Thirty - One

Scott didn't know when the noise downstairs had died down. Or when his room felt so empty. He's laid in that very room for half his life and never before has he felt so lonely. He closed his eyes to be met with darkness. One that scared him because for the first time he never saw the smiling face of Elijah like he always does. He saw nothing but a deep void. Sighing he got up from his bed. Scott decided on going to talk with Maddie about what had transpired. She didn't come barging into his room with tear filled eyes so that was a good sign. Bringing himself to the edge of the bed his hand brushed over an object that was hidden by the nearby pillow. Half covered and half out. Wanting to hide but wanting to be found. Scott picked it up, recalling the familiar object. It belonged to Elijah. One of the many handmade bracelets he wore.

He got them as gift from kids who stopped by at the arts and craft shop that was run by his mother. Elijah has been running it since she was gone. Scott had only stopped by once. And on that one occasion he ran into Hannah and her child. They conversed  for the longest time and Hannah did not forget the gum incident all those years back. The only good part was that she made it more of a joke. After finishing up on the item her son wanted to make for her husband upcoming birthday they left. Scott was then face with a sulking Elijah who didn't get enough attention from Scott.

Slipping the bracelet on his wrist Scott admired it. He was planning on keeping that one. Elijah won't mind at all. The bracelet was decorated with hearts, stars and a few dangling items. Scott after a few minutes exited his bedroom and went to Maddie next door. He knocked a few times, his free hand slipping the bracelet up and down his wrist. Knocking a few more times Maddie finally allowed him to enter.

"I was getting changed" She said, jumping onto her bed in her pyjama. Pulling her hair into a messy bun.

Scott walked over, sitting next to Maddie, "how'd it go?" he asked.

"Mom was pissed, like really pissed" She said. Scott was glad she didn't sound too upset another sign that made him thought things went okay. "More pissed that I didn't tell her"

"How about dad?"

"He was neutral. Unlike mom he actually gave me the chance to explain" Maddie said, falling back into her bed. "When I did she was calmed down a bit but was still flaming. When I mentioned Mikey's mom she turned all fluffy like she wasn't just angry with me a few minutes ago" Scott let out a chuckle. "She was only letting it go because she understood what it must feel like to not to be able to see her grandchild. As for Mikey she just said don't get too close"

"All works out" Scott said, looking up at the ceiling. Everything was going well. He wasn't worrying over Parker, he had Elijah. Maddie didn't have to keep who was Simon's father a secret anymore. Things were turning out okay-- more than okay.

"All thanks to you" Maddie said, hugging Scott and squeezing the life out of him.

"I didn't do much" Scott said, feeling his lungs being crushed. "This was all you"

"Yeah, without you I wouldn't have found that courage" Maddie informed him. Scott was grateful he was able to help his younger sister out. She's helped him so much that for once he was able to do the same.

"On with other things" Maddie said, she was usually happy. With a load lifted off her shoulders, how could she not be happy. "I saw Elijah leaving, did something happen"

"No, he's going to meet with Carly then come back. He's spending the night"

"Spending the night I see" Maddie said, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Stop thinking perverted things" Scott replied, pushing her slightly to the side. Already blushing at the memories of what happened a few minutes ago.

"It's already begun I see" Maddie teased, poking Scott's redden cheeks.

"Would you stop it"

"You really love him don't you" Maddie said, pulling her arms around Scott neck and hugging him.

"Yeah, I do"

"I'm glad"

**

Scott was starting to worry. It's been a hour or so since Elijah had left and yet to return. He kept telling himself that Carly had just tasked him with something that was taking longer than Elijah had expected. Scott was in no way convincing himself that that was it. As his mind kept racing his phone rung out loud in silence of his bedroom. Scott lounged forward to his bedside table, seeing it was Elijah he answered quickly.

"I thought you'd be back by now" Scott said. He was sounding desperate and he didn't care. He just wanted to know why Elijah wasn't back as yet.

"I'm flattered. You've missed me that much"

At the sound of the voice. Elijah felt like he was suddenly thrown out at sea and left to drown. Unable to catch his breath, he looked back at the caller ID just to ensure that his eyes wasn't deceiving him. It was definitely Elijah's number but it wasn't his voice. Swallowing his fears he replied, "why do you have his phone?"

"Here I thought you actually missed me" he tusked. "I ran into your little friend earlier. We had a little chat"

"What did you do to him" Scott said, dominance in each word even though his heart was slamming against his chest and hoping Elijah was okay.

