PART 11

Thomas awoke with a small sigh, he had never felt so warm, so comfortable. He didn't want to open his eyes, he didn't want to come back to his world of nightmares. J-JOE awoke in Thomas's arms, he felt so safe there when it was the version he knew, Thomas did as well. He started to blush and looked around nervously to see if anyone was there, "Are you ok?" he asked.

J-JOE shrugged his shoulders at the fact he couldn't respond, he blushed slightly again before slowly reaching up to embrace him, giving him a gentle squeeze. The moment he felt his warm body and soft flesh next to him, he let out a relaxed sigh. He felt himself drifting back to sleep, and he didn't want to leave Thomas. But he could feel that Thomas needed him, and he felt it was his duty to stay with him. Not for selfish reasons, but for him. He was a little scared, he didn't want to upset Thomas, but he needed him.

"We're gonna be ok" he spoke quietly as Thomas opened his eyes to see him "I promise" he said.

Thomas shook his head at J-JOE, he didn't want to be alone but there was nothing he could do about it. J-JOE layed there, waiting for his head to stop spinning, and for his eyes to adjust. Slowly he looked around, trying to see if he was in a hospital room. J-JOE sighed "We're still in the hospital," he said in a soft voice.

J-JOE reached up and brushed his hand across Thomas's cheek softly, smiling at him as he did. Thomas looked up at him slowly, "I'm glad to see you're sounding better." he said.

J-JOE just nodded, he wanted to believe him. "Thank you" he said quietly, giving a quick hug to his friend. He knew Thomas would never leave him even if he could, so he wanted to do what he could to make him feel better. He still felt his emotions were tied up in knots, he had wanted so badly to stay with Thomas, and he could still feel the warmth of his body beside him.

J-JOE's head tilted slightly as he watched Thomas struggle to find a reply, the boy slowly returned the smile he gave him. He reached up to brush Thomas's hair out of his eyes, he was always so soft. It was a warm comforting feeling that he wanted to hold on to. He didn't want to let go and leave him. He wanted to hold him, not as a friend, not as a friend because he was in a hospital, but as a friend because he was there for him, he needed him. He needed to hold him and hold him and hold him some more.

As his arms slowly encircled around J-JOE's waist, he let out a soft sigh of relief. He couldn't remember feeling so calm and safe in his life, not before the incident, not since. It made him feel a little bad, but it felt good all the same. J-JOE felt warmth flood into him. He was so used to people avoiding him. He liked it when Thomas came around to him, he could always tell what he needed. He knew he had to get up, and he had to try and move. Thomas could tell something was wrong, but it was hard for him to say what.

He didn't want to get Thomas's hopes up. "What's wrong?" he asked.

J-JOE smiled again, he liked to see Thomas's face when he was happy, it made him happy to be with him. "You know what?" he started, smiling as he leaned back so he could look into Thomas's eyes. "You're the best. I think I could have lost my mind without you being there." He said.

J-JOE nodded "Yeah" he said, he wasn't too good with words lately. He knew what was going through his friend's mind at that point, he needed a kiss, he wanted to see him smile.

Thomas looked up at him with tears in his eyes, "Thank you" he said. He wasn't really sure what he meant, but he knew J-JOE understood and that was enough for him. J-JOE's eyes closed softly and he let out a happy sigh "I'm glad" he said as he gently rested his head on Thomas's chest. He felt warm and loved. He could see how much he meant to Thomas. He could see it on his face. J-JOE wished he had a name for the feeling, it made him feel so much better.

Eventually, Thomas left J-JOE's hospital bed, and the room. J-JOE layed in bed feeling refreshed and ready to start the day, since yesterday was basically the worst day of his life; he figured this day couldn't get any worse. When Thomas returned to his room, J-JOE noticed that Thomas was looking somewhat disheveled. He was very different to how he had seen Thomas in the hospital, his hair was disheveled, his pants hung low, and his shirt was untucked. He was more of a mess than when he had gone to J-JOE's hospital room the day before. Thomas then sat on the bed, facing J-JOE. He looked down at the floor, almost as if he was ashamed of himself.

"Are you ok?" J-Joe asked.

"No. Not at all." Responded Thomas, "This whole situation has been hell. You're injured, the police suspect me as a killer, and I think I'm losing my mind...!"

"Like you haven't already?" Thought J-JOE, "I'm sorry, my Mom didn't tell me much about what was going on in the media. I saw some of it, but I really haven't been following the news lately. And as I was leaving my house, an ambulance and the police came to my house. I didn't know what was going on."

"Which one?" J-Joe asked.

"What? My Mother obviously." Thomas said, confused.

"No, but like, which one though?" J-JOE knew Thomas had two Mom's so he wanted to know which one.

