CHAPTER 47. LOST BOYS
"Why are we going this way! This is the long way you idiot." The Irish accent was almost that much more pronounced when James was angry.
"Because I said." Sebastian snapped staying close to the tall trees of the park, over his shoulder he could hear a boy's shouts, he eyed James quickly but the boy hadn't noticed the scene unfolding just over their shoulders to the left, of course James wouldn't notice it wasn't interesting. The young eight year old only paid attention to interesting things. Sometimes he took them apart, picked a person clean of their secrets viciously with words too big for a boy his age, anything else he dissected to see just what made it tick or work, animal or alarm clock.
"I'm bored Sebby!" the whine again from the young man tugging to free his arm.
"Yeah well did you really have to burn down that old ladies shed?"
"I didn't burn it down I only suggested to young Arthur that I knew where a gas can and matches could be found. Also how to create a stronger flame and thus a brighter light show, of course the dog being locked inside was a perk."
"You knew he was a firebug-"
"Well that isnt my problem. And besides that old lady had it coming her dog did bite you."
"I don't need you doing that James."
"Don't you? Besides you're no use to me if you had an infection or were sent away. Why aren't we going to the park? I had an experiment I wanted to try with some of the ducks."
"Right, poison again? No James you are going to mess up and poison yourself one of these days. Now give it to me." The older boy demanded stopping once more but keeping a firm hold on the dark haired boys arm, he held his free hand out.
"No." the younger boy pulled his arm free, crossing his thin arms over the bony chest. His white t-shirt remarkably clean despite the growing flames and ash of the flaming shed. To Sebastian's chagrin, he had found James smiling wickedly too close to the inferno for comfort. "And don't touch me."
"James dammit. Fine, let's just go." Sebastian went to grab for James's arm again.
Sebastian didn't want to tell the younger kid the reason for taking another route was that he didn't feel like witnessing someone beating the crap out of their own kid, or maybe the guy was one of those kidnapper types they warn you about in school.
All he would need was for James to be on some weirdo's radar. He wanted to shield the younger boy from that violence, that and it made Sebastian's stomach churn, he thought of his own father. Who ever those two boys were it wasn't going to be a good day.
"Sebbs you don't worry about me. Worry about yourself. Being squeamish gets you no where. Besides it's not like I haven't seen it before."
"I aint squeamish." The blond bristled, he hated to think that a younger James had lived through something worse. The younger boy had made that statement so casually without any trace of feeling.
"I'm not, I'm not squeamsh. And stop thinking so loudly. Like I said you shouldn't worry about me."
"Whatever. Stop correcting me! You wonder why the others cant help but pound on you, it's cause your smart ass mouth." The dark haired boy didn't back down he only tried to stand taller and meet the blonds frustrated glare.
"I know why they try to kick the shit out of me and as I said before I don't care! I can take care of myself. I don't need you. I don't need anyone. I only keep you around because you're useful. And even then I question my choice." James's eyes danced with rage, his whole little body trembled. "You're an idiot Sebastian a great big idiot and I hate you!" the younger boy turned to run away but Sebastian had longer arms and a good reach, he caught the kid by his collar.
"Yeah yeah. Come on stop having your damn tantrum I'll stop at the corner store and nick you a soda." Sebastian knew giving in wasn't the best reaction but he hated to see James upset like that. Who knows what the kid would get up to, when he fell into a dark mood.
"And some sweets?" Sebbs looked down now at the dark pleading eyes. It never ceased to amaze him how James went from enraged to compliant and cheerful. The kid had mental issues, and for some odd reason Sebastian had a bad feeling they would only get worse.
He thought back to that blond that Watson kid, the one sitting with the posh looking brat at the picnic table. Carl said Watson was supposed to have been like them, in a boys home. The lucky little bastard got himself a scholarship.
Looked like he got to be fed three square meals a day and it kept him out of reach of his drunkard father, well not today, Sebastian smiled briefly then cringed at his own coldness.
Some of the boys hated the Watson kid, hated him for getting to live better. Sebbs looked in front of him to the now skipping dark haired James. He could use a scholarship, get away from the violence and eventuality of aging out of the boys homes. If James could get away he might have a better life he was smart after all, smarter than that wanker Hill who ran the boys Home.
James was smaller than the other boys, Sebbs was a little above average for his age so some of the other boys just as hardened as himself kept their distance. All except Carl, but Sebb had given him something to think about last time he tried anything.
He didn't know James's story in turn James didn't ask his. They had been together at their first home after Sebbs father went to prison, James was brought in bruised and angry the same night Sebb was introduced to his first boys home.
That first night the Irish boy's eyes had darted around his body tense like a scared animal waiting for attack, he refused to talk to anyone. He bit the woman who ran the boys Home on the hand, when she tried to get James to come out from under the table James hid himself under.
It was Sebastian who slid under the kitchen table to join the boy offering him a candy bar he'd stolen from a sweets shop. The young skinny kid with the messy dark hair and piercing eyes snatched it away.
It wasn't James's odd behavior that made Sebb attach to the boy it was the fact he looked so much like Davy. Sebbs's younger brother. He'd failed to keep Davy safe from Dad, and for some reason seeing the small dark haired Irish boy being shoved around by the older kids had triggered something in him. Since then the two have been inseparable, although James did treat him like a servant instead of as a friend.
Sebb knew nightmares haunted the younger boys sleep, and would find James curled up next to him in his small bed. James had been four back then, and Sebastian remembering his little brother Davy used to hide from Dad in Sebbs room, so on those nights Davy would climb into bed with his big brother accepting the warmth and extra blanket, Sebbs would do the same for James.
