Chapter Text
A loud crack sounded throughout the compact space, echoing off the mossy brick wall now stained with red. Jimmy groaned, slumping to the floor as his vision wavered and he clutched his ribs. “Haven’t you learnt not to resist it yet? Maybe I’d better give you another lesson!”. A fist was slammed into his stomach for what felt like the hundredth time, yet Jimmy knew they were just getting started. Joey stepped back from his prisoner, mouth stretched in a sickly grin as three others watched from afar- different expressions painted on their faces. Pleasure, boredom and- guilt? Regret? Surely not. Joey’s- might I say gang?- came closer. Definitely guilt, but hidden well if you didn’t know to look for it. Jimmy shifted his gaze from regretful cyan eyes to emerald green that screamed “trouble” in at least four different languages.
“Guys please- I didn’t do anything this time I pro-” “SILENCE! Rule number two James, repeat it for me” Joey hissed, eyes narrowing dangerously as he grabbed the front of Jimmy’s shirt. Scott shifted uncomfortably but didn’t look away from the scene unfolding in front of him. “N-no talking unless directly a-asked” He lowered his head, frustrated tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. “And don’t. You. Forget it” Joey had crouched down, looking directly at Jimmy who forced himself to meet the others eyes. His ear-fins twitched uselessly in discomfort. “Good. You’re learning”. His shirt was released- he’d have to iron it again now, maybe bleach it to get out the blood. Its a good thing one of the schools main colours was white. He sighed shakily. His ribs were on fire, protesting angrily at the slight movement that breathing caused- had he bought more bandages yet? He never had enough these days-
The thought was interrupted by a stinging sensation on his cheek. “Look at me when I talk to you” Fwhip gestured dangerously, one hand still raised. Jimmy nodded hurriedly and swallowed the lump in his throat. “You know what? I believe he deserves another punishment for that- wouldn’t you agree? Joey, Sausage? Scott?” Fwhip grinned nastily as nods were exchanged, one more hesitant than the others. “Scott- You haven’t had the honour yet have you?” Sausage addressed his companion who’s eyes widened in horror surprise. “What- no I really shouldn’t. Have to keep this uniform clean you know?” Scott laughed shakily, hands fluttering behind his back. Sausage took a step towards him. “Seriously, I have more fun watching you know? The doing part is just too much effort” His mask slipped on effortlessly, calmness radiating from his slim form. The words did their job perfectly as Scott’s wings relaxed- giving the impression that he really didn’t care.
“Very well. I’ll take a turn, it’s been a while since I’ve had the chance!” Sausage turned from Scott to Jimmy who grimaced, preparing for the blow yet to come. A hit to the jawline sent his head slamming back into the brick wall again, hot liquid trickling from his lip where he’d been biting it- forcing himself to stay silent. The figures were unfocused now, the world tilting slightly. Yep, definitely a concussion. Great. Another hit to the stomach, jarring his ribs. Jimmy cried out piteously, not caring about the rules anymore as dark spots clouded his vision. “Sausage-” “I’m not done with him yet” “Yes but he’s on the brink of unconsciousness. If he can’t get home someone will find him. You know we’re the first they’ll suspect- you’ve had your fun, now leave it” Scott’s words dripped with danger- wings puffing up behind him in warning. Sausage sighed. “Fine, get out of here Jimmy. See you when we see you!”. Laughter echoed as Jimmy stumbled away, climbing over the metal gate as if in a daze.
Luckily he knew the way home off by heart or there was a chance he’d never have made it. Yet lurching from side to side, Jimmy made his way up the path and unlocked the door before collapsing onto the couch. The door closed behind him. They’d done some proper damage this time- surely at least two of his ribs were broken. He groaned and sat up gingerly, reaching for the medical kit he always kept by the couch. It wasn’t there. His head snapped up in confusion at a small noise from his phone.
Lizzie: Hey! You there?
Jimmy blinked slowly before he registered the message and sighed, a soft smile etching onto his face as he replied with fumbling fingers.
Jimmy: Hye sis! Waht’s up?
Lizzie: Nothing much, just bored. What are you up to?
Jimmy: Juts chililing :)
Lizzie: Fun! Anyways, are you excited for tomorrow?
Jimmy stared at the screen bathing his face in blue light and frowned. Tomorrow- what was so special about tomorrow?
Jimmy: Yeha tohmorow-
Lizzie: …
Lizzie: You’ve forgotten again haven’t you
Jimmy: No! Mahybe….
Jimmy: Yesh-
Lizzie: Why am I not surprised
Jimmy: Hye!
Lizzie: It’s the sports carnival remember? Where I’ll be running for swimming Captain?
Jimmy: Ah rihgt, Iy renember now-
Jimmy groaned, his limbs aching from their previous encounter with the ground. He couldn’t go in this state, too many of the bruises were visible- Lizzie would surely notice. It wasn’t that he enjoyed lying to his older sister, he just knew she’d burn down the school if she was alerted. So he kept it quiet, a lie slipping easily from his fingertips.
