Suffer the Children: The Dragon

Author: Amaroqwolf.

Amaroq's Notes: Please, tell me what I'm doing wrong, I have Spelling and grammar check on my computer now. I also have a beta so please point out my errors to me in your Reviews. Its seems to be the only way that I will stop making these Errors. Thank you Kindly, Amaroqwolf.

A/N 2: sorry about the slowness on this, My mom and me are in the process of buying a house then we have to move in the next few weeks. Hopefully shortly after November 7th. So this chapter will be done before that, if not there will be a third note after this one explaining why I was gone so long.

A/N 3: Well Obviously I didn't get this done before November Seventh like I planned, see we moved and I am now in my new home. YAY! It's nice I have my own room for my computer now, so I can listen to music all day and get plenty of writing done. That is when I'm not working or babysitting for my sister.

A/N4: HAPPY NEW YEAR. Okay okay don't kill me, I'm trying I'm not just going to write this note and forget the file this time for weeks on end I'm going to honestly finish the chapter. I FINALLY figured out how to get from Point A to Point B in this chapter. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE AUTHORS NOTES AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER…otherwise Chapter 8 will MAKE NO SENSE!

Peace,

-----------

Tom was standing on the porch when the two boys arrived back home. Jeff who was clinging to Chris's back tightened his hold. Chris looked back at him. "Its okay," he whispered.

Tom looked at the two of them silently. "Get inside, you two starts school soon, don't need you out till all hours of the night." He said coolly.

Chris helped Jeff down and started pushing his bike towards the shed. Jeff followed him silently holding the helmet by the straps. Chris put the bike in the shed and set the helmets on the seat. He smiled nervously at Jeff and pushed him ahead of him. "Come on let's go…Tom won't wait all night."

Jeff nodded and slowly followed Chris back to the house. Tom was still standing on the porch he glared at the two of them. "WHAT DID I TELL YOU?" He snapped grabbing Chris by his ear.

Chris yelped in pain and tried to pull away. "What—did I do?" He cried out.

Jeff froze standing there blankly not sure what to do. He looked towards the garage only to see Aunt Margi's car was gone. He whirled around at a loud thump and saw Chris pinned against the wall. Tom in his face growling at him about something that Jeff couldn't hear. Jeff shivered not sure what to do. He heard flesh smack flesh and the blossoming of bright red blood filled his vision.

Chris groaned in pain as Tom hit him again and again until finally he let him go and he slumped to the ground. "If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand god damn times!! DON'T FUCKING BE RIDING THAT GOD DAMN DIRT BIKE!" He kicked Chris for good measure then stalked into the house. "Both of you get your asses upstairs, straight to bed, no Dinner!" He snarled and slammed off into his office.

Jeff kneeled down next to Chris. "You okay?" He asked softly nervously.

Chris nodded slowly still holding his nose in pain. "I'm fine." He responded. "Lets just go inside okay."

Jeff nodded and helped Chris to his feet as best as he could. The two of them snuck upstairs hoping that Tom wouldn't find his way upstairs that night.

------

Jeff lay in bed silent as a mouse he could hear Chris crying but he didn't want to move. He didn't want to go see why Chris was crying this time. He closed his eyes holding his breath praying Tom wouldn't come into his room tonight. He didn't want to see Tom he just wanted to go to sleep. He heard Chris's door shut silently and listened as Tom walked back to his room. The door slamming echoed through out the dark silent house.

Chris's sobs slowly trailed off into silence and then the only sounds were the crickets chirping loudly. Jeff rolled onto his side and closed his eyes. He felt bad for Chris but he didn't want to get up. He didn't want to go see what Tom had done. But something compelled him. He slowly climbed out of his bed and tiptoed down the hallway. He paused in terror at a loud snort from Tom's room. Then breathed a sigh of relief as Tom resumed his loud ground shaking snores. Jeff hurried to Chris's door and pushed into the room. He stood silent as a mouse staring in horror at what lay before him. Chris was sprawled on the floor next to his bed. Naked as the day he'd been born.

"Chris?" He whispered moving slowly closer.

