Title: In the arms of a stranger
Author: So Yun
Chapters: 2/3
Rating: M
Warnings: Language, Substance abuse, drugs
Summary: One-shot? Can kindness come from someone you don't even know?
Note1: Don't be too scared off, this chapter gets more hardcore. This isn't heading into the maniacal Suicidal teen department though either. The things written are the ways for Harry to deal.
Chapter two: Stick it
Me and my bro have been looking for that kid again. I was so startled when he started running away, I must have said something wrong. I mean dad told me his parents are dead, but from the looks of it the kid, Harry Potter has been by himself for years.
Josh and I want to find his family, maybe something's wrong or he's getting abused. Frankly I don't know, but something doesn't seem right. And my family, the Goodwells' aren't the type to abandon people who need help, even if they don't show it.
I mean, I know it would be hard for the kid without parents. It's been hard without mum; she was hit by a car when I was five and Josh four. It was hard on Dad; he hasn't been with anyone since. Me and Josh have tried setting up speed dating, online dating, everything for him. But he insists all he needs in his life is his sons.
So I have enlisted Josh today, we're going to scour the suburbs. He's bound to be hanging around somewhere. It's not like he's hardcore with drugs and alcohol, but if he was out that late and drinking pretty strong stuff with no one looking for him. It's pretty sure that he usually isn't wanted around and he's hiding somewhere. Well, we're going to find him. He needs help.
We have just entered the local park, the front is shiny and new with play equipment but the back is pretty shabby and dangerous. The usual druggos hang around there; we just hope the kid hasn't stumbled into that dangerous territory.
Dad was pretty concerned when I got home; he was worried first off that the kid had left already. I retold him and Josh what had happened when I asked what was wrong; dad had to go to work but told me and Josh to go search in the morning. So here we are.
We go round behind the old bricked public toilets block; they are closed because no one actually used them properly. We look in disgust at the mountains of needles and syringes littering the area. Little kids play a few meters away for Christ's sake!
I look at Josh and go to leave, but then I hear harsh, laboured breathing on one side of the block. Alarmed we both rush around to see in horror……..
Today as cold water runs down my goose bumped skin, I stare over at the mirror. I am unflinching as the water runs deep into my eyes, deep into my soul. For some reason the emerald depths staring back, scare me. No longer can I look at myself in childish innocence; it is now a battle veteran's stare. And I hate it.
Once I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my waist, I wipe my face over and sigh. Yesterday was a disaster, I nearly showed a weakness. A weakness I cannot afford. I appreciated their kindness and caring that I long for, but I can not afford it. The price is too high.
Once I am dressed I take a moment to glance in the mirror before heading downstairs, just as I am about to leave on my own accord, Vernon yanks my hair and throws me out. My job is done for me. They think because I have to stay for my mother's protection, doesn't mean I have to actually live there. They think if I just sleep there its good enough. It works for me.
I get off my arse, which I landed on and walk down the street. I kick everything in my path; I know my expression looks ugly. But I shouldn't have to say it again; I don't care or give a fuck really.
Finally I am at the old playground, made to look new of course. But no one knows of my little hideout, behind the old toilet block. No one goes there and hasn't in awhile, but I know some druggos do. I keep clear of them.
As I sit down against the brick wall I pull out the cigarettes I paid Dudley for. As I smoke the fag I smile to myself. This is the life.
Hermione and Ron had gotten together in the holidays, haven't really heard much. Don't blame them; I myself can't bring it upon to write a happy go lucky letter. Mine must sound pretty depressing, their's are pretty boring too.
For the moment I wish the magical world never existed, and to me right now. It doesn't.
I'm on a high I know, but in a minute my low will come. I'll ride it out, it doesn't take me long. I cry hysterically over Sirius then sit up, wipe the stupid tears away and act as if everything is one hundred percent fine. I do that a lot; no one can see me, that's the love of it.
I survey the area around me; it's littered with heaps of needles. I pick one up as I wheeze from my most recent suck at the fag. I look at it then look at my arm, I wonder how the Druggos can do it and why. And to hell with it I want to know!
