Raising Madison (The third book in the 'The girl in the attic trilogy')

(12) Raising Madison

Raising Madison

Chapter 12

Preston’s POV

I held Katie’s ashes the whole night but I couldn’t sleep and that’s the way it went for the rest of the week. I was tired irritated and barely functioning. My work was suffering because of it and I could tell that Madie knew something was wrong. I tried my hardest to act normal in front of her but it was difficult considering I was so close to breaking point. My thoughts were a mess and at one point I considered drinking myself into a coma, of course I didn’t do it but it was very tempting.

The next week continued on much the same and by the time the weekend came I just couldn’t take it anymore. It was as if I was losing touch with reality and I knew I had to do something, I just didn’t know what. Feeling confused and angry and very emotional I packed Madie’s bag and mine and then loaded her into the car.

I arrived at my parents’ house a few minutes later and I could tell that they knew something was wrong as soon as they saw me. I have to admit that I looked like crap, I haven’t been eating or sleeping much and it felt like I was very close to slipping off the edge. How I look or feel is the last of my worries at the moment though. The only thing that I knew is that I had to get Madie somewhere she’d be safe and looked after.

“Can you maybe look after her for a few hours? I have some things I need to do,” I asked, handing her over to my mom, not really giving her a choice.

“Sure honey, but are you ok? You don’t look to good,” my mom replied, looking at me worriedly.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need to go to work for a while and then stop by the mall,” I lied, hoping that she believed me.

“Ok then, say buy to Daddy,” my mom said, turning her attention to Madie.

“Buy Daddy,” she said, waving her little hand as she smiled at me.

“Buy sweetie,” I whispered, giving her a soft kiss on her cheek.

I left then, wanting to get out of there before my mom asked anymore questions. I needed to get away from everybody and everything. I needed to be alone so that if I go crazy I don’t hurt anybody but myself.

I had no idea where I was going but I just kept on driving as fast as I could, the windows open and the music blasting away. It made me feel free which in turn made me feel better but it didn’t last very long, soon I was feeling even worse than before.  Every corner I took looked like a way out of this hell, if I just pushed down hard on the gas and went straight my car would be sure to flip over the barrier and roll down the cliff. I wouldn’t survive and I’d finally be able to forget, but I didn’t want to forget about Katie and I made her a promise that I would look after our baby girl. I’m not sure if I can do it though, it all seemed too much and I was slowly losing control.

I didn’t do it, it was tempting but instead I just kept on driving. I filled up when I ran out of gas, ate when my stomach hurt so much that I threw up and slept when my eyes fell closed out of their own. It was hell and the world became a blur around me. I just kept on going, not doing anything but running away but it seemed like the further I went the more everything caught up to me.

Brooklyn’s POV

It’s been two weeks since I last spoke to Preston but I can’t stop thinking about him and Madie. I know I told him not to phone me again but every day I wished that my phone would ring and that it would be him on the other side. I’m not sure when or how it happened but I somehow came to care about him.

It was late Friday night and I was already in bed when my phone started ringing and like an idiot I couldn’t stop myself from wishing that it was him. It wasn’t though, it was a number I didn’t recognize but I answered anyway. The woman on the other side was frantic and my heart dropped in my chest when she told me that she is Preston’s mom.

“Have you heard anything from him?” she asked, sobbing.

“No… no I haven’t, did you check his apartment?” I asked, stunned. I knew he was battling but I never expected him to leave Madie with his parents and disappear.

“Yes, the landlord let us in but he’s not there,” she replied.

“Ok, uhm, how long has he been gone?” I asked, still trying to get my mind around things.

“Two weeks,” she answered and then the phone went dead in my ear.

I let my phone fall to the bed and took a deep breath before getting up. I had to find Preston, I had to make sure that he is ok. He needed somebody to help him even if he won’t admit it. I just hope I’m not too late.