Chapter 4

Jack woke up to a soft knocking on his door. He sat up and braced himself, expecting the door to be kicked down.

"Jack," Said the soft voice of Evelyn Mercer, "dinner is ready. If you're hungry go ahead and come on down."

Jack waited to hear her retreating footsteps before he relaxed. That was the best sleep he'd had in a long time. It was already dark out and it was a little after noon when he went to bed. No one had entered his room and tried to hurt him…in any way. Jack thought about taking a chance and going downstairs to join the rest. It was a risky move but he was starving he hadn't eaten in over a day and a half. Jack decided to get up and unlock his door so he could go eat. He made sure to be very silent when he went down the stairs and in to the kitchen.

"Oh, Jack. Here I have a seat and plate all ready for you."

"Thanks." Jack said almost inaudible and staring at the ground.

He took the empty set seat next to Jerry, tensing up slightly from being so close to a potential threat. Bobby noticed this and decided to open his mouth. "You know Jerry isn't gonna hurt'cha kid." He received a look from everyone at the table except Jack. Jack didn't even hear Bobby. Right now he was wondering if the food had been drugged or poisoned. He'd had that happen at homes. They would drug him so they didn't have to deal with him or take responsibility of anything that happened to him while he was knocked out from the drugs.

"Kid you okay?" Jerry asked in a concerned voice. When Jack didn't reply back Jerry put a gentle hand on his shoulder that sent Jack flying out of his chair so fast that he tripped over his chair and landed butt first on the ground. He was hyperventilating and tears were streaming down his face. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" He repeated over and over again, terror clouding his face.

Evelyn got up quickly and rushed to his side, but making sure not to touch him. Bobby and the other boys were standing now, all deeply concerned.

"Jackie, are you okay? Did you hurt your anything?" Evelyn asked looking him over. "Honey calm down, it's okay; Jerry just wanted to see if you were okay." Jacks breathing began to steady and as he calmed he felt the pain from his recent fall set in and he felt at his neck that was hidden by the puffy hood on his hoodie. When his fingertips brushed it even slightly he writher in pain and let out a whimper that immediately alerted Evelyn.

"Jack, I need to see your neck and other injuries. It's been to long since they've been treated. Can you remove your hoodie?" Jack looked at her with untrusting eyes but he gave in to the pain.

"Okay, Bobby and Angel are going to help you into the living room where you can sit on the couch. I'm going to get the medical supplies, is that okay?" Jack nodded not even caring anymore. He couldn't possibly be in anymore pain than he was now.

"Common kid." Bobby said grabbing him by the arm, forgetting Jack's fragile condition. He was quickly reminded when a sharp hiss escaped the kid's lips. "Shit, sorry man."

They continued, and helped Jack to the living room, holding him up as he buckled when the ache in his torso took over. "You need help taking off your hoodie." Jerry asked as Bobby and Angel sat Jack on the couch. A panicked look filled Jack's eyes. "Okay, I'm sorry, I wasn't gonna touch you or anything. Just, if you need help ask."

Jack tried desperately to get it off by himself but he felt someone come close to him and take it off for him. Jack jumped and whimpered, but from fear of being hurt or touched rather than being in pain.

Bobby was begging to get fed up with this 'I'm scarred of everything' shit. "Look man I'm not going to hurt you! See just helping with your hoodie 'cause you couldn't get it off yourself!"

"Oh Jesus Christ!" Angel said in awe. The boys all stared at Jack's neck. It had started bleeding through the gauze and bandage. Bobby figured it was because the cream stuff you have to put on shit like that had worn off and wasn't keeping the wound shut.

Evelyn ran into the room with her emergency super medic kit that contained Jack's medicine as well as other things. "Here Jackie, do you wanna take some more pain relievers?" She handed him the bottle and package again so he could see they were safe. Jack looked them over just as thoroughly as the last time and decided they were safe popping in two. "Bobby is going to unwrap you old bandages for me so I can get the new one ready." Jack didn't like the idea but complied anyway. He help his breathe unknowingly until the bandage was removed. Blood tan down his neck, but Evelyn caught it before it hit his shirt. She proceeded to clean it with the peroxide alcohol, but it caused Jack immense pain and he tried to get up and turn which was making his neck bleed worse.

"Bobby keep him still." Evelyn said calmly.

Bobby did as his mother said and lifted Jack on to his lap and held his arms crossed in front of chest. It only made Jack hurt worse and he REALLY didn't like being on Bobby's lap.

"Jerry please hold his head to the side so I can clean it."

Jerry did so trying not to get in Evelyn or Bobby's way. Jack was screaming and tears streamed down his face. This house had been one accident after another. None of the pain seemed intentional but it hurt so bad.

"All done Jack." Evelyn said to him as he gasped for air. He was having an anxiety attack. Not as bad as the one he had when he first came to the house but still it caused worry. Bobby and Jerry released Jack watching him as he fell from the couch on to his hands and knees. "You're neck is fine now Jack we won't have to re-bandage if for awhile and your other injuries aren't in need right now so we can wait to look after them. Is the medication helping?"

Jack's breathing regulated, but tears still tore from his pained eyes. This pain was different from the physical kind though. It ripped at the Mercer's hearts. Jack was obviously lost in his own thoughts, not hearing anything else.

"I-I-I didn't do anything w-r-rong." Jack whispered lost in himself.

Evelyn kneeled down with Jack and took his face gently in her hands and ignored the flinch he gave. "I know you did absolutely nothing wrong. You're safe, nothing bad will happen to you here, I promise." Evelyn enveloped Jack's shaking body into soft hug, making sure not to hurt him further. He grew stiff at first, but then relaxed and just let himself cry in her embrace. The boys left the house so that Ma could deal with him without him looking over his shoulder the whole time worried about what they were doing.

"Jack do you wanna go back upstairs in to your room?" Evelyn asked in a smooth whisper. He shook his head 'no' still crying. What if I stay in the room with you while you sleep? Would that be okay?" Jack considered it and nodded yes. He was helped to his feet and she held his frail body around the waist as they went up the stairs together.

Evelyn tucked Jack in to bed and sat on edge of the bed, brushing her hand through his tussled hair as he cried himself to sleep. She looked at the boy in front of her and felt her own tears push their way through her eyes.

"Is he okay?" Bobby asked suddenly standing behind her.

"Far from it. Poor kid is a mess. He's asleep though and that's good. John told me he was very sleep depraved and would need tons of rest." She let out a saddened sigh. "I should probably go threw his file and see why he acts the way he does. Poor kid, I wish I could do more."

"You're doing plenty Ma. I think he trusts you now. At least more than he trusts anyone else that is." Bobby reassured her.

They both sat the next hour in silence watching the boy sleep. Just as they were about to leave…

TO BE CONTINUED!!!