Work Text:
I am the Warrior.
A Malcolm in the Middle One-Shot Story
Lois stared at the piercings in Francis’s nose, fighting the urge to yank them out one by one. This was the final straw, she told him NO absolutely NOT or else. Francis deliberately disobeyed her, again. Hal wasn’t going to stop her this time he was going to the Military Academy tomorrow!
It took two hours arranging the details, the payment to enroll Francis was going to wipe out the vacation fund again. The plan was to drive him there tomorrow, Lois, Hal, Francis, and Dewey would be going. At least Craig agreed to watch Malcolm and Reese for her. It would have been nice to leave Dewey as well but Craig claimed it would be too overwhelming for him to handle before using his inhaler.
~*~
“The number to the Academy is next to the phone, if you need 911 you’ll have to call from your house. We're still blocked currently. No pizza for dinner, we have plenty of tuna casserole and meatloaf left overs if the boys get hungry.” Lois explained to Craig grabbing last minute items to add to her go bag it was going to take 12 hours to get there, something she was not looking forward to. Hopefully Francis would continue to sulk the entire time instead of complaining.
“MOM, this is so unfair! You can’t do this!” Malcolm whined, his face scrunched in outrage pleading on Francis behalf, more than Francis had done for himself.
“Why does Dewey get to go, I wanna go to, it’s not fair, why do we have to stay?” Reese whined at the same time.
“ENOUGH!” Lois yelled, losing her thin amount of patience. “You WILL both BEHAVE and do everything Craig says, I don’t want to hear another word. Do you think this is fun, well it’s NOT!” Lois exclaimed, smacking her palm down on the counter , taking a deep breath, she visibly rolled her shoulders trying to release the tension in them.
Lois looked at Reese and Malcolm standing next to Craig both upset with her, with a sigh she came around the counter attempting to give them a hug, Reese pulled away but Malcolm let her with a disappointed sigh.
“It’s 8am now. We’ll be back Tuesday at the latest depending on drive time and if your father is able to nap enough while I’m driving for his turn. This will be good for Francis and our family. Please be good.” Lois said matter of factly before ruffling Malcolm's hair lovingly before he sighed letting her.
“Don’t worry Lois I got this! We’re gonna have a great time right buddies!” Craig said enthusiastically, nodding his head in agreement. Neither boy looked like they agreed. Before Lois could say anything the car horn started blaring from the driveway. Lois grabbed her bag and purse rushing to the door.
“BE GOOD!” she yelled before shutting the door behind her.
The silence was eventually ruined by Reese who turned on the TV Reese was switching channels rapidly, not really taking in what was playing on each channel. Malcolm thought about joining Reese but didn’t fearing he would be punched in the arm or something. He was about to leave to go to his room when Craig suddenly put his arm round his shoulders giving him a squeeze. Malcolm hated when he did this it put Craigs armpit way too close to his face, did the man ever use deodorant?
“I know you, do you want to play a board game?” Craig asked, looking down at Malcolm still enthused.
“We don’t have any with all the pieces anymore Dewey was mad at losing so was flushing pieces down the toilet.” Malcolm explained, pulling away from Craig's arm.
“Oh no problem, I have a lot of board games at my house. Come on we’ll pick out a bunch and bring em’ over.” Craig said happily, his belly fat jiggling. Malcolm gave a hollow smile humoring Craig nodding in agreement.
“Sweet, Reese you want to stay and watch TV or come with?” Craig asked, already stirring Malcolm toward the door with a hand lightly pushing his back.
“Fuck off!” snapped Reese not looking away from an episode of South Park he managed to find playing on Comedy Central.
~*~
Malcolm had been over to Craig's house before, usually running an errand for Lois or anytime the school was fundraising it was usually the first stop since Craig had a crush on Lois he was always generous.
Craig's house was cool, he had several unopened Action Figures as decorations as well as signed movie posters and a whole wall filled with VHS tapes. Craig had a whole set up of recording bootlegs off of cable and selling them to people around town for a side business.
When Craig and Malcolm stepped into the house the lights were dimmied but on with the TV set up recording Dudley Do-Right.
“Is that Dudley Do-Right? I’ve been wanting to see that since it came out last year.” said Malcolm, his eyes glued to the TV moving closer to the screen. Brendan Fraser who was playing Dudley had just gotten a stuffed moose head stuck on his own head.
“Yeah it just reached HBO. I'm recording it and George of the Jungle for six different people. Easy money.” Craig grinned before opening a closet that normal people would store coats and shoes, it was filled with games and more toys.
“TADA” Craig yelled out waving his arms showing off his collection.
“Neat” said Malcolm with a grin moving away from the TV to look at the closet goods.
“I got several classic games like Risk, Uno, Yahtzee, and Monopoly. Or some newer games like Jumanji or Cranium. ORRRR if you want I also got a massive collection of Magic the Gathering cards!” said Craig while Malcolm started pulling out a stack to shuffle through the games.
“Can we? I have a small deck I got for Christmas last year!” Malcolm said taking out Jumanji from underneath two different versions of Monopoly. Since neither of the Monopolies were Star Wars it being on a different shelf he put the unwanted games back.
