After the AWESOME reviews you guys left for the last chapter, I couldn't resist updating now. So I wanna say thank you so much. I love the feedback this story is getting.

Two songs to NOT listen to while writing something like this: Sorry for Partyrocking and Ni**as in Paris. You're just gonna have to trust me on this one.

Enjoy!

Carlos breathed heavily as he ran from the stranger advancing towards him. He gasped as he trip over a small hole in the ground. The man picked up Carlos with the collar of his shirt. It was only then that Carlos realized what was in the man's hand. An aluminum bat. This would be a good time to remember all the self defense Dad taught you, Carlos thought to himself.

Once the man attempted his first swing with the bat, Carlos grabbed the bat with his left hand and punched the man in his gut. He smiled at himself seeing as how he remembered how to defend himself despite all the panic building up inside of him. The punch stunned the man, therefore loosening his grip on the bat. Carlos snatched the bat, attempting to run past the man, but unfortunately, the man recovered quicker than Carlos had anticipated.

Carlos was grabbed by the arm, forced to turn to the man. Pain erupted in his jaw as he the man used all his strength to punch him. "Oh no," Carlos breathed out as he watched the bat drop to the ground. He tried punching the man again, but that proved unsuccessful as the man blocked the hit.

He placed his fingers around Carlos neck and squeezed. The man laughed as Carlos' struggle to break free proved futile. Black circles danced in front of Carlos' eyes as he began to lose consciousness. Carlos attempted to call out to somebody. Anybody. But he couldn't talk. The only thing he was able to do was mouth out one name. He thought for sure that he was going to die, until he felt the man let go. Carlos fell to the ground as he tried to inhale the sweet oxygen his body had craved. "Rafael," he croaked out. The man grabbed the fallen bat, and Carlos' eyes widened.

"Let this be a lesson learned, kid," the man said as he hit Carlos' ribs with the bat. "No one. Ever. Fights. Me," he said between hits. The man continued beating the poor boy, smiling sadistically at every cry, plead, and grunt that came from him.

Carlos received hits on his back, chest, arms, and stomach.

As the hits continued, the sharp pain from the hits turned into a dull numbness. He fought to stay awake as breathing became harder. He continued crying, seeing as how there was no way to get out of this one. No one was here to save him. This man was too tough for anyone's good. Carlos just hoped that this man was merciful enough to keep him alive. He felt his arm snap as the bat smacked it."St-stop. Please?" he begged between breaths. He began coughing, a metallic flavored liquid came out of his mouth and hit the floor. Blood. He was coughing up blood.

The man bent down. "What do you want, kid?"

Carlos cried a little before saying, "I wanna...I wanna go home," he sobbed out.

The man got closer. "That's not what you wanna do." His hot breath hit Carlos face and he did everything in his power not to scrunch up his nose in disgust. "Your people at home, are the ones that put you in this mess." He smiled as realization hit Carlos.

"D-Dad?" Carlos asked, afraid of the answer. His body felt nothing but pain as he coughed more blood out of his mouth.

The man shook his head. He leaned into Carlos and whispered into his ear. "Tell 'em Johnny sent ya."

Carlos gasped. Before he knew it, the man rushed the bat to the side of his head.

Carlos. Where are u? Mom wants u home for dinner!

Rafael angrily hit the send button and shoved his phone in his pocket. He looked out the window and saw small raindrops falling from the sky.

"What'd you do that was so bad you pissed off the shortie? The shortie?" Omar repeated for emphasis.

"Talk about you," Rafael replied.

"Whatever," Omar said as he pulled put his phone to send a text

Hey dude. Later tonite, we gotta talk
-Omar

Why? What's going on?
-Bryan

I gotta fix some things. We'll take later. I really need ur support.
-Omar

Yeah sure. Call me asap
-Bryan

Omar put his phone into his pocket and walked into the kitchen. The strong smell of food hit Omar like a ton of bricks. "You're staying for dinner," Manuel said. It was said more like a command than a suggestion or question. Omar nodded slowly.

Rafael walked in. "Still nothing from Carlos."

