Four Brothers
Nov. 24th, 2008 01:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
veiledndarknessTitle: Another Life 3/?
Author: veiledndarkness
Rating: R
Pairing: None
Summary: You can change your name, but you can't change who you are.
Disclaimer: Not mine, no harm intended, no profit made.
Four Brothers/Death Sentence Cross-over
For![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
littlewitch34 cause she's all kinds of awesome.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
XX
Billy sat back on the couch, grinning a little as the kids show ended. He toyed with the fabric of his coat, sliding his fingers back and forth on the faded leather. He glanced up at Bobby, the man's frame filling the doorway.
"Where's Jack gone?"
"I dunno," Billy shrugged, returning his attention to the television commercial.
"What do ya mean, you don't know? He was right here, an' now he isn't," Bobby flicked the television power button off.
Billy frowned. "I dunno, he went over t' the stairs."
Bobby loomed over Billy, his arms tightly crossed over his chest. "What'd you say to him?"
"Nothin'," Billy tilted his chin up, though his stomach churned from the look of anger on Bobby's face.
"If I find out you scared him away, oh, you better hope that I don't find out," Bobby dropped his voice to a whisper. "Ah ah, look at me, little Darley. I meant what I said about no shit while you're here. Don't go lookin' for trouble unless you wanna find out what bein' punished by someone like me feels like."
Billy shrank back from him, a soft sound passing his lips. He could feel a phantom belt slicing into his skin. "No..."
"No?" Bobby leaned in more, inches from Billy's face. "Then don't fuck with me or anyone else in this house. Am I bein' clear enough for ya?"
He nodded hurriedly, his palms slick with sweat. "Y-yeah..."
Bobby stepped back. "Good. I'm gonna start dinner. You stay put here. Ma's on her way home, she'll be here soon."
Billy looked down at his hands. "Ok," he mumbled. He didn't get it. Bobby seemed...angry that he'd scared Jack off. And he'd known what Billy had done without actually asking Jack. He blinked several times, struggling with the idea. He watched Bobby leave the room and felt his stomach twist again, jealousy surging up harder than before. Fuckin' Jack...He just knew Bobby was going to check on him.
He hissed under his breath and stared at the carpet, hating himself and Jack all the more.
XX
Jack was curled up on his bed, his arms tucked around his knees. He stared out the window, his head resting on one knee. Bobby opened the door, closing it a little behind him.
"Jack?" he crossed the room to the bed and sat down on the edge, "Hey, you alright?"
"Yeah..." Jack whispered. His gaze was fixed on the snow covering the roof section near his window.
Bobby settled closer to him. "Jack...I always know when you're fibbin', y' know."
"I'm fine," Jack hugged his legs tightly. "I wanted to be up here...it's quieter."
"Bullshit," Bobby slipped an arm around Jack, his head pressed to Jack's hair. "What'd he say to you?"
"Nothin', Bobby," Jack leaned into the touch after a moment. He closed his eyes. "Nothing, I promise."
Bobby sighed. "Look, you don't need to lie to me. I know he did somethin', the guilty look in his eyes gave him away."
Jack knew damn well better than to snitch, no matter what Bobby said. If he told, Billy would get him one way or the other. He shivered. Billy had meant every word of his threat. "He didn't say anything."
"Damn it, Jack!"
Jack flinched away from him, tears welling up. "S-Sorry...I..."
Bobby reached one hand out. "C'mon, Jack, you know I'm not gonna hit ya."
Jack shook his head, scooting further away from him. "Leave me alone."
"Jackie..."
"Leave me alone!" Jack shouted, trembling from the force of his sudden anger. He rarely showed his emotions; rarely let his anger get the better of him. "Just...go."
Bobby hesitated a moment and then moved off the bed. "Fine," he muttered. "If you feel like it, come downstairs an' help with dinner."
Jack pressed his face to his arms, nodding once. The silence in the room was thick, choking them both. Bobby left, the door swinging shut with a muted thud. Jack sniffed, a few tears escaping. He'd known from the start that he never should have let himself get so comfortable in Evelyn's house. He grabbed the pillow from the bed and held it tightly to his chest.
XX
Billy wandered over to the kitchen after some time. He stood in the doorway, watching Bobby peel each potato with white knuckles, his face pinched in annoyance. Billy watched him for several minutes before Bobby seemed to notice his presence.
"Yeah?"
"Uh, I...did ya want some help or somethin'? I'm good with a blade."