Chris opened his blue eyes and stared up at Jeff. He was terrified beyond words he couldn't make a sound. Jeff kneeled down the smell that wafted off of Chris almost made him sick. "Shhh," He whispered softly rubbing Chris's back.

Chris whimpered and jerked away. Jeff closed his eyes trying not to cry he knew what Tom had done. Tom had done it to him after the doctor's appointment last week. And now he'd done it to Chris. "Chris, we got to tell aunt Margie." He said softly.

Chris sat up slowly and shook his head. "No, its okay, I'm fine." He whispered softly smiling a little. "Go on back to bed Jeff, I'll be fine."

Jeff bit his lip and started to shake his head but sighed and nodded in agreement. "Okay," He whispered. "I still don't like this.

Chris slowly walked into the bathroom then stood and watched to make sure Jeff went back to his room shutting his door. He sighed and slowly started the shower and stood under the hot spray crying softly so not to be heard.

----------

Thursday came faster then either Chris or Jeff could be prepared for. Jeff was the one who remembered oddly enough about the upcoming show that night. Jeff raced into Chris's room that morning smiling widely. "Chris." He called softly.

Chris woke up slowly and looked at him. The bruising that he had passed off as falling off his dirt bike Sunday was slowly fading away. "What?" He said stretching sleepily.

"Its Thursday!" He said bouncing on his toes.

Chris sat up and smiled. "Beyond it being the day of the wrestling show, Tom would be leaving tomorrow for two months. His father was ill and his mother had asked him to come give her a hand. Two long months with out Tom it would be wonderful.

"Yeah, and Tom leaves in the morning." Chris said with a huge grin.

Jeff's eyes widened and he smiled. "Yes!" He jumped around the room laughing. Chris couldn't help himself and laughed as well.

He heard Tom's bedroom door slam shut and both of them fell silent in a heartbeat. They both listened to the footsteps stomp down the hall and pause outside the door and the door opened. "What's going on in here?" Tom growled.

Chris swallowed. "Nothing, sorry I told Jeff a funny joke." He said as quickly as he could.

"Well, keep it down Kevin's still sleeping." He snapped shut the door and walked away.

Chris sat there silently for a minute then grinned slowly. "Yeah, who wants to wake up that stupid baby?" He whispered.

Jeff smiled and giggled grinning lightly. "Yeah, he's an annoying little brat." He said smiling.

Chris shook his head. "Come on lets go get some breakfast."

Jeff grinned and ran out of the room to go change into his clothes. He met Chris downstairs just as Aunt Margie put breakfast on the table. She smiled at the two of them. "Chris your face looks so much better today." She smiled ruffling her son's hair.

He grinned and looked down at his plate. Margie had made pancakes bacon hash browns. He smiled widely and looked up at his mom. "This looks great."

She smiled. "I made all your favorites." She said. "Dig in."

He smiled and started eating happily as did Jeff. The two stared hard at their plates eating as quickly as manners would allow, when Tom strolled into the kitchen. He sat at the table smiled at both boys and looked at Margie. "Kevin's going to go with me tomorrow." He said smoothly. "Mom thinks it'll do Dad good to see him."

Margie nodded and kissed her husband. "Alright, sweetie whatever you think best."

He nodded and began eating his breakfast with out another word. When he finished he got up kissed Margie. "See you in a couple hours at the diner." He paused and looked at the two boys. "Behave yourselves today understand me! NO Dirt biking!" He snapped and left the kitchen.

Chris looked at his mom and looked nervous. "Does this mean we don't have to work at the diner today?" He asked.

Margie nodded and smiled. "No, you don't. You both are free to do as you wish today, I know how much you wanted to go to the wrestling thingy this afternoon."

He smiled widely again and hugged his mom quickly. "Thanks mom?"

She nodded. "Here," she pulled down the petty cash box that was meant for the diner and pulled two twenties out. "Treat you and your friends to some Mickey D's."

"Thanks mom!" He said. "Come on Jeffro." He said jumping up.

Jeff got up and followed Chris out of the house. They walked towards town, a car drove past them and both boys watched it silently then paused as the break lights came on. The car pulled to the side of the rode. Jeff looked up at Chris nervously. "What should we do?" He asked.

"Just stay here for a moment." He whispered rubbing his shoulder.