“Sure thing, they’re in the shoe boxes on the bottom and the blue binder has all the special cards including my holographic !Chaos Orb Card. Hey, would you like some Strawberry Ice Cream? I made it fresh just last night. I just got a new maker, can you tell me if it tastes ok?” Craig said already moving toward the kitchen the door opposite the front door and closet Malcolm was in currently.
“Yes please” answered Malcolm grabbing for the cards and binder next.
Craig's enthusiastic smile dropped as soon as the door swung shut behind him after he came into the kitchen. He grabbed two different colored bowls already prescooped out of the freezer putting them on the counter before opening the fridge grabbing a can of whipped cream out give both bowls a small spiral, next taking out a small jar of maraschino cherries two of his fingers barely fitting in the jar to pinch at a stem plucking one out to place perfectly on the cream.
Craig cleaned the small mess he made humming lightly before grabbing two spoons bringing the bowls out to Malcolm.
“You have Weapons and Warriors! I heard it’s the most violent boardgame in the last decade! We have to play this first, PLEASE, PLEASE!” Malcolm asked, jumping up and down excitedly shaking the game contents in the box.
“Sure we can but first come over and eat your Ice Cream, don’t tell Reese I don’t have enough for him too.” said Craig putting Malcolm's red bowl down on the coffee table in front of the couch instead of giving it directly to him sitting down in a recliner next to the couch digging into the Ice cream in his own blue bowl.
“Thank you” Malcolm said more calmly before setting the Weapons and Warriors game down on the stack and closing the closet door. After sitting and sinking down on the middle couch seat Malcolm snagged his red bowl, the cream already starting to run.
Craig couldn’t help himself holding his breath watching Malcolm as he took the spoon dipping it through the cream and ice cream bypassing the cherry scooping a generous portion of white and pink. He watched as Malcolm opened his mouth for the bite, his tongue dragging along the bottom of the spoon sucking the concoction into his mouth. Malcolm didn’t notice this staring or that Craig's pants had tented too focused on the movie and eating.
“Do you like it?” asked Craig drawing Malcolm's attention risking having Malcolm notice anything suspicious.
“Yeah it’s great, do you think you could make cookie dough like Blue Bunny?” answered Malcolm, still watching the movie, eating it pretty fast, a habit learned from having to fight his brothers for seconds, something you couldn’t do unless you finished your plate first.
“Good idea, I'll try it next time.” Craig went back to eating from his own bowl pleased with his plan so far.
~*~
Cold. Why was he so cold? Has Dewey stolen the blanket again? Malcolm shivered, reaching around without opening his eyes trying to find the blanket.
Malcolm felt something soft under his hand but not a blanket or something to pull on top of himself. He continued to reach around further the soft feeling stopped his hand feeling an edge and then rough and scratchy. He peeked finally, barely opening his eyes. He was on the floor lying on top of some type of plush animal skin rug and the cheap carpet underneath.
Malcolm was so confused, where was he? Why was he cold? Looking down made him realize he wasn’t wearing anything except his underpants. With another body shiver Malcolm curled around himself pulling his legs up to his chest. Malcolm was tired, still dizzy, confused, freezing, and now fearful. Hearing the sounds of footsteps coming to stand next to his head. Malcolm looked up squinting through his blurry vision, seeing feet, legs, before focusing on Craig bent slightly standing above him.
“Silly Malcolm, you're gonna ruin the movie.” said Craig, bending more to stroke the side of Malcoms face with his hand, a manic look on his face.
“Movie?” Malcolm barely asked his vision and head spinning as Craig poked his nose with a finger.
“Yeah my movie, you're going to be my star, but not yet.” said Craig mockingly before pulling a bottle and cloth from off of the moved coffee table. Craig poured some of the liquid into the cloth before holding it up to Malcolm's face, the boy not able to put up a fight at all before going limp again.
Craig had been busy since Malcolm had passed out. The living room was transformed and the coffee table moved, making a large boxed area between the couch, TV, and recliner. He laid down his special bear skin rug he had bought for Lois and his pretend anniversary two years ago. Next he set up the tripod and video camera on the coffee table angled perfectly to be able to capture from that angle he had four more cameras around the room for different angles later he was planning on editing it all together and blurring himself of course. It was good he had grabbed the chloroform just in case.
The movie was left on, no reason to shut it off, it was still making him money and no one that would get his ‘home movie’ would give a crap that it's playing in the background. Last time he made a home movie like this he had been recording the Golden Girls for Mrs. Griffin the old bitch paid him since she was too senile to know how to do it herself.
He only had a few things left after adjusting the lighting, he grabbed a framed picture of Lois smirking to put under the camera on the coffee table. It never failed to make his dick twitch, having Lois look at him from the frame. Lube? Check. Condoms? Check. Alright last thing Craig grabbed before starting a plastic shopping bag, opening it Craig lifted out the only contents a red mini skirt wavy with a stretchy waistband. Perfect.
