Fighting for what is right.

by mia_fischer

Summary:

Lucas had to move to London because of his dad. He doesn´t want to, but notices that it isn´t that bad. He start make friends and like living there. But what will he do when his bubble threatens to burst and he could loose everything.
John´s friends had always told him that he was too curious for his own good, but when he meets Lucas on the first day of his new school year he´s too distracted to see the danger right before his eyes.
Heather and Liz have been friends for a long time, but both have secrets, they swore to never tell someone. But when there is danger for both, will they break those promises.

Notes:

I started to write this story about two years ago. And I wanted to share it with the world. In case someone has suggestions what to do better, please tell me. And enjoy the story.

Chapter 1: a new home, a new family

Lucas was scared. He was right out terrified. A new city, a new school, new people. He never wanted to move to London, he had been happy where he was. But his dad found work in the city, and they had to move here. Today was the first day for him at his new school. He is in 10th grade and doesn´t want to go to class as the only new kid. He had been in London for almost a week now, but he had yet to find the strength to buy things for his own room. All he had was his bed and a few clothes from his old home. When he woke up in the morning of his first day, he just stayed in his bed and waited until his dad came and stole his blanket. He got dressed and went down to breakfast. They had a relatively big flat. It went over two floors and even had an office. Lucas´ room was the only one on the first floor, right next to their second bathroom. On the ground floor was the actual entrance to the flat because there is the living room and the kitchen. Lucas has his own entrance, but he must go to the first floor to get there. While breakfast his father told him, that his mother will probably be here on the weekend. You might think now that his parents are divorced, but that is not the case. His mother was working as a scientist and was often away on scientific trips. His Dad told him his school was near enough to go there by bike. It did take him half an hour to get there, because he got lost twice on his way. Maybe he just wanted to find a way to not go. When he was finally there, he had 10 Minutes before the first lesson starts. When he was nearly at his new classroom, he noticed how a panic attack started to creep up. He ran as fast as he could, but he got lost again and found himself at the back of the school, behind the gym. He slid down on the wall and started punching the ground. I´m pathetic, why do I freak out? It´s just a school change, not the end of the world, right? No, it is the end of the world. I am alone in a new school where everybody else knows each other. Lucas didn´t hear himself scream, but someone else did, because when he opened his eyes again someone was there. A boy, around the same age as Lucas, was sitting before him. The boys Green-brown eyes were filled with worry and his red, messy hair was falling in his face. The sun hit it so, that it looked like his hair was shining, like a fire. Lucas wanted to run but didn´t had the strength to. The boy asked Lucas:,, Are you alright?” Lucas looked up the boy and shook his head. He couldn´t speak, to surprised that someone asked him if he was ok. The boy sat down beside Lucas and started to talk again:,, I´m Johnathan, but you can call me John, everybody does. Well except the teacher, who want to call me by my real name.” John looked at Lucas again and noticed his scared look. Was he really that scared of everybody? Was he scared to get hurt or did I seem that intimating? John focussed his gaze on the tree in front of them, not managing to look at the other boy. ,,Sorry if I scared you. I was on my way to my class, when I thought I heard someone screaming behind the Gym. I´m the only one who comes through the back entrance, because it technically isn´t one. It is way shorter for me, than the main entrance, so I use it anyway. Don´t tell anyone, I don´t want to get arrested.”, John rambled away. The first impression, Lucas had from John was, that he likes to talk, but is very nice and tries to lighten the mood with witty comments when someone feels down. Lucas looked at John and the only thing he could say was:,, Lucas.” His voice was hoarse, and Lucas guessed it was from the screaming John heard. John turned to him and asked:,, Is that your name, Lucas?” Lucas nodded and looked at the tree again. He wanted to say something, but he was too scared to ruin the moment. He felt someone grab his hand and jumps up and stumbles back a few steps. He saw John held up his hands saying:,, Sorry. I´m so sorry. It´s just, you’re bleeding, and I wanted to look how bad it was.” Lucas was so confused that he even sat back down. John smiles and says:,, I can see the Question mark on your face. Your hands, they are bleeding.” He points at Lucas´ hands and Lucas finally looks down on his hands. His dark hands were covered in blood. He wondered why he didn´t noticed it before, there should have been some pain. And then the pain came. Like a lightning going through his body, he felt the pain in his hands going up his forearm. He bit on his lip and felt his eyes filling with tears. John moved a bit closer and asked:,, Is the pain that bad?” Lucas nodded and tried to stop the tears. John took one of Lucas´ hand again and looked at it. His pale skin creating an opposite to Lucas´s darker skin. He looked concentrated and said in a matter-of-fact tone:,, I can treat it, but we have to go to the first aid room.” He stood up and started to walk, but he noticed, that Lucas wasn´t following him. ,,What is it?” Lucas looked up and asked:,, Don´t you have class? Won´t you be missed?” Why is this person helping him? Why does he care? He stood up and John said calmly:,, It´s ok, the teachers will wonder where you are, but I said over the phone, that you had a bike accident and that I will treat you. When I heard your screaming I guessed you´ll need a bit of time. Today we are only discussing who took what subjects for the exams. Now, come.” He turned around and started walking again. Lucas sighted and decided to trust John on this one. Not like he had much of a choice. His hands still hurt like hell and didn´t stop bleeding yet. They really needed treatment. And John was the only person he knew in this city. Finally, in the first aid room, Lucas sat down and watched John as he searched through the cupboards. When he finally found what he was looking for, he pulled up a chair and sat down in front of Lucas. Lucas held out his hands in front of him. John immediately started treating his hands. When he was done and both of Lucas´s hands were in thin bandages, which were there to stop the wound from getting infected. The bleeding stopped before the bandages were put on. John finally looked up, smiling, and said happy:,, All done.” Lucas smiled back and asked the first thing that popped into his mind:,, What are you a doctor?” John grinned even broader and said:,, I did first aid training with my club, because they said it was important and a teambuilding exercise.” ,,What kind of club? ”,, It´s a volleyball club.” Answered John as he started to clean up the mess he made. Lucas thought about it. He always wanted to join a club, but he never knew what kind of club or with who. He looked up and asked John:,, Is your club very good?” John turned around and thought about it a bit. Finally, he answered:,, Not really. We are ok, but not like really good. Our receives are not good and we don´t have a Trainer so we have to teach everything ourselves.” He looked at Lucas who looked like he wanted to ask something.,, What do you want to ask?” John asked. Lucas looked up and said very quietly:,, C-c-can I join your club?” He looked down at his feet and was sure John would say that he can´t. But the only thing John said was:,, Why, you don´t even know me?” Lucas smiled a bit and said:,, I don´t need to. It´s enough to know your name. I always wanted to play some sort of sport, but I never found a team. And I was always to scared to just ask strangers.” He stood up and went to the door. He turns his head back to John and said:,, Well you don´t have to decide now, but think about it.” He walks out the door and lets John stand in the first aid room alone. Should I let him join? It is true that we aren´t that good, but we all know the basics, does he? I could bring him to my next training. Can´t hurt, right? John walks back to his class and opened the door as silently as he could. But when the door was open the first thing he saw was Lucas standing in front of the class. He stopped right on his tracks and looked at him. Very slowly and not noticing exactly what he did, he walked to his chair and sat down. Luckily they had the same classroom as last year so he didn’t have to search for a new seat. Lucas started to talk again:,, And since my dad found work here, we moved here about a week ago. I hope that the years I spend here until graduation will be fun.” He smiled and looked at the teacher:,, Is there a free seat somewhere?” asked Mister Clyde. John instantly looked around. The chair on his right was free. When nobody said anything, and Lucas started nervously fumbling with his hands, he raised his hand and said:,, He can sit next to me.” Lucas was so relived, that he almost ran to the chair, which was in the far back. ,,Thanks” He said and started taking out his stuff:,, Always the Gentleman.” Someone whispered in his ear. John jumped a mile and almost fell from his chair. Angry he turned around and said annoyed:,, Don´t scare me like that, Heather!” She chuckled quietly and turned back to the teacher. He started listening to the teacher too. But he couldn´t concentrate. For one was it was math, and he already knew he would understand a thing, but he also wondered if he should let Lucas join our club. It shouldn´t worry him as much as it did. When the bell finally ringed John stood up too fast and pushed over his chair:,, Woah, why the hurry?” He looked around and saw Heather standing there, chuckling. On his other site he saw Lucas, who looked worried and maybe even a bit scared. John put up his chair and looked at both apologizing. Lucas smiled a bit and stood up too. Then he looked up and asked them, talking in a hushed voice, like he was scared:,, Can I join you, I don´t know anybody else?” Before John could have said something, Heather said:,, Sure, come on, let´s go outside.” Heather and Lucas went to the door, joking around and John was happy, that they had a new member in their friendship and that Heather and Lucas got along well. Another thing John noticed was, that Lucas was a smaller than Heather. But Heather was almost 1,80 m so it wasn´t surprising. John needed to run, to catch up to them and they were in a conversation after less than a minute. The lessons were over fast and in no time it was lunchtime. Heather and John always ate warm in the cafeteria, so they just took Lucas with them. John asked him, while they were eating:,, Do you eat warm in the school, or do you have a lunchbox?” Lucas thought about it a bit and said:,, Well, neither I was home-schooled until now. What would you propose?” Heather said:,, Just eat warm with us.” And John nodded in agreement. Lucas shrugged with his shoulders and said:,, Sure, sounds good.” He grinned at John and Heather, who grinned back. Maybe this new city wasn´t too bad. They started eating and John asked Lucas when he was done:,, You need a chip to buy the food. They cost nothing. Come with me, I´ll get you one.” Lucas and John went to the workers:,, Hey, this is Lucas”, He pointed at said person:,, He is new here and he wants to eat in the cafeteria. Can he have a new chip?” The worker looked at Lucas and asked:,, Which grade are you in?” Lucas looked up from his shoes and said:,, Grade eleven, but I was home-schooled until now.” The worker gave him a chip and he put it on his key. Back at their table, Heather already put away their dirty dishes. John grabbed his schoolbag, and they went to their class. Back in the classroom they sat down at their places and started talking again. When school was finally over John went to the teacher´s desk and took the class book, to put it in the cupboard before the teacher´s room. He said Heather goodbye and started walking to the exit. When he was about to put the class book away he remembered that he had to write their classes in, for the following week. John sat down on the floor and started writing. He had to look the schedule up, because it was the first day of the new schoolyear and they got a new one. When he was finally ready to go, he heard a voice saying from behind his back:,, What is that?” John´s heard stopped a beat and he turned his head, just to see Lucas standing there, looking over his shoulder. Does he really not know, what a class book is? He was home schooled until now, so it´s not surprising. He closed the class book and stood up. Lucas followed his movement with eager eyes. Lucas was scared, but now, that he wasn´t alone anymore, he wanted to learn everything there is to learn. When John put the class book away, he finally looked at Lucas. ,,It´s a book where the teacher writes everything down. Who is missing, what they did that lesson, if the class was loud and whether anybody was late.” John explained. Lucas nodded and asked:,, So it´s a class diary?” John chuckled a bit and said:,, If you put it like that, yeah.” John started to like the way Lucas was unintentionally funny. They started to walk to the exit. When they were before the building he turned to Lucas and said:,, About earlier. You can join. If you have time just come to the school gym today at 5 pm. Don´t be late.” He had made up his mind, when Heather and Lucas started to talk. He wanted to see Lucas learn even more and make more friends. Maybe he won´t be so anxious then. Somehow, after knowing Lucas one day, he wanted to help him. But then again, maybe that was just John´s helper instinct. Lucas looked at him and his eyes started to sparkle. He was going to join a club. Before he could help it, he pulled John into a hug, which looked weird since he was a bit smaller than John. John returned the hug hesitantly. When they parted, both boys smiled. Lucas was so happy to have made a new friend. His first in a real school. The first he had made on his own. Maybe he doesn´t have to spend his time here alone. ,, Well, then until later.” He said going to his bike. Back at home the first thing he did was checking if he had clean sportswear. He needed about 10 Minutes to the school, but he wanted to be there a bit earlier, so he decided to go about half past four. It was now half past three, so he had about an hour. The first thing he did was checking if he had any homework. Luckily, he did not. That was to be expected, it was the first day of school. Then he wrote down his schedule and put it on his whiteboard. He was having trouble finding enough folders for all of his subject, so he decided, that he should buy some on the weekend. When he was done organizing his school stuff he got ready for volleyball. When he was finally ready to go it was already half past four and he left the flat. The whole ride to the gym he was worried that he wouldn´t be good enough or that they wouldn´t like him. When he finally was there after what felt like an eternity he felt his hand quiver. He put his bike away and started to walk to the gym. He was fifteen minutes to early, so he was the only one there. After five minutes he heard footsteps from behind the gym. He hoped it would be John and started to tremble even more. When the person got around the corner he was very relived, that it was indeed John. At least he doesn´t have to meet the others alone. He hated meeting new people, it always made him anxious. John looked at him and said, grinning:,, I knew you would come way too early. I had the same problem, for about a year. Did you wait long?” Lucas shakes his head, he didn´t trust his voice. He was excited and scared at the same time and his hand still trembled. John put down his headphones and took out a key. While he was unlocking the door he explained to Lucas:,, I have the keys since I´m always the first one here. Yeah, not the best at time management. Our captain has one too, but he barely uses his. Well, here we are.” He held copen the door and waited until Lucas was inside. When they were in the changing room Lucas asked:,, Is it ok, if I don´t have kneepads?” John looked up from putting his on and smiled. ,,Sure, Alex plays for two years and still doesn´t have kneepads but if you want we can buy some on the weekend.” He suggested. But Lucas declined and said:,, Maybe I should try before and look if I really like it.” ,, Sure, but I feel like you are going to like the team. And they´ll like you, how could they not.” Somehow that calmed Lucas down and he changed with less trembling hands. Inside the gym, John switched on the light and showed Lucas how to put up the net. When they were done the first people were coming in. They all greeted John friendly and said hello to Lucas. They did all seem really nice. Maybe this will be fun. He really hoped it would be. When it was five o´clock everyone came to the middle and Lucas just followed John and stood himself behind him. The first time Lucas looked at everyone, he noticed Heather. He turned to John and asked:,, Heather plays too?” John nodded and looked back to the guy in the middle, who Lucas assumed was the captain. He was tall, had dark brown eyes and seemed like someone who would get really mad, when someone did something to piss him off. Lucas made a mental note to not piss him off. Otherwise, he seemed really nice. He started talking:,, I just wanted to tell you, that we have a newbie here.” He points at Lucas who looked at his shoes. ,,Why don´t you start by introducing yourself?” The captain suggested. Lucas nodded, finds every single string bravery he had and started introducing himself:,, I´m Lucas and I just moved here. I never played Volleyball in a team, but my family and I played a lot of volleyball in the holidays. I wanted to start something, and John was so kind to invite me to your club.” The captain took over again:,, Then I start with the round. Everyone says their name and why they joined this club. I´m Fred and I founded this club. I wanted to play Volleyball more than anything and there weren´t any teams in my neighbourhood. So, I made my own.” He chuckled a bit and tuned to Heather. She said:,, I´m Heather, but you kind of already know me. I joined this club, because John asked me to, and I had time. It also helped, that I´m really tall.” She smiled at the next person. Like that it got around, until it reached John. Lucas was actually kind of interested about, why he joined the club. ,, You already know my name, Lucas. I joined the club because I loved playing Volleyball but never had a team. I did a bunch of other sports before, but until now this team is the most fun.” John explained. When the round was done Lucas was overwhelmed and didn´t even remembered half the names. The first thing they did was warming up. After that they paired up and started passing the ball. John noticed that Lucas had trouble receiving low balls. He caught the ball and went over to him. Lucas looked confused up and asked:,, What is it. Did I do something wrong?” ,,No, but how do you receive balls, that are too low to pritch?” Lucas shrugged with his shoulders and said:,, I don´t know. I just try to keep it from falling down. My dad once showed me a technique, but I was never good at it.” John laid down the ball and showed how to receive the ball. ,, Go slightly into the knee and lean a bit forward. Then you put your arms like that and go a bit with the ball, like that. Throw me the ball, will you?” Lucas nodded, picked up the ball and threw the ball to him. He received it with the technic he showed earlier, and it comes for Lucas to pritch. Lucas´ eyes started sparkling again and John smiled at him. ,, Now you do it.” He said, taking the ball from Lucas. He threw the ball and Lucas tried to receive it, but it got in totally the wrong directions. Lucas groaned and let himself fall onto the knees. Hands buried in his dark curls. ,, Why can´t I do it?” John had to smile at how frustrated Lucas was, it reminded him a bit of himself in his first week. John sat down next to him and said:,, You don´t learn a good receive in three minutes. It took me half a year to learn decent receives and even I fuck them up sometimes. It takes time, but you will get there.” He started patting Lucas´ back to calm him down. Then he stood up and said:,, Ok, I have an idea. Stand up.” He held out his hand and Lucas took it. When Lucas stood in the stance, John called the captain and asked him to throw Lucas some easy balls. Lucas looked up at him and asked:,, Why don´t you throw the ball, John?” John smiled and said:,, You will see.” He stood next to Lucas and looked at his stance at how he received the ball. When Fred picked up the ball again, John said:,, Ok, I have a new idea. Lucas, don´t move.” He stepped behind him and leaned over, until he could rest his head on Lucas´ shoulder. He put his arm so around Lucas´, that he could navigate them, but Lucas would still be the one who receives it. Lucas tried to free himself, but couldn´t get away. Lucas stutters:,, W-What are you doing?” John whispered:,, You want to learn the receive, don´t you? Let me help you.” Lucas sighed and gave in. Not that he could concentrate even a little bit. Or had any chance of getting out, John was taller and stronger than he was. He took a deep breath and tried concentrated on the ball. When he tried to receive it, he felt John moving his arms from behind him. He fixed his eyes even more on the ball and tried to adapt to John´s movement and felt the ball go back to Fred and looked back at John, who was smiling. They did that a few more times and John needed to do lesser and lesser every time. The captain gave the other teammates directions and tasks from time to time. After 15 minutes John let Lucas try it alone and it worked surprisingly well. When they had about ten minutes left, Fred called everyone in for a game. They were eight so they could play four against four. They made the court a bit smaller and started to play. It was really fun, and they all laughed a lot. Lucas´ team lost, but he did receive one good ball. And with that he was happy, it was good for his first training. Lucas changed his shoes and waited before the gym for John. When John finally got out, he asked:,, What are you still doing here?” ,, Wanna drive back together?” ,,Sure.” They got to their bikes and Lucas stood next to John, waiting for him to unlock his bike. He looked up into the sky and said in thought:,, Thank you, John. For letting me play Volleyball with you. And for teaching me how to receive. And for being my friend.” John looked away, blushing like a lovestruck Girl. Why was Lucas so nice and sweet. He stumbled next to Lucas and stuttered:,, Sure, Y-you´re w-welcome.” They started driving in silence. What the hell is wrong with me? Why am I blushing like a little girl? We just met today, calm down, John. ,, WATCH OUT!!” Lucas´ scream brings him back to the reality. John hit the brakes as hard as he can and came to a halt half a centimetre away from the street. ,, That was close. I should stop driving like a psychopath” John said, trying to laugh it over. Lucas looked at him, angry:,, What the hell, watch where you are going. DON´T DIE. I JUST MET YOU!” He screamed the last words and looked away after that. John was sad and disappointed in himself. Lucas was right, he should have watched where he was going. Why did Lucas have such an effect on him. When the light switched to green, they started to go again. They arrived at a crossroad and John said:,, I need to go left, you?” ,,Right, but I´ll bring you home.” Lucas said and started to drive over the street. John caught up to him and said:,, You don´t have to, it´s the opposite direction, then where you have to go.” But Lucas was already driving away. John sighed and started driving behind him. Finally, at his he turned to Lucas and said:,, Thanks for bringing me home.” He smiled at Lucas and Lucas smiled back at him. He felt his heart skip a beat. What the hell was he doing? He just met Lucas, why was his heart doing, what it was doing? He took a deep breath and got inside the house. He decided to ask his dad when he would be home. Luckily, he already did his homework and could watch YouTube videos to calm his mind. When his father finally got home, they ate dinner. His mother wrote, that she´ll have a late night at the office and some home late. It was just bread. They watched a bit tv and then went to bed.
The next morning his father shook him awake and said:,, Breakfast is ready.” He stumbled to the kitchen and tried to focus his vision. He still had sleep in his eyes. After eating breakfast in silence his father asked:,, Do you need anything for your classes? I could get it for you.” John shook his head and said:,, No, I planned on going shopping anyway on Saturday.” His dad shrugged and started eating again. When done, John got up and went to his room, to pack his school stuff. He said his goodbye to his cat and got his bike from the cellar. Finally, in his class he sat down on his chair waiting for Heather and Lucas to come. They both came short before the lesson started and they couldn´t talk before the class. When they finally got break, John sighed, being totally tired from only two lessons of math. Lucas looked at him and chuckled:,, You look like the dead has arisen.” He heard Heather laugh next to him and said:,, Math is the worst. It is hard to keep up. I feel like it drowns my energy. And when in my life do I need it anyway.” Lucas looked up and said:,, It wasn´t that bad. It was almost a bit boring. I already could do all those things.” ,,Really, I thought it would never end. I was just about to fall asleep, when the bell rang and saved me from committing a crime.” John answered and sat down on a bench. Heather sat down between them and said:,, Well Lucas, what are you bad at. We already know John is bad at math. But what about you.” He looked up thinking. When he looked back at them he said:,, everything that has to do with writing. The worst is analysing stuff like poems. But I´m not exactly good at math, I just did it a lot in home schooling. Oh, and I´m not good at meeting new people.” John sprang up and Lucas jumped like a mile. John almost screamed:,, What, it is the easiest thing at school. You just write it, easy peasy. How can you not do it?” Heather stood up and said:,, Now we will calm down again. First, Lucas, you are good at math. You have a talent for it. And second, so Lucas is good in math, but John isn´t and John is good at writing and stuff, but Lucas isn´t.” John just looked puzzled, but Lucas got it:,, So you’re saying we could help each other. I could teach him math and he could teach me writing stuff, right?” Heather smiled at him and said:,, Exactly, wouldn´t that be great? John, what do you think about it?” Both looked at him and he smiled:,, Sure, sounds like a good idea.” John sat down and heard Lucas chuckle slightly. ,,What?” he asked, looking at Lucas. ,, Just, I never thought I would ever teach someone anything.” He answered, grinning. ,,Well, I am happy to be your student.” John said, bowing a little. Looking up at Lucas and winked at him with a smile on his face. When Heather looked at Lucas, she saw him blushing and laughed. Then she stood up and said:,, Well, when you two are done flirting we should go to the class. We have like three minutes left.” They both stand up in a rush and start walking. Heather grinned and walked after them. After the school they went to their bikes and went to the crossing where they would have to part.,, Well, see you Monday” said Heather and drove away. John looked up and asked:,, When do you want to meet to buy your kneepads?” ,,How about 10 o´clock on Saturday?” ,,Sure”,, Then until tomorrow” Lucas waved and drove towards his house. When he was sure John didn´t see him anymore he drove slower. Well, at least he didn´t have to do homework. Finally, home he said down on his sofa and turned on the TV. But after a short time, he got hungry because he didn´t eat in the school. He turned the TV off and went to the kitchen to make something. After making it he went to the living room and sat down on the couch, turned on the TV and started eating. When he heard the doorbell ring, he jumped and went to open it. When he heard his neighbour say:,, Hey, I forgot my keys, can I get the one you have?” ,,Sure” Lucas opened the door and gave him the key. He waited for his neighbour to come back and gave him back the key. Now, Lucas could finally go to his room and watch Netflix. When Lucas was about to go to sleep he hears his dad came home. He stands up and walk towards him.,, Hey, Weren´t you suppose to me here in the morning?” Lucas asked jokingly and his dad chuckled a bit.,, Sorry, I needed to cover a shift for somebody.” He sighed and went to his room. ,,I´m just going to shower real quick and go to bed after. Anything on your schedule tomorrow?” Lucas nodded and said:,, Yeah, I´m going to meet a friend.” His dad smiled and went to the bathroom. Lucas went into bed and tried to sleep. He always had problems falling asleep and after what felt like an eternity he fell asleep.
He woke up from the ringing of his clock. The first thought was that he had to go to school, but then he remembered, that it was Saturday and that he was meeting John. He looked at the time and saw, that he only had half an hour until they meet. They agreed to meet at the mall because it was shorter for both of them. When he went down in the hall he saw a sheet on the table saying: Hey Lucas, I´m getting your mom from the airport. Breakfast is on the table. If you go somewhere, take your phone so I can reach you. Dad. Lucas sighed knowing he won´t see his mom until the evening. Lucas ate breakfast and got his bike out of the cellar and started driving towards the mall. When he arrived John isn´t there yet, Lucas had to wait for a bit and then said:,, You’re late.” John grinned:,, Well, time´s relative, so Maybe I´m not late, maybe you´re just early.” They both laughed and Lucas answered:,, I was actually early. Come on, let´s go.” They both go into the mall looking for a sports shop. When they finally found one, they searched for the Volleyball section. Finding the knee bandages, Lucas tried them on and found a fitting one pretty fast. ,,Wanna have shoes too? I saw yours are old and slippery.” Asked John pointing in the direction of the shoes. Lucas looked up from the bandages and said:,, Yeah, they are the old ones from my brother. I would love new ones.” They tried many different pairs until they found a good one. When they wanted to pay, Lucas noticed he forgot his money. John smiled and pulled out his own and paid for the shoes and knee pads. He took the things and put them in his backpack and got out of the shop. Lucas ran after him and asked:,, Why did you do that?” ,,Well, we are going to you, getting your money and then you buy me lunch. Then we´re even, ok?” Lucas sighed and said:,, OK, sure let´s go.” They got on their bikes and drove to Lucas´ flat. Finally, there they went to Lucas´s room and John sat down on Lucas´ bed, while Lucas searched for his wallet. When Lucas finally found his wallet, John already lied down on his bed and didn´t want to get up again. He said:,, Let´s not go out. Let´s stay here. Your bed is so comfy, I´m too lazy to get up.” ,,But what about buying you lunch? I still owe you.” “It´s ok. You will pay me back one day.” John answered, smiling. Lucas sighed and stood up from the ground. He closed the door and sat down on the foot end of the bed. He looked at John and asked:,, Well, what do you want to do?” John sat himself against the wall and shrugged. They just sat there for a good five minutes, thinking about what they should do. Then they heard someone opening the door downstairs. They both jumped up and ran down to the door. When Lucas saw his mother the first thing he did was to hug her. John just stood there and looked at Lucas´ dad. ,,So, you must be John. Lucas told me you two were meeting today.” He said and held out his hand. John took it and said:,, Nice meeting you, how are you?” ,,Good, you?” ,, Good” A weird silence set in and John waited for Lucas to say something. When Lucas didn´t say anything, John said:,, Well, that´s all the Smalltalk I have.” To that everybody laughed a bit and the tension eased. They went into the kitchen, and everybody sat down at the table. Lucas looked at his mom and asked:,, What did you find out?” She looked up and answered:,, Well, not much. I need to get there again next week for a month.” Lucas looked disappointed but caught himself again fast. They talked for a while, but John wanted to get out, because he felt like he was intruding the family. After a while he stood up and said:,, It´s getting late. I should probably get going.” Lucas looked at him and said:,, Ok, then until Monday.” ,,Bye” He turned around and went up because his shoes were on the second floor. When he was by his bike, he unlocked it and started driving home. When he was finally home he laid down on the couch and turned on the TV. Luckily, his parents allowed him to live alone, while they were away. Making dinner seemed to be too much work, so he just made something from the freezer and ate it in front of the TV. When he went to bed, he wanted to read something, so he took a book. After a while he just fell asleep over the book thinking how cool it was to meet Lucas´s family.
Monday morning is always a suffering. That is one of the few things John knew with certainty. Finding the strength to get up and eat breakfast, he went to the kitchen and found that he had to make himself breakfast. He made a toast and ate it while looking if he got any important messages. Turned out he didn´t. He changed and packed his backpack, because he only had 5 minutes before he had to go. Normally he would go to school later, but he was almost sure Lucas would get lost, while trying to find the classroom. Finally, at the school he saw Lucas stand at the gate of the back entrance.,, How long did you stand here?” John asked, while getting down from his bike. Lucas answered:,, About 20 minutes. But it´s okay, it´s warm and it was nice waiting. You were right though. Nobody comes through this entrance.” While he waited for John to lock his bike.,, first things first, this isn´t an entrance. And second, I can´t believe you stood here 20 minutes, just to prove, what I said.” ,,Well, it´s not like I had anything else to do. Anyways, want to get to class?” John got away from his bike and nodded. While they walked to their classroom John asked:,, What kind of subjects did you choose. You know, for you’re a-Levels?” Lucas stopped and got a sheet of paper out of his backpack. He looked down on it and said:,, Well, I have the three core subjects and other than that I have geography, Spanish, Computer science. Oh, and I also choose to take two extra classes. One is advanced physics, and the other is astronomy. I always loved the stars.” He sighed and heard John chuckle next to him. ,,What subjects did you take?” John looked up and said:,, The same as you just instead of advanced physics I choose English literature. And I also picked PE as an extra subject in addition to the normal PE we have.” At that Lucas stopped again and asked:,, You can do that?” John nodded and he asked:,, You think you can smuggle me into it?” ,,I can ask our teacher today.” ,,Thanks” Lucas said sincerely, being genuinely thankful. Finally reaching the class, they found Heather already sitting there. She was talking to a girl from their volleyball club, but Lucas forgot her name. She had long black hair, pulled together to a ponytail, bright green eyes, was smaller than Heather and had a smile on her face. Lucas would later notice, that she was a cool person to hang with because she was able to joke about herself. Lucas already started panicking, because he had forgotten the name, but she introduced herself:,, Hi, I´m Elizabeth, but you can just call me Liz. I play in your volleyball club. And I´m in a few of your classes. You must be Lucas.” He looked at him and nodded.,, Well. I gotta go. I have something to do before class.” She waved all of them goodbye and left the classroom. Lucas and John sat down at their seats and John asked Heather:,, Why was she here already, she normally arrives right before class?” Heather laughed and answered:,, If I wouldn´t know any better I would say you are jealous. Anyway, back to your question, we always drive together to school. She lives next to me. Normally she has something else to do, but today she had a bit time before that.” John shrugged a bit and just got out his stuff. Lucas got his stuff out too and tried concentrating on searching a free page in his block. But the Question if Heather and John were a thing popped up in his head. He pushed the thought to the back of his head before his brain could ask why he was wondering that. Luckily for him, the teacher entered the classroom and the lesson started. So, he didn´t have to think about it further. He just wrote everything important down, which was much, considering he wasn´t really good in English, and made his tasks. At the end of the lesson the teacher announced that they will be doing a presentation on a topic, which they can choose. Given that it is a big part of their grade, they will have until January to finish it. Right after the Christmas holidays, that´s when they are supposed present it. Lucas immediately looked to John, but he looked at Heather, who just raised her hand. The They waited till their teacher came back and all just sat there, deep in their own thoughts. When the teacher finally came back he said:,, I talked it out with my colleagues and it´s fine. So, if anybody wants to work with someone from an other class they are to meet outside the building in five minutes. Now choose your groups.” He turned away and let´s the student do what they have to. Heather, John and Lucas got up and went to find Liz. It had been Heather´s idea to get her into their group, since they were already friends. Liz had returned with the teacher and they asked her. They all agreed that they would make a good group and went to their teachers to say that they are a group. Finally done the formal work they searched the schoolground for a corner to brainstorm. They found one behind the gyms. There even stood a bank with a table. They sat down and Liz, who brought her laptop outside, opened a new page on it and made a headline. For a second nobody said anything, and it was a bit awkward, but then John broke the silence:,, So, anybody any ideas for a topic? Because I do not.” They all just shook their heads and deepened in thoughts again. Then, after a bit of time, John sprang up and said:,, What about Germany and the second world war. And the role of Germany in it.” Everybody agreed and they wondered how they would do that. Sadly, the lesson was over when they started to research it. While they walked back to their classroom, Heather proposed:,, Let´s talk about it after practice tomorrow. Does everybody have time? ”,, Sure” ,,yeah” ,, Always” were the answers that came back and they said goodbye to Liz. They went to their bench at the soccer field and started talking about stuff. The break was over really fast, and they had to get back to their lessons. Since Heather picked a few different curses than they, she went to German, while Lucas and John went to Spanish. They sat down at a table in the middle of the classroom and got out their stuff. They only talked about what they were going to do and what they needed to bring to the lessons. The double lesson was over fast, and they almost immediately went to find Heather, having nothing to talk about. In the five-minute break there already had been a weird silence between them, and they both wanted that to stop. They met at their bench and Heather joked:,, What, can you guys not survive without me for five minutes?” They both frowned and sat down on either side of her. ,, So, ever thought about training more often?” Lucas asked:,, Well, it never mattered, and I was always happy with just two trainings a week.” Heather said and John added:,, I mean we also have school and we were always three people, which is a bad number. But we could technically go, I have the keys.” They discussed that issue further, until the lessons started again. After one lesson computer science they had lunch break and went eating in the cafeteria. At the end of the break, they sat in their classroom and tried working on that project for their English course. When their lesson started they decided that they had to meet at some point outside school, because their teacher told them, they wouldn´t have time in their lessons. After finally getting through the whole Monday, they all left to get to their bikes and said their goodbyes. After leaving, Heather thought about waiting for Liz, but decided against it. She put in her ear-ins and heard music on the way home. Finally, being home, she went to her room and laid down on her bed. Normally she would lay on her sofa, but on it were too many things to even be able to sit on it. She should probably clean at some point, but right now she didn´t really have the motivation to. Instead of lying on her bed the whole afternoon she got up again and went to a switch, that everybody else would just assume was a light switch. She pulled the small leader attached to it and a trap door opened under the carpet. A computer, yet human voice said:,, Welcome home Heather. Anything interesting today?” Heather took her phone and went to the trap door. While she was going the ladder she replied:,, Hey Jarvis. No, today was kind of boring. Did you know that we are doing a project in English about Germany?” ,, I didn´t. But it fits, since your second language is German, right?” Jarvis answered and Heather switched the light in the basement on. She went to the second door on the right and opened it. Before her lay a weapons room. Everybody would be surprised, but she just took a staff and went out again. Making sure the door was locked after she left. Going on the mat in the middle of the big room she asked Jarvis:,, Can you give me a dummy?” ,,Sure, but you never really trained with a staff only hand-to-hand combat. Would you like me to make it on the easiest level?” Heather nodded and waited for Jarvis to put the dummy in front of her. She breathed in deep and started training with the staff. After about half an hour she made a short pause for drinking something and checking her phone. Her mom texted her that she was going to be late, and her dad was at his soccer training anyway, so she had about until 8:30 until her mother would come. She told Jarvis, that she would train a bit more and asked him if he could check if there was anything else she must do. Jarvis replied:,, Sure, but can I give you a bit feedback on your fighting?” ,,Sure, fire away.” She said, while sitting down and drinking a bit more. ,, Well, I analysed your fighting and I noticed that you fight like you would fight with a sword, not using the full potential of the staff. If you could learn to use both ends of the staff instead only one, your fighting would be faster and more effective. You would also have a stronger defence. I searched a few good tutorials and websites and uploaded them on your iPad. Well, I´m going to check if you have anything else to do.” Jarvis said goodbye with that, and Heather sighed. Sitting down on the armchair in the corner of the room and started watching the tutorials. After she watched all of them, she found a good step to step explanation on a website. She stood up took the staff and tried it out. She noticed how her fighting was getting more effective, but wasn´t sure about it. So she called Jarvis and said:,, Can you analyse my fighting again. I think it has gotten better. Oh, and play my fighting playlist.” ,, Sure” Was the answer coming out of the speakers, before the playlist started to play. Heather got in fighting position and started to hit the dummy in the ways the website explained and even invented some own hits. When she was done, she was breathing heavily and was exhausted. Sitting down on the ground she waited for Jarvis to give feedback. Finally giving feedback, Jarvis said:,, Good, that was way better than the one before. There are sure something improvements you could do, but it is only your first day. So, good work.” Heather smiled a bit and looked at the clock at the wall. It was already seven o´clock, so she placed the staff at it´s place in the weapons room and went up into her “normal” room. There she got her pyjamas, which were just a t-shirt, which is her way to big, and pyjama pants. She also took underwear and went in the bathroom to shower. Since no one else was home she put her playlist loud over her box. After drying herself she put on her pyjamas and rubbed her hair dry. Of course it didn´t magically got dry, but at least it stopped dripping. That was enough since her hair was short. And because of that it would be dry in a few minutes. She went to the kitchen and searched for something she could eat. They luckily still had bread, so she just put cold cuts on it and sliced an apple. She put all that on a plate and took it with her into the living room. Turning the TV on she switch channels until she found a program which showed Star trek, until like 1 o´clock in the morning. Being done eating she put the plate down on the sofa-table and went to the sweets-box to get some sweets. Settling in the corner of the sofa again, she opened the bags of flips. When she heard the keys she stood up really fast, turned the TV off and hid the bag of chips behind the sofa. Running to the door, she cleaned the dirt from the chips from her mouth with her sleeve and put her smartphone in the pocket of her sweater. ,, Hey, you’re back. How was work?” Heather asked. Her mother answered:,, It was okay, I had to do a few things, that I didn´t plan, but it was ok. When does your dad comes home?” ,, He said he comes directly after his training. So about 9 o’clock. I already ate, was that ok?” ,, Sure. I already ate too. Do you have any homework’s you have to do?” Her mum asked, while putting her coat down and going into her bedroom. ,, Nope, I´m going to watch a bit Netflix and then go to bed. Would it be ok if would go to volleyball training more often?” Her mother came out of her bedroom and said:,, Sure, if you can keep up with school stuff and don´t overtrain yourself. But please tell me or take your phone, so I can contact you or know where you are. I don´t want to be worried about you, when you don´t come home after school.” ,, I´ll be sure to do that.” She answered and went to her room. She laid down on her bed and crawled under the bedsheets to warm her feet, which were cold. When she was warm and cosy, her mother came in and said:,, you do know you have to brush your teeth, right?” Heather groaned, not wanting to get out from under the now warm bedsheets. Her mother looked at her sharply and said again:,, Right?” Heather sighed this time, responding:,, Yeah, I´m on my way.” She got out of the bed and went to the bathroom. While brushing her teeth she checked if anybody texted her. In the class chat some people got into an argument, but Heather didn´t care, so she didn´t read it. Fred remembered everyone to not forget their knee pads, since they will be practicing receives and diving tomorrow. Heather spit out the toothpaste and rinsed her mouth out with water. She went into her room again and wrote on her whiteboard to take the knee pads with her tomorrow. Going into bed again she put her smartphone on the charger and took one of the books she was reading. After almost dozing of over the book, she closed it and went to sleep properly.

Chapter 2: No one ever said rain had to be bad

Summary:

Our group of main characters figure out what to do in the rain and learn more about each other.

Does it have to rain again? Was the first thing that popped into Lucas´s mind when he looked outside the window on the first weekend of October. Not wanting to get out of bed he reached over the table and took his phone from the charger. Unlocking it with his fingerprint, he had to squint his eyes, because of the bright light coming from his phone. When his eyes adjusted, he saw that Heather send a message in the group chat that they created for their project in their English lesson. Hey, anybody up? She asked. Nobody replied, but looking at the time on his phone, Lucas noticed, that she wrote that only about five minutes ago. He replied with yeah me, why? Waiting for the response he looked up if there were any interesting news. The reply came in only a few minutes. I´m bored. Wanna meet in the park or at our cottage. We could practice Volleyball. Lucas chuckled a bit and typed and send I would love to but at first you have to look out of your window. She replied almost in an instant with a short okay. And Lucas could almost feel her confusion over the phone. He himself went to the window and listened to the rain falling on his window, while waiting for Heather to text back. He sighed, wishing it was still summer in which they would go to the park almost every weekend and play volleyball. But now the weather was getting worse, and they had to skip it almost every time they try. They did asked John if they could use the hall, like they do on weekdays, but the whole school is close on weekends, so they didn´t have any chance of getting in the gym, even with the key. While he was still thinking, his phone ringed and he unlocked it. Heather had finally replied with:,, Oh, how did I not hear that. :) Well, that crosses going in the park of our list. What else can we do?” He was about the reply, when a message from Liz came in: Maybe we could go to someone´s house. Or flat, I guess. Anybody volunteering?” Still looking at his phone, Lucas thought that they could come to him. His flat was big enough and his mother and father were out doing God knows what, but Lucas knew they wouldn´t return before evening, so he texted: You can come to me if you want. My parents are out doing God knows what. They all agreed and since no one asked where he lived, he assumed everyone knew it. He went to the kitchen to make himself some breakfast, when he noticed, that he was still in his pyjama. He forgot breakfast and went back to his room to change. Knowing that they won´t be going outside in this weather, he put on a T-shirt and sweatpants, since he wanted to be comfortable. Trying to clean up his room at least a bit but giving up after ten minutes he went in the kitchen and finally made himself some breakfast. When he wanted to eat his toast, they doorbell rang. Lucas groaned loudly and went to answer it, toast still in his hand. It was Liz, who sounded still sleepy. He said that he will open the door on the first floor and waited for Liz to come, forgetting his toast. When Liz put of her shoes and looked up again she saw the toast in Lucas´s hand. She jumped forward, stealing it from his hands and screaming:,, Oh, food!” Biting in the toast, she went into the bathroom to hang her completely wet jacket there. Lucas loved how they grew together like a little family over the last two months. Lucas gave her a death stare and said:,, That was my toast!” Liz sighed and said:,, Fine, I´ll make you a new one, okay?” Lucas nodded, looking down on his T-shirt, which got wet, because Liz jumped on him with her wet jacket still on. Still chuckling and being genuinely happy, Liz went to the kitchen, a noticeable spring in her walk. Lucas went after her, noticing her good mood and asking:,, You´re in a good mood. What happened?” Liz sat down at the table and answered, back turned to Lucas, smiling widely:,, Well, I´m just happy to see all of you again. We don´t have any classes together on Friday and I kind of missed all you dorks.” She started to put honey on the toast and gave it to Lucas when she was done. While Lucas was eating, Liz asked:,, Where is everyone else?” Lucas shrugged, not being able to talk with his mouth full. While Lucas was still eating the doorbell rang and Liz went to answer it. Daring to joke again she said:,, Wastewater treatment plant Johnsen here. We take all the dirt and make it clean. How can we help you?” Trying not to laugh, she heard a voice from down saying:,, I don´t have wastewater, but I have a dirty human, do you take those too?” Liz heard Heather chuckle a bit, not being able to control herself long enough, over the speaker. Liz answered, being able to stay serious:,, Sure, bring him up for inspection.” She opens the house door and the door inside too. The first thing she heard was John complaining:,, So you think I´m dirty?!” Heather laughed and answered:,, No, just wasted.” ,, What. Like I´m drunk?!” He replied, shocked. Liz saw them coming around the corner and said:,, Nah, more like being dirty minded. Don´t you think, Heather?” Heather just nodded fiercely and said:,, Yeah, exactly. Didn´t you used to be the innocent one.” Taking off their shoes, John said:,, I was never innocent. Lucas was always the innocent one, not me.” Coming in Heather hugged Liz longer than she probably should, Lucas noticed, and John Lucas. Then they changed and went into the kitchen. Lucas sat down on his normal place at the table and said:,, Anybody else want anything to eat?” Liz wanted to say something, but Lucas cut her off:,, Nope, not you. You can make your own, thief.” ,, What happened? What did we miss? Did Liz steal your food?” Heather asked and looked at Liz, trying to figure it out. Lucas turned around and looked at Heather, saying:,, Yes, but how did you know?” Being proud she was right, Heather said jokingly:,, I´m a detective for Scotland Yard and can spot a crime from miles away.” Still being new in London, Lucas believed it for second and asked:,, Really?” Heather laughed and even John and Liz chuckled a bit. ,, No” Heather said to Lucas, “she just does that with my food too.” Then they laughed and John cut in:,, Does the invitation to the food still stand? Because I´m starving and would fall back on that now.” He grinned at Lucas who grinned back and said:,, Yup, offers still stands. What do you want?” He shrugged and said:,, How about a toast? Does anybody else want one?” Heather took one too and Lucas asked John:,, Can you put two toasts into the toaster?” John nodded and went to the storage place on top of the dishwasher, were the toaster was standing. Lucas had to smile when he saw how John was almost at home in his flat. While waiting for the toasts to be ready, Heather asked:,, What should we do?” Nobody really had any idea, so they all sat down at the table. John, being the dirty minded person he is, suggests:,, Let´s play a bit “Would you rather”. Does everybody know, what that is?” Everybody nodded and Liz said:,, We are literally four people, if anybody doesn´t know the Game they would have already said it.” They all laughed, even John and the weird silence from before was broken. The toaster being done, John stood up and retrieved the toasts. Laying them on the only board and looking at Lucas with a question mark on his face, since the board laid before him. He said:,, What do you want on it?” Both replied at the same time:,, Nutella!” ,,Sure, a Nutella-toast coming right away.” Lucas said grabbing the Nutella and a knife. When he was done he gave the toasts to John and Heather, who immediately took a big bite. Lucas chuckled and said jokingly:,, Don´t you get anything to eat at home?” They both shake their heads in sync and just keep eating. Liz sighed beside Lucas and said:,, They are lost cause.” Lucas scoffs and answered:,, Your one to talk. The first thing you did was stealing my food.” She chuckled somewhat sheepish in response and looked down at the table. Being done with eating John asked, waving his phone:,, Who wants to play?” They all agreed, and Lucas suggested that they go to his room, since they could sit in a circle and it is more comfortable, that in the kitchen. Going up the staircase, Heather said:,, Your flat is pretty big.” ,,Yeah, a friend put in a good word for us in the company, who rents this flat. My dad was happy that we found one, that was on ground level.” He didn´t know exactly why, but he loved, that John liked his flat. Liz sighed and said.,, mine is on the fifth floor and we have no elevator. It is the worst.” ,, Well, mine is also on ground level, but we don´t have a basement, which is a bit annoying, but it´s okay.” Heather said, finding it still hard to keep such a big part of her life hidden, even to her friends. And especially to Liz, who she wanted to tell everything to and share everything with. Being in Lucas´s room they sat down on the ground on a surprisingly soft carpet. After having played, or more laughed than played, for almost five hours they decided to eat something, since it was about 3 o´clock and they were hungry. While still deciding what they were going to eat, Heather suggested:,, Let´s order something. I´m way too lazy to actually make something. And I know that Liz and John can´t cook to save their live.” ,,Sure, that´s a good idea. But one question remains: What are we going to order?” John asked, looking around the group. ,,Asian” Heather said, at the same time Liz said:,, Croque!” They looked at the boys, wanting them to decide, but they just shrugged, and John said:,, I don´t care.” Everybody looking at Lucas, he said:,, Well, I never tried Croque, so I would love to try that.” Heather groaned and said:,, Fine, anybody want to look up the menu?” John took out his phone and asked almost immediately:,, Hey Lucas, can I get your Wi-fi?” ,, Sure, Router is on the small cabinet in the floor next to the kitchen door. Name and password are on the back of it.” John stood up and went down to lock into the Wi-fi. Lucas leaned against one of the foods of his bed and asked:,, What exactly is a croque?” Heather answered him first:,, It is kind of a sandwich, but with baguette and more stuff in it.” ,, I still don´t really get it, but I will see when they arrive.” Lucas said, trying to think a sandwich, but with baguette instead of white bread. Waiting for the food they all sat down on the sofa in the living room and talked about a few different things. When the food finally arrived, they paid the deliveryman a tip and took the croquets into the living room. Sitting around the table they started to eat, while watching a bit TV. Not wanting to clean up, they just put the waste on the kitchen table and went to Lucas´ room again. Playing and laughing they totally forgot the time and jumped a mile when the doorbell rang. Lucas got up to get the door and the others followed him. Taking the speaker in the hand, they all noticed, that it was already dark outside. For the past half hour, they have been reading horror stories and he felt his hand trembling. Heather creeped up behind him and said into his ear:,, Boo!” Lucas turned and stepped a bit closer to John out of reflex, all colour vanishing from his face. Heather and Liz both laughed, while John put a hand around Lucas´s shoulder, but Lucas could see him smiling too. When Lucas sarcastically said:,, Oh, hahaha.” John had to laughed out loud and stepped a bit back, a light blush creeping up on his cheeks, while Lucas asked carefully in the speaker:,, hello?” His voice was shaking slightly, and his friends stop laughing, now being actually a bit worried about what might happen. John thought about stepping closer to Lucas out of reflex to protect him, but stopped himself and just waited. But when they saw Lucas laugh and say:,, Oh, hey mom and dad. You´re home early.” They were relieved and looked at Lucas, waiting for information, which was given to them by a shocked Lucas saying:,, 10:30 pm, really already?!” They all looked at heir smartphones and were confirmed. They had talked for a good 4 hour after eating. How fast the time flies by if you have fun. While waiting on Lucas´ parents, they went to the door on the ground floor, Heather said:,, We should do this more often. Today was fun.” For that she earned agreement from the others. Going down the stairs, Liz threw the suggestion in the room, or rather on the staircase:,, Let´s play in real matches. You know, in Volleyball.” They all agreed to think about it and that they had to ask the captain before deciding anyways. John was sure he would want to do that, and a part of him said, that it was because he´d see Lucas more often. And deep down he knew it was true, but just tried to ignore it. Lucas´ parents were surprised, that the others were there, but were cool with it. Not short after that encounter, Liz said:,, Well, I should get home. It is getting late and I´m here by bike.” They stood up and walked Liz to the door. Heather hugged Liz again, before letting her go. She knew that they wouldn’t see each other again tomorrow and she hated that. ,,Bye, until Monday!” She called when she was already on the staircase, and they all waved at her. Back in Lucas´ room Lucas sat down on the bed and John and Heather on the sofa. Since they were pretty far away they didn´t talk that much. But it was a good, comforting silence. Then Heather got a phone call. It was her mom telling her to come home and she had to agree. Standing up, Lucas jumped down from the bed, without making any noise. The other two were impressed and Lucas said.,, That´s just how I get down from my bed normally. When I do that in the middle of the night I have to be quiet.” Heather laughed and said:,, That is a very precisive skill. But I like it, maybe it will help you later in your job. You know, when you become a spy” ,, I doubt it, but you can always hope. And I’m not becoming a spy.” Lucas went to the door and opened it, to let Heather out. John went out too, saying:,, I don´t want to disturb your family time. I´ll be off too then.” Lucas said offended:,, You know that you are always welcomed here, no matter what time. You´re my family too. But it is late, maybe you should get home.” Lucas didn´t know why he said that, but it was true, so he didn´t take it back. They both put on their shoes, while trying to figure out the best way to get home. They have about the same way home, so they drove together. On the way home Heather asked John:,, Why didn´t your parents ask you? Aren´t they worried?” she heard John sighing and after some time he answered:,, Well, I guess they are used to me always staying out late. And I said that I will be away for some time. I always stay that late when I´m at Lucas´, It´s normal for us to talk that long.” John had to smile at the thought, that he was Lucas´s family, remembering what Lucas said when they said goodbye. He noticed that over the last weeks, in which John often was at Lucas´s home, he started to develop feelings, but he was able to ignore them. Heather voice pulled him out of his thoughts. ,, Well, my parents would call me, even if they knew I would stay out that late.” They drove the rest of the way in silence, both thinking about their own stuff. Being at the crossroad where they parted, they said their goodbyes and Heather added:,, I hope we can do this again. Oh, and we have to start, to seriously work on our presentation in English.” Driving the rest of way alone he turned on music and thought about a ton of different stuff. Mostly about Lucas and his feelings, because when he was alone, he couldn´t keep them under control. Maybe he should tell someone. Home he brushed his teeth, changed into his pyjamas, and said good night to his parents. Not being able to sleep for some reason, probably because of his love problems. he put on headphone and heard a podcast, until he fell asleep.
Was it Monday already? Where did we weekend go? I´m going to see Heather today again! Those were the thoughts that struck her as Liz hit her alarm to make it shut up. Stumbling out of bed, she went to the kitchen. Being the good roommate she is, she made coffee and breakfast for her roommate. She hammered against the door and said:,, Mike, Wake up!! Breakfast is ready!” She heard a grumping in repeat and guessed, that he woke up. Going back into the kitchen she checked her phone and the calendar. No appointments today. While she was eating Mike came in, looking like a dead man walking. Sitting down he took a toast and bit in it, without even buttering it. ,, Wow, what happened. You look like a ghost.” He groaned and slipped further down the chair he sat in. Liz stood up and took the coffee from under the machine and put it down in front of Mike. He took it and drank it, sitting up a bit more. Liz stood up, saying:,, Well, I got to go. I´ll take out your bike into the hallway.” She went to her room, to change and pack her backpack. Being done she put on her jacket and her scarf, knowing it was getting colder outside. She waved at Mike and went out of the flat. Taking out her bike and Mike´s she put on her helmet and started to drive. Halting on a crossway, where she would meet Heather, she looked at her phone. When Heather finally came Liz looked up and greeted her with a five high. She wanted to hug her, but their bikes were between them, so it was easier that was. They started driving and Liz asked:,, Hey, wanna train a bit today?” ,, Sure, but we will have to ask John because of the keys.” ,,Well, I´m sure he´ll say yes. Maybe Lucas will join too.” ,,When John agrees, Lucas will agree too. They are literally jointed by the hip.” Liz laughed a bit and said:,, Yeah, true.” They drove till the school, talking about their Sunday. Finally, there they locked up their bike´s and went into the school. Knowing they had in their classroom they went there and sat down on Heather table, waiting for John and Lucas. Liz always liked talking to Heater before the lessons, when they were the only ones in the room. After a bit of time, other students started coming in and so did John and Lucas. Liz was happy to see them, but something at the back of her mind was jealous, for a lack of a better word. She ignored that feeling and greeted them with a smile. Even though she didn´t want to leave them. Especially Heather, said a small voice her head, but she chooses to think that it was just because she was girl and the others two were not. But deep down she knew the truth. Sitting down at her table, on the other side of the classroom, she put her stuff on the table and looked straight at the teacher. Pulling her knees up and looking at her table she didn´t move, until her table neighbour sat down beside her and started a conversation. In the lesson she would try to steal looks at Heather, but she sat before her and it would be obvious to look back all the time, so she just tried to concentrate on the class.

