A week passed, a routine developed for them all. They had gotten used to each other. However, they were all aware of the mental clock ticking down. Each day was closer to when they went forward with their plan. Maddox tried his hardest to not think about it too much, knowing the more he did the more afraid he'd get. The plan didn't require him filing a report against his dad, but it did require him mentioning it in court and giving enough details that he could be put into foster care or be put up for adoption so Micheal could foster or adopt him.
Luckily for Maddox, his father hadn't been home a whole lot. He tends to stay out of town often, usually in hotels, so Maddox was used to living by himself. Well, mostly himself. Lately, Austin has been there all the time. Currently, Austin wasn't though. That worried Maddox more than he would openly admit. Sure, they had all agreed that gathering evidence of the physical abuse that was occurring was smart, but the thought of seeing those pictures was nauseating to Maddox. He never had a strong stomach like his friends did, they saw violence and shrugged. It made Maddox pause every time it happened.
Maddox couldn't stop pacing through his living room, worried sick for his friends. He unlocked his phone and opened his calendar app on there, and stared at the date that was highlighted for the month. Salem's birthday. 21 days left. Maddox knew that Salem was at his own house that night, he knew that Austin was at his own home. Maddox remembered seeing Austin's dad get home after school that day, and Maddox couldn't help the wave of nausea that flowed over him when he realized what would be happening to the boy he cared so much about. Maddox didn't want to go to bed, just in case Austin showed up later after what happened. Maddox sat on the couch in his living room, his eyes locked on his front door. He waited.
And waited, and waited. Maddox could feel the hours tick by as he tried to focus on something other than his own front door. He ended up occupying himself by texting with Adrian. Adrian couldn't do much to calm Maddox's fears though, he shared the same fears. However, Adrian gave Maddox the distraction he was looking for until there was a knock on his front door. Maddox set his phone down instantly and went to open the door. Quickly pulling Austin inside. Maddox looked at Austin and shut his own eyes, his nauseous state only getting worse at the sight of the blood and bruises on Austin. "Mads..." Austin said softly, "You need to take pictures... we need the evidence."
Maddox nodded some, "I will. Give me a moment though." Austin gently raised a hand to hold Maddox's face, a comforting gesture. Eventually Maddox opened his eyes and looked at Austin, tears sprang to his eyes before he really realized it. Austin's face was a wreck, but based on the blood on Austin's lips, Maddox could guess he took a few hits to the gut as well. "Sit on the couch," Maddox said quietly, grabbing his phone to take the pictures. Maddox felt awful taking the photos, he knew that Austin was in pain, but if Maddox cared for his injuries first then the full extent of the damage could be hidden.
They started with pictures of Austin's face and neck. Maddox was sickened by the bruises on Austin's throat, he wondered if the bruises on his throat were always hand shaped or if they were just a line. Maddox pushed the thought away from his head as Austin took off his shirt for Maddox to take pictures of his torso. "You know," Maddox said softly, trying to distract himself from the horror in front of himself. "I always hoped to see you shirtless."
Austin chuckled softly, "Eventually I'll make sure you see me shirtless without the bruises."
"I hate seeing you with bruises ever," Maddox said quietly as he took another photo of Austin. "Anything else we missed?" Austin moved to rest his wrists on his thighs, palm up. Maddox then noticed the bruising around Austin's wrist. "That fucker tied you up???"
"Photos Maddox," Austin said softly, "Then we can take care of the injuries okay?" Maddox nodded softly and took the picture of Austin's wrists. Maddox looked over Austin's arms a bit more and couldn't help but notice that he had old and faded scars, not from beatings, Maddox could tell that those were different.
Maddox looked at Austin, "So, you cut your legs now or don't cut?"
Austin shook his head softly, "Forgot you'd recognize those."
"Answer?" Maddox asked.
"I don't cut anymore," Austin said, "I'm already getting hurt. Why add to it?" Maddox nodded in agreement softly. "Why'd you ask about my legs? I've seen your arms Maddox... and... Salem said that you all understood it."
Maddox walked to his bathroom and came back down with the materials he needed to care for Austin, making sure to grab a glass of water for Austin to rinse out the blood from his mouth as well. "Yeah... I cut my legs," Maddox said as he gently soaked a soft rag in rubbing alcohol, cleaning up any cuts. "You already know why."
