Wanted

A Changed Man

~ Chapter 3 ~
Flashback

Luke

Arden and I cut school. She was too worried about her brother to focus on anything else, and if she was worried then so was I. We waited at the AirTrain Station for hours, hoping John may have made some friends and decided to stay an extra day, but he never showed up. When the large electric clock that towered over the platforms chimed three o'clock, I turned to Arden. I hated to be the one to break it to her, but I didn't have much of a choice.

"Arden, school just got out. I don't think John is coming."

"He has to be. Where else could he have gone?"

She knew I was right, even if she didn't want to admit it. I had been friends with her too long to believe her false hope.

"An attractive young man. I wonder..." I joked, trying to coax even the smallest smile from her.

"He's not the type," she poked my arm, "You know he can talk the talk but wouldn't actually walk."

I laughed for her benefit, but on the inside my stomach knotted up. Life had been hard enough on Arden already with the passing of both her parents. She didn't need another tragedy, and she certainly didn't need a missing brother.

"Come on. Let's go home," I grabbed Arden's hand and dragged her to the elevator, anxious to get her out of that environment.

When we reached our Bikes, I stopped and turned to my companion, "Do you want to spend the night at my house? Jax was going to take me to a club, but I can cancel and we can have a movie night."

"You don't have to cancel. Maybe I can just tag along?" she asked apprehensively.

"Yeah, of course! I'm sure Jax will be glad to see you," I responded. I was hoping a night out might take her mind off of things.

As soon as Arden and I reached my house on our LightBikes, my phone started to ring. I gazed down at the screen and noted that I didn't recognize the number. Arden looked at me expectantly, figuring I would tell her who was calling, but I only shrugged, so she headed inside while I answered.

"Hello?" I cautiously greeted the other person.

"Luke - "

At the sound of the familiar voice, I almost dropped my phone.

"John?! What happened? Where are you?" I bombarded him with questions.

"Listen, Luke. You have to make sure Arden doesn't come looking for me, but I also need her to know that I'm okay."

My eyes widened, "What's wrong? Are you being held captive, because if that's the problem then we can get help," I blurted.

John slightly chuckled on the other end, "No, I'm not being held captive. There's just been..." he seemed to struggle for words, "Something's happened. I can't come home."

"John, you're gonna need to give me a valid reason why I should keep Arden from looking for you. You're her brother and the only real family she has left. If you don't, I'll have no choice. She's my best friend, which means it's my job to help her."

I heard John sigh. There was a pause before he replied, "You absolutely cannot tell Arden what I'm about to tell you - or anyone else for that matter."

"Fine. Now, what is it?" I kept pushing for the reason behind his disappearance.

"I'm a Wanted."

In that moment, I was thankful to be going out. All I knew was that I was going to need a few drinks.

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