An older gentleman with graying hair rolled down the window and looked out at the two boys. "You're Adam's friend aren't you?" He asked looking directly at Chris.

He paused and blinked uncertainly. "I might be." He responded.

Jeff fidgeted and moved to the other side of Chris hearing all about kids who just disappeared cause they got into a car with a stranger who said they knew them.

"I'm Greg Copeland." The man said. "Adam's Grandfather."

Chris shook his head. He could sort of remember someone named Greg but whether this was him or not was another question. "Yeah," He said slowly.

"You two headed to Adam's?" He asked.

Chris quickly shook his head pushing Jeff behind him a little bit more. "No, we got some choirs to do first." He said quickly. "Come on we got to get going." He said pushing Jeff down the road towards town. "Bye!" He waved.

The older man nodded and waved. "See you later then boys." He said and got into his car drove off towards town leaving the two of them to walk into town together.

------------------------------------------

Chris gave Jeff a boost up onto the very same fence he'd fallen from two weeks ago. He still sported a scab on his thumb and wrist from that fall. He clung to the top and waited for Chris, Adam and Jay to climb up after him. As soon as all four boys were propped on the fence Chris stood up and did a balancing act till he reached the roof he climbed up and took a seat behind the stadium lights. Adam followed suit then Jay. Finally Jeff scampered across the fence and took a seat next to Chris. He'd told him that they had to sit behind the lights so the paying Customer wouldn't see them. Which Jeff supposed was a good thing as long as they didn't have to pay for it.

They watched them set up the ring and sound system for the show that would take place that night. They watched as a few wrestlers's started working out getting the feel for the ring. Chris pointed out someone. "Look guy's its Ricky Steamboat." He said in awe.

Jeff looked at the man Chris was pointing out. He was slender of build and sort of on the short side. But he handled himself well against the bigger guys who he was sparring with. Chris seemed in awe of him so he must be a great wrestler.

Jeff watched the man silently until Chris Nudged him. "You Hungry?" He asked.

Jeff looked at him and furrowed his brow. "Huh?"

Jay let out a laugh and shook his head. "Fucking Idiot!" He said. "Chris asked if you were hun—OW!" He yelped staring in surprise at Jeff who had just punched him. "What ya do that for?" He whined.

"Cause you deserved it!" Jeff snapped looking pissed off.

Jay narrowed his eyes then lunged at Jeff the two began fighting each other fast and hard, swinging. Chris looked at Adam who shrugged. "Five bucks on Jay!" He said cheerfully.

Chris let out a laugh and shook his head. "Five on Jeff," He responded then started rooting on Jeff. They lost track of time until they heard someone clear there throat.

Chris looked up first. "Uh oh," He said. "John sorry it's just that—" He trailed off.

"If they want to fight then tell them to get their scrawny asses in the ring now!" He snapped with a slight grin.

Jeff pulled away from Jay and stared in surprise. "Really?" He said excitedly.

John looked him up and down then at Jay who was lying on his back looking up. "Sure, why the hell not I'd think I've taught you to enough to deal with each other in the ring," said. "Go on get yer asses down there!" He snapped pointing.

What John had meant by saying he'd taught them enough, in exchange for cleaning the ring and yard after the show, and cleaning the gym when they had free time away from the diner he had been teach, Chris, Adam and Jay a bit about wrestling. But, that was just the thing Jeff had never set foot in a wrestling ring. But, Jeff looked so excited at the prospect he shrugged and followed the other boys down to the yard.

Jeff bounced right over to the ring looking at it in excitement and trepidation. He'd never been in a wrestling ring but he remembered with a tinge of pain the lesson's Matt had been giving him over the last couple of months before. He closed his eyes and jerked as a hand touched his shoulder. "Good luck Jeff.

Jeff opened his eyes and turned to see who had wished him good luck and smiled at Chris. "Thanks,"

"Alright get your Asses in that ring now!" John said stomping over to the ring.

John was a big man probably around 200 pounds or more he dwarfed both the boys in the ring. He stood in the corner and watched them both silently.

Chris went and took a seat next to Adam in the stands trying to ignore the fact that there were a few wrestlers watching with him.

