Chapter 2-2

EJ knew he had to leave or he was going to get another beating of a lifetime. EJ's father sounded in a very gruff voice. “Boy, we can do this the hard way or the easy way?”

Peggy calmly moved over towards her little brother and sat down beside him and yanked the hat right off his head. “Look mama, look what EJ stole.” She said seeing the opportunity of getting a few extra licks in herself. 

Danny looked up at his big brother. “You didn't steal it, did you EJ?” He asked.

 

EJ seeing the hurt in his little brother eyes and on in his little face, anger builds. EJ responds back as gentle as he could muster as he looked down at his little brother. ”No, I did not steal it.”

“I don't believe you!” Peggy said as she turned and looked back at EJ hoping to make matters worse.

Danny looked up at EJ. “Well I do.” He said with beaming confidence.

 

EJ smiled, while his other sister Dona walked into the room. “Well, well looks like the gangs all here. Hi EJ, I see that you are in trouble again, not surprised really. You always were a troublemaker, most likely always will be,” she said.

 

“That's enough girls! It's time for you to go back to bed. If you wouldn't mind, please take your little brother with you.” His mother said trying to control the situation from turning into mayhem as she watched Jim from the corner of her eye.

 

“Oh momma!” Peggy cried hoping to see some action as she glared at EJ standing in the corner.

“Just spread some blankets on the floor. This is between your father and EJ and I. Now get going and let him keep his hat for now. Go on, get with it, and get back too bed.” She said her voice sounded shaken as she watched her husband Jim.
 

It was tough as he watched his little brother leave. For as they were leaving Danny grabbed his big brother too give him a big hug. Peggy seeing this immediately grabbed him by his little arms and dragged him out of the room. “Come with me you little brat if know what's good for you!” She said angrily and disappointed.

EJ said under his breath,” one of these days I swear.” As his eyes met hers as they left the room.

 

“Now then,” he father said with growl. EJ heard the belt smacking against the palm of his father’s hand. “What did we decided boy, the hard way or the easy way?” It was the first in a long time. EJ thought he might have felt a little compassion from his mother.

 

“Do really have to do this tonight dear; after all we have been…? ”But she never got the chance to finish the words before his father began the first strike of the belt "SNAP" the belt missed him by hair.  EJ sprung like cat on hot griddle, sprang into the air and began to climb the room like a caged animal.

 

EJ; headed for the open window where he came in earlier, his father yelled. “OH NO YOU DON'T!” Swing the belt high in the air as it whistled through the air "SNAP" went the belt right across his legs.  EJ screamed as he jumped up headed towards the other window.

 

The belt whistled in the air as his father swung it again with such force. "SNAP" it swiped across his back.  EJ screamed in near agony, his mother nearly in tears. EJ jumped up on the bed towards the window and tried to open it. Finding it jammed shut panics. His father swung the belt back and forth wildly “SNAP" "SNAP" once more across the back of his legs and other side of his back. EJ screamed again. His body shook, his legs buckled do to the force of the pain. His mother finally yelled. “ENOUGH!”

 

EJ turned, looked straight into his father's eyes. All he saw was anger. His father got ready to swing again. EJ looked at his mother with one last hope. Hopping she might stop him, but did not see any hope in her face either, animal instincts took over. “I must survive, to do that I must escape.”

 

EJ dived through the window. The glass shattered all around the ground around him with a loud crash, not remembering to tuck and roll as he fell to the ground he landed on his left side. His mother ran to the window seeing EJ lying on the ground. There was blood everywhere around the windowsill; she knew he was badly hurt.

 

She turned to his father for the first time.  “Look; just look, what we have done to him!” Taking the belt from him and throwing the belt across the room. She turned with shock and horror on her face. “Quickly, we must help him, he is badly hurt,” she screamed.

 

Porch lights turned on around them, you could hear people yelling, “WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE?" Fear for first time was on their faces and in their eyes. How are they going to explain this? By the time they reached the spot, EJ was all ready gone. He had gone far enough for the moment. Before they could drag him back inside to cover their tracks.

 

* * *

 

Let's just say a fly on wall had a pretty good seat that day and the next. After all they tend to live a long time at least long enough to observe what going on in the Stuarts residence.

Porch lights and house lights were being turned on around them. The noise of shattered glass had awakened the nearby neighbors. EJ’s parents were still staring at the ground where their son had landed, mystified beyond thoughts and belief.  “Where could he have gone? How could he have moved?” His mother asked mystified, with very little regret.

