Warning, Mature theme's are still present… (While mature theme's will be present throughout the foreseeable chapters, this is a tamer chapter, in comparison, nevertheless, be prepared for, possibly the darkest chapter yet, for chapter nine, will pull no punches.)
Chapter Eight
Johnny wasn't sure how he was going to explain this to the boss, but Sonny wouldn't buy the fact that he had got into a bar brawl or that he had walked into a wall, he also would not believe that he was sick and unable to come into work. He would have to come clean, and possibly suffer another beating for his inability to follow simple directions.
But he had to admit it felt good to beat Lucky, the sad fact was, he had not be prepared for him to strike back, at least not like he did. Lucky was much smaller than him and even if he was wiry, he should have been able to handle him with one arm tied behind his back.
Except he hadn't done very well, well at the beginning he had, Lucky would have proof of this fight for a few weeks, but then again, Johnny figured he would to, his ribs ached monstrously.
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Lucky wasn't sure why Johnny tried to kill him, because it sure didn't feel like he had planned to stop, I guess he should be thankful that the old guy in the hall had called the police, because there was a possibility that he could have killed Johnny, or been killed.
So was it presumptuous of him to think that Johnny knew about Elizabeth, and if so, where did that leave him. It was one thing to be able to do it, when no one suspected you, but it was quite another, when you had other people watching your every move and just waiting for you to slip up.
This was something that he was really going to have to think long and hard on. There was no chance that he could go back to Jake's, Jason or Johnny would likely look there first, so he needed to find somewhere he could go to ground. The boxcar briefly flashed in his mind, but then the fact that Jason had used it first assaulted him, then he knew there was no chance of him going there, they would find him there should he go. So where did that leave him?
As he traveled through the darkening twilight, he allowed his mind free reign, allowing it to think of something heretofore not thought of by him. And prayed an answer wasn't to far out of reach, because he needed to find somewhere to crash tonight, after last nights binging and the activities of this day, he was exhausted and wanted nothing but sleep.
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Jason left the room shortly to speak with Max and grab the medication from him, then hurried back, stretching before sitting in the hard chair.
He wasn't sure how he was going to pass the rest of the night, but the travel book sitting in his lap, offered some help. Perhaps once Elizabeth was feeling better, he could take her there, show her how the light was different there, show her all the wonderful museums and the people, they weren't like people here, it was almost as if they lived a happier life, for they always seemed so cheery.
Those thoughts are what followed him into sleep, no transition happening, one moment he was awake, then next he was out like a light. A dream of Italy and a happy Liz being bestowed upon him.
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Her nightmares were propelling from one hideous image to a next, when she began to relive the previous night, with ever detail, she was forcefully pulled from sleep. Tears automatically springing to her eyes, she looked around the room, wanting nothing more than to be alone, but also hoping that Jason was still there. When her eyes found him, she could help the strong urge that suddenly bloomed inside her, compelled by something larger than herself, she scooted to the side of the bed, quickly she stood and climbed on to his lap.
Even in sleep he was observant, as soon as her form settled into his, his arms came up around her, comforting and soothing, not cumbersome or demanding.
She laid her head upon his shoulder and within minutes had fallen asleep. Before achieving sleep though, her mind wondered briefly how she could have gone from wanting to escape, to wanting to be comforted, whatever the reason, she was happy that he was willing to do it.
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Jason was groggy when he slowly pulled himself from sleep, unsure why his legs were numb and absently curious as to what his arms were holding on to. Then slowly he opened his eyes, a gasp of surprise, quietly escaped his lips.
Elizabeth, at some point during the night, had climbed on his lap and even know is arms were wrapped securely around her. And while he was cursing his stupidity for falling asleep, he had to take this turn of events as a positive sign.
Not wanting to disturb her sleep, he watched her instead. Her face finally looked at peace, even her posture wasn't rigid, he only hoped that when woke she would remain this calm, but doubted it completely.
A knock of the door pulled him from his thoughts, quietly he called, "Come in."
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Sonny had spent the last ten minutes speaking to Max, hoping he could get an update on the situation, but moments into the conversation he learned that Jason had not made Max privy to any details and Max being the good guard, kept it that way, perhaps he would change his ideas if he knew that Elizabeth was involved. Sonny always that he had had a crush on her.
With as much knowledge as he could get out of the other man, Sonny entered the silent penthouse and ascend the stairs.
As quietly as possible, he knocked on the door. Waiting for affirmation that he could enter, Sonny took notice of the second hole in the wall.
Hearing Jason's soft call, Sonny opened the door and took in the sight sitting before him. Jason was sitting in a chair beside the bed, and Elizabeth loving embraced.
Noticing there wasn't another chair, Sonny sat opposite of his best friend, lowering his frame to the bed.
"Has something changed?" Sonny asked, unsure how to take this turn of events.