"There's more to it than that though isn't there?" Austin asked, "I know you Mads, you don't just tell me everything like that."
"Everyone learns what cutting is from somewhere," Maddox said quietly, "Mine just happened to be my dad."
Austin looked at Maddox, "He made you didn't he... you wouldn't do that on your own free will."
"You observe me more than Braxton ever has Austin," Maddox said gently as he continued to clean blood and dirt off Austin's face.
"Does he still make you do it?"
Maddox sighed and rested his hands in his lap, his attempts at changing the topic failing, "If he's home he does."
"Where has he been?"
"He said he'd be up in New York for a while. Didn't say how long."
Austin looked at Maddox, "Would it be wrong for me to hope that he died?"
"I wish for the same thing every time he leaves, Tex." Austin couldn't help but smile at the nickname. The nickname Texas was one that they all use, and it's fairly easy to see why. But only Maddox called him Tex. "You're smiling like a dork," Maddox said as he returned to caring for Austin's injuries.
"Hard not to when such a sweet person is with me."
"Sweet?" Maddox asked before laughing. "I am many things Tex, but sweet isn't one of them."
"You are such a sweetheart though," Austin argued.
Maddox rolled his eyes, "Whatever." Austin sighed and sat quietly so Maddox could continue caring for his injuries. Once done, the two ended up sitting on the couch and watching TV together, Austin throwing his shirt on quickly. Eventually, they both heard their phones go off.
Hell Bois
Witch Trials: Good news, I'm alive. Bad news, my fucking ribs hurt.
Texas: That's a big mood
Archangel: Are you two okay?? Do I need to come over?
Texas: Gabe chill I'm at Mads he took care of it
Witch Trials: I'm already on my way to Brax's. Don't worry.
Archangel: Salem I am your boyfriend it's my fucking job to worry
Furry: if its ur job y do u always worry about all of us
Archangel: Why can't you just write normally?
Furry: does it piss u off
Archangel: A little bit, yeah.
Furry: gud ill keep it up
Lucy: Maddox don't piss of Gabe please I like living
The Man: Whatever you guys. Side note, I might kill Salem's father.
Hatter: lets not ruin what we are wokring towards right now
Witch Trials: Yeah, sadly the bastard has to live.
"God damn," Austin said, "They are so lucky we love them."
Maddox chuckled, "What would we do without them though?"
"True." Austin and Maddox both paused when they heard Maddox's phone go off but not Austin's. Maddox unlocked his phone and looked at the notification, before quickly grabbing the TV remote and switching it over to the news. Both of them were frozen as they saw the words scrolling along the bottom of the screen. Local businessman killed in bar fight out of state. They continued to listen, as soon as Maddox heard the last name Young his world shattered.
"That's...." Maddox didn't need to say it, Austin knew as well.
WHORES OF THE DAMNED
Furry: guys my dad is dead
Fish Boi: Yeah i can see that much.
Salami: Message Hell Bois. We gotta work something out now.
Furry: Fuck that u message and get everyone to my house NOW
Lucy: I'm on it Maddox.
"What are we supposed to do?" Austin asked.
"I don't know..."
Austin sighed, "I don't either... I mean, Micheal could still foster you but he doesn't have his own house... and you'd be at Gabe's."
"I know," Maddox said softly, "We'll work something out... It won't be long until the police or CPS is here... Let's hope they get here first."
"If they are smart, Zeek will drive Brax, Salem, and Levi. The others are close enough to walk here quickly."
"Yeah," Maddox said softly. He got up and unlocked his front door. He knew none of them would walk, they'd burst in as soon as they could. Maddox quietly walked back to the couch and sat, waiting. Austin gently grabbed Maddox's hand. Maddox gently held onto Austin's hand for support.
As Maddox guessed, his friends didn't knock or wait, they walked right in. "Zeek, Brax, Say, Lee, will be a moment," Lucas said, "They are picking up Adrian and Shawn too."
Maddox did nothing but nod slightly, "When they get here we need to lock the door..."
"We will," Gabe said quietly. "You okay Maddox?"
"What are we going to do?" Maddox said, "The plan was to hold out until we had the house where Micheal could foster someone since he'd have a home and steady job. We don't have that yet."
