Ask, and ye shall receive... 
: 8) (It's a short one, but the next Chapter is almost ready too...)
Chapter 9:
God, the pain was almost too much. Edmund struggled fiercely to slow his breathing. Take deep breaths. Get control man! Focus! Cassie needs you.
Edmund could barely hear Jonathans ranting above the sound of his own blood surging with blinding pressure behind his eyes and the air whistling laboriously from the vice-like pressure seizing his lungs and chest.
Cassie. Cassie. Cassie. Edmund intoned rhythmically over and over to himself until his ragged breathing finally slowed to the same rhythm and the pain in his chest become tolerable. Perhaps going on the offensive hadnt been such a brilliant tactic, Edmund conceded to himself as he hastily ran through his current options and assessed his next move.
the one crawling on the ground like the pathetic worm that you are, Jonathans voice gradually edged its way back into his consciousness and began forming words. So how is it that your love has made you strong, huh? I dont see strong. All I see is a weak, broken old man. Jonathan kicked out viciously at Edmunds prostrate body, connecting with Edmunds arm as he held it out to protect his still painfully vulnerable torso. Why dont you stay down and well call it a day, dude? You are so done. Look at you!
It wasnt Jonathans taunting that spurred Edmund to clamber, ever so slowly, ever so painfully, back up onto his feeta little wobbly, perhaps, but standing nevertheless. It wasnt Edmunds pride or ego either. It wasnt even Edmunds fierce desire to protect Cassie at any cost to himself. No, Edmund thought, grimacing as he drew his shoulders back and stood facing Jonathan with as much dignity and defiance as his tortured body would allow. No, this was about proving his pointthat love could make you weak, but it was still worth fighting for.
Youre freakin crazy, man! Jonathan laughed incredulously. Why the hell do you keep coming back for more? Why?
Because, life knocks you down, and you get back up, dont you Jonathan? Edmund replied between uneven breaths, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. You fight for life. You fight for love. Because its worth it, he rasped.
Worth it? She doesnt even love you, Jonathan stressed. Shes with him! What the hell are you fighting for?
Doesnt matter. Edmund shook off Jonathans questions. Loving her is enough. Its a rare gift. Your mother loves you too, Jonathan. You shouldnt throw away that gift.
Shut up! Dont talk about my parents. Dont you dare talk about my parents, Jonathan screamed.
She loved you so much that she tore out a piece of her own heart to keep you safe from me, Jonathan, Edmund continued, undeterred.
I said shut up! Jonathan kicked out brutally, striking Edmund in the kneecap. Another blow to the side of his knee knocked him off balance and brought him crashing to his knees again. Edmund refused to cry out, but clenched his teeth and forced himself once more onto his unsteady legs.
You cant let your step-father still control your life, Jonathan, Edmund persisted, straining to maintain control, keep his voice even and get the words out. Keep talking. It took me a long time to get out from under my fathers shadow and my brothers. But it is possible. I just needed to realize that I was the only one holding back, keeping me in the darkness. I had to let it go. You need to too, Jonathan. Just let it all go.
Jonathan shook his head, shaking off Edmunds words. You cant win with words, uncle. Jonathan emphasized his point with a sharp jab to Edmunds already swollen left eye. You cant stop me from winning this fight. Im the strong one, he shouted, as another fist smashed into Edmunds jaw, sending Edmund staggering backwards. My step-father taught me that much. Disciplined! he shouted, as the sole of his boot struck Edmund hard in the centre of his chest, immediately doubling him over with the intensity of the pain. Fearless! Jonathan knocked Edmund to the ground. Merciless! Strong! I am strong. I survived. I survived! Jonathan screamed, as he beat every syllable into Edmund who now lay crumpled and convulsing on the cold cement.
Just give it up, Edmund, Jonathan cried. Just give it up and Ill stop. Ill stop Ill stop Jonathan panted, regaining his composure.
Jonathans rage seemed to have subsided, Edmund thought, as he wiped at the blood from a gash on his eyebrow and managed to peer up at the boy. Maybe he was breaking through to him? Maybe the pain wasnt all for nothing But just then that familiar, infuriating smirk reappeared at the corners of Jonathans mouth.
Of course, then Ill have to amuse myself with Cassie over there, Jonathan leered.
