*trigger warning: substance abuse and physical abuse*
"Put your hands where I can see them!" I yelled, sticking my gun up to the burglar in front of me. Hank called him in on his radio and 2 cop cars came and took him away. "Well done Connor. Another case solved. Say, how did you know he was on the roof?" Hank chuckled. "I saw a fresh muddy footprint outside of the door that led to the roof. Always keep your eyes out for clues Lieutenant" I joked. "Yeah, Yeah. Get in the damn car" Hank said. I smiled a got into the passenger seat of the car.
"Christ, how is it still raining. Did it stop at all since last week?" Hank complained, flipping on his window wipers. "It hasn't rained all week Lieutenant" I said. "I was over exaggerating Connor" he said. The rest of the car ride back to the station was silent. Faint music from the radio played as background music. I stared out my window and watched the buildings as they passed. We stopped at a red light and I looked into an alleyway. I saw two big dumpsters and on the floor, in between them, was a boy with white curls passed out. He looked like Matt, but it was probably some homeless man.
I wonder what happened to Matt after that night at my house. I pitied the man in the alley. Thinking it was Matt lying there cold, hungry, and sad. I had to do something. Hank started driving, but I opened the door and rolled out hearing, "Connor what the fuck are you-" as I rolled out. I ran to the alley to where I saw Matt. I stopped and stared at the man. I then ran over to his aid. I flipped him over and saw his face. It was indeed Matt. His face was pale and his lips were blue. He had a black eye and dried blood trailing from his nose and lips.
He was unconscious, so I started to give him CPR. Hank came running around the corner and saw me struggling. "Move boy" Hank said, pushing me away and giving Matt mouth to mouth and CPR. I noticed the needle in his arm. I plucked it out and analyzed it. Inside the needle was black tar heroin. Matt gasped awake and threw up next to himself. Hank and I sighed with relief. He coughed harshly and gasped for air. He slumped back onto his elbows, "never thought I'd wake up to making out with a sixty something year old cop" he joked.
"Connor, help him up before I make him passed out again" Hank remarked. I helped Matt up and wrapped his arm around my shoulders as I helped him back to our car. I plopped him in the back seat and pushed him over, so I could sit back there as well. "Make sure he doesn't throw up in my car" Hank grumbled. Matt rested his head on my shoulder as we continued driving. "How did you even see him Connor? How did you even know it was Matt?" Hank asked confusingly. "I don't know Lieutenant" I responded, looking down at the bruises on Matt's knuckles. "What's your address kid?" Hank asked. "I don't have a home" Matt lied. "How do you not have a home kid?" Hank asked again. Matt stayed silent. I felt his breath hit my neck like a fan. "I guess you can stay at the station tonight" Hank said. "Thank you sir" Matt mumbled.
We arrived at the station and brought Matt to the holding cell with pillows and blankets. We were about to leave when Matt grabbed my wrist, stopping me. "Thank you Connor for uh... saving my life. I'm sorry I've been such a burden to you and Hank" he chuckled, looking down. "Matt, look at me" I said squatting to his level. I grabbed a wet rag and held his chin to look up at me. I washed the blood off of his face as his face flushed pink. "Are you hungry?" I asked, still cleaning him up. "Starving" he laughed. "I'll get you some bagels and sandwiches from the break room" I said, finally done. He smiled, his eyes twinkling, "Thank you". I stood up and went to get food for him.
Hank was at his desk, packing up to go home. "Are you staying to watch him so he stays outta' trouble?" Hank asked. I nodded and he left. I decided not to tell Hank about the black tar heroin until it came up, but I was going to ask Matt about it tonight. I grabbed two bagels, some sandwiches, and water and headed over to Matt in the holding cell.
