Love the Lost

The Beating

The Beating

The police had found nothing, but they weren't ready to give up.

Why do they want him so badly?

Remus solemnly helped his friends pack. His second family would soon be leaving him. One choice for freedom was tearing his world apart. He had been crying for days now. His life was about to turn into full hell.

He wouldn't be able to get high whenever he wanted; Eric wouldn't be there to give him pills. Losing the partnership with Eric, Remus would lose his finances and starve. He couldn't see himself lasting another year. There was no way he could live without his second family.

Suicide was ever present on his mind. He had three days before his friends would leave. It had been twelve days since they said that they were moving. Altogether Remus had fifteen days to plan his death. He had already written letters; letters that he intended on sending to every police force in his vicinity. He hoped that someone would listen to his story. The letters were as followed:

To anyone that will listen, my name is Remus Evan Stone. By the time you receive this letter, I will be dead. I am taking my own life, but I need someone to know my story. My parents are drug addicts but have paid off many of the local police officers. My parents have been trying to murder me for years. They beat me, steal my medication and starve me. I can no longer live this way, and no one will listen. Please make them pay for their crimes.

He could only hope that there would be one good cop left in this world. He wanted his parents to be caught; they needed to suffer.

As for Eric and the others, Remus was leaving them a letter in one of their boxes. He'd be dead, by the time they found it. That letter read as followed:

To my second family, my real family, please don't cry for me. When you read this, I'll be dead. I can't live without you guys. You gave me life. Thank you for caring about me. You'll never know how much you all meant to me. Please take good care of yourselves. Maybe I'll see you in the next life. I love you guys. Goodbye. Love Remus Evan Stone.

He'd placed the letter in a box of Eric's clothes. He wanted Eric to be the one that found the letter because he knew that Eric would tell the others not to be sad.

"Evan." P opened the door and sat next to him. She gently rubbed a tear from his cheek. "Oh Evan, don't cry."

Remus turned away from P and wiped his cheeks with his sleeve. He didn't want P to see him this way. He didn't want her to know that he was depressed. They had to think that he was okay. Otherwise, they might try and stop him.

"Just got something in my eye." Remus sniffled.

P placed her hands on his cheeks and made him stare into her eyes. Tears made her chestnut eyes glisten. Remus wrapped her in a hug.

"I'm sorry that we have to go, Remus." She whispered in his ear. "We love you. It's just too risky."

"It's okay," Remus whispered. "I understand.

"We'll keep in touch." P sighed. "I promise, we will."

"Yeah." Remus closed his eyes. He wanted to confide in her. He wanted to ask her to fix his depression. He wanted to tell her she'd never hear from him again.

But Peter walked in, changing Remus's mind. He had come back a few days prior, to help Eric and P. Haley was left in the new apartment and was watching the children. Peter sat next to P and slid his arm around her shoulders. "Everything's packed." He whispered.

Remus stood up and walked out of the room. "I love you, P."

He didn't want to leave, but he knew that he had to. They were ready to go, and Remus was just in their way. Days before, Remus had kissed the kids' forehead and hugged Haley. She had kissed his cheek and tilted her head when she spoke.

"You alright?" She had rubbed his cheek. "Why you crying? You ain't the one that has to be smuggled out in a blanket like a f*****g burrito."

"It's nothing" Remus had said. "Take care of yourself, kay?"

"Always." Haley had winked. It was the last time he would see her.

Remus glanced around in search of Eric. He wanted to say goodbye. He wanted to stare into his gorgeous eyes one last time. He imagined kissing Eric's soft lips, as a final goodbye.

"Eric?" Remus searched the apartment. He closed his eyes and walked to the front door. Eric must be with the group.

Remus looked back only once. He never planned on going back but did plan on waiting until they were gone to kill himself. He feared that if they were still here when he died, then Eric might do something stupid. He had no desire to go home, so he decided to walk the streets.

As he walked, a black car followed him. It followed every turn with just a few feet of slack. The car followed him all the way to where Eric's group of dealers usually hung out. Remus didn't like being around them, however, because they pushed harder drugs and weren't the least bit trustworthy.

The car drove past the ally. Remus approached the small group but didn't see Eric. Instead, he saw a police officer talking to two guys.

"Ya, that Eric kid is real messed up." One man stated. "He's always trying to push his pills on us."

The second guy just stood and nodded. The cop furiously jotted down on a notepad.

"Thanks, guys, we'll have to pull you in if any of this can be proven." The officer grinned. "Would you be willing to wear a wire?"

"Where is he right now, if ya don't mind me asking?" The first guy ignored the officer's question.

"We're bringing him in for more questioning." The officer answered.

"He gonna be charged?" The second guy chimed in.

"The girl has not been found." The officer looked up and saw Remus. He put away his pen and paper then left.

Remus was fuming. These people betrayed Eric. Common criminals selling out their friend. The second the officer was gone, Remus lashed out. He didn't care if these guys were taller or stronger than him. They were the reason his world was crashing around him.

"Assholes!" He pushed the first guy against the wall. "What the f**k is wrong with you?!" He landed a punch to the man's face, with a harder force than he thought possible. "Eric hasn't done anything to you!"

The guy threw Remus into the second guy. The first guy landed a punch to Remus's face. "Who are you, his boyfriend?"

The second guy tossed him to the ground. "f*****g fag."

Remus leaped up, landing a punch to the second guy's cheek and then a punch to the first guy's stomach.

Both grew intensely angry. One landed a hard punch to Remus's cheek, sending him to the ground. The second gave a swift blow to Remus's stomach. There the rhythm began, face then stomach; face then stomach.

“s**t, it's the cop car.” The first breathed. They bolted from the alley.

