Chapter 2.

To my surprise, Fred did turn up for the next meeting.

It seemed that he didn't have his mother with him today. I'm sure he was grateful for that. He walked into the centre just after I did. He looked more sure of himself this week. His head was held, back straight and had a ghost of a smile on his lips

I decided to make myself a cup of tea before we started. Fred had sat down in the same seat that he claimed last week. Every now and then he'd pick at his left hand.

It was probably a nervous habit. We all had one.

He had taken off the long trench coat he was wearing and underneath he was what looked like a homemade jumper with a capitol F on it.

I noticed that while he was picking at his hand he was staring at his watch. He was probably anxious for the meeting to start.

While I was watching him, the kettle boiled. I decided to make two cups of tea.

With both cups in hand I made my way over to the seat on his right. I might as well try to be friendly.

"Would you like a cup?" I asked when I sat down.

He looked up from his watch and looked at the cup I was holding out.

"Thanks, um sorry, I don't think we've been introduced?" He asked as he took the cup.

"I'm Eleanor." He brought the tea up to his lips and took a sip. I did the same.

"I'm Fred." He held his free hand for me to shake.

"Pleasure." I said shaking his hand. His skin felt rough, like he worked with his hands a lot. I took my hand away when I realised the handshake was going on for too long. I took another sip of my tea to hide my blush.

The last of the group had arrived during our small conversation.

I sat and listened to everyone else's stories like I always did. The stories were still more or less the same. No one slept well, a few seemed to be getting better and everyone was taking it one day at a time.

When it my turn to speak I felt the same lump in my throat I got every week. My hands found their way to the end of my light brown hair and I started to slowly plait it.

Fred must have noticed my unease. He cleared his throat before he spoke.

"I guess I'll go next. I know I didn't say much last week, but I suppose if everyone else is going through something similar I may as well share." He paused and took a deep breath. "I've been having trouble sleeping." He breathed out.

"Thank you for sharing, Fred, remember one step at time is okay. You don't want to elaborate any further right now." Adam said.

"Thanks, I kind of just want to leave it there, if that alright?" Fred asked. He was picking at his hand again. It was always the left.

"Remember there's no judgement here. You can say as much or as little as you want." Adam directed the last part at me.

I saw Fred relax at that. But I tensed up at the thought of speaking. Fred had only been here one full week and had already started to open up to the group about what he was going through. I knew I was annoying the group and disappointing Adam, but most of all I was disappointed in myself.

When the meeting was finished, I picked up my empty mug that I had put on the floor and made my way over to the sink to rinse it out.

"So, you don't like talking in front of other people?." Fred asked as he followed me to the sink.

I nearly dropped the cup as I was placing it in the dishwasher.

"I suppose so, it just takes me a while to feel comfortable. I'm not as brave as you or the others." I said honestly.

"You'll get there." He said with a smile.

I heard some of the other members snort as they walked by us.

I held my tongue. This had been happening for the last two weeks. The other members didn't like the fact that I listened and didn't share what I was going through.

Fred eyes moved from them back to me. He must have noticed that I tensed up at the snort.

"I thought this was a place of 'no judgement' according to the pamphlet." Fred said as he watched them leave.

"It's okay, don't worry about it." I said. I was buttoning up my coat as I made my way to the exit. Fred followed me out, he even held the door open for me.

"Thank you."

It was starting to rain. I put up my umbrella and took out my keys. My car was the only one left the car park. Did Fred not have a car?

"Is your car parked around the corner?" I asked.

"No, I didn't drive here." He chuckled.

The rain was really starting to come down now. Was he going to have to walk home in that? I could offer him a lift, or would that be inappropriate? It wasn't forbidden to meet up outside of the meetings, but Adam said that we should maintain some level of anonymity.

"Would you like a lift?" I asked before I could stop myself.

"I don't think you could lift me." He smiled as he looked me up and down. "No offence."

I laughed at the idea of me lifting him. He was probably over a foot taller than me.

"You're very kind to offer but I'm okay." He said.

"Okay, well safe home." I said before leaving him alone in the rain.

I had just gotten into my car and turned up the heating to the highest setting when I saw Fred making his way towards the side of the building.

Where was he going? If I remembered correctly, there was nothing but a dead end back there.

The rain seemed to be getting worse. I could've sworn I just heard thunder somewhere.

I drove around to head to the exit and passed the place Fred had just walked, but instead of seeing Fred, all I saw was big industrial bins and a brick wall.

Where did he go?