AN/ Hi. So chapter 21 is done:)

Thank you so so much for all the wonderful reviews.

A few more things will be revealed in this chapter. I'll have to warn you though. It is a little bit darker...

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kickin' it

Chapter 21

Anger Fed by Fear

Jack spun around, looking fearfully at his father as I quickly flew up to a curtain rod nearby, where I would be out of reach for the scary man.

"I-I-I was just…" Jack stuttered nervously.

"Save it," Mr Brewer said, reaching past him to close the door. "I need to talk to you."

The man's face was like a rock and Jack hesitantly followed him to the kitchen, with me on his tail.

Mr Brewer sat down on a chair and I snuck into my usual hideout behind the toaster on the counter when he wasn't looking. From there I'd have a fairly good view over the room and its occupants.

"Take off your shoes, son. You're not going anywhere today."

"Yes, sir." Jack nodded, taking them off without protesting and went back to the hallway with them. When he returned, Mr Brewer had opened up a newspaper and was eyeing through the pages. Jack walked up to the counter, leaning slightly against it as he grabbed his elbow nervously.

After a moment of silence, Jack finally brought up the courage to speak.

"You said you wanted to talk to me?"

Mr Brewer looked up at him, with a smile that made Jack cringe.

"Yes," he said, putting away the newspaper. "How was school today?"

"Fine," Jack answered, while his father rose from the chair to approach him.

"And yesterday?"

"Fine, I guess…" Jack said, looking worriedly at the man who was right in front of him by now.

"Really?" Mr Brewer faked a smile.

SMACK!

The hand came so fast, I barely saw it before it connected with Jack's face, sending his head sideways and my heart almost stopped. The monster had been awakened.

Jack didn't make a sound and with a slightly trembling hand, he reached up to touch his now burning cheek, keeping his eyes on the floor. The smile on Mr Brewer's face was gone and he looked angry as can be.

"I can't believe you have the guts to stand here and LIE TO ME!" he growled, leaning in to try and look Jack in the eyes. Jack refused to show his face though, turning his head away. "Look at me," Mr Brewer demanded. Jack, still holding his hand over his cheek, didn't move. I fearfully watched as Mr Brewer, so mad by now that I could literally hear his teeth grinding, grabbed Jack by the arm, his fingers digging into it, before forcefully shaking him. "Look at me!"

Jack made a grimace of pain and annoyance, slowly turning his head to look at him. Just the sight of the man seemed to frighten him.

"Please, dad," he begged, cowering.

"Don't you think I know where you've been?!" Mr Brewer almost yelled at him, ignoring his pleads.

"Please," Jack tried again, looking into his father's eyes in a silent plea for mercy. It seemed to have the opposite effect though and Mr Brewer took a firm grip of Jack other arm too.

"I can't believe you were that stupid!" With his mind darkened by anger, the man practically threw Jack against the fridge. Jack let out a groan as the back of his head collided with the hard surface. Taking one glance at Mr Brewer, he quickly covered his face, holding up his arms in defence as a fist came flying, hitting him on the shoulder.

"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!" Mr Brewer yelled, his whole body shaking with emotions as he bored his eyes into the terrified teen. "All this time, I've tried so hard to help you, and you have the nerve to go behind my back like that!" he sent another punch. This time it hit the boy's side, making him bend over from the impact. Clutching his ribs, Jack panted, trying to catch his breath as much as he could before the next blow.

"Taken a trip down to the Brotherhood of the Fireguard, have we?"

"Please," Jack's voice was weak. "I didn't mean to-" he started, but was cut off.

"Who did you meet more than Mr Kingsley?"

Jack was too affected by the pain and fear to be able to answer his father quick enough and Mr Brewer lost his patience. His eyes showed anger, but as I looked closer I could see something resembling fear in them. Confused, I watched as he took a steady grip of the collar of Jack's shirt, forcing his back against the fridge once more. Jack winced in pain, his hands finding his father's, trying to wrench himself free from their grip.

"Who did you meet?!" Mr Brewer's eyes had started to water by now and for a moment it almost looked like he was about to cry. "WHO?!" he yelled, his face red.

