Static Sound (Muke)

twenty one

// twenty one // ashton //

I'd definitely knew where that scream was coming from, I knew that voice like the back of my hand.

It was Michael's.

I hadn't left the house in ages, just simply lived with myself, drinking and smoking, ignoring the world around me. Until I heard Michael, that is. He screamed bloody murder right as I saw what looked somewhat like Calum run through my yard and down the street, disappearing into the shadows.

I tried to keep myself from going outside and watching everything that was happening, but eventually the screaming got worse and I heard a man's voice yelling out over his.

I stayed on the porch for a few minutes, but then made my way down to the sidewalk in front of our condo. I shoved my hands down in my pockets and examined everything that was happening. Watching Michael struggle and simply scream the way he was put tears in my eyes. I couldn't be so sure of what he was upset about, but I was near positive it had to do with Luke.

Knowing that it hurt him this much killed me. Seeing Calum run away like that also sent the possibilities to my mind that Cal either hurt him or disowned him, but either would be bad enough to send him into a trauma like that.

There was even louder screaming from the man that I assumed to be his father inside, who I couldn't make the words out of but it all sounded pretty bad. I didn't hear Michael at all after that, and soon enough everyone was back in their houses except for me. I waited for something to happen. I sat outside on my porch for at least an hour until I was absolutely sure that he was going to be alright.

---

The next morning around 11 am, the door bell rang. I was still in bed so it shocked me and I nearly fell onto the floor. Looking in the mirror, I thought that my appearance what somewhat decent but I fixed my hair up real fast and put on a shirt just in case.

Downstairs, I ran to the door and opened it. Standing in front of me was a middle-aged who was very familiar.

"Hey," I say, pretending I know who it is.

"Hello, I'm Michael's mother." She says, smiling at me.

"Oh, of course!" I say cheerily, welcoming her inside.

"Thank you," She says, stepping in. I feel sort of embarrassed having her in here, the house is a complete mess and she doesn't seem like the person to agree with putting Nirvana posters up and down your living room walls.

"Sorry for the mess, I wasn't expecting anybody.." I say, trying my best to cover up the empty beer bottle scattered around the kitchen.

"Oh, that's fine." She chimes, sitting down on the couch.

I finish up and sit down next to her. "What can I do for ya?"

"Last night Michael had a little freak out and both me and his father can't figure out why. He won't say a word or come out of his room- And when he was being taken inside yesterday, his eyes seemed to lock on you. I heard about the little band that you guys started up, so I was hoping you could tell me anything you know about what's going on?" She speaks softly even though I can tell she is nervous and uncomfortable. "I hadn't seen Luke for weeks either, is he okay?"

"Mrs. Clifford, Luke had to move away to live with his mother. I'm only his stepbrother watching after him."

"Ah, I see." She says, looking down. "Is that what is getting to Michael? They seemed to be really good friends, getting on quite well which made me happy to see because Michael has had a little trouble with making new friends."