Unexpected Help 4
Horatio looked at his watch. It was 1:58 pm. Almost a whole day before he had to go talk to the shrink. Of course he hated it, but he knew that he didn't have a choice. Reluctance to talk could be seen as him having a guilty conscience or him just being an unstable emotional wreck, which he probably was right now. He sat down on a bench in Central park as clouds began to cover the blue sky. It wouldn't be long before it would start to rain soon, Horatio knew. But he didn't care, he just didn't want to go but had to. He had to figure out how to portray himself at this Dr. Skoda's office, how he wouldn't ruin his credibility and of course it shouldn't look as if he acted, he shouldn't have to act.
His thoughts were driving him crazy as a little while later it began to pour. For a second Horatio wanted to run for cover, but merely strolled, seeing it was no use to run fast he'd still be drenched anyway. The rain cooled him down nicely and he looked around. He breathed in deep, taking in the scent of the fresh air. It always smelled good in New York when it was raining and just after that. In Miami it was different. It wouldn't cool down, instead of just warm, you'd be just wet too. If this city didn't hold so many bad memories he'd move back down here, but it did. It held his worst nightmare.
The rain vanished almost as quickly as it had come, Horatio hadn't even reached the shelter he was heading for when it stopped. He was drenched through and through and was beginning to feel a bit cold, but it wasn't a bad feeling. On is way back to his hotel room he bought an ice cream on is way back to his room. He was glad he had a change of clothes. But now he had way too many hours to pass and nothing to do. He decided to check up on the others, but who to call, who'd give him the least trouble about why he didn't come back. Alexx was about to give him the most trouble, Stetler of course not, that would be the last person he'd call. Calleigh seemed to be very worried always as well and almost as stubborn as Alexx, then there was Eric and Speedle. Horatio set his mind on Speedle. He'd always been fond of him, like he'd be of a brother.
He dialled Speedle's number and waited. "Speedle." A familiar voice spoke on the other side.
Horatio smiled as he heard the familiar voice. "Hi Speed." Horatio said, obviously sounding pretty good for someone in the position e was in. He was feeling a bit better now.
"Horatio?" The other asked, sounding surprised. He hadn't been told why Horatio still wasn't back and was worried. "What's going on? Are you alright? Why are you still in New York?" Tim asked.
So much for not too much trouble about the current situation. Horatio thought to himself. "I'm ok Tim. A personal matter came up, that all." Horatio tried to assure the man.
Tim knew Horatio was from New York, but hadn't lived there in ages so what could be up? "Personal matter in New York, but you moved to Miami years ago, what's wrong H?" Tim asked, rather insistently this time.
"It's from a long time ago Tim, but it is a problem that needs solving right now. So how are you guys holding up?" Horatio asked. "You and Eric did leave the lab in one piece I hope." Horatio said in an attempt to joke, but it came out a hopeless attempt to change the subject.
Tim then knew Horatio wouldn't talk about it but he wanted to help his friend, but for now that he could do by solving cases. "Yes it's still in one piece, but you'd better get back here quickly." Tim joked.
"I plan on doing so." Horatio said. "But how are things going?" He then asked again. He needed an answer, if it wasn't going right he'd call around for help, if it was going well he could relax.
"It's going ok. But we'd love have you back." Tim said and smiled, hoping that would help a bit, whatever was going on it couldn't be good.
Horatio smiled. It felt good to be wanted and needed. Just to get past that stupid shrink tomorrow and he'd be on is way to Miami, he might even have made a new friend by then. He hoped so. Jack was a nice man and even though they lived far apart having someone to write with seemed great. He always wanted to make new friends somehow. He hardly had any family. His brother was dead, he had Madison, Suzie, Ray Jr and Yelina. His only family left. Well things were going ok and would be going better if he got back. "Thanks for keeping me up to speed, Speed." Horatio said.
"No problem. I'd better get back to work. Bye." He said, having a crime scene waiting for him.
"Alright, good luck. Bye." Horatio said and hung up. So far so good. Things were heading the right way here and the lab was still standing. But still way too much time to pass. Horatio decided to go running. He couldn't just sit on his ass all day long. He had no idea in what direction he was going, thinking too much about tomorrow. When he looked around to see where he was his mind seemed to have taken him back to the apartment building where Jack lived. He blinked wondering why of all places he'd go here. But really right now he didn't care. He'd been running for a few hours, well jogging, then walking, then jogging again. It was getting dark and then a familiar sound approached, the sound of a motorcycle.
Jack spotted the lieutenant and stopped right next to him. "Is something wrong lieutenant?" he asked.
"No I was just out jogging." Horatio replied.
"Then why are you here?" Jack asked him.
"Good question. I have no idea. I was thinking, jogging and somehow I wound up here." Horatio said.
Jack blinked and smiled. "It's good to know there's no emergency of some kind." The older man spoke. "I'll see you tomorrow then." Jack said and with that drove into the basement and parking garage of the apartment building.