"I... Dude, what are you talking about?" Thomas said.

"Which one of your Mothers didn't tell you?" J-JOE asked again, "Your Mom or your other 'Mom'?" J-JOE asked, now more confused.

"No, I have one Mom. I don't have another." Thomas said.

"Mmmm... You sure?" J-JOE asked, "I mean, your Mom and her friend sleep in the same bed, and also co-parent when it comes to raising you, so... You know? You have two Moms." J-JOE said.

"Lynelle is just a friend." Thomas said.

"That doesn't matter, we're still talking about Moms. You have two." J-JOE said.

"I have one Mom, Lynelle and my Mom are just friends." Thomas said, but J-JOE saw that Thomas was starting to become a little confused by all this.

"But they sleep in the same bed together," J-JOE cocked his head to the side, "That's not a red flag to you? Like, at all?"

"So? I've slept in the same bed with my friends. It's not a big deal." Thomas said.

"Yeah, but we're talking about Moms. Your other one. She might be a friend, but your Mother is your Mom. Right? So you have one Mom, who is your Mom, and another, who is just her friend. No, you have two, not just one. I'm sorry." J-JOE said.

Thomas was still a little confused. "I have one Mom." Thomas repeated.

"Your main Mom. Her and your other friend sleep in the same bed, but your main Mom isn't just friends with your other friend. So she's one of your Moms, not your friend. But you still have two Moms. Right?" J-JOE asked.

"So how do you have two Moms? I only have one Mom." Thomas said, "She's my only Mom. I only have one." Thomas repeated.

"I'm sorry. I just can't wrap my head around you, you're a little confused right now, aren't you?" J-JOE said.

"No, it's fine." Thomas said, "I just don't understand how I have two Moms."

"And how are you going to do that? When you have two, you still have two. Two equals two. Now, you say you have one Mom, and one friend. Why?" J-JOE asked.

"Well, it's hard to explain..." Thomas said.

"Is it? I think I understand, you were born, and grew up, and were raised by your Mom and her friends. Two is still two. I'm sorry." J-JOE said.

"But..."

"Thomas, your Mom is gay!" J-JOE blurted.

"What? No." Thomas said, "I don't understand!"

"No, Thomas, your Mom is gay. She sleeps in the same bed with a woman, and co-parents you with her. So Thomas, your Mother is gay. They slept in the same bed together, and you still only have one biological Mom. That's all." J-JOE said.

"So... My Mom is gay?" Thomas said, confused, "That's not possible."

"That's right, Thomas. Your Mom is gay." J-JOE said.

Thomas stopped, looking down at his shoes, clearly deep in thought - Could his Mom really be gay? He had always thought of his Mom as a strong, independent woman, never one to give a damn who she was dating and what kind of music Thomas listened to. He knew he was being unfair. He knew he should be happy for his Mom. The fact that she was gay was no longer relevant, to him anyway. Yet, for some reason, he just couldn't seem to accept it. Maybe, deep down, Thomas didn't want to accept it. Maybe, deep down, he just wanted his Mom to be straight, just as she had been since he was a little boy. He couldn't think why this should be, but then he thought about why would he want a straight Mom anyway? He knew he loved her. He wanted her to be happy, and if she was gay then so be it.

Thomas looked back up with a grin plastered on his face. towards J-JOE, who looked absolutely stunned and frozen in place.

J-JOE had no words to describe what was going through his mind. He was just staring back at Thomas, a complete open and blank look on his face as he watched Thomas's lips go askew and curl into a wide grin. J-JOE had never seen Thomas grin that big in his life. It was really almost silly, but it looked completely natural on his face. He hadn't seen Thomas's face so happy in his entire life. J-JOE was totally shocked. Thomas's face seemed to have this sort of radiance behind it. You could even see a bit of a sheen to it. There were sparks floating around his face as if there were some sort of energy flowing off of him. It was so damn beautiful. The first time J-JOE looked at Thomas, he was just an arrogant punk kid. Thomas was just a complete punk when they first met, a complete bastard, and one of the most arrogant young males he'd ever seen. But, with that same glare and attitude he always wore, Thomas would sometimes catch J-JOE's eyes, and a strange sort of expression would pass over his face as if he was wondering why he was even looking at him.

But now...he couldn't imagine what was going on in his head right now. His smile, the longer he held it, became off-putting. For some reason, Thomas felt like smiling even more. It almost felt like there was some sort of electrical charge passing between them, a current of energy that he could feel in his fingertips. J-JOE had the feeling he wanted to say something but nothing would come to mind. He knew that he wanted to get that stupid look off of Thomas's face. It was the strangest thing. For some reason, he just couldn't bring himself to say anything. It felt like the stupid grin would never come off of his face. A current of electricity was flowing between them. Something, anything would just do. There was something about Thomas's smile that just really, really felt good. J-JOE wanted to laugh, but he couldn't, even though he desperately wanted to. He just stood there staring into Thomas's smirking face with this smile that he knew he wanted to punch, to be honest, but it was impossible.

