Behind Closed Doors

Pain

(Jack's POV)

I stayed at tha' waitin' room with Mark's ma and brother. They were as worried as me, if not more. I apologized tuh' them fer this. 

"It's not your fault, Jack," his mom told me. 
"Yes, it was," I told her, tears runnin' down my face. "Had I stopped him from comin' outside, or at least from comin' alone, I could've prevented this..." 
"Jack." 
"Hm?" 
"You can't take the weight of the world on your shoulders. None of this was your fault. I know it may feel like it, but it's not. It was this Konner guy's fault. Not yours." 

I didn't agree with her, but I didn't disagree either. It was about another hour until the doctors came tuh' us with somethin'. 

"Follow me." 

He took us all back tuh' his office. Me and Mark's ma sat down and Thomas stood. 

"Well?" I asked, gettin' a little impatient. 
"There's quite a few things," the doctor began, fixing his glasses. "First, the wounds from the boy were no help to the ones caused by the car. Right now, he's being heavily sedated to keep the pain low. But, according to his x-ray, he has a broken wrist, a fractured ankle, a couple of broken ribs, and a collapsed lung." 

I felt like losin' it. I can't believe Konner hurt him that bad. But... I felt something new spark in me. I've never been angry at someone so much before. But, I had tuh' keep it under control as much as I could. I don't wanna end up hurtin' someone. 
Tha' doctor finally told us we could go see him, just to be careful. I raced tuh' his room. But once I got there, I couldn't believe how bad he looked. 
He had spots of blue and purple all over, two casts, several bandages, etc.. He also had a breathing tube, which scared me. If Konner can cause this much damage, he deserves to have it dealt to him. I'll get my revenge fer Mark... I promised myself that. 
I told his ma and brother to tell me if he woke up. I had some things I needed tuh' do. First, I'll have tuh' build up my muscles. Secondly, my mental strength. I can't have him bring me down durin' a fight...
But I knew one thing. I had tuh' do this. Fer Mark. I was no longer gonna be the pansy everyone thinks I am. Time fer a change... 

(Mark's POV) 
Three weeks later... 

I woke up slowly, feeling a bunch of pain come back to me. My mom hopped from her place and hugged me tightly. I looked around and saw that only my mom and Thomas were here. Where was Jack? 

"Mom," I began weakly. 
"Yes, honey?" 
"Where's Jack?" 
"Your brother just texted him. He's on his way up here. He told us he had some things to work on. I don't know what he meant. He did look a bit angry." 

Just then, Jack burst into the room. He looked very happy and relieved. For a split second, he stood there before running to me. 

"Thank God yer okay," he smiled. 

I looked at him. His muscles were bigger. That was new... Now I know what my mom meant. More than likely, Jack was building up his muscles to fight Konner if he had to. 

"Yeah," Jack began. "I know, but it's in case Konner even thinks about messin' with ya. I'm not gonna have it anymore. You've stood up fer me tha' last few times. Now it's my turn. I'm no longer bein' tha' pansy everyone thinks I am." 
"You're not a pansy," I started. "You're just sensitive." 

He gave me a look, making me laugh. But, I was actually worried about Konner fighting Jack. Jack may have the muscles, but he has a weak state of mind. Almost anything can set him off. 

"And don't worry," Jack assured me. "I'll only fight him if he either hits first, or if he messes with ya. I'm not gonna do it out of spite." 
"Just promise you'll be careful?" 
"I promise, Mark. Now, you rest. Tha' doc said you'll stay here a couple more days before you're able tuh' go home. And this time, I'll be here." 

I smiled. We just sat there, talking. Then, it came time for patients to go to sleep. Jack got up in the bed and snuggled next to me. The nurse didn't care, as long as Jack was careful. 
Jack may be strong now, but he was still the little flower crown-wearing, sweet, and kind Irish boy I know. He's just trying to act tough for me.
But I'm afraid it'll actually get him in trouble. I only hope he doesn't get hurt. And if he does, there's not a damn thing I can do. That's my main worry. I'll just have to pray and hope that nothing bad happens...