Sorry I haven't been replying to anyone on here. I know everyone loves it. I'm gonna try and play maaaajor catch up.
First of all I am so glad everyone loves Sam being pregnant. I really love how everyone has gotten attached to my made up characters. Thank you.
Second, I love how everyone reacted to Brian's nephew (well not nephew anymore lol) Peter. I didn't think everyone would have such a strong response to him. I didn't see everyone getting that excited about it. It wasn't planned at all. It was just something I added in last minute and thought hey, this sounds fun. That's where ALOT of my ideas come from. Just random add ins...like the fact that Justin was attacked outside the house and couldn't see anything. That was totally not planned out at all. I wanted to end that chapter, with how I ended this chapter. But it took a life of it's own.
But I'm reeeeeally excited about this chapter. I hope you all love it. Im actually almost done with the next chapter. I was writing the next one out until I had a chance to get online. ENJOY
CHAPTER 9
Jennifer had stayed with Justin until Brian came back. They only allowed one person to stay in the room with him. Brian slept with his head on the bed, and held Justin's hand. The nurses woke him up every hour to check on him. Justin never understood where he was. But he answered all their questions until they let him go back to sleep. By the morning Brian was exhausted. He hadn't gotten a full hour of sleep yet. Jen had dropped off breakfast for them when Justin finally woke up. When he started stirring, Brian sat straight up.
"Hey Sunshine. How are you feeling?" Brian asked. Justin hissed in pain, and then rubbed his good eye. "Can you see me?" Brian asked. Justin opened his eye and looked at him.
"You're blurry." Justin whispered. That worried Brian. "It's better then last night though. Last night I couldn't see you at all. You were just a mash up of colors. Now you're just a really fuzzy blob." Justin said. Brian let out a sigh.
"I've been called a bunch of things before. But a fuzzy blob..." Brian trailed off and chuckled.
"Where's Lilly?" Justin asked as he started to get worried.
"Relax. My mom brought her, Gus and J.R. to Vance and Cheyanne's house." Brian said, trying to soothe him.
"What about the puppies though?" Justin asked. Brian already had to deal with this hours ago.
"Mr. Kinney. Can I get you to open your eyes for me?" the nurse asked. Brian groaned as he sat up. He always thought they were talking to him. He forgot Justin's last name was Kinney. She turned the light on and softly shook Justin. He groaned. "Can I have you open your eyes for me. Do you know your name?" she asked.
"Justin Kinney." he moaned.
"Good. Can you tell me-"
"Where are the puppies?" Justin asked, interrupting her. He looked over towards Brian.
"Justin don't worry. They're at home."
"But someone has to go get them. I have to get up at least three times in the night to take them out. They'll pee all over their beds. Please go get them Brian." Justin begged. Brian lightly pushed his shoulder so he would sit back in bed.
"Don't worry about it. I'll have my dad go check on them. He probably already went home anyways." Brian said as he pulled out his phone and texted Sawyer.
Will you go check on the damn dogs. Justin woke up and it's all he's freaking out about.
He waited a few minutes before Sawyer texted back.
Apparently Gus woke up and was crying for them about two hours ago. Vance met Teresa at the house and picked up the dogs, so they're with Gus right now.
"Good news Sunshine. Gus has the puppies." Brian said. Justin was already asleep again.
"The puppies are with Gus. Vance and Cheyanne are taking care of them. So don't worry about them. Everyone's fine. Let me call for one of the nurse's." Brian said as he reached over and hit the call button. A nurse came in a few minutes later, and she went and called for the doctor. The doctor examined Justin, and wanted him to stay over night again. He wanted to run a few tests, and watch for swelling. He was going to see the Neurologist for some tests. Justin was totally freaked out. Brian couldn't help but also be freaked out.
When they got Justin settled in his room, that's when everyone came to see him. They had been waiting in the waiting room all night. Jennifer, Molly, Lindsay, Melanie, Daphne, Jayden, Ted, Emmett, Sawyer and Teresa. "Don't you two have somewhere to be?" Brian asked Ted and Jayden. Ted rolled his eyes and ignored him. Jayden fidgeted around uncomfortably. Daphne looked at Jayden, and then looked at Brian.
"Fuck off Brian." Daphne said.
"How are you feeling sweetie?" Teresa asked him.
"I don't really feel anything. They gave me the good pain killers." Justin said softly.
"Sammy will be very disappointed in that." Sawyer said, making them all chuckle. It was awkward. No one wanted to talk about why Justin was here. Michael almost killed him. They could be at home right now. Sobbing. Planning a funeral. Brian shook his head. He told himself to get a fucking grip. It didn't happen.
"Maybe we all should take off. Justin looks really tired." Lindsay said. They all agreed, and slowly they all started leaving, until it was just Brian left. He sat in the chair next to him. Justin just kept his head laid back. Not wanting to open his eye. Justin was totally freaked out about his vision. Who could fucking blame him.
"Teresa said that Gus has been really attached to the dogs. Vance and Cheyanne said they'd keep him, but with Gus freaking out about them, Lindsay said they'd take them home until we came back." Brian said. Justin just nodded his head. They sat in silence for awhile. What was he supposed to say? Sorry my best friend tried to kill you?
"What am I gonna do if my vision never clears up?" Justin asked softly. Brian looked up, not realizing that he had been dozing off. Justin was holding the good side of his face. He had tears streaming down his face. "I'll never be able to paint again if I can't see." he whispered. Brian sat next to him on the bed and pulled Justin to his chest. He rubbed his shoulders and his back while Justin sobbed. He kissed his head. He wasn't going to lie to Justin. He had already had a brain injury. Blows to his head were serious for him. He was scared shitless that Justin's sight might be blurry for the rest of his life. He wouldn't sit here and tell him that everything would be fine. Because it may not be. God why the fuck did he go out last night?
An hour later the Neurologist specialist came in. He looked at Justin's eye, and then had them wheel him up to a different floor. "You're welcome to stay here, but he's gonna be upstairs with me for at least three hours. Might as well go home and take a shower. Bring Justin back some things he may need." he said and left with Justin. Brian nodded his head. He got up and stretched. He got to the waiting room and realized...he didn't have his car. He felt his pocket to see if his phone was there.
"Is Justin ok?" someone asked. Brian picked his head up, and Sawyer was standing in front of him.
"Where'd you come from?" Brian asked.
"Well you don't have a car if you need to leave. So I stayed here waiting for you." Sawyer said. Brian was kinda stunned. His dad had been sitting out here for a few hours, waiting for him. He shook his head again and ran his hand through his hair.
