Title: And Then
There Were Two
Author: TWBasketcase
A/N: Well this one is going to be coming to an end soon. Sorry to say :( I love writing this story and I love Bender and Allison together but I feel I should end it in the right place before it goes any longer and I run outta ideas. So I probably have three chapters left and maybe possibly an epilogue. Maybe I will do another story with this pairing at a later date, who knows? But there seems to be quite a few people out there that love the idea of these two together and there aren't many stories about them so I could always do another one. We'll see where it goes…so thank you all for your reviews, I hope you enjoy chapter 19.
Chapter 19 – One More Slap In the Face
I lay staring at the ceiling intensely; I had spent the rest of yesterday afternoon picking up the mess my father had left when he had gotten into it with my Ma. She was pretty bad off with it but I had a long talk with her yesterday and she found out the extent of my injuries. She's pretty nervous about me bein' that messed up and having my old man around, but I can't say that I blame her because it is makin' me worry a little too. He is not a human wrecking ball that destroys everything in his path or anythin'; in fact there are some days where I can actually talk to the guy without getting' into a scuff with him but when he is drinking or just getting off work I like to avoid him at all costs. Like yesterday when Allison was over; he started shit with my Ma because he came home from work and the place was a mess and lunch wasn't ready for him. He's a total dick like that but now there isn't too much I can do about it without getting myself killed or somethin'; and that thought scares me.
So for now I'm laying low in my room trying to keep out of his way. He found out I was home last night; he kinda caught me sneaking down the stairs after I grabbed something to eat, but he didn't start anything. He kinda just gave me a nod and said, 'Ya decided to come home, huh boy?' and that was it. I was kinda happy for that but at the same time kinda pissed that he knew I was back. I guess I woulda had to deal with it sometime.
Life is a bitch though and then ya marry one, so they say. So for now if Daddy dearest wants to be a prick I'm just going to have to deal with it; even if it does suck the big one and drives me up the wall at times that's just the way it is. But I wish to God I could take back the moment that Allison had to hear that. Not only was it totally embarrassing for me to have someone have a first hand look at my home life but in a way I didn't want her to be subjected to that kinda shit. A lot of people never see the shit I see in their entire life time and a lot of people don't deserve to see that kinda shit – and she is one of them. I think I've gone softer than ever or something but something inside of me feels over-protective and crazy when she is around. I'm such a pussy.
And as strange as it sounds, as horrible as all the banging and screaming were yesterday she had still managed to sleep through it. After at least seventeen years of my life listening to the fighting I cannot for the life of me – even up to this day – sleep through the two of them going at it. It gives me nightmares, it makes me bitter, and most of all it scares me. I said it: it scares me. I would never, ever admit that out loud but it is true. And she slept through it? I think that is off the wall insane; but then again there are some days that I swear that she is off the wall insane…but hey, that's the cool thing about her. She definitely ain't like other chicks…or like Claire…she is like the only person in the world that is like her. I can't really explain it. I guess that's why I find her so interesting. That and the fact that she has really proven herself to me…not that I needed her to or anything, but she definitely surprised me with helping me out and making sure I was okay when she was going through her own bullshit. That was really cool to me…that kinda loyalty – to me – goes unfounded in people. And just for that I would probably do anything for her in return. I guess that's just the way I work or somethin'.
I rolled over in my bed and looked at the clock; 11:32 am. I sighed; at least I'm not at school today. I only got about three hours of sleep last night all together and I probably look like I just crawled outta a fox hole or something. My head is still throbbing every now and again and I still have really bad dizzy spells. My ribs are even worse; the pain gets so intense at times that I'm still barfing. I remember my doctor saying that the symptoms could actually last for months; I sure as hell hope not. A couple of months could just totally leave me running around and away from everything; what I mean is that my normal everyday life is filled with bullshit, violence, drama…me being banged up could definitely lead me into some trouble; not just with my dad, but with a couple of 'certain' other people that put me in this position in the first place. It's not really like me to just run away and act like a coward when the shit hits the fan; but now it looks like it is going to be that way if its really going to be a couple of months…a couple of long months.
I sat up slowly and glanced at the clock again: 11:37. Dammit! The minutes seem like hours and now I'm starting to wonder why the hell I was so happy to get outta the hospital; there ain't shit all here for me. I heard the door upstairs open and bang shut. I guess my old man was home for lunch again.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?" he screamed from upstairs; whatever the hell it is he is pissed off about this time, really pissed him off. I shook it off and headed towards the bathroom.
