Behind the Most Cherished Smile is the Saddest Frown Ch. 13
A.N. Guys – 70 reviews?! Awe, I feel so loved! I haven't had a story have this popular ever before. Thank you guys, so so much :)
A.N. 2 Sorry guys…
…
James gasped in pain as he walked through the forest. His legs were sluggishly dragging across the snow covered forest floor in a desperate attempt to get back to Tidmouth.
Snow was now falling heavily, making it hard to see; and wind started blowing, making it even harder. James pulled his jacket around him tighter in an attempt to keep the cold at bay, but it seemed to do little to help.
"Why did a snowstorm have to happen now?" James mumbled, as his lips started quivering, and his teeth started chattering.
James wanted to keep going, but he could feel his energy fading fast, and before he knew it, he hit the ground with a muffled 'thud', landing face first in the snow.
"Ohh…" James whimpered in pain as he sat up using his forearms. "I shouldn't have walked so far..!" He gasped. "But- if I didn't… I wouldn't have the information I have now…"
James choked, and dug his fingers into the snow and dirt below him. His lower body felt as though it were on fire; and the snow didn't help either. It soaked his pants, and the cold and wind seeped through the soft material, and onto his skin. It tingled his bare legs and made the pain worse.
Soon, however, James felt a new wetness; it felt warm and ran down his leg, and another warmth spread across his side.
Carefully, James lifted the hem of his pants away from his waist, and saw blood seeping through the bandages across his side. Then, pulling up his pant leg, James saw blood running down his leg from the other gunshot wound he received when fighting Alan.
James sighed, and let go of his pant leg, letting it drop.
He didn't know what to do. He knew he had to get back to Tidmouth, but he didn't know how. In all honesty, James just wanted to curl up into a ball right there, and just go to sleep.
"No." James scolded himself. "You can't do that. You have to get back to Tidmouth, and tell the others what you found. You have to rescue Thomas."
But James couldn't get up again. His lower half was numb, and he couldn't feel anything. So, he resorted to the one thing he knew he could do.
He started dragging himself across the ground.
He hefted his arms in front him, both hitting the ground rhythmically one by one, and he used his elbows to drag his body across the ground.
But that didn't work either.
His arms felt numb after only dragging himself a few feet. Gasping and coughing, James fell to the ground, utterly defeated. Moving slowly, he turned over onto his back, and laid down.
And, despite himself, he started crying.
Hot tears rolled down his face, and fell into both his red hair, and the snow. His lungs were burning from inhaling too much cold air. Slowly, he felt his feet start to go numb.
Then his legs.
Then his fingers.
Soon, James felt completely weighted down. It was like he couldn't move at all, but the pain he felt was still there.
He started shivering, and the world around him started to spin, making him feel sick. James closed his eyes to rid himself of the spinning images. After a few minutes, he reopened them, and more tears spilled from his eyes.
His breathing started to slow, his body started to relax, and his eyes started to close.
James was scared but – he couldn't do anything.
That seemed to be the case, until he heard rustling from the shadows of the trees.
Even though he was numb, he still was able to lift his head up, and shimmy backwards in fear.
What if that was Alan?
What if he saw James and was coming to get him?
James' breathing became heavy, deep, and scratchy as he waited in fear.
But, to his relief, when the figures came out of the shadows, he saw they were just Thomas' friends, Annie, Clarabel, Ashima, and Gina.
"James?!" Ashima gasped. "What- what are you doing out here so late? Is- is that blood?!" She stuttered, staring at the darker stains on James pants.
James just shook his head. "Help me, please." He begged. "We need to get out of here. It's not safe…"
Gina walked forwards and hoisted James up onto his feet, and slung one of his arms over her shoulders. "What do you mean, 'not safe'?"
James felt his legs shake under him, but tried his best to steady himself. "I- I went for a walk to clear my head of a… dream." He explained as they all started walking out of the forest. "I walked into the forest, deeper than I thought… but- but…"
"But what?" Annie asked.
"I found Thomas…"
"WHAT?!" All the girls screamed.