Something in Edmund snapped.
: 8) (It's a short one, but the next Chapter is almost ready too...)Chapter 9:
God, the pain was almost too much. Edmund struggled fiercely to slow his breathing. Take deep breaths. Get control man! Focus! Cassie needs you.
Edmund could barely hear Jonathans ranting above the sound of his own blood surging with blinding pressure behind his eyes and the air whistling laboriously from the vice-like pressure seizing his lungs and chest.
Cassie. Cassie. Cassie. Edmund intoned rhythmically over and over to himself until his ragged breathing finally slowed to the same rhythm and the pain in his chest become tolerable. Perhaps going on the offensive hadnt been such a brilliant tactic, Edmund conceded to himself as he hastily ran through his current options and assessed his next move.
the one crawling on the ground like the pathetic worm that you are, Jonathans voice gradually edged its way back into his consciousness and began forming words. So how is it that your love has made you strong, huh? I dont see strong. All I see is a weak, broken old man. Jonathan kicked out viciously at Edmunds prostrate body, connecting with Edmunds arm as he held it out to protect his still painfully vulnerable torso. Why dont you stay down and well call it a day, dude? You are so done. Look at you!
It wasnt Jonathans taunting that spurred Edmund to clamber, ever so slowly, ever so painfully, back up onto his feeta little wobbly, perhaps, but standing nevertheless. It wasnt Edmunds pride or ego either. It wasnt even Edmunds fierce desire to protect Cassie at any cost to himself. No, Edmund thought, grimacing as he drew his shoulders back and stood facing Jonathan with as much dignity and defiance as his tortured body would allow. No, this was about proving his pointthat love could make you weak, but it was still worth fighting for.
Youre freakin crazy, man! Jonathan laughed incredulously. Why the hell do you keep coming back for more? Why?
Because, life knocks you down, and you get back up, dont you Jonathan? Edmund replied between uneven breaths, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. You fight for life. You fight for love. Because its worth it, he rasped.
Worth it? She doesnt even love you, Jonathan stressed. Shes with him! What the hell are you fighting for?
Doesnt matter. Edmund shook off Jonathans questions. Loving her is enough. Its a rare gift. Your mother loves you too, Jonathan. You shouldnt throw away that gift.
Shut up! Dont talk about my parents. Dont you dare talk about my parents, Jonathan screamed.
She loved you so much that she tore out a piece of her own heart to keep you safe from me, Jonathan, Edmund continued, undeterred.
I said shut up! Jonathan kicked out brutally, striking Edmund in the kneecap. Another blow to the side of his knee knocked him off balance and brought him crashing to his knees again. Edmund refused to cry out, but clenched his teeth and forced himself once more onto his unsteady legs.
You cant let your step-father still control your life, Jonathan, Edmund persisted, straining to maintain control, keep his voice even and get the words out. Keep talking. It took me a long time to get out from under my fathers shadow and my brothers. But it is possible. I just needed to realize that I was the only one holding back, keeping me in the darkness. I had to let it go. You need to too, Jonathan. Just let it all go.
Jonathan shook his head, shaking off Edmunds words. You cant win with words, uncle. Jonathan emphasized his point with a sharp jab to Edmunds already swollen left eye. You cant stop me from winning this fight. Im the strong one, he shouted, as another fist smashed into Edmunds jaw, sending Edmund staggering backwards. My step-father taught me that much. Disciplined! he shouted, as the sole of his boot struck Edmund hard in the centre of his chest, immediately doubling him over with the intensity of the pain. Fearless! Jonathan knocked Edmund to the ground. Merciless! Strong! I am strong. I survived. I survived! Jonathan screamed, as he beat every syllable into Edmund who now lay crumpled and convulsing on the cold cement.
Just give it up, Edmund, Jonathan cried. Just give it up and Ill stop. Ill stop Ill stop Jonathan panted, regaining his composure.
Jonathans rage seemed to have subsided, Edmund thought, as he wiped at the blood from a gash on his eyebrow and managed to peer up at the boy. Maybe he was breaking through to him? Maybe the pain wasnt all for nothing But just then that familiar, infuriating smirk reappeared at the corners of Jonathans mouth.
Of course, then Ill have to amuse myself with Cassie over there, Jonathan leered.
Something in Edmund snapped.
