He wandered the cemetery alone. Then it started to rain, but he didn't turn back He would never turn back. Not even if it meant dying. Oh how he really wanted to die. He stepped under the nearest place of shelter; a jut cut into the hill, and leaned against the dry wall. His eyes closed and he fell asleep to the heavy sound of the rain...and the wind howling like he had cried the night Jacob had killed his mom. It was a dark night, much like this one. They had argued. And Murdoc knew it would turn nasty, he wanted to stop Jacob he really did. But he was only young then. He heard glass smash on the kitchen floor and the arguing got worse Soon he heard his mother screaming at Jacob about how she hated his drinking and how he took it out on her and Murdoc. Murdoc hugged his knees closer to him as he sat against the wall of a closet. He had hidden there so he could hear what his parents were arguing about. Now that he knew it involved him... he wanted to disappear. That's why they were fighting? Because of him? Now he felt more pathetic than ever, he wanted to run away, even if it meant hurting his mother He got up shakily and grabbed the doorknob. Murdoc began to turn it, but stopped as something slammed into the door. His mother screamed, and Murdoc knew Jacob had bashed her into the wooden door by how close she sounded. Murdoc froze and his eyes widened as he now realized his mom was not screaming in anger, but in fear. She was pleading. He backed away and pressed himself to the wall opposite of the door. Suddenly she began to shriek even more. Murdoc had no idea what Jacob was going to do to her. He ran back to the door. His mom was leaning against it. Then...all questions were answered as a blood stained dagger stabbed through the door. Murdoc stared unblinking at the dagger. There was no more noise from the room. Murdoc sank to the floor and buried his face in his hands. He knew what had happened. The answer was right in front of him with her blood dripping off of it and onto the hardwood floor. How much clearer could it be? Jacob had killed her. All was silent except for Murdocs small sobs.
He cried himself to sleep that night, still curled up in the closet. He hoped that when he woke up she wouldn't be out there, lying still pastel white. Almost as if she was asleep apart from the crimson pool of blood from her chest Now Murdoc was crying in his sleep. He wished he wouldn't wake up, just like his mother hadn't. He wished that he himself had been stabbed by the dagger. That's what the pain in his heart felt like. Probably even worse. He wanted to be with her, but more than anything he wanted to hurt Jacob for all the evil things he had did. It should be Jacob dead not her. At least, that was murdocs view on things He was to mad to even think that no-one should die. He thought of it the opposite. The world was cruel to him, why should he care? This thought, and much more, crowded his troubled mind as he continued to fall into a deep, dark sleep. Meanwhile in the streets, Stuart ran around in the rain. "MURDOC?" he called. The thunder boomed and lightning streaked the jet-black sky. Stuart was to busy yelling to see he was passing a bar... and Jacob was inside. He watched the teen and wondered what in the world he was looking for.
He listened carefully and grinned when he heard what Stuart was looking for. He left a £5 note on the side of the bar and a tip. Grabbed his jacket and walked outside "MURDOC? OY MURDOC!" Stuart shouted. He was facing the opposite direction, and therefore didn't see Jacob coming, holding something in his left hand. Jacob grabbed Stuart by the arm and dragged him into the back alley behind the pub. He took a knife and held it to Stuart's neck "whatcha lookin for kid? Eh?" he growled menacingly "M-m-my dog." Stuart stuttered. He recognized Jacob from earlier and knew what he would do if he found out Murdoc had left.
"Really, your dog. It doesn't sound that way" He grinned. Stuart tried to slip away from him. Maybe he should try and get some help:
Jacob pressed the knife to Stuart's throat. "It sounds to me like you're lookin for...oh I don't know...Murdoc?" Stuart stared at the knife. Should he tell him, and risk his friend's life? Or lie again and get himself killed?
"Okay. Maybe I was. But really, I don't know where he is" Stuart pleaded. He wished his mom were here; she'd give him a good talking to. Not his mom maybe anyone
"Tell the truth, boy! Tell me where he is!" Jacob commanded as he shifted the knife in enough to make Stuart's blood come up to surface the cut. "Honestly sir! I have no idea where your son is!" he squeaked. Jacob suddenly pulled Stuart back and slammed him into the wall. "Don't you call that filth my son! Got that!" he yelled.
"O-Okay okay! But Mr. Niccals I really honestly don't know where he is" Stuart pleaded. Jacob let go and let him fall to the floor "if you ever speak about that little shit bag again I swear, you'll end up like his mother" Jacob smirked before stalking off
His mother? What happened to his mother? Stuart stared in the direction Jacob had stormed off into. He suddenly cried out as a shot of pain came to his neck.
He put his finger shakily to the cut and watch as the crimson blood ran down it. He couldn't help anymore, he only hoped Murdoc would be all right. He steadied himself on the wall and started to walk home
When he entered his house, his mother ran to him. "What happened to your throat?" she asked worriedly. Stuart winced in pain. "...Fight..." he lied. "Wait a second while I get something to help." she walked off. Stuart then began to feel weak and dizzy. His knees gave out from underneath him and he fell to the floor unconscious:
"Stuart?" His mother cried in shock, running back with bandages, she cradled his head in her arms. She knew she had to do something. Picking the telephone up off the hook she quickly rang the doctor
"Hello?" the doctor questioned. His mother quickly explained to him what happened. "Do you want us to send an ambulance, or will you drive him here?" the doctor asked.
