Alone in the Streets of London

VII

1.

I knew it was a bad idea to take Luke back but I didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable either. I am so glad I stuck around. The way he spoke to Luke and the way Luke took it made me sick. When I saw him throw Luke up against the wall I knew I had to do something. When he heard me coming he let go of Luke, seeing Luke slide down that wall made my heart fall into my stomach. I kept a brave face, I didn't want to fight this guy, I just needed to get Luke to a hospital. I pushed past him and I could smell the alcohol and weed on his breath. I grabbed Luke bridal style, he wasn't heavy at all. I quickly walked to my car and laid him in the back of my car. I knew the closest hospital was only a couple blocks away so I drove right there.

When I got there I carried him into the ER, I explained everything he had told me before and everything I had seen moments ago. They told me that they would let me back as soon as they know he is stable and how to treat him. I grab a paper cup of water and sit in the back corner of the waiting room.

2.

They won't let me see Luke. But they want to know why he is treated the way he is. I tell them about his dad and the way it was a normal occurrence for him to treat Luke this way and this time somebody was there to see it go to far. I made it sound like I was closer to Luke and had been with him through it all, but I knew if I told them that I just found out yesterday they wouldn't have taken me seriously. So I told them everything Luke told me, making it sound like old news. The only thing they told me was that they would look into it.

I am exhausted by the time they tell me he is a sleep and I can go back and see him. He is lying flat on his back, fast asleep. I pull a chair into the corner and within seconds I am falling asleep.

3.

When I wake up I know I shouldn't be here. I feel the crisp sheets laid across me. I sit up fast, and immediately regret it. When the spots clear I look around. I see Mr. Duckworth, or Jon, balled up in the corner, but I also see a stack of clothes folded up next to him. They are mine, but the are clean. I gingerly get out of bed, testing my wait on my feet first, I am able to grab my clothes and get them on without waking him up. I feel my phone in my pocket. I grab it and hold down the power button, still dead. I shove it back in my pocket and and sneak out the door.

When I feel the cold London air I wish I could go back inside. But I simply pull my jacket close and once again I am alone in the streets of London.

4.

I don't think I've slept that good in weeks. It wasn't the most comfortable position, but I was so exhausted that nothing could have woken me up. I stretch and slowly open my eyes and they adjust to the now bright room. I glance at the clock on the wall. Its almost 9, I need to call the school and let the know what is going on. I grab my phone off the table, Sally answers on the second ring, I turn and face the wall as I explain everything to her. "How is he?" "Still..." I turn around to an empty bed. "Gone, I gotta go." I hang up on her and sprint to the front desk. "Where is Luke Smith?" The lady at the front desk looks at her computer and types his name. "Looks like he checked himself out this morning at 7:13" "Shit." She looks appalled at my language but I don't pay any more attention to her as I run out of the hospital. He has been gone for two hours, how far could he have gotten, not far. But which way would he have gone? Where do I start looking. This is my fault. I pushed him to far.

I need to find him.