Chapter Ten

It was James' last day in the prison today and he was looking forward to tomorrow; to feel the fresh air will just be wonderful. His things have already been packed by the guards and he can collect them tomorrow. He sat in the middle of the prison hall; keeping his head down for he would soon be away from all these people. He heard some of his fellow prisoners cheering as they welcomed someone back from solitary confinement however it wasn't polite cheering of cause; more like jeering.

"The dog has returned" one of the prisoners declared.

The man in question however didn't reply or barely flinch at all the jeers and comments. James looked over. He knew that was Brendan and he also knew about his history with Ste. He thought he may as well have some fun with it on his last day. Brendan sat opposite him; barely acknowledging James' existence. James looked at him and he have never seen such a lost soul before yet he had no sympathy.

"Want me to a pass on a message tomorrow to your old punchbag?" James asked with a sly look on his face.

Brendan didn't reply as he still had his head down; he knew that James was referring to Ste though.

"It has holes in it these days; dirty filled holes...HIV filled holes" James added. Goading him some more.

Brendan wasn't rising to it however he was secretly devasted to hear about it; Steven having HIV. If he ever came across the man who gave it to him then he would kill him on the spot through pure anger alone. James continued; enjoying tormenting him a bit too much...

"Your punchbag has been passed around so many rings since you left it; I would tell you about all the men he had in his bed but let's face it...we only have until tomorrow" James jested; leaning in closer.

"I wonder Brendan...when you were hitting him; was that a turn on?" James asked with a smile.

He was getting under Brendan's skin more and more. Brendan was keeping his cool out of pure weariness.

"Or did you just like copying your dad?" James then asked; finally getting the reaction he was after.

As Brendan suddenly stood up; James moved back a bit; getting some slight stares from the other prisoners in the room. James started to laugh like it was a joke; Brendan looked so wretched to him. He just didn't see him as a threat at all.

"Easy boy; right? You don't wanna go back in your cage do ya?" James asked; just so he could ridicule him some more.

James watched as the Irishman sat back down, he no longer had the energy to care about the insults and jeers thrown at him. He heard it all before and after five years of it, he just gave up. Brendan placed his head in his hands on the table; prison has just broken him in every sense of the word. He no longer had the upper hand and the more secrets people knew about him, the more imprisoned he felt.

...

A hungover Harry and Holly had arrived back in the village at last, they had a good night out. Cleo had gone home ages ago. Holly was holding onto her high heels as she walked towards her home. She just wanted to get a nap after a night of heavy drinking and awful dancing, Harry watched her go. He sighed as he looked at his home; his father will not be very happy at all. He paused before knocking on the door (he somehow lost his key). Tony answered and gave a sigh.

"Where have you been? I've been trying to call you" Tony questioned straight away. Not wanting to do small talk.

"I just went out with some mates; why?"

"Because Ste is in a coma...that's why" Tony snapped.

Clearing his throat slightly when he noticed his much younger children Anthony and Dee Dee on the couch. He didn't want to shout in front of them; they didn't need this right now. He led a shocked Harry into the kitchen.

"What?" Harry asked when the kids were out of earshot.

"Yeah; he tried to kill himself and where were you? Getting drunk with your little mates...you need to grow up!" Tony hissed; disgusted at his son's recent actions.

Harry looked so shocked to hear all this now...he should have answered his phone yesterday. He felt so stupid and ashamed.

"But he's gonna be fine, right?" Harry asked with concern.

"He's going to wake up again if that's what you mean" Tony assured him.

...

Harry had rushed to the hospital and was there out of pure obligation. It was the moral thing to do but that just made him feel worse; he wished he had more of a reason to come here. He and Ste were together only a few weeks ago. He felt so horrible over the fact he was out clubbing while Ste was in a coma. He wasn't a bad lad; he just fell in love with somebody else.

"How long?" Harry asked the nurse as he sat on the chair next to the bed.

"He's been here about two days"

He thanked her before she left. Two days seemed like so long and he he should have known the day it happened. Though he couldn't do anything but try and make up for lost time. He only there as a friend this time however.

...

TBC