Somehow, Remus managed to get up. His bottom lip was busted, and his side hurt, but otherwise, he was uninjured. Defeated, he started home. There was nothing he could do for Eric.

*

Halfway home, the black car began following him again. Shuffling with an aching body and throbbing head, Remus didn't feel like putting up with being followed.

He walked over to the car and knocked on the window. No one rolled down a window, so Remus sighed. "Start recording for your files." Assuming I'm correct. He took in a large breath. "Eric has nothing to do with that Haley girl's disappearance. And those two assholes you're listening to? They just beat the f**k outta me! But you couldn't do anything about that, could you? You're too busy going after an innocent kid while those piece of trash assholes tried to kill me! My name's Remus Evan Stone, and that's my statement. Now leave me the f**k alone." The car left a few seconds later, and Remus resumed his walk.

His parents were in their room. Remus felt relieved. I can just relax after that f*****g beating. The second he got to his bed, he passed out.

*

"Please stop, Remus." Marie begged. Her green dress and sandals sparkled in the dim light. She wore her hair in a french braid. Tears streaked her cheeks. "You don't need those pills. You need a hospital."

Remus had lost count of how many of his meds he'd taken. He just knew that his pain was gone and Marie was fading.

"The cops have Eric." Remus slurred. "He's probably scared."

"He's okay. Those kids are worthless tips." Marie tried to shake Remus. "Eric will be fine, but you keep going like this and you'll die."

"Marie, I am going to die." Remus sighed. "I already told you this."

"No, you won't." Marie growled. "I won't let you."

"Remus!" His father pushed the door open. "Your grandmother's coming! Go make dinner!"

"Yes, sir!" Remus saluted his father.

Marie did a face palm as their father pulled Remus to the kitchen. While attempting to cook, he dropped pans, food, and spilled water.

"What the f**k did you do?!" His mother shrieked, noting his sloppy behavior. "Did you get into a fight?!"

"Yeah." Remus giggled. "But I didn't go down too easy."

"Oh my god!" His mother slapped him. "And look at the kitchen! Just go to your room!"

*

"Mother you'll never believe it, but Remus got mugged." His father lied. "Thank god he's home safe."

His grandmother held him close in a hug. "You're lucky."

"Ha, yeah." He giggled. "Lucky. I started it."

"Remus!" His father scolded.

"Started it?" His grandmother stared at him.

"Yeah!" Remus laughed. "They drug dealers. Betrayed a friend."

"Drugs?" His grandmother stared into his eyes. "Are you high?” Her face twisted into a haunting nightmare. “You're high." Her personality did a three-sixty. She shoved him away. "You little s**t!"

"I'm sorry, mom." His father apologized. "We've tried to stop him."

"It's not you." She soothed. "Obviously, he's just like your father." She grabbed her things. "Despicable. Waste of life."

"Grandma's husband was a drug addict." Marie said. "He used to beat her and stuff. He almost killed her on multiple occasions. When he died, grandmother was finally free."

"Your son is exactly like his father." Remus stared, coldly, into his grandmother's eyes. "I don't know why you wouldn't listen, but it's true. They made me this way."

"Shut the hell up!" His grandmother screamed. "You're useless, just another waste of life! I want you gone! You're dead to me!"

His grandmother stormed out of the house and slammed the door. Remus's parents turned to him with gaped mouths. Remus turned and went back to his room.

"Are you f*****g crazy?!" Marie screamed. "Mommy and daddy will kill you!"

Remus sat on his bed and spread his arms out. "Let them." He whispered while Marie finally faded from his sight.

*

The night came and went. Remus slept and awoke, still alive. His parents didn't bother him nor did they make any sounds. Remus popped a few pills and left his room.

Dinner was still sitting on the table. Flies buzzed around, landing on several foods.

Remus walked to the kitchen and found his father. A grin crept across his father's face.

"Remus." His father spoke in a sinister growl. "How are you?"

"High, like you." Remus smirked.

His father chuckled. "Yes, very." He admitted. "And do you know why? A celebration. Oh, you little mistake. I have waited for this day for years." His father slowly walked around the kitchen counter. "You have been a thorn in my side for far too long. We didn't want a mistake. But you couldn't just die, could you? No, you survived. A useless piece of s**t. Disappointment. But no more." His father lunged at him and grabbed his throat. "Mother gives no s**t. I can finally kill my mistake. Won't even have to pay off the cops. Just gotta dump you in an ally. They'll think it's a drug deal gone wrong." His father began squeezing his throat.

Remus was, at first, too stunned to do anything. The bastard is actually going to kill me.

Instincts took over. Remus grabbed his father's hands and tried to pry them from his throat. His dad's grip grew tighter on his throat. Marie began to scream.

Getting lightheaded, Remus did the only thing he could think to do; he kicked his father in the groin. His father dropped him.

Gasping, Remus made a mad dash for the front door. Self-preservation had kicked in. He wasn't going to let his father kill him. He didn't want to die like this.

His father grabbed the back of his shirt and tossed him to the ground. He began beating him in the face and landed punches to his ribs. Every blow hurt more than the last. Blood filled his mouth and covered his eyes. The punches went on for what seemed like forever. All at once, it stopped.

Remus lay on the floor; warm blood surrounded him, yet he grew cold. His heart thumped in his chest, and his breaths became wheezes. Marie knelt next to him, sobbing.

Their father picked him up and drug him to his bedroom. He tossed him on the ground and proceeded to choke him once more.

"Daddy stop!" Marie shrieked. "Daddy! Please, daddy! Stop!" Her energy caused a light bulb to blow out. Their father jumped, releasing Remus.

He lay on the floor, motionless.

"My father beat me pretty badly. If Marie hadn't scared him, then I probably would've died that day. I can't credit my life entirely to her, though. She wasn't the one that rescued me from that place."