OUTCAST: Trust, Friendship, And Injustice (Beauty 0f Life Book 9)

by Laura Acton

  “Sir, from what Ned supplied, Dan also sustained a split lip and a laceration to his cheek from Todd’s ring. When they released their hold, Dan slid down the tiles, bleeding from his mouth and nose in addition to the other cuts. As Dan lay on the floor of the shower, Todd kicked him hard in the stomach before they left. It is conceivable Dan sustained internal injuries from the punches or the kick to his belly.

  “I contacted Sergeant O’Leary, and the police are in the process of arresting all the youths. The charge for the moment is assault and battery. Todd, Tay, and Barry are eighteen and will be indicted as adults. Jacob and Ned are both sixteen and Marcel seventeen. Those three will face the juvenile system for now. The indictments may change based on …” Riabald found it difficult to continue, relieved when the general saved him from voicing the concern.

  “On Daniel’s condition when he is located,” William supplied. He understood full well what the sergeant didn’t want to say and he would not voice out loud. All assailants would likely be brought up on voluntary manslaughter charges in adult court if they found Danny deceased. A possibility William did not want to examine too closely. Daniel was hurt, possibly severely and with the bitterly cold weather, even if he didn’t suffer internal bleeding, Danny might freeze to death if he did not find appropriate shelter.

  Relying on his training to keep his voice steady, William said, “Thank you for the information. Is there anything more you need to relay?”

  “No, sir. Not at this time. I will contact you when any further information becomes available.”

  William hung up and dropped his face into his palms as he considered how much of this to convey to Yvonne. He glanced up as warm hands landed on his shoulders and back again.

  “He’s hurt bad, but he is going to be okay,” Erik said.

  “Danny’s an intelligent boy. One good thing to come out of his years at SFATB Yukon, he knows how to survive in frigid conditions. Ottawa in February undoubtedly feels like summer to him,” Mark offered.

  “He is a strong, resourceful, and resilient boy. A true Broderick. We will bring him home, and he will heal.” Ryan squeezed William’s shoulder.

  William drew in a breath and exhaled gradually. “I’m going to go light on details with Yvonne. Only what is necessary. She is strong and needs to be prepared, but I will protect her as much as I can.”

  They all nodded in agreement, and Mark went to unlock the door.

  Lost Boys

  12

  February 11

  Somewhere in Toronto – 2300 Hours

  After wandering with no specific direction for the past forty-five minutes, Dan’s body shivered, and his teeth chattered, causing his sore jaw to ache more. Everything appeared closed at this time of night, so finding a place to warm up might be impossible. Tired, though he had slept for four hours, Dan stopped at the entrance to an alley.

  Leaning on a brick wall, Dan put a hand on his tender side, hissing as he pressed lightly, wishing the pain would subside, but it became worse the longer he walked. Thirsty, he licked his lips, which only made them colder. He wanted to lie down and go to sleep again, but he recognized doing so would be a death sentence, he would freeze without adequate shelter.

  A movement down the alleyway drew his attention. An exterior light over a rear exit of a business revealed a skinny, homeless man with matted, brown hair and disheveled, dirty clothing. The coat worn by the individual appeared to be thin and nowhere near as warm as his. He observed while the poor man made a shelter from cardboard boxes. As he didn’t seem to be much older than him, Dan wondered if this existence would be his now too. Alone, destitute, and unwanted … a ghost in society.

  Weary and cold, but his stomach satisfied after a meal at the Mayfield Soup Kitchen, Brody arranged his boxes near the heat vent, happy he discovered this spot several weeks ago. He rubbed at his ear as a sense of urgency overcame him. Motion to his left alerted him to a presence.

  Brody stood to determine if the person was friend or foe. Living on the streets for so long, he understood either could be the case. He beheld a lone figure wearing a cap and jacket. The streetlight provided him a glimpse of a battered face. Poor kid. Wonder who the hell beat the crap out of him?

  The man spotted him, stood, and regarded him intently. Their gazes locked and Dan spied intriguing jade colored eyes. They drew him in and held him as Sara’s emerald ones had, and he found it hard to tear his gaze away.

