Ch. 7 - Hostage

Drake didn't feel like himself when he woke up. In a few moments, he was watching Marlene sleep. He just didn't shake this feeling of unease that came from all that's happened.

Marlene, opened her eyes when she heard him and felt his touch. However, it no longer felt as warm. "Drake…?" Looking up she saw him awake and still in pretty bad shape. Bandages on his head and hands, as well wrapped upon his chest. She didn't know what to think or to say as she hoped it was a bad dream that she saw, but it was very real. All she could do was sit up and hold him. And ask the basic "Are you feeling better?"

"I'd be lying if I said no, but I don't want to say I am either." He replied as he wasn't even sure how to feel. The words his father beat into him still echoed. Especially after yesterday. His sister's life is in danger if he messes up just one more time. He then told her. "I'm sorry, but Marlene… I will have to drop out from school"

She grabbed onto his arms and shook her head trying to be as calm as she could. "Don't say that… and don't you dare leave us, just don't okay…"

"Why…? Give me a good reason why," he said, unable to look at her. They just met, and sure things were moving fast between them, but something ached in his chest when he heard her plea and he wanted to know why.

"Because… I'll be alone. Because I don't want you to give up already." She grabbed his face and made him look at her. She could see what many people couldn't. The times he has pushed on, the harsh unjustified beating and treatment he received, the stress in his eyes, all of it. She got the bigger picture he was hiding. "You wanted things to get better right? I can tell you're seriously trying, but why, why at this moment you look so defeated huh.? You've… gotten so far… just, don't let it end here." she was about to cry for no reason it seemed. Just her emotions getting riled up, but it wasn't for herself. But for him. She was feeling all these mixed emotions for his sake.

"Hey… don't cry" he listened, and saw how this was hurting her. He raised his hand to wipe away the tear forming in her eyes.

"I'm not…" she said back and let go of him for a second.

"Sure you're not…" he raised his two hands and hugged her waist.

She wiggled up on his lap until she could hold herself upon his lap. She was up and holding his head on her chest.

'This feeling…' every aching voice in his head suddenly went away. He didn't want to let her go.  'I can't get used to it…' he told himself not wanting or wishing to be spoiled in this bliss. Because he believed he didn't deserve it. And it would just be taken away.

"Drake… tell me what happened…" she asked of him, gently stroking his head and hair.

"My father… when I got home. Began to beat me… I picked up Sarah, so she was also caught up in it… lucky for me… he kept his attention to me… after throwing her inside. He broke a bottle over my head and proceeded to kick and stomp on my limbs and body… he wasn't holding back either…" he summarized what had been done. But didn't mention what his father said about his sister to her. Just mentioned what happened.

She felt angry for his sake. "How… awful." There were no words that would come to mind to say to him. Yet tried, "Your safe here now Draky… you are so strong, for keeping Sarah safe. Please don't give up okay…"

Sure, those were easy words to say, but she didn't have his experience. Even though his sharp tongue wanted to say something. He refrained from doing so and looked up at her. He didn't have anyone like her before. "Okay." His hug was tighter as he slowly brought her down onto the couch and laid back down with her. "I'll… keep trying," he said, and reluctantly agreed.

'He doesn't like it… but… he still agreed… I'm sorry… but, I'm not letting you give up… even if I'll end up hurt…' she said, and wrapped her leg around his hip and leg clinging to him tightly. "Get some sleep… we won't be going to school today…" she told him.

"But…"

"I mentioned to my father that you know the principal personally… so he made sure to promise me he would call for us both in…" she explained to him, so he wouldn't have to worry.

She began to think of his situation. 'Why didn't he go to the police before? Has he already? Why hasn't he just moved away with another family? Does he even have family who can look out for him?' She thought it over and over, 'just how bad is it? Has he had it?' She felt frustrated, angry, sad, and nervous. How can one person feel so much for someone they just met?

"Drake… just get some rest… we can take you to the hospital if you need one…" she said.

