A/N: Sorry for this delay on this chapter, I thought that I would have it up yesterday but I got sidetracked -_-' Anyways, please enjoy this chapter :)
A/N2: Thanks to my two anonymous reviewers- Zippy and anonimo.
Shawn was floating serenely in a pool of blackness. You would think, since everything was dark, Shawn would be frightened. But, instead, the darkness comforted him. It was like he was in a warm pool of water, but the water would never make his skin shrivel up, so he would always be comfortable there.
Slowly, Shawn became aware of a dull, throbbing, sensation coming from his head. The next thing Shawn became aware of was the sound of a steady beeping. Shawn slowly realized that he was lying down, on something soft and stiff. As soon as the word 'bed' entered Shawn's thoughts, a rush of memories came flooding back. Suddenly, Shawn was aware of every pain in his body that was pulsing in tune with his heart. Shawn gasped, and opened his eyes. He struggled to clear the fogginess from his vision and, when he finally did, Shawn's head swerved from the left to the right side of his bed.
"John! Cory! You're still here." Shawn said, totally delighted. John chuckled and Cory gave him a strained smile.
"The nurses said you could be a little out of it." Cory informed Shawn solemnly, his glance flickering away from Shawn uncomfortably. Cory didn't like hospitals, not one bit. They were creepy, and bad things happened in hospitals. Earlier, when Cory confessed his fear of hospitals to John, he tried to remind Cory that good things happen in hospitals too, but it didn't help to ease his anxiety.
"I'm out of it? Out of what?" Shawn asked in confusion, a content smile on his face. John and Cory were each sitting by Shawn's side, albeit different sides and they were both holding one of his hands. That was all Shawn needed, in that moment, to be content.
"It's all those pain meds." John said, his voice becoming strained and frown lines formed on his face as he looked at Shawn's face, then looked away.
"Pain meds?" Shawn questioned, completely unconcerned. "Is that why I'm so tired?" Shawn asked, trying to suppress a yawn and failing miserably.
"Yes." John said. He hesitated, then, "Shawn, you've been asleep for 32 hours." John continued, watching Shawn's face for any signs of distress. However, Shawn seemed wholly unconcerned by this had been a terrifying 32 hours. The doctors told them that due to all the emotional and physical trauma, it was possible that Shawn might not wake up for days. John and Cory were both thankful that that wasn't the case. Still, it had been an emotional 32 hours.
John had been trying to be there for Shawn and for Cory, but it was difficult because John felt very angry and guilty about the entire situation. John couldn't help thinking that if only he adopted Shawn when he had the chance, or if only he realized what was happening right away, if only he had gotten to the police sooner, if only he hadn't let Cory into the room with them when he first tried to talk to Shawn, then maybe none of this would have happened. Maybe Shawn wouldn't have been lying, unconscious, in a hospital bed because his parents beat the hell out of him.
John knew he shouldn't blame himself, but it killed him to see Shawn like that. It also killed John to think that someone could do that to Shawn, to his Shawn. Every time he thought about what those pieces of trash did to Shawn John had to remind himself to take a deep breath and calm down.
Not to mention, John was also trying to help Cory with his guilt and his rage. Cory had gone between shouting and crying so often that it was all John could do to try to hold him together. John also had to deal with all the doctors, sign all the forms and talk to all the people who came by to visit Shawn, but weren't allowed into his room because he was in the ICU and they only let in immediate family. Of course, they made an exception for John and Cory, but that was the only exception they were willing to make.
John shook himself out of his thoughts to see Shawn shifting uncomfortably in the bed and frowning.
"What's wrong Shawn?" Cory asked, glancing around the room, hoping he could find the source of Shawn's discomfort.
"What's on my arms?" Shawn asked, moving his arms around and gripping John and Cory's hands tighter. He looked down to see that both of his arms were covered with white gauze from the wrist to the elbow. Shawn shifted some more and his frown deepened. He released Cory and John's hands to pull down the sheet that was covering him to his waist. He pulled up his hospital gown and groaned. His chest and back were completely wrapped in what could only be an ace bandage or gauze.
"What-?" Shawn began to ask. He interrupted his question as he realized his lower lip felt unnaturally stiff. Shawn reached up and felt his bottom lip gently. There was something strange in his lip.
Seeing the confusion on Shawn's face, John explained, "Your lip needed stitches."
"And your ankle is bandaged too." Cory added, hoping to prevent Shawn from moving his ankle and causing nay unnecessary pain.
"What about my face?" Shawn asked. He reached up to figure out why his face felt so stiff and sore, but John caught his wrist gently in his hand and lowered it back down.
"Do you remember what happened Shawn?" John asked uncomfortably. He didn't want to show how angry and upset he was about what happened because he didn't want to scare Shawn.
"I think so." Shawn said, wincing as several quick flashbacks from that night came back. The memories were a little foggy, but whether that was because of the medication or from Shawn's brain suppressing them, he didn't know.