"He's gonna be upstairs for awhile. They're gonna run all these crazy tests. I just need to go home and take a shower and...bring some stuff back for him." Brian said. Sawyer nodded and pulled the keys out to Justin's SUV. Brian let him drive. He didn't feel like it. He leaned his forehead against the window. "You should have let me beat the shit out of him." Brian grumbled. Sawyer looked over at him.
"I didn't feel like bailing you out of jail. You needed to come back here and be with Justin. Not sitting in a jail cell. Besides, two wrongs don't make a right." Sawyer said. Brian scoffed and looked at him.
"That's the speech you're gonna give me? Just because Michael beat the shit out of Justin, doesn't mean that I should beat the shit out of Michael? Don't stoop to his level? That's what you're gonna tell me." Brian asked. Sawyer fidgeted around.
"Well no...not now." Sawyer said, trying not to laugh. They sat in silence for a few more minutes. "Seriously though, you would have regretted it. And I would have regretted letting you do it." Sawyer told him. Brian rubbed his face.
"I don't fucking care. He deserves it." Brian said angrily.
"Well that I won't argue with you about. But you still care about him. I won't let you feel guilty. I did the right thing, whether you see it or not. And I'm not gonna change my mind on it." Sawyer said. Brian glared at him. He took a long shower and then packed up some things for him and Justin. He wondered if he should pack a sketch pad. It was a Catch 22. If he packed it, then Justin would be upset he couldn't see it. If he didn't pack it, Justin would be bored and want it. He knew there was no winning that one. If Justin really wanted it he could always ask someone to bring it. Oh his brain was fucked him. He can leave it in the SUV. If he wants it, he'll just run down and get it.
He drove back in Justin's SUV. When he got back to Justin's room, he still wasn't back. He figured he would try and get some rest before he came back. He got in that totally uncomfortable recliner and tried to sleep, but was woken up by Justin coming back. He helped him back into bed. "What did the doctor say?" Brian asked as he sat on the bed, facing Justin. Justin shrugged.
"He said he would come in here and tell me. They had me in all those weird machines. It's a good thing I'm not claustrophobic. They did all these different tests to look at my brain." Justin said. He was just sitting back, with his eyes closed. He squeezed Justin's hand.
"It'll be ok Sunshine. Whatever they say." Brian said honestly. He didn't care if Justin could see perfectly or not again. He didn't give a shit. Justin was still stuck with Brian.
"Knock knock." someone said from the door way. It was the doctor. He came in with a clipboard and sat down. He started rattling off a bunch of tests he did, and what the results were. Brian didn't listen to a word he said. The only sentence he paid attention to was... "You're going to be just fine."
"Are you sure? I still can't see out of my eye." Justin asked. The doctor nodded his head.
"You knocked yourself out pretty good. Your vision has gotten clearer from last night. And that vision test that you took, right when I took you upstairs, and right before they brought you back down, your vision has gotten better in just three hours." he said. Brian looked over at Justin. "I have every reason to be hopeful that by tomorrow your vision should be back tomorrow." the doctor said. Brian smiled and squeezed his hand. "I still want you to stay over night. I want to make sure that there's no swelling. And if all is well tomorrow, I'll send you home. As long as everything stays normal." the doctor said. He excused himself, and Brian sat back on the bed.
"Everything's gonna be ok Justin. You're eyes are gonna be fine." Brian said. Justin nodded his head. Something was wrong. He didn't understand why Justin wasn't more happy about this. Everything was going to be fine. He leaned forward and kissed his good eye.
Justin slept on and off through out the day. Jennifer came back to sit with him for awhile, but he just slept. He went back up to get another scan that night, to see if his brain was swelling. His results came back fine. The next morning was what Brian was waiting for. If Justin's eyes were back to normal. He was wondering if Justin was holding out till he could see again. Maybe that's what was bothering him.
He waited for Justin to wake up. He was on pins a needles. When he started stirring he sat straight up and squeezed his hand. "Morning Sunshine." Brian said. Justin yawned and opened his eyes. He blinked and looked around. "How are your eyes?" Brian asked. Justin looked over at him.
"Back to normal." Justin said. Brian smiled and leaned forward and kissed his eyes, and then softly kissed his lips. He pulled back and smiled, and pushed some hair out of Justin's face.
"I fucking knew you'd be fine. Now we get the fuck out of here." Brian said. Justin smiled and nodded his head. The doctor did another scan, and by the afternoon they were free to go. But before they left, the police came in to get Justin's statement.
"I didn't see anything. It was really dark. I was just pushed into the street, and after I hit my head everything was so blurry. I know someone was on top of me, but I couldn't see who it was." Justin answered.
"Did the person speak at all. Or make any type of noise to figure out who it might be?" the officer asked. Justin shook his head.
"Even if they did, I was so out of it. I didn't even realize they were on top of me hitting me. I heard a gun shot...but I was confused. And then there was that bright light from the cars headlights. And there was just to much commotion." Justin said.
"We know there was an argument that night with the mothers of your son and with Mr. Novotny. He had threatened your life to them. We arrested him. He has no alibi where he was for the first hour after the women saw him. And he claims his hand is all banged up from hitting his car." the officer said. Justin just looked at Brian.
"You guys think it was Michael?" Justin asked. Justin didn't sound convinced. Brian nodded.
"The fight was pretty bad with Melanie. And he said some things about...wanting to hurt you." Brian said, with a lump in his throat. God how could his own best friend do this to him? The cops left, and Brian brought Justin home. This could have been so much worse. He looked over at Justin. His left eye was still all black. Justin was trying to hide his face. He was wearing a hoodie and had the hood over his head. Justin wasn't himself. How could he be? He had just been attacked. Last time Justin got hurt...prom night...he wasn't there for Justin. He was desperate to make it up to him. He always wanted to make it up to him. Not in this way though. He never wanted Justin to get attacked again. But here they were. And he was going to be there for him this time. He was going to do whatever it took to make Justin feel better.
He picked up Justin's hand, and laced his fingers through his, and brought it to him mouth and kissed it. Justin looked over at him. "I'm glad you're ok." Brian said. Justin smiled softly.
"I know." Justin said. He held Justin's hand in his lap while he drove with one hand. He rubbed circles on his hand with his thumb. They didn't hold hands a lot. It just wasn't something that they did. But right now, he just needed to feel Justin's hand. Let Brian know he was still there. He was still alive.
