Title: Suffer the Children
Sub Title: Of runaways and Japan.
Author: Amaroqwolf
Rate: Still R folks.
Amaroq's notes: Okay, folks here we go, don't forget I did a Time jump so Chris is now 19 and Jeff is 16. So, Read and Review I thrive on Reviews, it makes me want to write more.
Chris sat silently in the airport, he watched the people wander about there daily lives around him. His flight left in an hour and a half but he'd come early because his ride had a show that evening and had to be there an hour before his flight left. He'd agreed to go in early. He'd gotten the letter a week ago and it had taken him this long just get the guts up to call his mother in response and tell her he'd be there as soon as he could book a flight.
He'd booked the flight and had called home. Early in the afternoon cause he knew neither Jeff nor Tom would be home. His mother had answered she'd been so happy to hear from him. He'd told her quickly he'd be home late Sunday night after Tom had left to go wherever it was he vanished to. Here he was now sitting in the Airport with nothing better to do. He thought back to when he'd run. He'd lasted two more years before he finally unable to take it anymore had run. He'd ended up in Seattle Washington on the streets for the next year and a half. When he turned 16 he'd gotten a hint from someone close to him that they were hiring for a job over seas. The further away from Tom the better. And now here he was wrestling for Japan All pro. He'd have never dreamed it. He thought about the E-mails they'd come weekly from Jeff after he'd run and he'd responded weekly. But then over the last two years they'd dwindled down and then all together died out. He had E-mailed Jeff back once about 6 months ago only to have the E-mail bounce back saying the address didn't exist.
He'd given up it was that simple he hoped to god Jeff wasn't dead or worse turning into another Tom but he couldn't of taken Jeff with him back then, he'd only been eleven years old. To young to have survived on the streets let along get hired for the job. What would have happened was that the cops or worse Some Pedophile freak that would of made Tom look like saint, would of picked Jeff up.
Chris had made the decision wisely. Shortly after his eighteenth birthday he'd changed his last name to Jericho legally and bindingly. He'd sent Jeff a final E-mail then in care of Adam who he still talked to on occasions in hopes of a response. Adam had responded with, he refused to read it. He's not even really talking to us anymore.
That was why he decided he needed to come home, he needed to see Jeff, and he needed to be sure Jeff wasn't turning into Tom. So here he was sitting in the Airport in Tokyo Japan getting ready to return home to Canada for the first time in four years.
Jeff hadn't asked to come along on the car ride to the airport; Aunt Margie had made him and Kevin come along. She didn't trust Kevin to leave Jeff alone and Jeff well she was worried about Jeff, he spent most of his time not spent at school or the gym holed up in his room playing the most depressing music she'd ever heard. It wasn't that Jeff liked the music he listened to it just fit his mood perfectly most of the time. There were only moments in his life were he was happy. When he was bouncing around between the ropes loving every minute of that freedom the ring granted him.
He was missing his training for this damn trip; he didn't want to see Chris hell he could care less if Chris died and they never heard from him again. Jeff sighed and looked at the mini Tom sitting in the backseat. He remembers what Kevin had told him awhile back. That his Dad, Tom was Kevin's Dad, not Chris and most definitely not his, had told him that he wanted Chris dead. That if he ever saw Chris again Chris would die. So he stopped e-mailing Chris at all for safety reasons praying Chris would run as far away from his family as he could get.
But, no now he was coming back, Jeff stared out the window in the gathering gloom of the night as the car's tires spun their way through the night towards the airport and Chris. Tom was gone for three days, three days of a semi reprieve from Tom.
Shortly after Chris had left Jeff had started sleep walking so to protect him Tom said, he was strapped to his bed every night, the straps were easy to take off if he were awake but asleep or sleep walking he couldn't get them undone, it was for his own safety. So he prayed the house would never catch on fire he didn't want to die burning to death it scared him those thoughts. He sighed as he spotted a plane taking off from the airport knowing they were getting there and soon Chris would be there smiling blond and able to forget the life he'd lived before. Before Japan all pro had come knocking on his box in the street.
Chris made his way through the airport keeping an eye out for his mother, the way the letter had said it he didn't expect Jeff to be with her. In the letter his mother had written to him, she had described Jeff as Withdrawn dark and empty. Her words exactly, she had said he wasn't talking to anyone anymore and it was fight to get him to go to school, He'd started sleep walking about six months after he'd run away from home and had managed to fall down the stairs. Chris had a feeling Jeff hadn't taken that trip down the stairs un-assisted.
He finally managed to get to the turnstile to pick up his one ratty old bag. He tossed it over his shoulder and looked around for his mother again. He saw Jeff first which surprised him, Jeff was leaning against the wall right behind his mother and Mini Tom. He chuckled at this reference and studied Jeff waiting to be noticed. He was taller, about the same height as He was. But Skinnier a lot skinnier. He was wearing Baggy black Jean's and a T-shirt with a long sleeve shirt underneath.
