No Pills

33. Say I'm weird for chewing paper

*Charlie's P.O.V*

'The hell?!' Leo shuts me in the back.

I flinch, but he doesn't stop cursing until his engine starts. Light pierces the night, and - it's so bright; I see everything. I see my friend's trembling fingers.

He slams the gas pedal. He ducks as the man he called a father rains bullets at us. The tires screech.

I hate that we are going backwards.

"MY BOY, DON'T MAKE ME KILL -"

There's a sickening thud.

My breath hitches.

Leo gapes as his windshield gets smashed.

I focus on his reflection. Liquid seeps from his right eye.

The tires move forward, and somewhere along my blurred lines of vision, I see the mess I've made of his backseat. The stench of milk, vomit and... blood?

His father's blood. Splashed in through smashed windows.

I'm sorr- sorry.

"Charlie?"

I shut my eyes.

"Cha- please -" His voice cracks.

I think he shouldn't call me. No one should call me again. I'm not helping anyone with my presence. I sleep and pray that when I wake up, it will all be a nightmare.

When my eyelids flutter open, my mother, Sydney's voice invades my senses.

"Oh my goodness, what happened?! Did you get into a fender bender - where did you find him?-"

"Are you sure I shouldn't take him to the hospital?"

"No, no, you've done enough. Just help me here -" I feel her pull me up while Leo takes my legs. Within seconds, they're lowering me inside.

"I-I gotta go," Leo rasps. Sydney thanks him again, lifting my head as he vanishes.

Once our front door shutting reverberates, she spills some tea down my throat. I bear its bitterness till every atom of mine sets on fire.

*

*Mia's P.O.V *

After we get off the plane, my aunt makes a phone call despite my ardent pleas for an explanation.

"Joe, what is happening-"

"I need you to calm down, ok?"

"But, who were you referring to -"

"Mia, please!" She shoots me a glare. I wince. Other economy class travellers huddle around us, awaiting their luggage, muttering who knows what, hugging their thick trenchcoats. I grab Joe's arm tightly, but she's too preoccupied to notice.

"...Так там нет мальчика? ...Хороший. Затем избавьтесь от тела киллера. Я займусь остальным. "

{ So there's no boy there? ...Good. Then, dispose of the hitman's body. I'll take care of the rest. }

*

* Charlie's P.O.V *

Sydney is ballistic.

"Where were you, huh?! Do you have any clue how worried I was? I called Harry, who got to your new friend - thank goodness that boy found you, but like...what? Where were you? Why have you done this to yourself? Do you have any idea how I feel seeing you like this?!!!!"