Good riddance thought Travis. He began to walk toward the path he ran last night. Maybe if I ask, I can sleep in the treehouse again? The sunlight was dissipating quickly, as was Travis's confidence, or lack thereof. How is Larry going to react to him? Anxiety swirled around his damaged frame. I am going to have to tell him why I went up there in the first place. Travis broke into a jog to settle his nerves with exercise. His breathes quickened as he reached the forest. Returning to a walk, Travis went up to the mildly familiar tree. He scaled up the holds to peak in. He wanted to know if Larry was in there now. The small house was disappointedly empty. Worried about staying there without the consent of the very, very tall child, Travis wandered towards the building. Suddenly, he was hit with a sense of Déjà vu. A same darkness he had felt when he visited Sal hit him hard now. Travis felt so dumb. He should have known! Why else would Larry be the one to show up? Frustrated, he went around to the front of the building and took the elevator to Sal's apartment. Memories flew back from when he last talked to Sal, making him flush. I must apologize. For what? Putting a bitch in his place? Guilt clouded every other sense. Travis twittered around Apartment #402, before taking a breath and knocking three times. He could hear the shuffling of feet moving towards the door, making him bite his lip. The door swung open to reveal Henry Fischer, Sal's dad. "Well, who are you?" he said in a gruff voice.
"I am Travis Phelps. I am looking for Larry Johnson, and I figured Sal would know where he is." One of his hands grabbed the cross around his neck unconsciously.
"They are in the basement. You can either go around out back, or borrow our keycard," he paused, "Phelps, as in Phelps Ministry?"
Travis, trying not to cringe, nodded along politely. He thanked Sal's dad and left. He looped around the building and found the back door. He knocked quietly, somehow enabling one of the two to hear him. Sally Face stood in the doorway, looking shocked, with an equally confused Larry behind him. Travis opened his mouth once or twice before Larry took care of it. "Come on in, dude. We've got a lot to discuss."
Visibly gulping, Travis walked into a room full of band merchandise he has never been allowed to touch. Larry closed the door behind him but could barely contain his surprise when he noticed the back of Travis's pink shirt turning red. Sal took notice too, shooting a concerned look towards Larry. Travis ended this effectively by apologizing. "First things first, I am sorry, Sal, for my outburst towards you. You have been nothing but kind to me and I really appreciate it. I am so sorry."
"Thank you, Travis. Now with what you must talk to Lar about, are you okay with me being here or would you prefer I leave?"
Travis gaped at him. Sal caring about his comfort? He didn't deserve that. "N-no it is okay, I don't want to explain it twice."
"Alright, why were you in my tree house, man?"
"I couldn't sleep that night. I felt bad about what I did, so I started to remember some things I have been trying to forget. With one of my memories of my father, well it went badly. I decided I needed out of there. Space of any sort. Once I was able to get past my dad, I ran. I just kept going! Eventually I stopped in the forest, when I noticed a weird outline in the forest. I walked up and it didn't look like anyone was in there. I decided to climb up. I needed that separation, y'know? Well, I wanted to lay down and think for a bit. I went through the place trying to find something I could lay my head on. Next thing I know, it is the morning and I was being an asshole without even realizing it. I am sorry, Larry."
Larry grins back at him, "man it is okay. I gotta ask though why you are here."
Travis's expression died. "My dad kicked me out. I disgusted him." He said darkly.
Concern grew on both faces opposing him without the abused boy's knowledge. "Hey Trav, you can stay here. Either Larry or I could make space. We just want you to be safe, yeah?"
Bright red, Travis looked up hopefully, which broke Sal's heart. "Now come on, we should take care of that back."
Travis froze in place. He paled considerably, looking like he was about to bolt for his life. Sal interjected before he could run, "You don't have to answer any questions. Just let us take care of it before it gets infected."
Slowly but surely, Travis relaxed his shoulders and motioned for them to continue. Sal grabbed some hydrogen peroxide and bandages while Larry put on music so Travis could relax. Travis fiddled with the ends of his shirt. Don't show them your disgusting back. They will push you away. Go back to father. He knows what you look like really well. Travis gathered up some of his shattered courage and pulled away the mildly damp shirt. If the gasps were anything to go by, the other two didn't expect this. Long welts crisscrossed along his back, some still dripping blood. He laid down with his head buried in the carpet, so he wouldn't see the judgement. Sal broke out of his stupor and began to apply disinfectant, making him hiss in pain. Weirdly enough, he didn't seem to have any other reactions to the painful cleanser. Just how much has his father done to him? Sal squeezed his shoulder in sympathy, but the boy shuddered severely. Larry was disheartened to see Sal like this. Normally Sally was so level-headed, but Travis's situation truly seemed to get to him.