"Be quiet…!" James said fearfully. "I found Thomas, but I also found his Father. They're in a house close to where you found me; that's why I said it wasn't safe where we were."
"You- you found Thomas…" Clarabel smiled slowly. "You found… S-Sodor's Precious Child."
James nodded. He was about to reply verbally but, without warning, his legs gave out on him, and he went down, his grasp on Gina loosening. He hit the ground on his hands and knees with a cry of pain leaving his lips, before his body went limp.
"James!" Annie cried out in terror. "What- what's happened?!"
"My- my legs…" James gasped. "They hurt… but I can't f-feel anything…"
The girls looked at each in fear. None of them were strong enough to actually carry James, especially when he was completely numb, and unable to move.
So Ashima and Gina moved over to James, and formed some sort of group hug to keep him warm.
"Annie, Clarabel. You two run back to Tidmouth. Get help." Ashima said quietly and urgently.
The two sisters nodded and ran off.
Ashima and Gina looked back to James and held him close, the red head shivering in their grasp.
A few minutes later, footsteps could be heard running towards the three from where Annie and Clarabel ran off.
Edward and Hiro ran into view with Annie and Clarabel at their heels.
"James!" Hiro cried out in worry, and landing on his knees next to his brother. Ashima and Gina moved away to let the two brothers talk.
Hiro shook his head, and wrapped a blanket he brought with him around the smaller boy, before picking him up. "What- what were you thinking?!" He scolded, his voice filled with anger, but also worry.
The seventeen year old shook his head. "B-be mad at me la-later…" He whispered, as they walked back to Tidmouth. "But… I found Thomas."
Edward's breath hitched loudly. Quickly he walked up to James, and took the younger's arm into his grasp. Hiro immediately stopped walking.
"Is he alive?" The twenty nine year old whispered. "Thomas, is he alive?"
James looked at him with remorseful eyes. "I- I don't know…"
Edward's eyes darkened with rage and sadness, and he unknowingly tightened his grip on James' arm, causing him to hiss.
Then he let go as if nothing happened. "Let's go…"
…
Edward burst through the door of Tidmouth. "EVERYONE! EVERYONE, GET! UP! NOW!" He screamed as loud as he could.
Immediately, doors opened, and siblings ran downstairs, dazed and confused, for they had all been sleeping moments before.
"Edward?" Spencer asked, his voice riddled with sleep. "What- what's going on?"
Hiro walked in behind Edward, holding a now sleeping, but still shivering, James in his arms.
Flora's eyes widened. "What- what happened?!"
"James went for a walk a while ago." Hiro explained briefly. "He walked into the forest farther than he intended, and his leg and side wounds opened up, and he was exposed to the cold for too long. But… he found Thomas- in the very least, found Thomas' last known location."
Everyone gasped.
"And now, we're going to rescue him." Came Edward's voice. "Everyone, get dressed. Whiff, call the police and Sir Topham Hatt. Inform them of what we know." He commanded.
Whiff nodded, and ran to the kitchen, whereas everyone else ran back to their rooms.
Everyone except for Rosie and Gordon, who went up to Edward, their faces pale, but full of hope.
"You- you found Thomas?" Rosie asked quietly. "Our baby brother..?"
"I didn't." Edward said. "James did. And it hurt him to do so… but now, we're going to rescue him."
Gordon inhaled deeply, his blue eyes filled with hatred. "When I get my hands on that- that… monster for what he's done to Thomas I'm going to-"
"Do nothing."
Gordon looked at Edward, who was now facing away from them, with wide, angry eyes. He was about to protest until Edward turned around.
Rosie and Gordon's eyes widened.
Edward's eyes were cold and icy, and his face emotionless, and yet, it seemed like his face was portraying a deep hatred for something.
"You will do nothing of the sort, Gordon." Edward said quietly. "At least, not yet. What you will do is, you will follow me upstairs, to our room. And get dressed. Is that understood?"
Gordon looked down. "Yes Edward…"
"Good." Then Edward went upstairs, with Rosie and Gordon behind him.
