Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Denial ❯ making it ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimers: The use of Gundam Wing or the characters therein does not = ching ching for me, the story is mine and unfortunately so is Quin. ‘nuf said.
Warnings: POV shifts, angst, attempted ncs, sappiness, violence (film at eleven), a longer chapter, see first chap for full spiel.

Pairings: . . .


---xXxXxXx--- means transition or scene change

Denial

by priscel

five - making it

(Duo POV)

The first week after Quin left was tense and Mama was depressed more often than not. She didn’t work as much as she used to. I think, it was because she feared that Quin would come and get us, so we were pretty much at home most of the time. Sometimes we stayed over at Hilde’s cuz her Mom worked every other night. Mama called Hilde's Mom two days after Quin left, telling her how he’d beat Solo, that she caught him when he tried to do the same with me. That’s as much as I heard before Mama broke down over the vid and the screen fizzed out. A few minutes later, Mrs. Schbeiker was banging on our door. I opened the door and was pushed aside. She immediately settled down with Mama on the long couch talking in hushed tones, signaling for us to leave the room.

We remained sitting on the opposite couch ‘cuz I didn’t want to leave yet, Solo didn’t either. I saw how her eyes lingered on Solo. They raked over the baggy long sleeve shirt (mine by the way) he wore and stilled on the dark red bruise on the side of his neck. I could see her lean over slightly trying to see just how far back the bruise went until Solo hid behind me, I could feel him burrow his face into the back of my shoulder. He didn’t need the extra attention even if that wasn’t all of what happen to him and he sure as hell didn’t need pity.

I glared at her as she continued to send odd pitying looks our way. I knew those looks, and I'll give her credit for at least looking like she cared. We heard her a couple times, when we'd stay over at Hilde's, bad mouthing us and saying to her friends over the phone that it would be best that Mama gave us up to the Church. Going to see Hilde, had me making lots of trips uptown, enough to know about the looks her mother gave us. It’s what most upper-class people look like when they look down on the poor and destitute: it spoke of pseudo-understanding, of helplessness in knowing what to do with her money other than to spend it on frivolous things, of blaming the poor for their own problems. We understood that her concern for us was not as deep as her concern for our Mama.

I was glad that Hilde wasn’t like her Mama. I grunted as I pulled Solo up with me to go to our bedroom. We never went to the back rooms anymore. It didn’t feel safe. It didn’t feel like a part of our home.

Another week and I realized just how much Mama’s strange behavior was influencing how Solo was acting - he was becoming more withdrawn and kept silent, his head bowed when Mama would talk to him. Most of the time, Solo clung to me as if I wasn’t close enough or was going to leave or something. If I got up from our bed, he’d wake up instantly and grab onto my arm and drag himself on sleepy feet to wherever I went. Mama saw Solo’s clinginess and told him to let me go. Solo’s response was to move closer to me and hide his face behind my arm. We ended up doing everything together, including going to the bathroom.

I know it sounds strange but I didn’t mind, I felt the need to make sure he was ok since I failed him so many times before. I had to help him wash because he told me he didn’t want Mama to do it. When I asked him why, he clammed up.

One time, he answered me halfway through the sonic shower, saying that if I wouldn’t help him he just wouldn’t shower or bathe. I didn’t argue, I just agreed to do it and watched him hold back tears as I moved the showerhead over his bruised shoulders where huge hand prints were a sickly greenish yellow, marks along his ribs were a dark brown and . . . there were more... too many. I swallowed and focused on not staring at him. I wouldn’t want to be stared at, so I continued to help him wash as gently as possible. He was half asleep when I helped him out of the low tub, set him on the toilet lid and combed his ragged locks. I agreed with Mama when she said to us that it would take time to heal, but how much time? How long would Solo have to see these marks and be reminded of what happened to him?

It wasn’t until Mama was forced to leave us, that things got strange. Mista T had called and asked her what the problem was, why was she still at home. Mama only answer was Quin's name and he just nodded before he vanished off the vid-screen. It made me wonder if he knew more than the half-truth that Mama had told Hilde's mom.

Mista T called back today, a whole week later, telling her she had two options: that she work or lose her job. He was a good guy, that Mista T, but the ultimatum put Mama on edge. Solo knew it because he latched onto me tighter when she approached us. She took us from the dinning table, already dressed in her uniform and sat us down on the two seater, it looked she had been expecting that phone call. She wore her hair in a french braid that stopped in the middle of her back and kneeled before us on the floor. I got up to sit on the floor with her because I didn’t like her being on her knees but she stopped me and had me sit back down on the couch.

“Boys, this is going to be hard to except, but you need to know this.” Mama sat on her knees, her hands braced in one another as she took in a calming breath. “Quin, is not your brother.” She placed her fingers to my lips when I opened my mouth to protest it. She smiled softly at our confused looks. “Not by blood, he’s... he was the son of my friend. I cared for the both of them too much to treat him as anyone but my son. But I ne-never thought him capable...” Mama's bottom lip quivered as she reached out to touch Solo and I felt him press himself to the side of my arm. It was a small movement but when Mama’s eyes flicked to mine I knew she had noticed it. She smiled sadly, stroking her thumb over Solo’s chubby cheek and then mine before kissing our foreheads.

She looked away as her hand dropped to her lap and the other picked at the carpet threads. “Boys I want you to be safe. Please... please, if he comes here don’t answer the door... better yet don’t answer it for anyone except the Schbeikers, Mr. Travis, your Uncle and the Sister. I ... I don’t know if I can do this... Solo is in no condition to travel.” I don't think she had meant to say that last part out loud as she bit her bottom lip and gave us both searching looks. Her bottom lip trembled when she released it from her punishing teeth. “Just promise me you boys won’t let any anyone in?” She brought both of her hands up to touch our cheeks.

“Yes, Mama. Solo won’t and I won't either.” I said, my head nodding and wanting to make that sad expression leave her face.

She smiled sadly and hugged us before picking up her tote on her way toward the door.

I saw Solo glancing over at us as I followed Mama to the door. Once Mama was gone, Solo had disappeared from where I had left him. It made me feel uneasy as I checked our room, then the rest of the house to find to hide nor hair of him. I tried to think of other places he could have went that wasn't in the backrooms, when I walked in on him in the kitchen.

I watched as he put the sandwich he hadn’t touched back into the fridge, then walk over to the sink and pulled out his stool. I felt the crease between my brows forming as I thought to this morning. Solo’s stomach had been growling like a starving polar bear, so I knew he was hungry. So I didn't understand why he put his food back?