  Desiring to help, Brody started forward but stopped when the kid hustled away. Must be scared. Been there myself.

  As the guy started towards him, fear of being attacked again spiked. Wanting to avoid a confrontation, Dan hurried away.

  Brody returned to arranging his nighttime spot and laid down, covering himself with newspapers and the thick, wool blanket Caroline gave him. She offered him a place to sleep in the kitchen, but those older, younger, or infirm needed the accommodation more than he did, so he declined.

  He missed his mother fiercely on lonely nights, but all Brody needed to do to be embraced by her love was to close his eyes and imagine her lilting voice singing to him. He would never truly be lost as long as he had music.

  Convenience Store – 2305 Hours

  When Dan rounded the next corner, he spotted a twenty-four-hour store. It would offer a couple of minutes of warmth, and he could grab a drink of water from the bathroom faucet.

  Dan pulled his cap down and ducked his head as he entered so the cashier couldn’t view his face and went straight for the restroom in the back. He locked the door to the single, unisex bathroom. Going to the sink, Dan placed his hands on either side and leaned over slightly, taking a moment to breathe through the pain. He resorted to sniper breathing as the agony in his abdomen increased.

  To slake his thirst, Dan turned on the tap and cupped a hand to gather water. Though tepid, the first mouthful stung as his split lip re-opened and bled again. The coppery tang from the myriad of cuts to the inside of his cheeks disgusted him and made him a bit nauseous. He swished his mouth with lukewarm water and spat several times endeavoring to rid himself of the taste, before drinking his fill.

  He rinsed a few more times, and each time he spat, he stared at the swirling red-tinged water. My life is going down the drain. His eyes shifted up to the mirror. The harsh fluorescent lighting showed him the damage to his face. He touched the gash across his eyebrow, then wished he had not when the congealed blood moved and allowed fresh crimson to bubble forth.

  With no paper towels available, he didn’t bother to wash the dried blood off … also because like the cut over his eye, he didn’t want to re-open the wound on his cheek. His bloody, bruised, abraded, and lacerated face reflected the state of his heart.

  Hissing with the increasing abdominal pain, Dan wrapped an arm around his midsection and slumped to the filthy tile floor. Desolate, he unleashed his imprisoned emotions. Both physical and psychological anguish came forth with the power of a hurricane. Bawling like a baby, his body lurched with each wretched sob. So lost, empty, and desolate, he didn’t even think about trying to be quiet this time. No one loves me, wants me, or cares if I die. I’m worthless, nothing … disposable, always and forever alone.

  When the major blitz of emotion ebbed, and the storm clouds abated, Dan pulled out the wallet Scott gave him. He took out the freshly minted student ID he received this morning and focused on the logo of a hawk. This had represented the hope of making a friend and being accepted.

  Why the hell does it always hurt so much? Every time I hope I might be happy something happens to rip it away. He flung the card across the room. It lay discarded and alone, symbolic of his state of mind.

  His tender abdomen screamed at him again. Dan lifted his jacket and shirt and found a colorful rainbow painting his torso. No wonder it hurts so bad. The darkest and most painful bruising covered his belly and sides. He moaned as he probed the most agonizing spots finding them swollen like his eye and jaw.

  I tried so hard to be the soldier the gen
eral wanted. General Always-Be-Prepared will be sorely disappointed I allowed myself to be surprised and attacked. I will never be the perfect soldier no matter how much I try. Hell, I failed to defend myself. I let them beat the ever-living crap out of me and never hit them once.

  After lowering his clothing, Dan picked up his wallet again and flipped it open. He possessed no money. Had no place to go. No one cared one whit about him. He stared at one of the two things his billfold contained. A picture of him and Sara on their ninth and seventh birthday. Fresh tears flooded his eyes as he gazed at his baby sister.

  Everything in my life became nothing on the day I failed you. I should have saved you … protected you … seen the vehicle sooner … died instead of you. As the tears spilled out and down his cheeks the saltiness stinging his open cuts, he cried, “I’m so sorry, Sara. I was supposed to protect you. I deserve to be punished for not safeguarding you. I’m not worthy of love.”