When they got back home, Justin went straight up to their bedroom. He was desperate for a shower. Brian hopped in with him. He smelled himself, and didn't like it. Justin was slow in all his movements. He complained about the left side of his face hurting. Of course it hurt. He washed Justin's back for him, and Justin stopped moving. He leaned against the wall and let Brian work his hands down his body. Brian rubbed and squeezed his shoulders and all his muscles in his back. Justin was tense...he could feel Justin loosen up a bit. He was a frigate mess...but Justin was putty in Brian's hands and just melted into him. He was careful not to touch a certain part of his back though, and to be careful on his neck. He was still achey from falling.
Justin let Brian wash his whole body. It felt good. It was just what Justin needed. He needed to be taken care of at that moment. After Brian washed his whole body, he started washing Justin's hair. There was some dried blood, and he took care to make sure it all came out. They had to shave some parts of Justin's hair. Luckily no one would know, because the rest of his hair fell on top of the little bald spots. He wondered if Justin knew they were there? Luckily he didn't need stitches. They just had clean him up.
He helped Justin out of the shower, and he could tell he was ready to fall asleep. That shower did wonders for Justin. He dried him off and then brought him into the bedroom. It was like dressing a child. He put some sweat pants on him and then helped him into bed. "My body feels like a truck hit it." Justin groaned. Brian pulled on pants of his own, and by the time he turned around, Justin was asleep. He went downstairs, and could hear Sawyer and Teresa talking in the kitchen. They sounded like they were having an argument.
"You're about to be 49 years old. When are you going to grow the fuck up?" Teresa hissed at him. Brian looked around the corner. Sawyer scoffed.
"Me grow up? Are you fucking kidding me? This is all on you. You could have been happy. We could have been happy. Us not being together is all your fucking fault. Don't tell me to grow the fuck up. I've been trying to since I found out you were pregnant. You're the one who wants to live in some delusional little world and punish not only yourself, but me in it. I would have done anything for you. I'd do anything for you. I'm the one who grew up." Sawyer told her. Brian groaned, causing them to jump and he walked in towards the fridge.
"Christ can't you fucking heteros get your acts together?" Brian complained as he opened the fridge and pulled out a water. "You're having this argument again?" he asked. Teresa wiped at her face. He looked over at Sawyer and saw that something was in his pocket. He rolled his eyes and looked at Teresa. "Are you telling me he has a fucking ring box in his pocket, and you said no again?" he asked. Sawyer laughed.
"Oh no. I didn't ask. I told her I wouldn't ask her ever again." Sawyer said. Teresa glared at him.
"Shut up Sawyer." Teresa said.
"She found it in my suitcase. So she comes down here bitching like a crazy woman. I wasn't even proposing to her. I fucking told her I never would again." Sawyer said.
"What were you doing going through his suitcase?" Brian asked before he could stop himself. He wanted nothing to do with this argument, but he couldn't help but wonder.
"He sent me up there. He asked me to get him something and I saw it in there. He did this on purpose." Teresa argued.
"What did he send you up there for condoms?" Brian asked. Teresa moaned and covered her face.
"I forgot the fucking ring was in there. It was in the zipper part. I didn't know you'd search through my entire bag." Sawyer said.
"You did this on purpose. You act so fucking innocent when we both know this was your plan all along."
"I told you. I'm done proposing to you. It's never happening again. I just forgot to take the ring out of my bag. You lost your chance. This is probably your way of getting me all fired up and making me ask you again so you can say yes." Sawyer said. Teresa's face turned bright red.
"It is not. You wanted me to find it so I'd come down here all pissed and you'd propose to me again." Teresa yelled. Brian rubbed his face. Sawyer laughed.
"I told you. I'm NEVER proposing to you again. You wanna marry me? You can fucking ask me." Sawyer said.
"ENOUGH!" Brian yelled at them. They both stopped and looked at him. "Marry him or don't marry him. I don't fucking care. But don't fight about this in my house anymore. I fucking hate hetero problems." Brian grumbled and walked back up to his room. He decided to finally lay down. He had slept in the hospital, in a chair, for the past two nights. He let out a long deep breath and fell into sleep.
It wasn't till later that night that Brian woke up. He stretched and reached towards Justin. He found the bed empty. He picked his head up and looked around. He wasn't in the room. He got up and stretched again and walked out of the room. It was dark in the house. He figured Sawyer had gone to bed early. It wasn't like he was waiting up for anything. Brian and Justin had been in bed all day. He walked downstairs. The house was dark. He went into the kitchen and saw that it was after 10:00. How the fuck was he going to go back to sleep. And why the fuck is he worried about that?
He made sure that the alarm was set, and that all the doors and windows were locked. Everything was. He assumed that Sawyer took care of all that. He couldn't see Justin anywhere. He looked out the window to see if he was in his studio. The lights were off. He had already been downstairs, and the lights were off. He walked back upstairs, and he heard Sawyer talking to the dogs.
"Listen just go to sleep. You're right down the hall from Justin. You're supposed to sleep. Go to sleep." Sawyer grumbled. Brian was about to knock on the door, when he heard him huff. "Fine. If I let you sleep in my bed will you go to sleep?" Sawyer asked. He heard him moving around and then the dogs weren't whimpering anymore. "If Brian finds out I let you sleep in the bed he'll kill me. Just go sleep." Sawyer told him. Brian couldn't help but chuckle. So he had the dogs now. Brian wondered how that happened. How did he tear them away from Gus?
He went to go back to his room to grab his cell phone, when the attic door caught his eye. It was opened a little. He walked over and pushed the door open and walked up the stairs. He finally saw Justin sitting in the bay window. He didn't even hear Brian walking up the stairs. "How long have you been up here?" Brian asked. He was really surprised he didn't startle Justin. Maybe he did hear him after all.
"Not long. I couldn't sleep anymore." Justin said without looking over. Brian walked over to him and looked out the window. He was looking at their back yard. It really was huge. What the hell was he supposed to do with all that? They hadn't been home to long in the summer. They were traveling around the world. They didn't have enough time to do much in the backyard. Maybe next summer they would. He leaned forward and squeezed his shoulder.
"Are you ok?" Brian asked. Justin looked like a little kid. His knees pulled up to his chest. His arms crossed. He shrugged his shoulders. Brian sat down on the opposite side of the bench and rubbed Justin's legs. "This isn't like you. You're usually a fucking chatter box with your feelings. So what gives?" Brian asked. Justin took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
"I don't know what to say." Justin whispered. He looked around the room. The Rage room. The room he painted and designed, to be Justin and Michael's work room. "He attacked me while my back was turned...and I just can't imagine that he'd do such a thing." Justin whispered. He pulled Justin's feet into his lap. Justin shook his head and looked back out the window. She chuckled. "I've always been attacked from behind. I never get a chance to defend myself...but I don't know why they all come after me in the end." Justin said. He wished Justin was crying. At least he'd be showing some emotion. He was monotone. He had no feeling. Not being sad or angry. He was just sitting there. He had no idea how to handle this.
