Don drives his car fastly on the scene. Firetrucks were already in Kerdon. Curious people have gathered around the street, to see what was going on in their neighborhood.
"Looks like they get in from back, spread the gasoline and set the first floor on fire," Ropert explains to Don who slowly walks next to him. He was standing near the medical treatments spot. There were kids here, looking the scene quietly.
"Everyone got out?" Don asks after realizing he couldn't see Free or the other younger kid with the others. This was the first time he actually saw Kain and Leon too, the two olders from the House. They have never showed themselfs to Don directly. There was also an older woman, sitting in the back seat of Roperts car, talking to one of the paramedics.
Kain wasn't first showing any interest of the people around them while he also was just eyeing toward the burning building. But Kain could recognise Don by only with one glance. Raising his head up slowly, their eyes met. "Free. He.. went back to search Tim," he says coldly, staring Don. "They are still in there."
Ropert clears his throat. "There is a change they got out from the back before the top floor collapsed," older man says wondering, like, intentionally giving some false hope to the kids to hear.
Don moves his eyes up, to watch the flames eating that building. Two floors were down. If there was still someone inside, they were definitely not alive anymore. Knowing that, Don didn't know what to think. About this sudden turn. But when working he could push his own personal thoughts away and do what he has to do. Keep work and personal feelings separated. So he did. That was all he could lean on now.
After helping to get the kids moving and doing the search for Ropert, Don was once again standing in front of the burning building. Quietly eyeing the fading flames.
Firemen were not trying to stop the burning. But stop it from spreading. If there were any bodies under, they would find them from the ashes.
This situation.. get seriously in his nerves. Don felt extremely pissed off but couldn't show it out. The idea of just standing here while not being able to do anything was the worst. As always he shuts his feelings in. There was nothing he could do to make things go differently now.
Shut it all in.
The sound of phone ringing drag Don back to reality. He stares the screen and startles. Call from his neighbour was rare. Especially at these hours. Every cell in his body react. Woke him up. Willing him with energy.
"Mrs Mangel. It's weird to get a call from you. Everything alright?"
"Good evening, Mr Palenne," the voice of an old woman calmly greets him. Then she lets Don hear her concerns. "I - wasn't sure should I call guards first, but.. Me and my husband, we noticed a weird sound coming from the hallway and checked. There might be someone in your apartment. Not you, I suppose. The door is closed now but..
..there is dirt on the wall. And on your door. We think it was best to call you first. Since you are a police officer."
"Yes," Don fastly calls, already moving his legs to walk toward his car. "I'm on my way. Nothing to you to worry about. But please stay in. Thank you for telling me. No need for guards," man ends the call and breathes a long sigh out to calm his mind. He felt exremely hype all of a sudden.
In his mind Don was greatly thanking his irritatingly nosy neighbors habit to keep track on everything what was going on in their quiet corridor. If ever, now this annoying habit has paid to be very useful.
Aki was alive at least. It could have been non other than him.
- - - -
Don opens his apartment door and steps fastly in. A small amount of blood was on the door of the cabinet too, not just on the outside of his apartment. Someone has lean to it and moved on. Kid was definitely in here.
The apartment was dark, except the weak light coming from the bathroom. The small motion detector light was on. Don could easily see a dark figure in. When he turns the head light on he sees the bloody floor. Free was leaning to the bath, eyes closed, keeping a towel against his left shoulder. A bloody piece of glass was lying on the floor next to him.
After trying Free actually still has a pulse, Don could finally breathe his stress out. "Hey, kid! Can you hear me?" Don shakes Free gently. Then a little harder. "HEY! AKI!" Now yelling.
Free wakes up and opens slightly his eyes. Turns his glassy stare on Don who was already searching his phone. Man makes a call.
"It's Don. I have a grey patient with me. Can you help?" he checks Frees eyes and head. No injures around the head area "Yeah. Thanks. About sixteen years, male, bloodtype AB neg. Has a nasty wound on the shoulder, might have shards in. Broken fingers. I probably need blood and drops. Morphine. Now. He is in my place, you remember where I live? Good. I'll see you soon," Don drops the phone and takes Frees hand which was pressing the towel. He moves it a little and checks the wound under the bloody sleeve.
