Dumping Ground

Liam ~ Missing & Hypothermia

"Hello, Michael Milligan speaking."
"Hi Mike, it's Jack here, Liam's brother."
"Oh hi Jack. It's been ages, is everything alright?"
"No. Liam and I had a fight yesterday and he walked out. He hasn't come home yet and I was wondering if he had gone to the dumping ground?"
"No, we've haven't seen him. Look, I'm sure he'll come back. You know what Liam's like."
"I do, and that's what worries me. The temperature dropped to minus 6 last night and I'm scared that Liam is out on the streets."
"Well, have you put out a missing person report?"
"Yeah I have. Look, can you call me if he turns up at the dumping ground please?"
"Yeah, oh course," Mike said and hug up the phone.
"What's going on?" Johnny asked at the door.
"Johnny. It's 11pm, what are you doing up?"
"Getting some water. Who was that?"
"That was Jack, Liam's brother. Liam's left his place and he thinks that he's out on the streets on his own."
"Wait Liam, as in Liam, Liam?"
"Yes Johnny, Liam."
"But Liam's been on the streets hundreds of times, why was Jack ringing here?"
"He wanted to know if we'd seen him. He's been missing for a day already and Jack's very worried about him."
"Should we go and look for him?"
"No, Jack's put out a missing person report."
"It's that serious?"
"It was Jack's call. Look, I'll call Jack in the morning and if they've haven't found Liam, we'll go and search for him ok."
"Ok," Johnny replied and went to bed.

~

"Down here," Johnny said in the minivan. "Liam use to hang out here with his mates."
"Really? This street is very dodgy," Mike said as they drove.
"Mike stop!" Johnny cried out and Mike stopped the car moments before Johnny jumped out.
"Johnny! Johnny wait!" Mike cried out as he came and joined him. Johnny was kneeling beside an unconscious Liam, tucked under some cardboard.
"Liam? Liam it's Johnny, can you hear me?" Johnny asked as he shook him. "Liam?"
"Liam, wake up for us."
"He's freezing Mike."
"Can you get him into the minivan Johnny?"
"Yeah."
"Good lad," Mike said as Johnny picked Liam up and took him into the minivan. "Have you got him?"
"Yeah," Johnny replied with Liam in his grip.
"Is he safe enough for the ride home?"
"Yeah, I think so. Lets just go Mike."

~

The door opened and Johnny carried Liam into the dumping ground.
"Johnny there you are, I wanted to ask..." Tee trailed off. "Is that Liam?"
"Yeah it is, I think he's hypothermic."
"What happened?!" Tee asked in worry as Johnny carried him into the living room.
"Liam left Jack's flat yesterday and he's been sleeping on the streets."
"What did he do?" Carmen asked.
"We don't know but Jack's very worried about him," Mike told her.
"Shouldn't you call him Mike and tell him that we've found Liam?" Johnny said as he lay Liam down onto the sofa.
"Thank you for reminding my Johnny, I'll do it now."
"Is he ok? Is he breathing?"
"Yeah. His pulse is a little weak but he's breathing. Can you get some blankets please Tee?"
"Yeah, of course," Tee said, going upstairs.
"What's going on?" Faith asked as she and some of the other kids came into the room.
"Why does Tee sound worried?" Rick asked.
"Liam!" Harry cried out and ran to him.
"Is that Liam?" Tyler asked.
"Is he ok?" Faith asked, coming beside Johnny.
"He's been sleeping rough but we're going to warm him up."

~

"Hello Jack?"
"Hi."
"Hi it's Mike here from Ashdene Ridge. I'm calling to say that Johnny and I found Liam this morning and we've brought him back here."
"Is he ok?"
"He's not awake currently and he's cold from sleeping rough. Johnny's warming him up at the moment."
"Ok, I'm coming over but I'll drop into the station to let them know that Liam's been found. I'll be there in about 10 minutes."
"Ok, see you soon. Bye," Mike said as he hung up the phone and went back into the lounge. "How's he doing Johnny?" Mike asked as he saw Liam wrapped up in blankets and Johnny taking his temperature.
"He's getting warmer, he should start to come round soon."
"That's great. We'll keep a close eye on him, Jack's on his way round."

~

"Where is he?" Jack asked as he came in through the door.
"He's in here," Mike said leading Jack into the lounge and he rushed to Liam's side.
"Liam. Liam, are you ok? Can you hear me?" Jack said, brushing a hand through his brother's hair. "He's cold, how long has he been like this?"
"He was a lot colder when we found him and that was about half an hour ago."
"Jack?" Liam whispered slowly.
"Liam. Hey, are you ok?"
"Where? What happened?"
"You have to tell me that. The last I saw of you, you were leaving the house," Jack explained.
"I want to sleep."
"No Liam, you have to stay awake for me alright."
"Why?"
"You've been out on the streets for two nights and you might have hypothermia."
"Hypo what?"
"It doesn't matter, the point is that it's not good and you need to stay awake for me."
"I'm thirsty," Liam said and Jack looked up.
"I'm on it," Johnny said.
"Can you remember why you walked out on me Liam?"
"Was you," Liam said slowly. "Breathing down my neck, I..." Liam said and coughed.
"Alright mate, alright," Jake said, supporting Liam as Johnny returned with the water. "Thanks Johnny. Come on Liam, drink this," Jack said and he helped Liam drink the water.
"Why isn't Johnny this nice to me?" Tee asked.
"Oi. I am nice to you," Johnny replied.
"How's that?" Jack asked Liam.
"Better."
"You can always come to me Liam, I hope you know that."
"I know."
"I love you mate."
"I love, I..." Liam muttered before closing his eyes.
"No, stay with me Liam. Liam?" Jack asked, shaking Liam as he went into panic mode.
"I'm calling for an ambulance," Faith said.
"Liam, come on mate. Don't to this to me, not again," Jack said, tears beginning to fall down his face.
"Gotya," Liam said, opening his eyes and everyone stared at him.
"Liam!" Tee cried out in annoyance as Jack stood up and walked across the room.
"No, Jack," Liam said, going to stand up after him.
"Liam, what are you doing?" Johnny asked as Liam stood up.
"I didn't mean it Jack, I just wanted to see..." Liam cut short as his legs gave out and Johnny caught him.
"This is getting out of hand," Rick said, going to help Johnny as Jack turned to Liam.
"I really care about you Liam. I haven't slept the last 2 days because I've been worried about ya. I put out a missing persons report, searched for you myself and,"
"I know, I'm sorry," Liam said. "I just needed to hear it for myself."
"Isn't this enough?" Jack asked, coming over to him. "Johnny found you and brought you back here. Everyone's been looking after you and I'm here aren't I?"
"Yeah, I suppose you're right."
"Come on, let's get you somewhere quiet," Jack said, helping Liam up and taking him into the quiet room. "Thanks everyone."