"Well I never saw it coming either...and I'm sorry it did." Brian told him. Justin nodded. That was it. He knew Justin didn't want to talk anymore. "Come on back down to bed." Brian said. Justin nodded his head and let Brian wrap his arm around him and walk down the stairs. "Sawyer has the dogs in his room. They're bugging the shit out of him." Brian said. Justin nodded his head again. He let out a sigh. He wondered what would work. Maybe sleep would help him.
Justin spent the next couple of days in his room. Justin actually hadn't let on how much pain he was actually in. Michael really hurt him when he pushed him and fell to the ground. His neck and back were really sore. And then the whole left side of his face. He kept taking pain killers. So Brian was chalking up his unfeeling attitude to the pain killers. Justin wore his sweat pants and hoodies. The few times he did emerge, he'd wear the hood over his head. He didn't want anyone seeing his face. It was all black, blue, purple and yellow. It looked terrible. It pissed him off. Really made him angry. How could Michael do this to him?
Debbie came by the house a few days later. Her face was soaked with tears. Swollen from crying. "How Sunshine doing?" she asked as Brian let her in.
"He's sitting upstairs. I'll go get him-" Brian tried to say, but Debbie stopped him.
"Please don't. I can't see him." She said and wiped her face. "I need to talk to you. In private. I can't let Justin hear what I have to ask you." Debbie said. He brought Debbie out to the stables. She hadn't been here in so long. She hadn't seen the stable with any horses in it. "It's gorgeous. Everything you have is beautiful Brian. I'm so proud of you." Debbie whispered. He knew she meant it.
"Thank you...why did you need to talk to me?" he asked. He was sure this wasn't good.
"I need your help. And I know I have no right to ask. And no one in their right mind would ask this of you...but I have to." Debbie said as she cleared her throat. This really wasn't good. "Michael's still in jail. And he's gonna stay there...he's had to stay in solitary confinement because there are some guys there harassing him because he's gay...he's all alone." Debbie said as a sob escaped her lips. "I know what he did was wrong. Believe me...I'll never forgive myself for what Michael did to Justin...but he's my son Brian. I can't turn my back on my son. I'm so torn up inside. You and Justin are my sons to. I love you both so much." Debbie cried. Brian leaned forward and hugged her. "I'm so sorry." Debbie cried.
"We don't blame you. It would never happen." Brian told her. After a few minutes she pulled back.
"I hate myself for asking this of you...but Michael's sitting there because I can't bail him out...Brian please...please bail him out for me." Debbie whispered. Brian's mouth fell open. He had not seen that one coming. Debbie wants Brian to bail Michael out? After he tried to kill Justin? "I know what he's done. It's unforgivable But he's my son." Debbie sobbed. Brian hugged her and let her sob. He knew how hard it was to ask Brian this. "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry." she sobbed. He just hugged her. What was he supposed to say to that?
"I have to ask Justin." Brian said. She nodded her head. He wouldn't bail Michael out if Justin didn't want him to. This was totally up to him. He waited till Debbie stopped crying. She pulled away and wiped her face.
"This whole thing is so fucked up. How's he doing? For real?" Debbie asked. Brian sat down on a bench and shrugged his shoulders.
"He doesn't talk. And he doesn't really want anyone seeing him. Seeing his face. And he doesn't want to talk about it." Brian said. Debbie shook her head.
"That's not like him." Debbie said. No shit it wasn't like him. Justin was always such a chatter box. "I feel so awful. I feel so guilty. I'm so sorry. I never thought my son was capable of such a thing. I never knew. Brian I'm so sorry." Debbie cried.
"Sorry's bullshit. It's not like you attacked him. This isn't your fault." Brian said. After Debbie left, Jennifer called. Justin had been asleep (or faking asleep) whenever Jen came by. She hadn't seen him since the hospital. He wasn't in the mood for any visitors. They were supposed to have Lilly's birthday party at the house. Actually, Lilly was still supposed to be at their house, because they were in between houses, but will Justin, they took Lilly back to the house. Luckily Brian's family was helping watch her. But Jen was worried about Justin, so she wanted to cancel it for another weekend.
Brian went upstairs and saw that Justin wasn't in their room again. Brian knew where he was. He was upstairs in the attic again. He had been hiding out up there a lot the past couple of days. Brian had been leaving him alone, but he walked up there to talk to him. "Hey Sunshine." Brian said as he walked over to him. Justin gave him a half smile, and he sat down by his feet again. "I have something I gotta talk to you about." Brian said. Justin turned his attention to Brian. He figured Lilly's party was the less of two evils.
"Your mom called...she wanted to let you know she's canceling Lilly's birthday party. She'll plan it for another weekend." Brian said. Justin shook his head.
"No. It's fine. It should be here. It's not her fault that I was attacked. She can still have Lilly's birthday party here." Justin said and turned back to the window.
"Do you really think that's a good idea?" Brian asked.
"It's fine." Justin answered without looking at him.
"You know you have to show your face down there. Are you gonna come downstairs? Or are you gonna hide out up here the whole time? Because it's a waste of time to have them all over and not even go down there." Brian said. Justin sighed.
"I'll be downstairs." Justin said. They sat in silence for a few minutes. "What else is wrong?" Justin asked, still looking out the window.
"Debbie came by...she's all upset and..."
"Debbie like." Justin finished for him. Brian snorted and looked out the window.
"Yeah...she asked me something. I told her I had to ask you. I wouldn't do it unless you said it was ok." Brian said.
"What does she want?"
"She wants me to bail Michael out." Brian said. Justin slowly looked at him. He just stared at Brian. He wasn't showing any emotion at him. Brian was being honest with himself. It worried the shit out of him. Justin stared at him and then turned back to the window.
"Don't leave that up to me. He's your friend. You can decide what you want to do. I won't be mad at whatever you decide." Justin said. Brian laughed and stood up.
"No of course you won't be mad. You won't show any type of emotion. Why would you be mad?" Brian asked sarcastically. Justin turned and watched him. "Why don't you get angry? Why don't you cry. Why don't you show some type of emotion?" Brian burst out. Justin didn't say anything. "Yeah let's have a fucking kids birthday party. You can be the fucking zombie." Brian said and stormed downstairs. He didn't mean to say it. He should have have jus been patient with him. God what had he just done?
