LIW&B Chapter 13

There were three events that fed Happy's decision to escape, thundering ultimates connecting all the daily memories and pain. Happy lived with a number of aspersions as should be expected when someone changes from a person to a statistic. He lost some comforts but he could adapt. Three specific traumas worked in succession and broke the boy, sending him running after only eight months.

The problems revolved around Brian, or "King" as he insisted Happy call him. Brian was the king of the Motte county children's residential center and wanted to be called such. Happy could think of no reason not to call someone what they wanted to be called and complied with no debate. This passive nature forged a delicate friendship between the two roommates.

Brian's lunchtime arrangement forced a bond, a Stockholm syndrome that made Happy sympathetic and respectful of his jailer. Brian and Happy would sit at their table alone in the cafeteria watching the other kids. The other kids always seemed to be having fun to Brian, at least more fun than he was having. He hated them. Both Happy and his counselor knew this but only Happy knew how much.

"Look at that Reynolds kid wearing that gay sweater. I should tear it off him and kick his ass. I was in his reading group. He's a fuckin' dork."
"Did you hear Kyle Pladett's parents are in prison? Yeah, his dad robbed a gas station and his mom's a whore. He must be a total freak."
"I hate floor counselor Rob. I can kick his ass and he knows it. Just because he's in his 30's doesn't mean shit. He's a super pussy."

Happy addressed the comments directly when expected and said nothing when he wasn't. Happy was nothing but agreeable. Brian was disarmed of reasons to dislike Happy and allowed him to become his sole confidant. It was dangerous friendship. Happy was held to a new standard, a new height from which only he could fall.

Happy looked forward to the cafeteria and cherished his time there. Aside from the garbage trucks he watched from his window, the cafeteria was the only part of the children's center that reminded Happy of home. A lot of baloney lunches and hamburger dinners were served, just like home. Happy saw the 5 gallon bottles of syrup on the kitchen shelves behind the counter during breakfast and thought of the enormous pancakes Mel could cover. The cafeteria was a source of comfort to the boy he couldn't miss. Happy would inhale the sounds and smells and daydream of home. Brian could grumble and curse every kid in the place. Happy only appeared to listen.

Happy tried to make the best of things. He didn't know any other way. Happy became the straight man, the quiet man, to Brian's angry cuss. Sometimes Happy would suggest something positive to which Brian would scold him and snicker. Happy didn't learn and sometimes it would annoy his ticking roommate. He might get a slap or a shove, but nothing like the night of their first meeting. Happy had earned some leeway with his bully. He had proven he lacked the attitude Brian so bitterly loathed .

Happy tried to kill Brian with kindness, but the boy wouldn't die. Brian only rested, went through a cooling phase as any serial killer, and waited for the urge to return, the urge to humiliate and abuse. The urge returned in the cafeteria at lunch time two months after Happy arrived and started the domino effect that led to Happy's escape.

An unsuspecting boy named Wallace Belton made the mistake of being in the lunch line before Brian the King on the day the urge returned. The King watched Wally like a hawk, every move and step, scrutinizing for any lapse, any reason to banish the subject from his kingdom. Wally knew the King's reputation and felt his breath on the back of his neck. He took every care to step lively and not to slouch. Wally did an excellent job and the King got tired of waiting. Finally, Brian kicked Wally's foot as he took a step, sending him stumbling to the floor. Brian stood laughing while Happy came from behind and knelt to help Wally pick up his food.

"What are you doin' Keeper?" Brian yelled at Happy. Brian never used the name Happy, only Keeper, Faggot, or Freak. "Don't help this geek. He needs to learn how to walk."

Happy ignored this and placed Wally's tray back on the counter. This undoing of his evil deed drove Brian into rage, but if he hurt his friend he hurt himself. Brian felt Happy was weak and naive. He wouldn't blame Happy for trying to help. He would blame Wally for needing it.

"Get up, Geek!" Brian yelled at Wally. He pushed Happy out his way and towered over the fallen boy. "Get up while you still can!"

Lunch servers heard Brian's booming commands. A woman in an apron was already hurrying to get a counselor. Both Brian and Wally knew this. For Brian it meant the time to act was running out. For Wally, it meant help was on the way. Wally felt safe to react without fear. Wally got to his feet and spoke his mind while everyone was watching.