Quickly, they ran into their room, and threw on random clothes before running out the door.
However, Edward stopped in front of his nightstand.
Quietly, he leaned down, and opened the bottom drawer. When he did, he was met with a silver gleam.
Edward looked down at the medium sized silver handgun partially covered by a dark red cloth.
Silently, he reached into his nightstand, and pulled out the gun, and a package of ammo.
Then he walked out of his room, loading and readying the gun…
…
"Why can't I go, Hiro?!"
"Because you're not strong enough, James! You need to rest!"
"No I don't! I'm fine now! I just needed to warm up!"
"But your wounds have reopened!"
"I'm fine!"
Edward jogged down the stairs to see Hiro and James arguing. Feeling little emotion at the moment, he placed his now loaded gun on the inside of his belt, and tugged his shirt down over it.
"Let him go, Hiro." He said. "If he says he's fine, then let him go. We don't have time for arguing. Besides, James knows where to go."
Hiro stared at the slightly older man. He wanted to protest, but he knew Edward was right. "Alright…"
Edward then ran outside, to be met with groups of police officers, and a still heavily bandaged Diesel 10.
"Diesel 10." Edward said, mild shock painting his face.
"It isn't true…" He gasped. "Tell me… it isn't…"
Edward sighed. "It is."
Emotion tackled Diesel 10's face faster than ever. Anger, sadness, disbelief, relief, and shock.
"But, we know where he is." Edward said. "James found his Father. Where his Father is, Thomas is. We know it."
Diesel 10 nodded. "I'll follow your lead, old timer."
Edward nodded in reply, before turning to four groups of police officers. "Listen up." He said in a commanding tone. "What we're going to do is-"
"Uh, Sir, I'm the police chief, it should be me giving the orders."
Edward snapped his head towards the man. "I understand that, Sir. But this is my little brother's life on the line. You can give the orders for your men, but we're going by my plan."
The police chief sighed, knowing Edward wouldn't budge. "Alright."
"Now." Edward said immediately. "Here's what's happening. This is James." He said, gesturing to the seventeen year old red head. "He knows where to go. So, we'll follow his direction."
Everyone nodded.
"Then. I want a group of police officers on each side of the house. But make sure you stay hidden. We're not letting this man escape and harm another innocent." Edward said. "You'll surround the house, and ambush him. You can either wait until he comes out on his own, then jump him, or barge into the house, and force him out."
The police chief hummed. "That's… actually a good plan." He mused. "Alright men, you heard him. Follow the red head and keep hidden."
…
James panted, and held onto Hiro's arm more tightly in an attempt to keep himself steady. His legs hurt so much, but he would keep going. But that didn't stop Hiro from worrying.
"James, are you alright?" Hiro whispered.
"I'm… alright." James panted. "I can do this."
No sooner did he say those words, he froze. "Everyone stop!" He whispered urgently.
Everyone did, and looked at James with confusion and slight worry.
James just shook his head, and pointed ahead. "We're here…"
The police chief needed no other explanation as he looked ahead. "Alright men. Keep quiet, and move out!"
…
Thomas gasped in relief as he felt the chains that were holding him down, loosen and fall to the floor.
But his relief was short lived as he felt a heavy weight on his forearm. He winced as he felt his Father's fingers clamp round his arm. Alan's burly, browned fingers dug deep into his soft, ivory skin, no doubt going to leave bruises.
"Let go, you're hurting me!" Thomas cried, trying to break free.
"Hurting you, am I?" Sneered Alan, squeezing Thomas' arm tighter. "If you dare try to escape, I will hurt you far worse than this. Got it?"
Thomas, not wanting to risk Alan breaking his arms or legs, quieted; but his bright, baby blue eyes were burning with an intense rage and hatred- but also fear.
Alan's own sapphire eyes were aflame with loathing for the son he created 15 years ago. Thomas shouldn't be alive.
Then, a calculating look crossed his face at that thought, and he allowed himself to smile at the cruel deed he was about to do.
