Angel (muke)

Chapter 4: Help

Luke's pov

My heart stopped in my chest as panic settled in my bones. Another thump came from down stairs.
Someone is in the house...
I closed my eyes and inhaled a deep breath, hopping that I wouldn't have another panic attack.
It's probably Derek ...
No, he's not coming back.
  You never know, he probably was just angry and he came back to apologize...he loves me,or loved me...
No Luke , he never loved you , he called you pathetic. Honestly, if he's back, kick him out. He doesn't deserve you...not after everything he's done...
   Great, now I'm arguing with myself again. I sighed and opened my eyes. The clock on my nightstand read 10:23. I groaned internally, I really just wanna sleep.
  Thump...
I'll go downstairs, kick Derek out, make sure I lock all windows and doors, and then go back to bed and sleep till who knows when. I just wanna sleep forever...I feel so horrible.
  I kicked my feet over the side of my bed and stood up. Instantly I cringed at the cold hard wood meeting my bare feet. I didn't bother turning on the lights as I walked out of the room and down the hall to the top of the stairs.
  I can't do this... I can't ... I can't see him, not after what he wrote. I can't let him see me this weak, this vulnerable, just because of him. I don't want him to think I'm wrapped around his little finger.
  Tears brimmed my eyes and threatened to fall.
"Shit..." I whispered to myself as a couple tears slid down my cheeks. I pulled the sleeves of my sweater over my hands and wiped the tears away.
  Don't show weakness Luke ... You can't let him see you like this...
I inhaled sharply, trying desperately to calm my ever so beating heart and began the journey of descending the stairs. My knees nearly buckled a few times, almost making me Trip over my long legs.
   I can't do this.
I can do this.
   I can't do this.
I can do this.
  Ugh, I'm arguing with myself again.
I approached the entryway of the living room and froze.
   I can't do this.
Yes you can.
   No I can't
Yes you can Luke , kick his ass out to the curb.
   I looked around the darkened living room. It was practically pitch black in here except for the street lamp that castes its yellowish light through the whit curtains.
   There he is... A tall outline of a male figure stood in front of the window facing the side of the house next door.
    I can't do this...
Yes you can Luke , stand up straighter, square your shoulders, lift your head up higher, jut out your jaw a little, and what ever you do... Show no emotion.
  I followed my own instructions and stood up straight. I can't let him see me so vulnerable. I don't need him....right?
  When I opened my mouth, I seemed to have forgotten my instructions and swallowed my pride.
  "D-Derek?" I said, my voice cracking, and flicked on the lights.
  The man in front of me turned around as the light turned on, his wild green eyes meeting mine instantly. I froze in place and stared.
   He isn't Derek.... Which relieved me because I didn't have to worry about breaking down in front of him and then frightened because there was a beautiful stranger in my house.
  And yes, I said beautiful.  His hair was dyed pink and a few strands fell into his eyes. His black sweater hung loosely around his slender frame. The sleeves were tugged past his hands and formed sweater paws that I couldn't help but find adorable. His pajama pants hung loosely around his legs, the bottom hem pooling around his bare feet.
  After checking him out slightly I concentrated more on his face. His skin was flawless but oh so pale that he almost looked sick. But I guess it might be due to the fact that he might be in shock. His mouth hung open slightly and I couldn't help but notice his pink plump lips. His cheeks were tinted red and it was obvious that he was crying earlier, the tear stains still noticeable.
  Then there were his eyes...his beautiful green eyes that stared straight into my blue ones. They seemed wild and nervous but also flecked with pain.
  He's so beautiful ... And for a moment I forgot Derek... It was only him, the beautiful boy in front of me.
Snap out of it Luke ! You just found out that Derek left you just hours ago and now you have some instant crush on a total stranger who somehow broke into your house! Say something!
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice going up an octave.
  He stared back at me, never breaking eye contact. "I'm Michael ." He whispered, my heart lept from my chest.
Michael...such a beautiful name...
I couldn't help but smile. "I'm Luke, nice to meet you Michael."
   He smiled and I swear it killed me.
"May I ask...um, how did you get in my house, er, um, or why are you in my house?"
His face paled even more, if that was even possible, as his smile faded to a frown. For the first time he tore his eyes away from mine and stared down at the floor. "There's these guys...th-they..." His force cracked.
"It's ok, you don't have to tell me right away...would you like something to drink?" I asked nervously, not sure if I should press further or to let it be. I mean... He's a complete stranger and for all I know he could be an axe murder. This could just be an act to get me to trust him before he turns around and kills me. I shook the thought away, I'll take my chances.
He shivered a little and shook his head no. Michael continued to stare intensely down at the floor. Cautiously I took a step forward as he took a step back.
I frowned, "are you ok?"
He shook his head no again. Slowly he wrapped his arms around his torso and hugged himself. I quickly grabbed a blanket off an arm chair next to me and held it out for him to take.
He looked up slightly, avoiding my eyes and stared at the blanket for a moment. "Thanks..." He quietly mumbled, grabbing the blanket and slipped it over his shoulders like a cape.
He seemed to relax a little but I could still see him struggling to find words. Trying to piece his thoughts together. I waited patiently, not sure what to do. I was too afraid to ask him what's wrong, it looked as if he was about to break down right in front of me.
It felt like ages before he looked up at me and opened his mouth to speak. " there's these guys...they...I don't know, they knocked on the door...I was upstairs... Aunt Carol answered it...." He squeezed his eyes shut trying to hold back tears as he hugged himself tighter. "It should've been me...it should've been me..."
   My heart stopped at the sight of him trying to pull himself together.
Who knocks on people's doors at this time of night? What happened to his Aunt ? What is he talking about 'it should've been me' ?
  I swallowed hard and nervously asked in a soothing tone, "Michael...what happened? You can tell me..."
   He opened his tear filled eyes and stared at me. He was trying so hard to stay strong, it broke my heart.
   "They...th-they killed her Luke .... They killed her... I found her, I was by her side till her last breath Luke..." A small sob escaped his mouth ," she told me to run... And then...a-and th-then, they found me... Th-the leader told the others t-to kill me.... So I ran..." 
   Chills ran throughout my body. How am I supposed to react? There's a sobbing boy in front of me, his aunt was murdered and he was there when she died, a group of guys ; the same guys who killed his aunt, are after him and wants him dead.... What do I do? Do I comfort him and tell him everything is alright when really it won't? Do I call the police? Do I let Michael stay in here and call the police later once he calms down a bit? What do I do?
Michael closed his eyes tight while biting his lip. He tried so hard to stay strong. It was easy to tell that a war was going on inside of him.
"I-I can call the cops?" I suggested weakly.
"NO!... I mean...I can't ...I can't talk to the cops...." He opened his eyes frantically.
I sighed in understanding. "You don't have to talk to them, I can if you wa-"
"No you don't understand..." He interrupted. "They...I...I can't let them see me."
What?
"I'm confused...why?" I took a chance and stepped forward. This time he didn't step away.
  "I...I can't tell you..."
"Why..."
   "You'd think I'm a freak...a monster...."
"Why in the world would I think your a freak?"
    "I'm different...I'm not...normal... You wouldn't understand." He looked down at the floor, avoiding my eyes.
"Everyone is different Michael ... You shouldn't be ashamed of that... Please tell me what's wrong, I can help you."
Michael then looked up at me, his green eyes meeting my blue ones.
"You'll run away from me, abandon me like everyone else."
"I promise you, I won't leave."
Michael looked down at the floor again. I watched as a single tear slowly slid down his cheek and I had to fight the urge to wipe it away.
"Luke...I ... I was born with wings."