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CHAPTER 28: Saving Xander Atkins
THE tension in the room was thick, suffocating me in its arms.
"Of course," I smile, "I never say no to free food."
Jackson released a loud laugh, revealing his yellow teeth maliciously. "I loike ya, g'rl."
(I like you girl)
I avoided Xander's gaze, trembling hands clutching my video camera in place. If things don't go to plan, at least we could get Jackson behind bars for verbal abuse.
"Ya garn ter keep that away?" Jackson pointed the knife at my camera as I took a seat from across Xander.
(You going to keep that away?)
I pause. "Sure." I remove the handle from around my neck and place the camera beside the pristine plate in front of me. "I can't stay too away from my camera, I'm afraid," I throw a polite smile in Jackson's direction, "call it separation anxiety of sorts."
Jackson grumbles something under his breath, looking down at his plate. The dining table was set to immaculate precision. Even a blind man could see how the plates were placed to a measured degree of accuracy away from each other. The forks, spoons and knives were, although of no use, placed beside each plate over a dark blue napkin. A wine glass shone spotless even in the dim light, filled to half its height with red wine.
We sit knee deep in silence. Annie, with shaky hands, served me a slice of chicken pie.
"Stop shakin', Annie."
(Stop shaking, Annie)
Everybody momentarily paused as Jackson spoke the words. Annie sent a slow smile in his direction, and placed the pie on my plate.
"Thank you." I murmured.
"What's y'er name again?" Jackson asked, taking a bite of his pie.
(What's your name again?)
"Cecilia." I answered. I took a bite of my own food but it felt like chewing on cardboard. No amount of chewing would allow me to swallow. I was too nervous. Maybe another day, in different circumstances, the food would taste like a five star dish.
Jackson starts to talk again, telling stories using words merging into each other. At one point, his sentences became a jumble of alphabets and I almost thought that he'd fall dead any second. Red rimmed his eyes, bags hanging discolored to purple and red.
I took this time to look at Xander. He too, like me, seemed to play around with his food. His jaw was clenched, eyes cast down making his hair fall onto his face. He didn't seem to care at the moment though, as much as it itched me to push his hair away from his face.
Feeling my gaze on him, he lifted his head to look at me, making my breath hitch.
His eyes were glazed, watery, and unlike his father, it wasn't because of the alcohol. Despite the raw, broken facade his eyes seemed to hold, Xander threw me a harsh glare, nostrils flaring and jaw set. His anger seemed to roll off him in waves, hitting against my chest sending my heart on overdrive.
"Ain't ya garn ter drink ye alcohol, ye useless currant ban?" Jackson growled, swallowing once more.
(Aren't you going to drink your alcohol, you useless son?)
Xander's eyes flickered to his father's, gulping slowly. "Of course, father."
I almost gasped out loud at how different Xander seemed. His tone was monotonous, robotic almost, yet contained enough humanity to not come off as disrespectful. He was in the palm of his father's hands, one word and he'd do as Jackson says.
He lifted the glass to his lips, tipped back and swallowed the drink in one gulp.
Jackson let out a loud laugh, slamming his hand against his belly. "Easy there tiger," he sloppily grinned, using the back of his hand to wipe away his saliva. "Won't ya get sum more of that for me Rob Roy, Annie?"
(Won't you get some more of that for my boy, Annie?)
Annie stood up silently, disappearing off into the kitchen. I couldn't help but grow angry as I watched her hide her fingers in the depths of her pockets, goosebumps littering her skin.
Once again, the room fell into silence. Nobody speaks, what is there to say?
The air suffocated me, troubling me as I released a soft breath. How this family managed to do this every week astounds me. Fear sits heavy upon my chest, anxiety clutching my neck in its cold palms.
Annie walks in with a deep red bottle, a white label with some fancy calligraphy embedded on it.
She pop opens the bottle, standing behind Xander's figure. The rich aroma wafts into the room, and at this, Jackson smiles.
