Good afternoon, my friends! It's time for another chapter of NCM! This is where Bill decides to confront Rudy about what he's been doing to Russell. Will he get through to him, or will Rudy have the upper hand this time? Let's read and find out!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 8: Confrontation

Bill wasn't sure if he should tell Albert and the others about his discovery. He figured, that if he could get through to Rudy, it wouldn't be necessary, and the others would have nothing to worry about. He would do it on Monday, after school...

That Monday, everything seemed to be going well for all the boys. Classes went by without a breeze... but was the end of the day that would be the toughest. The sophomores had just finished their last class, "Hey, hey, hey. Another great school day." Albert said with a smile.

Bucky walked up to them, having finished his class, "Hey, guys. Ready to go? Oh right, you need to get Russell..." He greeted.

"Don't worry. I'll go collect the little shrimp." Rudy offered.

Bill glared, knowing exactly what would happen if Rudy did that, so he quickly intervened, "Actually, Rudy. I'd like to talk to you... in private." He then turned to Albert, "Fat Albert, you go get Russell for me. And head on to the junkyard. We'll catch up to you..."

The large boy nodded, "Sure thing, Bill. We'll see you later."

With that, he left towards the elementary section of the school, the others following behind. Soon, Bill and Rudy were alone. From the expression on Rudy's face, Bill could tell he was mildly irritated but tried to keep a calm attitude. About what he expected, but he knew he should expect more when he finally got down to business.

"So... what do you wanna talk about?" Rudy asked, a slightly annoyed tone in his voice.

"Follow me... we need to go somewhere more... private..." Was Bill's response.

He would rather not confront Rudy on school grounds. Only because things could get messy, and he didn't want either of them to get in trouble with the principal. He led Rudy down the street, through an alleyway, and into an abandoned building near the waterfront. It wasn't his ideal choice, but it was probably the best place for privacy. Hardly anybody came down here anyway...

Even Rudy looked around and was confused, "Why did you bring me here? If you wanted to talk in private, couldn't we have gone somewhere cleaner?"

"This is the best you're getting. So be grateful..."

Bill wasn't sure how to approach this situation. Should he give it straight to Rudy, or should he ease his way in for Rudy to confess? Maybe the latter would be best. Taking a deep breath, he spoke, "So, Rudy... tell me, how have you been feeling these past few days?"

"How have I been feeling?" Rudy asked, "Um... fine, I suppose. Much better since the whole No Class Ever stuff. In fact, I don't think I've felt this good in a long time."

Bill raised an eyebrow, "I see... so... tell me. Why have you been asking to go pick up Russell for me? I mean, I'm... grateful... but I'm just curious. You never seem like the type to do a favor for any of us... unless it benefitted you somehow."

He could tell that Rudy slightly hesitated, before answering, "Well, I know you work hard to be a good big brother to Russell, that I figured you needed a break. You know, I was doing you a favor..."

For me or for yourself? Bill thought bitterly.

"Okay, Rudy. Answer me these questions. Why did it take you nearly an hour for you and Russell to come to the junkyard last week? What's the real reason Russell came back with a black eye Friday? Why did he jump in fright when you called his name Saturday? Who really wrote all that NCE stuff on the card Russell was hiding in? Answer me those!"

He had the rich boy backed into a corner as he asked those questions. He was determined to get a confession, no matter what it took. Rudy glared back at him, "Why do you care?" He asked as he moved around Bill, "I mean, Russell's okay, isn't he? Why does all of that matter to you?"

"Because that's my little brother, you jerk!" Bill growled, shoving Rudy into a nearby table. He was trying to get Rudy to admit his evil deeds, but was losing his patience, "I know what you've been up to, Rudy. You've been hurting Russell again!"

The rich boy nearly fell when shoved into the table, as he gained his composure, he glared at Bill again, before chuckling slowly (which sent sudden chills down Bill's back when he heard it). The glare turned into a sinister smirk, "I guess the shrimp couldn't keep his mouth shut after all..." He said in a dark tone.

"He didn't need to tell me... I found out on my own..." Bill told him, "After I brought Russell home, I saw you and decided to follow you into an alleyway... and I heard what you said... I saw the knife..."

Rudy seemed surprised, but he kept the wicked smirk on his face, "Hmm... clever of you, Cosby. But I'm sure the shrimp told you something."

Bill glared right back at him, "As a matter of fact, he did. He told me how you beat him with a belt and bit his arm! You've been hurting him behind my back! Behind the rest of the guys' backs! What is the matter with you?! Why are you doing this AGAIN?!"

"You really wanna know...?" Rudy asked with snark.

"Unless you want the crud beaten outta you, then yes!"

The rich boy chuckled as he walked towards Bill slowly, "You know how the first week of school, everyone was talking about the NCE thing... well, as you noticed, little Russell got so much sympathy and love because he was hurt. But what did I get...?"