"No, that's too much… it'll cost too much too, I'll be fine, I'm practically used to it now." He explained softly breathing against her breast and just enjoyed her scent. Her warmth was once again growing on him as his cold touch began feeling warmer. "Thank you, Marlene," he said as began to close his eyes and once again fall asleep. This time, with far more ease thanks to her reassurance.

The morning quickly became afternoon. So when it was time Trey was met with Marlene's father. They gathered at a cafe between their respective work locations.

"I take it your Trey?" One man asked and the other replied.

"You must be Triston then. Officer Tristan, my apologies" he said, easing the atmosphere a bit.

"No need for that…" Tristan sat down with him.

"So, what did you need to talk about? I can't imagine it's work-related if you're asking for me personally…" Trey said as he began drinking his coffee.

"No… but it might as well be now, that young man under your care" he said as he looked at the menu getting coffee for himself, as Trey already had his own.

"You're referring to Drake then… he wasn't on anyone's radar recently and has been kept away from police so what do you want with him?" He asked, sounding defensive.

"Relax, I just wanted to know about him…" he said and thought. 'Especially after last night'

"Surely you could have asked him… but, you wouldn't be here if you tried it already. So I'll humor you…" Trey agreed. "But, only if you tell me why you want to know about him? I don't see him causing trouble like he use to"

"He's dating my daughter it seems… and last night, came to my home beaten and bruised holding his sister in his arms…" he explained and looked up to Trey, who stopped drinking his coffee after hearing the news of last night.

"Where is he now?" He sat down his coffee, no longer in the mood to drink.

"At my home still… safe." He told him. "Look, I want to help him… I do, but I can't just act as I please, it'd be an abuse of power and I don't exactly have proof of anything his father has done… aside from two kids." He explained and Trey sighed.

"No… It's a lot more complex than that sadly… and even that won't be enough"

"How so?" Asked Tristan.

"Their father is very manipulative… and even saying that is putting it mildly. Sure you need evidence, but getting any is a problem. Let me put it in a way, the boy told me… you won't find any, you won't get any, because he'll beat him into saying nothing and his sister will pay for it."

"Are you kidding me?" He was shocked.

"I wish I was, he'll have you destroy the evidence, or have either Drake and Sarah stay silent. He holds them hostage, without even being near them, do you get what I mean?"

"No, just how?"

"Picture this… if he were to get mad, he'd go out looking for them in a panic or keep their mother also a hostage. And while your people are trying to arrest him, he will hold them hostage and in that time it takes for you to seize him, he would have doped up to his kids with drugs by force, that they wouldn't even be able to testify. In the past, a urine test was held for the father, but he forced Drake to help him fake it… In much similar fashion, during the day, while the boy and his sister are away, their mother is his temporary step-in, as a hostage herself. So when night comes around, and they come home, they become hostages and while their mother works nights..."

"But why would he help him?" Tristan focused on one key point.

"Because he told him he'd sell his sister to people…" Trey told him. A dark truth. "If Drake doesn't cooperate, his sister gets punished. It's a way to keep him around and do as he says." Trey then sighed and looked at his coffee. "I remember he came to my own home, with a broken nose and arm… barely able to carry his sister, who at the time was only two herself. Honestly, his reason for going on is because of her. He doesn't care about his own life anymore… I wanted to prescribe an antidepressant to him, but he said no. He said his father would just use them, or have his mother use them. I don't know how to help him other than just making sure he is safe in the streets. But even that he doesn't need" He explained a bit of himself, Drake, and Drake's father to Tristan.

"My God… and what did the last chief do about this?" He asked.

"Nothing, what can he do? Why do you think he also retired? He couldn't save one child. For all I know, it might be a lost cause at this point" Trey said.

"Hold on, do you not care about the boy?" He asked angrily.

"Of course, I care about him. Sorry, I didn't mean to make it sound like that… I meant, it was a lost cause to stop him. One thing or another, that boy's father is far too dangerous. So I told Drake."

"What?"

