The Districts

CHAPTER 14

They make it back to Craig's building in half the time it took to leave, and before the car even stops fully, Kenny rushes out of it. The first thing he notes when arriving back on the scene, was that the white car was still there, but now was vacant. The next thing he notices is Craig's door was wide open again.

He rushes up the stairs to it, skipping multiple steps to get there faster. When he reaches Craig's floor, there's a distinct crash.

"Craig!" Kenny yells.

He rounds the corner of the door frame and notes that the door had been kicked in quickly before he hears a struggle going on from Craig's bedroom. He rushes in and spots two men in gray uniform, trying to drag Craig out of a hiding spot in his closet.

"No!" Craig yells.

Kenny quickly rushes over and knocks one of the men closest to him out from behind, whose facing away. The second man looks at him then and goes to punch him. Kenny ducks out of the way and throws a punch of his own at the man's stomach. The man falters back for a moment before standing back up straight again and rushes at Kenny. He grabs him by the waist and slams him back into the bookcase. Pain shoots through his neck and back and he quickly reaches a hand back, grabs a thick book and hits the man over the head with the corner of it. The man lets go and moves back, giving Kenny the chance to kick him square in the face, then quickly knock him down from his footing and cause him to fall to the floor with his head hitting the corner of the nightstand as he does.

The man lies motionless as Kenny catches his breath and heads over to Craig, still hiding in the corner of his closet. His head is down in his knees, with his hands holding his head tightly. The position seemed like he was reliving a memory or something to Kenny. A bad one.

"Craig..." Kenny says softly, kneeling down in front of him, "it's okay now."

Craig's body slowly relaxes and the sense of fear starts to fade as he raises his head up to look at him. Tears stream down his face as his brows furrow and his eyes squint. The sight makes sadness cross Kenny's features, but he could feel relief subtly creep into him from Craig.

"I'm sorry," Kenny says, "I thought—I thought you would be safe here, I thought—"

He's cut off by Craig quickly leaning forward and hugging him, wrapping his arms around his neck and burying his face into his chest. Kenny hugs him back and places a hand on his head, and runs it in a soothing motion over it. Craig seems to cry harder at that and his grip on Kenny tightens more as he buries his face even harder into his chest.

"I'm sorry," Kenny repeats quietly.

He continues to apologize over and over, trying to soothe Craig down with gentle touches, until Craig stops shaking and moves away. Kenny offers a kind smile and brushes back his hair and wipes a few tears away.

"I didn't think you would come back, and thought they would take me away again," Craig says.

"I know," Kenny tells him and brings his forehead to his mouth and kisses it. He keeps it there for a few seconds before moving back a bit, "we can't stay here," he murmurs against it, "come on," he moves away and helps Craig up.

"Where are we going?"

"I don't know, but not here," Kenny replies as they start to head off.

"Wait," Craig says quickly and grabs the parka he had placed on the bed at some point, off of it, "I want to bring this..."

A soft expression falls over Kenny's face as the other puts the coat on and takes his hand before the two quickly head out.

"Do you have any family or friends you could stay with?" Kenny asks as they head down the stairs.