He still hadn’t noticed me as he held his cup over the sink and poured the juice down the drain. I guess I must have made a sound because started. I could see the green in the corner of his eye and I was sure he knew I was there. Still holding the cup at a slanted angle, the juice continued to flow and the sound of the liquid draining filled the silence. He gave a half smile, attempting to act like what he was doing wasn't odd. His shoulders slouched in defeat knowing that we never wasted food. I opened my mouth to speak but took a step forward instead, Solo shivered in response and we both jumped at the sound of the clear plastic cup clanking wetly in the empty metal sink.

From under his dishevelled hair, I saw both his shadowed eyes as he turned to face me with one foot half off the stool. The long sleeve plaid shirt he wore was wrinkled and baggy (he likes my clothes a lot), the sleeves easily covered his hands. He began to fidget, tugging at the ends of the sleeves with his eyes still focused on me.

“So-” I started when Solo hunched down at my raised hand. My eyes flitted between it and my cowering brother. Before I had a chance to say anything, Solo began to mumble and rock where he squatted.

“What’s the matta Solo?” I inched toward him, my steps silent.

“I’m sorryI’m sorryI’m sorry. . .”

“Why are you saying you’re sorry?” I waited for him to respond but he just stayed on the floor with his knees up and arms wrapped tightly around himself. “So' come on. Quit fooling around.”

Solo shook his head, “It’s my fault. I’m the reason why they’ll take us away from Mama. I . . .*hic* I . . .tried to cover for Quin. I tried. But Mama saw the b-blood a-and I tried to put back on my shirt. . . but . . . tried to stand . . . too weak . . . I fell, she caught me and I screamed-” He cut himself off and rocked faster bringing his crossed arms up on his knees to hide his face.

“So' don't say stuff like that.” I squatted beside him and tried to move his arms. “It’s not your fault.” He pulled away from me and I got fed up, pulled him forward so that he was sitting on his knees while I hugged him. His breathing was erratic and he tried to pull away but I held him tighter as he mumbled into the crook of my neck.

“I deserve to be punished. I shouldn’t eat. I don’t want it.”

“No Solo.” I pressed my cheek to his head.

“Yes! Yes I do!” He pushed upward in an effort to get free of my hold and I was forced back on to my feet with a twist that sent me tumbling backward. I grabbed onto Solo, reflexively, trying to find purchase and not fall but all I did was succeed in bringing the both of us down. I felt a hard surface at the same time a flash suffused my vision, so much so that I couldn't tell if my eyes were open or closed.

The numbing shock that I had banged my head on the linoleum floor wore off as pain pulsed through it. Soon, I was struggling to breathe because Solo’s added weight on top of me had forced all the air out of my lungs.

“Duo! . . . I’m sorryI’m sorry.” I groaned as the air refilled my lungs and the pain in the back of my head caused lights to flicker before my eyes.

“Uh . . .” I tried to speak but all I managed was another groan as my head spun. I could hear him apologizing still and I forced my throat to work sitting up on my elbows. “ . . . ah . . .So' it's-” He was suddenly pressing of his mouth to mine. I jerked back, my head meeting the floor again as I pushed Solo away. I bit my tongue. Damn. Being thickheaded like our Mama meant nothing when you hit your head and man it doesn’t hurt like the first time, no . . . just worse.

Solo made a distressed sound and the next thing I knew he was shaking me. I guess I blacked out. After blinking my eyes a couple of times, Solo stopped shaking me. I tried to focus and ended up staring into his face as he hovered above me, raised on his hands and knees as he straddled my hips. I think about his bruises and hope he wasn’t in any pain. Solo looked away from my unfocused, assessing gaze and dropped his chin to his chest, his face ashen and flushed in dejection.

When I attempted to sit up, he bared down his weight on my shoulders, his hands clenched and his nails nipped at my skin through my pale blue tee.

“Duo . . . I . . . You can . . . “ Solo wilted, that’s the best way I can describe how he seemed to go into himself, but he kept me pinned as I looked up at him owlishly.

“I want . . .” He squeezed his eyes shut.

“Solo?” I felt like I was gonna puke, my head was spinning that bad. I couldn’t even stay focused on the fact that Solo kissed me. He kissed me.

“Duo, I want you to . . .me. If you do, you can do what you want. It’s th . . . only way, I know it won’t hurt with you. Q-Quin said that I-I was g-good so I c-can makemoneyforus. I cangotooneofthe pimps-” My head started to settle from its intimate encounter with the floor but my thoughts were reeling once more when Solo’s lowly spoken words echoed loudly in my ears.

“Wh- no, Solo, gawd NO.” I said quickly wanting to sit up but not wanting to make him feel like I didn’t care or was rejecting him further by pushing him away. That’s what he would have thought I was doing, that I was rejecting him. I don’t. . . damn. Something in me cringed and cried echoing the pain in Solo’s hollowing voice and trembling form.

“I’m such a baby. Too weak to fight and now I’m nasty . . . you don’t want me . . . he said that was ...all.. I was good for . . . why would anyone want to touch me aft - afta . ..”

Dammit! Damn Quin for messing with Solo, for screwing with his head. I dunno how to handle this and I knew that if I don’t do something soon he’s gonna do something stupid, what did he say before . . . pimps?! I surged forward, pushing him into my lap, holding him as tightly as I could. He didn't struggle to get free this time and I relaxed trying to put my thoughts together into sound like something that would help him, convenience him he didn't have to do anything like that. I groaned mentally, Mama would have handled this so much better.

“So' you ain't weak and we neva had to do that kind of stuff . . . to hurt each other like that to prove we care and love each other. It ain't ya fault. You don't have to go to those creeps on Broad, we'll always be together. Come on So', I don’t and Mama wouldn't want you to do anything like that.”

“How do you know?! Mama . . . mama boiled water and when she washed me . . . s-she used it . . . so hot, it hurt but she scrubbed me anyway. She w- was so angry. She said I wasn’t d-dirty . . . t-that it could be washed away. T-then why did she scrubbed me? Why did she burn me? I-it didn't go 'way. I-I still FEEL it . . . inside... on my skin...in my...”

"Shh..." I didn't want him to keep thinking about it. I shivered when he looked up at me with it all expressed in his eyes and I stared into them until I couldn't anymore. I pulled his head down to my shoulder as my mind put two and two together, telling me that was why he didn’t want Mama to touch him? He was still going on, the look in his eyes mirrored the horror of what had happen to him and so much more of that was in his voice. I rocked us, holding him in my arms as I spoke, “Shhh... I-I dunno, I'm sure she didn't mean it . . . Mama loves you Solo, the same as me. Wait 'til she gets home we'll talk to her. She's gonna do everything she can to keep us together.”

