Without Me

Ares

The back of the dorms was mostly just the backside of a building with fields of grass stretched out all the way to the barricade fences. Beyond it were trees, seemingly resemble a forest. Jonathan tried to adjust his eyes to the dark since he didn't want to go around shining his phone around and risk a teacher seeing instead. That is if they patrol. Would they take his phone away? He couldn't quite recall if he had even seen another phone ever since he stepped foot into this place.

He was about to stand up and wave when he heard an extra set of footsteps. This made him froze. Mark couldn't have brought someone else along, right?

He kept still and waited as two figures came to view. Before he could tell who they were, one of them was shoved against the wall and they started kissing. Jonathan had to cover his mouth to stop the yelp of surprise from escaping. He held his breath as he watched the two kiss roughly and hands grabbing, touching, feeling.

What was going on? Panic turned his stomach and he had to still his breathing to try to get a better look at the two. One of them had a huge build while the other was really small. It didn't take him long to figure out the smaller one since he could see his outfit. It was the boy from earlier. The one with the hoodie. Or at least he thought so since he was the only one Jonathan ever saw with the hoodie on.

The other one was more surprising to Jonathan. He froze again when the smaller boy shoved the bigger one away.

"Stop it, Viktor!" Viktor? Viktor?! "I said I don't want this anymore!" The voice was taut and strained but small.

"Please, Ares. Don't do this to me. I've endured enough." Surely enough Jonathan recognized Viktor's voice and his own muscles tensed up as he watched the two bicker.

"Enough? We are in school. We aren't supposed to do this! This is beyond reasonable and totally ridiculous," the smaller boy growled and grabbed Viktor's collar.

"Reasonable? Then tell me when's a better time? You won't even let me hang out with you because you don't want to be seen around gangs," Viktor spoke, sounding slightly hurt. Jonathan couldn't believe what he was hearing, much less seeing.

"I've told you. Just...just wait," the voice that sounded strained grew meek and the boy stepped back. "I don't want to rush things... and I don't want to get into trouble with the other gangs."

Viktor let out an exasperated sigh and rubbed his neck.

"Fine. Fine. Wait. That's all I ever do for you, Ares. We haven't spoken in 2 months."

"I'm sorry." His voice was barely a whisper now and Jonathan had to perk his ears to hear the words of apology. He gulped. When was Mark coming?

It didn't take long for his answer since Mark strolled to the back of the building right about then. Ares bolted to the other side while Viktor looked at Mark. The two stared at one another for awhile before Viktor walked past him. Mark was a little confused but shook his head, looking around for Jonathan who had went stiff.

"Johnny?" Mark called out softly, wondering if the other was here. He rubbed his eyes a little and squinted at the grassy area. "You there?"

"Y-yeah," Jonathan wheezed and pushed himself up slowly. He patted his pants and walked to Mark. "I'm here."

"Oh. Good. Sorry for the wait. The line was a little long. You alright? You sound breathless," he asked worriedly.

"Huh? I'm good. Good. Just a little shocked."

"Good. Shocked? Something to do with Viktor?"

"Wha- no, no. It's nothing. Let's eat?" He said in attempts to distract Mark. He didn't think he want to speak of what happened. It was much of a surprise for him.

"Yeah. Before that, hold your hand out."

"My hand?"

"Yeah. Just in case you fall."

Jonathan wasn't sure what came over him but he held his hand out. His mind just listening to the sound of Mark's voice and trying to push the memories of what he saw, away. No more. Don't think about it. Mark grabbed hold of his hand and started jogging. Jonathan flinched when his hand was held and he had to breathe rapidly to keep up with the sudden change of pace again.

"Wait. Where are we going?" Jonathan asked anxiously as they crossed the grassy grounds towards the fences.

"My favourite place to hang out, of course. It's way too dark here to eat anyways," Mark replied easily.

Jonathan was quite sure it was only his second day here yet Mark's presence made him feel different and honestly, safe. Like they've known for years. But he doubted that thought as they got to the fences.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Outside?" Jonathan took a step back but the strong grip Mark had on his hand stopped him from moving away any further.

"Yep. Don't worry. No one's gonna catch us," he said and let go. He moved the bottom part of one of the fences upwards.

"It's broken?" Mark nodded and motioned him through. He bent down and walked through it before Mark followed along, fixing the fence once he was through as well. Their hands were clasped together again as Mark started heading into the forest.

"Watch your step," he said since the forest ground was unsteady and had lots of ups and downs. Jonathan did whatever he could not to trip and still keep up the pace although he had to stop once in awhile to make sure he didn't fall.

This was exhilarating in lots of ways, making Jonathan realise he shouldn't be doing this. Excitement in this school was bad. Trouble. Sneaking out of school was definitely trouble and yet, he still found himself drawn to it.

Mark. Mark. Mark.

No, Jonathan. You shouldn't. Yet he couldn't.

He couldn't deny the attraction that the other sent up his spine with just holding his hand and pulling him along. He couldn't stop now. He craved more. But decided to erase that thought before he did more. Like Viktor and the boy called Ares.