Chapter 2: Broken

Sorry for the long wait and without further adue (sp? word? whatever) Chapter 2!

Chapter 2: broken

“I think I should have kept my boobs and walked around with them for the rest of the day.” Lee mused pulling his hair back up. Riley took the wig off, his flaming red hair poked out in different sides.

“Wig hair.” Max said. Riley had red hair and hazel eyes his skin was fair in contrast to his girlfriend Vivian. Once in the bathroom Riley shed the tight shirt for another looser black shirt and traded his skirt for a pair of black tripp pants that had blue lining. “So Riley what do you think of Lee and Annette getting together?” Max asked.

“Go for it Lee! You’ve known her forever! But I thought she was still dating Jack.” Riley said.

“Yeah she is, but if she breaks up with him….” Max started.

“No! I would never do that to Annette!” Lee said.

Riley looked over at Lee, who was struggling to take his shirt off. Max laughed as Riley went over and tugged the shirt off of Lee. “I’m worried about Annette.” Riley said laying the shirt across the sink.

“Oh so now you like her? Lee you got some competition!” Max laughed, tugging his shirt off. Lee turned his glare to Max and threw a heel that May had lent him at Max.

“Shut up! I do not!” Lee shouted as Max grabbed the heel and prepared to fight.

“No… no that’s not what I meant… I mean I heard something about Jack.” Riley replied. Everyone froze and all eyes turned to Riley, Riley never liked the spotlight to go to him he backed up and hit the wall.

“What?” Lee asked trying to keep his temper in check. Max laid a hand on Lee’s shoulder to steady him.

“I heard that Jack… well I heard he beats people.” Riley whispered.

“What?!” Lee and Max shouted, Lee’s temper began to flare.

“Who did you hear that from?” Lee managed to choke out.

“I don’t know! But I heard it, it sounded like someone whispered it in my ear… but when I turned around there was no one beside me or behind me or anywhere! It was just me!” Riley quickly stated. He didn’t like the way Lee’s eyes went from green to a deep red all in a matter of seconds… and all over Jack and Annette.

“That’s not funny! Now be serious.” Lee said trying to get his temper under control again.

“I am!” Riley tried to defend himself before his friend attacked him.

“Maybe his subconscious mind did it? It’s been know to do strange things like that.” Max replied laying a hand on Lee’s shoulder.

“I forbid her to see him!” Lee said through gritted teeth.

“You can’t do that.” Riley pointed out.

“The hell I can’t!” Lee’s eyes began to slowly turn red, the change happened so fast that Riley didn’t have time to see it all, Max’s back hit him hard in the stomach sending Riley to the wall. Riley watched as Max’s hands were laced through his brothers and they were pushing each other Max trying to get a good foothold so he could let go and grab Lee’s neck and waist. At least hold him still long enough to calm him down, Riley stood up and felt no blood on the back of his head just a big headache.

He stuck his head out of the boy’s bathroom and made sure no one else heard it! He came back in and locked the door behind him, that way if someone were trying to get in they’d at least have a fair warning. Lee’s gaze however was following Riley as he tried snapping at him and Max. “Just calm down!” Max said able to grab Lee’s throat and cut of his air supply. Lee didn’t like that; it was uncomfortable to not be able to breath. He calmed down and Max was able to let go of him. “He’s right you know, you’re not her biological father.” Max finally pointed out when he thought Lee could take it.

“I can’t tell her!” Lee finally said sliding down the wall. “Sorry Riley I didn’t mean for you to see that.” Lee said directing his gaze towards Riley.

“Oh no problem! Its not everyday you get to see your vampire friend try to kill you! I’ll treasure that moment forever.” Riley said trying to lighten the mood. Max chuckled and shook his head. “By the way are you guys familiar with demon culture?” Riley asked.

“No.” Max replied shaking his head, he looked at Lee who was also shaking his head.

“Well in the relationship whoever is the strongest rules and since Jack happens to be stronger he rules. He can do whatever he wants to her… except kill her! Don’t worry Lee she’s safe for now.” Riley replied.

“So we may be able to stop this?” Lee asked his expression turning hopeful.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t tell you this sooner.” Riley said hanging his head.

“Why? We know now and besides we might be able to stop him!” Max laughed.

“Yes I know but I’ve known this for weeks. I didn’t know if it was true but Jack’s been getting so aggressive lately.” Riley sighed.

“We’re going to be to late.” Lee responded as he adjusted his shirt and leaned against the wall.

“Well it depends on how much he’s brainwashed her.” Max sighed.

“Any other customs?” Lee asked.

“That’s all I know, I suggest you brush up on your demon history and culture. Maybe ask Annette?” Riley suggested.

“No! That’s just asking for trouble! She’s been moody… oh crap.” Lee and Max chorused. Riley flushed and regained composure before talking again.

“Do you want to meet me at my house after school, maybe we could research this.” Riley recommended.

“That sounds good, I’ll tell May that we won’t be home.” Max sighed and ran a hand through his hair. The guys filed out of the bathroom and went back to class just as the bell rang. “May!” Max called; May weaved her way through the crowd. Max whispered something in May’s ear; she nodded and herded Annette off to their next class.

“What was that all about?” Annette whispered as their second class started. Mr. Boone the World History teacher began to mumble out the lesson as he always did. Mr. Boone was a short stocky man with a receding hairline, what was left of his hair looked like salt and pepper. He had a checkered shirt on, black slacks and penny loafers.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry about it.” May whispered back. Letting her mind wander Annette opened her notebook to find a set of lyrics and a half drawn comic. She flipped to a blank page and let her pencil gently glide over the paper. Half way through the class Annette looked at her drawing, it was a wolf the eyes shaded in so she knew they were a deep color. May’s eyebrows lifted as she leaned over to get a closer look, snapping the notebook shut caused Mr. Boone to look over.

