Ok, two very quick notes. One: this is as far as I have gotten in this story as of right now. So don't expect another one for a while. Two: this chapter does deal with sexual abuse, nothing too terribly graphic, but it's obvious just the same. If that bothers you, please leave. Yee have been warned! :D
Bobby settled into his own seat as soon as Jack had buckled himself in, still clutching his toy.
"Jackie… This is important, ok, Elf?" Jack nodded, not looking up at Bobby. "Was that man one of your ma's boyfriends?"
Jack looked at him in confusion.
Bobby thought for a moment, before trying again. "Did he ever stay with you and your ma?"
Jack's small hands curled up into fists as he nodded, shaking slightly.
"Did he ever… did he ever hit you?"
Jack shrugged noncommittally as he began running his hands through the stuffed dog's hair.
"Jackie, come on. You know you can trust me. You can tell me anything. He ever beat you up?"
The elf nodded slowly, staring at the floor, shame filling his face.
"Did he… Did he ever do more than… He ever do more than beat you up? He… He ever… ever touch you?"
Tears began to stream down Jackie's face as he hugged the dog close to him. Bobby never would have expected what happened next.
" 'Little fuckin' bastard,' " Came a thin, frail little voice. " 'Fuckin' play thing. You like bein' fucked up the ass, don't ya? Little fuckin' queer. Ain't no good for nothin' else. Stop your cryin', you little fuckin' pussy. Should be used to it. Take it like a man, little fuckin' bitch.' "
Not much shocked Bobby Mercer. But hearing those words come from Jack's mouth, and knowing full well when they had been said, and during what activity, horrified him to where he couldn't move. But Jack wasn't done yet.
" 'All you're good for. Least ya bring in your mother some money. Ain't no good for nothin' else. I said stop your fuckin' cryin', you little shit head! Little fuckin' bastard. If you weren't such a good little faggot, I'd kill you myself, save your mother the trouble. Maybe I'll cut off your little dick, huh? You wanna cry like a little fuckin' girl, I'll fuckin' make you into a little girl. Or maybe I'll get my cigarettes again. You got such a pretty voice for screamin'.' "
Jack fell silent for a moment, before he finally looked up at Bobby. "Was a good boy. Did what they told me to do. Was a good boy," He whispered.
Bobby threw the door to the car open, opened the back door, and pulled Jackie out, barely taking time to undo his seatbelt. He wrapped his arms around the small boy in a tight hug, which Jack returned, tears still streaming down his face.
"Oh god, Jackie… That won't… Nothin'… Nobody's ever gonna do that again, you hear me?" Bobby said, his own voice rough with unshed tears. He sat down on the curb, his legs unable to hold him anymore.
Jack buried his head into Bobby's shoulder. He muttered something to himself that Bobby couldn't make out at first. But after a minute, he realized what he was saying.
"Was a good boy. Be good boy. Did what they said. Was a good boy. Do what they say. Was a good boy…"
He repeated the mantra over and over again, before Bobby pulled him off of his neck, and stood him up in front of him.
"Jack. Jack look at me," Bobby said softly.
Jack obeyed for a split second, barely catching Bobby's eye before staring down at the concrete again. "Jack, look at me," Bobby said more firmly. "What… what that guy did to you was wrong. You hear me? Fuckin' wrong. If I ever see him again, I'll kill him. Nobody should do that to you. Ever. You hear me? You're a good kid, Jack. You didn't deserve that. Nobody deserves that. You understand? Look at me, Jackie. What that guy did was wrong."
Jack buried his head further into Bobby's shoulder, and lapsed back into silence.
When Evelyn came out, that's how she found them. Bobby sitting on the curb, Jack's face buried into Bobby's chest.
"Bobby?" She asked worriedly.
Bobby shook his head as he stood, and handed her the car keys. He didn't say anything as he climbed into the passenger seat, still holding Jack with a death grip.
It was a silent ride home.
The silence didn't end when they entered the house. Evelyn shot Bobby a questioning look as he started up the stairs with Jack, but her oldest son simply shook his head, and continued upstairs.
He went straight into Jack's room, and sat down on the bed, Jack still clinging onto him for dear life. Bobby started to let his own tears fall, rocking back and forth slowly.
"It's gonna be ok, Jack. Nobody's ever gonna hurt you like that again. We're gonna deal with this. You, ma, me, and Angel and Jerry. We're gonna help you. We're gonna figure this all out."