~*~
Reese had somehow lucked out and Comedy Central was playing a South Park marathon, he was on his fourth episode so far when his stomach gurgled loudly after seeing another pizza commercial.
“Craig, can we get Pizza?” asked Reese, tempted to lick the screen, he had done it before but it only tasted like dust. When no one replied Reese finally sat up from the couch looking around.
“Heelllloooo????” Reese's voice echoed in the room, still empty, no one replying. Reese was struggling to remember if they had come back or not. As soon as he stood up he had a sudden urge to pee. After relieving himself with the door wide open, something he knew annoyed Malcolm on purpose, figuring Malcolm would materialize out of nowhere to complain. Reese considered going back to the TV since the commercial break had ended but he was still hungry and wanted that pizza. Reese figured since he had to do the work of tracking Craig down to ask the least he could do was pay for it.
It was almost 11am Reese guessed that the two were still next door since Craig's car was still in the driveway.
Reese would later think about the 12 steps it takes to get from his house to Craigs and have no idea how to describe the feeling that came over him. A foreboding feeling like something was about to happen that would change his life forever. At the halfway point of stepping onto Craig's lawn his whole body tensed, his gait going from heavy to a slink making an effort not to make any noise. Reese went through a ninja movie phase last halloween getting pretty good at sneaking. Lois put her foot down after Hal had screamed for the fourth time and broke a lamp that had been broken and duct taped back together twice before that.
Reese crept onto the front porch hearing a TV playing through the door. Instead of going straight for the door knob Reese crouched down until he was level with the mail slot lifting the metal cover to look into the house. For five minutes Reese watched through the slot, his senses gathering data drawing conclusions until settling on the truth before gently closing the cover, careful not to be overheard before retreating back to his own house quickly.
First he ran to his closet throwing some clothes that had been thrown on his football gear. After dawning his shoulder pads he tried to find his helmet next but he forgot where it was having not put it up properly the last time he used it. Giving up on the helmet next Reese went into his parents room. All of the boys except Dewey knew about the gun safe stashed in the bottom of the sock draw. When Lois wasn’t home one day Hal took it out in front of Francis, Reese, and Malcolm calmly explained how to use the gun, the importance of safety and the consequences if they ever were to be caught playing or handling the gun without it being an emergency before cleaning it thoroughly. All three boys swore, understanding and appreciating their dad more for sharing something so important with them. Even Francis who loved to antagonize his parents to dangerous degrees wasn’t tempted.
After putting in the combination they’re moms birthday, Reese took the gun out a small handgun, he took out the magazine checking to make sure he had bullets before sliding the magazine back in, double checking the safety and how to take the safety off and on to make sure he didn’t fumble it.
Once Reese was sure he grabbed the fuzzy handcuffs out of another drawer he shouldn’t know about but all the kids were snoops, shoving them into his shorts leg pocket. Finally he was ready to rescue Malcolm.
~*~
Reese eased the back door open with one hand. It led to the kitchen which was perfect because Craig was facing toward the front door not the kitchen, he hadn’t noticed the slot before because his eyes had been closed.
Smack. Smack-Smack. Smack.
The sound of skin smacking skin and pig sounding grunts and moans of Craig were as loud as the TV playing next to him from the kitchen. Reese briefly fought the urge to gag, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves before opening the door. The door didn’t make any noise as Reese crept in, his gun perfectly held in both hands aimed at Craig's sweaty moving back.
“FREEZE!” screamed Reese the gun steady. Craig did in fact freeze in position mid thrust not even moving his head, just making gasping noises like he had to run.
“GET AWAY FROM HIM!” Reese screamed next, still holding the gun as steady as he could with the adrenaline coursing through him.
“What do you want for me to freeze or me to move?” Craig made another pig-like sound before thrusting again.
BANG!
Reese was so pissed that he had squeezed the trigger, the bullet hitting Craig's right shoulder.
“FUCK!” yelled Craig finally separating himself from Malcolm and dropping his body he had been holding to turn to face Reese.
Craig moved faster than Reese would have thought for such a fatass, managing to smack the gun out of Reese’s hand. Then smacking him in the cheek hard enough to knock him over and bloody his nose.
“You little bastard, come here so I can choke you and then I’m gonna–” Craig never finished his threat to Reese.
BANG!
When Craig had slapped Reese knocking him to the floor it had been where the gun had flown. Thanks to video games and paintball with Francis and his friends Reese executed a perfect roll before turning and shooting Craig right in the head.
Reese watched as Craig pitched forward the momentum carrying him after he had been shot hitting the floor in front of Reese, a surprised look slack in death. Blood pooling from the bullet hole in his forehead. The bullet hadn’t been big enough to go through his skull completely.
He stepped away from Craig to go around the couch to Malcolm. Malcolm was still sprawled unconscious naked except a bright red skirt hiked up enough not to cover anything where Craig had dropped him. Reese grabbed the cordless phone from the coffee table and a throw blanket that had been on the recliner shaking it out before wrapping it around Malcolm cradling him to his chest in the blanket just holding Malcolm for a moment feeling him breath.
