Now I'm Just Numb

Chapter 9

Soooo sorry I havnt updated in ages. Iv had no time with exams and friends and getting a summer job-ah! I hope this chapter makes up for something...

Pete's pov

"You told him! And what do you mean he just left!?" I say in a panicked tone on the phone to Joe.

Me and Brendon were watching a football game at the time when the phone rang. It was Joe who said he and Andy told Patrick about us looking after Declan.

Why would they do such a thing??

I mean it wouldnt've been hard to say ' can we talk about this later' shit I don't know!

"Well its exactly what I mean Pete....Trick just stormed out. I ran after him but he was gone," Joe explains with the same worry I'm hearing in my own voice.

I rub my eyes then glance at Brendon. He's trying to not make it obvious that he's listening to me talking.

"OK...here's what we do. You go and check Patrick's house and I'll look on the streets. Keep Andy at yours in case he comes back." "But what if he goes to your house?" Joe asks.

"Well its a good thing B is here," I sass.

Joe eventually agrees and hangs up. I explain to B what's happening and he seems to be happy to help Patrick in anyway.

I leave my house in a sprint. Crap, why did Trick take my keys! I take off again at a fast walk.

His house is half way between Joe's and mine but chances are he won't think about going home.

I rack my brain for ideas on where he might be.
I can't let him out of my sight anymore, I just can't.

What if he hurts himself or worse?

I run into a cafe beside some bar. Its pretty empty-only a guy behind the till and an old woman drinking.... tea in sight.

Look casusal, I slip into the men's room. Glancing around there's no sign of a fedora wearing man I know so well. Reluctantly I peek into the woman's bathroom.

A lady doing her makeup catch's me looking in with a look of horror on her face."how dare you!" She yells. I put up my hands "Look I'm just looking for my fri-" which she cuts me off by hitting me with her bag.

"Ow, please," I try and defend myself but in the end I walk/run out of the cafe.

I rub my sore shoulder. Geez what do women put in those bags.

***

A library, 4  shops and a park later I stand outside a bar.

This better be it. I sigh and open the door. The hallway is dark and musty. Ok maybe don't let this be the place....

I walk into the main area of the bar when my phone rings. I whip it out and see from the caller ID its Andy. Hope fills me up...

"Did you find him?" ...which is instantly extinguished. "Nope still looking," I reply flatly. I hear him sigh.

"OK well maybe we should... I dunno...start again tomorrow," WHAT? How could Andy say such a thing.

"No way dude, you know for a fact that if it was one of us Patrick would search day and night until he'd find us!!" I lash out and being to search people's faces.

"Pete of course I know. I just... I don't want you killing yourself," his voice is almost dripping with concern for me-for me.

For me, its Patrick who needs it- I'm fine.

"I'm not-" I begin to say but stop when my eyes land no a familiar back of head sloughed onto the bar table. I can't believe it! Of all the places he could've gone, why here? Why didn't he just come back to mine?

"Pete, still here," Andy reminds me. I shake my head "Oh yea, I wont . bye," and I hang up before he can reply.

Slowly I make my way over to the bar. My heart races, what if I say the wring thing and he runs again?

-------

Patrick's pov

I feel awful, the iniscal warmth the beer made me feel has turned into misery and cold sorrow. And its like the more I drink the less it works.

Its only until he says something do I realise Pete's beside me.

"Hey," he says.

I slowly turn my head to look at him, oh crap. His smile is totally fake and his eyes scream worry. It almost makes me sick to think that Im causing this to him.

When I don't respond Pete asks "I know you don't want to talk-" I nod and look at the beer in my hand -" But why did you come here, of all places?" His tone almost surprised.

I look down and slur slightly "I'm trying to drown my demonssss,"

I feel him tense next to me as I continue " They can sswim," And as I bring my sixth bottle to my mouth...

"But I'm sure as hell gonna try."