colors rambled. A few seconds later a toddler stumbled up to them "Ro-Ro Georgie hiding and I can't find him" The baby complained. He spotted Logan and immediately wanted to meat this new person. "Hi I Thomas. I 2" The small child said holding up three fingers.

Roman pushed one of his fingers down "That's two Tommy. And no I haven't seen your monkey." 

"Otie" the little boy said walking away to find his parents 

So what is your name new neighbor?" Roman said when he turned back to the boy standing in front of him.

"Umm well my name is Lo...Logan I'm Logan it's nice to meet you Roman." He said ignoring the overwhelming fear that overtook him when he gave his real name. 

"It's nice to meet you too. I love meeting new people. And guess What" Before Roman even gave Logan a chance to guess he started talking again. It was extremely clear that the move made him extremely exited. "Now that I live somewhere brand-new I get to go to a new school and make new friends. What school do you go to?" 

"I attend Gainesville Elementary right now." Logan said referring to the town they lived in.

"Really that's cool! I'm going there too! My fist day is going to be next Monday and today is Thursday so I get to go really soon" the energetic boy exclaimed. 

Roman's parents came over when they saw Logan. "Roman who's this?" his mother said happy that her son can make friends this quickly. 

"Hi Mommy! This is Logan and he's our new neighbor." Roman said egger to introduce his new friend.  

"Well it's nice to meet you Logan is your mommy or daddy around I would love to meet them?"

"Umm My uncle, Eric, should be home soon." Logan said trying to avoid the talk of his parents. 

A car pulled into Logan's driveway and Eric saw Logan. He walked over trying not to show that he's mad.

"Hi new neighbor" Roman exclaimed causing his parent to look over seeing an adult they went over to him. 

"Hi I'm Paul and this is my wife Katie." The man said. 

"Hi" Eric mumbled. "I'm so sorry for bothering you I just came over to get my nephew."

"Oh don't worry about it he was absolutely no trouble." Kate said

"Ok well that's good. I'm sorry I really wish we could stay longer but we have a lot to do tonight so we should probably get going." Eric lied.

"Ok then we will leave you to it." Paul said with a smile.

"Come on Lola" He said taking Lo's hand. Once he saw Logan nod to him he walked away never letting go of his hand.  He pulled him inside of the house once he knew the neighbors couldn't see.  "What the HELL was that girl? You know you can't leave the house once you come back from school. and you KNOW you can't be talking to random people like that. Go upstairs. I'll meet you there in a few minuets." Eric huffed before shoving Logan towards the stairs and going to the fridge to get himself a beer. 

Logan scrambled up the stairs because he knew what happens when he talks back or doesn't listen. 

"So you know you can't go outside after school but you did anyway. Not only that but you talk to the new neighbors. You know you shouldn't be talking to them. So I'm going to ask you again why. Why are you being disrespectful to my rules?" he asked his voice dripping with venom. Logan just shrugged not knowing what to say. "Girl I'm going to have to teach you some respect aren't I?" Logan just nodded solemnly knowing what's coming next. Eric slapped him hard across the face. It's a good thing Logan had make up in his room to hide the bruises. As much as it made him uncomfortable and made him feel like a girl, he knew that it was necessary and affective in hiding the bruises given to him by his gradian. Deceit continued to hurt the poor child for an other hour. Beating him with a belt and with his hand until he got bored. He pulled Logan to the top of the stairs shoving him down before walking away needing to sleep of the alcohol before work tomorrow. 

Logan whimpered in pain at the bottom of the stairs. He didn't dare get up until he knew that his uncle had gone to bed and was asleep. Logan stood up shakily clinging to the banister for support. He slowly stumbled back upstairs. He knew that he wouldn't be able to fall asleep yet because Everything hurt to much and he wouldn't even try to lay on his back with the new wounds. He went to the bathroom to get himself patched up and find a way to hide his injuries like Eric wanted.