I squeezed him, never slowing my rocking motion even as my stomach clenched. “She’s not angry with you or me, just br-Quin and,” I think back to what I overheard of Mama’s conversation with Hilde’s mom and repeated part of it, “blames herself for not coming home sooner. For not being able to stop it-” like I failed to be there, my voice sounds strained even to myself without voicing that thought.

“Forget what he said. Don’t . . . don’t, well try not to think about what happen. Some people are bastards and . . . and br-Quin is a sick bastard. Gawd Solo I dunno what to say." And I really didn't, I just let my mouth spill all the things I was thinking. "I know, that ya ain’t weak, I saw the busted lip and black eye you gave him. You did the best you could against someone bigger than you . . . on your own . . .I just wish . . .I wish I woke up . . . t-that he took me instead . . . gawd Solo I’m so sorry . . . If-f I was doing what I was suppos’da do br-Quin wouldn’t have got you.” Solo was silent and I could feel his heavy sobs against my chest. I buried my face in his hair. I was barely keeping it together, at least he wasn't as withdrawn anymore. He was talking. Gawd I just realized how much I missed my talkative twin. Together we could talk anyone into a stutter.

I felt a sharp pang in my chest and ended up inhaling a bunch of his hair, spitting it out as I coughed. He laughed a small laugh. I couldn't imagine a life without that sound. To think that... if he had succeeded in starving himself to death, no more Solo. I couldn’t lose him. I’d . . . I dunno what I’d do without him. I pulled back and cupped his face in my hands to stare at him.

“Duo?” He fidgeted, letting me know that he was uncomfortable with my sudden attention. I knew it was such a strange thing for me to do, seeings how I had never done it before and for a second fear was in his eyes, then it was gone. Trust was there but what if I hadn’t caught him?

“Duo?” He reached up and pinched my nose closed. I looked down at his hand with crossed eyes and he giggled.

“Yeah Solo?” Making my voice sound as nasal as possible to hear his laugh again. He released my nose and I continued to answer his unspoken question, “I’m ok . . .j-just . . . nothing. I-” A loud grumble interrupted me and I quirked a brow feeling my stomach, until we heard it again. Solo ducked his head in an attempt to hide his flushing cheeks. I grinned.

“Somebody’s hungry.” My smile faded as thoughts about how things were going to get rough now that Mama was the only one with work. I had saw her staring off one day and offered to get a job again and she snapped at me before I could even utter the word work. She apologized than said it more calmly that we would find a way.
“Let’s get that sandwich out and I can make my special soup!” I said grinning from ear to ear when Solo blanched and shook his head in the negative. I laughed. I liked my special- you put a little of everything in it - soup.

That evening, Mama came home, went straight to the fridge, passing Solo snoozing on the couch and me drawing on the floor with my feet in the air to stow away leftovers from the diner. All too soon she was back, standing in front of me. I felt like I was in trouble just by the way her sandaled foot tapped on the carpeted floor before me.

“Duo why haven’t you two been eating?” Oops did I forget to mention that I’ve been rationing my food so Mama and Solo could have more? I always ate so much, I felt that if I couldn’t control how much I ate, we’d be starving because of me. I was more used to being hungry than Solo, the last time we were in this kind of situation, at five Solo really wouldn’t eat much or half ate it so he didn’t always feel the hunger. I saved the food before he made a mess over it and we got him to eat it the next day. But I guess the both of us not eating much was very noticeable.

I swallowed and gave her a quizzical look as she glared down at me. Her hands were on her hips, I could feel the heat of the glare on me. Mama was never good at glaring; the reprimanding glare was undone by her buttonish nose (the same nose that Solo has, I got Papa’s upturned nose although I did inherit the buttonish size) and pursed lips, making that heated glare more of a fierce pout. I caved, I couldn’t resist or lie to Mama and that’s what it would’ve been (me nodding my head here).

“Solo stopped eating for a while mostly because of stomach pains (this was true) b -but he’s eating now.” I said brightly as Mama’s pout lessen with a glance in Solo’s direction. “I-I... well I thought it would be only fair that the one that ate the most um.. Cut back and it’s kindalikepunishmentforfailingSolo.” I said in one breath, dropping my head so that it hung down between my raised shoulders, touching my folded arms with my forehead. I felt her hand swipe at my bangs and then rub the top of my head.

“You don’t need to be punished, honey. Quin was in the wrong . . .” I could hear the quiver in her voice again, “Eat Duo, honey, I don’t want you two going hungry before we have a reason to be.”

I had thought that Mama would say more but instead she went over to the couch where Solo lay breathing deeply with his head pillowed on his sleeved arms and his holey jean covered legs hanging off the couch. Mama's foot kicked his truck under the couch as she pivoted to sit. I watched as she lifted his arms and head to scoot beneath him. He didn’t wake but unconsciously he curled up to her, fisting his hand in her work blouse and nuzzling the underside of her right breast as she cradled his head with her arm. This reminded of a picture from when he was a baby, Papa had taken it of him doing the exact same thing. Mama had told me that Papa had helped me write ‘my baby brother’ on the back of the photo when she found me looking through our cookie can of photos.

Even in Mama’s arms, though, Solo began to whimper like he always would after the drugs wore off that first night -after about half an hour after he closed his eyes, if I didn’t wake him fast enough he would start to scream silently like he had no voice and kick at me if I touched him too much. I was about to tell Mama that she should be careful and to wake him when she began to hum an old earth melody, rocking him in her arms. I watched as his grip on her blouse loosen and his knees unclenched as they slowly descended from mama’s lap to her side. She ran her hand from his hip to his knee alternating between a soothing rub or pet. Mama’s amazing.

One month passed, it was now four weeks before the new school cycle began and we lost everything in one day. Solo was so much better, eating and smiling and being the chatter box that we were both proud to be. Sometimes if a guy that passed us came a little too close, Solo’d huddle closer to me until we got back home. I was happy though, he wasn’t afraid of going to the toilet by himself any more. I can’t explain it but I think it has something to do with one of his nightmares as of late. He wouldn’t talk to me about it and I was not going to force him to.

I couldn’t stay at home and Hilde's like that for those last few weeks. Besides, Mama said not to let Quin in, she didn't say that we couldn't go out. ‘Kay? ‘Kay. So when we weren’t at ‘Hild’abraugh's, I could never stop the snicker that always came out at the thought of the nicknames' inception. Man, I have to tell you the reason for it, we went to visit her one day. She left us in her room because her mom called her down, no doubt to tell her what she always told her when we came over - not to be coerced into anything sexual. I don't understand that lady. Me and Solo ain't no different from any other kid. It's wrong of her to think that since we're from the slums, that we did that kind of thing.

