A Constable's Stalker

Chapter 11: Old Friends

Finally! A new chapter as promised!  May be a bit of change in the writing style, not sure if you'll notice. LET"S JUST GET ON WITH IT AHHH!

Two days later....

-Harvey's POV-

I awoke from my nightmare with tired eyes; relieved that the next thing I saw was the blurred form of the slowly spinning fan above me. Such an odd nightmare it was, compared to the other ones I've had. I was under the impression that nightmares contained all the horrific, unpleasant things one's been through. The darkened sky, the unknowns lurking in the dead of night, the incident, but then there was Arthur. All I could think was, what a nightmare and rubbed the tiredness away.

I got up from my now lonely bed and headed to the bathroom to freshen myself up. Today is the big day after all! The day I get to see Arthur again! Poor fellow, things have gotten dull ever since he left me. No goodbyes, no messages, no damn consideration for what I'd think. Just disappears without a trace, or rather, nearly without a trace.

Don't worry, you'll be able to see him again very soon, dad's voice echos in my head as I fasten my buttons in the mirror. Who's a handsome lad? 

I am. And no one else can tell me otherwise. Well, other than Hastings. But he seemed to have some agreement with my looks. Leaving the room, I take a look in my journal to review my plans for the day. The pages are cluttered with scribbles and newspaper clippings. Probably should've used my board, but that's at the office. And besides, I'll need more flexibility in mobility for this one.

Let's see, I have his letter of transit, surely he'll need that. A distraction for Ms. Boyle, that'll come in handy later. Last my informant told me, she's the one who let him escape. Surprised it wasn't another downer or a relative or something, but then again Arthur did claim to have a history with her. Helping out an old friend, how sweet. Heading downstairs, something goes off in my head, not a new idea but a ping of recognization. His brother...

I glance at the folded newspaper clipping lodged in one of the pages. Unraveling it reveals the headline photograph of two boys. Arthur and Percy; Winners of the Scrap Contest. Arthur looking innocent as ever and the taller brother standing by him seemingly nervous and patient. Cute boy he was. Perhaps I'll get to see that again. I deduce that his brother was unfortunate to be 13 or younger and as a result, ended up being shipped off to Germany. Arthur's attempt to leave Wellington is to get to Germany to find his dear little brother. I could use this.

If he truly cares that much, he'll do anything to leave. Including coming to me. But he won't just follow me blindly because I have goodies, he's smarter than that. I'll have to give him a reason to think I can give him what he wants. A better trap. One with better bait. An idea forming in my head, I pick up the phone and start dialing the number to General Byng. Hopefully, he didn't forget my favor to him.

-Arthur's POV-

A cool breeze whistles through the cracked window as I rock too and fro in the chair. It's not meant to be a rocking chair, but the uneven pegs make it wobbly enough to feel like it. But I don't mind, I've got other things to worry about. I've been sitting by this window ever since Sally left to find that key and motor. It was only an hour ago, but it feels like an eternity given what's out there. Every now and then I'd peek down at the Wellies in hopes one of them would be the black and white outline of Sal. But so far, no luck. She did say she was going to Eel Pie which may take some time, to be honest.

She said she'd be right back. As if running through wastrel territory was nothing more than an errand. With how we've been living, it might as well be considered as such. I promised Sally I'd help her escape this hellish world; that we'd escape together. So it's only fair that I stay here and spend time with dear, sweet Gwen whilst her mother gets to romp around an infected wasteland.