Penguin - 7. Chapter 7

**Warning** Contains descriptions of physical abuse.

Sean

“So, a text message, huh?” I stood in Daniel’s doorway. I was surprised he even opened the door. He looked at me, panic-stricken.

“You need to leave!” He started to shut the door, but I stopped it with my foot.

“You’re not getting out of this that easily. I think I deserve an explanation.”

Daniel looked desperate. “Please…Sean…You can’t stay here! It’s not sa…” he trailed off and looked at me fearfully.

“It’s not safe? Talk to me, sweetheart. Let me help you.”

Daniel looked like hell. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. He had what looked like a fading bruise on his cheek and his appearance was gaunt; like he hadn’t been eating. My heart broke at the sight of him.

I stepped inside the apartment. Daniel sighed and stood with his arms crossed.

“Thank you for taking Timmy. He’s a great cat and I’m sure he’ll be happy with you and Penguin.”

“He’s still your cat. You can come get him whenever you’re ready to.” I tried looking into his eyes, but he wouldn’t look at me. “Daniel…talk to me, baby. I thought we had a really good thing together.”

Daniel looked at the floor. “Sean, don’t. This is hard enough.” He whispered.

“Then why are you doing this? Daniel, you look like hell. Don’t tell me for one minute that you’re happy with the way things are.”

Daniel frowned into the floor. “You need to leave. Trevor will be back soon.”

“I think it may be better if I stay.”

His eyes got wide and he started shaking. “No! You can’t stay! I couldn’t stand it if you got hurt!”

“How do you think I feel knowing he’s hurting you?”

“Sean, please! Leave now!”

I reached for him and he flinched away, staggering backward. I wanted to retch.

“Please…Sean. We’re though. I’m with Trevor now. You need to leave and get over it.” He inhaled deeply. “I know I have.”

I looked at him in disbelief. “Fine. I’ll leave for now, but I’m not giving up on you. Daniel, you need help!”

“I don’t need help! I know exactly what I’m doing! Now get over it and get the fuck out of here! We’re through!” he shouted.

I walked toward the door, and then stopped and turned around. “This isn’t over, Daniel. I love you, and I’m not giving you up without a fight.”

Every step I took away from Daniel was excruciating.

Daniel

After Sean left I collapsed on the couch, trying to stifle the sobs that threatened to consume me. Seeing him again just confirmed how much I loved him. I smiled, remembering that he told me he loved me, too. The way he said it was so different from the way Trevor said it. I sat bolt upright the minute I thought of Trevor. He was due home any time. I hoped like hell he hadn’t seen Sean. Whenever Trevor was drunk or in a bad mood he threatened to find Sean and beat the crap out of him. Or worse. I wasn’t willing to risk Sean’s safety, so I put up with Trevor’ bullshit.

I knew I’d better calm down and get cleaned up before Trevor came home. He’d suspect something was up and that wouldn’t be good for anyone. I went into the bathroom and started the shower. I stripped and looked at myself in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw. I stepped into the steamy shower and winced as I washed the spots tender from Trevor’s anger. I thought of Sean and slid down the wall and put my head in my hands. I couldn’t stop the sobs that wracked my body. I was ashamed of what I had become. I was with my ex who almost killed me, I lost the man that I love, I lost my cat, and I was pretty sure I lost my best friend, too.

I wished like hell that I had the backbone to stand up to Trevor, but I almost died the one time I did. I was also terrified of what he would do to Sean if anything happened to me. I was so wrapped up in self-pity that I never heard the door open.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

I scrambled to my feet, lost my footing, and fell head-first into the soap dish. Trevor grabbed my arm and yanked me out of the tub. I cried out and he slapped me.

“Shut the fuck up!”

I could smell the whiskey on his breath. He dragged me out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. He shoved me onto the bed. I lay there, cowering, and hating myself even more for it.

“Your slut was here, wasn’t he.”

My eyes grew wide and I shook my head vehemently. I hoped like hell he hadn’t seen him. He had.

“You lying piece of shit. I saw him leaving, you whore! So were you in the shower washing off his filth? Did you really expect me to come home and fuck you after he just did?” His voice was getting louder and louder until he was screaming at me. He tried to hit me, but I scrambled off the bed. I should have just let him. Trevor grabbed my leg and my momentum carried me off the bed and onto the floor with a sickening snap as I put my hand out to stop my fall. I cried out in pain as Trevor descended on me and my world went black.

Sean

I stood in front of Robbie’s door, debating whether I wanted to knock or come back after I called first. The sounds coming from the apartment would make a porn star blush. I decided that Daniel’s well-being was worth a hell of a lot more than my discomfort.

I knocked on the door and heard a pause in the moaning. I knocked again a little louder and an annoyed Robbie answered the door wearing an afghan around his waist. “This couldn’t wait?” he hissed.

I frowned at him. “It’s Daniel. He really needs our help.”

Robbie scowled. “No shit. The fucker doesn’t want it.”

“C’mon, man! Let me in. This is more important than a piece of ass.”

The girl looked at me indignantly. “Hey! Robbie, are you going to let him get away with that?”

“Sorry baby, but this is kind of an emergency. How about we finish this later?” He walked over to give her a kiss.

She slapped him across the face and then gathered her clothes, put them on, and left. “Don’t bother calling me again, asshole!”

“Wasn’t planning on it.” Robbie muttered.

“Do you think you could get dressed for this conversation?”

He grinned at me. “Oh, c’mon. You know you want it.” He made a lewd gesture.

I leered at him. “You know it, baby. Now let’s get rid of that afghan.”

“Ha! I knew there was a reason I liked you.” He disappeared into his bedroom and returned wearing a pair of boxers. “You want a beer?”

“No, thanks. Look, I just came from Daniel’s and it’s worse than I thought.”

Robbie sighed and sat down on the couch.

“You guys were on the couch, right? I won’t get any nasty surprises if I sit on the chair?”

Robbie choked on his beer. “Nah. Not this time anyway.” He grinned.

I rolled my eyes and sat down. I relayed my encounter with Daniel. “I think he broke up with me to protect me. I don’t know what to do, Robbie. Do you think calling the police would help?”

Robbie scoffed. “I tried that last time. Daniel has to want to press charges and he won’t. Look Sean, like I told you, Danny has a big blind spot when it comes to Trevor. I thought after almost dying it’d be different this time, but dammit if that mother fucker stole him back again!” Robbie smashed his fist into the couch arm.

“It was just you last time, Robbie. Now it’s both of us. Men like Trevor are really just cowards at heart. I say we both go to Daniel’s apartment and get him the fuck out of there. He can move in with me.”

Robbie raised an eyebrow.

I smiled at him. “I told him I loved him. And I meant it. I’ll protect him with my life if I have to.”

“Well let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that. Let me get some clothes on and we’ll kick that piece of shit’s ass all the way back to prison!”