Chapter II
I was curious; I doubt that anyone would receive visitors at 5.00 in the morning. I could hear Mom hastily clear away the bottles of alcohol that littered the floor.
The knock became more quicker, more louder.
"Coming! Coming!" I heard a hint of panic in her voice.
The door clicked as she opened it, and I could hear three, firm voices talking to her. I couldn't hear them properly, only a low muffle. It was then that I decided to sit on top of the stairs and discreetly eavesdrop on their conversation.
Slowly, I eased myself off my army cot and tip-toed to the landing. There was no light on so I remained oblivious. I sat on my hands and knee's, and slowly looked around the banister.
I saw two police officers, and a bald man standing just inside the doorway. Their faces were stern and one of them was beginning to reveal some handcuffs.
"Miss. Wake, you have not sent your son to school, ignored social services' home inspections, and ignored our demands that you take better care of your son. Miss. Wake you are under-arrest" His voice was calm, but firm. He began to handcuff my Mother.
"No, no, you don't understand!" Mom screamed. "I'm a good Mother! Don't take him away from me!" Tears were pouring down her cheeks, her black mascara streaking and staining her distorted face.
I ran, ran back to my bedroom and slammed the door shut.
Am I free from Mothers wrath? Am I freed from this prison?
But then reality hit me. They would take me to another place; they would lock Mom up and throw away the key.
Who would wait up all night for her when she went to the pub? Who would wake her up every morning? Who would make her coffee to ease her headaches?
No one would do that, she needed me, and believe it or not, I needed her.
I could hear the dreadful sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. I had to escape.
My door opened, the other officer was there, and the bald man.
"Joseph? Its okay, your going to be fine" His voice was calm, his hands were outstretched, ready to take hold of me. My eyes were wide, my body trembling.
"Leave me alone! Leave us alone! We're fine, Mom's a great Mother! She takes care of me!" I started shouting in their faces, but the officer took no understanding and was running towards me.
"It's all my fault! She hits me because I'm bad, lock me up!" I stood up and started running towards the doorway, my heart thudding in my chest and my head spinning.
I dodged the police officers grasp and sprinted down the stairs, and out the door.
The other officer who now in his car and just about to drive off, opened his car door.
"Come back here!" he shouted after me. I didn't stop; I had crossed the road, and was now running along the un-even pavement.
It was fast, so fast. My foot hooked itself underneath a pave stone and swung me to the ground.
The bald man, who was not far behind, stopped by my body. I could feel blood seep out of my knees and drip onto the ground. My entire body hurt, and I felt like I was in an eternal darkness. He picked me up, even though I struggled weakly, and walked back to the police car.
"Well done Mike" said the officer who had came into my room.
"He's hurt, the poor chap" said Mike, inspecting my bloody knees and hands.
"No worries, just a graze, he should feel much better at his new home"
I wriggled uncertainly in his grasp, and tried to twist free.
"I cant go, Mom needs me!" I shouted, trying to punch Mikes face.
"Your Mother will be fine, just trust me" Said Mike, pinning my weak fist down.
Trust him? How can I trust anyone?