  Alley Near Convenience Store – 2315 Hours

  Louise finished singing Brody to sleep and whispered, “My sweet boy, I love you so much. Never forget the beauty of life. Allow music to brighten your days and keep the light shining in the darkness.”

  When Archangel Hamon appeared, she rose. “Is it time for them to meet?”

  “Not quite, but he needs help.”

  “How can Brody help?” Louise asked.

  Hamon gazed at his weary descendent of light. The boy suffered as mightily as Daniel, but soon the lost boys would find one another and the bond they forged would be unbreakable … not even death would separate them. He explained Daniel’s need to Louise before fading.

  Kneeling, Louise caressed her beloved son’s face to rouse him. “Time to wake, my beautiful child. I know you are exhausted, but I need you to rise now. You must find the boy. Daniel needs your help. Seek him out.”

  Brody’s ears buzzed and warmth on his face stirred him from blissful slumber. He sat up and stared at the place where the beaten boy had stood about fifteen minutes ago. His gut unsettled, Brody rose and strode to the street, peering in the direction the kid took.

  Unsure why, but compelled by a strange sense of urgency to locate the teen, Brody began walking. Coming to the corner, he headed to the one place he knew would be open at this time of night.

  Convenience Store – 2320 Hours

  Loud pounding on the restroom door pulled Dan out of his dismal thoughts. Someone needed to use the bathroom or the clerk wanted him out. Another knock startled him, and he fumbled his wallet, causing his treasured coin to fall out and roll away. Dan scrambled to grab it before it went down the drain. As he stood with a moan, his muscles protesting movement, he held his coin tightly, and he shoved his leather wallet into his pocket.

  Dan unlocked the door, ducked his head, and exited mumbling, “Sorry.” A hand on his shoulder stopped him, and he peered up into the gaunt face of the man from the alley.

  “Kid, are you okay? Everything alright?” Brody asked as he caught sight of the swollen and abused face with striking sapphire eyes, bloodshot, rimmed in red, and still glistening with tears.

  “Yeah.” Dan wrenched out of the grasp and hurried out of the store. When the man followed, Dan forced himself to run. He put everything he had left into speed, sprinting through the streets not looking back to find out if the guy followed him.

  Brody’s expression became sad as the boy ran away. Poor kid is spooked, wish he would’ve talked to me. He sighed and headed back to his alley since there was no way he would ever catch someone with the speed of a roadrunner.

  Pain forced Dan to slow to a walk, and he finally glanced behind him, relieved yet saddened to discover himself alone. He pressed his hand which still clutched the penny to his aching belly. Penny for your thoughts kept rolling through his head as he wandered aimlessly.

  Alley Behind Bennie’s Gas Station – 2340 Hours

  When the cold became too much again, Dan thought about the jade-eyed man and how he made a shelter out of cardboard. He assumed from the man’s physical appearance he must’ve been homeless a while. If he can adapt and survive the night in a box, I can too. He began searching for a suitable place, someplace where he didn’t have to watch both front and back.

  He shook his head, surprised to find a practical application existed for the military strategy the general forced him to study. Several minutes later, Dan discovered a dead-end alleyway at the rear of Bennie’s. While investigating the back corner, a blast of warm air surprised him.

  Peering down, he spied an exhaust vent. He scanned the door and noted the business was a laundry service. Heading for the first dumpster, ignoring the stench, Dan peered inside. Not finding any cardboard, he searched three more until he hit the jackpot. Climbing in caused the throbbing in his side to escalate, but he pushed through the pain as he dragged out two huge boxes.

  He folded one piece twice making a pad to insulate the ground and placed it near the vent. Recalling something Scott taught him when they camped ages ago, he used the second one to create a sort of tent. It would keep more snow from falling on him. Crawling inside, he managed to make a hole the size of the exhaust outlet, directing it into his shelter. Dan pulled the end flaps closed. The warmer air helped reduce his shivering.

  Dan hunkered down next to the heating vent, tugged his sleeves down over his hands, wishing again he remembered to grab his gloves. Encircling his legs with his arms, he held them close to his chest to conserve body heat. Lethargic, suffering both from his injuries and a massive adrenaline crash, Dan laid his head on the top of his knees and dozed off as light snow began to fall.