"What happened?" Shawn repeated, squinted his eyes in an effort to break through the haze around his mind. John and Cory exchanged a worried glance.
"Shawn, we have a lot to talk about and you need your rest. Maybe we should talk about this later." John suggested. He wasn't just worried about Shawn's physical heath though. Shawn just woke up and discovered all these injuries and John didn't want to overwhelm him.
"Yeah, don't worry about it right now Shawnie." Corry said, using Shawn's nickname in an effort to comfort him. Shawn reached out and locked his hands with John and Cory's again.
"I need to know." Shawn said forcefully. John hesitated and Shawn could tell that he was about to refuse. "Please." Shawn added, pouting for effect. John sighed and gave in, just as Shawn knew he would.
"Your face-" John began, but was quickly interrupted.
"No." Shawn said, suppressing another yawn. "I want to know everything, from when I left school to when I woke up."
"That's a really long story Shawn." Cory told him wearily. "Are you sure you're not too tired?" He asked in concern.
"I'm sure." Shawn answered, locking eyes with Cory to prove his point. Cory was surprised at the strength of Shawn's gaze and looked at John, shrugging.
"Alright, well..."
2-ish Day's Ago...
Shawn bolted from the room as fast as he could and left John and Cory standing there, dumbfounded. They stood that way for several seconds, until John exploded.
"Matthews!" John shouted with anger and frustration, turning away from the door and walking back over to Cory. John laid his hands on his hips and glared at the fifteen year old. "What the hell were you thinking?" John demanded, his chest constricted with worry for Shawn.
"I didn't mean to say that." Cory shouted quickly, his tone defensive. Cory ran his hands through his hair and gripped the curls in frustration. "I was just... I don't know! Shocked, I guess. I mean, why would anyone want to hurt Shawn?" Cory asked rhetorically, scoffing in disbelief. Cory's voice started off as defensive and on edge, but he ended by sounded very scared and confused.
John let out a deep breath as the impact of this situation hit him. Verna was beating Shawn, and Cory just witnessed the scars. John forgot for a moment that Cory was still a kid, and dealing with something so life altering and dangerous was probably a lot to handle for a kid. John's a full grown adult, and it was a lot for him to handle! John walked over to Cory and laid a hand on his shoulder in comfort.
"It's going to be okay, Cory. We'll get him back." John assured him.
"He looked so scared... But Shawn's never afraid of anything..." Cory trailed off as his voice faded into a whisper and then silence. Cory had tears in his eyes, but he wiped them away with his wrist. "We've got to help him." Cory said fiercely. Cory silently vowed to himself that he would never let anyone hurt Shawn ever again. They would have to go through him first. And, judging by the intense look on John's face, they'd have to get through him too.
"We will. But first, we've got to find him." John said seriously, glancing around the room as though he was looking for clues. John took his hand off Cory's shoulder and walked over to the door. "Stay here. I'll be right back." John said, glancing back at Cory to make sure he would do as he was told. Cory nodded his asset and John left.
Cory stared around the empty room and tried to calm his pounding heart. Cory tried to take some deep, soothing breaths but it was to no avail. Cory Matthews was terrified. No, that word didn't seem strong enough. Petrified, maybe? Whatever word used, Cory was nearly paralytic with fear and worry for his best friend.
Cory thought back to the marks on Shawn's back and shuddered. He instinctively reached back to feel his own back, and thankfully found himself uninjured. However, it didn't do anything to lessen the knot in his stomach or the way his lungs were constricting.
Cory tried not to, but he couldn't help thinking about what could be happening to Shawn at this very minuet. Cory couldn't see past the anguished and pained look on his face, or the way Shawn struggled just to get his shirt off. Shawn's yelp when John accidentally pushed him into the wall rang in Cory's ears. He tried to place his hands over his ears, but it seemed as though nothing could stop the yelling.
This entire situation was senseless. It was stupid and senseless and unfair. Shawn didn't deserve what was happening to him, no one did. Cory wished that he chad been able to see what was happening sooner so maybe he could've prevented this entire mess from ever happening.
Guilt plagued Cory's consciousness and he tried to stifle his tears, but it was useless. Shawn was hurt because of him. It was completely Cory's fault and, worse, he made Shawn think that it was his fault. Now, Shawn was God-knows-where, doing God-knows-what and probably in a lot of pain. Losing his inhibitions, Cory sat down and let the tears flow freely down his face.
John walked briskly down the hall to his classroom. John was a fully grown man, and it therefore infringed upon his pride to ask for help most of the time, but this was the first time John wasn't ashamed to admit that he needed help and ask for it. John opened the classroom door and the obviously bored class turned to him, wondering what was going on with Cory and Shawn. It's true that some of the students were actually worried, especially Topanga, but others could care less and were merely interested in the drama. The very thought grated on John's last good nerve so he ignored the class and walked over to Mr. Feeny.
