This is the second updated chapter of "He's Back". It wasn't quite so melodramatic as a lot of my other chapters but I did have to edit out a rather over the top image of Drake and Megan crying on the couch. Hope you approve. More to come!

Unbearable Memories

Flash Back

"Daddy, stop! You're hurting" Drake let out another scream as the belt came down once more on his shoulders.

"What the hell did you think you were doing boy?" Alex growled.

"I don't know… I just…I'm sorry!" Drake sobbed, "I just missed the bus. I'm sorry Daddy!"

The belt was made of stiff old leather. It hurt and Drake screamed out apology after apology but it didn't matter. Alex didn't care.

End of Flash Back

Drake winced as he remembered that day. Those memories had this awful way of making him feel little phantom hurts all over his body. Megan and his Mom were out of town for some reason that day. Maybe a field trip. He'd been late coming home after school and Alex had convinced himself that his son was out shoplifting. Drake had never given him any reason to think that but, never the less, Alex furiously went through every item in his bag until he found a set of erasers that looked like race cars. Until that moment, Drake had loved them. He put them back in their box every time he used them and never lent them to anyone else who may not appreciate how cool they were. Now he wished grandma had never bought them. Dad didn't remember buying them and said that he must have taken them from a store. That day was the first time Drake had realized that there was no rhyme or reason to his father's random and delusional violence. It was a terrifying revelation. It meant that there was no way he could be good enough for Alex not to hurt him. It meant that his dad really wanted to hurt him.

Lying in bed, Drake could almost feel every strike of that dammed belt. That was the day that had broken him and stole away the hope of ever being good enough for his dad. He winced again. Nothing hurt more than that.

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Josh knew better than to follow his brother after their mysterious conversation yesterday. If Drake wanted to be left alone, he was left alone. He'd even avoided everybody at school. Though Josh had tried to find him at lunch, his brother had apparently gone home for the afternoon because he felt "sick". He didn't believe a bit of it and the whole thing had him freaked out.

"Josh! Josh!" Mindy shouted into his ear, "Josh what's the matter with you? I said your name five times."

Josh looked at her stupidly, "What? Oh sorry. What's up ?"

Mindy sighed, "Very attentive dear boyfriend. Was going to ask what's up with Drake. Apparently you were wondering the same thing."

"Oh, Yeah, I have. Sorry," Josh smiled apologetically "Not really sure to be honest. Family crap I think. Don't worry 'bout it. I'll deal."

Mindy smiled back, "Whatever, your brother and I have a tenuous understanding the pretty much hinges on a mutual friendship with you. Don't you dare tell him that I was worried, Nichols. What you up to tonight?"

Josh raised an eyebrow, "So I'm just a friend? I had planned on hanging out with you tonight but apparently we're just friends" he said with mock hurt.

"Your sisters right, you are a boob. My parents aren't home till 10 o'clock," Mindy stood up on tiptoe and whispered into his ear, "and only very special friends do to you what I did last night."

Josh blushed, "Point taken. I'll be there."

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Drake had gotten home just in time to erase the message from school saying that he'd missed periods three and four. Although he held fast to the tough guy act, he didn't skip too often and his parents needn't find out about it.

When he got upstairs, Drake was surprised to see Megan sitting on thin couch in his room watching TV. As soon as he came in, she turned the sound down, "Sorry, didn't feel like watching downstairs,"

"It's all right, but why are you home? Do you even know how to sneak out of school?"

"I told Mom I didn't feel well this morning. I figure I still have a few more years before the tummy ache excuse wears out."

Drake smiled a little. He'd taught her well. "You don't look sick Megan,"

Megan sighed, "I just didn't want to be at school okay? It felt safer here," Her voice had slowly gotten quieter with every word and now it sounded uncharacteristically meek.

Her brother came and sat on the couch, "Me too," he said slinging an arm over her shoulders.

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"Hello! Anybody home?" Josh called. He was usually the first one in the door after school but today he wasn't sure. He stopped home to drop off his backpack before he went to Mindy's and check on Drake if he was there.

"We're up here," came Megan's voice. That was strange. She got off later than them. Josh climbed the stairs and opened the door to his bedroom. His two other siblings were sitting on the couch watching some bad cop show that had been cancelled years ago. It was weird enough that Megan was home but the two of them watching TV together just didn't fit. There was something wrong. Megan got up to leave but Josh stopped her.

"Oh no, If you ever want to get out of here, you will tell me what the hell is going on. You guys can't get along for more than two minutes and now you're all sibling affection and stuff. I want explanations. I won't tell Mom and Dad if you don't want me to but this secret stops here!"

Megan was defensive, "We don't need to explain sitting around watching TV Josh."

"Fine," Josh rebuked, "but I would like to know why my brother looks about ready run for the hills. I know you're in on this too Megs. Don't keep me out."

Drake was still sitting on the couch but Josh could see the profile of his clenched jaw. He looked tight enough to snap. Megan saw too, "Drop it," she warned.

Josh squared his shoulders and planted himself in front of the door stubbornly. He saw his brother sigh in resignation.

"Megan he's right. I can't hide this from him anymore," Drake said. He got up and walked over to Josh's bed by the door then sat down again. "What do you know already?" Drake asked sitting down on the bed.

"Not much. I know it's about your real dad,"

Megan looked disgusted, "Let's get one thing straight right now. Walter is our real dad and Alex is nothing more than someone from the past. Okay?"

Josh smirked at his fierce little sister. "Okay, but that really is all I know,"

Drake winced and brought his hand quickly to his shoulder as if something had just struck him there. "Are you sure you want to know?" he asked.

"Yes," Josh said soberly.

"Fine, but I hope you know that this story doesn't have a happy ending,"

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Second edited installment. I like this much better than the original hope you do too!

Please review!

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