Moonlight - Logicality AU

Ch. 5

Logan's p.o.v.

I woke up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. Two hours is all the sleep I'll ever dream of getting from now on. I'm well aware that this is far from the amount I should really be getting. Eight hours is the perfect balance, and I'll sadly never meet that balance again. 

I look at the small clock beside my bed that Janus gave as a welcoming gift. It was fifteen minutes before Roman had to get on the bus. I cursed at myself, knowing that wouldn't be enough time to get him to school. Then it hit me. Roman's almost always up at this time. Why wasn't he shaking me awake? 

I looked to my side and was greeted to the empty spot where Roman should be. The blanket was still ruffled from when he was sleeping, but the mattress was cold. He hasn't been laying there for a while now. I told myself not to panic. It was probably just a false alarm. After all, Roman does toss and turn, and he's fallen off the bed in the past. 

I roll over and look on the floor on his side. I feel my heart figuratively drop as I don't see him there. I check underneath the bed just to be sure, but he isn't there either. 

"Roman?! This isn't funny in the slightest. Come out. Now." I say, even though I know there's nowhere to hide in our small apartment. Still, I check everywhere and under everything multiple times. He's still nowhere to be found. 

I throw on my shoes and run out the door. Maybe he went over to see Janus and his snake. He's always had a soft spot for Joan. I knocked on the door and waited for a few seconds. When there was no answer, I knocked again. I understand I was being impatient, but I needed to make sure Roman was safe. That's all that matters. 

Janus finally opened the door. He yelled as he did so, "Don't be such a motherfu--ohh, Logan. Pleasure to--"

"Is Roman there in with you?" I asked. I felt somewhat bad for interrupting, but at the same time I didn't. 

"What?" 

"Roman wasn't there when I woke up to get him ready for school this morning and at first I thought he was under the bed so I checked but he wasn't there and I can't lose him I don't know where he is so please for the love of science tell me that he is with you." I said, giving a lot more information than necessary. 

Janus put an arm on my shoulder, his face going from confusion to kindness. "He ain't here with me, but I'm willin' ta help find him in any way I can." 

I thanked him for his kindness as I ran off down the hall. I felt my thoughts racing. I can't lose Roman. Not after everything I've done to keep him safe. I don't know what I'd do if that pitiful excuse for a father figure took him back. I can't let that happen. I can't. 

Please tell me that didn't just happen. 

≈

I look all around town. Down every street, every alley, every store, and still no sign of my brother. I feel the tears start to form, but I force them back down. Right now, I can't even think of my damn emotions until Roman is in my arms. 

I finally make it to his bus stop. I look all around the playground to find him. Still nothing. Although I did get judgemental glances from parents (mostly mothers). I simply glared at them until they looked away. They had no idea what was going on right now. 

Without a shred of kindness in my voice, I went over to them and asked, "What time is it?" 

"I-It's 8:58." One of the women said as she checked her phone. I turned without saying another word and started running again. This time I ran towards the school. Maybe they knew where he could be. It was a bit of a run, but I managed to get there as kids were still going into the school.