My thanks to Sylvain for the beta work.
Spectre
Part 12
As Aaron opened the front door, the hall light fell across Joel's face, spotlighting the telltale signs of violence. He hadn't realised he was staring until the younger man broke the spell with a hesitant, "Sorry, I... I know it's late but..."
That had spurred him into action, had him uttering a reassuring "It's alright, c'mon," as he steered Joel first into the hallway and then into the living room. He was aware the other man's movements were guarded; he was obviously in pain, his left arm tellingly holding around his chest. Jackson had done the very same thing after the beating he'd taken from Chris, his ribs left badly bruised, his flesh tender, any sudden movement making him catch his breath.
As he watched Joel ease his aching frame down on the sofa, Aaron asked, "Have you seen a doctor?"
"No, it's not that bad."
"I think you should..."
"I'm fine, really."
Joel looked anything but fine, he didn't sound it either. There was a weariness in his voice, one Aaron knew wasn't due to tiredness, but to despondency, caused by the mix of emotions he was feeling right now. He could guess the answer to his next question but, he'd ask it all the same, "Have you reported Chris to the police?"
"No,"
"You have to..."
"No! It'll just drag on that way, and I just want it over with."
He could understand Joel's reluctance; it had a lot to do with pride, loss of face. Seeing a doctor, telling the police had been the last thing he'd wanted to do, but he'd been made to see sense, and he'd done the right thing in the end. Still, Davies had walked free eventually, and less than two months after his release, he'd beaten up another supposed love interest, and again, one still in his teens. He decided to drop the matter for now, wait until Joel was a little more receptive, because he was determined to persuade him to report the assault. Even if it didn't result in Chris getting locked up again, it should hopefully have him keep well away from Joel.
Knowing the younger man needed to talk about his ordeal, Aaron moved the conversation on, asking Joel what had happened between him and Chris.
"Exactly what you said would happen. He flew into one of those jealous rages you warned me about. I was late getting home from work a couple of nights. Last night, he just went on and on about it, no matter what I said, he wouldn't let it drop. It was like he was trying to make me admit to doing something I hadn't done. Then he pulled your phone number out of his pocket, he'd been going through my things! I didn't want him to know it was you so, I lied, I told him it was someone I work with. He said he knew I was lying and he lost it!
"He wouldn't let me leave last night and, this morning, he was acting like it was all my fault, he almost had me convinced it was. I let him think I'd be there when he got home from work but, as soon as he left, I packed my stuff. I've been driving around all day, I didn't know what to do, I didn't want to involve you... but I've got nowhere else to go."
"What about your family?" The lad had to have someone, where had he been living before he moved in with Chris?
"He'll only say I got what I deserved."
"Who will?"
"My dad. He hates that I'm gay; he'll just see this as proof that it's wrong. I can't go home Aaron, not like this."
He was struggling to get his head around that comment; he wasn't sure how to reply to it. He certainly didn't think he should encourage Joel to go somewhere such beliefs were held, even if it was his home. Before he knew it, he was telling Joel he could stay at his, well, what else could he say?
Joel had asked about his boyfriend, if he was there, if he'd mind him staying. That had been a timely reminder that Jackson was waiting on a call from him. After putting Joel straight on both matters, he headed into the kitchen to make them both a drink, and Joel something to eat, intent on ringing Jackson as he did so.
As Aaron set about making a sandwich, he pondered over how best to tell Jackson about Joel, he knew he had to tell him. He was just so very wary of spooking him, having him worry. In the end, he'd kept the conversation short; able to use the fact Joel was there to keep it brief. He told Jackson the younger man had just ten minutes since turned up at their door, that Chris had given him a hiding. Jackson was all for him helping Joel, but was, just as he'd expected him to be, concerned where his involvement could lead. He'd promised to ring him if there were any problems, to ring the police if there was any trouble, insisting there was little chance of either. He knew if Jackson knew the full story he'd be back up the motorway in a flash, and he didn't want that.
He decided not to tell Joel that Chris had phoned him, he didn't think it would serve any purpose. He didn't much like the fact he was hiding things from both men, especially from Jackson but, he honestly thought it was for the best, he truly believed that this way he could contain the problem.
Once Joel had eaten his sandwich, he'd shown him to the spare room. So far, the only one to use it had been Hazel, she stayed over now and again, she usually just turned up out of the blue, which meant they always kept it ready for her, and so it was ready for tonight's unexpected guest. While Joel took a soothing bath, Aaron retrieved his things from the car, moving the vehicle off the road and onto the drive; should Chris be driving round looking for Joel, he wouldn't spot his car so easily there.
That done, he locked up the house, checked on Joel then went to bed himself. It was getting on for one and despite everything that was on his mind, he'd fallen asleep more or less straight away, but not for long.
Something had woken him, some noise reaching into the realms of sleep and demanding his attention. His eyelids flickered open, his eyes struggling to focus on the time displayed on his LED alarm clock. It was half past one in the morning and someone was pounding on the front door! It was another few seconds before his sleep-addled brain cleared and, when it did, had come a worrying realisation. It was Chris, it had to be!
TBC
