Connect Us ✔

Chapter 24

It was on my way to Maddie when I got the call for the first time. I felt it vibrating in my pocket and when I parked the motorcycle, my screen showed me a missed call from a 'Felix'. I didn't think about it any further.

Maddie was sitting on a small rock on the floor, the big satchel on her back and her legs drawn to her. When she saw me she didn't jump up. She just smiled and waited until I was with her.

„Hey, don't sit on that rock. It's cold."

„Oh," she said and slowly got up. „Sorry, Oscar."

„Don't apologize. It's fine." Like last time I crouched down in front of her, she was very small for her age, but while crouching I could look up at her a little and I smiled gently at her. „Why did you call me?" Maddie started playing with the fabric of her shirt. „Maddie, look at me. You can talk to me about anything, remember?"

She nodded, but still didn't say anything. I gave her time. I felt my phone vibrate again and ignored it.

„Did David touch you?" Maddie hesitated. Then she nodded slowly, without looking at me. I felt a lump in my throat. I knew exactly how she was feeling right now and it broke my heart only looking at her.

„Did..." I swallowed. „Did he hurt you?" Maddie didn't nod this time, but she wiped her eyes with her sleeve and suddenly sobbed.

I ran my hand over my face. „It's okay," I whispered and stood up. „It's okay. Come on. I'll bring you home."

„No..." Her voice was so quiet that I almost couldn't hear it and when I turned around I noticed that she had taken a few steps away from me.

„No, I don't mean... I mean we're going to my house, is that okay?" She nodded slowly. I gave her my helmet, she already knew how to put it on. „Do you think you can hold on to me now?" She nodded again. „Okay, I will help you up, okay?" Another nod.

I drove her to my home. I let her watch something on my laptop, her favorite movie. She didn't even smile. I went into the kitchen and briefly on my phone. I was still a little in shock when I answered my messages and tried to calm myself down.

I work from 10 pm to 8 am this week

Officially to 6, but mostly longer than 8

It's always different.

I didn't even know what to answer. So I let it be for now. Michelle sent something in the group chat and a few responded. I didn't read the messages. I couldn't do that now. I was about to lock my phone and get back to Maddie when it vibrated again. The third call from Felix. Maybe I shouldn't have answered. I did it anyway so he wouldn't call again. „Hello?"

„Blair?" asked a bright voice. I stopped breathing for a second. Great. Awesome. Well done, Oscar. „Hello?"

„Uhm... hi?"

„Hello?" he said again. „Who's this? Do I know you?"

„I... don't think so. I..." I sighed, didn't even know how to explain things without certainly knowing his name. „How do I say this..." I mumbled.

„Are you a friend of Blair? Is he around now?"

„No. No, he's not here. He gave me his replacement phone since mine's broken. I mean... he lent it to me."

„Oh," he said. „And you are?"

„Oscar. I'm Oscar."

„Oh!" he said again. „I didn't know he gave this phone to you. He sometimes takes this phone with him in case the battery on his own runs out. I couldn't reach him so... Never mind, you probably don't care. Uhm... I'm Felix."

„Yeah, I've already seen that. Your number is saved."

„Oh," he laughed. „Okay. You don't happen to know where he is right now, do you?"

„I think he's not at work. He told me he works from ten o'clock to eight in the morning."

„Oh god, I totally forgot he was on night shift this week!" he said a little louder. „Thank you! Sorry for the bother."

„No problem. Are you his brother?" Shit. Why did I ask that? Shit shit shit. Please don't answer...

„No," he laughed a little. „He always says you don't care about his private life. Are you sure you want to know?"

„Oh my god, I'm so happy you ask... No I don't. I just wanted to be polite."

„Okay," he laughed. It was kind of contagious and I felt a tension release in me. „I'm hanging up now. Have a nice day."