I sighed, the anger I had for that moment faded quickly and I was becoming bored. I know that if I'm for bored too long... mainly being left to my own devices, I get creative which usually leads to something be destroyed to garner my freedom from boredom. I didn't want to get thrown out Hil's life because of my destructive tendencies so I gave myself free rein to go through her stuff and came across this strange thing. Well I didn’t know what to call it, it was light blue, with two adjustable straps attached to two rounded triangular pieces of clothe. I thought perhaps they were earmuffs and Solo agreed then snatched it out of my hand. I groaned, he was back to his old habits again; then he put it on his head.

I examined it while he tried to hook the little wire clasps together. His lips were pursed together in concentration and his pale lashes looked like powder against his puffed peach cheeks. I tried to adjust the straps when it began to slide off his head as I thought back to those old, well ancient pre-colony movies about war and aviation. I wished I could have been a pilot back then, heck right now would be great. Well I remembered that the pilots had worn little black hat like things that strapped on with two raised surfaces on it, kinda like this thing. I was wondering aloud if Hilde’s Papa had found it in the scrap, when Hilde came in and blushed so red I thought she couldn’t breath or something. We protested when she came and took away the pilot cap and she grumbled as she put it in her dresser slamming the drawer shut. When she realized we didn’t know what it was she fell on to her bed and groaned in relief. Solo was laughing at how red she was, asking why she took the earmuffs away and I went over to bug her to tell us what it was if it wasn’t a pilot’s cap or earmuffs.

“It’s a bra.” She mumbled into her pillow and I just looked at her testing the word in my mouth. Oh, Mama had one of those! Well lots of those, but I didn’t know they came so small. I hadn’t realized I had said that last bit out loud until Hilde lifted her head, her chin tilted inward so her ear-length locks fell forward in her face. “That’s cause it’s for me.”

I burst out laughing and before she could hit me with the pillow I dashed to the same drawer she tucked the bra away in and wrapped it around my waist. . . after some consideration I pulled it higher up to my chest and chanted ‘Hildabraugh’ as she chased me around the room with pillow still in hand. Solo laughed so hard that he rolled around on the floor a bit, holding on to his sides. Man, I can’t help but laugh at the memory. Anyways, when we escaped from home after Mama went to work, we went for little walks that usually led us to the church or the Park. We would only stay for a few hours and then head straight for home. Mama was still wary of b- Quin, even though she hadn’t heard from him, I know she prayed that he would be ok. I hoped the same even though there’s this part of me that wants him to pay for what he did to Solo, what he could’ve done to me. I hate being at odds with myself.

Today we decided to stay in and play hide and seek. I had just found Solo and was in the process of tickling him into submission when we heard footsteps cease outside the door to our apartment. We stilled, hearing the familiar jingle of keys and readied ourselves to pounce on Mama when the door stopped opening. It was still and we couldn’t hear anything at first. I got up and went to door to hear the hushed murmur of voices: Mama’s and a man’s, the landlord dude’s. Their voices became clearer as I moved closer to the door.

“. . . I’m sorry Ms. Maxwell, but the rent was due last month and you weren’t able to pay it in full and it’s same thing this month.”

“I know Mr. Hastings, I’m looking for another job. I appreciate your patience, it’s harder to pay for everything now . . . now that my oldest is gone.”

“Yes, yes. I understand that Ms. Maxwell but unfortunately I ‘ave bills I must pay as well and a new boss that’s coming down on me ‘ead when the money isn’t right.” I could hear the hesitation in his voice as he continued, “there isn’t much I can do when ‘e makes a decision. Tell yah wah Ms. Maxwell, I’ll hold this apartment and all yah things in it, storing it for yah with the money for this month and last months’ rent to cover the cost of storage. But unfortunately you and yours will ‘ave to move out.”

“Mr. Hastings!”

“Ms. Maxwell I’m truly, deeply sorry.” I peeked around the door to see the creamy complection of a balding seventy something man look at Mama with pleading blue greys. I could see the strain in his face as he kept up his management/all business no-nonsense facade but his eyes gave away the compassionate person he was, the one who helped us out all those years ago when we first moved in. “This place will be ‘ere for as long as it takes you to find that second job and I want yah to keep in touch with me and tell me ‘ow-” He glanced down to meet my wide purple eyes as I peeked up at him from around the door and spoke more softly as he continued, “...‘ow you and the boys are doing.”

“But I can’t see why you can’t let us stay until then? My boys behave themselves and don’t disturb the other residents while I’m at work." She paused, giving our door a considerate look before continuing, "Were there any complaints? If they-”

He held up his hands forestalling any further pleas and questions from Mama and brought that hand back to his side, balling it up into a fist. “You 'ave yourself some good boys there Ms. Maxwell, you are a good person, but we ‘ave to consider yah other bills? If you leave I can help yah put it all on ‘old, because you won’t be on the premises then they can’t continue to bill you and new management can’t say that you are still ‘ere and deny you access to your ‘ome when you come back.”

“ . . .”

“Besides, I’m sure the good Father wouldn’t mind-’”

“Yes, yes, I’m sure you’re right.” She cut him off quickly with a wave of her hand.

“ . . .”

“Thank you for doing what you could and your advice. When . . . when do you want us to go.”

“To-,” he bit his lip, “by tomorrow night, Ms. Maxwell. ‘e wanted me to evict you this morn while you were at work and have your things moved out by night fall."

"You mean thrown out." She corrected icily.

He conceded to that correction with a nod of his head. "But I refused to, it just ain't right to kick people down on their luck.” He shook his head and looked back at Mama. Her head was bowed but she met his eyes and gave him a thankful smile.

“Okay.” She said simply and I stumbled back to where Solo was still perched on the floor. We were going to be homeless. I knelt down beside Solo and he asked me what I had heard but I couldn’t get my mouth to work. I knew I was scaring him but I couldn't help it, I was scared myself. I hugged him in hopes it would reassure him in place of my silence and I could feel him breathing faster as he hugged me back. Mama came in with a glum air that made her smiling face fierce. She saw us on the floor, dropped the facade and joined us there, hugging us close. She knew I heard by the look on my face and that Solo hadn’t by the familiar but fearful curiosity that gleamed in his eyes.

"Mama, what's happening?" He asked when I was remained silent.

“Don’t worry babies, we’ll just go and stay with your uncle. I don’t want us to be a bother to him so be on your best behavior.” She mumbled more to herself than to us.

