Wild (Cherik Book One)

Not Ready to Be Found

"So, what are you waiting for?

Somebody could love you more..."

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Trigger Warning! There are heavy themes of domestic abuse in this chapter. Please refrain from reading if this is a trigger for you! Remember that your own mental health is most important!

_______CHARLIE_________TW: MENTIONS OF ABUSE_______

Charlie stared at himself in the mirror. Stared at his body in the mirror. He bit his lip to refrain from screaming as he ran his bruising forearm under cold water. It had been a week since he talked to any of his friends and the suffocating nature of Jack has escalated from harsh words to harsh fists. It had gotten especially worse since Raven left for her art camp last week. It had just been Charlie in the home now and Jack was keeping two very dark eyes on him at all times. Some nights were better than others Charlie supposes. Sometimes they would slow dance to an old record and Jack would place sweet kisses all over Charlie making him blush. That's what Charlie held onto. The sweetness and love that Jack showed as opposed to the contrary.

    Other nights were much worse. Like tonight, the nights where Jack took out his anger on the nearest thing. More often than not that was Charles Xavier. But, Charlie figured better him than Darwin or Alex or Hank. Better him than one ounce of harm coming to Erik who Jack would take too much pleasure in hurting. But, the phone calls and random house visits had become overwhelming. He hated cutting everyone off but it was safer that way. Jack liked to keep Charlie all to himself and if that's what kept him happy....then Charlie would do so. Tonight though, Alex and Darwin were throwing a party and Charlie had somehow convinced Jack it would be suspicious if they didn't show. And more than anything Jack hated the idea of everyone checking in all the time.

    So, here he was reducing the bruises with cold water and realizing he would be sporting a sweater in ninety degree weather. Charlie looked at himself and fixed his hair and the dark circles under his eyes. He was seeing his friends tonight and he didn't want any of them to worry.

    "You almost done?" Jack asked kindly with a hint of annoyance. Charlie fought off the urge to wince but instead smiled sweetly.

    "Yeah, let me just put on a sweater and we can head out," Charlie placed a gentle kiss on Jack's cheek before retreating to his closet to pick out a very particular sweater from a very particular boy.

__________________ERIK___TW: DOMESTIC ABUSE_________

Erik's slender figure leaned against the wall as he observed the company around him. The flashing lights, happy music and eccentric personalities. Charlie was supposed to be here tonight. Charlie who has been actively avoiding all his friends for more than a week. Yet, in this windstorm of teenage delight Erik couldn't spot the familiar curly haired brunette. Well, that is until he found his sad eyes drifting to one particular pair. Almost hidden behind a far wall were two boys. One taller than the other with a dark fury smoldering around him. A stone cold face scrunched in anger as he pointed at a figure much smaller than him. It caught Erik's eye because this dark stranger was none other than Jack Collins. Sporting a face sharper than a knife he had unwavering eyes. Hands, much smaller but much mightier in ways Erik didn't understand yet gripped his hoodie sleeves. The yellow sweatshirt threw off a million alarms in Erik's mind. He knew that sweatshirt anywhere because he had bought it. Erik shifted his position and caught sight of Charlie's face. He wished he hadn't. It was screaming a sort of desperation in it's expression. Lips trembling and eyes wide and glossy. His words spilled out quickly and nervously. Erik crunched his can in his hand as he began fighting the crowd of teenagers towards Charlie. A fire ignited in his chest with each step towards the arguing couple.