The Prince

Part 14

Noah walked back home at a snail's pace on a cold Monday afternoon. He didn't have a shift, which meant that he'd be out of the wind instead of having to wait outside for buses. Although, now he had to spend time at home. Giving a heavy sigh, he reminded himself that there had been peace in the house for the past few weeks.

He dropped his bag in the corner of his room, flopped down on the bed and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. As he was sleeping, he heard someone call his name. Sure that he was dreaming, he turned away and carried on sleeping.

Without warning, a  cold wave of water washed over him, making him jump up spluttering.

"What the fuck?!!" He gasped, looking up to see his brother's smirking face. "What the hell man?"

"I need the house, so you better fuck off."

"I'm not going anywhere. You can still have your party, you won't notice me." He was royally pissed off at his brother. His bed looked soaked and he was going to have to sleep on the floor.

"Don't make me throw you out piss head. Grab your shit and get out of here." He threatened, taking a step toward Noah.

"You're not god, you can't go snapping your fingers and getting things the way you want. I'm not going anywhere!" He snapped, grabbing a dry shirt from his cupboard.

"Just piss the hell off you little turd. He grabbed Noah by the scruff of the neck and dragged him down the stairs screaming. "Shut up and get the fuck out. You can come back when we're done."

Noah was pushed out of the door and as he turned, it was slammed shut in his face. Trying to open it, he realised that it was locked. Slamming his fist on the door he screamed for his brother to let him in. He didn't care what the neighbours were thinking, because he was out in the cold night once again.

"Hey, asshole, open the door!" He called in vain. Finally giving up, he trod out on the street, soaked. He was on his way to the bus stop when he realised that he didn't have his wallet with him. Stopping with a frustrated groan, he stomped his foot and stood in the middle of the street with nowhere to go and no phone.

Where to next he thought in panic. He couldn't hang out at the bus stop the whole night, that was creepy and he didn't know how long his brother's party was going to last. Finally, after going through the options available to him, die at the bus stop or die in the street from cold, he settled on the tree house.

It wasn't perfect, but at least he wasn't going to get bothered by perverts. Although, from the last time, it didn't offer much shelter, other than keeping him off the cold ground. Finding the tree was easy, he'd been there often enough, but this time it looked different. He couldn't quite make out all the details, but it felt like he had to climb higher than before. The rope ladder also seemed to be much sturdier. Climbing onto the deck, he looked out over the trees around him, his wet state momentarily forgotten.

Turning around, he noticed that part of the tree house had been walled up to make a much sturdier structure. On the deck, there was something hidden under what looked like an army camouflage tarp. The space looked completely different to what he remembered, but hopefully it's upgraded state meant that it was warmer.

Scrambling around in the dimming light, he found a torch hidden in a box near what looked like a single cot. Turning on the torch, he shone it around to better see what had changed and soon noticed that the wide entrance could be closed off by a piece of clear sail that was tied on the top beam.

Quickly sliding it down and zipping it closed, he immediately felt better, even though it didn't do much for the cold. It made him feel better knowing that he wasn't completely being exposed to the elements. Curiously he looked at what else was around. Under the cot he found two sleeping bags that didn't look like much, but was better than nothing.

He wondered why Skye had changed the place so much or added all these comforts. Was it because of him? He almost laughed at the thought. Skye wouldn't notice anything other than what was sitting in front of his nose.

With a sigh, he hung his shirt over a bench and laying the sleeping bag out on the cot, he slid in, hoping to generate some warmth. He was surprised that he started feeling better within minutes. Whatever this sleeping bag was made of, it warmed you up really quickly. He was sure that this was meant for people climbing mountains and not kids hanging out in tree houses.

At some point, deep in his sleep he thought he heard someone call his name, but he was so snug and warm, he didn't want to move or even open his eyes in case it was a dream. Crawling deeper into the sleeping bag, he wiggled until it swallowed him like a cocoon.

He moaned when he heard his name called again. The voice sounded so warm like a summer's day with a field of daisies gently blowing in the wind. It was the type of voice that would melt even the coldest heart and it was calling his name. Who would be trying calling to him in the middle of the night?

Finally unable to bear that faraway, beautiful voice constantly calling his name, he groped around under the pillow and found the flashlight. Turning it on, he shone it around the room. Instantly it settled on a face that made him scream out and jump back, dropping the torch.

"Wha... what are... you gave me the fright of my life!" He whispered loudly, feeling around for the torch again when a light shone in his face. "Do you mind?" He raised his hands to shade his eyes.

"You've run away from home again," Skye murmured in the dark, taking in Noah's ruffled appearance.

"I've told you before, I'm not a runaway. Now why are you here anyway?"

"It's my tree house and I could hear your snoring from the house."

 "I don't snore," deciding to get into a more dignifying position, he unzipped the sleeping bag to sit up straight, realising that the air felt warmer.

Skye noticed the bruises on his chest and arms in the light of the torch, before looking away. Nod wasn't the time to ask questions.

"Well, you breathe loud enough to scare all the bats away. Anyway, you can't sleep out here all night. Come on,' he got up, grabbing the torch. " You'd better keep the sleeping bag around you, it's really cold."

Doing as he was told, they climbed down the rope ladder and made their way by torchlight to Skye's house. This time he wasn't going to wallow in shame. He was in need of a warm bed and definitely, something to eat.

"Dad, we're home," Skye called out as soon as they entered the door, kicking his shoes off. "Come on, I'll get you a jumper or something. Noah stood looking at him as if he were mad.

"That wasn't a question," he grabbed Noah's hand and pulled him to the back of the house.

"Hey!" He stopped Skye, jerking his wrist free. Why was he always pulling me about, he wondered.

"Well, move faster then. I've never seen anyone move at the pace you're going."

They entered a large room that was carefully decorated in white and varying shades of grey and chrome. It looked unused and was devoid of any family photos. Skye moved to the walk-in closet and started filing through the seemingly endless amount of clothes and shoes.

"This is as small as I can go," he handed Noah a set of pyjamas and a dressing gown.

"I can't meet your parents in this!" He looked at Skye in disbelief.

"Well, it's either that or naked, take your pick." Skye left, closing the door behind him.

When he was finally dressed, swallowed by everything Skye had given him, he left the room in hunt of anybody else. Moving in the general direction of the kitchen, he looked at the walls that were filled with family pictures and what must be Skye's artwork from when he was younger.

He looked carefully at the happy family in a picture with Skye looking adoringly at his fathers. What happened to that smiling boy, he wondered, walking slowly so that he had time to look at everything.

"Little Buddy!" Jackson rushed toward him, arms open, ready for a hug. Noah didn't know what to do and stood as straight as a rod while being hugged.

"Hi Mr Dealer," he mumbled once he'd been let go. Before he knew it, Jackson had grabbed his wrist and was purposefully dragging him to the kitchen. That must be where Skye got his impatience from, he thought as he followed Jackson.