Chapter 42

Base Acid

I hurried upstairs after arriving home from tutoring. I had three hours to decide whether or not to show up. Comrade and Ricky would be there, but honestly what college student would want to hang out with a high schooler. Biting my fingernail, I glanced at my phone. Spending the night talking to Titus really wasn't a bad alternative. We could have the "omega" talk I've been avoiding the last couple days.

I groaned and rolled over onto my stomach. I'm not going. Chris didn't just give out tickets to people he doesn't like. When we were still friends, half the time he won't even invite me to this kind of things. Mostly because my mother said no.

Turning to my back, I banged my head on my pillow. This shouldn't even be that hard of a decision.

"I'm not going," I whispered, closing my eyes. It's that simple.

My phone buzzed at my side. Titus must have gotten done with his chores early. I glanced at the screen but didn't recognize the number. I opened up the message and froze.

Hey this is Chris. I'm giving you a ride.

My heart was pounding. Putting the phone down, I climbed out of bed and sat down at my desk. I could just pretend I didn't get it. His number was blocked, so who's ever phone he's using, I can say didn't have the right number. I sunk down in my desk chair. I should have told my parents to change my number.

The phone started buzzing again.

I rolled over in my chair and pressed on the message.

Reply now.

No. I would not let him push me around. I didn't have to, and I wasn't going to listen to him anymore.

Now.

I grabbed the phone and typed a reply.

I can't go. My mom won't let me.

Sneak out around 10. Walk to Katy's house. I'll pick you up.

My hands were sweating. Yes, I've done it before. And yes, Chris had convinced me to do a lot stupider things, but that was the old Chris. The one that didn't hate me, push me into lockers, and give me death stares.

I typed one word and pressed send. Flopping down on my bed, I hid my face. I really was the stupidest person in existence.

***

I was asking to get hurt. Even if Chris was just going to give me a ride, with my luck, my parents would find out I snuck out, and I'd be grounded, yet again. I was such an idiot.

I glanced back at my house down the road. If I ran back now, I could hide in my room and tell my mom that I was sick Monday, then I wouldn't have to face him. Until Tuesday...

Why couldn't Chris just move or transfer schools?

Headlights were approaching. My breath caught and stood still. The red jacket I was wearing should be enough for them to see me. My pocket started to buzz.  I took it out and opened Titus's message.

So... can we talk or not?

The car was starting to slow down. I hurried and typed a reply.

I'm going to the concert. I'll call you tomorrow.

The truck stopped. Chris was behind the wheel with Katy in the passenger seat, fixing her makeup in the mirror. He rolled down his window.

"You showed. Hop in."

I opened the door and climbed inside. Neither one said anything as we started down the road. I shouldn't have done this. I felt sick. This was worse than running off to werewolf territory.

My phone started ringing. I quickly pressed ignore.

"Who's that?" asked Chris, looking at through the rearview mirror.

"No one," I whispered. "Wrong number." I put my phone on silent, and put it back in my pocket. The ticket crunched against my hand.

"Who's playing tonight?" asked Katy.

Chris shrugged. "No one I know. I think they're all new bands."

They talked back and forth casually as we drove. My hand remained on my phone. He was going to be so mad. I was pissing off a werewolf right now, so I could go get my ass kicked. This whole situation was messed up. Cursing to myself, I sunk down in my seat.

Comrade was going to be there. I took out my phone and went to his name. I send him a text that I would be coming, while trying to ignore the constant notification that Titus had texted me. He replied to me soon after.

Great. We're already here. We'll look for you.

Thank god, I'd just jump out of the truck and ran find them the moment we arrived. Please god let it be that simple.

We pulled into the parking lot, and I watched the two in front of me. They didn't look back at me. Katy was checking her hair, and Chris was just waiting for her to finish.

"I'm going in." I quickly opened the door and climbed out. I hurried to the gate. A man was waiting to collect tickets. I handed him mine, and he gave me a green-glow in the dark wristband. I moved off to the side and struggled to get it on.

"Aden!" called a familiar voice.

I looked up to see Comrade hurrying over.

"I see you didn't die."

"Not yet," I laughed hesitantly.

"Here let me do that for you." He took the band and wrapped it around my wrist. "There you go."

A large man stood behind him. Not as big as Titus, but in the human world he was big enough to not want to provoke.

"Aden this is Ricky. Ricky, this is student I was telling you about."

"Oh, the one with the boy drama, who won't listen to you."

Comrade slapped his boyfriend's arm. "You weren't supposed to tell him that."

Ricky just laughed before offering his hand. "Nice to meet you."

I shook it. "You too."

"Well let's go inside, and find Kyle." Comrade led the way.