The door of my basement bedroom flew open and my father stood there seething. My Ma ran behind him and grabbed his arm but he just flung off like an annoying mosquito. I furrowed my brows, "What the hell is wrong with you?"
He raised his eyebrows and made his way down the stairs, "What the hell is wrong with me? I'll tell you what, boy…THIS FUCKING HOSPITAL BILL FOR A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME!"
Oh shit.
"What is this? Why the fuck were you in the hospital, huh? UNLESS YOU WERE FUCKING DYIN' OR SOMETHING…YOU BETTER HAVE A GOOD FUCKING EXCUSE!"
I swallowed and backed away from him as my mother ran down the steps at full speed, "Edward, we'll figure it out okay?"
He turned to her with menacing eyes, "And who the holy hell do you think is gonna pay for this, huh? No factory is gonna give its employees that kinda money! This is gonna come out of my god damned pay check, Marie!" He turned back to me and narrowed his eyes, "You're in some big trouble Johnny."
I grabbed at my throbbing head and backed up once more until I was against the wall, "Please, pa? Don't do this…I'm hurt…"
"You're going to be hurting once I'm done with ya that's for sure!"
"Please…" I begged him but to no avail, his right hand connected with my face and in an instant I was on the ground. I've been hit much harder by him but I was in no shape to be getting this kinda treatment.
"EDWARD!" I heard my mother shriek, "He has a fucking concussion!"
"Marie, let me be!" He screamed back at her. Their voices were starting to sound faint and I had a bad feeling I was going to pass out, and that could not be good. I opened my eyes and set my head back against the wall, I could see them arguing with each other and occasionally looking down at me. My mother was frantic and more scared than I have ever heard her…I think it was even getting to my dad.
The room started to get shaky and for a moment I actually felt myself crying. How can this happen? Just one beating after another and even when I'm to the point where I just can't take it anymore they just keep coming after me. I feel like I would rather be in a Turkish prison then be in this place. This is just too much for me to handle anymore. I think I wanna die.
I looked back up at my Dad who grabbed me up by the shirt; shooting pains racked my body as he threw me back up against the wall…that couldn't be good on the ribs. He was saying something to me but I couldn't make out a single word he was saying. It all sounded gibberish or somethin' strange. Suddenly he lurched forward and was knocked to the ground.
He was screaming on the floor in pain, and my Mother leaned down and grabbed my face, "Johnny, run okay? I want you to get up and go outside and go as far as you can, alright? I'll protect ya this time…just go…"
Why was she telling me to leave? What the hell is going on? I stood up very slowly and grabbed my ribs…they hurt like hell. I feel like I just got hit by a garbage truck or something.
They continued screaming at each other in the background but I kept going. She told me to go so I am gonna go. I just wish that my mom wanted me around…is that too much to ask, why did she ask me to go?
My eyes were seeing double vision and it was hard to make it up the stairs…I think I might have fell down but I'm not too sure. There is too much pain and not enough going on upstairs for me to really tell.
I made it out the front door and walked as fast as I could down the street; I know that I turned a few corners and walked by a lot of houses. I have no idea where the hell I am and I'm walking in my own neighborhood, for fucks sake!
"Johnny?" I turned around to see a girl; she has dark hair hanging down around her face and she's wearing a black sweater.
"Allison?"
She looked at me strangely, "Dude, what are you on?"
I grabbed my head in pain and let out a loud moan, "Oh Fuck…"
"Holy shit, Johnny are you okay?" She grabbed me by the shoulder and spun me around to face her, but she hurt my ribs. I let out a loud – what was it? A scream? I looked at her, "Why'd you hurt me, Al?"
"Johnny, I'm not Al…what's wrong with you, man? Did your old man hurt ya again?"
I looked at her face and through the double vision I realized that it wasn't Allison at all, it was Jackie, "Where is Allison?" I asked her quietly through clenched teeth. She looked at me worriedly, "I can get her Johnny…"
I grabbed my head again and started to walk away, "Oh fuck…" The houses were passing again and every step was like fast motion to me. My head is just a spinnin' and I don't know where the hell I am gonna end up…it hurts was too much…why the fuck does this always happen to me?
TBC