I remained in Merry�s arms, refusing to leave his comforting hold on me. I heard people talkin� all around me, askin� each other questions like �What happened?� and �What�s wrong with the kid?�.
I felt like I was the centre of attention, which in most cases I�d be pretty happy about, but right now, I just wanted to be alone. Just me and Uncle Billy.
Merry began walking towards the back of the room to my uncle and Orlie and everyone else, but before he had managed to take two steps, Uncle Billy broke out of his daze and came running through the crowd of people towards us. Seconds later, I was lifted from Merry�s hold and then tightly held in Uncle Billy�s arms. A wave of relief washed over me as I realized that I was safe now, bein� protected by my Uncle Bobo.
Merry remained holding Bert, which would be good for my poor bear. He was probably almost shaken up as much as I was. I looked up at Merry, his eyes showing his weariness. I could still see drops of red liquid on his face, and I began to feel sick again.
Merry�s clothes were a bit tattered, holes in his shirt where I guess the white haired man had tried to fight back. I cringed as I saw the gash on his arm, guilt pounding it�s way into my head. I had caused Merry to get hurt. I should have never left home, even if Kaylee was still there.
�Alex.� I heard my name spoke softly. It brought me out of my thoughts and I turned my gaze from Merry to meet the eyes of Uncle Bobo. I was taken aback at first, his eyes full of confusion, anger, and something else. He was scared. �Alex? What happened? Where�s Kaylee? Why are you here?�
I looked at him for a moment, letting his words register in my mind, but the white haired man was too fresh, I didn�t want to talk about it. I didn�t want to say anythin� at all. So, I burst into tears again, startling Uncle Billy beyond belief. He hugged me tighter as I clasped his sweater in my hands, burrying my face in his chest.
�I can answer one of those questions.� Merry said in a low voice from behind me. I guess he wanted us out of the spotlight because I felt Uncle Billy begin walking quickly towards the back of the room.
I didn�t bother raising my head from the comfortable security that I felt from Uncle bobo�s chest, I didn�t feel like facing reality just yet.
Uncle Bobo sat down with me still clinging to him, he didn�t seem to want to let me go either, he just hugged me and hummed softly a old Scottish folksong that my gramma Boyd used to hum all the time.
I felt the presence of others around and I raised my head, just to see who was there. It turned out to be almost everyone. Merry had taken a seat directly across from me... just like at dinner the other night, it seemed he always had an eye on me... beside Uncle Bobo and I sat Orlie. He looked almost as worried as Uncle Bobo, and beside him sat Mr. Bean and Liv. Mr. Bean looked awfully confused and Liv just sat, staring at Merry, waiting for the story. Beside Merry across the table sat Ian, and beside him was Sean and Elijah. Smack dab in the middle of everyone was the scary guy Viggo. He didn�t look as sick as earlier, instead he looked worried. I guess he noticed that Merry was bleeding from his arm... and it was all my fault.
�Well, enough silence. Someone tell me please, what on earth is going on?� Ian spoke first.
I looked at Merry, who I found staring at me. He seemed to be askin� if it was okay if he spoke. I nodded and burried my head back into Uncle Billy�s chest. I really didn�t want to hear the retelling of what just happened.
�I went out for a fag, you know? I was just standing there when I heard someone scream from around the corner. The bouncer heard it too I guess because he turned to listen for it.� Merry started. I felt Uncle Billy�s grip around me get tighter. �So,� Merry continued, �I walked around to the side of the building to see what happened, and half way up the street I see this guy getting on top of something.� he stopped then, and looked at me solomly, but I couldn�t see him, so he just continued, his voice quieting and becoming more serious... if that was possible.
�Well I come running down the street because a guy getting on top of someone just is�nt right. I then heard the scream again, only this time there was words, and I knew right away it was little Alex here calling for you Billy.�
Uncle Billy remained silent, but I felt him tense up.
�So I ran over and pulled the guy off her and continued to beat the living crap out of the bastard. Good thing I got there when I did though, the git had a knife on him.� Merry finished. I looked up at him again to see Merry holding up his arm, as if to prove his point.
The table was silent, no one daring to speak. All eyes were on Uncle Billy, who sat staring at Merry, his face dead panned. I was confused. Uncle Bobo�s face was never dead panned.
A second later Uncle Billy spoke, but his voice was different. He sounded like a robot... or even that creepy voice that �death� uses.
�Where is he now?� Uncle Billy demanded more then he did ask.
�Outside.� Merry answered, checking out his cut. Then it hit him. �I mean... no, Billy he�s gone. They got him covered you know...� but it was no use.
I was on my feet in seconds and I stood, frozen, as I watched a flash run by me. Uncle Billy was runnin� as fast as he could towards the front door, what was he doing?