Thomas cackled out loud and took a step forward, grabbing the front of J-JOE's shirt and bringing him towards him, right up against his face, and then he just let loose with this long, deep sigh. He then pulled back to break contact and then laughed and pulled away. J-JOE was stunned. He could feel the current of energy that was flowing through him pass from Thomas to him. He felt so strange. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't. It was like someone just pulled the words out of him. His mouth was completely dry and he knew that there was more of this energy flowing between them. He looked like he had a look of amazement on his face. He finally managed to say something.

"What's-what's goin-going-on with y-you right now?!" J-JOE stuttered.

Thomas's answer was so perfect, so perfect that it made him weak in the knees. Thomas stood there, looking at him, with this big cheesy grin on his face. He laughed and shrugged, "I don't-I don't know. I feel- I feel just like-just like... I mean-I feel great! I really feel great! You're just as adorable as ever!"

J-JOE's mouth was so dry, he could hardly speak. He almost gagged. He couldn't get any words out. He knew that he wanted to say something, he just didn't know what to say.

Thomas was a bit flustered, and he giggled, "What's the matter, J-JOE? You look a little lost...and kinda a little, I don't know, maybe like a little shy... Maybe it's something about my smile?"

Thomas stared into J-JOE's eyes, he could tell he was scared. He looked like a lamb to slaughter, awaiting death but it never came. Thomas never broke eye-contact, he never blinked, always staring into J-JOE's eyes. He could feel his breath on the left side of his face. He felt the warmth of his body, so strong, yet so delicate. Thomas took a small breath, then opened his mouth and licked J-JOE's face. He ran his tongue around the sides of his mouth and then opened his mouth and took a bite.

"T-Thomas...?" J-JOE was shocked.

"Oh, my dear James, it isn't Thomas." Replied Thomas.

"What, what is it then?" J-JOE pleaded. He knew he was about to die.

"It's The Scar-Face Reaper." Said Thomas. J-JOE was still shaking.

"Wha—?" J-JOE looked at Thomas. His eyes widened. He sounded so afraid.

Thomas turned his head slightly and then licked his lips. He was enjoying the taste of J-JOE. He ran his tongue down J-JOE's cheek. J-JOE was trembling. He was not only scared for himself but he was also scared for his parents and his friends. His heart was pounding out of control.

"No! Thomas, please!"

Thomas stopped, he knew he had to kill him. If he didn't, it wouldn't be right, J-JOE had to die. Thomas pushed him into the wall, the whole wall. J-JOE was gasping for air, he couldn't even scream. His heart felt like it was going to explode out of his chest. He reached to his chest, but he couldn't take his heart out. He felt Thomas's rough hands on his chest. Thomas was hurting him. J-JOE couldn't move, he couldn't even shake.

"Please stop." J-JOE begged. He knew what was happening to him but he couldn't do anything. Thinking quick on his feet, J-JOE pulled out a syringe and pointed it at Thomas's left arm. J-JOE pressed the needle into Thomas's arm with what strength he had. Thomas felt the needle going into his skin. He felt the rush of warm liquid run down his arm. He felt a burning sensation. He liked pain. Pain made him happy, it made him feel alive. The pain went on and on. His vision was starting to blur. Thomas was feeling very happy. He liked a little challenge when he killed his victims.

"Stop! Thomas, STOP!" J-JOE was crying. He could see Thomas's hand in front of his face. J-JOE was still holding the syringe. He knew he had to do something fast, so he lied. "Thomas, this is a deadly poison. If you keep going on like this, it could kill you."

"N-NO!" Thomas grabbed J-JOE's arm, he was hurting J-JOE badly.

"I'm going to kill you! You'll never see your family again! If you have a soul, then it will burn in hell." Thomas started to cry. Thomas grabbed J-JOE by the throat, lifted him into the air, and slammed him into the floor. He sat on top of J-JOE, hands wrapped around his neck, choking him.

"I hope you burn in hell forever!" Thomas screamed.

J-JOE's eyes bulged out from their sockets and his skin turned pale. The tears on his cheeks turned to a blood-like substance that covered his entire face, "I'll make sure," he gasped. "I hope you burn in hell forever!" he screamed.

J-JOE's eyes bulged out from their sockets and his skin turned pale. The tears on his cheeks turned to a blood-like substance that covered his entire face.

