Fallout

In My Remains

Chester's Pov

I knew I shouldn't be running from my friends and Mike but I just snapped. I freaked out, had a nervous breakdown, and just ran. I couldn't think of anything else to do. This felt right. 

I went to the apartment and changed out of the hospital clothes. I stole one of Mike's shirts and sprayed it with his cologne. I didn't know how long I'd stay away but I knew I needed something to remind me of him until then. I slid it on over my regular shirt and hugged myself.

I left the room and looked back before closing the door. I turned back around and felt a sharp pain on the side of my head before seeing nothing but black.

~

Mike's Pov

"Chester!" I called from around the apartment building. The officials and doctors from the hospital told us not to search for him because he just needed to blow off some anxiety and then he'd return on his own and he wasn't a threat to the public so in their minds, there was no need to search. If I don't find him soon, I could become a threat to the public. I wasn't about to obey what they said and neither were the guys so we all immediately went back to the apartment building. I noticed he wasn't there and neither was one of my favorite shirts. I could also smell the faint scent of my cologne. It broke my heart thinking that he'd stolen it, it was a clear sign that he wasn't planning on coming back for a while.

"He's not here." Phoenix shook his head and frowned. We all gathered up front and it took everything in me not to panic. 

"He must've just run off." Brad sighed and I rubbed my eyes, making sure I wasn't having some kind of deranged nightmare.

"He couldn't have gotten far on foot, he doesn't have any transportation. Rob, go down to the bus stop in your car and see if he's down there. Brad, check the airport, see if he's attempting to leave the state. Joe, stay here in case he comes back. Mike and I will start going to Arizona, he might be trying to go home and maybe hailed a taxi or something. Sound okay?" Phoenix planned and everyone nodded. I was so grateful that Phoenix had a clear head and was being the brains of finding Chester. The guys split up and Phoenix paused. "I'll drive. You'll speed if you do. Plus I think with you being extra concerned, you'll pay more attention and see him if he's on the side of the road or something, just keep your eyes peeled."

"Okay." I agreed and went into the passengers seat. He got in and started the car, immediately going towards the nearest highway that would be the quickest route to Arizona. "Thank you, Phi."

"Don't mention it, Mike." He smiled sympathetically and continued driving. "I'd tell you to try and sleep but I know you won't."

"Obviously." Mike smiled softly but then frowned. "What if Sean and Samantha tried to grab him again?"

"I didn't want to say anything and I still don't because I don't want to scare you but I honestly think they did. That's why I wanted just us to go to Arizona. The fewer, the better in this case. I love those guys but they'll slow us down. I mean you know Joe, he has to pee every five minutes when we're in the car."

"Very true." Mike laughed. "Is it weird that I feel a little better now? Like I hate Sean and all but if he has Chester, at least we have a better chance of finding him." 

"It's not weird at all, Mike. We'll get him back, I promise." 

~

"Fuck," I groaned, waking up, before remembering what happened. I didn't even have to see who had hit me to know it was Sean. I snapped up and looked around. I was in my old room except the window I usually can escape out of was bared. Then I knew they both meant business, it wasn't going to be so easy getting away this time. The door unlocked and opened, Sean coming into the room.

"Well hello, sleepy head." He smiled but stayed on the other side of the room, probably knowing I'd freak out on him if he came closer. He pulled out a small plastic bag and came up to me. He gave it to me and went back to his spot. I knew it was cocaine without even looking. I'd been so worried about Sean, that I hadn't taken anything in a while nor have I noticed the detoxing, I was way too distracted to notice or else I still had a ton of drugs in my system, I couldn't tell the difference.

"I don't want it." I told him and he chuckled, rolling his eyes.

"So Mr. Goody-two-shoes really got you off the stuff?"

"Not exactly. There hasn't been time to really talk or deal with it but I haven't used since Mike found out." I said. I decided I might as well be open. I'm sick of playing all these games.

"You know he just doesn't care." He said and I shook my head.

"Yes, he does. He does care, he told me."

"You can say things that don't mean a thing, Chester. You know that." He sighed and went to me, sitting by my side. He took my hand in his and smiled. "Don't you miss this? Us?"

"No." I replied bluntly and he laughed. "How did you get Sam to even help you?"

"She really just wants you here. Don't know why and I don't care. She's just incredibly connected to you for some reason. I guess she really does love you." 

"If she loved me, she'd let me go and wouldn't help you."

"No, Ches. You're wrong." Sean smiled. "She loves you but she doesn't care about you. She wants her own happiness, not yours."