Save Just One Life

Chapter 3

Every night for the next couple of weeks I go see Alfie when I could be sleeping. He waits for me every night and when I'm lucky I go to his families shelter during the day as well to take them food and water. Most of the other groups are larger, with more than one family. I get on really well with all of Alfies family. His mother, at first, seemed wary to tell me anything or to let me near Alfie. But eventually she let me in and we got on quite well, much better than I got on with a lot of the other families.

It is the last day in Nepal. I can't believe how quickly our time here has gone but I have been dreading this day since we arrived. We have this day free to do what we like till we leave for the airport at midday. I get up early: six o'clock, which is a record for me. As I make my way into camp I hear someone calling my name. I turn around to see Alfie running towards me, stumbling over rocks and discarded items. The strange thing is that he is coming from the opposite direction to his families shelter.

"Alfie! What are you doing?" I crouch down as he reaches me and he throws his arms around me. I realize that his face is wet with tears and his clothes are even dirtier than usual.

"I've been looking for you everywhere" He says as he sobs into my shoulder "Is it true that you are going?"

"Yes Alfie" I say quietly.

"But-but you said you would stay"

"I have to go Alfie. I have to go home"

"But you could live here with us. You made everything better. You can't go. This can be your home"

I shake my head.

"You don't understand. I have a family back in America. I have a brother and parents, just like you. You have to be strong. I will come back some day, I promise"

"Please Storm" He wails scrunching his hands into the soft material of my green hoodie as if holding onto me will make me stay "Can't you stay a bit longer?"

"I can stay till midday" I use the sleeve of my hoodie to wipe away the mixture of snot and tears from his face then straighten up and take his small hand in my larger one "Why are you so muddy?"

"I fell over when I was looking for you. Mum'll be mad"

"No she won't" I tell him, leading him towards his family shelter.

"I don't want you to go" He says miserably.

"I don't want to go either, Alfie. I have to though. I have my family back in America. I can't just abandon them"

"I guess" He mumbles, wiping his nose on his arm.

"Alfie, don't do that. Use this" I pull a light blue handkerchief out of my pocket. It is decorated with tiny purple and red flowers with curly patterns around the edges. Alfie takes it from me and stares at it.

"I'll mess it up if I use it"

"It was made to be messed up, you can wash it when it gets dirty. Keep it as a gift from me to you; something to remember me by" I smile down at him and he looks back up at me.

"What can I give you to make you remember me?" He asks.

"I don't need anything"

He looks at me in confusion.

"I'll never forget you Alfie" I stop and lean down to kiss the top of his head. He stands with his head lowered.

"I'll miss you"

"I'll miss you to. More than I've missed anyone before"

"Storm! You have to come here! Vickie's talking to us and then we're going to the airport early. Come on!" I turn around and see Izzy yelling from about thirty meters away. I kneel down and put my arms around Alfie. He slips his skinny arms around my neck and I can tell he's trying not to cry. I swallow back my own tears and pull away from him.