Young man closes his eyes again, letting his head drop down. "Aki! Stay awake for me," Don states loudly and forces kids head back up. "Don't fall back to sleep."
"Don't make me stay awake.. It hurts..," Free mumbles. His voice breaks.
Don hums surely, making kid look straight to his eyes. "I know. I promise it will ease soon. I need you to tell me where it hurts. Do you have any more injures?"
"Tim is dead," Free whispers, crying. Closing his eyes. He doesn't want to stay awake. He wants away from reality. "Oh, shit, it hurts. I don't.."
"You are alive and I need you to help me out here," Don explains with a strong voice. He checks Frees right arm, the chest area. Kids clothes were bloody. But Don couldn't find the source of it. The bleeding from the shoulder wound had almost stop. Kid has done well on his own for now. "Good boy. You did stop the bleeding there."
Don nips Free when he tried to fall asleep again. "I have to undress you. I need you to move just a little."
He was able to take Frees shirt away slowly. The back was bloody, but not leaky. When Don could take a better look of it, he freezes to stare the broken skin eyes wide open. These wounds were not from this evening. Back was black and full of clear, long hitmarks which were clearly inflamed.
But the blood was not from there. No other wounds on the right either. The blood on his clothes was not his. Don sighs, calming himself. This kid was in very bad shape. How he was even able to move like that? "We need to keep you awake. Talk to me," not just the wound on the shoulder or broken fingers, but kid has also been abused, badly. Kids body was fighting alone against inflammation.
Free was just staring Don, first like not even recognizing him. Then he turns to eye the bathroom. Now actually realizing where he even was. "Why I'm here?"
"My friend is coming. We will clean your wound and stick it, after that we will deal your broken fingers. You understand?"
Frees head fall down. Just like that he was unconscious again.
Don moves him lean against himself, to take better position to breathe. Now they couldn't do but wait.
At least kid was still alive.
- - - -
"Hey! Kid," Don shakes Free gently to wake him up. Young man was feeling dizzy, like half of his body has went numb. He slowly opens his eyes and was suddenly staring this unknown man in front of him.
"I need you to bite this," that was Dons voice. Free turns to look Don who was behind him, hugging him. Young mans eyes were red, expand. Terrified. No idea what was going on around him. So Don was calmly waiting kid to wake up.
On hand Don has a wooden stick. Free looks around and realizes this other man was holding strongly still his hand. Two of his fingers were on unnatural position. He understood the situation. They were about to straighten them. Move his bones. By force.
He starts to shake and breathe fastly in and out, like preparing himself. Tears were already falling down from his eyes. He takes the stick between his teeth, breathing heavily, almost panicking.
"We have to join your fingers back in place," Don calmly continues. Making sure kid was listening to him. "We gave you painkillers, but.. First one, then another. It will hurt. I will keep you still. Do you understand?"
After hearing that, Free start breathing even harder. But he nods. He understands.
"Don't look," Don notes the other man to be ready. Free closes his eyes shut. "It's better you-" Man joint the first one. Free screams out, biting the stick between his teeth. "-don't know when it comes." The second.
"There. Good. It's over," Don clears, still keeping Free in strong hold. Young man was screaming his voice out, trying to shake Dons grip away, crying out of pain he kicks his feet so strongly that the other man has to move further. Don let Free struggle a while, until young man wears himself out. Biting the stick still, Free leans his head to the side, closing his eyes.
He concentrate just on breating and eventually fall back to sleep, without caring anymore what was happening around him. The pain and the constant feeling of tiredness were making his head dizzy. He didn't want to stick in reality. He wanted to stay in the dark. Without thinking. Without feeling.
- - - -
The carage hall on Greentowns area was quiet. The Leader was sitting in there, smoking. With him were five others.
"The cops might come and ask questions," one man says. They have been talking about the fire next door for a while now. Have the hunch that their younger ones might be responsible. "Alf didn't take your punishment well. If they wanted to make this 'Free' vanish..."