For they believed they had done nothing wrong. Yet a nagging feeling tugged at her mind. She dismissed it and whispered. “That damn boy and those damn bad genes.”

The why was never a question for they knew the answer, for them a new change was in the wind as the man called Death aka Derrick stood by in the shadows wiped an escaped tear for the boy and the old man. Watching as his life begins to change. He hoped he has done the right thing. Not just for him and his people, as he tries to save his world from Morgan and the realm of shadows where the light is fading.  But he hoped the boy and the old man will be at peace in their heart and his mind. He questions “did I do the right thing? Is there still hope for us and him? Time will tell.”

The old man remembered it differently. The time before, he had never come back for his brother. Instead he left and soon was caught a week later hitchhiking along the freeway heading towards Los Vegas with new hopes and new dreams for a new life with no family ties. Yet he had regretted that he never at least tried to free his brother from all the abuse. And ever since then they had become estranged until his brother died at the young age of thirty from brain damage from all the abuse. He could never forgive himself for at least trying always wondered if things would have been different. It nagged at him constantly.  It was that first of many mistakes he had made.

 

Perhaps now things will change as he tries to encourage his now younger self into making the right decision now. Not knowing what the new future will bring, but felt at peace for the first time in his life. As him and the boy lay in the weeds he tries to block the pain from the boy. Slowing the blood soaked the ground around him, the old man pauses seeing Death aka Derrick stop before the boy. With his right hand placed on the boy’s chest he watched a warm glow of white light encompass the boy when he says “ner’a bon’say ter gon,” and draws a healing rune on the boy shoulder.  The old man and the boy within him began to glow and he was trapped once more inside in the boy’s mind, the pain dulled. The more serious wounds healed enough to stop the blood from seeping into the ground.
 

EJ's father seeing the ladder on other side just below the window, pointed to it. “Look dear, that's how he got into the house.” He said as she nodded her head with a sigh.

 

“I see a lot of your father in him.” She said with a small smile, her voice still shaken from the horror that took place in the room above, not more than hour ago.

 

“What do mean by that?” He growled.

She tried to smile and poked him in the ribs. “Your father always was cunning like a fox and quite resourceful if I remember right.” She said as she tried to make light of the situation as she swiped a loose hair from her eye.

 

“Great, some those bad genes again... I also remember him getting into a lot trouble when he was younger, according to his grandmother.”

“So where do you think he went? I know he’s hurt, you beat him pretty good this time and you scared the hell right out of me tonight.” Linda said cocking her eyes back toward the broken glass on the ground.

 

“I couldn't explain it, it was like the anger…. I felt…. like it just had total control over me. It was... it was if… like I… it had to be let out.” The words sounded jumbled as anger still burned within him. His mind lingered on the anger as his fist tightened, nearly drawing blood. Jim whispered silently as if in prayer. Why me? Why can’t everyone just leave us alone? That damn worthless boy, he’s nothing but trouble. 

 

EJ's father picked up the ladder and threw it into the old field like it was old firewood to cover any of the tracks that would lead anybody to them. After a long while his mother urged his father to go look for EJ. Knowing he is badly hurt and more worried if anybody but them found him.  There would be a lot of hard questioned they might have to answer. She also knew they could not afford that. She would go look for him herself, but leaving right now with her three scared kids behind was not option, especially without a plan in place.

 

What would the neighbors say if she asked them to watch them? “Can you watch these kids while I look for my son he's hurt.”  Oh then they would ask ‘how did he get hurt?’ There was no way she could tell them the truth. “My husband and I were beating him and he jumped through a window…” Not on your life. “After all we did nothing wrong,” Linda said to herself as she gazed back towards the neighbors houses around her. Yes she needed a plan before confronting them.

 

After going back into the house the girls and little Danny came running out of the room expecting to see their older brother EJ; Danny with tears in his eyes looked into his mothers face and anger in his fathers face when he looked at him.  “Where's EJ? What have done with him?” He cried with tears as they ran down his cheek.  That was it; his mother broke down and cried.
 

“Gone.” Peggy said gleaming. “Gone, run off, or dead.” She said with an extra bounces in her step with new hope. She always felt she should have been the only child or the oldest. No matter what and whatever it took, it was the same result in her book.

 

Linda was in tears. “How can you even suggest such a thing?” She asked in a choked voice.

“Well I just wanted to know.” Peggy said back snootily.