Jimmy: Lizie I um…
Lizzie: What’s up? You okay?
Jimmy: Yeha I’m jusht- not feerling super well. I fell imto the creak on the waey howm from scoohl yeshterday and I tahink I mey have cawt shomting. I might hayfe two call in sick twomorrohw.
Lizzie: Aw that’s not good! Is that why your typing’s all funny? Poor swamp boy :( Do you need an emergency soup delivery?
Jimmy: Tahnks four the offer- that would be lovely amactaly. Strahange reqwest buht could you nokc on the door and leaf it? I don’t wahnt yoo to catch wahtevar it is. Ahnd I’m sorry- for not beeng there tormoroew.
Lizzie: Yeah yeah of course! Don’t worry about it, just rest up and focus on getting better okay? I’ll text you again tomorrow to see how you’re going. Get some rest <3
Jimmy: Goonigt! And tanks!
He turned off his phone with a sigh, cuts still bleeding sluggishly and sat up gingerly. The medical kit was probably in the kitchen, meaning he had to get up. Jimmy usually left it within arms reach from the couch so he could sit down and bandage up without having to move too much. He must’ve forgotten to put it back last time- a painful mistake. With a low whine he stood up carefully- aware of how every muscle seemed to protest at the movement- and began the slow trek to the kitchen, flicking the light on as he went past. Jimmy began rummaging through the pale grey cupboards, tins of soup and instant noodles being shoved beside before he finally found what he was looking for.
The journey back to the couch seemed even worse as fatigue began to set in. His eyes felt heavy, fingers fumbling with the cloth. The wet cloth he’d brought with him grew darker as he cleaned the wounds, wrapping his chest tightly. A few clumsily bandaged limbs later and he was fast asleep on the couch, hugging a woollen blanket to his chest.
Dawn bloomed, her thin rays of light casting shadows on the sleeping form currently inhabiting the couch. Jimmy awoke with a jolt, pain throbbing dimly as he groaned and turned his back to the sun. It was early, probably around three or four in the morning and jeez he was exhausted. Being beaten up can do that to you. He cursed himself inwardly for not closing the curtains last night- maybe then he would have been able to seize a few more hours of sleep before he got up. Yet the universe was deciding to be a bitch once again. Why it was always against him, Jimmy didn’t know. He simply stared through sleepy eyes as a petal from the lone poppy sitting on the coffee table fell, landing on the smooth wood below.
He sat up, back hurting from sleeping in such an uncomfortable position and yawned as his phone vibrated, causing another petal to fall from the faded red flower. Jimmy frowned before taking hold of the object. A picture stared back at him, memories of better times where he didn’t know Joey or his gang. Just him, Lizzie and her boyfriend Joel. Back when he felt safe-
He frowned and unlocked the device, scrolling to find the message app and tapping on it with numb fingers.
Lizzie: Hey Jimmy. I know this is early and you aren’t going to reply for a while, but I couldn’t sleep. How are you feeling now? Joel says hi by the way. He hopes you get well soon, says he can’t tease you when you’re unwell since it makes him feel bad 🙄. Anyways, text me back when you can okay? Lots of love, The Pristine Egg
Jimmy sighed, the ghost of a smile pulling at his lips as he typed back.
Jimmy: Hiy Lizzie. I cahn’t sleep either heh. Feeing slightly bettre I guess, I can tpye better now. Throats still quite soar. Soop still an option? Tellll Joel I said hi will you? Loove from your small damaged eegg- Jimmy
The house was dark, shadows shying away from the small amount of light streaming through the dusty curtains. The silence was one that only comes with dawn, where even the crickets are dozing and dewy droplets of water slide down the blades of grass and into the dark soil below. Where the faint whispers of sunrise coat the land, announcing the return of day.
Jimmy stood up gingerly, tail dragging behind him and seeming as asleep as he felt, and made his way to the kitchen, opening a cupboard and expecting to find tea. Surprisingly, there was none. No painkillers either by the looks of it. He groaned and closed the door, making a mental note to grab some tea and Panadol at the shops later. He’d just have to wear baggy clothing and hope that nobody noticed. For now however he simply closed the curtains, lay back on the couch and let sleep take him once more.
The silence was deafening, darkness as far as the eye could see and further. Jimmy felt his heartbeat quicken, seeming loud in the stillness. Suddenly a loud laugh sounded, the sound echoing through Jimmy’s mind like a gunshot. A red mist-like smoke began to fill his vision, replacing the blackness with a colour that sparked fear in his heart. Three figures began to walk towards him though the smoke; laughter still bouncing around in his skull. Jimmy tried to run, frantically attempting to get away from the scene in front of him. Yet it was if his feet were glued to the floor, frozen in place. He looked down to see chains binding him to the ground. All he could do was watch in fear as the figures came closer towards him.
“So James, we meet again” the person sporting brightly coloured ?parrot¿ wings chuckled, his eyes a dangerous shade of green.
