Might not be the best idea

From his experience Locke knew that blood always took a higher importance to kids when it came to ouches than say, a bruise. Bruises usually didn’t show themselves until after the first pain had been forgotten. At that point the injury was fun. Rainbows might contain the spectrum of colors that are in light, but if you want to see a kaleidoscope of colors, you need look no farther than a dermal contusion. Blood was an instantaneous proof of pain. Chase might end up getting black eyes if Locke had broken the nose, but getting a lid on that blood flow was the important thing. Sure Chase had just unleashed a force ten disaster of knowledge, and Locke was going to have to handle that information. But in the end Chase was still a little kid that was hurt and scared. Chase hadn’t blocked the blood flow so he was stepping in to do so.

At last Chase couldn’t take it anymore and he got up, mumbling an apology to Locke and sprinting out of the library. It would seem that today Chase was very much in the mood for running. Locke hadn’t been in this sort of situation before. It wasn’t like his sister had disobeyed him by doing something incredibly stupid and dangerous like Chase had. Even if that had been the case, and Mai had done something as bad as becoming a psychopath, she was his little sister. There was that family tie to think of. Blood was thicker than water after all. When he had been Renee, Chase had claimed to be part of the thicker liquid, but the teen still didn’t feel the same sort of connection to Renee. Kendra, while distant and unsure, felt more matronly than Renee did. An attack tends to keep that from happening though. Suppose though that Mai had done something as bad as Chase did. How would he handle it? Disappointing those who had authority over you, which by tutoring Locke technically did have, could be as bad, if not worse than them getting angry at you.

And there was a little bit of anger there on Locke’s part. He’d done nothing to Chase in the past but had just been attacked. Not just any attack. This was the sort of attack you’d see animals do on the Discovery Channel. Surely prey animals felt some ill will towards their assailant upon escaping. If nothing else you would be angry about such a violation. Whenever trouble befalls someone the first question seems to be “why me?” You don’t even have to believe in a higher power to question the universe’s tendency to make you a butt monkey.

Anger was only a small secondary emotion. Chase was probably scarred, but Locke didn’t know why. If anyone should have run away it would make more sense for Locke to have done it. After all, Chase’s nose was bloody, but that was because he had gotten hurt in assaulting Locke. Confusing? Very. This had stunned and confused the teen long enough for Chase to get a head start. Confusion, anger, and concern were an odd mixture to feel towards someone half you age. Let Chase go cool off, Locke thought. Time outs were rare in his household for the twins, but his dad had to give him plenty. A little cool down time, and then… Well, Locke couldn’t really punish Chase for his actions. He wasn’t Chase’s dad, big brother, or teacher. Ms. Taylor would have to do that. Chase was going to have to tell her what happened. It would teach Chase that when you do something so dangerous and stupid you have to face the consequences. If Locke spilled the beans the only lesson that would be taught is “Don’t get caught.”

The teen headed back down the stairs and went to the table they had been working at. What photos had been left behind went into his jeans back pocket with the others. For now he needed to let Chase run, but it wouldn't be long before Locke hunted him down. His books were put into his backpack and the laptop tucked under his arm. It seemed about enough time now to let Chase decompress on his own. Time to clean up this mess.


((End thread))