"To graduate. To leave his house with an education. And to take his sister… I should also tell you, that boy was once in a gang… not doing anything big time, all he did was help transport and distribute drugs. It may be surprising, but his boss at a time helped him, sort of took a liking to him, why do you think he has that 'J' on him. It's a symbol for those out there… he has their protection, but it also still attracts unwanted attention, he's also been told it's to be symbolic. He wouldn't tell me why, so I didn't ask further… anyways… I hope you understand the larger picture being painted" he told him.

"I think I do… so, it seems either way if we don't interfere, things will continue as they do, but if we do, things will only get worse and faster for the boy…" he said as he began to stomach this information.

"Yeah… look, if… if he needs help, let him stay with your daughter… I know, truly you don't want to get her into trouble… but if I know that boy… he needs someone… he can't be left alone anymore… I fear he might reach a breaking point… and… there is no going back for him if he does…" Trey sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"That's… difficult to accept Trey, and very selfish of you to ask. I'll do what I can, but… if she's in danger… I will step in and put my foot down…" Tristan said to him.

"That's very understandable… but, if it comes to that, please think things through. For his sake. He's a good kid… but no matter how many times we tell him… he tells himself how worthless he is… or how frustrated it is for him. I'm amazed he's not dead, but also, I think it's because of his sister… as long as she is safe, I think then he can die happy… or at the very least. Accept his life has been worth something… I can't tell how many times he's been wanting to run away, wanting to cry, I tell him it's okay, but I understand he can't."

"He can't show weakness…" said Tristan.

"Yeah… or it will be the end of him…" both had a tough talk, and it was hard to swallow. For either of them. It was a moment of silence. Trey was reminded of his hardships and Tristan learned of them.

"In any case, friend. Here… would you mind passing these onto him" Trey said, soon holding out some cash. Two separate bundles.

"What? Why?" Tristan asked.

"He needs it to pay bills… "

"Wait, that fool of a father doesn't work?" Both then talked a bit more explaining just how bad it kept getting for drake.

Maria was in her office, while she seemed calm, her nerves were all over the place. She decides to leave the school grounds, and go visit Marlene's home. So at the same time the men were out, both Jess and Maria were now talking in her home.

Maria walked up to the door. And knocked. The first two she saw were Jess, holding up Sarah. Who has just finished school. Sarah, reacted happily "auntie!" She reached and was then picked up by her.

"Come in…" Jess said softly as they were inside.

"How are you?" Asked Maria, and Sarah responded.

"I'm doing good auntie… draky is upstairs with Marlene…" she told her and both sat down together with Jess next to her.

"Why did you come over if you don't mind?" Asked Jess.

"I got worried about him… and Sarah. So I wanted to see how they are doing… is Drake okay?" She asked.

"Yes, he's sleeping last I checked… he's cuddled up with my daughter"

"How charming," said Maria with a smile.

"Right?" Agreed Jess.

"I think it's gross," said Sarah.

"Oh, are you jealous?" Asked Maria, teasing her. And pinched her cheeks.

"No… owwie" she said, but still smiled.

"Hehe… I'm glad you two are safe…" said and hugged Sarah.

"How about you go see them… Sarah, want to cook lunch with me?" She asked her, and Sarah agreed, slipping down from Maria's lap.

Maria got up and walked upstairs to go and see how the two were doing. 'They better not be in the act…' she said. Opening the door, she saw Marlene cuddling Drake and the only one awake between them.

She slowly walked in and sat close to Marlene. "How's he doing?" She asked her softly.

"He's feeling better… he's getting lots of sleep… I think it might be too much" Marlene responded with concern.

"No… the boy wakes up early in the day… from what he's told me, he wakes up early and hardly sleeps at night. He gives up a lot of his time to his sister…" she explained to Marlene.

"Just so she doesn't have to have a hard time at home…" Marlene said understanding.

"I'm glad you became so close with him…"

"Why?" Asked Marlene.