 

Linda tried to sooth little Danny. “Shush, it all right, no your father didn't kill him,” she said. But in her mind was not so sure she was all that convinced herself. “Your father was about to go out too look for him,” she said putting a little steel back into her voice. “Right dear?”

EJ's father lost in thought did not respond right away. He could not get out the images left behind. Behind those eyes, “EJ's strange eyes, they weren't boy's eyes. They seemed older somehow. No. How can that be? But those eyes, when they stared back at me as if they could burn right through my very soul.” His mind raced with his thoughts. “What, what was that dear?” He asked.

 

“You are going to go look for him now, right?” Their mother asked.

“Yes, yes of course dear, where's the flashlight? It will be light soon.” Their father said trying to snap back into focus.

“Think you might needs some help?” Their mother asked finding the flashlight handing it to him.

 

“Help? Why? No. No after all, like you said he's hurt now. How far can he be? Couldn't have gone very far,” he said trying to instill positive hope.  Thinking if anyone finds him they could be in a lot of trouble. “Nosey neighbor, this is a family matter. They should stay out of it and leave us the hell alone. Why can't they mind their own damn business?” Things seemed very bleak at the moment.  “Oh while I am gone dear, if wouldn't mind. Try not to cut yourself on the glass and for heaven sakes keep them all away from it as well. I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he said taking the flashlight from her.

 

“Ok kids mind your mother; she has a lot to do. So if you would please bring your blankets and pillows out here you can all sleep all day in the living room.” He said at the last minute before leaving.

 

Linda tried to smile. “Then later Peggy and I will make some pancakes to welcome home EJ. How does that sound? Danny you can help.” She said trying very hard to control her emotions.
 

"REALLY! Pancakes!” Danny said jumping up and down with excitement.

Mother nodded her head to Danny. Peggy and his sister Dona was not all that enthused with idea.

* * *

 

 

 

They were right about one thing. EJ was not that far and he was badly hurt. By sure will power and determination he managed to escape. He was not more than thirty feet from where his father threw the ladder where it landed. He knew he needed to get somewhere safe and quick before sunrise, but he knew running was not option. He could barely walk feeling weak. His sides hurt, his left shoulder hurt to bad to even move it. His back felt warm and wet with blood.   He looked down toward his hands and feet picked out the little pieces of glass instilled in them. He cringed as he pulled out the little shards that he could see, the cuts stung on his feet and hands.

 

“I need to get to the shack. I don’t think I could ever make it back to the barn, not like this anyway.” EJ said trying to ignore the pain. He slowly moved, nearly crawled through the thicket of weeds towards the old shed. It took sometime hobbling about. He found an old rotted tree branch to use as a crutch and made it to the old shack feeling dizzy and nearly passed out. The sun was just peaking over the mountains. A new dawn was rising. EJ too hurt to care slid into the old shack. He propped up the old boards for the door, too tired to do anymore. Exhaustion had won; he fell into a deep sleep and slumped into the corner of the shack.

 

* * *

 

We can only assume EJ's father was in deep thought, while he searched for his boy, but his mind has always been cloudy when comes to his own sons. While he searched the area he noticed traces of blood now and again. Most likely thought if someone was in hiding like his boy. He was not hiding his tracks very well and smiled. He could see where the boy might have laid for a while together strength. The evidence of leaving the shattered glass with his blood still wet on dry weeds. “Looks like he was headed west,” he said to himself, what he could tell.  “It might not be too late after all.” Jim mumbled as he looked towards his house then rubbed his chin.

His head turned towards the sound of someone walking towards him; he could see old Mr. Johnson walking this way. “Hi Jim what's ya doin?” He asked.

 

“Not much, Mr. Johnson.” Jim said while he looked back at the spot on the ground.

“Heard there might have been a ruckus at your place last night?” Mr. Johnson said as he tries to study Jim.

 

Jim tried not to look at Mr. Johnson without fear in his eyes, or sound of a quiver in his voice, “what do mean?” He asked.

 

Mr. Johnson stared at the same spot where Jim was looking at then pointed towards the house with his finger; “broken winder over there and here.” He said as he noticed.

 

“Oh that?” Jim said thinking quickly. “Most likely kids planning games, you know how they are these days? Always doing something to cause trouble,” he said.

 

“True, true how's your family?” He asked. Jim started to really get nervous, “I haven't seen your oldest boy around much, got him locked in cage somewhere? Never see him ridding around town with the other boys, strange?” He replied as he looked at the spot that Jim was looking at then stared back at broken glass by the house. “Oh well, tell the misses hi for me, got my chores to do or they'll be a price to pay come supper time. If know what I mean?” He said with a slap on the back Mr. Johnson walked away.

