Work Text:
The moment they return to the ranch, Jack runs away from his father and pushes past his mother to get inside their cabin. He slams the door behind him, hearing his parents’ muffled voices through the wood, but he doesn’t hesitate to eavesdrop. Right now, with his chest so tight and his heart racing, Jack just wants to hide.
He dives into his bed without removing his shoes, burrowing under the blankets. Jack curls up on his side, hugging his knees to his chest. He wants to calm down, but his mind spins with memories of what just happened.
He remembers men with guns blocking the road and threatening Pa. He remembers Pa ordering him to hide behind a log and stay still. He remembers the horribly loud gunshots, huddling on the ground, expecting his father to be murdered. And he remembers Pa helping him stand up and seeing the corpses of the men his father killed and panicking, just wishing his life could be normal.
His breaths become jagged, and he shudders, tears spilling down his cheeks. Jack hates himself for crying like a baby, but he can’t help it. Just for once, he doesn’t want to be afraid.