Isaac

You ever think “hey I can do a thing” Then immediately fail afterward. That’s something that's happened to me one to many times.

Like when my dad wanted me to try a sport. I’m not athletic to begin with. It’s not like I'm out of shape. It’s more like I’m short.

My height is 5’4 but I'm still growing. Three months ago I was 5’3. As long as I keep drinking milk I should grow some more. My growth spurt hasn't kicked in yet so someday I should be as tall as my dad at least.

There’s a reason my short stature makes me weak. Think of an arm. Now imagine my arm right next to it. It’s shorter.

The longer arm even though it’s as thick as my arm is still stronger. It has more muscle than my arm simply because it’s longer.

Now imagine a leg. Good, now think of my leg next to it. Mines shorter so you can already apply the logic from my arm to my leg.

Here’s a bonus though. Since my legs are shorter than other guys my age. I need about four steps to equal every three of their steps.

Maybe if I had longer legs I could outrun my stocker. To bad for me I’m not built like dad.

I don't even have his drunk talk to convince her to leave me alone. I couldn’t talk for shit.

Okay so maybe she’s not that much taller than me but she’s actually athletic. Man and here I thought all those years spent running away had made me into an athlete. Boy was I wrong.

That girl was still following me! I was trying to head home yet she still walked behind me. The worst part was she looked nervous like I was the one that was stalking her.

Like I know I can be a little creepy at times but she didn’t have to follow me around. It’s her own fault for putting herself in this situation. Either follow me like a normal stalker or just leave me alone! It’s really not that hard lady!

It pissed me off so much I had to turn around and yell at her. “Leave me alone! stop following me!” My voice cracked a tiny bit when I met her eyes.

She got all offended. “What the hell are you talking about! I'm not following you anymore! I live this way! You’re the one being super creepy! How do you know where I live!” She yelled. The girl looked like she was ready to fight.

I was left confused. If she wasn’t following me then….. did we live in the same area? Shyly I tried to defend myself. “Um… excuse me. I live this way to.” My voice was weak like an anemic church mouse.

I scratched my head in an attempt to exercise my anxiety. I couldn't help but feel small when she looked at me.

She finally relaxed. “Well…. Sorry about that. I thought you knew where I lived and were walking that way.” She blushed and giggled. “Man it was really starting to freak me out.” Now she knows how I feel.

After that she decided to walk beside me. It was kind of embarrassing to walk side by side with a girl.

Do I smell!? Crap when was the last time I took a shower! I cant remember! Forget that, smelling bad is a good thing in this situation.

It might get her to leave me alone. I had to keep in mind that the most important thing was I couldn't have her finding out about mom.

I don't want to be here. I held my hands over my chest and tried to be as small as possible. My eyes stayed glued to the sidewalk…. This is torture!

If mom gets in trouble then that'll ruin everyone's lives. Well maybe not my life per say. My life already sucks. Going into foster care won't make much of a difference.

All I can do is take the burden so my brother can grow up normal and my sister wont end up having to look after the two of us.

My sister Julia will be a doctor someday and having to look after two kids won't help with that. It's better if she doesn’t get bogged down with us. Especially not two teenage boys.

She texts me sometimes. She knows about mom but she hasn’t seen how bad it’s gotten. I just tell her I’m fine.

That everything is okay. It’s not fair to make her worry. She has college stuff to do. She works really hard all the time. It wouldn’t be fair to crush her future.

So I'll do it I’ll carry this burden so that they can live free and happy. It’s what dad would do. No, he’d do it differently. I wish he was here.

My dad would be able to save not just my brother and sister, but me to and he'd do it while laughing.

The girl next to me reached over and moved the hair out of my face. I blushed a little. In a panic I pushed her hand away. Then averted my eyes in an attempt to keep myself together.

I really don’t like being touched. It gives me a lot of anxiety. it wasn’t always like that. I remember a time when it didn’t bother me as much.

Actually It still bothered me back then but nowadays I expected more pain when it came to human contact.

It’s been a while since I felt someone touch me without inflicting damage or in disgust.

“You know Isaac. You'd get all the girls if you cleaned yourself up. Some nice clothes a haircut and you'd be universally liked. Don’t get me wrong. You’re a little scrawny and short but I'm sure there's a growth spurt in your future.” She was so optimistic.

It almost pained me to hear her talk. “I can't do that. I'm fine the way I am.” I shook my head nervously.

There was no way someone like me could do that. I don't deserve it. I’m a bad person.

I'm bad, bad, bad. Mom said she would help fix me but… I think I've gotten worse. I'm so bad.