 

Jim pulled out his handkerchief and wiped his brow, whispered. “That was close,” putting it back into his pocket. “Where is that dam boy?” He asked and gets back on the road to finding him. It's nearly noon and EJ father still has not found him. He has gone up the road and down the road, searching all the ditch banks and weeds with no signs of him. Not far from his path lead him to an old abandon shack where EJ was.

 

* * * *

 

EJ stirred and groaned due to the pain. He tried to sit up, but it was to hard move, in the small shack, he pushed with his sore feet to sit up. In the distant he could see his father not far from the shack as he walked up the little dirt path; fear gripped him. He knew he would not live if he finds him here.

He told himself he must remain quiet. His father looked up at shack and wonders. “I should take a look.”

 

He began to walk towards the shed. EJ looked at escape hatch. “I Think I can use it; he must to escape at all cost.” The feelings of being trap pressed down on him. Just then his father turned back around, EJ could hear his father talking to himself then watched him sit on a nearby log outside the old shack, EJ mind raced, his heart beating fast, “questioning why would he choose to sit there?” Covering his mouth not letting any sound out, not daring to breathe incase of being heard; he could hear his father mumbling just a few paces way.

 

“Why would he be in there at all? It's boarded up, after all he is badly wounded. No one could make it this far not after that? He might be closer to home, he might have gotten help,” he replied as he walked away.

 

Reviews

[Writer #00]

Great chapter, it was a good technique to give the reader a glimpse of how the parents react to EJ's leaving. I was convinced they didn't care about him at all, but it seemed as if Linda showed a tiny sliver of compassion for a bit, but then it seemed as if she only cared about EJ because SHE didn't want to look bad in front of the neighbours.

GRRRR. PEGGY!

I like Danny, and it really saddened me when he was so happy about making pancakes for his older brother...who probably won't come back with Jim...and didn't come back in the past of the old man. : (

Once again, great chapter.

[Shep]

Yea nobody likes my parents or Peggy. In this series everything changed regarding history of events. Different choices were made and so was the consequences. I won't tell you what they are here, but if you really want to know you will find them in my book titled My Life & How it has changed me. you'll find no fiction in it sad to say considering i like this version better.

[Writer #00]

That's awkward...these are YOUR parents and sisters and brother? I had a feeling a large portion was based on your life...but I was hoping all that abuse fell on the fiction side. I guess not...awkward.

[Shep]

Makes it some what easier to write about whe when you have lived it don't you think?

[Writer #00]

I guess...but I don't really write from experience, so I can't say.

[Lane Craver]

STory is moving quickly now... and loving every minute of it! characters really pop out! Really getting into this book and rooting for EJ!

[Shep]

I am very glad you like it. Trust me when I say this is only the tip of the icebreg. I have tons of new characters to love and to hate.

[mariah]

okay, firstly grammar stuff.
1. last paragraph, second sentance. it says "It's boarded up, after all his badly wounded" it should be “It's boarded up, after all he is badly wounded."

2. 11th paragraph from the top, third sentance. it says "Peggy seeing this immediately grabbed him by his little arms dragged him out of the room." it should be "Peggy seeing this immediately grabbed him by his little arms and dragged him out of the room."

okay, so now for the chapter. i think your doing a great job! i love the way you began the twenty first paragraph, you wrote it so well. one of your talents in writing is beginings, i know that for a fact! nice work :P
-Mariah

[Shep]

Thanks i came back to make those changes you suggested. I can't tell you what it means to get help with those tricky spots.

[Shep]

Is there a book that you would like me to read in return for your help and to keep you reading my series? Please shoot me over the title.

[mariah]

no, but thanks for offering. im glad it helped! :D

[Taylor H.]

EJ knew he had to leave or he was going too get another beating of a lifetime. ---to

Peggy said as she turned and looked back at EJ hoping to make maters worse. ----matters


Go on, get with it, and get back too bed.” She said here voice ----to her sounded

EJ heard the belt smacking against the palm of his fathers hand.----father's

husband and I was beating him and he jumped through a window…----were

No matter what and what ever- whatever

Try not too cut your self on the glass ----to yourself

If I were you I would work on punctuation and tense. Just a thought.
Your story is interesting :)

[Shep]

thanks for your help and comments and i have made the corrections

[Taylor H.]

NP