"There are better ways to do that! A young child is dead because of them! That calls more cops in our territory! Burning a building full of kids..?! HOW THAT HELPS ANYONE! " Leader tsihs angrily. Then calming his mind. "Well? Where are they? Still in hide?"
Man clears his throat. "We are still looking for them.."
"You will not find them," someone standing on the doorway suddenly says in English. Everyone in stands up, searching the man under their eyes who has appeared from nowhere, leaning to the doorway, smiling widely. Their area was always under guard. So this sudden appearence should have been impossible without a heads up. There were eyes everywhere when their Leader was in.
But since the comer wasn't making any sudden moves, but calmly standing still, Leader wasn't planning to make a haste either. "Who are you?" he asks loudly, finally standing up himself. "Don't look so familiar to me. What is your business here? Are you alone?"
Man takes a slow step in. "So many questions," Don smirks. When he walks closer into the light, all these six people inside could see him carrying a golf club, leaning on his shoulder. Making his outcome look like a random melee ganster from movies. But it was better him holding this than having a gun instead. Just for sure. "All you should know is that we have your youngsters in. And I will make them pay and eat some justice they deserve. But that is another story."
Leader tsihs. "My youngsters..?"
Other guy walks in from behind Don, holding a gun, suddenly shooting down the floor in front of one guys legs. One member was about to show his gun but get attacked from behind, losing his weapon. More men walk in. A fast moment and all five of them were surrounded.
"Boss. They clearly tried something, had to shoot a warning shot," a blonde young man says calmly. Wearing sunclasses and a random blue cap on his head.
"When exactly? You just wanted to shoot something. What a waste of bullets and government money," Don answers smiling. Then he glances the blonde guy behind him. "But next time aim to the head and I will give you a big bonus."
"You are as weird as always, Boss..," young blonde man tsihs. "Are you joking now or.."
The Leader takes one step away, staring the one who had spoken. He surely could recognize some of these people around them; they were members from different gang, Viperas, from the other side of the city.
But the main man here.. was different?
"Leha," man standing next to the Leader suddenly calls after realizing something. "I think.. I think that's the one. The cop who has been patroling around the area."
"What?" Leader tsihs and kept staring Don unbelieving. "Are you cops?! You can't come here shooting like that! We haven't done a shit!"
"When someone pays me the hours I am. But I'm on sick leave right now," without dropping his smile Don steps calmly closer. "Others with me do not like to work for the government so calling them cops is missleading. They are just here to guard me."
Without a break, he continues. "You know, the reason why I am here.. One of your kids kindly told me you had some fun with MY kid the other day. Here? I think," Don was looking up, then slowly lows his head. "If I heard right your friend there used his calling name just now." He raises his club to point the man next to the Leader.
Leader was staring Don a while, thinking. That brat was why they were here? "Free? That blue eyed bastard? I had a little chat with him, sure. A waste of my time."
Don gives a direct strike to mans shoulder with his club. Man falls down, shaking. The hit came way too fast. Out of nowhere. Then Don casually hits him in the back, twice. Kicking the man totally down.
He throws his club further behind him. Smirking. "Don't worry. I purposely tried not to hit the main areas on your back. We don't want you die on me now, do we? Since I'm here only to talk with you, for now. And now, we will have that talk," Don breathes out, kicking the guy to lay on his back. Grinning, he knees down, lights his cigarette what he had behind his ear waiting. Leha turns his widen eyes toward Don, breathing hardly. The hits had slightly stunned his lungs. "Be glad these guys are with me here today. I have very bad temper when I get mad. Kind of overdo things sometimes," his voice was incredible calm and clear. But that alone was somehow very intimidating. "Touching my kid like that, you have any idea how angry I am right now? I really like that kid. It will take me some time to fix what you did to him."
Suddenly, Don takes a hold of mans head, making sure he was looking at him. "But I've promised to behave when my men are with me. Or atleast try. I recommend not to try my limits.
If you want to keep your petty life you do exactly as I say. Do we have a deal?"