I followed, occasionally looking over my shoulder, but Chris or anyone else from school was nowhere to be seen. We weaved our way through the crowded hall. Music was already playing, and I kept being slammed into as I tried to keep up with them. Ricky was parting the crowd, enough for Comrade to get through and only him.

"Over here, Aden," called Comrade over the noise.

I went to a group of high school looking kids.

Ricky tapped a short brown haired kid on the shoulder. By his mostly black attire, I'd say he frequented this place a lot. He fit in, while my bright red jacket was a mistake on my part.

"Kyle this is Aden," yelled Ricky.

"Oh," he nodded toward me with a smile. "What school do you go to?"

"Harper's Creek."

"Franklin." Kyle glanced around at the group. "First time here."

I nodded. "Obvious right."

"A bit," he laughed. "Come on, we'll show you around."

The group started toward the middle of the crowd, and I was right behind them. Being left alone in a place like this, scared me a little, especially with Chris lurking around.

***

Kyle tugged on my arm and motioned toward the door. We slipped out into the cool night air. I felt disgusting, but surprisingly, I was having a good time. This wasn't as bad as I thought.

We walked to the back of the building and sat down on the grass. Other people were scattered about.

"It feels amazing out here."

Kyle nodded and wiped his forehead. "It'll be snowing soon and then you can dump in a snow drift, cool off, and go right back in."

"You do this every weekend?"

"Basically." He checked his phone. "Only time I can get away from my parents."

"What year are you in high school?"

"Junior, you?"

"Senior," I replied.

"Lucky. Still have a year and half before I can get out of this place," Kyle muttered.

I shrugged. "Yeah, I'm ready for college."

"Forget school," he laughed. "I just want to go on a road trip." He scrolled through his phone. "Damn it, not again."

"What?"

"Ricky is pissed. I need to go calm him down, before he sent someone to the hospital."

"I really hope he hasn't sent anyone to the hospital before," I said worried.

Standing, he gave me a smirk. "Family secret. You cool by yourself."

I nodded. "Yeah, I'll be in a few minutes."

"'kay." He hurried off and disappeared around the corner.

Comrade wasn't joking when he said Ricky wasn't afraid to get in someone's face. I brushed my matted hair off my forehead and took out my phone. 52 messages.

I groaned and rubbed my face. "He's going to kill me."

"Homophobic prick!" yelled someone.

It startled me. I leaned over so I could see the door. Kyle was holding back a red faced Ricky as Chris fixed his clothes.

"Come near or my boyfriend again, and this fag will knock your face in."

"Ricky," snapped Kyle, pushing him back. "Leave it."

The large man went inside with Kyle yelling something at him. The music was too loud for me to hear.

Chris started laughing and wiped off his jacket. His friends start to materialize, and that was my cue to disappear. I stood and brushed off my jeans. Putting my phone away, I looked up and saw Chris looking my way. I turned my head sharply and started off in the other direction.

Time to find Ricky and Comrade.

I hurried to the other side of the building. A couple guys I recognized from school were walking to the door.

"Shit," I breathed. I turned back and started to walk toward the back fence. Taking out my phone, I called Comrade. It started to ring. I glanced back to see Chris and the others watching me.

"Pick up," I breathed. The fence was right in front of me. There wasn't anywhere else left to go. "Pick up your damn phone."

I spotted a gate in the fence held together by a chain. I ran over. The bottom had been bent out.

"Hey Aden."

I stopped.

Chris folded his arms. "Where are you going?"

The look in his eyes scared me even in the dark. I dove through the hole and clambered to my feet. I could hear the fence rustle behind me as I ran into the trees.

The cold air burnt my lungs. I staggered down an embankment and sat on a fallen log to catch my breath. Still no answer from Comrade. I pressed on Titus's name and pressed it to my ear. It rang four times and then five, six. It went to voice mail. I pressed end and leaned over my knees. Why didn't he answer? He spammed my message folder and now he wasn't answering.

The rustle over dead leaves sounded above my head. I jumped to my feet and raced off into the bushes. Voices sounded around me. I kept running, though my legs and lung were ready to give out.

My phone started to ring in my pocket. I staggered to a stop and pulled it out.

"Comrade," I breathed.

"Hey, Aden, what's wrong?"

"Chris, he's..." I gasped.

"Where are you?" he said sternly.

"In the woods," I looked around. "Out back."

"What the hell are you doing there! I'm getting Ricky, and we're going to come find you."

"'kay. Hurry."

The end cut.

Rubbing my arm, I scanned the outline of trees. This really was a stupid idea.

Footsteps sounded behind me. Before I could react, I was tackled from behind. I screamed as my face was shoved into the dirt.

"If you're trying to hide, don't make phone calls," chuckled Chris, standing.

I rose to my hands and knees. He kicked me hard in the ribs, knocking the air out of me. I rolled onto my back, groaning.

