South-Side Renascent || c.g.

Damage (1)

Carl

Go home for the night? I thought I was at home.

"You're serious?" I asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yes," she replied, folding her arms.

"Now this is ridiculous," I left the room before she could protest and bolted down the stairs. I made sure to grab my wallet, jacket, and my phone before leaving the house and slamming the door behind me.

I thought I'd been helping this entire time, not pestering her. What was wrong with that? I was feeling a little unappreciated, honestly. What if something happened to her again? I still felt guilty for not being there when she was alone and in pain. I couldn't lose her... I couldn't. I put all of those feelings aside and tried to go back in the house, but I'd already locked it. Nice one, Carl.

I pulled my phone out to check the time. 11:43 pm. There was a possibility that someone at my other home was up to let me in.

—

I knocked on the front door of the house I grew up in. I never thought I'd have to sleep there again— not that soon, at least.

I waited a few minutes and knocked again. Despite it being the end of August, the nighttime air was kind of bitter, and it looked like I was gonna be sleeping outside. Great. I gave up on getting in the house and just laid down on the bench on the porch.

After about a few minutes of me attempting to get comfortable, my phone vibrated. She must've caved and wanted me to come back home. My smirk turned into a frown when I realized Cailee hadn't texted me, Carson had.

Carson 🥳
Cailee can I please stay at your place tonight ?
Sorry, I tapped the wrong contact ..

Carl 😎
It's all good

Wonder what that was about. Before I could try to get comfortable again, I got another message.

Carson🥳
Cailee won't pick up her phone and I need help
I don't mean to bother you, there's just no one else I can go to right now

Carl😎
Her phone is probably on dnd
What's up?

Carson🥳
Can I please call you, I'm outside by myself and some strange guy keeps looking at me

I replied with a "sure," and the phone rang almost instantly.

"Hello?" she spoke into the receiver.

"Hey, what's going on? Where are you?"

"Matt and I got into an argument, so I stormed out. I'm near the park. I don't wanna go back to Matt's tonight... Ugh, this guy is really creeping me out."

"I'm on my way."

—

I walked just past the park and saw the now raven-haired girl standing by the streetlight. A guy I'd never seen before was in her face, most likely making pervy remarks, judging by her uncomfortable demeanor. I approached them rather quickly.