Ryan sighed, "We'll think of someth-"
"What?" Lucas asked.
"It might take a bit of arguing but..." Ryan paused, "My adoptive parents could foster Maddox. CPS already gave them one kid. I'll have to talk them into sticking around long enough for the papers and all to go through."
"By the time that goes though," Salem said as he walked in, "I'll be 18."
"My parents could say it's temporary," Ryan said, "Besides, CPS might let it be done in a day. They try not to move kids out of town unless necessary."
Shawn sighed, "Do we have much of another choice?" Gabe locked the door since everyone was inside now.
"Not really," Micheal said, "Not many options we could take here."
"There's also the bonus of mine and Ryan's parents knowing each other," Maddox mumbled.
"They do?" Gabe asked.
Maddox nodded some, "Ryan's parents work... well worked, for my dad. If Ryan's parents get in on it, we could tell a damn convincing lie that me and Ryan saw each other a lot because my Dad visited them often."
"We don't have many options," Adrian said, "This might be our best chance at keeping Maddox around long enough to go through with the plans."
"Okay, but if Ryan's parents have custody of Maddox, how could we get him to move out to be with us?" Braxton asked.
"If they are fostering then the custody is temporary until someone adopts," Ryan said, "I mean, there's more than just Micheal who's 18. Lucas, Gabe or even Salem could legally adopt Maddox. But that person's name definitely has to be on the lease to the house. That way they can prove they own a house that would be suitable for kids and could support a child financially."
Maddox sighed softly. "So," Salem said, "we talk Ryan's parents into lying and saying that they know Maddox well enough that Maddox would choose to live with them. And after we get the house, someone legally adopts Maddox so he could move in?"
"It's the best chance we got," Lucas said.
Ryan sighed and began looking through his phone's contacts, "Let's hope they pick up for once." Ryan called his adoptive mother and waited, sighing in relief when she picked up. "Hey... Yea I'm doing great. The house is fine. I need a favor," Ryan chuckled softly due to whatever she said. "No uh, no I'm not in legal trouble. It's about a friend... Maddox Young. Yeah we're aware that his dad just died... Look, could you come home for a week or so. We need you to foster Maddox until me and my friends get that house we've been looking at and one of us can adopt him. Maddox won't cause trouble at home. And while you're fostering you'll get some extra money as well." He paused for a moment. "That's great! Um, could you be here soon? Just so when CPS shows up at Maddox's we can say that you'll foster and you'll be home. Really? Thanks so much!"
Gabe sighed, "That sounds like it went well."
"They were already on their way back," Ryan said after hanging up. "They'll stick around for a week so CPS will trust that they won't be neglectful. Help get Maddox settled in enough that he'll be fine. And then they'll go wherever it is they were planning."
"I'm used to no supervision," Maddox said, "So that definitely helps."
"Yeah," Ryan said, "They'll want proof my parents knew you though so... give me a few things that you'd talk about so if CPS asks they can answer, and for them to reference when talking about you." Ryan opened the messages and began typing what Maddox said.
Braxton looked at Ryan, "You were in foster care before huh?"
"No living blood family, mom got shot and dad got arrested, yeah. I was in foster care."
"Your mom was shot?" Shawn asked, "You never mentioned that before!"
Ryan paused, "Did you think my hatred for guns was just average?"
"Well, that explains why you hate fireworks," Gabe sighed. "Everyday I realize just how little we know about your childhood Ry."
"Good," Ryan said, "None of you need to be haunted by that." Salem chuckled softly. "It's bad enough Austin and Salem can understand it."
"Speaking of," Maddox said softly before looking at Salem. "Did Brax have the time to care for your injuries?"
"Most of 'em," Salem said, "Don't worry Nerd."
"Good," Maddox sighed before whispering something to Austin.
Adrian looked at Maddox, "What are you whispering about Madi?"
Maddox glared at Adrian, "None of your business Crutchy."
"As your honorary big brother I demand to know."
"As your honorary pain in the ass, No."
"Maddox," Levi sighed, "What was it?"
"Referencing something me and Austin talked about earlier."
Levi looked at Maddox, "Tell us."
"You will all go out to kill a corpse so no."
