Chapter 11

Bruce waited, hand under his chin as he stared out the window. His homework was done, but he had no desire to 'invent' or 'create' anything, at least not today. Tommy had tried to throw a punch in his direction, and it wasn't the first time. Daddy had come home already, yelling in Bruce's face, telling him how stupid he was going to be, 'Introverted, and shunned by humanity.'

Rebecca stood in his door, watching her small child in a haze. She took a deep breath before steeping into his room. She glanced over at his papers, books, report card and all. His handwriting was very neat, but his papers were scattered; Probably from Brian.

She looked at his grades, everything was perfect. She sighs heavily, "What is it baby?"

He growls, anger seemingly exploding from out of nowhere, "Why am I a freak!"

She jumps, eyes widening, "Bruce, don't say that."

He grabs his hair, "I'm a freak! Daddy says it! He says I'm a mutant!"

She lowers her eyebrows, "Nevermind what your father says!"

He takes deep shuddering breaths. His volume is fading until it's a whisper, "What is a mutant."

She sits in front of him on the widow seat, grabbing his small hands, "No baby! Don't listen to him."

His head pounds into his knees, releasing his tears and still whispering, "Daddy hates me."

She wraps her arms around him, ready to cry herself, "No, don't say that!"

"He hurts me, and, I bleed, and, he hits you, and, he yells, and, he makes you cry."

She feels his body trembling, his voice is shot, fading in and out from all his complex emotions, "Shhh, it's okay Bruce. No one can hurt you, I'm here. It's going to be alright."

"Mom!" He screams in his hands, his forehead pounding, his body aching. He feels hopeless and confused, internally abandoned.

She cuddles him closer, "Shhh, it's alright baby. I'm here, sweet-heart. I'm not going to leave you."

He doesn't look up, just lets Mom hold him close. If it makes her happy, he's willing to do it, no matter what his pain.

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Brian laughs in a drunken fit, slamming his fist on the table. His loud companions shouting arrogantly boastful about anything and everything. The bar tender holds her hand on her hip, "It's well past 1AM and I suggest you boys go home before one of ya gets into an accident!"

Brian snarls at her, "Keep it shut! Hit me up with another!"

She lowers her eyebrows, "Get it yourself! Your here often enough! Why don't you go home to your wife!"

He smashes his bottle onto the ground, shattering the glass over the bar. She clenches a fist, "That's it Mr. Banner! If you don't get out, I'll throw you out!"

He snickers evily, before reaching for his car keys within his coat pocket. His 'friends' yell about seeing him tomorrow and he shouts back leaving the building in a haze.

The bar tender taps a new employee on the shoulder, "Demetrius! Can you make sure he gets home okay?"

The new employee nods, stepping outside of the pub. Brian's vision is fogged and his steps are far from straight.

Brian waves his hand heading for his car. The boy follows him with his eyes, and eventually in his car.

Mr. Banner starts his engine, taking off miles over the limit. down the road, into the neighborhood. As he stops the car, angled on the driveway, the young man lowers his window, ensuring Mr. Banner has made it home safely. His eyes rove about the modest home, in the area of this quiet and half deserted neighborhood.

Brian Banner struggles to stand erect, eventually finding his house key after 10 minutes of testing every one on the chain.

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All the children had their eyes focused on the clock, waiting to be 'let loose'. Each child breathing a sigh of relief when the bell went off, with the exception of our little scientist. Naturally brushed aside as different children ran and pushed him from their way.

"Slow poke!" "My dad would call you a loser!" "Move!" "Your in my way!"

Bruce clenched his jaw, tighting his focus for the exit. He ran from the room dashing down the hallway avoiding everyone in his way.

Tommy held out his foot in a failed attempt to trip him. Lucy and Hannah both threatened to poke him should he have passed her way.

Bruce just couldn't get out fast enough. He spotted that silver machine with Nurse Meachum waiting half-asleep in the driver's seat. He jumped in the back waiting for her to take off and head home.

. . . . .

Upon their arrival home, he ran to the door ahead of Meachum unable to hide in his room fast enough. He prayed his mom would be there. At least he could hide in her arms until Daddy returned from work.

He ran up the stairs and straight for his room, shocked to see his father standing and drinking as he looked out the window. Bruce took a deep breath before slowly backing up, careful not to make a sound.

Brian turned around all too soon, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Stupid kid!" He took his half empty bottle and swung it forward. The glass shattered, small pieces surrounding his son.

Bruce threw his backpack from off of him before dashing towards the stairs. His heartbeat quickened, wanting to escape from the unnecessary torment. He could hear another car pull up the driveway just as Brian caught up to him, grabbing his shoulders roughly, "Mutant! You little Prick!"

"Stop! Daddy stop!" He squirmed within his grasp, attempting to fight back.

Rebecca pounded open the door, screaming as Brian threw his son to the ground.

She gasped as Brian kicked him harshly, still yelling, swearing every other word.

As she ran forward, he turned to her, "Don't get in my way!"

She panted, "Don't stand between me and my son!"

"Stand back Rebecca!"

"You never give him a chance! How can you do this everyday and not feel guilty!?"

"Give him a chance! He's worthless! Just because he is smart doesn't mean he's worth living!"

"Don't lay another finger on my child!"

Brian shifts his focus to the boy, then back at her, "I'm warning you Rebecca!"

"Brian! Why do you do this?! Why Brian?! I hardly know you anymore!" Tears stream down her cheek, her voice in a panic wondering what her future holds.

He raises his voice changing the topic, "It's him! Every since that- Thing came into our lives you haven't been the same!"

She opens her mouth in shock, eyes barely opened, "You never even looked at him! You never talked with him! You never showed him any kind of love!"

"I can't love a beast! I prayed every night that thing would die! I asked the doctor's, the nurses- and wished to whatever body is out there that you might change your mind and get an abortion! I should've killed him myself when he was small and when you weren't around!"

She screams, angered as the lump in her throat gets bigger, "Don't you touch him!"

He raises his fist aiming for Bruce as he runs to his mother. Rebecca clutches her cheek, still feeling the throb of her husbands strike.

Bruce stays close, refusing to leave her side, "Daddy stop!"

His father yells, "I hope the devil spits you out when you get to that fiery hell!"

She screams, throwing her body over her son, "Leave him alone!"

He yells, "Robert will bring the death of you Rebecca! Don't come to me for help because you won't receive it!"

Rebecca stands up, barely able to push Bruce weakly into the bathroom and closes the door. He screams at the top of his voice for his mother. He can hear his father's grunts, slapping and yelling. He pushes at the door, "Mom! Daddy don't hurt her!"

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Once in her bedroom, twice in the bathroom, at least 4 times in the closet; Rebecca would push him, preventing physical abuse as best she could, even at the threat of receiving it herself. She had bruises on her arm, her head, and on her legs, each one still healing slowly. But the scars imprinted on her heart, would be there forever.