He heard some of the wrestlers taking bets among each other laughing and chatting as well. He wished they would stop talking it was getting on his nerves he was wondering what John was telling the two of them. He sighed and watched hoping that no one from town would see Jeff in the ring and go report it to Tom. Everyone in Town knew what Tom thought of Wrestling and his Step Son's interest in it.

"Whose your money on?" Asked someone on his left.

He turned to look at the person and answer but he froze and stared in Awe at the man standing next to the stands. The man looked at him expectantly and he finally stammered out an answer. "J--Jeff" He managed to spit out.

"Which one's he?" The man asked again.

"The littler one," Chris was getting the hang of talking again.

The man looked at the ring studying Jay and Jeff who were just getting ready to lock up. "Hmmm, he's kind of small isn't he?" He finally asked thoughtfully.

Chris shook his head. "Size doesn't matter, it's how you use the size." He responded.

The man smiled and nodded in agreement keeping his eyes on the ring still. "You're a fan then?"

"Yes Sir," Chris responded trying to play it cool and continue watching the match in the ring.

Jay had Jeff pinned to the mat and was gloating about it. Suddenly Jeff reached up and grabbed Jay's ankle twisting it to the left he threw the older boy off him and jumped to his feet. He dropped down behind Jay and put a hold on him that made him cry out in pain.

The man arched an eyebrow. "He's quick on his feet,"

Chris nodded he was amazed Jeff knew more then he had let on. Jeff had played dumb and here he was beating the hell out of Jay who at the point was begging for mercy and trying to crawl out of the ring much to the real wrestles amusement. "Yes sir he is."

The man chuckled. "What's his name again?" He asked.

"Jeff..Jeff Hardy sir." Chris responded.

"And yours?" He said finally looking at Chris.

"Chris--Ir-- Jericho," He responded with out really thinking about the consequences.

The man smiled at him again. "Its good to meet you Chris Jericho," He said. "I'll keep my eye out for you two," He turned and walked back into the building.

Chris stood staring after the man for several long minutes then broke his gaze just in time to avoid being tackled by Jeff. "I WON!" Jeff crowed bouncing around.

Chris laughed and nodded. "I saw good job,"

Jeff grinned and hopped around and Chris had to laugh and he shook his head. "Come on we bett--" He froze

Jeff looked up at him. "We better what?" He asked turning to see what Chris was looking at he to stiffened.

Standing by the door his eyes narrowed his arms crossed across his chest was Tom. Chris looked around quickly wondering if there was any way he could escape. But, no he wouldn't leave Jeff to Tom's mercy. He swallowed and looked over at Adam who arched an eyebrow and went. "Uh oh, "

Chris slowly walked towards Tom. "Get in the car now." Tom whispered darkly.

Chris didn't argue he pushed Jeff ahead of him and hurried towards through the gym and to the car. Jeff didn't make a sound or even put of a fuss about leaving. He was just as scared as Chris maybe even more so. Tom stomped after the two of them fuming silently glaring daggers into Chris's back.

When Tom finally got into the car he tried to talk. "It was my--"

"SHUT UP!" Tom bellowed and glared at the two of them. "Were going home, and then the two of you are in BIG trouble."

Jeff cringed back and huddled down on the seat shaking slightly. The specter was catching up and it was definitely darker and more evil then anything that had stalked his dreams.

--------------------

Chris lay awake in his bed that not, he lay upon his stomach shirtless, his back hurt to much to put a shirt on it. He was sure Jeff hurt even worse. He had to get out he had to run. He was only 12 what was he supposed to do? He felt tears leak unbidden down his face as he lay starring out the window. Someday, somehow he's make it out but for now he would just steer clear of Tom and once he got out He wouldn't come back not now, not ever. Unless Tom was gone.

--------

TBC----

A/N: Okay folks that's the end of this Fic really it could be lol! Don't worry its not though I just am going to make a time jump. When I take this up again here shortly it will be when Chris is 19 and Jeff is 16. I'll fill in some spaces through out the next chapter but not much. I'm trying my best but hey I got to point B. Now on to Point C aright? Aright!

Peace,

This life and the Next,

Amaroqwolf.