"What did that sick fuck do?"
Maddox sighed, "It doesn't matter anymore. Within the month he'll be filled with maggots. So whatever it was I told Austin, doesn't matter anymore because he's no longer around."
"That's such bullshit and we all know it Maddox," Ryan sighed, "You've seen me go off at Gabe and Micheal for saying similar shit about similar situations. I respect that you don't want to tell us, I fully understand that much, but don't give that bullshit that trauma doesn't matter because the abuser isn't around anymore. Okay?"
Maddox looked down and nodded slightly, "Okay Ryan."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Zeek sighed, "I hate many things. The fact that there's secrets now is definitely up there though."
"Zeek," Ryan said softly, "I'm afraid to walk out of my room past 1 am because I'm afraid I'll get beat. Secrets are human nature, and another thing that's human nature is hating your own weaknesses. Maddox tells us whatever that is, and he might tell us his biggest vulnerability. It doesn't matter how much you care about or trust someone, after being hurt, being vulnerable like that becomes scarier than most of this world. He'll tell you all when he's no longer scared of it. If that never comes, you need to respect that... if his father was anything like mine... the fact he trusts any guys older at all is outstanding."
Maddox sighed, "Kind of hard not to trust them when I've basically been a hostage of theirs for two years."
"Not hostage!" Adrian said, "We just decided you were our small friend and you're stuck with us!"
"That sounds like a hostage," Austin said, "Not that I have much room to talk though. Micheal and Gabe are as bad as you guys."
"We know," Levi said, "Believe me I've seen what happens when someone insults you and Micheal hears about it."
Micheal looked at Levi, "I punched someone once about Austin! The rest were mostly Jaxson!"
"I will not confirm nor deny that statement," Jaxson said quietly.
Levi looked at Jaxson, "So I can't be violent but you can?"
"I'm not in a gang!" Jaxson argued.
"I dunno," Shawn said, "We do kinda act like a gang."
Jaxson went to say something to Shawn but cut himself off, "Fine whatever."
"We really cannot go a single day without a fight huh?" Braxton mused to himself.
"I dunno Braxton," Salem said, "Can you go one day without thirsting over Mike?"
"You have no proof of that."
"Zeek does."
"Zeek you told??" Braxton asked.
Zeek threw his hands up in surrender, "I didn't say shit. Salem probably just broke into my phone!"
"I've broken into all of your phones," Salem said, "Your passwords are easy to guess."
"I don't have a password," Gabe said softly.
"I wouldn't need to break into your phone Gabe."
"Why not?" Braxton asked, "Favoritism!"
"Well I'd fucking hope Gabe is his favorite," Jaxson said.
Salem shrugged, "Gabe and I go through each other's phones all the time."
"Does he look at our group chat?" Zeek asked.
"Probably."
"Fuck," Zeek said, "If I have another person who starts throwing food at me I'll officially off myself."
Gabe looked at Zeek, "You know I've thrown things at people for saying that."
"Old habits die hard," Zeek said with a shrug.
"Yeah no shit!" Levi said.
"This is why we search your shit Levi," Braxton mumbled with a sigh.
"Listen Frenchie," Levi said glaring at Braxton. "At least I don't have a document on my phone counting calories okay! Besides, I've stopped."
"Zeek has what?" Ryan asked.
Zeek's jaw dropped, "How dare you assume it's me!"
"Zeek," Ryan said, "It doesn't take one to know one about eating disorders."
Maddox paused for a moment, "Hold up, I caught that implication that you have an eating disorder Ryan."
"It's had," Ryan said, "And the implication was there on purpose. I mean, I did catch it about him and Brax originally due to having one myself but the implication was there to also call out Braxton."
"I don't have an eating disorder," Braxton said, "I actually eat and digest my food."
Ryan paused and looked at Braxton, "You realized that Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge aren't the only ones right?"
"What?"
"Yeah," Ryan said, looking at the others to see if any of them knew that as well. He was shocked to see them all confused, "There's a lot of them since eating disorders are less about food and more about control or emotions. Um... Bigorexia is what I think you would have Brax... it's an eating and body dysmorphia disorder where... you're obsessed with building muscle mass or strength. Lots of body builders have it... I mean you even said all you do is smoke, talk to your friends, and work out... Eating disorders and Bigorexia are all Body Dismorphia Disorders..."