"Are you sure nothing's wrong?" Sylvia asked, worry building up in her.

Rafael pulled out his phone, about to send a text, when his phone rang. He got a text.

Have u heard from Carlos?
-Kendall

I was about 2 ask u the same thing
-Rafael

He hasn't responded to any of our texts and calls
-Kendall

"Dad," Rafael said. "Kendall said Carlos hasn't answered any of their calls. You think something's up?" Rafael's protective instincts became active.

Manuel threw Rafael's car keys at him. "Let's go look for him. It's raining, he can't be out like this for that long."

Rafael nodded and looked to Sylvia. "You stay home in case he comes back. Call us if he does." He looked to Omar and mouthed out "stay here". Omar awkwardly nodded, feeling like he had no choice. "C'mon Dad," Rafael said as they walked out the door.

They got into the car and drove around the neighborhood. Rafael where he should start. The lot behind the park. Where the boys played football when it was too hot for hockey. Where Carlos learned how to ride a bike. Where Carlos ran when he was too afraid to go home to an angry Omar. He shook the thought out of his head as he approached the lot.

He and his father exited the car. Rafael's breath hitched as cold rain hit his face. It had started raining a little harder since they left the house.

"You think he'd still be here?" Manuel asked.

"There's a pool around here, remember? That means there's a shed. Maybe he's in there," Rafael said optimistically.

They began approaching the shed, but didn't have to go very far when they saw a heap on the ground.

"C-Carlos!" Rafael yelled out. He and his dad began running to him, almost slipping on the smooth, wet, cement.

His heart stopped at the sight of his little brother. Manuel and Rafael knelt down to see the full extent of Carlos' injuries.

He was laying on his back. His breathing was rough and labored, he had bruises on his arms, neck, and face and they couldn't imagine what his chest and stomach looked like right now. His right arm was bent at a weird angle at the elbow. Blood trickled from his mouth and a large pool of blood was forming from the hit to Carlos' head.

The crazy thing was, Carlos' eyes were open. Barely open, but open nonetheless.

"Don't touch him," Manuel warned Rafael who reached out to tap Carlos' face. "W-we don't know how bad he's hurt." Manuel pulled out his phone and called 911. Rafael took off his sweater and put it over Carlos' trembling, cold body. It was raining and unlike Carlos, Rafael could do without the protection from the rain right now.

It seemed as if Carlos had no idea that his father and brother were there. Rafael grabbed Carlos' hand, but still got no reaction. Instead, Carlos began coughing up more blood. "Dad!" Rafael called out. "Dad! Why is he coughing up blood?"

Manuel knew one thing about this situation. Coughing up blood is not good. At all. He put his hand on Rafael's shoulder. "The ambulance will be here in five minutes." He turned to Carlos. "You hear that, mijo? Five minutes. You'll be okay."

Carlos coughed again. He grit his teeth in pain. His eyes began closing, alarming his dad and brother.

"Stay awake, Carlos!" Rafael demanded. "You're gonna be okay!"

Carlos closed his eyes. The pain was too much. He welcomed the numbness of unconsciousness.

Manuel began crying. "Please Carlitos! I can't lose you like this. I just lost my father I can't lose you too!"

Rafael cried with his father. They both knew that their pleas were falling on deaf ears.

They'd been so focused on Carlos' seemingly dead body that they didn't hear the sirens or the EMTs approaching.

Carlos was put on a stretcher. When both Rafael and Manuel tried to ride along, an EMT held out his hand. "Sorry, only room for one."

Manuel put his hand on Rafael's shoulder once again. "I'll go. You go pick up your mom and brother and meet us there, okay?"

Rafael just nodded, too in shock to say or do anything else.

It's amazing that Rafael was able to make it home safe. He was speeding, crying, and talking to Sylvia as he drove to pick them up. But the whole time he was praying that Carlos be okay.

He wanted that more than anything.

Did you like it? This story's gonna get more dramatic as it goes on. Believe it.

I'm now off to work on my other BTR story. :D

Drop a review, home slice. (please?)