“Why are we going over to stay at uncle’s?” He asked innocently, tilting his head to side to look up at Mama.

“We are being evicted... Solo, honey, I need to find another job and once I have it, we’ll come back home.”

"Ev-evit..." He scrunched up his face adorably, taking in the new word before his face fell in understanding. "We . . . we are going to be homeless.” Solo looked at the both of us with wide eyes.

"Not homeless, we're just going to stay with your Uncle." I was relieved that Mama repeated that quickly because I feared that Solo was going to pass out from the way he was breathing. We were going to stay with Uncle, but I could hear the defiance in her voice still. She wanted to keep our home. She didn’t want to go to Uncle.

“No no, honey, we’ll still have our home but we won’t be able to come back until I get that other job. Ok? You understand, Solo, honey?”

Solo nodded and the tension in his small frame slowly disappeared.

“Come hell or high water, boys, we Maxwells don’t give up.” It was an echo from years back, which Mama has proven to be true with her persistence and character. I’ve even heard Father Maxwell saying it out of his habit and collar, one day when we were painting the church. Without those things he was still uncle and priest, a family man and a fighter... a man, nonetheless, that I wonder if my Papa was similar to.

We packed our bookbags with about three pairs of pants and as many shirts we could get in them. Mama had one of those small pulley suitcases and Solo and I eyed it at the same time. We grinned and tested it to see who could fit inside. It was too cramped for me but Solo fit perfectly inside. When I heard Mama coming back to the room, I tried to get him to come out of it but he pretended to be a sleep. So I put some of Mama's folded clothes on top of him and made sure he was covered completely. Mama began putting her clothes in and arched a brow when it wouldn't go down. I couldn't hold in my snicker and when Mama glanced my way and saw my eyes filled with mirth. Then her attention was brought back to the suitcase when a snicker came from it. She looked back to me with a grin on her face.

"I wonder why my clothes won't go down?" She queried and I snickered when the clothes shifted. "Gotcha!" Mama plunged her hands along the sides of the suitcase and tickled Solo. I jumped on the bed, joining her and soon he was flopping out of the suitcase in a fit of giggles. We felt a little more at ease, everything was far from normal but I felt that no matter how bad things got, it wouldn't take away our happiness.

It was hard to say bye to our home even if it wasn’t going to be for a long time. Father Maxwell and Sister Helen welcomed us and showed us to two small rooms upstairs. They put us in our room first and we peeked out the door to see that mama’s room was across from us. We both felt strange not being able to share a room with Mama so we decided we go over to pester into letting us sleep with her. Surprisingly enough, she had been waiting for us to come. We cuddled up to her and fell asleep in moments. I woke, ensconced in warmth, feeling too warm and stretched out to find our cramped positions on the narrow bed wasn't so cramped anymore. I opened my eyes and saw why, Mama was slipping on her work shoes and was already out her bedroom door in her uniform. Within seconds, I could hear her going down the stairs before I could open my mouth to call her back. I guess she took up another shift at the diner ‘cuz she worked only during the day since what happen with Solo.

Two weeks slowly passed and Mama was edgy again. I stayed up one night when I overheard her conversation with uncle. She was afraid he wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on us, keep us safe while watching the other fifteen kids in the orphanage. Uncle was silent in his reply and I guess I was too tired to stay awake to hear more because the next thing I was aware of was being lifted. I rubbed at my heavy eyes to find the uncle smiling down at me.

“Hmm curiosity got the better of you and sleep foiled your get away pickpocket.” His warm smile makes me more comfortable and I try to look innocent at his comment about my thievery. Even though Mama had the money now from her job, Father Maxwell and sister Helen didn’t accept what she would give to them without argument. They didn’t have enough though, the made due with what they had but that was going to be harder with the four orphans me and Solo helped Uncle bring in from a abandoned shop near Broad. We couldn't just leave them there, not in the Red-light district where anything goes. I . . . well I felt responsible for them and I wanted to help, so I stole. I was pretty good at it, backtracking and using alley ways to get away easily. I took money from the rich bloaks near the school and would leave it in the contribution basket, thinking no one would be the wiser. So how did he know?!

Still not quite awake I was surprised to hear him chuckle. Did I say that out loud?

“Yes you did.” He tapped my nose. “I saw you one morning but don’t do it anymore. If I knew who you took the money from I would have returned it. That was a lot of money Duo. You put yourself in danger and the other children when you do such things." At the sad expression on my face his stern look lighten, he shifted me to rest against his hip and my head rested on his shoulder when he stroked my bangs from my eyes. "I fear that your Mother was right when she questioned my ability to keep an eye on you boys. Lord knows how happy I am to have you all here, but I wish it were under better circumstances. I’ve missed my family dearly... Do you know how much like Aiden you are?” A wry chuckle followed before he was silent, I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to answer. I knew little of Papa’s life before Mama and it would be nice to know but I was too sleepy to stay awake to remember what he said if he went into tales about Papa. I answered anyway with a few nods of my head. “It doesn’t matter right now, lets get you to bed. I’m surprised you’re without your shadow tonight?”

“ . . .‘e sleeping.” Came my half mumbled reply. Father chuckled, shaking his head. The trip to our room was all too short, I was comfortable and fisted my hands in his habit when he tried to put me down on the bed where Solo lay. I felt, more than heard his laugh to this and he sat with me in his arms and hummed a hymnal until my hands went slack. I felt a soft pressure atop my head before he deposited me on the bed beside my brother. I was inching my way back to wakefulness as he tucked me in and he soothed me back to sleep, rubbing my back through the covers.

School was in progress and being at the church most of the time was hard to say the least. We watched as other kids left for school while we stayed and helped around the Church. When we asked Mama why we weren't going too, she didn’t explain and Father Maxwell didn’t argue with her over it. It seemed it was something that they had discussed beforehand and Mama had won the argument. I had my own sources though; Hilde told me that there was a fee to go to school. She had asked our history Teach when I told her that we couldn’t go. I never knew that. I never thought you had to pay to go to school. Since school started, Mama would either bring us to work with her if she worked mornings or we end up at the Park. The Park was the place for us, there was something about it. This little part of the colony was living and breathing all on its own! It survived the weather controller's demented play with the weather, especially the rain and we always felt safe there.

One day, before Mama had to head to work, we swung by the apartment to see if we could get some more clothes. I went straight for the door, I saw Mama raise a hand halfway to motion me to wait but it dropped to her side. I tried to the door and then tried my key. It was locked. What else was I expect? I thought that since it was still ours our key would still work, but I saw then I was wrong to assume so much. Solo was standing beside me and he tried the knob too. I bet we looked like lost pups when Mama came over with Mista Hastings. He patted our shoulders affectionately. Mama came up behind us, resting one hand on top of Solo’s head and the other came to my shoulder, pulling us closer to her.