  Pleased Brody listened to Louise, but saddened Danny fled from him, Hamon gathered Daniel into his lap and wrapped his wings around him to offer additional heat. Humans possessed free-will, and although Hamon knew Daniel well, he couldn’t predict all his actions.

  Though after the beating Dan endured today, Hamon didn’t blame his descendant for being skittish. Possessing a keen fight or flight response, in a weakened condition, Danny chose to run. An act of self-preservation which, unfortunately, might end up costing him his life instead.

  Attempting to snuff out the light of his soul and make him a servant of evil, Samael continually sent minions to initiate dreadful and life-threatening events for Daniel. The youths today had been egged on by malevolent whispers. A few of their souls, Todd Morin and Jacob Sundqvist, were now beyond redemption. The others, in particular, Ned Grouse, still retained light, and today’s experience might help them to turn away from the darkness.

  That was the predestination of his descendants. Their lives touched many. Their actions and interactions with others could preserve souls. Danny was special though. His beautiful soul possessed the power to affect the lives of millions … if he survived tonight.

  Gazing at the abused face, Hamon wished he was allowed to work miracles and mend Daniel’s wounds entirely. He was granted the ability to speed his recovery only in extreme cases. Hamon placed a hand over Daniel’s distended abdomen, noting the rigidness of internal bleeding. Danny’s run exacerbated the damage he attempted to heal in the truck.

  “Lord, allow me to intervene. The world needs Daniel. He will die this night if I cannot help him. I beseech You to empower me with the energy of Your healing and life-giving light. Help me to fight evil by saving Daniel.”

  Pure white light emitted from Hamon’s hand.

  Dan moaned in his sleep as his body twitched and warmed.

  Hamon smiled. Though aware Daniel still needed help he couldn’t provide, for the moment, his augmented power kept death at bay. “Thank you, Lord.”

  General Broderick’s Home – 2345 Hours

  “Thanks, this will hit the spot,” Tom said as he shoved his gloves into his pockets and accepted the steaming mug of coffee from Yvonne.

  “Any news?” She peered at her husband’s best friend. William and Tom had been through thick and thin together. She remained grateful this solid, kind man always stood in William’s corner and shor
ed him up when she was unable to be near.

  Displaying a confident demeanor, though internally he recognized the longer Dan was missing, the prospects of finding him alive diminished. “Our best men are searching. They will find him.”

  Yvonne patted Tom’s bicep. “Dear man, I appreciate the optimism. Are you hungry? I can whip you up a hot sandwich.”

  “No. Thanks for the offer though.” Tom glanced at William who stalked the opposite side of the library like a caged lion, a vision he spied many times over the years. “How’s he holding up?”

  Drawing in a long breath, Yvonne exhaled soft and slow. “As well as can be expected. He is blaming himself for not being on time to pick up Danny.”

  Tom nodded. William’s propensity for taking on guilt for actions out of his control was second only to young Daniel’s. A Broderick trait he learned many moons ago. “And you, how are you doing?” Tom linked his arm in Yvonne’s and guided her to the settee. Like the rest, he feared what Dan’s disappearance would do to Yvonne’s tender heart. She already buried one child, and he hoped she didn’t lose another.

  Plastering on a wan smile, Yvonne sat and patted the place beside her. “I’m fine.” Yvonne used the term for many years to mean fatigued, insecure, nervous, and emotional when she didn’t want to broadcast her inner turmoil.

  Ann raised a brow overhearing her sister but kept quiet. Darn it, Yvonne, there is no need to hide your feelings among family … and Tom is family.

  “You do realize I understand what fine means to you.” Tom took a seat next to Yvonne and placed the coffee mug on his knee. Having been on his feet for almost six hours, sitting relieved the ache in his back.

  “Well, it is the truth at least,” Yvonne conceded.

  Becoming aware Tom entered, William stopped pacing and directed his gaze to him. “Tom, anything new?”

  “I wish I could say yes, but no. I’m sorry, my friend, but Captain Barrett scaled back the number of men searching tonight. They will resume at first light.” Tom noted the haggard lines of worry etched in William’s face.