A soft voice broke through to me. “Are you okay?” It was Alice. She looked worried. What kind of shit did I do to deserve that kind of look.

“I'm fine don't come closer!” I wanted so bad to run away but she would just catch me again. So annoying. Why doesn’t she understand I want to be left alone.

She waved her hand in surrender. “That's fine. I won't touch you again okay. We can walk in silence.” She took a step back giving me room.

I felt my body relax. Was my secret really safe? I don't know but for now I can just walk home. So we did. In perfect silence.

Turns out we actually lived on the same street. Only then did I realize who she actually was. “So your that Alice.” Now I knew where I recognized her from.

She looked at me perplexed. “You know me then? Did you catch my beauty from a far?” She smiled then pushed her ponytail off her shoulder.

I wasn’t sure if she was trying to accuse me of spying on her or what but I definitely didn’t want to be thought of as the pervert next door.

I blushed a little. “Th-That’s not it!” I couldn’t believe she got a reaction out of me. What was going on with me.

Her grin was that of a trickster fox. She was playing with me. Dam it! I let my guard down!

She laughed at me in a girlish giggle. “Your so easy to mess with. It's cute.” She gave me a light punch to my arm. I had to pretend like it didn’t hurt but inside I was in so much pain.

Yup, she’s annoying. Should I mess with her back? Nah, I don't want to give her the wrong idea. Also it's to much effort. I’ll just go home. I fell back into my zombie self then started walking again.

“Izzy your not going to say goodnight?!” her voice chased after me. I felt violated as the sound waves tried to crawl into my ears.

Was she referring to me? Grate she forgot my name. “My names actually Isaac.” Can’t believe she doesn’t know my name. I know her name. Of course I got it off a strange video online but still.

She gave me a strange look. “I know your name. Izzy is a nickname silly.” She laughed.

Oh no, I said something stupid!.... Just roll with it. “Yeah that was a bad joke. Okay goodnight.” As if my body was mechanical I stiffly turned back around and out of sheer anxiety broke into a sprint. Something told me this wasn't over. She knew where I lived now.

My house wasn't that far away. It was only two houses down. Who knew I’d run into the same girl that crushed my flower all those years ago.

I opened the door to my house and was met with my angry mother. What a miserable women she was.

A week later

Alice

Today I’d gotten up early. I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss Izzy on his way to school. It’s been about a week now since he jumped out that window.

Ever since then I’ve basically been trying to get him to open up. Even though I’ve been pestering him every day he’s still so distant. Lately all I’ve been getting out of him are angry grunts.

It gets very annoying at times but I mean it’s better than trying to make friends with everyone else. There all a bunch of assholes.

Just yesterday someone stole my bra out of the locker room. I usually switched to a sports bra for gym class.

The day before that. Some jackass filled my locker with used condoms. That’s so disgusting! Part of me wanted to know where they got all of them. The other part was disgusted by my curiosity.

I mean did some guy just wank off the whole night or was it like a group thing. The thought made my face go pale. Boys are disgusting!

To be honest girls weren’t all that much better. One of the girls stuck a used tampon in my sandwich. I almost ate it. If it wasn’t for the string hanging out I think I might of thrown up my intestines that day.

Anyway as for Izzy I’m just curious about those bruises I saw under his sleeve. I’m pretty sure there not from the fight with Darrick and the boizz.

They looked different. Worse even…. I used to do that sort of thing to. I bullied a lot of people…. now that it’s me on the receiving end…. Yeah you know I'm a pretty shitty person after all…. Nope! That’s not me anymore.

But it was me…. I wish I could take back what I did. Stop it Alice! There’s no point in that. Can’t change the past.

If I could I wouldn’t have dated that asshole with the El Camino. Can’t even remember his name anymore….. Rodney. He had such nice abs. No, no more!

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It was getting late. At this rate we’ll never make it on time. I’ve never talked to Izzy’s family. Not really. Actually I’m pretty sure he hasn’t told them about me.

What am I saying! It’s not like were dating! I wouldn’t even call us friends. Like I would date him! His an Idiot! If only he’d talk to me. I’m sure I can brake his walls down. I just need to keep working at it.

Looks like I’ll have to go knock on the door. For all I knew he snuck out the back. I know for sure his brother was gone. Izzy’s brother is such a cutie.

I’ve almost assaulted him on multiple occasions. He’s like Izzy. If Izzy wasn’t depressed. Also with short neat hair and actual muscle.