Chris stood over me and leaned down to grab the neck of my shirt. "Having fun, Aden?"

"Stop it, Chris," I breathed.

"Weak," chuckled Chris. He stepped to the side and yanked me to my feet.

My ribs ached, and it was hard to remain standing.

"No straight man would be this pathetic." He punched me in my stomach.

I buckled over, my knees giving out.

"Come on, Aden," he taunted. "Fight back." He walked around me. "What unless it's a cheap shot you can't hit me?"

Holding my stomach, I slowly rose to my feet. "Please," I begged. "Please stop."

"Why?" he said plainly. "It's not like you're going to stop me."

His fist connected with my jaw. I hit the ground. My sight went black for a moment and came back in a haze before focusing. I could taste copper on my tongue as noise swirled around me. My senses were spinning. Turning over, I saw two figures standing by the trees. Rising to my knees, I clasped my forehead.

Growling and gasps hit my ears. I wiped my eyes and saw a black wolf holding Chris by the neck against the tree.

"Titus," I exclaimed. "Titus, Titus wait." I stumbled to my feet and over to him. Falling against his back, I hugged him. "Titus, don't."

The tense left the werewolf's body. Chris's feet hit the ground. He stared wide-eyed at the mutant wolf.

"Wh-what are you-"

"Shut up," barked Titus, right before punching Chris in the jaw.

He hit the ground, and didn't move.

Titus turned to me and brushed back my hair. "You're bleeding."

"I'm fine." My head was still throbbing, though.

"No, you're not." He grabbed me and jogged off into the woods.

I heard yelling soon after. It sounded like Chris. Titus stopped and sat me down on a fallen log. He tilted my face to the side and licked the wounds. The heat in my face grew cold.

"Anywhere else hurt?"

I shook my head. "Nothing you can fix."

He grabbed the bottom of my shirt. I tried to fight his hands away, but Titus wasn't having it. I looked away as he touched the tender skin over my ribs.

"You should have let me kill him."

"You're not a murder, Titus."

"It's not murder," he stated, grabbed my chin. His eyes met mine. They had more of a animalistic quality. "It's protecting what is mine."

I nodded and collapsed against his chest. He rubbed my back as I struggled not to break down.

"Why did you come, Aden?" he whispered. "I told you not to. I told you he couldn't be trusted."

"I was scared," I breathed. "I was scared of what he might do if I didn't."

He pulled away. "Is this any worse?" His finger brushed over my bruised cheekbone.

"Probably not." I covered my face. "Embarrassing, right? I didn't even fight back."

"You're not a fighter, Aden. Everyone can see that." He hugged me.

I held onto his tightly. "I want to go home."

Nodding, Titus kissed my cheek and helped me stand. "I'll take you. Let me get my clothes first. Wait here."

He shifted to the his four legged wolf and raced off into the bushes. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I took it out.

"Hey?"

"What happened?" breathed Comrade. "Are you okay? That Chris dude just came back with this massive bloody nose."

"I'm fine. I called my boyfriend, and he found me."

"Did Chris?"

"A little bit, but Titus took care of it," I reassured him. "He's going to take me home."

"I am so sorry, Aden." He groaned. "You were having such a good time too. I really thought tonight would help cheer you up a little. I know what it's like to not have friends. I'm really sorry."

"I did have fun. Even after what happened, I'm glad that I came. It was nice to be with people who know I'm gay and don't care."

"I still feel horrible."

"Don't," I laughed, quickly stopping from the pain. "I made the choice myself, and like I said, Titus took care of things."

"Alright, I'll see you next Saturday then?"

"Yeah, bye."

I hung up. Titus jogged into view soon after holding a bag.

"You had time to undress?" I teased.

"I was watching from the wrong side of the forest," he muttered.

"You've been here all night?"

He shrugged and shifted to human. "Most of it." He dumped out his back and started to get dressed. "You are my fiancee, Aden. Just because you make stupid choices, doesn't mean I'm going to abandon you."

"Thank god for that," I whispered.

Titus sighed and held out his hand. I took it.

"I'm sorry. I keep making such stupid choices." I looked at my feet.

He leaned down to my level. "No more trips with Chris. I don't care if he invites you to Disneyland, you say no."

I smiled. "Only if it's Disneyworld, then."

He kissed me gently on my bruised lips, "Smartass."

With his arm around my shoulder, he led me out of the woods to his car parked along the side of the road. He opened the door for me. I climbed inside and sat still as he slid into the driver's seat.

Flipping down the mirror, I banged my head back against the seat. "I'm in so much trouble. How am I going to hid this?" I clasped my forehead. "My parents are going to be pissed."

"They don't know you're here, do they?"

I shook my head.

Titus turned on the car and sat up straight. "Well, at least one of us got permission."