- - - -
Don was sitting at the kitchen table. It was late morning, the coffee in his cup was already cold. Man was wearly staring out the window. The calm beeping from the bedroom was the only sound breaking the silence in this apartment.
It has been two days since Frees house was burned down. Don had kept the kid on strong painkillers until last evening, to let him sleep, heal. Young man has been on and off of reality. Don keeping the watch, hoping the worst was behind.
They have an idea what had happened. Found this young man named Alf and his friends who set the house on fire. That happened all because one kid blamed one person from something he didn't do. But that might have been partly Dons fault.
Frees back and behind feet were full of hitmarks. Part of the skin was gone, on inflamed scars. Now Don knew what have happened earlier. Kid took it bravely. Didn't say a thing to Don, didn't blame him. He took the responsibility of being too friendly with a cop. Had used drugs from streets to deal the pain. Young man really was high when Don saw him last time.
Now that was definitely Dons fault. Something he couldn't overlook..
Suddenly the beeping stops and goes nonstop. Don pushs himself fastly up and walks toward the bedroom door. Stopping there. Eyes on the young man who was now sitting in the bed, ripping the monitor leads off his skin.
Don sighs from relief. Kid was finally awake. "Welcome back," he quietly says while walking next to the bed, closing the monitor. Free raises slowly his eyes on him, then the room around.
"Why I'm here?" he asks with a weak voice. Then actually looking his taped left hand. Raising it upper to see and realizing the dizziness. "My body.. feels weird.."
"Full of morphine," Don answers straight. "You have been sleeping for two days now. Go back down. You should not get up right away."
"If I don't I'm gonna pee here," Free tsihs and moves the blanket away, gets wavingly up, ignoring mans words. "How wasted am I... And why I'm naked..," he keeps mumbling. "You are a pervert after all.."
"Your clothes were all bloody," older clears, watching Free moving away, ready to give a support if he needs it.
"Bloody? Oh, that's Tims -" Free stops. Realizes. Actually start to remember what have happened. Then he laughs a little. "Oh I don't want to.." He wipes his eyes and walks slowly out of the bedroom while taking a support from the wall, heading determinedly toward the bathroom.
Don was intently eyeing him going. Kids back was full of bruises and scars, even still after two days treatment. The broken side of his was also dark. The stitched wound on his shoulder was reddish, but clean. Now that kid was walking with his own feet, Don could visibly see how bad shape his body still was. "If you need any help just ask."
"Why I would need help for leeking..," younger tsihs out, shutting the door behind him, showing clearly he wanted some privacy here.
- - - -
Under Dons guarding eyes Free took a fast shower. After cleaning all the sweat around his body, the dirt from his hair and carefully washing his aching back, young man felt way more better. Probably because of what ever he was under, he was feeling damn good, like painless. But very tired.
Don already had clothes for him to wear ready. After taking his time to dry his skin and wear these surprisingly fitting trousers on, Free heads to the kitchen area, showing this very bored look to Don who was leaning to the table, eyeing back. "I'm hungry," kid simple states.
Don smirks. If kid could act as cocky as ever, he was surely fine enough to be up. Having an appetite was always good. "Sit down. I'll get you something."
"Why there was no mirror in the bathroom? It was there before..," Free wonders out loud while sitting down.
"I removed everything here what you could possible use to hurt yourself or others," older clears out, opening the fridge.
Did he actually just hear that right? "Ha?"
Don turns his eyes on Free. It was better to clear everything out right away rather than avoid answering. "You went shit down. Anyone would after witnessing their own house burning down and..," man has to cut his words. But he continues. "Now that you are awake and start to go through what happened.. People react differently. At the moment your mind is not stable.
Trust me. I know."
Free was just staring Don, finally showing some frustration out. So this cop knew already what have happened. Sighs. "You think I would blame myself. And now wanna die myself? Attack you?"
"I don't think anything. But I have to be prepared. You tried to rip off your own hand," Don calmly says. Young man shows this very confused look next.
"I did?"
