Broken Promises (#4 in the 'Outcast' series)

Chapter 1

I put one hand against the wall and the other on my head as it spun and I saw Tara at the end of the hallway. An alarmed look appeared on her face. My mind slowed down again and I couldn't hear what she was saying as she rushed towards me.

My hand slipped off the wall and I fell, my vision completely going as everything I'd taken kicked in.

The last thing I saw before I passed out was Tara rushing towards me.

Chapter 1:

Ashley's Point of View:

I knocked on the door and waited. It was late afternoon, so I knew he'd be home. He hadn't been at school today, but none of us expected him to be there; not for a while.

A few minutes later, the door opened. Mike looked back at me, looking rather miserable and just downright unhappy. Seeing it was me, he moved aside and let me in, closing the door after me.

"How're you doing?" I asked as he stayed by the door and looked at me.

He shrugged.

"As good as I can be," he said quietly as he trudged past and headed up the stairs to his room.

I followed, leaning against the doorframe as he sat down on the chair that was at his desk. He indicated for me to come in and sit down, so I did as asked, sitting on the edge of his bed and looking at him.

"You look like you haven't slept," I said, Mike just watching me.

He shrugged again.

"Didn't really sleep much last night," he said, looking down at the floor as he spoke. "Just worried too much I guess."

I looked at him sadly. "He's gonna be fine Mike. Vic always manages to pull through these things."

Mike shrugged, and by the looks of it, he wasn't feeling as optimistic as I was trying to be. He rubbed his eyes tiredly before he spoke.

"Mom and dad won't tell me what's going on," he said with a shake of his head. "I dunno why they don't want me to know what's happening; Vic's my brother. I think I have the right to know what the doctors've said..."

"Maybe they don't wanna worry you any more than you already are," I suggested. "They're looking out for you Mike."

Mike shook his head and sighed, looking at me tiredly. It was only Friday; it'd only been two days since it'd happened, but Mike just looked worn down.

"Mom stayed with 'im last night, but dad wouldn't tell me what anyone said," he continued, looking like he wanted to cry, but managing to keep it together. "They won't even let me go see 'im."

I just looked at him sadly and Mike looked up, meeting my gaze.

"Is it that bad that they can't even tell their own son how his brother's doin'?" he asked sadly. "Is it that bad that they don't want me to see my own brother?"

"I'm sure they have their reasons for not lettin' you see him Mike," I tried, Mike just shrugging miserably. "They wouldn't make you stay away if they didn't think you should."

Mike just looked at me for a few seconds before just looking down sadly. We stayed in silence for a bit before he spoke.

"So," he said, straightening up and looking at me, trying to hide how upset he really was. "Y'hear 'bout Andy?"

I frowned. "What 'bout him?"

Mike looked at me blankly for a couple of seconds.

"Ah," he said, realising he'd been told something I hadn't. "I'll take it no-one's told you..."