Tyler's Battle

Chapter 14 - Night Time Adventures

The house was in total darkness as Tyler crept silently downstairs to the front door and let himself out, shutting the door behind him with a click. He stole down the drive way, glancing up at the dark windows. He had waited patiently for everyone to go to bed and listened out for the sound of Mike doing his last check of the house and turning off the corridor lights before retiring to the staff bedroom. Tyler had waited for another hour before daring to leave his room. Now he was running along the dark residential streets, past the park and the shopping precinct and down more streets. He knew the way, he had studied it on his phone for hours as he had waited for everyone to go to sleep. Finally he arrived outside the flat, he went round the back alley and in through the garden gate. He fumbled around the plant pots by the back door until he found what he was looking for, the spare set of keys. He let himself in and switched on a light, blinking as he adjusted to the sudden brightness. The kitchen was bare, the toaster, the kettle and the microwave were no longer on the work top. The cupboards were empty. Even the living room was bare, all that was left was a pile of boxes in the middle of the room, the furniture was all gone. Tyler opened the box nearest to him, it was full of crockery. He opened another to find it full of his mums clothes, he was hit by the smell of her perfume as he pulled out a scarf. He rubbed the scarf on his face and breathed in his mothers smell. Tears rolled down his face and soaked into the scarf.

Jody couldn't sleep that night, she kept thinking of Tyler, he shouldn't be on his own at a time like this. After spending what seemed like an eternity staring at the ceiling she got up, grabbed her duvet and dragged it to Tyler's room. She openly the door quietly and went in to the room. Tyler she whispered but there was no answer, she whispered again slightly louder but there was no response. She switched on the bedside lamp, his bed was empty. She was puzzled. Where was he? She sat on his bed for a while thinking perhaps he'd gone to the bathroom or gone to the kitchen to get a drink but he didn't come back. Eventually she fell asleep curled on the bed. She didn't wake when Tyler returned. He was surprised to find her there.

Jody whispered Tyler, shaking her gently

Huh, what? Exclaimed Jody rubbing her eyes

What are you doing here? Tyler asked

I came to keep you company but you weren't here. Where have you been?

Tyler kicked off his shoes and climbed into the bed with Jody.

Promise you wont tell anyone?

Promise

Well I went to mums flat. I wanted to see it one last time.

What! You went all the way there in the middle of the night on your own cried Jody in surprise

Shhhh! Keep your voice down, you'll wake the whole house if you are that loud

Sorry whispered Jody

I had to go to the flat and see it for myself and I brought a few things back

Tyler, you could get in a lot of trouble if anyone finds out

I don't care replied Tyler as he pulled his mums scarf out of the carrier bag that he had left on the end of the bed

He wrapped the scarf around him and breathed in his mums smell

What else did you take said Jody curiously and she grabbed the carrier bag. She pulled out a cardigan that smelt just as strongly of Sally's perfume as the scarf, there was a couple more photos, a few trinkets and a battered box which on closer inspection was the twister game, Tyler's favourite. Jody put the items back in the bag and lay down next to Tyler.

Its going to be ok. I promise. It might take a while to get your head around it all but you've got me and the rest of the DG

I know. Thanks Jody