His mom finally saw him. "CHRIS!" She called moving towards him.
Chris smiled and turned his gaze from Jeff to his mother. "Hi," He said.
She hugged him tightly smiling warmly. "Hey, baby how are you?" She asked smoothing his long hair.
Chris smiled. "I'm good Mom how are you?" He asked.
She smiled at him again, "Oh you know how things are," She said with a small sad laugh
He knew all right, Tom wasn't home often and even though she didn't know what an ass he could be she did love him and missed him a lot. He looked past her to Jeff and Kevin who both looked like they'd be elsewhere at this moment. No strike that Kevin looked like he'd like to be elsewhere while Jeff just looked decidedly blank.
"Do you have more bags or is this it?" His mom asked suddenly.
"Nope this is it;" he said holding up the bag.
She smiled. "Lets go then,"
Jeff stared silent as always at Chris across the table studying the man who had once been the closest thing he had to a brother but like Matt Chris had left to go somewhere better and had left Jeff alone with that Dark Specter.
He didn't hate Chris; he could understand why Chris had gotten out when he had. Chris was alive thanks to his running away.
"Jeff, honey eat." Aunt Margie said smiling at him.
He didn't look at her didn't acknowledge her. He pushed his fork through his food and took a bite of the meatloaf that had been placed on his plate. Food was a necessity to stay alive. But, he didn't care about staying alive anymore he'd rather be dead to tell the truth.
He felt eyes on his and looked up at Chris but didn't say a word even when Chris smiled at him. "Hey, maybe we can go see Adam and Jay after were done here."
Jeff just shrugged his shoulders and stood up he scrapped his plate into the sink and headed for his room. He paused outside the kitchen door and listened.
"I don't know what to do anymore Chris," Aunt Margie whispered. "He's been so despondent—he doesn't talk to anyone."
"I'll try my best mom," Chris responded back.
"Finnish dinner first dear you're a thin as a rail." She said.
Chris chuckled. "Yes, Mom."
Jeff frowned more and stalked down to his room and shut the door softly. He sat down on the bed and pulled a small wooden box from under his bed. He opened it and pulled from with in a thin metal blade. He rolled up the sleeve of his shirt and drew the blade across the pale flesh of his forearm. "Bad" he whispered softly to himself over and over again saying it each time he cut himself. "BadBadbad" On and on he went drawing bloody lines up and down his arm.
After Chris had finished the dinner he had to admit the best meal he'd had in months. He headed upstairs and paused outside Jeff's room. Listening to the somber music that played.
"Rain on this day,
Its darkest hour it plays,
Rain on me,
Make me scream, make me feel the pain inside."
"Jeeze Dark," He mumbled to himself. He listened more at the
door and heard what sounding like Jeff talking to himself. He slowly
pushed the door open and watched in fascinated horror as Jeff drew
the blade across his arms over and over again. Using the same knife
Tom had used on their backs all those years ago. Mumbling to himself
over and over again in the same tone and Infliction Tom had used.
"Bad, bad, bad." Just over each time the knife sliced the word
escaped Jeff's lips.
Chris watched in horror unable to speak up till Jeff finished. He cleaned the knife ignoring the blood dripping from his arms. He got up still not seeing Chris and changed into Pajama's for bed. He laid down in the bed then pulled four leather straps from the bedside table's top draw and slowly hooked them to the head and foot board then strapped them to his wrists and ankles.
He left the room horrified of what he'd seen. Jeff was gone locked back at the age of eleven when Chris had left and Jeff had been forced to fend for himself against Tom. He'd stopped living then, and he did exactly what he was supposed to do. He cut himself if Tom wasn't around, and sense he couldn't reach his back he sliced his arms. "Oh, god." He whispered softly.
He'd killed Jeff, leaving him had killed him. "Jeff," He whispered staring at the door. He turned and stormed down the stairs. "WHY, is he tied to his bed?" He snapped looking at his mother.
"He sleep walks, we don't want him falling down the stairs again." She said softly.
"Again?" He asked. "Mom," He wanted to tell her oh god he wanted to tell her but he couldn't hurt her like that. He turned away and headed upstairs and to bed. He'd take Jeff out tomorrow if it killed him to do it.
He was passing Jeff's room when he heard someone whispering in the room. He paused and listened.
"You should kill yourself Jeff," The person whispered. "It'd make everybody happier. You're a waste of time and space, and Dad he'll be home soon. Tomorrow morning, I called him told him Chris was coming, told him. He'll be here in the morning, and then Dad will get Chris for running away."