Chapter 3: A new, crazy idea

School was finally over, and Lucas felt like he had sat in school for at least a month. Going to his bike, while talking to John, he thought, that they should have a slumber party. Proposing this idea to John, he answered with:,, That would be cool, maybe we could make a training camp out of it.” Lucas laughed and said.,, You really love playing Volleyball, don´t you?” John responded with a proud:,, Yup.” While he thought I just love spending time with you and Volleyball is a great excuse. But that was left unsaid, and they walked the rest of the way silently. Unlocking their bikes and starting to drive home, Lucas said:,, Thank you.” John stopped out of surprise and looked at Lucas, wondering why he said that. Not wanting to ask, he didn´t even know why, he just stared at Lucas, waiting for an answer to a question he didn´t ask. Lucas resumed talking:,, It´s just, you took me under your wing and helped me find friends. You always had my back and I noticed that I started to take that for granted. Just Thank you for being there when I needed it.” He genuinely smiled at John, who smiled back, his heart skipping a beat and his breathing hitching, and answered trying to keep his voice even:,, Well, I know you would do the same thing for me. It´s not a big deal.” They smiled at each other, maybe a bit longer than necessary and then starting to drive again. At the crossroad, were they separate they said goodbye and silently thought about how great their friendship was. Even though they both wanted more, but were to scared to admit it. Arriving at home John sat down on his bed and let himself fall on his back. Looking at the ceiling he thought about how cool a training camp would be before his phone rang and he was ripped from his thoughts. He unlocked his phone and looked who wrote. It was the captain saying that he would make training today and that everybody was welcomed to join. Seconds later came a response from Heather saying, that she and Liz will be there. Man, those two really did everything together. John also agreed to come and already got up, searching for clean sportswear. Having changed and packed, he was ready to go. Running down the stairs he put on his helmet and put the keys away. Checking phone one last time, and sending a text to his father, that he was at training, and turning on his music, he got on his bike. Finally at the gym he noticed that they weren´t as many people as usually. Putting on his kneepads and shoes, he searched for John´s stuff. Finding it in a corner, he laid his stuff next to his and went into the gym. Not knowing exactly what to do he just stood there, looking at everybody else. John noticed him and went over to him. When he was close enough to hear him, John said:,, At first you got to warm up. I´ll do it with you. Come on.” He waved with his hand and started running around the gym. Lucas followed close behind him, being out of breath after two rounds. When John stopped suddenly, Lucas bumped into him, muttering a sorry. John just chuckled and went to a corner of the gym. There they finished their warmup and talked about what they did when they were home. Turns out they both were home like ten minutes, before deciding to go to the extra training. Having finished their warmup, they went to their captain and asked what they should to now. He answered:,, At first, just pass the ball for a little bit. I call you when we make exercises together.” They both nodded and John ran to get them a ball. Coming back, he threw it at Lucas, who received it good and he was able to pritch the next one. He had gotten good at it in the last two months. Mostly, as he was convinced, because of John´s help. Passing the ball, a bit, they had to get their ball often, being out of breath after ten minutes. The girls played next to them and were able to pass ball so good, that they almost never had to run after it. The boys, being a bit jealous, tried harder and, surprisingly, it did work better. After about twenty minutes the captain called them to the middle and said, that they will be doing serves now. Lucas, still not trusting his high serve, made a few low ones, until Fred came up to him and said:,, Since your low serve is almost perfect, why don´t you try a high one.” Lucas nodded and tried a few but hammered them all in the net. Being out of breath and demotivated from his not working high serve, he looked at John. It had almost become second nature to him, to look at John, whenever he was bored and when John wasn´t looking. He didn´t even exactly know why, it just happened. And when he started, he couldn´t stop and would end up staring at John, until someone pulled him out. After serves they practiced spikes and passes. After that the captain said:,, We will play 3 against 3 since we are only six people. John, Lucas and I will make one team. Heather, Liz and Mo will form the other team.” They started playing and after playing two whole sets(both of which were won by the girls team) their captain said that they should call it a day and go home. Looking at the clock and noticing that it was already after seven they all agreed and went into the dressing room. Everybody was ready to leave, and they went out, locking the door behind them. Fred and Mo had to drive into the opposite direction, so it was only the four of them. They drove and talked about how they would organize their training camp. Having to say goodbye they promised to text when they get home.
They decided to do the training camp in the winter holidays for a week. As it drew closer, they decided to ask everybody else in the club, if they wanted to join. Fred and Mo immediately agreed. Being the oldest on the team and captain and co-captain they said it was their duty, but not being able to hide their excitement. A few others said they would think about it, but a few were away so they wouldn’t be able to join. Lucas felt bad for not being able to remember all the faces to the names, but luckily Fred said everyone’s name again:,, So, Heather, Liz, John, Lucas, Mo and I are definitely in. Max, Alex, and Louis will think about it, right?” They all nodded, and Fred ended the training. When everybody left, Lucas asked John:,, Can we practice receives for a bit more?” John sighed and agreed, but under the condition, that they would stop at half past seven. When it was half past seven, they were both completely exhausted and lied down on the floor next to each other. Both catching their breath neither saying anything. Having enough energy to stand up, they go into the dressing room and put of their kneepads and changes their shoes. Knowing it was cold outside they also put on long pants and their sweatshirts. Lucas even putting on a jacket over it. Taking their backpacks, they went out of the gym. After locking it and unlocking their bikes, Lucas said:,, I think the training camp is going to be fun.” John agreed with a nod but kept his eyes forward. Scared that if he looked at Lucas, he wouldn´t be able to look away again, like it always happened. Not wanting to say goodbye to Lucas, John stopped were they normally parted and looked at him for the first time today. He almost immediately got lost in Lucas´s dark brown eyes. When Lucas had stopped too, he looked at John and asked, obviously confused:,, What is it?” That is a very good question. Why did I stop? What is happening to me lately? My eyes and thought always wander back to Lucas and I´m not being able to concentrate. Well, he is my best friend and I´m just worried about him, that´s all, right? But it´s not. There are feelings there other than friendship, and you know that. A little voice in the back of his head said. John started to panic and wasn’t able to think a single thought. He looked at Lucas and thought that he is totally different person, then when they first met. Sure, he was still socially awkward, but he was more open and didn´t panic as fast as before. But he was able to get John to panic. John liked to think, that it was with his help, that Lucas got to be that person. ,,Soooo, want to stand here until I freeze to death?” Lucas’s voice brought him back to reality and ha answered, still a little confused about his own thoughts:,, No, just wanted to say that I look forward to the training camp. And check how cold resistant you are. Okay, bye” John gave Lucas a fast smile, jumped and on his bike and fled the scene. He sighed when he was sure Lucas couldn´t see him anymore. Wanting to drive into the nearest wall he said asked himself:,, What the hell is wrong with me?” Being finally home he threw his backpack in a corner of his room and himself onto his bed. Remembering, that he had homework to do he pushed himself in an upright position and went to his backpack. Sitting down on at his desk, he started doing his homework. He was, despite his expectations, able to concentrate and was done in about half an hour. He showered and got into bed, thinking that he will ask their director tomorrow if they can use a classroom to sleep in. He woke up the next morning to the sound of his alarm ringing. He put his alarm on the opposite of his room, knowing that he wouldn´t be able to wake up, because he was not morning person. Going into the kitchen he made himself a toast and ate it with only butter on it. Changing in his day clothes he decided to put on his raincoat, because it was probably going to rain, as it does most days in London. Being finally in the classroom he remembered that he wanted to ask the director about the training camp. He chose to do that in the first break, because he saw Lucas going into the classroom and wanted to talk to him. Not sure about what, just hear his voice really. The lesson started and they all sopped talking, knowing this was important, because it was their chosen subject and would make up a big part of their grade. When the lesson was over they packed their stuff together and went out of the room, knowing they have the next lesson in another room. Liz was splitting up with them half way, since she had to go to the other side of the school. The other three went to the director´s office, while John explained everything to Lucas and Heather:,, I thought about where to sleep and the best thing would be to sleep here, in the school. So now I want to ask the director if it´s ok to sleep in a classroom.” The other two nodded and they continued their way to the office. John knocked carefully on the door and waiting for a permission to enter. A voice from the inside called:,, Come in!” and they entered the office. The director sat behind a desk and had a lot of papers laid out before him. The director locked up and asked:,, What is it?” He locked tired and John answered:,, We are very sorry to disturb you, but we wanted to ask if we can sleep in the school. Our volleyball team wanted to make a training camp and we wondered if we could sleep in a classroom. Just for a week in the winter holidays.” The director sighted and said:,, How do I know I can trust you? And I need to know who exactly. Also, who exactly would take responsibility if something would break?” John wanted to answer that, but Lucas took a step forward and said:,, I take full responsibility for everything. Everyone who would come goes here and are all trustworthy persons. There are also two people a year older than us, so I think we can say, we will watch out about what we do.” John was impressed, that Lucas spoke so direct forward and stood up for them like that. He wasn´t the person to do that. But when it was about making John happy, Lucas was ready to do almost anything. The director stood up and said, while going to a cupboard:,, Okay, I trust you, because you are good students. If anything breaks you will pay for it and change the school, got it?” They nodded silently and waited until the director turned to them. ,, I will give you a key to the whole school, you lose it, you will regret it. Who feels confident enough to take it?” They discussed it for a bit, eventually John took, because he already had the key for the gym. They went out of the office saying thank you and apologising for the disruption again. They went to their classroom, while giving each other high fives. At the end of November, they had done it, they organized everything for training camp. It had been a load of work though. At first they had to convince their parents to allow them to live alone for a week, then they had to persuade the cafeteria staff to keep the water dispenser on over the holidays, so they had enough water and last but not least they had to work out how to organize the food. That was undoubted the hardest part since they didn´t have anything to heat it up. At the end they decided to bring a few microwaves and use the outside as a refrigerator, since it was going to be cold. Sitting down for the lesson they talked about how hard it was to get where they were but that it was worth it.
They had a few weeks till their training camp and were sitting in their cottage near the school. It´s located in a little wood and not technically theirs, but it was abandoned, so they made it theirs when it got colder and rainier and they couldn´t meet outside anymore and Lucas´s home was getting a bit too small and crowded when his parents happen to be there too. Heather and Liz were sitting in an old sofa and playing something on their phones, while Lucas sat in his favourite armchair, reading a new book. John just came through the door, put his shoes in the corner and put his coat on the hanger. He let himself fall into another armchair and pulled his feet up. They had found this one day, while wandering through the wood, because they were board. Maybe it still belonged to someone, but no one ever told them to leave, so they just proclaimed it as theirs. In the first week, they made a policy that you have to leave your shoes at the door, because the whole cottage had a carpet on the ground. John had turned to Lucas and asked:,, What you reading?” Lucas looked up, and answered:,, It´s an old book. The Hobbit. It´s the prequel to Lord of the Rings, which I intend to read after it. Have you read it yet?” John shook his head, but then went to the shelf covered in books and fished one out. The cottage hand one wall covered with shelfs with book, one with a TV, which was surprisingly new and a door to a bedroom and one to a bathroom. Inside only stood a sofa and a small sofa table and two armchairs. It was nice and cosy, though it could get cold, if they left it standing empty for too long. So, John took the book he decided to read, an old classic, and sat back down into his armchair. He opened his book and started reading. After the first few pages, he heard Heather yell:,, Yeah, I won, sucker!” Liz groaned and threw her phone onto the sofa, where Heather just sat a second ago. Heather had jumped up and celebrated a bit, when Liz said:,, Calm down, it´s just a game.” ,,You only saying that because you lost.” Heather answered, sitting back down. Lucas had laid his book to the side and asked:,, What were you playing?” Liz had picked up her phone and answered:,, It´s a two people game, which test your reactions. Wanna test?” Lucas nodded and went over to Liz. He sat down on the sofa, next to Liz and they started playing. John stood up too and went to sit on the armrest next to Lucas and look over his shoulder. At first he was horrible at it and Liz kept winning, but over time, he got better and eventually beat Liz. John asked, if he could play too and then he played. So, they spend their Friday afternoon, playing reaction games on Liz´s phone. They also talked a lot, but if someone would ask them later about what, they couldn´t answer. When it was getting dark outside, John stood up and said:,, We should get home. I honestly don´t wanna walk through the wood in the dark” They all agreed and stood up. Lucas put the book he had read into his backpack and went to put on his shoes. Heather and Liz also stood up and went to turn off the power. They haven´t found a light switch, so they always pulled out the safety switch for all the power when they leave. John went to the bookshelf again and searched for another book, since he really didn’t like the book he had started reading. While the other three waited at the open door for John to be done, Liz whispered:,, Does anyone else have the feeling that we are being watched?” ,,Yeah, maybe. But I´m just paranoid in general.” Heather answered, because most of the time, she does feel like she is being watched. But she had to agree with Liz, right now the feeling was stronger than ever. John came out the door at that moment and said:,, Okay, let´s get home.” They all agreed, shaking off that feeling of being watched, though Lucas would still look over his shoulder back at the woods more than usual and went back to their bikes. But all the way home, that feeling of being watched never really left Heather. But when she arrived at the cottage the next morning to meet her friends, that feeling was gone and she forgot about it.
It was the first day of the training camp and Lucas was on his way to the school. He knew he would be way to early there, but he couldn´t wait any longer. He drove onto the schoolgrounds and saw that the light in the gym was on. Apparently he wasn´t the only one who came to early. Locking his bike, he went to the gym, his backpack and gym bag on either one of his sides. He pushed the door open and went into the dressing room. Putting down his things he searched for his kneepads and his shoes. He went into the gym and to their captain. ,,Sorry, I´m a bit late. What can I do to help?” Fred chuckled and said:,, It´s ten minutes before ten. You´re too early and so is the rest of us. You can help by putting up the net.” Lucas nodded and went to help the others. He was happy that Max, Alex, and Louis choose to join. Now they were 9 people and they could make really good training. They even managed to pull of a match against another team, because the friend of someone´s sister played there. Having put up the net they went into the middle of the gym and waited for their captain to say something. Fred announced:,, At first we are going to warm up and after that we will practise receives. Around 2 o´clock we will make a break. Okay, let´s go.” They started jogging around the court and after that stretched a bit. After having warmed up, they paired off and practised receiving. Even tough Lucas wasn´t playing Volleyball as long as the others had he was getting pretty good at it, because he trained more than anybody, except maybe John who always trained with him. Lucas also noticed that Liz was still better at receives than him, especially the hard ones, which Lucas often didn´t get. Heather made almost perfect sets for the spikers and was able to change the way she set for different people. When it was two o´clock they made a break and Liz, Heather, John, and Lucas sat down in the middle of the gym, putting over sweaters. Lucas looked up and said:,, Liz, how are you this good at receiving?” Liz chuckled and said:,, Practise, Practise, Practise. But seriously, it was the one thing I learned more than anything for 4 years now. It comes with the time, trust me.” They talked a bit more until John said:,, I´m going for a jog, anybody want to come?” They all agreed and went to the door. They changed their shoes and went out of the gym. They started to jog around the gym on the left side and on to the street. They jogged around the schoolgrounds twice, after which they were out of breath and thirsty. John had a feeling they were being followed the whole time, but kept quiet, because he didn´t want to worry his friends. They went into the cafeteria and filled their water bottles. While they drank, Fred came up to them and asked:,, Hey, at first, where were you? And second we just ordered pizza, you want a piece?” Liz answered:,, Sorry, we were jogging around the schoolgrounds. And we would love a piece of pizza. I, for one, am starving.” Fred chuckled and let them to the others, who were already eating. While walking he said:,, It is okay to go jogging, but please tell me next time. I´m the captain so I´m responsible for you knuckleheads.” The all nodded and sat down. When they started to eat they noticed how hungry they were. After eating the pizzas, the four of them went to the refrigerator, which was just a certain area outside their classroom, and got fruits out. They cut them open and sliced them. Being done with that they took a plate they put them on it, into the classroom they use a their common room. They sat down in a circle on the floor and Mo took out play cards. Being the kids they were, they played UNO till their captain eventually said:,, It´s 4 o´clock. Anybody wanna train a bit more?” They jumped up and Alex even said:,, Yes!” They went to the gym and started training again. The last thing that day they played four against four with one chancing player, who would go into the team who got the point and make the serve. That way the teams always changed, and they learned to work together with everybody. At 7 o´clock the captain called them together and said:,, Well, that looks pretty good. I will look if we have anything to eat for dinner. You can train a bit more if you want to.” Fred went out of the gym and the others resumed their playing. Since they were now eight people they choose their teams. Of course, Liz, Heather, Lucas, and John formed a team. After two sets Fred came back and said:,, Dinner is ready. Who wants some?” They all went to the cafeteria, while drinking water and drying off their sweat with towel. They sat down at one table and Fred and Mo brought in the dinner. They didn´t talk much while eating because they all were too hungry. When they were done Mo said:,, Okay it´s now 9 o´clock. We can go to our “dorm” or we could continue practicing. Any suggestions?” Alex raised her hand, but Fred said:,, You can just talk.” They all laughed and Alex said:,, I think it is a good idea to shower now and maybe watch a bit Netflix afterwards, eating sweets. That way we can start tomorrow in the early hours.” Fred looked around and when nobody said anything, Liz broke the silence:,, Yeah, what she said.” Taking that as an agreement Fred said:,, Now to the more uncomfortable things. Who will do the dishes?” Max asked:,, Don´t we have a dishwasher?” ,, Oh, yeah right. Everyone has to put their own dish in the dishwasher.” They all stood up and went into the kitchen. Having put anything away and cleaned the table they went to the classroom next to the one they used as a dorm. Noticing they didn´t really plan anything they just put the tables and chair at the sites of the room. Having done that they put their sleeping mats in the middle of the room as a sleeping island. They all put their stuff on the tables and took out their shower stuff. Going to the shower, they took their pyjamas, towels and a jacket, because it was really cold outside and they had to walk from the classroom to the gym through the cold. Going into the gym the girls went to one side and the boys to the other. They went into the shower of the gym and, well showered. They were all ready to go after about ten minutes and went to the classroom again. Sitting down on their Sleeping island in the middle of the room, Fred got the sweet and Mo got her laptop. She opened a series they all agreed on and connected it with the beamer. Sitting down on the left and right side of the beamer they settled down, opened their sweets, and started watching. After about an hour, John noticed that Lucas had fallen asleep with his head on his lap. Looking at the other side of the beamer, he noticed that only Fred and Max were still awake. Alex, Mo, Heather, Liz, and Louis were sleeping peacefully in their sleeping bags. Fred stood up and paused the episode. Put the laptop on the charger and turned off the beamer, he laid down besides Mo and tried to fall asleep. John was already in a sleeping position and just had to close his eyes. The last image he saw was Lucas sleeping peacefully in his lap.

Chapter 4: bad things happen at the best of times

The first person to wake up on the last day of training camp was Liz since she was an early riser. She went quietly to her stuff and put on a sweater. While she was tiptoeing to the door, she saw out of the corner of her eyes Lucas and John huddling together. She remembered, that in the evening, like in the evenings before, Lucas had fallen asleep in John´s lap and from the way they slept now, she guessed that John just fell asleep after some time too. Risking waking someone up she took out her phone and shot a picture of them both in the morning sun. They were really cute together. Putting her phone in the pocket of her sweater and went out of the classroom. She went to the cafeteria and searched for breakfast. When she tried to put tables together she thought that help would be great. So, she ran back to the classroom and went to the place where she knew Heather was sleeping. She wanted Heather to help her, because she wanted to spend as much time as she could with her. Bending over her, she woke her up and told her to be silent. Heather followed her to the door and when they were outside the classroom Heather asked:,, What is it? Why did you wake me?” Liz answered:,, I wanted to make breakfast but I couldn´t put two table together alone, so I woke you. I hope that was okay.” Heather thought that it didn´t really matter because she´d do anything Liz would ask her too. So, Heather nodded, and they went out of the building. Heather was so sleepy and surprised, that she forgot to put over a sweater or coat and was freezing in the early December morning. Liz noticed that and put her sweater over Heather´s shoulders. Heather muttered a thanks and snuggled herself into the sweater. Heather loved the way it smelled like Liz, like honey and old wood and some Shampoo Heather couldn´t name. They went into the cafeteria and started moving the two tables together. They were done and went to wake the others. But instead of going back to the classroom, Heather went to the far end of the schoolgrounds and sat down on a bench, which stood against a wall. When Liz noticed that, she went after her and sat down beside her. Even tough Liz was a bit cold she didn´t asked for her sweater back and just looked at Heather. They were friends for 3 years now, but Liz never noticed how blue Heathers eyes really are. Now, in the morning sun they are like a gateway to the ocean. Something you could sink into. The moment those thought came up in Liz´s mind, Heather said:,, Can we just sit here for a while?” Liz was confused, but eventually agreed. They sat there, next to each other, but not really together, like something separated them. Heather would occasionally look up and try to study Liz´s expression. And looked like she wanted to say something, but always remained silent. But all she saw was a beautiful person, who she never saw before. Not really. Without either of them noticing something changed between them. When it was getting too cold, Liz shoved closer to Heather, leaning on her shoulder. Heather put an arm around her and spend some warm. Acting cool on the outside, Heather´s heart was beating three times as strong as before and her whole body tingled. Heather leaned into the hug and Liz leaned her head on Heather´s shoulder. Sitting like that they forgot the time, and both thought that they should stay like that forever. Heather opened her eyes and looked at Liz. She had her eyes closed and was looking happy and cosy. Despite wanting to kiss her awake, like she already wanted in the mornings, man her mind was going places, Heather said quietly:,, Hey, wake up, sleepy head.” Liz opened her eyes and looked at Heather. Their eyes meet. Blue meet brown. Before she could sink into Heather´s blue eyes again Liz asked:,, What is it?” Heather took a deep breath, not really knowing what to say. How do you explain your best friend, that you want to kiss her? She looked at Liz again and said:,, Okay, this is hard and is going to change everything, but …” She didn´t finish that sentence because both of their phones rang. They separated a bit and took out their cell phones. Heather breathed out the air she didn´t realised she was holding in. It was Fred who wrote in the chat, asking where they were. Heather answered that they were on their way and got up a bit too fast, because she tripped and fell right into Liz´s arms, who swiftly catches her. Feeling a tad awkward, Heather steadied herself and went in the direction of the others. Liz caught up to her asked:,, Are you okay?” Heather just nodded and they reached the others. Liz wanted to ask what was going on but noticed that the captain was already pretty angry. So, she decided against it and just kept quiet. Fred lectured them about going off without telling them, but was calmed down by Mo, who said that everything was fine now. When Liz felt it save to say something she said:,, We made breakfast in the cafeteria. Want to go eat?” Fred sighed and answered:,, Fine, everybody get a coat, we are going to eat breakfast now.” They all got out their sweater and coats and Heather took out hers too. She was about to give Liz back her sweater, but she just said:,, Keep it. It´s a gift.” Liz wanted Heather to keep it as a token of her love. Not that she would ever tell her that. They both went to put on a coat over their sweater and went after the rest of the team. Things were still weird between them, after what happened before. Sitting down at the table, they started eating. Fred talked about what they were going to do:,, About, 1 o´clock the other team is coming. We will play a match against them. Loser has to pay for dinner that evening. Before that we are just gonna warm up, since we only have about an hour left.” They cleaned the table and went into the classroom. They changed into their sportswear and went into the gym. They put up the net and started warming up. When they were practising spike, they heard the bell of the gym rang. Fred went to answer it. It was the other team, that they were going to play against. They went to change and warm up. While they warmed up, Fred called them together and made an announcement:,, So, we are going to play six against six. At first on the court are Heather, as our setter, John, Lucas and Alex as wing spikers and Mo and myself as middle blockers. Liz, you are the libero since you´re the best at receives. Oh, I have something else to say too. Since it was Christmas a week ago, I wanted to make you a gift.” He went to a box, put it in the middle of the room and opened it. In it were tricot, one for every one of the team. They all went to hug their captain and it ended in a chaotic group hug. When they all separated, Fred started handing out the tricots. ,,I just guessed the size, you will have to try it. I have all numbers and you get to choose what number you want. We´ll start with Mo. What numbered do you want?” She chose number 2 and that way they said their number and got their tricot. Liz didn´t get to choose her number because her tricot had to have a different colour. She got number 3, but she was happy with it. She looked in the mirror and liked how the green and silver looked on her. Heather had to admit, she looked amazing in it. They went into the gym again and started playing after a short introduction. After playing one match(Which they won after three sets) they all sat down and were completely exhausted. It was already after 6 o´clock and the other team said that they should get going. The captain thanked them again for coming and they went into the dressing room to talk about the match. They sat down and the first one to speak was Heather, saying:,, Liz, you were amazing! How did you save all those balls?” Liz looked at the floor and blushed a little. Fred spoke up next:,, I totally agree with Heather, but Heather, you were also really good. Lucas, you developed fast in the last few months. I´m proud of you. You did great for your first match. So did all of you,” he looked around the round, “we played good as a team and won as a team. Let´s celebrate!” They all stood up and high fived each other. They all went to the classroom and decided to order pizza. Because the school grounds were technically closed, they ordered the pizza man a few blocks away. It was already dark, and they argued over who should go. While everybody else was arguing, Heather was the only one to notice, that John wasn´t there. Lucas noticed it too, but Heather silently told him, that she´ll go look for him. She stood up and said that she forgot something in the gym when Fred asked her where she was going. Being out of earshot of the others she said loudly:,, John, I know you´re here somewhere!” She saw him going down the street. Running after him, she caught up fast and asked him:,, Where do you think you´re going?” He stopped and turned to Heather. ,,I´m getting the pizza. I won´t let anybody get into danger because of me, so just get back to the others.” John still had that feeling of being watched and that’s why he wanted to get the pizza alone. Heather started going forward, while saying:,, I´m coming with you.” John knew Heather long enough to know that there was no way of changing her mind. They went silently next to each other, until Heather heard a car coming their way. She turned around and saw that it was a black van. She knew this wasn´t good and was ready to fight. John, obviously confused, said:,, Shouldn´t we run or hide?” But before they could do anything, three men jumped out of the car. Two of them went to John one of them to Heather. They all had needles in their hands. Heather thought quick and concluded, that those needles were bad news. She screamed at John to run, but one of the men already put a needle in his arm. Heather was able to duck, right before the needle would have hit her. Having the element of surprise, she took the needle from the man and rammed it into his upper arm. He went dizzy and eventually passed out. She could only guess, that it was what happened to John too. While one of them other men dragged John into the car, the other came to Heather. Heather knew that she couldn´t overpower him so she had to find another way. She already figured out that this is a kidnapping. If they wanted to kill them, they would have just shot. She fought of the first attacks of the man and was able to knock the needle out of his hand. They went fist to fist and Heather was on the defensive. Blocking his hits or evading them she was able to hold him of. But then the man drew a knife, and she had to change her tactic. Instead of deflecting his hit, she had to evade all of them. That was tearing on her strength. Her evades were closer and closer and her movements got slower with every passing moment. But she was not going to give up and let them take John. After she evaded a hit a tad too slow, a tearing pain shot through her upper arm. She felt blood running down her arm and the next second a fist collided with her face. Again and again, the pain was getting worse with every time. She heard the man laugh and say, in a hoarse voice:,, Did you really think you could beat me. A child, you are pathetic.” Heather looked up and saw, that the other man was conscious again, dizzy, but conscious. Heather knew that she lost and even though it broke her heart she said:,, I surrender. You won.” She tried standing up but had to lean against the wall for support. The man in the van with John said:,, He´s waking up we have to go.” The other two turned to him and Heather saw her chance. She went forward and tackled the man with the knife. She hoped the other one didn´t have a gun. She punched the knife out of his hands and then his face. The other one took her and threw her on the ground. The air was pressed out of her lungs and her vision went dizzy. Instead of attacking her they jumped into the van and drove off, with John in the trunk. The last thing she saw, before everything went black was the van disappearing around a corner.

Chapter 5: Just be brave

When Heather woke up slowly she sat up and leaned against the wall. She lost John and wasn´t able to help the people she loved. Again. She took a deep breath and looked at the needle in her hand. It was filled with the blood of one of her opponents. This was all she could bring from this fight. She breathed slowly, but every breath hurt. She pulled up her coat and sweater and saw a wound on her left side. The wounds she knew about weren´t that bad and she decided to sit there just a bit longer. After ten minutes, her breathing stabilized and she remembered, that she had her phone with her. She pulled out her phone and called the first contact she saw. It was Liz, of all people. Liz answered the phone in an instant and said:,, Were the hell are you?! You were gone for twenty minutes.” Heather braced herself for the pain and answered:,, can you find Lucas and come together to the place, where we were supposed to meet the pizza man. And hurry please.” Every word hurt like hell, but Heather kept talking:,, Bring a first aid kid and don´t tell anybody else.” Heather heard Liz sighing over the phone, but she eventually agreed, needing to see whether Heather was okay. She didn´t sound okay over the phone. She told Heather she would hang up for a second to call Lucas and that she did. When she met Lucas at the back entrance of the school they ran to the place, where Heather would be. They ran around a corner and the scene they saw made Liz´s heart stop and her eyes wide. Heather sat leaning against the wall. Her face and her coat were soaked in blood, and she wore an expression of terror, sadness and pain. Liz fell to her knees, to sit beside her. She didn´t really know what to do, so she hugged her, but the second she did so Heather winced. Liz moved backwards saying:,, I´m so sorry. What happened. You look like you were beaten up. Who did this to you?” Liz had a wish to hurt everyone who hurt Heather, but she kept quiet and waited. Heather coughed and said, quietly:,, There were men. I couldn´t hold them off. I´m sorry.” With every word the pain increased, and she got quieter and quieter. Liz looked up at Lucas and said, with worries laid in her voice:,, We need to do something. We need to stop the bleeding. Let´s go into the first aid room. Lucas help me pick her up.” Lucas wanted to move, but he froze. Al he could do was ask:,, Where is John?” Heather opened her eyes and said with her last bit of strength:,, They took him. I´m terribly sorry.” After ending that sentence, she lost her consciousness, probably from the pain and maybe from the bloodloss. At first Liz thought Lucas didn´t hear what Heather said, but then she heard him sliding down the wall. Liz sighed and stood up. She saw both sitting there and almost wanted to just sit down beside them. She knew she had to be brave, so she knelt before Lucas and whispered:,, I know it´s hard, but we need to help Heather or do you want to lose another friend. Help me get her to the first aid room. You need to keep fighting. For John, he wouldn´t want you to give up.” Something snapped in Lucas, and he looked up. Tears still running down his cheeks, but fire in his eyes. He stood up and looked at Liz, waiting for her to give instructions. Liz tried to hide her own fear and said:,, Okay, so you take her legs and I take her arms.” They bended down and tried to lift her up. For some reason, Lucas didn´t have any power and wasn´t able to lift her legs. Seeing this, Liz sighed and changed the plan. She turned to Lucas and said:,, You have to call the captain and say that we are waiting for the pizza man. Then you need to get the pizza to them and think of an excuse why, we aren´t there. Can you do that?” Lucas nodded, not trusting his voice. Wiping away the tears, he went to get the pizza, knowing that he would do anything to save John. Even lie to his teammates if it helps. When Lucas had disappeared around the corner, Liz put one arm under Heather´s knees and the other one at her neck. Lifting her up, she started to walk to the school. Luckily, it took only a few minutes, until she was in front of the house. She opened the door with her foot and went in. She was out of breath and worried, but kept going because she knew she had to, if they had any chance of saving Heather. In the first aid room, she laid Heather down on the bed and opened her coat and tried to find the wounds. She had to pull the sweater over Heather´s head to see the wounds. She almost fainted at the sight of it but was able to take a deep breath and look at the wounds. When Heather lied there, in her jersey, which was soaked in blood, Liz increasingly worried. She wasn´t a doctor and could only use what she learned in her first ais lesson. She noticed a wound on her left upper arm and on her left side, at the height of her rips. Liz first looked at the wound on her arm, because that one was still bleeding and the other one had the jersey, to stop the bleeding. She went to the cupboard and got out a bandage and a gauze dressing pad. She put it on the wound and hoped that it would stop the bleeding or at least slow it down. From what she could see the wound didn´t need stitches, but she wasn´t sure and decided to ask Mike when she gets home, because he was training to be a doctor. She pulled the bandage around Heather´s arm and held it together with tape. Now to the hard part, the wound on her side. Liz pulled her jersey just height enough to see the wound. Luckily, it was on the surface and didn´t put her in mortal danger. She taped the wound and hoped that it won´t need stitches. Having done that, she looked if there are other open wounds. Her face was covered in blood and her nose looked like it was broken, but Liz wasn´t sure of that. The one thing she knew, was that she needed to wake her up. She tried talking to her, moving her shoulder and something that smelled really strong, but nothing helped and Liz was running out of ideas. She did have one last idea, but hesitated to try it, because she was scared it would ruin their friendship. When Heather was still unconscious after half an hour, Liz began to worry enough to be willing to risk anything and chose to do the only thing she could think of. She made sure she was alone, which was technically unnecessary, since it was a small room, but she did it anyway. She took a deep breath and went to stand next to the bed in which Heather lay on her back, her head tilted up by a few pillows. Bending over Heather´s face, she was soon close enough to feel her breath and started to panic. Well, it was now or never since it was likely for her die if she didn´t wake up soon. Liz leaned a bit closer in, just enough to feel Heather´s lips against her. Just as she was about to pull away, noticing that it didn´t work, she felt Heather move and then pulled away. She went to the other side of the room and looked out the window. She heard Heather groan, probably because of the pain. Her normally light-brown hair was dark because of the dirt and her face in a grimace. Liz went, despite her better judgement, to Heather and asked her:,, You okay?” Heather looked up and said, very quietly and underlined with pain:,, I´m lying in a bed and my jersey is covered in blood. And you ask me if I´m okay?” ,, Yeah, sorry. Of course, you´re not okay. Stupid question” Liz muttered under her breath and looked at Heather again. She was breathing heavily, and it was obviously painful for her to speak. Liz remembered what Heather said to her once about first aid and asked her:,, Where do you have pain? I mean where besides the wounds.” ,, Well, my head hurts like hell, my arm and my left side and I think my nose might be broken, judging by its bleeding but everything else seems fine. It doesn´t feel like anything is really bad. It still hurts though.” Liz sighed, being relived nothing was bad and gave Heather some advice:,, Then don´t talk and breath slowly. That could minimize your pain.” Heather nodded slightly and laid back into the pillows. The second before she fell asleep, she was able to say one last thing:,, A needle. There was a needle. Get it, it could help us save him.” ,,Just sleep. You will feel better afterwards.” Liz smiled a bit and petted over Heather´s hair. She was relived, that Heather was okay(as okay as you can be after being attacked), but there was a question she couldn´t quit answer. How did Heather survive and fought off the attackers? Why didn´t they kidnap her too? Liz was definitely happy about that, but it bugged her, nevertheless. She looked at Heather, sleeping peacefully and decided to ask her, when she was better. She called Lucas and asked him:,, Hey, where are you? Come here now.” Lucas agreed to come and hung up the phone. Liz paced around the room while waiting for Lucas, always looking at Heather out of the corner of the eyes. Lucas finally was there, and the first Liz did was hug him. When they parted she saw that Lucas had tears in his eyes and said:,, It´s going to be okay. When Heather is fine, we can plan what to do next. Maybe go to the police. She said something about a needle, can you go look where we found her. Maybe you can find something.” He nodded and shot one last look at Heather, who was sleeping peacefully. Lucas didn´t really have energy, but if he just sat there, he might go crazy. So, he went into the courtyard and out of the school. Going to the place where they found Heather, he was getting more nervous and walked faster with every passing step. When he finally arrived, he was jogging and came to a halt right before the wall. While he was searching he had time to think about everything and made a decision. He was going to save John, whatever a took. He let him go, it was his fault he was missing in the first place. He searched the wall and found a needle laying against it. He picked it up and saw that there was blood in it. He dropped it out of surprise and took a step backwards. When he slowed his breathing and calmed down a bit, he picked it up again and put it in his jacket. Just as he was about to go, he saw something out of the corner of his eyes. He went back and found something laying on the ground. Lucas sat down on his knees and picked it up. It was a button; from he assumed a coat. Hoping it would help them he put it to the needle and made his way back to the school. Just as Lucas was about to call Liz, telling her what he found, he met Alex walking in his direction. Trying to act as casually as he could he walked past her and said:,, Hey, where´re going?” She stopped and said:,, Looking for Liz. I know you said they are jogging, but it´s been half an hour and I´m beginning to worry. Have you seen her?” Lucas panicked, of course his excuse wouldn´t hold long. Ha tried to act cool and said:,, I´m sure they´ll be here any minute, no need to worry.” He apparently said it with enough conviction in his voice because Alex agreed to go back to the classroom. Lucas was relived and jogged the rest of the way to the first aid room. Liz was sitting in front of Heather, who was still sleeping, when Lucas entered the room. It was already pretty late and Liz had dark circle under her eyes. Her normally braided hair was open and messy and her jersey was dirty from blood and dirt. Lucas sat down next to her and asked:,, Is there anything I can do. Just sitting here makes me crazy. When I do something at least I feel like I´m helping.” Liz looked up from Heather and answered:,, Did you find anything? Do the other suspect anything?” ,,Yes and no. I did find something. A needle filled with blood and a button. Maybe they can help us find him. And no, the others suspect nothing. They think you´re jogging.” Liz nodded and looked back at Heather. Realising what Lucas just said, she snapped her head around to look at him. She said, louder than necessary, but still in a hiss, because she didn´t want to wake Heather:,, What, no! We can´t just run after them, after what they did to Heather! There are people who handle that sort of things. The police, we´re going to the police and they will find him. We´re kids, there is nothing we can do.” ,,NO! You know just as well as I do, that the police won´t do anything the first 24 hours and after that he might as well be dead! We have to act now!” Liz stood up and said:,, We´re not doing anything until Heather is okay again! Then maybe we can try to find him. But first we need to wait till Heather is okay and file a missing persons report.” Lucas stood up too and said:,, Look, I care about Heather as much as you do, but…” ,, Lucas, I said no!” Liz cut him off and made clear that that was the end of the discussion. They sat down again and waited for Heather to wake up.
Heather opened her eyes slowly and looked at Lucas and Liz, sitting there. She tried to speak, but didn´t feel the power to do so and just raised her arm. The other two looked up and smiled, seeing that Heather was okay or as okay as you can be after getting beaten up. Heather smiled a bit too and tried to sit up. It was already about midnight, and it was dark outside. The little lamp illuminated the small room in welcoming light and reminded Heather of Christmas for some reason. The other two were sitting on chairs at her bedside and didn´t look like they were going away before she was okay. It made Heather smile even broader, and she said:,, Morning, or rather night. How long was I asleep?” ,,About four hours. It´s almost midnight, I´m guessing the others are already asleep. How do you feel? Does anything hurt? Did the sleep help? Do you know anything about the attackers? Do you think you´re going to be fine? Do you feel fine?” Liz said that in like the span of ten second, talking really fast. Heather looked at her and answered:,, That´s a lot of questions. I feel better and the sleeping definitely helped. My side still hurts a bit, but not as bad as it used to. And my arm still hurts like hell, but I get used to it. I don´t know much about the attackers, but I believe that they were trained and had a lot of experiences. I think I just need to rest a bit. Does that answer your questions?” Liz nodded and turned to Lucas, expecting him to say something, but he just sat their, eyes on the ground. He was still wearing his jacket and hat and had his arms wrapped around his knees. When he finally spoke it was quietly and with his eyes still locked on the ground:,, We need to find out who´s blood and button this is and try to find a clue. I just hope it´s not John´s.” Heather looked at Lucas and said:,, It´s not. I took it with the needle out of one of my attackers. If we can run a DNA test, maybe we can find out who that´s from.” Liz cut in and said:,, Perfect plan, I just have one question. How the hell are we supposed to run a DNA test? I´m guessing none of you two have a lab in their rooms. It´s not like any of us know how it works anyway.” Heather sat up and popped her head against the wall, now being able to see them better. When she was in a comfortable position, she said:,, Actually, I don´t know if you can analyse blood there, but I do have a lab in my basement.” ,,You what?!” Liz and Lucas said at the same time and looked at Heather in shook. Liz even had a bit anger and hurt on her face and said:,, I wondered ever since we found you why you were able to shake them off. But that explains it. What are you?” Heather sighed and said to Liz:,, You must have a million questions.” Liz looked up and Heather locked eyes with her. ,, Yeah, but for now just this one. Were you ever gonna tell me?” Heather had to look at the ground. Liz continually stared at Heather, while her eyes were fixed on the ground. Lucas, obviously being uncomfortable, stood up and said:,, We should probably go to the others. To show them that we are okay.” The girls agreed and Heather tried to stand up. When she walked she noticed that she didn´t really have the strength to and that her side hurt with every step. Liz obviously saw that too and put an arm around her, supporting her. When they nearly were at the classroom, Lucas stated an obvious problem:,, Heather has lost her jacket and her face is covered in bruises. How are we supposed to hide that?” ,,I already thought of that. I know Mo has make up in her bag and since the bags are in the other classroom, we can just burrow it. That way we can hide her bruise under the makeup.” Liz answered and looked at Lucas, who sighed and went to the room. Heather limped to a bench and sat down beside Liz. There they were again, sitting on that bench. But for Liz it was different, because she knew she had kissed Heather, even if Heather was unconscious during it. She just wondered if Heather knew how she got her out of the coma. Or if she wondered why she woke up. While they waited, they looked straight forward and didn´t say anything. Liz turned to Heather and asked her:,, Do you think it´s a good idea to go after him? I mean I do want to save him, but isn´t it a bit dangerous.” Heather looked up in the sky and said in thought:,, I don´t know, but I know that we have to save him. I didn´t fight against them to give up now. I learned fighting in secret to protect the people I care about. So yeah, I am going after them.” Heather raised her left arm, but winced and let it fall again. ,, As soon as I´m able to fight again.” She chuckled a bit and even Liz smiled slightly. Ignoring the urge to say something, Liz looked up and saw Lucas coming out of the house. He had a bag in his hand and went to them. ,,Well, I got it. But I have no idea what to do with it.” Said Lucas as he put the bag on the table. Liz stood up and said:,, It can´t be that hard.” She opened the bag and laid the contents out on the table. Heather leaned back and let Liz try to cover up the bruises. She closed her eyes and tried to think of something else, but her mind always came back to that one moment. When she was somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness, she could swear she felt Liz lips on hers. But she didn´t want to say anything because she could have just imagined it. She tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach whenever Liz was close and tried to think of a way to save John. When she opened her eyes Liz stepped back a bit and said proud:,, Voila.” Depending on Lucas´ face, Liz did a good job. Heather stood up and went to the classroom, where the other´s would be, Liz and Lucas close behind her. They opened the door silently and went into the room. They went to their sleeping bags and sat down. When they thought they were in the clear, someone switched the light on. They looked up and saw Fred and Mo standing there, looking like they are about to kill them. ,, Where were you!?” Nobody answered, but Lucas knew that would just make them more suspicious, so he answered:,, We were jogging and when I was too tired, Liz, Heather and John kept jogging. But then Heather called me and said that John wasn´t feeling too well, so I went to look, and we brought him home. Since he lives not very close it took a bit. His parents weren´t there, so we put him in bed and waited until he fell asleep. I know we should have called, but we were just so worried.” Lucas took a deep breath and looked up, after having finished. He could feel himself panicking but kept looking at Fred. Mo went over to them and sighed:,, Okay, but next time call. We were just worried.” They all apologised again and went to lay down. After a little while, Lucas noticed that all the others were asleep, so he stood up and went to the window. He sat down on the sims and looked outside. He stared at the stars, wanting to travel between them. He sat there, half in his sleeping bag and half in a sweater, looking up to the sky, wondering if John was even still alive. Wondering whether he is seeing the same stars tonight. He hoped so, but if he was alive, Lucas was going to get him out of there. Wherever there was. That he promised himself. He went to his bag and took out his tablet. He went to get his coat and shoes. He got out of his sleeping bag, took a blanket, and went out of the “dorm”. Outside he sat down on a bench and turned his tabled on. He snuffled into the blanket, since it was freezing temperatures outside and searched for something, not sure what or where. When his hands were getting cold, he wanted to take out his gloves and took out the button out of mistake. He held it in his hand and wondered how it could help. He looked at it and wondered if he ever saw it anywhere else. He took out the needle too and laid both in his lap next to his tablet. Lucas knew that they need to analyse the blood, so he googled it. He wasn´t sure what to google, so he just chanced it a bit every now and then. Sitting there under the clear sky, stars above him, he desperately tried to find anything that could help. After a few hours, the only helpful information he found was, that there was a lab who taught teenagers how those labs work. Maybe that would help. He sighed and noticed, that the tablet was almost out of battery. He looked up and saw the slightest hint of light at the horizon. Lucas knew he wasn´t going to be able to sleep anyway, so he stood up and went to the cafeteria. He knew that you could go on the roof. John showed it him after one of their extra-trainings. It was around sunrise, and it was beautiful. He sat on the edge looking up in the sky. He let himself fall his back and thought about that day.
It had been a relatively warm day for September, and they had just trained a bit. Lucas had been exhausted, but didn´t really want to go home yet. His parents weren´t there anyway. John went to the cafeteria and Lucas had just followed him. They had gone up to the roof and had sat down on the edge, looking over the schoolgrounds. Both of them didn´t say anything and had just looked at the sinking sun. ,,It´s beautiful. I never saw a sunset like this. It´s rare, isn´t it?” Lucas had said, being totally in the ban of the sunset. John had chuckled a bit and said:,, Yeah, it is. I barely see one like that too. Normally I come up here to think. You´re the only other person who knows it´s possibly to come up here, that I know of. You should feel honoured.” Lucas chuckled and said, with an overly thankful voice:,, I´m forever in your depth. How will I ever be able to thank you enough.” That send them both laughing, and nothing could ever destroy that moment. It was the perfect moment. Sitting on the roof of the cafeteria, laughing and the sun setting perfectly in the background. They sat there and talked, until the sun had set completely, and the first stars started shining. Lucas´ da had called him, but he had said that he will be sleeping at John´s and they were fine with it. They did that a lot recently. Lucas looked up and asked John:,, Do you recognise any of these constellations? I feel really stupid not recognising them.” John followed Lucas´ eyes up the sky and thought about it. He raised his arm and pointed at a star, that was especially bright:,, That is the north star, I think.” He pointed his finger a bit farther to the right, and explained:,, That is the Aries, my zodiac sign, and a bit to the right is Orion. Do you see it?” Lucas nodded and continued to stare at the sky. Why was I so scared to go to a new school? It´s okay, I found new friends, got the best friend anyone could wish for and I never felt alone. Sure, it´s annoying being in love with your best friend, but you get used to it. You learn to control it. And be happy with what you have. Lucas looked a John, who just kept looking at the sky. When John tilted his head a bit and looked at Lucas, Lucas looked at his fingers. He felt himself blushing and didn´t dare to look up. ,,Hey Lucas, can I tell you something?” John sounded shy and quiet, which was unlike him so Lucas dared to look up. John´s eyes were darting around, and he looked nervous. Lucas didn´t want to make this harder on him than it was already, so he just said:,, Sure everything, fire away.” He smiled and saw John smiling a bit too. John sighted and said:,, well, this is kind of hard to say, but I think you deserve to know it. I´m gay.” Tears started to fill his eyes and they darted around, looking anywhere but at Lucas. He sighed and started talking again:,, Look, I´m the same person as I was before, nothing has to change.” Lucas just started at him in surprise and didn´t say anything. His first thought was, maybe I have a shot with him, and his second thought was, wow someone trusts me enough to tell me that kind of thing. Feeling not heard John stood up and went to the door. When he was nearly out of reach, Lucas took his hand and pulled him in a hug. John returned it and Lucas felt tears falling on his Jacket. They parted and Lucas smiled at John:,, It´s okay, I don´t care. You´re still my friend and nothing could ever change that, okay? Besides, I´m bi, so hey.” John nodded hesitantly, had to smile at that coincidence and looked Lucas finally in the eyes, wondering if he knew it was him. That he was the one he fell in love with. John was sure Lucas had no idea. Lucas, being the innocent guy he is, cleared John face of his tears and smiled all the time. John was exhausted and happy, so he just let himself fall on his back. Lucas laid down beside him and they both looked up in the sky. Lucas moved a bit closer to John and they laid there, shoulder at shoulder, not wanting to stand up. Finally, John said:,, We should go, it´s getting cold and I could do with something to eat.” He looked at Lucas next to him, but Lucas fell asleep next to him. John sat up and looked at Lucas. He knew he needed to wake him up. His heart told him to kiss him, to wake him up, but his head said that that would be foolish. John listened to his head and shook Lucas lightly at the shoulder. Lucas opened his eyes slightly and asked:,, What is it?” John looked away and said:,, We should get going. It´s getting late.” Lucas sat up and rubbed his eyes. John felt a slight blush creep up his checks, because Lucas looked cute right after waking up and stood up, to go to the door. Lucas stood up behind him and went to the door too. John opened the door and let Lucas go through it first. They went down the stairs in silence and got out of the cafeteria. It was dark and they went to their bikes to drive home. It was incredibly dark and they had to light their phones to unlock their bikes. They put their bag into their bicycles baskets and started driving.
Lucas opened his eyes and found himself laying on the roof. Kind of expecting John to lay next to him, he turned his head, but only found cold air. He was alone on the roof, and he felt a chill creeping up his body. And felt an emptiness creep into his heart. He sat up and looked around. The sun was still rising, and Lucas decided to go to the others. They never spoke of that day, before John was kidnapped and Lucas had almost forgot it. While walking over the schoolgrounds he wondered if John knew that he was in danger. Is that because he told him that. He hadn´t really thought about that since that day. He closed his jacked and put on his hat. It was a longer way than he anticipated and when he finally reached the classroom, he was out of breath. He went in as silently as he could and laid down in his sleeping bag. He just lay there, thinking about nothing in particular, not being able to sleep. When the first persons started to wake up, he stood up and acted as casual as he could. He packed his things and changed into a sweater and jeans. He took his jacket and bag and went to the door, Liz, and Heather on his heels. They had asked their captain if they would play today and he said that they would only play in the morning. So, they all went to the gym and changed into their sportswear. They played and trained a bit, but Lucas hadn´t his head in the game and failed to get any balls good. He sat on the bank at the side of the court and drank a bit. He was so tired he almost fell asleep on the bench. When they were done training, they changed and waited for everyone in front of the gym. Fred said that they were free to go, and they all said goodbye to each other. Lucas went to his bike and saw John´s beside it and stopped right on his tracks. Liz and Heather stood on either side of him and put their hands on his shoulders. Lucas sighed and went on to unlock his bike. The girls did that too and Heather asked:,, How will we unlock John´s bike?” Lucas put his own bike down and said:,, He told me his code, I can unlock it.” He went to John´s bike and unlocked it. Somehow now it felt real, they may never get on their bikes together again. They drove the way to the crossroad where they parted, holding John´s bike, taking turns. At the crossroad Heather said:,, Let´s meet tomorrow morning at my house, okay? I want to show you something.” They both nodded and Liz suggested:,, I can take John´s bike. I live in a flat share and can put them in our cellar. Heather, how will you disguise your injuries?” ,,I don´t know, but I´m sure I will think of something.” Heather answered and was already driving away, when Liz suggested another idea:,, Why don´t you tell your parents we will have a sleepover at my flat and that they don´t need to worry. We could treat your injuries, and nobody would notice. My roommate won´t ask questions.” They all agreed that that would be the best ides, but that they would go to Heathers home in the morning. They promised to see each other in the morning and parted.