Justin didn't come down from the attic. Brian knew well enough to not go up there. He knew Justin came to bed, but then got up early in the morning before Brian did and went back up to the attic. He fucking blew that one. What was he supposed to do now? He didn't know if Justin was really going to come downstairs that morning. Jennifer had come by and started to decorate. Her, Tucker and Molly were laughing and having so much fun. Emmett, Teresa, Melanie, Lindsay and Daphne had all come by to help set up for the party. Brian called Debbie though and told her they were still thinking about if Brian would bail Michael out of jail.
Brian went upstairs to see Justin in the closet, getting clothes to wear. Brian leaned his shoulder against the doorway and crossed his arms. "It looks a fucking pink bubble gum popped and threw up all over the house." Brian said. Justin nodded his head. "Are you ever going to talk to me again?" Brian asked. Justin let out a deep breath. "Because I'm sorry I freaked out on you." Brian told him. He was never one to apologize. He never liked to say he was sorry. Sorry was bull shit. But he knew he had to apologize to Justin.
"At least one of us is showing emotion." Justin said. He was facing the wall and didn't look at Brian. "I don't know what's wrong with me." Justin admitted. "I don't feel anything...I don't feel connected to anything that happened...I don't know how to change how I am. I don't know what's wrong with me." Justin said. Brian walked behind him and wrapped his arm around his shoulder and wrapped it around his chest and gently pulled Justin back against his own chest.
"I can help you." Brian whispered. He wrapped his other arm around Justin's chest and held him.
"Something's wrong with me Brian. And I can't snap out of it." Justin whispered, and softly started crying. Brian squeezed him tighter and kissed the side of his temple. Justin seemed in another world. He realized for the first time in Justin's life, he was depressed. Justin never showed any signs of that before-no he did show signs of it before. After Chris Hobbs had bashed him, he went through a wave of depression. He refused to acknowledge it though. He showed signs here and there. When he came back from New York, and Craig filed a restraining order against him and Jennifer so they couldn't see Molly. He was showing signs then. But now it was more apparent then ever. Now that he accepted it, how was he supposed to bring it up to Justin? How was he supposed to help him?
"I just want to feel normal again. I just want to feel like myself again." Justin cried. He turned Justin around and let him cry in his chest. Brian was glad he was finally showing some emotion. He was glad he was finally crying. It just couldn't have come at a more shittier time. They had a small circus going on in their house. "I don't know how to feel normal again. I just feel so empty." Justin cried into his chest. God Justin needed him to say something brilliant here. Something about feelings. He was awful at this crap. He was beyond terrible. So what was he supposed to say to him? He stood there saying nothing for a few minutes. He just held him and rubbed his back as he cried.
"If you feel like this...you have to tell me. I can't read your mind. I'll help you but you have to tell me so I can help you." Brian said. Oh that was pathetic. That was super unhelpful.
"Help me." Justin whispered. Well it must have worked. He kissed his temple.
"I will. I'm right here." Brian told him. Justin nodded his head. "We just gotta get through this fucking birthday party." Brian told him. Justin pulled away and nodded his head and wiped his face. "Seems like you're not completely not like yourself." Brian said. Justin tilted his head in confusion. Brian used his thumb and wiped under his eye. "You're crying. You're feeling something." Brian said, making Justin wipe harder.
"Fucking baby crying." Justin muttered to himself.
"No you're not a baby." Brian told him. Justin looked at him. He was hanging on every word Brian said. Great. He had to be brilliant again. "I would take you crying any day over you shutting everything out. Because that's not you."
"I'm crying and I'm a weak little faggot." Justin said. Brian shook his head.
"No you're the complete opposite. You're one of the strongest people I've ever met." Brian said. Justin gave him a look, that he thought Brian was lying. "If you have to cry and lay in bed for a week, then do it. You do whatever you have to do. But then you always get back up and dust yourself off, and push forward. Even harder then the last time. That's what makes you strong." Brian said. Justin's breath caught in his throat. "It doesn't matter if you had to spend a week in bed, or sob...you have to do all that in order to be strong. So I don't care if you cry. That doesn't make you week. Cry about it...but then get back up." Brian told him. Well, he knew by the look on Justin's face that something had broken through. Justin had leaned forward and hugged him tightly.
"I want to feel you inside me." Justin whispered in Brian's ear. Well that got his attention. His cock instantly started getting hard, and he cleared his throat and pulled back a little.
"Are you sure?" Brian asked. Justin nodded his head. Brian knew this was supposed to be gentle. Justin wouldn't be able to take it rough and hard. He leaned down and kissed Justin softly. His mouth tasted so good. He hadn't tasted it in almost a week. He slowly led Justin to their bed, and pulled off his t-shirt. God this man had a perfect chest. He pulled off his own shirt, and then got on his knees and pulled Justin's jeans off. Justin stood there in only his underwear. He put his hands in the back, gently squeezing his cheeks, and pulled them off.
Justin's cock was getting harder. All that romantic stuff about helping Justin could easily turn him on. It's the thought that counts, sprang into his mind. He smiled. He leaned forward and started kissing and licking up and down the shaft. Justin put his head back and softly moaned. He gave some special attention to Justin's balls. He ran his hands up and down Justin's legs, and rubbing his ass. He reached his hand under the bed for some lube. Justin needed gentle right now. He needed it soft. Plenty of lube was in order for that. He squeezed some onto his finger and gently reached back and rubbed it at his hole, before slowly pushing one finger into his ass, working it in and out. Still licking and sucking on his cock. Justin moaned a little louder and held on to Brian's hair.
He stuck a second finger in, and then a third finger. Gently pushing them in and out, spreading them. Preparing Justin. He slowly thrusted them in and out, fingering Justin. He loved fingering Justin. He could easily make Justin cum like this. But he knew Justin wanted Brian's cock inside him. He kissed his way up his stomach, slowly taking out his fingers, and stood up to kiss him. He pulled back and pulled his own jeans off. No underwear. He held onto Justin's hips as he kissed him, and they made their way backwards on the bed. Brian laying on top of him. He ran his hands through Justin's hair. He loved Justin's hair. God what a mush Justin turned him into.