I think he might be older to. Unlike Izzy he actually smiles. He even said good morning to me once. Such a well mannered boy.

As of right now the only people in the house was Izzy, his mother, and maybe his dad.

I felt nervous walking up to his house. This was so strange. Why was I nervous! It’s not like I’m meeting my boyfriend’s parents for the first time. This is just Izzy. Nothing special. Izzy wasn’t special.

The house had blue painted bricks making up its walls. I remember back when I was just a kid. It used to be siding. It also came whit a wooden porch.

The porch was old and torn. On closer inspection you could make out the cracks in the wood. On the porch was what looked like a sun baked couch. Around it I could see a few empty beer cans laying about.

The couch had seen better days, it was covered in leaves and its color had faded from a dark red to a grayish pink. Those leaves must have been there a while.

It had a few stains here and there. I approached the dark oak door and rang the door bell twice. Then waited patiently.

Surly enough after a moment a women came to the door. I made sure to smile and look non-threatening.

She greeted me warmly. “Good morning…. aren’t you the Johnson's girl?”

She had long dark hair. I could see a few wrinkles on her face. I was sure this was Izzy’s mom. They looked similar.

Isaac whit boobs? He’s so skinny he’d probably fall over. “Yes, that’s correct. Do you know my parents?” I couldn’t remember if this lady ever came over. What a rude thing for me to do.

“I used to. Back before my husband died. He was close friends with your father. Though they had a bit of a falling out. We used to hang out back in the day when you were just a baby.”

She looked as though she was looking back through her memories. “You know I drove your mother to the hospital when her water broke. I even baby sat you a few times. What brings you here? Did something happen?” She was so nice.

Izzy’s dad died? Is that why he’s sad all the time? I didn’t know. There’s a lot of things I don’t know about him.

If only Izzy would trust me. He acts like the world is on his shoulders. Like he's hiding some big important secret.

The door was wide open now that she recognized me. I managed to get a glimpse inside. It looked like Isaac’s shoes were sitting near the couch.

He’s not even dressed yet! Grate I’m going to be late because of Izzy…. again.

“I was waiting for Izzy. We usually walk to school together. Is he okay?” I tried to be as warm as possible without sounding fake.

Mss. Smith got a strange look on her face though I wasn't sure what it meant. It was to blood lusty to be of an over protective mom. For a moment I felt like I was in the presence of a killer.

She went back to her warm smile. “Oh, your Isaac’s friend. I see.” She nodded. “Would you believe it. That boy of mine didn’t come home yesterday.” She shook her head. “I don't know what to do with him. He worries me sick.”

That couldn’t be right. I walked him home myself. Also his shoes were right there. She’s obviously lying but should I call her out on it? If I do that then she’ll just deny it and put her guard up.

“Oh, I see that’s Izzy for ya. Thank you. I’d better go. I’ll be late to school.” I hope my smile isn’t to strange. It looks like she didn’t notice my lie. That’s good.

“You should. I’d offer to give you a ride but I have things to do and it’s in the other direction.” She closed the door and locked it. Then started heading to her car. I walked away at an “I might be late to school but it'll be alright” pace.

Pretending to go to school was easy. I've gone to school so many times that it was as simple as actively trying to go to school.

I listened for her car. It started. Then the all familiar sound of tires pressing down on gravel made there way to my ears.

I kept walking waiting to hear where the sound was going. She went the other direction. Once she was out of sight I made my way back and looked around for a key.

There wasn’t one. No fake rocks, no spare under the welcome mat. Not even in a flowerpot anywhere.

Oh well, I’ll just do it the old fashioned way. There’s no one home so it’ll be okay. I just want to take a look around. I’m not stealing and I’ll put everything back how it was.

I moved around the house checking the windows. They were locked and it didn’t look like Izzy was anywhere to be seen.

Finally I found a window in the back that was open. With a little effort I managed to get it to where I could crawl in. Once inside I got a better look at the room.

This room looked like it belonged to a girl. It was obvious thanks to all the band boy posters on the walls. Wouldn’t it be funny if this ended up being Izzy’s room.

Reaching into my bag I pulled out my Polaroid camera and took a few pictures just in case it actually was Izzy’s room. You know, for future blackmail material. Now then, where the hell was Izzy.

I made my way through the house checking every room and making sure not to make to much noise. Just in case someone else was home.

Eventually I heard something coming from a closet. I made my way over then pulled the door open. Turns out It wasn't a closet at all.

What I found was a dark dusty staircase going down into the basement. Izzy why are you doing this to me! “Come on man you got ghosts in your basement haven’t you ever seen any horror movie ever?”

