Worth Fighting For

This story will contain violence, abuse, bullying, drugs, gay sex. Some readers may find parts of this story upsetting and I apologise in advance.

It had been a shit day already and it only got worse when George appeared up from the cells and bumped into me on purpose. He made me spill the coffee I was carrying in my hand all down the front of my uniform.

“Watch where you’re going, queer.”

George walks off laughing. I was already finding things hard, to top everything off, George and I were friends. Everything changed when George found out that I was gay. He made a complete U-turn in our friendship. From making my life miserable, to the point he put my life at risk.

We had been doing a raid, and teamwork was the key to arresting everyone in the house. George didn’t inform me about a guy hiding in the cupboard. I was trying to put cuffs on another suspect when the other guy attempted to jump out and attack me with a knife. George stood by and watched. I’m lucky Adam walked into the room and threw the guy to the floor. Of course, George denied everything, saying he didn’t see the guy.

With hot coffee seeping through my uniform, I go off to the bathroom to at least try and dry some coffee off my uniform.

“Why do I sometimes bother?” Tears start threatening to fall, but I’m not going to cry, not for him, not for anyone. I have to stay strong. David kept telling me every time someone hurts me with words to think about all the people who love me and support me. I smile as I think back to the time Ria held me after she found out I was gay. She told me that she loved me and held my hand as I cried.

I dry myself off the best I can. Before I leave, I look in the mirror, straighten out my uniform and put a smile on my face as I head back out.

I run into the Chief on his way back to the interview room that I was going to. A guy had been mugged and we were trying to obtain a description off him, so we could create a profile. There had been quite a few muggings of recent, and they were on the incline. We both went back into the room and the chief started asking questions.

“No, I didn’t manage to catch much of his features, but he had a tattoo on the side of his face.” The guy touched the side of his face. This was the first bit of positive news we had got.

“How tall do you think he was?” The Chief fired out.

“At least as tall as he is, if not a bit taller.” He pointed at me.

I’m six feet so this guy must be at least six one. Chief Heller asks the guy if he could draw or at least describe the tattoo on the side of his face.

“Yeah, it was a small black butterfly. He had a cap on his head and a bandanna around his face, but it had slipped, and I saw the tattoo.”

“Thank you, Mr Greenwood, you’ve been very helpful.”

Chief Heller asks to speak to me after I have taken Mr Greenwood out. “Okay Chief I’ll come to your office in a bit.” My insides churn again as I wonder what it is this time. I lead Mr Greenwood along the corridors and back out to the front of the station. Thanking him once again for his help.

I make my way to find out what the chief wanted to talk about. I’m worried that George has been stirring up trouble again. Knocking on the door the Chief shouts me in.

“Eddie shut the door and sit down.”

I do so, my stomach twisting in knots even though I knew I haven’t done anything wrong. I take a deep breath trying to stop this feeling of wanting to be sick. The Chief notices the worry on my face.

“You’re not in trouble Eddie, I only wanted to find how you are?”

With some relief I begin to breathe normally again. “I’m okay.” It’s the only words I managed to say.

“Listen Eddie, it has been hard for you recently. I have noticed you have been getting some grief from a couple of the guys in here. I heard what had happened out on the raid and I’ve had words with George. But I want you to understand that I’m here for you to speak to, you’re one of my good officers here and I don’t want you to suffer for being you.”

The words hit me hard, having the support from the Chief means so much to me. The tears are already pricking at the corner of my eyes. Swallowing hard I thank the Chief and let him know how much I appreciate his support.

“Eddie before you go, tell me if George continues doing stuff to you, I won’t tolerate bullies in this station, we are all here for a reason and that’s to help others no matter what.”

“Thanks Chief.” I leave the office and head to sort myself out ready to go home for the night. Next week I am working the late shift, so I want to spend a bit of time with David as he won’t see me much with our different work schedules.

Packing up my bag, I shut the locker which has been defaced for the umpteenth time now. I know who it is, but as no cameras are allowed in the locker room, I can’t prove it. I’ve not bothered to clean it off this time as they will continue to keep doing it. Picking up my bag the door goes to the locker room and my stomach twists again as I see who it is.