Jack groaned as he was being slammed once again into the fridge. He looked up at Mr Brewer who seemed to prepare to give him yet another go.

"BERNARD! I met Bernard Dayton!" Jack exclaimed.

Mr Brewer stalled, still holding a firm grip of Jack while his mind processed the answer. He seemed relieved and for a moment it looked like he was about to let go. Jack finally had time to recover some and he said with a shaky voice;

"I met Bernard and Finnegan."

The sentence worked as a trigger for some reason and another flash of fear and anger glinted in Mr Brewer's eyes. Jack saw what was coming and he quickly covered his face protectively with his arms just before the man attacked him with his fists.

I was so upset and angry that I too had started to shake, watching hopelessly as my friend slowly was brought to the ground, his legs crumbling little by little for each punch he was given.

"Please, Stop!" he cried desperately and I felt my heart break. I hated to be so useless. Last time Mr Brewer had gone all crazy I'd been scared and shocked over the brutality. But now when being so close to the boy and thinking of him as my best friend, I experienced a whole new range of emotions and it was close to unbearable to watch.

"Tsip!" I chirped hopelessly. The sound reached Mr Brewer's ears, and he stopped, suddenly seeming to be aware of what he was doing.

Jack was lying in a heap on the floor, all curled up into a tight ball. He shook badly and his sharp breaths were the only thing to be heard in the otherwise silent kitchen. Mr Brewer was crouching next to him, having followed him down. He shot me a glance and I froze, fear taking over me, before he looked down at Jack again. Having taken it all out on the poor boy, his anger had started to fade and he now almost seemed to feel sorry for him.

He placed a hand carefully on Jack's head, making him flinch and hide his face in his sleeves. Mr Brewer sighed and started to stroke the brown waves of hair.

"Jackson," he said softly. "I've done everything that I can to…" he made a short break in search for the right words. "After everything that has happened… you're all I have left. I can't afford to lose you too, son."

I looked at the man in disbelief. Did he hear what he just said? If he was so afraid of losing Jack then maybe he should take better care of him! Or at least not abuse him!

Jack just laid unmoving, small noises of pain and hurt leaving his throat. Mr Brewer let out another sad sigh.

"I really wish things could be different -that you could be different. I mean, why did this have to happen to me…Why did I have to be cursed with a son like you…?"

I listened carefully. What the heck was he talking about?

"I've found it hard to accept and I've done everything that I can to protect you. But what do you do?" the man shook his head, clenching his jaw again. His strokes were getting harder as he spoke, his fingers wanting to wrap themselves around the soft locks.

"You disgrace me and jeopardize your own safety, you sad excuse for a son."

"I didn't mean to…" Jack whimpered, his father's words hurting him.

"Oh you always say that, and you know what? I don't believe you." His fingers entwined with the hair right by his temple, taking a steady hold of it. Jack tensed again.

"Please,"

"You're fully aware of what you're doing. You're trying to fool me, but it's not working anymore. Thanks to my fellow brothers, I've figured you out. I know who you are. I can see now."

Jack turned his head slightly, showing one side of his face. His teary eye focused on Mr Brewer with a mixture of pain and fear.

"What are you taking about?" he wondered confused.

"Oh, you know very well what I'm talking about. Don't act stupid."

"I'm not," Jack defended, not succeeding to hide the fear in his voice. That made Mr Brewer laugh. The sound of it wasn't cheerful or calming. It was cold and bitter, making chills run down my spine.

"You've been meddling with some dark stuff for far too long, not listening to my warnings, son."

"I-I-I don't know what you're talking about," Jack said again, looking his father in the eye. Another flash of anger made it to Mr Brewer's expression. His grip of Jack's hair tightened, pulling on it until he was sure it'd hurt. Jack squirmed.

"Don't you realize that there are people out there who want to hurt someone like you?!"

"You're the one HURTING ME!" Jack yelled, his eyes ready to flood any second. "Ever since we got here you've been acting all weird! Mum would never-"

Mr Brewer snapped and pinned Jack to the floor while lifting his head from the ground by the hair, just to slam it right back down again with a thud. Jack groaned in pain.

"DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT DANI, AFTER WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO HER!" He pressed Jack's head down hard against the floor, holding it there for a few seconds. The teen writhed, trying to get away from the iron grip that looked like it was about to crush his skull.

Just when I feared that Jack wouldn't be able to take more, Mr Brewer let go after having given his head one last squeeze. Jack instantly covered the place on his head where his hair had been pulled, with his hand. Mr Brewer stood up, looking down at the pitiful sight, his eyes empty.

"I can't believe that I sacrificed so much for you… all in vain." he whispered. "If they come now, I'm afraid I can't stop them."

Swinging his leg, he forced his foot into Jack's stomach as if he hadn't hurt him enough already. Jack moaned, quickly moving his hands from his head, to clutch his tummy. His eyes were closed as his whole face was contorted into a grimace of pain.

"I expect you to get to you room." Mr Brewer looked up at me, giving me an ice cold glare, which made me cower. "And that devil-bird of yours is out. Understood?" he looked back down at the boy, who remained silent. When receiving no answer, he placed a foot on Jack's shoulder, shaking him. Jack flinched, still keeping his eyes closed. "You hear me?"

"Yes," Jack nodded his head very carefully, the movement hurting. Mr Brewer nodded and walked back to the table to continue to read the newspaper.

When he was sure his father wouldn't pound him again, Jack opened his eyes that were so watery that I doubted that he could see much at all. Trembling, he started to move and I quickly flew down to him.

Even though he tried his best not to show it, pain was written all over his face, making me feel sick. Again I had managed to hurt him. If I hadn't asked him to take me to the Brotherhood, this would never have happened.

Jack's cheek was swollen again and he breathed heavily. Slowly and very carefully he picked himself up with every muscle in his body shaking and a moan leaving his lips every now and then until he finally was up on his feet.

"Oh, don't make such fuzz." Mr Brewer said annoyed, not caring to even look up from the newspaper. Jack placed a hand on his stomach, his gaze falling to the floor and his jaw twitching as if he was about to break down any moment. I moved a little trying to catch his attention, but he seemed to look right through me before he closed his eyes. The tears spilled over immediately and he quickly turned, walking away as fast as he possibly could with his bruised body.

I carefully sneaked out of the kitchen, making sure that Mr Brewer wouldn't notice that I was following Jack. He was suspicious about me as it was already.

As I got out from the room and could use my ability to fly again, Jack had already made it upstairs. Quickly flying to the second floor, I entered his room just to find it empty. I looked around worriedly, wondering where he could be. The bathroom door was opened and after a quick peek through it I had to face the fact that he wasn't there either.

I flew out of his room again, looking around the hallway. I was sure he'd gone up the stairs.

A quiet soft sound of someone sobbing suddenly reached my ears and I froze, already knowing who it was. Glancing down the hallway, I noticed the door to Mrs Brewer was slightly opened and it was from over there, the sounds came from. I swiftly sneaked in, not really knowing what to expect on the other side.

Jack was to my relief there. He'd climbed up in bed next to his mother, having lifted her right arm up and around himself, it looked as if she were holding him. His whole face was buried in her chest and his arm desperately clung to her waist as he let the tears fall freely.

The woman was looking out in the room, her eyes finding me as I took a seat down by the foot-end of the bed. There were no emotions in her expression and she didn't seem to pay much attention to the boy hugging her. Jack's sobs echoed in the otherwise silent room, making me feel even worse. His shoulders were shaking and he occasionally would let a noise of true agony slip out, while tightening his grip around her.

It was heartbreaking to watch him cling to her like that, desperately needing the comfort and love that she was unable to give him.

"Tsip," I tweeted softly, and flew over to him, sitting down on Danielle's chest right next to his head. The woman smiled and jerked uncontrollably, as I did. Jack seemed to be reminded of her sick state and squeezed her tight, probably wishing more than anything that she would hug him back.

I took a strand of his hair and pulled on it carefully. His first reaction was to burry his face even deeper though and I had to tug repeatedly on the hair to get him to look up. Turning his head slightly, he revealed his face, his cheek still resting against his mother's chest. The tears that kept falling made his skin gleam and he gave me one of the saddest and most hopeless glances I'd ever received. I swallowed hard.

