Long Way Home

21

My knuckles were already a deep shade of purple from when I had repeatedly slammed them into the wall during my fit.

My eyes were puffy, and my heart hurt. I felt depressed, but more importantly, utterly alone.

As if on cue, a small knock sounded at my door.

"Avery, please let us in," Michael asks quietly. "We need to speak with you."

I let out a soft whimper. "I really don't want you to see me like this."

"We don't care, really. Just let us in."

The 'us', I'm guessing, is Luke and Calum. But with a reluctant sigh, I stand up and stumble over to the door, a faint feeling cause me to be dizzy.

"Woah, are you okay? You look pale," Calum worriedly asks me, grabbing my arm to steady me.

"I just feel really dizzy," my words come out slow and slurred together, causing Luke and Michael to exchange nervous glances.

"Sit down Aves, before you collapse," Luke orders, helping Calum lead me back to my bed.

"I.don't.want.to," my voice sharply cuts off in between words, which come out slowly and sound weird in my ears.

"Okay, something is definitely wrong with her. What did you do up here alone?"

"I-I cried. And I-i hit a wall," I stutter. "My head hurts."

"Okay, maybe you need rest. And if you don't get better once you wake, we'll drive you to the hospital, okay," michael states, staring at me and nodding slowly.

I nod back and roll back the covers and climb into bed. I pull the sheets up to my chin and roll onto my side, signaling that the boys can leave.

**

"Come on Ashton, let's go already!" I whine, tapping my foot impatiently.

"Calm down little sis, we'll leave in a minute," he huffs, sliding on a pair of sandals.

I roll my eyesight annoyance and storm out of his room, making the most noise I possibly could.

"Don't be like that," Ashton calls after me. "Or I won't take you to get ice cream."

"No! Please take me," I cry out, and I hear him laugh.

"Meanie," I mumble to myself, pouting as I slam the door to my room.

"Avery Jen Hemmings don't slam any doors!" I hear Ashton yell at me.

I ignore him and grab a doll from its perch on my bed, sliding down to the ground and crawling to my toy house.

Picking up another doll, I made the two face each other.

"Oh, hello! I'm Avery," I squeaked in a much higher voice than my normal one. "What's your name?"

"I'm Ashley," I made the other doll say. "Let's go inside."

I struggled to make them walk up the stairs but only after they got inside did Ashton burst into my room.

"Let's go," he mumbles, distracted. "And hold my hand, I don't want you getting hurt."

I frowned at him. "But I'm 8 years old."

"And I'm 11, and mum trusts me to keep you safe. Now let's go."

"Do I have to hold your hand?"

"If you want ice cream, yes."

The ice cream parlor was just down the street and around the corner, very close and easy to walk to.

I grabbed Ashton's hand once we stepped outside, pulling him along as I skipped down the road.

"I want twist (chocolate/vanilla) with rainbow sprinkles in a cup," I state, my all time favorite and the only ice cream I ever Get.

"Of course," Ashton jokes. "That's what you always get."

I don't laugh, instead I furrow my brow. "Well that's what I like."

He rolls his eyes but doesn't reply as we cross the road, the ice cream parlor on the other side. As we walk across, I see a shiny coin laying on the ground.

My hand slips from Ashton's grip and I run to it, Ashton shouting behind me.

American money was rare, and I had never seen one before.

I pick the bronze colored coin up and twist it in my hands, in complete awe.

"AVERY!" Ashton's voice is high pitched and full of fear.

I look up, and see a car zipping towards me.

A high pitched scream escapes me as well, when suddenly, I'm yanked backwards, and onto the sidewalk.

My eyes fill with tears from the harshness of the pull, and I look behind me to see a boy only a little older then me, his hand tightly latched onto my jean jacket.

"Thanks man," Ashton appears next to me, grabbing my hand and checking my arms, face and legs for any bruises.

"No problem. My names Luke," the boy said. "I'm 9."

"Cool. I'm Ashton, and this is Avery. She's 8, and I'm 11."'

Luke nods in approval. "I should go. See ya."

I wave goodbye at my savior, then follow Ashton back into the shop.

**

I sat up, breathing heavily. I had forgotten about that, and I never got the chance to ask Luke if he remembered.

If he hadn't been there....

I would have been seriously injured.

"Avery, are you feeling better?" Luke walks into my room without even knocking, and sits down on my bed.

I rub my eyes and place a hand on my forehead. "I guess. My head still hurts though."

With a sympathetic nod and look, Luke stands up. "You want an Advil or anything?"

I shake my head and start to lay back down.

"Are you okay? You seem upset or something."

" er, I jut had a really vivid, weird dream. Kinda freaked me out," I explain for him, and he nods at my words.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asks, sitting back down.

I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out.

Luke looks at me expectantly and my cheeks flush.

"Uh- not really, sorry," I murmur.

Hurt flashes through his eyes but he shakes it off. Turning away from me as he stands, he just mumbles an okay and leaves me alone in my room.

"Oh god Avery your so stupid!" I smack my forehead. "Now he's offended!"

"Who are you talking to?" Luke peeks his head back in the door way, a smile making its way onto his face.

"Oh uh..." I nearly have a heart attack at his sudden appearance.

"Just thinking about me again I suppose," he slyly says, ignoring my protests.

"It's okay, Ave. I'm just kidding with you," he laughs and I huff before turning over.

He stands in the door way a little longer, just staring at me. I slow my breathing down, trying to make it seem like I'm sleeping.

He smiles at me and grabs the doorknob, swinging it close as he speaks.

"Goodnight Avery. We'll find him soon, okay? I promise."