"You did. Told me to get it off of you," Don puts the cup full of some light colored warm drink in front of Free. "Until I am sure you have cleared your mind, I will stay prepared for anything. But now when you seem to be in your senses again you should go through what happened. Eventually get it out from your system."
The way man said that was very reasonable. Indeed, Free has definitely not accepted all what have just happened. When he still felt like nothing has even happened. He was just tired, out of feelings. His mind shutting the truth from him still. Actually, has he even yet woken up totally? Eyeing now the room around him, Free couldn't help start thinking what indeed had even happened. "How did I end up here? I remember getting out the house and..," he thinks. Then nothing. Wasn't he sleeping then? He could clearly remember it was night then. Why he was in and not out then? He usually spends every night out. Why his house was burning anyway? Why he was now here and not with his brothers? Where were his brothers? Two days? Did Don say he's been in here two days?
Don sighs out. "You came in here yourself. I found you on the bathroom floor. Really, you are full of drugs right now, so.. remembering everything right away is unlikely. You have been bed framed for two days. Take your time."
But Free wasn't intent to do so. He stares toward the front door. Trys to remember. "You.. broke my fingers? No, some other guy did.. There was someone else.."
Kid was very resistant to just let it all go for now. It was better to clear as much as possible to easy his mind. "I couldn't take you to the hospital so I call my friend from under. He is a doctor. We actually joint your fingerbones back in place. They were already broken when I found you."
Free turns his look back on Don, wearing this pondering face. "Why I came here..?" he trys to think, but all he could remember was a step after step after step forward, with the pain.
"Why ever, I think it was the right call," Don sets next the plate full of cereals with milk in front of Free. "You have lost a lot of blood. We couldn't give you any replacement since we weren't sure are you even vaccinated. And your back and feet are inflamed. Those injures are serious. That is why you are on antibiotic and nonsteroidals. You can't find the right treatment for that from streets."
After hearing that Free realizes this man has seen his back now. Right, he was beaten earlier, by the Greens. Shit. He had endured so much to not let this freaking cop find that out. "I.. should probably thank you," Free says quietly, lowing his eyes. Indeed, he was in damn bad shape, wasn't he..
"No need," Don immediately clears, staying now eyeing the young man who was clearly looking more frustrated all of a sudden. For him, that was alarming. "Isn't it my fault anyway.."
Young man raises his look back to Don. His fault?
But man continues after letting this deep breathe out. "Eat. Tell me if you need anything else. Take you time," Don passes Free and pets his head, leaving kid have his meal in peace.
Free stares the plate in silence. And eventually takes the plastic spoon Don has given him.
- - - -
"It's not a bad idea you to go back and rest after I'm done," Don points out. He was sitting now behind Free, taking care of his back. The skin there was in bad shape, so they had to cover it with healing bonds. Make sure the area was clean and dry until the scars vanish and a new skin could cover the area. Wounds like these require daily care.
Free was ignoring his words, just staring out the window, feeling damn tired after getting something to eat. It was sunny and hot day again out there. But inside this apartment it felt nicely cool, because of the air-conditioner. Although Free wasn't actually sure was he even feeling nice, when he just couldn't seem to feel anything. Not pain, not the touch on his back.. That was very weird. Being painless.
Don sighs out. Kid was amazingly calm, didn't show any changes in his behavior, clearly in his thoughts. "Do you want to know what happened in your House?" man dares to ask then. For now this kid was okay. Talking about what happened was important to clear the mind.
Free turns his look forward. Didn't say a thing first. But then he nods. "Yeah.."
Don hums. "Remember my friend, Ropert? He took the case and found the suspects. Some kids broke in, used gasoline and set the building on fire. The house is down now. Nothing left."
After man cleared what happened, Free snorts, actually showing this very confused smile. "I figured..," it was exactly as he thought it went.
"No one knows you are here," Don continues. "And I don't mind you staying here as long as you need. But what are you planning to do from now on? That's something you should think through, eventually."
Young man kept his silence a while before talking. "You finally called me 'Aki'," he then haltingly whispers, smiling. Dons hand stops. "Is that the reason why you are so interested of me? Why really..? I mean, I was really wondering what you would do.. after.. if you find your 'Aki'? Take him back? To her?