After a few moments Reese finally dialled 9-1-1.
“Ring, Ring, Ring– Hello you have dialed 911 please state your name and your emergency clearly.” The female operator asked with a slight Spanish accent that was easy to hear.
“Um, my name is Reese Wilkerson and I need an ambulance and the police or whoever gets dead bodies.” said Reese adjusting the phone and Malcolm.
“Okay Reese can you give me your location and are you in danger?” asked the operator, her voice staying calm. Reese gave the address and answered no to being in danger, he explained that he was worried about Malcolm being unconscious asking for her to hurry. After answering more questions Reese calmed down a little deciding he didn’t want to be in the house too close to Craig's naked body. He picked up Malcom taking him outside to wait on the lawn with the phone still working.
Reese had to only wait about 10 more minutes before the cops showed up slamming on the brakes and getting out of the police cruiser.
“PUT THE BOY DOWN AND PUT YOUR HANDS UP!” yelled the meaner looking officer, both men pointing their guns at him and his brother.
“OK, OK” Reese repeated slowly putting Malcolm down before lifting his hands in the air.
“THERE IS A GUN NEXT TO ME! THE SAFETY IS ON!” Reese yelled his hands up, still not even gesturing. The mean officer that yelled was now close enough to kick the gun next to Reese away before the second officer with the perm put his gun away putting Reese into cuffs behind his back.
For once Reese didn’t fight back just letting them do the protocol of searching him.
“Do you have any weapons or drugs on you?” the Officer asked while patting him down. Meanwhile another police car and the Ambulance had arrived the medics seeing the unconscious boy that was reported already jumped out checking him over and taking his vitals.
“I only had the gun.” Reese answered that the shoulder pads were digging in with his hands cuffed behind his back. He should have taken them off before the police came.
“Is there anyone inside?” the Officer asked next, gesturing to Craig's house.
“Just Craigs dead body I think” replied Reese so matter of factly both medics paused to look at him along with the police officers all four, the two new Officers entered Craigs house searching.
“Do you know if–” The medic paused, not knowing the name. “He’s my little brother Malcolm.” said Reese, his voice cracking finally as he said Malcolm.
“Do you know if Malcolm was drugged?” asked the medic while strapping on a heart monitor to Malcolm's chest.
“I don’t know but why else would he still be unconscious?” Reese replied, biting his lip in an effort to keep his emotions in check.
“How’s he looking?” asked the Officer to the medic nodding at Malcolm.
“His vitals are suggesting that he was drugged. We're going to take him to the ER and give him some Naloxone on the way.” replied the medic before the two medics started to load Malcolm onto a stretcher to load into the ambulance.
“Dispatch we have a DOA, gunshot wound to the head, homicide, copy” the radio cackled, before dispatch acknowledged the statement, agreeing to send a detective and forensics.
Before the ambulance left one of the medics gave an Officer a few medical supplies to clean up Reese’s face, his nose had stopped bleeding earlier. The mean looking Officer cleaned up Reese’s face before putting him in the back of the police car.
~*~
After another 20 minute wait both the detectives and the forensics showed up. Forensics went into the house after being debriefed while the detectives divided one following forensics, the other being led to Reese.
“Hello, I’m Detective Ed Green, is your name Reese Wilkerson?” asked the Detective an African-American man with a New York accent middle aged in a professional outfit suited for the warm weather. He had opened the cruiser door to talk to Reese face to face.
“Yes sir” said Reese softly. By now there was a crowd of neighbors behind a police barricade they had to set up to keep them back all asking questions and being nosy.
“Reese, can you please explain what happened here today?” Detective Green asked miming for a bottle of water from one of the officers for Reese.
“My parents took my oldest and youngest brothers to Alabama. My brother Francis has to go to the Marlin Military Academy. While they’re gone- cough, cough” Reese had started to explain but his mouth was so dry. Detective Green helped Reese drink from the water bottle holding it for him until he was finished enough to speak.
“While they’re gone,” Reese paused again briefly, “they had our next door neighbor Craig who was supposed to be watching me and Malcolm.”
“What time did your parents leave?” the Detective asked, writing in his handheld notebook.
“Around like eight cause I had to get up early even though it’s not a school day.” Answered Reese.
“After they left I was watching TV. We had been in my house,” Reese nodded his head at the Wilkersons house. “It - it wasn’t long after they left Craig and Malcolm left to go to his house to get some games or something.”
“Why didn’t you go with them?” asked Detective Green, his gaze heavy on Reese.
“I was,” Reese shook his head, “I was too busy watching South Park, angry about Francis leaving and being left behind.” Reese finished emotionally.
“My stomach started to growl at almost 11 so I got up finally, I hadn’t realised they weren’t back yet. I used the toilet and figured they were still next door so I went to go check.” Reese said, pausing , remembering the damn walk to the next house's front door. “I - I don’t know why but instead of knocking or going in, I - I looked in the mail slot just to spy.”
Reese shook his head again not really wanting to talk about this or relive it, Detective Green waited patiently not rushing or interrupting Reese.