Bobby snorted. "Yeah cause givin' you a knife is a great fuckin' idea." He pointed to the nearest chair. "Sit down."
Billy sat down on the chair. Bobby picked up another potato, one hand dragging the peeler over the skin, the scraps falling onto the newspapers spread out on the table before him. He worked in silence, stripping the potato and placing it in a deep bowl with the others.
"You need to understand somethin'," Bobby said, breaking the silence between them. "An' I don't just mean listen to me, nod ya head and pretend that you give a shit about what I say."
Billy nodded warily. "Ok..."
Bobby picked up a potato and dragged the peeler over the skin again. "I know what kinda life you're comin' from. My birth mom, she lived on the streets while she was pregnant with me. She was a drug user. One day she passed out on a sidewalk an' some old man found her. When she came to, she fought him every step of the way, but he forced her into the hospital. She was already havin' contractions, but she was too fucked up to even notice. Ten hours later, I showed up," he spoke in a low, hushed voice, his eyes on the potato.
"Bobby..."
"Shut up an' listen," Bobby snapped. He resumed peeling, the strips falling down onto the paper. "I know, alright? I know every inch of where you're comin' from. That life...it ain't fit for anyone. I know about bein' so hungry, you'd eat a fucking rat just to stay alive one more day. I know what you do to get attention; I know what the men will do, an' what you'll do to get that from them. But I'm tellin' you, and if there was ever a time you needed to fucking listen hard, this is it. Do not, I repeat, do not even think of hurting Jack."
Billy clenched one hand under the table, making a tight fist.
"He's no threat to ya, Billy, none at all. Whatever you think you lived through, he's been there. There was horrible shit done to him, stuff you wouldn't wish on an enemy. If you lay one finger on him, just one, I'll kill you. Do you understand me?" Bobby looked at him then, a cold anger simmering in his eyes. "I mean it; I will not let you hurt him. You put a hand on him, I'll break yours. No warnings besides this one. No joke. You will leave him alone or I'll fucking kill you."
Billy stared at the tiled floor, his face blank.
"Billy?"
'The fuck is this? Y' call this a day?' A hand slaps him, knocking him down to the dirty floor. He hits the ground with a whimper, his arms coming up to protect his face.
'What the fuck did I tell ya? Ya steal from me, I'll slit ya fuckin' throat an' leave ya in my trunk to bleed out. I want the rest o' it, now, you fuckin' half-wit. No kid o' mine could be so useless.'
'All there was...' he protests, crying out when the heavy leather of the belt cuts in to his unprotected body. He cries as the beating continues and the verbal assault above him hurts more than the weapon in his father's hand.
"Billy!"
Billy blinked and looked up at him. Bobby reached over, ignoring the reflexive flinch from the boy. He wiped at the tear on Billy's cheek, the skin of his thumb surprisingly warm and smooth.
"Hey...come on, now need for that," Bobby gentled his voice. "I don't wanna see you that upset. I only wanted to lay things out so you don't hurt the wrong person."
Billy leaned into the touch, desperately craving any affection "I'm sorry, I'll be good, I'll be good, I swear," he whispered hurriedly. "I swear...swear t' God, I will."
"Easy..." Bobby cupped Billy's cheek. "Shh, it's alright. It'll be ok."
Billy nodded, his wide blue eyes promising everything if Bobby would promise not to hurt him. Bobby let go of him carefully and sat back. He pointed to the bowl of potatoes. "There, if ya wanna help, go rinse those with warm water in the sink."
"Ok..." Billy sniffed and grabbed the bowl. He carried it to the sink and spun the taps, rinsing his hands first and then the potatoes. He was embarrassed on some level to have been seen crying, but Bobby hadn't punished him for it, hadn't reprimanded him for letting any tears fall.
Bobby gathered the scraps and newspaper into a bundle. He pressed it into the garbage bag, observing Billy's shaking hands. He held back a sigh and turned the hot water tap on, easing the stream of cold water. Billy darted a quick glance at him, a mumbled 'thanks' in his direction.
XX
Evelyn opened the front door, shaking flakes of snow from her hair and scarf. "Good Lord, it's coming down something fierce."
"We got in right before it started comin' down heavy," Bobby wiped his hands on the dishtowel. "Roast's in the stove."
She unwound the scarf from her neck and hung it on one of the wooden pegs by the door. "Good. Where is everyone?" She looked into the living room, expecting to see Jack sprawled over the couch with his books.
