Alone in the Streets of London

III

1.

I stumble through the front door, Its almost 10. What a great day. Watched the games and had some hot chicks serve is cold beer all day. I see the red light blink on the answering machine. I swear if that is that twat's school again, I click play back "Hello this is Summer Dale High School calling for Luke Smith's father, we just wanted to inform you that Luke never showed up today and we would appreciate it if next time he doesn't come of you could give us a ring before. Have a great day!" HE DIDN'T SHOW UP TODAY!? I slam the my fist on the table. I stomp upstairs, I want him to know that I am coming. I barge into his room. It is untouched. Where the fuck could that twat be. Maybe he got himself killed. Then I would get some insurance money and not have to deal with him anymore. I close his door, crack open another pint of beer and put on the telly.

2.

I wake up shivering. I still have no idea where I am. I manage to stand up and I walk to the corner and glance at the clock, 20:32. Its already late. I need to find a way home, or at least to a bus stop before they close for the night. I walk into the bread shop to my right. "Hi umm where is the closest bus stop?" The elderly man looks up, he stumbles over his words, I am sure because he thinks I'll rob him but he gives me directions and as I walk out he stops me "you've been through a lot, do you want some hot tea and toast?" "Thank you but I don't want to intrude, besides its late. Thank you though" and with my mouth watering I head to the bus stop.

~

I finally make it back home after three transfers. I am standing in front of my door. I know he will be mad and I know that he won't listen to me, if I try to explain what happened he will assume I am lying and that I ditched school, then he will beat the shit out of me again. Especially if he has been drinking, he is always drinking. I don't know where he gets all the boos, we are in debt and behind on almost every bill.

I decide I would be safer at this time of night to just go sleep somewhere else, the only place I can think of is school. Most kids would dread this but its safe there, people leave me alone.

3.

I can't sleep. The thought of Luke being in trouble is keeping me up. I know he isn't my responsibility, but maybe he is, I want to know what he has been going through, I feel like he needs somebody to care for him. I look at the clock, 4:30. I might as well get up now, I'm not going to fall back asleep or anything.

I make my way to school, its 5:30 when I pull up. I know the doors wont be open but its nice enough out that I get out of my car and start to walk around the building, By the time I get to the front the sun has risen and I can feel the warm glow on my face. Its a sight to see over here, a cloudless day. Don't get me wrong I love the rain but the sun is a pleasant surprise. I look over the the round bricks in front of me. They were supposed to have flowers and trees in it but it is just a doughnut with dirt in the middle. Its hard to look at it with the sun, but there is something on the wall, as I get closer I can tell it is definitely a person.

I slow my passe, I know there are homeless people around but I have never seen one before, but as I get closer my heart drops as I make out Luke's scraney body asleep on the wall.