He reached down with his hands and rubbed at Justin's hole again, making him moan. More like purr like a kitten. The sounds Justin could make. God he could get off alone on Justin's moaning. He squirted more lube onto his finger and worked it in again, and squirted a generous amount on his cock. Working it up. God he was hard. He hadn't been inside Justin all week. All he got was his own hand all week. He moved the head to Justin's hole and gently pushed in. Justin arched his back and moaned louder. He pulled back and pushed more inside. He did it again, and was only half way in. Justin was tight. He stayed there a moment, letting Justin adjust. Then he pulled back and went half way in a few times, before pushing further and further until he was all the way inside. God it felt so good to be here.
He laid back down on top of Justin, and let him breathe. Justin nodded, and he slowly started thrusting. Justin wrapped his legs around Brian's waist, making him go in deeper. "Oooohhhh." Justin moaned deeply. They kissed and held hands, and ran their hands all along each others bodies. It was good to be home again. To feel normal. Oh it felt so good. So fucking good. They went slow for who knows how long, before they were both cumming together. God it was amazing.
"I love you." Brian told Justin. He knew Justin loved more then anything when Brian would say it first. Justin smiled.
"I love you to." Justin said. After they laid there for awhile, with Brian's softening cock still in Justin's ass, which Justin loved to feel, they got up and took a shower. Brian couldn't keep his hands, or any part of his body off of Justin. He hadn't touched him in a week. He just wanted to feel his whole body. He had Justin's body turned towards him, and he stopped to look at his face. His eye wasn't black anymore. It was still a bunch of colors. Purple, blue, red, yellow. But it wasn't black eye. It was hideous, but it was slowly healing.
"Does it hurt?" Brian asked. Justin looked down.
"Not as bad as it did." Justin answered. Brian slowly leaned down and started kissing the left side of his face. He felt Justin tense in his arms, but he moved his hands down to his forearms to hold him in place, and softly kissed everywhere is face was bruised.
"I'm sorry." Brian whispered. His supposed best friend hurt him. Hurt his Justin...hurt his husband. He hated Michael right now.
After they had showered, dried off and gotten dressed, they finally made their way downstairs. Everyone had started showing up. "Please stay with me." Justin asked him. Brian nodded his head and linked his hand through Justin's.
"Hey how're you feeling sweetie?" Emmett asked and hugged him gently.
"I'm ok." justin said, and looked at Brian and smiled. Everyone hugged Justin. They were cautious around him. No sudden movements. No one said anything about his face. He could tell Justin didn't want anyone seeing his face. Brian was holding his left hand, and he'd turn his face towards Brian, so whoever he was talking to wouldn't be staring at the left side of his face. Of course people were all around, so if he turned his head, the people behind him saw his face. Justin couldn't win.
As soon as Lilly saw Justin, she screamed and held her hands out to him. She had been with Justin non stop lately, and then all of a sudden Justin was gone. Lilly was stuck to him like glue now. "You're dress is so pretty Lilly. You look just like a princess." Justin told her and kissed her cheek. She kept touching Justin's bruises and staring at them.
"She looks like she's trying not to cry." Daphne said as she pinched Lilly's cheek. "Don't cry Lilly. Justin's ok." Daphne said and made a silly face.
"How are you doing?" Lindsay asked a little while later. Justin shrugged.
"I'm ok I guess." Justin said.
"Gus was really happy to see you today. He's been asking for you every day. He's been so worried about you." Lindsay told him.
"Did he see something?" Justin asked worriedly.
"He didn't see what happened. But he saw the ambulance. He saw you get put in there and you and I drive off...and Melanie had a little blood on her." Lindsay told him. Justin put his head down. "I told him to be gentle with you. Not to get to crazy when he saw you. That's why he gave you such a quick hug." she said. He nodded his head. "He was really sweet. He wanted to make sure your puppies were being taken care of. And when I told him you were in bed when you got home, he insisted that we bring George and Fred back for you. He said that would make you feel better." Lindsay told him.
"He really is just so sweet." Justin said. She hugged him.
"That's because he loves you. We all do." Lindsay told him in his ear and pulled back. "You scared me you know. That whole ambulance ride...you kept squeezing my hand. You wouldn't let me go." Lindsay said as she pulled back.
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry? You have no reason to be sorry. You didn't do this...we know who did. I just never thought he was capable of that." Lindsay said quietly.
"I don't want to talk about him today. Is that ok?" Justin asked. She kissed his cheek and nodded her head as Jen pulled Justin away. Jen had Lilly sit in jJustin's lap when Molly brought her birthday cake over. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to her, and she surprisingly didn't cry. Justin and Molly blew out her candles for her. Lilly was the little Bell of the Ball.
"This one won't stop following me around." Sawyer grumbled a little while later, talking about the dogs. Sawyer picked up Fred. "He likes me to much." Sawyer said as Fred licked his face, making Sawyer chuckle. George went over and jumped on Brian's leg. He pointed down at it.
"That one's obsessed with me. I hate him more then the other one." Brian said. Everyone laughed at him.
"George is so sweet though. He's so goofy." Daphne said.
"He's a shit head. He's always touching my stuff. He leaves all of Justin's shit alone. But it's my shoes and my stuff he goes after. And he's constantly trying to get into my office." Brian complained. Emmett picked him up and put him in Brian's face, making Brian push Emmett's hand away from him. Justin reached out and took George and held him to his chest.
"He just knows how much you can't stand them. That's why he loves you so much." Justin said. Everyone was having fun. The kids were all in good moods and eating tons of sugar and running around.
"Hey there's a bad storm coming this way." Ted said as he was looking down at his phone, and turning it around for everyone to see. There was a sudden thunderstorm that was headed to West Virginia.
"It looks pretty bad." Lindsay said.
"Well it was real. But we gotta get going. I'm not getting stuck in that crap." Daphne said as she kissed Justin's cheek. Justin, Brian and Sawyer were helping Tucker and Molly load up all of Lilly's presents.
"It's not gonna all fit." Molly said.
"Put them in my car. We'll help you take it all over and be back in time." Justin said. Brian's cell rang. Justin could see that the screen said Babylon.
"What?" Brian asked. He waited for a minute, and then his face turned red. "Are you fucking kidding me? Fuck...yeah I'll be right there." Brian said and hung up.
"What's wrong?" Justin asked.
"There was an undercover cop at the club. There was a huge drug bust. I gotta go deal with this." Brian said as he went over to grab his jacket and keys.
"You gonna be back in time before the storm hits?" Justin asked.
"I have no idea. If it's that bad I'll just stay at the fucking loft till it passes over." Brian grumbled. "I fucking tell them all the time. If they have any hard stuff get them out. But no. Now I have the fucking cops in my club. Fucking Carl. I'm police chief Carl. I'm fucking awesome." Brian mocked Carl. He kissed Justin. "You gonna be ok?" Brian asked. Justin nodded his head. "We'll talk when I get back." Brian told him. Justin nodded his head again. Brian got in his Vette and left.
