Warning: Some graphic(?) and ambiguous descriptions of abuse.
-Chapter Six-
The Deadliest Secret Kept, Part II
Remy stretched as he woke on the couch. Even though his mind was partly groggy from sleep, he could still sense something was wrong. He could hear thumps, bangs, and cries of pain upstairs.
Slowly, he crept towards the front door; maybe he could find a place to hide outside until the fight blew over. He was almost out of the living room when he saw his mother come tumbling down the stairs. She lay there limp, a small trail of blood starting to ooze from the back of her head. He drew in a sharp breath and gazed up the steps.
His father was at the top, staring unwavering at him. Remy felt clenched with fear at the primal look of anger in his father's eyes. Slowly, never breaking eye contact, the man began to descend the steps. One thought entered Remy's mind: RUN.
He shot towards the door, his heart beating rapidly. His small hands grasped the doorknob and yanked. When it didn't open, he looked up to see the deadbolt in place. He could hear the steady rhythm of his father coming down the steps. He strained and jumped, trying to unlock the door. He panicked as the footsteps got closer. Just as his small fingers slid the lock out of place, a strong hand wrapped itself around his neck. "Where d'ya t'ink y'goin', boy?"
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"Hurry, mama! Th' zoo is gonna close b'fore we even git there!" Marie anxiously tapped her fingers against the backseat. Behind the wheel, her mother heaved a sigh.
"I'm sorry, Marie, but you'll have to be patient. Look at it this way: if I hadn't noticed that I forgot my purse until we got there, we never would have gotten in."
"But we're nevea gonna git there now!"
"Really, Marie," exclaimed Raven, her nerves starting to fray, "We are only a couple blocks from home. And it may be your birthday, but that will not stop me from punishing you if you don't start behaving!" She threatened.
Marie sat back and sulked as they pulled into their driveway. Quickly, Raven ran into the house and grabbed her purse off of the counter. Sliding back into the car with a sigh, she reached for the ignition. She was about the turn the key when Irene stopped her.
Raven looked at her longtime friend in confusion. "Irene, what-"
The blind woman silenced her by putting up a hand. She gazed forward with a horrified look on her face. "The darkness is here, Raven. It's here for him!" Irene began to tremble out of fear. A single tear ran down her cheek as she turned to Raven. "It looked awful!"
Raven wrapped her friend in a hug. "Shh. It's okay. It's just a vision. We'll stop it before it happens."
"But it's happening right now!"
Raven pulled back quickly, shocked but determined. "Irene, take Marie inside and call 911." She glanced back at her daughter, who had fear etched on her face, before adding in a low voice. "I'm going to go help."
"But, Raven-" Irene began to protest, but the woman was already out of the car. Sighing in defeat, she turned toward to backseat. "Let's go inside, Marie. I need to make a phone call."
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Raven quietly crept to the front door. She could here the painful whimpers of a small child inside. Placing her ear against the door, she strained to hear what the voices were saying. " . . . give y'what y'deserve, diable blanc!"
That was enough for her. Glancing to make sure no one was watching, Raven began to concentrate. After a few moments, it wasn't Raven Darkholme hunched by the door, it was Officer James Mauer. He quickly made his way into the house.
He found Annie lying at the bottom of the steps. He placed a shaky hand on her neck. No pulse. He heard a scream. He hurried to the sound praying he wasn't too late.
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Remy arm was throbbing. His dad had bent it at an odd angle and the pain was horrible. He fought to keep the tears in as his father continued to badger and abuse him. "Where was she goin' boy? Huh? Bet y't'ought dat if y'didn' tell me she might take y'wit' her, didn' ya?" The man pushed his son violently against the wall. "'M gonna give y'what y'deserve, diable blanc!"
Fear overtaking him, Remy couldn't help but scream. He felt his father's hand connect with the side of his head, then everything went black.
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Jack Morris shook his head. What a first night as a cop. The mother was dead when the arrived, the son nearly beaten to death, and the father was handcuffed and babbling away about some mysterious cop.
"I swear!" He shouted drunkenly as he was loaded into the police car. "One minute he was a cop, but den de paramedics came so he turned int' a blue lady, den a mouse! Y'gotta believe me!"
"Sir," Stated Jack. "Ya facin' charges o' murder, attempted murder, an' abuse, t' name a few. Y'got de right t' remain silent an' I suggest y'use it."
xxxxxxxxx weeks later xxxxxxxxx
Raven watched her daughter stare glumly out the window. The young girl had been devastated to hear her best and only friend had been taken away. Slowly, Raven walked up to her and wrapped her in a hug. "Hey, Marie. Whatcha doing?"
"Someone's movin' in next door." Her voice was flat and monotonous, something not normal for a seven-year-old. She turned to her mother, green eyes shining with tears. "I'm nevea gonna see him again, am I, mama?"
Raven pulled her close, tears threatening to fall from her own eyes. "Never say never, Marie."
xxxxxxxxx meanwhile, in New Orleans xxxxxxxxx
"Dis is Jean-Luc LeBeau. Dis is his sister, Mattie. An' dis young boy is Henri, he's on'y a few years older den ya." The social worker finished the introductions and turned around to face Remy. She had that sickeningly sweet smile that he was starting to hate. She walked over and gave him a slight hug. "Dis is y'new fam'ly, Remy."
Remy LeBeau. He rolled name round in his head while staring at the people before him. They all looked friendly and the older man was giving him an encouraging smile. He got down on his knees and held out his arms invitingly to the young boy. With a slight push from the social worker, Remy found himself being enfolded in strong, caring arms. Hmm, Remy LeBeau . . . I t'ink dis might work.
END OF PART I: CHILDHOOD
Well? How's that? Now we're getting to the fun stuff: TEENAGERS!