Grace and Stella comes to his rescue!

With Johnny eyes shut tight he could do nothing but wait. He feared what would happen once this monster grabs him, yet he could do nothing to save himself. His body had been shut down by the hallucinations, he was helpless as his emotions made a mess out of heart, and soul. He didn’t want this to happen, he didn’t want to keep feeling like this. Yet there was nothing that he can do, there never was. As he waited he felt a hand on his shoulder. Ever muscle in his body clenched up. It got him this abomination had got him!! What will it do to him? A million terrifying scenarios raced though Johnny head. What was this thing going to do to him. Eat him, kill him, **** him, violate him. Ever possible terrible outcome becomes his fate, every undesirable event his destiny. Johnny’s mind becomes his tormenter before the perceived torment has even begun. Tears started to leak out his eyes as he squeezed them even tighter. Then instead of feeling himself he roughly yanked to his feet, or pushed down, or there being any sort of physical aggressiveness. A arm gently wrapped around his waist, he then felt a warm body press against his, as gently some one helped him to stand up.

Was this a trick, some cruel joke from the beast? In the whirlwind of Johnny’s panic, and fear that is what his mind screamed to him it was. That this was just a underhanded plot to make him drop his guard. Yet through all the noise in his brain, something cut through it all. A small voice told him he was wrong, that it was okay now. That he didn’t need to be afraid any more. Johnny wasn’t one for optimism, always assuming the worse. This time though he felt like he needed to trust that voice of hope on his head. That if he did drop his guard, there would be relief rather then increased suffering.

So slowly, Johnny opened his eyes. He blinked away the tears as his vision gradually started to come into focus. As he finally was able to see clearly again he saw Stella face in front of him. Her lips were moving, she’s was saying something yet Johnny can’t quite make it out. She then pulled Johnny against her, and hugged him tightly. The words then became clear to Johnny as he could hear her whispering into his ear.

“Are you okay please, don’t cry I’m here for you, don’t cry I’m here it’s over now.” Stella kept repeating over and, over.

Johnny hugged Stella back, tears rolled down his cheeks as he rested his head on her shoulder. His mind subsided, as did the fear, and panic fade. He took deep breathes, his heart rate started to slow back down, as Johnny felt a wave of relief wash over him. As Johnny hugged her back, Stella hugged Johnny even tighter, stroking his hair as she cooed more comforting words into his ear.

“Sshhhh, your okay, your okay now, I got you, I got you, your safe, your fine, don’t worry I’m right here.” Stella spoke in a manner that a mother would a to a hurt child, her voice soft, with a slightly high pitch.

“Rrahhh get off of me uck!” A familiar voice grunted, seemingly in a struggle.

Johnny looked behind Stella to see Grace holding down a vaguely familiar looking woman in leather tench coat with some sort of judo hold. Johnny assumed this was Willow, without her image wrapped by his mind he finally got a proper look at his assaulter. She was pale skinned, her hair shaggy, and dyed a bright green. Her outfit looked like something out of punk band, with a spiked leather jacket, as well as ripped jeans, and a black t shirt with a demon logo. Her face was oval shaped, and she appeared to have a bit of a muscular build. As well she seemed to be at least 8,5, you won’t be surprised if that was at least wasn’t part of the reason why no one jumped into help you.

“I must INSIST, you calm yourself Miss Willow I shall have to deploy a more uncomfortable hold to restrain you.” Grace’s said, speaking in professional manner, yet with a sharp bite of distain in her voice.

Grace’s face held a cold and calm look, showing barley any expression at. A visage which hid a fiery anger which burned deep with in her soul. She had nothing but wrath for willow because of the way she acted. One thing you noticed was that Grace certainly seemed to be a lot stronger then she looked. As she was able to easily hold down bigger Willow with out much struggle.

“Get o-off me-e, let me have the slut!” Willow barked, still having some fight in her as she attempts to roll over to her side and get Grace off of her.

The slut comment however seemed to be the last straw for Grace. As in one swift movement there is a sickening crack, and Willows arm was suddenly bending the wrong way.

“Arrrgghhhh youuuuu fuughhh!” Willow cried out.

Grace then let go of Willow leaving her to writhe in pain on the floor.