"You're such an asshole, Brian," Wally stated.
Brian's eyes widened. He hadn't expected a fight. Brian looked around and saw all eyes were on them. Even kids sitting and eating had stopped and began to gather. A whistle blew in the distance as counselors were running to the scene. Brian stepped forward and grabbed Wally by the shirt to pull him close.
"You call me 'King'," Brian snarled. "I'm the king here. Call me Brian again and you're a dead man."
Footsteps could be heard running, rushing, frantically trying to stop what was happening. It was only a matter of seconds before it was over. Wally heard the steps and wanted to finish big.
"You're the king," Wally said loudly, still gripped in Brian's paws, "You're the King of the Keepers."
Wally smiled just before the laughter exploded. Then the laughs came, a flood Brian wasn't dressed to take. Seconds were ticking away, footsteps away. Brian felt foolish and helpless and shamed. Wally smiled and looked him right in the eye. The rules changed for Brian. The dam broke.

Now time froze. Brian spun and grabbed his fork from the counter. His other hand still clung to Wally's collar. The king turned back with blood in his eyes. Wally realized his help would be too late. The smile disappeared. Brian plunged the fork deep into Wally's right cheek. He yanked it out and stabbed Wally in the face a second time, this hit closer to the chin. Blood sprayed on Brian's hand before his victim screamed.

After the second impact, Brian let go of Wally's shirt. The bleeding boy dropped to the floor screaming. Brian wasn't finished. He dove on the fallen boy and stabbed him a few more times with the fork, this time arm and shoulder as Wally held this up to shield his attack. Happy jumped on Brian's back to pull him off, but was only bucked away by the raging bull. By the time counselors arrived and restrained the king, Wally had been stabbed six times. It was nothing fatal, only stitches, but the trauma would last forever and cause Happy to reconsider his friend.

Brian would stay in Isolation for two weeks, the maximum allowed for children by the state. Counselor Rob tried to push that Brian be tried as an adult for the attack and sent to an adult detention center. He pleaded for the safety of the children that he not be returned to the children's center.

But no criminal charges were filed for the attack. Wally had no family or anyone to press charges on his behalf. The state was Wally's guardian and saw it is an isolated incident, the kind that happens between unloved teenagers, not bloodthirsty adults. The residence committee of the children's center also did not see fit to highlight an internal security lapse with an attempted murder trial. The entire episode was listed in Brian's permanent record and his probationary status was taken to the final step.

This last step of probation was counselor Rob's only satisfaction. The last step meant if Brian misbehaved by even the slightest of offenses, he would be transferred to the juvenile corrections center, a kids' prison that made the residential center look like a carnival. Counselor Rob made certain to stress this guarantee when Brian was sent back to his room. He made certain to stress this to all of the kids, including Happy, before Brian returned.

"If Brian touches you in any way you don't like, if he curses at you, or threatens you in any way, report it to me immediately. He's a bad kid and we need to get him out of here." Counselor Rob told Happy. Happy liked counselor Rob and wanted to do what he said.

Brian was quiet for a few days after his return. Even the look of anger had been erased. Almost a full week passed before the familiar grumbles re started. Brian still confided in Happy, clinging to him now more than ever. Brian knew he might not be king in the kids' prison. Happy was the only subject with who the king could talk without fear of being banished to that place.

"I hate all these people," Brian told Happy. "I wish this place never existed. I wish someone would drop a fucking bomb on this place and roast us all."
"That's awful!" Happy disagreed, "I don't want to die! Don't wish that on me!"
"I wish who I want dead," Brian insisted, "And that means everyone."
Such sentiment bothered Happy. He didn't understand it at all.
"Do you want to kill yourself?" Happy asked.
Brian didn't like the question. Anyone other than Happy would've been cussed.
"Not really," Brian answered. "Some days I just don't want to live. I really don't care either way."

Happy couldn't understand but some of his fear became sympathy. Happy felt very sad for Wally Belton, but he wanted to help Brian too. As time moved on in the children's center, Happy remained by Brian's side as his only friend. The set up was no different than before, but now the other kids looked at Happy much like they looked at Brian. Happy was no longer a prisoner. All the kids knew this had changed. Brian was their enemy. Now Happy was their enemy too.

