Crossed Paths

Escape With Pain

Logan's POV

I shoved my hands into my pockets and stood there impatiently. The unnamed girl just stood there in the doorway starring at me.

"Hellooo? This is the house my brother ran to, right?" I searched behind her and saw Carson standing in the living room. His hands were in his pockets and looked up at me with a weak expression. Probably hoping I'll give into his pitiful look.

"Uh, ya sorry." She stepped aside and allowed me in. She looked down.

"Come on, Carson. If we get back now, Tucker won't kill us." I motioned for him to move along. I wish I could say I was being sarcastic, but I worry sometimes that it'll come to that.

Carson drags his feet to the door and passes the unnamed girl and gives her a weak smile.

"Thanks Nalia, for the gummy bears." He says with a side smile.

'Nalia... Hm, her name sounds so beautiful' I thought to myself, but quickly shut the thought out.

"Thank you, uh, Nalia for letting my brother stay here for a bit." I turned around and waved.

"Ya, of course! No problem." She chirped. She seemed so "up-beat" for the situation. Which sorta bothers me. Whatever, I at least don't have to see her anytime soon. I hope.

I open the door to the crappy ford truck and it creeks. I lower myself into the drivers seat and start the truck.

***
"You know you can't just run off like that? I had no idea where you were. You didn't even say where you were going." I looked from the road to Carson. He looked as if he were cowering. "Hello? I'm talking to you."

"I just... Idntlketucker..." Carson mumbled.

"I don't have sonic hearing, speak up!" I was getting a little impatient.

"I don't like Tucker, okay?! But, you already know that so what's the point in repeating it?!" There were tears forming around the rim of Carson's eyes.

I shook my head. I know he doesn't like him, but he has to suck it up. "I know you don't like him and he's a real ass, but for now, mom thinks she's in love with him. So until she sees that she isn't, we have to tuff it out, okay? She deserves to be happy and she doesn't know what he does." I look at him, "Tuff it out, okay?"

Carson looked at me. "I was. I ran away so I could tuff it out. Sorry for protecting myself..." He looked away from me and out the window.

I didn't want to say anything else. Even though he did the right thing with running away, I just wanted to show him that I can do it so he can. Even though I don't really.

'Tucker can hurt me mentally or physically, but I leave the scar'

I glance at my left arm. Covered by a black hoodie and my white long sleeve t-shirt. I feel weak and small thinking of what's beneath my protective clothing. I've always learned that those who are weak are the ones who hurt them self.

'Does this make me a coward? Am I weak?'

Before letting my train of thought continue, we turn into our driveway and park in front of the garage.

We both sat in the truck starring at the front door. I could tell he didn't want to go in and I didn't blame him.

'Tuff it out'

"Hey, mom loves you, okay? And I do too. You can do it. So lets go." My attempt for words of encouragement failed and I sighed at Carson's unchanging expression.

I opened the truck door hoping Carson would follow. He sighed and walked to the front door with me. I opened the door without hesitation so I didn't seem afraid.

"Hello boys, where have you been? Did you forget where the house was?" Tucker smirked. He attempted to stand up straight with authority, but it meant nothing to me.

"Where's our mom at?" I asked trying to sound unafraid.

"What was that, boy?" Tucker took an angry step forward.

I will never understand how someone can get so angered by so little, but I had to stand my ground.

"I asked where our mom was? Can you not hear? And the name is Logan, Tucker." I spat out. It was a stupid move, but I couldn't help myself. He was a coward for what he did. I want him to know that.

He took a few steps toward me and stood inches from my face. I put my arm to the side to protect Carson for whatever problem I probably created for myself.

"You wanna repeat that seeing as I'm hard of hearing, Logan?!" He looked me directly in the eyes. The whites of his eyes were red so I know he had been spoking. He also smelled of weed.

I pushed Carson a little trying to get him to go upstairs. He listened and side stepped his way towards the stairs.

I rolled my eyes and chuckled under my breath. Never would I admit to being afraid of him. I'm not. "Whatever, figure it out." I started towards the stairs.

"Figure this out!" I felt a shove on my back and it threw off my balance. My forehead hit the second step of the stairs. I tried to sit up and turn around. His hand swung up and I expected it to hit me soon.

The door opened and my mom appeared. "What're you two up to?" She asked senselessly.

"He tripped on the last step." Tucker tried to play off.

"Whatever, you bastard! You pushed me!" I stood up trying to stand my ground.

"Logan! Don't talk to him like that!" My mom pointed her finger at me.

"I don't know what's gotten into him lately, Celine." Tucker innocently said.

"Shutup! You don't honestly believe that, do you mom?! He was literally standing over me, ready to hit me! If you wouldn't have walked through the door, he would have!!" I angrily shouted.

'How could she be so oblivious?!!'

"Logan, stop..." Celine pleaded.

"Guess that answers my question." I walked towards the door and grabbed my jacket. "Fuck you, Tucker." I added.

"Where's Carson?" Tucker raised and eyebrow at me. I knew what the meant.

'If I leave, he'll hurt Carson.'

I slammed the door shut and pushed past Tucker. Walking up the stairs without being pushed, I headed towards my room next to Carson's.

***
"Why do you have to do that? You could've just answered the question and came upstairs! You always make it worse!" Carson had tears streaming down his face while I listened stiffly.

"Whatever, I wasn't going to let him treat us like that." I said as calmly as possible.

"You don't get it! Whatever you do, comes back at me and at mom, too!" Carson exclaimed and stormed out of the room.

I sat on my bed starring at a wall. I couldn't feel anything. I was just numb at the moment. I looked over a my dress drawer and I knew that I wanted to do it again.

'But, I did it last night? I can't.'

I starred at the dresser then got up and opened it. I scooted aside my boxers and socks.

'Escape with pain.'