I thought this one was going to be much more violent... but it's funny how the characters don't always do what you expect them to!! 8)
Chapter 8:
With the gunshot still ringing in Edmund's ears, his body crashed down mercilessly onto the cold cement floor, pain exploding up from his legs as they crumpled beneath him. Hed failed. Again. Hed failed Cassie as a husband and now hed overplayed his hand with Jonathan and he couldnt protect her
Do you need a minute, Uncle Eddie? Jonathans voice was asking him. Clear as a bell.
Bewildered, Edmund pushed himself up from the floor with his aching arms. Both arms! Edmunds breathing quickened as the realization instantly struck him and he immediately checked his chest for No fresh blood! Of course! The little bastard had shot the shackle loose, Edmund realizedhalf relieved, half enraged!
Edmund looked up from the floor to see Jonathan leaning back, arms folded across his chest, thoroughly enjoying watching Edmunds suffering. Not that he was surprised at all by the depths of the boys cruelty, but Edmund was unexpectedly saddened by the thought that this young manRichards sonhad become so damaged. And Edmund knew that he was partly to blame.
Alright, youve had you fun, Edmund croaked, his voice still affected by the shock of the bullet that he had been so sure meant the end of him. Edmund instinctively checked over to where Cassie was still bound and gagged in the metal chair and felt a squeeze on his heart as he watched fresh tears streaming down her cheeksher eyes glistening with emotion as they desperately searched his. He smiled the briefest of smiles and winked at her before turning his head back to focus on Jonathan.
He was alive Cassie was okay, he told himself. Now all he had to do was get this broken and battered body to hold up to a few more rounds with Jonathan. At least now he could fight back, he supposed Well, in theory at least, he thought, as the pain of getting to his feet with dignity proved to be much more agonizing than he had anticipated.
Hurts, does it? Jonathan growled.
Oh, only a trifle more than excruciating Edmund joked quietly, drawing in a deep breath before pushing himself back onto his feet and against the wall, relying on the wall to steady him before continuing. I think you and I both know that physical pain is infinitely more bearable than the pain felt in here, nephew. Edmund placed his hand over his heart, still beating rapidly from the effort of his exertion.
And yet you still think I should set myself up for more of it, dont you? Jonathan marvelled. Un-@#%$-believable! I dont want your pity, your understanding or any so-called love. Its all worthless! And it all ends in pain anyway! Jonathan shouted.
True, Edmund conceded calmly. Life always brings pain. Its inevitablewhether you allow yourself to love or not. But the love the love is what makes the pain bearable. Its the only thing worth having in life. Jonathans scowl remained wary and cynical. Edmund could see he was far from convinced. Someday maybe you will come to that realization yourself, he wished softly, genuinely hoping that Jonathan would find a way, a reason, to let go of the bitterness, as he had.
So, are we gonna join hands and sing kum baya here, or are we gonna fight? Jonathan cracked sarcastically, clearly pushing away any opening that could lead to more painful discussions.
Too bad, Edmund thought. He really couldnt seem to break through the boys anger. He was tired of trying. So, the decision was out of his hands and he resolved himself to do what had to be done. And if he was honest with himself, he had to admit that even though he felt he had deserved most of what Jonathan had put him through, he was still human and there was another part of him that definitely craved some payback.
As soon as you put down the gun, Jonathan, Edmund replied firmly.
No problem. Jonathan held the gun out, removed his jacket and wrapped it around the weapon before bending to place it on the floor out of Edmunds reach.
Edmund immediately launched himself across the room, taking instant advantage of the younger, fitter mans lapse in concentration and judgment and drove the full weight of his body into him, slamming him into the far wall, knocking him off his feet and pinning him to the floor.
Pinned beneath Edmunds larger frame, Jonathan struggled to free himself. Son of a Jonathan railed. I should have remembered that you like to attack from behind, uncle! Jonathan spat, his face pressed hard against the cold concrete of the floor. Guess I should be thankful that there arent any farm implements handy, huh? Jonathan laughed, still squirming madly to get leverage.
Joke all you want, nephew, Edmund snarled between clenched teeth, his lungs burning from the effort of his sudden attack and from maintaining his hold on the boy. Youre not hurting anyone any more, Edmund promised as he concentrated every fibre of his screaming muscles on keeping control of Jonathans flailing body.
Seconds later the air came slamming out of Edmunds lungs as Jonathans elbow connected upwards into Edmunds battered ribcage, forcing him to double forward and loosen his grip. Edmund grabbed desperately out at Jonathan as the boy rolled out from underneath him and scrambled free.
Think again, uncle! Jonathan screamed, getting to his feet and pumping his arms triumphantly. Cmon is that all you got?
