Second Hand [manxboy]

Chapter 11

"It probably hurts to talk," Miroslav pointed out.

"I know... but he hasn't said a single word, not even tried," Yakov said worriedly, pacing around the foyer of the house. "What if the social worker finds out about this? He won't come out of his room. He won't let us in the room."

Miroslav sighed and glanced upstairs. He went to Nico's room and tried knocking again. "Nico, it's me." Miroslav paused stiffly. "Mimi. At least come to the door and let me see you." He waited a few moments, taking a relieved step back as the door cracked open. "Come downstairs."

Nico only shook his head.

"You're not in trouble for last night, but we're worried. Come eat lunch with us," Miroslav insisted. Nico leaned against the door frame and again refused. "Can you speak?" Miroslav asked. "I know it must hurt but..."

"It does," Nico answered roughly, his face twisting in pain.

Miroslav nodded then, glad he at least got some response. "We'll call you out of school for the week. Maybe Amy can come by and help you keep up with homework. Yakov told the kitchen to buy lots of ice cream for you."

A ghost of a smile flickered over Nico's face at that, and Miroslav relaxed a little. He checked downstairs to see where Yakov was before taking a step in. "Do you want a hug?"

Nico gave him a surprised look but immediately wrapped his arms around Miroslav. Miroslav stumbled back slightly but put his arms around Nico as well. He let Nico hold on for a while before Miroslav slowly broke it. "Come down for lunch," he repeated.

Nico grudgingly gave in then and followed Miroslav down the stairs. Yakov stopped his pacing and smiled in relief. "There's plenty of yogurt," he said. "And I've heard the mouth heals quickly, so um..." Yakov squirmed uncomfortably, looking down at his feet. "I'm so sorry this happened to you, Nico. I meant to protect you."

Nico shrugged and forced his mouth to work. "I snuck out."

"It still shouldn't have happened," Yakov protested.

Nico fell back into his silence and sat down for lunch with Yakov. Nico struggled even with the yogurt.

Miroslav felt his phone ring then and answered it. "His friend Amy is at the gates. Let her in?" Adrik informed from the guardhouse.

"Yes, fine." Miroslav excused himself briefly and met Amy at the door.

"Is he grounded?" she asked dubiously.

"No." Miroslav pulled her in. "But... I'm not sure if he'll want to see you. Let me go ask."

"Is he angry?" she questioned.

"No," Miroslav hesitated. "Something bad happened last night. He can't speak right now."

Amy frowned in confusion as Miroslav stepped back into the dinning room. "Amy is here, Nico. Do you want to see her?"

Nico quickly pushed away his bowl of yogurt and nodded. He walked out behind Miroslav then and met Amy at the door. "What happened?" she asked immediately.

Nico tapped Miroslav's arm and nodded. Miroslav didn't know how much even he wanted to tell her though. "The club Nico went to last night ended up being run by some... bad people. They recognized Nico and he had to get a couple of stitches in his tongue." That explained most of it for her.

Amy dragged Nico away by the arm. "With Mac?" she asked quietly so that Miroslav wouldn't hear.

Nico pulled out his phone and started a text message as an answer. Yeah, but I think he left. He was getting drinks and we got separated.