By SaL
Chapter Five: Whipping Boy
A/N: I am soooooo done with Romeo and Juliet! Woohoo! I finished my poster yesterday and my collage last Sunday! We were supposed to have the test today but it's a snow day!!! Thank god we have no school, it saves me from a horrible pep rally and band practice from 1:00 to 2:00. Ugh! See we get a half-day but the band doesn't which totally sucks! Anyway I finally have time to type my next chapter before I spend the rest of the weekend finishing and writing a thesis on Great Expectations. So without further adieu I give you chapter five, enjoy.
*David's dream*
"Hurry up David! We're gonna be late again!"
"Then what are you hanging around here for? Lets go!" Yelled the nine year-old running off down the streets of Munich, Germany. "Last one there gets breakfast for everyone!"
"No fair! You cheated!" Kurt shouted just feet behind his friend. He stopped short while taking the lead causing David to stumble into him and both to tumble to the street.
"What's the big idea? You could have warned me or Something!" He grumbled standing up staring at his awe struck friend who remained on the ground. "You ok?"
The boy slowly nodded in response. "What is with you?" Again the boy refrained from speaking as he elbowed his friend in the knee gesturing for him to look ahead toward the market. "I don't underst- wow!" David exclaimed eying Otto's fruit cart, which held a grand display of watermelon attracting a large crowd. The two remained silent for a while they had found their breakfast. David then turned to Kurt with a mischievous grin. "Ya want some?" Kurt's smile grew equally mischievous as he produced a wallet he had recently stolen.
Kurt approached the cart as casually as possible while David crept up behind the display slipping an apron on pretending to work there.
"Excuse me mister, I'd like to know how much these raspberry's are." Otto, the owner of the cart, glared at Kurt. "You gonna buy some?"
"I'm considering it. So, how much?"
"5 Deutsche marks a pound. But I doubt you have even that much. At this Kurt grinned fingering the wallet, he was going to have fun with Otto.
Meanwhile David unnoticeably filled a sack with two watermelons and a bunch of apples. Glancing up he spotted his accomplice waving 100 Deutsche marks under Otto's greedy eyes. David chuckled lightly removing the apron and slinging the sack over his right shoulder as he walked off to a nearby alley waiting for Kurt.
"Otto my man, it's always nice doing business with ya. Gotta jet!" He grabbed a carton of raspberries and took off through the crowds toward the alley with all 100 Deutsche marks safely in his pocket. Kurt and David ran laughing toward the old abandon mill, which made for an excellent hang out.
*flash forward*
10 year-old Wilhelm of a rival gang dragged a 7-year-old boy down an alley to 'rough-up' for having the nerve to say something about his gang (a/n I don't know, he's just a bully). An angered David arrived on the scene in the nick of time. "Let him go Wilhelm."
"Shut up this ain't none a yer business!" He responded while preparing to punch the boy once more. David intercepted the blow with his hand. "Well I'm making it my business!"
"Get lost!"
"Make me!" And so the fight began. Wilhelm was firing punches left and right with no avail while David cleverly blocked each one. They were equally matched. Suddenly two other gang members appeared just as Wilhelm decided to charge David with a blade. David didn't appear shocked or afraid at all, instead he motioned his opponent to come with his hands. "Bring it Wilhelm! Let's see what you've got!" When the blade was just inches away from him David grabbed Wilhelm's wrist and flipped the boy on his back.
Kurt (11) and Aaron (12) tossed the bully into the streets. "Hey kid you ok?" David asked helping him up.
*flash forward*
David (11) ran from rooftop to rooftop with Aaron's sister Mitzi (11) close behind. This was known as the upper world, a system of streets along the roofs of the city known only among a select few. David knew all of the short cuts and had numerous connections in upper-world. Tonight they were rushing to get to an after-rumble glory party at the old mill. David slid down a pole taking him to the streets where he awaited Mitzi who followed suit. They were only a few blocks away so they decided to race; David noticed he was wining as he glanced behind him. Unfortunately, he ran straight into his grandparents, uncle, and cousin.
*flash forward*
Later on that night
"My parents may have gone easy on you boy, but I won't! Now take off your shirt you won't be needing it." Confused David hesitated, "I don't understand uncle, it's cold out."
