Lay Low 'Missing' Chapters

Powerless/Chris Gets a Glimpse

"Jacob!" His voice a second later; angrier this time.  I shuddered.

"Be right back," I said, jumping up.

As I reached the door, Tony shouted. "You know what will happen if I have to come up there and get you!"

I didn't catch Chris's face, but I felt his eyes on me.

I sprinted down the stairs.  Tony was in the hallway, eyes blazing.

"Tony, Chris is..."

Before I could finish he interrupted me; his meaty hand grabbed me by the neck and pushed me up against the wall.

"Did I tell you to talk?" he shouted as his fingers dug into my skin.

"You left your crap all over the place again." He pointed at Chris's school bag that was on the floor.

"What have I told you about mess?" His grip tightened on my neck.

"Chris, Chris is here for the night," I blurted.

He let go instantly.

"What?" he barked.

"Mum arranged it with Mrs Price.  He is staying for dinner as she is out for the night.  Mum must have forgotten to tell you." I tried to calm the waver in my voice.

"Oh yeah," A memory was triggered.

There was a creak upstairs, and I saw a blue trainer dip out of sight.

Tony grabbed the bag from the floor and shoved it into my hands.

"Behave," he said in a low voice.

I jogged back upstairs.

Chris was sitting on the beanbag where I left him.  He looked at me bewildered.

"What the Fuck?" he said in a whisper. "What was that?"

I shrugged, not meeting his eyes.

"You left your bag downstairs," I chucked it at him.

He grabbed it and put it to the side, his eyes still trailing me.  I rubbed my sore neck absentmindedly and sat down amid the books.

"Ok, I concede that the battles were watchable..." I carried on where we had left off.

He paused for a minute and then looked back at me.

"Watchable?!  You need your head checked mate..."

----

"Thank you for a lovely meal Mrs Harper" said Chris politely.

"You are most welcome Christopher." She said, smiling broadly at him. "If only my own son could be as polite as you."

"Er, thanks Mum," I mumbled quickly.

She looked satisfied.  I stood up to start clearing up the dishes: my usual task.

"I can do that sweetheart," said Mum, sickly sweet. "You help Chris get his things together and you can go with Tony to take him home."

We went upstairs and shoved Chris's untouched books into his bag.  He belched loudly.

"Your mum is a good cook."

I wrinkled my nose at the smell.

"Yeah – what is with all the 'thank you so much Mrs Harper,' I mocked him.

"Some of us have manners, don't you know," he jibed.

"Time to go boys" called Tony.  His tone was light, I don't think I had heard it like that for a long time.

The ride to Chris's house was only about 10 minutes.  Tony talked to Chris about the impending church social.  We pulled up outside his house.  As he got out, his mum opened the door and waved.  Tony waved back.  Chris stuck his head in the doorway.

"Thanks for having me, and for the lift Mr Harper."

"You are welcome anytime Chris," said Tony.

"See you tomorrow Jake."

"See ya," I waved as he walked away.

"Get in the front," growled Tony as soon as the car door shut.

My stomach sank and I felt the fear build as I ran around and got in the passenger seat.  I buckled my belt and then pressed myself into the door of the car, as far away from him as possible.

We pulled away from the house before he began.  His hand struck the side of my head.  I grabbed my ear, ringing resounding in my ear drum.

"Ow!" I exclaimed.

"When I call you, you come.  Now your friend has heard me shouting at you like...like I am some sort of bully."

I almost laughed at his statement.  I managed to stare straight ahead.

"He didn't mention anything about it," I ventured.

"Good," he said.  

We pulled up to some lights and he grabbed my chin roughly with one hand.

"We wouldn't want him to think I was mistreating you now would we." He squeezed hard on my jaw.

"No, no, he wouldn't think that.  He won't," I stammered, his grip hurting me.

He let go, leaving my jaw aching.

"Good," he repeated. "be sure that he doesn't."