So I stab the needle in, it sticks into my skin and I feel a sting as it penetrates my vein. I hiss in pain, I didn't know they hurt so much. I am so consumed in my shock of stabbing myself with a needle that I watch in a detached fashion as someone pulls the needle out violently but gently. The person grabs my arms and pulls me up, for a minute I think it's my uncle. But my uncle wouldn't give a damn if I stuck a random needle into me.
Another person rips the cigarette out of my fingers and throws it on the ground, grinding the ash with their foot.
"You're coming with me kid" The person hisses and drags me away. I don't even mind being dragged away and surprised someone actually stopped me from furthering what I was going to do.
With a rude awakening I realize what I have just done; I have just picked up someone else's needle and used it. God knows who else has used it. I've heard Vernon and Petunia talking about how idiot people got aids from touching used syringes. Vernon would just laugh and say good riddance if they did, bloody druggos.
My high must have affected my thinking terribly, I feel so stupid. But the two people continue to drag me along; I let myself be lead like a five year old by their parents.
When I have finally come to my senses I have been roughly pushed into a chair, but wait I'm in a house?! Ben Goodwell, and a guy with brown hair and blue eyes are both looking at me, arms crossed.
I am guessing the other guy is Josh Goodwell, I stare back at them. Their expressions are marred with anger and a sternness that only a parent could give. Oh except them. Ben looks so much like his father, and thank god his father isn't here. The silence continues until I say after swallowing,
"You know it's my own business what I do"
Ben looks absolutely furious and shakes his head at this statement, he looks about to lunge. His brother looks at me carefully then stares at his brother and grabs his shoulder.
"Don't Ben, let's just ring dad at work. Or this kid's relatives"
"NO" I nearly yell and sit up in the chair; I clench the arms of it so tightly my knuckles whiten.
This seems to quirk the two and Ben kneels down beside me in the chair, he seems calmer now.
"We'll do a deal then kid, you tell us what the hell is going wrong in your life, or we tell"
My mouth is agape; I'm shocked they even want to know me! Everyone in the street sees me as the freaky, skinny, quite kid and they never talk to me. They keep their distance. But this family I only met the other day….I know it must be too good to be true.
I have to make a decision, if I don't talk and they tell the Dursleys, I'm officially locked in the cupboard under the stairs for the rest of the summer, or even my life.
If I talk, they'll get sick of my little woes and cast me aside. They'll think I'm a freak also and I hardly even know them! Besides that they hardly even know me!
I open my mouth; I guess it's my only choice in truth. They both kneel beside me now, to me it's seems a brotherly supportive gesture. But that's just my deranged thoughts, it's my desire that they were. But they're not, I think I'm delusional.
I finally decide I should just talk; only way I'm going to get out of this situation. It's not like I'll never see them again, I go back to school in a month.
"My godfather died last month" I barely whisper but they hear. One of them goes to say something, maybe be comforting or telling me to get out they don't care. But I interrupt them.
"This guy wants me dead, my relatives hate me passionately and my friends are wrapped up in each other. I have no family, and I'll be dead before I turn eighteen"
The silence afterwards is terribly deafening, they don't know what to say. It's Ben that breaks the silence,
"You got a terminal disease?" Josh coughs and I shake my head. More silence afterwards, this is an awkward situation. They aren't like Mrs Weasley, they won't charge forwards and wrap me up in a hug telling me it's alright. No.
Ben is the one who leans forwards and rests a hand comfortingly on my shoulder; I look up and realize there are tears shining in his eyes.
"It's not okay kid; I will not lie to you. By the sound of it your life is shit, but you know what, we are going to help you. Whether you want us to or not, a kid like you shouldn't be so unhappy. You should be having fun and enjoying life, you aren't"
Josh smiles at me, "My brother is right, we have something that you don't have and we want to give it to you. I'm guessing your relatives wouldn't mind you staying with us for awhile would they?"
I smile and nod, stuff Dumbledore and protections. I won't stay in hell longer then necessary when I'm meant to be in heaven.
Please review, no flames. One chapter to go!
Thanks,
Yun