"Well, if this happened and you never met, he would have to walk so much further to stay with me and my husband… he did once… barefoot he came so beaten up he passed out at the door… he's gotten tougher… but, it doesn't mean it gets any easier. Even if he says he does'''

"He passed out just getting to our door too…"

"So he's getting weaker…" it hurt Marlene most when Maria said that.

"I don't think so, at least, I'd like to hope he isn't. Your mom, Sarah, and I will be working on lunch… I'll come to bring the food up so you can feed him and wake him" Maria said.

"Will do." As she agreed, she then felt Marlene get out of her bed as well had left the door closed for them on her way out.

Being left alone, Marlene had to know more about his situation. So maybe talking with Maria would help.

Maria was back down with Jess and began to talk with her as well sort of play with Sarah. "Jess, are you comfortable with your daughter being around him?" She asked. As it was a sudden, and sort of heavy question. "He's hard to approach, very stubborn, and brings trouble…"

"You sound like a worried mother, and you must know him very well. To speak like that" Jess said, while carefully focused on cooking.

"Because I do… he's been around for six years…" she openly talked with her.

"That is a long time… so I can get now why you worry about him, and, to answer… I was hesitant. He was attacked at school and that's when I first saw him. He looked awful, but… I saw my daughter worried about him… it was strange, I don't see her so worried or concerned, but, I saw her getting so worked up for someone else. We sheltered her, but she wanted to try something new. Moving gave her that chance, and we entertained it… so yes, I was very hesitant to even let her around him again. But… I gave it a chance… and after today, what I saw, what I heard. Taking them apart will only be bad for everyone involved. And even if I forced her to, I'm sure she will just try to find a way to be with him." Jess explained her thoughts and feelings on them.

Maria was at a loss for words at the moment of what she heard but then smiled. "It's very reassuring… that he can find people who can see who he is, and can stay by him… something is telling me, he is going to need it… desperately."

"So you feel the same way" Jess agreed.

"How is the food coming along?" Asked Maria.

Jess smiled again softly. And took some of the soup into her lips to taste. "Just perfect… it'll be done after a while… why not help get Drake to a bath, he hasn't exactly been moving much or changed from those beat-up and bloody clothes."

"Maybe your daughter should do that, that I'm a bit too old now to be spending time with someone like him in a bath" Maria began reminiscing of much older times.

And Jess asked. "Mind telling more?"

"Oh yes…" both began to talk together. With Maria leading the conversation talking all about Drake during a time he was far younger.

Sarah had been minding her business, captivated by the tv and shows she was watching for the first time drowning out everything until a glass plate fell, and this scared and horrified her as she quickly got down and yelled. "I'm sorry!" She just imagined a scene of the past, how she was just cleaning, a glass broke, and her brother protecting her.

Both Maria and Jess heard her, and Maria walked over. "Sorry, dear… I just dropped a plate…" she began to comfort her.

Sarah looked up from her hands and hugged Maria.

"Why don't you stay with her… I have Marlene take care of Drake then and I'll finish cooking" Jess suggested.

"Okay" Maria held info Sarah and smothered her between her breasts cuddling her in her lap. "I'm sorry for scaring you dear… so just relax okay… no one's gonna harm you…"

Sarah grabbed onto her and nodded. She kept watching tv again, this time with Maria.

Jess went upstairs and entered seeing them both still wrapped up in each other. "As much as I want to tease you about this my dear, would you mind waking him, and take a bath with him?"

"Huh?" Marlene looked at her mother completely dumbfounded by what she heard. "You…" She then turned to Drake and went back to her mother. "What the hell? What's the point if he'll be awake? He can take care of himself?"

"So you're not against it?" She managed a way to tease her daughter.

"Go away!" She said, throwing her pillow to the door.

Jess smiled and walked away. "That's taken care of" she went right back to cooking.