Smirking to himself, Alan walked across the basement floor, dragging Thomas with him. Then he stomped up the stairs, going deliberately slow, so Thomas was dragged harshly across the metal steps.
Thomas cried out and whimpered feeling the broken, sharp, metal steps scrape across his back and shoulders, making his entire backside tingle and bleed.
Once they reached the top, Alan unlocked the doors, and dragged the fifteen year old through the house.
When they reached the kitchen, he started to yank Thomas along the wooden floor, humming a little tune as he did so.
Thomas tried to free himself; but his Father was much stronger than he was, and he felt hopelessly trapped as his feet scraped along the ground. He felt splinters enter his poor feet, and he began to whimper as his feet began bleeding.
Alan dragged Thomas over to a small and dusty cabinet made of wood and glass, and opened it. The fifteen year old gasped as he saw rows upon rows of glass bottles standing to attention, like soldiers in a military parade.
Right in the middle was a small blue bottle labelled:
'Contains benzodiazepines. Please proceed with caution.'
Thomas racked his brains, desperately trying to remember what that strange word meant as Alan opened the bottle and tipped out seven pills into the palm of his hand.
"Now, hold still, Thomas," Alan sneered as he neared the boy.
In one last act of defiance, and possibly the only way to save his life, Thomas held his free hand over his mouth, hoping he'd made the right move.
Big mistake.
Suddenly, he felt something clamp over his nose, and he found himself gagging and struggling to breathe. He started choking from lack of air; until, unable to take it anymore, allowed his hand to slide from his face, ever so slightly, to breathe.
It was then that his hand was tugged away from his lips, and he was forced to stand- and then, he felt seven large lumps being shoved into his mouth and down his throat- alongside a pitcher of water.
Thomas choked and gasped as he flailed around, trying to get help. But, worryingly, he was beginning to sway and his vision was growing fuzzier. His legs were shaking, and his head felt as though he was drowning in wet cement.
He fell to the ground onto his hands and knees, crying out weakly in terror and fear.
He longed to be sick; hoping his body will save him, but he didn't have the strength to throw up. And besides, Alan might beat him up again.
Thomas gasped and dry heaved- his body's natural response to its airways being blocked.
He whimpered, feeling his body grow weak, and his breathing and heartbeat slowing.
He would never see Edward again…
You're doing so well Thomas! I think you nearly know as much about cars as I do now!
He would never see Rosie again…
That's a good game! Here I come, little brother! Splish splash splosh!
He would never see Gordon again...
That's alright Thomas! You made me laugh!
He would never see any of his friends again…
Go Thomas! Go! You can do it!
I would love to be your friend, Thomas.
We'll get through this, Thomas.
You're the greatest friend we could ever ask for…
He would never… get to live his life.
He completely collapsed to the ground, his breathing coming out in short and heavy gasps.
Slowly, his eyes fluttered shut like blue butterflies, and, with his head still aching, and his limbs weak and shaky- he allowed himself to let go...
…
Alan smiled cruelly as he watched his son's last breath leave his small, beaten body. Watching the child lay lifeless on the floor felt extremely satisfying for him. After staring at him for a few minutes, Alan scooped Thomas up, and carried him back down to the basement, whistling nonchalantly without a care in the world.
Kicking the door open, and walking down the steps, he dumped the body back onto the cold cement floor, and then made his way upstairs to drink himself into a stupor.
…
"It's been fifteen minutes." Stanley hissed quietly from his crouched position behind a tree. "We should barge into the house now!"
Percy, who was by Stanley, hit him in the shoulder. "No!" He whispered harshly. "That could put Thomas in more danger! We have to wait a little longer."
Edward, who was standing behind a tree with his back against the tree trunk, and head turned towards the house, silently pulled out his gun from his belt. Keeping it hidden, he moved it behind his back, and cocked it. Then, he looked to the police chief, and nodded once.
He nodded back in reply. "Alright men, move in!"
Four groups of police officers moved forwards, away from their positions, and pressed themselves against each side of the house.
Two officers went to each side of the front door, and another went to the front of the door.