Chapter 6: Having friends in the right places

In the morning Heather woke up to see Liz sleeping on the couch. The only thing she can remember is that they tried to find a clue to where John might be and googled a lot. Heather stood up and took the laptop, which was laying in Liz´s lap and put it on the table. She went to the kitchen to make breakfast when she found Liz´s roommate sitting on a chair, drinking coffee in little sips. He stared in the cup and Heather said:,, Morning, Mike.” Mike looked up and muttered something inaudible, that sounded like a morning. Heather went to the cupboard and took out buns. She heated the oven and asked Mike:,, You want some too?” He nodded and Heather took out 6 buns. She also took out Nutella, honey, cheese, jelly, butter, knifes and a tablet. She put everything on the tablet and the buns in the oven. She sat down waiting for the buns to be done. She asked Mike:,, Why didn´t you make breakfast?” He looked up and answered:,, Didn´t feel like it. Why isn´t Liz up yet?” ,, She is still sleeping, I guess she stayed up too late last night.” ,,Oh” is all Mike said and then he went back to sipping on his coffee. The buns were done short after, and Liz took them out of the oven. She turned to Mike and asked:,, Wanna eat with us in the living room?” Mike just stood up and went out of the kitchen. Liz smiled and said:,, I take that as a yes.” She went with the tablet in her hands after Mike. Going into the living room, she saw Mike standing behind Liz, who was still sleeping. Heather went to wake her up, by shaking her slightly at the shoulder. Liz opened her eyes and looked at Heather. Before she could say anything, Mike bended over and said, near her ear:,, Morning, sleepyhead.” Liz turned her head around and saw Mike staring at her. His black hair falling into his black eyes, which stared right into Liz´s. Heather couldn´t hold back a laugh and even Mike smiled a bit. Which is unusual for him in the morning. Heather put the tablet on the table and sat down on the sofa. They started eating and Mike asked:,, I know it´s none of my business, but where did you get these injuries?” Heather stopped eating, which was still a bit hurtful and answered:,, Oh, I fought some bad guys. But it doesn´t hurt that much. Only when I eat and laugh.” Heather pulled her T-shirt up and showed Mike the bandage. Mike wasn´t surprised and just said:,, can you show me the actual wound. Maybe I can help. I have a friend who is kind of a doctor and I learned from him a great deal. And right now, I´m training to be a doctor. I´m guessing Liz already told you.” Heather looked at Liz, who nodded, and she told him:,, Sure, let´s eat up and then I can show you. Maybe I can show you the one on my arm too.” Liz and Mike put everything back into the kitchen and Mike told Heather:,, Can you go to my room and lay down on the ground? I´m bringing the first aid kit. And some other stuff.” Heather went into Mike´s room and sat down, her back against his clothes cupboard. His room wasn´t big, but it had enough space for a bed in far corner, a table under the window and a cupboard next to the door. She pulled her T-shirt up again and started ripping of the bandage. When she was nearly done, Mike and Heather came in and Mike stopped her from ripping off the last layer. ,, Wait, you need to lay on a sheet or you will drop blood on my carpet, if your wound opens again.” Heather sat up and Mike laid a sheet under her body. She laid back down and Liz and Mike sat down on either side of her. Heather tried to breath normal and steady, as Mike ripped of the last layer. Heather knew it started bleeding again and said:,, How bad is it?” Mike looked her in the eyes and answered:,, It´s okay. I don´t think we have to sew it. It´s just on the surface. I´ll just put on a fresh bandage and look at it again at the evening. And I have to check for any broken ribs.” Mike felt Heather´s ribs and was relieved, he said:,, No broken ribs. This wound is going to be okay in a few days.” He got a new bandage from the first aid kit and put it over the wound. Heather had to sit up and let Mike put the bandage on. She went a few inches backwards and leaned against the cupboard again. Mike went to get water and Liz asked her:,, You want some chocolate?” Heather nodded and Liz went to get it. When Mike came back he sat down besides Heather and asked her:,, Do you know that Liz has a crush on you?” Heather looked at him in shock and answered:,, What, no. We´re just friends.” ,, Oh really? She let you sleep here”,, We have sleepovers all the time.” ,, Have you seen that way she looks at you, please. I can see when somebody is pining over somebody else.” ,,Okay maybe, I don´t know and honestly I don´t think she is.” Mike looked up from the ground and said:,, But you are.” Heather sighed and said:,, Yeah, how did you know?” Mike smiled a bit and responded with:,, I figured it was a possibility. I have a feeling for these kind of things. Since when were you?” Heather sighed again and answered:,, I don´t know. I guess it just sort of happened.” Liz came in the room at that time and asked:,, What just happened?” Mike and Heather looked at each other and Heather said:,, That I started learning fighting.” Liz sat down beside Heather and said:,, Oh, ok.” She didn´t look happy with the answer but gave Heather the chocolate. Liz still had some residual anger against Heather for lying to her, but it wasn´t that bad anymore. She stood up again and went to the door to close it. Mike was already tearing down the bandage and looked at the wound. He sighed and took a handkerchief, to stop the bleeding a bit. He looked at Liz and said:,, That wound definitely has to be sewed. We should go today, so you don’t lose more blood. I think if you go to the hospital they would ask you a lot of question. Maybe I can ask my friend if he will treat it. Without all the paperwork.” ,,Why can he do that?” Heather asked, having learned to never blindly trust in people even Liz´s roommate. Mike sighed, but answered:,, He is part of SOCA. Which stands for serious organized crime agency. And they are part of the police, so they have a bit more freedom. And I´m guessing John was kidnapped by organized crime.” ,, Yeah, I guessed that too. And thanks, that would be great. When will we go? And also, why are you helping us. You could just bring us to a hospital or call an ambulance?” ,,Well, you’re my friends and I will always help you, no matter with what.” Liz and Heather both smiled at Mike, and he started to wrap Heather arm in bandage again. ,,Okay, so I will call my friend now and ask him. You just stay here, I´ll be back in a second.” Mike went out of the room and left the girls sitting there. Liz stood up and went to the desk. She sat down on the chair before it and looked through the papers on the desk. Heather went to stand behind her and asked:,, What are you searching?” Liz kept rumouring through the papers and answered:,, I don´t know. Something useful.” Heather nodded and went to sit down again. He sighed and shivered in her T-shirt because Mike never heated up his room. Liz looked up from the desk and asked Heather:,, Cold?” Heather nodded, pulled her legs up and put her arms around them. Liz went to her room and took a hoodie from her closet. She went back to Heather and put the hoodie around her shoulders. Heather put it on and stopped shivering. She sighed and asked Liz:,, Why are you doing all of this?” Liz looked up from her phone and asked back:,, Why wouldn´t I? You´re my best friend and I don´t want to lose you.” She smiled at Heather and Heather smiled back, a sprinkle of sadness still in her eyes. Just when the silence was getting awkward, Mike came in and said:,, My friend agreed to treat you. He said we should go there right now. He won´t tell anyone. Heather, are you strong enough to stand up?” Heather nodded and stood up, supported by the closet. They went into the hallway and Liz asked:,, How are we gonna get there?” ,,Don´t worry I have a plan.” They all took their things and went out of the house. Mike led them to a road and stopped in front of a car. It was pretty old, but still in good condition. Mike took out his keys and opened the car. ,,Wow, you have a car. And a driver licence?” Mike opened the driver door and answered:,, Not exactly. I mean I do have a driver licence. But this car isn’t really mine. It´s my fathers, but he allowed me to drive it. So, why don´t you two hop in the back and we can start driving.” The girls got in the back of the car and fastened their seatbelts. Mike started the car and they drove to the hospital. Being on the parking lot Mike turned round and said:,, You guys wait here. I´m going to find my friend and then call you to get in, okay?” They both nodded and Mike went out the car. Heather winced, when she tried to raise her arm. She fell back into the seat and asked Liz:,, Hey can you turn on music?” ,,Sure.” Liz got out her phone and asked:,, What do you wanna hear?” Heather raised her shoulders and Liz just put on a playlist. They just turned up the music, Heather points out:,, Shouldn´t we call Lucas? Just so he knows where we are.” ,,Yeah, sounds good. What time is it anyway?” Liz answered looking at her phone. The screen showed 1 pm the 30th of December. Liz opened WhatsApp and the chat with Lucas. She wrote him, that they were at the hospital and that they would write him again when they were done. Short after that Mike came back and led them to the back entrance of the hospital. They went through a few empty halls and finally arrived at the only lighted room. When they opened the door, the first thing they saw was a man sitting at a desk. When they looked father around, they noticed a sickbed at one wall and a hospital closet at the other. On the wall opposite of the door stood a desk and at sat desk sat a man. He turned around as he heard the door open and smiled at the newcomers. He had dark, short hair, which is beginning to grey around his ears. His eyes were a dark blue and he had fine lines around his eyes. He stood up and greeted them:,, Hi, I´m Mike´s friend, the one who is kind of a doctor and part of the SOCA, Marcel Schmelzer, but you can call me Marcel. So, who is the ill one?” Heather raised her hand and said:,, Me, well kind of. My arm, if you could look at it, that would be great.” ,,Well then, lay down on the bed and show me the wound. I´m sure I can help somehow.” Marcel went back to the desk, as Heather put off her jacket and sweater, pulling up the sleeve of her T-shirt. Marcel came back and started pulling of the bandage. Having pulled of the last layer, he looked at the wound and asked:,, How did you get this?” Heather didn´t say anything, looked helpless to Liz and Marcel laughed:,, You don´t have to tell me.” The first thing he did was disinfect the injury and examine it. He sighed and said:,, I´m going to have to sew it. I´m going to numb your left arm and then sew it. Is that okay?” Heather nodded and took a deep breath. Marcel took out a needle from the cupboard and went over to Heather again. Liz and Mike stood beside her, and Marcel pierced the needle through her arm. At first Heather felt the sting then she didn´t feel anything in her left arm. She looked Liz and said:,, This is weird. It´s like I don´t have a left arm, but I can still see it.” Liz chuckled a bit and looked at Marcel, who was getting ready to sew. She asked:,, Are you really a doctor? Everybody here always says that you are only kind of a doctor.” Marcel chuckled and said:,, well, that´s because I´m not really a doctor. I do have the same education as a doctor, but I work with a small group of people as an team. We are part of the SOCA, I´m sure Mike already told you what that is. Right now, we´re searching for a drug organization.” Liz looked at Heather with a questioning look in her eyes, but Heather slightly shook her head and Liz sighed. When Marcel was done sewing, Heather got up and asked:,, How long will my arm be numb?” While throwing away the things he used, Marcel responded with:,, Probably for the rest of the day. After that you will be as good as new. Through I would advise you to rest your arm for about a week. And if it ever opens again, call me” Marcel gave them his number. They all thanked him again and went back to the car. Heather´s arm was in bandages, and she tried to move it as little as she could. Being back in the car, Liz took out her phone and dialled Lucas´ number. He immediately picked up and asked concerned:,, How is Heather? When will we be able to meet? Where are you? I´m going crazy not being able to do anything.” Liz chuckled and responded with:,, That´s a lot of questions. So, Heather is fine. We got her arm wound sewed. We will be at Heather´s house in about 15 minutes. Come as soon as you can.” Lucas agreed and they hung up. Heather groaned and Liz asked her worried:,, Are you okay? Should we get you painkillers?” Heather looked up and said, trying to smile:,, It´s fine, I just started to feel something again. It´s weird.” Liz scooted into the middle, changing her seatbelt, so she sat next to Heather. She pulled up heather sleeve and run her fingers over her arm. She looked at Heather and asked:,, Do you feel that?” He tried to steady her breathing and ignore the tingle on her skin, where Liz´s finger had run over. She just nodded and looked out the window. Liz sighed and let her arm fall at her side. She let her head fall at the back of her seat and looked out the other reason. After five minutes or so, Liz turned to Heather, who sat the same she did five minutes ago and still looked out the window. Liz wanted to say something, so she asked Heather:,, So, what you gonna do after school?” Heather´s head snapped around and she asked:,, Really Liz. Out of all the things you could have said, you say that?” Liz was starting to get angry and asked back, louder than necessary:,, At least I try to talk to you!” ,, Yeah, but there is a time and a place to talk about that kind of stuff. And it´s not while one of your best friends is missing!” was the response coming from Heather. Liz wanted to scream and go defensive, but instead she just was honest:,, Damn it Heather, I just want to talk to you. Is that too much to ask? I just want you to be honest with me, just as I´m honest with you, okay?” Heather sighed and said:,, okay, completely open and honest, starting by today.” She held up her pinkie finger and Liz took it with hers, both of them making a vow. Mike turned around and said, teasingly:,, When you are done flirting, you can get out of the car, because we are here.” They unfastened their seatbelt and got out of the car. Mike waved them goodbye and drove away. Heather sighed and stepped up the few steps in front of the door. She took out her keys and opened her door. She turned to Liz and said:,, I can take it from here. I call you when you can come.” Liz smiled and said:,, Okay, but remember. I´m only one call away.” They smiled at each other, and Heather went up the stairs.
She opened the flat door and called:,, I´m home.” She threw her bags in her room and hung her jacket on the wardrobe. Her mum came out of the kitchen and said:,, Where you at Liz´s? We were worried.” Heather sighed and let herself being pulled into a hug, even though it made her arm hurt. She answered a simple:,, Yes.” Her mum let her go and looked up and down at her. ,,You look terrible.” Her mum said, chuckling lightly. Heather joined in and answered:,, Well, we stayed up pretty late last night. I´m gonna work on some school stuff now. I have to study a bit.” She went to her room, waving at her mum. Before she could shut her door, her mum called:,, Dinner is at seven. Be there.” Heather gave a thumbs up and shut her door. The minute she was sure the door was closed, she snapped her fingers and said:,, Hey Jarvis, What´s the time?” She opened her laptop, while the computer, yet human voice replied:,, It´s 2 o´clock. With what can I help you?” ,,Call Liz and Lucas and put them on my headphone‘s.”,, Sure thing.” Heather put on her headphone and sat down in front of her laptop. She opened her folders and made a new one. Lucas and Liz picked up and both said hello. Heather answered:,, Hey, look my parents are here, you can´t come over, I´m sorry. But my parents chose to go on a holiday until the 6th January and then you can come over. I´m not supposed to be alone anyway.” The other´s both agreed and said, they would come in the afternoon, when Heather´s parents are definitely away. They talked for about an hour after that, mostly making plans for the five days they are at Heather´s flat and then hung up. Heather stood up and laid herself onto her sofa. When she looked up from her laptop, she saw the chaos in her room. Not wanting to properly clean up, she just put everything in the basement and the dirty clothes in the washing machine. When she was done, she closed the trapdoor and switched the switch next to her door, hiding the basement. Right when it was completely hidden, her mother called her for dinner. She hoped, that her parents would still go on their holidays, even when they find out, that John is missing, so they could have enough time to find him.

Chapter 7: fighting together

Lucas woke up at his desk, his laptop in front of him, still open. He rubbed his eyes and stretched, standing up from the chair. Looking at the clock he noticed that it was already half past one and he remembered that he agreed to meet at Heather´s at half past two. He went into the kitchen while checking his phone. His mum had called once, and Heather wrote that her parents were away and that they could come over. Lucas went into the kitchen and sat down next to his dad. His dad looked up from the newspaper and asked him:,, So, today you´re going to Heather. For how long?” Lucas buttered a toast and said:,, Until the 6th December. If you don´t want me to be gone that long, that´s okay.” His dad laughed and answered:,, It´s okay. I just feels like your barely at home anymore” Lucas sighed and chose to be honest with his dad:,, I don´t know if you heard, but John has gone missing, and I don´t want to be alone right now. I thought it would be a good distraction from my worries.” Lucas´ dad folded the newspaper and said, seriously:,, Yeah, I know the news came in this morning. That´s why I want you to be happy and do what you want to do. I hope the police find him as soon as possible. If you know anything, please tell me or the police. They´ll find him, right?” Lucas took the last bite from his toast and thought about it. At the end he just answered:,, Sure, it´s their job. And they have to do it well. And If I do, I will. All I know is that he wasn´t feeling well at the last day of the training camp and that he went back home, but from what I heard, he never arrived there.” Lucas was already standing up, when his dad held out his hand, in it a folded piece of paper. ,,What´s that?” The question mark was written over his face. ,,John gave it to me at the start of December to give it to you, if anything happened. I feel like he knew he was going to get kidnapped or something like that. Anyway, take it. I have to get to my shift, but I will write to you in the evening. Bye.” He stood up, letting the letter lay on the table. Lucas put it in his pocket and went to his room to pack his bag for the next few days. He searched for everything he needed and threw it in his backpack, needed to squeeze it in, in the end. He put on his jacket, turned all the lights off and took an apple for the way. When he had put on his shoes, he locked the door and went down, out into the cold. He ate his apple, while going to Heather´s, almost jogging. When he arrived, he threw the rest of the apple into a garden and knocked. Heather opened and let Lucas inside. They went into her room and Lucas saw Liz sitting at the desk, looking at a laptop. Lucas went into the room and said:,, Hey Liz, what you looking at?” Liz looked up and answered:,, Oh, hey Lucas. Just something, that connects the button to something. Come take a look.” Lucas pulled up a chair and sat down besides Liz, looking at the laptop screen. Liz opened a website and explained what she was doing:,, So, I was wondering if this button would do us any good. Then I thought that every button normally has a jacket, and that jacket has to be brought somewhere. So, I looked through shops that sell jacket with that sort of button on them, since it is a very special button. Nothing yet.” Heather sat down on the ground and opened a trapdoor, that was hidden under the carpet. Lucas turned around and said:,, What the? You have a trapdoor in your room?” Heather gestured both of them to come, while saying:,, I had this for a long time. I found it the first month we were living here, I was 9. It was just an underground room, build a long time ago. I always loved reading in there. At one point I did a few adjustments. Just go and see.” She let the other two go first and went last, closing the trapdoor, leaving them in the dark. Heather snapped her finger and light illuminated from a few lightbulbs at the ceiling. They went the last steps of the latter and found themselves in a circular room with a high ceiling and enough place for a truck. Lucas and Liz just stood there, too surprised to move when Heather said:,, Pretty cool, huh? Hey Jarvis, meet Lucas and Liz.” Jarvis answered:,, Hey, Heather. So, those are the friends you told me so much about.” Lucas gasped and asked:,, How did you program it to be so human? I had enough a hard time programming my phone to respond to my voice only.” ,,Jarvis doesn´t respond to my voice only. He hears what we say and let it run through his database, which tells him what the said means and what he should answer. But in the 2 Years I had him, he got better and learned more and more human behaviour. It´s pretty cool.” And with that Heather went into the middle of the room and pushed a button on the wall. In the middle of the Room an about 2 meter in diameter round mat appears. Heather gestured to them to get on the mat and Lucas asked:,, What, what is this?” Heather sat down on the amt and said:,, Well, if we want to save John you two need to be able to fight. And here we can rain easily. This room is totally soundproof.” Both of them came hesitantly to the middle of the room and stood before Heather, who was just standing up. Heather put of her sweater, standing there in an oversized T-shirt and jeans. She threw her hoodie in a corner of the room, while explaining what they were about to do:,, You´re gonna try to hit me and I will evade your hits. Teaching you in the meantime how to fight and giving you advice.” ,,What no, I´m not hitting you” Liz went an unintentionally took a step back, but Heather just laughed:,, You won´t. I´m going to evade your hits.” At that Liz´s face turned from shook to challenge and she responded:,, You sure?” Heather smiled and went into the middle of the mat. Liz followed suit and stood about half a meter in front of Heather. Liz took a deep breath and lurched forward, trying to hit her with her right fist. Heather ducked under it and went behind Liz. She turned around fast and tried to hit her again, Heather kept evading her hits. While fighting, Liz asked:,, What do I get, when I can hit you?” Heather ducked under a hit and answered:,, You can choose your reward. But for now, less talking, more fighting.” Liz was now even more motivated. They kept fighting for a bit and Lucas was following every movement, trying to learn something. For the first part, Heather only evaded, but now she started attacking and pushing Liz back. Liz had not really an idea, but thought hard, just trying to think of a way out. Then she had an idea. She stood her ground and Heather, not expecting her to stop, knocked her off her feet with her legs and Liz fell to the ground. Heather was surprised and fell to her knees, to help Liz who looked like she was hurt. Just when Heather was about to reach for her shoulder, Liz jumped up. Shocked from the sudden movement, Heather fell backwards and was half laying. Liz put her foot on Heather´s chest and pushed her completely to the ground. ,,I won. The world is mine.” Liz laughed and hardened her grip on Heather without noticing. Heather started to cough, because despite Liz not wearing shoes, she still put a lot of weight on Heather´s lungs. The second Liz heard the coughing, she pulled her foot up and sat down besides Heather. ,,Are you okay? I´m so sorry.” Heather just laughed and sat up. Heather jumped to her feet and held out her hand:,, Yeah, you won. That was impressive.” Liz took her hand, let herself be pulled to her feet and answered:,, Surprise is a warrior’s best weapon. I knew I had to find a weakness. I knew I couldn’t hit you without an ace up my sleeve.” Heather looked at Liz and said proud:,, You think more like a spy than me. I´m always more like, shot first, ask questions later.” They both look at each other, but Lucas cut in:,, Hey, I´m still here too. And when you are done making googly eyes at each other, we can go back to saving John.” Liz and Heather looked at him and nodded. Heather went to a cupboard and took out two water bottles. One she threw to Liz and one she opened and drank. She closed it again and asked Lucas:,, Was anything unusual happening before he got kidnapped? Anything that could lead to him or the kidnappers?” Lucas thought about it, while he walked to a sofa and sat down on it. He answered slowly, as if he wasn´t sure:,, Not really. Well, we were in an abandon city, which surprised me, but else than that everything was normal. Maybe we can look around his room.” He decided to keep the piece of paper quiet for now, because he wasn´t sure, whether it was even important for the kidnapping. Heather sat down in a chair in front of him and answered:,, That´s a good idea, but how are we gonna get into his room. It´s not like we just walk through the front door.” ,,Actually, we can. Not the front door, but the back door. John never locked the door to the balcony because he thought nobody would get up there. We could try to get in there.” Lucas stood up from sofa and went to the ladder, but Heather stopped him, before he could reach the lowest step:,, Do you want to give his parents a heart attack? We should go when they are at work. To check we can ring the doorbell. We should just sleep and go there tomorrow morning well rested.” Lucas sighed and went back to the other two, sitting down again. He wanted to do something now, but knew the girls would stop him, one way or another. Heather looked at the clock and said:,, Before we sleep I want to give you a “tour” around here. You have probably been wondering what is behind all those doors.” She pointed to the doors around the circular room and Lucas and Liz nodded. They all stood up and Heather led them to the first door. She opened it with a key card and switched on the lights. The room was illuminated with pale light and reviled a big table in the middle of the quare room. They stepped in and noticed that the walls of the room were covered in maps and bulletin boards. On the table in the middle were papers and files spread out. Heather went to the other side of the table and started to explain:,, This I call the map room. Though there are more than just maps here. This is the room where all the papers are. From maps over reports to files. Okay, you can look at this later, let´s go to the next room. It´s a case I´m working on.” Liz wanted to ask something, but Heather face told her that she doesn´t want to talk about it. They went out of that room and Heather turned off the light and locked the door. They went to the next door, which was not locked, and they went into it. Liz switched the light on, and it showed a dorm. There were three bunkbeds at the side walls and two cupboards at the far end of it. Heather just shrugged and said:,, This is just some kind of dorm. I thought it might come in handy one day. Not really something interesting. But it was hard to get the beds, without my parents noticing it.” Heather smiled a bit at that memory. They closed that door and were left with two more. Heather turned around and asked:,, Which one do you want to see next?” They both pointed to a normal wooden door, wanting to see the red, metal one last. The three of them went to the door and Heather opened it. The light switched was switched and it showed a long corridor, on both sides one door. Liz opened the left one and Lucas the right. Heather stood in the middle and waited for one of the two to say something. Liz turned around, still holding the door open:,, Wow, do you really use those?” Lucas closed the other door and went to look over Liz´s shoulder. They both went into the room and switched on the lights, because of their movements. The room was about as big as the first one, but square. There were lot of training tools and a few targets. Liz and Lucas looked around, examining everything. Liz went to the targets in one corner and asked:,, What are those for?” Heather went to stand next to her and explained:,, Do you remember the long corridor?, Liz nodded, “you can put it there and what exactly it is for, I can show you in the last room.” They both went back the door and Lucas caught up with them. They went back to the corridor and Liz asked Lucas:,, What was on the other side of that door?” Lucas shrugged and said:,, Just a dimly lighted corridor, leading into darkness. So, nothing” Heather opened the door to the circular room and corrected Lucas:,, It´s not nothing. This corridor is connected to a lot of other corridors and even leads to the underground of London. I believe the people who build it, were using it as an escape tunnel, though I´m not sure. And not sure why you´d need an escape route.” They went to the last door, where Heather had to tip in a code, use her finderprint and use her key card. When the door opened light was shining on shelves at the walls and trunks on the ground. Liz and Lucas stepped in after Heather and needed a minute to take everything in. The shelves were covered with weapons of all sorts and in the one trunk that lay open, they could see knives and daggers. After taking everything in they went to examine the weapons. While Heather was closing the trunk that lay open, Liz went to the bow and arrow section and Lucas to the one with swords. Heather went into the middle of the room and called the others to her. She pointed to the left side of the room and started explaining:,, On the left side from the door are weapons for close combat, like sword or nun chucks. On the right side are long range weapons like bow or spears. On the far end wall are guns, but they have glass around them and you need my fingerprint and another code, so you can´t take them without asking me. In the trunks on the ground are knives and daggers. Some have normal knives, some have throwing knives, you just have to look through them, I didn´t have the time to sort them yet. I will give you two key cards and with them you will be able to get the weapons. The code is Liz´s birthday. If you want to take one, you have to check it out there, “Heather pointed to a little check-out stand in the left corner, “If you take something out without checking it out, the place is going to lock down. And it will send a message to me, that something has been taken out. If you want to take it out of the basement, talk to me, because you will need my key card. So, I think that´s it. Come with me to get your key cards. And your fingerprints locked in. “They went out of the room and Heather locked it. In the first room they went to a cupboard and Heather took out two cards. In one corner of the circular room was a tech corner, with computers and a big screen with a keyboard. Heather laid the cards on a scanner and said:,, Hey Jarvis, Can you put those cards on Liz and Lucas. They get the same security as me, but without being able to get weapons out of here. And put their fingerprint in the system.” Jarvis answered:,, Sure thing.” The scanner under the cards lighted up blue and the cards changed colour. ,,The dark green one is Liz´s and the light blue one is Lucas´s. I did it so it´s your favourite colour. Take them. You will also be able to talk to me now every time since I know your voices and know it´s okay. And now put your right thump on the little black pad. Liz first.” Heather picked up the key cards and gave them to her friends. After also having their fingerprint taken and put in the system, they were done. Lucas and Lit both put their cards in their pockets and Heather said:,, Well. Let´s sleep.” They went up the ladder to get their bags and then went into the dorm, changing into their pyjamas. Lucas also took a tablet from the tech-section, knowing he will want to search for a bit more. When they had brushed their teeth and laid down, Lucas opened the pad and was surprised to see so many files. He opens the first one and noticed, that they were reports from Heather, about interesting thing, since she was 9. Every file had one Month in it. But Lucas had a weird feeling, that something was missing. He read through the first one and didn´t stop reading, even when Liz and Heather turned their lights off. He promised them he would turn it off soon. When he had read the first two years, Liz woke up and said:,, You´re still reading that? You have to sleep.” Lucas didn´t stop reading and answered:,, Yeah, in a second.” He heard Liz getting out of bed and sat down on the bed beside Lucas. When Lucas didn´t look up, Liz leaned forward and took the tablet out of Lucas´ hands. Lucas sat up and said as loud as he dared:,, Hey. I was reading that.” Liz put the pad down on her bed and looked at Lucas:,, If there is anything useful in there, you will find it tomorrow.” Lucas had a scowl on his face and answered:,, We can´t risk losing any time or did you forgot John was missing. We need to use all the time we got.” Liz sighed and said:,, I know we need to, but you’re not going to be able to help him, if your too tired to do anything. You need your sleep. And tomorrow we can go into his room and look for clues. I know how much you care about him and why you want to find him. But you need to sleep and if you have a nightmare, just wake me up, okay? You can talk to me any time.” Lucas nodded and laid down under his blankets. Liz laid the pad down on a cupboard and went into her own bed. Lucas tried to sleep for a long time, but his eyes always snapped open again. After what felt like an eternity sleep finally took over.

Chapter 8: In a small cell

He knew he was awake because his head hurt. He tried opening his eyes, but every time he tried a piercing pain went through his skull. He didn´t know how much time passed, until he could finally open his eyes. He only opened one and even that hurt like hell. He saw a grey wall, illuminated by a lightbulb at the ceiling. John tried to sit up but fell back against the wall. He opened his other eyes and looked around the room. He was sitting on a dirty mattress in a corner of a cellar room. In the middle of the room was a table with a bottle of water. He also saw a door with a padlock at the far end of the room. He stood up slowly and went to the table. Opening the bottle, he drank a first sip of water, but threw it up again. He coughed, trying to catch his breath, and had to lean on the table for support. For how long did he not have water? Why couldn´t he drink it? He looked at the bottle and let a few drops of the water drop on his hand. It felt like water. He tried to drink it again, this time with even smaller sips. After a of bit time, the pain in his head eased and he could walk around the room. The only other thing he noticed was a little slid under the door. He laid down and tried to look through it, but the corridor outside was dark. John stood up again and went to sit on the mattress. He took another sip out of the bottle and leaned against the stone wall. Why am I here? What did I do? Where am I? A million questions rushed through John´s brain, but the most important one was: Why?. He looked at the ceiling and tried to answer any of the questions, but there only came more. He stood up and went to pace around the room, waiting for something to happen. He tried to remember something from before he came here, but he only remembered, that it was December and that he was playing in a training camp with his friends. He did remember a feeling of being watched for the last few weeks, but he was sure it had nothing to do with this. But how he got there or why, he had no idea. He drank the last bit of water and laid down on the mattress, knowing it was out of his power to do anything. He had to wait and figure out a plan. After a few minutes he noticed how tired he was, and sleep took him away.
Heather hit on her alarm and jumped out of the bunkbed. She opened the door and went up the ladder to her room. In the kitchen she made breakfast and put everything on a tablet. She went back down into the basement and into the dorm. She put the breakfast down on the cupboard and went to wake up the other two. She knew how much both of them worried and that they needed a laugh, so she took a water cannon and filled it with water. She went back to where Liz and Lucas were sleeping and poured over both water. They woke up with a gasp and a frown on their face. When they saw Heather laughing there they jumped up in union and tackled Heather to the ground. She had to laugh and so did the other two. They laid on the ground, totally wet and just laughed. It was good to laugh again, the last day was pretty dark. But then a wave of guilt washed over Lucas and he stopped laughing, thinking it was wrong. Liz sat up and said to Heather:,, You are a bad person.” Heather sat up too and answered:,, And you are a sleepy head.” They stared at each other, until Lucas got up and said:,, And you two are totally in love.” He didn´t wait for their answers and turned around to start eating the breakfast. He was hungry, but he also wanted to distract himself of the thought of what might have happened to John. Heather and Liz stood up too and both went to opposite side of the cupboard. They started eating their breakfast silently. Being done, Heather went to change into dry clothes and the other two did the same. Having changed into a T-shirt and jeans, Liz went into the first room and waited for Heather and Lucas. Heather was the first one to come. She wore a long sleeve shirt and jeans. After a bit more time Lucas came too. He wore sweatpants and an oversized seater. His hair was a mess and longer than it had been when they met for the first time. His dark curls now almost completely overshadowing his eyes. And something Heather noticed was, that he had dark rings under his eyes, which led her to believe, that Lucas hadn´t slept well since that day. Liz looked up and asked:,, Isn´t that John´s sweater?” Lucas pulled the sleeves over his hands and answered:,, Well, yeah. Technically yes. But he forgot it at my house once and hadn´t asked back for it yet. You got a problem.” Liz chuckled and responded with:,, No, I just think it´s adorable.” Lucas frowned and then smiled. He went over to the girls and said:,, I just need something to hold onto for hope, that he is still alive. Also, honestly I just love that it has his smell.” Lucas looked to the ground and his cheeks went red. Heather smiled, patted his head and said:,, Ohh, someone has a crush.” Lucas groaned and said quietly:,, No, yes. Ah, I don´t know. Maybe?” He looked up, to see Heather and Liz smiling, showing their support. Liz put a hand on his shoulder and gave him some advice:,, If you aren´t sure, you should kiss him and then you will know. And if he isn´t into you, you two will have a really awkward moment.” Lucas chuckled and then said:,, Or if I notice I´m not into him.” But then his face turned serious, and he gravely said:,, If we find him. I promise you two, that if we find him, I will make a move. But under one condition.” Liz and Heather asked at the same time:,, What condition?” Lucas smiled a bit and answered:,, You will make a move too. It is so obvious that you like each other.” Liz and Heather looked at each other and then looked away. Answering with:,, Noo, we´re not. We´re just friends.” Lucas looked at them and rolled his eyes. Before he could say anything else, Heather cut in and said:,, I found a way to analyse the blood. Mike´s friend. He said he was part of one of the SOCA teams. Maybe they have a possibility of analysing it. Let´s hope he agrees to it.” They all nodded and went up the ladder. In the flat, Heather went to the kitchen and took a bit of money out of the bin, and they went out of the flat. When they were walking for a bit, Lucas asked:,, Where are we even walking to?” ,,We´re going to the hospital. Maybe we can find him there. If not we call Mike and ask him.” They walked for a bit more in silence, until they reached the hospital and Liz raised the question they all had on their minds:,, How are we going to get in?” ,,We will think of something.” Heather opened the door and they all went in. Going to the desk the woman behind it asked them:,, What do you kids need?” She looked up and saw Heather with a black eyes and a band aid on the cheek. She answered her question herself:,, Okay, you obviously need a doctor. Just wait here for a bit.” Lucas was already going, not seeing anyway that would help, but Heather leaned forward and asked silently:,, Actually, we were looking for one specific person. He helps out here sometimes, his name is Marcel Schmelzer. Do you know if he is here?” The Woman smiled and answered:,, You are friends with Marcel well then. Go to the last door on the left. There he should be. If not, come and ask me again.” They thanked her and tried to not look suspicious, when walking down the corridor. They reached last door and opened it. They saw Marcel sitting there, looking at a laptop and not noticing them. Liz knocked against the door and Marcel looked up and turned around. When he recognised them, he smiled and said:,, You again. Is your arm getting worse? Or is there anything else I can help you with?” They all sat down on the bed and Heather answered:,, My arm is fine, but not back to normal yet. We actually need your help with something else.” Marcel closed the laptop and responded:,, I didn´t expect it to. But I´m happy it´s not getting worse. So, what can I help you with?” Lucas took the little glass out of his backpack, in which they put the blood and said:,, We need you to analyse this blood. Can you do that?” Steve stood up from his chair and went over to them. ,,Okay, I have two questions. Why do you need to analyse it? And do you realize what you are asking of me?” Lucas looked at the needle in his hands and said:,, We know we´re asking much. And that it probably be illegal, but our friend is missing, and we are trying to find him. That´s why you need analyse the blood. It´s the only lead we have, please.” Marcel sighed and rolled his chair to them. He looked at the jar in Lucas´ hand and responded:,, I know it´s hard not being able to help, but you kids should let the adults handle those sorts of things. I´m guessing your John´s friends, but his parents already filed a missing person’s report, and the police are looking for leads. There is nothing you can do. Just give the blood to the police and they will find your friend.” Lucas groaned and was starting to say something, but Heather stopped him and answered:,, We know that the police won´t do anything big, because he could have just ran away. And when they finally decide that something could have happened he could be well dead. Also, how do you think it will look when we barge in a police station, showing them a needle of blood. Please, just this little favour. It would help a lot. Also, will you do it if we promise to give the police an anonymous hint about the person. Deal?” Marcel raised his hand and said:,, Fine, give me the blood and I will analyse it, not telling anyone about it. I´ll call you when I have the results.” Lucas gave him the needle and thank him. They all did. Going out the door, Lucas stayed behind and said to Marcel:,, Thanks again for helping us, now I finally feel like I´m helping.” Marcel smiled and responded:,, I know how hard it is to feel like you´re not able to help, when your friends are in trouble. But it´s going to be ok. If anyone can find him, it´s you three. Nobody else will fight for him the way you will.” Lucas smiled, before closing the door and catching up with his friends. When they were sure they were out of earshot of everybody, Heather said:,, Well, that went well. How long do you reckon it will take?” Liz shrugged and answered:,, I don´t know, but in the meantime we should work on our other lead. The button.” ,,Right, I let Jarvis run a scan on the button and compare it with all on the internet. When we are home, we can look if there are any results.” Heather said, while taking out her phone, checking messages. It was already 2 o´clock and they hadn´t eaten all day. She also noticed three missed calls from her mother and one from an unknown number. She put her phone away and ignored the calls. Looking at the other two, she asked:,, Is anyone else starving?” They both looked up and said yes. Heather proposed that they get something for the oven, and they went to the supermarket. Stepping in, they immediately felt warmer and opened their jackets. They brought everything they wanted and a ton of sweets. When they were in Heather´s room they ate their lunch and discussed what they were going to do now. They agreed to go to John´s room, while his parents were still at work. Heather was checking on the lead with the button, but there wasn´t anything yet.

Chapter 9: Giving up

They went out into the cold, going to John´s house. Finally, there, Lucas showed them the back door and they tried to open it. It was locked. Lucas was confused, this door was normally never locked. He pulled out the keys John gave him and opened the door. They led directly into John´s room. The first thing they all noticed was that it was clean, too clean. Without even looking around Lucas said:,, Someone was here, someone who is not John. John is probably the most chaotic person I know, he never cleaned his room this neatly. There always was something on the floor and I can´t remember him doing his bed, ever.” They went into the middle of the room. It wasn´t big, but not small either. There was one wall full of shelfs with books, CD´s and DVD´s. Lucas went over there and examined it. Liz went to the bed, which was located right opposite of the shelfs. Next to it stood a closet and under the window at the third wall stood a sofa with a little table before that. Heather looked over that and in the closet, but couldn´t find anything. When Lucas came to the last shelf he called for the other two and asked:,, Hey, did you ever build a hiding place when you were a kid?” Heather laughed and answered:,, I have a whole secret bunker.” ,,Right, well when I was a child I would search for cracks in the floor or holes in the walls, to hide something in them. Like I was searching the perfect hiding place.” Lucas dropped to the floor and searched for loose floorboards. After a few moments of confusion, Heather and Liz joined him on the floor. They were looking for loose floorboards. After a few moments, Lucas found one and was able to pull it out. Under it he found five things. A little book, A stack of papers, two old books and an envelope. Heather exclaimed and said:,, Good job, Lucas. Put everything inside on the table, okay?” They went over to the table at the fourth wall and Lucas put everything on it. He looked at the stack of papers. They looked like old newspaper articles and a college block side. Liz took the money and counted it. Heather looked at the newspaper articles. Liz looked up and said:,, Those are a thousand pounds. That´s a lot of money for a teenager to have at home. What about the papers?” They both looked at Heather, who shrugged and showed them the papers. The newspaper articles were all concerning something about organised crime and observation. They couldn´t make sense from the notes on the single piece of paper. It was just numbers followed by more numbers. They lay the money and the papers back on the table and Heather picked up the book and asked:,, What do you think is written in here?” The other two just shrugged and Heather opened the first page. After reading the first few words, she slammed it closed and put it down on the table. Liz jumped a bit because of the noise and asked Heather:,, What is it? Why did you stop reading?” Heather looked up from the notebook and responded:,, It´s some sort of diary, and I feel wrong reading it. We should respect his privacy.” Lucas snatched the notebook from Heather and said, anger and worry in his voice:,, You want to find him or not? There could be valuable information here. I know privacy is important, but right now I don´t care. I would rather not attend his wedding, than attend his funeral.” The girls looked at him, a big question mark on their faces. Lucas sighed and explained:,, I mean that I rather have him alive and mad at me for invading his privacy, than him being dead, because I didn´t.” Liz sighed and said:,, I understand. I wish I wouldn´t, but I do.” She shot a quick glance at Heather, noticing her looking to the ground, having a grave impression on her face. Heather nodded slightly; her eyes still fixed on the ground. Lucas opened the first side of the notebook and read it out loud:,, Today was the first day of school. I met a nice boy behind the gym. He looked like he had a panic attack and I helped him. I hope that we get to be friends. I felt awkward in the afternoon, like I was being watched. Probably just my slight fear of the dark. Nothing else happened today. 28th of august, 8:30 p.m.: Today I got that feeling of being observed again. Also, my parents acted weird and said they had to go for an unexpected trip. I wish I wasn´t alone in the apartment. I don´t feel like telling my friends about the feeling of being stalked, because I´m probably imagining it. I just hope it goes away soon. I can barely sleep.” Lucas stopped reading, his voice breaking. He flipped through the pages, looked up and said:,, The younger the entries became, the more recent they become.” Lucas looked down at the book and closed it. A single tear fell on the cover and Lucas just stared at it not wanting to talk. Liz and Heather noticed that and didn´t try to ask him something. After a few minutes, Lucas opened the book and said:,, Something bothers me. It doesn´t sound like that is the first time he kept diary about what he notices.” He flipped the notebook and looked at a small 10 at the bottom of the cover, obviously handwritten. He showed it to the others, and they gasped. ,,So, there must be more hidden.” Heather said, looking around the room. There was no other hiding spot they could think of. So, they decided to look at the books they found. One was a first edition from the first Harry Potter book. Lucas opened it and flipped through the pages; it was just an old book. But when he tried to open the second book, it wouldn´t budge. Then he noticed a bit glue on the side and when he tried to open it, this time somewhere in the middle, it worked. It was like a little box cut out in the middle. Inside was one piece of paper, folded neatly to fit inside. He pulled it out and folded it out. It was a list with names and numbers beside them. It looked different than the other papers, cleaner, more professional. He laid it out on the table and for a moment, they all just looked at the items they found. Then Heather asked:,, Should we search for the other books?” They all agreed and went around the room, until Lucas went out of the room, thinking that maybe John hid it in another room. He went through the hallway and opened the door to the living room. He switched on the light and looked around the room. He was here before, but it was weird without John. He sat down on the couch and turned on the TV. It was a bit before 4 0´clock and the news were on. They talked about the riots in America and about a terrorist attack in France. Lucas stared at the screen, until after they talked about the weather. He couldn´t bring himself to look away. He just wanted to turn off the TV, when the news lady came on the screen again and said: And on the newest news, the dead body of a teenage boy was found in the themes this morning. The identity is still unclear. If we know something more, you will be first one to know.” There was a black screen for a moment and then there came a commercial. Lucas turned off the TV and took out his phone. He searched for all the newspaper he knew and looked up if they knew anything about the dead body. When he was ready to give up he saw news article in a local newspaper, which mentioned it. He clicked on it and read through it: Today there was a dead body found at the shore of the themes. It seems to be a teenage boy at the age 15 or 16. The police need yet to identify him and are still investigating. They believe that it was suicide, but can´t rule out a murder. Read more on page 12. Lucas whispered:,, No, no,no. This can´t be happening.” He stood up and ran back to the girls. They were still in John´s bedroom and found the hidden notebook. They looked up from reading, their faces turning pale, when they see Lucas´ face. Heather stood up and asked:,, What is it?” He showed them his phone and they read through the article. Liz whispered a shocked:,, Oh my god.” Lucas just put his phone in his pocket and went to the door. He said, without turning back:,, I gotta go. Will you be fine?” Heather nodded and answered:,, Of course, go.” ,,Thank you.” Lucas´s voice was breaking and he felt tears rising into his eyes. He ran down the few steps and through the backyard onto the sidewalk. He ran into a near forest and ran until he couldn´t breathe anymore. He stopped and looked up at the sky. He stood under a tall tree, the sun shimmering through the leaves. He had just coughed his breath, when the horrible news caught up with him again. He looked forward and started running again. He tried to escape that sickening feeling in his heart and ran as fast as he could. After a little while he felt hot tears streaming down his cold cheeks and his vision blurred. He stumbled over something and landed on his hands and knees. He saw his tears falling on the wet ground and his arms giving in. He pulled his legs to his chin and buried his face in his hands. The tears are now streaming down his face, and he choked on the sadness rising in his chest. He pulled out his phone and opened his chat with John. Knowing he will never read it, he wrote with teary eyes and shaking hands: Hey, I know you are never gonna read this, but I need to get it off my chest. You are dead. And I can´t live with that. The thought of living a live without you gives me a panic attack and I would do anything to get you back. You were by my side from day one and never left me, but now you are gone, and I notice that there are a hundred things I wanted to say before you left. That I would do anything for you. That my world always lightened up whenever you smiled at me. That it gave me goosebumps, every time we touched. That I wanted to kiss you. That I love you. I love you, John. Please don´t leave me. He clicked send, just when his phone fell out of hands and into the mud. He stood up and started running again. Even though he knew that he can´t escape it, he ran through the wood, trying to escape his own thoughts. He ran and ran, losing his orientation and just wanting to be somewhere else, someone else. When he finally stopped, he was in a small street with tall houses on either side. He put his hands on his knees and looked around. He saw a small club in one of the houses and had an idea. Maybe he couldn´t run from his thoughts, but he could forget them in another way. He wiped the tears from his face and went in it. He just turned sixteen in November and showed his ID at the entrance of it. Since he looked a bit older than he was, anyway, the guy at the door let him, without even paying attention. He went in and went to the bar. He asked for a beer and got one, drowning half of it in one go. He didn´t notice how thirsty he was, until he sat down and drank a little more. He pulled his legs on the chair and took another sip from his beer. He felt the alcohol taking effect after drinking one and a half beers. The alcohol numbed everything, so Lucas took even more of it, hoping to numb the pain even more. He wasn´t sure how many beers he had or how long he sat there, staring at the bottles, but then came that one song. Lucas looked up and then let his head fall on the counter, in the background the song still blasting through the club. When he looked up, the song was at his refrain the women singing: Somebody shine a light, I´m frozen by the fear in me. Somebody make me feel alive and shatter me! Lucas looked up from his beer and said:,, Oh, what the hell?” He drank the rest of the beer and called for the bartender:,, Hey, do you have something stronger?” He held up his drink and the bartender asked him:,, Are you even old enough to drink?” Lucas nodded and gave him the beer bottle back. The bartender just shrugged and gave him a schnapps, apparently not caring enough to ask again. Lucas took the glass and downed the brown liquid. The liquid burning his throat, he almost immediately felt the effect. He asked for another one and downed that too. He felt the pain numbing and stood up. He left some money on the counter under his glass. He went to the dance floor and got lost in the crowd. When he danced there, he remembered a song he loved as a kid. Without thinking he went to the DJ and requested the song. He looked at him puzzled but put it on the list. When Lucas thought about going to him again and asking, his song came. He just stood in the corner and listened, until the refrain came, and a girl came up to him. He opened his eyes, just when he said:,, Hey, why aren´t you dancing?” He shrugged with his shoulders and answered:,, Not in the mood.” The girl took his hand and made him dance. When he heard the end of the refrain, the women singing:,, But I´m gonna keep on dancing till I feel all right.” Lucas gave in and danced with all the other people on the dancefloor. He didn´t know whether it was the alcohol in his blood or his loneliness, but he ended up kissing the girl that told him to dance. It came to the last refrain and Lucas noticed, that this song was about him, right now in this moment. When the last tone ended he turned around and staggered away, trying to find a silent place. He got as far as the bathroom. He held his head other it and threw up. He tried to stand up, but staggered and fell on the floor. He sat there for God knows how long, until he finally found the motivation and energy to stand up. He went back to the main room and sat down on a sofa. He shifted a bit on the sofa and fell on the floor. The last thing he saw were two black figures entering the club through the back door before everything went black.