"I don't care just do it!" So the boy removed his shirt and Liam pushed him out the door into the snow. Dave shivered desperately trying to remain tough to spite his uncle.
"On the crate. Now!" Liam ordered as they entered the shed. The man put restraints on David and retrieved a four string beaded whip. This was the first time Liam had whipped David in such a way. He gave the boy a hundred lashes and locked him in a 2 by 2 foot room for three days.
*flash forward*
3 days later
Wolfgang (13) the leader of the gang was worried about David, they all were. Of course they knew of his beatings, but to them it was normal. It happened to all of them, like it was an essential part of life. Mitzi and Aaron had begged David to live with them, in-fact they all had at some point, but David always refused.
"David I'm sorry about what happened. I seriously think he enjoys finding new ways to torture you."
"It happens to all of us Wolfgang."
"But it happens to nobody more or worse than you. Listen Dave, let us help you, you can stay here with us and never have to see Liam again." David considered it then slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry but I've got to go home. He's not my family, 'sides I only have to deal with him every couple of months or so."
"Is it really worth it?"
"…"
*flash forward*
David (12) lay on the cold itchy floor of the barn shed. He was so cold but didn't dare move for his back ached and bled from his latest beating. Thinking back on his gang, the boy tried to stay brave as a stray tear escaped watery blue eyes. "One life, one dream, one fate. This- this is what happens to people like us. Tomas, Aaron and Kurt appeared to help their friend. David hadn't noticed as he slipped into darkness. The three stayed with him as they had just witnessed the breaking of his spirit.
~ ~ ~
David suddenly shot up in bed groaning slightly as pain rushed over him. Slowly, he got up and made his way to the mirror through the dizziness. Wincing he pulled his shirt over his head to reveal a bruised and battered body.
He swiftly punched the mirror disgusted with what he saw, quickly regretting his actions. For what he now saw was a broken boy. He stared at his bloody knuckles ignoring the self-afflicted pain. He had been numb to all pain since he was 12, but this time felt different.
With his back to the wall, David slid to a crouching position on the ground. With shaky hands he reached for a piece of broken glass and ran his finger along the jagged edge leaving a trail of crimson blood. Then he lifted the sharp point just inches above his wrist considering whether or not he should end his life. 'What drives people to do it? Can I do it? Can I do this?' He thought while lightly racing a line across his wrist. "It feels right, but is it?" He asked to no one in particular. "Why didn't I think of this before?" He traced the line a little deeper now before coming to an abrupt halt. "Ahhh but I did, and then Wolfgang had to go and talk me out of it." David furiously answered his own question. Gazing at the crimson blood oozing form his veins he suddenly thought of his friends, Sarah, Les, and Sandy.
'Will you give up on them so easily? Look at you you're weak! You're nothing! Nothing! Don't you care? You've changed so much, but you can't give up! Not now, not when they need you! No when you need them the most. You have to fight it! You have to fight, get your life back damn-it! Get freedom that you and your mother came for!' His conscience chided as he angrily threw the piece of glass. 'What the hell happened to you?!' Jacks voice echoed through his brain while he watched the glass shatter into a million pieces. David, with his head in his hands, suddenly smiled and the room filled with his sardonic laughter. His eyelids slowly became heavier and heavier with each blink until he finally surrendered to the darkness.
A few newsies in the bunkroom lay awake all deeply disturbed by David's episode. Jack, Race, and Mush quickly got up to check on their friend. They had been unable to sleep well all night with David's constant tossings and turnings accompanied by some mumblings in German. At the first sight of blood, Race went into the bathroom for some wet towels to stop the bleeding. Mush went for some tape for David's ribs, which, through the mess of blacks and blues, he suspected, were broken. Jack didn't know what to do he was shocked. He could hardly begin to imagine what could possibly make people like his best friend David want to die.
A/N: So how was it? You have NO idea how long it took me to type this. Well I haven't forgotten about this story so don't worry I'll finish it. I was taught to always finish what I start even if you hate it. (I don't hate this story by the by.) Anyways:
Happy Turkey Day everybody! Crush KP!
SaL