#charlies

Dread dripped in Charlie’s stomach, a sharp pain exploding in his temple. His hand shot out to grip onto the countertop. What would Teddy do?

He needed to get out of here, and fast. Charlie checked his watch, he had less than ten hours, better make it last. He looked around the apartment, tears filling his eyes;

“I don’t want to go to school! The other kids are meannn!”

Teddy chuckled, lifting Charlie up so he sat on the kitchen counter, legs swinging, “Well then you just got to be mean back to them, hm? Don't you remember what I told you?”

“Jab, jab, righthook, swingkick repeat!” Charlie giggled. Teddy beamed and ruffled the kid’s hair, “Exactly! You do that and I promise those punks will leave you alone.”

The kid’s eyes sparkled as he looked up at his older brother, “And…wh-what if they don't?” Teddy leant over and cupped his brother’s cheek, smiling brightly brushing his thumb along his cheekbone, “Then you come to me and I’ll sort them out.” The kid smiled brightly, clapping his hands before sighing, “I wish I was as cool like you, someday I will be!!!” Teddy’s smile quivered slightly, “No kid, you don't want this life…” His smile instantly came back as he clapped, distracting Charlie, “Now, let's make some cookies!!!”

Teddy was right, Charlie didn’t want this life, not in the slightest. He quickly wiped a tear with his sleeve, taking a shallow breath, “No use dwelling on the past,” He muttered, quickly pushing down any memories of this place. For now, he was in a shell. An empty cracked shell. A shell of himself-

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He had only managed to step ten steps outside of his apartment before he was quickly knocked to the ground with a right hook. He groaned, curling in on himself before slowly opening his his, “Wh-what the fuck?”

“Grab his backpack, Carlos ordered, Marco complying immediately. Charlie clutched onto his backpack tightly, wrapping the straps tight around his hands, “He-hey no! You can’t just do that!” Marco yanked on the bag as hard as he could but Charlie kept his tight grip. That was until the heavy weight of a gun was pressed to the side of Charlie’s head. He froze.

A warm breath cascaded along his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. “Let go of the bag, Char Char.” Charlie was trembling. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came. His eyes darted to meet Carlos’ cold face. His eyebrow raised and instantly Charlie let go.

Carlos smirked, not moving the gun just yet as he ruffled Charlie’s hair, “Good boy! See what happens when you just comply?” If Charlie wasn’t trembling for dear life right now, he would’ve given him the biggest eyeroll.

“Clothes, snacks, sketchpad, matchsticks, switchblade-” Marco sighed, tossing Charlie’s belongings onto the pavement. Charlie scrambled to sit up but his attempts were soon cut off as Carlos slammed the gun hard across Charlie’s face, “Ah, ah, ah, not so fast darlin’,” Carlos smirked, dragging the cold muzzle of the gun along Charlie’s face, making the other cringe back, “What’s a pretty boy like you doing with a switchblade, hm?” 

Charlie whimpered, his voice completely lost. His eyes raised to the gun, his head pounding before he spoke, eyes meeting Carlos, “You…You said I ha-ad till midnight. ‘m t-two hours early…”

Carlos chuckled, “Oh yes yes, but you see, we weren't just going to let you off and running without us saying our farewells!!!” Charlie squeezed his eyes shut, “Ple-please…You’ve done enough.” Carlos let out a laugh before leaning in nice and close, “Oh baby… we’ve only just started…”

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