"Angel's walkin' his piece of ass home, Jerry's with Camille an' Jack's...he's upstairs," Bobby exhaled, shaking his head.
"Bobby..." Evelyn hung her coat up. "She's a lovely girl once you get to know her. You should try being civilized."
"Not a chance," he huffed. Bobby looked back to the kitchen where he had Billy snapping green beans for the meal. He edged closer to Evelyn. "Ma, we gotta talk about this one. I think somethin' worse might be goin' on besides him running away."
Evelyn followed his gaze to the kitchen. She could just see the tips of too long, shaggy hair brushing the boy's neck, the thin frame curled up on the chair. "Alright," she murmured. "I'll speak to him after dinner."
"I think it's worth lookin' into what the Darley's have been up to," Bobby rubbed his thumb along his chin. "I know of 'em, but I think they might've expanded."
She made a sound, a sad gleam to her kind eyes. "I'm afraid you might be right."
XX
Billy sat on his seat, studiously snapping each green bean. He set them in the bowl, rubbing at his tired eyes with one forearm. He could hear Evelyn and Bobby's quiet murmurs to each other, not far from where he sat. He flushed, a deep wave of shame rolling over his body. Bobby knew...he had pretty much said he knew what Billy had done in the past. He swallowed over the lump in his throat. He didn't want to have to do anything like that ever again.
He snapped another bean. The thought rose, no matter how many times he shoved it back down, the thought came back. Would Bobby expect it from him? Did he want him to offer? Did he even want that at all?
Billy sighed. He hated not knowing, hated the waiting part of it all. He snapped a bean, his worries piling up faster and faster. "Shoulda stuck it out with Bones," he whispered. "Then I'd know what t' expect."
He heard the sound of light footsteps behind him, Bobby's heavier tread following. He inhaled, steeling himself to the scent of lilacs that floated teasingly near him. Billy looked up, a smooth mask of indifference firmly in place.
"Hello Billy," Evelyn sat down across from him at the table, a small smile on her lips.
Billy simply looked at her, overwhelmingly aware of Bobby's presence in the kitchen. On one hand, Billy was afraid to piss him off, but on the other, he was determined not to be some little sissy. "Hi," he managed to get out, his fingers gripping the green bean.
"I'm Evelyn Mercer, which I'm sure Bobby already told you," she rested her hands on the table, small, dainty hands with a light gloss to each nail.
Billy nodded, his gaze dropping to the table, to her neatly folded hands with the pretty gloss. He closed his eyes for a moment, grateful that they weren't a garish bright red. "Uh huh," he forced himself to look back at her. "Yeah, he told me."
"I know you must be feeling a bit disoriented by everything happening so quickly, but I promise you, Billy, I will do whatever it takes to help you."
Billy felt his lip curl up and he moved to stand. "I don't need no one's help!" he hissed before he could stop the words from escaping. "I didn't ask t' come here, he fuckin' made me come here!"
Bobby's strong hand clamped down on his shoulder, holding him in place to the chair. "You sit the hell down, now!" he said, digging his fingers in to make his point. "It was here or jail for tryin' to steal from me, little boy."
Billy cringed, withdrawing into himself. "Sorry...sorry, don't, oh god..."
"Bobby," Evelyn's voice cut through the moment, easing the tension. "That's enough. Let go of him."
"Ma..."
"I said let go."
Bobby let go of Billy's shoulder, glaring at him. Billy stayed put, his face pale and frightened. He fisted his hands, struggling not to show how scared he was. Evelyn gave him a moment to relax, her face still calm and understanding.
"Billy," she started again. "I know you've been through a lot, I know you've been hurt, and I know you're angry with Bobby for bringing you to me. It's alright to be angry, it's ok to be scared."
"I ain't scared o' nothin'!" Billy snapped.
Evelyn smiled a bit. "It's normal to be scared in new situations. Personally, I'm afraid of speaking in front of large groups of people. But I do it; I don't let the fear hold me back."
"Why do I hafta stay?" Billy sagged in his chair, his eyes dim and worn out.
"Because I care about what happens to you," Evelyn leaned forward, each word spoken quietly but with such strength. "I care about you. I want only the best for you, and I think you're damn well worth the effort."
"Y' don't even know me. You won't wanna bother..." Billy seemed to wilt under her kind words.
"I don't need to know you to care," she unfolded her hands, palms up on the wood. "Billy, hey, look at me," she said, her voice compelling him to do so. "You're safe here, I swear that to you."
Billy blinked, tears prickling under his eyelids again. God, he wanted to believe her.
