The Boy On The Run

CHAPTER TWO

Song: Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright

CHAPTER TWO.

The Next Day.

*Flashback*

"Die Die Die!" Abel shouts at my Call Of Duty video game.

Emilia glance up at the large tv screen and back at her nails. "You know, Abel, aren't you a little young to be playing Sullivan's games?" My sister asks and continues to blow on her freshly painted nails.

Abel quickly glances at her over his shoulder and back at the screen. "Huh?"

She scoffs. "Whatever. I'm practically invisible to everyone in this house."

I place my phone on the couch cushion next to me and look over at Emilia. "Emilia, that's not true and you know it. We love you."

She shrugs. "Oh really? Most of the time it doesn't feel like it." She brittles.

I stand up and walk over to her and sit next to her on the ground. "Even if it doesn't feel like it, doesn't mean we don't love you. Just because Abel and I don't say we love you to you every day like Mom and dad do doesn't mean anything."

She sighs and ignores me.

I nudge her arm lightly. "Love you!" I burst.

She giggles quietly.

"Do you want me to take you out?"

"Gross! I'm not dating you." She clarifies.

I chuckle. "Not like that!"

She rolls over and cackles. "Oh thank god!"

"I mean like just a day for you and me."

She raises an eyebrow and sits up. "What's the catch?"

"No catch. I promise."

"Will you take me shopping?" She asks.

I nod. "Sure, of course."

"Okay!" She chirps.

*present*

I grab an old broken black and silver watch that I found on the side of the road a couple of days ago, out of my pocket to check the time. 6:00 p.m.

I climb up the bars along the building side like usual to get to my brothers window. I jump and pull myself up on the roof of the orphanage and walk towards his window quietly and try to stay out of sight as much as possible. Once I make my way to his window I see that he actually left it open this time. I quickly hop in to see him reading a book at his desk.

"Hey Abe!" I exclaim quietly.

He smiles and closes his book. "Hey Sully!"

I walk up to his desk and glance at his book. "Whatcha reading?" I inquire.

"How To Kill A Mocking Bird."

"Ah, I read that in eighth grade. How are you liking it?"

He pulls on his jacket and closes his window. "It's really good. I wish they would let me keep it."

I open his window back up and adjust my bag. "I have a surprise for you."

He walks up to me and smiles. "Really? What is it?"

"First, I need to take you to where it is."

"But, I'm not allowed to go outside."

I chuckle and ruffle his blonde hair. "Well it's time for you to break some rules. Follow me." I tell him as I step out of his window.

He grabs onto the window and pulls himself up and out.

"Careful now. Watch your step." I demand. He follows closely behind me as I jump off the roof and onto the other building below. I turn around to see him still standing there. "Come on."

"It's to far. I'll fall."

"Don't look down. Keep your eyes on me. And I'll catch you."

"Are you sure about this?"

I nod. "I promise."

He gulps. "Okay." He jumps as I catch him and put him back down on the ground. "How much farther?"

"Not much. We just have to climb down these bars." I gesture towards the bars.

"That looks like a long ways down."

"It goes quick. If you slip, I'll catch you. You got this." I pat his back and start to climb down as he follows. We quickly make it to the ground and I pull my hood on along with a pair of old sunglasses. "See that wasn't bad."

"For you maybe." He pushes his hands into his jacket pockets and looks up at me. "So where are we going anyways?"

I shrug. "It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you."

He nods as I lead the way.

About 20 minutes of walking we make it there.

He squints and looks around the place. "A basketball court?" He asks with a face full of confusion.

"Yeah."

"Why would we come here if we don't even own a basketball?"Abel asks glumly.

I place my bag down on the bench. "Because we do have one." I pull the ball out of the bag and throw it to him.

He smiles cheekily. "Wow! How did you get this?"

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve." I smirk.

He grins and snickers softly. "Oh really? Do you have any tricks to beat me? Because I'm going to kick your nasty butt."

"Um, I don't think so, as I recall to back to all out other matches I kicked your ass. You went down hard, little man."

I snatch the ball away from him and make a basket. He squints his eyes at me and throws the ball towards the basket but misses. "Hey, I'm just a little rusty. It's been awhile."

I nod with a grin. I raise my hands up in defense. "I didn't say anything."

"Well your eyes did."

I raise an eyebrow. "My eyes can speak now? That's strange. I've never heard them say a word." He pushes me teasingly as I toss him the ball. "Remember what I taught you? It's all in the wrist."

He takes a deep breath and throws the ball, this time getting it through the hoop. His face brightens, Ive never realized how much I miss seeing him happy. I wish I could go back in time and change everything. It hurts me to see him so sad all the time. I sigh and rub my neck.

He looks over at me and dribbles the ball. "What's wrong, Sully?"

I grin. "What? You think I'm scared to lose to you?"

He chuckles. "That's exactly what I think."

I steal the ball away from him once again and make another basket. "Well you're wrong my man."

*******

I grab the ball off the ground and shove it in my bag and throw it over my shoulder.

"Beat that sucka! I won, you lost. I'm the greatest!" He sings and snaps his fingers.

I smirk and pat his shoulder. "Whatever you say."

He furrows his brows. "Hold on a minute." He stands on his tip toes to get as close to my face as he possibly can, which isn't close at all. "You threw the game. You let me win."

"I don't know what your talking about."

He crosses his arms over his chest and shifts his weight to the other foot. "Dude. You can't lie to my face. I know when one lies."

I chuckle. "Oh really? How's that?"

He shrugs and thinks for a moment. "Whatever, I won you loser."

I wrap my arm around his shoulders as we walk back towards the orphanage. I pull out the same photo of me and Bryce as before.

"Do you miss her?"

I glance down at Abel and nod. "Always." I quickly shove the photo back into my pocket. "We should get you back before they notice that your gone."

He waves his hand in the air. "Like they would notice I'm gone my butt." He spits.

"Abel, you know they would. Who knows if they haven't noticed already."

He tugs on my arm and pulls me towards him. "Please Sully, don't make me go back. I can't go back, I don't want too. Please, don't make me! I hate it, I can't stand it! Come on Sully, don't make me!"

I take a deep breath and place my hand on his shoulder. "Abel, you have to go back. I hate to make you, but I have too. It's just something I have to do. If they notice that your gone they'll think I have you, and I'm already in enough trouble. It's better to be somewhere that's warm. I need you to stay strong for me. I know it's hard. But come on Abe, you just have to be there." I grab his arm to lead him back.

He looks down at the ground and stays silent the whole walk back. I help him on top of the roof and back into his small room. He sits on his bed and stares at the wall beside him.

"Goodnight, Abe. I'll be back tomorrow. I love you."

He continues to ignore me. I slowly and carefully close his window from the outside and work my way across the roof.

"Love you too, Sully." He calls out quietly.

I turn around to see Abel with his head sticking out the window. I nod and he closes his window.

~*~