Hey, just one chapter update today because I'm really tired. Anyway, once again thank you so much to all my reviewers. I love you guys! Hope you enjoy this chapter and please R+R if you have anything to say about it. This is the chapter of my story where things really start to move.

Crash and Burn.

Chris didn't go straight home from school. Instead he wandered around Castle Rock. The town seemed to be shrinking each year and in his bones Chris felt a desire to fly away, to a city maybe, somewhere big where he could be swallowed up.

   As he walked Chris thought back over the past twenty-four hours. Somewhere he had taken a wrong turn and he'd been walking blindly ever since. He guessed that he had made a mistake by being so angry at Gordie about the whole Teddy thing, but then why hadn't Gordie came to talk to him last night? In the back of his mind was that new idea that maybe, in this case, distance from Gordie was the best way. Chris hated the thought of backing away, but at the same time he was terrified that somehow his presence was having a very bad effect on Gordie's life. For years now Chris had watched with dismay as Gordie had stepped in time and time again and accepted gladly some of the blame for Chris's shortcomings. Back when they had first joined junior high Gordie had risked alienation from his peers and helped Chris catch up on all the work he had missed due to his own stupidity back in grammar school. Hanging out with a Chambers kid was not a popular option and Gordie had been teased mercilessly that first year of junior high before Chris had managed to make the transition and join him in the college courses. Of course when Chris had joined the classes the teasing hadn't exactly stopped, just Chris was more of a target, especially seeing as his grades that first year had been almost straight Ds with one B for History.

   Chris was deep in thought and didn't realise until he almost tripped over that he was in front of his own house. The object he had tripped over was his younger brother's bike, which lay twisted on the sidewalk in front of their house. Chris gazed at the bike; this was definitely a bad sign. He transferred his gaze to the house and winced at the sight of the car parked (badly) across their sad excuse for a lawn. The screen door hung open. All of this added up to something very bad; Mr Chambers was home and in a bad way.

   Chris bit his lip, battling between turning around and running and the other option, the hard one, to go inside the house. The hard option was of course the only real one. You can't keep running forever. Chris squared his shoulders and walked up the path to the house. He found himself shivering despite the warmth of the day.

"Let's go," he whispered to himself and reached for the door handle.

   As soon as Chris walked in his front door he realised he'd made a terrible mistake coming home. Mr Chambers stood larger than life itself in the living room over his cowering mother and younger sister and brother. Mr Chambers wore the look of someone who had taken a bath in a vat of vodka; his eyes were bloodshot and wild. Even from his position at the front door Chris could smell the liquor. Chris was frozen to the spot and watched in horror as his Dad whacked his mother across the face sending her off her feet. Chris felt like he was watching a movie, a movie that sadly he had seen many times before. He found himself striding forwards; somewhere between the front door and the living room he discarded his backpack. He walked straight up to his dad.

"Stop it," Chris said firmly.

Mr Chambers whirled around. "Mind your fucking business!" He made a wild swing, which Chris dodged and managed to avoid.

Chris planted himself in front of his siblings. "Get out of here," he said and his voice was steely.

In the corner his mother was trying to climb to her feet. Chris noticed with dismay that she too had been drinking. "Hel-lo Christopher," she said in a weird sing-song voice.

Mr Chambers turned back to his wife. "I told you to shut up!" he roared and slapped her again.

Chris reached out and grabbed his dad's arms from behind trying desperately to restrain him.

"Get out of here!" Chris cried but this time he was talking to his mother.

Mrs Chambers stood with difficulty. Once up she drew the other children to her and they made to leave.

"Bye-bye Chris!" his sister called sadly. Chris's younger brother sent him a sad haunted look. "Good luck," he whispered brokenly.

   Chris struggled with Mr Chambers, knowing he was fighting a losing battle. Chris was the same height as his father now but Mr Chambers was broader and packed a lot more weight behind his punches. With an animal-like cry, Mr Chambers broke free of Chris's grip. Chris stepped back hoping he could make it to the door. He was not so lucky. Mr Chambers launched himself at his son. As the first blows rained down Chris managed to dodge a few, his arms up to protect his face. He would not fight back, that would only make the situation a thousand times worse.

"Dad!" Chris cried as his dad's fist connected with his cheekbone. "Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!"

Mr Chambers was laughing now. "What's a matter Christopher?" He slurred landing a punch at Chris's stomach.

   Chris doubled over, the pain was excruciating. He hadn't taken a beating like this in oh at least a couple of months. He staggered backwards, crashed into the doorway. Mr Chambers hit him square in his left eye, which almost immediately swelled and closed up.

"Don't you tell me how to fucking run my family," Mr Chambers snapped angrily and punched Chris once more this time on his neck. The punch landed right on the old bruise and the combined effect made Chris feel dizzy. Stars swam in front of his eyes, he couldn't get his balance back and woozily he swayed back and forth, finally collapsing to the ground.

   Mr Chambers stood over his son for a few minutes and smirked. "That'll teach you to tell me how to run my fucking family you slimy little bastard." He delivered a final kick to Chris's ribs then turned and left.

   Chris lay on the floor, his spirit residing somewhere down in his feet. He felt sick all over and his stomach was heaving. Finally his stomach rebelled and lying on his side he vomited. This definitely ranked as one of the worst days of his life.