In My Head

1

**Kei's POV**

I gasp for air as I break the surface of the small pond. I crawl to the bank, coughing. The jump was higher than expected. I get up and run to where I threw the clothes, heating my body in the process, drying myself.

I put the clothes on quickly, changing my appearance. I hear a siren start to go off, saying a patient is missing. I hurry and throw my hospital gown aside. I run out of the small area, jumping the fence. 

I run out of the parking lot, trying to get away as fast as possible.

**Eli's POV**

"It's incredible. Thank you so much." I say, grateful that Kei is finally awake. The doctor was busy with something else so it took longer than expected. I hope Kei is alright. I open the door. A cold gust of air hits me.

I look at the bed. Kei is... gone? I look at the area surrounding the bed. It looks like there was a struggle... but what from? There's no blood, no anything. "Where is he?" Doctor Kleiven asks.

"He's gone," I say, barely believing myself. The doctor's eyes go wide. He runs out the door. I shake Johnis. He opens his eyes. "Where is Kei?" I ask frantically. "What do you mean he's right..." He says, pointing at the bed, but trailing off. "I heard him talking, but I figured he was sleep talking because he sounded like he was responding to himself. Like talking to himself." He says. My heartbeat races. "And you slept through it?" I yell.

Suddenly, a siren goes off. "A patient has gone missing, lock-down initiated." I hear over the speakers. I run out the doors and up and down the halls, panicking.

What was I thinking, leaving him alone? I stop in the middle of the hall. I fall to my knees and put my head in my hands, tears racing down my face. "I have to find him," I say to myself.

*2 years later*

I wake up, raising my head from my desk. I look down at the map which has red circles and lines on it, rubbing my eyes.

I go downstairs after getting dressed and brushing my teeth, exhausted. I'm a junior now. I knew putting in a police report would be useless, knowing he can change his appearance, but I couldn't help myself.

"Eli." I hear my dad say. I turn and see them in the kitchen, sitting at the table. "Come here a second." He says. "Okay," I say, walking over to them. I honestly don't care what they say anymore.

"Son, we've been thinking, and you need to think about this too," He says as I sit down. "But, I think it's time we put the Kei thing to rest. It's been two years, you don't sleep at night, your grades are dropping, and your counselor says you need to let go." He says. Anger bubbles inside me.

"Why?" I say, barely controlling my temper. "I just told you why." He says. My mom closes her eyes, and I can see the displeasure in her face. "No! You don't understand! I loved him! I still love him!" I yell, standing.

Neither of them reacts. "Please son, we are worried about you." My mom says, and a tear slips down her cheek.

I sigh. "No. I'm not giving up. He wouldn't want me to, and I won't." I say, quieting my voice. I walk to the door and grab my bag, anger fuming. "I'll be back later," I say, closing the door behind me.

"Hey." I hear and look up to see Johnis waiting on me. "Not today Johnis." I say, walking past him. 

"Look Eli, Kei's disappearance affected us all. Not just you." He says from behind me. I turn and look at him. "Johnis, please, I really can't deal with this today," I say, barely controlling my temper again.

"Fine." He says, walking to my side and we resume walking to school.