"Blood On The Ground" – Part 4
Summary and additional notes in part 1.
Author's Note: As promised, here's the 2nd update. Trigger warning for this chapter.
Rating: M (for violence, language, and dark themes)
Disclaimer: Do NOT own Degrassi!
4-
Friday night was exceedingly boring. His parents had taken away his internet and phone privileges. He passed the time in his room brooding about the events of today and his fall from grace. Yesterday afternoon he was hooking up with Fiona in his room. Now she was angry with him, he wasn't allowed visitors, and sleep wouldn't come. He couldn't shut off his mind.
The next morning he dragged himself out of bed. He had little to look forward to, but the thought of cereal was quite appetizing. When he got to the kitchen he found his mother and father sitting at the table. 'Great,' he thought.
He mumbled good morning and headed straight for the pantry.
"Adam, can you come here?" his mother asked.
His hand paused on the box of Banana Nut Crunch. "Sure." Resigned to his fate, he solemnly walked to the table and sat down. He noticed his phone was on the table.
"You can have that back," his stepfather said, answering his unspoken question. "Just stay out of trouble."
Adam was startled by their change of heart. "I will," he promised them.
"Maybe we overreacted yesterday, but we just want to keep you safe," his mother explained. "I don't care what is said, from now on you walk away," she added sternly.
Adam nodded.
-oOo-
It was easier said than done. In the afternoon he had gone to the Dot with Eli. They had been there for about an hour before they spotted Owen outside.
"Just ignore him," Eli warned.
"I will," Adam barked defensively. He wasn't stupid. He wasn't going to look for trouble.
Unfortunately trouble had found him. After finishing their meal the two boys split up. Adam went outside to get some air. Eli stayed behind to pay the bill. When he finished Eli noticed his friend was nowhere to be seen. He waited inside for another ten minutes before he deduced that something was wrong. It wasn't like Adam to disappear and not leave a note, or text, or something.
Eli went outside and looked around. It was a fairly cold day so there were few people hanging around. He fished his cell phone out of his pocket to make another call. It went to voicemail.
"Adam, where the hell are you? Did you head home or what? Call me back!" He closed his phone more frustrated than ever. Suddenly he noticed some sounds coming from the alley. The shuffling of feet. A snicker of laughter. A frightened voice pleading, "Don't!"
Eli took off running as fast as his legs would take him. He sped down the alley and turned the corner. His eyes took in the sight before him. There were two guys laughing as they held up someone clearly in distress. A guy was standing before them with a video camera, also laughing as if this was the funniest thing in the world. He recognized him as Owen. His stomach lurched when he realized the person in distress was Adam. Eli held back the rising bile in his throat when he noticed they were pulling at his pants.
"HEY!" Eli yelled loudly and continued running towards them.
They all turned around startled. The two guys released Adam and took off running in the opposite direction. Adam slumped against the wall.
"This doesn't concern you!" Owen yelled back, annoyed that his revenge on Torres had been interrupted. Adam took advantage of his distraction and kneed him in the groin. The older boy fell to the ground and held his crotch.
Eli's eyes widened as he watched Adam kick him in the face. Whatever control the younger boy once had was gone as he continued to wail on him, repeatedly kicking the bully in the face and chest.
When he finally reached them he grabbed Adam from behind. "Stop it! You have to stop it!"
Adam's eyes were wild and frenzied. "No!"
Eli pulled him back and threw him against the wall. "I mean it, Adam!" he yelled.
Adam blinked. The desperation in Eli's voice registered with him. He looked down at Owen. His face was bloody and he wasn't sure if he was still conscious.
Eli looked at Adam hard. He loosened his grip on his shoulders once he felt the fight leave the Adam's body. He studied his friend. Adam looked way worse up close. His hair was a mess, his clothes were disheveled, his cheek was bleeding and a bruise was forming on his right eye. He seemed to be in pain just standing upright. "What happened Adam?"
At the sound of his voice Adam's eyes snapped back to Eli's. "I got jumped."
Eli looked back at Owen. "What was he doing with the video camera?"
Adam shrugged.
Suddenly they heard sirens.
"We have to get out of here!" Eli said urgently. Adam had been attacked but they were the last two standing. He didn't want to risk getting arrested.
Adam nodded and followed Eli out. After several feet Adam abruptly stopped and rested against the wall.
"Can you run?" Eli asked concerned. Perhaps he was more hurt than he let on.
"I'm fine. I just need a minute," he lied. His head was throbbing and it felt like his whole body hurt, especially his ribs.
"Let me help," Eli offered. He grabbed Adam's arm and placed it around his shoulders.
-oOo-
"Why were they pulling at your pants?" Eli finally asked.
He and Adam were at the hospital. His parents were going to be here any minute, so Eli figured it was now or never. As predicted Adam clammed up.
"What were they planning?" Eli pressed.
Adam sighed heavily. Wasn't turning his head away from him a clear indication that he didn't want to discuss this? He didn't even want to think about this. "It was nothing!" he insisted.
"Adam," Eli started. He didn't believe that for a second. Owen was filming them with a sadistic smile. It had creeped the hell out of him.
"They wanted to humiliate me, alright?" Adam snapped. "Is that what you want to hear?" Owen's words still echoed in his ears, 'You might dress like a guy, but let's show the world that there's really nothing there!'
Before Eli could respond Mr. and Mrs. Torres burst into the room. She was already crying. Adam's stepfather looked stoic yet upset. Eli backed away, feeling like an intruder in a family gathering.
.
tbc