Chapter 26

JAKE'S POV

I knew going home was going to be a big mistake. Everyone always preaches to face your fears. Well, my father is my fear. He scares me. I know, its stupid to admit it, but I have to face him eventually, why not now? Oliver never called me yet. Did she wake up? I am hoping she did, then I will know she is fine before I do something stupid. Well, going back to my house is basically suicide. I knew what was going to be coming. I knew it and I headed right into it. I hesitated at first, but honestly I am kind of ready for this. I feel numb, it must be the adrenaline. I want to get through this. This fight will be the worst, and possibly the last. My feet reached the door but my head was somewhere else. My hand reached slowly for the door knob and the door ripped open. I didn't rip it open. My dad reached outside and yanked me into our cold, dark house.

Pain, without love
Pain, I can't get enough
Pain, I like it rough
'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all

His hands seemed to feel like boulders whenever he hit me before, this time I couldn't feel it. I couldn't. His hands came at me in all directions and hit me in the face, neck, arm. Was there something wrong with me? I was and am numb. One of his hands slowly wrapped around my neck and tightened its grip. My feet sluggishly lifted off the ground. I cant breathe. Why does he do this to me? Why was I born. My hands began to hit his huge hands. My heart began to beat faster, it felt as if exploding from my chest. Why does this happen? You see this in movies, but it never happens to you. I never knew what it was like to be normal, and I wont live to see it either. Everything around me began to get blurry as I choked for air. Every small gasp, my father let out a loud laugh. I started to grow tired and let go of his hands. My body felt as if it was giving out. I do not want this to happen. I want to see Miley, I want to apologize. I want to finally stand up to my dad.

You're sick of feeling numb
You're not the only one
I'll take you by the hand
And I'll show you a world that you can understand
This life is filled with hurt
When happiness doesn't work
Trust me and take my hand
When the lights go out you will understand

I heard a thud onto the ground, was that me? I felt a few small hits to the face. My eyes slowly opened to see me lying in a pool of blood. My father was being restrained by a policeman. He stared angrily down at me, and screamed. I cant hear him. My ears are ringing. I think he hit my ears. I am starting to feel the pain. It felt as if he hit me everywhere. I coughed and blood poured out of my mouth. Was that a tooth? A woman policeman stood above me, holding a phone in her hand. She stroked my face. I didn't want to look at her. My eyes focused on my father's, if I can call him that. His eyes were coated with hate, and laced with pure anger. He hated me for this, no doubt about it. The pain was gone once more. How could the man that is supposed to be my caretaker do that. I am his money maker, you would think he would be nice. I felt cold, it felt as if I was in a pool of ice water. I began to shiver. I hate this, please just kill me already. This was worse than getting shot in the face. At least if you were shot in the face you would die quickly. This was a slow death. It was torture. What will happen to my life? Why is this so hard. Am I dying? Well, I did say going home would be suicide.

Jackson's POV

"Hello? I called earlier about Jake Ryan, is there any news on him yet." I asked.

"I'm sorry sir, please hold." A nasally voice came from the other line. I tapped my fingers on the wooden table next to me. This is awful, I hope he is alright. If he isn't what am I supposed to say to Miley? "Sir, there is no news on Jake Ryan. Who is this calling?" She said. Her voice was really annoying. I would hate to work with her.

"Jackson, Jackson Stewart. Please, could you call this number if anything comes up?" I pleaded into the phone. I didn't want to go back to Miley with nothing.

"Okay, sir. Thank you, bye." I heard the phone click and I shut my phone. I was in the lobby of the hospital. Jake's house isn't far from here. He walked here. I know where he lives because I've dropped him off at his house before. I got up and jogged out of the lobby, towards Jake's house. Sirens were in the distance. I think they are at Jake's house. My jog quickly got up to a sprint and within minutes I was at his house. His house was surrounded with police cars and an ambulance. I walked to the door and peeked in. His father was being handcuffed by an officer, he was pinned onto the couch. Jake was being lifted out of his house on a stretcher.

"JAKE!" I screamed, one of the paramedic's head shot over to me.

"You know this boy?" He asked and looked down at him sadly.

"Yes." I whispered.

"Well then, get in." The paramedic said. I jumped into the ambulance and looked at his face. You couldn't even tell it was his face anymore. It was so bloody and bruised it was hard to tell if he had skin left. His eyes were bearly open and looking at me. The sirens began to wail as I jerked backwards. I regained my balance and looked at Jake.

"Come on, Jake. Miley, needs you." I said. His eyes shot open and he stared at me.

"BP is dropping." One of the paramedics said, turning him to his side. They looked up to the moniter. His eyes slowly closed as he started jerking fanatically in every direction. "He's ceasing. Call the OR and tell them we are coming in." This was scary. I haven't really been this scared in my life, except when I got the news about Miley.

A/N: long chapter eh? I thought it was pretty intense. R&R porfavor