"I don't have enough room for all her gifts." Jen said, still trying to fit everything in her car.
"We can put the rest in my car. I'll take it over for you." Justin said as he grabbed his keys.
"Justin you don't have to. We can come back and get it." Jen told him, but he shook his head.
"No it's ok. I've been stuck in this house for a week. I feel like taking a drive. We'll be quick so I can get back.
"Can you even see?" Molly asked, pointing to his eye.
"Yes. Don't worry about me." Justin said as he started packing up his SUV.
"Can I go to? Please?" Gus whined.
"You gotta ask your mommy's. But it's ok with me kiddo." Justin said. Justin put the puppies in the kitchen to run around, and blocked it off so they couldn't get out.
"I'm gonna go help Teresa'a father with a few things around the house. If it gets to bad I'll just be back real late ok?" Sawyer said. Justin nodded his head. Gus was so excited. He sat next to Lilly in the backseat, while Molly sat in the passenger seat.
"Are you ok?" Molly asked him.
"Of course I am." he told her.
"You don't have to lie to me anymore. I'm not a little kid." Molly told him. He looked over at her. That was true. She had her permit now.
"Ok can I have the keys?" Molly asked as they came out of the DMV with her permit. She was holding her hand out.
"Are you kidding me? You're not driving my car. The last time I let a teenager drive my car they crashed it." Justin said as he held on to dear life for the keys.
"But I have my permit now. I got a perfect score."
"That means nothing to me. You need to learn how to control the car. Learn how it moves. You can't just go driving on a main road with no training."
"Then teach me. Please Justin?" Molly begged her rubbed his face.
"Fine. We'll go find an empty parking lot. But I swear if you get even a scratch on it you're dealing with Brian."
"I know you're not a little kid...I'm ok. Ok as I can be." Justin said. After they got everything unpacked, Justin got Gus back in the car quick to take him home. As soon as they hit the West Virginia line all hell broke loose. They sky was black, and the rain was coming down hard. Justin could barely see the roads. What should have been a ten minute ride once they got to West Virginia, was turning into an hour. Justin stayed calm for Gus. But Justin was freaking out. They finally did get home, and what met them stunned him.
"What happened to the tree?" Gus asked. It had fallen across the driveway, and was blocking the garage and the front door.
"Lightening must have hit it. I'll have to go in the backdoor. Let me get you across the street first Gus." Justin said as he started taking off his seat belt.
"No I wanna check on the puppies. They must be so scared." Gus said.
"Ok then. Let's make a run for it. Come out my door." Justin said. Gus hopped into the front seat, and Justin opened the door, and grabbed Gus' hand. They ran up the drive way and around the tree. Part of their fence had fallen down, so he held tightly to Gus' hand as he directed him towards the backdoor and unlocked it. They shook off in the garage.
"Can we do that again?" Gus asked and laughed. Justin chuckled.
"Yeah right. Come on. I think the powers down so the alarms out." Justin said. He didn't hear it going off. He walked in the house and Gus held tight to him. He tried the light. "Yeah the powers out. Come on let's go get some flash lights and some candles." Justin said. Gus held onto him as Justin led him through the house. "I have them all upstairs. I think." Justin said. He was walking towards the stairs, and something on the floor caught his eye. There was lightening that lit up the whole house. As Justin looked at the floor, the air caught in his throat. There were wet shoe prints on the floor. Brian and Sawyer weren't here. Someone was in the house.
He turned around, and held onto Gus' arms behind him, so he would now be in front of him. But when he turned, he saw the last person he thought he would. There was Craig! He was holding a gun straight at Justin. Justin moved quickly to put Gus behind him. "What are you doing?" Justin asked his father. Craig didn't say anything. "Please don't do this. Please dad." Justin whispered.
"You ruined...everything." Craig said. Justin was shaking and could feel Gus shaking behind him. Oh God why did he let Gus come with him? Why didn't he just take Gus back across the street? "You ruined my life." Craig screamed at him, making Justin and Gus jump. Gus started crying.
"Please dad. Just let him go. He's just a little boy." Justin begged his dad. Of God he and Gus were going to die! His father was going to kill them. And it was all his fault.
"I don't care about him. I care about you. And what you did to my life. You ruined it. All because you're a fucking homosexual. You ruined everything I ever had. Your disgusting and dirty, filthy lifestyle. You and your homo friends, ruined everything good in this world. You and that man ruined the pureness and goodness of marriage." Craig told him. Oh God. Brian. His dad was going to kill him, and it would be Brian that would find them. Dead. Right here on the ground. He'd never see Brian again. Justin didn't even know if he was breathing.
"Please just let him go. He's just a little boy. Please I'm begging you." Justin cried. Please just not Gus. Please don't hurt Gus. He tried reaching behind him and rubbing his back.
"You've had that stupid security team with you all this time. They never leave the house. I tried to catch you last week. But then they saw me." Craig said. That was a bomb just dropped.
"You're the one who attacked me." Justin said. Oh God, it wasn't Michael. He was in jail because they accused him. Michael never heard him.
"I've been trying to do this all along. I tried last week. I thought I had you. But then that guy shot the gun, and a car pulled up... You ruined my life. It's only fair I ruin yours."
"Please. Dad. Just let him go. Please. Just let him go back home. Don't hurt him. He has nothing to do with this. Please don't hurt him." Justin cried.
"JUSTIN!" he heard Brian yell from the garage. Oh God. Brian was home. Oh God. Craig pointed the gun down at Gus, and put a finger to his mouth as he moved his body away from the doorway. "JUSTIN WHERE ARE YOU?" Brian yelled. Tears strolled down his eyes and Gus started to whimper. Please God, please. Get them out of here. Please don't let Gus and Brian die. Take him. He'll suffer so they stay alive. "Justin are you-" Brian stopped dead in his tracks as he saw what was happening in front of him. Craig pointing a gun down at Gus, who was hiding behind Justin.
Brian stood motionless. He swore his heart had stopped. Craig waved the gun. "Get over there." Craig said, motioning for Brian to stand with Justin and Gus. Brian held up his hands, and walked slowly over them. He bent down and hugged Gus, who was crying.
"It's ok Sonny boy." Brian said and stared at Craig. "Let my son go. He has nothing to do with this. You have business with me and Justin. But not him. He's just a little kid, who doesn't know anything." Brian said as he rubbed Gus' back. Justin put his hand near Gus' back, and Brian grabbed it and held onto it tightly.
