I step out of my last class period to a firm hand on my shoulder dragging me down a hall. I can’t turn to face him but I know its Erik. There’s a small feeling in my gut that makes me want to burst out into tears and plead for my life. Scream for Rian to help me again, like he did before.
I get shoved into a locker room that is currently empty. Last period gym class gets let out early. I close my eyes and stand as still as I can trying not to acknowledge the threat standing behind me. Praying to whatever god is out there to have somebody walk in this door and have him not do what he is planning.
“Why do you think I brought you here Faggot?” Erik barks at me and pushes on my side making me stumble forward slightly.
“I don’t know.” I mumble and open my eyes, keeping them locked on the ground in front of me. Avoiding Erik at all costs.
“I think you do know.” He snaps at me and pushes me again.
“Because I’m gay.” I say dryly. Quietly.
“Louder Gayskarth.”
“Because I’m gay.” I choke out louder. My heart about to explode out of my chest, I can feel my pulse without touching a vein.
“That’s one reason.” Erik stands in front of me I can see his fists clench and un clench.
“I don’t know why else.” I choke out and try to straiten out my shoulders.
“Because you take women for granted.” He snaps and shoves me. Hard. I fall back and land on my ass. I reach back, a shooting pain through the heel of my hand that I used to partially brake my fall.

“What?” I look up at him confused.
“You know Lisa.” He chuckles darkly. “She was hurt when she saw you with Rick. I promised her, that I would get back at you for using her.”
“I wasn’t using her…” I whisper. But I know he’s right. I did use Lisa. I deserve this.
“Say that again!” He shouts.
“I didn’t…” I choke out.
“THE FUCK YOU DIDN’T.” He shouts and jumps at me making a swing for in-between my legs with his foot. I hold my hand out to protect myself. He stomps my hand down. A horrible cracking sound echoes through the locker room just before his foot makes contact and I black out.

~*~*~*~

I open my eyes finding myself face-to-face with the school nurse. It feels like my hand is on fire and my penis is ablaze. My breath heightens as my body clenches up trying to coil away from the pain. I can’t manage words through my teeth.
The paramedics run into the locker room and start to pick me up setting me on the gurney. They pull me through the crowded hallways hundreds of eyes following me as I pull past them. The woman paramedic talks to me trying to keep calm.
I can feel the breath in my chest becoming short. The area around my eyes starts tingling. The sensation spreading to my mouth as my body starts to feel weak. I’m going to die. Erik is going to kill me. I won’t see Rian ever again. The woman touches my face. She’s going to blind me. I’m going to die right here. My heart is going to beat so fast it stops.
“Alex!” I hear someone shout from down the hall. Rian’s head reaches over the top of the crowds around me. I want with all of my being to go to him. But my head starts to spin. I’m going to faint and never wake.
“Let me through!” He shouts shoving through people. “Let me fucking through!” He screams.
“Alex!” Jacks voice comes from my other side. “Hold on!” he shouts! I can’t lift my head to see him. I don’t know where they are. I can’t.
A firm hand grabs my shoulder and Jack looks me in the eyes,
“Hey Alex. Everything’s okay. Calm.” Jacks voice is soothing over the commotion, the panic running through my body.
“I..I..” I start to stutter trying to speak to him.
“No. Just deep breathes.” He smiles re-assuring. I manage a small nod just as Rian manages to grab my good hand.
“Hey Lex. You’re okay. Come on.” He smiles at me and the tightness in my chest loosens.
“Okay.” I manage and nod again more assuring. The medics keep rolling me out. An ambulance sits on the curb. I keep my hand in Rians as they pull me up into the back. My eyes locked on his, wide and afraid.
“I love you.”