A Red Lighter

Connor: A Promise I Couldn't Keep

I pushed my way through the river of people, I knew something was wrong. Mom and dad were right behind me, trying to get me to slow down. I knew this was a crime scene but Caleb needed me. I could tell by the sound of his voice over the phone. I already failed him twice I wasn't about to do it again.

The scene I walked into was unreal; Caleb sat in the middle of the room, his knee drawn up to his chest. Coach was dead in the corner and the person I could only assume was Caleb's dad was dead blood pooled by his head and a piece of glass plate stuck out of his neck. And then there was Caleb, his eyes were wide and unfocused, the colour of his skin was so white and his breathing was uneven.

I noticed the way he jerked away from the touch of the paramedic; it was pretty hard to miss. He was starting to shut down and I needed to help him.

"Dad" I spoke firmly "stop him" dad just nodded and walked towards the paramedic

Once the man was gone I took shelter next to my friend, his chest was black and blue and the ribs that poked out of his skin were on jagged angles. His eyes were black and his nose was sitting crooked on his face. I didn't force him to speak or move I just sat next to him and after what seemed like hours of comfortable silence Caleb turned to me.

"He... he's gone" his throat was raw

"Who" I just wanted to get Caleb to talk

"M-my dad" he looked at the spot where his dad's dead body use to be splayed out "Connor... what's going to happen to me, nobody is going to want to me"

"What would make you say that Caleb?"

"I'm damaged goods" tears sprung from his eyes I didn't know what to say and only watched as Caleb buried his heads in his arms and cried silently

"Caleb" my dad's voice took us both by surprise "let's get you to the hospital okay... Eden will take good care of you" Caleb ignores dads hand and just kept them wrapped around his midsection. I knew I couldn't let him go to foster care, this kid needed a family and I knew the perfect family.

Caleb sat in the front of dad's car on the way to the hospital; his eyes were on the road. But his mind was somewhere completely different. For someone who's been through much you'd think something like this would break him completely. But no, Caleb seemed to be fine of course what was on the surface wasn't typically what underneath the skin.

Mom was very gentle as she poked and prodded at all of Caleb's injuries, wrapping his ribs, setting his nose and retrieving the bullet from Caleb's shoulder before patching it up. And once she was done she left me and Caleb alone. Caleb pulled his knees back up to his chest, the colour slowly but surely returning to his face.

I wanted to ask him some many questions but what the hell did you say? It seemed so unreal. Everything from the coach to the phone call at one in the morning and right now nothing seemed to be right. It was like my whole world was turned upside down. What the hell is wrong with me, here I sit next to Caleb my friend who just witnessed his father being killed and the coaches death seconds ago and I'm concerned about myself.

"You" Caleb sounded like a ghost "you can't let them haul me off to some foster home Connor.... You can't" when Caleb turned to look at me I saw for the first time the damage that was done. A cut sat on the bridge of his nose, his eyes were blackened like a raccoon and the left side of his face had boot shaped bruises littering the side causing his eyebrow to sport a gash and his lip swollen and split.

"I promise Caleb.... I promise they won't take you away."

His eyes pleaded with me and I stormed out of the room to find mom or dad or anyone. I needed to talk to them, tell them Caleb was going to be the newest addition to our little family. He needed us and I'd be damned if the government stuck him with some sick fuck who just needed the little extra cash. I knew deep down that Caleb was going to be moving in with us once I saw him outside the coach's office. But the events that went down just kick started my plan.

"Mom" I yelled rushing across the hospital lobby "mom we can't let them take Caleb" she instantly knew what I was referring to

"Oh baby that's not up to us"

"No" I shouted tears tracking down my face "he needs us, he needs to know someone cares... mom we need to protect him"

"I know" mom said her voice cracking "baby I know... my heart just breaks for that kid and I want to be his knight in shining armor I really do but"

"But what" it was my turn to cry

"But we can't Connor... they've already placed him in a home, I tried so hard to convince the social worker....baby I really did"

"No" I cried my knees felt like jelly "we can't let them take him"

I didn't protest as mother wrapped her arms around me and I let all my feelings go. Quickly soaking my mom's scrubs, dad was nowhere to be seen.

"He'll still be going to your school" dad spoke interrupting us "the family there placing him with the Newberry's are really nice people and live in our neighbourhood" I went to respond when the sound of screaming erupted from the hall

"LET GO OF ME.... DON'T TOUCH ME" I watched as two police officers escorted Caleb from his room "CONNOR" his voice was so broken "CONNOR... YOU PROMISED ME... YOU PROMISED" I went to go run after him but dad held me back as I cried and tried to tear away from him "YOU SON OF A BITCH I TRUSTED YOU" his voice cracked as he screamed "CONNOR, PLEASE....CONNOR."

I somehow managed to convince mom and dad to attend the funeral for Caleb's dad. Even dad was convinced that he didn't deserve a funeral that he didn't even deserve to be buried. I shook my head ignoring the comments that both mom and dad were making. I didn't want to go because of his dad; I wanted to be there for Caleb.

Dad was right Caleb's foster family was only two houses down from ours, so that's where I spent most of my time. Caleb was slowly reverting into his mind anyone could tell, the kid would barely talk before but now. It was a miracle to even get him to wave a hello. But for some reason Caleb would talk to me, only if we were alone. Of all the people Caleb trusted I didn't think I'd be one of them, I failed him so many times. I promised to be there for him but even at school I couldn't keep the coach away from him.

The church was quiet and empty only the Newberry's and Caleb sat inside the silent temple. I took my spot next to Caleb and he gave me a small smile, it was sad and forced but it was something. No one else showed up but I wasn't surprised, everything was normal till Caleb went up to give his Eulogy.