"Cya." Horatio said and began to make his way back to his motel. When he got there it was late and he turned in for bed. He needed some good rest, but for the first time in years nightmares began to plague the man again.
Horatio was alone in the house with his dad. His mom and brother were out. He came down the stairs to have breakfast and go to school. He felt nervous, he always did when his dad and he were alone. "Good morning dad." The boy said, softly, not sure if his dad expected him to say it or wanted to be left alone to read the paper. He was in luck this time.
"Good morning sun." The man replied and peaked over the newspaper towards his son with a slight smile.
He seemed to be in a good mood, which was a big relief to Horatio, but he knew that could chance any second. He took to slices of bread and put them in the toaster. Then he patiently sat down and waited, saying nothing.
It was his father that opened the conversation. "How are things at school son?" He asked. Things were ok pretty much.
"Well they're ok. A few boys were picking on ray, but I took care of it." Horatio said.
"That's my boy." The man replied, smiling a bit. Horatio's grades had been good, Raymond not that good. "Do you know why Raymond's grades are down?" The man asked.
"Perhaps because of the boys that used to pick on him? That and he really hates doing homework." Horatio said.
"Do you like doing homework Horatio?" His father then asked. The boy replied by shaking his head. "But you do it anyway, that's good. Talk to Raymond, see if you can get him to do his homework or I'm gonna have to do it." The man said.
This was obviously a threat. It was to the boy. If he couldn't get Raymond to do his homework he'd get beaten again and it would be his fault…again. The boy couldn't bare that. If anything this made him more nervous then before.
The toast popped out and Horatio grabbed the two slices and put them on his plate. The less he had to do the better. He merely put butter on them and then took a bite, sitting across the table from a man he feared to the core of his bones. Every move the boy made was careful and thought out, not wanting to set the man off.
A few minutes later he finished his toast and ripped his glass of milk with both hands, so far so good. His heart was beating in his throat now. He took sip by sip, careful not to spill anything. This had been one of those times he got away with a near nerve breakdown.
But later that day they got back a math test, Horatio had scored a B-, but Raymond had scored a D. That was bad Horatio knew, very bad. Raymond too was scared as the two boys walked home in silence, both dreading what was going to come. Then Horatio began the conversation. "Raymond, dad wants your grades to go up and that means doing your homework. I don't like it either, but if we don't get good grades you know what dad will do." Horatio said.
As this the brother got mad, although he didn't like to get beat, he didn't want to be anyone's lapdog either. "And I'm sick and tired of him telling me what to do." Raymond said almost shouted.
"I agree, but this is no solution, you're not only defying him, but you're grades now will determine your own future Raymond. He's right about us having to do homework." Horatio said.
"Fine." Raymond said and sighed, just not wanting another lecture from his older brother. He didn't want to get beaten either, but they both knew hell would break lose when dad would see the D Raymond had scored.
Horatio closed the front door with dread, dad wasn't home just yet, fortunately. "Let's go do homework. He may not get so mad if he finds you're doing homework when he comes home, we should make sure he sees it." Horatio said. Raymond agreed. They sat down at the kitchen table and pulled out their books. Raymond began to work on math and Horatio decided to do the same. They'd hardly been home fifteen minutes when the door slammed shut again. The moment they'd been dreading was there, their father walked into the kitchen, seeing two boys in the kitchen. "So when are you boys gonna get that math test back?" He asked. Both of them nearly turned pale.
"Alright where is it?" The man then asked. Horatio pulled his out of his back and Raymond did the same. He seemed to be ok with Horatio's grade. "Raymond? What do you have to say for yourself?" The man shouted.
"I'm sorry dad. I.." Raymond said, but the boy didn't get time to finish and was punched in the face. At this Horatio jumped from his seat and moved in between the two. "Dad, I talked to him like you asked, you see he's willing to improve. He can't improve grades that were already on the list." Horatio said. The man merely grabbed his older son by the hair and dragged the boy to the hallway and locked the kitchen door. Then he turned back to Raymond.
Horatio could hear the screams and pleas of his brother from outside of the door. He tried to break it down, but he was too small and too young. He just ended up with two very bruised shoulders. But of course his father had heard the pounding on the door, which to him meant his other son was defying him and he didn't take that well. It hadn't been all that long before he sent Raymond up to the room the brothers shared, but all beat up. He grabbed Horatio when he wanted to go after Raymond and dragged the boy into the kitchen.
"You shouldn't defy me. Take that shirt off." He ordered. The boy was scared, knowing what was to come, but it would get worse if he didn't. He took his shirt off, exposing his bare chest. The boy's back already having a few large scars from punishments like this. The man pushed the boy down, hanging over a chair as he began to whip the boy's back with his belt. It were now Horatio's screams that echoed through the apartment. Every time the clasp connected with the skin of the young boy one could hear a sickening crack. Welts forming, blood beginning to flow.
