Till The Count Of Five ✓

Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Nothing could stop us from going home, not the absence of a car or the absence of passengers. But like every problem, the condition was there should be a home.

Nolan

16th May 2019, Thursday
14:55

"Are you sure?" Dad asked.

"Yes, Dad," I said, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice. I looked at the driver. "Can we drive a little faster?"

He nodded and shifted in his seat. "When is your flight?"

"Eight," Dad answered.

"So, why to hu-" Max placed a hand on his shoulder that made him shut up and drive.

Vicky's alarmed voice still echoed in my ears, so did Kiara's. I had choked on my tears when he called. We had been late because I had given in to my tears when Kiara had called me to meet her.

"We don't have to do this," Dad said again.

I watched the trees move past us, the city move past us. With each second, Dandelion Presidency was shifting farther away from me. It was fine, really. I'd meet Mum, see what she was up to with her boyfriend. I didn't care anymore. I wasn't a fifteen year old boy moping over bloody toes and drenched jersey that couldn't survive the rain. I had learnt to walk home from Kiara, with bruises and anger, with guilt and laughter. I had learnt to shut my eyes and let the world carry on, because if I intervened, I'd only hurt myself. So I would not bother. I was surprised at Dad and his ability to hide his wishes. He finally found a woman, could've settled but that just would not happen.

It'll be fine when we return, he had said.

I wanted to correct him if we return and the answer to that was no.

Miss Adams can catch up on her son as much as she wanted but Nolan, he wasn't her son. I was the guy who had to leave his home for an old house. I snickered. How convenient for me to blame it on her. I leaned back against the seat and sighed. Last night, we had agreed to meet her and return. This afternoon, I knew it could not work. I had killed someone. No, I had killed my one chance at getting everything I wanted. When I turned my head and saw my face in the glass of the window, I could not help but wonder what she saw. All I saw was a man responsible for loss of life and damage to a hundred more. What did she see? I rolled down the window and looked out behind me.

What did you see that you took a risk as huge as this?

Max grabbed my hand and tugged at it. "What are you doing? Stop taking your head out of the car."

I sat back in.

He rolled up my window. "Sleep. I'll wake you up when we're there. Sleep."

Sleep never came. Everyone else did. I pretended to shut my eyes because at least I was facing the consequences in my dreams. I breathed deeply and my chest ached. The pain was raw and sharp, as deep as the friendship I never got.