TW // Mentions of abuse
CW // Swearing
Logan Matthews, on the other hand, was not having a good day. For starters, his side had been hurting all day. It was seriously starting to bother him. Plus, lunch hadn’t gone like he’d wanted it to. Hell, it never went as he wanted it to, but today he was seriously hoping for some good news at the very least.
He had walked into Kuro’s classroom so the older could help him bandage his wound. His father refused to give him access to the proper materials at home, so he had begun asking Kuro for help. The teacher happily obliged, much to Logan’s delight. He dressed his wounds during lunch and they spoke about how close Joshua was to getting custody of him.
Today was no different. Kuro tossed him a bag of chips when he walked in, which he set on the desk with his backpack. He pulled off his shirt and tossed it off to the side as Kuro got his first aid kit from the cabinet.
Kuro grimaced as he walked over to Logan. “Looks like it hurts,” he said, stating the obvious. Logan rolled his eyes but nodded anyways. He winced as Kuro put a wound disinfectant on it. Kuro got done with his work quickly, wrapping the wound in bandages and making sure they were tight before tossing Logan his shirt. He gave Logan an Ibuprofen pill and a little bit of water. Logan swallowed both after tugging back on his shirt. Kuro sat down in the desk next to him.
“Since you always ask, Joshua is no closer to getting custody of you. Hasn’t turned anything in today. According to his research, the report is still inadequate. Just barely, though. A little more evidence and he’ll turn it in.”
Logan was hardly reassured, given that was nearly the exact same thing Kuro had said last time. And the time before. He knew Kuro just wanted to comfort him, but it pained him to know that he’d have to wait even longer. Perhaps his brother wouldn’t even be done by the time Logan turned 18.
In a way, he resented his brother for leaving. He had always been a beacon of hope for Logan. Someone who was there for him. When he’d left Logan and Kris, Logan had wanted to cry, sure. But he’d also wanted to slam his fist into the wall and break something. Joshua had just left, no note, no anything.
He’d decided that day that he wouldn’t do that to Kris.
Still, he couldn’t bear to hate his brother. It was what Joshua had thought was best, and he was trying now. That had to count for something, right?
Even if Kuro lied to him about their progress.
Logan ate the bag of chips slowly, savouring each bite. His father didn’t like “processed food” and rarely let him have junk food. Logan was thankful for what it did to his physical health, but sometimes he craved the taste of such foods. It was nice that Kuro gave him a little every now and then.
Kuro looked like he wanted to say something more, so Logan gestured for him to go on.
He sighed, looking away. “Uh, I hate to ask this of you, but Joshua says the last thing he needs to complete the report strongly is pictures. Or videos.”
Logan’s utterly confused look prompted Kuro to go on. “Pictures or videos of your father in action. We already have pictures of the scars and fresh cuts. But those could be from anyone, hypothetically, and that’s probably the route William will try to go if we bring up another court case against him. I know it’s not at all safe for you. But it’s the last thing we need, then we can get you out. I promise.”
That was sure as hell a big promise to make.
It was dangerous indeed. If his father found out about the photos or videos, there was no telling what he would do. In that situation, Logan may even be right to fear for his own life.
It was scary to him. But at the same time, he knew he had to do it. There was a chance he and Kris could get out, and if not him then helping Kris was well worth it.
It would be okay, he reassured himself. Kris would be okay. He had to do this.
As the determination set it, he turned to Kuro and nodded. He could do this.
Kuro only seemed more anxious about his agreement. “Listen. If he finds out, you need to call me immediately. I gave you my number, right? Leave and call me. Don’t wait for him to catch up. Just run.”
Logan nodded in understanding. He needed to pack two backpacks in case they ever needed to leave. He and Kris, that is. He felt that he would have to be insane to leave his sister behind.
But where could he put them where his father wouldn’t find them? They needed to be at home, but there was no place he could be sure his father never checked.
Shit. Still, he pretended like he could handle it all and went on his merry way when the bell rang. Of course, Kuro probably saw right through him. He always did. But he never said anything, something or which Logan was quite grateful.
In music, he was unable to focus. What Kuro had said earlier had made him nervous, even if he may not have to do it for a little while. But it was scary, and Logan Matthews was not scared easily.
The same could be said for the rest of the day as well. He was unfocused. He began to feel relieved that maths was just a review of the previous day. Then there was study hall, which he was completely spaced out for. It was unlike him. Even Jax, who had hardly even spoken to him, seemed concerned.
The walk home was when he finally snapped out of his trance. What if William chose today to hurt him? He was unprepared. Zero plans at all. He really needed to pack those bags, didn’t he?
He quickly made his way up to his room, filling two of his old backpacks with the necessities for him and his sister. Fuck, where was he going to put these? Up high in his closet, maybe, but some of the Christmas decorations were up there. Behind his shirts could work, although that could be a little noticeable. But it was the best place he could think of at the moment. He shoved the backpacks behind his hanging shirts. Then, he smoothed them over to make it look natural. Yeah, this would be alright as long as his father never went through his clothes.
With a start, he realised he had spent nearly two and a half hours packing and hiding the backpacks. It was already nearly dinner time. He supposed finding out which items were really essential had taken longer than he thought. It was true that he’d gone through the piles four times before packing them neatly in the bag.
His side ached as he stepped down the stairs toward the dining room. Shit, all that movement really did a number on him. Plus, the Ibuprofen from earlier had worn off by that point.
By the time he sat down at the table, the clock chimed six. His father looked angry today, which was never a good sign.
Logan raised his knife and fork, ready to dig in to the grilled chicken, but his father cut him off.
“Why don’t we go out to the lake tomorrow? Do a little fishing? Just the two of us, Logan.”
Shit. He hadn’t expected this to happen so soon after the last time. Just how badly was his father’s campaign going?
“Go out to the lake” was his father’s code for “go somewhere private so I can hurt you without anyone hearing you scream.” Not that Logan screamed properly anymore. It was more like he had fallen and lost his breath. The sound of air being forced out of his lungs was his version of a scream. To his father, at least.
Logan was never sure why his father bothered to use a code. Their maids and butler knew everything already. He didn’t need to hide it.
Ah. Maybe he was paranoid his political opponents were listening in on him.
Logan realised he was taking too long to respond, so he nodded at his father. The man seemed pleased at this and cut into his chicken, chewing on a bite.
Logan stabbed his own chicken with his fork aggressively, earning a disapproving look from his father. Shit, he needed to keep his father in a somewhat good mood.
As he chewed on his chicken, he palmed his phone, which was in his left front pocket. Should he take it with him? Yes, he decided. The sooner, the better. Besides, with how his father’s campaign seemed to be going, it was probably better to leave quickly.
Fuck.
He was in for a long day tomorrow, wasn’t he?
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