“I warned you MISS.” Grace said, the word Miss having so much venom behind it as Grace spoke Johnny was sure it would actually poison Willow.

“W-wow, scary...” Johnny said a bit intimidated that Grace was capable of doing something like that, though not having any sympathy for who she did it to.

“What is going on here!” An authoritative voice suddenly boomed.

The crowd started to part, and standing in the path is an middle aged women in a fancy looking suit.

“Mother...” Stella breathed as she sees her mom marching over.

“I’m so sorry Johnny but I have to take care of this.” Stella apologized as she breaks the hug between the two of them.

“H-Huh?” Johnny said a bit confused, and upset not wanting to leave Stella’s arms just yet.

“I’m sorry really just give me a few minutes okay, James can you take care of him please?” Stella said to her younger brother who Johnny just realized was standing besides him.

“Right.”

Then as Stella let go of Johnny, James took him by the hands.

“Come on now follow me I’ll take you some where safe don’t worry.” The boy said starting to gently pull Johnny.

“B-but Stella...” Johnny protested even as James started to led him away.

“I know I miss her when she goes to, but don’t worry she’ll be back soon she just has to make sure everything okay first alright?” James said giving Johnny a sympathetic look as he leads him through the gathered crowd.

As he pushed through, James took Johnny out a door, and into a seating area in the outside balcony. James brought him over to table, where he sat Johnny down while sliding a chair next to him for him to sit as well. He then suddenly threw himself at Johnny, and embraced him in a tight hug.

“That was terrible, just terrible no girl should ever treat a guy like that, I’m so so sorry that happened to you!” James said as he squeezes so tight Johnny fears he might crush his ribs.

“I-it’s okay I’m fine...” Johnny said as he struggles to breath in James’s iron like grip.

“No your not fine, no one would be fine after going though something like that!” James insisted as he broke the hug, looking like he him self is going to start crying on Johnny’s behalf.

James then opened his purse, and started frantically looking though it. He then pulled out a little bag of wipes, and immediately brought one to Johnny’s face.

“Here here, let me clean you up, oh all your make it’s all a mess, Willow is awful she’s just awful!” James ranted as he quickly cleaned up Johnny’s face, helping to fix some of his makeup which has been messed up by his tears.

Before Johnny could even really protests it, James has already finished. With all the make up that was out of place fixed or wiped away.

“I can reapply the rest of it later if you want, but please is there anything thing you need, anything just ask me please.” James placed one of his hands on Johnny’s knee in a affectionate, almost familial way.

The boy then suddenly hugged Johnny again, not as hard this time though thankfully.

“I feel terrible about this, I’m sure Stella does to, like we all do.” James said.

He then sat back in his chair, holding one of his hands by the wrist with the other.

“This shouldn’t have been allowed to happen, this absolutely should not have happened.” James said, quickly wiping tears from his eyes.

This time he really had started to cry. The boy was a gentle soul really. A true empath, and a kind heart person. James very much was the type of boy who inherited almost every trait that is considered manly. He was also very much an innocent boy as well. While some boys can be vindictive, and jealous, or two faced, James is none of those things. He only wished to get along with people, and form bonds with people where ever he went. Truly he was a picture of boyishness that almost ever upstanding women would praise him for being.

Johnny felt almost a bit overwhelmed by Jame’s outpouring of affection, and concern . To him Johnny almost saw James as an energetic puppy. Cute, loving, and a tad bit hyperactive. Though perhaps it was just circumstance that is making James act in such away, Johnny really didn’t know. He hadn’t ever really had any friends to know if this was how boys usually act around each other. What ever the case was though James’s caring attitude towards Johnny made him feel a lot better. To see someone devote so much concern to him, and how he felt. It really was something Johnny never had experienced before. Could this be what friendship is? Johnny thought to himself.

This time Johnny was the one to surprise and, embrace James. Johnny, just thankful for James being there for him, hugged him as tears started to well up again. This time Johnny cried happy tears as opposed to sad ones though. They were joyful tears. Shed because he’s had found a friend in one of his darkest moments. As he thought back to Grace, and Stella as well it seemed to him that a lot of people actually cared for him. The more he thought about it the more his tears came, as his walls started to come down. For years he had sealed away all his emotions just to make it through another day, and now it felt like he was finally releasing all of it. He was finally letting it all go.