Once we had our things, Mama took us back to the church but left behind her tote bag. Me and Solo decided that she needed it, she always carried it so it mustuve been important. We left the church and neither Uncle nor Sister noticed and started our long walk to Mama’s job. It wasn’t evening yet but light was fading fast, so we ran. Solo didn’t seem scared or anything, I was proud of him. We were on a mission and we were going to complete it. We ignored the looks of interest, we were used to it by now. Growing up in the slums of L2 we knew, Mama knew what went on out here and that we needed to be alert. Together we could do anything and we were sure that we'd give better than we got if we had to fight.

Mama was in the back and the shop owner was in front, Mista T, serving coffee when his shadowed brown eyes saw us. He smiled and we gave ear-to-ear grins back. Mission complete. He admonished us for coming all the way over here on our own and took Mama’s bag to the back. He gave us both a piece of apple pie, mmm . . . and told us to stay seated and eat. We woulduve kepts our table too if a bunch of these older kids hadn’t come in. They crowded around the bar, so mista T didn’t see when five of them came over to our table. They sneered at us and we ignored them, Solo kicking his feet back and forth, trying to stay calm. The next thing we knew, we were pushed out of our seats. One was a big kid, a little younger than Quin by the looks of him and Solo stepped behind me. His hand clenched the back of my shirt but his face remained blank. I didn't like that look. I cursed the guy and waved my fist at him while the other held my pie. He gestured down to me with an extravagant wave of his hand. “Lookit da lil’ faery.” A few laughs followed. He reached out to push or grab me, I couldn’t tell which, I narrowed my eyes at him and smacked his hand away.

“Fuck off! We were here first.” I scowled at him.

He smirked, fanning his hand and then curled it into a fist at his side trying to hide the red bruise I left. He sniffed his nose at me when he spoke again. “Tough lil bitch ain't she.” I think I growled, I ain't no girl... he smirked. "Betcha she’d like it if we bend her over-”

A kick to his stomach sent him kneeling to the floor and we hauled ass like Mama took the belt to us. We could hear the laughter and a stray comment of “...that little guy has bigger balls than you BJ.” We eventually started laughing, slowing, to look at the mushed mess of pie in our hands. We walked until our breathing settled then finished our hand pies.

We were half way to the church, when a man in an expensive looking car pulled along the side walk. We ignored him and kept walking but we could still hear the slow crunch of debris underfoot as the car rolled near the side walk behind us. Whenever we walked I always kept Solo on the safest side, so like now I’m nearest to the street. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I scrubbed my hand clean on my pants and had it near Solo’s arm just incase I needed to push him out the way if we weren’t fast enough. We turned a corner and thought the dude had lost interest, only to hear a few revs of the engine behind us. We turned to look at each other, just as the tires began to squeal, we looked back to see him barrelling towards us. We broke into a run and I ducked down as he made a swipe at me. I turned, running backwards, Solo a few steps ahead of me to see the man's hand swing backwards toward his car. I brought up my foot and kicked his open car door. I righted my self and continued to run, the only indication that I had slowed him down a little was his pained curse which I guess was for barely saving himself from amputation as he swerved and the tires sounded to a screeching halt.

We kept running in any direction. I made sure I didn’t run faster than Solo and pulled him forward if he lagged.

I brought us to a stop, the simulated light made things look darker and the temperature was dropping... wait it was getting darker and shit! We were farther from the church than before. One thing we were both glad about was losing that sicko. I climbed up a nearby fire escape to get my bearings, jumping down the four feet from the latter, I started us in the direction I hoped would get us back to the church before light was completely gone. In all my wandering, I had never been out this late without big Bro and even then it was only for a few minutes. Kids were never out here around this time of night, even the homeless ones knew better.

We quickened our pace toward the church. I had to stay calm, freakin’ was not an option and sure as hell wouldn't help Solo. We turned a corner and there he was, standing with his suit jacket draped over one arm an a smile across his broad, pasty face. I think I hate corners now. We took off with him right behind us, his long legs giving him the upper hand.

My world jerked backward when pinpricks of pain blistered out from the back of my head and through my back. I dunno how long I laid there. But the attempt I made to catch myself was clear by the throbbing heat in my palms and the ache in my neck from this awkward angle. My last thoughts before I was yanked upward was that of how happy I was Solo got away.

(end Duo POV)
Solo slid to a stop, turning at the sound his brother's yelp of pain as the well dressed man levered him up by his braid and pulled his arm behind his back while Duo’s free hand scrabbled and clawed at the hand that held his braid tightly fisted. Solo froze, flashes of the pain he felt... the humiliation and rapes he endured at his brothers’ hands hitting him hard as his gaze remained fixed on the scene before him. The man had forgotten about him and pushed Duo up against the grimy alley wall, pressing his body against Duo’s backside trapping Duo’s arm at his back. Duo made a pained sound but pursed his lips so the man wouldn’t have the satisfaction of hearing him whimper.

“No, scream for me. Little street trash like you always make it so much better when you scream.” He whispered, his breath thick with the poignant smell of cigarettes awashed in his expensive cologne. Duo knew no one would come before it was too late if he were to scream for help. If he could get his other arm free. . . “I thought that I would get the little blonde one, what is it they say . . . blondes are more fun.” He laughed, grinning against Duo.

Duo bit his lip trying to breathe and not scream out in pain as the movement jerked his imprisoned arm back and upward, straining his muscles. The tips of his shoes barely touched the paved alley way as he used his knees and the pressure against his back to try and free his arm.

While Duo struggled to find purchase enough to get his arm free, the blonde comment had him thinking of Solo, he looked out the corners of his eyes trying to see if his brother was gone. He was hoping that he knew how to get back to the church, praying to a God he didn’t call upon often, that he would make it back and be safe. He knew he was hoping for too much with the failing light and chilled air that met parts of his exposed skin.

"Oh yea, keep struggling... pushing me harder against that tight ass. Maybe I was wrong about you. Do you know how to pleasure a man little boy?" The man's voice became huskier as he forced his hand down the front of Duo's pants and squeezed his genitals to push him back against his upward thrust.

Duo screamed and then bit his lip to muffle it. It hurt. It hurt damn it and he knew that it wasn't going to be the worst of it if he couldn't get free of his hold.

The man laughed. “I guess not."

