-still Jack-
  I finished recording a video and leaned back in the chair. I needed food, but James was in the other room. He never hit me here, he didn't want the neighbors to suspect anything, and he only came over to make sure I didn't try anything. Like eating. And saying anything in my videos.

"I-I'm done, James!"

"Edit your ugly-ass face. Then send it in to your stupid editor."

I gulped and nodded.

"Did you hear me?! I said edit your UGLY-ASS FACE, SEAN"

"Yes- yes sir."

"Ugh. I should just kill you. But you're fun to hit. So weak. I like your screams."

I shakily started to edit out the bruises and cuts on my face. It was Thursday, and Mark was coming over in half an hour. I sent the video and went to my room to get ready. I had a hoodie and a pair of sweatpants on to cover up how skinny I was now. I did makeup, just enough to cover any scars on my face. I had to put in blue contacts, also, because my eyes were dulling from lack of nutrient.

It was a little while till Mark got to my house. When the doorbell rang, I scrambled up from my chair, where James and I were watching a movie. I opened the door and Mark was standing there, smiling. I never had the means to smile anymore.

It pained me to see Mark so happy and ignorant. I forced a smile back and hugged him.

"Hey Jack!"

"Hey! It's nice to see you again."

"Yeah, you too! What's up?"

"Oh, James and I just finished Harry Potter. The third one."

"Oh cool! Hi James!"

I opened the door wider and stepped out of the way to let Mark come in.

"Hi, Mark. How's it been?"

"Pretty good, yourself?"

The greetings and catching up went on for a little while.

"So, Jack, what do you want to do? I was thinkin' we could go to the pizza place down the street-"

"Yeah!" I said maybe too excitedly.

"Okay!" James said "have fun, and be back soonish so we an watch Deadpool or something."

I smiled at him and walked out with Mark. I felt like I had to tell him, but I couldn't live with myself if James hurt Mark.

"So!" Mark said, still so happy. "I gotta go to a thing tomorrow around noon, but I'll be back at like two, is that good?"

"Yeah." This was my chance. "Maybe come to James' house. I'll give you the address in a minuet."

"Ok. Whatcha' gonna get?"

"Pepperoni?"

"That sounds good. Bacon too?"

"Oh yes. I'm starving."

That actually wasn't an over exaggeration. I was.

The pizza arrived about five minuets after we ordered, and we scarfed it down in ten. After that, we went for a little walk around the park near my apartment. We were in and clump of trees that I liked to hang out in when escaping James. I felt obligated to say something, but I didn't  know how to start it 'Hey Mark, my boyfriend beats me and he'll kill you if I tell anyone.'? But luckily, he got the ball rolling

"Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're acting... Strange. But you know I haven't see you in like five months, it's probably nothing."

I looked at the ground.

"Jack..?"

"James.."

"James what? Is he sick?"

I shook my head.

"James... Beats me."

"WHAT?!"

I nodded and Mark covered his mouth with his hand. He looked like he was going to cry.

"Sean.. What? Why didn't you tell me?!"

"He said he'd kill-"

"He's not going to ever touch you again, I swear!"

"HE SAID HE'D KILL YOU, MARK!!"

"Jack- what?"

"H-he would kill you if I told anyone."

I felt tears running down my cheeks. Mark reached out and wrapped me in a huge hug.

"How long Jack?"

"T-two years."

He pulled back, shocked.

"Two years?!"

I nodded and Mark started crying.

"Don't cry for me Mark."

"Don't cry for you?! Jack, that's horrible! I swear to the fucking sky he won't lay another finger on you."

"He has to. He can't find out I told you. I'll give you directions to his house, and you call the police. He usually- at- between two and four."

"Jack no! I'll just call them now!"

"It's the only way I can guarantee you won't get hurt!"

"Me?" He asked.

"Yes, you. I couldn't live with myself if he killed you."

"Jack, what are you saying! He's been hitting you for two years and you're worried about ME?!"

"Yes"

"Okay. We'll do that. I'll get there as soon as I get out of the meeting, I promise."

"Mark... You have to pretend nothing ever happened. Please. And for the love of go don't try to go off on him. He'll know and he keeps a knife in his belt."

"He- keeps a knife? Does he ever use it on you?"

I nodded again.

"Oh my god Jack! I'm sorry. I'm so stupid! I couldn't tell. I'm so, so sorry."

"It's not your fault. He hides it so well- we have to get back. Now"

"What? Why?"

"It's just time to go. He never lets me out this long."

"He keeps you from from going outside?! What else does he do, Sean."

"He- doesn't..."

"Sean!"

"Let me eat good food."

"Good food? What do you eat?"

"Bread. Stale. And cheese."

"Jack! For two years?"

"No, only eight months."

"ONLY?! That's terrible! No wonder you scarfed down the pizza. And you're wearing a hoodie."

"We need to go, Mark. The longer in out, the worse it'll be later."

We started back, I was shaking. What if he new? He has friends all over town, what if someone overheard us? I would have to wait to get home to find out.