In the middle of the same night, Frank woke up. He wasn’t sure what awakened him. He looked over to Gerard who was fast asleep. He tucked in his lips as he got off the bed quietly, thinking he needed to pee. Frank held onto his cane as he headed into the living room. The lightning was crashing outside, and the house walls were shaking. Frank wasn’t scared though. As he was heading to the bathroom, in the corner of his eye, he saw a figure outside the window.

He paused before walking over to the window and staring out into the storm. A silhouette was a few feet away from the house, standing still in the rough wind. Frank stared, trying to figure out if he was just tired or if this was real. He slowly made his way to the door. He hesitated to turn the knob, but he did. The door slammed open due to the wind. Frank hurried out before Gerard could stop him.

Frank was struggling to walk through the wind, but managed to face the silhouette. He froze, "Who are you?"

The voice was raspy, "You are in the possession of the cane. I have news for you." It was a male voice, but he couldn't make out the features. Frank replied, "What news?"

Frank stared until he heard Gerard calling to him. Frank looked away from Gerard, wanting to get his answer. Frank froze and circled around, looking for the silhouette, but there was nothing.

Gerard ran out into the wind and yanked Frank by the arm, “Are you crazy?!”

Frank said, “There was someone out here,”

Gerard shouted back, “No, there isn’t! I would’ve felt their presence, Frank-come inside,” He started tugging at Frank who was resisting. Frank yanked away from him, “No, I’m not crazy-I saw him.” He slammed his cane down sending a white wave to excel from the bottom, the wave knocked Gerard off his feet and slamming his body onto the ground.

Frank didn’t feel any sympathy. He focused his attention more on what the hell he saw. It could have been someone in distress, someone who was ready to attack. Frank could only see the lightning that smashed onto the ground. He felt a sudden blow against his back, causing him to fall-his chin bumped against the hard ground roughly. As Frank got up onto his feet, he tasted a small amount of blood. He turned and faced Gerard, “Did you just kick me?”

Gerard seemed worried, “You said you’d never use your cane.”

“Stop getting in the way then maybe I wouldn’t have to use it.” Frank growled.

Gerard looked at Frank, “What is wrong with you ..? You’re acting so different.”

Frank slammed his cane against the ground causing another wave, “Maybe it’s a good different.” He watched as Gerard was knocked onto the ground once again, “I’m tired of being heartbroken, being used as a punching bag-I’m no slave, Gerard. Not with this cane.”

Gerard cried, “You were never my slave-not since I fell for you.”

Frank shouted, “Fuck you, don’t lie to me you cowered!”

Gerard slowly got up onto his feet, “You’re changing .. the cane is making you-”

“It’s not the cane,” Frank said as lightning struck the ground, “This is me. I love you, I really do .. but I’m not going to be your slave, anymore.” He walked over to Gerard and hugged him tightly, “.. I'm leaving.” His voice sent shivers down Gerard’s back. Frank’s last three words were weak, fragile. Suddenly, Frank pushed him away and confidently repeated, “I’m leaving.” The innocent voice was gone now. All that was, was rough and violent. Gerard did not see what Frank saw. And Frank wanted his answer. He knew he could go by himself and would be safe. He did not want to take Gerard with him, worrying him even more.

Frank weakly cried out, “Don’t follow me. Don’t look for me.”

Gerard whispered, “You know I will.”

Frank did not hear his words when he turned around and walked deeper into the storm. Gerard’s red hair wailed widely through the wind. He did not cry, he did not chase after Frank. He knew he would go after Frank when the storms clears up. Gerard slowly turned his back to the storm before walking back inside the house and slamming the door behind him. He slowly looked up to Lindsey and Davy. Davy murmured, “Frank?”

Gerard nodded slowly, “I knew something bad was going to happen soon.”

Lindsey looked over to Davy and then back to Gerard, “We’ll go with you.”

Gerard did not smile, “I cannot promise you your safety .. Frank has the cane, Brendon’s power.”

Lindsey walked over to Gerard and reeled him in for a hug. Gerard’s body was weak so he did not hug back-but he did embrace her touch. He burrowed his face into her shoulder, “I’m glad to have you both.”

Notes

I'm just planning as I go .. xo