The man leaned down and licked the shell of Duo's ear and then whispered, "I knew I’d catch one of you. I dared hoped both, then I would have taken one home... for awhile.” His words trailed off as if in thought. “What is that little one to you? Hmm? Perhaps he’ll come back and I’ll leave you out in the open and he’ll think- AHH!”

Duo squeezed his eyes shut, the scream in his ear hurt but he had space. He hurt his knees but the bulky guy moved as pushed them against the ragged bricks. The man pulled his hand out of Duo's pants and began to wiggle furiously behind him. Duo freed his arm and dug his nails into the hand that held his braid still, kicking backward at the man’s crotch. His kick hit home but not before he was thrown face first into the wall. He slide down the wall to his feet, his hand dropping to hold the front of his pants as he swayed along the wall before placing a hand on it to brace himself. He turned his head slowly to see the man kneeling on one knee and Solo with an arm around his thick neck, repeatedly stabbing the man in his back with part of a broken bottle.

Duo took shaky steps toward them. He needed to help Solo, but he was too slow, the man recovered from his shock from Duo’s kick and Solo's first stab with a deep shaky breath. His eyes locked on Duo's as he reached behind him, plucked Solo from his back as if he were lent and flung him toward Duo. Duo saw Solo coming and had little time to react. The moment his brothers’ head collided with his chest, he wrapped his arm around him, taking the brunt of the fall. They rolled several times before skidding to a stop with a reverberating ‘phung’ against an industrial sized trash compactor.

Pieces of trash floated around the still bodies, a pained groan echoing in the alleyway. Duo pushed him up on wobbly arms with Solo nestled beneath him. He looked him over, he was bruised and bloody, he couldn’t tell how much of the blood was Solo’s, the man’s or his own. ‘At least he is a live,’ Duo thought before turning his head to cough since he couldn’t get his hand to his face fast enough- blood and spittle splattered the graying green of the trash compactor. His head was ringing, something in him moved that shouldn’t with each pained breath he took. Duo struggled to focus. His senses and instincts dully-screamed danger, that the man was up again and coming for them. He tried to rub feeling into the arm that had been wrenched behind him earlier, unaware of the thick warmth that flowed down the side of his face and the bloody trail from his nose.

Duo shook Solo, trying to wake him. He glanced up to see the man limping over to them, dropping the bloody glass he pulled from his back and crushing it with his booted foot. Duo put one arm around Solo’s waist and pushed himself to his feet. That was a bad idea. He almost collapsed, catching himself on the cold rim of the rusting compactor and nearly lost his grip on Solo. He tried again but settled for crawling with one hand, while the other strained to hold onto Solo.

Suddenly, Solo jerked and screamed. Solo was forced from his arms and Duo caught the glint of steel and fell on top of his brother catching the from the steel toed shoe in his side.

“Fuck! You little shits!” He kicked at Duo and then at Solo when Duo moved involuntarily from the force of the man’s kicks. “Never had this much trouble for a piece of ass . . .” The man breathed heavily, leaning forward with his hands resting on his knees. His eyebrows arched into his hairline when he saw Duo struggle to pull his brother away again.

“If you’d left the little shit then you’d probably would have gotten away with your life . . .” He spat bloody phlegm in Duo’s path, he didn’t understand why he had just said that, why offer the urchin a way out. There was something about the boys’ persistence that irked him and he wanted to possess it. He wanted to break it down.

He’d come here after work looking for a little action, the prostitutes on the corner didn’t even interest him. He was looking for a challenge, something cleaner than them. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve, unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt after he removed his tie. He watched the boy a little longer before walking into his path. He used the toe of his shoe to push Duo off of Solo to land with a muffled splash in an unseen black puddle. Duo opened dazed eyes, one only half opening and the man’s sharp intake of breathe echoed in the alley. He leaned down grabbing Duo’s chin and forcing his face back up to him. Duo squinted in pain but the man forced his eyes open, pulling back the lid over his right eye. He then angled his head in the fading light, seeing it catch in Duo’s eyes. After he got tired of those small hands clawing at his own, he threw Duo back down beside his brother. Duo’s back arched up in pain at the impact.

“With eyes like those, I would’ve sold you after I was done. Maybe after I had the little blond one too. Your brother? Have to be if you care so much to die for him.” He unconsciously shook his head. “You two could’ve had a place instead of being on the streets, spitfires like you are good commodities. I was going to do you that favor but . . .” His smiled maliciously, flicking the on switch behind the machine, the whirl of motors and the reverberating ‘vrrr’ of its shifting gears had the man patting its graying top. “This machine here should make nice bloody smears of you and you know what . . . it’s night and no one cares about street trash like you.”

The man picked up Duo by the base of his braid stopping him from getting up and trying again to getaway with his brother. The sound from the compactor woke Solo. His vision doubled, he gritted his teeth against the nausea and clutched at Duo's shirt. When next he opened his eyes, he saw Duo leaving him and in panic he surged up, managing to get an arm around Duo’s waist and holding his grip on his shirt. A barely audible 'no' fell from his lips before the man brought the heel of his hand down on his head. Solo fell backward into the compactor, slumping down it to sit, stunned with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. The man dragged Duo a foot away and then threw him down to the alley floor. He watched the boy spit blood and pant as it seeped down the corner of his mouth. The man eyed the boys' lips before he pounced on him. Duo struggled as the man laughed, taking hold of his hands and tying them with ease to the pole of the dull streetlight above him.

He bit Duo’s ear hard enough to hurt but not hard to leave incriminating marks as he whispered, “You can’t stop yourself from screaming now.” The man’s sky blue eyes took on a more menacing light in the darkness of the alley as he turned to grin at Solo. “I hope you enjoy the show.”

He ripped Duo’s shirt and trousers open with two hard jerks. Duo fought him, bucking at the hand on his butt and snapping his teeth when the man tried to kiss him. The man only cackled and struck him across the face, then again with his fist. Duo went limp, his head snapping to right with the last hit. His vision swam before then cleared enough for his dazed eyes to focus on the alley entrance, away from the man, away from Solo and the freedom it presented. He felt a heavy heat against his thigh when his legs were yanked up. He tried to offer up resistance, but his limbs were listless and his darkening vision made him used all he had to stay awake... he had to, he feared the man would turn to Solo if he passed out. He let his eyes shut at the feel of rough lips against his chest and tensed at the sound of a meaty 'wham.’ The lips disappeared with a gust of heated breath across his chest. He jerked at the resounding thud that followed.

“Ah fu...” Came the groan, it was the man but whatever else he was going to say was cut off by another a whack.

