A/N: Sorry the update is late. (Also, two reviews? Are ya'll trying to spoil me or something? Seriously, this hasn't happened in awhile!) Enjoy this wonderful, wholesome content that absolutely contains no illegal activity whatsoever. Yep... no crimes in this one, everyone is an absolute saint. ;)
Review Replies:
NinjagoGeek4EVER: I'm glad you liked it! And thank you for all your help and letting me bounce ideas off of you (and sticking with me even though I'm super annoying.)
xxXTryMeXxx: Well, you can't exactly say Lloyd's trust issues are unfounded! And Harumi will pay! Not quite yet though, Wu's a little busy. Also, I want to thank you for always being so positive and always reviewing and supporting my work, you have no idea the effect you have (don't worry, it's a good effect. Very good.)
Lloyd slipped out of the apartment, glancing over the cars in the lot as he tugged at his hood. Pain stabbed through him with every step, but he kept placing one foot in front of the other. He couldn't wait to get to school, to get away from his mother however briefly he could. Especially since she had a friend coming over tonight.
The door of one of the cars opened, and Lloyd immediately tensed, he did not want this today. The second he heard the sound of shoes on asphalt he began running.
"Lloyd?" He froze, recognizing the soft voice. He turned and nearly collapsed with relief upon seeing his uncle standing there. "Would you like a ride to school?" Wu had such a friendly smile.
Lloyd nodded, rushing to Wu's side, ecstatic for the possibility of a good start to the day. Slowly, he crept into the backseat, watching Wu to recall how to put the 'seatbelt' on. The car pulled out of the parking lot and turned left.
A frown furrowed Lloyd's brow as he recalled that the school was to the right, the left held a shady portion of town and then the docks. His heart began racing, he should have known better than to trust someone. Grabbing at the seatbelt he tried his best to get out of it, yanking at it until he entangled himself in it.
The car pulled to the curb and was put into park. The uncle reached for Lloyd, who drew back immediately. All Wu did was click the button, and Lloyd allowed himself to relax ever so slightly as he tried to untangle himself.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Lloyd."
Lloyd didn't believe that for a second. He knew better. He should have known better.
"Lloyd," Wu let out a sigh as he began, although Lloyd was more interested in figuring out how to get out of this contraption. "After I left last night, I stayed in the hallway for a little while. I heard what happened. I can't-"
Lloyd let out a grunt of effort as he tried to pry open the locked door, trunks were so much more simple. He knew how to access the locks there.
"I'm not going to let you out." The voice caught his attention. It was cold and hard, the authoritative voice that commanded respect and had severe consequences if it was not given. Lloyd froze, curling into a tight ball. "Put your seatbelt back on." Lloyd obliged without hesitation, taking a moment to fiddle with the buckle.
They were driving down the road before Wu started talking again. "Look, I'm sorry for doing this so abruptly, but I can't leave you in that situation. Kids and teenagers, even some adults, I can handle that. But if..." Wu's voice trailed off and the old man shook his head. "Anyway, I'm taking you to go live with your father. He'll take good care of you, okay?"
Lloyd cowered further. Wu's voice may have softened again, but he knew that was just temporary.
When they stopped again they had pulled up to a warehouse next to a dock. Wu took off his seatbelt and pressed a button that caused the doors to make a soft click. Realizing this was probably his chance, Lloyd located his buckle as quickly as possible and tried the door. To his relief, it opened. He slipped out and started running as fast as he could, despite the agony it caused.
Wu caught up to him all too quickly, grabbing his arm and wrenched him to a halt. The gentle, firm grip was right at the base of one of the cuts on his arm, and he allowed himself to bite his lip as he was dragged onto the only boat docked there. Even when he hosted the anchor Wu kept one hand clutching Lloyd's arm, only letting go when the edge of the boat was about 10 feet away from any land.
Lloyd raced to the edge, hoping they were still close enough for him to jump. His heart sank as he stared at the shoreline, and he let his eyes fall to the ocean. He could already feel the water sloshing around in his lungs, the salt burrowing itself into reopened cuts, the waves tossing him from side to side. He stumbled back, feeling lightheaded as he made his way to the mast. When he found it he clutched it as if his life depended on it, dreading arrival yet wishing for the ride to end.
Wu: Oh no, my nephew is being abused. I should call child services because even if they don't like my nephew I'm the hero of the city and they'll actually listen to me and help because I'm the one asking them to.
Wu: ...
Wu: ...
Wu: Or... I could kidnap him. It totally wouldn't ruin our relationship and traumatize him, right?
Once again, if you have a minute it would really mean a lot to me if you review!