Not even a split second later, Orlie, Merry, and Mr. Bean were after him. I watched, stunned, as Orlie jumped on Uncle Billy, tackling him to the ground.
This didn�t stop Uncle Billy. He was half way to the door as he struggled to get out of Orlie�s grasp. He almost did too, but both Merry and Mr. Bean were on him at that time and it took all three of the guys to pin Uncle Billy down.
�Bloody hell, let me at him! I�ll kill the...� Uncle Billy screamed at the top of his lungs and continuing into a whole line of cuss words. Some, I had never heard before in my life.
I was too shocked to move, but the scene of someone being tackled and Uncle Billy so angry brought back the event that had happened only moments before. I felt the tears whell up in my eyes and I turned quickly from the horrible scene in front of me.
I felt comforting arms around me as I looked up to see Liv pulling me closer too her.
�Wh-What�s happening to Uncle Billy?� I asked, my voice shaking a bit.
�Don�t you worry Alex, everything will be fine okay? That bad man will be going away and never coming back, all right?� she cooed softly, hoisting me up onto her lap.
I turned back to look at Uncle Billy. He wasn�t fighting anymore, just sitting on the floor quietly. Orlie had his arm around Uncle Billy�s shoulders and Mr. Bean had a tight grip on Bobo�s right shoulder.
I hopped off of Liv�s lap and made my way down to where Uncle Billy sat. Merry met me half way and took my hand, walking me over to Uncle Billy. The other people in the bar had finally figured out what had happened I guess because three guys went outside to the street.
I knelt down in front of Bobo and looked him in the eyes. �It�s okay Uncle Bobo.� I told him.
He looked at me, as I saw the faintest sight of tears in his eyes. He tried to smile a bit, but it was fake and depressed. He pulled me into a hug and I just sat on the floor with him as he told me that he was sorry for leaving me and not staying like I had asked. He apologised for lots of things, repeating how stupid he was to come out and leave me at home.
I felt a little uncomfortable with all the apologisin�. Uncle Billy didn�t seem to realize that it wasn�t his fault, not at all.
After a few moments, Bobo lifted me to my feet and got up himself.
Mr. Bean and Orlie had gone back to the booth to collect their stuff, and I saw that the rest of Uncle Billy�s friends were ready to leave too. Merry was the only one standin� with us though and he smiled a bit as Uncle Billy looked at him.
�Dom, I really don�t know how to thank you...� Uncle Billy started.
�Look mate. None of this is your fault, understand? None of it.� Merry consoled him. I nodded in agreement because that was true.
Because we all knew who�s fault this really was. Thank goodness that didn�t think it was me.
�Kaylee.� Uncle Billy muttered, pure disgust in his voice.
All of a sudden, the pub door opened. Everyone turned and gasped when they saw who was coming in.
The three guys who had ran outside earlier were carrying the white haired guy. What were they doin� that for? I didn�t want to see him.
�No! No! Get him away! Get him away!� I screamed, running behind Uncle Billy and Merry, clinging to them with all my might as tears again began to roll down my face.
�What are you blokes doing?!� Merry growled at them, watching as they set the white haired guy down on the floor.
I looked up at Uncle Billy and coward when I saw a sickening look come over his face. I could tell he wanted to do something really bad and I didn�t want to be there when it happened.
�Dom.� Uncle Billy said, very, very calmly. �Get your stuff, grab Bert, and take Alex out of here. Now.�
Merry nodded without complaint. I guess him seeing the white haired guy again renewed his hatred, because he quickly collected his stuff, Uncle Billy�s stuff, and Bert then came back down to where I was still standing with a death grip on Uncle Billy�s leg.
�Come on Alex.� Merry said quietly. I clutched his hand tightly as we began to leave the pub. As we passed the white haired guy, I saw him look at me out of the corner of his eye. I saw a slow desturbing smile spread across his face, as red liquid leaked out from his nose. He looked very evil and very scarry. I guess I should�ve given him a cookie earlier.
The white haired guy�s stare freaked me out so much, that I ended up clinging to Merry with both my hands, burrying my face in his thigh. Merry squeezed my hand reassuringly as we exited out of the pub.
Merry and I waited outside on the sidewalk. I stared in a daze at the red liquid that was still on the sidewalk. I gulped, remembering the beating Merry gave the bad guy. I felt sick. Like I was gonna throw up.
After what seemed like an eternity, the other people came out of the pub, all of Uncle Billy�s friends first, then Uncle Billy with Elijah�s hand on his shoulder. Uncle Billy was rubbin� his knuckles for some reason that I didn�t know. I didn�t care though. I was tired, upset, and scared. I just wanted to go home.
And that�s what we did.