"Please. Don't scare him anymore." Justin asked. Craig stood there for a minute, quietly.
"Get him out of here Justin." Craig told him. Relief flooded through both Justin and Brian. Gus held on tightly to Brian.
"It's ok Sonny boy." Brian choked and kissed his cheek. He made Gus look at him. "You're gonna be just fine ok." Brian said, his chin trembling. Gus wiped at Brian's face. It was the first time Gus had ever seen his father get emotional. Brian kissed his forehead and stood up. Justin suddenly had an idea. He bent down to look at Gus, facing away from his father.
"I need you to go across the street ok. I know your mommys aren't home-" Justin said and winked at Gus. Gus had been on this big winking kick lately. "But you're gonna go there and stay there tonight ok? They'll be back tomorrow." Justin said and winked again. Knowing full well Lindsay and Melanie were home. "And there's flashlights in the garage." Justin said, suddenly remembering that's where he put them, not upstairs. Justin smiled. "Now be good. And I love you Gus." Justin whispered. Gus hugged him tightly, and before he could say another word, Gus ran off. He wanted Gus to run back to Lindsay and Melanie what was happening. Justin stood back up and stood next to Brian. But Brian wanted nothing of that. He pushed him back slightly behind him. Justin held onto his arm. He needed to touch him. He knew he was going to die tonight. He needed to touch Brian.
"So you got us. We're right here. You really wanna kill us Craig?" Brian asked. Justin gulped as tears streamed down his eyes. So many moments passed before his eyes.
"Where ya headed?"
"No place special."
"I can change that."
"So are you coming or going? Or coming and then going? Or coming, and staying?"
"Look I don't believe in love. I believe in fucking. It's honest,it's efficient. You get in and out with a maximum of pleasure, and a minimum amount of bullshit. Love is something that straight people tell themselves they're in, so the can get laid."
"When I heard what happened, I tried to call you on your cell...but you didn't answer...I was, so fucking scared. All I could think was, please don't let anything happen to him...I love you...I love you."
"To prove to the person that I love how much I love him. That I would give him anything, I would do anything. I'd be anything, to make him happy...I'm selling the loft. And the club."
"Without even knowing what my answer would be?"
"I'm taking a chance on love."
"You bought this palace?"
"It's for my prince."
Please God. If you're listening. Please don't let him hurt Brian. None of this was his fault. Brian was a good man. He had changed so much. He changed for Justin, and for Gus. He became a good man. And he was just now getting to know his family. Please don't let Brian get taken away from Teresa and Sawyer. They just got him back. They've been waiting 35 years to have a relationship with him. Just take me. Please just take me. Not Brian.
"You really want that on your conscience. You really want that blood on your hands? Killing your own son? I can't believe for one second that you want to do that." Brian said.
"SHUT UP!" Craig yelled. He was unsteady. He covered his head with his hand. Like he had a headache. It was the first time Justin looked at his father. He was filthy. His hair and beard were a mess. He looked like he hadn't showered in days. He was unsteady on his feet, and unfocused. If he and Brian could somehow get that gun away from him, they could get out of here. "Where's my daughter? She was here. I saw you with her. I've seen you both were. That's my baby. SHE'S MY BABY!" Craig screamed at them.
"Please just let Brian go. Just take me." Justin said.
"Shut up Justin." Brian hissed at him. Brian wasn't leaving. No freaken way. Justin gulped. If they were going to die, Brian had a right to know.
"It wasn't Michael who attacked me." Justin said. Brian turned his head. He didn't need to tell him who did it. It was obvious But now Michael was sitting in a jail cell. If Craig killed them, would Michael get out of jail? Would Gus understand what Craig had said earlier, and clear Michael's name?
"Both of you. Both of you deserve to die. Everything went wrong in my life the day you met this child molester I want you to admit. Admit you molested my son." Craig yelled at Brian. Brian took a step back, raising his hands, and forcing Justin to also step back.
"Alright Craig. He was a kid. And I molested him. I fucked him when he was only 17...do hearing the words make you feel better?" Brian asked. Justin wrapped his arms around Brian. He was almost backed up against the stairs. Maybe they could run up the stairs? Hide in a room? Oh God that wouldn't do. His father had a gun. He held onto Brian so tightly.
"No they don't. You deserve to die for what you did. For what you do. Both of you do. You don't deserve to breathe the same air as God fearing people." Craig said.
"Seriously? You're going to be religious? I think there were commandments in there about not committing adultery and not murdering someone. Both of those you broke. Not me." Brian said.
"SHUT UP!" Craig screamed again, making Justin jump.
"I love you." Justin whispered in his ear. Brian turned his head.
"Don't you fucking say that to me right now." Brian said. Justin knew why Brian was saying this. Because Justin was saying goodbye. Brian refused to hear it. Something caught Justin's eye. He looked over to the doorway, making Brian also look. There was Gus. Standing in the doorway with a shovel raised above his head. Craig turned to see where they were looking. It all happened in such slow motion.
"GUS NO!" Justin screamed and went to block Craig's way to him. Gus had swung the shovel in the air. Justin heard the gun go off. He slammed into Gus, falling on top of him. It took him forever before time sped back up and got on his knees to look at Gus. "Are you hurt?" he asked, searching for where he was shot. His father shot Gus. His father shot Gus.
"I hit him daddy." Gus said. What? He made Gus stand up and patted him everywhere. He wasn't shot? "You winked at me." Gus said. Justin stared at him. "My mommy's are home. We all know that. But you winked at me. And you said the flashlight was in the garage and you winked at me. So I went in the garage and found the shovel to hit him. Look!" Gus said excitedly, pointing to Craig. Craig was knocked out on the ground. "You winked at me. I did just what you wanted me to." Gus said. Justin wanted him to run across the street to Lindsay and Melanie and get help. He didn't want him to get the shovel. He didn't have a secret meaning for the flashlight in the garage. He just wanted him to get one so he could see where he was going. Justin turned back to Gus and hugged him tightly.
"Oh thank God you're ok. You were amazing Gus." Justin cried.
"Daddy what's wrong?" Gus asked. Justin pulled back, and the power came back on. He looked up, and then looked towards Brian. Brian was still standing there. But for the second time that night, Justin was scared again. Brian was in shock. He moved his hand from his stomach. His shirt was filling with blood. He jumped up and grabbed Brian before he fell back on the stairs, and fell with him to the floor. Brian had been shot!