Heavy breathing filled the alley, then a gasp followed. Duo could hear Solo crying. His heart leapt into his throat, he prayed that when he opened his eyes he didn’t see the man molesting Solo. He turned his head in the direction of Solo’s whimper and opened his eyes, trying to ignore the greying edges in his vision. Solo was rubbing his side and scrubbing his eyes with a balled up fist. 'Shesh it looked like it hurt,' Duo thought absently. Then Solo was crawling over to him. He was ok. He was ok... but he wondered where the man was. He was having trouble keeping his left eye open but he turned his head, as much as his trapped braid beneath him would allow, to where he had heard the sounds before.

A lone figure stood, apron askew, chest heaving but the breathing sound in the alley didn't match the rise and fall of her chest. The bat bounced lightly in her hand as if she was considering using it again. It was surreal the way the dingy light made Jadea seem huge to Duo. He figured it was probably because he was on the ground and due to his brain being mush after being used like a jackhammer's toy. He knew, though, that he wasn’t dreaming by the look of unmitigated rage that consumed her face.

Jadea kicked the man in the side, nudging him with the wooden bat she had taken from the diner when she ran helter-skelter out in search of her boys. She remembered the grim look the diner owner, Travis, had once the crowd left and her sons were nowhere to be seen. He told her that the boys were passing the time eating the pie he had given them. They checked the bathroom to be sure. They weren't there. And in that moment, all Jadea could feel was her pounding heart. She knew her boys had a habit of getting into trouble but they would’ve stayed put unless something happened.

Her throat clenched so tight, she thought that she was being strangled. It was already dark out when she stormed after them, bat in hand, ignoring Travis’ call to her. She knew the owner was following her but he was much older and his weight hindered him from keeping pace with her. She appreciated him for caring but she had to find them now. She was about turn to backtrack to the diner and check the alleys there when she heard the sound of a machine. ‘This late at night?’ She thought following the sound, they were near the docks but too far to hear any of the machines that were often used there. She tried to ignore the panicked voice telling her that it was too late... that whoever took her boys was long gone and she’d never see them again, as she made her way to the sound.

What she saw in the alley made her blood run cold and she was a flurry of action as her anger rose.

She shook her head, dropping the bat after she realized the labored breathing was from Travis, entering the alley in a half run. ‘He must have followed the sound too,’ She thought distantly, turning from the still figure lying on the ground to her sons. She looked into their bruised faces, barely making it to Duo before her knees gave out. With a deep frown, she began trying to untie Duo's bound hands. Her eyes trailed down his bruised bear chest and her efforts with the knotted piece of cloth soon became frantic as she took in the blood, more bruising and his bare hips. Tearing at the cloth, she didn't notice her tears raining down on her half naked, semiconscious son.

“Shit!” The store owner said torn between wanting to come to help Jadea and not wanting to leave the unconscious man unguarded.

She reached out one hand to brush Solo’s cheek, looking him over critically while her other hand yanked the knots in frustration. The knots were done so well, as if the man had done them dozens of times before. She put her thoughts on that away when she noticed the rising lump on Solo's head. She brought her hand up behind his head and gazed intently into his eyes, the pupils were even. She exhaled heavily in relief, a ‘schnick’ that echoed in the alley and she jumped at the sudden thump against her shoe. She was hesitant to turn her attention away from her boys, but she did look down at her foot. She gave Travis a sad, if not grateful, smile for sending her his switch blade.

She tried to keep the panic out of her voice as she made quick work of the knots on Duo’s wrists. “Duo? Duo, honey, stay awake ok? Can you hear me?”

Duo whimpered in response, his hands lying limply over his head as he tried to lift them, wanting to get up. He shook with the effort and Jadea bit her lip. “Shhh, it’s ok. He won’t be up and ‘bout for some time. Stay still.” Duo continued to struggle and whimper trying to move. Jadea saw the fear she felt reflected on Solo’s pale face and she wanted so desperately to hold Duo and through touch let him know that it was ok if... if he couldn’t hear her. Forgetting herself, she pulled him up to a sitting position by his shoulders. Duo’s scream almost made her let go as he slumped in her hold.

“Dammit!” She couldn’t tell if she had said it or if it was Travis, but she felt sick with herself for causing her son more pain. Travis was by her side in an instant as Jadea carefully laid the limp form in her hands across her lap.

“DUO!!” Solo screamed about to grab onto Duo but was stopped by Jadea’s hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her owlishly and then crawled over to her side, leaning against her as he hiccupped quietly, tearless sobs and held Duo’s cold hand.

It felt like hours had passed and she didn’t want to move Duo. She couldn’t accept that Duo could die if they didn’t get him to a hospital but she didn’t have a phone on her and the slums never heard of anything called a payphone. If they were in this section of the colony, they would bring more harm than good.

“ . . . I don’t give a flying fuck what sector I’m calling from. You get your lazy arses down here and do your GODDAMN JOB! If this boy dies, I swear to God not only will that precinct be sued for not doing their job I’ll make every day a living hell!” Jadea started. ‘Had Travis been on the phone the entire time?’ She thought that shock had set in when she didn’t respond more than she had to Travis normally calm voice’s harshness. Travis wasn’t an all important person like the those who had money often thought they were, but he knew people and could call in favors if he had to. He had a commanding personality and it worked well for him when he had to put his foot down on an issue. It was clear that he would do anything possible not to see Duo die.

“Y-yes sir. Their eta is 10 mins. The ambulance, 8.”

“Tell them to hurry the hell up, we don’t have time like that!” Before the dispatcher could respond, Travis snapped his cell phone shut.

Jadea, stroked Duo’s blood clumped bangs, not really paying attention to anything else. She pressed her thumb over a shallow gash over Duo’s left brow, stanching it some but it continued to bleed, slipping pass her thumb in slower drops. It made her feel somewhat useful and stopped her from giving in to the silent tears that streamed down her face. She didn’t want to know how far the man had gotten with Duo. She didn’t think she could handle it. Not now.

She tried to pull his torn shirt close and his pants and shorts back up on his bruised hips, then settled herself against the pole of the street light. She stared up at the colony ceiling where the simulated sky flickered enough to see the outlines of the panels that made it up. She couldn’t lose another one. She didn’t know if she could bounce back this time, if she could keep going for Solo’s sake if Duo . . . she squeezed her eyes shut, adding more tears to the steams on her face. She relaxed her eyes, letting the pressure leave them but kept them closed. She felt Solo tremble beside her, She focused on his hitched breaths, trying to ignore how unnaturally still Duo was becoming.

Tbc...



Comments, Criticisms, Reviews are appreciated, craved and sought after. Thank you for your support, it keeps me writing when I find myself aloss for words. And special thanks to Efrite for understanding my insanity.