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

(13) Raising Madison

Raising Madison

Chapter 13

Preston’s POV

Its strange how time starts to stand still when you stop caring, when you just push everything aside and concentrate on not thinking about your life or the pain you are feeling. The hours faded into days and the days faded into weeks and soon I had no idea of what the date or time was. In a way it was magical to pretend not to care but deep down I could feel my anger and pain burning inside of me, wanting to be set free. I was missing Madie and I was missing Katie and for some reason I couldn’t stop thinking about how badly I treated Brooklyn.

The more I tried to forget the more I remembered. I remembered the way Katie’s hand felt in mine, I remembered the way she laughed, the way she always put me and her unborn baby first,  and the way she was always so kind no matter what, but most of all the way her soft lips felt against mine.

It was all starting to get too much for me to handle. I wanted to forget, I didn’t want to feel the pain, I didn’t want to feel so alone, but I was lost and had no idea what to do.

Somehow I found my way back to my apartment. It was locked, just like I had left it. It felt strange being home, it didn’t feel like home. I looked at the calendar stuck to the fridge and realized that a full two weeks had passed. I didn’t think that I was away for so long, it didn’t feel like it but somehow it actually felt longer. I had no idea how I felt anymore, I just knew I was angry. I let out a scream, grabbed the nearest thing, which happened to be the kettle and threw it to the ground, ripping the plug and cord out of the wall. I didn’t stop there. I grabbed things, not caring what they were and threw them, broke them and tore them apart. I didn’t’ stop until there was nothing left to brake.

Brooklyn’s POV

I had no idea where he could have gone but I knew I had to find him, so I got dressed, grabbed my phone and purse and took off, leaving my parents a note. They are ok as far as parents go and as long I let them know where I’m going and keep my grades up they basically let me do as I please. I was half way down the street when I decided that the best place to start looking for him would be his apartment. It wasn’t a long drive and within a few minutes I brought my car to a stop before his apartment building. I could feel my heart rate increasing as I made my way up to his apartment. I doubted that he would be there but I had no idea where else to look.

I got out of the lift on his floor and took a look down the hall. An old man was standing a few feet from Preston’s door and a bit further down was a bunch of people, about six or so. I immediately knew that whatever was going on had something to do with Preston and ran down the hall, coming to a stop right in front of the old man.

“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

“He’s breaking the place down and won’t open up, I’ve got a key but I’m seriously considering calling the cops before I just go in,” the man answered.

“No!” I half yelled, not wanting Preston to get into any sort of trouble, he was having a hard enough time as is.

“I don’t think I have much of a choice miss,” the man replied, looking a bit irritated.

“Open up for me, I’ll go in and talk to him. I’m sure we can sort this out,” I said, hoping I was right. I had no idea how Preston would react f if he saw me. The man considered my request for a few seconds and then stepped closer to the door and unlocked it.

I stepped inside and heard as the door closed behind me. The place was a mess. Everything was broken and thrown around, the floor was littered with pieces of broken furniture and food.

“Preston!” I whisper yelled, wanting to let him know that I was there but unable to raise my voice higher than a whisper. He didn’t’ answer

“Preston!” I called again, a little louder this time. He still didn’t answer but I heard a sobbing noise coming from his bedroom.

I followed the sound of his crying to his bedroom and slowly pushed open the door.  He was sitting on the ground in the middle of the room, sobbing and rocking back and forth. He looked bad, really bad. He didn’t even look up as I entered the room and I have to admit that I was terrified. I’ve never had to deal with something like this before and all that I could hope for was that I could somehow help him.

“I want to help you,” I said as I walked over to him and sat down in front of him. He didn’t look up and he didn’t answer.

“Please Preston, let me help you,” I pleaded, feeling tears starting to sting my own eyes. I hated seeing him like that. He still didn’t answer but he looked up at me and my heart broke into a million little pieces. His eyes were filled with so much hurt and sadness and all I could do was pull him into my arms and hold him. It didn’t feel awkward or strange and to my surprise he didn’t try to pull away, instead he wrapped his arms around me and cried while I held him.

It didn’t take long before I was crying with him, unable to stop myself.

I have no idea how long we sat like that but after a while I pulled away and got to my feet.

“I’ll be right back, I said and then quickly went to talk the old man, which I assumed is the landlord. He didn’t look very impressed but I managed to convince him that I had everything under control and that there was no need for him to call the police. As soon as he agreed I headed back inside, not wanting to leave Preston alone. He had made his way into the living room in the time that I was gone and from the look on his face I could tell that he was really angry with himself.

“I can’t believe I did this,” he said as I made my way over to him.

“It’s not that bad,” I lied, trying to make him feel better and once again he surprised me by chuckling.

“Will you let you let me help you now?” I asked, hoping that I wasn’t pressing me luck.

“Yeah, I think I’m ready. I don’t want to feel like this anymore,” he agreed and I couldn’t help but smile.