Reaction || Malum ||

14

Familiarity is often soothing. Seeing something that takes you back to a better place or time is detrimental. A teddy bear we slept with as a child was necessary to fall asleep because clutching onto that stuffed animal was familiar. Calum wanting to return to his childhood home is much needed to him right now and who am I to deny him that?

His nurse, Daphne, is unhooking him from all of his iVs as quickly as possible because she promised us we could have an hour. She's known Calum for a few years she assured me and knows his situation well. Daphne told us that she could play it off that Calum and I are just going for a walk, which is allowed, but in reality we are going to Calum's house. I can't shake the knot in the pit of my stomach that this might not be the best idea but at the same time I think it is. Calum needs closure.

"Okay Calum, you are good to go but if you start feeling even the slightest bit sick you need to come back." She ordered Calum and he nodded slowly. I helped him get dressed in his proper clothes that I had picked up from my house this morning. I hated to leave him this morning but he was in therapy so I felt safe in taking a break from the hospital.

I've practically moved into Calum's room with him. The nurses treat me like a casual piece of furniture because they know Calum could use the company. Even though the chair I camp out in is extremely painful to my ass, it's worth it to know that Calum is okay.

"Are you ready Cal?" I asked, offering him an arm to grab on to. He nodded and hooked his arm through mine to steady his weak body. He threw on the hood of his familiar sweatshirt and we headed slowly out of the door. The hallway was clear which worked to our advantage of getting out of here before someone stopped us. Quickly we hurried out of the hospital and into my car.

Calum tugged his legs up to his chest as I started to drive. I pulled out of the hospital parking lot with no clue where I was going. I glanced over to Calum who was curled up in a ball, staring at the dark sky.

"Where am I going Cal?" I asked softly as I adjusted the radio volume.

"Keep driving." He whispered and I did exactly what I was told. The houses got smaller and closer together as we reached the far side of town. Calum's head finally perked up when we entered a small neighborhood.

"Are we close?" I asked and Calum nodded slowly. He pointed to the second to last house on the street that was blue with a for sale sign in the front yard and I pulled up the driveway.

A ghost of a smile was on Calum's lips as he climbed from my vehicle. I exhaled all my fear and stepped out of the car to follow Calum up the front stairs. He wiggled the doorknob and pouted when it was locked but picked up his head quickly. He walked towards the window and under a loose board there was a key. It must have gone undiscovered in the chaos. His shaking hand turned the key in the lock and he opened the door slowly. My hand grabbed Calum's in comfort and he squeezed it back while he attempted to smile.

The walls were mostly bare but there were boxes stacked in every possible corner. Some were marked fragile while others weren't. Memories of Calum's whole life were packed up in boxes and he wasn't able to do anything but try to move on. My heart physically ached for him.

"M-my aunt and uncle were supposed to clean it out." He whispered with his chocolate eyes scanning over the empty room. As we walked past the shelves his fingertips brushed away the layer of dust that was beginning to gather.

"They haven't." My shaky voice stated the obvious and Calum shook his head. I walked over to an open box packed with picture frames and grabbed up the one on top. It was a family portrait and Calum's face was graced with a beautiful smile. He was sitting between his parents while his sister sat in front of them all. He couldn't have been a day over 6 or so but he was absolutely adorable. I smiled deeply at the picture and replaced it before I turned around to Calum.