~Somewhat Unwelcome~

Seeing Jaxon scared, Jaxon of all people, had made me more horrified for what was about to take place. I would consider him a pretty tough guy, since in the past he's never really displayed weakness, or emotion for that matter. But there was something in his eyes that told me this was much different. Something about his dad struck the core, caused a distinct deviation in his behavior, and I wished I really knew why.

"Jaxon, can't you just tell him to leave?" I offered, hoping the resolution to this situation would come that easy. He shook his head, still rushing around the room. I watched as he hurriedly placed a chair up under the door handle, an old trick I learned from my childhood since my door didn't have a lock on it.

"No. You don't know him at all. If he sees you... I'm not even going to get into that. He won't lay a hand on you, I swear. I just need you out of sight." My whole frame started shaking with hints of his dads nature. He's right... I don't know anything, and I'm not sure I want to find out.

"What is it? He's never.... hurt you before, has he?" The words made me feel sick to my stomach. Jaxon looked up at me briefly, and his eyes said it all. I felt myself starting to fall into what appeared to be the symptoms of a panic attack. Racing heart, detachment from reality, violent shaking.... you name it, I was experiencing it.

"Get under the bed," Jaxon ordered, shoving aside some clothes and other stuff to create an entrance. His voice sounded distant, as if he was talking underwater. I shook my head, and spoke quietly, feeling like my throat was closing in on me.

"I can't leave you out here." Jaxon grumbled, racing around the bed to my side.

"Now is not the time to be stubborn, Bailey." He placed a hand on my arm. I unknowingly flinched away from his touch. Jaxon stopped in the midst of his flurry to look me in the eye. He gently brushed my arm, trying to soothe me for the split second we had.

"Hey, look at me," He spoke calmly, in contrast to his tone before. I focused in on his eyes, taking deep breaths. They were comforting....warm....safe. He looked like he was about to say something else, but there was shuffling outside the door. I heard mumbling, and the sound of someone gripping the door handle.

"In here." Jaxon led me to the closet and opened the double doors. I complied, squeezing in between his clothes and spare hangers. He began shutting the door, but stopped right before, wearing a pensive look.

"Don't make a sound," He whispered gravely. I nodded, letting him know I understood. Then he went ahead and hastily shut the closet door. I was still shaking, but I knew I had to do this for him. Control your breathing. Concentrate on getting your heart rate down. Let Jaxon handle it. You'll only be putting him in more danger if you're discovered.

The man behind the door began turning the handle. I could hear him pushing against it, trying to get it open. I peered through the slanted cracks of his closet, and was able to access a view of the entire bedroom. Jaxon went over and stood next to his bed, looking frozen in fear, but standing defensively with his hands clenched beside him.

"Hey," a deep voice slurred, rumbling the doorknob, "Open this door." Jaxon didn't answer back, staying still in place. I jumped when he started pounding on the door. It occurred to me that a full-grown man could probably knock the door down if he really put his heart to it. Crap.

It went eerily quiet. The pounding had escalated and then randomly ceased. Jaxon looked to the closet, and though he couldn't see me, his look said he knew I was watching. I could still hear heavy panting outside the door. Please, please pass out. It would make things so much easier.

Suddenly, a loud bang erupted through the room. The chair went flying backward, slamming into the wall, and the door followed it, opening with a gust of wind and menacing force. Then a man staggered into the room, a bottle in one hand.

Jaxon's dad.

It was obvious where Jaxon's good looks came from. But, just like I had pictured, he didn't compare to Jaxon in any way. He had the same brown hair, just a little shorter, accompanied with the brown eyed trademark, but his eyes were bloodshot, and drained of life. The man hadn't shaved for some time, and he was sweating, his clothes filthy from being worn for days. The one thing that really set me on edge, however, was his tone of voice.

"You miss me?" He spat with unpleasant laughter, "I don't appreciate...being kept waiting." Jaxon stiffened as his dad came closer to him, swaying from the intense influence of alcohol. Ugh, I can smell it from here.

"Why did you lock me out?" His dad accused. Jaxon stared back, not saying a word. Maybe cause you're a psycho. But that's just a guess. His rough grisly voice softened.

"Don't you want to see me?" Jaxon cracked up at this, squaring his shoulders.

"When have I ever wanted to see you? Actually, I'd prefer it if you disappeared. Forever." His dads almost sincere appearance snapped in an instant. His eyes glazed over with rage. I gasped as his hand came up and planted an unforgiving punch on Jaxon's face.

"You can't talk to me like that!" Jaxon fell against the post of the bed, holding his face. After a moment, he drew his hand back, looking at the floor. I couldn't see where his father hit him, but I knew it was hard enough to knock him over. No, Don't hurt him. He's done absolutely nothing to deserve it. How can you do that to him and live with yourself? Jaxon stood back up, regardless of the consequences that would follow.

"Apologize," His father demanded. He took a sloppy swig of his bottle, pretty much finishing it off. When Jaxon didn't say anything, his dad's eyes practically bulged out of their sockets.

"APOLOGIZE!" He screamed, the veins on his neck popping out, "Before I make you apologize!" Something shifted in Jaxon. He looked up, and his face lost the look of shame, being replaced with anger. He was done taking hits. I knew exactly what his next move would be. I felt my rapid heartbeat increase somehow, about to tear out of my chest. That's a bad idea.