XX
Author: veiledndarkness
Rating: R
Pairing: None
Summary: You can change your name, but you can't change who you are.
Disclaimer: Not mine, no harm intended, no profit made.
Four Brothers/Death Sentence Cross-over
For
littlewitch34 cause she's all kinds of awesome.Chapter 1
Chapter 2
XX
Billy sat back on the couch, grinning a little as the kids show ended. He toyed with the fabric of his coat, sliding his fingers back and forth on the faded leather. He glanced up at Bobby, the man's frame filling the doorway.
"Where's Jack gone?"
"I dunno," Billy shrugged, returning his attention to the television commercial.
"What do ya mean, you don't know? He was right here, an' now he isn't," Bobby flicked the television power button off.
Billy frowned. "I dunno, he went over t' the stairs."
Bobby loomed over Billy, his arms tightly crossed over his chest. "What'd you say to him?"
"Nothin'," Billy tilted his chin up, though his stomach churned from the look of anger on Bobby's face.
"If I find out you scared him away, oh, you better hope that I don't find out," Bobby dropped his voice to a whisper. "Ah ah, look at me, little Darley. I meant what I said about no shit while you're here. Don't go lookin' for trouble unless you wanna find out what bein' punished by someone like me feels like."
Billy shrank back from him, a soft sound passing his lips. He could feel a phantom belt slicing into his skin. "No..."
"No?" Bobby leaned in more, inches from Billy's face. "Then don't fuck with me or anyone else in this house. Am I bein' clear enough for ya?"
He nodded hurriedly, his palms slick with sweat. "Y-yeah..."
Bobby stepped back. "Good. I'm gonna start dinner. You stay put here. Ma's on her way home, she'll be here soon."
Billy looked down at his hands. "Ok," he mumbled. He didn't get it. Bobby seemed...angry that he'd scared Jack off. And he'd known what Billy had done without actually asking Jack. He blinked several times, struggling with the idea. He watched Bobby leave the room and felt his stomach twist again, jealousy surging up harder than before. Fuckin' Jack...He just knew Bobby was going to check on him.
He hissed under his breath and stared at the carpet, hating himself and Jack all the more.
XX
Jack was curled up on his bed, his arms tucked around his knees. He stared out the window, his head resting on one knee. Bobby opened the door, closing it a little behind him.
"Jack?" he crossed the room to the bed and sat down on the edge, "Hey, you alright?"
"Yeah..." Jack whispered. His gaze was fixed on the snow covering the roof section near his window.
Bobby settled closer to him. "Jack...I always know when you're fibbin', y' know."
"I'm fine," Jack hugged his legs tightly. "I wanted to be up here...it's quieter."
"Bullshit," Bobby slipped an arm around Jack, his head pressed to Jack's hair. "What'd he say to you?"
"Nothin', Bobby," Jack leaned into the touch after a moment. He closed his eyes. "Nothing, I promise."
Bobby sighed. "Look, you don't need to lie to me. I know he did somethin', the guilty look in his eyes gave him away."
Jack knew damn well better than to snitch, no matter what Bobby said. If he told, Billy would get him one way or the other. He shivered. Billy had meant every word of his threat. "He didn't say anything."
"Damn it, Jack!"
Jack flinched away from him, tears welling up. "S-Sorry...I..."
Bobby reached one hand out. "C'mon, Jack, you know I'm not gonna hit ya."
Jack shook his head, scooting further away from him. "Leave me alone."
"Jackie..."
"Leave me alone!" Jack shouted, trembling from the force of his sudden anger. He rarely showed his emotions; rarely let his anger get the better of him. "Just...go."
Bobby hesitated a moment and then moved off the bed. "Fine," he muttered. "If you feel like it, come downstairs an' help with dinner."
Jack pressed his face to his arms, nodding once. The silence in the room was thick, choking them both. Bobby left, the door swinging shut with a muted thud. Jack sniffed, a few tears escaping. He'd known from the start that he never should have let himself get so comfortable in Evelyn's house. He grabbed the pillow from the bed and held it tightly to his chest.
XX
Billy wandered over to the kitchen after some time. He stood in the doorway, watching Bobby peel each potato with white knuckles, his face pinched in annoyance. Billy watched him for several minutes before Bobby seemed to notice his presence.
"Yeah?"
"Uh, I...did ya want some help or somethin'? I'm good with a blade."
Bobby snorted. "Yeah cause givin' you a knife is a great fuckin' idea." He pointed to the nearest chair. "Sit down."
