Prom Night ‘Ryden’ Ch. 14

BEWARE: Band Slash! Don’t like it? Please don’t read then!


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The silence was intense, and all the people at the scene were choked. It felt like an eternity to Brendon, just standing there, gazes locked with the only person for whom he cared and feared. It wasn’t forever though, but the silence remained.

James walked back to the car demanding an appalled Martha to drive. Brendon was unsure of what to do, his legs wouldn’t budge and his breath caught in the back of his throat. He squeezed Ryan’s hand once more, almost crushing it before he made a move. Practically naked he stepped outside into the crispness of the winter air and mouthed something, but his voice disobeyed, and nothing came out.

“Martha, I said let’s go!”

“I’m very aware of what you said.”

“So drive, damn it!”

“Watch your language.”

Brendon stared a bit at his parents who were having a little wrangle, both avoiding any eye-contact with him. When Brendon moved a little closer, no one noticed, but he managed to see that his father had a firm grip on his mother’s jaw.

“Now you listen to me, Martha. We’re going to drive home and leave this faggot here. He isn’t our son and is old enough to take care of himself. We don’t have any problems anymore. Let’s live that happy life you always wanted.” Martha didn’t budge but simply informed James that he was hurting her. His face flashed red as if he was about to hit her, but a gentle expression found its way back and he leaned in to give her a hard kiss. She backed away, it actually hurt. Brendon stared, dazed when his mother tried to get out of the car but James harshly pulled her back.

“Stop!” Brendon finally had enough confidence to run over to his parents.

“Dad, what has gotten into you?” Getting out of the car, a quick smile plastered James’ face.

“What’s gotten into me? What’s gotten into me? Look around you. This is all your fault. I work my ass off my whole life trying to start a good life for you and you screw it all up. You’re dropping out of school and making money pleasing men.”

“What are you talking about?” At this moment James inched towards Brendon, their faces only centimeters apart.

“You are not my son. You are a figment of the fears of my imagination. Don’t talk.” The current situation was getting way to weird for Brendon, his father was making no sense, his mother was starting the car, and he had no idea how they had found him. If he didn’t know any better he’d have thought his father was drunk, but he never drank and his breath smelt of only ginger ale.

James pulled Brendon towards him by his shirt.

“James, stop it!” Martha managed to yell out the car window, afraid to leave. Even a confused Ryan finally realized that the people were Brendon’s guardians and he stepped out of his own house, flinching when he saw the look in James’ eyes.

“Ryan, get back inside.”

“Bren-”

“Ah, so that’s your loverboy, you even named him. How sweet.”

“Dad, what are you doing?”

“I’m about to teach you a lesson, boy.”

“James, you’re sick, please just get in the car we’ll discuss this later.”

“There’s nothing to discuss Martha.” James’ face lit up.

“Dad….” Brendon gave a last pleading look to his father, not sure of anything at this moment.

“I am not your father…” He tightly grabbed Brendon’s undershirt tank with a tight fist and clenched his other fist. Before he was able to bring it down, he felt a cold surge run through his body and then everything went blank.

“Dad…dad….dad….,” Brendon’s voice trailed off. Ryan had a phone in his hand and immediately dialed 911. Martha jumped out of her car in shock, hitting her head on the car roof as she did so. She ran over to her husband’s limp form. This was the first time that Brendon had seen her cry in a long time, not knowing she had previously suffered through the same tears that same day.

“I knew it. I knew it.”

“What did you know mom?” Brendon picked his head up in shame, tears engulfing his face as well as he looked over to his mother. Before any words could escape her mouth the not-so-familiar paramedics arrived and all Brendon could manage to do was stare at the flashing of the red and blue lights. The events before him were happening in slow motion. He couldn’t take it anymore, but his eyes stayed glued to his father’s shaking body as he was placed inside the ambulance. His mother seemed to be talking to the police that came along. She managed to steal a moment of time to give Brendon her car and house keys before getting in the ambulance.

As fast as they came, they were gone. Emptiness hung in the air but the drift carried his father’s scent. Brendon felt a warm hand on his back. He was on his knees, where his father had once lay a couple moments ago.

“Bren, we should get inside.”

“I can’t ask you to do anything more for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore.”

“Brendon…” Ryan put his forehead against Brendon’s, “We should go inside, before we get sick, come on.” Ryan led Brendon into his house by the hand; all the while Brendon looked like a lost child at a carnival; dazed by the lights but fearful of the night.

“He’s dead, Ry-” Brendon’s breaking voice bawled.

“You don’t know that Brendon, just be positive, things will be okay.”

“No, no….he’s gone…he’s gone…” It shocked Ryan to see Brendon this way. He couldn’t form audible, much less coherent sentences. He was shaking, even though Ryan had placed a blanket over him. Ryan knew that he was never one for comforting others but this situation seemed way too much for him to handle. He just hugged Brendon, holding tightly onto him hoping that he could stay strong for him and that maybe some of his strength could rub off on Brendon. This boy had endured so much.

“I don’t know if this will help, but I love you and no matter what, I’ll always be here.”

“No, you can’t be. No one can.” Ryan tightened his grip on Brendon.

“I can Brendon. I promise, no matter the circumstances.” Ryan felt slightly guilty after that last remark. He was blaming everything that happened on himself. He couldn’t see how it wasn’t his fault though. He fell in love with Brendon first, and now because of that everyone else was suffering. Ryan couldn’t understand why he was bad luck to anyone he got close to.

“Everything’s wrong,” Brendon sobbed. Ryan just let his hands roam the back of his head while the boy breathed in and wet his neck.