His fist came flying up, crashing into his dad's hideous sneer. The punch, along with being drunk, caused him to topple over, landing on the floor with a thud. Jaxon glanced at the closet, then back at his dad below him, struggling to stand back up.

"Never," Jaxon said, spitting at the floor. His dad growled, clambering to get on his feet. When he stood upright, Jaxon shoved him in the chest, pushing him backward. His father was already disoriented, and the push made his head flop around, trying to gain back some wit. The drunk man stumbled back until he hit the bedroom wall, and stayed there. Jaxon glowered at him, thinking he could deal with him now. His father looked pathetic and weak, leaning against the wall and breathing heavily. I don't pity you at all.

His dad appeared defeated. Just when Jaxon started to turn away, he suddenly launched into him, catching him off guard. He hit Jaxon hard in the gut. I could hear the breath wheeze out of Jaxon as he hunched over in pain. The blow kept him in a vulnerable position, and I was forced to watch it all take place. No No No stay away from him!!

His dad, not as unhinged as he had pretended to be, cruelly kicked him in the back next. I become frantic as Jaxon's face slammed against the floor first, the rest of him following. He laid there helplessly, barely conscious, and dangerously paralyzed in place. I can't just sit here and watch. I have to do something.

I was torn between staying hidden, like Jaxon would want, or revealing myself. Maybe he would stop there. The disgusting man laughed at the sight of his son on the floor. He shuffled around, and clung to the bedpost for support. It looked as if he had lost interest in Jaxon. What a relief.

Then he chuckled again. I watched him bend over to retrieve something off the floor. Uh oh. It was his beer bottle.

His dad stood over Jaxon. He held onto the bottle in one hand and emptied it, holding it up so the last drops would land in his mouth. I was breathing hard, placing my hand hesitantly on the closet door. This can't be happening. I pressed my face against the blind slits, watching with a sick twisted feeling brewing inside. The man, with a wicked smile, swung the bottle up, ready to smash it against Jaxon's head.

"STOP!" I threw the doors open, flinging myself out in the open.

The random outburst caused the motion to halt. His dad's hand hovered above him. Slowly, his head rose to meet me. I shuddered as the man's cold harsh eyes pierced into mine. He threw the bottle down on the floor, barely missing Jaxon's face. It shattered into a million pieces, and I hoped none of it hit Jaxon.

"Who... are you?" His words made my throat choke up. I felt faint as I watched his dad slide his feet towards me, his lip curling into a smile. The alcohol stench became stronger as the source neared. I dropped my gaze, looking at Jaxon on the floor. His body stirred, reacting to the sound of my voice.

"I-uh-I'm," I tried to say something, but nothing would come. Jaxon's dad was suddenly directly in front of me, even more repulsing up close. I can't believe Jaxon and him are related. I felt like I was staring into the eyes of the devil.

"You... are something to look at." His eyes raked over my body, and I swallowed down the lump in my throat, trying to come up with an escape. At least the distraction part worked.

"Don't touch me. Or Jaxon," I managed, looking him dead in the eye. This made his smile evolve into a sickening grin. He laughed, grabbing my arm.

"Oh no, I just did." I tried to pull out of his grip. It made him tighten his hold on me. His fingernails dug into my skin, nearly drawing blood. I made an attempt to run, but he pushed me back against the closet door. I squealed as his grasp became excruciating.

"You're not going anywhere, beautiful," He said groggily, ripping my arm toward him. I gasped as his face came inches from mine. He ran his dirty fingers through my hair, and I turned my head away, tears filling up in my eyes.

His hand suddenly dug into my hair and grabbed a fistful of it. I screamed as he pulled my head back to face him, eyes thirsty for control. There was no telling just what he planned on doing next. But before things could be taken any further, I detected movement behind.

Jaxon pounced on his dad. I hadn't seen him sneak up. The monster released his grip on me, and I escaped to the corner of the room. Nothing happened in slow motion like people claim it does. Jaxon kicked his leg, bringing him to the ground. Without pausing, he got on top of him, and formed a fist. The jolting movement was agile and disconcerting.

That's all it took, one enraged blow. The hit knocked him out cold. Then Jaxon scrambled backward, putting some distance between him and the unconscious body.

There was a moment where we just watched. We didn't dare move a muscle, just in case the fight wasn't over. His dad's head slowly tipped to the side. Both our breathing was ragged and fast. The silence settled in the room, an alleviating, victorious silence. I could hear whimpering, and realized it was coming from me.

Jaxon jumped up. We met eyes for a split second, the terror shared between us both, and then he enveloped me in his warmth. I clung to him, shaking and hardly noticing the tears streaming down my cheeks that soaked his shirt. He was okay. It was going to be okay.

It was over.

Yeeesh, that was freaky. If you're wondering how Heather, the owner of the residence, didn't hear the commotion, her and the boys all sleep on the upper floor and apparently are deep sleepers.... ha. Well, as always, I LOVE your votes and comments!!!! Thank you all so so so so so much for reading this story!! You guys are all so awesome! As someone who suffers from laziness and lack of motivation, you guys really kept me going, and I'm so glad I made it this far! It's been really fun to write for ya'll. Couldn't have done it and completed it without u. Seriussly. There will be one more additional chapter after this one, and I can't say when it will be updated, but probably soon ;) << The classic winky face. Oh yes.