The other kids, the keepers, had seen more episodes from Brian than just that in the cafeteria. They had received their punches, bruised backs and blackened eyes, worse than what Happy had received that first night. Not everyone was as agreeable as Happy. Not everyone was as slow. The other keepers had no delusions about the rehabilitation of their king. Evil would return. Happy would see it and he would be one step closer to escape.

Wally wouldn't agree, but his stabbing brought a lot of good. Brian couldn't bother anyone. He was a shell of himself, head down, chest slumped, standing in the lunch line. He was just a hairy fat kid, overgrown and unwanted, scared to go to jail. Other kids didn't go so far as to taunt him openly, but where they once wouldn't cross his path they now put him at the back of the line. Brian would grow livid with the jeers he sensed from his old subjects. He wanted so badly to put them in line. He bottled up all his frustration and rage and saved it for a rainy day.

The rainy day came on a Thursday and it rained cats and dogs. One of the cats wandered into the play yard, an innocent in a strange part of town. Brian found the cat and yanked it upward by the nape. The old cat howled in pain as Brian tucked it into the thick crook of his elbow. Brian smacked the cat in the face to stop the howling and smiled viciously when it hissed. The young monster had found a victim that couldn't tell on him. He had a lot of violence to release.

In his ecstasy, Brian thought it a good idea to include Happy in his mayhem. Either Brian would enjoy some butchery with his friend or he'd enjoy some butchery while terrifying his friend. Both options would be a joy. Brian took the back stairwell up to their room on the eighth floor with the cat folded in his arms. If the cat cried, Brian would squeeze his arms until it stopped.

Happy was standing at the window looking down at the dumpsters when Brian burst in with the cat. Happy had found his way to this loading area over the course of the past few months. He knew three different routes to emerge by the dumpsters. He noted the lack of attention in the area. Security is light around the garbage area. Most people find the smell revolting. To Happy, it smelled like his dad's cologne.

"Check it out, Happy!" Brian said as low as he could. The taste of blood burned his tongue.
Happy turned and was overjoyed at the sight of a cat. What a great memory from home! The delight passed as he noticed the fear in the cat.
"Cool, a cat! But wait, you're hurting him," Happy said and moved to help.

As Happy neared, Brian held out his arm to stop him.
"That's the plan, my man," Brian boasted. "We're gonna hurt this cat. I was thinking we'd throw him off the roof. I wish I had some firecrackers to stick up his ass."
Happy was horrified. He couldn't imagine such abuses to any of his 700.
"You can't hurt that cat! Here, give him to me and I'll get him outta here." Happy moved forward. Brian turned his shoulders downward and rammed into him, knocking Happy backward against the desk. The cat could barely release a frightened howl.
"No fucking way, Keeper," Brian growled. It was the first time Brian called him Keeper since being released from Isolation. He had referred to his friend by his name until now.

Happy got to his feet quick. The cat was the second reason he had seen to fight Brian. The first had been the stabbing. Happy had jumped on Brian to pull him off, but the raging energy overwhelmed him. He felt weightless being shaken off Brian's back. The evil had returned, evil Happy wouldn't dismiss the second time. He had no choice but to fight again.

Happy came forward, not charging, but reaching for the cat. Brian realized he couldn't have it both ways like he thought. Happy was determined like he hadn't seen before. Brian didn't see Happy's eyes when he had jumped on his back. He saw them now and knew they were set dead against him. Brian held the cat with one arm and pulled back the other. Happy walked right into the punch.

Happy staggered backward, dazed, again hitting the desk, but not falling. Still holding the cat, Brian walked forward and landed and few more blows to the face. At last, Happy dropped. Brian secured the cat again in his arms and knelt to speak to him.
"I don't know what your deal is, but you know better than to come at me like that," Brian said. "Whatever's going through your head, you better not say shit to anybody. I'll throw your ass off the roof with this fuckin' cat."
He stepped backwards and turned to leave the room.
"See ya, Keeper," he bade, "I'm gonna make this cat fly."
He laughed and dashed into the hallway.

