Chapter 16

Jackson squinted as a harsh light invaded his delicate head. Ed loomed over him and smiled. "How you doing Jackson?" he asked as he ripped the tape from around Jackson's mouth. Jackson gasped for air and stared at Ed "How do you think I'm doing?"

"Ah you'll be alright. I'm not gonna hurt you. Yet. I'll leave that to Aaron I think."

"What? If you hurt him..."

"Me? Hurt Aaron? Coming from the bloke who ripped his heart out and stamped on it several times?"

"At least I didn't fucking rape him!"

"I wonder if he even notices that you've gone. He didn't seem too fazed earlier. See, I got bored in the B&B and decided to take a little walk around the village. Came across the garage and saw Aaron locking lips with that Cameron bloke."

"No.. You're lying. Aaron wouldn't do that to me."

"He did it to me. with Adam. That's why I had to get rid of him. and now... He's done it to me again with you. and Cameron. Bit of a slut isn't he?"

"Aaron would never take you back! He hates you for what you did!"

"Maybe. But if I can't have him, no-one else can either. Now, try to get some sleep, and don't worry about Aaron. He'll be just fine."

"Where am I Ed? At least tell me that. I mean I can't exactly go anywhere can I?"

"You're in the last place anyone would think of looking. Give it a few weeks and you'll be a distant memory to Aaron and we'll be back together, just how we should be. Now, get some rest. We might be going out tomorrow."

"Ed, please. Look if you let me go I won't go anywhere near Aaron. I'll leave him, I swear."

"You think I was born yesterday Walsh? How stupid do you think I am? I let you go and you go running to Aaron and you both go into hiding. I told you already, If I can't have Aaron, You can't either." Ed smiled, replacing the gag on Jackson's mouth and plunging him into darkness again.

eeeeee

Aaron re-read the text for the tenth time, cursing under his breath at how stupid he had been. He grabbed his hoodie from the bed and stomped down the stairs.

"Oh Aaron there you are. Something arrived for you today." Chas smiled as she entered the back room

"What do you mean?"

"Go look in the kitchen lad."

Aaron frowned at his mother but went into the kitchen anyway and his heart stopped as a bouquet of roses were sitting in the centre of the table. Chas stood behind him smiling.

"He's obviously missing you kid. There was a card with them too. Jackson's gone romance mad."

Aaron smiled awkwardly and picked up the card: "Aaron, Just because I love you. xxx"

Aaron shook his head and placed the card back down "When did these get here Mum?"

"About an hour after you left for work this morning, why?"

"Oh. Well I guess I won't be getting anything like this again."

"You're speaking in riddles kid what's wrong?"

"I've messed up mum, Really bad. He hates me."

"Why?"

"He saw me in the garage this afternoon...Well, I got a text anyway." Aaron swallowed hard as he fought back the tears and showed his Mum the text from Jackson.

Chas mouth fell open and she stared at her son "What have you done Aaron?"

"I... I kissed Cameron.."

"You did what? Aaron! He's Debbie's boyfriend!"

"Yeah I know, alright? I know! It's just..He's been so amazing through this whole Ed thing and me losing Adam...I wasn't totally to blame though Mum you've gotta believe me!"

"Aaron you've done some bad things in your time..."

"Oh don't lecture me about that alright! At least I keep it in my trousers unlike you!"

Aaron's cheek burned as he felt the harsh contact of his mother's slap. He held his hand up to his cheek and stared at her, tears filling his eyes. "I deserved that..." he whispered before he disappeared from the room, leaving Chas in tears.

eeeeeee

Aaron slammed the car door shut as he arrived outside Jackson's flat. Jackson was still ignoring his texts and his calls. He sighed and walked to the door, banging on it loudly. "Jackson! Come on I know you are in there. I just wanna talk to you. Open the door! Jackson!"

The sound of a window opening from a nearby house distracted Aaron and an oldish man popped his head out. "Do you mind? You'll wake up the whole street!"

"Sorry.. Look you don't know if Jackson Walsh is in at all? Have you seen him recently?"

"Jackson..No, Can't say I have. To be honest he hasn't moved his van for days either. Maybe he's gone away?"

"No, he wouldn't leave without his van. Look if you do see him anywhere can you tell him Aaron needs to see him?"

"I'm not an answering machine boy."

"Please? It's really important. I wouldn't ask you otherwise but I can't get through to him on his phone either.."

The neighbour sighed and nodded. "Very well. I'll keep my eye out for him."

"Thanks" Aaron smiled and turned away, walking back to his car. He felt a cold hand grab his shoulder from behind, Aaron instantly pulled away and lashed out, swinging his fist and connecting with something hard, he turned around ready to deliver another blow and saw Cain lying on the floor, clutching his nose...

TBC