Sorry but I killed him a long time ago. Aki. I'm not him anymore."
"You might change your look, your name, even lie your age. But the kid I met that day sits right here with me. Broken, but alive," Don didn't move his eyes from Free. Who knows what he was thinking. Since this kid came back to his life, he hasn't been able to cut this interest off. Can't just ignore this one.
Free didn't say anything. His mind was empty. Nothing to 'if' anymore. So after all this cop really has recognized him too. When he tried to remember the night of fire... hearing that name used he remembers. Don calling him 'Aki'.
Don lays the last bond on place and gets up. "The moment I saw you, I knew you were the same kid. Anyone who has seen your mother would. Your features are like hers. Very memorable," he has moved in front of one of the kitchen closets, searching this small white box out. He turns back, puts two pills on the table in front of Free and gives a class of water. Now their eyes met. Smile. "But it was that wild gaze of yours I could easily recognize. That hasn't changed."
Younger kept his silence, was just staring Don.
"Well, that has nothing to do with you being here now. I mean, sure it has, but it really has not," Don says then. "I'm sorry if calling you by your real name was offensive."
"What, you too liked that bitch so much you couldn't forget her face?" Free tsihs then, smiling. He was clearly a little annoyed. Showing his attacking mood out.
Don gives out this gently smile. Thinking how hilarious that actually sounded like. "That 'bitch' I have already forgotten. But you I haven't. Couldn't," he just clears. They stare each other in silence. Since Free was still acting really calm, Don think it might be better to clear everything before kid would go even more defensive. Adding more to deal at this state might end up being harmful, but if not cleared straight it would do even more harm later.
After making is mind, Don leans to the desk behind him. "Five years ago, your mother was my telltale. For money she offered information about the group she was hanging out with. That day she came to tale," he explains. "But no one of us knew she actually had a child.
I don't expect you to remember but.. You talk to someone in the waiting room. A few years older kid. Asked him 'was he the same' or something like that. Nothing else."
The air around Free hasn't changed a bit. He was calmly listening the other, looking straight into mans brown eyes. "He told me after, about it all. Was asking were you safe. When I told him you left with your mother he said you..," Don takes a small break. "He was sure you were an item too. Really, that happens all the time. Thought I should contact some social workers who then took the case.
Days later they broke in your mothers house. What they found..," Don was carefully analyzing Frees mood while talking. "Do you remember what happened there?"
Free smirks. Showing very mocking face. "How I could not remember. I was there," he answers surely. Without a weakness in his tone or look.
Since the younger man was calmly staring back to him, Don think it was fine to continue. This kid was not so thin skinned. He seem to be able to think clearly now. "The scene of a bloody homicide was what they found. No bodies. Just the room full of blood. Your mother sitting in the next room like nothing have happened," man clears, eyeing that booring expression kid has on him, trying to find any kind of changes from him, but he was still just calmly listening.
So Don didn't need to back off. "We found out one of her friends been killed there. Body taken away. All she could tell was that the very one killed her son. She got her revenge," he explains. "I found that mans body. Found out what happened. Found the young boys blood from the scene. But not the body. Dead or alive. Ever. Case closed."
Free could swear he saw Dons facial expression changing a little colder. But still man was wearing a calming smile. "I hate leaving my cases unfinished. But no matter what I couldn't find you then. I searched. Talk to everyone she knew. Still a no," older keeps, turning his eyes away for a slight moment just to turn it back. Like needing a break himself. "But then, years later, during one random case I met this tattoo artist. He mentioned a young boy whose 'heart shaped' tattoo he had removed a few years ago," Don touchs behind his own left ear, showing kid where the tattoo had been removed. "Just like that. I found a new clue. Not many ten years old have a tattoo. Or on that unique place. Took my interest, of course. So, you were still alive, maybe?