"I'm sorry, Bucky," he sniffled. "I can't leave the house."

I nodded understandingly. There was no need for him to explain and there was certainly no need for him to apologize. I didn't hold anything against him.

I couldn't ask him to risk more for me, although I can't deny that I wasn't worry. If we couldn't get to Claire tonight, then what would happen?

I pushed all the scary thoughts away, the utterly upset teenager in front of me concerning me more.

He closed his eyes, his face contorting as he sobbed again. I moved forward, not being able to just stand there and watch him any longer. Placing my forehead, right between his eyebrows, I stretched my wing and covered his eye, some of his tears dampening my feathers.

If only I were big enough to really hold him. Jack appreciated my comfort though and seemed to calm down. His breathing started to get back to normal and his expression eventually got more peaceful.

"It hurts," he said quietly, still keeping his eyes closed.

I looked down to my left, seeing another tear escape his eye and I quickly, but gently wiped it away with my wing. Sniffling loudly, he reached up and cupped his hand around me. The thought about just giving up on everything hit me. Maybe I should let it all go. I could stay a bird, living with Jack…

I wanted to become a human, but if he had to sacrifice more for me, I wasn't sure that it was worth it any longer.

"Do you think I'm a bad person?" Jack's question snapped me back from my thoughts. He was looking at me and I leaned away from him so that he could see me better. There was worry and uncertainty in his expression as if he expected me to answer 'yes' on that question.

I shook my head of course. Jack was probably the kindest, bravest and not to mention most loyal friend I'd ever had. He was definitely not a bad person, although it seemed like the entire world failed to see that.

He wiped a few tears away, before placing his hand over my back again.

"I try not to be, I really do. But it never seems to be enough. Dad's always unpleased with me…" he almost whispered, afraid that Mr Brewer would somehow hear him from down stairs.

"I've never tried to do anything to harm him or mum. I didn't mean anything when I went to the headquarters with you. I just tried to help. How can that be so bad?

"I don't understand… all I get is the message that he hates me..."

Jack's eyes were staring at nothing, tears filling them once more and for a moment I thought that he would start crying again. He sure was close, but he seemed to do everything that he could to hold it together. With a deep sigh he closed his eyes and snuggled his face into the woman's chest.

I thought about what he'd just said. Mr Brewer sure could be a monster and at the first sight he would look like any other abusive and hateful father. I had thought of him as nothing more than a scumbag ever since that day in his office. However after what had just happened in the kitchen, the scene playing over and over in my head as Mr Brewer's voice echoed, I knew there was a lot more to it than what first met the eye.

Unlike Jack I didn't believe that his father hated him. On the contrary he probably loved and cared for Jack more than anyone else. I had seen that in his eyes. And I must've been a fool to claim this; but I didn't think that Mr Brewer was a violent or brutal person. Not really anyway…

After all, he never beat Jack when he was little. And he didn't start when Danielle got sick, which was a life-turning and traumatic experience for the whole family that could've ended in Mr Brewer losing it. But no, the beatings started after they moved here.

Seaford was the key. And I bet anything the Brotherhood and the legend had something to do with it.

There sure had been a reason behind Mr Brewer beating Jack, and it was not to discipline him…

I looked at my friend, swearing that I would do everything within my power to help him.

The boy seemed to have fallen asleep or at least was trying to. His face looked peaceful and hadn't it been for that slight wrinkle between his eyebrows, you couldn't have told that he was in pain.

Just watching him for a moment, it occurred to me how beautiful he really was. He had somehow gone from good looking to stunning over the past week.

Shooting a glance down at his mouth, I couldn't help but I imagined what it would be like to kiss him.

A bunch of butterflies made it to my stomach and I suddenly became very aware of how close we were. His hand was still wrapped around me, making sure that I'd stay with him, and I could feel his warm breath lightly touching my feathers. Smiling, I finally admitted to myself that I was falling for him, and I was falling for him hard…

Hope that wasn't too bad... Things are starting to get more serious and the next chapter will have something that I know many of you have been waiting for...

Thank you for reading and please don't forget to review.

/MJ