"This Rob Roy is too rigid. Get 'im some vodka, Annie. Let's loosen this boy up."
(This boy is too rigid. Get him some Vodka. Let's loosen this boy up.)
My insides curdle like milk with lemon at his tone. He's grinning, mischief dancing on his features.
Jackson revolted me. More so than Annie, who without a complaint turned around to get a shiny, glazed bottle of vodka.
"He's underage, isn't he?" I speak up, anger slowly replacing the fear that had settled on my chest.
Jackson paused, his fork midway to his mouth. His eyes flickered to mine, dark and angry. "Tell me Briny Marlin, 'a does that concern ya?"
(Tell me darling, how does that concern you?)
"It doesn't." I say, setting my fork down on the table and clasping my hands over my stomach, "I just wouldn't want you to get into trouble if he gets caught." I smile innocently.
Jackson's face moved slowly, shadows dancing over his features as he the lines on his cheeks moved. And then he grinned. Fat, wide, menacing, grin. In the dim lighting Jackson Atkins looked like the devil itself, ready to attack. "You're a smart wahn." He shook his finger at me. "But not as much as me." He sobered up a little and then waved his hand at Annie, "Pour 'im the bleedin' tiddley win'!"
(You're a smart one)
(Pour him the drink!)
His words didn't make sense to me but I watched Annie's pale face came into view. Time seemed to pass slowly, every beat of my paced heart hit like bullets against my chest.
I watch as Xander's breathing becomes erratic, deep and then shallow. He stares at the few centimeters of liquid Annie had poured into his glass with caution. His eyes flicker to me and then the glass.
Jackson releases a loud grunt, annoyed at the wait. "C'mon boy, ya need ter learn ter enjoy 'a the alcohol in your blood!" He screamed, his maniacal laughter following after. Jackson grins at me with wide eyes, his laughter echoing within the empty house.
(C'mon boy, you need to learn to enjoy how the alcohol feels in your blood!)
"Don't do it, Xander." I say just as he brings his hand to grip the glass, freezing in place.
Xander looks at me with wide eyes, drowning in fear. He looks so vulnerable, so broken. I shake my head slowly, begging him not to do it. His eyes are pleading, begging me and I know what he's trying to say.
He wants me to leave.
I hear Jackson say something but my brain barely registers it. All I can see is Xander.
Xander. Xander. Xander.
A loud bang makes me jump in my chair and I whip my head to where the sound came from. Jackson glares at me, almost making me cower in my chair. "Tell me Camila, wot does your father do?"
(Tell me Camila, what does your father do?)
I stare at him, noticing how he now had a glass of water half empty in front of him.
He was sobering up.
"He works with the law." I lied, holding eye contact with him as I said so.
I shouldn't have said it. I realized my mistake only after I had said the words, their impact clear on Jackson's face.
He was angry before, but now? Now he was livid.
At first, he stays quiet. His eyes flickering back and forth. He then sighs out loud, throwing his fork on the plate carelessly, making us all jump with the sudden noise.
He then leans back on his chair with a face of utter nonchalance, as if he were merely watching a movie in a quiet Saturday night. He then begins to smile - a smile that I know shows that something big is going to happen.
He tsks. "Xander, Xander, Xander." He smiles and shakes his head. "You were so good! Ya were bein' such a good boy and na you've ruined it. Ya 'ave ain't ya?"
(You were so good! You were being such a good boy and now you've ruined it. You have haven't you?)
He shakes his head again, bringing his hand forward to play with the butter knife. "Be 'onest wif me Rob Roy. Did ya tell this bizzich abaht me?" His fingers twirl the knife around, with accuracy no drunk man could have.
(Be honest with me boy. Did you tell this bitch about me?)
"I didn't." Xander shook his head. "She has no idea, father."
In an instant, Jackson swung the knife, barely missing Xander's shoulder.
I let out a shriek, pushing my chair back with a screech. My breath is coming in loud heaves as I stare incredulously at the family.
