In The Eye of the Beholder | Jonathan Crane

October 1989

Even if we can't find Heaven, I'll walk through Hell with you

Love you're not alone, cause I'm gonna stand by you.

-Stand By You (Rachel Platten)

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I was working on a math assignment underneath a lone oak tree that sat on a hill when I heard a scream. 

There were at least three male voices, all seemingly laughing and cheering at something. Then there was a cry of pain from a different male. Slowly my head raised from the algebra assignment I was working on. Another shout came from somewhere down the hill I was sitting on. They didn't sound too far away. Whoever it was sounded like they were in pain. I lowered my head again, trying to ignore it. Another scream came. I couldn't ignore it anymore.

But just because I couldn't ignore what was happening didn't mean I would do anything. That wasn't who I was. I was a watcher, not a doer. 

Quickly I shoved my assignment and book into my messenger bag and started off toward the noise. As I thought, not far off, four boys were walking away, led by their self-proclaimed leader Bo Griggs. A form was on their knees behind them, obviously the victim. Someone I knew by name only. A frequent target of Bo's. Jonathan Crane.

I made my way over to him slowly, unsure of whether or not I should bother him. My feet made the decision for me as they continued to walk nearer to him. He was picking up his scattered books. He winced each time he picked up a book.

"Are you okay?" I quietly asked him. He stopped for a moment, then went about putting books into his bag. One of them lay at my feet. I bent down to pick it up. The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe is what it said on the cover. I handed the book back to him. When he reached to take it from my hands, I noticed blisters on his hands that appeared new. Had Bo and his friends burned him?

"Thank you," Jonathan mumbled. He looked at me for the slightest moment in which I offered a small smile. I turned to leave, paused, and turned back to him.

"You know, you're welcome to join me by the tree on the hill," I said, pointing to the tree where I'd been working. "I'm always there after school. They tend to stay away from me."

"Why would being with you keep them away from me?" he asked. His voice was soft, almost a whisper. Like he was afraid.

Duh Amber, you freaking idiot. He was just assaulted, of course he's afraid. He's afraid you'll hurt him.

"I think they're scared of me. They think I'm a witch and if they bother me, I'll curse them or something," I explained. Jonathan had finally stood up and now I had to arch my neck up to look at him. I'd never realized how tall he actually was.

"Why do they think you're a witch?" he asked. His voice was still quiet, but he sounded less afraid.

"I'm a red-haired atheist," was my simple answer. He nodded in understanding. Here in Arlen, Georgia, you were either a God-fearing Christian or the Devil incarnate. Most people called me the Devil's handmaid.

"Why are you being so kind to me?" he asked as I was about to leave.

That was a good question. I barely knew this person. Why was I being so friendly to someone I hardly knew?

"Isn't it easier to walk through Hell with someone than to walk alone?" I finally answered, looking directly into his icy eyes.

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A/N: Please let me know if there are any mistakes, I do editing myself and I don't catch all mistakes.

Also, I think this is the first time I've updated on time. I feel accomplished!