My Soldier - Missing Home

Deals With The Devil

A/N ~~ The time has come.. Harley is back in Newcastle. How we feeling about it? As much as I don't condone lying.. I back Harley on this one, and I would do exactly the same thing in her shoes..

~~ Updating a little early since I am going to be really busy the next couple of days, but don't worry, be back to normal after the weekend! Have a good one!!

~~Friday Afternoon, Newcastle~~

Normal POV

It's weird being back in Newcastle like this. Just stepping off the train gives me so many different emotions. After talking with Lizzie, I went to get something to eat and a coffee, hoping to wake myself up a bit. I got to Newcastle just after 10:00am and I know my Brother isn't an early riser so there would be no point going to his place too early in the morning, so I killed some time and had some breakfast, walking up to one of the cafés I know not too far from the train station. I took my time, not feeling any need to rush, so by the time I finished my food it was 11:30am. I paid for my food, making sure to leave a tip, then made my way back outside and walking back towards the train station to catch a taxi. As much as I hate to admit it, I know my Brother well enough to know he will still be living in the same place he has lived since leaving school. It's not too far away from where we lived as kids, but it was far enough away we didn't see him everyday. I manage to get a taxi pretty easily from outside the train station and before I know it, I am on my way to his apartment building. I can feel my nerves growing the closer I get, not knowing how this is going to go. "Are you just visiting?" The driver asks after a small silence, making me smile hearing the accent loud and clear. "I am, just here for the day." I reply, my own accent creeping out already. "Where you come in from?" He asks with a small smile. "London." I reply easily. "You don't sound like your from London." He jokes, making me chuckle and shake my head. "I'm not, I'm from up here but moved when I was younger." I explain and he nods his head in understanding. "Never lost the accent I hear.." He beams and I smile proudly. "I couldn't even if I wanted too." I joke back and he laughs. I love being home. And hearing the accent again just reminds me of how attractive Lizzie found me when we visited for the weekend. She constantly teased me the more it came out. My stomach then suddenly begins to twist, my thoughts switching to how Lizzie will react when I admit to her where I have actually been today..

"Cheers mate, look after yourself!" I hear the driver call out as I give him some money, making sure he keeps it all. "You too mate." I call back before he drives off, leaving me alone outside the huge building. It has never changed. It's just more run down now. I take a look around, seeing a few people walking around the streets. Letting myself take a minute before having to face him. But then when someone comes out the front doors, I quickly take the chance and catch the door now it is open. Thankfully, the guy doesn't question it and holds it open for me. I make my way up the stairs, climbing to his floor. I take the time walking up the stairs to take the brown envelope out of my bag and stuff it in the back of my jeans under my hoodie. I take some steady breaths once I reach his floor, going through the fire exit doors and into the corridor. I walk along, finding his front door and standing behind it, hearing some muffled noises from inside. I have my bag in one hand, and slowly lift my other to knock on the door. No doubt the door will be open since he doesn't care enough to lock it, but at least if I knock, I can't be arrested for trespassing. I hear some louder voices behind the door as I take a step back before it swings open and I am met with one his friends that I recognise from years ago, cigarette sticking out of his mouth as he looks me up and down without saying a word. "Who is it?" There he is. That voice. I feel a cold shiver run up my spine as I watch his friend think about his answer, but he is taking far too long so I just decide to let myself in. He doesn't put up any effort to stop me so I walk past him, the smell hitting me instantly as I walk inside. As soon as I reach the main room, I see him sitting on the sofa watching Tv, beer cans and cigarette butts lying everywhere, along with dirty clothes and food cartons. Enough to make me sick. How can someone live like this? He doesn't make any effort to look back, so I drop my bag next to the wall, somewhere I can keep an eye on it, before moving a little further into the room.