He didn’t say anything, only raised his eyebrow and continued on. When the bell rang Annette grabbed her stuff and fled down the hall to lunch, Jack was waiting there impatient as always. Jack had dark brown hair and red eyes; he had a tight shirt that showed every muscle on and a pair of blue jeans. “Sorry! I ran here.” Annette panted stuffing her notebook into her red binder.

“What’s that?” Jack asked reaching for the binder.

“Oh that? It’s nothing really!” Annette stated pushing past him and heading for the lunch line that would cost her later. Jack growled and grabbed the usual table Annette and him sat at. Annette hurried through the lunch line she had only a soda. “Hey, sorry about earlier…” she started.

“Yeah whatever.” Jack growled watching as May and Amy filed in.

“Jack smiled and wrapped his arm around Annette, Riley who had been hiding in the shadows wrote down what he saw. Amy pretended to gag but May just shook her head. “Annette, Annette, look at me.” Jack said his eyes stared down at her head. “Annette.” Jack’s tone was a warning.

Lifting her head a fraction Annette stared through her bangs. Jack lifted her chin up and bore his eyes into hers. “Yes?” Annette asked timidly.

“I only do the things I do because I love you.” Jack whispered.

May gripped the table hard her nails began growing longer, Amy nudged May and mouthed, ‘Not here! Not now!’ May nodded and released the table slowly.

“I’ll tell you what I heard later.” May whispered.

“Jack…” Annette started finding her hands an interest now.

“Hmm?” Jack asked.

“Max wants me to stay home tonight, he said he needed to talk to me.” Annette responded.

“No! Your going out with me tonight! I don’t want you near Max.” Jack growled. Annette nodded just as Jack asked another question, “What was in that purple notebook?” As he asked it the bell rang. Annette grabbed her stuff as Jack grabbed her wrist. “You will tell me!” He released her wrist but without first putting marks, Jack left the cafeteria leaving Annette to her thoughts.

A hand was softly laid on her shoulder, “You don’t have to do what he says.” Amy whispered.

“Yes I do.” Annette turned to leave but Amy grabbed her arm.

“Where did you get this?” Amy asked pointing to a bruise on Annette’s arm.

“Nothing I hit a door.” Annette stammered. Pulling her arm back Annette scurried off, back to class. May was glad when the last bell rang; Annette had skipped fourth and went home to get ready for her date with Jack.

Max stormed in the house angry as a bull. “Annette!” He shouted. Annette rushed downstairs as Max began pacing. “You will not go on that date!” he stated.

“Yes I am.” Annette said brushing past Max.

“No, you won’t.” He ordered.

“Just leave me alone! I love Jack and you can’t keep me from seeing him!” Annette shouted.

“Go, I don’t care just go!” Max’s fist collided with a wall; Annette escaped outside into the crisp fall air.

“There you are.” Jack greeted taking Annette’s hand in his. Annette wrapped her arms around Jack; Jack hugged her back but pulled her away. His eyes were hard, fierce and angry.


‘Let the beatings begin.’ Annette thought as Jack towed her away.

“No! Click on that one.” Riley shouted pointing to a promising site. Lee clicked the link and was directed toward a teen abusive site. Skimming through were questions, Lee and Riley each read.


“Does he isolate you from friends and family?” Riley asked.

“He’s trying to.” Lee growled.

“Hmm… Hey Lee check this out!” Riley said pointing to another site that said, ‘Signs your partner may be abusive’ Riley clicked on it and read the first one, “Jeckel and Hyde behavior.” Riley read.

“He has that one down!” Lee stated.

“Overreacting?” Riley asked.

“Oh yes that one to.” Lee replied.

“Intense jealousy?” Riley questioned as he searched around Google for another site.

“More than likely.” Lee responded.

Riley logged off the computer and spun around in the chair thinking as Lee continued to stare at the wall.


Annette’s body ached; Jack had left thirty minutes ago. Her arm was probably broken, she had a black eye, and she had bruises all over her body. ‘I need to break up with him… if I don’t he’ll kill me.’ Annette thought. Leaves rustled and Max ran out from the bushes.

“Annette… oh my gosh. Annette your eye is bleeding! Annette… can you hear me? What happened?” Max asked.

Annette tried to sit up as best she could, coughs erupted from her throat making her puke up blood. Max held her hair back for her as she continued to cough, for the first time in a long time Annette felt not only used but helpless as well. After about five minutes of coughing up blood she was able to talk though her throat was hoarse and dry. “He tried to hurt me… tried to kill me this time.” Annette managed to choke out before the tears leaked down.

One eye shed blood, the other shed tears. Max gently picked up her broken body and carried her to Amy’s she was closer. Amy welcomed Max with open arms before she saw the shape Annette was in. She hurried them in and ran to get her medical supplies, Amy was headed for the medical field and she knew exactly what she was doing. “What did he do to her?” Amy asked wrapping a bandage tightly around her right eye.

“He beat her, what else?” Max said gently holding Annette’s hand. Annette squeezed Max’s hand as Amy worked, for Annette the pain was unbearable and most of the gashes she had were deep. “He’s a demon… that means… he wouldn’t…” Max stammered his eyes growing wide.

But he did and Annette knew he did, she had never seen that form until tonight it would not only haunt her but it would haunt Max as well for as long as they lived.