Page 42 of We May Be Fractured

Sharp Shards

[Now playing ? Blurry—Puddle Of Mudd]

In a deeply moving post on his Instagram, eighteen-year-old Ian Thompson has shared his feelings of despair and betrayal.

Thompson has accused his former foster father, prominent criminal solicitor David Green, of sexually abusing him.

Green had been Thompson’s foster parent for two years, starting when Thompson was just thirteen.

Thompson often took to social media to speak about his experiences in the foster care system and the challenges he faced. Sadly, his open discussions attracted negative comments, with people accusing him of making up stories for attention.

The situation tragically worsened when Thompson’s own biological family refused to support his legal case against Green. Their lack of support, especially during a time like the festive season, which traditionally emphasises family unity, left Thompson feeling even more isolated and hopeless.

E ven though Aaron had only seen the guy once in passing, he felt a gut punch of empathy. The thought that Landon might’ve gone through the same abuse was even more gut-wrenching.

Aaron started piecing things together—Landon’s tough exterior, his touch aversion, his issues with sex, his need for consent, his habit of sitting with his back against the wall…

He hoped he was wrong.

After staying in Landon’s room for a few more minutes, Aaron got out of bed, not to follow Landon but because he needed a drink.

In the kitchen, he found Nyle and Luzanne huddled at the table, talking in hushed tones. As soon as they saw him, their expressions said it all.

“You knew about this?” Nyle’s voice was tight.

Aaron shook his head. “Did Landon…”

Nyle managed a strained noise, glancing over at Luzanne, who dipped her chin in silence.

“Landon was in the same foster home as that kid for a period,” he said.

“We all thought he hit the jackpot, as the Greens are loaded and living in this swanky house in Chelsea and all. But it was while he was with them that he started acting out, getting into fights, breaking stuff. And shortly after, he ended up in jail.”

“I bet Landon went through the same hell in that house,” Luzanne spoke up. “I used to be jealous of him, what with the posh school, all those gifts, and fancy stuff he got from the Greens. I didn’t see what was really happening.”

“How were we supposed to know?” Nyle said, jumping in. “Landon’s always been tough, always kept to himself. He never talks about stuff, never opens up.”

“We should’ve picked up on something,” Luzanne said, fiddling with her hair. “We’re meant to be his real family.”

“But are we?”

Luzanne looked out the window at the summer house. “Why didn’t he say anything? We could’ve helped him, brought him back to us…”

“Some things are too hard to talk about,” Aaron said softly, still trying to process everything.

Nyle turned to him. “He didn’t open up to you either?”

Aaron sighed heavily, shaking his head. “I kinda suspected something, but…”

Nyle rubbed his chin. “I bet Ian wanted Landon on his side for the case against Green. When that didn’t happen…well, it was too much for him. Poor soul.”

Aaron’s thoughts raced back to the brief confrontation he’d witnessed between Ian and Landon. Things clicked together—Ian’s desperation, Landon’s tattoos hiding his scars… It made him sick to his stomach.

“He’s holed up in the summer house.” Nyle gestured outside the window. “He won’t talk to us, but maybe you can get through to him.”

Luzanne snorted. “Right, so he trusts the random dude he’s shagging more than his own family?”

That hit Aaron like a slap. She had a point though. But it still stung. What were he and Landon to each other anyway?

“Come on, Luz. That’s harsh,” Nyle admonished. “You should be happy he has someone he can rely on.”

“But it could’ve been us, couldn’t it?” Luzanne said bitterly.

“Instead, he always looked at us like we were rubbish. I know he’s been through a lot, but it’s not my fault I got to stay with our family while he was put in foster care.

That doesn’t give him the right to hate me or go around beating up my boyfriends. ”

Nyle stared at her. “Wait, are you talking about Rob? The guy was a total liar, gambling away your cash. Landon was right to push him away.”

Luzanne’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? That can’t be true.”

“Hard to take in, I know. We didn’t tell you because Landon didn’t want to upset you more. But yeah, your ex was basically a leech.”

“And Landon couldn’t just talk to me? Does he get a thrill out of being an asshole, or is he just crap at dealing with people?”

“He didn’t exactly have the easiest childhood,” Nyle reminded her.

“I get that, but it’s no excuse for him to be so bloody harsh all the time,” Luzanne shot back. “Would it kill him to be nice for once?”

Despite everything, Aaron had to smile. “Landon’s not one to wear his heart on his sleeve, but he’s actually pretty kind.”

Luzanne squinted at him as though he’d lost his mind.

