Henry: Showdown

The Way We Get By

He had spent the day getting drunk  and sobbing.  Nathan was feeling guilty, he had been trying to work out what to do to make himself feel better again.

He wanted more than anything to make that bad feeling go away and in his drunken state he figured the way to make him self better was to be a better brother to Henry. He had stumbled over to Henry's  house to find his brother and make himself feel better. He still had his key that Henry gave him last year he had burst into the door with some force. He stumbled into the kitchen and finding it empty then stumbled into the living room where he found a very shocked looking Charlotte. 

As soon as Charlotte heard someone come in through the front door she froze because she was so scared. She heard the  person stagger into the kitchen and knew this was her chance, she had left her phone upstairs charging but there was a phone in the hall she could use to call the police  but as soon as she got on her feet Nathan came into the room. 

She didn't know if she was relieved or not it was Nathan and not a criminal, she hadn't seen him since Last year when he was first here. But things didn't end well with him and her because when she was in the hospital he and Henry got into a huge fight about something then hasn't called back in like for weeks now. He didn't look good because he was unshaven and his hair was unwashed and from the way he was walking,  Charlotte could tell he was hammered drunk. He was surprised at least in his drunken state  to find Charlotte in Henry's house and it made him angry. 

What the hell are you doing in Henry's house?  he bellowed, Charlotte was back to being scared again she didn't dare to move but flinched at his angry words, she had no idea what he was going to do. Nathan didn't move either he just stared at her. 

You're no good for my brother, you caused him nothing but pain and I won't let you do it any more. He said and made his way over to Charlotte, she tried  to move away from him but she hadn't had the time to grab her crutches so it made it easier for Nathan to grab her. 

He started to dragging her towards the front door  while Charlotte struggled trying to get out of his grip. Nathan as he regularly worked out had no trouble pulling Charlotte to the door and shoving her out into the snow, she landed on her arms. 

Never come back to my brother's house ever! He shouted and slammed the door shut. Charlotte sat on the ground where she landed when Nathan threw her and was wondering what the hell she was going to do as she had grazed her left arm and knew she would be hurt. 

She had no phone, money or a coat she only had her pajama short's on and a short shirt but there was no way she was going back into the house though with Nathan there. She had no idea what he was capable of in his drunken state. She tried to walk to the nearest place so she could go to get help, she couldn't go to any of the neighbors because some of them weren't home or answering the door. She figured the nearest place would be a Coffee shop and she knew the Piper would be working there sine she needed to pick up a job to pay for her child's babysitter she left in New York.  She looked around for something to use as a crutch but the only thing she could find was a shovel that Henry had used that morning to clear the snow from the driveway, fearing Charlotte would slip. 

It took Charlotte 45 minutes to walk to the cafe and it was the longest walk of her life, she was freezing cold as she had next to nothing on and due to being dragged out of the house and  her leg  was in pain and the flannel slippers that she was wearing was soaked through also because of the snow but  no one seemed to be out so she couldn't get any help from anyone she passed. When she finally got to the coffee shop, it was pretty much empty and Piper  just stood there shocked for a minute at the sight of Charlotte stood only in pajamas slightly bloody and shivering inside. 

Char, What happened? Piper said rushing over to her and brought her arms around her and Charlotte started crying. Piper gently directed her to the back of the cafe grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around Charlotte steered her to a chair. She left Charlotte and quickly  closed the Coffee shop and knew that Henry would be there to pick up dinner so she didn't call him but returned to Charlotte who was still crying. 

Charlotte, you need to tell me what happened. Piper said, she was very worried because Charlotte was freezing cold and shivering and had lots of scratches along her arms and legs. Charlotte didn't answer though she just continued crying  and shivered. 

Were you at home? 

Charlotte nodded still crying 

Did you and Henry have a fight? Piper asked, she knew Henry would probably have been at practice but she needed to make sure. Charlotte shook her head . 

Did someone get into the house? 

Charlotte nodded again, Piper noticed the fear in her eyes.

was it someone you know? Charlotte nodded slowly trying to wipe the tears away with her shaking hands . Piper just sat and looked at her trying to think who it could have been. 

Was it Miguel?  she asked gently but Charlotte then reminded Piper that Miguel is in Jail. It then hit Piper who it might have been.

It was Nathan wasn't it? Piper asked

Charlotte nodded, Piper hugged the girl and tried to comfort her, she didn't deserve all the bad things that had been happening to her this past year and a half. Piper then heard the door open and the voice of Jasper.

Piper, why is the coffee shop closed? What's going on? Jasper asked sounding worried. 

We're in the back. Piper replied, Jasper and Henry went into the back of the Cafe and Henry immediately rushed to Charlotte's side and was crying quietly in his shoulder she felt safe now being in his arms. She was scared to go back to the house with Nathan being there and through out the walk to the Coffee shop, she was worried Nathan would suddenly appear again.

What happened? Jasper asked Piper knowing Charlotte wouldn't talk. Charlotte upon  Henry's arrival had put her arms around Henry's neck and was quietly crying on his neck.     

It seems Nathan kicked her out of the house but that's all I got out of her. Piper said sadly. Henry stiffened at Piper's word and unhooked Charlotte's arms from around his neck and stood up. At the lose of contact with Henry Charlotte stiffened although it was a different situation she couldn't help but be reminded of being back at her house before Winter break when he rejected her.

That son of a bitch, I'm going to kill him. Henry ranted angrily

Henry, Calm down. Jasper said reaching out to try and restrain him. 

NO, he's gone to far this time, no body hurts my friends He said and made for the door but one little voice stopped him. 

Please don't leave me. Charlotte said