Jackson hasn't moved an inch, his fingers still playing around where the knife used to be. Xander was the same, his eyes cast downwards, hands beneath the table.
"Ya kna 'a much I 'ate liars, Xander." Jackson spoke, ignoring me completely. "Ya kna wot 'appens ter liars too, daan't ya?" he sneered and took another sip of water. He was preparing himself. We could all see it.
(You know how much I hate liars)
(You know what happens to liars too, don't you?)
For the first time, Xander spoke on his own.
"Mum leave the room, please." His voice was low, soft and hoarse. He knew what was coming. He then looks at me. "You too."
"Oh daan't ask 'er ter leef! We're only gettin' started!" Jackson squealed merrily. The man was psychotic. Everything screamed psychotic about him; his eyes wide, arms raised beside his head and a wide grin he wore with pride.
(Oh don't ask her to leave! We're only getting started!)
He stood up slowly, pushing the chair back with the back of his knees. "Did ya tell 'er 'a I beat ya?" He mocked, using a childlike voice, "Pipe Your Eye ter 'er after we were done?" He brought his hands to his belt, unbuckling it loudly.
(Did you tell her how I beat you?)
(Cry to her after we were done?)
"Stop." I croaked. My throat was dry and the bundle of fear clogging my throat didn't help. "You don't have to do this."
Jackson smiled at me.
"Daan't talk wite na. After i'm done wif 'im, maybe ya can join Annie and I in bed, eh?" he said, swinging his belt out of its holders with a loud zap.
(Don't talk right now. After I'm done with him, maybe you can join Annie and I in bed, eh?
I forgot how to breath. It was as if my brain had shut down completely leaving me stunned and locked in place.
"Mother, out, now!" Xander screamed, breaking me from my reverie. He stood up to his full height, towering over his father, eyes hard but cast down.
"Stop it!" I screamed at Jackson, glaring daggers at him, hoping that maybe he'd back down.
I begged, wide eyed, at Annie. She needed to do something. I glared at her crouching figure, palms covering the side of her head as she mumbled something to herself.
The first hit shook my body.
The belt kissed Xander's back and a strangled cry escaped my lips.
I had to think fast.
The belt hit him again, Jackson roaring as he delivered his second hit.
The scream came again, desperate, terrified... inhuman. The blood drained from my face, before I was even aware of making a conscious decision my legs were pounding furiously against the floor, and I ran in front of Xander, gripping the hot belt.
"Leave him, it's my fault!" I yelled, my hair flying like a mad woman's. I pulled on the belt, gripping it with my life. "You're angry at me! I know your dirty little secret, you filthy pig!"
Jackson stumbled back as he let the belt go, the hook bouncing off my hip. Tears rushed to my eyes as the pain registered, prodding me like a thousand needles.
"You'll get your turn later. Na move." He said calmly.
I stood in front of Xander, gripping the belt in my left hand.
"I'm warning you." I cautioned. "You should leave."
Jackson looked taken back, a dark look crossing his face. "'re ya threatenin' me?"
(Are you threatening me?)
I slowly nod my head, pushing my back against Xander's front, forcing him to move back. His breath hit the back of my neck, warm and hot against my cold body.
"Don't." He cried out in a soft whisper, just as Jackson threw the first punch.
It wasn't in slow motion. In fact, it was too quick for me to register. It was only when Xander's arms wrapped themselves around my chest did the pain set in.
"I didn't wanna do this. thought we could 'ave sum fan before I get me German Bands Two-Thirty." I heard him say.
(I didn't want to do this. Thought we could have some fun before I get my hands dirty.)
I felt a balled fist make contact with my stomach, watching it smash my entrails together like a rogue freight train. I felt blood vessels burst and my diaphragm collapse under the force the fist packed behind it.
The second one came faster than the first.
I'd barely fallen to the ground when I felt his fist smash against my cheek.
