CHAPTER ONE
A YEAR AGO, CHICAGO, HIGH SCHOOL*
Dominic frightened in fear as Jack and his friends (Roger and Dylan) marched towards him.
Students gathered in the hallway waiting for the usual show.
"On your knees" He ordered.
"Phones down" Dylan glared at the students.
*
PRESENT, PORTLAND, WESTSIDE COLLEGE*
Students jumped out of the way as a bike fired into the school compound.
"The heck" Jack cussed, rolling his eyes as he drove into the parking lot.
The bike came to a halt, and his eyes widened when he saw Dominic.
"Gracious goodness" He laughed.
His high school prey is in same school as him.
Interesting indeed.
He alighted from the car with a familiar smirk, one Dominic would recognize anywhere.
They locked eyes before going separate ways.
"He doesn't look weak as before" Dylan noticed from the rooftop.
"I'm sure he's just hiding his fear" Roger shrugged.
"Time for fun" Jack muttered, entering the lecture room.
*
LECTURE ROOM*
Jack winked at almost all the girls that threw glances at him.
"I have a feeling someone's planning something big already" Roger teased.
"Hmmm" He nodded in agreement, staring at Dominic.
Girls rushed towards Jack and his friends immediately the lecture ended. Dominic simply adjusted his face hat, minding his business.
"You're not avoiding me, are you? Don't you miss being ordered around like a puppet and having you cry in front of the class?" He spoke.
Dominic feets didn't come to a halt, even for a second.
"Who is he referring to?" Students murmured among themselves.
Jack dragged a girl with him in frustration.
Dominic is sure getting on his nerves.
*
NEXT DAY, JACK'S SUITE *
Jack smirked at his ipad screen as he scrolled through Dominic's information.
"Finally, he lost his gramma"
"Doesn't know his biological parent"
"Mom or Dad? Whatever"
"Wait, he's on scholarship? Wonderful"
He smirked before gulping down a glass of alcohol.
*
NIGHT PUB*
Dominic is exhausted with work.
"Go get some rest" His boss smiled, patting his back.
"No, let me help a little" He insisted.
"Five more minutes, and you're done for the night, okay?"
"Noted boss" He laughed adjusting his apron.
Soon, he got occupied with work again and didn't notice when Jack and the guys walked in.
"Hey!" Roger called from their table.
He took a deep breath before walking towards them.
"Get us ten glasses of beer ASAP" Jack ordered with a familiar smirk.
"And?"
"Entertainment for the night" He drummed his fingers on the table.
Memories of how he'd chuckle in a certain way before doing something to Dominic, flashed in his head.
*
FEW YEARS BACK, GRADE 9*
Dominic struggled to return to his seat as his glasses had been taken by Jack.
"Awww, poor little baby," he mocked, crushing the glasses with his feet.
"Gosh, I feel so much pity for him."
"Why does he keep getting bullied by Jack?"
"I suggest he switch schools at this point."
Roger smirked from his seat, definitely enjoying the show.
Students gasped in horror as Dominic fell to the ground, hitting his head on the desk. He started bleeding immediately.
"Geez," Dylan hissed, storming out of the classroom.
He helped Dominic up, carried him on his back, heading for the school clinic.
"The heck..."
"I knew Dylan was softer than those two."
Comments from students flew from different angles, making Jack more furious then he already was.
"He's such a superhero" Roger mocked.
"He's no longer a part of us!" Jack spat in anger and stormed out of the class.
*
SCHOOL CLINIC*
The old clock ticking loudly above the door was in rhythm with Dylan's heartbeat as he rubbed Dominic's temple gently. His heart sank as he stared at the bandage on Dominic's forehead. He then brought out a pair of new glasses from his pocket. The case is in purple colour, Dominic's favourite colour. He bought the glasses with his savings. That's how much he cares about Dominic.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't protect you."
"I'm such a weakling. I'm so sorry, Dominic."
"I promise never to let anyone hurt you again. I promise." He assured, holding his hand but immediately let go. He feels he doesn't have the right to hold hands with him, yet.
"You're so annoying, for real," Dominic hissed, sitting up from the bed.
Dylan got up to help but Dominic shoved him away.
"Don't keep pushing me away, I won't let go" Dylan assured.
"By the way, I got this for you. They are thicker and harder to break. The case is your favourite colour," He chuckled, showing Dominic the glasses.
"You didn't rob the bank, did you?" Dominic joked.