James just silently hugged Johnny back, sensing intense emotions from Johnny he kept quiet. He made sure to Just be there for him as he lets it all out. Johnny started to cry more intensely, sobbing as years of trauma, and **** all bubble to the surface at once. James, rubbed Johnny’s back as he held on to him. He didn’t try to couch, or tell Johnny how he should feel right now. He accepted his role as a shoulder for Johnny to cry on. To be some one to hold him as he fell apart. As he could feel Johnny trembling slightly James gently squeezed him a bit tighter, hoping that the gently pressure of his body against Johnny’s would help calm him.

Eventually the tears, and crying stopped as Johnny’s emotional release had peaked. There was nothing more for him to hold back, he had let it all go. James then let Johnny go, and Johnny sat back in his chair. As Johnny wiped the tears from his eyes, James offered him a handkerchief.

“Thank you.” Johnny said dabbing away the tears with the piece of cloth.

“You feel any better?” James asked taking back the handkerchief as Johnny handed it back to him.

“Yeah I feel a lot better.” Johnny said nodding.

“Great I’m glad.” James said with a sigh of relief.

“Oh your make up again, here.” James grabbed another wipe form his purse.

James again started to wipe, and clean up the ruined make up caused by Johnny’s tears.

“S-Sorry i didn’t mean to mess it up again.” Johnny flinched, embarrassed that he made James have to fix him up again.

“No no, please you don’t have to apologize for anything!” James put out his hands as he vigorously shook his head back and forth.

The last thing he wanted right now to make Johnny feel guilty about it how he’s feeling.

“Johnny...?”

Johnny’s ears then perked up as some one say his name. He then noticed Stella, and Grace walk out on to the outside area.

“S-Stella!” Johnny said sitting up excitedly as he sees her.

“Johnny are you okay?” Stella asked as she quickly rushes over to him.

“Y-yeah, well I’m a lot better, h-how are you?” Johnny fumbled his words awkwardly, just so happy to see Stella again he can’t even think straight right now.

Before any more words could be exchanged between the two Stella gives Johnny a big hug. Johnny hugs her back, glad that she’s come back to him. Though a foolish thought, part of him thought he might never see her again.

“I’m sorry Johnny please forgive me I-I never should have brought you here!” Stella said, slinking down to her knees, and bowing her head.

“Lady Stella!” Grace exclaimed, shocked at seeing Stella perform such a display.

While Grace did think apologies were in order, it didn’t sit right to see her young charge do something so, so, so degrading . After all she did always try to make sure Stella held herself with a bit self respect and, poise. She did this so that mostly Stella didn’t get taken advantage by other members of the family. Being the daughter of the head of family, meant that Stella was very much a targeted by many who would exploit or manipulate her to get what they want. If any of those afore mentioned people were to walk in and, see Stella in such a compromising position no matter the context, things could get very bad, very fast for Stella.

“No Grace you were right I never should have brought him here, and like you said before I as a woman took him in, so I responsible for him.” Stella shook her head still on her knees in front of Johnny.

“Lady Stella...” Grace said, looking towards the door to balcony worried some one might come in.

Besides just afraid of how things would look, Grace was also worried the young Stella was being to hard on herself. After all there was no way she could have planned for something like this to happen.

“I-it’s okay it wasn’t your fault.” Johnny said quietly.

“It is though, I should have protected, you I should have.” Stella clenched her fist around the arm of the chair, the amount of self hatred, and frustration she felt right now reverberated though the air, easily felt by Johnny, and the others.

“Ah what a terrible headache.” Ashlyn who suddenly stepped out to the balcony said.

“Ashlyn!” Stella yelled suddenly whipping around to face her older sister.

“Hey how is he doing darl-“

Yet before she could speak Stella marched right up to her, and cut Ashlyn off.

“Just what the heck were you doing!” Stella continued to yell at her sister.

Ashlyn eyes widened, she was visible taken aback and, surprised by her sister’s hostilities. Stella wasn’t one to usual get so angry, especially towards her.

“Stella I don’t-“

Stella didn’t allow Ashlyn to speak though again cutting her off.

“You said you would take care of him, didn’t you, so what the heck happened why weren’t you watching him!” Stella said though gritted teeth, a furious glimmer in her eyes as she glared at her sister.

