EastEnders has confirmed in new BBC soap spoilers that youngster Tommy Moon is violently attacked in upcoming scenes.
The character sparks concern when stepfather Phil Mitchell can't find him, before he returns home bloodied and bruised.
Prior to this, Tommy opens up to Phil about school bullies, who have been hassling him - only for things to escalate next week.
It all kicks off amid Phil's ongoing drama with his partner Kat Slater, Tommy's mother.
With him facing time away in prison, Kat doesn't think he should stay close with her children because he's not going to be around for them.
Tommy wants Phil's help though, not able to tell his mum about his bullying ordeal as he asks Phil to pick him up from school.
He agrees leaving him relieved, but later on it soon emerges Phil has completely forgotten to collect him - leaving him in danger.
Kat receives a phone call from her son, and Phil freezes as he realises he's left him at the school waiting for him.
Phil heads off to search for his stepson, but he's panicked as he admits he's returned home alone as he can't find Tommy.
As Kat worries for her son, he soon emerges and has been beaten up, covered in bruises on his face.
Kat is furious and demands answers from him, but he doesn't want to say who carried out the brutal attack.
But he's forced to confess all when an angered Kat learns Phil knew about everything, and Tommy finally tells her about the bullies.
Knowing Phil has been helping Tommy behind her back, she can't help but worry how things will change when he leaves - and she comes to a big decision.
Kat declares she and the kids are moving out, to adjust to life without Phil, but Tommy is still worried about the bullies.
He doesn't want to go to school, so Phil offers to take him for the day and he soon pushes him hard at the gym.
Tommy buckles and does a runner, while claiming later on that he's being taught to box to fight off his bullies.
He's left scared yet again though when the bullies appear, causing him to leg it before hiding out in the Argee Bargee.
As Lily calls for Phil, can he get to him in time or will Tommy face another beating?
Got any theories or thoughts on the storyline? Let us know in the comments.
EastEnders airs Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One.