My stomach hurled, dry heaves wrecking my body as I doubled over, clutching my stomach to ease the pain. I crumbled to the ground, my breath leaving my body for dead. My hands were trembling and I closed my eyes as I struggled to breath. Vomit creeped up my throat and I struggled to keep it in.
I felt numb. Maybe I was dying.
My head was in a daze and I tasted rich copper in my mouth. Warm and wet, the sides of my lips were wet.
Xander Xander Xander.
I couldn't hear anything. The ringing was too loud.
Xander Xander Xander.
Maybe Jackson hit me one more time, I wouldn't know. I can't feel anything.
Xander Xander Xander.
Helpless as a newborn, injured and out of energy, I yearned for air. One, just one ounce of oxygen and I swear I'll be back on my feet.
I have to do this for Elliott.
Xander Xander Xander.
I opened my eyes.
The belt lay carelessly few feet away from me. Chairs knocked over, cutlery on the floor. The broken china mocked me, I should've thought this through.
I pull my arm from under me, lifting myself up, crying as my stomach stretched. I had to do this. I couldn't back out now. A whimper escaped my lips as I stood on my feet, swaying a bit before I rested against the table.
A loud roar brought my hearing back as I watched Jackson throw a fist in Xander's direction.
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
They were both bleeding.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the intensity of pain hitting my cheek, I couldn't help but smile. Bloody teeth and all, I must look like a maniac. But all for good reason.
Xander Atkins was fighting back.
I just had to finish it off. I took a deep breath, squeezing my eyes shut as I inhaled, taking in every bit of oxygen I could.
Blindly, my hand found its way to a plate on the table behind me. I walk like my limbs don't really belong to me and each step is a negotiation rather than an order. Everything hurts now. Every damn thing. I wince to cross the floor. Stumbling as I walked, I head towards the two men.
Xander looked ferocious but so did his father. I watched as Xander threw another punch in Jackson's direction but it wasn't strong enough. I'd seen him punch the bag a million times and I knew how each muscle worked when he wanted the bag to swing - the punches he was throwing to his father would only graze the bag.
Two more steps.
I winced as the ringing started again, pausing before clutching the plate tighter in my hold.
Xander Xander Xander.
I saw a body lying in my peripheral vision and I screamed.
I can't see, I can't hear.
Stars are dotting my vision.
I smile.
Xander loves the stars.
Annie wasn't moving.
Xander Xander Xander.
I lifted my arms as high as they could go.
Xander Xander Xander.
A sickeningly loud crash erupted as the plate made in contact with Jackson's head. I watched in horror as his body fell to the floor.
Air rushed into my lungs as the atmosphere changed. Everything seemed brighter, even the blood on Xander's face seemed to glisten in the light like a thousand burning stars.
His eyes met mine, both of us out of breath. Dry tears made their path down his cheeks as we looked at each other, knowing Jackson wasn't waking up any time soon. We were both calm but breathing heavy as if we'd just run a marathon. We both knew it was over.
Within a split second, Xander's face morphed into that of pain.
"Mama!" He cried, his voice hoarse and croaky sending shivers down my spine.
I couldn't turn around fast enough to watch him rush to Annie, lifting her head up to lay it on his lap.
"Wake up, mum." He said in a low voice, just enough for me to hear. I watch him snatch her arm from the floor and wrap his thumb and index finger around her wrist.
I stay quiet as if I could magically hear her pulse.
"Call 911." he whispered.
My throat felt dry and I struggled to speak. "What?" I breathed.
"Call 911." He ordered loudly, meeting my eyes, "Now!"
A/N: Soo, how was it?
I'm glad I updated within a week #smallachievments.
Also, I'm working on a new book which I'm sure you guys will love. But I'll publish it only after I'm done writing at least ten chapters xD
Sort of disappointed only a few people read the new chapter. But I totally had it coming. I hadn't updated for ages and I've lost so many readers and I feel awful about it but I'm glad I've still got a few remaining. I used to aim for a million reads but now it seems so far away. But #smallachievents am I right?
Lots of love,
Carter Jenson x