Happy needed a second to catch his breath, but that was all. He couldn't beat Brian, but he must figure out a way to release the cat. He lay still while Brian whisper those threats and waited to hear his steps leave the room. Then Happy leapt to his feet and ran after him. The door to the stairwell hadn't closed shut by the time Happy approached. He skidded to halt just before running through. A broom leaned beside the door. Happy grabbed it and continued, unsure what he could do with it.

Brian didn't notice the other footsteps echoing in the stairwell. He was running, maniacal, frothing at the muzzle. Only he and the cat were in the world and for one of them the world was about to end. It was so seductive, enchanting. Brian felt so powerful. He was God to the cat. He could create and destroy. The mad king crashed through the doors and was upon the ledge before he knew he was followed. He was drooling and ready to kill.

Brian jumped up on the concrete wall looking down at the city below. He hovered twelve stories above the concrete. The cat was uncovered from his cramped shape and held over the abyss.

"Brian, stop!" Happy yelled as he ran through the rooftop doors, his breath still short from the run. "Don't hurt the cat!"

Happy spotted Brian on the ledge and sprinted to him. He held the broomstick tight, but still without purpose. The king turned and saw his adversary. Such contempt enraged him. He would show no more mercy to such a fool.

Happy didn't stop. Holding the broomstick pointing forward, he appeared like a knight in a joust. His only thought was to free the cat from the snarling dragon. Happy aimed and jumped when he got within reach.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Brian yelled.
The stick poked at the cat, jabbing it in the side. Brian lurched backward to avoid the spear and stumbled for balance. The cat screeched and found a grip for its claws when Brian released. The cat clawed a trek up his chest and over his head in a split second. The cat leapt from his head, diving over Happy and landing on the rooftop behind.

Brian was fallin backwards off the roof. He reached out and grabbed the broomstick. Happy was yanked forward, but put his foot out to stop the momentum. Brian screamed feeling his feet leave the ledge. Happy reached an arm upward on the broom stick to gain more leverage and also screamed as adrenaline and his body weight used all its force to pull Brian in off the ledge.

Brian didn't come back completely, but bent forward enough for Happy to lunge for his waist. Happy grabbed hold and heaved him in like a bag of trash. Brian hit the rooftop still holding the broomstick. He was shaken but not shattered. The cat was nowhere to be found.

Brian sat up with tears in his eyes. He launched from the ground and attacked Happy, screaming wordlessly. He tackled his savior and wrestled him to the ground. He pounded Happy with a flurry of strikes far worse than their initial meeting. Had there been any weapon at Brian's disposal Happy would be dead. Brian released the violence he had stored for so long.

After he finished, Brian went downstairs without Happy. Happy lay on the ground with two broken ribs and a concussion. He was found by security officers when counselor Rob ordered a sweep of the children's center. Counselor Rob couldn't get an answer out of Brian to account for his roommate at lights out. He feared the worst and ordered the sweep which almost confirmed it.

Counselor Rob knew only one person could be guilty of the brutality Happy endured. He hated to admit the small thrill to finally be able to treat Brian like the criminal he was destined to be. Counselor Rob was waiting next to Happy's bed when he first awoke from the beating.

"Happy," Rob said, "All you have to do is say the name. You have nothing to worry about. You'll never see him again."
"Who?" Happy asked with voice weakened and raw.
"Well, that's what you gotta tell me," Rob pushed. "We both know who did this to you."
Happy was silent, recalling everything that had happened. When the picture cleared he asked his main concern.
"How's the cat?"
"Cat?" Rob asked. "What cat?"
"Did you find a cat near me?" Happy asked.
"No," Rob answered.
Happy thought about the possibilities.
"Did you find a dead cat on the street?" Happy asked.
Rob looked at the beaten boy, confused. "No," he answered.
Happy smiled with a job well done. He felt healed.

"Happy," Rob continued after the subject had apparently been dropped, "Did Brian beat you up? I know he did. I just need you to tell me and he won't be able to beat up anybody else here."
Happy knew all his options and knew what he could do. He felt redeemed knowing the cat survived and saw no need for more pain. He was one step closer to escaping, one step closer to going home. Happy harbored no ill will. He wanted to forgive.
"I don't know who did this to me," he lied, "just some guy on the roof."

