BROKEN HOME :: OT4

réalité

Chapter Seventeen ; réalité

Michael wipes off the small tear that has appeared under his eye and gets out of the car, closing it behind him. As he walks on the steps of the porch, his heart beats fast, almost as if he is living his dream, or perhaps nightmare. However, that is when he hears his mom's voice, and he can feel his brain cells having a bit of a party.

The front door opens and he sees two figures coming outside, one of his mum, followed by a curly haired boy wearing a blue flannel. He has not buttoned his chest up, making Michael feel a bit uncomfortable from realising this boy was with his mum alone.

"Good b-bye, M- Ms Clifford." He stumbles on his words almost as if it is the first time he is saying them and he turns around, to be faced with three other boys. Michael recognises him as the boy who was previously arguing with Mr Daniels in the car, but he chooses to not share the information now.

The boy stands there for a while, a bit weird for a person who just said goodbye Michael thinks, and realises he is observing him. The attention from the boy makes him blush and look down, to which the boy smiles as a return before leaving the porch with his hands in his jeans pocket.

"Come in." Michael's mother motions them as she hurries to the kitchen to make them some tea. After a while, she comes with some cups and green tea, making Michael smile as he refers back to his nightmare/dream.

Calum haven't had any food that afternoon, and so he takes a bite from the Bevita morning crunch which is presented for them as he takes a sip from his tea. He sets it down before complaining about  how he burnt his tongue.

"I guess you are here to tell me about the DNA results?" She sighs as Michael looks at her with sympathy in his eyes. She doesn't understand how lucky she is for having such a kind hearted boy, specially who comes from an opposite father.

"Mum.. the problem is-" he is interrupted by his mum putting a hand on his knees as she nods. "I know honey." 

There is a moment of silence in the room, and the only sound is their breathings and Calum taking a sip of his tea. Michael doesn't notice that his mother was comforting herself than him, and he feels selfish for caring about his feelings instead of hers.

"We will do everything we can to protect you mama-" He hugs her as he lets out silent sobs. A knock is made on the door, causing the mother and the son to separate and wipe of their tears. Calum is observing Mrs Clifford, and she seems awfully not too nervous for a person who has just been convicted for murder.

Any way, the door is opened and Officer Hemmings enters the house, greeting them as he takes off his shoes. The silence continues, with everyone looking at Michael's hands wrapped around his mother's as if it is winter and he wants to keep her warm.

All the years, from everything they have gone through: the punches, the kicks, the hurtful words, the bruises and blood, this is the most painful thing to face for them. Not being able to be together and face the world like they always had is the thing that is breaking them to pieces.

"I tried mum, I did.." he mumbles as he hugs her again, this time the tears winning the war as they flood his face. Everyone can see the mother is attempting - and failing- to keep it together, to be the strong one as she mumbles "We will find a way out."

"We always have." she says before disconnecting form her son and getting ready to leave. She washes the cups and puts them back to where they used to be while the other three discussed Calum's trial and perjury.

"I am just going to go the rest room." she announces and goes upstairs. Luke puts his shoes back on and corrects his hair in the reflection of the mirror near the small door which looks awfully tiny for anybody to spend time there. He then realises that it is a storage room and kicks himself mentally for his weak moment before looking up the stairs.

After a few minutes, Michael runs towards the stairs and calls out for his mother's name; and he wishes that she doesn't come down. He wants the earth to swallow her and place her in heaven or a safe place; she doesn't deserve any of it, for he couldn't even keep one of his promises to her.

He realises how much of a failure he is going to be, and how he has ruined Calum's life. His mind starts going at every mistake he has done in life and starts to kick him for it. Calum's education is interrupted because of him; he is probably going to be in jail for two years at least for lying; when the trial is over, he will not have Luke or Tyler or even the grad students.

He will be alone.

"Mum!" he shouts before running upstairs as he hears Luke grunt due to his mother taking her time. Bizarrely, the toilet door is opened and nobody is inside, nor is there anybody in the bathroom; he walks in to the bedroom and it is empty. But he sees an open window, and he runs towards it.

From there, he can see his mother getting in to a black car, looking back at the house one time and connecting her sad eyes with Michael before entering fully and shutting the door. Michael feels relief and bliss rushing in his veins as he slowly closes the window.

He knows it is wrong; he knows he should tell someone that the car is the same one Mr Daniels was driving but he doesn't; because the truth is the most important thing in the justice system, but his mother- for him at least- is just as important.

He runs downstairs with his acting face on, hoping that this time, nobody will see between the cracks as he starts to cry. With tears on his cheeks and a fake heavy breathing, he storms downstairs to his companions who are patiently waiting.

"She is gone."

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double update cause I might not update more this week :-)