Chapter Eleven

Ianto doesn't remember much about what happened on Sunday. He remembers Saturday, the happiest day of his life, and then Sunday... he had never got a beaten so bad before. He had never cut himself with intent to kill. His sister had never found him before. His sister had wrapped his arms in a bandage, when she saw his past scars and cuts she didn't mention them. Even though Ianto had been hurtful to her, she didn't want him to die. She had given him pain relief for the bruises, made sure he was okay during the night. Monday morning he couldn't move. His ribs were bruised maybe even broken, his face sore from the beatings. His father had never ever punched him where people could see them before. He was sure that his cheek bone was dented because of the blow. When he didn't wake up on time for school because of the pain relief, his mother had allowed him to stay home. Ianto had never been sick from school. His parents never allowed it. Ianto didn't have a choice though, not when every step he took made his body spasm in pain.

-x-

Jack had missed Ianto on Sunday. He had sent a few text messages to him, asking if he was okay and what he was up to but Ianto hadn't replied. Jack didn't worry though he had just figured that Ianto was spending the day with his family or doing his homework like he had said. Jack doubted that Ianto ever had homework unfinished. His History folder was proof of Jack's thoughts. Jack didn't want to seem possessive or obsessive and phone him, he didn't want to cling. Jack kept himself busy on Sunday, writing reports for his students, marking essays, watching television all whilst his mind was set on Ianto. When he fell asleep on Sunday night he had been excited about seeing him on Monday.

When Ianto didn't come in on Monday, Jack had been worried. His whole body shook with nerves at why he wasn't in. He had looked up at the sky and asked but got nothing in return. He figured that he would have to do this on his own. Jack had looked through Ianto's records to find that Ianto had never had a sick day in school ever. He had asked some of the teachers about it, they had all said that it was weird but everyone got sick so he shouldn't worry. But all Jack could do was worry. He had been sent here because his elders were concerned.

At the end of the day Jack sat in his office and picked up the phone. He dialled Ianto's house number and waited anxiously for someone to answer.

"Hello?" A woman answered.

"Hi, my name's Jack Harkness and I am a teacher at Ianto's school. I was just making sure everything is okay."

"Everything is fine." The woman snapped.

"Only he's never been absent before." Jack said trying to continue the conversation to find out more.

"Well everyone gets sick." The woman, obviously his mother responded.

"Will he be in tomorrow?" Jack asked hoping that the answer was yes. "If he isn't, we can have it arranged for his work to be dropped off. It's an important time for him in school and he shouldn't miss any lessons."

"He'll be attending school tomorrow." The woman replied curtly. "It was just an upset stomach. No harm done."

"Well okay, tell him I said I hope he gets well soon and that I'll see him soon, nice speaking." Jack ended the call and shivered. He knew that something was wrong; he could feel it.

-x-

Jack can't sleep that night. He lies with his phone attached to his pillow just in case Ianto calls but he doesn't. He feels like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting for whatever tomorrow will bring. Jack hopes that Ianto is in school, he needs to talk to him, make sure he is okay, that he is safe. When Jack goes to school the next morning he hangs around the corridor where he knows Ianto will go first. When he sees him he knows that he had a right to worry. Ianto's perfect face is bruised, his eyes sad and his body hunched over itself.

"Ianto?" Jack asked softly. Ianto didn't say anything; he just wrapped his arms around Jack's waist and cried.