Lucas looked at Ryan, "The fact you know so much about that is confusing."
"I know a lot about a lot of mental disorders..." Ryan said quietly, "It's... fascinating to me.. and makes it a lot easier to help those with the disorders...It's why I got so mad about Gabe's parents... I know that OCD shouldn't be... feared."
Gabe was spinning his ring as he chuckled softly, "Good luck convincing them of that."
"You don't want me to try, trust me."
"I hate that we know so little about you Ry," Shawn said.
Ryan let out an anxious chuckle, "Good luck finding out anything big. Besides my mumbling, hints, and flashbacks, you won't have another source of information. Well, I might tell Salem and Mike someday."
"Cause they understand?" Shawn asked.
"Cause they won't treat me differently once they know," Ryan said.
Lucas looked at Ryan, "Dude, do you realize who we are? Treating you differently would be so fucking hypocritical. The only thing that would be different, would be we'd avoid triggering you, which we do for everyone. As soon as we find out a trigger for someone, we avoid it. Almost obsessively."
"You really think Gabe and Shawn will stand by that?"
"I'll make them," Levi said, "None of us are kids. And I know that you think they'll baby you. But they won't. I won't fucking let them if they try Ryan. You're probably smarter and stronger than most of us."
"Might I point you towards the AP students or the people or can lift Adrian with ease?"
"You know damn well that's not what I meant Ryan," Levi said, "I look at you and I can tell that you've looked death in the fucking eyes and walked away from it. You've gone through shit that most of us would shatter at, I know damn sure that Gabe and Shawn wouldn't have been able to handle what you did as a kid. Besides, it didn't take that much googling to figure out what happened to you before and after your father getting arrested."
Ryan looked at Levi, "Why did you look into that?"
"I wanted to know," Levi said.
"How could you find that without my last name even!"
"Because I know the last name of the people who adopted you," Levi said, "Ryan, you can tell them. You don't have to hide from them. They won't treat you differently."
"Never do that again," Ryan said.
Levi smirked some, "I won't need to. I already have for everyone in this room. No reason to ever again."
"I hate that," Austin mumbled, "I hate that fact so much."
Levi sighed, "Yeah. All the different hospital records that I found for you all were... not what I was expecting."
"Yours are worse and you know it Levi," Maddox said.
"Don't bring that up."
"Oh that's unfair," Ryan said, "Pray tell Levi."
"Well, I moved to this town when I was 7 due to adoption and met Salem and Brax then. A lot can happen in 7 years."
Salem rolled his eyes, "You really are a pain in the ass Levi."
"I know."
"He was in a fire," Salem said looking at Levi, "Got some bad burns on his back and legs from it. You know Levi, it's really ironic your way of coping and one of your favorite scents directly relate to your trauma. And I'm called a masochist." Levi's glare towards Salem was nothing but harsh. "They won't treat you any different."
"You self-centered, useless son of a bit-" Levi was cut off by Jaxson gently placing a hand over his mouth.
Jaxson kissed Levi's head gently and it was clear that Jaxson already knew about that, "Salem, don't. You don't need to take your own anger out on others."
"Can't really hurt the person I'm pissed at though."
"Not yet," Jaxson said, "If you're that mad go for a walk in the woods and punch a tree. Don't take it out on someone you love." Salem was looking closely at Jaxson, trying to figure out the real reason Jaxson was saying that. Salem knew part of it was to protect Levi, but there was something else there. Once Salem realized what it was, he double checked he had his phone and then walked out, knowing Jaxson wouldn't be too far behind.
Zeek watched Jaxson walk out after Salem and rolled his eyes, "Their bullshit aside, I'm never driving Adrian or Shawn anywhere ever again and I don't care if it hurts Adrian."
"Why such a strong protest?" Austin asked.
"Because," Zeek said, "Them having a panic attack in the back seat is a bit distracting while driving above the speed limit."
Adrian looked at Zeek, "I have a breakdown when I see moving cars. Why did you think I'd be fine INSIDE one of those death traps?"
"Adrian refuses to ride in cars because he knows they want revenge," Braxton said.
"Those fuckers tried to take me out once! They want to finish the job!"