Chapter 10: a desperate Atempt

Opening his eyes, John immediately knew something was different. He looked at the door on the other side room and there was light streaming in from the hallway through the slide under the door. He stood up and went to the door. He laid down on the floor and tried to see what was going on outside. The only thing he saw, were black boot running around. He also heard people screaming and barking commands. He stood up again, checking the door. It was still locked, but he had an idea. He pounded at the door and screamed for help, hoping someone would hear him. He heard something heavy ram the door and someone grunting in pain. A key was put in the lock and turned around. Someone opened the door and gestured John to follow them. John run after the mystery person, knowing it was his best shot at getting out of there. They were at a locked door, where the other person took out a small piece of paper and held it against a scanner. After a few seconds the scanner went green, and the door opened. They went in and the stranger let the door fall close. The room was dark except a small light coming from a phone. John ran there and took the phone. It was unlocked, which was suspicious, but John ignored it. He opened the keyboard and put in Lucas´ number, because he was the first-person John could think of, who would immediately pick up an unknown caller. He tipped in the number, which he luckily remembered. But right when he wanted to call, someone started to open the door. The stranger turned to John and told him to hurry. He decided to write a message, rather than call, because time was running out. And he wasn´t sure whether Lucas would pick up at all. He tipped as fast as he could with shaking fingers This is John I´m alive. And fine. Before throwing the phone away he quickly tipped Don´t come for me, Luki. He didn´t exactly know why he tipped it, he just felt like Lucas would come and try to save him, but he was probably wrong. Looking up he saw a man with a gun in his hand come through the door. At panic he threw the phone at the man and, to his surprised, hit him in the face. The man as well as the stranger didn´t expect that and froze for a second. John used that confusion and ran out in the hallway. He ran and ran, taking turns randomly and hoping to see a door out. While he ran, he wondered how big the building was, until he came to a dead end. On the left side was a door, but it was jammed. He tried opening it with force, but it didn´t work and he was exhausted from the running. Just as he wanted to give up and run back he heard footsteps around, coming towards him. He felt adrenaline and fear pursing through his veins. He rammed the door one last time and it finally opened. He slipped through, just as a group of people burst around the corner. He didn´t have time to look around, he just started running again. After a few meters he noticed that he stood ankle deep in water. He didn´t hear any sound behind him, so he decided to allow himself a minute to rest and check his surroundings. He put his hand on his knees and lifted his head. Looking around, he noticed he was in a tunnel, probably the sewerage, and that the water had a slight current. He thought that there had to be an exit for the water, so he chose to follow the current of the water.
He noticed the ladder to the hatch when he was already half past it. He stopped and listened, but the footsteps sounded distant. He started climbing up the ladder, starting to feel the exhausting from the running. When he was at the top, he tried opening the hatch, but it was locked. He tried opening it with violence, but when that didn´t work either, he muttered to himself:,, Just my luck.” And started to climb down again. Being frustrated, he hadn´t see the people coming close, until he was halfway down. He looked at them and heard one of them cried out:,, There he is.” And about a million flashlights shone in his face. He shielded his eyes with one hand and started to climb down, as fast as he could. But when he just stepped down 2 steps, before he felt something bore through his arm. He felt himself losing his consciousness, losing the grip on the ladder. The last thing he felt was someone catching him and then everything went black again.
Shortly after Lucas had run away, Heather and Liz went out too, looking for him. They decided to search for him in the little wood. Going down the street, Heather said:,, I know we shouldn´t have let him go. He´ll probably do something stupid.” Liz walked next to her, trying to calm her down:,, He just needed to be alone. We will find him. Nothing bad happened, okay?” Heather stopped and looked up. ,,How do you know? Maybe he is already dead.” The worry in her voice was unmistakable. Liz turned to her and looked in her eyes and said:,, Because we won´t let that happen?” Tears filled Heather´s eyes and she asked:,, You promise?” Liz took her hand and said:,, I promise. Nothing really bad can happen as long as we have each other.” Heather took a stepped forward and hugged Liz tightly. After a bit Liz said:,, Careful, you’re chocking me.” They both chuckled and Heather let her go. When standing, Heather looked to the ground and said:,, Sorry, it´s just, I lost John, now we lost Lucas, I can´t lose you too.” Liz turned to look at the wood in front of them and said:,, Then let´s find them. Lucas and John.” Heather nodded and they went on into the small forest, looking around. They followed a trail because they thought Lucas probably did the same. After about an hour, Heather stopped and looked at the ground. She knelt down and said:,, Do you see those footprints? They are pretty new and from someone with small feet. And the person was running.” Liz whispered:,, Lucas.” And Heather nodded in agreement. They followed the footprints, now jogging, wanting to catch up with Lucas. But the footprints ended at the end of the wood, someone obviously ran onto the sidewalk and into the little alley. Heather sighed and looked around:,, Here isn´t anything or anyone. Maybe those weren´t even Lucas´ footprints and he already went home.” They went back into the wood, now looking right and left. When they were half through it, Liz went of the way and knelt down. Heather looked up and asked:,, What is it?” She took something from the ground and held it up. It was Lucas´ phone. This was bad because their next idea would have been to call him. They went back out of the wood, to where the footprints ended. They looked around and searched for any place where Lucas might be. It was already getting dark, when they sat down on a bench and tried to think of anything. Liz pulled her leg up to her chin and said:,, I might have an idea of where he is.” Heather looked up from her phone and asked:,, Where?” ,,You remember my childhood friend Lena?” Heather nodded ,,So she died about 3 or 4 years ago. When I found out she was dead, I was so devasted that I ran away, just like Lucas did. I wanted to forget everything, so I went to a club nearby. Of course, the club owner wouldn´t let me in because I was like 12 Years old. But I ran back home and drank the alcohol we had in the house instead. My dad wasn´t home, he never really was back then. I did forget the sorrow, but it also had an effect on my body. Since I had never drunk before I couldn´t cope with that much in such a short time. I passed out on the kitchen floor and hit my head on the kitchen table. Later I would find out, that I had been unconscious on the floor for about an hour. When I woke up again I was lying in an hospital bed, alone in a completely white room. I had a scar on the side of my head, you know the one, and a terrible headache. A doctor came in and told me, that I had some kind of, not lethal, but long-term brain damage and that I had alcohol poisoning. I nearly died that day. The days in the hospital were normal, but when I finally got out of the hospital something was different. I would have abnormal emotional outbursts and react to things wrongly. I couldn´t handle too many people or to loud noises. When asked in the hospital about it, they said, that it´s a side effect of my brain damage. One day someone talked about Lena, and I lashed out. I was so angry and I didn´t even know why. I beat him up, all of a sudden seeing red and feeling an unbridled rage, until someone eventually pulled me away and hit my head on the wall behind me and made me pass out. The minute I notice what I had done I was sorry and couldn´t forgive myself. I had to change the schools, that was about 2 years ago. I came to the school we are now going to and stayed away from everyone, but then you came. I mean you were always in my class, but I noticed you about half a year after I came to the school. I was sitting on a bench, and I was so alone, because I always felt like I didn´t belong. I saw you on the swings and you were alone too. I stood up and walked to you. I asked you if you would like to eat lunch together and you said yes. You said yes.” Liz´s eyes were filling with tears. ,, It was the best thing I have ever done. I felt less like an outsider and was more comfortable talking to people. And with time the fear of lashing out again grew less. Even if I do sometimes feel random angry outbursts. But I´m most of them time able to control them.” One tear rolled down Liz´s cheek:,, I have no idea why I´m telling you this. What I wanted to say was, that maybe Lucas went into a club or something to forget his sorrows.” For the first time since she started to talk, Liz looked at Heather. Just when he wanted to stand up, Heather pulled her back and hugged her tightly. When she pulled away she said:,, Hey, if we go crazy, we go crazy together.” A light smile appears on Liz´s face and she buried her face in Heather´s shoulder. Heather looked up and asked:,, Why didn´t you tell? And why didn´t I notice it?” There was definite guilt in her voice. Liz looked up and pulled away slightly. She kept looking up at the sky and answered:,, I didn´t want to worry you about it, because it was my problem. And I´m able to control it and having such great friends helped. And I got so used to hiding it, that it became second nature” Heather sighed and responded:,, If you ever feel like you´re not able to control it and feel overwhelmed, just tell me. I will be there for you. You can talk to me about things. Lucas and John too. You´re not alone anymore.” They both moved a bit closer together and Liz leaned her head against Heather´s forehead. They both closed their eyes and got lost in time. Heather opened her eyes and saw the reflection of stars in Liz´s eyes. She moved a strain of hair behind her ear and her look moved to Heather´s eyes. Blue meets brown. Being overwhelmed Heather pulled away and stood up. She looked at Liz and said:,, Shit, Lucas! Do you know if there are any clubs nearby?” Liz blinked a few times and answered:,, Nope, but we will find one.” Liz stood up and they walked next to each other silently. It was an awkward situation and they both tried to focus their thoughts on Lucas and finding him, but something had changed between, even when they tried to ignore it. They went down the street a bit, when Heather pointed at lit up door and said:,, There, it seems like this is the only club in walking distance.” They went over and asked the man at the door:,, We are searching for our friend. He may have come in here early today. He has dark curls, dark brown eyes, and his skin is a light brown. He´s about 1,60 or a bit taller and had an orange sweater on.” The man answered:,, Yes, but I didn´t really see his face, because it was buried in his hoodie. And I can´t let you in, unless you are older than 16.” They both sighed and Liz said:,, I´m almost 16. Please we just want to find our friend.” They both made big pleading eyes, until the man said:,, Fine, but go through the backdoor, I don´t want to lose my job.” They thanked him and went to the backdoor. Opening it with the key he gave them, they went in and looked around. They went to the middle and Heather pointed at the couches. They went over and saw Lucas lying on the floor next to one of the couches. Heather knelt beside him and said:,, His pulse is normally and his breathing too. He must have past out, help me get him on the sofa.” They put him on the couch next to him and Heather checked his breath again. ,,Yeah, definitely alcohol, but I think he passed out because of the fall. Let´s get him home.” Liz stood beside her and asked:,, Shouldn´t we try to wake him up?” Heather bent down and shook his shoulder a bit. When he didn´t wake up, Heather stepped back and said:,, I don´t think he will wake up any time soon.” Liz bent down and slapped Lucas hard on the left cheek. Heather pulled her away and said:,, What the hell?! Don´t you think he was hurt enough already?” Liz sighed and answered:,, Maybe, but it worked.” He was just tired of having to worry about Lucas too. They both looked at Lucas, who looked around and asked:,, Where am I?” He sat up and his hands shot to his head. He looked at the girls and said:,, What are you doing here? I´m fine.” He smiled a bit and tried to stand up. He staggered a bit and leaned on Liz for support. The girls didn´t answer but took him in the middle and went out of the club. They went back through the small forest and to John´s house. There they unlocked their bikes, but soon noticed, that Lucas couldn´t drive I his state. So, they called a cab and drove to Heather´s flat. They went into her room and laid Lucas on the bed. He laughed a bit and then passed out again. They put a blanket over him and sat down beside the bed. Liz sighed and said:,, I hope he´ll be okay. We can´t have any more problems.” ,,Well, hopefully. But he probably be better, if you wouldn´t have hit him.” Heather answered, looking at Lucas. Liz laid her head on the side of the bed and answered:,, I was just so annoyed, because we had enough problems without him getting injured. We all have to deal with the fact, that John is dead. But I regretted the minute I did it because I know that if it would be you, who was presumed dead, I would have reacted the exact same. I couldn´t think of a life without you and it would destroy me.” Heather looked at Liz and asked, confused:,, So you would be sadder if I had died, then when John died? Why?” Liz sat up and looked at Heather. She looked back at her, a questioning look in her eyes. Liz took a deep breath and said in a whisper:,, Because of this.” She had just spoke the last word when she leaned in a bit and kissed Heather. Her lips were soft and warm, and she never wanted this moment to end. But then Heather pulled back and stood up. Liz opened her eyes and immediately apologised:,, I´m so sorry. I shouldn´t have done that. I should have asked you or something. And there is a time and place for that. I just thought that I might not get another chance. I have ruined everything, haven´t I?” Heather sat down again and saw panic rise in Liz voice. She started to look around for an escape route and her breathing was a little too fast. Remembering the conversation earlier, she said:,, Hey, Liz breath. It‘s going to be okay. I just didn´t expect it okay?” Liz relaxed and took a deep breath. She looked up and said:,, So you don´t hate me?” Heather took Liz´s hands, that were still shaking and said:,, I could never hate you, because I love you. From the bottom of my heart, I love you.” For a second the just sat there, looking into each other’s eyes. After a bit of time, Heather stood up and said:,, Come with me, I wanna show you something.” Heather led her up a few flights of stairs and opened a door. It led to the roof, of the building. They went around a corner and there was a separate part with two chair and a little table in the middle. They went there and sat down on the chairs. After a bit of time, Heather stood up and pulled her chair next Liz´s and got a blanket out of a little cupboard behind them. They both got under the blanket and looked up at the sky. Heather was the first to speak:,, Hey, what do you want to do now?” Liz sighed and said:,, No idea, but I think the first thing we should do is get Lucas to pull his shit together. And then I have no idea. I didn´t think something this bad would ever happen to us. It happens to other people, but not here and not to people like us, right?” Heather pulled her look away from the stars and looked at Liz. ,,We´ll figure it out. Like we always do. Together.” Heather answered, taking Liz´s hand under the blanket. For a moment they looked up, trying to process everything. Finally, Heather said:,, What made you decide to confess now?” ,,I´m not sure, but when we got the message, that John was likely dead, I reminded myself, that something like that could happen every day to any of us. And that every moment we had, could be our last and that now could be the last chance I get at telling you. Before all of this, I never really thought I could lose you.” Liz responded, still staring at the stars. Heather sat up a bit and looked down at Liz. Then she leaned in and kissed. The kiss was shy and hesitant, but still sure and full of passion. Heather pulled away and said, breathless:,, Well. I´m glad you did because I would never have found the courage.” She leaned her head on Liz´s shoulder and went on talking:,, Did I ever tell you, that I love the stars. They make me believe that there is something more. And it makes me imagine that behind every little star we see, are planets, maybe even people. It showed that just because something seems little and unimportant from a certain point of view, doesn’t mean it´s little from everywhere. And john and I really bonded over the stars, we´d always try to name the signs.” Heather chuckled and fell silent. Liz stood up almost made Heather fall from her chair. Liz turns to her and says:,, Sorry, it´s just, we should just check on Lucas. I hope he´ll be fine. Also, it´s almost morning.” Liz was right, there was already a silver slither at the horizon. Heather got up with a grunt and just let the blanket lay on the chair. They went inside and back to Heather´s room, where Lucas was still lying on the bed, not having changed in any way. Liz took a cushion and sat down beside the bed, laying her head on the bed. Heather couldn´t resist to pat her black hair with her hand. She did that, until she heard her steadily breathing. Then she stood up, put blanket over her and got out her tablet. She looked up and saw, that she got a message from Marcel about the blood sample and that her parents asked if everything was okay. Heather looked at the clock and noticed, that it was already 5 o’clock in the morning and that she hasn´t slept yet. But she had to keep awake in case something happens, so she answered her messages. After doing that, she went down into the basement and checked up on everything. She couldn´t stand doing nothing, so she started playing with a knife in her hand, while going through everything again. After about two hours someone came down the steps and Heather looked up. Liz was coming down the staircase, looking still half asleep. She sat down in a chair next to Heather and asked:,, Did you sleep any?” Heather shook her head and answered:,, No, but I found something interesting. The button we found, only two stores sell them. I thought we could check them out in the morning.” Heather gave the pad to Liz, who checked the stores and said:,, Okay, but we only go, if Lucas already woke up.” Heather nodded and put the knife away, standing up. They both stood up and Liz asked:,, Hey, can I train a bit?” Heather agreed and they went to the weapon rooms. Liz picked up a bow and arrows, while Heather took throwing knives. They went to the training room and Liz started shooting the targets with arrows, while Heather just stood behind her and watched. After all her arrows where spend Liz walked to the target to get them out. Heather was right on her heels and asked:,, Wow, where did you learn to use a bow?” Liz looked at the target and started pulling the arrows out, while answering:,, We used to have people teaching beginners how to shoot. On a wide-open piece of grass near my house. I used to go there every weekend, learning more and more. After Half a year the owner set up an extra target for me and gave me a discount, because I wasn´t taking the class anymore. After a year or so, he went away and I stopped doing it so often, but I´m still pretty good at it. Anyway, can you actually throw knives?” Liz pointed at the knives in Heather´s hand and started walking back, having pulled out all the arrows. Heather turned to the target, put a knife in her left hand and threw it at the target. Liz stepped back a little, her eyes wide open. Though the knife wasn´t completely in the middle of the target, but close enough to impress Liz. Heather turned to her and said:,, Does that answer your question?” Liz looked at the knife, then back at Heather and said:,, Damn.” Heather chuckled lightly and went to retrieve her knife. Liz looked at the bow in her hands and asked:,, Do you have any moving targets?” ,,Yup”, Heather called back,, Go through the door on your right, then through the third one on your left. There you can shoot at the cans.” Liz went down the corridor and through the third door to her right. The room was pretty big and had a high ceiling. In the middle was a podest and around it, until the far end, there where cans. Some stood on the ground, some on boxes and some were dangling from the ceiling. Liz stepped in the middle and put an arrow in her bow. Raising her bow, she shot the first can from a shelf. Now a little more confident, she grabbed another out of her quiver and shot the next can. After 15 minutes she had shot 10 cans and only missed 5. ,,Not bad, really not bad.” Came a voice from the doorway. Liz raised her bow and targeted that person. When she realised it was Heather she lowered her bow and a grin appeared on her face. She put the arrow back in her quiver and said:,, Well, I try.” Heather made her way to Liz and said:,, Don´t get cocky.” Liz laughed and said:,, I wouldn´t dare.” Heather was now standing beside Liz and asked:,, Hey, you wanna try shooting two arrows fast after each other.” Liz looked at the cans and frowned, before responding:,, Maybe, but I doubt it will work.” ,, You don´t know that, unless you try.” And with that Heather went to two cans, that stood close to each other and pointed at them. She stepped a few steps back and said:,, Try those two.” Liz sighed, concentrating on the cans. She took an arrow out of here quiver, put it in her bow and shot the first one. Taking another one out of her quiver, she targeted the second can and shot. It goes into the wall left of the can. Liz groaned, as Heather took a new can and placed it in the same place as before. They tried a few more times, until Liz was so frustrated, she didn´t even hit the first can anymore. Heather went to her, before she could shoot more arrows into the walls. ,,Hey, the wall is thick, but we don´t want to test it, do we?” Heather asked, smiling. Liz made a noise between a groan and a laugh and answered:,, Sorry, it’s just so frustrating.” She raised her hand in an annoyed motion and nearly hits Heather with the bow. Heather took Liz´s hand, which held the bow into her own and said in a whisper:,, Hey, I know. How long do you think I had to train with the knives? It takes time. Now take a deep breath and concentrate. Focus on the cans and let everything else fade into the background. You got this.” Heather let go of Liz´s hand and took a step back. Liz put an arrow in the bow and looked at Heather one last time. Heather smiled broadly and gave her the thumps up. She took a deep breath, lets everything fade into the background and let loose two arrows. She heard both can’s clatter on the ground and she relaxed a bit. Just when she turned to Heather, she jumped into her arms, saying:,, You did it!” Since Liz didn´t expect that, she tripped and send them both to the ground. Still laughing they sat back up and Liz said:,, Sorry I didn´t expect that. But I finally did it.” Heather was feeling really anxious since John went missing and forgetting everything around her, she lurched forward and kissed the still laughing Liz. Despite being surprised, Liz kissed her back, still smiling. The broke apart due lack of air and both laughed breathlessly. They both stood up and went back to the circular room. Heather headed for the stairs and said:,, Let´s check up on Lucas.” They went to where Lucas was still sleeping, but they heard a groaning when they came near. Running the last steps to the bed, they saw, that Lucas finally woke up and was groaning. Heather went to the kitchen to get water and something for his headache and Liz sat down beside him. His hands shot up to his temples and he asked:,, I have the worst headache. What happened?” Liz spoke in a whisper when she answered, as not to make it worse:,, well, you got drunk and then you hit your head pretty bad and wouldn´t wake up. We chose to get you to a hospital, if you wouldn´t wake up today, but you woke up, so that´s good.” Lucas tried to sit back up, but immediately had to close his eyes and fell back into the cushions. When Heather came back, glass in one, pills in the other hand Lucas took them and drank the water. He sat up, this time a tad more careful and asked:,, How long was I out? What time is it?” Heather set the glass on the bedside table and answered:,, It´s 3 o´clock in the afternoon and you were out since yesterday, around 10 I think.” Lucas sighed and his whole body relaxed, and he tried to think back, to what happened. His hangover and his bump on the head, gave him massive headache, until the medicine would set in. While he was still wondering why the hell he would get drunk, he said:,, So, what happened while I was in dreamland?” ,,Not much, but we found where the button came from, and Marcel wrote about the blood.” Heather answered and grinned broadly. Even though Lucas noticed something was different between them, he didn´t ask and just closed his eyes, trying to sleep again. Heather got out her phone and said:,, Well, we need you to help us, so get better soon. Okay, so you wanna check out this store?” Lucas looked up from his hands and said:,, No, you can go. I´m going to hang back. Headache.” He touched his trembles. She put her phone back and said:,, I didn´t ask you, I asked Liz. You are not going anywhere with that hangover. Call us if anything happens.” He nodded beaten and Liz and Heather left to get to the store. They grabbed their coats and keys and went out. Arriving at the store they went and looked around. It was one small room and the walls where covered with closets and suits on clothing hangers. One guy was standing at the far end and was talking to the cashier. They went through the small aisle and waited behind the guy. When he was done paying, they went up to the cashier. Heather took out the button and said:,, A friend lost this at my house, when he was over and I want to give it back to him. Do you have an address?” The cashier looked puzzled and asked:,, I’m not allowed to give out that information. Why don´t you just leave it with me and I will be sure to call him?” Heather wanted to say something, but Liz beat her to it:,, Look, we get that you want to keep you clients private, but he saved my life some time back and I never got the chance to thank him. So I would like to meet the person who saved my life and just say thanks. Please?” The guy behind the desk sighed and said:,, Fine, do you have it with you?” Heather nodded and laid the button on the desk. The guy took it and clicked a bit on his computer. After a few minutes, he asked:,, Okay, I think I got your guy. So, he purchased a black suit a week ago. His name is Dracul Dimitri. I´m going to write his address for you.” Taking a piece of paper, he wrote it down and gave it to Liz with a smile, who smiled back. They thanked him and went out of the mall, closing their jackets. They got their bikes and drove back to Heather´s parents place and argued what they should do next.
Meanwhile at Heather´s home, Lucas went out of bed and down into the basement. He pulled through the papers they found in John´s room and pulled out the piece with the numbers. He sat down on the couch with it and tried to find a pattern. The first line was written like this: 136 1 1; 52 16 1; 308 7 5; 109 28 11; 222 9 3; 113 22 9;: Lucas was reading through it about a hundred times, but didn´t have any idea, what it meant. After a bit, he stood up and went to the other items. The Newspapers, were not helpful, but then he spotted the book. Why was such an unimportant item in a hidden place. He remembered that John used to cipher random things and test the other three, whether they could find out what he meant. So, that might be what he did here. So, he scanned the paper and asked Jarvis:,, Can you compare these numbers to all secret languages in your database? Does any of them make a sentence?” ,,Absolutely, Sir” Jarvis answered and started analysing the numbers. After a few minutes Jarvis said:,, I have an solution. This might be by a book, the pages, lines and words in that line. That is the most popular one that fits. There are six other possibilities. You want me to read them to you?” ,,No, thanks Jarvis.” ,,No problem.” For a moment Lucas doubted, that it is the correct one, and then it hit him. The old Harry Potter book, that must be the book he used. Lucas picked it up from the table and started finding the pages and words. When the first six words made sense, Lucas was sure he was on the right track and kept deciphering it. When he was through the paper, it read: I found out what it is. It is a list of people. Bad people. It looks like an owe list, but I´m not sure. But I found one person on the list in the internet. I need a bit more research. I will tell my friends everything once I´m sure. Okay, that´s news. That must be why they kidnapped John and why someone was in his room. But they obviously didn´t find what they searched for because Lucas now knew what it was. He pulled out the sheet from the second book and when he looked at the names and numbers again, he had to agree with John, it does look like an owe list. He scanned the list too and Jarvis answered:,, Most of those are names with a criminal record and a few are important people in politics. I can pull you up a record on all of them.” Lucas shook his head and said:,, No, it´s fine. Thank you.” Lucas stood up and went back up, he was getting tired, and his headache was getting worse again. So, he laid himself back into bed and fell asleep fast. When the girls came home, they woke up Lucas and Liz asked him:,, So, how have you been?” Lucas looked up from the book and answered:,, Yeah, okay I guess. I found out what the numbers on the paper mean. But first tell me what you found out?” Heather went to get her tablet from her desk and said:,, We found our mystery person. Dracul Dimitri, from what I can gather he has quite the record.” ,,Oh, he was on the list. But how do you know that?” asked Lucas, taking the tablet out of Heather´s hands. Heather rolled her eyes and said:,, The beep wide web. I googled him.” Lucas gave the tablet back and responded:,, So you know where he lives?” Liz pulled out the note and said:,, Yup, guilted the cashier into giving it to us. But what did the numbers tell you?” He pulled up what he put into the file and showed it to the other ones. ,,it was a number code with a book, but that´s not important. What´s important is, that John had found out what the names and number´s were. They were an owe list.” ,,Yeah, but an owe list from who and for whom? But it´s very important.” Lucas sighed and then answered:,, Well, we should check out this Dimitri guy and the other people.” Lying the tablet down, Lucas tried to stand up, just to be pushed back by Heather saying:,, You’re not going anywhere buddy. We are going. You just rest.” After a moment of resisting Lucas gave up and sighed:,, Ugh, I hate not being able to do anything. He is my friend too.” ,, Look, I get that, but you are still not totally back to your normal self. I do have an idea though. Heather said Marcel wrote to her, saying he had news from the blood. If we can find out when he´s got time again, you can go meet him.” Liz tried to sound fond, but she just sounded exhausted. Lucas nodded and Heather chimed in:,, Okay, I can ask him if he can meet you tomorrow. But you find out anything, you come to us, okay? No stupid ideas.” Lucas nodded and said:,, Of course, when can I go?” ,,Calm down. He will have to answer me, before you can do anything. So, for now, just save your energy and eat something.” Lucas groaned but took the bread from Heather´s hands and ate it. Just before they went out Lucas called them back. He took out his phone and said:,, Wait, before you go. I charged my phone and found out an unknown number, who send me this.” He turned around his phone, showing the message to the girl. It read: This is John I´m fine and alive. Don´t come for me, Luki. Heather sighed and said:,, You want him back more than anything but anyone could have sent this. Lucas turned off his phone and answered:,, No, the person obviously knew who they were texting to. And he used to call me Luki sometimes. I always told him I hate that nickname, but in truth I found it cute. This had to be sent from him.” Heather nodded absently and said:,, Okay, maybe you´re right and John sent this, we still have to find him. So, let´s do everything we can for that, okay?” Lucas agreed and laid back down. Short after Liz and Heather said goodbye to Lucas and Heather reassured him about a hundred times that she will let him know if Marcel texts back. Heather and Liz went to get their coats and out the door. Using their phone to navigate through to the first store. Liz looked up from her phone and said:,, Next one left. You would think after living her my whole life I have plan where stuff is in this city, but no. I have no sense of direction.” Heather chuckled and answered:,, Yeah, me neither. I´m happy I know the way to our school.” They both laughed and Liz interlocked their arms, putting her phone in her pocket. She sighed and said concerned:,, Do you really think John is still alive? Is he okay?” Heather tore her eyes from the streetlight ahead and fixed her eyes on Liz instead. After a long pause, she responded:,, I don´t know, but I believe that he is fine. John´s though and he´s more valuable to them alive than dead.” Liz stopped walking and looked at Heather, their eyes interlocking:,, That´s not very reassuring. And how can you be so sure?” Her voice was tainted with worry and sadness and a tear escaped her eyes, tickling down her cheek. Heather raised her arm and wiped the tear away, her eyes never leaving Heather. Then she wraps her arms around Heather and muffles in her shoulder:,, I know it´s hard, not knowing. But we will save him, and he is still alive, okay?” She asked it with a bit more force in her words than she intended and wasn´t sure if she was trying to convince Liz or herself. She felt Liz nod against her shoulder and pulled away. They sighed and Liz blinked away the tears in her eyes. They continued their walk, their fingers now intertwined, holding onto each other. Arriving at the address, Heather knocked on the door and waited, until he heard someone unlocking the door from inside. The door opened a bit and a grumpy voice asked:,, What do you want?” She smiled and answered:,, We´re with the neighbourhood Teen watch. We saw you annoy some teenage girls at the park and we wanted to inform you, that it will have consequences if you keep doing it.” The guy on the inside popped out his head. He had thin dark brown hair hanging over his shoulder. He looked like he hadn´t had a shave or a shower in a long time. His eyes were sunken in, and he looked a bit drunk. ,,I didn´t do any of that. I was gone the whole week.” The man answered and Heather smiled, asking:,, And where were you? Just so we can check your alibi.” ,,I don´t know how it is any of your business, but I was visiting my mother in Greenwich. If that isn´t enough, here is my train ticket. Now good day!” He pulled something out of his pocket gave it them and then threw the door close. They went down to the sidewalk and Liz looked at the piece of paper the guy had given her. It was indeed a train ticket to Greenwich, and it was exactly a week old. Liz showed Heather she only said:,, Visiting his mother my ass, that was the guy who attacked me, I´m sure. How do we catch him?” Liz folded the ticket until it was a A4 paper, and something fell out of it. She picked it up looked at it. It was a torn paper with a few numbers on them. She showed it to Heather, asking:,, What do you think this means?” ,,No idea, but let´s go back and check up on Lucas.” They just started walking, when Marcel texted Heather, that he was in the hospital and Heather called Lucas:,, Hey Lucas, Marcel just send me an answer, he´s at the hospital now you can go meet him there.” ,,Thanks, I was losing my mind being coped up in here.” Lucas responded. They said goodbye and Lucas put his phone down on the bed. He stood up and went through the duffle bag he brought from his home. He found jeans, a t-shirt, and a button up shirt which he threw on and searched his keys, witch Heather had given him and his phone and money, he locked the door and went to the hospital. Getting out of bus at the right station, he walked the short distance around the hospital and went through the backdoor, like they had agreed he would. He walked to the third door on the left and knocked three times, when he heard a,, Come in” He opened the door. Marcel was sitting at the desk, locking at a file in front of him. His head spun around, and he said:,, Hey, you must be Lucas, come here” He pulled up a chair and Lucas sat down. Marcel showed him the file and started to explained:,, So, I checked the DNA in the blood Heather gave me with all known Databases and found a hit. His name is Marc Dinkley and he was arrested before for B & E and assault of an officer. Nothing in the degrees of kidnapping, but I´m guessing someone paid him off. Or he owed someone a favour” Lucas picked up the file and read through it. Lucas thought that Marcel was right, since his name was on the owe list. He then asked:,, Is this his current address?” Marcel nodded and answered:,, It´s the most recent we have God knows where he is now, his probation was just over. And I also want you to know that this guy is very dangerous and before you engage I want you to contact me, so me and my team can help you, okay? I´m already breaking a lot of laws, by even giving you this information. So, if anyone asks you, you didn´t get this from me.” Lucas agreed and left with a lot of Thank you´s. Leaving the same way he came, and getting into the bus, he looked up the address on google maps and found out, that it looked more like an abandoned warehouse. But the whole part of town looked like that, so he didn´t pay it too much attention. He send a quick message to Heather and Liz with the address and that they should meet him there and changed the bus to drive there. While in the bus, he took another painkiller, knowing that it wouldn´t fix the problem, but he had to find John, whatever it took. Stepping out of the bus at his destination, he immediately clenched the knife, that Heather had given her, in his pocket and was on high alert. He felt his heartbeat fastened and was beginning to be scared about what he was doing. He went down the few blocks, looking into every alley. Thinking there would someone Finally arriving at the house, he looked at any indication, that Marc really lived here, but found none. When he tried to open the door, it didn´t work. So pulled out his picklock and picked the lock the way Heather had taught him. Luckily it was an old lock and easy to pick. When he heard a silent click, he pushed the door open and went into the hall of the house. He put the picklock back into his pocket and pulled out his knife. Keeping it low and tried the light switch. It didn´t work, so he pulled out his key and used the flashlight on there to illuminate the hall a bit. There was a lamp on the ceiling, but no lightbulb. He went to the staircase and went up to the third floor, through graffiti and blank concrete stairs. He was concentrating on keeping calm and thought more than once, about just turning around and running away. But he couldn´t do that to John. Reaching his destination, he knocked at the door and listened for footstep. When he heard none, he entered and immediately, walked to the wall and put his back to it, to stop someone from attacking him from behind. He went into the first room, which turned out to be the kitchen. He looked around and spotted a ball of cereal and a glass of water. Lucas went over there and inspected the glass. The cereal wasn´t completely melted into the milk, so Lucas assumed that Marc must have left or is hiding somewhere. Through the window came in enough sunlight for him to be able to see, without his flashlight, he put his keys away and pulled his knife out. He went carefully through the flat, until he reached the bedroom, where he stopped and looked around. There was an old bed and mattress and a wardrobe, with no clothes. All in all, it didn´t look like a nice bedroom. Lucas stood in front of the wardrobe, until he noticed the small wind, coming from the wardrobe. To check if it wasn´t just a hole to the outside, he checked, the wall, but it let into the building, which made no sense, because he was sure, there should be another room. He went back to the wardrobe and tried to move it, but it proved to be too heavy. Just when he wanted to call Heather, to ask where they are, he heard a floorboard creek behind him. He ducked out of reflex and only just avoided a mean right hook from the man opposite from Lucas. He raised his knife in defence, stepped back until his back hit the wardrobe and asked:,, Are you Marc Dinkley?” The man lowered his fists a bit and asked:,, What´s it to you?” He was still in a defence position, but didn´t look like he was going to attack, so Lucas shot his shot and started talking:,, We have you linked to a kidnapping of a teenager. We found your blood at the crime scene. Now, no one except me knows this. If you want it to stay that way, you can tell me who hired you and we will make sure no one can link you to the crime. Please, it´s in our both best interests.” Lucas lowered his knife a bit to show that he was no threat, but Marc used this to attack him. Lucas hit himself and thought how stupid he was, thinking a criminal would just agree. He tried to hit Lucas in the side, but he ducked, so he hit his face instead. Lucas stumbled a few steps back and raised his knife, trying to clear his vision. He saw Marc taking another swing at him, so he moved around him and put his knife at his throat from behind. He held the knife firm and said:,, You make a move, I´ll kill you!” Marc chuckled and responded:,, You won´t kill me, I have information you need. Besides you don´t have the balls to.” Lucas got annoyed the arrogance, so he hit him over the head with the butt of the knife and knocked him. Marc had been right though he could not have killed him. He went to chair and put him on it, then he searched for some rope to tie him up. He found some and was about to finish up, when he heard someone knocking on the door. Making sure that Marc was still knocked out, he went to the door and opened it, knife in one hand. The door revealed Heather and Liz, standing impatiently in the doorframe. Lucas let out a sigh and let them to the room in which he tied up Marc. ,,Voila, Our kidnapper, Marc Dinkley. Not the smartest.” Lucas said, while pointing at him. He went to the closet and explained, why he thinks, that there is secret room behind it. Just when he wanted to ask them to help, Heather asked him:,, Wait a second. You figured this all out in what, like ten minutes. Then you knocked him out and tied him up. Wow, good work. Did he give you that cut and bruise on the side of your face?” He raised his hand and touched the cut, when he looked at his hand, there was a bit blood on them. He answered:,, Oh yeah, I wasn´t fast enough. Anyway, I think we should search for something to open the door with and try to open it. Maybe when our muscle here wakes up, he´ll tell us something.” Lucas sounded sure of himself, but in truth he was terrified of what he just did and his heart was beating like he had just ran a marathon. Both girls sighed and started looking around the small apartment for anything. When they were out of earshot Heather asked:,, You think he´s going to be okay? I´m worried. He was drunk yesterday and now he´s out here, fighting. At this rate he´s going to get himself killed.” Liz opened a cupboard and said:,, I get that you´re worried, but you know as well as I do that he won´t stop. I mean, would you?” Heather shook her head and looked at Liz. After a while she answered:,, No, of course not. And I get that, but I just don´t want to lose him too.” Liz went to a door and opened it. It revealed a staircase up into maybe an attic. Liz turned around said:,, Hey, you think attics are haunted or do ghosts usually live-in basements.” Heather came around the corner and answered:,, No idea, but this house looks like it´s haunted everywhere. But the attic is our best shot at a weapon.” Liz smiled and they went through the door and up the stairs into a small dark room. Heather took out a flashlight and shone the light through the room. It was like a typical attic, except one corner, that was total clean and looked like it had been cleaned. They rummaged a bit around, until Heather picked up an axe and asked:,, How good are your wood splitting skills?” They went down again, and Liz said:,, I could use a course. They went into the first room and called for Lucas through the apartment. He came out of the kitchen and asked:,, You found something?” Heather held up the axe and said:,, Ready to bash in some wood, Gimli?” Lucas rolled his eyes and took the axe from Heather. He adjusted it in his hands and was about to bash in the wall, when Marc Dinkley woke up and said:,, No don´t, you´ll bring down the whole house.” Lucas turned around and said:,, Right, and you would know that, because?” Marc looked up, annoyed and answered:,, Because the one that rented me this told me, there is a keyhole near the ground on the left side of the door.” Lucas turned around and asked:,, Why should we believe anything you say, you would do anything to save your own skin.” ,,Right, you bring down the building, you kill me. I am trying to save my own skin.” Liz stepped forward and said:,, Let´s check if he´s telling the truth and then think further.” She laid a hand on Lucas´ shoulder, who sighed and went back to the door. He kneeled down on the left side and touched the wall, searching for a keyhole. After a moment he found it and looked up at the girls, nodding. Heather turned around and asked Marc:,, Where is the key?” Marc smiled grimly and said:,, Let´s make a deal. I give you the key to the door and you let me walk out of the front door, unharmed.” Lucas stood up and went to the other room, the girls following closely behind. ,,So, I´m guessing you think we should do this?” Heather asked Lucas, looking him in the eyes. He nodded and explained:,, I know it might sound rude, but it isn´t our job to arrest him or something. We want to find John and I´m ready to do whatever it takes to get him back. So, we will let him walk away and give an anonymous tip to the police about him. That way we get both. Okay, let´s go!” Lucas didn´t wait for them to answer. He wanted to get out of here as fast as possible before he had a panic attack in front of a criminal. They went back to Marc and Liz and Heather changed a worried look. They told Marc that they agree, and Lucas started to unbind him. Marc stood up and went to, what they assumed was a living room, and took out a floorboard. Liz leaned closer to Heather and whispered:,, Wow, very creative hiding spot.” Heather snickered and tried to hide it behind a cough. Marc pulled out the key and handed it to Lucas. When Marc made a bee line for the door, they didn´t stop him, honouring their agreement. When Marc was out of sight and earshot, Heather said:,, Okay, I´ll call the police and give them an anonymous tip about our little friend and you go open the door, okay?” The other two nodded and went back to the other room just as Heather pulled out her phone. They went to the door and Lucas crouched beside the keyhole, trying out if the key worked. It did and the door opened with a loud creek. Lucas and Liz high fived and went through the now open door. The room was dark and small, with no furniture except a small table and a chair in front of it. Lucas switched on the lights and the room was illuminated by a dim light. They stepped into the small room. Two of four walls were plastered with photos, newspaper articles, handwritten notes, and a lot more. They were connected with strings and often plastered over one another. On the table was a computer and a suitcase, that looked like it was straight out of a movie. Liz went to the case and said to Lucas:,, I bet you there is money in there.” She opened the suitcase and, wouldn´t you know it, there was money in it and a lot of it. While Liz was counting through the money, Lucas sat down on the chair and turned on the computer. The display showed a normal lock screen and a place where you could put in the code. He turned around to Liz and said:,, Yeah, you have any idea how to get in that.” Liz looked up from the money and said:,, Let´s take the money and Computer and take a photo from the walls. That way we can work on it at Heather´s.” Liz closed the suitcase. They had just disconnected the computer from the cables when Heather came around the corner. Lucas pulled out the last cable and said:,, Hey, we found some things and thought we could take them with us. As to investigate them further.” Heather inclined her head a bit and answered:,, Okay, two things. First, you sound like someone from a mystery series, and second don´t you think it´s a bit obvious. We could just take the hard drive.” Heather sat down beside the computer and took out the back side of it and tinkered with it. She looked up and asked:,, Does anyone have a flash drive?” Lucas rummaged in his pockets and pulled one out. Heather took it and after a moment stood up and gave the flash drive back to Lucas. They went out of the room, locked the door behind them and put the key back under the floorboard. Liz took the suitcase from the table and the three friends went out of the house. While they walked to the bus stop, Lucas opened his phone and looked at the photos. Heather snapped right before his eyes and said:,, Ey, eyes on the street!” Lucas slipped his phone back into his jacket pocket and went the last few steps to the bus stop. As they waited for the bus, Lucas started to pace. After a few moments Liz groaned and said:,, You’re making me freak out. Sit down!” Lucas looked at her and answered:,, I can´t. we have to look at what new information we got. I can´t just sit here and do nothing.” Liz stood up and looked him in the eyes. Then she said:,, Look, I get you are worried, but John isn´t going to die in the next two minutes and you’re not going to be able to help if you´re worn out.” Lucas sighed and sat down on the bench. He looked at the street and said in a tired voice:,, I just feel like if I don´t do something, something bad will happen.” Liz sat down beside him and put a hand on his back. After a little while, she said:,, Look, I´m not going to say I understand exactly what you’re going through, but you´re not going to help anyone if you´re dead.” Lucas sighed answered:,, I know, and I will try to be a bit more rational and careful in the future.” They settled into a comfortable silence, everyone busy with their own thoughts. When the bus finally arrived, they took a seat at the back and looked out the windows. This was going to be a long ride.

Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Opening his eyes, John had to blink against the light of the lamps. He blinked a few times, until his eyes adjusted to the light. He stood up and went to the door. He noticed that he was bound to the wall by shackles on his ankles. He couldn´t quite reach the door, so he laid down on the floor, but he couldn´t see anything through the crack in the door. He let himself sack against the wall and pull his knees up to his chin. His situation was hopeless and he didn´t even know why. He watched the door, the whole time, until the door opened a crack, and someone pushed through some food. John scrambled forward and took it. He didn´t even realise how hungry he was, until he took the first bite out of the bread. He settled on the mattress and began eating. He had no feeling of time, so he tried to coordinate his sleeping with the eating that came from the door. This went on for quite some time and John was beginning to get crazy, with never seeing or talking to anybody. He had made a scratch in the wall every time a meal came. It was always the same thing, some bread with a few vegetables, mashed potatoes and a bottle of water. When he made the 25th scratch, he took the plate and smashed it against the wall. It broke at the impact and John got a large sharp from the ground. He didn´t want to die, but he knew, that if he didn´t see a person in the next few days, he will go insane. And he´d rather die, than go insane in this prison. He also speculated, that they needed him alive, since they were keeping him fed and hydrated, so maybe he would get to see a doctor, any person would be welcome by now. So, he took his arm and made a deep cut, enough to make it bleep a lot. He cried out in pain, maybe a bit louder than necessary and sat on the ground, because he was scared of fainting. The blood leaking out of his arm, was starting to form a puddle on the ground and his vision got blurry. Partly from the blood loss and partly from the exhaustion. He saw two guards come in and put a bag over his head, even though he couldn´t really see anything anyways. They dragged him behind them over the ground and he tries to walk the best he could. He struggled a bit against their gripped but was too weak to do anything. They enter a room, which looked like a hospital room. John was brought to a bed and laid down on it. A nurse came in and gave him a serum, before taking up her sewing kit. John passed out from the serum a few seconds later, everything going black again.
He opened his eyes slowly against the blinding light. When his eyes finally adjusted to the light, he could see a woman standing over him, fussing around at his arm. He groaned, as the throbbing pain in the arm came back and the woman looked up. She dropped his arm on the mattress and introduced herself:,, Hi, I´m Lee, your doctor. Your arm is healing very well, the cut luckily wasn´t that deep and didn´t hit any vital arteries, but it will probably scar. How are you feeling?” John looked up at her. She had middle long blond hair and dark hazelnut eyes. He sighed and answered:,, Soggy, but else okay. My arm still hurts a bit. How long was I out? ” Lee nodded and pointed to an IV connected to John´s arm. ,, Just a few hours. We are giving you pain meds though the IV-line, but it´s normal that it still hurts a bit. On the table is a glass of water and some bread, eat it. I gotta go.” She turned around and let him lie there, watching after her through the door. He heard the door being locked and looked down to his ankles. His ankles are bound to the bed with some sort of shackles. He reaches down to try and open them, but he will need a key or something sharp. As he picks up the glass and drinks the water, he feels relieved, that his plan worked. At least he saw people again and had someone talk to him. He laid back down and took the loaf of bread. When he looked at it, he thought that this was not a lot, but when he was done, he felt full. His stomach really shrunk to the size of a peanut. He laid back down and tried to fall asleep, which worked actually, and he started dreaming for the first time in weeks. When he woke up again, there was a man sitting on a chair beside his bed. His first instinct was to run, but then he remembered that he was bound and just tried to sound as casually as he could, as he said:,, And who the hell are you?” The guy looked up from his paper and laid it down on the table. He looked at John and then answered:,, I´m the guy who put you here.” ,,Here the hospital or here the bunker?” John retorted and the guy chuckled slightly. He said:,, Both. But first things first, how are we feeling today?” John rolled his eyes and didn´t answer. When the silence became unbearable, John said:,, Like I asked you before, who are you?” The guy shifted in his chair and finally answered:,, I´m the boss, that´s all you need to know. But you´re asking me the wrong questions.” John sighed and said, with a bit annoyance in his tone:,, Okay, then why am I here? Not here the hospital, I don´t have amnesia, here the bunker.” The boss smiled a bit and answered:,, That is the right question. So, you know how you and your friends started using this place to hang out and play?” John rolled his eyes, but tried to stall so he said:,, Then why can´t you answer this very right question. But yeah, it was a nice place behind a small fence, in which we would always crawl through. Nobody ever said anything about it, so we just kept going there. There was a little cottage in which we went when it rained. It was like our little safe heaven. Why, what about it?” ,,Well, it may surprise you, but nobody was supposed to go there. Hence the fence and posters. But you, you meddling kids, just wouldn´t go away.” His face grew somewhat angry, and John tried to sooth him:,, Hey, we never wanted to do anything or trespass into forbidden territory. If you would have just told us, or anything we would have stopped. But no, you kidnap me just for that? Why not just shoot us?” The face of the boss relaxed, and he told John:,, No I didn´t just kidnap you for that. You stole something from us. From me. A list and I need it back. We searched in your room, but we couldn´t find it and I wanted it back. And now you´re going to tell me where it is. You get now why I kidnapped you.” John was still in the dark and didn´t get it. Maybe his brain was a bit meddled from the drugs, but he couldn´t connect any paper to this kidnapping. But then he remembered the piece of paper from the cottage. He had been right it was an owe list. He looked at the man and said:,, Hey, that was you. Thanks for cleaning up my room. I never have motivation to do that.” The boss rolled his eyes and answered:,, You´ll never see that room again. And you will tell us soon enough.” ,, Oh, are you going to torture me?” John said it with sarcasm in his voice, but when the man said:,, oh no, we´ll just make you forget you didn´t want to tell us.” John felt fear gripping his heart. John sighed and looked at the boss. He had one last question:,, What is your real name. You know I´m going to die anyway and apparently forget everything, so might as well tell me.” The boss chuckled a bit and answered:,, I´m not stupid. What if you find a way to escape? No, my name will remain a secret to you.” John sighed, having hoped to find out something. The boss stood up and went to the door. But just before he reached the door, he turned around and said:,, I know that you only hurt yourself, so the white room torture would end, but as soon as you are fully healed, you´re going back into that room, alone.” With that he shut the door and John was alone in the room. He sighed and leaned back on the bed, trying to relax a little. It worked and soon enough he fell asleep. The next two days he stayed at the hospital as his wound began to heal. He saw Doctor Lee three times a day to check up on him and he slowly started to become used to the routine, but on the afternoon of the second day, Lee came to his bed, looking pensive and informed him, that he is to go back into his cell today. He was healthy enough. But before that, she injected him with something and said:,, You´ll still get pain meds once a day. You´ll feel a bit confused and like your going crazy, but it´s for your best.” Then two men in uniforms and with guns came into the hospital room and took him back to his cell, where he sat down on the floor and started to cry. He wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the prospect of being alone again. Maybe it was the thought, that he was going to die here. Maybe it was knowing that he was being used and not looked at like a real person. Or it was the thought of forgetting everything, like the boss said. Or maybe it was the knowing, that his friends were moaning him being broken and him sitting here alive, but unable to help or tell help them. But then he knows the main reason. It was that he was going to die, without ever telling Lucas how he felt and that he will never gonna get a chance to. And that was broke him and he stopped fighting to get out of there. He accepted the meals and injections without complained and felt himself drift of more often. It was okay, he told him, it´s better this way.
They finally arrived at Liz´s flat and went in. Everything was a bit awkward silent, until Heather said:,, Is it just me, or are you hungry from that too?” The others looked up and Lucas said:,, Wow, your timing is on point.” And the two girls laughed, because they were exhausted, and they needed it. Lucas just smiled a bit and tried to stop himself from crying, because everything still reminded him of John. But they noticed that Heather was right, they hadn´t eaten in a long time and were all really hungry. They just did noodles with tomato sauce because it was the only thing they had and all of them were too lazy to go to the store. When they sat down at the table, and started eating, Heather asked:,, Okay, it´s been 9 days and the police say, that he´s probably dead by now and we don´t have a lot of information. We have the drive and the photos, which might reveal something, but maybe the police are right. I mean we know he was kidnapped and that it was planned for him.” Heather looked at the other two and Lucas immediately said:,, Noo, he´s still alive and I can prove it. You remember how I got a text from an unknown number, a little bit after he went missing.” Heather and Liz nodded, and Lucas continued:,, Okay, and how I told you it was from John. I still stand by that and if they wanted to kill him, why not just do it immediately. I hat to say it, but they are keeping him alive, because they need him.” Liz and Heather shared a short look and Liz answered:,, Look, I might not agree with you entirely, but if you know in your heart, that he is still alive, we have to trust in your instinct, right? And I get what you´re saying about how they are keeping alive.” She looked to Heather, who nodded, and Lucas answered:,, I know so, and thanks for believing me.” Heather said:,, No problem, but let´s find out, what our newest investigations will tell us.” They cleaned the table and went into Heather´s room and down the trapdoor, after checking the lights of the house, they didn´t feel like going up until the next morning. They went down and Heather put the USB-Stick into the TV, so they could all see what it showed. Heather opened the first folder, and it were a lot of Photos. She opened the first one, and it showed them four, sitting at the little cottage they found in the woods, laughing. As they clicked through the rest of the Photos, the noticed, that it all showed them, and especially John, in different locations and situations, but mostly at that little cottage. All except one Photo, which was of an underground station, on which there was a red circle around one of the doors. When they were through, they opened the second folder. There was only one text that said: Your payment will be 5.000 Euros in cash and a brand-new passport. Bring me the four kids on the photo alive, but unconscious. If he comes to harm, you´ll have a problem. You have to bring him to the named underground station and through the door. You will get a partner, which will oversee everything you do. Do your job well or it will be last thing you do. -The Boss They all read through the text and the first person to say something was Liz, saying:,, Who the hell is the boss?” Then Heather asked:,, What subway?” At last Lucas got out of his freeze and asked:,, John didn´t have anything to do this with?” To that Heather had an answer:,, Not willingly, but he stole the owe list and I´m guessing they want it back.” Lucas sighed and answered Heather question:,, Probably the one on the photo, which we saw in the other folder. But the real question is, why do they want that list? What is so special about it? They all went silent and thought about it. Then Heather said:,, I remember always hearing weird things and feeling like we were being watched at that place.” Lucas looked at her and said:,, And you didn´t think to tell us a little bit earlier.” She shrugged and said:,, I forgot, we haven´t hung out there since almost half a year ago. I´m sorry, I didn´t mean to keep any information from you.” ,,Hey, it´s okay. Now we know where we have to look. That must also be where John found that list.” Liz says, laying a hand on Heather´s shoulder. That calmed her down and she nodded, agreeing to their plan. They were already on their way out, when Liz asked:,, Hey, you really want to go there now? It´s already 11 o´clock in the night.” Lucas turned around and said:,, I don´t care. We´re going there now, we can´t lose any more time.” Lucas was already putting on his jacket, when Heather stopped him and said:,, Okay, but let me get something first.” Heather disappeared into her room, while Liz put on her jacket too. Heather reappeared, with various objects in her arm. There was a bow and arrow for Liz and a knife for Lucas. For herself Heather brought a dagger and a sword. When the others looked at her questioning, she explained:,, It´s a sword, a walking stick and a double-bladed sword.” Heather clicks on a button and the blade gets surrounded by metal, that looks like wood and the sword just looks like a normal walking stock. Liz immediately asked:,, Did you build that yourself?” ,,No and yes, I had a bit of help from a friend, but the idea was my own” She laid the walking stick against the door and took Liz´s bow and arrow and showed her a button, that made it into a fight stick and the one that made it transportable. While showing it Heather explained:,, I needed weapons, that I could make small and unfindable, but also fast to access. So, a walking stick and a bundle was a good idea.” Then Heather pushed the red button on the side and the bow slowly folded itself smaller, until it was a little square. Then she gave it Liz, who put it in her backpack, where she already had stored the arrows. Then Heather gave Lucas two bigger knife and explained:,, You use them double handed or single-handed. It´s also a good tool, since they are small and don´t weigh a lot. You take this belt and you put the knifes behind your back in the pockets made for them. That way you can access them fast, but other people can´t see it.” They all put on their weapons and shoes and went on their way through the darkness of the night.
When they arrived at the fence, that was around the place, it took them a bit to find the hole in the darkness, even though they had brought flashlights. When they finally found it, they all went through and to the small house, standing in the middle. They opened the door, but inside everything was torn apart. The books were ripped from the shelves and the whole house was a mess. They carefully went through it, so not to disturb anything. Liz tried to turn on the light, but the only lightbulb laid shattered on the ground. So, they tried to find anything in the chaos with their flashlights, but that didn´t work. Not until, Lucas sat on the ground, because he was tired and something under carpet and looked under it. He called Heather and Liz and said:,, Here is a trapdoor. How did we never notice this before?” Heather looked around and then said:,, Because it was always covered up with the carpet. Do you think we can open it?” They laid the trapdoor free from the chaos and Liz noticed a handle. They pulled the handle out and tried opening it with sheer force, but that didn´t seem to work. The trapdoor didn´t budge one bit. After a few moments of useless pulling at the handle, they looked around the house, for something to open it. Then Lucas pulled out one of his knifes a put it between the trapdoor and the floor. He felt a bit of resistance and noticed, that someone had glued it together. He was able to pull the two pieces of wood apart, and after a few more attempts they were able to open the trapdoor. It revealed narrow, dark stair going down into what the thought to be cellar. They weren´t sure to go in, but when they illuminated it with one of their flashlights it looked fairly safe. Heather went into the cellar first and held her sword before her body, as a shield. They went down and when they reached the end, they could see a long corridor with only a door at the end. They went through it and Liz turned around every few feet to look behind them, even though she was pretty sure that no one followed them. When they arrived at the door, to their surprise it opened easily, and they all went inside. Lucas noticed a light switch next to the door and turned on the lights. What they saw left all three of them speechless. There was a big square room and in the middle a long, wooden table on which laid a lot of plastic bags. On the far end of the room, there was a smaller metal table and a stool. On the metal table there was a stack of papers and a few loose ones on the ground. A thin layer of dust indicates that no one had been there for a long time. While Lucas opened one of the plastic bags, Liz and Heather went to the table at the far end of the room. Lucas held a small package with a white powder in it up and asked:,, What the hell is this? Flour?” Heather was just reading on of the papers, when she looked up and answered:,, No, I would guess it´s some form of drugs. Probably heroine.” Lucas let it fall back into the bag and asked:,, How do you know this?” Heather turned the sheet around and said:,, This is a sheet about some form of contract. I don´t really understand it, but it definitely involves drugs.” Heather laid the paper down to where it was before and took out her phone. She typed a number in her phone and said to Liz and Lucas:,, I´m going to call the police and tell them we stumbled on this by accident. Don´t disturb anything, this is a crime scene.” Heather went up, to get cell reception and Liz put the sheets back down, carefully watching that everything is exactly where it was. When Liz and Lucas went up the stair a short time after, they heard Heather still talking to the first responder. They went out of the house and Liz asked Lucas:,, How did we never notice this? A drug factory right under our noises.” Lucas shook his head and said:,, I would never have known if it wasn´t for this. But now we finally know why they attacked John specifically. But why kidnap him, instead of searching for it or telling us to give it back. Knowing me, that would have probably worked.” Liz shrugged and answered:,, I don´t know those criminals normally don´t think rationally. But when we catch this guy, we can ask him ourselves” Just when Lucas wanted to ask something more, Heather came through the door and said:,, Well, they should be here in 10 minutes, so sit tight, we´re supposed to wait here.” They both nodded and went back inside. They sat down on the sofa and Lucas roamed through the shelves. Then he started to talk:,, It feels like I haven´t been here in forever. You remember when we used to hang out here every weekend. Doing homework, roaming through the woods, playing volleyball or bored games.” Heather and Liz smiled a bit and Liz said:,, Ha, that was two months ago. You acted like we are eighty.” Lucas chuckled a bit and answered:,, Well, I´m just saying.” But something felt wrong, without John being there. They heard a car pull up in front of the fence and went to check it out. It was the patrol car the police wanted to send. The three of them went to the two people and Heather said:,, Hello, I´m Heather. I was the one who called you. We found something in the cottage there.” She pointed over to said house and one of the officers said:,, I´m officer O´Delly, this is officer Bosko. Can you show us the crime scene?” Heather nodded and let them through the hole in the fence to the cottage. While all of this Lucas observed the whole scene. Officer O´Delly was an elderly man with a stern face, but a beaming smile. Officer Bosko was younger, and she had fiery red hair that was in a ponytail. She was a tad shorter than O´Delly, but stronger. When they arrived at the house, Heather led the two officers down into the basement, while Lucas and Liz watched from the trapdoor. In the basement officer Bosko asked:,, And how did you find this place anyway?” Heath looked up and answered without a flinch:,, This is a friend’s land and we wanted to check out the cottage. We found the trapdoor and thought it would just lead to an boring old cellar, but instead it lead to this. We didn´t know what it was, but it looked creepy, so we called you.” Officer O´Delly looked around and said:,, This could be a hiding place for refugees. They often use empty houses. We´re going to have to ask you to leave and send a team here to look for anything. And we´re going to need your fingerprints.” Heather nodded and they went out of the basement. Back in the living room the officers requested backup and told the kids to wait here. They sat down on chairs and the couch. Lucas asked the officers:,, Do you think you will find something out or is it a dead end?” Officer Bosko answered:,, Well, we don´t know anything yet and even if we did we couldn´t tell you. And by the way, why do you want to know so much about it anyway?” ,,Because I watch a lot of police series and am really interested in police work in general. Being part of something like this is awesome. Even when it is for the wrong reason.” Lucas answered honestly, while still disclosing some parts of the truth. Bosko looked questioning at him, like she suspected something, but eventually answered:,, Yeah, I watched a lot of those shows too.” She smiled at them and then they heard two cars stopping and went to show the men the way to the basement. While the team worked on the crime scene, the three friends sat outside on a bank, trying to figure out what to do next. ,,Look, all I´m saying is, if we call them they might be able to help us find out something.” Lucas said, but Heather disagreed:,, Look, even if they have time, they have their own cases and they have to abide by the same laws. They can´t tell us anything more than the other team can. We just have to sit tight and wait.” ,,Well, I´m going to call Marcel anyway and ask, can´t really hurt.” Lucas stood up and went a few feet away, calling Marcel. It rang three times, before Marcel answered:,, Hey, Lucas what´s going on? How is your investigation going?” ,,Good, you really helped. But I have to ask another favour.” Marcel sighed and answered:,, Okay, I´m here with my team. I told them that I helped you. Please explain how we can help.” Lucas sighed and thought about what to say to convince them and then tried to explain the situation:,, There was this cottage in which we would always be and now we have found a basement, that looks like a factory for drugs. Yes, we have called the police, but we think it has something to do with the kidnapping, but since it´s an ongoing investigation they aren´t allowed to tell us anything.” Lucas could hear Marcel sigh over the phone and quickly added:,, We don´t want to interfere with anything, just a few updates. I know the police has already given up finding John, since it´s been over a week, but we have information that makes us believe he is still alive.” ,,Wait, you have new Information and didn´t tell me! I told you to update me on everything. But okay, since you´re already head deep in this and this is our department, Łukasz and I are going to help you. Send me the address.” After a lot of thank you´s from Lucas they hung up and Lucas sent them the address. He went quickly back to Heather and Liz, who were speaking in low voices. When he came, they both stopped talking and waited for him to explain. ,,Marcel agreed to help. He´s going to check here everything out.” ,,That´s good. And since they´re a special team, independent from the normal police and have full immunity and means maybe they can really help us.” Heather threw into the conversation. Liz sighed and said.,, Welp, guess we have to wait again” When Marcel and Łukasz finally arrived, the three of them had started to play Volleyball and talking about, when Heather´s parents will return. They were supposed to be back a few days ago, but the ship isn´t going due to winds, so they are stuck there. They also knew that they have to start going to school again, since the excuse of needing time to mourn doesn´t really work anymore. Just when they started to wonder why the school let them skip school in the first place, Marcel and Łukasz came around the cottage and they stopped playing. Lucas explained the situation to them, while they went down into the basement and Marcel said, that this is exactly their department. Arriving in the cellar Marcel almost immediately went to Officer Bosko and asked:,, Have you found anything?” She looked up from her paper and answered:,, Not really. From the papers found we can conclude that this must be some sort of drug storage. But we have no idea who it belongs to yet.” ,,Okay, keep searching, maybe you´ll find something.” Bosko nodded and went back to sorting the papers. They went back up and settled down right outside the cabin since the inside was a crime scene. When they all had sat down, Łukasz immediately asked:,, Okay, I can´t believe, that you happened to stumble upon a drug storage, so as long as you can´t give me a good explanation for this, I have to assumed that you could be suspects.” The kids looked at each other and after a few moments, Lucas started to explain their situation. With the help of the girls, they were able to explain the situation okay enough, for Łukasz to tell them:,, Okay, I get it. I heard about that missing person. But just running into a potentially dangerous drug-dealer is not very smart. And you knew about this and didn´t think to tell me?” He turned to Marcel, looking at him accusingly. Marcel held up his arms and answered:,, It was just a favour for a friend. Look, I didn´t think anything by it, but when we got the call today, I knew. It sounded like organized crime. It wasn´t important and I didn´t want to worry you about it.” ,,Oh, yeah. That’s typical you. Thinking you can do everything on your own.” ,, I was able to do it on my own.” Marcel shot back, trying to defend himself. Łukasz threw up his arms and asked, annoyed:,, Were you ever going to tell me or was it just another of your solo missions?” ,,It wasn´t a mission and I told you, didn´t I?” ,,Yeah, just because I was there, it wasn´t the plan. I was just your back-up, right?” Marcel looked a bit hurt and answered:,, Hey, I would never disclose anything from you, you´re my best friend.” ,,What about the mission in Afghanistan?” ,,That was a one-time thing, and you knew about it. Look, you had enough on your plate and I wasn´t even going anywhere.” ,,Look I´m just worried about you. Every time you just leave without me you get hurt. Let´s not do a rerun of the Shellbourn debacle, okay?” Marcel nodded and seemed just then to remember the three kids were still there and asked them:,, You didn´t hear any of that, okay?” Liz and Heather nodded, but Lucas asked, not being able to help himself:,, What was the Shellbourn debacle?” Marcel and Łukasz looked at each other, before Marcel answered:,, That is none of your business.” Luckily before Lucas could ask more questions, Bosko came out of the house and said:,, We found something. Oh, and we´re done processing the place.” They all stood up and Marcel asked:,, What did you find? Fire away.” ,,Okay, we know that this was a drug storage for a mob. The chef of the mob goes by the name The Boss and from what we found in the papers, this was used by him and his business-partner el cabone. They exchanged money and drugs and information here. You might have chased them away, since there hasn´t been someone down there for about half a year, until you barged in.” They all nodded, and Heather asked:,, Okay, do we have any idea where other storages or standpoints might be?” Before Bosko could answer, Marcel said:,, Hey, don´t you think your going to be running into anything. This is our job, not yours.” Heather sighed and answered:,, I know, but I want to be kept up to date, John is our friend. We can´t just sit here and do nothing.” ,,Look, I get that, but your still kids and I can´t let you run into any dangerous situations, but there is something I can do. I´ll make you honorary team members and you´ll be kept up to date, okay?” They all nodded and since they couldn´t really find anything else, they all made their way to the headquarters of the team.
It took the kids a bit longer, since they had to go by bus and Marcel and Łukasz were already talking to the rest of the team. When they were on their way in the elevator, Lucas asked:,, Why do you think they let us help?” Liz answered:,, I´m not sure, but if you really want to know, just ask them.” They stepped out of the elevator and into a corridor. On both sides there were glass doors, which led to offices. At the far end of the corridor, they found Marcel and Łukasz, looking at a big screen, standing in front of a table. There were two other people, a woman, and a man, looking at the screen. Lucas announced them:,, Hey, we´re here.” They all turned around and Łukasz welcomed them:,, Welcome in our headquarters. This is Kono”, He pointed at the woman, who smiled and raised her hand, “And this is Chin.” He pointed at the man, who nodded as an acknowledgement. They stood around the table and Kono said:,, and this is the smart table. The best helper you could ever ask for.” The kids looked down at the table and realised, that it was like a big tablet. On the one side, there was a list of names and on the other one, you could see a map, which had certain points marked. When you look up, to the screen, you could see a profile of a man, and Lucas immediately said:,, That´s the one I fought against.” ,,We know, someone gave us an anonymous tip about it.” Marcel looked at them questioning and Liz said:,, That was us, but don´t tell anyone. It wasn´t exactly legal.” ,, Yeah, I already guessed that. Well, we´re not going to tell anyone, but never do it again, okay?” They all nodded, knowing that they should tell the authorities, even if it´s just for their own safety. Heather looked down at the list of the names and noticed that it was a call history of a burner phone. Heather didn´t recognise any of the names, except the store at which the jacket came from. She pointed that out and Chin answered:,, Yeah, we found it in the flat, that you kinda broke into.” Liz chuckled a bit and asked:,, Who are all those people? Family, Friends, business partners?” ,,We´re not completely sure. This one”, Steve tips on one of the numbers and it popped up on the screen. It showed the number, a name and a photo of a young women,” is probably his ex. He called her three times in the last 48 hours, but she never answered. We think maybe she knew something, or he wanted to tell her something. We´re going to check out her flat and find out what we can.” Marcel and Łukasz were already half out the door, when Lucas held them back and asked:,, Hey, can I come? You’re not even going to notice me there.” The two of them looked at each other for a moment, then Marcel answered:,, Fine, but you make one wrong movement, your out.” His face showed no room for discussion and Lucas nodded, running after them. The other four just stood around undecided for a bit, until Heather asked:,, We have any other leads?” While searching through the other numbers, Liz had an idea. ,,Hey, since now we have you, we could just search the store, couldn´t we?” Kono sighed and answered:,, We might be a help to the police, but that´s not how it works. We do need a search warrant. But you are right. With that new information, we might be able to get one. Especially with the connection to the organized crime and the list you just gave us. ” They agreed to check it out and Heather and Liz were allowed to drive in the backseat. Arriving at the police station, they went in and went straight to the offices. Arriving at the captain´s office they knocked and went in, when a voice inside answered:,, Come in.” The office had a big desk in the middle, behind which sat a middle-aged man. On both sides at the walls there were shelves to the ceiling, stacked with papers. Liz had to stop herself from pointing out, that it looked like all the offices of police captains you would see on the TV. Them man behind the desk looked up from the paper he was working on and greeted them:,, Hey, Kono, Chin. I see you´ve brought guest´s.” He nodded in the direction of the girls and Kono answered:,, Yeah, they are actually the reason we are here. You have heard about the missing case about Johnathan Frakes, right?”, The chef nodded,” We believe, that we found a lead, which could lead us to the man, or rather organization responsible. Can we get a warrant for this place?” Kono laid down a piece of paper with the address on the table. The police chef picked it up and asked:,, And why do you think it has anything to do with our missing person´s case?” Chin pulled out a tablet and showed the police chef something and explained:,, Well, we had an anonymous tip, which led us to this guy. And we found a burner phone in his house, after he told us everything. We also found a hidden room, in which was a map, where the place of this shop was marked. On the burner phone we found a call history in which he called this number in the last three days. We think it may be a standpoint for the organization, that kidnapped John.” The police chief nodded and answered, when Chin was done:,, Okay, this seems fair. I´ll give you the warrant, when you tell me how you even got this case.” Before one of the adults could answer, Liz stepped forward and explained:,, Well, that´s kind of my fault. I had a friend, a roommate actually and he´s a friend of Marcel and he put us into contact with him. And Marcel wanted to help us once we told him the story.” The chief looked at Liz for a moment, like he was trying to read her mind, but eventually answered:,, It´s a weird way to get a case, but I´m satisfied. You can have your warrant, wait a second.” He tipped a bit into his computer and then printed the warrant. Before giving it to them, he signed it and put a stamp at the end. Then he gave it to Kono and said:,, I´m giving this to you, because I´m trusting you. Don´t make me look stupid.” They all nodded and thanked him. When they were back in the car, Liz asked:,, Is it always this easy to get a warrant?” ,,Normally not, but we are still part of the police and we had a good explanation and it was obviously our department. The police trust us.” Chin answered, without taking his eyes of the road. Before he could explain something more, Heather asked:,, Are we driving to the shop now?” Kono looked back at the girls and answered:,, That was the plan. Well, we were going to call Marcel and Łukasz and ask them for their help.” Both girl’s nod and Kono turned back, calling Marcel. After fifteen minutes they arrive at the shop, Marcel and Łukasz were already there. They all got out of the car and Liz immediately asked:,, How the hell did you get here so fast?” Łukasz was the first one to answer:,, Because this animal here was driving like a maniac!” He pointed at Marcel, who just held up his arms and said:,, I just didn´t want to leave them waiting.” Łukasz rolled his eyes and said:,, Well, then let´s go.” They went into the shop, while the kids waited by the car, not being allowed in. They hit the bell and waited to see if anyone would come to the counter. When after ten minutes still no one came to the counter, the four agreed to go into the back. Drawing their weapons at the possibility of danger, Marcel pushed the door open with his foot. There was a hallway with four doors, and they agreed to take one each. When Łukasz and Marcel arrived at the far end of the corridors, they opened the doors on either side. One was a storage room, full of suits and other clothing. The other one is an almost empty room, with big windows and a door to the outside. When Marcel went into that room, he saw someone in the mirror at one of the corners and that someone saw him too. He heard the shot, before he saw it, because he had crouched himself behind the doorframe. Łukasz in the opposite room heard the shots too and was about to run out of the room, when he heard Marcel call:,, No, stay there or you going to get hit.” Marcel heard Łukasz groan in the other room, but ignored it, trying to look around the corner. He radioed to the other two:,, I have a suspect in the room on the far left right. Come to the window and try to apprehend him.” He heard agreement over the radio, except from Łukasz, who said:,, Oh, they get to apprehend the suspect, while I have to just sit here?” Marcel waited a bit, after the shots ceased and then he heard Kono called:,, We got him, boss.” Marcel stood up to go into the room. Łukasz went in after him and he said:,, Book him, Vladi.” ,,Ey, you know I hate that.” Łukasz answered annoyed but took the suspect anyway. But before leaving he said:,, They are willing to kill for their drugs. I don´t think we should let the kids be involved anymore. It´s too dangerous.” Marcel looked at him for a second and then said:,, I hate to agree with you, but you´re right. We can´t put them in danger, we´ll just shut them out of this case. It´s for their own good. We never should have them pulled into this in the first playe.” They all nodded in sad agreement, having liked the kids, and not wanting to tell them to stay benched. But this was way to big for them. Walking out of the store, they put the suspect in the back of the arriving patrol car and drove to the headquarters. Arriving at the front door, they asked the kids if they wanted to get something to eat. All three immediately agreed and they set of in the direction of the city. They arrived at a small alley and Lucas asked:,, Where are we going?” They stopped at a small shop at the end of the alley and Łukasz answered:,, Here.” The shop looked old, but lovely and they all went in. Inside the store was a lot bigger than it looked. In a big hall with red walls and parquet floor. The tables were put circular around a round bar in the middle, at which stood a stressed man, bringing drinks to the people sitting on bar chairs around said bar. A few of the tables were filled with people on comfortable looking chairs, but most of them were empty. The guy behind the bar pointed at a table at the far-left corner. They sat down and a young woman gave them the menu. ,,You can order everything on the menu, we´ll pay.” Marcel said and opened his menu. Before anyone could answer, Łukasz said:,, You mean, I´ll pay.” Marcel rolled his eyes and answered:,, Who cares! Let´s just eat.” Łukasz sighed and said:,, Well, he isn´t wrong. Let´s eat.” They all ordered and while waiting for their food, Lucas asked:,, So, you find anything?” The four of them shared a look and Kono answered:,, Not a lot and by the way, that´s hardly dinner table conversation. Tell us something about you. How did you first meet?” And with that the case was forgotten and they jumped into stories about each other. When the food came, Łukasz was just talking about a story where Marcel and he were on a boat and somehow it turned into a high jacking. Somehow they came to the theme of holidays and Lucas started to explain a story John and he experienced:,, We were in Italy for the fall holidays and there was a day which was really hot. We were chilling at the beach behind the house, when John said he would get some ice cubes for his water. When he returned, he asked me why we had such weird ice cubes. And I wondered what he meant, because as I remembered that we had normal ones. When I went to the freezer and looked in it, I realized a cool pack missing. When I went to ask him, he said he cut that open and put the blue gel inside in his drink. And then I got, why it tasted bad, because that is not an ice cube.” ,,Isn´t John really mature?” Liz asked, thinking that in school John is always the one acting mature. Lucas chuckled and answered:,, He is a really mature and smart, but then sometimes he is a mistake in person, doing incredibly stupid shit.” They all laughed at that and then Łukasz jumped into a story of one of their cases. After they ordered their desserts and ate them, they got ready to leave, but Marcel held them back. He looked grave and said:,, There is something we have to talk about.” The three kids shared puzzled looks and Heather asked:,, What is it?” ,,Well as much as we love having a bit of extra help, we can´t have you helping us out anymore.” Kono explained, sounding honestly sad, but Liz didn´t get that and asked:,, What did we do wrong? We can change that.” Chin sighed and answered:,, No, you didn´t do anything wrong. It´s just too dangerous for children on this case. We have to guarantee your safety, but we can´t do that in this case. And it´s a conflict of interest because the case too close to you. We have to cut you off. We´re so sorry.” There was a short silence and then Heather said:,, Okay, we are just going to go.” They stood up and left the team sitting there, stunned. The kids went out of the shop and down the now dark alley. Arriving at Headquarters, because they only knew their way home their, Lucas was the first one to break the silence:,, You both know that I´m not going to stop, right?” Liz nodded and said:,, Yes, unfortunately. Even though I kind of have to agree with them. This is a tad too big for us. They were ready to shoot people to keep their secret. Also, I trust the team to handle the case with care.” ,,But I can´t sit around and do nothing, so I´m going to investigate further, with or without your help.” And with that, Lucas left in the way of Heather´s home. Liz and Heather went after him, sharing a look of concern. Arriving finally at the flat Heather opened the door and they went into Heather´s room. Before Lucas could go into the basement, Heather stopped him and asked:,, What is going on? We agreed to help you.” Lucas turned around, tears in his eyes and answered:,, I know. But why don´t they believe I can handle it? Why am I so powerless in that decision?” He sat down on the desk chair and looked at the girls helplessly. They shared a look and Liz answered:,, You aren´t powerless. You found out a lot that helped them and we can still fight and find out more.” ,,Yeah, but we don´t have the tools they have. What are we supposed to do?” Lucas was still sounding grave but looked up from the ground. Heather looked him in the eyes and said:,, We´ll do what we can. Look at the things we have and work out any leads we might have. And then we will find him, okay?” Lucas nodded and stood up, going to the trapdoor. When they reached the basement, they almost immediately went to the dorm and fell asleep, all being sleep deprived.

Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Lucas rose with a scream, his eyes wide with shock. He sat upright and tried to get up and run, but he was tangled up in his sheets, falling face flat onto the ground. In the fall he had squeezed his eyes shut and now he reopened them. When he looked around he noticed that he wasn´t in a dark corridor, but in the dorm from Heather and that he wasn´t being chased. He sat up and controlled his breathing, getting a bit calmer. He was still breathing heavily, and his heart was beating like crazy, but the world wasn´t spinning anymore and he wasn´t in fear of his life anymore. Checking if Liz or Heather had woken up, but they were both sleeping soundly in their beds. He stood up and entangled his bedsheets. He went out of the dorm as silently as he could and went to get a tablet. He opened it and opened the file the did of the diaries that John wrote over the course of his life. The first one was from when he was about 10 years old, and his handwriting was chaotic. Even more than it was now. Lucas settled into a chair and started reading. After having read through the first book, he laid it down and went to get the next one, when he noticed that his eyes were burning. He had started to cry halfway through the book, his cheeks were stained with tears. He tried to wipe them away with his shirt, but before he could reach the door he started to cry and let himself fall onto the couch by the door. He was sobbing now and tried to keep quiet as to not wake the girls. Sometimes a strangled noise left him, but after a while he just sat there, silent tears running down his cheeks. He didn´t know how long he had sat there, but the next clear thing he remembered was that he heard rummaging in the dorm like room. He looked up and strained himself to hear what was happening. The girls were waking up and noticing that he wasn´t there. Lucas knew he had to get out of there, but didn´t want them to worry again, so he took a piece of paper and wrote a message to the girls. Then he took his tablet and went out the door, which led to the dark corridor and the training room. He opened the door to his right and found the familiar dark corridor, which led nowhere. He started walking down the long corridor, not expecting to find anything. His cheeks were still stained with his tears and his eyes were bloodshot, but he wasn´t crying anymore. After a while, Lucas had no feeling of time anymore, he reached the end of the corridor. It was a dark metal door, locked with a lock that looked like it was ages old. He slid down the door and sat on the ground, opening the tablet. He opened a file with photos of their holidays and clicked through them. But this time, no tears sprang to his eyes, but a fire, that he had experienced before started to burn in his heart and it gave him new courage. Because at that moment his heart screamed at him to not give up and that John was still alive. The last photo of them was at the airport, sitting on a bench and watching something on John´s phone. They were both laughing, and Lucas realized, that he wanted to make new ones. He wanted a lifetime of memories with John, and he was never going to give up on him. And something that his heart had been telling him since John went missing finally became clear to him. John was still alive, and Lucas was going to get him out of there, no matter where he is. With that in his mind Lucas stood up and went back down the corridor. Because he didn´t want to lose any more time, he checked the tablet, while walking down the corridor, looking at the photos from the hitman. He noticed a recurring photo of an old subway stop on the outskirts of town. It was put of use because it wasn´t used often enough. He reached the end of the corridor and heard Heather and Liz talking on the other side of the doors. He went into the circular room, and both immediately looked at him and stopped talking. ,,Sorry, I didn´t want to worry you. I just needed to clear my head and get some time to think, but now I know what we have to do.” He explained quickly and showed them the photos and elaborated:,, I remembered that this is an old underground station. It was shut down, but I used it as a child a bit, so I should still know where it is. There is a photo of it here, so I thought it had to be important.” Heather listened to him and then said:,, Good work. Then we should definitely go there. But the much more important question is, did you sleep enough?” Lucas waved his hand in disregard and answered:,, Yeah, yeah. I´m fine. I have slept, so let´s go.” Liz sighed, but went to get dressed, nevertheless. The others followed suit. They left the flat prepared to go into battle and stepped out into the cold of the early morning. They went the short way to the subway station and brought tickets. When they finally had sat down in the train, Lucas asked into the round:,, So, anyone have a plan, because I don´t.” Heather shrugged and answered:,, Well, at first we´re going to try and find out every information we can. And then we go in. Preferably undetected. I have a thermal imagining camera, with which we will find any persons behind doors and stuff, but it still will be dangerous. And before you say anything, we´re not going to bail, we will have your back, always.” Liz nodded while Heather said this and when she finished, added:,, Yes and you won´t have to save him alone.” ,,Thanks, guys. Okay, then let´s save our friend.” Lucas said and stood up, since they had to get out at the next stop. When the train stopped, and the doors opened they stepped out on the train stop. They went out into the cold winter evening and Lucas went strictly right, down the street. After walking down, the street for about five minutes, when Lucas took a left turn and went down a small, dark alley. Heather and Liz looked at each other for a moment and then followed Lucas. The went down a few meters into the alley before Lucas stopped and turned around. ,,Okay, here is a door to the subway station on the left side. Let´s hope it´s open.” Lucas went to the door and pulled down the handle and tried to open it. But it wouldn´t budge a bit. After trying to open it with more force, he gave up and turned to the girls. Heather was already rummaging in her backpack. She pulled out a lock-pick and gave it to Liz, who put it into the lock and tried to pick it. After a minute or so, they heard a small clicking sound and Liz could open the door. The went into the subway station, turning on their flashlights. Since there was a creepy silence, Lucas started to talk:,, I remember being here with my father when I was a child. We were here on holiday, because my mother liked cities and London was fairly close to our home. So, when my mother had work to do or would rest a bit, my father and I would explore this city. Just driving anywhere with the subway. This quickly became our favourite station because it was old and not too crowded. We would explore here for hours, finding hidden passages and doors. That´s how we found that door”, he points to the door through which they came in, ”and we started mapping the whole place. We felt like heroes of our own story, searching for a treasure. I always fought that would be the kind of life I would live, not one of losing people.” He sighed and looked at the empty station and the old wagon that stood there. Liz and Heather shared a look of worry and then Heather broke the silence:,, Well, we haven´t lost John yet. We´re are really close to finding him.” ,,Maybe, but we don´t know, is we will find him alive. And that´s why we have to be prepared for everything when we walk through that door. Please keep that in mind.” Liz said, knowing that it wasn´t helping, but feeling the need to say it anyway. Lucas looked shocked for a moment and then made his face into a mask. He pulled out the photo from his pocket and looked at it. After a little while he pointed at the other side of the rails and said:,, The door has to be there. Let´s go.” The girls followed Lucas a bit behind, and Heather hissed at Liz:,, What the hell? Why did you say that?” She turned to Heather and answered, in the same hushed voice:,, Because we were all thinking it. I know that Lucas still believes that John is alive and I hope that he is, but we both know the likeness of that. So, he needs to be prepared for that. And we need to be prepared too.” ,,I know, but is now really the right time?” ,,Maybe not, but we can´t go in there, not being prepared.” ,,How are you so calm about this?” ,,I´m not. I´m scared right now. This whole situation is scaring the shit out of me, but I can let that affect me. We must be ready to face anything. You should know that.” Heather sighed and laid a hand on Liz´s shoulder:,, Of course, I know that. But that doesn´t mean I have to like it.” Just as Liz wanted to say something, Lucas called from up front:,, I found the door. Come on.” Liz and Heather went to Lucas and looked at the metal door, which is the one they saw on the photo. Heather pulled the thermal imaging camera from her backpack and pointed it at the door. Through the metal you could see a thermal signature of a body and now they were sure, that they are in the right place. Liz had a plan and said to the other´s:,, Okay, I will get him to open the door and you guys will hit him over the head to knock him out, okay?” The other two nodded and they went in position, hiding at the wall. Liz knocked at the door and set on her most innocent face. The door opened and a tall man, dressed completely in black, looked at Liz and asked:,, What do you want?” Liz stepped back a few steps and answered:,, I´m sorry to annoy you, but my friend got hurt and I wanted to ask if you could call help or know what to do. Please.” Liz looked up begging and the guy said:,, Okay, where is she?” He stepped out of the doorframe and Heather and Lucas both stood behind the guy, when Liz said:,, Right behind you.” Before the guy could even start to turn around, Heather and Lucas both hit him over the head hard enough to knock him out. He fell onto the ground and Liz stepped back a few more steps. ,,So, that was the first step.” Heather said, while crunching down and searching through the pockets of the guy. She pulled out a walkie-talkie, an electrocutor and a bottle of water. At least they assumed it was water. They went through the door, and all pulled out their weapons. Liz had a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other, ready to shoot. Lucas had a dagger in his right hand and has his left hand raised high with a flashlight. Heather had her stick in her right and her backpack still on her back. They moved slowly down the dark corridor, only illuminated by their flashlights. After walking for a bit, they reached a crossroad, where there was a way to the left and one to the right. They stood there for a moment. Undecided. But then Lucas said:,, Let´s check out both ways. I´ll go right, you´ll go left. And we meet here in half an hour. One of us is late, the other´s will go down that alley. Okay?” The girls both nodded and they split up. Lucas had put on a timer on his phone for fifteen minutes and started walking down the dark corridor. He gripped his dagger tighter and shone his flashlight everywhere, as to not miss anything. After a while he came to another crossroad, a Y-shaped one. He took the right path but drew a point at the wall to the tunnel he came from, as to be able to find the way back. After five minutes of walking, the silence only being disturbed by his own footsteps, he found another door. Not knowing what else to do, he tried opening it and to his surprise it did actually open. He only opened a small crack and peered through. Behind it was a brightly lit room, which at the first glance looked like a hospital. Or better a room, in which someone made into an emergency hospital. Opening the door a bit more, Lucas could see two more things. One: There were two guards with guns at the entrance on the other side. And two: behind one of the curtains was lying someone and a nurse or a doctor was bustling around them. He could see their shadows. Now he was convinced that he was in the right place. He looked down at his phone and noticed, that the timer was about to go off. So, he put it out and closed the door as silent as he could. He turned around and started to walk back. Arriving at the second crossroad and following the point he drew; he walked the last few meters. Arriving at the first crossroad, he didn´t see the girls but decided to wait for a few minutes, since he was sure they would just arrive a bit late. After a few more minutes of waiting he got fidgety and started pacing around. When after ten minutes the girls still haven´t come back, he decided to call them. But of course, here down in the tunnels there is no cell service. So, he decided to walk after them. To check if they are okay because the thought of losing them too was agonising. Just when he wanted to start walking the girls ran out of the tunnel ahead of him, both painting. Lucas looked at them for a second and then asked them, anger evident in his voice:,, Where the hell have you been?” ,,Sorry, we walked down the corridor and totally forgot the time.” Liz apologised. But instead of screaming at them, Lucas just pulled both of them into a hug and muttered:,, I was worried.” After they parted, Lucas explained to the girls what he found and they agree, that it must be the right address. But before they can walk there, Liz held them back and said:,, We should call someone, and let them no we´re here. If something goes wrong, they know where to find us.” ,,But who could we call. Definitely not our parents, they would immediately send a police escort here, to get us out, but not find John. And not the police, they´ll do the same.” We could call Marcel.” Lucas suggested, He´s been silent about our involvement so far. And I´m sure they could help.” The girls agreed, mainly because they knew it was their only option. So, Lucas pulled out his phone and called Marcel. After a few seconds of waiting, the mailbox of Marcel Schmelzer answers and Lucas speak on it:,, Hey, this is Lucas. You know, the one from the missing person case you´re on. Against your better judgment we investigated on our own and now we think we found their base. It´s through an old door at the closed of subway station Heamway, we marked it. Just walk down the tunnel and at the crossroad left. We´re already going in, because if we wait longer, something bad might happen to John. Hope you get this. Oh, and maybe come with reinforcement. I don´t know what we will find there. Well, wish us luck.” Lucas hung up and asked:,, Okay, let´s go?” ,,That was an odd voicemail, but yeah. Let´s go!” They set out into the way to the hospital room. When they arrived at the door, they pulled out their weapons, pushed the door open and turned their lights off. Sneaking in, they hoped no one would notice them, but on the first notice the room seemed empty. They moved to the middle of the room when they heard a rustling behind them and turn around. Before them stood a young girl in a hospital, her long brown hair falling uncombed in her eyes. Before any of them could say something, the girl asked:,, Who are you?” Liz was the first one to get out of her freeze and kneeled down before the girl. She asked her:,, We´re here to save someone we care about. You have that, right? Someone you care about.” The girl shook her head and looked at the floor. Liz laid a hand on her shoulder, which made the girl flinch a bit so Liz pulled her hand back and said:,, Hey, what´s your name?” ,,Inmate 009” In the meantime, Heather and Lucas had come to crouch beside Liz and now Lucas asked:,, What?” The girl looked up again and said:,, Inmate 009, that´s how they always call me.” The three rescuers looked up at each other and then Liz asked:,, How long have you been in here?” ,,I don´t know. I don´t remember anything else, but these walls.” The girl couldn´t have been older than twelve, but that is a long time to be couped up in these walls. ,,Can you remember why you are in the hospital?” Lucas asked, with worry in his voice. Of course, he was thinking of John. If they would do something to a little girl so that he would land in the hospital, he doesn´t even want to know what they would do to John. ,,I don´t know, but in the last few years I´m often in the hospital.” Knowing they have to go further into the base, Lucas asked the little girl:,, Hey, how about you go back to bed, you look really tired.” The girl nodded and started walking to her bed, when her energy left her, and she started to stumble. Then she fell, but Heather caught her and put her up in the bed. Pulling the sheets over her, she sighed, while pushing a strand hair out of the eyes of the girl. ,,I can´t believe there are people who would do this kind of thing. She is still a child. Okay, we can´t do anything for her now. We have to find John and then hope the police show up.” They all turned around when they heard the door opening and footsteps coming forward them. They all stood there frozen in place for a short moment and then all lay under the bed of the girl, not thinking of any other hiding place. The footsteps stopped before the bed of the girl and they heard someone waking the girl up. She groaned and then they heard her saying:,, What is it?” ,,I thought I heard something. Did anyone get in here? Did you see someone?” They heard the girl shuffling in her bed and answer:,, No, all has been silent.” They all let out a collective breath, as the man went away. When they heard the door close, they got out from under the bed and thanked the little girl. She just answered:,, You guys were the only nice people in this place but now you should go.” They nodded and went to the door. Opening it a bit all was quiet behind it. They went through it and behind it found a well-lit corridor. After a few moments, Heather said:,, As much as I love walking down this corridor with you. I don´t think it´s going to lead us anywhere. We´re going to have to try the doors.” ,,Yeah maybe, but I don´t want to go into a room filled with guys with guns. That would be counterproductive.” Lucas answered and then went to the first door and listened. After a few seconds he stood up and said:,, Sounds quiet. I think we can safely enter.” Before he could push down the handle, Heather pulled him back and asked:,, Did you forget, that we have a thermal imaging camera. We could check with it to be sure.” ,,Yeah, right.” Lucas answered, nodding, and stepping back a bit. Heather pulled it out of her backpack and held it to the door. Behind it they couldn´t see any images that resembled human bodies, so they assumed the room behind was empty. Lucas went back to the door, pushed down the handle and noticed that the door was locked. He laughed a bit and them hissed:,, Maybe we should check if the door whether the door is locked or not.” They agreed and split up, walking up and down the corridor, checking whether doors are locked. After checking almost every door, Liz finally found an unlocked door, which was empty, after checking. They opened it slowly and went almost in complete silence inside, still fearing that there could be someone there that they didn´t see. But the room was empty, and they could go into it with out any problems. At first they wondered, why a secret base had an unlocked room, but then they realised, that it wasn´t an important room. It locked like an old office but judging by the dust covering the chairs and the desk no one had been here in years. There was an old desk against one of the walls and a chair before that. At the other side of the room there stood an old shelf with different sheets of papers lying on top of it and folders in different colours. Liz went to it and pulled out one of the folders, a green one, and opened it. Inside she found sheets of papers scribbled with different dates and numbers. Liz flipped through it, but wouldn´t get smart out of it. So she laid it on the table and pulled out a red one. This one was empty, except for a little sheet of paper, on which were the words I can´t do this anymore. I´m leaving, you can´t stop me. -Woody She showed it to the other two and Heather answered:,, I don´t think that´s going to help us, but let´s mark this room, so we can give the evidence to the police later.” ,,Okay, let´s check out, whether there are other important doors.” Lucas said, already going to the door. The girls nodded and followed him to the door. Being back in the corridor and not having come any further, they started to feel like this was a waste of time. They were kids, they were not going to stop a drug dealer. But even with that in mind, they had to keep fighting even if it was hopeless. They went down the corridor and found a door with a lock at the door. It was different than the others, so they stood before it, while they tried to pick the lock. After a while they heard a small click sound and Heather could open the door. Behind it they saw a conference room and it was lucky that Liz had pulled her bow ready to fire, because behind they saw a man sitting in a chair, smoking a cigarette. The second he saw us, he reached for the gun on the table, but Liz was faster and said:,, don´t even think about it.” The arrow pointed at his heart and a look of pure determination on her face. He pulled back his hand and Heather went to pick up the gun. She disarmed it and took the magazine with her. The man made a try to leave, but thought better of it, since Liz shot an arrow right above his shoulder and was already fitting in a new one. Heather took out rope from her backpack and bound the hands of the man behind his back and sat him down in a corner. When they were done, Liz finally lowered her bow and asked:,, Can you tell us where they keep the prisoners?” Their prisoner looked up and suddenly looked scared. He looked around the room with panic in his eyes and said:,, I don´t know. I´m just a henchman and they don´t tell me anything. Please don´t kill me, that´s not how I planned this job to go down.” The kids look at each other for a second, before Heather answered:,, We´re kids, we´re not going to kill you. But we are giving you to the police once we get out of here.” She takes out duct tape and silences the man with it. Then they put rope on his legs, so he can´t walk away. After they are done with that, Liz asked the other two:,, Okay, I know we´re saving someone here, but what the hell are we doing. We´re kids, but somehow I find this really cool. Is that wrong?” Lucas shook his head and said:,, No, we´re saving our friend. And it´s good it´s not completely wrong for us. Besides, we´re not hurting anybody. And I think you finding this cool is the adrenaline” Liz nodded slowly and they went out of the room, trusting in their binding skills. Another door further down the corridor was locked by a electrical lock. Lucas went down to try to open it, but Heather stopped her, saying:,, There might be a wrong number alarm build in. So, when we give in the wrong number, an alarm goes off. We have to find another way.” She bend down beside Lucas and pulled off the lining. Behind it, they found an complicated wiring and they looked at each other puzzled. Heather was already pulling something out of her backpack. It looked like a little book, with a button on one side. Heather put it down next to the door and said:,, Okay, this sends out an EMP, which should cause a power failure in this whole compound. I build it mostly by myself, so not sure if it works, but let´s try.” She bend down again and pressed the button. A little lamp at the side of the box lit up and for a second nothing happened. Liz looked up her and said:,, Wow, that helped.” But just as she wanted to drop another funny comment, everything went black. For a second no one said anything, then Lucas asked:,, Anyone have any light?” He heard a bit of shuffling of feet and then a small hiss from Heather, following from a quiet:,, Sorry.” From Liz. And then, after a few more moment, there was a little green glow, which illuminated the dark just enough for Lucas to see Heather searching for something in her backpack and Liz standing behind her one arm on her shoulder. Lucas went over to them and asked Heather:,, That´s all the light we´re gonna get?” Heather looked up and answered:,, Yes, well no. I´m not sure. I do have flashlights, but I´m not sure if they´re gonna work.” She pulled out a flashlight and threw it to Lucas, who caught it surprised and switched it on. For a second they were afraid it might short circuit, but it switched on and stayed on. So, Heather pulled out a second one and switched it on. They were strong enough to light up almost the whole hallway, but the ends were still invisible. They looked at the door and Lucas turned around, his back to the door. Then he brought his knee up and knocked on the door with a lot of force. It buckled a bit, but didn´t give away. Luas tried again and after a few tries, the door finally opened. Liz had picked up her bow in the meantime and was trimming it at the room after the door, Heather illuminating it with her flashlight. But behind it was nothing. Or at least that´s what they fought. But when they opened the door completely, the saw it. They saw him. He was sitting on the ground looking at the wall, following the cracks in the stone ground. He was only skin and bones and didn´t look up, even when Lucas sat down beside him and said:,, Hi, I´m Lucas. What´s your name?” The guy looked up. His cheeks were hollow, his lips ripped open from dehydration and his eyes still a sparkling green, the only colour in his face. But they are empty, as he said:,, Inmate 003. Here for betrayal.” It sounded like he was a robot, programmed to say this. The guy, inmate 003, turned back to his following of the lines and his long dark, greasy hair, falls back over his face. Lucas is relieved because he couldn´t have looked into those empty eyes for much longer. He stood back up and looked at the girls, who just looked at him back, until Heather broke the silence:,, There is nothing we can do for him now, we have to wait for the police. Let´s search the other doors.” There was an unspoken fear in all of them. What if John was the same. What if he couldn´t remember them. What if he believes a lie, that his kidnappers had put in his head? And what if…. There were a million different outcomes and Lucas played all of them through in his head and is about to puke. He never saw anyone like that guy in the cell. Someone with no hope, someone so starved. The three of them had made an silent agreement to not say anything about what they just saw. He imagined John, lying somewhere in a cell, hopeless with the knowledge that he will not die, because these people will keep him alive. He shakes his head and bans those images from his mind, they will not help. He spots a different door a bit down the corridor, pointed to it and said:,, There, maybe it´s another cell.” They went to it, and it does have the same electronic lock as the door before. They broke open that door too, but Lucas hesitated on opening the door. The images crept up to him again and now he didn´t want to open the door anymore. What if he finds John behind it, what if he doesn´t find him? He didn´t know which is worse. He takes a deep breath, before opening the door and shining inside the room. He had been correct; it was another cell. And Lucas immediately recognised the burning red hair. It shone, even in this dark cell. But when he ran to John, to hug him, John scrambled away, still on the ground. When he reached the wall, he pulled up his legs and looked at Lucas, his green-brown iris almost invisible, because his pupils are big from the darkness. He´s shielding his face and eyes with his arms, when Lucas shines the flashlight, so he turned it away. For a second he can´t move, he can´t even breath, to shocked at seeing John like that. His witty, smart, and confident best friend, his lifesaver, sitting in a cell broken and not remembering him. John lowered his arms slowly and Lucas saw the same emptiness in his eyes. And as if something snapped in his brain, Lucas asked:,, What´s your name?” A few words have never been this hard to speak. John looked up and answered:,, Inmate 007.” He had the same monotone voice as the guy in the other cell. Lucas can´t help, but shift closer and ask:,, Do you know me?” He hoped, that against all odds, John still knew who he was, but John just answered:,, I´m not allowed to talk to people.” And looked right through Lucas. Lucas was so focused on John, that he jumped a bit, when Liz laid a hand on his shoulder and said:,, We will find a way, but not here. We don´t have much time. There are bad guys on the way here. They check the cells, to see who cause the blackout. They will be here soon, we have to go.” He heard Heather pull shut the door, to give them more time, but didn’t care. He isn´t going to leave John here. Not after finding him now. So instead of standing up, he scooted closer to John and reached his hand out, to put in on John shoulder. To his surprise, he didn´t shy away from the touch, but ignored him further, just looking at the wall. Lucas couldn´t take it anymore and said:,, It´s me. Lucas. You´re best friend.” He felt his voice break and his eyes fill with tears, but he couldn´t tear his eyes away from John, to afraid that he would just disappear. But then he heard it, the banging on the door, someone trying to break it. The goons were trying to get in the cell. Liz had an arrow in her bow and pointed it at the door. Heather having her stick out, looking ready to fight. And then the door opened, and the bad guys came in. For the first few moments there is a bit of chaos, but when someone trained a gun on John, Lucas turned around and yelled:,, Noo, don´t.” Putting himself between John and the gun. The guy turned around and said, a sneer on his face:,, He doesn´t even remember you. If the roles were reversed, he wouldn´t care. But if you care so much about him, just surrender and he won´t die.” Lucas immediately dropped the knife he was holding and put his arms up. The girls following him, knowing he would never forgive them, if they didn´t. So, after not even two minutes of fighting, they had to surrender and now they were being led into a different room, which looked like an interrogation room. The walls were plain and there were no windows. At one wall there were three chairs and each of them having handcuffs on them. They were being sat down and handcuffed to the chairs. And even though john was there with them, they knew it wasn´t their John, not the one they lost. Lucas still looked at John, his face a mix of sadness and shock. The bad guys left, but John stayed, again just acting like they weren´t there. For the first time, since they had found him, Heather spoke up:,, Hey John, I know you´re somewhere in there. We just have to get you out, it´ll be alright.” She looked at him and Lucas saw hope in her eyes, hope of getting back her best friend. Since John didn´t react, she just kept talking:,, I know you can fight this. You´re one of the strongest people I know. And you never shied away from a challenge. You remember the time when we played on the schoolgrounds and you wanted to play football with the other kids, but you didn´t want to leave me alone. So, you went to the other kids and asked if we could play with them. They said that I wasn´t allowed to play with them, because I’m a girl. Bunch of douchbags.” She chuckled a bit at the memory, but in her eyes were shining tears:,, But you said, that we were a package deal, they want you, they get me too. And I was so happy at that moment because no one ever stood up for me like that. That was the moment I realised, that this friendship is forever. Please don´t let me be wrong.” She looked at him and the first tears were streaming down her cheeks, but her face showed no sign of weakness and her eyes looked straight at John, who still looked right through her. But then Heather said:,, You´re my family and I love you, please be in there somewhere.” And for a second John eyes became clear, and he looked down at Heather. A look of recognition crossed over his face, and he said:,, Heather?” Like he hadn´t seen her in years and wasn´t sure if it was really her. Heather let out a huffed laugh and answered:,, Yes, I´m Heather.” But as fast as the moment came, as fast was it over and John was back to staring at the wall. Heather pulled hard at her handcuffs out of frustration and yelled:,, Why are we here, this is so stupid!” Just as she was about to go on a rant, the door opened, and a guy stepped in. Dressed in all black, broad shoulder and features of the south. He pulled out a gun and said:,, There is a reason why you’re here. It´s to show you, that the person you knew as John is dead. This is inmate 007. A completely different person. And I will prove it to you.” He gave the gun in his hand to John, who took it without question. Then the guy ordered:,, Shoot the dark one in the leg.” John raised the gun at Lucas and aimed at his leg. Lucas was suddenly terrified and begged:,, No, please John if you ever loved me, don´t shoot.” Lucas thought he saw John hand tremble, but then he heard the explosion from the gun and short after a searing pain in his leg. The bullet had pierced through his lower leg. His first instinct was to clap his hands over the wound, but they were still bound to the chair, so all he did was ram the handcuffs into his wrists. He heard himself scream from the pain, but his eyes never left John, who let the gun fall to the ground. Lucas thought he saw a tear tickle down John´s cheek, but maybe he was just hallucinating things, because of the pain. He heard Heather scream:,, You son of a bitch!” The man just chuckled and answered:,, Hey, language. Okay, I´ll let you think about what I said. Bye.” He smiled a bit and turned around, taking John with him, leaving the kids alone again. Lucas had resolved to biting his lips, in order to not scream in pain. Heather was trying to find her lock-pick. She had put it in her sock and was just pulling it out. The handcuffs were luckily like normal police handcuffs, and it was easy for her to pick it. When she had freed herself she went over to Lucas and freed him too. The goons had taken her backpack, but hadn´t searched her jacket, so he pulled out a compress and put it onto the bullet wound. Liz was still scared about Lucas, but couldn´t hold back a witty comment:,, Wow, fixing a bullet wound with a band aid. Nice.” Heather just rolled her eyes and pulled out piece of clothe out under her jacket and bound it around Lucas´s lower leg. Then she went to Liz and freed her and after that Lucas too. He tried to stand up to go to John, but Heather put him down and said:,, Do not move. The bullet is a through and through. Luckily it didn´t hit your bone or any big blood vessels. But you´re still losing a lot of blood, so don´t move and put your leg up.” Liz had put her chair on the opposite of his and Heather laid Lucas´s leg up. He hissed a bit, but else didn´t say anything. Heather took her own chair and sat next to Lucas´s laid up leg. She put down her jacket and undressed her hoodie. She pulled up Lucas´s pants and looked at the wound close up. Her first impression had been right. It wasn´t to bad, but they definitely should get to the hospital as soon as possible. She took her hoodie and bound it around the wound, hoping it would stop the worst of the bleeding. After that she looked around at Liz, just a Liz asked:,, Doesn´t this room have video surveillance?” Heather looked around the room and answered:,, Doubt it. One, I don´t see any cameras and two there would already be someone to bind us back to our chairs, if there would be video surveillance.” Liz just nodded and looked around the room. She was trying to find a way out of the room. At one corner was a small hole for air, but none of them could fit through it. The door was reinforced steel, they’re not going to break through that. But maybe they could get someone to get down here and open the door. Liz was forming a plan in her head. When she turned around, she saw Heather was giving Lucas a pill for the pain. She told them about her plan, and since the other two couldn´t come up with a better one, they agreed. Heather pulled out her lock-pick and was busy trying to pick the lock. They just needed someone to put in the code and they could open the door from the inside. After having opened the conventional lock, Heather crouched behind the door and Liz went back to her chair. For the plan to work, someone had to hear them, but they had to assume they could. After everyone was on their positions, Lucas started screaming, like he was in a lot of pain, which he probably was. He let it all out. The pain from the bullet wound, the desperation of seeing John like this. After a few moments they thought it didn´t work, but then they heard a small click sound from the door. Before the person outside had any chance of opening the door, Heather kicked it open from the inside, hitting the person behind it, who can be heard swearing. Heather jumped up from the inside of the room and just as the person, was recovering from the hit on the nose, Heather took her pocketknife to the throat of that person and said:,, If I was you, I´d drop that gun.” As told, the woman dropped the gun and Liz was there in an instant, picking it up and disarming it. The woman had a walkie-talkie on her uniform, which Heather took. They took the Woman inside the blank room and Heather asked Lucas:,, Can you walk?” But Lucas didn´t move. He just looked at the wall and asked:,, Does it even matter?” His face was blank, except for the tears running down his face. He didn´t look up at them, and just kept staring at the wall. Heather and Liz went back inside and while Heather was handcuffing their prisoner to the free chair, Liz went to Lucas. She crouched before him, so she was on his eyelevel. Then she asked:,, What is happening. You know we have to get out of here.” Lucas finally looked up and asked back:,, Why, it doesn´t matter, does it?” His face was twisted in sadness, and he kept talking:,, This whole mission was for nothing. It doesn´t matter that we got here and it doesn´t matter that we found him. Because he doesn´t remember us. He doesn´t remember me. Or he does and he just doesn´t care. And I can´t tell you what is worse. But you both know as well as I do, that we´re dead to him, do might a well just die.” Lucas´s voice got louder and more desperate at the end, and he cried openly now, his face now showed the sadness and desperation he felt. Liz was silent for a moment, fighting back her own tears, but then she looked Lucas in the eyes and said, voice steadier than she felt:,, No. No one can forget someone they love in the span of under two weeks. He might be confused now, but he will remember you, you just need to make him remember him. Don´t give him up that easily, he´s stronger than you think. He will come back to us. You just have to hold on a little longer.” ,,Everyone keeps telling me that, but what if it doesn´t work. What if he doesn´t remember me, no matter how long I hold on?” Lucas answered, he now sounded a mixture of angry and scared. Now Heather came to them, crouched beside Liz, and answered:,, He is not going to remember you when you don´t try. If he´ll never see you again, he´ll never remember you. You have to get up and fight for him. For him to remember you.” For a while everything was silent, until Lucas said:,, Okay, then let´s find him and make him remember.” He looked braver than he felt, but he knew the girls were right. But he still felt that giving up in his heart, but he also knew, that this John seized whole in his heart was only being fixed, if they find a way to save him. So, he stood up and limped to the door. He had the energy and willpower to move, but not to talk, so he just expected the other two to follow. They went down one corridor and after a while, Heather asked:,, Do you know where we´re going?” Lucas just shrugged and kept walking. Heather was about ask something, but Liz held her back and whispered:,, Let him be. He needs time.” Heather looked at her and answered:,, But we´re never finding John like this.” Liz stopped in her tracks and pulled Heather with her. Lucas just kept walking. ,,Look, I get that you´re worried about him. I´m worried too, but he needs his time, okay? He needs to realize that he has to keep fighting and that not everything is lost.” Heather said and Liz answered:,, I know, it´s just that time is something we don´t have.” Heather leaned down a bit and gave Liz a short kiss and then said:,, Let´s go save our family.” Liz nodded and they jogged a bit to catch up to Lucas. They went down the corridor a bit, until Lucas stopped and pulled open a door. To their surprise it opened, and they could go in. Behind it was another corridor. They went down that a bit, until they saw a person standing in the half-dark. Liz drew an arrow and was about to shoot a warning when Lucas shone at them, and they noticed their face. It was John. If it wasn´t so incredibly sad, it would have been ironic. Liz immediately dropped her bow and Lucas made a step to John. John reached to something on his chest and Lucas noticed a walkie-talkie pinned to his shirt. Lucas made another stepped towards him and said:,, No, please. If there is even the smallest part of you that still cares about us, cares about me. Then please don´t do this.” To his surprise, John stopped reaching for the walkie-talkie. Lucas took that as an encouragement, walked a few steps forward him and kept speaking:,, I remember both of us sitting on the rooftop after long training sessions or how you would stay with me in school, until I understood a topic in Math. You would always try to make me smile and I would always smile, just because you were there.” He took another step towards John they were only a foot apart now. John let his hand fall to his side, as Lucas kept talking:,, And somewhere along those late nights on rooftops and hour-long practises, just us two, I fell in love with you. Because you were there for me when I needed you. You made me smile, when I want to cry, and your smile could light up the world. But more than anything it was your understanding, your patience and how witty you are. For everything I said you had the witty come back. You had hour-long patience when there was something I was excited or sad about. And when I had something on my mind you understood and made me feel, like it was okay.” Lucas was crying now, tears running over his cheeks. He hesitated a moment and then surged forward to hug John. John still didn´t move and then Lucas said, as a last desperate attempt:,, Please, you have to remember me. You have to remember us.” He could feel John stiffen and then he heard him whisper one word:,, Luki?” It was just one word, but it gave Lucas hope. He pulled back a bit, just enough to look John in the eyes. Lucas raised his hand and cupped John´s cheek with it and answered:,, Yeah, that´s me. I´m Luki. Do you know why you remember me?” John looked him in the eyes, then back to the girls and then Lucas could see fear and confusion in his face, as he started talking:,, No, I don´t. I don´t remember anything, only that I knew you. Why can´t I remember? I should and I know in my heart, that I know you, but my brain can´t tell me, rationally you´re just a stranger. It´s like there was another life in which knew you. And I feel so bad, saying that I don´t remember anything, but I don´t and…” Lucas had heard enough. He put his hand to John´s cheek and then leaned forward, shutting him up with a short kiss. He pulled back fast since John didn´t respond in any way. But then he smiled a bit and said:,, You´re my best friend.” Lucas nodded and answered, with a sad smile on his lips:,, Yeah, I´m your best friend.” John surged forward and hugged him, with as much force as he could muster. How could he ever forget his best friend? He pulled back and looked at the girls, saying:,, I know you too. You´re my friends. My family.” They nodded and then Lucas stumbled a bit and had to lean onto the wall for support. John looked him up and down and said:,, You´re hurt.” He was still confused and tentative with what he said, still not sure what´s real and whether it was true, what he was thinking. He couldn´t trust his own mind. Lucas looked down and said:,, It´s fine, but we should get out of here.” The other three nodded and Lucas pushed away from the wall. He started to limp towards the door, that connects this corridor with the first one. Only now did he notice how tired he was. The last days, but especially the last hours and the blood loss was taking his toll on him. But he went farther, kept going, because he knew, that if they get out of here, he will get back his best friend. His lifeline, the person he loves most in this world. Of course, it hurt, that he couldn´t really remember him, but they had made a start. He knew now, that John doesn´t feel the same and that probably hurt more than anything else, but Lucas could keep those feelings down and help John through this hard time. He kept limping, trying to ignore the feeling in his stomach. Knowing that, he will never get to kiss him again and that he won´t remember what Lucas told him. That he will never be that one person to John. So, he just looked forward, not daring to look at John, fearing it would break him. So, they went down the corridor, not sure if they were going into the right direction. They just went down a few steps, when they heard voices, down the corridor. They stopped walking, put out their flashlights and looked around, for anything to take cover behind. They found a door and tried to open it, but it was looked, and they were pinned there. They thought about running, but where to. They could go down the last corridor, but they didn´t know where it would lead. So, they stood there their arms already raised. Lucas instantly put himself in front of John, who still looked a bit confused. They heard feet shuffle and then the people were coming around a corner and Heather said:,, Don´t shoot. We´re unarmed.” They had a flashlight shown at them and a voice asked:,, Yeah, we´re just going to shoot four kids we find in a dark corridor.” Heather recognised that voice and asked:,, Łukasz?” They heard another voice ask:,, Heather?” And then Liz asked:,, Marcel?” And then they heard little chuckle from where the light was shown and they heard Marcel says:,, Now that we all know each other. Why the hell are you here?” Heather´s eyes got used to the light and she could see Marcel and Łukasz standing in the middle of the corridor, their weapons still halfway raised and both a frown on their faces. She asked:,, Is this the right place?” ,,Um yes, I told you to not go here, but what do you do. You walk headfirst into danger without a good plan. You acted reckless.” Marcel answered, looking generally angry. But then Łukasz looked at him and said:,, You´re one to talk. You always jump into danger headfirst and without a thought. If anyone could get why they did this it´d be you.” Now Marcel turned around too and asked:,, Really, because I´m a child, like they are. And besides, I know how to take care of myself. Hey don´t.” ,,Hey, we´re not damsels in distress. We can completely take care of ourselves.” Heather said, annoyed that they´d ignore them. Marcel turned around to them and answered:,, You are quiet now, the adults are talking.” Heather opened her mouth to retort, but Lucas was faster:,, I get it, okay. And you can scold us all you want, but in case you forgot, I got shot. And we need to get John to the doctor as fast as we can. So, can you maybe stop bickering like an old married couple and show us a way out of here.” Marcel blushed a bit, but Łukasz just rolled his eyes and said:,, Okay, come on. We´ll get you out of here.” They waited, until the kids were with them and then started walking back around the corner and out of there. They were almost back at the door when they heard gunshots behind them. The kids ducked, while Marcel and Łukasz raised their guns before them and stood before the kids. Then they heard shouting and more gunshots. Marcel and Łukasz ran towards where the sound was coming from and the kids followed, not wanting to be left alone. Lucas had to bit on his tongue to not hiss, but he kept up. They reached another corridor and that´s when they saw the fighting. There were two parties, one dressed completely in black, the other in wine red. There was a corner, behind which hid the people in black. The people in red were crouching behind a black box and tried to get around the corner. The kids looked around scared, wanting to run away, but they knew they had to stay close to the adults, so they stayed. Rooted to the spot. Marcel and Łukasz went closer to the shootings as silently as possible. But the people in red still heard them and two of them turned around, wanting to open fire. They turned around and ran back, then opening a room and going in it. Lucas locked the door from the inside and the others shone their flashlights around the room. Lucas heard Heather laugh a bit and say:,, Wow, of all the rooms we could have fled in, we picked the armoury. What are the odds.” Lucas turned around and noticed that Heather was right. They had ended up in an armoury. It was a relatively small room, but the walls were littered with shelves, on which lay weapons. There was one shelf with guns, one with knifes and one with all kinds of different weapons. Liz already ran to a bow, lying on the top shelf. She took it down and weighed it in her hands. While Liz searched for arrows and Heather, Lucas and John just looked around, fascinated. Marcel already went in one corner, where there were bulletproof vests in a box. He pulled out four and gave them to the kids. They put them on and looked at Marcel and Łukasz expectantly. Marcel looked up from his weapon and said:,, I have plan, but you´re not going to like it.” Łukasz looked at him exhausted and then answered:,, I usually don´t like your plans, so enlighten us.” He was already reloading his gun, while Marcel explained his plan. When he was finished, Łukasz said:,, You were right. I don´t like it. But I don´t have a better plan. Everyone agrees with this plan?” They all nodded, except John, who just shrugged and looked away again. His eyes were still often glassy, like he wasn´t really here, but he never tried to run away. Marcel pulled the box with the vests into the middle of the room and stood on it. Then Liz, who was the lightest and smallest of them, was raised into the air. She opened a hatch in the ceiling. It was an air vent and the only way out of the room, other then the door, from which they still heard voices and gunfire. When she had the vent open, she went into it, pulling herself up into the shaft, with Marcel helping her from his spot in the box. The shaft was small and dusty. She had to bend her arms a bit, so she could crawl through it. It was dark and she only could see for a few metres. Before she went up, she had put a knife into her waistband, so she could defend herself or as a tool. Now she was crawling into the darkness, hoping the shaft wouldn´t open under her. After only a few moments the light from the hatch became less and less, until she couldn´t see her hand before her eyes. But still she went on, determined to find a way for them out of her. Just when she fought about turning around and telling the others there isn´t a way out, she felt an edge under her fingers. She almost fell headfirst through the hole, catching herself in the last moment. She looked down, but couldn´t see a floor. But everything was almost pitch black, and she could barely see the edge of the opening. So, she started lowering her feet into the opening. Then followed her legs and then her torso, until she was only holding on with her hands. Then she took all her bravery together and let go, falling into the darkness, because this her only chance. She felt her feet connect with the floor before she saw it. She felt a piercing pain in her ankle and then fell to her side, landing hard in a shelf. The shelf was stacked with folders and lose papers. She felt one falling onto her face and cutting into her cheek. She had rammed her side into one of the plates in the shelf. She was laying in a mountain of paper and tried to stand up. In here it was just a dark as in the vent, but she hoped it was light on the other side of the door. He hoped there was another side of a door. Her ankle still hurt, and she could feel a bad bruise forming, where a heavy folder hit her and the cut on her cheek was still bleeding. But she stood up and limped around the room, trying to find a door or at least a wall. Instead, she found another shelf, but when she went along this shelf, she finally could feel stone under her finger. She went a little farther up the wall and with a lot of luck, found a light switch. She switched it and a neon light flickered on. She had to shield her eyes from it because they were too used to the darkness. When she could finally lower her arms, she saw the whole room for the first time. It was a small room, crammed with shelfs, with folders over folders. The only free place was the door and the light switch next to it. In the middle of the room was a small space, where she had landed, and she could see the pile of folder she pulled onto the floor with her crash landing. She turned around and looked at the door. Her first idea was to just pull or push it open, but that didn´t work. Not that she really expected it to work. So, she pulled her knife out of her waistband and tried to pick the lock with it. It was easy because it was an old lock. After only a few moments of trying she heard a little click and could open the door. Before opening it she listened to the outside, but couldn´t hear anything that would indicate people outside. Then she opened the door fully and stepped outside, her knife raised in front of here just in case. But the corridor was empty, and the only light came from the room she just stepped out. She kept the door open to still have light and muttered under her breath:,, Why do they keep everything so dark.” She rolled her eyes and went down the corridor, hoping it was the right direction. The more she went down the darker the corridor got, but then she saw a light at the end of the tunnel. She quickened her steps and then even started running towards the light. Or more limping, since he couldn´t use her ankle. The angels must really be on her side because there was a base and she recognised Kono standing before a computer, a frown on her face. Just when she wanted to go to Kono, she got held back by an officer. She called out to Kono:,, Hey, I have never been so happy to see you. You have to help us.” She looked up and went over to her. To the officer she said:,, Let her go. She´s with me.” He let Liz´s arm go and went back to controlling the corridor just beyond the base. She pulled Liz into the base and sat her down before a table. Kono sat next to her and asked:,, How are you here? Where are the other four? Are you okay?” ,,I´m fine, just an ankle injury and maybe a broken rib, but else I´m fine. The others are in a small room and there was fighting before it, so we had to flee into it. I escaped through a vent. Please, you have to get them out of here.” Liz had talked her into a fit and now started to feel panic rise. But Kono laid a hand on her shoulder and comforted her:,, Hey, we´re are going to get them out of there, but you have to help. Can you do that?” Liz nodded, trying to drown out the panic and fear, so she can help save her friends. Kono took the map from the table and showed it to Liz. Then she asked:,, Do you know where they are? Can you show us the way you went? The red point are we.” Kono pointed at red dot, painted in one of the crossroads of the corridor. Liz looked down on the map. There were three corridors going away from the base and Liz wasn´t sure, which one she went out. She just says:,, I´m came down that corridor, but I´m not sure which one it is on the map. Do you have a map of the vents?” Kono stood up and went over to another table and picked up a second map. Liz pulled herself closer to the table and laid both maps down. Kono said down next to her and pointed at one of the corridors leading away from the base. “This is the one you came through, so do you know where you went into the vents?” Liz looked at the map for a moment and then said:,, There was a small room, filled with shelves. It was pretty small, not more than 3 metres in diameter.” They searched the corridor up and down for a room with those characteristics. Liz traced the corridor down and then pointed at a room and said:,, Maybe this one? It has a diameter of 2,9 metres. We could go down the corridor and check. There should be five doors before it. Let´s go.” ,,Okay, but we´re taking an escort, we don´t know whether there will be any complications. And I´m giving you something for your ankle and crotches.” Liz nodded and stood up. She rolled the maps in and tucked them under her arm, her knife again in her waistband. Kono called two cops in uniform to them and took a gun from a table and put it into her holster. After having bandaged Liz´s ankle and gave her crotches, they were ready to go. Then they went down the same corridor Liz ran to the base, retracing her steps. After finding the first door, with the help of the flashlights they had, Liz took the right map and rolled it out. She Pulled out a pencil and marked the room as seen. That way they went down the corridor, marking one door after another. After while Liz looked up and then saw the light she left on. She pointed at it and said:,, That´s my door. I left the light on.” They looked for other doors, but there weren´t any. So, Liz looked down on the map again and it was indeed the room they had anticipated. Liz wanted to go in, but Kono held her back and let the officers go in first. When they called back:,, All clear.” Liz and Kono went in and looked around. Liz pointed at the ceiling and explained:,, That´s the entrance to the vent. Here I jumped down and fell into that shelf.” She pointed at the pile of folders at the ground. She laid down the maps on the ground and set before them, letting her crotches just fall to the side. Marking the room, they were in red and then laying the maps over one another. The one with the vents on top. She held the pen already in her hand, when she looked up and asked Kono:,, Do you need them after this?” Kono shook her head and answered:,, No, it´s just a copy. Go ahead.” Liz aligned them right again and then poked a hole into both the maps at the place of their room. She then put the map with the rooms away and pulled the one with the vents into the light. The hole was close to an entrance into one of the vents. She expected that to be the right one. Laying the over map next to the first one, she could find out which way she had gone. She knew, that from the pile she went to the left wall and that was also the way she came. So, from the door to the left. She traced the vent line with the back of her pencil, until she reached an opening again. There had been no other opening on the way here, so that had to be the right one. Laying the two maps over each other again and poking another whole, she was able to mark the room where the others must be in. She held up the map and showed it to Kono, who just watched her. Kono answered:,, Okay, now that we know where they are, let´s get them out of there.” Liz gave the map to Kono, who motioned for the two officers to follow them. One of them was going through the folders, looked and said:,, We should get a team down here and file those folders, they could be of great use.” Kono nodded and answered:,, Okay, Hollison, you call a prosecuting team and wait for them here. Winterson, you’re with us.” Hollison went to their walkie-talkie to call a team, just a Liz and Kono, with Winterson trailing behind, went back to base. Arriving there, they met the team, on their way to Hollison. They sat down at the same table as before and Kono drew out a way to the room. They called a team together and just as they were about to leave, Liz asked:,, Where is Chin?” Kono looked up from reloading a half-automatic rifle and answered:,, He coordinates the camp outside in the station. Sadly, here we only can use walkie-talkies so we can´t reach him. But I´m sure he´s fine.” ,,Oh, no. I´m not worried about him. I´m more worried about us. And why haven´t Marcel and Łukasz responded over walkie-talkie?” Liz asked back, causing Kono to look worried and then answer:,, It probably got broken when they were fleeing. We should get going.” Liz nodded and was about to limp down the way, but Kono held her back and said:,, There is no way you´re going into a possibly dangerous situation, when you´re already injured. You´re staying here!” Her face left no discussion on, but Liz tried anyway:,, Please, these are my friends, my family. I can´t just here. It would drive me crazy.” Kono let her weapon hang from a strap across her shoulder and put both hands on Liz´s shoulders. She sighed and then said:,, You´re not coming. I know they mean the world to you, but you aren´t in any way fit to fight. You would rather be a hinderance. No offence, but it´s true. Besides, you don´t bring wounded soldiers into battle.” She let her arms fall and when she saw that Liz was about to disagree, she added:,, Oh, and if you try to come anyway, I will personally handcuff you to the wall.” This time Liz didn´t disagree, but just nodded and went back into the centre of the base. She let herself fall into a chair, defeated. But after just a few moments, she stood up again and started pacing around the camp, watching everyone. She tried to keep busy with counting the people, the chairs or the tables. When she saw the prosecuting team arrive in the camp, she made a bee line for them. She spotted Officer Holliston, went up to them and asked:,, Can I help you somehow?” They looked up from his clip-chart and answered:,, Sure, kid. Just come with me.” Liz followed them, happy about the distraction.

Chapter 13: Chapter 13

,,Why won´t this stupid thing work?” Łukasz exclaimed as he tried for the up tenth time to reach someone with his walkie-talkie. Marcel laid a hand on his shoulder and said:,, Hey, that´s not helping. It must have broken when we were fleeing.” To which he answered:,, Really, I thought it would just randomly work again when I just try often enough. I´m not stupid, Marcel!” ,,He´s right you know.” Lucas looked up from where he was sitting next to John, who, after having a mild panic attack, had gone back to staring blankly at the wall. ,,You´re bad attitude is not helping in our situation.” Łukasz threw up his arms and said:,, Oh, sorry. Sorry, that I see how ultimately screwed we are if you´re great plan doesn´t work.” When he was angry his polish accent really shone through. Marcel sighed and said:,, We´re not ultimately screwed. For now, we are safe and I´m confident out plan will work. And even if it doesn´t work, we´ll find a way out of here.” Łukasz was already opening his mouth to disagree, but Heather stepped in and intercepted:,, Hey, fighting helps no one right now. We just have to trust in Liz, that she can do it. I have full faith in her.” Her voice got quieter and, almost to herself, she added:,, I´ll always have faith in her.” The room was quiet again, until they heard John whisper:,, Liz, I know her too.” Everybody looked to John, whose eyes became clear again and he was looking a Heather. ,,You said Liz was gone, were is she?” ,,She is getting us out of here, do you remember?” Lucas asked, just as the other three sat down around them. John looked like he had to concentrate really hard, but finally spoke, barely above a whisper:,, Yes, I remember. She went through the vents. Guys, I remember something.” For the first he smiled really, an honest, bright smile. The smile that made Lucas fall in love with him. Lucas had to smile too and asked:,, Yes, that´s very good, John. Do you remember anything else?” John sighed, but started talking again:,, Yes, no. I´m not sure. It´s there and I know it, but it like I´m watching in through a dirty window. It´s all blurry. I know she is my best friend since about 7th grade, but I can´t tell you how we´ve met or why she´s my friend. Or one time we were picnicking in the park and you were there too”, He pointed at Heather, ,,And we ate watermelon and… and …” John stopped and looked around in a panic and then uttered:,, I don´t remember. It´s gone, the memory is gone.” Lucas a hand on his shoulder and Marcel stated:,, It´s okay. We´ll get you out of here. And then you´ll remember everything. And you four can laugh about the good old times. Uh, how those that sound?” John looked at him and voiced his concern:,, What if they can´t fix me. What if I´ll never remember my family?” This time it was Łukasz, who spoke up:,, That´s not going to happen. You can already remember a lot. It´s going to come back to you. It´s going to be okay. Every healing process needs time.” John nodded and then whispered:,, I just feel horrible, because I can´t even remember my best friend. Doesn´t that make me a bad friend?” Heather immediately rolled her eyes and exclaimed:,, Are you really that thick? We guys love you. With or with out your memories. You got kidnapped and drugged. None of this is your fault. You´re the best friend anyone could ask for. Right, Lucas.” ,,Yeah. Look, some people are lucky enough to have a best friend. I´m even luckier.” Lucas hesitated for a second and then said:,, I got a John.” In the same moment, John said:,, I got a Lucas.” Lucas smiled despite himself and asked:,, You remember it?” John shook his head sadly and said:,, The only things I remember are these and the fact, that you said them to me. Anything else is blurry. We were on a rooftop, right?” Lucas nodded and answered:,, I hope one day you´ll remember the whole day.” ,,So do I.” John mentioned it, like it was the most normal thing in the world, but there was heaviness as well as hope in his voice. Hope that one day, he´ll remember everything he did with his friends. The good ones as well as the bad ones. And suddenly a relief washed over him. Even though he barely knew, he knew those people, they were still by his side, until he remembered them. When he was about to fall into his own thought, he heard Lucas say:,, And even if you don´t remember anything, we´ll just make new memories.” John nodded, or at least he thought he did. He felt the exhaustion of the last days catch up to him. The not sleeping, waking up from nightmares and the injections. He felt his head fall to his side and onto a shoulder. He finally allowed himself to rest, just for a few seconds. He just had to close his eyes for a few seconds. Lucas looked down at John, whose head fell onto his left shoulder. His eyes closed and his breathing steady. Lucas shifted a bit, so he could raise his right arm and lay it in John´s hair. As much as he could still see the reddishness of hair, it was damped and not shining like it used to. When his eyes are closed, he could see the dark circles under his eyes. Marcel and Łukasz went into the other side of the room and talked in hushed voices with each other. Heather looked up at John and Lucas and asked:,, Do you really believe that he will remember anything?” Lucas looked away from John and answered Heather:,, I have to believe. Otherwise, I don´t know how to survive seeing him like this if I don´t.” Heather nodded, and John stirred in his sleep. Nuzzled closer to Lucas, who put his hand in his hair again. Heather hesitated for a second, before asking:,, Do you think you will ever tell him?” ,,Tell him what?” Lucas tried to sound calm, but there was a slight blush creeping up his cheeks. ,,You are a horrible liar, Lucas. You know what I mean.” Lucas looked down at John, who was dozing peacefully. He ran his hand through John´s hair, wishing it could shine in the sun again. When he looked up again, Heather was still looking at him, expecting him to answer. Finally, he did answer:,, I don´t think so. The only reason I told him, is because it was a desperate last attempt. Of course, it hurts knowing I can never tell him and that he doesn´t feel the same way. But he is my friend and I try to tell myself, that it´s enough.” ,,But you don´t believe that?” ,,No, I don´t. There´s always a little part of me that wants me to tell him. That tells me, that I could be happier. But I don´t want to make it worse or awkward. So, I just keep quiet and help him.” Heather nodded and then talked too:,, You know, I used to think that too. About Liz. I never wanted to tell her because I didn´t want to lose her. My only thought was, what if she doesn´t like me, what if she hates me? But when you ran away and we thought John was dead, the only thought in my head was, what if I lose her without getting to tell her. And then, for the first time in my life, I thought, what if she liked me back. Couldn´t I be even happier than I am. Love isn´t just finding your perfect half. It´s messy and chaotic. And it takes work. It´s the willingness to ruin a good relationship at the chance of a great one. The only question is whether you´re willing.” Lucas is quiet. Lost in his own thoughts. Of course, he knows that there is a possibility John likes him back, but he also knows, that right now is not the right time. Maybe there will never be a right time, but he had to wait. At least until John is completely recovered and can remember everything. Somehow he dreads and wishes, that John will remember his confession. One it would be an easy way out and he wouldn´t have to confess again. On the other hand, he then wouldn´t have the choice to not tell him. While he is still thinking, the gunfire outside doubles and John threw open his eyes and bolded upright. He looked around, panic in his eyes and screamed:,, Lucas, no! Please, you can´t leave!” Lucas pulled John in his arms and calmed him down:,, Hey, I´m here. I´m not going anywhere. Ever” John calmed down after few moments, while Marcel and Łukasz stood by the door, trying to figure out, what is going on outside. Heather had immediately jumped up and raised her gun but was now lowering it. The gunfire was still going strong, but the atmosphere inside the rom, settled again. Heather still had her gun in her hand, but it was lowered and unarmed. Lucas was still hugging John, whose breathing was steading. After a few minutes, the fire ceased. Marcel went to the door and unlocked it. He was opening it slowly, after hearing nothing from the outside. Łukasz had his gun raised and loaded, ready to fire on any attacker. But the corridor was empty. They opened the door completely and stepped out into the corridor. Heather was already stepping out behind them, btu they stopped her:,, No, you have to stay here. We´ll check if the coast is clear and then come get you. Take care of them, will you?” ,,Lucas can take care of John. I can help you fight.” Heather had a look of determination on her face. Marcel and Łukasz shared a look, before Marcel answered:,, Okay, but you stay behind us and don´t do anything stupid, okay?” Heather nodded and Łukasz turned around to Lucas and asked:,, Can you stay behind here. Close the door and be silent.” Lucas nodded and answered:,, Yeah, I got it.” Heather went and took a knife, as well as a gun. Putting the knife in her waistband, he kept the gun in her hands and closed the door. They went down the corridor. Guns and flashlights raised, on high alert. When they came to a corner, at which the corridor made a left turn. They went to the wall and Marcel looked around the corner. He saw people standing a bit away, talking to each other. He couldn´t see their faces, but they wore police uniforms, which why he relaxed and went around the corner. Łukasz and Heather were about to pull him back, when they heard a female voice call out to them:,, Marcel, thank God you´re okay.” It was Kono, who was running towards them. She was dressed in black, had her brown hair into a ponytail, her outgrown bangs, falling out of it. She has a half-automatic rifle other her shoulder with a strap. She hugged Marcel and then asked:,, Are the kids okay?” Marcel nodded and asked:,, As okay as they can be in a situation like this. But they will survive. Lucas and John are still in the room.” Kono spotted Łukasz and Liz and hugged them too. Then she asked:,, So, you have found John?” ,,Yes, but he´s not really good. He has lost some of his memory. Let´s get him out of here.” Liz answered and gestured the others to follow her. They went back the short distance and then stepped into the room. Lucas and John still sat on the ground, but now with their backs against the wall and John had his eyes closed. Kono squatted next to them and asked:,, Are you okay? Can you walk?” Lucas looked up and answered:,, Yeah, let´s get out of here.” John opened his eyes and Lucas was already standing up. But then he staggered and fell back. Luckily Kono could catch him. He looked up and said:,, Maybe I´m a bit hurt.” He looked down to his wound and Kono followed his look. ,,Yeah, you´re walking like that. How long have you had that bullet wound?” Lucas just shrugged and said:,, Don´t know. Half an hour.” Marcel was already walking towards them. He reached under Lucas´s one arm, while Kono reached under the other one. They raised him up and made a chair out of their hand for him, by linking their hands. They went out of the room, while Heather helped up John and they went after them. After a while John asked, barely above a whisper, so only Heather could hear him:,, Did I do that. I have this weird memory, that I did that.” He pointed at Lucas and not wanting to confront him with something to big, Heather lied to him:,, No, maybe you still feel guilty. It happened in a battle with a goon. No big deal, he´ll be okay.” She knew he was going to find out anyway, but now wasn´t the right time. John nodded but there was still a part of him that didn´t believe her. But he just let it go and kept walking behind Lucas. They arrived at the base after walking for about 10 minutes. They sat Lucas down onto a chair and John sat down on the table before it. Heather had a short flashback, to where John would always sit on tables, everywhere they went, but she shook her head and went over to Kono. She didn´t ask before, but now she couldn´t stop herself anymore:,, Where the hell is Liz?” It came out rougher than she wanted to too, but she was too worried to care. Kono looked up, ready to answer, when Heather heard a voice from behind:,, Your saviour is here.” Heather turned around and there stood Liz. Here left ankle bandage and her left eye was black and on the same cheek there is a cut, held together with wound-glue. She looked tired, but she was smiling and held out her arms for a hug. Heather made a step forward and let herself fall into Liz´s arms. She breathed in her scent and nuzzled into her hair:,, I was so worried. When they got us out and you weren´t there. I thought something terrible happened.” Heather hugged her a bit stronger, but when Liz winced in pain, she let go, just resting one hand on her shoulder. ,,Hey, I´m not ever leaving. You got me for the rest of your live.” Liz said, while shifting her weight a bit. She put her hands onto Heather´s shoulder and leaned onto her. Heather let Liz lean on her and asked:,, How did this happen?” She let her hand ghost over the cut and Liz answered:,, I fell into a shelf full of papers and folders. Jumping into a dark pit isn´t the best idea.” Heather rolled her eyes and then kissed Liz. Liz immediately reacted to it and kissed her back. Heather felt like she could breathe freely for the first timed in forever. When they pulled away, Heather smiled and whispered:,, Let´s get you to your family, my saviour.” She said the last two words with sarcasm. She put one hand under Liz´s knees and the other on her back and then she pulled her up. She carried Liz in bridal style to the table where John and Lucas sat. Two paramedics were looking at Lucas´s wound and then said:,, We should get to the hospital, they can sew it together. It´s likely to be infected from the bullet, which is why we will give you antibiotics for the next seven days.” They packed everything together and put Lucas onto a stretcher. The three others went to follow, but one of the paramedics stopped them and said:,, There should be an adult riding with us. And we should contact his parents as soon as we get to the hospital.” They were already wanting to argue, when Marcel stepped forward and said:,, I´ll drive with him in the ambulance. Łukasz will drive you to the hospital.” ,,Wow, I get to drive my own car. Best day of my life.” Łukasz joked. And even though they would rather have driven with Lucas in the ambulance, they agreed when Lucas gave them a reassuring smile. Lucas got escorted out under the close watch of Marcel, while Liz, Heather and John followed Łukasz. They went down the main corridor, until they reached the door, leading to the subway station. When they stepped into the subway station into the afternoon sun shining through the glass ceiling they saw the daughter base, where Chin sat at a table. Around him there were officer sorting papers and taking radio calls. They went to Chin and Łukasz asked:,, All good here?” Chin looked up from his paper and answered:,, Yeah, we´re just making sure everything is covered and then we´ll pack it up. Are you going?” ,,Yeah, I´m driving the kids to the hospital.” Łukasz gestured to Heather, Liz, and John. Chin looked at them and then said puzzled:,, Didn´t we tell you to stay out of this?” ,,Well yeah, but look how well that worked.” Heather answered and Chin sighed:,, Your loose tongue is going to get you killed one day.” Heather looked him in the eyes and answered:,, Yeah, but not today.” ,,Yeah, not today.” Chin turned to an officer and started asking him something. Łukasz gestured them to follow him. They went out of the subway station, having to shield their eyes. It was still bright, even in the late afternoon. They crossed a street, on which stood a lot of patrol cars and at the forefront, closest to the subway, a shining black Mercedes. Łukasz went to it and asked:,, Who wants to drive shotgun?” Heather and Liz immediately shouted:,, Me!” Łukasz just laughed and turned to John, asking:,, You want to drive shotgun?” ,,Um, okay?” He responded unsure but went to sit in front anyway. Heather and Liz climbed into the back and Łukasz into the driver seat. He started the car and drove out of the pool of patrol cars onto the closest street. Then he looked at Heather and Liz through the rear-view mirror and sighed:,, Why did you think this was a good idea? You could have gotten killed or worse.” ,,Worse than getting killed?” Liz asked back, her voice wavering a bit. Łukasz looked back on the road and answered:,, Yeah, like getting tortured, getting framed, having someone close to you killed. Like your parents.” He said this like it was the most normal thing in the world, but Liz reached out for Heather hand, who interlaced their fingers together. ,,So, it was wrong that they saved me. I thought they were my friends.” John had spoken up for the first time since his question in the bunker. Łukasz´s eyes flickered towards him for a moment, then back on the road ahead and he answered:,, Of course it wasn´t wrong. Not per se. But it´s more complicated than that. I told them to stay out of it because they could get killed. Now imagine the person closest to you or just anyone you care about, ends up getting hurt or even killed because of you. Because you didn´t stop them.” John didn´t have to imagine it. He knew what it felt like, even though the feeling still confused him. He knew that he cared about Lucas, a great deal and that it was his fault that he is lying in a hospital bed right now. And it was the worst feeling he ever felt, like there´s this voice in your head that tells you it´s your fault. And the feeling that you have fix it. But you can´t all you can do is apologize and be there for them, but you never feel like it´s enough. John is being pulled out of his thought, when Łukasz started to speak again:,, I just have two questions. Why did you think this was a good idea? And why did they not kill you?” ,,Okay, to the second question, we don´t know. Maybe they thought we could be useful in the future. But it´s damn lucky they didn´t. And to the first question did you really think we wouldn´t keep digging? John is our family, we couldn´t sit on our hands and do nothing.” Heather tried to explain, but Łukasz cut in:,, We told we were handling it.” ,,And we should just blindly believe you. Would you sit around and let other people handle it if Marcel was the one who got kidnapped?” Łukasz is silent for a moment, but then retorted:,, That´s completely different. I´m not a child. And I´m a police officer. I can handle myself.” ,,I can handle myself too. You saw that we were fine. And we´re not children anymore.” Heather sounded more annoyed now, but then backtracked:,, Look, I get that it was a stupid idea, but I think you also know why we had to do it. Because under all that hard exterior and your stoic facial-expression, you´re just a big softie.” Liz and Heather heard Łukasz groan and answer:,, Yeah, I do get it. I know if I was in your position and your age I would have done the same. But you have to explain it to your parents.” Heather and Liz looked at each other with terror, they did not think about that. Heather´s parent´s were supposed to arrive midday and Lucas´ father was probably worried. Liz´s parents weren´t really close with her ever since they got divorced. Łukasz saw their faces and added:,, Your parents, Heather, already went to the police and put on a missing person report, when they arrived five hours ago. You weren´t there and you didn´t answer any of their calls or their text, they were terrified for you.” Łukasz was now pulling into the hospital parking lot and they all got out of the car. They went to the front desk and Łukasz started to speak to the secretary. She then pointed to one of the curtains. They went behind it and there lay Lucas. Łukasz excused himself and went searching for Marcel, who had arrived earlier with Lucas and explained the situation to the doctor. Still a bit high from the pain meds and his right leg in a bandage, but else fine. A doctor came from the other side of the curtain and looked at them. She was wearing a scrubs outfit and over it a white doctor´s coat. Her skin was a dark brown, like chocolate and her dark brown curls were a natural afro. She asked:,, Who of you is Liz?” Liz slowly raised her hand and the doctor pointed to a bed that stood close to Lucas´s. Liz went there and sat on it. The doctor pulled up her pants leg and asked Liz to put her shoes away. She did as she was told, and the doctor started unravelling the bandage around her ankle. She told Liz to lay down, which she did and then checked her over completely. ,,Okay, we´re going to Rontgen you, to be sure whether your rib is broken or not. Mr. Yang, will you Rontgen her for me?” A young Asian looking guy popped in his head and answered:,, Sure, doctor.” He took Liz´s bed, rolling her out of the curtain. Heather wanted to run after her, but then remembered, that she can´t go into the room anyway, so she stayed behind. The doctor turned back to Lucas and explained:,, I´m going to give you your first dose on antibiotics today and will give you the rest for home. You take them for one week. If it still looks infected then, come right back here, okay?” Lucas nodded and the doctor grabbed a needle from a little desk. She opened the cap and flicked against it and then injected Lucas. Just as the needle hit Lucas´ skin, John yelled:,, NO, not again!” He looked panicked from Lucas to Heather and then fainted. His eyes rolled into the back of his skull and Heather was able to catch his head, right before it hit the ground. The doctor pulled out the needle out of Lucas´ arm, as fast as possible and rushed over to John. Heather had laid his head into her lap and looked questioning at the doctor. She bend down and asked:,, Does he have a phobia of needles?” Heather shook her hand and the doctor picked him up and carried him behind one of the curtains. Heather followed her and saw John already laying in a bed and the doctor getting ready to lay an infusion. She looked up when she heard Heather step to the bed and asked her:,, Why is he so thin? It´s like he hasn´t eaten in days. What the hell happened?” Heather sat down on a chair next to the bed and started to explain. Not everything, but everything medically important. How long he was being kept in the cell, what she knew about the injections and his memory loss. When she was finished, she asked the doctor:,, Is he going to be fine?” ,,Yes, he needs a few days rest and we´ll do a screening to determine the drug they used. Now you have to let him rest and be there for him when he wakes up.” Heather agreed and stood up again. There isn´t much she can do for him, before he wakes up, so she went back to Lucas, who was still laying in his bed. Just then Liz came back, Mr. Yang pushing her bed. She smiled up at Heather and said:,, Only one broken rip and the ankle is just sprained. That´s good. I´ll be running around in no time.” Mr. Yang smiled at her and said:,, well, before that you should rest a bit. But it really isn´t as bad as it looked.” He put her bed back into its spot and disappeared behind the curtain. Heather went to Liz and looked her up and down. It really didn´t look that bad anymore. The black eye and the cut were still visible but were already healing. Her left ankle was in a new bandage, but else she was fine. Heather bend down to her and kissed her on her forehead. Liz looked at her and asked:,, What was that for?” Heather just shrugged and said:,, Just glad we´re all still alive.” Liz smiled again and looked past Heather to Lucas. He was still laying in the same spot and has barely moved. He still has some meds induced, but isn´t effected by it much longer. The doctors were already done sewing when the arrived and the only thing indicating a wound is a thick bandage on his lower leg. Heather gave Liz´s hand a last squeeze and went to sit beside Lucas. She sat down by his feet and started talking:,, The doctor said that he is going to be fine. It´s just going to take a bit of time. Be patient.” Heather laughed a bit, but it sounded hollow. He then answered:,, You know patients was never my strong suit.” Heather put her hand on his feet and reassured him:,, It´s never too late to learn something new.” ,,Yeah, and at least he´s alive.” Lucas smiled a true smile for the first time in days, even though it was just a small one. Heather let out a long sigh and just when she wanted to say something more, they heard a woman´s voice cut through the room:,, I want to see my daughter right now! Where is she?” Heather looked struck and said to the other two:,, Oh, no. I better go deal with this. See you later.” She kissed Liz and said:,, In case she kills me.” Which made Liz smile sympathetically and wish her good luck. She went through the curtain and to the main desk, where her parents where standing. Her mother´s face was turned to her. Her face had gotten tanned in their trip, but her face was a mask of anger. But as soon as she saw Heather it turned into relieve and she ran towards her. She engulfed Heather in a bone crushing hug and Heather returned it, knowing she had worried her parents. Her dad went over to her and ruffled her blond hair. He smiled a bit and said to her mother:,, Now, she is alive, and we want to keep her that way.” Heather nodded along in the hug and added:,, Yeah, mum I can´t breathe.” Her mother went a step back, but still kept one hand on her shoulder, like she was afraid Heather would fade away if she let go. ,,What where were you thinking. Worrying us like that?” There was an accusation in there, but mostly worry. Heather tried to justify her action:,, My family was in danger. And besides, I was gone for like five hours.” ,,What about us? And do you have any idea what can happen in five hours. Imagine if we would have found you dead somewhere.” Heather´s mother´s eyes were filled with tears and Heather sighed. She knew she worried her parents, but she would do the same thing again in a heartbeat. Her mother held back those tears and said:,, We came here around ten and you didn´t answer any of our texts or calls. We called Lucas´ and Liz´s parents but they didn´t know anything either. After an hour of waiting, we went to the police station. But they said they can´t do anything until 24 hours later and that teenagers do those kind of things. And then around two hours later we became informed, that you were found by the police. In a corridor right outside an empty subway station. And then we were driven to the hospital, an officer telling us you´ll be here. And then we went in here, imagining you dying on an OP-table and weren´t informed about anything. You have no idea the day we had.” Heather looked her mother up and down and it was true, she looked tired and stressed. Her bun was becoming undone, and her mascara was running down her face, because of her tears. ,,You have no idea the day I had.” Heather laughed and her father answered:,, I have a feeling I don´t wanna know.” Heather laughed more now and said:,, Come on, let´s go to Liz and Lucas.” Heather dragged her parents through the curtain and Liz and Lucas looked up and Liz said:,, Hey. And here was me thinking we had the worst behind us.” Heather laughed about it, but her mum stayed serious and answered:,, You both are going to have a serious talk with me when you get out of here.” Lucas laughed a bit and muttered under his breath:,, Ha, sucks to be you.” But Heather´s mum heard it and turned to him. In the most serious tone, she said:,, Oh, you´re father is going to have a word with you too. So, don´t be so happy.” Lucas sighed and let his head hit the pillow again. Heather went to sit beside Liz on her bed and her mother sat down on a chair next to it. She looked a Heather and asked:,, And where is John?” Their faces darken and Heather answered:,, He´s here, but unconscious. And he doesn´t remember much. Almost nothing and if, it´s only bits and pieces.” Liz sighed and added:,, Yeah, the doctors are saying that he´ll be fine, but it´ll take a while. And we doubt that he´ll ever be completely the same as before.” Heather´s dad looked at Liz and asked:,, And are you alright, kid?” Liz looked up and said:,, yeah, I´m fine. All thing considered. Only a broken rib, a sprained ankle, and a black eye.” Liz pointed at the mentioned parts and Heather dad nodded and then looked at Lucas. Who understood the question, without being spoken and answered:,, Oh, just a bullet straight through my lower leg.” He said it, like he was talking about his homework, but Heather´s mum hissed and then said:,, Wow, your father is going to be mad.” ,,I don´t know. He´s a paramedic, so I think he gets when you put yourself in danger to save someone else.” Lucas said it with more confidence than he felt, because deep down he knew his father was going to have a word with him. But then the doctor came from the other side of the curtain and said:,, John had just woken up. Do any of you know where his parents are?” She looked at Heather´s mum, who answered:,, We did call them, I think they are on their way.” The doctor nodded and then turned to Lucas and spoke to him:,, John has said your name and nothing else, I think you should go to him.” She went to get a wheelchair and Lucas sat down in it and was being driven to John. The second he could see him, he wanted to stand up and touch him, but he knew he had to be careful. John still wasn´t himself and he was still hurt. The doctor put his wheelchair next to the bed and said:,, I´ll leave you alone for now. In about an hour I´ll have to check on his again. And if he falls asleep, let him sleep, he needs it.” Lucas nodded and the doctor disappeared through the curtain. Lucas raised his left hand and laid it on John´s. The difference, between his darker complexion and John´s lighter one was still there, now more evident then ever. John stirred a bit and then opened his eyes. They still were a beautiful green-brown, even though he had dark circles under his eyes and he still kept zoning out. But now his eyes were clear and when he saw Lucas they regained some of his shine. Lucas let his eyes wander over John body. From his face, with hollowed out check bones and his too long, messy hair, over his torso, which looked like it was only skin and bones, to his feet, which were bandaged. John´s eyes wandered through the room a bit and then settled on Lucas. Lucas squeezed his hand a bit and then asked:,, Do you still remember me?” He was scared of the answer, what if the unconsciousness has put him back into not knowing. But to Lucas´ relief John nodded and answered:,, Yeah, you´re Lucas. You´re my best friend. We met this summer, right? On the first day of school, right?” John was still a bit confused and his brain still a bit foggy, but it was getting better. He was remembering people better now and was even sure about a few things. He knew that his name was John, and that Lucas was his best friend, even though something in the back of his brain was telling they should be more. But right now, he had worse problems. The worst one was, that he couldn´t remember his parents. He knew that he had ones and that they were still alive, but he could not remember anything about them. The place where there should be memories of them, faces and voices, was just an impenetrable fog. And the more he tried to remember the foggier it got. So, he was settling for at least knowing three people. Heather, Liz, and Lucas. He was so into his thoughts that he didn´t hear Lucas talking, until he asked:,, Do you remember anyone else?” John snapped out of his thought at that and answered:,, Heather and Liz. Are they also my friends?” ,,Yes, we are the best friend group. You remember how you met them?” Lucas was hoping to bring something back to the surface, that didn´t happen in the last year. He knew that they met in 6th grade, so if he could remember that, maybe they could get him to remember everything. Maybe they could get their old John back. Lucas knew, that even if they wouldn´t get the old John back, Lucas would still love him. Nothing could ever chance that. Lucas was pulled out of his thought when John started talking:,, I´m not sure. I know I was about 11-12 years old. It was a school day, and I was sitting next to Heather. She´s the one with the blond hair, right. And Liz has black hair, right?” Lucas nodded and John kept talking:,, Yeah, so Heather sat next to me, and we started talking. And since neither of us knew anyone, we ate lunch together in the cafeteria. And then Liz came to us, I don´t know why. And we started talking and so. And then about a week later, those two idiots were late, and I thought of an excuse for it. I have no idea what I said. But that was the start of our friendship. I think.” He looked up to Lucas, but Lucas just shrugged, but then smiled. There had been a bit John shining through. He couldn´t say why, but in that moment he knew, that John was going to be okay. He just knew it in his heart. And then John snapped with fingers and said:,, Right, I said that the bus was late, even though they went by bike. But it was the first thing that came to me.” John smiled a bit and right there and then, John laying in a hospital bed and smiling about something he just remembered, Lucas fell in love with him all over again. With his smile and his eyes and the way he was able to laugh about himself. But then John´s smile faded, and he said:,, I just remembered something else. But I don´t know if I should tell you.” Lucas laid his second hand on John´s shoulder to reassure him and then answered:,, I can handle it.” ,,Okay, I hope it´s wrong, but I have a feeling it´s not. Did I shoot you? Heather told me I didn´t, but I didn´t believe her, I still don´t. I have a memory of shooting you in the leg. You were bound to a chair and there was a man standing next to me, telling me to do it. It´s one of the clearest memories I have. Except the ones from after the bunker.” Lucas knew if he would have asked Liz or Heather they would have told him to lie and tell John it´s a planted memory. But Lucas knew John would figure it out anyway and this cluelessness is worse than knowing. So, he bended closer to John and looked him in the eyes. They were questioning and already filling with tears. Lucas braced himself and answered truthfully:,, Yeah, you did. That memory is true.” He gave John a few moments to let it sink in and then added:,, But it wasn´t you. You weren´t in control of your action. No one blames you for it. Because it wasn´t you. You get that, right?” John looked stunned at Lucas and the and then the tears left his eyes and rolled over his cheeks. He didn´t make a sound or moved. He just let the tears stream. After a few moments, he pulled his hand out of Lucas´ grip and said:,, Oh my god, how can you still sit there and talk to me?” Lucas took John´s hand back into his own and answered:,, Because it wasn´t you. And no one blames you. And I will tell you that till you believe it. I will tell you every day if you need to hear it every day. It was not your fault!” He put all his confidence into the last sentence and then John sighed and said:,, I don´t believe it. You probably just pity me. I´m not a good friend.” ,,You are an amazing friend. No buts!” Lucas looked at John and for a second their eyes met. And then John looked at his feet and answered:,, I see you are stubborn on this topic.” Lucas smiled proudly and said:,, very stubborn.” John had to smile at the fact that Lucas was happy about being called stubborn. How did he deserve such an awesome friend? Just as he wanted to say something else, the curtain was being pulled aside and in stepped two girls. One tall, with short blond hair and freckles. The other rather short with black hair, which just reached her shoulders and Asian features. John raised his arm and pointed at the blond girl and said:,, You´re Heather. Your mother is from Sweden and lived there the first 2 years of your live. But I cannot remember what made your parents move here.” He then pointed at Liz and said:,, You´re Liz, even though you´re real name is Elizabeth. You´re parents are divorced and you´re half Japanese. Your mother is Japanese. She went back there, and your father hated that, so they divorced. And you”, he was now pointing at Lucas, ,,Are Lucas. Your mother is a researcher for a college and often away. Your father is a paramedic. And you were home-schooled till grade 11, when you moved to London, and we met. All correct?” Heather started to grin and answered:,, A hundred points. All correct.” She didn´t expect John to remember so much, so fast. This was really good. ,,Is that all you remember?” Liz asked from behind Heather, going to the bed and sitting on the feet´s end. John thought for a moment and then answered:,, Yes, but I know I will remember more. Just give me a bit more time.” Lucas squeezed his hand again and said:,, You have all the time you need.” Heather and Liz nodded in agreement and John once again asked himself what he did to deserve them. He literally couldn´t remember. He looked at them. The three people he remembered first out of everyone. His family. Liz sitting on the side of his bed, her feet dangling down the side. Heather sitting on the far end of his bed, her legs laid over his and her hand behind her on the bed. And finally, Lucas, sitting in a wheelchair, having a wound from him, but still sitting there, holding his hand. Wow, Lucas was amazing and forgiving. He was the best friend anyone could ever wish for. He nuzzled himself under the bedsheet and noticed the exhaustion creeping in. He closed his eyes and the last thing he noticed, before being pulled into the land dreams, was Lucas going through his hair and whispering:,, Sweet dreams.”