Chris stepped towards the door listening. Kevin the little brat had indeed turned into his father's son. He peeked through the crack in the door and watched his little brother torment Jeff.
"He'll probably make you watch you know Jeff," he said petting Jeff's blond hair with one hand. "I like watching Jeff, when you and Dad play your "Games" its such a turn on." He mumbled.
Chris tensed as Kevin leaned over and pressed his lips to Jeff's. Kissing him forcefully while Jeff lay prone on the mattress. He felt his stomach twist watching as his brother molested the helpless Jeff. "Get off him!" He suddenly snapped.
Kevin's head came up his hands still resting on Jeff's body. "Hello, Christopher."
That one word sent a shiver down his spine. Just like Tom. "I said get off of him!"
Kevin slowly pulled himself away from Jeff he adjusted him, but left Jeff laying sprawled on the bed his clothes undone. "Was just having some Fun Christopher."
"Sure don't look like Jeff was having Fun." Chris growled stalking towards his brother.
"How far you think you can run before Morning Chris?" Kevin suddenly asked. Bringing back the memory of the fact that Tom would be home in the morning.
He backed up away from the room. He looked towards Jeff who was still laying their eyes on the ceiling not moving. Chris looked back at his little brother and took a step towards him. Not an ounce of fear came into the younger boy's eyes. "Get off it Chris, Dad's going kill you when he gets home." He smirked. "And he's going to kill Jeff to eventually." He whispered. "He told me as much."
Chris backed towards the door then turned and left. He went to his room and laid there he could hear the noises from Jeff's room the low groans the soft panting as Kevin had fun with Jeff. He clamped his eyes shut and buried her face under his pillow. As night fell deeper over the house he finally grabbed his bag and left. He'd get a room in the local hotel for the rest of the night and then head back to Japan tomorrow afternoon. "I'm sorry Jeff." He whispered.
Chris was gone in the morning Jeff wasn't surprised by that at all. He looked out his bedroom window and saw Aunt Margie's car was gone. But Tom's had taken its place. He stiffened slightly then shook his head. He slowly got dressed. He slowly went downstairs hoping to slip out and be gone. Before Tom saw him. He was inches from the front door when a voice broke the silence around him. "Where are you going Jeffrey?"
He stiffened and slowly turned around looking up at Tom. "Work," He whispered softly.
Tom arched an eyebrow. "No, I don't think so." He hissed stalking towards him.
Jeff closed his eyes then opened then looking up at Tom. "If I don't go I'll loose my job."
"To badI think Jeffrey," He said coldly grabbing him by the hair. "Its time for you to…loose your life."
Jeff's eyes widened. "I told you Jeff," Said Kevin from the hallway smirking.
"Please, sirI didn't do anything!"
"That's it exactly Jeff," Tom said soothingly.
Jeff whimpered and backed up rapidly. "Please, I'll be good I promise!" He whined sadly.
"Its to late Jeff, you've always been bad." Balled his hand and swung forward slamming it into Jeff's face.
He fell backwards his shoulder slamming into the doorknob. There was a dull pop in his ear but before he had time to realize the pain in it Tom was on him punching and beating at him.
He struggled to swing his arms up to protect himself as best as he could but he shoved his arms down and hit him again. "Stay there," He got up and left the room.
Jeff curled into a ball he could feel warm wetness leaking from his nose. He breathed in and winced in pain. He heard footsteps coming towards him he just curled up more praying that Tom was going to let him live. When confronted with the thought of death he feared it. He closed his eyes again shivering. He felt something hard smack into his shoulder. He winced biting his tongue. He felt blood pool in his mouth and then a blow slammed into his chest throwing him back across the floor. Another blow in his stomach had him coughing and gagging. He struggled to his hands and knees whimpering in pain he crawled across the floor. Another blow slammed into his shoulders and dropped him to his side. He lay on the floor gasping for air hard. He gagged and blood bubbled between his lips. He tried to pull himself to his feet again but failed his arms giving out he collapsed to the ground darkness caving in around him.
Chris sat silently in the hotel room watching the news, staring blankly at it not really caring. He'd tried to get a flight out this morning for him and Jeff, the only way to do that was wait two days longer then he originally planned to leave. He'd taken the tickets and his boss could bite him. He wasn't leaving Jeff here. He was staring at the phone waiting patiently for 9:00 to run around so he could call Japan and talk to his boss.
8:47 he sighed and called room service ordering breakfast for him. It'd be 20 minutes before the food arrived.
8:49 he tried reading the book his buddy Chris had given him when he dropped him off at the airport. It'd been a good book back then but here and now it was a suck ass book and he couldn't concentrate on it.