Once he received the go ahead, the man in front of the door kicked it open, and five police men rushed in.
"Hey! What are you doing in my house?!" Came an angry voice from inside.
"Move! Move! Don't let him go! Keep a firm grip!"
Then two police officers walked out with a struggling, and obviously drunk, Alan Fearnley in their grasp, while three others followed.
Everyone immediately ran forwards and started yelling angrily, demanding Thomas' freedom.
"Where is he?! Let him go!"
"Where is our little brother, you monster!"
"Give us our friend back!"
Alan just smirked. "Oh… him? He's just- taking a nap…"
Rosie felt anger rush through her. "You're a sick man…"
Alan laughed. "What do you care? Thomas cost me everything. He had to be taught a lesson…"
Gordon growled. "Thomas called you out! He called you out for the liar you are!" He bellowed. "If you truly loved your family, you wouldn't have caused them so much pain!"
"You'll be put away for the rest of your life!" Spencer growled. "We'll see to it!"
Alan chuckled quietly. "Oh you can try… but, no matter how many times you put me away in prison, I'll always find a way out…"
"You won't be getting out this time." Came a new, dark voice. "Not if you're dead."
Then three gunshots rang out through the night.
Each hit Alan, two in the stomach, and one in the chest. In only a matter of seconds, Alan slumped out of the police men's hold- dead.
Everyone gasped, and backed away to the sides from where the shots came from.
When they did, there was Edward.
He was standing completely still, his left arm by his side, and his right arm still aimed at where Alan was. He was holding the gun firmly in his grasp, the barrel still smoking.
His eyes were narrowed, cold and icy. And his lips were pressed firmly together, but soon, they formed a deadly smirk.
He let a dark chuckle leave his mouth as he lowered the gun, and stared at the body of the man who caused them all so much pain.
He kept his eyes there, until a whimper snapped him back to reality.
Everyone was staring at him with wide, shocked eyes.
Edward sighed, before unloading the gun, and throwing it off to the side. Then he looked at Percy, Toby, James, Emily, and Stanley with firm eyes. "Go."
…
The five teens didn't need to be told twice what to do as they all ran into the house.
"Thomas! Thomas, where are you?!"
"Please, if you can hear us, say something!"
The group walked close together inside the dark and musty house, looking around in fear.
"This place is so scary…" Emily whispered, holding onto Stanley's arm.
Stanley nodded. "Indeed…"
"Thomas! Thomas, please! Where are you?!" James cried out into the silent house, his dark green eyes filling with tears.
"Guys! Over here!"
Toby, James, Emily, and Stanley all whipped around, hoping for a brief moment, that it was Thomas calling them. But their hopes were dashed when they realised it was Percy.
Regardless, they ran over to their friend, who was by a slightly open door.
"It's a basement." Percy said. "Maybe… he's here."
The five teenagers trembled, but made their way down the dark stairway nonetheless.
When they reached the basement, they had to stop and let their eyes adjust to the darkness.
Toby felt along the cold brick wall until his fingers brushed over a light switch. Quickly, he flicked it on.
But when he did, all of them screamed.
There was Thomas, lying motionless on the ground. His body was beaten, bruised, and covered in all sorts of cuts and gashes.
He was situated in what seemed to be a loose fetal position. His back was halfway curved, his head bowed, and his legs were bent and drawn almost up to his torso.
He was very thin. Even with the minimal clothing he had on, that still seemed too big for him.
Half of his face was bloodied, and the blood reached the top of his head, staining his bright blue hair a faded shade of red. His chest seemed to be partially caved in, and blood seeped through the front of his torn hospital gown and onto the floor.
His feet were littered with infected cuts and splinters. And, just peeking up from his shoulders, fresh cuts could be seen that lead down to his back, that were certainly longer and more gruesome.
His head had many indents and open gashes, from being hit with a metal pipe. His entire body had chain marks from being wrapped tightly in chains, and his face and throat had dark purple hand marks from where he had been hit and choked.
The group of friends knew undoubtedly, that… Thomas was gone.