"I'll make sure," he gasped. Thomas let go and the blood trickling from his face hit the floor.

J-JOE, in a daze, looked around, "I knew you were a bad, bad, man." He said. J-JOE crawled away. His right arm was hanging over his chest, and his face was covered with blood.

Thomas looked down at the blood and slowly let out a sigh. The door burst open and six guards with batons and guns stood in the doorframe.

"Get the hell out of here," one of the guards barked.

The guard looked down at Thomas, "You're one to talk, you murdering bastard," J-JOE faintly commented.

The guards shoved J-JOE back outside, then shoved Thomas out after him. One of the guards grabbed Thomas by the collar and pulled him out of the room. The other guards followed. J-JOE lay on the floor in a pool of blood and was still, the blood seemed to have still not dried.

J-JOE was on the floor, lying in a pool of blood, in a hospital bed. He was not moving. There were no guards in the room, no doctors, just J-JOE on the floor. His right arm was hanging over his chest, and his face was covered with blood. He had lost a lot of blood. His eyes were bulging, but no longer looked bloodshot, just glassy and empty.

Thomas felt a slight tingle inside him and he realized that he still had one chance to escape; grabbing the guard that threw him outside, he slammed his forehead on the man's nose, breaking it. The man screamed and released his grip on Thomas. Thomas ran through the emergency room doors, the guards had chased him away from J-JOE. Thomas quickly ran into the elevator, the elevator doors closed, then opened. Thomas ran out of the elevator, pushed open the emergency room doors, and ran out of the hospital to rethink his plan of killing J-JOE.

"Why won't that son of bitch just die already?" Thomas thought, "It's like he has some sort of plot armor!" He was beginning to feel overwhelmed. He wasn't sure what to do next. He knew that he had to be ready, and to be ready, he had to escape. The guards were coming. He had no time. He needed a place to go. He looked around, and decided to walk to the nearest store.

Thomas walked into the shopping mall, which was a short way from J-JOE's hospital. Thomas was in the area, by himself, he wasn't sure if anyone would notice, he didn't think so. Thomas walked into a store. He didn't really need to shop for anything. He just needed to find a place to hide for a while. He walked into an electronics store and started to browse the shelves. He browsed the shelves for about thirty minutes. He was not finding what he was looking for. He looked up at the shelves above him. Thomas's eyes widened, "Oh my God!" he said.

It was an arcade machine. The machine had many games on it. On top of the machine was the sign "arcade machine with games." Thomas walked over to the machine and placed his hand on it, "I've played some of these games before," he said. Thomas's face lit up. "These are the games I've always wanted to play." He went to the end of the shelf and started to look through the games, there were many different types. There were space games, racing games, adventure games. He pulled out a racing game, "Let's race!" he said.

Thomas started to push the buttons. He pulled down the racing tracks, one at a time. He selected the track. He put his hands on the controls and pulled back. He started the racing track. He pulled back, and then slammed his hands on the racing track. A wave of excitement ran through him, "This is going to be so fun!" he said. He looked at the controls. The car was going to start now. He looked back at the tracks, and then quickly turned back around. He pulled back, and was going to push in. The car was speeding forward, and Thomas's hands were pushing the steering wheel back and forth. He looked forward, and his eyes widened, it was so cool! There was a screen in front of him. He glanced down at the game, racing his car through the course. He pushed in a little bit more, his car was in perfect control. He looked up at the screen again. It said, "You've been eliminated. You're out of the race."

Thomas's face turned to that of shock. He could not believe it. He tried to press in, but nothing was happening. His hands just rested on the racing controls. He pulled his hands away and looked up at the screen again. He was out of the race. He was crushed.

"That wasn't my fault," he said. "I wasn't cheating."

Thomas put the game away, "There must be something else here." He looked at the shelves and then over at the machines. "Where are those games with no rules," he asked. As he walked around the store, he noticed something that was quite the surprise - A fully realized version of 'Lucille the Vampire Bat' from The Walking Dead. His eyes glistened as he thought of the many ways he could torture criminals with it. He could tie them up, and lock them in a room and wait until they were hungry. Then he could pull out a pie and eat it in front of them, and the person would get scared, and then start begging. He would then watch them go through the stages, be happy with the way he is torturing them, and when he got bored of their begging he would bash their brains in.

His smile widened. "You don't even need batteries."

Thomas wanted the bat, he wanted it more than anything else in the world at the moment; he wanted it so much he wanted to die. Not caring about the consequences, Thomas smashed in the glass case that held 'Lucille,' breaking it. He reached in, his hand grabbed the bat, and quickly pulled it out. He smiled, "Guess now I'm a criminal... How ironic." He laughed in his mind, and then ran off into the darkness. He was going to show everyone what the bat did.