"I don't know, she has yet to say anything since last night. I was an idiot and fell asleep sometime this morning, when I woke up twenty minutes ago, she was sitting on my lap." Jason explained, hoping that Sonny would have an explanation for her behavior.
"Well, had she slept at any other time during the night?" Sonny asked.
"I think for awhile she was pretending, but I am pretty sure she fell asleep around three this morning. I must have dosed off shortly thereafter. I want to take this as a good sign, that maybe I can help her, but I just have this feeling, it doesn't mean as much to her." Jason said, his emotions raw, his tone pleading.
"Jason, you can't beat yourself up over this. There are a few ways this is going to go down, and not a single way can be held against you. First off, she could find comfort from you and be okay in the long run, secondly, she may recover from this, but she may need professional help to do so, thirdly, she may never recover from her injuries, at least not mentally, and the fourth is even grimmer, she may take her own life just to escape the pain and humiliation." Sonny said, hating the truth, but unable to sugarcoat it.
Jason was once again bowled over, the thought that she could possibly take her own life, was something he couldn't even fathom. Without her in his life, how would he go on, he mentally shook himself, once again he was concerned with how he was going to make it, if she didn't. He had to get out of that mind frame, what he wanted right now, didn't matter.
Both Jason and Sonny watched Elizabeth slumber, each was lost in their own thoughts, but were quickly pulled from them when she began to twist and cry out, whether from pain or fear, neither could tell.
"Jason, I'll meet you downstairs, take as long as you need, okay?" Sonny said, silently rising.
"Sure, and thanks, for everything." Jason said, once more allowing his eyes to fasten on Elizabeth.
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Sonny quickly descended the stairs, taking a seat on the overstuffed loveseat. He knew the wait might be a long one, that was until a very hangdog Johnny walked in the door.
Neither man said anything, Sonny just watched, fighting very hard to suppress the smile that wanted to surface. The idiot had gone against his orders, but honestly, that didn't surprise him in the least, he just wondered if Spencer looked worse for wear.
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Jason shifted in the chair, trying to allow his body a little more free movement. He needed to do something about Elizabeth, she was fighting him with every breath, he only wondered if the nightmare she was having, had Lucky's arms around her instead of his. That thought caused his stomach to revolt, with renewed effort, he tried to wake her, but with each try, he was denied, almost like she was in purgatory and being forced to relive some of the worst moments in her life.
Unable to handle the situation, Jason slipped his hands underneath her knees and lower back, standing up, he gently moved her to the bed. With gentle hands, he softly shook her, when that didn't work he moved to a more demanding shake, hoping he wasn't hurting her throughout the process.
After ten minutes of failed attempts, Elizabeth awoke on her own, a scream reverberating through the room. Her fingers hooked into claws, reached for Jason, but before she could cause any damage, her eyes suddenly flew to his face, instant recognition causing her to fall back on the bed, panting, with tears coursing down her face.
"Elizabeth, are you alright, do you need something?" Jason asked, carefully keeping his distance.
Her eyes were glossy and unfocused again and just like last night, she turned within herself, only this time, he saw it happen. It was like an internal switch had been flipped, shutting down all her emotions and functions.
She simply pulled the blanket up around herself, burrowing into the soft fabric, perhaps hoping for some sort of safe haven. Jason didn't know, and once again he was left with questions.
"Elizabeth, I will be right back, I'm going to get you something to drink and something to eat, okay?" Jason asked, praying for an answer, but expecting none and that was exactly what he got.
He picked the plate of waffles up, the waffles she had not touched and took himself and the plate downstairs. A silent plea spilling from his lips, once he reached the kitchen, 'I know I don't ask for forgiveness or always do the right thing, but you have to understand, she's one of your angel's, you can't let her suffer like this. Please tell me what it is I should do, I want only to see her happy again, she deserves that and so much more.'
Sonny interrupted his thoughts, firmly Jason pulled himself from his prayer, if that was a prayer, he couldn't really be sure, it had been such a long time…
"Jason, is she alright, I heard the scream, what happened?" Sonny asked, his questions spewing faster and faster with each one that slipped from his lips.
"I… Don't… Know… She won't speak to me, something bigger has to be going on, or perhaps, we don't even have a clue as to what she went through all those months. I want to get her professional help, but if she won't speak to a professional then what good will it do, besides, would she see it as a sign of disloyalty. I… Just don't know…" Jason said, scrubbing his face roughly with his hands, another silent plea forming in his mind, 'please, send me some guidance, tell me what to do, divine intervention, anything, just please help me, to help her.'
Not very big on hugging, Sonny nonetheless pulled Jason into a brotherly hug, wanting nothing more than to take away some of his pain. It still baffled him, how people could classify Jason as brain damaged. In Sonny's opinion, Jason was the least damaged out of everyone he knew, you just had to take the time to get to know him.
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A.N. Thanks for all the wonderful feedback, it has inspired me more so than I can ever explain. You inspire me to write better, because it is because of you that I take such joy in unfolding this tale and all others. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.