"Mr. Turner." Feeny greeted cautiously, sensing that something was wrong.
"Listen, George..." John trailed off when he realized that the entire class was eavesdropping. He leaned forward and whispered, "I need your help." John leaned away again and raised his eyebrows as if to ask, 'Will you help me?' Mr. Feeny nodded.
"Mr. Turner and I have an emergency meeting to go to. Kindly, pull out some quiet work to do while I find a substitute." Feeny said. He hadn't even finished speaking and the room was already buzzing with conversations, rumors and speculations. "Lead the way." Feeny said to John. John needed no more encouragement then that and led the way out of the classroom, trying to look calm and collected.
"Mr. Turner! Mr. Feeny!" Topanga called, hurrying into the hall after them. John sighed in frustration and he and Feeny turned towards Topanga.
"I'm sorry Topanga, but I really don't have time..." John began hurriedly. They needed to move if they were going to find Shawn before he was hurt again, or he ran so far that they couldn't ever find him.
"This is about Cory and Shawn, isn't it?" Topanga asked, her eyes wide with worry. John looked helplessly at Feeny, who then took over.
"Ms. Lawrence, I suggest you go back to class and..." Feeny began sympathetically. He understood why she would be so worried, but Feeny didn't think that it would be appropriate to avoid such a young girl in such a bad situation.
"No. Mr. Feeny, Mr. Turner, Cory is my boyfriend and Shawn is his best friend. Shawn is also my friend. I want to help them there if there is something wrong." Topanga said, her voice unwavering and serious.
"Topanga, this isn't a situation you should be involved in." John said, determined not to make the same mistake twice. Cory screwed up with Shawn because he's young and this was too much for him to handle. John didn't want to make the same mistake with Topanga. He wasn't just trying to protect Shawn; he was trying to protect her too.
"I'm going with you. I understand that means I'm being insubordinate so I'll accept a suspension if that's what it takes." Topanga said to Feeny, her voice continuing to be unwavering and determined. Feeny and John were both touched by the loyalty Topanga showed her friends, even at the risk of screwing up her spotless discipline record.
"Very well. Come along." Feeny gave in and turned to John, motioning for him to start walking again. John hesitated for only a moment before sighed, turning and walking away with Feeny and Topanga following.
They reached the office and opened to door to find Cory sitting in a chair with his head in his hands and his shoulders quaking. Topanga rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around him protectively. Cory took his hands away from his face and hugged her back gratefully.
"Where is Shawn?" Feeny asked in confusion and deep concern, feeling a dangerous sense of foreboding.
"He took off. We've got to find him George." John said, his voice a little agitated. John wanted to be on the road already so they could find Shawn. Every second felt like another huge obstacle in between them and Shawn.
"What happened?" Feeny asked, moving behind his desk. Feeny opened a drawer, pulled out a box of tissues and handed them to Topanga, who took a few and handed them to Cory.
"Well..." John hesitated now, glancing at Topanga with worry. Not only was John unsure of whether or not she could handle the rather gory details, but John also wasn't sure if Shawn would consider it an invasion of privacy to tell her.
Apparently, Cory was thinking along the same lines because he said, "Don't worry. Shawn wont mind if we tell Topanga." With that matter settled, John launched into the disturbing recount and winced at Topanga's gasp when he described Shawn's torn-up back. When John explained what Cory said, Cory hung his head in shame. Topanga rubbed his hair in comfort. John rushed over the part where he made Shawn's back it the wall, and tried to ignore Feeny's disapproving look afterward. When he was done, the room was silent for a full minuet before anyone spoke.
"Where do you suppose he went?" Feeny asked the room at large, at a loss himself.
"He wouldn't go back to the trailer." Topanga answered immediately. She was very upset about what happened, but she was also very angry. Shawn was a great guy, so why did that happen to him? Cory and Topanga held each other tighter.
"He probably tried to run away. That's what he usually does when thing go wrong." Cory supplied, rubbing Topanga's arm and feeling the slightest relief now that she was there. How could things not work out with Topanga around?
"Alright, so we check the train station and the bus station." John said in a rush. He wanted to get moving already, and John wasn't a very patient person on the best of days. "George, you're coming with us?"
"Of course." Feeny answered. "I need to make a quick phone call first." Feeny held up a hand to stop whatever John was about to say, then picked up his phone and dialed. Feeny called the vice principal and asked her if she could cover for him. Feeny didn't explain the entire situation, but did inform her that it was an emergency. She agreed and Feeny hung up.
"Alright, Topanga, I assume you're going with us as well?" John asked, already knowing the answer, but wanting to be sure.
"Yes." She answered simply.
"Okay, we'll be able to find Shawn faster if we split up. George, take Topanga and check out the bus station. Cory, you and I will go to the train station." John said, looking around the room for agreement. Everyone nodded. "Let's go." He said, and they left the office.