Chapter 14: Chapter 14

When they were sure, that John was fully asleep Heather whispered:,, Hey, he remembers a lot, right?” Liz nodded, but Lucas just watched John´s chest rise and fall with his steady breathing. It was sure that he remembered a lot, but certain things were still foggy. He couldn´t remember his parents or certain situations. And what really worried Lucas was, that he couldn´t remember that they played Volleyball together. He couldn´t remember ever playing volleyball at all. After a minute or so, Liz stood up and said:,, Well I should get back into bed. Though the doctor said, that I can go home tomorrow afternoon. I have to call my father.” Heather stood up too and supported Liz back to her bed. There Liz laid down and Heather sat down against the headrest. They were silent for a moment and then Heather asked Liz:,, Do you think he´ll answer?” Heather knew, that her father was still her guardian, but she lived in a flat share from the government, since she was 13. Heather never knew why and Liz didn´t like taking about it, so Heather never asked. And Heather knew, that her mother cut off almost all ties and went underground since she was 7. So, she´s been on her own pretty much all her live. Liz sighed and pulled Heather out of her thoughts, when she started to speak up again:,, I doubt it, but I have to try. I´ll think of something in case he doesn´t answer.” Liz pulled out her phone and dialled the number of her father. Some part of her hoped he wouldn´t answer, so she wouldn´t have to talk to him. She waited a bit and then came the mailbox and after the peep tone, Liz spoke onto the mailbox:,, Hey, it Elizabeth, your daughter. Right now, I´m in the hospital and I´d need someone to get me out of here tomorrow afternoon. Do you have time?” Liz hung up and let her head fall into the pillow. For her it has always been easier to just pretend he doesn´t exist anymore, than to deal with his ignorance. Heather debated for a moment whether she should ask about what happened, but then asked anyway:,, You wanna talk about what happened?” ,,Maybe, I don´t know. I never really talked about it. Except to the people of childcare. It was a hard time and I don´t like to think about it.” Liz answered as truthfully as she could. She does want to talk about it, but now is not the right time. They had bigger problems. So, she formed a plan in her head. She pulled out her phone and dialled Mike´s number. After three rings, he answered:,, Hey Liz, what´s going on? Are you out of the hospital yet?” ,,No, I´ll get dismissed tomorrow afternoon and I need your help for it.” Liz wasn´t sure, whether he´d agree, but was promptly reassured:,, Yeah, anything you need.” Mike was like her bigger brother and the only real parental figure she had known, since her mother left. After Liz explained her plan, Mike was silent for a moment and then answered:,, Okay, I´ll help you. But you´ll talk about it with me afterwards. Deal?” ,,Yeah, deal.” Liz wasn´t sure if she was actually going to talk about it to him, but she was smart enough to know there was no other was she was getting home. She said goodbye to Mike and hung up the phone. ,,That´s a crazy plan. It´s not going to work.” Heather was doubting the plan, but then she added:,, Well, we can try anyway, I guess.” Liz just shrugged and answered:,, It´s the only thing we can do. It has to work.” Heather knew, she shouldn´t ask, but she was too curious:,, Why does your dad still have your guardian ship?” Liz looked for a second at her black handy screen and then answered, hesitant:,, It was easier that way. When childcare found out about my situation, they wanted to assign me a guardian, but that would have taken a long time and I didn´t want just anyone. By that time, I already knew Mike. He lived next door and often helped me with things. Both of our parents didn´t really care about us and his father always hit him. So, when my situation got out of hand, and childcare wanted to take me away, Mike reported everything that happened, and we asked then to put us together in a flat share. They agreed, and so we went into flat share. After two years we got into the flat we are now, alone. My dad never really cared about what happened to me, but he would still sign everything. Just not be my father.” Liz had tears in her eyes, but then he smiled and added:,, I don´t need him or my mother. I already have a family.” And with that she laid her head on Heather´s shoulder and fell asleep with the exhaustion of the day. Heather looked at Liz looked at her and she knew that Liz was right. They didn´t need any body else, they just needed each other. She kissed Liz on the forehead, let her head fall against the headrest and drifted away. Behind the curtain, silent tears were running down Lucas´s cheeks. He hasn´t moved in the last ten minutes his hand was still resting on John´s. He wanted to stop the tears, seeing no reason for them, he had John back, but he didn´t have the strength to. So now, he said their, unmoving, until a voice behind pulled him out of his thought:,, So they didn´t lie?” Lucas looked up and saw John´s parents standing there. His mother was just as pale as him, her hair a white-blond and she had bags under her eyes, like she hadn´t slept in days. His farther on the other side, looked like a rock in wild water. He was darker and more composed, but there was a sadness in his eyes. Lucas rolled back a bit and gave them their space. Then he explained to John´s parents:,, Yeah, it´s John, but you should let him rest. He has been through a lot and needs rest.” They nodded and his mother sat down on the chair, while his father stood beside her, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder. Before Lucas decided to leave John´s parents alone with him, he warned them:,, When he wakes up. There´s a chance he might not remember you. So, you have to be cautious with him.” His mother just nodded again and his farther answered:,, Yeah, the police already told us, but thank you anyway, for everything.” ,,No problem” Lucas just replied and went out through the curtain. Instead of going to Heather and Liz, he went out of the hospital and pulled out his phone. There were hundreds of messages from his farther and 15 missed calls. He dialled his number and after just one ring, he was answered with:,, Lucas, is this really you?” His farther sounded scared and Lucas answered:,, Yeah, it´s me.” Lucas heard his farther sigh over the phone and then:,, I´m on my way to the hospital right now, is that still where you are?” ,,Yes, but I´m fine. Is mother here?” ,,How is that important right now. From what I heard you were abducted by a crime lord, fought your way out of it and got rescued by the police. I need to know if you´re okay!” Lucas sighed, but answered his question:,, Yes, I´m fine, all things considered.” ,,Okay, I´m almost there just hang on a little longer.” Lucas gave up trying to find out about his mother and just agreed. Then his farther hung up and Lucas stood there in the cold wind in just a thin sweatshirt. He didn´t have the energy to go back inside, so he just stayed there in the cold. He thought about everything that happened in the last weeks, and at first he smiled, because he finally had John back and then he just broke down. All those days he had to be strong, because breaking down wouldn’t help anyone, but now he did have to save anyone anymore. So he let the tears run freely, they were tears from happiness, from sadness and from exhaustion. He didn´t know how long he sat there and cried, but after a bit of time, he felt a hand on his shoulder and then the voice of his farther say:,, Let´s get you inside. You´re freezing.” He disregarded the wheelchair, picked him up and carried him back inside. He laid him in a bed where they were alone and sat on the side of it. Lucas kept crying, so his farther sat on the bed completely and put his arms around his son. Lucas put his around his farther too and cried into his shirt. The first thing he said, when he found his voice, was:,, Is mom here?” His dad sighed and answered sad:,, No, they weren´t quite done yet, so she won´t be here till easter.” Lucas pulled away and all of a sudden, his sadness turned into anger:,, How could she do that! I need her here!” His farther put his hands on his shoulders and said:,, I know, I know. But what she does helps save the world.” ,,What about me! I know the world is important, but am I not important? After everything I´ve just been through.” Lucas said, now sadness tainted his voice once more. Lucas´s farther pulled him back into a hug and then confessed what he had to tell Lucas from the beginning:,, I didn´t tell her.” ,,You didn´t tell her what?” Lucas asked back confused, why sounded his farther suddenly so guilty? ,,What happened today, She doesn´t know you saved John and that you put yourself in such danger. The last thing she knew, was that John went missing.” Lucas pulled out of hug and scooted back a bit. He looked at his dad for a second, before accusing him:,, How could you do that!? She deserves to know what happened. And I need her here and you just make the decision to keep her out of it? Why didn´t you ask me?” His farther looked at the ground and then whispered:,, I don´t know why. But her work is very important and she couldn´t just fly home now. I didn´t want to worry her with it.” ,,But don´t you think that´s something she should be worried about.” ,,Do you want to be the reason she looses her job?” When Lucas shook his head, his farther added:,, Yeah, didn´t think so.” Lucas was silent for a minute. There was a battle inside him. One part of him said, that what his dad was right his mother needed to be solely focused on her job and it´s not something to worry her with. But the other side of him, one that was still more a child, was mad at his farther, because that part needed his mother. But in the end, his mature part won, and he answered:,, Yeah, whatever.” His farther sighed and then asked:,, Why were you in a wheelchair?” Lucas didn´t want to answer that, but his farther was going to find out anyway, so he answered:,, I got shot in the leg, not a big deal.” He dismissed it, but his farther said:,, No a big deal! What if you would have gotten shot in the head! You better tell me what piece of shit shot my baby!” Lucas could tell he was furious, and he answered:,, John did.” He said it without any emotion and in the span of a millisecond, his farther face went from mad to confused and he just asked:,, Huh?!?” ,,Oh yeah, I forgot to mention it. John lost his memory, got controlled by mafia-like criminals and then woke up from it, because I confessed my love.” Lucas’s mouth had just moved on his own accord and he didn´t want to say it, but now it was out there. His farther just said:,, Wait, John was possessed?” Lucas was relieved, that his farther hadn´t listened to anything after that, so he just answered:,, Well, possessed would be the wrong. He was drugged to forget everything he ever knew and went to believe that mafia gang were the good people. Don’t ask me how, I have no idea.” All the feeling he had felt earlier, they were just gone, now he just felt numb. Like he´s explaining the plot of a film, not his own life. Maybe this was what a shock felt like? Or maybe he just lost his emotion because his brain short-circuited? He was pulled out of his thought, by his farther asking him:,, How can you talk about it in this way, this objective?” ,,I don’t know, but I guess the panic and realization hasn´t set in yet. It feels like someone else’s life.” His father put a hand on his shoulder and said:,, But you do know it´s okay to panic and cry, right?” Lucas nodded, but didn´t say anything. The panic still didn´t come over him and with his father’s hand on his shoulder, he could finally fall asleep. But his welcoming slumber didn´t last long because he threw open his eyes and sat up in his bed. His father was still by his side, but also fell asleep. Lucas wasn´t sure what he dreamed about, but he knew it was a nightmare, because he was sweating and still felt his heart beating fast in his chest. He took his phone from his nightstand and checked the time. It was shortly after midnight, so he had slept a few hours. But he still felt tired and suspected that he looked it too. He stood up and went to John, who still laid in the same bed. His parents are sitting next to him, his mother had fallen asleep, while his father was reading something on his phone. They wanted to talk to John, but they knew that he needed rest. Lucas felt his heart relax, as he watched John lay there. He knew it wasn´t the same way as before, but he also knew, that it was going to be okay. He knew, he couldn´t fall asleep, without seeing that John was okay, so he went back to his bed, took his pillow, and laid it on the ground just next to the curtain. Just as he laid his back against the wall, John´s father looked up from his phone and spotted Lucas sitting on the ground. Lucas smiled at him and John´s father smiled back. It was a tentative smile, but also a hopeful one. He pulled his legs up and looked at John. He looked so peaceful laying there, like the last week didn´t happen. Like they didn´t just fight to get him back. Like he hadn´t been kidnapped and they were normal teenagers. While looking at John, he was beginning to feel panic and sadness over him. What if this only was a dream? What John was still kidnapped? What if he´s not going to be okay? Lucas sighed and for the first time since they found John, he let´s his thoughts run free. He thinks about John and about Heather and Liz, about his parents and about how everything was going to work out. He thought about how to make John remember and about death. And just how easy people can die and that you should do whatever you can to make the most out of your life. He thinks about his feelings for John and about his confession. About how he knows that he may never be able to do and that maybe he will never experience the love that Heather and Liz have. With the thought of the future his eyes fell shut and he fell into a dreamless sleep. The next time he woke up, it was because of hushed voices speaking at John´s bed. John had woken up and was talking to his parents. They were whispering to him, and he looked kind of lost. Lucas stood up and stretched, his back aching from the uncomfortable sleeping position, but he wasn´t as tired as before. Pulling his phone, he looked at the clock, it was about 9 in the morning on the 10th of January. He went to check up on his dad, but then heard John ask him, raising his voice a bit:,, Hey, those people are my parents, right?” Lucas turned around and answered:,, Yeah, they are.” He stepped closer to John´s bed and asked:,, What do you remember?” John shook his head and tried to recall everything he knew:,, Not a lot, but it´s slowly coming back to me. They are my parents and they are awesome parents, even though we argue sometimes. My mother´s name is Christine and my father´s is David. You were born on the same day, right?” All three of them nodded and Christine asked:,, Do you know anything else. Like place or recall certain memories?” ,, Yes – No. Not really. I mean places, sure. I know how my room looks or where we live, but I can´t remember any moments in my room, or any concrete memories. But it will come back, I promise.” He tried to smile reassuring at his parents, but Lucas saw that it was faked and that he wasn’t sure whether everything will be okay again. John wanted to change the topic and asked:,, Hey, did the doctor tell you, when I can get out of here?” His father was thankful for the topic change and answered:,, Yeah, she told us that if everything goes well you can go home tomorrow morning. They wanted to check if there is any lasting damage, but they doubt it. They did tell us you need at least a week rest and no school for two weeks and at least for a month no sports.” John nodded and asked his parents:,, Hey, can you bring me something to change into for tomorrow?” ,,You sure you don´t need us here overnight?” Christine asked, concerned. John waved her concern away with his hand and answered:,, I´ll be fine. Besides, I´m so exhausted. I´m probably just going to be asleep anyway. And I´m sure Lucas will stay here, because I won´t be able to get him to go home.” ,,True that.” Lucas answered, because no one could have gotten him out of that hospital without John. Reluctant, his mother agreed:,, Okay, but I´m waiting till you have fallen asleep and I except hourly update from you, Lucas.” Lucas playfully saluted:,, Yes, ma´am.” John´s mother´s face relaxed a bit and she said:,, Oh, almost forgot. I brought something for you.” She was rummaging through her purse. She pulled out a little book and gave it to John. John took it and asked:,, What is this?” ,,It´s your diary. I got informed, that you may not remember everything, so I thought, maybe this could help you remember.” John was just about to open the book, when the doctor came in and said:,, We have to make an examination right now, to be sure and to remove the IV-line.” His parents nodded and moved away from the bed and gave the doctor room to work. She was checking the monitor and then was removing John´s IV-Line. When she had everything packed away and was done, John´s mother asked:,, And? will he be okay?” The doctor turned to her and answered:,, Yes, physically he´s fine, even if a bit undernourished. But the IV mostly did it´s work and now he can eat everything he needs. I don´t know about the psychological part, you would have to consult a therapist. But you can be dismissed tomorrow in case nothing happens over the night.” The last sentence was directed at John, who nodded and asked:,, Do you think I should go to a therapist?” “You should only go to a therapist if you feel like you need one. But don´t be embarrassed to ask for one.” John nodded again and the doctor left to tend to another patient. John´s parents stepped back next to bed and his mother asked:,, Do you feel like you need a therapist. We can get you one.” ,,Yeah, there is no shame in needing a little help.” His father agreed. John wasn´t sure if he needed one. He wasn´t sure about a lot of things, but now he didn’t need one. He was fine, probably thanks to his forgetting. So, he shook his head and answered:,, No, I don´t need one, I´m okay. Really. But I will tell you, if I ever need one.” He tried to sound reassuring, but in truth he just wanted to sleep. He hated to have so little energy, but he hoped that it will go away. Rather sooner than later. His parents believed him, and Lucas said:,, Yeah, I mean you don´t really remember much.” John didn’t know if it was smart, but he answered:,, I know more than you think.” Even though he really didn´t know much. But Lucas didn´t reply to it, he just looked at John. John believed to see a mixture of shook and fear, but it was gone so fast, he might have imagined it. He couldn´t figure out why Lucas would be shocked if John remembered anything. He hoped he didn´t do anything bad to him. He was in his own thought, that he only heard that his mother was talking, when she was asking him:,, Are you listening?” John got pulled from his thoughts and answered:,, No, I´m sorry. I´m just really tired. And it´s late, I guess I should sleep now.” His father looked on his watch and said:,, It´s only early afternoon. But if you need to rest, you do that. You had an exhausting week.” His father smiled and John closed his eyes, relieved he wouldn´t be missing anything or worrying his parents to much. But he couldn´t have kept his eyes open for much longer, since he hadn´t slept this good in a long time. He couldn´t sleep in that cell and especially when they started giving him those injections. So, he was happy about all the sleep he could get. Lucas had sat there silent all the time, until now. He stood up and went back to his father. He hated leaving John, but his parents were with him and he couldn´t do anything right now anyway. His father was still sitting in the same chair, but he had woken up and was doing something on his phone. He heard Lucas come in and asked him:,, John okay?” Lucas wanted to wander how he knew, but he probably searched for him and found him by John´s bed, so he just answered:,, Yeah, he gets dismissed tomorrow.” ,,Now, I´m guessing you want to stay with him here over night.” His father put away his phone and stood up. He hugged Lucas again and then said:,, Well, I can´t really be of any help here. So, I´m going to go home and get you something to wear and something to eat. Call me if there are any problems.” Lucas rolled his eyes:,, Where are you going to bring me then. The hospital?” His father shoved him a bit and Lucas agreed, both smiling. Lucas´s father took his coat and went out of the hospital to his car. Lucas sat down on the bed, when the doctor came in and asked:,, Hey, you´re not hurt. We´ll need that bed.” Lucas turned around and answered:,, Yes, I am.” While pointing at his leg. The doctor smiled, when she who he was and said:,, Hey, you should go to John. And I did mean what I said, we need that bed.” Lucas jumped down and apologised. The doctor waved at it and answered:,, It´s fine. I imagine you had a very long day. You want an extra chair for staying?” ,,How did you know I was staying?” Lucas asked confused, while they were walking back to John´s bed. He had been moved to a room for the night, out of the emergency room. The doctor opened the door, just as she answered:,, You worried about him, while you were bleeding from a bullet wound, that he inflicted on you. There was no way you were going to leave without him. You wouldn´t even let us operate on you in peace. You wanted to see, whether he was fine.” Lucas blushed a bit and answered:,, Sorry, I guess.” The doctor just smiled and assured him:,, It´s okay. I was that kind of patient too.” Lucas went into the room and the doctor closed the door behind him. Lucas had half the room, the other half was closed by a curtain. He was still sleeping, and his parents still sat by his side, talking in hushed voices. When Lucas stepped closer, they stopped and his father asked:,, Don´t you need to go home or are you really going to stay here?” ,,I´m really going to stay here. Is that a problem with you?” Lucas straightened a bit and stood taller. But John´s mother just smiled and said:,, No. John´s lucky to have a friend like you.” But Lucas shook his head and disagreed:,, No, I´m happy to have a friend like him.” ,,I guess you should be happy you have each other.” ,,I´ll agree to that.” Lucas answered, while sitting down on the only free chair next to John´s bed. John was sleeping peacefully and they didn´t dare speak. So, after a few moments, Lucas pulled his phone and headphones out of his pockets. And started listening to music, while looking at John. He looked so peaceful, like nothing could harm him there. But that´s not true, Lucas knows that painfully well, because seeing him in that cell, reminding him of it, is burnt in his brain. While looking at him, Lucas wished he could protect him from all evil, but this world won´t let him. Lucas laid his hand on John´s and he was warm. He had to make sure he was real and won´t just disappear when he lets him go. Looking up and seeing his parents, Lucas thought about something that crossed his mind often before, but wasn´t right in this situation. Where did Lucas get his red hair from? His father has light brown hair and his mother has dark brown hair. The first time that he had met John’s parents, he wondered the same thing, but he had never had the courage to ask. He wanted to ask now but knew it wasn´t the time for it. After only half an hour, he got bored and had started biting his nails. It was a bad habit when his life was becoming stressful or out of his control. He pulled out his phone to stop his biting nails and before he could help himself, he snapped a photo of John. He still looked too thin, and his hair was still a mess, but Lucas still thought he looked perfect. He was just about to pull his hand away from John´s when he woke up and looked at him. Those green-brown eyes had regained some of their spark but were still duller than before. It was getting darker, and Lucas was getting tired. John had woken up once and eaten a bit, but he was still tired and weak. But they couldn´t do anything for him. When it was already late afternoon, and Lucas and John´s parents had talked the whole evening, they were getting ready to leave. As much as they wanted to stay, they knew John needed the rest and they couldn´t do much for him there. Lucas said goodbye and promised to send updates. They said they will return in the early morning. John had just woken up again and said:,, Goodbye, mom, and dad.” His parents said a heartfelt goodbye and then left to go home. Lucas looked at John, after the door fell close and asked:,, How are you feeling, can I get you anything?” John thought for a moment, and then answered:,, Okay, I guess. I´m not as tired anymore. And I feel a bit stronger, but still too weak to do anything great.” He sat up a bit and leaned back against his pillows. Lucas said:,, I can make that better.” He pulled the lever at the side of the bed and the headrest came up, so John could rest against it. John flashed him a thankful smile and leaned back with a consent sigh. His stomach hadn´t reacted perfect to the food, but it gave him enough energy to at least stay up more than a few minutes. John looked up at Lucas, still sitting in the same chair he sat five hours ago, when he woke up then. He still wasn´t sure, how he deserved such an awesome friend. No everyone would have sat in a hospital room all day, so that he wouldn´t feel alone. He took Lucas´s hand into his and said:,, You are the best friend anyone could ever wish for, I feel like I don´t say that enough.” Lucas stared at their hands for a second, before whispering:,, You say it enough. And mostly you show it with your actions. You literally pulled yourself out of mind control for us. That say something.” ,, I didn´t because of Heather and Liz, and I feel terrible saying this, but you were the one who pulled me out of it.” John had the feeling he shouldn´t say that, but it felt so right. Lucas´s heart stopped and then doubled his pace. He already kind of knew it, but hearing John say it, it made him freak out. He tried to soothe his breathing and answered:,, Hey, you´re not a bad person for thinking so. You still remembered them.” ,,Thank you, that helps.” John squeezed his hand and then let them go, letting his home fall back to his side. Something inside John´s heart told him, that isn´t everything there is to it, but he´s sure that Lucas will tell him on his own time. They have always told each other everything. John smiled at Lucas, when he for the first time, since he got his own brain back, remembered a specific moment. Lucas looked at him questioning and John said:,, I just remembered a specific moment.” Lucas face split into a grin and he asked:,, What moment?” ,,It´s not really an important moment, but it´s clear there as if it happened yesterday. We were at the gym to play Volleyball at a weekend, and it was just the four of us. We would play the whole day and do little two against two games. The last game of the day. It was the first game we had won together. You were so happy, you hugged me and celebrated like we had just won the world cup. It was endearing and you wouldn´t let go, until we had to pack everything up.” John also knew that he had found it cute and still does, but he wasn´t going to tell Lucas that, because there are too many things going on at the time, to open that jar. Lucas grinned even wider and for the remainder of the time, John could stay awake, they talked about volleyball and about that day. When John fell asleep after about an hour, Lucas leaned back into the chair and sighed. They were on the right path, but still had a long way to go.
While Lucas sat with John through the day, Liz was scared that her plan about how to get discharged might not work. She had been nervous the whole morning, while Heather had tried to calm her down. When the doctor came to them, she wanted to ask something, but Heather laid a shoulder on her shoulder, stopping her and silently telling her to wait for what she had to say. The doctor pulled out a clip board and said:,, We´re ready to discharge you. Your father just called and informed us, that he was stuck in traffic. You will have to sign here, since he gave you permission to sign your own lease and you´re already 16. If you´ll just sign here.” She held a pen and the clipboard out to Liz, who signed. ,,Okay, you´re free to go. And you shouldn´t put weight on your food for about 4 weeks and no sport for eight weeks and then only a bit. Your rib should be healed in six weeks, but it should stop hurting before. In case it does, put ice on it.” The doctor said goodbye to them, and they packed up their things to leave. Heather had sent her parents home, after showing them, that she was fine and a promise that she will call them in the morning. She had already called them and explained to them, that she will be home, after she brought Liz home. Her parents reluctantly agreed, so Liz and her were sitting in a subway, on their way to the flat. On the way there, Liz had lied her head on Heather´s shoulder and Heather said:,, I don´t know what I would without you. You are like a rock in my storm.” Liz looked at her and whispered back:,, I can´t believe I got you. You are a such a strong person and you´re always so prepared it´s amazing.” ,,I wasn´t prepared to this.” Heather confessed and gestured around. Liz had to agree with her, but no one could be prepared for something like that. The rest of the ride went quiet, both in their own thought. Getting out at the bus stop and walking or limping the rest of the way to the flat, Heather asked Liz:,, Shall I carry you upstairs?” Liz rolled her eyes, but still let herself be pulled up by Heather, who carried her up the stairs in bridal style. They rang the bell and Mike opened them so fast, he might have been standing at the door waiting. He let them int into the living room, where Liz sat down on the couch and Heather sat down next to her. Mike got water from the kitchen and then sat down in the armchair. He looked at them for a second, before asking:,, What happened? And no excuses!” And so Heather and Liz started telling Mike, what happened in the last the few days. Mike sat silent listening to their story. When they were done, he asked:,, What were you thinking?!?” ,,That our friend was in danger! You would have done the same thing.” Mike sighed, but he had to agree. He would have done the same if Liz would have been in danger. So, he just stood up and said:,, I´m going to make breakfast, I ´m guessing you haven´t eaten anything at the hospital.” ,,You have guessed correct.” Heather sat and she noticed that she was really hungry. When Mike had left the room to go to the kitchen, Liz collapsed into Heather´s arm and whined:,, My side hurts like hell, can you get me some ice?” Heather sighed but stood up and got Liz her ice. She put it on Liz´s broken rib and let her fall back into her arms. Liz wouldn´t move a bit because it was really hurtful, even though the ice made it better. And of course, Heather´s presence helped. They were silent for a moment, before Heather asked:,, How did you get those injuries? You never really told us.” ,,I jumped out of the air vent, bend over my foot, because the floor was nearer than I thought. Then I fell into a shelf with folders and papers and one folder fell onto my face and cut my cheek open and gave me a black eye. The broken rib came from my impact to the shelf before everything rained down on me.” Liz answered, trying to move as little as possible. Liz wanted to groan, even talking hurts. This sucks. But then Heather raised her hand and went through her black hair and Liz leaned into it and relaxed. After a short while, Mike came back, with tablet which had breakfast on it. He had made three eggs, buns and brought Nutella, jam and honey. He also brought tea and water. He sat everything down onto the couch table and went out of the room again. Heather already wanted to take something, when Mike came back and gave her cutlery and a small plate. Heather took it, while Mike sat down into his armchair and started eating his egg. Heather gave Liz her egg and took her own to eat. For a while they ate in silence, until Heather said:,, Well, I think I´m going to have to go home. But I will come back as soon as possible.” She finished her remaining egg and took a bun for the way. She said goodbye to Mike and gave Liz a short kiss, with the promise to return as soon as possible. Liz just answered:,, It´s fine. I´ll be okay, go.” Heather went into the hall, took her coat, and left Liz´s home. Stepping out onto the street she checked her phone and put music on. It was already 2 o´clock in the afternoon and her parents had asked her, where she was. She answered that she´s on her way home and let herself fall back into the music. She took a deep breath and noticed, that she could finally breath freely. They had done it. They had saved John and she didn´t have to lose another friend. Despite herself she smiled a bit and walked faster. Arriving at home, she put out her music and opened the door. She put out her shoes and said:,, Mom, dad. I´m home.” Her mother and father came from the living room and hugged her. Heather hugged them back and then said:,, You´re going to have to let me go. I´m suffocating.” Her parents let her go and her mother answered:,, Did you already eat? Do you need anything? Does Liz need anything?” ,,I ate breakfast at Liz´s and Liz is fine, except for a few bruises. Mike is looking out for her.” Liz answered. Her parents know Liz and Mike well and since Liz doesn´t really have parents, they unofficially adopted her. They go to the living room and in a fit of motivation, Heather asked his parents:,, Hey, when can I start school and what did I miss?” Her parents look at her surprised, before her father answered her:,, I don´t know, you´d have to ask your teacher, when they deem you fit enough. And Alex gave us everything you missed and made a few notes every day. You can look over it tomorrow. Today we rest and clam down, okay?” Heather nodded and leaned back into the sofa. When Heather thought she would finally get a bit of quiet, her mother asked:,, How did you find out?” Heather opened her eyes again and asked:,, Find out what? ,, Where John was and how to find him.” ,,Oh, that´s easy. We let Marcel from the SOCA analyse the blood we had and found through that a hitman, who had attacked me and kidnapped John. He wasn´t smart enough to pull of something like that, so he had to be hired by somebody. When we found something in a secret room in his flat, we figured that must be the person who hired him. We also found a list of names, which John had found in the cottage, so it had something to do with that, we figured. And with another photo and a bit of combination, we figured it had to be in the old subway station.” Heather had expected everything, but not for her mother to laugh and say:,, A bit of combination. Well, more combination than the police did. They presumed him dead after 7 days.” ,,Yeah, not everyone can be a genius.” Heather and her mother were chuckling, when her father asked:,, And what genius part of your brain told you to go there without calling the police?” “Eh, none did, I turned it off for that. You would have done the same, if your family would have been in danger.” Her father was about to lecture her further, but her mother cut in and said:,, Let´s just be happy she is okay. And tomorrow you´ll get the lecture.” When Heather and her father had agreed, her mother asked:,, and what did you do once in the subway station?” And Heather started telling them everything, not letting out any details. Her parents listened and occasionally asked questions. When she was done, the sun was already setting, and Heather was getting tired. The last hours had been hard and she felt empty. She ended with:,, and then you found me in the hospital.” As soon as she finished the sentence, she yawned and asked her parents:,, Can I go to bed now. I´m exhausted.” ,,Yes, but first, dinner.” They stood up and went to the kitchen. Only now Heather realised how hungry she was and as soon as it was done, she ate everything she could. After dinner, which they ate in silence, Heather went to brush her teeth and chance into her Pyjamas. Just when she was about to lay down in bed, she remembered something. Going back into her basement, she pulled out all of John´s old notebooks. She decided to bring them John, so he could remember everything better. She was just about to go back upstairs, when Jarvis told her:,, You have a new message from Marcel. He asks you to come to his headquarters with John, Lucas, and Liz tomorrow. And whether you´re okay.” Heather jumped a bit, but then calmed down and answered:,, write back, that I´ll try and that I´ll inform him in case it doesn´t work. ”,, Sure.” Then she remembered something else and went into one of the dorm rooms, they had used, while staying there. Opening the door, she was greeted with a mess. None of them had done their bed, there were clothes laying around everywhere and an empty breakfast tray. Being too tired to clean up, she put it on her mental to-do list for tomorrow and left the basement. She isn´t sure, whether she´ll be able to look at it the same way as before, but she knows she´ll always love it, no matter what and somehow that calmed her down. She climbed into bed and tried to fall asleep, but her mind kept flashing horrible images. She tried to breath slow and relax her whole body, but as soon as she closed her eyes, the images started to come back. She saw John laying in that cell, them being too late and he has already forgotten everything. She sees Lucas, stuck in an air vent or caught by the bad guys. But worst of all, there are always flashes of Liz, laying in a hospital bed, being fatally injured and dying. And the guilt Heather felt, because she let that happen. She let Liz get hurt. After half an hour, she couldn´t take it anymore and shot a text to Liz hey, you up? After a few minutes of panicking, Heather got an answer Yeah, why? Heather took a deep breath, before replying Just needed to know you´re okay. Only a few seconds later, she got a reply Wait a second, I´ll call you Heather would have never admitted it, but she wanted Liz to call her. To hear her voice and be sure, that she is really okay. When the request for call comes in, she accepts immediately and is happy, when she heard Liz say:,, Hey, isn´t it past your bedtime?” through the phone. Heather answered:,, Technically I´m in bed. I was trying to sleep, but couldn´t fall asleep. And I wanted to hear your voice. It calms me down.” Heather could basically see Liz roll her eyes and heard her answer:,, You´re so cheesy.” But Liz liked when Heather was cheesy, it made her feel warm and like she had a family. Since neither or them wanted to go to sleep yet, they kept talking. About this and that, until Heather just fell asleep over her phone, while Liz was talking about a story, about how Mike tried to throw her into the ocean at their first holiday together. When Heather didn’t answer her, Liz whispered a:,, Sweet dreams, Heath” and hung up the phone. She put it into the charger next to her bed and fell asleep in a matter of minutes.
Opening his eyes, John was confused for the first few moments, he couldn´t remember where he was. Where were the dark cement walls and that rotting smell, but when he finally opened his eyes completely and looked around the room, the last two days come back into his memories. He sat up in bed and tried to remember, whether this is his room or not. His bed was standing in one corner, was between two shelves and on the opposite wall, there is a desk and under the window is a couch. Yes, he thought, this is his room. He brought that desk with his mother, when his old one broke and he inherited that closet, next to his bed. He went out of his bed and walked into the kitchen. There he found his parents sitting at the table and talking in hushed voices. They looked up when they heard John come in and his mother asked him:,, How are you feeling, honey? Sleep okay?” ,,Yeah, it was okay. Not relaxing, but at least a bit of sleep.” It was true, John looked like a ghost. He had deep bags under his eyes, his hair was still too long and unwashed, and he was still too thin and too pale. He slumped into his chair, somehow he knew he always sat there, it just felt right. Only when he had time to think, he noticed how hungry he was. He hadn´t eaten anything, since this morning, and that was just horrible hospital food. He remembered that they had sent Lucas home, after John was dismissed in the morning, and checked his for any messages from Lucas. There were none, but he guessed that he was still sleeping. His stomach growled and he asked his parents:,, Do we have any food?” “Of course, I´ll get you something.” His mother stood up and went to the cupboard. She put a small portion of mashed potatoes in front of John, who already wanted to complain, but his mother explained to him:,, You can´t eat a lot yet. Just eat it and when you´re hungry after it, I´ll get you more.” John nodded and started eating the mashed potatoes. It wasn´t really a good or amazing dish, but when he was done, he felt completely full. He told his parents:,, I´m going to my friends, okay? I feel fine.” But his father disagreed:,, No, the doctor said you need to rest at least three days, before doing anything. You need to get your power back.” John sighed, but he knew there was no changing their minds on that. So, he went into the living room and lay down on the sofa. He turned on the TV and zapped through it, trying to find a cool show. Finally, he found a channel which played a rerun of the original Star trek series. He settled under the blankets and watched the episode that was on. Just when the new episode started, his phone rang. It was Heather. John picked up and asked:,, Hey, what is it?” ,,Marcel wants to see us in his headquarters. You okay to come?” John sighed, and answered:,, No, I mean I am okay, but my parents said at least three days bed rest and then I can start doing something again.” There was a silence on the other side, and he heard hushed voices. Then Heather came back and said:,, Okay, ask you parents if it´s okay for Marcel and Łukasz to come to you.” John agreed and went int into the kitchen, where his parents are working. They looked at him and he asked them:,, Hey, is it okay if Marcel and Łukasz visit. You know, the guys from the SOCA, the ones from the police who helped us. They won´t be here for long. Please.” His parents change a meaningful look, before his mother agreed:,, Yes, okay, they can visit. But they can´t stay for long.”,, Yes, they won´t stay for long. Thank you” And with that he returned to his phone and asked Heather:,, You still there?” almost promptly she answered:,, Yes, did they agree?” ,,Yeah, but you guys’ can´t stay long.” John heard voices coming from the background and wondered where Heather was, but then she answered:,, Okay, we´re on our way to you.” And John was happy to see his friends, that he answered:,, Hurry up, I´m bored.” He heard Heather laugh at the other side of the line and hung up. He only had to wait for about 20 minutes, before he heard the doorbell ring. He wanted to jump up and run to the door, but he was too weak, so he let his mother open the door. He heard voices from the hall and then Heather, Liz and Lucas ran into the living room and sat down onto the sofa. Lucas was the first to speak:,, So, how was your first night in freedom. Did you sleep okay? And how are you in general?” Lucas looked generally concerned and John didn´t want to beat down the upbeat mood, so he said:,, I slept well. My bed felt like heaven compared to the cell. But I can´t eat much, which is the worst, because I love eating.” Lucas had to giggle, before he could catch himself and said:,, Yeah, I get that. It the worst.” John wasn´t sure, if Lucas really understood how it felt, but he was sure he was trying and for now, that was enough. John settled back into his blanket, when Marcel and Łukasz walked into the living room, followed by John´s mother, who warned them:,, You have half an hour after that everyone leave.” They all nodded, and his mother left to continue working. Marcel and Łukasz settled on the ground and Marcel asked John:,, So, how are you?” ,,I´m okay, all things considered. Though I am still weak and tired most of the time. ”,, That´s to be expected but what I meant was mentally. Do you have nightmares or flashbacks?” John could see, that Marcel was actually worried about it, but he still didn´t say anything. He just shook his head and then Łukasz whispered to him:,, Like he was just going to tell you. Someone who never talks about his problem, ever.” Marcel rolled his eyes at this and answered:,, But I thought, maybe he is better than me.” ,,Most people are better at those things than you are.” Łukasz said and then he looked up and John and asked:,, Do you want to do anything?” ,,Not really, I´m pretty tired. Did you have a real reason you came?” ,,We do, actually.” Marcel answered:,, We wanted to tell you four that everything is sorted out. We arrested the boss of the organisation and everyone else, who was involved. We talked with our bosses, to get you out of any trouble you might have been in, and you can live your live like before. As much as that´s possible.” ,,Thank you, that helps. Because we have enough to worry about, without the police breathing down our necks.” Marcel and Łukasz shared a silent look and communicated without words, before Łukasz said:,, Not quite. We need to ask one last favour of you. Especially from you John.” John looked at his friend, before asking:,, What is it?” ,,You´re going to have to testify before a grant jury, so we can lock this guy away forever.” Łukasz sighed and added:,, If you don´t want to, you don´t need to. But it would help immensely.” John fought with himself for a moment, before deciding he´s not going to be scared. He won´t let him take that too, so he answered:,, Yeah, I´ll help you lock that idiot up.” Before Marcel can thank John, Łukasz already answered:,, I wouldn´t exactly call him an idiot. He was able to hide from the police for over ten years. Our job was to find him. So, you especially helped us.” John smiled and said:,, Then maybe you´re the idiots. I mean, they did outsmart him.” Marcel looked at John offended, but then laughed and answered:,, Yeah, maybe we are idiots, but you did find more information than we did in your little cottage.” And so, they started talking about the case and after the kids had explained everything that happened before Marcel and Łukasz found them, Heather asked them:,, How did you figure out where to find us. Did you get Lucas´s voicemail?” ,,Well, we did get it, but we were already on our way to you. It was the list of names you gave us, that helped. We tried to find the people on the list after we told you to stop investigating. One of the names was the guy we found, but one was also a guy we´ve known is a criminal. We put him in prison a few years back, for theft and we thought maybe he could tell us what all of this meant. So, we asked him, and he gave us the tip to search for this other guy, who was an employee of the one we were searching. So, we found him and interrogated him, till he told us where to find his boss.” Marcel was just about to elaborate, when Łukasz cut him off and said:,, Interrogate is a pretty loose word. He let him dangle of a roof, until he told us something. I wasn´t convinced it was the truth because people will say anything under the fear of death, but it did turn out to be true. And when we saw the guy lying unconscious on the floor of a closed subway station, we knew we were at the right place. But someone had been there before us, and then Marcel finally checked his phone and we heard your voicemail and asked for backup. And the rest you know.” ,,And what will you do now? You said you´ve been chasing him for almost ten years.” Marcel and Łukasz both shrugged and Marcel answered:,, There is always new criminals to catch. We´ll find something to do.” Just in that moment, John mum came into the living room. She was carrying a tray of food and looked like she was alive, for the first time in a long time. She put down the tray on the couch table and told them:,, You have fifteen minutes left. And John, eat up.” ,,And I thought I wasn´t in the hospital anymore.” John answered and his mother rolled her eyes and left again. On the tray was bread and soup and a bowls for everyone of them. So, Marcel and Łukasz filled the bowls with soup and gave them to the kids, taking the last ones themselves. They started eating and after only half a bowl, John sat his bowl down and said:,, I´m full. But the soup was amazing.” Lucas looked up from drinking out the rest of the bowl and asked John, with a worried look on his face:,, But you barely ate anything. How will you get back your power if you don´t?” John laid one hand on Lucas´s shoulder and answered:,, I will get my power back, it´ll just take a while. I´ll be able to eat more every day. My stomach is small right now and I have to be careful. Don´t worry. I´m really okay.” Lucas nodded slowly, so John added:,, And more soup for you.” Lucas had to smile at that and started eating again. Once they were all full and their bowls were empty, they took it back into the kitchen. John´s mother heard that and walked after them into the kitchen after them and said:,, Okay now that you´re done. You have to leave; John needs his rest.” Marcel and Łukasz agreed, while Heather, Liz and Lucas disagreed and Lucas asked:,, Can I stay here? I swear I won´t do anything, we´ll just watch TV. He´ll still get his rest.” Lucas was pleading and John´s mother sighed, but eventually agreed, but warned Lucas:,, If I get wind of you keeping him from his rest, I´ll throw you out the window.” ,,I don´t doubt it.” Lucas answered, but he had to smile, since he didn´t have to leave John yet. They all went to the door and said their goodbyes. And before they left, Marcel said:,, I have a feeling this isn´t the last time we´ll see each other. So, until later I guess.” The kids chuckled, while John´s mother said:,, I hope not. I don´t need another heart attack.” That made everyone laugh more and the four went out and Lucas pulled the door shut behind them. He and John went back into the living and laid down on the sofa. John turned on the tone of the TV again and they settled in to watch the Star Trek episode that was running.
After leaving John´s place, Heather and Liz were being driven home by Marcel and Łukasz. They were first going to drop of Heather by her parents. Arriving there Heather promised Liz:,, I´ll meet up with you as soon as I can. Take care of yourself.” She gave her a short goodbye kiss and went out of the car. The drive to Liz´s flat was quiet, except the radio, which was playing qietly an old country song. After a while Marcel started humming to the tune and shortly after, Łukasz joined him, he had to laugh and said:,, You don´t know the tune at all.” Marcel stopped humming and answered:,, But I like the song, so I don´t care. If you don´t like it, you can walk the rest of the way.” ,,This my car. You should be happy you get to drive.” Łukasz answered, but there was no real heat behind it, and he was still smiling. “Pff, I always drive your car and you couldn´t stop me if you tried.” Marcel said, as he took a hard right turn and Łukasz whined:,, Yeah, I won´t have a chance to try to stop if, if we´re going to die on this drive. We´re not chasing someone Schmellel, we don´t need to speed.” Marcel laughed, but slowed down and despite herself, Liz had to laugh. But regretted it immediately, when her side hurt like hell, and she hissed a bit. Marcel wanted to turn around and look at her, but Łukasz said:,, Eyes on the road.” Then he turned around and asked Liz:,, You okay? Is there anything we can do for you?” Liz shook her head and answered:,, Nope, just a broken rib is the worst. It hurts when I laugh or talk or eat or even breath.” ,, Hey it´ll go away in about two weeks or even less. You´re still young, you are going to be okay.” ,,Yeah, I know.” Liz answered her hand still on her rib. Even though the doctor had given her something to stabilize it with, it still hurt, when he moved to much. Arriving at her flat, she said goodbye to Marcel and Łukasz and rang the doorbell. Luckily Mike answered and let her in. Normally he was working at this time but asked for a two day leave and he got it. So, now he was helping Liz get up the stairs and then resumed his dinner making in the kitchen. Liz had sat down on the couch again and laid as comfortable as possible, which was not a lot. She turned on the TV and switched through the channels, until she found a trash series, which she could watch. After a while, Mike came in and sat down in his armchair. It was originally Liz´s but he claimed it since the first time he sat in it, because it was just so damn nice. They watched the series for a while making jokes about how ridiculous the people and the premise of the show is, until Mike´s timer beeped and he had to get back to the food. Liz kept watching, till her phone beeped with notification. It was from Heather in their group chat. She was asking when they will meet again and if everyone one is save home. Lucas sent back, that Heather knew he is at John´s and that it would probably take a while, till they could meet again in person. And so, a discussion about when they can meet and that John´s parents should be so overly cautious. Liz had to smile. It was like John never left. Of course, there were remainders of their adventure. Liz´s injuries, John weakness, Heather´s obsession with making sure everyone is okay and Lucas sleepless nights and the bags under his eyes. But it wasn´t like anything changed a lot. John was still witty, Heather was still badass and the mother of their group and Lucas was still anxious, but unintentionally funny. So, Liz jointed in the discussion and they agreed to meet in three days at John´s house, since he wasn´t allowed to walk a lot yet. Liz heard Mike call for her, that dinner is ready and she clocked out of the conversation. It sucked that she was in such pain and the walking on crutched didn´t exactly help against the pain. She slumped down into one of the chairs an they started eating. It hurt probably even worse than walking and Liz wanted to stop, but she was too hungry to stop. After eating and trying to help Mike as well as she could, she went to get ready for bed. After brushing her teeth, she took another painkiller and laid down in her bed. She tried to distract herself, by watching something on her phone and did eventually fall asleep, when the painkiller finally started to show effect. She woke up, because her rib started to hurt again, and the pain was too much. She tried to move as little as possible, while checking the time. It was 3 o´clock in the morning and she had to count back the hours to when she took her last painkiller. It was about 7 hours ago, so she was safe to take another one for the rest for the night. She took the painkillers and the bottle of water from her nightstand and took one. She knew it would take about an hour to take effect but tried to sleep anyway. She didn´t now how long she laid there, until she was pulled into the land of dreams.