“J-Joey?” He stuttered, barely recognising the other without his torn uniform. Joey’s wings were proudly on display instead of tucked behind like he usually held them while his hair was slicked to the side. He donned a long crimson cloak rimmed with gold that displayed his bare chest, a turquoise gem sitting in the clasp. Red silken pants came to his knees, a stripe of the same shade of turquoise cutting through the centre while brown sandals adorned his feet. He was laden with gold jewellery, from gold rings to an anklet on his left shin.
”Who did you expect? Scott?” Joey grinned darkly as Sausage and Fwhip laughed. Jimmy froze. Oh cod Scott. He grew pale and struggled weakly against the bindings.
”What- what did you do to him. Is he okay?!” Jimmy pleaded. Joey laughed again.
”Oh don’t worry about him. He won’t be bothering us anymore. Seemed he cared a little too much about you to be a part of us, so we disposed of him. Don’t fret Jimmy, you won’t be seeing him again” Joey held up a white feather, the lower half of plumage coated in red.
The laughter rung through his head like millions of bells as Jimmy fought against the chains, tears dripping from his face. He felt like he was going to be sick, nausea swirling in his stomach as the scene dissolved into a whirlpool of red and white. And suddenly he was falling through the swirls, spiralling down
Down
Down
He screamed, willing it to stop but blood soaked feathers began to fall, sticking to his scales and blocking his senses. Jimmy sobbed, crying out for someone, anyone; No stop help me please no please help me no stop please help
“STOP”
Jimmy awoke coated in cold sweat, his heart drumming through his ribs. He heaved for breath as the nightmare dissipated, leaving behind cold blooded fear. Then the nausea returned, sending him running for the bathroom and only just making it in time. Tears mingled with vomit in the toilet bowl as he sobbed, trying to rid the images of blood soaked feathers from his mind. Why did he care so much- this was Scott! The one who always says no, standing away from the rest and watching as he was hurt over and over and over. His throat burned as bile rose, forcing him to swallow as his ribs cried out. Eventually, the sobs turned into hiccups and he curled into a ball, limbs shaking and tail lying limp beside him. He lay there in silence for what seemed like hours, the cold tiles sapping warmth from his body while he lay there, with neither the energy nor will to get up. Unfortunately the universe decided once more to annoy him.
He was wrenched back to the world around him by a loud knock on the door, forcing him to sit up and stare blankly at the front door from where he sat on the bathroom floor. There was a slight thump, as if something had been put down, followed by the rustling of paper as it was slid under the door. Then just as quickly as the footsteps had come, they retreated. Jimmy didn’t move until he heard a car door slam before an engine roared, the noises growing fainter as he listened. Then it was just him and his thoughts once more. Jimmy scrambled to his feet, legs shaking as he washed out his mouth and wiped his face with a damp cloth. Then feeling slightly cleaner, he stepped towards the door cautiously. A small piece of paper had been pushed under the door, neat swirly writing adorning the parchment.
“To My Poor Damaged Egg. Get well soon! Eat the soup while it’s hot okay? You can microwave it later as well- I made extra :) Don’t bother about the container, I’ve got too many as Joel quotes daily. Anyways, rest up and I’ll text you later okay? Love from Lizzie <3”
Jimmy gave a shaky sigh, the corners of his mouth pitching upwards in a smile as he opened the door. A large container stared back at him from its place on the welcome mat, small flecks of orange coating the translucent lid. He seized it eagerly and locked the door once more, revelling in the warmth it gave off as his tail curled around him in comfort. Suddenly, his phone buzzed once more, prompting Jimmy to stop hugging the container and look up.
Lizzie: Just dropped it off- headed to the carnival now. I’ll tell them you aren’t well okay? Get well soon! <3
Jimmy: Got itt. Tahnks Lizzie- Iy appreciate it. Goood luck at teh carnival!
Lizzie: Will do! Now eat the damn soup. Talk later
He switched it off. All he truly wanted to do was fall back asleep but he forced himself to eat, placing the barely touched soup into the fridge when he was finished. He was just headed to his bedroom when another knock sounded. He froze, glancing at the door fearfully. The silence was deafening, the world seemingly frozen in time- and Jimmy along with it. A slip of paper was slid carefully under the door, the gate outside squeaking as someone pushed past. He didn’t move. The paper lay in a beam of sunshine, dust dancing in the light. Then finally, Jimmy approached the paper, aware of the fact his brain was screaming at him not to, and picked it up. Blank.
Jimmy stared at it in confusion. Why would someone leave a bla- He stopped. In the top corner a small poppy had been drawn, a few petals seemingly floating to the ground. A single sentence was written underneath, so tiny he could barely decipher it.
‘Get well soon’
He stared, pondering the message for a while before tucking it under the poppy on the table and leaving it for the Jimmy of- whenever he woke up.
Yet as Jimmy lay awake in bed, he wasn’t aware of someone doing the same thing, wondering if he, Jimmy, had received it or cared. They turned in bed restlessly, murmuring something only they could hear. Yet far away- Jimmy opened his eyes.
’I’m sorry’