"Is that anyway to talk to your boyfriend" He continued on, ignoring the words Scott said. Joking about the situation as he does with everything else.

"You're not my boyfriend" Scott said, his voice not faltering. He knew he had to be strong. He had to be strong for Elijah. "What did you do to Elijah" he asked again.

He sighed long on the other end. Scott could imagine the smirk on his face, "Not much but you better hurry before something terrible happens. Better yet he dies" a loud laugh followed at the end.

"What do you want?" Scott asked, his voice was now audible shaking. The thought of Elijah dying made him fill with so much grief.

"You know what I want" he said, a tone of seriousness overtaking his previous playful one. "There's someone outside to pick you up. We'll talk then. Tell no one of this"

The call ended. Scott slumped his shoulders. Tears forming in the corner of his eyes. He was too foolish to think Parker would let up so easily. The one think he didn't want to happen was happening. Scott found the strength to get up and walk over to his window. Tilting his head to the side he could see a little into the front yard. There was a car parked next to the curb and a guy leaning against the car waiting for his arrival. Scott was already shaking to the tip of fingers. There was no point staying here. Elijah was somewhere in harms way because of him. Scott in no way wanted Elijah to be hurt.

Taking a deep breath he picked up his phone and ran out his bedroom door. The door slamming hard behind him. Maddie was out her room in a second, saying something to Scott as he rushed down the stairs. His mind wasn't with him. He just wanted Elijah to be okay.

"Mikey" Scott said in disbelief. He was in on this.

"Hey" he said as if all that was happening meant nothing to him.

"Don't hey me" Scott snapped, his blood boiling. "You knew about this and yet you still--" the tears were about to fall.

"Get in the car Scott" Mikey instructed, opening the passengers side of the door.

Scott was only going inside because he wanted to see Elijah. He was doing all this for Elijah. Scott pushed pass Mikey, going into the car and slamming the door shut. It wasn't long before Mikey was on the next side starting the car.

"Will you at least let me explain" Mikey said as they pulled away from the curb. "I might not be the best person but I wouldn't hurt you Scott"

Scott scoffed loudly as he watched the passing houses, "it doesn't look that way"

"I need for you to believe me"

"Give me one good reason why I should" Scott snapped, shaking his leg out of anxiousness. "How am I suppose to believe you when your here driving me to where my boyfriend is being locked up with the possibility of him dying"

"Maddie" Mikey simply said, his eyes still on the road. Scott turned to look at him for a brief moment, wondering where he was getting at. "Mostly for Simon"

Silence passed as Scott waited for him to continue. "When that guy showed up and started asking for you I thought he was one of your city friends. He soon started pulling the gang together and things looked better for them. No one said anything. He was one evil bastard" Mikey shivered at his words. "I thought of leaving then he said if I wanted Simon to still have a mother I'll do as he said. Why wouldn't I? I was already messed up as it is. Better to have one parent than none"

Scott didn't know what to say. Mikey was protecting Maddie and to do that he had to betray his once best friend. Scott didn't know what he would do if something happened to Maddie or Simon. Now Elijah was in that spot, he didn't know what to do.

"We're here" Mikey said, parking outside an abandoned building. "He's inside"

Scott could feel a panic coming on as he opened the door. Stepping out he said, "Take care of them" Mikey nodded.

Scott looked at the building, taking shaky breaths. The future will be decided upon what will happen in that building. The very thought scared Scott. The inside was old and musky. Paint chipped walls and broken glass windows. He wondered around for a few minutes. Hoping for some kind of sign that Elijah was here. There was a room at the end of the hall. It was the only one illuminated. Scott jogged down the hall, turning quickly to enter the room.

His breath was caught in his throat at the sight. The life drained from him as he covered his mouth from shock, the tears already running. Before him sat Elijah beaten badly. His head was hanging low and Scott's worst fears was coming to life.

"I feel so offended" Parker said, placing a hand on his chest dramatically while snickering. "You didn't even spare me a glance"

Through blurred eyes Scott looked to the side to see Parker. He looked the same as Scott saw him two years ago. A dirty blonde with stormy grey eyes. It was long before Scott's eyes lingered back onto Elijah.

"He's not dead, just unconscious" Parker grabbed Elijah by the hair, forcing him to look up in his unconscious state.

Scott knees went weak. Elijah's bruised cheeks and swollen eyes. His face stained with blood was enough to make Scott feel even more helpless.