You know this is usually the part where the girl goes to investigate only for the door to shut behind her. Then some unseen horror monster drags her under the stair case.

I took a deep breath. “Okay. For Izzy.” I made my way down into that dark room. Thanks to the light of my phone I was able to Somewhat see.

It was so cold down here. Each step had its own unique creak. I bet if I had the time and a friend I could play “Heart And Soul.” Lucky for me at the bottom was a hanging light bulb with a copper pull string.

I gave it a tug.

Clink!

The light came on revealing a spacious room. Not just that but a person. A naked person. A naked person covered in lacerations, and bleeding! “Oh my God I’ve walked into a serial killer's house!” I loud whispered. “My finger prints are everywhere!”

What did I touch first. Uh, the window…. Oh noooooo…… I took a shit in the up stairs bathroom! Poo has DNA right? What the fuck! What the fuck! I was hyperventilating!

Chill, chill, slow breaths there’s enough air for everyone. The body grunted. “It’s alive!” I almost ran out the room when I finally realized this was in fact Izzy.

When I realized it was someone I actually cared about my body did something strange. A shivering wave of pure dread permeated my body like falling into ice cold water.

My knees started to shake and before I knew it I fell onto them. It’s hard to explain. I guess up until now this little mission felt more like a game.

I got carried away and my imagination filled the gaps with silly things I've seen in movies. Now that I actually stumbled on to something so vivid and so close to home it all just kind of collapsed on top of me.

Like exploring a dark wet cave for fun and having it cave in on you. Honestly I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to find.

At first I was a little worried about Izzy but at the same time I didn’t think it would be like this.

Vision was a little blurry. I shook my head trying to steady myself. I got to my feet and forced myself to move forward. I almost fell. It was like my entire body was dizzy.

Once at Izzy’s side I made sure he was breathing. It looked like he was just resting. His arms and legs were restrained with zip ties.

I felt tears leaking from my eyes and I started to sob. “Why! This isn’t right! How could she do this to her own son! Izzy please we have to leave!” I tried pulling him but I wasn't strong enough.

He was so small so skinny. Why couldn't I move him! All this time I playfully punched him he must have been in so much pain. Why didn't he ever say anything! I had to do something!

“I know I’ll call the cops!” I looked for my phone. It wasn't here. I spotted it on the floor. I must of dropped it at some point. I reached for it but my hands were to shaky to dial. I let out a frustrated cry.

“We need to leave!” I ran back up the stairs and looked for a knife. There were plenty of those in the kitchen. I ran back down stairs and tried to calm myself.

I didn't want to cut him by accident. I was so useless! Please just let me save him. I managed to cut him loose but he wouldn't cooperate. I couldn't get him to stand.

“Izzy please let's go!” He mumbled something. I didn't understand it so I tried the phone again. I managed to put in a 9 followed by a 2. “No!” stupid fingers! Stop shaking! That’s when the phone was taken from me.

For a moment I was terrified. I couldn't find the strength to move to even turn my head. I was sure that she'd come back, but it was actually Izzy that had taken the phone away. “What are you doing?!” Why was he stopping me!?

He cleared his throat. “No cops…. They’ll ruin everything.” He held his head in his lap like he was tired.

“What are you talking about!? She can’t do this! She shouldn’t be allowed to hurt you like this! It’s illegal! She should be in prison!” What was wrong with him?

“It’s okay. It doesn’t bother me. I don’t even remember what she di—” I interrupted him. “What do you mean! Look at you! Look at yooou!! It’s not okay!” My tears flowed like a river.

For the first time in a long time. He looked me in the eyes. There was no awkwardness, no shyness. Then said “You don’t understand….. If they take her away then my family will truly be broken…. Dad’s gone. This is all I have left.”

Oh…. poor Izzy. Gently I wrapped my arms around him. His body was so cold. He was so boney. He was like a living corpse.

“Then come with me. I already cut off the restraints. You can’t explain that to her.” I wiped a few tears away. “Come on let’s leave. We can go to my house. My family is never home. It’s better than staying here.”

He hugged his knees. “Go away Alice. I’m—” I interrupted him again. “your fine! Your fine! Shut up! You always say that! Your not fine Isaac!” my tears poured out of me. “I won’t tell anyone but I can’t leave you here! Please just come with me.”

He didn’t respond. My voice was like a whisper. “I just need to make sure your okay…. Please.” He was shivering. This room was freezing. The air down here was on full blast.

