A/N: I'm not sure what to say here for this one. Hm.

Oh, right. *insert standard spiel about not writing a character for a while*

We're good now.

Thank you again to Muttlpe Mike and Kitkatkatester for reviewing the last chapter :)

Enjoy!

Was it possible for time to stop? No, not in this universe, but it damn sure felt like it did in that moment, just for a second or two, as he processed the scene before his wide brown eyes: him, standing just inside the doorway, a look of sheer twisted glee on his face, like a predator assessing prey and readying himself to go in for the kill. This terrifying snapshot lasted for a fleeting blink before Mike regained his senses and felt himself go numb without need for medicine.

"Well don't you just look pathetic," Scott sneered. "Not that you don't always look like that, but wow."

Mike tried to speak, but the words didn't come.

"Looks like I gotta let that guard lady see ya, then you're coming on back home with me...we really missed having you around." He didn't mean a word of what he said.

"…" Mike made a second attempt at articulating something, anything, but came up blank.

"What's the matter, you gone deaf or something? Why don't you say something in one of those weird voices of yours, huh?" Scott had made it over to the bed, looming over Mike, contributing even more to his sense of helplessness in this situation. There was nothing he could do; he wasn't strong enough again to stand up to Scott, he could barely stand at all, not on his own.

Scott grabbed him by the front of his shirt, the fabric curled in his fist. "Get up," he ordered.

Mike had to oblige, fumbling with his crutch to shakily stand, his breathing continuously unsteady. Scott would not allow him his full height, watching him struggle while noticing that his grip on the crutch had loosened out of necessity. Seeing an opportunity for more suffering, he snatched the crutch out of Mike's hand and tossed it aside, far out of reach, then let go of his shirt, watching him desperately attempt to maintain balance with nothing supporting him. This failed and he crumpled to the floor, sweat slicking his forehead. He refused to cry, he wouldn't give that satisfaction to Scott again, but he'd be damned not to admit it was painful.

When Mike hit the floor, it was quite loud. Still in the living room, Jo turned her head towards the sound. "Is someone else here?" she asked Zoey, standing up.

"No, why would there be-" Zoey started to lie as Jo moved towards the source of the noise. She heard Scott saying something incoherent to Mike and found the two, looking down at Mike with far less malice than Scott had. "There you are...been looking all over for you, stick boy," Jo said, no real weight put into the nickname. She was just glad he'd been found, and she didn't have to go home empty-handed.

Mike lifted his head slowly and looked at Jo as Scott backed off a bit from him, since Jo was there. She got a good view of him and wow, she couldn't remember seeing someone look so defeated and broken in her life. His disposition was so different from the other times the two had crossed each other. He didn't look like the person Noah had described to her, deceitful and delinquent in his nature. He also didn't look like the boy Ella couldn't stop talking about, kind and sensitive. All those bruises looked old… how could someone sustain such injuries without instigating anything?

Regardless of all the questions that flew by in her mind, she had a job to do. No time to sort through her feelings.

"Help him up," Jo told Scott, her face hardened.

Scott clearly didn't appreciate being told what to do, but did what Jo said anyway, as roughly as he possibly could. Mike remained silent, his eyes pointed towards the ground. Jo picked up the crutch and offered it to Mike, and he took it gratefully. "I've got some things to ask you, but they can wait," Jo told him.

Mike nodded once.

The group of three, led by Jo and flanked by Scott, exited the guest room and reemerged into the living room. Zoey saw Mike's current state, much different than it had been before the other two had arrived, and bit her lip. She would apologize to him another time for not trying hard enough to keep Jo's attention away from him. Of course, she didn't know that Scott was Mike's stepbrother and main tormentor.

Duncan had remained in his own bedroom, having gotten himself dressed while he trusted Zoey to deal with the situation as he'd been prompted to, and now heard all the footsteps. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he had a feeling it couldn't be anything good. He listened carefully.

"So you really didn't notice the barely mobile guy camping out in your bedroom," Jo said, looking at Zoey.

"W-well, no, we don't really use the bedroom on that side of the house...it's meant for any guests we have," Zoey tried to claim nervously.

"Uh huh. Sure," Jo replied, narrowing her eyes. "I think this little talk should wait for later...your so-called 'stowaway' here is coming with me." By that she meant to ask him a few things, then take him back for his father to deal with him. She wasn't sure if that was the right thing to really do at first, but Noah had done a good job convincing her it was.

Mike glanced at Zoey as he crutched behind Jo. It was hard for her to tell what he was feeling, as his expression was so empty. In reality he felt the same: too many different emotions cancelling out to nothing.

The three exited the building, Jo going to mount her horse. Mike looked back at the house before Scott gave him a slight shove to get moving.

Duncan had by this point emerged and watched the three go. He looked at Zoey, who didn't look too good at this point, likely due to guilt.

This wasn't good...the plan would have to change yet again.

Mike would have to hold on just a bit longer.

Oof, foiled again...this can't be good.

Please review if you feel like it. Also, there's a poll on my profile related to this story. Trying to figure something out in regards to statistics, it'd help me out if you could put in an opinion.

I'll see if I can scrap together the next chapter by next week, we'll see. Til next time, stay safe out there, y'all. :)