“I could see him, Cr-Craig and my brother, he was, he was raping him.” Reese finally whispered brokenly what he saw, tears welling up some more while he tried to squeeze his eyes shut from the pain.
“What happened after that?” Detective Green finally prompted after several moments.
“I” Reese took a deep breath clearing his throat, “ I went back to my house to prepare for battle. I got my shoulder pads, couldn’t find my helmet, and my father’s gun, he keeps it in a gun safe in his room.” Reese finished nodding along to his words, staring at his lap mostly.
“Why didn’t you call the police?” the Detective asked curious instead of accusatory.
“We got put on some banned thing after all the crank calls, no one can call 911 in my house, if you try it just hangs up.” Reese replied, “I knew Craig was facing the front door so I went in through the back door, it wasn’t locked I went in through the kitchen.”
“He hadn’t heard me come into the room, I yelled at him to get away from Malcolm, he still continued while trying to mock me, so I shot him in the shoulder. Craig finally let my brother go, but he managed to knock the gun out of my hand and then he hit me in the face. When he hit me the loser had knocked me to the same spot as the gun, he was screaming about how he was gonna kill me I think when I shot him again… I killed him.” Reese said, slipping into shock a bit.
“After that I called 911 from his phone and took my brother outside while waiting, I didn’t want, want him to be near that fucking pedo piece of shit anymore.” Reese finished with more tears running down his face.
“Thank you Reese, give me a few minutes. You want more water?” the Detective asked, holding up the unfinished bottle. Reese declined with a shake of his head, Green re shut the door before going up to where his partner and forensics was gathered.
“What can you tell me?” asked Green, his partner Lennie gestured for forensics to go first.
“The DOA was shot once in the shoulder, no exit wound, and then again in the head, no exit wound, I would say from the angle the shooter would have to have been below him probably on their knees while they had been in the process of going toward the shooter. I would say self defense.” she concluded, gesturing for Lennie to continue the next part.
“Some great news besides the amature porn set up here,” Lennie gestured at the camera and finally paused. “If you turn to this wall,” there were three floor to ceiling shelves holding VHS tapes, with a push of his hand Lennie opened a hidden door in the middle shelf hiding a room. “We found the hidden room.”
The inside was sickening on so many levels, it held everything Craig wanted to stay hidden, porngraphic images, of kids and Lois that were clearly taken without her consent, an entire shrine of Lois including a blow up sex doll with her face and hair glued on with two more wigs on display. Several computers and more tapes with romance labels. And a shelf of sex toys and a rack of kids costumes hanging in the closet.
“Alright that’s enough, I’ll get on the phone to the D.A. and explain.”
~*~
After explaining to the District Attorney it was going to be ruled self-defense. And the ban on calling 911 was going to be lifted hoping they wouldn’t sue.
“Alright Reese lets see if we can get ahold of your parents.” said Detective Green after helping Reese out of the police cruiser and uncuffing him.
Reese finally took off the shoulder pads before flexing his muscles stiff.
“There’s some phone numbers inside.” Reese replied before they both went into the house.
They could only leave a message with the school since they hadn’t arrived yet, it now being around 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
It was decided that Reese could stay with Malcolm at the hospital. Reese was dropped off after grabbing some clothes for Malcolm.
When Reese arrived at the hospital he was shown to his brother's room. Malcolm was awake, something Reese hadn’t been expecting. Without saying a word Reese dropped the bookbag and ran to Malcolm drawing him into a hug burying his face into Malcolm's neck just holding him.
“Reese” Malcolm finally said after a while, prompting Reese to pull away finally fresh tears visible.
“Are you ok?” asked Reese quietly, the officer assigned to look after them was stationed in the hallway at least.
“I don’t understand what’s going on? No one has really talked to me, they just would say I was drugged and going to be okay.?” Malcolm asked in return.
“I mean does it hurt? Are you in pain?” Reese clarified for Malcolm.
“I was in a lot when I woke up but they gave me something now it just hurts a little.” Malcolm answered squirming before wincing. “Reese please.” Malcolm asked again, grabbing onto Reese's hand that had been in reach. Reese allowed it freely.
“You know how we’re not supposed to take anything from a stranger because we could be drugged and kid napped or some shit?” Reese asked, Malcolm nodded confused. “Well it turns out that you shouldn’t eat anything from babysitters either. Craig drugged you.” Malcolm's eyes widened as flashes of memories went through his mind.
“The Ice Cream” Malcolm whispered paling in realization.
“Look, you don’t have to worry because I took care of it.” Reese said not explaining properly praying Malcolm would drop it knowing he won’t, it’s Malcolm.
“What did he do and what did you do?” Malcolm asked, wincing again from moving slightly the wrong way.
“He,” Reese shook his head why did he have to be the one to do this where were the fucking doctors or they’re parents, Reese wasn’t going to do it until he looked back up at Malcolm who was silently crying already deep down knowing exactly what happened just needing to hear the words spoken for him.
“Craig was raping you.” Reese choked out before both brothers burst into tears hugging again sobbing together.