He suddenly stomped his foot into the wooden floor, "Nothing! I got NO sympathy! All I got was jokes made at my suspense, shame, and teasing! Because I was the one who hurt him! It's like people don't know that I got STABBED trying to save the little brat! I almost died! But no, give all the love to Russell! Not to me! All I deserve is hate apparently!"

Bill said not a word as Rudy continued his rant, "I was trying to see what went wrong with this... until I realized... all of this happened... was because Russell said I had 'No Class Ever'! He started this with those three godforsaken words! It's all HIS fault! He made me suffer... so I decided to return the favor..."

That's when Rudy pulled out a can of red spray paint, "So you see, Bill. Things are much different now... the old Rudy you knew... is gone... and in his place... is the No Class Monster. I can show you how really 'no class' I can be!"

Bill watched as the rich boy sprayed his clothes, his cheeks, and anywhere else with the pain, and on his chest... was the initials NCE. This was a lot more terrifying than he had thought, "You're crazy, Rudy! You need help! I get you that feel like you're being judged too harshly, but you don't have to take it out on Russell!"

"Yes, I do! He started this whole thing!" Rudy snarled.

"No! YOU did! Russell just said a harmless thing, and you overreacted! Honestly, you can't blame other people for how they've been acting around you. You need to see someone about your issues. A doctor, a therapist, more anger management classes, something! You got my brother cutting himself the other day over you! You got him wanting to kill himself!"

Rudy's grin couldn't have gotten anymore sinister and evil, but it did, especially after what Bill had just said, "Hmph... then perhaps I should finish the job!"

Bill could not believe this! This was summer all over again, but somehow worse. His eyes widened when Rudy pulled out that darn knife again. He could see his own reflection in it, "I was thinking of using this on the little shrimp today... until you pulled me away to talk... I now realize why..."

"Yeah, to protect my little brother from you! And if you know what's good for you. You better leave him alone and get the help you need. You've gone insane!"

Rudy let out a burst of maniacal laughter that made Bill shiver, "At this point, I don't care if I'm insane now! All I care about is getting through to that runt you call your brother! And now that he's suicidal, I'll think I'll make things just a teeny bit worse..."

"You'll have to get through me if you wanna do that." Bill warned him, "Back off, or else!"

"Fine! I don't mind getting through you to get to Russell! Go on ahead and try!"

"I will..."

Meanwhile...

Russell was waiting for his brother to return as the gang made it to the junkyard. It had been fifteen minutes since they arrived, and now they were waiting for Bill and Rudy so that they could have some fun.

"Man, they sure are taking a long time..." Harold spoke up.

"What do you think Bill wanted to talk to Rudy about?" Donald asked with curiosity.

Russell frowned a little. He knew exactly what Bill wanted to talk about. Now, he could only hope that his brother would knock some sense into Rudy so that his pain and suffering would finally come to an end.

As for Albert, he started to have a good idea, even though he wasn't sure as Russell was. He remembered what Bill talked to him about when he came to visit. About how Rudy might be hurting Russell again. And now that he asked to talk to Rudy... that could mean a few things.

Bill did investigate, found something out, and was confronting Rudy about it.

Bill, I sure hope you know what you're doing... He thought.

Another twenty minutes passed, and both teens were nowhere to be seen. Now everyone, Russell especially, was getting worried. Albert suggested that they spread out and look for them.

And that's what they did.

Much to Russell's dismay again, he ended up alone. But he tried not to let that bother him, as he searched throughout the town, hoping to find his brother first instead of Rudy. He looked everywhere, but couldn't find Bill anywhere. He feared the worst but tried to keep his head high.

Where are you, Bill...?

Soon, the small child found himself near the waterfront, a place that the boys considered dangerous sometimes. He looked around, but still didn't see any sign of his brother, even when he called for him. When he was about to leave...

He suddenly heard loud moaning.

And it sounded familiar.

Russell then noticed a little building near the water. Curiosity got the better of him, and he made his way down to the building. He peeked through the window and gasped.

There Bill was, sitting in the far corner, bruised and beaten. When the older brother noticed his little brother, he groaned, "Rus...?"

"Bill!" The little boy ran inside the building and to his brother, "What happened to you? Who did this?"

"Rus, you gotta get outta here..." He coughed, "He's gone crazy..."

"Huh...?"

Suddenly, a dark chuckle filled the air, making Russell pale, for he recognized that laugh anywhere. That's when a shadow was cast over the brothers. Shaking, Russell turned around, nearly shrieking when he saw what was behind him.

"Nice of you to drop by, Russell..." Rudy sneered, holding the knife high above him.

Uh oh...

Bill was able to confront Rudy, but it came with a price, and now it looks like unless Russell can do something, he's screwed as well. Next chapter will pick up after this one, and things will start to happen. Will Russell overcome? Will Rudy get his revenge? We'll find out soon enough. Until then, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll see you guys later. And don't forget to review, please. Thank you.