Horatio woke up, sitting straight up in bed, covered in cold sweat from the nightmare. He could remember that day all too well. It had been years since these nightmares had plagued him, but now they were back. He knew he wouldn't sleep for the rest of the night and decided to go get some coffee. It was only 3:45 am, a whole lot of time to kill until eleven. He decided to take a long bath, perhaps it would help. He walked to the bathroom and turned on the hot water. He then stripped from his boxers and waited for the tub to fill. He yawned, he was still tired, but didn't want to sleep.
He turned of the running water and let himself slide into the hot water, letting out a content sigh. I felt great and he lied down enjoying the warm water as he dozed off again.
The twelve year old boy was home with his mom and dad. His brother was at a sleep over with a friend. Horatio thought his brother was lucky. He was doing his homework like a good son would do.
"Horatio." His father called from the downstairs.
He didn't sound angry at all, but he wanted to know what his dad wanted and even more he didn't want to piss him off. "Coming dad." He said back and immediately got up and made his way to the living room.
"Ah Horatio, you should see this." His father said. It was a movie, rated for 18 and older, but his dad thought his son would be able to handle it.
"Marc, you know he shouldn't be watching that, it's not rated for 18 and above for no reason." Horatio heard his mother say. And that was all it took.
"Shut up bitch." Marc growled and got up. "Dad, please don't hurt her, she's only worried about me, but I can handle it." He said.
"Go to your room boy, I'll rent the movie for some other time." He said as he moved towards his wife, seeing her eyes widen in fear.
Horatio didn't listen of course. He didn't want to see her hurt. He blocked his father's path.
"Get out of the way boy." Marc snarled threateningly.
"No, dad she didn't mean it, just don't hurt her." Horatio said.
"Fine." Marc growled and hit Horatio in the face instead. He hit his wife down once when she tried to stop him, but that he needed to do just once. He heard Horatio cry out in pain, but there was no plea from the boy this time. This surprised him.
Horatio was scared, but afraid that if he asked his dad not to do it he'd go back to hurting his mother. Instead the boy just took the punishment. The boy cried out every time his father hit, punched or kicked him.
Horatio shot awake in the bathtub. The water was cold now and Horatio couldn't help but sigh. He just washed his hair and got out. He'd just had to make up for the lack of sleep with coffee. He put on his suit and shut up the alarm clock as soon as it started. Only 6:30 am. Four and a half hours left to go. He knew where he'd be spending most of it. He'd go to get some good coffee.
Horatio however wasn't the only one plagued by nightmares. It had been at least thirty years for Jack to have a nightmare about his dad, but this night it all seemed to come back.
The ten year old Jack was walking home from school. Things were going pretty good, his father had probably gotten that promotion this time. At least the boy hoped he didn't, if not it would mean hell at home.
Some hours later, around dinner time his father came home. Jack, his brothers and sisters were already seated at the dinner table, waiting for him. Jack heard the door slam closed hard. That was when he knew his dad had not gotten the promotion. The man walked inside, glad to see at least dinner was ready. But he just took a seat and said nothing to her. Dinner progressed in silence as a tension built in the air.
It couldn't be good and everyone already knew the outcome. Jack knew it, he knew his mom did. "Go to your rooms." He baked at the kids. Jack lead is little brother and sister away from the two adults and tot heir room. He stayed with them as downstairs hell would break lose.
"They passed me over again!" The man yelled.
"That was stupid of them, it's their loss." The woman replied.
"Well I'm glad you agree with me, get me a beer woman." The man then barked.
She didn't like to be called a woman but she knew her husband's mood now was just fowl and she got him a beer. And another one, and another one. It scared her, her husband's mood was unlikely to get better with more beer. But what happened this time was nothing he'd ever done to her before.
When it became silent for a while Jack left the room of his younger siblings and sneaked back downstairs, seeing the door ajar, so far everything seemed normal. His father kissed his mom and he thought bah. But adults seemed to like it. His mom pushed him away. "Don't" She said. Dad saw his dad didn't care and hit her across the face before once again kissing her, this time touching her in places no Jack had never seen anyone touch her. She pushed him away again and was punched in the face. At this point Jack couldn't take it anymore. He opened the door and ran towards his mother. "Are you ok mom?" He asked her.
This action infuriated his father. The 6'4ft tall man grabbed his son by the hair and lifted him up. "This is none of your business, you should know better then to interfere." He barked and punched the boy hard. Jack let out a cry in pain, again and again, every time his father hit him or kicked him. At some point everything turned black.
The other man seemed satisfied with the result as he turned towards the wife again. Jack couldn't believe what he saw when he came to about five minutes later. His father on top of his mom who was screaming and begging for him to stop. He'd torn of her clothes and was naked himself. He'd heard about this at school, but had no idea what it really was, all he knew was that his mother was in pain and if his body hadn't been aching so much he would have tried to help, but right now he couldn't even pick himself of the floor.
Jack jerked awake in his bed. He sat up, his body covered in cold sweat. "Damn it." He muttered to himself, then his alarm clock came to life. Jack slammed the damn thing into silence. It was time to get up and go to work. It seemed that taking on Horatio's case was having a big influence on him.