8:51 the Maid stopped by to see if she could clean the room, he'd told he'd be gone all afternoon she could come back after 11:00 that would be great.
8:58 found him sitting on the bed staring at the phone intently waiting for 9:00 to click on.
9:00 rolled around finally he grabbed the phone and dialed out of the country.
"Hello," came the answer from over the sea.
"Can I speak with Mr. Yoshimoto?" He asked.
"One moment." The woman said.
There was a click and soft music began playing. He leaned back against the headboard of the bed to wait. "We are Chinese," He whispered.
"Hello?" A mans voice rumbled in his ear.
He sat up. "Mr. Yoshimoto this is Jericho," he responded.
"Yeah, what do you need Jericho, I'm not to happy about your staying away two days longer." The man snapped.
"I know sir and I am sorry," Chris said slowly. "Its just I'm bringing someone with me and I couldn't get a ticket until Thursday," He responded.
"Bringing someone with you?" Yoshimoto asked.
"Yeah, my younger brother." Chris answered.
"Ah, he as good as you are?" Came the next question.
Chris grinned knowing that was where His boss would go once he knew Chris's plans. "Better, I think." He said. "My Brother's got natural talent."
"You bring him on in, I'll decide if he's got talent or not."
"He's only 16," Chris pushed.
"Laws are different in Japan Chris." Came the response. "I'll see you next Monday for the show, you bring that brother of yours. You have any problems, you call me."
"Thank you sir," He said.
"Goodnight Mr. Jericho." Came the response.
The click and the dial tone filled his ear. He sighed and closed his eyes; the knock on his door brought him to his feet. He needed to come up with an idea to get Jeff away from Tom and onto that plane Thursday. He opened the door and brought the food in. "Thank you," He said.
The woman nodded and smiled. He gave her a tip and watched her go.
Jeff slowly came to he had no idea how long he'd laid there covered in his own blood. Laying in it, soaking in his blood. Each breath was torture. He lay there looking at the wall, which was an inch from his face.
He slowly rolled to his stomach placing both arms under him he started pushing up his left arm just went limp. He groaned as he shivered in pain then slowly pushed himself upwards with just his right arm. He stood leaning against the wall cradling his left arm.
He leaned against the wall breathing heavily trying to catch his breath he slowly pushed away and stumbled for the door. He made it to the door and pushed it open. He steppedactually fell out onto the porch he lay there looking down between the cracks at the dirt below. He remembered back when he was 14 Tom had promised to bury him under the porch when he died.
He struggled upright and slowly pulled himself across the yard stumbling against the barn he leaned against it breathing heavily. Five miles to town, he wasn't going to make it. He needed help, he needed help bad. He stumbled into the barn and slid down the wall as he shut the door.
He crawled across the floor grinding dirt into cuts on his arm. He reached the stalls and pulled one open. It was empty hay piled up towards the ceiling. He dragged himself with in and curled up in the hay struggling for air. He was going to die out here he needed to get to Chris but how. He would figure it out in a bit. He needed time to think, time to clear his head. He needed sleep.
Chris was sitting staring out at the quickly gathering night. He would sneak out to his house here in the next hour and then he'd get Jeff and then they would have to flee and fast. He just prayed he could pull it off.
He leaned back against the headboard and started flipping through the channels. He was so caught up in the show he was semi watching that he barley heard the soft thud hit his door. He turned his head and looked quizedly at the door almost as if he could see through it.
The soft thud came again a little stronger this time. He got up and went to the door and slowly opened it. The person on the other side of the door slumped forward and into him. Crashing them both to the floor. Chris moved the man off him rolling him onto his back.
The man's face was beaten in nearly indistinguishable as a human face. He checked the pulse it was weak. "Shit," he whispered finally recognizing who was lying on his hotel room floor with blood bubbling from his nose every time he breathed out.
"Jeff?" He said softly peeling one blood-coated eyelid back to look in the dazed eyes. "Hey, Jeff what happened."
Jeff's eyes lowly turned and looked at him panic welled up then slid away gently relief replacing it. "Nonot gonna get burieduunder the porch." He whispered weakly.
"Oh godJeff" Chris sobbed. "I'm sorry so fucking sorry," He said gently lifting the smaller lighter boy off the floor to the bed.
Jeff shook his head but the small effort caused him to pass out.
"Fuck! Jeff?" He cried touching his pulse again finding it there but faint. "Okay, its okay I'm gonna get us some help Jeff, just hang in there."
He covered Jeff and stood up he didn't know what to do. He couldn't take him to the hospitable the cops would want to know what happened and he'd have to tell them Jeff was a minor.
He sighed and looked at him again. "Just hang in there Jeff, I'm gonna get us help." He whispered grabbing the phone and dialing the first number that came to mind.
TBC…..
