|| Chapter Fifteen || A new home

                                    

                                          
Mark's POV:
                          
As the nurse helped raise my bed, the man and woman took a seat at my feet. I clutched onto Jack's hand tightly as they took out a clipboard and a pen. 
                          
"Mark, don't worry we're just going to ask you some questions about your dad." The lady said in a monotone voice, she'd clearly done hundreds of these interviews before.
                          
"Uh, do you mind if Ja- my friend stays with me?" I asked quietly.
                          
"That's not a problem." She replied and Jack looked at me reassuringly.
                          
"So Mark, I'm Mr. Piper. Let's start at the beginning. Your friend tells me your mum left when you were young. What was the impact you and your dad?" The man said, leaning forward on his knees. 
                          
"W-well." I began, not really wanting to talk to this guy about my life. Jack sensed my hesitation and played with my hair gently. The woman winced and I knew that she found this uncomfortable. It made me laugh a little inside and I loosened up a bit.
                          
"My dad, he..he turned to alcohol as a way of coping and I do to from time to time. I-I have issues with controlling m-my anger too and I'm afraid that I'll hurt people I love."
                          
The man nodded and scribbles something down on his paper.
                          
"Does your dad every get very angry or sad?"
                          
"Yeah..."
                          
"Does he ever...hit you, or abuse you often. I know that this is why you're in hospital but this is simply a routine question."
                          
My voice seemed to dry up in my throat and I had to cough a couple of times.
                          
"He- he used to hit my mum and that's why she left. He takes out his anger on me. I know its just the alcohol but he calls me these horrible names and he k-kicks and p-punches me." I blurt out before I break down like a child in Jack's arms. He soothes me by rubbing my back and whispering in my ear.
                          
"Have you had any contact from your mum since she left?" Mr Piper asked, looking at me intently.
                          
"No. And I'm glad, she left me alone with him." I said angrily.
                          
"Alright Mr. Fischbach, that will be all." They get up to leave but I stop them with a question.
                          
"What will happen to me and my dad?" 
                          
"We're going to arrest you dad for abuse and we'll put him through a rehabilitation course. It's safe to say that you won't see him for a while. And for the moment, do you have someone to stay with whilst we contact your nearest family member."
                          
Jack's mum, who had been sitting quietly in the corner of the room, suddenly spoke up.
                          
"He can stay with us. I'll put a spare bed up in Jack's room it's ok."
                          
Jack's face lit up like a kids at a fireworks show. "Thanks Ma!!!" He almost yelled, ignoring my wince at the loud noise.
                          
"Well that's settled then, we'll be in contact soon Mark." The lady smiled. She and Mr. Piper then walked out the room, leaving the three of us alone.
                          
"Thank you so much Mrs. McLoughlin." I laughed, pulling her in for a group hug. Suddenly, everything seemed to be going better than it had in my entire life.
                          
Sean's POV:
                          
The next day, Mark walked into the house that would be his home for around three weeks. This time, he was fully aware of his surroundings and he took in all of the family photos and funny trinkets we'd collected over the years. Just as he made his way into the living room, my twelve year old sister rushed over and smiled widely at him. "I'm Suzie!" She told him and Mark introduced himself. "Well welcome to our humble abode," She put on a false air of sophistication, making Mark laugh. "Our house is your house, apart from my bedroom. Never ever come in there." She said creepily and rushed up the stairs.