AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the delay people, but I ran into some serious
writers block, and I'm not even sure when the next update will be, but I
WILL finish this story. However, I have a request. As much as I
appreciate feedback, and am flattered by people's insistence to hurry up, I
do not appreciate emails (or reviews) that get snappish or harassing. As
many other authors have said before, and may I repeat, we are not being
paid to do this. It's for fun only. I enjoy that you enjoy, but I do not
like being harassed (again, I don't mean people asking nicely, or even
begging (hard to resist, LoL) to update. I mean people getting rude about
it.) I do have a life people, and writer's block, is unfortunately common
for me. As I've told many (patient people, I do not answer rude emails) I
don't like to rush writing. I prefer to write when inspired.that way it
comes out at least half way decent.
Anyway, most people can ignore this, cause you guys are great, and I luv ya. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well, though I don't care for it as much as I'd hoped.it's a little too.something. Let me know what you think. P.S. Not beta read, so forgive the mistakes.
WARNING: Rated R for harsh language and child abuse. If you no like, turn back. You've been warned.
Chapter 7
By: Jaimi
Lucas groaned, his hands raw and sore from pulling weeds all day. His entire body was still recovering from his struggle the day before. He looked around him at the other boys in this prison. Well, orphanage, but dammit it was the same thing. He didn't belong here. He thought about it for a moment though, and realized that he did indeed belong here. Besides, it was better than being at home, getting the shit beaten out of him.
"Get to work, Blondie!" One of the guards yelled. Guards, hmph. What the hell did they have guards at an orphanage for?
He rolled his eyes, and reached for another weed. His thoughts drifted back to yesterday. It was all a vague memory, and he was kind of glad he didn't remember it all. He didn't want to. He hoped his friends wouldn't remember either, though he knew there was little chance of that.
He sighed. His friends... What was he saying? They weren't his friends. He might as well realize that now and get over it. No one cared about what happened to him. They let those people take him, and they hadn't even come by...but why would they? He was nothing. They were military officers for the UEO. They didn't have time for a worthless fifteen year old, whose own parents didn't want him.
************************************************************************
Several days passed and still no one from the seaQuest crew came by. Hurt welled up in the teen. *Why?* the naïve side of him.or what was left of it, wondered. *Did you really expect them to be any different?* the darker side of him answered. The part that recalled every fist, every boot, and every bat aimed at his frail being.
The hurt turned into anger, and the difficult teen grew worse. He gave all the nuns, the guards and every other authority figure a hard time. Cursing, swearing, he even swung at a few of them. He caused trouble during dinner, getting the other boys going. He was a menace. Some of the guards were growing increasingly agitated, and one night, took matters into their own hands.
************************************************************************
Lucas threw the fork down, not interested in eating.
"Please Lucas, you must eat something," a kindly nun begged of him. She was one of the few who didn't believe the act the boy put on.
"Go sing a hymn and leave me the hell alone!" He spat out angrily. She sighed and walked away into another room.
It was silent, as there were only the boys and the guards in the room. Lucas was startled as large hands grabbed him from behind.
"YOU THINK YOU RUN THE SHOW YOU LITTLE FUCK?"
"Get off me!" Lucas shouted, struggling against the large guards hold.
"QUIT!" The gruff voice hollered in his face.
Lucas cringed in pain as the man back handed Lucas hard across the face, then kneed him in the stomach. Gasping, Lucas looked up and saw the other boys pretend not to notice.
The familiarity hit like a rock...everyone always turned the other way.
"You think you got everyone doing your bidding, huh? A worthless shit like you. Is it the UEO really can't handle you? Or are they just sick of you? I hear you're some rich mother fucker's son...and he don't want you either. Maybe I should just kill you and save everyone the pain. Huh? Lou, Hal, stay here and watch these kids. Cal and I are gonna teach this boy some manners."
Lucas struggled in vain, kicking out and cursing as he was dragged into an empty bathroom where they proceeded beat him. The whole time they were telling him how worthless and stupid he was...no one wanted him...he should just die and get it over with...
Half way through the awful words and harsh blows, part of who Lucas was...disappeared. The familiar words that he saw as nothing but the truth, fully set in. Ten years of abuse and neglect finally caught up as the boy suffered further trauma at the hands of strangers who thought he deserved to die. His will to live left. His spirit was broken.
************************************************************************
Bridger tapped his fingers impatiently. It had been a week since he'd seen Lucas. The papers that granted him visitation rights had finally come through. He was even allowed to take the boy out of the home for a few hours. The senior crew were waiting at a park down the street.
He looked up as he heard foots steps. A gentle looking Nun was leading Lucas toward him. Bridger blanched at the sight of the boy. He was thinner than before, after only seven days. He was also paler, and had a dark, nasty looking bruise on his face.