"Nah."
"I don't want it," Dominic rejected.
"The heck? You can barely see. Can you even see me clearly? Take it and stop being stubborn."
"I don't want to be indebted to anyone."
"Shut up, and let me do my thing" He wore the glasses for Dominic. It suits him perfectly.
It's exactly same with the one Jack destoryed.
This act made Dominic's heart beat a bit faster. His touch feels warm and right. The look in his eyes, mixed with devotion, affection, and fear.
The atmosphere shifted from warm to hot. There is tension between them both having words to say but the fear of the unknown won't let them let it out or rather, the fear of Jack.
Dominic could feel it. This isn't just about the hot tension between them; that monster is present. Jack is here. He could sense it. The air became cold. His breathing went from normal to abnormal, he began breathing heavily.
"Dominic, Dom, are you fine?" Dylan muttered in worry.
"Stay away from me. I don't want you to be in trouble because of me."
"Don't try to make me stay away as it will be futile, I guarantee you."
"I don't want to drag you into my mess. You know Jack loves breaking things I love. I don't want you to be hurt."
"Go away, if you truly care about me, like you say"
"Go away, Dylan" He said with tears in his eyes.
*
BACK TO THE PRESENT*
He staggered a bit before walking away afer locking eyes with Dylan briefly.
"What are you up to?" Roger questioned.
"It's about to go down" Jack laughed.
He returned to the table within a short period of time. Just as he was about to drop the last glass, Jack hit his knee, making him lose balance and the drink spilled.
"Jack!" He almost snapped.
"Opps, so sorry" He mocked.
He simply walked away to get things to clean the mess with. He bent down to clean when Roger pushed the wooden table to fall on him.
He quickly placed his hands on the floor for support, which caused some of the broken glasses to pierce his palms.
"Ouch!" He cried out in pain.
"Dominic!" His boss screamed out in horror, gaining the attention of other customers.
Dylan almost touched him but remembered he wasn't supposed to.
"Go away, if you truly care about me, like you say."
"Whatever," Dylan muttered to himself as he called for an ambulance.
The ambulance arrived in few minutes and Dominic was carried away. He passed out already.
"You care a little bit too much about him, don't you?" Jack faced Dylan.
"Shut it!" Dylan snapped.
"Little Dylan got some nerves now," Roger mocked, earning a glare from Dylan.
"Remember our history?" Jack taunted.
"You don't want to be in Dominic's place, right? So just mind your business," he added.
"Remember Grade 7?" Roger reminded him.
"You can never change" Dylan replied.
"As if you're any better. Let's see if Dominic will ever forgive you after finding out who you really are" Jack lit a cigar.
"Fuck you" Dylan threw a punch at him.
"The fuck!" Jack yelled, touching his bursted lip.
"I'm not proud of whatever decision I took back then and I'm trying to make up for it. So fuck you and your empty threats. I'm not scared of you anymore, I'm not Dominic. Don't you dare go anywhere close to him ever again, you monster. You need help, Jack. You lack human sympathy and parental love. You piece of shit!"
Jack kicked his tummy and they got into a fight.
"The cops!" Roger yelled, already running away.
Jack made to escape from the scene but Dylan pushed him to the ground.
"Adults are meant to take responsibility for their actions, so let's both spend a night at the station" Dylan chuckled.
"Fun, isn't it?" Jack laughed as a cop handcuffed him.
*
POLICE STATION*
The guys were thrown into a cell after being detained. The thought of what happened began flashing through Dylan's clouded mind.
Is he awake?
Is he in severe pain?
Is he still unconscious?
He doesn't think he was a part of this, does he?
Jack only told him that a new pub opened and would like for him to go have fun at the place. This monster keeps dragging him into his mess.
Roger is still nowhere to be found!
"My family lawyer should be here in no minute" Jack bragged.
"You will rot here. No one is coming for you. Dominic and you have something in common which is being helpless. I think that explains why you are so concerned about him" He mocked.
"Someone is here to bail you guys out" a cop announced, unlocking the cell.
"I told you" Jack said.
"I'll watch you suffer in here, " he added, giving a cold smile.
Their eyes widened when they got outside the station and saw Dominic on his bike. He looks exhausted and disappointed.
"Dom, I swear I wasn't aware—"
He simply zoomed off without saying a word.
"Opps"Jack mocked walking away.
Dylan just stood there staring at the empty space.