Billy sat down on the chair. Bobby picked up another potato, one hand dragging the peeler over the skin, the scraps falling onto the newspapers spread out on the table before him. He worked in silence, stripping the potato and placing it in a deep bowl with the others.
"You need to understand somethin'," Bobby said, breaking the silence between them. "An' I don't just mean listen to me, nod ya head and pretend that you give a shit about what I say."
Billy nodded warily. "Ok..."
Bobby picked up a potato and dragged the peeler over the skin again. "I know what kinda life you're comin' from. My birth mom, she lived on the streets while she was pregnant with me. She was a drug user. One day she passed out on a sidewalk an' some old man found her. When she came to, she fought him every step of the way, but he forced her into the hospital. She was already havin' contractions, but she was too fucked up to even notice. Ten hours later, I showed up," he spoke in a low, hushed voice, his eyes on the potato.
"Bobby..."
"Shut up an' listen," Bobby snapped. He resumed peeling, the strips falling down onto the paper. "I know, alright? I know every inch of where you're comin' from. That life...it ain't fit for anyone. I know about bein' so hungry, you'd eat a fucking rat just to stay alive one more day. I know what you do to get attention; I know what the men will do, an' what you'll do to get that from them. But I'm tellin' you, and if there was ever a time you needed to fucking listen hard, this is it. Do not, I repeat, do not even think of hurting Jack."
Billy clenched one hand under the table, making a tight fist.
"He's no threat to ya, Billy, none at all. Whatever you think you lived through, he's been there. There was horrible shit done to him, stuff you wouldn't wish on an enemy. If you lay one finger on him, just one, I'll kill you. Do you understand me?" Bobby looked at him then, a cold anger simmering in his eyes. "I mean it; I will not let you hurt him. You put a hand on him, I'll break yours. No warnings besides this one. No joke. You will leave him alone or I'll fucking kill you."
Billy stared at the tiled floor, his face blank.
"Billy?"
'The fuck is this? Y' call this a day?' A hand slaps him, knocking him down to the dirty floor. He hits the ground with a whimper, his arms coming up to protect his face.
'What the fuck did I tell ya? Ya steal from me, I'll slit ya fuckin' throat an' leave ya in my trunk to bleed out. I want the rest o' it, now, you fuckin' half-wit. No kid o' mine could be so useless.'
'All there was...' he protests, crying out when the heavy leather of the belt cuts in to his unprotected body. He cries as the beating continues and the verbal assault above him hurts more than the weapon in his father's hand.
"Billy!"
Billy blinked and looked up at him. Bobby reached over, ignoring the reflexive flinch from the boy. He wiped at the tear on Billy's cheek, the skin of his thumb surprisingly warm and smooth.
"Hey...come on, now need for that," Bobby gentled his voice. "I don't wanna see you that upset. I only wanted to lay things out so you don't hurt the wrong person."
Billy leaned into the touch, desperately craving any affection "I'm sorry, I'll be good, I'll be good, I swear," he whispered hurriedly. "I swear...swear t' God, I will."
"Easy..." Bobby cupped Billy's cheek. "Shh, it's alright. It'll be ok."
Billy nodded, his wide blue eyes promising everything if Bobby would promise not to hurt him. Bobby let go of him carefully and sat back. He pointed to the bowl of potatoes. "There, if ya wanna help, go rinse those with warm water in the sink."
"Ok..." Billy sniffed and grabbed the bowl. He carried it to the sink and spun the taps, rinsing his hands first and then the potatoes. He was embarrassed on some level to have been seen crying, but Bobby hadn't punished him for it, hadn't reprimanded him for letting any tears fall.
Bobby gathered the scraps and newspaper into a bundle. He pressed it into the garbage bag, observing Billy's shaking hands. He held back a sigh and turned the hot water tap on, easing the stream of cold water. Billy darted a quick glance at him, a mumbled 'thanks' in his direction.
XX
Evelyn opened the front door, shaking flakes of snow from her hair and scarf. "Good Lord, it's coming down something fierce."
"We got in right before it started comin' down heavy," Bobby wiped his hands on the dishtowel. "Roast's in the stove."
She unwound the scarf from her neck and hung it on one of the wooden pegs by the door. "Good. Where is everyone?" She looked into the living room, expecting to see Jack sprawled over the couch with his books.
"Angel's walkin' his piece of ass home, Jerry's with Camille an' Jack's...he's upstairs," Bobby exhaled, shaking his head.