Marlene was confused. 'Why?! Just why? Ugh. Whatever.' she thought and looked at Drake. "Okay, hey…" she said, slowly shaking his side. "Come on, wake up" she slowly slipped away from his grip, and just began to undo his shirt and lift his sweater. Still shaking him. "If you don't…" she leaned onto his chest and heard a heartbeat. "Am I really this worried…?" She asked herself as she was still stripping him. And Drake began to wake up.

"Just, what are you doing?" He asked and looked at her. Her hand was under his shirt but also saw her other hand on his chest. His shirt was raised a fair amount, as well as his pants were undone. "No… you wouldn't?" He sat up and looked at her.

"I… you! Why?!" She had been flushed, and embarrassed.

"Are you… frustrated?" He told her, wondering now.

"Damn jerk…" she took her hand away and nearly slapped him, she stopped herself, he didn't flinch or even react. He had a soft smile, and soon she grabbed his cheat. "I wanted to slap you… why don't you block or something"

"I know, and I didn't because what I said is a little inconsiderate. So… Marlene, can you explain to me now?" He asked and was glad she could control herself.

"Don't think too much about it, okay…" She sat up on his lap and leaned her head on him. "Sorry, I got worked up…"

"Alright, and it's okay." He said and held her.

"For the record, I'm not frustrated… I know what you mean perv… I was getting you undressed because my mother wanted me to bathe with you… and I swear that's the truth… even I was shocked… I told her there wouldn't be a point, you'd be awake… but" she slowly grabbed his hand. "Can you even move all that well?"

"So that explains it… and a little… give me some more time to rest…" his stomach growled. "And food… I'll be up and well soon… but, will you be alright in the bath with me?"

"Yeah… I'll be fine… just… don't shame me for not being as big as my mom or Maria," she said, and slowly got his lap and off the bed.

'I want to respond to that… but I feel like I shouldn't…' he told himself.

Drake carefully moved, and got out of bed. He grabbed her hand and held himself onto her. "I guess I'm not fully able to move yet, even for a bath… my hands and feet still feel numb," he said as she grabbed onto him.

"I gotcha… I'll take care of you… but, Drake, serious topic… are you going to head home?" She said, and as they got to the bathroom he answered her.

"That's… not an easy answer… you could say I have to… but I don't right now… or soon, I have to pay the bills for the house… so until I get that money, I'm not heading home anytime soon, but when or if I do, I still don't have too, I have usually until the end of the month. We're still a week and a half away from that…'' he sat down on the edge of the bath, where he was starting to strip off his shirt and sweater.

"So… will you be alright staying here until then?" She asked, not even being nervous about the bath anymore. She was focused on their talk.

"No, I can't do that… I've already caused trouble if anything… I can leave Sarah here for a time… but I need to head home. If he doesn't beat me at some point. He will make sure to find me… and since my whore of a mother is working as a slut every night, he can't exactly beat her, or else who will he fuck or get money from… so im forced back home… one way or  He explained as he was stripped down to nothing now.

"How awful…" she looked at the tile floor, and wasn't sure what she could do and it hurt her even though she couldn't do anything.

"It's alright. As long as I go back sometime in the next two or three days, no harm will come to my sister… and hopefully to me if I paid. After that, I go on like usual, and I'll have to take back Sarah. But, I'm not in any rush… she can stay here as long as possible, I don't want her to go through that any more than she should." He explained to her in a summary and a very brief idea of how it was like. He slipped into the bath and laid back. "You don't have to stay, I'll be able to take care of myself," he noticed how silent she was, and it was a lie, since getting out of bed he felt numb.

"It's not fair… that you need to go through all that Drake…" she began feeling a mix of emotions for him. "How can you be alright..?" She couldn't help but tear up. "How can I help you…?"

He looked at her and wasn't sure what to feel. "Why… are you getting emotional?"

"Because…" she hid in her hands. "I care about you… how can you talk so calmly, how are you even smiling… more or less alive? Just, why do you have to go through this…" she teared up more and more for his sake.