~*~
Lois thought the 14 hour drive wasn’t too bad considering only having to listen to someone complain on and off for only a few hours most of the time the lull of the vehicle and low volume of the radio had them sleeping through most of it. The Marlin Academy brochure was quite accurate to the location, even lit up from outdoor lighting, the sun having already set since they arrived a little after 10pm.
She had been reassured that no matter what time they showed that Francis could still be enrolled and moved in an hour or two.
“It’s not too late, we can stop the payment and go home.” said Hal the voice of reason, they hadn’t gotten out of the van yet parked looking at the building as soon as they went inside it would be a done deal.
“Please Mom, don't make me go here, they’re gonna turn me into a nazi or something.” Francis whined again, his pleading heard and dismissed.
“You should have thought about that before the car fire and the nose piercing I specifically told you not to get, now your nose has enough holes to be swiss cheese. It’s going to take an act of God to change my mind.” Lois said, with a groan they all got out of the van. Hal helped Francis with his suitcase while he carried a dufflebag and bookbag.
Lois helped steady a still sleepy Dewey while also ringing a buzzer for someone to let them in since the door was locked.
“Please state your business?” the intercom buzzed loudly startling Lois minutely increasing her blood pressure.
“We’re the Wilkensons. I spoke to Colonel Spangler about enrolling our son Francis.” Lois said, holding the speaking button down.
“Oh yes we’ve been expecting you please come in.” said the voice into the intercom before a loud buzz sounded and the door electronically unlocked allowing Lois to open the door for the four of them. The main doors opened to a sort of welcome area before a glassed off section like a bank teller would have with an office look on the other side. An older gentleman entered through the opposite double doors that must lead to the rest of the building, he was dressed in his military uniform still having chosen to stay professionally dressed to welcome a new cadet and his paying family.
“Welcome to the Marlin Academy this must be my new cadet. I’m Colonel Spangler. I'm in charge of the Academy and I promise that we’ll get him straightened out. You are the Wilkersons correct?” The Colonel asked, shaking Lois and Hal’s hands.
“Yes we are the Wilkersons, this is my son Francis I talked to you about on the phone, I’m Lois and this is my husband Hal and my other son Dewey.” replied Lois with a smile trying not to stare at the man’s hook unlike the other three that hadn’t looked away since they clocked it.
“Francis, are you going to live with a pirate?” Dewey asked innocently, confused. Francis knew Dewey already knew about disabilities and was just screwing with the guy but they’re mom and dad didn’t.
“Dewey!” Lois said, covering Dewey's mouth in embarrassment, “I’m so sorry.” She apologized and Hal was still staring. Francis tries not to laugh and fails covering up with a fake cough.
“It’s alright, it happened in the war.” said the Colonel, not elaborating further.
“That reminds me, The police department from your town has left a few messages saying they've wanted you to contact them after you arrived.” The Colonel mentioned slowly like reading a menu to himself disregarding the offers as spoken uncaringly why the Police needed to contact the Wilkersons clearly something to do with their delinquent son.
“That’s strange, did they leave any phone numbers?” Hal stepped in speaking for the first time.
“Yes if you’ll follow me I have the messages in my office and we can get started on the paperwork.” the Colonel replied before leading the way, the doors buzzing open to allow entrance. The Colonel tried to give his usual guide tour but Hal was persistent in interrupting asking questions about the messages, setting off a mini polite argument couples do in front of other adults in professional settings that has everybody wanting to cringe around them.
After they stepped in the Office Lois and Hal sat in the chairs while Francis and Dewey sat on a bench he had against the wall for this very purpose, the Colonel went around the desk handing over the three sticky notes with the pertinent information of a Officer Green and his phone number, who he was trying to reach and the time. Nothing saying what the Officer wanted.
“May I borrow your phone?” Asked Lois standing to reach the desk phone already pulling it so she could dial and sit back down in her chair.
“You may and you need to dial 5 before the number to get connected to outside numbers.” said the Colonel sitting down and picking up his dog cuddling him in his lap.
~*~
Lois sat behind the stirring wheel, taking her left hand off the wheel, flexing it, it stung still after she slapped the Colonel in the face. He had said a rude comment once he realised they were leaving and taking Francis back with them.
Hal was passed out in the back seat along with Dewey. Francis was next to her in the passenger seat fiddling with the glovebox.
“Mom, why are we going back?” asked Francis in a low tone to not wake the others. It was almost two in the morning. They had been back on the road for four hours; the others passed out for two. Lois looked over at Francis seeing the worried look on his face. Lois could feel her chest aching with that look. They are coming up on a rest stop, Lois pulled in, parking the van, the only vehicle there.
“I gotta pee.” She said before exiting the van headed for the restroom surprised Francis had also followed her. He didn’t follow her into the women's room at least. Francis used the restroom in the men’s side since he was already there afterwards he looked around before finding his mom in front of a crappy vending machine selling off brand soda. Most of the buttons labeled with sold out stickers just stared at the machine holding change in her palm, not having made a decision.
“Mom?” Francis asked cautiously, coming up to stand beside her.
BANG! BANG! CRACK!