“Kindness isn’t about being sweet,” Aaron explained. “It’s about caring and doing stuff that shows it. Landon’s way of caring is, well…different. But he’s always putting others first. Like, he’s the one who took the fall for Nyle.”

Nyle tried to shush him with the sole force of his stare, but Aaron pressed on.

“Nyle did something stupid, and Landon took the blame for it. That’s the real reason they’re both on community service now.”

Luzanne turned to Nyle, who nodded and added, “He made me swear not to tell you ’cause he figured you already hated him and wouldn’t have believed a word he said.”

“That’s not kindness,” she stated. “That’s selfishness and—”

“How can you not see?” Aaron cut off whatever mean stuff she was going to say. “He’s always doing things for nothing in return. He rescued Kat, didn’t he? And he practically gave me the job with Fell…and cared for that bloody tree at the retirement centre when everyone thought he was killing it.”

“Oh my God,” Luzanne cried, shocked. “I just thought… I think I got it all wrong…”

“You still have a chance to get to know him better,” Nyle intervened, “if you’re willing to try. For real this time. We need to be there for him and act like a proper family now. And I swear I’ll see that bastard get what he deserves.” All fired up, he headed down the corridor.

“Where are you going?” Luzanne called after him, with Aaron trailing behind.

“I’m off to give that scum a piece of my mind,” Nyle declared, hastily shoving on his shoes and coat. “Ria’s already protesting in front of his house.”

“Don’t be an idiot.” Luzanne tried to grab his arm, but he shrugged her off. “The only protest you’ve ever been to is Pride, and trust me, this one won’t be all rainbows and glitter.”

“I’m dead serious,” he said, hand on the door, ready to bolt.

Luzanne blocked his way. “Nyle, please, don’t make things worse. Don’t wanna lose another brother.”

“You won’t. Just let me be. I owe him this.” He pushed past her and disappeared into the night.

“I’ll handle it,” Aaron assured her, quickly grabbing his coat and stepping into his trainers. “I’ll bring him back. Don’t worry.”

Luzanne let out a doubtful groan but didn’t stop him.

*

C onvincing Nyle to ditch his plan for revenge was tough, and showing up at the Greens’ place, in the middle of a protest, didn’t help.

The scene was intense, with people everywhere waving signs and shouting for justice. Aaron spotted Ria at the front, leading the charge with a megaphone in hand. Some of the more fired-up protestors chucked stones at the house windows as others spray-painted the Porsche in the drive.

Naturally, Nyle headed straight for the ones causing the most ruckus, but Aaron grabbed the end of his coat and yanked him back.

“We should leave before the police get here,” he advised. “You don’t want to get caught vandalising again, do you?”

“I don’t give a shit. I’d happily land in jail for Lanny.”

Aaron tried to make him see sense. “Think about it—would Landon want you locked up? After everything he’s done to keep you out of it in the first place?”

“Landon doesn’t have a say in this.”

“Actually, if anyone has a say, it’s him. He wouldn’t be happy to know you’re here.”

“Landon’s never fucking cared about himself, otherwise he would’ve reported Green with Ian. I’m doing this for him.”

“The best thing you can do for Landon is be there for him,” Aaron insisted. “Let him make the call on what happens next.”

Nyle held Aaron’s gaze, then sighed and relaxed his posture. “All right, but since we’re here, let’s have some fun.”

Aaron watched Nyle grab a couple of spray cans off the ground and give them a good shake. When he handed one to him and nodded towards the Porsche with a cheeky grin, the temptation was too much.

So, there they were, tagging the car with all sorts of insults.

Aaron wouldn’t say it out loud, but every spray of paint brought out something weirdly satisfying. But their fun didn’t last long. The police turned up, and the whole crowd started scattering.

Aaron was ready to run as he had any other time. But instead of bolting on his own, he grabbed Nyle by the arm, ensuring they both left together.

Back home, as soon as the door opened, Luzanne wrapped Nyle in a tight hug. “Please tell me you didn’t do anything stupid.”

“I didn’t do anything stupid,” Nyle repeated, amused.

Luzanne stepped back, her scepticism clear, then turned to Aaron for the real story.

“Well, at least we didn’t get caught,” Aaron added.

“You didn’t get caught doing what?” Landon’s voice cut through the room, surprising everyone. He emerged from the corridor shadows, looking annoyed and exhausted. He stopped, facing Nyle, his expression more weary than furious.

“That creep deserves to be behind bars for what he did to you,” Nyle said.

“When exactly did I ask you or Ria to start a crusade for me? Because I’m pretty sure I never did.”

Landon’s cold response sent a chill through Aaron.