"He should be waking up anytime soon" Parker said, slapping Elijah's already injured face. "He should be apart of this too"

A sudden muffling and what sounded like metal being dragged along the floor caught Scott's attention. Surprisingly enough it was Carly tied to a chair, her mouth gagged as she tried saying something to Scott. Her hair was messy, smudge of dirt on her face. Why was she here.

"Would you shut up" Parker said, glaring at Carly who was starting to annoy him. He always had a short temper. Carly let out a small whimper before going silent. Her eyes pleading towards Scott. "Look who decides to wake up"

Elijah fluttered his eyes opened. The light almost blinding and his body full in pain. When his eyes met Scott he was hit with a far greater pain. Scott wasn't suppose to come, Elijah didn't want him to experience something so cruel.

"Elijah" Scott said, relieved that Elijah was now awake.

"One more step and I'll put a whole in his head" Parker said, pulling a gun from his waist and pointing it at Elijah. Scott was even more frightened, stopping in his tracks. One wrong move could cause Elijah his life. "These are the things that pisses me off" Parker spat, hitting Elijah across the face with the gun.

"Please don't....please don't hit him parker" Scott pleaded. "I-I'm here so just let him go. I'll do whatever you want"

"Scott--"

Elijah was cut short with another hit to the face. Scott felt his heart being stabbed with each hit Elijah got. "Who told you you could speak"

Parker wiped his brow as he walked up to Scott. His eyes void of any emotions, "Scott, why did you do it?" Parker spoke, cupping Scott's cheeks, the cold metal just to side of his face. Scott was trembling beneath his touch. "I left for a few months and this is what you did to me. You betrayed me" there was no remorse in his voice for what he did.

"Do you know how long it took me to find you. I came all the way to this good for nothing town because I love you. And I find you were cheating on me" Parker wanted to sound genuine but Scott wasn't buying it. Parker did the unthinkable and pressed his lips onto Scott. He despised it. Scott only wanted to kiss Elijah. Mustering up the courage he pushed Parker away.

"That's how it is" Parker laughed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I'm here now so you can forget about my replacement"

Elijah wasn't a replacement for Parker. He was a better person than Parker could be, "why, why must you ruin my life?"

"Ruin?" Parker said in disbelief. "I'm the best thing that's ever happened in your shitty excuse of a life. I loved you and you ran away. I came all the way down to this dump to see you. I used all those idiot to get my way. I sent that Mikey to keep tabs on you. Find out your relationship with him"

Scott vaguely remembered the day in Pops when Mikey said he got the answers he needed. It all made sense now.

"I watched as you got close with him. Trying to take away what's mine. I sent that stupid guy who messed up and killed that old lady but it all played out in the end. I got rid of anyone in my way. I sent you that letter to let you know know I'm here. Remember the clovers" Parker held up his arms to show a tattooed clover. "You picked this one out. I knew you would recognized it"

"You got stupid Scott" Parker scoffed. "After all that you still went back to him. Blame yourself for what happens to him" he turns towards Carly who was crying. "Someone got a bit nosy for their own good. I did all this for you Scott"

"You didn't do it for me" Scott said, wiping away his tears, looking at Parker with defiance. "You did it for yourself. You don't love me, you treat me like a object not a person. You cheated on me sent me in the hospital. That wasn't love. You wanted to be in control. The only person I love is Elijah" Scott was surprise by his burst of courage, looking beyond Parker at Elijah who was smiling through the pain.

"I love you Scott" Parker said, his eyes stormier than ever. Filled with possession instead of love. "I'll just have to get rid of the problem" he walked over to Elijah and pointed the gun to his head again. Carly started to say something, panicking at the fact that Elijah might die. "Shut up!" Parker yelled firing the first shot at Carly which missed.

Scott let out a cry, closing his eyes afraid to open them. When he did both were safe but the gun was still to Elijah's head. His mind was in a sudden daze. His heart rate increasing. The long gone beeping was back, loud and clear in his mind. He could hear the faint calling of his name.

"Please don't cry. I promised I wouldn't let you cry again. Please don't, I'll be fine. I love you. I'll be fine" Elijah said, pulling him back to reality.

"Fate, why are you so cruel?" Scott said, reciting Elijah's poem. Fate was trying to take Elijah from him. "You took him away from me. Once, twice will there be a thrice" he lost Elijah twice he couldn't lose him a third time. "Destiny is kind, please save him in time"

"Cut the poetry bullshit" Parker said, silencing Scott. "Even after all this you still refuse to let him go"

Life is full of surprises. Not everyone likes them. They could never know what to expect from a wrapped box or the words from the person holding the surprise. Something happy. Something sad.

A gunshot.

A tear.

Darkness.