Nathan woke up, covered in sweat. He looked around his room and sighed with relief. It was just a dream. He was about to close his eyes and go back to sleep but then he heard a noise coming from his closet. It wasn't a loud noise, but in the night's dead silence, he was able to hear it.
It sounded like a screech. A few moments later, Nathan heard a loud thud from inside the closet and he turned to glance at his bedroom door.
His father would yell at him if he came into the room and woke him up. If it turned out to be nothing, he'd only get yelled at, maybe even get a slap or two and his mother would be unable to defend him, as usual.
He got up, took a few steps back and grabbed the umbrella that stood by his desk, gripped it with both hands and closed his eyes.
You can do this, he thought to himself, how are you going to be a cop one day if you can't even open the closet doors?
A few more moments had passed and there was no noise. He sighed in relief again and opened his eyes, but just as he was about to put his umbrella down the noise started again. This time, whoever was in the closet started tapping on the door with their fingers.
Nathan grabbed the umbrella again and slowly approached the closet door. The tapping continued, but as he got closer, it got quieter and quieter until it finally stopped. Just as he was about to reach for the handles, the doors began opening slowly by themselves, making him take a step back, lose his balance and fall.
-No, please!- he screamed.
The doors swung open and someone Nathan couldn't see well jumped at him.
-Gotcha, scaredy-cat!
Nathan recognized his friend's voice and was now able to see his glowing red eyes.
-What the hell are you doing here, Morgan?- Nathan asked nervously, still only inches away from his friend's face- I almost went to my parents' room to tell them about the noise.
-Yeah, I know.- Morgan got up- I read your mind.
-I wish you wouldn't do that. It's weird.
-If it makes you feel better, I don't do it all the time.
-Oh sure, that makes me feel much better…- Nathan got back on his feet- -How'd you manage to sneak out again?
-I made Lora my special drink again.
-Won't having too much of that hurt her?
-Nah, it just gets her to sleep a little longer. Anyway, here.- Morgan handed Nathan a small rectangular black box, with a small bow on it- Happy birthday.
Nathan reluctantly took the box and just as he was about to open it he looked up at Morgan.
-It's not another dead rat, is it?
Morgan smiled.
-Let's find out, shall we? Open it.
-I don't know…
-Oh just open it! There's nothing dead or alive in there! - Morgan sighed- You're no fun at all…
Nathan opened the box to find a pleasant surprise. His eyes lit up when he saw a police badge that had sheriff engraved on it.
-I love it, thank you.- Nathan said with a warmth in his voice.
-I knew you would.- Morgan said proudly.
-Nathan looked at Morgan again.
-You could've given it to me tomorrow at the party.
-No I couldn't.- Morgan threw himself on Nathan's bed- Lora got you a pair of jeans and a shirt.
-Where'd you get this from then?
-It doesn't matter, just enjoy it. No one had to get hurt for you to get it, I promise.- Morgan sat up- Although, you might not want to let anyone see it. They might start asking questions and you can't tell them you got it from me.
-I won't say anything… But if I find out that you hurt someone to get it, or worse –
-You're gonna do what?- Morgan arched his brow and crossed his arms.
Nathan looked down.
-Oh boy… Look, I didn't mean to get you down. You'll get tougher in time, I know it.
Nathan looked up at Morgan, with a look of confusion on his face.
-You're really weird sometimes…
-I know, I can't help it.
Nathan smiled tiredly and glanced at the clock on his bedside table. He was surprised to see that it was nearly three in the morning.
-I should go back to bed. Unlike you, I've got school tomorrow.
-Okay, I'm leaving.- Morgan walked to the closet and as he got inside he turned back, looked at his friend and smiled- See you tomorrow at the party.
With those words, Morgan closed the closet door behind.
He went through a small portal that he'd created, finding himself back in his bedroom. He turned to see that Lora was firmly asleep on a bed across his and hid the picture that served as the portal under his bed's mattress.
Morgan got into bed but he couldn't fall asleep, as his thoughts drifted off to his big sister Lilly. She'll be turning seven tomorrow, just like Nathan. Only he won't be able to be with her this year either, which saddened him.
He had memories of her when she was three years old but had no idea what she'd look like now. He remembered how she played with him, the few times that they'd gotten the chance. Then he remembered how Lora had told him that it won't be long before his dad and Lilly come to the house to be with them.
Even though that thought made him happy, Morgan knew that they'd have to leave the house soon after, possibly go miles away from Nathan whom he'd grown fond of. After all, it seemed like Nathan was the only real friend he had.
He liked to tease Nathan as he liked to tease any kid his age or younger, but it was never in a way that would hurt him, especially since he knew what Nathan had to endure from his father on a daily basis.
He felt sorry for Nathan and his mom, but Morgan knew he couldn't do anything to help him without getting in trouble. If he'd done anything even remotely suspicious, Lora would take him away someplace else and he hated moving.
Just when they'd settle into a nice neighborhood something would happen that would get Lora upset and make her pack up and move. He knew that they were on the run from Lora's father, but Morgan hadn't been able to sense him since he was a baby which is why he found it strange that they'd move so often. Whenever he'd ask Lora about it she'd just say "Because we have to.", avoiding to explain anything to him.
In all fairness, this was the house that they've stayed at the longest, having been there for nearly four months now. The house itself was pleasant as it hadn't had many previous residents and no one had had anything bad happen to them during their time of living there. To Morgan, it was possibly a perfect home.
All he wanted now was for Lilly and his dad to come to live in the house as well and stay there, so they could live their lives like any normal family, although that seemed to be nothing but a fantasy because Morgan knew his father wouldn't stay in the same place for long.