None of the other boys dared say anything, for all they knew the two were half brothers. This was backed up by the fact that anytime they were moved from one home to another, the social worker made sure not to separate the boys.
James always acted out upon separation, the first time had led to one of the older boys being stabbed with a pencil, another time the house nearly burnt to the ground and though no one could prove it was James's fault, one of Jame's roomates attempted suicide almost successfully.
When the young Irish boy, finally found himself reunited with Sebastian, the social workers discovered just how much less of a pain in the ass the troubled boy with the dark hair and angel's face really was.
"Yes and some sweets. Then we are getting back to the Haven Home before anyone knows we were gone."
"Sebbs those idiots never notice anything unless it threatens their funding. Leave the alibi to me. And you will need more plasters for your ankle."
"You know I wouldn't have gotten bit if you would have staid out of that old woman's locked shed."
"It was locked I wanted to see why. It was all so dull anyway."
"Hey Sebastian. I was looking for you." Sebastian didn't return the wave to Carl.
"Ugh, it's that idiot." James frowned. "Fuck off Carl we're busy!"
"Oh Jimmy boy why don't you go away and get your nap in have Hill change your nappy while he's at it."
"Don't call me Jimmy! Carlie! Where's your precious Artie and your girlfriend Travis? They go off on their own without you? Cant blame him you are rather boring."
"You little foul mouthed-" Sebastian took a threatening step forward.
"Fuck off Carl. Like James said we're busy."
"I was going to the pool wanted to see if you were going to come but I can see you're stuck on babysitting the little freak!"
"Why so your brother can steal Sebb's trainers again. Sebb nicked those fair and square from that shop, Arthur was to chicken to, then he goes and steals them from Sebbs, just shameful." Jame's eyes danced with malice.
"Artie did no such-" Carl looked from the blond to the pale little brat hiding behind Sebb's leg.
"What?" Sebastian's eyes narrowed on Carl.
"Oh, I guess it slipped my mind to tell you Sebbs. After all you did go to the pool without me last week serves you right." James shrugged.
"James damit." Sebastian shook his head.
"Well, I did warn you. And it turned out fine you managed to pick a lock and steal someone's unprotected trainers." James shrugged innocently his angelic face open and vulnerable. Sebastian's one weakness, and James used it to his advantage. Just as quickly that angelic face twisted into a dark scowl turning to the bigger boy. "Better to be a freak then a bed wetting idiot."
Carl growled angrily, Sebastian shoved the bigger kid forcefully.
"Back off Powers!" Sebastian warned.
"He aint right! You know it! That kid's mental! Cut em loose Sebastian he'll only bring you down." Carl sneered at the grinning brown eyed boy. "And you you little freak Sebby here wont always be there for you. One of these days he'll be sent away and you'll be stuck with us. Alone. " Sebastian didn't let Carl continue before he sent a hard fist to his face. Somewhere in the distance the sound of fire trucks sounded.
"If I were you I'd be more worried about where little Artie went off to. Come along Sebby, this is rather boring." The sing song tone in Jame's voice sent a chill through Sebastian, the boy did know how to make an entrance and an exit. Carl glared up at the two from underneath the blond, wiping his mouth he pushed Sebastian from him, running after the passing fire truck.
"Wipe your nose Sebby you'll look suspicious with a bloody nose." James started to skip off, "For someone who cares so much you would think he'd keep a better eye on his brother." Sebastian heard the humming of that song staying alive, something that must have been a song James's parents or whoever had him before, played on a record or sang to him. In times of stress or excitement the boy would hum it out loud or sing it to himself.
~0~
Sebastian was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of his mobile, Staying Alive was a special ring tone that James had programmed into Sebastians new mobile. He answered.
"If you're done reminiscing Sebby dear I have a little job for you."
"Right. Boss I have clear view on the target."
"Patience Sebby patience. You've done good following them around I just need a bit more data before I can plan our next big game. It's going to be explosive." James chirped excitedly, Sebastian just shook his head, twisted kid.
"Yeah. I'm on my way." he sighed heavily, rubbing his sore leg.
"Do pick up a warm pack, your leg is worthless in this cold weather and a limping sniper is a useless sniper to me. Really Sebby I don't know why you couldn't have one of your hired minions follow the Doctor around. I would be bored out of my mind."
"I want this done right."
"Well aren't you focused. This is going to be fun! Dynamite really, see you soon darling don't keep me waiting."
Sebastian didn't say goodbye James wasn't one for goodbyes he'd already ended the call.
He felt the pang of jealousy once more as the two men moved out the door of the pub.
Sebastian couldn't help but wonder just briefly, if John Watson had been sent to Haven Home. Wondered if Watson had met James and Sebastian would he be sitting with Sebbs studying the dark haired detective?
Judging by how well respected the Doctor had been in the army he'd have never gotten on with Carl's little group of thugs. Sebastian shook his head, no that Watson wouldn't have made the cut.
James had a way about him and the Doctor's moral compass would have been his downfall.
Yeah sure Captain Watson had worked on Sebastian's leg back in Afghanistan, apparently a year before being injured himself. Sebastian didn't owe him anything, the good doctor was just doing his Job and so was Sebb.
Sebastian's temper flared, he itched to take out both men, the detective and his dog, right then and there. It would be a mercy because James Moriarty loved games and he always played to win. That and the bastards reminded Sebastian of what he couldn't have.