Journey Home

Chapter Twenty-two

Austin drives us to his mansion and parks before turning to me.

"Do you mind, Zoey, if we just stay here until we can figure something else out?" he asks, looking embarrassed. "I know you and my dad aren't on the best of terms...but...."

"I don't mind," I say, getting out of the car.

We walk up to the door and go inside. Mr. Noble sees us and glares. "Get out of my house," he says through clenched teeth.

"Dad, I-" Austin looks between his dad and I, then quietly goes over to him and starts talking. I don't make out the words, but Austin's dad turns back to me with a painful smile, then walks away.

Austin looks really upset, but he leads me upstairs. We sit down on a couch and I pull out a stale bag of chips and we start munching.

"Soo...." The look on Austin's face tells me he's about to trod on a subject I'd rather avoid.

"Zoey...I brought you here for a different reason. Are you sure you want to leave your parents?"

My expression hardens. "Yes."

"I mean...I can't judge about family...but they ARE your parents...and they did adopt you...and I think they love you..."

I fish a chip out of the bag and stare at it. "You already know I don't like to be controlled... The few days I've spent free are too much to imprison myself."

He bites his lip, but he sees the sad look lurking in my eyes and I can tell that he's deciding to save this conversation for later, not when I'm tired and stubborn.

"Something else-" he starts, but is interrupted by a yell from downstairs.

He races just ahead of me, and I almost scream myself when I see Mr. Noble lying on the ground.

Austin kneels next to his dad. "Dad! Dad, what happened?"

He doesn't reply, his eyes closed tightly.

Austin cradles his father's head in his lap and screams at me, "Call 911!"

"How?!" I yell back.

"Here!" He tosses me a cell phone, and I hurriedly dial 911.

"I need am ambulance!" I scream into the phone once it picks up. "I don't know what's wrong with him!"

"Where are you calling from, honey?" the voice asks.

I give the address and answer her questions, and she tells me that an ambulance is being sent over right away.

Austin is screaming and crying. "Dad!" "Dad!"

When the ambulance comes, Austin leaves with his dad. I'm alone in empty house, Austin's cries still echoing in my ears.

Late, late, late, Austin's cell rings. I pick up eagerly, and a voice echoes out, weighed down and exhausted.

"I won't be home tonight, Zo," Austin says wearily.

"Any news?" I ask, hiding my wish that he would be home...

A long pause. "Yes... It was a heart attack. His chances...of...of survival....are very low." His voice is crisp and sharp all of a sudden. "Now, if you'll excuse me..."

He hangs up.

I cradle the phone to my chest. "Austin..." I whisper painfully. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

"I miss you." I stare at the window. "Come home, Austin."

A tear slips down my cheek and the silence of the mansion seems to yell out.

I want company.

I want Austin.

I want my parents.

An awful ache grows in my chest, like a gaping hole. Austin...I'm sorry... Let me help... I love you...so much...

The words just make the ache grow, and I curl up on the couch. Sleep eventually comes for me with a host of nightmares.