Too Young

4:) Just Watching the Clock

Laying in his bed, Louis watched outside his window, he knew freedom was just outside. He could survive the world if he played his cards right. He could be the superhero of his own story even if his dad happened to be the evil thirsty villain.

As hard as it was living with a father who was supposed to be your hero, he played it cool as if it was normal. He would even sometimes tell his friends that he was adopted. The man who was in his life now did not deserve the first-place award, he deserved a kick to the shin with a cleat. The type of shoe that could really add misery to his life, with a laceration like that, Louis had thought to himself. 

He would be picked up from school almost two hours late and the teacher was always worried for Louis knowing how easy is allergies messed with him. But it all honesty when Louis saw his father he wasn't happy he would've rather dealt with the wonder of weeds and God's beloved creation of flowers.

He could vividly remember the wry expression on his face when the teacher wasn't looking. The moment they left they had gone to the liquor store and bought tequila for at least the weekend. Louis always had to figure out how to hide his little bruises.  Some were blue and some were a little darker, but his poor mind was what took the torment the most, especially when he witnessed the aftermath of it all.

If anything drove the twelve-year-old to run away, it was the fact that his father drank like a fish and he was set on one ambition, maybe it was to buy all the alcohol in the world but who really knew?

Louis was halfway through packing a bag to leave when he heard footsteps coming his way. He whimpered there was no way he could leave now.

He swallowed hard as the footsteps along with the door closing became distant, his dad was leaving for work. Thank God. Louis soon threw his book bag over his shoulders allowing the relief to soon take over his mind as he found himself walking down his neighborhood street. 

Not a sign of any human reaction was a little strange at first, as he withdrawals himself from society now. He knew he didn't have a choice anymore, the young lad he once was being far gone from who he once was, and this life he once knew would soon be over. If he could just figure out where he was going to go.

Louis didn't know where he was as the sun rose high in the sky, he didn't really care either. The pure exhilaration of finally having the freedom he had always wanted, well it was probably enough for any twelve-year-old. 

He knew he would need to rest soon and a drink wouldn't be half bad. But the way he went made him lose his way fast. What was he going to do now? He couldn't have made the best decision by himself,  even he knew that. But in all reality, if Louis was really spitting facts, he didn't really have a choice but to rely on his own theory of an idea. 

He sighs soon walking towards a park, or maybe it was a preschool playground. Did it really have any importance whether it was or not? Not really, not to him anyway. He felt tired, burned out, and it was barely midday. Louis exhaled a deep breath as he sat down on the bench. he rested his head against his own arms like a pillow and comfort for once. It could be too easy to fall asleep like this, and even easier to be kidnapped. 

Truth being, Louis wanted to feel safe again. He knew what that had felt like and what it was after. The endless burdens of his past. Maybe it was all over now. 

Slowly but surely Louis found himself in dreamland, as he fell asleep it was almost like an escape. He has forgotten all about how his mummy looked until he dreamed of her and it wasn't until he read the letter from her when everything truly began to make sense.

Maybe his mum really did miss him and love him, hopefully, he was doing the right thing by going to search for her and he had hoped after all these years she remembered him. 

Thunder clapped around the playground as it almost turned dark, shaking Louis awake from his slumber. His eyes squinted at the shimmer of the street light just a few feet away began to illuminate above him and into the night. He had to proceed with his journey. Finding his mother was to him the most important thing. He didn't know if she even lived in their old house, it was six years ago. Anything could've happened, and it was all his father's fault.  Funny how his father was an endless paradox in his life. All the problems, puzzles, and inconveniences it was due to him. 

Louis stood up now trying to find a place where he might hide before the storm really hit hard, the way the thunder echoed against the thick air, he knew it was a lot closer than it was before.

Why couldn't he be old enough to drive, or even rent his own hotel room? He had no idea how he was going to find enclosed shelter now and it would be here before he even realized it.

He gasped as he saw a small roadhouse on the other side of the street, probably going into a portion of downtown. Yeah, he knew where he was.

He didn't remember this little burger joint being here however the name caught his eye Desmond's Road House. Not Desmond Styles, right? Louis had thought to himself his eyes glued to the sign. His heart pulsed in his ears, he knew what that meant. Harry could be close, or at least in the area. Maybe he could live with Harry if his mother no longer lived in the division he was in.

Louis walked towards the roadhouse now, several people sitting in the chairs outside smoking and laughing talking about the years before when things seemed to be more simple. 

Louis chuckled wondering how life back then was simple but knew it was the truth. Being a toddler to him was an easier life than now.

Strolling past them seemed too simple for him and he could only laugh to himself as he made his way to the bathroom to tidy himself before figuring out how he would get dinner. His stomach already giving him a heads up.

Before he can think of what he wants to drink as he washes his hands, a man walks in, Louis should've locked the door but it wasn't exactly the first priority on his mind. "Well Hello there." He greeted and Louis swallowed unable to talk, he decided to just wave.

  "Are you lost, do you need anything?" Louis pondered him for just a moment before he found his name tag just about the pocket of his shirt. Des. 

Did Des Styles just find him in his restaurant bathroom and dote on him? Maybe Louis was actually dreaming and none of this was real, he wasn't being treated with kindness, he was just having an illusion of what he really wanted in his life.

  "C'mon little guy let's get you something to drink and maybe eat."Des says softly, "Where are your parents?

Louis couldn't talk as he was overwhelmed in tears, Des leaning down to give him a hug and rubbing his back. Nothing more was retained, except maybe Des asking if everything was okay, then reassuring him he would be okay now.