Chapter 15: Chapter 15

It was three days, before they all saw each other again. Heather had visited Liz every day and Lucas had always visited John, but neither John nor Liz had the energy to leave the house. But today was Monday and it was the first day Liz could go to the school again. She still had to walk on crutches and her side still hurt, but it was getting better and in two weeks, Liz would be free from the crutches. On this Monday morning, Heather had convinced her mother to give her car to Mike, who had a licence and could drive Liz to the school. Heather went to Liz before school and helped her get ready and carried her stuff. When they arrived at the school, Lucas was just arriving. He still had bags under his eyes and his hair was still out of control. He said to Liz and Heather:,, I was just at John´s. He´s getting better and can probably start the second semester.” It was the last week of the first semester, and they were supposed to start now already, so they can get used to it again, since the didn´t have school for the last two weeks and in that week nobody makes hard classes. Heather answered:,, That´s good to here. So, you ready for this?” ,,No really.” Said Lucas and chuckled nervously. He was almost as nervous as the first day of school, but at least this time he knew he doesn´t have to do it alone. They went into the school and into their class. Luckily today they all had their subject together and nobody had to go somewhere alone. Their first lesson was Maths, and they chose a seat in the far back. Their teacher saw them and said:,, Hey, it´s good to have you back. All of you okay?” They all said that they were okay and so the first lesson started. The lesson was pretty normal, since they didn´t really knew any of it. After the lesson ended, their teacher stopped them from leaving, asking if they could stay back for a minute. They agreed and their teacher said:,, I know you weren´t here for the last two weeks and you had every right not to be. But you are probably a bit behind. So, for one I have everything we used in those two weeks here and I´m willing to give you a bit of after school supporting.” He pulled out a stack of papers and gave every one of the kids a third. Before the kids could answer anything, he continued:,, It wasn´t a lot, just a bit analytics, mostly training. And what about John. Does he need the papers too?” ,,Yeah, I can take them to him.” Offered Lucas and took the last stack of papers from their teacher. After they had all looked through the papers, Heather answered:,, I don´t think we´ll need extra tutoring. But thanks anyway.” ,,Okay, if you have any question always come to me. Then you can go into the break. And it´s good to have you back. I was really worried about you. You´re my students.” They said goodbye to him and went out into the hallway. They went into a corner, in which there stood a bank and a table, at which they always sat. The best thing about it was, that they were alone and rarely anybody ever went there. They were scared that they would be questioned about where they were, by their classmates and tried to get away from them as fast as possible. When they sat down, Lucas asked the girls:,, It´s kind of weird, being here again after everything that happened. Don´t you think?” ,,Yeah, for a moment I thought we´ll never get to see any of this ever again. As weird as this sounds, I´m kind of happy to be back here. It gives me a sense, that´ll be like it was.” ,,Or maybe even better.” Liz threw in and kissed Heather lightly. Lucas rolled his eyes and made gag noises. Heather just laughed and said:,, Just ask out John. Then we can go on double dates.” Lucas tried to explain himself:,, Okay, first of double dates are cheesy and second, who do you think I am? I´m not going to ask him out. That would just confuse him. He needs rest. Especially psychic rest.” Heather and Liz still chuckled, when Liz answered him:,, Hey, it´s okay you´ll be okay. You guys always are. And in case you´re waiting on the perfect moment, it won´t come. There isn´t a perfect moment. You just have to come up with the courage to ask him out.” Lucas nor groaned and said:,, But I´m an anxious ball of energy. Where the hell am I supposed to find that courage?” ,,I don´t know. But I´m sure you´ll find it. And if you don´t, maybe John will.” Liz tried calm him down and so they kept talking the whole beak and only went to the classes short before they started. Lucas was distracted the whole day, thinking about John. Maybe he should tell him. But what if he doesn´t like him back, but he tells himself he should, because they were a thing before the kidnapping. And Lucas doesn´t want to be a burden to him. When the final bell of the day rang, Lucas said goodbye to Heater and Liz, telling them, that he´ll go visit John. They assured him that they´ll also come later that day. And so, Lucas unlocked his bike and drove over to John´s like he was trying to outdrive the devil. He was at John´s and rang the bell. John´s father opened him the door and let him in. He went into the living room and John asked him:,, Did you run all the way here? Is someone chasing you?” It was half serious and half joking. When he looked down at himself, Lucas got what John meant. Lucas was breathing hard, his locks was plastered to his forehead, and he was still wearing his jacket. He put his jacket on the clothing hanger and went with his hand through his hair to get it out of his face. But when he looked at John for the first time, he was amazed. Before he could stop himself, he said:,, You look amazing.” His hair had been cut and washed. It wasn´t professionally cut, but at least it wasn´t hanging over his shoulder. He changed into new clothes and judging from the plates, he ate a lot today. John smiled at that and answered:,, I feel way better too.” It was true. He finally had appetite again and could almost eat a full meal. He walked up their stairs without having to pause in between. And now that Lucas is here again, it was even better. He just waited for the day, until he could go to school with him again. He just felt like Lucas lit up every room that he´s walking into. And he is kind of cute, even though John is pretty sure he should not think that. Lucas let himself fall onto the couch and pulled open his backpack. He pulled out a stack of papers and explained:,, That is everything we missed in the classes we had today. I know you probably don´t have the energy to do it right now, but just so you have it.” John´s eyes shone, and he answered:,, Thank you. I´ll probably do something today. I´m sooo bored here. But now that you’re here not anymore.” John smiled at Lucas and Lucas´s heart skipped a beat. He was really gone for that boy, and it hurt every time he thought about it. But when John smiled at him like that, Lucas felt like he could fly. Because he had a feeling he was the only one getting that smile. The shy, unsure, honest smile. Lucas tried to catch himself and asked John:,, Well, what do you want to do?” ,,I don´t know. Maybe we could check out what we have for school.” Lucas agreed and put his papers in front of John. They decided to start with math and spend almost the whole afternoon learning. Sometimes John would get headaches and then they would have to turn everything dark and silent and give him about 15 minutes. Just another evidence of what happened. When John´s mother came into the room, they were just doing history and looked up. She had an apron on and told them:,, Dinner is ready. You eat with us if you want.” Lucas looked at his clock and noticed that it was only 6 o´clock. He agreed to eat with them, and they went into the kitchen. John´s parents asked Lucas about school and how he is feeling. Lucas answered all their question patiently. When they were done, John had eaten more than the last days and was laughing with them. A bit of his old witty self started to shine through. After dinner ended, Lucas decided that it was time to go home, he didn´t want to overtire John. So, he packed his school stuff together and put on his jacket. Before leaving, John hugged him and said:,, Well, in only a week, I´ll be back in school and we can do shenanigans again. Huh, Luki?” ,, Yeah, but take care of yourself until then.” Lucas answered and smiled at John. Then he closed the door and went down the stairs. When he was on the sidewalk he let his breath form little clouds in the cold air and tried to calm his heart down. He didn´t exactly know why, but he loved when John calmed him that. He was the only one who was allowed to call him Luki, and it always made Lucas´s heart skip a beat. And nobody ever told John, that he had a nickname for Lucas, he remembered that all by himself. Or he thought of it on the spot and Lucas couldn´t tell what was better. He unlocked his bike and drove home, still thinking about John. When he arrived at home he unlocked the front door and went into his room. He put his backpack beside his desk and went into the kitchen. He found a note from his dad, which informed him, that his dad was still at work and that there was food in the fridge. He was going to return in the early morning. Lucas looked in the fridge and found lasagne, which he could reheat later in the evening. He went back into his room and pulled out his tablet from his backpack. He put it on the charger and went to the living room. He turned on the TV and connected his phone to it. For about an hour, he just watched Youtube distracting himself from everything that happened. After that, he went to reheat his lasagne and just ate it in front of the TV. He didn´t have the energy to put his dishes away and just decided to do it tomorrow. He put on his favourite funny TV-series and pulled a blanket around himself, trying to keep warm. When he looked at the clock the last time, it had been about midnight, but he still didn´t want to sleep. He kept watching, until his eyes fell shut and he was pulled into a dreamless sleep.
Lucas was running through a corridor, and it seemed to have no end. There is no light at the end of the tunnel and no doors on the sides. All Lucas knows is that he has to find John, he just has to. But the problem is, he has no idea where John is or where he himself is. So, he just keeps running. Then all of a sudden he is in a room, a cell and John is sitting on the ground, eyes fixed on the wall. Lucas went to him and right before he could lay a hand on his shoulder, John looked at him. Lucas told him:,, We need to get out of here. Come on!” John just keeps looking at him and when Lucas wanted to touch him, John edged away, looking scared. But then he went into angry and then said:,, What are you doing here? After everything you have the audacity to come here.” And now they were in John´s room and he was screaming at Lucas:,, You are the worst! You couldn’t save me, and you just let me be tortured! What kind of shitty friend are you?!” Lucas was speechless, and just stuttered:,, What no. We – we saved you. I- I saved you.” John made a step backwards and now they were at a cliff. John was standing right at the edge of it. He was laughing and said:,, No, you got me out of there. I was happy there, and you took that from me. And now I´m with you again and that was the worst thing you could do.” Lucas´s eyes filled with tears, and he pleaded with John:,, Please, get back from the edge. You- you don´t mean that. You´re just- just tired right?” John laughed harder now and answered:,, Yeah, tired of you and your anxious bullshit. You´re a burden to everyone you meet. The only reason we´re still here is pity. But I´m tired. Tired of you.” And with that, John let himself fall down the cliff, with a crazy smile on his face. Lucas ran to the edge and screamed after John:,, JOHN!?!?” And then he woke up.
Lucas was tangled up in the blanket and sat upright. He tried to calm his heart and tell himself that it was just a dream, but somehow that didn´t help and he couldn´t stop the tears running down his face. He covered deeper into the blanket, trying to hide from the world. When he had calmed down a bit, he pulled out his phone. It was three in the morning and for a moment he thought about calling someone, but then he told himself, that they wouldn´t want to hear it. He didn´t want to be a burden, more than he already was. The TV was still showing his series, but he couldn´t watch it anymore. He turned the TV off and just kept laying there. He couldn´t fall asleep because he could not bare to have another one of those nightmares. He thought about what happened and hated, that it affected him so much more than anybody else. John was the one that had been kidnapped, not him. He doesn´t have any reason to have problems, he is fine. He should not be affected by it this hard, but then again he has always been more effected by things that he should be. He stood up and went into his own room. Turned off the light and laid down in his bed. He knew that he wasn´t going to be able to sleep, but maybe he could dose a bit. But he just thought up bad scenarios and was getting into a panic again. So, he pulled out his phone and distracted himself, until he felt himself calm down. He wasn´t tired anymore, but didn´t have any energy either. He just watched Youtube, without actually paying attention, just trying to kill the time. When he heard someone open the door, he panicked and tried to find something to fight back. But then he saw his father going in and calmed down. His father put his things away and then went into Lucas´s room, who had acted like he was asleep and put away his phone. His father turned on the light and said:,, hey Lucas, wake up. You need to go to school.” Lucas groaned and faked waking up. His father told him:,, I´ll go make breakfast. When you´re not there in ten minutes, I´ll steal your blanket.” Lucas groaned and stood up. He was tired and didn´t have any energy, but changed and went into the kitchen, nevertheless. His father was already making breakfast. Lucas sat down in a chair and put his phone into the charger. His father gave him his usual morning toast. Lucas didn´t have any appetite, but still ate half the toast and then told his father he had to get ready for school. They didn´t have the first two lessons, but Lucas wanted to go to John and look how he was doing. So, he took his school stuff, said goodbye to his dad and went to get his bike. He drove to John´s home slowly, trying to get his breathing in control. He still thought about the fact, that John had called him Luki and wondered what else he remembered now. When he arrived at John´s he locked his bike and rang the doorbell. John´s mother answered:,, Who are you and what do you want?” ,,Hey, here´s Lucas. I want to check on John.” The door opened and Lucas saw John´s mother. She looked a bit better than the last days, but still tired and only said:,, John is in his room.” And let Lucas go. Lucas went into John´s room, as quiet as possible to not wake him up, but John was already sitting up in his bed, watching something on his phone. When he heard the door open, he looked up and asked Lucas:,, What are you doing here? Don´t you have school?” Lucas sat down on the stool at John´s desk and answered:,, No, we don´t have the first two lessons and I wanted to check up on you. What are you already doing up? It´s just past 8.” John just shrugged and said:,, I woke up about an hour ago. I guess I slept too much on the day. What are you already doing up?” ,,Checking up on you. What else?” John chuckled, but told Lucas:,, I don´t need you to check up on me. I´m okay. Just a bit weak.” Lucas nodded at that and asked John:,, So, you bored yet?” Lucas wanted to ask John if he is affected by everything that happened too, and not just physically, but emotional. But John had enough on his plate and Lucas really should be fine. So, they kept talking and watching funny videos, until Lucas had to go to school. They said goodbye and Lucas promised to return after school, to give him the schoolwork. He drove to the school and sat down for the first lesson. He wasn´t attentive but wrote everything down. He just was too tired to do anything else. When Heather and Liz came into the class in the break, Lucas tried to not look too tired. When Heather asked him, what was going on, he just answered:,, Nothing, I just didn´t get a lot of sleep. Just watched my series for too long.” It wasn´t exactly a lie. He did watch his series, but that wasn´t why he hadn´t slept. But he wasn´t going to annoy Heather and Liz with something as unimportant as nightmares. He smiled at them and then the bell saved him, and he looked to the teacher entering the classroom. The rest of the school day was normal, but Lucas could feel Heather´s and Liz´s eyes on him more than normal. He guessed they were worried, but they shouldn´t be, he was fine. They are just nightmares. After school, Lucas wanted to say goodbye to Heather and Liz to go to John´s, but the girls decided to come to him with him. And so, the three of them went to John´s house. Lucas had to let his bike stay at the school when Mike drove them to John. They rang the doorbell, and to their surprise, John answered:,, Hey, who is there?” ,,Your better half.” Heather answered and without missing a beat, John asked back:,, Lucas?” ,,Actually, I meant me, but okay.” Heather was still laughing when John opened the door, and they went up the stairs. Arriving at the front door, John was standing there, and the first thing Lucas thought was, that John looked incredibly cute. John was wearing his pyjama bottoms and an oversized washed-out Harry Potter shirt, his feet in slippers, that looked like little dinosaurs and his hair was, though it was cut, still a mess. He was smiling and welcoming them in, by stepping aside. They all left their shoes at the door and went into the living room. John is getting something to drink for everyone, while the other three were making themselves at home. After settling in, they got out their schoolwork and started learning. In truth they did not get a lot done, because they would always get distracted and joke around. When Heather looked at her phone, it was already 7:30 and they decided to get home, so they can eat dinner. Shortly before they left, Lucas went to John and asked him:,, Are you really okay? Did you sleep okay?” ,,Yeah, I´m okay. Just still a bit confused and weak, but it´s fine.” ,,How can you handle it this well? You have been kidnapped and drugged.” John nodded in thought and answered:,, Yeah, that did happen. It happened and I can´t change it now. All I can do is to do my best and learn from it.” Lucas looked at John with shining eyes and new respect, just saying:,, You´re the strongest person I know.” John smiled at that and felt his heart skip a beat. He loved it when Lucas complimented him. To overplay his surprise, he said:,, I can´t even do one push up. I´m not that strong.” To that Lucas had to laugh, his real laugh, not a forced one. The one that makes you want to laugh along him, even if you don’t know what it´s about. After that they just said their goodbyes and left John to rest. Lucas asked Mike to drive him to the school to get his bike, which he drove home. When he was home, it was already 8 o´clock and his father was making dinner. While eating dinner, his father informed him:,, Your mother will be arriving in a few days. You want to get her from the airport?” Lucas´s face split into a grin and he answered:,, I´d love to. Tell me when you know when exactly she´ll be arriving.” His father agreed and they kept talking about school and his dad´s job. He showered, brushed his teeth and went to bed and tried to sleep. This night he had nightmares again and barely slept. Got out of bed, drove to John and then to school. In school he wasn´t attentive and after school he was driving to John again, until he had to go home for dinner. Which he either ate alone in front of the TV or with his father, mostly in silence. And then he showered, brushed his teeth and went to bed. Every night he had nightmares and barely slept. Woke up exhausted and somehow got through the day. That went on for a week or so, until John came back to school. It was the first day of the second Semester and John said he was ready to go back. So, Lucas drove to John´s house like every morning and wanted to take him for school. But his parents had decided that they will drive John to school, so Lucas just locked up his bike at John´s and got driven to school with John. When they stepped out of the car, John stood there for a moment and said:,, I never thought I´ll see theses grounds again.” Lucas laid a hand on his shoulder and said:,, Don´t worry, you´ll get tired of them soon enough.” John looed at Lucas and noticed once again his tired complexion. From far away, you wouldn’t notice it, but it was evident on his face. The bags under his eyes which keep getting bigger from day to day, his strained smiled and fallen in cheekbones. Lucas hadn´t been sleeping or eating enough and John was sure that he was not okay. But right now, they will just enjoy the feeling of everything being a bit like old times. John made the first steps into the grounds and Lucas followed him. When they arrived at their classroom, there had been at least ten people, John had never spoken to tell him how happy they are that he is back. In the classroom he sat down on his usual chair in the back and pulled his hood on. He was trying to hide from the people congratulating him. What were they graduating him for, for getting kidnapped? That´s not something to be proud of. He found a little note wedge between the table and it´s leg. He pulled it out, he was still too curious for his own good, and read it. Hey John, I know you hate people telling you they are happy you´re here. But I am. I was really worried. Talk to me if you need. Alex. John had to smile at that, those are the people he wanted to talk to. The rest of the day was normal and even though John was a bit overwhelmed he handled it well. Heather and Liz were incredibly happy to see John back on his feet and nearly crushed him with their hugs. Most of the teachers just gave him a nod, not wanting to put further attention to him. They drove together with John back to John´s home and talked a bit, until they decided, that John needed his rest and left him to it. While waiting for Mike to get Liz, Lucas asked her:,, So, when will you be able to walk again?” Liz lifted up her leg and answered:,, The gips will be taken of in a week and in two weeks I´ll be able to walk normal again. But I feel like that´s an eternity.” Heather hugged her from behind, careful as to not hurt her, and comforted her:,, Hey, you´ll be okay. Just be patient.” Liz groaned and wanted to say something to that, but in that moment, Mike arrived, and they went into the car. The first person was Lucas, then Heather and at last Liz. Lucas was home a bit earlier, than he wanted to be, but he had homework, which he could do. After being done with that, he shot a message to John asking how he was. Then he pulled out his old painting set and started to paint. He wasn´t sure what he was drawing, but in the end, he decided to just draw what he could do best and sunset. After two hours his father came home and said:,, I was just shopping for dinner. You hungry yet?” Lucas wasn´t hungry, he was never hungry these days, but he knew he should eat, so he just called back:,, Yeah, I could eat.” So, his father started to make dinner and Lucas helped, so he had something to do. They were eating in silence again and when done they cleaned their dishes and Lucas said, that he wanted to go sleep. His father saw his bags and just wished him goodbye. But Lucas didn´t fall asleep for a long time, he laid away in his bed, being afraid that if he fell asleep the nightmares would return. In the early hours in the morning, he couldn´t keep awake much longer and fell into a dreamless sleep. But only two hours later, he woke up from a nightmare, screaming John´s name. His father was standing at his bed, begging him to wake up. Lucas didn´t know, what he dreamt but he still had panic and his heart was racing. His father laid a hand on Lucas´s shoulder and asked:,, What were you dreaming? Do you want to talk about it?” Lucas just shook his head, but his father sat on the bed, nevertheless. Lucas just wanted to run away, but his father asked him:,, Do you have those nightmares often?” Lucas knew he didn´t have any chance at getting out of this conversation, so he just said:,, No, just sometimes. And they´re just nightmares. I´m fine.” ,,No, you´re not. I can see that you´re tired and not just your normal unmotivated tired. You barely sleep, you barely eat and you don´t talk to me. And you are overly emotional. You can´t keep going like this.” Lucas fought the urge and tried to keep his voice even:,, It´s fine, really. I just need more sleep. And those nightmares won´t kill me, I´ll be fine.” His father sighed and just answered to that:,, I know I´m not getting anything out of you, but you need to talk to someone. If not to me, then to a therapist or a friend. Anyone.” Now Lucas was getting annoyed, he didn’t need to be fixed, he wasn’t not broken. He was just tired and needed a bit of time. That was all, there was nothing wrong with him. He just stood up and said:,, I need to shower!” He did need to shower, he was covered in sweat from his nightmare. When he was done, he threw over a hoodie and jeans, and got ready for school. He decided to gift his drawing to John, when he´ll see him today. And then he got onto his bike and drove to John´s home. Today was the first day he was allowed to go by bike, so they drove together in a slow pace, because John was still weak. And Lucas was tired and so didn´t have a lot of energy anyway. When they arrived, it was just on point and they had to run to their classroom as to not run late. The schooldays were getting more normal and after John had been back for a week, everything was almost like before. Except that John sometimes had the worst headaches and forgot the most normal things. The doctors said, that it was a normal side effect of the drug and that´ll take a few months to go away. But John was getting better and healthier. Lucas wasn´t getting better and it was harder to hide it. Because now he was getting panic attacks and nightmares and his grades were dropping. So, when Heather was at the hospital with Liz to get her cast of and Lucas and John were alone at John´s home. They were getting bored, and John asked Lucas:,, We used to have this cottage in the woods right?” ,,Yeah, why?” John tried to remember something, but it was all blurry and all could remember was, that there was something important about it. He told that to Lucas, who informed him:,, Yeah, it was a drug hideout for the people you were kidnapped by. And you stole their list of the people who stood in their debt. They wanted it back, so they kidnapped you. But you didn´t tell anyone. You helped the police catch them, you´re a freaking hero.” John just smiled at that. He wasn´t the hero, Lucas was. Lucas saved him and let the police to the bad guys. He just shot the most important person in his life and almost killed everyone he loved. But then he remembered something else. A flash of Lucas, standing before him in a dark corridor talking to him. He couldn´t remember what Lucas had said, but something tells him that it was important. So, he looked up at Lucas, who was looking at something on his phone and smiling. John always found Lucas´s smile could light up the darkest nights. Lucas looked up and asked him:,, What is it?” He was still smiling his eyes trained on John, who was letting himself fall into the beautiful brown of them. His curls were starting to fall into his eyes and John tried to speak, but forgot how to form words and just stuttered:,, I – um – remembered something. You – you know from the time in the bunker.” He could see Lucas gulp and answered, his voice wavering a bit:,, What did you remember?” John could see a bit of panic in his eyes and wondered what he said, that made him so afraid now. But then he realised, that it doesn´t matter, he´ll always be by Lucas´s side. So, he put a hand on Lucas´s shoulder and answered, catching his voice:,, In the corridor I remember you telling me something. What was it? And it doesn´t matter what it was, I´ll never leave you.” Lucas could see in John´s eyes that he meant it, but he was still too much of a coward to admit it, so he just answered:,, Yeah, I tried to get you to remember who you were. By telling you a few things about yourself.” ,,You sure there wasn´t anything else?” ,,Yeah. I´m sure. That was all.” And with that Lucas leaned back on the ground and closed his eyes. John sat down next to him and asked:,, Why are you so tired all the time? Are you having nightmares?” Lucas pops one eyes open and answered:,, No, I just watched Netflix till the middle of the night.” John shifted, so he was sitting beside Lucas, with his back against the same shelf and tried to get Lucas to talk to him:,, You know you can talk to me, right? I won´t think anything less of you. You´ll always be my hero.” John meant that, Lucas saved him from that horrible cell and was ready to die, because he believed John could be saved. That was more than most people would have done and John will never be able to thank him enough. So, the least he can do is help him through the aftermath. Lucas didn´t say anything, so John just kept talking, to show him it´s okay:,, You know I´m scared. I hate not being able to remember everything and sometimes having to ask people about obvious things. I feel like I´m a burden, because I can´t help you. But I work with it and I talk to people about it. And it helps, I feel like I´m not alone when someone listens to me. And I will always listen to you.” John stopped for a second and Lucas asked:, would you still care if it affected me more than it should?” John looked around and saw that Lucas´s eyes were looking up at him. Despite himself, he put his hand on Lucas´s cheek and said:,, Yes and it doesn´t ever affect you too much. It affects you, how it affects you and that´s okay.” John smiled a bit and Lucas got lost in his eyes, for the first time since they got John out feels like it´s okay what he is feeling. Like he´s not overreacting. He leaned into John´s hand and said:,, Thanks. But I´ll be okay.” John let his hand fall back to his side and told Lucas:,, In case you´re not going to be okay. I´ll be here to talk.” Lucas just made a noise of agreement and closed his eyes again. John wondered what could be so scary, that Lucas wouldn´t tell him. Something in his heart told him, that there was more to it, but he couldn´t say it exactly, so he just let it go. He felt a weight on his shoulder and when he turned to check, he saw Lucas had fallen asleep with his head on John´s shoulder. John smiled and let his head fall back against the shelf. He couldn´t exactly name the feeling that was blooming in his chest, but it was good, calming one. He let his head fall onto Lucas´s and buried his cheek into Lucas´s curls. They were soft and he never wanted to leave this moment. He fell asleep too after a bit, with Lucas´s steady breath and his curls on John´s cheek.
When Lucas woke up again, he felt rested, for the first time in weeks and stayed in this half-asleep state for a bit longer. But then he felt John move at his side and realised in what position they were in. His head was laying on John´s shoulder, so he scrambled to his feet and took a step backwards. John, who had been leaning against him, fell to the floor and woke up too. He rubbed his head, where it hit the floor and looked up at Lucas, who just said:,, Morning.” John stood up too and asked:,, Sleep well?” ,,Yeah, surprisingly.” It was evening and they had slept through almost the whole afternoon. Lucas knew John knew, that him sleeping well had something to do with him, but he chose to ignore it. They settled down, Lucas at the desk, John on the bed. They decided to watch an episode of their favourite series and when the first episode is over, John asked Lucas:,, Can I ask you something? And can you promise not to freak out?” Lucas turned of the series and answered:,, Of course, whatever it is.” ,, So, you know how I don´t remember a lot, from before you guys saved me. Especially from my time in the cell.” Lucas nodded, moving the chair closer to John as he continued:,, So, I have this feeling, that you did something else than talk to me. Something that made me happy and scared at the same time. Something that was powerful enough to pull me out of my slumber.” Lucas was silent for a moment and then tried to answer as calmy as he could:,, Must be your brain playing tricks on you. There wasn´t anything else.” John knew Lucas was lying, but he also knew, that Lucas wasn´t going to tell him. But then he had an idea. He couldn´t tell what drove him to do ask it, but he did:,, Can I kiss you?” Lucas blinked a few times, before asking:,, What?” ,,Yeah, I have an inkling, but I´m not sure about it.” Lucas was going to decline, but that was just making himself more obvious, so he tried to keep his voice and breath even and answered:,, Okay.” Lucas tried to keep his heart in check, as John stood up from the bed and went stand in front of him. He bend down and placed his lips on Lucas´s. And something happened, a firework light up in his chest. After a few seconds he pulled away, but remained at the same spot, unmoving. Lucas was dumbstruck and asked:,, Did it help?” His voice was hoarse, and his heart was racing but he was trying to keep his composure. John was silent for a few more moment and then answered:,, Yes, that´s it!” He took a step back and said, grinning from ear to ear:,, You told me you loved me and then kissed me and that pulled me out. Am I right?” ,,Mhm” Lucas answered, looking at the ground, scared of what was going to happen. After Lucas couldn´t bare the silence he asked:,, What now?” John sighed and said:,, I don´t know. I don´t know how I feel about you, because I don’t remember a lot. But there is something more. I just feel it.” ,,Okay, Just figure it out. I can´t wait.” Lucas realised what he said and quickly added:,, I don´t mean it like that. You take all the time you need.” John nodded slowly and sat back down on the bed. They both were silent for a moment and then John asked:,, Do you sleep at all?” And Lucas, still being consumed by the kiss answered truthfully:,, No, I mean I do sleep a bit, but not a lot. I wake up from nightmares every night. I dream about you mostly. That you give me the fault at what happen. That you die or get tortured or something worse happening.” Lucas felt his eyes fill with tears and the in the next second, John was hugging him, by bending down a bit, because Lucas was still sitting in the chair. John hesitated for a moment and then asked:,, Do you get panic attacks too?” Because he had seen it a few times, but wasn´t sure. Lucas nodded and said:,, Yeah, it happened a lot more recently and I´m trying to get it under control, but it didn´t really work, so I would always spend more time at home. Just trying to stay awake, to not have more nightmares.” John pulled back far enough to look Lucas in the eyes and asked:,, Why didn´t you tell me? Or anybody else. We could have helped you.” ,,So, It´s okay?” ,,Of course, it´s okay.” John answered and without thinking, kissed Lucas again. This time Lucas kissed back and smiled into the kiss. When they pulled back, John chuckled and said:,, I know that I like kissing you.” Lucas smiled and said:,, Would you be okay if I went to therapy?” ,,Of course, if it helps you I´m on your side. Forever.” ,,Thank you. I love you. And I know you can´t say it back, but I need to say it.” ,,It´s fine, I have a feeling I´ll say it back in the future.” They smiled and then they heard the doorbell ring. John went to open it and to their surprise it was Heather and Liz. Liz still on crutches but free from her cast and smiling. John led them into his room, and they settled down. Liz told them about how her cast was taken off. After a while John silently tried to signal Lucas to tell them, but he just shook his head slightly and John didn´t push. They talked about everything and nothing, until Heather asked Lucas:,, Maybe this isn´t the time, but it´s been two weeks and look like you haven´t slept, you have panic attacks, and you barely talk. You have to talk to someone.” Lucas didn´t want to talk about it, but John nudged him from the side and Liz and Heather both had open expression. But he just said:,, I think I need to see a therapist.” ,,Okay, why?” Liz asked, but when she saw Lucas scared expression, she added:,, You don´t have to tell us We´re happy you´re getting help.” Heather nodded and Lucas felt a weight fall of his shoulders. They were right, telling somebody had helped. John looked at him admiring and said:,, He´s strong, right?” Lucas looked up from the ground and at that moment he noticed that he had the best and most supporting family anyone could ever wish for. And that it was okay to not be okay. To need help sometimes. Heather stood up, hugged him and said:,, It´s okay to need help once in a while. It doesn´t make you unworthy or weak. It makes you strong. You can´t do everything on your own. What is family for?” Liz stood up and yelled group hug and half jumped and fell on them and even John joined in, and they lay laughing on the ground a mess of limbs. After they had untangled themselves, they decided to start watching a new series, but ended up arguing over which one to watch more than they actually ended up watching one. When John´s parents came home from their dinner, Heather and Liz said goodbye, while Lucas asked if he could stay there. John´s parents agreed, and they went back into their room. They just chilled in John room, until getting too tired and falling asleep in John´s bed. Luckily John had a twin sized bed, so Lucas laid as far way from John as possible and thought about more about today. As much as happened, somehow he felt calmer. He talked about it and even thought there was still a voice in his head that told him it was wrong, and he was crazy, he knew going to see a therapist is the right decision. John getting kidnapped took a stroll on him and that´s okay. Losing the love of your live is hard and he now has some issues he had work through. He fell asleep with his eyes trained on John peacefully sleeping on the other side of the bed.

Chapter 16: Chapter 16

When woke up he felt Lucas hugging him from behind and snoring lightly. He turned around and looked at him. It looked like this was the first time he slept well in a long time. John put his hand on Lucas´s cheek and sighed. This is the most important person in his life and someone he could never lose. Lucas stirred a bit and opened one eye. When he saw john sleeping next to him, he started to panic again, but John smiled at him and said:,, It´s okay. Let´s just stay here a bit, okay?” Lucas calmed down and made a noise of agreement. They cuddled for a moment more, but eventually John´s father came in and said:,, Breakfast is ready, kids.” They got out of the bed and went into the kitchen. John´s mom asked:,, How are you?” Lucas and John smiled at each other and Lucas answered:,, Yeah, we´re okay. But I do need to go home in a bit.” ,,Okay, should we drive you?” ,,No, I´ll just go by bike.” Lucas told them and the rest of the breakfast is being talked about school and work. When it was time for Lucas to leave, he was getting anxious, about telling his father, that he thought about getting therapy. They were standing at the front door, but wasn´t ready to go yet. But John just hugged him and reassured him:,, It´s going to be fine. Your dad will understand. It´ll help you to tell him and go to therapy. Trust me.” ,,Yeah, okay.” Lucas sighed and finally went on his way home. He drove as slow as he could and tried to plan what he´ll say, but everything just sounds stupid. When he arrived, he opened the door and went in. A part of him hoped his dad wouldn´t be there, but he knew he would be there so he put his backpack in his room and went into his dad´s study. He knocked at the door and when he heard a “come in” from his dad he opened the door. He sat down on the sofa next to the desk and said:,, Dad, I have something to tell you.” His dad closed what he was working on and turned to Lucas. Lucas had thought about what he was going to say, but now that it actually came to saying it, his mind blacked out and he felt panic rise. He thought about playing it cool, ask something about school, but he knew, he had tell his dad. So, he took a deep breath and asked:,, Is it okay if I go see a therapist?” Lucas could see his dad tense a bit, but he just responded with:,, Why? Because of what happened with John? Because of your nightmares?” Lucas nodded, because he didn´t really want to talk about and it seemed that his dad got the clue. He didn´t push and just asked:,, So, want to find a good one?” Lucas felt relieved, but also confused:,, You´re just fine with it?” His dad stood up and sat down sat next to Lucas. He laid a hand on Lucas´s shoulder and said:,, I saw how you were hurting, and it broke my heart, that you didn´t want to get help. I´m happy you´re seeking help and proud that you told me.” Lucas smiled and hugged his dad. His dad hugged him back and said:,, I still love you. That will never change.” Lucas was so overcome with emotions that he started to cry. He couldn’t tell why, but it felt good, to finally not have to cry alone. His dad rubbed his back and sat there with him, until Lucas had calmed and he said:,, Thank you. I was scared to tell you.” ,,Why?” Lucas sighed and said:,, Because I felt like it made me less worthy of love. Like people who go to therapy are crazy. And I don’t want to be crazy.” His dad pulled back, so he could look at Lucas and answered:,, People who go to therapy are people who need help. And needing help is normal, nobody can live without needing help sometimes. Even I needed help when I was younger.” Lucas was confused at that, his dad is a paramedic, he helps people. Not the other way around. His dad could see Lucas´s confusion and explained:,, It was my second week as a paramedic, and we were called to a car accident. We were assigned the driver of one of the cars, but we couldn´t get him out of the car in time. He died on the scene. It was the first time I had lost a patient. It took a stronger stroll on me and for paramedics there are self help groups and so I went to one. Even though it took me long to say anything, it helped to hear people had the same problems as me. I felt like it was okay, that it affected me, and I got better. It really helped, so I´m happy that you are deciding to get help too.” Lucas looked at his dad and then noticed, that he is even stronger than Lucas always thought. His dad stood and asked:,, You wanna get something to eat and I´ll tell you more funny stories about being on an ambulance.” Lucas nodded and followed his dad into the kitchen. He had calmed down, since he told his dad and smiled while his dad told him something about a guy who had been at an eating contest. It was gross, but funny. And so, they talked and joked the remaining afternoon and Lucas went into bed feeling not bad. But even in that night he had nightmares and woke up screaming three times. His dad was there for all times and calmed him down. In the end, he was just as tired as when he went to bed. He got ready for school like every morning and went to get his bike. John had texted him that they could meet at their normal rendezvous at the crossroad. So, Lucas had a bit more time and still had to wait for John. John was healthier now, but still not back to full strength and they all still didn´t go to training. Heather and Lucas could, but they felt it was wrong to go there with half of their team. So, it was Monday and they all sat in their classroom and waited for their teacher. John had gotten back into his old habit of letting his chair balance on two legs. Heather had her legs on her desk and Liz was scrolling through her phone. They were talking about what they´ll do after school, when their teacher came in and asked Lucas to come with him. Lucas looked at his friends, a bit scared, but followed his teacher outside. They sat down on two chairs in the teachers lounge and Lucas began to fidget. He knew his grade had been slacking, but it´s just been a lot. He just wanted to explain himself, but his teacher stopped him:,, Okay, before you try to explain yourself, I´m not here to talk about your grades. They have been slacking, but you´ve been through a lot. So, I´m giving you a free pass. But I´m worried. I´m your tutor and I know you´re not the loudest person, but normally you work well in the class. What is going on?” Lucas started to wring his hands together and felt his breathing fasten. For some reason he was angry at his teacher it was none of his business. He was fine. So, he stood up and said:,, I´m fine, okay? I don´t need your help! This has nothing to do with you!” Lucas was about to storm out, but his teacher stopped him and asked:,, Can you calm down?” But Lucas couldn´t calm down and that made everything worse. He pulled himself out of the grip of his teacher and ran out of the teacher´s lounge. He ran down the corridor, and ended up behind the school, kicking the wall repeatedly. Again and again, until he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around. It was John, who was looking concerned, but that made Lucas even angrier:,, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!” John took a step back and said:,, I was worried. Our teacher said you ran away, and I wanted to look for you. Are you okay?” ,,WHY!!” Lucas took a step forward and John took a slightly scared step backwards. Lucas was seeing red and screamed at John:,, WHY DO YOU CARE!? I WASN´T GOOD ENOUGH! YOU SHOT ME!! AND I BLAME YOU WHICH IS TOTALLY STUPID; BECAUSE IT WASN´T YOUR FAULT! YOU WEREN´T YOURSELF AND I SHOULDN´T BE YOUR BURDEN! YOU´VE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH!” Lucas took a deep breath and said, quieter:,, I don´t get to make problems, so you should stop caring and asking. I´m fine!” John took a brave step forward a still hard breathing Lucas and said:,, I don’t care whether you think you´re okay or not. Or whether you blame me. I will always care, and nothing could ever change that.” And before he could change his mind, John pulled Lucas into a strong hug. After a few seconds of trying to fight it, Lucas returned the hug and let himself fall into John. He was just so tired and sometimes he´d get angry. The last two weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster ride. This made him even clearer, that it was time to do something about it.
It had been a week since Lucas had decided to see a therapist and today was his first session. He had seen her once before when they agreed on this day. She was a bit older with greying blond hair and golden-brown eyes. His dad and John came with him, so he didn´t feel so alone. They were standing before the front door and Lucas was trying to find the courage to ring the bell. After standing there for a few minutes, Lucas took a deep breath and rang. The door opened almost immediately, and they stepped in. The arrive at the office and sit down in the waiting room. Instead of chair it has comfortable armchairs and sofas. They were mismatching but not chaotic and the wall were a calming green. When the therapist said goodbye to her last patient, she spotted them and said hello to Lucas´s dad:,, Hello, why don´t you come into my office?” They went into her office, and it was just a welcoming as the waiting room. It had big windows at one wall and an oak desk a bit away from the wall with a desk chair on one and three smaller chairs on the other side of it. There were two couches at the other wall, but Dr. Franklin went to the desk and sat down on the chair, so Lucas, his dad and John occupied the other three chairs. Dr. Franklin pulled out a folder and told Lucas´s dad:,, So, we already talked about the time, right. Once every week to start and if he needs more, we´ll schedule more?” ,,Yeah, that was what fitted the best.” Lucas´s dad answered, and Lucas just nodded. He still wasn´t sure what he was doing here. He knew it would help, but it was still overwhelming. Dr. Franklin nodded and said:,, Okay, then everything is sorted out. You can wait in the waiting room or go out. While Lucas and I are doing the first session. It´ll take about an hour.” John and Lucas´s dad stood up and reassured Lucas, that it´ll be okay. Dr. Franklin stood up and said:,, Let´s get a bit more comfortable.” They moved to the sofas, and each sat down on separate ones. Dr. Franklin laid her notebook on the little coffee table and asked Lucas:,, Why are you here? You father already told me that you have nightmares. But I would like to hear it from you.” Lucas sighed and said:,, yeah, I have nightmares. And panic attacks and sometimes I get angry, but it´s fine it just needs time.” Lucas wanted to act like it was fine, but it wasn´t. Dr. Franklin looked him in the eyes and asked:,, Then why did you want to go to therapy? You were the one who requested it, why?” ,, Because they worried. And I knew I had a problem, but I thought I could handle it. When everyone told me I couldn´t, maybe I thought it too.” ,,Do you believe you need help? Do you personally feel like it´ll help you to be here?” Lucas just shrugged and said:,, I hope it helps, because I need to get my grades in check. And I don´t want to be tired all the time.” Dr. Franklin took out her notebook and scribbled something done and then continued:,, So, I heard there was a lot going on, could you tell me when the nightmares and panic attacks first started.” ,,About three weeks ago. But the outbursts aren´t often and came later.” Dr. Franklin scribbled something down and said:,, I heard a lot of things happened in the last year. Can you tell where it started. Where things began to change.” Lucas thought back to about half a year ago when he moved to London. That must have been the start. So, he answered:,, When I moved here in the summer. And got into my first real school. That was when everything changed.” Franklin wrote something down and Lucas said impatiently:,, What are you writing down?” ,,Just notes for myself.” She Turned the book around and Lucas could see notes about what he had said in a clean handwriting. Lucas didn´t expect her to show him and trusted her even more now, so when she asked him:,, So, can you tall me what happened then.” ,,Sure” Lucas answered and started telling her everything that happened since he moved to London.

Notes:

This is the first chapter. How did you like it?