Ropert start to ask around. Told me that if I get involved I would take it too personally. After all I kind of did," man smirks, clearing his mind out. "To answer your question what I would do if I find 'Aki', well, the answer is I could end my case properly. Even when I couldn't find you then you had done well on your own."
Before saying more, Don moves a little, taking a step closer to the table area where Free was sitting at, intently eyeing back. "I was going to leave it there. Really. What happens in the past should stay in the past. To me it's necessary to think like that," man leans on the back of the chair. "But after I found out you stole Roperts car and became a main suspect in this new case.. I can't just turn around and leave even if I wanted. I know what you have done. Just don't have enough to prove it, yet. So now I want to see how it would end. Your case."
Now Don turns his look away for a few second. "It really doesn't matter do I tell you this or not, but.. I have never been too keen on anyone. Never. Ever. Not until now," he was again eyeing Free, with this wondering expression on his face. But still keeping his usual calm. "Really not so sure why either, but you took my interest.
You are something else."
Hearing what happened back then from Dons point of view made Free realize that the truth he has been leaning on all these years was nothing but his own presumption, a misunderstanding. That leave him feel quite empty, a little disappointed. If things would have went a little differently, if he would have only speak out back then, someone might have seen his suffer. Might have saved him. "She got her revenge?" young man shows an unbelieving smile, laughing quietly. "What revenge? Did she ever told you what really happened? That lying bitch didn't, did she.. I can tell you what she did..," his lips turns to this bitter smile. After hearing Don, Free really had nothing to hide here anymore. This cop has already figured out everything about him. Even more what he himself seem to know.
Don didn't answer. Just keeps eyeing back on kids eyes, in silence.
After a small moment of putting his thoughts together Free finally speaks again. "Not sure what but that bitch was yelling to her phone. Then later she called her friend. Talked about something, like, she wanted to see herself what was so wrong letting his son do what she did or something like that. She..," Free turns his eyes away, trying to hold his shaking voice. "..ask me didn't I like it? Why I wouldn't like it? She force me to drink, saying that drinking a little before would definitely make me like it too. She told me she wanted to watch how much I love it to let those men..!"
Free shakes his head, moving his eyes, trying to decide where to look. Talking about that person made him feel sick. "When.. I fought back, he hit me. That's when she attacked. She had a knive. Hitting that man over and over and over and over again and again and again. I remember she was crying. Then laughing. Cry and laugh. Kept.. just going..
That's when I made my mind and ran. I didn't look back," finally young man turns his look straight to Dons eyes. Forcing himself to wear this strong face. "I.. have seen that scene many times in my dreams. Talk about it to the Priest too, once. I didn't find Jesus but I found the tolerance.
Before I had nothing. After, nothing. Had no one to look for me when I ran to streets. No one who would even knew I exist. When I learnt the way how I've been living wasn't actually normal.. I created a new me. Some who could have something. Would have more.
'Aki' you are looking for is dead. He is not me. So you can have your guilt and shovel it right back in your ass if that's what it is. I'm not sorry for what happened. I born right from what happened. I am Free because of that," Frees piercing stare went right through Don, growing stronger with every word he spoke, like showing something like recalling his past would not shake him. The words Free talk out were sure, mature. What he had went trought has made him only stronger. Not broken.
Dons smile went slightly wider. "You are a weird kid," he calmly says. "I'm glad I can have my 'guilt' back." Then his appearance changes a little. "The detective I am would like to take you in, find your rights and get you your name back. But your current list you have build on your own makes the effort futile anyway. That might not help you at all.
But the other side of me.. What I've.. Well that is a little tricky..," Don mumbles, finally loosing his hold from the chair. "I don't know what you are planning from now on. What happened in your house.. You will go and revenge, maybe? Or accept everything and move on?
How ever, if I catch you with my own eyes.. if you keep doing what you have been doing.. You put me in a situation when I will go against you. No matter how strong this 'guilt' is.
Don't lean on that."
Free was looking Don with charged look. If this man gave him an advantage call just now, the trust or what ever this was between them was already out of the norm. "So become your pet or run far away?" young man dares to snap back, showing a sneaky smile.
Don smiles back. "So far I can't find you."