Home Is Where the Hurt Is
Chapter 5

Imaginary Friends Can Become Real.

Alec was hesitant to leave his friend, but he didn't want to make him upset either. Alec wasn't in any hurry and was taking his time.

Erik was following him quietly with a catlike walk and from a distance. He wanted to make sure Alec arrived safely back to his sister. He was so experienced at not being noticed that his footsteps didn't echo. He was afraid that if Alec turned around and saw him, he'd never leave. It wasn't that he didn't like this little boy, it was just that he could tell that his sister was concerned about him. His thoughts were shattered by the sound of Alec crying.

Erik's heart skipped a beat when he heard the crying. He took off running to the boy.
"If anything happened to him, I'd never forgive myself," Erik thought to himself.
Alec looked up from where he had fallen, and saw Erik running to him.
"Erik, my ankle hurts," he said through his tears.
Erik knelt down and felt the boy's ankle. Alec shut his eyes tight.
"That hurts Erik."
Erik let out the breathe he'd been holding and sighed.
"It's only a sprain, it's not broken." He picked up the crying boy, and carried him gently down the corridor to Corrine's room.

Corrine was right in middle of an exciting chapter of her book when there was a frantic knocking on her door.
Corrine answered without looking up from her book.
"Come in, it's open."
The knocking just continued. Corrine slammed her book shut in annoyance.
"What do you want," she yelled as she opened the door.
Corrine froze in place at the sight of Erik holding her brother.
"Cori, I fell and hurt my ankle," Alec said as he started a fresh batch of tears.
Corrine ushered Erik in quickly, and then she looked down the corridor to make sure no one else had noticed. Erik had gotten Alec comfortable on the bed, and was taking his shoe off.
"Don't worry, it's not broken. I would never have moved him if it was," Erik said quietly.
Corrine was in shock. Here's the phantom that everyone spoke about, and yet he talked so softly, that if she hadn't been paying attention, she never would've heard him. She had a million questions running through her mind, but knew they had to wait. Her brother was hurt and needed her. Corrine looked at the swollen ankle and winced. She was trying to be as careful as she could as she propped the foot on a pillow, but Alec still whimpered from the pain. She saw movement from the corner of her eye and saw Erik leaving.
"You don't have to leave," Corrine said casually as if her room was visited by Erik on a regular basis.
"I must go. Alec, I'll see you tomorrow as I promised."
"But how? I won't be able to walk to our secret meeting place.""Well then Alec, I just guess your friend will have to come here," Corrine interrupted.
She turned toward Erik. "After all, you are my brother's friend, and you are welcome here anytime. However there's one thing..."
Corrine walked over to Erik, gripped his arm, and lowered her voice so that only Erik could hear.
"I don't know what your intentions are with my brother. It makes me uncomfortable that a grown man as yourself is spending a lot of time with a 5 year old."
Erik, felt her grip tighten on his arm, and saw her eyebrows narrow, as she continued.
"If you hurt my brother in anyway, shape, or form, I will hunt you down like a dog and kill you. You see, I would DIE for my brother."

Erik almost laughed out loud, but one look at Corrine's face, and he knew she was dead serious. He gently placed his hand on Corrine's hand.
"Mademoiselle, I give my word that I would never harm your brother intentionally."
Corrine looked into his eyes and knew he was telling the truth, and with that she let go of his arm.
"What I said still stands, and you are welcome to visit Alec here anytime you wish."
Erik nodded and left quietly.

Corrine turned to her brother.
"Alec, would you mind telling me where and how you met him?"