"What happened?" The captain asked, as they reached him. Bridger carefully reached out toward Lucas, who flinched back from the man, though no real emotion registered on his face. Bridger frowned. Lucas only flinched if Bridger surprised him. He looked into the boy's eyes, and what he saw there scared him...nothing. They were dull, lifeless...as if the boy were a walking Zombie.
The Nun sighed before answering. "He got in a fight with some of the other boys...at least that's what I was told. It happened two days ago. He has the bruise on his face, as well as a few others on his back, stomach and chest. It looks like he took a few kicks. Apparently he didn't fight back...which is surprising. He's been a handful from the beginning. Since the fight however, he's been like this."
Bridger attempted to absorb what the young woman said, as he gazed at the teenager who stood quietly, offering no words, no glance...he barely moved. The only sign of life was the gentle rise and fall of the boy's chest, and his soft, even breaths. His eyes were downcast, his hands hung at his sides.
*He looks like a horse that's been ruined after too many races and too many whippings....* The thought chilled Bridger's blood and he shivered.
"Alright," he said softly, eyes still on the youngster. He then turned to the Nun. "Thank you, um..." he trailed off, waiting for some introduction.
"Sister Mary," she offered, with a gentle smile.
"Sister Mary, thank you. I'll have him back in a few hours."
She nodded silently, but as Bridger turned to leave, Lucas walking slightly ahead of him, she spoke out suddenly. "Captain, please..." He turned back. Lucas seemed not to hear her, but noticing Bridger's halt, he walked a few meters ahead then stopped, waiting. "Help him..." she said quietly, so only Bridger could hear. "Don't let him slip away. He's difficult, I know, but don't give up. He has so much promise. I don't know what, but something has happened to this boy. Recently, or built up over the years, I just don't know.though having a father, yet being in an orphanage gives cause to wonder at certain things. All I know for sure is somewhere in there is a good kid. I saw it in his eyes when he first came here. There was a sweet, gentle soul. I just pray it's not too late to bring him back, but he...he needs...he needs trust. He needs love. He needs..." She paused and then spoke fiercely, a fire burning in her warm hazel eyes. "He just needs someone to give a damn."
Bridger nodded, appreciating this woman's presence in Lucas' life where he couldn't be. "I won't give up. I do give a damn, and he's got my love. He just needs to learn to trust..."
"He's got a reason now then, but I think he's forgotten how...teach him?" she pleaded, eyes brimming with tears.
"I'm trying..." he assured her softly.
She nodded, blinking rapidly. "I'll be waiting when you get back. Rule number one in rebuilding a broken spirit...he can never be alone."
Bridger smiled sadly, and walked toward Lucas who had sat down on a bench nearby. He was staring blankly at the gleaming tile floor.
"Come on Kiddo, let's go."
Lucas said nothing, just stood obediently and followed the Captain out.
*TBC*
Jaimi Copyright@2003
Anyway, most people can ignore this, cause you guys are great, and I luv ya. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well, though I don't care for it as much as I'd hoped.it's a little too.something. Let me know what you think. P.S. Not beta read, so forgive the mistakes.
WARNING: Rated R for harsh language and child abuse. If you no like, turn back. You've been warned.
Chapter 7
By: Jaimi
Lucas groaned, his hands raw and sore from pulling weeds all day. His entire body was still recovering from his struggle the day before. He looked around him at the other boys in this prison. Well, orphanage, but dammit it was the same thing. He didn't belong here. He thought about it for a moment though, and realized that he did indeed belong here. Besides, it was better than being at home, getting the shit beaten out of him.
"Get to work, Blondie!" One of the guards yelled. Guards, hmph. What the hell did they have guards at an orphanage for?
He rolled his eyes, and reached for another weed. His thoughts drifted back to yesterday. It was all a vague memory, and he was kind of glad he didn't remember it all. He didn't want to. He hoped his friends wouldn't remember either, though he knew there was little chance of that.
He sighed. His friends... What was he saying? They weren't his friends. He might as well realize that now and get over it. No one cared about what happened to him. They let those people take him, and they hadn't even come by...but why would they? He was nothing. They were military officers for the UEO. They didn't have time for a worthless fifteen year old, whose own parents didn't want him.
************************************************************************
Several days passed and still no one from the seaQuest crew came by. Hurt welled up in the teen. *Why?* the naïve side of him.or what was left of it, wondered. *Did you really expect them to be any different?* the darker side of him answered. The part that recalled every fist, every boot, and every bat aimed at his frail being.
The hurt turned into anger, and the difficult teen grew worse. He gave all the nuns, the guards and every other authority figure a hard time. Cursing, swearing, he even swung at a few of them. He caused trouble during dinner, getting the other boys going. He was a menace. Some of the guards were growing increasingly agitated, and one night, took matters into their own hands.
************************************************************************
Lucas threw the fork down, not interested in eating.
"Please Lucas, you must eat something," a kindly nun begged of him. She was one of the few who didn't believe the act the boy put on.