"Have you ever listened to metal, Travis?" said Larry, trying to ease to ease the tension.
"U-uh, well, no. Father said it was the devil's music. Good boys don't listen to the devil." Travis said, mockingly.
"Well that's gotta change. Yo, Sal, you think we should introduce him to Sanity's Fall?"
Sal giggled and nodded, making Travis bury his head further in the carpet. He is so cute. From above him, Sal winced. That one must have hurt. Guitars sounded through the room as the first song began to play. Travis could honestly say he had never seen something as funny as the tall, noddle-like boy throw down to random screeching. His shoulders shook, trying to contain his laughter. Sal instantly went into protective mode. However, he wasn't completely sure how to comfort the crying boy, especially when he was lying face down. His hair. I can do that without hurting him. Sal hesitantly put a hand on the tan boy's head and ran his finger through it. Travis made a confused squeak at the unexpected touch. It felt nice, but why was Sal touching his head? Who cares? I am desperate enough to just enjoy this. Too desperate. They are going to realize how horrible you really are and leave you in the street. Maybe then you'll get a real punishment. "Hey, Sal, do you have some painkillers?" Travis mumbled out.
"Oh! Yeah, I am so sorry I forgot. Lemme go grab that." Sal jumped up, fully ending the first kind form of physical contact he has had in a while. Larry then sat down next to him and started to bandage up the other's back. Shame flushed Travis's entire body, wishing that neither of them had seen this, or that neither were kind enough to help him. What has he done to earn anything from them? The thoughts were interrupted by Sal setting down a glass of water and some ibuprofen. Travis, moving as little as possible, drank a small sip of water. His eyes widened and he started coughing heavily. His back stung as he started to cough up small amounts of blood.
Once the fit stopped, Travis blushed heavily. "I am sorry, I'll clean it up."
Larry shook his head no. "We'll take care of it, man. Just take you drugs."
Travis hesitantly nodded and took another sip of water. He then threw the pills back and swallowed heavily. This sequence of events irritated his gums, making blood fill where one of his teeth were missing. Making desperate motions, Larry and Sal scrambled to find some form of tissues. One of them handed a paper towel to Travis, mildly horrified. Blood had started to drip out the corner of his mouth. "Dude, what happened? Did you get into a fight or something?' Larry questioned.
Sal almost kicked his best friend when Travis stiffened. "Larry, we said we weren't going to ask questions!"
Larry winced and apologized. He didn't mean to…"No, I'll tell you." Travis said, oddly cool. "All about it, actually."
Before the other two could say anything, Travis started, "My daddy dearest has treated me so well. When I first got here, I had no idea what has happening, but oh the pain tasted fantastic. Little Trav here was deliciously crispy. You may hate me, but I am the only reason the boy toy is still alive. This exact punishment was because I ran away at night. I mean, you would know, Lar-Bear, it was your place. Well daddy wasn't very happy, so we went to the church for confessions. That is my favorite time. The boy lost a tooth and a few whippings, so disappointing. I am used to much, much more. A tasty meal of degradation, mmm." The Puerto Rican giggled, red covering his chin. "Awe I think Travvy wants the helm for a bit. Cute."
The boy collapsed fully to the ground, shaking. "no, no, no." Travis muttered continuously. He curled in on himself as the other two looked on in shock. "Hey, Travis it is okay. You'll be okay," Sal whispered into his hear.
Minutes passed with no movement, other than Sal's whispering. Finally, Travis unfurled and sat against the wall. He refused to look up, which saddened Sal even further. How could they let Travis go back there? How many times has he dealt with this along? Larry had a look on his face that told Sal he agreed. "Travis, you can't go back there."
Confusion covered his face. "Where will I go, then? My father will find me and kill me, especially here."
Sal shook his head profusely. "You can stay at either mine or Larry's place. We can protect you, I promise."
Slowly, Travis nodded. "O-okay"