Chapter 8:
With the gunshot still ringing in Edmund's ears, his body crashed down mercilessly onto the cold cement floor, pain exploding up from his legs as they crumpled beneath him. Hed failed. Again. Hed failed Cassie as a husband and now hed overplayed his hand with Jonathan and he couldnt protect her
Do you need a minute, Uncle Eddie? Jonathans voice was asking him. Clear as a bell.
Bewildered, Edmund pushed himself up from the floor with his aching arms. Both arms! Edmunds breathing quickened as the realization instantly struck him and he immediately checked his chest for No fresh blood! Of course! The little bastard had shot the shackle loose, Edmund realizedhalf relieved, half enraged!
Edmund looked up from the floor to see Jonathan leaning back, arms folded across his chest, thoroughly enjoying watching Edmunds suffering. Not that he was surprised at all by the depths of the boys cruelty, but Edmund was unexpectedly saddened by the thought that this young manRichards sonhad become so damaged. And Edmund knew that he was partly to blame.
Alright, youve had you fun, Edmund croaked, his voice still affected by the shock of the bullet that he had been so sure meant the end of him. Edmund instinctively checked over to where Cassie was still bound and gagged in the metal chair and felt a squeeze on his heart as he watched fresh tears streaming down her cheeksher eyes glistening with emotion as they desperately searched his. He smiled the briefest of smiles and winked at her before turning his head back to focus on Jonathan.
He was alive Cassie was okay, he told himself. Now all he had to do was get this broken and battered body to hold up to a few more rounds with Jonathan. At least now he could fight back, he supposed Well, in theory at least, he thought, as the pain of getting to his feet with dignity proved to be much more agonizing than he had anticipated.
Hurts, does it? Jonathan growled.
Oh, only a trifle more than excruciating Edmund joked quietly, drawing in a deep breath before pushing himself back onto his feet and against the wall, relying on the wall to steady him before continuing. I think you and I both know that physical pain is infinitely more bearable than the pain felt in here, nephew. Edmund placed his hand over his heart, still beating rapidly from the effort of his exertion.
And yet you still think I should set myself up for more of it, dont you? Jonathan marvelled. Un-@#%$-believable! I dont want your pity, your understanding or any so-called love. Its all worthless! And it all ends in pain anyway! Jonathan shouted.
True, Edmund conceded calmly. Life always brings pain. Its inevitablewhether you allow yourself to love or not. But the love the love is what makes the pain bearable. Its the only thing worth having in life. Jonathans scowl remained wary and cynical. Edmund could see he was far from convinced. Someday maybe you will come to that realization yourself, he wished softly, genuinely hoping that Jonathan would find a way, a reason, to let go of the bitterness, as he had.
So, are we gonna join hands and sing kum baya here, or are we gonna fight? Jonathan cracked sarcastically, clearly pushing away any opening that could lead to more painful discussions.
Too bad, Edmund thought. He really couldnt seem to break through the boys anger. He was tired of trying. So, the decision was out of his hands and he resolved himself to do what had to be done. And if he was honest with himself, he had to admit that even though he felt he had deserved most of what Jonathan had put him through, he was still human and there was another part of him that definitely craved some payback.
As soon as you put down the gun, Jonathan, Edmund replied firmly.
No problem. Jonathan held the gun out, removed his jacket and wrapped it around the weapon before bending to place it on the floor out of Edmunds reach.
Edmund immediately launched himself across the room, taking instant advantage of the younger, fitter mans lapse in concentration and judgment and drove the full weight of his body into him, slamming him into the far wall, knocking him off his feet and pinning him to the floor.
Pinned beneath Edmunds larger frame, Jonathan struggled to free himself. Son of a Jonathan railed. I should have remembered that you like to attack from behind, uncle! Jonathan spat, his face pressed hard against the cold concrete of the floor. Guess I should be thankful that there arent any farm implements handy, huh? Jonathan laughed, still squirming madly to get leverage.
Joke all you want, nephew, Edmund snarled between clenched teeth, his lungs burning from the effort of his sudden attack and from maintaining his hold on the boy. Youre not hurting anyone any more, Edmund promised as he concentrated every fibre of his screaming muscles on keeping control of Jonathans flailing body.
Seconds later the air came slamming out of Edmunds lungs as Jonathans elbow connected upwards into Edmunds battered ribcage, forcing him to double forward and loosen his grip. Edmund grabbed desperately out at Jonathan as the boy rolled out from underneath him and scrambled free.
Think again, uncle! Jonathan screamed, getting to his feet and pumping his arms triumphantly. Cmon is that all you got?
