Soon Enough
I catch a glimpse of Robert and Johnny behind me out of the corner of my eye as I jump out of the vehicle. I hit the ground running. It's been almost fifteen minutes since I last talked to Oliver. Damn cell phone battery ran out on me. I should've know it would. I hope he's okay. I kept him talking as long as I could. The trip usually doesn't seem very long, but this time it felt endless. I mount the steps to the porch and grab the door knob.
"Shit!" "What's the matter?" Robert and Johnny have caught up to me by now. "The door's locked, that's what." Robert stares at me, "it's locked?" I nod. "Great." Johnny's caught his breath, "now what do we do?" I look up at the porch roof a moment, trying to think. "I'd say ring the bell, since it's so obvious, but if his dad's not awake...." "We risk waking him up," Robert finishes for me. "Yeah." "Well we've got to get in some how."
I glance around, there's got to be something.... "Don't people keep a spare key hidden somewhere outside? In case they lose theirs, I mean." Johnny nods, "yeah. Most people do anyway." Robert looks at our surroundings. "The question is where. We can't call Oliver, the phone would be just as bad as the doorbell. And we don't want him downstairs." I turn back to Johnny, "any idea where a spare key'd be at?" "Well," he starts. "The one Mum keeps is under the mat."
Robert pulls the welcome mat up and, fortunately for us, a small silver key is visible. "Somebody is watchin' us," I mention as he slips the key in the lock. With the door open, I think we're all feeling a little better. But before we can relax, we have to find Oliver. "Uh, guys?" Johnny's standing in the doorway to the living room. He motions for us to come over, "look what I found." Oliver's dad is sprawled on the floor, apparently drunk and thankfully still unconscious. "At least we know where he is now. That'll make avoiding him easier."
I agree with Robert, that does help but, "where's Oliver?" Johnny beat me to it. We all think a minute, "upstairs probably. That's where he was last anyway." "Then upstairs we go," Robert heads for the staircase. "And hope that idiot doesn't wake up," Johnny adds. That reminds me, "should we take Oliver somewhere else, or just stay here with him?" The others stop short. "I think," Robert begins after a moment, "that as long as he can't get to Oliver we're okay. Isn't there a door to the hallway upstairs that locks?"
Both look at me, my having been to Oliver's more than they have. I nod, "there is." Johnny perks up slightly, "so we just lock that." It certainly should work and if it doesn't, it'll at least by us time to think of something else. We consider splitting up at the top of the stairs, but decide to check Oliver's room first. I knock softly on the door and, not getting an answer, push it open. I'm surprised though, I'd thought it would be locked.
As the door swings open, we notice Oliver huddled on his bed. "Oliver, why...." "Isn't the door locked?" He finishes for me and continues, "I heard you knock and unlatched it. I knew it wasn't him, he'd just pound on the door and threaten to break it down if I didn't open it. But he never does." I walk in the room, Johnny behind me and Robert last, closing and relocking the door. I ease onto the bed next to him, not really sure what to do next.....
Chaos: Well, there you have it: chapter 2. Do you like it so far? I hope so. I'm just kind of being led along by my muse right now. Woke me up at 7 this morning with this one. Woke me up at 1 a.m. yesterday with Walk A Little Straighter. Made me get up and write it. Pesky muse.
Veridian (aka Chaos' muse): If you're not going to be nice I'll leave.
Chaos: Veridian, I already promised you could be Eve's bit beast in 'Welcome To My World'. That's what you wanted. For all you people, Veridian's an odd creature. Looks kinda like a gryphen. I know she's half phoenix, but I'm not sure 'bout the other half. I think it might be fire salamander (my term for what Salamulyon is). She won't tell me though.
Veridian: It's none of your business what I am. But yes that was what I wanted, and you did promise, so I guess I'll stay.
Chaos: pets Ridi Good muse. Ridi thrums Anyway bye all!