Lois had kicked the machine three times before the plastic sheeting cracked, a line of sodas popping out of the bottom along with all of the change in the machine malfunctioning.
Francis had never seen his mother upset like this before, Lois pulled him into a hug. After hugging for several minutes they separated, scooping up the change and free soda taking it over to an outdoor picnic table near the machines.
Lois opened a soda taking a few small sips, Francis doing the same, waiting on his mom to say anything, sensing he shouldn’t push for once.
“The Detective Green said Malcolm is in the hospital, Reese is with him, they’re being watched by an Officer until we get there.” Lois said quietly more than she said earlier only mentioning they needed to leave immediately for a family emergency and that the ‘Whole’ family was going.
“What happened to Malcolm?” Francis asked, anxiety etched in his expression.
“He told me, he was sexually assaulted but okay.” Lois finally choked out before covering her face with her hands like she could force the words to be taken back some how.
“Was it Craig?” Francis asked immediately, looking over to the van instead of his mother.
“How would you know that?” Lois asked, taken aback at the question, dropping her hands to look at Francis.
“Sometimes he used to creep me out.” said Francis, generalizing his answer, not bothering to think of a specific occasion that had occurred.
Lois started to cry finally, once her sobs quieted down Francis helped put her in the van in the passenger seat taking over the driving home, the only one awake enough for the task.
~*~
With Francis' help they arrived at the hospital a little before noon, without as many drivers on the road and speeding they did the 12 hour drive in 11. The ER nurse that knew they’re family by name when they came in showed them to Malcolm's room and paged the Doctor for them. The Officer spoke quietly with Lois and Hal before leaving to go to the station and home after.
“Mom, Dad, Dew–, FRANCIS!” yelled Malcolm from the bed. Luckily the tray from breakfast was out of the way since Francis rushed past his parents and Dewey to pull Malcolm into a tight hug. Reese was getting the same treatment from Lois and Hal. Dewey sat down still tired after being in the car for 28 hours. After Francis let go Lois and Hal swooped in next to hug Malcolm Francis sat on the end of the bed since Reese was in the only other chair in the room not taken by Dewey.
“Knock-Knock” the Doctor said while knocking coming into the room. “Hello I’m Doctor Cox.” the redheaded Doctor said before sneaking a look at the chart as Lois and Hal greeted him.
“Malcolms doing great the drugs have completely been flushed from his system and his kidneys are still working fine he had some blood in his urine yesterday but that’s been clear since last night. I’ll write him a pain prescription you can fill out at your pharmacy. He’s going to be sore for a few more days at least. No baths or the pool until the stitches have fallen out completely but showers are fine. If the stitches bust or you noticed bleeding then bring him back. I also included a list of,” Dr. Cox finally paused mentally picking out the wording he wanted to use that wouldn’t immediately set this family off, sometimes it was hard to tell. “Mental health professionals.” He finished looking at Malcolm who understood judging by the way he was looking away from him. “I’ll need you to fill out a few things and then he’ll be discharged.”
“Thank You Doctor.” said Hal while Lois started filling out the forms for the insurance companies.
Just as the forms were finished a new knock on the door sounded it was Detective Green in a new suit by himself.
“Hello Mr. and Mrs. Wilkerson, I’m Detective Ed Green. We spoke on the phone.” The Detective introduced himself by shaking hands. “Can I speak with you both privately and then you can get out of here promise?”
“Fine, Francis.” Lois said only needing to say his name, trusting him to look out for the group until they returned.
Detective Green led the couple to an unoccupied conference room of the hospital.
“Thank you for speaking–” Hal interrupted the Detective, his patience at an all time low.
“Just what the hell is going on exactly? I didn’t push when we left Alabama after how upset you were but I want to know right now damnit!” Hal shouted looking between the Detective and Lois. The Only one still standing, his bloodshot eyes, wrinkled clothes, and messy hair adding to the effect.
“You didn’t tell him?” asked Green, looking at Lois mostly.
“We still needed to drive back safely if I told him we would probably have gotten into a wreck.” Lois said quietly before pulling Hal's hand into hers, “ Please sit down”
For the next hour they discussed what they knew, questions they didn’t know and would have to ask Malcolm since he hadn’t been interviewed, Reese, Hal’s gun, and the press.
“Look I’m just saying this is going to be national news by the end of the day probably. At some point the information about what happened will leak, call Jennifer and she'll help you navigate.” advised Green.
“Thank you, we’ll discuss our plans after we get some sleep.” Lois said nudging Hal who was still pissed but calmed down from murder rampage level to just arson levels.
“I hope you find and arrest or shoot whoever that fatass bastard was selling too.” Hal snapped on his way out the door. The police had found a ledger of clients now they just had to figure out who received normal things and who received the child pornography.
“Hal please” Lois tried again, “No” replied Hal was too angry and sleep deprived.
They silently made it back to the room. Francis, Reese, and Malcolm were awake watching the TV in the room. Malcolm had gotten dressed in the outfit Reese brought for him. Dewey was asleep on the bed now instead of Malcolm. Hal took one look at his sons before the anger settled finally enough for the emotional trauma to eclipse his emotions. Ignoring the awkward angle he pulled both Malcolm and Reese into a tight hug.