"Bobby..." Evelyn hung her coat up. "She's a lovely girl once you get to know her. You should try being civilized."
"Not a chance," he huffed. Bobby looked back to the kitchen where he had Billy snapping green beans for the meal. He edged closer to Evelyn. "Ma, we gotta talk about this one. I think somethin' worse might be goin' on besides him running away."
Evelyn followed his gaze to the kitchen. She could just see the tips of too long, shaggy hair brushing the boy's neck, the thin frame curled up on the chair. "Alright," she murmured. "I'll speak to him after dinner."
"I think it's worth lookin' into what the Darley's have been up to," Bobby rubbed his thumb along his chin. "I know of 'em, but I think they might've expanded."
She made a sound, a sad gleam to her kind eyes. "I'm afraid you might be right."
XX
Billy sat on his seat, studiously snapping each green bean. He set them in the bowl, rubbing at his tired eyes with one forearm. He could hear Evelyn and Bobby's quiet murmurs to each other, not far from where he sat. He flushed, a deep wave of shame rolling over his body. Bobby knew...he had pretty much said he knew what Billy had done in the past. He swallowed over the lump in his throat. He didn't want to have to do anything like that ever again.
He snapped another bean. The thought rose, no matter how many times he shoved it back down, the thought came back. Would Bobby expect it from him? Did he want him to offer? Did he even want that at all?
Billy sighed. He hated not knowing, hated the waiting part of it all. He snapped a bean, his worries piling up faster and faster. "Shoulda stuck it out with Bones," he whispered. "Then I'd know what t' expect."
He heard the sound of light footsteps behind him, Bobby's heavier tread following. He inhaled, steeling himself to the scent of lilacs that floated teasingly near him. Billy looked up, a smooth mask of indifference firmly in place.
"Hello Billy," Evelyn sat down across from him at the table, a small smile on her lips.
Billy simply looked at her, overwhelmingly aware of Bobby's presence in the kitchen. On one hand, Billy was afraid to piss him off, but on the other, he was determined not to be some little sissy. "Hi," he managed to get out, his fingers gripping the green bean.
"I'm Evelyn Mercer, which I'm sure Bobby already told you," she rested her hands on the table, small, dainty hands with a light gloss to each nail.
Billy nodded, his gaze dropping to the table, to her neatly folded hands with the pretty gloss. He closed his eyes for a moment, grateful that they weren't a garish bright red. "Uh huh," he forced himself to look back at her. "Yeah, he told me."
"I know you must be feeling a bit disoriented by everything happening so quickly, but I promise you, Billy, I will do whatever it takes to help you."
Billy felt his lip curl up and he moved to stand. "I don't need no one's help!" he hissed before he could stop the words from escaping. "I didn't ask t' come here, he fuckin' made me come here!"
Bobby's strong hand clamped down on his shoulder, holding him in place to the chair. "You sit the hell down, now!" he said, digging his fingers in to make his point. "It was here or jail for tryin' to steal from me, little boy."
Billy cringed, withdrawing into himself. "Sorry...sorry, don't, oh god..."
"Bobby," Evelyn's voice cut through the moment, easing the tension. "That's enough. Let go of him."
"Ma..."
"I said let go."
Bobby let go of Billy's shoulder, glaring at him. Billy stayed put, his face pale and frightened. He fisted his hands, struggling not to show how scared he was. Evelyn gave him a moment to relax, her face still calm and understanding.
"Billy," she started again. "I know you've been through a lot, I know you've been hurt, and I know you're angry with Bobby for bringing you to me. It's alright to be angry, it's ok to be scared."
"I ain't scared o' nothin'!" Billy snapped.
Evelyn smiled a bit. "It's normal to be scared in new situations. Personally, I'm afraid of speaking in front of large groups of people. But I do it; I don't let the fear hold me back."
"Why do I hafta stay?" Billy sagged in his chair, his eyes dim and worn out.
"Because I care about what happens to you," Evelyn leaned forward, each word spoken quietly but with such strength. "I care about you. I want only the best for you, and I think you're damn well worth the effort."
"Y' don't even know me. You won't wanna bother..." Billy seemed to wilt under her kind words.
"I don't need to know you to care," she unfolded her hands, palms up on the wood. "Billy, hey, look at me," she said, her voice compelling him to do so. "You're safe here, I swear that to you."
Billy blinked, tears prickling under his eyelids again. God, he wanted to believe her.
XX
