The Corruption of Innocence

Chapter 9

"Is this it, Jack? Not too bad."

Jack smirked proudly as the lads stood in front of the inn. It was sunset, and the river blazed with orange and yellow. Jack occasionally looked back over the bridge at the water, which bounced back into his eyes.

"Can I come in?" Philip asked as they crossed the road.

"I dunno, Philip," Jack said hesitantly. "It's just that..."

"What?" Philip asked sternly.

"I don't think my parents..."

"Oh, I get it. They've been listening to the rumours that have been going around, haven't they? Jack, they're not true you know," he lied, making Jack feel guilty.

"I know," Jack replied. "But my parents think they are."

"So what? They are wrong."

Before the discussion could continue, Jack's sister came out of the door to put a bag of rubbish on the side of the road. Catching sight of him she smiled, and then looked to Philip, whose face lit up and eyes widened. That reaction made Alice giggle, despite her slight confusion.

"You alright Jack? Who is this?"

"A friend," Jack replied quickly.

"A friend? Are you going to tell me his name?"

"It's Philip," the said boy interrupted, holding out his hand to Alice very swiftly.

"Charmed," Alice smiled, shaking it.

"Indeed," Philip replied, and Jack snorted. "What?" he asked, watching as Jack beamed. Then the boy turned to Alice, who was giggling.

"Are mum and dad mad?"

"I don't know, Jack. You'd better get in though, just in case," Alice instructed, ushering him inside.

"Bye Philip," Jack shouted, but before Philip could reply, a voice boomed behind them.

"Oi! What the hell have I told you?!"

It was Jack's father.

The boy tried to move, and Alice tried to assist him, but within seconds Oliver was on the step telling Alice to go inside, which she had no choice but to. Jack watched her go with wide eyes, and then turned to Philip as his father towered over him.

"You get away from him, you piece of shit!"

"You don't even know who the fuck I am!" Philip shouted back, standing his ground. Oliver raised his eyebrows at the boy's boldness, but his admiration was soon replaced with anger.

"You are Thomas Device's brat!"

"Correct," Philip answered straightforwardly, making Jack smirk. His smirk vanished when his father's eyes met his, and his heart jumped about seven beats.

"You disobedient prick," he snarled, spitting on Jack, who did not dare move a hand to wipe it. Philip watched curiously.

"What are you gonna do?"

Oliver turned back around to him with teeth gritted. "I'll fucking smash your head in."

"Go on then!"

Jack caught Philip's eye and violently shook his head, but Philip looked away and back up to Oliver, who stared loathingly at him. Then he stomped his foot, making Philip, and Jack, jump.

After quickly recovering from the short – lived shock, Philip's mouth formed a smile and Oliver's face twitched. Fingers itching, he moved forward again, this time pushing Philip back. Jack watched from the door nervously, horrified at the image of his dad pushing himself into a child. He had seen it all before.