Later

We were at my house now. I managed to find Isaac’s room and bring him some clothes. His room was messy just like him.

You wouldn’t know it but he was well hung. Six inches at the least and that was when he was cold.

He was sleeping on my bed right now. Izzy said he was tired. I was making him something easy to digest. It was also one of the only things I knew how to cook.

Cook, heat up, same thing. Chicken soup was a very comforting food. It made you warm, tasted grate, and filled your belly.

It also had plenty of nutrients thanks to the vegetables I put in it. He’ll need some protein to but for now something warm and comforting will be better.

I hope Isaac likes it. He’d better like it. I served a bowl and grabbed a spoon. Then headed to my room on the second floor.

Opening the door I was met with a sleeping Izzy. I made my way over and sat the bowl on the table next to the bed. My room was pretty girly.

The walls were white. The bed was covered in pink and stuffed animals. I never showed my room to anyone.

This however was an emergency. I pulled up a chair and sat next to the bed. This was like the first time I met him only I was the one to save him this time. “Alice two, Izzy one.” I couldn’t help but giggle.

Izzy got a point for coming to save me that day. I got a point from bringing coach Teller to help. And the last point is obvious.

Just then Izzy woke from his sleep. I handed him the glass of water I brought earlier. He downed it in no time.

I dipped the spoon into the soup. “I made you soup. Say ahh.” I held a spoonful up to his mouth.

He turned the other way like a fussy toddler. “Izzy! Do you know how many guys have asked me to feed them?” I made a pouty face.

He snorted. “Really where. I don’t see any.” To emphasize his joke he held his open hand across his eye brows and turned his head left and right.

“Oh haha!” I gave him a light punch to his arm and he grunted in pain. “Oops, sorry. Are you okay I didn't open anything did I.” a lot of his wounds needed stitches. Some of them were even infected.

I wasn’t a doctor but I checked my computer and watched a few tutorials. It’s not to difficult to stitch up wounds. Bend the needle, run it through fire then pretend your mending some sticky pants.

As for the infections. I made sure to clean them with alcohol. Izzy was a huge baby about it. I really don’t get him. He can take a punch but poke him a few times with a needle and he turns into a little kid.

I also found some of my dad’s leftover antibiotics from when he got an infection from getting in a dank hotel’s hot tub with an open wound.

“I’m fine.” Said Isaac.

There he goes again. I’m fine. Is that his response to everything. For a little guy he sure tries to be manly.

Especially with all the scars on his body. The guy looks like he just got back from the war.

“Well if your telling jokes I guess that means your feeling better. I’m glad.” I smiled warmly towards him. He seemed to blush.

“You should eat. It’s not just about sleep ya know.” I handed him the spoon. He took it gingerly in his right hand. Then squeaked out a “thanks”

He was so awkward. I giggled. “What’s the matter haven’t you ever been in a girls room before? Don’t tell me you’re a virgin?” I pretended to gasp. Technically I’m a virgin but he didn’t need to know that……. Technically.

“Shut up!” He threw a pillow at me then grunted in pain.

“Careful if you bleed on my bed I'll charge you for it.” The bed was actually expensive and I didn’t feel like sleeping on someone’s blood.

He grunted then tried to eat. To bad for him he couldn't even do that. He grunted again but this one was of a pained nature. The pain actually made him drop the spoon I’d given him.

“I knew something like that would happen.” I picked the spoon up. “Wait here. Oh, who am I kidding your not going anywhere.” I left the room.

When I came back I found him with his hands clasped in front of him. Was he praying?

I didn’t take him for the religious type. I gave him a moment before entering the room again.

When I did enter he was hugging his knees. “I got another spoon.” He didn’t speak. “Let me feed you this time. I won’t make fun of you. I promise.” I sat down dipping the spoon in the soup. A moment later I held the spoon up to him. He ate it with a blush on his face.

Once he was done. He went back to sleep. Izzy slept for a long time. Eventually I heard him yell something. Something about a centipede.

Yeah, Izzy has strange dreams. When we first met he woke up yelling about a bug. Actually now that I think about it, It might’ve been the same dream.

Did I do the right thing. I should call the cops right? Izzy sure didn't like that idea. I get having your family torn apart but at this cost. Why dose Izzy have to be the one to suffer?

At this rate he might actually die. He doesn’t sleep well. He doesn’t eat well. He’s in a constant state of anxiety. I think the anxiety is what keeps him alive.

What could Izzy have possibly done for his mom to do that to him? There is not a single thing in the world that could warrant a punishment like that. She must be crazy.

The real question is… what now?