Against All Odds

Chapter 24

Lucas

There's the typical English rain and then there's storms. This evening there is a major storm going on outside. Not only is there a power cut but the storms so bad that Dad had texted saying the road from the pub was flooded so he was unable to get home tonight. Not that I mind. In fact, I'm quite enjoying being surrounded by candles and playing the old piano that had been here before we got here. It's not a grand piano but I love being able to play music again, since we left my old piano when we were forced to flee.

I'd also taken the opportunity of Dads absence to entre his room. Detective Russell had been on my case, demanding evidence. So far I'd only been able to give him small things like names of other dealers. This search, however, had been very successful.

In a draw under Dad's bed I'd found three pieces of paper. Innocent as they may have appeared, when I read the writing I could hardly believe it. On them were all the details of the shipments containing the drugs that Dad's company dealt for the next month. Date, time, place. Everything the detective needed to make an arrest. Of course, I couldn't steal the papers so I'd made a copy and hid it in my room to give to the detective as soon as I got the chance.

My fingers dance along the keys until I come to the last note, which I hold for a second longer. Once I finish I let out a deep breath.

"Amazing." A voice came from beside me and I literally leapt out of my skin, springing to my feet and pushing over the piano stool.

"Bloody hell, who are you?" I gasp at the young boy staring at me in complete awe. His head is cocked to the side, eyes wide. After I get over my initial shock I realise the boy is soaking wet.

"I'm Benji, I live next door." He explains in a matter of fact way and I sigh, feeling my heart beat slowly go back to normal. "The dark and loudness of the storm was scaring me but when I heard your music I felt...safe."

The boy is shivering but I don't think he realises he's cold. His eyes are darting from me to the piano and back again. I bend down and pick up the piano stool, setting it in its correct position.

"Won't your parents be worried about you?" I pick his small form up gently and place him on the piano stool. The little boys' brow creases and he replies with a shrug, his eyes focused on the keys in front of him. "I'm sure they'll be looking for you. Do you know their number...? Forget that, the lines are out."

Benji gives me a confused look.

"It wouldn't matter anyway, you can't phone dead people." He states like that's obvious. Blinking in shock at his words, I feel like an idiot for going on about his parents. "My sister might be worried."
"Your sister?" I ask quietly because something just clicked in my mind.

"Yeah." He swings his legs on the stool. "I think Evie's mad at me."

My eyes widen as my suspicions are confirmed.

The boy sat in front of me is Eve Harpers little brother. It seems blindingly obvious to me now, seeing as he'd said he was my neighbour and all. That means Eve's parents...

I find him a blanket to wrap around his drying body. Luckily he hadn't been out in the storm that long and his clothes aren't soaked through. As I wrap the blanket around his small shoulders, he yawns so I decide to take him into the sitting room, the warmest room of the house. As I lay him down on the sofa, hugging the blanket to him, his eyes shut and his breathing calms right down.

Once he's asleep I make the decision to head next door, not doubting that Eve's probably going mad with worry right now. Before leaving the warm, candle lit house I put on my raincoat and zip it up all the way. Bracing myself, I open the door and step out into the storm, the battering rain almost forcing my eyes shut. If it wasn't for the torch I'd remembered to bring I would be almost blind.