“Darling ple-.”

“Don’t darling me, I trusted you with this!” Stella said not letting up.

“Stella stop it it’s not Ash’s fault!” James said, clasping his purse with both hands as he looks at Stella with a agitated expression.

“Lady Stella please this isn’t going to make anything right.” Grace interjected as well, stepping between the two siblings.

Stella hesitated, for a second it looked like she’s was going to stop. However she then clenched her fists, seemingly doubling down on her anger she pushed past Grace, and gets right in Ashlyn’s face.

“Mom was right about you, you can’t handle being responsible for anything important can you?” Stella sneered with a bitterness in her words.

James covered his mouth with both his hands in shock. Ashlyn also had a look of disbelief on her face, which quickly turned to an expression of anger. Even Grace gave Stella a look of disapproval at what she just said. Johnny wasn’t exactly sure why such simple phrase elicited such a reaction, but he assumed it was in reference to some sort of unpleasant history or turbulent family drama. With how intensely each one of them reacted, Johnny believed it must be in reference to some deep seeded issue involving Ashlyn. Something that is very personal, and very cruel to hurl as an insult.

“Well maybe if you didn’t follow mother’s every command like a lap dog you would have been able to watch him yourself, since you think I did such a terrible job.” Ashlyn said crossing her arms, and turning her back to Stella.

Johnny could tell Ashlyn wanted to say more, to be more hurtful, more unrestrained in her words. Yet she wasn’t, she held back as much as she could. Even if Stella had crossed the line, Ashlyn made sure she withheld her self from saying something she might regret.

“I couldn’t you know that, I have stuff to take care of, you better then anyone should know that!” Stella said moving around to make sure her sister is looking at her again.

The way Stella talked, her frustration wasn’t just about what happened with Willow there’s as something more. This incident was just the trigger, an ignition for some underlining frustration. With the spark that caused this nagging iteration to explode being Ashlyn failing her. He big sister which she had always relied on, failing her Even as all her rage rained on down on Ashlyn the truth was, she’s just collateral. Ashlyn was just the nearest scape goat for Stella to unleash her rage, that was built up from her grievances.

“Stella stop it please!” Johnny saidrushing over to Stella.

“Ashlyn tried her best please don’t be mad at her it wasn’t her fault!” Johnny cried, as he buried her face in to her side.

This seemed to snap Stella out of it. She blinked several times, like she has just woken up out of a trance. It seemed like she really was in a blind rage. As she realized what she had done she immediately takes as a sharp breath almost like a gasp.

“Ashlyn I’m sorry I didn’t mean...” Stella couldn’t find the words to make a good enough apologize to her sister.

Ashlyn just looked at Stella, waiting for an apology. Yet when none came she turned her back on her sister, and started to walk off.

“Ashlyn...” Stella says starting to walk after her sister.

“I’ll be around, when your ready to give me a proper apology come find me.” Ashlyn said walking inside.

Stella didn’t chase after her, instead she finds a chair, she then slumps down in to it.

“I’am so stupid...” Stella said as she rubs her temple with her thumb, and forefinger.

“Yes that was a very stupid thing to do, it was also very out of character for you lady Stella, even given the circumstances.” Grace said as she takes a seat next to Stella.

“I assume that I outburst of yours wasn’t just because of the incident involving Willow I am correct?” Grace asked even though she already knew the answer.

Grace had spent more then enough time caring for Stella to know when something was off with her.

“Yes...” Stella said avoiding looking directly at anyone.

“Then talk to us, Stella we’re family we help each other with things!” James exclaimed as he takes a seat next to Stella as well.

Silently Johnny followed the others lead, taking a seat as well.

Stella’s eyes flicked over as she saw Johnny sit down.

“Are you okay?” She asked looking at him.

“I think I should be asking you that...” Johnny said, gripping his skirt as he looked down awkwardly.

“Well Lady Stella, don’t you think it’s time we’ve had a talk?” Grace asked.

As every one was waiting f expectantly for her to speak, as well looking to support her what ever the problem was. Stella felt like if any time was the time to talk, no other time would be better.

Stella sighed, then she nodded. She was ready to tell everyone what has been plaguing her.