The Rooster Crows
JJ's dad was an asshole. That wasn't news to anyone in the outer banks, but nobody knew the extent of how much of an asshole he really was except JJ. She had done a pretty good job of hiding the bruises with makeup when necessary not that any adults cared anyway. There was enough evidence that it should've been obvious but JJ was a good liar and so nobody knew more than Luke Maybanks was an asshole.
Until John B found out their second year of high school that is.
Throughout the years, Luke's abuse was steadily growing. He drank more and was almost always high. He couldn't keep a job and JJ had to work three. But the real trigger was that JJ looked like her mom and that angered her dad.
It was Thanksgiving and usually JJ would stay at the chateau with John B but Big John was back in town as of a week ago and JJ left to let John B have some time with his dad so she went back home and tried to stay out of the way. She made sure the fridge had food and beer so her dad might not seek her out. But she wasn't that lucky it would seem.
She was on her bed dozing when she heard the front door slam open announcing her dad's return home. She flinched and pulled up the covers to pretend to be sleeping.
Next she knew a hand wrenched her arm and yanked her out of the bed and threw her to the floor.
"Where the fuck have you been you worthless piece of shit?!" He yelled at her. The end of her avoidance had arrived and she prepared herself for a beating.
"I've been working!" She said hoping it would be enough but then he shoved her into the wall hard and she could taste blood where she bit her lip.
"Where's my money then?"
"you spent it already" she whimpered and he slammed her head into the wall making her vision black for a second.
"You think I'm stupid you ungrateful little bitch?!" And he punched her ribs a few times while yelling how worthless and stupid she and that was why her mom left them. At some point she fell and he proceeded to kick her. Usually he wAs done by now but he was high and drunker than normal and she worried he wouldn't stop. She wasn't sure if she had a concussion but she definitely had a few cracked ribs already. Finally he stopped and went to the fridge to get a beer. She waited an hour unable to move til she was sure he had passed out on the couch.
She was in so much pain and she tried to get up to go to her room but it was worse than usual and she was afraid her dad would wake up for round two so After a few seconds of arguing with herself she left the house and stumbled through the woods towards where she knew John b lived. She didn't know what she'd do when she got there but she wanted to be somewhere safe and John b and the chateau were always where she felt safe and she was desperate. It hurt to breath and it took all her will power to not fall. She didn't think she be able to get back up if she did. Her vision was black around the edges and she was so tired.
Finally the porch light of the chateau came into view and with determination made her way there. Then she remembered about big John and froze. Nobody could know or she'd be take Away and end up somewhere worse. That's when she spied the chicken coop and changed direction. She'd just crash in there.
Little did she know that John B was laid out on the hammock on the front porch.
John B was gazing at the stars thinking about his dad who had once again taken off on another goose chase for the damn royal merchant. They had gotten in a fight and he told his dad he was a shitty father. His dad had still left and it hurt.
His mind was torn from his thoughts when he heard a commotion coming from the chicken coop and the rooster crowing like crazy. He decided to check it out to make sure it was t a fox. He made his way down the path and saw a flash of golden hair stumbling into the coop and disappearing. He narrowed his eyes. Why would a person be sneaking into his chicken coop. But it's the cut and people do things like that and now he thinks he's being robbed so he decides to confront the stranger. He makes his way over and pauses when he sees blood on the edge of the coop door.
"Come out of there or I'll call the cops" John B says bravely.
Silence.
Then. "John B?" He barely hears as it was whispered. But he knows that voice and he sticks his head into the coop.
"JJ? What are you doing in here? You ok?" It's too dark to see and JJ is curled up in corner. Her breathing is irregular and John B is concerned. "Why didn't you come up to the house?" He's confused.
She shakily whispers "Big John" and now your really confused because she been over when big John was here before and she didn't hide outside.
"He's gone" John b whispered sadly.
JJ starts to get up wanting to comfort him but she stumbles and lets out a pained gasp. That's when John B remembered the blood and his face pales.
He rushed over to where JJ was and she has tears in her eyes. He helps her out of the chicken coop and when she can't hold herself up he picked her up bridal style and carries her inside. He sets her on the couch and finally in the light he can see what shape she's in. His eyes water and he's on his knees in front of her. He places his hands on her cheeks and asks "what happened?"
JJ looks in his eyes and sees so much concern there that she breaks and collapses into tears without saying anything. His heart shattered seeing her like that and he pulled her in close, her face hiding into his neck.
John B feels a surge of rage for whoever did this to her and he pushes it back for now. He hears her gasp in pain again when his hand brushes agains a rib and his eyes go wide. He slowly untangles himself from her and whispers "I'll be back"
He retrieves a first aid kit and a couple bags of frozen vegetables then returns to the couch. He gently approaches her not wanting to startle her and she lets him check her over and take care of her. She slightly dazed and a though struck him.
"Do you have a concussion?"
She shrugs still unable to speak. And he checks her head for bumps or cuts. He must not have found any outward damage cuz he lets his hand fall to either side of her on the couch and he looks like he wants to ask questions but her eyes are dripping so decides it can wait and makes a decision. He scoops her up again and even tho her ribs are on fire she clings to him as he walks her to his room.
He set her on the bed and helped her lay down, throwing a light blanket over her. JJ was already fading into sleep and John B was just about to leave the room to sleep on the couch when he feels her grab his hand. He looks back down at her. Her eyes are still closed but she whispers stay and she looks so small and vulnerable that he can't say no so he carefully lays next to her. She never let go of his hand and they sleep the rest of the night in peace.
The next morning John B awoke and as he remembered the events of the night before he shots up when he realized JJ was no longer next to him. He quickly shot out of bed panicked and walked out of the room. He gave a sigh of relief when he saw JJ eating a bowl of cereal at the table. Her face was swollen and blue on the left side and he felt the spark of anger again except this time he was determined to get answers. He sat across from her and tried to catch her gaze but she avoided them and looked down at her bowl. John B frowned.
"What happened JJ?" She flinched at the break in the silence and John B felt a sting of hurt but shook it off as he knew she just went through something traumatic. He had a suspicion but he wanted her to trust him.
She finally said "just some kooks, the normal"
She wouldn't meet his eyes tho and that was so u like JJ he knew she was lying. She was a good liar but never with him.
"Don't lie to me. JJ it's me. "
She looked up then and again her eyes are glazed with the tears. You just want to put a smile back on her face but you need to know.
Finally she says. " you can't tell" and you promise.
"It's my dad" she whispers and your heart shatters once again because you already suspected but now it's been confirmed and John B wants to kill him.
He gets up and is about to walk out the door planning to March blindly to Luke's house and beat the crap out of him even though he know it's a stupid plan but doesn't care he just wants to make him hurt for hurting JJ. But then JJ is in front of him and he's in such a blind rage he doesn't stop walking in the direction of her house even when she climbs up him and wraps her legs around his waist. She places her hands on his face and makes him look at her.
"I'm okay" she whispers and his arms wrap around her like a teddy bear letting her calm him down. He sticks his face in her neck and she rests her head on top of his. They stand there for a minute before he sets her down and looks down at her.
"Don't go home. Stay here at the chateau" his eyes are hopeful and earnest and JJ nods even though she knows she can't stay forever. Big John will come back. But John B smiles at her agreement and she can't find it in herself to remind him so she doesn't and the spend the next few hours watching tv like any normal day. If John B and JJ sat closer than usual well no one was around to notice. And if JJ formed a strange attachment to the rooster, nobody but John B knew why.