James was the first to fully react. He started shaking violently, before falling to his knees.
He grabbed his head, and yanked at his hair, then, he started screaming.
He screamed, and he screamed, and he screamed. He screamed as loud as he could, before he started sobbing and coughing harshly.
Behind him, Emily was crying into Stanley's shoulder, while Stanley held onto her as tightly as he could, afraid that, if he let go, she'd collapse. Tears were rolling down his own face, and he placed his head atop of Emily's.
Toby was away from the commotion with Percy. He was on his knees, rubbing Percy's back as the seventeen year old threw up. Percy was finally able to catch a break, and he breathed deeply.
"I… I don't want to b-be." Percy gasped, tears spilling from his eyes, and onto the ground. "I-I'm not ready!" He screamed.
"Read- ready for what?" Toby hiccupped, fiercely wiping at the tears in his eyes.
"To be the youngest!" Percy cried, whirling around to face the slightly older boy. "I wasn't the youngest! It- it was Thomas who was! But now, he's- he's…"
Toby shook his head, and pulled Percy into a hug. "I know… I know…"
Percy cried and wrapped his arms around Toby's neck, trying desperately to steady himself.
James finally collapsed fully onto the ground, utterly exhausted. Then he was being pulled up onto his feet by Stanley and Emily.
James gasped and coughed more as he was lifted up. "How- how are we going to tell Ed-Edward? O-or Rosie and Gordon..?" He asked weakly, looking up at the two older teens.
Stanley and Emily looked at each other completely lost.
"We don't know…" Stanley said after a few moments.
Once James was securely back on his feet, he took a deep breath, and walked over to Thomas. Each step he took, dread made its way into his heart.
Quietly, he knelt down and placed his hand on Thomas' cheek.
When he did, he tried his hardest to compress a sob.
Thomas' usual warmth was no longer there. In its place was a foreign coldness that seemed to be permanently etched into his skin. Of course, it will be from now on…
James whimpered. Thomas didn't deserve to be seen like this. So, he took off his coat, and wrapped it around the fifteen year old's body.
Then he very carefully picked Thomas up bridal style, before turning to the rest of his friends.
When he did, everyone's breath hitched.
"Let's go…" James whispered.
…
The remains of Alan Fearnley's front door was moved and kicked out of the way.
Everyone waiting outside, looked towards the door with hope.
Once the splinters were cleared, Stanley and Emily walked out first with their heads down, side by side, holding hands. Next to emerge were Toby and Percy.
Their heads were down as well, and their hands were intertwined as they quietly followed the others.
Then all four of them let go of each other's hands, and moved to the sides.
That's when James came out.
He was standing up straight, his head erect, and carrying out Thomas.
James bit his lip to keep silent as he walked out.
Edward's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. Tears started pouring from his eyes before he had a chance to stop them. "No…"
James looked to Edward, and slowly walked over to him. When he reached the older man, he gently place Thomas in his big brother's arms. "I'm… I'm so sorry, E-Edward…" He gasped, and backed away, his head down.
Edward stared down at… the body of his broken baby brother in his arms with disbelief.
The body…
Edward dropped to the ground, and held Thomas close to his heart.
"THOMAS! THOMAS, THOMAS, NO!"
Edward's screams echoed throughout the dark forest as he quaked with sorrow. "I'm so sorry! I-I wasn't there in ti-time! I FAILED YOU!" Edward sobbed, clutching the small bundle closer.
Then, two more screams were heard.
Rosie and Gordon.
Gordon swayed and fell to the ground, beating the white snow beneath him.
Rosie went down with him, and hugged Gordon, trying so hard to get him to stop. "Gordon, Gordon… little brother, please stop…" She sobbed.
Gordon did, and turned fully into his older sister's embrace, hugging her with all his might as he started to cry.
Not a single eye was dry as everyone wept for their fallen friend and brother. Even the police men were crying.
Edward held Thomas tenderly, and brushed some still soft pieces of hair away from Thomas' eyes.
"Th-Thomas… I'm so sorry… I failed you…"