Counselor Rob stopped smiling. His tone became serious.
"Excuse me, Happy, are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure," Happy answered to his discontent. "I'd never seen the guy before."
Counselor Rob knew the game. He hated this game and had enough of it. Brian was as good as gone. Rob wouldn't let this pass.
"Happy, we both know it was Brian," Rob said. "I talked to the bastard last night. He was sweaty and his hands were cut up. The smart little shit knew to wash them. They were cut and clean. And he acted guilty and nervous as he could when I asked where you were."
Happy looked at counselor Rob shamefully. He hated to lie.
"He can't hurt you, Happy," Rob promised. "You'll never see him again. He'll be in jail before you're back to your room."
"It wasn't Brian," Happy could only think to say. "It was somebody I didn't know."

Counselor Rob looked at Happy a long time before leaving. When he got up, he said the most unfriendly thing he had said to Happy.
"I'm sorry, Happy, but if nothing else I have to cite you for being on the roof. That's trespassing. It can get ya a week in Isolation. I guess we'll see."
He walked to the door of the recovery room and stopped for one last chance.
"You sure you don't know who did that to you, Happy?"
Happy just shook his head.
"I'm sorry counselor Rob. I wish I did."

Happy spent a week in Isolation. With no evidence, Brian received no citation and remained his roommate. Happy was now an enemy to counselor Rob as well as the rest of the kids. Brian didn't know how to interpret this sacrifice. He grew more suspicious of his roommate than ever. He continued eating with Happy so as not to arouse suspicion, but they never spoke.

Happy enjoyed his time in Isolation. The counselors on watch had never heard so many "Thank you" and "please"s. They couldn't believe such a polite boy received a week in Isolation. Happy didn't mind. He was raised without a lot of people and was quite comfortable being alone. His spirits visibly lowered when he was told he was returning to his dorm.

Happy didn't know exactly why he lied to counselor Rob. It just felt like the right thing to do. It felt like something Mel would do. Happy would deal with Brian but he didn't know how yet. He didn't want to be pushed into a decision. Happy turned the other cheek. The worst had happened. Happy wasn't wise enough to fear death.

Happy was confident he could escape if things got too rough. He would just wrap himself in a trash bag and jump in the dumpster on a Thursday afternoon. He'd be at home in a matter of hours. Brian's terror couldn't push the boy to break his father's wishes. The experience made him consider escape more seriously, but it wouldn't be the final straw.

The final straw would come from someone much more important, Mel Stotch, his father himself. Happy's 12th birthday fell two weeks after Mel's appointment with Byron Mittle. The old man hadn't called his son since the disappointment of that day. He couldn't bring himself to admit they would never be together again.

Mel called once every two or three weeks. It had fallen off from every day, to every two days, every three days and so on. It was harder for both of them to stay too close. Neither father nor son remarked when the calls diminished. By Happy's 12th birthday five weeks had passed. After talking with the lawyer Mel didn't know where to start.

The old man never minced words and didn't know how. Everything was blunt and honest, maybe sarcastic if there's room. He had sugar coated reality for Happy over the last few months to the point they didn't speak rather than face their desperation. Mel disgusted himself with his weakness and what he was teaching the boy. So he wished his son a Happy Birthday. Then he told his son they would never be together again. He couldn't offer explanations, only that he was too old and weak to keep up.

He didn't mention the searing pain from his insides rotting out. Not even constant alcohol could veil the agony. Mel reasoned it was good he didn't have much time left. There was that much less suffering to endure. He didn't tell Happy any of this. He could save that for another birthday.

Happy accepted the call as Mel's blessing to escape. Hearing everything he dreamed about was no longer there was too much for Happy to shrug off like the broken ribs. Happy hung up the phone and returned to his room. He never mentioned his birthday to Brian and hoped no one else mentioned it.

Brian sat on his bed, gawking and sullen. He hadn't raised his voice to Happy in the months that had passed since the beating. Happy had no more fear of him and he knew it. Happy had a terrible secret over him. He held Brian's freedom in his hands. Whether he knew it or not, Happy held immeasurable power. Brian hated him for it all the more.

Happy walked straight to the window and looked down at the dumpsters beside the loading dock. He stood and stared for a long time. Happy made his decision. It was time to go home.