Ghost ⇔ Cake ✓

Eleven: Behind Bars

Luke had his hands on the wheel, about to drive off, when he suddenly pressed his foot on the brakes.

Michael, who had climbed up to the front in Ashton's absence, jerked forward. "Jesus. Sent me through the windshield, why don't you."

"Something's wrong," said Luke. He reversed the car and backed up until he could see the front door clearly once again. It was solid wood, but at this angle Luke could see inside the windows. Nothing seemed out of place or wrong, yet something in his gut felt twisted.

Michael stared at him. "Today's been weird. I get that. But I'm sure Ashton is fine." He paused. "Well, as fine as someone with a shitty home life can be."

Luke still didn't move the car. "I just..." He trailed off. "I think something is wrong." Then he looked at Michael, eyebrows furrowed together. "Has Ashton been acting strange lately?"

"Define strange," Michael said, scrolling idly on his phone. "He doesn't talk and he's kind of an asshole. The usual."

Luke put the car into park, making Michael raise an eyebrow. "But isn't it odd that he doesn't talk? That he never talks in front of anyone but us?"

"Sure, I guess," Michael said. "What's going on with you? We've never questioned it before. Why are you now?"

Luke looked away and bowed his head, running his hands through his hair. "I don't know. Just-- ignore me. I'm probably just tired."

"Excellent," Michael said. "Let's go then."

Luke put his car in drive, about to pull out of the driveway when suddenly, two police cars, sirens loud and lights flashing, tore into the driveway. They stopped just behind Luke's car and threw open the doors, several policeman piling out and up to the front door.

Luke swore and thrust the car into park, climbing out of the car after Michael. He sprinted up to the front door, open and nearly hanging off the hinges, only to be blocked by a man in blue.

"Step aside, boys," said the officer. Luke didn't move.

"What's going on?" he demanded. "Is Ashton hurt?"

The man raised an eyebrow. "It's not Ashton Irwin you should be concerned about. We found the murder weapon hidden in his room. You should be glad. Your dead friend's case is closed."

The policeman stepped aside to reveal Ashton, his hazel eyes lowered to the ground, shoulders slumped, hands bound behind his back. Two policeman gripped each of his arms on either side, yanking him aggressively toward the door. One of the policeman were reading off Ashton's Miranda rights. Luke's mouth went dry.

"Stop it," Luke said. "Let him go. He didn't do anything!"

Ashton's head snapped up when he heard Luke's voice. His eyes were bloodshot and tear-streaked. He quickly shook his head at his two friends.

"Get out of here, please," he said. His voice cracked. Luke watched him with wide eyes as he was taken toward the police car. "I mean it. Stay out of this."

"Ashton..." Michael seemed at a loss for words. "Don't--"

One of the cops opened the backseat. Ashton resisted the policeman for a moment long enough to say, "I'm sorry. Just get out of here, alright? Promise me you'll stay out of this."

"Ashton," Luke said slowly. "You didn't do this."

Ashton was quiet for a moment, shaking from the pressure of the police around him pushing him toward the car. Luke was duly surprised at Ashton's physical strength to resist them. Finally Ashton just shook his head again, eyes swelling with tears, and he said, "I'm sorry."