Toy Soldiers (Tell me a lie- sequel)

Chapter 21

Tear in my heart - Twenty One Pilots

Niall's Point of View

The boys stayed around for dinner (consisting of me picking at the food), which we all cooked together, before they had to go home again. Liam insisted on staying with me until Mum got home but I couldn't say yes. I still had to go and get her.

What if this was a trick? What if my mum wouldn't be let go?

By 9 everyone was gone and I was basically shitting myself. I don't want to go back. I want to stay. I want to stay with Liam and have a normal life and I can't go back. But then I am being selfish. Mum deserves to come home. She has nothing to do with this and all she has done is be nice to me.

I can't let her get hurt because of me.

By 10, I had changed into something more situable. Jeans, fresh underwear, a plain top and a baggy hoodie. With clean socks and sterdy shoes on, I paced about the living room.

When I go, will I ever come back?

Will I ever see Liam again or is this the last time? I take my phone into my hands and call him up.

He answers after a few rings. "Niall? What's up?" Did I wake him up? All I want to do is hear his voice one more time.

"Liam, sorry did I wake you?" I asked, trying to act normal but my voice was going to crack and tears were going to spill.

"No it's okay I'm fine. Why are you calling so late?" He asks.

"I just wanted to let you know that mum is home now and I'm okay." I lied again. I needed a reason to call him.

"That's good. I'm glad you are safe. Have you told the police yet? About the writing?"

"Yeah, they are going to investigate it tomorrow morning." My eyes flicker into the dark kitchen where I had scrubbed away the writing. When mum comes back, I don't want her to see the writing. I don't want her to be scared.

"Yay! It's late so I'll call you in the morning okay? Or I'll see you after school?" He asks and I can imagine a smile on his face. I hold the phone tightly in my hand, not wanting him to go.

"Okay. Sorry, I thought I should let you know." I replied.

"It's okay. Night Ni, I love you."

"I love you more." I answer and he hangs up. I clutch the phone to my heart. He's gone. At least it ended on a good note.

By 11, I had drank some coffee to keep me awake and went to the toilet just in case. I re-brushed my teeth and made an effort to fix my hair even though nothing was going on that needed me to impress anyone.

I looked down at the faint bruises on my wrist from Sam. They were nearly gone. Only they were probably going to be rebrusied in the next 12 hours.

By 11:45, I had left the house. I was listening to some music that kept me calm. If I was going again then I want to listen to one last song that I like.

The night was eerie and I swear the stars had eyes. I felt a gaze, a thousand gazes, on me as my trip neared a finish. I couldn't be prepared anymore. I passed Liam's house on the way to the park. His bedroom was at the front on the right. The light was off. He was sleeping for sure.

I stare at his window for a few minutes while the cold wind blew through my hair. A tear fights to leave my eyes but I keep it there. I'm not crying anymore.

I'm walking again, just about to reach the park. I didn't know who I was meeting, so I sat down on the swings, letting them find me. Prayers of the refugee by Rise Against plays loudly in my ears as I shake against the cold.