Based off of the short story: We Don't Talk About Sarah

Warning: kidnapping, child-abuse, Arthur whumpage

Seven reviews instead of five thank you guys so much! Longer chapter this time. So many questions...

We Don't Talk About Uncle Francis

Chapter 5: Why Don't You Answer Me?

Alfred: 11 ~~ Matthew: 11 ~~ Arthur: 11

Point of View: Alfred

My mouth opened wide in a yawn while I rubbed at my eyes with the back of my hands pushing my glasses up my nose in the process.

"Didn't you sleep well, Alfred?" my uncle asked smiling as he set the plate of pancakes down in front of me.

I quickly drowned them in syrup and butter. "Nah, I'm just a bit sleepy." I answered shoving a pancake into my awaiting mouth.

"Don't talk with your mouth full." I just barely heard Arthur mutter next to me.

I stared at him out of the corner of my eyes. I could still see the shiny remains of the tear tracks from his eyes and running down his nose. Of course I hadn't slept well last night; how could I of? I had for about an hour or so until I woke up to the sound of sobbing. What's a hero supposed to do in that situation? So –despite the consequences that might arise- flipped over tossing my arm over the smaller boy's torso and pulling him towards the center of the bed, closer to me.

"Arthur." I didn't know what I was going to say, but my mouth did apparently. "If… if you ever need any help –with anything- just yell. I'm the hero. It's my job to protect everyone."

Another pancake was shoved into my mouth. I hadn't been able to sleep after that. I had gotten him to calm down but my mind had only just sped up. I had more than my usual million questions, and these one required answers.

"We're going out shopping for school clothes today." Francis' voice tore me away from the young Brit, who was busy poking at his food in disinterest. "Arthur can house sit for the day, won't that be nice?"

"Doesn't he have to get school clothes too?" Mattie asked making sure to swallow his pancakes first.

Uncle shook his head. "Arthur is going to be homeschooled. I'll make sure he learns everything he needs to."

Arthur choked on his food. I gently hit his back was he coughed and sputtered. He nodded at the 'are you alright?'s he got from me and Matt.

"Why don't you and Matthew get ready to go? We'll clean up down here."

I hesitantly nodded and headed upstairs, my brother not far behind. I hadn't gotten to say goodbye to my new friend before we left. I could tell the frequent questions were getting on Francis' nerves by the end of it.

Beginning in the car ride.

"Where's Arthur?"

"He's at home."

"No, I mean where was he when we left?"

Francis shrugged. "Around."

"Why is he staying with us?"

"Would you like him to leave?"

"No, Uncle Francis."

"How long is he staying with us?"

"I don't know, Alfred."

And continuing in the mall.

"Why is he so skittish?"

"That's a very big word for you, Alfred, I'm proud of you."

"Will he be alright at home alone for so long?"

"Hurry up, there's a sale."

"Is he from Britain?"

"Ask him yourself."

And it didn't stop until we parked in the driveway.

"Can Arthur stay in my room again?"

"If it will get you to stop talking."

I made for the door but was stopped. "Take your new clothes into the laundry room and cut the tags off for me. You as well, Matthew."

I had waited until I was sure that uncle couldn't hear us before turning to Matt. "I think something's wrong." I confessed.

He gave me a confused look. "People don't just show up at other peoples' houses and stay there, Matt. We don't know anything about the connection between uncle and him."

"Alfred F. Jones!" Matt squeaked, "Just what are you saying?"

I cut off a tag quickly. "I don't know, Matt, I really don't." I shook my head, "Am I just over thinking things?"

Matt nodded quickly. "Of all the times you choose to over think something."

We laughed and quickly changed the topic. We were almost done with remove the tags when I heard a soft call.

"A-Alfred?"

I perked up instantly. I had been anxious about getting back throughout the trip, and it only increased when I hadn't seen Arthur when I walked in the house.

"Hey Art- what happened?" my eyes widened seeing the blood around his wrists.

I grabbed him gently and rushed into the upstairs bathroom. I pulled his wrists under the faucet and turned the water up all the way. He gasped in pain and tried to pull away from the stinging sensation but I kept his wrists locked in place.

"Geeze, what happened?" I asked watching the red liquid flow down the drain.

He shook his head. "I don't know, I don't remember." He cried frantically.

I waited until the red had died down into a dull pink. Arthur's wrists had grown numb from the cold water helping to ease the stinging pain they had begun with. I let go of his arms slowly, as if he would flee as soon as he had the chance, and rummaged through the cabinets to find a roll of bandages. Carefully, I wrapped both wrists and tied off the bandages.

"Hey," I grabbed his chin forcing him to look me in the eye, "What happened isn't important at the moment, we can figure that out later. Are you alright?"

I was surprised when he wrapped his arms around my midsection and shook his head. "I just want to go to sleep and end this day. Get something to eat and go to bed. That's all I need right now."

I nodded; it had been a long day.

"And um… could you possibly stay with me? I don't want to be alone at the moment." He added in a softer voice that forced me to strain my hearing.

"Sure, I can do that."

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