"Go sing a hymn and leave me the hell alone!" He spat out angrily. She sighed and walked away into another room.
It was silent, as there were only the boys and the guards in the room. Lucas was startled as large hands grabbed him from behind.
"YOU THINK YOU RUN THE SHOW YOU LITTLE FUCK?"
"Get off me!" Lucas shouted, struggling against the large guards hold.
"QUIT!" The gruff voice hollered in his face.
Lucas cringed in pain as the man back handed Lucas hard across the face, then kneed him in the stomach. Gasping, Lucas looked up and saw the other boys pretend not to notice.
The familiarity hit like a rock...everyone always turned the other way.
"You think you got everyone doing your bidding, huh? A worthless shit like you. Is it the UEO really can't handle you? Or are they just sick of you? I hear you're some rich mother fucker's son...and he don't want you either. Maybe I should just kill you and save everyone the pain. Huh? Lou, Hal, stay here and watch these kids. Cal and I are gonna teach this boy some manners."
Lucas struggled in vain, kicking out and cursing as he was dragged into an empty bathroom where they proceeded beat him. The whole time they were telling him how worthless and stupid he was...no one wanted him...he should just die and get it over with...
Half way through the awful words and harsh blows, part of who Lucas was...disappeared. The familiar words that he saw as nothing but the truth, fully set in. Ten years of abuse and neglect finally caught up as the boy suffered further trauma at the hands of strangers who thought he deserved to die. His will to live left. His spirit was broken.
************************************************************************
Bridger tapped his fingers impatiently. It had been a week since he'd seen Lucas. The papers that granted him visitation rights had finally come through. He was even allowed to take the boy out of the home for a few hours. The senior crew were waiting at a park down the street.
He looked up as he heard foots steps. A gentle looking Nun was leading Lucas toward him. Bridger blanched at the sight of the boy. He was thinner than before, after only seven days. He was also paler, and had a dark, nasty looking bruise on his face.
"What happened?" The captain asked, as they reached him. Bridger carefully reached out toward Lucas, who flinched back from the man, though no real emotion registered on his face. Bridger frowned. Lucas only flinched if Bridger surprised him. He looked into the boy's eyes, and what he saw there scared him...nothing. They were dull, lifeless...as if the boy were a walking Zombie.
The Nun sighed before answering. "He got in a fight with some of the other boys...at least that's what I was told. It happened two days ago. He has the bruise on his face, as well as a few others on his back, stomach and chest. It looks like he took a few kicks. Apparently he didn't fight back...which is surprising. He's been a handful from the beginning. Since the fight however, he's been like this."
Bridger attempted to absorb what the young woman said, as he gazed at the teenager who stood quietly, offering no words, no glance...he barely moved. The only sign of life was the gentle rise and fall of the boy's chest, and his soft, even breaths. His eyes were downcast, his hands hung at his sides.
*He looks like a horse that's been ruined after too many races and too many whippings....* The thought chilled Bridger's blood and he shivered.
"Alright," he said softly, eyes still on the youngster. He then turned to the Nun. "Thank you, um..." he trailed off, waiting for some introduction.
"Sister Mary," she offered, with a gentle smile.
"Sister Mary, thank you. I'll have him back in a few hours."
She nodded silently, but as Bridger turned to leave, Lucas walking slightly ahead of him, she spoke out suddenly. "Captain, please..." He turned back. Lucas seemed not to hear her, but noticing Bridger's halt, he walked a few meters ahead then stopped, waiting. "Help him..." she said quietly, so only Bridger could hear. "Don't let him slip away. He's difficult, I know, but don't give up. He has so much promise. I don't know what, but something has happened to this boy. Recently, or built up over the years, I just don't know.though having a father, yet being in an orphanage gives cause to wonder at certain things. All I know for sure is somewhere in there is a good kid. I saw it in his eyes when he first came here. There was a sweet, gentle soul. I just pray it's not too late to bring him back, but he...he needs...he needs trust. He needs love. He needs..." She paused and then spoke fiercely, a fire burning in her warm hazel eyes. "He just needs someone to give a damn."
Bridger nodded, appreciating this woman's presence in Lucas' life where he couldn't be. "I won't give up. I do give a damn, and he's got my love. He just needs to learn to trust..."
"He's got a reason now then, but I think he's forgotten how...teach him?" she pleaded, eyes brimming with tears.
"I'm trying..." he assured her softly.
She nodded, blinking rapidly. "I'll be waiting when you get back. Rule number one in rebuilding a broken spirit...he can never be alone."
Bridger smiled sadly, and walked toward Lucas who had sat down on a bench nearby. He was staring blankly at the gleaming tile floor.
"Come on Kiddo, let's go."
Lucas said nothing, just stood obediently and followed the Captain out.
*TBC*
Jaimi Copyright@2003