"..." He couldn't understand it himself, but he didn't want her to suffer. He didn't want her to get mixed up in his problem. "I can't exactly explain it either… but, if I had to guess… it's because… I still have hope. I want to believe when I graduate I'll be free from their abuse. And that I'll be able to stay with my sister, somewhere safe… I hope for that. It might be the only reason to keep going as far as I have…"

'He's barely holding onto that hope… 3 years of this… he's at the end of it… but. Can he hold out? Will they let him?' She thought and looked back up to him. Leaning over to hug him. "Make space… I'm joining you" she was able to collect herself. 'Getting, emotional, isn't gonna help him… I'll just have to be there for him. Make his hell a little easier…' she told herself and gently let go. She got up still in her thoughts, as she began to undress in front of him without thinking much of it or at all.

"Uh, hey" he tried to get her attention, and also looked away. He did also bring his legs up, as he sat crossed.

She just continued as her shorts came off. Her bra and underwear next. She stood nude, and when she looked back at him, she was covering herself with her arms and began to feel flushed in the moment of things. She did see he was turned away, so steadily she got into the bath with him, and turned so she would be facing him. She was hesitant but then told him. "Y-You can look…"

"Are you sure it's alright?" He asked before then taking a peek at her.

"Yeah… just look already" she mumbled and saw him now.

He did as she asked. And lifted his head to now get a look at her. With the slight haze of the water and steam, he only got to see her upper half. But even though that was a sight for him, he admired her silently.

"I told you… I'm not as impressive as them…" she said feeling nervous. Also thinking he must have preferred a busty woman.

He then spoke up. "You're perfect… as you are…" he was slightly embarrassed to say it, but he did so anyway. After all, it was how he truly felt.

"Turn around dammit…" she told him. And leaned over to make sure he did. "That's enough… let me just wash you already…" she told him, and it made her happy he did say something, rather than nothing at all. So she began to help him. She noticed how even with his tanned skin, there were noticeable bruises on him when getting a look closer at his exposed body. So she then asked.

"So, why are you tanned?" She asked, and suddenly pressed her chest and body onto his back she even spread her legs and knees around his waist to lay in him closely "I like it… but, do you have a reason?"

"It's just to hide my bruises and wounds a bit better… before I was much lighter, and it is natural. I was against it before it was recommended I do this, still, it grew on me, and I'm glad I did get tanned. I like being outside. I try to do as much as possible…" he explained and Marlene dissected a bit of what he said.

She wondered who recommended him to do that. She wasn't against it or anything, she liked it, but it did make her realize how little she knew about him.

"And hey, Marlene… would you mind, moving a bit away, I can… feel… all of you, if you get what I mean," he said, as she felt nervous to look at her. He just gazed at the tile wall.

"I don't mind…" she told him and pressed herself more. "Do you want me to stop?" She asked softly to his ear.

"No…" he answered and raised his hand to hold hers over his neck. "I'm flattered you can be this comfortable, we are moving so fast you know" he pointed out.

"I know, but I can't help being so relaxed. As well as be so comfortable. So I'm not bothered one bit... And besides, I'm not showing or have shown myself to anyone else… so you are and will be the only one…" she told him. And at that moment he figured her out.

"I see… I'll be gentle with you then" he then turned and looked back at her before suddenly kissing her on the lips.

She leaned into it more and held onto him, closing her eyes to make the moment all the more passionate.

Both of them got to enjoy temporary bliss. And sure enough, the bath became their new cuddle spot, for the moment.

She didn't want to tell him, but she made a decision. She would help him. In any way, she could. She wanted to at least make his school life easier. He easily drives off anyone in the streets, but in school, he is forced to deal with annoying individuals. At the very least she would try.

Drake couldn't help but think. In the short time he knew her, she was willing to help him. Even if she had nothing to gain, he felt like he was taking advantage of her kindness. So at the same time, she decided to help him. He decided on his own to make her happy. To repay her kindness in full no matter the price he'd have to pay.

She didn't know it, but she had soon been someone and her family, something that would shackle Drake.