Chapter Two-Hundred and Fifty-Six
Carl sat back on the sofa, popping the top on a Budweiser as the adults all sat back to help him understand what was happening with the kids since they'd left Shermer. "John has PTSD?" He asked, remembering the odd behaviors that John used to display when he was high.
Thomas nodded, holding Clarissa's hand and kissing her fingers. "PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, as well as a few physical disorders."
"Such as?" Carl leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
Ryan looked around at the family, watching as Clarissa left to check on John. "He was one of twins, he absorbed the other while they were in the womb. His nervous system never recovered after the seizures, meaning he struggles with paranoia at times and an over heightened fight or flight reflex. And he also is unable to get or keep an erection due to his PTSD. After a gang known as the Dead Cross raped him, he hasn't been able to get passed that hurtle."
Clarissa pushed John's bedroom door open, biting her lip when she heard his whimpers of fear. "Johnny?" She stepped to his bedside, brushing his hair back and gently rubbing his shoulder. "It's okay, Pumpkin…"
His eyes opened, the irises having gone pure yellow. "I killed them…" He gasped, taking her hands in his own and placing her fingers around his neck. "Do it… take me out…" He pressed her fingers tighter around his throat. "Please…"
Clarissa shook her head, laying down in the bed beside him and holding him close as he cried. "You did what you had to do to survive…" She whispered, cradling his head in her arms. "Do you need to talk with Holly?" She asked, her heart aching when he nodded.
He'd never agreed to therapy before, they'd always had to practically force him to go. "Please… please take me…"
She nodded, turning on his lamp when she felt his bandage was moist. "Let me change this." She sighed, picking up a fresh cotton pad and replacing the old one. "I'll make you an appointment in the morning." She laid back down, gently kissing his head before she began to sing him to sleep.
Carl took Chance's leash from John as he pulled his jacket on before they walked out of the house. "You know, I never pictured you as a dog person before." He kept a close eye on John, making sure he didn't stumble since his body was still weak from the infection.
"I've always liked animals, but Jacob would have killed them if I'd ever come home with one." He scratched Chance's head, slowing his pace as his side started to ache a little. "Do you know who told them where we were?"
Carl nodded, stopping halfway down the block to make sure John didn't push himself too far. "It was Beverly."
John's eyes flashed black, turning back to brown a few seconds later. "She told them?" He asked, trying to think back to the ways that she could have gotten word out. "How?"
"She gave a message to a man named Hans. He was trusted by Jacob, so he was able to get it to the authorities unnoticed." Carl placed his hands on John's shoulders, able to see that he was starting to sway from side to side. "You alright?"
"Hans is innocent." He stated, remembering a small part of their chat after he'd been flogged. "He was framed. He didn't hit his kid… it was his brother-in-law. He wanted the kid for himself after Hans's wife died, so he framed Hans of child abuse."