"I-Ill drive him, but please, be ready" She cried, putting the phone down and picking Stuart up. Who would do this to her Stuart? Her baby?..
She placed him carefully into the passenger's seat, got in, and began to drive. When she got there, she lifted Stuart and carried him through the double-doors. Stuart opened his eyes, everything was blurred. "Mom?" he questioned. She looked down on him and smiled "im glad your awake" she replied. Stuart sat up slowly and placed a hand on his head. "Ow long 'ave I been out?" he asked. "Not too long" she replied, a tone of relief in her voice, "but I thought I'd better have you looked at" He didn't remember what had happened. He moved his hand to his neck and winced at the sting of the cut His mom noticed this, and looked at Stuart. "Are you okay?" she questioned, the tone of concern in her voice increasing. "Yeah, As soon as I get something on it" he nodded slowly. He began to remember what had happened. It was Jacob. And then he remembered that Jacob was looking for Murdoc Stuart stood up suddenly. The pain on his neck got worse, but he ignored it. "Mum, I 'ave ta get out of here!" he cried. His mother jumped slightly. "W-Why?" she asked "stuey your hurt! You need to be looked at" Stuart stared at the opposite wall, he couldn't lie to his mother again
"I-it's Murdocs father...'e's lookin for 'im." Stuart tried to run, but she grabbed his wrist and pulled him back. "Stuart there's nothing you can do!" she protested. Stuart shook his head and tried to get away again. "I gotta help him. I don't want him to get hurt again."
Stuart finally broke away from her grasp and ran down the white tiled halls.
She knew she couldn't stop him. No matter how much she wanted to. Murdoc suddenly jerked awake. It had finally stopped raining He stood up carefully. He knew he had fallen asleep because the sun was slowly staring to rise. Murdoc stared at the sunrise. He normally didn't appreciate it, but now...for some odd reason, he just wanted to watch.
He checked his watch. 8;00 am. Maybe he should go to school just so no one would worry. He picked up the bass and walked off. "Stuart! You have school!" his mother called. 'Right' Stuart thought 'ill look for him later' he span round and waved his mother goodbye She sighed deeply and sat back down. Stuart had really got her worried. 'He'll be fine.' she thought. Stuart dashed down the street. The gash on his neck was burning in pain, but he chose to ignore it He ran through the school doors just as the bell was going and went into the classroom. He smiled at Andréa but she frowned when she saw the gash on his neck. Stuart scanned the classroom. Then he noticed. There was Murdoc sitting at the back as usual. He ran to Murdocs desk. Murdoc looked up at him. Stuart could see that the already dark enough lines under Murdocs miss-matched eyes had gotten darker and more distinct. Murdoc scowled as he noticed that Stuart was staring at his eyes. "Why'd you gotta fucking stare like the rest of them?" he cursed. Stuart backed away a bit. "I I wasn't." "Just shut up! Your like the rest"
Stuart quietly took his seat. Murdoc sighed angrily. 'Why tha fuck does everyone stare?' he thought.
"Ah Mr. Niccals. I see you decided to stop playing truant" the teacher smiled. Most of the class turned to look at Murdoc. He just ignored it. It wasn't different from any other days. "I was at hospital"
He muttered. The teacher nodded with a 'I don't care' expression on her face. Murdoc sighed and pulled out what he'd need for this class. The teacher took her spot at the front on the room and began blabbering away about something Murdoc didn't care about. Stuart kept one eye on his schoolwork and the other on Murdoc. He did worry about him he really did. But it seemed like Murdoc had given up on everything, including himself. Then Stuart felt angry. After all he and Andrea had done. All he could do was throw it back at them
He sighed. Maybe this was the true Murdoc Niccals. Not giving a damn what anyone did, or sacrificed, for him. Murdoc quickly scribbled down the notes the teacher had left on the board. He never paid attention in class but he always got good grades. "Now class, tomorrow is parents evening, and I want them and you to all be here" Murdocs eyes widened. The teacher noticed this and turned to him, although she kept talking to the class. She walked over to his desk. He continued to scribble down the notes and lent over his work. Hiding his eyes in his thick black hair. "You should take more care with your work, its very good" she sighed, she wasn't angry though. She knew he was a good kid really Murdoc muttered something that sounded like a 'yeah' and the teacher left. The teacher nodded and smiled. "Oh Murdoc..Your parents are coming tomorrow aren't they?" the school had never been informed of his mothers sudden and tragic murder "My mother...passed away a while ago..." Murdoc mumbled as he lowerd his gaze to the floor.
"Oh..Oh Murdoc im so sorry, i.." mrs mason trailed off, she'd never been in such a difficult situation before "it doesnt matter really, i know you didnt know" he muttered She smiled awkwardly. "Well...your father can come, right?" she asked. "I doubt it.." murdoc Sighed, shaking his head. Mrs mason pulled up a seat beside him "murdoc, im your homeroom teacher, if theres anything wrong. you can tell me. thats my job besides teaching" she smiled gently, murdoc nodded. he knew this, it had been drilled into him but he couldnt say anything "Nothing's wrong." he muttered. She stood up silently. Everyone in the room looked as if they were a bit concerned.
Murdoc didnt know what they were looking at. stuart just shook his head when someone nudged him to whispure something to him giggling
The bell sounded and everyone picked up their belongings. Murdoc was first to leave the room. It seemed like he was in a hurry.
