Security

4

"You were hungry." I stated, gesturing to the table in front of us, looking at how he'd absolutely demolished the plate of food.

I'd told him to clean up a bit while I grabbed him some cookies, but watching his skinny frame walk to the bathroom, I'd made a plate of toasted cheese sandwiches and grabbed the first aid kit too.

He nodded, taking another bite of his sandwich, wiping the crumbs off of his jacket.

"Yeah, you're a really good cook!" He smiled, wincing as he moved his leg.

I'd noticed him limping again, but other than subtly passing him the first aid kit, I hadn't pushed it.

"Thanks love"

"Bet it's difficult, I could never cook like this." He murmured, glancing towards the door behind us, that led to the back rooms and kitchen.

"Sure you could, there's nothing to it! Bit of practice and you'll be as good as me... better than me!" I assured him, catching his eye roll as he shook his head.

"Who's going to want to hire someone like me?" He scoffed, looking longingly at the last sandwich.

I pushed the plate further towards him, letting him grab the last one. The amount he'd eaten, it was if he hadn't had anything since last time he was here. I tried not to dwell on the thought, knowing it could have been his reality.

"You could work here" I murmured, the idea popping into my head.

"Ha yeah alright" He laughed, munching on the sandwich I'd passed him.

"Why not?"

"You don't want someone like me working here! Plus I'm not even old enough." He told me firmly, clearly putting an end to the conversation.

"Want some more tea?" I asked instead. "And actually, how old are you Louis?"

"Sixteen, why?" He asked suspiciously.

"Just wondered. So, more tea then?" I told him, brushing it off.

He sighed, wiping his face with a hand, wincing when he brushed over the cut on his head.

"Why do you care if I want tea or not?" He asked. It came off a bit abrupt, but I could tell he didn't really mean it to, he really did sound curious.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I know I keep turning up here but, I'm not like a charity case"

"I'm worried about you." I told him simply, watching the frustration leave his face instantly.

"Why?"

"How can you ask that Louis? You're a young kid, seemingly alone, you look as if you haven't eaten since I've last seen you. And you look as if you've been through enough."

"Harry, I ..." He trailed off, looking as if he was deciding whether to be annoyed or not.

"Louis I won't pretend to know what you're going through, but I'd like to. Give me a chance and I'll do my best to help yeah? You can trust me, I promise." I said gently, watching him swipe away a few tears.

"You don't even know me!"

"Then tell me about you, let me help you." I urged him.

"You'll ship me off somewhere" He whimpered, my heart almost breaking.

"Never. I want to help you okay, I'm not going to send you off somewhere Lou."

"Everybody else does, I'm not worth the trouble." He murmured, glancing up at me.

"Come here sweetheart" I told him, opening my arms out to him - he looked in desperate need of a hug.

He stood up slowly, taking a step towards me before his face went very pale, and he clutched onto the table with one hand.

"Louis?" I questioned, moving over to him.

"I don't feel so good" He told me anxiously, swaying on the spot.

"Here, sit down again okay, I'll get you something else to drink" I suggested.

He opened his mouth to say something, but put his hand over it immediately, before throwing up all over the floor.

"Oh Lou, you're okay, just relax."

He gagged again, turning round, towards the bathrooms, before he threw up again.

"It's fine just stay put okay, it'll clean up, you're fine" I tried too soothe him.

He took another step forwards, swayed on his feet again, and I leapt towards him as his eyes rolled back, collapsing on the floor.

I dodged the pile of vomit, going over to him and gently tapping his cheek.

"Louis? Louis, come on, wake up sweetheart."

There was absolutely no response from him. I rolled up his sleeve, checking his pulse to find it very slow.

Mind made up, I grabbed my phone and rang for an ambulance, he would probably hate me when he woke up, but he looked so young and vulnerable.

The operator talked me through putting him into the recovery position, and kept me sane on the phone, telling me the ambulance was a few minutes away.

He'd certainly taken a few years off my life since I'd met him!

"Louis don't move!" I gasped, as I heard him groan.

"Harry?"

"Yeah love I'm here. You had a little fall, so just stay still for me until the ambulance gets here." I told him gently.

"I'm scared." He whispered.

"You'll be okay lovey"

"Please don't let them take me" He begged me, a tear escaping.

"I'll stay with you, I promise. Don't worry, darling."