“Let's go home.” Hal finally spoke after releasing them.
The family finally left the hospital after waking Dewey, no one having the urge to carry him to the car.
After the family got home everyone went to bed and not a single one of them pointed out how Craig's house now had police keep out tape across the front or small crowd of neighbors outside behind a barricade. It seems the police were still gathering and cataloging all the evidence.
~*~
It was dark in the room when Reese woke up, his heart racing from the nightmare. Looking around Francis and Dewey were both passed out still but Malcolm was missing.
Reese decided to look for Malcolm after using the toilet. He found Malcolm on the couch reading a book.
“Why are you reading?” asked Reese sitting down on Malcolm's feet since he was sitting sideways with his legs and feet on the cushion. Malcolm pulled his feet free before putting them on Reese’s lap. In a different world this would have instigated Reese to retaliate and start messing with Malcolm but not this time. He let him keep his feet in his lap.
“Couldn’t sleep anymore, didn’t want to make a bunch of noise.” Malcolm replied, turning the page still reading. Reese observed him and the room for a few minutes.
“Are you hungry?” Reese offered, figuring Malcolm hadn’t gotten anything to eat since there were no empty bowls, plates, or wrappers nearby.
“Yeah.” said Malcolm, finally looking up hopefully at Reese. Reese nodded before getting up and going to the kitchen. There wasn’t a lot to choose from after a mental debate Reese took out the leftover tuna casserole heating up two servings adding extra cheese and seasoning it. It looked better than when they’re mom cooked it the first time.
“Here,” said Reece, handing over the bowl to Malcolm, “Thanks,” he said, accepting the offering of food, closing the book. Reese turned on the TV, The A-team was playing a show Hal had introduced to them before so they just let it play as they ate.
They finished quickly enough just sitting together watching the show, Malcolm started to fidget and bite his thumb nail.
“Spit it out” said Reece after Malcolm started to bounce his leg.
“Did you really kill him?” whispered Malcolm finally looking at Reece. Reece stiffened slightly not expecting the question but knowing eventually it was going to come up.
“Why do you ask?” asked Reese, being evasive.
“I saw a little bit of the news earlier and they said he had been shot and killed.” Malcolm continued to whisper and bite at his thumb.
“Yes I did.” Reese said truthfully, looking Malcolm in the eye choosing not to lie. Malcolm bit his bottom lip trying to stop the words before they could escape.
“Do you regret it? Or wish you hadn’t?” Malcolm asked, failing to contain the words, his eyes turning glossy wheeling with tears.
“No I don’t, that shit stain deserved to die, the only thing I would change even if I went to jail for the rest of my life, was if I could kill him the moment he stepped into our house that morning before—” Reese was cut off between his emotional statement and Malcolm launching his body across the couch into Reese’s arms.
After they both cried for a while, they eventually would go back to watching the TV and falling asleep together on the couch. The closeness giving both of them comfort.
~*~
Over the next few days, the Wilkersons would eventually be harassed by reporters when eventually they got ahold of more of the story. In an effort to gain peace they would eventually agree to be interviewed and tell their story on 60 minutes, the TV show would somehow get the boys from Boy Meets World to play them in the reenactment, Reese thought Rider Strong played him great, while Malcolm thought Ben Savage made him look like a weenie and was too old to portray him accurately.
Malcolm was glad to leave his regular class behind to join the Krelboynes, no one wanted to talk to him anymore. Word of course had spread to the students about Reese how had killed someone, and Reese had made a big speech the first day of school how if anyone were to mess with Malcolm or Dewey he would gladly beat the crap out of them.
It worked because everyone had taken to avoiding him. One drawback was looks of pity mostly from adults that had a better understanding of the situation. Caroline Miller was one of the worst, acting like Malcolm was going to burst into tears at any moment. Eventually Malcolm did have an incident when it was someone’s birthday. They had brought their favorite dessert to share with the class, strawberry ice cream. The whole episode ended with Reese having to calm Malcolm down, after that Malcolm was forced to attend a few counseling sessions before they stopped making him go.
Francis changed as well ditching his stupid friends after some callous things were asked, Francis punching Ricki in the mouth. He was never forced back to the military academy but eventually would still go work on the Ranch and meet his future wife Piama Tananahaakna.
Lois found a new job, something that was more fulfilling and more importantly paid better. She no longer wanted to even go to the Lucky Aid anymore, even though he had lived next door she had never gone over to his house. Lois' relationship changed with the boys as well, leaving Francis and Reese in charge when available, trusting them to watch and keep the others safe.
Hal got his gun back eventually, teaching them how to shoot properly. He was so proud of Reese that he found him a junked golf cart and they fixed it up together. Now Reese was able to drive it around.
Dewey and Jamie's stories didn’t change much except that the family was closer.
The biggest change was Reese and Malcolm, they had a close brotherly bond and we’re there for each other always.
~*~
The End